Thirteen boys and girls toured Greenacres departments, including finance, planning and engineering, public safety and leisure services as part of the annual Florida City Government Week project for students in the city's after-school programs.
During a tour of the planning and engineering department, Director Tom Lanahan told the kids how he started out building things as a child and worked his way up to architecture school at the University of Notre Dame.
Lanahan told them there were several times when he was nervous about beginning something new, such as learning to speak in public or meeting with his first clients as an architect.
"You're going to encounter stuff you're going to be afraid of," Lanahan said. "You just jump in there and do it."
At the Department of Public Safety, firefighter/paramedic Raul Solarte showed the kids the inside of a holding cell, which was painted pink to calm down agitated detainees. They saw the interview room where suspects are questioned and the dorms where firefighters sleep.
Speaking from a rescue truck, Solarte described the defibrillator used to restart stopped hearts in terms the kids could understand.
"We control-alt-delete the heart, and hopefully it starts to pump," he said.
Opening up the sides of a fire engine, Solarte showed them the power saw that cuts through steel and concrete, the chain saw used to carve open roofs, the air packs that firefighters wear in burning buildings and the hydraulic jaws of life used to free people from wrecked cars.
At the end of the tour, Solarte attached a hose to a hydrant and let each kid try spraying water. Even after they were told to lean forward before opening the valve, some of them were pushed back a few steps by the power of the thrust.
Mareisha Ward, a fifth-grader at Heritage Elementary, said she enjoyed using the fire hose but is more interested in police work. "I want to be a police officer or an investigator," she said.
2011年9月29日星期四
2011年9月28日星期三
Soapbox Philosophy: Tapping potential in our kids
The tread of Connor’s shoes hovered about four feet in front of me. Between the toes of his shoes I could see his chin, with the dental hygeinist tackling his teeth with that hydraulic spinning toothbrush and tiny hose.
For some reason, Connor does not fear the dentist. Then again, he’s never had a cavity, either, nor a tooth pulled. I have, and while it was unpleasant at the time, I came out all right and I’m glad its over and done.
But, a couple of weekends ago, Connor got on stage for his very first non-school, public performance. His older brother, Logan, did the same. I’ve never done that. I’ve had the opportunity, but, outside of a few school plays, I’ve never had the nerve. Public speaking takes nerve and practice, practice, practice.
At Friday’s football game in Wapello, the Bears put on a convincing display against the home team, and finished the night with a 56-8 win. At one point in the game, Coach Butch Pedersen pulled aside one player for a scolding, asking him if he was afraid. When the player answered no, Pedersen said “Then hit somebody!”
Sometimes Pedersen shouts, sometimes he heaps great praise. Sometimes he talks with players as equals, conferring with them on ways they can improve, like he’s striking some sort of a deal.
And year after year, the West Branch High School football team has one great season after another. The Bears have won 14 of the last 17 district championships because Pedersen and his assistant coaches have numerous tools for getting more out of the players than the players even think they can do. Getting over fear is one of the necessary accomplishments that makes players better.
For my kids in the play, they had to learn a script with more than 50 pages. Miss Nelson is Missing gives more lines to the teachers, Miss Nelson/Miss Swamp (same person in disguise), but the kids are in every scene but one and their dialogue is almost continuous, bouncing from one kid to the other. They had to learn their lines, cues from the other actors/actresses, blocking and more. The director, Marge Urmie, practiced with them three times a week, then five times a week, leading up to the play. It worked — they had their lines down and now were “acting” them out as well.
I was skeptical, but they did it. Urmie got them to memorize pages and pages of that script, much more than I thought possible for boys who just turned 9 and 10 years old.
Look at our other sports teams, or the Science Club, or the Drama Club, or the Show Choir. Consider the long list of students who earn scholarships year after year, or set school records, or get selected for all-conference, or all-state, or even get signed by a university.
The potential ought to put us in awe, and ought to prompt us to try harder with each and every one of them.
I am nothing but impressed with how these coaches, sponsors, directors, etc. find ways to help students overcome fear and do more than they even think they can.
For some reason, Connor does not fear the dentist. Then again, he’s never had a cavity, either, nor a tooth pulled. I have, and while it was unpleasant at the time, I came out all right and I’m glad its over and done.
But, a couple of weekends ago, Connor got on stage for his very first non-school, public performance. His older brother, Logan, did the same. I’ve never done that. I’ve had the opportunity, but, outside of a few school plays, I’ve never had the nerve. Public speaking takes nerve and practice, practice, practice.
At Friday’s football game in Wapello, the Bears put on a convincing display against the home team, and finished the night with a 56-8 win. At one point in the game, Coach Butch Pedersen pulled aside one player for a scolding, asking him if he was afraid. When the player answered no, Pedersen said “Then hit somebody!”
Sometimes Pedersen shouts, sometimes he heaps great praise. Sometimes he talks with players as equals, conferring with them on ways they can improve, like he’s striking some sort of a deal.
And year after year, the West Branch High School football team has one great season after another. The Bears have won 14 of the last 17 district championships because Pedersen and his assistant coaches have numerous tools for getting more out of the players than the players even think they can do. Getting over fear is one of the necessary accomplishments that makes players better.
For my kids in the play, they had to learn a script with more than 50 pages. Miss Nelson is Missing gives more lines to the teachers, Miss Nelson/Miss Swamp (same person in disguise), but the kids are in every scene but one and their dialogue is almost continuous, bouncing from one kid to the other. They had to learn their lines, cues from the other actors/actresses, blocking and more. The director, Marge Urmie, practiced with them three times a week, then five times a week, leading up to the play. It worked — they had their lines down and now were “acting” them out as well.
I was skeptical, but they did it. Urmie got them to memorize pages and pages of that script, much more than I thought possible for boys who just turned 9 and 10 years old.
Look at our other sports teams, or the Science Club, or the Drama Club, or the Show Choir. Consider the long list of students who earn scholarships year after year, or set school records, or get selected for all-conference, or all-state, or even get signed by a university.
The potential ought to put us in awe, and ought to prompt us to try harder with each and every one of them.
I am nothing but impressed with how these coaches, sponsors, directors, etc. find ways to help students overcome fear and do more than they even think they can.
2011年9月27日星期二
First look: Kinesis Crosslight Pro6
This was the coded phone message road.cc got from Kinesis UK to let us know that their new disc-braked Crosslight Pro 6 that we snuck a look at the prototype of a few months ago was finally finished, in production, built up and ready for an exclusive look.
The Pro 6 is a cyclo-cross frame making full use of the UCI ruling allowing disc-brakes to be used in CX competition as it’s designed for discs, and discs only, with no purist-friendly cantilever mounts to be seen. Although its main objective is for racing it still comes with a full compliment of mudguard and rack mounts, and twin bottle bosses for off-duty options, but opposed to the majority of ‘cyclo-cross’ bikes vajazzled with accessory mounts that come with polite pedaling angles and handle a bit slack-jawed, touring bikes and hybrids in a trendy ‘cross bike guise if you will, the Pro 6 is a set of tubes with a fast race-specific geometry, something Crosslight are very good at with a long and proven ‘cross winning history.
The guys at Kinesis are convinced that discs are the way forward for cyclo-cross, allowing consistent braking throughout the race while your competitors cantilever pads get worn away by the grit and grime, leading to cheeky position grabbing out-braking into corners and of course your expensive deep section carbon rims also last longer.
The Kinesium frame, an enhanced 6000 series aluminium alloy – claimed to be 25% stronger than 6061 at the same weight level – has been designed specifically with cyclo-cross racing in mind. Kinesis reason that cyclo-cross is the only cycle sport where the rider deliberately touches the frame so have concentrated on the tactile aspects of the Pro6. The downtube isn’t oversized and doesn’t have any on-trend funky tube profiling, making it easier to grab with a muddy carrying hand and there’s less tube area for heavy wet mud to stick to, but to keep the strength up there’s a gusset at the head-tube junction.
The ‘Ergo2′ top-tube slopes only ever so slightly, leaving room aplenty inside the frame triangle for a shoulder, and the underside is flattened for comfier carrying, with the transition from flat to round kept fluid so there’s no sharp edges to dig into a shoulder-blade. Cables run along the right-hand side of the top-tube, away from your neck when carrying and stops are designed to take a full outer cable for maximum mud and water resistance or a hydraulic hose.
Chain and seatstays are straight for direct power transfer – a cyclo-cross bike isn’t meant to be comfortable – the right-hand chainstay is Kinesis’s ‘A-Stay’ and rear clearance looks good despite the chainstay bridge. The bottom-bracket is somewhere between a traditionally high CX height, a hang-over from the days when racers wanted ground clearance for a dangling toe-clip and strap, and a low road BB height as Kinesis figure you still need some pedal clearance for ruts and roots. The tapered head-tube has been kept short and low because ‘cross racers don’t want a star-gazey front end: it’s an hour’s hard race, not a genteel sportive.
The Pro 6 comes in Metallic Black, Tech White or Deep Red colour choices, each with a matching fork, and even the subtly metallic paint has thinking behind it, Kinesis say that as there are more layers of paint needed to create the effect it means the finish is tougher and more resistant to the pointy elbows and marker posts of ‘cross racing. Showing further thought the supplied bottle-cage and rack bolts are shallow domed rather than the usual proud allen bolts that can rip into a lycra jersey, or skin. The seat-tube accepts a 27.2 seatpost, because it’s what’s most likely to be in people’s shed, fitting in with the “built up from spares” ethos of most CX bikes and the bottom-bracket is threaded, flying in the face of the plague of integrated BB standards for the very same reason.
The Pro 6 frame comes with a 'CXD' full-carbon 1-1/8">1.5" tapered headtube fork weighing 500g. The fork has a post-mount for the disc, is eyeleted at the dropouts and rear of the crown and neatly includes disc-hose clip on the left-hand blade.
Handling the tricky lever-cable-to-hydraulic-caliper braking duties is the TRP Parabox unit that hides under the stem, feel at the lever was reassuringly positive, but the bike couldn’t be ridden to get an idea of how the brake felt on the move, or on the stop, as it had no pedals and more essentially the tubs weren’t actually glued on, which was a shame as it’s the first time a Parabox unit has appeared on a bike in the UK.
You’ll be able to see this sweet build Pro 6 this weekend at the Cycle Show in the NEC, where you can also stroke it’s new Reynolds Assault carbon CX disc wheels for the first time as well as sniff the bike’s new Oval saddle and rub the tread off the new FMB Super Mud tyres.
The Pro 6 is a cyclo-cross frame making full use of the UCI ruling allowing disc-brakes to be used in CX competition as it’s designed for discs, and discs only, with no purist-friendly cantilever mounts to be seen. Although its main objective is for racing it still comes with a full compliment of mudguard and rack mounts, and twin bottle bosses for off-duty options, but opposed to the majority of ‘cyclo-cross’ bikes vajazzled with accessory mounts that come with polite pedaling angles and handle a bit slack-jawed, touring bikes and hybrids in a trendy ‘cross bike guise if you will, the Pro 6 is a set of tubes with a fast race-specific geometry, something Crosslight are very good at with a long and proven ‘cross winning history.
The guys at Kinesis are convinced that discs are the way forward for cyclo-cross, allowing consistent braking throughout the race while your competitors cantilever pads get worn away by the grit and grime, leading to cheeky position grabbing out-braking into corners and of course your expensive deep section carbon rims also last longer.
The Kinesium frame, an enhanced 6000 series aluminium alloy – claimed to be 25% stronger than 6061 at the same weight level – has been designed specifically with cyclo-cross racing in mind. Kinesis reason that cyclo-cross is the only cycle sport where the rider deliberately touches the frame so have concentrated on the tactile aspects of the Pro6. The downtube isn’t oversized and doesn’t have any on-trend funky tube profiling, making it easier to grab with a muddy carrying hand and there’s less tube area for heavy wet mud to stick to, but to keep the strength up there’s a gusset at the head-tube junction.
