IT for Manufacturing Executives
A Few Key Solutions Can Go A Long Way
October 28, 2010 8:38 am | Articles | CommentsVermont-based manufacturer Tivoly Inc. implemented a few key solutions in its machining operations as part of a formal process to improve processes and reduce costs. There are few companies that can boast the heritage and longevity of Tivoly Inc. Originally founded in 1880 on the idea of manufacturing a wagon axle cutter that could also be used to restore worn axles, the company evolved into part of the Union Butterfield Corporation until it was sold to French-owned Tivoly Inc.
Play It Cool
October 28, 2010 5:40 am | Product Releases | CommentsEmerson Network Power (Columbus, OH) now offers a new serving cooling system. The Liebert XDS brings refrigerant-based cooling directly to the server with a technology that is designed to eliminate both cooling system and server fans. The Liebert XDS consists of a standard-sized IT rack equipped with cold plate server cooling technology.
ABB Keeps Leading Distributed Control System Worldwide Market Share
October 28, 2010 5:00 am | News | CommentsHouston, TX -- In the newest version of ARC Advisory Group’s “Distributed Control Systems Worldwide Outlook,” study, ABB retained its leading worldwide market position in this core automation market. According to the study, the DCS (distributed control system) market had suffered more than anticipated in 2009; however, ABB actually increased its worldwide market share in 2009.
IFS Creates Social Media For Business Use
October 28, 2010 4:57 am | News | CommentsIFS Labs, the research and development unit dedicated to developing future functionality for business applications, is taking inspiration from social applications such as Facebook, Twitter and Skype to make IFS Applications more user friendly and efficient. As global businesses get more complex, IFS recognizes that the IT applications that support them need to do the exact opposite—help simplify the process of capturing and sharing information within a business.
IBM Offers Mobile Software Solution For Building, Equipment Maintenance
October 27, 2010 12:07 pm | News | CommentsARMONK, N.Y. -- IBM recently expanded its enterprise mobile computing offerings with new software that puts critical information about buildings and equipment into the hands of maintenance staff in the field. The new software replaces paper reports while helping organizations better manage and maintain their campuses, cities, water systems, rail lines, roadways and other infrastructure.
A Clearer Picture
October 27, 2010 11:52 am | Product Releases | CommentsMicroscan (Renton, WA) recently announced a new three megapixel resolution configuration in its MINI Hawk Series of compact direct mark DPM imagers. This MINI Hawk is specifically designed for reading small 2D direct part marks widely used in medical device and electronics manufacturing industries.
This Is What It Means To Innovate
October 27, 2010 10:49 am | Videos | CommentsTalk about a creative way to market one's product or service. Members of little-known, Brooklyn-based rock band Atomic Tom decided to film themselves playing music on a New York subway using their iPhones, as opposed to actual instruments. Three things to note: 1.) The subway audience responded favorably.
The LED Revolution
October 27, 2010 10:48 am | Videos | CommentsOne way manufacturers can reduce costs and become more energy efficient is to invest in LED technology. The City of Los Angeles, with its 210,000 streetlights, pays approximately $16 million per year for electricity. So it's no surprise that the City of Angels wanted to reduce its bill, and it is doing so through the implementation of LED lighting in certain spots in the city.
Ford Is On A Roll
October 27, 2010 10:47 am | Videos | CommentsFord recently said it made $1.7 billion from July through September, a jump of nearly 70 percent from a year earlier and its sixth consecutive quarter in the black. The news puts Ford further ahead of its rivals as the U.S. auto industry slowly turns around. One thing is for sure, Ford is on a roll.
A Punkin' Chuckin' Tech Solution
October 27, 2010 9:53 am | Videos | CommentsTeam ETHOS (Experimental Torsion Hybrid Onager System) recently relied on a data acquisition system to help win the World Championship Punkin' Chuckin' games . Team ETHOS selected the Measurement Computing USB-2404-UI, with universal inputs, for their project. The direct connectivity to all of the signals, the 100 Hz data rate, and simultaneous sampling exceeded the team’s requirements.
Apple To Release Much-Hyped White iPhone 4 This Spring
October 27, 2010 4:39 am | by Jessica Mintz, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsSEATTLE (AP) — Apple says the elusive white iPhone 4 will remain out of reach until spring. Apple Inc.'s own "Apple Store" iPhone app lets people reserve products to pick up at local Apple stores. On Tuesday, bloggers posted screen shots of the app appearing to offer the option to reserve a white iPhone 4.
Boeing 787 Supplier Hold Deliveries To Fix Components
October 27, 2010 4:38 am | News | CommentsCHICAGO (AP) — Boeing Co. says it has stopped receiving deliveries of big pieces of its new 787 jetliner at its Everett, Wash., plant from a supplier in Italy. The two-week pause is meant to give the supplier, Alenia, time to fix gaps in horizontal stabilizers it makes. That's the part of the plane's tail that looks like a wing.
GE Recalls 174,000 Dishwashers Due To Fire Concerns
October 27, 2010 4:36 am | News | CommentsWASHINGTON (AP) — GE Appliances & Lighting is voluntarily recalling 174,000 dishwashers due to a potential fire hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday. The company is recalling the GE Profile and GE Monogram dishwashers because condensation can drip onto the dishwasher's electronic control board, causing a short circuit and resulting in an overheated connector, which poses a fire hazard.
Bankrupt Supplier Visteon Reports $140M Loss
October 27, 2010 4:35 am | News | CommentsVAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Auto parts supplier Visteon Corp. reported a third-quarter net loss of $140 million on Tuesday as it wrapped up its last quarter under bankruptcy protection. The loss worked out to $1.08 per share for the quarter that ended Sept. 30. During the same period last year it lost $38 million, or 29 cents per share.
Ford's Performance Shows U.S. Auto Industry Is Bouncing Back
October 27, 2010 4:32 am | by Dee-Ann Durbin and Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writers | News | CommentsDEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Ford is on a roll. Its popular new cars and trucks are grabbing a bigger share of the U.S. market. It's about to erase a big chunk of its health care debt. And it's adding a significant number of jobs for the first time in five years. On Tuesday, the automaker said it made $1.
