Mechanical Engineering-CIME articles from March 2003

Mechanical Engineering-CIME archives from March 2003

Remembering the Shuttle Columbia. (Editorial).(Editorial)
March 1, 2003... I was working in Connecticut for The Hartford Courant when the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy occurred 17 years ago. My editor's assignment for me that day was to visit elementary schools in the area and talk. to children, many of whom were...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2003... FOLLOWING PROTOCOL To the Editor: It is really disheartening to read a letter like the one from Fernando Cuenca (September 2002). What bothers me is Cuenca's linking of the Kyoto Protocol to keeping "our planet clean" and being able...

Protecting the protectors. (News & Notes).(Rescue workers recently tested technology from VivoMetrics and Siemens Environmental Systems )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Emergency workers who are first on the scene of a disaster, be it a building collapse or a blazing fire, face unknown risks. Rescue workers recently tested technology from VivoMetrics and Siemens Environmental Systems that aims to help measure...

Handing off a high-speed baton. (News & Notes).(data-transfer speed record of 6.7 gigabytes of data across 10,978 kilometers of network in less than one minute)
March 1, 2003... An international relay team sponsored by an academic consortium recently set a data-transfer speed record of 6.7 gigabytes of data across 10,978 kilometers of network in less than one minute. The distance is more than 6,800 miles. The...

Connectors survive down hole conditions. (News & Notes).(Greene, Tweed & Co)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Down hole and subsea environments encountered in oil exploration expose equipment to harsh conditions, such as high temperature, shock and vibration, and exposure to acids, hydrocarbons, and steam. One key element to keeping critical equipment...

Robert McNeel and Associates. (Briefly Noted).(releases Rhino 3.0)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Robert McNeel and Associates of Bellingham, Wash., has released Rhino 3.0, an upgrade to its 3-D modeling software. The upgrade includes a new geometry core and an improved third-party interface, according to the developer.

VX Corp. (Briefly Noted).(releases new version of VX)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... VX Corp., a Palm Bay, Fla., developer of CAD-CAM software for engineers and industrial designers, has released version seven of its VX software.

TI Automotive, a Warren, Mich., fuel systems supplier, acquired the electric fuel pump division of Kolbenschmidt Pierburg AG. (Briefly Noted).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... TI Automotive, a Warren, Mich., fuel systems supplier, acquired the electric fuel pump division of Kolbenschmidt Pierburg AG of Neuss, Germany. Pierburg supplies electric fuel pumps to a number of European automotive manufacturers, including...

United States Maglev Coalition. (Briefly Noted).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Steel, concrete, engineering, and technology companies have joined together to form the United States Maglev Coalition. The partnership's goal is to spur construction of high-speed intercity magnetic levitation projects. Member companies...

Environmental Protection Agency. (Briefly Noted).(financing)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... President Bush's recently proposed fiscal year 2004 budget includes $7.63 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency. This represents a $10 million increase from last year's request. Core water program spending will increase by $55...

Solar Turbines Inc., a San Diego-based subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. (Briefly Noted).(contract with ChevronTexaco Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Solar Turbines Inc., a San Diego-based subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., reached a five-year agreement to supply turbo-machinery and related products and services to ChevronTexaco Corp. Solar will supply industrial gas turbine engines, gas...

Steel Dynamics Inc. of Fort Wayne, Ind., has reached an agreement to purchase a Jeffersonville, Ind., steel coating facility formerly operated by GalvPro. (Briefly Noted).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Steel Dynamics Inc. of Fort Wayne, Ind., has reached an agreement to purchase a Jeffersonville, Ind., steel coating facility formerly operated by GalvPro, that is capable of producing between 300,000 and 350,000 tons per year of light-gauge,...

Technology isolates the way we breathe. (Computing).(North Carolina State University )
March 1, 2003... The average person breathes 3,400 gallons of air each day and takes in more than oxygen, according to the American Lung Association. The air also contains toxic solid particles, which in industrialized countries have caused increases in chronic...

