Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation articles from October 2002

Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation archives from October 2002

Editorial comments.
October 1, 2002... One State's Great Idea Spending a day with Six Sigma black-belt, Lean Master, CAD/CAM expert and manufacturing-production guru John Zyrkowski really helps you see the possibilities. After hearing his very direct views about how...

California bill requires electric utilities to use more renewable power. (Industry Newsline).
October 1, 2002... California governor Gray Davis signed legislation last month that requires electricity providers in the state to boost their use of renewable power sources to 20% by the year 2017. The bill (SB 1078) establishes the California Renewables...

EPA seeks to boost recycling goals. (Industry Newsline).
October 1, 2002... The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said last month it wants to boost nationwide percentages of recycled materials, including glass, metal, plastic and paper. The EPA announced its Resource Conservation Challenge at the National Recycling...

U.S. Postal Service rolls out nation's largest fleet of electric vehicles. (Industry Newsline).
October 1, 2002... The United States Postal Service last month rolled out a fleet of nearly 400 battery-powered postal delivery vehicles last month in Los Angeles, CA, the nation's largest single fleet serving one area. The electric vehicles, EVs, can be driven...

Denver leads western U.S. in water use. (Industry Newsline).
October 1, 2002... Metro Denver residents are among the biggest water users in the western U.S., according to a recent report in the Rocky Mountain News. Based on a survey of 2.5 million people, the report said Denver's average per-capita, annual water usage was...

Toyota to add 700 jobs at its Cambridge, Ontario, plant. (Industry Newsline).
October 1, 2002... Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. (TMMC) announced last month that employment at its four-year-old Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, plant will climb to 3,900 by September next year, up from the current 3,200. The company said it will add 700...

U.S. Steel workers create 9/11 monument. (Industry Newsline).
October 1, 2002... The employees of U.S. Steel's Minnesota Ore Operations (Minntac) in Mountain Iron, MN, dedicated a monument last month that they designed and built to commemorate, the tragedies of September 11. It includes actual steel recovered from Ground...

GE Power Systems announced it has acquired Panametrics, Inc., a Massachusetts-based manufacturer of ultrasonic testing equipment and process-control instrumentation. (News Briefs).
October 1, 2002... GE Power Systems announced it has acquired Panametrics, Inc., a Massachusetts-based manufacturer of ultrasonic testing equipment and process-control instrumentation. The company was founded in 1960 and employs 1,000 workers. It will become part...

Danaher Corp. announced last month it will purchase Thomson Industries, Inc., for $165 million. (News Briefs).
October 1, 2002... Danaher Corp. announced last month it will purchase Thomson Industries, Inc., for $165 million. The Washington, D.C-based manufacturer of process and environmental controls said it will combine its existing linear component and actuator...

The Boeing Co. (News Briefs).
October 1, 2002... According to a new forecast by The Boeing Co., global air cargo is expected to grow 6.4% per year in volume up to 2021. The report, issued by the Chicago-based company's Commercial Airplanes division, said Asian cargo markets will lead the...

Refiners Conoco, Inc., Houston, TX, and Phillips Petroleum Co., Bartlesville, OK, have completed their $15 billion merger. (News Briefs).
October 1, 2002... Refiners Conoco, Inc., Houston, TX, and Phillips Petroleum Co., Bartles ville, OK, have completed their $15 billion merger. Proposed last fall, the merger makes ConocoPhillips the third-largest integrated oil firm based in the U.S. It became...

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced last month it will partner with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy. (News Briefs).
October 1, 2002... The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced last month it will partner with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy to promote the Energy Star program throughout HUD's affordable housing...

Calendar.
October 1, 2002... * Oct. 7-9 * National Safety Council Congress & Expo; San Diego, CA; National Safety Council; 630-285-1121. * Oct. 21-24 * ISA 2002; Chicago, IL; The Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society; 919-549-8411. * Nov. 3-7 * Pack Expo...

LED lamps. (Product Round-Up: Lights, Lamps & Ballasts).
October 1, 2002... Sunlight-visible, right-angled AUT-1157R1 tail/brake/back-up LED lamps are suitable for forklift and automotive applications in combination tail/brake/signals and back-up lights. LEDtronics, Inc., 23105 Kashiwa Court, Torrance, CA 90505;...

Magnification light. (Product Round-Up: Lights, Lamps & Ballasts).
October 1, 2002... Detailed work in electronics manufacturing requires high magnification from workplace lighting. The Opticlux magnifier incorporates a T5HO, 22-W fluorescent lamp and features an industrial-grade clamp for production bench mounting. A built-in...

