With industry-leading environmentally friendly vacuum and solid insulation technology, Eaton’s new 38 kV VCP-Wind medium voltage circuit breaker is designed to help customers manage power reliably, efficiently, and safely. They are engineered for wind farm collector substations and feature a reduced footprint. Maintenance requirements are minimized with the use of enclosed long-life vacuum interrupters, and the component arrangements allow for easy access. VCP-Wind’s direct roll-in configuration simplifies handling and relocation of the breaker. Eaton’s VCP-Wind medium voltage vacuum circuit breaker is rated up to 38 kV, 2000A (without fan cooling) and 31.5 kA.

Eaton’s vacuum and solid insulation technology is free of SF6-gas that contributes significantly to the greenhouse effect and associated climate change. Through more than 80 years of innovation and experience, Eaton has developed environmentally friendly vacuum interrupters capable of reliably switching both normal load currents and high stress fault currents. In an effort to increase the dielectric strength of the circuit breaker, Eaton has also designed vacuum interrupters that are encapsulated in epoxy resin material. The VCP-Wind circuit breaker family utilizes this solid insulation technology that has been catering to a wide range of applications for years.

The VCP-Wind circuit breaker offers numerous safety features for maximum protection. Eaton’s extensive innovation and experience in the electrical industry deliver world-class product reliability and quality. Go online to www.eaton.com.

Nordex USA, Inc., has entered into a joint venture with Beebe Community Wind Farm LLC, a Michigan project developer, for the co-development and construction of a wind farm in Gratiot County, Michigan. The project was initiated in 2007 by local resident Mark Hull, principal of Beebe Community Wind Farm LLC. Hull brought on Nordex last year to support project development as well as to supply 125 of Nordex’ new N117-2.4 MW turbines, which are designed specifically for low wind sites and are derived from the established Nordex 2.5 MW class. The N117 boasts the longest rotor blade in its category, resulting in an average 15 percent yield increase over previous products. The turbines will be manufactured at Nordex’ recently constructed plant in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

“We were initially interested in Nordex’ turbine technology for our class-three wind site,” says Hull, “but including them in the project team has considerably accelerated our development efforts. Wind projects require specialized expertise in several complex areas, so having Nordex on our side has been a true asset.”

The partnership expands Nordex’ track record for robust customer support offerings to the United States. “As a turbine manufacturer, we consider it important not only to provide reliable and efficient turbines, but also to support our customers in the course of project development,” says Ralf Sigrist, president and CEO of Nordex USA. “Nordex has added value to developers in Europe through such partnerships for almost 10 years, and we are happy to bring this service now to our U.S. customers.”

The Beebe Community Wind Farm takes a community-based approach that spreads economic benefit among local landowners through land leasing arrangements and to the greater community through tax revenue. More than 20,000 acres of land have been leased. The project has interconnection positions on a 345 kV line, and has been granted its “special use permit” from the county. Wind has been measured on the site for more than two years with met towers and SODARs, and continued environmental studies support the project’s feasibility. Power sale discussions are ongoing with several potential off-takers. The start of phase one construction is targeted for 2012, with further phases slated for 2013 and 2014. Nordex has both completed and planned installations in several states, including Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Maryland, Iowa, Idaho, and Colorado. The Arkansas facility will fill all future orders, shipping turbines to wind farms around the country. More information is available at www.nordex-online.com.

New Hampshire-based SustainX has received $14.4 million from GE Energy Financial Services and other investors to continue developing its technology for energy storage using compressed air. Through the GE Ecomagination Challenge’s “Powering the Grid” program, in which SustainX is a partner, GE Energy Financial Services joins Cadent Energy Partners and prior investors Polaris Ventures and Rockport Capital in the new round of venture financing. The GE Ecomagination Challenge demonstrates GE’s global commitment to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative power-grid technologies through open collaboration, while providing financial support to develop and commercialize innovative technologies.

