Information Resources: Where to find MRO information

Flexco has expanded its web site, www.flexco.com, to include a Safety & Task Training Program to help mine, quarry and industrial safety managers provide task-specific training for safer, more efficient belt-conveyor maintenance procedures. Downloadable materials overview the purpose and performance of each task, and provide a brief review quiz. The four tasks initially covered by the program comprise Lockout/Tagout, Clamping a Belt, Cutting a Belt and Skiving a Belt. For more information, visit the web site or call the company at 630-971-0150.

The Flexaust Company’s new website at www.flexaust.com features a Product Selector section designed to help users decide which product meets their application needs. Technical data sheets also can be accessed here. A Who’s Who section provides a list of key contacts and a Where to Buy section provides information on distributors. The site also offers Request for Quote and Contact Us sections.

View the latest product listings and data updates on the Product Locator Guide from Machinery & Equipment MRO at www.mro-esource.com. Listings include technical contacts and inventory status for hundreds of MRO components and systems.

With a view to expanding its international reach, Acrolab has translated its web site, located at www.acrolab.com, into French and German. Also, the company employs multi-lingual staff who can communicate in French, Italian, German, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, Turkish, Hindi and Russian. By the end of 2002, an estimated 66% of Internet users and 40% of e-commerce will come from non-native English-speaking countries, the company says.

Kaman has announced the second release of KamanDirect.com, its business-to-business web site for the industrial products marketplace. Enhancements include: customized storerooms that allow buyers to create personalized catalogues of frequently purchased items; the ability to manage purchasing for multiple locations from within a single on-line session; quick access to all invoices for the preceding 24 months; and extensive search and sort capabilities on multiple screens that provide a simple and direct connection to account information. For details, visit the site or call 860-687-5000.

The Small Motors & Motion Association’s Motor & Motion College offers motor courses that are customized for in-house presentations. Costs for these courses are negotiated according to the number of course days and instructor travel expenses. SMMA handles the arrangements, including preparation and shipping of course manuals. Courses include Basic Motor Theory, Operation and Application; Fundamentals of Electric Motor Design; Feedback Devices; and Fundamentals of Brushless Motor Controls. For further information, contact SMMA at 508-655-4409, e-mail info@smma.org.

New from the educational services committee of the Bearing Specialists Association (BSA) is the publication of the bearing standards bulletin. ABMA/ANSI/ISO: A Summary of Each Organization as They Relate to the Development of Bearing Standards provides a brief, overall view of the American Bearing Manufacturers Association, the American National Standards Institute and the International Organization for Standardization and the role each plays in the development of bearing standards. For details, call BSA at 630-858-3838 or visit www.bsahome.org.

Bringing together up-to-date cam design technology and design and manufacturing procedures, the Cam Design and Manufacturing Handbook by Robert L. Norton, P.E., is a comprehensive reference book for the design and manufacturing of cam-follower systems. Published by Industrial Press, the handbook provides the information needed to design, model, analyze, specify and manufacture cam-follower systems. It is accompanied by a 90-day trial demonstration copy of the professional version of Dynacam for Microsoft Windows V. 7.0. Written by Norton, the program can be used in conjunction with the book. Further information is available from Industrial Press at. 212-889-6330, e-mail: induspress@aol.com, or www.industrialpress.com.

The CRC Press book, Root Cause Analysis: Improving Performance for Bottom Line Results, written by Robert and Ken Latino, has been released in a second edition which includes additional case studies and up-to-date information on root cause analysis methodology. The 300-page hardbound book helps readers identify, resolve and eliminate the chronic issues, such as repeated equipment or system problems, that hinder the attainment of organizational goals. Cost of the book is US$79.95. For more information, visit www.reliability.com.

The Power Transmission Distributors Association has partnered with BSW Consulting to offer the 2002 edition of the Computer Software Guide. Updated and enhanced for ease of use, this edition provides instructions for understanding and documenting system requirements and finding, evaluating and selecting the most suitable distribution management system. Highlights include detailed reviews of 18 software packages, B2B product reviews, software selection worksheets and computer hardware resources. An expanded, on-line version also is available. The print version costs US$38 for PTDA members or $60 for non-members and can be purchased by visiting www.ptda.org/catalog or calling 312-876-9461.

Industrial Press has issued its 2002 Titles Booklet, listing all its publications. In this pocket-sized reference guide are listed recent publications and new titles for 2002, other handbooks, and all book titles arranged in alphabetical order by subject matter. At the back are author and title indexes and ordering information. Call 212-889-6330, fax 212-545-8327, e-mail: induspress@aol.com or visit www.industialpress.com.

The Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society (ISA) has published a book on fieldbus entitled Process Fieldbuses–Engineering, Operation and Maintenance, by Jonas Berge. Featuring approximately 230 illustrations and 100 review questions, the 468-page hardbound book focuses on field-level process networks and host-level Ethernet versions. It is designed for courses as well as self-study and will be a handy reference for the control engineer when configuring and troubleshooting systems. Cost of the book is US$95.00. It can be bought on-line at www.isa.org/books.

A compact guide that covers the basics of Ethernet, TCP/IP protocol, component selection, installation and maintenance, Industrial Ethernet: A Pocket Guide by Perry Sink Marshall gives automation engineers a pocket-sized reference for important information and terminology about Ethernet, as well as best-practice recommendations unique to automation and process control. Published by ISA Press, the 125-page, spiral-bound book retails for US$29.95. Copies are available for purchase through the Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society at 919-849-5411 or on-line at www.isa.org/books.