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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Keeping An Eye On Things
October 29, 2009 7:52 am | Product Releases | CommentsInvensys Operations Management (Plano, TX) announces the availability of its Avantis PRO 5.0 enterprise asset management (EAM) software that allows users to organize, track, and manage maintenance activity and costs over time. The new version of the EAM solution includes customizable screen views and improvements in data-type awareness, multi-column list controls, and maintenance entity value optimization.
Get A Networkout
October 29, 2009 7:50 am | Product Releases | CommentsOpto 22 (Temecula, CA) has partnered with N-TRON Corporation to sell the company’s line of industrial Ethernet switches and wireless access points. The N-TRON switches can operate in temperatures from -40 to 85°C, in addition to increased shock and vibration resistance.
Designed To Be Struck
October 29, 2009 7:50 am | Product Releases | CommentsSnap-On Industrial (Kenosha, WI) has expanded its lines of heavy-duty striking wrenches and 1” Drive Flank Drive impact sockets. The striking wrenches range from 13/16” to 4-5/8” and feature the company’s Flank Drive design. A dense, rectangular beam helps maintain rigidity and transfers more power.
No More Dust
October 29, 2009 7:49 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Proterra rider sweeper from Advance (Plymouth, MN) has a 64-inch dust-controlled sweeping path that features a five-stage dust-suppression system that captures at the main and side brooms. This helps minimize airborne dust and keeps manufacturing facilities free of particles.
NEMA 4-Compliant Displays
October 29, 2009 7:39 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe CyRAQ 40 monitors from CyberResearch (New Haven, CT) are the latest addition to the family of rugged NEMA 4 displays. The CyRAQ 40A has a brightness of 700 nits and the CyRAQ 40SB provides 1,000 nits. Both models feature a 40” screen and WXGA resolution (1366 x 768 pixels).
The Mattress Dominoes World Record
October 28, 2009 10:36 am | Articles | CommentsThe warehouse staff at Bensons for Beds attempt to set the world record for mattress dominoes. Do you think your facility staff could do any better? First, you just have to round up about 100 mattresses, which might be tricky unless you work at, you know, a mattress factory. Have any comments or questions about our Thursday video editions of IMPO Insider? Or do you have a video you'd like to see featured in one of our deployments? Email me at Joel.
There's A Robot For Everything
October 28, 2009 9:15 am | Articles | CommentsWe all know manufacturing is being overrun by robots. In many cases, they've become vital resources to our assembly lines, whether it comes to welding, sorting, or fabrication. In many cases, they've taken on jobs that humans find difficult or repetitive, and sometimes dangerous. So, it's inevitable that robots start taking over our other repetitive tasks, like playing Guitar Hero.
The Man With The Golden Audit
October 28, 2009 7:28 am | Articles | CommentsCheck out some of Atlas Copco's newest products, including the AIRScan and AIROptimizer, in this James Bond-esque clip. No, the funky music won't play in the background when you're using these products, but you can at least pretend they're some of Q's gadgets. Have any comments or questions about our Thursday video editions of IMPO Insider? Or do you have a video you'd like to see featured in one of our deployments? Email me at Joel.
Bologna Is A 'Dirty Job'
October 28, 2009 6:56 am | Articles | CommentsWhat won't Mike Rowe do for TV? Luckily, this trip to a bologna factory ranks pretty low on the gross-out factor that has made Mike's expeditions so popular. We do get to see him "throw up," though. Have any comments or questions about our Thursday video editions of IMPO Insider? Or do you have a video you'd like to see featured in one of our deployments? Email me at Joel.
The SuperFreakonomics Of Global Warming
October 28, 2009 6:39 am | Articles | CommentsSteven D. Levitt, author of the famed book "Freakonomics," has some interesting proposals when it comes to global warming. When most people are trying to "green" their lifestyle to reduce their environmental impact, Levitt bucks conventional thought with some cold, hard statistics. Instead of exerting so much effort to be green, there's a simple solution available to us, at little cost or trouble.
International Paper Profits Double, 1,600 Still Jobless
October 28, 2009 4:55 am | News | CommentsMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — International Paper, the world's biggest wood products company, said Wednesday its third-quarter profit more than doubled as a huge federal tax credit more than offset falling sales of cardboard box materials. The 13 percent sales decline shows retailers who depend on consumer spending for their profits have yet to resume large-scale purchases of the cardboard boxes that are made from materials made by IP.
Beer Stays Strong Through Global Recession
October 28, 2009 4:46 am | News | CommentsAMSTERDAM (AP) — Dutch brewer Heineken NV on Wednesday raised its forecast for full-year operating profit, citing cost savings, better prices and higher sales of its most profitable brands, even though overall sales volumes were down. The company raised its forecast for full year "organic" operating profit -- a nonstandard measure -- to low double digit growth from high single digit growth.
Goodyear Doubles 3Q Profit
October 28, 2009 4:38 am | News | CommentsCLEVELAND (AP) — Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. says its profit more than doubled in the third quarter, helped by new products and lower raw-material costs. The performance marked a reversal by Goodyear, which had reported $554 million in losses in the first six months of the year as the recession staggered the automotive industry.
Ford Picks Favorites In Volvo Sale
October 28, 2009 4:24 am | News | CommentsSTOCKHOLM (AP) — A group led by China's Geely Group is the preferred bidder for Ford Motor Co.'s Volvo Cars unit, the U.S. automaker said Wednesday. Ford said the selection signals that it is conducting "more detailed and focused negotiations" with Zhejiang Geely Group Holding Co.
S.C. Senate OKs Tax Incentives To Court Boeing
October 28, 2009 4:20 am | by Seanna Adcox, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — An economic incentive package that appears tailored to bring a massive Boeing assembly facility to North Charleston easily received key approval Tuesday in the South Carolina Senate. The full Senate voted 44-0 on low-interest construction bonds and incentives that include a sales tax exemption on fuel used in test flights.
