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Freudenberg-NOK CEO takes early retirement
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NEWS
Coolant lines are repaired in space Space-walking astronauts have repaired a new segment of the International Space Station that could leak ammonia, according to a report by news service Reuters. Before it was launched on board Space Shuttle Atlantis, workers at NASA reported that they had discovered that the truss segment, some 14 m (45 ft) long, would leak ammonia once in space and attached to the Space Station. The ammonia is used in a type of air conditioning system for the station, and carries away heat from laboratories and other modules to radiators on the truss. Rather than make repairs on the ground, which might have delayed the launch, the space agency decided to use astronauts to make them while the Shuttle was in orbit. According to the report, they were required to install about 24 clamps, or Spool Positioning Devices, to connections on the ammonia lines. The clamps, rather than acting as tourniquets, actually allow small amounts of ammonia to bleed into space so an explosive pressure does not build up between dual seals. The job was to work on the truss, which will grow into the longest part of the orbiting station, stretching more than 100 m, and forming what NASA refers to as the ‘backbone’ of the station.
Freudenberg-NOK CEO takes early retirement Joseph Day, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer CEO of USbased Freudenberg-NOK, has elected to take an early retirement in order to pursue his passion for teaching ‘lean systems’. He said: “Over the past 13 years, I have accomplished all of the major career goals I have set for 16
myself, save one: the widespread adoption of lean systems. I wanted to seize this moment to concentrate my efforts on that goal and to work to install lean systems as an accredited program in universities that serve the North American automotive industry.” Freudenberg-NOK says that Day had been quietly considering retirement for months, and that he leaves the company in good shape and in the hands of a capable management team. In preparation for his retirement, the company recently restructured its operations into two business sectors headed by veteran Freudenberg-NOK executives — automotive, which comprises the OEM sealing and anti-vibration businesses that is headed by sector CEO Richard Allen; and distributed products, which comprises the general industry sealing (Simrit), automotive aftermarket (Corteco) and seal trading (Dichtomatik) businesses, which is directed by sector CEO Phillip Damaska. Day has been CEO of the American joint venture between Freudenberg & Co of Germany and NOK Corporation of Japan since its inception in 1989. For more information, contact: Freudenberg-NOK, 47690 E. Anchor Court, Plymouth, MI 48170, USA. Tel: +1 734 451 0020, Fax: +1 734 451 0125.
InTANK introduces tank inspection system InTANK of Laurel, Maryland, USA has introduced OTIS-G, an intrinsically safe robot that is designed and certified specifically for inspecting above-ground storage tanks (ASTs) containing petrol, naphtha, diesel fuel, jet fuel and kerosene. According to the company, the robot extends its core business of robotic API 653 inspections to a new range of products — highly volatile liquids with low flash points.
OTIS-G allows ASTs to remain full of product during cleaning and inspection, eliminating downtime costs and lost revenue. It uses InTANK’s proprietary navigation and ultrasonic data collection systems, and incorporates a camera system that is used to visually inspect primary and secondary seals of internal floating roof tanks. OTIS-G inspections meet API 653 guidelines and help tank owners comply with many of the main regulations (for example Ka, Kb, MACT, NFPA) for vapour emissions, says InTANK. The system has been certified to meet US and Canadian intrinsically safe standards (Entela and EntelaC). For more information, contact: InTANK Inc, 9115-K Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel, MD 20723, USA. Tel: +1 301 497 0477, Fax: +1 301 497 1645.
Autodesk releases Inventor 6 US-based software and digital content company Autodesk Inc is now shipping the latest version of its Autodesk Inventor 3D mechanical design software. Autodesk Inventor 6 software delivers significant new features and improvements based on customer feedback, giving manufacturers worldwide an advanced mechanical CAD system in the mid-priced market, says the company. It has more than 200 major productivity and drawing enhancements, adding industryspecific features such as routing tools and ‘weldments’ to meet customers’ specific industrial machinery and electro-mechanical design needs. An improved 3D content library supports more than 18 international standards. The library features standard parts that customers use most — screws and bolts, nuts, washers, adjusting rings, bearings, pins, rivets and shaft seals. Up to 80% of an industrial machine might
be designed with standard and purchased parts, and with this comprehensive library, Inventor users can quickly and easily find the standard parts they need most. The company claims that users will find that the favourites designation, searching and history views make working with the library even faster and easier. For more information, contact: Autodesk Inc, 111 McInnis Parkway, San Rafael, CA 94903, USA. Tel: +1 415 507 5000, Fax: +1 415 507 6129.
Gaskets designed for demanding engines A complete line of multi-layer steel head gaskets for more demanding automotive engines has been introduced by Fel-Pro. Manufactured and marketed by Federal-Mogul Corporation of Southfield, Michigan, USA PermaTorqueMLS head gaskets are engineered to withstand the increased cylinder pressures, extreme temperatures and constant head-block casting motion encountered in many late-model engines. Conventional gasket materials, including even the most advanced composite and graphite gasket designs, are highly susceptible to premature failure in these operating conditions, claims the company. PermaTorqueMLS gaskets feature multiple layers of full, hard stainless steel, separated by a thin rubber coating. This design enables the gasket to maintain its shape and compensate for thermal expansion and motion between the head and block. Each gasket also includes precision-embossed sealing beads that eliminate potential leak paths, ensuring a consistent and lasting seal. For more information, contact: Federal-Mogul Corporation, 26555 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, MI 48034, USA. Tel: +1 248 354 7700, Fax: +1 248 354 8983.
