Is corrosion rusting through your equipment and profits? The annual direct cost of corrosion in the U.S. is estimated at $267 billion, according to a two-year study sponsored by NACE International - The Corrosion Society. That’s roughly 3.1% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product and nearly $1,000 a year per capita.
“Corrosion Costs and Preventive Strategies in the United States” identifies costs in five major economy sectors. Utilities represents the largest cost at nearly 35% of the total, followed by transportation at 22%, infrastructure at 16%, government at 15% and production and manufacturing at 13%.
The study reports that a quarter of the costs documented could be saved with relatively new corrosion management practices. Preventative measures currently in use and undergoing further R&D include corrosion-resistant alloys, corrosion inhibitors, engineered polymers, and cathodic and anodic protection.
For additional information, visit www.corrosioncost.com.
Getting buff with belts
Reinforced belts give a lift to resistance training.
For fitness center operators, keeping equipment fit and wellmaintained is a major concern. If the leg curl machine breaks down, gym members might not get the full workout they came for. Worse, faulty equipment might even hurt someone.
Resistance machines especially require special attention to stay in tip-top shape. So to reduce maintenance costs, manufacturers are now upgrading their resistance machines, from bench press stations to pull-up and dip machines, with improved polyurethane belts.
NSW LLC, Roanoke, Va., a manufacturer of plastic belting products, has begun supplying such specialized belts as an alternative to steel cable and Kevlar or steelreinforced rubber belts. Their flat belts are well suited for the belt and pulley assemblies employed in resistance training machines. They offer high tensile strength, stability, and durability in a flexible polyurethane belt that tracks better than reinforced rubber belts. It won’t bind or stretch in resistance machine applications, regardless of weight load and frequency of use. In turn, resistance machines operate more smoothly.
Maintenance and downtime are reduced, as the frequent adjustments required to calibrate machines with reinforced rubber belts are virtually eliminated.
The NSW Flat Belt also offers longer life than reinforced rubber belts and maintains a cleaner appearance throughout its life cycle. The flat belt won’t fray or break apart like reinforced rubber belts, creating an unsightly appearance, causing additional maintenance, and provoking safety concerns among fitness center users.
The belt’s flat surface also provides an additional branding opportunity for OEMs. The surface of the belt can be imprinted with the manufacturer’s logo or other branding identification, right at the point of use. In theory, motivational messages might even be printed there.
And, this new flat belt isn’t limited to recreational pursuits. The belt can be applied to other, more demanding lift applications. Currently, the belt is being tested as a replacement for steel cable in freight and passenger elevators.
CD puts a premium on efficiency
A motor can last 10 to fifteen years, and the total operating cost over the life usually surpasses the initial purchase price. Operating costs can be 98 percent while purchase price is only two percent. Surprisingly, the devices are often not specified with energy efficiency and operating cost in mind.
A CD from the Copper Development Assn., “Premium-Efficiency Motors & Transformers,” is available free of charge to help industrial and commercial facilities save thousands on energy costs. The CD examines how efficient motors and transformers are made, how they differ from standard products and why they are worth the premium paid at time of purchase.
Video segments show side-byside comparisons of premium and standard products. The simple math to analyze the total cost of ownership is explained. Examples and typical scenarios are presented to demonstrate payback of replacing old, inefficient motors with premium models.
For more information, visit powerquality.copper.org online or call (888) 480-6687.