For the first time in the history of the competition, this year's Formula Student event at Silverstone included three entries from "low carbon" cars. Low carbon racing cars designed and built by student engineers have made their debut at the Formula Student competition at Silverstone, the UK's home of Formula 1 and venue for Lewis Hamilton's recent victory. Students from Hertfordshire, Oxford Brookes and Coventry Universities entered the new category for low carbon cars. The University of Hertfordshire unveiled a hydrogen racing car along with Oxford Brookes University's hybrid racing car and Coventry University's biofuel car.
Formula Student is supported by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and this is the very first time in the competition's 11 year history that there is a category for cars powered by low carbon fuel. To mark the occasion, all three teams were presented with certificates of achievement by the IET. John Saville, a Member of the IET and judge of this year's Formula Student competition, said: "I've been involved with Formula Student for a number of years and have been working hard to ensure the new category is part of the competition". "Alternative fuels are crucial to the future of Formula 1 and Formula Student is leading the way with the future of engineering and highlighting the importance of developing greener technologies, such as hybrid and hydrogen, for transport and the environment".
Dr James Marco, a Member of the IET and Formula Student judge, presented the certificates along with John Saville. He said: "Formula Student is Europe's biggest student motorsport event and it inspires the next generation of engineers, develops their skills and provides invaluable practical experience". "It is important that the next generation of engineers appreciate the importance of applying sustainable technology within the automotive sector". "They will be responsible for developing the designing the green cars that many of us will be using in the future in the drive to combat carbon emissions".
With the development of new fuels and sources of energy, come new engineering challenges. And, Dr Marco, a lecturer in automotive engineering at Cranfield University, is working on a number research projects involving the design and verification of both hydrogen powered and hybrid electric vehicles. Marco said: "The design of highly complex alternative powered vehicles is one the greatest challenges that the international automotive industry is currently facing and in many regards Formula Student is at the forefront of this challenge". James Marco and Millbrook Proving Ground have been advising Formula Student on ways to accurately measure the energy efficiency of these new innovative vehicles.
Marco added: "With conventional powered cars once you've filled up at the garage your tank is full and the car's fuel gauge measures how much fuel is being used". "However, with newer fuels, such as hydrogen and the stored electrical energy in batteries understanding the 'fuel' available is far more complex and appropriate measurement techniques do not yet exist, we are working with experts at Millbrook to devise tools and techniques that are required to introduce this technology to the automotive industry".
Vansco will become a part of the global operations of Parker's hydraulic technology business. Parker Hannifin has acquired Vansco Electronics, a developer of rugged electronic controls, displays, terminals, sensors and communication and operator interfaces for heavy equipment.
The acquisition is part of Parker's long-term strategy to improve the integration between different motion and control technologies, in particular between hydraulics and electronics in the mobile sector, where Vansco offers solutions for a wide range of applications. Vansco has been designing and manufacturing electronic, electro-mechanical and electro-hydraulic products for over 25 years. The company has facilities in Canada, the United States, Finland, Belgium and the UK, employs over 1000 people and, in the fiscal year ending 31st August 2007, achieved sales of approximately US $180 million.
Many of the company's products are used by OEMs in agricultural, construction, materials handling, bus, RV and specialty truck equipment. Vansco will become a part of the global operations of Parker's hydraulic technology business. It will complement a broad line of hydraulic components and systems including pumps, motors, valves, cylinders, hydraulic drives, energy recovery systems and vehicle cooling and engine management systems.
The incorporation of Creaform Japan and a new European calibration centre in France come hot on the heels of expansion in China and Canada. Laser scanner specialist Creaform is expanding on two fronts with the official incorporation of its Japanese office, Creaform Japan, and the opening of a European calibration centre in France. These additions arrive just a few months after the incorporation of the company's Chinese subsidiary, Creaform Shanghai, and the opening of a new Montreal office.
