Business Mechanical

Laser Hardening Wear Resistant Coatings For Gears and Bearings - Hold the Heat Treat

2008-08-20T21:47:00.001-07:00

Laser hardening wear resistant coatings for your gears and bearings, you ask? Absolutely. Forget about tempering, cracking, even slower processing times. These are things of the past.

For decades, lasers have been used to increase metal resistance to wear. By delivering a specific energy to a localized surface, yet, now with minimal heat distortion. Bulk properties are retained, and you can gain a brand new micro-structure with improved wear properties.

This is especially true with surface modification techniques like laser hardening. These emerging processes are quickly proving reliable alternatives to other hard-facing processes, like heat treating or plasma nitriding.

Parameters such as power density or translation rate, and variables like atmosphere type or rate of material addition, can all shape surface characteristics. For example, care must be taken to avoid oxidation; otherwise, desired properties in the surface layer, such as thickness, composition and micro-structure, can all be compromised.

For highly-stressed alloys of gears and bearings, laser transformation hardening can be ideal. Ferrous metals are great conductors of heat. This means surfaces can be heated to austenitizing levels without loss in bulk properties of the material. And rapid heat loss means no outside quenching needed to form martensite at the heated surface.

Ultimately, with carbon steels, resistance to wear will be determined by the amount of ferrite or martensite. Those, in turn, will be determined by carbon level. Nevertheless, they present excellent alternatives to nitriding steel, any general nitriding process, or heat treat, which often require costly annealing operations to maintain geometric integrity, without distortion.

Next time you're designing your gear or bearing, take a closer look at laser hardening wear resistant coatings.

Why Quality Prefabricated Steel Buildings Are More Popular Than Ever

2008-08-20T21:46:00.001-07:00

One way to have a commercial metal or steel building created and sent to you is to purchase a prefabricated steel building. They can be built at the factory and shipped directly to your site. Shops that specialize in creating prefabricated steel buildings can ship them almost anywhere. When the time comes to purchase your steel building, you will most likely meet with a project coordinator. That coordinator will go over the entire project with you from beginning to end. In the end, you will walk away knowing the most productive and least expensive way to accomplish your goals.

Slowly but surely, commercial steel buildings are taking over the industry. Conventional construction methods are fast becoming a thing of the past. For one thing, steel is strong and non-combustible. It is electrically safe and works well with just about all other building materials. Furthermore, it's very stable, has a long life span and requires less maintenance than other products. Prefabricated steel building products are used for roofs, barns and all sorts of large constructed free-standing structures.

Most of the time, your project will come with a 25 year warranty on the steel products used. The construction of these commercial buildings is much easier than most other methods and is also very economical. Prefabricated steel buildings allow customers more freedom to plan large building projects without tying up much needed financial resources to have the project completed. When considering the company to go with for your prefabricated steel building, it's important to remember that not all companies are the same.

A lot of companies out there may count on the fact that you don't truly know the difference between different building methods. Take time in your search for a company that will explain the differences and point you in the right direction. Pre-engineered steel buildings help provide customers with structures that are flexible and efficient while meeting the customer's needs. Be sure the company you deal with has experts that are not just out to make a buck. You need to know the best way to provide more usable space.

It would be extremely irresponsible for a company to provide you with the plans for a huge building project when a prefabricated steel building would be perfect for your needs. Whether you are in the need for an airplane hangar or merely a barn, a prefabricated option is also easy to expand upon. This gives your company the ability and freedom to make future plans that are cost effective. When planning your company's next addition of space, keep prefabricated steel buildings in mind. They could very well be the perfect answer to your company's needs.

Lean Manufacturing and the Seven Deadly Wastes

2008-08-20T21:45:00.002-07:00

As a manufacturer, plant manager, controller, or machine operator, you've undoubtedly encountered the concept of lean production. Lean this, lean that-lectures, brochures, talks, forums about how lean approaches to shop management can control and even reduce costs. In today's era of ever tightening margins, where even the slightest gains in efficiency can translate into considerable improvements to the bottom-line, lean manufacturing has become not only a way of life but also a philosophy in and of itself. Imagine the repetitive production line where pennies saved per part or assembly sometimes translate into thousands of dollars per hour put back into the plus side of the ledger.

In prior postings, we've listed benefits of leaning, as well as some of the broad waste concepts associated with lean philosophy in manufacturing. In this article, we will nuance some of items in those prior lists and offer more specifics as to the meaning of "waste" in production. With an eye toward operating within a lean structure, identifying potential areas of waste and continuously improving production through their elimination is what efficient manufacturing is all about:

Over-Production - In short, selling products at or below cost of production is not going to be very profitable. As well, warehousing products for a customer before they are actually ready to take delivery wastes both space and capital.

Inventory - Why have materials, parts, and other inventory just sitting around, waiting to be used at some unknown point in the future? Zeroing-out inventory is a waste-elimination concept designed to free up more capital while also making inventory more manageable.

Motion - The relationship between production time and operator motion has been studied over and over again. Findings show that unnecessary or awkward operator motions put stress on the body and cause waste in shop floor time management. To gain more productivity out of what is invariably a limited resource (i.e., time) is always beneficial. Another positive outcome to the elimination of wasted motion might also be found in the reduction of injuries and workman's compensation claims.

Conveyance - This is usually defined as the unnecessary movement of part(s) during the production process, and it considers the potential of damage that can come to material that is moved about without need. In high precision production, such damage can even be the basis of wasteful (and costly) rework.

Correction - Whether damaged in conveyance or the result of any other scrapping malady in production, having to re-work parts is a fairly frequent source of waste in manufacturing. Taking an excessive amount of time for sorting and inspecting parts is also wasteful and can be reduced through error proofing (i.e., designing processes so products can only be produced one way, which is the correct way, every time).

Processing - Like never before, clear communication between manufacturer and customer is absolutely necessary in order to work most efficiently. Of course, questions about such things as engineering and production material requirements must be answered before production begins. However, if a customer is continually changing processes or other requirements, the additional steps might be added to a job that does nothing more than simply add additional costs to the product.

Waiting - When an operator is on the clock but not on a job, this is a direct-cost waste that goes straight to the bottom-line. The occasionally idle machine is an expected aspect of the economic cycle; an idle operator (or one taking an hour or so to look for a part or tool) is usually the result of bad scheduling, inefficient shop floor control and design, or both.

Ceramic Coatings - Best Wear Resistant Coatings Ever? Not Always, and Here's Why

2008-08-20T21:45:00.001-07:00

Not under these circumstances, and here's why.

Ceramic is brittle by nature. Depending on wear mechanism, it (they) can chip, crack, even form fine powders, at or below the surface. Unlike metals or plastics under high contact stress, ceramics cannot undergo plastic deformation. Not in any measurable sense. As a result, ceramic coatings fracture under stress.

Unfortunately, even under extreme temperatures, ductility remains insignificant. The brittle condition remains largely unchanged. Not only are ceramic coatings vulnerable to higher stress, but in circumstances where there is a tensile component, too. This makes them poor candidates for abrasive wear. Being without a low elastic modulus, you see.

But mechanical wear is just one issue for ceramic coatings. Whether thermal spraying, plasma spray, hvof, many are susceptible to thermal shock fracture. This is because their heat transfer is so poor.

Imagine large heat gradients forming local "hot spots." There, large tensile stresses or cracking can develop. This, alone, can lead to fracture. And frictional heat relating to sliding motion is no exception.

Erosive wear can also become an issue. Based on ceramics sensitivity to strain, their wear rate to erosion or material removal can be most vulnerable when impingement angles near ninety degrees. As compared with metals, which fair equally poor, when impingement angles are much lower.

To maximize wear performance from ceramics, be sure the eroding medium is softer than the ceramic. But, if the eroding medium is harder than the ceramic, the erosion rate can be minimized. Just create as much fracture toughness as possible, in the ceramic. And be sure to request reduced porosity, smaller grain size, too.

Under those circumstances, ceramic coatings can be your most wear resistant coatings, ever.

Pump Information and Detail

2008-08-20T21:44:00.000-07:00

Pumping of liquids is almost universal in chemical and petrochemical processes. The many different materials being processed require close attention to selection of materials of construction of the various pump parts, shaft sealing, and the hydraulics of the individual problems. A wide variety of pumps types have been developed to satisfy the many special conditions found in chemical plant systems; however, since all of these cannot be discussed here, the omission of some does not mean that they may not be suitable for a service. In general, the final pump selection and performance details are recommended by the manufacturers to meet the conditions specified by the process design engineer. It is important that the designer of the process system be completely familiar with the action of each pump offered for a service in order that such items as control instruments and valves may be properly evaluated in the full knowledge of the system.

