Author: Serkadis

Twitter has finally unveiled its greatly anticipated advertising platform, or at least its “first phase.” People have been waiting for a Twitter business model for years now and the company has done its share in bringing up expectations. Now that Twitter has launched its “really cool” ads, the initial reaction is that they&rsq… (read more)

Dando continuidade no andamento das ações judiciais impostas pelo governo norte-americano contra a Toyota e o seu recall, a NHTSA pode considerar uma segunda multa para a montadora, por causa do atraso que a companhia teve para realizar o recall dos carros com problemas no acelerador.

Também foi enviado uma carta para a Toyota, informando que se não fossem por limites legais, que a multa imposta seria de mais de $13 bilhões, por isso a cogitação de uma segunda multa menor.

Durante esse processo, todas as ações judiciais relacionadas ao problema do acelerador dos veículos Toyota serão centralizadas no distrito da Califórnia, onde também está localizada a sede da montadora nos EUA.

Via | Inside Line

Straight from the BLS:

—–

The U.S. Import Price Index rose 0.7 percent in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. 
The increase was attributable to higher prices for both fuel and nonfuel imports and followed a 0.2 percent
decline in February. Export prices also rose 0.7 percent in March after declining 0.4 percent the previous
month.

Imports

All Imports: In March, import prices increased for the seventh time in the past eight months, rising 0.7
percent. The March upturn followed a 0.2 percent decline in February and was largely driven by a
turnaround in fuel prices, which accounted for approximately 80 percent of the increase. Import prices
advanced 11.4 percent for the year ended in March after decreasing 14.9 percent for the March 2008-09
period.

Fuel Imports: Import fuel prices resumed an upward trend in March, rising 2.9 percent following a 1.2
percent drop in February. A 4.0 percent increase in petroleum prices was slightly offset by a 12.4 percent
decline in natural gas prices, which decreased for the first time in six months. Over the past year, the price
index for petroleum increased 70.2 percent and natural gas prices rose 19.0 percent, driving overall fuel
prices up 63.3 percent for the same period. The 12-month increase in fuel prices followed a 50.7 percent
drop for the March 2008-09 period.

All Imports Excluding Fuel: Prices for nonfuel imports rose for the eighth consecutive month, advancing
0.2 percent. The increase was led by higher prices for nonfuel industrial supplies and materials, consumer
goods, and foods, feeds, and beverages.  Lower prices for capital goods and automotive vehicles partly
offset the overall advance. Over the past 12 months, nonfuel import prices rose 2.7 percent, the largest 12-
month increase since the index went up 4.8 percent for the October 2007-2008 period.

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Depois da explosão de lançamentos de veículos híbridos que utilizam em conjunto os motores movidos a gasolina e a eletricidade, a BMW anunciou que já vem desenvolvendo um sistema hibrido, no qual o motor a gasolina trabalha em conjunto com um movido a hidrogênio. De acordo com a companhia alemã, o projeto já está em uma fase bastante avançada e até 2014 é possível que alguns modelos já estejam utilizando o sistema.

Utilizando da sua polemica decisão de a partir de agora utilizar a tração dianteira em seus modelos compactos (antes todos seus veículos tinham o sistema de tração traseira), o novo sistema hibrido terá tração nas quatro rodas. Dessa forma, o tradicional motor a combustão/gasolina será responsável pela tração dianteira, enquanto que a celula de combustível que funciona a hidrogênio com super-capacitores elétricos que tracionarão eletricamente as rodas traseiras.

Segundo explicações da BMW, uma das vantagem desse sistema em relação aos atuais híbridos movidos a gasolina/eletricidade é que ele possibilita a sua utilização nos centros urbanos apenas com o propulsor movido a hidrogênio e com emissão zero de poluentes. Os modelo que poderão utilizar o novo sistema são o Mini e o Serie 1, mas ainda é muito cedo para se especular essa possibilidade.

