Articles
Creating and insuring an electrically safe work condition is critical for electricians performing maintenance on de-energized systems.The presence of voltage is the only determining factor if an electrical accident or an arc flash can possibly occur --... more »
Efforts to control noise and vibration in a wide range of mechanisms and devices inevitably require the use of passive acoustical materials. To achieve the greatest performance per dollar requires not only the correct choice of materials, but also an... more »
Many methods exist for removing oil from water. Oil skimmers are capable of removing the bulk of oil from wastewater applications. While helping industry meet government requirements for water discharge, oil skimmers also save coolant, conserve parts-wash... more »
Energy makes up at least 25-35% of industrial facilities' operating costs and is the single largest nonhuman operating expense. Managers and buyers are often challenged with the goal of reducing energy costs but at the same time, they cannot compromise... more »
Linear motors offer a combination of high force, speed, and accuracy that makes them ideal for applications such as grinding machines and large mold-making machines. They are also ideal in material handling applications. However, getting the most out... more »
In an open supply chain, communication is the key to compatibility, and you need an identification label that speaks both languages. Hybrid tag/labels allow the supply chain to access information using either RFID and/or bar code technology. The RFID... more »
While most companies recognize the importance of routine maintenance for their industrial equipment, many risk permanent damage when they fail to take appropriate steps to mothball the equipment.The risk is real: equipment that is not properly mothballed... more »
Recently, a company that sought to temporarily shut down a papermaking machine consulted ExxonMobil because of an unusual situation. The papermaking machine was located next to a similar machine that would not be shut down.To begin the process, filter... more »
Vacuum pressure, created by any pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, is the method of choice for companies to move products. The two most popular vacuum pump contenders are compressed air-driven pumps, commonly referred to as generators, and electromechanical... more »
The demand for improved line efficiencies and reduced costs has manufacturers increasingly looking to automated material handling for a solution. Where speeds are low, depalletizing and palletizing operations can be served by manual labor. As speeds increase... more »
In a manufacturing setting, vision sensors are used in a variety of control systems, for everything from making sure a robot places a part correctly to inspecting packaged food for quality. A vision sensor uses a camera to capture an image and then a... more »
In the never-ending quest to improve quality and shorten lead time, engineer to order (ETO) manufacturers are finding that a rules-driven approach to automating key design, engineering, and manufacturing processes can significantly streamline their operations.... more »
This article provides an overall review of different types of infrared calibration sources (Blackbody sources) and how they differ, and how to choose and use them properly in the field.Understanding your infrared calibration source doesn't have to be... more »
The function of the flame-sensing rod is to tell the controller that the main gas burners have ignited. If no flame is present after a certain amount of time, the controller needs to take the appropriate actions, first of which is to close the gas valves... more »
As recently as a few decades ago, manufacturers assumed that energy costs were simply an uncontrollable cost. But such attitudes became outdated with the advent of variable speed drives and power-monitoring technologies capable of making energy a manageable... more »
Does this scenario sound familiar? "We just invested millions of dollars in our business systems and have difficulty synchronizing data with the plant floor." This is a trend that is happening throughout the supply chain.Businesses are investing millions... more »
Center for Engineering Logistics & Distribution (CELDi) University of Arkansas Through basic research, collaborative applied research with industry, technology transfer, and education, CELDi is a catalyst for developing the engineering logistics methodology... more »
Dual skirts seal main brush compartment door of Model 6600/6650, preventing dust and debris from escaping. Easy-to-operate sweeper offers intuitive control and power steering, plus single-button activation of routine that opens hopper door, lowers and... more »
Operating in license-free 2.4 GHz ISM band, spread-spectrum BusWorks OS2400-485 transmits/receives RS232/ 422/485 data as master, slave, or repeater. Integral router handles Modbus and DNP3 protocols. Full-duplex, asynchronous communication yields data... more »
Designed for embedded systems, Model PCM-COM8 supports asynchronous serial communication via RS232/422/485 on 8 channels. To minimize bandwidth requirements on CPU, each transmit and receive channel boasts dedicated 128-byte FIFO buffer. Twin serial communication... more »