Electronic ballasts. (Product Round-Up: Lights, Lamps & Ballasts).
October 1, 2002... Prismatron electronic ballasts for use with 320-, 350-, and 400-w metal-halide lamps may be used with both conventional and pulse-start lamps. Prismatron electronic ballasts consume fewer watts than magnetic core and coil ballasts. They can be...

Ballasts. (Product Round-Up: Lights, Lamps & Ballasts).
October 1, 2002... Single-coil, Linear Reactor ballasts for pulse-start metal-halide lamps feature power interruption for abnormal lamp or ballast failure, using the integral ignitor design. Advance Transformer Co., 10275 W. Higgins Rd., Rosemount, IL 60018;...

Teflon Sight Glass. (Product News).
October 1, 2002... Sight Glasses with Teflon PTFE connections for stainless steel piping systems permit safe viewing of process liquid. Connectors include a Pyrex inside wall for corrosive liquids. Plast-O-Matic Valves, Inc., 1384 Pompton Ave., Cedar Grove, NJ...

Industrial two-way radios. (Product News).
October 1, 2002... The XTN Series of two-way radios allows one-to-one or group communication. Designed for heavy-duty, everyday industrial use, these radios are shock-, drop-, and temperature-tested. Motorola, 1705 Belle Meade Ct., Lawrenceville, GA 30043;...

Mounting adapters. (Product News).
October 1, 2002... Mounting adapters are available for SICK's magnetic cylinder sensors. They can detect a magnetic ring in the piston through aluminum, brass or stainless steel housing walls and trigger a switching signal. The MZ series of magnetic cylinder...

Datalogger. (Product News).
October 1, 2002... The battery-powered OM-CP-LEVEL101 rugged, water-level and temperature data logger is used for automatically recording water level. The storage medium is solid state memory. OMEGA Engineering, Inc., One Omega Drive, Stamford, CT 06907;...

Work platform. (Product Round-Up: Work Platforms).
October 1, 2002... These variable-height work platforms for auto paint lines use a tandem scissor design for ergonomic positioning. Removable guard rails provide safety. Pentalift Equipment Corp., P.O. Box 1510, Buffalo, NY 14240; 519-763-3625. Write in IMPO...

Aerial work platform. (Product Round-Up: Work Platforms).
October 1, 2002... The Model S158 MDT aerial work platform features a control system that monitors the outrigger settings and platform load. It automatically keeps the platform in safe operating parameters. Bronto Skylift, 251 City View Rd., Westfield, MA 01085;...

Platform leveling system. (Product Round-Up: Work Platforms).
October 1, 2002... The Model 1350SJP telescoping boom lift features an electronic platform leveling system and swing-speed proportioning. With the new leveling system, the platform is automatically leveled in relation to gravity, not the machine chassis, so the...

Elevating platform. (Product Round-Up: Work Platforms).
October 1, 2002... This elevating platform gives operators fall protection while working on the tops of tank/bulk trucks, tank cars, sea containers and hopper cars. A canopy provides shelter from weather. G-Raff Systems, P.O. Box 30905, Cleveland, OH 44130;...

Maryland's move to manufacturing excellence. (Cover Story).
October 1, 2002... The Maryland World Class Manufacturing Consortium has been helping state manufacturers become world class competitors since 1996, Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma and other strategies are part of a program that guarantees its members will improve. ...

Accounting for costs. (CMMS Solutions).
October 1, 2002... Any list of key functionality provided by a CMMS would include the ability to track resources expenditures. In my experience, however, even with the aid of a CMMS, many maintenance organizations do a mediocre job of tracking expenditures. This...

Direct-drive compressors. (Product News).
October 1, 2002... The direct drive series rotary screw compressors feature our optimized Sigma Profile airend, patent-pending Sigma Control system and one-to-one direct drive technology. All units are fitted with a re-designed separator system. Kaeser...

Plungers. (Product News).
October 1, 2002... The R-Series 150 Frame positive displacement plunger pumps have been designed for Reverse Osmosis desalination applications with Duplex Stainless Steel heads and valve components and solid ceramic plungers. Cat Pumps, 1681 94th NE Lane,...

Instruments and control switches. (Product News).
October 1, 2002... These instrument and control switches are available with built-in coil monitoring and fault signal detection indication. Both Series 24 and 31 feature double-wiping, silver-plated contacts for long life and terminal screws for easy...

