Plant Engineering articles from October 2007

Plant Engineering archives from October 2007

At 60th anniversary celebration, study takes a look at the future.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The history of PLANT ENGINEERING magazine was evident at a gala celebration Sept. 26 at National Manufacturing Week. The magazine marked its 60th anniversary at a cocktail event at the show in Rosemont. But the party also...

PLC functionality provides application flexibility.(programmable logic controllers)
October 15, 2007... By Jack Smith, Managing Editor Although the basic configuration of Programmable Logic Controllers has not changed much in three decades, the way they are constructed and programmed has evolved. Today's PLC circuits are more robust and...

Valuing your human 'cogs' and keeping them safe.
October 15, 2007... Bob Vavra, Editor We don't think of our plant employees as just another piece of manufacturing equipment. Perhaps it's time we should. After all, when things are running well, don't you go into the corner office and tell your CFO that...

It starts with safety.
October 15, 2007... By Bob Vavra, Editor Plant turnaround began with a focus on valuing workers Three years ago, on his first day as plant manager at Ocean Spray's Bordentown, NJ facility, Tim Haggerty tried to anonymously roam through the 500,000...

Making sense of time-current curves.
October 15, 2007... By David G. Loucks, P.E., Eaton Corp. An electrical fault should be cleared as fast as possible while containing the outage to the smallest possible area. This requirement, known as 'selective coordination,' is met when overcurrent...

NMW delivers new products but lacked the thunder.
October 15, 2007... By Bob Vavra, Jack Smith of PLANT ENGINEERING, and C.G. Masi, senior editor, Control Engineering Perhaps the biggest noise made at the 2007 National Manufacturing Week event in Rosemont, IL on Sept. 25-27 was the Tuesday morning...

GM strike settlement means 'no more excuses' for automaker.
October 15, 2007... Staff The end of the GM strike could be just the beginning for the automaker and its union, and create a blueprint for other U.S.-based automakers. Or, historians will look on this strike as the beginning of the end of the importance of...

Real-time collaborative manufacturing model emerges.
October 15, 2007... Staff Spurred by the growth of e-commerce, a new manufacturing model has emerged in response to customers' needs for build-to-order products. The impact on shop-floor systems is compounded by the increasing need to outsource components or...

Chem Show hits New York October 30.
October 15, 2007... Staff Occupying the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York Oct. 30-Nov. 1, Chem Show 2007 features the nanotechnology and nano-bio convergence symposium and workshop, a gathering to discuss the continuing emergence and application...

Class Zero technology eliminates oil contaminates in food processing.
October 15, 2007... Staff In the food processing industry, the last thing a manufacturer needs is a product recall due to contamination. The cost of the spoiled product is really the smallest cost in a series of problems for the manufacturer. There will need...

Reader Feedback.(Letter to the editor)
October 15, 2007... Staff Readers share more Tips, Tricks After Tips & Tricks ran in the August issue, we got a few more great ideas to share with readers: A great way to remove broken bolts is to use an AIR scribe (not electric) with a sharp point...

AC motors.
October 15, 2007... By Staff IronHorse general purpose ac motors come in two varieties, have a base speed of 1,800 rpm and are electrically reversible. The MTR Series 56C frame motors, in 1/3 to 2-hp sizes, are housed in rolled steel,...

Pressure transducers.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The M5100 and U5100 pressure transducers are designed for use in OEM applications. The devices feature microfused technology in a vibration-resistant package constructed of 17-4-stainless steel; 316 L stainless is optional. Total...

Rotary switches.
October 15, 2007... By Staff Series 101 snap-action rotary switches are designed to withstand shock and vibration. They feature double-wiping, low-resistance contacts that maintain their set positions inside fully enclosed decks and perform dc or ac...

Motor control.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The Model 6 low-voltage motor control center features Masterpact circuit breakers and PowerPact electronic motor circuit protection. The MCC is designed to be used for pumps, blowers, fans, compressors, conveyors and...

Push-wire terminals.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The Luminaire disconnects series 873, or LUMI-NUTS, is designed for use in linear fluorescent fixtures with ballasts. The series was designed to meet NEC 410.73 (G), CEC 30-308 (4) and CSA/UL Standard 2459 for insulated,...

Training CD.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The QuickStart operational training CD for the AEMC PowerPad 3945-B power quality analyzer features a series of four 12-15-minute modules. The CD provides instruction on the setup operation of the instrument and the companion...