Embora o projeto já esteja em uma fase bastante avançada, ainda não existe nenhuma data oficial de chegada de um modelo que utilize o sistema ao mercado. Isso porque primeiramente o projeto deverá passar pela aprovação do grande escalão da BMW, que estudam se suas vendas serão suficientes para gerar uma viabilidade financeira do mesmo. Outro ponto a ser estudado nesse projeto, é quanto a necessidade de escolher as cidades que receberão os postos de abastecimentos de hidrogênios.

Fonte: 4WheelsNews

General Motors engineers held a little update for the Chevrolet Volt late Monday and announced that the extended-range electric-vehicle (they hate calling it a plug-in hybrid) has been returning 40 miles on battery power alone as promised. Engineers at GM are driving around six pre-production Chevrolet Volt units on a day-to-day basis.

Andrew Farah, the Volt’s chief engineer said that GM still has a “few things to tweak” with the car, including computer software and controls, but the car is on schedule for full production in November.

Farah also confirmed that he got 41.5 miles and 42.5 miles on his last two electric trips in the Volt. He said he achieved those figures under normal driving conditions on running errands like picking up tax preparation software and groceries.

“I’m not speeding, I’m not taking it particularly easy either, because I’m driving the way I would normally drive,” he said.

Farah also said that the Chevrolet Volt will get about 50 mpg when it is in extended-range mode with the engine running. While GM won’t confirm how many gallons of gas the tank will hold, they say the range of the Volt should be more than 300 miles.

Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Volt.

2011 Chevrolet Volt:

– By: Omar Rana

Source: MSNBC

With a product range of more than 1,650 tool types and over 44,000 different articles, Gühring OHG is one of the world’s leading suppliers of rotary cutting tools and ranks among the top addresses for equipping new machines. Structured into four divisions – tool, service, carbide as well as machine and plant division – this owner-managed company provides solutions from a single source optimised for the specific process and application. Its comprehensive range of high-quality standard products and innovative customised solutions sets international standards in terms of quality, efficiency and process reliability. To maintain and further advance this leading position, Gühring is continually optimising its processes and products. For this reason, in the special tools area, a comprehensive test has been running for the last two years into changing the cooling lubricant filtration on the grinding machines for spiral grooves over to systems that do not use filter aids. In addition, these systems must be flexibly deployable with oils or emulsions, and be as compact as possible. In view of the consequences of such a decision, the types of equipment available on the market were all subjected to complex practical testing. The tool company was particularly impressed by the Maxflow compact filter system of GKD – Gebr. Kufferath AG, which works without filter aids and combines filtration and briquetting in a single piece of equipment.

The newly launched DOPAG shotmix is revolutionary in its ability to accurately meter and mix many types of two component materials directly at the point of application.

The shotmix is fed by remotely located standard drum pumps which means that several separate application points can be fed by a single pair of drum pumps and a single controller. Weighing in at just 4.2 kg, its light weight and compact size make the shotmix suitable for either manual or automatic application of epoxies, silicones, polyurethanes, acrylics and polysulphides in sealing, bonding and encapsulating processes.

Amazingly versatile in its capabilities, the shotmix system is able to effortlessly handle filled and abrasive as well as compressible and thixotropic materials, whilst its accuracy of metering remains stable even when faced with changing conditions of temperature or viscosity.

Highly accurate metering is accomplished by firing rapid micro shots of each component within the shotmix up to 2,500 times per minute, achieving flow rates of up to 600 cc per minute. Materials with mixing ratios between 100:100 and 100:10 are suitable for processing by the shotmix.

A metering computer controls all process parameters, which is also capable of memorising alternative programs. For more information, contact your local partner of the Hilger u. Kern / Dopag Group.

Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum, a leading supplier of advanced vacuum systems today presents the new range of dry vacuum pumps DRYVAC. The pumps will be first exhibited during the exhibitions Society of Vacuum Coaters, Orlando (USA), the Photon in Stuttgart (Germany) and the SNEC in Shanghai (China).

