Plant Engineering articles from April 2003

Plant Engineering archives from April 2003

Dock-seal fire problem identified. (Forum).
April 1, 2003... In the past 18 months, Frommelt Products Corp., a manufacturer of dock seals, has recorded nearly 90 incidents of dock-seal fire damage. Why the sudden rise in a problem that seemed nonexistent just a few years ago? The answer reads almost like...

Grades plunge to D and below. (Forum).(costs for manufacturers of factory materials and supplies continue to rise)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Overall, costs for manufacturers of factory materials and supplies continue to rise at a fairly brisk pace. In the three months ending January 2003, production costs rose 0.7%. That's a far cry from the 0.8% drop in costs that manufacturers...

Price/cost/demand roundup.(equipment and supplies)
April 1, 2003... Price/cost/demand roundup Industry SIC Wood Pallets and Skids 2448 Polishes and Sanitation Goods 2842 Surface Active Agents 2843 Adhesives and Sealants ...

Devil is in the execution. (Comment).
April 1, 2003... Execution is the buzzword for the initiative du jour. When all is said and done, it seems, all of the initiatives of the last several decades don't amount to much without execution. Well, duh! The interesting thing about all the attention...

Undermining associates: can he be fired? (Human Side).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... If a plant popularity contest were held, Maintenance Planner John Tyler wouldn't have wound up at the bottom of the barrel. He would have been underneath it. The word most often used by Tyler's associates to describe him was "obnoxious."...

Harassment by a customer: can the company be held liable? (Human Side).
April 1, 2003... Here's one that could keep your eyes from shutting at night. What's your responsibility if a worker in your department complains she was sexually harassed by a non-employee, especially if the alleged culprit happens to be a customer executive?...

Are your people surfing the internet too much? (Human Side).
April 1, 2003... Statistics vary. Some company's human resource and/or personnel executives claim that internet surfing undermines productivity a varying number of hours per day. A recent survey revealed that 40% of the workforce spends time online gathering or...

Job phase-out: beating management to the punch. (Human Side).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The handwriting on the wall was bold and clear. With special equipment on order the quality control inspection procedure would be drastically revised. It appeared that two quality control inspectors would no longer be needed, in which case...

Cutting hours in the workweek. (Human Side).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... When the economic slowdown threatened to deteriorate into a prolonged slump, management of an Ohio manufacturing company became increasingly concerned that its costs would run too high to ensure survival. At a steering committee meeting called...

Double-check classifications periodically. (Human Side).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... From the day he was hired by Maintenance Supervisor Harry Ratzloff, Instrument Mechanic Charley Givens was classified as a part-time employee. In this category he received a share of vacation and sick leave In the company's policy manual...

Does senior man deserve a chance? (Human Side).(appointing staff)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... When plant management decided to trade in its aging boilers for automated high-pressure units, it was decided that a skilled employee would be needed to monitor and maintain the equipment. After posting a bid for the job, Harold Hillman was...

Change: how do we manage it? (Management Side).
April 1, 2003... Machiavelli had a pretty good understanding of how difficult it can be to manage significant change. He went on to observe that the innovator has many enemies in those who have done well under the old order and only lukewarm defenders in those...

Book offerings: a look inside. (Info Engineering).(Book Review)
April 1, 2003... Written by Daryl Mather, CMMS: A Timesaving Implementation Process is a broad and structured guide to CMMS implementation regardless of which system you choose. The book contains pragmatic advice for effective maintenance management, with...

Wiring system design: cable tray vs. conduit. (Technology Electrical).
April 1, 2003... Key concepts * Conduit continues to be the mainstay of electrical power distribution. * Cable trays provide wiring flexibility, simplicity, and lower installation cost. * Steel conduit reduces electromagnetic fields by up to 95%....

The risk/cost of oil in the air supply. (Technology Compressors/Environment).
April 1, 2003... Key Concepts * Filters cannot remove all the oil coming from a lubricated compressor. * Oil-free compressors cost more, but capital costs over a 10-yr period are only 7% of total running costs. * Consequences of oil in process air...

2002 Product of the Year winners. (Special Report).
April 1, 2003... The readers made their choice loud and clear in the 2002 "Product of the Year" competition. After reviewing 150 finalists in the November issue, they selected Rapidgrip self-adjusting pipe wrench as the Grand Award winner (pictured below). ...