Uninterruptible power supplies.
October 15, 2007... By Staff TreStar P online double-conversion, three-phase uninterruptible power supplies are designed for use in critical loads. Up to eight modules can be installed in parallel for redundancy or additional capacity. The modules feature a...

Mitigating transformers.
October 15, 2007... By Staff Guard II harmonic mitigating transformers are designed to curb harmonic currents, reduce transformer heating and improve upstream power quality while maintaining the NEMA TP-1 standard for energy efficiency. They come in phase...

Open your eyes to the aging workforce.
October 15, 2007... By Laura Brown, W.W. Grainger, Inc. By 2014, the number of people aged 55 and older is expected to increase by 49% while the number of younger workers will grow by only 2.9%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This older population will...

Lead plant-wide safety with commitment, planning.
October 15, 2007... By Randy Kates, Kimberly-Clark Pro In a plant environment, a company's greatest asset is its workers, and protecting those workers from illnesses or workplace injuries is critical to success. Operating an injury-free facility is no longer...

Bearings: A new roll to play.
October 15, 2007... By Daniel R. Snyder, P.E., SKF U.S.A., Inc. Product innovations tied to energy, productivity gains Rolling bearings in rotating equipment traditionally function to reduce friction with rolling elements, support shaft loads and provide...

Are you tapping into funds to reward energy efficiency?
October 15, 2007... Staff A series of state and federal programs exist that promote the purchase of energy efficient equipment in manufacturing operations. As an updated study of such programs conducted by the Boston-based Consortium for Energy efficiency...

MESA launches revamped Website.(Website overview)
October 15, 2007... Staff In an effort to build a stronger online community for the exchange of information about the plant-to-enterprise connection, MESA International has launched a new Website at the annual MESA Plant-To-Enterprise conference on Sept. 17...

How do you loosen a sticky pipe fitting?
October 15, 2007... Staff In the 50th anniversary year of 1997, the Tips & Tricks issue in September featured a way to free a stuck pipe by hitting the female pipe fitting with one hammer while supporting the pipe below with a second hammer. For more Tips &...

Bearing protection system.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The AEGIS SGR bearing protection ring uses multiple rows of conductive microfibers that surround a motor shaft to provide discharge points and channel harmful currents away from bearings. Available in a range of sizes to...

Air solvent.
October 15, 2007... By Staff EVR clean air solvent is designed to remove grease, oil and dirt from metal parts and equipment. The solvent has no ozone-depleting compounds and is low in volatile organic compound content. It comes in a 14-ounce aerosol can, a...

Orbital finishing sander.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The FSR200 orbital finishing sander produces 11,000 orbits per minute at an orbit size of 1/16-inch. It uses heavy-grit sanding discs and is capable of removing wood and paint, but it is also suitable for wood finishing when...

Rotary continuous mixer.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The Model 16-4SS sanitary rotary continuous mixer blends ingredients in ratios as small as one part per million regardless of disparities in bulk density, particle size or flow characteristics. It has a capacity range of 85-cubic...

Solenoid valves.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The Series 3505 solenoid valves for air, water, emulsion and inert gas control are two-way, two-position, closed or open valves that feature a forged brass body and an encapsulated coil construction. The valves have a zero minimum...

Particulate sensors.
October 15, 2007... By Staff Particulate sensors are suitable for protecting blowers, turbines and vacuum pumps in power conveying, gas processing and heat recovery applications. They're designed to be virtually maintenance-free and include 4-20 mA, Modbus...

Dryer.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The MD-35 MiniDryer is designed for equipment that requires small volumes of dry, compressed air. Suitable for intermittent flow applications, it is designed for airflows up to 35 SCFM. The device can be installed indoors or...

Rubber hydraulic hose.
October 15, 2007... By Staff Twin Tough bonded rubber hydraulic hoses are designed to eliminate the labor required to bundle two separate hoses with tie straps or plastic sleeves. The line is available in four variations, each in 25 and 50-foot lengths and...

Strip brush.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The Ez-Flex flexible strip brush is metal-free and can fit around tight curves. The brush is designed to be used in applications such as eliminating air-flow, containing and/or shielding flying debris, containing light and sound...

Noise dosimeter.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The Edge, a cable-free noise dosimeter, measures personal noise exposure. The product features a 1/4-inch microphone that attaches directly to the instrument, rechargeable lithium-polymer batteries, one or five-bay docking...

Lighting control system.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The Vari-Ballast Control (VBC) lighting control system maintains energy efficiency by utilizing a built-in scheduler, timer, relay, dimmer and a photocell that facilitates automatic daylight harvesting. The system features...

