Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation articles from March 2006

Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation archives from March 2006

Software.
March 1, 2006... Antero software schedules tasks, locates equipment, parts and contractors; tracks consumables and subcontractors' costs; analyzes statistics; and backs up data. The software also allows for meter/gauge tracking, cost and time analysis, user...

Penetrating oil.
March 1, 2006... Kroil can creep into millionth-inch spaces to break the bond of rust and loosen frozen metal parts. It frees rusted nuts and bolts, and frozen shafts. Available in a large industrial size. Kano Laboratories Use InfoLINK 069-60301-102...

Bird-Chase system.
March 1, 2006... The Bird Chase Super Sonic system features distress and predator bird sounds of more than 22 types of birds. It targets pigeons, crows, starlings, swallows, gulls, woodpeckers, sparrows, grackles, cormorants and others. The device protects...

14 manufacturers named '06 Shingo Prize winners.(INDUSTRY NEWSLINE)
March 1, 2006... Fourteen world-class manufacturers have been named to receive the 2006 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing Business. Awarded to operations that demonstrate superior implementation of Lean Enterprise Management, the Shingo Prize has...

Moody's downgrades GM debt rating.(INDUSTRY NEWSLINE)
March 1, 2006... Moody,s Investors Service lowered General Motors' debt rating to "B2" last month, and helped revive talks about the automaker filing for bankruptcy. The rating--five steps lower than investment grade--reflects "increased uncertainty" that the...

DOE, utility finalize plans for clean-coal plant in Florida.(INDUSTRY NEWSLINE)
March 1, 2006... The U.S. Department of Energy and Atlanta, GA-based utility the Southern Co., have signed a cooperative agreement to formally launch the design and construction of a 285 MW integrated gasification combined-cycle coal-burning power-generation...

OSHA issues final standard on hexavalent chromium.(INDUSTRY NEWSLINE)
March 1, 2006... The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published its final standard for occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium last month in the Federal Register. The standard covers occupational exposure to the compounds in general...

Toyota training center will share global best practices.(INDUSTRY NEWSLINE)
March 1, 2006... Toyota opened its North American Production Support Center (NAPSC) in Georgetown, KY, last month. The $12 million, 98,000-sq.-ft. facility will be used to train Toyota workers who work at company plants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. It is...

Calendar.(Calendar)
March 1, 2006... * Mar. 13-17 * Pittcon 2006; Orlando, FL; Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy; 800-825-3221; pittcon.org. * Mar. 20-23 * National Manufacturing Week; Rosemont, IL; Reed Exhibitions; 800-840-0678;...

Engineering education: good news and bad.(EDITORIAL COMMENTS)
March 1, 2006... One of the manufacturing-related alarms being sounded today concerns engineering education. It's based on the perception that the U.S. is being seriously out-gunned by India and China with regard to the number of engineering graduates these...

Baldor Electric Co.
March 1, 2006... Roland S. "Rollie" Boreham, Jr., CEO of Baldor Electric Co. from 1978 to 1981 and chairman from 1981 through 2004, died last month at the age of 81. The well-liked leader of the Fort Smith, AR-based electric-motor manufacturer joined the...

National Manufacturing Week.
March 1, 2006... National Manufacturing Week conference and trade-show events will take place at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, March 20 to 23. In addition to 250 conference sessions, the program offers free keynote speaker sessions...

Westec 2006 Advanced Productivity Exposition.
March 1, 2006... Astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Sally Ride will headline events at the Society of Manufacturing Engineers' Westec 2006 Advanced Productivity Exposition, scheduled to be held March 27-30 in Los Angeles, CA. Apollo 11 astronaut and SME member Aldrin...

Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
March 1, 2006... The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said last month that its 2005 enforcement program included 85,307 total violations of OSHA standards and regulations during the year, an increase of 9.5% over the last five years. The agency...

Caterpillar, Inc.
March 1, 2006... Caterpillar, Inc., Peoria, IL, reported record sales and profits for 2005, with full-year sales of $36.34 billion and profit per share of $4.04. Sales and revenues rose 20% from 2004, and profit per share was up 40%. The company's...

Toyota.
March 1, 2006... Toyota reported last month it had reached the milestone of 15 million vehicles produced in North America. The automaker said it has invested $16 billion in its North American operations since beginning operations here in 1986. Toyota currently...

U.S. demand for machine tools rose from November to December, and was higher overall in 2005 than in 2004, according to the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association and the Association for Manufacturing Technology.
March 1, 2006... U.S. demand for machine tools rose from November to December, and was higher overall in 2005 than in 2004, according to the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association and the Association for Manufacturing Technology. The groups said total...