The ‘Ergo2′ top-tube slopes only ever so slightly, leaving room aplenty inside the frame triangle for a shoulder, and the underside is flattened for comfier carrying, with the transition from flat to round kept fluid so there’s no sharp edges to dig into a shoulder-blade. Cables run along the right-hand side of the top-tube, away from your neck when carrying and stops are designed to take a full outer cable for maximum mud and water resistance or a hydraulic hose.
Chain and seatstays are straight for direct power transfer – a cyclo-cross bike isn’t meant to be comfortable – the right-hand chainstay is Kinesis’s ‘A-Stay’ and rear clearance looks good despite the chainstay bridge. The bottom-bracket is somewhere between a traditionally high CX height, a hang-over from the days when racers wanted ground clearance for a dangling toe-clip and strap, and a low road BB height as Kinesis figure you still need some pedal clearance for ruts and roots. The tapered head-tube has been kept short and low because ‘cross racers don’t want a star-gazey front end: it’s an hour’s hard race, not a genteel sportive.
The Pro 6 comes in Metallic Black, Tech White or Deep Red colour choices, each with a matching fork, and even the subtly metallic paint has thinking behind it, Kinesis say that as there are more layers of paint needed to create the effect it means the finish is tougher and more resistant to the pointy elbows and marker posts of ‘cross racing. Showing further thought the supplied bottle-cage and rack bolts are shallow domed rather than the usual proud allen bolts that can rip into a lycra jersey, or skin. The seat-tube accepts a 27.2 seatpost, because it’s what’s most likely to be in people’s shed, fitting in with the “built up from spares” ethos of most CX bikes and the bottom-bracket is threaded, flying in the face of the plague of integrated BB standards for the very same reason.
The Pro 6 frame comes with a 'CXD' full-carbon 1-1/8">1.5" tapered headtube fork weighing 500g. The fork has a post-mount for the disc, is eyeleted at the dropouts and rear of the crown and neatly includes disc-hose clip on the left-hand blade.
Handling the tricky lever-cable-to-hydraulic-caliper braking duties is the TRP Parabox unit that hides under the stem, feel at the lever was reassuringly positive, but the bike couldn’t be ridden to get an idea of how the brake felt on the move, or on the stop, as it had no pedals and more essentially the tubs weren’t actually glued on, which was a shame as it’s the first time a Parabox unit has appeared on a bike in the UK.
You’ll be able to see this sweet build Pro 6 this weekend at the Cycle Show in the NEC, where you can also stroke it’s new Reynolds Assault carbon CX disc wheels for the first time as well as sniff the bike’s new Oval saddle and rub the tread off the new FMB Super Mud tyres.
2011年9月26日星期一
U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in Michigan
Michigan Inventor Develops Patent for Self-adjusting Wind Turbine Generator Blade ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 26 -- Guixian Lu, Pontiac, Mich., has developed a patent (8,021,114) for a "self-adjusting wind turbine generator blade." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A self-adjusting blade for wind turbine generator or windmill will change width of blades according to wind speed to optimize efficiency. The windmill comprises a brace, rib tubes, cylinders, cylinder holders, hose holders, non-movable shells, and movable shells. The movable shells and rib tubes are organized like extendable antennas of portable radios. The movable shells are moved and held by cylinders. There are sets of hose holder for hoses and wires for cylinders. A micro-controller controls cylinders to move the movable shells according wind speed."
The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The specification discloses a locking threaded fastener including a body, a coil spring, and a compression ring. The body is hex-shaped and defines a partially threaded bore, an external circumferential groove, and a passage extending radially between the bore and the groove. The coil spring is located within the bore and includes a first end angularly fixed with respect to the body and a second end extending through the passage and into the groove. The compression ring is located within the groove and defines an opening receiving the second end of the coil spring. The compression ring is free to move within the groove and includes portions that extending radially outwardly beyond the flats of the hex shape. When a conventional wrench is engaged with the hex shape, the wrench compresses the compression ring to prevent relative angular movement between the ring and the body. The "locked" compression ring thereby prevents relative angular movement between the second end of the coil spring and the body."
The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting mechanisms. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting mechanisms include clutches and a brake. The torque transmitting mechanisms are each selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first, second, and third members of the planetary gear sets with at least another one of the first members, second members, third members of the planetary gear sets, and the stationary element. The torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member."
GM Global Technology Operations, Detroit, has been assigned a patent (8,021,257) developed by Michael D. Foster, Carmel, Ind., Jy-Jen F. Sah, West Bloomfield, Mich., and Peter E. Wu, Brighton, Mich., for a "hydraulic clutch control system." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A transmission includes two blocking valves that control fluid pressure to a plurality of clutches. The blocking valves are characterized by a plurality of states that result in at least three transmission operating conditions. Each of the three operating conditions is characterized by fluid pressure being unavailable to at least one of the clutches."
The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The specification discloses a locking threaded fastener including a body, a coil spring, and a compression ring. The body is hex-shaped and defines a partially threaded bore, an external circumferential groove, and a passage extending radially between the bore and the groove. The coil spring is located within the bore and includes a first end angularly fixed with respect to the body and a second end extending through the passage and into the groove. The compression ring is located within the groove and defines an opening receiving the second end of the coil spring. The compression ring is free to move within the groove and includes portions that extending radially outwardly beyond the flats of the hex shape. When a conventional wrench is engaged with the hex shape, the wrench compresses the compression ring to prevent relative angular movement between the ring and the body. The "locked" compression ring thereby prevents relative angular movement between the second end of the coil spring and the body."
The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting mechanisms. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting mechanisms include clutches and a brake. The torque transmitting mechanisms are each selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first, second, and third members of the planetary gear sets with at least another one of the first members, second members, third members of the planetary gear sets, and the stationary element. The torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member."
GM Global Technology Operations, Detroit, has been assigned a patent (8,021,257) developed by Michael D. Foster, Carmel, Ind., Jy-Jen F. Sah, West Bloomfield, Mich., and Peter E. Wu, Brighton, Mich., for a "hydraulic clutch control system." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A transmission includes two blocking valves that control fluid pressure to a plurality of clutches. The blocking valves are characterized by a plurality of states that result in at least three transmission operating conditions. Each of the three operating conditions is characterized by fluid pressure being unavailable to at least one of the clutches."
2011年9月25日星期日
Firefighters Taking Heat For Inappropriate On Camera Hose Usage
Firefighters in Los Angeles are being investigated for acting like how Samantha from Sex & The City thought they should act- by filming pornographic films while on duty.
The rescue workers aren't exactly getting hosed here; by all reports, it was pretty obvious that the pornographic films, featured on a very popular NSFW website, took place inside a Los Angeles fire house and feature Los Angeles Fire Department trucks prominently.
In one of the movies, shot at Venice Beach, LAFD Engine 263 is used as the backdrop by an actress performing lewd acts.
"Look at this fire truck," says porn actress Charley Chase, as she climbs on the engine and repeatedly exposes herself. "Isn't that nice?"
It appears that a group of firefighters are watching the movie being shot.
"I know them," one man says on camera in the reality-style porn flick. "I'm a firefighter."
It gets worse. Not only is obviously a LA firehouse, the firetruck used during the filming is illegally parked across two disabled parking spots and the truck is not within sight of the firefighters assigned to it. The entire video is policy violation central, and officials are all hot and bothered over the veritable orgy of rulebreaking captured on film.
For several minutes of the movie, the actress appears to have free access to the engine, and asks numerous passersby to fondle her.
"Look, I think we have more friends," she says, as a group of men stop to fondle the actress.
"Zero tolerance for that," said Capt. Tina Haro, an LAFD spokeswoman.
This isn't the first department in the City of Angels to be investigated for filming porn, nor is it the first investigation of its kind this year. In April, two traffic cops from the Department of Transportation did some penis acting of their own while in uniform and on duty.
The rescue workers aren't exactly getting hosed here; by all reports, it was pretty obvious that the pornographic films, featured on a very popular NSFW website, took place inside a Los Angeles fire house and feature Los Angeles Fire Department trucks prominently.
In one of the movies, shot at Venice Beach, LAFD Engine 263 is used as the backdrop by an actress performing lewd acts.
"Look at this fire truck," says porn actress Charley Chase, as she climbs on the engine and repeatedly exposes herself. "Isn't that nice?"
It appears that a group of firefighters are watching the movie being shot.
"I know them," one man says on camera in the reality-style porn flick. "I'm a firefighter."
It gets worse. Not only is obviously a LA firehouse, the firetruck used during the filming is illegally parked across two disabled parking spots and the truck is not within sight of the firefighters assigned to it. The entire video is policy violation central, and officials are all hot and bothered over the veritable orgy of rulebreaking captured on film.
For several minutes of the movie, the actress appears to have free access to the engine, and asks numerous passersby to fondle her.
"Look, I think we have more friends," she says, as a group of men stop to fondle the actress.
"Zero tolerance for that," said Capt. Tina Haro, an LAFD spokeswoman.
This isn't the first department in the City of Angels to be investigated for filming porn, nor is it the first investigation of its kind this year. In April, two traffic cops from the Department of Transportation did some penis acting of their own while in uniform and on duty.
2011年9月22日星期四
Southern Weaving buys Jones Products
CEO Ron Mohling announced that Greenville-based Southern Weaving Company, manufacturer of narrow webbing, has expanded its manufacturing capabilities through the acquisition of Jones Products, a company specializing in coatings for webbing.
This purchase will give Southern Weaving the ability to add value to its products. Coatings can enhance the performance of webbing, making it more abrasion-resistant, durable, waterproof, and cleanable, among other characteristics.
"The former Jones Products has actually been a valued Southern Weaving customer for many years, and we are pleased to combine forces with them to offer the market coated webbing," Mohling said. Mohling indicated that, within the next few months, the equipment will be transitioned from the Chicago area to Southern Weaving's Anderson, South Carolina facility.
Darryl King, Anderson plant manager, will lead the transition team. Some key personnel from the former Jones Products will relocate to South Carolina, and Southern Weaving anticipates adding up to six new employees as the coating business grows.
Southern Weaving has been in business since 1924 and has led the launch of technical textiles into many arenas, from brakepads for the Model T Ford, to composite layers for the shell of inflatable space structures. Its operation includes manufacturing facilities in Greenville, S.C., Anderson, S.C., and Collingwood Canada.
The company makes narrow webbing that serves various markets such as industrial slings, fall protection body harnesses, sporting equipment, and hydraulic hose sleeves. The coating capability will add value in those current markets, and allow Southern Weaving to enter some new markets.
This purchase will give Southern Weaving the ability to add value to its products. Coatings can enhance the performance of webbing, making it more abrasion-resistant, durable, waterproof, and cleanable, among other characteristics.
"The former Jones Products has actually been a valued Southern Weaving customer for many years, and we are pleased to combine forces with them to offer the market coated webbing," Mohling said. Mohling indicated that, within the next few months, the equipment will be transitioned from the Chicago area to Southern Weaving's Anderson, South Carolina facility.
Darryl King, Anderson plant manager, will lead the transition team. Some key personnel from the former Jones Products will relocate to South Carolina, and Southern Weaving anticipates adding up to six new employees as the coating business grows.
Southern Weaving has been in business since 1924 and has led the launch of technical textiles into many arenas, from brakepads for the Model T Ford, to composite layers for the shell of inflatable space structures. Its operation includes manufacturing facilities in Greenville, S.C., Anderson, S.C., and Collingwood Canada.
The company makes narrow webbing that serves various markets such as industrial slings, fall protection body harnesses, sporting equipment, and hydraulic hose sleeves. The coating capability will add value in those current markets, and allow Southern Weaving to enter some new markets.
2011年9月21日星期三
Memphis firm is go-to site for custom hoses, fittings
Two University of Memphis MBAs are helping bring a 33-year-old industrial and hydraulic supply business into the Digital Age.
They've launched an Internet site that lets farmers, mechanics and manufacturers buy fully customized hydraulic power components with a few clicks of a mouse.
The website, radago.com, makes it possible to design, configure and buy tailor-made hose assemblies without dealing with an actual person.
Its creators envision time-saving uses like a farmer using an iPhone or computer to order replacement parts for a broken-down tractor without leaving the farm.
