November 1, 2011 To be administered by SAE International in Fort Worth, TX, 2011 Department of Defense (DoD) Maintenance Symposium and Exhibition is based around "Achieving Readiness through Efficiency and Effectiveness in Maintenance Operations" theme. Agenda is structured to frame policy, resourcing, process, and technology issues. There will also be discussions/sessions, which will focus topics such as effects of overseas contingency operations and reset on maintenance.

November 1, 2011 To meet growing needs of industry users worldwide, HART® Communication Foundation has opened an office in Tokyo, Japan. Mr. Kaoru (Carl) Sonoda will serve as General Manager, HCF Japan Operations. Tokyo office will provide users and Foundation member companies with application assistance, information, and technical support on HART Communication Protocol that includes understanding of Japanese process industry requirements.

November 1, 2011 ASTM Subcommittee D03.14 on Hydrogen and Fuel Cells is developing standards designed to support quality standards for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles being developed by SAE International and ISO. They include ASTM WK34574, Test Method for Determination of Trace Hydrogen Bromide, Hydrogen Chloride, Chlorine and Organic Halides in Hydrogen Fuel by GC with ELCDC and MS; and ASTM WK23815, Test Method for Determination of Total Halocarbons Contained in Hydrogen and Other Gaseous Fuels.

November 1, 2011 ASTM D7728, Guide for Selection of ASTM Analytical Methods for Implementation of International Cyanide Management Code Guidance was developed by Subcommittee D19.06 on Methods for Analysis for Organic Substances in Water. Test methods referenced in standard control and optimize use of cyanide in gold leaching process, protect wildlife when solutions are released into open impoundment facilities, and define cyanide concentration in process solutions used to select personal protection equipment.

November 1, 2011 Via integrated planning process, U.S. EPA will help local governments dealing with difficult financial conditions identify opportunities to achieve clean water by controlling and managing releases of wastewater and stormwater runoff. Process is outlined in guidance memo to EPA regional offices from EPA Office of Water and Office of Enforcement and Compliance. It will help prioritize infrastructure investments and promote flexible use of stormwater and wastewater management solutions.

November 1, 2011 In his article titled "Making the Case for E-Commerce," appearing in Welding and Gases Today Online, nexAir eCommerce manager Patrick Galphin describes benefits his company has gained from its adoption of e-commerce; nexAir first looked into e-commerce 4 years ago to adapt to technological advances. Along with giving customers access to orders and invoices at all hours, one of the unexpected benefits of e-commerce has been an increase in route efficiencies for cylinder delivery trucks.

November 1, 2011 In 4th Quarter issue of The MHEDA Journal Online, suppliers representing 4 material handling categories - industrial trucks, general lines, storage and handling, and engineered systems - describe how they are dealing with lead-time challenges and what their companies are doing to help distributors get product in timely manner. While lead-times vary by product type, all 4 suppliers stressed that frequent communication with distributors is vital.

October 31, 2011 International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials and PMI have entered into Memorandum of Understanding that specifically details ways in which the two organizations will work together to jointly advance and promote industry interests as related to education, training, and advocacy. Where mutually beneficial, organizations will promote new and existing sustainability opportunities and services collaboratively to members and industry, including IAPMO's green training programs.

October 31, 2011 IPC's Solder Products Value Council is actively urging tin smelters to become smelters of conflict-free minerals and recommends the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition/Global e-Sustainability Initiative Conflict-Free Smelter program. CFS is an audit and certification program that will identify and publish lists of smelters that have been certified as using conflict-free minerals.

October 31, 2011 According to NEMA's Electroindustry Business Confidence Index, conditions facing the North American electroindustry improved on balance in October, climbing to 57.4 from 50 in September. Latest month was first since May in which index exceeded 50-point growth threshold. Meanwhile, October's EBCI for future North American conditions moved higher for second straight month, increasing to 63 from 58.3 one month ago.

