“The UtiliTrak product line has been successful in diverse industrial applications as linear guides due to the smooth, and precise rolling characteristics of the guide wheels,” said Brian Burke, Project Engineer for Bishop-Wisecarver. “Our creative in-house video production staff requested a camera slider for producing impressive dynamic shots to incorporate into product demonstration videos. We realized that this useful application would be valuable to other B2B professionals as a cost-effective solution to their own in-house video productions.”

Ideal for small to medium lightweight DSLR cameras and lenses, UTCSK is available in two standard lengths of aluminum track (1000 mm and 1500 mm). For easy tripod mounting, ¼-20″ threads are located at the center and on both ends of the track. The anodized aluminum wheel plate with linear guide wheels includes a ¼-20″ camera thumb screw for use with or without a ball head mount. For camera safety, two adjustable end stop blocks with nylon screws come as standard.

For more information on the UTCSK camera slider including pricing and product sheet, visit www.utcsk.com

Bishop-Wisecarver
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“I have had the pleasure of working with Mike for four years as our National Sales Manager. He has done a fabulous job of growing our sales efforts, even during the recent economic downturn,” said Pamela Kan, president of Bishop-Wisecarver. “The Board of Directors felt that bringing Mikes’ management skills to our entire sales channel will be an important element of our global sales efforts going forward. I look forward to working with Mike on our strategic sales plans for growing our sales both domestically and internationally.”

McVeigh is a college graduate from the University of New York at Buffalo. Prior to joining Bishop-Wisecarver in 2006 as the National Sales Manager, McVeigh worked in the bearing industry for 16 years in both sales and marketing. Since his hire at Bishop-Wisecarver, he has grown to appreciate the uniqueness of Bishop-Wisecarver’s customer base and their applications.

“Our overriding company goal is to become the customer’s 1st choice,” said McVeigh. “I am honored to be leading our team to meet this challenge as the Vice President of Sales.”

Bishop-Wisecarver
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Designed primarily for washdown environments, such as those experienced in food and beverage applications, the DualVee washdown wheel significantly extends bearing life and increases bearing replacement intervals at least three-fold. The new bearing incorporates the patented inner seal and outer shield design. The design of the outer shield allows it to act as a momentary seal; while pressure from high velocity fluid causes the shield to deflect and conform to the wheel’s metallic surface.  When the pressure is removed, the shield returns to its normal position, allowing any liquid and debris that entered between the shield and seal to drain out or be spun out by centrifugal force.

Available in sizes 2 and 3, DualVee washdown wheels feature AISI 440C stainless steel construction, FDA approved grease, and exceptional protection from high velocity washdown fluids and debris. Washdown wheels are interchangeable with Original DualVee wheels for ease of replacement.

For more information on DualVee washdown wheels or to view this patented technology in action, visit www.bwc.com/products/dual-vee.html#WDW.

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DualVee low temperature wheels are available in sizes 1 through 4 from stock. DualVee low temperature wheels feature type 440C stainless steel balls and races, and type 304 stainless steel retainers, with a special lubricant formulated to withstand service temperatures from -94 to +230°F (-70 to +110°C). Bishop-Wisecarver DualVee wheels are also available from stock in high temperature, washdown, clean room, and stainless versions to satisfy application requirements. DualVee guide wheels can be provided with custom or customer-supplied lubricants, generally within three weeks. Wheels can even be provided completely dry for applications such as food processing and medical devices where the possibility of grease contamination is an issue.

“This addition to the DualVee family of products supports Bishop-Wisecarver’s mission of ‘Motion without limits’, and truly allows us to provide guided motion solutions for all types of critical and extreme environments”, says Pamela Kan, president of Bishop-Wisecarver.

Bishop-Wisecarver
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Founded in 1989, FIRST has brought the energy and fanfare of a sporting event to science and technology via robotics competitions. In 2005, the group launched its FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) program, providing a more accessible and cost-effective way for high school students to discover the excitement of technology, science and engineering. Teams of 10 students, working with a coach and mentor, receive a Competition Kit, which they will use to build their robots to meet the season’s engineering challenge. Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation contributed some of the funds needed for Heritage High School to purchase their Competition Kit. The company also paid for the school’s registration in the 2010 Northern California Tournament. Each year in April, regional and international competitions lead up to the Championship, where the FTC teams compete.