Search Technique makes mining data faster. (Computing).(Washington University )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Researchers at Washington University of St. Louis, have developed a technique that allows data searches to be done 200 times faster than searches performed with current technology. Mass data storage is now so affordable that enormous...

Students to redesign efficiency of SUVs. (Computing).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... As part of the 2003 FutureTruck competition, 15 student teams are redesigning Ford Explorers to reduce emissions and increase fuel economy. However, the redesigned sport utility vehicle must still meet current Explorer utility, safety, and cost...

Engineers at bottlemaker now can see in 3-D. (Computing).(Crown Cork & Seal )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... A manufacturer of beverage, food, and aerosol cans, Crown Cork & Seal of Philadelphia, has moved from using two-dimensional design software to using three-dimensional applications within its research and development operation. The company...

Grand-scale military plane simulation. (Computing).(AAI Engineering )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The C-17 military airlift plane made by Boeing carries up to 170,900 pounds of cargo and measures 174 feet long with a wingspan of 170 feet. Because the plane was built to deliver troops or cargo at a moment's notice, it must be continually...

Stepping up company customer communication. (Computing).
March 1, 2003... Minnesota Mold & Engineering, a provider of customized mold designs, recently implemented a collaborative technology that enables engineers and other employees to access, integrate, and see industrial data, such as 2-D and 3-D models, bills of...

Mannequin can mimic sickness in space. (Computing).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... A lifelike mannequin will be teaching astronauts, flight surgeons, and other mission personnel how to manage medical emergencies during long-term missions, especially those on the International Space Station. The mannequin is linked to a...

Mathsoft. (Briefly Noted).(Mathcad 11 released)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Mathsoft of Cambridge, Mass., has released Mathcad 11, which is used for applying mathematics to engineering, science, and technical operations.

Materialise. (Briefly Noted).(software upgrade released)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Materialise of Leuven, Belgium, a developer of rapid prototyping and rapid tooling software, has brought out a winter 2002 release of its upgraded software line.

Engineous Software. (Briefly Noted).(releases upgrade of iSight 7.0)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Engineous Software of Cary, N.C., a maker of integration, automation, and design optimization software for engineers has released an upgrade to its main product, iSight 7.0.

Datacad LLC. (Briefly Noted).(releases o2c Interactive!)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Datacad LLC of Avon, Conn., has released o2c_Interactive!, a 3-D viewing and presentation program for designers and their clients. The software allows users to see multiple design scenarios in 3-D using the compressed Objects To See (o2c)...

CNC Software. (Briefly Noted).(to offer interoperability software)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The maker of the computer numerically controlled software Mastercam, CNC Software of Tolland, Conn., will offer interoperability software built on the Granite One modeling kernel of software maker PTC of Waltham, Mass.

MTS Systems Corp. of Eden Prairie, Minn., has developed virtual testing capability in partnership with Mazda Motor Corp. (Briefly Noted).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... MTS Systems Corp. of Eden Prairie, Minn., has developed virtual testing capability in partnership with Mazda Motor Corp. The work involves testing applications in durability and reliability, noise and vibration, and ride and handling.

Cadalog Inc. (Briefly Noted).(releases parts library)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Cadalog Inc. of Bellingham, Wash., formerly EMT Software, released SolidMech 4.0, its parts library for SolidWorks.

Structural Research & Analysis Corp. (Briefly Noted).(releases international Cosmos/Works 7.0)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Structural Research & Analysis Corp. of Los Angeles, a maker of design analysis, optimization, and simulation software for mechanical engineers, has released an international version of Cosmos/Works 7.0, the analysis software integrated with...

Vero International Software. (Briefly Noted).(releases Machining Strategist)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Vero International Software of Gloucestershire, England, has made available release 5 of its computer-aided manufacturing software, Machining Strategist.