Details of the financing were not disclosed. A total of $5.4 million in earlier financing for SustainX came from the Small Business Innovation Research program of the National Science Foundation and from the Energy Storage Program of the U.S. Department of Energy. AES Energy Storage, LLC, is working with SustainX to demonstrate a full-size system in the field, capable of storing enough energy to power 1,000 typical U.S. homes. “GE’s backing, alongside that of other investors and the federal government, validates our efforts to develop and commercialize a cost-effective, grid-scale energy storage solution,” says Thomas Zarrella, CEO of SustainX. “We are on schedule to develop a grid-scale prototype to be demonstrated at an affiliated AES site where we can showcase our transformative energy storage technology.”

The present round of funding for SustainX represents the first time that both GE and Cadent Energy Partners have invested in the growing company. “We are pleased to be an investor in SustainX as we believe this company’s energy storage solution has a global market with enormous potential,” says Paul McDermott, managing partner of Cadent Energy Partners. “SustainX has set a remarkable pace in developing its product and establishing joint ventures to aid in the commercial production of its energy storage units. We look forward to participating in its continued success.”

To store energy, SustainX compresses air by using electricity to drive pistons inside cylinders. The resulting high-pressure air is stored in above-ground vessels. To release energy later, the system uses stored air to drive the same pistons, which in turn drive an electric generator. SustainX technology keeps air at a nearly constant temperature during compression and expansion; this significantly improves efficiency and reduces the cost of compressed-air energy storage below that of other above-ground energy-storage options.

Independent experts estimate that the market for grid-scale energy storage will be $18 billion by 2015. Storage can improve the economics of wind and solar power, improve grid stability, store off-peak energy to be used during on-peak periods, improve the feasibility of microgrids in rural areas, and reduce emissions from the gas-turbine peaker plants presently used to keep electric supply precisely matched with demand. To learn more go to www.sustainx.com or www.geenergyfinancialservices.com.

BASF Corporation announces the opening of their new epoxy composite laboratory at its technical center in Tarrytown, New York. The new laboratory brings together BASF’s comprehensive technical capabilities for epoxy systems, under its Baxxodur® brand, to support the development of new epoxy composite applications. It offers a wide range of facilities for simulating customers’ production processes with Baxxodur resin systems and the ability to develop tailored solutions for customer’s specific process conditions. In addition, BASF has increased its technical support team with experts who provide on-site customer support. “This investment reinforces BASF’s commitment to the wind energy market and will help us serve our customers better by providing fast and reliable technical support tailored to their needs,” says Teressa Szelest, senior vice president of BASF’s Chemical Intermediates Division.

Composites based on thermosetting epoxy resin systems have become an established material for the production of modern wind turbine rotor blades. Baxxodur epoxy systems can be processed significantly faster, over a wider temperature range than conventional systems, thereby increasing flexibility in production and allowing blade manufacturers to produce parts of higher quality in significantly reduced cycle times, offering up to 30 percent improvement in production efficiency.

The new laboratory provides excellent synergy with cluster of analytical services and application development resources of multiple BASF business units. This investment in North America is part of BASF’s overall strategy to provide customers with a global network of technical support. BASF also has epoxy composite technical centers in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Shanghai, China. To learn more about BASF’s products for the wind energy market please visit www.windenergy.basf.com.

NRG Systems, manufacturer of wind measurement equipment for the global wind energy industry, has introduced the Symphonie iPackGPS, an upgraded communications module used to transmit wind resource data from the field to end users. Compatible with GSM, CDMA, or satellite networks, the iPackGPS provides several technological improvements over the previous generation of iPack. These include automated GPS coordinate reporting, ability to update Symphonie iPackGPS firmware and configuration settings remotely, variable call interval range, and an upgraded data logger display to support users in troubleshooting directly from the field. NRG Systems will continue to offer existing Symphonie iPacks while supplies last. The iPackGPS will be available for the same price as the previous generation of iPack.

NRG Systems is an independently owned company that has served the global wind energy industry for 28 years. Its wind measurement systems and turbine control sensors can be found on every continent in more than 140 countries, serving electric utilities, wind farm developers, turbine manufacturers, research institutes, government agencies, and universities. For more information go to www.nrgsystems.com.

NAES Corporation, a broad-based provider of services to the energy industry, announces the addition of two vice presidents to its Engineering & Construction Group. Butch Kimbrell has joined the company as vice president of construction, and Bob DeNeve has joined as vice president of business development.

