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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Thermal Imagers: A Priceless Investment
January 31, 2013 3:29 pm | by Rachel Leisemann Immel, Associate Editor, IMPO | CommentsIndustrial inspection cameras have revolutionized the predictive maintenance industry. From the many types of cameras available, thermal imagers are ones that have claimed their place in a manufacturer’s predictive maintenance arsenal. Once an instrument too expensive for the average facility, today’s technology has advanced thermal imagers to the point of necessity.
Industrial Lubricants: Key To Long-Term PM Success
January 31, 2013 3:26 pm | by Rachel Leisemann Immel, Associate Editor, IMPO | CommentsThe right industrial lubricant can help a manufacturer increase equipment reliability, reduce operating costs, and extend machine life. Choosing the correct lubricant is “the most fundamental component of a successful preventive maintenance program,” says Polanek. “Today’s successful companies view preventive maintenance and high-performance lubricants as investments to help ensure long-term success.”
Clever Engineering Renews Wrecked Steel Mill Coupling
January 31, 2013 3:15 pm | CommentsWhen the bore on the rigid half of a high-torque steel mill coupling was badly galled during a maintenance teardown, the mill put the damaged part in the plant’s bone yard. However, engineers at Kop-Flex® developed a clever solution that saved the customer almost half the cost to replace the $112,000 part, which transmits approximately 10,000,000 pound inches of torque to a roughing stand.
Computerizing Records Helps Plane Parts Production Take Off
January 31, 2013 3:13 pm | CommentsWhen Martha Paluch returned home to help run the family business her father had started with a partner in 1989, she experienced what might be referred to as “paper shock.” “I came back with expectations of changing times and going greener,” says Paluch, now a 25-year-old operations specialist at Phoenix Manufacturing, where her mother and brother also work.
A New Industrial Revolution
January 31, 2013 3:08 pm | by Rachel Leisemann Immel, Associate Editor, IMPO | CommentsPennsylvania is a growing energy leader in the United States, becoming a net exporter of natural gas in 2011. They have seized opportunities the Marcellus Shale boom has provided, and expanded into global leaders in natural gas—and are making the region known for its industrial innovation and talent, truly fueling a new industrial revolution.
Protecting Cables From Damage
January 31, 2013 2:19 pm | by John Gavilanes, Director of Engineering, Lapp | CommentsOf all the chemical exposures that can affect the life and performance of electrical cables, oil is one of the most damaging. Used as a coolant and lubricant in many industrial settings, oil can inflict molecular damage on the polymers used for cable insulation and jacketing. If ignored, oil damage to cables can be severe, ultimately resulting in cable failure, downtime, and replacement costs.
Speed To Market 2013
January 30, 2013 8:00 am | by Steve Helfer, General Manager, Clinkenbeard, Rockford, IL | CommentsChallenges are ever increasing with global markets. Customers are expecting quicker response times on the solutions they seek. Companies are impacted by forces from all directions, but it all comes down to execution: if you don’t execute you will not win the market or launch the product. Execution is stopped by distractions from your core business and your business core processes; none of these distractions are new.
Argyle Welding Supply Now Tracking Smarter
January 29, 2013 8:08 am | by Barcoding, Inc. and TrackAbout | CommentsArgyle often lacked reliable data to provide accurate billing, resolve customer disputes and account for the 26,000 cylinders they managed. The company struggled with these problems until a vendor introduced them to TrackAbout, giving them the confidence to invest in an advanced asset tracking system.
New Research Indentifies Major Climate Threat To Global Supply Chains
January 28, 2013 8:08 am | by CDP & Accenture | CommentsSeventy percent of companies believe that climate change has the potential to significantly affect their revenue, a risk which is intensified by a chasm between the sustainable business practices of multinational corporations and their suppliers, according to research published today by the Carbon Disclosure Project and Accenture.
Ten Pitfalls To Avoid When Selecting A CMMS/EAM (Part 2)
January 25, 2013 8:08 am | by David Berger, Director, Western Management Consultants, Toronto | CommentsMany companies make the mistake of selecting a CMMS/EAM that addresses the short-term needs of primarily the maintenance department. This is not the best approach given the number and degree of changes that most companies go through over a relatively short period of time.
Keep Track Of Your Assets
January 25, 2013 8:00 am | by Adebayo Onigbanjo, Product Marketing Manager – Location Solutions (LS), Zebra Technologies | CommentsGlobal manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to make their operations more agile, efficient and profitable. A smart way to reach those goals is to realize the most value from every asset in its supply chain. Barcoding, passive and active RFID, and Real-Time Locating System (RTLS) solutions can be used to make smart business decisions that will help improve operational performance.
Ten Pitfalls To Avoid When Selecting A CMMS/EAM (Part 1)
January 23, 2013 8:08 am | by David Berger, Director, Western Management Consultants, Toronto | CommentsAs companies search for ways to get the most out of their existing operating assets, CMMS/EAM software is key. When it comes to researching, selecting, and implementing the right CMMS/EAM, the same mistakes have been made for decades and some new ones have emerged.
Do You Hear What I Hear?
January 22, 2013 8:08 am | CommentsFrom ringing bells to fireplace logs crackling, the sounds of the holiday season is a near-distant memory. However, for employees in loud workplaces, these sentimental noises may become an even more faint memory of the past if the proper precautions aren’t taken.
Solar Carports: Refueling Stations Of The Future
January 21, 2013 8:08 am | by Seth Cutler, GE Energy’s Industrial Solutions business | CommentsSolar photovoltaic (PV) technology has been around for most of the 20th century; however it has only made financial and commercial sense in the last five to 10 years. The growth of the PV industry has been driven by the improving economics associated with a PV install as a result of cost reductions and incentives.
A Closer Look At The American Taxpayer Relief Act Of 2012
January 21, 2013 8:00 am | by Mary Balmer, CPA, director of research and development for Sage North America | CommentsThe American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, signed into law on January 2, 2013, avoids the scheduled increases to individual income tax rates for most Americans andextends a host of expired and expiring tax provisions for both individuals and businesses. A sigh of relief has been heard as at least one portion of the fiscal cliff was narrowly averted. It also ends the long and acrimonious debate over the Bush-era tax cuts.