A pump is a physical contrivance that is used to deliver fluids from one location to another through conduits. Over the years, numerous pump designs have evolved to meet differing requirements.

The basic requirements to define the application are suction and delivery pressures, pressure loss in transmission, and the flow rate. Special requirements may exist in food, pharmaceutical, nuclear, and other industries that impose material selection requirements of the pump. The primary means of transfer of energy to the fluid that causes flow are gravity, displacement, centrifugal force, electromagnetic force, transfer of momentum, mechanical impulse, and a combination of these energy-transfer mechanisms. Gravity and centrifugal force are the most common energy-transfer mechanisms in use.

Pump designs have largely been standardized. based on application experience, numerous standards have come into existence. As special projects and new application situations for pumps develop, these standards will be updated and revised. Common pump standards are:

1. American Petroleum Institute (API) Standard 610, Centrifugal Pumps for Refinery Service.
2. American Waterworks Association (AWWA) E101, Deep Well Vertical Turbine Pumps.
3. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) UL 51, UL343, UL1081, UL448, UL1247.
4. National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) NFPA-20 Centrifugal Fire Pumps.
5. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
6. American National Standards Institute.
7. Hydraulic Institute Standards (Application).

These standards specify design, construction, and testing details such as material selection, shop inspection and tests, drawings and other uses required, clearances, construction procedures, and so on.

The most common types of pumps used in a chemical plant are centrifugal and positive displacement. Occasionally regenerative turbine pumps, axial-flow pumps, and ejectors are used.
Modern practice is to use centrifugal rather than positive displacement pumps where possible because they are usually less costly, require less maintenance, and less space. Conventional centrifugal pumps operate at speeds between 1200 and 8000 rpm. Very high speed centrifugal pumps, which can operate up to 23,000 rpm and higher, are used for low-capacity, highhead applications. Most centrifugal pumps will operate with an approximately constant head over a wide range of capacity.

Positive displacement pumps are either reciprocating or rotary. Reciprocating pumps include piston, plunger, and diaphragm types. Rotary pumps are: single lobe, multiple lobe, rotary vane, progressing cavity, and gear types. Positive displacement pumps operate with approximately constant capacities over wide variations in head, hence they usually are installed for services which require high heads at moderate capacities. A special application of small reciprocating pumps in gas processing plants is for injection of fluids (e.g. methanol and corrosion inhibitors) into process streams, where their constant-capacity characteristics are desirable.

Axial-flow pumps are used for services requiring very high capacities at low heads.

Regenerative-turbine pumps are used for services requiring small capacities at high heads. Ejectors are used to avoid the capital cost of installing a pump, when a suitable motive fluid (frequently steam) is available, and are usually low-efficiency devices. These kinds of pumps are used infrequently in the gas processing industry.

To properly accomplish a good and thorough ratinghizing of a centrifugal pump, the plant system designer should at a minimum do the following.

1. Understand the fundamentals of performance of the pump itself.
2. Understand the mechanical details required for a pump to function properly in a system.
3. Calculate the friction and any other pressure losses for each "side" of the pump, suction, and discharge.
4. Determine the suction side and discharge side heads for the mechanical system connecting to the pump.
5. Determine the important available net positive suction head (NPSH,) for the pump suction side mechanical system, and compare this to the manufacturer's required net positive suction head (NPSH,) by the pump itself. This requires that the designer makes a tentative actual pump selection of one or more manufacturers in order to use actual numbers.
6. Make allowable corrections to the pump's required NPSH (using charts where applicable) and compare with the available NPSH. The available must always be several feet (mm) greater than the corrected required.
7. Make fluid viscosity corrections to the required performance if the fluid is more viscous than water.
8. Examine specific speed index, particularly if it can be anticipated that future changes in the system may be required.
9. If fluid being pumped is at elevated temperature (usually above 90o F (32.2o C )), check temperature rise in the pump and the minimum flow required through the pump.
10. Make pump brake horsepower corrections for fluids with a specific gravity different from water. Select actual driver (electric motor, usually) horsepower in order that horsepower losses between the driver and the pump shaft will still provide sufficient power to meet the pump's input shaft requirements.
11. If the pump has some unique specialty service or requirements, recognize these in the final sizing and selection. Consult a reliable manufacturer that produces pumps for the type of service and applications and have them verify the analysis of your system's application.

Custom Ergonomic Equipment Solves Material Handling Issues

2008-07-15T07:08:00.001-07:00

Custom Lift Tables Solve Outboard Motor Manufacturer's Material Handling Issues

A major outboard motor manufacturer purchased a Self Propelled Max-Lift Table by Lift Products, Inc. to solve a material handling problem. They had tried to place 54" long molds on a conveyor system using a walkie counter-balanced lift truck. The truck was 72" long, plus load, making it difficult to see and almost impossible to maneuver. In addition they had to slide the molds off forks adding to these length problems.

The Max-Lift Self Propelled Lift Table was almost 3 feet shorter and had a gravity conveyor on it allowing the molds to be rolled on to the stationary conveyor. This allowed them a safer, more ergonomic, more maneuverable solution providing increased productivity.

Custom Tilt Table Solves Ergonomic Problem

A manufacturer of control cabinets submitted his ergonomic problem to Lift Products, Inc. The control cabinets he builds are over 6 feet tall with much of the work located at the base of the unit. The cabinets are on wheels.

The solution is a custom Max-Tilt Table with forks. The table was built with an offset platform so when the table is tilted 90 degrees the forks are a few inches from the ground. This allows the operator to push the cabinet base over the forks. The table, which has a raised platform, tilts the cabinet on its side at 24" elevation allowing easy ergonomic access to the work to be performed. Lift Products builds a large variety of tilters and upenders in both standard and custom designs.

Farming With John Deere Tractors

2008-07-15T07:07:00.003-07:00

John Deere tractors have been a huge success over the years, with many farmers choosing to purchase one for their farms. Tractors can be purchased from reputable dealers or they can be bought on eBay. If choosing to buy one off eBay, always do your research first to save any disappointment. There are many different models to choose from with some being able to do more than others.

The Model M tractor produced by John Deere was first released in 1947. This was fitted with 20 horse power and had a vertical 2-cylinder all square gasoline engine or 4x4. This design was to replace models (LA), (L) and (H). The design was fitted with Touch-o-matic hydraulics, and initially, it was four wheel standard tractors of the modern design. It had the usual PTO, which is standard, and electric starting. Many integral implements were offered to use with the Quik-tach hitching system. This was the same style as the larger row-crop tractors.

Time and muscle was spared by John Deere's MT tractor, or people often referred to this model as the magic tractor. This model helped make farming the land so much easier, with a quick touch of the operators hand on the controls lever and smooth hydraulic power raises, lowers or sets the tools to the exact depth desired automatically. Trip ropes, depth adjusting levers and stubborn lifting levers are done away with. Farm work is hard enough and this model helped them tremendously.

The advantage of Touch-o-matic from a farmer's point of view is simply great. It is an hydraulic pump at the front of the engine where it operates from and this is whenever the engine is running. With these advantages, it allows farmers to do work that is impossible with other light tractors. So much work is made easier, such as cultivating and planting to the desired depth. Even fertilizing is maintained easier on back furrows, terraces or in dead furrows because the right and left hand gangs can be operated at different depths.

To the farmer, it is important that any tractor used for general purpose farm work that changes can be made quickly and easily. These have been made possible with the MT model. A farmer can now attach and remove different tools, thanks to the Quick tach design making the job a lot easier, enabling remarkable ease and speed. Seeing one of these tractors demonstrate cultivators, plows and different tools being detached and attached so quickly is unbelievable.

The track type model MC crawler dozer is an ideal model for different terrains, wet ground, light soil and rough terrain. This model is ideal for this type of work if your hillside is to steep for wheel tractors. This powerful little giant is built for work like this. It can handle an eight foot double action disk harrow, and gives you 2-3 plow capacity with four forward speeds and of course, reverse.

There are so many models of tractors and different implements to go with them. John Deere created something in tractors that many people over the years have tried to match. By purchasing one of these tractors or other machinery designed by this great man, life on the farm will be so much easier.

Why Conveyor Lubrication Systems Are the Lifeline of Your Assembly Line

2008-07-15T07:07:00.001-07:00

A survey carried out by one of the leading lubrication system companies has brought to light some shocking facts.

According to the survey, companies utilize the best technology that money can buy for their assembly line. But when it comes to installing a centralized automated lubrication system, they opt for an 'ordinary' product. The cost cutting methodology comes into play and the very effectiveness of the line is compromised.

