Help

AUGUST 2007 INDUSTRY NEWS

 

New NIST Calibration Service ‘Arms’ Phasors for More Reliable Power Grids

While the new calibration service for phasor measurement units (PMUs) offered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) sounds like it would appeal to Star Trek fans, it’s actually the operators of America’s electrical power grid—and all of us who value uninterrupted current—who benefit.

The new NIST service provides calibrations for the instruments that measure the magnitude and phase of voltage and current signals in a power system—a combined mathematical entity called a phasor—and report the data in terms of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC, also known as “the official world atomic time”).

Use of absolute time enables measurements called phase angles taken at one location on a power grid to be comparable to others across different systems. Phase angles and their derivations allow grid managers to know the operating condition of their portion of the system and determine if action is needed to prevent a power blackout.

The new NIST calibration service has already yielded two additional benefits. First, a major PMU manufacturer reports that using the calibrations during the manufacture of its instruments has improved their accuracy by a factor of five. Secondly, some PMUs that have been calibrated using the NIST service have revealed incompatibilities in the message format they send out, leading to corrections that have improved interoperability between PMUs across power grids.

This project is partially funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE), and is operated in conjunction with DoE and the North American Synchrophasor Initiative (NASPI). NASPI is a joint government and utility collaboration supporting the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s efforts to improve the reliability of the nation’s power grids.

For more information on the NIST PMU calibration service, contact Jerry Stenbakken, gerard.stenbakken@nist.gov, (301) 975-2440.

 

Mahr Federal Precision Measurement Center

Much about the origins of the Mahr Federal Precision Measurement Center has settled into legend, as have any number of other stories about the uniqueness of its structure and the incredible precision of its instruments.

Over the past forty-plus years, the Precision Measurement Center has been one of the most unique facilities of its kind in the world, one where dimensional measurements are routinely made to within two ten-millionths (0.2 microinches) of an inch, a level of precision made possible by some of the most sophisticated equipment every devised, as well as some of the most mundane.

The full article appeared in the April/May/June issue of Cal Lab magazine and is available for viewing in Mahr Federal's Summer 07 Newsletter.

 

NCSLI Worldwide News "metrologist"

NCSL International is pleased to announce the launching of a new Worldwide news in metrology, called, metrologist. The publication primary audience is centered on calibration laboratory personnel, from laboratory managers to project leaders to technicians. The quarterly publication will begin with its first issue in Jan, 2008.

Visit http://www.ncsli.org/metrologist for more information.

 

Symmetricom Reports Fourth Quarter and FY 2007 Financial Results

Symmetricom, Inc., a worldwide leader in precise time and frequency products and services, reported financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.

Fiscal fourth quarter revenue was $57.4 million, a 22.8 percent increase over prior year quarterly revenue of $46.8 million. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, revenue was $208.4 million, an 18.3 percent increase over $176.1 million for fiscal year 2006.

Timing, Test & Measurement Division (TT&M) revenue in the quarter was $21.2 million, an increase of $7.3 million or 52.5 percent over prior year period revenue of $13.9 million. TT&M revenue for fiscal 2007 was $72.7 million, up $13.6 million or 23.1 percent from prior year revenue of $59.0 million. TT&M revenue growth was supported by strong revenue in the secure mobile communications area as well as the acquisition of Timing Solutions Corporation, which was completed on Oct. 2, 2006.

Revenue for our new Quality of Experience Assurance Division (QAD) was $0.1 million for the quarter and $0.5 million for the fiscal year.

“Fiscal 2007 was a banner year for Symmetricom,” said Tom Steipp, president and CEO of Symmetricom. “We broke through the $200 million revenue level, supported by revenue from equipment upgrades in our Telecom Solutions business and strong sales of secure communications equipment in our Timing Test and Measurement business.”

“Looking ahead, we expect several large upgrade customers to slow ordering as they focus on installing equipment they have just purchased. As a result, we believe that the second half of fiscal 2008 will be stronger than the first half,” continued Steipp.

 


Troemner’s Temperature Calibration

Troemner, leading manufacturer of precision weights and provider of calibration services, has added another calibration service to its list of ISO/IEC 17025 compliant and NVLAP (Lab Code 105013-0) accredited services. Troemner now offers Temperature Calibration.

