1 Automation Leaders™ eNewsletter 16 New Automation Leaders eNewsletter features industry leading technologies for engineers and users in the manufacturing and processing industries. Automation Leaders (<a href="http://www.automationleaders.com">automationleaders.com</a>) has announced an all-new eNewsletter for engineers, machine builders and users in the manufacturing and process industries. The eNewsletter will be emailed to 50,000 opt-in subscribers and will be published quarterly beginning in February 2010. It will be sent out via full graphic html email and text to assure visibility for all recipients. Automation Leaders will feature industry-leading suppliers to major industries including: <ul> <li>Automation, Controls, Networks </li> <li>Chemical Manufacturing</li> <li>Design OEM, Electronics</li> <li>Food Processing, Beverage, Packaging</li> <li>General Industrial, Metal, Machine Tool</li> <li>Medical & Pharmaceutical Manufacturing</li> <li>Military, Defense, Security</li> <li>Oil, Gas & Petrochemical</li> <li>Processing, Mining</li> <li>Water, Waste, Power, Municipal</li> </ul> For more information, please contact Automation Leaders, c/o Next Communications at 10249 Yellow Circle Drive, Ste. 100, Minnetonka, MN 55347. Phone 952-934-8220. Web: <a href="http://www.automationleaders.com">www.automationleaders.com</a>.

2010-03-03T15:15:04Z

Next Comm.s

dennis.g@nextcom.com

Dennis Gallaher

TradePressPR

publicist@tradepresspr.com

Jaclyn Larson

952-934-8220

New Automation Leaders™ eNewsletter Promotes Newest Manufacturing and Processing Technologies false 26

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2010-03-03T15:15:03Z

2010-03-05

2010-03-04T20:53:37Z

1 Natur-Ware Biobased Compostable Cutlery 19 <h4 style="text-align: left;">NTIC showcases compostable products to Federal procurement community, eager to “green” their workplace with biobased products</h4> Minneapolis, MN (July 27, 2009) - Northern Technologies International Corporation (Nasdaq: NTIC) was one of the 29 biobased exhibitors that participated in the second annual BioPreferred Showcase, held in conjunction with the General Services Administration (GSA) International Products and Services Expo in San Antonio, Texas. The Showcase provided <a title="NTIC" href="http://www.ntic.com/" target="_blank">NTIC</a> with the opportunity to highlight its biobased <a href="http://www.natur-tec.com/" target="_blank">Natur-Tec®</a> products to nearly 10,000 members of the Federal purchasing community and vendors. NTIC's Natur-Tec division featured biobased products such as cutlery, packaging foam, lawn and leaf bags, and can liners that are engineered to be fully biodegradable. Unlike many competing plastic products that claim to be only 'degradable' or 'oxo-degradable,' Natur-Tec products fully biodegrade within 180 days in accordance with the ASTM D6400 biodegradability standard for compostable plastics. By using Natur-Tec products as an alternative to conventional plastics, industry and consumers are able to reduce their carbon footprint. "We were excited to bring our biobased product solutions to the GSA community. We experienced a terrific response to our products, such as the compostable cutlery and bags, and the examples where they are already in use in zero-waste programs in schools and offices," said Vineet Dalal, Vice President of Natur-Tec. "We continue to broaden the channels through which our customers can access our complete line of biobased and compostable products. Recently, we opened our <a href="http://www.natur-tec.com/catalog" target="_blank">www.naturbag.com</a> e-store, added distribution on the West coast, and are being accepted for composting programs in the most stringent communities for plastic use such as San Francisco, California." Members of the Federal purchasing community including procurement officials, contracting officers, purchase card holders, program managers and vendors were present at this year's BioPreferred Showcase. Federal employees were able to visit the exhibitor booths to learn more about how to "green" their workplace by purchasing and using biobased products. The diversity of products available for Federal purchase is impressive, as among the 29 exhibitors featured at this year's Showcase were manufacturers of biobased products including water bottles, carpeting, transformers, cleaners, fertilizers, sorbents and many more. "The BioPreferred Showcase allows biobased manufacturers and exhibitors direct access to the Federal procurement officials who are required by farm bill stipulations to give purchasing preference to biobased products," says Ron Buckhalt, BioPreferred Program Manager. "This year's Showcase was a tremendous success, featuring 29 exhibitors - nearly double that of last year's Showcase." About Northern Technologies International Corporation Northern Technologies International Corporation develops and markets proprietary environmentally beneficial products and technical services either directly or via a network of joint ventures and independent distributors in over 50 countries. NTIC's Natur-Tec branded products are engineered using a proprietary and patented blend of natural plant based polymers and organic materials to create biobased (renewable resource based) and biodegradable plastics. These products do not contain any conventional plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polystyrene. The exceptionally broad Natur-Tec bioplastics portfolio spans flexible film, foam, rigid injection molded materials and engineered plastics. For more information on Natur-Tec, visit <a href="http://www.natur-tec.com/" target="_blank">www.natur-tec.com</a> or contact Matt Wolsfeld at (763) 225-6600 or <a href="mailto:mwolsfeld@ntic.com" target="_blank">mwolsfeld@ntic.com</a>. About BioPreferred As its name indicates, the BioPreferred Showcase is sponsored by BioPreferred, a Federal program led by the United States Department of Agriculture. The BioPreferred program serves to increase the purchase and use of biobased products made from biological or agricultural materials. To date, BioPreferred has identified more than 15,000 biobased products commercially available across approximately 200 categories. A complete list and detailed description of each BioPreferred designated item category, and items for future designation, can be found at the USDA BioPreferred web page: <a href="http://www.biopreferred.gov" target="_blank">www.biopreferred.gov</a>. Please contact <a href="mailto:biopreferred@usda.gov" target="_blank">biopreferred@usda.gov</a> with questions or to receive additional information on BioPreferred.

