This article first appeared in IMPO's November/December 2012 issue.
The fourth annual IMPOvation awards tracked reader click activity to determine the most popular product technology in our daily e-newsletteer, IMPO Insider. These are your favorites:
IMPOvation Top 3
GearWrench
Double-X™ Pliers offer added reach with minimal hand movement for accessing confined or hot areas, and are constructed with corrosion-resistant alloy steel.
www.gearwrench.com
Atlas Copco Compressors
The GA line of oil-injected screw compressors can deliver an average of 35 percent energy savings, and features a “cool canopy” that helps drive performance, efficiency, and serviceability.
www.atlascopco.us
Magnalight.com
The BML-150 LED pedestal/magnetic mount work area light produces a 14,790 lumen light output and is designed for portability and versatile operating options. This unit features an IP68 rated waterproof LED assembly, aluminum pedestal mount platform, and four 200-pound grip magnetic feet that provide a total of 800 pounds of gripping force. Its aluminum frame is designed for rugged use and portable versatility with heavy gauge aluminum construction.
www.magnalight.com
Other Top Vote-Getters (in alphabetical order)
Abanaki Corporation
The Oil Grabber® Model 8 with a Solar Option provides a continuous belt and wiper to remove up to 40 gallons of oil per hour from the fluid surface.
www.abanaki.com
Brush Research Manufacturing
Diamond Flex-Hones are designed primarily for deburring, edge blending, and surface finishing in hard materials like carbide, ceramic, and aerospace steel alloys.
www.brushresearch.com
Cameron
The MAESTRO™ SystemiserNX (MSNX) is a standalone compressor controls coordination system for integrating MAESTRO Universal and MAESTRO Legend (aka Vantage) control panels.
www.c-a-m.com
Cliplight Manufacturing
THE PURIFIER™ Fresh Air Ozone Machine incorporates the latest in ozone purification technology, eliminating mold, mildew, and bacteria from mobile A/C systems
www.cliplight.com
Econo Lift
The ESL45-SPR Spring Self Leveling Table has a capacity of 0-4,500 pounds, and no power or air supply is required to operate it.
www.econolift.net
Eraser
The Model RT2S Fine Magnet Wire Stripper will strip film type insulations including Formvar, ML, enamel, varnish, isonel, and more from 28AWG to 48AWG.
www.eraser.com
Fluke
The 805 Vibration Meter is a portable multifunction vibration screening tool that provides quantifiable information on the bearing and overall health of motors and other rotating equipment.
www.fluke.com
Goff’s Enterprises
Lightweight and flexible, Weld Blankets are designed to be draped over materials and equipment to provide protection from welding and grinding sparks, hot metal debris, and more.
www.goffscurtainwalls.com
Greenheck
This rooftop ventilation unit, Model RV/RVE, fully conditions and controls any mixture of outdoor and return air and is perfect for HVAC units.
www.greenheck.com
Guardair Corporation
The Mac Vac is high efficiency, lightweight, and designed to compactly mount on any vertical surface, saving floor space.
www.guardaircorp.com
Imada, Inc.
The NS-600 LED stroboscope is designed to measure the speed of rotating or cycling linear motion objects without contact or reflective tape, as well as freeze motion visually.
www.imada.com
LUDECA
ROTALIGN ULTRA Laser Alignment System is the leading platform for precision measurement applications from shaft alignment to bore centerline alignment, flatness, and straightness as well as continuous monitoring of positional change in machinery. LiveTrend takes the guesswork out and delivers unparalleled accuracy by monitoring “live” the true positional changes of machinery as they occur, and the relative positional changes are tracked in real time and external events can be tagged and correlated to the relative movement.
www.ludeca.com
Metabo Corporation
Two new angle grinders are designed to stop wheel rotation in two seconds or less when the Deadman safety switch is released, greatly reducing the likelihood of injuries.
www.metabo.us
New Pig
The PIG® Grippy® Traffic Mat® Rug is a revolutionary absorbent mat with an adhesive bottom, ideal for high-traffic work areas and anywhere slippery floors are a problem.
www.newpig.com
Panel Built
Panel Built barrier rail features a complete integral sleeve with sections that slide in and out to offer more flexibility.
www.panelbuilt.com
Prevost
The “New Generation PS1” coupler uses compressed air on the supply side of the coupling to sustain the first locking phase and automatically releases the plug when the compressed air is purged.
www.prevostusa.com
Quantum Storage Systems
The durable polypropylene Stackable Shelf Bins feature sizes that are an industry first, says the company. They have a built-in rear hanger that allows the bin to hang from louvered panels and rails and the bin’s raised front opening allows the user to maximize the complete bin’s storage capacity. Optional cross dividers allow flexibility and keep parts organized. Waterproof bins resist rust and corrosion. The bins are available in black, blue, gray, ivory, and orange; and offered in many sizes.
www.quantumstorage.com
RIDGID
The 600 Series Benders are capable of bending tubes 3/16- to 1/2-inches in diameter with bend radiuses ranging from 5/8-inch to 38 millimeters.
www.ridgid.com
Rite-Hite
The Renegade series of HVLS fans are portable, adjustable from 10- to 15 feet in height, and are shipped preassembled and prewired.
www.ritehite.com
Smartware Group
Bigfoot CMMS provides the power users need for maintenance tasks and more, including predictive maintenance analysis, work orders and maintenance requests, and inventory and asset management. And with a web-based platform, Bigfoot EAM allows users speed for more wrench time and less downtime. Facilities of all sizes, all industries, in multiple locations can use Bigfoot CMMS software to manage maintenance operations efficiently and effectively.
www.bigfootcmms.com
Sullair
Designed to meet the growing demand for VSD energy efficiency in a 230V package, this expanded line of compressors now includes eight models,
all of which are now available with VSD.
www.sullair.com
Waldmann
TEVISIO LEDs deliver 40 percent energy savings in comparison with conventional magnifier luminaires with the same high optical performance
www.waldmannlighting.com