The 2012 Long Island SMTA Expo and Technical Forum: Technical Sessions, Networking & a Free Lunch

The Long Island SMTA Expo and Technical Forum one-day show will be held Wednesday, October 10th, 2012, from Noon - 5 p.m. at the Islandia Marriott Long Island in Islandia, NY. Q Source is a regular exhibitor at the expo and will be participating once again this year.

The Long Island SMTA Expo features more than 70 exhibits and a full schedule of technical sessions including:

• Implementing Advanced and "Bleeding Edge" SMT Components presented by Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall, ITM Consulting
• Current Counterfeit Technologies Counterfeiters' Techniques presented by Tom Sharpe, SMT Corporation
• Cleaning in a World of "No Clean" presented by Michael Konrad, Aqueous Technologies Corporation
• "STUMP THE CHUMPS" presented by Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall, ITM Consulting

This regional SMTA show offers free technical sessions, free lunch, and the chance to network with leading suppliers to our industry. The event is a perfect opportunity for Process Engineers, SMT Machine Operators/Technicians, Quality Engineers, Test & Component Engineers, and Project Managers to pick up new knowledge and skills to apply at their workplace.

The Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA) is an international network of professionals working toward developing skills, sharing practical experiences, and creating solutions in the electronic assembly industry.

Follow the link for more information about the Long Island SMTA Expo and Technical Forum show. To learn more about Q Source, please visit QSource.com.

Brady's LINK360 Cloud-Based Software Platform: Ease of Use for Ease of Mind

Brady Worldwide's professional software products are known for making it easy to create and print quality labels, track inspection data, manage cable infrastructures, and more. For their latest software product, Brady heads to the "cloud" with the LINK360™ platform for managing visual information on and around equipment and machines.

If your company regularly performs maintenance and repairs on equipment, you need to retain a visual record of any changes made. Visual documentation is an important tool for keeping equipment running at the highest levels, creating a safe work environment for employees, and avoiding costly downtime. Visual documentation is also a very important factor for EHS compliance and/or Lean activities.

FEATURES & BENEFITS OF LINK 360

Brady's LINK360 cloud-based software falls under the category of Visual Information Management (VIM) and addresses safety, efficiency, and production by:

• Pushing actionable data to users involved in maintaining programs to provide safe and productive environments
• Closing the data loop on actions focused on maintaining and managing equipment safety and performance
• Visualizing information for users at the point-of-need when working with the equipment
• Scaling easily to accommodate adding new users without needing to purchase extra seat licenses. You can add new sites, equipment, and devices.

In addition to the software, Brady is also offering professional services for customers using LINK360 such as assistance with equipment list collection, lockout and maintenance procedure writing and posting, and custom standards creation for maintenance activities. Additional services include:

• Software setup & training
• Procedure writing services (Lockout, Maintenance, etc – VLOP)
• Visual equipment control data collection & application
• Equipment labeling
• Safety audit & assessment services
• Software custom templates
• Visual workshops

LINK360 is targeted at almost all industries that require safety and maintenance procedures, but will be of the most obvious benefit to food & beverage, manufacturing, manufactured goods, and local & state agency environments. The software features two main modules of interest to managers in these fields (especially those looking to get/stay EHS compliant and for Lean practitioners that need to create, review, and print visually instructive preventative maintenance and inspection procedures), the Lockout/Tagout Center and the Reliability Center.

THE LOCKOUT/TAGOUT CENTER
The Lockout/Tagout Center helps to create and maintain safe working environments by providing tools to help lockout hazardous energy sources. This center allows the user to manage lockout/tagout programs while performing maintenance on machinery or equipment, create & print instructive visual procedures, tags, and labels; and access assistance for compliance with OSHA 1910.147 for lockout of hazardous energy sources. The Lockout/Tagout Center will be of most interest to those managers tasked with implementing and managing the company's safety program, such as EH&S Coordinators, Global Safety Managers, and Regulatory Safety Managers.

THE RELIABILITY CENTER
The Reliability Center is all about providing tools to help streamline the process for regular equipment checks. You can maintain equipment performance levels by creating and managing visually instructive maintenance procedures, controlling who may view, create, or edit templates and procedures; using pre-defined print templates, accessing helpful notifications/alerts, and more. Managers responsible for the operational capacity of their facilities (such as Plant Operations Managers, Maintenance Managers, Production Supervisors, and Chief Engineers will be assisted most by the Reliability Center.

LINK360 REQUIREMENTS
LINK360 is cloud-based and is available anywhere you access the internet through a browser. The software supports the following browsers: Internet Explorer 8, 9; FireFox 8-14, Chrome 11-21, or Safari 5.0.1-5.1.5.

The LINK360 platform can print procedures, labels, and tags to any sheet-fed printer, inkjet or laser. Your 8.5" x 11" procedures can be printed to any Wi-Fi enabled, sheet-fed printer through an iPad's Safari browser. Brady offers durable labeling materials for energy source labeling and tagging including the following items:

• Tag Blanks - # 12770
• Tag Blanks - # 12771
• Tag Blanks - # 12772
• Sign & Label Blanks - # 12834
• Sign & Label Blanks - # 12900

If you are interested in purchasing a license for the LINK360 platform please contact us via phone (800-966-6020) or email and we will get you set up right away.

