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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
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.
Asian Autos Top Reliability, Ford Close Behind
October 28, 2009 4:15 am | by Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsDETROIT (AP) — Asian automakers are still building the most reliable cars and trucks, with eight of the top 10 brands from Japanese and Korean companies, according to an annual survey by Consumer Reports. But several models from Ford Motor Co. are now consistently scoring above Honda and Toyota, the perennial leaders.
Fish Company Ensures Metal-Free Product
October 27, 2009 11:20 am | Articles | CommentsChannel Fish Company (Boston, MA), producers of frozen and salted seafood, takes tremendous care at every step of their process to produce the highest quality product. To improve the effectiveness of their metal detection operation — both in terms of maximizing detection sensitivity and production uptime — they recently turned to Mettler-Toledo Safeline and selected the PowerPhasePRO.
Top 10 EPA GHG Reporting Facts
October 27, 2009 10:52 am | by by Luke Simpson, Associate Editor, Chem.Info | Blogs | CommentsOctober 28, 2009 Last week I attended a webinar on the EPA’s mandatory reporting of greenhouse gases (GHGs) rule, hosted by U.S. Steel and Wenck. The presenters did a great job of highlighting all of the important points from the rule, and the areas that could be confusing.
Predict The Future
October 27, 2009 10:23 am | Product Releases | CommentsEmerson Process Management (Austin, TX) has developed its DeltaV digital automation system, designed to integrate machinery protection and prediction of critical mechanical equipment. Emerson’s integrated protection and prediction solution, a key component of the PlantWeb digital plant architecture, easily connects to the DeltaV system from AMS Suite predictive maintenance software and the CSI 6500 Machinery Health Monitor.
Miniature Door Guards
October 27, 2009 9:57 am | Product Releases | CommentsAptos Industries Inc. is introducing a new model of the Rolls Up Door Guard to supplement the RUDG1, which fits doors with minimum dimensions of 10’ x 14’. The new model—the RUDG2—fit smaller doors, down to a height of only eight feet. The RUDG2 has a collision prevention device and can be installed in less than an hour.
Manual Of Piping
October 27, 2009 9:57 am | Product Releases | CommentsThis practical book from Industrial Press , titled “Manual of Piping Practice,” offers coverage of piping practices and maintenance. Written by a 35-year professional with hands-on knowledge and experience in pipeline building and maintenance, this book is designed to be kept at the ready on the shop floor.
