Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation articles from November 2003

Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation archives from November 2003

Storage unit.
November 1, 2003... The PIG IBC Roll-Top Hardcover Storage Unit from New Pig Corp. features a corrosion-resistant, weather-tight roll-top design that keeps intermediate bulk carriers safe and secure. Lockable doors and roll-top covers open from both sides and...

Spherical bearing.
November 1, 2003... The Igus Igubal plastic clip-type and double spherical bearing is a complete system of oil-free, self-aligning bearing products that includes spherical, pillow block, and rod end bearings. The self-aligning bearing adapts to angular deviations....

Vertical conveyor.
November 1, 2003... The Pflow Continuous Vertical Conveyor (CVC) is designed for high-speed throughput of totes or boxes. The CVC automatically receives a load from a powered horizontal conveyor, and moves the load using belts with pulley, in lieu of chain and...

?Quein trabaja en su planta?(Editorial Comments)
November 1, 2003... If you can't read the above title, listen up: It's time to learn. Or hire someone who can read it. It says: "Who works in your plant?" which you'll recognize as the title of this month's Cover Story. Why in Spanish? One fact that emerges from...

UAW, USWA sue government for factory clean-air standards.(Industry Newsline)
November 1, 2003... The United Auto Workers (UAW) and the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) filed suit last month against U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, seeking to compel the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to set standards for...

MTBE-plant shutdowns precede California ban.(Industry Newsline)
November 1, 2003... At least three U.S. facilities that manufacture the toxic gasoline additive MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether) will close this year, due in part to a California ban on the chemical due to take effect Jan. 1, 2004. The chemical has been added to...

Aircraft maker Bombardier to restructure.(Industry Newsline)
November 1, 2003... Bombardier, a Quebec, Canada-based diversified manufacturer of rail cars, aircraft and snowmobiles, said last month it would restructure its corporate-jet manufacturing operations in North America in an effort to regain profitability. Ranked...

Carrier to shift some manufacturing to Asia.(Industry Newsline)
November 1, 2003... Carrier Corp. said last month it will shift manufacturing of its refrigeration and compressor systems to Asia, and will layoff 1,200 workers at its Syracuse, NY, facility as a result. In a news release, the Farmington, CT-based manufacturer...

Federal project aims to cut manufacturing costs.
November 1, 2003... The government's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has announced that new test equipment at its Boulder, CO, laboratories could help manufacturers cut costs related to correcting errors in the design of dies used to make...

Fuel-cell refueling test generates electricity, hydrogen.(Industry Newsline)
November 1, 2003... Using proprietary technologies from two companies, a prototype home-based fuel-cell refueling station was demonstrated at Honda R&D America's facility in Torrance, CA, last month (below). The natural-gas-powered Home Energy Station was...

Wind power comes to Oklahoma.(Industry Newsline)
November 1, 2003... Oklahoma's first wind farm began producing electricity last month from 68 wind turbines on a 1,200-acre site near Woodward, in the northwestern part of the state. One of two wind-farm projects in Oklahoma, the Woodward site can generate 102...

Conveyor control.(Product News)
November 1, 2003... The DriveControl Zero Pressure Accumulation (ZPA) system for conveyor control features a programmable ZPA control board. It controls RollerDrive brush-type, brushless or gearless motorized rollers using sensors. Interroll Corp., 3000 Corporate...

Thermoplastic valve.(Product News)
November 1, 2003... The thermoplastic gate valve includes a sliding cylindrical plug design. It is suitable for use in water and wastewater treatment plants, landfills and power plants. Valves feature a cleanout plug on the bottom. Asahi/ America, Inc., 35 Green...

OSHA.
November 1, 2003... The revised OSHA Form 300, Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, is now available at www.osha.gov and in hard-copy form. The form is required for all employers to use in recording injuries and illnesses. Changes include the addition of an...

Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME).
November 1, 2003... The Education Foundation of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) has given a grant of $226,332 to the Grand Rapids (MI) Public School system to encourage students to pursue careers in manufacturing and engineering. SME's AIME...

Bridgewater Interiors, LLC, said last month it will open a manufacturing plant in Warren, MI, to build automotive seat systems for two Ford Motor Co. truck-assembly plants in Michigan beginning in 2004.
November 1, 2003... Bridgewater Interiors, LLC, said last month it will open a manufacturing plant in Warren, MI, to build automotive seat systems for two Ford Motor Co. truck-assembly plants in Michigan beginning in 2004. The Detroit-based company is a...

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Inc.
November 1, 2003... Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Inc., broke ground last month on a 2,000-acre site in San Antonio, TX, where it will build an $800 million assembly plant for its full-size Tundra truck. The new plant is expected to create 2,000 new jobs when it...

Nissan.
November 1, 2003... Automaker Nissan began production on its first full-sized pickup truck last month at the company's newly expanded 3.5 million-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility in Canton, MI. The Titan truck is the third of five models to be produced at the plant,...

Valenite, Inc.
November 1, 2003... Industrial cutting tool manufacturer Valenite, Inc., has broken ground for a new world headquarters facility in Madison Heights, MI. The new two-story 57,200-sq.-ft. facility will combine the company's administrative, training development and...

