3M's filter portfolio protects professional catering equipment from expensive scale build up caused by hard water, helping reduce product downtime and service costs
Bracknell, UK, 30 January 2012 - Diversified technology company 3M will exhibit its Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtration system and high capacity anti-scale filter on Stand S1113 at Hotelympia 2012, the UK's largest exhibition for foodservice and hospitality, taking place 26 February to 1 March at ExCeL, London. These popular filters offer an enhanced taste experience for the consumer while lowering the operating costs of catering equipment in commercial kitchens, pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels.
The ScaleGard LP2-BL (SGLP2) Dual Port Reverse Osmosis System from 3M is a compact, wall-mounted unit designed to deliver great tasting filtered water every time. The system provides two water qualities for specialty coffee and flash steam applications, which means that only one filtration is required for all the back-of-house catering equipment typically found in a professional kitchen - from steamers and combi ovens to ice machines, bulk coffee brewers and espresso machines. These are all expensive pieces of equipment to buy and maintain so the elimination of multiple filtration units presents significant cost and time savings.
Using twin RO membranes, the system purifies mains water, removing solids and minerals that can cause limescale and corrosion problems typically associated with flash steamers, thereby helping to minimise equipment downtime and servicing costs. Also, as a non-electric system, with filtration driven by incoming water pressure, the system offers high reliability with low ownership costs, immunity to power outage and enhances energy efficiency.
For water and coffee applications, the SGLP2 Reverse Osmosis System provides a second RO-filtered supply, which is recombined with a controlled quantity of mains water via a blending valve to maintain a consistent mineral composition. This source of Recipe Quality Water is then passed through a 3M cyst-rated filter to deliver tailored quality softened, particle-free water as the starting point for great-tasting coffee and ice.
At filter end-of-life, the RO membrane cartridges can each be replaced quickly and easily by in-house staff using 3M's Sanitary Quick Change (SQC) cartridge attachment, helping to save the cost of service calls. In daily use, the system also contributes to reducing water consumption, delivering savings in both supply and waste water costs compared to traditional RO systems.
The ScaleGard Pro (SGP) P1175 Anti-scale Filter from 3M provides a high capacity of 6000 litres, which increases convenience for owners and reduces equipment downtime by extending the filter change-out interval. The filter matches the high level of filtration achieved by other SGP filters to ensure effective removal of scale-forming minerals. It also features 3M's SQC cartridge attachment.
The SGP1175 Anti-scale Filter's proportional bypass provides consistent hardness reduction for repeatable water quality and scale prevention, while also ensuring that all water passes through 3M's carbon-block post filter for chlorine and odour removal. This unit is fitted in the SGP1175BN-E fixed-bypass variant of the new high-capacity filter. An additional variant, the SGP1175-E, is a non-bypass version providing a cost-effective alternative capable of protecting the heating elements of equipment such as steamers. Preventing scale build-up in coffee vending machines and steamers helps maintain optimum efficiency, enhancing business performance by minimising energy consumption and the costs of machine downtime and service calls.
3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products. Its culture of creative collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful technologies that make life better.
The $27 billion diversified technology company has, since 1902, been creating innovative products that help make the world healthier, safer and more productive. Well known 3M brands include Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate and Scotch-Brite.
3M employs some 80,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. The UK and Ireland is home to one of the largest 3M subsidiaries outside the USA, employing more than 3,500 people across 19 locations, including 10 manufacturing sites.
Products manufactured in the UK include coated abrasives, occupational health and environmental safety equipment, adhesive tapes, industrial microbiology products, drug delivery systems, high-performance coatings, secure documents and passport scanners.
2012年1月4日星期三
New Cordless Jig Saw from Metabo Features Best in Class Performance
Metabo Corporation, a leading international manufacturer of professional grade portable electric power tools and abrasives for industrial, construction and welding applications, introduces a cordless jig saw that is an industry leader in performance. The STA 18 LTX is part of Metabo’s innovative PowerMasterSeries of 18 V lithium-ion cordless power tools.
This high-performing saw, that can cut more than 98 feet of chipboard with just one battery pack charge, is ideal for use in cutting openings for heating duct and plumbing, cabinet fitting, drywall fitting, cutting and sizing plywood or cutting duct openings in HVAC applications.
The STA 18 LTX features a low-lying saw blade support roller for exact blade guidance, a 4-stage adjustable orbital blade stroke and positive bevel cutting stops at 15°, 30° and 45°. The tool also includes Metabo’s Quick toolless blade change system that saves time and energy when replacing blades, increasing productivity and lowering overall cost.
Metabo’s new jig saw can cut a maximum thickness of 5- 5/16” in wood, 1 3/8” in non-ferrous metals and 10 gage” in sheet metal.
The STA 18 LTX features a robust gear housing and motor design, Variospeed electronics producing up to 2,700 strokes per minute, a protective guard and anti-splinter insert to prevent chipping when working on brittle materials like laminate countertops.
Safety features include an ergonomic rubber-coated full grip bow-type handle for user comfort, adjustable blower for a debris-free view of the cutting line as well as an integrated LED work light for optimum illumination of the cutting line.
The cost-effective STA 18 LTX, sold as a tool only, accepts Metabo’s 1.5Ah, 2.6Ah, 3.0Ah or 4.0Ah 18 V lithium-ion batteries that offer 40 percent higher performance and 40 percent less weight than conventional batteries.
This high-performing saw, that can cut more than 98 feet of chipboard with just one battery pack charge, is ideal for use in cutting openings for heating duct and plumbing, cabinet fitting, drywall fitting, cutting and sizing plywood or cutting duct openings in HVAC applications.
The STA 18 LTX features a low-lying saw blade support roller for exact blade guidance, a 4-stage adjustable orbital blade stroke and positive bevel cutting stops at 15°, 30° and 45°. The tool also includes Metabo’s Quick toolless blade change system that saves time and energy when replacing blades, increasing productivity and lowering overall cost.
Metabo’s new jig saw can cut a maximum thickness of 5- 5/16” in wood, 1 3/8” in non-ferrous metals and 10 gage” in sheet metal.
