BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Fike has introduced the new EPIC brand for its entire line of explosion protection solutions, including explosion and flameless venting and explosion isolation, suppression, and detection and control systems. The global EPIC brand stands for explosion protection integrated components. Fike supplies products and services that protect people and assets from fire, explosion, over-pressurization, and other dangers.

ERIE, Pa. – Eriez' 5-Star service center offers upgrades and maintenance work for both manual and self-cleaning suspended electromagnets, allowing them to last longer and operate more efficiently. In addition, the center is authorized to repair and maintain industrial metal detectors to increase service life and efficiency. The service center is located in Lake City, Pa., and is staffed with trained service technicians. Eriez manufactures magnetic lift and separation, metal detection, X-ray, feeding, screening, conveying, and controlling equipment.

MINNEAPOLIS – Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has announced that the IP69K extreme washdown rating is now a standard feature on its entire line of APEX metal detectors. The superior rating makes the detectors highly suitable for food applications. The IP69K rating is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva. The company manufactures and supplies equipment for pharmaceutical, environmental, process control, and other industries.

VINELAND, N.J. – 3i's Technologies Inc. has launched an updated and extensive Web site at www.3istech.com. The site provides detailed information on the company's services and its BatcHHouse brand of products, including a Rotary Scalpel and Dynamic Bulk Density meter. The company supplies precision dynamic weighing and batching products as well as services for systems design and integration and process optimization.

MENTOR, Ohio – W.S. Tyler has introduced its new Tyler Sieving Software 3.0, which is designed as a fast and convenient tool to record, print, and save data from a traditional test sieve analysis. The software's user-friendly spreadsheet format allows users to personalize the files and detail each sieve test. W.S. Tyler offers woven wire cloth test sieves and other products for particle classification and separation.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – St. Petersburg College's Corporate Training Department and Green Energy Engineering (GEE) have announced that they will partner to provide online classes for professional engineers who need Professional Development Hours (PDHs). Two courses will be offered starting July 26: “Principles of Engineering Economy” and “Incremental Investment and Incremental Return.” For more information, visit www.geeintl.com. GEE, St. Petersburg, is a continuing education company that offers classes to professional engineers to renew their licenses. St. Petersburg College provides online education for every engineering discipline.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Sulphur Institute (TSI) will host “Use of Sulphuric Acid in Ore Leaching – Latest Developments and Trends” on Wednesday, August 18. For more information, visit www.sulphurinstitute.org. TSI is a nonprofit organization representing companies engaged in producing, buying, selling, handling, transporting, or adding value to sulphur.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Hapman has welcomed Commonwealth Engineering & Sales (CES), Ashland, Va., and Batsner Co. LLC, Cincinnati, as representatives for the company's full line of equipment. Hapman manufactures and supplies advanced powder and bulk solids handling equipment and systems for food, chemical, pharmaceutical, plastics, and other industrial applications.

DARMSTADT, Germany – Evonik Industries has acquired the business of Methacrylate Specialty Esters from diversified-chemicals manufacturer Arkema Inc., Philadelphia. The acquisition concerns two monomers used for producing paints, coatings, chemicals, and plastics additives, which will be integrated into the company's VISIOMER brand. Evonik is a global supplier of specialty chemicals.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Hapman has updated and expanded its Web site to provide visitors with more information and access to its broad line of powder and bulk solids handling equipment. Visitors can now research solutions by product line, challenge, or industry. In addition, simplified forms allow visitors to easily request a quote or free test drive of Hapman's conveying and feeding solutions. The site also has an expanded video library and updated sales literature available on-demand. For more information, visit www.hapman.com. Hapman manufactures and supplies advanced powder and bulk handling equipment and systems for food, chemical, pharmaceutical, plastics, and other industrial processers.

TYNGSBORO, Mass. – Jenike & Johanson Inc. is now offering a peer review service for bulk solids handling applications in various industries. A critical step in bulk solids handling systems design, a peer review is important when redundancy in processing design is lacking, operation is related to public health and safety, you're using new technology or design methods, or you're working with new or unique bulk solids. Those who can benefit from the review include operators, owners, operation insurers, engineering firms, construction firms, and contract management firms. The peer review service is performed after the design phase is complete to ensure no engineering mistakes are present and appropriate effort has been made to develop a safe and cost-effective design. The company's review typically takes 2 to 4 weeks to complete, depending on the system type, whether it's a new or existing system, and whether an on-site trip is required. For more information, visit www.jenike.com. Jenike & Johnson is a consulting engineering firm specializing in the science and technology of bulk solids handling.

