Plant Engineering articles from February 2005

Plant Engineering archives from February 2005

The next generation.(Forum)
February 1, 2005... As new technologies and new strategies for plant management continue to evolve, the next generation of plant engineers will also step forward to provide new leadership. Who are these new leaders? What are the keys to their personal success?...

Money winners.(Forum)
February 1, 2005... The following readers won a $100 gift cheque from American Express in a random drawing of Product of the Year ballots received on or before Dec. 15, 2004 Andy Johnson P.E. Dura Automotive West Union IA Les...

Wrong number.(Correction Notice)
February 1, 2005... In "Management Side," December 2004 issue of PLANT ENGINEERING magazine, the phone number for Audel, a division of Wiley Publishing, Inc. was listed incorrectly on pp 28 and 32. The correct number is 800-762-2974.

Wood-related industries chop prices.(Forum)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... At last, some construction costs are coming down. Running full throttle, as we wrote three months ago, higher prices have flattened many a factory repair and maintenance budget. This month, finally, we see five industries in the PLANT...

Price/cost/demand roundup.(Forum)(of construction and maintenance industry)(Illustration)
February 1, 2005... Price/cost/demand roundup DIRECT Construction & AVERAGE PRODUCT MANUFACTURING maintenance PRICES (1) CISTS (2) AND supplies...

Succession, and success.(Comment)(Column)
February 1, 2005... Thomas Jefferson came to France in 1785 to take over as ambassador from Benjamin Franklin. No minor statesman himself, Jefferson knew Franklin's reputation with the French when he assumed his new duties. At a reception, the French Foreign...

Voluntary stepdown: what rate of pay?(Human side)
February 1, 2005... Class I Welder Juan Gomez had sensitive nostrils. He sniffed a change in the wind. He had too much time on his hands without jobs being assigned. His classification was overstaffed, a situation management wouldn't abide for long. The layoff...

Lessons learned: too harsh is simply tough enough.(Human side)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Some lessons are best learned the hard way. Plant Engineer Bob Weintraub had a long and strong memory. The prohibition against the possession or consumption of alcohol in the plant had been in effect since well before Weintraub's tenure. ...

Can you require an exempt employee to account for his time?(Human side)
February 1, 2005... George Karlitz, a bright young professional in the plant engineering department, was offended, and he made sure his supervisor, Chief Engineer Vincent Corraglio, knew it. "It shows a lack of respect," he claimed, "and automatically lowers...

When can you bypass minority employee for promotion?(Human side)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The question was posed by a coworker to Grade B Welder Maria Valesquez, "Hey, how come you didn't put in a bid for that Welder Grade A job?" "What job? I didn't see any Grade A job posted." "It was on the bulletin board. I don't know...

Can quitting remove your seniority?(Human side)
February 1, 2005... It was the best news Carpenter Grade I Harry Everett had heard in a long time. The large food processing plant that had opened up across town was hiring people, and according to the grapevine, offered 15-20% more pay for good men. Harry's...

Is an arbitrator's ruling sacrosanct?(Human side)
February 1, 2005... Employee shock at the bulletin board posting was quickly converted to action. Not only in Maintenance but plant wide. Because of the sharp sales and profits decline over the past 12 months, employee Christmas bonuses would be eliminated...

Can employee's access to arbitration be denied?(Human side)
February 1, 2005... Maintenance department Stock Handler Joe Duffy was hotheaded, tough, and aggressive. He enjoyed a good fight and could get involved in one at the drop of a perceived slur. No one would ever define tact as Duffy's strong suit. It wasn't so...

Recall time: choosing best qualified employee.(Human side)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... In response to the slump four months ago, five maintenance employees were laid off as a needed reduction in force was in order. Now that the order flow seemed to be launched on an upsurge, a decision was made to recall a mechanic and carpenter....

Factors affecting life cycle of motor control centers.(Management side)
February 1, 2005... This is part one of a two-part series. The second part will appear in the March issue. Maintaining electrical infrastructure in the manufacturing plant is a challenge. In this environment, electrical gear is subjected to every extreme of...

Basics of tuned circuits.(Plant electronics)(tuned circuit theory and operation)(usage of reactance)(RCL circuits )(Tank circuits )(Series LC circuits)
February 1, 2005... The tuned circuit is a fundamental building block among electrical and analog electronic circuits. Understanding how it functions provides insight to power quality, communications, controls, electronic equipment, and many other systems found in...

New products, new ideas take center stage.(National Manufacturing Week )(Calendar)
February 1, 2005... National Manufacturing Week will bring the newest ideas in manufacturing products and knowledge to Chicago's McCormick Place March 7-10. The event includes the Plant Engineering & Facilities Management Show, National Design Engineering,...

New NAM president John Engler: level the playing field for manufacturing.(National Manufacturing Week)(Cover Story)
February 1, 2005... John Engler became president of the National Association of Manufacturers on October 1, 2004, but his record of support for manufacturing issues precedes this new role. The former three-term Michigan governor brings to the NAM a lifelong...