Drawing on Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum’s extensive engineering and applications experience, and incorporating many large and small design innovations, all models from the DRYVAC platform have been designed and adapted to the special needs of processes in the photovoltaic production chain, coating applications and various industrial manufacturing processes. DRYVAC pumps and system combinations are rugged, reliable and durable, ready to fulfill stringent process requirements.

The customers profit due to the low energy consumption, the small and immensely flexible combinations, and the intelligent design for high system uptime. A global OEM for PV turnkey plants confirms: “The DRYVAC 5000 RS-i exceeds our expectations as to reliability, vacuum performance and user friendliness”.

One design platform – numerous opportunities
The DRYVAC range comprises the following models
§ DRYVAC 650 S
§ DRYVAC 650 S-i
§ DRYVAC 5000 RS-i
plus multiple system combinations with roots blowers from the RUVAC series.

DRYVAC models and favourite applications:
DRYVAC Sprinter and Enduro versions have optimized pumping speeds at all pressure ranges from 10-2 mbar up to atmosphere. Therefore, they are ideal to provide fast pump down times. These models are specially suited for load lock applications. Furthermore, DRYVAC Enduro pumps cover all typical features needed for process industry applications. Models from the DRYVAC Champion range have been designed to provide highest reliability in harsh process duties. These pumps are optimized for handling typical gases from the production process in the photovoltaic and flat panel display industry. They excel through their robust design and meet industrial safety requirements. DRYVAC pump systems and “-i” versions include housing, castors, frequency converter, PLC and touch screen display as standard. Control and monitoring can be visualized via intuitive menu navigation, software and field bus.

Vacuum Control at Your Fingertips

Apart from monitoring the turbomolecular pump, conventional controllers on the market today only accept the read out of a pressure sensor. Further configuration for the high vacuum pump system usually needs to be designed and implemented by the operator. With the new VACVISION universal vacuum controller it is now possible to simply configure and control a TMP pump system by yourself. An internal process controller automatically monitors vacuum operation.

The control functions include standardised, pre-defined process arrangements which can be configured in detail. The signals from the forevacuum pressure sensors may be utilised to start the turbomolecular pump and the high vacuum transmitters.

This universal controller is capable of automatically detecting up to three active gauge heads, has the ability to control a total of five valves as well as forevacuum and high vacuum pumps. VACVISON offers the possibility of connecting vent and purge valves as well as heating and cooling systems of the turbomolecular pump. Through several universally deployable digital and analogue input and output signals, further external components can be driven. With these multiple connection options, highly varied vacuum diagrams can be configured with the utmost flexibility.

The new compact VACVISON universal vacuum controller is equipped with a large 4.3” touch panel TFT graphic display (480 x 272 pixels) and offers intuitive user guidance through the use of a modern configuration menu (wizard). Simple hardware interfacing with a fully automatic detection of peripheral instrumentation with plug and play function makes this instrument a true alternative to commercially available programmable logic controllers (PLCs).

The VACVISION replaces a PLC controller, control and power contactors and the need to invest in a separate visualisation and user software, thereby providing to the customer a cost-effective all in one solution.

Handle Series A4 – Design with thermoplastic shanks

Fit-together oval section handles.

Material and surface treatment:
Handle shanks and connecting tube of extruded aluminium AlMgSi 0.5. Handle shanks anodized with dull-bright finish, connecting profiles matted and anodized. Handle finish in natural colour or black. Clamping sleeves of stainless steel.

Special designs:
Other handle lengths or colour combinations on request.

Larco Industrial Safety Mat System offers unparalleled durability and versatility for your machine safeguarding needs.

Impact resilient, abrasion resistant, and totally submersible, Larco industrial mats set the industry standard for reliability and durability in the harshest industrial environments.