ONTARIO – H.C. Starck Canada has announced plans to expand its tungsten facility in Sarnia, Ontario. The company, a division of H.C. Starck GmbH, Germany, manufactures refractory metals and advanced ceramics as powders or fabricated materials.

EXTON, Pa. – Sartomer USA LLC has increased prices for its monomers and oligomers sold in the Americas. The change applies to all oligomers, acrylate and methacrylate monomers, MCure resins, and Sarbox resins. Sartomer is a global supplier of specialty chemical additives.

ERIE, Pa. – Eriez recently commissioned a research study by Penn State University to determine which commercial tube magnets provide the greatest opportunity to remove ferrous metal and weakly magnetic contaminants from process flows during industrial applications. Magnets from nine manufacturers were Gauss tested and subjected to a pull test. Eriez's line of Xtreme RE magnetic tube magnets, which includes the Super B ferrous traps for 2- to 4-inch pipelines, received the highest rating. Free literature highlighting the study is available for download at www.eriez.com. Eriez manufactures magnetic lift and separation, metal detection, X-ray, feeding, screening, conveying, and controlling equipment.

CINCINNATI – ROTEX Global LLC provides refurbishment services of existing ROTEX equipment as a cost-efficient alternative to purchasing a brand-new machine. The company's technicians provide thorough multiple-point inspections and accurate cost estimates prior to restoring equipment to its original condition. The equipment will be refurbished to exact OEM standards and come with a 1-year warranty. ROTEX manufactures and supplies screening equipment and technology, including gyratory and vibratory screeners, sifters, separators, analyzers, feeders, and conveyors.

BOYNE CITY, Mich. – Industrial Magnetics Inc. (IMI) has revamped its ceramic and rare-earth plate magnet line to offer new features, an expanded equipment selection, and price reductions on many of its exposed-pole, flush-face, and spout magnets. IMI's plate magnets provide magnetic separation in angled chute applications. IMI provides permanent magnet and electromagnetic devices for material handling, automated, and robotic applications.

CHESAPEAKE, Va. – Sumitomo Drive Technologies has published a white paper on gearbox noise written by Todd R. Bobak entitled “How Does Your Gearbox Sound?” The 11-page paper discusses how sound is measured, what a gearbox sounds like, and how to measure gearbox sound. To download the paper, visit http://www.smcyclo.com/modules.php?name=Pages&sp_id=275. Sumitomo, Chesapeake, Va., manufactures gear motors and speed reducers.

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Eastman Chemical Co. has announced it will buy chemical manufacturer Genovique Specialties Corp. in a move to expand Eastman's position in the specialty plasticizers market. The acquisition is expected to add to Eastman's full-year 2010 earnings per share. Genovique, Rosemont, Ill., manufactures plasticizers, benzoic acid, and sodium benzoate. Eastman manufactures and supplies chemicals, fibers, and plastics worldwide.

NEW YORK – LyondellBasell has appointed Bhavesh V. Patel senior vice president of US olefins and polyolefins operations. The company manufactures and supplies petrochemicals to the global industry.

DAYVILLE, Conn. – Plastic Diversity Solutions (PDS) and Delta Rubber have formed a strategic alliance to provide supplier diversity in the supply of rubber products. Under the alliance, the companies will jointly market custom rubber components made with custom compounds to the supply chain of domestic and international operations. PDS is a women-owned thermoplastic elastomer and rubber custom compounder. Delta Rubber, Danielson, Conn., is a custom rubber molder.

BATON ROUGE, La. – Specialty chemicals manufacturer Albermarle Corp. is joining the National Advanced Biofuels Consortium to research the development of clean, cost-effective sustainable transportation fuels. The DOE will provide up to $33.8 million for the project under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for advanced biofuels research. “By collaborating with leading industrial and scientific institutions, we can remove barriers to commercialization of new catalysts for the conversion of biomass to biofuels,” said Edgar Steenwinkel, global business director of the company's Alternative Fuel Technologies division. “This new project will play a key role in Albermarle's efforts to help drive a clean energy economy.” Other consortium members include scientists and engineers from universities, government agencies, and leading industrial companies.

