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Industrial dynamics and innovation: progress and challenges

2009-03-12T16:03:00.000+07:00

*G.Jayalakshmi., Ph.D Scholar

INTRODUCTION

The growing field of industrial dynamics, the analysis of innovation has witnessed major progress in several areas. Contributions at the empirical and modeling levels have greater advanced our understanding of innovation, industrial dynamics and evolution of industries. A discussion follows on three key challenges that are required for a better understanding of the relationship between innovation and the evolution of industries: the analyses of demand, knowledge, networks and co evolution.

Innovation and the Evolution of Industries
The analysis of innovation and the evolution of industries have witnessed major progress in several areas. In the last years, several contributions at the empirical and modeling levels have greatly advanced our understanding of innovation, industrial dynamics and the evolution of industries. This paper reviews these contributions.

The main point of the paper is that in order to have a deeper and clearer view of the relationship between industrial dynamics and innovation, research has to progress on three fronts: the analysis of demand knowledge and networks.

1. Industrial dynamics as a growing research field
Since the late 1970s industrial dynamics has emerged as a major area of inquiry in industrial economics. The analysis of birth, growth and decline of firms and industries and the factors affecting them has generated a very rich empirical and theoretical literature and most of these contributions have recognized the central role of innovation for firms and industries.

In this Address I will start by recognizing the major recent growth of research in the area of industrial dynamics and then concentrate on the major progresses in the analysis of the relationship between industrial dynamics and innovation and on the challenges that lie ahead

In the first part of the paper I will discuss the progress, while in the second I will focus on three big research topics that I think require in-depth research scrutiny: demand, knowledge and networks. I will place a specific emphasis on a longitudinal perspective, in that it allows to focus on sequences of events, changes and feed backs in industrial dynamics. This perspective is very important not only for understanding industrial dynamics, but also for the analysis of the broader evolution of markets.

2. Industrial dynamics and innovation
Since the late 1970s, industrial dynamics has emerged as a major research area for industrial economists. the theoretical level have focused the attention of various researchers on the way industries change over time and on the dynamics processes of entry, selection and growth of firms within industries.

Within the growing interest in industrial dynamics, innovation has been recognized as a key element affecting the dynamics of industries and the rate of entry, survival and growth of firms. Looking back at the last 25 years, one has to recognize that on this front progress has been indeed impressive at both the empirical and the theoretical levels.

2.1 The empirical contributions
The empirical level, contributed to our appreciative understanding of the role of innovation in the evolution of industries, and it has shown that the relationship between innovation and industrial change is multidimensional, involves several actors and differs greatly across industries. Innovation in industries has been found to be the result of the interaction of different actors (firms, universities, public agencies, financial organizations…) which are related both formally as well informally and have actions strongly influenced by their competences, learning processes, the knowledge base of sectors and institutions. In this frame, the notion of sect oral systems of innovation has provided to be a useful tool for examining innovation in a sector

Industries have been shown to follow life cycles of innovation, firms entry and growth and changes in market structure. It has also been convincingly found that that these dynamic sequences are different from one industry to another. In addition, with the availability of advanced computer technology and new firm level data, econometric analyses have moved from cross sections work during the 1960s and 1970s to longitudinal analyses of industrial dynamics and innovation since the early 1990s

2.2 The theoretical contributions
Also at the modeling level one can find different strands of research focusing on different aspects of the relationship between industrial dynamics and innovation. Technological learning by rational actors (be incumbents or entrants or both) and the competitive process weeding out the heterogeneity in firms population characterize a set of models that aim to explain empirical regularities such as the asymmetric distribution of firm size and different growth rates conditional on age (see for example,).

Here there is passive learning and new firms do not know their own potential profitability. Major technological discontinuities create a shake out in industrial dynamics because a radical invention opens up the possibility of an increase in the efficient scale of production and in entry. Thus the transition to the new technology is associated to the exit of unsuccessful innovators and the survival of firms with larger scale technology.

On the contrary active learning by firms in industrial dynamics is present in where firms explore the economic environment, invest and, if successful, grow, so that industrial dynamics is driven by the growth of successful firms.

This results in corresponding Nash equilibrium on industry specific entry processes. Here however no attention is paid to the learning processes of firms, and less attention is also paid to industrial dynamics per se.

Another stream of models examines industry life cycle, analyzing together product and process innovations; rate and type of entrants; selection; firm size and growth; market concentration and market niches and shake outs. Finally, more attention to the specificities and histories of various industries is paid by “history friendly models”, which fall into the evolutionary tradition.

They pay attention to the evidence and the dynamics of specific industries, intend to develop a dialogue with appreciative/qualitative/historical explanations and aim to model the sequence of events that have shaped a specific industry evolution. In sum, tremendous progress in the emerging field of industrial dynamics has been obtained in both the empirical studies of innovation in industries and the modeling of industrial dynamics and innovation.

3. Which research challenges for a deeper understanding of the relationship between Industrial dynamics and innovations?
The studies examined so far focused on technological change, the dynamics of incumbents as well as new firms and changes in market structure. Technology, firms and market structure are indeed key elements in the relationship between industrial dynamics and innovation. Let me show that industrial dynamics and innovation are greatly affected by a set of other factors: demand, the knowledge base of industries and networks. One could just start by noticing that in several industries demand has been a major factor affecting industrial dynamics and innovation. In semiconductors and computers, public demand such as military procurement has been important for innovation in the early stages of the industries. In computers experimental customers have been major actors in the emergent phase of the industry.

Similarly, the knowledge at the base of firms’ innovative activities and networks has played a major role in innovation and the dynamics of several industries. For example, in telecommunication equipment and services a convergence of different technologies, demand and industries has taken place, with processes of knowledge integration. This convergence has been associated with the creation of a wide variety of different specialized and integrated actors, ranging from large equipment producers to new service firms.

In machine tools the evolution of the industry has been shaped by an application-specific knowledge base and has been characterized by extensive firms specialization In software, a highly differentiated knowledge base in which the context of application is relevant has created several different and distinctive product groups. In addition, the role of large computer suppliers in developing integrated hardware and software systems has been displaced by a lot of specialized software companies which innovate either in package software or in customized software.

User-producer interaction and global and local networks for innovation are relevant. From these empirical cases, it is quite evident that demand, the knowledge base and networks have proven to be relevant for innovation and industrial dynamics in many sectors and yet, demand, knowledge and networks are not part of most analysis of industrial economics that concern industrial dynamics and innovation. Therefore in the following pages I am going to propose them as the next three key research challenges which need to be met if we want to advance our understanding of the relationship between industrial dynamics and innovation. Let me examine them in detail.

4. Demand
The first challenge that I want to explore is the one concerning the role of demand in innovation and industrial dynamics. As a way of introduction, let me first disagree with the usual complaint that demand has not been studied in its relationships with innovation in the last decades. In the literature, we have various empirical and theoretical strands, from the old debate demand pull vs. technology push, to the analysis of demand, market structure and innovation and advertising, bandwagon and networks have been shown to be important factors in influencing the magnitude and orientation of inventive effort and the degree of industry concentration. Demand has also been related to the emergence of disruptive technologies.

Here the early development of disruptive technologies serves niche segments that value highly their non standard performance attributes. Further developments in the performance and attributes of disruptive technologies lead these technologies to a level sufficient to satisfy mainstream customers and also the whole vast literature on diffusion is nothing else than research aimed at understanding the relationship between demand and innovation.

Moreover, several contributions on diffusion concern the relationship between new technologies, demand and the changes in the structure of the supplier and the user industries. The same holds for the literature on competing technologies which pays a lot of attention to externalizations and increasing returns. Contrary to all these research developments in the realm of demand and innovation, however, the insertion of demand in the analysis of the relationship between industrial dynamics and innovation is still in its infancy.

Therefore, answers to the questions posed above start from the identification of the various dimensions of demand that affect industrial dynamics and innovation. One dimension is the well known one related to the provision of incentives to firms’ R-D expenditures and innovative efforts. Here the preferences of consumers, market differentiation and segmentation, and the size and growth of demand affect innovative efforts and therefore technical change in various ways.

In this Address I would like to add two other aspects that are relevant for innovation in industries: consumer behavior and consumer capabilities. Consumer behavior plays a major role in affecting innovation. It includes the presence of information asymmetries and imperfect information with respect to new products and technologies as well as routines, inertia and habits concerning existing products and technologies. Also consumer capabilities influence technological change in an industry: as an example one could only mention the role of absorptive capabilities and their distribution among consumers and users.

The focus on the behavior and capabilities of consumers and users opens the way for a very productive analysis of how demand affects innovation and the specific patterns of industrial dynamics. In this respect let me mention some fruitful directions. One relates to users involvement in innovation. This is a quite common phenomenon in industries. It may range from user-producer interaction to user initiated innovation.

5. Knowledge
The emphasis on (passive as well as active) learning and the role of absorptive capabilities in models and econometrics of innovation and diffusion identifies a second challenge: the analysis of the role of knowledge at the base of learning by firms in an industry and its effects on innovation and industrial dynamics.

However I remain rather positive in the use of patent citations in providing some evidence of a paper trail about knowledge links, and in describing some features of knowledge and knowledge networks in an industry, as flows of knowledge can be captured by patent citations even when inventors are unaware of those citations.

In sum, the research challenge regarding knowledge implies that a given knowledge base defines the nature of the problems firms have to solve, affects the division of labour in an industry and influences market structure and in a dynamic fashion, the very knowledge base of industries also changes as an effect of the behavior of firms and of technological change

6. Networks
Let me move to the last challenge: networks. Here with networks I do not mean network Externalizations. Rather I refer to the different relationships – cooperative and competitive, market and non market ones – that firms have with other firms and non-firm organizations when they innovative. The relevance of networks for industrial economists is due from the broad recognition that innovative activity is highly affected by the interaction of heterogeneous actors with different knowledge, competences and specialization.

Various explanations have been advanced for the importance of networks in innovation, ranging from spillovers of various types, to the presence of Variety in technologies, knowledge and capabilities, to the role of complementarity. And the relevance of networks for innovation as well as for production and exchange has been recognized by game theory, transaction cost theory and resource based theory. Models of networks among economic agents abound now, from game theoretic to small world models, including evolutionary game theory, percolation theory and neural networks. They range from static models regarding the effects of different network architectures on performance, to dynamic ones in which the structure influences individual actions and performance and attention is paid to the networks efficiency, stability and feed backs.

CONCLUSION
In this Address I have suggested that within the growing field of industrial dynamics, in the last twenty years the analysis of industrial dynamics and innovation has witnessed a rich and highly diversified set of contributions at the empirical and theoretical levels. So, progress has been substantial. The main point of the paper however is that a deeper understanding of the relationship between industrial dynamics and innovation pushes research in this area to face new challenges related to a finer grained analysis of the role of demand, knowledge and networks.

This paper has suggested that these coupled dynamics involve knowledge, technology, firms, demand and institutions. These dynamics are often path-dependent, take the form of co evolutionary processes and are industry-specific. In the three elements such as technology, demand and firms, one could claim that in sectors characterized by a system product and consumers with a rather homogeneous demand, the dynamics leads to the emergence of a dominant design and industrial concentration.

Industrial Automation – a Field That Still Needs Humans

2009-03-12T15:59:00.000+07:00

Industrial automation is one of the few business sectors in which robots and humans interact. In this field, there's room for both individuals-humans and "humanlike" counterparts.

There are many roles in industrial automation that lie beyond the scope of an "animated character," i.e. a robot, and what they can't do, we humans can. Human-level pattern and language recognition, and language production are well beyond the capabilities of modern "mechanical people" and computer systems.

Critical tasks requiring subjective assessment or synthesis of complex sensory information including scents and sounds require a living being. High-level tasks like strategic planning still require human expertise. Even more reassuring is that in most cases, the use of humans is more cost-effective than mechanical approaches, even when using a robot is feasible. This ensures there's a place for students and professionals today and for the future in industrial automation.

A career in industrial automation means you get to use the latest computer technology to help design and build parts for all kinds of everyday products. In industrial automation, you can tailor your expertise to the automotive field, manufacturing industries, and other industries This means the business sectors and career options where you can apply your industrial automation training are virtually unmatched and endless.

The following types of individuals may be good candidates for a career in industrial automation:

* Students and professionals with interest or knowledge of artificial
intelligence.
* Individuals interested in cybernetics.
* Hardware architects, systems architects or people interested in hardware
architecture.
* Industrial engineering novices and professionals.
* Those with a desire to better understand machine-to-machine manufacturing
techniques, process control, working with robots.

Once you determine industrial automation is the field for you and you have an idea of what occupation within the industry you may want to pursue, you can begin your industrial automation training.

ITT Technical Institute, one of the credited and recommended industrial automation schools, not only has an in-depth industrial automation training that combines the fundamentals with the real-world, the institute also offers the option of taking certain required courses online, which makes it easy for you to balance your industrial automation training with your work and personal life.

Choosing a career in the field of industrial automation will put you on your way to a rewarding career in business sector that has literally helped build America. In this field, you may even have the opportunity to build products that change the ways in which we all live or perhaps the next great hybrid vehicle. Even if your biggest goal is simply to work hard in your career alongside robots and not necessarily to "reinvent the wheel" industrial automation training from ITT, one of the best industrial automation schools, can get you there.

How Basic Costs Affect the Construction Industry: an Analysis

2009-03-05T11:52:00.000+07:00

It’s a fact that most industries in the past decades have been suffering from the effects of inflation and never-ending rise of production costs. The construction and engineering industry has not been spared the dilemma. Aside from dealing with shortage in labor and manpower, material costs are also taking a toll on the productivity of the construction industry.

The worker shortage

Fewer employees might translate to more profit for some industries, but this is not the case for the construction industry. According to James R. Bogonet of Bogonet Construction Associates Inc., a D.C. firm that specializes in building and renovating interior office space:

"I've had to go out and work weekends to keep a project on schedule. The construction industry is suffering a severe worker shortage that is helping drive up the cost of development, including wages and office rental rates.”

The trend is continuous, because as early as year 2000 more than 240,000 jobs related to the construction industry are glossed over for higher-paying jobs. It’s a case of double jeopardy- if the firms do not pay enough, they don’t get staffed. But they lose immense profit when they do pay higher salaries to construction workers. The problem is cyclical.

Prices are going up, up, up…

According to Engineering News-Record, an industry publication: “National construction costs are up 2.3 percent this year.”

The problem calls for more capital outlay on the part of the clients, because to handle for the backlog due to shortage of workers and even tighter deadlines because of being understaffed, it takes $125-$150 to construct a single square foot of office space in the prime areas of United States.

This figure exponentially rises when we’re talking about the largest buildings and skyscrapers that are either leased or rented out to individual office-space holders.

Subcontractors decline

Smaller outfits are being more selective because of the relative shortage of manpower in the construction business. According to David Dempsey, a senior vice president for Spaulding & Slye Colliers, a development and construction group in the District:

"Ten years ago, if you put out a bid for masonry work, you might get twenty some responses. Today, you're lucky if you get six."

As we can see here, the construction industry is experiencing a very tight labor market. In the event that such labor conditions exists, every cost rises to match the unceasing demand. On the other hand, when labor is plenty, the prices drop because of the distributive quality of supply and demand scales.

According to Andrew Craig, vice president of construction and design for Staubach Co., an international commercial real estate brokerage:

"There is so much demand for development in this area that the problem takes on more urgency. We have to be more strategic, more nimble. They (the clients) want to know, `Why am I paying $50,000 for something I paid $30,000 for last year?' You have to help them understand what's happening in the marketplace.”

Craig’s analysis is quite dynamic because it highlights a basic truth about all industries- that in the end, if the market is sluggish, everything topples to the ground.

Experience The New Machineries Of Advantage Engineering Technology

2009-03-05T11:50:00.000+07:00

Advantage Engineering Site Services is an associate company of Advantage Engineering Technology and specializes in the supply and erection of new and pre-used steel framed structure buildings. We also carry out refurbishment and modification to existing buildings. All designs can be customize to match customers specific applications.

Advantage Engineering are manufacturers, suppliers and installers of recycling machinery including horizontal balers, conveyors, shredders and related recycling and handling equipment, which is designed to assist in turning your waste into a sale able product as well as alleviating the cost of waste disposal.

Our machines are the product of over 30 years of experience and are of excellent build quality and robust construction; they are built to give many years of reliable operation. We can supply single items or a complete system of standard equipment and build customized versions to suit your personnel requirements if required.

As well as supplying new equipment Advantage Engineering have stocks of reconditioned pre-used equipment including Balers, Compactors, Conveyors, Shredders, Bin Lifter, skips and lifting attachments etc. which can if necessary be modified to suit your requirements. Our site services team, which covers the UK and Europe, can carry out installations and commissioning of the equipment including any site modifications to your premises if required. Please telephone or e-mail your inquiry for an up to date list and price of available equipment.

Is the product of over 20 years experience in the design and manufacture of machinery for the recycling market. Our balers and shredders are used in applications from paper, board, plastics, textiles, metals, special polymer foams and agricultural crops.

Whatever area you are interested in, we can tailor our solution to match your exact requirements.

Commitment Generates New Business

2009-03-04T10:29:00.000+07:00

Neither the intention nor the strength of your commitment brings about the desired results. It is your actual actions that lead to achieving your goals

Total Commitment

Successful people commit beyond their goals.

They are usually totally committed to everything that they undertake...and once they have committed to performing a task or function...the actual completion is a foregone conclusion.

They neither try to do something..not give it their best shot...they simply do what they say they are going to do....and when they say they are going to do it.

In the simplest of terms, for successful people commitment is an automatic, habitual behavior.

If you want to achieve your specific results...either personally or in your business...a firm commitment to taking the necessary actions to achieve these results is the best if not only approach.

Gain A Competitive Advantage

Although most people would agree on the importance of total commitment, many people consistently fail to do what they said they were going to do.

Every day we are told that one person or another will call...but they either fail to call...or call long after they said they would.

In fact, so many people don't honor their commitments, that those who do are remembered and appreciated.

Just as we appreciate people who consistently honor their commitments so do clients. customers and do what they say they are going to do, when they say they are going to do it.

What better way to gain a competitive advantage than by simply honoring your promises?

And by doing it consistently, you will help differentiate yourself from your competitors whose commitment vanishes at the first sign of a crisis or new opportunity.

Taking Action

By definition, the term commitment means being bound to a course of action to bring about desired results. In other words, commitment is more about the actual actions than the intended actions.

By all means commit to your family, friends, clients, colleagues or community.

It is however neither the intention nor the strength of your commitment that brings about the desired results.

It is the actions you take that helps you achieve your goals.

Accounting Help That Keeps Your Business Growing And You Smiling Always

2009-03-04T10:24:00.000+07:00

Does accounting problems keep you worried all the time? Do you have to spend most of your time trying to keep a track of how to handle your accounting work? Do you spend long hours just trying to make your balance sheet tally? Can you check a fraud and a theft by just browsing through your accounts sheets? If these questions bother you all the time then accounting help will be a boon to you and your business.

Accounting help services have grown by leap and bounds in recent times due to the professional help it brings for the business.

There are various advantages when one considers taking help from accounting help services.

1.They will have a professional giving you advice not only on how to handle the accounts and balance sheets but also on how to improve on the business to keep the profits coming. They will also tell you which accounting practices to follow keeping in mind the kind of business you have. This takes up almost half the worry you have when you sit to do the accounting work.

2.The cost incurred in taking help of an accounting help service is much less than hiring an actual professional to do the same job. This is because the professional hired will do the job only for the business while the accounting help services gives advice to multiple businesses, making their cost of services very low at the same time maintaining the professionalism.

3.Not only does it help in saving the added expenses but also helps in saving resources and man power by cutting down on salary and perquisites.

4.Accounting help services also make a daily report of the way the business is growing, the transactions that occur with particular clients and the recent trends and pattern the business makes. This helps review the business and grow avenues.

5.It also gives the other business followers such as shareholders, stakeholders, creditors and debtors a particular amount of faith in the business. Since it also gives transparency to the business it is very beneficial for income tax purpose.

6.It gives you the added time needed to think over the growth aspect of the business. It also rids you of a lot of mental trauma of dealing with figures and accounting procedures.

7.If your business is doing low in the times of recession the accounting help services offer sound advice on how to improve on the business or if it is more feasible to sell out the business. They also help you figure out how much the business is currently worth in this tough time of recession.

