Equipping a pneumatic or hydraulic valve with a solenoid coil adds a higher level of control to air or fluid flow regulation. Unlike regular valves that rely on changes in gas or fluid pressure to open or close, solenoid valves are operated electromechanically with a magnetized solenoid coil that responds to targeted electrical charges for precise flow control. Because of the ability to be controlled remotely and cued by sensors or hysteresis (device memory), the solenoid valve is an intelligent gadget. [Continue Reading Article]

Also used in dairy processing tanks, sanitary grade stainless steel tanks have a very specific type of finish. A sanitary finish, which is typically matte, is applied through electropolishing, as opposed to more typical mechanical and brushed finishes. The electropolishing process consists of a temperature-controlled bath in an electrically conductive solvent and a direct electrical current which is introduced to the bath. The result is that the outer surface of metal is completely removed with the kind of precision that can only be achieved through electrolytic processes. Sub-microscopic peaks and valleys on the surface of the stainless steel are removed, and the stainless steel regenerates a surface layer of passivised chromium oxide to protect it against rust and corrosion. [Continue Reading Article]

“Going Green” is a popular term nowadays. Usually it refers to an individual or a company promoting itself as operating in an environmentally friendly manner, whether though the use (or re-use) of materials, processes or utilities. When I was asked if I wanted to “go green” recently, I thought I would be reviewing a new lubricant for machinery or using some recycled materials. Little did I know I would be camping outdoors with a group of teenaged Girl Scouts and fellow female CEOs for a week entitled CAMP CEO in Connecticut! CAMP CEO is a program offered by the Girl Scouts of Connecticut to provide older Girl Scouts ages 15-17 the opportunity to learn professional skills from senior level women executives in a fun, casual camp setting. In this case, the term GREEN refers to both the outdoor experience and also the Girl Scouting organization. [Continue Reading Article]

Vacuum forming is a simpler process than injection molding, involving less equipment for the production of parts and requiring less tooling. Vacuum forming companies offer services that are economical yet still give customers the desired design flexibility for a wide range of plastic products because of low-cost tooling modifications. If you are looking for a cost-effective process for creating three-dimensional plastic products with sharp, precise details plus the option for trim and other visually appealing decoration, vacuum forming might just be the ticket. Known as a thermoforming process because it utilizes heat to make the plastic sheet or film pliable enough to form over and around a mold, vacuum forming serves industries such as food, cosmetics, medical, electronics, consumer products, toys, athletic equipment, appliance, automotive, office supplies, etc. The packaging industry deserves a separate mention because it relies heavily on vacuum formed items such as blister packs, inserts, trays and clamshells, all of which act to hold products in place as part of overall packaging protection, plus offer aesthetic appeal. [Continue Reading Article]

In 2005, Google introduced a "nofollow" method for changing the way search engines view links leading in and out of websites. Before the "nofollow" tag, all hyperlinks from your site to other sites "leaked" pagerank - which is, to put it very simply, a measure of how much authority your site has. This translates directly into how often your site is found by search engines like Google, and as every SEO nerd knows, Google love = visibility, and visibility = business. Regular hyperlinks pass along the pagerank your website has built up by dividing that rank proportionally between themselves. Think of it like inviting friends over for cookies. If you have 3 friends over for cookies and you made 9 cookies, those three friends will eat three cookies each. However, if you invite 9 friends over, each will only take one cookie. But the end result is the same: they took your cookies. [Continue Reading Article]

Georgetown, TX, May 7, 2009— R&D Molders, Inc. challenges industry standards with what industry observers are calling the first In-Mold Labeled or IML, round canister with a wall thickness of approximately 0.055” capped with an injection molded, one-of-a-kind closure. R&D Molders, Inc. partnered with Minatech, Inc. to achieve this new industry benchmark using a custom-engineered 6 axis Fanuc Robotic Cell for the canister, and a 300-ton Toyo injection molding machine for the closure. [Continue Reading Article]

Two weeks ago economists were far more optimistic about the state of the US economy than they had been in a year. An average of over 75% of economists who were polled in a number of surveys predicted the end of the recession to hit before 2010. Let's check back in and see if these positive trends were a fluke or if they're here to stay. ChangeWave's second and third quarter Corporate Report reads "U.S. Economy Stabilizes - Longer Term Outlook Showing Dramatic Improvement." In essence, more companies are meeting their revenue plans, hiring new staff and predicting positive returns for the next quarter. As to exactly how many more, just take a look at the dramatic dip in the graphs below. [Continue Reading Article]