Impact Resilient: Heavy-duty electrode assembly and durable outer shell provide extraordinary impact resilience and withstand heavy loads of as much as 3,000 psi.
Highly Sensitive: Larco safety mats have a high sensitivity threshold, requiring only 3-5 lbs. for activation in normal foot traffic.
Totally Submersible: Larco safety mats are not laminated and will not separate. Hermetically molded in a thick, seamless proprietary vinyl, they are impervious to fluids and suitable for even the harshest industrial environments.
Applicable Standards: Designed to Meet or Exceed:
– ANSI B11.19-1990 Machine Tool Safety Standards
– OSHA 1910.212 General Machine Guarding Standards
– RIA R15.06 Robotic Safety Standards

Customization Capabilities
Color
Larco safety mats are available in a number of color options. The standard Larco industrial safety mat colors are black and yellow. Other colors are available upon request for an additional charge.

Custom Lettering and Logos
Informational messages, such as “Caution” or “Do Not Step” or symbols can be added to your safety mat utilizing contrasting colors to provide a visual warning to personnel. Custom-built logos are available.

Custom Sizes and Shapes
Larco offers over 50 standard size mats. Custom sizes, notches, angles, and shapes are available providing you with unlimited options for your application needs.

SureStep Mats
Larco SureStep Mats are designed for unique applications that require additional traction beyond that provided by the standard ribbed mat. Larco offers an aggressive non-skid surface, reducing the risk of slipping on surfaces covered with grease and oil.

Comfort Step Mats
Made from the same high-quality materials as the Larco standard presence-sensing safety mat, the Comfort Step mat is designed for areas where workers are stationary and/or have frequent or constant foot traffic. The Comfort Step provides the safety features of the Larco standard mat, including water-resistance and total submersibility.

Quick Connect Tab/Cord System
The Larco Quick Connect Tab/Cord System is a fast and easy way to connect multiple Larco safety mats without having to deal with wire bundles in your control box. Through a series of spade terminals and jumper wires, the Larco Quick Connect System provides on the floor connections between mats, eliminating the need for junction boxes. NOTE: This method should not be used in areas where fluids are present.

Larco Labor Saver Self-Adhesive Mat System
In mounting situations where trim is just not practical, the Larco Labor Saver Self-Adhesive Mat System can be used to secure mats. This mat option includes a specially formulated adhesive, which is factory applied directly to a mat or trim surface to hold mats and trim in place without screws or other metal fasteners.

type: JSO4 thread sizes M3,M3.5 ,M4,M5. Self Clinching Standoffs provide a strong torque resistant captivated female thread in a spacer configuration for thin panel applications. Available in Steel, Stainless Steel and Aluminum .As minimal surface finishing is required after installation, this fastener installs fully flush from the back of the panel. The hexagon head provides excellent torque out and push out resistance.

By now, the monobloc emergency stops which we introduced last year can also be supplied with illumination.
These E-stops convince by their extremely low mounting depth of 9.0 mm and by an attractive and compact actuator that is large enough to ensure quick and safe operation. The integrated contact unit is equipped with PCB-mount terminals or Faston connections. In addition to the lamp socket either 2 NC or 1 NC/1NO contacts are possible. The E-stops comply with the Standards EN60947-5-1, EN 60947-5-5, EN 60068 and EN 13850 (foolproofness).
Acc. to IEC/EN 60947-5-1, the rated operating voltage is 250V, the thermal continuous current 2.5 A.
The buttons have a twist release (right or left) and a clearly visible position indicator,
degree of protection IP65.
For the E-stops with PCB-mount terminals, it is recommended to mount them onto a
separate circuit board.

These switches have been designed for heavy duty applications, where the products should withstand vibrations or should have an exceptionally long life and repeat accuracy. Sturdy electrical elements, incast pin as a fulcrum to facilitate a smooth transition of bell crank lever for precise motion transfer, a wide scale (individually marked) with a specially designed rack and pinion system are it’s key features. Intended end uses can be large turbines, compressors, applications in thermal power plants, steel, cement and other such infrastructure industries.
These switches can be configured with a lot of options like electrical elements and sensing element configurations to suit the intended working media.