8.It is highly recommended for small businesses that face cut throat competition and have very small profit making margins. Since they don’t make enough money to support a full time professional, hence taking help from accounting services becomes mandatory.

The only disadvantage is the one might not like a third party reviewing the books of accounts of the firm. But this problem can be changed once you understand the business accounts are kept highly confidential.

Why Container Shipping & Storage Is So Convenient For You

2009-03-03T09:30:00.000+07:00

There are several reasons you might choose container storage system for your self storage needs but two in particular reason stands out to me. It's got to be because I found them to be reasonably priced and relatively convenient. There was no truck to rent and my valuable time was saved from shopping around. Many companies have popped up in the market for this particular product so it's still wise to get several moving quotes.

The great feature I found with this type of storage was obviously the convenience and that you only have to handle your items really once. Once you have packed your container all you have to do next is call the company you leased the unit from and they come and pick up the container either at your home or office. How convenient is that system. I even put a small sports car into one unit because it was less expensive than having my car professionally shipped. The auto shipping quotes I received were outrageous.

Did I mention that after you pack the container you lock it up and keep the key with you? No one else will ever have access to your storage container. As an added security measure, Door to Door moving container companies place a tamper proof seal on each and every one of the containers. You can rest assured that your items are safe. Storage containers are stored in secure locations for your properties protection.

I feel that you would be quite satisfied with this kind of system. If you have never heard of this type of mobile storage don't worry yourself over it. It is a simple yet very effective idea that involves Door-to-Door storage and moving companies around the counter. The industry has brought you a storage container option system that you can bring to your home or place of business.

While Door to Door moving companies can schedule regular access to their storage facility, it's not just available like a traditional self storage site would be. Typically a two hour notice was needed for any unscheduled access. This option may not work for all businesses needing immediate access to important documentation that must be immediately accessed.

Because people need to store their sofas, beds, washer and dryers and everything else that comes in a house, it's important to be able to get these items arranged and stored properly. I advise you to search the internet for proper packing tips so it can save you a lot of time trying to figure it out. While you're at it I still do suggest that you get several moving and auto transporting quotes to save yourself a lot of time. It's all worth the money you can save in the end.

What Comes After The End

2009-03-02T10:15:00.000+07:00

A new beginning always comes after an ending. We are on the threshold of a new awareness in human evolution. All the periods we have gone through have brought us to this place in time. Currently we are experiencing the ending of religion and the industrial revolution. They have taken us as far as they can.

We were taken in by the promise of peace on earth, good will to man, more leisure time to spend in relationships, recreation, and learning. None of these promises have been realized and it is obvious that neither of these systems will take us there. They have brought us to the precipice where it's time to change direction or take the final leap.

A box that is built from the outside-in can take you nowhere; because there is nowhere to go. Every box eventually runs out of energy; and for those who have built the box and gathered together the people in it; their last words of denial will fade as the box is emptied and collapses in on itself.

Four thousand years of religion gave people hope for a better future. But it has failed because it is based on promises not action or something observable, and it is controlled by those who would benefit the most. It was built into a very tight box that gave no room for growth, and eternal damnation for those who apposed.

Religion was never designed for intellectual people. It was sold through fear, because its promises could not be manifested or observed in this world. This life is the time and place where any belief system needs to prove itself. This is where the benefits need to be realized. We are spirit having a physical experience. We are not here to be spiritual, and this is where it all counts; where it's needed the most.

A few hundred years of industrialization has enslaved humanity in the pursuit of buying what they have built, with little time to enjoy the benefits of the machine. It is the machines who are enjoying the benefits as they interact with each other, while we humans slave away to support them.

It, like religion was sold to us. The promise of more free time and less labor has not materialized. The collapse of world markets and the monetary system is inevitable. In the game of monopoly, the objective is to own it all and along with that goes the bank. It is a dead end road. If one owns all the money it becomes worthless and there is no one to play with. Money only has value when it is spent. It is another box that is doomed from the beginning.

The only worthwhile box is one with a door and a window. An open system brings in new life, energy, and there is continuing growth. Take out the door and window and life is absorbed by the darkness. Every step must lead to the next and the path must be clear. Every idea must die and be replaced by another.

It is what we do; we are creators and there is no other purpose for our being. We are either creators or victims, but even in our victim hood we are creators of a greater picture of which we are willing supporters. We die when the idea dies unless we are willing to see through the window and walk through the door before the idea has run its course.

Has it not occurred to you that humanity moves very slowly in physical time and space? For thousands of years we have lived very simply. Up until just over 100 years ago, we lived primitively; using crude tools, using fire to light out homes and streets. We rode horses and used parchments or other people to communicate our thoughts to the rest of the world.

What happened in the last 100 years, where did all this new technology come from? How did man become so smart so quickly? There are people still living on dirt floors and drinking water from polluted streams with no light in their huts.

At the same time and space there are people watching TV, flying in space ships, and using computers to communicate with each other and their machines. Have you noticed that something is happening, and happening very quickly? Are you not the least curious? Do you know why this is happening?

There are thousands of people who are feeling the change. Is it just coincidence that in this same time frame there have been intuitive, artists, and writers who have noticed these changes? Are they alarmists or is there something to what they have to say. The change is real and it is observable; so something is different whether we choose to accept it or not.

The world is changing and we hear that all the time. But what does that mean and who is driving that change, and where is it all going?

It simply means that the dinosaurs are dying off. Those who would not change will be no more. Those who have a vision for the future will be part of the change. The world is changing because people's thoughts are changing. It is not God or anything outside of ourselves that will create the new world.

The world is the way it is now because of our thoughts and how we imagine it. Imagination is the inspiration for change. At some time we imagined the world as round with other continents and people and we demonstrated that. At sometime we imagined that we would sail into the skies and we created the ability to do that. We imagined other worlds and travelling into space and we are doing that.

Our thoughts about whom and what we are in relation to our environment brings about changes in it. We are creators; that is our sole purpose for being. If you insist on thinking so, then it was God who gave us this power. He gave us dominion over the earth and its beasts. However, in an enlightened state we know that we and God are the same thing; we are God having a physical experience.

In this state of change it will be the enlightened ones who determine our next step in evolution. It will be you and I who have imagined a better world, who will create it. It will be a world that is based on what works and what does not work; not right and wrong, good or bad. It will be created not by our five senses alone, but by our psychic abilities as well.

In the new world there will be no need for the things we used in the past. We will have greater awareness of our own ability to create on demand what we want and what we want to experience. This world will have no need for money, conflict or war. There will be a higher regard for our environment, and no need to horde abundance as what we want will be created on demand by ourselves, by using our creative abilities to manifest it.

All these things are possible and within our present ability to create them; unless you think not. And if you belief not; you will experience not.

Imagine your world; think about what you want to experience. Be creative and intelligent about what you really, really, really want. It is those who can do this; who will be part of it. Every one of us already know what we want. It is the bottom line, the root of our desires that will create them.

Is it happiness, security and freedom or is it things, guns and parent figures which we now have that we think we want to bring with us? Those must all be left behind; it is what we already have experienced that we want to move past. Old ideas will not build a new future.

This life is only one of many that you have already experienced and will be your step into a new future that you will also experience. Why not imagine it in your mind now. You are part of a process that creates worlds and universes. The world is the way it is now, because you are part of it. Take away one ingredient out of a recipe and it becomes something else. Every time someone dies or is born the world changes. You can change the future by changing the past. Imagine the future then return to the past to create it.

You are not as insignificant as you may think you are. Presently there are 6 billions minds experiencing the earth in 6 billion different ways. Your future will be likewise. Create your world now; don't wait for someone to give it to you. New experiences cannot be created using old thoughts. Move out of the box. Plan your creation, and have it ready for you when you return and are prepared to move in.

Your time has run out. Think about what has happened over the last 100 years; things are moving quickly now. You must prepare using a different thought about whom and what you are. You are God; how would you create your new world. If it is lasting happiness that we all want, then how would we demonstrate that happiness?

Be intelligent about it; for instance we know that wanting money and getting it, does not bring us happiness. We may get it under unhappy circumstances and may not live to enjoy it. Think about what you really want; the money or the happiness.

Remember the words of Albert Einstein "You cannot solve any problem in the same state of consciousness in which it was created."

Types Of Plastic Pipes And Their Uses

2009-03-02T10:09:00.000+07:00

With the high price of plumbers it is understandable that so many people are now deciding that the do it yourself route is a far more affordable option. Plastic pipe is the perfect material for the job as even the lay man can manage to put together a piping system.

Naturally plastic pipe is an umbrella term that covers a number of different plastics, usually of the thermo variety but still disparate enough to note the differences. Here are some of the most popular plastic pipe variants used.

PVC or polyvinyl chloride is an extremely popular plastic in the piping world; it is extremely rigid and is adept at resisting many chemicals. The main form of welding is though solvents and is predominantly used for applications such as sewers, drain pipes and cold water pressurized water piping. It comes in a variety of different colors.

ABS or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene is used for many of the same purposes as PVC although its chemical resistance is lower and it is normally produced with a black coloration.

CPVC or chlorinated polyvinyl chloride is like PVC but stands up to high temperatures more effectively and hence is used for hot and cold water supply applications.

The previous three plastic pipe variants are all rigid whereas PB (polybutylene) and PE (polyethylene) are flexible; the former being rigid and used for the same purposes as CPVC and the latter being low cost. Both of these types are not joined with solvents but are instead formed with mechanical and clamped couplings.

In terms of buying the pipe for your plumbing needs pipes normally come in sizes along two lines, these being pipe sizes and tubing sizes. Pipe sizes relate to the old steel pipes while tube sizes relate to copper tube.

It is important to note that different plastic pipes should not be connected together, like for like connections are always advisable. Because the plastic pipe industry moves quickly it is important to recognize that building regulations should always be consulted before undertaking any work.

For instance regulations permit the use of CPVC and PB pipe for hot water applications. These two pipes are perfect for constructing in-home hot water systems as they are corrosion free and durable. It should be remembered however that this form of pipe should not be used for electrical grounding as it is non-conductive.

PVC pressure pipes should predominantly be used for cold water movement in outdoor areas; such as water sprinkling systems in gardens. PE pipe is similar although it is flexible rather than rigid, and is perfectly suited to deep piping well purposes.

There are two major methods of fitting piping systems together; these are solvent welding and mechanical coupling. Solvent welding is simple enough although care should be taken to carry out the task effectively to prevent any leaks. The pipe must be cut squarely, cleaned thoroughly, coated with solvent and then joined with the fitting piece.

It should be remembered however that cuts are final, there is no way back should you cut the pipe too short. Mechanical coupling however is used with plastic pipes that cannot be welded with solvents. Normally it requires a simple click into place as the fittings have barbs and clamps that prevent leaking.

Hopefully this information has given an idea on the types of plastic pipe out their and their uses. Additionally it is also hoped that the information on fitting will give DIY enthusiasts the knowledge that is needed to construct their own plumbing systems.

The Trend towards Miniaturization

2009-02-27T09:48:00.000+07:00

Authors Name: Coline Chase

Designing electronic and mechanical devices has become a task in reducing things in size while still maintaining functionality. We expect smaller, portable, highly precise equipment that can be used in rugged field conditions over long periods of time. Measuring devices are reduced in size and upgraded in accuracy. Electric motors can fit inside cramped spaces and yet perform as well as engines that are larger.

This move towards miniaturization and precision is a result of technology developed during the Cold War. Specifically, the need for more computing power and more reliable machines that could be used in different situations, such as in space missions and with ICBMs, made it a necessity to find a way to decrease the size of motors, processors, and other electronic and electric devices.

These advances translated into a demand by the general public for motors that must be designed, engineered, and built for increased level of reliability. If we can get a man to the moon, after all, why can’t we have motors that fit on a desk top or in an assembly line robot that can be efficient as well as accurate?

In fact, as the technology got better, the standards to which we held that technology also got higher. These motors were now tested to rigorous standards with the help of the additional testing of resolver and encoder options.

Now we can find motors and servos in areas outside the military. These motors are generally found in those applications that need coordinated and precise motion control.

For example, a robot putting together parts for an automobile on an assembly line might contain several servo motors, many of them small and able to accurately perform the same motion over and over again. An industrial welding robot can move at a great speed and in a six axes motion because of motors that are reliable and able to fit in tight spaces.

In fact, as important as it is for a small motor to be precise, it should also be rugged and reliable as well. After all, a small motor that is delicate does nothing to increase productivity. Small parts that break easily are no good to anyone. Just as humans can suffer from repetitive stress injuries from performing the same task over and over again, so too can motors and servos get worn out from the actions performed on the assembly line.

There is also the environment on the assembly line that must be dealt with. Small motors may be developed in laboratories but they do no good if they are never introduced in the field. Such harsh conditions can further cause the deterioration of materials, so these machines should be able to stand up to them.

With deterioration, motor repair becomes necessary. With age, motors become less reliable, less precise, and because of their small parts, all this can lead to additional costs. Thus, it becomes necessary to do research into the types of small electric motors and servo motors you purchase for your application. Nowadays, a servo motor which has the ability to withstand harsh conditions is much more affordable than in years that have passed due to advancements in design.

When selecting a servo motor, one must keep in mind the accuracy, speed, and the performance factors, along with it the reliability, which is its ability to suit to varied harsh environments. It must again have the proper voltage and power ratings, be able to handle close temperature, vibration, and harsh conditions. These should be all balanced out with cost factors. With well built components, unexpected repairs and costly shut-down time can be avoided.

The computing power that once resided in a cavernous basement is now able to sit on a corner on your desk. Motors can guide machines to put together other machines. Electric devices just keep getting smaller and smaller and yet, precision and durability are not sacrificed. As time goes on, we will see this trend continued, as it has continued since the 1950s.

The Cold War, the Space Race, and the turbulent upheavals that came after World War II contributed to the creation of smaller electric motors, components, and measuring devices that are portable and accurate. It is important to realize that if you are looking for a motor or servo for some application, that miniaturization is a trend that will continue and it will bring innovations that you should stay abreast of.

Save Money with Remanufactured Compressors

2009-02-27T09:44:00.000+07:00

Authors Name: Ken Fillby

Once your compressor stops working, usually you get a new one installed in its place. With the installation of the new one, the old ones find their place in a factory where they are rebuilt or remanufactured. The damaged compressor is first thoroughly examined, and then the real cause behind the breakdown is sorted out and repaired. This remanufactured compressor is then sold away.

However, you will find it interesting to know that rebuilt compressors are just as good as the new ones and most importantly, they help you save a lot of money. Once your compressor reaches the remanufacturing factory, it is examined by expert mechanics.

They find the exact fault in the system. After the damaged part is located, new parts replace it. Since the compressor is not entirely new, the factory charges only for the replaced sections and not for the entire compressor. Thus, it results in a cost-effective process that helps you save a lot of money.

When a compressor stops working, all the components of the compressor may not be faulty. Only the worn-out or outdated ones may need a replacement. If you opt to buy a new compressor you may have to spend a fortune. Instead, a replacement of the worn-out parts will help you save a lot.

You might argue in favor of a new compressor as it comes with a warranty. But it is important to note that the replaced parts also come with a warranty period. After the compressors are remanufactured they are tested to verify whether they can withstand strenuous applications or not. This leaves no doubt that a remanufactured compressor can certainly overcome the test of time.

The percentage of money you can save by getting a compressor manufactured will depend on the type, size and demand of the unit that is replaced. On some applications, the expense of rebuilding or remanufacturing a compressor can certainly be quite lower. This can even give you up to 50% savings as compared to the cost of a new compressor. If the units are high in demand and the price is good, then the savings can be 30-20%.

After the successful replacement, the compressor is tested in tough conditions to verify its performance. This company assures to deliver remanufactured compressors that are durable and within affordable budget. So, next time your compressor gives you trouble, you can surely get it remanufactured and save a lot of money.

Re manufactured Compressors

2009-02-26T09:35:00.000+07:00

Authors Name: Trudi Bennet

An air conditioner, whether in your house, office, factory, or car is likely to show faults after some time and extensive use. This multi-component piece of machinery, which does the cooling work similar to that of a refrigerator, removes the warm air from a room or car and pushes in the cool air.

At times, your air conditioner may not run smoothly. Lack of cool air is a sign that there is some fault with the air conditioner. The fault may be in any part of the air conditioner including the compressor. An air conditioner’s compressor is its powerhouse as it pumps out the refrigerant. The compressor is also the most expensive and significant section of an air conditioner.

In general, compressors come with a warranty period. A quality compressor can work well for years. However, it will not offer the same service for a lifetime. Once your air conditioner stops working properly, and a fault occurs in the compressor, you can either get a new compressor or a re manufactured compressor fitted into it.

The basic functioning of an air conditioner involves the theory of successive heating and cooling of a highly volatile liquid. There are five main components of an air conditioner: a compressor, a condenser, a dryer, an expansion valve and an evaporator. It also comprises a hot coil to dissolve heat, a cold coil to absorb heat, and two fans (placed inside and outside), that are some other fundamental aspects that help to modify the temperature.

A new compressor can be purchased and installed in place of the old one. However, re manufacturing a compressor is also a great idea. A compressor consists of several small parts and a faulty compressor is the result of one or more of those parts being damaged.

Compressors that are re manufactured have their faulty parts or the damaged parts replaced by new parts. Thus, the entire compressor becomes as good as new and the cost incurred from re manufacturing is relatively less than getting a completely new one. Before getting a compressor re manufactured, make sure that the company taking up the responsibility of rebuilding the compressor is good at its job. It is best to employ an expert for this task, as only an expert can detect the main problem and get the job done in the best way.

A certified air and gas compressors manufacturing services company specializes in the field of refrigeration and air conditioning compressors. It is the main area of their work. The enterprise should offer top-class services in re manufactured compressors with high quality equipment and technicians that can get your job done easily, leaving you with no space for complaints.

In the process of rebuilding your compressor, the experts at the company clean out the compressor and change the internal as well as the external sections with the ones that are configured to be fitted in. Following this, thorough testing and quality control are done to verify the durability and performance of the compressor in strenuous situations. After that, the outdated and worn out parts of a compressor are replaced by new parts.

With the replacement of the damaged parts, the rebuilt compressor is all set to be utilized in any application. Thus, a compressor that has been re manufactured with all new parts is almost similar to a new compressor. Sometimes, it is better to mend a compressor with new parts than to end its service. Make sure that you get your air conditioning or refrigeration unit to an expert before deciding on whether to replace it or not. Chances are that by simply replacing the compressor’s won out parts, it will work fabulously.

Promotional Plastic Bags Add a Lot of Promotional Value

2009-02-26T09:31:00.000+07:00

Business promotion and advertising in the contemporary scenario have become as important for an organization as manufacturing products and services. Gone are the days, when all a company needed to do was to make best quality products and services. Today, there are a lot more functions that a company needs to perform, with business promotion being the most important of them all.

To accomplish this important and challenging function, companies are devising new and innovative promotional campaigns. Whether it is organizing special events or going for extensive advertising via the contemporary media, the companies are treading every possible path that they can en route to promotion.

Every promotional campaign has its own promotional value and its own ability to endorse the organization. To add to the promotional value of the campaign, promotional plastic bags could be a great idea. Yes, you read that absolutely right- a promotional plastic bag. This 'not so extraordinary' item can work wonders for your brand and can go at length in making your brand a household identity.

Promotional plastic bags might just be one of the most simplest and ordinary items that you could choose to give away. But if you are smart enough to realize the useful nature of this 'Oh! So simple' item, chances are you can see the promotional potential of this promotional plastic bag.

Promotional plastic bags are simple but something that is highly useful. Take a look around and you are sure to find an average of four to five promotional plastic bags. Such is the presence of this promotional item. Promotional plastic bags are needed by one and all for various purposes.

Something that is of such great usage obviously holds great potential to endorse your brand. So when you hand out a promotional plastic bag, you can be fully assured that your promotional item is going to be in use and your message will get noticed.

This simple promotional plastic bag just doesn't get you noticed by the immediate recipient. Instead, it gets you noticed by a wide section of the audience. Promotional plastic bags are one item that can take your message out on the streets. Each time, this wonderful item is out, it makes sure that it gets every passer by to check out your brand name at least once.

This process of getting your message noticed by others around continues for long with these promotional plastic bags. These sturdy carry bags survive for long and are virtually indestructible which ensure that your message is never going to die out. Wide reach and exposure plus a long tenure served by these promotional plastic bags are definitely going to add a lot of promotional value.

