Plant Engineering articles from January 2002

Plant Engineering archives from January 2002

Reader Forum.
January 1, 2002... An air in judgment? Plant Engineering is a fine magazine and I've been reading it for years. One of my favorite sections has been "Simple Solutions"...until the December issue. Once in the main magazine and once in the 'Special...

Five themes for progress. (Editorial).(business attitudes)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
January 1, 2002... Richard L. Dunn There seems to be consensus among the pundits that the September terrorist attacks and the ensuing war against terrorism have brought a sea change in American attitudes. Certainly, we are hearing talk of a sort we have...

Getting squared away. (Simple Solutions).(constructing accurate square)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Problem: A square is needed to check several right angles on a layout but none is available. Is there a way to construct an accurate square in the field? Solution: Nail together two straight pieces of 1 x 2 board to form an as shown. Mark...

Beefing up thin-wall pipe. (Simple Solutions).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Problem: Old pipe often rusts in-place at the threads. If the pipe has a thin wall and has to be removed and replaced, is there a way to wrench it out with a minimum of damage? Solution: Select a socket from a standard socket wrench set...

Worktable goes up and down. (Simple Solutions).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Problem: In a production environment, frequent adjustment of a workbench height becomes necessary. Is there an inexpensive and fast way to do it? Solution: Weld or fasten the end of a metal rod to the center of the workbench. Attach the...

Does workday start at the clock or work station? (Human Side of Engineering).(working conditions)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Tardiness was a costly problem at a New England manufacturing plant. Most employees clocked in on time, but by the time they reached their work stations, 10 or 15 min was lost. At a management meeting it was pointed out that the labor...

Absences -- excused or not -- how many can you endure? (Human Side of Engineering).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Maintenance Department Tool Shed Attendant Joan Wrigley had a hard life, and it showed no signs of easing. Her husband was in and out of the hospital, requiring Joan to take time off to either drive him back and forth or take care of him. Then...

What to do when you've "had It"? (Human Side of Engineering).(employee dismissals)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... How do you get rid of a deadbeat? Maintenance Supervisor Ed Rickles learned the wrong way the hard way. The Wednesday Carpenter Grade II Todd Palmer showed up a half hour late, delaying a project that was already past due, Rickles decided...

In hock to the company: Can you deduct from his paycheck? (Human Side of Engineering).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... A toy company permitted personnel to buy merchandise at a discount and run up a tab for items purchased. The program was loosely administered, but employees were expected to settle their accounts on a reasonable basis and not allow balances to...

Take care what you promise job applicants. (Human Side of Engineering).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The plant engineering department was in dire need of an experienced maintenance engineer familiar with design and cost estimates involved with the construction of building extensions and other alterations. Ads for a qualified professional...

Does menial work reduce an employee's status? (Human Side of Engineering).(plant engineer helps maintenace employees accept clean up responsibilities)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Due to technological advances and methods changes, maintenance department mechanics and techies found themselves with time on their hands. More and more, they stretched work breaks and congregated around the water cooler. Beset by growing...

How important is technical expertise? (Human Side of Engineering).(too much focus on professional, technical expertise can damage relationship between supervisor, employees)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... It can be quite important, but self-defeating as well if not thoughtfully exercised. When Harry Maynard was promoted to Project Supervisor in the plant engineering department, he was resolved to win recognition for his group of 9 engineers...

All it takes is a little imagination. (Human Side of Engineering).(compromise helps employee accept reassignment)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... When the loss of a contract forced management to make do with one less mechanic in Maintenance, the spin of the dial landed on Philip Fosdick. Maintenance Foreman Jack Drimmer, discussing the situation with Hank Monk, his assistant,...

Why Murphy's replacement is falling down on the job. (Human Side of Engineering).(over-aggressive maintenance department foreman causes employee resentment)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... When Maintenance Department Foreman Gene Murphy retired, Assistant Foreman Art Pollock seemed to Plant Engineer Cal Clement to be his natural replacement. Pollock was a hard worker, conscientious, and technically well qualified. But as the...

