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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers
Some Airplane Black Box Design Features
June 5, 2009 5:59 am | by Slobodan Lekic, Associated Press Writer | Articles | Comments"Black boxes" — or, more precisely, the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder — came into general use in civil aviation during the 1950s. They have evolved over the years and today's generation are highly sophisticated digital devices able to withstand intensely high temperatures — and, in the world's deepest oceans, crushing water pressures. They are housed in extremely strong metal boxes designed to be resistant to all but the most violent impacts.
Recycled Tires Could Be Hazardous
June 4, 2009 10:40 am | by RITA BEAMISH, Associated Press Writer | Articles | CommentsFor years, the Environmental Protection Agency has endorsed the recycling of ground-up tires to cushion the surfaces of children's playgrounds and sports fields — the same material used for the Obama family's new White House playground.
$7 Million Education Grant For Displaced Workers
June 4, 2009 9:35 am | by COLIN FLY, Associated Press Writer | Articles | CommentsA $7 million federal grant program to help train laid-off autoworkers and other unemployed people for new careers may not seem like much, but Education Secretary Arne Duncan said it was money immediately available and more help will be on the way.
Ford Spends $125 Million To Bail Out Parts Supplier
June 4, 2009 9:28 am | Articles | CommentsFord Motor Co. will provide $125 million or more in debtor-in-possesion financing to Visteon Corp. as the automotive parts supplier reorganizes under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing Thursday, Visteon, which filed for bankruptcy protection last week, said its former parent company would provide aid and also take assignment of Visteon's asset-backed loans under a revolving credit facility.
Hummer's Chinese Buyer A Newcomer To Industry
June 4, 2009 5:02 am | by JOE McDONALD, AP Business Writer | Articles | CommentsHummer owners are an unusual breed, but a little-known Chinese company's surprise purchase of the American maker of gas-guzzling, military-style SUVs is audacious even by their standards.
Comfort Makes Safety Clothing Safer
June 4, 2009 4:44 am | Articles | CommentsTechnical fabrics maker Glen Raven has a range of GlenGuard®FR fabrics for industrial protective apparel. The fabrics are designed to be lighter weight and more flexible while exceeding NFPA 70E industrial safety standards for thermal and body burn protection.
Cabinet That Handles Waste & Recycling
June 3, 2009 12:47 pm | Articles | CommentsShure’s new waste and recycling cabinet is built with large tilt-out doors to reveal a plastic receptacle for waste or recyclable materials. Steel doors with aluminium handles conceal the waste. A stainless steel top can also be purchased. The cabinet comes in 22 Shure signature powder coat paint colors and is available in three sizes: Single Cabinet – 25 1/8” W × 27 3/4” D × 34 3/16” H Double Cabinet – 48 5/8” W × 27 3/4” D × 34 3/16” H Triple Cabinet – 72 1/8” W × 27 3/4” D × 34 3/16” H Learn more: www.
Factory Orders Rise Again
June 3, 2009 12:24 pm | by CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER, AP Economics Writer | Articles | CommentsOrders to U.S. factories rose 0.7 percent in April, the second increase in three months and further evidence that manufacturers may be recovering. Still, the Commerce Department's report Wednesday was below analysts' expectations of a 0.
Soft Grip Brush-Scraper Tool
June 3, 2009 12:17 pm | Articles | CommentsHyde has added a wire brush and integrated scraper to its MAXXGRIP PRO® line, comprising an industrial grade wire brush and steel carbon blade. It’s designed to: Remove corrosion and rust Scrub factory floors Get to the tightest corners Scrape off paint and coatings Work on wood, metal, concrete and masonry According to Hyde, the combo tool’s ergonomic soft-grip handle maximizes grip and eliminates pressure points, reducing user fatigue.
Locate & Measure Small Leaks
June 3, 2009 11:42 am | Articles | CommentsThe next generation CPS refrigerant leak detector can sense leaks as small as 0.1 oz per year. Fully automatic one button operation detects most refrigerants including R410A. Two LED readouts are used to indicate the concentration and location of the leak. Learn more: www.
Lockheed Martin Test Flies Composite Aircraft
June 3, 2009 8:36 am | Articles | CommentsOn Tuesday, June 2, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) successfully conducted the initial demonstration flight of the Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft (ACCA).
GM Strikes Tentative Deal To Sell Hummer Brand
June 2, 2009 4:54 am | by BREE FOWLER, AP Auto Writer | Articles | CommentsGeneral Motors Corp. took two key steps toward its downsizing on Tuesday, striking a tentative agreement to sell its Hummer brand and obtaining the first payout of federal loans for its European division. Detroit-based GM said it has reached a memorandum of understanding with a buyer for Hummer, though it did not name the buyer or the price.
