PEM News

Saskatchewan amends safety act to increase worker protection

Mon, 28 May 2012 18:32:59 +0000

The Government of Saskatchewan has passed amendments to its Occupational Health and Safety Act (1993), which will see enhanced occupational health and safety duties for employers, supervisors, contractors and suppliers. These amendments are the result of a comprehensive review by the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety's Occupational Health and Safety Council and consultations with stakeholders. "Saskatchewan has the second highest injury rate in the country," Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don Morgan said. "This is unacceptable. This legislation contains provisions that are directed at helping eliminate injuries, illnesses and fatalities. It will also help lower health care…

Timken to close Ontario bearing plant, centralize Canadian support

Mon, 28 May 2012 18:08:35 +0000

Timken has announced that, during the next year, the company will be centralizing its support for Canadian customers, moving its customer service function together with its sales and engineer professionals to form an integrated team based in Toronto, near its Brampton CoLinx shipping facility. In the same timeframe, the company is consolidating bearing operations in North America, closing its plant in St. Thomas, Ont., and moving that production to plants in Ohio and North and South Carolina. "We anticipate a smooth transition that will result in even stronger service to the Canadian market," explains Frank Mascia, general manager of Timken…

Pump manufacturer relocates Canadian plant to Burlington, Ont.

Mon, 28 May 2012 18:07:40 +0000

ClydeUnion Pumps has relocated its Canadian works to a new facility in Burlington, Ont., almost doubling its manufacturing footprint. The new site provides increased regional production capacity, allowing larger between bearings style pumps to be manufactured on site. The operation’s new upgraded pump test facilities means pumps can be proven locally in what is now North America’s highest power test facility for ClydeUnion Pumps. This results in reduced lead times for our customers and the ability to witness tests locally. The 6,500-square-metre (70,000-square-foot) facility will manufacture single and multi-stage centrifugal pumps to API610 standards and reciprocating power pumps to API674…

Mill returns to full operation following crusher repairs after fire

Mon, 28 May 2012 18:05:19 +0000

Osisko Mining Corp. has reported that the Canadian Malartic mill in Quebec returned to full operational status this month (on May 19, 2012). This follows the earlier reported May 9 fire and completion of temporary repairs to the damaged No. 4 cyclone set. Sunday throughput production totaled 41,000 tonnes, and Monday's throughput was 39,000 tonnes. The mill resumed partial operation on May 16, with the grinding circuit utilizing three of the four cyclone sets and two of the three ball mills, as well as the semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) unit. Completion of temporary repairs to the fourth cyclone circuit and the…

Picking Power: Application considerations for selecting an engine generator

Mon, 28 May 2012 17:55:32 +0000

The reliability of an onsite power system depends on the readiness of the engine generator and what it’s connected to. Understanding some basic application considerations will help users specify the right generator. This article considers only reciprocating engine generators, those using diesel, natural gas or liquefied propane for a piston-type prime mover turning a connected alternator. In general, these generators are 10 kWe and larger. Required Duty and Electrical Output The first consideration to correctly specify a generator is to understand how it will be used. There are three duty types. Standby duty is when a generator is to be…

Endress+Hauser Canada donates $1.4M to SAIT’s Trades and Technology Complex

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:42:55 +0000

Endress+Hauser Canada is investing in the next generation of skilled workers by announcing a $1.4 million donation to the new SAIT Polytechnic Trades and Technology Complex in Calgary. The donation from Canada’s leading process measurement and automation supplier will fund the Endress+Hauser Process Lab, which will provide state-of-the-art training to students attending the prestigious SAIT’s MacPhail School of Energy. The Endress+Hauser Process Lab is located in the Johnson-Cobbe Energy Centre, which is the West Wing of the new complex. It will be outfitted with the latest flow and interface measurement technologies, in addition to guided-wave radar instruments and nuclear density…

Mazda, Fiat to work together on developing, manufacturing small convertible

Wed, 23 May 2012 19:17:41 +0000

Mazda Motor Corp. and Fiat SpA are working together on developing and manufacturing a roadster, or two-seater convertible, although the automakers will come up with different, distinctly styled models. Reports from Reuters ellaborate, saying they will make new versions of their most famous sports cars, the MX-5 and the Alfa Romeo Spider, “helping the two companies cut costs and possibly paving the way for a deeper alliance.” The deal with Fiat of Italy, which controls U.S. automaker Chrysler, serves as a perk for a money-losing Mazda, and highlights the Japanese automaker’s trademark product — the bestselling roadster of all time.…

Western Canada continues to set economic pace, Ontario outlook positive

Tue, 22 May 2012 14:52:42 +0000

Western provinces will continue to set the economic pace in Canada, and recent indicators in Ontario’s economy bode well for its outlook over the next two years, according to The Conference Board of Canada’s Provincial Outlook – Spring 2012. “The Ottawa River is a dividing line between modest and more positive economic growth prospects in the next two years,” said Marie-Christine Bernard, Associate Director, Provincial Outlook. “It is no surprise that Western Canada continues to perform well, thanks to major projects in the mining and energy sector. Things are also picking up in Ontario, despite the impact of belt-tightening measures…

Power transmission/motion control industry expects 11% growth in 2012

Tue, 22 May 2012 14:38:42 +0000

The PTDA Business Index indicated the first quarter of 2012 was the eighth consecutive quarter for business growth among PTDA members, with a reading of 75.4. Compared with a reading of 67.3 for the fourth quarter of 2011, the recently released results indicate the power transmission/motion control industry is expanding at a faster pace than before. Both distributors and manufacturers saw strong growth in this first quarter. PTDA members participating in the Business Index expect 2012 to be another year of growth with an average forecast of 11 per cent, up from nine per cent in the 4Q11 survey. The…

Cut Costs Not Corners: Lubricants have significant impact on energy, labour and equipment costs

Tue, 22 May 2012 13:42:57 +0000

How important can the right lubricant be to your company’s bottom line? More than you might think. Because lubricants typically make up only one percent of a company’s total operating costs, many lubrication programs do not receive the attention they deserve. However, the surprising truth is that the lubricants a company chooses can have a significant impact on high-visibility and high-value line items such as energy, labour and equipment costs. Price versus cost Identifying the true cost of your lubricant program is the first step in optimizing your plan to positively impact your bottom line. When analyzing your current lubrication…