Finding what you need (April 01, 2002)

Stafford Manufacturing has launched a website featuring a full line of standard shaft collars and rigid couplings that can easily be searched based upon various criteria. When users log on to www.staffordmfg.com, they can visually select a part and click on it, select via bore size or browse a catalogue and then select the style, size and material of construction, and instantly view all available parts including descriptions and part numbers. Also included is a cross-reference search based upon competitors’ part numbers.

A training program from Bosch integrates hardware and teachware to form a complete training solution for fluid power professionals and college curricula. Hardware consists of the Portable Training Center (PTC), a multi-functional system that incorporates the full range of pneumatic and hydraulic products from basics to closed loop and PLC control. Teachware consists of textbooks, web trainers and Automation Studio for Bosch, which is an interactive tool for designing, simulating and animating circuits for the company’s entire product line. The interactive multi-media system comprises seven CD-ROMs. For more information, contact Bosch, P.O. Box 2025, Racine, WI 53401-2025; tel. 262-554-7100; fax 262-554-7117.

Available in paper and CD-ROM, the Tektronix Test, Measurement and Monitoring Products Catalog features more than 1,400 products used to design, build, deploy and manage global communications networks and Internet technologies. The 750-page, soft-cover catalogue includes a full-colour, new product section. Comprehensive indexes list products by name and by function, as well as by categories. The CD-ROM, which also contains measurement product information, offers quick and easy access to data sheets and contact information, and provides selection guides and tutorials. Both the catalogue and the CD can be ordered from the company’s website at www.tektronix.com/mbd/ catalog_request.

THK has opened its own on-line store, TOS-World, accessible directly from its website at www.thk.com. Customers can choose from a large inventory of THK standard products, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through the convenience of the Internet. To learn more, visit the website or contact THK America: tel. 847-310-5800, fax 847-310-5815, e-mail TOSUS01@thk.com.

The scaffolding safety training interactive CD-ROM from Summit Training Source is designed to help prevent incidents and ensure regulatory compliance. Entitled Scaffolding Safety–Erecting and Dismantling, the CD-ROM trains workers on safely erecting, dismantling and maintaining scaffolding. The video clips in the program are filmed at both industrial and construction sites. Free previews are available by calling 616-949-4343, toll-free 800-842-0466; fax 616-949-5684; e-mail previews@safetyontheweb.com.

The Scapa Tapes website at www.scapatapesna.com features a complete product index, application and technical information, as well as a search tool that can be accessed by application, market or product type. Visitors also can register on -line to receive copies of the company’s electronic newsletter.

Practical tools for those who specify, design, operate or work with compressed air systems are offered on the new CD-ROM from Van Air Systems. The Compressed Air Treatment Solutions CD helps users select dryer and filter models, see the relationships between various air system parameters and determine the amount of water that will be removed by a particular treatment system, along It also provides a greater understanding of the basic principles of air treatment. Included is a dew point calculator, a product sizing calculator, a water equivalents calculator, an educational video and a product catalogue. Contact information: tel. 814-774-2631, toll-free 800-840-9906; fax 814-774-0778.

The Royal PinSpec CAD Library CD of pins and punches containing over 20,000 pre-drawn parts in the dwg format, dimensioned and ready to insert into AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT or Mechanical Desktop drawings, is being offered by Royal Diversified Products. Users can access catalogue pages, search by part size and head specifications, look up pricing and then create a drawing and insert it directly into their AutoCAD drawing. Contact information: tel. 401-245-6900; fax 401-247-2231; e-mail: mail@royalpins.com; website: www.royalpins.com.

ITW Ransburg has issued a brochure, titled Myths of Electrostatics, which addresses the most common misconceptions of electrostatics in the paint-finishing industry and explains its benefits. In addition, the company offers two classes, Fundamentals of Electrostatics and Art of Electrostatic Handguns, which are open to anyone interested in learning about electrostatics and the application process. Contact information: tel. 419-470-2357; fax 419-470-2185; e-mail: marketing@itwransburg.com.

A new book from the Distribution Research and Education Foundation (DREF) arm of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) illustrates how distributors and their suppliers are working together to reduce channel costs. In Team Up, Profit Up: Partners in Channel Cost Reduction, author Tim Underhill, president of consulting firm Underhill & Associates of Tulsa, Okla., notes that, while distributors and their customers have long worked together to reduce costs in the supply chain, demand for further cost reductions is putting pressure on them. As a result, distributors are starting to form partnerships with their suppliers to come up with creative ways of cutting costs. An example in the book describes how a distributor approached a manufacturer of hand cleaner for help in cutting costs for a customer. The traditional approach might have been to squeeze margins. Instead, the partners found an alternative that reduced the customer’s cost beyond its goal without affecting its margins. The customer had been ordering 55-gal. drums of cleaner and pumping it from there into containers that were used to fill dispensers. The manufacturer suggested pre-packaged refills, which cut the customer’s freight costs by $60,000 annually. Plus, the customer was able simply to pull a package out and put it into a dispenser, saving on labour. Pricing for NAW direct members is US$95; non-members pay $130. A 5% discount applies to orders placed at www.nawpubs.org. For more information, tel. 202-872-0885, fax 202-785-0586.

Rockwell Automation has introduced a free, easy-to-use product catalogue on CD-ROM that includes the full line of Allen-Bradley and Rockwell Software products. In addition to a comprehensive listing of products such as programmable controllers, relays, timers, operation interface devices, photoelectric sensors, drives, I/O systems, industrial computers and motion controllers, the CD provides product data sheets, procurement specifications, illustrations and an embedded search engine to help customers find the information they are seeking. It can be ordered via Rockwell Automation’s website at www.ab.com/catalogs, or by contacting its Response Center at 1-800-223-5354, ext. 1112.

After 14 years of racing cars and 11 years of training welding equipment distributor technicians for Miller Electric, Andy Weyenberg has combined his expertise on line. Ask Andy!, is a page on the motorsports section of Miller Electric’s website at www.MillerMotor sports.com that allows users to ask Andy about motorsports and racing-related welding and fabricating questions. He has been answering racing and welding questions for hobbyists at trade shows for years,
and wanted to make himself available all year long on the website. He responds personally to every question within about a week, and posts the more interesting answers on the site. Miller Electric sponsors some of the top NASCAR teams, who use exclusively Miller welding and plasma cutting equipment to build cars in the shop and make repairs on pit road.