The upcoming competition is a new opportunity for Heritage High School, and is just one aspect of their groundbreaking engineering/technology program that focuses on robotics design and development. Business Technology instructor Robert Pardi, who spent 14 years at a neighboring high school that twice sent teams to the FIRST Robotics Challenge (FRC), is now at the helm of Heritage High School’s robotics engineering program. Determined to build an offshoot robotics program and get Heritage High School students involved in FIRST competitions, Pardi this year assembled a Robotics Club of nearly 10 students. These are the students who will design and build the robot that will compete in the FTC beginning this Fall.

“These kinds of activities directly benefit and change kids’ lives,” Pardi says. “Without support from the community and businesses, many kids would not have these experiences.”

Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation previously sponsored FRC but decided this year to focus its efforts on helping a single high school enter the competition. Their continued involvement with FIRST is part of a long tradition. Nearly 40 years ago, Bud Wisecarver, founder of Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation, began a life-long commitment to youth programs related to education, engineering, manufacturing and science.

Pardi describes the FIRST experience as “phenomenal,” and says it gives students an outlet for their advanced math and science skills. The competition, which requires students to speak to judges and other teams, also provides a way for students to improve their communication skills.

“We are very proud to be a sponsor of Heritage High School in their FIRST Technology Challenge efforts,” says Pamela Kan, President of Bishop-Wisecarver. “Our involvement at a local level gives us the opportunity to promote innovation and encourage and engage the engineers of the future.”

The company’s sponsorship of the school’s FTC aspirations is part of Pardi’s big picture plans.

“I am trying to build a robotics program at this school,” he says. “With Bishop-Wisecarver’s help it will be possible.”

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The patent pending design features an all stainless steel construction, FDA approved grease, and an outer shield and inner seal for exceptional protection from liquids and debris. The unique outer shield acts as a momentary seal when subjected to a stream of high velocity fluids, while the inner seal prevents liquid from entering the wheel, and retains the internal lubrication grease.

For more information on how it works, visit www.bwc.com/products/dual-vee.html

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Mike Citro

After owning his own manufacturing business for 20 years and being the Director of Operations of Micropump for 11 years, Citro became an independent consultant for a few years, working with major corporations using lean principals to implement change and boost plant efficiencies.  His extensive experience and achievements utilizing Toyota production principals led to a 9 year role as Director of Operations and General Manager at Tuthill Pump Group, previously a client of his successful consulting practice.  Under Citro’s leadership, Tuthill’s product quality increased many-fold, and on-time orders more than doubled.  Tuthill then appointed Citro to improve a specific product line at Tuthill Transfer Systems in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a $95M/year business.

An advocate of career technical education with a desire to mentor promising young students, he also taught Manufacturing Technology evening courses at junior colleges and for the National Tooling and Machining Association, where he was a national officer for 12 years.

“I am encouraged by Bishop-Wisecarver’s employees’ willingness to embrace change, an attitude I have seldom encountered at previous projects,” says Citro.  “I am a fanatic about customer service, and I look forward to implementing Toyota production principals to support that conviction, and take the company to the next level.”

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Motion Control Tips

Available in sizes 2 and 3, DualVee washdown wheels feature an all stainless steel construction, FDA approved grease, an outer shield, and inner seal for added protection from liquids and debris. The rubberized metallic shield acts as a momentary seal when subjected to a stream of high velocity washdown fluid. The fluid velocity causes the rubberized shield to deflect and conform to the metallic surface of the wheel, sealing against ingress of liquids. The inner seal provides the principal line of defense, ensuring that external fluids are kept out of the wheel while retaining the internal lubrication grease; both important factors affecting the life of the wheel. Once the stream is directed away from the wheel, the deflected shield returns to its original position, allowing any residual fluid that entered the zone between the shield and seal to drain out or be spun out by centrifugal force.

For more information on DualVee washdown wheels visit www.bwc.com/products/dual-vee.html.

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