EoW September 2007

Conoptica is launching several new Production & Quality Control Systems Conoptica Shaped Die, Wire and Rod Systems

The European surplus was smaller, at $117 billion. But China’s exports to Europe were rising at a rate of more than 32%, well above the 18% growth rate in imports to China from Europe. The Chinese surplus with the US is now 62% higher than it was only two years ago, but the surplus with Europe is up 136%. One explanation is that the US dollar lost more than 7% of its value against the Chinese yuan over that period, during which the euro gained against the yuan. As China allowed its currency to appreciate gradually against the dollar, traders sent the euro up against the dollar at a faster rate. China’s trade deficit with the rest of the world, exclusive of Europe and the US, is now at $54 billion. It has been shrinking after hitting a peak of $86 billion early last year. Citing family obligations, Rodrigo de Rato, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, is giving up his post at the Washington-based IMF two years early. Mr de Rato, a former Spanish minister of the economy, said he will remain as head of the fund only through the upcoming World Bank-IMF annual meetings at the end of the year. As leader of the agency since 2004 he helped oversee more than $50 billion of debt reduction for poor nations. By tradition, European Union finance officials select the head of the IMF, while the US names the president of the World Bank. But that balance may be about to be disturbed. As Krissah Williams of the Washington Post (28 th June) noted: “Because European officials took the lead in ousting former World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz this spring, questions remain regarding the role the United States will play in choosing a successor to Mr de Rato.” The major question is, of course, whether lingering resentment over the Wolfowitz episode will move US President Bush to challenge Europe’s choice for the IMF. Mr Bush fought hard to keep Mr Wolfowitz, his appointee, at the World Bank. When it became clear that this was not to be, there was a groundswell of support for the interim appointment of Britain’s departing prime minister Tony Blair. Mr Blair, a staunch Bush ally at considerable cost to his own political legacy, appeared to have been the ideal choice for eleventh president of the World Bank, and his selection a graceful and generous gesture on the part of Mr Bush. But the American president did not yield ‘the US seat.’ Mr Bush named former US trade envoy Robert B Zoellick to the prestigious and influential post. An opening – and a drama – at the International Monetary Fund

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Fast, accurate and low cost optical measurement of Round/Shaped Die and/or Wire diameter to High end 3D full profile optical measurement of any geometrical object (Drawing/Shaped/Enamelling Die/wire/ rod/pin/needle/tube). Range 0,010 mm – 400.00 mm. Conoptica Shaped Die, Wire and Rod Systems can in less than one minute, measure the 3D & 2D geometries of shaped dies and wires with sub-micron accuracy. Avoid wire breaks, increase production speed and enhance your quality by performing Statistical Process Control on objective measurement data, thus ensuring that only the best dies are used. Compare product and tool dimensions accurately and enhance both the quality and the efficiency of your production line. Improve communication between tool maker and wire producer through objective comparison between tool and product. Accumulate tool making skills while minimizing human measurement errors. The Systems are available in both automated and manual configurations. ➲

Manufacturing

An expanding US manufacturing sector expects more of the same

Hallsetveien 3, NO-7540 KLAEBU Norway Tel : +47 7283 0150 Fax : +47 7283 1435 Email : conoptica@conoptica.com Website : www.conoptica.com

The Institute for Supply Management (Tempe, Arizona) reported on 2 nd July that manufacturing in the US unexpectedly grew in June at the fastest pace in 14 months. The ISM factory index, which rose to 56 from 55 for May, is a widely watched indicator

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EuroWire – September 2007