Sealing Technology November 2002
13/11/2002
17:31
Page 16
NEWS
Coolant lines are repaired in space Space-walking astronauts have repaired a new segment of the International Space Station that could leak ammonia, according to a report by news service Reuters. Before it was launched on board Space Shuttle Atlantis, workers at NASA reported that they had discovered that the truss segment, some 14 m (45 ft) long, would leak ammonia once in space and attached to the Space Station. The ammonia is used in a type of air conditioning system for the station, and carries away heat from laboratories and other modules to radiators on the truss. Rather than make repairs on the ground, which might have delayed the launch, the space agency decided to use astronauts to make them while the Shuttle was in orbit. According to the report, they were required to install about 24 clamps, or Spool Positioning Devices, to connections on the ammonia lines. The clamps, rather than acting as tourniquets, actually allow small amounts of ammonia to bleed into space so an explosive pressure does not build up between dual seals. The job was to work on the truss, which will grow into the longest part of the orbiting station, stretching more than 100 m, and forming what NASA refers to as the ‘backbone’ of the station.
Freudenberg-NOK CEO takes early retirement Joseph Day, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer CEO of USbased Freudenberg-NOK, has elected to take an early retirement in order to pursue his passion for teaching ‘lean systems’. He said: “Over the past 13 years, I have accomplished all of the major career goals I have set for 16
myself, save one: the widespread adoption of lean systems. I wanted to seize this moment to concentrate my efforts on that goal and to work to install lean systems as an accredited program in universities that serve the North American automotive industry.” Freudenberg-NOK says that Day had been quietly considering retirement for months, and that he leaves the company in good shape and in the hands of a capable management team. In preparation for his retirement, the company recently restructured its operations into two business sectors headed by veteran Freudenberg-NOK executives — automotive, which comprises the OEM sealing and anti-vibration businesses that is headed by sector CEO Richard Allen; and distributed products, which comprises the general industry sealing (Simrit), automotive aftermarket (Corteco) and seal trading (Dichtomatik) businesses, which is directed by sector CEO Phillip Damaska. Day has been CEO of the American joint venture between Freudenberg & Co of Germany and NOK Corporation of Japan since its inception in 1989. For more information, contact: Freudenberg-NOK, 47690 E. Anchor Court, Plymouth, MI 48170, USA. Tel: +1 734 451 0020, Fax: +1 734 451 0125.
InTANK introduces tank inspection system InTANK of Laurel, Maryland, USA has introduced OTIS-G, an intrinsically safe robot that is designed and certified specifically for inspecting above-ground storage tanks (ASTs) containing petrol, naphtha, diesel fuel, jet fuel and kerosene. According to the company, the robot extends its core business of robotic API 653 inspections to a new range of products — highly volatile liquids with low flash points.
OTIS-G allows ASTs to remain full of product during cleaning and inspection, eliminating downtime costs and lost revenue. It uses InTANK’s proprietary navigation and ultrasonic data collection systems, and incorporates a camera system that is used to visually inspect primary and secondary seals of internal floating roof tanks. OTIS-G inspections meet API 653 guidelines and help tank owners comply with many of the main regulations (for example Ka, Kb, MACT, NFPA) for vapour emissions, says InTANK. The system has been certified to meet US and Canadian intrinsically safe standards (Entela and EntelaC). For more information, contact: InTANK Inc, 9115-K Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel, MD 20723, USA. Tel: +1 301 497 0477, Fax: +1 301 497 1645.
Autodesk releases Inventor 6 US-based software and digital content company Autodesk Inc is now shipping the latest version of its Autodesk Inventor 3D mechanical design software. Autodesk Inventor 6 software delivers significant new features and improvements based on customer feedback, giving manufacturers worldwide an advanced mechanical CAD system in the mid-priced market, says the company. It has more than 200 major productivity and drawing enhancements, adding industryspecific features such as routing tools and ‘weldments’ to meet customers’ specific industrial machinery and electro-mechanical design needs. An improved 3D content library supports more than 18 international standards. The library features standard parts that customers use most — screws and bolts, nuts, washers, adjusting rings, bearings, pins, rivets and shaft seals. Up to 80% of an industrial machine might
be designed with standard and purchased parts, and with this comprehensive library, Inventor users can quickly and easily find the standard parts they need most. The company claims that users will find that the favourites designation, searching and history views make working with the library even faster and easier. For more information, contact: Autodesk Inc, 111 McInnis Parkway, San Rafael, CA 94903, USA. Tel: +1 415 507 5000, Fax: +1 415 507 6129.
Gaskets designed for demanding engines A complete line of multi-layer steel head gaskets for more demanding automotive engines has been introduced by Fel-Pro. Manufactured and marketed by Federal-Mogul Corporation of Southfield, Michigan, USA PermaTorqueMLS head gaskets are engineered to withstand the increased cylinder pressures, extreme temperatures and constant head-block casting motion encountered in many late-model engines. Conventional gasket materials, including even the most advanced composite and graphite gasket designs, are highly susceptible to premature failure in these operating conditions, claims the company. PermaTorqueMLS gaskets feature multiple layers of full, hard stainless steel, separated by a thin rubber coating. This design enables the gasket to maintain its shape and compensate for thermal expansion and motion between the head and block. Each gasket also includes precision-embossed sealing beads that eliminate potential leak paths, ensuring a consistent and lasting seal. For more information, contact: Federal-Mogul Corporation, 26555 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, MI 48034, USA. Tel: +1 248 354 7700, Fax: +1 248 354 8983.
Sealing Technology November 2002