The survey also reveals that the lubrication systems used by almost 42% of companies in America are not up to the snuff. Is your company amongst them? Have you opted for a substandard product that not only reduces the efficiency of your production line but also endangers the lives of your employees?

If you are hoping that no untoward incidents will occur, then maybe it's time to wake up and smell the coffee.

Preventive maintenance

I am sure that you have heard this term before. It is quite similar to the quote 'Prevention is better than cure'. A clogged assembly line can stall production for 48 hours. Why would you want to hamper your production line for as many as 24 to 48 hours when you can prevent the clogging with a high end conveyor lubrication system?

Here's a brief look at some of the lubrication system technologies in the market today.

* You can utilize a lubrication system that allows you to lubricate up to 30 lubrication points and control it from one central location. You can also lubricate the chains in fractional increments.
* The completely automated system compensates automatically for the change in conveyor line speed.
* The refill mechanism is situated at an easy-to-access level as opposed to some crude mechanisms which require you to use a ladder to refill the lubricants tank.
* Not only do these systems maintain your assembly line in pristine condition, but they themselves are easy to maintain.

Guillotines - The Cutting Edge

2008-07-15T07:06:00.003-07:00

Guillotines although not in themselves a complicated issue, there is a bewildering array of machines available on the market.

Rotary Trimmers
Starting with the simplest the shear action and rotary trimmers. These are for simple cuts and trimming single sheets of paper and card up to about 30 sheets depending on which machine is purchased. These machines are available up to 1100mm cutting length with different blades for a variety of materials such as rubber, hardboard etc.

Ream Cutters
Moving on from the shear action are hand operated printroom guillotines or ream cutters as they as sometimes known. These use an entirely different type of cutting action. With these the paper is clamped with either a cam operated clamp or a screw action. This holds the paper from moving whilst the blade is brought down to cut. The blade comes down horizontally with a right to left movement. If the cutting needs to be very accurate this type of machine is essential.

Power Cutters
The next step up is the power operated machines. These start at 400mm wide and go up massive proportions depending on what sizes you need to cut. As with the hand operated machines clamping the paper is essential, again this is done by cam action screw or power clamping. Another addition to the power machines is the option of being able to programme the cutting so that you can set up regular jobs and thus ease the operation speed up the cutting process and prevent operator error.

Business Card Cutters
Some jobs however are not easy to cut on a guillotine. This is where business card cutters come into their own. These range from hand operated to fully automatic machines which are capable of reading register marks which move the cuts to match exactly the print, which often varies from sheet to sheet when digitally printed.

Beyond the business card cutters are the slitter/cutter/creasers which will handle up to SRA3 and again read the register marks to ensure that the cutting is extremely accurate on every sheet which passes through the machine. As well as the cutting creasing and perforating are useful functions, especially if it can be done at the same time as the cutting.

Anyone going into guillotines for the first time may need expert advice to help make the right decision

Platform Lifts For Commercial Applications

2008-07-15T07:06:00.001-07:00

Platform lifts for commercial applications are accessibility equipment specially designed and directed towards removing access barriers for disabled people. Platform lifts are useful in buildings that have stairs, entrances that are raised and inclines that are steep. Platform lifts are pre-equipped with everything you need for your business, and to help your clients who have disabilities.

Platform lifts for commercial requirements are available with a unique drive and platform design that makes them suitable for any type of architectural requirement. Most of them are designed for year-round use and can withstand the harshest weather. Most platform lifts are rich with exclusive features such as extra wide toe plate, solid handrail, electro-hydraulic lifting mechanism, multiple control stations, easy to use controls, dock plates, solid platform, carriage block and interlock as well as exterior walls and safety pan. Most lift companies offer pre-engineered platform lift packages and custom designed platform lifts.

Platform lifts used in commercial establishments may be inclined or vertical. Inclined platform lifts come with platforms specially designed for traveling around guard rails in staircases. With an inclined platform lift, disabled people can have access to two or more landings. Inclined platform lifts are available for both straight and curved staircases. Vertical platform lifts can be installed along the side of stairs and these travel vertically up and down. Usually vertical platform lifts can reach heights of up to 13 meters and serve up to 6 different levels.

Platform lifts for commercial applications are relatively cheaper and do not require much space for installation. They can be cost-effectively installed in commercial establishments and public buildings such as libraries, churches, hospitals, care homes, schools and offices. Before choosing a platform lift, one should make sure that the lift fulfills ADA requirements. You must also be well aware of the altitude that you require to attain while selecting a lift. You can make a choice from battery operated and AC operated platform lifts. Platform lifts required in commercial establishments are available in a large variety of colors, sizes, finishes and other options to match your surroundings.

Package Lift - Stop Carrying Packages Up and Down Stairs

2008-07-15T07:04:00.000-07:00

Industrialization being on the rise, a proper conveyor system is indispensable for any industry. The raw materials needed for production are unloaded and delivered to stores with the help of conveyor systems and are required in different stages of production like packing and inspection. Package lifts are one of the widely used conveyor systems for industrial applications. These lifts are usually used for systems which are required for lifting cartons, totes, boxes, packages, containers and cases.

Package lifts come in models suitable for both residential and commercial applications. With these lifts you can avoid carrying heavier packages and containers up and down the stairs. Some models of this lift can be folded up easily against the wall when not in use. Package lifts come in a variety of sizes and models. You can opt for lifts with lighter or heavier capacity as per your requirements. These lifts are designed to comfortably carry heavy boxes or packages from one floor to another.

Package lift can be installed easily without much hassle. While installing these lifts for residential purposes, take care to ensure safety regulations and technical requirements. These lifts are available in capacities ranging from 250 to 500 lbs. The customer should have a better understanding of the technical specifications required before buying a package lift. Some applications may require special features such as access to balconies, basements, mezzanines and between multiple floor levels in multi-storey buildings. The user should take care to select the right brand integrating all these features. These lifts are self contained and economical.

Install a package lift in your home and avoid aching muscles, back strains and accidents. You can avail of the services of elevator and lift service providing companies to install the lift flexibly designed to suit your home and industrial environments. If you prefer to buy these lifts online, ensure that the dealer is an authorized agent of the manufacturer. Before using the package lift, one should be familiar with its working. The customer can seek technical advice from a factory trained representative.

Book Mechanical Bull from www.funny-business.com

2008-06-27T08:08:00.000-07:00

Blow Molding Made Better With Air-Core Technology

2008-06-27T06:53:00.002-07:00

ir-Core is a process developed by Mercury Plastics, Inc. which is a private company located in Middlefield, Ohio. This company has remarkable potential when it comes to being innovative and coming up with new technologies and ideas. In spite of not being an extensively large or spread out company, Mercury Plastics, Inc. has managed to add giant corporations with world famous names to their customer list.

With Air-Core, designs that were once impossible to achieve using conventional blow molding are now viable. The Air-Core process allows Mercury Plastics, Inc. to do everything from adding a blow molded detail in the middle of a tube to making 3D shapes with multiple angles not possible with traditional blow molding and with much less capital expenditure.

Air-Core also makes it possible to incorporate components that are made of other materials including metal brackets, studs and nuts.

As evident as the expanded design possibilities are, that is not the whole ball game. This company had managed to continuously improve their internal efficiency. Their current internal scrap rate is at 0.100 %, with everyone driving to push it down even further. This may also explain some of the benefits listed below:

* Lower tooling costs
* Lower prototype and production costs
* Compatible with all thermoplastics
* Enhanced dimensional stability
* Minimal redesign costs
* Eliminates parting lines and improves part integrity
* Tight radii made possible
* Accommodates 3D shapes not possible with blow molding
* Appropriate for flexible and rigid materials
* Improves burst performance over blow molding
* Less capital expenditure than suction blow molding

Rules of Industrial Maintenance

2008-06-27T06:53:00.001-07:00

In manufacturing plants world wide, there are two sets of people that are constantly thinking about machine run time and interacting with the machines and the machine operators. The Manager, and the Technician.

The Manager lives in a world where the equipment has "mechanical opportunities" and "issues" that "need to be addressed". The Technician lives in a world of malfunctions and catastrophic failures that have to be repaired in as little time and with fewer resources than a normal person would think possible.
This list is dedicated to the Technicians all over the world that do battle on a daily basis with those gremlins that live in every machine, just waiting to wreak havoc.

