Issue No. 10
September 2006

BroadBeam's® Online Parts catalog makes your search simple!
Simply log on at BroadBeam Equipment and go to Spare Parts.

Earlier this month, PCT Engineered Systems unveiled its much-anticipated online parts catalog for its customers of BroadBeam products.



"Our online catalog is improving our responsiveness to our customers—especially our overseas customers," says Tammy Weisrock, Purchasing Manager, PCT Engineered Systems. Weisrock explains that the site will let customers easily request quotations and place orders around the clock. "We are committed to respond to requests within 24-hours. PCT keeps a large inventory on hand, so successfully fulfilling customer orders is something we also pride ourselves in."

The online parts catalog has an extensive listing of factory-specified parts grouped by machine section. The part number, a description, a picture, and the inventory status are included for each item. In just seconds, customers can select the items of interest they need, and submit a request for quotation.

PCT added this special feature to its website because the company is continuously looking for ways to make their customers' business experience with them a positive one. "The online catalog is another way we are telling our customers that we are committed to them." says Karl Swanson, Sales and Marketing Manager. "We respect their time, and hope the site simplifies the ordering process." Swanson adds that the PCT team will continue to update and add new content to the site on a regular basis. "It's another way that team PCT puts the customer first," he says.

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PCT groundbreaking ceremony is milestone in company's 20-year history.

PCT Engineered Systems, LLC officially launched the construction of the company's new facility with a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 6.



The 43,000-square-foot facility is being built in the Eastern Iowa Industrial Center (EIIC) in northwest Davenport, Iowa, PCT's home city. The facility will support PCT's continued growth, and enable the company to achieve their strategic plan objectives.

"Building this new facility is one of the most significant developments in our 20-year history," states Terry Thompson, president of PCT. "This expansion project represents our strong commitment to the growth of our company and will allow us to provide better service to our customers."

The company's growth has been fueled by the acquisition of the BroadBeam® line of electron beam processors. The new building will provide more manufacturing space and allow for improvements in workflow. The company expects to move to the new facility in early 2007.

Examples of products made with electron beam technology include shrink wrap film, adhesive tape, orange juice cartons, ice cream containers and laminate furniture. Electron beam processing provides important environmental benefits to manufacturers. The process is energy efficient and the special inks and coatings used contain no solvents, therefore no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are produced.

PCT has also seen growth in the demand for the engineering services they provide to manufacturers. These services include control system integration, drive system applications, custom machine fabrication, combustion systems, and Plant Floor IT applications.



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RadTech North American Update: Surveys show UV/EB Technology seeing steady growth in diverse markets.

A recent paper published by RadTech International showed that for the 35th consecutive year, UV and EB formulation consumption grew in North America, reaching 95,000 metric tons in 2005. The paper also indicated optimism for the industry's overall growth over the next three years.

The paper summarizes the findings of an industry survey sent to suppliers, users, academics and consultants in the UV&EB community. The paper included a list of motivations for using the technologies, as well as a list of primary objectives in research and development.

According to the paper, major motivations for users included: increased productivity; improved physical properties/product performance; enabling technology/new user capabilities; cost effectiveness and environmental compliance/green technology. The paper stated, "it is very much the operational efficiency and product quality benefits that continue to drive growth in UV&EB."

Research and development initiatives listed in the paper included the need for: researching better adhesion to plastics and metals; lowering cost formulations; improving application properties; and creating faster cure speeds. These objectives highlight the fact that suppliers are "as active as ever in developing UV& EB, with an increasing interest in industrial coatings."

In addition to industrial coating applications, two other applications that are driving growth in UV&EB technology in North America are in the areas of wood--particularly in stains for wood products (reaching 19,000 metric tons in 2005); and graphic arts—mostly over print varnishes (reaching about 25,000 metric tons in '05).

Survey respondents also pointed to several areas that are primed to be "killer applications" for UV&EB technologies. They include:

• Digital inks/inkjets
• Food packaging
• Aerospace and defense
• Automotive
• Metals
• Contractor applied

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This month we Get to Know...

Don Allebach, PCT's Engineering and Production Manager

Don Allebach vital stats: Age: 54. Years with PCT: 15. Born in Richmond, VA, but grew up in several small towns in Missouri. Currently resides in Davenport. Wife, Linda; three adult daughters.

What is your educational/professional background? I went to college at the University of Missouri at Rolla, married my high school sweetheart, had our first two daughters and finally graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. When I graduated we moved to Davenport, Iowa, where I started my engineering career with Alcoa. Our third daughter was born the very next year. I was a project engineer at Alcoa for 16 years. That's where I met a young electrical engineer named Terry Thompson. We shared complimentary mechanical/electrical roles in several projects over the years. I can still remember working with Terry at Alcoa when PCT was just a figment his imagination. I joined PCT in 1991 as the "mechanical engineer". Now that we've begun producing Broadbeam equipment, my role includes managing the design, building and commissioning of the equipment.

You’ve been with PCT for a number of years. What were your proudest moments/most challenging moments? I believe that our proudest accomplishments come from overcoming our most challenging assignments. It seems we've never had a lack of challenging assignments. My greatest pride comes from the fact that I'm part of a team that is creative and resourceful enough to "actually make things work" -- things most people wouldn't even attempt.

Last book read? "The Tactic of Small Boat Racing" by Stuart Walker.

Pick one: by land, by air or by sea? Definitely by sea. When it's time to relax I like to sail as much as possible (usually competitively). I've got a lot to learn about racing.

What motivates you? I guess I'm just motivated by the challenge of doing things better and better and better.

What's happening in BroadBeam right now? Right now we're initiating some new product development. We know there are better ways to create and distribute electrons. The new products will undoubtedly be one of our greatest challenges, as well as our key to the future in the E-Beam market. I think maybe we're going to take this a little beyond the vision Terry had when PCT was first created.

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In the next Bulletin

• Wayne's World returns with more maintenance tips.

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