Wednesday, August 27

Ahead of the Bell: Heavy machinery makers

NEW YORK -
Shares of heavy machinery companies could see increased activity Wednesday as the government releases data expected to show demand for big-ticket manufactured goods grew slightly in July, after a big jump the previous month.
The Commerce Department's report on durable goods orders will show an increase of 0.1 percent in July from the previous month, according to the consensus estimate of Wall Street economists surveyed by Thomson/IFR. The data will be released Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. EDT.
Removing bookings for transportation equipment, such as airplanes, which can swing widely from month to month, orders for all other manufactured goods are expected to dip by 0.3 percent in July.
Orders for durable goods, which are items expected to last three years and include cars, appliances and machinery, rose 0.8 percent in June, the largest increase in four months. Analysts attributed much of the increase to heavy defense spending.
Economists said that exports also helped bolster durable goods orders during the U.S. economic slowdown. Exports have experienced strong growth this year due to economic growth overseas and a declining dollar, which makes domestic exports cheaper for foreign buyers. But in recent weeks those trends have shown signs of reversing.
David Resler, chief economist at Nomura Securities, said in a note to clients that Wednesday's report could provide "an early indication about the impact that slower global economic growth and a stronger dollar might have in the months ahead."

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Introduction of Oil Seals

Oil seals have the main function of sealing off oil, greases and other types of fluids that must be contained within a machine, also avoiding the entry of any foreign matter or impurities from without, such as dirt, sand particles, dust etc. Employed in a varied array of uses, they are present in our daily lives. From automobiles to trucks, buses, motorcycles, farming machines, even home appliances, airplanes, and industrial machines.



Oil Seal Composition

Main Seal:Fluid sealing function, whether the shaft is in a dynamic or static condition.
Spring: Radial load exerted over the shaft compensation function.
Auxiliary sealing: Main seal protection from dust and other elements, function.
External diameter: Offers an interference between the housing and the oil seal.
Types in existence:
- With a smooth rubber lining
- With an ondulated rubber lining
- Metallic- Half Rubber / Half Body
- With rubberized painting
Body: Performs the function of a structure for the oil seal, supporting its profile while also enabling the mounting of the necessary housing.

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Tuesday, August 26

How to use a sewing machine

Without the sewing machine, the world would be a very different place. Like the automobile, the cotton gin and countless other innovations from the past 300 years, the sewing machine takes something time-consuming and laborious and makes it fast and easy. With the invention of the mechanized sewing machine, manufacturers could suddenly produce piles of high-quality clothing at minimal expense.

Using a sewing machine is not as difficult as it seems. There are basics of machine sewing that are the same no matter what make or model machine you use.

For the first,you should understand the process of machine sewing. A machine uses two thread sources. The top thread runs from a spool you thread along the machine loops, into a tension wheel and through the needle. The order and direction should be marked on the machine or in the machine's manual. Usually, the thread follows this general pattern: "left, down, up, down, through."
Then check your manual to ensure correct needle placement. The needle is held in place by a screw; generally, the screw is loosened enough to insert the needle fully into the slot, then the screw tightened very tightly. In most machines, the flat side of the needle goes to the back of the slot; however, you'll want to be absolutely sure this is correct for your model.
Be sure to string the bottom thread (bobbin) correctly. Insert the bobbin by sliding or lifting a plate with a little window which is under the needle OR at the bottom front (or bottom left) of the machine with a removable bobbin case. All vintage machines still use this original bobbin method. If stringing is not done correctly, the top and bottom threads will not loop together - huge tangles of thread on the bottom of the material are an indication of incorrect threading. If your machine doesn't have threading directions, try typing the machine brand and model number into google - many companies have posted this critical information on the internet.
Adjust the tension if problems arise with stitches. The thread tension adjustment is usually somewhere along the top left side of the machine. The bobbin tension is usually adjusted by slightly tightening or loosening the large screw in the bobbin holder. In general, the newer the machine, the less you should fiddle with the tension!
Practice on scrap material first. It will take several bobbins of thread in practice before you gain simultaneous control of the foot pedal, steering the material under the needle, and keeping a good speed. Even the best tailors do a test before committing needle to fabric.
In general, keep the bulk of the material to the left of the machine - crowding that bulk on the right side can cause messy stitching.
Measure the seam allowance. This is the "normal" space between the edge of the fabric and the stitching line - the major pattern companies plan for 5/8". Get a ruler and measure on either side of the needle. This should be marked already on your machine's "throat plate" (the flat metal piece that the needle goes through). If not, mark it yourself with masking tape.
Do not force the material or pull the material while it is going under the needle. This can cause the material to stretch or the needle to break, or the stitches to clog up in the bobbin. Either press the foot pedal harder or buy a faster machine.
Take some time to test all the stitches available on your machine. This is particularly important if you do buttonholes or the fancy stitches.

