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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Cold Weather Straining China's Energy Resources
November 18, 2009 3:47 am | by Elaine Kurtenbach, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsSHANGHAI (AP) — Unusually cold weather has caused shortfalls of power and natural gas in Shanghai and parts of central China, local government reports said Wednesday. The surge in energy consumption due to the cold snap, which began last week, is typical of the challenges the country is facing as it struggles to meet demand from consumers whose growing earning power enables them to adopt more modern lifestyles.
Feds Raid Gibson Guitars Over Hardwood Rumors
November 18, 2009 3:38 am | News | CommentsNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Federal agents on Tuesday raided a Gibson guitar manufacturing plant and seized guitars amid concerns about where the Nashville-based company obtains the fine woods that go into its instruments. Television stations reported that authorities seized wood guitars and other items, but no one was arrested.
Hershey, Ferrero Consider Bids For Cadbury
November 18, 2009 3:32 am | by Robert Barr, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsLONDON (AP) — Chocolate makers The Hershey Co. and Ferrero International SA said Wednesday they are considering a possible offer for Cadbury PLC, already the target of a hostile bid by Kraft Foods Inc. The move raises the possibility of a takeover battle for the British maker of Dairy Milk and Creme Eggs.
Notes From The Real World
November 18, 2009 3:25 am | by Mike Rainone, Co-Founder of PCDworks | Articles | CommentsTo offer an alternative to my usual rant, this month I thought I'd share some hard-earned insights with those of you who have an insane itch to develop, manufacture, and sell your own products. Until now, I have been shielded from the vagaries of actually manufacturing something in the real world.
Integrated Motion, Integrated Solutions
November 17, 2009 11:16 am | Product Releases | CommentsRockwell Automation (Anaheim, CA) has announced a series of products and enhancements to provide closed- and open-loop drive control on EtherNet/IP with Integrated Motion. Users can now control the Allen-Bradley Kinetics 6500 servo drive and PowerFlex 755 AC drive on EtherNet/IP using Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) and CIP Sync technology, in addition to the RSLogix 5000 software.
Measure Your Pressure
November 17, 2009 11:16 am | Product Releases | CommentsAutomation Products Group, Inc. (APG, Logan, UT) has released the PG7 Digital Pressure Gauge, which has been engineered for outdoor conditions. The PG7 is available with ranges from vacuum up to 500 psi, and from 0 up to 10,000 psi, at ±0.25 percent accuracy of full scale.
Easily Deployed Vacuums
November 17, 2009 11:15 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe PIAB (Täby, Sweden) Modular Automation Tooling system allows users to construct vacuum-end effector tools to meet their exact needs with minimal design time. The PMAT is lightweight and easy to assemble on-site without welding or use of special tools, and features a swivel arm assembly with a choice of various functional attachments, including a PIAB vacuum pump.
OnLine Programming Ups Versatility
November 17, 2009 11:14 am | Product Releases | CommentsGE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms (Charlottesville, VA) has announced the release of its latest VersaMax Micro Plus controller firmware revision 4.0. The new OnLine Programming feature enables the user to edit and download logic to the PLC without stopping it, which saves significant downtime and potential expense for lost productivity and scrap.
Ford Fusion: Motor Trend's 'Car of the Year'
November 17, 2009 8:57 am | News | CommentsDEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The 2010 Ford Fusion is MOTOR TREND magazine's pick for its prestigious Car of the Year® award The Fusion bested a field of 23 contenders - including the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class - to win the prominent award Fusion is now among America's top 10-selling vehicles and the No.
World's Fastest Computer Used For Science, Not Bombs
November 17, 2009 6:07 am | by Duncan Mansfield, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsKNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — At least for the moment, the world's fastest supercomputer is devoted to solving scientific questions that may save the planet — climate change, renewable energy, new medicines — rather than advances in nuclear weapons that might blow it up. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory's high-performance Jaguar XT5 computer, built by Seattle-based Cray Inc.
Honeywell Nabs $11.4 Million "Smart Grid" Grant
November 17, 2009 5:33 am | News | CommentsMINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Honeywell (NYSE: HON ) today announced it has been awarded an $11.4-million grant from the Department of Energy (DOE) as part of the largest single energy grid modernization investment in U.S. history. The grant, one of several awarded from a smart grid funding package under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), solidifies Honeywell's position as a key player in helping the U.
No Tricks, Just Tofurkey
November 17, 2009 5:14 am | by by Anna Wells, Editor, IMPO | Blogs | CommentsThanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Ever. In fact, I find watching sports and eating carbohydrates to be two of the most enjoyable activities in which to indulge during winter. Each year I pretend to help with the cooking, eat, doze, and then force my grown adult brothers to watch the cartoon version of Dr.
GE Pounces On Chinese Aerospace, Energy Markets
November 17, 2009 4:17 am | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — General Electric Co. said Tuesday it is forming joint ventures with major Chinese groups that operate aerospace, energy and rail businesses. GE, which currently runs 36 wholly owned or joint venture companies in China, did not disclose the value of the deals. "These agreements share common themes — rapid growth potential, clean technologies and job creation," said General Electric Co.
GE Establishes More Chinese Ventures
November 17, 2009 4:16 am | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — General Electric Co. said Tuesday it is forming joint ventures with major Chinese groups that operate aerospace, energy and rail businesses. GE, which currently runs 36 wholly owned or joint venture companies in China, did not disclose the value of the deals. "These agreements share common themes — rapid growth potential, clean technologies and job creation," said General Electric Co.
Woman Walks On Train Tracks, Nearly Dies, Sues
November 17, 2009 4:10 am | News | CommentsJACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Helen Gable was taking pictures on the railroad tracks in Tupelo in 2006 when a train nearly cut off her leg as she tried to get out of the way. Gable and her husband are suing the railroad company for nearly $6 million. Gable says the company should have posted trespassing signs to keep people away.