Creating comfort generates big savings.(Big Ass Fan Co.)(Advertisement)
April 1, 2003... Creating a comfortable working environment for plant employees is simply good business. Research demonstrates a direct link between improvements in the working environment and increases in productivity. Productivity can increase as much as 15%...

Alcoa-Deschambault demonstrates overall leadership. (Special Report: 2002 North American Maintenance Excellence Award).
April 1, 2003... Doing the right things right is perhaps the best description one can give to the maintenance operations at the Alcoa aluminum smelter in Deschambault, Quebec, Canada. By demonstrating superior performance in just about every area of evaluation,...

Aera Energy pursues maintenance convergence. (Special Report: 2002 North American Maintenance Excellence Award).
April 1, 2003... Oil producer Aera Energy, Bakersfield, CA, is meeting tremendous maintenance challenges at its Belridge complex through a variety of initiatives that integrate maintenance with operations. The journey to maintenance excellence is a testament to...

Spectacular savings first year.(Marshall Institute helps Barriere Construction Company Inc. cut costs)(Advertisement)
April 1, 2003... In 2001, when Barriere Construction, one of the largest highway payers in the state of Louisiana, decided to reduce its operating costs by improving equipment reliability, they approached Marshall Institute of Raleigh, North Carolina for...

Geisinger pioneers legionella control. (Special Report: 2002 FAME Award of Excellence).(Geisinger Health System)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... In a groundbreaking effort, the Facilities Operations Group of Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA, developed a system to eliminate legionella bacteria from its domestic water supply. Their solution was the first successful system implemented...

Atmel advances risk assessment. (Special Report: 2002 FAME Award of Merit).
April 1, 2003... Two Atmel Corp. semiconductor manufacturing plants in Colorado Springs, CO, operate 24 hr/day, 7 days/week. Any interruption to the manufacturing process can cost from several hundred thousand to several million dollars in lost revenues. As a...

Power tool safety. (Tools & Welding: Training).
April 1, 2003... The web site www.powertoolinstitute.com focuses on safe practices for the use of portable and stationary power tools on the job. Visitors can access a straightforward compilation of rules and safe practices for each category of tools in a...

MIG welding training. (Tools & Welding: Training).
April 1, 2003... Continuing education in welding helps improve operator performance and weld consistency. Free Basic MIG (wire welding) and Basic Electricity online training courses are designed to give users an understanding of the MIG process and issues...

Clean concrete. (Tools & Welding: Products).
April 1, 2003... Pour-n-Restore soaks into concrete floors for several hours and breaks down oil deep in the pores. As it dries, oil is pulled up to the surface and, trapped in an absorbent powder. This provides containment of oil residue and makes proper...

Alignment laser. (Tools & Welding: Products).
April 1, 2003... PL-l00 alignment laser produces a bright red beam that is ideal for positioning equipment, aligning parts, guiding forklift operators, and positioning conveyors. Options for a laser line and other patterns are available. The unit is easy to set...

Drill bit sharpener. (Tools & Welding: Products).
April 1, 2003... XT3000 is an expandable tool sharpener that grows with your needs. The basic unit sharpens standard and split point drill bits at any angle from 118 deg. to 150 deg. Each drill's point configuration is controllable, including relief and design...

Resin rapid repair kit. (Tools & Welding: Products).
April 1, 2003... A line of cure-on-command resins can be used as adhesives, fillers, and sealants. Based on DOD funded research, these on-part resins require no mixing and cure from 28 F to 104 F without impacting strength or cure time. They can cure as fast as...

Portable welder. (Tools & Welding: Products).
April 1, 2003... Ranger 305D is a powerful stick, TIG, wire, and pipe-welding, engine-driven power source that is ready for all day, everyday performance. It is built with a totally enclosed case for maximum protection, Chopper Technology for an outstanding...

No-drill sheet metal fastener. (Tools & Welding: Products).
April 1, 2003... In less time than it takes to drill a hole, fasten items to sheet metal in one step with Punch-Pin. Specially shaped annular grooves bite into the base metal and form a permanent attachment that holds up to 250 lb. The pin was developed for...

Extension flashlight. (Tools & Welding: Products).
April 1, 2003... Stylus Reach LED flashlight has a 7-in. flexible extension that can be positioned to illuminate concealed areas other flashlights can't reach. It is built with a virtually indestructible LED, available in white or blue that lasts for up to...