Customize Production Basics Workstations to Meet Your Exact Needs

What do you do if you're shopping for Production Basics industrial furniture and you can't find the exact product solution you need among the hundreds of items available at QSource.com? Customize, customize, customize!

With the goal of helping you stay productive and work efficiently, Production Basics offers a custom products service. Need a specially sized workstation? Or perhaps accessories to perform a unique task? Production Basics can quickly help you meet those requirements with high-quality workstations and parts featuring special materials, finishes, and sizes & configurations to meet your specifications.

Production Basics can create
custom workstations from your specs. 

If a custom product sounds like the answer to your needs, Production Basics suggests compiling answers to the following questions:

• What works and what doesn't in your current set-up?
• What is your application?
• What is the layout of your facility/department?
• What are your specific weight capacity, size, material, and function requirements?
• What is the size and weight of the material if material conveyance is needed?
• Do you need a mobile option?
• Do you require adjustable height?

Q Source, working with Production Basics, wants to help you find solutions to meet your exact requirements. If you believe a custom workstation or part will help you to enhance productivity in your workplace, please contact us via phone (800-966-6020) or email and one of our helpful associates will guide you through the process.

Worklon Cleanroom/ESD Garments Awarded ANSI/ESD Conformance Certificates

Superior Uniform Group's Worklon brand of cleanroom/ESD garments has been a trusted industry leader for fifty years. A few of their popular products were recently awarded certificates of conformance for various international standards.

According to Pam George, Worklon Director at Superior Uniform Group:

Worklon® ESD Lab Wear Work-Stat, 98/Two, and MicroStat were tested according to ESD STM 2.1 – 1997 and pending revision (2012) by an outside lab. The results of this evaluation found that these ESD Garments met conformance standards set by ANSI/ESD S20.20. Apparel from the Work-Stat and 98/Two Systems meet the requirements of a groundable static control garment and groundable static control garment system as stated in ANSI/ESD S20.20. MicroStat ESD Lab Wear meets the requirements for classification as a Static Control Garment at 50% Relative Humidity.

Worklon's Work-Stat Lab Jacket

George also pointed out that Worklon garments feature the best fabrics (their breathable fabrics provide comfort and help users remain cool while still being safe to meet criteria for the manufacturing of ESD devices) and use high-quality construction techniques. It's their comfort, conformity, and coolness that make Worklon cleanroom/ESD garments THE choice for working in controlled environments.

Q Source has been a proud distributor of Worklon/Superior Uniform Group products for fifteen years. In addition to the aforementioned Work-Stat, 98/Two, and MicroStat products, QSource.com offers a wide selection (more than 1,600 Worklon cleanroom/ESD items) of cleanroom boots, cleanroom coveralls, lab coats, and more. We have everything you need to provide cleanroom/ESD-safe protection for your employees working with sensitive electronic components. If you have further questions, or want to place a large order, please contact us via phone (800-966-6020) or email and one of our helpful sales associates will assist you.

Superior Uniform Group was formed in Long Island, NY, in 1920 as Superior Surgical Manufacturing Company. Their corporate headquarters are now based in Seminole, FL, and their products cover workers from head to toe in a variety of industries including healthcare, cleanroom, retail, and others.

Top Five Ways IAC Industrial Workbenches Help You Avoid ESD

From the Q Source studios in beautiful Bohemia, New York, here's Q-Bot with our Top Five list:

Top Five Ways IAC Industrial Workbenches Help You Avoid ESD

5. ESD Testing - IAC's static-dissipative worksurfaces, shelves, and ground bolts undergo testing at the factory. Resistance is measured based on a variety of relative humidity settings.

As a robot, I'm very good at taking tests. I actually get tested every 3,000 miles…or is that when I get my oil changed?

4. Optional Personnel Grounding Wrist Straps and Ground Blocks - The Personal Grounding Kit includes a Grounding Block, (which connects to the Grounding Lug on the worksurface), a Wrist Strap, and a Ground Cord.

I was built ESD safe, so I don't need a Grounding Kit. But I do wear Wrist Straps as a fashion accessory.

3. Stainless Steel ESD Grounding Lugs - These are built right into the worksurface and provide an easy connection to a grounding system.

That's funny, my ex-girlfriend used to call me a "stainless steel lug."

2. Static-Dissipative Laminates - IAC uses two types (3M and Nevamar®) of static-dissipative laminates on their worksurfaces and shelves.

Oh, these are extremely comfortable, too. I use them as blankets.

And the Number One Way IAC Industrial Workbenches Help You Avoid ESD…

1. Rounded Edges on Worksurfaces - IAC's premium and industrial workbenches include a 180°-rolled front edge, which protects the ESD-safe laminate from chipping, lifting, and other damage.

Speaking as someone who has many rounded edges I can tell you this is really important.

Thanks, Q-Bot! Well, there you have it, our Top Five Ways IAC Industrial Workbenches Help You Avoid ESD.

QSource.com offers a fine selection of IAC ESD workbenches, workstations, and more. To make your choice easier, we've created the "IAC Workbench/Workstation Configurators page," which will help you narrow down your options to find you the perfect IAC solution for your application.

For further information, or to place an order, please contact us via phone (800-966-6020) or email and one of our helpful sales associates will assist you.