Plant Engineering articles from September 2004

Plant Engineering archives from September 2004

Dangerous tip.(Maintenance Tips & Tricks)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... With over 20 years in industry, I have accumulated a binder of useful Tips & Tricks for just about any situation. The Tip (#230) in your August issue is one of the most dangerous you can attempt. Striking two hardened surfaces together like...

Switched leads.(Maintenance Tips & Tricks)(digital multimeters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... While scanning through the July 2004 issue of PLANT ENGINEERING I happened to notice the article on the use of digital multimeters. Some of your readers may be confused when referring to Fig. 3. The text does not agree with the figure. The...

Margins reach lowest point since tracking began.(Maintenance Tips & Tricks)
September 1, 2004... The PLANT ENGINEERING factory equipment and tools price index increased just 2.7% from June 2003 to June 2004. Over the same time period, we estimate the costs of manufacturing among these factory tools and equipment producers jumped a...

Sweat the small stuff.(job stress)
September 1, 2004... Back in 1997 an inspirational book by Richard Carlson titled, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff: And It's All Small Stuff, became a bestseller. It's still very popular. Based on the idea that we can reduce stress and anxiety in our lives "if we learn...

Burning issue: secondhand smoke and workers' health.(Human Side)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Employees in some states have been able to obtain workers' compensation benefits for health problems associated with secondhand smoke. So states HR Matters E Tips published by Personnel Policy Service, Inc. PPS cites one example where an ailing...

Job classification: can you alter an existing one?(Human Side)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Introduction of a new product line in a Philadelphia manufacturing plant created a problem for Maintenance Foreman Greg Conrad. Currently, two mechanic classifications existed: Grade I Mechanic and Apprentice Mechanic. As a result of...

Employee refuses an assignment.(Human Side)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Maintenance Supervisor Brandon Dorf sat down at his desk with Carpenter Class II Bernie Goshen to explain how he wanted a special jig constructed. He had sketched out the plan on a sheet of paper. It was a complicated design. The...

Premium pay for overtime.(Human Side)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Sometimes employees fight for extra overtime; other times they fight against it. When retiring maintenance supervisor Jim Henning turned over the reins to Al Partridge, his successor, one of the tips he offered involved the hardship he...

Don't give him a raise that decreases his earnings.(Human Side)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Under the revised Labor Department overtime pay rules, according to the local press, "workers who earn up to $23,660, or about $455 a week, will be eligible for overtime. That means employers will either be forced to pay overtime or boost the...

When is a transferred employee entitled to a relocation allowance?(Human Side)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Some employees were delighted when the new plant was erected; some were neutral; some were dismayed. It depended mostly on where they lived. Maintenance Department Welder Bill Connor, 61, was all but ready to quit when he got the news. ...

Don't underestimate value of seniority.(Human Side)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... Plant and office employees prize few things more highly than seniority. It is important that management specify the circumstances under which it is likely to be threatened or lost. When Maintenance Department Utility Worker George...

Can you fire employee who moonlights?(Human Side)
September 1, 2004... Project Supervisor Harry Bellini said, "Cliff, you're going to have to knock off that second job." "No way. Give me that wage increase I've been asking for," Cliff Saunders, a young engineer, told Bellini, "and I might be able to get by...

Solving a human relations problem takes skill.(Human Side)
September 1, 2004... To perform effectively as a leader, it's important to know the employee you're leading. Vincent Reubens, project supervisor in a New Jersey manufacturing company's plant engineering department, learned this lesson the hard way. Seven...

Take care when issuing written reprimand.(Human Side)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... It happened four months ago. Maintenance Supervisor Craig Rodman was in a bind. An electrical storm had knocked out two power lines and delayed installation of equipment in the lab and Production. Other electrical trouble shooting and repair...

Pregnant on layoff: do you have to recall her?(Human Side)
September 1, 2004... Maintenance Supervisor George Gilmore took the call at his desk. "What's going on?" Hilda Turner wanted to know. "I heard there's a recall. Why wasn't I notified?" Turner, a machine repair person, had been laid off with a dozen or so...

Seniority is no substitute for experience.(Human Side)
September 1, 2004... Utility Worker Mike Mellin was one of three maintenance department employees who bid for a recently posted forklift operator job vacancy. Mellin was the most senior applicant of the trio. He had applied several months earlier for a forklift...

Maintenance management legends.(Management Side)
September 1, 2004... There are many paradigms and legends surrounding maintenance management in plants. Often, the legends are known to be untrue, but people live with them because it is politically correct, or simply convenient. To be successful in improving...