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Monday, August 25

The 5th Jiangsu International Machine Tool & Mold Exhibition

Duration: 2008-09-10 ~ 2008-09-12
Venue : Nanjing International Expo Center
URL: http://www.njfhzl.com/scfx.asp
E-mail: 85277026@163.com
Telephone : 86-25-84509150, 85277026
Fax : 86-25-84731098, 84509150
Content: Foreword
It is last to look back Nanjing phoenix exhibition Co., Ltd. "The 4th Jiangsu International Machine Tool and Mold Exhibition" held in March, 2008 was attended by nearly 300 participants from U.S.A., France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Japan, South Korea, China Taiwan and mainland. There are nearly 1000 equipments being present at the exhibition, which attract over 28000 buyers and visitors and enter into the deal of nearly 100million yuan. Exhibition is the extensive support from over 200 magazines and websites, The ginseng satisfactory degree of show business for this exhibition reaches 95% more, The machine Tool and Die&Mould exhibition is the largest exhibition of the kind being held over recent years in Nanjing, characterized by the highest grade and the best arrangement for buyers. we with reliance on the persistent and professional spirits available with "Phoenix Man", build another brand – "Phoenix Machine Tool and Mold Exhibition".

Market prospect
With the good and rapid development of economy, China's manufacturing industry is experiencing rapid growth. Known as "the Processing Base of Global Manufacturing", Jiangsu Province boasts the well-developed machinery manufacturing in his areas, such as Hefei, Wuhu, Maanshan, Chuzhou, Bengbu, etc. Automobile and component, electronic and instrument appearance, machining, mechanical production and mould are made, boat, war industry, spaceflight and the professions such as metallurgy and numerous build extension recently skill alter project for machine tool, work mould and related supplemental equipment demand strong. There are broad prospects in the market. Meanwhile. Developing swift Nanjing market, development than maturation Su south market, burgeoning development Su the Anhui market that north market and Nanjing radiate have become the sales that the work mould manufacturer of machine tool most values market. The 5th Jiangsu International Machine Tool and Mold Exhibition in Nanjing conduct must bring rich repayment to ginseng show business!

Relocate to new exhibition
Located at the junction of subway line #1 and #2 in Hexi New Downtown, The Nanjing international exposition center that investment three billions Yuan builds recently locates in river west new the city proper to Yangtze River Bridge, the 2nd Yangtze River Bridge, the 3rd Yangtze River Bridge, the tunnel across the river, railway station, airport. The Center has the exhibition hall of 160,000m2, able to accommodate 6000 standard exhibition booths. The exhibition hall is built in single-floor pillar-free structure with big span of 14-22m in net height so that the vehicles and equipments can be delivered to the hall without any difficulty. The international exhibition center is designed to adopt the up-to-date concept, highlighting the extraordinary style of "Tigers crouching and dragons curling" and new outlook and advanced devices in place as well. It is the 2nd modernized large exhibition hall in the eastern region, following Shanghai New International Exhibition Center. The relocation of The 5th Jiangsu International Machine Tool and Mold Exhibition to the new exhibition hall is aimed to provide a more accessible, broader and comfortable environment for participants and visitors.

Rebuild the brilliance
"The success of the 4th Machine Tool and Die&Mould Exhibition" has been well recognized by the department in charge, related enterprises and media. The 5th Machine Tool and Die&Mould Exhibition will still be held by Jiangsu Machinery Industrial Association, Jiangsu Machine Corporation, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Nanjing office, China Chamber of International Commerce Nanjing office, We will "Phoenix Man", based on the adoption of advanced concept, is rich to do show experience and extensive ginseng show resource, is professional exhibition to buy domestic information and customer supreme service consciousness, with your ultimate assistance, "the 5th Jiangsu International Machine Tool and Die&Mould Exhibition" will create the new brilliance!

The participation in the exhibition by enterprises from home and abroad will be greatly appreciated, Open up market!

