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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Manufacturing Invincible Black Boxes
March 17, 2010 7:43 am | Articles | CommentsAirline accidents are rare events, but when they do occur, investigators pore through every detail of the wreckage to determine if the crash was the result of human error or mechanical failure. The black box is one of the many keys to solving these massive puzzles, but they have to survive the perils of a crashed, burning plane.
The Ultimate Rube Goldberg Machine
March 17, 2010 7:42 am | Articles | CommentsOK Go, known for their low-budget and very-viral music videos, takes on the Rube Goldberg machine for their latest project. With the help of Synn Labs and director James Frost, the band designed and built what is arguably the most impressive Rube Goldberg machine to date. Any engineer or manufacturer can not only see the fun and whimsy in this creation, but also its incredible attention to detail and immaculate craftsmanship.
China's Communist Billionaires
March 17, 2010 7:41 am | Articles | CommentsSometimes it’s hard to remember that China is a Communist country. When the government used to condemn its richest citizens for greed, a newfound love for capitalism has sprouted among the more than 1 billion citizens, creating a new land of immense wealth. With all those people and all that productivity, China now has the world’s most billionaires except for the U.
Senators Rally To 'Confront' Chinese Currency Manipulation
March 17, 2010 4:58 am | by Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — A group of 14 U.S. senators unveiled legislation Tuesday that seeks to increase pressure on China to let its currency to rise in value against the dollar, saying Chinese "currency manipulation" is hurting the U.S. economy. The bill calls for stiff trade sanctions if China does not act.
China Set To Begin Rio Tinto Bribery Trials
March 17, 2010 4:47 am | by Elaine Kurtenbach, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsSHANGHAI (AP) — A Shanghai court will Monday begin hearing China's case against four employees of mining giant Rio Tinto, including one Australian, on charges of stealing commercial secrets and bribe-taking. Stern Hu, the Australian national, will be among the four defendants appearing at the Shanghai No.
BP PLC Saved From $100 Million Lawsuit
March 17, 2010 4:43 am | News | CommentsHOUSTON (AP) — A $100 million jury award against BP PLC over a 2007 refinery leak at its Texas City plant has been rejected. A federal judge in Houston on Tuesday set aside the punitive judgment of $10 million apiece for 10 contract workers who said they were injured. U.S. District Judge Kenneth M.
BP Saved From $100 Million Lawsuit
March 17, 2010 4:43 am | News | CommentsHOUSTON (AP) — A $100 million jury award against BP PLC over a 2007 refinery leak at its Texas City plant has been rejected. A federal judge in Houston on Tuesday set aside the punitive judgment of $10 million apiece for 10 contract workers who said they were injured. U.S. District Judge Kenneth M.
N.C. Has 'Clear' Vision Of Automotive's Electric Future
March 17, 2010 4:35 am | by Daniel Jackson, AP Writer | News | CommentsGASTONIA, N.C. (AP) — Forty miles ... 100 miles ... 200 miles ... A new generation of fully electric vehicles claims the ability to cover that much ground on a single charge, which would easily get most Americans to work and back without having to plug in. But so far, the batteries powering EVs haven't gone the distance at a cost that most U.
Biofuels To Power Airlines Within A Decade
March 17, 2010 4:30 am | News | CommentsAMSTERDAM (AP) — Aviation experts say recent test flights have proved the viability of plant-based fuels for jet aircraft and that they may largely power airline traffic within a decade. They say the focus now is on finding plants that can be used without taking land from food crops or causing deforestation.
CAT Adding 500 Jobs To S.C. Generator Plant
March 17, 2010 4:25 am | News | CommentsCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A diesel generator plant in South Carolina plans to add up to 500 jobs in the next four years. The State newspaper reported Caterpillar plans to more than triple employment at its plant in Newberry. Caterpillar spokesman Jim Dugan says the company has 190 workers now.
Stay Safe, Green With PVC Mats
March 16, 2010 11:01 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Cushion Trax Ultra ¾” anti-fatigue mat from Superior Manufacturing Group (Chicago, IL) is the latest addition to Superior’s line of mats, which combine a durable vinyl top surface with a PVC foam base using the UniFusion bonding process, which eliminates the possibility of de-lamination, according to the company.
Condensate-Free Air Dryers
March 16, 2010 11:01 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe SSRC Refrigerated Cycling Compressed Air Dryer from Sullair Corporation (Michigan City, IN) is furnished in nine models, ranging from 175 to 1000 scfm. The dryers utilize the reliable and energy-saving scroll compressor, and a zero-loss drain integrated into the heat exchanger to collect condensate.
Belts Of Steel
March 16, 2010 11:00 am | Product Releases | CommentsBelt Technologies (Agawam, MA) now offers a line of stainless steel vacuum belts for use in the production of solar cells. They run without lubrication of any kind, minimize variations in surface speed, and don’t stretch. The continuous-length belts minimize debris buildup and eliminate frequent shutdowns.
Where's Your Inventory?
March 16, 2010 10:59 am | Product Releases | CommentsSnap-on Industrial (Kenosha, WI) has a new Level 5 NTC (Networkable Tool Control) system that allows users to manage a virtually unlimited number of lockable tool storage units simultaneously. Critical tools and assets are tracked and the risk of potentially catastrophic foreign object damage.
Soup Start-Up Finds Path For Growth
March 16, 2010 10:57 am | Articles | CommentsHaving recently retired, Philip Wilbur-with family in tow-opened the doors to HURRICANE'S Café & Deli in 2005. Among the traditional deli fare, HURRICANE'S offered quality soups and chowders, which were made entirely from all-natural, local ingredients. Soup sales took off, with volume quadrupling in a single year.