Kimbrell brings over 30 years experience in project management, strategic planning, operations, and business development. Prior to joining NAES he worked in the construction industry for companies such as Stone & Webster, Halliburton, and Brown & Root. His project experience includes oil and gas facilities, power plants, petroleum and chemical complexes, paper mills, and federal government logistics and infrastructure support missions. He will be based in the Issaquah office.

DeNeve comes to NAES from SNC Lavalin Engineers & Constructors, where he was director of business development. At SNC Lavalin he was responsible for account development and management of clients within the downstream refining, petrochemical, and chemical markets throughout various regions of North America. Prior to that he was involved in business development for companies such as Foster Wheeler USA, TIC, and Olin Corporation/Chemicals Group. He will be based in the Houston office.

Headquartered in Issaquah, Washington, NAES is a leading provider of comprehensive construction services. For over 30 years it has specialized in providing services centered on safe, reliable, and cost-effective construction, retrofit, and maintenance services; on-site turbine inspection/overhaul services; staffing solutions; plant operations; and customized services designed to improve plant and personnel effectiveness. NAES is owned by ITOCHU International, Inc., the U.S. affiliate of ITOCHU Corporation.  With operations in over 80 countries covering a broad range of industries, ITOCHU is among the world’s largest corporations. Learn more at www.naes.com.

Rexnord Industries has opened a fully renovated 29,000 square-foot gearbox repair and remanufacturing facility in Salt Lake City. The facility is part of Rexnord’s Falk™ RENEW® Prager® product services, which repairs or rebuilds gearboxes of all makes, brands, and sizes. “Rexnord’s gearbox repair services offer our customers cost-effective solutions when downtime is critical and long-term reliability and peace of mind are a must,” says Mike Stofferahn, vice president, Rexnord product services–sales and marketing. “Our services not only extend drive life, but also enhance operating performance and lower the total cost of ownership for our customers.”

The new facility will operate with fully authorized and trained Rexnord technicians and field support personnel who have a combined experience of more than 75 years. “Our customers expect Rexnord to deliver top-of-the-line performance, day after day,” Stofferahn says. “With over 100 years of gearbox manufacturing, repair, and service experience, we deliver. As an OEM Rexnord utilizes OEM-quality components, and the same testing methods for repaired or rebuilt gearboxes as we do for newly manufactured drives. Our expansion to Salt Lake City enables us to provide exemplary service to our customers in thriving industries in the area such as mining, coal, and power generation.”

The Salt Lake City facility will join additional RENEW locations near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Rexnord’s gear business serves a variety of industrial customers worldwide, including mining, aggregate/cement, wood/paper, construction, energy, food and grain, and chemicals. Rexnord LLC is the parent company of Rexnord Industries. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rexnord’s Power Transmission Platform is a manufacturer and supplier of highly engineered products including industrial bearings, couplings, gears, modular conveyor belting, and industrial chain, primarily serving a broad range of process and industrial customers worldwide. Learn more at www.rexnord.com.

Dow Wire & Cable announces the appointment of Brad Miller as global marketing director. In this role he will drive strategic growth initiatives utilizing Dow Wire & Cable’s portfolio of products, technologies, and power industry expertise. This will include executing global product launches for solutions in the traditional power and alternative energy industries as well as market segments like personal electronics, building and construction, and transportation wires, cables, and accessories.

“As we continue to grow in the global power industry and its ancillary markets, it is more important than ever to complement our product and technology offering with strategic marketing and branding programs,” says Tim Laughlin, general manager. “We look forward to having Brad on our team to continue and enhance the excellent progress we’ve made in this important facet of our business.”

Miller has been with Dow for over 20 years and previously served as global business director for Dow Fiber Solutions. He also has held a number of commercial roles in Dow’s chemical and plastics businesses. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from Indiana University. He will be located at Dow Wire & Cable headquarters in Houston.

Dow Wire & Cable, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, is a leading global provider of products, technology, solutions, and expertise that sets standards the power industry can count on for reliability, longevity, efficiency, ease of installation, and protection in the transmission, distribution, and consumption of power, voice, and data. For more information visit www.dowwireandcable.com.