"Creaform is committed to taking its operations to the next level and building on the strong reputation that our company enjoys in the world of 3D technology and solutions", says Charles Mony, president of Creaform. "Our strategic presence in these important markets reflects the interest that our solutions have attracted worldwide". Since 2005, Creaform has consistently demonstrated its market value and penetration into the Asian market with its acclaimed Handyscan 3D product line.
With the incorporation of the Shanghai and Yokohama offices, Creaform now has both a market and geographical advantage to continue its international growth, capitalising on the economically emergent markets of the past few years. To better serve its growing European clientele, Creaform's new calibration centre allows Handyscan 3D laser scanner customers in the EMEA geographical area to have their scanners calibrated or serviced.
Earlier this year, Creaform also inaugurated a service office in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This new entity enables Creaform to provide scanning, metrology and inspection, CAD and reverse engineering services to its Canadian-based clients.
Exceptional control for simple machines is now more affordable with the introduction of SEW-EURODRIVE's MOVITRAC® LTE B, a frequency inverter designed to simplify control of asynchronous motors. The new drive, with dynamic braking, better low speed motor control and embedded communications, is an economical solution for a wide range of applications.
The MOVITRAC® LTE B drive boasts user-friendly operations and an exceptionally compact footprint. It is available in three sizes and with either a standard IP20 or rugged IP55/NEMA 12k housing for demanding environments where the drive could be exposed to dust or water. "Our goal with the development of the MOVITRAC® LTE B was to combine improved motor control with a number of features that give customers enhanced operational control, all at the same price as earlier versions of the product," said product manager Jeff Belk.
The power range of the MOVITRAC® LTE B drive has been extended to 15 HP for NEMA 1 units and 10 HP for NEMA 12. New control algorithms assure improved motor control performance, especially at low speeds. A remote keypad allows users to remotely control operation and diagnostics, while a copy stick makes it easy to copy parameters from one drive into another for fast machine setup. The onboard S-bus is compatible with SEW's gateway fieldbus devices for DeviceNet, PROFIBUS, EtherNet/IP and PROFINET, allowing users to add these capabilities as needed.
It also communicates directly with other SEW drives and MOVI-PLC®, SEW's slimline controller series integrating PLC and motion control in one device. Other enhancements to the new drive include dynamic braking on two sizes for regenerative applications. DIN rail mounting is integrated into the housing.
Huco Dynatork has invested in quick-setup machine tools that will form a dedicated production cell for Oldham couplings, slashing lead times. Value stream mapping has identified an appropriate development path that will see Oldham lead times plunge from weeks to days. An early aim of the mapping exercise was to identify time or material waste and excessive inventory and it soon became clear that a major contributor to lead time was product queuing at every stage of manufacture.
Initial analysis set a typical lead time for a nonstocked item at an unacceptable 27 working days. Huco Dynatork had already taken some steps to iron out the production queuing by holding a large stock of pilot bored Oldhams. The problem was that market demand required a huge inventory and that was certainly not producing a good return on capital. "An inventory-based system can only be as good as your forecast", explained Joint Managing Director David Lockett.
"The scope of choice we offer our customers means we will never be able to forecast accurately every item so we have focused our attention on creating greater production flexibility". Huco Dynatork has therefore invested in quick-setup machine tools that will form a dedicated production cell for Oldham couplings. In the coming months this will comprise four CNC turning centres and two CNC vertical milling centres.
Before committing to the purchase of this capital equipment the company undertook future state value stream mapping, an exercise that assumed the mix and manufacturing volume of the product remain unchanged. The plan showed a massive reduction in inventory and the typical lead time for a nonstocked Oldham was reduced to five days.
Festo developed a special Copac DLP linear actuator with a through-piston rod for the 28 Fontaine shut-off valves for the Les Gresillons sewage treatment plant. Located on the northern outskirts of Paris, the Les Gresillons sewage treatment plant currently serves some 300,000 people and processes 100,000m3 per day This figure is set to triple by the time expansion is complete in 2015.
