Plant Engineering articles from January 2006

Plant Engineering archives from January 2006

ERG does all the work at www.plantengineering.com.(Engineer's Resource Guide)
January 1, 2006... In physics, the word 'ERG' is defined as a unit of energy or work equal to the force of one dyne over the distance of one centimeter. It is the smallest measurable unit of work. At Plant Engineering, 'ERG' will be defined in a whole new way....

Paper still popular in a paperless age.(www.plantengineering.com)(Editorial)
January 1, 2006... The future is a wonderful thing. The only problem is it never arrives. As we arrive in 2006, we have all of these wonderful gizmos and gadgets to make our lives easier and more efficient. Which is why, if you're like me, you're busier than...

New Energy Policy Act sparks a fresh look at HVAC efficiency.(LETTERS TO THE EDITORS)
January 1, 2006... The Energy Policy Act of 2005 encourages industry businesses to enter into voluntary programs with the Department of Energy to reduce energy consumption by at least 2.5% annually. In addition, the policy not only creates energy conservation...

Energy cost savings drive AC drive market growth.(alternating current)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Strong global economic growth and consumer demand contributed to robust growth of the high power AC drive market. Manufacturing companies in a variety of industries invested heavily to create additional manufacturing capacity and in capital...

Precision Metalforming foundation awards $44,500 in training grants.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The Precision Metalforming Association Educational Foundation, an organization established to support and develop training and education for metalforming skills and to improve the awareness of careers in metalforming, awarded a total of $44,500...

Bentley acquires software supplier RAM.(RAM International LLC., Bentley Systems Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Bentley Systems, Incorporated has acquired RAM International, LLC, a leading provider of structural engineering software for building structures made from all major materials, including steel and concrete. RAM offerings include products for...

Asphalt Roofing group names new officers.(Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association elected and installed their new officers and Executive Committee members at the 2005 Fall Meeting of the ARMA Board of Directors, held Nov. 2-3 in Napa, CA. ARMA's new president is Robert B....

Siemens expands Ohio facility, plans new research center.(Siemens Energy and Automation Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Siemens Energy & Automation is investing an estimated $30 million in the revitalization of its Norwood, OH manufacturing facility. The facility is dedicated to developing, assembling, and testing large electric motors that are used in...

NEMA sees robust industrial control business growth.(National Electrical Manufacturers Association)
January 1, 2006... Sales of industrial control products and systems, as measured in NEMA's Primary Industrial Controls Index, increased 3% during the third quarter of 2005. The index jumped by 5.5% compared to the same period a year ago, according to NEMA. With...

Machine tool consumption still on the rise.(American Machine Tool Distributors' Association, Association for Manufacturing Technology)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... October U.S. machine tool consumption totaled $277.53 million, according to the Association For Manufacturing Technology, and the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association. This total was down 5.2% from September but up 25.4% from the...

Patrick Gouhin named new ISA executive director.(Instrument Society of America)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Patrick Gouhin has been named executive director of ISA, and began with the organization on Jan. 3. "Pat's experience and aptitude make him an excellent choice to help our organization in this exciting period of renewal," said ISA president Don...

Skills Gap Survey: begin now to attract, train and develop manufacturing workers.(educational trends )
January 1, 2006... The vast majority of American manufacturers are experiencing a serious shortage of qualified employees, which in turn is causing significant impact to business and the ability of the country as a whole to compete in a global economy. This is...

Marriage of ERP and EAM/CMMS: means better business decisions.(Enterprise resource planning)(Enterprise Asset Management)(Computerized Maintenance Management Software)
January 1, 2006... Asset-intensive companies have long recognized that a good Enterprise Asset Management system produces significant cost savings that go directly to the bottom line. Unlike Computerized Maintenance Management Systems, a narrower application,...

Four features used to define RCM.(reliability centered maintenance)
January 1, 2006... We could say the overriding preventative maintenance motivation can currently be simply characterized as "preserve equipment." Almost without fail, our current maintenance planning process starts directly with the equipment, and its sole...

Don't mistake power-supply MTBF for life expectancy.(mean time between failures)
January 1, 2006... For machine system designers needing to evaluate which power supplies will best fit a specific machine design or application, it's standard practice to compare each unit's mean time between failures (MTBF) rating. Most people believe that MTBF...

Keeping the CFO out of jail, and other data management benefits.(chief financial officer)
January 1, 2006... The data that whirls around your plant floor--guiding production, improving quality, enhancing maintenance and other operations--has become extremely valuable to the people in the front office. Providing accurate plant data to assure compliance...

Optimism, salaries grow at a steady rate.(for engineers)
January 1, 2006... Consistent salary growth and healthy optimism about the future of manufacturing are the highlights of the 2005 PLANT ENGINEERING Salary Survey. Readers were asked about their compensation levels in every manufacturing discipline and from every...

