Vibration Transmitter monitors critical rotating machinery

Tag: food process machinery Available in 2 configurations, CSI 9330 Vibration Transmitter continuously monitors rotating machinery for early detection of developing mechanical issues, and converts analog output of ICP® accelerometer into 4-20 mA signal, proportional to monitored vibration. Model CSI 9330VP provides overall vibration and PeakVue data when connected to standard accelerometer, while CSI 9330VT provides vibration/temperature data when connected to accelerometer with embedded temperature capability.

Celebrate all things fresh with a little monster of the deep

Tag: Fishery Supply Rummaging through some old papers, I ran across a mimeographed copy of a handout from a middle-school science class. I saved it all these years because it was in my own handwriting. My seventh-grade teacher divided the class into small groups and allowed each group to teach the class for one period. The group I was in chose to teach the rest of the class about legendary sea monsters, dispelling old myths with the coldest scientific reasoning our little minds could muster. The mimeographed document with its crude renderings of the mythical beasts served as a visual aid. Below each illustration is a brief explanation of how the creatures were fabricated in the minds of sea-weary sailors. The sea serpent, we surmised, was "probably inspired by a row of jumping dolphins." A mermaid was "actually a manatee with seaweed hanging over her head." One creature that looks suspiciously like the head of a man-eating halibut we dismissed as "pure delusion." Little did we know. Although they may not be man-eaters, Pacific halibut might truly qualify as monsters of the deep. The largest specimen on record is a 495-pound fish caught near Petersburg, Alaska, but commercial fishermen routinely bring in fish in the 150- to 200-pound range. When I lived in Friday Harbor, I used to buy halibut off the dock from fishermen returning from Alaska. Before 1995 when the International Pacific Halibut Commission adopted an Individual Fishing Quota system, the fishery was governed by managing the length of the openings. A more abundant supply meant a longer opening; diminished supplies meant shorter openings. Since short openings forced fishermen to harvest as much as they could during that window of opportunity, risks escalated when the opening times contracted. Regardless of the weather or the condition of their boats, halibut fishermen had to go out. For chefs, the old system meant that fresh halibut was available for only a short season, and for the rest of the year, we had to make do with frozen fish. So when the fresh season was upon us, I used to run a sort of halibut festival at the restaurant, transforming the bones into stock for bisque, frying up the cheeks for appetizers and running the fillets as a dinner special that invariably outsold every other item on the menu. Mostly, I looked for fish in the 30-pound range because they were easy to handle and I knew how to portion them for restaurant service. But one year, spellbound by a 200-pound specimen, I decided I had to have it. I fashioned a sort of rain suit of garbage bags and somehow hauled the thing from the dock to the trunk of my Volvo, then laid it on the floor of the walk-in cooler to cut it into four gigantic fillets. My oldest son, who was still a toddler at the time, was fascinated by the "sea monster," and when the filleting was done, he and I went into the restaurant kitchen and had a private feast made from the trimmings. These days, fresh halibut is available for roughly nine months of the year — from early spring to late fall, so the pressure is off. But I still like to celebrate the arrival of spring halibut with a special meal.

Matching outfit keeps baby cozy

Tag: Acrylic Cotton Sweater Who could resist knitting these booties, pullover, hat and matching blanket, all for baby, toddler or young one? This outfit has comfort and joy written all over it. Sirdar's knitting pattern has easy instructions for ages from birth to age 7. The blanket and sweater is knit in an easy, mock-basket weave stitch.Knit in Tiny Tots DK, a 90 per cent acrylic, 10 per cent cotton blend, it requires three 50-gram balls for the blanket, one ball for the hat, one ball for the booties, and two to six balls for the sweater depending on size. Tiny Tots has 22 boys and girls colours and is machine washable and dryable.For a free copy of this pattern, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Needlepoint Pattern No. 1756, c/o Neighbours, Calgary Herald, P.O. Box 2699, Stn. M, Calgary, AB, T2P 5A7.

DuPont facility gets OSHA Star recognition

Tag: Aromatic Chemical The DuPont Pontchartrain Chemical Solutions Enterprise in LaPlace, La., has earned membership in the prestigious Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at the "Star," or highest, level.Dorinda Folse, OSHA's Baton Rouge, La., area director, and Bruce Stark, the VPP coordinator in OSHA's Baton Rouge, La., area office, attended a recent recognition ceremony at the company's facility."This DuPont Pontchartrain location has demonstrated excellence in safety and health management," said OSHA regional administrator Dean W. McDaniel in Dallas. "Its outstanding efforts include maintaining an injury and illness rate that is 70 percent below the national average for the industry."DuPont Pontchartrain Chemical Solutions Enterprise operates chemical processes that produce three different products called aromatic amines. The substances are used to make Kevlar fibers in industrial dyes, as an antioxidant, and for the hardening of paint and other surface coatings. The company has about 140 employees and 120 contractors who operate, maintain and repair plant facilities and equipment.More than 1,945 worksites nationwide have earned entry into OSHA's VPP. Requirements include a high degree of management support and employee involvement; a high-quality worksite hazard analysis; prevention and control programs; and comprehensive safety and health training for all employees. Each of these elements must be effective, in place and in operation for at least one year before a company can apply to join the VPP. Companies in the VPP achieve average injury rates 50 percent lower than other companies in their respective industries.