KINTO is the leading supplier in China for manufacturing of flexible insulated busbars. Such busbars consist of several layers of uncoated or tinned copper strips and are insulated with flexible high quality PVC compound.

The main features of flexible insulated busbars:
– Easy assembly.
– Possibility of reducing sizes of the equipment.
– The bending-radius could be smaller than that of normal cable or solid copper bars, so that the connections could be more simple and short, and visually it could have better effect.
– Lower temperature rise on the flexible insulated busbars than on normal copper bars.
– High flexibility: no problem with vibrations or thermal expansions.

Technical data of electrical conductor
Copper strips (>99.9%Cu).
Surface: uncoated or tinned.
Electrical conductivity: >56 Sm/mm2.
Tensile strength: >200N/mm2.
Extensibility: >30%.

Technical data of insulation
Material: PVC.
Color: black.
Thickness: 1.8-2.1mm.
Shore hardness: A70-80.
Electrical strength: >23kV/mm.
Oxygen index: 30%.
Flame retardant; self-extinguishing.
Elasticity: >180% after 7-day aging-test under 135 degree celsius.
Tensile strength: >20MPa.

Technical data of flexible insulated busbars
Operating temperature: -30 degree to +105 degree celsius.
Operating voltage: 750V.
Voltage withstand performance with 15min / 50Hz AC:
– between flexible insulated busbar and earth: >15kV.
– between two flexible insulated busbars: >30kV.

IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH has been awarded the prestigious ISO 14001 environmental management certification on March 1st, 2010. The certification is proof that the German machine vision specialist has implemented an efficient environmental management system and complies with all applicable requirements and regulations. The ISO 14001 international standard provides the most important accreditation of environmental management in the manufacturing industry. Certification is voluntary. Currently, only about 4,000 companies in Germany have achieved certification.

IDS is a leading manufacturer of high-quality cameras and frame grabbers for industrial and non-industrial machine vision applications. Founded as a two-man enterprise in 1997, the company today has more than 70 employees in the development, production, sales, marketing and support departments at the Obersulm headquarters. IDS is internationally represented by a subsidiary in the USA and through a network of distributors in almost all European and Asian countries.

The machine vision specialist has been ISO 9001 certified since 2005. Certification to the ISO 14001 environmental standard was thus the next logical step for IDS, which had introduced a resource-saving production and sustainable economic management system long before the eco audit. “Environmental protection has always been a very important issue for us. In concrete terms, this means that we aim at developing and manufacturing products with minimal impact on our environment and workplace throughout the product lifecycle,” explains Eric Zimmermann, Quality and Environment Manager at IDS.

The new production and office building, which was finished in 2008, is powered by geothermal and solar energy. The building is carbon neutral on the annual average. In the nine-month preparatory phase leading up to the eco audit, additional measures were implemented, including lead-free electronics production and reusable packaging. In addition, software is no longer provided on CD. The next improvements of the environmental management system have already been defined: Maximum reduction of paper consumption and further optimization of the building’s energy balance.

The world’s first full automatic palletiser with servo control, kinetic energy recovery system and automatic pattern set up.

Besides that it is the most compact palletiser available, Ehcolo has entered the future and upgraded its palletisers with servo control, so that its palletisers are now even more accurate, because of the use of encoders mounted on all positioning motors, are much faster and with soft stop and start on all motors, resulting in low noise and long life time, this combined with parts of the highest quality available, enables Ehcolo to give as standard 2 years warranty on all parts.

The nature of palletisers is that motors stops and start all the time and many of those same number as the capacity of bags per hour, so there is a lot of braking energy which usually just is converted to heat and even on some palletisers still stops are done by mechanical brakes, which gives a lot of noise and a lot of wear and tear on brakes and naturally also on the equipment itself. Ehcolo has for years used frequency converters on all motors, and thus created a lot of heat for no use except in cold areas. The new servo controllers on Ehcolo palletisers are now inter connected in the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System), that means that all braking energy (like on the modern hybrid cars) are collected and re-used, so there is a substantial saving in power consumption, so we are proud to say, that we can now supply the world’s first “GREEN” palletiser.

