By Josh MacDonald, Boom & Bucket — Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the heavy equipment industry by introducing unprecedented levels of efficiency and precision. Gone are the days of solely relying on manual operation and scheduled maintenance; today’s AI-driven equipment boasts real-time data analysis and adaptive controls that greatly improve operational productivity.
This technology not only bolsters the capacity of machinery but also extends its lifespan and minimizes costs associated with wear and tear. By leveraging machine learning (ML) algorithms, AI systems continuously refine their performance, ensuring that heavy equipment operates at its peak. This shift towards intelligent machinery is setting new benchmarks in construction, mining and agriculture, fundamentally transforming how these and related sectors engage with heavy-duty tasks.
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Demonstrating a commitment to perpetual growth and adaptability, Versteel introduces Troupe Seating as the latest addition to its award-winning Troupe family. This new collection of stools and benches encompasses versatility, quality craftsmanship and a contemporary aesthetic, ensuring that Troupe remains a dynamic force in the contract furniture industry. Influenced by the process of forging and shaping metal, along with a strong history of steel craftsmanship, Troupe was exclusively designed for Versteel by Qdesign as a family of design and function-focused products for working and learning environments. The new stools and benches introduce a captivating blend of modern elegance and natural elements, creating solutions that seamlessly integrate with the overall Troupe aesthetic. The tapered steel legs, reminiscent of their table counterparts, complement the Birch plywood seat with exposed, rounded edge.
The four-leg Troupe stools come in three seat heights: 18”, 24” and 30”. Additionally, the 18” high bench has three lengths: 48”, 60” and 72”. For added customization, users can opt for an upholstered seat with a selection of patterns and colors from Versteel’s textile partners. The Birch plywood seat is available in Clear Matte or Clear Gloss finish, with the option of alternate wood finishes. The steel frame is available in a wide range of Versteel powder coat colors.
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The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced that the agency has finalized authorizations for the first two electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) vendors, Chargie and ChargePoint, to operate inside government systems. This will allow them to become FedRAMP authorized, which gives assurance to federal agency partners that EV charging stations have their security measures fully vetted and authorized through the agency’s blanket purchase agreement.
These actions will help accelerate the nation’s clean transportation future through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. In addition, GSA plans to authorize six more EVSE vendors later this year. At the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, the federal fleet included fewer than 2,000 ZEVs, out of 600,000 vehicles overall. Over the past three years, the federal government has ordered over 54,000 ZEVs and has begun installing more than 26,000 charging ports in the near term, adding to the 7,000 already in use across the government.
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The most common roofing objective of building owners and facility managers is to extend a roof’s useful life. Or at least it should be, says Simon Roofing. Many roofs are replaced prematurely, wasting valuable budget dollars and causing unnecessary disruption. SR PreVision, powered by Simon Roofing, helps to prevent that from happening by equipping building owners and FMs with the information necessary to make smart decisions.
This multi-step process goes far beyond traditional inspections to provide a comprehensive summary of a roof’s condition, including a reliable prediction of its remaining useful life and viable solutions to extend it. The first step in the process is an extremely thorough roof evaluation that includes CAD drawings to streamline the process; infrared scans to detect wet insulation; and a visual inspection by a specially trained SR PreVision technician using an online program to document all aspects and problem areas of the roof. A membrane and core sample taken from the roof are then sent to the SR PreVision laboratory for testing.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized 103 U.S. manufacturing plants that earned the agency’s ENERGY STAR certification in 2023, a designation reserved for manufacturing plants in the top 25% of energy efficiency in their sector. Together, these plants prevented more than 8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to the emissions from the electricity use of more than 1.5 million American homes.
For example:
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Ardagh's Houston, Texas, container glass facility operated a highly efficient furnace, used recycled glass, and installed energy-efficient lighting fixtures.
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Bimbo Bakeries USA installed advanced controls and high-efficiency burners in ovens, oxidizers, and boilers and expanded investments in metering systems, enabling real-time monitoring and control of energy usage.
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Nissan North America replaced more than 20,000 light fixtures with LEDs across all U.S. manufacturing sites and conducted a combination of energy treasure hunts and third-party assessments targeting energy efficiency.
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AGF, a leading provider of innovative fire protection solutions, has announced the integration of its renowned, domestically made Model 8511 Sprinkler Floor Control manifold with the Zurn Model ZW5004 adjustable pressure reducing valve into one preassembled solution, offering “unmatched” efficiency and reliability for the fire sprinkler industry.
The AGF Commercial RiserPACK Model 8511Z assembly is meticulously crafted in the USA using high-quality schedule 10 pipe, ensuring superior durability and performance. This assembly incorporates the AGF Model 2511 TESTanDRAIN valve with a pressure relief valve and drain trim, flow switch, pressure gauge, and AGF Universal 3-way gauge valve, along with a 2 ½” Zurn ZW5004 hose valve. The 8511Z manifold was designed specifically for floor control applications where a downstream drain outlet capable of full flow is required for Pressure Reducing Valve acceptance testing and future inspection and testing requirements.
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As a premier international provider of workforce development and educational products, The Building Owners and Managers Institute (BOMI) is dedicated to improving the skills of professionals with property, facilities and engineering responsibilities. BOMI’s programs serve professionals in the commercial real estate industry, including office, industrial, retail, hospitality, healthcare, government and educational buildings.
The Institute’s industry-recognized courses and programs have been proven to reduce operating expenses, increase overall efficiency, and enhance individual performance, adding value to any organization and making BOMI the trusted source for education by industry professionals and employers. But don’t just take their word for it.
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Addressing the many changes in the workplace, commercial interiors event NeoCon is presenting keynotes and educational sessions that recognize the dilemmas of interior designers and facility managers as they figure out who is using the space for what type of work for how many days a week and what that space should look like. During NeoCon 2024, June 10-12 at THE MART in Chicago, over 40,000 people will gather to explore new commercial furniture and furnishings solutions and listen to the following sessions at the NeoCon Presentation Studio.
Like many cities across the U.S., occupancy in the downtown Chicago offices is hovering at just over 55%. Hybrid models of work — with employees working from home part time and at an office part time — seem to be here to stay. They also present challenges in designing offices. Come hear from designers, executives in the trenches and leasing agents who have a bird’s-eye view into making (or remaking) spaces that reflect the nature of work today. Find out what has worked — and what hasn’t — in encouraging employees to come back to the office. (Hint: It’s more complicated than installing a ping-pong table.)
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This week's Featured Book from FMLink Books is from the Plumbing / HVAC category. This collection of peer-reviewed books has been curated by the editorial team at FMLink to provide facilities, engineering and A&D professionals with access to publications relating to the Plumbing / HVAC topic.
HVAC Control Systems Book 4th Edition is the must-have volume of text you need to get an in-depth explanation of HVAC systems. This essential guide is a great introduction to the world of HVAC and is great for building maintenance and controls technicians alike. The principles and topics covered in this book about control systems include pneumatic, eletromechanical, electronic, and building automation. Each chapter in the text is divided into sections that include checkpoints to reference and look up other key concepts. This is to help you understand fully the world of HVAC and what you can do to better yourself as a worker and as an employer. Some of the key features and benefits of the 4th edition include web-based control and networking, wireless control applications, controller programming, and energy auditing.
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