Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation articles from May 2000

Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation archives from May 2000

Editorial COMMENTS.
May 1, 2000... IMPO: Rooted in Industry Sixty years ago, Industrial Maintenance and Plant Operation began -- not as the colorful, tabloid size publication you're holding, but a four-page black-and-white product-oriented newsletter called Industrial...

Boeing 1Q belies $2.6 billion strike-related loss.
May 1, 2000... The Boeing Co. announced last month that the 40-day strike by its engineers and technical workers cost the company $2.6 billion in lost revenues. Despite the setback, the Seattle-based airplane maker announced first-quarter earnings that came...

Jobless claims at lowest level since 1973.
May 1, 2000... New claims filed by Americans for unemployment benefits reached a near-27-year low when they fell an unexpected 9,000 to 257,000 for the week ending April 15. The drop placed the number of new claims at their lowest level since Dec. 1, 1973,...

Top oil firms announce joint Web site.
May 1, 2000... Fourteen of the world's major energy and chemical companies announced last month they would jointly create a Web site and management company designed to reduce their supply costs. According to a report in the Houston Chronicle, the companies,...

UAW ranks down 10%.
May 1, 2000... In its latest annual report, the United Auto Workers reported that its membership fell nearly 10% in 1999. The Detroit-based UAW said it ended 1999 with 762,439 members, down from 846,371 members in 1998. Despite the loss, the union said it...

Steel-mill deaths prompt plant-wide OSHA investigation.
May 1, 2000... Rocky Mountain Steel's Pueblo, CO, mill is the target of a "wall-to-wall" OSHA investigation due to its poor safety record. Two workers have died at the plant since May 1999, including a March death in which a worker was burned to death when he...

OSHA gives notice to high-hazard employers.
May 1, 2000... Some 13,000 employers across the country, including those in manufacturing, received letters from OSHA in late March putting them on notice to fix safety and health hazards in their workplaces. Up to 4,200 of the sites may be targeted for...

Cahners Business Information.
May 1, 2000... * Cahners Business Information, New York, NY, and Aspect Development, Inc., Mountain View, CA, have formed a new company called Manufacturing.Net LLC. In addition to providing in-depth MRO-related content at its Web site...

National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).
May 1, 2000... * The Industrial Automation Control Products and Systems section of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Washington, D.C., is sponsoring a one-year test to evaluate a program to provide free access to industry standards...

Graybar.
May 1, 2000... * An electric car co-sponsored by Clayton, MO-based electrical distributor Graybar, broke the land speed record last month. During two runs, the "White Lightning" attained a top speed of 245.5 mph across Utah's Salt Flats, topping the previous...

Graymills Corp.
May 1, 2000... * The following companies announce new Web sites: Graymills Corp., Chicago, IL (industrial pumps): www.graymills.com; Scott Specialty Gases, Plumsteadville, PA (gas and gas-handling equipment): www.scottgas.com; Heyco Products, Inc., Richfield...

Adept Technology, Inc.
May 1, 2000... * Adept Technology, Inc., San Jose, CA, a maker of industrial robots, announced it has received ISO 9002 Certification. Elwell-Parker Ltd., a Cleveland, OH-based maker of specialty material handling equipment, announced it has received ISO 9001...

The Uvex Safety.
May 1, 2000... * The Uvex Safety division of Bacou USA announced it has sold 100 million pairs of its astrospec 3000 safety glasses. The product was introduced in 1990.

Toyota Industrial Equipment.
May 1, 2000... * Toyota Industrial Equipment has formed the Environmental Assistance Network (EAN) to assist and encourage Toyota lift truck dealers to be environmentally responsible. The program includes an EPA compliance guide and checklist, a training...

SYNTHETIC LABELS.
May 1, 2000... Techno THERM (R) Synthetic Film Series (SF100 and SF200) offers synthetic label materials that can withstand very harsh environments. SF100 is for labeling both semi-rigid and rigid surfaces, and is a suitable material for indoor applications;...

IMAGE STORAGE SYSTEM.
May 1, 2000... [QwikStore.sup.TM], portable image storage system, which can be held in one hand, is attached to rigid or flexible borescopes. The system allows inspectors to view, freeze, store, export and e-mail images with ease. It is suitable for a wide...