Furniture gives rise to fashion

Tag: Furniture Fabric For one fashion-design project at Kent State University, though, it was the other way around.As one of their final assignments, seniors at the university's Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising created couture clothing using fabrics from HGTV star Candice Olson's furniture collection. Olson designs the sofas, chairs and other pieces for Ohio's Norwalk Furniture, which supplied 213 yards of fabric for the project.This is fabric meant to hold up to bouncing kids and dog slobber, not the garment-weight materials that fashion designers typically work with. Yet the 24 students managed to turn sturdy damasks and chunky matelasses into elegant gowns — some fitted and sleek, some billowy and dramatic.The project, reminiscent of Scarlett O'Hara's drapery-fabric fashion in Gone With the Wind, was the brainchild of Norwalk Furniture and its Beachwood public relations firm, Lief & Karson Communications. They approached both Olson and the fashion school with the idea.Olson embraced it. For years, she said, she's pondered the fashion possibilities of theupholstery fabrics she works with.''Many times I've said, 'This would make such a fabulous jacket or pair of pants,' '' she said by phone from High Point, N.C., where she was promoting her collection last month. Here was an opportunity to see those fantasies realized.''They were like, no. They were not pleased,'' associate professor Sherry Schofield-Tomschin recalled with a smile. Upholstery fabric is stiff, they argued. It doesn't drape well. How in the world were they supposed to work with it?It didn't help that the students had to fit the assignment around their work on their all-important senior line, she said. Nor did it help that the project coincided with the emotional and physical burnout that's common as graduation approaches.Schofield-Tomschin admitted even she was skeptical when she first heard the idea. After she thought about it awhile, though, she realized the assignment would challenge the students.After all, when they're employed in the fashion industry, they're going to find themselves dealing with parameters beyond their control, both Olson and Schofield-Tomschin pointed out. Making it work is a lesson with real-life applications.Besides, Schofield-Tomschin noted, some of a designer's best work comes when things don't go easily or turn out the way they were planned.About 25 fabrics were chosen for the project, including many with a sheen or shimmer — an Olson trademark — as well as the oversize damasks the interior designer favors.

Senator connects with small audience

Tag: agriculture tractor The bright lights were on in the beef barn at the St. Joseph County 4-H Fairgrounds on Thursday, but it wasn't for a livestock show. The barn became the backdrop for Sen. Barack Obama's second visit to St. Joseph County, where he addressed an invitation-only crowd of a little more than 90 area residents, campaign supporters and farmers from across the region. Some said they got an e-mail that morning. Others a phone call. No matter how they found out, many said they didn't want to miss out on seeing a candidate who may become the next president. Piles of hay surrounded the chairs, picnic tables and bleachers. A tractor and an old-fashioned green-and-white wooden wagon framed the scene, along with the long lenses of photographers and television cameras, peeking over the whitewashed fence. In the center stood a single stool. As the crowd waited they leafed through an 11-page packet titled "Real Leadership for Rural Indiana" handed to them by the campaign as they entered. Among the youngest crowd members were Culver Military Academy students Trent Schafer and Rebecca Lucas. Schafer said he signed up to campaign for Obama on Wednesday. He is turning 18 next week, which is just in time to be eligible to vote in the primary. "I won't be able to vote until the next election unfortunately but I'll do everything I can to help the campaign," said Lucas, who is 16. Once Obama arrived and was introduced, he received polite applause with some in the crowd rising to their feet immediately, a small contingent slowly following along, and a third group remaining seated. The Illinois senator spoke for about 20 minutes on gas prices, energy policy, free trade, campaign finance reform and his agenda to help rural areas. He said he would create programs to encourage young people to become farmers, and encourage more sustainable and organic agriculture. "Rural America represents what's best about America," Obama said. Then it was the audience's turn. Obama took 10 questions. The questions ranged from how he would limit oil lobbyist donations to legislators, Veterans Affairs, pay equity for women, the worldwide food crisis, agricultural land preservation and free trade. After about 40 minutes, Obama thanked the crowd and asked those who didn't get to ask a question to communicate with his campaign through his Web site. Campaign staffers would do their best to reply, he said, and with people's suggestions he can craft better plans for the nation's future. This time everyone stood up and applauded the senator. "I think he will be a very strong person for us," said Lou Zobrosky, a lifelong South Bend resident. Zobrosky said he was already an Obama supporter before coming to the event. He said it's too bad that the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's comments have hurt Obama, and he said he hopes voters will look beyond that. Shawn Krull, a fifth generation hog farmer from Milford, was one of the audience members who got to ask a question. He asked Obama about his thoughts on concentrated animal feeding operations. Krull said Obama answered the question the way he expected, and said he wished the senator would have addressed it with more specifics. Krull's family recently expanded their farm large enough to fall under CAFO regulations. There has to be a level playing field for livestock farms of all sizes, Krull said, adding that he believes current laws need to be enforced instead of creating stricter regulations. Another issue he wanted the senator to address is farm prices. While farm prices are up, commodity prices and other costs are "through the roof," Krull said, which means farmers aren't making any more than they did a couple of years ago. "It's good to see that he's very pro-ethanol and biodiesel," Krull said. "That does create other issues as far as driving up feed costs for livestock producers. But in the long run it really is good for the farm economy." Phil Sutton said he was impressed by Obama and said the candidate "seems to have a real empathy for the plight of people in every walk of life." Sutton, a local expert who works with farmers, said Obama highlighted some very important farm issues. "He was open to my idea of farmland preservation and that pleased me because I think that's a very important issue. He obviously did too the way he quickly responded," he said. Toting her camera, Walkerton resident Jobi Hicks said she couldn't believe Obama was here and was "astonished" at getting to hearing him speak. "You can call her Jobi 'Giddy' Hicks," family friend Gary Freymiller joked with her. "Oh please, you were giddy too," Hicks teased back. Freymiller said he liked that Obama talked about energy policy. So far, the Plymouth resident said he has tried to keep an open outlook on the election, listening to everything all three candidates have to offer. Freymiller said he may try to go to Bill Clinton's Plymouth appearance on Saturday. Obama did leave a favorable impression on him. "I guess I have to vote next week, right," he said with a smile. He paused for a moment and said, "I would say that I would vote for Senator Obama." And what will it take for Obama or his rival Hillary Clinton to win the heart of Indiana on Tuesday? Krull said in his household the war, economy, fuel prices and health insurance issues are the most important. He said whichever candidate conveys their message the best on those issues will likely move on in the process. "If he (Obama) continues to meet with the people and listen to the voters and interact with the voters just like he did today," Freymiller said, "you can't ask anything more than that."

