May 29, 2008 Covering issues such as temperature, cabin pressure, air contaminants, and ventilation rates, Standard 161-2007, Air Quality Within Commercial Aircraft, can be voluntarily adopted by individual airlines or FAA, or advocated for by airline passenger and employee groups. Standard also addresses chemical, physical, and biological contaminants that could affect air quality. Methods of testing are provided for ensuring compliance with standard's requirements.

May 29, 2008 With growing global awareness of need for environmental protection and sustainability, organizations are eager to demonstrate efforts to report greenhouse gas emissions. ANSI's pilot accreditation program is intended for 3rd party bodies working to validate and verify greenhouse gas emission assertions. ANSI accreditation recognizes competence of bodies to carry out conformity assessment activities in accordance with requirements defined in applicable International Standards.

May 29, 2008 In partnership with International Code Council, ANSI will distribute Spanish versions of 2006 International Codes® in electronic format. These codes include Iternational Building, Fire, Residential, Energy Conservation, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, and Property Maintenance Codes. Having codes available electronically and in Spanish will not only save time in accessing them, but will expand their usage and application as well, enhancing overall level of safety.

May 29, 2008 In effort to guide contractors through Earned Value Management process, U.S. DOD adopted American National Standard that amends Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement, which personnel follow when processing government's procurement of goods and services. ANSI/EIA-748 outlines best practices for program or project planning and control, and provides basis for problem identification, corrective actions, and management re-planning.

May 29, 2008 Scheduled for June 2, Roundtable Luncheon will discuss current economic trends in manufacturing, export and financing of U.S. goods, how U.S. exports are keeping economy growing, and strong role financing plays in enhancing U.S. competitiveness. While housing market contributes 4% of GDP, U.S. exports account for 13% of GDP. Meeting will also address outlook for capital goods exports in remainder of 2008.

May 29, 2008 Scheduled for June 5 at Marriott Denver West in Golden, CO, Retailer Energy Alliance Supplier Summit will identify energy efficiency needs of retailers and challenge suppliers of HVAC/R, lighting, and related equipment to find ways to meet those needs. Summit will encourage sharing of information on technologies that reduce energy use and environmental impact.

May 29, 2008 According to report, metalforming companies expect little change in business conditions during next 3 months. While 14% of participants report that activity will improve, 36% predict decline in business conditions, and 50% expect activity to remain the same. Twenty-four percent of companies forecast increase in orders from April, while 46% anticipate no change, and 30% expect decrease. Number of companies with portion of workforce on short time or layoff improved slightly.

May 29, 2008 According to monthly North American PCB Statistical Program, rigid PCB shipments were up 12.2% and bookings were up 5.6% in April 2008 from April 2007, and book-to-bill ratio edged up above parity to 1.01. Flexible circuit shipments in April 2008 were up 22.8% and bookings were down 4.8% compared to April 2007, while flexible circuit book-to-bill ratio remained at 0.99. For rigid PCBs and flexible circuits combined, shipments increased 12.9% from April 2007, and orders booked increased 4.8%.

May 29, 2008 For 4th time in 5 years, Association of Government Accountants has given one of its top honors to FAA for 2007 Performance and Accountability Report, which examines performance, management, and financial direction of agency in meeting goals toward safer and more efficient global airspace system. AGA's Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting program was established to improve accountability by streamlining reporting and improving effectiveness of reporting by federal agencies.

May 28, 2008 According to NTSB recommendations, FAA should require operators of Boeing 757 airplanes to conduct one-time visual inspection of upper wing fixed trailing edge panel support beam clips for cracks, proper orientation, and spacers. Operators should replace cracked clips and reinstall clips that are improperly oriented. In addition, operators should be required to report any cracked clips found during inspection, and analyze information to determine if repetitive inspections are required.