Troemner’s Temperature Calibration Services from -196ºC to 1100ºC for SPRT’s, RTD’s, Thermistors, Thermocouples, Digital Readouts and Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers. NVLAP (Lab Code 105013-0) accredited from -196ºC to 660ºC and ISO/IEC 17025 compliant calibration up to 1100ºC. Fixed point and comparison calibration methods are available.

Troemner offers a variety of standard calibration services. Troemner can also customize a calibration to meet your requirements. The services available from Troemner include NVLAP (Lab Code 105013-0) Calibration Certificate for Comparison Temperature Calibrations and NIST Traceable Certificate for Fixed-Point Temperature Calibrations.

Troemner’s temperature calibration laboratory utilizes the most advanced equipment and training to provide the lowest measurement uncertainties available in the marketplace. The temperature calibration laboratories meet strict ISO/IEC 17025 guidelines. Environmental conditions in the laboratory are strictly monitored and controlled. The laboratory is outfitted with the latest state-of-the-art equipment and Troemner’s metrology staff has received training in temperature calibrations at NIST and has extensive experience in temperature calibration.

Troemner continues to be the premier company in the metrology industry and now has the following calibration services available to our customers; Temperature, Pressure, Humidity, Pipette, Dimensional, Mass Flow, Weight, Electrical, Time and Frequency. Visit Troemner at www.troemner.com or call 1.800.352.7775 to place an order for any of these calibration services.

 

Light Meter Calibration

Essco Calibration Laboratories has added light meter calibration to their wide variety of capabilities. Using an Oriel Spectral Irradiance Standard that produces a NIST traceable light spectrum Essco Labs now has the capability to calibrate your light meter. This direct calibration has far less uncertainty than the comparison to another light meter method and gives you the confidence you are looking for in your measurements.

Contact Essco Labs at www.esscolab.com for more information.

 

Agilent Technologies Reports Third Quarter 2007 Results

Agilent Technologies Inc. reported orders of $1.31 billion for the third fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2007, 7 percent above one year ago. Revenues during the quarter were $1.37 billion, 11 percent above last year. Third quarter GAAP net income was $185 million, or $0.45 per diluted share. Last year's third quarter GAAP net income from continuing operations, which included a $65 million, or $0.15 per share, gain from the sale of assets, was $216 million.

"Agilent met its aggressive performance targets despite very divergent market trends during the third quarter," said Bill Sullivan, Agilent president and chief executive officer. "Bio-analytical markets were strong across the board, and the performance of our Segment was even more robust. Electronic measurement markets were solid in the Americas and Europe but surprisingly weak in Asia, particularly Japan.

"As a result, third quarter revenues were up 11 percent from last year to $1.37 billion, just shy of our revised expectations. Adjusted net income per share, at $0.48, was 23 percent above last year's results and in the middle of our guidance range."

Sullivan noted that, including the impact of the third quarter acquisition of Stratagene, Bio-Analytical segment orders were up 21 percent from last year, while revenues hit a record $500 million, up 19 percent from one year ago. "Initial integration activities are going well, and we are enthusiastic about the synergy between Stratagene's bio-reagents and Agilent's analytical instruments to better serve customers in both commercial and not-for-profit life sciences applications."

For the fiscal fourth quarter of 2007, Agilent expects a softer than normal seasonal increase in revenues because of weak Asian electronic measurement markets. Revenues are expected to be in the range of $1.39 billion to $1.43 billion, up 5 percent to 8 percent from last year. Adjusted net income is expected to be in the range of $0.50 to $0.54 per share, 9 percent to 17 percent above last year's comparable earnings.

Sullivan said, "Near-term weakness in Asian electronic measurement markets does not dampen our expectations for Agilent's performance in fiscal 2008. We anticipate continued momentum in our Bio-Analytical markets and a return to more normal secular growth in Electronic Measurement markets next year. We continue to leverage our robust operating model, and will benefit from our investments in core products, growth initiatives and acquisitions."

For more information visit http://www.agilent.com/about/newsroom/presrel/2007/14aug-gp07021.html.