* A self adjusting clutch, isn't.
* A self sealing fitting won't.
* Interchangeable parts aren't.
* The term "Maintenance free" is only a sales gimmick. there is no such thing.
* Maintenance free DOES mean it will be impossible to repair once it does break.
* The more difficult a bolt is to get at, the more Loctite® it will have on it.
* The probability of needing a tool that is still in your tool box is directly proportional to the distance between you and your toolbox.
* If a trouble-shooting guide starts with "Is the unit plugged in" throw the damn thing away.
* Check to see if the unit is plugged in prior to any other trouble-shooting steps.
* If at first you don't succeed, call someone else in.
* If the word "precision" is used to describe it, use a smaller hammer to adjust it.
* All repairs are temporary, All problems are permanent.
* Teamwork is essential for the industrial technician. It gives the machine operators someone else to blame.
* If you finally trace a problem down to one component, it WILL be the one that's out of stock.
* If finding the problem was easy, then it wasn't the real problem.
* The reliability of a machine is inversely proportional to the urgency of the order you are running.
* If it sounded stupid, but it worked, then it wasn't stupid.
* If it sounded like a good idea, but it didn't work, then it wasn't a good idea.
* Everything always works in theory, it only quits when you bolt it to a machine.
* The more something costs the further you will have to send it away to be repaired.
* The most dangerous thing in the world is a manager with a wrench.
* Hands-on experience is something you get just after you really needed it.
* The most difficult part on a machine to get at is the one that will go out first and most often.
* The second you take a break, or go to the bathroom, you WILL be paged.
* NEVER tell a machine operator you are bored.
* Smoke is an excellent indication that the electrical "issue" isn't fixed.
* If the hook-up instructions on a new electrical component are printed in Japanese, simply match the wire colors, and don't stand too close when the power is applied.
* The wrench you loose on your shift, the machine WILL find on the next shift.
* When the next adjustment that comes to mind involves a cutting torch and a sledge hammer, it's probably time for a break.
* WD-40® is the "holy water" of industrial technicians. Coffee is a VERY close second.
* NEVER ask "What else can go wrong?"...A machine or an operator will be happy to show you.
* If there is only one grease rag within arms reach it WILL be greasier than whatever it is you were needing to wipe off.
* When an operator has a bad day, so will the maintenance technician.
* Machines have a higher probability of malfunction as the end of shift approaches. (This probability increases exponentially if it's the last shift before a holiday)
* When needing a tool from your tool box, you will always open at least one wrong drawer first.
* Loaned tools will never be seen again.
* Never allow any mechanical object to realize that you are in a hurry.
* Never fix anything the same way you fixed it the last time.

Commercial Metal Fencing a Good Fit For Many Businesses

2008-06-27T06:51:00.002-07:00

A big part of running a successful business is making smart fiscal decisions. Sure, there are all sorts of other aspects-you've got to have a great product or service, for one-but keeping your business' finances in order is crucial. One great way to help do just that is to make sure you keep building costs down, both in the short term and the long term. If you are building a home for your business, you can use all sorts of fancy, expensive materials. There is practically no ceiling to the price of what you can spend. But is that really a good business decision? Is a hand-carved, dark mahogany fence really essential to the survival of your business, or would a metal fence straight off the roll forming line do the job just as well, but for a lot less money? It's a question every business needs to ask for themselves. Perhaps your business is all about image, and that mahogany fence really adds to the ambiance. For example, a day spa may need such a fence to build the perception that its patrons are in a place of beauty and calm. But day spas are few and far between. Most businesses really just need a quality, reliable structure that will keep their belongings enclosed and safe. That's where metal fencing comes in.

Metal fencing can be used for all sorts of purposes, from enclosing trash dumpsters to acting as a perimeter for an employee break area. The point is, not all metal fencing is the stereotypical rusted-out eyesore that traditionally encloses a junkyard. Sure, it can be used in this situation very effectively, but its uses don't have to be limited to just that. With today's rollforming technology, metal fencing can be created in all sorts of shapes and sizes to fit just about whatever need you can come up with. And with today's business needs as complex and varied as ever, that sort of flexibility comes in really handy.

So it certainly seems like a good financial decision to pay a lot less for metal fencing than something fancier if there is no reason. But what if you want a little style to go along with your sound financial reasoning? Some builders have been known to get creative with their metal fencing, putting a wood border around it, or painting it in all colors of the rainbow. Once the fencing comes off the metal forming machine and makes its way to you, it is in your hands. If you want to express your own personality in some way that nobody has thought of before, you can do it cost-effectively and still make an impression. And that's a win-win for you and your customers.

TIG Welding Basics - For TIG Welders, by a TIG Welder

2008-06-27T06:51:00.001-07:00

I hear people talk about TIG welding, but My uncle was a "heliarc welder". Whats the difference?

The "TIG" in TIG welding stands for Tungsten Inert Gas. But Before it was called TIG" it was given the name "Heliarc" because helium was the gas that was used when the process was invented. But then someone discovered that argon worked better and so it was called TIG because inert gas could refer to either helium or argon. But wait, then someone else discovered that small additions of hydrogen worked well for some metals. The word "Inert" no longer held true so the eggheads decided a new name was required. So nowadays, the technical term for what used to be called TIG and Heliarc is Gas Tungsten Arc Welding or "GTAW". But Guess what? people still call it TIG and even Heliarc. In fact more people call it TIG welding than Gas Tungsten Arc Welding.

Exactly What is TIG?

TIG welding is akin to gas welding as far as welding technique in that the torch is held in one hand and the filler rod is manipulated with the other hand. It is considered more difficult than other arc welding processes because it requires the use of both hands. Often times a foot pedal amperage control is also used which adds another layer of difficulty.

A TIG torch can be either water cooled or air cooled and is designed to provide shielding gas as well as welding current through a tungsten electrode. A ceramic nozzle directs the shielding gas to the weld puddle and internal copper parts like the collet and collet body hold the electrode in place. The tungsten electrode is sharpened for applications where the arc needs to be pinpointed and for very low amperage. The heat the melts the metal and makes the weld puddle comes from the arc that is created between the tungsten electrode and the workpiece. The arc is shielded by argon, helium, or a mixture of the two. Sometimes for certain alloys, hydrogen is added in small percentages to improve the way the puddle flows. The arc is very smooth and quiet and clean when DC current is used. When the TIG welding machine is set on Alternating current, it is slightly more noisy but still clean and smooth.

What Metals can be welded using the TIG process?

Almost any metal can be welded with TIG. Carbon and low alloys steels like 1010 carbon steel and 4130 chromoly steel,Stainless steels like 304, 321, and 17-7ph, Nickel alloys like inconel 718 and Hastelloy X, Aluminum alloys like 6061,5052, Magnesium alloys like az31b, Titanium alloys like commercially pure, and 6al4v, Cobalt alloys like Stellite 6b and l605, copper alloys like Nibral bronze and pure copper, All can be welding using the TIG welding process.

Product Design 101

2008-06-27T06:50:00.000-07:00

To obtain oneness with Product Design, you must have all the other essential elements that encircle the main product as well. Mastering all the elements yourself would be inefficient and difficult at best, and that is exactly why communication skills are very important. Most commercial level product design will involve a team of people who specializes in different disciplines; the flow of information must be communicated clearly to avoid any complications that might cause irreconcilable delays or increased costs.

Usability is essential if you want good word-of-mouth and repeat customers. Even if you managed to get the product inside a household, a product that is not intuitive or comfortable to use will give it a bad reputation. Word-of-mouth is extremely powerful because a person would most likely trust their friends more than the words of a greasy salesman.

Materials, engineering and manufacturing. These are all very specialized fields where you want to get the best information and results on. Luckily at this day and age of the global workforce, highly educated specialists can be obtained at a fraction of a price than it did before. Googling design tutorials may be good for designing Marketing material, but when you want a world-class product, you need the right people.

A good product is important, but only if the consumer actually has a good impression of it. Planning the marketing aspects of product design involves in-depth research into the consumer's taste and lifestyle. The branding of the product must also be innovative or insightful enough to provide a benefit that is desirable to the consumer. We certainly don't need more useless junk to be used as landfill.

Being green is in fashion. It's also a nice way to give back to the world. Is your product going to cause the planet to die quicker? Or is it designed to be sustainable? As more people are conscious of these worldly issues, anything that can be reused will not only appeal to consumers in terms of cost, but also a definite bonus for their feel-good factor. And you really do want them to feel good about using your product.

Product safety is very important, and it goes hand-in-hand with product testing. The initial design should have product safety as a high priority. That means no small parts falling out to choke a child or paint that is toxic to skin. With the media and watch-groups paying close attention to product safety recently, you certainly do not want to be treated as a public enemy with a dangerous product.

