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Festo opens Regional Contact Center for U.S. and Canadian Customers In an effort to provide a faster, more streamlined solution to U.S. and Canadian customers requiring information or assistance, Festo has optimized its services to provide answers in a timely and efficient manner. As of March 4,2010, all queries from customers regarding placement or tracking of orders, request for quotes, product support or technical assistance will be directed through the new Regional Contact Center (RCC) located at Festo's Canadian headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario. Festo is amalgamating its Contact Centers in Montreal, Quebec and St. Louis, Missouri to better serve the more than 20,000 customer calls and 9,000 faxes and e-mails it receives monthly from across the two countries. "We want to better serve our customers," explains Contact Center Manager Greg James. "Festo customer service representation in both Canada and the U.S. has always been superlative, and the new RCC will allow us the opportunity to increase our efficiency." The new RCC offers: • More Festo customer service employees to reduce customer wait-time; • Bilingual agents for French-language customers; • Extended hours of operations from SAM to 8PM EST; • Increased service during both U.S. and Canadian holidays; • Larger outbound calling team to apprise customers of all new product innovations; • Centralized product support team with knowledge of the more than 30,000 Festo products, including in-depth specialists for all electrical and mechanical enquiries; • Increased management overseeing regional growth of the Festo Online Shop. Structured to answer 80 per cent of all incoming calls within the first 20 seconds, the RCC will employ a new fully automated inbound call and document distribution FESTO Festo to unveil new Customer Solutions Center On March 4,2010, Festo will inaugurate its new Customer Solutions Center at its Mississauga, Ontario headquarters demonstrating how it will better help customers find the solution they need. "With Festo continually expanding its range of electrical and pneumatic technologies for process control, we are determined to show our customers that we are more than a place to purchase their parts—we are a solutions provider," extols Casey Samaroo, Customer Solutions Manager, Festo Inc. Along with showcasing Festo's constantly evolving leading edge technologies, the new Customer Solutions Center will offer customers a place to examine first-hand how Festo's custom-tailored solution will work via a project simulation. "Every day, Festo is asked for solutions for electrical and mechanical enquiries, states Samaroo. "Now with the Customer Solutions Center, Canadian customers can partner up directly with Festo engineers on-site to replicate situations to determine the best workable solution. The Customer Solutions Center will provide an opportunity for customers to complete an industrial automation solution involving: • Handling and positioning including pick-and-place, linear or 3D gantries with pneumatic, electrical or hybridization of both. • Custom components designed and manufactured to specification. • Assembly and kitting services via standard, custom or third-party components. • Control cabinets featuring electrical and/or pneumatic systems. • Air quality and energy auditing services. As well, the same day will also see the launch of Festo's new Regional Contact Center at the Canadian headquarters that will offer foster product support and technical assistance for its Canadian and U.S. customers.   FESTO   Coilhose Pneumatics announces the return of Rich Ricci to the Coilhose team, as Marketing Director. He will provide leadership to the Marketing Department, work closely with Sales in developing accounts, and combine efforts with Engineering in product development. Rich brings with him over 20 years of Marketing and Sales experience in the fluid power industry. His background includes 10 years working with Coilhose, as well as experience with Rectus and Parker Hannifin in similar roles. Since 1969, Coilhose Pneumatics has been providing the industrial, STAFDA, and other markets with high-quality hose, tubing, blowguns, and a wide range of pneumatic controls. Coilhose, based in New Jersey, supports both domestic as well as international customers with reliable and innovative products. Coilhose also continues to expand its manufacturing competencies. In 1990 Coilhose acquired the Freelin-Wade Company, a leader in the dental and fluid power markets, and in 1995 Coilhose acquired Acme Automotive, a manufacturer of air products for the automotive aftermarket.         Galland Henning Nopak, Inc. Announces New President Milwaukee, WI, January 11, 2010 – Galland Henning Nopak, Inc. (GHN) announced today that Steve Iram was appointed the new President by the GHN Board of Directors. Mr. Iram will succeed Daniel Steele who will remain as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Prior to Galland Henning, Iram, spent fifteen years with HUSCO International in a series of increasingly responsible positions, including production, manufacturing operations and program management. Iram, a former U.S. Army officer, is a graduate of United States Military Academy at West Point and holds an MBA from Marquette University. Iram also serves on the Board of Directors for Racine Federated Inc. “The Board of Directors of Galland Henning Nopak is delighted that Steve Iram will be joining us as our next President. We are convinced that he has exactly the right combination of energy, experience and skill to lead the company to a growing and profitable future,” said Dan Steele, GHN Chairman of the Board. Mr. Iram stated, “I am appreciative of the Board’s confidence in me to assume the responsibility to lead Galland Henning into the future. I am excited to be working with Dan and such a capable team of associates at GHN. Together we will focus on growth and delivering outstanding performance to our customers and shareholders.” About Galland Henning Nopak, Inc. Founded in 1889, Galland Henning Nopak is a National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) member and operates four lines of business including Nopak® fluid power products, recycling equipment, malting equipment and contract machining. GHN is a manufacturer of hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders, valves, recycling balers and specializes in fluid power applications for the aggregate, wood products, pulp & paper, water management, aluminum production, can manufacturing and scrap recycling industries where reliability and durability are important to prevent unscheduled down-time. Galland Henning Nopak, Inc. 414-645-6000 http://www.nopak.com SCHUNK Expert Days – Service Robotics 2010 Expert forum for the future of service robotics The first two Expert Days in 2008 and 2009 were a great success for all the participants. Now SCHUNK, the specialist in toolholding, workholding and automation in Lauffen, Germany, has organized the third Expert Days for service robotics on February 24 and 25, 2010. Experts from all over the world will assemble at this summit. In numerous lectures, which are held in English, the participiants will recieve information on present research projects, trends, and chances for service robotics. The lectures of international referees particularly focus on current topics of service robotics: safety, standardization, and European initiatives. Moreover, current research projects in the fileld of gripping, mobile manipulation, and modular robotics will be presented. The forum should be a contribution to identify marketable applications of service robotics. Beside an intensive exchange of experience, the Expert Days are an ideal platform for generating international networks all around the globe and to jointly tackle projects for the future. As in years before, two moderators will present the event: Professor Dr. Henrik I. Christensen, holder of the KUKA Chair of Robotics at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, as well as Martin Hägele, Head of Department of Robotic Systems at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering und Automation (IPA) in Stuttgart. For further information as well as for registration please complete the form online under www.expertdays.schunk.com. The event will be held February 24-25, 2010, in Brackenheim-Hausen, Germany.     FREE FRL Sample Available—Get Real-Time Ship-To Dates at Bimba.com Monee, IL – Bimba Manufacturing announced today that customers can receive a FREE FRL sample at bimba.com. Bimba offers a full line of Air Preparation Equipment, Filters, Regulators and Lubricators available in multiple bore sizes. Custom assemblies and optional accessories including porting blocks, shut-off valves, gauges and more are also available. As with all Bimba products, users can receive real-time price and delivery quotes on their FRL in three easy steps. One, select Price and Delivery from the Order Info dropdown at bimba.com; two, enter the desired part number and quantity; and three, click Request Part. Individually stocked FRL components will ship the same day to ensure customers receive products on-time, every time. Or, you can call us at, 1-800-44-BIMBA with your Bimba FRL part number or a competitor’s FRL Part Number and we will provide you with real-time price and delivery on the specific Bimba FRL to fit your requirements. When you need FRLs fast, it’s best to go with Bimba. Visit bimba.com/frl today. About Bimba: Bimba Manufacturing is a forward-thinking innovator of actuation technology, specializing in providing cutting-edge solutions to engineering challenges. Its capabilities include an extensive line of industry-leading air cylinders, rotary actuators, linear thrusters, rodless cylinders, air preparation equipment, valves, flow controls and position-sensing cylinders. In addition to its broad line of standard catalog products, Bimba also develops many custom and semi-custom products designed for specific customers and applications. These products, used in machinery and automation, are sold to original equipment manufacturers and end-users throughout the world in an expanding variety of industries.     Herkules’ New Blog --- Information-Packed Web Pages on Scissor Lift Tables and Material Handling Systems Herkules Equipment Corporation has added information-packed pages to its website in the form of a blog covering a wide range of topics all related to scissor lift tables and material handling systems. Topics include basic applications of scissor lift tables for all possible uses under the sun: basic workstation lifting; scissor lifts for conveyors; skillet lifting system; operator lifting; instrument lifting; and the list goes on and on. Herkules’ team members share their experiences and knowledge they’ve acquired throughout many years working on solutions for our customers. The blog is located at www.herkules.us/lifts/. Many of the blog’s posts cover subjects that customers have asked about on specific projects, such as “The Need for Safety Skirts”, and “Integrating Lift Tables with Carts”. Other posts cover industry information such as “Lift Table Technology” and “Calculating CFM and SCFM”. Actual unique lift projects such as “Broach Lift and Rotate System”, and “Power Turntable with Dual Tilt Tables” are explained along with photos of the final product. Herkules’ CEO, Todd Bacon, has extensive engineering knowledge on creating solutions with scissor lift tables. “For years I have wanted to explain to the world our Herkules message about the beautiful products we manufacture. The Herkules staff is a group of hard working, loyal employees, who work as a team and are very good at what they do. Please read about the products we manufacture in as many postings in our blog as you would like. I am sure you will find at least a few postings related to a solution that will work for your needs.” Herkules Equipment Corporation has been manufacturing Pneumatic Lifting Equipment for over 25 years, including (standard and custom); Lift Tables, Lift & Rotates, Lift & Tilts, Operator Lifts, Power Rotate Systems, Lifts for Integration, Cart Positioners, and Pallet Positioners. Herkules has now expanded their product offerings with electric lift systems and hydraulic lift systems. For more product information, contact Herkules at 800-444-4351, or email info@herkules.us. Visit our website at www.herkules.us.         Engineering More Value for Every Customer Commited to Customers At Bimba, every customer receives the highest level of quality, value, and service, every time. As the number one rated company in availability, performance and on-time delivery1, Bimba specializes in exceeding customer expectations and is dedicated to helping you get the job done, efficiently and accurately. The key to great service is listening. So, when our website needed a major re-design, we turned to our customers for input. After hundreds of bimba.com visitors completed online surveys, we restructured our website to better fit your needs. Now, bimba.com features a robust product catalog, as well as an extensive library of online resources. Our dedication to customer satisfaction drives the development of our products and our company. Bimba.com remains an important and growing source for information and is proof of our commitment to customer service. On our website, you can download CAD drawings, access technical articles, and watch detailed product animations. You can also get instant pricing and delivery dates, access your local Bimba distributor's contact information and see order tracking in real time. No matter what the question, an answer is only a click away. For a more personalized experience, you can always talk to a Bimba representative. Comprised of experienced engineers and dedicated sales personnel, our team is prepared to tackle your most complicated technical questions and provide you with details on any of our products. Our highly trained customer service professionals are available by phone from 7am-5pm, or can be reached by email. And, with an in-house technical center and engineering group, Bimba closes the gap between customers and production personnel. Contact us and get the answers and information you need, quickly and easily. With Bimba's wide variety of customer resources, you are guaranteed an accurate and fast response, no matter what your inquiry. At Bimba, our customers add value to our company, and we work to do the same for you. Visit bimba.com       Rexroth recently revised the SC-300 pneumatic industrial directional control valve catalog to reflect new part numbers and product line changes. The SC-300 pneumatic directional control valve catalog has recently undergone major revisions to reflect new part numbers and product line changes. The new 92 page catalog is now available and covers many of the most popular directional control valve lines. Slide valves included are the Ceram™ ISO 5599/1 subbase mounted valve with ceramic plates. Poppet valves include: Snap 3-way, Miniblock 3-way, Series 830 3-way, Series 840 4-way, Series 740 4-way and the Rotair® Block 4-way valve. Spool type 4-way valves include the CD-7, TaskMaster® and PowerMaster®. Flow rates for the valves included in the SC-300 range from 0.06 Cv to 15.7 Cv, and include in-line, subbase and manifold type valves. Operator types include solenoid, air pilot, manual and mechanical. The catalog also includes valve sizing charts, application sketches, and a features comparison chart showing the industrial pneumatic directional control valves from all Rexroth catalogs. Request your free copy of the SC-300 today. Bosch Rexroth AG is one of the world’s leading specialists in the field of drive and control technologies. Under the brand name of Rexroth the company supplies more than 500,000 customers with tailored solutions for driving, controlling and moving machinery used in industrial and factory automation as well as in mobile applications. Bosch Rexroth is a partner for industrial applications, factory automation, mobile applications and renewable energy development. As The Drive & Control Company, Bosch Rexroth develops, produces and sells components and systems in more than 80 countries. In 2008 Bosch Rexroth AG, part of the Bosch Group, achieved sales of around $8.3 billion (5.9 billion Euro) with 35,300 employees. Visit www.boschrexroth-us.com for more information.         Bimba Strengthens Commitment to Performance and Service with ERP Solution from Oracle Monee, IL – July 1, 2009 — Bimba Manufacturing, a recognized leader in Industrial Automation technology, today announced a major Business Process Improvement (BPI) initiative to further elevate its performance and deliver exceptional service and value to its customer base. Bimba is implementing a “next generation” Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution, using the Oracle® E-Business Suite, to streamline its business processes and enable future business growth. The implementation covers all key processes including product configuration, engineering design, sales order management, manufacturing, quality management, and distribution. As part of its ERP project, Bimba is expanding its implementation of Lean Manufacturing and Just-In-Time (JIT) principles to improve operations efficiency and increase manufacturing flexibility. The Oracle Applications will enable Bimba to transact business seamlessly over the Web using advanced Product Configurator, e-Commerce and Customer/Supplier Collaboration tools. David Gillhouse, Bimba’s Information Technology Director, says, “Our objective is to streamline business processes using Oracle Applications as the technology enabler. Our project team is extremely excited about the benefit potential. By streamlining our processes we expect to significantly reduce quote-to-ship lead time, improve customer service, improve manufacturing output, and increase employee productivity.” The Oracle implementation is viewed as a strategic investment by Bimba’s Executive Management team. Pat Ormsby, Bimba President, explains: “The Oracle deployment will facilitate major business process improvement to support sustained, profitable business growth. It will help our company, and our valued distributors and customers, become more successful in the future.” Bimba has engaged Lucidity Consulting Group, a Certified Advantage partner in the Oracle PartnerNetwork, to assist with the ERP/BPI initiative. Bimba recently completed a “Phase 0” Process Modeling program with Lucidity. Key business processes were simulated using the Oracle Applications to gain insight into the new methods and the associated benefits. Detailed implementation plans were then developed for software deployment and physical operations improvements. Martin Gibson, Lucidity’s BPI Practice Director, praises Bimba’s “Phase 0” effort: “First we took a comprehensive picture of the business and identified major improvement opportunities. We then simulated future processes using Oracle Flow Manufacturing, Oracle Advanced Supply Chain Planning and other ERP applications. We were able to demonstrate major efficiency gains and cost reductions through streamlined methods and physical operating changes.” Gibson says, “Bimba will be able to deploy these new techniques rapidly in the implementation phase, enabling a rapid Return on Investment. Additionally, the tools and processes can support significant business growth, not only for the next 1-2 years, but for the next decade and beyond. All processes and technology are highly scalable to support future growth.” In “Phase 0,” significant emphasis was also placed on piloting Bimba-specific models in the Oracle Configurator. When fully implemented, distributors and their customers will be able to design and sell new products in real-time, collaborate over the Web, and place orders electronically with no human intervention. This will help reduce cycle time, order errors, and costs for all parties involved. Lois Wortley, Oracle Vice President, Configurator Development says, “It is exciting to see a company like Bimba fully embrace the Oracle E-Business Suite to increase the flexibility and productivity of their manufacturing operations. Additionally, the company’s deployment of Oracle Configurator will support more efficient business methods and promote a closer relationship with distributors and customers.” Bimba is deploying a time-phased implementation strategy for its three main business units. Mead Fluid Dynamics will be the first business unit implemented (target completion 3rd quarter of 2009). This will be followed by TRD (end of 2009), and Bimba (2nd quarter of 2010). Bimba plans to extend Oracle ERP capabilities to its distributors once internal deployment is completed. Distributors interested in learning more about Bimba’s ERP/BPI initiative are urged to contact Scott Meldeau (Vice President of Sales & Marketing, meldeaus@bimba.com) or David Gillhouse (Information Technology Director, gillhoused@bimba.com). About Bimba: Bimba Manufacturing is a forward-thinking innovator of actuation technology, specializing in providing cutting-edge solutions to engineering challenges. Its capabilities include an extensive line of industry-leading air cylinders, rotary actuators, linear thrusters, rodless cylinders, flow controls and position-sensing cylinders. In addition to its broad line of standard catalog products, nearly half of the company’s business consists of custom and semi-custom products designed for specific customers and applications. These products, used in machinery and automation, are sold to original equipment manufacturers and end-users throughout the world in an expanding variety of industries.         Bionic solutions for efficient automation of the future Inspired by nature Maximum performance with minimum energy consumption: Nature shows the way to energy-efficient movement processes in tomorrow’s production and provides impulses for astounding new practical applications. Flexibility, lightness in relation to the mass to be displaced and energy efficiency are acquiring increasing significance in automation. With highly diverse examples, nature demonstrates how maximum performance can be achieved with minimum consumption of energy. Dr. Eberhard Veit, Chairman of the Management Board and Director of Technology and Market Positioning at Festo AG, explains: “We are using bionics to sound out new technologies and to offer our customers even more efficient solutions in automation.” Over the past few years, the Festo Bionic Learning Network – a cooperation of Festo with renowned universities, institutes and development companies – has become established as an integral part of Festo’s innovation processes. The Bionic Learning Network thus reflects Festo’s solutions competence for evaluating new approaches in sustainable product development. “We intend to be the innovation leader in our sector. To this end, we must repeatedly travel down new, in other words entirely different, paths in order to provide our customers with added value,” says Dr. Veit. Bionic design principles serve as the basis for the development of new gripper technology for flexible adaptive gripping in the mechanical handling industry. In biomechatronics, Festo is investigating new approaches in the control and regulation of autonomous bionic systems, all the way up to smart system integration and the application of state-of-the-art communication technologies. Autonomous, versatile, adaptive and self-regulating processes will acquire increasing significance in the future for the automation of production. In this process, the ongoing development of sensor and regulating technologies along the road to decentralised, autonomous, self-controlling and self-organising systems is benefiting from inspiration provided by nature.   Click here for Festo       Coilhose Pneumatics has announced the appointment of Adam Wishkovsky to the position of Eastern Sales Manager for both Coilhose and Acme Automotive. Reporting to John Dillenburg, National Sales Manager, Adam will be responsible for sales of products in all market channels in the Eastern United States as well as Canada. Adam will also manage Coilhose and Acme rep agencies and customer accounts in the Eastern geographical region. Adam brings 28 years of experience in a variety of sales management and marketing positions. Most recently, Adam had responsibility for all sales in the construction and rental division of Columbus McKinnon Corporation, a material handling company manufacturing products such as hoists, lifting chain, overhead crane systems, and below-the-hook attachments. Prior to that, Adam held sales and marketing management positions with a number of manufacturers, including Wilson/Dalloz Safety, Bladesmith, and Oldham Saw Company.   Coilhose Pneumatics 19 Kimberly Road East Brunswick, NJ 08816 P: 732.390.8480 F: 732.390.9693       VIBCO Vibrators Is Named As A Winner of the Managing Automation 2009 Progressive Manufacturing 100 Awards VIBCO Vibrators will be honored at the Progressive Manufacturing Awards Gala June 11, 2009 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Sarasota, Florida. VIBCO was selected as a winner of the fifth annual Progressive Manufacturing 100 Awards, selected by Managing Automation Media, a Thomas Publishing Company, LLC publication. VIBCO designs, manufacturers and markets a comprehensive range of electric, pneumatic and hydraulic vibrators for construction and industrial use. “We’re excited to be recognized for our lean revolution,” says Karl Wadensten, VIBCO President. “Everybody here has a real passion for lean and the whole VIBCO Vibration Nation team is unbelievable. We call it ‘Learning to See’ . That means that each person here is learning to recognize and eliminate waste wherever it lives. Sometimes it is small thing that saves a few minutes each day – one employee simply cut off the unused end of a monkey wrench so she didn’t have to flip the tool over to find the right fit. Sometimes it’s a big thing like creating a new program that reduces set-up times on an expensive machine. The important thing is that each and every team member has learned to see waste and now has a tool kit for eliminating it.” VIBCO trains its entire workforce in lean methodologies and is actively identifying and eliminating waste through improvement projects. All facets of the organization are affected: machining, assembly, shipping and receiving, marketing, sales, customer service, engineering, purchasing, finance and supply chain. Some key achievements include: • Setup time on CNC equipment reduced from 2.5 hours to 10 minutes • Ontime delivery is now 99% same day, next day shipping • Quality improved 80% • Productivity increase in selected work cells as much as 300% • Inventory reduced by 40% (over $1,000,000) over 2 years • Work in Progress (WIP) inventory turning 88 times per year “In the face of one of the worst economic downturns in history, these winning companies dramatically underscore how the manufacturing industry will not only get through this period but emerge in an even stronger position once a recovery takes hold,” said David R. Brousell, Editor-in-Chief of Managing Automation Media. “The projects that enabled these companies to become PM100 winners reflect great creativity and inventiveness, a determined willingness to take risk, and an enduring resilience to continually improve every aspect of their business. These companies are leading the way to a better future for all industry.” An independent judging panel chaired by David R. Brousell, Editor-in-Chief, Managing Automation Media, and Jeff Moad, Executive Editor, Managing Automation, reviewed project nominations. Judges included: • Lisa Bodell, CEO, FutureThink • Tim Hanley, Vice Chairman and U.S. Process & Industrial Products Leader, Deloitte & Touche LLP • Brad Heath, President, VirTex Assembly Services, Inc. (PM Winner) • Ivan Hovey, Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) Manager, Freescale Semiconductor • James M. Joyner, Director of Lean, Quality & Service, Card Monroe • Jay Lee, Univ. of Cincinnati, Ohio Eminent Scholar & L.W. Scott Alter Chair Professor Dept. of Mechanical Eng. • Paul E. Martin, Global Chief Information Officer, Rexam Plc (2005 Award Winner) • Robert Parker, VP, Research, Manufacturing Insights • Maureen Steinwall, President, Steinwall Inc. (2006 Award Winner) • Joe Tocci, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, Intertape Polymer Group • Steven Vidakovic, Technology and Knowledge Integration, Global Supply Chain, Pfizer Inc. (2007 Award Winner) • Ray Wang, Vice President and Principal Analyst, Forrester Research • Mark Yatskievych, Manager, Technical Support, General Dynamics (2008 Progressive Manufacturer of the Year) • Emily Stover DeRocco, President, Manufacturing Institute, Senior Vice President National Association of Manufacturers • David R. Brousell, Editor-in-Chief, Managing Automation Media The PM100 Winners will be honored and presented with their awards at the Progressive Manufacturing Awards Gala to be held on the last day of the Progressive Manufacturing Summit 2009: Redefining the Business of Manufacturing in Turbulent Economic Times, June 9-11, at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, Florida. More than 200 manufacturing technology executives are expected to attend. In addition to presenting the awards to the PM 100 Winners, Managing Automation Media will announce at the Gala Dinner High Achievers and Sub-Category Winners in each of the 8 disciplines as well as the 2009 Progressive Manufacturers of the Year at both a large and small company. About Managing Automation Media Managing Automation Media, a division of Thomas Publishing Company, LLC, provides a complete set of decision-support informational tools for executives and technology decision-makers at progressive manufacturers — companies that are using information and automation technologies to transform their businesses and create a sustainable competitive advantage. In North America with Managing Automation, and now also in EMEA with Manufacturing Executive, they deliver access to the most influential decision-makers in manufacturing. Additional information can be found at managingautomationmedia.com. About VIBCO Vibrators Founded in 1962, VIBCO Vibrators designs, manufacturers and markets a comprehensive range of electric, pneumatic and hydraulic vibrators for construction and industrial use. VIBCO Vibrators also designs, manufactures and markets a complete line of vibratory plate compactors and rollers. The company is headquartered in Wyoming, RI, USA. Toll Free in US:(800) 633-0032 Toll Free in Canada: (800) 465-9709 Email: vibrators@vibco.com Web: www.vibco.com VIBCO, We’re the Expert Vibrator Guys.TM     Bionic solutions for efficient automation of the future Inspired by nature Maximum performance with minimum energy consumption: Nature shows the way to energy-efficient movement processes in tomorrow’s production and provides impulses for astounding new practical applications. Flexibility, lightness in relation to the mass to be displaced and energy efficiency are acquiring increasing significance in automation. With highly diverse examples, nature demonstrates how maximum performance can be achieved with minimum consumption of energy. Dr. Eberhard Veit, Chairman of the Management Board and Director of Technology and Market Positioning at Festo AG, explains: “We are using bionics to sound out new technologies and to offer our customers even more efficient solutions in automation.” Over the past few years, the Festo Bionic Learning Network – a cooperation of Festo with renowned universities, institutes and development companies – has become established as an integral part of Festo’s innovation processes. The Bionic Learning Network thus reflects Festo’s solutions competence for evaluating new approaches in sustainable product development. “We intend to be the innovation leader in our sector. To this end, we must repeatedly travel down new, in other words entirely different, paths in order to provide our customers with added value,” says Dr. Veit. Bionic design principles serve as the basis for the development of new gripper technology for flexible adaptive gripping in the mechanical handling industry. In biomechatronics, Festo is investigating new approaches in the control and regulation of autonomous bionic systems, all the way up to smart system integration and the application of state-of-the-art communication technologies. Autonomous, versatile, adaptive and self-regulating processes will acquire increasing significance in the future for the automation of production. In this process, the ongoing development of sensor and regulating technologies along the road to decentralised, autonomous, self-controlling and self-organising systems is benefiting from inspiration provided by nature. Festo     SCHUNK, is pleased to announce the addition of Bob Holtz SCHUNK, a world leader in Automation. Workholding and Toolholding Technology, is pleased to announce the addition of Bob Holtz to the SCHUNK team. Mr. Holtz will fill the newly formed position of Business Unit Manager of Toolholding and Workholding. Mr. Holtz has been in the Metal cutting industry for over 20 years and has served in various capacities. “Bob brings with him a wide variety of experience and he will be a great asset as SCHUNK prepares to come out of the current economic situation with an even stronger team than before”, said Mr. Guerry, President of SCHUNK North America. Mr. Holtz will be responsible for managing the daily responsibilities of the growing SCHUNK Toolholding and Workholding departments. Mr. Holtz:”I am very excited to join SCHUNK USA as its new Business Unit Manager. Our ability to offer solutions utilizing a variety of toolholders, stationary and rotational workholding products places SCHUNK in a unique position in the metal cutting industry. I look forward to working with this great team as we position ourselves for an even greater market presence.” With more than 60 years of experience, SCHUNK is a worldwide manufacturer of toolholding components, rotating and stationary workholding systems, and automation components. Totaling more than 1,800 employees worldwide, located in 23 subsidiaries and 6 manufacturing facilities, SCHUNK offers unbeatable customer service and technical knowledge. A dense network of SCHUNK outside sales representatives and certified SCHUNK distribution partners guarantees prompt and reliable support in all stages of the manufacturing cycle. For the US market, SCHUNK provides technical support, application assistance, manufacturing, and complete customer specific solutions from the North American Headquarters in North Carolina.         