Design Engineering articles from November 2001

Design Engineering archives from November 2001

Off-the-shelf Satellites. (Inside Design).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Soon everyone will be able to afford their own spy satellite according to Professor Martin Sweeting of Surrey Satellite Technology. In a recent lecture Professor Sweeting told the Royal Academy of Engineering that observation satellites...

EDA tools let down designers. (Inside Design).(electronics design automation)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Improvements in the use of traditional electronics design automation (EDA) techniques will not address the problem of shrinking windows of market opportunity, according to the findings of a new survey. The report 'Reconfigurable Computing: a...

The display wars.(liquid crystal display patents)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Anna Norman Editor of Derwent Information's IP Matters magazine compares patenting activity of LCDs with CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) technologies for Personal Computer monitors over the last ten years. 'The electronic component industry has...

How presents work.(book on how things work)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... As if proof was needed that paper publishing will never die (we would say that), the creators of the immensely popular website www.howstuffworks.com have launched a book. For those of you unfamiliar with the website, the formula is...

No more acronyms. (Editor's Comment).(Brief Article)(Editorial)
November 1, 2001... PLM, CRW, ERP, PDM, KM, DMU, VPM. What do these acronyms all really mean for Design Engineers? Billed as solutions these software devices have caused upheaval in engineering organisations. And there are suspicions they are the CAD company's...

Brain Teaser Card Playing Conundrum. (Bosch).
November 1, 2001... Q: A larger than life engineer who was well known for his pranks set his colleagues a bet concerning a standard packet playing cards. 'I'll bet any of you [pounds sterling]10 that I can cut a hole in this Jack of Hearts and climb right...

Illegal substances. (Inside Design).(banned by European Union)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Six 'hazardous' substances (lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, PBB and PBDE flame retardant) will soon be banned from use in electronics and electrical equipment by the EU RoHS directive. This will present manufacturers with...

On-line: This month's pick of the web. (Inside Design).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Almost half of the respondents to a recent survey describe the engineering industry's adoption of internet technology as 'dinosaur like'. 81% of those questioned in an AVEVA Consulting survey carried out at the International Symposium...

Top prize for young designers. (Inside design).
November 1, 2001... You could do a lot worse than point a budding young designer in the direction of The Audi Foundation's new young designer of the year award. Open to second year A-level Design and Technology students throughout the UK, the winner will get to...

Are engineering companies web-luddites? (Inside Design).(Global Design News' survey, engineering company Web sites)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... However, a recent survey carried out by Cahners' Global Design News magazine paints a somewhat rosier. 82% of its readers said that they spent lots of time on-line doing research and 74% claimed that the internet had reduced their design...

Get off the phone. (Patent Watch).(EP1130558 detection system for cellular phones)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Motor accidents involving mobile phone use are on the increase. This detection system (EP1130558) works on a similar principal to speed cameras, and detects the radio waves produced by a mobile phone in a moving vehicle. When detected, a...

Spy-cam implant. (Patent Watch).(camera, CA2313693)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... In the days of fly-on-the-wall documentaries, this invention (CA2313693) takes the premise even further. An artificial eye or tooth can be implanted with a camera fitted with its own power supply and image sending capability. A viewer can...

Mobile solar shower. (Patent Watch).(DE20106306)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Installation of warm water showers can be time consuming and tricky in places such as outdoor pools; plus they may only be used seasonally. This shower (DE20106306) has a double function, since a water collector also acts as a solar panel,...

Flying with fuel cells. (Design News).(James P. Dunn's fuel cell airplane, donated by American Shilles Aircraft)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... We've had fuel cell cars, mobile phones and even fuel cell vacuum cleaners, but now US inventor James P Dunn is planning to mark the centenary of the Wright Brother's original flight with a fuel-cell plane. Dunn's E-Plane, an all carbon...

Advertisers in a spin over revolutionary techology. (Design News).(Adflash's advertising for race car wheels)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... From cunning product placement to state of the art display technology, advertisers are constantly finding new, more innovative ways to invade our consciousness. However, one could be forgiven for thinking that the racing car, essentially...

So that's how Uri Geller does it! (Design News).(ferromagnetic alloy designed at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Dr. Robert O'Handley's team)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... A material technology breakthrough at MIT could revolutionise the world of actuation, say researchers. Dr Robert O'Handley and his team have developed a ferromagnetic alloy that dramatically changes shape when it comes into contact with a...

Enter the Kung Fu-bot. (Design News).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... While the ability to simultaneously dispatch five of your worst enemies with a 'monkey king's wolf blow' is an enviable skill, most martial arts are primarily focussed on human spiritual development. Throughout history, man has used...

