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Synchronous Belt Failure Guide
September 22, 2009 5:54 am | Articles | CommentsA failure that occurs when a belt reaches its ultimate tensile cord fatigue life, after running for a period of two to three years may be considered to be normal. Belt tensile failure due to cord fatigue after a long running period is considered to be ideal. Figure 1 illustrates a jagged 45-degree belt fracture that is typical of tensile cord at the end of its fatigue life.
Analysts Cautious About Dell-Perot Deal
September 22, 2009 5:11 am | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — Analysts are keeping a cautious eye on Dell Inc.'s planned $3.9 billion acquisition of Perot Systems Corp., a deal aimed at moving the company beyond personal computers and into technology services. Credit Suisse analyst Bill Shope cut his rating on the company to "Neutral" from "Outperform" in a note to investors Tuesday, a day after the deal was announced.
Pratt & Whitney To Cut 1,000 CT Jobs
September 22, 2009 4:51 am | by Stephen Singer, AP Manufacturing Writer | News | CommentsEAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney said Monday it will eliminate 1,000 jobs in Connecticut by 2011, transferring engine repair work to Georgia and Asia in a cost-cutting move. The subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. will shut its Cheshire, Conn.
Startup To Build Electric Vehicles In Oregon
September 22, 2009 4:45 am | by Tim Christie, AP Writer | News | CommentsEUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- Tucked away in a nondescript garage off an unpaved alley in Eugene's Whiteaker neighborhood, a group of young entrepreneurs is trying to catch the next wave of human transport by building an affordable, rechargable electric vehicle. The company is called Arcimoto, and it will unveil a prototype of its first vehicle, the Pulse, on Wednesday at Pioneer Square in downtown Portland.
VW May Drop Magna Due To Opel Deal
September 22, 2009 4:33 am | by Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsTOKYO (AP) — The chief executive of the Canadian parts maker that is buying a stake in Opel from General Motors said Tuesday talks are planned with Volkswagen to ease the German automaker's concerns about the deal. "Volkswagen has said they are concerned, so we need to finalize internal procedures and have more discussions with them," Don Walker, co-chief executive officer of Magna International Inc.
Mitsubishi To Build $325m Plant In Georgia
September 22, 2009 4:29 am | by Russ Bynum, Associated Press Writer | News | CommentsPOOLER, Ga. (AP) — After sitting vacant for seven years, a 1,500-acre industrial site near Savannah landed its first manufacturer Monday as Mitsubishi Power Systems announced plans to produce giant steam and gas turbines in coastal Georgia. The company said it will begin construction before the end of the year on a $325 million plant that will employ about 500 workers.
Cleveland Firm Seeks Syracuse Steel Plant
September 22, 2009 4:23 am | News | CommentsSYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — A Cleveland investment group is offering the highest bid for an upstate New York steel mill going through bankruptcy reorganization. The group headed by Jack Jankovic of JP Industries says it would pay $8 million for the Crucible Specialty Metals steel plant in suburban Syracuse.
Retired Deere Workers Sue For Health Benefits
September 22, 2009 4:19 am | News | CommentsDAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — About 5,000 retired workers are suing Deere and Co. for changes to their health benefits plan, saying the agricultural machinery manufacturer broke its promises. An attorney for the Flex Retirees Organization says in U.S. District Court in Davenport that the retirees thought they and their spouses would have medical benefits for life.
Breakers Key To Process Integrity
September 21, 2009 12:15 pm | Articles | CommentsFigure 5 Circuit breakers must be properly maintained and applied in order to operate when called upon. Consider the following scenario: A circuit breaker is helping protect a flow pump and senses a fault downstream. If the electrical distribution system is selectively coordinated, the breaker in closest proximity to the problem on the circuit would trip, isolating the fault to the smallest area.
High-Grip Pull Caps
September 21, 2009 11:45 am | Product Releases | CommentsCaplugs (Buffalo, NY) introduces the new VFT series of vinyl pull-caps, with a textured finish at the top to enable better gripping to save time and effort in the field. According to the company, hands, gloves, and even automated machinery can grip the VFT series up to 80 percent better than traditional caps.
Low Capacitance Cables
September 21, 2009 11:45 am | Product Releases | CommentsBelden (Richmond, IN) has expanded its line of low capacitance DataBus cables, which consists of PLTC/ITC-ER, PLTC, and TC-ER versions that are specifically designed to meet Fieldbus specification 61158.2. DataBus cables offer a robust electrical design and robust construction to ensure reliable performance, while providing flexibility in industrial environments, including outdoor installations.
Inexpensive Thermal Imaging
September 21, 2009 11:44 am | Product Releases | CommentsFLIR Systems (Billerica, MA) has unveiled the FLIR i7 thermal imaging camera, which couples RESNET-compliant 120x120 pixel infrared resolution with 2 percent accuracy and 0.1°C sensitivity. Designed for electrical, HVAC, mechanical, and energy-audit problems, the FLIR i7 reveals abnormal temperature readings with crisp images on a 2.
Versatile PLCs
September 21, 2009 11:43 am | Product Releases | CommentsThe CLICK PLC from AutomationDirect (Cumming, GA) is the latest family of programmable controllers designed as stackable discrete modules for first-time PLC customers as well as experienced users. The product is engineered with a multitude of built-in and stackable I/O options.
Crafting A Better Brewery
September 21, 2009 10:46 am | by by Luke Simpson, Associate Editor, Food Manufacturing | Blogs | CommentsVisually, the new Hilltop Brewery owned by the New Glarus Brewing Company is stunning. Nestled on a hilltop just past the town of New Glarus, Wisconsin, a cluster of colorful buildings with jagged rooftops rise up from beautifully landscaped gardens. Things get even better inside.
These Things We Do
September 21, 2009 9:16 am | by by Jeff Reinke, Editorial Director, IMPO | Blogs | CommentsDo you know the name Norman Borlaug? Me neither, but I think it’s worth a minute of your time to learn a little more about an individual who might have been one of the single greatest human beings to ever walk this planet. His life and the way he approached his passion also offers a blueprint from which we can model our pursuits, and the framework we put around them.