Herkules’ Lift Systems Are Utilized by NASA for the Ares I-X Constellation Program Walled Lake, Michigan. Herkules Equipment Corporation worked closely with United Space Alliance (USA) for the upcoming Ares I-X mission by customizing a lift system that enabled rocket engineers to securely load 2400 pound parachutes into a booster rocket. Herkules’ engineering team designed the lift system to meet all of USA’s unique specifications including raised height, travel, foot print, portability and all strict NASA safety standards with a 3 times safety factor. The lifts are currently used at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The purpose of the three lift systems is to accurately raise the 3 large “rocket sized” parachutes independently to meet the top section of the booster rocket. The parachutes are then packed correctly and ultimately deployed in the first stage separation +123 seconds after lift-off. Fork pockets allow the lift to be moved when and where it is needed. The small footprint, combined with the required high raised height, created unique safety challenges that were answered in the design process to USA’s satisfaction, guided by strict regulations. “It was great to see things come together as planned! Thank you again for all the support” wrote the USA Ares 1st Stage GSE IPT Lead. Herkules’ pneumatic lift systems are virtually maintenance-free, with no messy fluids or costly cylinders to replace. The power source, Herkules’ Air Bag™ technology, provides a patented direct one-to-one lift ratio, eliminating stress on the scissors, minimizing wear and maintenance. The lifting motion is smooth and stable. The heavy-duty air bags are built for rugged daily use giving facilities a lifetime of trouble-free operation. Herkules Equipment Corporation has been manufacturing Pneumatic Lifting Equipment for over 20 years, including (standard and custom); Lift Tables, Lift & Rotates, Lift & Tilts, Human Lifts, Power Rotate Systems, Lifts for Integration, Cart Positioners, Pallet Positioners, and Vehicle Lifts. For more product information, contact Herkules at 800-444-4351, or email info@herkules.us. Visit our website at www.herkules.us       Rexroth Launches GoTo Focused Delivery Program for Pneumatic Products SC-GoTo pneumatic catalog and quick-reference website pages give fast access to product information and ordering details. The new Rexroth GoTo Focused Delivery Program helps customers build better machines faster with industry-leading product delivery times. New GoTo web pages provide streamlined access to product information and fast connection to applications experts. (Lexington, KY – www.boschrexroth-us.com/brp) Bosch Rexroth has increased capacity and streamlined production and delivery through comprehensive implementation of lean manufacturing techniques in the Bosch Production System. The result is the launch of the Rexroth GoTo Focused Delivery Program - offering industry-leading delivery times for its most in-demand pneumatic products and other Rexroth products. The program aims to help customers build better machines faster with swift delivery times, expert applications support, accelerated design and start-up plus reduced system costs. Select models of twenty pneumatic product families are featured in the GoTo program. Air preparation lines include inch Series AS and NL1 plus Series MU1 pressure regulators. Pneumatic valve lines include directional control valves Series 579, Series 581, Series 740, Series 840, Ceram™, Series HF03-LG, Series LS04, Series TC08 and TC15, plus Series ED02 and ED04 electro-pneumatic pressure control valves. Pneumatic cylinder lines include Series CCI compact, Series M mini, Series PRA ISO 15552, Series RMC rodless and TaskMaster® NFPA compatible. Accessories include the Series NCT Non-Contact Transfer units, Series PE5 pressure switches and Series QR1 inch fittings and tubing. The new GoTo main web page for pneumatic products, www.boschrexroth-us.com/GoToPneumatics gives customers streamlined access to specific catalog information for each pneumatic GoTo product, and fast connection to product experts. Online resources such as data sheets, part numbers, CAD drawings and specifications greatly streamline the product selection process, and by selecting a GoTo product the customer is assured fast delivery. For more information on the GoTo Focused Delivery Program and a complete list of Rexroth GoTo motion, control and automation technologies - including electric drives and controls, hydraulics, pneumatics, linear motion and aluminum structural framing products - visit www.boschrexroth-us.com/GoTo.       New Online Training - Webinars Lake City, PA, U.S.A. … Van Air Systems free online training – webinars. Learn the fundamentals of compressed air treatment in an online training session. All you will need is a phone and internet connection. Each course will last up to 30-45 minutes and cover a range of conceptual and practical topics in compressed air and gas drying. All courses will then be recorded and available on-line for those unable to attend the live session. For a list of our online training schedule please visit www.vanairsystems.com and sign up today! Phone (800) 840-9906 or Fax (814) 774-0778 or E-mail: info@vanairinc.com     Numatics Introduces Cylinder Express Shipping Program NOVI, MICHIGAN, February 31, 2009 – Numatics, a leading global manufacturer of fluid power products, today introduced the industry’s most comprehensive 2-day guaranteed shipping program for pneumatic cylinders. “Unlike traditional quick ship offerings, the Numatics 2-day cylinder shipping program encompasses the most comprehensive product and option range in the industry,” said Robert Kemple, executive vice president, sales and marketing, ASCO Numatics-Americas. “Our program includes a broad range of cylinder options and configurations and is specifically structured for customers that value exceptional quality, flexibility, and rapid shipping.” The program covers the Numatics A Series N.F.P.A. interchangeable cylinder line and its M Series non-repairable round body air cylinder line. The A Series 2-day program includes seven bore sizes ranging from 1-1/2 inches to 6 inches. Customers have the flexibility to order their cylinder stroke in 1/16 inch increments. They also can specify the precise locations for both their ports and cushion needle adjustments. In addition, the 2-day program includes highly desirable options such as high-temperature and low-breakaway seals plus rod and/or thread extensions. The M Series 2-day program has 12 bore sizes ranging from 5/16 inch to 3 inches and offers 1/16-inch stroke increments. It also includes 23 cylinder mounting styles/types. A multitude of popular options are offered such as bumpers, high-temperature seals, magnetic strip on the piston for position feedback, rod and/or thread extension, plus much more. Compared to other rapid shipping offerings, the Numatics 2-day cylinder shipping program provides higher guaranteed quantity availability. “We guarantee to ship a quantity of 10 or less cylinders for all part numbers (generated from the applicable A and M Series how-to-order pages) in 2 days or less -- or we pay the shipping,” Kemple said. “Numatics understands that customers can’t afford to be penalized with inflated shipping dates because they require products tailored to their specific application,” he said. “To offer this wide range of products and configuration options with guaranteed shipping in two days or less is unprecedented in the industry.” For more information about the Numatics 2-day guaranteed cylinder shipping program, contact Rodney Long at (615) 236-1310 or visit http://www.numatics.com/express.aspx       Harrington Industrial Plastics Opens Two New Branches First Quarter of 2009 Harrington Industrial Plastics has opened two new branches this year. The newest locations have been placed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Harrington has grown from a regional distributorship to the largest distributor of industrial plastic piping systems in the United States in the last 50 years.  Harrington began with the purpose of servicing customers that handle corrosive liquids and has expanded its offerings to include products for customers with high-purity needs and products to help protect the environment.  Companies that manufacture semiconductor, pharmaceuticals and bio-pharmaceuticals find Harrington an indispensable resource for their demanding processes. The new facilities offer fully stocked warehouses, with local delivery and highly knowledgeable employees to answer any of your questions. As with all of Harrington facilities, the new locations will bring technically oriented sales crews to the local areas along with the knowledge and strength of 39 locations nationwide. Harrington is particularly proud of its employees and their pledge to customer service. Every sales team and warehouse employee is committed to continually seek ways to improve the level of service provided.  The Milwaukee facility is located at W134 N4949 Campbell Ave, Memomone Falls, WI 53051. Located west from the Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport, with cross streets of Hampton Road and Lily Road.  The Grand Rapids facility is located at 4540-D East Paris Ave, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512. Located just west from the Gerald Ford International Airport, with cross streets of Broadmoor Ave and 44th St. For more locations, information and products please visit www.harringtonplastics.com or call anytime at 800-877-4472 and a Harrington Sales Representative will assist you.       Coilhose Pneumatics proudly celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2009, marking four decades of providing the industrial and STAFDA markets with high-quality hose, tubing, blowguns, and a wide range of pneumatic controls. Coilhose, based in New Jersey, supports both domestic as well as international customers with reliable and innovative products. Coilhose also continues to expand its manufacturing competencies. In 1990 Coilhose acquired the Freelin-Wade Company, a leader in the dental and fluid power markets, and in 1995 Coilhose acquired Acme Automotive, a manufacturer of air products for the automotive aftermarket.     Visit Coilhose                   ASCO Numatics Announces 2009 Industrial Automation Engineering Scholarships FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY, USA, February 3, 2009 – ASCO Numatics, the world’s leading manufacturer of comprehensive fluid automation solutions, flow control, and pneumatics, today announced the beginning of the 2009/2010 academic year application period for two $5,000 scholarships available to U.S. engineering students pursuing careers in industrial automation-related disciplines. ASCO Numatics will also make $1,000 grants to the engineering departments of the colleges in which the winners are enrolled. “ASCO Numatics started the scholarship program to help identify and encourage the next generation of leaders in the engineering industry,” said Robert W. Kemple, Jr., Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing - Americas, ASCO Numatics. “We were very impressed by the quality and enthusiasm of last year’s applicant pool. We are excited to continue this program throughout 2009 and expect the same high-quality applicants and talented winners.” The scholarships are merit-based and will be awarded on the candidate’s potential for leadership and for making a significant contribution to the engineering, instrumentation, systems, electrical, mechanical, and automation professions, particularly as they relate to the application of fluid control and fluid power technology. A panel of ASCO Numatics and independent judges will select the finalists. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate program in an engineering, instrumentation, systems, electrical, mechanical, or automation discipline at an accredited U.S. educational institution for the 2009/2010 academic year. At the time of application, they must have completed at least their sophomore year in a bachelor’s degree program, have at least a 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale, and be a U.S. citizen or legal U.S. resident. Complete application details and forms are available at www.asconumatics.com/scholarship. ASCO Numatics will present the scholarship awards at the 2009 ISA Expo, October 6 - 8, 2009 at the Reliant Center in Houston. The ASCO Numatics award presentation will be part of the annual ISA Young Automation Professionals Festival (YAPFEST). ISA hosts YAPFEST for automation professionals between ages 18 and 30. About ASCO Numatics ASCO Numatics, formed by the merger of ASCO and Numatics, is a business unit of Emerson Industrial Automation. ASCO Numatics offers comprehensive fluid automation solutions, flow control and pneumatics for a wide range of industry-focused applications. The ASCO Numatics product line in North America consists of more than 50,000 valves, an extensive selection of air preparation equipment, and a full line of actuation products. ASCO products include solenoid pilot valves, angle body piston valves, linear and rotary indicators, redundant control systems, and pressure sensors. The Numatics line covers valve manifolds, cylinders, grippers, filters, regulators, lubricators, and dryers. For more information about ASCO Numatics products, visit www.asconumatics.com. About Emerson Emerson (NYSE: EMR), based in St. Louis, is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions to customers through its network power, process management, industrial automation, climate technologies, and appliance and tools businesses. Sales in fiscal 2008 were $24.8 billion. For more information, visit www.emerson.com.           Kaeser Announces ENERGY STAR Partnership Kaeser Compressors proudly announces its recent partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program. This partnership reflects Kaeser’s belief in providing customers with the highest quality, most efficient compressed air products and optimized, energy-saving systems. With the help of ENERGY STAR, Americans saved about $16 billion on their 2007 energy bills while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 27 million vehicles. Kaeser intends to leverage its partnership with ENERGY STAR to communicate the importance of energy management to the industrial marketplace – and increase the national statistics for energy savings in the coming years. Kaeser prides itself on its long-standing commitment to the environment and energy management. An Allied Partner with the Department of Energy and an ISO 14001 Environmental certified company, Kaeser partnered with ENERGY STAR to further promote the importance of saving energy. “Our commitment to energy management extends beyond our products and services,” said General Manager and Executive Vice President Frank Mueller. “The design for our headquarters expansion includes many energy-saving elements, and our employees actively participate in energy and waste reduction programs.” The Kaeser headquarters expansion now underway in Fredericksburg, Virginia will include a Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO) roof to reflect sunlight rather than absorbing it like other types of roofs. The design also includes an efficient underfloor-air-distribution system and daylighting. The result is less energy required to heat, cool and illuminate the building. Current recycling and conservation programs are in place for batteries, cellular phones, computer equipment, electricity, and more. “Environmental responsibility is everyone’s responsibility—and today I’m pleased Kaeser Compressors is taking this motto to heart,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “By making smart energy choices, Kaeser Compressors is helping improve our nation’s energy and environmental outlook. For more information on Kaeser’s commitment to energy management, please call 800-777-7873 or visit us at www.kaeser.com.         New Electronic Measurement Solutions Catalog from NOSHOK No matter what the application, chances are you’ll find a pressure or temperature sensing solution in NOSHOK’s new ELECTRONIC MEASUREMENT SOLUTIONS Catalog, featuring our complete offering of industry-leading pressure, level and temperature measuring electronic instrumentation. Click on the link below to view a printable PDF. This catalog contains detailed product information and user-friendly specifications on our comprehensive range of Transducers and Transmitters for a variety of requirements. Our full range of Digital Indicators is also showcased, along with our new Digital Pressure Gauges, both Electronic and Mechanical Pressure Switches and our new Indicating Pressure & Temperature Switch/Transmitters. All of our indicators can be pre-programmed and calibrated to customer specifications. Our goal is to make installation easy and performance dependable. This catalog, and all of our other catalogs, flyers and technical manuals can be viewed and downloaded from our website at www.noshok.com in the Reference Materials Section. Or, order your printed copy (Catalog #NK08ES-1) by contacting NOSHOK’s Customer Service Team at: NOSHOK, Inc., 1010 West Bagley Rd., Berea, Oh 44017, Phone 440-243-0888, Fax 440-243-3472.

New Electro-Pneumatic Devices Catalog from Rexroth E/P proportional control valves and positioners from Rexroth A new fifty-six page catalog from Rexroth covers technical and ordering information on electro-pneumatic valves and positioners New catalog SC-600 titled “Electro-Pneumatic Devices” covers five E/P valves series, E/P positioners and electronic flowmeters. (Lexington, KY – www.boschrexroth-us.com/brp) The new Rexroth fifty-six page catalog SC-600 provides technical information, drawings and ordering information on electro-pneumatic proportional control valves, positioners and electronic flowmeters. The catalog covers the following E/P valve series: ED02 proportional solenoid-analog control; EV04 pilot control; ED05 proportional solenoid-analog link, analog control, VDS link and DDL link; ED07 proportional solenoid-analog control, VDS link, DDL link and Profibus-DP; and ED12 proportional solenoid-analog control. The valves feature flows from 3.53 SCFM to 91.8 SCFM. An overview chart in the inside front cover compares technical features, electrical data and safety features of the valve series. Rexroth E/P’s are known for their precision and low hysteresis characteristics. Bus protocols supported include: Ethernet/IP, EtherCAT, ControlNet, DeviceNet, INTERBUS-S, MODBUS TCP, Profibus-DP, CANopen and TCP/IP. Bosch Rexroth AG, part of the Bosch Group, achieved sales of approximately $7.4 billion (5.4 billion Euros) in 2007 with nearly 33,000 employees. Under the brand name of Rexroth the company offers all drive and control technologies, from mechanics, hydraulics and pneumatics to electronics and associated service. Over 500,000 customers worldwide utilize Rexroth’s unique technological know-how to implement their innovative and future-oriented systems and machine concepts. The global player, represented in over 80 countries, is an extensive supplier of components and systems for industrial and factory automation and mobile applications. Visit www.boschrexroth-us.com for more information.     Heinz-Dieter Schunk Recognized for Lifetime Achievement Heinz-Dieter Schunk, CEO of SCHUNK Inc, was awarded the German Machine Development Prize on October 14, 2008. During the third German Machine Development Summit in Berlin, the independent jury of experts in business and science recognized his lifetime achievements. Under his management, a small garage business in Germany has been transformed into an innovation hotbed of clamping technology and automation with 1,800 employees. SCHUNK's precision products are currently used in numerous sectors to increase quality and efficiency. Every other year, the top decision makers of the German Machine and Plant Development Organization, one of the largest organizations in Germany, meet in Berlin to determine the winner of this prestigious award. The two previous winners of this award are Prof. Dr. E.h. Berthold Leibinger from the machine tool builder Trumpf Inc, and Dr. Dieter Kress from the tool specialist MAPAL Dr. Kress KG. Heinz-Dieter Schunk is now the third person to receive this highly-respected award. Heinz-Dieter Schunk was 22 when he joined his father, Friedrich Schunk's, company in 1964. The small business, founded in 1945 in Germany, made a name for itself from the beginning by having high quality standards. In the 1950s, the company manufactured precision parts for Porsche and aircraft parts for Merkle, among other things. In the 60’s, Heinz-Dieter started the systematic construction of the company. For example, in 1966, the first product range was launched, chuck jaws. Today, SCHUNK leads in this product area with the largest assortment of chuck jaws in the world. In 1978, SCHUNK revolutionized the toolholder market with its high-precision hydraulic expansion toolholder. Today, in the area of clamping technology, SCHUNK manufactures various toolholding systems, stationary clamping systems, lathe chucks and jaws, and special hydraulic expansion holding devices. SCHUNK has also made a name for itself as the innovations leader in the field of automation, with the manufacture and distribution of gripping, rotary and linear modules, robot accessories, and much more. Today, the company is one of the leading suppliers in the field of automation. Despite running a vastly successful business, Heinz-Dieter Schunk is engaged in numerous professional organizations and remains a family man. He has involved his wife and two children into the SCHUNK organization. Both his son, Henrik Schunk, and his daughter, Kristina Schunk, have taken on a multitude of managerial functions for the company, thus ensuring a stable and prosperous future for SCHUNK around the globe. SCHUNK Inc. 211 Kitty Hawk Drive Morrisville, NC 27560 Phone: 919.572.2705 or 800.772.4865 Fax: 919.572.2818     Expert Days – Service Robotics 2009 Expert forum on the future of Service Robotics The Germany-based clamping and gripping specialist, SCHUNK, will be holding a new edition of its Service Robotics Expert Days on February 18th and 19th, 2009 in Brackenheim-Hausen, Germany. The international expert forum will be attended by leading authorities in the field, bringing together experts from all around the world. A wide range of presentations in English will give participants an overview of the current situation and future possibilities for the Service Robotics industry. As well as offering an intensive exchange of experience and expertise, Expert Days should also foster international networks around the globe, giving companies the opportunity to work together on projects for the future. In addition to this, the event should help to identify real service robotics applications that meet market demands. Just one look at the names of the hosts boasts how special this event promises to be. Internationally-renowned robotics experts, Professor Henrik I. Christensen and Martin Hägele, will be leading the presentations. Henrik Christensen is the current KUKA Chair of Robotics at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and was founding President of the European Network of Excellence in Robotics (Euron). Martin Hägele is Head of Robotics Systems at the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology and Automation, IPA, in Stuttgart, Germany. He coordinates the EU project "SMErobot", which is working together with all European robotics manufacturers to create a modular and interactive generation of robots that are quick to install and easy to operate. The long list of speakers includes Professor Axel Graeser from the Institute for Automation Technology at the University of Bremen, who is in charge of a number of projects researching rehabilitation robotics; Christopher Parlitz, Head of the Care-O-Bot robot assistant system project at the Fraunhofer IPA in Stuttgart; Andreas Bley, Director of MetraLabs GmbH, who developed an interactive, mobile shopping helper for the retail industry; and many other international experts. For further information and to register, visit www.expertdays.schunk.com.   SCHUNK Inc. 211 Kitty Hawk Drive Morrisville, NC 27560 Phone: 919.572.2705 or 800.772.4865 Fax: 919.572.2818   Parker Hannifin Acquires Origa Group Expanding its European Presence in Pneumatic Technologies Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH), the global leader in motion and control technologies, today announced that it has acquired Hoerbiger-Origa Holding AG (Origa Group) from Hoerbiger Holding AG of Zug, Switzerland. Origa Group is a manufacturer of rodless pneumatic actuators electric actuators, FRLs (filter regulator lubricator), pneumatic cylinders, and valves used in the transportation, semiconductor, packaging and conveying markets. The Group has major operations in Filderstadt, Germany, Wiener Neustadt, Austria, Glendale Heights, Illinois in the United States and smaller facilities in several other international locations. Origa will continue to serve our customers globally, now as a division of Parker Hannifin's Automation Group. "We are pleased that Origa is now a unit of the world's leading motion and control technology company," said Dieter Friedemann for Origa Group. "Parker has a reputation for leveraging the capabilities of the businesses it acquires yielding accelerated growth and profitability. That is good news for Origa customers, suppliers and employees." "We're excited about the opportunities this combination offers for Parker," said Roger Sherrard, President of Parker's Automation Group. "Origa is a respected manufacturer and their world class rodless actuator line strengthen the depth and breadth of our global product portfolio." The Origa brand is well known, particularly in European markets that offer growth opportunities for Parker.       Redesigned SmartPipe product catalog and installation guide from Kaeser Introducing our enhanced SmartPipe product catalog and installation guide! This helpful resource covers everything from the benefits of our modular aluminum piping to installation tips and product specifications. With product images, part numbers and the technical details for each component, it’s now easier than ever to choose just the right parts for superior performance. Plus, we’ve included lots of easy-to-understand illustrations with piping do’s and don’ts – making a simple installation process even simpler! Get all the specifications on SmartPipe – the versatile piping system featuring lightweight materials and push-to-fit connectors that can be installed without threading, welding or sweating. Learn just how easily SmartPipe can be integrated into existing systems and modified to accommodate changing needs. Let us show you just how “smart” Kaeser’s SmartPipe can be. Call 800-777-7873 or visit us at www.kaeser.com/smartpipe.     