Author: Serkadis

So you dropped somewhere north of $90,000 for your new 2011 BMW X6 M but want it to look a little more aggressive than it does so you can stand out from the crowd. Well, AC Schnitzer is here to help.

The BMW tuner is offering a bunch carbon fiber modifications ranging from a front spoiler, rear roof spoiler, rear wing, and rear diffuser. You can also get extra design elements for the front skirt and a chromed front grille, carbon Bonnet Vents (Buick style) with a chromed centre web. AC Schnitzer is also offering its Bonnet Top of made of carbon with a plexiglas panoramic window through which you can see your engine.

Click here to get prices on the 2011 BMW X6 M.

When it comes to wheels for your X6 M, AC Schnitzer is offering its long range of shoes ranging from 20-inches to 23-inches.

AC Schnitzer says that it is currently working on performance upgrades with a delimiting the Vmax and a sports exhaust and will provide more details on that soon.

Click through for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

AC Schnitzer BMW X6 M:

Press Release:

Powerful and sporting:
The X6 M by AC Schnitzer with “Motorsport Genes”

Pure dynamism with powerful lines – unmistakeably the “motorsport gene”: evident at first sight in the BMW X6 M. And the X6 M by AC Schnitzer is even more powerful and sporting.

The Aachen-based tuning specialist is currently working on a performance upgrade which, in combination with delimiting the Vmax and a sports exhaust, will bring a further perceptible increase in the power of the X6 M. And if that’s not enough, you can also opt for the carbon fibre AC Schnitzer engine styling. Even without a performance upgrade, the acoustic and visual attraction will be enhanced by the AC Schnitzer sports rear silencer with two chromed “Sports Trim” tailpipe trims in right/left combination.

AC Schnitzer not only gives the BMW X6 M more power, but also a tailored race outfit of carbon. Front spoiler, rear roof spoiler, rear wing, rear diffuser and design elements for the front skirt and chromed front grille give the X6 M an impressive and muscular appearance. As an option, the carbon Bonnet Vents with chromed centre web complete the sporting look.

A real highlight is the new AC Schnitzer Bonnet Top of carbon with plexiglas panoramic window through which the engine is permanently visible.

For the X6 M – 1.98 metres wide as standard – AC Schnitzer has adapted the FALCON wheel arch extensions so that the BMW body gains an extra 40 mm width each side.

The already sporting interior ambience of the BMW X6 M has been refined further in the Aachen works. The instrument panel conversion – speedo and rev counter with AC Schnitzer logo, white dials, red pointers and red lighting – gives the X6 M a speedometer display up to 360 km/h. The carbon interior trim and the AC Schnitzer steering wheel spokes in new “black Exclusiv” design and the AC Schnitzer aluminium cover for the i-Drive system controller, aluminium footrest and pedal set, and velour foot mats, round off the interior package.

The wheelarches of the X6 M by AC Schnitzer can be filled with 20″, 22″ or imposing 23″ AC Schnitzer wheels in Type IV BiColor, Type VII silver, black or BiColor, or the AC Schnitzer forged alloys Type V or forged racing rims Type VIII BiColor. In combination with the 275, 315, 295 or 335 tyres, it’s easy for the driver in the cockpit to transfer the engine power to the track, and at the same time provide external evidence of the “motorsport gene” of the X6 M by AC Schnitzer even when stationary.Overview for Press Release No. 05/2010

X6 M by AC Schnitzer (E71)

Basic car: BMW X6 M

Engine: AC Schnitzer carbon engine styling optic

Exhaust: AC Schnitzer sports rear silencer with chromed “Sports Trim”
tailtrims (left / right)

Aerodynamics:

AC Schnitzer front spoiler, carbon
AC Schnitzer design elements for front skirt, carbon
AC Schnitzer front grille, chromed
AC Schnitzer bonnet top, carbon with acrylic glass panorama window
AC Schnitzer bonnet vents, carbon
AC Schnitzer chromed centre bar for bonnet vents
AC Schnitzer wheel arch extensions
AC Schnitzer rear roof wing, carbon
AC Schnitzer rear wing, carbon
AC Schnitzer rear diffuser, carbon