Basics of testing flame detectors: Part 1.(flame detectors)
September 1, 2004... Editor's note: This is the first of a two-part series on how to test and troubleshoot various types of industrial flame detectors. The second part will appear in the October issue. The flame detector is one the most important safety devices...

Plant Engineering's interchangeable lubricants.(2004 Exclusive Guide)
September 1, 2004... When, where, how much, and with what--these are the fundamental questions that have to be answered in equipment lubrication. The answers are normally provided by the builders of process and manufacturing equipment. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Why one-line electrical diagrams are essential.(Electrical: Safety)
September 1, 2004... At a recent arc flash seminar, the speaker asked the attendees "How many of you work at a plant that has an up-to-date one-line diagram?" He prefaced this question with an explanation of what up-to-date means--not only an accurate drawing, but...

Outsourcing partnerships for utility operations and maintenance.(Process: Space Heating)
September 1, 2004... KEY CONCEPTS * Outsourcing often brings expertise not available from inplant staff. * Performance goals for service providers need to be clearly set and monitored. * Operations and maintenance providers may furnish capital for...

Identifying problems from transients in power systems.(Electrical)
September 1, 2004... KEY CONCEPTS * Many facility personnel never recognize voltage transients, but notice resulting damage. * Reducing the magnitude and duration of voltage transients extends the life of equipment insulation. * Voltage transients...

DIN-rail enclosures.(Electrical: Products)
September 1, 2004... DB series DIN-rail mount boxes are suitable for a wide variety of industrial applications and includes 8 sizes with 10-30 contacts in widths from 0.87 in. to 5.91 in. Boxes have card guides, ABS plastic housings are UL94V-0 flammability rated,...

Wire cart.(Electrical: Products)
September 1, 2004... Caddy Mac wire carts accommodate a wide range of spool sizes and were designed to simplify wire and cable handling. Features include wire guides that enable smooth feeding from the spool, bottom platform that allows cart to be used as a dolly,...

Power conditioner.(Electrical: Products)
September 1, 2004... SOLATRON Plus 3-phase power conditioner provides voltage regulation, surge protection, and noise isolation through inductive and poor power-factor loads. With input voltage from -25% to +15%, the conditioner produces output of less than [+ or...

Wiring accessories.(Electrical: Products)
September 1, 2004... Wiring accessory kits are packaged in plastic trays with separate compartments and hinged covers to keep items such as cable ties, wire nuts, shrink tubing, adhesive-backed mounts, and other wiring accessories well organized and easily...

Interlocked receptacle.(Electrical: Products)
September 1, 2004... Arktite CSR interlocked receptacles have fiber reinforced enclosures and cover break line that provides wide open access and more wiring room. Receptacle is available in 30, 60, and 100-A versions--fused and nonfused. Direct-drive interlock...

Modular fuseholders.(Electrical: Products)
September 1, 2004... CH series modular fuseholder is designed for global use, and has IEC, CSA, and UL recognition. Optional remote and local open-fuse indication is available. Fuseholder features fingersafe construction, and integrated, pivoting fuse extraction...

Conduit support.(Electrical: Products)
September 1, 2004... Pipe Pier is designed to support steel pipe, copper pipe, and electrical conduit on roof or floor surfaces. Unit reduces installation time by eliminating onsite cutting, drilling, and measuring while protecting rooftop membrane. Flexible...

Redesigned drive.(Electrical: Products)
September 1, 2004... VLT 4152 and VLT 4352 are redesigned versions of VLT 4000 series drives. Units provide optimized variable torque, easy installation, and use of existing VLT 4000 software. Features include a 35% smaller footprint, increased performance, easy...

Enhanced switchgear.(Electrical: Products)
September 1, 2004... Vista underground distribution and System VI switchgear have been enhanced with optional 900-A continuous current load interrupters, fault interrupters, and optional 1200-A main bus. These options are available in ratings of 15.5, 29, and 38...

Inline flowmeter.(Instruments and Controls: Products)
September 1, 2004... Series 730 Accu-Mass flowmeter measures flow rates of noncorrosive gases from 0.5 to 50 SCFM and provides a linear output signal proportional to total gas mass flow rate. This direct mass flow monitoring method eliminates the need for separate...

Humidity-logging thermometer.(Instruments and Controls: Products)
September 1, 2004... Micro Humidity Logging Thermometer sends alarm messages by email or phone. If logger is connected to a computer during real-time monitoring, an email error report can be sent either on the first occurrence only, or as often as once every minute...

Modular instrumentation interface.(Instruments and Controls: Products)
September 1, 2004... Kenmac series 85 is a modular instrumentation interface and mounting system. Interface features 2 and 4-valve manifolds for pressure and DP measurements, instrument monoflanges for isolation and vent functions, self-venting single and double...