Zero-Max, Inc., an ISO 9001:2008 certified design and manufacturing company, announces expansion of its wind turbine couplings covering a broad range of wind turbine applications. These couplings are now available as an upgrade replacement for existing wind turbines and for OEM applications. Proven and tested under conditions simulating a 20-year load spectrum of continuous operation, Zero-Max turbine couplings easily handle torque spikes and high misalignment installations.

The couplings withstand high misalignment while remaining torsionally stiff. They are designed with composite disk packs at both ends of a center spacer. These uniquely designed disk packs provide high strength and generous flexibility. The composite disk packs (flex elements) provide a distinct advantage over other coupling component designs by allowing a surplus of parallel and axial misalignment while remaining torsionally stiff through all harmonic ranges of the wind turbine’s oscillating load. Depending on the application, Zero-Max’s center spacers can be machined out of steel, composite glass fiber, or 6061-T6 aluminum. Through the use of Finite Element Analysis (FEA), these center spacers can be engineered to withstand in excess of 100,000 Nm of torque.

The couplings have many additional design advantages. The flex elements electrically insulate the turbine’s generator from the gear box, eliminating stray electrical current that can leak across the coupling, thus preventing bearing damage to the gearbox. The coupling protects the generator by transferring lower reaction loads to the generator bearings. Also, the coupling’s composite material withstands all types of environmental elements, including temperature extremes from -40 to +70°C, and also moisture and chemicals native to the nacelles of wind turbines.

Zero-Max is a leading designer and manufacturer of wind turbine couplings for over 30 years. It serves the needs of leading wind turbine manufacturers worldwide with designs that exceed most OEM turbine coupling life requirements, proven through decades of successful real-world applications. For more information go to www.zero-max.com.

Global Marine Energy, Inc., announces the opening of its office in Boston, Massachusetts. The company is an American-owned licensee of Global Marine Systems Ltd, the market leading offshore cable installation and marine engineering company. For over 160 years Global Marine has been successfully installing cable throughout the world’s oceans, and for the past decade has been involved in many of the offshore wind projects that have been completed in the North Sea.

“Our lengthy experience in the installation of telecommunications cables led directly to our developing an expertise in offshore power cable,” says Gabriel Ruhan, CEO of Global Marine Systems. “We are proud to have been involved in the installation of cables on such projects as Horns Rev, Horns Rev 2, Kentish Flats, Estlink, and Britned. With interest in offshore wind and offshore power cable interconnects beginning to take shape in North America, we have decided to license our know-how and subcontract our experts to an American company, Global Marine Energy, Inc., to address these markets as well.”

Global Marine Systems—and now Global Marine Energy—believes that many of the issues that have plagued the industry in Europe can be avoided in North America through proper planning and demonstrated experience. Offshore power cable installation has been particularly troublesome in the North Sea resulting in cost overruns, insurance losses, and the failure of a number of companies who had made the decision to enter the market. The types of problems that have regularly occurred are often in the areas of installation procedure, resulting in cable damage and installation delay due to lack of installer experience and the use of improper equipment.

“Our goal is to transfer the best practices developed over the past decade in European offshore wind,” says Joel Whitman, CEO of Global Marine Energy. “We can then use that expertise to develop American and Canadian personnel, equipment, and vessels in order to correctly plan and install the offshore cable plant required for North American projects. Since we are an American-owned company, we can do this in full compliance with the Jones Act and other U.S. regulation.”

Over the past decade approximately 4 gigawatts (4,000 megawatts) of offshore wind power have been installed in European waters. With an additional 15 gigawatts already consented and an estimated 25-50 gigawatts in the planning stages, the European market is well underway. With both offshore wind and interconnect projects in the planning stages up and down the East Coast and in the Great Lakes, the North American market is beginning to move forward. To learn more go online to www.globalmarine-energy.com.

The AEGIS™ SGR bearing protection ring protects the bearings of VFD-driven motors from electrical damage, and the new all-inclusive AEGIS universal mounting kit (U-Kit) simplifies its mounting on virtually any AC motor shaft. Available from Electro Static Technology, the kit includes the proven AEGIS grounding ring and mounting hardware for most motor designs. Ordered based on the NEMA “U” shaft diameter, the kit contains the correct size ring for the motor and four styles of brackets with bolts and lock washers that can be used in various configurations, depending on the contours of the motor’s end bracket.