Interior:

AC Schnitzer instrument displays
speedometer conversion up to 360km/h, rev counter both with
AC Schnitzer Logo on tachometer, white background – black disposed,
red needles, red illuminated
AC Schnitzer carbon interior “black Exclusiv”
AC Schnitzer steering wheel insert, carbon “black Exclusiv”
AC Schnitzer carbon cover for automatic gear knob
AC Schnitzer aluminium cover for i-Drive system controller
AC Schnitzer aluminium foot rest and pedal set
AC Schnitzer velours floor mats

Wheel/Tyre sets

FALCON: AC Schnitzer Lightweight Forged Wheels Type V
front: 10,0J x 22″ offset 22 with tyres 295/30 R 22
rear: 10,0J x 22″ offset -10 with tyres 335/25 R 22

AC Schnitzer Wheels Type VII silver, black and BiColor
front: 10,0J x 22″ offset 20 with tyres 295/30 R 22
rear: 11,5J x 22″ offset -10 with tyres 335/25 R 22

AC Schnitzer Racing Forged Wheels Type VIII BiColor
front: 10,0J x 22″ offset 20,5 with tyres 295/30 R 22
rear: 11,5J x 22″ offset -10 with tyres 335/25 R 22
front: 11,0J x 23″ offset 30 with tyres 315/25 R 23
rear: 12,0J x 23″ offset -12 with tyres 315/25 R 23

Wheel/Tyre sets: AC Schnitzer Wheels Type IV BiColor
front: 10,0J x 20″ offset 34 with tyres 275/40 R 20
rear: 10,0J x 20″ offset 15 with tyres 275/40 R 20
front: 10,0J x 20″ offset 34 with tyres 275/40 R 20
rear: 11,5J x 20″ offset 22 with tyres 315/35 R 20

AC Schnitzer Wheels Type VII silver, black and BiColor
front: 10,0J x 22″ offset 30 with tyres 295/30 R 22
rear: 10,0J x 22″ offset 5 with tyres 295/30 R 22
front: 10,0J x 22″ offset 30 with tyres 295/30 R 22
rear: 11,5J x 22″ offset 23 with tyres 335/25 R 22
AC Schnitzer Lighweight Forged Wheels Type V
front: 10,0J x 22″ offset 31 with tyres 295/30 R 22
rear: 10,0J x 22″ offset 3 with tyres 295/30 R 22
front: 10,0J x 22″ offset 31 with tyres 295/30 R 22
rear: 11,5J x 22″ offset 23 with tyres 335/25 R 22

AC Schnitzer Racing Forged Wheels Type VIII BiColor
front: 10,0J x 22″ offset 29,5 with tyres 295/30 R 22
rear: 10,0J x 22″ offset 8,5 with tyres 295/30 R 22
front: 10,0J x 22″ offset 29,5 with tyres 295/30 R 22
rear: 11,5J x 22″ offset 23 with tyres 335/25 R 22
front: 11,0J x 23″ offset 35,5 with tyres 315/25 R 23
rear: 12,0J x 23″ offset 33,5 with tyres 315/25 R 23

– By: Kap Shah

Afghan insurgents attacked today the U.S. Central Command base in the prison of Bagram, which left five soldiers wounded, NATO sources reported.

Spokesmen of the Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) explained to reporters in Kabul that the rebels used rocket launchers, grenades and automatic weapons against the giant military installation, about 45 miles north of Baghdad.

Bagram base also serves on the Pentagon as a center of torture and imprisonment of suspects since November 2001.

According to the official, five soldiers were wounded and seven insurgents were killed during the attack on Bagram, whose enormous airport is used by aircraft of the United States and NATO.

The assault continued with sporadic firing of rockets and light weapons outside the base.

One missile hit inside the base, causing minor damage but no insurgency broke into Bagram, according to NATO. Helicopter gunships flew over the base.

A spokesman for the Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid, reported that 20 of their fighters attacked the base on the east and west flanks and four of them detonated explosives belts in front of the enclave.

That attack came just hours after the United States and NATO register a black day yesterday with the death of eight soldiers.