Bluebeam Software. (Briefly Noted).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Bluebeam Software of Pasadena, Calif., has released Bluebeam Pushbutton Portable Document Format (PDF) for SolidWorks.

Softcover International. (Briefly Noted).(Plot2PDF software)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Softcover International's new Plot2PDF software allows computer-aided design users to convert their CAD drawings into PDF format, so the drawings can be e-mailed to clients and colleagues who don't use the CAD system. The company is located in...

Raindrop Geomagic. (Briefly Noted).(releases new software)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Raindrop Geomagic of Research Triangle Park, N.C., has released its Geomagic Studio 5 reverse engineering and custom design software, and its Geomagic Qualify 5 computer-aided inspection software.

Prototype price quotes. (Software Exchange).
March 1, 2003... Capability: The application Xpress3D is an add--on for Inventor three--dimensional mechanical design software from Autodesk. The add-on enables Inventor users to get a price quote for a prototype made from the model on view and to then get...

Numerical computing, graphical plotting. (Software Exchange).
March 1, 2003... Capability: Ch is a cross-platform C and C++ interpreter for scripting, two-dimensional and three-dimensional graphical plotting, and numerical computing. It supports 1999 ISO C Standard complex numbers, variable-length arrays, and the...

Data acquisition and collection. (Software Exchange).
March 1, 2003... Capability: WinWedge Pro RS-232 data acquisition software includes five additional applications for data collection and communications. The main data collection program is designed for interfacing devices, such as data collection equipment,...

Presentation-quality conceptual models. (Software Exchange).
March 1, 2003... Capability: Presenter version 2.3 is an interactive, three-dimensional presentation program that allows users to synchronize a 3-D model and a two-dimensional image, and then to walk through it by use of a computer mouse. The upgrade lets the...

Get a grip. (Power Transmission and Motion Control).(preventing belt slippage)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The 4,100-megawatt coal-fired Kendal Power Station near Johannesburg, South Africa, had long suffered belt slippage at the ends of two twin conveyors that together bring coal to the plant and take ash from it. During the rainy season, belt...

Golden handshake. (Power Transmission and Motion Control).(gold-plated bellows springs)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Miniature paired contacts from Servometer Inc. of Cedar Grove, N.J., rely on tiny bellows springs to accommodate misalignment in mating assemblies. Hazlitt said that the contacts provide an alternative to maintaining tight, expensive...

Another fine tool. (Power Transmission and Motion Control).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Disc-brake pad makers can now Disc benefit from fineblanking's precision through a pad attachment plate from Cincinnati-based Feintool Inc. Like a cheese grater, about 100 hooks roll up from the surface of the plate to improve its grip on brake...

Small package. (Power Transmission and Motion Control).(new hydraulic motors from Hagglunds Drives)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... When Hagglunds Drives of Stockholm, Sweden, set about designing its newest line of hydraulic motors, the company went to the source to find out what the most important features were. It surveyed its customers, who reported back that they wanted...

Slide over and let me drive. (Power Transmission and Motion Control).(truck and bus cab design)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Belly room is a critical measurement for designers of truck and bus cabs, according to Brad Peterson, who manages that business segment for the Telefiex Morse Industrial Division of Telefiex Inc. in Limerick, Pa. Truck steering wheels are...

Potato launcher. (Power Transmission and Motion Control).(Harriston Industries planting and tillage equipment)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Harriston Industries Inc. of Minto, N.D., builds planters and rowcrop tillage equipment used mainly by potato farmers. What makes the Pacific Northwest good for potato growing-a fine white sand mixed with volcanic ash-makes it bad for machines...

Mechanical traverse simplifies motion. (Power Transmission and Motion Control).(mechanical traver take-up units)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Take-up units are the last but critical step in wire and tubing extrusion. They must wrap hundreds of feet of product neatly on spools. Jennings International, a manufacturer of extruders of PTFE-insulated wire and tubing, uses a mechanical...