May 28, 2008 According to NTSB recommendations, Federal Railroad Administration should review all internal rail defect detection procedures and require changes to procedures as necessary. FRA should require railroads to develop and approve rail inspection and maintenance programs based on damage-tolerance principles. In addition, FRA should assist Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration in its evaluation of risks posed to train crews by trains transporting hazardous materials.

May 28, 2008 As oil prices hit record $135 per barrel, NAM called for Congressional action to increase domestic production of energy resources and dramatically expand America's energy supplies to bring down costs for consumers, workers, and job providers. Manufacturing job-providers use roughly one-third of America's energy supplies and are being hit hard as price of energy to run plants, manufacture products, and make or transport essential raw materials continues to rise.

May 28, 2008 In comments filed with FMCSA, NACD expressed concerns about proposed rulemaking to establish minimum training requirements for entry-level commercial drivers. NACD's most grave concern is requirement that all entry-level drivers receive training through provider or program accredited by agency recognized by U.S. Department of Education or by Council of Higher Education Accreditation. Only very large companies would be able to establish their own driver training programs to meet requirements.

May 28, 2008 Scheduled for Nov 18-19, SME Aerospace Measurement, Inspection, and Analysis Conference will take place alongside AeroTest America event in Forth Worth, TX. Attendees will receive education on quality issues affecting manufacturing in aerospace and other industries, as well as engage in dialog with industry peers involved in application of development of synergistic manufacturing technologies. Organizers have announced formal Call for Speakers to present case studies and practical applications.

May 28, 2008 During plenary session at SME RAPID 2008 Conference and Exposition, Dr. Jayanthi Parthasarathy, B.D.S., M.S. of the University of Oklahoma School of Industrial Engineering, accepted Dick Aubin Distinguished Paper Award for her paper on application of rapid prototyping to the field cranioplasty. Award recognizes innovative rapid prototyping processes and techniques and honors author for contribution of ideas and information to rapid technology and additive manufacturing industry.

May 27, 2008 In March, the AFIA Executive Committee approved a draft Guidance for Industry to present to the FDA regarding how the feed industry should select ingredient suppliers. Guidance for Industry: Recommendations for Selecting Suppliers of Safe Ingredients for Animal Food, will be presented to FDA/CVM Director Dr. Bernadette Dunham by the AFIA and the National Grain and Feed Association, National Oilseed Processors Association, National Renderers Association, and the Pet Food Institute.

May 27, 2008 In partnership with SMACNA, SMWIA is sponsoring free Power Generation Summit meeting June 18-19 at Capital Hilton in Washington D.C. Charles Rivers Associates will present overview of power generation industry and projection and analysis of U.S. energy supply and demand through 2030. Nuclear Energy Institute will give presentation on future of nuclear plant construction, and representative from coal industry will speak on future of coal production, including new plant and retrofit construction.

May 27, 2008 Available from SMACNA, "IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings Under Construction, ANSI/SMACNA 008-2008" provides project management guidance in maintaining satisfactory indoor air quality of occupied buildings undergoing renovation or construction. Publication covers how to manage source of air pollutants; control measures, quality control, and documentation; and communication with occupants. It includes example projects, tables, references, resources, and checklists.

May 27, 2008 On April 3-5, SMACNA held fifth bi-annual Partners in Progress Conference where record-breaking attendance topped 609 with labor and management almost evenly represented. Market strategist Mark Breslin's Alpha Dog message encouraged both labor and management to step up leadership development to control market share. He presented labor/management solutions to recruiting, and key challenges regarding manpower usage, portability, labor shortages, and accountability.

May 23, 2008 For first time, FABTECH® International and AWS Welding Show will take place in Las Vegas from Oct 6-8 at Las Vegas Convention Center. Cosponsored by AWS, FMA, and SME and supported by industry partner NAM, event is expected to bring in estimated 20,000 attendees and more than 800 exhibitors. Thousands of buyers and sellers from around world will gather to exchange products and services, network with peers, preview new products, problem-solve, and educate industry on latest technologies.