Is TV programming going through an engineering renaissance?

Mythbusters and American Chopper are popular TV shows on the Discovery Channel that celebrate engineering, manufacturing and design innovation. Mythbusters star hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman were even enlisted to appear at SolidWorks World in Las Vegas recently, illustrating that mechanical designers and couch potatoes alike can be entertained by that "educational" television network.

But I must say my jaw dropped when I noticed that the acerbic American Idol producer and talent judge Simon Cowell launched American Inventor on ABC this month. I'm all for TV programming that might inspire the next generation to pursue careers in engineering, science and design. In this case, however, knowing Idol's tendency to humiliate participants, I hope more kids aren't scared off than attracted to technology pursuits!

On a more sober note, I've learned that this year the Formula SAE university-level competition featured in the Jan/Feb 2006 DPN "has been especially bad for a lot of teams." According to University of Toronto FSAE business director Daniel Zanini, "A lot of companies and schools are cutting support."

His brush with television here is troubling, too. Zanini added that "we were in talks to get FSAE on (Discovery Channel Canada's) Daily Planet program but they deemed it not interesting enough; we don’t build a solar car or try to get superior gas mileage."

Lights! Combustion! Action!

Mike Edwards, Editor,
DPN Magazine medwards@clbmedia.ca
Past e-LETTERs: go to dpncanada.com, then click Archives

USEFUL SITES

Flow analysis. Moldflow Corp. (moldflow.com) has announced Moldflow Communicator 1.0, a free 3D viewer that allows product teams to visualize, quantify and compare Moldflow analysis results.

Factory automation. Pepperl+Fuchs has redesigned its website am.pepperl-fuchs.com to present its factory and process automation products more clearly.

Medical portal. Gems Sensors & Controls has opened a site dedicated to addressing the fluid sensing and control needs of medical equipment design engineers (gemsmedicalsolutions.com).

Springs. Lee Spring eCommerce site permits shopping for springs by cross reference, by part number, by specification or by catalog (leespring.com).
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                    DPN EXCLUSIVES

Enclosures. The Rittal Systems Compact Medium Enclosure (CM) combines the benefits of its AE enclosure with the installation diversity of the TS 8. Interior component mounting is facilitated by installing standard vertical rails, which replicate the TS 8 frame, on the side walls.

Nylon conduit system. Heyco Products, Inc., has announced Flexicon FPI corrugated nylon electrical conduit. The conduit provides protection from oils, solvents, abrasives and ultraviolet light. It is flexible and crush-resistant, and is available in diameters from 13 to 54 mm.

Linear actuators. The Bug series of linear actuators from Ultra Motion feature ABEC-7 angular contact bearings and interchangeable motor mounting plates. A Kevlar drive belt and pulleys provides 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1 and 5:1 drive ratios with low backlash and low audible noise by eliminating gears between the motor and the drive screw.


        

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MFG.com has partnered with Pinion Software to develop MfgQuote AutoShred Lite, a free product that electronically "shreds" drawings that are shared in the SolidWorks eDrawings software format at a designated time, removing them completely from the recipient's hard drive.

IMAGINiT, an Autodesk software products reseller and trainer, has announced some offices are relocating to adapt to its growing number of clients. During these transitions, IMAGINiT will continue to hold training classes and events, as well as keep clients informed if their local office is moving.

In addition, the IMAGINiT London (ON) office is hosting an RSVP open house cocktail reception on April 4.

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 3-6, 2006. Detroit. SAE 2006 World Congress (sae.org/congress) sponsored by SAE International.

June 19-23, 2006. Chicago. NPE 2006: The International Plastics Showcase presented by The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (npe.org).

June 25-29, 2006. Las Vegas. The Electrical Apparatus Service Association (easa.com) will hold its 2006 Annual Convention and Exposition.

September 26-28, 2006. Mississauga, ON. Canadian Manufacturing Week, including the Design Engineering and OEM show, Weld Expo and the Plant Equipment Maintenance show (reedexpo.ca/cmw).

October 22-25, 2006. Milwaukee. The Investment Casting Institute's 54th Technical Conference and Expo (investmentcasting.org).

CLICK HERE FOR MORE EVENTS
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SPONSOR MESSAGE: AutomationDirect

       Drives and Motors
 
AutomationDirect announces lower prices on its GS1, GS2, and DURApulse AC drives and Marathon motors. The price reduction presents an average savings of 18% on variable frequency drives.

The Marathon lines of MicroMAX, Black Max, Blue Max, and Blue Chip inverter duty motors have been reduced 10%. All drives and motors are available in sizes ranging from .25-100HP and prices now start at US$99.
Check out www.automationdirect.com for more details.

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Velmex manufactures precision tables. They offer a precise, simple design, which is easily modifiable, and a broad range of sizes. Widths are 1.5", 2.5", 4", 6" and 9"; lengths from 4" to 93". They are available as single axis manual units or as multi-axis motor driven systems..

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Coming soon in:
 March 2006 DPN
.

Click cover or here
for a sneak preview!