Making a bee-line to better production methods

It seems that scientists in Wales are studying honey bees in order to create models for human productivity.

Researchers at the Cardiff University Manufacturing Engineering Centre (mec.cf.ac.uk) have developed a mathematical model, or algorithm, after observing the “waggle dance” of bees foraging for nectar. It is said to enable companies to maximize results by changing basic elements of their processes.

When a bee finds a source of nectar, it returns to the hive and performs a dance to show other bees the direction and distance of the flower patch and how plentiful it is. The other workers then decide how many of them will fly off to find the new source, depending on its distance and quality.

The MEC team’s Bees Algorithm mimics this behavior. A computer can be set up to calculate the results of different settings on a manufacturing process.
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If you are a print subscriber to DPN, you have been receiving DPN Responder CARD PACKS in the mail. These "post cards" on a variety of component and system products are now available in a digital format at the DPN website. In this
e-LETTER (and in the future), you will receive a hotlink (above) to click on for links to  information on a broad variety of technologies, from bellows and linear motion to grippers and sensors.

Keep pressing our buttons!

Mike Edwards, Editor,
DPN Magazine medwards@clbmedia.ca
Past e-LETTERs: click Archives

USEFUL SITES

Automation science. The IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering journal (ieee.org/t-ase) covers topics from the efficient assembly of nano-scale structures to energy-saving home automation methods.

Parts downloads. The Autodesk-hosted Manufacturing Community website features millions of parts at its Supplier Content Center (http://mfgcommunity.autodesk.com/content).

Integrated control and information. A white paper, Integrating Control and Information Systems, from Rockwell Automation outlines the business trends driving the need to create an environment where data can improve manufacturing processes.

CAD drawings. D-M-E Company provides more than 66,000 parts for design engineers and mold designers (dme.net).
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                    DPN EXCLUSIVES

Modular safety relays. Modular Allen-Bradley safety relays include a model that features seven safety outputs, four auxiliary outputs and two solid-state auxiliary outputs, as well as meet a variety of application requirements, including safety switches, light curtains and safety mats.

Sensors design kit. The Non-Invasive Sensors Design Kit from Minco comes with five thermal-ribbon, thermal-tab, and bolt-on RTD sensors that allow engineers to accurately sense temperature in places where they otherwise would have to drill or tap a sensor.

Vacuum cups. Vi-Cas Manufacturing has introduced vacuum cups for the handling of CDs and DVDs. Styles and sizes are available in materials to suit most CD or DVD handling applications, including pick-and-place and labeling. An online catalog allows users to select available cups.


      

The Yves Landry Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2006 Awards of Excellence (ylandryfund.org). Awards will be presented at our 7th Annual STARS Technological Education Awards Gala (Thursday, October 26, 2006, The Westin Harbour Castle, Metropolitan Ballroom, Conference Building, One Harbour Square, Toronto).
The Awards recognize those individuals and businesses that best exemplify the vision of the late Yves Landry, Chairman, President and CEO of Chrysler Canada (1990-1998), of forging a link between business, education and government, and promoting technological education and skills training in order to address the upcoming shortages that industry will be facing.
Company of the Year
Mold-Masters. Accepting for Mold-Masters will be Jonathan Fischer, president (above).
Program of the Year
AUTO21 Network of Centres of Excellence. Accepting for AUTO21 will be Dr. Peter Frise (right), AUTO21 Scientific Director & CEO.
Person of the Year
Honorable Ralph Klein, Premier of Alberta.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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 2-5, 2006. Toronto. Fifteenth Annual International Anodized Conference & Exposition presented by the Aluminum Anodizers Council (anodizing.org).

October 5, 2006. Hamilton, ON. A broad spectrum of technical issues in light metal solidification and casting research will be explored in a half-day symposium at McMaster University. Followed by the official opening of the Light Metal Casting Research Centre (http://lmcrc.mcmaster.ca).

October 18-20, 2006. Mississauga, ON. Mitutoyo Canada open house, metrology courses and grand re-opening of its M³ Metrology Centre (mitutoyo.ca).

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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DPN gratefully acknowledges HP Canada for the use of its new HP Compaq nw9440 Mobile Workstation to run the latest Mechanical CAD & Industrial Design applications and peripherals.
 
                    

                Coming Soon:

  September 2006 DPN
 

Featuring:
• The future of Ethanol
• Smart valves that improve diagnostics
• Traditional Swiss pioneering motion
• Direct Drives vs. Power Transmission
• Automation energy savings
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