New Energy Efficiency in Pneumatics Brochure   New cost savings brochure from Rexroth A new twelve page brochure from Rexroth discusses energy cost savings through intelligent use of pneumatics making the systems more efficient.The new brochure titled “Energy Efficiency in Pneumatics” has three main areas of achievable cost savings related to compressed air consumption. This is significant as energy costs comprise on average more than half the total cost of ownership in pneumatics today. (Lexington, KY – www.boschrexroth-us.com/brp) The new Rexroth twelve page brochure R499050661 provides three main areas of energy cost savings to lower the cost of compressed air. The first area is dimensioning or sizing. Discussed are methods and tools for optimizing the components such as cylinders and valves that are used, and this area is estimated to offer an average of 15% savings. The second area is pneumatic hose lengths, here methods and products for decentralizing the air supply are offered. It is estimated an average of 35% savings could be achieved by optimizing pneumatic hose lengths instead of using centralized systems, by methods such as cylinder/valve combinations. The third area is using intelligent pressure regulation, and deals with using optimal pressure for each application. An estimated a 25% savings can be achieved. The brochure is included as part of the Bosch Rexroth U.S. web presence on the topic of Sustainability Manufacturing.   SCHUNK Participates in Joe Gibbs Racing’s 2008 FanFest SCHUNK Inc., a world leader in workholding, toolholding, and automation technology, continues its partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), one of NASCAR’s premier Sprint Cup Racing teams, by participating in JGR’s 2008 FanFest. The event, which hosted approximately 4,000 fans, took place on October 10th at the JGR facility in Huntersville, North Carolina. A little over $25,000 was collected for the Mooresville Soup Kitchen (MSK), thanks to everyone’s generous involvement. The MSK serves warm, nutritious lunches to those in need of food and fellowship. Fund raisers at the event included driver autograph sales and a silent auction. There were also bands playing and food was available to all visitors. Several other JGR sponsors, including M&MS, FedEx, The Home Depot, Toyota, Doosan, Siemens, Coca-Cola, and Food Lion, also took part in the FanFest by displaying company information and handing out promotional items. SCHUNK serves as the “Official Workholding Partner” of JGR, home of the #20 Home Depot Toyota driven by Tony Stewart, the #18 M&M’s Toyota, driven by Kyle Busch, and the #11 FedEx Toyota, driven by Denny Hamlin. SCHUNK assists JGR by developing Workholding Solutions that will enable them to make track-specific modifications to the racecars by getting car parts cut quickly and therefore ensuring that JGR stays top competitive on the racetrack. SCHUNK has the same commitment to speed and quality that JGR values. SCHUNK Inc. and JGR look forward to a prosperous relationship going forward. The two companies have already proven themselves to be a winning combination on and off the track.         CLIPPARD RELEASES NEW FULL-LINE PRODUCT CATALOG Cincinnati, Ohio -- Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc., manufacturer of the industry’s most complete line of miniature fluid power products, has just released the all-new 388-page catalog. This full-line catalog includes features, specifications, technical drawings, color photographs, and application highlights throughout. Products can be found in six main categories, including Cylinders, Electronic Valves, Control Valves, Modular Valves, Fittings and Hose, and Air Preparation equipment. Clippard has been serving the needs of design engineers around the world since 1946 with quality products, on-time deliveries, application engineering expertise and a stocking distributor network that is highly trained to handle all your miniature pneumatic needs. Contact Clippard today, or your local distributor, for catalog #CILCAT-0608, a real working tool and resource for all your miniature pneumatic needs. Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc. 7390 Colerain Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45239 513-521-4261 • 877-245-6247 www.clippard.com/catalog-pol       New EXAIR Catalog Features Cooling and Blowoff Products EXAIR's new 25th Anniversary Catalog 22 is a full color, technical guide offering solutions to common industrial cooling, drying, conveying, blowoff, cleaning, and static electricity problems. The expanded 144 page catalog features products that can help companies conserve compressed air and reduce dangerous noise levels. Vortex tubes for spot cooling and air saving Super Air Nozzles for safe, quiet blowoff applications are also featured. A detailed technical explanation, performance data, application photos, and dimensional drawings are provided for each product. A price list is also included. For more information contact:  EXAIR Corporation 11510 Goldcoast Dr. Cincinnati, OH 45249-1621  Phone: (800) 903-9247  Fax: (513) 671-3363 E-mail: techelp@exair.com www.exair.com/catalog.htm     New CEO/President for Festo-USA “Together, we are in an ideal position to make great strides toward our goals for growth and profitability. I strongly believe that the American market is full of exciting opportunities and I look forward to working with everyone in establishing Festo as a market leader in the United States.” , Mike Cybulski, CEO and President, Festo Corporation Festo Corporation and the Festo-US employees welcome their new President and CEO, Mike Cybulski, to the Festo team. Mike joins Festo with an education in Mechanical Engineering and vast experience in Operations and Sales. His belief in world-class customer service, technology development, and skills training will be a definite asset, as Festo looks to the future. Mike’s mantra of “teamwork and direct contact” with employees and customers brings renewed enthusiasm to Festo U.S. His past successes are a solid indicator of the strong alignment between his values and vision with those of Festo worldwide. Mike’s strong leadership skills and experience are especially noteworthy as Festo-U.S. moves forward. Festo is a leading global manufacturer of pneumatic and electromechanical systems, components and controls for industrial automation, with 56 national headquarters serving more than 180 countries. For more than 80 years, Festo has continuously elevated the state of manufacturing with innovations and optimized motion control solutions that deliver higher performing, more profitable automated manufacturing and processing equipment. Our dedication to the advancement of automation extends beyond technology to the education of current and future automation and robotics designers with simulation tools, teaching programs, and on-site services. Festo Contact Information for publication: Tel: 800.99.FESTO; Fax: 800.96.FESTO E-mail: customerservice@us.festo.com Website: www.festo.com/usa     SCHUNK Inc. Partners with Joe Gibbs Racing SCHUNK Inc., a world leader in workholding, toolholding, and automation technology, is proud to announce their partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), one of NASCAR’s premier Sprint Cup Racing teams. SCHUNK will serve as the “Official Workholding Solutions Provider” of Joe Gibbs Racing, home of the #20 Home Depot Toyota driven by Tony Stewart, the #18 M&M’s Toyota, driven by Kyle Busch, and the #11 FedEx Toyota, driven by Denny Hamlin.  Left to right: Brad Evans (Product Manager SCHUNK) Milton Guerry (Vice President SCHUNK), JD Gibbs (President of Joe Gibbs Racing), Mark Bringle (Technical Sponsor Manager)   SCHUNK will assist Joe Gibbs Racing by developing Workholding Solutions that will enable them to make track-specific modifications to the racecars by getting car parts cut quickly and therefore ensuring that Joe Gibbs Racing stays top competitive on the racetrack. J.D. Gibbs, President of Joe Gibbs Racing, comments, “I am proud to announce that SCHUNK is now an official technical partner of Joe Gibbs Racing. They have the same commitment to speed and quality that we value and we look forward to a productive partnership with them going forward.”  SCHUNK’s comprehensive line of Workholding Solutions as well as their reputation for providing quick responses with creative workholding solutions are a few of the reasons Joe Gibbs Racing chose SCHUNK. Speed was also a key factor in Joe Gibbs Racing’s decision. The SCHUNK Unilock Zero Point pallet system will significantly shorten the turn around time to get parts into the machine while maintaining accuracy with 0.0002” repeatability. Jim Strasser, Manufacturing Engineer for Joe Gibbs Racing, has already noticed benefits from the new equipment from SCHUNK, stating, “In the first several months, SCHUNK has solved numerous challenges from the lathe to the mills. We look forward to seeing what else they can help us with.” SCHUNK Inc. and Joe Gibbs Racing look forward to a prosperous relationship going forward. The two companies are already proving to be a winning combination on and off the track.  With more than 60 years of experience, SCHUNK is a worldwide leading manufacturer of toolholding components, rotating and stationary workholding systems, and automation components. Totaling more than 1,600 employees worldwide, located in 17 subsidiaries and 6 manufacturing facilities, SCHUNK offers unbeatable customer service and technical knowledge. A dense network of SCHUNK outside sales representatives and certified SCHUNK distribution partners guarantees prompt and reliable support in all stages of the manufacturing cycle. For the US market, SCHUNK provides technical support, application assistance, and complete customer specific solutions from the North American Headquarters in North Carolina. About Joe Gibbs Racing:  Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) is one of the premier organizations in NASCAR, currently fielding three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams, two NASCAR Nationwide Series teams and a driver development program. Its driver lineup consists of Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch in the Sprint Cup Series; Stewart, Hamlin, Busch and Joey Logano in the Nationwide Series; and Marc Davis in the NASCAR Camping World Series East. Based in Huntersville, N.C., and owned by Joe Gibbs – a three-time Super Bowl winner as head coach of the Washington Redskins and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame – JGR has competed in NASCAR since 1992, winning three Cup Series championships and more than 80 NASCAR races, including three Brickyard 400s and the 1993 Daytona 500. SCHUNK Inc. 211 Kitty Hawk Drive Morrisville, NC 27560 Phone: 919.572.2705 or 800.772.4865 Fax: 919.572.2818 www.schunk.com info@us.schunk.com   ASCO and Numatics Merge to Offer Unified Flow Control/Pneumatics Solutions  FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY, USA, March 25, 2008 – ASCO and Numatics, business units of Emerson Industrial Automation, have merged operations in North America to form ASCO Numatics -- a unified company that offers comprehensive flow control and pneumatics solutions for a wide range of industry-focused applications.  “The synergies from combining these two great businesses in North America will accelerate their growth in high-potential markets such as life sciences, pharmaceuticals, power generation, and biofuels,” said John Meek, President, Americas, ASCO Numatics. “We are the first company to combine a broad portfolio of highly reliable fluid power and control solutions with focused process expertise to generate lower cost of ownership, greater asset availability, and improved productivity.”  The ASCO Numatics product line in North America consists of more than 50,000 valves, an extensive selection of air preparation equipment, and a comprehensive set of position indicators. ASCO products include solenoid pilot valves, angle body piston valves, linear and rotary indicators, valve monitoring systems, redundant control systems, and pressure sensors. The Numatics line covers valve manifolds, filters, regulators, lubricators, and dryers.  With the largest presence of any fluid power and control supplier, ASCO Numatics can deliver consistent local service and technical support anywhere in the Americas.  “Our designers, engineers, and technicians are renowned for their expertise in solving the challenges of air and fluid flow,” said Meek. “When these capabilities are combined with the exceptional quality and reliability of our products, customers benefit from faster installation, smoother system integration, reduced maintenance, and a single point of accountability.”  ASCO Numatics solutions also are ideal for textile machinery, food and beverage, heat exchangers and autoclaves, air ride suspension, medical and analytical instrumentation, petroleum and chemical, water and wastewater, pulp and paper, machine tool, packaging, commercial appliance, and HVAC applications.  For more information about ASCO Numatics products, visit www.asconumatics.com .        Free Air System Design Guide! The latest in air system design plus the hottest management trends Get all the latest compressed air system design information with Kaeser’s eight-page guide – “Designing Your Compressed Air System.” This completely revised, four-color publication takes you step-by-step through the process of determining and creating the system you need. Achieving top performance at the lowest operating cost, and building a reliable supply of clean, dry air at a consistent pressure requires thorough system planning. Our helpful new guide clearly address critical issues such as:  • What is your compressed air demand? • What are your pressure requirements? • How much storage do you need? • How to determine the best distribution system? • What are some important layout considerations? Updated with the industry’s hottest trends in air system management and controls, the guide still includes valuable engineering references such as the Compressed Air Glossary, Rules of Thumb and Conversion Formulas. For more information, please call 800-777-7873 or visit us at www.kaeser.com.     IFPE 2008 Is Site of International Fluid Power Summit - Show is Global Gathering Place for Power Transmission Industry IFPE 2008, the International Exposition for Power Transmission, is the site of the 2008 International Fluid Power Summit, a meeting of leaders from fluid power associations across the globe. The show co-owner, National Fluid Power Association (NFPA), is hosting the event. IFPE runs March 11-15, 2008 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, USA, and the summit will be held March 13. The fluid power summit typically attracts key association leaders from countries including Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey and the United Kingdom. The summit provides an opportunity for peer to peer discussion on a worldwide basis, with the aim of developing strategies that effectively address global challenges facing the fluid power industry. “NFPA is pleased to host this important event. Over the last several years, fluid power associations from around the world have seen increasing value in opportunities like these to come together and partner on initiatives that strengthen the global fluid power industry,” noted Eric Lanke, NFPA Executive Director. “The promotional television program debuting at the NFPA booth on the IFPE show floor is one such collaborative project that grew out of one of these meetings. With that momentum behind us, we’re looking forward to the discussion on March 13 about creating a worldwide certification program for fluid power.” In conjunction with the summit, an International Statistics Committee meeting will also be held, with a focus on international statistical/data collection programs. IFPE is the leading international exposition and technical conference devoted to power transmission through hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical and electrical technologies. More than 125,000 industry professionals from around the world are expected to attend IFPE 2008 and the co-located CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008. NFPA is the U.S. based forum through which fluid power industry channel partners work cooperatively to advance hydraulic and pneumatic technology. For information on the fluid power summit, contact NFPA (Eric Lanke at phone +1-414-778-3351 or email elanke@nfpa.com). For information on IFPE 2008, contact the show offices at +1-800-867-6060 toll free North America or +1-414-298-4141, or go online at www.ifpe.com.     CT Governor Tours Plant, Touts Importance of “Lean” Programs New Britain, CT- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell toured the Peter Paul Electronics Company plant and touted the importance of lean processes to Connecticut manufacturers. The governor’s office is responsible for a number of training and development programs for Connecticut companies to implement lean manufacturing, including work cells, Kanban and other Kaizen improvements, to ensure a competitive environment for Connecticut companies. During the event, Peter Paul’s President, Paul Mangiafico and Vice President, Michael Mangiafico, presented the governor with an award for her initiatives, which have helped the company stay ahead of its overseas competitors. The Connecticut Department of Labor administered training through Central CT State University’s Institute of Technology and Business Development, the Aerospace and Defense Initiative and Capital Workforce Partners, to institute lean techniques throughout the plant. As a result, Peter Paul has been able to add a second shift and increase employment by 20%. The company is also better poised to accommodate custom orders, even while reducing inventories.  In addition to immediate benefits to Peter Paul, the State and U.S. balance of trade benefit from the company’s improvements: “The better positioned these suppliers are to snatch up contracts, the more likely they are to expand and hire more people” Governor Rell mentioned in regard to the advantages to Connecticut. Responding to the fact that Peter Paul ships products to mainland China, Operations Manager Michael Mangiafico II said “We’re selling to them, not buying from them”. Peter Paul Electronics was established in 1947 and employs worldwide distribution for its broad range of standard and miniature solenoid valves, explosion proof, high-flow and high pressure valves; complementary manifolds and stacking bodies in stainless, brass or aluminum; solenoid valve operators for OEM use; and a vast array of body, housing and coil options for standard and special applications. Most Peter Paul products are UL and CSA listed. For further information, contact:  Peter Paul Electronics Co. 480 John Downey Dr. New Britain, CT 06050 Phone: 860-229-4884 FAX: 860-223-1734 E-MAIL: info@peterpaul.com     Automation secures jobs  If you are looking for innovations, come to Germany: Again in 2008 inventors from all over the world will be converging on AUTOMATICA  Six months before AUTOMATICA 2008 gets under way the robotics and automation sector is riding high. No sign of any slowdown here. The order books have been full for months, employees and machinery are working at full stretch. A happy situation, but one which requires clever juggling of impatient clients and ever tighter capacities. At the same time managers have to be looking to the future. In the past when order volumes were high, attention focused exclusively on ongoing production. This time the manufacturers of robot and assembly systems are reporting that despite full order books, they are investing in parallel in projects for the future. On virtually every street corner we get a sense that things are looking up in the economy. The figures also back up this impression: the IFR, International Federation of Robotics, for example, reported that robotics manufacturers worldwide achieved sales of around 5.8 billion US dollars in the last year. If systems integrators are included, then the total rises to 17 billion, even despite the fact that the automotive and electronic engineering industries significantly reduced their investment in robotics during the same period. IFR Chairman Stefan Müller explains: “All other industries are nevertheless investing in robotics like never before.” Next year, too, sector experts are expecting that most growth will come from general industry (all sectors of industry except the automotive sector). These sectors have some catching up to do. Although they generally do have largely automated processes, in contrast to the car industry, those processes are often very rigid. With a customer base concerned more or less with individuality, the production equipment has to be flexible. Typical of this development is the packaging sector: For years the use of robots, i.e. the flexible part of automation, was restricted to pallet operations, but now this industry is a shining example of how to use the many forms of automation. Yet this trend does have its critics: machines instead of people – again and again the manufacturers of robots and automation are accused of destroying jobs. In fact the very opposite can be true, as shown by many German machinery and plant manufacturers. Companies with sophisticated automated systems and perfectly coordinated processes are not only expanding their production on the world market, they are even bringing back production capacities that were located abroad. Companies reporting this kind of trend include not only the top automotive suppliers but also construction machinery manufacturers like Bomag of Boppard and Vögele of Mannheim. Innovation – and this is no secret – is possibly the only chance for German machinery manufacturers to hold out against the ever improving competition from abroad. A trade fair like AUTOMATICA, with its high proportion of international exhibitors and visitors, is ideal for getting to know and evaluating the competition. The visitors from all over the world have high expectations of German inventions and developments – and they will certainly not be disappointed: In assembly the new trends are called ‘Desktop Factory’ (Bosch und Rohwedder) and ‘Tabletop Automation’ (Stäubli). Such units are highly versatile production platforms. The individual compact segments can be fitted with a range of different production equipment and put together in a series. For ever shorter product life-cycles it is possible to create specifically equipped and efficient production and assembly lines. Most of the elements in such a line can then be used later for other production operations. In robotics an agile multi-arm technology with a sophisticated vision system is one of the most sought-after technologies. But older concepts, too, such as delta kinematics are being revived and competing with current standards. Kinematics is already very fast, but with four instead of three arms the robots turn into really high speed operatives. Manufacturers of bent-arm robots are responding to this development by producing robots that have two drives per axis and which can also move at ultra high speed. There is certainly no lack of exciting ideas and concepts – just when and how these concepts are implemented in market-ready solutions will be another interesting aspect to find out about at AUTOMATICA 2008. For further information on AUTOMATICA 2008, go to: www.automatica-munich.com.  Press contact for AUTOMATICA  Dr Jutta Seitz  Head of Marketing & Communication  Capital and Consumer Goods Fairs  Tel. (+49 89) 949-20680  Fax (+49 89) 949-97 20680  e-mail: jutta.seitz@messe-muenchen.de    AMETEK FORMS ULTRA PRECISION TECHNOLOGIES DIVISION New Division Combines Taylor Hobson, Solatron Metrology and Precitech  Paoli, PA,–AMETEK Inc. has formed a new Ultra Precision Technologies Division that brings together its Taylor Hobson Division with two more recently acquired businesses: Solartron Metrology and Precitech.  “All three businesses—Taylor Hobson, Solartron Metrology and Precitech—have strong organizations, enjoy excellent industry reputations and serve a growing global customer base,” notes Bruce Wilson, Vice President and General Manager of AMETEK Ultra Precision Technologies. “Together, they allow AMETEK to leverage combined manufacturing operations, technological capabilities and distribution competencies to provide our customers with the broadest range and most advanced metrology and ultra precise manufacturing products available today,” he added. Taylor Hobson, based in Leicester, England, is an acknowledged leader in ultra-precision measurement instrumentation and a pioneer in the development of instruments for metrology and nanotechnology. Acquired in 2004, Taylor Hobson represented AMETEK’s initial entry into ultra-precision manufacturing and nanotechnology.  AMETEK added to its position in 2005 with the acquisition of Solartron Metrology, a well-established leader in digital and analog instruments used in the precision measurement of machined and fabricated parts that is also based in the United Kingdom. In late 2006, AMETEK acquired Precitech, a leading U.S. manufacturer of ultra-precision machining systems for a variety of markets, including nanotechnology, military, defense and ophthalmic.  AMETEK Ultra Precision Technologies is headquartered in Leicester, England, with manufacturing operations in Bognor Regis, England; and Keene, New Hampshire and a global network of sales and service locations.      Advanced Mechatronics Training Equipment Grand Opening –  Suffolk County Community College Brentwood, New York The need for advanced technical education is a popular subject these days, and it is one that must be addressed immediately.  In order to keep a competitive edge, manufacturing companies are upgrading their automation equipment to increase productivity and enable the production of high quality products. The automated equipment that is used today requires technicians with a new set of technical skills to operate and maintain them. The US Department of Labor estimates that more than 10 million skilled factory jobs will be unfilled by the year 2020 – only 13 years from now! It is essential that high-tech, specialized training be made available to students and to the current workforce.  Suffolk County Community College, Brentwood, New York, in partnership with Festo Corporation recently unveiled the new Advanced Mechatronics Training Center. The new center unveiled advanced, high-tech manufacturing and process control equipment which reflects world-class training capabilities. The hope is to create greater awareness among students, school systems, industry leaders, workforce development agencies, economic development agencies and government officials about the variety of career paths that exist in the manufacturing field. As part of this mission to provide affordable higher education and workforce development opportunities, SCCC applied for and received a three-year $2.4 million federal grant through the United States Department of Labor Employment & Training Administration to train workers for advanced manufacturing. This resulted in a new curriculum – Mechatronics – that will give the manufacturing workforce more highly developed skills increasing their employment opportunities and salary levels. More than 200 workers from more than 38 manufacturing companies have enrolled in the college’s mechatronics certificate program since last spring. The college also plans to offer an associate degree program in the field next fall.  As a global manufacturer of high technology, factory automation systems, Festo Corporation is committed to working with other community colleges throughout the United States to establish training centers to keep up with the technology. For additional information, please contact Learning System Division of Festo Corporation. Main Office: (631) 404-3182 Technical Support: (631) 404-3184 Email: petra.milks@us.festo.com   KEPNER PRODUCTS COMPANY – 60 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE Since 1948, Kepner Products Company has pioneered design, development and manufacture of precision pressure and flow control valves featuring the Kepner Flexible Seal Seat.  The Flexible Seal Seat is central to all our products and is a carefully engineered combination of metal-to-metal and resilient elastomer sealing. Kepner valves offer dependable zero leakage in a broad variety of industries for many different gas and liquid media applications. Valve functions include high durability check, relief, shuttle and pilot operated controls. Inline and cavity insert cartridge designs offer broad ranging choices in sizes, port configurations, construction materials, pressures and flows. Both poppet and ball control elements are available. Precision manufacturing procedures provide design flexibility, efficient production and enhanced quality products. We pride ourselves in our responsiveness to individual customer problems. Successes include both standard zero leak design solutions and a multitude of customized designs for both fluid power and fluid transfer applications. Ongoing research and development activities at Kepner are advancing our technical capabilities. Every valve continues to receive individual attention in assembly, testing and custom reporting ensuring proper operation and sufficient documentation.  With an excellent product and a focus on quality and responsiveness, we strive to process orders quickly and correctly. Customer service drives us to continue to improve as demands for Kepner valves in the marketplace continue to grow. Kepner Products Company  630-279-1550 Fax: 630-279-9669 Website: www.kepner.com      CLIPPARD MINIATURE PNEUMATICS FOR SCIENTIFIC APPLICATIONS Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc., manufacturer of the industry’s most complete line of miniature fluid power products, has just released an all-new catalog for Scientific applications such as medical, pharmaceutical, analytical, dental and more. Products include Electronic Valves, Check Valves, Control Valves, Proportional Valves, Regulators, Fittings and Tubing and more. Also being introduced in this literature is the all new series of Electronic Valves developed for use in Oxygen-enriched environments for applications that are extremely sensitive to contamination. Contact Clippard today, or your local distributor, for your FREE catalog today. Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc. 739) Colerain Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45239 513-521-4261 • 877-245-6247 www.clippard.com/catalog-pol       COVAL Vacuum Manager opens North American subsidiary. Coval Vacuum Technology Inc., a subsidiary of Coval Vacuum Managers is now operational in the US. Coval Vacuum Technology Inc., the Raleigh, NC based subsidiary for Coval Vacuum Managers was established in July of 2007. Coval Vacuum Technology Inc. will support the North American market. The company will offer local inventory and will provide sales and technical support through an expanding dealer network.  