How to check and reduce acid levels in compressor lubricant. (Tech Check).
October 1, 2002... When it comes to lubricating rotary-screw air compressors, a unique set of circumstances--the presence of oxygen, heat and moisture--complicates the process. While two of these are often combined, rarely are all three. In a rotary-screw...

Screwdriver. (Tech Bench: Tools).
October 1, 2002... The ASG BL-5000 is a torque-controlled screwdriver for light applications in cleanrooms. The driver has a brushless motor, eliminating carbon dust. ASG, of Jergens, Inc., 15700 S. Waterloo Rd., Cleveland, OH 44110; 216-486-6163. Write in...

Wire stripper & cutter. (Tech Bench: Tools).
October 1, 2002... The JIC-4473 wire stripper and cutter comes with interchangeable blades and ergonomic grips. Place the wire in slot, squeeze and pull. Jonard Industries Corp., 15700 S. Waterloo Rd., Cleveland, OH 44110; 216-486-6163. Write in IMPO No. 32...

Sterile ratchet drive. (Tech Bench: Tools).
October 1, 2002... The 3/8-in. stainless steel ratchet drive is crafted from 17-4 PH stainless steel; its sculpted ergonomic handle is designed for a comfortable grip. This ratchet drive is suitable for use in pharmaceutical, cleanroom, sterile production and...

Heavy-duty drill. (Tech Bench: Tools).
October 1, 2002... Brute-Tough drill/drivers are available in 14.4 volts and 18 volts. Both models feature a 16-position full-metal chuck ring, a ratcheting single sleeve chuck with carbide jaws, and an ergonomic handle design. Overload protections are available....

Impact wrenches. (Tech Bench: Tools).
October 1, 2002... These cordless wrenches are equipped with die-cast, aluminum gear housing. They are compact and maneuver in tight spaces. Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp., 13135 W. Lisbon Rd., Brookfield, WI 53005; 800-414-6527. Write in IMPO No. 35 or reply...

Pneumatic scissors. (Tech Bench: Tools).
October 1, 2002... Airshirz industrial pneumatic scissors with stainless steel blades cut cleanly, even on complex patterns. The scissors feature an automatic spring-return action. Blade speed and position are fully controllable and can be stopped or opened at...

Side-cutting pliers. (Tech Bench: Tools).
October 1, 2002... Two NE-type side--cutting pliers feature smooth, streamlined noses with knurled jaws. Model no. D213-9NETP has a groove at the hinge for gripping and pulling flat fish tapes. The design minimizes pulling effort. Model no. D213-9NECR features a...

Self-adjusting pipe wrench. (Tech Bench: Tools).
October 1, 2002... The self-adjusting RapidGrip pipe wrench with rapid ratcheting action is designed for one-handed operation. The jaw design spring adjusts to any size work surface. Ridge Tool Co., 400 Clark St., Elyria, OH 44036; 440-323-5581. Write in...

Root cause analysis software helps refiner end valve-actuator failures. (Field Report).
October 1, 2002... At the Lyondell-Citgo petroleum refinery in Houston, TX, manually operated wedge-plug isolation and switch valves on the coker drums were replaced some years ago with motor-operated, metal-seated ball valves. The change was expected to improve...

Epoxy. (Product News).
October 1, 2002... Mix, apply and cure Duralco 4525 at room temperature to provide low moisture absorption, high-bond strength, high-temperature stability, low shrinkage and chemical and electrical resistance. Cotronics Corp., 3379 Shore Parkway, Brooklyn, NY...

Mist collection units. (Product News).
October 1, 2002... SCANDMIST MA Series collectors feature washable fiber bed coalescing type pre- and main filters, all-welded radial fan with backward inclined blades and crafted cabinets. The air cleaners are suitable for all oil-mist and smoke applications and...

Oil Skimmer. (Product News).
October 1, 2002... Model 6-V oil skimmer removes oil, grease, animal and vegetable fats, from water in manufacturing and production facilities. Fats and oils adhere to a closed-loop tube, which lifts oily residue and scum out of the water. Removed oils are drawn...

Direct-drive compressors. (Product News).
October 1, 2002... The new direct-drive series rotary screw compressors feature one-to-one direct-drive technology. All units are fitted with a redesigned separator system for low oil carry over. Kaeser Compressors, RO. Box 946, Fredericksbrug, VA 22404;...

