The latest in Metcam’s arsenal is a rather inexpensive video camera that records to an internal hard drive. Portable video media has come a long way since the days of VHS and BETA. I’m still waiting for the dust to settle on the latest battle between HD and Blue Ray. At the end of the day you still have to pop one of those shiny discs into the drive and press play. 

            I’m looking forward to the day when my home server that controls my climate, turns on my shower in the morning and warns me that I have w...Read More

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I have been using Windows Vista for some time now with much angst. It doesn’t matter if I configure a program for compatibility mode or not just like all Microsoft products Vista has a mind of its own! Vista plays God of my computer and only allows me to “innovate” as it sees fit. I’m tired people!

            I know you will say that I had a choice to stay with XP or go to Vista. I was foolish and chose the latter for which I am paying for daily! I remember the days of seamless three dimensional designs with Autodesk Inventor and Solid Works on my XP machine then I decided to get the latest, the greatest operating system in the world. Vista my friends is a flop, a ...Read More

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A coworker of mine, specifically our customer service manager refers to me as her favorite mad scientist. Another coworker our senior estimator constantly stops in to check my latest concoction of automation wares he affectionately refers to as my toys. This attention most likely stems from the fact that my office is part office part automation lab. A habitat I developed long ago.

Modern offices are adorned with framed art and motivational wares, family pictures, and the occasional once-in-a-lifetime event such as a sky dive or an Everest accession. My office, well I do have the one framed poster of the American Bald Eagle with the caption “Lea...Read More

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It has been some time since I have blogged about anything. Unfortunately the latter part of my summer and first part of the fall have been inundated with private matters that have reduced the amount of time I have had to blog. A long weekend in the big apple trains planes and automobiles style and I am still playing catch up.

As engineers we try to plan ahead for future events. We maintain contingencies to accommodate unforeseen circumstances and we always have a best-case / worst-case scenario in our back pocket. There are some things even our scenarios will not account for; there are those things such as life that there exists no control plan.

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Seeing Norm Abram’s picture on the cover of the September 3^rd issue of “Design News” was a pleasant surprise. I have been a Norm fan for a long time. I can’t remember when I started watching “This Old House” and “The New Yankee Workshop” but I do know I was young and captivated by the quality craftsmanship presented in these shows.

Everyone in manufacturing could learn ...Read More

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Keeping the plant floor clean is just as important as keeping plant equipment lubricated.   It is the third “S” in lean manufacturing’s 5-S process - “Shine”. Clean well maintained floors increase productivity, promote good housekeeping, and improve morale.

Floor scrubbers are a great tool in the floor maintenance arsenal. From small walk behind models to the larger ridden types a properly selected and deployed scrubber can make a plant floor shine in minutes verses hours.

Consid...Read More

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Not your typical tool in the box! Are you a member of a professional organization? If not you should be. Many folks join groups to be associated with their industry for the excellent networking. Perhaps your company signed you up to support their particular industry.

Strong professional organizations that have stood the test of time can be a very useful resource. Many if not all of the standards in use today were born from committees within these groups. They maintain the standards and provide members and non-members the ability to easily retrieve this information.

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The value of a good tool properly selected for the job it’s designed to perform is priceless. Inversely a good tool selected for the wrong job is worthless. Cheap tools – useless period! If the cost of a “good” tool cannot be justified then rent one or hire the services of a contractor.

Maintenance personnel actively involved in equipment repair and upkeep should maintain a basic set of mechanics tools. Mechanics tools are primarily used for removing hardware, nuts, bolts, screws, and other detachable components. Initial diagnostics usually involve removing protective guards and panels. Here’s a short list of recommended basic tools that should be easily carried in a si...Read More

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Welcome to “Tools on Tuesday”! Starting today I will be posting a regular blog about tools. The content will vary and include commentary on all types of tools associated with plant engineering and maintenance operations. If you read my opening blog then you know I am a tool nut so let’s get started talking tools!

Software is vital to plant operations. You will find it everywhere from the front office to the back dock. I use a variety of software tools throughout the course of a day from my office programs to CAD. Sometimes I think I have too much software but as sure as I hit the “Uninstall” button I will have a...Read More

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“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.” Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

Data is very useful when gathered and disseminated in an organized manner. It can be collected on most anything that can be measured or counted. Manufacturers use data at many levels from pre-sale to shipping and everything in between. Good information is not only powerful but necessary for success.

The phrase “information analysis” sounds like an Insomniac’s dull read at night. Data management practices including collec...Read More

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The meeting starts off like most meetings between manager and employee with the usual greetings and personal updates. The manager, a successful veteran of his business leans back in a chair and asks the employee the current time. The employee, a young engineer with a few years under his belt leans forward with confidence and begins to give his answer.

The manager makes no expression or gives any indication of interest in what the employee is saying. The employee is somewhat perplexed at the lack of response from the manager and it leaves him doubting himself. He was certain he had explained the “time” in enough detail to not only impress h...Read More

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Garages are for tools right? I have to admit in 24 years of driving I cannot remember parking a vehicle other than a motorcycle in the garage. My garage is full of metal and woodworking tools. There are shelves full of everything. The neighbors love it! Occasionally the wives get a little upset because the guys are hanging out with a cold beverage watching me work.

Do you take your knowledge for granted? I do. If you are scratching your head thinking what the heck is he talking about give me a minute to explain. 

...Read More

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