COVAL specializes in the manufacturing and distribution of vacuum components for automation with a worldwide focus in the packaging, plastics, and automotive industries. Coval has been a manufacturer of vacuum components (suction cups, vacuum pumps (venturi/electrical), vacuum switches, spring compensators, peripheral devices) for more than 20 years and is a force for innovation in the field of automation technology.  Coval assists their customers in optimizing the performance of automated production equipment, as it relates to vacuum. Due to innovative components and complete diagnostics of the vacuum circuit, Coval can provide reliable solutions to significantly reduce energy consumption and noise level while improving productivity. For more information about Coval please visit the website at www.coval.com. Your contact @ Coval Inc. Matt Ossi  Technical Sales Manager Matt.ossi@coval.com Coval Inc. 212-112 Powell Drive Raleigh, NC 27606 www.coval.com     SCHUNK announces the acquisition of GEMOTEC SCHUNK is expanding its extensive Automation Component line with the acquisition of Gemotec Montagetechnik GmbH.  Gemotec manufacturers a complete product range of modular assembly technology, consisting of pneumatically and electrically operated linear units, gripper modules and rotary actuators. The Gemotec components are proven in thousands of assembly applications and very well known throughout Europe. These highly dynamic and flexible assembly solutions will easily adapt most to any assembly automation needs without special adapter plate designs. Design time is saved and costs are reduced.  The comprehensive product line is completely modular, and can be freely integrated with other components of the system. It’s easy “combine instead of design”, individual assembly solutions right through to complete functional assemblies, with the use of an intuitive sizing software and without having to resort to special adapter plates or designs. For SCHUNK the acquisition of Gemotec represents the perfect complement to the existing product range, from which SCHUNK hopes to achieve considerable synergies and significantly improve market coverage. Customers can now obtain an extended range of products and take advantage of the worldwide sales and support network of SCHUNK. SCHUNK Inc. 211 Kitty Hawk Drive Morrisville, NC 27560 Phone: 919.572.2705 or 800.772.4865 Fax: 919.572.2818 www.schunk.com info@us.schunk.com       Air Cylinders Direct is proud to announce the unveiling of our new, more comprehensive e-commerce site.  The site now includes a complete line of air cylinders that range from a robust NFPA Interchangeable product line to an economical non-repairable series. You can now purchase additional pneumatic components at www.AirCylindersDirect.com. These component types included Motion Control, Directional Control Valves, Air Preparation, Composite Fittings, and Composite Flow Control products.  The Motion Control product offering includes pneumatic slides, grippers, swing clamps, and air bellows. Our Directional Control Valve line now includes a multitude of mechanically operated button valves, i.e., palm button, palm/reset, push button, roller/limit, toggle, and turn button. Air Preparation products consist of air filters, regulators, filter/regulator combo units, and shut off valves. Air Cylinders Direct Fittings and Accessories section now includes a complete line of both in-line and in-port flow controls as well as a full line of composite fittings.  In addition to all the new product lines, we are pleased to offer the most advanced support tools in the pneumatic component industry. These tools include 3D CAD models for all Motion Control products. Our dynamic 3D CAD configuration program only requires you to provide your application requirement; we take care of the rest! Subsequently, the desired CAD model is quickly generated and can be retrieved via e-mail. This includes both 2D drawings as well as 3D models in all of the popular formats. In fact, the models are available in over 65 different native CAD formats. In addition to our advanced dynamic 3D CAD configuration program, you will find automated application calculators that will quickly and easily calculate required cylinder bore sizes, estimated cylinder extend and retract forces, and required air line pressure. This is just another example of why Air Cylinders Direct is The Online Answer to Air Applications. 1-866-404-5300 – telephone sales@AirCylindersDirect.com  www.AirCylindersDirect.com     IFPE 2008 Will Be Largest Ever  Power Transmission Exposition Sets Exhibit Space Sales Record  The 2008 edition of the IFPE - International Exposition for Power Transmission will be the largest in the show’s history, with more than 115,000 net square feet of exhibit space already reserved (10,718 net square meters) with the show nine months away.  The last IFPE, held in 2005, was also a record-breaker, topping off at 111,471 net square feet of exhibits. IFPE 2008 will be held March 11-15, 2008 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, USA. The triennial show is the leading international exposition and technical conference dedicated to power transmission and motion control technologies. It is co-located with the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 exposition, which targets the construction industries. IFPE attendee registration permits access to both shows. IFPE 2008 exhibitors include longtime participants as well as new-to-the-show companies, from smaller specialized firms to global leaders, and from the United States, Canada and worldwide.  The American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) and the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) are sponsoring IFPE 2008 exhibit pavilions, and there will be an exhibit pavilion which highlights the expanded presence of sensors suppliers at the show. IFPE 2008 will also feature several international exhibit pavilions, including China, Italy, Spain and Taiwan. “Attendees will be able to examine the latest equipment and technologies to help solve their design challenges, whether they involve hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical or mechanical processes. And, they’ll be able to discuss new developments and cost-effective applications with the industry’s leading suppliers,” stated IFPE Show Manager Sara Truesdale Mooney. IFPE is geared to engineers and others involved in the design and manufacturing process in a variety of industry segments, including off-road equipment, fluid power/power transmission products, electrical machinery, instruments/controls, distribution, material handling, manufacturing/production automation/machine tools, automotive/commercial vehicles, engineering services, defense/aerospace and amusement/entertainment technology. IFPE is co-owned by the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) along with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) and National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA). Exhibit space is still available on a first come, first served basis. For more information on attending or exhibiting, phone +1-414-298-4141 or toll free North America +1-800-867-6060, fax +1-414-272-2672 or online at www.ifpe.com. IFPE 2008 and CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 Earn International Buyer Program Status from U.S. Government  Services Connect Global Buyers and Sellers  The CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 and co-located IFPE 2008 expositions have been selected by the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) to participate in its International Buyer Program (IBP). The IBP will help bring international attendees to the shows and facilitate at-show connections with exhibitors wanting to sell to the global marketplace. Only a few expositions are named to the IBP each year based on their status as quality events serving industries with excellent export potential. Approximately 20 percent of show attendance to the co-located events is expected to come from outside the United States. The IBP promotes selected trade shows to a worldwide audience through its Commercial Service International Posts and selected embassies and consulates. Key activities under the IBP are Commerce Department recruitment of official trade delegations to attend the shows and a “matchmaking” service to facilitate buyer-seller interaction and onsite export counseling. As part of the IBP, CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 and IFPE 2008 will operate a comprehensive International Trade Center during the shows, with services to include interpreters, a separate registration area, message centers, phone/fax/e-mail access, meeting rooms and a lounge area. The shows will also provide assistance with travel and housing arrangements for international delegations. The shows will produce an Export Opportunities Guide (print or electronic versions available) for distribution onsite and to Commerce Department international posts. The guide is designed to help attendees easily locate companies interested in doing business on a worldwide basis through export sales, agency relationships, distributor investment or joint ventures.  As part of the IBP agreement, CONEXPO-CON.AGG 2008 and IFPE 2008 in addition will offer show planning information and registration materials in several world languages via print brochures and on the shows’ websites. Selected educational programming will also be offered with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish, Portuguese and Russian. “The international attendance at CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE illustrates the increasingly global scope of our industries, and the shows’ reputation as a quality destination to conduct business. We’re pleased to have the continued support of the U.S. Commerce Department,” stated Petra Kaiser, director of international marketing for the shows. For more information on attending or exhibiting, phone +1-414-298-4141 or toll free 800-867-6060, fax +1-414-272-2672 or online at www.conexpoconagg.com or www.ifpe.com.  Registration and Housing Opens July 9, 2007 for IFPE 2008 and CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008  Sign Up in Advance to Save Time and Money  Advance registration for the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 and IFPE 2008 expositions is open as of July 9, 2007. Attendees will also be able to register in advance for the shows’ many educational opportunities as well as obtain housing accommodations. CONEXPO-CON/AGG and the co-located IFPE 2008 will be held March 11-15, 2008 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, USA. The shows will be the international gathering place in 2008 for the construction and motion control industries. One registration allows access to the exhibits of both shows, and advance registration saves money off the on-site fee. Register online at www.conexpoconagg.com or www.ifpe.com, or via fax or mail. Advance registration closes February 8, 2008. Full information on the show is available online, and attendees can also request a registration brochure with details and registration forms. Downloadable registration forms on the show websites will be available in several languages besides English, including Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Advance registration also saves money for attendees taking advantage of CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 education programming. Single tickets will be available as well as four-ticket and 12-ticket value packs. IFPE 2008 will also offer extensive education. The IFPE Technical Conference is $75 pre-show and at-show, and includes a CD-ROM of the proceedings. The new IFPE Innovations and Solutions Showcase sessions are no charge to all registered IFPE and CONEXPO-CON/AGG attendees. For fax and mail registrations, fax numbers are +1-847-940-2386 or toll free North America (800) 521-6017, and mailing address is CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 & IFPE 2008 Registration Headquarters c/o Experient, 108 Wilmot Road - Suite 400, Deerfield, Illinois USA 60015-5124. Gear Manufacturers to be Featured In New IFPE 2008 Exhibit Pavilion  American Gear Manufacturers Association Sponsors Pavilion for Members  The American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) will sponsor an exhibit pavilion for its members at the 2008 IFPE - International Exposition for Power Transmission. AGMA will also promote the show as an IFPE 2008 supporting organization.  IFPE 2008 will be held March 11-15, 2008 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, USA and will be North Americas largest exposition and technical conference for hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and mechanical power transmission components, systems and controls.  AGMA members primarily manufacture gears, gearboxes, flexible couplings or mechanical power transmission equipment or components; supply machine tools, cutting tools and other capital equipment to the gear manufacturing industry; or offer supplies or services such as gear blanks, lubricants, heat-treating and grinding.  We welcome AGMAs participation in the show. Industry partnerships such as this strengthen IFPEs scope and are a key to its success, stated Linda Western, Executive Director of the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA), IFPEs co-owner.  Our members products and services are a good fit with IFPE and our exhibit pavilion at the show is one more way we can offer them exposure to potential customers, added Kurt Medert, Vice President of AGMA.  IFPE 2008 is co-located with CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008, which will be the largest international gathering place in 2008 for the construction industries. The shows are expected to attract more than 125,000 visitors from around the world. For more information on attending or exhibiting, phone 414-298-4141 or toll free 800-867-6060, fax 414-272-2672 or online at www.ifpe.com or www.conexpoconagg.com.  IFPE 2008 Plans New Exhibits Pavilion To Spotlight Sensor Manufacturers  The 2008 IFPE - International Exposition for Power Transmission will feature a new product-specific exhibits pavilion that will highlight an expanded presence of sensor equipment manufacturers at the show.  Exhibitors in this pavilion will display sensors utilized for measuring acceleration, displacement, flow, fluid level, presence/proximity, pressure, temperature and velocity.  IFPE 2008 will be held March 11-15, 2008 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, USA and will be North Americas largest exposition and technical conference for hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and mechanical power transmission components, systems and controls.  This is a growing product segment at IFPE, and this pavilion is another example of the wide range of motion control products and technologies that attendees will find at the show, stated IFPE Show Manager Sara Truesdale Mooney.  IFPE 2008 is co-located with CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008, which will be the largest international gathering place in 2008 for the construction industries. The shows are expected to attract more than 125,000 visitors from around the world.  In conjunction with the IFPE 2008 exhibition, the IFPE Technical Conference will be held and will focus on all areas of technology: research, design, new developments, materials and case histories. The conference will include a new electronic controls symposium in addition to its technology and design program.  For more information on attending or exhibiting, phone 414-298-4141 or toll free 800-867-6060, fax 414-272-2672 or online at www.ifpe.com or www.conexpoconagg.com.  IFPE and CONEXPO-CON/AGG Expositions Extend Co-Location Partnership Through 2014  Next Shows Set for March 11-15, 2008 in Las Vegas, USA  The IFPE and CONEXPO-CON/AGG expositions have extended their co-location agreement through 2014 in recognition of the successful partnership between the two shows, which has benefited both exhibitors and attendees. IFPE and CONEXPO-CON/AGG first co-located in 2002, and the next edition of the triennial shows will be March 11-15, 2008 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, USA. An estimated 125,000 visitors are expected at the two events. “We have been extremely pleased with the results of the co-location. Our exhibitors have access to a vast array of OEM customers at the adjacent CONEXPO-CON/AGG exhibits, and our attendees have the opportunity to see a wide variety of quality, innovative solutions from more than 500 leading suppliers,” stated Linda Western, Executive Director of the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA), IFPE co-owner. IFPE, the International Exposition for Power Transmission, will be the largest event in North America in 2008 for the motion control industry. CONEXPO-CON/AGG will be the largest international exposition in 2008 for the construction industries. “The IFPE exhibits complement the components section of CONEXPO-CON/AGG, providing added value to attendees and exhibitors alike. CONEXPO-CON/AGG exhibitors also benefit by the convenient access that their engineers, specifiers, R&D and other technical personnel have to the latest power transmission technologies,” said Megan Tanel, CONEXPO-CON/AGG Director.  Strategic Planning Task Force Provides Vision for IFPE’s Future The last IFPE, held in 2005, broke records for number of exhibitors and total exhibit space, and the combined shows had record attendance. To continue this momentum, the co-location agreement calls for formation of an IFPE strategic planning task force made up of NFPA Board members. NFPA has appointed the following industry executives to the task force: David Anderson, President and CEO of Sauer-Danfoss, Lincolnshire, Illinois;  Marwan M. Kashkoush, Corporate Vice President-Worldwide Sales/Marketing of Parker Hannifin Corp., Cleveland, Ohio; and  Hans Zobel, President and CEO of Festo Corp., Hauppauge, New York. “Our shows are directed by industry volunteers to keep them targeted to industry needs. This task force of NFPA leaders will help provide the vision for IFPE’s future, meeting the evolving global demands of the power transmission marketplace,” stated Sara Truesdale Mooney, IFPE Show Manager.  For more information, phone 414-298-4141 (toll free 800-867-6060) fax 414-272-2672, online at www.ifpe.com or www.conexpoconagg.com.  IFPE 2008 to Feature Pavilion of Power Transmission Distributors Association Members  PTDA and IFPE Partnership Provides Value to Attendees, Exhibitors  The International Exposition for Power Transmission (IFPE) and the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) have signed an agreement which will bring a PTDA-sponsored exhibits pavilion to IFPE 2008, strengthening the scope of the exposition and increasing the opportunities for customer interaction.  IFPE is held every three years and the next show will be March 11-15, 2008 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, USA.  IFPE 2008 will feature the broad range of power transmission and motion control products delivered through hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical and electrical technologies. The exposition will be the largest industry gathering in North America for the motion control industry. PTDA has also signed on as a supporting organization of IPFE 2008 and has designated the show as the only U.S. exposition it will support in 2008. In addition, PTDA will hold several association meetings in conjunction with IFPE 2008. PTDA also lent similar support to the last IFPE, held in 2005. For the 2008 IFPE, the association has substantially increased the expected size of its exhibits pavilion. “We are very pleased that PTDA and its members will again participate in IFPE, especially with an increased level of support. They provide a valuable dimension to the exposition and reinforce the show as an industry gathering place,” stated Linda Western, Executive Director of the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA), IFPE’s co-owner. IFPE 2008 is co-located with CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008, which will be the largest international gathering place for the construction industries in 2008. The shows are expected to attract more than 125,000 visitors from around the world. IFPE also features a highly regarded technical conference on power transmission and motion control technology. “Our partnership with IFPE provides an ideal opportunity for our members to expand their contacts with qualified industry buyers worldwide as well as network with peers and take advantage of the education programs offered,” stated Mary Sue Lyon, PTDA Executive Vice President. For more information on attending or exhibiting, phone 414-298-4141 or toll free 800-867-6060, fax 414-272-2672 or online at www.conexpoconagg.com or www.ifpe.com.  Chairman Selected for IFPE 2008, Sauer-Danfoss Executive Heads Show Management Committee  David Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sauer-Danfoss in Lincolnshire, Illinois has been named Chairman of the Management Committee of the 2008 International Exposition for Power Transmission (IFPE). He will lead a volunteer group of industry executives responsible for overall show planning. IFPE 2008 will be held March 11-15, 2008 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.  IFPE is the leading international exposition and technical conference devoted to power transmission and motion control through hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical and electrical technologies. The trienniel event is co-located with the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 exposition for the construction industries. 35 Years of Industry Experience David Anderson has more than 35 years of experience in the fluid power industry. He joined Sauer Danfoss in 1984 and held various senior management positions within the company, including Executive Vice President - Strategic Business Development, before being named President and CEO in July 2002. He also serves on the company’s Board of Directors and the board’s Executive Committee. Anderson is an officer of the National Fluid Power Association (NFPA), show co-owner. IFPE 2008 Management Committee Named Named as Vice Chairman of the IFPE 2008 Management Committee is Marwan Kashkoush, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Marketing of Parker Hannifin Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio. Also serving on the IFPE 2008 Management Committee, in addition to David Anderson and Marwan Kashkoush, are: Richard Arter, Communications Manager of Sun Hydraulics Corp., Medina, Ohio;  Mark Johns, Mobile Hydraulics Director, Account Management and Marketing of Bosch Rexroth Corp., Fountain Inn, South Carolina;  Josh Keepman, Industrial Advertising Specialist of Gates Corp., Denver, Colorado;  Marcia Klein, Treasurer of Cassappa Corp., Batavia, Illinois;  Judy Krause, Director of Marketing of Hydraforce Inc., Lincolnshire, Illinois;  Susanne Nelson, Marketing Administrator of Sauer-Danfoss Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota;  Christopher Olson, President of T-Lon Products Inc., Hartland, Wisconsin;  Dave Prevallet, President of Prevallet Technical Services, Laurens, South Carolina;  Jeanie Reed, Marketing Manager, Trade Shows of Eaton Corp., Eden Prairie, Minnesota;  John Strickland, Director, Marketing and Product Development of Fairfield Manufacturing Company Inc., Layfayette, Indiana;  Erin Thull, Services and Marketing Specialist of National Fluid Power Association, Milwaukee, Wisconsin;  Linda Western, Executive Director of National Fluid Power Association, Milwaukee, Wisconsin;  Barbara Yurisich, Marketing Staff Assistant of Parker Hannifin Corp., Lincolnshire, Illinois. IFPE Show Manager is Sara Truesdale Mooney from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), show producer and co-owner. For more information contact IFPE at phone 414-298-4141 or toll free 800-867-6060, fax 414-272-2672 or online at www.ifpe.com.    Detailed Parker Catalogue Provides Pneumatic Actuator Product Information The Actuator Division of Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH) recently released Pneumatic Actuator Products (AU03-0900P-3/NA), an updated,  comprehensive, 4-color, fully illustrated catalog. Pneumatic Actuator Products provides detailed information and complete specifications on Parker’s line  of pneumatic actuator products.  The catalog showcases important new products including the: · P5L Series Guided Cylinder · P5TT/D Series Twin Rod Cylinder · P1D Series Rod Lock Cylinder · P1X Series Rodless Cylinder · P1Z Series Magnetically Coupled Rodless Cylinder · PRNA Series Vane Rotary Actuator This new edition of Pneumatic Actuator Products provides information about Parker Hannifin Compact Cylinders, Round Body Cylinders, ISO Cylinders, Rodless Cylinders, Guided Cylinders, Rotary Actuators, Electronic Sensors, and Complementary Products. The catalog also includes engineering/safety data and appropriate ordering information and forms. The Pneumatic Actuator Products catalog features section-by-section updates with uniform product line presentation, easy-to-find model code layouts, improved drawings and tables, as well as an entirely new subdivision on ISO cylinder products. All sections are fully illustrated with photos, flow charts, diagrams and related schematics. All-new Application Fax Forms are included for four main product types, including cylinder, guided cylinder, rotary actuator and gripper. As a result of field feedback, pagination has been simplified, with numbering by section rather than by product line. Individual product chapters include product features, specifications, and full technical data to include performance curves, basic dimensions, options and special modifications where applicable. Global in scope as a supplier of pneumatic products and systems, Parker provides guidance throughout the catalog to help customers identify and apply products. A full-color front section of the catalog features global capabilities, and a unique globe logo identifies products, services and manufacturing facilities in multiple geographic regions.  The Actuator Division combines pneumatic, electromechanical, hydraulic and structural aluminum technologies to provide world-class automation system solutions across all industries.       New Literature Release from ControlAir, Inc. ControlAir Inc. has released a redesigned Short Form Catalog which includes new products and industry approvals to its line of Precision Air Pressure Regulators, Transducers and Relays.  The redesigned catalog will provide customers with an easy, quick way to locate the most up-to-date product information, specifications and industry standards.  Regulators, transducers and relays are ideal for any pneumatic control system that requires precise regulation of air pressure in pipes and vessels. Applications include valve actuation, medical diagnostic instruments, web tensioning, roll loading, control panels, pneumatic counter balancers, test and lab apparatus, liquid dispensing machines, process control, robotics and leak testing equipment. The units are offered in various pressure output ranges from 0 to 150 psi. Porting is 1/8”, 1/4", 3/8” NPT. All regulators come complete with 1/4" NPT gauge ports. Options include Tamperproof Cover and Factory Preset Output Pressures. ControlAir Inc. manufactures precision pneumatic and electropneumatic controls. ControlAir’s markets include process control, semiconductor, printing and converting presses, diagnostic and surgical medical equipment, robotics, quality control, automotive, analyzers, compressors, pumps and paint equipment. For more information, ControlAir’s website, www.controlair.com, offers full product specifications with pdf files, product CAD drawing files, and company profile. ControlAir Inc. Phone: 603-886-9400 8 Columbia Drive Fax: 603-889-1844 Amherst, NH 03031 USA  Website: http://www.controlair.com     Quick-Ship Program for Parker P5L Cylinders Reduces Lead Times The Actuator Division of Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH) offers the P5L Series Quick-Ship Program for timely delivery of pneumatic cylinders. Using Quick-Ship, specific, stocked P5L guided cylinders ordered before 12 p.m. ET will ship the same day. Depending upon customer location, their orders will be received the following day. Today’s fast moving markets and compressed design cycles demand rapid response to reduce lead times. The P5L Quick-Ship Program allows customers to electronically order by complete part number – simplifying the process and eliminating the need to configure. The program meets a variety of demanding requirements, including bore sizes 25, 32, 50, and 63mm and stroke lengths of 100, 200, and 300mm. The P5L Quick-Ship basic option set consists of: · Thrust version · Composite bushing · Cushions · Bumpers with adjustable stop collars · Nitrile seals · NPTF ports The redesigned P5L Series of guided cylinders is engineered to deliver superior linear-motion performance for the most extreme applications. Coupled with the unique Quick-Ship Program, the P5L Series delivers precise performance and responds to compressed design cycles where quick delivery of critical components is crucial. P5L cylinders feature two case-hardened support shafts directed by four linear bearings with all components incorporated into a one-piece housing. Bearing options include standard/oversized composite bushings with chrome-plated or stainless steel shafting or self-aligning and standard recirculating ball bearings with carbon or stainless steel shafting. Versatile and full-featured, P5L’s guided bearing system makes it the system of choice for demanding applications such as pick-and-place assemblies, case erectors and gauging operations. Composite bushings are impregnated with Teflon to provide self-lubrication capabilities. Additional P5L options are available to customize applications to the most rigorous specs.  P5L Series’ unparalleled features/benefits include self-aligning bearings for higher load capacities; micro-adjusters for high precision, accurate stroke; direct-mount cylinders for eliminating transition plates; and capacity to control loads of 9000N+ while 20-100 mm bores sizes are engineered to handle strokes in excess of  1500 mm. The Actuator Division combines pneumatic, electromechanical, hydraulic and structural aluminum technologies to provide world-class automation system solutions across all industries.   