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Special
Mention:
TECHNOLOGY
OF THE VANCOUVER OLYMPICS
Dmitri Vitaliev, Engineering & Technology, February 3, 2010
If you keenly watched the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, you may not have been
aware of some of the high tech applications, materials, IT, and environmental
considerations included in the venues. If you're curious,
this article highlights some of these accomplishments.
> Read more: http://kn.theiet.org/magazine/issues/1002/winter-games-1002.cfm
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| Advanced
Manufacturing Processes |
SIGNIFICANT
CELL
Derek Korn, Modern Machine Shop, 1/27/2010
SEW Eurodrive has worked hard to minimize cycle times for the drilling, boring,
facing and grooving operations performed on housing castings. Manual loading
of heavy housings was this manufacturer’s prime bottleneck. SEW’s
willingness to integrate advanced technologies into its machining processes has
helped them succeed. It had limited experience with automated cells, but
decided to install a big one. A look at the manufacturer’s $13 million
cell reveals an intriguing layout and blend of technologies.
> Read
more: http://www.mmsonline.com
> Keywords: Advanced technologies, Automated cells
ULTRA-MINIATURE LINEAR MOTION FOR MOBILE AND HANDHELD DEVICES
Al Presher, Design News, 2/4/10
A new tiny ultrasonic piezo motor (2.8 x 2.8 x 6 mm) and drive ASIC
(1.8 x 1.8 mm) from New Scale Technologies creates a miniature linear
motion system that offers performance comparable to much larger electromechanical
systems using 40 percent lower power in less than one-fourth the
size.
> Read
more: http://www.designnews.com
> Keywords: MEMS,
Microelectromechanical systems
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| Advanced
Materials |
APPLICATION
OF METALLIC AND OTHER SPECIALTY POWDER COATINGS
D. Dykstra and J. Roush, Powder Coating, February 2010
Special-effects powder coatings include metallics, dimple/hammer textures, hammertone
textures, vein textures, and wrinkle finishes. Each requires extra training
for applicators to get the best look. This article describes each type,
how to apply it and troubleshoot problems.
> Read
more: Contact
the ITC library to obtain this article.
> Keywords: Special-effects
powder coatings
BIOPLASTICS EYE THE SUN
Doug Smock, Design News, February 9, 2010
A small number of companies are developing plastics from sustainable
resources, such as plants not used as food sources, for photovoltaic
cells, which are on the verge of an explosive growth burst. Conventional
silicon devices have been manufactured on a glass or silicon substrate,
but there is widespread interest in thinner, lighter, flexible plastic
substrates. The "Holy Grail" may be a roll-to-roll solar cell that
can be integrated into building structures, possibly as a roof.
> Read
more: http://www.deignnews.com/article/448409-Bioplastics_Eye_the_Sun.php
> Keywords: Bioplastics,
Solar cells
INNOVATIONS IN COMPOSITES
M. Ra, Advanced Materials & Processes, Feburary 2010
Although composites have been applied in many structures, there are
technical challenges and R&D that need to be addressed
to expand applications in industries such as oil and gas, where environmental
conditions are severe. Such applications require virtual testing,
structural health monitoring and diagnosis, and numerical tools,
according to these authors.
> Read
more: http://asmcommunity.asminternational.org/
> Keywords: Composites,
Virtual testing
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| Advanced
Practices |
MEASURING
THE SUCCESS OF LEAN
Steve Minter, IndustryWeek, January 20, 2010
If you are on the Lean journey, how do you know where you are or how you are
doing? Is there a Lean GPS or Thermometer to help you measure? Considering
you are on a journey that never ends, you need to select the best milestones. Lean
experts warn that it is all too easy to deploy metrics in a company that have
the unintended consequence of driving anti-lean behavior and can hurt initiatives. So
many traditional measurements are relative. This article outlines
suggestions by lean experts for measurement and also includes what companies
are using.
> Read
more: http://www.industryweek.com/articles/measuring_the_success_of_lean_20849.aspx?Page=2
> Keywords: Lean
metrics
THE ROOT OF THE CAUSE: SOLVING SUPPLY CHAIN PROBLEMS PROACTIVELY
C. Eckert, B. Hughes, Industrial Engineer, February 2010
Managing global supply chain problems requires a flexible, consistent
approach. Realizing the benefits of a decentralized, global
supply chain gives many manufacturers the incentive to move in this
direction. But, there are risks and consequences associated
with managing such a supply chain. This article outlines a set of
simple steps and guidelines for establishing such a system.
> Read
more: Contact the ITC library to obtain this article.
> Keywords: Global
supply chain management
STOR-X SCORES BIG WITH LEAN MANUFACTURING
Woodworkingnetwork.com, January 13, 2010
Stor-X, a Richmond, BC closet and home organization manufacturer,
has been on the Lean path for less than two years; but the company
has already seen significant reductions in inventory and material
waste, as well as faster turnaround times. (Includes video)
> Read
more: http://woodworkingnetwork.com
> Keywords: Lean
manufacturing
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| Design,
Modeling and Simulation |
A NEW KIND
OF TURBOPROP AND A 3D-PRINTED PROTOTYPE
L. Gordon, Machine Design, February 18, 2010
Winnipeg's Nino Caldarola of Imaginit Technologies attributes his unusual aircraft
engine design to jet engines of the 1940s and 50s. Modeled in 3D MCAD software
and 3D printed to prove out the design, Caldarola's contrarotating propellers
are probably one of the largest prototypes to be built to date.
> Read
more: http://machinedesign.com/article/designing-and-3d-printing-a-new-kind-of-turboprop-0217
> Keywords: 3D
MCAD, 3D printing
VIRTUALLY
VALIDATING AND OPTIMIZING MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS -- A PROCTER & GAMBLE
SUCCESS STORY (ON-DEMAND WEBINAR)
IndustryWeek.com
What if you could test and optimize your plant's processes virtually,
without performing costly "what-if" scenarios on the plant
floor? Now you can better understand the complexities of your manufacturing
facility. Presentation by Industry Week and Siemens PLM. (Registration
required for viewing.)
> View
webinar : http://www.industryweek.com
> Keywords: Virtual
manufacturing, Virtual testing
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| Information
Communication Technologies & Mechatronics |
DRIVEN BY
DISTRACTION: HOW TWITTER AND FACEBOOK MAKE US MORE PRODUCTIVE WORKERS
B. Koerner, Wired, March 2010
Whether you choose to believe this or not, while research companies warn of the
impact of social networks and applications on productivity in the workplace,
there are others who support these tools as beneficial and essential for knowledge
workers who are charged with transforming ideas into products.
> Read
more: http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/02/st_essay_distraction/
> Keywords: Social
networks, Productivity
MANUFACTURING APPLICATIONS PUT WIRELESS SYSTEMS TO THE TEST
Jeff Becker, Plant Engineering, February 1, 2010
Many companies are turning to wireless systems to help them save
money by eliminating wiring costs. Consequently, wireless devices
are gaining recognition for improving operations in areas such as
critical life-safety reporting needs, chemical spills and overflow,
employee accident reporting and coded alarm signaling. In this
article, real-world plant examples demonstrate the value that wireless
offers.
> Read
more: http://www.plantengineering.com
> Keywords: Wireless
plant applications
WIRELESS WARS
G. Richards, Engineering & Technology, February 3,
2010
Wireless technologies are set to have the greatest impact on and
are a winning solution for industrial automation and process control. So
why aren't companies using it to competitive advantage? In
a nutshell -- the battle for standards.
> Read
more: http://kn.theiet.org/magazine/issues/1002/wireless-wars-1002.cfm
> Keywords: Wireless,
Automation
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