Tech Trends
FREE Email Newsletter
Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Ford Invests $550M To Bring New Focus To Market
May 6, 2009 10:53 am | by KIMBERLY S. JOHNSON, AP Auto Writer | Articles | CommentsFord Motor Co. stripped "truck" from the name of one its Detroit-area plants Wednesday as it announced plans to build its next-generation Focus here, including a battery-electric version Ford expects will run up to 100 miles without using gas or emitting greenhouse gas.
Free Storage & Material Handling Catalog
May 5, 2009 10:02 am | Articles | CommentsC&H claim to have the broadest and deepest selection of storage and material handling products with over 40,000 items available in their catalogue. To order or request a free catalog, call 866-460-7802 or visit their website at http://www.chdist.
Changes To Lease Accounting: What Should Equipment Manufacturers Know About It?
May 5, 2009 8:04 am | Articles | CommentsFASB’s Proposed Changes The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) is a private sector organization funded by corporations—not the government—and overseen by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Its mission is to develop Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), which all public companies must follow.
Feel The Pressure
May 5, 2009 6:07 am | Articles | CommentsHotsy has completely redesigned the 5700 series hot water pressure washer. The series now has a 20 HP Baldor electric motor and is available in 208 V, 230 V, 460 V, 575 V, or 3 phase and comes with thermal overload protection. According to Hotsy, the washer uses an upright coil that delivers high efficiency and maintains constant temperature when using oil, natural gas or liquid propane.
Air Drills Enhanced By Speed Regulators
May 5, 2009 6:01 am | Articles | CommentsThe Deschner Kinechek® hydraulic speed regulator is designed to work with the Andrews Tool air drill and PF04 attachment to allow feed rate adjustments for various hole diameters and different types of material. According to the company, this speed regulator saves significant down time by using a simple adjustment knob, compared with the time intensive screw mechanisms used in traditional positive feed drill motors.
FLIR Sees Temperature Differently
May 5, 2009 5:56 am | Articles | CommentsThe FLIR T250 is an infrared camera that displays temperature differences on its bright 3.5” screen. Also included with the camera is the ability to combine infrared and visible light detail with FLIR fusion and speed through reporting with the QuickReport software.
Hydraulic Weight Lifters
May 5, 2009 5:50 am | Articles | CommentsPentalift manufactures hydraulic lift tables with load capacities ranging from 500–120,000 lb. It also produces hydraulic tilters, rotators and various work positioners that are designed to increase productivity and ensure safety in the workplace. Learn more: www.
Federal report calls Canada a laggard in business research and development
May 5, 2009 5:25 am | Articles | CommentsA new federal report says Canada lags other countries in business research and development, despite providing substantial tax breaks to the corporate sector. The Science, Technology and Innovation Council says Canada ranks sixth among G7 industrialized countries in R&D as a proportion of gross domestic product.
Valve manufacturer Velan hit by strike involving 530 Quebec employees
May 4, 2009 7:15 am | Articles | CommentsIndustrial valve maker Velan Inc. (TSX:VLN) has been hit by a strike at its Quebec plants. Velan said Monday the stoppage involves 530 workers, out of its worldwide workforce of 1,800. Management "cannot determine the possible impact on its operations and results at this time," the company stated.
Nrc To Discuss 2008 Performance Assessment For San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station
May 1, 2009 6:00 am | Articles | CommentsThe Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will hold two meetings in Dana Point, Ca., on May 7, to discuss the agencys 2008 assessment of safety performance for the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). The plant, operated by the Southern California Edison Co. , is located near San Clemente, Ca.
Eveready to be acquired by U.S.-based Clean Harbors
May 1, 2009 5:55 am | Articles | CommentsEveready Inc. (TSX:EIS), an Edmonton-based energy services company, has signed a definitive C$464 million deal to be acquired by Clean Harbors Inc. (NYSE:CLH), North America's biggest provider of environmental and hazardous waste management services. The pricetag of the cash and stock deal, announced early Wednesday, values the Canadian company at C$11 a share or about C$202 million.
AIAM Responds to President Obama's Remarks Concerning Chrysler
April 30, 2009 11:09 am | Articles | CommentsThe Association of International Automobile Manufacturers released the following statement in response to the President's remarks today concerning the restructuring of Chrysler. The statement can be attributed to Michael J. Stanton, President of the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, Inc.
Obama backs Chrysler bankruptcy as wise move
April 30, 2009 11:07 am | by BEN FELLER, Associated Press Writer | Articles | CommentsPresident Barack Obama announced Thursday that Chrysler would head into bankruptcy with the aid of up to another $8 billion in U.S. taxpayer money, a last-resort attempt to quickly restructure the struggling giant.