Six soldiers, five Americans and one Canadian, were killed in a car bomb attack claimed by rebels caused a total of 18 killed in Kabul.

Two other soldiers were also killed in the restive southern territory, which rose to 210, including 130 Americans, the number of occupants killed since the beginning of the year in Afghanistan, according to a count of the independent website icasualties.org.

Related posts:

1. Taliban Attacks Bagram Air Base
2. An attack against NATO in Kabul kills 18 people
3. Attack on U.S Consulate in Pakistan

Now that the whole controversy has blown over, Tiger Woods has made his comeback. EA Sports really stood by their man (qjnet/news/tiger-finds-a-true-bff-in-ea-sports-tiger-woods-pga-tour-online-game-to-push-through.html) in his time of crisis, so now, the PGA hotshot can go back from

Alarmed by the state of the digital market, media and state of its citizens, the EU panned out a group of initiatives for their members and agencies to follow in the next five years. These initiatives have been grouped in a document called the Digital Agenda.

The EU, represented through Neelie Kroes, vice-president of the European Commission, r… (read more)

The Boston Celtics won over the Orlando Magic and took a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals last night. Sweeping the Magic is not yet sure even if the Celtics had taken over the lead and are 32-0 in the playoffs. Apparently, Boston star Paul Pierce was thinking sweep after the game because his PaulPierce34 twitter account said: “Anybody got a BROOM?”

Pierce’s online representatives are saying the account was hacked. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Paul Pierce’s Twitter updates mostly come from the web or via SMS. However, the “anybody got a BROOM?” tweet was generated through the twitterific platform.

Meanwhile, other people saw Paul Pierce talking with reporters when the tweet appeared. Someone tweeted: “RT @taramanis @athleteint I saw [Paul Pierce] talking to other reporters when these were sent… no cell in hand.”

The said tweet came after Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. Paul Pierce’s twitter account is verified so there is no question about the authenticity of Paul Pierce’s Twitter profile.

The tweet sent the media into a frenzy and they even asked Dwight Howard for a comment. When asked about what he thought about the tweet, Howard said, “No comment,” then “pride come before a fall.”

The trash-talking tweets have already been removed from his profile.

Related posts:

1. Jim Carrey Tweets: Support For Tiger Woods While Lashing Out On Erin
2. Empty-handed Orlando Magic Faces Game 3
3. Don’t play with Obama’s Twitter Account

Among the many announcements expected at this year’s Google I/O developer conference starting later today, one is of particular interest for HTML5 video. The tech company is rumored to open-source the VP8 codec created by On2, a company acquired by Google earlier in the year. New details are starting to pop up and one is the p… (read more)

Last Tuesday, Apple had just released the iPhone’s fourth beta of OS 4 to developers. Apple didn’t mention any details or specs that the latest beta has that make it better than the other OS. According to some reports, OS 4 is faster than the other OS and has added wallpaper options.

The first iPhone OS 4 was first shown to us by Apple in the early April. The OS features like the third part app multi-tasking, organize apps in groups, a box for emails, Bluetooth keyboard support and many more.

This coming summer, the iPhone OS 4.0 will be accessible and available for the iPod touch and iPhone but will be later for the iPad which will be available this coming fall. The beta of OS4 and the SDK which is used for developing iPhone OS 4 is already accessible to developers at the Apple Developer Web Site.

Will this iPhone OS be the answer to a better iPod touch and iPhone? There might be some of you who already have their hands on the OS. Can you please let us know what you think of the latest OS?

Related posts:

1. Apple iPhone Update: Free iPhone Apps!
2. Apple Welcomes the new iAd mobile advertising
3. iPad Sales Updates

Toyota is poised to recall nearly 4,000 Lexus luxury sedans in the United States, and 11,500 worldwide, to fix an issue with the car’s steering.

The recall will cover the Lexus LS, the flagship sedan of the Lexus lineup. The recall will also cover LS sedans sold in Japan, Europe and China.

Lexus owners in Japan have complained that the front wheels of the LS don’t return to the center position fast enough after making a turn. Fixing the issue will require mechanical and software changes, a Toyota spokesperson said.