Microwave Heating in Industrial Settings

2009-02-25T09:52:00.000+07:00

Authors Name: Hope Baxter

Microwave heating was discovered accidentally during the development of radar when Percy Spencer, an engineer at Raytheon, noticed that his candy bar melted in his pocket whenever a radar set was activated. Unlike other forms of heating that have to first penetrate the surface of a solid and then work its way inside, microwave heating evenly distributes the electromagnetic waves to heat evenly throughout. This is why microwave heating is known for its ability to heat things rapidly.

We know microwave heating has a place in the kitchen, but after its development into a cost efficient way to heat things quickly, microwave ovens found themselves in other industrial applications. Heating in industrial processes is not new, and in some cases, using a microwave oven might be overkill. But consider the following and you too will see the usefulness of microwaves in the industrial workplace:

Even distribution of heat

Electromagnetic waves, which categorize what microwaves are, are energy that can penetrate objects thoroughly and evenly. When using other forms of heat such as convection, the heat source first heats up the air. This heated air is enclosed with the object to be heated and the heat is then transferred to the surface of this object. Energy is expended to heat the object from the outside-in.

In certain cases, such as when working with ceramics for sensors or semi-conductors, this may not be desirable at all. The insides get “undercooked” while the outside may be overly “well done.” An uneven distribution of heat may cause design flaws, fractures, or other imperfects to form. When imperfections form in ceramics used in sensors, for instance, this may cause the sensor to fail prematurely, or even not function at all. By using the penetrating energy of microwaves, objects are heated evenly. Heating using radiation from microwaves becomes vastly superior to heating through convection.

Quality of product is increased

As stated above, now that even distribution of heat can occur, the quality of the product is maintained. Components have fewer defects. MTBF is increased because fewer deformities and fewer imperfections manifest in the components produced. Cosmetically, the chances of a product “looking better” are also increased.

If your company produces automotive parts, you can use microwave heating in your process heating and create a more reliable product. While the equipment might seem harder to maintain and more expensive that a convection oven, for instance, you make the money back in increased business. Lower MTBF, fewer defects per components manufactured, and an overall better product will assure that you will supply your vendor with the parts he or she is looking for consistently.

More efficient than standard ovens

Also related to the above points is the fact that microwave technology is efficient in creating heat. You can keep costs low by heating your components faster, pushing more through the assembly line process. Also, there is less set up time as you don’t have to “fire up” the oven at the start of the day and then turn it off at the end of the shift. Energy is used to heat the component, part, or product evenly.

No time is wasted on heat transference that is ultimately not going to heat your product all the way through. Most of the energy is used for the purpose of heating and is not lost. This helps to keep costs low, especially if you are in a highly competitive field in which components are produced by many suppliers. The faster you get your products out there and the lower you keep your costs, the better your chances of attaining a higher margin.

There are certain things to consider before making a change from conventional heating to microwave heating:

# Cost: Cost does not only assume the cost from making the switch. Will making the switch end up paying for itself within a reasonable amount of time? Will it increase your output, make better products, and keep costs low? A cost analysis should be performed before purchasing the equipment. While microwaves ovens are reliable, they are a major investment.

# Industry Standards: If you have a highly competitive industry that does not use microwave heating, and the quality of products varies, this might make you stand out as a reliable supplier capable of fast and voluminous output.

Once these factors are considered, you can make a better decision about employing microwave heating into your production process. Though the discovery of microwave energy’s ability to heat objects was accidental, it revolutionized the process by making it faster, efficient, and more reliable. It might be time to consider employing microwave heating into your processes.

It Is Time For More Small Businesses and Big Corporations To Start Giving Back To The Environment

2009-02-25T09:48:00.000+07:00

Two of the biggest problems that mankind faces today are exploitation of the environment in the name of research and development & the unequal distribution of resources among people. Both these problems are created by mankind itself. When the industrial revolution brought about globalization and opening up of economies all around the world, little did we think what would be the adverse repercussions of these developments.

Today’s industrialists and business owners seem to be largely obsessed with only the profit line. It is time we all take a look at what we have actually done for society and the environment. After all, we are all an integral part of the environment and the society.

An example of how a small organization can do its bit for the society is seen at Space Plus LLC, a woman-owned company that specializes in innovative office space solutions including sliding glass doors, workspace enclosures, partitions, conference room dividers and storage enclosures.

On August 6, 2007, Space Plus received an email from the “Make A Wish Foundation” about a boy named Hector from Indio, California. He was diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure. Hector is one of 4 children. 3 of those children have life-threatening conditions. Hector shared a room with his sister and very much wanted a room of his own.

Sheryl Hai-Ami, President of Space Plus LLC met with Bonnie Rubin, a wish grantor from “Make A Wish Foundation” and within one month, Hector had a sliding glass room divider that enclosed a room just for him! The room divider goes from floor to ceiling and offers privacy when Hector needs it. The sliding panels can also open up to allow a larger open area when he prefers a more open environment.

Space Plus also sets an example for being an environment-conscious company. They use only recyclable materials that are perfect for “green” construction projects to implement their office and home space solutions.

The Space Plus LLC product line of office enclosures, privacy walls and room dividers is comprised of sliding glass panels that allow light to shine through while giving privacy behind each panel. The glass and aluminum frames are all recyclable and do not require any harsh chemicals to clean them, further enhancing a clean environment.

If each and every organization in the world, big or small, decided to do their share for society and the environment, the world would be a much better place to live.

How the Type of Material Affects Plastic Machining

2009-02-24T09:23:00.000+07:00

Plastic machining can be a difficult process, especially because of the diverse range of materials that are used in the industry. Problems with plastic routing are often caused by the variations in plastic throughout the manufacturing process, and these differences are combined with a number of different applications for the plastic. There are some common plastic machining problems that are easy to tackle, however, when you know what to look for and how to react.

During the plastic routing process, an individual might be unable to recognize the different physical properties of the specific material being used, and they will only know the generic name of the plastic. Plastic machining might have to be altered just because of a different color of plastic, though, so it is important to understand how differences in the plastic can play a huge role in how it reacts to plastic drill bits and other cutting tools. One of the easiest ways to categorize plastic routing jobs is by hard or soft plastic, which can be easily determined by the flexibility or rigidity of the material or the type of chip it produces in the routing process.

When individuals are using the right plastic drill bits and other cutting tools for the specific job, soft plastic should curl a chip and hard plastic should produce a splintered wedge. There are also different types of hard and soft plastic, though. The plastic machining process might have to be altered to accommodate the different characteristics of plastic within each of these generic groups. They require different plastic routing considerations because of the way they machine.

Plastics are not the same, and they can not be machined in the same way. Ignoring this fact can create problems from the beginning, but knowing what to look for can make the process as simple as can be.

Handling Stripped Threads

2009-02-24T09:20:00.000+07:00

Authors Name: John Smit

There is nothing more annoying than stripped threads. When a thread is stripped or just somehow mangled, it slows down the work you are doing. In one fell swoop, a steady work flow becomes interrupted.

You can use threaded inserts in helping you repair a stripped screw. Threaded inserts are used to either repair a stripped threaded hole or to provide a more durable threaded hole in softer materials that can withstand repeated assembly and disassemble or other types of hash activity. They come in two varieties, solid and wire.

Solid inserts are tubes with a thread on the inside and outside. Some inserts also have methods of being locked down that will prevent the insert from coming out when unscrewing the fastener that is inserted. The solid insert repairs the thread by providing a new thread within the original hole.

As the tube also has threads on the outside and has a snug fit within the hole, the threads on the outside of the solid insert push into the surface of the hole, digging in so the new threading remains secure. In this fashion, the new thread grips the hole and gives the fastener a new thread to grip to.

Wire inserts, on the other hand, are wires of a specific diameter and shape that are coiled up, almost like a spring. Generally these are of larger diameter than the hole they are inserted into so that they hold themselves in tightly but they have a smaller thickness than the tube. They provide the same thread repair capabilities as solid inserts but might be useful in places where the hole needs a thread insert that is not as thick as a solid insert.

When repairing a thread with an insert, drill out all the damaged thread with the appropriately sized bit. Then, tap a thread into the hole and thread the insert into the hole. If there is a tang or some type of locking key, make sure those are dealt with as well.

When repairing a stripped thread with an insert, make sure to take care of the problem with the right method. Removing and attaching fasteners over and over again will cause wear and tear on the threads. Repair them correctly and the time you spend will be worthwhile.

Different AC Motor Controls

2009-02-23T09:41:00.000+07:00

Authors Name: Rob Adams

Every AC motor needs to be accompanied with an efficient motor controller to ensure proper functioning. Installing such a control system can prove to be beneficial as it can serve you in a number of ways. It may include a single device or a group of devices that manage the entire working of the motors in a preset manner.

AC motor controls may incorporate either manual or automatic functions. They serve you in starting and stopping the motors, selecting forward or reverse rotation of the motors, modifying or limiting the motor torque, protecting the motors from overloads and faults and choosing and regulating the right speed.

Sophisticated AC motor controllers are commonly referred to as motor drives. They balance the signal type with the control signals. The signal type is either analog or digital like power and voltage signals. The controllers can also work for power conversion, increasing the signal waves and sequencing the waveforms. You can fit in these motor drives in diverse types of AC motors.

These efficient motor controllers have different functionalists for different motor types. AC induction motors primarily induce current into the rotor windings without being physically connected to the stator windings. The induction motor drives uniquely feature electrical isolation and self-protection against faults.

They usually comprise a device programmer, in-circuit debugger, motor control development board, a high voltage motor and a 3-phase or 1-phase high voltage power module. Usually, most of the industrial applications call for three-phase windings. This is because these motors allow variable speed control and considerable power in any kind of setting.

The synchronous motors are those, which operate at a constant level of speed up to the full load. They do not slip in order to produce torque. These motors are driven by inverter controllers and feature a huge list of functions such as electro-mechanical braking, electronic power assisted steering, motor torque regulation, and many more. You can choose them for several industrial and automotive applications, so as to ensure the highest productivity for your machines.

Among the extensive collection of AC motor controls, the vector drive motors can control both the voltage and the frequency in an independent way. This eventually results in low-torque turnouts. The pole changing motor controls, suited to the synchronous AC motors, takes care of the pole number. This is a way to alter the number of poles in the primary winding.

Another variety of synchronous motor control includes the AC servo motor controls that make use of brush less commutation with necessary feedback. The most prevailing technologies utilize the concepts of moving coil, switched reluctance designs and moving magnets. You need to study your requirements well in order to purchase the most suitable controls for your motors. Some of the designs use encoders and resolvers to get adequate feedback regarding speed and position.

If you wish to have a well-crafted control system for your robotic system and industrial robots, then the efficient robotic motion controllers would be the right choice for you. These controllers essentially apply digital motion control hardware and software for the purpose of controlling the necessary components.

Inverter drives constitute a very common type of motor control system. They convert inputs in AC power to outputs with DC power. Again, if you require motor controls with very high frequency, then you can choose from a wide array of high frequency drives. These drives are used to supply power to the AC motors at substantially high frequency, as compared to the common power applications. You can also opt for the variable speed drives that serve you by adjusting and controlling the speeds of your motors.

All these AC motor controls can be differentiated on the basis of their unique features, configurations, functioning parameters, and electrical ratings such as, rated power, maximum output voltage, and peak output current. However, you need to seek help from specialists to study your business necessities and offer you motor controllers with the most apt features.

An AC electric motor performs optimally through the controlled usage of electric power and sufficient savings on the expenditure of the owners. These motors were invented for the purpose of applying the system of alternate current transmission, in order to give an overall voltage control. If you own a medium or big cap factory, installing these motors can be quite cost saving. They provide efficient generation and distribution of electric power over long distances.

Consider a Semi Hermetic Compressor

2009-02-23T09:38:00.000+07:00

Authors Name: Bill Jones

Unlike hermetic compressor, which is a sealed unit, the semi-hermetic compressor is kept partially open. This is user operable. A hermetic compressor is known as "tin can". If this compressor fails, the user is compelled to replace it.

Contrary to the hermetic compressor, semi-hermetic compressors can be rebuilt. Usually it is the valve plates that expire. These are the units you want to utilize for "real" refrigeration work. These are recommended for both outdoor and indoor use and are the best weapon for fighting extreme temperature swings.

A compressor is a must for many industries, including refrigeration. Engineers can use it for refrigeration repair work while the owner of a large refrigeration unit could be looking for one in order to replace a non-function unit. Due to their flexible nature and relatively lower operation cost, semi-hermetic compressors suit people on a shoestring budget who are looking for good value for their money. They are inherently silent by nature and people with a need for a quieter environment will select them by default.

Among the various types of compressors, the semi-hermetic compressors are most useful because of their energy efficiency. Thanks to the semi-hermetic build, such compressors are compact and hence suitable for places where space crunch is a concern. It is a lot more lightweight compared to the equivalent open type compressor.

As a result, semi-hermetic compressors do not need heavy bases. Since the motor is situated on the compressor crankshaft, semi-hermetic compressors do not suffer from the recurring ailment of refrigerant leakage. They are also immune to problems that stem from heavy vibration.

Before buying a semi-hermetic compressor, you must look into the energy efficiency as well as the operating cost involved. The motor that has the lowest life cycle cost is the best for consumer. Most compressor efficiency evaluations are decided on the base of total load design value, whereas most system operation takes place under decreased load and diminished efficiency operation.

Reputed companies will ensure the best quality compressor’s pistons for an improved cooling capability. At the same time, it also uses energy efficient motors that cut down power consumption. The longevity of the semi-hermetic compressor is another issue that should concern you. If you, however, purchase the semi-hermetic compressors from a reputed company, the use of durable bearings ensures freezer longevity and enables the semi-hermetic compressors to run at lower operating speeds to mitigate noise and vibration.

Reputed companies build semi-hermetic compressors that incorporate tried and tested semi-hermetic cooling technology. It gives the user an unparallel blend of performance and reliability that drastically diminishes maintenance costs. Since the semi-hermetic compressors created by these companies maintain a consistent cooling to keep the food inside your freezer at the perfect temperatures, the user need not worry even under the extreme weather.

These semi-hermetic compressors have been built robustly to work with even clogged condensers. Moreover they come with superior HFC and POE lubrication system to stand the test of time. What also sets the company apart is the fact that it offers excellent customer service.

So if you are planning to buy semi hermetic compressors go for a reputed company. This is a key device for the success of your refrigeration plans. So look no further and go for semi hermetic compressors from companies that offer you a great deal at a best price.

Aerospace Fasteners In Use new

2009-02-18T09:35:00.000+07:00

Authors Name: Ann Romano

If you specialize in the aerospace manufacturing industry, then it is important for you to carry a wide variety of fasteners, inserts (tang less can be useful in this capacity), and the proper equipment with which to use these materials.

Aerospace fasteners built for these specific requirements, therefore, are the most essential elements in meeting fastening requirements in engines, airframe and several other hydraulic systems. It not only ensures safety to the aircraft, but by building with quality parts, you also enhance your business returns. Choices are many, as far as the variety, sizes and shapes of the product are concerned. Moreover, the materials used to create the fasteners are compliant with the manufacturer and military standards.

The safe operation of an aircraft as well as your business reputation is highly dependent on the accurate selection and usage of hardware in the manufacturing process you employ. A regular aircraft is made of numerous small items. An aircraft builder must have complete knowledge of the hardware necessary for building an aircraft and also be able to have fully traceable parts as in many cases, government buyers cannot purchase without being able to trace each part back to a particular source.

It is advisable to use only quality hardware in building an aircraft for the specific purpose of aerospace manufacturing. A custom built aircraft requires thousands of hardware pieces. Some of the categories of hardware include bolts, nuts, washers, screws, cotter pins and safety wire, rivets, turn lock fasteners, control cable hardware, fluid lines and fittings, inserts, electrical wiring and connectors.

Since an aircraft faces a lot of vibration, the nuts must be fixed with a locking device to ensure that they stay in place. These nuts can be locked with cotter pins, commonly used in locker washers, safety wire, fiber nuts and castle nuts. The most common nuts used in aircraft hardware include castle nuts, self-locking nuts, plain nuts, wing nuts and anchor nuts.

Castle nuts made from steel and cadmium plates are the most commonly used ones. Castle nuts are used along with clevis bolts, shank bolts and eye bolts. These nuts have slots to fit in a cotter pin, done mainly for safety reasons. Self-locking nuts do not require any locking device. They are pretty easy to use, and are therefore, very popular. However, self-locking nuts are generally not used on bolts that are connected to a moving part. A common example of this is the use of a clevis bolt in a control cable application.

Plain aircraft nuts, however, need a locking device. The locking devices used here are lock washer or check nut. They are not very commonly used in air crafts. Other than the ones mentioned, there are some other nuts available as well. Wing nuts are generally applied to battery connections or hose clamps. The proper tightness and fittings are generally brought about by hands. Another type of nut, also known as anchor nut, is broadly used in places where it is not easy to access it. Other types of nuts used include tinnerman nuts, pal nuts, cap nuts, and instruments for mounting nuts.

After you get the appropriate nuts used in an aircraft it is equally necessary to get them installed in the best way. While using a castle nut, just for example, the cotter pin hole might not be in arrangement with the slots on the nut. Here the nut should not be over tightened, but should be permitted to assemble with the next slot along with the cotter pin hole.

Remember, aerospace fasteners are not like fasteners you buy at your hard wear store. They are designed for the rigors or air flight and must be manufactured to appropriate specifications. Make sure that you use the appropriate fasteners for the job at hand.

Advantages of Package Lifts

2009-02-18T09:33:00.000+07:00

Carrying packages, including groceries, manually up and down a flight of stairs is a cumbersome job. Furthermore, it can result in muscle aches, backaches, and may even cause accidents. The invention of package stair lifts has not only made the transportation of goods easier, but also reduced health risks. Package lifts are mechanical devices which are used to transport packages, boxes, containers, cartons, totes or cases up and down the stairs.

In package stair lifts, trays are used instead of seats to transport goods from one level to another. They can be used for commercial and residential applications. They provide access to decks, elevated surfaces, stages, and porches. Package lifts can be installed either on the left side or the right side of the staircase. These lifts can be set up on almost all straight stairways and allow an inclination of about 30 to 50 degrees. Normally, these lifts can travel long distances and most of them have the capacity to bear heavy weights. The platforms of these lifts are made large enough to accommodate bulky packages. When not in use, these can be folded within 9" of wall or rails. The lift controls can be operated using a key and these lifts can be used indoors and outdoors. They are available in a wide variety of colors.

The installation process of package lifts is simple and easy. The rails of the lifts can be cut to size either on site or inside the industrial unit. Metal brackets are typically used to attach the rails to the steps. The brackets aid goods lifts to mount the stairs with ease. The platform is inserted into place after installing the cable and lift motor. As a steadfast drive system is used to power the lift, smooth operation and high performance is achieved in most cases.

Most of the package stair lifts have built-in security systems to ensure safety. Some of the companies incorporate loose-cable-disconnect and instantaneous out-of-order cable safety equipment so as to immobilize the lift in case of a cable break. Considering their reliability, longevity and cost-effectiveness, the advantages of package lifts are vast.

Why manufacturing matters.

2009-02-17T10:16:00.000+07:00

The United States is losing its manufacturing capacity. These losses are reaching a tipping point, where even greater losses, coming even faster are possible.

Already, the U.S. will import almost $400 billion more goods this year that it exports, by that creating a major drag on future U.S. economic growth.

Another result is that the U.S. has lost 2.7 million good-paying manufacturing jobs since the summer of 2000. The majority of these displaced workers are ending up in jobs that have few benefits and less pay. Many of these people cannot find work anywhere, at any wage.

Beyond trade and jobs, manufacturing matters to America for other vital reasons. Manufacturing growth, for instance, spawns more additional expansion than any other economic sector. Each $1 of final manufacturing output creates another $1.43 in related manufacturing and business services such as finance, construction, and transportation.

The reverse, of course, is also true. A decline in manufacturing results in a contraction in those related activities.

Manufacturing matters because U.S.-based manufacturers are responsible for two-thirds of all private Research and Development done in the United States. This R&D ripples through the economy as innovations that lead to new products, new production, and new jobs. But when manufacturers move their factories offshore, most companies also move their R&D, as well. For example, dozens of U.S. companies that have shifted their factories to China are now relocating their R&D there.

Manufacturing matters for it provides a fifth or more of the total gross product of states such as the Carolinas. Replacing the income produced by manufacturing would require states such as California to create $165 billion of new economic activity annually. New York would have to create $77 billion and Texas $93 billion.