17 investment deals worth P1.6B signed

Tag: Biscuit Processing Machinery Seventeen new foreign and local companies yesterday signed contracts committing fresh investments worth $40 million or about P1.64 billion within this special economic zone. Property developers, electronics manufacturers, a food processing equipment maker, metal fabricators and ship component builders were among those who have pledged to put in the money and hire workers. The new foreign direct investments generated by the Freeport zone include companies from the US, Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Europe, along with two local firms that had signed separate contracts with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). "The SBMA is mandated to create jobs by enticing more investors. We welcome the diversity of the new locators engaged in manufacturing, maritime services, property development and tourism-related businesses," said SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza. Yesterday's ceremonial mass contract signing was held at the Formosa Hall inside the administration building of the 300-hectare Subic Bay Industrial Park (SBIP). Mr. Arreza said the Subic Freeport remains attractive to both foreign direct investments and local companies and continues to be one of the top investment sites in the Asia-Pacific region. Subic Daesung Corp., a South Korean firm engaged in construction and operations of condominiums and hotels, restaurants and retail shops topped the list in terms of committed investments, at $15 million. Daesung Director Hong Yeul Kim said the company would also venture into English language education for Korean tourists, executives and their families. Filipino firm Subic Enerzone Corporation (SEZ), an Aboitiz-owned electric distribution utility managing the power distribution system of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, will be venturing into property and leisure by developing condominiums and hotels. SEZ Vice-President and General Manager Dante Pollescas said the Enerzone has committed $10.4 million in investments. Another Filipino firm, Palm Gold International Ltd., will invest $1.9 million. It will import gambling equipment and operate slot machine arcades. Meanwhile, American CEI World Wide, Inc. has pledged $2.35 million and will build a refurbishing, repair and quality-testing plant for printers, copiers and fax machines. Grace Tioaquen, CIE operations manager, said the company would import and export, and transfer cargo for forwarding or reshipment. Another US company, Cook Group and Pacific Associates, Inc., will set up a youth camp, corporate team building and recreational facilities, security academy and retirement village at the Ilanin forest district with total investments worth $1.4 million. Meanwhile, HCM Marine Corp., a Korean firm, will manage, broker, repair and maintain vessels, committing $50,000. Three other Koreans firms - Spoint Corp., SubicKor Corp. and Builenc Phil. Co. Ltd - will provide support and contracting services to shipbuilding giant Hanjin Heavy Industry Corp. (Phil.) for the manufacture of ship components. The combined investments of the three firms will be $400,000. South Korea's Dong Yang Food Machinery (Phils), Inc. has also pledged $468,000 for the manufacture of biscuit machinery and parts, food processing and trading. Two Japanese manufacturers - E'OS Sutro Technology Subic and Rings- three, Inc. have committed $280,000 and $220,000 respectively. Both will manufacture and fabricate electronic parts and board assembly. Likewise, Rayshine Photonics (Phils.) Corp., a Taiwanese firm that designs and assembles LCDs (liquid crystal display), will invest $100,000. Other companies that pledged investments were sporting goods retailer Bike Boutique with $300,000; convention center operator Global Dongsan Philippines with $1.2 million; and restaurant and spa operators Buma Subic and PhilKor Utopia, with $37,500 each.