The STA 18 LTX features a robust gear housing and motor design, Variospeed electronics producing up to 2,700 strokes per minute, a protective guard and anti-splinter insert to prevent chipping when working on brittle materials like laminate countertops.
Safety features include an ergonomic rubber-coated full grip bow-type handle for user comfort, adjustable blower for a debris-free view of the cutting line as well as an integrated LED work light for optimum illumination of the cutting line.
The cost-effective STA 18 LTX, sold as a tool only, accepts Metabo’s 1.5Ah, 2.6Ah, 3.0Ah or 4.0Ah 18 V lithium-ion batteries that offer 40 percent higher performance and 40 percent less weight than conventional batteries.
2011年12月7日星期三
Six Detroit buses destroyed in fire at DDOT maintenance facility
Fire department sources tell Action News that six DDOT buses were destroyed in an accidental fire, at the Coolidge bus yard this morning.
Detroit firefighters were called to the two alarm fire at the DDOT maintenance facility early Wednesday morning that took several hours to put out.
The facility is located on the city's west side on the 14000 block of Schaefer where Senior Chief Mike Herron says the buses were engulfed in flames and the roof collapsed above them.
Herron says the buses were contained by a firewall to separate them from the rest of the fleet.
Firefighters used foam inside the building as there were no hydrants available. "I am very proud of how the men responded," said the chief, "We had a limited supply of water."
There are reports that the sprinkler system inside the building was not working.
Black smoke from hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel blew toward nearby homes. Authorities monitored the air quality and were concerned over smoke damage. They are uncertain if hydraulic fluid may have caught fire.
Officials do not believe bus service will be affected today as firefighters were allowing drivers into the yard to access their buses.
One firefighter is reported to have slightly injured his shoulder while pulling a hose across the yard.
Dozens of fire trucks as well as a HazMat team were on the scene.
Detroit spokesperson Steve Serkaian tells Action News that the buses, worth $350,000 each are insured. Serkaian says the damage would have been much worse had the employees not acted so promptly. "Several mechanics and bus drivers put themselves at risk to drive other buses through the black smoke so they would be safe."
Detroit firefighters were called to the two alarm fire at the DDOT maintenance facility early Wednesday morning that took several hours to put out.
The facility is located on the city's west side on the 14000 block of Schaefer where Senior Chief Mike Herron says the buses were engulfed in flames and the roof collapsed above them.
Herron says the buses were contained by a firewall to separate them from the rest of the fleet.
Firefighters used foam inside the building as there were no hydrants available. "I am very proud of how the men responded," said the chief, "We had a limited supply of water."
There are reports that the sprinkler system inside the building was not working.
Black smoke from hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel blew toward nearby homes. Authorities monitored the air quality and were concerned over smoke damage. They are uncertain if hydraulic fluid may have caught fire.
Officials do not believe bus service will be affected today as firefighters were allowing drivers into the yard to access their buses.
One firefighter is reported to have slightly injured his shoulder while pulling a hose across the yard.
Dozens of fire trucks as well as a HazMat team were on the scene.
Detroit spokesperson Steve Serkaian tells Action News that the buses, worth $350,000 each are insured. Serkaian says the damage would have been much worse had the employees not acted so promptly. "Several mechanics and bus drivers put themselves at risk to drive other buses through the black smoke so they would be safe."
2011年12月5日星期一
Polish delicatessen gutted by fire following burglary
A POLISH delicatessen in Northampton was gutted by fire yesterday morning after burglars broke in to the shop.
Dozens of firefighters were called to the Best Pol Delicatessen, in Barrack Road, shortly after 3.20am on Sunday.
Firefighters had to initially cut through metal protective shutters to get into the shop, which specialises in Eastern European produce, before battling the flames.
The ground floor of the shop was badly scorched by the flames, with much of the shop’s stock completely destroyed.
Yesterday morning a handwritten Polish note had been stuck on the shop door explaining the convenience store had been closed because of the fire.
The owners of the shop were not available for comment yesterday.
Fire investigators, as well as police scenes of crime officers (SOCO), were at the convenience store examining the building until around lunchtime.
And last night, fire investigators confirmed the cause of the blaze was deliberate ignition, with police detectives believing the fire was started after a break-in.
One shocked local shopkeeper, who woke in the night to the sound of fire crews trying to gain entry to the shop, said he had been shocked by the incident.
He said: “I heard the fire brigade there. There were five fire engines and the road and pavement were sealed off.
“They were trying to cut through the shutters to get into the shop, that was all I saw.
“There was smoke coming from the roof and by about 5.30am they had finished and the fire was out.
“The police were then there in the morning before somebody came to board up the doors.
“Forensic officers then arrived to look for fingerprints. It is a shock.”
Firefighters from The Mounts, two crews from Moulton as well as another crew from Mereway and a technical rescue vehicle were all sent to deal with the fire.
Crews used hydraulic equipment, two hose reels, a jet, as well as gas monitors and thermal imaging cameras while fighting the blaze.
A spokesman for Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue said the fire had “severely damaged” both the shop and its contents.
Dozens of firefighters were called to the Best Pol Delicatessen, in Barrack Road, shortly after 3.20am on Sunday.
Firefighters had to initially cut through metal protective shutters to get into the shop, which specialises in Eastern European produce, before battling the flames.
The ground floor of the shop was badly scorched by the flames, with much of the shop’s stock completely destroyed.
Yesterday morning a handwritten Polish note had been stuck on the shop door explaining the convenience store had been closed because of the fire.
The owners of the shop were not available for comment yesterday.
Fire investigators, as well as police scenes of crime officers (SOCO), were at the convenience store examining the building until around lunchtime.
And last night, fire investigators confirmed the cause of the blaze was deliberate ignition, with police detectives believing the fire was started after a break-in.
One shocked local shopkeeper, who woke in the night to the sound of fire crews trying to gain entry to the shop, said he had been shocked by the incident.
He said: “I heard the fire brigade there. There were five fire engines and the road and pavement were sealed off.
“They were trying to cut through the shutters to get into the shop, that was all I saw.
“There was smoke coming from the roof and by about 5.30am they had finished and the fire was out.
“The police were then there in the morning before somebody came to board up the doors.