Ideal for OEMs, the ring prevents electrical “fluting” damage in the bearing, bearing noise, costly motor repairs/replacements, and downtime by safely channeling VFD-induced bearing currents to ground. To simplify the installation of the ring on NEMA frame motors, the brackets in the U-Kit may be mounted on the motor either by drilling and tapping small holes or using AEGIS conductive epoxy. The ring’s conductive microfibers are embedded securely in the patented AEGIS FiberLock™ channel and completely surround the motor shaft, providing millions of discharge points for harmful shaft currents. This unique design creates the path of least resistance that effectively diverts these currents away from bearings to ground. The microfibers themselves are specially engineered for exceptional flexibility to prevent breakage. Unlike conventional shaft grounding brushes, the AEGIS ring is maintenance-free and lasts for the life of the motor.

Used increasingly to save energy, variable frequency drives cause unwanted voltages on motor shafts. If not diverted the resulting currents discharge through bearings, causing fusion craters on bearing race walls. Over time this bearing fluting can lead to noise, vibration, bearing failure, and catastrophic motor failure. By preventing such damage the AEGIS SGR bearing protection ring extends motor life and locks in energy savings to make VFD-controlled systems sustainable and truly “green.” For more information call (866) 738-1857, e-mail sales@est-aegis.com, or go to www.est-aegis.com.

President Barack Obama underscored key themes from his State of the Union speech of job creation, innovation, and global competitiveness when he visited Broadwind Energy, Inc.’s wind turbine tower manufacturing facility in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Broadwind Energy and its more than 800 employees are playing a critical role in powering up the clean energy industry, stimulating local economies like Manitowoc and driving innovation in the U.S.—innovation the President is calling for to maintain our global leadership position.

Once a manufacturing plant for World War II-era submarines, the 250,000 square foot facility the President toured was revitalized by Broadwind Towers (Tower Tech), stimulating the local economy through the hiring of 300 people. The company has become one of the largest employers in Manitowoc, is a leading producer of multi-megawatt (MW) wind turbine towers, and is the first company in the U.S. to manufacture 100-meter towers. Currently the Manitowoc facility is running at near capacity, and when combined with its tower manufacturing facilities in Abilene, Texas, and Brandon, South Dakota, Broadwind Towers has the potential to produce up to 1,500 MWs of wind turbine towers annually. Manitowoc is a great example of a U.S. community rebounding from economic hardship by applying existing talent to new problems, in this case tapping deep roots in steel fabrication to create the tall steel towers that enable wind turbines to capture maximum wind energy.

During the visit, President Obama was able to see how a wind turbine tower is manufactured—from raw plate steel through the process of forming, welding, painting, and moving a completed tower section, which could weigh up to 200 tons. Broadwind Energy President and CEO Peter C. Duprey, Broadwind Towers President Paul Smith, and plant manager Chris Wallander led the President through the facility, where he stopped several times to talk with employees.

“We were honored to host President Obama and demonstrate clean energy jobs and innovation in action. Broadwind Energy looks at the energy industry with a unique perspective, bringing a variety of solutions to our customers to help them make the most of their energy investments,” says Duprey. “President Obama is essentially asking the same of our country—bring together all of our best talents and solutions and help our country and other countries maximize their energy potential—sustainably, cleanly, and profitably.”

Broadwind Energy approaches the energy industry in a way unlike any other company. It applies decades of deep industrial expertise to innovate integrated solutions for customers. From gears to towers, to comprehensive remanufacturing of gearboxes and blades, to operations and maintenance services, it has the solutions that domestic energy demands. With facilities throughout the U.S., Broadwind Energy’s talented team is committed to helping customers maximize performance of energy and infrastructure investments—quicker, easier, and smarter. To learn more please visit www.bwen.com.

