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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
China To Investigate Cadmium-Laced Jewelry Exports
January 12, 2010 3:52 am | by Jeremiah Marquez, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsHONG KONG (AP) — China's product safety agency will look into findings that dangerous levels of cadmium are being used in exports of children's jewelry, a Chinese official said Tuesday following growing concern in the United States about the products. Attending a toy safety conference in Hong Kong, the official said that his agency only just learned of findings in an Associated Press investigation published Sunday and would examine the findings on cadmium contamination.
Dozens Of Chinese Power Plants Nearly Without Coal
January 12, 2010 3:45 am | by Joe McDonald, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsBEIJING (AP) — Dozens of Chinese power plants are running out of coal and might be forced to shut down this week as bitter winter cold boosts demand and snow hampers delivery of new supplies, state media said Tuesday. Factories have been closed in parts of central China where power demand exceeds supply but analysts said they expected no immediate impact on the economy.
Detroit Auto Show Recap: Everything You Need To Know
January 12, 2010 3:40 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA roundup of highlights and news out of the Detroit auto show on Monday: Chrysler may rehire workers if sales forecasts met DETROIT (AP) — Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said the automaker will start hiring production workers again if it sells enough cars and trucks. Marchionne said at the Detroit auto show that Chrysler Group LLC is revamping its models and will need more engineering and development workers.
Pelosi: Big 3 Bailout An Automotive 'Renaissance'
January 12, 2010 3:37 am | by Ken Thomas, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsDETROIT (AP) — House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and top Obama administration officials on Monday defended last year's federal bailout of the auto industry, citing optimism that General Motors and Chrysler had made strides only months after exiting bankruptcy. "What we see here today is a renaissance," Pelosi said.
ABB Plant To Reopen Thursday After Shooting
January 12, 2010 3:35 am | News | CommentsST. LOUIS (AP) — The ABB Inc. plant in St. Louis will reopen on Thursday, one week after a disgruntled employee shot and killed three co-workers and injured five others before turning the gun on himself. Employees learned of the reopening on Monday, the same day the first of the victims, 27-year-old Cory Wilson of Collinsville, Ill.
Ford To Invest $450m, Create 1,000 Jobs In Michigan
January 12, 2010 3:29 am | by Tim Martin, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsLANSING, Mich. (AP) — Ford Motor Co. announced Monday it will invest another $450 million and create about 1,000 jobs as it further consolidates its electric vehicle program in southeast Michigan. The new jobs are mostly tied to advanced lithium ion battery production, including some work shifted from Mexico to Michigan.
Quality Assurance On A Massive Scale
January 11, 2010 9:40 am | Articles | CommentsIn the fast-growing market for wind power systems, quality assurance according to international industrial standards has become an important issue. Wind power plants are no longer a niche playground for environmental proponents, but a serious business where cost efficiency, life cycle costs, reliability, and availability of the components must be considered.
Quick, Get Me Some Meds
January 11, 2010 9:03 am | by by Carrie Ellis, Editor, Chem.Info | Blogs | CommentsSo, a new linguistic idiosyncrasy has sent me into dead lurch toward the First Aid kit for the family anti-anxiety elixir. It’s the abbreviated noun form of medicine — now commonly known as meds — and it’s coming soon to a too-close-for-discomfort dialog near you.
A Dynamic Waste Solution
January 11, 2010 8:40 am | Product Releases | CommentsDelamo Manufacturing, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA) has introduced the DYNAMO trash can, available in 32 and 44 gallon sizes. The DYNAMO is the first plastic trash can to offer built-in storage for a variety of cleaning tools, including brooms, mops, dust pans, and more. Flexible belts are available to secure the can liner to the top of the can, along with a number of optional extras, such as the DYNAMO dolly.
Get Positioned To Save Compressed Air
January 11, 2010 8:39 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe TZIDC Digital Positioner from ABB Instrumentation (Warminster, PA) provides low air consumption at a steady rate: 0.015 scfm, regardless of the air supply pressure. The low air consumption means the positioner is more economical, increasing energy savings. The unique design of the TZIDC current-to-pneumatic conversion component can lead to 50 times less air consumption at steady state, according to the company.
A Bailout-Free 'Heat' Bank
January 11, 2010 8:39 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe HeatBank mats and cables from EasyHeat (Rosemont, IL) help convert “off-peak” electrical energy into a reservoir of radiant heat stored with a building’s foundation, which can help industrial facilities significantly lower their energy bills. Once stored, the non-drying heat radiates throughout the building during peak energy periods, serving as a cost-effective supplement to standard heating systems, according to the company.
Clamping With Your Jaws
January 11, 2010 8:38 am | by For more information on the Sitema Safety Catchers, being distributed AME in the U.S., visit www.ame.com . | Product Releases | CommentsAdvanced Machine & Engineering Co. (Rockford, IL) now offers Sitema Safety Catchers from Sitema GmbH, which are clamping devices that mount around shafts to support vertical loads. The catches help decelerate and stop falling loads, preventing personal injury or damage to equipment.
Cadmium-Filled Chinese Jewelry For Kids Sold In U.S.
January 11, 2010 3:53 am | by Justin Pritchard, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsLOS ANGELES (AP) — Moving swiftly, U.S. product safety authorities say they are launching an investigation into the presence of the toxic metal cadmium in children's jewelry imported from China after disclosure of lab tests showing that some pieces consisted primarily of the dangerous substance.
A 'Labyrinth' For Grease
January 11, 2010 3:41 am | by For more information on the Crease Canister Kits, or all the “Labyrinth Seal” motorized pulleys from Rulmeca Corp., visit www.rulmecacorp.com . | Product Releases | CommentsRulmeca Corp. (Wilmington, NC) has announced that their Grease Canister Kits are now a standard feature with the “Labyrinth Seal Option” Motorized Pulleys, including models 220M, 220H, 320L, 320M, 320H, 400L, 400M, and 400H. The canister helps maintain the labyrinth seal to provide an extra barrier of protection for shaft oil seals by forming a grease-filled path for corrosive and abrasive material.
Long-Lasting Chain Hoists
January 11, 2010 3:40 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe Demag DC-Pro Chain Hoist from Demag Cranes & Components (Cleveland, OH) has an extended service life of up to 1,900 hours, which results in increased time between service intervals and general overhauls. Many components are maintenance-free for up to 10 years, helping lower operating costs.
