Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation articles from June 2003

Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation archives from June 2003

W.A. Schmidt, Inc.
June 1, 2003... The ExpandaLoft modular mezzanine from W.A. Schmidt, Inc., is available in nine standard sizes for manufacturing facilities, bulk storage, machine and maintenance platforms. The design features structural steel columns, and comes with a square...

Systematic Automation, Inc.
June 1, 2003... Systematic Automation, Inc., offers the FAPD-10, an automatic and programmable controller that dispenses a controlled and repeatable amount of ink and adhesives directly. The unit features a low-ink/low-adhesive alarm. 860-677-6400. ...

Structural Plastics.
June 1, 2003... Structural Plastics introduces the Add-A-Level platform with a flow-through grid system that keeps workers out of undesirable conditions. The stackable units are made of high-density polyethylene resin, and come in a variety of sizes to fit any...

Dwyer Instruments, Inc.
June 1, 2003... The Series 450 Carbon Monoxide Monitor from Dwyer Instruments, Inc., features a beacon of light that flashes in proportion to the level of carbon monoxide detected in the air. The units are suitable for industrial HVAC applications. Accessories...

Behavior's best environment. (Editorial Comments).
June 1, 2003... Psychologist B.F. Skinner might be happy to know that at least in manufacturing, behavior beats environment. Chicago's Republic Windows and Doors proved this, in a sense, when it spent $30 million on a new, world-class facility a few years ago...

New OSHA management plan calls for greater reductions in workplace fatalities, injuries. (Industry Newsline).
June 1, 2003... OSHA announced a new strategic management plan last month that includes goals calling for a 15% drop in workplace fatalities and a 20%. drop in injuries and illnesses by 2008. Announced by Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety...

Dow to test fuel cells for power at its largest manufacturing facility. (Industry Newsline).
June 1, 2003... The Dow Chemical Co. said last month it had an agreement with General Motors to begin testing GM fuel cells to generate electricity at Dow's largest manufacturing complex, located in Freeport, TX. Dow said it could eventually use up to 35...

Suppliers give GM, Ford low marks as business partners. (Industry Newsline).
June 1, 2003... Manufacturers that supply parts to North America's six largest automakers indicated in a survey last month that General Motors and Ford are the worst to do business with among the six. The annual survey was sponsored and conducted by Planning...

GE Wind Energy reports $2 billion in new orders in one year. (Industry Newsline).
June 1, 2003... GE Wind Energy reported last month that since it entered the global wind-energy market in May 2002, it has received more than $2 billion in new orders and commitments. It made the announcement at an annual conference of the American Wind Energy...

U.S. says European chemical proposal would hurt domestic manufacturers. (Industry Newsline).
June 1, 2003... The U.S. State Department said last month that a new European Union proposal for protecting the environment from toxic chemicals could cost U.S. companies billions of dollars and force many of their products off the European market. The U.S....

BMW begins using recycled methane gas for energy at SC plant. (Industry Newsline).
June 1, 2003... BMW Manufacturing Corp. has begun using recycled methane gas as an energy source at its Spartanburg, SC-based manufacturing facility. The gas, drawn from the nearby Palmetto landfill, is expected to supply the automaker with 25% of its energy...

National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS). (News Briefs).
June 1, 2003... The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) has received a $1.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to improve and update metalworking apprentice programs across the country and to provide a credential system for...

Yale Materials Handling Corp. (News Briefs).
June 1, 2003... Yale Materials Handling Corp. will be featured in an upcoming History Channel program called Loading Docks about the material handling industry. The hour-long program is scheduled to air July 30, and will include coverage of lift-truck design...

Flexware Innovation, Inc. (News Briefs).
June 1, 2003... Flexware Innovation, Inc., has broken ground on a new, 10,OOO-sq.-ft. headquarters building in Fishers, IN. The privately held company provides strategy and implementation of manufacturing systems and process improvements, and currently employs...

Boeing Co. (News Briefs).
June 1, 2003... The Boeing Co. announced last month it was accepting proposals from U.S. cities and states for the future location of the final-assembly facility for its new 7E7 passenger jet. Boeing said only U.S. locations will be considered, and that its...