 

Transcat Announces Fiscal Year 2008 First Quarter Results

Transcat, Inc., a leading global distributor of professional grade test, measurement, and calibration instruments and a provider of calibration and repair services, announced financial results for the fiscal year 2008 first quarter ended June 30, 2007.

  • Net sales increased 4.3% to $16.2 million in the fiscal year 2008
    first quarter.
  • Operating income increased by 33.6% to $0.4 million in the fiscal year
    2008 first quarter.
  • Net income increased 105.2% to $0.2 million in the fiscal year 2008
    first quarter.
  • Distribution Products - Net sales increased 3.7% to $10.9 million in
    the fiscal year 2008 first quarter from $10.5 million in the fiscal year
    2007 first quarter. Distribution Products gross profit ratio for the
    fiscal year 2008 first quarter increased 2.3 points to 28.0% from 25.7% in
    the fiscal year 2007 first quarter.
  • Calibration Services - Net sales increased 5.6% to $5.3 million in the
    fiscal year 2008 first quarter from $5.0 million in the fiscal year 2007
    first quarter. Calibration Services gross profit ratio for the fiscal year
    2008 first quarter decreased 0.7 points to 22.4% from 23.1% in the fiscal
    year 2007 first quarter.
  • Earnings per share increased to $0.03 per diluted share for the fiscal
    year 2008 first quarter compared to $0.02 per diluted share for the fiscal
    year 2007 first quarter.

Charles P. Hadeed, Transcat's President, CEO and COO, stated: "I am pleased with our results for the fiscal year 2008 first quarter. We have been and will continue to be focused on driving growth in the Calibration Services segment and now we are beginning to see the results of those efforts….Our sales growth in the Calibration Services segment is the result of the changes that we made during the prior two quarters in our sales organization. We continue to believe that by providing high-quality calibration and repair services we will continue to attract and retain customers who value and trust the integrity of our processes and our certifications.”

For more information visit www.transcat.com.

 

Integrated Service Solutions, Inc. has announced their accreditation by A2LA for ISO/IEC 17025:2005

In announcing the accreditation, Manny Cabanas, Director of Quality Assurance, said, “accreditation under an ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) recognized Registrar ensures us a 'no questions asked' status among world class calibration providers, and enables us to meet the needs of our GMP Clients for 'competent' & 'professionally’ rendered services. We are setting the bar higher, by this level of Accreditation.”

Integrated Service Solutions, Inc. certificate and scope of accreditation may be viewed at: (PDF Download) www.a2la.org/scopepdf/2551-01.pdf

The largest independently owned services provider, Integrated Service Solutions, Inc. provides comprehensive service solutions to more than 300 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies across multiple technologies including:

  • On-site Equipment Calibrations
  • Metrology Laboratory Calibrations
  • Preventive/Corrective maintenance
  • Certifications
  • Qualifications
  • Validations
  • Protocol Development and Implementation (IQ/OQ/PQ)
  • Engineering, Project Management
  • Training and Consulting Services
  • Parts Procurement and much more

Integrated Service Solutions, Inc., founded in 1998, employs a staff of nearly 60 full-time employees including degreed engineers, chemists, trained field service technicians, operations, client relations, business development and customer service.

The Company is conveniently located in the heart of pharmaceutical alley and within easy distance to Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware.

In the Spring of 2007, Integrated Service Solutions, Inc. relocated to a contemporary, company-owned facility. This 20,000 sq. ft. brick and glass structure is located within a ¼ mile of the Lansdale Interchange of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

The custom designed facility houses an environmentally controlled Metrology Laboratory outfitted with the very latest in sophisticated test and measurement devices, media-rich training and conference rooms, and custom-designed work areas for customer service, business development, and marketing and technical service departments.

For more information visit www.integratedservicesolutions.com.

 

Joe D. Simmons Memorial Scholarship Winner Announced

The Joe D. Simmons Memorial Scholarship for the academic year 2007–2008 has been awarded to Timothy F. Chereck, a student at the Central Georgia Technical College.

