Filed under: Sedan, Suzuki, Reviews

The 2010 Kizashi will change the way you look at Suzuki. To put it bluntly, the Kizashi is the strongest evidence yet that Suzuki’s automotive division is no longer operating on autopilot in the States. And what’s more, the brand is showing serious confidence. Consider the vehicles against which the automaker wants you to cross shop its Kizashi: the Acura TSX and Audi A4.

Suzuki has launched a promotion called the Kizashi Test Drive Challenge that will pay $100 to anyone who test drives a Kizashi and still decides to buy the more expensive TSX or A4. After spending some quality time with the model, we don’t envy those potential Acura and Audi customers who are unprepared for how difficult their decision is going to be.

Photos copyright (C)2009 John Neff / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi GTS is up for the Challenge

Review: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi GTS is up for the Challenge originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On Friday, the BLS announced that unemployment in November had edged down to 10%, which was WAY better than analysts had been expecting. The report was, arguably, the first major green shoot on the unemployment front.

(Though ominously, it came even as other measures of economic activity showed signs of backsliding in November.)

But before you crack open the champagne about one month, you should get some perspective

Nathan A. Martin at Nathan’s Economic Edge has gone through all of the employment data, most of it out of the St. Louis Fed, and it paints a grim picture about how bad the employment situation really is. The scope of the problem — which has now become an obsession in Washington — truly remains enormous.

Now, see the evidence >>>

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• SocGen: Prepare Yourself For The Worst Case Scenario!
• Deutsche Bank: Beware Sovereign Defaults And The End Of The Dollar Carry Trade In 2010
• Morgan Stanley: Here Comes A Brutal 2010

I realize that the above title doesn’t really make sense especially for those of us who have spent time in the hospital and cringed at the idea of eating there. However, there is a hospital that combines health care with exquisite cuisine that is designed to heal. At the Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital in Michigan food has become top priority and is something that foodies will definitely approve of.

I’ve included a few recipes from HenryFord.com which are perfect for light and healthy appetizers to accompany your Holiday feast. None of the recipes offered at this hospital are fried, processed, or have added salt. Organic and natural food is a must.

Asparagus & Fennel Salad

Ingredients:

* 30 ea. Asparagus (Trimmed)
* 1/2 bulb Shaved Fennel
* 2 oranges Orange Supreme’s
* 1 bunch Fresh Watercress
* 1/4 cup Marcona Almonds
* 8 oz. Honeydew Vinaigrette (see recipe below)

Directions:

1. Trim and discard the “woody” end of the asparagus stalks. This step is not necessary with Michigan asparagus as it is hand harvested. Season with olive oil, kosher salt and fresh-milled pepper and grill for 1 minute turning often. Cool asparagus and cut into bite size pieces and place in a large mixing bowl.
2. Shave the fennel very thin and add to the asparagus.
3. Add all remaining ingredients toss and serve.

Honeydew Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

* 1 ea. Fresh Honeydew (rind and seeds removed)
* 2 oz. Rice wine vinegar
* 2 oz. Fresh lemon juice
* 2 oz. Fresh lime juice
* 2 oz. Fresh Orange juice
* 3 Tb. Canola and olive oil blend
* 1 Tb. Fresh chopped mint
* 1 1/2 t. Kosher salt

Directions:

1. Chop honeydew and purée in a food processor.
2. Add puree and all the honeydew juice in a thick gauge sauce pan and reduce until only 1 quart is left. Remove from pan and cool to below 40 degrees.
3. Add all remaining ingredients except oil and mix well.
4. Add oil in a slow steady stream.
5. This will yield about 6 cups and the salad will only need about one cup, but this dressing will last for about 6 days in the refrigerator and is great on any salad, chicken and many other uses.

***

This salad is a perfect, light and healthy dish to pair with your turkey or whichever protein you decide to serve during the holidays. Although it may not by candied yams or mashed potatoes you’ll feel so much better after dinner and you won’t feel guilty. Plus you’ll have more room for dessert.