“Forensic officers then arrived to look for fingerprints. It is a shock.”
Firefighters from The Mounts, two crews from Moulton as well as another crew from Mereway and a technical rescue vehicle were all sent to deal with the fire.
Crews used hydraulic equipment, two hose reels, a jet, as well as gas monitors and thermal imaging cameras while fighting the blaze.
A spokesman for Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue said the fire had “severely damaged” both the shop and its contents.
2011年12月4日星期日
A SMALL LOCAL CARAVAN PARK HAS OUTSHONE SOME OF QUEENSLAND'S BIGGEST TOURISM OPERATORS
A small caravan park in the relatively unknown fishing village of Kurrimine Beach has just out shone some of the states biggest tourism operators winning the Tourism Queensland campaign to find the states best tourism customer service ambassadors.
Park owners Kay and Marcus Kitchen - and managers Corey and Tracey Patterson - wowed the judges with their diary of a typical week.
"The way Kurrimine goes above and beyond for guests ... shows how they are striving for excellence on every occasion," said TQ executive director Steve McRoberts, a member of the judging panel which awarded the $10,000 prize.
Kay Kitchen, owner of the Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park accredits the award winning service to "creating a fun and friendly environment and remembering to treat guests as you would like to be treated".
Winning the award has been a tonic for the park at the end of a tough year, which started when Cyclone Yasi blew through, damaging cabins and taking out gardens and fences.
The park was operational again within weeks, but Marcus Kitchen then broke his arm whilst cleaning up. There was worse to come - using his bobcat to put out a fire down the road, a hydraulic hose broke spraying him with burning fluid, resulting in burns to 35 per cent of his body.
With Mr and Mrs Kitchen travelling regularly to the burns unit in Brisbane, they brought in Mr and Mrs Patterson to help run the park.
We are at the southern end of Kurrimine Beach, a quiet fishing village untouched by major development. Our Holiday Park, set in lush tropical gardens, is the ideal place for a relaxing holiday, lots of fun for the kids and a perfect base to explore the beautiful Cassowary Coast.
Kurrimine Beach is an unspoilt tropical holiday destination with the Great Barrier Reef on its doorstep. The spirit and hospitality of old North Queensland is still alive in the picturesque fishing hamlet. It has become a haven for those who appreciate the laid back style of holidaying and relaxation.
Park owners Kay and Marcus Kitchen - and managers Corey and Tracey Patterson - wowed the judges with their diary of a typical week.
"The way Kurrimine goes above and beyond for guests ... shows how they are striving for excellence on every occasion," said TQ executive director Steve McRoberts, a member of the judging panel which awarded the $10,000 prize.
Kay Kitchen, owner of the Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park accredits the award winning service to "creating a fun and friendly environment and remembering to treat guests as you would like to be treated".
Winning the award has been a tonic for the park at the end of a tough year, which started when Cyclone Yasi blew through, damaging cabins and taking out gardens and fences.
The park was operational again within weeks, but Marcus Kitchen then broke his arm whilst cleaning up. There was worse to come - using his bobcat to put out a fire down the road, a hydraulic hose broke spraying him with burning fluid, resulting in burns to 35 per cent of his body.
With Mr and Mrs Kitchen travelling regularly to the burns unit in Brisbane, they brought in Mr and Mrs Patterson to help run the park.
We are at the southern end of Kurrimine Beach, a quiet fishing village untouched by major development. Our Holiday Park, set in lush tropical gardens, is the ideal place for a relaxing holiday, lots of fun for the kids and a perfect base to explore the beautiful Cassowary Coast.
Kurrimine Beach is an unspoilt tropical holiday destination with the Great Barrier Reef on its doorstep. The spirit and hospitality of old North Queensland is still alive in the picturesque fishing hamlet. It has become a haven for those who appreciate the laid back style of holidaying and relaxation.
2011年12月1日星期四
Sprint Auto Parts Victor Harbor
Sprint Auto Parts Victor Harbor will celebrate its first birthday on Saturday, December 3 from 9am to 2pm and everyone is invited.
There will be a sausage sizzle and soft drinks available, with proceeds going to the Port Elliot Kindergarten.
Happy FM will be broadcasting live from the carpark, and on display wil be camping goods from OzTent, McIlroy Auto Group vehicles, and show cars and racing quad bikes.
A free raffle ticket for every $20 spent in store (for example, spend $100 receive five tickets) will be given out and winners will be drawn at 2pm on the day.
There will also be give-aways including showbags and balloons.
Sprint Auto Parts offer a huge range of automotive parts and accessories in store, and are open seven days a week.
Their first priority is to offer exceptional customer service, taking the time to listen to enquiries and offer professional advice from highly experienced team members.
With a vast range of suppliers Australia-wide, and a warehouse at Mawson Lakes, the team is able to source thousands of items quickly and economically.
Sprint Auto Parts is a South Australian owned and operated company, and with 35 stores they are able to offer highly competitive pricing throughout the range.
They are constantly evaluating the needs of their customers and expanding the scope of the products to suit.
Some of the products and services currently on offer include enzed hydraulic hose manufacture and repair, paint mixing to match vehicle codes - everything from touch-up bottles and aerosol cans to four-litre tins, custom-made battery cable manufacture, a huge range of high tensile fasteners in metric and imperial sizes, and new ranges in stock such as Sidchrome tools, OzTent camping equipment, Stomp bar runners, and an extended seat cover range.
Sprint Auto Parts’ eight page Christmas catalogue is out now, and there’s something for everyone, such as a 48-piece tool kit with a metal case for the home handyman, bar runners featuring classic vehicles for the enthusiast, and even something for the kids with a Roary the Racing Car Workshop Manual.
There will be a sausage sizzle and soft drinks available, with proceeds going to the Port Elliot Kindergarten.
Happy FM will be broadcasting live from the carpark, and on display wil be camping goods from OzTent, McIlroy Auto Group vehicles, and show cars and racing quad bikes.
A free raffle ticket for every $20 spent in store (for example, spend $100 receive five tickets) will be given out and winners will be drawn at 2pm on the day.
There will also be give-aways including showbags and balloons.
Sprint Auto Parts offer a huge range of automotive parts and accessories in store, and are open seven days a week.