"I'm the old guy," said David Chance, 58, owner of Applied Connectors and Controls Inc. and sister company Bluestar Industries LLC of Memphis. "I've been in it 25 years, and I've always been an outside salesman. These young guys think you can get on the Internet and do anything."
Chance sells hoses, tubes, fittings and other parts for power systems that use hydraulic fluid, water, air or other substances to power industrial equipment. He bought the Mid-South area company, which distributes Parker Hannifin products, in 2004 after working in sales for a Houston, Texas, distributor.
Applied Connectors primarily targets process-oriented industries that run equipment on hydraulics, such as the Valero Memphis oil refinery and Kellogg's cereal plant. Bluestar Industries aims at occasional customers, like repair shops, that may have a small number of hydraulic-powered machines. The website is geared toward those smaller customers.
Chance's son, Roth, 27, worked for his dad's company before going to grad school.
Several distributors have websites, but "I found out it was really, really hard and cumbersome to find out a price on a product and who had it. It was just an idea I had in the back of my head for a couple years."
He recruited classmate Grant Morrow, 30, to help develop the website when they were in U of M's masters of business administration program. Morrow graduated in December; Chance received his degree in May.
Morrow said, "You can buy this stuff online all over the Internet, but what we're trying to do is have a niche that allows us to let you configure and design your hose, then it ships out."
Website features include PDFs of hoses and fittings that customers can print to make sure they're ordering exactly the right size.
In addition to providing a user-friendly interface, radago.com has potential to cut costs.
David Chance considers it an investment in the future.
"We're in the Internet revolution and we have been for 15 years, but not all companies have gotten on board. What is unique about our website is this configurator they've developed. No one else has that."
Coupled with the Memphis advantage in transportation and logistics, it positions the company to benefit when its customer base fully embraces technology.
At least for now, David Chance said, "Our hydraulics customers are not your typical iPad-toting guys."
They've launched an Internet site that lets farmers, mechanics and manufacturers buy fully customized hydraulic power components with a few clicks of a mouse.
The website, radago.com, makes it possible to design, configure and buy tailor-made hose assemblies without dealing with an actual person.
Its creators envision time-saving uses like a farmer using an iPhone or computer to order replacement parts for a broken-down tractor without leaving the farm.
"I'm the old guy," said David Chance, 58, owner of Applied Connectors and Controls Inc. and sister company Bluestar Industries LLC of Memphis. "I've been in it 25 years, and I've always been an outside salesman. These young guys think you can get on the Internet and do anything."
Chance sells hoses, tubes, fittings and other parts for power systems that use hydraulic fluid, water, air or other substances to power industrial equipment. He bought the Mid-South area company, which distributes Parker Hannifin products, in 2004 after working in sales for a Houston, Texas, distributor.
Applied Connectors primarily targets process-oriented industries that run equipment on hydraulics, such as the Valero Memphis oil refinery and Kellogg's cereal plant. Bluestar Industries aims at occasional customers, like repair shops, that may have a small number of hydraulic-powered machines. The website is geared toward those smaller customers.
Chance's son, Roth, 27, worked for his dad's company before going to grad school.
Several distributors have websites, but "I found out it was really, really hard and cumbersome to find out a price on a product and who had it. It was just an idea I had in the back of my head for a couple years."
He recruited classmate Grant Morrow, 30, to help develop the website when they were in U of M's masters of business administration program. Morrow graduated in December; Chance received his degree in May.
Morrow said, "You can buy this stuff online all over the Internet, but what we're trying to do is have a niche that allows us to let you configure and design your hose, then it ships out."
Website features include PDFs of hoses and fittings that customers can print to make sure they're ordering exactly the right size.
In addition to providing a user-friendly interface, radago.com has potential to cut costs.
David Chance considers it an investment in the future.
"We're in the Internet revolution and we have been for 15 years, but not all companies have gotten on board. What is unique about our website is this configurator they've developed. No one else has that."
Coupled with the Memphis advantage in transportation and logistics, it positions the company to benefit when its customer base fully embraces technology.
At least for now, David Chance said, "Our hydraulics customers are not your typical iPad-toting guys."
2011年9月20日星期二
Frac-sand trailer hardware now available from Sure Seal
Sure Seal Inc, a division of OPW Fluid Transfer Group, now offers the industry a full line of dry bulk trailer components that have been designed to deliver optimized performance on frac-sand trailers. The package includes field-proven products such as the LM Series manhole cover, swing check valves, series 2000 pressure relief vents, butterfly valves, aeration systems, hopper tees, and quick release couplers.
Frac sand is a key ingredient in the hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) process that is one of the key stages in producing shale oil and gas. In the fracking process, frac sand is part of a slurry mixture that is pressurized and pumped down a wellbore.
The frac sand makes it possible for the fissures within the fractured shale deposit to remain open so that the gas and oil that are contained in them can freely flow to the surface, where it is collected. Typically, three different types of frac sand—which are categorized by their particle size—can be used in the fracking process.
The frac sand is first carried from the sandpit via railcar to a transloading station where it is transferred to semi trailers. These trailers haul the frac sand to the shale-oil production site, where it is transferred via hose to a “sand chief” that will eventually deliver the sand to the wellbore during the fracking process.
The performance of the following Sure Seal products helps ensure that the transfer of the frac sand from truck to sand chief is completed as efficiently as possible:
*Hopper Tees — designed with a low profile configuration to provide greater ground clearance for tough applications, while also allowing for optimum unloading times and easy maintenance.
*LM Series Manholes — designed to handle working pressures up to 30 psi.
*Aeration Systems — allow more air to get through the hopper wall, resulting in 20% to 50% faster product-unloading times.
*Butterfly Valves — machined from 17-4 stainless steel to eliminate twisting of the stem and give direct disc control of full or partial product flow.
*Swing Check Valves — Spherical design, aluminum construction provide increased airflow for faster unloading times while improving reliability.
*Pressure Relief Valves — Two-inch valves allow for increased standard features at a lower cost.
Frac sand is a key ingredient in the hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) process that is one of the key stages in producing shale oil and gas. In the fracking process, frac sand is part of a slurry mixture that is pressurized and pumped down a wellbore.
The frac sand makes it possible for the fissures within the fractured shale deposit to remain open so that the gas and oil that are contained in them can freely flow to the surface, where it is collected. Typically, three different types of frac sand—which are categorized by their particle size—can be used in the fracking process.
The frac sand is first carried from the sandpit via railcar to a transloading station where it is transferred to semi trailers. These trailers haul the frac sand to the shale-oil production site, where it is transferred via hose to a “sand chief” that will eventually deliver the sand to the wellbore during the fracking process.
The performance of the following Sure Seal products helps ensure that the transfer of the frac sand from truck to sand chief is completed as efficiently as possible:
*Hopper Tees — designed with a low profile configuration to provide greater ground clearance for tough applications, while also allowing for optimum unloading times and easy maintenance.
*LM Series Manholes — designed to handle working pressures up to 30 psi.
*Aeration Systems — allow more air to get through the hopper wall, resulting in 20% to 50% faster product-unloading times.
*Butterfly Valves — machined from 17-4 stainless steel to eliminate twisting of the stem and give direct disc control of full or partial product flow.
*Swing Check Valves — Spherical design, aluminum construction provide increased airflow for faster unloading times while improving reliability.
*Pressure Relief Valves — Two-inch valves allow for increased standard features at a lower cost.
2011年9月19日星期一
Fighting more than flames; fire crews happy to serve in Vacaville
You know, the ones who run into burning buildings to save the family dog and emerge from the flames, Fido in hand, as the roof comes crashing down behind them -- those guys? While many have heroic, shining moments, the actual everyday life of firefighters that doesn't make the headlines often goes overlooked -- but is no less important.
It all starts at 8 a.m. with the changing of the guard.
On in 24-hour shifts, Vacaville firefighters arrive at their home away from home bright and early to relieve those working the previous shift.
And on a recent Thursday at the corner of Nut Tree Road and Ulatis Drive in Vacaville, it was no different as Capt. Phil Sanner, Ryan Purnell, Grant Tokiwa, Stewart Balderama and Clark Guglielmoni arrived to kick off "B Shift" at Station 72.
Gathered around the table, the day usually begins with morning muster, with the crew going over the game plan for the day -- it's a regular ritual that can include everything from safety inspections at local schools or businesses to cleaning the bathroom, washing the windows or buying aluminum foil. After all, they have to do their own shopping.
With firefighters spending an estimated 33 percent of their lives on the job and at the station, it really becomes "a family," according to Purnell, and they are quick to learn each other's habits and quirks.
After the day is mapped out, the crew begins its daily series of checks.
Hoses of all sizes, the brakes on the engine, bags of medical equipment, the epinephrine in each bag, it's all got to be checked. Each person is responsible for a specific aspect, with the engineer seeing to the truck or engine and the paramedic tending to medical supplies to ensure everything is ready to go for whatever emergency they might encounter.
After inspections are complete, the crew usually tries to squeeze in a trip to the gym -- something they are also required to pay for out of their own pocket and that Sanner insists has significantly cut down on city expenses stemming from workers comp injuries.
Armed with radios, they march into their respective gyms which are determined by proximity to whatever station they are working from. However, according to Purnell, they are usually lucky if they can fit in their allotted one-hour workout before receiving a call.
The second a call does come, they drop what they are doing and are out the door and on the way -- usually in less than a minute and less than 90 seconds in the middle of the night.
From lift assists for a fallen senior citizen to drug overdoses, traffic accidents and everything in between, every day offers something different.
"We never know what's next," Sanner said. "Electrician, plumber, psychologist, social worker -- it keeps it interesting."
Purnell agreed noting, "It's always a learning process. You learn something new every day."
Shifts usually include a drill of some kind, with the captain coming up with a scenario of ladders and hose lays to be executed. As soon as the drill is completed, they have the task of returning the maze of hoses to their carefully folded piles atop the engine.
At some point, a trip to the grocery store is inevitable and each member chips in around $10 at the beginning of the shift to be put toward buying food for lunch, dinner and breakfast the following morning.
The adventure usually begins the second they pull into the parking lot; for those who normally find parking a Honda a stressful ordeal, try doing it in a fire engine.
Once this is completed, the trick becomes getting through the store -- and checkout line -- before the next call comes.
Purnell said it isn't at all unusual for a firefighter to have a cart full of groceries and then have the radio summon them to some kind of emergency, leaving the fully-stocked cart behind. Fortunately, he added, the fire department has an arrangement with local merchants and in such situations, they take the cart to the refrigerated area in the back and save it for them until they return.
"This city's great," he said. "They take good care of us and in return we like to take good care of them."
Care for the city and those in it is a common theme for those in the Vacaville Fire Department.
"I think the best part and for me the thing I get out of it is the impact we have on peoples' lives," Sanner said. "And it's usually a positive impact. I think that's the more rewarding part."
"It's not always about the headline-making fires. It's the things we do day in and day out. Night in and night out," Sanner said.
It all starts at 8 a.m. with the changing of the guard.
On in 24-hour shifts, Vacaville firefighters arrive at their home away from home bright and early to relieve those working the previous shift.
And on a recent Thursday at the corner of Nut Tree Road and Ulatis Drive in Vacaville, it was no different as Capt. Phil Sanner, Ryan Purnell, Grant Tokiwa, Stewart Balderama and Clark Guglielmoni arrived to kick off "B Shift" at Station 72.
Gathered around the table, the day usually begins with morning muster, with the crew going over the game plan for the day -- it's a regular ritual that can include everything from safety inspections at local schools or businesses to cleaning the bathroom, washing the windows or buying aluminum foil. After all, they have to do their own shopping.
With firefighters spending an estimated 33 percent of their lives on the job and at the station, it really becomes "a family," according to Purnell, and they are quick to learn each other's habits and quirks.
After the day is mapped out, the crew begins its daily series of checks.
Hoses of all sizes, the brakes on the engine, bags of medical equipment, the epinephrine in each bag, it's all got to be checked. Each person is responsible for a specific aspect, with the engineer seeing to the truck or engine and the paramedic tending to medical supplies to ensure everything is ready to go for whatever emergency they might encounter.