The next recipe is a perfect healthy solution for pre-dinner munchies. You’ll be busy in the kitchen while your friends and family eagerly await dinner. They’ll be hungry and constantly bugging you ‘When’s dinner ready’? This recipe is sure to keep them quiet!

Michigan Carrot Hummus

Ingredients:

* 7 oz. Carrots, peeled and chopped
* 1/2 Small white onion, diced
* 16 oz. Garbanzo beans, drained & rinsed
* 2 Tbsp. Fresh chopped garlic
* 1/2 oz. Tahini paste
* 2 oz. Lemon juice
* 1/2 oz. Lime juice
* 1/2 tsp. Toasted ground cumin
* 1/2 tsp. Toasted ground coriander
* Pinch Ground curry
* 2 tsp. Fresh chopped parsley
* 3 oz. Olive oil
* 1/4 tsp. Fresh ground ginger
* 1/2 tsp. Paprika
* 1 Tbsp. Kosher salt

Directions:

1. Boil carrots in salted water for 6-8 minutes.
2. Remove carrots from water and add garbanzo beans, onions, and garlic.
3. Simmer until the beans are hot, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Drain water and place bean mixture and carrots in a food processor.
5. Add remaining ingredients and puree until smooth.

Recipes provided by Chef Frank Turner

Image Credit: Stock Exchange

Post from: Blisstree

Hospital Food Never Tasted So Good

Insider selling has been massively outpacing insider buying, by 82x, according to FInviz data via Zero Hedge.

ZH: In the most recent data set, $11.6 million in stock was purchased by insiders, while a whopping $957 million was sold. And somehow pundits are still spinning this mass orchestrated sell into the bid by those in the know as a bull market.

Note the current selling vs. buying ratio is much higher than the 22x back in June. Thus while a high ratio isn't always a problem, clearly the relative increase has been enormous. Executives merely selling in order to fund their Christmas purchases? Tax-related selling? One can only hope.

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Insider Selling Outpaces Buying By 22x
• Insiders Keep Selling Like Crazy
• Insiders Selling At A Furious Pace

As the negotiations over the ACTA treaty continue in secret, one of the more frustrating aspects is how defenders of ACTA repeatedly conflate “counterfeit goods” with “copyright infringement.” Witness Senator Evan Bayh’s nonsensical response to being asked about ACTA, where it becomes clear quite quickly that he’s unfamiliar with the most basic information on the subject. He switches back and forth between counterfeiting and copyright as if they’re the same thing, and seems to think that any treaty on the matter must be good.

But, an even more annoying part of all this is the use of fear mongering over “counterfeit goods” as some huge problem that has to be solved, when the evidence increasingly suggests otherwise. The copyright lobbyists are using the cover of some mythical massive counterfeiting problem to push for unnecessary and potentially dangerous copyright law changes, but even the counterfeiting claims are suspect. In the past, we’ve noted that both the GAO and the OECD have noted that the “problem” of counterfeiting has been massively inflated by lobbyists.

And, a new study suggests that even the counterfeit goods that do get sold aren’t really a huge problem to the original manufacturers (thanks to Dave Barnes for sending this in) — if there a problem at all. In a study that was actually carried out by a former brand manager at LVMH, it was discovered that people don’t view counterfeit goods as a substitute to the real goods. People aren’t being tricked — they know they’re buying counterfeits, and others know that they have counterfeit goods as well:

“Consumers are a lot smarter than we may give them credit for — just because you’ve got a nice fake doesn’t mean you’re going to get away with it.”

But, even more importantly, it looks like counterfeit products often act as a stepping stone to get people to go forward and buy the original version:

“The counterfeit actually served as a placebo for brand attachment,” she said. “People were becoming increasingly attached to the real brand even though they never possessed it at all.”

Forty-six percent of the counterfeit-bag owners bought the authentic products within two and a half years, she said. Shoppers were willing to pay $786 for a real luxury bag….