For more

Source: Car news, reviews and auto show stories

There I was, thinking that knights didn’t need contracts to serve their leige they just swore fealty and stuff. But Namco Bandai’s new project, Knight’s Contract, sounds like there are signatures, medieval legal offices, and HR

COPY EDITOR CYNTHIA L. OROSCO: This was my first jaunt in an Impreza, and I must say I was a bit disappointed. I’ve come to like Subarus quite a bit, especially after a year with our long-term Forester and our new long-term Subie, the Outback. But this Impreza just didn’t seem to meet the level of quality I’ve come to expect from Subaru. The power was still there, but the interior materials and knobs/buttons are dull and the car is noisy. The exterior lines don’t do much for me, either.

Inside, not only do your clothes stick to the cloth seats, but the seat bottom is flat and overall, the whole thing is just not supportive. The driver’s seat can’t be lowered much, so your head nearly hits the headliner. (Same thing for the passenger.) The cabin overall feels cramped, and the trunk sounded a bit tinny, although it does provide a good amount of space. And the cabin lets in a lot of road noise. Very annoying.

Maybe it’s just me, but if I were in the market for this size/type of vehicle, I wouldn’t go for this Impreza.

MOTORSPORTS EDITOR MAC MORRISON: Enthusiasts tend to think WRX or STI when they hear the “Impreza” name, so it’s easy to forget that a more utilitarian edition exists. Thus, it is somewhat shocking to see this car without the sporty trim, with smaller wheels and nothing that really says “Impreza” as those same enthusiasts have come to know it.

In comparison with the hotter models, this car is pretty bland. It is still fun to drive, though not so much with this automatic transmission. The whole car is indeed rather noisy, and this engine is just enough to give you an impression of some spritely performance, but you find yourself noting that there is little resemblance between driving this version and, say, a WRX.

The AWD is the biggest thing going for this car, especially at this price. I’d rather have this than, say, a Suzuki SX4 with AWD. But is that really saying much?

ASSOCIATE EDITOR JONATHAN WONG: Attention base Subaru Impreza shoppers: Save $1,000 and get a five-speed manual transmission instead of the four-speed automatic. That is all. Have a good day.

The Impreza 2.5i is a prime example of a car which is that much better when equipped with a manual transmission. We’ve had many 2.5i models come through here with the standard five-speed gearbox, and many of us around here raved about it as being one hell of a bargain. Unfortunately, I can’t be too enthusiastic about this car with an automatic slushbox.

Is it that bad? No it’s not, because this boxer four-cylinder is a proven engine with respectable power, and Subaru’s hallmark symmetrical AWD system is here. In fact, it’s still ideal for customers looking for a reliable and comfortable commuter with the added all-weather capability of AWD. It’s a package that almost no other car can touch at this price point.

The suspension is cushy with noticeable roll in corners and dive under braking, which is great for regular driving over rough roadways. Steering response is quick, but the mushy brake pedal was a disappointment and the brakes didn’t bite as much as I hoped.

One thing we know is that this engine is up to task when bolted to a five-speed manual, but with this automatic, this car feels dogged down, especially when merging onto the freeway. So we have to fault the four-speed automatic here, which was slow to shift even when I had it slotted in Sport mode. I repeat, save the money and get a five-speed manual.

I also agree that the cabin is noisy on the expressway, but it’s a certain improvement over the window-frameless doors on the previous-generation Imprezas.

SENIOR WEB REPORTER GREG MIGLIORE: I liked my weekend in the Impreza. At a basic level, the car does a lot of things proficiently and is a well-rounded effort.

I liked the comfortable suspension, which made for an agreeable drive on the expressways and around town. I noticed some noise in the cabin, but really it wasn’t bad; this isn’t a luxury car. The steering was satisfying and directed the sedan fairly nimbly. The acceleration was decent. The 170-hp figure isn’t a big one, but the four-speed did an adequate job of shifting. It didn’t feel underpowered, though I would have liked a little more get-up. This is the base car, though.

It’s a fairly staid, conventional appearance on the outside. Nothing blows your mind or offends you. Inside is pleasant enough, though some of the silver-color trim didn’t present well. I loved the seat burners, and the Impreza warmed up quickly on a chilly early morning. I have to give props to Subaru for seemingly always making its cars with cold-weather climates in mind. Also, the red dials were easy-to-read and smart.