The manufacturing base of those and other states were created over the past two centuries. Replacing such large economic contributors overnight, even over a decade, is virtually impossible.

Manufacturing also matters to America because manufacturers pay 30-40 percent of all corporate taxes collected by the federal, state, and local governments. The current decline in state and local revenues throughout the United States can be traced largely to the concurrent decline of U.S. manufacturing.

In sum, manufacturing matters to the people of the United States for it helps produce the taxes we pay, the jobs we need, the goods we consume, and the weapons we use for our national defense.

We think manufacturing in America matters. What do you think?

What you can do for your planet

2009-02-17T10:12:00.000+07:00

The ups and downs of solar panels

When we say the words solar panel we immediately think of saving the world from the clutches of power hungry electric power companies. That is exactly what it is and what you should be thinking of. We as a planet can do anything, we can put those companies out of business, we make the decisions when it comes to our lives and our planet, and right now our planet is in need of our help.

It is up to us to help it, because it has helped and it has given us a home us for millions of years. We have a responsibility to our planet and you can make a difference. Now when you think of getting a solar energy company to send out a solar power contractor or solar power designer to come and install solar panel into your home you think of how expensive it will be.

But if you think of the costs you are paying on energy to your home at the moment, and multiply that by twelve months and about 5 years, you will see that it will be about the same price you will pay for solar electricity. The only difference is that you do not need to keep paying on a monthly basis, you pay once off and it is all yours. And for the rest of your life you can say that you are helping the world be a cleaner place, because that is in fact what we all want, we all want to leave our kids with a clean planet when we die.

So what legacy do you want to leave your kids, you want them to look up to you and you want them to admire you, that is what we all want from our kids. If you get solar energy installed by a solar contractor or solar installer you will have just that. Solar electric power is one way you can help, having a solar home if the biggest way.

And when we say solar home,we are talking about a full solar power system, with the solar thin film, and the full residential solar panel package. Why stop with affordable solar power, where you will get a solar incentive, why not go for a full system of renewable energy?

You can make a difference, so make it, once you have fully equipped your home with a residential solar panel, and your company already has the has the commercial solar panel, you can go for the complete renewable energy on your car too. Make no mistake, the more you do the more you can help, so do as much as you can by not letting these massive oil and electricity companies get away with what they are.

They are killing our planet, even though they know they are, they keep doing it. You know why they keep doing it? Because they are making money, but there are more important things than making money, and that is actually using the air we have to breathe.

Thinking about Quality.

2009-02-16T09:39:00.000+07:00

This is a fascinating and useful exposition of what we have come to call Total Quality Management

A powerful but frequently misunderstood means to organizational transformation. Like such other current management buzzwords as "reengineering" or "collective empowerment," TQM has been enthusiastically and uncritically embraced by managers eager to make profound changes in their organizations.

The results have been mixed. In a series of carefully detailed case studies Dobyns and Crawford-Mason chronicle the very real achievements of TQM when properly implemented, and argue that the equally notable failures are due not to any deficiency in the theory, but to a misunderstanding of the core philosophy that underpins it.

According to the authors, TQM is not a panacea for companies selling the wrong products in the wrong markets, nor was it ever intended to be. Neither is it a quick checklist of useful questions a company or organization needs to ask itself periodically in order to stay on course. Rather, it is a coherent philosophy of continuous systemic improvement, requiring a firm commitment from top management if it is to succeed at all, and likely to take years of implementation before results are demonstrable.

The organizational commitment to make such changes in the face of inevitable resistance from middle managers threatened by new ways of doing things frequently flags, and TQM too often ends up either as an empty slogan or a short-term fix doomed to fail. They conclude with an interesting and provocative look at how TQM might profitably be applied to a variety of other contexts, including health care, public education, and Defense Department procurement.

Steve Brzezinski

The role of manufacturing.

2009-02-16T09:36:00.000+07:00

The part manufacturing plays in the U.S. economy has changed in very complicated ways over the past 50 years. In 1960, people who worked in manufacturing made up 28 percent of the non-farm workforce. That number has fallen to barely more than 10 percent in 2006. And manufacturing's contribution to the gross domestic product has fallen from more than 25 percent to a little over 12 percent.

But at the same time, the value of output has doubled, even after accounting for inflation. In 2000 dollars, manufacturing added more than $1.3 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2006; adjusted to the same values, the 1960 manufacturing contribution to the economy was $646 billion. What this means is that fewer workers add much more value than they did 50 years ago. This increase in productivity keeps important segments of American manufacturing competitive with places where labor costs are lower.

Manufacturing plays a big role in many states. It makes up more than 15 percent of the economy in 15 states. Indiana is by far more dependent on manufacturing than any other state: 28 percent of its gross product comes from factories.

The shift of manufacturing to the South is also evident, with Louisiana, North Carolina, Arkansas, Alabama and Kentucky in the top 10 states in their dependence on manufacturing for gross state product. The District of Columbia has hardly any manufacturing (measured at 0.2 percent) and Alaska and Hawaii, both remote from other markets, have the two smallest manufacturing sectors.

The engine in reengineering.

2009-02-13T10:07:00.000+07:00

Most of us are aware that tapping the power of people is the key to leading successful organizations. A reengineering program is the great moment of truth for a company, when getting people focused and engaged is a matter of survival. According to Michael Hammer, co-author of Reengineering the Corporation, two-thirds of all reengineering efforts will not be successful. Obstacles to success have little to do with technology or process design. People issues produce the drag -- issues such as resistance to change, lack of consensus, misunderstanding the business mission, and vague or nonexistent communication.

My experience in leading four very different companies through global reengineering programs in the last 14 years has positively reinforced my belief that the only sustainable competitive advantage any business has is its people. Reengineering takes "people power"--an approach I have found successful at Honeywell, Square D, and two global businesses within AT&T.

"People power" begins with two very important kinds of people: our customers and our employees, whom we call associates. We collaborate intensely with both groups. Our customers provide an objective, outside-in view, telling us what we need to be and do. Our associates get the job done -- when we as leaders develop and inspire commitment. Customer leadership and associate commitment drive people power, which in turn drives reengineering.

This is not "empowerment." In fact, I don't use the word "empowerment," because its meaning is so misunderstood, and often confused with abdication of responsibility and accountability.

What is "people power?" It is allowing people to be successful in their jobs. It is removing the handcuffs from people -- anything that stops us from being successful, whether it be policies, bureaucracy, or past practice. People power means creating a wholesome new business environment, founded on the understanding that people are worthy of trust and respect, know how to do their jobs better than anyone else, and aspire to be successful.

Next is the important corollary to that assertion: The way our associates treat our customers is, and always will be, a reflection of how we treat our associates.

All of this establishes the basis for what I call the Value Equation, a formula for success that begins with committed, accountable associates.

We work very hard to engage and "delight" associates -- who are then motivated to "delight" our customers. When our customers are delighted, we grow profitably. As a result, our company's share owners are delighted. The value equation is a simple, fact-based approach to help us understand how we create success. Moreover, it underscores the key premise: Reengineering is not a technology-driven or fiscally-driven process -- it is a people-driven process.

Focusing People Power

What can leaders do to harness and focus people power? We do this by developing a clear strategic framework. People need to know clearly where the company is headed and how we're going to get there. And our people deserve the right to be accountable for getting us there.

Tapping the power of people begins with making sure that everyone completely understands the company's strategic framework. The best tools and processes will not help us unless people know what to do with them. Success follows associate commitment -- en masse -- to the company's vision, mission, values, objectives, and strategies.

Technology choice: the output and employment tradeoff.

2009-02-13T10:04:00.000+07:00

Introduction

Formulation of policies designed to maximize output and facilitate growth has again become a subject of both practical and academic urgency. Much of the literature is rooted in the Harrod-Domar type growth model as explicated by Solow [8]. The basic model incorporates technological improvements in the production function in the form of augmented labor. Better technology improves the effectiveness of the labor supply.

It shifts the production function, raising output faster than population and labor supply growth, and thereby, increases per capita output. The model assumes that labor is homogeneous, adapting to the technologically altered capital, and that the labor force is fully employed. In such growth models, capital adequacy is key; and the economy adjusts to a long run equilibrium growth path, only temporarily dislodged by technological innovation. The short run disruptions associated with the adjustment process are not addressed.

The new growth theory, associated with Paul Romer [7] and Robert E. Lucas [6], treats capital and technology, as well as labor, as endogenous. Technology is incorporated into the production function, embodied in additional capital. If there are constant returns to scale the growth rate is determined by the rate of saving and, therefore, of capital formation.

This new generation of endogenous growth theory explicitly treats the process by which variables interact as they are added and combined in the growth of production, examining more intensely the roles of learning, human capital, R&D, and externalizes. But, while recognizing the existence and seriousness of structural dislocation associated with growth, endogenous growth models do not directly address the issue of labor-capital mismatch because they assume a certain level of adaptation to the new technology.

However, there is, increasingly, a literature directed to the impact of the mechanism of economic growth - capital formation, labor supply growth, and especially technology - on structural change and employment consequences.

Abramovitz and David recognized that in contrast to the smooth equilibrium path assumed by the Harrod-Domar type growth theories, "general economic growth as we have known it is not a balanced growth . . . . [T]he historical process of growth . . . may best be viewed as part of a sequence of technologically induced traverses, disequilibrium transitions between successive growth paths."

Adolph Lowe developed "traverse analysis" to describe how technological innovation dislodges the economy from its long run equilibrium growth path, causing short run structural dislocations and unemployment. Lowe recognized that there are rigidities in "capital structures and the work in process flows" and the "given stock of human capabilities".

New technology, embodied in capital stock additions, requires the economy to "traverse" from one growth path to another, disrupting the complementary structural relationship between capital and labor. Lowe's solution is additional savings and capital formation to provide the machines and employment for the consumption goods sector for workers displaced by labor saving technological innovation.

The economy then traverses to a new production function and equilibrium growth path, one soon to be disrupted by further technology. Thus traverse analysis explicitly examines the crucial mismatch between the amount of labor needed for the capital goods of the new production function and the labor supply available.

However, traverse analysis treats labor as undifferentiated and, consequently, ignores the serious problem of structural unemployment that results when changes in the production function require labor force capacities unavailable from the given stock of labor supply.

Technology and business philosophy.

2009-02-12T09:29:00.000+07:00

Technology has always been the forerunner of changes that shape the way we do things! In most cases Technology results in improvement of our businesses. But this will be true only if we have a sound Business Philosophy and that Philosophy does not change even if the Technology wanes as time passes.

I have read recently a short article that discussed briefly the importance of good Business Philosophy strengthened by Technology. I quote hereunder this article written by Mark Anthony L. Marcos, a Junior Staff Member that won first prize in the Essay Writing Contest sponsored by Diaz Murillo Dalupan and Company (DMDC) during the firms 45th Anniversary recently.

In this ever-changing world where we belong, technology has played a vital role in almost all aspects of our lives, and in the way we do things. Its fast-paced movement has paved the way for new developments in the various fields of business and industry. For the past forty-five years, DMDC has gone through and availed of a lot of technological changes such as: from bulky typewriters to modern computers. As any other professional service organization, we availed of the advancements to create new and innovative ways of providing A-1 services to our firms clients.

Through decades of serving a broad spectrum of clients large and small companies who are engaged in myriad fields of business activities, DMDC has developed special expertise in varied areas of businesses. The expertise, coupled with sound Business Philosophy contributed to the attainment of the firms and its clients economic and social goals.

The available technological means, which are at the firms disposal, is just a tool a tool used to serve the firms objectives, to render world-class quality services. The business philosophy of the firm, together with its management, operating style, and core values, are far more priceless than any computer software or fancy laptops. High-end equipment, hardware and other computer gizmos wane in value as time passes, but sound Business Philosophy and core values, on the other hand, will endure the passage of time.

Change, in any way we put it, is inevitable. Technology is just another manifestation of change. Let us not forget, that people, are the real force behind any form of technology. Technology, after all, is for human utilization and disposal. In the forty-fifth anniversary of the firm, it is evident that it has managed to develop, train, and enhance the different abilities of its staff and employees.

It is resilient in facing and adopting any form of change in its business environment, and in its particular industry as a whole. Furthermore, the firm also instilled the timeless values of hard work, loyalty, competence and resiliency. Definitely these values can withstand any shift in technology.

May these core values be always present in our hearts and minds. Happy forty-fifth anniversary to all!

We hope that the thoughts expressed in the above, short as it is, would serve as guide to businesses that are aiming to remain or to be the Best in its field of endeavor.

Reengineering the Corporation: A Manifesto for Business Revolution.

2009-02-12T09:27:00.000+07:00

Michael Hammer and James Champy's Reengineering the Corporation has been the past year's major management best seller, and on the strength of its success Hammer, a former business professor at MIT, has emerged as one of America's hot new management gurus, jetting hither and yon to talk to conclaves of corporate executives for daily fees running into five figures. The book offers an interesting glimpse of the state of the big corporation in the '90s and of the management doctors who tend to its ills.

Hammer and Champy style themselves radicals. The traditional big corporation is dead, they argue. The principles it rested on--the division of labor and hierarchical control--have been invalidated by new competition and information technology, and if the General Electrics and Citicorps and Procter & Gambles want to survive, they must transform themselves into substantially hierarchical, self-managing networks of teams avid to serve the customer, beat the competition, and embrace change. In effect, the authors argue, the big corporation must recast itself in the image of the traditional small firm.

Reengineering the corporation, the authors argue, means ceasing to think in terms of jobs and objectives and other such traditional management concepts and starting to think in terms of "process." The entire "work process" must be re conceived and restructured, with everything up for grabs and nothing taken as a given. Reengineering requires strong leadership from the top. It empowers people at the bottom.

As for what specifically an executive could do to implement Hammer and Champy's program at his company, the book is curiously silent. To be sure, it describes the experiences of some well-known companies that have reengineered themselves. It lists mistakes often made by firms trying to take the reengineering cure. It describes the benefits of the process. But the case studies are superficial and the lists are short. Both enthusiasts who want to go ahead with the authors' program and skeptics who want more information are left with little choice but to call Hammer and Champy's offices and arrange for an in-person consultation, suitably compensated of course.

In other words, behind the authors' professed radicalism, there is--nothing much. The authors' advice is so general, so far removed from real life and practical experience, so anxious to avoid giving offense, so desirous of making a good impression as to be almost totally devoid of practical value. Telling a CEO at IBM or G.M., as Hammer and Champy effectively do, to "be radical" or "start with a clean sheet of paper" without getting down to cases is about as useful as advising him, as a way of improving his relationships with subordinates, to "be a good listener."

The Polonius-to-Laertes-style homilies, in the context in which Hammer and Champy present them, are not just unhelpful, they're positively pernicious. At the core of the plight of the big corporation these days is a powerful capacity to deny painful truths, tell comforting lies, and thereby make it possible for business as usual to go forward even as everyone gives lip service to the idea that they're finally facing up to reality and putting a bad old dysfunctional past behind them. With its glib generality, Hammer and Champy's best seller is a recipe for precisely such a defense of business as usual.

Raising productivity.

2009-02-11T09:21:00.000+07:00

MOST of us are so focused on the short term that we often forget what the economic aspect of progress really entails: That it is all about raising productivity.

The daily headlines feature stories about banking and finance, and generally about those issues connected with interest rates, the peso-dollar exchange rates, prices and wages. Since we are in the Philippines, we are also fed our daily fare of business scandals and controversies.

All these are great attention-grabbers. Important as they all are, still their relevance is limited mainly to today and tomorrow. Next week's headlines are different, and the top stories of today are soon relegated to the background and eventually forgotten.

But one issue that never goes away, although hardly any one focuses on it day to day, is the rise of productivity. It is really what long-term economic progress is about. It is the foundation of any real, solid achievement for any economy.

Thus, any National Road Map that leads us to what we shall have achieved by 2030 should feature it prominently. Indeed, it is a major strategic objective that we should put up front.

And what does the rise in productivity entail?

It entails whatever is necessary to secure an increase in our capacity to produce goods and deliver services. It is equated with our efficiency and effectiveness to come up with, offer, and provide to any and all takers of economic goods, i.e. those goods and services that would be of value to anyone willing to pay for them.

It is, then mainly about efficiency and effectiveness, and everything that has anything to do with boosting these consistently upwards. It may require technology, organization, drive and motivation, financial and other types of expertise, openness to and good relations with potential customers and clients, wherever they may be.

First and foremost is the environment created to foster the spirit of enterprise and risk-taking. Risk-takers need enough space for maneuver, creativity, and daring. That space has to be widely open, and it should allow for enormous rewards for success as well as punishments for failure.

Then the market of products and services should be big and dynamic so competing producers and suppliers can thrive and drive each other up the productivity scale. It does not pay to limit and bottle up markets. On the contrary, expanding and opening up markets can put various economies on a roll.

Access should also be open to resources with which to make investments
and deploy the appropriate technology and organizational systems, wherever they can be obtained. Indeed, investments need to be made continuously, and the resources for making them should be available on an open, competitive basis.

A level playing field with clear and simple rules that are enforced; big enough markets where goals can be scored; more than enough resources with which to secure the equipment and the talent to engage in competitive play: These are the fundamental requirements for productive capacity to sustain its rise and for productivity to keep rising.

These requirements we must meet, therefore, in order for us to achieve one of our strategic objectives under the economy.

No Excuses Management: Proven Systems For Starting Fast, Growing Quickly, and Surviving Hard Times.

2009-02-11T09:19:00.000+07:00

Michael Hammer and James Champy's Reengineering the Corporation has been the past year's major management best seller, and on the strength of its success Hammer, a former business professor at MIT, has emerged as one of America's hot new management gurus, jetting hither and yon to talk to conclaves of corporate executives for daily fees running into five figures. The book offers an interesting glimpse of the state of the big corporation in the '90s and of the management doctors who tend to its ills.

Hammer and Champy style themselves radicals. The traditional big corporation is dead, they argue. The principles it rested on--the division of labor and hierarchical control--have been invalidated by new competition and information technology, and if the General Electrics and Citicorps and Procter & Gambles want to survive, they must transform themselves into substantially unhierarchical, self-managing networks of teams avid to serve the customer, beat the competition, and embrace change. In effect, the authors argue, the big corporation must recast itself in the image of the traditional small firm.

Reengineering the corporation, the authors argue, means ceasing to think in terms of jobs and objectives and other such traditional management concepts and starting to think in terms of "process." The entire "work process" must be reconceived and restructured, with everything up for grabs and nothing taken as a given. Reengineering requires strong leadership from the top. It empowers people at the bottom.

As for what specifically an executive could do to implement Hammer and Champy's program at his company, the book is curiously silent. To be sure, it describes the experiences of some well-known companies that have reengineered themselves. It lists mistakes often made by firms trying to take the reengineering cure. It describes the benefits of the process. But the case studies are superficial and the lists are short. Both enthusiasts who want to go ahead with the authors' program and skeptics who want more information are left with little choice but to call Hammer and Champy's offices and arrange for an in-person consultation, suitably compensated of course.

In other words, behind the authors' professed radicalism, there is--nothing much. The authors' advice is so general, so far removed from real life and practical experience, so anxious to avoid giving offense, so desirous of making a good impression as to be almost totally devoid of practical value. Telling a CEO at IBM or G.M., as Hammer and Champy effectively do, to "be radical" or "start with a clean sheet of paper" without getting down to cases is about as useful as advising him, as a way of improving his relationships with subordinates, to "be a good listener."

The Polonius-to-Laertes-style homilies, in the context in which Hammer and Champy present them, are not just unhelpful, they're positively pernicious. At the core of the plight of the big corporation these days is a powerful capacity to deny painful truths, tell comforting lies, and thereby make it possible for business as usual to go forward even as everyone gives lip service to the idea that they're finally facing up to reality and putting a bad old dysfunctional past behind them. With its glib generality, Hammer and Champy's best seller is a recipe for precisely such a defense of business as usual.

New finishing technology leads to more opportunity.

2009-02-10T10:58:00.000+07:00

A huge upside to editing this magazine is that I can read firsthand about the new and exciting technological advances in the area of wood finishing. I also see it up close and personal when I visit a manufacturing facility with a leading-edge wood coating department.

With every issue of Finishing, I discover just how broad and deep the wood finishing sector is. In this issue contributing editor Phil Stevenson provides a historical perspective on just how far wood finishing has come over the past few decades.

