Articles
A compressed air audit is a useful tool for reducing energy consumption and proper sizing of compressors.Background Compressed air is widely recognized as industry's fourth utility. It is the only utility the end user has the sole responsibility to produce... more »
New requirements in the 2005 NEC® for a marked short-circuit current rating on industrial control panels, industrial machinery, and commercial/industrial HVAC equipment have resulted in considerable attention being placed upon the proper selection and... more »
If you could reduce maintenance time for a critical system at your facility by 50% or more, would you be interested? And if you could document the financial savings for that reduction, would that be valuable to your department? Thanks to recent developments... more »
A program designed to eliminate confusion and guesswork when selecting an air compressor or compressed air dryer has been developed by the Compressed Air and Gas Institute (CAGI), the leading organization representing manufacturers of compressed air system... more »
With easy setup and operator-friendly graphical user interface, SigLEAK integrates seamlessly into manufacturing processes. Communication and network options supported include Ethernet, Interbus, Profibus, and DeviceNet. Using Sciemetric's advanced signature... more »
Warehouse space is always at a premium, and maximizing both storage capacity and access to inventory can place a burden upon a company. Here are several solutions.Portable RacksFluctuating or constantly shifting inventory can cause space to be wasted... more »
The use of variable-frequency drives (VFDs) to control ac motors has increased dramatically in recent years.In addition to their low operating cost and high performance, they save energy.Today, the challenge facing system designers and engineers is to... more »
Opening ArgumentsThe time has come to make a decision about your storage equipment. You have many options, but one overriding important decision you need to make is whether to go with drawer storage cabinets or traditional shelving. Certainly there are... more »
The 5-S System is one of the most powerful activities of Lean Manufacturing. The 5-S philosophy focuses on simplifying the work environment, reducing waste, and improving quality and safety. It is the natural place to start your Lean effort -- because... more »
Designers of products that incorporate fluid transfer face many challenges when it comes to connecting hoses and tubing efficiently and cost effectively. While all fluid transfer lines found on motorcycles, inkjet printers, medical devices, or portable... more »
Despite the economic advantages and significant energy savings available by using ac variable frequency drives in HVAC applications, many building operators do not repair or replace drives when they fail; this is because the motors easily can continue... more »
Why Consider a Hot Melt?Under constant pressure to improve processes, manufacturers face the challenge of selecting from an array of sealing technologies. In addition to traditional adhesive tapes and liquid sealants, manufacturers can now choose among... more »
Compressed air is your most expensive utility. This fact has been documented time and time again. It takes 7-8 hp of electricity to produce 1 hp in an airtool. Yet this high energy cost quite often is overlooked. Here are some questions you should ask... more »
Every contractor has two main goals at the start of a new project: to do the job right in a timely manner, and to minimize accidents on the job site by providing workers with superior safety.The chances of a dangerous accident occurring can be greatly... more »
All energized transformers "hum" due to the alternating flux in the core, producing a phenomenon known as magnetostriction. Commonly referred to as "noise," it is primarily produced by the core at a fundamental frequency of twice the applied frequency.... more »
Technical paper outlines fundamental revisions undertaken by the company to its incremental linear encoders, delivering higher positioning accuracy and higher traversing speed, due to improved signal quality; and higher tolerance to contamination(407... more »
Designers turn to self-clinching fasteners when they need a practical method to provide threads in thin-metal sheets.The fasteners install permanently; reduce hardware; and promote thinner and lighter designs.In stainless applications, though, designers... more »
U.S. Labor Dept statistics indicate that an average of over 4,000 non-disabling and 3,000 disabling electrical contact work-related injuries are recorded annually in the United States. Additionally, OSHA records state that one person is electrocuted at... more »
Ball bearings in electric motors support and locate the rotor, keep the air gap small and consistent, and transfer loads from the shaft to the motor frame.When a stray current in a machine uses a bearing as its path to ground, the resulting damage is... more »
Ball bearings are very precise mechanisms that, in many cases, have geometrical tolerances measured in millionths of an inch. When handling, inspecting, or mounting bearings, one should treat them as precision instruments. Poor handling techniques cause... more »