NORCROSS, Ga. – Members of TAPPI have elected the following new officers to serve 3-year terms on its board of directors: Robert J. Gallo, Voith Paper North America; Jeff Hamilton, Sappi Fine Paper North America; and Chris Luettgen, Kimberly-Clark. TAPPI is the leading association for the worldwide pulp, paper, packaging, and converting industries.

CHICAGO – The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) has honored Brenda Manuel, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), with the 2010 President's Award. Manuel and her NASA Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity (ODEO) team were recognized for outstanding contributions to enhancing excellence in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics academic fields through leveraging Title IX to eliminate opportunity barriers and promote inclusion. SWE is an educational and service organization empowering women to succeed and advance in the engineering industries.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The International Society of Automation (ISA) has published “Essentials of Modern Measurements and Final Elements in the Process Industry: A Guide to Design, Configuration, Installation, and Maintenance,” a resource guidebook by Gregory K. McMillan. The comprehensive guide helps build an understanding of the fundamental aspects of measurements, measurement instruments, and final elements for applications in the process industry. The guide is intended for students and new employees as well as seasoned veterans. ISA develops standards, certifies industry professionals, provides education and training, publishes books and technical articles, and hosts conferences for automation professionals.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The American Chemistry Council (ACC) has added six companies as new members and has reduced dues by 10 percent for the coming year, a reflection of ACC's enhanced advocacy initiative. The new member companies are Clariant Corp., Charlotte, N.C.; Cray Valley USA LLC, Exton, Pa.; Pflaumer Brothers Inc., Ewing, N.J.; Southern Chemical Corp., Houston; VanDeMark Chemical Inc., Lockport, N.Y.; and Vinmar International Ltd., Houston. ACC represents leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry.

TYNGSBORO, Mass. – Jenike & Johanson Inc. is now offering the complete “Mixing and Blending Webinar Series” by Eric Maynard. For only $94, which is a 20 percent discount price, you can watch Maynard's complete webinars at the company's Powder and Bulk Online Training Center. Each lecture includes downloadable class notes and a self-administered quiz with an answer sheet. Class topics are: Batch mixing; Continuous mixing & sampling; and Post-mix handling. The 21-day subscription allows you and your associates time to watch and review each class as many times as necessary. For more information, visit www.jenike.com.

PRINCETON, N.J. – The Global PM Property Database (GPMPD) has been expanded by the addition of 80 data lines of new fatigue endurance limit information. The new data covers a range of Fe-Cu-C grades in both pressed-and-sintered and powder-forged conditions. This info arises from the analysis of published powder metallurgy (PM) fatigue data carried out by the Technical University of Aachen. GPMPD is the result of a collaboration between the Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF), the European Powder Metallurgy Association (EPMA), and the Japan Powder Metallurgy Association (JPMA). The free online database, available at www.pmdatabase.com, provides physical, mechanical, and fatigue data relating to ferrous and nonferrous PM materials. MPIF represents the metal powder producing and consuming industries.

HOUSTON – ConocoPhillips Co. has announced that three North American-based resin distribution firms will handle the company's Copylene-brand polypropylene resins. The new distributors are Bamberger Polymers Inc., Jericho, N.Y.; Osterman & Co., Cheshire, Conn.; and Amco Plastic Materials Inc., Farmingdale, N.Y. ConocoPhillips supplies products and services that provide businesses with high-quality chemicals, resins, lubricants, fuels, and other specialty products.

PDC Safety 2010. June 13-16 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore. Sponsored by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). Contact ASSE, 847-699-2929, fax 847-768-3434 (customerservice@asse.org, www.asse.org).

Feed Industry Institute. June 14-18 at the Hilton at the Ballpark Hotel in St. Louis. Sponsored by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA). Contact AFIA, 703-524-0810, fax 703-524-1921 (afia@afia.org, www.afia.org).

14th Annual Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference. June 21-23 at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. Sponsored by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Contact ACS, 800-227-5558 (help@acs.org, www.acs.org).