Separator filter.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The Model SF1 stainless-steel separator-filter is designed to remove condensate, particulates, dirt and scale. It features a built-in cyclone separator that has a one-piece design, a five-layer sintered wire mesh filter for a...

Air distribution system.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The SmartPipe modular compressed air distribution system is made of calibrated aluminum with a low-friction coefficient. The system is rust and corrosion-resistant due to its full-bore fittings that minimize pressure drop....

Outdoor enclosure filters.
October 15, 2007... By Staff Cooling filters use ambient air to cool electronic components in outdoor enclosures. Their expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane technology allows cool, clean air to flow into the cabinet while it screens out contaminants at a...

Fastener-securing material.
October 15, 2007... By Staff Permatex GEL SQUEEZE threadlockers help prevent loosening and failure of fasteners caused by vibration and shock. The product cures at room temperature without cracking or shrinking and can withstand service temperatures from -65...

Drum crusher/in-drum compactor.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The drum crusher/in-drum compactor is suitable for use in Class I, Division I areas and reduces waste volumes for disposal. The compactor is explosion proof and features 60,000-pounds of compaction force, along with a welded-steel...

Thin film elements.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The F2020 Series of thin film RTD sensing elements has an operating temperature range of -70 to 500 degrees C and is available in 100, 500 and 1,000-Ohm configurations of Class-A, Class-B and 1/3 DIN accuracies. The elements'...

Vacuum hoist.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The VM-Series hoist integrated vacuum lifter features a four-pad vacuum attachment for simultaneous handling of four 3-1/2-gallon pails to speed loading and unloading. The lifter achieves a 27-inch Hg high-vacuum level with low...

Couplings.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The MI-HUB and MI-XHUB Series of no-hub couplings are available in sizes ranging from 2 to 12 inches. They feature floating eyelets that permit the stainless-steel clamp bands to move independently from the stainless-steel shield,...

Powder and bulk protection system.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The IQR System is designed to protect powder and bulk solid process plants and personnel from explosions and flames. The system traps dust within its mesh lining and absorbs heat from flames and hot gases. The mesh lining serves...

Product selection and system design software tools.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The Product Selection Toolbox is a comprehensive suite of product selection and system design software tools. Available online or via direct installation, the software offers access to configuration tools and CAD drawings. It also...

Emergency stop button.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The PICO-GUARD fiber optic emergency stop button is available with fiber entry/exit either from the same side or opposite side of the housing. The e-button is designed for use in applications involving safeguarding personnel,...

LED driver boards.
October 15, 2007... By Staff Available in two varieties, Smart Force LED driver boards provide compact, full-function LED drivers with a range of dimming options, a wide input voltage, full brightness and enable control for use with industrial LCDs. The SFDL...

Frame grabbers.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The MVS-8600e family of frame grabbers connects Camera Link cameras through the PCI Express interface. The frame grabbers are available in cost-effective, single-channel and dual-channel models that increase throughput. The units...

Test lamp.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The TL 105 test lamp is designed for UV, UV/IR and IR flame detectors and is suitable for use in Class I, Div. 1 and 2, Groups C and D hazardous areas. It features an explosion-proof design, a built-in microcontroller and...

Switch enclosure.
October 15, 2007... By Staff Available in gray with a yellow top, the RoHS-compliant emergency stop box polycarbonate enclosures measure 65x65x57 millimeters and is designed as an accessory for the Series 84 illuminated emergency-stop button. A 16-millimeter...

Industrial fan.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The new model in the Revolution fan family is designed for the use in industrial applications and has an 8-foot diameter. The smaller diameter provides air circulation and ventilation with energy efficiency in mind. The fan has...

Blower enclosure.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The All-Environment blower enclosure is designed to reduce noise below OSHA standard 26 CFR 1910.95(a), to levels as low as 75 db. The enclosure incorporates gasket seams to prevent water or contaminant intrusion and is adaptable...

Variable-frequency drive.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The X5 UltraFlex ac drive provides up to 200 hp and is equipped with a real-time clock. It supports most communication protocols and has encoder feedback capabilities and a USB port. The drive also uses a 115-Vac control interface...

Storage rack system.
October 15, 2007... By Staff The high-density Floor-Trak system is designed to optimize floor space and storage of supplies and parts. The system accommodates products as high as 86-inches, and its non-corrosive track is constructed of extruded aluminum with...