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May 27, 2008 In March, the AFIA Executive Committee approved a draft Guidance for Industry to present to the FDA regarding how the feed industry should select ingredient suppliers.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.

May 23, 2008 In midst of second-worst year for flight delays, FAA launched software program in March 2007 that saved $27 million for airlines and 1.1 million delay minutes for airlines and flying public in its first year of operation. Adaptive Compression works by scanning for airport arrival slots that would otherwise go to waste when flight is cancelled, delayed, or re-routed. Open slots are filled with next available flight, minimizing passenger delays by maximizing operations.

May 23, 2008 The AFIA annual Liquid Feed Symposium, from September 10-12, 2008, will include speakers presenting an in-depth look at the current trends, latest research, and future opportunities and markets for liquids. Topics will include forecasts for urea, liquid ingredients, macro and micro ingredients, certification programs, sulfur, and maximizing forage utilization. Experts will present the latest findings to help attendees understand and be prepared for the future direction of the industry.

May 23, 2008 Designed to detect trace amounts of specific bacteria, viruses, and parasites, NASA's Biosensor will help prevent spread of potentially deadly biohazards in water, food, and other contaminated sources. NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field in California licensed biosensor technology to Early Warning Inc., Troy, N.Y. Under Reimbursable Space Act Agreement, NASA and Early Warning will jointly develop biosensor enhancements.

May 23, 2008 Replacing Jason Straczewski as Director of Employment and Labor Policy, Keith Smith will engage in number of high-priority policy issues, including protection of secret ballot elections for union membership. He will also handle issues related to Family and Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, OSHA, Ledbetter, and other employment or labor-related initiatives that are essential to enhancing manufacturing competitiveness and job-creation.

May 23, 2008 In letter sent to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, and Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey, both NAM and Transparency International, as well as other associations encouraged greater enforcement of OECD Anti-Bribery Convention at Ministerial meeting June 4-5. Letter called for action by Administration to improve climate for transparency and commitment to anti-corruption initiatives, including supporting accession to Convention by China, Russia, and India.

May 23, 2008 During keynote address at AWWA's Annual Conference and Exposition on June 9, Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will discuss water professionals' role in protecting public health. Gerberding will speak about ways that drinking water and medical communities can work together to help increase public knowledge of science of water. She also will discuss wide scope of work being done at CDC to prevent waterborne disease.

May 23, 2008 According to robotic companies, new orders sold to North American manufacturers fell 17% in 1st quarter of 2008 from same quarter in 2007, but revenue rose 5%. However, orders to non-automotive companies jumped 36%. Total of 3,828 robots valued at $288.1 million were sold in opening quarter by North American based robotics companies. RIA hopes to foster increased growth in non-automotive sectors when it sponsors its upcoming Robots 2008 conference in Boston, June 10-12.

May 23, 2008 Held on May 9th at Kettle Moraine High School, NFPA Fluid Power Challenge was attended by 3 gender-balanced teams from 3 Wisconsin Middle Schools, and won by team of 8th grade students from Luxemburg-Caso Middle School. Students were asked to design and build fluid-power mechanisms for picking object from one platform, rotating, and placing it on another platform. Teams were evaluated on number of pick-and-place cycles machine completed as well as review of each team's design approach.

May 22, 2008 John E. Shelk, President and CEO of the EPSA, addressed key economic, environmental, political, and regulatory developments facing competitive power suppliers during the Deloitte Energy Conference, "Pathways to a Secure Energy Future." According to Shelk, the country can be put on a path to a secure future only if there is support across party lines to embrace longer-term energy approaches, and more supply and reduced demand, in light of global realities and environmental imperatives.

May 22, 2008 The Rapid Technologies and Additive Manufacturing Community of the SME presented Prof. Dr. Gideon Levy with the first-ever RTAM Industry Achievement Award at the RAPID 2008 Conference and Exposition on May 20. Levy holds 20 patents, has published 150 scientific and technical articles, and has also led a team in the development of groundbreaking selective laser sintering materials. The award recognizes achievements that have been implemented or deployed in a commercial/industrial environment.

May 22, 2008 On June 2, Robert K. Simpson will join association, work in transition with President John B. Byrd III, then become President of AMT on Oct 7, 2008. Simpson has worked for 25 years in manufacturing operations and has significnt international experience. He most recently served as Corporate VP and President, Global Plastics Machinery, for Milacron Inc. of Cincinnati. He previously served as President of Siegel-Robert Automotive Inc. in St. Louis.