July 07, 2008
Warner Linear Publishes New Linear Actuator Catalog
Updated to include complete line of controls
July 7, 2008 — Belvidere, IL — Warner Linear, an Altra Industrial Motion company, has included a complete line of actuator controls in the company’s newly published, 52-page Electric Linear Actuator Catalog. The controls are suitable for a variety of applications, ranging from simple switch box controls for basic extend/react functions to advanced microprocessor-based digital electronic controls.
The new actuator controls are compatible with the complete line of Warner Linear Actuator products. These controls allow customers to control actuator units from remote areas to open and close windows or vents, stop at predesignated positions, and provide positioning feedback in volts via Programmable Logic Control.
The catalog features Warner Linear’s full line of standard M-Track, A-Track, and B-Track Electric Actuators. Configurator pages help customers select connectors, plugs, and wiring as they configure a control. Mounting information, performance features, and an application data form are also included. The catalog is available for download at www.warnerlinear.com
For more information about Warner Linear, visit www.warnerlinear.com
About Altra Industrial Motion
Altra Industrial Motion (NASDAQ: AIMC) is a leading multinational designer, producer and marketer of a wide range of electromechanical power transmission products. The company brings together strong brands covering over 40 product lines with production facilities in nine countries. Our leading brands include Warner Electric, TB Wood’s, Boston Gear, Formsprag Clutch, Wichita Clutch, Ameridrives Couplings, Kilian Manufacturing, Marland Clutch, Nuttall Gear, Stieber Clutch, Twiflex Limited, Bibby Transmissions, Matrix International, Inertia Dynamics, Huco-Dynatork and Warner Linear.
Posted by Industrial at 11:20 AM | Comments (0)
May 15, 2008
Twenty Questions to Energize Your Safety Process
Great Leaders ask Great Questions:
Twenty Questions to Energize Your Safety Process
By Carl and Deb Potter
Questions – A tool for leaders
Did you ever play the game “Twenty Questions” as a kid? Maybe your mom liked to ask you questions, such as “Where were you?” “Who were you with?” “Do you know what time it is?” Most of us don’t like to be hammered with questions, but we do like to give our opinions. Great leaders understand that about people and work to find ways to ask questions that invite input and stimulate dialog. When it comes to safety, leaders can use questions to gain significant insight into the state of the organization.
No Such Thing as a Dumb Question
No questions are dumb, some are just better than others. Creating questions to gain understanding about your organization requires both art and science. They should be open-ended, not lead to a specific answer, encourage the participant to answer honestly and openly, and be directed toward a topic yet not so specific as to allow a one or two word answer. It’s important to develop your ability to ask follow-up questions, too. If you’ve ever watched a TV lawyer (or a real one, for that matter) you’ve seen this technique in action. The attorney will ask the witness a question, wait for an answer, then follow up with a question, “Then what happened?” You can also learn this technique by watching great talk show interviewers such as Larry King or Oprah Winfrey. They’ve made their careers on their ability to ask great questions.
Make a List and Check it Twice
Have you ever realized that it was a good idea to ask questions, but you just can’t think of any – especially open-ended ones? You’re not alone. It happens to all of us. One technique that works is to make a list of open-ended questions and add to it. Keep your list in your daily planner and refer to it frequently. Assess your questions to see if you can improve them or add to them.
Here is a list of twenty questions to get you started. What questions can you add to the list?
1. How safe do you feel doing your job?
2. What do you hear employees say about safety in our company?
3. What is the last safety training course you attended?
Continue reading "Twenty Questions to Energize Your Safety Process"
Posted by Industrial at 06:51 PM | Comments (0)
April 22, 2008
Warner Electric Launches UNIBRAKE® AC Motor Brakes
April 22, 2008 — South Beloit, IL — Warner Electric, an Altra Industrial Motion company, announces new UNIBRAKE® AC Motor Brakes. These spring-applied motor brakes feature a simple design with fewer moving parts to reduce downtime for stop/hold applications found in material handling, food processing, and baggage handling equipment.
Single-phase AC coils offer fast engagement and release times and easy wiring.