Exhibition time
Time for booth setup: September 8th - 9th, 2008 at 8:30 - 17:30
Exhibition time: September 10th - 12th, 2008 at 9:00 - 16:30
Withdrawal time: September 12th, 2008 after 16:00

Contents
Machine tools and tools:Metal-cutting machine tools, CNC machining centers, turning machines, grinding machines, milling machines, nibbling machines and automation periphery equipment, metal-forming machines, boring machines, drilling machines, sawing machines, broaching machines, planing machines, engraving machines, engraving & milling machines, tapping machines, modular machine tools, machine tool electric apparatus and fittings, metalworking fluids, accessories, etc.; plate shears, bending machines, extension machines, cutting machines, pipe benders, pipe cutters, chamfering machines, band saw machines, round saw machines, welding machines, oil pressure machines, die-casting machines, lapping machines and shot blasting machines, etc.
Numerical control systems and flexible manufacturing systems, servo drives and programmable logical controllers, computer application software and hardware like CAD/CAM/CAE/PDM and so on, automation technology and complete set equipment, mechanic drives and pneumatic hydraulic components;
Cutting measuring and clamping tools: various turning, milling and boring cutters, boring heads, drilling bits, grinding wheels, saw blades, threaded cutters, movable blades, abrasive pastes, etc.; various measuring instruments, tools and 3-dimensional measuring machines, etc.; various clamping devices and series of tool cabinets, tool carts/racks, work benches and other supporting products.
Dies, molds and mold making technologies and equipment:
Die and mold equipment including electric spark machines, low-speed WEDM machines, wire cutters, labeling machines, ultra-sonic cleaning machines, die spotting machines, laser equipment and rapid tooling equipment, etc.
Various molds and dies: punching dies, plastic dies, die casting dies, forging dies, ceramic dies, wire drawing dies, carbide dies and rubber dies, etc.; die and mold materials: die steel, metal sheets (line materials), aluminum alloy materials, carbon electrode materials and copper electrode materials, etc.; standard die and mold parts: die carriers, guide posts, guide sleeves, punches, fasteners, springs, pouring bushes and hot runner components, etc. Abrasives and grinding tools, CAD system for dies and molds, machining of various shaped dies and molds, standard die and mold parts and structural members, etc. fast product development systems and services.

Criteria for the charges
1. Invitation to various buyers: The organizing committee will print 300, 000 visiting tickets, make publicity and advertisements via sponsors, co-organizers, supporters, industrial associations, societies, chambers of commerce, trade media and websites and the mass media, and send the tickets by telephone, fax, short message, e-mail, post, etc. to general managers, technical personnel buyers of manufacturing enterprises and dealers in lines of mechanic processing, machinery manufacturing, die and mold making, motors and fittings, ship, bicycle, military, electronics, instruments and apparatus, communication, aerospace, metallurgy, hard metal, warehousing, etc.
2. Special invitation: We'll make co-operations with industrial park zones and economy development zones at individual area of the county for organizing enterprise visiting groups to visit, negotiate and make transactions at the exhibition.
3. Circuiting publicity: Professional exhibitions large in scale and influential nationwide will be selected to make direct publicity to professional customers in order to attract more professional visitors.
4. Discussion and exchange: The organizing committee will organize professional discussion and technical exchange conference of a high level and invite related persons-in-charge to attend the conferences and visit the conference.

Criteria for the charges
1. Special exhibition area:
Standard booth 9m2(3mx3m), RMB5, 500/exhibition period; net space (starting from 36m2), RMB550/m2. exhibition period.
2. Standard exhibition area:
Standard booth 9m2(3mx3m), RMB5, 000/exhibition period; net space (starting from 36m2), RMB500/m2. exhibition period.
3. Booth for overseas enterprise:
Standard booth 9m2 (3mx3m), USD1, 200/exhibition period; net space (starting from 36m2), USD120/m2. exhibition period.
▲ Standard booth includes: Exhibition boards for three sections (2.5m high), one banner with texts on, one table plus two chairs, two fluorescent lights and one 5A electrical outlet; Carry a 300-word company profile free of charges for exhibitors.
▲ We'll undertake the product promotion conferences and technical seminars for enterprises during the exhibition. For detailed services and charges, please contact the organizing committee.

Exhibition formalities
1. Exhibitors are requested to fill in the application form for exhibition in details, then attach your name and company stamp to the form and send back to the organizing committee by fax or post. Registration cut-off date is August 20, 2008.
2. From the date of registration, the exhibitor shall remit required expenses to the account specified by the organizing committee within five days and fax the remittance slip to the organizing committee for check.
3. The organizing committee will arrange the booth for individual exhibitors according to the time the remittance be received. After receipt of the relevant remittance for the exhibition, a receipt will be issued and the exhibitor may require the invoice against this receipt during the exhibition.

Contact us: Nanjing Phoenix Exhibition Co., Ltd.
Address: Room 1608, Mingzhu Mansion, No. 163, Fengfu Road, Xinjiekou, Nanjing
Contact: Mr. huang zonglin

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Sunday, August 24

China 's Diesel Generators Market

Diesel generators by structural approach can be divided into fixed and mobile (trailer) units; by mode of operation can be divided into single units and parallel operation unit; control by ordinary manual can be divided into units Automation unit, Smart Communications remote control unit; Technical indicators can be divided into Class I power plant, power station Ⅱ , Ⅲ type power station; by capacity can be divided into from 1 kw to 3150kw stall the power unit.

