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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
MES Implementation: It's All In The Approach
October 22, 2012 8:13 am | by Mike Schmidt. Associate Editor, Manufacturing Business Technology | CommentsIt’s easy to see the benefit of undertaking the effort to implement an MES system. They effectively collect, process, and translate valuable business data related to the plant floor and the enterprise resource planning system. But the adoption process can be fraught with risk and uncertainty, depending on the approach a manufacturer takes.
Nothing Run-Of-The-Mill For Tool And Instrument Manufacturer
October 22, 2012 8:12 am | by Edgecam | CommentsOperating in a “niche within a niche” is how the managing director of a tool maker and manufacturer of precision scientific instruments – some of which are currently operating in space, one-and-a-half-million kilometres away from Earth – describes his company.
Cable Management: Making Space Useable Now And In The Future
October 19, 2012 8:01 am | by Jim Norton, Custom Products & Services, Inc. | CommentsWhat exactly is cable management? It seems to mean many different things, and different products. Like many terms used today, cable management has become a “catch all” reference that often entails the perspective of the person using the term. This makes cable management even more important, and increasingly more challenging to address.
3 Simple Complexities Of Data Protection
October 17, 2012 8:39 am | by Dennis Wenk, Symantec | CommentsData is the foundation of information; information leads to knowledge and knowledge is power. There is little disagreement that data has value. In fact, digital data seems to be the new world currency. So protecting valuable data assets is a central concern for business continuity management.
Applying ID Readers In Multiple Code Applications
October 17, 2012 8:38 am | by Eric Andersen, Product Marketing Manager, ID Products, Cognex | CommentsAs product safety and traceability become a more critical factor in a wide range of industries, engineers are more and more often faced with the challenge of reading multiple codes on a single product. There are a wide variety of multiple code reading applications, including multiple codes of the same symbology within a single field of view and multiple codes in multiple fields of view.
Rugged Vs. Consumer: How To Select The Right Mobile Solution
October 16, 2012 8:38 am | by Mike Wills, VP of North America, Psion | CommentsNot all mobile devices are created equal. Manufacturing organizations use handheld computers for a wide variety of applications such as material management, supply chain, quality control, asset tracking and communications. However, there is sometimes uncertainty surrounding whether to deploy consumer or rugged devices.
Is Your Workplace Prepared?
October 15, 2012 8:39 am | by Cintas Corp. | Comments“Disaster can strike at any moment, leaving employees afraid and confused amidst chaos,” said John Amann, Vice President of First Aid & Safety, Cintas. “However, if safety directors prepare workers beforehand, they can ensure they’re ready for a potential emergency. Understanding common mistakes businesses make in preparing for emergencies is an important step in emergency planning and training.”
Outside Pipe Flow Measurement Technologies
October 12, 2012 8:38 am | by Greyline Instruments Inc. | CommentsDoppler and transit time are two very popular types of flow meters for non-invasive measurement of flow in full pipes. They are both ultrasonic and both measure flow by using sensors clamped onto the outside of a pipe. But they actually work best in opposite applications and success in your installation depends on understanding the differences and making the right choice.
The Global State Of Information Security
October 10, 2012 8:20 am | by PwC | CommentsInformation security has always been a high-stakes game. One that demands a smart strategy, the right technology moves, and an unblinking eye on adversaries. For many businesses, it's become a pursuit that's almost impossible to win. That’s because the rules have changed, and opponents—old and new—are armed with expert technology skills. As a result, the risks are greater than ever.
A Package Deal
October 9, 2012 3:58 pm | by Anna Wells, Executive Editor, IMPO | CommentsWhether its repetitive use injuries or regulatory compliance issues you’re trying to target, packaging equipment vendors have stepped up their game to help address manufacturing, processing, and distribution needs.
Let There Be Light
October 9, 2012 3:48 pm | by Rachel Leisemann Immel, Associate Editor, IMPO | CommentsLighting: one of the basic components of the modern industrial landscape, and a component so basic that manufacturers often ignore it. But with the emergence of LEDs, solar, and new technologies – such as remote phosphor technology – this landscape is changing, says Terry Bair, vice president, industrial vertical, Acuity brands: “The emergence of LEDs has greatly impacted the industrial landscape.”
Distributor POV: Market Leaders
October 9, 2012 3:40 pm | by Anna Wells, Executive Editor, IMPO | CommentsIndustrial Distribution, IMPO’s sister brand reaching the distribution channel, has been around for 102 years and published its annual Big 50 List for much of that time. Seen as a barometer of the health of the industry, this annual top 50 ranks industrial distributors based on sales revenue, while also creating benchmarks and increasing competitive knowledge for a highly fragmented industry.
Workforce Trends 2012: Creating Qualified Jobseekers
October 9, 2012 8:52 am | by Fluke | CommentsThe outlook for technical jobs has turned positive. According to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic’s Occupational Outlook Handbook 2012-2013, growth in HVAC and electrical jobs will grow at two to three times the average growth forecasted and industrial plant technician jobs will grow at the average rate of 11 percent.
Top Five Ways To Protect Your Facility From Fall Pests
October 9, 2012 8:49 am | by Greg Baumann, Vice President, Training & Technical Services, Orkin LLC | CommentsFall is around the corner, which means weather will begin to cool, and the outdoors will become less hospitable for humans and animals alike. As you begin to welcome the start of autumn, keep an eye out for pests that may be aiming to make your facility their home for the next several months.
IMTS 2012 Brings Tools & Technology to Chicago
October 8, 2012 3:47 pm | by Anna Wells, Executive Editor, IMPO | CommentsRanked among the largest trade shows in the world, total registration for the six-day 2012 event was 100,200. “The energy level was at an all-time high,” says Peter Eelman, IMTS Vice President – Exhibitions and Communications. “The most exciting take-away from IMTS 2012 is what it says about the prospects for manufacturing over the next year."