GM China To Continue Aggressive Growth Strategy Despite U.S. Bankruptcy
June 1, 2009 6:26 am | by ELAINE KURTENBACH, AP Business Writer | Articles | CommentsGeneral Motors Corp. said Monday that its U.S. bankruptcy filing will have no impact on its thriving China operations, reaffirming what it called its "aggressive growth strategy." "Our operations across China will operate normally," Kevin Wale, president and managing director of the GM China Group, said in a statement.
ISM Manufacturing Index Expected To Improve For May
June 1, 2009 6:12 am | Articles | CommentsEconomists expect an index measuring the manufacturing sector's health to have contracted at a slower pace in May than in the previous month. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect the index from the Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing executives, will come in at 42 for May compared with 40.
Hazmat Picnic
May 28, 2009 1:00 pm | by Marlyn Huwe, Maintenance Clerk,Yaskawa Electric America | Articles | CommentsCan you imagine having a picnic during a full blown hazmat incident? Well I had a front row seat. On a record setting hot and humid day in early June, production was in full swing at Yaskawa Electric America, Inc. located in Buffalo Grove Illinois. Located right next to the large warehouse and production for servo motors were railroad tracks still used by freight trains .
SC University To Develop Bridge Sensors
May 28, 2009 11:57 am | by KATRINA A. GOGGINS, Associated Press Writer | Articles | CommentsWith the average U.S. bridge approaching time for replacement, researchers at the University of South Carolina said Thursday that they'll work with a team of experts to develop a quicker method of detecting cracks and early signs of wear on the structures.
A Brief History Of General Motors Corp.
May 28, 2009 5:17 am | Articles | CommentsSome key events in General Motors' history: Sept. 16, 1908 - General Motors Company founded by William C. Durant, incorporating Buick Motor Co. Oldsmobile joins GM in November. 1909 - GM sells 25,000 cars and trucks. Acquires Cadillac for $5.5 million.
GM To Announce 14 Plant Closures Monday
May 28, 2009 4:53 am | by KIMBERLY S. JOHNSON, AP Auto Writers | Articles | CommentsA person briefed on General Motors Corp.'s plans says the company on Monday will identify the 14 factories it will close as it heads toward a likely Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing. The person says United Auto Workers officials in Detroit have told plant-level union leaders that the company will make the announcement, not the union.
German Officials Still Seeking Opel Rescue Plan
May 28, 2009 4:49 am | by GEIR MOULSON, Associated Press Writer | Articles | CommentsGerman officials readied for another try at a rescue deal for General Motors Corp.'s Opel subsidiary after last-minute financing demands stalled overnight talks Thursday, officials said. Germany had hoped for an agreement to shield automaker Opel — which employs 25,000 people there — from a looming GM bankruptcy by making it legally independent under a trustee.
Keep Your Conveyors FIT
May 27, 2009 7:14 am | Articles | CommentsDorner's two-tier conveying system. For a limited time Dorner is offering a factory inspection training (FIT) service to assist with new and existing conveyor projects. New conveyors projects can be overseen as part of the GetFIT™ service, which provides advice on installation, safety, optimum product handling, training, spare parts and warranties.
Tow Tractor Hauls Fast
May 27, 2009 5:09 am | Articles | CommentsThe new EZS 350XL tow tractor from Jungheinrich can tow several trailers together and has a capacity of 11,000 lbs. The truck is built with a 2.8 kW, 24 V AC drive motor for powerful acceleration and high travel speeds, with significant energy efficiency, longer operating times and low maintenance (through the omission of carbon brushes).
Keep Your Parts Cleaner For Longer
May 26, 2009 12:35 pm | Articles | CommentsThe new Oil Eater 45-gallon water-based parts cleaner is made of industrial grade high density polyethylene plastic and uses 1,000-watt heaters to reach its optimal cleaning temperature of 110° F. A filter system on the unit keeps the solution clean, prolonging fluid life.
Wearable Computer Keeps Hands Free
May 26, 2009 11:58 am | Articles | CommentsThe Ridgeline W200 from Glacier Computer LLC is a wearable computer made of reinforced magnesium alloy. At only 10.2 ounces and contoured to fit your arm, the W200 is a portable computer that allows the user to keep both hands free for completing other tasks.
Live Roller That Won't Freeze Up
May 26, 2009 11:42 am | Articles | CommentsThe Chain Driven Live Roller (CDLR) manufactured by viastore is designed to be reliabile, low maintenance and freezer capabile with operating temperatures that reach –20º F. It's is available in bed lengths from 2 feet to 10 feet with widths of 44 inches, 48 inches, 52 inches and 60 inches.
AEP Shifts To Non-Toxic Lubricant
May 26, 2009 10:47 am | Articles | CommentsAs part of a shift towards more environmentally-friendly operations, American Electric Power (AEP) recently replaced oil-based lubricants at six of its hydro plants with the non-toxic UCON Trident AW hydraulic fluid. This fluid, manufactured by Dow Chemical, is a fully synthetic polyalkylene glycol (PAG) lubricant and does not contain any chemicals on the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERLCA) list of hazardous substances.