One state's time-tested help for manufacturers: North Carolina's Industrial Extension Service--the nation's oldest--offers up-to-the-minute help for in-state companies.(Cover story)(Company overview)
March 1, 2006... Long before terms like "continuous improvement" and "lean" were commonplace among manufacturers, North Carolina State University's Industrial Extension Service (IES) was on the job building interest in the theories behind them. Based at the...

Molecular structure key to loosening frozen metal parts.(RESEARCH REPORT)
March 1, 2006... Kano Laboratories isolated the interdisciplinary physical, electrical and chemical properties, which cause the common industrial problem of frozen metal parts. Corrosion, compression, chemical reactions, thermal variations and electrical...

How many technicians do we need?(HIGH MAINTENANCE)
March 1, 2006... Sam, the grizzled maintenance manager, could see that the new plant manager, Jim, was nervous. He came to Sam's office with news that the corporate financial manager felt the company was overstaffed in several areas, including maintenance. "He...

Abrasive tool.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2006... The Dynastraight Series portable air-powered abrasive tool features an ergonomic design and lightweight composite housing. Use the . inflatable pneumatic wheel for finishing work surfaces of any shape, contour or material (steel, aluminum and...

Pump.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2006... The CL-CC Series Pump features a close-coupled, pull-out design, ANSI dimensional casing, and a suction stand that changes the pump into a vertical-style pump. No pump/motor alignment is required. It is suitable for industrial and...

Timing belt.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2006... The Standard PlusTruly Endless timing belt features a bifilar design, which represents S left-hand, and Z right-hand lay that blocks lateral forces. It is suitable for positioning applications using bifilar cable arrangement. Features include...

How to keep the loading dock dry and safe.(TECH CHECK)
March 1, 2006... Whether it's rain or melting snow, water infiltration at the loading dock is a serious problem. Not only do wet or icy floors pose an injury risk for employees, they can damage product and equipment. The 'funnel effect' Water...

Epoxy adhesive.(PRODUCT ROUNDUP: Adhesives)
March 1, 2006... The durable EP45HT MED compound adheres to metals, glass, ceramics, wood, rubber and many plastics. The adhesive also has electrical insulating properties. Master Bond, Inc. Use InfoLINK 069-60301-105 or Call 800-441-6180 ...

Adhesive Tape System.(PRODUCT ROUNDUP: Adhesives)
March 1, 2006... The 353M Double-Coated Acrylic AdhesiveTape System is formaldehyde-free and combines quick-stick properties with the acrylic-type temperature performance. Adchem Corp. Use InfoLINK 069-60301-106 or Call 800-441-6180 [ILLUSTRATION...

Dispensing system.(PRODUCT ROUNDUP: Adhesives)
March 1, 2006... The DX system with hand-held dispenser and refill station for two-component adhesive dispensing features two transfer pumps. Each is equipped with follower plates for a range of viscosities. MIXPAC Equipment, Inc. Use InfoLINK...

Lamp upgrade improves conditions, cuts energy.(FIELD REPORT)
March 1, 2006... Firestone Building Products, an Indianapolis, IN-based manufacturer of commercial roofing systems, operates a nationwide network of 13 manufacturing plants. Each plant manufactures a variety of products, including single-ply and asphalt roofing...

Snow-melting system.(PRODUCT FOCUS: Buildings & Grounds)
March 1, 2006... The outdoor Snow- and Ice-Melting System features TXLP Nexans cables, a marker plate, a controller, and a snow/ice sensor. An aerial-mounted, snow-sensor switch activates the radiant heating cables. Once the sensor no longer detects moisture or...

Scrub/recoat cleaner.(PRODUCT FOCUS: Buildings & Grounds)
March 1, 2006... QWIK SCRUB Cleaner is a heavy-duty, water-based cleaning concentrate designed for scrub/recoat maintenance procedures in manufacturing facilities. It is suitable for use in automatic scrubbers equipped with floor pad or brush. Using a neutral...

Floor machine.(PRODUCT FOCUS: Buildings & Grounds)
March 1, 2006... The CREWMAN heavy-duty floor machine features a powerful 1.5 hp motor, heavy-duty gearbox and rugged roto-mold base. Designed for use in tough environments, these floor machines can be used in all types of applications from scrubbing and...

Broom attachment.(PRODUCT FOCUS: Buildings & Grounds)
March 1, 2006... SweepEx Pro 720 is suitable for indoor and outdoor applications including cleanup of dirt, material spills and heavy debris. It comes standard with a fork hitch and is available with three-point rigid and bucket-lip mounting kits. Polypropylene...

