The previous ram-ready box disappeared, but the stock-style pump remains, mounted to the K10’s Ram-Jet 350 crate engine. Going with our “if it ain’t broke” theme, Offroad Design helped fill in the blanks. The company sells PSC-built hydraulic steering components for GM trucks, and it recommended the Economy steering box for this street/trail K10. This particular econo-box begins as a clean-core ’80-’87 Saginaw unit from a 2WD application. The ’80s cores are generally in better shape than the earlier ones, and 2WD versions have the stronger fully splined sector shafts. PSC rebuilds these base boxes with new seals and fresh internal parts as necessary. Because we’re adding a hydraulic ram, we got an assist-ready box tapped with ports in the optimal locations for feeding the ram cylinder. (A hose kit is available with the ram; we’re getting custom hoses with AN-6 fittings from Aeroquip.)
The previous box and pump had the later metric O-ring ports. The jury is hung between these and the earlier inverted-flare fittings. One school (the old one) says that inverted flares are more solid and less likely to leak. The other school answers that if you do spring a leak, it’s likely from a failed O-ring—a cheap, easy fix. Our existing engine-mounted pump/reservoir and the PSC box have metric ports, so we’ll connect them with the later-model OE-spec O-ring–style hoses.
Offroad Design says that the existing stock-style steering pump and reservoir are marginal—the assist cylinder and extra lines ideally call for increased fluid capacity. A PSC pump with remote reservoir would be optimal, but we’ll run what we brung, then upgrade when it dies. (When you’re retaining the OE pump, Watson recommends updating the older bolt-on pulleys to the later, more reliable press-on ones.) Because we’re running moderate tires and adding ram-assist, Offroad Design doesn’t feel that any high-flow tweaks are necessary. Some of the DIY tricks include drilling out the pump’s main fitting to increase flow, increasing pressure with fewer or thinner shims and by grinding the limiting stud, and stretching the spring to maintain the pressure at higher engine rpm. See the sidebar for other, more extreme tricks.
2011年8月31日星期三
2011年8月30日星期二
Hose monitoring/tagging maximize uptime, safety
Two Gates Sentry Hydraulic Services optimize system performance and minimize downtime as they monitor hose service life and identify replacement hose specifications.
Gates Sentry IQ Service is a predictive maintenance application. It continuously monitors hydraulic assemblies' pressure, temperature, and impulse cycles to gauge remaining hose life.
Gates Sentry ID Service is a highradiofrequency tagging system. It identifies and tracks specific hydraulic hose assemblies for replacement purposes.
Additional information on both services — offered to maximize hose uptime, efficiency, and safety — is yours free.
Gates Sentry IQ Service is a predictive maintenance application. It continuously monitors hydraulic assemblies' pressure, temperature, and impulse cycles to gauge remaining hose life.
Gates Sentry ID Service is a highradiofrequency tagging system. It identifies and tracks specific hydraulic hose assemblies for replacement purposes.
Additional information on both services — offered to maximize hose uptime, efficiency, and safety — is yours free.
2011年8月29日星期一
Develops Portable Multifunction System for Robot Work in Sewer Rehabilitation
KA-TE, the Swiss distributor of sewer rehabilitation robots, has added a portable multifunction system to its line of products. The newly developed KA-TE COMPACT system allows rehabilitation companies to carry out projects in sites that would otherwise be difficult to access.
In addition, the system — with the full functional capabilities of the KA-TE milling and filler robots — can even be installed in existing vehicles; a particular bonus for international customers.
According to Andreas Lieb, general manager of KA-TE, the idea for the new development came from a customer's request for a KA-TE system for milling in a factory hall. The hall entrance did not have the dimensions to accommodate the 3-m height of the system vehicle. The new development makes it possible to fit the entire system, including the hydraulic system, cable drum, compressor, water tank, water pump, and the electric system, as well as an extendable swiveling crane, into a single, independently stable steel frame. With this 850 kilo 2100x800x1750 mm (length by width by height) frame, it is possible to directly transport the system to its application site and the system, according to Lieb, is immediately ready to operate, even if it's just sitting on the ground. Even the installation into a vehicle of the customer's choice is very straightforward: The system is secured to the vehicle by only four screws; a cable connects the system to the control panel.
The KA-TE COMPACT system is equipped with a robot cable and an 85-m hydraulic hose kit and has the full functional capabilities of the reliable KA-TE system. The 250 liter integrated water tank is operated at a mobile control panel with a built-in keyboard and 15-in. flat screen monitor. The system can perform the entire range of milling and filling work as well as the work carried out by the KA-TE shield placing mechanism, whether in difficult-to-access areas such as cellars and tunnels or in level fabric halls, and without any sacrifice in functionality or long-trusted KA-TE quality.
In particular, it is international customers who stand to profit from being able to easily install the KA-TE COMPACT system in existing vehicles, says KA-TE CEO, Christian Noll. Since no special vehicle entry permit is required, shipping this system abroad is both easier and faster. The option is only available for milling robots. However, the system can be extended at any time to include filler robots or the KA-TE shield placing mechanism. The system has repeatedly proven itself in real life applications. One sewer rehabilitation business owner ordered a complete system vehicle, but would not have been able to meet the deadlines for his order due to the vehicle manufacturer's shipping schedule.
In just two weeks, KA-TE was able to provide him with a KA-TE COMPACT system, which he then installed in an available existing vehicle. Since the mobile system spares the costs of a new vehicle and interior fittings, the investment in the new system is actually more affordable, says Noll. It is also easy to remove the system from a vehicle and remount it in another vehicle.
In addition, the system — with the full functional capabilities of the KA-TE milling and filler robots — can even be installed in existing vehicles; a particular bonus for international customers.
According to Andreas Lieb, general manager of KA-TE, the idea for the new development came from a customer's request for a KA-TE system for milling in a factory hall. The hall entrance did not have the dimensions to accommodate the 3-m height of the system vehicle. The new development makes it possible to fit the entire system, including the hydraulic system, cable drum, compressor, water tank, water pump, and the electric system, as well as an extendable swiveling crane, into a single, independently stable steel frame. With this 850 kilo 2100x800x1750 mm (length by width by height) frame, it is possible to directly transport the system to its application site and the system, according to Lieb, is immediately ready to operate, even if it's just sitting on the ground. Even the installation into a vehicle of the customer's choice is very straightforward: The system is secured to the vehicle by only four screws; a cable connects the system to the control panel.
The KA-TE COMPACT system is equipped with a robot cable and an 85-m hydraulic hose kit and has the full functional capabilities of the reliable KA-TE system. The 250 liter integrated water tank is operated at a mobile control panel with a built-in keyboard and 15-in. flat screen monitor. The system can perform the entire range of milling and filling work as well as the work carried out by the KA-TE shield placing mechanism, whether in difficult-to-access areas such as cellars and tunnels or in level fabric halls, and without any sacrifice in functionality or long-trusted KA-TE quality.
In particular, it is international customers who stand to profit from being able to easily install the KA-TE COMPACT system in existing vehicles, says KA-TE CEO, Christian Noll. Since no special vehicle entry permit is required, shipping this system abroad is both easier and faster. The option is only available for milling robots. However, the system can be extended at any time to include filler robots or the KA-TE shield placing mechanism. The system has repeatedly proven itself in real life applications. One sewer rehabilitation business owner ordered a complete system vehicle, but would not have been able to meet the deadlines for his order due to the vehicle manufacturer's shipping schedule.
In just two weeks, KA-TE was able to provide him with a KA-TE COMPACT system, which he then installed in an available existing vehicle. Since the mobile system spares the costs of a new vehicle and interior fittings, the investment in the new system is actually more affordable, says Noll. It is also easy to remove the system from a vehicle and remount it in another vehicle.
2011年8月28日星期日
Develops Portable Multifunction System for Robot Work in Sewer Rehabilitation
In addition, the system — with the full functional capabilities of the KA-TE milling and filler robots — can even be installed in existing vehicles; a particular bonus for international customers.
According to Andreas Lieb, general manager of KA-TE, the idea for the new development came from a customer's request for a KA-TE system for milling in a factory hall. The hall entrance did not have the dimensions to accommodate the 3-m height of the system vehicle. The new development makes it possible to fit the entire system, including the hydraulic system, cable drum, compressor, water tank, water pump, and the electric system, as well as an extendable swiveling crane, into a single, independently stable steel frame. With this 850 kilo 2100x800x1750 mm (length by width by height) frame, it is possible to directly transport the system to its application site and the system, according to Lieb, is immediately ready to operate, even if it's just sitting on the ground. Even the installation into a vehicle of the customer's choice is very straightforward: The system is secured to the vehicle by only four screws; a cable connects the system to the control panel.
The KA-TE COMPACT system is equipped with a robot cable and an 85-m hydraulic hose kit and has the full functional capabilities of the reliable KA-TE system. The 250 liter integrated water tank is operated at a mobile control panel with a built-in keyboard and 15-in. flat screen monitor. The system can perform the entire range of milling and filling work as well as the work carried out by the KA-TE shield placing mechanism, whether in difficult-to-access areas such as cellars and tunnels or in level fabric halls, and without any sacrifice in functionality or long-trusted KA-TE quality.
In particular, it is international customers who stand to profit from being able to easily install the KA-TE COMPACT system in existing vehicles, says KA-TE CEO, Christian Noll. Since no special vehicle entry permit is required, shipping this system abroad is both easier and faster. The option is only available for milling robots. However, the system can be extended at any time to include filler robots or the KA-TE shield placing mechanism. The system has repeatedly proven itself in real life applications. One sewer rehabilitation business owner ordered a complete system vehicle, but would not have been able to meet the deadlines for his order due to the vehicle manufacturer's shipping schedule.
In just two weeks, KA-TE was able to provide him with a KA-TE COMPACT system, which he then installed in an available existing vehicle. Since the mobile system spares the costs of a new vehicle and interior fittings, the investment in the new system is actually more affordable, says Noll. It is also easy to remove the system from a vehicle and remount it in another vehicle.
According to Andreas Lieb, general manager of KA-TE, the idea for the new development came from a customer's request for a KA-TE system for milling in a factory hall. The hall entrance did not have the dimensions to accommodate the 3-m height of the system vehicle. The new development makes it possible to fit the entire system, including the hydraulic system, cable drum, compressor, water tank, water pump, and the electric system, as well as an extendable swiveling crane, into a single, independently stable steel frame. With this 850 kilo 2100x800x1750 mm (length by width by height) frame, it is possible to directly transport the system to its application site and the system, according to Lieb, is immediately ready to operate, even if it's just sitting on the ground. Even the installation into a vehicle of the customer's choice is very straightforward: The system is secured to the vehicle by only four screws; a cable connects the system to the control panel.