"Looking back on the coating technology available 35 years ago, I now realize the chemistry was very basic and elementary," Phil says in his article beginning on page 10. He adds that environmental pressure had a lot to do with prompting these advances.

As the editor for more than 20 years, I see a parallel trend in the area of wood processing. Twenty years ago CNC machining technology was still new to secondary wood processing. Back then, a commonly held overview said the wood industry was years behind the metalworking side of the manufacturing world.

That's no longer the case. In some instances, I can safely say woodworking has surpassed metalworking, particularly in the area of CNC processing in a mass customization environment.

A similar comparison could be made with metal finishing -- particularly in the automotive industry -- and wood finishing. Robotic coating technology has been a standard on the automotive side for years. Common use of robots in wood finishing is a long way off; however, a strong case can be made that high production finishing operations in this country are incorporating robotic technology at an ever-quickening pace.

There's so much more to be learned with coating advances happening all the time. But despite these technological gains over the years, there's still a lot of room for craftsmanship and artistic flair in wood finishing. There are so many options available.

I doubt we'll see the day when "distressing" of metal components on new automobiles will be much of a trend. But you never know.

Industry expertise: you gotta know the territory.

2009-02-10T10:47:00.000+07:00

THERE WILL ALWAYS REMAIN a place in the composition of boards for persons qualified only by what Alfred P. Sloan once called "intelligent ignorance." On the plus side, such directors bring an outsider's point of view to the sometimes clubby atmosphere of the boardroom. If they are self-confident and independent, they are most apt to ask the very critical question, "Why do you do it that way?" Or, better yet, "Why do you do it at all?" -- and then push management for clarity and focus if the answer seems fuzzy.

Yet, such appointments buck a trend toward selecting board members for the traits that are the hardest to duplicate in business: hard-won industry experience and knowledge.

This has become increasingly necessary as the pace of business change accelerates. With "bet-your-business"-type decisions looming ever more frequently, CEOs are relying more and more on the in-depth industry savvy gained from experienced executives. There simply is not the time to get a full board up to speed for multiple annual product launches or strategy revisions.

This conclusion was recently confirmed by a Korn/Ferry survey of 1,000 directors. Under "criteria for good board performance,' 48% of respondents cited as most important, understanding the company's mission and strategic plans. Among respondents from the largest industrial concerns, fully 52% said that understanding the company's business is the number-one criterion in determining good board performance.

But, sometimes, even understanding the business won't be good enough. The composition of whole industries is changing -- in publishing, health care, and energy, for example. The players are shifting. Their roles are being radically reshaped. And, the very basis for making profits can be up for grabs.

This is particularly true in the computer industry, where "learning experiences" can be deadly. For example, software companies, including giant Microsoft, once issued new versions of their programs every two years. These days, they send out untested software three to four times a year via the Internet, just to keep pace. On the hardware side, Hewlett-Packard, for example, estimates that 20% of its in-house technical knowledge is outdated each year. And, by the way, look who is in this industry today: media giants, telecommunications companies, even banks.

Nowhere did the need for relevant business and industry experience become more obvious than at IBM, when in 1988-89 its market for large mainframe computers began to dissolve after 25 uninterrupted years of spectacular profitability. Powerful, smaller computing devices -- connected by vast networks -- would replace much of this technology. But, as was observed by Jim Burke (a highly respected manager, former chairman of Johnson & Johnson, and an IBM board member at the time), IBM's directors simply missed what was going on in the industry. No one knew enough about technology to challenge the entrenched management.

How to fail at reengineering.

2009-02-09T14:15:00.001+07:00

When the promise of reengineering is unfulfilled, one or more of these four common errors is likely being committed.

There are many reengineering disappointments. They are typically projects that failed to live up to original expectations for performance improvement. Few companies have made a serious effort to reengineer and failed completely. Most reengineering programs produce beneficial change. But many fail to produce the breakthroughs -- the quantum leaps in business performance levels we hear about in reengineering success stories.

A Harvard Business Review article recently cited examples of companies that had achieved dramatic improvements in individual processes, while overall results declined. Of the 20 companies studied in depth for this article, only six achieved significant overall results -- an average 18% reduction in business unit costs. These six companies used reengineering to improve performance along several dimensions, typically cost, revenue, time, and quality. They did not focus on a single, narrowly defined process.

A narrow approach to redesign, the authors concluded, cannot produce the widespread results that many companies are looking for. That is one way to fail at reengineering.

When we see the promise of reengineering unfulfilled, we see one of four common errors being committed on the playing field of change.

Let's call them:

1. Starting with the wrong game plan.

2. Fielding your second string.

3. Falling to outmaneuver the defense.

4. Dropping the implementation handoff.

I am going to describe what reengineering looks like when you don't pay attention to the basics -- when you don't block and tackle effectively.

Starting With the Wrong Game Plan

Reengineering is painful. It is usually a massive organizational undertaking. It requires a substantial commitment of resources, the undivided attention of senior management, and deferral of other important initiatives. It also requires that you forsake your old, comfortable, secure ways of doing business and that you be prepared to sacrifice people who can't change and adapt.

There is pain enough to go round for everyone. Therefore, companies that reengineer seriously play for big stakes. The gain has to match the pain. And ultimately, that gain needs to translate into improved competitiveness and substantially better bottom-line results.

So ask yourself these questions:

* What drives competitive advantage in your business?

* What do your customers care most about?

* Which processes will make or break your future success?

* Do you need to be the low-cost producer?

* Do you need to be first to market with new products?

* Do you need to be world-class in demand generation? In business development? In customer acquisition?

The way you answer these questions will tell you which processes you need to reengineer to make the gain worth the pain. If you reengineer anywhere else, you're off the rails. The promise of reengineering will be unfulfilled. You'll be improving processes that simply aren't critical to overall performance.

Globalization and its discontents.

2009-02-09T13:44:00.000+07:00

"My approach to Africa is in some ways like me Japanese approach to Asia, and my approach is not necessarily humanitarian? It is in the long-range interests of access to resources and the creation of markets for American goods and services."

Andrew Young, US Ambassador to the United Nations during the presidency of Jimmy Carter

"It's pretty straightforward," said former CIA director R. James Woolsey, who has been one of the leading advocates of forcing Hussein from power.

"France and Russia have oil companies and interests in Iraq. They should be told that if they are of assistance in moving Iraq toward decent government, we'll do the best we can to ensure that the new government and American companies work closely with them." But he added: "If they throw in their lot with Saddam, it will be difficult to the point of impossible to persuade the new Iraqi government to work with them."

The administration of Clinton/Gore successfully rammed legislation through Congress that is essential to the globalization of capital--NAFTA, GATT, WTO, genetic engineering, emergence of coordinated federal police apparatus, the mass construction of prisons, and continued imposition of the death penalty. This legislation could never have been passed under George Bush, Sr., and it is why, despite the melodrama of politicians challenging Bill Clinton's sex life, the vast majority of the global corporate power structure financed and supported Clinton's presidential campaigns. Clinton/Gore continued the policies of Bush, Sr., whose job was to hammer the often disparate elements of the ruling class into a unified strategy, which he called the "New World Order." Bush used the bombing of Iraq in 1991 as the basis for knocking that global strategy into place.

Then came the need to consolidate that program. Regardless of what any of the individuals in the administration believed, the Clinton/Gore administration's policies succeeded where Bush would have failed, dividing and co-opting the potential opposition to globalization--big labor unions, the big environmental groups, and important sectors of the Black community--into supporting the program of global capital.

Now those institutions are in place. They are shaky, however, due to the vast movement against the global debt owed to Western banks and the growing worldwide movement against the globalization of capital (including control of the world's oil production and imposition of the IMF/World Bank's structural adjustment programs). From a long term perspective, that's what the Clinton/Gore regime accomplished in its eight. years in power.

Today, a further development of that program is needed by the globalizes. They need to smash the anti-globalization movement, which is threatening to undo the entire edifice, something that could not have been done effectively or quickly under Clinton/Gore. That is why they selected Bush/Cheney, and imposed them upon the American people even though it became obvious to most that they did not even win the election.

With the almost unanimous support of Democrats as well as Republicans in Congress for the so-called PATRIOT Act (only one Senator voted against it) and the criminalization and mass roundup of immigrants and political dissidents, the Bush White House has effectively used the criminal attacks on 9-11 as a means for putting the Bill of Rights and the Constitution on the chopping block in ways that Clinton/Gore could have never dared to attempt.

Ethics and Technology.

2009-02-06T12:07:00.000+07:00

In the classical definition of leisure as a state of mind, few would argue that the contemplation of the human condition is not a leisure pursuit. It is certainly an especially appropriate use of leisure on the eve of the 21st century. An overwhelming aspect of this end-of-century life is technology in all its myriad forms. The purpose of this article is to ponder the impact of several technological advances with special attention paid to their ethical aspects.

Ladd (1997) writes, ". . . new technology brings with it morally important changes . . . so, new ideas and ideals to replace traditional norms need to be developed" (p. 8). Many of the changes wrought by new technologies were unpredictable. "No one could have anticipated that . . . the advent of automobiles would lead to flourishing suburbs or that the jet airplane along with new information technology would bring about the globalization of the world's economy" (Ladd, 1997, p. 9). Just as the social and economic changes are unpredictable, so are the ethical considerations. Yet, it would appear that the users of new technology are little prepared to anticipate the resultant changes, let alone possess the compass necessary to weave through the ethical maze.

In fact, Ladd argues that . . . because a radically new technology makes certain moral practices (and inhibitions) out of date, that is, non-functional or even dysfunctional, we find ourselves presented with a sort of moral vacuum, inasmuch as traditional norms, principles and institutions lose their force and become "irrelevant" and new norms, principles and institutions to meet new conditions, opportunities and powers have not yet been developed. (p. 9)

A system of core values may provide some measure of guidance in an environment where technological advances emerge without ethics specific to their use. Consider, for example, some of the technological advances to be discussed below: computers, electronic data transmission and retrieval, telecommunications, and the V-chip. Granted, ethicist are grappling with many of the thornier issues presented by rapidly developing technologies, especially those involving bio-engineering and bio-technology; however, the speed with which new technologies are introduced means that ethical development lags far behind.

Where then to turn? Populist ethicist such as Michael Josephson (1997) and others promote "Six Pillars of Character" - trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship - as a moral framework in an ethically uncertain time. These "pillars" can provide similar guideposts in the consideration of the ethical implications of the aforementioned technologies.

Consider first the ethical dilemmas posed by the range of technological advances that the personal computer has made possible, from transmission of information to the educational development of children. The nearly ubiquitous use of electronic mail in many professions provides a useful starting point for this discussion.

Shapiro and Anderson (1985) in their seminal work on ethics and etiquette of e-mail discussed both; ethics, "because certain behavior in dealing with electronic mail can have useful or adverse effects on the society as a whole and its members [and] etiquette because certain standard social norms must be reinterpreted and extended to cover this quite novel medium".

Among the aspects of e-mail from which ethical considerations can arise are the permanence of the message, distribution costs, organizational ability to control use, accessibility, security/privacy, and accountability/attribution.

Creating efficiencies, raising productivity.

2009-02-06T12:04:00.000+07:00

Companies need to stay current and tech-savvy to exploit technology to their benefit and to make sure they remain relevant and competitive.

While desktops, notebooks, cell phones and hand held are standard digital fare these days, corporates want even more of their workplace to be digital.

Over the past few years, innovative firms of all sizes have proven that it is possible to implement a completely digital (paperless) environment that can exist and function effectively. The goal for all firms should be to manage data in a more efficient manner within a digital environment. To develop such an environment, firms have different technology issues they need to resolve.

However, it is of critical importance that companies understand consumer needs as they adopt and integrate more new technologies into their families' lives.

A paperless office is a more efficient way to provide enhanced client service.All firms have one thing in common. Outside of personnel, the firms most important asset is its clients. How clients are served depends on how we as professionals interact with them on a daily basis. The quality of this interaction is further driven by how information and data are obtained, manipulated, accessed, shared, and stored. Data in digital format is the safest, most efficient means of data handling.

Most people, however, are comfortable doing what they know how to do, adhering to a philosophy of If it's not broken, don't fix it! Although the process and systems may not be fundamentally broken, by not reviewing them, a firm probably is not maximizing its profits. In general, people are frightened by change and are afraid to lose what they know. To move forward, however, they must manage this fear, and the only way to manage fear is through education. Learning new skills takes time, patience, and an open mind. We should always be trying to determine if there is a better way to do business. Working in a digital environment is a better way to do business.

Competitive advantage

One sure fire way to gain a competitive advantage is to promote technology change, process reengineering, and education. The current trend in the market is for more fixed fee engagements. Firms that can operate more efficiently will see higher profits. Firms that have implemented digital environments are seeing increased profits and increased efficiency. In the second year of implementation, on average, engagement hours should be reduced by about 25% for accounting engagements and 50% for tax engagements. These reductions should be all the incentive necessary for a firm to make the leap.

Gaining efficiencies

Efficiencies can be gained by obtaining, manipulating, accessing, sharing, and storing data in a digital environment. The hardware and software available today are so fast and accurate that certain manual operations are obsolete. Efficiencies are realized not only by using technology, but also in how we use it.

Beyond reengineering.

2009-02-05T10:02:00.000+07:00

The challenge of managing longer-term, far-reaching business transformation is considerable. Here are four key elements to address.

Business reengineering is the latest, and perhaps the most hyped, of a long line of silver management bullets that executives have shot at their companies to try to improve performance. Like many other initiatives such as total quality, empowerment, team-working, and downsizing, it hasn't really delivered in practice. The problem is not necessarily with the concept, but in failing to understand the role reengineering should play in keeping the firm focused on customers.

In our experience at IBM, firms that have used reengineering techniques successfully have interspersed them with periods of continual improvement. This process helps embed the insights gained from each phase of reengineering into the total culture of the firm -- "the way we do business around here." Provided that each iteration of this cycle is driven by greater insight into customer requirements, such companies gain a steadily broader, more holistic perspective on the way people, processes, and systems must interact in order to respond to changing business conditions. We call it the pathway to business transformation.

Many major management initiatives (including reengineering) have failed because they do not take place in the correct strategic context. Too often they are driven by tactical necessities, such as cost reduction or downsizing, and fail to address the fundamental question that must lie at the heart of long-term business survival: "Are we giving our customers what they want?"

Increasingly, achieving this goal at the end of the 20th Century will mean a move away from the invention and mass-production strategies of earlier years toward a radical cross-functional integration of people and processes, and a mass customization of product and service offerings.

The challenge of synchronizing and coordinating such far-reaching, systematic change is considerable. Many firms are unsure where to start, which levers to pull, or what the outcomes should be. We have identified four key elements to be addressed: business processes, organizational culture, information technology, and asset utilization.

Business Processes.

This is where a customer-value orientation starts, driving business results through improved cycle times and improved quality. In a mass-customized company, processes must be redesigned in such a way that customers perceive unique capability and variety in the firm's products. Each time customers encounter the company, they should effectively receive personalized solutions to their needs. In order to do this, the customer-facing personnel must have instant access to key information and be empowered to find flexible solutions.

Companies that see this as a sentimental wish list should take a cold, hard look at their competitors -- like the insurance firm that was forced to reduce its policy registration time from 10 weeks to three to four days, just to stay in business. Reengineering must permanently redesign processes to remove work (and cost) for good. In this case, despite the pain, the insurance company found that satisfying its customers reduced its costs by 75%.

A suggestion to the general configuration of individual products by the application of dynamic document structures.

2009-02-05T09:56:00.000+07:00

Abstract: More than ever individual products that fulfill the exact customer wishes are in great demand. This statement also applies to the automobile market, especially to vehicles of the upper class. Because the manufactures offer a large selection of individual packages nearly every customer wish can be realized.

From the company point of view the biggest problem of this development is the management of the variety of variants which partly goes ad infinitum. In the following an approach for the reduction or rather the complete avoidance of this complexity is to be shown by the use of a special product configuration system which is decoupled from the actual product model.

Key Words: product configuration, mass customization, individualization, product modeling

1. INTRODUCTION

Individualized products basically differ in two characteristics from standard products. On the one hand the customer can decide about a multiplicity of features of the wished product. On the other side very often a lot o specifications for every feature are available. This leads to an almost unlimited diversity of variations. While the variety in most classical areas of application of product configurators is generated by the combination of just a few products (Bruckner 2003), the variety in the area of individualization is already existent by one single item.

The aim of this article is to present a process which allows the use of pseudo article numbers to avoid the complexity. The basis for this are dynamic generated templates which describe the individual scales in detailed and structured form. The example in the article is taken from the area of individualization of vehicles.

2. INITIAL SITUATION AND PRESENTATION OF THE PROBLEM

The initial point for further comments in this article is the existence of a configuration of a standard product. Within this configuration a nomination of the wished individual packages takes place but without any detailed description of the scales.

In the following the problem is shown at the example of an individual cover of a headrest.

2.1. Case study

In the simplest case the cover of a headrest can be described by three main characteristics (see Fig. 1). These are the material and the color of the cover as well as the used yarn. Proceeding on the assumption, that the customer can choose between ten materials, fifteen colors and thirty different yarns, it will make at least 4.500 possible combination.

Furthermore, considering the possibility that the customer can decide separately on the mentioned characteristics also for the central lane and the collateral line of the headrest, the number of variations increase to more than twenty million. The existence of different types of headrests is not included in this number.

2. 2. Presentation of the problem

Because of the multitude of possibilities which already occur by one individual piece with just a few number of obligatory descriptions of characteristics the use of definite item numbers makes no sense. In fact the use of pseudo article numbers seems to be more adequate.

The decisive disadvantage of this strategy is the loss of the significance of the item numbers. Therefore an additional description is necessary which helps to specify an individual piece clearly.

Anyone Can Learn to be an Optimist

2009-02-03T10:05:00.000+07:00

Optimistic thinking is highly beneficial for health. Pessimism and feelings of helplessness lower our body's immunity.

Optimistic thinking resists those feelings of helplessness sinking deep in us. By reducing helplessness, optimism prevents the weakening of immunity.

Being an optimist, you are more likely to change your lifestyle and unhealthy behaviors, because you are hopeful that such changes will improve your health. If you think that nothing you do can change anything, you are not going to try anything more other than hopefully taking your medications.

Optimists neither become easily depressed nor do they give up quickly when they fail or experience other disappointments. When optimists fail, they utilize failure for a mid course correction. When pessimists fail, they take it as a mark of their personal failure and a confirmation of their belief that there is no point of trying anything new.

Only an optimist can thrive as a salesperson, broker, or a public relations agent.
When a salesperson is "prospecting," it is estimated that only one out of ten calls materializes in an appointment with a potential customer.

So there is one "Yes" along with nine "No! Go away! Get off my back!" kind of responses. Furthermore, out of three appointments, only one consummates into a sale, that is, one sale out of thirty calls. How long would a pessimist last in the face of such an overwhelming vote in favor of "Give up! There is no point in trying"

In one company, fifty percent of salespersons quit in the first year. But the die-hard optimists, after hearing one more "No," pick up the phone to make the next call with ardent hope that the next response will be a "Yes." We all know about the ultimate optimist inventor, Edison. Edison "failed" ten thousand times before he succeeded in making a light bulb.

Optimistic thinking is different from positive thinking. Positive thinking is like the saying "Day by day, in every way. I am becoming better and better." Some people shun it as Polyannish "a hocus pocus from the la la land."

Optimistic thinking is really realistic thinking, Freeing your thinking of any distortions of facts, and avoiding negative sweeping generalizations. If you discover that your teenager has been doing drugs; or in business, your deal falls through, and you say to yourself, "I am not a good parent," or " I will never learn the tricks of trade," you are distorting the facts about your previous actions, drawing incorrect conclusions about your competence, and making sweeping generalizations on a single failure.

As a parent, you may have done countless things right, and as a business person, might have succeeded in learning many things. And now let me give you an optimistic fact: Anyone can learn to be optimistic!

By training your thinking and paying steady attention to your style of thinking i.e. "Am I thinking pessimistic or optimistic?" you can become an optimist. Develop an "optimistic explanatory style" to explain to yourself about the events that happen around you.

We all talk to ourselves, to make sense of and to explain to ourselves about what happens to us. Pessimists have a pessimistic explanatory style in which they explain the negative events to themselves in a way that discourages them from trying again and lowers their self esteem.

Optimists explain negative events to themselves in a way that is assuring and least damaging. They tell themselves, a negative outcome is only temporary rather than permanent, specific rather than pervasive, and external rather than personal.