DE-STA-CO Establishes New Corporate Headquarters DE-STA-CO, a worldwide leader in the innovation, design, manufacture and support of clamping, gripping, transfer and robotic tooling solutions for workplace and automation needs, has relocated its US headquarters to Auburn Hills, Michigan in the Metropolitan Detroit area. Effective February 5, 2007, the company will consolidate its Birmingham and Madison Heights Industrial Workholding Products operations and corporate offices to the larger, more modern facility. The new headquarters will house the engineering, sales, manufacturing, assembly, service, technical communications, training, marketing and administration departments. Please note that this relocation only affects corporate offices and Industrial Workholding Products operations. DE-STA-CO Robohand Automation Products operations will continue to be based out of Monroe, Connecticut. The consolidation and move to the new location will allow for additional efficiency of operations, as well as heightened communication and accessibility for customers. For more information on the new facility, please visit destaco.com        VP Instruments ISO 9001:2000 certified VP Instruments, manufacturer of flowmeters for compressed air, is ISO-certified. The quality system was developed by our own quality manager Mr. D. Grossklaus. This registration, issued by KEMA Quality B.V., recognizes VPInstruments’ commitment to product quality and excellence in customer service.  ISO 9001:2000 is an internationally accepted reference for business-to-business quality management requirements. Certification is granted to organizations that demonstrate their ability to consistently fulfill customers' quality requirements and applicable regulatory requirements.  VPInstruments info@vpinstruments.com Buitenwatersloot 335 www.vpinstruments.com 2614 GS Delft, the Netherlands  T:00 31 152131580 F:00 31 152130669       CLIPPARD RELEASES NEW FULL-LINE CATALOG Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc., manufacturer of the industry's most complete line of miniature fluid power products, has just released the all-new 388-page catalog. This full-line catalog includes features, specifications, technical drawings, color photographs, and application highlights throughout. Products can be found in six main categories, including Cylinders, Electronic Valves, Control Valves, Modular Valves, Fittings and Hose, and Air Preparation equipment. Clippard has been serving the needs of design engineers around the world since  1946 with quality products, on-time deliveries, application engineering expertise  and a stocking distributor network that is highly trained to handle all your  miniature pneumatic needs. Contact Clippard today, or your local distributor, for  catalog #CILCAT-1006, a real working tool and resource for all your miniature  pneumatic needs. Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc. 7390 Colerain Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45239 513-521-4261  www.clippard.com/catalog       New catalog features Series QR1 Pneumatic Push-in Fittings Rexroth catalog SC-400.10 features inch and metric Series QR1 pneumatic push-in fittings With the QR1 series, Rexroth provides a comprehensive inch and metric (ISO-G) program for its pneumatic components. In addition to the Mini and Standard programs, the complete fitting program also includes various function fittings. Rexroth catalog SC-400.10 features 128 pages of technical and ordering information and a features overview section on Series QR1 pneumatic push-in fittings. Series QR1 (Quick Release) fittings are equipped with a user-friendly oval plastic release ring that enables fast connection and release of compressed air tubing, making them easier to use than standard push-in fittings.  The Mini design has been created for plastic tubing ODs of 1/8” to ¼” and 3-6 mm. This variety of fittings is completely new at Rexroth and rounds out the product spectrum specifically for the small handling sector. The Standard design fittings can be used for tubing ODs of 5/32” to ½” and 4-16 mm. Products such as check, ball and flow control valves are also included in the range of function fittings.  Rexroth       The new SC-Master2 catalog from Rexroth contains over 600 pages of technical and ordering details regarding industrial pneumatic directional control valves plus electro-pneumatic pressure control valves.  Twenty-eight directional control valves are divided into sections including: Plug-in valve manifolds, Traditional valve manifold systems, Inline valves and Manual/Mechanical valves. A separate section details serial link options, electro-pneumatic pressure control valves and the MS01 part present sensing system. Also included is an accessories section which includes solenoid connectors and cables, common fittings and silencers. The catalog is also available on CD upon request.   Contact Rexroth         New OEM Low Cost Product Line Featured in Pneumatics Product Catalog Chicago, Ill. August – 2006 – A new twenty page pneumatic products catalog, focusing on product lines specific to the OEM’s low cost, quality component requirements is now available from MFD Pneumatics. Available in print or online, this new catalog provides in depth engineering data and specifications on the Company’s full line of control valves, cylinders, specialty valves, filter regulators, and accessories. This engineering resource facilitates engineering design by providing detailed operating specifications, along with physical dimensions for each product. The catalog is available online on the MFD Pneumatics website: www.mfdpneumatics.com or call toll free 1-866-264-9560 for information.       Here's What's New at Kuriyama of America, Inc. NEW OFFICE! NEW CENTRAL WAREHOUSE! NEW LOCATION! Our continued growth through our customer's support over the last 36 years has made it necessary for us to expand our offices and central warehouse.  Our new facility in Schaumburg, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago) is designed to allow us to improve inventory stocking levels, provide space for the expanded availability of new products, and improve the shipping efficiencies that our customers have come to expect from Kuriyama.  We are in our new facility NOW!  Our new address is:  360 E. State Parkway, Schaumburg, IL 60173-5335  Our new telephone and fax numbers are: Phone: (847) 755-0360  Fax: (847) 885-0996      Festo Standardizes On The PTC® Product Development System  PTC Product Development System is part of Festo’s strategic initiative to increase product development efficiency in the global marketplace  NEEDHAM, MA – August 8, 2006 – PTC, the Product Development Company, today announced that Festo AG (Esslingen, Germany), one of the world leaders in automation and controls, has selected the PTC® Product Development System (PDS) to replace its existing CAD/PLM platform. Festo will begin its adoption of the PDS with Pro/ENGINEER®, PTC’s integrated CAD solution that helps companies develop detailed, intuitive and realistic digital product representations. In parallel Windchill® will be implemented for content and process management. Festo’s decision to deploy the PTC Product Development System is part of a corporate strategy to secure and improve its position in the global marketplace by optimizing overall efficiency in the product development process with a particular focus on reduced time to market. With an annual turnover of 1.4 billion Euro, more than 300,000 customers in 176 countries and 11,500 employees, Festo is one of the leaders in the market for industrial automation and controls. Festo has over 23,000 products and several hundred thousand product variants, so it required a comprehensive and powerful system for product development that fuels innovation and global collaboration, while at the same time controlling key content and processes. Festo selected the PTC Product Development System because of its proven strength in the areas of associative 3D design, analysis and manufacturing, change and configuration management, global collaboration, and parts classification and reuse. The recent addition of Arbortext, PTC’s dynamic publishing software, to the PTC Product Development System was an additional factor in Festo’s decision to work with PTC. ”With the transition to the PTC® Product Development System, we are laying the foundation to secure our competitive position in an international marketplace where speed and flexibility are essential for success,” said Dr. Thomas Rubbe, Member of the Management Board Knowledge and Information Management at Festo. “The decision to work with PTC is a key element in Festo’s corporate policy of deploying industry leading solutions that we have started with the introduction of SAP® and Microsoft® solutions.” Festo will deploy PTC solutions at corporate headquarters, where its main R&D facilities are located, as well as in its international technical engineering centers, where products are adapted to local market needs. Festo expects to see improved process quality and stability from initial research to manufacturing, as well as improved integration with partners, suppliers, and customers. ”Managing complexity in today’s global manufacturing industry requires a systematic approach to product development,” said Jim Heppelmann, executive vice president and chief product officer, PTC. “With an integrated approach comprising product modelling and content and process management into one consistent technology platform, PTC is differentiating itself in the PLM market. More and more customers like Festo are benefiting from our integral system and share our vision for a future in which we remove existing barriers between design engineering, manufacturing and technical publications processes. We look forward to helping Festo achieve its strategic objectives for years to come.” The implementation of the PTC technology starts immediately. The first phase is accompanied by an extensive review of existing data and processes to ensure a smooth migration. In addition a global training program will bring users up to speed and enable them to take the full advantage of the new PLM environment by the time of the roll-out in 2007. In its final stage PTC's product development system will be the single source for all product related information for all users at Festo's R&D center in Esslingen, Germany, as well as for all globally distributed “Regional Engineering Centres” (REC).       A new website (www.mfdpneumatics.com) offers product and engineering information focusing on the specific needs of OEM’s in today’s highly cost competitive marketplace for pneumatic products. This website has been designed specifically to offer convenient online sales, for quick access to products, for prototypes, and testing.  This website also provides detailed technical specifications on this new line of engineered products -- valves, cylinders, filter regulators (FRL’s), and related components. This new division, headquartered in Chicago, has been created to provide a specific focus on the needs of the OEM market.  In addition, this new website highlights the service and technical support for this new product line, including engineering and applications assistance – which this new division will offer from the headquarters office and from distribution locations throughout North America.  Online sales and support are available via this operating division’s new website: www.mfdpneumatics.com.        BISHOP-WISECARVER APPOINTS RAY HARRINGTON VP, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Industry Veteran to Lead Company Growth Strategy  Pittsburg, CA - - June 15, 2006 - - Today, Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation announced it has appointed Ray Harrington, 30 year veteran in the Power Transmission industry, VP of  Business Development. Harrington has held numerous management and executive positions within the industry, focusing on planning and implementing change, as well as new market  development in various organizations. Harrington’s most recent roles include VP, Marketing and Sales for Ruland Manufacturing Company, and President and COO of Pacific Bearing Company, which was previously a client  of his successful consulting practice based in Toronto, Canada. Under Harrington’s leadership, Pacific Bearing’s sales multiplied, and they established a worldwide presence in the  market. Bishop-Wisecarver retained Harrington as a consultant in 2003, and he joined BWC’s Board of Directors in 2004. "I am delighted to have joined the Bishop-Wisecarver team,” says Harrington. “In the last few years I have been impressed by the vision, direction and energy that Pamela Kan has installed in the company. They have a great future and I look forward to making my contribution to their success." Harrington’s distinguished career began with a key management role in a Liverpool, UK, startup, that successfully built a 1500 person plant business in under 12 months, after which he joined RHP, the UK’s largest bearing company. Early key accomplishments at RHP included reducing Work-in-Process, increasing productivity, and management of programs of  rationalization and standardization across five manufacturing plants. As part of this process, he implemented a co-operative alliance strategy for bearing companies across Europe, which developed multi-million dollar returns for each of the partners.  RHP later appointed Harrington to a turn-around assignment in Toronto, Canada, as VP of the Central Region. Under his strategic direction, sales increased in both OEM and distributor markets. Newark Electronics, a major US electronic components distributor, then appointed Harrington to lead their expansion into Canada, where he established a seven-branch  organization before being transferred to Chicago, as VP, Western Sector. In this capacity, he led a 120-million dollar, 40-branchoperation. He then joined Cookson America as general manager of their KMC division, before starting his consulting company for transmission manufacturers and distributors. “Ray’s industry expertise and proven ability to ‘make things happen’ introduce infinite possibilities,” says Pamela Kan, President of Bishop-Wisecarver. “We are fortunate to have a  professional of his caliber on our team.”  Harrington graduated from Brunel University in London, where he qualified as a metallurgist. He has been active in the Power Transmission Distributor Association (PTDA), and the Bearing Specialists Association (BSA). He has served as PTDA chair of the Human Resources Committee and the Annual Summit Planning Committee.      Norgren’s new look web store delivers online advantage As the demand for online purchasing increases Norgren has enhanced its online web store facility to offer even more functionality. The existing online purchasing facility has undergone a major makeover in response to customer feedback and is now easier to use and features new innovative tools and services. Original Equipment Manufacturers are increasing the use of electronic media to provide support for designers and engineers alike. Competitive advantage can be achieved through the use of innovative services all targeted at cutting costs and reducing time to market. With a new simpler, cleaner and fresher look the online facility benefits from a complete redesign that provides updated navigational features such as a new tab style menu and quick links thus ensuring speedy access to the sites main tools. The online catalogue proves a popular stop for most sites visitors and this has been redesigned to show clearer information. Offering real time price and availability information, the ability to track all orders however they are placed and a host of purchasing tools, the new store helps buyers and engineers get their job done more efficiently. For more information or an online tour please visit http://store.norgren.com/US     Beswick Engineering’s New Website Offers 3D Models for Download  Beswick Engineering designs and manufactures high-performance miniature fluid power devices.  Beswick Engineering’s new web site offers 3D models for download! The new site, www.beswick.com, went live on the 9th of March 2006.  Many customers have transitioned from 2D drawings to 3D models to shorten their design cycle. 3D models help design engineers create their own assemblies, check potential  interferences, and create assembly drawings for manufacturing. Beswick will continue to provide 2D drawings for customers who require the 2D format. In addition to the inclusion of 3D models, Beswick has optimized the web site for faster product searches. Over 200 new products have been added to the new website. Applications include: medical and dental equipment, instruments, laboratory equipment, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, aerospace equipment, packaging machinery, industrial  robots and many more.  Beswick products include: fittings, valves, quick disconnects, pressure regulators/gauges, cylinders, filters, orifices, shock absorbers, pressure electric switches, tubing, etc.  Beswick speaks your language and can custom design products to meet your specific requirements.  For more information, please contact: Applications Engineers Beswick Engineering Co., Inc.  284 Ocean Road, Greenland, NH 03840-2442 USA  Phone: +1 603.433.1188 Fax: +1 603.433.3313 E-mail: besales@beswick.com  Website: http://www.beswick.com     Norgren’s new fluid control group combines a wealth of expertise Littleton, Colorado, USA – Norgren has announced that it is combining the well established and proven brands of FAS, Webber, Buschjost and KIP to form the new Norgren fluid control group. The new group will focus its energy and resources on fluid control valves and solutions and, by bringing these brands into one organization, will provide customers with the combined resources, expertise and breadth of product range to enable them to source any fluid control solution from one capable global supplier.  The new group benefits from over 100 engineers who are completely dedicated to the development of solenoid valves, process valves and customized fluid control solutions. FAS, Webber, Buschjost and KIP have the project management experience, the specialized industry knowledge as well as an in depth understanding of standards. This expertise is utilized to create competitive advantage by actively helping customers to increase sales, improve market share and reduce total cost of ownership.  With a vast amount of experience in a wide variety of industry sectors such as medical, on board vehicle, inkjet, water management and environmental technology the group’s expertise lies in customizing a world leading portfolio of technologies into dedicated system solutions to overcome customer specific problems. As an IMI subsidiary, and part of the global Norgren organization, the new fluid control group provides customers worldwide with the reassurance of dealing with an established global supplier with financial strength and security, plus all the advantages of a global sales and service network.  “ By bringing Norgren’s fluid control brands into one team means we are able to combine their extensive customer experience and technological capabilities to provide some very innovative solutions” said Sean Toomes managing director of the new fluid control group. “ The engineers within the group are highly focused on providing solutions that deliver real engineering advantage. The teams capabilities and the results they deliver astonishes me” The new group, headquartered in Switzerland, has a multi national approach with FAS located in Geneva, Buschjost in Germany, KIP in the USA and Webber based in the UK. From these facilities the group is able to offer both technical and manufacturing capabilities. For further information please visit www.norgren.com    PHD’s New 2006 Product Solutions Catalog Now Available  PHD has released its newly updated main product catalog, Catalog 2006 Solutions Book. The catalog allows users to have PHD’s current product information available within arm’s reach at all times. Catalog 2006 is yet another example of PHD’s commitment to excellence in product, service and support, and to provide customers with “Simple Productivity Solutions.” Catalog 2006 contains the latest product information on PHD’s standard products including powered slides, grippers, rotary actuators, cylinders, multi-motion actuators, escapements, switches, and sensors. The catalog also contains information on newly released products including Series GRR Guardian™ Grippers, new generation Series CR and CT Compact Cylinders, and more. This year’s edition also provides more clamp products solutions as well as a section describing PHD’s Plastic Packaging Components Group. This group is dedicated to meeting the specific needs of the plastic packaging industry.  To request a free catalog, call PHD, Inc. at (800) 624-8511, or visit our website at www.phdinc.com. PHD, Inc., P.O. Box 9070, Fort Wayne, IN 46899 (260) 747-6151; FAX (260) 747-6754 www.phdinc.com phdinfo@phdinc.com         PIAB NAMES MIKE BROTZ AUTOMOTIVE SEGMENT SPECIALIST Hingham, MA, —PIAB Vacuum Products, a leading manufacturer of industrial vacuum products, has appointed Mike Brotz to the position of Automotive Segment Specialist. In his new role, Mr. Brotz will be responsible for overseeing all account activity in PIAB’s automotive segment, helping customers optimize their vacuum systems and ensure that the most productive and energy efficient solutions are in place. Brotz will also work closely with PIAB’s North American distributors to provide technical and sales support and training for automotive-specific vacuum solutions. With over 20 years of experience working with those within the automotive manufacturing industry, Mr. Brotz brings a wealth of knowledge to companies that want to improve their existing systems and make investments for the future. Previously, Mr. Brotz served as a District Sales Manager for PIAB in the company’s Southeast Michigan territory. Prior to PIAB Brotz worked for MRM Inc., a Michigan-based distributor of industrial automation products for the automotive industry.  About PIAB PIAB Vacuum Products is a global leader in developing innovative vacuum products for use in automated material handling and factory automation processes. PIAB provides innovative solutions designed to help improve productivity and efficiency in manufacturing processes around the world.  For more information about PIAB’s complete line of products, contact, PIAB USA, Inc., 65 Sharp Street, Hingham, MA 02043, or call 1-800-321-7422; visit www.piab.com   Blancett Flow Meters Receives $1.6 Million Dollar Military Contract Racine, WI, December 1, 2005: Blancett Flow Meters, a division of Racine Federated Inc., has been awarded a $1.6 million dollar military contract for the Model 1100 Turbine flow meter and B2800 flow monitor. These meters are part of a fuel transfer system used by the Department of Defense for measurement of filling capacity and flow consumption. The contract began with one Blancett system replacing an older structure that is currently in place. Due to the quality, accuracy and durability, the Blancett flow meters were approved by procurement and all transfer fuel systems will be replaced with the Blancett flow systems. The Blancett turbine flow meter can be used in temperature ranges of -25 °F to +140 °F (-30 °C to +60 °C), thus withstanding all global environments. The turbine meter consists of only one moving part, thus reducing maintenance costs greatly. The system is part of caged construction assembly that can be easily transported to measure the liquid flow in various pipe sizes. The B2800 is a microprocessor-based flow monitor that displays the flow rate and the total calculated flow. Dominic Cariello, General Manager of Blancett, has worked with this project in conjunction with TTI, a Vermont based distributor of the Blancett product line. TTI will be providing the entire fuel transfer system, which includes the Blancett turbine flow meters and monitors, to the Department of Defense over the next six months. “This is a great opportunity for Blancett and Racine Federated Inc. The Racine team is excited about this project and ready to provide quality products to the government, says Cariello. For additional information on any of the Blancett products, please feel free to contact us toll-free at: (800)235-1638, visit us on-line at: www.blancett.com, or e-mail us at: info@blancett.com. Factory trained customer service representatives are available to help in the selection process.     Grippers in Motion – The fascination of handling applications New developments and technologies in the area of automation technology are part of our daily life. Besides the continuous changes of the technology itself, the general conditions for applications of automation components are constantly changing as well. Customers require precise and flexible solutions, which offer universal application possibilities.  The new specialized book “Grippers in Motion” offers a complete overview of state-of-the art technology in the automation sector. With many illustrations, the book explains the entire process starting with the basic requirements of the handling process and the history of automation technology up to the principal part of the entire process – the workpiece.  Let this book inspire you and explain the countless application possibilities of gripping technology. It will show you:  - Initial situation and limiting conditions of handling applications - Stages of development and history of gripping systems and robots - Gripping applications and workpieces  - Extensive chapter about real applications and completed projects The book is available in book stores or can be ordered directly at SCHUNK for a price of $69.95. SCHUNK INC. 211 Kitty Hawk Drive Morrisville, North Carolina 27560 Phone: 919.572.2705 or 800.772.4865 Fax: 919.572.2818 www.schunk-usa.com info@schunk-usa.com       New Catalog From Techno-Sommer Automatic Features New Products To Provide Better Solutions New Hyde Park NY — A new 80-page catalog from Techno-Sommer Automatic features several new and innovate products. Techno says their new product lines will continue to provide solutions to an even greater variety of automation applications. The H928 New Products Catalog contains an impressive range of product capabilities from a heavy-duty 10-finger O-Ring Gripper (GS1015) to new space-saving mini grippers (MGP800 and MGW800). These two products are a ideal for the proper and precise placement of O-rings as well as miniature applications, like handling tiny parts of circuit board assemblies. Also featured is a line of 2-in-1 products: the Grip and Rotate Modules (DGP404, DGP12, DGD304 and DGK20). The Grip and Rotate Modules are combined of a swivel unit and a gripper in one compact module and allow re-orientation of the parts without the need for additional rotary units.  Complete technical details are contained in the H928 New Products catalog available free upon request from Techno-Sommer Automatic, 2101 Jericho Turnpike, P.O. Box 5416, New Hyde Park, New York 11042-5416. Phone: 516-328-3970 • Fax: 516-358-2576.  Web: http://www.techno-sommer.com Bimba’s New “Solutions Shop” Microsite Up and Running Customers Can Browse and Request Custom Solutions Online Bimba Manufacturing announced today the launch of its new “Solutions Shop” microsite, www.bimba.com/solutionshop, accessible through the company’s homepage.  Bimba, a leading producer of actuation technology, designed this online tool for customers whose project requirements cannot be met by the off-the-shelf products of most manufacturers. Already acknowledged as the foremost provider of customized solutions for unique and unusual applications, Bimba will now make it even easier for current and potential customers to gain insights into the possibilities of working with Bimba. They can go to the “Solutions Shop” micro-site, search by industry or type of application, download printable PDFs of sample applications and formulate requests for solutions appropriate to their special needs.   KV LTD. - CPS DIVISION APPOINTS NEW HEAD The international pneumatics group, KV Ltd., has appointed Brian Hurley as the Divisional Director of its CPS Division. Brian, aged 39, has been with KV in a number of managerial posts over the last 4 years, and as the Business Unit Manager of the Division for the last two years. He takes up his new appointment on June 1st 2005 A key player in the KV Global Group of companies, the CPS Division (Clean Pneumatronic Systems) is totally focussed on the needs of customers. Years of experience developing specialist systems within the Semiconductor, Medical and Analytical industries, provides the company the means to deliver Pneumatronic Systems to meet every customer need. The dedicated team of design, development and manufacturing engineers is backed by a state of the art Clean Room and an extensive range of components, including valves, cylinders, vacuum products, air preparation and fittings. Additional back up to the KV CPS Division, is the KV Rapid Division with its facilities to produce rapid prototypes using SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) in plastic or metal, Concept Modeling and Vacuum Casting, therefore minimizing the development process from concept to completion. The CPS Division works closely in partnership with customers own design teams and develops and manufactures pneumatic and electro-pneumatic solutions for numerous industries. For further information please telephone (+44) 01908 561515 or e-mail: sales@kvcps.com or visit the website at www.kvcps.com     KV Ltd is a UK, leading global provider of pneumatic products and solutions with worldwide manufacturing support and a network of distributors in every Continent, supplying its products to over 120 industries. With a worldwide reputation for design ingenuity for pneumatic components and systems, KV has a wealth of expertise available to customers constantly seeking to optimize their air control processes.  KV CPS Division For the Semi Conductor Medical and Pharmaceutical industries the CPS (Clean Pneumatronic Systems) Division provides unequalled engineering expertise in the design and manufacture of highly integrated electro-pneumatic control systems for very demanding clean room applications. The 'CPS' Division houses one of the largest clean room facilities to be found in pneumatics with a total floor area of 380 square metres (4092 sq. Ft). It operates to ISO 14644-1, ISO Class 6 Standards, (FED Standard 209E, Class 1000) over the working areas and has its own dedicated material handling area and store. KV systems are designed for optimum functionality and reliability and draw on well-proven products and components from within the KV range of components, products from key suppliers and custom designed or application specific products.  These components are then skillfully integrated with control equipment into top-level sub-systems that become an integral part of the OEM customers' equipment.  An additional facility available to KV CPS Division customers is Rapid Prototyping using SLS, SLA, Vacuum Casting and Concept Modelling technology. With the increasing demand to reduce lead times and minimize inventory many customers are exploiting the benefits of On Demand Manufacture.  