The KA-TE COMPACT system is equipped with a robot cable and an 85-m hydraulic hose kit and has the full functional capabilities of the reliable KA-TE system. The 250 liter integrated water tank is operated at a mobile control panel with a built-in keyboard and 15-in. flat screen monitor. The system can perform the entire range of milling and filling work as well as the work carried out by the KA-TE shield placing mechanism, whether in difficult-to-access areas such as cellars and tunnels or in level fabric halls, and without any sacrifice in functionality or long-trusted KA-TE quality.
In particular, it is international customers who stand to profit from being able to easily install the KA-TE COMPACT system in existing vehicles, says KA-TE CEO, Christian Noll. Since no special vehicle entry permit is required, shipping this system abroad is both easier and faster. The option is only available for milling robots. However, the system can be extended at any time to include filler robots or the KA-TE shield placing mechanism. The system has repeatedly proven itself in real life applications. One sewer rehabilitation business owner ordered a complete system vehicle, but would not have been able to meet the deadlines for his order due to the vehicle manufacturer's shipping schedule.
In just two weeks, KA-TE was able to provide him with a KA-TE COMPACT system, which he then installed in an available existing vehicle. Since the mobile system spares the costs of a new vehicle and interior fittings, the investment in the new system is actually more affordable, says Noll. It is also easy to remove the system from a vehicle and remount it in another vehicle.
2011年8月25日星期四
Aeroquip and Kunzman & Associates Team Up
Neighbors hope their requests will be answered soon for a fence to block construction dirt at the Tops Friendly Markets store on McKinley Parkway.
Residents told the Town of Hamburg Planning Board about their frustration last Wednesday (Aug. 17).
They have been asking the supermarket chain for a fence at the site, where Tops is renovating the store.
“We’ve had to look at this my whole summer vacation,” said Laura Podkulski, who lives nearby on McKinley Parkway.
Dirt collecting around her pool and on her driveway has forced her to hose down those areas daily. She also had to clean the windows again after wiping them in May.
The blowing dirt also prevents neighbors from sitting outside during the warm evenings.
“We have to keep our furniture covered,” she said.
Podkulski and others wish Benderson Development Co., the contractor working at Tops, would keep its promise to install an 8-foot fence.
The company will not even water the dirt to prevent it from becoming airborne, she added.
She also described her efforts to contact the town’s code enforcement officers as fruitless. Board members advised her to call Councilman Joseph Collins, the town board’s liaison for those matters.
The town’s Building Inspection Department and Podkulski received an e-mail message from Ken Burns, Benderson’s project supervisor for the site, on Wednesday, Aug. 17. Burns wrote that the company’s fence contractor expected to begin the installation Monday, Aug. 22, and finish it by the week’s end.
In another matter, the board declared no environmental problems at the site for the proposed Brookview Apartments on Southwestern Boulevard near Sowles Road.
The board took no other action on the plan but discussed the emergency entrance planned for the neighborhood.
A Summerway Lane resident asked why the second entrance is necessary.
The board’s chairman, Peter Reszka, explained that most housing developments have a second entrance. The neighborhood lacks a second entrance because that was not required when it was built.
“If your subdivision was being built today, there would be a second entrance,” he said.
The second entrance will be gated and will only be opened in an emergency.
Each building will have eight apartments, said Sean Hopkins, the project’s attorney. He described the proposed complex as “upscale.”
Board members tabled the project until Sept. 21. They are awaiting plans for hydraulic hose engineering, sewers, sidewalks, garbage receptacles, streetlights, fire hydrants, a bridge and roadwork.
The board also tabled the Woods at Versailles project until the next meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7. Phase 4 of the project involves removing trees on vacant land south of Fox Chase Road.
Board members also tabled a proposed 2,700-square-foot building for Quest Diagnostics at 3674 Commerce Place.
Residents told the Town of Hamburg Planning Board about their frustration last Wednesday (Aug. 17).
They have been asking the supermarket chain for a fence at the site, where Tops is renovating the store.
“We’ve had to look at this my whole summer vacation,” said Laura Podkulski, who lives nearby on McKinley Parkway.
Dirt collecting around her pool and on her driveway has forced her to hose down those areas daily. She also had to clean the windows again after wiping them in May.
The blowing dirt also prevents neighbors from sitting outside during the warm evenings.
“We have to keep our furniture covered,” she said.
Podkulski and others wish Benderson Development Co., the contractor working at Tops, would keep its promise to install an 8-foot fence.
The company will not even water the dirt to prevent it from becoming airborne, she added.
She also described her efforts to contact the town’s code enforcement officers as fruitless. Board members advised her to call Councilman Joseph Collins, the town board’s liaison for those matters.
The town’s Building Inspection Department and Podkulski received an e-mail message from Ken Burns, Benderson’s project supervisor for the site, on Wednesday, Aug. 17. Burns wrote that the company’s fence contractor expected to begin the installation Monday, Aug. 22, and finish it by the week’s end.
In another matter, the board declared no environmental problems at the site for the proposed Brookview Apartments on Southwestern Boulevard near Sowles Road.
The board took no other action on the plan but discussed the emergency entrance planned for the neighborhood.
A Summerway Lane resident asked why the second entrance is necessary.
The board’s chairman, Peter Reszka, explained that most housing developments have a second entrance. The neighborhood lacks a second entrance because that was not required when it was built.
“If your subdivision was being built today, there would be a second entrance,” he said.
The second entrance will be gated and will only be opened in an emergency.
Each building will have eight apartments, said Sean Hopkins, the project’s attorney. He described the proposed complex as “upscale.”
Board members tabled the project until Sept. 21. They are awaiting plans for hydraulic hose engineering, sewers, sidewalks, garbage receptacles, streetlights, fire hydrants, a bridge and roadwork.
The board also tabled the Woods at Versailles project until the next meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7. Phase 4 of the project involves removing trees on vacant land south of Fox Chase Road.
Board members also tabled a proposed 2,700-square-foot building for Quest Diagnostics at 3674 Commerce Place.
2011年8月24日星期三
Robot Work in Sewer Rehabilitation
According to Andreas Lieb, general manager of KA-TE, the idea for the new development came from a customer's request for a KA-TE system for milling in a factory hall. The hall entrance did not have the dimensions to accommodate the 3-m height of the system vehicle. The new development makes it possible to fit the entire system, including the hydraulic system, cable drum, compressor, water tank, water pump, and the electric system, as well as an extendable swiveling crane, into a single, independently stable steel frame. With this 850 kilo 2100x800x1750 mm (length by width by height) frame, it is possible to directly transport the system to its application site and the system, according to Lieb, is immediately ready to operate, even if it's just sitting on the ground. Even the installation into a vehicle of the customer's choice is very straightforward: The system is secured to the vehicle by only four screws; a cable connects the system to the control panel.
The KA-TE COMPACT system is equipped with a robot cable and an 85-m hydraulic hose hose kit and has the full functional capabilities of the reliable KA-TE system. The 250 liter integrated water tank is operated at a mobile control panel with a built-in keyboard and 15-in. flat screen monitor. The system can perform the entire range of milling and filling work as well as the work carried out by the KA-TE shield placing mechanism, whether in difficult-to-access areas such as cellars and tunnels or in level fabric halls, and without any sacrifice in functionality or long-trusted KA-TE quality.
In particular, it is international customers who stand to profit from being able to easily install the KA-TE COMPACT system in existing vehicles, says KA-TE CEO, Christian Noll. Since no special vehicle entry permit is required, shipping this system abroad is both easier and faster. The option is only available for milling robots. However, the system can be extended at any time to include filler robots or the KA-TE shield placing mechanism. The system has repeatedly proven itself in real life applications. One sewer rehabilitation business owner ordered a complete system vehicle, but would not have been able to meet the deadlines for his order due to the vehicle manufacturer's shipping schedule.
The KA-TE COMPACT system is equipped with a robot cable and an 85-m hydraulic hose hose kit and has the full functional capabilities of the reliable KA-TE system. The 250 liter integrated water tank is operated at a mobile control panel with a built-in keyboard and 15-in. flat screen monitor. The system can perform the entire range of milling and filling work as well as the work carried out by the KA-TE shield placing mechanism, whether in difficult-to-access areas such as cellars and tunnels or in level fabric halls, and without any sacrifice in functionality or long-trusted KA-TE quality.
In particular, it is international customers who stand to profit from being able to easily install the KA-TE COMPACT system in existing vehicles, says KA-TE CEO, Christian Noll. Since no special vehicle entry permit is required, shipping this system abroad is both easier and faster. The option is only available for milling robots. However, the system can be extended at any time to include filler robots or the KA-TE shield placing mechanism. The system has repeatedly proven itself in real life applications. One sewer rehabilitation business owner ordered a complete system vehicle, but would not have been able to meet the deadlines for his order due to the vehicle manufacturer's shipping schedule.
2011年8月23日星期二
Eaton Products Help Power World's Largest Mobile Cone Rock Crusher
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. … Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation today announced that Brightwater Manufacturing Ltd. of Christchurch, New Zealand, is equipping the world’s largest mobile cone-type rock crusher, the TC1885C mobile crusher, with Eaton products. The TC1885C is used in rock quarries
Onboard the 140-ton machine are Eaton® heavy-duty Series 1 pumps that power track drive and conveyors, Vickers® screw-in cartridge valves for conveyor controls, and Aeroquip® hose and fittings for all fluid-conveying arteries. At the heart of the rock crusher is a sophisticated control system equipped with Eaton’s comprehensive F(x)™ electrohydraulic architecture.
The hydraulic system was designed and supplied by Scarlett Hydraulics Ltd., New Zealand’s largest full line Eaton distributor.
Eaton’s electrohydraulic architecture gives new capabilities to Brightwater rock crushers, which traditionally have been equipped with Eaton pumps, motors, valves, and fluid conveyance products. Eaton EFX 1624 and 1640 controllers sniff diagnostic information from the TC1885C engine’s CAN network, enabling Eaton’s accompanying CONTROL (F)x® programming software to monitor and protect the engine and hydraulics, plus ensure operator safety. Adding controllers to its Eaton product lineup has enabled Brightwater to move closer to standardizing on Eaton components and a single-source hydraulics provider.
Eaton’s Hydraulics business is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of a comprehensive line of reliable, high-efficiency hydraulic hose systems and components for use in mobile and stationary applications. Mobile and stationary markets include agriculture, alternative energy, construction, forestry, manufacturing, material handling, mining, oil and gas, processing, transportation and utility equipment. Eaton’s Hydraulics Group provides customer-driven solutions under product names such as Aeroquip®, Boston®, Char-Lynn®, Eaton®, Hydrokraft®, Hydrowa®, Hydro-Line®, Integrated Hydraulics®, Synflex®, Vickers®, Walterscheid™, and Weatherhead®.
Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with 2010 sales of $13.7 billion. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2011, Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has approximately 73,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries.