After inspections are complete, the crew usually tries to squeeze in a trip to the gym -- something they are also required to pay for out of their own pocket and that Sanner insists has significantly cut down on city expenses stemming from workers comp injuries.
Armed with radios, they march into their respective gyms which are determined by proximity to whatever station they are working from. However, according to Purnell, they are usually lucky if they can fit in their allotted one-hour workout before receiving a call.
The second a call does come, they drop what they are doing and are out the door and on the way -- usually in less than a minute and less than 90 seconds in the middle of the night.
From lift assists for a fallen senior citizen to drug overdoses, traffic accidents and everything in between, every day offers something different.
"We never know what's next," Sanner said. "Electrician, plumber, psychologist, social worker -- it keeps it interesting."
Purnell agreed noting, "It's always a learning process. You learn something new every day."
Shifts usually include a drill of some kind, with the captain coming up with a scenario of ladders and hose lays to be executed. As soon as the drill is completed, they have the task of returning the maze of hoses to their carefully folded piles atop the engine.
At some point, a trip to the grocery store is inevitable and each member chips in around $10 at the beginning of the shift to be put toward buying food for lunch, dinner and breakfast the following morning.
The adventure usually begins the second they pull into the parking lot; for those who normally find parking a Honda a stressful ordeal, try doing it in a fire engine.
Once this is completed, the trick becomes getting through the store -- and checkout line -- before the next call comes.
Purnell said it isn't at all unusual for a firefighter to have a cart full of groceries and then have the radio summon them to some kind of emergency, leaving the fully-stocked cart behind. Fortunately, he added, the fire department has an arrangement with local merchants and in such situations, they take the cart to the refrigerated area in the back and save it for them until they return.
"This city's great," he said. "They take good care of us and in return we like to take good care of them."
Care for the city and those in it is a common theme for those in the Vacaville Fire Department.
"I think the best part and for me the thing I get out of it is the impact we have on peoples' lives," Sanner said. "And it's usually a positive impact. I think that's the more rewarding part."
"It's not always about the headline-making fires. It's the things we do day in and day out. Night in and night out," Sanner said.
Vigil held for two cousins involved in fatal crash
Friends and family are mourning for two cousins one of them killed the other severly injured in a horrible accident, early Saturday morning.
Loved ones held each other close during a candlelight vigil, Sunday evening as they try to understand why a woman identified by relatives as Charlene Zambrano, 26 was taken so soon.
As those close to Zambrano try to cope with their loss, they continue to pray for her cousin Angela Riding, 21, as she struggles to survive the critical injuries she sustained in the crash.
According to Stockton police, the two women were passengers in a vehicle that was traveling at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control and struck a tree. It happened in the 4100 block of McDougald Boulevard. The vehicle went airborne, hit three cars parked in a driveway, then went through a garage door and hit a boat and truck.
"It looked like a battlefield. Total devastation," said the owner of the home, who did not want to publicly share his name.
"When I got downstairs and got outside my neighbor is telling me get the water hose, get the water hose and I'm asking my neighbor, "what do we need the water hose for?' And she says 'there's a car on fire'."
"I heard a loud, breaking, screeching sound," said neighbor Sandra Hickey.
When Hickey went outside she found a woman pinned between a car and her neighbor's garage. The second female victim was found lying on the other side of the driveway.
According to Hickey, a man climbed out of the car and left the scene. Police later identified the man as 25-year-old Zane Ashik Ali. He was taken to the hospital with a head injury.
Construction workers began repairing the house on Saturday. The owner estimates the crash caused about $100,000 in damage.
Loved ones held each other close during a candlelight vigil, Sunday evening as they try to understand why a woman identified by relatives as Charlene Zambrano, 26 was taken so soon.
As those close to Zambrano try to cope with their loss, they continue to pray for her cousin Angela Riding, 21, as she struggles to survive the critical injuries she sustained in the crash.
According to Stockton police, the two women were passengers in a vehicle that was traveling at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control and struck a tree. It happened in the 4100 block of McDougald Boulevard. The vehicle went airborne, hit three cars parked in a driveway, then went through a garage door and hit a boat and truck.
"It looked like a battlefield. Total devastation," said the owner of the home, who did not want to publicly share his name.
"When I got downstairs and got outside my neighbor is telling me get the water hose, get the water hose and I'm asking my neighbor, "what do we need the water hose for?' And she says 'there's a car on fire'."
"I heard a loud, breaking, screeching sound," said neighbor Sandra Hickey.
When Hickey went outside she found a woman pinned between a car and her neighbor's garage. The second female victim was found lying on the other side of the driveway.
According to Hickey, a man climbed out of the car and left the scene. Police later identified the man as 25-year-old Zane Ashik Ali. He was taken to the hospital with a head injury.
Construction workers began repairing the house on Saturday. The owner estimates the crash caused about $100,000 in damage.
2011年9月18日星期日
Cal runs up 63 points on Presbyterian
On the occasion of his record-setting 75th victory as Cal's football coach, Jeff Tedford got a ceremonial plaque and a bucket of ice water dumped on his head.
That the record win came at the expense of hapless Presbyterian College on Saturday at AT&T Park by a count of 63-12 was beside the point. In the third game of his 10th season in Berkeley, Tedford surpassed Andy Smith's victory total of 74, an achievement that reduced the normally stoic coach almost to tears minutes after the game.
"It has a lot to do with all the players and coaches over the last nine years and three games," said Tedford, his eyes red and his voice catching with emotion. "That's who really deserves the credit, all the players who played the game over the years. ... Every player, every coach, every (graduate assistant), every equipment manager, everyone who was a part of this."
Now that he has the record out of the way, Tedford can devote all his attention to a rugged slate of nine Pac-12 games, starting Saturday at Washington followed by back-to-back Thursday games against Oregon (in Eugene) and USC (at AT&T).
That's going from the ridiculous to the sublime in a week's time.
"I think it was really important that as a team, as players, we wanted to knock these three games out," safety Sean Cattouse said of the Bears' 3-0 start. "From here on out, it's going to be a dogfight every week. We're really looking forward to it."
The Bears got most of their starters out of the game after halftime of a "home" game, leading 42-12 as they were. Their next opponent, Washington, absorbed a 51-38 defeat on the road against No. 11 Nebraska.
"We definitely have some get-back with them," wide receiver Keenan Allen said, referring to the Huskies' last-second win at Memorial Stadium last year that ended Cal's season. "We've still got a lot of work to do. We made a lot of mistakes, dumb stuff we shouldn't do."
Like being flagged 10 times for penalties totaling 94 yards, making it 26 penalties in three games.
Like dropping two passes in the first half, bringing the total to 12 in three games.
Like having a punt blocked, as Bryan Anger did in the second quarter when Justin Bethel broke through the middle to snuff the ball and return it 15 yards into the end zone.
Like throwing a pick-six, as quarterback Zach Maynard did during a busy second quarter when the Blue Hose's only competent player, that man Bethel, intercepted a pass intended for Michael Calvin and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown.
"We need to work on some stuff, like penalties," said Maynard, who played the first half and hit on 15 of 25 passes for 215 yards and touchdowns to wide receiver Marvin Jones (51 yards), backup tight end Spencer Hagan (16) and Allen (21). "We had a lot of mental errors. It's ridiculous."
Errors notwithstanding, this was Cal's easiest game in years as Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) Presbyterian had nothing to offer besides an amusing nickname. The Blue Hose were limited to 48 yards in total offense on 46 plays. The Bears amassed 581 yards.
Though this dumb game offered little in the way of preparation for the Bears, at least they got to rest their starters in the second half for the real games to come.
"We all know what's in store when we get to conference play," Tedford said. "Every week, it's going to be tough. Every opponent in the Pac-12 is competitive. We didn't play well enough today."
The Bears played well enough to give their coach victory No. 75 and bring him to the verge of tears.
That the record win came at the expense of hapless Presbyterian College on Saturday at AT&T Park by a count of 63-12 was beside the point. In the third game of his 10th season in Berkeley, Tedford surpassed Andy Smith's victory total of 74, an achievement that reduced the normally stoic coach almost to tears minutes after the game.
"It has a lot to do with all the players and coaches over the last nine years and three games," said Tedford, his eyes red and his voice catching with emotion. "That's who really deserves the credit, all the players who played the game over the years. ... Every player, every coach, every (graduate assistant), every equipment manager, everyone who was a part of this."
Now that he has the record out of the way, Tedford can devote all his attention to a rugged slate of nine Pac-12 games, starting Saturday at Washington followed by back-to-back Thursday games against Oregon (in Eugene) and USC (at AT&T).
That's going from the ridiculous to the sublime in a week's time.
"I think it was really important that as a team, as players, we wanted to knock these three games out," safety Sean Cattouse said of the Bears' 3-0 start. "From here on out, it's going to be a dogfight every week. We're really looking forward to it."
The Bears got most of their starters out of the game after halftime of a "home" game, leading 42-12 as they were. Their next opponent, Washington, absorbed a 51-38 defeat on the road against No. 11 Nebraska.
"We definitely have some get-back with them," wide receiver Keenan Allen said, referring to the Huskies' last-second win at Memorial Stadium last year that ended Cal's season. "We've still got a lot of work to do. We made a lot of mistakes, dumb stuff we shouldn't do."
Like being flagged 10 times for penalties totaling 94 yards, making it 26 penalties in three games.
Like dropping two passes in the first half, bringing the total to 12 in three games.
Like having a punt blocked, as Bryan Anger did in the second quarter when Justin Bethel broke through the middle to snuff the ball and return it 15 yards into the end zone.
Like throwing a pick-six, as quarterback Zach Maynard did during a busy second quarter when the Blue Hose's only competent player, that man Bethel, intercepted a pass intended for Michael Calvin and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown.
"We need to work on some stuff, like penalties," said Maynard, who played the first half and hit on 15 of 25 passes for 215 yards and touchdowns to wide receiver Marvin Jones (51 yards), backup tight end Spencer Hagan (16) and Allen (21). "We had a lot of mental errors. It's ridiculous."
Errors notwithstanding, this was Cal's easiest game in years as Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) Presbyterian had nothing to offer besides an amusing nickname. The Blue Hose were limited to 48 yards in total offense on 46 plays. The Bears amassed 581 yards.
Though this dumb game offered little in the way of preparation for the Bears, at least they got to rest their starters in the second half for the real games to come.
"We all know what's in store when we get to conference play," Tedford said. "Every week, it's going to be tough. Every opponent in the Pac-12 is competitive. We didn't play well enough today."
The Bears played well enough to give their coach victory No. 75 and bring him to the verge of tears.
2011年9月15日星期四
Compressed Gas Equals a Bomb
Construction work often requires the use of tools powered by compressors. Both pneumatic tools and hydraulic machines use compressors as their source of energy.
By definition, a compressor is a mechanical device that is used to increase the pressure of a gas/liquid by reducing its volume in order to concentrate it under high pressure.
Compressors work in a similar way to pumps as they both increase the pressure on a fluid and both can transport the fluid through a high pressure pipe.
Compressors can also be used to transmit pressure from one point to another through oil fluids in high pressure pipes.
At construction sites, compressors are used to provide power for many of the tools and utilities used by workers, such as jack hammers, pneumatic hammers and some types of rock drills.
Air compressors and gas compressors are the most common type used in construction sites. Their use is accompanied by certain risks to workers. The major risks presented by compressors are:
Explosion of compressed fluids from weak high pressure pipes, which can cause burns, blindness and deafness to those in the vicinity.
Hose whip effect that results when a hose pipe is disconnected while still containing fluid under high pressure. This can hit a worker, damage equipment and even kill.
Fire from ignited fuel tanks that may result from the overheating of the compressor engine.
Debris flying at high speed when the compressor is used in cleaning works can cause grievous injuries.
Emissions of large amounts of dust during cleaning can cause breathing-related complications
The individual power tools each present their own kind of hazards, complicating the control measures that need to be put in place when operating a compressor.
Compressed air is a very dynamic and powerful source of energy. Most site compressors have the capacity to deliver enough pressure to send debris flying at speeds capable of penetrating human skin.
