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While it is not spoken of often in the American media, the Russian Federation has its own problems with a wide variety of insurgents brutally attacking the borders of their own nation as a result of ethnic and political disputes that put the country’s security at stake. The battle between the Russian Federation and the less powerful belligerents is not one of trivial consequence, but a battle for survival and political identity.

The Chechen people of the North Caucasus have lived since ancient times as one of many ethnic groups in Eurasia. The Chechen people currently are divided amongst several countries, including Ichkeria, Chechnya, and the current denominated territory of the North Caucasus. The North Caucasus is the subject of an ongoing war against insurgents, fought by both the Russian government and United States tax dollars.

What most Americans do not know is that the United States has directly supported the counter-insurgency operations in the North Caucasus region of Russia. Al-Qaeda, along with the Arab Mujahedeen of Cechnya and the self-proclaimed “Caucasus Emirate” has long fought Russia and the United States in small combat operations in the region.

The Caucasus Emirate claims sovereignty over the region, cutting their losses and continuing onward in a battle against the Russian Federation that has lasted since the end of the Second Chechen War (1999-2009). 

The United States seeks to both quell Al-Qaeda influence in the area, as well as assist in the capture of Chechen rebel leader Umarov, who executed Russian conscripted soldiers in a string of violent beheadings, fashioning himself the leader of the Caucasus Emirate.

Combat operations have resumed in the region as of 2010, and are not expected to end anytime soon.

Car washes have grown immensely popular over time and thus, have led to the business growing out of proportion. More and more people opt to get their cars washed at car washes – and this sudden popularity has enticed more people to try their luck at setting up an auto wash system. When setting one up, location and equipment are two important factors to consider.

It was during the 1940s that the first automatic conveyor car wash was ever used. At present however, a really good car wash business uses a wide variety of washing equipment to ensure the car is sparklingly clean.
The selection of the best and most appropriate equipment is the key when setting up a car washing service. It is important to choose tools that are more or less free of maintenance and those that offer the best of washes – which of course are gentle on the car, but also tough on dirt and grime.

When purchasing equipment for your car wash, go to the leaders in the washing equipment industry. Do not settle for less. The top notch in the industry have a considerable reputation and have been in the business long enough to know what makes the industry tick – and thus have the best equipment available.

Car wash systems today come in three main categories: Touch, Touch-Free and Conveyors. Car washing businesses use other common types of equipment like conveyor, prep wash, side washes, foamers, archers and dryers. There are other systems that make your work easier: Tunnel, Coin, and Automated systems.

Before you plunge into the car wash industry, do the necessary research, consult a few friends and experts, and then decide.

In a small town in Western Australia called Ravensthorpe, about 330 miles south of Perth, a diesel generator has proved to be the immediate solution to power needs, although it has also sparked a debate. At a legislative assembly last month, Shadow Minister for Regional Development Alannah MacTiernan criticized the State Government for rejecting a proposal for a biomass power plant in favor of a diesel generator, the Esperance Express reports. Ms. MacTiernan called the generator “outdated” and “not fit for the 21st century” and expressed disapproval that the town did not focus on renewable energy.

While the idea of the power plant has not been ruled out altogether, Minister for Regional Development Brendon Grylls countered that installing a source of immediate power was critical. “We are talking about a town where they have blackouts and brownouts every day, and Ms. MacTiernan saying we should leave the people of Ravensthorpe for the next 18-24 months until we find a long-term solution is not good enough,” Grylls said. He added, “Yes, it includes an increase in fuel consumption and carbon emissions, but asking the people of Ravensthorpe to put up with regular blackouts for another two years is not an acceptable outcome. If your power’s out, it’s pretty hard to run a business…I believe that in the short-term, the solution is going to be to isolate the town of Ravensthorpe (from the energy grid) and put in place a diesel generator, and I’m not prepared to make the people of Ravensthorpe wait.”

This shows that when power is needed immediately, the best option is often diesel generators. Florida based General Power Limited offers quick shipping on a range of standby generators to fulfill any power requirements. Stock includes ratings from 50 KW to a 500 KW generator and larger. Find Cummins, Perkins, SDMO, Kubota, John Deere generators, and more at General Power Limited today.

Although circuit breakers last longer than fuses, they may need to be changed from time to time. When they do, it’s imperative that they be replaced with the same breaker from the same brand. Circuit breakers are brand-specific rather than interchangeable, despite claims otherwise by some manufacturers. This means, unfortunately, that GE breakers can’t be swapped out for Siemens breakers or Murray breakers for ITE breakers. The reason for this is that circuit breakers differ in terms of electrical and mechanical characteristics such as mounting techniques and buss bar thickness. While a different breaker might fit into the existing panel, the new breaker exposes the panel to safety and performance risks.

Another reason to avoid interchanging breakers is to avoid a write-up from a home inspector when you’re trying to sell your home. Inspectors must comply with the guidelines set for by the National Electric Code, which states that “listed or labeled equipment shall be used or installed in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling.” This includes which circuit breakers are to be used for a given load center. So if an inspector finds General Electric circuit breakers in a residential load center that calls for Cutler Hammer breakers and issues a write up, the sale of the home may be delayed.  To avoid this scenario, it’s best to always swap out old breakers for the new ones of the exact same brand and type.

Forging, the term used for shaping metal into objects, is an old metalworking process that is still widely used today. It produces a much stronger metal than cast or machined metal parts, and offers a high strength-to-weight ratio. There are many types of forging processes, including impression-die forging. Also known as closed-die forging, impression-die aluminum forging, and other alloys can create an endless variety of shapes that can weigh from a few ounces to more than 25 tons. This type of process offers numerous benefits that cannot be created through other methods.

Impression-die forging can produce more complex shapes and closer tolerances than open-die processes. This is because two or more dies containing imprints of the part shape are united during the plastic deformation and metal flow is limited due to the die outlines. Impression-die forging offers great flexibility. Parts can range from symmetrical designs to intricate designs that also include holes and pockets. In addition, impression-die parts can bend or curve in one or many areas. Most metals and alloys can be forged by standard impression-die processes. However, strain-rate and temperature-sensitive materials, such as nickel alloy forgings, may demand high-tech forging processes or special equipment.

Recently, Mazak Corporation, which supplies many of Chandler Industries’ lathes, expanded the size and capability of its manufacturing facility in Florence, Kentucky. Following the lean manufacturing model, the expansion of production capabilities will allow for greater efficiency through improved workflow. The $3.3 million growth, which will mainly add 50,000 square feet of floor space, is slated for completion in December 2008.

Mazak President Brian Papke said of the expansion, “The success of the past several years has resulted in substantial growth in our operations. This expansion will enable us to continue to meet the growing demand for world-class machining centers, turning centers and multitasking machines.”

Previously, the Florence facility, which adheres to ISO9001/2000 management standards, consisted of a 362,000 square foot manufacturing plant, a 69,000 square foot National Technology Center, and a 62,000 square foot Customer Support and Service center. Once work on the addition is complete, it will bring the facility’s total operating space up to 543,000 square feet. Chandler Industries, which is working on obtaining TS16949 certification, congratulates Mazak on its expansion.