Understand compressor types to make the right selection.
January 1, 2006... Compressed air is often called the "fourth utility" when applied to industrial operations. However, unlike water, gas and electricity the consumer is also typically the producer. Becoming your own compressed air utility provider is as simple as...

AHR to honor nine with Innovation Awards.(air conditioning, heating and refrigeration industry)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Nine companies have been selected to receive the fourth annual AHR Expo Innovation Awards Competition sponsored by ASHRAE, ARI, and International Exposition Company. The nine winning companies will be recognized at a special ceremony during the...

Bush names Crown chairman Dicke to Export Council.(George W. Bush appoints James F. Dicke II of Crown Equipment Corp.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... President Bush has named James F. Dicke II, chairman and CEO of Crown Equipment Corporation, as a private-sector member of his Export Council. The announcement, made by Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez, said business leaders like...

Quick quote!(from Hesh Kagan of Invensys Process Systems)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... "The good news in the emerging world of wireless technology is that more and more ingenious wireless devices are being introduced all the time. The bad news is that most of these devices utilize different, vendor-specific wireless protocols,...

Register for NA 2006.(MAINTENANCE & MANAGEMENT)
January 1, 2006... Both registration and booth space are filling quickly for NA 2006, sponsored by the Material Handling Industry of America. The event is slated for March 27 through March 30 at the I-X Center in Cleveland. NA 2006 focuses on the productivity...

Invensys maps wireless strategy.(Invensys Process Systems)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Invensys Process Systems strategy for its wireless communications will use a managed network approach, focusing on shared access-point technology and common data and security models for all wireless devices--regardless of vendor or application....

Power plant to upgrade equipment.(American Electric Power Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... American Electric Power will upgrade its digital turbine control systems at the Cook Nuclear Plant. Multiple products from Invensys Process Systems will work together in a fast-track implementation for main turbine and feed water pump turbine...

Datastream expands presence in Russia.(Datastream Systems Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Datastream Systems, Inc. expanded its market presence to include Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) through local offices in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Serving the growing demand for asset performance management, Datastream...

Quick quote!(by Kim Hill)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... "The looming skilled labor shortage is the single most important issue the US. automobile industry will be facing in the next five to 10 years." --Kim Hill, Center for Automotive Research (CAR), Ann Arbor, MI

ABB Automation World 2006 returns to Houston.(AUTOMATION ENGINEERING)
January 1, 2006... ABB Automation World Users Conference and Exhibition will be May 9-12, 2006 at the Hilton Americas in Houston. The event attracted more than 1,700 attendees in 2005. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in user and ABB-presented...

When preparing painting surfaces, touch all the bases.
January 1, 2006... What makes a good paint job? Certainly, a well-specified coating system is one part of the equation. Another part is proper application of the coating. But don't forget what's underneath it all. It is estimated that up to 80% of all coatings...

Mobile data acquisition gains a bigger role on the plant floor.
January 1, 2006... In this era of the mandatory data trail, it's a stern fact of life that almost everything involved in routine plant operations--from product quality to equipment efficiency to the safety and serviceability of environmental controls--must be...

Innovation a core component of Australian products: while some 14 hours flying time away, Australia is much closer business-wise and culturally to the US. As Alan Johnson and Sophia Chua report, the country produces a high number of innovative products of interest to Plant Engineering's readers.(Australia Free Trade Agreement )
January 1, 2006... AS the first anniversary of the signing of the US/Australia Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) passes, it is clear this will be no overnight success story. However, as word gets out regarding the quality and innovation of Australian made products,...

Wireless data recorder.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... The OM-CP-RFRTDTEMP101A is a battery powered precision temperature recorder and wireless transmitter. The compact, portable device records up to 5,461 measurements. The unit combines the features from the standard product line and adds the...

CMMS system upgrade.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... An upgrade to Version 7.0 of MicroMain XM is a computerized maintenance management system that also is available as an enterprise asset management system. Enhancements in the new version of the software enable organizations in virtually every...

M12 connector.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... The SPEEDCON quick-locking M12 connection system technology allows a 1/2 turn to make a secure, watertight and vibration-proof connection between cordsets and devices, reducing installation time by 90%. The new SACBs integrate a metal threaded...

High performance solvents.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... Novec Aerosol Cleaners are a new line of non-flammable aerosols and a viable alternative to HCFC-141b-based cleaners for the removal of dust, grease, oil and other maintenance of sensitive electronics in the industrial, telecommunications,...

Coolant decanter.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... A new coolant decanter improves efficiency of parts washers and machine tool coolant sumps by making it possible for coolant to be virtually recycled for reuse. The Mighty Mini SSTweights just seven pounds and is designed for the machine tool...

