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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Automate Anything, Even Productivity
December 7, 2009 6:04 am | CommentsThe Productivity3000 Programmable Automation Controller is the newest generation of industrial controllers from AutomationDirect (Cumming, GA), and consists of a modular, rack-based system of up to 116,000 I/O points with local, expansion, and remote I/O bases, along with a full lineup of discrete, analog, and specialty I/O modules.
Heavy-Duty Die Grinders
December 7, 2009 6:03 am | CommentsDynabrade, Inc. (Clarence, NY) has introduced a new series of air-powered Die Grinders, which feature high-quality steel housings ideal for heavy-duty applications. The grinders are available with either 0.5 or 0.7 hp air motors, and each tool features a rubber grip housing to insulate the operator from vibration and cold air transmission.
Signage For Power Press Safety
December 4, 2009 10:49 am | CommentsDanray Products (Rockford, IL) has released a new safety sign for power presses, which addresses the main hazards created by moving slides and dies on power presses. It can be applied to mechanical, hydraulic, direct-drive (servo), and pneumatic power presses. The sign is a available in two sizes: 5” wide by 6” high and 8.
Tubing For Any Angle
December 4, 2009 10:48 am | CommentsNewAge Industries (Southampton, PA) now offers custom-designed and produced tubing and hose that can be heat-formed into specific shapes, useful for applications that involve multiple sections of fittings and clamps. A formed piece of tubing that is custom-made for a specific use greatly reduces the risk of kinking and flow impediment of fluid or air.
Simple, Predictive Hoist Maintenance
December 4, 2009 10:44 am | CommentsR&M Materials Handling, Inc. (Springfield, OH) has added the HoistMonitor to the option list of its RX and QX Quick Delivery offerings, which adds functionality to supervise and record key data that allows for more efficient planning and scheduling of predictive maintenance, inspections, and repairs.
Medical-Grade, Tough Silicone
December 4, 2009 10:43 am | CommentsMaster Bond (Hackensack, NJ) has created a two-component, room temperature-curing potting and encapsulation silicone, the MasterSil 151 Med, to withstand exposure to the vibration, impact, shock, and thermal cycling often required from medical devices. With a low viscosity of 1,500 cps, the 151 silicone is ideal for use in applications with complicated contours, according to the company.
Build Anything With Flux-Cored Wire
December 4, 2009 3:25 am | CommentsHobart Brothers (Chicago, IL) are offering their Fabshield XLR-8 self-shielded flux-cored wire, which excels in structural steel construction with high deposition rates and good impact strengths. The XLR-8 wire is formulated to have low diffusible hydrogen levels—less than 6.
Plasma Cutter Lunchbox
December 4, 2009 3:24 am | CommentsMiller Electric Mfg. Co. (Appleton, WI) introduces the Spectrum 875, a compact plasma cutter in the 60-amp category, weighing in at just 52 lbs. and with dimensions of 13.75” by 8.5” by 18”, no more than a lunch box. Despite the compact size, the 875 offers a cut rating of 7/8” on mild steel at 10” per minute (ipm).
Safe Lifting With Magnets
December 4, 2009 3:23 am | CommentsThe SafeHold EPL Series Permanent Lifting Magnets from Eriez (Erie, PA) help lift and transfer steel or iron without slings, hooks, or cables, and without marring the surface. The lifting magnets require fewer operators and helpers, and when properly installed, provide greater safety than traditional material handling devices.
Keep Your Welding Fingers
December 4, 2009 3:23 am | CommentsThe MagTab from Strong Hand Tools (Pico Rivera, CA) is designed to hold tabs in place before tack welding. The magnetic, adjustable V-shaped base of the MagTab allows the tool to securely hold against round, square, or angled surfaces, allowing any small metal part to be held in place.
Weld Anywhere
December 1, 2009 6:21 am | CommentsGoff’s Enterprises (Pewaukee, WI) have designed a portable Weld/Grind Cell that features Goff’s weld/spark resistant curtain material, made for demanding industrial environments. The cell is ideal for a welding or grinding process that has just been added to the production line, or when your welding needs must be portable.
Marking Lasers Fit Old Workflows
December 1, 2009 6:20 am | CommentsThe TruMark 5020, a new fiber laser marker from TRUMPF (Farmington, CT), is ideal for applications on metals and plastics with high speed and excellent edge quality requirements. The 5020’s dynamic scanner module is able to convert pulse frequencies of up to 1 MHz into a correspondingly high processing speed.
Magnetic Drilling With Safety In Mind
December 1, 2009 6:19 am | CommentsHougen Manufacturing (Flint, MI) has launched a new line of portable magnetic drills, upgrading the long-standing HMD914 with a lightweight body and an ergonomic handle. In addition, the HMD914S features a swivel base drill-to-magnet coupling that provides versatility and precise positioning, which makes it ideal for challenging fabrication or jobs involving horizontal or overhead drilling.
Compact, Precise Rototic Welders
December 1, 2009 6:19 am | CommentsMotoman’s (Dayton, OH) new 6-axis MA1400 “Master Arc” welding robot significantly increases uptime by integrating the torch into the upper arm, and is available in floor-, wall-, or ceiling-mounted configurations. The MA1400 is ideal for high-density layouts with multiple robots working in close proximity due to its integrated cabling, which reduces interference and cable wear.
Precision Waterjet Cutting
November 30, 2009 10:58 am | CommentsKoike Aronson/Ransome, Inc. (Arcade, NY) introduces the KOIKEJET waterjet cutting system, which features a precision ground ball screw drive for a smooth and accurate cutting motion, as well as laser alignment, initial height sensing, and adjustable water level control for improved cutting efficiency.