A simple activity such as cleaning oneself using a jet of compressed air can cause permanent injury and death. It is possible for compressed air to burst an eardrum, blow out an eyeball or penetrate the skin, injecting air into the bloodstream. Pointing compressed air at anyone for any reason can be extremely dangerous as the high pressure jet can cause blindness and even burst eardrums when applied directly.
Never adjust blow off or control valves without referring to the operation manuals as improper adjustments can cause air explosions from the safety valve, startling and even injuring experienced operators.
To control the risks associated with the operation of compressors and pneumatic power tools, the following measures should be put in place:
Read the operator's manual and be sure you understand it before using the equipment.
Never allow anyone to ride on top of the compressor machine when towing.
Make sure that all guards and shields are in place and in good working order.
Use the proper respirators for the job as most air tools create a lot of dust during operation.
Only use hose pipes that have been fully rated for the power output of the machine.
Protect the hose at all times as it presents a tripping hazard. It should also be kept out of the way so as not to be accidentally damaged by the tool being used.
Never use a hose that shows signs of damage.
Wear a helmet, hard toed boots, safety goggles and ear muffs during operations.
Wear protective gloves when using a rock drill, a paving breaker and a tamper but do not use gloves when using impact tools such as pneumatic hammers and impact wrenches to avoid the equipment from slipping out of your grip.
By definition, a compressor is a mechanical device that is used to increase the pressure of a gas/liquid by reducing its volume in order to concentrate it under high pressure.
Compressors work in a similar way to pumps as they both increase the pressure on a fluid and both can transport the fluid through a high pressure pipe.
Compressors can also be used to transmit pressure from one point to another through oil fluids in high pressure pipes.
At construction sites, compressors are used to provide power for many of the tools and utilities used by workers, such as jack hammers, pneumatic hammers and some types of rock drills.
Air compressors and gas compressors are the most common type used in construction sites. Their use is accompanied by certain risks to workers. The major risks presented by compressors are:
Explosion of compressed fluids from weak high pressure pipes, which can cause burns, blindness and deafness to those in the vicinity.
Hose whip effect that results when a hose pipe is disconnected while still containing fluid under high pressure. This can hit a worker, damage equipment and even kill.
Fire from ignited fuel tanks that may result from the overheating of the compressor engine.
Debris flying at high speed when the compressor is used in cleaning works can cause grievous injuries.
Emissions of large amounts of dust during cleaning can cause breathing-related complications
The individual power tools each present their own kind of hazards, complicating the control measures that need to be put in place when operating a compressor.
Compressed air is a very dynamic and powerful source of energy. Most site compressors have the capacity to deliver enough pressure to send debris flying at speeds capable of penetrating human skin.
A simple activity such as cleaning oneself using a jet of compressed air can cause permanent injury and death. It is possible for compressed air to burst an eardrum, blow out an eyeball or penetrate the skin, injecting air into the bloodstream. Pointing compressed air at anyone for any reason can be extremely dangerous as the high pressure jet can cause blindness and even burst eardrums when applied directly.
Never adjust blow off or control valves without referring to the operation manuals as improper adjustments can cause air explosions from the safety valve, startling and even injuring experienced operators.
To control the risks associated with the operation of compressors and pneumatic power tools, the following measures should be put in place:
Read the operator's manual and be sure you understand it before using the equipment.
Never allow anyone to ride on top of the compressor machine when towing.
Make sure that all guards and shields are in place and in good working order.
Use the proper respirators for the job as most air tools create a lot of dust during operation.
Only use hose pipes that have been fully rated for the power output of the machine.
Protect the hose at all times as it presents a tripping hazard. It should also be kept out of the way so as not to be accidentally damaged by the tool being used.
Never use a hose that shows signs of damage.
Wear a helmet, hard toed boots, safety goggles and ear muffs during operations.
Wear protective gloves when using a rock drill, a paving breaker and a tamper but do not use gloves when using impact tools such as pneumatic hammers and impact wrenches to avoid the equipment from slipping out of your grip.
2011年9月14日星期三
Memphis firm is go-to site for custom hoses, fittings
Two University of Memphis MBAs are helping bring a 33-year-old industrial and hydraulic supply business into the Digital Age.
They've launched an Internet site that lets farmers, mechanics and manufacturers buy fully customized hydraulic power components with a few clicks of a mouse.
The website, radago.com, makes it possible to design, configure and buy tailor-made hose assemblies without dealing with an actual person.
Its creators envision time-saving uses like a farmer using an iPhone or computer to order replacement parts for a broken-down tractor without leaving the farm.
"I'm the old guy," said David Chance, 58, owner of Applied Connectors and Controls Inc. and sister company Bluestar Industries LLC of Memphis. "I've been in it 25 years, and I've always been an outside salesman. These young guys think you can get on the Internet and do anything."
Chance sells hoses, tubes, fittings and other parts for power systems that use hydraulic fluid, water, air or other substances to power industrial equipment. He bought the Mid-South area company, which distributes Parker Hannifin products, in 2004 after working in sales for a Houston, Texas, distributor.
Applied Connectors primarily targets process-oriented industries that run equipment on hydraulics, such as the Valero Memphis oil refinery and Kellogg's cereal plant. Bluestar Industries aims at occasional customers, like repair shops, that may have a small number of hydraulic-powered machines. The website is geared toward those smaller customers.
Chance's son, Roth, 27, worked for his dad's company before going to grad school.
Several distributors have websites, but "I found out it was really, really hard and cumbersome to find out a price on a product and who had it. It was just an idea I had in the back of my head for a couple years."
He recruited classmate Grant Morrow, 30, to help develop the website when they were in U of M's masters of business administration program. Morrow graduated in December; Chance received his degree in May.
Morrow said, "You can buy this stuff online all over the Internet, but what we're trying to do is have a niche that allows us to let you configure and design your hose, then it ships out."
Website features include PDFs of hoses and fittings that customers can print to make sure they're ordering exactly the right size.
In addition to providing a user-friendly interface, radago.com has potential to cut costs.
David Chance considers it an investment in the future.
"We're in the Internet revolution and we have been for 15 years, but not all companies have gotten on board. What is unique about our website is this configurator they've developed. No one else has that."
Coupled with the Memphis advantage in transportation and logistics, it positions the company to benefit when its customer base fully embraces technology.
At least for now, David Chance said, "Our hydraulics customers are not your typical iPad-toting guys."
They've launched an Internet site that lets farmers, mechanics and manufacturers buy fully customized hydraulic power components with a few clicks of a mouse.
The website, radago.com, makes it possible to design, configure and buy tailor-made hose assemblies without dealing with an actual person.
Its creators envision time-saving uses like a farmer using an iPhone or computer to order replacement parts for a broken-down tractor without leaving the farm.
"I'm the old guy," said David Chance, 58, owner of Applied Connectors and Controls Inc. and sister company Bluestar Industries LLC of Memphis. "I've been in it 25 years, and I've always been an outside salesman. These young guys think you can get on the Internet and do anything."
Chance sells hoses, tubes, fittings and other parts for power systems that use hydraulic fluid, water, air or other substances to power industrial equipment. He bought the Mid-South area company, which distributes Parker Hannifin products, in 2004 after working in sales for a Houston, Texas, distributor.
Applied Connectors primarily targets process-oriented industries that run equipment on hydraulics, such as the Valero Memphis oil refinery and Kellogg's cereal plant. Bluestar Industries aims at occasional customers, like repair shops, that may have a small number of hydraulic-powered machines. The website is geared toward those smaller customers.
Chance's son, Roth, 27, worked for his dad's company before going to grad school.
Several distributors have websites, but "I found out it was really, really hard and cumbersome to find out a price on a product and who had it. It was just an idea I had in the back of my head for a couple years."
He recruited classmate Grant Morrow, 30, to help develop the website when they were in U of M's masters of business administration program. Morrow graduated in December; Chance received his degree in May.
Morrow said, "You can buy this stuff online all over the Internet, but what we're trying to do is have a niche that allows us to let you configure and design your hose, then it ships out."
Website features include PDFs of hoses and fittings that customers can print to make sure they're ordering exactly the right size.
In addition to providing a user-friendly interface, radago.com has potential to cut costs.
David Chance considers it an investment in the future.
"We're in the Internet revolution and we have been for 15 years, but not all companies have gotten on board. What is unique about our website is this configurator they've developed. No one else has that."
Coupled with the Memphis advantage in transportation and logistics, it positions the company to benefit when its customer base fully embraces technology.
At least for now, David Chance said, "Our hydraulics customers are not your typical iPad-toting guys."
2011年9月13日星期二
Fire wins Battle of Badges blood drive
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the McPherson County City
Continued from 1
mission and Heart 2 Heart Child Advocacy Center. The agreement offers Heart 2 Heart about 700 square feet of space in the McPherson Municipal Building at a monthly rate of $700, with utilities included. A similar offer has also been offered by the McPherson County Commission for space in the Bank of America building, although Mayor Tom Brown said the offer of his board was meant as an alternative and should not be viewed as competitive. Heart 2 Heart recently lost its existing lease and has been looking for options that would allow it to continue providing advocacy services to children in McPherson.
•In response to ongoing Environmental Code violations, the commission issued a 60-day notice to the owner of property at 501 E. Hancock. A previous notice to secure broken and otherwise open windows and doors on the property was not responded to, forcing the city to board up the openings themselves. Further notices are being or have previously been issued in reference to roof problems, dangerously low electrical lines, broken siding, an open and unsecured garage door, rotting sill plates, fallen privacy fencing, peeling paint, loose garbage and a dead tree trunk in need of removal. Should concerns not be tended to within 60 days, the property, which already has $9,000 due in penalties and back taxes, will be required to pay the city for repairs. The property has been recommended for condemnation by City Building Inspector John Puchosic and is in a deteriorated condition some 8 to 10 times worse than neighboring properties.
•The vacation of 350 feet of city property at the end of Maple Street was approved. Zoning Administrator Tom Stinemetze said “legally speaking, that piece of street has never actually existed,” referencing the Planning Department’s assertion it had never intended that area to be considered in the City of McPherson. But the city considers the property in its right-of-way. The vacation will be effective 30 days after its passing, unless a protest be submitted, requiring the issue be considered in a public hearing.
•The McPherson Board of Public Utilities is considering replacing a stretch of water line running along First Street. The section, located between Grimes Street and McPherson High School, has suffered two breaks already this year, both within 50 feet of one another and each inflicting significant damage to road surfaces in the area. BPU will attempt to synchronize any such construction with road repairs to the street.
•A letter of engagement was issued by the commission with Standard and Poor’s. The letter allows the credit ratings agency to evaluate the merits of the utility’s credit standing. This will allow BPU to move forward in refinancing approximately $7 million in bonds.
•The commission issued a funding approval to the McPherson Fire Department for the purchase of new hydraulic hoses for its Jaws of Life device. The unit, purchased in 1994, was identified as having leaks in its hose during routine testing, and attempts to patch the leaks were unsuccessful. Up to $1,500 was approved for replacement hosing materials.
•An ordinance was approved designating proceeds from effluent water income to be initially deposited in the city’s general fund. Such income will later be transferred to the bonds and interest fund for payments on capital improvement projects, such as the $1 million drainage project of earlier this year.
•The appointment of Brent Christiansen to the McPherson Public Library’s Board of Directors was approved. Christiansen will fill the vacancy left by sitting board member David Harger, who is leaving the board during an unexpired term.
•Stinemetze informed the commission a public hearing will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 4 to consider the adoption of new subdivision regulations. The new regulations have been under development for almost three years.
•The State of Kansas has given the city permission to continue with floodplain modifications, providing a list of 15 specific restrictions which must be taken into consideration in the process. This will allow McPherson to proceed with modifications, which have been at a standstill pending permission to proceed from the state.
•In his weekly report, City Administrator Nick Gregory received approval for two bonds.