Their first priority is to offer exceptional customer service, taking the time to listen to enquiries and offer professional advice from highly experienced team members.
With a vast range of suppliers Australia-wide, and a warehouse at Mawson Lakes, the team is able to source thousands of items quickly and economically.
Sprint Auto Parts is a South Australian owned and operated company, and with 35 stores they are able to offer highly competitive pricing throughout the range.
They are constantly evaluating the needs of their customers and expanding the scope of the products to suit.
Some of the products and services currently on offer include enzed hydraulic hose manufacture and repair, paint mixing to match vehicle codes - everything from touch-up bottles and aerosol cans to four-litre tins, custom-made battery cable manufacture, a huge range of high tensile fasteners in metric and imperial sizes, and new ranges in stock such as Sidchrome tools, OzTent camping equipment, Stomp bar runners, and an extended seat cover range.
Sprint Auto Parts’ eight page Christmas catalogue is out now, and there’s something for everyone, such as a 48-piece tool kit with a metal case for the home handyman, bar runners featuring classic vehicles for the enthusiast, and even something for the kids with a Roary the Racing Car Workshop Manual.
2011年11月29日星期二
Blastcrete Equipment introduce new mine mate machine
Blastcrete Equipment has introduced the Mine Mate, designed to mix and pump concrete material for underground mine sealing and stabilisation, grouting and various other shotcrete applications. The Mine Mate is a convenient solution when ready-mix concrete is not an option. Featuring Blastcrete’s X-10 ultra-high pressure swing tube pump, it is a highly productive and reliable machine that’s also easy to operate and maintain.
The Mine Mate uses the wet-mix shotcrete process. It was created at the request of several customers seeking a machine to apply shotcrete in underground coal applications. In contrast to the dry shotcrete (gunite), the wet shotcrete process minimises dust emissions and improves visibility making it much safer, particularly for underground use. Of compact configuration, the Mine Mate is designed for operation within a 1.2 m ceiling.
The Mine Mate includes Blastcrete’s X-10 76-mm, high-pressure swing tube pump, and a high shear continuous mixer. The unit is capable of mixing and pumping 9.2 m3/h and can handle aggregate up to 9.5 mm diameter. It can pump material in excess of 150 m, horizontally and vertically. Additionally, the hydraulic pump can run in reverse to eliminate line pressure from the delivery line should a hose plug.
The X-10 provides easy access for cleaning and maintenance. The receiving hopper of the pump is mounted with a heavy-duty hinge so that it can easily swing away from the swing tube section. The flat pack is held in place by four heavy-duty bolts so that the spare flat pack can quickly and easily be replaced.
Available power options include a V3,600, 50-kW Kubota water-cooled diesel engine or 37-kW electric motor with starter and disconnect. The machine can also be equipped with a material screw conveyor, with bin indicator for charging the continuous mixer. The Mine Mate’s X-10 is CE Certified, meeting European Union safety standards for equipment operation.
The Mine Mate uses the wet-mix shotcrete process. It was created at the request of several customers seeking a machine to apply shotcrete in underground coal applications. In contrast to the dry shotcrete (gunite), the wet shotcrete process minimises dust emissions and improves visibility making it much safer, particularly for underground use. Of compact configuration, the Mine Mate is designed for operation within a 1.2 m ceiling.
The Mine Mate includes Blastcrete’s X-10 76-mm, high-pressure swing tube pump, and a high shear continuous mixer. The unit is capable of mixing and pumping 9.2 m3/h and can handle aggregate up to 9.5 mm diameter. It can pump material in excess of 150 m, horizontally and vertically. Additionally, the hydraulic pump can run in reverse to eliminate line pressure from the delivery line should a hose plug.
The X-10 provides easy access for cleaning and maintenance. The receiving hopper of the pump is mounted with a heavy-duty hinge so that it can easily swing away from the swing tube section. The flat pack is held in place by four heavy-duty bolts so that the spare flat pack can quickly and easily be replaced.
Available power options include a V3,600, 50-kW Kubota water-cooled diesel engine or 37-kW electric motor with starter and disconnect. The machine can also be equipped with a material screw conveyor, with bin indicator for charging the continuous mixer. The Mine Mate’s X-10 is CE Certified, meeting European Union safety standards for equipment operation.
2011年11月15日星期二
A Fitting Out Checklist Including Rig Checks and Testing
Sometimes known as a ‘shakedown’, we have to wake the engine from its hibernation, slap on the antifouling, grease the winches, check the safety gear. The excitement of seeing our precious vessel craned into the water is followed by the trepidation of rediscovering just how rusty our seamanship skills are after a prolonged winter lay-up. Hopefully, the old magic will return as soon as the tiller or wheel is back in your hand.
A Fitting Out Checklist Including Rig Checks and Testing
The batteries go flat, no VHF radio, no GPS, no navigation lights. The water in the tanks smells of rotten eggs. The log impeller gets stuck and the winches are stiff. But it’s when things don’t go to plan that true seamanship and friendship is put to the test. Riggers will tell you about catastrophic rig failure all because a humble split pin fell out. Better to have a shakedown than a mast fall down.
Boat repair includes woodwork and joinery, hull repair, deck repair, grp repair and sterngear repair.
Not all rig failures are catastrophic, but most are inconvenient, expensive and avoided. Check your rig and you can detect and prevent problems before they happen.
Checking the rig, sails, standing and running rigging for safety doesn’t end with fitting out. Safe sailing is a season-long issue.
Insurers differ where rigs are concerned. Some say rigging needs replacing after 10 years, others want a survey after five. Many rigs don’t have history or service records. All this tells you your rig is something of an unknown quantity.
10% of genoa cars can fail between seasons. Check split pins and grub screws as some makes are prone to coming apart. If the car’s plunger stop or towing system fails under load, the car could knock off the aft end block and in a flash you’ll have bearings everywhere and a useless car. Check the genoa track bolts and end blocks.
Check that everything is secured with good condition split pins (on clevis pins and bottlescrews) or locknuts. Lift shroud covers regularly and clean out the salt and grit. During maintenance, add stainless steel washers inside the clevis pin split pins to limit wear and working if there’s room as the clevis pins rotate.