So, for all the reports of “harm” done by counterfeit products, here’s a study suggesting that it actually helps build brand loyalty, and appears to often lead to the counterfeit buyer later buying a massively expensive real offering in a relatively short time frame. As some are noting, this suggests that the counterfeit goods act as advertising for the real goods. These are the sorts of things that would probably be useful to discuss with those negotiating ACTA. If only those discussions weren’t all happening behind closed doors due to “national security” issues.

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Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Canada

It’s safe to say that 2009 has been the most difficult year in the 101-year history of General Motors. But while most of the news coming out of GM has been tough to swallow, the Detroit, MI-based automaker has had one very good piece of news: its new products are faring well in the marketplace. And of all the new products GM brought to market this year, none has higher volume than its Theta-based crossovers built at the CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario. The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox and the GMC Terrain have been successful enough that The General has added a third shift, scheduled regular overtime for the rank and file and even spent $93 million on a new body shop to increase production capacity by 40,000 units per year.

But GM was spending big bucks and building very important vehicles at a plant that it jointly owned with partner Suzuki. Well, GM changed that last week when it announced that it was buying Suzuki’s stake in the Canadian facility. GM has not disclosed the amount of money it paid to take over full interest of the facility, but we’re guessing the total wasn’t nearly as much as the cost of a new plant, which can cost over $1 billion. But while the news was good for GM and the people of Ingersoll, we’re guessing the folks who work at closing plant in the U.S. aren’t all that happy about this development. Hit the jump to read over GM’s brief press release.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM buys remaining stake in CAMI plant from Suzuki

GM buys remaining stake in CAMI plant from Suzuki originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Using Street View can be a lot of fun and can be a really immersive experience. Using Google Earth takes it one step further with the possibility to view any place on Earth, and on the Moon and Mars as well. But even with the biggest high-def monitor, in fact even with two of them, you’re not going to get close to the experience of Google’s Liquid Galaxy, an eight-screen contraption which completely surrounds the user with Street View and Google Earth data from a modified Google Earth Client.

The project started out as a tool for visualizing Street View imagery in completely immersible way. Several Google engineers got to work, linked several computers to eight screens and managed to get them to work together streaming Street View imagery. After every thing came together, they also set out to create a deck to support the screens and be presentable and mobile enough to be carried around to whatever conference Google may need to show off its geo projects.

This was done in time for the Google I/O 2009 conference in San Francisco where it made quite an impression. Watching StreetView images fly by can be fun, but now that the hardware part was pretty much completed, the developers wanted to take it a step further, so they got a software engineer from the Earth team to get involved. He built a modifi… (read more)

Vevo is just a day away from launch and it’s still making some rather big announcements, though not entirely unexpected ones. The music-video joint venture between Universal Music Group and Sony Music has just added its third media partner, EMI, which will provide the site with content from the label’s artists, as well as those from indie labels represented by the company’s distribution services. The label will not joint as an equity holder like the initial two, but rather just as a content partner.

“Our agreement with EMI Music marks a milestone in our mission to provide fans everywhere with the world’s best premium music video programming, when, where and how they want it,” Rio Caraeff, president & CEO of VEVO, stated. “We look forward to collaborating with EMI on introducing our users to new professionally-created entertainment products through a truly interactive platform. VEVO is about much more than just high-quality videos; it is also about original programming and strengthening the connection between artists and fans through a dynamic and engaging experience.”

For now, this leaves Warner Music Group as the only major label to be left out of the project. There were talks that it too was negotiating with the site along with EMI, but it looks like the negotiati… (read more)

Following last week’s unearthing of trademark filings for Dragon Quest IX’s possible European subtitles, gaming blog Siliconera has dug up another one. This time it’s a registration for North America.

In Lyon, France the Peugeot 307 CC FiSyPAC FCV hybrid is making an appearance Dec. 7 – 11, 2009. In 2006 the same company showed off the Peugeot 207 ePure at the Paris Motor Show, but many improvements have been made since then.

For instance the Peugeot 307 CC FiSyPAC is based upon the 307 coupe cabriolet but with improvements in fuel cell and battery performance over the 207 ePure. The Peugeot 207 ePure has a driving range of about 218 miles whereas the Peugeot 307 CC FiSyPAC has a driving range of over 300 miles.

