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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Ford Add Shifts To Meet Demand
August 27, 2009 8:27 am | by Kimberly S. Johnson, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsDETROIT (AP) — Ford Motor Co. says it will add shifts to its plants in Dearborn, Mich., and Claycomo, Mo., to meet demand for F-150 pickups and Ford Escape crossover vehicles. A third production shift will be added to the sport utility line at the Kansas City Assembly Plant in October, where the Dearborn, Mich.
When Robot Programmers Get Bored
August 27, 2009 4:12 am | Articles | CommentsThrill-seeking robot programmers, that is. IMPO's editorial staff, of course, does not condone such obviously dangerous — albeit fun-looking — creativity.
Manufacturing Innovation From BMW
August 26, 2009 12:30 pm | Articles | CommentsTake a look inside BMW's Berlin plant, where they produce motorcycles for consumers around the world. An incredible combination of technology, robotics, and human innovation help keep this 2,000-person plant churning out BMW's beloved two-wheeled masterpieces.
Introduction to Lean Manufacturing
August 26, 2009 12:18 pm | Articles | CommentsIn this video from Gemba Academy, the history of “lean manufacturing” is dissected and presented in a simple, easy-to-follow manner. While the subject is usually, and ironically, obscured with buzzwords and unnecessary details, this video would be an excellent first base for a new employee or someone just arriving in the manufacturing field.
Hop On The 10-Seater Harley
August 26, 2009 12:10 pm | Articles | CommentsSteve "Doc" Hopkins had the opportunity to show off his design and technical chops with this 10-seater Harley-Davidson motorcycle, which he claims represents a “timeline” of Harley history, at the Sturgis rally in 2009. See how the Wisconsin native is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the customization-heavy Harley culture, however bizarre his latest creation.
I Didn't Mean To Burst Your Bubble
August 26, 2009 12:04 pm | Articles | Comments“How It's Made” takes you inside a bubble gum manufacturing plant. See how the process begins, as plastics and rubbers are combined with flavor and glucose syrup, and ends up as the confectioner's delight we all know and love. Did you know that bubble gum's traditionally pink flavor originated because the inventor had only that color on hand?
Photovoltaic Solutions For Harsh Environments
August 26, 2009 11:26 am | Product Releases | CommentsCooper Crouse-Hinds (Syracuse, NY) has developed a photovoltaic module kit equipped with a battery backup in addition to solar power kits. The solar power modules increase productivity in remote areas by eliminating the labor and materials required to run power to remote locations, or frequently change batteries.
Sophisticated Pressure Transmitters
August 26, 2009 11:25 am | Product Releases | CommentsWIKA (Lawrenceville, GA) introduces the WIKA TRONIC D-10 and C-10 pressure transmitters for industrial applications. The D-10 line is designed to enable communication with a PC over the digital output, and is particularly useful in automation engineering, laboratories, or maintenance shops.
Keep Your Plant Up-To-Par
August 26, 2009 11:25 am | Product Releases | CommentsDiamond Phoenix (Lewiston, ME) offers facility analysis, simulations, and a complete range of conveyor options, controls, and software that can improve an organization’s operational performance. Utilizing a variety of conveyor types, Diamond Phoenix can create individual solutions that fit unique organizational needs.
Dispense Automatically, Easily
August 26, 2009 11:23 am | Product Releases | CommentsDispense Works (McHenry, IL) has designed its Axis series automated filling systems, useful to fill grease or pastes into cavities and onto components with accurate and repeatable volumes. The system is self-contained, requiring no PC for operation, and is controlled through a menu-drive LCD interface, which requires no programming experience.
Heavy-Duty Rod Clamps
August 26, 2009 10:31 am | Product Releases | CommentsAdvanced Machine & Engineering (AME, Rockford, IL) has produced its Amlock Hydraulic Series RCH rod clamp, developed to provide power-off clamping of rods and shafts. The clamps are actuated by a spring/collet mechanism and unclamped by hydraulic pressure, and are designed to apply to standard heavy-duty HFPA-style MF1 cylinders.
Better Flow With Piston Air Valves
August 26, 2009 10:20 am | Product Releases | CommentsBlackmer (Grand Rapids, MI) has developed a 3-inch configuration for its piston air valves, to be used on its TX/TXD series of sliding vane pumps. In addition, the new 3-inch valve has now become the standard option for its TX/TXD pumps, replacing the diaphragm air valve.
Versatile Riveting
August 26, 2009 10:19 am | Product Releases | CommentsAlcoa Fastening Systems (Tracy, CA) introduces the Marson-brand SST, a low cost, Spin/Spin pneumatic rivet nut production tool. The SST offers simple replacement and changeover with a quick-change nosepiece assembly and standard socket hand cap screw mandrel, and the tool operates without stroke adjustment.
Be A Visionary
August 26, 2009 10:18 am | Product Releases | CommentsGateway Safety (Cleveland, OH) introduces its newest contemporary eyewear product, the Luminary, which features flexible temples to relieve pressure and eliminate pinching behind the ears. The Luminary weighs less than an ounce, making all-day comfort a real possibility, particularly with rubberized fingertip nosepieces.
WI Shipbuilder To Cut 400 Employeees
August 26, 2009 5:24 am | News | CommentsSTURGEON BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Door County's largest employer has notified the state it plans to lay off hundreds of workers this fall. The Bay Shipbuilding Company says 405 of its 700 employees will be let go at the end of October due to declining business. Bay Shipbuilding laid off a small number of employees in June, July and August.