In product design, knowing how to use CAD software is important, but mastering every design discipline to a high-degree is time consuming and not very efficient. Learning how to encourage and recognize other people's strengths will definite benefit yourself; it will also allow you to absorb enough of other design disciplines to know how to recognize quality and success. When in doubt, just ask yourself, what can I create to make my life more enjoyable? Answer that truthfully, and you'll always be ahead of the game.

Solutions For the Mining and Aggregate Industries

2008-06-27T06:49:00.000-07:00

The Mining and Aggregate industries face tough challenges every single day. The harsh environments are dirty, dusty, moist, and can be very cold or very hot. Further, the stop and start of much of the heavy machinery causes extreme stress on motors, drives, belts, and bearings. Maintenance is often difficult to manage, and often results in machine downtime. Downtime to switch out parts is frequent, and expensive.

Today, there are a wealth of new products on the market that aid the Mining and Aggregate industries through longer life and durability, and less maintenance requirements. From electric motors to bearings, optical encoders to belts, these products are available now.

Gates Poly Chain Carbon belt drive systems can replace old the old chain and sprocket. In heavy use environments chains and sprockets often break down after only a few months in service. Replacing chains and sprockets can take several hours, and result in thousands of dollars lost on downtime and man hours. The Gates Poly Chain Carbon toothed belt has a polyurethane body for abrasion resistance, and reinforcement that resists stretching, especially in shock loads.

The service life of the Gates Poly Chain Carbon belt system is typically double that of the chain drive. Parts replacement is less than half the chain and sprocket costs. All this minimizes downtime, makes your machinery more productive, and saves your company money.

TEFC motors from Emerson keep contamination out. Emerson's e-LINE totally enclosed fan cooled, electric motors are designed to protect the internal components of the motor, even in the most severe environments. The motor's cast iron frame, fan cover guide, and conduit box protect the internal components against rock damage. Zinc coated hardware, stainless steel nameplate, and chemical resistant paint combine to help resist rust in moist conditions. The V-ring shaft with umbrella seals protect the inside of the motor in heavy dust environments.

Emerson e-LINE motors have the added advantage of the Vacuum Pressure Impregnated Insulation System. The VPI system allows the motor to run longer and cooler, even when a variable frequency drive is being used.

Timken offers a spherical roller bearing that's designed to operate even if the shaft and housing are misaligned under load. They even run cooler. The Timken self-aligning spherical roller bearing is a combination radial and thrust bearing. This high-capacity bearing is the favored choice when conditions include heavy loads, difficulties in establishing or maintaining housing alignment, or when shaft deflection is expected. These bearings operate at a lower temperature, extending the life of your machines, which saves you money.

Harsh duty optical encoders from NorthStar eliminate downtime. In the mining industry bulk materials are moved out of the mine on conveyors which which require proper belt tension to ensure consistent speed. By providing reliable feedback to the motor, NorthStar encoders control the speed of conveyors reducing the possibility of downtime.

The NothStar HSD35 harsh duty encoder is built with an unbreakable Mylar plastic or stainless steel code disc rather than a fragile glass disc. It is environmentally sealed at both ends to prevent the penetration of dirt and moisture. This harsh duty encoder is tough enough for any mining application, and reliable enough for consistent speed control.

Bulk material handling conveyors in the Mining and Aggregate industries rely on rugged shaft mounted reducers to drive them. A more compact drive package is sometimes needed, and a right angle drive unit is more suited for the application. Efficiency is critical, and a helical bevel gear drive unit offers efficiencies of up to 95%.

That's where Hub City's Helical Bevel Drives come in. They are available in shaft mount or shaft output designs, and shaft or c-face input configurations. Direct coupling the drive motor with a quill (c-face) input can further reduce costs by eliminating hardware items such as sheaves, couplings, motor mounts, belts, and belt guards. With power ratings up to 130HP, and frame sizes ranging from 182TC to 364TC, Hub City Bevel Drives offer design flexibility and efficiency.

Business Questions 1

2008-06-24T07:08:00.001-07:00

Melvins Big Business - the mechanical bride

2008-06-24T07:07:00.001-07:00

Acetylene and Oxygen Cutting Torch - OSHA Says Oxyfuel Safety is Part of Welding Safety

2008-06-24T07:05:00.001-07:00

Two Oxyfuel Safety Horror Stories - and one of them could have been a tragedy.

Story #1

A worker was returning from a lunch break and preparing to complete his task of cutting a truck u joint with an oxygen acetylene torch.

He turned on the Acetylene valve and then proceeded to open the valve on the oxygen tank. The oxygen regulator exploded which then saturated his shirt with oxygen. His shirt ignited and burn him severely on his torso. The cause of the accident was determined to be Regulator Burnout or RBO caused by the worker not bleeding down the pressures when he left for lunch.

Story #2

A worker was preparing for July 4th festivities by filling latex gloves with an oxygen and acetylene mixture. His plan was to be the hit of the neighborhood by lighting these latex glove bombs later that night. As he was carrying an armload of the explosive latex balloons, a static spark from the latex rubbing together made them all explode. A burned chest, some permanent hearing loss, and dislodged kidney stones that he wasn't even aware of were the price for stupidity that day. Had they ignited in the trunk of his Camaro, which is where he planned to put them, he would probably not have survived.

Oxyfuel equipment is dangerous.

Story #1 is understandable but entirely preventable by using known oxyfuel safety principles

Story #2 is natural selection at work. There is no excuse . And yet I sometimes see YouTube videos of people filling balloons with oxygen and acetylene and I think to myself "Holy Crap, they are all going to Die!"

Industrial Rope Access - The Benefits of Using Industrial Rope Access

2008-06-24T07:04:00.002-07:00

Industrial rope access was developed initially from methods used in caving. Rope access provides a safe, efficient and generally cost effective mode of working at height and enables work to be carried out safely and effectively in difficult to reach areas, allowing access to the most tricky of areas. Rope access is less obtrusive and almost always quicker and cheaper than scaffolding or a cherry picker, and one of the great benefits of industrial rope access is that a rope access team can be in and out with the minimum of disruption. Whats more, at the end of a day rope access kit is easy to dismantle and remove, minimising the security risk of leaving it onsite.

Safety is paramount in industrial rope access. Each industrial rope access worker uses two ropes at all times, a backup safety line and a working line and each rope has a seperate point of anchorage. Any job requires two rope access technicians for added safety, and each is highly trained and is required to retrain at least every three years.

In the early days of industrial rope access it was widely used offshore on the North sea oil and gas platforms for inspections, but since then has spread onshore and is used in a variety of ways in the industrial sector.

There are five main areas that industrial rope access technicians usually work in: 1. building maintenance and repair, 2. high level cleaning and window cleaning and high level painting, 3. inspection and testing, 4. Geotechnical work & Civil engineering.

What is an Oscilloscope and Why is it a Standard Tool For Electronics Technicians?

2008-06-24T07:04:00.001-07:00

An oscilloscope is a type of electronic test equipment which visually renders the voltage of an electronic signal. Oscilloscopes are also sometimes referred to as (sometimes referred to as scopes or O-scopes. They are used to test and troubleshoot electronic equipment. The scope displays the voltage on a cathode ray tube (CRT) display. A grid is drawn on the screen which is called a graticule and the squares within the graticule are called divisions. This results in a graph where the horizontal axis represents the time and the vertical axis represents the voltage. There are also oscilloscopes which can display multiple waveforms. These are used to compare phase or timing of 2 or more signals.

The oscilloscope repeatedly draws a horizontal line called a trace from left to right across the middle of the screen. If the voltage being measured deviates from zero the trace is deflected up or down on the screen. You can control the speed at which the trace is drawn with the timebase control. This control is calibrated in seconds per division. You can also control the vertical deflection scale with the vertical control. The vertical control is calibrated in volts per division. The trace plots the voltage of the input signal against time.

Modern oscilloscopes generally have a trigger function which has the effect of producing a trace which is more stable. The trigger function causes the oscilloscope to pause when the trace reaches the right edge of the screen. It then waits for the specified event before the next trace is drawn. More often than not the trigger event is the input signal voltage reaching a certain value which can be positive or negative. The result is the resynchronization of the input signal to the timebase. This prevents the horizontal drift of the trace. This has the benefit of allowing the oscilloscope to display periodic signals. Common examples of periodic signals are square waves and sine waves. The triggering function also allows the display of nonperiodic signals such as pulses which do not recur at a fixed rate.

Oscilloscopes are frequently used in troubleshooting electronic equipment which is not working correctly. The ability of an O-Scope to display a signal graphically is a distinct advantage over a voltmeter. Occasionally the pulse's shape is very important from a troubleshooting standpoint. A scope can also let you know if the signal is oscillating. All in all an oscilloscope is an invaluable tool for all electronics technicians and they're a standard on any technician's workbench.