Complete product information is available at Warner Electric’s new UNIBRAKE website (www.WarnerElectricACMotorBrake.com
About Altra Industrial Motion
Altra Industrial Motion (NASDAQ: AIMC) is a leading multinational designer, producer and marketer of a wide range of electromechanical power transmission products. The company brings together strong brands covering over 40 product lines with production facilities in nine countries. Our leading brands include Warner Electric, TB Wood’s, Boston Gear, Formsprag Clutch, Wichita Clutch, Ameridrives Couplings, Kilian Manufacturing, Marland Clutch, Nuttall Gear, Stieber Clutch, Twiflex Limited, Bibby Transmissions, Matrix International, Inertia Dynamics, Huco-Dynatork and Warner Linear.
Posted by Industrial at 01:26 AM | Comments (0)
April 21, 2008
Warner Electric Launches Clutch Brake Positioning Control For baggage handling applications
April 21, 2008 — South Beloit, IL — Warner Electric, an Altra Industrial Motion company, announces the new 3590 Clutch Brake Positioning Control (CBPC) for closed-loop control operation in baggage handling applications.
The new CBPC-3590 is designed to work with packaged clutch brakes commonly used in luggage pusher equipment. It directly replaces Warner Electric’s CBC-1500-AHFC model and features several enhancements.
One-board, microprocessor-based design greatly simplifies and speeds initial setup.
Internal display and keypad prevents unauthorized access to settings.
Fault notification feature includes offline relay option.
Optional OEX add-on board accommodates extreme cycle rates and precision starts and stops.
The new CBPC-3590 has the same mounting footprint and cable hook-up as the original CBC-1500-AHFC model and operates to the following specifications:
Input Power: 120 VAC, +/- 10%, 50-60 Hz, Single Phase, 300 VA maximum
Fusing: 1.6 Amp, 250 V fast acting (5x20mm)
Output: Adjustable 0 – 90 VDC pulse width modulated full wave rectified DC via keypad
One amp per channel maximum
Output Frequency: Adjustable from 60 to 400 Hz. via keypad
Start Input: 120 VAC, 50-60Hz signal. Minimum on time of 0.02 seconds (20 milliseconds), maximum on time 0.100 seconds (100 milliseconds)
Positioning accuracy: Less than +/-4 degrees
Stopping accuracy: Less than +/-4 degrees
Complete service and installation instructions are available on the Warner Electric website at http://www.warnerelectric.com/pdf/819-0526_P-291-1WE.pdf. For technical, hook-up, and operating questions, call technical support at 800-825-9050. For information about other Warner Electric products, visit www.warnerelectric.com
About Altra Industrial Motion:
Altra Industrial Motion (NASDAQ: AIMC) is a leading multinational designer, producer and marketer of a wide range of electromechanical power transmission products. The company brings together strong brands covering over 40 product lines with production facilities in nine countries. Our leading brands include Warner Electric, TB Wood’s, Boston Gear, Formsprag Clutch, Wichita Clutch, Ameridrives Couplings, Kilian Manufacturing, Marland Clutch, Nuttall Gear, Stieber Clutch, Twiflex Limited, Bibby Transmissions, Matrix International, Inertia Dynamics, Huco-Dynatork and Warner Linear.
Posted by Industrial at 01:18 AM | Comments (0)
January 31, 2008
INTRODUCING G-FLEX GRID COUPLINGS FROM TB WOOD’S
Designed for reliability and performance
January 29, 2008 — Chambersburg, PA — TB Wood’s Incorporated, an Altra Industrial Motion Company, announces the availability of TB Wood’s G-Flex Grid Couplings based on state-of-the-art Bibby Transmissions design.
G-Flex Couplings increase protection against shaft misalignment and vibration. The G-Flex grid spring is shot-peened to create a protective surface layer that resists fatigue and stress corrosion, dramatically increasing the strength and working life of the grid. The result is excellent reliability and maximum performance in demanding applications.
TB Wood’s G-Flex Grid Couplings are interchangeable with industry-standard Grid Couplings. Two models are available in stock: 1000T10 features a horizontal split cover, ideal for limited space applications; and 1000T20 features a vertically split cover, ideal for higher running speeds.
For more information, contact TB Wood’s Incorporated at 888-829-6637 or www.tbwoods.com
About Altra Industrial Motion:
Altra Industrial Motion is a leading multinational designer, producer and marketer of a wide range of electromechanical power transmission products.