China 's diesel generator market in recent years a rapid development, from 2003 to 2007 due to the power shortage, China 's diesel generators rapid development of the market, leading to shortages of power crunch occurred, some factories, Standby Power Enterprises has become a necessary task, the sales of units in this period surge. causing manufacturers to supply the output .

Diesel generators to sustain strong There were two main reasons. First, many diesel generators for emergency power generation, hospitals, banks, airports, telecommunications and other industries standby power, Intermittent belonging to oil equipment, and the oil price increases reflect less sensitive, less cross-elasticity of demand. Therefore, this part of the market demand for temporary increases in oil prices will not be affected. Second, in many application areas, a lack of diesel generators requires alternative products. Diesel generators as a mobile power source, which makes it in many areas, are difficult to replace, such as ship electricity, Oil exploitation of the need for mobile field operations, diesel generators in these markets to be widely used. Whenever summer, the electricity supply is insufficient, the diesel generators or diesel generators will be best-selling.

However, the present, with the supply of electricity to ease the tension, as well as years of large water conservancy and hydropower construction, Rural and small hydropower building together with other such as wind power generation, nuclear power generation, Power Plant to enable the establishment of China's power shortage to ease the dilemma, therefore, diesel generators in the overall sales of the second half of 2007 have been alleviated, and The increase in fuel prices has also to some extent limit the diesel generator market development. However, the current situation is still considerable demand; a number of hospitals, banks, airports, Outdoor venues will be operating as an emergency diesel generators essential use.

Diesel generators on the market to such a wide range of applications are still in its specific characteristics. First, the diesel generators with capacity levels, the international product consists of several kilowatts to tens of thousands of kilowatts, the nation's largest for the several thousand kilowatts, the users with a lot of room for choice; second, and the supporting equipment compact structure, flexible installation locations, as long as the water-cooled 34 -82L /KWH Turbine 1 / 10; Third, high thermal efficiency, Low fuel consumption and thermal efficiency of 30 ~ 40%; Fourth, rapid start, and would soon reach full power. an emergency can be achieved within minutes full load, while the short course stands, with frequent stop for the convenience of users; 5, 6) Single smaller capacity, the operating technique is relatively simple, easy operation staff in general. Simple maintenance, maintenance convenience, fewer personnel required to operate in the maintenance reserve a small amount; Sixth, diesel generators for power generation and the construction of a comprehensive cost minimum. Sixth, low operating costs, can use a variety of fuels, demand for low-quality fuel, suitable for burning high viscosity fuel oil and the heavy oil price far below the light diesel; Seventh, high reliability, output power stability, Power generation is usually rated by the nine O operation. Therefore, the mobile power plant diesel generator has good prospects.

Diesel generators are a technology-intensive products, the majority of ship power plants, Mobile Power Station and power station by emergency diesel generators Group. Along with the development of the national economy, the diesel generators requirements has been increasing year by year, and its function, technical performance requirements are also increasing

China's diesel generators in mechanical properties, electrical properties, performance, reliability, routine maintenance and service life with the international advanced level, but there is a considerable gap, the main features: (1) Unit type less choice for a smaller; (2) dynamic economy, reliability, and other technical performance low Compact enough structure, high vibration and noise; (3) Diesel Engine Application of new technologies less intelligent, low degree of automation. These shortcomings make homemade diesel generators are not currently meet the requirements of the new ship. It had to import foreign models of a variety of marine diesel engine (such as Cummins, latency, etc.) generators (such as Stanford, Siemens, etc.), air circuit breakers and meters and other production technologies, to meet the domestic shipbuilding industry's needs. As diesel generators from diesel engines, generators and control devices composed of three parts. any part of which level of technical development and can promote other aspects of the development, thereby enhancing the diesel generators overall performance, the three parts between the technical level mutual promotion.

At present, China 's diesel generators concentrate at the senior secondary market and low-end markets. in the high-end market abroad mainly generators and ancillary mainly imported parts, at the end of the market mainly foreign parts, and foreign brands are assembled mainly domestic; At the lower end of the market are generally for domestic products and accessories, and if Weichai, Chai on the diesel generators which have a majority of the exports, and the original foreign brands in the domestic and assembly of diesel generators so on occupied 70% -80% of the market share.

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Thursday, August 21

Steel prices push up machinery costs


The price of steel has increased 40 per cent in six months, and is making fencing and farm machinery significantly more expensive.

Demand from China and India is pushing up the cost of iron ore, with prices expected to rise further.

Equipment manufacturer Les Gason says during the Beijing Olympics, the Chinese will turn off steel production plants to improve air quality.

