New Technology Archives - Page 14 of 19

1 Jul 2016

The advantages of waterjet cutting

July 1, 2016
5 Axis Machining, CNC Machining, New Technology, PRV Engineering, Waterjet Cutting

There are many advantages of waterjet cutting compared to other methods, but if we had to try and summarise them neatly into a few words we’d say;

The ability to cold cut almost any material in any direction with less waste and a superior finish.

But really that’s not enough of an explanation, so let’s expand a little on that statement and address some of the areas of improvement over more traditional cutting methods.

Omni-directional cutting
Waterjet cutting allows omni-directional cutting – the ability to cut in any direction which gives much greater cutting flexibility. In most cases starting holes are not required as the water jet is able to perforate the material. It is now much easier to cut more complex shapes and designs into all sorts of materials.

3 Jun 2016

Bloodhound inspiring scientists and engineers of the future

June 3, 2016
Aerospace, Auto Industry, Motorsport, New Technology

At the end of April the Bloodhound Education team, combined with the BBC micro:bit project launched a huge competition for secondary school children; The Model Rocket Car Challenge.

Supported by the army and Microsoft among others, and forming part of the Guinness World record rocket car challenge, school teams are challenged to make foam rocket cars and race them through approved tracks; the aim of course, to be the fastest!

The races are being organised through the network of Bloodhound hubs and will see a series of regional heats that will lead up to a final at the end of June at the Santa Pod Raceway in Northamptonshire. The winners will spend a day watching Bloodhound test runs as well as securing a financial prize for their school.

16 Apr 2016

Prosthesis connects directly to bone, nerves and muscles

April 16, 2016
Medical advances, New Technology, Pharmaceuticals

Back in February we were talking about the developments in pharmaceutical engineering which allowed the production of the A-Gear robotic arm. The device was the work of a team of people from 4 universities and was the first prototype of a device that allowed independent operation of the arms for Duchenne muscular dystrophy sufferers. Better mechanics and thinner, more flexible materials allow the wearer to use the supports discreetly underneath clothes and without stigma.

Last month news of further research in the area of pharmaceuticals and prosthesis development hit the headlines with a report on a new prosthesis. One that has been connected directly to bone, nerves and muscles, allowing the patient to have free mobility of the limb.

19 Feb 2016

Robotic Arm to help Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Sufferers

February 19, 2016
Medical advances, New Technology, Robotics

Researchers in the Netherlands have developed a robotic arm that improves the lives of people with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

The A-Gear robotic arm is the result of development work by a team of people from 4 different universities; the University of Twente’s MIRA research centre, the VU University Medical Centre Amsterdam, Delft University of Technology and Radboud University Medical Centre. It is the first prototype that can support independent operation of the arm whilst still being discreet and body connected. The A-Gear can easily be worn under clothing and so there is less stigma attached to its use.

5 Feb 2016

3D Printing in Space

February 5, 2016
3D Printing, Aerospace, New Technology

Back at the end of 2014, the world was amazed to hear from NASA about the final test phase of a 3D printer in space. The printer, which had been used on the ground prior to its launch into space, went to the International Space Station on a resupply vessel in September of 2014. A ratchet wrench printed from a design file transmitted from the ground was completed in December. The wrench along with a number of other things printed was then sent back to earth in 2015 for rigorous testing.

In December 2015 another resupply vessel went up to the International Space Station and on board this time was the European contribution to 3D printing in space – a Portable on Board 3D printer. The printer, measuring 25cm on each side and weighing just 5,5kg prints objects made from polylactic acid (PLA). PLA is a plastic that is made from renewable resources and is also biocompatible and biodegradable. It was built by Altran Italia in partnership with Thales Alenia Space and the Italian Institute of Technology under the direction of the Italian Space Agency, ASI.

30 Oct 2015

Additive Manufacturing in the Aero Industry

October 30, 2015
Aerospace, Manufacturing, New Technology

Back in 2014 we were talking about the experimental 3D printed joints being tested by the Airbus Group. The Rotite Fastener, was being tested on bicycles before being progressed into aircraft, but it was hoped that the technology could be developed and progressed into the aero industry making the attachment of electrical and mechanical components easier.

Additive manufacturing (the process of building components layer by layer) started off being used just for building prototype parts, but has now moved on to producing in flight components in the aero industry.

In March this year 3D printed parts got the go ahead from the FAA to be used in flight and as a result Boeing have used additive manufacturing to install over 20,000 non metallic 3D printed parts in their planes. They are using 3D printed parts in military and commercial aircraft.

21 Aug 2015

Audi to Launch All Electric SUV

August 21, 2015
Auto Industry, New Technology

Audi’s all electric SUV is destined for production following its unveiling at the IAA 2015. The vehicle, which it is hoped will be in production in 2018 will have a range of 310 miles and is expected to be one of the stars at next month’s IAA in Frankfurt.

The Audi etron Quattro benefits from the expertise in developing the R8 etron and will be the brands first large series electric car.

17 Jul 2015

Autonomous ships – could they help marine freight transport?

July 17, 2015
Engineering Education, New Technology

Self driving cars, whilst once a novel and entertaining idea have now become a regular news feature. The design and rigorous testing they are going through is all in an effort to see road safety improved by eliminating driving error.

In fact a recent report in manufacturing.net stated that in the 6 years and 1.9 million miles of testing by Google there have only been 14 accidents involving their self driving cars. Google say that none of the accidents were caused by their self driving cars. In 11 of the 14 accidents, the self driving car was rear ended, by distracted drivers.

So, could autonomous applications be applied to ships to improve efficiencies and also the level of CO2 emissions, which are twice that of the aviation industry? Could we see autonomous ships at sea? Rolls Royce think so.

10 Jul 2015

Going Underground

July 10, 2015
Construction, New Technology, Steel Framework

Will this be the way to solve overcrowding in big cities?

For years there has been concern over the space available for new buildings, whether it’s housing or industrial. Skyscrapers have got taller and taller and the space between buildings has reduced. But still, this isn’t solving the problem of overcrowding and in some countries planning authorities are becoming uncomfortable with the higher structures.

Living like the fictional Wombles, ‘underground’ is increasingly looking as though it could become a reality at some point in the future. We travel underground regularly, even using tunnels to get to other countries, so why not take that next step?

19 Jun 2015

Robotics and Research

June 19, 2015
Manufacturing, New Technology

All areas of engineering are evolving and developing and we like to keep an eye on what’s going on, reporting from time to time on innovative and sometimes controversial developments.

When it comes to robotics most of the things we’ve written about have been ground breaking developments that have meant that safety can be increased or that major improvements in quality of life can be achieved.

We even wrote about whether increased automation means that less skill will be required in the future. It seems the answer is no – operators still need to understand what they’re doing, why they’re doing it and what could go wrong. However, automation can and does help improve efficiency.

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New Technology

The advantages of waterjet cutting

There are many advantages of waterjet cutting compared to other methods, but if we had to try and summarise them neatly into a few words we’d say;

Bloodhound inspiring scientists and engineers of the future

Prosthesis connects directly to bone, nerves and muscles

Robotic Arm to help Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Sufferers

3D Printing in Space

Additive Manufacturing in the Aero Industry

Audi to Launch All Electric SUV

Autonomous ships – could they help marine freight transport?

Going Underground

Robotics and Research

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