Nanotech Conference & Expo 2010. June 21-25 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. Sponsored by the Nano Science and Technology Institute (NSTI). Contact Sarah Wenning, 925-353-5004, fax 925-886-8461 (swenning@nsti.org, www.nsti.org).

ASTM International Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications meeting. June 27-29 at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo. Sponsored by ASTM International. Contact Jeff Adkins, 610-832-9738, fax 610-832-9555 (jadkins@astm.org, www.astm.org/COMMIT/D01.htm).

AACE International's 54th Annual Meeting June 27-30 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel in Atlanta. Sponsored by AACE International. Contact AACE, 800-858-2678, fax 304-291-5728 (info@aacei.org, www.aacei.org).

AFIA's Import & Export Seminar. September 27-28 at the Arlington Court Suites Hotel in Arlington, Va. Sponsored by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA). Contact Jarrod Kersey, 703-558-3565, fax 703-524-1921 (jkersey@afia.org, www.afia.org).

Introduction to Refractories. June 14-16 with the classroom portion conducted at the Hilton Garden Inn at Polaris in Columbus, Ohio, and the lab portion conducted at the materials testing facilities of the Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation (Orton Ceramic) in Westerville, Ohio. Conducted by Orton Ceramic. Classroom portion will provide ceramic engineering fundamentals of refractories, including their constitution, application, and degradation and failure processes. Lab portion will provide direct experience in fabricating test specimens and hands-on application of ASTM standard test methods. Contact Orton Ceramic, 614-818-1318, fax 614-895-5610 (refractories@ortonceramic.com, www.ortonceramic.com).

Applied Course on Viscosity Test Methods. June 18 at Brookfield Engineering's headquarters in Middleboro, Mass. Conducted by Brookfield Engineering. Course focuses on test methods and techniques for the company's rotational viscometers and rheometers, which can be used to provide viscometric data and material analysis for problem solving and product performance and processing. Course is for intermediate to advanced users in R&D, analytical, and process engineering functions. Contact customer training, 800-628-8139, fax 508-946-6262 (edu@brookfieldengineering.com, www.brookfieldengineering.com/services/educational-programs).

Packaging of Pharmaceuticals. July 12-14 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Brunswick, N.J. Conducted by the Center for Professional Advancement (CFPA). Course explains how pharmaceutical packaging is developed, manufactured, tested, filled, transported, stored, and used. Course emphasizes the problems that may occur in a product's development stages and focuses on packaging material characteristics that may influence product compatibility, design, safety, and package performance. Contact CFPA, 732-238-1600, fax 732-238-9113 (info@cfpa.com, www.cfpa.com).

Solids Handling: Lab, Lecture, and Lunch. July 15 at Jenike & Johanson's headquarters in Tyngsboro, Mass. Conducted by Jenike & Johanson. Workshop provides insight into common flow problems arising when bulk solids are put into silos, bins, and hoppers. Workshop includes a demonstration on scientific methods to characterize a material's flow properties and a discussion of proven, practical, and cost-effective design solutions for common bulk solids handling equipment. Contact Jenike, 978-649-3300, fax 978-649-3399 (courses10@jenike.com, www.jenike.com).

Granulation, Tabletting, and Capsule Technology. August 9-12 at the Hilton San Francisco Airport Hotel in Burlingame, Calif. Conducted by the Center for Professional Advancement (CFPA). Course covers the science relating to tabletted and encapsulated pharmaceutical products. Topics include raw material testing, powder and granulation technology basics, formulation of solid dosage forms, manufacturing processes and equipment, evaluating finished products, and regulatory constraints. Contact CFPA, 732-238-1600, fax 732-238-9113 (info@cfpa.com, www.cfpa.com).

Practical Course on Viscosity Measurements. August 12 at Brookfield's headquarters in Middleboro, Mass., and August 19 in Philadelphia. Conducted by Brookfield Engineering. Course teaches the basics of using the company's viscometer and rheometer instrumentation by providing information on calibration and verifications, rheology, methodology, and data interpretation. Contact customer training, 800-628-8139, fax 508-946-6262 (edu@brookfieldengineering.com, www.brookfieldengineering.com/services/educational-programs).