Clamp meter.(Instruments and Controls: Products)
September 1, 2004... Industrial clamp meter series is available in 400-A, 600-A, and 1000-A models. The 600-A and 1000-A models feature an LCD display built into the bottom of the testers, enabling electrical workers to view the display from virtually any angle....

Sensor tester.(Instruments and Controls: Products)
September 1, 2004... Sensor Tester tests hydraulic motor speed sensors and pulse detectors. Unit is designed to test Hall effect and optical sensors. It tests most low-voltage (4.5-24 Vdc) sensors that use make-and-break contact pulse sensing. White...

Data acquisition.(Instruments and Controls: Products)
September 1, 2004... instruNet World Plus is a data acquisition software program for Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP that enables users to digitize, plot, control, analyze, and save to disk A/D, D/A, and digital I/O data from instruNet hardware. It enables users to define...

Photoelectric sensors.(Instruments and Controls: Products)
September 1, 2004... OG 90 photoelectric sensors are designed with right-angle lenses for applications with limited mounting space. Sensor features an 18-mm stainless steel housing, preset sensing ranges, and visible red beam that facilitates sensor alignment...

Toxic gas detector.(Instruments and Controls: Products)
September 1, 2004... TS4000 intelligent toxic gas detector is a micro-processor-based transmitter designed to monitor toxic gases or oxygen deficiency and provide status indication and alarm outputs. Detector features remote mounting, dual redundant Modbus...

Message display.(Communications: Products)
September 1, 2004... In View P9x message display family has been enhanced to provide greater visibility of information from distances up to 450 ft. Software for this message display has been upgraded to synchronize and streamline information from multiple sources....

Public address speakers.(Communications: Products)
September 1, 2004... Wide-Area Dispersion Speaker (WDS) is designed for efficient, large-area sound coverage and high-quality reproduction of voice, tone, and live public address. Mounting the speaker in a vertical line or line array, radiates sound in a...

Mobile phone.(Communications: Products)
September 1, 2004... i305 entry-level mobile phone is designed for rugged environments such as industrial plants. Phone features rain resistance, digital cellular, walkie-talkie function, 2-way text messaging, and online wireless data. GPS-enabled phone allows...

Target relay.(Communications: Products)
September 1, 2004... Annunciator Target Relay (ATR) is a compact, solid-state, reliable, and economical alternative to electromechanical annunciators. It offers a shorter, adjustable trip response time and mounts in a standard 3-hole panel installation. Relay...

IC lift trucks.(Material Handling: Products)
September 1, 2004... H-Series internal combustion, cushion tire lift trucks are specially designed for continuous stop/go/forward/reverse service over three shifts. The 3000 to 5500-lb capacity trucks have hydrostatic drives that eliminate torque converters,...

Walkie pallet truck.(Material Handling: Products)
September 1, 2004... Model 112XD walkie pallet truck employs the latest technological enhancements, such as higher speeds and acceleration, four-point lift system, shock-dampening brushings, component-free undercarriage, quick-change drive tires, adjustable...

Stand-up rider trucks.(Material Handling: Products)
September 1, 2004... 7-Series electric stand-up rider counterbalanced lift trucks are available in 3000 to 5000-lb capacities. Independent, function-specific motors operate more efficiently than multipurpose, single-motor designs. Ergonomic features include a...

Heavy-duty electric fork lifts.(Material Handling: Products)
September 1, 2004... EFG-4 and 5 Series four-wheel, counterbalance lift trucks can handle loads from 5000 to 10,000 lb. Operators can adjust acceleration, braking, travel, lifting, and lowering speeds to suit tasks. Internal sensors detect steering angle and...

Conveyor publications.(Material Handling: Answers)
September 1, 2004... The Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA) has introduced two electronic publications. "Conveyor Safety Compact Disk (AV #6)" provides guidance for working safely around screw conveyors, drag conveyors, and bucket elevators. Price...

Lens lift.(Solutions)(lens removal)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... PROBLEM: A gauge has to be recalibrated by removing the lens. How can a sticking lens be removed without damaging it or the gauge? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SOLUTION: Use a shop vac with a rubber nozzle to lift the lens out without...

It's in the bag.(heavy machinery position change)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... PROBLEM: Trying to move and mate heavy machinery can be very difficult if a crane is unavailable. Is there an easy way to move the machine into position? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SOLUTION: Place grease between two, metallic,...

Placing E-rings.(Solutions)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2004... PROBLEM: Placing small E-rings into their grooves can be difficult. Is there an easy way to hold the ring while installing it? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SOLUTION: Use a screwdriver with a magnetic tip to hold the E-ring and push it in...