IEN - January 2009 - (Page 12)

IEN / JANUARY ’09 pAgE 12 Problem Solvers No-Maintenance A/C Surface finishing OEM Jessup Engineering solved the persistent maintenance and reliability problems it experienced with air conditioners by replacing them with the Vortex A/C from ITW Vortec. Previously, refrigerantbased air conditioners would shut down in as little as 12 months because they were unable to withstand the corrosive environment of the typical surface finishing shop. According to Control Systems Engineer Chuck Danto, “There is really no maintenance or service involved with the Vortex A/C, so it’s one less thing that you have to maintain, adjust, or even worry about and that makes our customers happy.” ITW Air Management; 800-441-7475 www.ieninfo.com/11222-154 or circle 154 on card . . . read the full stories and other case histories in their entirety at www.ien.com/problem-solvers. Email submissions to ienedit@iennet.com. Efficiency on Loading Dock Dallas Morning News is one of the few newspapers that delivers its Sunday advertising inserts bundled in plastic bags. At its 132,000 sq ft facility, a state-ofthe-art identifying and tracking system customizes delivery of these advertising sections so they get to the correct destination. Serco Hydraulic Levelers and TKO Dock Doors play an important role in ensuring these ad bundles get out the door without disrupting ever-tightening schedules. According to Assistant Director of Collating Operations Doug Barlow, the present operation could be expanded in the future, and if it is, “the Serco and TKO dock equipment will be ready to handle the traffic.” TKO Dock Doors (4Front Engineered Solutions, Inc.); 877-408-6788 www.ieninfo.com/11222-157 or circle 157 on card www.ieninfo.com/11222-151 or circle 151 on card Shrink-Wrapped Choppers Kaman Aerospace Corp chose Corrosion Intercept shrink wrap from Engineered Materials to protect refurbished helicopters on their return trip across the Pacific to the Australian Department of Defense. “You might think salt-water spray poses the main corrosion danger during a sea voyage,” says EMI President Keith W. Donaldson. “Even more hazardous are the hydrogen chloride and carbonyl sulfide gases that erupt from the ocean’s surface. These gases are highly corrosive.” Corrosion Intercept has copper atoms chemically locked into its polymer matrix. The copper attracts corrosive agents trying to seep through the film and neutralizes them. Engineered Materials, Inc.; 847-821-8280; Tech Contact: Keith Donaldson www.ieninfo.com/11222-155 or circle 155 on card Standardizing Press Brakes BAE Systems’s armored vehicle complex in Cincinnati produces underbody armor components to increase Humvee protection against land mines and buried homemade bombs. The most critical elements in its manufacturing process are the press brakes, whose precision and consistency are essential. Since robots go to the same spot every time, if a bend is off, the set is ruined. To minimize variation, the plant standardized on Proform machines from Cincinnati, Inc., along with interchangeable dies and programs. “We’re able to standardize our training, our tooling, bends, programs and methods, and our maintenance,” says Plant Manager Dan Sizemore. “Along with reducing variation, this gives us maximum flexibility in scheduling and assigning personnel.” Cincinnati, Inc.; 513-367-7100 www.ieninfo.com/11222-158 or circle 158 on card www.ieninfo.com/11222-152 or circle 152 on card Safer Chemical Transfer Everyday at Carolina Casting a large volume of acetone has to be dispensed for the manufacture of polyester resin-based products for the furniture industry. The job requires moving 350 lb, faucetequipped drums of the chemical from the chemical storage room to another location and then placing them on a cradle in a prone position for dispensing. As a result, the process of transferring the flammable solvent often resulted in spills. “We decided to try a pressure action pump sourced from GoatThroat Pumps,” reports Plant Engineer Dan Stiles. “These polypropylene pumps proved reliable and permitted us to keep our drums safely in an upright position.” Westcott Distribution, Inc.; 646-486-3636; Tech Contact: Nancy Westcott www.ieninfo.com/11222-156 or circle 156 on card www.ieninfo.com/11222-153 or circle 153 on card Versatile ESD Workstation After a fire several years ago, Automated Circuit Design (ACD) renovated its facility and installed about 50 Arlink 8000 modular workstations. Available in 5 industry-standard widths and 5 heights up to 84 in., the Arlink 8000 employs a unique starter and adder system, with the option of backto-back configurations and mobility. The workstations are used in the kitting stockroom, on the production floor, and in the test department. “We knew we were getting durable workstations that could meet all of our needs today and well into the future,” says Production Manager Bob Smith. Lista International Corp.; 800-722-3020 www.ieninfo.com/11222-159 or circle 159 on card http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-151 http://www.ien.com/problem-solvers http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-157 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-154 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-151 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-151 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-152 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-154 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-157 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-155 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-158 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-152 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-152 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-153 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-155 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-158 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-156 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-159 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-156 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-159 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-153 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-153

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IEN - January 2009 Contents Hot New Products MRO/Plant Maintenance Problem Solvers Focus: CAD/CAM/CAE Free Catalogs & Tech Tips Plant Efficiency: Cost Cutters Free Samples Lifestyle Engineering Now on IEN.com Trade Show: ProMat 2009 IEN Best Brands Winners IEN’s WebReviews: Sensors Resource Center Advertiser Contact

IEN - January 2009

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