Doug Green

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New insulating material from invasive ‘Apple of Sodom’

PIC CAP: The fibers and seed pod of Calotropis procera. Commonly known as the Apple of Sodom, this shrub can grow up to 5 meters high. The Apple of Sodom (Calotropis procera) plant is often regarded as a nuisance, but thanks to researchers in Saudi Arabia it could now be the source of a novel insulating material. Dr Mohamed Ali from King Saud University received a gold medal for his work. From regulating temperature in walls, pipes and electrical devices to dampening sound, insulating materials play an important part in our daily lives. But how can they be made from a plant like C. procera and what are the advantages over traditional insulation materials such as foam or mineral wool? Lead researcher Dr Mohamed Ali explained: “This plant tends to grow in very dry areas. It grows naturally all around as a weed and animals can’t eat it, so it doesn’t have that many uses.” Unlike other natural insulating materials, such as wood fibre (also used for paper, tissue, cardboard etc.) or mineral wool (also used in plastics and the automotive industry), this means that there is no competition with other sectors or livelihoods. “What interested me about it were the seedpods. Inside there are lots of white fibres attached to the seeds – I collected these fibres and did some experimenting.” To make the insulator, Dr Ali and his colleagues combined the plant’s fibres with a binding resin called phenolic formaldehyde, and compressed it to a thickness of around 2 cm. The resulting material was a stiff board with good insulating properties. They then discovered that the finished product was just as good if natural corn starch was used in place of phenolic formaldehyde, resulting in a natural, eco-friendly material that would be cheap to produce and completely safe […]

PowerMILL ‘the best for five-axis’

PIC CAP: In-house manufacturing with PowerMILL has helped make Viking Yachts a world leader in semi-custom fibreglass yachts. “When it comes to CAM for five-axis programming, Delcam’s PowerMILL is hands down the easiest and best I have ever used,”states Jason Taylor, five-axis CNC programmer at Viking Yachts. His company first added the Delcam software after it acquired an MR125 gantry milling system able to handle parts fifty feet long by twenty feet wide and ten feet high. This machine can mill patterns as large as a vessel’s bridge and helm, as well as Viking’s smaller hulls, in one piece. The Viking Yacht Company was started by brothers Bob and Bill Healey in 1964 when they bought Peterson-Viking Builders, a small, struggling New Jersey builder of 37-foot, wooden sport-fishing boats. The renamed Viking Yachts has grown to become a world leader in semi-custom fibreglass yacht production, with over 4,000 luxury/performance sport-fishing and cruising yachts delivered to happy customers. Viking prides itself on its in-house manufacturing capabilities, which have been an important part of its highly-regarded reputation. From the initial design to the finished product, the company is committed to producing ninety per cent of the boat in house. Except for components such as engines, transmissions, pumps, hoses, air conditioning units, electronics and entertainment systems, virtually everything else is produced in-house by the company’s talented workforce. “I have been programming with PowerMILL for over five years now,” said Mr. Taylor. “Here at Viking Yachts, we use cutting-edge software for all our engineering needs. PowerMILL helps us stay on top of the competition.” “When I first started using PowerMILL, we were on version 5,” he added. “Now, after at least eight major updates, we are running the 2011 version. With each update, Delcam and the team at our reseller, DM Solutions, make my job […]

Materials that shrink when heated

New research holds promise for applications ranging from high-precision optical components to tooth fillings. Samples of Invar. Also known as FeNi36, it is an iron-nickel alloy notable for its lack of expansion or contraction with temperature changes. One common reason that people with fillings experience toothache is that their fillings expand at a different rate to the original tooth when, for example, drinking a hot drink. Contrary to intuition, however, not all materials expand when heated-some actually contract. Recent research on these so-called negative thermal expansion (NTE) materials has led to the discovery of alloys exhibiting unexpectedly large thermal contraction. Controlling the thermal expansion of composites is important for producing nanometer-scale electronic circuits, as well as the next-generation fuel cells and thermoelectric devices. An ability to combine NTE materials with ‘normal’ materials which expand upon heating ensures a reduction in thermal expansion in a composite material Ð something that people with tooth fillings would appreciate. An example of such a composite is Invar, an iron-nickel alloy with a uniquely low coefficient of thermal expansion. As a result it is used where high dimensional stability is required, such as precision instruments, clocks or seismic creep gauges. Koshi Takenaka at the Department of Crystalline Materials Science, Nagoya University in Japan works on NTE materials for practical applications. In the latest issue of Science and Technology of Advanced Materials (link below) he summarizes the physical mechanisms governing NTE with emphasis on recent developments. Takenaka notes that, “NTE materials will expand our capability of thermal-expansion control, opening a new paradigm of materials science and technology thermal-expansion-adjustable composites.” One challenge facing the scientist is that the addition of NTE materials to composites leads to undesirable instabilities at interfaces. New methods for producing stable interfaces between the host composite and NTE compensators are of critical importance. […]