Continued from 1
mission and Heart 2 Heart Child Advocacy Center. The agreement offers Heart 2 Heart about 700 square feet of space in the McPherson Municipal Building at a monthly rate of $700, with utilities included. A similar offer has also been offered by the McPherson County Commission for space in the Bank of America building, although Mayor Tom Brown said the offer of his board was meant as an alternative and should not be viewed as competitive. Heart 2 Heart recently lost its existing lease and has been looking for options that would allow it to continue providing advocacy services to children in McPherson.
•In response to ongoing Environmental Code violations, the commission issued a 60-day notice to the owner of property at 501 E. Hancock. A previous notice to secure broken and otherwise open windows and doors on the property was not responded to, forcing the city to board up the openings themselves. Further notices are being or have previously been issued in reference to roof problems, dangerously low electrical lines, broken siding, an open and unsecured garage door, rotting sill plates, fallen privacy fencing, peeling paint, loose garbage and a dead tree trunk in need of removal. Should concerns not be tended to within 60 days, the property, which already has $9,000 due in penalties and back taxes, will be required to pay the city for repairs. The property has been recommended for condemnation by City Building Inspector John Puchosic and is in a deteriorated condition some 8 to 10 times worse than neighboring properties.
•The vacation of 350 feet of city property at the end of Maple Street was approved. Zoning Administrator Tom Stinemetze said “legally speaking, that piece of street has never actually existed,” referencing the Planning Department’s assertion it had never intended that area to be considered in the City of McPherson. But the city considers the property in its right-of-way. The vacation will be effective 30 days after its passing, unless a protest be submitted, requiring the issue be considered in a public hearing.
•The McPherson Board of Public Utilities is considering replacing a stretch of water line running along First Street. The section, located between Grimes Street and McPherson High School, has suffered two breaks already this year, both within 50 feet of one another and each inflicting significant damage to road surfaces in the area. BPU will attempt to synchronize any such construction with road repairs to the street.
•A letter of engagement was issued by the commission with Standard and Poor’s. The letter allows the credit ratings agency to evaluate the merits of the utility’s credit standing. This will allow BPU to move forward in refinancing approximately $7 million in bonds.
•The commission issued a funding approval to the McPherson Fire Department for the purchase of new hydraulic hoses for its Jaws of Life device. The unit, purchased in 1994, was identified as having leaks in its hose during routine testing, and attempts to patch the leaks were unsuccessful. Up to $1,500 was approved for replacement hosing materials.
•An ordinance was approved designating proceeds from effluent water income to be initially deposited in the city’s general fund. Such income will later be transferred to the bonds and interest fund for payments on capital improvement projects, such as the $1 million drainage project of earlier this year.
•The appointment of Brent Christiansen to the McPherson Public Library’s Board of Directors was approved. Christiansen will fill the vacancy left by sitting board member David Harger, who is leaving the board during an unexpired term.
•Stinemetze informed the commission a public hearing will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 4 to consider the adoption of new subdivision regulations. The new regulations have been under development for almost three years.
•The State of Kansas has given the city permission to continue with floodplain modifications, providing a list of 15 specific restrictions which must be taken into consideration in the process. This will allow McPherson to proceed with modifications, which have been at a standstill pending permission to proceed from the state.
•In his weekly report, City Administrator Nick Gregory received approval for two bonds.
2011年9月12日星期一
Inventions comp: Intermediate category winners
Chaser bins are expensive machines to buy new, but this home-made version made by Paul Spinks, Skeyton, Norfolk, was rather cheaper to produce.
Called the Skeyton Chaser Bin, it consists of two unloading augers from a pair of old Claas Senator combines retrieved from a scrap yard. Power comes from a hydraulic motor already on the farm. The tailgate on the trailer was bolted shut and one of the original tailgate rams is used to fold the augers together. Paul uses the chaser to load lorries directly from the field before the crop is taken to three long-term storage sites up to 30 miles away. Since the photo was taken the machine has been sprayed in Baileys green.
Alex King from Ormiston, East Lothian, speeded up the job of shifting round bales by designing this bale frame. It fits a flat trailer and will transport 22 1.8m (6ft) diameter bales without having to use ropes or straps. The bales are held securely and comply with all the road transport legislation, he points out.
There’s a 1.2m (4ft) high frame on three sides of the trailer, with a second frame hinged along one long side at the top of the first frame. This second frame is lifted to a raised position by the front-end loader or telehandler before it starts loading the bales. The frame is held in an open position by spring catches.
Ten bales are placed on the base of the trailer, then the frame is lowered to form a cradle for a further 12 bales on top.
The weight of the bales is directly on the floor of the trailer, not on the frame, and cross tie-bars give strength to the frame. The transporter doesn’t involve any hydraulics or electrics of its own and needs only one moving part and two spring catches to work.
Craig Peddie has a 250-sow outdoor pig herd in Fife, Scotland. In winter the water pipes and troughs freeze up, so he used to drag around a 1,500 litre water tank and fill the troughs by gravity. However this took up to eight hours a day.
The answer was to make his own bowser. He attached a 5,000 litre water tank to the chassis of an old dungspreader, added a pto-powered water pump plus a 25m hose reel and side boom.
The side boom can be lowered so that he simply drives along the fence line to fill each water trough at the flick of a button. The water can also be diverted to a 25m hose reel, which is used for troughs a distance from the fence line or water tanks in the weaner pig accommodation.
He reckons the bowser saves about four or five man hours a day, not to mention improving morale significantly.
Called the Skeyton Chaser Bin, it consists of two unloading augers from a pair of old Claas Senator combines retrieved from a scrap yard. Power comes from a hydraulic motor already on the farm. The tailgate on the trailer was bolted shut and one of the original tailgate rams is used to fold the augers together. Paul uses the chaser to load lorries directly from the field before the crop is taken to three long-term storage sites up to 30 miles away. Since the photo was taken the machine has been sprayed in Baileys green.
Alex King from Ormiston, East Lothian, speeded up the job of shifting round bales by designing this bale frame. It fits a flat trailer and will transport 22 1.8m (6ft) diameter bales without having to use ropes or straps. The bales are held securely and comply with all the road transport legislation, he points out.
There’s a 1.2m (4ft) high frame on three sides of the trailer, with a second frame hinged along one long side at the top of the first frame. This second frame is lifted to a raised position by the front-end loader or telehandler before it starts loading the bales. The frame is held in an open position by spring catches.
Ten bales are placed on the base of the trailer, then the frame is lowered to form a cradle for a further 12 bales on top.
The weight of the bales is directly on the floor of the trailer, not on the frame, and cross tie-bars give strength to the frame. The transporter doesn’t involve any hydraulics or electrics of its own and needs only one moving part and two spring catches to work.
Craig Peddie has a 250-sow outdoor pig herd in Fife, Scotland. In winter the water pipes and troughs freeze up, so he used to drag around a 1,500 litre water tank and fill the troughs by gravity. However this took up to eight hours a day.
The answer was to make his own bowser. He attached a 5,000 litre water tank to the chassis of an old dungspreader, added a pto-powered water pump plus a 25m hose reel and side boom.
The side boom can be lowered so that he simply drives along the fence line to fill each water trough at the flick of a button. The water can also be diverted to a 25m hose reel, which is used for troughs a distance from the fence line or water tanks in the weaner pig accommodation.
He reckons the bowser saves about four or five man hours a day, not to mention improving morale significantly.
2011年9月8日星期四
An easy return to the hole
These workhorses have dozens of wet and dry uses. They are able to physically locate utilities – such as gas, electric, water, phone, cable, and fibre optic lines – more safely using vacuum excavation.
The machines can also remove directional drilling mud or slurry, prevent frac-outs and pull a dart, mouse or pig through conduits to install utilities safely.
Vac-Tron’s Air Series is great for vacuuming out retention ponds, excavating small rocks and dry sand, and cleaning up non-hazardous emergency road spills. The machine can clean out areas as diverse as storm drains, lift stations, manholes, meter boxes, laterals, car wash pits and grain silos.
The Air Series comes mounted on a heavy-duty trailer with torsion axles, or can be truck-mounted for mobility. A six-way hydraulic boom and remote debris trap are optional.
Return dry spoils to the ground while potholing
Want to manage dry spoils and return them to the hole as quickly as possible without moving your Air Series machine? The Remote Debris Trap can capture the dry spoils and only air travels back.
Use the remote trap to collect dry material and the main debris tank for wet. When the remote debris tank is full or the job is done, position the pivot arm over the hole and easily dump the debris back into the hole – without moving the machine or using a shovel or backhoe.
Gravity-feed liquid materials from the remote trap into drums for storage and/or transportation. The pivot arm moves easily from the rear of the tank to both sides of the machine, and also supports the remote suction hose for ease of use.
The machines can also remove directional drilling mud or slurry, prevent frac-outs and pull a dart, mouse or pig through conduits to install utilities safely.
Vac-Tron’s Air Series is great for vacuuming out retention ponds, excavating small rocks and dry sand, and cleaning up non-hazardous emergency road spills. The machine can clean out areas as diverse as storm drains, lift stations, manholes, meter boxes, laterals, car wash pits and grain silos.
The Air Series comes mounted on a heavy-duty trailer with torsion axles, or can be truck-mounted for mobility. A six-way hydraulic boom and remote debris trap are optional.
Return dry spoils to the ground while potholing
Want to manage dry spoils and return them to the hole as quickly as possible without moving your Air Series machine? The Remote Debris Trap can capture the dry spoils and only air travels back.
Use the remote trap to collect dry material and the main debris tank for wet. When the remote debris tank is full or the job is done, position the pivot arm over the hole and easily dump the debris back into the hole – without moving the machine or using a shovel or backhoe.
Gravity-feed liquid materials from the remote trap into drums for storage and/or transportation. The pivot arm moves easily from the rear of the tank to both sides of the machine, and also supports the remote suction hose for ease of use.
2011年9月7日星期三
Interview with Andrew Esson of Quick Hydraulics
IT was an idea that had been bubbling away in Andrew Esson’s head for a while. The ContiTech Beattie managing director had done his research, weighed up his options and sought the advice of friends and contacts.
Among those was leading South Tyneside businessman Geoff Ford, chairman of Ford Aerospace. Ford told him he was “confident this will be the best decision you’ve ever made”.
Less than a year after being named as Tyneside and Northumberland’s Business Executive of the Year for his work at the specialist Ashington engineering firm, he sat behind his desk for the first time as the majority shareholder and managing director of Quick Hydraulics, a former family firm located in North Shields.
Esson says: “I’m aware it will be different now, as I’m going from a £30m turnover business to a £3m business. But I’m going into it with my eyes open.”
Late last week, the rubber stamp was put on the deal which puts Esson in control of the New York company, which supplies hydraulic products to customers across the UK and abroad. Originally set up by Ron Quick in 1977 as a distributor of hydraulic components, it expanded its work to include service and project skills after it was passed to Ron’s son Peter in 1995. It is now a noted UK fluid power centre in the UK, and Esson says it was that specialist engineering nous that partly attracted him to the business.
As the head of ContiTech Beattie, Esson supervised an operation which employed 97 people, including 82 in Ashington, 14 in Aberdeen and one in Singapore. While the company was part of one of the world’s biggest tyre manufacturers, the bosses at parent company Continental AG largely left him alone to run the ship.
Last year, the carbon steel hydraulichose manufacturer reported its exports had more than doubled to £23m in the last three years, and anticipated its turnover leaping from £28m to £60m by 2016. It was this sort of growth that gave Esson a trophy for his mantelpiece, courtesy of The Journal and Evening Gazette’s North East Business Executive of the Year awards.
“After I won the award, it felt like it was a perfect time to step out,” he says. “It was a fantastic 2010 for both me and ContiTech, which had won its third straight Manufacturing Excellence award as well as a Queen’s Award for Enterprise. I decided my objective for 2011 was to move to the next stage of my career.”
But what was it that made him consider a shift at all, after 27 years working in the major corporate sector?
He says: “From the beginning of last year, I recognised my career development prospects with Continental were going to be limited by the fact I wasn’t internationally mobile. I moved to the North East in 2002 and established myself here.
“It’s an area I love and I’d love to see my career out here. The only way I could really do that within Continental was to continue doing what I was doing with ContiTech Beattie, and if I wanted to develop beyond that I’d have to go abroad. That’s when I decided it might be a good time to go out there and work for myself.”