KV will be displaying their manufacturing capabilities at the forthcoming Semicon West 2005 in San Francisco, North Hall, Booth 5713, where KV's experienced team of engineers will be pleased to discuss the specification of any product to meet your needs. For further information please telephone (+44) 01908 561515 or e-mail: sales@kvcps.com or visit the website at www.kvcps.com     New SC-Master1 catalog from Rexroth gives offers technical and ordering information for twenty-three industrial pneumatic cylinder and actuator product lines. The new SC-Master1 catalog from Rexroth contains over 700 pages of technical and ordering details regarding industrial pneumatic cylinders and actuators. Twenty-three product lines are represented including: TaskMaster® aluminum profile, PowerMaster® NFPA steel tie rod, ISO-VDMA profile and tie rod, Octagon ISO mini, Series M mini, RexMover rodless, compact, mini-slides, shuttle units, Easy-2-Combine modular handling system, grippers, rotary actuators and modules, micro, guided, twin-rod, clamping devices and NCT non-contact transfer units. Also included are right angle flow controls as accessories. The catalog is also available on CD upon request. In North America, the Bosch Group manufacturers and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial automation and mobile products, power tools and accessories, security technology, packaging equipment and household appliances. Bosch Rexroth Corporation, a merger of Bosch Automation Technology and Rexroth, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Bosch GmbH. In the year 2004, Bosch Rexroth AG achieved sales of approximately $5.3 billion (4.1 billion Euros) with 26,400 employees.  Under the brand name of Rexroth, the company offers all relevant drive, control and motion technologies: from mechanics, hydraulics and pneumatics to electronics and associated services. Rexroth has 500,000 customers in over 80 countries and is an extensive supplier of components and systems for industrial and factory automation and mobile applications. RexRoth Please Direct Reader Inquiries To: Eric Deist Account Coordinator - Lead Management Services MarketSense 681 Commerce Street Burr Ridge, IL 60527 Phone: (630) 654-0170, ext. 160 Fax: (630) 654-0302 edeist@market-sense.com     Bimba Consolidates Catalogs Into One Volume Monee, IL - Bimba Manufacturing has consolidated information from five of its inch-series catalogs into a single 450-page volume. The new catalog, titled FL-04, has eight sections: Original Line Cylinders, Flat Cylinders, Linear Thruster/PneuMoment, Pneu-Turn Rotary Actuators, Ultran Cylinders, Double-Wall Cylinders, Position Control System Products and related products, including Position Sensing Solutions, Flow Controls, Accessories, Shock Absorbers, Transition Plates and Alignment Couplers. There is also information about how to order and highlighted sub-sections with information about new products, including Stainless Steel Repairable Original Line Cylinders, Stopper Cylinders, Position Feedback Cylinder Rod Locks, and seven others. Bimba Manufacturing is a forward thinking innovator of actuation technology, specializing in providing cutting-edge solutions to engineering challenges. Its capabilities include an extensive line of industry-leading air cylinders, rotary actuators, linear thrusters, rodless cylinders, flow controls and position sensing cylinders. In addition to its broad line of standard catalog products, nearly half of Bimba's business consists of custom and semi-custom products designed for specific customers and applications. These products, used in machinery and automation, are sold to original equipment manufacturers and end-users throughout the world in an expanding variety of industries.      MTS SENSORS DEVELOPS NEW, EXPANDED AND EASIER TO USE  SENSORS SOLUTION WEB SITE MTS Sensors Division has launched a newly-created Web site that allows visitors to browse the company's sensor products and application offerings in a user-friendly Web format. Through this site, www.mtssensors.com, engineers can quickly view and download information on MTS Sensors' magnetostrictive industrial position, liquid level, and mobile equipment sensors The new site emphasizes MTS Sensors' ability to provide solutions to a wide variety of industries. Links to application notes describe the features and benefits of using sensor products with patented Temposonics technology. Searching for the appropriate product and related information has been simplified through product selectors and documentation reference tables that clearly explain the capabilities of each product. The www.mtssensors.com technical resources include the following comprehensive support documentation and related materials: · Product data sheets · Users' manuals · Application notes · Product drawings · Software downloads · Third party product compatibility links · Authorized reseller information "The new Web site features MTS Sensors' products, applications and technical information, as well as easy navigation tools to find details regarding our wide range of magnetostrictive sensors and their industry applications," said Janet Rapp, marketing communications manager for MTS Sensors Division. "We believe this new information center will illustrate to design engineers, system integrators and OEMs the products we offer, the applications in which they are used and how to evaluate our technologies for future designs and applications." For more information, visit the MTS Sensors Division Web site at www.mtssensors.com, or contact Janet Rapp: janet.rapp@mts.com; MTS Sensors Division, 3001 Sheldon Drive, Cary, NC 27513; phone (919) 677-0100; or fax (919) 677-0200.       Enfield Technologies Displays Advanced Automation Control Solutions at Germany's Renowned Hannover Fair Visit Enfield Technologies in Hall 17, Stand F08, Booth B2 Trumbull, CT USA - Enfield Technologies returns to Germany's Hannover Messe Factory Automation trade show April 11 - 15, 2005. Visitors to the Enfield Technologies exhibit will experience four distinct interactive displays demonstrating control of position, pressure, force and flow for factory automation solutions utilizing the company's LS System. The LS System is a high-speed proportional servo pneumatic motion control system comprised of a specialized patented servo-valve and a dedicated valve controller. The LS System helps automation designers of industrial machinery, product testing equipment, and special effects animations. Enfield engineering team members will personalize demonstrations specific to an individual's application requirements. They will show booth attendees how the high-speed LS system can help overcome speed and control barriers, increase machine and process flexibility and utilize advanced control with real-time feedback. The position control demonstration will reveal an infinitely variable, smooth, accurate, and quiet positioning system for pick and place, feed control, and flexible manufacturing applications, for single or multiple axis systems. Visitors can position the cylinder anywhere between fully retracted and fully extended. The cylinder's integrated position feedback sensor closes the command loop and is connected to a digital readout that allows the attendee to view the command signal and the actual position.  The pressure control demonstration utilizes a pressure vessel. Pressure can be maintained anywhere between vacuum and full line pressure. Visitors will be able to manage both pressure and vacuum proportionately, and see how the LS System immediately responds to keep the tank at the desired set pressure. This system is useful for pressure chambers where a process requires a specific ever-changing pressure profile or air-over-liquid dispensers where pressure must remain constant. Force control is regularly used in lifecycle fatigue testing, failure testing, force and displacement profiling, stamping, light duty presses, and feed control. The visitor can infinitely vary the desired force within the sensor and actuator's range using an on-screen slider on a laptop computer. Connected to the LS System via a USB interface, the demonstration uses a large spring so the visitor can see the compression and relaxation created by the LS System's management of the force command.  Variable flow control with high-speed valve control is demonstrated by floating a ping-pong ball in a column of air.  The attendee positions their hand over a reflected infrared sensor. As the attendee moves their hand closer to or farther away from the sensor, the LS System adjusts the amount of airflow accordingly, which synchronizes the ping-pong ball's height to the attendee's hand height. LS System flow control is used to manage air motor speed, vapor or gas mixing systems, aeration of products, and process temperature control. Manufacturers, representatives or media personnel who are interested in learning more about the Enfield Technologies systems should contact Linda M. Van Valkenburgh, Director of Marketing, 41 Monroe Turnpike, Trumbull, CT 06611 USA, telephone: +1 203 459 0700 ext. 316 or visit the Enfield Technologies web site at www.enfieldtech.com Language options are available on the web site for international visitors. Additional Hannover Messe Trade Fair information may be found at www.hannovermesse.de or International telephone: +49-511/89-0  Enfield Technologies is a leading manufacturer of high-speed proportional servo-pneumatic control systems. Enfield Technologies serves the packaging, medical/pharmaceutical, semi-conductor, automotive, food and beverage, and all major OEM markets for diverse applications including assembly automation, robotics, product test and measurement, analyzers and instrumentation, and process control. ###  Company/Media Contact:  Linda M Van Valkenburgh Director of Marketing Enfield Technologies T: +1 203 459 0700 x316 linda.vanvalkenburgh@enfieldtech.com     ControlAir Inc. has released a new Short Form Catalog which includes new products and industry approvals to its line of Precision Air Pressure Regulators and Relays.  Devices are designed to provide a high level of regulation accuracy and repeatability. A unique stainless steel capsule is used as a sensing device rather than range springs which are found on most regulators currently available. The multi-stage design causes self-correction at pressure variations as small as 0.01 psig. Some features offered include: · Flow capacities up to 80 SCFM · Control of output pressure to within 0.1% accuracy · Insensitive to changes in supply pressure and flow · High relief capacity · Able to hold a set pressure over wide ranging operating temperatures · Intrinsically Safe Approvals Regulators and relays are ideal for any pneumatic control system that requires precise regulation of air pressure in pipes and vessels. Applications include valve actuation, medical diagnostic instruments, web tensioning, roll loading, control panels, pneumatic counter balancers, test and lab apparatus, liquid dispensing machines, process control, robotics and leak testing equipment. The regulators and relays are offered in various pressure output ranges from 0 to 150 psi. Porting is 1/8", 1/4", 3/8" NPT. All regulators come complete with 1/4" NPT gauge ports. Options include Tamperproof Cover and Factory Preset Output Pressures. ControlAir Inc. manufactures precision pneumatic and electropneumatic controls. ControlAir's markets include process control, semiconductor, printing and converting presses, diagnostic and surgical medical equipment, robotics, quality control, automotive, analyzers, compressors, pumps and paint equipment. For more information, ControlAir's website, www.controlair.com, offers full product specifications with pdf files, product CAD drawing files, and company profile. Contact: Melissa Ryan Phone: 603-886-9400 ControlAir Inc. Fax: 603-889-1844 8 Columbia Drive E-mail: mryan@controlair.com Amherst, NH 03031 USA Website: http://www.controlair.com       Norgren's pneumatic stainless steel cylinders provide high corrosion and acid resistance Norgren, the motion and fluid control specialist, offers a full range of NFPA stainless steel cylinders ideally suited for manufacturing environments that can be at risk from corrosion and acid substances. Suitable for wash down processes within industries such as food preparation, the cylinders are available as double acting, magnetic piston with either buffer or adjustable cushioning.  Manufactured from corrosion resistant stainless steel the actuators can be specified with operating pressures up to 250 PSI and various bore sizes up to 8". With an operating temperature range of -40°F to 200°F the Norgren cylinders are rated for 'non lube added' service. All internal components are lubricated at time of assembly with a Teflon based grease. The cylinders have been specifically designed for push and pull applications and can be operated either with filtered compressed air to 250 PSI and petroleum based hydraulic fluid to 400 PSI. Further information on the Norgren range of SS cylinders can be found at www.norgren.com     New TRD Standard Catalog TRD Manufacturing, a Bimba Company, is pleased to announce the release of their new Standard Products catalog, TRD1-0104. New “TD” Series (TOUGH-DUTY) This new series will have the same dimensions and construction as the “TA” series, with the following options as standard features: • BP (Bumper Piston) Seals • “Fixed” Cushions (Head & Cap) • WB (Piston Wear Band) For more information, contact W. Kokum, Bimba Manufacturing Company, P.O. Box 68, Monee, Illinois 60449. Phone 708/534-8544, FAX 708/235-2014, Technical Assistance 800-44-BIMBA.       Norgren's pneumatic function fittings allows for rapid assembly Designed for users who are seeking to achieve competitive advantage through cost savings that can be made in the rapid assembly of pneumatic circuits Norgren offers a comprehensive range of pneumatic function fittings. These compact devices provide easy tube insertion and can be deployed in a wide variety of industry sectors that deploy pneumatic technology.  Suitable for use with a wide variety of tubing types such as Nylon 11/12, polyurethane and other plasticized or unplasticized tubing the units provide positive tube anchorage and are suitable for pressures up to 145 PSI. Operating temperature range is specified at -68°F to +176°F and further information can found at www.norgren.com.     PHD Releases NEW 2005 Product Catalog  PHD has just released its newly updated main product catalog, Catalog 2005 Solutions Book. The catalog allows users to have PHD's current product information available within arm's reach at all times. Catalog 2005 is another example of PHD's commitment to excellence in product, service and support, and to provide customers with "Superior Productivity Solutions." Catalog 2005 contains the latest product information on PHD's standard products including powered slides, grippers, rotary actuators, cylinders, multi-motion actuators, escapements, clamps, switches and sensors, and accessories. The catalog also contains information on our newly released products including Series SFP Slides, Series RCC Rotary Actuators, Series GRF Grippers, Series 6790 AC Switches and more. New features added to Catalog 2005 include: × New transparent and cut-a-way views for each product series highlighting beneficial features × New product selection guides to compare product features × Typical industry uses for each product series × Information on product application × Additional clamp product solutions In addition, Catalog 2005 provides an introduction to PHD's New Plastic Packaging Components Group. This dedicated business division is focused totally on the specific needs of the plastic packaging industry. For more information, send for a free catalog today. For immediate assistance, call PHD, Inc. at (800) 624-8511 or visit our web site at www.phdinc.com. PHD, Inc., P.O. Box 9070, Fort Wayne, IN 46899 (260) 747-6151; FAX (260) 747-6754 www. phdinc.com phdinfo@phdinc.com     NORTECH VACUUM PRODUCTS MOVES-IN WITH GUARDAIR CORP Chicopee, MA Nortech Vacuum Products, a division of Guardair Corporation, announced today that it has successfully moved from Midland Park, NJ to Guardair's Chicopee, MA facility. This new location will provide adequate space for all engineering, manufacturing, assembly, shipping and corporate administrative functions for the Nortech Product line.  The Chicopee, MA facility has an advanced engineering staff with a well-equipped testing lab which will accelerate the development opportunities and enhancements for all Nortech Vacuum Products. In addition, the larger customer service staff will be able to better assist all customer inquiries. As a result of the move, the telephone and fax numbers have also changed. The company's new phone number is (413) 594-4400, while the fax number is (413) 594-4884.  In June 2004, Guardair Corporation acquired the assets of Nortech Corporation. Nortech has been a leading manufacturer of pneumatic powered vacuums since 1959. The Nortech product line includes more than 20 different vacuum models in addition to a complete set of accessories and options; including HEPA filters and static conductive hose.  For over half a century, Guardair has manufactured safety air guns, spray equipment and accessories for sale into the industrial MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) market. Millions of Guardair guns are in use in a wide range of industrial and commercial applications including food processing, metalworking, pulp and paper, textiles and transportation. All Guardair safety air guns meet OSHA standards and incorporate unique design features to maximize operator productivity and safety. In 1999, Guardair acquired the assets of Allpax Gasket Cutter Products, Inc., the largest US manufacturer of gasket cutters, hollow punch tools and accessories. Guardair, Allpax and Nortech are highly recognized name brands in the industrial MRO marketplace and are synonymous with high quality products and customer service. These products are sold through a world-wide network of over 3,000 industrial and specialty distributors that includes local and regional suppliers, as well as national distributors such as McMaster-Carr, W.W. Grainger, MSC Industrial, Lab Safety Supply, and Hagemeyer.  For Additional Information Contact: Deanna Kennedy Guardair Corporation Chicopee, MA 01020 (800) 482-7324  DMKennedy@guardaircorp.com www.guardaircorp.com       New Hyde Park, NY - Techno-Sommer, Inc. announces the release of the New and updated web site. Full of the latest products and features including the latest featute the "Gripper Finder". The "Gripper Finder" assists you in selecting a proper gripper for your application. Downloadable catalog pages and CAD files are also available for all products. Techno-Sommer 2101 Jericho Turnpike · New Hyde Park, NY 11040 TEL: 1-800-819-3366 · FAX: 516-358-2576 E-MAIL: grippersupport@techno-sommer.com     Canadian Bearings Ltd. Acquires Central Hydraulics and Service November.05.2004  Canadian Bearings is pleased to announce the acquisition of Central Hydraulics and Service of Guelph ON. As part of the CB team, they will enhance CB's ability to deliver technical solutions in fluid power to its Southern Ontario clients. "We are building on related investments including the 1998 Windsor ON acquisition of Jopar Fluid Power and the additional recruitment of several fluid power trained technical representatives in the region," said Don Latham, President of Canadian Bearings. "In 2005, Central Hydraulics and CB customers in the Guelph/Cambridge/Kitchener area will be able to reduce costs through the access of a much broader spectrum of products and solutions as provided by this new partnership." For Central Hydraulics, the marriage will provide an enhanced ability to promote the capabilities of its high calibre and newly renovated shop over a broader geography. Murray Millson and Gary Reilly, the Central Hydraulics founders, will remain as part of the CB/Central team. Murray will continue to lead his team and participate in integration plans. Canadian Bearings is a Canadian owned and operated industrial distribution company with 32 branches in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. It employs approximately 400 people.     Norgren appoints new president and CEO Littleton, Colorado, USA - October 2004. Norgren, the motion and fluid control specialist, has announced that it has appointed Jim Mannebach to the role of President and CEO of the Norgren Group  Jim joins Norgren having most recently been the Vice President for the Industrial Technology Group of Roper Industries Inc. Previously Jim also had a number of senior roles within Emerson Electric Co. Over his career Jim has had extensive experience of the industrial equipment controls market and the process flow industry. Upon his appointment Jim said " This is a great time to be joining the global Norgren group. We have a very clear and established strategy for growth that is showing strong results. I am very much looking forward to being a part of our continuing drive to deliver competitive advantage to our customers worldwide" www.norgren.com       Norgren's new airless cylinder brochure provides precise detail Littleton, Colorado, USA - Norgren, the motion and fluid control specialist, has published its new multi position airless cylinder (MPAC) brochure. Timed to coincide with the launch of its new series of precision electric actuators the brochure has been clearly laid out to underline the engineering advantage that the new range can deliver to a wide variety of applications. The new multi position airless cylinder from Norgren is ideal for inclusion in projects where there is a requirement for multiple program positions. Loaded with features and benefits pages the new brochure details suitable project examples for the new device and provides in depth product information thus allowing the machine builder to make an informed choice. A step-by-step ordering guide is also featured showing the individual components that make up the MPAC device. The new brochure can be requested by calling 303 794 2611 or by visiting www.norgren.com.       BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 14, 2004--Motion Industries, North America's leading distributor of industrial maintenance, repair, and operation replacement parts, is pleased to announce that Ralph Buntyn was recently given the distinction of Honorary Life Member of the Power Transmission Distribution Association (PTDA), according to Bill Stevens, Motion Industries' president and CEO. This designation is given to a select group of PTDA members who have distinguished themselves through a long tenure of service and volunteerism to the association. Ralph Buntyn, the former Senior Vice President of Marketing with Motion Industries, retired at the end of 2003 after completing over 42 years of service with the company. Buntyn served in many leadership roles for PTDA throughout his career, including positions on committees, task forces, and at the organization's annual meetings. His committee/task force involvement with PTDA included the Industry Relations Committee (2000-2003), the Strategic Planning Task Force (2000), the International Committee (1998-2000), and the Total Quality Management Task Force (1993-1997). Founded in 1960, PTDA is a U.S.-based trade association representing almost 230 power transmission/motion control (PT/MC) distributor firms with almost 3,200 locations throughout North America and 14 other countries, as well as over 190 manufacturers that supply the PT/MC industry. PTDA is a member-driven organization dedicated to advancing distribution and strengthening members to be successful, profitable and competitive in a changing market environment. For more information, visit www.ptda.org. With 2003 sales in excess of $2.2 billion, Motion Industries is the leading distributor of bearings; mechanical, industrial automation, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic power replacement parts; hose and rubber products; and industrial supply products. Motion Industries has more than 500 operations including nine distribution centers throughout North America and serves more than 150,000 customers including automotive, chemical, food, beverage, wood/lumber, iron, oil, pulp and paper, steel, and textile industries. Motion Industries, NAPA, and S.P. Richards are wholly owned subsidiaries of Genuine Parts Company (NYSE:GPC). Visit our website at www.motionindustries.com. Contact us toll-free at (800) 526-9328.     Assembly Technology Expo To Celebrate its 25th Anniversary of Showcasing New Products and Technologies For Final Product Assembly When thousands of manufacturing professionals converge at Assembly Technology Expo (ATExpo) this September it will mark the 25th anniversary as the industry's leading trade event. ATExpo, the world's largest "all assembly" trade event will take place September 28-30, 2004, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois. The ATExpo Conference opens one day earlier on September 27th. The event, sponsored by ASSEMBLY magazine, features the world's most comprehensive showcase of assembly solutions, from advanced robotic systems to hand tools. Nearly 600 leading suppliers will display and demonstrate new products in more than fifty categories, for use in a wide range of manufacturing industries, including: automotive, electronics, industrial equipment, computers, household appliances, motors and generators, medical, telecommunications and aeronautics/aerospace. "Assembly Technology Expo is a unique opportunity for manufacturing professionals to see and evaluate the full spectrum of products and services used in manual or fully-automated assembly," stated Kelvin Marsden-Kish, Vice President of Reed Exhibitions, producer of the Assembly family of events. "ATExpo is proud of its longevity and history of annually bringing buyers, sellers and industry influencers face-to-face." Three Free Keynotes Highlight ATExpo's New Free Educational Program ATExpo 2004 will be offering ten free special events as part of the Free Educational Program. The program is highlighted by three entertaining and informative keynote presentations.  The expo opens on Tuesday morning, September 28, with the Opening Keynote, "Made in America," presented by television star John Ratzenberger, the producer and host of the Travel Channel's John Ratzenberger's Made in America series. Day two starts with an exciting multimedia presentation, "A Tale of Two Rovers - Integrating, Testing, and Operating the Mars Exploration Rovers," delivered by Christopher Salvo, Mission Manager, Mars Exploration Rover for NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratories. And on Thursday, September 30, Karl Eberle, Vice President and General Manager of Harley-Davidson's Kansas City assembly facility will share their manufacturing successes in the revolutionary, "Relationship Driven Leadership, a Unique Manufacturing Environment." All three keynotes will start at 9:00 am. Other Free Educational Program Events Are Scheduled · "Shingo Prize Approach to World Class Manufacturing," Ross Robson, Executive Director, Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing, on Tuesday, September 28 at 11:00 am. · ASSEMBLY Magazine Panel - "Offshore Assembly Challenges and Opportunities," Moderated by Austin Weber, Senior Editor, ASSEMBLY magazine, Tuesday, September 28 at 2:00 pm. · ATExpo 25th Anniversary Networking Reception, Tuesday, September 28 at 5:00 pm. · "The Human Side of Lean," Pascal Dennis, P.Eng., M.Eng., Lean Productivity Systems, Wednesday, September 29 at 11:00 am. · "Original Design Manufacturers: A Viable Outsourcing Alternative with Distinct Business Practice," Eric Miscoll, Senior Consultant and Chief Operating Officer, Technology Forecasters, Inc., Wednesday, September 29 at 2:00 pm. · OktoberFest Networking Reception, Sponsored by Global Automation, Stein Automation, MTA Automation, Visicontrol and Bartec, Wednesday, September 29 at 3:00 pm. · APICS Panel - "Distributing Manufacturing into the Supply Network for a Competitive Edge," Moderated by Richard Godin, CFPIM CIRM, Improvement Is People, Thursday, September 30 at 1:00 pm. Industry-Developed Conference Program The ATExpo Conference, developed by the industry's leading associations, offers over 30 in-depth sessions organized into six tracks: Adhesives, Automated Assembly, Lean Manufacturing, Manufacturing Management, Materials Joining, and Wire Processing. The highly respected organizations presenting conference sessions at the ATExpo Conference include: The Automated Imaging Association (AIA),  APICS - The Educational Society for Resource Management, The Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC),  The Edison Welding Institute (EWI), The Robotic Industries Association (RIA), The Wiring Harness Manufacturers Association (WHMA), and ASSEMBLY magazine. Sessions will focus on a variety of high-interest topics, including Lean Production, Flexible Assembly, Robotics in Assembly, and many more. The AIA and RIA will be joining the ATExpo list of associations that develop conference sessions in 2004. As part of a previous agreement to co-locate their International Robots & Vision Show with Assembly Technology Expo in 2005, the AIA and RIA start their relationship with ATExpo this year by developing five conference sessions on robotics and machine vision. For 2004, the AIA and RIA will also endorse and support the ATExpo Robotics Pavilion.  Co-located SMTA International Conference Attendees from the electronics manufacturing industry can update their technical skills at the co-located SMTA International Conference (organized by the SMTA) taking place on September 26 - 30, 2004. The conference features 8 new courses, over 120 technical papers, 32 tutorials and workshops on such leading edge technologies as Lead-Free, Flip Chip, MEMS, 0201 Assembly, BGA, Automotive, Lead-Free Rework, Selective Soldering, Failure Analysis and more. SMTA International also offers two focused symposia on Contract Manufacturing and Lead-Free Soldering Technology, and the return of the Emerging Technologies Summit. For more information on sessions and to register, please visit www.smta.org/smtai. Technology Pavilions Three dedicated technology pavilions make it easier for ATExpo attendees to locate the specific products and suppliers they want to see. The Electronics Manufacturing Pavilion features nearly 200 top suppliers offering state-of-the-art solutions for every phase of the electronics manufacturing process, from design, packaging and fabrication to assembly and test. The pavilion also features the EASi Line, a working assembly line that incorporates sample equipment from the areas of material handling and transport, stencil printing, component pick and place, reflow wave solder, visual and x-ray inspection, robotic point-to-point soldering, packaging, microcontroller programming, and factory modeling and simulation. This year's line will manufacture a "Light Chaser" game that visitors can take home to play with.  