LIGHT SCREEN SYSTEM.
May 1, 2000... [MICRO-SCREEN.sup.TM] safety light system features muting function that temporarily suspends light screen operation, allowing parts to pass through protected area without shutting down guarded machinery. Eliminating part-feeding shutdown saves...

AC/DC MICRODRIVES.
May 1, 2000... SP12O AC, and DS3 DC variable-speed drives satisfy a wide range of industrial and commercial applications. AC drive is available in both 115 VAC and 230 VAC input modes; DC drives are rated from fractional to 2.0 horsepower. Both drive families...

MAGNIFIER/FOCUSER.
May 1, 2000... Millennium design MAGNI-FOCUSER features streamlined appearance, lighter lenses and lens plates, and an unobtrusive rendering instrument. It is available with or without a light and bifocal lens. Unit also features adjustable, padded vinyl...

INDUSTRIAL MARKER.
May 1, 2000... Dura-Ink #15 fine-line felt-tip marker is designed for marking parts, layouts, and labeling cartons and crates. Improved industrial-strength ink makes smear-resistant, water-resistant, fast-drying marks on surfaces such as paper, cardboard,...

PENDANT STATIONS.
May 1, 2000... Customizable line of Watertite(r) Pendant Stations features rugged, lightweight design that withstands hostile industrial environments. Ergonomically contoured, stations can be specified with a variety of flexible configurations to support a...

MASS FLOW CONTROLLER.
May 1, 2000... Mass-Trak [II.sup.TM] mass flow controller features stainless steel flow body and clean-able sensor, which controls the flow of corrosive and toxic gases. Onboard display and local setpoint potentiometer allow for adjustment of the command...

OIL PURIFIER.
May 1, 2000... BU200 large-capacity oil-purification unit is designed for parallel flow through two 100-series elements. System offers double efficiency and long life for both hydraulic oil and water glycol purification. It is designed for hydraulic systems...

ROCKER SWITCH.
May 1, 2000... R271 durable mini rocker switch is well-suited for computer equipment and office machinery. Unit snaps into place where it is held firmly with special serrated, retention-type fingers. It can be in used applications with an on-off requirement...

CLEANER/DEGREASER.
May 1, 2000... This industrial-strength cleaner/degreaser is aqueous-based without chlorinated and petroleum distillage solvents. It is low-foaming, non-flammable, non-abrasive and safe to use on most plastics.

COATING.
May 1, 2000... Pyro-Paint [Plus.sup.TM] is an alumina-silica-based refractory coating. It coats and insulates graphite structures from oxidation and corrosion. The water-based formulation contains no volatile organic compounds.

TAPPING FLUID.
May 1, 2000... SafeTap Plus is an environmentally safe tapping fluid for metals. It is formulated from water-based synthetic additives containing no mineral oils or hazardous materials. It does not leave residue on machined parts.

ADHESIVE AND SEALANT.
May 1, 2000... This adhesive seals exhaust ducts against corrosive chemicals and high heat. The adhesive and sealant dries to form a hard, resistant ceramic.

GYPSUM ACCELERATOR.
May 1, 2000... The Gypsum Accelerator reduces setting times for SHEETROCK(R) Brand Setting-Type (DURABOND(R)) and Lightweight Setting-Type (EASY [SAND.sup.TM]) joint compounds. Small amounts of additive are needed to adjust setting times.

LUBRICANT.
May 1, 2000... Trizol Creep is a non-aerosol, nonflammable fluid with a water-based lubricant. The lubricant/penetrant frees frozen rusted and gummed-up parts. It can be used on hot and cold surfaces.

OPTICAL FIBER STRIPPER.
May 1, 2000... Designed with two Vnotch precision apertures, [MINILITE-STRIP.sup.TM] optical fiber stripper can remove outer-jacket insulation. Unit features cushioned grip, fluorescent orange handle grips for operator comfort and easy location on job site or...

PORTABLE MIXER.
May 1, 2000... This portable mixing system is for liquid and slurries in rail and truck tanks and other transported containers. The technology sequentially introduces large bubbles at the bottom of the vessel, which blend the product as they rise to the top.

DC MOTORS.
May 1, 2000... Family of low-inertia DC motors can achieve angular accuracy rates in dry environments and in high altitude applications. Unlike conventional iron-core DC motors, the design is not dependent on the commutation energy discharge ion layer between...