Iron form. (Product News).
October 1, 2002... Designed for use with rigid steel or aluminum conduit, Form 35 features a malleable iron, epoxy powder-coated construction that resists stress, and rugged atmospheres. Appleton, EGS Electrical Group, 7770 N. Frontage Rd., Skokie, IL 60007;...

Ceramic-filled epoxies. (Product News).
October 1, 2002... Brushable Ceramic and Sprayable Ceramic are repair epoxies engineered for resistance to abrasion and chemicals. They cure at room temperature to seal and protect new surfaces or recondition old ones. Devcon, 30 Endicott St., Danvers, MA 01923;...

Cordless driver. (Tech Bench: Tools).
October 1, 2002... The Power Grip, an ergonomic, compact cordless driver, is designed to fit in the palm of your hand. Its ergonomically designed shell houses a reversing motor. Metabo Corp., 1231 Wilson Dr., West Chester, PA 19380; 800-638-2264. Write in...

Mitre saw. (Tech Bench: Tools).
October 1, 2002... The KM14HS high-speed mitre saw cuts aluminum, plastic and other non-ferrous materials. It uses a carbide-tipped steel blade and mitres 45 degrees. Kalamazoo Industries. Inc., 6846 E. K Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49048; 616-382-2050. Write in...

Preparation tools. (Tech Bench: Tools).
October 1, 2002... The BlackMaxx line of preparation tools features electrocoated carbon steel blades. They resist chemicals, corrosion and wear. The tools have a full tang blade construction and ergo-engineered soft-grip handles, cushioned to absorb shock and...

Scaling hammers. (Tech Bench: Tools).
October 1, 2002... Floor/deck scalers and hand-held scaling hammers from this manufacturer are suitable for concrete surface preparation. Scaling hammers are offered in both regular and heavy-duty versions with special threaded tips and pistons for fracturing...

Wire-cutter/stripper. (Tech Bench: Tools).
October 1, 2002... This wire cutter and stripper strips wires with adjustable insulation removal capabilities. It is made of durable glass fiber. Wieland Electric, Inc., 49 International Road, Burgaw, NC, 28425; 800-943-5263. Write in IMPO No. 44 or reply...

Ratchet. (Tech Bench: Tools).
October 1, 2002... The new Big Dawg ratchet gets its name from the re-designed dog with nine teeth that contact the gear, increasing torque transfer. The new ratchet design features a slim, low-profile heat that's 13% smaller than previous. The smaller...

Tube Facing Tools. (Tech Bench: Tools).
October 1, 2002... Two types of Tube End Facing Tools are now available. The Fixed-Type Tube End Facing Tool (shown) uses easy-to-replace cutter bits. The Insert-Type Tube Facing Tool trims brass, copper, steel, stainless steel, copper nickel and titanium tubes....

Tool box. (Tech Bench: Tools).
October 1, 2002... The ToolTote tool box is ruggedly made from tough nylons and webbing for industrial applications. It features an oversized opening for easy access. Paktek, Inc., 7307 82nd St. Court SW, Lakewood WA 98498; 800-258-8458. Write in IMPO No. 45...

EM Gateway. (Product News).
October 1, 2002... EM Gateway delivers a solution for adapting standard controllers to Ethernet networks, allowing users to monitor and control processes remotely through POs with Ethernet connections. Users can perform control operations such as process...

Thermoplastic seals. (Product News).
October 1, 2002... Ultracomp engineered thermoplastics for sealing applications are available for use in extreme temperatures, pressure, and chemical environments. The materials provide a higher tensile strength and resistance to creep and fatigue than...

Welding safety. (Training Aids).
October 1, 2002... The AMI presentation "When Safe Performance is a Burning Issue" provides a call to action for greater welding safety, basic information on the topic, illustrations of fires caused by welding accidents, and a guide to selecting AMI...

Technical training opportunities. (Product Aids).
October 1, 2002... Training on essential process-control and automation technologies will be presented in coming months by Emerson Process Management Educational Services in various U.S. and Canadian locations. Courses are open to plant managers, process-control...

Lab Viscometer course. (Training Aids).
October 1, 2002... This certified, one-day Practical Course for Laboratory Viscometer Operators is intended for QC technicians, process engineers and production personnel. It provides supervised hands-on viscosity testing in the lab with attendees' samples, and...

Save energy with efficient motors. (Training Aids).
October 1, 2002... A free CD-ROM entitled "Premium-Efficiency Motors & Transformers" is available to anyone seeking to cut energy costs in industrial facilities. It examines some mechanical aspects of efficient motors and transformers, how they are made and how...