October 28, 2011 Paul Phillips, a Con-way Freight driver, was named 2011 Bendix National Truck Driving Championships Grand Champion, while Jeffrey Schlecht, a technician with Omaha Truck Center was named 2011 Technology and Maintenance Council SuperTech Grand Champion. Ricky Oliver, a Mississippi-based driver for WalMart Transportation won 2011 National Truck Driver of the Year, and Alfred LaCombe, safety director with Dupre' Logistics, won National Safety Director of the Year.

October 28, 2011 ANSI, in cooperation with ESOs, convened ANSI-ESO Joint Presidents Group meeting to continue dialog on standards and conformity assessment in support of U.S-EU trade. Participants discussed a strategic vision for European standards - a document released by EC to accelerate, expand, and modernize European standardization activities. U.S. and European perspectives on various challenges were exchanged, including corporate restructuring, economic climate, and stakeholder pressures.

October 28, 2011 After 15 drafts, NIST's working definition of cloud computing has been published as The NIST Definition of Cloud Computing. According to this official definition, cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.

October 28, 2011 Sponsored by ASTM Committee E17 on Vehicle - Pavement Systems, Pavement Performance: Trends, Advances, and Challenges will take place December 5, 2011 in Tampa, FL. International symposium will address issues resulting from evolving technologies and increasing demands for faster and more accurate pavement performance monitoring techniques/procedures as well as data interpretation. Online registration closes November 30.

October 28, 2011 ISPE, global not-for-profit association of 22,000 pharmaceutical science and manufacturing professionals, announced launch of its completely redesigned website, www.ISPE.org. In addition to content reorganization, site features updated look and navigation scheme. ISPE President and CEO Bob Best called redesign "a tremendous improvement." This rollout represents first step in multi-phase project, which aims to update and improve experience of www.ISPE.org users.

October 28, 2011 Providing physical and electrical characteristics of incandescent lamps, ANSI/ANSLG C78.21-2011 describes PAR and R bulb shapes. Standard covers lamps with clear, frosted, and lens end bulbs; clear and prescription lenses; and various reflector coatings. ANSI ANSLG C78.40-2011 Electric Lamps: Specifications for Mercury Lamps sets forth physical and electrical requirements for single-ended metal halide lamps operated on 60 Hz ballasts to ensure interchangeability and safety.

October 28, 2011 NEMA welcomed President Barack Obama's signature that implemented legislation for free trade agreements (FTAs) with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama. Full implementation of each agreement translates to greater market access and associated commercial benefits for NEMA member companies. "These agreements need to be brought online as soon as possible in 2012," said NEMA President and CEO Evan R. Gaddis.

October 28, 2011 Scheduled for Feb 28-29, 2012, first annual IPC APEX EXPO® Hand Soldering Competition will challenge competitors to build a functional electronics assembly within 30 minute time limit. IPC Master Instructors will judge assemblies on soldering in accordance with IPC-A-610E, overall electrical functionality of assembly, and speed at which assembly was produced. Winner will go on to compete against winner of IPC Midwest competition for title of IPC Grand Champion.

October 27, 2011 According to October 2011 Business Conditions Report, metalforming companies in U.S. and Canada predict slight dip in business conditions during next 3 months. Report shows that 24% of participants expect activity to decline, up from 22% in September, and 29% predict decrease in orders, up from 20% in September. However, average daily shipping levels continued to trend upward, with 38% of participants reporting that shipping levels are above levels of 3 months ago, up from 33% in September.

October 27, 2011 Under banner of "One Voice," National Tooling and Machining Association and PMA issued statement on Senate's passage of Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Act of 2011, a bill designed to address currency manipulation by U.S. trading partners, including China. According to NTMA and PMA, currency manipulation negatively impacts ability of U.S. businesses - and small manufacturers in particular - to compete in global marketplace. Bill is one step toward addressing this long-standing problem.