Mr. Chereck is studying for an Associate’s degree in metrology as a part of a career-field change from that of an industrial-electronics technician. As such he repaired and/or adjusted misperforming production equipment that, while still functioning, was affecting the quality of manufactured products. In this he was responsible for both hardware and software maintenance. This is a natural move for Chereck as he was an end-user of the tools of metrology. He has a perfect academic record as a metrology student.

The Simmons Scholarship is pleased to recognize his ability and hard work by presenting its 2007–2008 award to Timothy Chereck of Central Georgia Tech.

The Scholarship is in memory of Dr. Joe D. Simmons, who was Chief of the NIST Calibration Program, NIST liaison to the National Conference of Standards Laboratories, recipient of the Measurement Science Conference’s Andrew J. Woodington Award and the National Conference of Standards Laboratories’ Wildhack Award, cofounder and Chair of the Measurement Quality Division of the American Society for Quality Control (ASQ), and founding Chair of the Measurement Quality Conference. He devoted his later career to promoting institutional support for metrology as the cornerstone of quality.

The Scholarship fosters the furtherance of metrology through education by striving to:
a) support the academic pursuit of a metrology career by worthy students;
b) promote and improve measurement science education and educational opportunity;
c) encourage talented individuals to enter the field of metrology; and
d) stimulate professionalism in metrology,
through an annual award to a student exhibiting scholastic excellence in the study of measurement science and quality. The Scholarship is cosponsored by the ASQ Measurement Quality Division, the Measurement Science Conference and NCSL International, and is supported by many individual friends and colleagues of Joe Simmons.

 

Guideline Available From ILAC

ILAC, International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation, has published ILAC Guidelines for the Requirements for the Competence of Providers of Proficiency Testing Schemes. The document is available in pdf format for downloading at: http://www.ilac.org/documents/WhatsNew.G13_08_2007.pdf

These Guidelines set out the criteria which a provider of proficiency testing schemes (and associated subcontractors) shall meet in order to be recognised as competent to provide specific types of proficiency testing schemes.

These Guidelines also provide guidance for any organisation that is creating requirements for the competence of providers of proficiency testing schemes.

 

Sypris’ Q2 Losses

Sypris Solutions reported a net loss of $2.3 million on revenue of $116.2 million for its second quarter ended July 1, in line with company expectations. The loss includes $700,000 in legal and other expenses related to the bankruptcy of a large customer.

The company reported a net loss of $400,000 on sales of $132.2 million a year ago. In a statement, president and chief executive Jeffrey T. Gill said, "The cyclical downturn in demand for commercial vehicles impacted the top line, but the implementation of cost containment measures, combined with better pricing, and higher than forecasted sales from our Industrial and Test & Measurement businesses, helped to mitigate the impact despite the lower volumes."

Orders in the Electronics Group rose 8% in the second quarter. Revenue increased 27% versus last year and 32% sequentially to $42.8 million. Gross profit was $4 million, down from $5.9 million for the same period in 2006, reflecting an unfavorable mix of product shipments under certain classified government and a delay in the award of a follow-on contract.

Sypris revised its full-year revenue guidance upward by $15 million, to a range of $435 million to $445 million. It expects third-quarter revenue of $105 million to $110 million compared to $126 million for prior year.

For more information visit Sypris Solutions at www.sypris.com.

 

Keithley Instruments Reports Results for Fiscal 2007 Third Quarter

Keithley Instruments, Inc. a leader in solutions for emerging measurement needs, announced results for its fiscal 2007 third quarter ended June 30, 2007.

Net sales of $33.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 decreased 13 percent compared with net sales of $38.4 million in last year's third quarter. The effect of a weaker U.S. dollar positively impacted sales growth by approximately one percentage point. Sequentially, sales increased two percent from the second quarter of fiscal 2007. The Company reported a net loss of $0.5 million, or $0.03 per share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 compared to net income of $1.7 million, or $0.10 per share, during last year's third quarter. The decrease in earnings was primarily the result of lower sales volume, lower gross margins, and an increase in the investment in new product development compared to the prior year's third quarter. Earnings were positively impacted by lower selling, general, and administrative costs and a favorable tax rate for the quarter. During the third quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company recorded an 81.2 percent tax benefit compared to a 3.5 percent tax expense for the third quarter of fiscal 2006. The favorable tax rate was primarily due to research tax credits and extraterritorial income exclusion benefits.