TIG Welding Settings - What Are All Those Knobs?

2008-06-24T07:03:00.002-07:00

Some manufacturers of TIG welding machines also sell little slide rule type calculators that are supposed to help the welder set the dials on a TIG welder machine. For the most part they are really handy, but there are times when I think the engineers were smoking crack. For example, if you set the slide rule for 1/4" steel, it will display that you need 250-200 amps using DCEN polarity.

250-300 amps for a fillet weld on 1/4" steel? Are you Kidding me?

These little weld calculators are very useful for newbs because they are a ready reference for all the TIG welder machine settings like polarity, high frequency, and other variables that make a big difference in not only TIG welding, but also MIG and stick welding.

I know a guy who has little labels stuck all over his Miller Syncrowave 250 TIG welding machine so that he doesn't have to look it up every time he needs to weld something. He is a machinist who does some welding. Not a full time welder . With all the CNC programs he as to think about along with feed speeds etc., he does not care to memorize TIG welding settings. A welding calculator would really help him.

Remember these down and dirty tips for setting TIG welders and maybe you wont even need a welding calculator.

1. For Steels, stainless steels, Nickel alloys, titanium etc (everything except aluminum and magnesium)

DCEN, high frequency on start only, Argon gas flowmeter set on 20 cfh with a #7 gas lens type nozzle/cup, amperage switch on remote, contactor switch on remote

2. For Aluminum and Magnesium

A/C, high frequency set to continuous, argon, or argon/helium mix flowmeter set to 15 cfh with a #7 cup if machine is equipped with A/C balance, set it to 7, amperage switch on remote, contactor switch on.

Why is Gas So Expensive?

2008-06-24T07:03:00.001-07:00

As gas prices approach the five dollar mark for the July 4 weekend in the United States, many people are asking this important question - what is the cause of high gas prices? It's an important question, but unfortunately very difficult to answer. With so many factors at play, rising gas costs are a bit of an economic enigma. Nonetheless, this article attempts to answer that question with a few possibilities.

One of the most fundamental concepts in economics is supply and demand. The high gas prices we see today are the result of a simple supply and demand problem. Crude oil is in high demand because the entire global economy needs it to survive. Unfortunately, our reliance on crude oil and other fossil fuel based energy sources is so high, it will take major changes in our first world lifestyles to make an impact.

The ironic situation behind high gas prices today is the development of third world countries. Yes, it is definitely a good thing that other parts of the world besides the US and Europe are developing their economies and helping their citizens advance into the future. The downside of this process is more people throughout the world want oil. Thus, as mentioned above, the law of supply and demand drives prices higher and higher.

Yet another problem in this complicated gas situation is the current scarcity of standard energy sources. Fossil fuels are a non-renewable energy source. This also just happens to be the source of crude oil and thus gasoline. As these sources continue to get depleted, the lack leads to more pressure on demand. And so the cycle continues.

Some people think there is a conspiracy behind high gas prices. The suggestion Is that energy companies are evil money mongers intentionally driving up gas prices. In this argument, the price of gas is fixed by people behind the scenes who just sit back and count the money. Personally, I am not so sure this is the truth. Of course, it is a possibility, and I am sure that energy companies are making a big profit in this current situation. But I do not think it would benefit our government or mega corporations to put our entire country (and many others) in such a dark economic cloud.

Drum Scales and Its Features

2008-06-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

Drums of chemicals will be weighed for many reasons. The gross weight may be known for shipping purposes. The net weight may be wanted for inventory, or to determine usage in various processes. Formulation actually takes place in the drum, where an array of ingredients is combined to produce the desired results.

The very common drum size is 55 gallons and the diameter of that drum is about 24". For a liquid content, the packed drum may weigh from 500 lb to about 800 lb. A drum scale should have a number of specifications to be suitable to weigh this type of drum. First and foremost, it should have a capacity of 1000 lb. The readability of the digital meter should be accurate enough for the application, which would usually be 2/10 of a pound. It is also vital that the scale have a low profile to make it easy to roll drums onto or off of the scale platform.

A drum scale might be a subject to difficult abuse. If it is loaded onto the scale by hand, there could be a significant amount of shock loading. If a forklift hits the scale from the side, there would be a very high level of side loading. This sort of use can easily harm the scale's load cells. In order to reduce this type of failure, use load cells made from stainless steel. These show better resistance to this type of abuse than either aluminum or plated steel, which are typically used for drum scales. The stainless steel would also tolerate a more corrosive environment, presenting a longer life time operation.

The scale platform must be very stiff in order to assure the best accuracy. As sheet metal construction is often used, a welded frame will offer the best operation. Usually, a tread plate pattern on the platform will offer the best non-slip surface. While pounds are the most common units used in the United States, kilograms is the standard for many industrial applications. A front panel pushbutton allows the operator to toggle between these two units for handiness. Another significant feature is the ability to subtract the weight of the drum, so that only the net weight of the contents is shown. The tare button would perform this operation. The net and gross buttons allow the operator to show the weight in either format.

Generally a drum scale would be in a location where it might be plugged into a standard wall outlet. But there are conditions where that may not be available. This might include mobile applications or when the scales have to be used out in the field. So the scales may be provided with a 12 vdc vehicle input, or could be used with a rechargeable battery. Since the power consumption of the scale is very low, a vehicle supply will not drain the vehicle battery. The alternate choice of a rechargeable battery lets the scale to run up to 40 hours of operating time between charging. The battery pack itself can be easily located inside the scale indicator, so not to interfere with operation. Charging time could be as short as four hours for a full charge.

Get Better Digging And Pushes Performance From Track Loader

2007-06-12T23:44:00.003-07:00

Construction equipments have a long history for their uses in real life. Basically track loader used for landscaping, site prep, utility applications and residential construction. track loader is the cost effective way to save time and money .
Compact track loaders having 2,701 pounds of operating load are measured mid-sized equipment. They charge roughly 25 percent more than equivalent size skid steer. The tracks on this machine have a solid time running on gravel and they can be punctured or spoiled by sharp extraction, rocks and Reba. Compact track loader is the efficient equipment when you want to improve productivity.
Compact track loader equipment handle excavating, grading, site development, demolition, erosion control and concrete and asphalt paving at very effective way. Track loader’s undercarriage distributes the machine’s weight across a larger area. Compact rubber track loaders excel in wet conditions. they performs the best on planes like dirt, sand or other loose conditions where they have better grip and pushing performance than other equipment.
A machine’s rated operating ability only indicates solidity when lifting weight. Track loader fulfills this functionality very precisely. Many of the track loader fulfill the guidelines below
Operate using gentle turns only. Keep away from counter turning whenever likely to reduce wear on the rubber tracks
Inspect track tension
Cross sharp boundaries such as curtails at a small angle

Choose Highly-Versatile Model Of Mini Excavator For Better Performance

2007-06-12T23:44:00.001-07:00

A compact excavator is a wheeled or tracked vehicle with a backfill cutting edge and dangle boom. It is also known as mini excavator. Mini excavators have become one of the most accepted pieces of equipment on job sites. Compact mini excavators have become increasingly trendy when functioning in metropolitan areas where space is limited and larger pieces of equipment can’t get into the confined quarter.
The compact hydraulic mini excavator is a bit private from other construction equipment in that all movement and functions of the machine are gifted through the relocate of hydraulic fluid. Compact mini excavator consists of the boom, dipper or arm, and attachment.
Mini excavator is used for improve serviceability and reduce maintenance costs. Mini excavator boosted hydraulic power by raising system-operating pressure to 5,080 psi. The task performed by mini excavators includes truck loading, setting pipe, precision excavating and trenching.
Mini-excavators provide several advantages for contractors and homeowners• Quality ergonomic controls for easy operation• Quality a quick-coupler attachment for rapid substitute of any dipper-mounted attachment• Maintenance costs for mini excavators are the lowest of all comparably-sized equipment

Increase The Efficiency And Safety Of Your Work Through Scissor Lifts

2007-06-12T23:43:00.004-07:00

Scissor lifts – hydraulic stage for exciting for someone – approach in various dimensions and varieties. Scissor lifts are a particular kind of aerial lift, deliberate to pick up larger loads and offer more effort space. For manufacturing or engineering efforts where numerous workers require being on the identical stage, a scissor lift is a must-have.
A Genie scissor lift can be motorized by gas or electrical energy. Diesel or gas-powered scissor lifts – often called “rough terrain scissor lifts” – are improved for external use, but can’t be used indoors. Electric scissor lifts are quiet and production free, which compose them a better option for utilize in storehouse or other interior workplace.
The most fundamental consideration when selecting a lift is the altitude you require to attain. Because the power of a scissor lift is the size of the platform and load it have can support, you may not locate the similar lift heights you would in other types of aerial lifts: most of lifts can attain heights of 20 to 50 feet, not as lofty as some telescoping man lifts or boom lifts. You’ll also require to believe in lift capability. most Genie scissor lifts can bear from 600 to 2,400 lbs.