Continue reading "INTRODUCING G-FLEX GRID COUPLINGS FROM TB WOOD’S"
Posted by Industrial at 06:18 PM | Comments (0)
July 22, 2007
All New Scalable, Mid-Range Leica GPS900 RTK System Features Power, Flexibility, & Speed to Drive One-Person Survey Operations
All New Scalable, Mid-Range Leica GPS900 RTK System Features Power, Flexibility, & Speed to Drive One-Person Survey Operations
Leica Geosystems introduces a feature-rich, glonass-enabled system uniquely equipped with upgradeability to future satellite positioning systems.
Norcross, GA (PRWEB) July 20, 2007 -- The Leica GPS900 family of products from Leica Geosystems are now available with even greater satellite tracking abilities, advanced color displays, and at an exceptionally affordable price. The heart of the GPS900 family includes the ATX900 GG GLONASS antenna with Leica Geosystems’ proven GNSS technology, and the RX900c WindowsCE® color controller with removable CF memory card. Together as a fully scalable mid-range solution, the GPS900 RTK system is ideal for a wide range of jobs including foundation and drainage work, alignment stakeout, instant volume calculations, topographic and as-built surveys.
The Leica GPS900 rover offers a choice of controllers, including the Leica RX900 with internal memory and now the new Leica RX900c that features a one-quarter VGA color display with outstanding clarity and a removable CF-card for easy data transfer.
The new Leica ATX900 GG is a 72-channel GNSS antenna with outstanding satellite tracking characteristics- even to low altitude satellites and in adverse conditions. Compatible with both the Leica RX900 and Leica RX900c, the new ATX900 GG provides fast acquisition and Leica Geosystems’ patented SmartCheck technology increasing the overall reliability and performance of GPS900, particularly in demanding situations.
Carl Singleton, product marketing manager for Leica Geosystems, emphasizes, “In terms of versatility, speed and functionality, this is a powerhouse system, all packaged in an easily transportable, rugged case. GPS900 is the only mid-range RTK GPS system out there that offers upgradeability to future satellite positioning systems, such as Galileo, as they become more operational. Aligned with Leica’s SmartCheck+ and SmartTrack+ technologies, we’re able to deliver one of the world’s best performing GPS systems.”
Posted by Industrial at 07:55 PM | Comments (0)
July 20, 2007
MetoKote, Industry Leader in Protective Coating Applications, Announces New Vice President
Lima, Ohio (PRWEB) July 19, 2007 -- MetoKote Corporation, Inc., the industry leader in protective coating applications services, including electrocoating (e-coat), powder coating and liquid paint, is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Pettibone to Vice President of Engineering.
Mr. Pettibone's responsibilities with MetoKote include research and development of coating system technologies, engineering, fabrication, and installation of coating systems, quality systems, purchasing, regulatory compliance and the global engineering function of MetoKote.
A native of Washington State, Mr. Pettibone earned his B.S. in Agricultural Engineering from Washington State University.
Prior to joining MetoKote, Mr. Pettibone spent seven years in engineering leadership positions in the consumer durable goods industry. He was responsible for the product design engineering of Maytag's consumer laundry products and, more recently, he served as Vice President of Engineering for Spectrum Brands, Inc. in Madison, Wisconsin.
Mr. Pettibone also has significant experience in the development and manufacture of mobile industrial machinery. This included four years as Vice President of Product Development for NACCO Materials Handling Group, Portland, Oregon, and Quality Assurance experience from his time as the Director of Quality Assurance and Engineering for Clark Materials Handling Company, Lexington, Kentucky.
Posted by Industrial at 08:03 PM | Comments (0)
July 19, 2007
Inpro/Seal Reports Record Sales and Reasons Why
Inpro/Seal attributes record sales of bearing isolators to zero energy consumption, product life cycle, same day shipping, product development, specially trained people.
Rock Island (PRWEB) July 19, 2007 -- At a time when many companies report declining sales figures and corporate reductions, Inpro/Seal Company reports that sales for the first half of 2007 were unquestionably the best in the their 30 year history.