DC VOLTAGE/CURRENT TRANSMITTERS.
May 1, 2000... Transmitters receive DC current or voltage input signals, provide isolation, and output proportional DC current or voltage signals. With support for universal DC I/O ranges and self-configuring capabilities, 610T series transmitters provide...

OIL-SKIMMER.
May 1, 2000... With Oil Skimmer 60-V, oil adheres to a closed-loop tube which snakes over and around debris. Tube lifts out of the water, and then oil is removed as it is drawn though scrapers. The clean tube then returns to the water's surface to gather more...

THREADLESS COUPLINGS.
May 1, 2000... DUR O LOK(R) lightweight, threadless, boltless pipe couplings are designed to reduce maintenance, material costs and space requirements for pipe racks. Couplings are all-purpose, lightweight containers designed to replace ANSI series 150-2500...

MASKING SUPPLIES.
May 1, 2000... Comprehensive line of standard and custom-molded high-temperature masks for finishing processes includes plating and powder coating. Masking discs, tapes, caps and plugs withstand varying temperatures. Self-adhesive, die-cut discs are supplied...

ADJUSTABLE WRENCHES.
May 1, 2000... Designed for professionals, this line of adjustable wrenches features extra-wide jaw openings that offer 20% more capacity without add-on on weight. They are available in three different finishes: cobalt, cobalt with a cushion grip, and...

THERMOCOUPLE THERMOMETER.
May 1, 2000... Dual Input J-T-E-K handheld digital thermocouple thermometer is suitable for a wide range of portable temperature-monitoring applications. It accepts one or two Type J, T, E or K thermocouples, and provides minimum, maximum or differential...

BATTERIES.
May 1, 2000... Two new series of 12-v Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) batteries are designed for telecom, UPS, general electronics and other security applications that require long-life power solutions. These batteries can be dropped into existing designs

ELECTRONIC TIMER SWITCHES.
May 1, 2000... The expanded line of Decora electronic timer switches includes four styles of timers that provide timed control for indoor and outdoor lighting, heat lamps and exhaust fans.

CORD REEL.
May 1, 2000... This extension cord is a safe source of retractable power, and supplies portable lighting and general utility service. It delivers swiveling action without power interruptions.

MINI CLAMP.
May 1, 2000... The new Autoranging Mini Clamp measures AC current to 400A, AC/DC voltage and resistance. Measurements are displayed on an LCD screen. Features include continuity beeper, data hold and overflow protection.

SINGLE ISOLATED OUTPUT SWITCHER.
May 1, 2000... The PFC250-S is a compact 250W switcher that corrects the input power factor and provides a single isolated output of up to 250W. The user may select any of several factory-set output voltages.

ULTRASONIC SENSORS.
May 1, 2000... SUPERPROX(R) Model SM602 series of 18 mm, ultrasonic sensors monitor and control most non-hazardous liquid or dry material levels within sensing ranges up to 305 mm. They can be configured for either a specific on/off latch control function or...

LIFT TRUCKS.
May 1, 2000... D60 Series heavy-duty lift trucks are designed for outdoor material handling operations. The six-cylinder engines deliver torque through full rpm range for lifting, inching, or pushing.

CORDLESS DRILL/DRIVER.
May 1, 2000... Twelve-volt cordless drill/driver with pistol-grip handle offers patented impulse feature. It provides no-load speed of 0-450/0-1450 rpm, and maximum drilling capacity of 3/8-in mild steel, and 5/8"'in. softwood.

SPEED PUMP CONTROLLER.
May 1, 2000... The Technovar is a pump controller that features an integrated controller and controlled logic developed for pumping applications. It offers analog output for speed and digital output for fault annunciation.

3-WAY VALUE WITH SENSOR.
May 1, 2000... The new air-piloted thermoplastic 3-way valve has two inlets and one outlet. It is designed to toggle between two isolated ports opposite a common port; A spool-type shaft opens and closes the ports.

OIL/WATER SEPARATOR.
May 1, 2000... The redesigned [Eliminator.sup.TM] oil/water separator features sediment/pre-absorption chambers, pop up flow indicator, sample test jars, and translucent oil containers. The new design provides separation capabilities.

FLOW CONTROLLER.
May 1, 2000... The flow controller separates the supply side (compressors, dryers and filters) from the distribution system. This controller accumulates compressed air without delivering it downstream. Stored compressed air is supplemented to air-demand spike...