"My understanding is that it's worldwide, the price of steel worldwide has gone up," he said.

"That means that anything that's made out of steel that the price is increasing around the same percentage.

"That's because the price of iron ore went up, coking fuel's gone up, so the cost of manufacturing of steel has gone up enormously in the last five months."

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The process of how bird's Nest to be build

The engineering of the "Nest" of Beijing Olympics in2008, is completely the crystallization of scientific techniques!The steel structure is one of the hardest parts in the construction of every Olympic venue. A total of 150,000 tons of steel has been used to set up the framework to support these colossal structures. More than 50 of the latest technological achievements were applied in the construction of the Bird's Nest alone. And the use of environmentally-friendly materials and clean energy is one of the focuses.

The workers have overcome tremendous engineering and technical challenges in the process of construction:

1. Difficult work arrangement
They need to do very detailed research of operations and follow meticulous arrangements to complete various kinds of work within a limited workspace.

2. Difficult hoisting of steel parts
To facilitate the assembly of the steel parts, the workers have to use a prone position to assemble the truss columns, which requires a turnover process before they are hoisted. The choice of the hoist points and lug hooks pose great difficulties in the face of bulky and cumbersome steel parts, and the change of pulling stress from three directions must be taken into consideration. The workers need to meticulously rectify angles and positions of the box-typed sectional parts to ensure accurate abutment during the hoisting process.

3. Difficult stabilizing process
They also have to fight the heavy wind load and keep the stability of the steel parts by following a strict working order and use lateral stability measures including the use of anchoring method and wind-holding ropes.

4. Difficult welding
The welders not only face a huge work volume, but also have to work on both the thin steel sheets and thick steel slabs, on high-strength and cast steel elements, and take downward, vertical or overhead positions while welding. They face temperature changes, steel deformation and intensive labor. They need to work above ground, in winter rain and under windy conditions.

5. Difficult installation
The workers face difficulties in ensuring accurate installation as the steel parts and the related gigs and fixtures can be deformed easily under their own dead weight and the change of temperatures. The workers must take pre-installation measures to rectify and relieve the errors that might occur in the process of installation.









The following pictures witness the construction process of bird's Nest:

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Tuesday, August 19

China's Sports Machine Mints Olympic Gold


Even before the Olympics began, it was expected that China would harvest the most gold medals in Beijing. But the sheer range of events where China has won gold is remarkable — from weightlifting and judo and badminton, to diving and swimming. On Sunday alone, China won eight gold medals.

The host country normally boosts its medal count from previous Olympics. Money pours into elite sports development, new facilities get built and a national mission of sorts goes into the medal chase.

But what China has done is on a different order of magnitude. At the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, China won only five gold medals. This time it may win 10 times as many. The U.S. was the overall gold medal winner at the past three Summer Olympics. This time it will finish a very distant second to China.

Even before China was awarded the games in 2001, the country's sports bureaucracy focused on developing Olympic champions. The funding for elite sport development — from direct government support and proceeds from lottery ticket sales — has grown as China's economy has prospered.

China's Winning Strategy

Always strong in diving, gymnastics, table tennis and badminton, China honed in on sports like women's weightlifting, archery and shooting, where the global talent pool isn't deep and other athletes don't receive much financial support. The low-hanging fruit strategy has paid off handsomely.

Layered on to this approach is a huge and sophisticated government sports apparatus that identifies promising young athletes through a network of coaches. Some 200,000 Chinese children are said to be living and training at elite sports academies. In sports like gymnastics, kids start boarding at 6 or 7 years old. Their lives are difficult, but the potential rewards are enormous.

If this sports factory approach seems familiar, just think back to Communist East Germany and the Soviet Union, where sports had their own ministries and gold medals became a tool of government policy.

It should be noted that China isn't the only country with a government-backed sports machine. The Wall Street Journal recently reported how Germany is taking up central sports planning in the old East German mode, replacing community sports clubs traditional in western Germany. Japan and Australia fund centralized sports programs as well. The model here is essentially the same: introduce sports to very young children throughout the country. Then spot the few truly talented athletes and spare no expense to surround them with the best in coaching, training, nutrition and equipment.

Reaction In The U.S.

If the U.S. gets trounced by China in the gold medal count, there will be some hand-wringing about the decline of America's Olympic prowess. And in the country's sour national mood, some will say we're doing it all wrong and should emulate the Chinese sports model. But don't expect those voices to get very loud. A big government program to churn out Olympic athletes just isn't in our national DNA.

In the U.S., Olympic athletes emerge from a patchwork quilt of local clubs, high school and college teams. Parents and volunteer coaches are involved — sometimes too involved. When athletes finally get selected for a national team, they receive some modest help through the United States Olympic Committee. But Olympic sports receive no direct government funding. Success depends more on individual and family commitment than a sense of national purpose.