Check all shrouds and stays at upper and lower terminals
as well as at spreader ends. Replace any where stranding is found. If stranding is detected on one shroud, replace both it and the opposite shroud. Rust-coloured deposits at the neck of a swage can indicate that one of the strands was not properly polished before the wire was twisted and the impurities have flowed to the terminal and oxidised. Scotchbrite clean and check again.Tying warps to shroud bases deforms and weakens rigging screws and toggles.
If you have single roll-swaged terminals (look for opposing flashlines on the terminal) and one strand has gone, it’s likely the opposite strand has gone too.
Check all mainsheet and traveller blocks for damage or distortion, make sure split pins are in position and taped, and shackles tight and seized. Check all mainsheet track bolts and end blocks are secure… the mainsheet car can overpower the travellerjammer while gybing in a blow and smash through the end of the track.
Check they are not perished and seal with rubber-friendly sealant. Before refitting, make sure the mast is chocked stable, otherwise the mast wall rubs against the deck ring, damaging both deck and mast. UV is hard on gaiters so pay extra attention if you keep the boat somewhere sunny.
Check the furling line from end to end. Check all the lead blocks are fair and the guide arm and drum are secure. Most importantly, check the securing screws where the drum meets the tuff tube and Locktite or tape over with PVC tape. They often work loose and fall out.
There’s a huge amount going on at both the gooseneck and kicker/vang attachment – rotation, tension and compression under load. Often this distorts aluminium fittings.
Remove the fitting, file back into shape, grease and replace, using stainless steel or nylon washers to restrict the amount of working, then secure with good condition split pins.
Check sheets and guys for wear. Whip if the cover is partly chafed, replace if the core is damaged. Whip or burn both ends to prevent fraying. If you haven’t done so on laying up, remove, mouse and check all halyards. Wash all running rigging in soapy water, rinse thoroughly and keep any spare line below when you’re not at sea as it degrades in UV. For the same reason, give the mainsheet and jib sheets your particular attention.
With halyards and sheets, always buy 3-6ft more than you need so that you can take lft off the working end every season to change the contact points and limit the danger of parting due to chafe.
Check masthead clevis pins are secured with good condition split pins as they work considerably and can straighten and work loose, or break and fall out.
Check the spinnaker block shackles are nipped up and seized with wire.
Check main and genoa halyard separators and sheaves for wear. If your mast has a bolted-on head unit and you find wear, replacement means removing, repairing and refitting the head unit with the mast unstepped. Damage indicates the main halyard has been over-tightened. Mark your halyard every season so that you hoist to 6in below the separator, then rig a cunningham for luff tension or recut the sail.
Wire halyards can wear through your genoa halyard separator
If your fractional spinnaker halyard is retained with eye bolts, there will be greater wear on the halyard. Pulleys or trumpet fittings give a larger contact point, which reduces wear.
Check radar brackets for excessive working and pack with washers to limit this. Check light fittings, bulbs and wiring, spinnaker pole track bolts and end fittings, spinnaker pole cars – and any other fittings.
Check shroud attachments. If the backing plates are worn, cracked or pulling away from the mast, consult your rigger. It may not be critical but it’s not a good sign. Get it checked. Clean the entire section with white spirit and Scotchbrite to check for cracks and bring up the colour of the anodising.
Check spreader sockets, clevis pins and split pins for wear and excessive working. Replace and pack with stainless steel or nylon washers during maintenance.
Check the spreaders ends are secure and not heavily pitted or corroded. If they’re not covered, protect them with plastic covers but still check regularly.
Check the spreaders’ leading and trailing edges for wear from badly stowed stays and halyards. Slice lengths of PVC tubing, fit over leading and trailing edges and tie and tape on with self-amalgamating tape to prevent wear, both on the spreader from stays and on the sail from the spreaders.
The humble split pin holds your rig up so check them all regularly. If they’re not properly fitted, they can straighten
or break as the clevis pin works around, and fall out, followed by the clevis pin, then your rig. Curl back both pin legs, packing stainless-steel washers to limit working, then secure with tape or silicon.
Check all lead blocks (especially around the mast base) and shackles for tightness, then seize (shackle pins with a flat tab instead of a hole can’t be seized effectively and aren’t recommended for any load-bearing purpose). Seizing wire is best, cable ties are satisfactory but will degrade in UV and need replacing regularly. Replace blocks showing signs of cracking, wear or distortion.
on modern rigs with swept-back spreaders, the lowers are likely to go first because they work fore and aft, and transverse. When sailing, check you have enough shroud tension to prevent the leeward shrouds becoming slack. With more traditional rigs with inline spreaders, the leeward rigging should slacken slightly.
Lubricate all sheaves, luff tubes and tracks with Teflon spray. Silicon grease is fine for sheaves but, if used on main tracks or luff tubes, will leave marks on your sails.
While inspection is easier on an unstepped rig, some problems are easier to spot with the rig up, the tension on and the rig settled. Without tension, a broken strand may settle back into a shroud terminal and appear fine whereas under load, it’s obvious. If you mast is up, send someone aloft to check everything, make sure they know what they’re looking for.
Ensure your mast electrics are sound. Track down the causes of chafe and use cable ties to secure wires out of harm’s way
Winches: Old oil and grease lose viscosity and winches will slip when springs and pawls get stuck. Strip down, wash parts in paraffin and lightly regrease .
Windlasses: If manual, check they’re working, clean and tighten. For powered versions check foot switch forwater, clean and use Vaseline on the connections.
A Fitting Out Checklist Including Rig Checks and Testing
The batteries go flat, no VHF radio, no GPS, no navigation lights. The water in the tanks smells of rotten eggs. The log impeller gets stuck and the winches are stiff. But it’s when things don’t go to plan that true seamanship and friendship is put to the test. Riggers will tell you about catastrophic rig failure all because a humble split pin fell out. Better to have a shakedown than a mast fall down.
Boat repair includes woodwork and joinery, hull repair, deck repair, grp repair and sterngear repair.
Not all rig failures are catastrophic, but most are inconvenient, expensive and avoided. Check your rig and you can detect and prevent problems before they happen.