Onboard the 140-ton machine are Eaton® heavy-duty Series 1 pumps that power track drive and conveyors, Vickers® screw-in cartridge valves for conveyor controls, and Aeroquip® hose and fittings for all fluid-conveying arteries. At the heart of the rock crusher is a sophisticated control system equipped with Eaton’s comprehensive F(x)™ electrohydraulic architecture.
The hydraulic system was designed and supplied by Scarlett Hydraulics Ltd., New Zealand’s largest full line Eaton distributor.
Eaton’s electrohydraulic architecture gives new capabilities to Brightwater rock crushers, which traditionally have been equipped with Eaton pumps, motors, valves, and fluid conveyance products. Eaton EFX 1624 and 1640 controllers sniff diagnostic information from the TC1885C engine’s CAN network, enabling Eaton’s accompanying CONTROL (F)x® programming software to monitor and protect the engine and hydraulics, plus ensure operator safety. Adding controllers to its Eaton product lineup has enabled Brightwater to move closer to standardizing on Eaton components and a single-source hydraulics provider.
Eaton’s Hydraulics business is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of a comprehensive line of reliable, high-efficiency hydraulic hose systems and components for use in mobile and stationary applications. Mobile and stationary markets include agriculture, alternative energy, construction, forestry, manufacturing, material handling, mining, oil and gas, processing, transportation and utility equipment. Eaton’s Hydraulics Group provides customer-driven solutions under product names such as Aeroquip®, Boston®, Char-Lynn®, Eaton®, Hydrokraft®, Hydrowa®, Hydro-Line®, Integrated Hydraulics®, Synflex®, Vickers®, Walterscheid™, and Weatherhead®.
Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with 2010 sales of $13.7 billion. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2011, Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has approximately 73,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries.
2011年8月22日星期一
CCR comes to the Pilbara
Their rapid growth has seen the need to accommodate the Pilbara region with a better supply of goods and services.
CCRs’ motto is “No hose is too big or small!”
Whether it be the local mechanic requiring a power steering hose, to the Blast Hole Drill within the mining sector, you can rely on CCR to provide quality support and experience with minimal downtime.
They guarantee every hose assembly that is supplied and fitted is of the highest quality and suits its application.
CCR take great confidence in supplying Gates OEM hose and fittings.
Gates are one of the worlds’ largest hydraulic hose and fitting manufacturers who are renowned for their high quality products.
CCR Hose and Fittings was founded in 2003 by Chris Harper, servicing the local businesses throughout the Perth metropolitan area then, onto blast hole drills for Reedrill where he was responsible for machine complete re-hoses to Pilbara Iron specifications.
With mining safety heavily scrutinized Chris saw the need to provide the service of maintaining mining equipment hosing on site, recording the upkeep/changes, replacing hoses when required and keeping the customer up to date with the future maintenance requirements with minimal downtime.
CCR’ main focus is making the locals, their valued customers, comfortable in knowing that your hydraulic hoses and fittings will be maintained by their quality hydraulic technicians with the utmost professionalism, guaranteed.
Their reputation is supported by their prospectus of customers.
They make every effort to ensure that their customers are given the utmost support, correct and accurate information, together with the guarantee of their quality knowledge and work.
And their mobile service provides a prompt response, anywhere within the Perth or Pilbara region.
CCR provide and deliver on-site training and certification for MDG 41 standards in Hose Management.
Ensuring only competent personnel can safely implement a systematic inspection, maintenance and hose replacement schedules.
This standard is poised to be incorporated into the National Mine Safety Act.
The CCR Safe Hydraulics Course, providing Gates Assembly Manufacturer Certification, will make the transition to compulsory accreditation effortless.
At CCR, they are committed to Community involvement through regular support of charities and local sport associations and clubs.
Representatives and mobile units located at the following mine sites:
Tom Price, Marandoo, Brockman 2, Brockman 4 and now with their new service centre opening at Paraburdoo providing CCR further coverage within the Pilbara region.
CCRs’ motto is “No hose is too big or small!”
Whether it be the local mechanic requiring a power steering hose, to the Blast Hole Drill within the mining sector, you can rely on CCR to provide quality support and experience with minimal downtime.
They guarantee every hose assembly that is supplied and fitted is of the highest quality and suits its application.
CCR take great confidence in supplying Gates OEM hose and fittings.
Gates are one of the worlds’ largest hydraulic hose and fitting manufacturers who are renowned for their high quality products.
CCR Hose and Fittings was founded in 2003 by Chris Harper, servicing the local businesses throughout the Perth metropolitan area then, onto blast hole drills for Reedrill where he was responsible for machine complete re-hoses to Pilbara Iron specifications.
With mining safety heavily scrutinized Chris saw the need to provide the service of maintaining mining equipment hosing on site, recording the upkeep/changes, replacing hoses when required and keeping the customer up to date with the future maintenance requirements with minimal downtime.
CCR’ main focus is making the locals, their valued customers, comfortable in knowing that your hydraulic hoses and fittings will be maintained by their quality hydraulic technicians with the utmost professionalism, guaranteed.
Their reputation is supported by their prospectus of customers.
They make every effort to ensure that their customers are given the utmost support, correct and accurate information, together with the guarantee of their quality knowledge and work.
And their mobile service provides a prompt response, anywhere within the Perth or Pilbara region.
CCR provide and deliver on-site training and certification for MDG 41 standards in Hose Management.
Ensuring only competent personnel can safely implement a systematic inspection, maintenance and hose replacement schedules.
This standard is poised to be incorporated into the National Mine Safety Act.
The CCR Safe Hydraulics Course, providing Gates Assembly Manufacturer Certification, will make the transition to compulsory accreditation effortless.
At CCR, they are committed to Community involvement through regular support of charities and local sport associations and clubs.
Representatives and mobile units located at the following mine sites:
Tom Price, Marandoo, Brockman 2, Brockman 4 and now with their new service centre opening at Paraburdoo providing CCR further coverage within the Pilbara region.
2011年8月21日星期日
Anticipating the seasonal fluctuations
The Marcellus Shale natural gas industry has a huge thirst for water - to hydraulically fracture a single gas well requires upward of a thousand tanker-trucks of water.
And so during the summer, when some streams here in gas-rich northern Pennsylvania naturally turn into trickles, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission pays close attention to ensure that drilling interests don't suck the state's creeks dry.
The SRBC, an interstate agency responsible for managing the Susquehanna watershed, this summer has suspended withdrawals from as many as 40 permitted locations because of seasonal low flows. Most of the suspended locations affect gas drillers.
But the shale-gas industry, now moving rapidly from an exploratory to a production phase, has hardly missed a beat. Fracking continues, largely unabated.
The commission allows drillers to withdraw up to 98 million gallons per day at 142 locations, though in reality, the industry uses far less than what it is allowed, the SRBC says. The permitted amounts are based on elaborate computations tied to historical stream flows. When stream levels fall below a certain level, withdrawals must stop.
Anticipating the seasonal fluctuations, natural gas operators have built vast networks of impoundments - plastic-lined ponds - to store water from the rainy seasons.
"The natural gas industry is trying to capture some of the large spring flows because they know they can't take water all summer," said Paula Ballaron, the SRBC's manager of policy implementation and outreach.
But drillers can continue to pump water out of larger rivers even in the summer because the volumes the SRBC allows are small compared with the total flow.
Public confusion about where the drillers can legally withdraw water in the summer - and where it is banned - has caused an increase in complaints to the SRBC. The agency has three inspectors based in Sayre. They prowl the basin looking for violators.
"Since the drilling started, we get calls from some people who claim the river flows have never been lower than this," said Eric R. Roof, the commission's director of compliance. "People are very concerned."
Most complaints are unfounded, he said. Withdrawals that the public reports as suspicious turn out to be legal pumping by municipal road crews, garden centers, and nurseries that are allowed to withdraw small amounts of water. Gas drillers have sufficient, metered withdrawal points to meet their needs.
The business of withdrawing water is more complicated than simply inserting a hose into the river and pumping. The SRBC requires drillers to document and meter the withdrawals, and to pay for them.
Chesapeake Energy Corp., the state's largest driller and among the most active here in Bradford County, operates a withdrawal point on the Susquehanna River in Wysox that is unaffected by SRBC's dry-weather "passby" flow restrictions.
Chesapeake's pump station, drawing water from an intake buried on the riverbed, fills five towering 21,000-gallon tanks nearby, while a parade of trucks waits to fill up at four adjacent computer-controlled stations. It takes about 10 minutes to fill a 3,360-gallon tanker truck. Tractor-trailer tankers, which hold 4,620 gallons, take a little longer.
When the metered withdrawals reach the site's daily limit of about one million gallons - that's enough to fill more than 200 trucks - the system automatically shuts down until midnight.
The SRBC estimates that the industry, based on projected drilling, will need about 30 million gallons a day.
By comparison, suppliers of public water in the basin consume 325 million gallons a day, and power plants require 190 million gallons a day for coolant. A single nuclear reactor proposed in Luzerne County would require 30 million gallons of water a day.
"Power plants may draw much more water, but it's a stationary withdrawal, unseen by the public," said Brian Grove, Chesapeake's director of corporate development. Even recreational activities - watering golf courses and making snow at ski resorts - consume more water than natural gas production.
But until the industry finishes building freshwater pipeline networks to move water out of view to remote drilling sites, the industry is reliant upon thousands of tanker trucks to ferry water to their impoundments. And the truck traffic makes the industry's water consumption very visible indeed.
Chesapeake maintains 51 impoundments in the region that can hold up to 15 million gallons each, Grove said. A single impoundment might require 4,000 round trips to fill.
After a well is drilled, the hydraulic-fracturing procedure requires upward of five million gallons of water, which is injected under high pressure along with sand and additives to shatter the shale to release the natural gas. About 15 percent of the fluid returns to the surface immediately as wastewater, most of which, the SRBC says, is being recycled in new fracturing operations.
And so during the summer, when some streams here in gas-rich northern Pennsylvania naturally turn into trickles, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission pays close attention to ensure that drilling interests don't suck the state's creeks dry.
The SRBC, an interstate agency responsible for managing the Susquehanna watershed, this summer has suspended withdrawals from as many as 40 permitted locations because of seasonal low flows. Most of the suspended locations affect gas drillers.
But the shale-gas industry, now moving rapidly from an exploratory to a production phase, has hardly missed a beat. Fracking continues, largely unabated.
The commission allows drillers to withdraw up to 98 million gallons per day at 142 locations, though in reality, the industry uses far less than what it is allowed, the SRBC says. The permitted amounts are based on elaborate computations tied to historical stream flows. When stream levels fall below a certain level, withdrawals must stop.
Anticipating the seasonal fluctuations, natural gas operators have built vast networks of impoundments - plastic-lined ponds - to store water from the rainy seasons.
"The natural gas industry is trying to capture some of the large spring flows because they know they can't take water all summer," said Paula Ballaron, the SRBC's manager of policy implementation and outreach.
