- Written by Peter Edwards, Global Cement Magazine
The United States of America is the third largest1 and third most populous1 nation on the planet and is the richest in terms of GDP.2 It has achieved steady economic growth throughout most of its history through the application of free-markets to almost every area of its economy. Historically a strong manufacturer, the country has suffered during the ongoing economic crisis, which has strongly hit construction and the cement industry.
Introduction
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic that stretches from the Atlantic to Pacific Oceans across the continent of North America. It has borders with Canada to the north and Mexico to the south west.
The 48 contiguous states (and the District of Columbia) stretch for more than 3000km east to west and 2700km north to south. The state of Hawaii consists of an island chain in the Pacific Ocean and Alaska, the largest state, is separated from the contiguous states by western Canada.
The country is the third most populous in the world, although historical factors and its varied terrain means that the population is very unevenly distributed.1 With European settlers originally coming to the fertile and temperate plains in the north and east of the country, the first US cities were established on or near to the east coast. These have since been developed extensively. The Mississippi River system, which stretches throughout the east and south east, aided early movement into the area now known as the mid-west.
The western states, in contrast, are sparsely populated, especially in the north. A combination of mountains and deserts made early exploration here difficult. Exceptions to this rule include Washington, California and Hawaii.
- Written by Wikov Gear s.r.o.
Wikov Gear s.r.o. is a leading manufacturer of gearboxes for drives of cement mills and kilns in central and eastern Europe. One of its main products for the cement industry is side drive gearboxes. These gearboxes are in particular demand owing to their compact design with a small footprint, high efficiency and the low wear of the meshing girth gear.
Wikov's side drive gearboxes have gone through extensive development and innovation. Based on new requirements in the market and experience obtained from operation of these gearboxes Wikov implemented major research and development with the objective to offer customers an innovative product with extended output parameters up to 6MW, including innovative design of a separate lubrication system. This project was implemented with financial support from state budget funds through the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic. Research and development was conducted along three lines:
1. Research into the dynamic behaviour of these gearboxes with the objective to be able to predict weak points of the drive in all conditions established in practice and to create an extremely stable and reliable gearbox;
2. Development of a separate lubrication system, so that any gearing and bearings in the gearbox that are very sensitive to oil quality were lubricated by a separate lubrication circuit and sealed from its environment (in particular the area of the gear rim);
3. Identification of an analytical method to simulate the behaviour of large gear wheels during heat treatment.
All of these tasks had only one objective: the design of a reliable and stable gearbox with low maintenance requirements. Let us focus in particular on the first and second targets, which seem to be the most interesting in terms of mill operation.
- Written by Peter Edwards, Global Cement Magazine
Introduction
The most easterly of the countries on the Indochina Peninsular, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam stretches for over 1400km north to south. It shares borders with China to the north, Laos to the west and Cambodia in the south west.
The country's 91.5 million inhabitants make it the 13th most populous nation in the world, although its large area (331,210km2) means that it is far from overcrowded.
The main population centres are in the north east, surrounding the capital Hanoi and in the extreme south around Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Additionally, the extensive eastern coast, which runs for over 3200km, is populated throughout its length, with population density generally decreasing as one goes inland.
- Written by Peter Edwards, Global Cement Magazine
Introduction
Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy located in south east Asia. It is split into two roughly equal-size regions, Peninsular Malaysia, which shares the Malay Peninsular with Thailand, and Malaysian Borneo, which occupies around a third of the island of Borneo, which is shared with Indonesia (Kalimantan).
The country has approximately 29 million inhabitants over its 329,847km2, although the population distribution is far from even. Approximately 73% of its inhabitants live in Peninsular Malaysia, with just 27% in Malaysian Borneo.
The higher concentration of people in the western half is both the cause and effect of greater development in this region. Such development is typified by the country's impressive and highly-developed capital Kuala Lumpur. By contrast the eastern portion of the country remains far more rural and is yet to face anything like the development seen across the water. Malaysia is often described as being 'two countries in one,' such is the contrast between the regions.
- Written by Peter Edwards, Global Cement Magazine
Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam are large and diverse nations located in south east Asia, a region of the world that continues to undergo rapid economic development despite the 'global' economic downturn. With many of their major towns and cities developing heavily in recent decades, attention is now shifting to other areas. Indonesia is looking to develop its eastern region of Papua and Malaysia is turning its attention to the development of Malaysian Borneo. Less developed Vietnam also has massive development potential.
Like the nations themselves, the cement industries of Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam are changing and developing rapidly, with expansions, projects and proposals announced frequently.
Introduction
The Republic of Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic state, stretching for over 5200km east to west between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The country consists of approximately 16,700 islands, of which only around a third are inhabited. Its total area is 1.9 million km2, making it the third largest country in Asia after China and India.
Indonesia is also the third most populous country in Asia, with a population of 237 million recorded in its 2010 census. It has the fourth highest population in the world after China, India and the USA and is home to more Muslims than any other country.