2009-07-23T18:50:03Z

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61952

2009-07-23T18:50:01Z

NTIC

vgilbert@ntic.com

Vanessa Gilbert

TradePressPR

publicist@tradepresspr.com

Nicole McKay

952-934-8220

Northern Technologies International Corporation Participates in Second Annual BioPreferred Showcase to Promote Natur-Tec® Products false 14

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2009-07-23T18:50:01Z

PO Box 69

2009-07-27

2009-08-07T18:37:55Z

1 Giga-snaP Adapter for Analog Device Blackfin Embedded Processor 17 <h4 style="text-align: left;">Users can socket their 316 pin 0.8mm pitch BGA Analog Device ADSP-BF539/ADSP-BF539F ICs with a socket featuring a footprint the same as an IC footprint. </h4> Burnsville, MN—May 27, 2009—Ironwood Electronics’ new high performance socket—SF-BGA316C-B-62F—allows 0.8mm pitch, 17x17mm body, 20x20 array Analog Device ADSP-BF539/ADSP-BF539F IC’s to be socketed and operate without compromising performance in demanding automotive applications. The Giga-snaP™ BGA SMT adapter pair consists of SF-BGA316C-B-62F patent-pending female sockets with machined pins epoxy over-molded into an assembly that matches the male pin LS-BGA316C-61. The RoHS compliant SF-BGA316C-B-62F is soldered to a PCB using standard soldering methods without warping, resulting in a reliable connection to a PCB. Both adapters are constructed with high temperature FR-4 bodies, assuring match with target PCBs and preventing failures that occur with CTE mismatch. The LS-BGA316C-61 BGA adapter, to which the user attaches a target 316 ball Analog Devices BGA chip or other compatible chip, is plugged into the female socket on the board. Once this step is completed, the chip is interconnected, and the system is ready to operate. The SMT adapters have the same solder ball types as the IC they are emulating. The Giga-snaP BGA Surface Mount Feet Adapters require half the force of conventional adapters at 10 pounds for the 316 pin device. The electrical path of the Giga-snaP BGA SMT adapters—a high priority performance issue defined by the physical length from the top connection point on the male adapter to the solder ball on the female socket—is 4.5mm. This is the shortest connection length by far for machined pin sockets, therefore providing better transmission of high frequency signals. These adapters passed environmental tests (MIL-STD) and qualified for use in automotive applications. The 0.8mm Giga-snaP BGA SMT Adapter line is available in many different pin counts, and customs can be delivered in days. Pricing for the SF-BGA316C-B-62F @qty1 = $200.00 each and LS-BGA316C-61 @qty1 = $79.00 Umer Qureshi 11351 Rupp Dr. Suite 400 Burnsville, MN 55337 Tel: 1-800-404-0204 <a href="mailto:info@ironwoodelectronics.com">info@ironwoodelectronics.com</a> <a href="http://www.ironwoodelectronics.com">www.ironwoodelectronics.com</a>

2009-05-21T16:21:49Z

Ironwood Electronics

ila@ironwoodelectronics.com

ILA PAL

TradePressPR

publicist@tradepresspr.com

Jaclyn Larson

952-934-8220

Chip Size BGA 0.8mm Socket Adapter for Analog Device Blackfin Embedded Processor false 13