GE Energy Financial Services, a unit of GE, and Bankers Commercial Corporation, a unit of UnionBanCal Corporation, have purchased the first wind farm to start operations in one of the largest wind energy projects in the United States. GE Energy Financial Services and Bankers Commercial Corporation acquired the 150-megawatt Alta Wind I wind farm in Tehachapi in Kern County, California, and are leasing it back to its developer, operator, and manager, Terra-Gen Power, LLC. The wind farm, using 100 GE 1.5-megawatt SLE turbines, was completed in the fourth quarter of last year. GE Energy Financial Services—a major global investor in multiple energy generation and distribution projects and companies—and Bankers Commercial Corporation each own 50 percent of the wind farm. Funds from the sale will be used to pay off construction loans Terra-Gen entered into for the project last March. Financial details were not disclosed.

The Alta Wind I farm is the first phase of the Alta Wind Energy Center, a planned 3,000-megawatt project. The first 1,550 megawatts of the center, including this phase, is contracted to Southern California Edison. When complete, the center will be able to provide electricity for 1.3 million California homes. Terra-Gen estimates the center will create more than 3,000 domestic manufacturing, construction, operations and maintenance jobs, and will contribute more than $1.2 billion to Kern County’s economy. According to Terra-Gen, the center is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 52 million metric tons over the next decade, equivalent to taking 890,000 cars off the road. The wind farms will help California meet its goal of ensuring that by 2020, 33 percent of the power it consumes comes from renewable sources. Alta Wind I is the first project to connect with Southern California Edison’s Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project, the first major transmission project in California to be constructed specifically for accessing a renewable-rich resource area. When completed, the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project will consist of more than 250 miles of new and upgraded high-voltage transmission infrastructure. The project is eligible for a U.S. Treasury grant created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It allows renewable energy project owners to access a cash grant in lieu of tax credits.

GE Energy Financial Services’ experts invest globally with a long-term view, backed by the best of GE’s technical know-how, financial strength and rigorous risk management, across the capital spectrum, in one of the world’s most capital-intensive industries, energy. GE Energy Financial Services helps its customers and GE grow through new investments, strong partnerships, and optimization of its $21 billion in assets. GE Energy Financial Services is based in Stamford, Connecticut. For more information visit www.geenergyfinancialservices.com.

Headquartered in San Francisco, UnionBanCal Corporation is a financial holding company with assets of $79.8 billion at September 30, 2010. Its primary subsidiary, Union Bank, N.A., is a full service commercial bank providing an array of financial services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, and major corporations. The bank operated 397 banking offices in California, Washington, Oregon and Texas, as well as two international offices, on September 30, 2010. UnionBanCal Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., which is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. Union Bank is a proud member of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, one of the world’s largest financial organizations. Visit www.unionbank.com for more information.

At the AWEA O&M Project Performance and Reliability conference held in January global service partner for advanced blade services, LM Wind Power Service & Logistics announced that they have acquired Encore Power Services (EPS), a leading provider of field services and component repair for wind turbine generators in North America. John Mullins, president of EPS, remains in his role following the acquisition. “Service of wind turbine generators is an exciting, timely addition to our portfolio,” says Robert Burger, vice president service, Americas. “It’s a natural complement to our blade service business and is a convenient, cost-saving option for our customers.”

In 2010, LM Wind Power reconfigured its service and logistics business, increasing support to customers. Since then the independent LM Wind Power Service & Logistics business has significantly increased in size and now offers inspection, repair, overhaul, preventive maintenance, and blade logistics, covering a spectrum of service to wind turbine owners anywhere in the world.

Roman Thomassin, president of LM Wind Power Service & Logistics, says that “Our overall strategy is to build upon our well-established, respected blade service business, ultimately providing a complete range of wind related services. This acquisition is a significant part of our worldwide expansion, marking a milestone for our company and creating a value-added service for our customers in North America.”

For more information contact Robert Burger, vice president service-Americas, at (503) 575-6494 or rbu@lmwindpower.com. The company’s Web site is www.lmwindpower.com.

Methods Machine Tools now offers the VisionGauge® digital optical comparator (patent pending) in a vertical configuration. In the vertical configuration, parts are mounted flat on the system’s XY stage and the optical axis is vertical (the lens is looking down on the parts). The most appropriate VisionGauge configuration for a given application—either horizontal or vertical—is typically dictated by fixturing and mounting considerations. Standard XY travel for the vertical configuration is 12” x 12” and extended 24” x 24” travel is available as an option.