Hoist winch.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2006... The MAX series AC36 single-phase winch-hoist features worm-gear reduction for positive load holding, and B-series motor braking. Full-power reversible, the winch is useful in plants for lifting and moving equipment. My-te Products, Inc....

Breaker monitor.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2006... The BreakerWB140 warns of possible component failure or overheat of circuit breakers, motors and electrical equipment due to overheat conditions. Suitable for predictive and preventive maintenance programs, it provides a visual indication when...

Cleaning seminar.(TRAINING AIDS)
March 1, 2006... Half-day cleaning courses conducted by KnowledgeWorx discuss how a manager can justify capital expenditures, calculate return on investment, and determine how training can increase worker motivation and productivity. Recent topics have covered...

Fieldbus training.(TRAINING AIDS)
March 1, 2006... Free one-day training classes will cover the economic and technical advantages of using a fieldbus. The class will also review popular fieldbus choices; PROFIBUS; PROFIBUS in the Process Industry; and PROFINET. Hardware and software...

Lean enterprise program.(TRAINING AIDS)
March 1, 2006... The 2006 second-quarter online seminar schedule will focus on shop efficiency, getting the most out of your machine tools, and metal-cutting processes. These seminars can help shops of all types and sizes compete in the global marketplace, and...

Osha safety training.(TRAINING AIDS)
March 1, 2006... One-, two- and four-day federal OSHA and California OSHA safety training seminars are available at U.S. locations each month. These comprehensive safety courses focus on the OSHA and Cal/OSHA general industry regulations and safety orders. Earn...

Vision sensor.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2006... The compact In-Sight 5400R remote-head vision sensor is suitable for space- or weight-constrained applications. Connected by a cable, the camera and processor can be mounted up to 15 meters apart. Cognex use InfoLINK 069-60301-139 or...

Roll-up door.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2006... The Speed-Master Series roll-up door features energy-saving side-track brush seals; simple, direct-drive motor/gearbox; and does not use springs or a counter-balance. The door is suitable for high-traffic, exterior doorways. Flexon, Inc....

Wire Stripper.(PRODUCT NEWS)
March 1, 2006... The Kinetic Reflex Wire Stripper features ergonomically designed handles with a Santoprene grip and Thurnb-Valley thumb guide that helps focus kinetic energy. Ideal Industries, Inc. Use InfoLINK 069-60301-141 or Call 800-441-6180 ...

UV lamp.(PRODUCT ROUNDUP: Lights, Lamps & Ballasts)
March 1, 2006... The C-100P ultraviolet lamp features a spot bulb that delivers steady-state UV intensity so the faintest flaw becomes visible. It has a heat-resistant filter and magnetic ballast. Spectronics Corp, Use InfoLINK 069-60301-110 or Call...

Fixture.(PRODUCT ROUNDUP: Lights, Lamps & Ballasts)
March 1, 2006... The McGill TL Series of HID fixtures feature a rugged design, including die-cast aluminum ballast housing with powder-coat paint. A spring-lock hook is affixed to the ballast box. EGS Electrical Group Use InfoLINK 069-60301-109 or Call...

T8 fluoroscent lamp.(PRODUCT ROUNDUP: Lights, Lamps & Ballasts)
March 1, 2006... The T8 high-output fluorescent lamp features a flexible plastic coating that contains the glass in case of accidental breakage, There are no protective sleeves to handle. This lamp can replace enclosed fixtures which cause insect debris and...

Ballast.(PRODUCT ROUNDUP: Lights, Lamps & Ballasts)
March 1, 2006... The AccuStart5T5 ballast for F28T5 lamps is suitable for high-bay applications in factories and warehouses. It features programmed start, input voltage, and shutdown circuitry. Universal Lighting Use InfoLINK 069-60301-111 or Call...

Cable network.(LITERATURE RACK: Electrical)
March 1, 2006... The Network Media Catalog contains all the products, installation drawings and technical information users need to select the correct cables, cordsets, junctions, terminators and receptacles for industrial network. Turck, Inc. Use...

Connector.(LITERATURE RACK: Electrical)
March 1, 2006... Simplified for fast reference, the four-page color brochure outlines upgraded TMC/TMCX connectors. To assist in the specification process, the brochure contains product descriptions, code information, and a sizing guide. EGS ELECTRICAL...

Terminal-Block catalog.(LITERATURE RACK: Electrical)
March 1, 2006... The Terminal Blocks for Electrical Equipment catalog outlines wiring products for power-distribution applications. It includes single-and multi-level, fuse modules. Automation Systems Interconnect, Inc. Use InfoLINK 069-60301-114 or...