FAIRFIELD, N.J. – Control Instruments Corp. has published “Safety Ventilation to Reduce Costs,” a white paper that details how ventilation can lower costs by making equipment more energy-efficient. The paper explains how using an analyzer to continuously monitor solvent concentrations during drying processes allows the ventilation rate to be adjusted to the load and eliminates the need to heat a large excess quantity of ventilation air, lowering energy costs. The paper also describes how to employ the safety ventilation methods found in NFPA-86. The company engineers and manufactures gas-detection systems for use in coating, flexible packaging, and printing applications.

WAUKEGAN, Ill. – United Conveyor Corp. (UCC) has added a high-capacity pin-paddle mixer-unloader to its mixer product line. The new 400-ton-capacity unit is specifically designed for stabilization of wet scrubber by-product (cake) with fly ash. The company manufactures and supplies ash handling and custom-engineered material handling systems.

EUCLID, Ohio – H.C. Starck Inc., Fabricated Products Group, has introduced its new Ultra 76 tantalum alloy, which provides high resistance to hydrogen embrittlement and enhances corrosion resistance for improved performance in chemical process applications. The company supplies refractory metals and fabricated products.

PITTSBURGH – The Pittcon Program Committee is seeking papers to be presented at Pittcon 2011, to be held March 13-18, 2011, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The committee is soliciting abstracts of original, previously unpublished findings in all aspects of instrumental analysis, including chromatography, molecular and atomic spectroscopy, electrochemistry, mass spectrometry, portable instrumentation, and lab-on-a-chip technology. Abstracts addressing novel applications of measurement science in nanotechnology and pharmaceutical, environmental, polymer, and food sciences are also sought. Abstracts must be submitted electronically via the Technical Program link at www.pittcon.org by August 13, 2010. Authors will be notified of acceptance in September. For more information, contact Becky Hackley, Pittcon program coordinator, at hackley@pittcon.org or by phone at 800-825-3221. Pittcon is the Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, a non-profit annual conference and exposition on laboratory science.

SUMMIT, N.J. - Hosokawa Micron Powder Systems is offering a webinar on the “Basics of Isolation Technology” on June 10, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. EDT. The first installment of this two-part webinar will concentrate on containment basics, including key terminology and various containment options. For more information, visit www.hmicronpowder.com.

JACKSON, N.J. – Newson Gale Inc. has published a white paper detailing combustible-cloud fires and explosions, their genesis, and the means to prevent them. The paper is based on data provided in studies published by government agency and insurance sources in the US, UK, and Germany. The free white paper, “Controlling Static Hazards is Key to Preventing Combustible Cloud Explosions,” is available for review or download at www.newson-gale.com/KnowledgeBase/KnowledgeBase.asp. Newson Gale offers a wide range of grounding and bonding, static grounding, and antistatic electricity solutions for flammable, combustible, and explosive industrial applications.

ERIE, Pa. – Eriez is offering a lift magnet certification and refurbishment program. A new 6-page brochure describes the inspection, magnet exchange, and service program. For more information and to download the brochure in PDF format, visit http://service.eriez.com and request brochure B-103. Eriez manufactures magnetic lift and separation, metal detection, X-ray, feeding, screening, conveying, and controlling equipment.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Hapman's customer service technicians are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the hotline number at 800-427-6260. Hotline operators offer free technical assistance on the company's conveyors and material handling systems. In addition, technicians can ship replacement components within 24 hours, including Saturdays, to ensure customer uptime. Hapman manufactures powder and bulk handling equipment and systems for food, chemical, pharmaceutical, plastics, and other industrial applications.

BOYNE CITY, Mich. – As part of Industrial Magnetics Inc.'s (IMI's) free plant audit program, the company is now offering a free magnetic-pull test kit with a minimum qualifying purchase resulting from the free audit. The $600-value kit allows customers to self-monitor magnetic equipment on a regular basis. For more information, visit www.magnetics.com. IMI provides permanent magnet and electromagnetic devices for material handling, automated, and robotic applications.

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio – Sly Inc. has welcomed Bulk Process Equipment (BPE) as its new sales rep for Minnesota and North Dakota and portions of South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. BPE, Isanti, Minn., provides assistance with the design and installation of dry bulk material handling systems. Sly manufactures industrial fabric filter dust collectors and baghouses, cartridge collectors, wet scrubbers, and other dust collection equipment and components.