Spray nozzle maintenance.(Fluid handling Maintenance)
February 1, 2005... KEY CONCEPTS * Spray nozzles usually wear out gradually and that wear is difficult to detect. * Nozzle maintenance should be performed regularly to maintain performance and reduce waste. * Regular nozzle replacement can be a...

Launching a motor management program.(Electrical motors)(equipment reliability improvement team)
February 1, 2005... KEY CONCEPTS * The choice of which motor to purchase should follow a carefully thought out plant-wide scheme. * The objective of a life cycle cost analysis is to choose the most cost effective course from a list of choices to achieve...

Selecting high-volume low-speed fans.(HVAC)(HVLS fans)
February 1, 2005... KEY CONCEPTS * HVLS fans are efficient at ventilating and circulating air in large plants. * Fans can reduce heat loss through the roof and cool areas where air conditioning isn't an option. * Minimizing the amount of ventilation...

Digital CCTV network solutions.(reference File: Security)
February 1, 2005... KEY CONCEPTS * Current challenges of analog-based systems * IP-based video networks and analog equipment integration * CCTV platform: Software and product suites In 2005, a host of new technologies will be employed by plant...

Working the work order strategically.(Software)(work order)(strategic asset management system)
February 1, 2005... KEY CONCEPTS * Just as a piece of equipment is a part of a greater system, so is the work order. * Work orders are the basis of capturing actual costs, labor hours, time, and history of maintenance for an asset. * Equipment...

Digital controller.(Instruments and controls: Products)
February 1, 2005... UDC3200 monitors and controls temperature, pressure, flow, level, and other process variables in applications such as furnaces, ovens, environmental chambers, packaging machinery, and plastic processing machines. Controller features two...

Web-based temperature transmitter.(Instruments and controls: Products)
February 1, 2005... iTHX transmitter allows users to monitor and record temperature, relative humidity, and dew point over an Ethernet network or the internet with a standard browser, serving active web pages to display real-time readings, display charts of...

Hot runner controllers.(Instruments and controls: Products)
February 1, 2005... K series modular hot runner controllers include two models. K-10 monitors up to 60 zones; K-20 monitors up to 120 zones. Designed for injection molding, controllers are available with or without current measurement, touch screen consoles, and...

Power monitor.(Instruments and controls: Products)
February 1, 2005... PowerXplorer PX5-400 was designed specifically for measuring and monitoring power on 50 Hz., 60 Hz., and 400 Hz., power systems. Power monitor features automated setups, color graphical user interface (GUI), high-speed sampling, and eight...

Digital panel meters.(Instruments and controls: Products)
February 1, 2005... Trident digital panel meters feature shallow-depth cases with watertight NEMA 4X front panels and bright red 0.56 inch 4-digit LED displays. Meters are calibrated to accept voltage and current inputs, 100-Ohm RTDs, and most common...

Photoelectric sensors.(Instruments and controls: Products)
February 1, 2005... ML3 series of subminiature photoelectric sensors for convergent beam sensing offers a sensing window that can be customized to an application, operating at a focal point of 120 mm and more for white targets. The sensing window allows both...

Digital pressure gauge.(Instruments and controls: Products)
February 1, 2005... PG-3000 digital pressure gauges are now cCSAus Class 1 Div 1 approved for use in hazardous locations. Standard pressure ranges are available from vacuum to 500 psi and 0 up to 10,000 psi. Powered by two long-life lithium batteries, gauge is...

Small DMM.(Instruments and controls: Products)
February 1, 2005... PDMM-20 pocket multimeter is an autofunction, low impedance digital multimeter (DMM) with a Category III 300V safety rating. Meter features noncontact voltage detection, ghost reading elimination, and automatic shutoff to save battery life. ...

Transmitter with Modbus.(Instruments and controls: Products)
February 1, 2005... IMV25 multivariable transmitter is now available with Modbus digital communications. Unit features new process interface structure, extended measurement ranges, and PC-based configuration software. Foxboro, Div of Invensys Process...

Charge amp.(Instruments and controls: Products)
February 1, 2005... Model 4601 charge amplifier is a high-performance, general-purpose laboratory instrument with signal conditioning for piezoelectric accelerometers and pressure transducers. Unit features 500 mV/pC maximum sensitivity, calibrated transducer...

Bearings ignore environment.(Power transmission: Products)
February 1, 2005... GRAPHALLOY self-lubricating bearings and bushings provide long life and maintenance-free operation running in high-temperature fluids, applications where wash down or steam cleaning is required, or where transient run-dry conditions exist. It...

Intelligent pressure switches.(Power transmission: Products)
February 1, 2005... 33E and 33L pressure switches offer a maximum advantage in a variety of applications. The 33E offers a vacuum and pressure rating from -0.5 to 8700 psi and has a three-color LED display that is visible up to 19 ft. The 33L features a...

Rugged tubing.(Power transmission: Products)
February 1, 2005... Superthane pneumatic tubing withstands moisture, humidity, and fungi. Its natural flexibility allows for tight bending in and around equipment. The tubing does not contain plasticizers--ingredients used to impart flexibility--that can leach out...