It will purify the sewage produced by one million people in the greater Paris area and return it to the river Seine. Les Gresillons differs from conventional sewage plants with biological purification stages in that it uses special filter technology, rather than bacterial activation tanks. After the mechanical purification stage using sand filters and screening units, the pre-treated sewage passes through three levels containing biofilters, where the nitrogen is removed from the sewage. The supply to the 28 biofilters, as well as the backwashing process, is controlled by process gates (shut-off or butterfly valves) using automated pneumatic actuators.
Festo developed a special Copac DLP linear actuator with a through-piston rod for the 28 Fontaine shut-off valves, which are not housed in order to facilitate the use of a handwheel in emergencies. Each shut-off valve is equipped with two proximity sensors for sensing the mechanical end stops and transmitting the information to the controller. Decentralised CPX/MPA valve terminals actuate the drives and record all data relating to the filtration tanks.
Each tank communicates with the centralised Allen Bradley controller via the DeviceNet fieldbus interface of its CPX terminal. The CPX terminals also include Festo PLCs for managing the control circuits locally and ensuring safety positions. Diagnostic functionality enables the CPX terminals to quickly detect any faults in the plant.
The CPX concept, plus the IP65/IP67 protection class, has kept electrical and pneumatic installation costs to a minimum. Apart from using reliable automation technology, plant operator SIAAP, filtration tanks supplier Stereau and Fontaine, were also able to rely on Festo's services for training and commissioning, saving valuable time. A further 70 filter systems are due to be installed at the Les Gresillons plant by 2012.
Alio Industries will be the sales distributor for Kohzu products in the Americas, while Kohzu will distribute Alio's nano-precision products and systems in Japan and other Asian markets. Alio Industries will be the sales distributor for Kohzu products in the Americas, while Kohzu will distribute Alio's nano-precision products and systems in Japan and other Asian markets.
Bill Hennessey, founder and CEO of Alio Industries said, "Kohzu has been designing and manufacturing precision products for half a century and we've been impressed with the quality and performance of their systems". "Their philosophy is consistent with the design philosophies of Alio Industries and we see this partnership as an excellent opportunity to offer complementary products in both of our markets".
The permeability of Victrex Peek polymer to hot gasses and liquids is an estimated 100 times lower than existing polymer hose materials and has a 260C continuous use temperature. Kutting has released Peekline hoses designed with Victrex Peek polymer Kutting's new range of hoses incorporate liner tubes made from Victrex Peek polymer, in a design that takes advantage of the polymer's high mechanical properties, maximises chemical, thermal and permeation resistance and meets the requirements of the oil and gas offshore industry.
Kevin Johnson, General Manager of Kutting said "We have set out to increase overall product performance and long-term reliability". "With the use of Victrex Peek polymer in the hose lining, our product offers substantially improved permeation resistance, has higher chemical resistance and significantly improved temperature resistance compared to existing products in the market". "This, in turn, allows umbilicals built with Peekline hoses to perform in more demanding environments".
"The permeability of Victrex Peek polymer to hot gasses and liquids, including hot methanol, is an estimated 100 times lower than existing polymer hose materials and has a 260C continuous use temperature". As oil and gas exploration and production companies around the world face increasingly challenging conditions such as deeper water, more corrosive environments and higher pressures and temperatures, the reliability of subsea equipment has become paramount", said Robert Navo, Global Applications Manager for Oil and Gas at Victrex.
"As a result, Victrex has worked closely with Kutting to support the development of its new Peekline hose range". "Victrex Peek polymer successfully addresses Kutting's key areas of concern such as improved mechanical performance and chemical resistance". Kutting supplies hoses for offshore applications, including subsea umbilicals. Umbilicals take many forms and may contain electrical cables and hoses of different types, sizes and pressure ratings, including high collapse resistant (HCR) lines for chemical injection.