Portals lower cost and increase productivity. (Information Engineering).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Portals are hard to avoid in a world that is rapidly embracing the web as the primary vehicle for information services. As the name implies, portals are doorways to web-based services. People gain access to these gateways by typing a single web...

Salary Survey. (Exclusive Plant Engineering).(Statistical Data Included)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Salaries for plant engineers appear to mirror the economy in general. Average salaries have increased 6.4% since our last survey a little more than two years ago. The current overall average salary for plant engineers stands at $70,905,...

Using infrared heating. (Space Heating).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... When considering a new heating system or modifications to an existing one, cost and efficiency are paramount. In addition to the actual cost of a system and the energy to run it, consideration must be given to decreased morale and productivity...

Power measurement devices and how they work. (A Plant Engineering Exclusive).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The measurement of electrical power has not changed much over the years. A volt is still a volt and a watt is still a watt. However, the devices used to measure these electrical parameters have changed a great deal. What was once mechanical is...

Bundle wire and cable better. (Suggestions & Solutions).(100 Hook and Loop Mechanical Fastener is available)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The 100 Hook and Loop Mechanical Fastener enables assemblers to bundle wire and cable faster, with less effort and strain than with plastic ties, wire ties, or string. These fasteners incorporate flexibility, a thin profile, and superior...

Simplify racks and storage systems. (Suggestions & Solutions).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... A comprehensive material handling and storage system is designed to work together and can be adjusted when material handling requirements change. Trying to combine systems from various manufacturers can lead to problems. The most common source...

Safety can be bought. (Suggestions & Solutions).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Safety Supplies Buyer's Guide is 1536p of quality products from trusted manufacturers. The catalog has been reorganized to spotlight products selected to meet the needs of buyers who demand the finest safety supplies and equipment. Inside,...

Hydraulic safety seminars. (Suggestions & Solutions).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Hydraulic Maintenance & Safety program contains new tips designed to minimize costly repairs, production downtime, and worker injury. The program consists of an onsite seminar and an 82-p manual containing information that helps maintenance...

Training is interactive. (Suggestions & Solutions).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... OccuTrainer is an interactive, web-based, employee safety and health training program. It utilizes video, audio, and animation to educate employees about safe work practices. In short, 30-50 min. courses, employees learn about, and are tested...

Louver or leave her. (Suggestions & Solutions).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Free louver catalog highlights a comprehensive selection of louvers. It includes mechanical louvers, rain-resistant louvers, and louvered penthouses. The catalog also includes an easy-to-reference chart displaying all models, features,...

Cartridge heating. (Suggestions & Solutions).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Brochure highlights Firerod cartridge heaters and provides information on: questions to ask when selecting a cartridge heater supplier, contamination and corrosion, oven temperature, and solutions to heating problems. It also addresses the four...

Insulate your ducts. (Suggestions & Solutions).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... A free, 2-p spec sheet, available in CSI format, describes Duct Wrap Insulation for HVAC ductwork. In addition to a product picture, the spec sheet includes information on the product, its uses, features, and benefits. Other information...

Tool seats filter bags better. (Suggestions & Solutions).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Filter Bag Seating Tool is manufactured of corrosion-resistant aluminum and features a T-handle for no-slip grip and ease of use. The tool ensures correct filter bag insertion and seating for maximum filtration effectiveness and bag life by...

Anthrax protection. (Suggestions & Solutions).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Anthrax: Definitions, Questions, Answers & Precautions is a 4-p bulletin that provides general background information on the disease and discusses the levels of protection afforded by various types of filtration devices. Recommendations for...

Voltage logger only stores alarms. (Product Intros).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... AC Exception Voltage Simple Logger Model L215 is the ideal product to capture short-term events such as sags, swells, and dropouts. The logger samples input 10 times/sec and only stores data when an alarm threshold is reached, maximizing use of...

Rotary switch uses snap action. (Product Intros).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Snap-Action rotary switches, Series 101, 103, and 105, boast continuous ratings ranging from 20 to 200 A at 600 V and are available with up to four positions and 12 poles. They feature fully enclosed decks, double-wiping contacts, low contact...