Gas fired boilers reference.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... The 24-page quick reference guide for HVAC engineers illustrates how AERCO gas-fired boilers can enhance the fuel efficiency and lower the project costs of five hydronic heating designs--traditional loops, high 916;T designs, two-pipe systems,...

High-Visibility Earmuffs.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... The Bilsom Leightning Hi-Visibility Earmuffs deliver dual protection, maximum attenuation and total visibility, especially in outdoors or in low-lighting situations. The eye-catching fluorescent green earcups contrast against dark backgrounds,...

Rotary control drive.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... The Group 11E rotary control drive is certified for applications in Class 1 Division 1 locations which present an ignition or explosion risk. Beck Group 11 drives are used for automatic modulation of dampers, quarter-turn valves and other final...

Gate protection.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... The Protect-O-Gate eliminates the potential for falls and other accidents associated with mezzanine staging areas. Ergonomically designed, pivoting operation prevents worker access to the mezzanine ledge when material is being loaded or...

Seating products catalogue.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... Engineered Seating for Productivity is a new catalog featuring hundreds of seating products. The 36-page catalog presents BioFit's selection of chairs, stools and footrests for plants and other industrial workplace applications. Information...

Mechanical boosters.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... The SN7000, SN14000 and SN30000 are the largest mechanical boosters in the BOC Edwards industrial vacuum range. The SN Series provides pumping speeds of 7,000 to 30,000 m3/h (4,125 - 17,700 cfm) making them ideal for large industrial and...

Lighting relay control.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... The GTD20A emergency lighting relay control device works in conjunction with an auxiliary generator or central inverter system to power designated emergency lighting loads up to 20 amps regardless of local switch position. The GTD20A acts as...

Washfountain.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... The Bradstone Classic Washfountain can withstand heavy-duty use. Designed for high-traffic areas, the washfountain features nine-inch deep bowls for fast hand and arm washing. Bradstone is a lightweight plastic material made of reinforced...

Loading dock security.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... The New Guardian 3-in-1 Dor-Seal System improves security at the loading dock, plus improves dock seal mounting and improves sealing at the back of dock seal to building wall. The triple-duty design, keeps conditioned air and packages in and...

Digital camera.(product information about digital camera )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The recently adopted AIA Camera Link "Mini-CL connector" is being used in a 29mm cube miniature camera. This digital camera features high-speed output and can be used to upgrade analog cameras in machine vision applications. The digital output...

Transient barrier.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... The Universal Transient Barrier protects equipment with a three-stage clamping circuit which ensures the best possible protection while maintaining a minimum of line interference and insertion losses. The UTB covers line currents up to 1.5A and...

Indexing conveyor.(NEW PRODUCTS)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... The Dual Track Precision Indexing Conveyor's open-center design permits a variety of inline operations, while dual tracks allow processing of smaller parts on each belt or large parts up to 10 pounds and 24 inches in length across both belts....

Employee Scheduler.(using software)
January 1, 2006... Version 1.00 of CyberMatrix Employee Scheduler is an easy to use single or multi-user software application for creating and managing employee schedules. Employee Scheduler will automatically generate optimal schedules for employees, assign...

Silicon hoses.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... PAGE Silicone Hose Products are offered in plain platinum cured silicone, braided, 4-ply, 4-ply with stainless steel wire helix, stainless steel braided PTFE with extruded platinum cured silicone cover, and convoluted PTFE with 316 stainless...

Data logger.(NEW PRODUCTS)
January 1, 2006... The EL-USB-4 data logger is a stand-alone 4-20mA data logger with direct USB interface. Designed for use throughout the process industry, the unit fits into a computer USB port for easy configuration and data download. [ILLUSTRATION...

Internet connection.(Plant engineering)
January 1, 2006... For more information on how to advertise in PLANT ENGINEERING'S Internet Connection, call Jim Langhenry at 630-288-8789 alemite.com Alemite has the expertise, products and reliability to help manufacturers specify and install the...

Manufacturing growth strong, but slowing.(Growth of manufacturing industry)(Brief Article)(Industry Overview)
January 1, 2006... The manufacturing expansion should continue, but decelerate, through 2007, according to the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI Quarterly Industrial Outlook, a report that analyzes 27 major industries. The Alliance expects some deceleration in...

Accelerate innovation, Engler tells summit.(National Summit)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2006... Speaking at a National Summit on Competitiveness at the Commerce Department, NAM president John Engler told the group the U.S. must continue to encourage education and innovation to remain competitive in a global manufacturing economy. "It is...

Tough road ahead for WTO talks, and the manufacturing agenda.(A VIEW FROM WASHINGTON)
January 1, 2006... We at the National Association of Manufacturers came away from the most recent round of trade talks pleased with the effort by U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman and U.S. negotiators to hold the line in Hong Kong, but deeply regretful that...