All of the standard options available for the horizontal configuration of the VisionGauge digital optical comparator are also available for the vertical configuration. The list of available options includes: reflected illumination, LASER module for Z-axis measurements, motorized rotary fixtures and a fifth monitor for automatic recall of related documents such as work instructions, part prints, reports, spreadsheets, etc. The vertical VisionGauge is available with the same full range of magnifications as the horizontal model: 5X, 10X, 20X, 50X and 100X, in either single or multi-mag configurations.

Methods Machine Tools, Inc., has been a leading supplier of precision machine tools, automation, and machine tool accessories for over 50 years. For more information call (978) 443-5388, e-mail sales@methodsmachine.com, or visit www.methodsmachine.com.

ACCIONA Energy announces that Adarsh Mehta, development director of ACCIONA Wind Energy Canada, has been elected as the new chair of the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) Board of Directors. At the helm of CanWEA Mehta’s top priority will be strengthening broad public support for wind energy development.

“Wind energy development has the potential to be one of Canada’s fastest growing industries and we must nurture it,” she says. “To achieve this we should focus on raising awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of wind energy development and on enhancing our current electricity infrastructure. I look forward to working with CanWEA to achieve these goals.”

Other tasks Mehta will tackle include raising visibility of CanWEA and highlighting the benefits the organization provides its members and the communities they serve. She will also push for legislative policies at provincial and federal levels that support renewable energy development in order to attract investment dollars.

“We are pleased to see Ms. Mehta assume her leadership role with CanWEA,” says Robert Hornung, president of CanWEA. “She is passionate about the organization’s mission to build a thriving wind energy industry in Canada and she brings a wealth of experience both in the industry and with CanWEA, making her ideally suited for this position.”

Mehta began her 10 years of work in the wind energy industry by conducting academic research of wind flow over complex terrain. At GPCo and ORTECH Power, Mehta performed wind resource assessment and conducted technical due diligence. After joining GDF Suez to lead western Canadian business development, Mehta ran her own management consultancy while gaining an executive MBA. She joined ACCIONA in May of 2010 and has been an active member of CanWEA for five years already serving on various caucuses and special steering committees.

ACCIONA Energy has already installed and operates 136 MW in three wind farms in Canada with local partners Suncor and Enbridge. Two of these farms—Magrath Wind Power Project and Chin Chute Wind Power Project (each with a capacity of 30 MW)—are located in Alberta, and the third, Ripley Wind Power Project (76 MW), is in Ontario. The Lamèque Wind Power Project (45 MW), located in New Brunswick, will be completed in early 2011 and will increase ACCIONA’s installed capacity in Canada to 181 MW. ACCIONA’s presence in Canada includes the company’s infrastructure business, where it has been contracted for five projects under a public-private partnership. Learn more at www.acciona-na.com.

Design engineers looking to reduce heat transfer from servo motors to driven shafts will find ServoClass® couplings from Zero-Max an ideal solution. The ServoClass coupling design minimizes heat transfer and reduces variations in system accuracy caused by thermal expansion. The coupling features stainless steel discs designed into the center of the coupling that dissipate heat generated from a connected servo motor. By minimizing heat transmission to the connected shaft, thermal expansion is prevented.

With today’s servo motor applications more demanding than ever, system accuracy is critical to precision positioning. The ServoClass coupling, with this low thermal transfer design feature, helps ensure the required accuracy in these systems. The couplings also provide high torsional stiffness, zero backlash, and low hysteresis, further ensuring repeatable precise positioning. “Thermal transfer is a growing concern in servo motor system design,” according to Robert Mainz, sales manager. “ServoClass couplings provide a superior solution. As cycles become faster and heat is increased, especially in tightly enclosed designs, the ServoClass coupling minimizes heat transfer through the shaft components.”