Obama Takes Aim at China Trade Practices, Pushes for Clean Energy

Beijing’s trade policies once again came under fire in Washington on Tuesday evening, as US President Barack Obama pledged in his annual State of the Union address to “do more” to ensure a level playing field for US products. With the November presidential election in his sights, clean energy is also set to be high on the White House agenda, with Obama asking Congress to “double-down on a clean energy industry that’s never been more promising.” “We need to do more” on China, Obama says The US President, addressing a joint session of Congress in his speech on Tuesday 24 January, promised to “go anywhere in the world to open markets for American products,” adding that he would be sure to hold the US’ trading partners to international trade laws. “I will not stand by when our competitors don’t play by the rules,” Obama said. The US and China have seen trade tensions escalate over the past year, with Washington and Beijing engaging in a tit-for-tat row that has covered a broad range of issues, from China’s valuation of its currency, to antidumping claims at the WTO, to both countries’ support of their respective renewable energy sectors. “Over a thousand Americans are working today because we stopped a surge in Chinese tyres,” Obama said, referring to a WTO dispute in which China had unsuccessfully challenged safeguard measures levelled by Washington on Chinese tyre imports (see Bridges Weekly, 7 September 2011). “But we need to do more. It’s not right when another country lets our movies, music, and software be pirated. It’s not fair when foreign manufacturers have a leg up on ours only because they’re heavily subsidised,” he added. In his address, Obama confirmed earlier reports that he would be establishing a Trade Enforcement Unit that would be tasked […]

Optimise your manufacturing operations in Asia

Join Asia Manufacturing News at the Asia Manufacturing Strategies Summit 2012, an exclusive event taking place 15th- 16th October 2012 in Singapore. Attending will provide you with a unique opportunity to discuss the best practice for yourÊmanufacturing needs through 2 focus streams, interactive workshops, real life case studies and facilitated one-to-one networking. Confirming your place at Asia Manufacturing Strategies Summit 2012 will enable you to learn more about: * Adapting manufacturing operations to disruptive events * Human resource management in the manufacturing industry * Rise of new manufacturing hubs in the ASEAN region * Balancing cost competitiveness and quality * Reducing environmental impact through innovative green strategies For further information please: * Visit the summit website at www.asiamanufacturingsummit.com * Email Laurann de Verteuil, the event marketing manager, at laurann.deverteuil@wtgevents.com * Call us on +65 6521 2941 Complete your registration by visiting www.asiamanufacturingsummit.com/register Asia Manufacturing News www.asiamanufacturingnews.com is the primary media partner of Asia Manufacturing Strategies Summit 2012.

Eyes and Ears’ guard major oil pipeline

A high-tech UK security system has been chosen to protect a vital part of India’s energy infrastructure, the 670-kilometre-long Mangala oil pipeline. The Mangala is the world’s longest continuously heated and insulated pipeline. Operated by Cairn India it will have access to 75 per cent of IndiaÕs refining capacity after it reaches Bhogat in Gujarat. The state-of-the-art security OptaSense system – developed by Qineti, the UK’s largest international defence and security technology group – is designed to detect, classify and locate potential threats to buried pipelines. OptaSense is a buried cable fibre-optic sensor system that can detect multiple, simultaneous disturbances every 10 metres over a 40-kilometre length of existing or installed optical fibre. In border and perimeter security applications, anyone climbing or cutting wire fences or digging near the perimeter alerts the sensor and sets off an alarm. The system then classifies the disturbance, provides the position and cues other aids/sensors, such as cameras, to ensure the operator instigates the appropriate response. In cable and pipeline protection applications, any activity – such as the approach of a digger or the lifting of a manhole cover – also generates an alarm. The system’s acoustic sensitivity can also be used to listen to the flow through a pipe, to allow the location of blockages and leaks. OptaSense has huge implications for pipeline operators, where a real-time alert of a leak and its location could save millions of dollars. Vandalism, terrorist attacks or problems with these assets can impact on the environment, the economy and on the lives of staff and consumers. The contract was awarded by Cairn India and ONGC Joint Venture through Qineti”s distribution partner, Optilan, following tests in 2010. Under the contract, Qineti”s OptaSense system will be installed along the whole length of the pipeline to provide highest-level security. “Pipeline […]

3D tools added to ArtCAM Insignia artistic CADCAM

Delcam has added 3D modelling tools to ArtCAM Insignia A range of 3D modelling tools have been added to Delcam’s ArtCAM Insignia software for volume production of artistic items by signmakers, furniture manufacturers, engravers and sculptors of materials from wood or metal to ice. Like all the members of the ArtCAM family of software, Insignia allows artistic users to produce high-quality decorative items, with all the productivity and consistency benefits of computer-based manufacturing but without the need for any detailed engineering knowledge. A demonstration version is now available for download, with a series of online webinars showing the new functionality planned for 20th January. Full details are available on the ArtCAM Insignia website www.artcaminsignia.com. Within the new 3D modelling tools, the most powerful option is the Shape Editor. By simply double clicking on a specific colour of a bitmap image or a selected vector, the user can quickly transform it into a 3D design. The Shape Editor can not only determine the shape’s profile, angle and height but also how it is combined with any 3D relief that has already been created. A second method for creating 3D designs from vector art is the Two-Rail Sweep. By selecting multiple vectors for the edges of the shape and any number of cross sections for chosen positions, users can quickly create a 3D sweep shape or a swept surface. Once the initial design has been created it can be edited in a number of ways. The surface of the model can be given a smooth, unblemished appearance with the Smooth Relief tool. Options are available to smooth over the entire 3D design, an area within a specific vector or a selected colour, in a number of passes. This is a particularly useful way of smoothing evenly across a scanned 3D model for […]