The Robotics Pavilion at ATExpo, endorsed by the RIA and AIA, is the place to find state-of-the-art industrial robotics, flexible automation, machine vision solutions, and related technologies. The Wire Harness Pavilion showcases wire-processing solutions. Endorsed by WHMA (the Wire Harness Manufacturers Association) the Wire Harness Pavilion features new products and services for electronic cable assemblies, cord sets, wiring harnesses and other products within the wire processing industry.  The focal point of the Wire Harness Pavilion will again be the Wire Processing Assembly Line (WPAL). This year's theme is, "Lean Sigma Technologies To Support Wire and Cable Processing." Lean Sigma in wire and cable processing focuses on process excellence. It incorporates the elements of TQM, World Class Manufacturing, and Lean Enterprise with Six Sigma tools to provide both improved cost and consistency of products and processes. The cable and harness industry is continually looking for opportunities for cost and quality improvement. On display will be new equipment and techniques for "leaning up" and "reducing variations" in the manufacturing processes for harnesses and cables. Attendees will see the latest equipment and technology to meet the Lean Sigma challenges.  For more information about Assembly Technology Expo or to register for free show admission and conference discounts, visit www.atexpo.com "Made in America" host John Ratzenberger to Present Keynote Address at Assembly Technology Expo 2004 Assembly Technology Expo, the world's largest "all assembly" trade event, will feature a keynote address by actor John Ratzenberger, producer and host of the Travel Channel's John Ratzenberger's Made in America series, that honors the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of American manufacturing. Ratzenberger will share insights that he has gained visiting American factories, and working alongside the men and women who produce many of America's best-loved products, including Harley Davidson motorcycles, Chevy Corvettes, Airstream trailers, John Deere tractors, Sikorsky helicopters, Sturm Ruger rifles, Craftsmen tools, Zippo lighters, NCR cash registers, and Slinky toys. "We can't imagine a more fitting way to mark ATExpo's 25th year of industry leadership than a tribute to the greatness and inventive spirit of American manufacturers," stated Kelvin Marsden-Kish, Vice President of the Assembly family of events, produced by Reed Exhibitions. "Mr. Ratzenberger is clearly passionate about great American products, and respects the skill and dedication of the men and women who create them. He has become a highly effective advocate of American ingenuity at work, and of manufacturers who invest in the effort to maintain a competitive edge here in the United States." For Ratzenberger, manufacturing is much more than an abstract concept. It's a way of life, and a source of pride that ties communities and generations together. The son of blue collar working parents in one of the northeast's leading industrial cities, Ratzenberger grew up with the idea that Americans were hardworking inventors and problem solvers. Before turning to an acting career, he worked as a carpenter, and takes pride in pointing out the houses that he helped build to his children. Despite his celebrity status, Ratzenberger still regards himself as a "garage tinkerer." He holds five patents for a packaging process that he invented. "I've always had a high regard for people who put their hands to something useful," Ratzenberger said. "A tool and die maker is an artist on par with those who display their works in expensive art galleries. A painter can always paint over a mistake. But when you work with tolerances of 1/1000th of an inch on a spinning lathe, you can't afford to be careless. At the end of the day when workers exit a factory, there should be an audience waiting to give them applause and tell them 'job well done.'" "When we were doing our show on John Deere," Ratzenberger continued, "a fellow on the assembly line told me that anytime he and his family pass a John Deere harvester -- and he knows his kids are getting sick of it -- he stops and points and says, 'Your dad helped build that.' The kids get the message: Dad helps feed the world. " American-born actor John Ratzenberger is perhaps best known for his portrayal of the know-it-all, nebbishy mailman "Clifford C. 'Cliff' Clavin, Jr." in the 1980's sitcom Cheers. His movie acting credits include roles in Superman and Superman II; Star Wars V-The Empire Strikes Back; Ghandi; and all five of Pixar's animated feature films, providing the voices for "Hamm" in Toy Story and Toy Story 2, PT Flea in A Bug's Life, the Abominable Snowman in Monsters, Inc., and a school of moonfish in Finding Nemo.  About Assembly Technology Expo Assembly Technology Expo, the leading source for the latest products and technologies for the entire assembly process, will take place September 28-30, 2004 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, just outside of Chicago. From the most advanced robotic systems to simple hand tools, fasteners and adhesives, nearly 600 leading suppliers will showcase solutions for reducing costs, assembling new products, reducing cycle time, and increasing capacity. A comprehensive four-day conference program, September 27 -30, will be presented by some of the industry's leading associations including, the Automated Imaging Association (AIA), the Robotics Industry Association (RIA), the Edison Welding Institute (EWI), the Educational Society for Resource Management (APICS), the Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC), the Wire Harness Manufacturers Association (WHMA), and the Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA). Now in its 25th successful year, ATExpo is sponsored by ASSEMBLY magazine. For more information about Assembly Technology Expo 2004 visit www.atexpo.com. About John Ratzenberger's Made in America John Ratzenberger's Made in America serves up snapshots of the people and places that are the backbone of the American economy. Visiting factoriesacross the nation, John spotlights the companies and people who invent and build the best products in the U.S. from Harley Davidson, Craftsman Tools and John Deere farm equipment to Campbell's, Gatorade and Monopoly. John Ratzenberger's Made in America is produced for the Travel Channel by Termite Art. Erik Nelson is executive producer for Termite Art. Kathleen Cromley is executive producer for Travel Channel. This program is produced in cooperation with the Reader's Digest Association. www.atexpo.com   NORGREN AND FLUID AUTOMATION SYSTEMS JOIN FORCES IN MINIATURE SOLENOID VALVE TECHNOLOGY Littleton, Colorado, USA - July 2004. Fluid Automation Systems (FAS) is to be acquired by the international engineering business IMI plc, and will become a part of the global Norgren group. FAS is a high technology Swiss company specializing in miniature solenoid valve technology. Norgren is a leading supplier of motion and fluid control solutions and is the largest subsidiary within the $2.8bn IMI group. Operating from two sites near Geneva and employing a total of 263 people, including  45 engineers, FAS has invested heavily in research and development. This investment has enabled the company to earn a strong reputation for technological innovation, especially in the area of customized solutions. As a result of sustained organic growth, FAS has a well-established European user base including customers in the medical, printing, semiconductor, textile, sanitary, instrumentation and beverage machinery sectors. These sectors are well aligned with Norgren's markets and offer many excellent collaborative opportunities for development and growth. FAS has also made inroads into key medical and semiconductor accounts within the USA. FAS is focused particularly on the fast-growing miniature solenoid valve market, with the majority of its existing sales serving 10mm and 15mm size applications. This represents a good fit with Norgren's existing solenoid valve capabilities, complementing the larger sizes offered by its established Webber, Buschjost and KIP ranges (22mm to 30mm and larger).  Both companies share a common vision of creating competitive advantage for customers through a close understanding of their business needs and processes, and the development of inventive, application-specific solutions. Freddy Sarfati and Peter Merz, joint MDs and co-founders of FAS said, " This is a very welcome and positive move that will secure a strong future for FAS and provide many excellent opportunities for sustained growth. We are absolutely convinced that Norgren will bring the right depth of understanding, proven track record and clear strategy - as well as all the advantages of a truly global sales and service organization backed by the financial strength of IMI." Sean Toomes, Norgren's VP of international marketing, said " We recognize and value very highly FAS's reputation and proven expertise in miniature solenoid valve technology, combined with their innovative and pioneering enterprise culture. There is an excellent fit between our two companies' common customers, target market sectors and product ranges which will create a powerful new partnership." www.norgren.com GUARDAIR CORPORATION ACQUIRES ASSETS OF NORTECH CORPORATION June 25, 2004 Chicopee, MA Guardair Corporation today acquired the assets of Nortech Corporation of Midland Park, NJ. A leading manufacturer of pneumatic powered vacuums since 1959, Nortech will operate as a division of Guardair Corporation and will be based at Guardair's Chicopee, MA headquarters. The Nortech product line includes more than 20 different vacuum models in addition to a complete set of accessories and options.  According to Thomas C. Tremblay, President of Guardair "We are extremely excited about the Nortech acquisition as it complements our pneumatic tool business and provides additional opportunities for our existing product line in the industrial cleaning market."  For over half a century, Guardair has manufactured safety air guns, spray equipment and accessories for sale into the industrial MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) market. Millions of Guardair guns are in use in a wide range of industrial and commercial applications including food processing, metalworking, pulp and paper, textiles and transportation. Guardair developed the world's first safety air gun and during the 1970's worked closely with OSHA to write the original (and existing) specifications for air gun usage. All Guardair safety air guns meet OSHA standards and incorporate unique design features to maximize operator productivity and safety. In 1999, Guardair acquired the assets of Allpax Gasket Cutter Products, Inc., the largest US manufacturer of gasket cutters, hollow punch tools and accessories. Guardair, Allpax and Nortech are highly recognized name brands in the industrial MRO marketplace and are synonymous with high quality products and customer service. These products are sold through a world-wide network of over 3,000 industrial and specialty distributors that includes local and regional suppliers, as well as national distributors such as McMaster-Carr, W.W. Grainger, MSC Industrial, Lab Safety Supply, and Hagemeyer.  For Additional Information Contact: Deanna Kennedy Guardair Corporation 54 Second Avenue Chicopee, MA 01020 (800) 482-7324 dmkennedy@guardaircorp.com www.guardaircorp.com   Norgren's pneumatic Lintra rodless cylinder delivers even more engineering advantage Littleton, Colorado, USA - June 2004. Norgren, the motion and fluid control specialist, has upgraded its proven range of pneumatic Lintra rodless cylinders to offer even more engineering advantage to customers. Featuring the capability to be designed into harsh application environments due to its ability to withstand large bending moments and lateral forces, the Lintra series has been improved to offer a superior tube construction for added strength. What's more Lintra has been optimized for maximum load bearing for long cylinder spans and features an internal groove for low profile switches.  Offered in bore sizes from 16 to 80mm the Lintra series is available in stroke lengths up to 28 feet with velocities to 98 inches per second. The Lintra series can be specified with many different guiding systems, this means it is suitable for a wide range of load carrying capabilities. The unique sealing system delivers resistant to the ingress of materials into the cylinders equating to minimum maintenance and proven consistent performance. For further information on the Lintra series please visit www.norgren.com     Kuri Tec Catalog Literature Review The new revised 40 pg. Kuri Tec PVC Hose & Tubing Catalog features a wide range of products to handle fluid transfer applications. Available are clear non-reinforced tubing, clear yarn reinforced PVC hoses for pressure applications and clear wire reinforced hoses which offer kink resistance and can be used for full vacuum service. A new application guide is also included. Kuriyama of America, Inc., 1221 Landmeier Rd. Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007-2458. (847) 228-0300, Fax (847) 228-0973, www.kuriyama.com Email: sales@kuriyama.com         Norgren pneumatic press safety valves deliver piece of mind Littleton, Colorado, USA - May 2004. When deciding on which supplier to choose for your pneumatic press safety valve requirements make sure you consider the options from Norgren. Offering a comprehensive range Norgren, the motion and fluid control specialist, engineers advantage to customers who are looking for piece of mind when specifying solutions in this critical area. Ideal for use in pneumatic presses and applicable for other safety functions the Norgren range is inherently fail safe without residual pressure and offers dynamic self-monitoring.  Designated as the XSz series the valves offer a double valve control system, which ensures that the operating port exhausts once the valve has been deactivated. The cross channel flow feature ensures a dynamic pneumatic monitor and a safety exhaust without residual pressure in case the valve malfunctions. Typical uses include pneumatic clutch and brake systems and the units conform to the majority of standards including BG, OHSA, CSA, SUWA and EN 692. Further information on the XSz series can be found at www.norgren.com.      April 2004 - Man-machine interfaces: ease of operation is required Co-operation with the system  The operation of an automated machine or system must be as simple and convenient as possible due to productivity reasons. The interfaces of a system show how efficiently work can be performed. This is true both of mechanical interfaces and communication between the operator and machine. The trend here is towards intuitive man-machine interaction.  In the last 4 years alone, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and industrial companies have invested over €152 million in “Key projects on man-machine interaction”. This figure does not include research and development expenditure by companies for their own related development projects. The innovations presented by exhibitors at AUTOMATICA 2004, which will be held at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre from 15 to 18 June 2004, will therefore not only involve hardware in many cases but also the way in which man-machine interfaces can be designed with simple, advantageous and yet task-oriented features.  A paradigm change from function-oriented interaction with machines to target-oriented interaction with systems is being specifically formulated during the Embassi Project (electronic multimedia operation and service assistance). Robot manufacturers have actually made this change, for example in path programming. In addition to the known software tools, new tools featuring increased functions in control units are expected here. One of the typical features of simplified man-machine interaction is that only individual path points of a required robot path need be entered in principle. The control unit then generates the path automatically.  Exhibitors at AUTOMATICA will also include consortium partners in MORPHA, one of the key projects. Although the project is geared towards service robots (intelligent anthropomorph robot assistants), ideas and parts for industrial practice have already been implemented from the project and have been integrated in industrial projects.  Examples include the “Styleguide“ for icon-based programming and man-robot co-operation models such as “Safe Production“.  Joachim Rohwedder, Chairman of the Robotics and Automation Association in the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), on the trend towards automatic production assistants: “Advances in control engineering, robot safety and man-machine interfaces will shortly lead to robots which move around with the worker and perform different tasks.“  Ease of operation is far more than just a clear presentation or a comprehensible arrangement of operating controls. Since highly qualified personnel cannot always be used to operate a machine due to cost reasons, input masks of control units or user interfaces must be intuitively controllable and, if possible, “error-resistant”. Clear pictograms or icon-based menus help in the selection of the most important commands. Plausibility checks are also carried out during the ever increasing use of dialogue input of “intelligent” control units. User interfaces in which all relevant information is displayed on a screen proves helpful in this respect. Manufacturers are increasingly developing tools which can be used to generate separate masks and user interfaces. The idea here is to design all user interfaces as uniformly as possible in order to increase recognition and, thus, the level of acceptance. This is also regarded as user-friendly.  TeachSaver, RobAssist or EasyTeach are also current examples of how user interfaces of application tools or control units can be designed simply, so that programming times are reduced drastically on occasions. Development work is now being carried out or initial products will be presented during AUTOMATICA 2004, International Trade Fair for Robotics + Automation, e.g. Windows-compatible drawing boards or tracer pins which can be used interactively for programming.  Close attention will also certainly be paid at AUTOMATICA to systems (“safe production“) in which workers and robots work together in a cell. If the hitherto strict separation can be eliminated, it will be possible to “tap entirely new rationalisation potential in production”, according to the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Engineering and Automation (IPA).  AUTOMATICA, International Trade Fair for Robotics + Automation  AUTOMATICA is the first international trade fair that brings together all areas of robotics and automation under one roof. It takes place from 15 to 18 June 2004 at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre. This international trade fair for robotics and automation is an effective communication platform for the areas of robotics, assembly and handling technology and industrial image processing, and an ideal marketplace for the manufacturers of the associated technologies. AUTOMATICA takes place on a two-year cycle. The aim of the fair is to present the entire value-added chain in robotics and automation. The industry-driven concept for AUTOMATICA, which is organised by Messe München GmbH, is supported by the conceptual sponsor of the fair, the robotics and automation division of Germany´s federation of the engineering industries (VDMA). Exhibitor and visitor statistics for AUTOMATICA are audited by the Gesellschaft zur Freiwilligen Kontrolle von Messe- und Ausstellungszahlen (Society for Voluntary Control of Fair and Exhibition Statistics).  Messe München International (MMI)  Messe München International (MMI) is one of the world´s leading trade-fair organisations. It organises around 40 trade fairs for capital and consumer goods, and key high-tech industries. Over 30,000 exhibitors from more than 90 countries, and over two million visitors from around 180 countries take part each year in the trade fairs in Munich. In addition, MMI organises trade fairs in Asia, and in North and South America. With five subsidiaries abroad and 75 foreign representatives covering 89 countries, MMI has a truly global network.  Press contact:  Stefanie Fischer-Kleiner, AUTOMATICA Press Department  Tel.: (+49 89) 949-20680  Fax: (+49 89) 949-20689  fischer-kleiner@messe-muenchen.de    April 2004 - Micro assembly: a new industry is being formed  Demand for process knowledge and precise handling  Miniaturization is currently one of the mega-trends in assembly. AUTOMATICA 2004, 1st International Trade Fair for Robotics + Automation, which will be held at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre from 15 to 18 June 2004, will provide an overview of the latest concepts as an information and discussion forum. Over and beyond traditional assembly, the requirements relating to micro assembly call for know-how from several disciplines. That’s because the actual micro assembly process nearly always involves several process steps. Electronics assembly (SMD placement) is expected to provide an important stimulus for further development along with influences and experiences from the traditional assembly industry with its customer-oriented solutions.  In the new developing “microassembly“ industry it is necessary to match application demand to existing or future production and assembly processes more than ever. A process is taking place, which has already occurred in “traditional“ assembly: products must be designed for assembly. This is absolutely vital in regard to the dimensions and unit numbers in the micro world. The success factors will include integration and mastery of different technologies in the assembly process, including efficient quality control.  The focal point of applications in automated micro assembly and the electronics industry is now in the accuracy range of 10 µm with a throughput of around 1,000 elements an hour. Accuracies in the range of 1 µm are also attained in laboratories or in prototype construction using precision robots – with a much lower output.  The typical characteristics of micro assembly are extremely short cycle times and very high unit numbers. Five parts a second are common. Under these conditions the trend must be towards 2-D assembly, as is already common practice in electronics production. According to experts, the motivating customer industries are the car industry, medical technology, the entertainment industry and the communications industry. “Robotics + automation“ are very well-known in these industries. Irrespective of the customer industry, advances are primarily expected in the field of intelligent sensors. The trend here is as follows: the smaller mini-sensors containing integrated electronics become, the greater the demand.  Initial market analyses are therefore full of expectation. The best-known market forecast is the Nexus Study which predicts an annual growth rate of 20% to $67 billion between 2001 and 2005. It is very difficult to estimate what this means for manufacturers of assembly systems. Since micro assembly must integrate processes such as injection moulding, bending, punching or lasing, qualities from different disciplines are required. Opportunities are therefore available, primarily for companies from the field of “electronic equipment”, but also for assembly system manufacturers who have knowledge of “downscaling”. Equipment that has already been developed could easily be adapted to the specific assembly requirements.  Manufacturers who develop application-based solutions and have or produce the required know-how for specific processes will become successfully established on the micro assembly market. One important factor for this growing industry will be the extent to which equipment manufacturers manage to transfer connected technologies from macro assembly or adapt these technologies. Machine vision companies will also benefit from the expanding micro assembly market. Products, which cannot be assembled manually due to their small dimensions, require ideally adapted machine vision systems during the process and, in particular, in quality assurance.  The “visual” yardstick of AUTOMATICA 2004 will show how manufacturers of assembly systems totally succeed in integrating different processes in assembly itself. Fruitful discussions with system operators and customers for MST products will open up opportunities for all market participants if requirements and possibilities are matched to one another  AUTOMATICA, International Trade Fair for Robotics + Automation  AUTOMATICA is the first international trade fair that brings together all areas of robotics and automation under one roof. It takes place from 15 to 18 June 2004 at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre. This international trade fair for robotics and automation is an effective communication platform for the areas of robotics, assembly and handling technology and industrial image processing, and an ideal marketplace for the manufacturers of the associated technologies. AUTOMATICA takes place on a two-year cycle. The aim of the fair is to present the entire value-added chain in robotics and automation. The industry-driven concept for AUTOMATICA, which is organised by Messe München GmbH, is supported by the conceptual sponsor of the fair, the robotics and automation division of Germany´s federation of the engineering industries (VDMA). Exhibitor and visitor statistics for AUTOMATICA are audited by the Gesellschaft zur Freiwilligen Kontrolle von Messe- und Ausstellungszahlen (Society for Voluntary Control of Fair and Exhibition Statistics).  Messe München International (MMI)  Messe München International (MMI) is one of the world's leading trade-fair organizations. It organizes around 40 trade fairs for capital and consumer goods, and key high-tech industries. Over 30,000 exhibitors from more than 90 countries, and over two million visitors from around 180 countries take part each year in the trade fairs in Munich. In addition, MMI organizes trade fairs in Asia, and in North and South America. With five subsidiaries abroad and 75 foreign representatives covering 89 countries, MMI has a truly global network.  Press contact:  Stefanie Fischer-Kleiner, AUTOMATICA Press Department  Tel.: (+49 89) 949-20680  Fax: (+49 89) 949-20689  fischer-kleiner@messe-muenchen.de  Morrisville, NC March 2004 - SCHUNK offers their customers a redesigned website with enhanced services and an user-friendly interface.  Customers who visit the www.schunk-usa.com website will be welcomed by intuitive navigation to everything from company information to in depth technical information on the SCHUNK product lines: Automation Components, Toolholding Components, Stationary Workholding Systems and Lathe Chucks / Chuck Jaws.  Once a visitor has selected a product and is progressing to the design phase, CAD files are available in over 90 native and neutral formats from any area on the site by a simple click of the mouse. Engineers and designers speed from selection to design with absolute ease.  Visitors looking for more personal assistance have easy access to SCHUNK applications engineers or their local SCHUNK representative. By simply choosing their state and launching the search, the name of the responsible Regional Sales Manager will appear immediately together with detailed contact information. "Customers actively use the internet as a reliable source to get technical information about our products. With our new website, we want to make it easier and faster for users to find the information they are looking for and provide them with immediate answers to their questions" says Milton Guerry VP Sales North America. About SCHUNK  SCHUNK is a leading manufacturer of automation, tooling and work holding components. SCHUNK products are well known worldwide for reliability, long-life and innovative technical features. Years of experience made SCHUNK the world's largest supplier of Hydraulic Expansion Holders, market leader in Automation Components and the manufacturer with the largest standard selection of Chuck Jaws. In 1992, SCHUNK Inc. started its operation in the Raleigh area close to the Research Triangle in order to serve the North American market. In 2001, this manufacturing facility was expanded to 35,000 square feet. With its competent staff, SCHUNK offers reliable customer service, technical support, design engineering and an extensive inventory from this North Carolina headquarters.        Norgren's WeldFit fittings provide for rapid assembly Littleton, Colorado, USA - March 2004. Norgren, the motion and fluid control specialist, offers a wide range of all metal WeldFit fittings for use in pneumatic and water circuits. Providing rapid assembly the WeldFit fittings are ideal for users who are seeking to achieve competitive advantage through reduced assembly times. The WeldFit fittings also provide for quick and easy disconnection thus enabling quick re-tubing of the system if it needs to be changed.  Providing system protection from weld spatter the fittings are nickel plated and feature silicone free 'O' rings. Suitable for deployment in compressed air and water mediums the fittings are rated for operating temperatures in the range of -20F to 160F and are to be used in conjunction with WeldTube. The counter bored collet head provides complete protection to the inner tube even when side loads are applied to the tubing connection. Further information on the Norgren range of WeldFit fittings can be found at www.norgren.com         Norgren's pneumatic rack and pinion rotary actuators provide rotation flexibility Littleton, Colorado, USA - January 2004. Typically used in applications that require turning over, swinging, rotating and twisting movements, the Norgren series of rack and pinion actuators are available in four rotation angles namely 90°, 180°, 270° and 360°. Utilized in environments within the manufacturing and process industries the actuators feature male and female pinion variants both with adjustable cushioning. Available in non magnetic and magnetic models the double acting actuators feature operating pressures in the range of 21 PSI to 145 PSI and are suitable for compressed air environments whether this be filtered, lubricated or non lubricated. Customers can specify seven different cylinders diameters namely 32, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100 and 125mm to suit individual project requirements. Further information on the Norgren range of rack and pinion rotary actuators can be found at www.norgren.com       PHD's Website Features New Look PHD's comprehensive website (www.phdinc.com) has been updated to feature a crisp new industrial look while continuing to provide all the functionality and detailed product information visitors are accustomed to. To complement the new look, PHD has streamlined and enhanced many of the tools available on the site.  