Plant Engineering articles from July 2008

Plant Engineering archives from July 2008

The impact of imperfect manual testing on safety systems.
July 15, 2008... By Paul Gruhn, PE, CFSE, ICS Triplex Safety instrumented system standards (IEC 61508 & 61511) are performance based. Essentially, the greater the level of process risk, the better the systems needed to control it. A variety of techniques...

Today's critical question: How are you managing?(Editorial)
July 15, 2008... Bob Vavra, Editor It is the perfect storm of manufacturing challenges: a rush to reduce operating costs in an attempt to counter skyrocketing energy prices at a time of increasing global demand for both raw materials and finished goods. It...

HVLS =Cool efficiency.
July 15, 2008... By Kevin Campbell, Senior Editor High-volume, low-speed fans deliver energy efficiency and workforce productivity Now that summer's here, increased temperatures and humidity have an increased impact on the climate within the plant....

Power analytics increases resilience, reduces costs.
July 15, 2008... By Mark A. Ascolese, EDSA Corp. As organizations become more reliant on electrical power - and the cost of downtime becomes more menacing to their bottom lines - they are scrambling to find ways to maximize resilience and minimize energy...

A systematic approach to power chain management.
July 15, 2008... By Mike Longman, Eaton Corp. Managing the chain of power actually empowers business through greater reliability, operating cost efficiencies, effective use of capital, safety and risk mitigation Energy-intensive industries such...

Education: the way out of U.S. manufacturing's decline.(Editorial)
July 15, 2008... Bob Vavra Author Dick Longworth starts his presentation with a story that might be a joke in other times. The devil, it seems, came to the mayor of Flint, MI about 80 years ago and made a deal that his city would enjoy 60 years of economic...

Take a four-step approach to more efficient energy use.
July 15, 2008... Bob Vavra The ultimate irony for energy companies is that it takes energy to make energy. Chemical companies often make the same additives that they consume in their own manufacturing process. Even in that short of a supply chain, the oil,...

HUG announcements focus on wireless, safety, training.
July 15, 2008... Staff Honeywell announced technology advances in a variety of areas at its annual Honeywell Users Group (HUG) event in Phoenix. The June 16 and 17 announcements include an operator training system for refining processes; wireless networks,...

Future depends on flexibility, the ability to compete.
July 15, 2008... Bob Vavra "Manufacturing for the Future" is not just a nice slogan, it was the subject of the June 3 discussion in downtown Chicago, sponsored by Financial Times and Machines Italia, a part of the Italian Trade Commission. That a storied...

Energy audits get manufacturer WIRED.(Company overview)
July 15, 2008... By Ethan Rogers, Purdue University Technical Assistance Program If you think you have high heating and electrical bills, consider this: Haynes International Inc. spends $9.5 million in natural gas and $5 million in electricity annually at...

Turning maintenance into a profit center with CMMS.(computerized maintenance management system)
July 15, 2008... By Kris Bagadia, PEAK Industrial Solutions LLC The word "maintenance" is typically associated with negative connotations. Whether the word makes one think of a broken machine or a repair need, it is clearly linked with negativity and...

Create a roadmap for proper pump maintenance.
July 15, 2008... By Karl Eiler, Grundfos Pumps Corp. From design to installation to operation, taking the right route is crucial Taking care of your pump is like caring for your vehicle. Once you choose the perfect vehicle for your particular needs,...

Is it time to tune-up your facility?
July 15, 2008... By Michael Loftus, CH2M HILL Recommissioning the plant can save 15% on energy costs How long has your plant been operating since it was built? Is your maintenance thorough and up-to-date? Has there been an unexplained increase in...

CAD software.
July 15, 2008... Staff Encompix Version 9.4 features CAD integration, which allows the software to exchange bills of material and item master information with AutoCAD from the start of the sales cycle through field upgrades. Projects can start in CAD and...