But drillers can continue to pump water out of larger rivers even in the summer because the volumes the SRBC allows are small compared with the total flow.
Public confusion about where the drillers can legally withdraw water in the summer - and where it is banned - has caused an increase in complaints to the SRBC. The agency has three inspectors based in Sayre. They prowl the basin looking for violators.
"Since the drilling started, we get calls from some people who claim the river flows have never been lower than this," said Eric R. Roof, the commission's director of compliance. "People are very concerned."
Most complaints are unfounded, he said. Withdrawals that the public reports as suspicious turn out to be legal pumping by municipal road crews, garden centers, and nurseries that are allowed to withdraw small amounts of water. Gas drillers have sufficient, metered withdrawal points to meet their needs.
The business of withdrawing water is more complicated than simply inserting a hose into the river and pumping. The SRBC requires drillers to document and meter the withdrawals, and to pay for them.
Chesapeake Energy Corp., the state's largest driller and among the most active here in Bradford County, operates a withdrawal point on the Susquehanna River in Wysox that is unaffected by SRBC's dry-weather "passby" flow restrictions.
Chesapeake's pump station, drawing water from an intake buried on the riverbed, fills five towering 21,000-gallon tanks nearby, while a parade of trucks waits to fill up at four adjacent computer-controlled stations. It takes about 10 minutes to fill a 3,360-gallon tanker truck. Tractor-trailer tankers, which hold 4,620 gallons, take a little longer.
When the metered withdrawals reach the site's daily limit of about one million gallons - that's enough to fill more than 200 trucks - the system automatically shuts down until midnight.
The SRBC estimates that the industry, based on projected drilling, will need about 30 million gallons a day.
By comparison, suppliers of public water in the basin consume 325 million gallons a day, and power plants require 190 million gallons a day for coolant. A single nuclear reactor proposed in Luzerne County would require 30 million gallons of water a day.
"Power plants may draw much more water, but it's a stationary withdrawal, unseen by the public," said Brian Grove, Chesapeake's director of corporate development. Even recreational activities - watering golf courses and making snow at ski resorts - consume more water than natural gas production.
But until the industry finishes building freshwater pipeline networks to move water out of view to remote drilling sites, the industry is reliant upon thousands of tanker trucks to ferry water to their impoundments. And the truck traffic makes the industry's water consumption very visible indeed.
Chesapeake maintains 51 impoundments in the region that can hold up to 15 million gallons each, Grove said. A single impoundment might require 4,000 round trips to fill.
After a well is drilled, the hydraulic-fracturing procedure requires upward of five million gallons of water, which is injected under high pressure along with sand and additives to shatter the shale to release the natural gas. About 15 percent of the fluid returns to the surface immediately as wastewater, most of which, the SRBC says, is being recycled in new fracturing operations.
2011年8月18日星期四
Crime reports
Served with 17th Judicial District Drug Task Force warrants at Marshall County Jail
Winston C. McClain, 24, Park Avenue. Bond: $32,000; court date: Aug. 30. Charges: possession of crack cocaine for resale, possession of drug paraphernalia, and felony evading arrest. According to the warrant sworn by Agent Shane Daugherty, "McClain admitted to being involved in the distribution of crack cocaine in the Lewisburg area." McClain allegedly had approximately 24 grams of crack and a set of digital scales in his room at the Walking Horse Inn when Daugherty got consent to search on July 22. McClain was also served with a violation of probation warrant out of Lewisburg City Court, and on this warrant his bond is $1,000; court date: Sept. 19.
Arrested and charged with driving under the influence
Benjamin G. Wakefield, 26, Sheppard Branch Road. Bond: $10,000; court date: Sept. 13. Additional charges: possession of a handgun while intoxicated; possession of a Schedule IV drug (Soma); possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of marijuana; and violation of the implied consent law.
Christopher G. Whitten-Grantham, 27, Millington, Tenn. Held without bond for court on Aug. 16. Additional charge: driving on a revoked license. This is allegedly Whitten-Grantham's second DUI.
David M. Carter, 44, Collins Hollow Road. Held without bond for court on Aug. 29. Additional charge: violation of the implied consent law. Carter allegedly told Lewisburg Police Officer John Christmas the case against him for a fourth DUI charge (on May 8) is still pending in General Sessions Court.
Bradley E. Davis, 41, Nashville Highway. Held without bond for court on Sept. 19. Davis was also served with a violation-of-probation warrant. This is allegedly Davis' 3rd DUI.
Arrested and charged with driving on a suspended license
Lydia Marie Shepherd, 25, James Shaw Road. Bond: $8,500; court date: Sept. 13. Additional charges: possession of Schedule II drugs (Adderall and oxycodone) and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Arrested at the same time was the passenger in the car, Gary S. Puckett, 28, Chapel Hill. Puckett was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $500; court date: Sept. 13.
Thefts and vandalism reported
Between 7 and 10 p.m. Aug. 13, someone kicked in the front door of a home on Old Columbia Road and took an estimated $1,800-worth of items. Among the missing items are a Davis Industries chrome-plated, semi-automatic .380-caliber pistol, an heirloom diamond necklace, a diamond wedding and engagement ring set, a number of fitted baseball caps, and eight pairs of Air Jordan shoes. Repairs to the door frame will cost an estimated $200.
Between Aug. 8 and 9, property was removed from the area of Overcast Body Shop on Old Belfast Road. Missing items, valued at a total of $1,115, include a wheel for an F250 truck, a 20-inch cut Murray mower, three bumpers for an El Camino, a set of mechanic's ramps, and four Toyota tires and wheels. $250-worth of miscellaneous car parts were also reported missing.
When Marshall County Highway Department employees returned to the equipment they had left parked at the junction of Reynolds Road and Wilson School Road on Aug. 10, they found that the batteries had been stolen out of the gravel chipper and the steamroller. Also missing were a five-gallon can of hydraulic fluid, two grease guns, and two tubes of grease. A radiator hydraulic hose had been cut. Total cost of the stolen and vandalized items is estimated at $500 to $1,000.
A Lewisburg man reported to police he had received a bill for $877.32 for a Verizon Wireless cell phone account that someone opened in his name from an address in Nashville. The man stated to police he has been the victim of identity theft since Oct. 2010, when someone tried to open cell phone accounts in his name with other providers.
Sometime in the last six weeks, two pieces of farm equipment - a two-row disc and a drag rake, said to be worth a total of $800 - were taken from a farm on South Berlin Road.
The back door of a home on Limestone Avenue was pried open while the owner was out of town from Aug. 7 to 9, and an HP Photosmart printer and scanner were damaged. The victim told police the printer/scanner was worth $500 and she was still making payments on it. The estimate for repairing the door is $300.
Approximately 100 wooden 4 x 4 pallets were taken from behind S & D Warehouse, near the loading dock, between Aug. 6 and 8. Owner stated the total value of the pallets was $500.
Between 11 a.m. Aug. 13 and 8:15 a.m. Aug. 14, the mailbox of a home on Midway Street was destroyed, possibly by someone running off the road. Owner estimates the cost of replacement at $300.
A green push mower, valued at $250, was stolen from the yard of a home on 2nd Avenue North. An employee of Buffalo Valley told Lewisburg Police Officer Steve Sanders she saw two white males (one overweight and one skinny) walk across 2nd Avenue with the mower.
A 24-inch Weedeater brand lawnmower was taken from the front yard of a home on Adams Street between Aug. 11 and 12. Owners value the mower at $50.
A counterfeit one-dollar bill was found in the deposit from Oak Grove School when it was counted at First Commerce Bank on Aug. 9.
Winston C. McClain, 24, Park Avenue. Bond: $32,000; court date: Aug. 30. Charges: possession of crack cocaine for resale, possession of drug paraphernalia, and felony evading arrest. According to the warrant sworn by Agent Shane Daugherty, "McClain admitted to being involved in the distribution of crack cocaine in the Lewisburg area." McClain allegedly had approximately 24 grams of crack and a set of digital scales in his room at the Walking Horse Inn when Daugherty got consent to search on July 22. McClain was also served with a violation of probation warrant out of Lewisburg City Court, and on this warrant his bond is $1,000; court date: Sept. 19.
Arrested and charged with driving under the influence
Benjamin G. Wakefield, 26, Sheppard Branch Road. Bond: $10,000; court date: Sept. 13. Additional charges: possession of a handgun while intoxicated; possession of a Schedule IV drug (Soma); possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of marijuana; and violation of the implied consent law.
Christopher G. Whitten-Grantham, 27, Millington, Tenn. Held without bond for court on Aug. 16. Additional charge: driving on a revoked license. This is allegedly Whitten-Grantham's second DUI.
David M. Carter, 44, Collins Hollow Road. Held without bond for court on Aug. 29. Additional charge: violation of the implied consent law. Carter allegedly told Lewisburg Police Officer John Christmas the case against him for a fourth DUI charge (on May 8) is still pending in General Sessions Court.
Bradley E. Davis, 41, Nashville Highway. Held without bond for court on Sept. 19. Davis was also served with a violation-of-probation warrant. This is allegedly Davis' 3rd DUI.
Arrested and charged with driving on a suspended license
Lydia Marie Shepherd, 25, James Shaw Road. Bond: $8,500; court date: Sept. 13. Additional charges: possession of Schedule II drugs (Adderall and oxycodone) and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Arrested at the same time was the passenger in the car, Gary S. Puckett, 28, Chapel Hill. Puckett was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $500; court date: Sept. 13.
Thefts and vandalism reported
Between 7 and 10 p.m. Aug. 13, someone kicked in the front door of a home on Old Columbia Road and took an estimated $1,800-worth of items. Among the missing items are a Davis Industries chrome-plated, semi-automatic .380-caliber pistol, an heirloom diamond necklace, a diamond wedding and engagement ring set, a number of fitted baseball caps, and eight pairs of Air Jordan shoes. Repairs to the door frame will cost an estimated $200.
Between Aug. 8 and 9, property was removed from the area of Overcast Body Shop on Old Belfast Road. Missing items, valued at a total of $1,115, include a wheel for an F250 truck, a 20-inch cut Murray mower, three bumpers for an El Camino, a set of mechanic's ramps, and four Toyota tires and wheels. $250-worth of miscellaneous car parts were also reported missing.
When Marshall County Highway Department employees returned to the equipment they had left parked at the junction of Reynolds Road and Wilson School Road on Aug. 10, they found that the batteries had been stolen out of the gravel chipper and the steamroller. Also missing were a five-gallon can of hydraulic fluid, two grease guns, and two tubes of grease. A radiator hydraulic hose had been cut. Total cost of the stolen and vandalized items is estimated at $500 to $1,000.
A Lewisburg man reported to police he had received a bill for $877.32 for a Verizon Wireless cell phone account that someone opened in his name from an address in Nashville. The man stated to police he has been the victim of identity theft since Oct. 2010, when someone tried to open cell phone accounts in his name with other providers.