Overall, this is a nice car with AWD capability.

2010 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Premium Four-Door

Base Price: $19,190

As-Tested Price: $20,690

Drivetrain: 2.5-liter H4; AWD, four-speed automatic

Output: 170 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 170 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm

Curb Weight: 3,163 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 22/21.6 mpg

Options: Four-speed automatic transmission with sportshift ($1,000); special-edition package including power moonroof, fog lights, all-weather package, heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors ($500 after $1,260 discount)

For more

Source: Car news, reviews and auto show stories

The electric-vehicle revolution is upon us–or at least, that’s what manufacturers such as Mitsubishi would like us to believe.

We’ve had plenty of exposure to EVs, including several short drives in Mitsubishi’s first mass-production zero-emissions car, the i-MiEV. But none of those drives gave us a chance to live with an EV in the real world, to see how it really performs when subjected to the stresses of everyday use.

For our test, we borrowed an i-MiEV in Tokyo, using it day and night for a week as we would any other car in an urban setting. Initial skepticism faded within minutes after we silently rolled out of Mitsubishi’s headquarters and onto the streets of Tokyo. There is something quite satisfying about zooming through traffic in a little city car like the i-MiEV. The responsive and eerily quiet 63-hp electric motor puts a smile on your face every time you tap into that instant 133 lb-ft of torque, making it feel far faster than its gasoline-powered equivalent. With 88 lithium-ion batteries tucked away under the floor, the little i-MiEV also offers a confidence-inspiring low center of gravity.

We drove the i-MiEV on the usual errands, such as running to the grocery store, and, like any nervous EV operator, we found ourselves keeping close tabs on the battery’s 16-bar state-of-charge gauge. Mitsubishi claims a 100-mile range from full charge, but driving the car normally in stop-and-go city traffic saw the power level drop precipitously, pushing the car into a more realistic 50- to 60-mile range.

Using “eco” mode, which cuts power to the motor, helped increase range, so we typically selected maximum-power “D” mode only when we needed full acceleration, and quickly shifted back to eco mode for most other driving. A third mode, “B,” aids in recharging the batteries from engine braking, so we put it to use on even slight inclines and when coasting to stops.

Once the power bars indicate that the batteries are nearly depleted, the onboard navigation system provides locations of the nearest fast-charge points–at least in Tokyo. The Japanese government is working to expand the nation’s infrastructure of “eco stations,” and the capital city is already equipped with numerous quick-charge stations.

At a quick-charging station, the i-MiEV’s batteries recharge to 80 percent capacity in about 20 minutes, via a high-voltage plug behind a conventional filler cap. A 100 percent charge by plugging into a 110-volt home outlet takes about 16 hours (eight hours on a 220-volt outlet). Approximate cost: $1.

After one week and 200 miles in the seat on Tokyo streets, we think it’s clear that the i-MiEV makes sense for those who have short daily commutes or those who need economical transportation for brief urban trips. For those drivers, especially in Japan-where the government is providing subsidies to keep EV sticker prices down and where new charging locations are being added every week–the futuristic i-MiEV is ready today.

2010 Mitsubishi i-MiEV

ON SALE: Now in Japan

PRICE: $42,420 ($30,700 with government subsidies)

POWERTRAIN: Electric motor, 63-hp, 133-lb-ft electric motor, direct drive

CURB WEIGHT: 2,425 lb

0-60 MPH: 13 sec (est)

For more

Source: Car news, reviews and auto show stories

Filed under: Sedan, China, Buick, Luxury

One of the cars that we were expecting to see at the Beijing Motor Show last month was the Buick Excelle GT sedan. Unfortunately, General Motors opted not to show the car there, perhaps fearing it would get lost in the shuffle. The Excelle GT is still going on sale in China this summer and it has now been spotted out in the wild completely free of all the camouflage that has been covering it until now.

This car will be coming to Buick stores here in the United States as well, although the exact timing is still unknown. The one thing we do know is that it will not retain the Excelle nameplate. Let’s just hope that Buick doesn’t bring back its Skylark or Century monikers. Either way, we’re expecting the U.S. version to retain the 1.6-liter turbo inline-four that will power the Chinese model.

