Intrepid Electronic Systems. Integrator of Fire Alarm and Security Systems in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Thursday, February 25, 2016
The California Automatic Fire Alarm Association's 45th Annual Conference
Intrepid Electronic Systems, Inc. was a silver sponsor at the California Automatic Fire Alarm Association's (CAFAA) 45th Annual Conference, a fundraiser to support the CAFAA's education programs, expanded training, and Fire Prevention Officer programs!
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
The History of the Drill
2016 marks Black & Decker's 100th anniversary. In honor of this momentous occasion, this article is dedicated to the history of drills. Drills are an ancient tool used worldwide to advance human innovation.
Bow drills were the first machine drills. Their original purpose was for creating fire, but as time progressed drills began to be used for holding objects together and other tasks. While the official patent of the portable electric drill came about in 1916, the rotary tool itself has existed since 35000 BCE. The bow drill functioned as following: "The bow drill was used for making holes in beads. It had two parts. The first part was a straight piece of reed or stick of wood with a sharp flint tip on the end. The second part was a bow-shaped reed or piece of wood... The sharp tip of the stick was placed in the middle of a bead, and the bow was moved back and forth around the stick to make it turn. The turning action made the tip of the stick drill a hole into the bead."
Electricity came into the equation in 1889, just ten years after Thomas Edison invented the lamp, when Arthur James Arnot and William Blanch Brain of Australia patented the electric drill. In 1895, C&E Fein of Germany used an electric motor to power a corded handheld drill.
Twenty years later, the electric drill was improved upon by Black & Decker. What started as a tiny machine shop started by Duncan Black and Alonzo Decker turned revolutionary when they combined the design of a Colt .45 automatic pistol with the mechanics of a C&E Fein drill. Thus began the upward climb of the trigger switch, pistol grip, handheld drill.
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| Egyptian bow drill. |
Bow drills were the first machine drills. Their original purpose was for creating fire, but as time progressed drills began to be used for holding objects together and other tasks. While the official patent of the portable electric drill came about in 1916, the rotary tool itself has existed since 35000 BCE. The bow drill functioned as following: "The bow drill was used for making holes in beads. It had two parts. The first part was a straight piece of reed or stick of wood with a sharp flint tip on the end. The second part was a bow-shaped reed or piece of wood... The sharp tip of the stick was placed in the middle of a bead, and the bow was moved back and forth around the stick to make it turn. The turning action made the tip of the stick drill a hole into the bead."
Electricity came into the equation in 1889, just ten years after Thomas Edison invented the lamp, when Arthur James Arnot and William Blanch Brain of Australia patented the electric drill. In 1895, C&E Fein of Germany used an electric motor to power a corded handheld drill.
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| "In 1916 the company files its first patent for a ½” portable electric drill with pistol grip and trigger switch. This innovation transformed a stationary tool into a portable one and set the cornerstone for today's power tool industry." - Black & Decker |
Twenty years later, the electric drill was improved upon by Black & Decker. What started as a tiny machine shop started by Duncan Black and Alonzo Decker turned revolutionary when they combined the design of a Colt .45 automatic pistol with the mechanics of a C&E Fein drill. Thus began the upward climb of the trigger switch, pistol grip, handheld drill.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Storage Is the Key to Solar's Future
"In the drama of renewable energy, no power source has performed better in recent years than solar. Despite improvements in efficiency and lower costs, the future of solar power is still uncertain, and as one researcher suggests, its growth could be its own worst enemy.
Shayle Kahn is a senior vice president for GTM Research. In a paper published in November, he identifies the challenges ahead for solar power.
Entitled 'The Future of U.S. Solar: Getting to the Next Order of Magnitude,' the report notes that solar has been on an impressive growth streak, having gone from 2 gigawatts of cumulative capacity in the United States at the end of 2010 to a likely 26 gigawatts at the end of 2015. He said that solar has addressed one of its biggest pitfalls, high installation costs, which has ensured the industry will be a significant part of the nation's energy mix going into the future,
Kahn said that a number of factors will contribute to the continued growth of solar in the coming years, including rising electricity prices, falling solar prices, the Clean Power Plan, and electricity market innovation.
On the other hand, a number of factors could stand in its way. Perhaps the biggest, and most ironic, challenge will be posed by its own growth.
Referring to an economic scenario known as the value deflation effect, Kahn describes how, as more solar becomes available, its value goes down. This is partly due to basic principles of supply and demand, but it is also caused by solar's inability to flip a switch on or off and trigger generation when it is most needed. Solar can only be generated during the day, when demand is not at its greatest, and as solar begins to occupy a larger space in the market during these times, it has the negative effect of driving its own price downward, providing a disincentive to developers and generators.
The future is still bright despite this scenario. Kahn notes that storage can 'serve the needs of a growing solar market.' He adds that other ambitious efforts could help solar achieve 'the next order of magnitude,' growing from 1 percent of all electricity in the United States to 10-15 percent, 'by 2030, if not sooner.'"