Sometime in the last six weeks, two pieces of farm equipment - a two-row disc and a drag rake, said to be worth a total of $800 - were taken from a farm on South Berlin Road.
The back door of a home on Limestone Avenue was pried open while the owner was out of town from Aug. 7 to 9, and an HP Photosmart printer and scanner were damaged. The victim told police the printer/scanner was worth $500 and she was still making payments on it. The estimate for repairing the door is $300.
Approximately 100 wooden 4 x 4 pallets were taken from behind S & D Warehouse, near the loading dock, between Aug. 6 and 8. Owner stated the total value of the pallets was $500.
Between 11 a.m. Aug. 13 and 8:15 a.m. Aug. 14, the mailbox of a home on Midway Street was destroyed, possibly by someone running off the road. Owner estimates the cost of replacement at $300.
A green push mower, valued at $250, was stolen from the yard of a home on 2nd Avenue North. An employee of Buffalo Valley told Lewisburg Police Officer Steve Sanders she saw two white males (one overweight and one skinny) walk across 2nd Avenue with the mower.
A 24-inch Weedeater brand lawnmower was taken from the front yard of a home on Adams Street between Aug. 11 and 12. Owners value the mower at $50.
A counterfeit one-dollar bill was found in the deposit from Oak Grove School when it was counted at First Commerce Bank on Aug. 9.
2011年8月15日星期一
Chattanooga man battles fire on roof with garden hose
Chattanooga firefighters got surprise assistance fighting a house fire Monday morning: A man perched on the home’s roof, armed with a garden hose.
Around 10 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to a reported blaze at 5017 Mimosa Circle, according to fire department spokesman Bruce Garner.
As firefighters arrived, they found Daryl Ballanger on the roof with a garden hose in hand, trying to douse a fire spreading in the attic.
Ballanger couldn't get to all the flame, but Garner said the hydraulic hose did help contain the blaze until firefighters reached the attic.
Firefighters contained most of the damage to part of the attic and roof and an exterior wall, Garner said. No injuries were reported, he said.
Ballanger told investigators he was at the home, talking with the homeowner about doing some renovation work. When the homeowner said she was having some problems with the lights in the kitchen, Ballanger went to the breaker box and flipped on a breaker that had tripped.
About 10 minutes later, he said he began smelling smoke and saw flames in the attic.
Garner said the cause of the fire will be listed as accidental.
Around 10 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to a reported blaze at 5017 Mimosa Circle, according to fire department spokesman Bruce Garner.
As firefighters arrived, they found Daryl Ballanger on the roof with a garden hose in hand, trying to douse a fire spreading in the attic.
Ballanger couldn't get to all the flame, but Garner said the hydraulic hose did help contain the blaze until firefighters reached the attic.
Firefighters contained most of the damage to part of the attic and roof and an exterior wall, Garner said. No injuries were reported, he said.
Ballanger told investigators he was at the home, talking with the homeowner about doing some renovation work. When the homeowner said she was having some problems with the lights in the kitchen, Ballanger went to the breaker box and flipped on a breaker that had tripped.
About 10 minutes later, he said he began smelling smoke and saw flames in the attic.
Garner said the cause of the fire will be listed as accidental.
2011年8月14日星期日
Shale gas exploration gets nod
Two companies have been granted a licence to explore for shale gas near Casterton in Victoria's far south-west.
The State Government granted the licence to explore the almost 2,000 square kilometre area, on the condition that Beach Energy and Somerton Energy are given permission by the area's native title holders.
The managing director of Somerton Energy, Hector Gordon, says it could be up to two years before any drilling occurs.
He says extracting the gas would not necessarily require the controversial hydraulic fracturing process to be used.
"There could be some hydraulic fracturing proposed at some stage but that's a fair way off at the moment," he said.
"It may well be that we just find conventional oil and gas and there's no fracturing required."
The State Government granted the licence to explore the almost 2,000 square kilometre area, on the condition that Beach Energy and Somerton Energy are given permission by the area's native title holders.
The managing director of Somerton Energy, Hector Gordon, says it could be up to two years before any drilling occurs.
He says extracting the gas would not necessarily require the controversial hydraulic fracturing process to be used.
"There could be some hydraulic fracturing proposed at some stage but that's a fair way off at the moment," he said.
"It may well be that we just find conventional oil and gas and there's no fracturing required."
2011年8月11日星期四
Innovative Rigs on the Street: Fuller Road’s 100-foot Tower
In last month's installment of Innovative Rigs on the Street, we featured a new Sutphen pumper built for the Fuller Road Fire Department in the Town of Colonie, NY. Over the years, the town's 12 fire departments have worked together on a number of initiatives, including a phantom box-alarm system, joint training programs and automatic-aid dispatching. Several fire companies on the south side of Colonie worked together to provide apparatus and staffing resources that would provide for the response of specifically designated units for structural fires and other incidents.
Like many departments, over a period of years each station's apparatus fleet seemed to grow in size to include multiple pieces of engine, ladder and rescue apparatus. Careful analysis of each fire company's fleet included a review of the acquisition costs, insurance, maintenance and other operational considerations. The result was that two of the stations agreed to give up their stand alone rescue units in exchange for another company reducing the size of its fleet by the removal of a ladder truck. The alarm assignments were then altered to provide for the automatic response of the closest available ladder and rescue unit to alarms, which would also ensure adequate staffing for the responding apparatus. After many years of operations, this program has proven to be beneficial to the respective departments and has sharpened the training requirements for fire company members.
The Fuller Road Fire Department, organized in October 1926, placed its first ladder company into service in 1972 with the delivery of Sutphen 85-foot aerial tower. Equipped with a heavy compliment of ground ladders, Truck 3 served the department until 1991 when it was replaced with a second Sutphen tower. The second version was equipped with many features that could not have been conceived of some 20 years earlier with a four-door, such as a climate-controlled cab, electronic interlocks and enhanced warning lights. As Truck 3 protects its first-due area, the unit also regularly responds to incidents with the Colonie Village, Midway, Shaker Road-Loudonville and West Albany fire companies.
The latest aerial device to serve the Fuller Road Fire Department was placed into service during 2009 with the delivery of a new Sutphen SPH-100 mid-mount tower. The department worked closely with Sutphen representative Phil Vander Molen to refine the design for the apparatus, which incorporates a fire pump, water tank and a compliment of ground ladders, in addition to an extensive array of hand tools and equipment.
Truck 3 is built on a wheelbase of 236 inches with an overall length of 46 feet, 4 inches. The overall height on the units is 11 feet, 6 inches to the top of the tower handrails. The aluminum cab provides seating for eight personnel with five seats equipped with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs). For enhanced safety a Firecom headset intercom is provided, together with Zico back-up lights located in the rear fender panels and Britax cornering lights mounted at the back body corner on each side. All running and warning lights are LED style to reduce the electrical load on the apparatus.
The apparatus is equipped with a Meritor MFS front axle rated at 22,000 pounds together with a 48,000-pound rated rear axle equipped with Raydan air-ride suspension. Braking is provided by S-cam brakes on the front and rear, together with a Jacobs engine brake for auxiliary braking capability. The engine is powered by a Cummins ISM engine rated at 500 horsepower with an Allison EVS-4000 automatic transmission. The chassis exhaust system was designed to adapt to a Plymovent system installed in the fire station.
The cab measures 62 inches from the centerline of the front axle to the back of the cab to minimize the impact on wheelbase and overall length. While a number of cab heights were available, the department chose a flat-roof cab design so as to not reduce the tower capabilities when operating over the front of the apparatus. The tower has a rated height of 100 feet at an 80-degree elevation with a horizontal reach of 89 feet. With the tower waterway rated at 2,000 gpm, the platform can safely support a 500-pound load when flowing water and 1,000 pounds when dry. Akron model 3473 monitors are provided in the platform, together with two 2.5-inch gated outlets and an under platform water curtain.
Like many departments, over a period of years each station's apparatus fleet seemed to grow in size to include multiple pieces of engine, ladder and rescue apparatus. Careful analysis of each fire company's fleet included a review of the acquisition costs, insurance, maintenance and other operational considerations. The result was that two of the stations agreed to give up their stand alone rescue units in exchange for another company reducing the size of its fleet by the removal of a ladder truck. The alarm assignments were then altered to provide for the automatic response of the closest available ladder and rescue unit to alarms, which would also ensure adequate staffing for the responding apparatus. After many years of operations, this program has proven to be beneficial to the respective departments and has sharpened the training requirements for fire company members.
The Fuller Road Fire Department, organized in October 1926, placed its first ladder company into service in 1972 with the delivery of Sutphen 85-foot aerial tower. Equipped with a heavy compliment of ground ladders, Truck 3 served the department until 1991 when it was replaced with a second Sutphen tower. The second version was equipped with many features that could not have been conceived of some 20 years earlier with a four-door, such as a climate-controlled cab, electronic interlocks and enhanced warning lights. As Truck 3 protects its first-due area, the unit also regularly responds to incidents with the Colonie Village, Midway, Shaker Road-Loudonville and West Albany fire companies.
The latest aerial device to serve the Fuller Road Fire Department was placed into service during 2009 with the delivery of a new Sutphen SPH-100 mid-mount tower. The department worked closely with Sutphen representative Phil Vander Molen to refine the design for the apparatus, which incorporates a fire pump, water tank and a compliment of ground ladders, in addition to an extensive array of hand tools and equipment.
Truck 3 is built on a wheelbase of 236 inches with an overall length of 46 feet, 4 inches. The overall height on the units is 11 feet, 6 inches to the top of the tower handrails. The aluminum cab provides seating for eight personnel with five seats equipped with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs). For enhanced safety a Firecom headset intercom is provided, together with Zico back-up lights located in the rear fender panels and Britax cornering lights mounted at the back body corner on each side. All running and warning lights are LED style to reduce the electrical load on the apparatus.
The apparatus is equipped with a Meritor MFS front axle rated at 22,000 pounds together with a 48,000-pound rated rear axle equipped with Raydan air-ride suspension. Braking is provided by S-cam brakes on the front and rear, together with a Jacobs engine brake for auxiliary braking capability. The engine is powered by a Cummins ISM engine rated at 500 horsepower with an Allison EVS-4000 automatic transmission. The chassis exhaust system was designed to adapt to a Plymovent system installed in the fire station.
The cab measures 62 inches from the centerline of the front axle to the back of the cab to minimize the impact on wheelbase and overall length. While a number of cab heights were available, the department chose a flat-roof cab design so as to not reduce the tower capabilities when operating over the front of the apparatus. The tower has a rated height of 100 feet at an 80-degree elevation with a horizontal reach of 89 feet. With the tower waterway rated at 2,000 gpm, the platform can safely support a 500-pound load when flowing water and 1,000 pounds when dry. Akron model 3473 monitors are provided in the platform, together with two 2.5-inch gated outlets and an under platform water curtain.