Smart enough to keep a low profile.(smart materials)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Engineers have looked to so-called smart materials to do all sorts of clever things: change the pitch of an aircraft wing, say, or flex robotic fingers. But while smart materials are great at bending, researchers have been less successful...

Value to Society. (Washington Window).(standards)(Column)
March 1, 2003... People don't think twice about putting bread in the toaster and then leaving the room. They never give a second thought to putting a roast in the slow cooker and then leaving the house to take a child to soccer practice. Why? Because they know...

Pancake motor. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... MAXON PRECISION MOTORS INC., BURLINGAME, CALIF. The new EC Seties of brushless pancake motors are electronically commutated, thus enabling extremely long motor life, since there are no mechanical brushes to wear out. Ball bearings also add to...

Industrial pressure transducer. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... OMEGA ENGINEERING INC., STAMFORD, CONN. The PX480 Series general-purpose industrial pressure transducer is designed for use in a variety of industries. Units are available in milli-volt, voltage, or current output. Providing media compatibility...

Non-radioactive tungsten. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... PRO-FUSION TECHNOLOGIES INC., NEWBURY PARK, CALIF. The AWS A5.12 specification for tungsten states, "Thorium is radioactive and may present hazards by internal or external exposure. If alternatives are available, they should be used."...

Miniature load cell. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... SENSOTEC INC., COLUMBUS, OHIO. The Model 31a miniature load cell features an internal amplifier capable of providing high-level 0-5 vdc or 4-20 mA output. This tension/compression unit delivers nonlinearity hysteresis up to 0.15 percent and is...

Universal lens mount. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... ROLYN OPTICS, COVINA, CALIF. The company's all-aluminum lens mount holds stock lenses by threading a stop ring inside the lens mount to the desired depth, then inserting the lens and fixing it in place with the retaining ring and a spanner...

Ball transfer systems. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... THOMSON INDUSTRIES, PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. The company, which specializes in specialty and value-added precision ball technology, has ball transfer/transfer systems that feature hollow balls that are 60 percent lighter than solid balls and...

Hydrogen gas generator. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... PARKER HANNIFIN CORP., TEWKSBURY, MASS. Dangerous and expensive cylinders of hydrogen fuel gases can now be eliminated by using a ChromGas brand hydrogen gas generator, according to the company. Five models are available to produce up to 1,200...

Clamps for welding. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... PHD INC., FORT WAYNE, IND. The Series PB clamp has a design that uses a hardened helical spline with three hardened drive balls that ensure long unit life with little wear. Two sizes with left and right rotations are available to fit a variety...

Flowmeter. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... SIERRA INSTRUMENTS INC., MONTEREY, CALIF. The company's Hart-compliant Innova-Mass line of multivariable vortex flowmeters is said to simplify custody transfer operations and improve billing accuracy. The Innova-Mass flow computer incorporates...

Portable test pyrometer. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... PYROMETER INSTRUMENT Co. INC., NORTHVALE, N.J. The Pyro Digital 500 pyrometer is specifically designed for a production operator to take portable temperature measurements on the plant floor. The company offers a choice of several extension arms...

Polyshield system. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... FLOWSERVE CORP. PUMP Div., DAYTON, OHIO. A Polyshield Baseplate and Foundation System is designed from a polymer mix using epoxy resins. The system combines the traditional baseplate and formed concrete foundation for pump-driver sets into one...

Azimuth transit plate. (New Products).(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2003... PINPOINT LASER SYSTEMS, NEWBURYPORT, MASS. The company's latest product, the azimuth transit plate for the Laser Microgage measuring system, is for precision leveling. The precision in measuring and alignment to 0.001 in. over distances of 50...

Magnetic coolant cleaners. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... ERIEZ MAGNETICS, ERIE, PA. Magnetic coolant cleaners remove grinding swarf and turning fines from coolants, helping machine tools run longer, maintain accuracy, and reduce operating costs. Base models use a permanent ceramic magnetic material,...