Now it's sticky, now it's not. (News In Brief).(Sandia National Laboratories researchers develop adhesive)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a strong epoxy adhesive that loses its bonding ability at high temperatures and rebonds when the temperature is lowered. The development, believed to be a first, may make it...

Quantum seesaw. (News in brief).(developed at Lucent Technologies' Bell Labs)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Physicists at Lucent Technologies' Bell Labs have made a microscopic seesaw that moves in response to a little-known but strong and pervasive force predicted by quantum mechanics: the scientific theory that describes the behaviour of atoms...

It's good to talk. (News in brief).(wireless technology development in India)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Telephone infrastructure costs around $1,000 per home, putting phones out of reach of many in the third world. A new wireless technology called corDECT could change this, potentially bringing millions of people not only phone access but also...

The pros and cons of miniaturisation: In this guest article, Fritz Prinz (Professor of engineering in the departments of mechanical engineering and materials science at Stanford University) and colleagues report on new downscaled manufacturing techniques. (ABB Miniaturisation).
November 1, 2001... As PCs, phones, and PDAs continue to shrink, miniaturisation plays an ever bigger role in our lives. Submicron manufacturing has brought us operating frequencies unimaginable a few years ago. Now, miniaturisation is moving into other product...

Bright lights: How do you make a light source that burns hotter than the surface of the sun, has an aperture window less than 1.5mm across and lasts for 20,000 hours? (Lighting).
November 1, 2001... LCD s are cheaper than area displays, and all that's needed to convert the image on a high-res LCD into a large area picture is a high-intensity point light source and an optical projection system. However, the problem with this kind of...

Explosive handheld. (Product News HMI).
November 1, 2001... Bartec and Symbol Technologies will be introducing the future potential for Portable PC terminals with wireless connectivity alongside Remote I/O Profibus-DP systems and PCs/Remote operator stations for applications in hazardous environments....

Safe, small and perfectly formed. (Product News HMI).(Diagnostic Instruments Di-225-IS special purpose computer system)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
November 1, 2001... Diagnostic Instruments Ltd has announced the launch of what it claims is the World's first intrinsically safe mobile computing platform of its kind. Housed in an ergonomic enclosure moulded from petrochemical and solvent tolerant...

Slimmer sensor. (Product News HMI).(from Elo Touch Systems)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Elo TouchSystems has announced the new low profile infrared touch sensor and 4000S controller that use the Company's CarrollTouch scanning infrared touch technology. At 6mm high - including the infrared opto-electronics circuitry and 2mm...

Tough Wasp. (Product News HMI).
November 1, 2001... Changes in the glass manufacturing process has led WASP to introduce two new types of toughened glass back panels. The new WASP panels are available in chemically toughened glass, which are said to be 20% stronger than normal glass. ...

Compliance. (Product News HMI).
November 1, 2001... Epson has released the a single driver passive colour STN display incorporating Epson's S1D15G00 driver. Designed to comply with the mobile handset market this display is said to provide optimum performance in all lighting conditions. ...

Keyboard cuts the cord. (Product News HMI).(from`Densitron)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Densitron has released a cordless keyboard designed to eliminate clutter and increase working flexibility for a plethora of PC users. The keyboard uses an RF link to communicate with the PC; enabling it to operate over a range of 8m. The...

Free from infraction. (Product News HMI).(Telemecanique Tego Dial)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Tego Dial, the modular system for building operator stations from Telemecanique, has been extended to include stainless-steel versions that are resistant to industrial chemicals. The new versions feature enclosures and support arms, which are...

Many uses. (Product News HMI).
November 1, 2001... Review Display Systems says its latest series of TFT LCDs can be used in many applications. Manufactured by NEC the series is said to offer 640 x 480 resolution and can display 262, 144 colours simultaneously. The high luminance...

Sun rises on TFT module. (Product News HMI).(Sunrise Electronics NL3224BC35-20)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
November 1, 2001... Sunrise Electronics has announced a new small format digital colour TFT module in its range of NEC flat-panel displays. Designed for use in a broad range of industrial applications, the NL3224BC35-20 is a 14cm diagonal LCD with a...

Corus on Song: Non-linear laser welding is an emerging trend in tailored blank design and Corns is celebrating one year of production at it's West Midlands facility, Europe's first non-linear Nd:YAG laser welding plant. (Fasteners).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Back in 1985 Mr Ferdinand Piech, the then chairman of Audi, tore up the automotive manufacturer's rulebook when he set out to develop and market the first completely hot-galvanised car body. Achieving this goal involved creating a floor...