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (News Briefs).
June 1, 2003... American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc., reported record sales and earnings for the first quarter of 2003. The Detroit, MI-based manufacturer of truck and auto driveline systems said sales of $975 million produced earnings of $54 million...

Maytag Corp. has announced an agreement with Daewoo Electronics Corp. under which the Seoul, Korea-based manufacturer will make top-freezer refrigerators for Newton, IA-based Maytag. (News Briefs).
June 1, 2003... Maytag Corp. has announced an agreement with Daewoo Electronics Corp. under which the Seoul, Korea-based manufacturer will make top-freezer refrigerators for Newton, IA-based Maytag. The agreement is part of a cost-cutting move Maytag announced...

Republic Windows, and Doors: the measure of success. (Cover Story).
June 1, 2003... Metrics and lean manufacturing helped turn this family-owned business from a fast-growing, but disorganized player into a world-class leader in the booming market for vinyl replacement windows and doors. To me, everything is a process,"...

Contact ball bearings. (Product Round-Up: Bearings).
June 1, 2003... CX/ACX angular-contact ball bearings use internal geometry for load ratings and enhanced levels of radial and axial rigidity. They are suitable for metal cutting and milling. SKF Machine Tool Precision Technologies, 1530 Valley Center Pkwy.,...

Needle roller bearings. (Product Round-Up: Bearings).
June 1, 2003... High-load capacity and long-life caged roller bearings come in standard configurations and custom designs. Uses include planetary gearsets, gearboxes, clutches, steering columns and motor shafts. RBC Bearings, 60 Round Hill Rd., Fairfield, CT...

Adapter ball bearings. (Product Round-Up: Bearings).
June 1, 2003... Dodge Grip Tight adapter ball bearings reduce vibration and are available in E-Z KLEEN polymer and 300-series stainless steel housings. Designed for washdown environments, they include a patented insert that provides added corrosion resistance....

Bearing material. (Product Round-Up: Bearings).
June 1, 2003... DP3O lead-free bearing material features a rigid steel backing to which is bonded a porous bronze sinter layer impregnated with a polymer-filled PTFE bearing lining. It is suitable for pumps, compressors and motors. Glacier Garlock, 700 Mid...

Linear bearings. (Product Round-Up: Bearings).
June 1, 2003... DryLin linear bearings combine an insertable gliding surface with an anodized aluminum adapter. The multifaceted design is suitable for packaging and textile industries. The bearings resist dirt, dust and moisture. Igus, Inc., P.O. Box 14349,...

Turbocharged engine. (Product Focus: Power Transmission).
June 1, 2003... The Cat 3024CT is a four-cylinder, turbocharged engine that extends the power range and delivers small, compact power for industrial usage. The torque power enables the engine to respond to sudden increases in demand without stalling....

Gearmotors. (Product Focus: Power Transmission).
June 1, 2003... These three-phase gearmotors are dust-proof and completely enclosed, suitable for harsh, industrial applications. They can be flange- or foot-mounted. Helical, shaft-mounted, bevel and worm-gear motors are also available; Danfass Drives, 4401...

Gearbox. (Product Focus: Power Transmission).
June 1, 2003... The Slide-Rite Gearbox turns power around any corner, operates in any direction, and slides axially along a drive or driven shaft. This design uses a solid, one-piece aluminum housing which seals gears from outside contaminants. The gearbox is...

Plant show mirrors CMMS evolution from exotic to mainstream. (CMMS Solutions).
June 1, 2003... The CMMS industry is like any other business: competition drives vendors to constantly improve products and services. But in a maturing marketplace this isn't always easy to do. Core and extended CMMS functionality is pretty well defined in an...

Free Electrical Designers Reference software. (Product Focus: Power Transmission).
June 1, 2003... A fully integrated set of electrical calculation modules and design procedures for engineers, designers, contractors, inspectors and instructors is now available free from Littelfuse. EDR -- Electrical Designer's Reference -- performs a variety...

Battery, charger advances drive cordless-tool uses. (Tech Check).
June 1, 2003... One of the most important parts of a cordless tool system is the corded part: the battery charger. Not only does the charger deliver power to the tools, it affects their economy, efficiency and performance. It's a complex relationship that...