Umbilicals can be static or dynamic or a combination of both and lengths may vary from short, in the case of hydraulic flying leads (HFL), to long, in the case of production control umbilicals. As the energy industry moves to more aggressive and demanding operating environments, technology is playing a significant role in the drive to reduce the overall cost of hydrocarbon recovery and develop alternative energy. The selection of the correct material is often seen as a key component for success when seeking to overcome these challenges.
AGC Chemicals Europe has specified two Tinius Olsen MP600 melt flow index testers for its new ETFE Plant near Blackpool. AGC Chemicals manufactures a wide range of fluoropolymers from its UK base. The new ETFE plant is the company's first to be built outside of Japan and was constructed in response to the increased demand for ETFE, especially as a building material. In addition to demanding markets such as the automotive and aerospace industry, the best known usage of ETFE supplied by AGC Chemicals Europe is the cladding on the Allianz-Arena in Munich, which was built for the World Cup and is now home to Bayern Munich.
Fluon ETFE is also being supplied from Japan for roofing on both the spectacular Olympic Bird's Nest stadium and the Watercube swimming arena in Bejing. The two new Tinius Olsen MP600 melt flow index testers join an older MP600 that is used for technical service support. The testers are used in the quality control laboratory within the new plant, where they test ETFE at a temperature of 297C to the standard ASTM D3159.
As part of the specification for the two MP600s, Technical Service Manager, Phil Spencer, also opted to have them fitted with an automatic timing switch to enable Method B testing and a motorised weight support to lift/lower the 5kg weight they use, in order to meet manual handling regulations. They are also supplied with anti-corrosive barrels. 'The original MP600 is now three years old and has performed extremely well and despite being used for corrosive Fluoropolymers, it is still in very good working order, so I am very pleased with the protection the chamber provides', according to Spencer.
'Having had a good look at other units on the market, I was impressed by the high specification of the MP600 and its ability to run at up to 450C is useful for PFA assessments, so at the lower level for ETFE it is not really being put under too much strain'. 'We have a lot of confidence in the results and like the repeatability of results plus its high-temperature performance in corrosive fluoropolymer environments'. 'Allied to this the support and software provided by Tinius Olsen has been excellent'.
The Tinius Olsen MP600 melt flow index tester is designed for resin flow measurement and by being able to measure pre-process raw material variations or highlight post-production problems, ensures that any potential problems can be quickly and cost-effectively identified. The MP600 uses a dual-zone heating system in the core, which has an accuracy of 0.1C with a maximum temperature of 450C. The standard specification includes an integral microprocessor-based controller/timer and a fluorescent display and keypad. The standard unit can be upgraded at any time to enable automatic testing and operation, plus up to 10 units can be linked to a computer using the EP600 software.
Lattice Technology's XVL Player Version 9, is now available for free download from its website. XVL Player is a free viewer with full 3D visualisation capabilities including rotate, pan and zoom, which allow users to view parts and assemblies in the ultra-compressed XVL format that have been generated from CAD or edited with XVL Studio. XVL Player provides an easy means for nonCAD operators to view and explore 3D models from any PC.
The measurement, cross-sectioning and advanced viewing features are now included free in XVL Player 9. These functions allow users not just to view models, but also add information commonly used in the downstream processes of manufacturers. In addition to the viewing features, users can create dimensions and profiles for 3D objects or view previously defined snapshots and positions or set its properties to refer to other documents. With the 9.1 release additional free features will be added, including animation controls to play process animations.
Users can now employ the free viewer to handle a wider variety of post-design processing tasks. Examples include the testing of an assembly's feasibility in a manufacturing technology division, or the confirmation of part dimensions for a customer quote in a procurement division. Both tasks can be accomplished through the viewer, eliminating the need for a CAD operator to make changes or look up information. XVL-compressed 3D models are lightweight enough to be easily emailed, so suppliers, partners and customers can participate in discussions about the details of components and assemblies without any added software costs.