Enhancements include: > Home page features a new Automation Launch Pad that provides quick and easy access to PHD automation solutions. Visitors can use the Automation Launch Pad to navigate through PHD's entire product line and locate products of interest. > PHD's Litstore can be found under the 'Free Resources' area of the website. The Litstore is a comprehensive literature library providing access to PHD catalogs, brochures, product information packers, advertisements, and much more. Literature can be viewed online or downloaded in PDF format. > A product model search bar is now featured on every web page allowing quick access to specific product series information. > Technical data bulletins and support documents are now provided for every product series offered by PHD. These documents can be found in the Detailed Product Information pages for each product series and can be viewed online or downloaded in PDF format. > A new product toggle menu allows visitors to quickly switch between product series within a specific product line without exiting the Detailed Product Information pages. > Online Sizing is now available in three languages including English, German, and Spanish. > Home page features new products and services released by PHD. Other resources available via PHD's website include:  > Online CAD Configurator which supports over 80 CAD formats > Online sizing capabilities > Searchable knowledge base > Custom product quotation request > Latest catalogs and videos > Application examples > Local MDN distributor search by zip code > Application assistance > Request information PHD, Inc. designs and manufactures a complete line of pneumatic and hydraulic actuators for industrial automation. Products include clamps, cylinders, powered slides, rotary actuators, multi-motion actuators, grippers, escapements, and switches and sensors. Our automation components are versatile and can be used independently for fixturing or tooling, in a modular fashion for building pick-and-place devices, or we can build customized units to meet specific application needs. For more information, send for a free catalog today. For immediate assistance, call PHD, Inc. at (800) 624-8511 or visit our website at www.phdinc.com.     Norgren smart cylinders combine functionality with performance Combing functionality with performance the smart cylinder from Norgren delivers a wealth of benefits to the machine design engineer. Ideal for use in most machine building applications, the smart cylinder is fully compliant to ISO 6431 and VDMA 24562 standards within the VDMA envelope. Featuring an integrated valve and offering a wealth of functionality the smart cylinder contains its own sensors, flow regulators, adjustable cushioning, integrated 5/2 or 5/3 valve and ASI Bus or Multipole fieldbus connections inside the casing. The actuator is fully interchangeable with other VDMA actuators across the complete range from 32 – 100 mm bore. Employing the integrated valve technique allows the smart cylinder to benefit from enhanced response times. Achieving a top speed of 1.5 meters per second the smart cylinder is available in stroke lengths of up to one meter. Offering fast and simple installation the smart cylinder requires one electrical and one pneumatic connection thus wiring costs are reduced and machine design times are cut. The Smart Cylinder brings simplification and therefore cost savings. Instant savings of approximately 25 per cent are achieved by buying the one unit compared to buying all the components separately. It can also increase up time by dramatically reducing maintenance needs. Maintenance engineers know immediately which actuator to change and can quickly and easily replace the smart cylinder, due to the simple installation, without the need to carry out complicated troubleshooting routines. This can save serious money by slashing downtime. Other user benefits include diagnostics via the fieldbus system, which tell the operator whether the cylinder is functioning normally. Data is fed back to the operator which shows if the unit has stopped functioning correctly, if there is maintenance required and shows exactly which unit on the machine has failed and therefore needs to be replaced. Integrated actuators are available from Norgren's online ordering service the Webstore at www.norgren.com as well as through traditional ordering and distribution channels. For more information please visit www.norgren.com       Norgren's rotary vane pneumatic actuators torque the torque Norgren, the motion and fluid control specialist, offers its range of rotary vane actuators for applications that demand high torque combined with a space saving design. Featuring single or double vane construction the rotary actuators offer 90°, 180° and 270° fixed rotation angles and are suitable for deployment in pneumatic applications that require rotating, turning over, swinging and twisting actions. Manufactured from specifically selected materials to guarantee long life/low friction the rotary vane actuators are suitable for environments that utilize compressed air that is filtered, lubricated or non-lubricated. Benefiting from double acting buffer cushioning the actuators feature an operating pressure from 29 PSI to 145 PSI combined with an operating temperature range of +41°F to 140°F. Further information on the range can be found at www.norgren.com. For more information please visit www.norgren.com       New Automation Products Catalog, AP-803 Bimba is pleased to announce the release of the newly revised Automation Products catalog,  AP-803. The revision includes: New section for Bimba's new Extruded Thruster product line. The Extruded Thruster is available in three basic models.  ET-Extended Shafts, Four Bushings ETS-Shafts Flush, Two Bushings ETD-Double End, Saddle Mount Revised PneuMoment™ section with an enhanced Drawing and Dimension section. The PneuMoment is perfect for applications that have excessive moment or side loads. Appendix with Dowel Pin Option locations for Pneu-Turn®, Ultran®, and Linear Thruster products for use with Bimba's Transition Plates and multi-axis applications. For more information, contact W. Kokum (kokumw@bimba.com), Bimba Manufacturing Company, P.O. Box 68, Monee, Illinois 60449. Phone 708/534-8544, FAX 708/235-2014, Technical Assistance 800-44-BIMBA, website www.bimba.com       Prospector compressed air poppet valves from Norgren deliver high reliability. Littleton, Colorado, USA - October 2003. In applications that demand high reliability the inline 2/2 and 3/2 Prospector poppet valves are ideal. Featuring exceptionally high CV flow rates up to 40 and demonstrating extremely good sealing characteristics the poppet valves are available in solenoid and pilot actuated formats. Suitable for filtered and lubricated compressed air environments the valves feature operating pressure rates up to 290 psi with pilot air supply pressures in the range of 14 to 290 psi bar Tried and tested in many applications the poppet valves have built a reputation for high reliability in the field. With operating temperatures of -84°F to +129°F (solenoid pilot) and -84°F to +174°F (air pilot version) the valves are manufactured from die cast aluminum for durability. More information on Norgren's Prospector poppet valves can be found at www.norgren.com       Norgren’s Smart FRL’s maintain optimum machine performance Littleton, Colorado, USA – September 2003. Utilized in a wide variety of industries the range of Smart FRL’s from Norgren helps to maintain optimum machine performance through the continuous monitoring of air preparation equipment. Interfacing with ASi Fieldbus technology the Smart FRL can be used for fault finding and the monitoring of operating performance through a programmable display panel thus ensuring maximum machine up time. Available with local and remote diagnostic capabilities, up to 31 Norgren Smart FRL’S can be connected per ASi network allowing large compressed air systems to be monitored centrally. The extensive range of diagnostics can warn the user when upstream/downstream pressure is too low for efficient operation, lubricant levels are low, filter elements need replacing and of faults within other equipment such as machine safety guards. All these features facilitate preventative maintenance planning thus minimizing the risk of expensive downtime during production periods. The user can also achieve significant energy savings by maintaining optimum pressure and correct lubrication levels. For more information please visit www.norgren.com.   Announcing the Excelon family of FRL’s from pneumatics expert Norgren  Littleton, Colorado, USA – August 2003. With a long pedigree in supplying the air preparation industry with pneumatics solutions Norgren offers the Excelon family of FRL’s. Featuring true modularity the Excelon has an in built lubricator flow sensor and it provides a nearly constant oil/air ratio over a wide range of airflows. The Excelon family also features the Norgren Quikclamp facility for speed of connection. Suitable for use in a wide variety of applications the all round (360°) visibility of the lubricator sight feed dome simplifies installation and adjustment. Featuring a quick release bayonet bowl the regulator-balanced valve minimizes the effect of variation in the inlet pressure on the outlet pressure. Available in different port sizes more information can be found on the Excelon family at www.norgren.com      CECO PIPELINE SERVICES COMPANY, INC. PURCHASES LDI CONTRACTORS, INC.  HOUSTON, TEXAS. AUGUST 8, 2003 - CECO Pipeline Services Company, Inc. announced today that it has purchased the assets of LDI Contractors, Inc., a leading pipeline maintenance services company headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. LDI Contractors has been providing a variety of services to gas transmission companies in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Georgia. Mark Hotze, President of CECO Pipeline Services Company, Inc. says, "Pipeline maintenance is a great extension to the quality services that the CECO family of companies currently provide. The LDI staff have come on board and we are excited to have their expertise and knowledge in the pipeline service industry." Services currently offered by CECO Pipeline Services include: Pipeline replacement and repair  Upgrading meter stations  Pigging  Erosion control  Marking and locating pipelines  Mechanical Services  Right-of-Way mowing and clearing  Pipeline coating  Grounds maintenance  CECO Pipeline Services Company, Inc. is a division of Compressor Engineering Corporation, CECO, headquartered in Houston, Texas. CECO was founded in 1964 and has become the world's largest independent manufacturer replacement parts as well as the leading provider of engineered solutions for compressors and engines. The acquisition adds to the existing family of CECO companies including ACTT, a consulting, training and testing division, and Pure Process Systems, providing environmental services. More information about CECO and its subsidiaries is available at www.cecopsco.com.  ### For further information: E. Mark Hotze  President CECO Pipeline Services Company, Inc. 5440 Alder, Houston Texas 77081 (713) 664-7333   Super X valves from Norgren are ideal for space critical applications Littleton, Colorado, USA – July 2003. Combining a compact design with high performance the Super X Valve series from Norgren is ideal for use in projects where space and envelope size is limited. Featuring high flow capacities the Super X Vales are suitable for multi directional and dual pressure applications.  Available as manually or mechanically operated valves the Super X series can be specified with 3/2, 5/2 and 5/3 functions. Manufactured from a lightweight corrosion resistant material the Super X Valve offers the operator a free from defect two-year warranty thus providing a valuable guarantee of quality and service. For more information on the Norgren series of Super X Valves please visit www.norgren.com     New Brochure From Bosch Rexroth Pneumatics  Highlights Versatility and Precision of Product Line  Customized products compliment sophisticated and extensive standard  product line in both NPT and ISO G (BSPP) port configurations A new 16-page color brochure from the Pneumatics business unit of Bosch  Rexroth Corporation provides important product information and emphasizes the  versatility and precision of Rexroth pneumatic solutions. Four-color photographs accompany many of the product descriptions for  pneumatic directional control valves, cylinders, automation/handling devices,  mobile/oilfield valves, mobile/oilfield actuators and cylinders, marine controls,  and inverted tooth chain drives. The brochure also describes a number of  accessories that complete pneumatic applications, including fittings, tubing, and  silencers, flow control valves, accessory valves, relay valves, shock absorbers,  and filters-regulators-lubricators. Customized products enable Rexroth Pneumatics to provide application-specific  solutions across a wide range of industries. The brochure also positions the  business unit as a component in the Rexroth portfolio of pneumatic, hydraulic,  mechanical, electronic, and electro-pneumatic components and systems. A  description of each of these units is included in the brochure as well as addresses  and contact information. The brochure also underscores the global presence of  Rexroth Pneumatics and the worldwide support it offers its customers. To request a copy of the brochure, please contact Rexroth's Pneumatics business  unit at 1-800-REXROTH or visit www.boschrexroth-us.com.   Custom valve island prototyped in just 10 days When semiconductor machine manufacturer STS required an ultra-compact valve island to drive actuators and control the flow of process gasses into its machines, global pneumatics expert Norgren created the perfect custom prototype in just 10 days. STS is a leading manufacturer of specialist machines that are used in semiconductor manufacturing. The machines are used to etch away materials or deposit them onto silicon wafers that end up in devices such as MEMS (micro electromechanical systems) – an example of which would be a car airbag trigger. Each machine employs three pneumatic valve islands. Because these machines are installed in semiconductor clean rooms, where floor space costs around £60 per square inch due to the ultra-clean conditions required, STS needed a valve island design that was as compact and reliable as possible. Key to securing the business was STS’s confidence in Norgren’s proven experience and capability with valve island technology. Rapid response to the customer’s brief was also a critical factor. Norgren’s design engineers at its UK Technical Centre in Lichfield rose to the challenge by offering a custom product that met STS’s unique specifications. Although a new product, the custom valve island was based on Norgren’s tried and tested core competencies. The flow rate required from STS was low – just 30l/min. Off the shelf valve islands available from other pneumatics suppliers were all too large – offering flow rates of several hundred l/min, meaning that installing one of these valve islands would have wasted expensive clean room space. So Norgren designed a pilot valve with the smallest possible footprint, while maintaining visibility and access to critical functions such as LEDs and manual override. Because the required flow rate is so low, the valve is based on poppet technology, dramatically increasing reliability and life expectancy to around 100 million operations. Another key advantage of the low flow rate valve is that the solenoids need just 0.3W to operate, resulting in reduced heat build up within the machine. Norgren’s custom valve uses a body made from an advanced polymer, so it could be moulded to the exact specification required. For example, competing valves were such that the wiring and porting configuration was inconveniently located, meaning that the pipe work would have to have been re-routed within the machine and requiring additional pneumatic connectors and fittings. Norgren’s custom valve was designed with a configuration that exactly matched STS’s requirements, and being face mounted, it allows the pipes to enter straight into the valve island through the mounting panel, saving yet more space. Says Ed Hinds, Engineering Team Leader at STS: “Norgren provided exactly what we needed when we needed it – a valve that’s compact, inexpensive, and reliable. It’s an effective solution to this challenging application.” For more information Contact Norgren     CECO Offers Free Training for Compressor Valve Repair HOUSTON, TEXAS. MARCH 31, 2003 – Compressor Engineering Corporation, CECO announces today that its Compressor Valve School once held for selected clients, will now be offered to the public free of charge. The Compressor Valve Repair School is held at CECO’s headquarters in Houston, Texas. Over 200 compressor mechanics have attended the course to learn the latest techniques and specifications required for proper valve maintenance. “The Free Compressor Valve School has grown to include much more than channel valves,” says Don Smith, Domestic Sales Manager. “Today, we also cover the repair processes needed to maximize performance on the unloaders, regulators and packing cases used in reciprocating compressors.” Interested parties should call 800-879-2326 or visit the CECO website at www.ceconet.com for more information on the school. Compressor Engineering Corporation (CECO), headquartered in Houston, Texas, was founded in 1964 and has grown to become the world's largest independent manufacturer of compressor and engine replacement parts.  In 1977, CECO opened its New Orleans warehouse and sales office, and in 1980 added a sales office, warehouse, and repair center and in Odessa, Texas, which expanded again in 2002.  Precision Repair - Baton Rouge was launched in 2003. Custom engineered components and repair are only a portion of CECO's solution packages. They also provide customized software solutions, testing, training and consulting. ### For further information, contact: Donald Smith, Jr. 5440 Alder Houston, Texas 77081 (713) 664-7333 www.ceconet.com dons@ceconet.com     CECO Expands Precision Repair to Include Baton Rouge Facility BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA. FEBRUARY 26, 2003 - A new Precision Repair Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana will be Compressor Engineering Corporation's largest, the company announced today. CECO has acquired the assets of Parts Maintenance, Inc. (PMI), which has been serving compressor users and petrochemical plants since 1973 and has a reputation for high quality and quick turnaround. The 21,000 square foot facility on Cherry Hill Avenue is the third Precision Repair Center for CECO. Other CECO Precision Repair Centers are located in Houston and Odessa, Texas. The new purchase gives CECO more than 100,000 square feet of repair and manufacturing space. This CECO Precision Repair Center will specialize in thermal metal spraying, rolled thread piston rod production, compressor cylinder repair and specialty grinding. The facility features a very large vertical boring mill capacity with a 118-inch table, 15-ton crane capacity, lathes with up to 118-inch swing and 28-foot centers, large long-bed grinding capacity up to 44 inches outside diameter, 168-inch lengths and internal grinding up to 120 inches. CECO Precision Repair-Baton Rouge will offer a range of expert machining and grinding capabilities. Unique to the area, this facility will also provide a highly developed thermal metal spray operation and will operate one of the largest thread rolling machines in Louisiana. The location will provide engineering and design support and employ a staff of precision machinists to work with customers throughout the South and the United States. CECO, headquartered in Houston, Texas, was founded in 1964 to provide high quality compressor and gas engine parts with fast delivery and superior service. In 1977, CECO opened its New Orleans warehouse and sales office, and in 1980 CECO added a sales office, warehouse, and repair center and in Odessa, Texas, which expanded again in 2002. The CECO Precision Repair Center in Baton Rouge will boost CECO's presence in the Louisiana and the Southeast with its unique machines and technical capabilities. For further information please contact: Richard K. Hotze 5440 Alder Houston, Texas 77081 (713) 664-7333     PHD's Catalog 2003 Provides "Simple Productivity Solutions"  PHD has just released its newly updated main product catalog, Catalog 2003-"Simple Productivity Solutions." The catalog allows users to have PHD's current product information available within arm's reach at all times. Catalog 2003 is another example of PHD's commitment to excellence in product, service and support, and to provide customers with "Simple Productivity Solutions." Catalog 2003 contains the latest product information on PHD's standard products including powered slides, grippers, rotary actuators, cylinders, multi-motion actuators, escapements, swing arm clamps, switches and sensors, and accessories. The catalog also contains information on our newly released products including Series SJP Slides, Series SIP Slides, Series SAL/SAH Slides, Series SG Slides with ISO Cylinders, Series GRS Grippers, Series GRB Grippers, Series RF Rotary Actuators, and more. New features added to Catalog 2003 include: Detailed engineering data Information on product application Standard delivery times PHD's NEW Online CAD Configurator NEW Series PA Swing Arm Clamps for work holding applications In addition, each page of the catalog now features a web deep link that allows users to go directly to a specific product series web page on PHD's web site.  For more information, send for a free catalog today. For immediate assistance, call PHD, Inc. at (800) 624-8511 or visit our web site at www.phdinc.com. PHD, Inc., P.O. Box 9070, Fort Wayne, IN 46899 (260) 747-6151; FAX (260) 747-6754 www. phdinc.com phdinfo@phdinc.com     PHD Releases Instant Clamp Expert™ Web Site PHD has just released a NEW web site called Instant Clamp Expert™. The site exclusively features PHD clamp products and incorporates a simple, easy-to-use design that allows visitors to learn about, build, draw, price, and order PHD clamp products directly on the site.  Visitors can perform the following functions using the Instant Clamp Expert™ site: View complete clamp animations, working principles, competitive comparisons, etc. Access clamp catalogs Configure accurate part numbers using graphic prompts Request native CAD models Obtain pricing Place an order online  Other valuable resources found on the site include engineering data for PHD clamp products, product applications and videos, standard delivery times, and much more.  For more information, visit www.clamps.phdinc.com today. For immediate assistance or to request free literature, call PHD, Inc. at (800) 624-8511 or visit our main web site at www.phdinc.com. PHD, Inc., P.O. Box 9070, Fort Wayne, IN 46899 (260) 747-6151; FAX (260) 747-6754 www.phdinc.com phdinfo@phdinc.com     Festo Opens New California Design Center with Class 10,000 and 1,000 Clean Room Manufacturing Facilities To Provide Engineering Solutions It's good news for the semiconductor industry in Silicon Valley (and throughout the western states)! Festo Corporation recently announced the opening of its new multi-million-dollar Design and Integrated Solution Manufacturing Facility in neighboring Livermore, CA. The 20,000 square-foot facility is now available to support development and assembly of automation equipment for not only semiconductor, but also for the biotech and special packaging industries.  The Facility offers Class 10,000 and 1,000 clean rooms, and is staffed and focused on the technical and operational needs of high technology companies. According to Hans Zobel, President & CEO, Festo-USA, the Livermore facility was built with the future in mind. "Our Silicon Valley customers gave us great insight into their expectations and opportunities that such a facility would provide…." As an extension of Festo's Long Island, NY manufacturing facility, and the corporate headquarters, Livermore will serve as a conduit for Festo to bring its total automation solution capability to these high-tech industries. Until recently, a regional office in Pleasanton, staffed with sales and application engineers, serviced the Silicon Valley. Now, with the completion of the Livermore facility, this area will be supported by a full complement of Operations, Engineering, Production Control and Production personnel. Services will include engineering design, sales support, and warehousing and system integration assembly services. Festo Corporation  395 Moreland Road P.O. Box 18023 Hauppauge, NY 11788  Phone: (631) 435-0800  FAX: (631) 435-8026 www.festo-usa.com   Series RIxH Rotary Actuator Features Hollow Pinion Design PHD announces the release of its NEW Series RIxH Rotary Actuator.  The Series RIxH Rotary Actuator is an addition to the Series RI Rotary Actuator and offers a hollow pinion design to provide protection and routing for electrical cables and air lines. The Series RIxH Rotary Actuator provides a lower cost solution to the Series RI Rotary Actuator for applications that do not require internal air passages within the rotary pinion. Series RIxH and Series RI Rotary Actuators are available in 25, 32, and 50 mm bore sizes and six torque ranges from 32 to 414 in-lb at 87 psi [3.6 to 46.8 Nm at 6 bar]. Units provide 0 to 180 degrees rotation, infinitely adjustable throughout the entire range with a 3 position option available at 90 degrees. Optional shock absorbers or bumpers are available to provide quiet operation and end of rotation deceleration. Series RIxH and Series RI Rotary Actuators offer standard 2 day delivery and can be supplied in either imperial or metric units. For more information, send for a free catalog today. For immediate assistance, call  PHD, Inc. at (800) 624-8511 or visit our web site at www.phdinc.com PHD, Inc., P.O. Box 9070, Fort Wayne, IN  46899 (260) 747-6151; FAX (260) 747-6754 www.phdinc.com phdinfo@phdinc.com   Norgren pneumatic arm boosts animal welfare. Automation has been a well-documented trend in the industrial sector and ever increasingly it is a key focus in the production of food from the very outset of the process. Equally, as consumers we want everything faster, cheaper and, crucially, when we decide we want something, we want it now! It won't surprise you then to read that this phenomenon has now spread to cows. Yes cows, and dairy herds in particular. No longer do cows have to wait until early in the morning or evening to be milked at a time when it is convenient to the farmer or farm hands, cows can now go along to be milked when they feel like it. This is not some Orwellian nightmare come to life but an engineering feat some 20 years in the pipeline developed by the milk expert DeLaval. This robotic system, called the Voluntary Milking System (VMS), enables farmers to reap the benefit of an increase in yield from healthier cows. Put simply, cows that are only milked twice a day produce less milk than cows that are milked three times a day because cows stop producing milk when the pressure building up in the udders becomes uncomfortable. By releasing milk more frequently the cow continues to produce milk throughout the day resulting in approximately 5-10% more milk than produced by cows milked only twice a day. And, because the cow is more comfortable, the quality of the milk improves too. So how does this work? The milking devices themselves have been specially designed around the cow's contours. Using extremely flexible pneumatic technology, developed by pneumatic expert Norgren, they actually have a gentler touch than most human milking. But each cow is different and as the process is totally automated there is no one around to make sure that the cow is standing in the correct position to be milked. So each cow has a sensor around its neck which contains its identity. As the cow tries to enter the milking stall it is identified and its identity recalled by the central computer. The computer records each time it is milked to ensure that she is not milked too often. If the cow is ready to be milked the milking stall is opened and the computer recalls the cow's dimensions. This information is fed to the pneumatically powered multipurpose arm enabling it quickly to extend to the right distance, guided by a camera mounted on the arm, to reach the cows udders and to attach the teat-cups and start milking. Ken Olsson, Norgren's key account manager said: "This was one of the most challenging briefs we have ever been given. Because of the nature of the application the cylinders which actually carry out the milking process have to be both incredibly gentle, to ensure that the cow is comfortable and incredibly robust in order to cope with the number of cycles demanded of it. "In addition, we had to offer flexibility of stroke rate as each cow has a slightly different requirement and we had to develop a cylinder that could cope with an aggressive environment coping with ammonia, water and cow dirt. "The solution was a low friction actuator which can be controlled very smoothly and sealed with a two component polyurethane seal to withstand the aggressive atmosphere and cleaning fluids. The cylinders are controlled by proportional directional valves." Uzi Birk, DeLaval's general manager for VMS, said: "Because it is a total concept from beginning to end, our engineers are involved not only with the technical aspects but all the operational parts too. I believe VMS represents as much of a revolution to the dairy industry in this century as the transition from horse to tractor in the last." The Voluntary Milking System requires the cows to live indoors, as well as going out for pasture, and therefore the system itself needs to do more than simply milk the cows. Farmers using the system require a compressor to provide the compressed air for the pneumatic components and a rigorous hygiene regime. VMS has automatic teat cleaning facilities that clean and dry the teat before each milking. After each milking the teat cups are washed. The floor to the stall can be automatically cleaned whenever the farmer chooses using a robotic scraper system. Cow comfort is also of paramount importance and DeLaval took this into account when designing and building the barn. Features such as cow mattresses in every cubicle, regulated ventilation inlets, a regular supply of fresh, preheated water and automated feeders abound. Each machine has a capacity of around 2000 kg milk per day, that means typically 50-60 cows, depending on the milk yields. The system has been used by farmers across Western Europe, Scandinavia, Japan and Canada, since June 2000 and looks set to take the world by storm. For more information Contact Norgren

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