May 29, 2009 International Robots, Vision and Motion Control Show and Conference will take place June 9-11 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. Conference tracks are designed for companies using or considering using robots, machine vision, motion control, and related technologies, and presentations will be given by 50 international experts on automation in manufacturing. Topics include cost savings, green technology trends, inspection, and lean/cutting-edge technology.

May 29, 2009 At SAE 2009 World Congress, Governors Granholm of MI and Schwarzenegger of CA shared views/opinions on state of automotive industry and role of green technology in its future. Keynote address, Racing to Green Mobility, was presented by Masaaki Kato of Honda. Keeping with theme, all promotional materials were printed on recycled paper, overall electrical demand was decreased, Show Daily was delivered electronically, and technical papers were printed on-demand or delivered electronically.

May 29, 2009 Association of Energy Engineers announced that actor and energy activist Ed Begley, Jr. has been added to keynote opening conference sessions for West Coast Energy Management Congress and Expo, June 10-11, 2009. Highlights of EMC include Energy and Green Technologies Breakfast, Council on Women in Energy and Environmental Leadership Breakfast, Zapino Electric Scooter Giveaway, Workshop Presentations, Long Beach Convention Center Energy Management System Tour, and Motor Decisions Matter Workshop.

May 29, 2009 Held at Georgia World Congress Center, 2009 BIO International Convention attracted 14,352 industry leaders from 58 countries and 48 states. Leaders representing 1,800 companies participated in 14,040 one-on-one partnering meetings during 4-day event. Full Convention program featured over 170 sessions in 22 breakout session tracks, including tracks on drug delivery, global biotechnology issues, translational medicine, and vaccines. Exhibition covered 176,000 net sq-ft and hosted 1,827 exhibitors.

May 29, 2009 The Manufacturing Institute (MI) has been awarded a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to plan and implement post-secondary education programs. Examples include the NAM-endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System, which focuses on core skills required for entry-level workers in all sectors of manufacturing. Certifications address personal effectiveness competencies, foundational academic competencies, general workplace skills, and manufacturing technical skills.

May 29, 2009 Developed by Subcommittee F24.24 on Design and Manufacture, ASTM F2375 covers practice for design, manufacture, installation, and testing of climbing nets and netting/mesh used in amusement rides, devices, play areas, and attractions. It includes standardized prototype tests which benefit designers, manufacturers, and operators by providing consistent measure for designing device netting into areas and ordering replacement components.

May 29, 2009 According to IPC's North American PCB Statistical Program, rigid PCB shipments are down 37.1% and bookings are down 26.9% in April 2009 from April 2008, and book-to-bill ratio increased to 0.98. Flexible circuit shipments in April 2009 are down 2.1%, and bookings are down 0.3% compared to April 2008. Flexible circuit book-to-bill ratio improved to 0.94. For rigid and flexible circuits combined, industry shipments in April 2009 decreased 34.7% from April 2008 and orders booked decreased 25.1%.

May 28, 2009 BIO announced that more than 22 CEOs of biobased product, biofuel, and industrial biotechnology companies will present their companies' technology and business plans at 2009 World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing, to be held July 19-22. Some sessions will include Biochemicals from Renewable Feedstocks, Algae for Fuels and Chemicals, Biorefinery Case Study, First Global Network on Bioenergy Science, and Bio-Materials and Bio-Chemicals in Auto Industry.

May 28, 2009 Based on May 2009 PMA Business Conditions Report, companies expect economic activity to decrease somewhat during next 3 months, with 46% anticipating no change. Metalformers overall expect slight decline in incoming orders, while 17% predict rise in shipping levels over 3 months. Companies with workforce on short time or layoff decreased to 80% in May. There are early indicators of economic recovery, according to William E. Gaskin, but modest recovery isn't expected until Q4 2009.

May 27, 2009 Conducted for NADCA by TCG Consulting, census of Die Casting Industry details latest findings on North American die casting business, covering more than 500 captive and custom die casters. Divided into 4 parts, report includes count of die casting companies, alloys cast, employment and additional services provided; analysis of 2007 vs 2008 shipment data and estimates for 2009 and 2010 volumes; die casting machine estimates; and end-market analysis to assist with targeting and planning.

