We all are aware of the product quality issues surrounding the toys that have been imported to America. No need to belabor this point. What does strike me is how connected we have become with the far-reaching corners of our planet. So what happens in Pudong doesn't stay in Pudong. The way a product is made in Mumbai, India; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Warsaw, Poland; or Birmingham, England affects the life of a little girl in Hilliard, OH. So it is with the developments within our industry.

Nordson is displaying a variety of powder coating application solutions at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) this week (October 30 - November 2) at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV.

A new air atomizing spray nozzle from Bex, Inc., has two gas ports - one for gas to atomize the sprayed liquid and another for gas that drives the cylinder.

At Eurocoat in Genoa, Italy, November 6-8, 2007, Ciba will showcase its most recent innovations in the field of special effects at stand E29.

PICO SOLV NPB from PICO Chemical Corp. is a new chlorine-free solvent cleaner manufactured as a direct “green” replacement for tri-chlor (TCE), perchlor and other more hazardous cleaning solvents such as mineral spirits, xylene, MEK, toluene and alcohol.

Conforma Clad has launched a new technology for coating components. The patented technology allows the company to use tungsten carbide cladding to coat less accessible areas of components and apply metallurgically bonded protection to any complex geometry.

DuPont has formed an alliance with Canada-based Morph Technologies Inc., Integran Technologies Inc., and U.S.-based PowerMetal Technologies to develop and commercialize a nanocrystalline metal/polymer hybrid technology that will be used to manufacture extremely lightweight components with the strength and stiffness of metal and the design flexibility and lightweight benefits of high-performance thermoplastics.

Nukote International has acquired a new state-of-the-art pilot coater that will enable the company to diversify its coating business.

Horizon Business Group has established Sureshield Coatings Co., a spin-off that will market the Sureshield® brand of more than 150 antimicrobial, anti-fingerprint, and easy-to-clean coatings for metal.

Atlas Material Testing Technology LLC has finalized an agreement to sell a majority stake in the company to Industrial Growth Partners (IGP), a specialized investment firm focused on middle-market industrial manufacturing and manufacturing services businesses.