Smooth bearings.(Power transmission: Products)
February 1, 2005... Explorer deep-groove ball bearings benefit from advanced design, material, and manufacturing to achieve smooth and quiet operation, high running accuracy, increased speed capability, lower friction and operating temperatures, and longer service...

Manifold catalog.(Power transmission: Literature)
February 1, 2005... A catalog details each of the company's product lines with 12 individual sections dedicated to: bar manifolds, subplates, coverplates, sandwich plates, valve adaptors, pump manifolds, logic manifolds, compact bodies, compact sandwich, header...

Efficient compressors.(Compressors: Products)
February 1, 2005... Highly efficient and flexible rotary screw, variable speed drive air compressors are designed to handle the full spectrum of load demands while maintaining maximum efficiency. These compressors outperform most VSD compressors on the market and...

Blowing and drying.(Compressors: Products)
February 1, 2005... WindJet compressed air products are used for drying and blow-off applications. Low Flow air knives and Variable Air Amplifiers convert compressed air into high velocity air streams that increase blow-off and drying efficiencies, while...

Valve controls air.(Compressors: Products)
February 1, 2005... DR20, direct acting reducing valve is now available for air service. Features include exceptional air pressure reduction; a 30:1 turndown ratio eliminating a second stage; Class 4 seat leakage rating; stainless seal bellows-sealed design to...

Rotary screw compressors.(Compressors: Literature)
February 1, 2005... A catalog features a new and complete line of rotary screw air compressors. The catalog has specifications for compressors from 5 to 300 hp and information about high-performance, energy saving variable speed drives, high efficiency TEFC...

Complete blower line.(Compressors: Literature)
February 1, 2005... A 20-p, four-color blower product catalog details an entire line of Omega rotary lobe blowers and blower pack-ages from 3 to 300 hp and flows up to 5350 cfm. The catalog includes the latest models in Omega Pak and CompaK plus integrated package...

Tekleen[R] automatic self cleaning water filters.(Product Mart Showcase)
February 1, 2005... Tekleen are high quality low cost stainless steel filters at carbon steel prices. Sizes from 1"-24", up to 12,000 gpm, filtration 3,000[micro]-5[micro] and from only 2 gallons per rinse. Automatic Filters, Inc,--Tekleen, Los Angeles, CA USA...

Ferraz Shawmut Features MRO Asset Protection Program.(Product Mart Showcase)
February 1, 2005... Ferraz Shawmut now offers MRO Asset Protection[TM], a program that helps improve plant safety and productivity. Ferraz Shawmut analyzes fuse inventory, then reports on how to reduce that inventory--typically by 25%--while upgrading to circuit...

Web-Stiles Company.(Product Mart Showcase)
February 1, 2005... Industry Standard three, four and six inch OVERHEAD TROLLEY 49 years of serving industry with a full line of overhead trolley systems and components. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] See all our capabilities at Webb-Stiles.com ...

Easy Arm[TM].(Product Mart Showcase)
February 1, 2005... Our award-winning G-Force[TM] lifting technology is now available in an ergonomic articulating jib design. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * 150# lifting capacity * Standard spans of 6', 8' & 10' * Perfect for work cells with low...

Small 2 X 4-inch magnet lifts 300 pounds!(Product Mart Showcase)
February 1, 2005... Eriez' new RPL Series of Rare Earth Lifting Magnets offer incredible lifting power in a small package. The RPL 3, smallest in the line, measures only 2-1/2" X 3-1/2", weighs just 7 Ibs yet has a 300 pound lifting capacity! RPL SafeHold[R]...

New! The Vaisala HUMICAP[R].(Literature Guide)
February 1, 2005... Humidity and Temperature Transmitter Series HMT330 developed for demanding industrial applications features a large, numerical and graphical display with multilingual interface for monitoring measurement trends for one year. Six models offer...

Demonstration CD-ROM.(Literature Guide)
February 1, 2005... Free CD-ROM describes the application of the company's software. The CD contains slide show and demonstrations for software used to draw and evaluate piping systems and design and re-rate pressure vessels and oil storage tanks. Tele:...

AutomationDirect[R] catalog.(Literature Guide)
February 1, 2005... AutomationDirect[R] offers 5,000 industrial automation products through a 1,600-page catalog and online store. The catalog features product descriptions, technical information and price lists for PLC and PC-based control products, operator...

Cutting with pipe nipples.(Solutions)
February 1, 2005... PROBLEM: How can I quickly put bolt holes in replacement flange-type gaskets when a gasket cutter is not readily available? SOLUTION: Take a pipe nipple with an ID close to the diameter of the bolt holes required and chamfer the end until...

Gripping the slot.(Solutions)
February 1, 2005... PROBLEM: Installing screws without having the screwdriver tip fall out of the head slot is often difficult. How can the screwdriver get a good grip? SOLUTION: Place a socket over the screwdriver tip and insert the screw. The socket keeps...

Determining fork position.(Solutions)
February 1, 2005... PROBLEM: Knowing whether the forks on a lift truck are horizontal can often be a problem, particularly when the forks are inserted in a pallet. Is there a way to determine if the forks are level? SOLUTION: Clamp a piece of conduit or...