Michelin’s Stoke-on-Trent facility is taking a flexible approach to its employees’ wish to watch the World Cup match with Slovenia this afternoon. The manufacturer stated that, while it was impossible to allow its workforce to leave the site en masse, line managers have been given the discretion to allow their staff to watch the game on televisions placed around the Campbell Road location.
SEMA has announced that exhibitors at the Las Vegas event may now enter new products into the “New Products Showcase” by visiting the “New Products” section of the show’s website. With nearly 2,000 companies exhibiting throughout the million square foot Convention Center, the New Products Showcase is designed to give buyers a quick glimpse of what is new and debuting at the Show. All exhibitors may enter one product category at no cost if submitted before 8 October, 2010. The 2010 SEMA Show takes place between Tuesday 2 and Friday 5 November, 2010, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Norbar has published recent test results carried out by the HSE (Health & Safety Executive). The toolmaker reports that they demonstrate that vibration exposure for operators using pneumatic torque multipliers to tighten 100 commercial vehicle wheel nuts was 10 times lower with its products than when traditional impact wrenches are used. The Norbar Pneutorque PTM-72-1350B and one other multiplier were subjected to lab and field tests by the HSE and both tools confirmed manufacturer claims of low vibration emissions.
Low vibration levels help avoid occupational risks such as VWF (vibration white finger) also known as HAVS (hand arm vibration syndrome). In addition, the Control of Vibrations at Work Regulations impose a Daily Exposure Action Value (EAV) of 2.5 m/s2, above which employers must introduce controls to eliminate or reduce exposure and provide health surveillance to operators regularly exposed to vibration that exceeds this level. According to the company, the Norbar Pneutorque pneumatic torque multiplier does not exceed 2.5 m/s2. This means there is no restriction in its use during the working day.
Sykes-Pickavant Ltd, which manufactures and supplies automotive tools, recently moved premises from the company’s current location in Cannock to a brand new purpose built site in Burntwood, Staffordshire, just a few miles from their existing base. Speaking about the move, managing director Paul Archer said: "Our current site in Cannock has served us well but the move to Burntwood Business Park will reflect more accurately the size and stature of our business. It will also create a better working environment for staff and visitors to our premises."
Bartec USA, LLC announces the latest software update for its Tech400 TPMS re-learn tool. With this latest software update, the Tech400 tool reportedly provides market leading TPMS coverage of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles. According to the company, this is perfect timing because a recent survey conducted by the Equipment and Tool Institute (www.etools.org) found 53 per cent of the respondents concluded that Nissan and Infiniti vehicles are the most difficult to work with.
Buffing and grinding tool maker, B&J Rocket has announced plans to launch a second budget brand called Jenson. The Jensen product line consists of most in-demand buffing and grinding tools, with production of the tools remaining at the firm’s Middlebury manufacturing plant.
B&J Rocket’s new second line offers three types of copper carbides like flat faced and round faced buffout wheels as well as most commonly used contour wheels. The blades cover all general applications and fit in all standard buffing hubs. Furthermore they will be available without restrictions through the worldwide network of B&J Rocket.
German company cleanLASER has developed a new system for cleaning tyre moulds utilising a combination of handheld and automated laser tools. The system’s design consists of two laser optic tools that utilise laser light to clean the moulds. One tool is manually operated, while the second is automated. The system includes a beam-switch to enable the operator to select either a handheld cleaning tool for optimal versatility or a robotically mounted optic for repetitive high-speed treatments.
Autogem, the UK exhaust fittings and tyre consumables distributor, has announced the launch of its new consumables catalogue. The catalogue features almost 3,000 products including wheel and tyre consumables, service and valeting chemicals, janitorial and safety products, hand and air tools and popular workshop fasteners. There are over 500 new products in this catalogue, making it the company's largest update on record, with a number of new product ranges as well as extensive range developments. The catalogue also features over 500 actual size images making identification of products as simple as possible. Autogem says the tyre consumables range now contains more than five times the number of products of the previous catalogue edition, with many new items in the weights, valves, chemicals and tools categories.
Transense subsidiary, Translogik Ltd has secured significant order for its tread depth and tyre pressure field inspection kits from Cetaris, a leading Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) provider in North America. Cetaris will now deploy the Translogik kits as part of its innovative EAM and Fleet Maintenance Solution. The system will provide its customer fleets with "real-time" mobile data capture capabilities. The announcement follows a successful pilot programme, the newly ordered kits will be deployed throughout the Cetaris network in 2010.
Sicam has announced the release of two new products: the SBM V80 compact wheel balancer for car and light industrial vehicle wheels, and the SA 830 D3 wheel aligner. In over 30 years in business, Sicam has earned great esteem among producer of tools and equipment for tyre changer and balancing machines, befitting its location in the Industrial area of Correggio – a place the company calls the “home of tyre changers”. In 1975, Sicam launched the first car Tyre Changer, FALCO F9/20A model, a forerunner of its main range of garage equipments. Thanks to innovative ideas and ambitious projects, Sicam says it has earned relevant market shares both in the domestic market and the international one. At present Sicam exports its equipments to more than 90 countries all over the world, while current production is over 22,000 machines per year, equal to 13 per cent of the market.
Two new Crowsfoot Wrench sets have been added to the Laser Tools range. Both sets are manufactured from Chrome Molybdenum for strength and supplied in blow moulded case for storage. The 1/2"D set offers 14 pieces ranging from 27mm to 50mm for around £159.90. The 3/8"D set offers 10 pieces and ranges from 10mm to 18mm (Part No 4757). For these you can expect to pay around £34.99.
2009 saw the launch of a radically new technology for acquiring true tyre carcass temperature. BERU f1systems announced their DigiTyre Infrared Tyre Temperature and Pressure Monitoring System (IRTPTMS) as the first opportunity to monitor internal tyre carcass temperature. The system offers excellent resolution (0.25ºC) and accuracy (0.5ºC) across an extended temperature range (-40 ºC to 215ºC). The wheel sensor transmits pressure, air and tyre temperature at 1Hz, via antennae to the ECU. The introduction of slick tyres in 2009 meant engineers were keen to gain a greater understanding of accurate tyre temperature unaffected by heat soak.
The use of simulation technologies by tyre manufacturers and race teams to improve performance is not new. The perennial challenge is validating tyre models to the required level of accuracy to allow a reliable simulation of reality. To gather the vast amount of data required to make a tyre model, manufacturers can acquire tyre performance during the race and then desktop simulation tools can help to validate it – but this is often not enough. The challenge is compounded now that data for thermal modelling is required in conjunction with structural models. Driver-in-the-loop simulators, such as Cruden’s latest generation 6DOF Hexatech model, allow experienced racing or development drivers or to inject a significant dose of reality; data based on actual feel.
The ninth International Tyre Industry Expo in South America, PneuShow is set to take place in São Paulo, Brazil between 13 and 16 April, 2010 at the Expo Center Norte. The event will also include its second international tyre industry convention. Calling itself “the most important show for the tyre industry in South America”, PneuShow Recaufair’s exhibitors will include representatives from the tyre and wheel trades, including special application and industrial products; repair and retreading materials, machinery and moulds; and servicing and recycling equipment and tools. In 2008, the event had 100 exhibitors in a space of 4,500 sqm, with 10,800 visitors.
The Industrial Tyre Association (ITA) has issued a new guidance note about the fitting of industrial solid tyres using tyre presses. The industry association reports it was keen to raise standards in the industry after hearing incidences of serious injuries caused by the incorrect use of tyre presses. As a result, the ITA became involved with a working group, consisting of industrial tyre fitters and trade bodies as well as the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), to form a best practice approach.
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