2011年8月10日星期三
Two medics and an SUV, a cheaper alternative to fire stations
Turn two fire stations into limited-response units -- with two medics and an SUV -- and save $1 million, says Councilman Jon Camp.
About 80 percent of all firefighter calls are for medical emergencies, not fires, he notes.
So the medics and equipment would be a first response, quickly followed by a fire truck and ambulance from a fully staffed station.
Two men and an SUV would save about $500,000 a year in personnel costs for each station, Camp has said.
I asked Public Safety Director Tom Casady for his reaction to the two men and an SUV idea.
"Councilman Camp's proposal is not entirely out in left field, but it certainly would be a reduction in our capabilities and the level of service," Casady said in an email.
"It is a alternative to consider if we cannot afford the current level of service."
Camp's proposal would reduce staffing needs, but would create some problems, Casady said.
"There is a limit to what two people and an SUV can safely do. They can determine that there is no fire, and that the alarm is false. They can deploy a fire extinguisher on a burning trash can. They can use a pry bar on a sprung passenger-side door. They can stabilize a potentially broken ankle at a softball field.
"But there are many things they cannot do, most importantly, grab a hose from a fire engine and prepare to fight a structure fire. That would have to await the arrival of more personnel and the apparatus itself: a pumper.
"In reality, many incidents could be adequately dealt with by two people and an SUV (especially false alarms), and they could be a good first response to a medical emergency while the ambulance crew is en route.
"But you often do not know from the initial information precisely what you will encounter at the scene, and you operate on the belief that the fire alarm could be real, the back pain could actually be a symptom of a heart attack, and that extricating the passenger from the car could require hydraulic tools."
The two men and an SUV plan would mean that more Lincoln homes could not be reached by a fire truck within the 6-minute, 20-second goal.
"Two people with extinguishers, hand tools, first aid supplies, and a defibrillator is better than nothing at all, but it is clearly a reduced service level," Casady said.
Eat those words
During a city budget hearing, Coby Mach quoted specific no tax increase messages made by three City Council members in past election campaigns.
And he encouraged the three -- Carl Eskridge, Jayne Snyder and Gene Carroll -- to stay true to that message.
Mach, who said he was representing himself and not speaking in his role as executive director of the Lincoln Independent Business Association, also suggested the council use a one-time $1.7 million Verizon payment to reduce the dependence on property taxes this year.
But Carroll pointed out that last year, Mach stood before the council and urged it not to use one-time money to solve budget problems.
"You have changed your view on one-time dollars?" asked Carroll.
"Yes," said Mack.
More commissioners in our future
Lancaster County will likely add two members to its five-member Board of Commissioners after the 2020 census.
Counties with populations of more than 300,000 must have seven county commissioners, according to state law.
Lancaster County has more than 285,000 residents, based on the 2010 census.
Wheel tax, three months early
The proposed increase in the city's wheel tax will take effect this fall, not in January.
Traditionally, wheel tax hikes have started Jan. 1, but this series of increases ($10 this year for a car and $5 each of the next two years) will likely begin Oct. 1.
The ordinance provides for a Sept. 1 starting date. But city staff say that's probably not possible and the time will be amended to Oct. 1, if the council decides to approve the tax hike.
From the city's point of view, that three months of additional revenue brings in about $173,000 more to the city's street construction and repair program for next fiscal year, which begins Sept. 1.
About 80 percent of all firefighter calls are for medical emergencies, not fires, he notes.
So the medics and equipment would be a first response, quickly followed by a fire truck and ambulance from a fully staffed station.
Two men and an SUV would save about $500,000 a year in personnel costs for each station, Camp has said.
I asked Public Safety Director Tom Casady for his reaction to the two men and an SUV idea.
"Councilman Camp's proposal is not entirely out in left field, but it certainly would be a reduction in our capabilities and the level of service," Casady said in an email.
"It is a alternative to consider if we cannot afford the current level of service."
Camp's proposal would reduce staffing needs, but would create some problems, Casady said.
"There is a limit to what two people and an SUV can safely do. They can determine that there is no fire, and that the alarm is false. They can deploy a fire extinguisher on a burning trash can. They can use a pry bar on a sprung passenger-side door. They can stabilize a potentially broken ankle at a softball field.
"But there are many things they cannot do, most importantly, grab a hose from a fire engine and prepare to fight a structure fire. That would have to await the arrival of more personnel and the apparatus itself: a pumper.
"In reality, many incidents could be adequately dealt with by two people and an SUV (especially false alarms), and they could be a good first response to a medical emergency while the ambulance crew is en route.
"But you often do not know from the initial information precisely what you will encounter at the scene, and you operate on the belief that the fire alarm could be real, the back pain could actually be a symptom of a heart attack, and that extricating the passenger from the car could require hydraulic tools."
The two men and an SUV plan would mean that more Lincoln homes could not be reached by a fire truck within the 6-minute, 20-second goal.
"Two people with extinguishers, hand tools, first aid supplies, and a defibrillator is better than nothing at all, but it is clearly a reduced service level," Casady said.
Eat those words
During a city budget hearing, Coby Mach quoted specific no tax increase messages made by three City Council members in past election campaigns.
And he encouraged the three -- Carl Eskridge, Jayne Snyder and Gene Carroll -- to stay true to that message.
Mach, who said he was representing himself and not speaking in his role as executive director of the Lincoln Independent Business Association, also suggested the council use a one-time $1.7 million Verizon payment to reduce the dependence on property taxes this year.
But Carroll pointed out that last year, Mach stood before the council and urged it not to use one-time money to solve budget problems.
"You have changed your view on one-time dollars?" asked Carroll.
"Yes," said Mack.
More commissioners in our future
Lancaster County will likely add two members to its five-member Board of Commissioners after the 2020 census.
Counties with populations of more than 300,000 must have seven county commissioners, according to state law.
Lancaster County has more than 285,000 residents, based on the 2010 census.
Wheel tax, three months early
The proposed increase in the city's wheel tax will take effect this fall, not in January.
Traditionally, wheel tax hikes have started Jan. 1, but this series of increases ($10 this year for a car and $5 each of the next two years) will likely begin Oct. 1.
The ordinance provides for a Sept. 1 starting date. But city staff say that's probably not possible and the time will be amended to Oct. 1, if the council decides to approve the tax hike.
From the city's point of view, that three months of additional revenue brings in about $173,000 more to the city's street construction and repair program for next fiscal year, which begins Sept. 1.
2011年8月9日星期二
Kaman Declares Quarterly Dividend and Announces 14% Dividend Increase
The Board of Directors of Kaman Corporation (nasdaq-gs:KAMN)has approved a 14% increase in the company's regular quarterly dividend to 16 cents per share. The dividend is payable October 24, 2011 to shareholders of record on October 10, 2011.
"Today's Board action reflects our continuing commitment to increase shareholder returns and we are proud to say that this is our 41st consecutive year of dividend payments. This also demonstrates our company's strong financial position, the Board's continued confidence in our future, and our cash generation prospects," stated William Denninger, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
Kaman Corporation, founded in 1945 by aviation pioneer Charles H. Kaman, and headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut conducts business in the aerospace and industrial distribution markets. The company produces and/or markets widely used proprietary aircraft bearings and components; complex metallic and composite aerostructures for commercial, military and general aviation fixed and rotary wing aircraft; aerostructure engineering design analysis and FAA certification services; safe and arm solutions for missile and bomb systems for the U.S. and allied militaries; subcontract helicopter work; and support for the company's SH-2G Super Seasprite maritime helicopters and K-MAX medium-to-heavy lift helicopters. The company is a leading distributor of industrial parts, and operates more than 200 customer service centers and five distribution centers across North America. Kaman offers more than four million items including bearings, mechanical power transmission, electrical, material handling, motion control, fluid power, automation and MRO supplies to customers in virtually every industry. Additionally, Kaman provides engineering, design and support for automation, electrical, linear, hydraulic and pneumatic systems as well as belting and rubber fabrication, customized mechanical services, hose assemblies, repair, fluid analysis and motor management.
"Today's Board action reflects our continuing commitment to increase shareholder returns and we are proud to say that this is our 41st consecutive year of dividend payments. This also demonstrates our company's strong financial position, the Board's continued confidence in our future, and our cash generation prospects," stated William Denninger, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
Kaman Corporation, founded in 1945 by aviation pioneer Charles H. Kaman, and headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut conducts business in the aerospace and industrial distribution markets. The company produces and/or markets widely used proprietary aircraft bearings and components; complex metallic and composite aerostructures for commercial, military and general aviation fixed and rotary wing aircraft; aerostructure engineering design analysis and FAA certification services; safe and arm solutions for missile and bomb systems for the U.S. and allied militaries; subcontract helicopter work; and support for the company's SH-2G Super Seasprite maritime helicopters and K-MAX medium-to-heavy lift helicopters. The company is a leading distributor of industrial parts, and operates more than 200 customer service centers and five distribution centers across North America. Kaman offers more than four million items including bearings, mechanical power transmission, electrical, material handling, motion control, fluid power, automation and MRO supplies to customers in virtually every industry. Additionally, Kaman provides engineering, design and support for automation, electrical, linear, hydraulic and pneumatic systems as well as belting and rubber fabrication, customized mechanical services, hose assemblies, repair, fluid analysis and motor management.
2011年8月8日星期一
Executive Interview with David Hirschhorn, Director of Brand Management at CRP Automotive
David Hirschhorn has been director of brand management at CRP Automotive for the past two years. He is charged with ensuring that CRP's core brands are being maximized from both a marketing and sales perspective. He has been with CRP for more than eight years, and has served the company in many product development capacities, including roles as an assistant product manager, product manager and senior product manager.
He is directly responsible for and has played a major role in the development of the Rein Automotive program, CRP’s proprietary brand for OE quality import replacement parts, which is the focus of this interview. In this exclusive AMN Executive Interview, Hirschhorn shares details on the development of the Rein Automotive program and its role in CRP’s future growth.
CRP created the Rein Automotive program, CRP’s proprietary brand for OE quality import replacement parts, just in the past few years, so it may be an unfamiliar name to some. Can you tell us more about the brand?
CRP launched the Rein Automotive Brand in 2008. It’s CRP’s umbrella brand for a wide range of genuine, OE-quality automotive replacement parts for European vehicles, including Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Mini, Porsche, Saab, VW and Volvo. The line includes anti-vibration and suspension parts, air conditioning parts, axle boot kits and wheel bearings and bearing kits, as well as a new coolant hose program. We source these parts from a select group of OE-quality companies that are either OE suppliers or are able to meet our stringent criteria and very rigorous approval process. As a result, our Rein Automotive line has been very consistent in delivering the level of OE quality, vehicle fit and ease of use that today’s distributors and shops are demanding. The name "Rein” means “pure” in German. We chose it because we wanted to convey consistent and reliable quality, which is the hallmark of our brand.