Boom Lifts - A Best Combination Of Vertical And Horizontal Flexibility

2007-06-12T23:43:00.003-07:00

If you require reaching up and over hindrances, you'll probably require a boom lift, as other types of lifts shift mainly directly up and down.
Boom lifts come in two distinctive varieties. Telescopic boom lifts have extendable arms that can attain up to 120' at approximately any angle. They're frequently used in construction, where their long reach lets employees get contact to upper stories of buildings. For the maximum and longest reach, these are your preeminent option.
Another type of boom lift is the trailer-mounted boom lift. These battery-powered lifts are towed to work locations behind other vehicles, instead of being able to move on their own. They can reach heights of 35' to 50'.
Boom lifts are used for industrial preservation, administration and educational facility maintenance. Articulated boom lifts are used for getting up and over machinery, and other obstacle accumulated on floors and for reaching other eminent position not easily approached by a telescope boom lifts.

Polyester Is The Leader Amongst Other Fibres

2007-06-12T23:43:00.001-07:00

Polyester is a synthetic fibre derived from coal, air, water, and petroleum. Polyester fibres are formed from a chemical reaction between an acid and alcohol. In this reaction, two or more molecules combine to make a large molecule whose structure repeats throughout its length. Polyester fibres can form very long molecules that are very stable and strong. The four basic forms are filament, staple, tow, and fiberfill. In the filament form, each individual strand of polyester fibre is continuous in length, producing smooth-surfaced fabrics. In staple form, filaments are cut to short, predetermined lengths. In this form polyester is easier to blend with other fibres. Tow is a form in which continuous filaments are drawn loosely together. Fiberfill is the voluminous form used in the manufacture of quilts, pillows, and outerwear. The two forms used most frequently are filament and staple.
Polyester is used in the manufacture of many products, including clothing, home furnishings, industrial fabrics, computer and recording tapes, and electrical insulation. Polyester has several advantages over traditional fabrics such as cotton. Polyester is the perfect fabric for the application of water-, soil-, and fire-resistant finishes as it does not absorb water but oils. Its low absorbency also makes it naturally resistant to stains.
Polyester clothing can be preshrunk in the finishing process, and thereafter the fabric resists shrinking and will not stretch out of shape. The fabric is easily dyeable, and not damaged by mildew. Textured polyester fibres are used for filling pillows, quilting, outerwear, and sleeping bags. Polyester continues to be one of the top consumer products driving the US economy along with cotton and other fibres.

Steel Buildings – Making the Right Decision

2007-06-12T23:42:00.000-07:00

Like many industries, the steel building industry too has its share of hucksters. These companies, out to make some quick money, often prey on ignored consumers who are not having enough education to counter-check the details. Thus, making a purchase without having proper knowledge about steel buildings and the purchasing process can land you up in a disastrous situation. So, educate yourself before stepping out.Low-Grade Steel Buildings You’ll come across a lot of companies who would make you believe that they are selling their steel buildings a cheapest price in the market. Before, you get excited check if they are using low-grade materials and components in order to offer you the lowest possible price. These low-grade buildings may not be as reliable and may cost you more money in the future because of maintenance and other issues. Making your purchase for a steel building just by the price factor might get you in trouble. Its recommended that you go thorough a thorough check to ensure that these steel buildings are created equal. Purchase the highest quality building you can afford.Getting the WorthIf you want to get the most value for your money, it is obvious that you will not want to shop for a steel building on price alone. The lowest price does not necessarily mean the best value. In fact, in many cases, the lowest price could mean the lowest value for your building dollar.Some steel building companies offer their customers very little in the way of post-sales support. There would be a lot of customers complaining that they purchased a building from a company and were left on their own to figure out how to get the building erected. This can be a challenge for an individual or organization that does not have the requisite experience.When making a purchasing decision, you will want to take into consideration the total value you are receiving for the dollars you are spending. Will the company support you during the construction process? Will the company help you design the building to your specifications? Will the company help you with the permitting process? These are important questions to ask, especially if you are a business owner with little time to devote to the project.
About Standard Steel Buildings: Standard Steel Buildings is a Texas-based steel building design and marketing company that handles all phases of steel buildings, from concept to delivery. The buildings are shipped from 12 manufacturing plants within the United States. All of their shipping points are American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) certified and are in good standing with the Metal Building Manufacturing Association. The company takes great pride in using American steel, ensuring their clients receive only the best quality steel church buildings available.

Silk Yarn And Its Production Process

2007-05-29T05:25:00.001-07:00

Silk fibre is the most beautiful natural fibre to be found by the human civilization. Well speaking of the history of this special fibre, all credit goes to the Chinese Empress three millennia before when she thought of doing some good for her people. Her act of doing well for the Chinese has blessed the world with such a wonderful fibre. Silk Yarns and apparels are in good demand all through out the year producing good textile business. China is the largest producer and exporter of silk globally. The silk produced in china is popular by the name ‘China Silk’ prefixes to all products.
Now let’s look at the traditional production process of the cultivated silk fibre. The natural habitat for a silk worm is the mulberry tree which id cultivated in large numbers for the breeding of the silk worm. The production of cultivated silk is known as sericulture.
1. Hatching of Eggs: The silk moth lays eggs. When the eggs hatch the caterpillars are fed mulberry leaves. When the silkworms are about 35 days old they are 10,000 times heavier than when they hatched. They are now ready to spin a silk cocoon.
2. Silk production by worm: The silk is produced in two glands in the silkworm’s head and the forced out in liquid form through openings called spinnerets. The silk solidifies when it comes in contact with the air. The silkworm spins approximately 1 mile of filament and completely encloses itself in a cocoon in about 2 or three days.
3. Transition of the worm: The silkworm then goes through stages and changes into a moth; however, the silkworm is usually killed with heat before it reaches this stage. The silkworms are killed because once they reach the moth stage; the moth secretes a fluid to dissolve the silk so it can emerge from the cocoon. This damages the cocoon and the silk and the silk then becomes a lower quality. Some silkworms are allowed to live to be used for breeding.
4. Raw Fibre Obtained: The silk is obtained from the undamaged cocoons by brushing the cocoon to find the outside ends of the filament. The silk filaments are then wound on a reel. One cocoon contains approximately 1,000 yards of silk filament. The silk at this stage is known as raw silk. A yarn can now be formed by combining several filaments of silk.

ISO 9001 - 2000 -- Implement Your Quality Management System With Minimum Headaches

2007-05-29T05:24:00.004-07:00

If you have been unlucky enough to have been saddled with the onerous task of achieving ISO 9001:2000 compliance for your company, this article may prove to be your big break. At the very least it will put you on a minimum fuss path to ISO 9001 certification. It may very well also rescue your career, because--as you already know--as a great deal is riding on your success.
ISO, of course, stands for the International Organization of Standardization, a worldwide organization responsible for the development of many different kinds of standards. ISO 9001:2000 is the most recent version of their Quality Management System Standard. It consists of a collection of documentation that describes how a company should implement their quality management system.
To achieve certification, a company must produce both a Quality Manual and a Quality Procedures Manual. This is no light undertaking. These manuals must be audited by a registrar for compliancy, and renewed at the end of each 3 year period. The larger and more complex your company, the more difficult the process will be.
So why would a company chose to conform to an ISO 9001 profile? Rarely is it because it seems like a good idea. Many companies are filled with bright people who can develop their own quality management system. The primary motivating force is market pressure. Your quality management system may well be up to scratch, but who is to say?
A potential customer surveying the marketplace, and presented with two or more competing companies he might choose to do business with, needs to feel good about his final choice. If the decision comes down to who has the best quality management system in place, common sense suggests he go with the company that has gone through the ISO 9001 certification process.
In the long run, an organization that implements an ISO 9001 system is likely to discover the company runs better, with improved performance and higher profitability. But for a company just getting started, such considerations are often seen as "ideals" that get short shrift as managers race to make the company profitable in the shortest amount of time. It therefore takes commitment and foresight, as well as an acute understanding of market vision in order to get to the ISO 9001 finish line.
If your company already has a decent quality management system in place, your main task will be to redesign the system so that it addresses all the sticking points of the ISO 9001 documentation. If your company is large, this may prove to be some not insignificant undertaking.
You might be tempted to hire ISO 9001 consultants. This will be expensive, and may not in fact lead to the desired result, which is a streamlined version of the Quality Manual and Quality Procedures Manual that you must submit for certification.
The reason for this is that consultants never fully appreciate the scope and depth of your company, and cannot be expected to share the urgency of your plight to get it right the first time. For this reason, choosing the right in-house person to head the job may be the best option for your company. Perhaps, even, that person is you. If so, you definitely have your work cut out for you, particularly if you work for a company of any real size.
The benefit, and it is a big one, of having been tasked with preparation for ISO 9001 certification is that your personal value to the company is going to be cemented--no, it will be cast in iron--by a successful conclusion to certification.
The trick then, is to find a way to achieve the desired result WITHOUT saddling yourself with all the headaches this job can provide. If you have already peeked at the ISO 9001:2000 documentation you can be forgiven for thinking that you may have bit off more than you can chew. Going from zero to sixty on this task can seem like a formidable proposition.
But it need not. If it seems like you are destined to begin dreaming that you personally will be taking the ISO 9001 certification test, night after restless night, instead of your quality management system, take heart. Because there is a way to get a jump start on the process, and avoid so much of the hassle that you have taken on.