Checking the rig, sails, standing and running rigging for safety doesn’t end with fitting out. Safe sailing is a season-long issue.
Insurers differ where rigs are concerned. Some say rigging needs replacing after 10 years, others want a survey after five. Many rigs don’t have history or service records. All this tells you your rig is something of an unknown quantity.
10% of genoa cars can fail between seasons. Check split pins and grub screws as some makes are prone to coming apart. If the car’s plunger stop or towing system fails under load, the car could knock off the aft end block and in a flash you’ll have bearings everywhere and a useless car. Check the genoa track bolts and end blocks.
Check that everything is secured with good condition split pins (on clevis pins and bottlescrews) or locknuts. Lift shroud covers regularly and clean out the salt and grit. During maintenance, add stainless steel washers inside the clevis pin split pins to limit wear and working if there’s room as the clevis pins rotate.
Check all shrouds and stays at upper and lower terminals
as well as at spreader ends. Replace any where stranding is found. If stranding is detected on one shroud, replace both it and the opposite shroud. Rust-coloured deposits at the neck of a swage can indicate that one of the strands was not properly polished before the wire was twisted and the impurities have flowed to the terminal and oxidised. Scotchbrite clean and check again.Tying warps to shroud bases deforms and weakens rigging screws and toggles.
If you have single roll-swaged terminals (look for opposing flashlines on the terminal) and one strand has gone, it’s likely the opposite strand has gone too.
Check all mainsheet and traveller blocks for damage or distortion, make sure split pins are in position and taped, and shackles tight and seized. Check all mainsheet track bolts and end blocks are secure… the mainsheet car can overpower the travellerjammer while gybing in a blow and smash through the end of the track.
Check they are not perished and seal with rubber-friendly sealant. Before refitting, make sure the mast is chocked stable, otherwise the mast wall rubs against the deck ring, damaging both deck and mast. UV is hard on gaiters so pay extra attention if you keep the boat somewhere sunny.
Check the furling line from end to end. Check all the lead blocks are fair and the guide arm and drum are secure. Most importantly, check the securing screws where the drum meets the tuff tube and Locktite or tape over with PVC tape. They often work loose and fall out.
There’s a huge amount going on at both the gooseneck and kicker/vang attachment – rotation, tension and compression under load. Often this distorts aluminium fittings.
Remove the fitting, file back into shape, grease and replace, using stainless steel or nylon washers to restrict the amount of working, then secure with good condition split pins.
Check sheets and guys for wear. Whip if the cover is partly chafed, replace if the core is damaged. Whip or burn both ends to prevent fraying. If you haven’t done so on laying up, remove, mouse and check all halyards. Wash all running rigging in soapy water, rinse thoroughly and keep any spare line below when you’re not at sea as it degrades in UV. For the same reason, give the mainsheet and jib sheets your particular attention.
With halyards and sheets, always buy 3-6ft more than you need so that you can take lft off the working end every season to change the contact points and limit the danger of parting due to chafe.
Check masthead clevis pins are secured with good condition split pins as they work considerably and can straighten and work loose, or break and fall out.
Check the spinnaker block shackles are nipped up and seized with wire.
Check main and genoa halyard separators and sheaves for wear. If your mast has a bolted-on head unit and you find wear, replacement means removing, repairing and refitting the head unit with the mast unstepped. Damage indicates the main halyard has been over-tightened. Mark your halyard every season so that you hoist to 6in below the separator, then rig a cunningham for luff tension or recut the sail.
Wire halyards can wear through your genoa halyard separator
If your fractional spinnaker halyard is retained with eye bolts, there will be greater wear on the halyard. Pulleys or trumpet fittings give a larger contact point, which reduces wear.
Check radar brackets for excessive working and pack with washers to limit this. Check light fittings, bulbs and wiring, spinnaker pole track bolts and end fittings, spinnaker pole cars – and any other fittings.
Check shroud attachments. If the backing plates are worn, cracked or pulling away from the mast, consult your rigger. It may not be critical but it’s not a good sign. Get it checked. Clean the entire section with white spirit and Scotchbrite to check for cracks and bring up the colour of the anodising.
Check spreader sockets, clevis pins and split pins for wear and excessive working. Replace and pack with stainless steel or nylon washers during maintenance.
Check the spreaders ends are secure and not heavily pitted or corroded. If they’re not covered, protect them with plastic covers but still check regularly.
Check the spreaders’ leading and trailing edges for wear from badly stowed stays and halyards. Slice lengths of PVC tubing, fit over leading and trailing edges and tie and tape on with self-amalgamating tape to prevent wear, both on the spreader from stays and on the sail from the spreaders.
The humble split pin holds your rig up so check them all regularly. If they’re not properly fitted, they can straighten
or break as the clevis pin works around, and fall out, followed by the clevis pin, then your rig. Curl back both pin legs, packing stainless-steel washers to limit working, then secure with tape or silicon.
Check all lead blocks (especially around the mast base) and shackles for tightness, then seize (shackle pins with a flat tab instead of a hole can’t be seized effectively and aren’t recommended for any load-bearing purpose). Seizing wire is best, cable ties are satisfactory but will degrade in UV and need replacing regularly. Replace blocks showing signs of cracking, wear or distortion.
on modern rigs with swept-back spreaders, the lowers are likely to go first because they work fore and aft, and transverse. When sailing, check you have enough shroud tension to prevent the leeward shrouds becoming slack. With more traditional rigs with inline spreaders, the leeward rigging should slacken slightly.
Lubricate all sheaves, luff tubes and tracks with Teflon spray. Silicon grease is fine for sheaves but, if used on main tracks or luff tubes, will leave marks on your sails.
While inspection is easier on an unstepped rig, some problems are easier to spot with the rig up, the tension on and the rig settled. Without tension, a broken strand may settle back into a shroud terminal and appear fine whereas under load, it’s obvious. If you mast is up, send someone aloft to check everything, make sure they know what they’re looking for.
Ensure your mast electrics are sound. Track down the causes of chafe and use cable ties to secure wires out of harm’s way
Winches: Old oil and grease lose viscosity and winches will slip when springs and pawls get stuck. Strip down, wash parts in paraffin and lightly regrease .
