The monthly roundup from Editor-in-Chief Susan Sutton.
I’ve been having nightmares lately. The plot
is different in each one, though the theme seems to be much the same. I’m late
and I need to get to the airport fast, but the car I’m in (which is driving
itself) is confused and keeps getting lost. Or I’m on a deadline and I need to
go upstairs to accomplish something important. Unfortunately, the stairs go
straight up to the ceiling and I can’t figure out how to make them reach the
next floor.
I don’t typically spend too much time analyzing my dreams. I’ve never consulted
a dream book, for instance, or kept a dream diary. Luckily, the meaning of
these nightmares seems pretty clear, even to me. I’ve been feeling a bit
overwhelmed lately. I generally like being active and having a lot going on,
but it’s been getting a bit out of hand. I haven’t had a free evening in weeks,
and the weekends have been booked solid. In fact, I’ve been doing so much
running around that I don’t feel like I’m actually accomplishing anything.
Life in a manufacturing plant can certainly seem chaotic, especially since a
multitude of machinery is often running simultaneously. To an outsider, the
noise and pandemonium might seem overwhelming and even unmanageable. I’m
continually impressed by manufacturers’ ability to harness so many different
materials, components and processes to create high-quality end products.
Materials handling and powder processing systems certainly help on that score.
Vibratory screen separators, for example, can quickly and easily help manufacturers
keep their raw materials within specifications. In addition, understanding how
the separator’s vibratory motion affects its performance can help manufacturers
optimize results (see "Optimizing Vibratory Screen Separator
Performance").
Another example is aero-mechanical conveyors, which are enclosed mechanical
conveyors that can transport up to 120 tons per hour of powders, granules,
pellets or flakes to distances of up to 60 ft. These conveyors can move product
vertically, horizontally or at angles from 0º to 90º, and they offer total batch transfer
and dust-free operation. See "Aero-Mechanical Conveying" for more
information.
Ceramic fuel cells have the potential to simplify a number of applications by
providing portable power in lightweight packages. Using a small tube design and
powered by ordinary bottled gas, these solid oxide fuel cells can provide power
for construction sites, military use or off-road/off-grid power. In addition, a
new manufacturing process, which uses ceramic powder loaded with
thermoplastics, offers several advantages compared to traditional fabrication
methods (see "Redefining Ceramic Fuel Cells").
The sheer number of regulations that affect heavy metal limits for ceramics and
glass can certainly be overwhelming, but the Society of Glass and Ceramic
Decorators works to educate manufacturers and consumers alike. See
“Understanding Heavy Metal Limits” for details regarding federal and state
guidelines.
I’m going to take a cue from manufacturers and realize that-with clearly
outlined goals and efficient organization-just about anything can be managed. I
just need to simplify, evaluate what needs to get done, and then organize my
time and resources more efficiently. Sounds dreamy.
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