Graphic software.
July 15, 2008... Staff SmartDraw 2008 automates the task of creating business graphics such as flowcharts, organizational charts, mind maps, project charts, bar charts and more. Illustrations are driven by templates, only requiring users to input pertinent...

Change management software.
July 15, 2008... Staff Proficy change management solution software version 5.8 tracks changes to critical assets. It offers a web-based client that provides access to common functions such as version reports, check in and check out, as well as a functional...

Heat-transfer compound.
July 15, 2008... Staff Diff-Tranz heat-transfer compound increases the efficiency of platen heaters by maximizing their contact with the vacuum diffusion pumps on which they are installed. The compound fills gaps between the irregular surface of the pump's...

Robotic welding package.
July 15, 2008... Staff The Power Wave i400 and AutoDrive 4R system integrate with the FANUC R-30iA controller or as a separate configuration to meet weld cell requirements. Waveform Control Technology enables processes such as Rapid Arc, Power Mode and...

Air system analyzer.
July 15, 2008... Staff The Air Demand Analysis program monitors and charts air flow, power consumption and system pressures during normal operation hours over a period of 10 days. The system is available in large and small sizes, and displays the air...

Position sensors.
July 15, 2008... Staff The LP 750 Series of hermetically sealed linear position sensors serve as replacements for failing potentiometers in industrial position measurement applications such as machine tool positioning, hydraulic cylinder positioning, valve...

Level controller.
July 15, 2008... Staff The CE-compliant LVCN414 is a non-contact level controller for continuous and switching applications. The 4-20 mA output can drive a local display or PLC to monitor process level or control automation applications. Configurable...

Synchronous motors.
July 15, 2008... Staff The 8LT Series three-phase synchronous motors are virtually maintenance-free and help eliminate the need for angular gears. The synchronous motors are available in two sizes with self-cooled and externally cooled options. The supply...

Polymer sensor.
July 15, 2008... Staff The DRYCAP model DMT152 dewpoint transmitter expands the range of existing DRYCAP sensors to include -112 F dew points. Its auto-calibration function improves wet-to-dry response time, and the sensor withstands dust, dirt and...

Drying system.
July 15, 2008... Staff The Macrowave RF drying system selectively heats only the patterned coatings on the web and leaves the bound moisture in the substrates intact, which prevents over-drying, distortion and shrinking. The system is capable of operating...

Signal conditioner.
July 15, 2008... Staff The OM-19 load cell signal conditioner enables a weighing system to be controlled by a computer or PLC, eliminating the use of a digital display. Used in applications including strain-gage sensors such as load cells, torque or...

Interlocks.
July 15, 2008... Staff Trapped key interlocks prevent access to live electrostatic precipitators and promote worker safety. The interlocks' system forces workers to adhere to a systematic process each time internal access to a precipitator is required....

Gearboxes.
July 15, 2008... Staff IronHorse worm gearboxes change drive direction by 90 degrees and are mountable in any direction, except motor-pointing-up. The gearboxes feature a C-flange input and carbon steel shaft - either right-hand or dual-shaft output....

Infrared camera.
July 15, 2008... Staff The ThermaCAM GasFindIR CO infrared camera detects carbon monoxide in work environments and climate scenes where gases are present. The camera's three user-selectable integration modes feature normal scene, cold scene and hot scene....

Torque arm.
July 15, 2008... Staff The pneumatically assisted torque arm features a pneumatic cylinder to assist movement of heavy tools. The torque arm maintains tool location while facilitating smooth movement of assembly tools in both up-down motion and 180-degree,...

Trailer stabilizer.
July 15, 2008... Staff The STR-4100 Dok-Lok vehicle restraint manages loads up to 35,000 pounds to improve worker safety. The unit stabilizes the trailer in horizontal and vertical directions, ensuring a smooth transition from dock to trailer. It features...

Sustainable production commitment addresses manufacturing challenges.
July 15, 2008... By John Nesi, Rockwell Automation Multiple converging drivers are culminating in the move toward green manufacturing and sustainable production - and the global push for sustainability is demanding that companies manufacture their products...