In America, Olympians tend to lead pretty normal lives. They go to school or hold down jobs. They don't live in luxury and aren't recognized on the street. It's all fairly grass roots compared to the huge business of professional sports like football and baseball, and to the Olympic sports machines of China and other countries.

Don't expect the American system to change even if China runs away with the gold medal count. It has been the most successful over time, even as expensive government sports crusades come and go.

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How to select the right valve for your application

Valves have long been more than just a simple device for turning on and shutting off flow. Valve design has kept in step with industrial progress - the development of piping techniques, and the ever-growing list of fluids for processing, power, and finished product. Industry loses millions of dollars each year through the consequences of improper valve selection. Improper valve selection can promote valve failures, which can result in loss of system fluids, out of "spec" product, downtime expenses, unsafe workplace conditions, and environmental damage.

So, how can you confidently select a valve that will install easily, perform safely and reliably, and offer the lowest maintenance and overall cost in your system? You must ask yourself three questions below:

1. What type of fluid will the system carry?
Before selecting a valve, consider the type of fluid the system will carry. Is the fluid viscous or thin? Gas or liquid? Corrosive or inert? Such variables can affect system components and operation. For example, fluid viscosity affects system flow and valve requirements. Fluids that are more viscous reduce system flow and leakage. On the other hand, a high-pressure, light gas will move freely along its flow path, but can be more difficult to seal.
Some gases, such as hydrogen and methane, present significant ignition hazards, and even the smallest leak to the atmosphere can be catastrophic. If the system fluid is a toxic gas, such as arsine or phosphine, leakage to the atmosphere can be even worse. Corrosive gases or liquids such as hydrogen chloride, hydrogen sulfide, or even steam can damage components and actually remove material by chemical or physical attack.

2. What are the system operating conditions?
System operating conditions, such as temperature and pressure, are also important factors in choosing a valve. For example, consider material selection in high- or low-temperature applications; component materials with varying expansion rates can allow fluid leaks. Plastic components can shrink and leak, or they can absorb water and other system media and become brittle at low temperatures. Elastomers, too, can harden and crack in cryogenic service, and they have high thermal coefficients of expansion. In addition, differential pressure can affect sealing capability. For example, a system operating at 1000 psig (68.9 bar) can leak 10 times the amount of the same system operating at 100 psig (6.89 bar).

3. Do you know the different characteristics of different valves?
Progress in valve design puts at the piping engineer's elbow a great variety of valve types, each with some special qualification for service. From these you may choose the right one to provide dependable and economical performance in each particular need.

Gate Valve

Commonly used in industrial piping, this type of valve, as a rule, should be used as a stop valve...to turn on and shut off the flow, as opposed to regulating flow. It gets its name from the gate-like disc which operates at a right angle to the path of flow.

Globe and Angle Valves
The flow through globe valves follow a changing course, thereby causing increased resistance to flow and considerable pressure drop. Because of the seating arrangements, globe valves are the most suitable for throttling flow. The valve is named after its globular body.
Angle valves, similar in principle and a companion line to the globe, are designed to permit a 90 degree turn in piping and are less resistant to flow.

Check Valve


Sometimes referred to as the non-return valve, the check valve stops backflow in the piping. Unlike the gate and globe valves, this simplest of types operates automatically.


Ball Valve

Unique in design, this valve controls the flow of a wide variety of fluids. It can be opened or closed in a quarter-turn of the operating handle. The name "ball" is derived from the ball-shaped disc located within the body. A hole through the center of this disc provides the straight-through flow which is characteristic of ball valves. Light and durable, these are the valves that are playing increasingly important roles in our nation's missile projects, as well as in industry and commercial buildings.

Butterfly Valve
Here's a valve that is extremely durable, efficient and reliable. The butterfly valve derives its name from the wing-like action of the disc which operates at right angles to the flow. Its chief advantage is a seating surface which is not critical. The reason for this being the disc impinges against a resilient liner to provide bubble tightness with low operating torque.

In summary, choosing the correct valve is not always easy. It's a matter of knowing every detail of the job to be done - working pressure, temperature, fluid, volume of flow, corrosive elements, valve operating cycle, etc. other equally. When you choose the right valve, you help maintain a safe environment, eliminate costly downtime, and benefit from increased reliability and leak-tight operation and performance.

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Monday, August 18

Sand casting compared with Die casting

Sand casting and die casting are both the manufacturing process to produce cast parts by pouring molten liquid metal into the mold,which contains a hollow cavity of the desired shape,and then allowed to solidify. The main difference between sand casting and die casting is in the mold.