With all the “green” alternative energy, recycling and sustainable manufacturing facilities popping up across the U.S., it seems only fitting to talk about heat exchangers. Recycling re-usable materials like aluminum, steel, HDPE, rubber and pulp products is a topic of frequent discussion in both consumer and manufacturing industries, but what about energy recycling? Industrial facilities and process manufacturers in pharmaceutical, bio-diesel, pulp and food process industries have been using the heat exchanger – a rather basic design concept – for decades to transfer heating and cooling. In recent years engineers have been tweaking the design, replacing typical coolants with gases or liquids which need to be heated anyway, allowing facilities to recycle their own energy. Automotive radiators, heater cores and evaporators work this way, with tubes of liquid coolant absorbing excess energy from the engine, which is then blown by fans into the car interior as heating. [Continue Reading Article]

ISO Certification - Don’t Go It Alone! When companies attempt to achieve ISO certification, they quickly realize it requires a huge company-wide effort. Also, the improper implementation of industry compliance can over-complicate processes and increase costs, which diminish the value of an ISO 9001:2000 certification. Bear in mind that the motivation behind this official recognition is to enhance the value and market strength of the company. This is done with a well-documented and followed set of procedures that define the processes resulting in the delivery of quality products and services. With continuous improvement imbedded in ISO requirements, obtaining the certification demonstrates a commitment to quality that lowers overall costs. This reflects a positive image to customers and the company’s stakeholders. Most firms struggle in completing this effort. A viable solution for companies getting it done right, and in a timely manner, is to enlist an experienced expert to help them implement their ISO 9000-based quality system. This case study provides an example of how this was done…and in record time. [Continue Reading Article]

From micro springs used in such devices as pacemakers to gigantic ones functioning within a NASA shuttle, we are surrounded by springs our entire lives. Our very own HyTech Spring and Machine Corporation, a master designer and manufacturer of miniature springs, precision springs and custom springs, emphasizes: “There are few products built today that don't rely on a spring.” So let’s take a look at the four main types of springs. [Continue Reading Article]

Last Friday we reviewed some statistics from Alliance News & Info, among other sources, indicating that our economic plummet may be coming to a close. Recent reportings from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) support this with similar findings, although the ISM is far more hesitant in declaring an end to the recession. "The decline in U.S. manufacturing is continuing to slow," reported Area Development Online on Tuesday. [Continue Reading Article]

The many unique values provided by stainless steel make it a powerful candidate in materials selection. Engineers, specifiers and designers often underestimate or overlook these values because of what is viewed as the higher initial ost of stainless steel. However, over the total life of a project, stainless is often the best value option. Stainless steel is essentially a low carbon steel which contains chromium at 10% or more by weight. It is the addition of chromium that gives the steel its unique stainless, corrosion resisting properties. The chromium content of the steel allows the formation of a tough, adherent, invisible, corrosion-resisting chromium oxide film on the steel surface. If damaged mechanically or chemically, this film is self-healing, rovided that oxygen, even in very small amounts, is present. The corrosion resistance and other useful properties of the steel are enhanced by increased chromium content and the addition of other elements such as molybdenum, nickel and nitrogen. [Continue Reading Article]

It's hard to imagine what the manufacturing industry was like before waterjet cutting. Sure, there was laser cutting, but waterjet cutting accomplishes so much more on such a wide spectrum of materials that it's difficult to believe we were ever able to manufacture parts without it. If you work in or own a job shop, you're likely already familiar with the range of materials that can be cut by waterjet - it's far easier to list which materials can't be cut by waterjets.They are: tempered glass, brittle ceramics and diamonds. [Continue Reading Article]

Piqua, OH – June 1, 2009 – Hartzell Fan, a leading manufacturer of industrial air moving equipment, received notice from the United States Patent Office that Patent Application #7,494,325 on the Adjustable Pitch Aluminum Prop (AL Prop) has been approved. This patent is based on the shape, arrangement, and location of the ribs that go the length of the blades and how they reduce the sound generated in the lower octave bands. [Continue Reading Article]