Orders of $36.0 million for the third quarter decreased 17 percent compared to last year's orders of $43.2 million. Geographically, orders decreased 23 percent in the Americas, increased eight percent in Asia, and decreased 36 percent in Europe when compared to the prior year. Orders from the Company's semiconductor customers decreased approximately 30 percent, orders from wireless communications customers decreased approximately ten percent, orders from precision electronic component and subassembly manufacturers decreased approximately ten percent, and research and education customer orders increased approximately 20 percent compared to the prior year's third quarter. Sequentially, orders increased eight percent from the second quarter of fiscal 2007, primarily due to an increase in orders from semiconductor customers. Order backlog increased $2.6 million during the quarter to $16.0 million as of June 30, 2007.

"We were disappointed with our results for the third quarter that continued to reflect a cautious attitude among our customers with regard to their capital equipment spending," stated Joseph P. Keithley, the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We achieved the cost reductions that we previously announced in selling and general administration during the quarter by reducing our discretionary spending."

Keithley added, "We remain committed to our level of investment in new product development. In June, as a result of our program to expand our RF product offering, we introduced a series of new capabilities including improved measurement accuracy in our Model 2910 RF Vector Signal Generator. We also announced the release of the Model 2100 6 1/2 - Digit Digital Multimeter (DMM), which provides USB connectivity. This high precision, low- cost DMM is the first introduction of our next generation DMMs. In July, we announced a migration to the Linux Operating System for our S600 Series Parametric Test Systems. This new capability provides a more stable operating system and provides for a longer service life which ultimately reduces our customers' overall cost of test."

"Additionally, we have entered into a Joint Development Partnership surrounding semiconductor device material testing technology with CEA Leti (Electronic and Information Technology Laboratory of the French Atomic Energy Commission), one of the main European applied research centers in electronics. Our partnership with CEA Leti is a unique opportunity to create new measurement technology at the point where many of our customers' technologies converge -- semiconductor, RF/wireless, and nanotechnology," stated Keithley.

 

AMETEK Achieves Record Second Quarter Results

AMETEK, Inc. announced second quarter results that established records for sales, operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share.

AMETEK's second quarter 2007 sales of $519.5 million were up 15% over the same period of 2006. Operating income for the second quarter of 2007 was $96.6 million, a 22% increase from the $79.1 million recorded in the same period of 2006. Net income in the second quarter of 2007 increased 25% to $58.0 million, or $.54 per diluted share, from the second quarter 2006 level of $46.5 million, or $.43 per diluted share.

"AMETEK had an outstanding quarter which exceeded our expectations," noted Frank S. Hermance, AMETEK Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Strong internal growth of 7%, combined with the contributions from acquired businesses enabled us to grow the top-line by 15%. Operating income margin was up 100 basis points and diluted earnings per share were up 26% as we translated the top-line growth into bottom-line performance," he commented.

For the 2007 second quarter, EIG sales increased 15% to $281.7 million. Operating income was $62.2 million, compared with $50.4 million in the second quarter of 2006, an increase of 23%. Operating margins for the quarter improved dramatically to 22.1%, from 20.7% in the second quarter of 2006.

"EIG had a great second quarter. Sales were up on excellent core growth driven by our process and analytical, power and aerospace businesses together with the contribution from the Land Instruments, Precitech, Advanced Industries and B&S Aircraft Parts acquisitions. Operating income was up 23%, benefiting from the top-line growth as well as from operational excellence improvements," said Mr. Hermance.
ARCHIVED NEWS

2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000

 


eCalibration.com
PO Box 830 ~ State College, PA 16804
P: 800-982-2388 ~ P: 814-234-2417 ~ F: 814-234-7077
editor@ecalibration.com
News ~ Events ~ Directories ~ Careers ~ Resources ~ Global ~ Life Sciences ~ Home
Terms of Use ~ Privacy Statement
© Blue Mountain Quality Resources
eCalibration and The Premier Calibration Resource are Trademarks of Blue Mountain Quality Resources