In an optimistic explanatory style, negative unpleasant events are explained as temporary, specific, and external, briefly, TSE. In a pessimistic style, they are explained as permanent, pervasive, and personal, briefly, 3 "P"s.

For example, you encounter a negative and unpleasant event, your boss criticizes the report on which you spent midnight oil. You apply the "temporarily' of TSE, "When I correct the problems that the boss pointed out, he (or she) will be really proud of me;" as opposed to a "permanent" pessimistic explanation, "in the eyes of my boss, I have lost respect forever."

For the specific explanation of TSE, you may say, "While I gave several creative ideas in my report, I should make a habit of double checking my facts." As opposed to the pervasive, pessimistic explanation, "Nothing is going right in my life." For the external explanation of TSE, you may, "There is a lot of pressure on the boss these days." As opposed to the personal pessimistic explanation, "I am totally incompetent."

Use the TSE as a yardstick to evaluate what you tell yourself when negative events happen to you. Take responsibility for your actions and change what you need to without the pessimism.

Become a Die-hard Optimist

2009-02-03T09:59:00.000+07:00

Die-hard optimists tend to live long: longer than pessimists, for sure. How do they do that? By taking better care of themselves. They know they are worth the effort and they believe their efforts are worth the trouble. When ill, optimists are more likely to change their unhealthy lifestyle and behaviors.

Why? Because they are hopeful that such changes will improve their health. Pessimists may not try anything beyond taking medication.

No matter how terrible, negative events can't kill us. But, our explanation of what happens to us, can. Be careful how you interpret the negative events. Tomorrow's success is determined by how you explain to yourself your failures of yesterday and today

Optimists view negative events in a way that is less damaging to their self-confidence and sustains their hope and trust in the universe. To explain negative events to themselves, they use the "optimistic explanatory style" called TSE. In the optimistic explanatory style, negative and unpleasant events are explained as Temporary, Specific, and External (TSE).

Take for example an optimist who is criticized by his boss for a report he just submitted.

The optimist explains it to himself in the TSE style as follows:

* "The boss will soon realize my overall value to the company." Thus, the disapproval is temporary.

* "Except for this report, the boss has expressed satisfaction with other reports I submitted in the past." Note that the criticism is specific to the report.

* "Maybe the boss is just having a bad day." In thinking, "it's not me, it's the boss," the criticism is not taken personally, but externalized.

A pessimist does the opposite. In a pessimistic explanatory style, a negative event is explained as Permanent, Pervasive, and Personal, (the 3 Ps).

To continue with the boss example, a pessimist would explain it, as follows:

* "The boss will never have any respect for me from now on" Thus, the boss' displeasure is interpreted as permanent rather than temporary.

* "I never do anything right." Self-criticism is made pervasive instead of specific.

* "I am a flop." The event is personalized rather than externalized.

Optimists neither become easily depressed nor do they give up quickly when they fail or experience other disappointments. When optimists fail, they utilize failure for a mid-course correction. When pessimists fail, they take it as a mark of their personal failure and a confirmation of their belief that there is no point in trying anything new.

Anyone can learn to be an optimist if he or she practices the method just described.

The Power of Faith

2009-02-02T11:16:00.000+07:00

Skeptics say, "We all have heard such pronouncements, "faith heals," but how do we know if it really is true?"

Skeptics can now refer to medical studies which explore the relationship between recovery from an illness and psychosocial aspects such as education, personality, social support, family, and religion.

One such study was done by Thomas Oxman at Dartmouth Medical School in New Hampshire which focused on the role religion might play in health and recovery of elderly people. He took 232 patients over 55 years of age who had open-heart surgery.

Oxman's finding which should be of great interest to young and old alike is this: those who derive at least some strength and comfort from their religious faith are three times more likely to survive than those who don't.

This has an even greater significance for elderly because it highlights the benefits of faith.

Let's face it, we all assume that in old age everything declines, our muscles, health, wealth, wisdom and whatever else we have, except our faith.

Faith, instead of weakening, should strengthen. For all other losses, we can blame someone else, but for faith, we are responsible . The buck stops here.

In this column, I have written several articles and cited studies that show that connectedness to others, social support, helping others, and quality of intimate relationships have positive benefits for wellness, and for recovery from illness and surgery.

However, the reality is that in old age, social support systems and close relationships generally diminish for reasons such as death of spouse and children moving away. So what is available for seniors? Faith. Nothing can take away the comfort, security, support, and strength we can draw from faith.

If we are becoming more spiritual and stronger in faith, it means that we are aging right: this does not mean that we should become close-minded, rigid, or judgmental about people who are different from us. Those attitudes of mind increase stress and generate toxic emotions.

On the other hand, spirituality and faith make us more open, flexible, and somewhat playful, the kind of parents and grandparents every child wants to have.

Coming back to the study, Oxman also confirms the positive benefits of social support and involvement. Those who participated in social and community groups, such as church, local government, supper clubs, senior center, etc., had three times the survival rate of those who did not participate in any organized social activity.

Now, aren't you curious to find out what can happen if you combine the two, that is, if you are strong in faith and also involve yourself in your community? Here are the facts from this study: those who derived support and comfort from their faith and also took part in the organized community groups of some kind, had a ten times higher survival rate than those who deprived themselves of both strengths, that of religion and of community.

Note that feelings of comfort and support from one's faith are more important to health than religious activity. For instance, according to this study, if one goes to church twice or thrice a week but does not derive any support and comfort from his or her faith, he/she is not likely to reap any significant benefits.

Likewise, participation in organized groups has significantly more benefits than just visiting friends and relatives.

Other studies suggest that faith benefits believers in cases of high blood- pressure, heart disease, and cancer. How does faith work? At this point, we can only conjecture. Faith may have an overall calming and relaxing effect.

Faith offers hope and cuts down on negative emotions, such as anger, anxiety, and depression that often trouble people when they have serious and/or chronic illnesses. Perhaps, when we are afflicted with pain and suffering, faith shields us from emotional suffering.

As a result of that, we may suffer physically but not emotionally. Perhaps, faith provides a meaning to our illness and suffering and helps us to make sense of it all.

In absence of faith, we may endlessly ask the proverbial question, "Why me?" and lock up our energy in asking the question rather than finding answers and devising actions to strengthen our recovery process.

According to Dr. Larry Dossey who authored the book, "The Healing Words," and a cassette album, "Power of Prayer," meaning of illness is very important in whether and how soon we recover from a disabling illness.

Align Your Decisions for Success

2009-02-02T11:09:00.000+07:00

Success in life is not difficult or tricky. It's not luck either. Success can be summed up in ONE word: alignment.

For you to succeed, in any endeavor, you must learn to align 4 basic components of your life.

The four components are:

1. Your thoughts
2. Your decisions
3. Your actions
4. Your awareness

Today, we'll discuss the second basic component: your decisions.

Our thoughts don't control our decisions, but they do influence and steer them. Listen, to make a decision we have to make a choice of what we want to act on.

Decisions are nothing more than transitions between thoughts and actions.

Now, they are very important transitions. Without them you wouldn't be able to take action. Therefore, you need to make smart decisions to get you where you want to go.

So, how can you start to make smarter decisions? Here are 2 ways to start making smarter decisions:

1. Align your thoughts with what you want.

The thoughts you FOCUS ON the most are the ones you make better decisions about.
Your thoughts are your foundation. Focus on high energy thoughts more often and you'll start to make better, smarter decisions.

2. Learn to control pain/pleasure

Okay, you've started to align your thoughts with success. Now, you have to control how you feel about taking action on your thoughts.
Remember, decisions are just transitions. To transition from thoughts to actions you have to control your emotions.

There are 2 primary emotions: pain and pleasure.

Pain is a stronger emotion than pleasure. In other words, most people will do more to avoid pain then they will to gain pleasure.

Now, pain isn't necessarily a bad emotion. And pleasure isn't necessarily a good emotion (at least in this context).

The important thing you need to know is:

How do you control pain/pleasure to make smarter decisions?

Here's a simple exercise to gain control. Pick a topic you've been focusing your thoughts on and do the following:

a. Write down 5 advantages that will GIVE YOU PLEASURE.

Example: You've been focusing on mastering your time. One advantage to this that gives you pleasure may be:

You'll be able to spend more time with your family.

b. Write down 5 disadvantages that will BRING YOU PAIN.

Example: Again, you've been focusing on mastering your time. One disadvantage to this that brings you pain may be:

You'll lose the love of your spouse and kids.

c. Now, read both lists aloud.

Really feel the advantages and disadvantages in your gut. Use these lists as leverage to gain control over the pain/pleasure you're experiencing.

Okay , you know your thoughts have influence over your decisions. You also know you have to control the pain/pleasure between your thoughts.

You're ready to make a decision...

Author : Weston Lyon

Environmental Solutions in Solvent Recycling

2009-01-30T10:05:00.000+07:00

Distillation is the simple process of heating a mixture of ingredients until a solvent or other selected material evaporates-then cooling and condensing that vapor into a pure liquid. Alcohol has been produced this way since time immemorial and today the process is being used by large and small companies to reduce their waste streams and recover reusable products, thus saving significant cost.

The ability to easily recycle solvents “in-house” has developed over the past 20 odd years with the advent of “batch” solvent recyclers (stills). Solvent recycling equipment ranging in size from 2 gallons per batch up to equipment handling one hundred gallons per batch have made it cost effective for companies to consider replacing expensive service companies. In recent times even larger solvent recyclers have been developed which can work either stand alone or built into a process system to reduce or eliminate the needs for full time personnel to over see the operation.

These solvent recyclers save money in two ways: by recycling used solvents for reuse and eliminating most (and sometimes all) of the expense of disposing of the hazardous waste. Although even the smallest solvent recyclers cost several thousand dollars, they can easily pay for themselves in a year or two.

In the case of large scale continuous operation solvent recyclers, it may be surprising to learn that the payback can easily be justified in less than one year. In fact in certain process industries the equipment vendors recommend the purchase of a solvent recyclers to defray the cost of the exceedingly expensive solvents required in their equipment.

When one examines the amount of waste generated in industry, and the costs associated with its handling, it becomes evident that waste has a major economic impact on the performance of most businesses. If you consider all the waste as product, then what value would that waste have to the average business.

Clearly, the best solution to hazardous waste is to NOT make as much of it! Given that a business is a successful entity, that success will create more hazardous waste problems. Just as the quality of your work and throughput affect your business’s competitive edge, so too can hazardous waste and its disposition. Thus, in-house solvent recycling must be considered as a relevant solution to the hazardous waste problem.

It also must be said that solvent recyclers are good for the environment: They make it possible to use the same material over and over radically reducing disposal and saving money by eliminating or reducing purchase of new material.

What are the considerations? Do you take on liability with EPA if you recycle? The answer is: yes, but it is the same liability you have with a service company. When a company buys potentially hazardous materials, they acquire cradle to grave liability. This is also acquired when using a service company. That being the case, there is no reason not to look at in-house recycling as an alternative to service company costs.

There are two types of solvent recyclers: continuous and batch.

Continuous solvent recyclers use in-line or auto-fill technology-that is, dirty solvent flows into one end and clean solvent comes out the other. This solution, available in varying volume capabilities, is used in industrial applications by large generators of solvent. By contrast, batch solvent recyclers distill one load of solvent at a time over a period of several hours.

The principal components in any solvent recycler are a tank in which the waste is deposited, a heating system for turning the liquid part of the waste into vapor and a condenser to cool the vapor back into a liquid.

The size of the tank determines the size of the solvent recycler. Methods of heating include steam, direct heat (using an electric heating element or heat plate) and indirect heat (where an oil bath surrounding the tank is heated by direct electric heat). Indirect heat is usually the preferred approach because the heating is more uniform.

The condenser is most often a series of looped copper or stainless steel coils (resembling a car radiator) that are cooled by a built-in fan or surrounded by water or coolant to chill the vapor back into a liquid. Cooling by air is less expensive than cooling by water or coolant and is adequate for small, batch type solvent recyclers. Water cooled condensers may be necessary for applications where the condensing temperature is particularly low or the environment of the facility is unusually hot. The water cooled condenser will then be more efficient.

Solvent recyclers are fairly unique among tools in industry in that they do almost all the work on their own. About the only thing you need to do is fill the tank (either manually for small machines or automatically for large), turn on the machine and remove the solid material that is left after the process. In the case of large automated machines, even the waste is removed without manual intervention.

Any organization using solvents on a continual basis is a potential candidate for a solvent recyclers. In addition, any organization using a waste hauling service would be well advised to do a payback analysis on the purchase of a solvent recyclers.

Here is the way to determine the degree to which you will benefit from owning a solvent recyclers:

First, figure what you are paying per year to have your dirty solvent or waste hauled off (generally from $100 to $400 per drum, depending upon the content and where you reside). Add this number to the cost of purchasing replacement solvent for about 80% of the volume of the sludge-or 95% of the volume of the solvent waste you are recycling with a service company. The exact percentages will vary depending on how much of the material is solid waste). Then, weigh this figure against the price of a solvent recyclers and determine how long it will take for your savings to pay for it.

As an example, let’s say you generate one drum of waste every month; let’s say that it costs $300 to have the drum hauled away and that you pay $800 once a month for two new drums of solvent. Let’s estimate that you only have 50% of the solvent to recover after use before recycling.

The following calculation indicates your potential yearly savings: Add $3,600 (the cost of having twelve drums of waste solvent hauled off) to $3,840 (80% of $4,800, which represents the cost of replacing the half of the solvent that remains after use). That works out to a savings of $7,440 in one year, which comes close to the cost of a small recyclers. Multiply this by the large volumes generated by industry in manufacturing, painting, printing, etc. The potential for savings is enormous.

If a solvent recyclers is of interest to your organization, the next step in the process is finding one that suits your needs.

Here are some questions to consider:

1. Is the capacity of the solvent recyclers adequate to handle the volume produced?

2. Is the tank heated by steam, hot oil or by a direct electric element? (Hot surround oil is widely regarded as the best option).

3. Is the solvent vapor cooled and condensed by coolant, water or fan? (A fan is generally adequate for small units and is considerably cheaper. For large units the conditions must be considered to determine which solution is sufficient.)

4. Is the supplier capable of supporting maintenance issues if they occur? Are parts readily available?

5. Check references for reliability of the equipment in general and in your industry in specific. What is the vendor’s track record?

Once you determine the features of the equipment that will do the job for your organization, go out and solicit quotations from several vendors as with any capital purchase. At this point it will take some intuitive judgment to determine which vendor can provide the “right” solution. More times than not, price should not be the determining factor in the acquisition. Do the homework and you will make the correct choice. Remember, as with all capital purchases, once you purchase a solution you will have to live with it for a long time.

On the good side, the organization who chooses to recycle gains several benefits. The reduction of the waste stream is obvious as is the cost savings. The “green” image that accrues to the company is valuable to its position as a good neighbor in the community. It is hard to put a value on this aspect, yet its’ benefit is great.

With society’s increasing concern for protecting the environment, it only makes sense (both for the sake of the environment and for the cost savings) to recycle your used solvents. Regardless of the size of the equipment needed, the decision to recycle in-house almost always shows a positive return on investment. With ever more difficult conditions to earn a profit, more and more organizations are turning to solvent recyclers to reduce cost and save money.

How to Boost Office Efficiency

2009-01-30T09:54:00.000+07:00

You keep the coffee brewing 9 to 5.You set the office thermostat at a universally comfortable temperature. You’ve even invested in time management training. So why is it that your workplace is still lagging behind in the efficiency department? No matter how many of the other bases you have covered, your office won’t run like a well-oiled machine if one key ingredient is missing: Organization!

That’s where we comes into the picture. Organization is our mission, and it just so happens that we’re especially good around the office. From unruly computer cords to jumbled storage closets, it’s amazing how much time can be wasted when workplace surroundings are out of control.

Here are a few of our favorite products for taking charge of productivity-robbing clutter:

Label Printers

Combine a large staff with lots of electronic equipment, mix them up and pack them into an office space, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for disorganization. The potential for confusion is everywhere, from tangled network cables to heaped-up office supplies. Stop wasting time wading through clutter! Make sure that everything around you office is identified and put in its place with a versatile handled label printer. This labeler does it all: with the capability to print on die cut or self-laminating labels, continuous tape and heat-shrink sleeves,will take you from server room to storage closet to desktop. And who knows? It might even bring an end to that age-old query: “Whose stapler is this?”

Safe Professional Installer Kits

Need a complete, convenient and highly effective under-desk cable management system? That’s exactly what you’ll find in the times ten! This product has what it takes to organize 10 desks worth of tangled computer cables in one fell swoop. Your coworkers won’t get their feet snagged anymore… the Cable-Safe lets you neatly label, bundle, and mount cords, power strips and USB hubs from one handy fixture suspended beneath your desk. It’s a great cable management solution that makes it easy to locate specific cords and clean. And best of all, there won’t be any fighting over there’s plenty to go around!

Neat Patch

Stroll over to the nearest server rack and take a peek at what’s going on behind the network equipment. What do you see? You’re either gazing upon neatly ordered rows of patch cords, or getting an eyeful of cables that look frighteningly like knotted spaghetti. If you’ve got the latter situation on your hands.

This unique patch cable storage solution provides an easy and attractive solution for routing patch cords, protecting bend radius and storing excess cable length. The Neat Patch not only gives server racks a neat and organized appearance, it also eliminates wasted time and frustration when IT personnel need to perform maintenance or updates.

Continuous Solvent Distillation new

2009-01-29T10:07:00.000+07:00

Continuous solvent distillation is done when a mixture containing a solvent for recovery and particulates (sometimes called impurities) is without interruption fed into the process and separated fractions are removed continuously as output streams as time passes during the operation.

The distillation produces at least one distillate fraction, which has boiled and been separately condensed to a liquid, and practically always a particulate, which is the least volatile residue that has not been separately captured as a condensed vapor.

In terms of a small to medium sized businesses that use solvent and wish to recover it for further use, a continuous system is best used when the company produces a large amount of waste product. In smaller shops, batch recovery may be more appropriate. Continuous systems are designed to fulfill the needs of any company looking to install a solvent recovery unit that will operate in virtually a "hands free" environment.

These solvent recovery systems are intended to be installed in a facility where the production of waste solvent to be recovered is in the 200 to 1,000 gallon range per 24 hour period.

When piped into an application system, these solvent recovery units can transfer a waste stream, process it, dump the contaminants and sent the clean distillate back to the application without any operator intervention. These heavy-duty, industrial solvent recyclers are currently in use in large facilities around the world recovering spent solvent streams for re-use, thus saving their owners significant cost in disposal and new solvent purchases.

Various features are available to handle specialty needs such as vacuum assist for higher boiling point solvents, Teflon coating on the solvent recycling tank to prevent residue from building up on the process chamber and Vaseline oil injection system to prevent contaminants from solidifying before dumping out of the solvent recycling chamber.

Customization of the solvent recycler is available on request to help the user in fitting these systems to the specific needs of any company. A competent solvent recovery consultant should be happy to entertain these requests during the investigation of each prospective customers needs in solvent recovery so that their state-of-the-art factory can determine the viability of the request.

Each unique request is considered during the engineering of the standard solvent recovery unit so that the system can be installed and put into production with little to no affect on the customers manufacturing facility.

Anti Poverty

2009-01-29T09:58:00.000+07:00

Even the wealthiest nation in the world like the United States does not escape the problem of poverty. This paper takes a critical look at poverty and anti-poverty policies in the United States. In this paper, I have argued that poverty is caused by several factors. This paper also discusses the liberal and conservative perspectives for reducing poverty in America.

The conservatives have focused on individual factors such as wide wage gaps, breakdown of family, racial factors and other reasons while the liberals have focused on the structural transformation of the American economy to explain the persistence of poverty. Since 1960, both the federal and state governments have been responding with policies that address the problem with mixed results. In this paper, I have analyzed the policies and have also recommended the possible ways to deal with this intractable nature of poverty.

According to Sen (1981), ‘the poor are those people whose consumption standards fall short of the norms, or whose income lie below that line’. The word "poverty" suggests destitution, an inability to provide a family with nutritious food, clothing, and reasonable shelter. Over thirty-six million Americans live below the official U.S. poverty line (Blank, 2007). This means a family of three earns less than less than $ 16,000 or a single individual earns $10,300 per annum (Blank, 2007, p. 17). Millions more struggle each month to pay for basic necessities, or run out of savings when they lose jobs or face health emergencies. Job cuts, high rates of unemployment, foreclosures and high food and gas prices continue to stimulate policy formulation designed to improve the condition of the poor.