LCD display.(SHOW PREVIEW: National Manufacturing Week: March 20-23, Rosemont, IL)
March 1, 2006... Panel Magic is a complete line of LCD displays and systems for the automation market. Ranging in size from 12 to 20 in., these high-resolution LCDs feature daylight or sunlight-readable displays, touchscreens, extended cable lengths and...

Relay.(SHOW PREVIEW: National Manufacturing Week: March 20-23, Rosemont, IL)
March 1, 2006... The AD-70-STM-1 Socket Timing Module converts 783 and 784 series relays to time-delay relays. It features selectable time scales ranging from 0.1 second to 10 days and can be fine adjusted with the built-in potentiometer. The series cube relays...

Inspection system.(SHOW PREVIEW: National Manufacturing Week: March 20-23, Rosemont, IL)
March 1, 2006... The ThermaCAM P65HSV inspection system features non-invasive thermal imaging technology for facilities inspection, proactive equipment predictive maintenance, and condition monitoring. Extreme thermal sensitivity coupled with a high-resolution...

Circuit breaker.(SHOW PREVIEW: National Manufacturing Week: March 20-23, Rosemont, IL)
March 1, 2006... The Series 18 circuit breaker is recommended for marine, heavy equipment, truck, and vehicle-battery protection applications. The weatherproof, trip-free design is available in ratings of 2 to 60 amperes in voltages of 32VDC/ 120VAC, with...

Flush-head studs.(SHOW PREVIEW: National Manufacturing Week: March 20-23, Rosemont, IL)
March 1, 2006... The PEM Type FHP self-clinching flush-head stud is used in thin stainless sheets for attachment applications with corrosion resistance and thin, light-design requirements. An alternative to weld studs, it is formed from specialty stainless...

Plumbing manual.(NEW LITERATURE)
March 1, 2006... "Plumbing Design and Installation" textbook covers the tools, materials, and practices commonly used in the plumbing trade. Designed to develop basic competencies of plumbing, it includes quizzes, glossary, and plumbing-related links. A...

Wireless-product brochure.(NEW LITERATURE)
March 1, 2006... This comprehensive product brochure features industrial wireless instrumentation, and includes product descriptions, photos, and technical specifications. It also includes a primer on industrial wireless systems, their design and operation. ...

Ventilation-testing literature.(NEW LITERATURE)
March 1, 2006... "Performance Measurements for Mechanical Air Handling Systems" describes test instruments for mechanical air-handling systems. It presents the instruments in an eight-page, four-color format. Available for download and in print. TSI, Inc....

Factory-Automation brochure.(NEW LITERATURE)
March 1, 2006... The eight-page, color brochure "Sensor Solutions for Factory Automation" features product information on inductive/capacitive, photoelectric, laser, and ultrasonic sensors. Illustration of a typical automated cell with call-outs is included....

Multi-drawer cabinet.(SHOW PREVIEW: NA 2006 Material Handling and Logistics Trade Show, March 27-30, I-X Center, Cleveland, OH)
March 1, 2006... The multi-drawer cabinet features a full-width ergonomic handle and a choice of 100 drawer sizes. It also offers different drawer-bank sizes; i drawer accessories that include partitions, dividers, plastic bins; and a choice of 12 colors. The...

Aluminum drawer.(SHOW PREVIEW: NA 2006 Material Handling and Logistics Trade Show, March 27-30, I-X Center, Cleveland, OH)
March 1, 2006... The line of modular aluminum drawers combines an aluminum body with steel bearing surfaces. Fifteen usable drawer heights are available. The drawer can be fitted with mobile latches that lock them in place when open or closed. Partitions are...

Tilter.(SHOW PREVIEW: NA 2006 Material Handling and Logistics Trade Show, March 27-30, I-X Center, Cleveland, OH)
March 1, 2006... Designed to position a container to the most convenient working height and angle, the Z-Lift Tilter comes equipped with an auto-stop toe sensor, which stops the platform descent when it encounters an obstruction. Lift and tilt are achieved...

Heavy-duty caster.(SHOW PREVIEW: NA 2006 Material Handling and Logistics Trade Show, March 27-30, I-X Center, Cleveland, OH)
March 1, 2006... The heavy-duty caster features a vertical swivel lock, mounted at a 90-degree angle to the top plate. The design reduces bending required by the operator, and provides fingertip conversion for straight-line steering control. A spring-loaded...

Drawer cabinet.(SHOW PREVIEW: NA 2006 Material Handling and Logistics Trade Show, March 27-30, I-X Center, Cleveland, OH)
March 1, 2006... The 36-in.-wide modular drawer cabinets fill a size niche between standard 30-in.-wide and 45-in. extra-wide cabinets. By combining various width cabinets, users can fill any space in 3-in. increments. More than 50 pre-engineered cabinet and...