"MET-CON Metal Fab News"
MET-CON, Inc. Newsletter December 2008
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A medium sized business established in 1979, MET-CON is responsible for fabricating and erecting some of the most visible structures in Central Florida, including the new Orange County Convention Center, the Tree of Life at the center of Walt Disney's Animal Kingdom, the Universal Studios parking structure, and many of the space launch complexes at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC).
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The entire staff at Met-Con would like to wish to our friends, employees, vendors and customers a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Oh, yeah, and a great big hug!

What's New at Met-Con
Mobile Launcher for the Constellation Program Contract!

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded a contract in May for the new Mobile Launcher for the Constellation program.  Met-Con is proud to be a part of this team led by Hensel Phelps Construction Company of Orlando.

The Constellation program is the name chosen by NASA for the next generation space vehicle that will replace the shuttle, which is slated to stop flying in 2010.

This contract is evidence in NASA’s continuing confidence in Met-Con to assist in some of their most ambitious building programs.  Currently, Met-Con is involved in a multi-year contract to renovate all doors and rehabilitate or replace all siding on the exterior of the Vertical Assembly Building (VAB).  The VAB is the cavernous building used by NASA to assemble the space shuttle and will serve the same purpose for the future Constellation vehicle.  It was built in 1965 and was the largest building in the world at the time it was built.  It was in dire need of renovation.

Met-Con is also a partner with United Space Alliance, a prime NASA subcontractor, to provide support to NASA to renovate and maintain numerous facilities that are a part of the Launch Complex 39 area.  This contract has been in place since 2007 and is slated to continue through 2009.

Once again, Met-Con is proud of the confidence NASA has shown in Met-Con by selecting us to be a part of this very important program.

Featured This Month at Met-Con Crane Division
 

The Pivot Pro™ Articulating Jib Crane ... From GORBEL

We are pleased to introduce the Pivot Pro™, the newest addition to our line of jib cranes. The Pivot Pro™ is a light weight articulating jib crane specially designed for capacities up to 150 lbs. The force required to start and stop the boom rotation is so much less than with other types of cranes that is significantly reduces injury, improves safety, and increases productivity. It's available in a Free Standing unit or a Wall/Column Mounted unit.

Features:

• Sealed tubes eliminate the need for festooning in vacuum and air applications.
• Reduces the forces when starting and stopping the jib.
• Allows for precise positioning by eliminating the “whip” of the boom that is experienced in repetitive and high cycle applications.
• Greatly reduces the wear and tear on the vacuum lift tubes.
• The Pivot Pro™ is designed for use with all major OEM tube lifters.
• It can also be utilized for air or electric hoist applications.

For assistance with your crane and material handling requirements, please contact Harry Crytzer.
 

Met-Con Employee Profile
Meet Paul Bridges

Job Title:  Parts & Service Manager

What does your job consist of doing:  Researching old equipment and files, quoting replacement spare parts, retrofits, hoists, service including OSHA inspections and preventive maintenance, liaise with the crane and hoist manufacturers,  build up good customer relations by  giving outstanding customer service by means of knowledge of the product, fast service, keeping the customer informed, follow-up and a friendly voice on the phone.

On occasion meet the manufacturers representatives to discuss business.

Order entry, purchasing, invoicing, checking order confirmations against original purchase orders so that they match price and description, making sure the files are kept in an orderly manor.

When did you start at Met-Con:  I left Cleveland, Ohio on the 4^th July 2007 and started my position here at Met-Con on Monday 9^th July 2007.

I originally was transferred from Mannesmann Demag Ltd, in my home town of Banbury, Oxfordshire, England on 9^th May 1981, Cup Final Day (soccer championships).  I worked for Demag for nearly 29 years.

Educational background:  Dashwood Junior School, Wykham Hall / Stanbridge Hall, North Oxfordshire Technical College

Special interests and hobbies:  Commercial aviation from the first commercial passenger jet the “De Havilland Comet” to the present day Boeing 787 “Dream Liner”.  I like to travel and see as much of the world as I can, most memorable  trips are Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Caracas, Venezuela, Morocco and Spain (my favorite country).  I have green fingers so I love gardening, like to hike and go bike riding. I also enjoy most music including some soprano.

Any certifications or degrees:  I have 2 “A” levels in History, English. 2 “O” levels in European Studies, Math. Preliminary German certification.
 

Safety Notes: Aerial Lifts
(Courtesy of OSHA)

Safety Tips

Aerial lifts include boom-supported aerial platforms, such as cherry pickers or bucket trucks. The major causes of fatalities are falls, electrocutions, and collapses or tip over.

Safe Work Practices

• Ensure that workers who operate aerial lifts are properly trained in the safe use of the equipment.

• Maintain and operate elevating work platforms in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

• Never override hydraulic, mechanical, or electrical safety devices.

• Never move the equipment with workers in an elevated platform unless this is permitted by the manufacturer.

• Do not allow workers to position themselves between overhead hazards, such as joists and beams, and the rails of the basket. Movement of the lift could crush the worker(s).

• Maintain a minimum clearance of at least 10 feet, or 3 meters, away from the nearest overhead lines.

• Always treat power lines, wires and other conductors as energized, even if they are down or appear to be insulated.

• Use a body harness or restraining belt with a lanyard attached to the boom or basket to prevent the worker(s) from being ejected or pulled from the basket.

• Set the brakes, and use wheel chocks when on an incline.

• Use outriggers, if provided.

• Do not exceed the load limits of the equipment. Allow for the combined weight of the worker, tools, and materials.