PolyU-made space tool sets for inter-planetary mission

A Russian spacecraft carrying the state-of-the-art space tool made by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) embarked on a one-year space journey to the Red Planet at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in November. This historical mission, also known as the “Phobos-Grunt” (which means soil of Phobos, the largest moon of Mars), marks the first strategic interplanetary collaboration between China and Russia. This is also the first interplanetary mission of Russia after the dissolution of the former Soviet Union. PolyU has been entrusted with the responsibility of designing a mission-critical space tool known as the “Soil Preparation System” (SOPSYS) for the Sino-Russian Mars Mission. Of interest to the scientific community will be the mission’s first bold attempt in the history of mankind to land on the Martian moon Phobos and collect soil sample for in-situ analysis. If the mission goes as planned, the spacecraft carrying both PolyU-made space tool and Chinese satellite Yinghuo-1 will go near the Red Planet in November 2012. The explorer will then release Yinghuo-1 into orbit around Mars; and seek to release the Lander carrying PolyU-made SOPSYS onto the surface of the potato-shaped Martian moon Phobos. SOPSYS weighs merely 400 grams and measures slightly larger than a cigarette pack. It is capable of grinding and sifting Phobos rock to the size of less than 1mm in diameter and then from it into a plug of measured size for in situ analysis. This procedure is considered a crucial step in understanding the evolution of the universe and the formation of the planet Mars. PolyU researchers have been working closely with IKI (Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Science) and the Russian aerospace company NPO Lavochkin in testing the functionality of SOPSYS under extreme environment. Dr Alexander V Zakharov, Chief Scientist of the Space Research Institute […]

Maintaining the advantage

By Doug Green Manufacturing environments are rapidly evolving due to global competition and changing customer requirements. This is from the Lead Article (Page 5) that in a very comprehensive way describes the need to maintain competitiveness and look after critical business decisions in Asia, South Pacific regions. So how is your company managing this? Vehicle manufacturers seem to be pretty much on to it and I am always being informed of key refinements to manufacturing environments, especially from South Korea. So have your say as well and email words@xtra.co.nz and we will publish your observations and share your manufacturing methods with our readers around the world. We also look at Product Data Management (PDM) and the need to look at such an integrated system (Page 19). There is no point wasting valuable time looking for or recreating designs that already exist, which can put your company at a competitive disadvantage. Using existing designs can save time and money and bring new products to market faster. A fascinating read! Energy conservation and environmental protection is now the catch phrase for sustainable global growth. Do you agree with that observation? In China the State Council is looking at ways for sustainable growth by developing an innovative model. So Speeding up Green Technology in China (Page 30) describes a campaign underway to do better business environmentally. This is a sound initiative especially with economic indicators around the globe showing a slowdown of activity. Seizing the moment is definitely the way to go. Our Asia Pacific economies face huge challenges. And that’s okay – through issues arising new opportunities are created. Let us all grab hold of 2012 and make it a successful business year.

Consumables have longer life

SINGAPORE: Hypertherm, a U.S. based manufacturer of advanced metal cutting systems, is now selling consumables for Kaliburn Spirit plasma cutting systems that last at least twice as long as the OEM consumables. Testing shows the life expectancy of the consumables increases by two to three times when cutting at 275 amps and below, and increases more than 50 percent when cutting at 400 amps. In addition to lasting longer, the consumables deliver better and more consistent cut quality, resulting in the need for less secondary work. The life and performance improvements are the result of advanced Hypertherm technology. SilverLine electrodes contain a solid silver front so they wear more slowly; CoolFlow nozzles have an angled o-ring, deep cooling contours and thicker walls to extend the working life; and the swirl ring is made with lava instead of ceramic, making it more robust and economical. “These new Centricut consumables for Kaliburn reduce the overall cost of operation and deliver exceptional cut quality and process reliability,” said Martin Geheran, product marketing manager for Hypertherm’s Centricut brand. “At the same time, they maintain the fast cutting speeds that are especially important in today’s economic environment.” The Centricut brand consumables are available for all Kaliburn Spirit and ProLine systems. Like all Hypertherm products, they are precision manufactured to tight tolerances so customers get consistent, reliable performance from their cutting system. Hypertherm’s Centricut brand engineers and manufactures advanced plasma and laser cutting consumables. Its product line includes consumables that deliver increased value to people who own most any non-Hypertherm cutting system including systems by ESAB, Kjellberg, and Trumpf. All Centricut brand products are engineered and manufactured to exacting standards and incorporate the latest technological advances that help to reduce operating costs, while delivering increased cut speed and quality. Centricut products include free technical support and […]

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Doug Green

About Doug Green

Posts by Doug Green: