Plant Engineering articles from December 2007

Plant Engineering archives from December 2007

Manufacturing's future: Chasing the 'Perfect Plant'.
December 15, 2007... Staff SAP recently examined barriers to 'The Perfect Plant.' This excerpt from their white paper suggests how companies can create better efficiency. The perfect plant is your vision of a fully integrated, seamlessly operational...

Motor control center data offers maintenance insight.
December 15, 2007... By Terry Schiazza and Anthony Propes, Square D/Schneider Electric One piece of equipment that is increasingly being incorporated into a plant's network is the motor control center. An MCC is a safe, economical and convenient way to mount...

Plug leaks in the firewall to improve Ethernet security.
December 15, 2007... By Larry Komarek, Phoenix Contact Ethernet offers the advantages of high bandwidth communications, a standard interconnection approach, the ability to transmit data easily between multiple communication levels across many control systems...

Field calibration tools deliver efficiency.
December 15, 2007... By Jim Shields, Fluke Process Tools, Fluke Corp. As plants strive for improved process quality and efficiency, ensuring these signals and variables are accurate is increasingly important. Critical devices are routinely calibrated at...

Develop clear lubrication procedures.(Brief article)
December 15, 2007... By Sam Farag, Alemite LLC One of the best ways to avoid maintenance downtime is by having clear and precise lubrication procedures. When developing lubrication procedures for manufacturing facilities, engineers should consider several...

No finger-pointing on MES.
December 15, 2007... By Martin W. Michael and John R. Roach, Advanced Automation The collision of information technology and engineering is here. Ethernet is pushing onto the manufacturing floor. Microsoft SQL Server is gaining momentum and acceptance in its...

Looking back is fine, but it's time to look ahead.
December 15, 2007... Bob Vavra, Editor Over the past 12 months, we've brought you a look at how PLANT ENGINEERING was born, how it has grown and developed and changed and evolved in 60 years. We've looked at how much of what we face today in manufacturing are...

'Collaborative production system' a unifying plant floor strategy: ARC.
December 15, 2007... Staff The ARC Advisory Group's new Collaborative Production System model, unveiled at GE Fanuc's Discover 2007 user group event in St. Louis in October, pushes the manufacturing world closer to a unified strategy that enables disparate...

The convergence of plant, IT still needs a little more work.(information technology)(Brief article)
December 15, 2007... Staff The technology that drives plant-level knowledge to the enterprise level works, and so does the technology that drives enterprise expectations to the plant floor. So when the issue of plant-IT convergence is discussed, as it was at...

Create a successful globalization strategy.
December 15, 2007... Staff Globalization means more markets, more products and more partners. Opportunities expand, but so do the challenges for global manufacturers. Companies are selling their products around the world and are facing competition from a...

Effective EAM strategy drives plant and enterprise success.
December 15, 2007... Staff Developing an effective asset management strategy is crucial, not just to drive successful manufacturing, but to drive success for the organization. That's the view offered by Brian Dunks, senior product manager for Lawson Software,...

Sustainability, data management, workforce development on the agenda.
December 15, 2007... Staff Returning to the site of last year's successful inaugural event, the 2008 PLANT ENGINEERING Manufacturing Summit opens with lead sponsor IBM March 31 and continues through April 1, 2008, at the Hotel Sofitel in Chicago. 'We are...

Tomorrow's factories will evolve in design, function.
December 15, 2007... By John E. Enkemann Jr. and Peter G. Lynde, Albert Kahn Associates Today's industrial manufacturing facility is a marvelous integration of process and facility. Before we analyze its current state and theorize about its future, let's take a...

Improve all the M's in TPM system.(Total Productive Machines, Manpower, Materials and Money)
December 15, 2007... Darrin Wikoff, Life Cycle Engineering As discussed last month in Part 1 of our look at TPM, 'Total' and 'Productive' are the methods by which organizations implements solutions to resolve issues associated with Machines, Manpower,...

Manufacturing Summit seminars focus on sustainability, workforce.
December 15, 2007... Staff When the 2008 PLANT ENGINEERING Manufacturing Summit convenes in Chicago March 31 and April 1, the focus will be on two of the most crucial issues facing plant managers today: creating a sustainable workplace and developing a...

New white papers, research added to Website library.(Website overview)
December 15, 2007... Staff One of the most popular uses for www.PlantEngineering.com is the ability to review archived stories and articles from past years. Some of the best strategies and ideas are the tried and true methods. Yet the Website grows every...

Get a sneak preview of 2007 Salary Survey Jan. 2.
December 15, 2007... Staff The full presentation of the 2007 PLANT ENGINEERING Salary Survey will appear in the January 2008 issue, but PlantEngineering.com readers will get a sneak preview of the survey's results on Wednesday, Jan. 2. The survey is...

Keeping spray nozzles clean.
December 15, 2007... Staff A toothbrush is an effective and safe way to clean a nozzle without altering the spray pattern or damaging the nozzle. For more Tips & Tricks, go to www.PlantEngineering.com .

Remote digital displays.
December 15, 2007... Staff SITRANS RD100 and RD200 universal remote digital displays allow users to remotely view and access measurement data. The RD100 is a two-wire, loop-powered unit with a two-step configuration and a NEMA 4X, IP67 enclosure. Data is...

Smart cabinet.(Storage +)(Brief article)
December 15, 2007... Staff Storage + is designed for tracking assets and consignment materials. Features include vendor inventory management, test/diagnostic equipment storage, critical spare parts and tool storage. The unit has the ability to know in...

Circuit breakers.
December 15, 2007... Staff Series G high-performance, molded-case circuit breakers are designed to interrupt current flow in a fault condition. The series can interrupt up to 200 kA (asymmetrical) at 480 Vac. The breakers are UL-approved as current limiting,...

Fast control technology.
December 15, 2007... Staff eXtreme Fast Control (XFC) technology incorporates an industrial PC and I/O terminals with extended real-time characteristics, an Ethernet Fieldbus, EtherCAT and TwinCAT automation software. The device enables cycle times of 100...

Output displacement transmitters.
December 15, 2007... Staff The LD630 series of current-output displacement transmitters has an IP67 rating and polymer guides with rigid carriers. The transmitters have a stainless-steel body construction and feature direct- or reverse-acting 4-20 mA output....

PH/ORP sensor.
December 15, 2007... Staff The Rosemount Analytical PERpH-X 3500 high-performance pH and ORP sensor is equipped with plastic-threaded connections to facilitate mounting options. Six solutions are available as electrolyte kits. Emerson Process Management...

Roller technology.
December 15, 2007... Staff The E24 is a 24-V live-roller technology designed for operations with frequent layout changes. The drive motors run only when needed, and in normal operation, the motors are rated at eight to 10 times the hours of traditional MDR...

Analysis module.
December 15, 2007... Staff The SAM 400 press-force signature analysis module is designed for press-force monitoring operations. The device can handle up to two independent press station operations, with each station programmable to 32 parts and eight tolerance...

Safety switch.
December 15, 2007... Staff The Quik-Spec safety switch is designed to maximize user protection with IP-20 finger-safe CUBEFuse integration. The switch features current-limiting Class J performance in both energy and incident levels. The flange-operated handle...

Check valves.
December 15, 2007... Staff Series FPV plastic flap check valves are suitable for use where backflow could cause damage to pumps, filters or process equipment and operate without requiring adjustments or settings. Line pressure moves the solid plastic flap off...

Optical table.
December 15, 2007... Staff The Ultimate Performer 5300 series optical table has maximum dynamic deflection coefficients of 0.3 and an IRD-maximum relative motion as low as 0.8 inch. The series features broadband damping plus quad-tuned dampers in each corner,...

High bay fluorescent fixture.
December 15, 2007... Staff The GreenBay high bay fluorescent fixture features high-performance reflectors; are available in a variety of photometric distributions and spacing criteria; and are finished with a polyester powder-coating system. Channel and socket...

Split-system heat pump.
December 15, 2007... Staff The Luxaire Acclimate HL8B series 18 SEER split-system heat pump can be matched with energy-efficient, variable-speed air handlers for upflow, downflow and horizontal applications to provide a complete system. The design features a...

Cutting fluid.
December 15, 2007... Staff Vascomill 10, a liquid tool for high-pressure oil applications, is especially suited for cutting oil applications in Swiss-style CNC lathes. Its low viscosity allows for maximum air escape, making it resistant to foaming. The fluid,...

Gas monitors.
December 15, 2007... Staff Ultima XL/XT series gas monitors provide HART field communications protocol with 4-20 mA output. It is designed for use in refineries, chemical and petrochemical facilities and steel mills. A remote display can be viewed through a...

Underlayment.
December 15, 2007... Staff ProSpec Feather Edge is a trowelable, rapid-setting underlayment formulated for quick repair of floor gouges, cracks and ridges prior to floor covering installation. It is a cement-based, mildew-resistant material that can be applied...

High-pressure coolant pumps.
December 15, 2007... Staff The MP-B series features Hydra-Cell diaphragm pump technology. With a hydraulically balanced design, the fixed or variable volume high-pressure coolant pumps are built to handle abrasive particles found in machine tool coolant....

Low-profile evaporative coolers/heaters.
December 15, 2007... Staff KUBE low-profile evaporative coolers use slinger wheel technology to evenly distribute evaporative atomized water across the air inlets. The coolers can provide from 3,000 to 30,000 cfm with variable-speed control. Heating can be...

Storage solutions.
December 15, 2007... Staff The Monster Box series features heavy-duty tubular steel framing, a four-point crane lift system, an integrated UL-rated drill-resistant lock, an electrical pass-through and is available in three configurations. Its crane lift system...

Tube-pressing tools.
December 15, 2007... Staff ProPress rings are available in A1/2-, A3/4-, 1-, 1A1/4-, 1A1/2- and 2-inch sizes. Their swivel design provides 180-degree rotation, facilitating access in confined spaces or when working near ceilings or floors. The lightweight...

Switching power supplies.
December 15, 2007... Staff The SPD series of switching power supplies is specifically designed for automation applications. Suitable for various types of low-power electrical and electronic tools, the power supplies provide short circuit and overload...

TFT modules.
December 15, 2007... Staff Sunlight-readable 5.7-inch TFTs with QVGA 320 by 240 resolution is available as a standard transmissive module with or without a touchscreen. Sunlight-readable performance is achieved by manufacturing the TFT cell using...

Educational software.
December 15, 2007... Staff The CodeSmart Design & Specification Tool: Best Practices for Code Compliant Lighting Controls CD includes video presentations, PDF files, CAD files and links to related information for specifiers and building owners. The content...

Remote air-pilot valve.
December 15, 2007... Staff The Series APV-10 is a two-way, two-position, air-piloted valve that can be controlled by either a three-way or four-way solenoid valve or a hand-pilot valve. Its media-separated reciprocating piston operator controls air, fluids,...

Circular connectors.
December 15, 2007... Staff New sizes of metric thread circular connectors include M16, M17, M18, M23, M27, M40 and M58. The power and signal connectors come in multiple housing styles and locking options, with housing styles including straight or angled cable...

Metal-detectable vacuum cups.
December 15, 2007... Staff Vacuum cups manufactured from metal-detectable silicone for added safety in food processing plants meet food grade requirements and withstand high temperatures inherent in food processing applications such as depanners. Varieties are...

Configurable mallet.
December 15, 2007... Staff Heavy-duty, split-head mallets provide versatility for various applications. Interlocked and clamped together, the mallets allow users to choose from an array of replaceable, color-coded hammer faces. Ranging from 21-D to 80-D shore...

Sticking with the game plan.
December 15, 2007... By Bob Vavra, Editor GEMA's focus on best-in-class execution revs up productivity Rows and rows of CNC machines stretch through the 1.1 million square foot Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance facility in Dundee, MI. Hundreds of yards...

Top Plant.
December 15, 2007... Bob Vavra The challenges to deliver manufacturing excellence every day have never been greater. There's the challenge of finding skilled workers, the challenges of managing energy consumption, the challenges of a competitive global...

Growing a workforce.
December 15, 2007... By Jack Smith, Managing Editor SEW Eurodrive builds a culture based on employee empowerment and continuous improvement People make the difference at SEW Eurodrive's Lyman, SC plant. Family environment, no layoffs, automation to do the...

Ahead full steam.
December 15, 2007... By Jack Smith, Managing Editor At Spirax Sarco, continuous improvement process is a part of LIFE As with all stories of creation, in the beginning, there was confusion. Then there was light. The Spirax Sarco plant in Blythewood, SC...