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1021243

2009-05-21T19:28:27Z

Free committment from Dennis Gallaher

2009-05-26

2009-05-28T19:58:05Z

May 8, 2009, Itasca, Ill. - How do you stuff a giant into a print magazine? With award-winning consistency. For the second time in the past four years, The Journal from Rockwell Automation and Our Partners has won the Business Marketing Association (BMA) Excellence Award for Outstanding Custom Magazine. In its 16th year of publication, The Journal is published six times per year by Putman Media, Inc. for industry giant Rockwell Automation, Milwaukee, in collaboration with Padilla Speer Beardsley Public Relations, Minneapolis. Presented in the External Magazines category, the 2009 award recognizes the magazine for content, design and fulfillment of its mission for its targeted business audience. The BMA Milwaukee chapter bestowed the honor at its Bell Awards celebration April 7. The Journal helps managers, industrial engineers, manufacturing equipment operators, maintenance staff, software programmers and other personnel to maximize their return on investment in products and services from Rockwell Automation and its partners. To meet this goal, the magazine provides valuable hands-on information on how to select, configure, install, maintain and optimize these technologies for readers' specific applications. This knowledge is delivered via how-to articles, case studies, trend updates and new technology applications. As a result, The Journal helps manufacturers to minimize risk, decrease time-to-market, implement sustainable production programs, improve worker safety, boost data security and better serve customers—all while maintaining a competitive edge. Members of the award-winning Putman Media team are Publisher Mike Brenner, Executive Editor Theresa Houck, Managing Editor Ken Schnepf, Group Art Director Steve Herner, Art Directors Jason Vargas and Jennifer Dakas, Senior Production Manager Anetta Gauthier and Global Sales Manager Scott Walters. They work for Rockwell Automation under the direction of Rebecca Archibald, The Journal's executive publisher and Rockwell Automation commercial marketing campaign manager. The Padilla Speer Beardsley team is led by Senior Vice President Kathy Burnham. Putman Media, Inc. (<a href="http://www.putman.net">www.putman.net</a>) strives to be an exceptional media company as judged by the communities it serves. Putman consistently delivers unique, relevant and integrated media services and solutions that enable its customers to compete in an aggressive, high-speed environment. The BMA (<a href="http://www.bma-milwaukee.org">www.bma-milwaukee.org</a>) is a leading professional resource for business-to-business marketers and communicators.

2009-05-05T20:46:48Z

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119296

2009-05-05T20:46:47Z

Putman Media, Inc.