Esson began putting out feelers in the business community, and his contacts unearthed a few firms that could be suitable for him. One was Quick Hydraulics, a 14-person company which ticked all the boxes.
He says: “It was a specialist engineering business, and a profitable cash-generating company that could benefit from some of the things I’d learned as part of a large company.
“Although ContiTech had never worked with Quick, the company manufactured the type of product that we would use in our fluid handling systems. When we were doing due diligence, it became clear this was a well-run company that knew what it was doing.
Among those was leading South Tyneside businessman Geoff Ford, chairman of Ford Aerospace. Ford told him he was “confident this will be the best decision you’ve ever made”.
Less than a year after being named as Tyneside and Northumberland’s Business Executive of the Year for his work at the specialist Ashington engineering firm, he sat behind his desk for the first time as the majority shareholder and managing director of Quick Hydraulics, a former family firm located in North Shields.
Esson says: “I’m aware it will be different now, as I’m going from a £30m turnover business to a £3m business. But I’m going into it with my eyes open.”
Late last week, the rubber stamp was put on the deal which puts Esson in control of the New York company, which supplies hydraulic products to customers across the UK and abroad. Originally set up by Ron Quick in 1977 as a distributor of hydraulic components, it expanded its work to include service and project skills after it was passed to Ron’s son Peter in 1995. It is now a noted UK fluid power centre in the UK, and Esson says it was that specialist engineering nous that partly attracted him to the business.
As the head of ContiTech Beattie, Esson supervised an operation which employed 97 people, including 82 in Ashington, 14 in Aberdeen and one in Singapore. While the company was part of one of the world’s biggest tyre manufacturers, the bosses at parent company Continental AG largely left him alone to run the ship.
Last year, the carbon steel hydraulic
“After I won the award, it felt like it was a perfect time to step out,” he says. “It was a fantastic 2010 for both me and ContiTech, which had won its third straight Manufacturing Excellence award as well as a Queen’s Award for Enterprise. I decided my objective for 2011 was to move to the next stage of my career.”
But what was it that made him consider a shift at all, after 27 years working in the major corporate sector?
He says: “From the beginning of last year, I recognised my career development prospects with Continental were going to be limited by the fact I wasn’t internationally mobile. I moved to the North East in 2002 and established myself here.
“It’s an area I love and I’d love to see my career out here. The only way I could really do that within Continental was to continue doing what I was doing with ContiTech Beattie, and if I wanted to develop beyond that I’d have to go abroad. That’s when I decided it might be a good time to go out there and work for myself.”
Esson began putting out feelers in the business community, and his contacts unearthed a few firms that could be suitable for him. One was Quick Hydraulics, a 14-person company which ticked all the boxes.
He says: “It was a specialist engineering business, and a profitable cash-generating company that could benefit from some of the things I’d learned as part of a large company.
“Although ContiTech had never worked with Quick, the company manufactured the type of product that we would use in our fluid handling systems. When we were doing due diligence, it became clear this was a well-run company that knew what it was doing.
Interview with Andrew Esson of Quick Hydraulics
IT was an idea that had been bubbling away in Andrew Esson’s head for a while. The ContiTech Beattie managing director had done his research, weighed up his options and sought the advice of friends and contacts.
Among those was leading South Tyneside businessman Geoff Ford, chairman of Ford Aerospace. Ford told him he was “confident this will be the best decision you’ve ever made”.
Less than a year after being named as Tyneside and Northumberland’s Business Executive of the Year for his work at the specialist Ashington engineering firm, he sat behind his desk for the first time as the majority shareholder and managing director of Quick Hydraulics, a former family firm located in North Shields.
Esson says: “I’m aware it will be different now, as I’m going from a £30m turnover business to a £3m business. But I’m going into it with my eyes open.”
Late last week, the rubber stamp was put on the deal which puts Esson in control of the New York company, which supplies hydraulic products to customers across the UK and abroad. Originally set up by Ron Quick in 1977 as a distributor of hydraulic components, it expanded its work to include service and project skills after it was passed to Ron’s son Peter in 1995. It is now a noted UK fluid power centre in the UK, and Esson says it was that specialist engineering nous that partly attracted him to the business.
As the head of ContiTech Beattie, Esson supervised an operation which employed 97 people, including 82 in Ashington, 14 in Aberdeen and one in Singapore. While the company was part of one of the world’s biggest tyre manufacturers, the bosses at parent company Continental AG largely left him alone to run the ship.
Last year, the carbon steel hydraulic hose manufacturer reported its exports had more than doubled to £23m in the last three years, and anticipated its turnover leaping from £28m to £60m by 2016. It was this sort of growth that gave Esson a trophy for his mantelpiece, courtesy of The Journal and Evening Gazette’s North East Business Executive of the Year awards.
“After I won the award, it felt like it was a perfect time to step out,” he says. “It was a fantastic 2010 for both me and ContiTech, which had won its third straight Manufacturing Excellence award as well as a Queen’s Award for Enterprise. I decided my objective for 2011 was to move to the next stage of my career.”
But what was it that made him consider a shift at all, after 27 years working in the major corporate sector?
He says: “From the beginning of last year, I recognised my career development prospects with Continental were going to be limited by the fact I wasn’t internationally mobile. I moved to the North East in 2002 and established myself here.
“It’s an area I love and I’d love to see my career out here. The only way I could really do that within Continental was to continue doing what I was doing with ContiTech Beattie, and if I wanted to develop beyond that I’d have to go abroad. That’s when I decided it might be a good time to go out there and work for myself.”
Esson began putting out feelers in the business community, and his contacts unearthed a few firms that could be suitable for him. One was Quick Hydraulics, a 14-person company which ticked all the boxes.
He says: “It was a specialist engineering business, and a profitable cash-generating company that could benefit from some of the things I’d learned as part of a large company.
“Although ContiTech had never worked with Quick, the company manufactured the type of product that we would use in our fluid handling systems. When we were doing due diligence, it became clear this was a well-run company that knew what it was doing.
Among those was leading South Tyneside businessman Geoff Ford, chairman of Ford Aerospace. Ford told him he was “confident this will be the best decision you’ve ever made”.
Less than a year after being named as Tyneside and Northumberland’s Business Executive of the Year for his work at the specialist Ashington engineering firm, he sat behind his desk for the first time as the majority shareholder and managing director of Quick Hydraulics, a former family firm located in North Shields.
Esson says: “I’m aware it will be different now, as I’m going from a £30m turnover business to a £3m business. But I’m going into it with my eyes open.”
Late last week, the rubber stamp was put on the deal which puts Esson in control of the New York company, which supplies hydraulic products to customers across the UK and abroad. Originally set up by Ron Quick in 1977 as a distributor of hydraulic components, it expanded its work to include service and project skills after it was passed to Ron’s son Peter in 1995. It is now a noted UK fluid power centre in the UK, and Esson says it was that specialist engineering nous that partly attracted him to the business.
As the head of ContiTech Beattie, Esson supervised an operation which employed 97 people, including 82 in Ashington, 14 in Aberdeen and one in Singapore. While the company was part of one of the world’s biggest tyre manufacturers, the bosses at parent company Continental AG largely left him alone to run the ship.
Last year, the carbon steel hydraulic hose manufacturer reported its exports had more than doubled to £23m in the last three years, and anticipated its turnover leaping from £28m to £60m by 2016. It was this sort of growth that gave Esson a trophy for his mantelpiece, courtesy of The Journal and Evening Gazette’s North East Business Executive of the Year awards.
“After I won the award, it felt like it was a perfect time to step out,” he says. “It was a fantastic 2010 for both me and ContiTech, which had won its third straight Manufacturing Excellence award as well as a Queen’s Award for Enterprise. I decided my objective for 2011 was to move to the next stage of my career.”
But what was it that made him consider a shift at all, after 27 years working in the major corporate sector?
He says: “From the beginning of last year, I recognised my career development prospects with Continental were going to be limited by the fact I wasn’t internationally mobile. I moved to the North East in 2002 and established myself here.
“It’s an area I love and I’d love to see my career out here. The only way I could really do that within Continental was to continue doing what I was doing with ContiTech Beattie, and if I wanted to develop beyond that I’d have to go abroad. That’s when I decided it might be a good time to go out there and work for myself.”
Esson began putting out feelers in the business community, and his contacts unearthed a few firms that could be suitable for him. One was Quick Hydraulics, a 14-person company which ticked all the boxes.
He says: “It was a specialist engineering business, and a profitable cash-generating company that could benefit from some of the things I’d learned as part of a large company.
“Although ContiTech had never worked with Quick, the company manufactured the type of product that we would use in our fluid handling systems. When we were doing due diligence, it became clear this was a well-run company that knew what it was doing.
2011年9月6日星期二
First Aerospace Components Manufactured at Its Mexican Facility
Kaman Aerospace Group, announced today that its Aerostructures Division (Kaman) has delivered the first production parts fabricated at its new state of the art manufacturing facility in Chihuahua, Mexico. This facility, Kaman's first aerospace facility in Mexico, was opened November 2010. The parts were delivered to Aernnova Aerospace Mexico, SA de CV (Aernnova) located in Queretaro, Mexico. The deliveries consisted of sheet metal detail parts to be used in the wing structures assembled by Aernnova for Hawker Beechcraft aircraft, including the King Air, Baron, and Bonanza aircraft.
Kaman and Aernnova have signed a multi-year and multi-part number preliminary agreement for the manufacture of sheet metal detail parts in support of Aernnova's wing manufacturing operations. Additional first part number deliveries are scheduled over the next few months.
"We are pleased our Chihuahua plant is a fully operational sheet metal parts and subassemblies aerospace manufacturing facility after having opened just last year," said Greg Steiner, President Kaman Aerospace Group. "We also value our growing relationship with Aernnova and look forward to additional parts deliveries in support of their aerospace manufacturing programs in Mexico and elsewhere."
About Kaman Aerostructures
For more than 50 years, Kaman Aerostructures, a unit of Kaman Aerospace Group, has provided total aerostructures solutions for the global aerospace market. From Manufacturing Centers of Excellence in Jacksonville, FL, and Chihuahua, Mexico, Kaman Aerostructures' experience and capabilities cover a broad spectrum of products from machined and sheet metal fabricated detail parts to major metallic and composite assemblies.
About Kaman Corporation
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.
Kaman and Aernnova have signed a multi-year and multi-part number preliminary agreement for the manufacture of sheet metal detail parts in support of Aernnova's wing manufacturing operations. Additional first part number deliveries are scheduled over the next few months.
"We are pleased our Chihuahua plant is a fully operational sheet metal parts and subassemblies aerospace manufacturing facility after having opened just last year," said Greg Steiner, President Kaman Aerospace Group. "We also value our growing relationship with Aernnova and look forward to additional parts deliveries in support of their aerospace manufacturing programs in Mexico and elsewhere."
About Kaman Aerostructures
For more than 50 years, Kaman Aerostructures, a unit of Kaman Aerospace Group, has provided total aerostructures solutions for the global aerospace market. From Manufacturing Centers of Excellence in Jacksonville, FL, and Chihuahua, Mexico, Kaman Aerostructures' experience and capabilities cover a broad spectrum of products from machined and sheet metal fabricated detail parts to major metallic and composite assemblies.
About Kaman Corporation
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,
2011年9月5日星期一
Garbage Trucks Pick Up Fuel Savings
Makers of hydraulic equipment are vying for some of the glamour and profit associated with green technology. They're starting with garbage trucks.
Eaton Corp. and Parker Hannifin Corp., both based in Cleveland, are pitching rival hydraulic systems designed to slash fuel consumption by refuse trucks, while reducing pollution and brake wear. And they are talking a bit of trash about each other's products. Bosch Rexroth, a unit of Germany's Robert Bosch GmbH, also has hopped on the garbage wagon.
The companies' systems can be built into vehicles made by such manufacturers as Volvo AB's Mack Trucks, Autocar LLC and Paccar Inc.'s Peterbilt.