The 207 ePure was powered by a Genepac 20 kw fuel cell. Since that time and with help of French researchers the Peugeot 307 FCV’s fuel cell has increased its efficiency by 20-percent and the fuel cell’s lifespan by 400-percent.

The lithium ion batteries have also increased their efficiency and output since 2006, and the Peugeot 307 fuel cell vehicle now has a range equivalent to 62 mpg. Let’s also hope that the acceleration of the Peugeot 307 FCV has increased over the 207 ePure as it came in at a pretty ho-hum 0 – 60 mph in about 15 seconds.

Flow switches FS-700 (P/N: FS7013) is used in Tank-less water heater
Tank-less Water Heater heats water instantly to any adjustable temperature, Cold water enters at the bottom and travels through a flow switch which activates the unit when the power switch is on. When incoming water exits the flow switch, it comes in contact with stainless steel heating elements which efficiently transfer energy to heat the water. Electronic control monitors senses the outlet water temperature and determines how many current needed to be turned on heating elements to efficiently maintain the desired temperature.

Yuanben flow switches used for plasma cutters and the cooling system
Water-cooling systems for plasma cutters are very similar to those used in automobile engines, use water and coolant, a pump, cooling hoses, and a heat exchanger to remove energy from a heat source. In an automobile, the heat source is the combustion chamber inside the engine, which operates at temperatures in excess of 1000°C. In a plasma torch the heat source is the plasma chamber inside the torch where the temperature of the arc can exceed 10,000°C.
A plasma torch, like an engine, is cooled by a combination of radiation, convection, and conduction. Energy radiates from the arc in the form of intense ultraviolet rays. Heat converts away from the torch and torch parts through moving gas or air. And finally the water-cooling system conducts heat away from the torch parts into the coolant.
What happens when conductive cooling is reduced? The system overheats rapidly. When the plasma system overheats it will also cost you time and money. An overheating plasma system will wear out torch parts quickly and eventually may burn out the torch and leads. If the problem goes uncorrected, a motor and pump may have to be replaced. But the downtime and expense of overheating can be avoided. Understanding the system and its components will help you troubleshoot problems when they occur and prevent future failures through preventative maintenance.

A typical cooling system of plasma cutters consists of a torch, motor, pump, cooling lines, flow switch, filter, heat exchanger and reservoir with float level switches and temperature switches.
Plasma torches that operate at 100-150A require water-cooling to keep the torch and parts from overheating. The copper electrode generates the plasma arc and is closest to the heat source so it requires direct cooling. Most high power electrodes are hollow milled to allow for improved cooling at the tip, a water tube extends into this milled area, closely spaced and precisely aligned to the electrode and provides a high flow velocity of coolant over the interior rear surface of the electrode.
Flow switches are designed to prevent catastrophic failure of the torch and parts in the event of low coolant flow. Brass block plunger type devices are typically used with a micro-switch that must be satisfied for the system to run. Now our flow switches is used in this system.

BS204 is the flagship of the new BS200 Series inventive industrial multimeters of BST-UK.

3 5/6 Digits with 0.5% basic DC accuracy in 6,000 counts. Giant Dot matrix color (240 X 320 pixel 262K) with 33 seg. hi-speed bargraph white backlight display. Auto AC/DC V detection and TRMS measurement with high freq. response (2KHz), Low input impedance (LoZ) to eliminate false ghost V in sensitive electronic circuits. VoltDetect – non-contact ACV detection to locate live or unaware power source. Besides, it is featured with adj. bias volt. for diode test, temp. measur’t in both C’ and F’ degree, Max/Min/Avg hold function. Trend- G™ signal monitoring system for data logging & reviewing.

About Trend-G™ signal monitoring technology
This new technology can acquire real time data & plotting as a trend graph in instant time. It helps to display signal trends (such as offset, short pulse, and on/off), which cannot be captured by traditional DMM. Thanks to the innovative Trend-G™ signal monitoring technology we used in our superior series — BS800, we had released & transferred this technology to the model BS204. With the enhancement of color display, signal trend will be calculated & displayed clearly direct on the BS204’s giant display graphically. User can view the trend in real time with no add’l accessories or PC connection.

BS204 is a set of industrial multimeter, which is ideal for professional and also onsite monitoring, maintenance and servicing. It is elegantly designed with specialty & versatile features; meanwhile BS204 is comply with the high safety CATIII 600V, CE-EMC & LVD, EN61010-1 European Standard and overloaded protection with German SIBA fuse.

Features:
– 240×320 pixel 262k colour dot matrix LCD display
– Trend Graph Display Function with selectable period 4/20/40mins/4hrs
– Bright White LED Backlight
– Auto AC/DC Voltage Select
– DC/TRMS AC V (up to 600 V)
– DC/TRMS AC A (up to 10A fused)
– Low Impedance Volt.- LoZ-Volt (3K Ohm)
– VoltDetect – Non-contact ACV detect with 8 adjustable sensitivity
– Resistance ( to 60M Ohm)
– Capacitance (to 10000 uF)
– Frequency (to 50 KHz)
– Temperature in Centigrade & Fahrenheit with K thermocouple (-60C to 1350 C & -60F to 2460F)
– Continuity test & Diode test w adjustable bias volt. setting
– MIN/MAX/AVG mode
– 3.7 V Li-ion rechargeable battery w charger provided
– Auto Power Off (Manual disable)
– Robust casing with holster & tilt stand
– High Safety German SIBA fuse
– CAT III 600V CE-EMC & LVD

Fast Response Temperature Sensor
YUANBEN has recently introduced a new fast response temperature sensor, intended for direct immersion in liquid. Its unique design combines the benefits of fast response time and high voltage isolation with water resistance and physical robustness.
FEATURES:
• Fast response time down to 3 s
• Voltage isolation up to 500V
• Accurate temperature measurement
• Water resistant
• Metal housing
Typical applications include instantaneous water heaters, electric water showers and other systems where fast, accurate control is required.

Not to fear, with gPOPh, you will never want to return back. It ainft like the old.

Optizen series have been upgraded with unseen spectrophotometer till now. Our new launching model is named as OPTIZEN POP.

HARMONY = INNOVATED DESIGN + BONMARCHE + QUALIFIED PERFORMANCE

– Innovated design

– Compact

– Economic but rather powerful performance

– Stability

– Reasonable price

– Versatility with customizing your preference.

New concepts of Spectrophotometer
Qualified Performance + Bonmarche + SleekDesign = Harmony!!!
keywords:Optizen,spectrophotometer,uv / vis spectrophotometer,mecasys,UV-Vis Spectrophotometer
Product Feature

Not to fear, POP, you never want to return back.

It aint like the old.

Optizen series have been upgraded with unseen spectrophotometer till now. Our new launching model is named as OPTIZEN POP.

HARMONY = INNOVATED DESIGN + BONMARCHE + QUALIFIED PERFORMANCE

– Innovated design

– Compact

– Economic but rather powerful performance

– Stability

– Reasonable price

– Versatility with customizing your preference.

Design

Unique, defined crystal looks,

(available to design your own cover)

Gorgeous Material

Crack-free and glass-looking

Window CE based

Operation system :

easy-to-conduct and perform

7 Inches big LCD display

Pro-Human screen

GLP mode: USB port for printer use

Peripheral device (Options)

1. Integrated 7 inches large touch screen LCD.

2. Innovation designed cover

3. Temperature sensor in cell component

4. USB-GLP applied for all kind of printer.

5. Voice manual for each step

6. Window CE supported.
Product Specification / Models

Hardware Specification

– Photometric System : single Beam Type

– Spectral Bandwidth : < 1.8nm - Wavelength Range : 190 ~ 1100nm - Wavelength Accuracy : < }0.5nm (at D2 Peak 656.1nm, 486.0nm) - Wavelength Reproducibility : < }0.1nm - Photometric Range : - 0.5 ~ 3.0 Abs (Enable to Set Up) - Photometric Accuracy : } 0.005 Abs (at 1.0Abs) - Photometric Reproducibility : } 0.003 Abs (at 1.0Abs) - Stray Light : < 0.05%T (220nm, 340nm) - Light Source : Tungsten-Halogen & Deuterium Lamp - Monochromator : Modified Czernuy-Turner type with 1200lines/mm blazed Grating - Dimensions : 433(W) úI 381(D) úI 180(H) mm - Weight : 8kg