Cooling Down High Fuel Costs
April 24, 2009 9:09 am | Articles | CommentsSaving energy and improving comfort for over 100 employees topped the list of priorities for Adam Leiferman, project engineer for the Cleveland building of SPS Technologies. This automotive and aerospace certified manufacturer, with operations worldwide, produces high strength fasteners and precision components for commercial and military applications, jet engines, automobiles, and power generation industries.
Goodyear Sees Performance Boosts With Drying Systems
April 24, 2009 9:02 am | Articles | CommentsWhen you’re producing tires on a 24/7 basis at the world’s largest tire manufacturing facility, you’ve got to have highly efficient equipment to keep the operation running smoothly. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company recently incorporated new blower technology in its manufacturing plant in Lawton, OK, in order to increase efficiency in a critical drying process operation.
Ports and Connectors 101
April 24, 2009 8:18 am | Articles | CommentsHydraulics have been an essential part of industrial technology for well over a century, which means maintenance technicians may find themselves confronted with anything from the latest high-tech fittings to hundred year-old port configurations. Most of the time, there’s no real way to know exactly what’s under the accumulated paint and grime covering the valve or manifold that just failed, but the technician is still expected to be able to identify the connector and replace it quickly and without error.
Air Raid
April 24, 2009 7:40 am | Articles | CommentsWith energy costs on the rise, recent efforts from both not-for-profit industry organizations like ASHRAE, as well as HVAC/R equipment manufacturers, have helped create facelifts for some of the industry's oldest, most operationally critical equipment. Founded in 1894, ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) is an international organization of 55,000 volunteer members.
Not So Risky Business
April 24, 2009 7:24 am | by Andy Kaiser, Yaskawa Electric America, Inc. | Articles | CommentsA problem has been identified that needs a solution. You have also been given an additional requirement from management that the process identified needs to increase output by 30 percent over the original system. You have already searched the websites of some industrial VFD vendors, but you are still not sure about all the technology, terminology, and performance claims stated.
Rail Mounted Circuit Protection
April 23, 2009 9:32 am | Articles | CommentsOmega's new ASK series of DIN rail mounted fuse holders provide circuit protection for any industrial control system. Two standard fuse styles are supported: 14 × 51 mm (ASK 6) and 10 × 38 mm (ASK 4). Single pole, double pole, and 3 pole models are available with or without blown fuse indicators.
Flood Light Increases Luminous Flux
April 22, 2009 8:20 am | Articles | CommentsThe FLAT TEC luminaire fluorescent flood light for machining and industrial plant applications is the latest in the Waldmann Lighting line of products. Available in a built-up (1.65" in height) or flush version, its flat profile helps it fit into tight spaces.
Explosion-Proof Motor For Hazardous Waste Compactor
April 22, 2009 8:11 am | Articles | CommentsKenBay has added a hazardous waste & explosion-proof model to its line of rotary arm compactors. According to the company, this RotoPac has the same small footprint and high 6-to-1 compaction ratio as its other models, but is now fitted with NEMA 4 boxes for electrical control components and hydraulic valves.
Humans & Machines Unite
April 22, 2009 8:05 am | Articles | CommentsPro-face America recently released its latest brochure, containing a range of standard, mid-range and high performance industrial PCs, plus open human-machine interface (HMI) solutions. Detailed specification are included for each system, as well as descriptions for the Pro-face system features.
Exelon and SunPower to Develop Nation's Largest Urban Solar Power Plant
April 22, 2009 7:00 am | Articles | CommentsExelon and SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA) (Nasdaq: SPWRB) today announced an agreement to develop the nation's largest urban solar power plant at a former industrial site on Chicago's South Side. The 10-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) facility is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.
Sweet Revenge With 110 MPG V-8 Engine
April 22, 2009 6:52 am | Articles | CommentsPresident/CEO Peter Collorafi of Revenge Designs Inc. (PINKSHEETS: RVGD), a specialty car designer and production assembler, is pleased to announce that an agreement has been signed with Mr. Douglas Pelmear, President/CEO of HP2G LLC, an Ohio based engine company with a 110 MPGe engine. HP2G LLC has designed, developed and built a proprietary V-8 engine called the HP2g.
Inauguration of World's Largest LNG Facility
April 22, 2009 6:39 am | Articles | CommentsEmerson (NYSE:EMR) and its Emerson Process Management business congratulated Qatargas Operating Company Ltd. on its recent inauguration of the world's largest facility for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Ras Laffan Industrial City. To capitalize on the growing demand for clean-burning natural gas, Qatargas is in the final stages of commissioning and startup of the largest LNG production "train" ever built.