Magic tape. (Product News Fasteners).
November 1, 2001... Scapa has developed a self-amalgamating rubber tape that it says will sea unexpected pipe bursts and with stand pressures of up to 100psi. Scapa 2552 is adhesive free and non-tacky. But applied under tension with each layer overlapping...

Fasteners go to War. (Product New Fasteners).
November 1, 2001... At the recent DSEI exhibition (Defence Systems and Equipment International) Protex fasteners unveiled what it claims is the world's largest range of quick action overcentre fasteners latches and handles. Said to be of particular value to...

Southco gets handle on enclosures. (Product News Fasteners).
November 1, 2001... Southco claims that its new door edge multipoint compression system offers installation, size and flexibility advantages for indoor enclosures in the networking - telecommunications. computer and industrial machinery industries. Choosing...

Clever cartridge. (Product News Fasteners).(from Loctite)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Loctite says that its 300m1 'collapsible' cartridge offers significant advantages over conventional cartridges. For example, when dispensing an 'instant' gel adhesive online, the collapsible cartridge removes the problems of waste, adhesive...

Fit fasteners with fingers. (Product New Fasteners).(from Arconix)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... A new range of PEM metal - plastic SNAPIN panel fasteners from Arconix can, claims the company, be installed quickly and easily without the use of tools by simply pressing them into properly sized round holes in any sheet material. The panel...

Virtual design still flowing: Walter Bauer of Daimler Chrysler AG describes how his company integrated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) into its CAB driven development process. (Virtual Vehicle).(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Daimler Chrysler, one of the first companies to integrate CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) into its CAE driven development process, is now benefitting from shorter turn around design cycles. CFD is used in a range of vehicle development...

Overdrive enhancements. (On Screen).(VX Corp.'s VX Overdrive CAD/CAM software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... VX Corporation has enhanced the ability of its VX Overdrive CAD/CAM software to directly read, write and heal flies created with other systems. The company claims that the new functions in VX add powerful interoperability and legacy data...

Inventor gets a makeover. (On Screen).(Autodesk Inc.'s Inventor 5)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Autodesk's Inventor 5, the newest version of the company's award-winning 3D mechanical design software, contains more than 200 new enhancements. The company says that customers will benefit from enhanced drawing annotation, innovative...

Hyperform 4U. (On Screen).(Open Mind Hyperform Shape software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Open Mind has launched Hyperform Shape, an integrated CAD/CAM package that combines attributes of the Think3 CAD kernel with Open Mind's existing Hypermill CAM software. The design software incorporated into Hyperform Shape reportedly...

Higher speed finishing tool. (On Screen).(Delcam PLC's PowerMILL 4)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Delcam is set to launch PowerMILL 4, which features high-efficiency roughing, high-speed finishing and 5-axis machining, at the forthcoming Euromold exhibition. PowerMILL's enhanced high-efficiency roughing is said to take advantage of...

It's free to see. (News In Brief).(Autodesk Inc.'s Volo View 2 application)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Autodesk has released Volo View 2 (a web-enabled application for timely reviewing of 2D and 3D digital design) and Volo View Express, a free download that enables users to display and print AutoCAD files without AutoCAD software. Volo View 2...

You've got mail. (News In Brief).(SolidWorks' eDrawings Professional)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... SolidWorks' new eDrawings Professional enables team members to communicate and review designs via e-mail. While most CAD viewing and markup tools require all users to buy the software in order to mark up a design, anyone who receives an...

A lovely 3-piece suite. (On Screen).(IronCAD's Innovation Suite)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... IronCAD is introducing a new product suite that it says will permit a collaborative approach to design whilst streamlining the product introduction process. Innovation Suite, claims the company, is the first fully integrated design and...

Modelmaker Or Prototype Consultant? (Industrial Design).(PDD Ltd. product consultants, Ben May discusses company)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2001... Ben May, development centre manager at product innovation consultants PDD Ltd, asserts that a company which concentrates on the technology of rapid prototyping, at the expense of the skilled people who use it, is a short-sighted one. ...

Where are we now, and what does the future hold?: It will help us understand where our evolutionary trail has led us if we first look back in summary. (Virtual Production - Origin of the Species).(forecast of CAD systems, Dassault Systemes, EDS Unigraphics products)
November 1, 2001... CAD systems began in what we now might regard as a primitive computing environment, but one in which the conditions were right for the development and evolution of a range of systems to meet the various needs of engineering businesses. The...