Why is the import part market, and the Rein Automotive brand, important for CRP today?
CRP has more than 50 years of heritage and experience as an imports parts supplier. We focus heavily on European applications but are quickly growing our coverage for various Asian makes and models. While the market knows us well for the ContiTech and Pentosin product lines we provide, the Rein Automotive brand gives us the opportunity to expand beyond that and provide our customers with important products that are not available from these two global brands.
Many of the products that make up the Rein brand come from companies that are not as large or don’t have the market awareness of ContiTech and Pentosin. We are able to partner with these companies, grouping their products together to create an offering that is very attractive and beneficial to our customers. To CRP, this represents an excellent growth opportunity, and to our customers, it means proven OE quality solutions for many of their problems from a very reliable source they have learned to trust and respect.
We all know the import car parc is growing rapidly and changing at the same time. Because of this, there is a lot more interest in the products we offer for import vehicles. Some of our supplier partners manufacture very high-tech components, which for years had low demand but now have become very popular due to the changes in the market. An excellent example of this is our hydraulic mount and radiator hose programs. We’re very excited about these parts because their design and performance has changed quite a bit over the past 10 years and we anticipate a big increase in demand.
In a very short time, we will launch our line of import coolant hoses under the Rein Automotive brand name. The coolant hoses used on many late model vehicles are more than just “hoses.” They are systems composed of complex vehicle-specified assemblies featuring molded configurations with integrated thermocouples, O-ring seals and multiple connections to various engine components. Because of this, the typical “cut to fit” solution for molded hose that’s been around the market for years won’t work anymore. These applications require the exact form, fit and function of the OE part.
From a geographic standpoint, what are CRP/Rein’s most important markets today, and why?
The focus for the Rein brand is mostly on European vehicles, so the geographic regions we’ve been targeting are the East and West Coasts as well as areas like Chicago and portions of Texas. But as the number of import vehicles grow, so does demand in other geographic markets. Today, we have customers throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico for the Rein Automotive brand. Fortunately for us, our ContiTech belt program is an all makes, all models program with growing distribution in most regions, so we’re able to use our established customers to find out when the demand for European vehicle components grows enough in other markets to start targeting them.
He is directly responsible for and has played a major role in the development of the Rein Automotive program, CRP’s proprietary brand for OE quality import replacement parts, which is the focus of this interview. In this exclusive AMN Executive Interview, Hirschhorn shares details on the development of the Rein Automotive program and its role in CRP’s future growth.
CRP created the Rein Automotive program, CRP’s proprietary brand for OE quality import replacement parts, just in the past few years, so it may be an unfamiliar name to some. Can you tell us more about the brand?
CRP launched the Rein Automotive Brand in 2008. It’s CRP’s umbrella brand for a wide range of genuine, OE-quality automotive replacement parts for European vehicles, including Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Mini, Porsche, Saab, VW and Volvo. The line includes anti-vibration and suspension parts, air conditioning parts, axle boot kits and wheel bearings and bearing kits, as well as a new coolant hose program. We source these parts from a select group of OE-quality companies that are either OE suppliers or are able to meet our stringent criteria and very rigorous approval process. As a result, our Rein Automotive line has been very consistent in delivering the level of OE quality, vehicle fit and ease of use that today’s distributors and shops are demanding. The name "Rein” means “pure” in German. We chose it because we wanted to convey consistent and reliable quality, which is the hallmark of our brand.
Why is the import part market, and the Rein Automotive brand, important for CRP today?
CRP has more than 50 years of heritage and experience as an imports parts supplier. We focus heavily on European applications but are quickly growing our coverage for various Asian makes and models. While the market knows us well for the ContiTech and Pentosin product lines we provide, the Rein Automotive brand gives us the opportunity to expand beyond that and provide our customers with important products that are not available from these two global brands.
Many of the products that make up the Rein brand come from companies that are not as large or don’t have the market awareness of ContiTech and Pentosin. We are able to partner with these companies, grouping their products together to create an offering that is very attractive and beneficial to our customers. To CRP, this represents an excellent growth opportunity, and to our customers, it means proven OE quality solutions for many of their problems from a very reliable source they have learned to trust and respect.
We all know the import car parc is growing rapidly and changing at the same time. Because of this, there is a lot more interest in the products we offer for import vehicles. Some of our supplier partners manufacture very high-tech components, which for years had low demand but now have become very popular due to the changes in the market. An excellent example of this is our hydraulic mount and radiator hose programs. We’re very excited about these parts because their design and performance has changed quite a bit over the past 10 years and we anticipate a big increase in demand.
In a very short time, we will launch our line of import coolant hoses under the Rein Automotive brand name. The coolant hoses used on many late model vehicles are more than just “hoses.” They are systems composed of complex vehicle-specified assemblies featuring molded configurations with integrated thermocouples, O-ring seals and multiple connections to various engine components. Because of this, the typical “cut to fit” solution for molded hose that’s been around the market for years won’t work anymore. These applications require the exact form, fit and function of the OE part.
From a geographic standpoint, what are CRP/Rein’s most important markets today, and why?
The focus for the Rein brand is mostly on European vehicles, so the geographic regions we’ve been targeting are the East and West Coasts as well as areas like Chicago and portions of Texas. But as the number of import vehicles grow, so does demand in other geographic markets. Today, we have customers throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico for the Rein Automotive brand. Fortunately for us, our ContiTech belt program is an all makes, all models program with growing distribution in most regions, so we’re able to use our established customers to find out when the demand for European vehicle components grows enough in other markets to start targeting them.
2011年8月7日星期日
Air show organizers begin countdown to Thunder in the Valley
WATERLOO, Iowa --- The clock is ticking, faster now since August began.
In 20 days, 50,000 people or more will converge on the Waterloo Regional Airport. For two days. Expecting a good time.
Roger Pease is chairman of the committee organizing the Thunder in the Valley Air Show. He and Kiwanis International talked Chris Harshbarger into making it happen.
"This is going to be the largest air show in Iowa in many, many years, if ever," Pease said.
Charles Wheeland, a Kiwanis official, describes the potential more vividly.
"This is going to be a hell of a party," he said.
A highlight in the lineup Aug. 27-28 will be the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, one of the nation's elite, high-flying units. Six F-16 Fighting Falcons will tear up the sky at just below the speed of sound.
Spectators also will see members of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command parachute team, the Black Daggers, tumble out of aircraft. And a jet-powered school bus and outhouse, yes, outhouse, will roar across a runway.
Dozens of airplanes --- such as the E2 Hawkeye, C-130 Hercules, FA-18 Hornet and CH-Super Stallion --- and displays will be on hand, including an exhibit focusing on the Tuskegee Airmen.
"With all the acts we've put together, people are going to be amazed," Pease says. "I doubt if they've seen any shows bigger."
Getting there
The organizing committee includes about 35 people, primarily officials addressing their areas of expertise, ranging from public safety to federal regulations to military issues. The Waterloo and Cedar Falls police and fire departments, airport, Civil Air Patrol, Experimental Aircraft Association and Waterloo Convention and Visitors Bureau are represented. So are private business, like Livingston Aviation, that are helping with logistics.
This month the group began meeting weekly, a nod to deadline pressures.
"It is our custom to open and close within an hour," Chris Harshbarger tells those assembled Tuesday at the airport.
Agenda items cover the front and back of a sheet of paper, and the to-do list is staggering and wide-ranging. Someone on the committee has to come up with a garden hose and sprinkler for overheated kids to play in, if that becomes one of the attractions. Someone else must figure out where to park a 757.
Jerry Durham, chancellor of Allen College, is helping line up a mobile medical clinic. Even if all goes exceedingly well, with thousands of people milling about, officials may face sprains, strains and cases of sunburn. More serious problems could easily develop, however.
"We aren't anticipating great amounts of difficulties, but we want to be prepared," Durham says.
The safety, security and emergency response plan, tailored specifically for the Thunder in the Valley Air Show covers 39 pages. The Thunderbirds' support manual has 94.
Harshbarger reviews a three-page list, acknowledging he barely recognizes some of the information as derivatives of the English language, let alone useful equipment necessary. Apparently a successful air show needs things like a fuel bowser, an SGNCS self-generating nitrogen cart and an MJ-2 hydraulic test stand. If that last one isn't available, an MJ-3 will work.
In 20 days, 50,000 people or more will converge on the Waterloo Regional Airport. For two days. Expecting a good time.
Roger Pease is chairman of the committee organizing the Thunder in the Valley Air Show. He and Kiwanis International talked Chris Harshbarger into making it happen.
"This is going to be the largest air show in Iowa in many, many years, if ever," Pease said.
Charles Wheeland, a Kiwanis official, describes the potential more vividly.
"This is going to be a hell of a party," he said.
A highlight in the lineup Aug. 27-28 will be the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, one of the nation's elite, high-flying units. Six F-16 Fighting Falcons will tear up the sky at just below the speed of sound.
Spectators also will see members of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command parachute team, the Black Daggers, tumble out of aircraft. And a jet-powered school bus and outhouse, yes, outhouse, will roar across a runway.
Dozens of airplanes --- such as the E2 Hawkeye, C-130 Hercules, FA-18 Hornet and CH-Super Stallion --- and displays will be on hand, including an exhibit focusing on the Tuskegee Airmen.
"With all the acts we've put together, people are going to be amazed," Pease says. "I doubt if they've seen any shows bigger."
Getting there
The organizing committee includes about 35 people, primarily officials addressing their areas of expertise, ranging from public safety to federal regulations to military issues. The Waterloo and Cedar Falls police and fire departments, airport, Civil Air Patrol, Experimental Aircraft Association and Waterloo Convention and Visitors Bureau are represented. So are private business, like Livingston Aviation, that are helping with logistics.
This month the group began meeting weekly, a nod to deadline pressures.
"It is our custom to open and close within an hour," Chris Harshbarger tells those assembled Tuesday at the airport.
Agenda items cover the front and back of a sheet of paper, and the to-do list is staggering and wide-ranging. Someone on the committee has to come up with a garden hose and sprinkler for overheated kids to play in, if that becomes one of the attractions. Someone else must figure out where to park a 757.
Jerry Durham, chancellor of Allen College, is helping line up a mobile medical clinic. Even if all goes exceedingly well, with thousands of people milling about, officials may face sprains, strains and cases of sunburn. More serious problems could easily develop, however.
"We aren't anticipating great amounts of difficulties, but we want to be prepared," Durham says.
The safety, security and emergency response plan, tailored specifically for the Thunder in the Valley Air Show covers 39 pages. The Thunderbirds' support manual has 94.
Harshbarger reviews a three-page list, acknowledging he barely recognizes some of the information as derivatives of the English language, let alone useful equipment necessary. Apparently a successful air show needs things like a fuel bowser, an SGNCS self-generating nitrogen cart and an MJ-2 hydraulic test stand. If that last one isn't available, an MJ-3 will work.