The sand casting is a cast part produced by forming a mold from a sand mixture and pouring molten liquid metal into the cavity in the mold. The mold is then cooled until the metal has solidified.It is expendable mold casting.


Die casting is the process of forcing molten metal under high pressure into mold cavities (which are machined into dies). Most die castings are made from nonferrous metals, specifically zinc, copper, and aluminum based alloys, but ferrous metal die castings are possible. It is non-expendable mold casting.

Non-expendable mold casting differs from expendable processes in that the mold need not be reformed after each production cycle.

The sand casting is one of the most popular and simplest types of casting that has been used for centuries. Sand casting allows for smaller batches to be made compared to permanent mold casting and at a very reasonable cost. Not only does this method allow manufacturers to create products at a low cost, but there are other benefits to sand casting, such as very small size operations.

The die castingmethod is especially suited for applications where many small to medium sized parts are needed with good detail, a fine surface quality and dimensional consistency.In recent years, injection-molded plastic parts have replaced some die castings because they are cheaper and lighter.Plastic parts are a practical alternative if hardness is not required and little strength is needed.

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Wednesday, August 13

Generator blows at Olympic rowing heats

BEIXIAOYING TOWN, China: A diesel generator used to create the underwater bubbles that formed the finish line overheated on Saturday, but did not delay races on the first day of Olympic rowing heats.

The billowing, black smoke was noticeable during the women's pair heats at Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park. The generator was on the grandstand side, not close enough to the fans or the water to cause any concern. The bubbling finish line, however, was eliminated.

Bike riders continued pedaling on the path in front of the blue generator — decorated with Olympic rings — and firefighters quickly brought the situation under control.

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Monday, August 11

Valves construct the nest for the Beijing Olympic Games


With the advent of Beijing Olympic Games “the National Stadium” attract the world’s attention. As such a large stadium how to make full use of water resources is particularly important.

In fact, through the world’s advanced rainwater collection and sewage treatment systems ,“the Bird’s Nest” reduce water consumption by 70%. It truly realized the goal of the Beijing Olympic Games that combine environmental protection and energy saving. And in this whole process valves has played an important role.

Many people are not very understanding of valves. They think that valves are what can be only used in factories. That’s wrong. A valve is a device that regulates the flow of materials (gases, fluidized solids, slurries, or liquids) by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically pipe fittings, but usually are discussed separately. Valves are used in a variety of applications including industrial; military, commercial, residential, and transportation. Oil and gas, power generation, mining, water reticulation, sewerage and chemical manufacturing would constitute the majority of valves used by industry.

Plumbing valves are the most obvious in everyday life, taps for hot and cold water, gas control valves on cookers and barbecues, small valves fitted to washing machines and dishwashers, and safety devices fitted to hot water systems are all simple valves.

Most valves are operated manually, either by a hand wheel or lever. Some valves are 'self-operating' driven by changes in pressure, temperature or flow. These changes in pressure or temperature often act against springs or capsules filled with expanding substances. Examples of this type of valve found commonly are safety valves fitted to hot water systems or steam boilers.

More complex control systems using valves requiring automatic control based on an external input (i.e., regulating flow through a pipe to a changing set point) require an actuator. An actuator will stroke the valve depending on its input and set-up, allowing the valve to be positioned accurately, and allowing fine control over a variety of requirements

So in fact valves are closely related to our life. Of course, they are still mainly used on industry. And from the valves used in the stadium we can know valves are becoming more and more sophisticated. On the one hand though constantly improve the construction of valves and make use of new materials valves become more resistant to erosion, more stable. On the other hand through a combination of computer and sensor valvels become more convenient and accurate.

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Sunday, August 10

Introduction of Mechanical Seals


Mechanical seals are being used increasingly on fluid pumps to replace packed glands and lip seals. Pumps with mechanical seals perform more efficiently and generally perform more reliably for extended periods of time

Mechanical seals are provided to prevent pumped fluids from leaking out along the drive shafts. The controlled leakage path is between two flat surfaces associated with the rotating shaft and the housing respectively. The leakage path gap varies as the faces are subject to varying external loads which tend to move the faces relative to each other.

The mechanical seal requires a different shaft housing design arrangement compared to that for the other type of seals because the seal is a more complicated arrangement and the mechanical seal does not provide any support to the shaft.

In order for the mechanical seal to perform over an extended time period with low friction the faces are generally hydrodynamically lubricated. The fluid film will need to carry substantial load. If the load becomes too high for the film surface contact will take place with consequent bearing failure. This lubricating film is generally of the order of 3 micrometres thick , or less. This thickness is critical to the required sealing function. Mechanical seals often have one face of a suitable solid lubricant such that the seal can still operate for a period without the fluid film.

