Dirt is the enemy. Still, no matter how dirty the manufacturing environment, measurements need to be taken and have to be accurate. To address these concerns, calipers have evolved over the years.

Conventional calipers offer only limited protection against the liquids and dirt in a shop environment. “When liquids and dirt penetrate the inner workings of the caliper they cause problems with the gears and rack that control the caliper’s movement,” says Lee Kirtlink, marketing manager at Brown & Sharpe Tesa, A Division of Hexagon Metrology (North Kingston, RI). “Machinists have traditionally taken great care to protect their calipers from this environment by taking their parts away from the process to collect their measurements and carefully cleaning and returning their caliper to their toolbox after each use.” VIEW STORY

NAM Sees Continued Improvement from November Trade Data

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Commerce Department’s trade data for November 2006 showed continued improvement in U.S. manufactured goods trade, according to the National Association of Manufacturers.  

“The critical role of manufactured goods is shown by the fact that they accounted for 62 percent of total exports in November,” said Frank Vargo, NAM’s vice president of international economic affairs.  “The improvement in the manufactured goods trade balance accounted for virtually all of the $700 million November gain. 

“November marked the 13 consecutive month that the growth of manufactured goods exports outpaced growth in imports, which is good news,” Vargo said.  November 2006 manufactured goods exports were up 15 percent from November 2005, while manufactured goods imports were up 10 percent.  Manufactured exports were paced by a 20 percent increase in exports of advanced technology products.  All other manufactured goods exports were up 12 percent.

Looking at trade for the year-to-date, the NAM said the January-November manufactured goods deficit was $486 billion.  Over 80 percent of the deficit, or $404 billion, was with Asia, and $222 billion of that was with China. “Our exports to China are growing at a blistering 31 percent pace,” said Vargo. “However, it will take that rate or better, along with a realistic currency valuation and more market access, to begin making significant headway against the deficit with China.”    www.nam.org

Manufacturing & Measurement Conference & Workshop is a Must-Attend Event