[Source: Autohome.com.cn via China Car Times]

Fully exposed Buick Excelle GT spotted in China, coming here soon originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 May 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A NHTSA, que cuida da segurança do trânsito nos EUA relatou um problema com os modelos 2010 da Chrysler, entre eles o Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger, Jeep Commander, Dodge Ram e o Jeep Grand Cherokee, relacionado ao módulo de ignição. Tal problema resultaria em uma movimentação involuntária do veículo que pode ter o risco de bater.

O relatório explica que esses veículos, ao terem a chave removida da ignição, pode fazer o carro se mover acidentalmente, e assim aumentam os riscos de um acidente. A Chrysler por sua vez, não está a par de nenhum acidente relacionado a esse problema, mas acionou o recall e irá trocar o modulo de ignição dos veículos de graça.

A resposta por parte da montadora dessa vez foi rápida, parece que a multa aplicada a outras empresas serviu de lição para tomarem mais cuidado com esse tipo de assunto. Bom para o consumidor.

Via | Inside Line

The Aerservice series of portable units represent the ideal solution for extraction and filtration of fumes generated by industrial processes such as spot or continuous wire or electrode welding involving medium to high concentrations of fumes.

We recommend to use them as a replacement of the traditional fixed systems in conditions of occasional processing or when the working location is difficult to reach.

In addition, these machines also purify the air in the surrounding environment, not only treating the area contaminated by the work process but simultaneously creating air exchange and further decreasing the level of pollutants present in the workplace.

We wish to inform you that these machines are now available at special conditions unitl June 30th 2010. Should you need further information, please do not to hesitate to contact us.

Eriez are exhibiting the latest technology in metal removal, detection and sampling equipment on stand P136 at Hillhead 2010. On the stand will be a self cleaning version of the Model CP Suspended Permanent Magnet, a Cross Belt Sampler and a Metalarm 3000 Metal Detector.

Overband Permanent Suspended Magnets are used to protect valuable crushing and screening equipment against tramp metal damage or simply for removing iron from demolition rubble. The Eriez CP Magnet is robust, requires minimal maintenance, is very simple to install and operate and is very versatile. Along with the CP Magnet, Eriez also offer a TP Suspended Permanent Magnet which are more specialised for the removal of long, thin, sharp metals such as nails.

In addition to Magnetic Separators, Eriez will also be showcasing their automated Sampling equipment. A Cross Belt Sampler will be found on the stand which is designed for operation on all types of granular material and obtains a representative sample direct from a moving trough belt conveyor. It requires minimal installation work and minimum maintenance.

With the pressure on many industries to supply a product which reaches the highest quality specification possible, numerous companies around the world will have a requirement to sample products. Automatic Online Sampling makes sure that the quality of the goods they sell or buy meets the stated specification. Some companies rely on manual sampling techniques, but this approach is open to abuse and to a high incidence of human error and bias.

Along with Magnetic Separators and Sampling equipment, Eriez Europe also design and manufacture Metal Detectors to detect ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Installing an Eriez Metal Detector on a conveyor belt system will protect downstream machinery from damage caused by tramp iron on the conveyor. They are easy to install and operate and typically consist of a control unit, search coil and connecting cable. Each coil is custom designed to optimise the sensitivity of the Metal Detector to meet the individual customer needs. At Hillhead, Eriez will have an operational Metalarm 3000 Metal Detector on their inside stand. It will be mounted on a conveyor belt and will demonstrate what the Eriez Metal Detectors are capable of.

BoilerPAC: the complete and modular control of industrial boilers

BoilerPAC offers a single control system, ideal for manufacturers of boilers and burners and for contractors.

BoilerPAC is the new control system suitable for all the types and sizes of industrial boilers. The system hardware is standard and expandable. The software is modular and includes all the possible variants; this allows to select only the desired functions on the basis of the boiler model and the application. In practice, only one product covers the complete process: the master, the combustion control, the oxygen trim, the thermal cycle, the analysis, and the blow down.