Windlasses: If manual, check they’re working, clean and tighten. For powered versions check foot switch forwater, clean and use Vaseline on the connections.
2011年11月3日星期四
Congressional supercommittee mustn't undermine military
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told members of the House Armed Services Committee that additional cuts to military spending would devastate the nation's defense, according to an Oct. 14 Star-Telegram story.
Congress' deficit-cutting supercommittee is searching for ways to get our federal deficit under control. Many areas of the budget are under review, including national defense, which accounts for about 20 percent of federal spending.
Congress has already cut $460 billion from the defense budget over the next decade; this month, the congressional supercommittee could allow an additional $500 billion in cuts.
On Wednesday, the chiefs of all four military branches told the House Armed Services Committee that further defense cuts would be a "catastrophic" blow to their ability to protect the nation.
As a general manager who works locally in the defense industry, I heartily agree with Panetta and the chiefs that additional cuts would be a serious mistake.
I work for Parker Aerospace's Stratoflex Products Division, headquartered in Fort Worth. Our division is a world leader in fluid conveyance systems for the aerospace market and supports most aircraft in production in the world today. Our products include a broad array of hoses and hose assemblies and fittings, joints, valves, hydraulic fuses and regulators.
Parker Aerospace employs more than 537 in Fort Worth and Mansfield and 5,600 nationwide. The jobs we offer are well-paying, with good benefits in a positive work environment. In this time of high unemployment, these are the kind of jobs that make our state and country strong and healthy, economically and industrially. These are the kind of jobs we need to keep.
I firmly believe that Congress should preserve funding in the budget for defense, space and civil aviation and should resist calls for additional cuts. Such cuts would have a deleterious effect on the aerospace industry, degrading America's military capabilities and threatening our nation's position as a world leader in aerospace while sacrificing hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs.
Our country has more than 1.5 million Americans serving in uniform, is involved in wars in two nations and risks terrorist attacks from a variety of sources.
To meet these challenges, the military needs the advanced, life-saving technology and equipment that the aerospace and defense industries provide.
However, significant defense cuts hamper our ability to supply the military with these tools. With the F-35 joint strike fighter in test flight, for example, no manned military airplanes or helicopters are in development for the first time in 100 years.
Deep cuts to space and civil aviation programs, specifically NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration, would have an adverse effect on our nation as well.
NASA allows the United States to retain its space leadership in the world.
Both NASA and the FAA play a key role in the planning and execution of the Next Generation Air Transportation System, which promises to transform air transport.
We at Parker ask for the support of our local U.S. House member, Rep. Kay Granger, and the community in preserving funding for defense, space and civil aviation. Let's retain our leadership in the global aerospace industry.
Raj Gupta is general manager of the Stratoflex Products Division of Parker Aerospace in Fort Worth.
Congress' deficit-cutting supercommittee is searching for ways to get our federal deficit under control. Many areas of the budget are under review, including national defense, which accounts for about 20 percent of federal spending.
Congress has already cut $460 billion from the defense budget over the next decade; this month, the congressional supercommittee could allow an additional $500 billion in cuts.
On Wednesday, the chiefs of all four military branches told the House Armed Services Committee that further defense cuts would be a "catastrophic" blow to their ability to protect the nation.
As a general manager who works locally in the defense industry, I heartily agree with Panetta and the chiefs that additional cuts would be a serious mistake.
I work for Parker Aerospace's Stratoflex Products Division, headquartered in Fort Worth. Our division is a world leader in fluid conveyance systems for the aerospace market and supports most aircraft in production in the world today. Our products include a broad array of hoses and hose assemblies and fittings, joints, valves, hydraulic fuses and regulators.
Parker Aerospace employs more than 537 in Fort Worth and Mansfield and 5,600 nationwide. The jobs we offer are well-paying, with good benefits in a positive work environment. In this time of high unemployment, these are the kind of jobs that make our state and country strong and healthy, economically and industrially. These are the kind of jobs we need to keep.
I firmly believe that Congress should preserve funding in the budget for defense, space and civil aviation and should resist calls for additional cuts. Such cuts would have a deleterious effect on the aerospace industry, degrading America's military capabilities and threatening our nation's position as a world leader in aerospace while sacrificing hundreds of thousands of well-paying jobs.
Our country has more than 1.5 million Americans serving in uniform, is involved in wars in two nations and risks terrorist attacks from a variety of sources.
To meet these challenges, the military needs the advanced, life-saving technology and equipment that the aerospace and defense industries provide.
However, significant defense cuts hamper our ability to supply the military with these tools. With the F-35 joint strike fighter in test flight, for example, no manned military airplanes or helicopters are in development for the first time in 100 years.
Deep cuts to space and civil aviation programs, specifically NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration, would have an adverse effect on our nation as well.
NASA allows the United States to retain its space leadership in the world.
Both NASA and the FAA play a key role in the planning and execution of the Next Generation Air Transportation System, which promises to transform air transport.
We at Parker ask for the support of our local U.S. House member, Rep. Kay Granger, and the community in preserving funding for defense, space and civil aviation. Let's retain our leadership in the global aerospace industry.
Raj Gupta is general manager of the Stratoflex Products Division of Parker Aerospace in Fort Worth.
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4月19日星期二
Prior to the explosion incident in June 2008
The franchisor, Parker Hannifin (Australia) Pty Ltd (Parker Hannifin) was in the business of supplying motion control products including fluid connector products, hydraulic components, filtration and automation products. The franchisor purchased the ENZED Group in June 1989 and developed the ENZED franchise network. Hose Doctor franchisees were granted the right to operate a mobile hose and fitting service business. Parker Hannifin has 61 franchised ENZED Service Centres, 129 franchised Hose Doctor mobile businesses and 67 of its employees working directly for the ENZED Service Centres throughout Australia.
Mr Michael Pascoe was the working director of MCP Maintenance & Contracting Pty Ltd (MCP), a Hose Doctor franchisee of Parker Hannifin. MCP purchased the Hose Doctor franchise in March 2007.
