TechArchive

Original article date: June 2000 Keeping the weight down has long been a recipe for success for Lotus. On two new models the company is taking advantage of bonded aluminium space frames Lotus, the legendary sports car manufacturer, is building on the successful Elise model. Three new models incorporating a bonded aluminium space frame chassis [...]

Original article date: October 1999 Alan Quinn visited Thermex in Redditch and discovered a completely new approach to heat exchanger design Most proprietary shell-and-tube heat exchangers and oil coolers feature an outer cast or extruded aluminium shell, with oil inlet and outlet ports, and a tubestack comprising copper or cupronickel tubes. Cooling is provided by [...]

Original article date: September 1999 Even if you’ve devoted your career to studying sheet steel, you’ll find a new handbook from Swedish Steel an invaluable reference. We certainly loved it here in the office. The extraordinary Sheet Steel Handbook produced by Swedish Steel has become one of the ‘must have’ references for designers over the [...]

Original article date: May 1999 Alan Quinn explains how MCP Equipment’s advanced computerised vacuum casting machines can save time and money alongside rapid prototyping facilities. Those who use rapid prototyping techniques such as stereolithography face a cost dilemma when they need to produce the original prototype in numbers for technical evaluation and market testing. It [...]

Original article date: July 2000 Problems in hydraulic systems arising from abrasive and adhesive wear can be solved by PVD hard coatings, says Dr ANDREW BLOYCE of Balzers Providing high power density, compact dimensions and outstanding controllability, hydraulic systems support a wide range of industrial applications. But the performance of hydraulic systems is often compromised [...]

This article was originally written in the period 1995-2000 David Milborn of British Steel Engineering Steels explains the latest developments in air-cooled forging steels Air-cooled carbon and micro-alloyed steels are steels which instead of being heat treated after forging, are cooled in controlled conditions, either in still air or in an air-stream created by a [...]

Original article date: February 2000 Insulated bearings ensure trains go further without stops. Tommy Miller reports Research has identifed the train as being an mode of travel for journeys up to 1000km. This assumes however that we have a new generation of trains able to go faster than ever before and to travel much longer [...]

Original article date: December 1998 HSE turns the screw still further A new substitute material for the high density asbestos-cement type “Sindanyo” boards used for electrical and thermal insulation applications in general industry has been announced by Cape Insulation. Asbestos-cement products have been used for years in the electrical industry for the construction of mechanically [...]

Original article date: April 2000 We asked KEN FARROW, head of materials engineering services at Materials Engineering, to guide us through the problems that can cause materials failures Things are not always exactly what they seem. When something breaks down, the immediate response is to want it to be repaired and back in service. And [...]

This article was originally written in the period 1995-2000 Follow these 10 golden rules and you can be sure that your life will be full of interest and excitement. In the longer term, there is also the distinct possibility of an extended period of leisure! Rule 1. Always buy tool steel at the cheapest possible [...]