Sometimes a simple change such as adopting a new piece of technology can make a huge difference to the success of a business. By boosting efficiency, allowing workers to be more productive and reducing material waste, the correct investment choice can deliver gains in productivity.

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Investment spending is important to the success of industry; however, this investment needs to be effective and it is crucial that the money goes into the right areas. In manufacturing processes, this often means working to streamline production, improve material handling and cut down the number of labour-intensive tasks.

Handling raw materials

Where a process involves mixing raw materials, such as powders, manual operation can be arduous and effectively limits the size of the batches that can be produced. This is where investing in machinery such as a vacuum conveyor system can make a big difference.

A conveyor from a provider such as http://www.aptech.uk.com/pneumatic-conveying/vacuum-conveying/ can make loading mixing and blending machines much more efficient and increase workflows; in addition, it allows for more accurate measurement of materials. The conveyor has a metering device at the inlet; therefore, mixes are going to be better and with less chance of wastage. It is also better for employees, as it cuts out a good deal of lifting and stretching.

A conveyor also means that materials can be transferred without the risk of spillages or of raising dust, creating a cleaner, safer, more pleasant working environment.

Vacuum advantages

A vacuum conveyor for handling bulk materials offers the user a number of advantages. It does not need to have a valve at the inlet, which means it can cope with larger particles without damage to the system. It is also possible to feed the system using a lance, which is inserted into the bulk material. In addition to feeding materials into the process, a conveyor can be used in packaging finished powdered material, allowing the accurate filling of boxes or drums ready for shipping.

The system operates under negative pressure, meaning there is no chance of leakage and no dust released into the environment; therefore, it can be used to handle toxic substances in safety. Perhaps the biggest advantage of this type of system is that it can speed up the production process. By eliminating the manual handling of materials, some companies have seen a tripling of production capability.

An EMP attack is an electromagnetic pulse created by nuclear explosions. The altitude that the bomb is detonated at, and the power of the bomb affects how badly the power grid is destroyed, but it will create a surge in the power grid due to the change in the magnetic fields.  This is scary stuff, as we are incredibly reliant on the power grid for pretty much everything. So, if this were to happen, how can you be prepared for the aftermath?

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The first thing is, unless you have a pacemaker, the radiation from this detonation would not be very dangerous to human beings, as to generate this sort of attack, the weapon would need to be detonated at a high altitude. Anything with a microchip, anything electrical will be destroyed. This day and age this will render a lot of things useless, and will destroy machines in workplaces, hospitals, schools, and power stations to name but a few. This is the sort of attack that will create confusion and very quickly will lead to anarchy.

The first thing that you will need to do to prepare for this, is to ensure that you have a large stockpile of long lasting food such as tinned food, pasta, and food that you can generally store well. It is also useful to keep as supply of bottled water, as much as you have room for. If society breaks down, don’t expect the convenience of running water! Keeping a store of seeds that you can grow yourself into edible vegetables and fruit is a great idea, it is well worth learning some tips on how to grow plants that you can eat, and seeds take up very little room when stored, so you will be able to keep a large supply even if space isn’t something that you have a lot of!

Another thing that is very useful to keep in a large supply is medicines. Painkillers and day to day medicines for general ailments, and also a well-stocked first aid kit for treating injuries – remember, hospitals will be out of service, and if there are medical facilities they are likely to be swamped with people with few supplies to go around. You should have a good knowledge of first aid.

Another important thing that you should do, is secure your home. The riots and anarchy that will unfold from this sort of attack will mean that nowhere is safe, and police will be unable to keep order. Check that your home security is as tight as possible and that you are able to defend yourself and your family if you need to.

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If you need to leave your home and live outdoors, as you may well need to – head out into the countryside and make sure that you know basic survival skills. Water purification tablets are a must in this situation, as you will need to ensure that any water sources that find are suitable for drinking. Outdoor survival equipment from http://www.angloforro.co.uk/product-category/survival/equipment/ is a must, as you will need basic items to allow you to take shelter in any terrain that you may find yourself in – if you are heading elsewhere it may be a while before you get there, so it is worth making sure that you have everything that you need for the journey, and that you have planned for every eventuality. This can make the difference between living and dying. Our ancestors were very good at living off the land, and proof that human beings can adapt to their circumstances – so it is worth looking into the past to secure your future.