PRESSURE INSTRUMENTS.
May 1, 2000... Compound-range differential pressure instruments measure differential pressures that may change from positive to negative. The gauge dial has a center zero point with equal but opposite values.

LIQUID CYLINDER HOSE.
May 1, 2000... The Ultimate Liquid Cylinder [Hose.sup.TM] can transfer fluids to and from liquid cylinders at extreme temperatures and pressures. Its inner core and braid are made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel.

TEFLON TUBING.
May 1, 2000... Extruded Teflon(R) tubing is available in plain, corrugated and convoluted styles. It is suitable for industrial applications that require a nonflammable material. The tubing is unaffected by chemicals, acids, and moisture.

SELECTOR VALVE.
May 1, 2000... The new solenoid-operated 6-way selector valve is a true screw-in cartridge valve that, can be included, in an integrated hydraulic manifold with other cartridge valves.

FIVE-VALUE MANIFOLD.
May 1, 2000... The Five-Valve Manifold combines two shutoff valves, two equalizing valves, and a vent/calibration valve in a single assembly. It is suitable for custody transfer applications and the assembly is available in standard carbon steel and stainless...

Double-Diaphragm Pumps.
May 1, 2000... These upgraded air operated double-diaphragm pumps can handle any fluid, including solids. They have been reorganized to operate without lubrication and the air valve components have been re-engineered. The pumps are available in seven models.

MOTOR/AMP/CONTROLLER.
May 1, 2000... Series 3564 BC, totally integrated brushless DC motor, amplifier, and full-function control module features motion-control commands, integrated power processing and protection, and an RS-232 computer communications interface. System combines...

PROXIMITY SWITCHES.
May 1, 2000... The solid-state MP 1013 Series of snap-fit, Hall-effect proximity switches is designed for harsh environmental conditions such as dust and moisture. Digital output is compatible with all logic families. All units are packaged in three-pin...

ULTRASONIC LEVEL TRANSMITTER.
May 1, 2000... Type 8175 ultrasonic level transmitter is immune to radio frequency interference, and electromagnetic interference. Combining an ultrasonic sensor and a transducer with a large eight-digit multi-language display, the system is suited for...

BENCH PRESSES.
May 1, 2000... Redesigned series of bench press model C-frame hydraulic presses offers performance improvement and simplified design. Options include rotary index tables and variety of controls. Press sizes are 6, 8, 12, and 15 tons. Also offered are floor...

ANGLE GRINDER.
May 1, 2000... Model SGL1150 grinder features power and a full-grip rear handle with a positive lock-on switch. The unit makes fast work of deburring and smoothing recently cut, punched or drilled metal components. Full-grip handle design makes it easy to...

ANTIBACTERIAL HAND SOAP.
May 1, 2000... Professional Line Safeguard(r) antibacterial handsoap is available in both 800-ml bag-inbox, and in one-gallon bottles. Germ fighting power of soap affordably eliminates up to 99% of bacteria while helping to keep hands smooth with a...

I/O CONTROL SYSTEM.
May 1, 2000... Profibus-DP support has been added to the [OpenDAC.sup.TM] family of controllers and I/O racks. New I/O system is targeted for low-cost remote-data acquisition and control applications. It interfaces with up to 32 points of digital and/or...

EPOXY REPAIR PUTTY.
May 1, 2000... [FastFix.sup.TM], all-purpose epoxy repair putty, molds like clay and hardens like steel. It can be used to fill holes, patch cracks, bond surfaces, and to repair leaks in virtually any material. Putty can be formed, drilled, sanded, tapped,...

WORKBENCH.
May 1, 2000... Workbench/packing table features all-steel frame and 1-in. thick flake board top, making it tough enough to handle heavy-duty demands of repair shops, manufacturing plants and garages. As packing table, it provides a sturdy 48 -in. x 24-in,...

BAG FILTER.
May 1, 2000... Bag filter features four-way opening cover. The filters are manufactured from type 316 stainless steel for long life and corrosion resistance. New techniques reduce maintenance costs and allow vessels to be offered economically. They are...

TOOL CARRIERS.
May 1, 2000... Crafted from top-grain leather for strength and durability, Tuff-[Tote.sup.TM] tool carriers feature a unique carrying handle and shoulder strap. Pockets and compartments provide storage and accommodate a wide range of tools and supplies....

