Engineering and Technology Thread

[pharvey]

Stumbled across this site which provides some weird and wonderful DIY instructions for making anything from charging USB devices with paper , making a vocoder (voice synthesiser), increasing your wi-fi signal with a ''dumpling strainer'' to the more down to earth and useful ''how to'' recipes, auto-pool filler, building BBq's/smokers........ Loads of ideas for the bored and restless!!

http://www.instructables.com/

[pharvey]

http://www.instructables.com/id/Gasolin ... her.-Desi/

[pharvey]

Hooked on engineering, new concepts and "Gadgets", so thought I'd start this thread for like-minded individuals....

I find the history of engineering fascinating as well as the modern - the likes of Nikola Tesla, Brunel, Da Vinci (and many others), right the way through to the likes of these guys: -

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016 ... able-by-2/

http://lilium-aviation.com/

Could be interesting, but certainly opens up some considerable problems/dangers....... will also be interesting to see what (if they ever happen), they'll sell for.

[J.J.B.]

You've never had it so good, apparently. Here's one view of what the future holds based on a thorough analysis of global innovation:

http://stateofinnovation.thomsonreuters ... an-history

The report is well worth a look.

[Nereus]

Monster crowd as Ukrainian colossus touches down

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/ ... ches-down/

This monster on a delivery to Perth, WA.

Up to 25,000 people sat through gridlocked traffic, a two-hour plane delay and early showers today to watch the giant of the skies — the Antonov An-225 Mriya — thunder into Perth Airport just before noon.

[Terry]

Between May 1987 and October 1991 I was a Project Manager working for the the old GEC of the UK, on a railway control system in Moscow.
During the life of the project, I visited Moscow many times and actually lived there during the calendar year of 1990.
In the summer of 1990 we were part of a railway seminar and exhibition held at the Shcherbinka Depot and Test Track some 35 miles South of Moscow.
I used to smoke in those days and I stepped outside for a 'fag break' with some of the Russian engineers.
A few minutes later the AN 225 flew over carrying the 'Boran' (Russia's Shuttle) on it's back.
The noise was deafening but the sight was truly an experience to remember.
Sadly we were not allowed cameras in those days and of course there were no mobile phones with them in.

It's amazing that this old bird still flies and I'm not surprised at the interest that it creates on its' travels.

[Bluesky]

SLJ900/32
Something from the civil side of engineering, a bit bigger than your average gadget!

Behold, the heavy industry SLJ900/32 mobile bridge erecting machine!
Weighing 580 tonnes, measuring 91.8 meters (301 ft.) long, 7.4 meters wide and nine meters high, this mean machine is building bridges in a way we’ve never seen before.

Viewers watching the video above can see that the SLJ900/32 operates without conventional crane technology.

Instead, the machine travels to the edge of the bridge and reaches out to towers yet to be connected to the bridge with a temporary track. Once the track is stable, the machine pulls itself out with the new bridge segment in tow.

Once fully extended with the track and at this point reaching another bridge tower, the SLJ900/32 lowers the new bridge segment in place for the construction crew to begin their work.

Once this new segment is secure, the process can be repeated.
The SLJ900/32 is of Chinese design by Beijing Wowjoint Machinery Co., a supplier of customized heavy duty lifting and carrying machinery.
From the distance in the second video, it is hard to tell what safety equipment was used by the Chinese workers. However, if something like the SLJ900/32 were to gain popularity in the US, you can bet harness and height training will need to be up to date for workers.

A study of the SLJ900/32 by the Shijiazhuang Tiedao University in Shijiazhuang, China was published in the Chinese Journal of Railway Engineering


http://www.engineering.com/DesignerEdge ... -Robot.asp X


[youtube].https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0-0ChljgWCQ [/youtube]

[STEVE G]

Portugal ran entirely on renewable energy for 4 consecutive days last week
http://electrek.co/2016/05/16/portugal- ... last-week/

"System Sustainable Land Association in collaboration with the Portuguese Renewable Energy Association (APREN) analyzed data from the National Energy Network (REN) and concluded that in the week ended yesterday it has reached a very important record in this century. In fact, the consumption of electricity in Portugal was fully covered by renewable sources for more than followed four days (more precisely, between 6: 45h on Saturday morning, May 7, and 17: 45h Wednesday, May 11). This corresponded to a total of 107 hours at a time where it was not necessary to resort to any source of non-renewable electricity production, particularly the production of thermal power plants to coal or natural gas."

[Bluesky]

The makers of a new high tech shark detection system say it may soon be in use after a successful Bondi Beach trial.

New shark alert system passes trial phase
Shark Mitigation Systems said its Clever Buoy system has been endorsed by the Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association (APOLA) as a viable detection and alert solution for Australian beaches.

The system uses new sonar technology to create a virtual shark net, detecting sharks outside of the surf zone and immediately alerting authorities and beach users.

An eight week trial involving professional lifeguards proved successful across all measures, Shark Mitigation Systems co-founder Craig Anderson said.

It shows the system can sustainably operate in real beach conditions, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, he said.

"Following this successful trial, beachgoers in many parts of Australia and indeed in other countries can now look forward to safer beaches as we move to deploy this technology in response to the growing demand," Mr Anderson said.

The company has already been invited by several councils to submit proposals for the use of the Clever Buoy system off beaches in both Australia and overseas.

The Perth-based business, which recently listed on the share market, said its costs are competitive with alternative options on the market.

Shark Mitigation Systems has also developed patented camouflage patterns for wetsuits and surfboards that hide the user from sharks or make them appear unlike typical shark prey.

http://finance.ninemsn.com.au/newsbusin ... rial-phase

[Nereus]

Portugal ran entirely on renewable energy for 4 consecutive days last week
http://electrek.co/2016/05/16/portugal- ... last-week/

"System Sustainable Land Association in collaboration with the Portuguese Renewable Energy Association (APREN) analyzed data from the National Energy Network (REN) and concluded that in the week ended yesterday it has reached a very important record in this century. In fact, the consumption of electricity in Portugal was fully covered by renewable sources for more than followed four days (more precisely, between 6: 45h on Saturday morning, May 7, and 17: 45h Wednesday, May 11). This corresponded to a total of 107 hours at a time where it was not necessary to resort to any source of non-renewable electricity production, particularly the production of thermal power plants to coal or natural gas."

Well, full marks for the effort. But as pointed out in some of the comments, it is just not possible to run any power grid without some form of standby base load generating capacity. Until such time an efficient way of storing electrical energy is developed, base load capacity will have to be provided by non-renewable energy sources, be it coal, oil and gas, nuclear or whatever else is burnt in existing thermal power stations.

[STEVE G]

....it is just not possible to run any power grid without some form of standby base load generating capacity.

Yes, it's no different with coal fired power stations, you have to have extra capacity for when the boilers are being re-tubed every few years.

[pharvey]

Hey Terry... Look what I've found - Whoohoo

http://www.instructables.com/id/Model-R ... ower-Tool/

[migrant]

Hey Terry... Look what I've found - Whoohoo

http://www.instructables.com/id/Model-R ... ower-Tool/

Let me know when that party is!!!!

[Terry]

Hey Terry... Look what I've found - Whoohoo

http://www.instructables.com/id/Model-R ... ower-Tool/

Is it waterproof or harveyproof............?

[pharvey]

Is it waterproof or harveyproof............?

Not 100% sure - can I test it on the next visit?