Who Knew ?? Orbitform can make tooling for ANY RIVETER!!!

• National / Chicago / Baltec / Taumel and more
• 2 to 3 Week Delivery on Standard Riveter Tooling
• Less Than Two Week Delivery on Standard Peens
• Competitive Pricing
• Responsive and Supportive

We Do !!

º Jaws
º Rivet Sets
º Drivers
º Punches
º Anvils
º Rollsets
º Peens
º Custom Tooling
º Custom Machining

We’ve invested in our world class machine shop to meet your tooling needs. Use offer code OF05 for a 5% discount on your next order.

Chad Wrona, Service Parts Manager
1-517-780-4204 • [email protected]

Remote Control from the Blasting Gun
The major advantage of the IceGun PRO MultiTouch
is that the blasting parameters can be controlled remotely from the blasting gun. With this MultiTouch blasting gun the operator will not have to stop the blasting operation in order to adjust the parameters on the machine. This means that the blasting machine does not necessarily have to be located near the item to be dry ice blasted.
The blasting guns are modularly designed and can be combined with a broad range of nozzles and accessories. This makes them adaptable to suit each individual blasting application, thus it is always possible to obtain maximum cleaning efficiency.

DIGITALIZED BLASTING MACHINES
WITH GROUND/EARTH MONITORING AND PROGRAM FUNCTION

IceTech introduces two new digital dry ice blasting machines, the „IceBlast KG30 PROFESSIONAL“ and the „IceBlast KG50 PROFESSIONAL“.

The machines are equipped with a user-friendly multi-touch control panel, including:
– Memory for storing of blasting parameters
– Service menu with error log indication, adjustment possibilities, etc.
– Hour counter
– Ground/earth monitoring (no machine start without ground/earth connection)
– Display of actual dry ice consumption
– Display of actual blasting pressure
– Multiple language display
– Password protection
– Optional remote control of blasting parameters from the blasting gun

Optimum Safety – Ground/Earth Monitoring
To ensure optimum safety, the PROFESSIONAL models are fitted with ground/earth monitoring that prevents machine start in case of insufficient ground/earth connection. In this way the user is protected optimally against static electricity.

Programming
Up to 4 programs can be stored in the machine memory. The programs can be locked, and only a password can unlock the machine so as to bypass these fixed programs. This feature is an advantage especially in large production companies since a more uniform cleaning is achieved and an overconsumption of dry ice due to incorrectly set blasting parameters is avoided.

In addition to having been digitalized, the two new dry ice blasting machines from IceTech, the „IceBlast KG30 PROFESSIONAL“ and the „IceBlast KG50 PROFESSIONAL“ have achieved the following approvals:

– TÜV
– TÜV/GS (GS stands for “geprüfte Sicherheit”, i.e. “approved safety”)

New Safety Couplings
The PROFESSIONAL models are fitted safety couplings between machine, hose and blasting gun.

The safety couplings
– lock automatically when pressurized
– stay locked during the blasting process
– are fitted with twisting stop
– can rotate 320°, i.e. max. IceGun mobility
– prevent hose or cable damage due to excessive twisting/winding

SLOTTING TOOLS

Dathan also produces a range of slotting tools for use on gear shaping machines. These are usually used to produce forms that cannot be generated in the normal way. Combination tools can also be produced as the gold cutter below. This is a custom made generating and slotting tool designed to cut a splines in a part with large clearance areas and teeth with radial sides.

We will be exhibiting at EMO Milano Hall 10 Stand D06