Technology for OEM Design Engineers December 19, 2006 — Volume 2, Issue 46
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Validating space shuttle heat shield repair
The loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia, because of damage to its thermal protection system (TPS) during launch, spurred a search for methods of repairing the TPS in space. The most important and difficult repair to the TPS is the Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) material used to protect the nose cap and wing leading edge panels. NASA uses the SLP-330 laser scanning probe from Laser Design, integrated with Romer Portable coordinate measuring machine (CMM) arms, for this critical task because of its high accuracy, portability, and economy in inspecting 3D surfaces. Read the full article
Railway springs require super-tough, flexible elastomer
Joint development between Durel GmbH and DSM Engineering Plastics has resulted in a range of railway side buffer springs, draft gears, and, in more demanding safety applications, crash buffers capable of absorbing large amounts of energy. The designs combine metal with Arnitel thermoplastic polyether elastomer (TPEE). Acting as a spring, Arnitel TPEE absorbs and releases energy in predictable ways over a long service life, helping trains to start, accelerate, decelerate, and stop smoothly. Unlike metal springs, Arnitel TPEE does not rust, deteriorate, fracture, or lose its springiness. Read the full article
CFD simulation investigates mystery of dolphin's speed
How do dolphins maintain a swimming speed of up to 10 m/s? Standard engineering calculations predict that the dolphin's muscles would have to be seven times more powerful than they actually are to achieve that speed. Research scientist V.V. Pavlov at the Crimean State Medical University in the Ukraine used COSMOSFloWorks computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software to investigate this question, which ultimately may aid designs that increase speed and reduce fuel consumption of ships and airplanes. Read the full article
Grillin' it: Pre-production simulations critical to auto parts producer
Since much of his work is related to decorative parts such as automotive grills, cosmetic issues are important for Russ Napp, director of tooling for Guardian Automotive's trim plant. Guardian is one of the world's largest manufacturers of fabricated glass products and an international supplier of exterior vehicle systems.
"Moldflow filling analyses are good predictors of knit line locations," says Napp.
"The Moldflow fill, warp, and cool simulations allow us to talk to our customers about appearance expectations prior to building a mold. The simulations help me in the approval process," he says. Read the full article
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