Case Studies
Ford shines a new light
The opportunity to improve the efficiency of its facilities’ overhead lighting systems became apparent after Ford Motor Company engaged energy services company New England Energy Management to conduct an audit of its 227,000–square–foot Windsor Locks, Connecticut, High Velocity Center (HVC)...

Productivity under pressure
For more than 40 years, Team Industries, headquartered in Bagley, Minn., has been researching, engineering, prototyping and manufacturing drive train and chassis components for numerous sporting and utility vehicles...

Got it covered
Bruckner Supply, an integrated supplier at Eaton Hydraulics in Shawnee, Oklahoma, manufactures hydraulic motors. Keeping its dozens of Okuma and Mazak machining centers running 24/7 is critical...

Procurement
Industry forecast 2008
Can U.S. manufacturing and MRO expect a better year in 2008? Our experts say yes — with several caveats...

Safety
Agony of de feet
Did you know that each of your feet has 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 ligaments, muscles and tendons?

Survey Results
Material handling
Here are your replies to our questions on the types of material handling equipment you use today and what you plan to buy next...

Uptime
Fire in the hole!
Powder-actuated and fuel-cell-powered fastener guns aren’t just for construction — they’re great for maintenance work, too...

You’re so vane
Vane pumps are efficient, economical and reliable, but they are neither maintenance-free, nor indestructible...

Air impact wrenches
Thinking about replacing those old air impact drivers? Here are five 1/2-inch heavy-weights from 50 to 11,00 foot pounds of torque...

Web exclusives listed in this issue
Key performance indicators in Lean manufacturing
The KPIs you set for your organization must reflect its goals, be key to its success and be measurable...

Backlit conveyors
By adding backlit conveyor systems, these manufacturers converted their auto parts gaging from a step-by-step to continuous process that more than tripled throughput...