Hat turns heads. (Product Intros).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Head-Turners hardhats' unique design allows workers to express their own style, encouraging increased safety compliance. Two designs withstand temperature variations, humidity, and exposure to UV light. The designs are fully reflective for...

Cable carrier zips open. (Product Intros).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... R09 fully enclosed cable carrier is used to guide and protect moving cables and hoses. It offers lightning-fast assembly and inspection time with its zipper lid design. The lids offer full protection against wood and metal chips. The carrier...

Lamps resist shattering. (Product Intros).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... VHO lamps operate at higher wattages, burn at higher temperatures, and emit up to 2 1/2 times as much light as regular fluorescent lamps. VHO.TSC and VHO/LT/TSC-type lamps use a patented TSC (Teflon/Shat-R-Kote combination) plastic coating...

Water heaters now in large sizes. (Product Intros).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... Indirect Water Heaters are now available in sizes to 8,000,000 Btu/hr with water heating capacities to 7680 gph at 100-F temperature rise. The primary water in the heater is maintained at a constant temperature and recirculated only within the...

Sensor measures gas velocity and temperature. (Product Intros).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... K-BAR 2000 multipoint insertion sensor incorporates thermal convection mass flow technology. The fast, powerful microprocessor and sensor bridge circuit measure both the gas velocity and temperature using only two sensors on the "FD" Fast Dual...

Mixer handles low/high viscosities. (Product Intros).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... FMX8400 Series mixers offer efficient mixing of low or high-viscosity fluids at low pressure drop. Also ideal for two-phase (gas-liquid) mixing and blending of gases. Elements consist of a series of left and right helixes fabricated from 316...

Suit protects against hazardous liquids. (Product Intros).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... Hazard-Gard Encapsulated Suit is designed to provide full-body protection against hazardous spills in supplied-air environments, such as hazardous waste remediation. It is the only protective garment to feature a glove flap, which allows gloves...

Lift truck has big reach. (Product Intros).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... BGNR Series Walkie Reach Truck is designed for applications where pallet widths vary in size, exceed the existing straddle width setting, or where bottom rack stringers do not exist. The 24 in, heavy-duty reach mechanism features internal...

Gear reducer offers high overload capacity. (Product Intros).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... Rotary Vector RV-E is a precision, heavy-duty gear reducer that offers high reduction ratios in a compact package. It has high torsional rigidity and overload torque capacity of 500% of rated torque. The rated torque range is 637 to 60,710...

Relay handles high dc loads. (Product Intros).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... Solid State Relay Assemblies are rated for 60 A dc loads. Available in a variety of models, these compact units accept controller inputs of 3.5 to 32-V dc or 90 to 280-V ac. Load voltages can be up to 400 V dc. Assemblies consist of a relay...

Surge protector sustains high currents. (Product Intros).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... Clipper Power System - Visor Series is a safe and compact surge protection device. It uses a patent pending Thermo-Dynamic Fusing system that increases the surge protector's performance through metal oxide varistors that can sustain high surge...

Lift positions load two ways. (Product Intros).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... Z-Lift Tilter simplifies machine-feeding applications. It is designed to position a container to the most convenient working height and angle. Lift and tilt are achieved independently but with a single mechanism, making the unit an economic...

Dryer uses ambient air. (Product Intros).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... AP Series blower purge regenerative desiccant compressed air dryers have twin towers that are fully automatic and heat reactivated. Heatless desiccant dryers use about 15% of the compressed air for regeneration and externally heated dryers use...

Control saves energy. (Product Intros).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
January 1, 2002... Model PS100 controller is a microprocessor-based, variable speed drive programmed specifically for centrifugal pumps. The drive has on-board multi-pump logic for up to 4 pump systems. It provides pump protection by continually monitoring and...

Some prices finally fall. (Cost Trends).(Column)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2002... Regular readers of this column may notice that the demand data in the Plant Engineering operating materials and supplies table have been revised downward. In some cases, the revisions are significant. For example, in the 12 months ending July...

How parallel ports work. (How Stuff Works).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2002... The parallel port is the interface most used for printers. They are also used to connect a PC to scanners, CD-writers, external hard drives, Zip removable drives, network adapters, and tape backup drives. Parallel part basics IBM...