Source: http://www.ecmag.com/section/green-building/storage-key-solar%E2%80%99s-future
Shayle Kahn is a senior vice president for GTM Research. In a paper published in November, he identifies the challenges ahead for solar power.
Entitled 'The Future of U.S. Solar: Getting to the Next Order of Magnitude,' the report notes that solar has been on an impressive growth streak, having gone from 2 gigawatts of cumulative capacity in the United States at the end of 2010 to a likely 26 gigawatts at the end of 2015. He said that solar has addressed one of its biggest pitfalls, high installation costs, which has ensured the industry will be a significant part of the nation's energy mix going into the future,
Kahn said that a number of factors will contribute to the continued growth of solar in the coming years, including rising electricity prices, falling solar prices, the Clean Power Plan, and electricity market innovation.
On the other hand, a number of factors could stand in its way. Perhaps the biggest, and most ironic, challenge will be posed by its own growth.
Referring to an economic scenario known as the value deflation effect, Kahn describes how, as more solar becomes available, its value goes down. This is partly due to basic principles of supply and demand, but it is also caused by solar's inability to flip a switch on or off and trigger generation when it is most needed. Solar can only be generated during the day, when demand is not at its greatest, and as solar begins to occupy a larger space in the market during these times, it has the negative effect of driving its own price downward, providing a disincentive to developers and generators.
The future is still bright despite this scenario. Kahn notes that storage can 'serve the needs of a growing solar market.' He adds that other ambitious efforts could help solar achieve 'the next order of magnitude,' growing from 1 percent of all electricity in the United States to 10-15 percent, 'by 2030, if not sooner.'"
Source: http://www.ecmag.com/section/green-building/storage-key-solar%E2%80%99s-future
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
The Effect of Collaborative Robots on the Manufacturing Industry
Conventional thinking would have one believe that the integration of robots into the manufacturing industry led to major losses in human jobs and subsequent blows to the economy. In response to this, robotics technicians have created so called "co-bots," or collaborative robots, that are programmed to work with humans on the manufacturing floor. These innovations have led to positive increases in production and job openings in robot maintenance.
At companies where collaborative robots are used, production rates are higher because of the robot's ability to work without pause. Most collaborative robots also can function without a guarding cage, which takes up space and leeches expenses.
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| Source |
Humans that work near or with collaborative robots are safe from harm due to the four safety standards that globally identify collaborative robot operation: safety-rated monitored stops, hand guiding, speed and separation monitoring, and power and force limiting. The collaborative robot's awareness of human presence allows them to alert operators of any malfunction or accident instead of simply shutting down.
Although collaborative robots have not yet found their place in the majority of the manufacturing industry, their impact will most definitely expand in the future.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Keep It In Order: Maintenance and service contracts - By Darlene Bremer
"As security systems become more sophisticated and complex, proper maintenance has become increasingly critical. Gone are the days when electrical contractors could just install a system and then walk away. Customers need maintenance and service agreements to avoid costly expenditures if the security system experiences operational issues, and contractors should pursue what is potentially a huge market.
Unfortunately, the current business model of most electrical contractors of hiring electricians per project does not support offering security system maintenance and service," said Kurt Brinkman, CEO of Intrepid Electronic Systems Inc., San Jose, Calif.
Maintenance and service agreements require contractors to have technicians on staff to perform the work, which requires an upfront investment for hiring and training.
The standard protocol for maintenance and service agreements is to ensure that the security system is operating correctly, that all systems have the latest software patches installed, to clean and focus any cameras that may need it, and to exercise and test all components of the system.
'Some customers also hold minor service calls to be handled that same day,' said Jason Howell, vice president of Mona Electric Group Inc., Clinton, Md.
Some of the more high-tech responsibilities that can fall on the contractor include maintenance of the security firewalls, the batteries and uninterruptible power supplies that backup the control systems and security devices, and the systems' access and interface devices and their central station connections to ensure proper transmission of alarm information.
However, some customers may require more, while others require less than the standard protocols. Therefore. the maintenance agreement is the vehicle that lays out all of the contractor's duties and all of the end-user's needs, according to Brinkman.
'A well documented and measurable agreement will ensure that the client understands what work is going to be performed and that the electrical contractor understands the client's expectations of the scope of work and the desired outcomes,' Brinkman said.
Agreements benefit contractors
Maintenance and service contracts benefit the contractor by building and preserving a long-term relationship with the customer.
'The customer knows that the contractor is the source that will help them with their security needs and with troubleshooting the system,' Howell said.
In addition, if the customer knows the system has all the latest software patches and has undergone monthly checks, many of the steps in the troubleshooting process can be eliminated.
Perhaps the biggest benefit is the recurring revenue that maintenance and service agreements offer.
'Clients paying a monthly or annual fee for services rendered is not included in traditional contacting work and provides known revenue amounts for the contractor,' Brinkman said.
Maintenance and service agreements also stabilize the contractor's workflow.
'The contractor now has a known backlog of work and known labor requirements,' he said.
...and customers
Service contractors benefit the customer because it take the burden of ensuring the security system is functioning properly off of them and places it on the contractor. According to Howell, it also ensures the customer's security system is always up-to-date, which is a requirement in obtaining customer support from the manufacturer.
