 |
| For design engineers and engineering management
|
July 23, 2009
|
A labor shortage, but not for
engineers
With the unemployment rate at a 26-year-high point, it may seem odd
to be talking about a looming labor shortage. But that is what some
demographers are predicting once the recession is behind us. As
economies pick up, there won't be enough younger people to replace
retiring Boomers, particularly in occupations that require knowledge and
experience.
But older engineers shouldn't begin celebrating just yet. It looks as
though the occupations most in demand will have little to do with
technical professions. Read more.
|
Smile. You're on high-speed camera
Engineers at Baldor Electric Co. lucked out when they recently won a
portable high-speed video camera in a contest sponsored by Southern
Vision Systems Inc. The battery-powered device helped them noodle out
difficulties on a superfast stacking system for stator laminations.
After installation, the stacker had to be timed to the press at 220
strokes/min. The laminations accumulate on an arbor before they are
stacked. This arbor had to be modified to eliminate stacking errors.
Both issues were easy to resolve with the use of the high-speed camera.
Read more. See a video of the stacking operation here.
|
|
Fast Inspection, Tight
Integration
 National Instruments'
Embedded Vision System is a rugged automated controller that combines
industrial camera compatibility with the open communication of a
distributed industrial system and the high-performance and flexibility
of a multicore PC for industrial applications.
|
|
Steam on, Stanley! A land speed record steam
car
The official, FIA-recognized worldspeed record for steam-powered
cars, 127.659 mph, was set by Fred Marriott driving a Stanley Steamer in
1906. But that could change this September when the British Steam Team
takes its car, Inspiration, out for a record run during Speed Week at
the Bonneville Salt Flats. The team has been building the car over the
past six years and now has it almost ready for the Salt Flats. Read more.
|
What's with kids these days?
Well, for one thing, they aren't as computer savy as they think they
are. Or at least that is the conclusion of researchers at North Carolina
Central University who measured student computer skills and compared the
results to students' own estimation of their abilities. Read more in Lee Teschler's blog.
|
It's electric and it flies
In this video from the online aviation newsletter AvWeb, the Yuneec
E430, a 54-hp two-seat Chinese electric airplane, gets put through its
paces and undergoes its first flight. Click here to view.
|
Military-approved tool case for civilian
use
The combat-ready 0450 tool chest designed specifically for the U.S.
military as the GMTK (General Mechanics Tool Kit) is now available for
civilian use.
Constructed from structural-grade, open-cell core, polymer, the 0450
will protect tools from the harshest of conditions. With the ability to
hold up to 100 lb of tools, the case has been tested to meet and exceed
96 demanding military standards that include high impact, extreme
temperatures, and submersion.
The tool case has seven (six shallow and one deep) removable tool
drawers, and the top compartment features a removable utility tray and
lid that opens 180° to create a mobile workspace capable of holding
up to 50 lb.
For security, two hybrid, double-throw latches with butterfly
compression technology (capable of withstanding 328 lb of pulling
pressure each) and two extra standard latches, work with a polymer
O-ring in both lids to secure the case and maintain its watertight seal.
The case also has two automatic pressure equalization valves (one in
each compartment) that prevent vacuum lock and make the case easier to
open at extreme altitudes.
Additional features include a widened wheel base that stabilize the case
on soft and hard surfaces so it won’t tip to the side during transport
with a full load of tools; a heavy-duty, extended pull-handle;
extrathick-polyurethane, stainless-steel, ball-bearing wheels for all
terrain mobility; and an extra-deep handle on each end of the case so it
can be lifted from either an open or closed position.
More Information:
Pelican Products
Inc.
|
Safety-function tool
SafeDesigner is a development and configuration tool for programming
safety-related functions from within the Automation Studio development
environment. The tool reduces programming to virtual wiring of logical
function blocks.
In addition to function blocks and language elements, users have a
library certified by TÜV Rheinland with 20 function blocks for
machine automation. All function blocks correspond to the PLCopen
standard.
SafeDesigner features SafeLogic, a safe controller that supports cycle
times starting at 1 msec and connection of up to 100 peripheral
devices.
More Information:
B&R Industrial
Automation Corp
|
Check Out the New EET Website
Are you looking for more information on energy efficiency? EETweb.com
features the latest efficiency updates, information on the basics of
energy efficiency and products available for energy efficient designs.
Click here to
visit the site and learn more!
Now Available On-Demand
The Energy Efficiency Web Conference & Expo
Engineers saw and heard great educational content at the Energy
Efficiency Web Conference and Expo. If you missed the live virtual
event, don’t despair! An archive of the full day’s agenda is now
available.
Design engineers are required to integrate energy efficiency into their
designs while maintaining lower costs, the highest reliability or both.
The editors of Machine Design understand these challenges
and have developed this conference to help engineers understand the
recently imposed energy mandates. The information presented at this
educational event will help engineers compare the different technologies
and product related to energy efficiency. Attendees will gain access to
the technical information needed to help them make the best decisions
without having to travel or take time away from current projects.
Visit the archive to:
- View informative webinars on energy efficiency
- Visit interactive booths where you can contact suppliers
- Peruse the Resource Center where you can download or link to
additional pertinent energy efficiency information
Register Now!
ARCHIVED WEBCASTS AVAILABLE FOR FREE VIEWING
Click
Here for a list of archived Machine Design webcasts.
|
DataCELL® FOUNDATION™ fieldbus M-EZ Cables
1-24 pairs with an extruded PVC binder over each—in a single
cable—for fast/simple installation into marshaling cabinets. www.northwire.com/mdez
|
|
|
Thank you for reading the Machine Design Tech Insider Newsletter
from Machine Design.
This email was sent to #email#. You've received this e-newsletter for
one of two reasons:
1) You signed up for it on one of our web sites.
2) You are a reader of Machine Design magazine.
Manage Your Subscription
To quickly unsubscribe from this newsletter, click here Unsubscribe
To subscribe or unsubscribe, to this or any of our newsletters, visit our subscription page.
To CHANGE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, visit our subscription page, login with your
old email address, then change your address.
Contact Information
Editorial questions: Leland Teschler
216-931-9221
Advertising/sponsorship opportunities: Virginia Goulding
216-931-9893
Machine Design
1300 E. 9th St.
Cleveland, OH 44114
©2009 Penton Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
|
|