During winter, it’s extremely important to maintain a good skincare regime. With the elements against you, your skin becomes vulnerable.

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Research from Style Caster suggests that dryness, dehydration and oiliness are all likely to pop up during winter, and in order to keep them at bay, it’s important to up your game when it comes to your skincare routine. Are you using the right products? Here’s how to tell.

Pain isn’t gain

The old adage ‘no pain no gain’ isn’t always strictly true. While some light, temporary tingling generally isn’t a sign of anything too serious, a skincare product that causes intensifying pain or creates redness or rashes is probably not for you. Ditch the product and seek advice from a pharmacist.

Be time conscious

In some cases, it’s unrealistic to expect immediate results from a skincare product. In others, slow progress may mean the product isn’t working. Spot treatments, for example, should work quickly, while anti-wrinkle products tend to be designed for long term usage. This is because wrinkles are a more ‘long term’ problem than spots, which many people want to blast quickly.

Understand your skin type

Knowing your skin type is the only way to source the right products for you. Using products that aren’t designed for your skin type isn’t just ineffective, it can actually make your problems worse. Consider where your ‘oily spots’ are, and whether or not you get dryness. If you get both, then you probably have combination skin. Choose the products that match your skin type, just like someone with coloured hair may opt for a Klorane shampoo with mango butter (http://www.lifeandlooks.com/klorane-with-mango-butter.html), because that product is specially formulated for those with colour treated hair.

Keep tabs on your progress

It’s hard to notice subtle changes in your skin if you are scrutinising it daily. Instead, track your progress by taking a selfie at the beginning of your regime and looking back at it over time. Alternatively, ask a friend if they can notice any changes in the appearance of your skin. If there is no noticeable improvement, then it might be time to change tack. It can be annoying to discard a product that you’ve spent good money on, but if it isn’t working, it really is the best option. Continuing to use it may cause you more problems.

Dashboard cameras are increasing in popularity as they provide an accurate documentation of the events leading up to a collision with another vehicle, helping the authorities and insurance companies to understand which party was at fault.

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As this Security Bros article explains, a dash cam can be a useful investment for many reasons, including helping you to avoid insurance price increases, ensuring that dishonest individuals won’t be able to take advantage, and providing documentation that is more dependable than accounts from eyewitnesses.

1. On a budget

The Black Box G1W is inexpensive but comes with all the standard features you would expect, as well as a few additional extras. It works well in low light and offers a 4x zoom, which means that you should be able to see any important events clearly and up close.

2. The cautious cam

The Blackcam BHC-1000 Hybrid is a more expensive option with many additional features, and is ideal if you want to take a more detailed and cautious approach to capturing footage. Comprising of a front and rear camera, this system allows you to monitor your car from different angles.

3. Compact

Some systems can be quite bulky, but the Mobius Pro is small and inconspicuous. There’s no screen, which means you won’t be able to review footage immediately, but it’s reliable and doesn’t compromise on quality.

4. For extreme temperatures

If you need something that will be reliable in very cold or very hot environments, the KDLINKS X1 is the only option you should consider.

5. Reliable

If you drive a lot as part of your job, reliability from your dash cam is likely to be your top requirement. High quality cameras for trucks, such as http://www.backwatch.co.uk/, can be difficult to find, but are often invaluable pieces of technology for professional drivers. The FalconZero F170HD+ captures footage at an angle of 170 degrees, automatically saves footage upon detecting a collision, and will record any accidents that may happen when the vehicle is parked.

6. Up to date

If a dash cam with in-built Wi-Fi and an accompanying app is more your style, the Cobra CDR 900 will be the one for you. Whilst not the most impressive camera, the ability to control it using an app is undoubtedly both useful and convenient.

We all know how important it is to stay healthy but how easy is it to achieve? When we are healthy we can get so much more out of life and live for longer. Following a few simple steps should help us to achieve that and reduces the risk of contracting serious diseases such as diabetes and arthritis. Staying healthy is an ongoing commitment and should reflect a lifestyle choice to maintain your active life and independence for as long as possible. Continue reading Take good care of yourself →