Hex tool for tight spots. (Tools & Welding: Products).
April 1, 2003... Stubby is a line of hex tools that solve the problem of reaching screws in obstructed areas. The short arm is bent with a tight radius and finished with a chamfered end to ensure easy entry into the screw head. The tools are made of Protanium...

Improved die oiler. (Tools & Welding: Products).
April 1, 2003... Model 418 handheld oiler's pump delivers 50% more thread cutting oil than others. An ergonomically designed, two-finger trigger is easy to use. A 54-in, hose and a wide, curved steel nozzle directs oil onto dies in a controlled manner. A...

Heavy load mover. (Material Handling: Products).
April 1, 2003... WeightCaddy is a walk-behind, battery-powered device designed to lift and move heavy loads around the shop.Unit can lift and haul loads to 2500 lb at speeds to 3 mph. DJ Products, Inc. djproducts.com Write 311 on PE card

Bridge crane kits. (Material Handling: Products).
April 1, 2003... Overhead Crane Component Kits include everything necessary to build an overhead bridge crane except the structural cross girder, and are designed to let users do their own assembly. Available in capacities to 100 tons with 120-ft spans, the...

Storage products. (Material Handling: Literature).
April 1, 2003... Catalog features 45 pp of drawings, photographs, product descriptions, and specifications on a complete line of storage racks, mobile equipment, and space-saving systems. Cantilever and roll-out shelf storage racks are featured. Jarke...

Ergonomic chain hoists. (Material Handling: Literature).
April 1, 2003... Full-color brochure illustrates a full line of ergonomic chain hoists for use in repetitive workstation and assembly line areas. Six-page brochure highlights one-handed operation of AH Mini-Cat Manipulator Control, ED Cylinder Control and...

Casters, wheels, trucks, trailers. (Material Handling: Literature).
April 1, 2003... New 120-p catalog includes industrial casters and wheels with capacity load ratings from 125 lb to 20,000 lb plus the manufacturer's full line of industrial trucks and inplant trailers with capacities to 40,000 lb. Detailed illustrations,...

Lift truck improvements. (Material Handling: Literature).
April 1, 2003... Brochure provides 14 pp of detailed information on the updated SpaceSaver S40-65XM lift truck. Truck's driver compartment redesign includes easy access to all controls, full-suspension seat, enhanced soundproofing, and Monotrol directional...

Conceptual modeler. (Software & Computers: Products).
April 1, 2003... PLS-Router is a simple-to-use conceptual modeler, designed for use in front-end engineering design (FEED), built on Bentley's MicroStation platform. It is the combination of a process plant layout system and an automatic 3D pipe routing system....

Asset condition monitoring. (Software & Computers: Products).
April 1, 2003... System I Machinery/Asset Condition Management Release 3.0 extends the software's reach beyond rotating machinery into plant asset management (PAM), focusing on all industrial equipment assets. It is a modular and scalable condition monitoring...

Mobile PLC control. (Software & Computers: Products).
April 1, 2003... PLC Pilot is application software that enables users to monitor and control PLCs from Palm-powered mobile devices. It supports the DirectNet protocol and interfaces with Koyo family of PLCs, eliminating the requirement for a personal computer...

Asset tracking system. (Software & Computers: Products).
April 1, 2003... Security Asset & Maintenance Tracking System (SAMS) is software designed to track a billion items at a billion locations. Originally designed internally for fire equipment management to maintain compliance with OSHA, NFPA, and Factory Mutual...

Energy usage monitoring. (Software & Computers: Products).
April 1, 2003... Energy Director is a reporting anti analysis software tool that helps users control energy usage and patterns. It monitors and measures the energy usage of any electronic point or metered service. The program shows current energy usage and...

Industrial-strength switch. (Software & Computers: Products).
April 1, 2003... Catalyst 2955 is a compact 12-port LAN switch that combines Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity with intelligent switching services, and is designed for deployment in harsh industrial environments. Features include security for...

Internet connection CMMS. (Software & Computers: Products).
April 1, 2003... Reliability.iQ is a CMMS that allows plants to increase profitability with a customized equipment reliability strategy. The CMMS uses a common browser to enable users to instantaneously access equipment histories, open and close work orders,...