May 27, 2009 Freight Stakeholders Coalition, which is comprised of 17 members including AASHTO, has released 2009 Surface Transportation Reauthorization Platform. Mandating development of National Multimodal Freight Strategic Plan, 10-point platform also calls for funding for freight mobility/goods movement and creation of freight office in Office of the Secretary of Transportation. In 20 yr, number of U.S. commercial trucks could double, handling 70-80% of freight, while rail freight may increase by 60%.

May 27, 2009 For 9 days starting May 26, 2009 Hydrogen Road Tour will pass 28 American and Canadian cities between Vancouver, BC, and southern CA. It will include caravan of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles from 7 major automakers, stopping in communities where hydrogen technologies such as passenger vehicles, transit buses, and hydrogen stations will likely enter market first. Recent NHA report shows vehicles powered by hydrogen can cut greenhouse gas pollution by 80% below 1990 levels.

May 27, 2009 At the 2009 annual convention, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Board of Directors elected a new slate of officers and 10 new board members. BIO President and CEO, Jim Greenwood, was quoted as saying that "Each of these individuals brings exceptional perspective, insight, and experience that will contribute to the health and growth of the industry, as well as the judicious oversight of BIO as a membership organization."

May 27, 2009 National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) has announced that the NACD OPSEM2009 - Operations Seminar and Trade Show is scheduled to take place September 16-18, 2009 at the Cleveland Convention Center/City Centre in Cleveland, OH. Also, the NACD 38th Annual Meeting, will be held November 30 through December 4, 2009 at the Marco Island Marriot Resort in Marco Island, FL.

May 27, 2009 Designed to help managers take advantage of evolving market opportunities and business trends, hour-long webcasts will take place at 1:00 pm Central time. Topics will include Solar Part I: Prepare to Take Advantage of the Solar Market on June 2nd, Solar Part II on June 9th, An International Overview of Electronics Industry on June 18th, Growing Customer Partnerships in Current Economy on June 25th, and You and the Stimulus Package on June 30th.

May 26, 2009 NEMA, founding member of High Performance Building Congressional Caucus Coalition, has joined other members in issuing report to Congress that focuses on federal buildings as principal targets to incorporate characteristics of high-performance buildings. Some components of report include requirements for true life-cycle analysis and decision-making for acquisition of federal buildings, total building commissioning, integrated project delivery, and building information modeling.

May 26, 2009 National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Vice President for International Economic Policy, Frank Vargo, issued a statement commending the Senate Finance Committee for holding a hearing on the U.S. - Panama Trade Promotion Agreement and urged the Senate to move rapidly to approve the pact. To quote Vargo, "The more facts that can be brought to light, the clearer it will become that delay in approving the agreement will only harm U.S. manufacturing."

May 26, 2009 AIA (Aerospace Industries Association) President and CEO, Marion Blakey, issued a statement concerning the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act. She relayed the sense of being "encouraged that the defense reform bill passed by Congress will make the acquisition system more accountable and efficient." Blakey also pointed out that "Bolstering the acquisition workforce and creating a senior position in the Defense Department responsible for cost estimating are important steps forward."

May 22, 2009 AEM has recognized 55 member manufacturers with Statistics Outstanding Merit Awards for exemplary performance in data reporting programs, which enhances association's ability to provide meaningful market information to members. Annual awards are based on statistical data reporting timeliness, accuracy, consistency, and good corporate citizenship. Statistics activities cover information ranging from county-level retail sales data in North America to shipments data on global basis.

May 22, 2009 In forthcoming paper in The Journal of Research of NIST, John Jendzurski and Nicholas Paulter examined 4 methods used by law enforcement officers to calibrate DTR radar devices, including radar target simulator, tuning forks, calibrated speedometer, and fifth wheel. Based on data obtained, researchers developed and published uncertainty measurement formulas for each calibration method, which will help DTR radar users understand impact of proper calibration for making accurate speed measurements.