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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Detroit Auto Show: Green Everything
January 13, 2010 6:33 am | Articles | CommentsCNN had the chance to visit the North American International Auto Show this week, where "green" has consistently been the biggest buzzword. From smaller cars, to hybrids and all-electric vehicles, fuel-efficiency and environmentally-friendly practices are No. 1 in Detroit. Also significant is interim CEO of GM Ed Whitacre's statement on the future of his company: he is sure they will be able to pay back the government loans, and they have no more plant closures on the docket.
Welding Ranks Among 'Worst Jobs'
January 13, 2010 6:31 am | Articles | CommentsCNN lists the 10 best and worst jobs for Americans in 2009, with actuaries and historians ranking highly for competitive salaries and normal business hours. Among the worst? Pretty much anything manufacturing, which is a shame. According to CNN , welding is among the worst possible jobs an American can have.
The Finger-Safe Table Saw
January 13, 2010 6:25 am | Articles | CommentsTable saws are responsible for countless workplace incidents every year, whether it comes down to carelessness, lack of training, or just plain bad luck. But some new technology is hoping to change that, and there's potential for these ideas to be migrated over to other heavy, dangerous machinery, such as those you see every day on the plant floor.
Top Pratt & Whitney Exec To Testify On Layoffs
January 13, 2010 3:51 am | News | CommentsBRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — Pratt & Whitney's top executive is likely to testify in federal court near the end of a series of hearings over the jet engine manufacturer's plans to move 1,000 jobs out of Connecticut. David Hess, president of the East Hartford subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.
Toxco Moves To Prevent Battery Explosion Repeat
January 13, 2010 3:46 am | News | CommentsTRAIL, B.C. (CP) — A Trail, B.C. battery recycling plant is calling in some outside help to avoid a repeat of a spectacular explosion and fire in November. U.S.-based Toxco, Inc. has retained consultants to provide advice on better building design, evaluate the process of battery receiving, storage and treatment, and prepare a risk management plan.
Asian Automakers Fight To Keep U.S. Market Share
January 13, 2010 3:45 am | by David Runk, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsDETROIT (AP) — Asian automakers grabbed their biggest chunk ever of the U.S. car and truck market in 2009, but they'll struggle to build on that momentum this year as rivals in Detroit offer a fleet of efficient, small cars. All automakers that sell cars and trucks in the U.S. will try to woo cautious consumers still nervous about heavy debt, high unemployment and rising gas prices.
White House: Stimulus Has Created 2 Million Jobs
January 13, 2010 3:38 am | by Mark S. Smith, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is trumpeting a new White House estimate that his top economist calls "stunning": His stimulus plan has already created or saved up to 2 million jobs. The analysis is part of the administration's quarterly report to Congress on the controversial $787 billion package of spending and tax cuts he signed weeks after taking office.
The Boy Who Harnessed The Playstation
January 13, 2010 3:22 am | Blogs | CommentsI’m the “boy who harnessed the Playstation.” And for what, exactly? Let me explain. A while back I learned about the accomplished life of one William Kamkwamba, an African who, at the age of 14, built a windmill from trash (yes, literally) in order to keep his starving family alive.
Chinese Manufacturers Unconcerned About Cadmium Dangers
January 13, 2010 3:13 am | by Alexa Olesen and Eugene Hoshiko, Associated Press Writers | News | CommentsYIWU, China (AP) — For China's low-cost jewelry makers, it was an open trade secret: The metal cadmium is shiny, strong and malleable at low temperatures, regardless of its health hazards. And it's cheap. Despite the risks, manufacturers in factories ringing this city on China's east coast say their top priority is profit.
Detroit Auto Show, Day 2: Tiny Cars, Touchscreens
January 13, 2010 3:12 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA roundup of news and notes out of the Detroit auto show on Monday: __ Korean car maker to make electric vehicles in U.S. DETROIT (AP) — South Korean electric car maker CT&T said Tuesday it will begin producing electric cars in the U.S. this year. The company makes low-speed two-seaters and golf cart-style vehicles as well as the City EV, which can reach 65 miles per hour and travel up to 70 miles on an electric charge.
Heavy-Duty Multitasking Mezzanines
January 12, 2010 7:56 am | Product Releases | CommentsDelta Industrial (Chesterfield, MI) has a range of mezzanine systems designed for both large and small facilities, making them ideal for in-plant offices, storage, industrial platforms, catwalks, and conveyor integration. Features of Delta’s mezzanine systems include: Customer-designed specifications.
Expand Your Pump Possibilities
January 12, 2010 7:55 am | Product Releases | CommentsTime Mark (Tulsa, OK) announces their new Model 42X Pump Expansion Unit, which can control up to 3 pumps with a 4-20mA input. Alarm inputs for seal failure, over-temp, contactor fail, and a spare (a second seal fail, for example) are available. Configuration for the 42X is completed via a PC through a USB cable, and the software shows current depth, pump status with run time meters, and alarm status.
Thermal Printing, Worry-Free
January 12, 2010 7:55 am | Product Releases | CommentsTharo Systems (Brunswick, OH) has extended the warranty for its H-400 Series of thermal transfer printers. Effective immediately, the new warranty will cover the H-427 and H-436 printers for two years. In addition, Tharo will warranty the printhead for two years/two million inches for thermal transfer, or 500,000 inches for direct thermal applications.
Keep Your Flow In Check
January 12, 2010 7:49 am | Product Releases | CommentsA new flow conditioner from Westfall Manufacturing (Bristol, RI), the Model 3000, has been designed to achieve a fully-developed velocity profile with minimal head loss (K=0.579). The Model 3000 mounts directly into a piping system and features four leading tabs and four anti-swirl plates that suppress turbulence to produce a developed velocity profile within eight diameters downstream.
Five Commandments For The Next Industry Leaders
January 12, 2010 6:50 am | by George Young, founding partner, Kalypso | Articles | CommentsThis month, the food and beverage (F&B) industry is embarking not only on a new year, but the dawn of a new decade—one driven by the demands of a new consumer reality focused on value, food safety, health and wellness, and environmental sustainability.
