 |
| For design engineers and engineering management
|
November 19, 2009
|
Management by mythology
Life is full of mystery. Consider, for example, the mystery of how
we got to the point where executives are paid a king's ransom to run
companies into the ground and sell off assets. Equally mysterious is why
there is a thriving business in management consulting. As former
consultant Matthew Stewart puts it, "How can so many who know so little
make so much by telling other people how to do the jobs they are paid to
know how to do?" Stewart is in a position to ponder this question. He
was once one of those highly paid consultants and wrote a book called
Management Myths about his consulting escapades. He admits that when
recruited fresh out of school, he knew basically nothing about business
— his degree was in philosophy. He says his consulting work involved
"considerable on-the-job training, all at the expense of large financial
institutions who, for reasons that are sometimes difficult to
articulate, sought my ....advice on matters having to do with their
business strategy." Read more
|
You/ve been sued. Now what?
The time to prepare for a possible product-liability lawsuit is
early in the product design. To defend a product in a liability case,
you must convince a jury of technically unsophisticated people that you
did everything in your power to design, manufacture, and sell a safe
product. This means you must possess detailed records of the product
design and manufacturing. Also, you must be able to show that
advertising, labeling, warnings, and instructional literature is
correct, detailed, thorough, and completely understandable to potential
users. Read more
|
|
Technical translation of manuals,
software and websites
 Who speaks
English? Only 35% of the world population knows or speaks English. One
Planet converts manuals, software interfaces and more into over 100
languages.
Let us help you with:
- Translation of complex technologies
- Localization of software and LCD panels
- Creation of multilingual websites
Culturally accurate. Reasonably priced. Contact us today: 888-677-1010
or write to md@one-planet.net
|
|
Embedded electronics for the smart
grid
Late last month, appliance maker Whirlpool got a big check from
Uncle Sam. It wasn't a tax refund. Rather, it was part of $34 billion in
federal funds designed to accelerate deployment of smart electric grids.
The development that makes such measures possible is the smart electric
meter, or e-meter for short. Proposals funded in the stimulus package
include plans to deploy about 18 million e-meters, some of which will
act as home-communications hubs. Read more
|
Brass versus stainless
Assemblies made of plastic or other soft materials often rely on
threaded metal inserts to secure fasteners and reinforce joints. Though
stainless steel may be appropriate for use in some applications, brass
inserts can satisfy the majority of performance requirements while
offering significant cost benefits. Raw material costs for brass and
stainless steel are typically similar but the cost of machining
stainless steel is much higher. Free-machining stainless steel may only
be 40 to 50% as efficient to machine as brass. Other austenitic
stainless steels may be less than 40% as efficient to machine. Read more
|
Featured video: The space elevator
competition
The space elevator contest requires entrants to build machines that
climb 2,953 ft (nearly 1 km) up a cable slung beneath a helicopter
hovering nearly a mile high. In recent competitive heats, entrant
LaserMotive's vehicle zipped up to the top in just over four minutes and
immediately repeated the feat, qualifying for at least a $900,000
second-place prize. The device is a square of photovoltaic panels about
2 X 2 ft and topped by a motor structure and thin triangle frame.
Physorg.com recently ran a rundown on the contest results and video. Read
more
|
Diaphragm pump
The new 1410 Series dc miniature diaphragm pump is designed with a
full range of motor options and several design configurations to meet
application requirements. The pump features a low sound level, is
lightweight (0.4 lb), has a 4.3-lpm maximum flow, 27.5-psig/1.9 bar
maximum pressure, and a 22.0-in. Hg maximum vacuum.
More Information: Thomas Products Div., Gardner Denver Inc.
|
Servo rod-style actuator
The new integrated-motor actuator (IMA) combines a servomotor with a
rod-style actuator. The IMA's integrated design provides higher dynamic
performance by eliminating the need for separate motors, couplers, motor
mounts, gearing, and belts.
The actuator provides up to 2,000 lbf of force, high speed (23 ips),
±0.00984-in.positional accuracy, and comes in incremental stroke
lengths from 6 to 18 in.
The IMA is offered with multiple ball-screw leads and a choice of motor
winding voltages. A patent-pending screw lubrication system allows for
easy relubrication without disassembly.
More Information: Tolomatic Inc.
|
Slit-type plastic couplings
A new series of slit-type plastic couplings feature UV resistance,
and voltage and RF isolation. The S50TLC... Inch and Metric Series come
in sizes 13, 19, and 25. The lightweight molded coupling replaces
stainless/aluminum slit-type couplings with low cost and improved
operation. There is no windup, backlash, or derating for reversing
applications. A metal screw-to-metal nut design ensures a tight fit
between the shaft and coupling and does not use threads cut into the
molded piece.
Made of engineered polymer with stainless-steel fasteners, the couplings
come in 0.125 to 0.500-in. bore sizes and range in length from 0.710 to
1.400 in. Their maximum temperature range is –4 to 284°F.
More Information: Sterling Instrument
|
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!
UPCOMING WEBCASTS
Selection and Application of Lubricants for Linear Motion
Sponsored by Thomson
DATE: December 20th, 2009
TIME: 2:00pm ET/11am PT
More questions come into the Thomson technical support team regarding
proper lubrication of mechanical motion control components than for
almost any other topic. Unnecessary machine downtime and high
maintenance costs are easily avoided with the right information in hand.
As the inventor of the Linear Ball Bushing Bearing® and with over 60
years mechanical motion application experience, Thomson is uniquely
qualified to help answer these questions.
What IS the number one lubrication mistake? What is the difference
between weight and viscosity? Which lubricants best extend product life?
Which are best for food grade or submerged applications? What is the
best way to remove grease? This webinar will answer those questions and
more. Proper lubricant selection can significantly improve performance
and extend product life. This webinar will cover lubrication for Plain
Bearings, Ball Screws, Ball Splines, Linear Bearings and Profile
Rail.
Click here to register!
ARCHIVED WEBCASTS AVAILABLE FOR FREE VIEWING
Click
Here for a list of archived Machine Design webcasts.
|
Minco Flexible Heaters Design Guide
Order a FREE Flexible Heaters Design Guide to learn how flexible heaters
can benefit your design. Also get tips on selecting the right heater for
prototyping. Get your copy today: www.minco.com/heaterguide
Dimension, a division of Stratasys
Dimension 3D printers are fast, office-friendly systems for building
functional, durable 3D models. And they’re affordable: Lease prices in
the US start at just $275/month.
www.dimensionprinting.com
|
|
|
|