The Rock Island manufacturer (and inventor) of bearing isolators also reports that advance orders, shipments and projections remain far ahead of expectations. The results follow on the heels of record sales in 2006, a production rate of 40,000 bearing isolators per month and a fast approaching milestone of their 3,000,000th bearing isolator.
Irrefutable Attributes Unique To Inpro/Seal
The company states that much of their success is related to attributes unique to the Inpro/Seal brand. These attributes have helped make Inpro/Seal become the largest supplier of bearing isolators in the world. In fact, today, most of the Fortune 500 companies in the process industries and over half of the world's industrial countries use Inpro/Seal products in critical maintenance roles.
These unique and irrefutable characteristics include: zero energy consumption; no cost same day shipping option; ongoing training of sales people and end users; an active R & E program backed by a laboratory that operates 24/7; ongoing investments in the future; industry leading warranty; only bearing isolator with a vapor blocking ring; documented 20 year life expectancy; widest product range; largest data bank of its kind; latest and best non-contacting labyrinth sealing technology and more. A performance based, "free" bearing isolator program will soon be available.
Zero Energy Consumption
According to David C. Orlowski, President and founder of Inpro/Seal Company, "When engaged with a rotating shaft, a contact seal, (lip seal or face seal) consumes, on average, 147 watts of power while operating. To show how significant this can be, if every bearing isolator that Inpro/Seal shipped in 2004 was used to replace an energy consuming lip seal, the energy savings alone would total in excess of thirty million dollars. Then, add to that the cost of downtime. Bearing isolators are non-contacting, never wear out and do not consume energy."
Our Schedule Is Your Schedule
Orlowski went on to say that, "Unscheduled downtime is expensive. In the process industries, downtime can run as high as $100,000 per hour. When it comes to vital parts or downtime, there are very few plants that can wait until next week. For this reason, we have maintained a No Extra Cost same day shipping option from day one, backed by a data bank over of 58,000 computer generated engineered designs".
According to Orlowski, "Sure, there are other people in the bearing isolator business and there are other kinds of bearing protection. The problem is that these are pretenders that offer life cycles measurable in months and may not even ship their products the same month, let alone the same day. Other bearing protection devices may or may not ship the same day, but with a finite life and a 100% failure rate, it simply does not make sense to lose time and money trying to make a cheap contacting type seal work".
People Business
Orlowski continued, "The cumulative efforts of our employees, including management, staff and distributors are key to the world class support, product development and enhancement that fuel our growth strategies. Our guideline is to promote from within, hire only the best possible people and maintain ongoing training in tribology, product application and process know-how. This also allows us to work with an educated customer. This is illustrated in the examples detailed below".
Better Than Same Day Shipping
Most of the time, same day shipment is satisfactory. However, due to a sense of urgency and costly downtime, Inpro/Seal has been able to deliver bearing isolators in a matter of hours.
Take the recent breakdown at one of the worlds largest paper mills. Located in the southern U.S., the mill had a breakdown when the shaft of a fan pump broke. The large a large 8" x 10' shaft snapped, destroying everything attached to it. With the plant shut down, it was costing tens of thousands of dollars. While the pump was being repaired, Inpro/Seal received an urgent order at 7 a.m. By 10 a.m. their shop manager placed the newly manufactured seals on an airplane and by 4:30 in the afternoon, it was in their hands."
Another recent example happened when a Detroit based auto manufacturer had a line go down when a non-protected machine tool spindle failed. They knew about Inpro/Seal, but this plant had not ordered from them. They called Inpro/Seal first thing in the morning, faxed a print of the spindle and dispatched a corporate jet. While it was in the air, Inpro designed and manufactured exact fit bearing isolators and had them at the airport by the time the jet landed.
Investing In The Future
The Inpro/Seal facility in Rock Island, Illinois is the largest of its kind in the world devoted to the engineering, research, testing, marketing, sales and manufacture of bearing isolators. Their current facilities, expanded as part of a major investment just a few years ago, includes the latest in (CNC) lathes, metal turning machines, presses, mills, CAD/CAM, sophisticated testing equipment as well as extensive laboratory and R & E operations. With these investments, Inpro/Seal is soon poised to produce some 100,000 bearing isolators per month.
