Today, manufacturers of consumer goods are concentrating their production into large-scale units. The market is expanding, more and more new products are being introduced, and demands for a market adaptation for everyday goods are escalating. All this creates great demand for availability and flexibility with regard to the equipment that processes the products. Therefore, the executive management of ABB has announced in its recent annual report a concentrated focus on utilizing robots in the production of consumer goods.

The Swedish company Atlas Copco Construction Tools is launching three new crushers with hydraulic rotation. Earlier models had free rotation through 360Ý. Hydraulic rotation ensures high precision, especially when the carrier has a long boom and is working vertically. The new design speeds up demolition work, and reduces carrier wear.

The use of ultra-thin copper strip technology is allowing automotive manufacturers to produce stronger, lighter and less costly vehicle heating systems. Called Compact Core, the technology saves up to 30% of automotive heat exchanger material costs by allowing extremely thin and rigid air fins to be manufactured.

New strategic partnerships will allow increasing numbers of Asian companies to exchange business transactions and related information through computer networks. Under the partnerships, local Asian companies will offer the global services of Sterling Commerce, a U. S. based software service firm with over 20 years experience in electronic commerce (EC).

The first 40 KHz ultrasonic plastics assembly system to offer 1000 watts of power has been introduced by Dukane Ultrasonics. The increased power of the new system will allow use of ultrasonic technology for larger components that require the delicate handling afforded by the 40KHz frequency, the manufacturer states.

The Whitbread Round the World Race is the world’s toughest ocean sailing race. Safety requirements are strict, not least when it comes to the all-important electric power supply. The batteries mustn’t weigh more than 280 kilos and must have a high capacity.Short charging time, versatile mounting, high resistance to vibrations, impacts, blows and temperature variations are other important requirements. After thorough tests, the crews of the Swedish W60 boats, EF Education and EF Language, and of the Norwegian Kvaerner boat, chose the standard Yellow Top battery from Optima batteries.

Responding to strong Asian demand for its economical "just in time" kraft paper packaging systems, US supplier Ranpak Corp. has opened a new regional sales office in Singapore.

A long-term, pan-European, agreement on supplies of industrial laundry equipment has been signed between Electrolux Laundry Systems and the Textile Service Division of Denmark's Sophus Berendsen Group, a leading service company that operates more than 60 laundries in Europe.