Cotton And Its End Products

2007-05-29T05:24:00.003-07:00

Cotton continues to be the number one fibre in the world today. The demand for cotton product rises to manifold during the summer season. Fabric can also be made from recycled or recovered cotton that would otherwise be thrown away during the spinning, weaving or cutting process. While many fabrics are made completely of cotton, some materials blend cotton with other fibers.
Cotton linters are fine, silky fibers which adhere to the seeds of the cotton plant after ginning. These curly fibers are typically less than 1/8in, 3mm long. The term may also apply to the longer textile fiber staple lint as well as the shorter fuzzy fibers from some upland species. Linters are traditionally used in the manufacture of paper and as a raw material in the manufacture of cellulose.
The cottonseed which remains after the cotton is ginned is used to produce cottonseed oil, which after refining can be consumed by humans like any other vegetable oil. The cottonseed meal that is left is generally fed to livestock. In the past, cotton seeds were used as an abortifacient, that is, a folk remedy to provoke abortion. Shiny cotton is a processed version of the fibre that can be made into cloth resembling satin for shirts and suits. However, its hydrophobic property of not easily taking up water makes it unfit for the purpose of bath and dish towels (although examples of these made from shiny cotton are seen. Cotton continues to be the wonder fibre amongst all other fibres. In Cotton trade has helped US to become the world leader.

Starting a Mobile Oil Change Business - Local Market Assessment Considerations

2007-05-29T05:24:00.001-07:00

So you want to start a mobile oil change business do you? Well you better do a careful assessment of the local market and the suppliers available before you start. Maybe they might even help you get started, who knows?
The large Oil Companies and their distributors often have deals or programs and most of these are predicated on the amount of oil you will buy in the future. I have seen no-interest loans, grants to help in the building of your business, discounts on inventory and co-marketing branding for dealers or oil change companies.
Not all the oil companies are interested in the mobile oil change format due to its small footprint and therefore unless you had some big fleet accounts you might find their assistance somewhat non-existent. Indeed, you seem to also be looking for capital.
If you do not have enough money saved to start such a business, putting yourself into debt or obligating yourself might be foolish. If you are already in business, how come that business is not successful? If you not good at business and now you are starting a new one, are you so sure this is a good idea?
You should pick up a copy of NOLN.com and see what the market is doing right now, these deals change often and are somewhat based on competition, luckily the oil companies are flush and in OH there seems to be a substantial amount of Jobbers, Distributors and companies to go and talk to.
Once you pick a brand to go with you need to stick with it. Some companies that own fleets are under warranty issues with their equipment manufacturer to use a certain type of oil, one you might not carry if you go with a sponsor.
So, if you are ready to sign a big account and they specify a brand you cannot take due to a pre-existing contract, you lose that potential. Or you can start another company with a friend and do it, if that is not also stipulated in the contract that you can't. Oil companies are not stupid and do not like to be played.
It appears to me that most start-up entrepreneurs in the mobile oil change business are in over their heads and need to get real and dump this brain storm idea actually. So that is my opinion. You need a lot more education on the reality before you start screwing around in oil change industry.

RoHS - The Challenges of Compliance in the Distribution Channel

2007-05-29T05:23:00.002-07:00

There are many resources for information about RoHS compliance on the Internet. It is sometimes difficult, however, to get to a clear and direct answer for some questions. On March 1, 2007, ‘China RoHS’ became effective, and with that came a flurry of conversation about compliance, who is compliant, what constitutes compliance, and how that compliance is being implemented. This can make for confusing situations for Distributors who ultimately rely on compliance and compliance certification from its OEM Suppliers.
When the EU-RoHS Directive (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) took effect in July 2006 the rollout was time consuming, but smooth. It currently appears that most manufacturers are compliant and all old stock has been removed. However, little, if any, attention has been paid to the ‘China RoHS’, “Law of the People’s Republic of China for the Promotion of Clean Production” and the “Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution by Solid Wastes” and other related statutes. While there is crossover between the EU-RoHS Directive and the ‘China RoHS’ Laws they are not identical. Most importantly they require different labeling.
The current practice of most Manufacturers is to provide a letter to its Distributor claiming that products are compliant with China-RoHS. Most Manufacturers refuse to label the product according to the China directives. In these cases, the responsibility is passed on to the Distribution Channel to choose whether they want to be held accountable for marking the product on behalf of the supplier OEM and subsequently take the responsibility for the compliance of the product. Ultimately, it would seem that whoever marks the product would be the one taking responsibility for the compliance of the product.
In a recently issued whitepaper by Symphony Consulting, “Transition to RoHS: The Seven Common Pitfalls to Avoid”, the implication is that if a Distributor supplies the product and certifies it as compliant and it is later determined that it contains a banned chemical, the manufacturer whose logo appears on the product could be banned from that country. This could also include severe fines if the non-compliance event is due to negligence and/or willful misconduct.
These implications travel up and down the supply chain for the Distribution Channel. If we certify compliance based on a letter from the supplier OEM and label the product and if it’s found to be non-compliant, then our contracted relationship could be damaged with our supplier OEM. If we provide to our OEM customer a component product that is certified with a letter and marked by the Distributor but found to not be compliant, the implication is severe for the OEM customer.
The situation is precarious. Why was the EU-RoHS Directive carried out swiftly and effectively and the ‘China RoHS’ all but ignored? It will be interesting to see how the compliance is handled in the future for ‘China RoHS’ as demand increases.

Building a Business Plan Pro Forma for a Mobil Oil Change Business

2007-05-29T05:23:00.001-07:00

It is wise to set the business plan no matter what type of business you are starting. If you buy a business plan book sometimes it is hard to find a sample business plan of a business which is similar in nature to the one you wish to start. For instance let's say you wish to run a Mobil oil change business; the chance of you finding a business plan sample that is similar will be difficult.
So then how do you build your business plan pro forma if you're going to start a Mobil oil change business and you want to put in the financials or the estimates? Here are some thought on that subject:
Most of this depends on the type of customer base. For instance most of our business is "Fleet Business" and while other competing companies generally do some fleets and some personal cars. As far as labor goes that is a major consideration for a business plan pro forma and here's some advice and thoughts on the subject:
Jiffy Lube has technicians and pays them about $8.00 per hour, Wal-Mart even less to start. A mobile service might need one or two technician helpers and one main truck manager Technician at $15.00 per hour. For fleet work, because you need more people to do a line of 10-50 trucks, buses or work vehicles.
Personal cars are tough, but corporate on-site oil changes for employees is popular, once per month in the corner of the lot, this is best done with two people, One clean cut and another worker. Wages vary by city - assume $10.00 per hour for one and $8.00 for the other, with some bonus incentives. Labor is tight and some areas that will not fly and the pay scale will go up accordingly.
Realize there is a shortage of Auto Techs in the US currently and it is about 145,000 and growing. The main truck manager will need a percentage share of the gross take if you are to keep him, otherwise someone will hire him away - sometimes customers try? Ouch.
For your Business Plan Pro Forma - Hard Costs include $3.00 filter, $4.00 oil for cars. For trucks it varies filters oil and fuel can run $30.00 sometimes, Oil $15.00. Then there are all the various size vehicles, LLVs (USPS), police cars, Bread Trucks, Street Sweepers, Buses, dump trucks, garbage trucks, 18-wheelers, Isuzu box trucks, etc. It all varies and depends on your account line up. I sincerely hope this helps you in designing your business plan.