Before you cut it, cote it. (Tech Check).
June 1, 2003... Bostik Findley introduces the first woodworking lubricants that make faster work of rip cuts, cross cuts, angle cuts, dado cuts -- and your bottom line. Bostik [R] TopCote [R] forms a durable, water-repelling dry film on saw tables and...

AC drive. (Product News).
June 1, 2003... This harmonic-reduction technology package features an AC drive that reduces the total harmonic distortion common to standard 6-pulse drives. The HR1 018 is built on the GP10 Vector AC drive platform. It incorporates an integrally mounted...

Aluminum-filled epoxy. (Product News).
June 1, 2003... EP22 is a room-temperature-curing, aluminum-filled, two-component epoxy adhesive. The system has a one-to-one mix ratio by weight or volume. It produces high-strength, machinable bonds with adhesion to metals, particularly steel and aluminum....

Security software. (Product Round-Up: Software).
June 1, 2003... Version 1.3 of the CyberAudit software provides an audit trail of all activity at facility entranceways, which it stores in both the locks and keys. An activity record can be downloaded to a host computer. Videx, Inc., 1105 NE Circle Blvd.,...

Terminal rail software. (Product Round-Up: Software).
June 1, 2003... RailDesigner software optimizes planning and ordering terminal rails. The true-to-detail display of products features a graphic-user interface. Product information and search functions enable the user to select articles through intelligent...

Data transport software. (Product Round-Up: Software).
June 1, 2003... HandCar EX data transport software for Palm hand-held computers provides a way to offload HOBO data loggers at deployed locations without interrupting logging operation, and transport the data to a host PC for graphing and analysis. HOBO LCD...

Software tools. (Product Round-Up: Software).
June 1, 2003... MATLAB software tools can communicate with data-acquisition boards so data can be streamed live. The data collected using the test and measurement tools can be brought into the MATLAB workspace for analysis. IOtech, Inc., 25971 Cannon Rd.,...

Substation system. (Product News).
June 1, 2003... The SEL-7000 integrated substation system is a drop-in control room, complete with relays and communications processors and a custom-tailored HMI design. Individual panels or the entire control building are pre-engineered, pre-fabricated and...

Waterflow detector. (Product News).
June 1, 2003... The Accuflow series of solid-state waterflow detectors is available with a paddle designed to be used with malleable and cast-iron tees. It features a timing mechanism and the dipswitch selections permit field adjustment of retard settings. The...

Plastic pails. (Product News).
June 1, 2003... White screw-top plastic pails in 1- to 6-gal. sizes feature lever latch cover. All include "Baby in the Bucket" label. Labelmaster, 5724 N. Pulaski, Chicago IL 60646; 800-621 -5808. Write in 81 or visit www.impomag.com

Extraction cleaner. (Product News).
June 1, 2003... Crystal-Balance concentrate uses fluorosurfactants, detergents and polymers to eliminate sticky residues. Scot Laboratories, 16841 Park Circle Dr., Chagrin Falls, OH 44023; 800-486-7268. Write in 82 or visit www.impomag.com

Goodway technologies corporation GVC-2200V Vapor-Steam Cleaner. (Product News).
June 1, 2003... The GVC-2200V Vapor-Steam Cleaner operates on 115 V. The unit heats tap water in its boiler to 330[degrees]F, producing a dry vapor-steam with an adjustable pressure of 0-90 PSI and an output temperature of 290[degrees]F. When vapor-steam...

Goodway technologies corporation VAC-2D-HEPA industrial HEPA Vacuum. (Product News).
June 1, 2003... Built with heavy-duty components, the VAC-2D-HEPA Dry HEPA Vacuum is ideal for dry-only fine particle recovery applications in even the most demanding of environments. The unit produces a static water lift of 83" and an air displacement of 150...

Balancer keeps Cement maker's fans running in Harsh conditions. (Field Report).
June 1, 2003... At Dacotah Cement's Rapid City, SD, facility, business starts at a nearby quarry where pianosized blocks of limestone are blasted from the earth. The blocks are crushed into gravel-sized pieces and blended with other raw materials. Next, the...