The so-called hybrid-hydraulic technology makes use of the energy normally lost in the form of heat when drivers hit the brakes. Trucks equipped with it have two sources of power: the ordinary engine under the hood and a hydraulic contraption attached to the chassis.
When the driver brakes, hydraulic pumps push oil against a rubber-like "bladder" filled with nitrogen, creating pressure. When the truck accelerates, pressure is released, providing energy to turn the wheels.
The engine does less work, particularly during fuel-guzzling accelerations, when the hydraulic pumps kick in. Brakes get much less wear because the hydraulics help slow the truck.
The technology has been around for decades but is being rolled out now because fuel costs are up and modern electronics make it more effective. It works best on heavy vehicles that stop frequently, such as trash haulers, city buses and delivery trucks. The added cost wouldn't be worthwhile for passenger cars or long-haul trucks, some experts say.
The hybrid-hydraulic systems are competing with electric-hybrid technology, which uses the energy generated by braking to recharge a vehicle's battery. Hybrid-electric trucks, including delivery vans and buses, are far more common, with about 4,000 on U.S. roads, according to Bill Van Amburg, a senior vice president at Calstart Inc., a nonprofit group in Pasadena, Calif., that promotes fuel-saving technology. Hydraulics can produce a huge surge of energy quickly; batteries are better for releasing stored energy over a longer period.
Mack Trucks, a giant in the trash business, says it thinks electric hybrids—using technology from its parent, Volvo—have greater potential than hydraulics for cutting fuel use and emissions. But Mack installs hydraulic systems for clients who want them.
Parker Hannifin sees potential revenue from sales of hybrid-hydraulic systems of $300 million to $500 million a year within five years, up from a tiny sum today. Research firm Frost & Sullivan says that North American sales of garbage and other sorts of medium- and heavy-duty trucks with hybrid-hydraulic technology will reach 7,200 vehicles in 2016, up from 300 last year.
There are only about 115 garbage trucks with hybrid-hydraulic systems now operating in the U.S. But new registrations of garbage trucks have averaged nearly 7,000 annually in recent years, according to data provider R.L. Polk & Co. Hydraulic companies hope to capture a big share of those sales.
Eaton currently has about 100 of its systems in garbage trucks, Parker Hannifin 11 and Rexroth 34, mostly in Germany.
The hydraulic companies are taking different technological roads. Parker Hannifin's hydraulic system takes the place of a vehicle's transmission, so both the hydraulic pumps and the engine rely on a single mechanism to transmit energy to the wheels. Eaton and Rexroth have "parallel" systems, which use a separate transmission for the engine.
"Ours is like central air-conditioning," says Jeff Cullman, president of the hydraulics group at Parker Hannifin, "and theirs is like a window air-conditioning unit," bolted on to a more traditional structure.
Eaton Corp. and Parker Hannifin Corp., both based in Cleveland, are pitching rival hydraulic systems designed to slash fuel consumption by refuse trucks, while reducing pollution and brake wear. And they are talking a bit of trash about each other's products. Bosch Rexroth, a unit of Germany's Robert Bosch GmbH, also has hopped on the garbage wagon.
The companies' systems can be built into vehicles made by such manufacturers as Volvo AB's Mack Trucks, Autocar LLC and Paccar Inc.'s Peterbilt.
The so-called hybrid-hydraulic technology makes use of the energy normally lost in the form of heat when drivers hit the brakes. Trucks equipped with it have two sources of power: the ordinary engine under the hood and a hydraulic contraption attached to the chassis.
When the driver brakes, hydraulic pumps push oil against a rubber-like "bladder" filled with nitrogen, creating pressure. When the truck accelerates, pressure is released, providing energy to turn the wheels.
The engine does less work, particularly during fuel-guzzling accelerations, when the hydraulic pumps kick in. Brakes get much less wear because the hydraulics help slow the truck.
The technology has been around for decades but is being rolled out now because fuel costs are up and modern electronics make it more effective. It works best on heavy vehicles that stop frequently, such as trash haulers, city buses and delivery trucks. The added cost wouldn't be worthwhile for passenger cars or long-haul trucks, some experts say.
The hybrid-hydraulic systems are competing with electric-hybrid technology, which uses the energy generated by braking to recharge a vehicle's battery. Hybrid-electric trucks, including delivery vans and buses, are far more common, with about 4,000 on U.S. roads, according to Bill Van Amburg, a senior vice president at Calstart Inc., a nonprofit group in Pasadena, Calif., that promotes fuel-saving technology. Hydraulics can produce a huge surge of energy quickly; batteries are better for releasing stored energy over a longer period.
Mack Trucks, a giant in the trash business, says it thinks electric hybrids—using technology from its parent, Volvo—have greater potential than hydraulics for cutting fuel use and emissions. But Mack installs hydraulic systems for clients who want them.
Parker Hannifin sees potential revenue from sales of hybrid-hydraulic systems of $300 million to $500 million a year within five years, up from a tiny sum today. Research firm Frost & Sullivan says that North American sales of garbage and other sorts of medium- and heavy-duty trucks with hybrid-hydraulic technology will reach 7,200 vehicles in 2016, up from 300 last year.
There are only about 115 garbage trucks with hybrid-hydraulic systems now operating in the U.S. But new registrations of garbage trucks have averaged nearly 7,000 annually in recent years, according to data provider R.L. Polk & Co. Hydraulic companies hope to capture a big share of those sales.
Eaton currently has about 100 of its systems in garbage trucks, Parker Hannifin 11 and Rexroth 34, mostly in Germany.
The hydraulic companies are taking different technological roads. Parker Hannifin's hydraulic system takes the place of a vehicle's transmission, so both the hydraulic pumps and the engine rely on a single mechanism to transmit energy to the wheels. Eaton and Rexroth have "parallel" systems, which use a separate transmission for the engine.
"Ours is like central air-conditioning," says Jeff Cullman, president of the hydraulics group at Parker Hannifin, "and theirs is like a window air-conditioning unit," bolted on to a more traditional structure.
2011年9月4日星期日
Water Restored by Sunday: Official
A Public Works Ministry water resources official said that hundreds of thousands of Jakartans who have been without access to water would finally get some relief by Sunday.
Mohammad Amron said on Sunday that repair work on a broken dike in East Jakarta would be fixed that afternoon.
“It’s already 80 percent fixed,” Amron said. “I’m assuming that it will be done by 2 p.m. today.
According to Amron, once the installation of some 60 sheet piles was completed, the water could again begin flowing to the Pulogadung water treatment facility in Pejompongan, South Jakarta.
The temporary fix will mean that water company PAM Lyonnaise Jaya (Palyja) will begin receiving a steady supply of water again.
Aetra, the other private water company affected by the breach, was able to restore partial service on Friday.
Amron added that a permanent repair of the breach would take about a year and cost up to Rp 2 billion ($235,000).
The disruption has been ongoing since Wednesday, caused by the bursting of a dike in Kalimalang, East Jakarta.
Sunday’s repairs, however, did not go as smoothly as planned. Minor equipment malfunctions led to work crew delays, said Hasanudin, a visiting adviser from Citarum River dam in Wests Java.
“At about 1 a.m., there occurred a hydraulic hose rupture, then the spare part of it was repaired, so that the repairing of the breach was continued again at 6 a.m.” Hasanudin said.
Repair efforts were also hampered, he said, by a lack of skilled personnel to operate some of the heavy machinery.
Mohammad Amron said on Sunday that repair work on a broken dike in East Jakarta would be fixed that afternoon.
“It’s already 80 percent fixed,” Amron said. “I’m assuming that it will be done by 2 p.m. today.
According to Amron, once the installation of some 60 sheet piles was completed, the water could again begin flowing to the Pulogadung water treatment facility in Pejompongan, South Jakarta.
The temporary fix will mean that water company PAM Lyonnaise Jaya (Palyja) will begin receiving a steady supply of water again.
Aetra, the other private water company affected by the breach, was able to restore partial service on Friday.
Amron added that a permanent repair of the breach would take about a year and cost up to Rp 2 billion ($235,000).
The disruption has been ongoing since Wednesday, caused by the bursting of a dike in Kalimalang, East Jakarta.
Sunday’s repairs, however, did not go as smoothly as planned. Minor equipment malfunctions led to work crew delays, said Hasanudin, a visiting adviser from Citarum River dam in Wests Java.
“At about 1 a.m., there occurred a hydraulic hose rupture, then the spare part of it was repaired, so that the repairing of the breach was continued again at 6 a.m.” Hasanudin said.
Repair efforts were also hampered, he said, by a lack of skilled personnel to operate some of the heavy machinery.
2011年9月1日星期四
Bridgestone Invests to Build New Plant
On August 26, Changzhou Bridgestone Flowtech Co., Ltd. laid the foundation stone for its new plant in Changzhou National High-Tech District, Jiangsu Province. With a total investment of US$49.7 million, the new plant, which will mainly produce oil, gas and hydraulic hoses, hose assemblies and rubber mixing products, is expected to be completed in June 2012 and start production in October of the same year.
With its registered capital increased from US$3.2 million to US$24.3 million, the new plant is jointly invested by Changzhou Bridgestone Flowtech and Bridgestone (China) Chemical Products Investment. It has a gross floor area of some 70,000 square meters and a construction area of 28,200 square meters. "Given the strong demand in China, we will try our best to start production ahead of schedule," a senior company official said in the groundbreaking ceremony.
Upon completion, the new project will have an annual production capacity of 12,000 kilometers of air hoses, oil hoses and hydraulic hoses, 7 million hose assemblies and 5,000 tons of rubber mixings, with the annual output value expected to reach 630 million yuan, while profits and taxes are estimated to come to 45 million yuan. In addition, more than 200 new jobs are expected to be offered by 2015.
Japan-based Bridgestone Group was ranked 286th on the list of Fortune Global 500 for 2011. The Group established a wholly-owned subsidiary Changzhou Bridgestone Cycle Co., Ltd. in Changzhou Hi-Tech District on December 1994, and then set up another two enterprises involved in auto parts and fluid technology respectively.
Changzhou Hi-Tech District has attracted many local and overseas investors such as Germany-based Lanxess, Leoni, BAERLOCHERGMBH, otto bock, hoerbiger, Linde Group, Switzerland-based Georg Fischer, Mettler Toledo, Rieter Textile Instrument, US-based Terex, Ashland Chemical, Kohler, Chart, Visteon, Magna Powertrain, V&M, Disa, Polynt Group, Kymco Motors, Japan-based Komatsu, Nippon Steel Corp, OKI, Bridgestone, Fujitsu, and Fuji Heavy Industry and so on.
With its registered capital increased from US$3.2 million to US$24.3 million, the new plant is jointly invested by Changzhou Bridgestone Flowtech and Bridgestone (China) Chemical Products Investment. It has a gross floor area of some 70,000 square meters and a construction area of 28,200 square meters. "Given the strong demand in China, we will try our best to start production ahead of schedule," a senior company official said in the groundbreaking ceremony.
Upon completion, the new project will have an annual production capacity of 12,000 kilometers of air hoses, oil hoses and hydraulic hoses, 7 million hose assemblies and 5,000 tons of rubber mixings, with the annual output value expected to reach 630 million yuan, while profits and taxes are estimated to come to 45 million yuan. In addition, more than 200 new jobs are expected to be offered by 2015.
Japan-based Bridgestone Group was ranked 286th on the list of Fortune Global 500 for 2011. The Group established a wholly-owned subsidiary Changzhou Bridgestone Cycle Co., Ltd. in Changzhou Hi-Tech District on December 1994, and then set up another two enterprises involved in auto parts and fluid technology respectively.
Changzhou Hi-Tech District has attracted many local and overseas investors such as Germany-based Lanxess, Leoni, BAERLOCHERGMBH, otto bock, hoerbiger, Linde Group, Switzerland-based Georg Fischer, Mettler Toledo, Rieter Textile Instrument, US-based Terex, Ashland Chemical, Kohler, Chart, Visteon, Magna Powertrain, V&M, Disa, Polynt Group, Kymco Motors, Japan-based Komatsu, Nippon Steel Corp, OKI, Bridgestone, Fujitsu, and Fuji Heavy Industry and so on.
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