The franchised business provided mobile servicing of high pressure hoses and hydraulic hose fittings and accessories. Hose Doctor franchisees drive vans that are specially fitted with a rear workshop and report to an ENZED Service Centre which allocates clients and performs administrative tasks. MCP utilised an ENZED Service Centre located at Wetherill Park. That centre was operated by Ricomore Pty Limited (Ricomore).
Hose Doctor franchisees were required to comply with Parker Hannifin’s mandatory specifications, standards, operating procedures and training requirements. Parker Hannifin had documented occupational health and safety procedures that MCP was required to follow. MCP was required to lease or purchase a van for the operation of its franchise and the van was to be painted and customised at the cost of MCP and stocked by Ricomore. There were also obligations on MCP to maintain the van in good repair. There was no obligation in the franchise agreement requiring MCP to have the van approved by Parker Hannifin.
Prior to the explosion incident in June 2008, Parker Hannifin had not considered it had any responsibility to ensure that the vans used by the Hose Doctor franchisees complied with the relevant State occupational health and safety laws or Australian Standards regarding such matters as the carriage of dangerous gases.
Parker Hannifin understood that because the Hose Doctor franchisees had purchased, owned and operated their vans, each Hose Doctor franchisee was responsible under their franchise agreement for ensuring that their vans complied with the relevant occupational health and safety laws. In June 2008, Mr Pascoe was driving his Isuzu van from a client’s premises to a supplier’s premises when there was an explosion in the workshop compartment of his van. The force of the explosion sent metal into its cabin and blew out the front windscreen.
Pascoe escaped with minor injuries, but as a result of this incident Parker Hannifin was charged with and pleaded guilty to breaching s10(1) (duties of controllers) of the New South Wales Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 for the failure to require that any motor vehicle used by a Hose Doctor franchisee contained a ventilation system that would eliminate the possibility of oxygen and acetylene building up.
Although Parker Hannifin exercised control over Hose Doctor franchisees, its mandatory specification standards and operating procedures did not ensure that Hose Doctor franchisees complied with Australian Standards in respect of the storage and transport of flammable substances. The Australian Standards require proper ventilation in the carrying of dangerous gases. The judgement of Marks J in Inspector Townsend v Carrier Air Conditioning Pty Ltd [2008] NSWIRComm 74 which was handed down two months prior to the incident was said to demonstrate the forseeability or obviousness of the risks, the serious consequences of dangerous gases exploding and the simple remedial steps of ventilation available that underlined the objective seriousness of Parker Hannifin’s offence.
Parker Hannifin contended that MCP could have put into place additional safety systems and noted that Mr Pascoe’s injuries were only minor. It was also noted in the report commissioned by WorkCover that the “root cause” of the explosion was poor trade practice on the part of the person who had left the valves in the workshop compartment of the van open.
In the course of the proceedings, Parker Hannifin admitted that it had made misguided assumptions about the extent of its safety obligations towards its Hose Doctor franchisees and confirmed that after the incident new safety processes including procedures for storing flammable gases had been introduced.
Mr Michael Pascoe was the working director of MCP Maintenance & Contracting Pty Ltd (MCP), a Hose Doctor franchisee of Parker Hannifin. MCP purchased the Hose Doctor franchise in March 2007.
The franchised business provided mobile servicing of high pressure hoses and hydraulic hose fittings and accessories. Hose Doctor franchisees drive vans that are specially fitted with a rear workshop and report to an ENZED Service Centre which allocates clients and performs administrative tasks. MCP utilised an ENZED Service Centre located at Wetherill Park. That centre was operated by Ricomore Pty Limited (Ricomore).
Hose Doctor franchisees were required to comply with Parker Hannifin’s mandatory specifications, standards, operating procedures and training requirements. Parker Hannifin had documented occupational health and safety procedures that MCP was required to follow. MCP was required to lease or purchase a van for the operation of its franchise and the van was to be painted and customised at the cost of MCP and stocked by Ricomore. There were also obligations on MCP to maintain the van in good repair. There was no obligation in the franchise agreement requiring MCP to have the van approved by Parker Hannifin.
Prior to the explosion incident in June 2008, Parker Hannifin had not considered it had any responsibility to ensure that the vans used by the Hose Doctor franchisees complied with the relevant State occupational health and safety laws or Australian Standards regarding such matters as the carriage of dangerous gases.
Parker Hannifin understood that because the Hose Doctor franchisees had purchased, owned and operated their vans, each Hose Doctor franchisee was responsible under their franchise agreement for ensuring that their vans complied with the relevant occupational health and safety laws. In June 2008, Mr Pascoe was driving his Isuzu van from a client’s premises to a supplier’s premises when there was an explosion in the workshop compartment of his van. The force of the explosion sent metal into its cabin and blew out the front windscreen.
Pascoe escaped with minor injuries, but as a result of this incident Parker Hannifin was charged with and pleaded guilty to breaching s10(1) (duties of controllers) of the New South Wales Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 for the failure to require that any motor vehicle used by a Hose Doctor franchisee contained a ventilation system that would eliminate the possibility of oxygen and acetylene building up.
Although Parker Hannifin exercised control over Hose Doctor franchisees, its mandatory specification standards and operating procedures did not ensure that Hose Doctor franchisees complied with Australian Standards in respect of the storage and transport of flammable substances. The Australian Standards require proper ventilation in the carrying of dangerous gases. The judgement of Marks J in Inspector Townsend v Carrier Air Conditioning Pty Ltd [2008] NSWIRComm 74 which was handed down two months prior to the incident was said to demonstrate the forseeability or obviousness of the risks, the serious consequences of dangerous gases exploding and the simple remedial steps of ventilation available that underlined the objective seriousness of Parker Hannifin’s offence.
Parker Hannifin contended that MCP could have put into place additional safety systems and noted that Mr Pascoe’s injuries were only minor. It was also noted in the report commissioned by WorkCover that the “root cause” of the explosion was poor trade practice on the part of the person who had left the valves in the workshop compartment of the van open.
In the course of the proceedings, Parker Hannifin admitted that it had made misguided assumptions about the extent of its safety obligations towards its Hose Doctor franchisees and confirmed that after the incident new safety processes including procedures for storing flammable gases had been introduced.
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