Product Enhancements From A Very Active R & E Program
The Inpro/Seal R & E program continues to engineer new products and enhancements to existing products that increase plant productivity with measurable bottom line results. These examples illustrate how active their R & E is:
Pumps - every process pump manufacturer offers standard product lines with bearing protection that helps end users attain the highest levels of reliability and energy efficiency.
IEEE Motors - essentially a NEMA Premium motor with bearing protection, that set the standard in reliability and efficiency.
Powder Shaft Seal - a growing number of shaft seals that provide a positive seal in applications were dry particulates, powders and bulk solids are handled, processed, packaged and stored. Breakdown is virtually eliminated.
Continue reading "Inpro/Seal Reports Record Sales and Reasons Why"
Posted by Industrial at 08:20 PM | Comments (0)
February 22, 2007
The Safety Culture War:
Three Things You can do to Improve Your Safety Culture
By Carl and Deb Potter
Is there a Culture War in your Workplace?
Not too long ago an executive of a large company in a high-risk industry proudly displayed his handsome new shirt. The shirt had a company logo. Below the logo was a large "7" in bright yellow and a line below that read: Reduce Injuries to 7 in 2007.
What this leader didn't understand was that he was contributing to the safety culture war in his organization. Yet research shows that not every one has the same beliefs when it comes to workplace safety.
One Organization, Three Cultures
Think about your organization for a moment. Does everyone seem to be on the same page when it comes to safety? It's likely that if you spend time talking to people in different parts of the organization, you'll soon learn that you can group people into three categories of safety beliefs: workers, engineers, and executives. These three categories don't necessarily represent job titles, but rather viewpoints when it comes to safety. These perspectives represent safety sub-cultures in your organization. The farther apart the beliefs of the sub-cultures, the deeper the divide in your organization.
Different Perspectives, Different Beliefs
Let's examine the three sub-cultures that seem to exist in most organizations:
1. Workers. Front-line employees who face hazards daily in the course of their work want to know that they can go home every day without an injury. They want to know that their leaders are there to create and support an environment where nobody gets hurt. The perspective in this sub-culture is people.
Engineers. The engineering sub-culture typically is concerned about systems and equipment. People in this sub-culture want to know how to improve equipment, tools, and processes to improve safety. They rely on statistics as their yard-stick. After an incident occurs, the focus is on improving equipment or systems. The perspective in this sub-culture is process.
Executives. The executive sub-culture focuses on the cost of safety, usually in terms of dollars. This culture may include executives and managers as well as people with accounting and budgeting responsibilities. The primary question these people ask is: How much is that going to cost? The perspective in this sub-culture is profits.
These different beliefs exist in an organization primarily because of the perspective that different parts of the organization play and because they haven't been exposed to different perspectives or a unifying perspective.
Continue reading "The Safety Culture War:"
Posted by Industrial at 03:43 AM | Comments (0)
February 20, 2007
NEW WARNER ELECTRIC MAGNETIC CAPPING HEADSETS
February 20, 2007 — South Beloit, IL — Warner Electric announces innovative new magnetic capping headsets that drop into new or existing rotary capping machines. These new headsets demonstrate improved performance over the traditional synchronous OEM headsets.
Warner Electric Magnetic Capping Headsets feature smooth torque magnetic technology; eliminating pulsing, vibration, and its related product and maintenance problems. The headsets also provide fast, precise torque adjustment and long-lasting, dependable performance.
The bottling industry has spent years struggling with the challenge of OEM capping machines using synchronous clutches with pulsating torque. OEM headsets tighten caps with a pulsating or hammering impact magnetic torque. This pulsating or hammering impact torque causes shock loads which lead to cap over-tightening, inconsistent removal torques, and accelerated wear on machine parts, especially spindle assemblies and retention knives.
Warner Electric Magnetic Capping Headsets feature smooth torque magnetic technology. These headsets are magnetic, but the static torque is perfectly smooth, with no pulsations or pounding. Smooth torque technology reduces variation in removal torque, providing the most consistent torque control on the market. This technology reduces shock on the system, enabling longer life of machine components, retention knives, and capping headsets.
Continue reading "NEW WARNER ELECTRIC MAGNETIC CAPPING HEADSETS"
Posted by Industrial at 02:00 PM | Comments (0)