Laser shaft alignment. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... LUDECA INC., MIAMI, FLA. SmartAlign has simplified the alignment of rotating machinery. This tool operates with a joystick and two keys. On-screen help text guides the operator to the results for best corrective shimming and horizontal moves....

Vacuum tube solar collectors. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... SUN SPOT SOLAR & HEATING INC., DIV. OF BEIJING SUNDA SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGY Co., DELAWARE WATER GAP, PA. These collectors can be used anywhere water needs to be heated. Typical applications include sanitary domestic water, pool and spa...

Explosion-proof lights. (New Products).(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2003... PAPAILIAS INC., NORTHVALE, N.J. Sedes SLEX-100 and REX-100 are compact, explosion-proof lights that provide lighting and viewing through a single port. Both models use high-intensity halogen lamps to provide bright, glare-free illumination of...

Water-regulating valves. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... STERLING, MILWAUKEE, WIS. The company has added three new sizes to its line of 56-T temperature-actuated water regulating valves. There are now 1 1/2-, 2-, and 2 1/2-in. 56-T valves to complete its line starting at 3/8 in. These valves have...

High-precision motors. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... MICROMO ELECTRONICS INC., FAUL-HABER GROUP, CLEARWATER, FLA. The compact 32-mm Series high-precision motors have graphite commutation, high power-to-volume ratio, all-metal housing, and a powerful neodymium magnet. The progressive skew-wound...

Vertical pump. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... HYDRA CELL INDUSTRIAL PUMPS, WANNER ENGINEERING INC., MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. The D-17 Series industrial pumps mount vertically, which makes them suitable for direct mounting on top of fluid tanks, where space is limited. It provides flow to 13.4...

Two-way poppet valves. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... LEXAIR INC., LEXINGTON, KY. Two-way poppet valves are suitable for machine tool coolant applications. They have B-61 naval bronze body construction with brass and stainless steel internal parts, so they resist water and corrosion. The valve has...

Duckbill check valves. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... ARK-PLAS PRODUCTS INC., FLIPPIN, ARK. Duckbill check valves are manufactured for use in applications requiring a more sensitive check valve. These check valves are zero gravity fittings that use a flow-through design, allowing full volume in...

Flame-retardant air filters. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... UNIVERSAL AIR FILTER Co., SAUGET, ILL. The company's UL-recognized Quadrafoam air filter medium is designed for use with forced air cooling in electronics enclosures. Quadrafoam is CE-compliant, making it suitable for use in electronics devices...

System LPU/Dpm-3. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... TRANSDUCER TECHNIQUES INC., TEMECULA, CALIF. A system combines the company's low-profile universal load cells and its DPM-3 panel mount meter. The new product is suitable for industrial and OEM force measurement and weighing applications, The...

Diaphragm metering pumps. (New Products).(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2003... JAECO FLUID SYSTEMS INC., EXTON, PA. JaecoFram 1 hydraulically actuated diaphragm metering pumps have separate chambers for hydraulic fluid and gear lubricant. The separate chambers make it possible to use the best medium for hydraulic...

Reversible vacuum pump. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... VACCON Co. INC., MEDFIELD, MASS. The company's reversible, anti-clogging, air-powered material transfer pump is suitable for conveying complex shapes, bulk materials, and small parts up to 4 in. It also works on continuous strips, such as trim...

Combining drive and support parts. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... KERK MOTION PRODUCTS INC., HOLLIS, N.H. The updated ScrewRail combines drive and support/guidance in a single, compact, coaxial design to save space and reduce cost. By eliminating the need for external rail-to-screw alignment, the ScrewRail...

Caps for connectors. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... NIAGARA PLASTICS Co., ERIE, PA. A new line of DS-Q3 Series caps provides ESD protection for D-subminiature connectors. Made from an inherently conductive polymer compound, the caps have a non-sloughing material in dark green to meet the...

