Easy Statistical Process Control

Putting in statistical process control in any manufacturing operation nearly always greatly improves the process consistency and quality. I've custom developed a number of very easy to use Microsoft Excel spreadsheets so that any process may be easily monitored without expensive software or training by production people. It gives the manufacturer the option to put in a simple system for next to nothing in costs to set up or operate. My spreadsheet SPC has been audited by ISO-9000:2000 and ISO/TS-16949 independent auditors and has been accepted without question. Drop me an e-mail if you think something like this might serve your needs and I show you how simple and affordable this really can be.

Plating Waste Water Treatment

I'm about to set out on an ambitious new project, designing a closed loop recycling system for waste water for electroplating processes. A Chinese company has contacted me to develop a system based on my 1993 Surface Mount Vision award for new product excellence for a closed loop recycling system for electronics cleaning. The system uses electrically generated ozone to oxidize any organic compounds in the water and convert them to dissolved salts. Then an electrical deionization system (EDI) removes all ions from the water and the effluent is high purity deionized water ready to be returned into the process.

Search Engine Optimization now offered

Since I've been so successful in getting to Google Page #1, I've now decided to offer search engine optimization services for others, particularly for engineering and technical oriented sites. I can pretty much guarantee you that I can get you to Google page 1 for your technical oriented web site if you give me specific search terms you want to appear, such as "miniature solenoid valves" "plastic bearings" "custom profile extrusion," or similar search terms. If this interests you, drop me a quick e-mail, and I'll look over you site and give you a quick quote. It's free to find out how much it will cost and could save you hundreds of thousands in expensive advertising. Search engines are how people locate products these days, not print ads, or big green books.

Mexico Open for Business

I just got back from a meeting with the head of Commerce for the state of Baja California Mexico, and they're promoting Mexico in a big way. Many companies are coming back from China to again start manufacturing their products locally, or at least in North America. They're finding that with the declining US dollar, the shipping shortages, the difficulties with communications and getting acceptable quality in China. Mexico makes the most sense. If you're interested in finding out more, check out my main page for some detailed information on how you can save big by moving your manufacturing to Mexico with minimal risk and simple logistics.

Velozzi and Bayer Material Science

Velozzi, now closely affiliated with Spira International in their bid to win the Automotive X-Prize with an exotic, new multi fuel hybrid vehicle, announced a strategic partnership with Bayer Material Science, the international polymer supplier. To keep the vehicle weight low and get as high a mileage as possible, the Velozzi will use a Bayer polymer in the construction of its chassis as well as many other components of the vehicle. While some race cars have utilized composite chassis, it is as of yet unknown in production vehicles, a future plan for the Velozzi. The Velozzi is pushing ahead the state-of-the art in vehicles in so many ways: a multi-fuel gas turbine / electric hybrid system, sophisticated combinations of entirely new batteries with super-capacitors for power management and now, cutting edge polymers for structural elements of the vehicle. This will easily be the most advanced vehicle in the world. Stay tuned for even more new, exciting developments.

What the Three Mile Island and Space Shuttle Challenger Disasters Had In Common

Everyone knows about two of the biggest technological disasters in American history of the past century. But do you know what precipitated them?

In 1979, the core of one of the nuclear reactors at Three Mile Island in Middletown Pennsylvania melted down and released some radioactive material into the surrounding environment. Fortunately no one was killed or injured but the scare created many changes in emergency systems. In 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds into its boost phase completely destroying the space craft and taking the lives of all seven crewmen aboard.



The one thing these two disasters had in common is that they were both initiated by seal failures. Proper seal design could have prevented these events from occurring. Read my article on Sealing in Difficult to Seal Fluid Handling Applications for more information on new technologies to prevent seal failures.

Moving Massive Structures Using Hydraulics

Ever wonder how they move massive structures, like this 5000 ton, 16 story stall section of the Denver Mile High Stadium. It moves forward to serve as a football stadium, then moves 165 feet backward to allow baseball to be played in the same field without sacrificing the good seats for football.



Well, it's done with hydraulic gripper jacks that clamp onto an I-beam, extend, then clamp to hold in-place and retract - just like an inch worm, back and forth.



You can read all about it in my new article posted here: How to Move Massive Structures Using Hydraulics