New is also the 15” color touch screen, which is very operator friendly, and where also new patterns easily can be made by Ehcolo’s new automatic pattern set up system, just by choosing pallet size and keying in the product dimensions. Of course many ways of communication like Ethernet for remote control etc.

Ehcolo can supply 14 different models of palletisers for all types of bags on all types of pallets and standard with capacities from 300 to 2500 bags per hour.

The design of Ehcolo palletisers are also made for container shipment in such way that assembly on site takes only two days and as all palletisers are tested with product in the factory, the full production can start on the third day.

The EHCOLO palletisers are being exported worldwide. Many references in supplying complete bagging-palletising-wrapping lines, where we cooperate with the worlds leading manufacturers of bagging, wrapping and hood stretching equipment.

The company is situated in the southern western part of Denmark.
The international airport Billund is less than one hour away from the factory, so it is easy to come and visit us and see the new palletiser in our show room.

PHOTO: A typical flour bag palletiser, in this case for CEREALIA.

ROBOPLANET has registered several patents covering devices for the performance of metal thickness measurement effected by means of ultrasounds.

Our technological breakthrough versus the current state of the art materializes from several factors :

– over 40’000 measurements per m2 of inspected surface
– 400 times more measures than the state of the art, 25% faster
– A light and simple tool (5 Kgs), fully controlled by a single operator
– 2D picture hull map taking automated report issuance
– systematic archiving of all meansurement data
– significant time saving leading to competitive economics

Notching device equipment fitted in the middle of transversal carriage.
It is a box structure , appropriately dimensioned with suitable ribs. It offers maximum rigidity and ensures chatter free operations, also during the most severe working conditions.

The notches are produced by a rotating cutting tool: the combined rotation of the tool and of the spindlel where the roll is mounted, generates the helix notches while their number and angle depend on the ratio between tool and spindle rotation speed.
Generally the CNC control works on four axis: the tool rotation, the spindle rotation and the two horizontal axis.

With such a control the machine can automatically recognise the number of principles and if the number of notches is divisible for them, the tool is automatically positioned over one notch for each roll rotation.

Thanks to the longitudinal axes control, even a different distance between each groove centreline can be easily handling.
All equipment works by CNC control. To execute in very simple way all kind of notching operations we realized a special CNC graphic software.

TECHNICAL DATA
Notching rebar diameter range ø mm 6…50
Tooling spindle speed inclined notches rpm 1…500
Tooling spindle speed horizontal notches rpm 1…500
Notching for roll on request
Notching angle on request
Omitting ribs on request
Enlarging ribs on request

TURNING TOOL HOLDER
Shank clamping capacity mm 40×40(*)

Turning tool holder fitted on right or left side of integrated notching device equipment

(*) more capacity on request

The DA Series Rate Controls by ITT Enidine Inc. are ideally suited for high-energy, heavy load applications requiring rate control in tension, compression or both directions. These non-adjustable, custom-orificed units are designed to specific input conditions, and allow for single and multiple orifice configurations.

Upon compression of the rate control, the compression check ball seats. As the piston head moves, oil is forced through the orifice hole(s) located in the shock tube, producing the required damping force. After the oil has passed through the orifice hole(s), a portion of the oil passes through the extension check valve and fills the rod end of the shock tube. The remainder of the oil volume displaced by the piston rod compresses the foam accumulator.

Upon extension of the rate control, the extension check ball seats. As the piston head moves, oil is forced through the orifice hole(s) located in the shock tube producing the required damping force. The compression check ball is unseated by the flow of oil that fills the blind end of the shock tube.

ITT Enidine Inc.’s DA Series models can be custom orificed to provide increasing resisting force over the stroke through the use of multiple orifices in the shock tube. This can be beneficial when controlling the velocity of a lid as it closes, since the torque from the weight of the lid changes as it closes.