HINGED-SHAFT COLLARS.
May 1, 2000... Full line of hinged-shaft collars with captive clamp screw is designed for installation into existing machinery or equipment, especially in tight spaces behind components or assemblies. Collars feature two fully-split halves joined by a...

IN-LINE CIRCULATORS.
May 1, 2000... Series PL-55 maintenance-free circulators deliver high head performance, while Series PL-75 provides higher flow rates often required in large systems. Both series, unlike wet rotors, can handle dirty system water at a wide range of...

SELF-LAMINATING LABELS.
May 1, 2000... Self-laminating NFPA labels have a clear flap attached for convenience; chemical name is written in, and then clear overlay is applied. Entire label will be protected, yet visible for all to read. Two different worded versions are available....

FENCELINE MONITORING SYSTEM.
May 1, 2000... Monitor, designed to respond quickly and accurately to hydrogen fluoride leaks, is suitable for perimeter monitoring, and for other applications where wide variations in environmental conditions is common. System is available with a measurement...

FIELD CALIBRATOR.
May 1, 2000... [Quik-Cal.sup.TM] 890 field calibrator features improved accuracy, new firmware, and a range of new capabilities. System also features three process modules: DC/mA/V simulator, thermocouple input/output, and RTD input/output. Interchangeable...

UNIVERSAL DRIVE.
May 1, 2000... Unidrive offers five operating modes: V/Hz, open-loop vector, closed-loop vector, servo, and regeneration. New and existing drives are identical in fit, form and function. They are configured using the same software, and accept the same range...

AEROSOL ADHESIVES.
May 1, 2000... Both Hi-Strength 90 and Super Spray [77.sup.TM] adhesives are available in bulk-sized containers, offering an economical choice for higher-volume applications. Hi-Strength 90 offers an industrial-strength contact bond for joining polyethylene...

IN-LINE FLOW SWITCH.
May 1, 2000... Leak-proof version of the FS-380 Series compact in-line flow switch features a stainless steel housing with 3/8-in. compression fitting connections that eliminate NPT thread leaks. It is suitable for Semicon applications such as process module...

AIR-FILTRATION SYSTEM.
May 1, 2000... Model 520 Extractor/Dryer(R) filtration system removes harmful moisture and contaminants from compressed air lines without an additional power supply. Model 520 has airflow capacity of 15 SCFM and removes tiny particles of dirt, dust, oil, rust...

MULTI-FUNCTION VALVE DRIVER.
May 1, 2000... Dual-solenoid multifunction valve driver with joystick, potentiometer and control system interface, controls four-way proportional directional circuits used in mobile equipment and industrial processes. Multi-functional design supports inputs...

DIGITAL POWER METER.
May 1, 2000... Ethernet port option is available for 7300 ION three-phase digital power meter. Meter can now be plugged directly into an existing LAN/WAN without external interface hardware. It can help users to better monitor and manage electrical systems by...

ELECTRIC DRIVE FOR WORKSTATION.
May 1, 2000... Electric drive option for rugged, proprietary workstations, provides a full 12-in, of work surface height adjustment, and has a lift capacity of 600 lbs. It utilizes two linear actuators that deliver responsive, high-speed movement, while...

CABLE IDENTIFIER.
May 1, 2000... [DATELITE.sup.TM] cable identifier is a method for identifying cable in new installations, and troubleshooting mislabeled networks. System also replaces tone generator for cable mapping. From a workstation outlet, hand-held power unit sends an...

COLOR VIDEO CAMERA.
May 1, 2000... IK-MX1, one-piece color video camera, measures only 17mm x 46mm, a weighs just 20 grams. It designed for a variety of space-sensitive visual inspection tasks including machine vision and clandestine security Due to internal circuitry, unit does...

PRE-CUT SHIMS.
May 1, 2000... Pre-cut shims are manufactured from 304 stainless steel, and are marked for size and thickness. For convenience, shims are packaged in kits to meet individual requirements. They are available in four sizes, and in 13 different thicknesses per...

STANCHIONS.
May 1, 2000... Stanchions offer applications a fourth and fifth axis. Multiple types of stanchions allow versatility when designing products, and modularity when utilizing project. Anything from single or double-shaft bases, blank or predrilled mounting...