Poverty is integrally associated with misery and suffering. The lost potential of children in poor households and the lower productivity and earnings of poor adults are all intertwined with poor health, increased crime and broken neighborhoods. Childhood poverty typically leads to poor health care and high crime neighborhoods. Persistent childhood poverty is estimated to cost the United States $500 billion each year, or about 4% of the nation’s gross domestic product (Blank, 2007, p.1).

One in eight Americans lives in poverty and poverty in the United States is far higher than in many developed nations (Rebecca Blank, 2007, p1). Inequality has reached record high. The richest 1 percent of Americans in 2005 held the largest share of the nation’s income (19%) since 1929 (Rebecca Blank, 2007, p. 2). At the same time the poorest 20% of Americans held only 3.4% of the nation’s income (Rebecca Blank, 2007, p.2).

Colorado in spite of being surrounded by the beautiful Rocky Mountains and experiencing a cool, mountain climate has many homeless people. Scholars have identified that, a growing number of single parent households, a shortage of jobs for lower wage workers and a low rate of high school graduation have contributed to the growth of poverty in Colorado. The Colorado poverty rate has increased from 9.2% in 2000-2001 to 10.6% in 2005-2006 while the poverty rate of United States has increased from 11.5% in 2000-2001 to 12.5 % in 2005-2006 (Center on Law and Policy, 2006, p.1). Most of these ill-fated poor people suffer from mental and health problems

Automate Your Business with Barcodes

2009-01-28T10:07:00.000+07:00

Logistics, asset management and inventory control are so important to any business. Whether you operate a point of sale business, a shipping center, or any business that ships or receives supplies or products, it is difficult to manually keep track of what is coming and going. Barcodes and automation save time, money and lost assets.

This method, once fully implemented, can save thousands or even millions of dollars over a short period of time.

You may think it will cost a bundle of money to implement a barcode system to control and track assets. This is not true. A barcode label printer is quite affordable, durable and long lasting. Most businesses only require a few of these devices to effectively manage assets. The very small investment pays for itself almost immediately.

The label printer produces printouts that are durable and will not smear or smudge so they can easily be read by a barcode reader. Most even have memory functions to store the most frequently printed label information. Also, an entire database of inventory and the associated barcodes can be downloaded from a computer into the label maker for easy printing of labels for each and every item in your inventory.

Electronic Labeling System is one example of a label printer with the capabilities you need to implement automated inventory control, barcode- tracked logistics or asset management into your business. It quickly creates automatically sized labels that can include graphics and can even sequentially number the codes.

Even the aerospace industry is using automated logistics functions using barcode labels created by the same type of label printer that you can use at your own place of business. As soon as items arrive, create their unique barcode markings and apply the printed label to the item. Scan the item into the computer system. This will add to your inventory count of that particular asset.

When the item is sold, shipped or removed from inventory through use or another method, scan the barcode again and your asset count will be reduced. This allows you to know, up to the minute, exactly how much inventory you have on hand of each item and the actual value of your total inventory.

The use of a label printer for this purpose can also identify inventory reduction that is the result of shrinkage. Shrinkage is a term that refers to inventory that disappears through theft, personal use, or other unethical means. You may think you have trustworthy employees only to learn that you are losing a lot of money because someone is stealing inventory and selling it on the side.

Why wonder what you have on hand to sell or use in your business enterprise? Why manually count inventory, consuming time and therefore money? Know in an instant how many widgets are in the widget inventory and the exact value of your widget inventory. It' so simple and easy when you implement a plan where every employee uses a label printer to create barcodes and labels to mark the items as they come into inventory and as they leave your asset stock.

A label printer system that allows you to dynamically track materials and sales can make a huge difference in how you do business. Work smarter rather than harder and raise the bottom line by saving time and money.

Office Mod: Update Your Workspace in 5 Simple Steps

2009-01-28T10:04:00.001+07:00

Okay, so maybe a bright, spacious, and aesthetically perfect minimalist office isn’t in the cards for you. But while you dream, why not make the most of what you have? Whether you’re working in a cubicle or from a spare room in your home, you can perk up your office décor and pare down the desktop clutter with a few organizational strategies and innovative products. Maybe mod isn’t so out of reach after all.

1.Take your USB connection from drab to fab. If you’ve always thought that USB hubs are nothing special to look at, we’ve got a little something up our sleeve that is bound to make you say hubba-hubba. The LaCie USB and FireWire Hub is sleek, futuristic, and downright sculptural – the kind of thing you’d expect to see a in a modern art gallery instead of on a desktop. And it’s not just easy on the eyes… with the capacity to connect up to 6 peripherals at a time, it might just help you get a few things done.

2. Let your computer cables make a grand entrance. It’s a part of your workspace that you probably don’t often think about, but the cable penetration point in your desktop can always benefit from some snazzing-up. There’s nothing wrong with standard black grommets per se, but they can be so, well… basic. On the other hand, our Tango Designer Desk Grommets – with their satin chrome finish, low profile, and unique elliptical shape – have a way of adding streamlined elegance and a modern edge to just about any desktop landscape.

3. Make your iPod® feel at home. MP3 players aren’t just for play anymore – they’ve become our constant companions at work, too. But when it comes to syncing and charging iPods at the office, who really wants an extra USB cable snaking up from their PC and across their desk? Keep the tunes but ditch the clutter with Belkin’s In-Desk iPod® Dock. This grommet-style docking station fits virtually flush into your desktop, giving you a place to keep your iPod® docked during the workday, and allowing you to sync without a visible USB cord (the cord stays under the desk, connecting to the dock from below). Having a designated safe spot prevents your iPod® from being damaged, and lends an extra organized and “now” feel to your workspace.

4. Give your laptop a lift. If the majority of your work is accomplished on a laptop computer instead of a desktop PC, one of the best updates you can make to your work environment is a laptop-oriented desk organizer, like the SpaceStation Laptop Docking Station by BlueLounge. This nifty desktop fixture sets your laptop at an ergonomic position to reduce wrist stress, promotes airflow under and around the computer, manages cables, provides connectivity for up to 4 USB devices, and even has a page holder. It’s the ultimate tech-savvy multi-tasker, disguised in a sleek and modernistic package.

5. Cut the cord to your desktop peripherals. That is, opt for a wireless mouse and keyboard instead. Logitech’s LX 310 Cordless Desktop set has all the all the functionality of a standard mouse and keyboard, with the added benefits of an ergonomically refined key layout and mouse design, one-touch keyboard controls, and a clutter-free look that sets a new standard for office minimalism.

How To Find The Best Quality Ergonomic Chair And Save Money Too

2009-01-27T11:24:00.000+07:00

Ergonomics simply refers to the study of designing objects, like chairs, office chairs, keyboards, and workstations that are adapted to the form of the human body. It's not likely you'll find a really cheap ergonomic chair or cheap ergonomic office chair but you can find good quality low cost ergonomic chairs. Many times you can find them at a good discount. Some people spend thousands of dollars on new computers, and then buy a cheap chair from their furniture or office supply store, without giving a thought to their ergonomic health.

Ergonomics can be applicable in many work environments including, medical, industrial and laboratory but it's growing more important than ever in today's office environment. Everyone should pay more attention to ergonomics when shopping for or buying anything they are going to be using daily that can seriously affect one's health resulting in chronic back pain, varicose veins, neck pain, headaches and many other medical or health complaints. Sitting posture is important. When buying an ergonomic chair you'll want to choose an ergonomic chair that has all the necessary features you need and adjustments and still be affordable.

For business owners, ergonomic comfort is very important to help keep employees alert and less likely to develop lumbar and other back and neck pains resulting in sick days. If you are going to buy just one chair make sure to ask for a business discount. If you're buying more than one chair you should be able to get a multiple chair discount. Just ask.

If you want an ergonomic executive office chair it usually has an adjustable headrest or neck rest. If you want an industrial chair it should have the durability for long-lasting use on a plant or manufacturing floor.

The fabric selection is important with ergonomic industrial chair because cleaning it may be an issue. Ergonomic intensive use chairs are durable and especially need to be ergonomic in design, because workers are usually sitting for many hours at a time. Deluxe drafting ergonomic chairs, medical chairs and dental chairs benefit greatly from using ergonomics. Clean room chairs and ESD chairs are also available; these chairs come with height adjustable options as well as seat pan and back option and they have inflatable lumbar support and footrest options.

The seat pan is the component of the chair that supports the majority of the weight of the user. Height adjustment pneumatic levers or also called gas lifts adjust seating height while in the chair. Three or four of your fingers should fit between the seat pan's front edge and the back of the knees.

Use an ergonomic chair with casters and a 5-point base to ease movement and minimize possible tipping over. Your weight should be evenly distributed on the chair seat so look for a rounded or waterfall edge at the front of the seat, which prevents the seat from catching behind the knees and cutting off the circulation. Both home and office ergonomics are important because we spend a lot more hours when we work at the office or home office and then using the computer at home for other reasons. So be sure to use an ergonomic computer chair.

Look for adjustable width and height to support various tasks at hand, including writing and reading, to ease neck and shoulder tension and to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. Inadequate lumbar support places excess pressure on the spinal cord. Remember, a lumbar support cushion properly placed behind the small of the back can help support the lumbar region.

Get ergonomic chair ratings: check out brands of ergonomic chairs and get ratings for the Herman Miller Aeron chair among others. Check out the ergonomic office chairs at Costco and make sure they are truly ergonomic and not just ergonomically designed. There is a difference. Prices are generally cheaper at the big box stores if you buy offline, however you can get many bargains online. Free shipping is often offered.

There are some online stores that will rent you ergonomic chairs and other expensive ergonomic equipment; you can try a chair for a month before deciding if you want to buy it and if you decide to keep the chair, the stores will apply the rental price toward the total cost. This may be a good deal if you want an expensive Aeron chair but need to know if it is the best mesh chair for you.

Whenever you see the designation ergonomically designed, find out if it's truly an ergonomic chair or just a marketing ploy. Other ergonomic products you can buy cheaply enough include: document holders, ergonomic workstations, telephone mounts, ergonomic keyboards and mouse devices, footrests and speaker stands.

Facts and History of Electrical and Electronic

2009-01-27T10:57:00.000+07:00

ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES.

The first significant application of controlled electricity in Cleveland was telegraphy, which made its appearance in the city in 1847 on the premises of the Lake Erie Telegraph Co. Fire-alarm boxes were the second useful manifestation of the "new" power in the city, and by 1865 there were 24 of them. The telephone came in 1877. Besides these communications uses, the other main areas of electric-industrial progress in the latter part of the 19th century were lighting, traction, and industrial motors, and in these areas as well, Cleveland's technical-entrepreneurial talent was quick to perceive opportunities and act on them.

In the lighting field, CHARLES F. BRUSH was the most prominent innovator and entrepreneur of the period. His major contribution was the practical development and commercial exploitation of the arc light. Although the latter was invented in England in 1808, Brush devised its practical application by developing an improved dynamo to provide a steady current, and by making design changes in the arc fixture itself that improved the quality of the light and extended the working life of the carbon electrodes.

He also redesigned the lamp's circuit to make arc lighting possible from central stations. Brush began to sell small arc lighting systems in the late 1870s for use in stores, factories, and hotels. However, the potential of this equipment was first realized with Brush's demonstration of its street-lighting possibilities on 29 Apr. 1879, in Cleveland's PUBLIC SQUARE.

The brilliance of the light produced by his 12 lamps caused a sensation and foretold the decline of the gas-lighting era. As a result, Brush sold central power stations to San Francisco, New York, Baltimore, Boston, and Philadelphia. In 1880 Brush bought the Cleveland Telegraph Supply Co., where he had done the developmental work, and renamed it the Brush Electric Co.

The battle between electric and gas lighting lasted some 30 years, and although advances were made in gas-lighting technology, electricity won out. During that time, CLEVELAND CITY COUNCIL, viewing comparative costs, voted to go back to gas light in 1883 but reversed itself 17 days later. About the time that Brush was developing his arc light, Thomas Edison designed a practical incandescent lamp which later had great significance for Cleveland, because the companies that formed the National Electric Lamp Assn. in 1906 centered much of their light-bulb production in this area. When NELA became the National Quality Lamp Division of GENERAL ELECTRIC CO., it established NELA PARK in the SUBURBS.

The division took the leading role in GE's incandescent lighting development program from 1915 until 1935, when fluorescent lighting research became prominent.

The equipment for the first electric streetcar line in the Cleveland area was developed and tested in the shops of the Brush Electric Co., and a Brush generator was used in the car barn that powered the line from its start-up, in 1884. The line, which operated as the EAST CLEVELAND RAILWAY CO., had technical problems with its underground power supply cable and closed down the following year. Work continued, however, and a successor line reached Public Square from its home station in East Cleveland in 1889. This event was followed by the electrification of other local car lines in the area.

The Cleveland-area electrical industry grew rapidly during the 1800s, led by the expansion of applications in communications, lighting, and traction. The Brush Electric Co. added the manufacture of arc light carbons to its activities and also began marketing an incandescent lighting system, the rights for which it had purchased from a British firm. As the use of electricity expanded, the need grew for added power-generation and -distribution facilities, and when the Brush Electric & Power Co. merged with the Cleveland Electric Light Co. in 1892, a large powerhouse was constructed on Canal St.

These developments led to the formation of the CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING CO. the same year. By 1900 Cleveland ranked first in the production of electric automobiles, and at the end of the century's first decade it also claimed first place in the production of carbons, lamps, and electrical hoisting apparatus. Its status as the site of a major exposition of the electrical industry in 1914 further promoted Cleveland's claim to primacy.

The 1895 discovery of "x-rays" by the German scientist Wilhelm Roentgen touched off considerable activity in Cleveland. DAYTON C. MILLER , professor of physics at the Case School of Applied Science, improved the x-raying process for medical uses. Henry P. Engeln, in collaboration with Dr. George Iddings, was a pioneer in the x-ray industry, establishing the Engeln Electric Co. around the turn of the century.

During its independent life, the Engeln Co. did highly innovative work in the development and marketing of x-ray equipment, and when it merged with Acme X-Ray Corp. of Chicago in 1929, it had 200 employees. The merged company was acquired by Westinghouse in 1930 who sold its plant at E. 30th St. and Superior to Picker X-Ray which became a leading firm in that field (see PICKER INTL., INC.).

Arc welding was an important industrial application of electrical technology in Cleveland, as was arc welding, largely due to John C. Lincoln, founder of the LINCOLN ELECTRIC CO., who had gained experience working in Charles F. Brush's shops. Lincoln Electric, which began producing electric motors in 1896, pioneered in the development of arc-welding equipment, and by 1938 it claimed to be the largest manufacturer of that line in the world. Variable speed electric motors were designed by John Lincoln who incorporated the Lincoln Motor Works Co. in 1906 to produce them. In 1909 the firm changed its name to the Reliance Electric & Engineering Co. (see RELIANCE ELECTRIC CO.).

In addition to lighting, traction, and industrial applications, the electrical home-appliance field was richly represented in Cleveland by World War I. Heating-related appliances included coffee percolators, hotplates, frying pans, corn poppers, baby-bottle warmers, kitchen ranges, hair dryers, and radiant heaters. In addition, there was heavy production of vacuum cleaners, washing machines, fans, vibrators, and sewing machines. By 1919 Cleveland led the nation in the production of electric batteries and vacuum cleaners (7 different makes of vacuum cleaners were being produced in the city in 1931).

In the mid-1920s, Cleveland ranked 3rd in the production of radios, after New York and Chicago. Theodore A. Willard, whose WILLARD STORAGE BATTERY CO. was Cleveland's largest battery producer, founded the city's first high-powered radio station, WTAM. By 1938, the Willard Co.'s 15-acre plant, built in 1914, was turning out 15,000 batteries per day.

In the 1920s, John A. Victoreen, an inventive Cleveland radio amateur, started a radio parts business. Soon, however, his attention turned to radiation measurement, and he developed the Condenser R-Meter, an instrument for measuring accurately the intensity and total dosage of x-ray delivery, which gained international fame. Radiation measurement remained a central concern of the Victoreen Instrument Co., founded in 1928 in CLEVELAND HEIGHTS The company provided 95% of the instrumentation for the atomic bomb tests after World War II, earning itself claim to the title of "first nuclear company."

During World War II, Cleveland electrical firms reorganized their production around the needs of the military, which included the manufacture of miniature radio tubes at Nela Park for use in proximity fuses for antiaircraft artillery shells. Lighting and visibility research devoted to military problems also occupied the GE laboratories there. These wartime activities stimulated the formation of a new Electronics Department at GE in 1947. The postwar period was also one of rapid growth for the industry.

In the Cleveland metropolitan area, electrical machinery manufacturing, for example, grew in value-added terms by 21% in the 1947-54 period. Fortune magazine's list of the 500 largest industrial corporations for 1958 included 2 electrically related Cleveland area firms, Reliance Electric and the Addressograph-Multigraph Corp.

The demand for power was growing rapidly even before the onset of war pressed it more urgently. Between 1939-44, the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co.'s output increased by 30%. In 1944 76% of the power the company produced went to industry, with an estimated 90% of that being war industry. By 1946 CEI could count 370,000 customers, in contrast to the 1,400 it had had at the turn of the century. Its service covered 132 communities, with a total population of 1.5 million.

Growth continued as relatively low power rates attracted new industries to the area, and in 1954 the company was serving 465,000 customers in 137 communities, from Avon Lake on the west to Conneaut in the east. CEI's rates have on occasion become a political issue in Cleveland due to the presence of Cleveland's municipally-owned light plant which caused disputes with CEI over comparative rates (see MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP).

Leading Cleveland companies active in the electronics field during the immediate postwar period were Victoreen Instrument Co., Hickok Electrical Instruments Co., and Brush Development Co. In 1946 Victoreen was the city's major producer of electronic tubes, employed 75 people, and achieved a total output worth $4.5 million. The Hickok Co. manufactured precision radio and radar test equipment, and was active in exporting. Brush Development, founded in 1930 to market products developed by Brush Laboratories, began producing voice-recording equipment in 1938, and during the war was the main supplier of wire recording equipment to the armed forces.

For industry, Brush made oscillographs and hypersonic analyzers, piezoelectric crystals, and other products. Cleveland Electronics, Inc., representative of other firms in the area engaged in the production of electronic goods, was turning out 50,000-60,000 radio loudspeakers per month and preparing to manufacture similar components for the new television industry by 1946. National Spectrographic Laboratories, Inc., another Cleveland firm, made electrical excitation units for spectrographic analysis. Phasing devices and tuning-fork frequency controls were produced by Acme Telectronix, while the Bird Electronic Corp. manufactured testing equipment, filters, and high-frequency antennas. The total value of the city's electronic products for the year 1946 was more than $10 million.

Cleveland, while not industrially top-ranked among centers of the rapidly developing microelectronics field, had establishments that have made a considerable mark in it nonetheless. In research and development, the well-established solid-state microelectronics laboratory at CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY pursued studies in the area of integrated circuits, electronic materials, and new processing technologies as well as providing graduate engineers and computer specialists for the area's electronic industry. The NASA LEWIS RESEARCH CENTER is heavily involved in applied microelectronics in connection with space communications.

TRW is among larger Cleveland-area manufacturing firms having a considerable stake in the electronics field, playing an active part in the aerospace and defense industries by developing both spacecraft and the payloads for them, communications and guidance systems, and ground station equipment. BAILEY CONTROLS, with world headquarters in Wickliffe, utilizes electronic technology in its production of industrial-controls. The firm provides analog and digital circuit design, producing control systems of varying complexity.

With a long history of supplying equipment for utilities, Bailey Controls has provided instrumentation for the nuclear power-generating industry since the latter's inception.

Allen-Bradley, a Division of Rockwell Intl. in HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, is a long-established area firm producing programmable controllers and similar capital goods, incorporating electronics, for manufacturing industries. Keithley Instruments, Inc., based in SOLON, had its beginnings in a high-impedance amplifier, called the "Phantom Repeater," invented by Joseph Keithley in 1946. This and other Keithley-developed instruments were manufactured for him by another firm for 5 years until 1951, when Keithley moved his operation to larger quarters and began manufacturing on his own.