2011年8月3日星期三
Kaman Helicopters Appoints Jeff Sharbaugh as New Proposals Manager
Representatives of Kaman Aerospace Corporation announced today that aerospace industry veteran Jeff Sharbaugh has joined the Helicopters Division as Proposal Manager.
In his new role, Sharbaugh will be responsible for leading the ongoing efforts of the company’s proposal team, as well as supporting the expanding business development activities for Kaman Helicopters.
“Jeff brings tremendous experience creating successful proposals for the variety of aerospace business areas in which Kaman Helicopters provides products and services,” said Mark Tattershall, director of Marketing & Business Development for Kaman Helicopters. “His industry knowledge and recent successes will surely make a significant contribution to helping us achieve our ambitious strategic growth plans.”
Some of the biggest names in aerospace, including Bell, Boeing, Sikorsky, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and MD Helicopters rely on Kaman Helicopters’ product group for a variety of specialized services. Backed by the company’s infrastructure and expertise as a helicopter OEM, Kaman is the only subcontractor with the capability to provide design/analysis and manufacturing capabilities, as well as testing and flight solutions.
Kaman Helicopters is also in the unique business position to offer specialized capabilities including integration, composite and metallic manufacturing, final assembly, rotor blade manufacture, sand erosion testing, an erosion protection system, and whirl tower and flight testing.
“Kaman Helicopters stands alone in its ability to offer helicopter and aircraft OEMs such a wide array of highly specialized development, manufacturing and testing services,” Sharbaugh said. “Our customers’ desire to reduce cost and increase efficiency, combined with our high levels of expertise and capabilities, will open the door to a growing list of new business opportunities.” Prior to joining Kaman Helicopters, Sharbaugh managed a variety of development programs for Ducommun Aerostructures, Lord Corporation and Hamilton Sundstrand.
In his new role, Sharbaugh will be responsible for leading the ongoing efforts of the company’s proposal team, as well as supporting the expanding business development activities for Kaman Helicopters.
“Jeff brings tremendous experience creating successful proposals for the variety of aerospace business areas in which Kaman Helicopters provides products and services,” said Mark Tattershall, director of Marketing & Business Development for Kaman Helicopters. “His industry knowledge and recent successes will surely make a significant contribution to helping us achieve our ambitious strategic growth plans.”
Some of the biggest names in aerospace, including Bell, Boeing, Sikorsky, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and MD Helicopters rely on Kaman Helicopters’ product group for a variety of specialized services. Backed by the company’s infrastructure and expertise as a helicopter OEM, Kaman is the only subcontractor with the capability to provide design/analysis and manufacturing capabilities, as well as testing and flight solutions.
Kaman Helicopters is also in the unique business position to offer specialized capabilities including integration, composite and metallic manufacturing, final assembly, rotor blade manufacture, sand erosion testing, an erosion protection system, and whirl tower and flight testing.
“Kaman Helicopters stands alone in its ability to offer helicopter and aircraft OEMs such a wide array of highly specialized development, manufacturing and testing services,” Sharbaugh said. “Our customers’ desire to reduce cost and increase efficiency, combined with our high levels of expertise and capabilities, will open the door to a growing list of new business opportunities.” Prior to joining Kaman Helicopters, Sharbaugh managed a variety of development programs for Ducommun Aerostructures, Lord Corporation and Hamilton Sundstrand.
2011年8月1日星期一
Mighty Aphrodite, Kylie Minogue On Tour, Part 2: The Water
Kylie Minogue’s Aphrodite – Les Folies world tour’s grandest surprise—and the most jaw-dropping—is the extensive use of water. Hidden within the depths of the stage are 11,000 gallons of water, unleashed into various areas, including the two main stage pools, mostly 8" deep (for fountain integration) with 36" deep sections for aerialist submersions. The B-stage is itself a pool with shallow and deep sections, at the center of which is the three-tier scissor lift. The lift consists of two rings and a center platform, all hydraulically actuated. Both the outermost (rises 42" above stage height) and inner (rises 109") rings can rotate 360° and have 12 fountains each. The lift is run by one 15hp hydraulic pump. “It’s a completely custom lift—no electronic parts in it, because it gets completely submerged at one point,” says lighting/production/technical designer Nick Whitehouse. “Normally hydraulic is not very precise, but they’ve made this very precise.”
The water sequence happens during the last two songs and is introduced during “On A Night Like This.” Anderson composed a new opening for the song, which was used by Stephan Miermont to choreograph a team of synchronized swimmers filmed for the screens. “The beginning of the water programming happens in the intro and the main fountain stuff in the body of the song,” says Anderson.
The Fountain People, in coordination with Tait Towers, designed and integrated the water effects and supplied the custom water lighting fixtures. A variety of fountains grace the stage. The B-stage has thin fountains that surround the tiered lift. Ten fountains in the main stage pools add air to the streams, making them appear bulkier. Each runway has six vertical shooters that can reach 30' high. Five arching jets shoot down the runway, and two cross-stage shooters reach the opposite runway. The main stage and runway fountains, and the B-stage pool have custom LEDs installed. An array of 2.5hp and 7.5hp pumps circulate and drive the system, and the water is always circulating and heated.
“We have a series of 11 tanks under the runways and two tanks under the stage,” says Zangen. “Each runway has three platforms making up the area of the series of fountain heads. There are the thin pieces in the middle that have all the mechanics, solenoids, switches, and functions, and the outer pieces are filled with the holes for the catch. So essentially, one runway section is made up of five parts: catch basins, the three platform pieces, and the tank.”
Covering the stage in water required a lot of planning from the designers and engineers. “We were really conscious of safety,” says Whitehouse. The catch system and waterproof decking are keys to the success of the water integration. “The runway platforms are aluminum frames, and inset into each one is rubber material on marine plywood with all sorts of marine-grade glues,” adds Zangen. After trying nearly 50 materials, recycled rubber flooring made from old tires was picked for the deck surface, with holes for drainage. The water drains into sheets of bent, flexible plastic located underneath the deck, with funnels emptying directly into the tanks. The water is then reheated and recirculated. Carrying the water is approximately 1π miles of green hose, nicknamed “Medusa” in the shop during construction.
Controlling the water is another undertaking. “There are 300 axes of motion in the stage—more than most installed Vegas Cirque shows,” Whitehouse says. “The water system alone has 230 of them.” Each fountain has numerous control parameters, including pump speed, which sets shooting distance, solenoids that open and close the system, recirculation, and velocity, among others. This level of control is time-consuming. “We had three weeks of tech to do everything,” adds Whitehouse. “There’s a lot of programming for the water. It’s only eight minutes of the show, but it’s a spectacular eight minutes.”
The water elements, flying, and stage lifts are controlled from one FTSI automation systemlocated at front-of-house. Evacuation of the system is surprisingly fast, taking only 30 minutes for the entire system using a dedicated evacuation unit with fire hoses. “The stage on its own weighs 60,000lbs when full of water,” says Whitehouse. “So it’s not a small hunk of machinery.” Huge as it is, the entire stage load-in takes approximately eight hours, plus four for rigging, and it loads out in only three.
Given the potential complications of touring water, the crew supported the idea, and venues actually welcomed it, knowing the precautions. “No one’s ever toured this much water and this type of system,” explains Zangen. “At certain points, we’ve had tanker trucks show up with water to speed up the process, but other times, we just used the venue’s water supplies.” Still, there were some skeptics, according to Anderson. “The idea of taking water on the road was one everyone advised us against, which is, of course, why we did it and proved them all wrong,” he says.
The water sequence happens during the last two songs and is introduced during “On A Night Like This.” Anderson composed a new opening for the song, which was used by Stephan Miermont to choreograph a team of synchronized swimmers filmed for the screens. “The beginning of the water programming happens in the intro and the main fountain stuff in the body of the song,” says Anderson.
The Fountain People, in coordination with Tait Towers, designed and integrated the water effects and supplied the custom water lighting fixtures. A variety of fountains grace the stage. The B-stage has thin fountains that surround the tiered lift. Ten fountains in the main stage pools add air to the streams, making them appear bulkier. Each runway has six vertical shooters that can reach 30' high. Five arching jets shoot down the runway, and two cross-stage shooters reach the opposite runway. The main stage and runway fountains, and the B-stage pool have custom LEDs installed. An array of 2.5hp and 7.5hp pumps circulate and drive the system, and the water is always circulating and heated.
“We have a series of 11 tanks under the runways and two tanks under the stage,” says Zangen. “Each runway has three platforms making up the area of the series of fountain heads. There are the thin pieces in the middle that have all the mechanics, solenoids, switches, and functions, and the outer pieces are filled with the holes for the catch. So essentially, one runway section is made up of five parts: catch basins, the three platform pieces, and the tank.”
Covering the stage in water required a lot of planning from the designers and engineers. “We were really conscious of safety,” says Whitehouse. The catch system and waterproof decking are keys to the success of the water integration. “The runway platforms are aluminum frames, and inset into each one is rubber material on marine plywood with all sorts of marine-grade glues,” adds Zangen. After trying nearly 50 materials, recycled rubber flooring made from old tires was picked for the deck surface, with holes for drainage. The water drains into sheets of bent, flexible plastic located underneath the deck, with funnels emptying directly into the tanks. The water is then reheated and recirculated. Carrying the water is approximately 1π miles of green hose, nicknamed “Medusa” in the shop during construction.
Controlling the water is another undertaking. “There are 300 axes of motion in the stage—more than most installed Vegas Cirque shows,” Whitehouse says. “The water system alone has 230 of them.” Each fountain has numerous control parameters, including pump speed, which sets shooting distance, solenoids that open and close the system, recirculation, and velocity, among others. This level of control is time-consuming. “We had three weeks of tech to do everything,” adds Whitehouse. “There’s a lot of programming for the water. It’s only eight minutes of the show, but it’s a spectacular eight minutes.”
The water elements, flying, and stage lifts are controlled from one FTSI automation systemlocated at front-of-house. Evacuation of the system is surprisingly fast, taking only 30 minutes for the entire system using a dedicated evacuation unit with fire hoses. “The stage on its own weighs 60,000lbs when full of water,” says Whitehouse. “So it’s not a small hunk of machinery.” Huge as it is, the entire stage load-in takes approximately eight hours, plus four for rigging, and it loads out in only three.
Given the potential complications of touring water, the crew supported the idea, and venues actually welcomed it, knowing the precautions. “No one’s ever toured this much water and this type of system,” explains Zangen. “At certain points, we’ve had tanker trucks show up with water to speed up the process, but other times, we just used the venue’s water supplies.” Still, there were some skeptics, according to Anderson. “The idea of taking water on the road was one everyone advised us against, which is, of course, why we did it and proved them all wrong,” he says.
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