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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Like A Bird On A Wire
October 1, 2009 4:53 am | Articles | CommentsSee how maintenance is performed on live, high-powered electric lines. Thanks to Michael Faraday's theory that a man enclosed in a metallic box will not be affected by an electric current supplied to the box, regardless of its voltage, this work is now possible. Every movement has an elegance and beauty, even when there's half a million volts flowing over his body.
Our Robot Future
October 1, 2009 4:46 am | Articles | CommentsVia FORA.Tv . At Maker Faire 2009 iRobot CTO Rodney Brooks had the opportunity to speak about the future of robotics in manufacturing. He argues that "untouchable" robots are a thing of the past, even though they're just reaching their hayday in manufacturing facility. But they're dangerous; no one can get close unless they're shut down.
Yep, Walking Is So 20th Century
October 1, 2009 4:44 am | Articles | CommentsThe U3 X from Honda hopes to, like the Segway, "revolutionize" the way people move around their lives. The UX 3 is small, sleek, and looks relatively easy-to-use. It's certainly more attractive than the Segway. So what do you think? Can we abandon walking altogether yet? 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.
Avoid Spills And Save The Environment
September 30, 2009 10:38 am | Product Releases | CommentsHelp keep spills under control and avoid accidents with the EcoPolyBlend Spill Pallets from Justrite Manufacturing (Des Plaines, IL), made from 100 percent polyethylene. The pallets protect against groundwater contamination and utilize 100 percent post-industrial recycled material that might have otherwise been discarded.
Your Three Wishes Await
September 30, 2009 10:38 am | Product Releases | CommentsTerex AWP (Redmond, WA) introduces the new Genie QuickStock life, designed to make inventory picking easier and safer than rolling stairs or manually-propelled lifts. The QuickStock is ideal for locations utilizing high-density racking systems, with a footprint of just 53” by 29.
Get Inverted
September 30, 2009 10:37 am | Product Releases | CommentsClore Automotive (Lenexa, KS) introduces a new 3000 Watt power inverter, the PI30000X, from SOLAR. The new model is designed to deliver clean, reliable power from a 12 volt power source to a wide variety of power equipment, electronics, and appliances. A temerpature-activated fan control helps eliminate unnecessary draining of the 12 volt power source when in standby mode.
The Plant Won't Design Itself
September 30, 2009 10:37 am | Product Releases | CommentsAutodesk, Inc. (Aberdeen, UK) announces the availability of AutoCAD Plant 3D 2010, a new software product designed to bring the benefits of model-based design to mainstream plant design projects. AutoCAD Plant 3D allows teams to increase productivity through accuracy and coordination of shared information.
Self-Replicating Nano-Robots
September 30, 2009 8:24 am | by by Luke Simpson, Associate Editor, Chem.Info | Blogs | CommentsYesterday marked 20 years since IBM researcher Don Eigler became the first person to move an individual atom , using the tip of his custom-built scanning tunneling microscope. Needing to show that he could do it with a high level of precision, Eigler later arranged 35 xenon atoms in the shape of his company’s logo.
Congress Battles Over Manufacturing Contracts For Military
September 30, 2009 4:56 am | by Andrew Taylor, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — While ceding some ground to President Obama on high-profile weapons cuts, lawmakers are cutting money for training and spare parts to pay for other weapons Obama doesn't want and their own pet projects. The push-and-pull is playing out within a massive, $626 billion funding bill for the Pentagon that is being debated on the Senate floor.
Starbuckling Down
September 30, 2009 4:48 am | by by Anna Wells, Editor, IMPO | Blogs | CommentsPerhaps it’s because it’s one of the most visible brands out there, but Starbucks has been all up in my face in this recession. I remember vividly when I knew this whole economic collapse was real… and it was literally the day last summer I read in the paper that Starbucks—one of the most ubiquitous and iconic brands of my generation—was going to close the doors on several hundred stores.
Wal-Mart Sees Slow U.S. Recovery, Looks To China
September 30, 2009 4:42 am | by Eileen Ng, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsKUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The chairman of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. warned Wednesday the global economic recovery will likely be lethargic, even as the retailing behemoth sees great growth potential in China and India. "The world recovery is going to be led by Asia although it's going to be very challenging.
Controlling Motor Inefficiencies
September 30, 2009 4:39 am | by Christian Fritz, Product Marketing Manager, and Brian MacCleery, Senior Product Manager, National Instruments | Articles | CommentsIn the face of economic uncertainties and increasing environmental concerns, many businesses today are evaluating ways to make their operations more lean, efficient, and environmentally friendly. Examining the electricity bill is a good place to start. The top consumers of electricity are typically the HVAC system, water heating, lighting, office equipment, and machinery.
China Puts Brake On Industrial Overexpansion
September 30, 2009 4:33 am | by Joe McDonald, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsBEIJING (AP) — China announced sweeping curbs on surging investment in steelmaking, cement and other industries, warning that chaotic overexpansion was raising the danger of job losses and trouble for banks. Business groups and economists have warned that Beijing's huge stimulus might fuel a dangerous boom and bust.
Toyota Recalls 3.8m Cars For... Floor Mats?
September 30, 2009 4:24 am | by Ken Thomas, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it will recall 3.8 million vehicles in the United States, the company's largest-ever U.S. recall, to address problems with a removable floor mat that could cause accelerators to get stuck and lead to a crash. The recall will involve popular models such as the Toyota Camry, the top-selling passenger car in America, and the Toyota Prius, the best-selling gas-electric hybrid.
BAE Systems Under Midnight Deadline In Fraud Probe
September 30, 2009 4:18 am | News | CommentsLONDON (AP) — British defense contractor BAE Systems PLC faces a midnight deadline set by the Serious Fraud Office to agree to a settlement or potentially be prosecuted for alleged bribery, The Guardian newspaper reported Wednesday. The Serious Fraud Office declined to discuss the matter.