'The goal is also to solve issues with the security system during a routine check, rather that have a security breach,' he said.
Overall, maintenance and service agreements simply provide the building owner and the tenants with high levels of confidence that the system will provide the required, and desired, security and life safety functions.
Making the shift
'To begin incorporating security system maintenance and service contracts into their offerings, contractors must understand the security and other low-voltage technologies involved,' Brinkman said.
For example, contractors need to learn what products are available that fit into their market niche. In addition, they need to invest in hiring the required staff and in providing for factory or other training in those products, systems and controls.
Of course, there are challenges in making the shift, in addition to having staff on call 24 hours a day. According to Brinkman, the contractor involved in maintenance and service needs a vehicle stocked with parts that might be needed.
'Clients expect that the system will be repaired immediately and do not want to wait for the technician to get parts,' he said.
The contractor would also be well-served to learn about maintenance and service agreement billing.
'Billing in this market is done by the individual customer and not by the project,' Brinkman said. 'The contractor might also have to accept credit cards and the remote apps that enable acceptance of credit card payments.'
Finally, tracking technology, and/or a service dispatch software package for notifying clients that a technician is on the way, might also be an excellent investment."
Source: http://www.ecmag.com/section/systems/keep-it-order-maintenance-and-service-contracts
Unfortunately, the current business model of most electrical contractors of hiring electricians per project does not support offering security system maintenance and service," said Kurt Brinkman, CEO of Intrepid Electronic Systems Inc., San Jose, Calif.
Maintenance and service agreements require contractors to have technicians on staff to perform the work, which requires an upfront investment for hiring and training.
The standard protocol for maintenance and service agreements is to ensure that the security system is operating correctly, that all systems have the latest software patches installed, to clean and focus any cameras that may need it, and to exercise and test all components of the system.
'Some customers also hold minor service calls to be handled that same day,' said Jason Howell, vice president of Mona Electric Group Inc., Clinton, Md.
Some of the more high-tech responsibilities that can fall on the contractor include maintenance of the security firewalls, the batteries and uninterruptible power supplies that backup the control systems and security devices, and the systems' access and interface devices and their central station connections to ensure proper transmission of alarm information.
However, some customers may require more, while others require less than the standard protocols. Therefore. the maintenance agreement is the vehicle that lays out all of the contractor's duties and all of the end-user's needs, according to Brinkman.
'A well documented and measurable agreement will ensure that the client understands what work is going to be performed and that the electrical contractor understands the client's expectations of the scope of work and the desired outcomes,' Brinkman said.
Agreements benefit contractors
Maintenance and service contracts benefit the contractor by building and preserving a long-term relationship with the customer.
'The customer knows that the contractor is the source that will help them with their security needs and with troubleshooting the system,' Howell said.
In addition, if the customer knows the system has all the latest software patches and has undergone monthly checks, many of the steps in the troubleshooting process can be eliminated.
Perhaps the biggest benefit is the recurring revenue that maintenance and service agreements offer.
'Clients paying a monthly or annual fee for services rendered is not included in traditional contacting work and provides known revenue amounts for the contractor,' Brinkman said.
Maintenance and service agreements also stabilize the contractor's workflow.
'The contractor now has a known backlog of work and known labor requirements,' he said.
...and customers
Service contractors benefit the customer because it take the burden of ensuring the security system is functioning properly off of them and places it on the contractor. According to Howell, it also ensures the customer's security system is always up-to-date, which is a requirement in obtaining customer support from the manufacturer.
'The goal is also to solve issues with the security system during a routine check, rather that have a security breach,' he said.
Overall, maintenance and service agreements simply provide the building owner and the tenants with high levels of confidence that the system will provide the required, and desired, security and life safety functions.
Making the shift
'To begin incorporating security system maintenance and service contracts into their offerings, contractors must understand the security and other low-voltage technologies involved,' Brinkman said.
For example, contractors need to learn what products are available that fit into their market niche. In addition, they need to invest in hiring the required staff and in providing for factory or other training in those products, systems and controls.
Of course, there are challenges in making the shift, in addition to having staff on call 24 hours a day. According to Brinkman, the contractor involved in maintenance and service needs a vehicle stocked with parts that might be needed.
'Clients expect that the system will be repaired immediately and do not want to wait for the technician to get parts,' he said.
The contractor would also be well-served to learn about maintenance and service agreement billing.
'Billing in this market is done by the individual customer and not by the project,' Brinkman said. 'The contractor might also have to accept credit cards and the remote apps that enable acceptance of credit card payments.'
Finally, tracking technology, and/or a service dispatch software package for notifying clients that a technician is on the way, might also be an excellent investment."
Source: http://www.ecmag.com/section/systems/keep-it-order-maintenance-and-service-contracts
SAVE THE DATE: March 7th - March 14th
Arbor Week is on its way! From March 7th through March 14th, celebrate California trees by participating in the numerous tree planting and appreciation activities going on statewide.
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