thouck@putman.net

Theresa Houck

TradePressPR

publicist@tradepresspr.com

Jaclyn Larson

952-934-8220

The Journal Wins BMA Excellence Award Again false 11

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2009-05-05T20:46:47Z

2009-05-08

2009-05-15T19:02:57Z

Patent-pending, vapor-resistant bag and second cardboard box kept airborne mercury concentrations from fluorescent lamps below occupational exposure limits. 10 Minneapolis, MN—April 16, 2009—Results of a recent study conducted by the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Sciences suggest that most containers used for storage and transportation of used fluorescent lamps to recycling centers do not provide necessary levels of protection against mercury vapors emitted from broken lamps. The new study, published in the March issue of the Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, found that of the five packages tested in the study, just one configuration—consisting of a zip-closure plastic-foil laminate bag layered between two cardboard boxes—minimized exposure levels below acceptable occupational limits, as defined by state and federal regulations and guidelines. To protect persons that handle fluorescent lamps, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which encourages recycling of these lamps by allowing common carrier shipment to recycling facilities, instructs that packaging should be designed to protect against breakage. The rule, however, doesn't include specific restrictions regarding vapor release. In 2005, the EPA added a requirement mandating that packaging be designed to prevent mercury from escaping into the environment. While fluorescent lamps aren't included in this rule, the new study points directly at the need for much stricter legislation regarding the release of mercury vapor. "Legislation is certainly needed to specifically protect both workers and consumers from the risks of mercury vapor that escapes from broken fluorescent lamps," said Brad J. Buscher, Chairman and CEO of <a href="http://www.vaporlokproducts.com">VaporLok Products LLC</a>, a health and safety company headquartered in Mankato, MN. "To mitigate potential health risks to these people, legislation and regulations should specifically limit the amount of mercury vapor that can be emitted from containers." The Federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) set a mercury permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 0.1 mg/m3 (8-hr time-weighted average [TWA]).1 Many states further limit mercury vapor PEL to 0.05 mg/m3 (8-hr TWA). Additionally, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommends an even lower threshold limit value (TLV; 8-hr TWA) of 0.025 mg/m3.2 University of Minnesota, Associate Professor Lisa Brosseau, one of the authors of the study, recognized that mercury vapor concentrations could exceed occupational exposure levels when working with or near broken bulbs, especially when multiple bulbs are stored or shipped in bulk to recycling facilities. According to Brosseau, "Based on our measurements of mercury vapor from single broken fluorescent bulbs, we determined the need for additional research to quantify emissions from various types of packaging. The results indicate that emissions from packages not designed to contain mercury vapor represent a real health and safety concern." The mercury vapor release study consisted of 10 replicate experiments for each of the following containers: •    Single cardboard box •    Single box with an unsealed thin plastic liner •    Single box with a thicker, tape-sealed plastic bag •    Double box with a thicker, tape-sealed plastic bag •    Double box with a vapor-resistant zip-closure bag between the boxes There was a significant difference in how effective the five packaging configurations were in containing mercury vapors from broken fluorescent lamps, according to the study. Mercury vapor concentrations in the test chamber with the single cardboard box were higher than the OSHA PEL of 0.1 mg/m3 by nearly 10 times. Concentrations were 40 times higher than the California OSHA PEL and ACGIH TLV of 0.025 mg/m3. The only package of those tested that kept airborne concentrations below occupational exposure limits was a cardboard box layered with a patent-pending vapor-resistant bag and second cardboard box—designed by <a href="http://www.vaporlokproducts.com">VaporLok Products LLC</a>. This packaging configuration lowered mercury vapor concentrations by 99.7 percent compared to the single layer cardboard box. Mercury VaporLok® bags are also used to store, ship and recycle other mercury-containing products including batteries, ballasts, electronic devices and dental wastes. For an abstract of the study and pdf download, go to this link: <a href="http://secure.awma.org/journal/Abstract.aspx?id=2051">http://secure.awma.org/journal/Abstract.aspx?id=2051</a>. For more information or to receive an emailed pdf or hard copy of the complete study, please contact Jaclyn Prososki at <a href="mailto:jaclynp@nextcom.com">jaclynp@nextcom.com</a>. The University of Minnesota is currently conducting a similar study utilizing commonly-used compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) to characterize airborne concentrations for both new and used broken CFLs, including studying concentrations from broken CFLs during EPA recommended cleanup procedures. Background As economical factors such as rising energy costs as well as environmental concerns including global warming become more predominant factors in consumers' selections, fluorescent lamps have become a preferred lighting option. However, upon breaking, these lamps release mercury vapor that can be detrimental to handlers' health—from those involved with handling new bulbs to people involved with storing, packaging and shipping burned-out lamps. Mercury vapor, which can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, can cause neurological damage to adults, children and fetuses.3 It is considered a persistent bioaccumulative toxic chemical, since it doesn't degrade in the environment.4 When mercury vapor gets into water, it is converted to methyl mercury and can enter the food chain through fish. Methyl mercury causes damage to the central nervous system and it is also thought to be a possible human carcinogen.5 In the U.S. alone, discarded broken fluorescent lamps release an estimated 1 ton of mercury into the air annually. While a variety of containers are marketed for transportation of fluorescent lamps, many don't provide needed levels of protection against mercury vapor in the occurrence of breakage—a possibility that raises health concerns for anyone involved with handling these lamps. Using a proven packaging design is vital to ensuring the safety of these persons, as well as for protecting the surrounding environment, especially as fluorescent lighting continues to grow in popularity. REFERENCES 1.    Occupational Health and Safety Standards: Air Contaminants. CFR, Part 1910.1000, Title 29, 2007. 2.    Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices, 7th ed.; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: Cincinnati, OH, 2001. 3.    Mercury Fact Sheet; Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 1999; available at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts46.pdf (accessed October 1, 2007). 4.    Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxic (PBT) Chemicals; Final Rule. Fed Regist. 1999, 64, 58666-58753. 5.    Mercury Compounds Hazard Summary, 2000. Technology Transfer Network Air Toxics web site; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; available at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/mercury.html (accessed November 20, 2007).

2009-04-09T21:54:37Z

Next Communications Inc.

davids@nextcom.com

David Souza

TradePressPR

publicist@tradepresspr.com

Jaclyn Larson

952-934-8220

NEW UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA STUDY DOCUMENTS MERCURY VAPOR EMISSION LEVELS AND NEED FOR SAFER PACKAGING, STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION OF FLUORESCENT LAMPS false 5

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2009-04-09T21:57:19Z

2009-04-18

2009-05-15T20:37:13Z