ServoClass coupling applications include virtually any system using ball screws and servo motors. Three new sizes have been added to the line. They handle bore diameters from 0.875 in. (20mm) to 1.378 in. (35mm) and operating torque from 3937 to 9843 in. lbs (100 to 250 Nm). Many additional sizes are available starting with the smallest bore size 0.157 in. (4 mm) and larger. All ServoClass couplings are manufactured of RoHS compliant materials. They are lightweight and designed with 304 stainless steel disc packs and 7075-T6 aluminum hubs and center members. They are available in single and double flex models in inch and metric sizes. All models and sizes feature clamp style hubs with corrosion resistant socket head cap screws. To learn more call (800) 533-1731 or (763) 546-4300. Go online to www.zero-max.com.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced an alliance with Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, North Dakota, focusing on safety training for workers in the wind power industry. OSHA will provide assistance in the development of training related to working safely when exposed to hazards inherent to the wind power industry. Lake Region State College will offer training for students on the commissioning, operation, and maintenance of electrical generation equipment and control systems for wind turbine generation systems. “This is a great opportunity for OSHA and LRSC to work together to heighten the awareness of the hazards associated with the wind power generation industry,” says Greg Baxter, OSHA’s regional administrator.

Through the Alliance Program, OSHA works with groups committed to worker safety and health to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses. These groups include unions, consulates, trade or professional organizations, businesses, faith- and community-based organizations, and educational institutions. OSHA and the groups work together to develop compliance assistance tools and resources, and educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities. Alliance Program participants do not receive exemptions from OSHA programmed inspections.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. Also go to www.lrsc.edu.

Dynabrade’s Mini-Dynafile II is a lightweight air-powered abrasive belt machine for grinding, blending, and deburring in normally inaccessible areas. Running at 25,000 RPM, the Mini-Dynafile II utilizes 1/8” to 1/2” wide x 12” long abrasive belts. The tool accepts coated and abrasive impregnated non-woven nylon belts. The multi-positioning grinding head pivots 180°, ideal for grinding into hard to reach areas. The lightweight, composite housing reduces vibration and is thermal insulated to prevent cold air transmission to the operator’s hands. The air motor is also adjustable to the most comfortable throttle lever position. Eight different contact arms are also available for a wide variety of distinct applications. The tool is excellent for finishing and deburring within narrow openings. It is also ideal for blending stainless steel and grinding right angle welds. The lightweight, compact design of the tool suits a wide range of users. A Mini-Dynafile II Versatility Kit is also offered that includes the tool, contact arms, various abrasive belts, and a threaded collet for easy conversion to a die grinder.

Dynabrade has been supplying quality industrial abrasive power tools for use in industries worldwide for more than four decades. Call (716) 631-0100 or visit www.dynabrade.com.

Gleason Corporation has made major new investment in equipment and processes to optimize the manufacture of large module gear hobs. These cutting tools are used in the manufacturing of large gears for wind energy, mining, and a variety of industrial gearbox applications. The Gleason Cutting Tools facility in Loves Park, Illinois, is now capable of producing hobs up to 450mm in diameter, 530mm in length, and up to 40 module. Through optimization of the new equipment and processes, as well as lean philosophies and techniques already embraced by the facility, large module hob manufacturing lead times now range from seven to nine weeks. The cell is capable of producing DIN and AGMA AAA class hobs. The large module hobs complement Gleason’s full line of gear hobbing machines for parts with diameters up to 6 meters, and even larger on request.

The multimillion-dollar investment includes customized equipment with onboard inspection, fast changeover, and the highest accuracy and repeatability. Robert Phillips, senior vice president of the company’s Tooling Products Group, says “This investment allows us to extend our global leadership in gear cutting tools and serve the fast growing markets such as wind energy with the shortest lead times in our industry.”

Gleason Corporation’s mission is to be The Total Gear Solutions Provider™ to its global customer base. The company is a world leader in the development, manufacture, and sale of gear production machinery and related equipment. Its products are used by customers in automotive, truck, aircraft, agriculture, mining, wind power, construction, power tool, and marine industries, and by a diverse set of customers serving various industrial equipment markets. Gleason has manufacturing operations in Rochester, New York; Rockford, Illinois; Dayton, Ohio; Plymouth, England; Munich and Ludwigsburg, Germany; Studen, Switzerland; Bangalore; India; and Suzhou, China. It has sales and service offices throughout North and South America, Europe, and in the Asia-Pacific region. More information can be obtained by visiting www.gleason.com.