Compact NEMA 12 keyboard. (Software & Computers: Products).
April 1, 2003... KIT6003 is a compact, NEMA 12, sealed keyboard with an integral 1.3-in trackball, in a painted aluminum enclosure. A drain hole below the trackball allows water to exit at the bottom, a feature that allows the trackball to be rated NEMA 12. The...

Bright light stand. (Illumination: Products).
April 1, 2003... Port-A-Lite 1250W2 is a metal halide light stand that provides portable, high-intensity lighting. The efficient, super-high output (SHO) lamp fixture is 25% brighter than the model it replaces. The parallel design holds the lamp in the optimum...

Fluorescent fixture. (Illumination: Products).
April 1, 2003... T-Bay fluorescent fixture, which contains the mounting flexibility of high bays and includes T5 or T8 linear fluorescent lamps, is designed to replace conventional HID lighting in industrial applications. The fixture accepts multiple suspension...

Ballast for fluorescent lamps. (Illumination: Products).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Centium ICN-2S28 is an electronic ballast that is designed to operate up to two 35, 28, 21, or 14-W T5 fluorescent lamps. The ballast allows 120-277 Vac operation at 50 or 60 Hz. It features a low-profile, 1-in.-high enclosure. Color-coded...

Hazardous area incandescent lighting. (Illumination: Products).(LDPI Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Series 381 and 383 lines of explosion-proof and vapor-proof incandescent lighting fixtures for hazardous and nonhazardous areas include models designed for ceiling, pendant, box, and stanchion mounting. Both designs share design features that...

Ballast fliers. (Illumination: Literature).(Universal Lighting Technologies Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Triad High Efficiency, and AccuStart ballasts are highlighted in three new product fliers, which provide specifications, catalog numbers, wiring diagrams, and appropriate lamp applications. High Efficiency ballast families feature energy...

Lighting fixture brochure. (Illumination: Literature).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Illuminaire, The New Shape of Light is the title of a color brochure that details a new line of prismatic glass lighting fixtures for light industrial applications. The fixtures are available in five styles: Egg, Crest, Tri-Egg, TriCrest, and...

Combination DMM and IR thermometer. (Instruments & Controls: Products).(Digital multimeters feature ifrared thermometers)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Extech 450 and 470 autoranging digital multimeters (DMMs) feature built in, noncontact infrared (IR) thermometers. The thermometer provides fast measurements from -4 to 520 F. A laser pointer targets the area being measured. The distance to...

Current-to-pressure transducer. (Instruments & Controls: Products).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Series IP current-to-pressure transducer is designed for control applications that require a high degree of reliability and repeatability at a low cost. The transducer converts a current input signal to a linearly proportional pneumatic output...

Air velocity flow transmitter. (Instrument & Controls: Products).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... FX100 Series air velocity flowmeter is designed to monitor air velocity in HVAC applications. The transmitter can be wired for 4-20 mA, 0-5 Vdc, or 0-1 Vdc output. The unit transmits flow and temperature information. RS232 output and digital...

DeviceNet fiber optic converter. (Instruments & Controls: Products).
April 1, 2003... PSI-MOS-DNET modular fiber optic converter system for DeviceNet allows isolation of DeviceNet networks by converting the electrical signals from copper-wire-based sources to glass or polymer fiber technology, which offers the benefits of...

Tag pipes and valves. (Fluid Handling: Services).
April 1, 2003... A professional pipe marker and valve tag take-off service is an easy method for plant managers to determine their plants' requirements. Merely provide an up-to-date set of drawings. The service will develop a list of systems to be identified,...

Solid-block pumps. (Fluid Handling: Products).
April 1, 2003... GPC Series of solid-block construction pumps is designed to deliver longer-lasting performance than injection-molded pumps. They are machined form PVDF or polypropylene. The casings feature optional raised-face flanges for superior sealing....

Internet Connection: visit the following company web sites.
April 1, 2003... For more information on how to advertise in PLANT ENGINEERING'S Internet Connection, call Jim Langhenry at 630-288-8789 aearo.com Aearo is an ISO certified supplier of AOSafety brand eye, face, head, and respiratory protection, EAR...

Solutions.
April 1, 2003... * Pulling wire over ceiling tile * Problem: When installing a sound system in an existing room with a dropped ceiling, wires must be pulled from one side of the room to the other. Is there an easy way to do this without disturbing the...