Fairlawn OH, July 2--Omnova Solutions announced the recipients of its 2003 Technology Awards. This annual award program recognizes exemplary technology-based contributions by associates in Omnova's technical, engineering, product and market development, project management and material sourcing organizations.
Technology innovations support activities in a number of Omnova's end use markets, including carpet, commercial wallcovering, furniture, commercial roofing and textile chemicals.
In the Marketing-Technology Innovation category Mike Stephenson of Dalton, Georgia and James L. Vaughn, Ph. D. of Akron, Ohio, of the Carpet (Performance Chemicals) market were recognized for their leadership in developing a tenter measurement device for carpet.
Stephenson and James L. Vaughn lead a team developed two devices: One that measures the alignment of the frame, or tenter, used as carpet is transported through the mill drying process, and another that measures temperature and humidity inside the dryer.
These are critical issues related to quality and efficiency for OMNOVA's carpet industry customers. The first tenter measurement device indicates whether or not the machine frame, track and chain remain square and in-line throughout the oven heating process.
The second device measures the temperature and humidity throughout the machine, which can be up to 200 yards long. These devices continuously monitor work in-process, eliminating the need to stop production and thereby saving valuable time and preventing the customer from manufacturing large amounts of off-grade carpet. The new devices, now in regular use with OMNOVA customers, have further strengthened the Company's position as a leader of innovation in carpet applications.