BoilerPAC meets the regulations governing the surveillance of unmanned generators thus allowing considerable savings in the management of the plant.

BoilerPAC offers a simple, intuitive, touch screen operator interface. Finally a graphic interface with icons: no more texts, to be translated in several languages and not always clear for the operators, but guided pages, icons and intuitive symbols which can be easily recognized by everybody. A big advantage, for companies exporting all over the world.

With boilerPAC Ascon offers a complete series of sensors, transmitters, control valves and analyzers specifically designed for boilers. Everything for the complete control of boilers and thermal cycles.

The heart of the system is the new boilerPAC, a Programmable Automation Controller able to satisfy all the control functions of the plant such as: the control of the burners, the drum level control, the control of the chemical characteristics of the feed water and the continuous blow down. The programming is with the six standard IEC 61131-3 languages. The analogue and digital inputs and outputs are onboard and expandable.

The system is completed by the Ethernet port and the standard communication interface MODBUS RTU which guarantee the maximum connectivity for SCADAs and remote control systems with the possibility to send alarms via SMSs

Azure Dynamics Corporation and FoMoCo said yesterday that they have picked AM General LLC, best known as the maker of military Humvees and Hummers, to handle the final assembly of the Ford Transit Connect Electric, the all-electric version of the award winning Transit Connect.

Ford will ship engine-less Transit Connect units from a its factory in Turkey to AM General in Michigan, where workers will install Azure Dynamic’s electric-powertrain. As a part of the project Azure Dynamics, also based in Michigan, won a $1.3 million state tax credit, which will create an estimated 83 jobs. The current production plan includes an initial quantity of vehicles to be built in late 2010 with full production scheduled to begin in April 2011.

Apparently, this isn’t the first time AM General has worked on an electric-vehicle project. In 1975, it made 350 electric Jeeps for the U.S. Postal Service

Click here to learn more about the 2011 Ford Transit Connect Electric.

Refresher: The 2011 Ford Transit Connect Electric is powered by a Siemens model 135, 300V nominal, liquid-cooled, 3-phase AC induction motor, which gets its fuel from a 28kWh Johnson Controls-Saft lithium-ion battery pack. Mated to a single-speed transmission and running on a full-charge, the Transit Connect Electric provides 80 miles of driving range with a top speed of up to 75 mph. 0-60 mph takes about 12 seconds. Charging the Transit Connect Electric takes up to 6 to 8 hours when using 240v.

2011 Ford Transit Connect Electric:

– By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Terrorists launched an assertive assault Wednesday against the giant U.S.-run Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, the second Taliban attack at NATO forces in and around the capital in as many days.

At least 10 terrotists were killed and seven U.S. service members were wounded in the attack on Bagram, which started at about 3 a.m. Wednesday. According to the military, four of the slain insurgents were intended suicide bombers.

The attack came one day after a suicide bomber hit a U.S. convoy in the capital of Kabul, killing 18 people. The attacks claims to be part of Taliban’s offensive plan.

Last February 2007, a suicide bombing attack killed more than 20 people at a Bagram security gate while. Their target was Vice President Dick Cheney but he was not harmed.

The attacks followed a Taliban announcement earlier this month of a spring offensive which would target NATO forces, foreign diplomats, contractors and Afghan government officials.

U.S. Army spokesman Lt. Col. Clarence Count Jr. said the insurgents failed “to breach the perimeter” and were “unable to detonate their suicide vests.” The Bagram perimiter is guarded by high fences and thick, concrete walls. “The quick defensive reaction by the Bagram security forces likely saved a lot of lives,” Lt. Col. Count said.

Related posts:

1. An attack against NATO in Kabul kills 18 people
2. Two Remote Bombs Explode In Russia’s Dagestan Killing Nine People, Injuring Many
3. 7 Iraqi Soldiers Died as Suicide Bombers attack during Early Elections

Speaking at a Google Zeitgeist event in Hertfordshire, Brian Johnson, the Mayor of London, has announced bold plans to cover the entire London metropolitan area with a wi-fi mesh. The entire project must be carried out until the 2012 Summer Olympics organized by the British capital.

Devices will be installed in … (read more)