The mechanical seal generally includes three static seals.

1.The sleeve seal - this is usually an O-Ring
2.The seals between the moving seal member and the shaft or sleeve.- This is often an o-ring but can be a wedge or vee seal. This seal may not be used for bellows type mechanical seals
3.The housing seal is generally an o-ring of a gasket.

All of these seal must be compatible with the fluid being contained and the associated environment. These seals may limit the design for high temperature applications. In this case the bellows type alternative may be the best option.

The use of mechanical seals generally involve the use of additional equipment primarily for the flushing /coolant systems. This includes pumps, coolers, strainers, filters etc.

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Wednesday, August 6

How to buy a sewing machine


A sewing machine is a textile machine used to stitch fabric or other material together with thread.Sewing machines have come a long way since the early prototypes and are extremely flexible in their usage, from the home user right up to commercial manufacturers. There are three types of sewing machines below.

Electronic sewing machines
The machine needle works when an electric impulse shoots through it while a traditional foot pedal allows the sewer to vary the pressure and control the speed of the needle and the rate at which the fabric is fed through.

These models allow for a reasonable range and size of stitches which are selected by turning a dial. They are much faster and more accurate than old-fashioned manual models.

Computerised sewing machines
These machines do everything that ordinary electronic machines do plus an awful lot more. The machines are controlled by computerised chips with stitch style, tension, length and width programmed in by the manufacturer.

They are operated using a touchpad and computer screen, and you can download programs from your PC. The machine can memorise past work and will also store hundreds of different stitches for you to choose from.

Overlocker machines
Overlocker machines are used to stop fraying and give a professional finish to the seams of a garment. You can use an ordinary machine to neaten an edge but you have to cut the fabric yourself, then set the machine to zig zag stitch, which all takes time and does create a slight ridge.

You can buy an overlocker in addition to your sewing machine but you can’t use an overlocker on its own as it's limited in what it's able to do.

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Tuesday, August 5

Zero defect in fastener industry


A passenger plane of China Airlines from Taiwan goes up in flame after an explosion in Naha on Japan's southern island of Okinawa last year. According to initial investigation, it is likely for the reason that a bolt on the right wing that pierced the tank of the ill-fate plane, resulting in a massive fuel leak.
This accident reminds us that a bolt on a machine is very important .The bolts are categorized as fasteners. A fastener is a hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together. A bolt is a metal fastener consisting of a cylindrical body, partially or completely threaded, and a larger head.
Bolts are made in a wide range of materials, with steel being the most common where great resistance to weather is required, stainless steel, titanium, bronze, monel or silicon bronze may be used, or a coating such as brass, or chromium applied.
It can be inserted into an unthreaded hole up to the head, with a nut threaded on the other end. Bolts are usually in tension when properly fitted. In most applications they are not designed to bear large shear forces. There is no method to measure the tension of a bolt already in place other than to tighten it and identify at which point the bolt starts moving. An electronic torque wrench is used on the bolt under test, and the torque applied is constantly measured. When the bolt starts moving the torque briefly drops sharply - this drop-off point is considered the measure of tension. Bolt hangers and bolt runners are two main types of bolt placements. Bolt runners consist solely of a bolt placed with the bolt head sticking out slightly from the rockface .
Under the background of economic globalization, the development of China fastener industry is very complex. In the early 1960s, a series of automobile factories appeared and China automotive industry took shape. The central governing department of automobile set down to building fitting enterprises for the automotive factories. Later, it chose Wuhan Standard Parts Factory, one of the ten enterprises, and input investment to support it. The factory provided parts for all automotive factories . “Wuhan Automobile Standard Factory” emerged as the times required.
In 2006 China fastener output has exceeded 4 million tons. But there is no doubt that output is money and quality is life for fastener industry. Quality is life, the life of fastener enterprises. If we are only blindly in pursuit of output, we will waste time and money.
For the OEMs of automotive fastener in China it is very important to strengthen the process test and online selection capacity, to guarantee the quality of products and get rid of the human factors .
To sum up, the smooth run of car assembly line, the running safety and the good reputation are greatly relied on 100% non-defect fasteners. Under the background of economic globalization, Challenges and opportunities exist at the same time. A large number of multinational fastener companies flow into China. The local fastener companies have to build their own brands and to improve the quality, in order to assure a minor rate of nonconformity, as well as to reduce the rate from 1000-600PPM to less than 150PPM. In this way, to strive for zero defect is fastener industry's goal.
Zero defect is the goal of fastener industry for the same reason that details determine success or failure. There are famous brands on catering, so with garment and fastener. We should change bolt's brand building strategy to make a worldwide fastener brand.

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