Power combination system. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... TRANSDUCER TECHNOLOGIES INC., TEMECULA, CALIF. This system combination is composed of the LBC Series (low-profile, compression-only load button) and the TM0-1 (12-v dc-powered amplifier). The TM0-1 provides dedicated conditioning and several...

Compact metering pumps. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... HYDRA-CELL INDUSTRIAL PUMPS, WAGNER ENGINEERING INC., MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. The M-03 Metering Series pumps provide maximum capacity of 3.0 gpm at 1,750 rpm, with a maximum inlet pressure to 250 psi and pressure variable to 1,200 psi. They provide...

Miniature ball screws. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... THOMSON INDUSTRIES, PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. As a result of increased demand for miniaturization within high-tech industries such as semiconductor, optics, and instrumentation, Thomson has introduced a new range of miniature ball screws. Using...

Laser processing systems. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... GSI LUMONICS, FARMINGTON HILLS, MICH. The JK401 and JK501 laser processing systems are the company's latest additions to its recently updated JK Series. These systems are specially designed to industrial precision welding and high-speed cutting...

Incremental encoder. (New Products).
March 1, 2003... STEGMANN INC., DAYTON, OHIO. The 2-in. C120 Series incremental encoder is the latest addition to the company's Core Tech encoders. The C120 has an incremental count from 1 to 8, 192 ppr without extra lead time or price adder, even for the most...

Getting on the grid: linked personal computers deliver the juice for high-end research and calculations.(grid computing)
March 1, 2003... A FEW YEARS AGO, Ford Motor Co.'s engine and transmission group faced the same conundrum that confronts many industries in a time of economic downturn. Ford was asking its information technology department to cut costs. But the engine and...

Smart cars: knowledge is power ... and safety. (Feature Focus).
March 1, 2003... ALTHOUGH THEY'VE BEEN DEMONSTRATED, self-driving, autonomous cars aren't quite ready for prime time, Bernard Robertson told reporters attending DaimlerChrysler's North America Innovation Symposium in New York last fall. Robertson, the senior...

Neighborhood watch: The strange vehicle parked next door barely fits in the driveway.(Global Electric Motorcar neighborhood electric vehicle)
March 1, 2003... SOMETIMES I FEEL A BIT SILLY taking my HumVee down to the supermarket to buy eggs. Sure, kids smile at the size of my toy, and ladies linger over thoughts of joining me on my next drive north to the Arctic Circle. But by the time I open the...

Straight down: working steel in the ground makes a wider well.(oil and gas wells through 'solid expandable tubular' process)
March 1, 2003... A HOUSTON COMPANY SELLING a different kind of well. Deep ones for oil and gas usually telescope, or get narrower as they go down, because each new section of casing has to fit through the ones above. Enventure Global Technology LLC, though,...

Street smart: an emissions-testing lab on wheels gives a close-up view of bus engines in their natural habitat.
March 1, 2003... A REPORT FROM THE STREET CONFIRMS that catalytic filtering can stop three-quarters of a diesel engine's particle discharges. A catalyzed filter will also reduce the overall volume of nitrogen oxides in exhaust, but a boost in the part that...

From the ASME Division Chair. (Design Perspective).(American Society of Mechanical Engineers)
March 1, 2003... Design is an exciting vocation: Endless and rewarding challenges are the norm. This is an especially exciting time to be a mechanical engineering designer. The business of design is changing at an exhilarating pace, as evidenced by the...

ASME design committees.(American Society of Mechanical Engineers)
March 1, 2003... Power Transmission & Gearing Committee David G. Lewicki, Chair The objective of the Power Transmission and Gearing Committee is to support the art and science of mechanical and electromechanical power transmission and gearing....

A cooler weld: an emerging joining technology lets manufacturers rethink how products fit together.(includes related article)
March 1, 2003... THE ECLIPSE 500. which made its first test flight last August, is designed as a means to get around the system. It is a personal twinjet aircraft that can carry four to five passengers. The manufacturer says it will have a range of 1,300...