A slitting line can operate efficiently for 20 or more years if properly maintained. Modern slitting lines are high-performance machines that are intended to produce 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. As a result, stampers must be sure that all line elements are properly maintained, which represents a titanic effort if you don't understand what components are critical.

Three companies dominating the market is a distant memory as Japanese and European automakers' market shares steadily increase. The Big Three has evolved into the New 6 that includes Toyota, Honda, Nissan, GM, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler. Suppliers tied to the Big Three will have to make a negative adjustment to remain profitable.

Optoelectronic sensing devices safeguard machine access and prevent injuries related to hazardous machine motion. The ultimate goals are to prevent access to the hazard, eliminate the hazard before access is attained, and prevent the unintended operation of a machine.