Calendar.(Calendar)
November 1, 2003... * Nov. 2-4 * STAFDA Convention and Trade Show; Atlanta, GA; Specialty Tools and Fasteners Distributors Assn.; 800-352-2981; stafda.org. * Nov. 12-14 * International Coatings Expo; Philadelphia, PA; Federation of Societies for Coatings...

Fire-suppressor system.(Product News)
November 1, 2003... The Direct Low Pressure (DLP) system protects micro environments like cable trays and electrical equipment from the threat of fire. Flexible polymer tubing ruptures when exposed to flames, releasing a clean, nonconductive gaseous agent....

Degreaser wipe.(Product News)
November 1, 2003... Ultra ONE Heavy Duty Degreaser (HDD), available in presaturated cleaning wipes, is a water-based emulsion liquid that is clear, colorless, and odorless. The VOC-free cleaner features a high pH factor and is nonabrasive, non-volatile and...

Coaxial valve.(Product roundup: valves)
November 1, 2003... The cx-tec is a coaxial, straight-through, high-flow solenoid valve, suitable for process applications, It is available as a direct-acting valve with an integral actuator. Or it can be externally actuated by air or an inert gas. It handles...

Diverter valve.(Product roundup: valves)
November 1, 2003... These diverter valves are constructed with cast-iron body and end plates, with one-piece ductile iron rotor to hold critical dimensions and resist abrasion. Standard features include guarded actuators to protect personnel against pinch points,...

Double and triple valve.(Product roundup: valves)
November 1, 2003... High-capacity two-and three-valve Hi/Lo system features flows to accommodate tempered water requirements. Each includes HydroGuard master tempering valves, all powered by advanced paraffin-based actuation technology for near-instantaneous...

Solenoid valve.(Product roundup: valves)
November 1, 2003... The refrigeration and air conditioning solenoid valve is equipped with a manual bypass design and positive locking mechanism. Features include manual stem operation, multi-position functionality and molded coils for watertight performance....

Compressor couplings.(Product focus: air compressors and accessories)
November 1, 2003... Flexible Reich Arcusaflex flywheel couplings for compressors are designed to provide a torsionally soft and backlash-free connection between internal combustion engine flywheels and the driven components. A rubber-disc element is vulcanized to...

Compressor pump.(Product focus: air compressors and accessories)
November 1, 2003... The GT300 pump can be used with air compressors. It features a BillyGoat adapter with three different hookups as well as two external pressure safety valves. It facilitates the transfer of fluids from several containers. The compressor setup...

Rotary screw compressor.(Product focus: air compressors and accessories)
November 1, 2003... The 7.5-hp SX 7 is a screw compressor, available in a variety of configurations. It features a TEFC motor, built-in aftercooler, anti-vibration pads and a powder-coated, sound-dampening enclosure. With low oil carryover, these units are suited...

Compressed air dryer.(Product focus: air compressors and accessories)
November 1, 2003... The CDA alternate cooling source dryer removes moisture, solid contaminants and oil vapor from compressed air. It provides air treatment when connected to the ammonia circuit or to the chilled-water or glycol supply in a facility. The unit...

Who works in your plant? A profile of today's American factory worker.(Cover Story)
November 1, 2003... As the number of manufacturing jobs decline in the U.S., so does the traditional image of the factory worker. Lean times have made today's worker both more competitive and technically sophisticated. A company can only be as good as its...

Industrial pump guide.(Literature Rack)
November 1, 2003... The free 2003/2004 guide for industrial pumps provides detailed pump-product specifications, options and installation guidelines. Application examples, selection guidelines and ordering instructions are included. Also included is information...

Fluoroplastic tubing.(Literature Rack)
November 1, 2003... An eight-page brochure describes the full range of fluoroplastic tubing products, configurations and capabilities, including complete specifications. It provides a list of materials that can be extruded along with a description of each,...

Lubrication system.(Product News)
November 1, 2003... Two lubrication points can now be lubricated with the 2-Point MEMOLUB Lubrication System. It is suitable for applications involving two bearings such as fans, motors, pumps or any other application having an inboard and outboard beating. The...

Ball bearing brochure.(Literature Rack)
November 1, 2003... Brochure describes a class of bearings called the SKF Explorer Angular Contact Ball Bearings, designed to withstand the toughest pump-operating conditions. Bearings come in two configurations: Single-row is used in pumps and designed for...

Degreaser wipes.(Product News)
November 1, 2003... TRC wipes are designed for cleaning engines and machinery; tools and accessories; interior and exterior areas, including doors, seats, hand rails, handles, floors, wheels and chains. They are safe for use on all ferrous and non-ferrous metals,...

Pumps.(Product News)
November 1, 2003... The SPX Series of pumps for industrial power applications is suitable for use in electrical power plants. It handles corrosive fluids, such as sulfuric acid, which is commonly pumped through plant condensers. It comes with a variable frequency...

Consider 24V DC control voltage for safety, reliability.(Tech Check)
November 1, 2003... There are two basic components to virtually every manufacturing process: motors and the devices that control them. Typically, control devices are large and operate on the same voltage used to power the motors. This results in large...

Lighting upgrade reduces textile-mill hazards, improves workspace.(Field Report)
November 1, 2003... Safety is always a concern in a textile mill because of potential fire hazards. When Avondale Mills, based in Graniteville, SC, constructed a 217,000-sq.-ft. addition at its Horse Creek, SC, plant, the facility installed enclosed luminaires to...