Sensitive measuring instruments remained the core of the company's output, which came to include voltmeters, ammeters, digital multimeters, and complex testing systems incorporating both computer hardware and software. The company's product-development path in itself traces some of the most important steps in the technological advance of electronics since the 1940s--vacuum tubes to discrete transistors to integrated circuits, and finally, to complex computer-linked systems that can handle the tasks of measurement and computation virtually simultaneously.

Recycle Anything...yes Anything!

2009-01-23T11:13:00.000+07:00

Crushing down plastic soda bottles, crushing aluminum cans, putting your empty bottles in a can; taking all of this down to the recycle store, this is what people call RECYCLING. But, there's more to it. Nowadays recycling has become reincarnation for these used products; you can turn medicine bottles into life jackets and old running shoes into new playground surfacing. Discover how and where to recycle everything you never thought you could...

Clothing

Goodwill provides job training to people with special needs, and affordable clothing and other household goods. Pick-up service is typically provided, but you can also drop off clothing at any location.

Salvation Army runs many social service programs such as homeless services and disaster-relief efforts. Drop off your items at any of its thrift stores nationwide, or arrange to have them picked up.

Fleece

Patagonia's Common Threads Garment Recycling Program will recycle your used Patagonia fleece, Polartec fleece from other manufacturers and Patagonia organic cotton t-shirts. Please make sure you wash them first before you take them to any Patagonia store.

Did you know? Patagonia will also recycle your Patagonia Capilene underwear, washed of course.

Formal Dresses

The Glass Slipper Project collects new and almost-new formal dresses and accessories and provides them, free of charge, to high school students who are unable to buy their own ensembles for Prom.

Shoes

Turn in your old athletic shoes, any brand, to Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe program so they can be ground up into new material and used in a different way to make new sports surfaces and playground surfacing.

Recycle your old Crocs and they will be shredded to make padding for children's playgrounds.

Gently worn shoes can be donated to Soles4Souls which is a nonprofit organization that will clean them and distribute them worldwide to those in need. Recently more than 900,000 pairs of shoes were collected in a coordinated relief effort for donation to victims of the Asian Tsunami, and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. So round up those shoes that are taking up space in your closet, bind each pair together with a rubber band, and send them to one of Soles4Soul's two warehouse facilities.

Wedding dresses

By donating your dress to "Brides Against Breast Cancer" you will enable brides-to-be to find one-of-a-kind gowns at discount prices and the proceeds will help grant a wish for a woman with terminal breast cancer.

Nearly New Bridal is an online marketplace where you can buy or sell new or nearly new wedding dresses and accessories

Work Clothes

Dress for Success is a group providing a business suit or other clothing appropriate for the workplace to women needing outfits for job interviews and, after they get the job, a second suit to wear to work. There are 66 chapters in the U.S. and 78 in other countries. Donate business clothing, coats, shoes, handbags, and briefcases that are in excellent condition and no more than five years old. Clothing in size 14 and up is especially welcome.

Electronics

The Electronics Industry Alliance (EIA) maintains a listing of organizations nationwide that accept donations of working electronics products. You can also donate electronics in working condition to Salvation Army or Goodwill or trade them in exchange for a Circuit City gift card.

To recycle non-working electronics search Earth 911's database for electronics recycling, also known as ecycling, in your area.

Batteries

All single-use (alkaline) or rechargeable batteries can be taken to any Whole Foods Market or Radioshack for recycling. Rechargeable batteries can be recycled at any recycling kiosk within Best Buys nationwide. Rechargeable Apple product batteries can be recycled at any Apple retail location in the U.S.

Cell phones

The phones are either refurbished or recycled. With the funds raised from the sale of refurbished phones, Verizon donates wireless phones and airtime to victims of domestic violence.

Did you know? If you don't want to leave the house, the number one hassle free way to recycle your phone is through Charitable Recycling. Print out a nifty prepaid mailing label on your home computer, paste it to an envelope and drop your old phone in.

Computer

Some local Goodwills train workers to refurbish and de-manufacture equipment and resell systems and components. Find out what types of electronic equipment may be donated at your local Goodwill.

With Hewlitt Packard's Trade-In program you can send in used HP products and get cash back when upgrading to new ones. HP does their own in-house recycling. Apple offers free take-back and recycling of your old computer and monitor, regardless of manufacturer, when you purchase a new Mac.

Digital Cameras

Donate older models of digital cameras to a good cause. Operation Home Front distributes cameras to military bases and military family support groups so that families can trade images and stay in contact.

iPods

Recycle it for free at any Apple retail store, where they offer environmentally friendly disposal and a 10% discount on the purchase of a new iPod.

Printer

Hewlitt Packard's simple and environmentally sound take-back program is your best bet. Return any piece of computing hardware from any manufacturer, including printers to Hewlitt Packard who will recycle your old items for you.

Printer cartridges

Staple's accepts used Inkjet or Laser Toner cartridges. Simply return your printer cartridges to a FedEx Kinko's or Staples retail branch and they will take care of the recycling for you.

Stereo

For a nominal fee, Best Buy will haul away televisions, computer monitors, and appliances when new purchases are made or delivered. Best Buy also hosts a series of weekend recycling events at its store parking lots across the U.S. Find a Best Buy recycling event in your area.

Televisions

Televisions contain toxic materials which can contaminate the environment if broken in a landfill. In 1997 the U.S. EPA declared computer monitors and TV screens as hazardous waste and banned them from landfills. Because of their toxic nature there is usually a fee to recycle televisions. For a nominal fee, Best Buy will haul away televisions, computer monitors, and appliances when new purchases are made or delivered. Best Buy also hosts a series of weekend recycling events at its store parking lots across the U.S. Find a recycling event in your area

Household items

If your household items are in good shape, then you can donate them for reuse to the Salvation Army, Goodwill and other thrift stores. Or you can give them to Habitat for Humanity and help make affordable housing a little homier.

Appliances

Donate working toasters, blenders, microwaves, etc. to your local Habitat for Humanity and help make affordable housing a little homier.

Cutlery/utensils

Not all curbside recycling programs accept metal cutlery. These can be donated for reuse to the Salvation Army, Goodwill or thrift stores. Find out more about your municipal recycling program from the National Recycling Coalition.

Furniture

Freecycle.com is an international grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns. One person's trash is another person's treasure! Everything posted on Freecycle is free; individuals and groups work out their own bartering systems. Sell it on Craig's List and you make the arrangements with the buyer for pick-up/drop-off. Or if eBay is your seller of choice, consider using Mission Fish to support your favorite causes through trading on eBay. A portion of the profits go to a nonprofit of your choosing, and you get a tax deductible receipt!

Excess Access serves both charities and the environment by matching your unwanted household materials with the wish-lists of nearby nonprofits that can provide pick-ups or accept drop-offs.

Donate furniture and other household goods to Goodwill International, Salvation Army, or the Vietnam Veterans of America (who will pick it up from the sidewalk in front of your house). One main source of funding for the Vietnam Veterans of America is through the solicitation and resale of donated household items.

Pots and pans

Not all curbside recycling programs recycle metal pots and pans. These can be donated for reuse to the Salvation Army, Goodwill or thrift stores. Find out more about your municipal recycling program from the National Recycling Coalition.

Tools

Donate tools to your local Habitat for Humanity where they can be put to good use building affordable housing.

I didn’t know I could recycle this:

Don't give up on your stuff! There's a better option than the trash and we found it. Scroll through our list and find out how to recycle everything from makeup to eyeglasses, paint, light bulbs, and even your toothbrush.

Aresol cans

Most curbside recycling programs accept empty aerosol cans sorted with other glass and metal recyclables.

Eyeglasses

Drop off your old prescription eye glasses, or even non-prescription sunglasses at a LensCrafters near you. LensCrafter's charity, Give the Gift of Sight provides free vision care and eyewear to under-privileged individuals in North America and developing countries around the world. Or, send them to Lions in Sight, another organization bringing basic eye care and eyeglasses to the needy.

Hangers

Sort wire hangers with other glass and metal recyclables for curbside recycling pick-up.

Your local dry cleaners will happily accept and reuse your old wire or plastic hangers on new customers.

Light Bulbs

Unfortunately you can't sort these with other types of glass for recycling. Most states do not have special requirements for the disposal of regular household mercury-containing fluorescent or incandescent light bulbs. To keep more light bulbs from ending up in landfills, buy a compact fluorescent (CFL) bulb; it lasts for years longer than regular incandescent bulbs. Lamp Recycle keeps a list of companies that do recycle light bulbs and the states that regulate them.

Makeup

You should only keep concealer, lipstick, eye and lip liners, fragrances, powders, blushes, and shadows for a year and a half to two years. But there are still ways to practice sustainable beauty. One good way is to reusable compact cases for eye shadows, blushes, and powders, and then just buy the refills when you run out. Stila makeup sells cheek and eye colors separate from their refillable compact case ($2). All of M.A.C.'s plastic packaged cosmetics are recyclable. Return six used items at any M.A.C. counter and receive a free lipstick in return.

Did you know that Cargo's PlantLove lipsticks come in a compost able lipstick case made from corn? This revolutionary bio-plastic is not only made from a renewable resource, it's also greenhouse gas neutral, which helps us fight global warming. What's more, you can plant the box the lipstick comes in and it will grow wildflowers!

Paint

Sort dried-out paint cans with other glass and metal recyclables for curbside pick-up. Remove the lid first and allow paint to dry fully, so that turned upside down, nothing spills out.

Donate new or leftover paint to your local Habitat for Humanity and make affordable housing homier.

Toothbrushes

The online retail website offers a toothbrush recycling program. Sign up to receive new toothbrushes at predefined intervals ranging from monthly to semi-annually. And for a few dollars extra the company will include pre-paid postage with each shipment for you to send back your old ones.

Another wise eco-choice is the Terradent line of toothbrushes from Eco-Dent. These innovative toothbrushes have replaceable heads, so that once the bristles have worn out, consumers can retain the toothbrush handle and just snap on a new head, thus minimizing waste.

The handle of a Recycline Preserve toothbrush, designed by dentists, is made out of recycled plastic from Stonyfield Yogurt cups. When you've finished using it you can either put it out on the curb with other recyclables (if your community offers #5 plastics recycling), or send it back to Recycline in a pre-paid envelope supplied to you with your purchase. It will likely then be reborn again as raw material for a picnic table, deck, boardwalk or other long lasting durable product.If you just can't live without your electric toothbrush we've got something for you!

Radius offers stylish sustainable toothbrushes made from naturally occurring cellulose derived from sustainable yield forests. They have a battery-powered electric Intelligent Toothbrush that uses replaceable heads to reduce environmental impact. The company will take back the handle for recycling once the battery is worn out, usually after about 18 months.

Paper

In 2006 a record 53.4 percent of the paper consumed in the U.S. (53.5 million tons) was recovered for recycling. Paper is generally divided into high and low grades in reference to the quality of the paper or pulp and can be sorted together for curbside recycling pick-up.

Books

If your household items are in good shape, then you can donate them for reuse to the Salvation Army, Goodwill and other thrift stores. Search Earth 911 for donation spots in your area.

High grade paper

Sort with other dry paper goods for curbside recycling pick-up. High grade papers are computer print-out, white ledger (office paper) in single sheets or continuous form such as white notebook paper, and colored ledger. High Grade white office paper can be recycled into almost any paper product, including tissue.

Low grade paper

Sort with other dry paper goods for curbside recycling pick-up. Low grade papers are cardboard, newspaper, magazines, and mixed office paper, which is a mixture of various grades including windowed envelopes and sticky notes. Used newspapers are usually made into new newsprint or egg cartons. Used corrugated boxes are recycled into new boxes or paperboard.

mail

Mail is Low Grade paper. It can be sorted with other dry paper goods for curbside recycling pick-up.

Did you know? Registering with the National Do Not Mail List reduces junk mail and removes your name from direct advertising mail lists.

Packaging peanuts

Take your old packing peanuts down to any UPS or Mail Boxes Etc. and they'll be glad to take them off your hands.

Plastics

The confusion over which plastics can or cannot be recycled continues to confound consumers. While common knowledge indicates that "good" plastics (numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5) are more readily recycled, and "bad" (numbers 3, 6 and 7) aren't, the truth is, different types of plastic require different processing, and even a small amount of the wrong type of plastic can ruin the reprocessing.

Some municipalities accept all types of plastic for recycling, while others accept only jugs, or containers and bottles with certain numbers stamped on the bottoms. The number system we're familiar with--a single digit ranging from 1 to 7 and surrounded by a the recycling symbol, a triangle of arrows--was designed by The Society of the Plastics Industry in 1988 to allow consumers and recyclers to differentiate types of plastics while providing a uniform coding system for manufacturers. The number symbols are located on the bottom of plastic containers. Sometimes they are small and you have to look hard to find them. Scroll through our list to learn more about which plastics you can recycle.

Plastics 1

Polyethylene terephthalate's (PETE), commonly found in bottles for soda, water, juice, beer, mouthwash, ketchup, salad dressing, medicine containers, and microwavable food trays are readily accepted by curbside recycling programs. They can be made into fiberfill for winter coats, sleeping bags, life jackets, bean bags, rope, tennis ball felt, combs, cassette tapes, boat sails, furniture, and of course, other plastic bottles.

Plastics 2

High-density polyethylene plastics (HDPE), commonly found in heavier containers that hold laundry detergents and bleaches as well as milk, shampoo, and motor oil are readily accepted by curbside recycling programs. They can be made into toys, piping, lumber, and rope.

Plastics 3

Polyvinyl chloride, commonly found in plastic pipes, shower curtains, medical tubing, vinyl dashboards, and baby bottle nipples, is accepted by few curbside recycling programs due to its low rate of recyclable.

Plastics 4

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), commonly found in plastic wrapping films for food or dry cleaning, as well as grocery or sandwich bags, is accepted by very few curbside recycling programs. Unfortunately, most plastic bags will end up in the trash. However Whole Foods, Wal-Mart, and Wegman's Food Marts will recycle any plastic bags if you take them to the store.

Plastics 5

Polypropylene, commonly found in self-sealing containers, like Tupperware, is accepted by very few curbside recycling programs due to its very low rate of recyclable.

Plastics 6

Polystyrene (Styrofoam), commonly found in coffee cups, disposable cutlery, meat trays, packing peanuts, and insulation are widely accepted by curbside recycling programs. They can be made into cassette tapes and insulation. You can also take Styrofoam or packing peanuts that are clean and in good condition to any UPS Store or Mail Boxes Etc. for recycling.

Plastics 7

Mixed or layered plastics have virtually no recycling potential. These are usually imprinted with a number 7 or nothing at all. Ambitious consumers can feel free to return such items to the product manufacturers to avoid contributing to local waste.

The History of Leviton

2009-01-23T11:09:00.000+07:00

Leviton: an Innovator from the Start

From its beginnings as a small, New York-based mantle tip company to its current recognition as a worldwide leader in electrical and communications products, Leviton has come a long way over the past century. Since being founded by Isidor Leviton in 1906, this company has always been on the cutting edge of technology, from gas lighting in the early 1900s all the way to 21st Century automation and datacom/telecom applications!

Experts at Growth and Development

Development and diversification have played major roles in Leviton’s success. When they started out over 100 years ago, Leviton was producing a single product: mantle tips for gaslights. But just as technology has progressed, so has Leviton. Throughout the 20th century, Leviton acquired smaller, specialized companies to expand both their expertise and product line, and today they offer more than 25,000 different electrical and communications products for use in commercial, residential and industrial markets.

A Dedication to World-Class Quality

A company’s products are only as good as its manufacturing process, and Leviton’s is legendary, thanks to automated production and inspection every step of the way. Leviton’s dedication to excellence is not only evident in their products, but in their list of credits as well!

Throughout the past century, Leviton products have been featured at and installed in some of the world’s most impressive locations:

* The Empire State Building (1932)
* World’s Fair (1939)
* The White House (1961)
* The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (1979)

Leviton Advances for Safer Homes and Workplaces

Did you know that two important devices we rely on every day originated at Leviton? The Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), a product that revolutionized home and workplace electrical safety, was introduced by Leviton in 1972. In 1985, the company also received a patent for their thermal protector, which prevents fires from occurring with recessed lighting fixtures.

The Entire Leviton Line

From wall plates, jacks and connectors to patch panels and fiber optic enclosures. Whether your application is commercial, residential or industrial, we have all Leviton components you need to finish your electrical and datacom/telecom installations!

The Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Cable-Manage Your Business

2009-01-22T11:02:00.000+07:00

When you’re running a business, there’s no shortage of things to manage: time, employees, productivity, budgets… but have you ever thought of cables? Just about every business depends on cables for essentials like data and electricity, and cable management is the perfect solution for keeping those cords safe, functional and organized! So whether you oversee an office, data center, production studio or retail space, read on to find out how cable management can benefit your business!

1. Safety first. When you own or operate a business, it’s up to you to keep the premises up to code and safe for employees and customers. Prevent cable-related liabilities like tripping hazards by using floor cord covers to anchor foot-snagging cables to the floor. Cord covers offer you twofold protection: they prevent tripping accidents around the workplace, and they also keep valuable cables from being crushed underfoot by pedestrian traffic.

2. Cut down on wasted time and frustration. At one time or another, we’ve all wanted to pull our hair out in frustration while trying to untangle and differentiate between computer cords. Likewise, when it comes time to replace or perform routine maintenance on network equipment, the last thing you’ll want to be faced with is digging through a web of identical cables to find the one you need! Products like wire markers and label printers take the guesswork away by neatly identifying each cord, and save you precious time (and sanity) for more worthwhile tasks!

3. Save money. Cable management not only provides you with a cleaner and more organized business space, it can also extend the life and maximize the performance of your cables! Cords that are allowed to pile up on the floor or hang slack behind equipment are likely to suffer damage from crushing or sagging. By introducing a cable management system like the Neat Patch into your workplace, you can ensure that you won’t need to repeatedly spend money on replacement network cables.

4. Keep your work environment cleaner. Nothing hangs on to dust like piles of tangled cables: just take a look under your desk! Chances are, those dust balls aren’t enhancing your business… but they’re probably making you sneeze! Tackling excess cord length with a product like the Cable-Safe Complete Cable Manager, which lifts wires and peripheral devices off the floor, makes it easier for you to clean, and helps to prevent dirt from collecting in the first place.

5. Look better to your clients. Always remember that first impressions count extra in business! Even if you’re great at what you do, a cluttered and disorganized workspace can give potential business partners the wrong idea. Let’s face it: an office full of messy cables just makes you look bad, so if you’re likely to receive drop-in visits from customers or prospective clients, invest in a cable management solution like surface raceway and put your best foot forward.

Setting up Fiber Optics Technology

2009-01-22T10:59:00.000+07:00

It is widely assumed that fiber optics is a new phenomenon that has recently revolutionized the communication infrastructure. Contrary to common belief, Chicago witnessed the first installation of a fiber optic link as far back as 1976. Since then, fiber optics has become widely used in telecommunications because of its large bandwidth and distance advantages over conventional copper wire.

As fiber optic communication users grow, the need to have a highly reliable system becomes more evident. By paying more attention to the design, installation and operation of a fiber optic system, it is possible to take advantage of the security, bandwidth and distance that fiber optics offers.

What are some guidelines you can use to ensure proper installation and usage of your fiber optic system?

The first step is to determine the distance or the range of the link that you are working with – longer links require single mode fibers or lasers, while shorter links take multi mode fibers or LED Sources.

Then consider the environment you are working with – is your installation outdoors or above the ceiling , or in an office or factory floor. These factors will help to determine how your fiber will be mounted. If you have a ceiling application, you may want to source fiberglass push and pull rods to help you with those hard to reach places.

Now it is important to plan splicing requirements, long lengths of cables may need to be spliced and the right tools go a long way to doing a great job. If you’re cutting into tight-buffered cable your best option is to use Kevlar shears because they cut the cable clean and neat which can save polishing time.

Another good investment would be cable strippers and lint free wipes to clean any debris left from the glass fibers. You also want to consider the type of hardware that may come in handy, if splice closures are appropriate; these will have to be sourced beforehand.

Once your fibers have been sheared, polished, cleaned and tested it becomes important to choose a termination type appropriate for your application. Remember to clean all your connectors properly and to label all your cables to identify your fiber optic cable. There are now kits on the market that may carry everything you need, which will save you a bit of time in sourcing different tools necessary for your application. Once you have documented your entire fiber optic network you should be good to go.

Remember, documentation is foresight; it will help when it comes time to troubleshoot, upgrade or restore your network.