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.

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.

20-month quest ends with OK for asphalt plant

Tag: Asphalt Mixing Plant The project – a contentious issue that dragged on for 20 months – finally won approval from the Gorham Planning Board Monday night. Shaw Brothers Construction Inc. introduced plans in August 2006 for Brickyard Quarry asphalt plant, a 60-acre stone quarry with a $3 million portable asphalt plant, located on a 125-acre, industrially zoned site off Mosher Road. The plans call for replacing the portable plant with a permanent, $10 million plant. The construction company bought the land from Lachance Brick Co., which kept a parcel to sell bricks. Bricks were manufactured there for decades. The Mosher Road site is served by sewer and natural gas. The asphalt plant would have the option of being fired by either gas or oil. Planners approved the quarry in March. “The town of Gorham will be happy with this,” Jon Shaw, co-owner of Shaw Brothers Construction Inc., told the Gorham Planning Board at its meeting, where members voted unanimously, 6-0 (Michael Parker absent), to approve the project. “The neighbors won’t know it’s there.” Those neighbors were outspoken in their opposition during the lengthy, often heated, public hearing process, which began in January 2007. An asphalt plant produces pavement by mixing gravel and crushed stone with black, liquid petroleum and heating the mixture to 300 degrees. Opponents – many organized as Concerned Citizens of Gorham – cited concerns about health, noise and traffic. The plant even became an issue in November's town elections. By Monday night, only six residents attended the meeting. Theresa Dolan, who lives in a 200-year-old farmhouse near the site on Mosher Road and has horses, called the project an inappropriate use. “I will never appreciate having it as my neighbor,” said Dolan, who said she was speaking without written notes at hearings for the first time in 19 months. “We aren’t going to be proud to have a quarry and asphalt plant in Gorham,” she said. Russell Sprague of Libby Avenue, who has opposed the project, said the process has been frustrating. “I understand it’s a painstaking process,” Sprague said. Planning Board member Tom Hughes said the project was approved with twice the number of conditions of any project since he has been on the board. “We can’t change ordinances,” Hughes said. Walt Stinson of Sebago Technics in Westbrook, the project engineer, said numerous changes in plans were the result of public input. Stinson said he hadn’t seen a project more carefully reviewed or under more scrutiny. Dolan said the Planning Board had been diligent. “I appreciate your efforts,” Dolan said. Company representatives met with town planners Tuesday to discuss construction. “We want to get started as soon as we can,” Shaw said. “It’s going to take a year.” Approval of the project came on a motion by Planning Board member Mark Stelmack and seconded by Doug Boyce. A member of Concerned Citizens of Gorham declined to comment Wednesday on whether the group planned to appeal the Planning Board decision.

Crop loss due to pest attack pegged at Rs 1.40 lakh cr

Tag: Agrochemical The Agrochemicals Policy Group, an apex body of 200 crop protection companies, has said agricultural produce loss in 2007 due to pests was estimated at Rs 1.40 lakh crore and that prudent pesticide use could cut losses, besides enhancing productivity.UN’s concern Last week, the World Bank said food prices had doubled over the last three years and it could push 100 million people in the low-income countries further into poverty. The World Bank President, Mr Robert Zoellick, appealed to Governments to provide the UN World Food Programme $500 million as emergency assistance. The United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki -Moon, too, said food crisis was looming large around the world and reached emergency proportions, while calling for short-term emergency measures in many regions and long-term efforts to increase production. Mr S. Kumarasamy, Chairman, Agrochemical Policy Group, said crop loss in India was because only a fourth of the total cropped area of 180 million hectares was treated with crop protection chemicals.5-fold return He said there was an urgent need to step-up farm output and farmers could be assured of a five-fold return on the money spent on pesticides. The agrochemical industry was keen on joining hands with the agriculture department to promote safe and judicious use of pesticides. The level of pesticide use in India was 480 gm per hectare, while it was 17,000 gm in Taiwan, 17,000 gm in Japan, and 4,500 gm in the US. In Europe, it was close to 3,000 gm a hectare. Correspondingly, crop yields in India were the lowest.Overdose a bane However, even at the present level of usage, pesticides helped enhance productivity of export-oriented crops such as tea, grapes and pomegranate, besides vegetables. Reacting to concerns over pesticide use in general, he said one should liken it to a doctor’s prescription, and over-dose was a bane.Right practices However, Dr K.S.R.K. Murthy, President, Plant Protection Association of India, Hyderabad, said pesticide use can be advocated only when right agricultural practices were followed. Taiwan, Japan and other countries followed such practices.Need-based Pesticide use was need-based and application should be only when the economic threshold level was exceeded. Strict adherence to recommended dosage, besides employing the right application method and equipment were a must, else it was better to refrain from using pesticides.