4/97 mechanical engineering features

April 1997

feature articles

hydraulics take center stage
Fluid power systems are being used to provide thrilling yet safe stage effects in concert arenas and amid the glitter of Las Vegas

article abstracts

stripping aircraft paint with starch
A compressed-air blasting medium based on engineered wheat starch is proving to be an effective, environmentally benign way to strip paint off aircraft and aerospace components

FEA helps keep space shuttle flying
The innovative use of finite-element analysis and physical tests provided key insights into the behavior of components of the space shuttle's solid-rocket motor assembly

using stream surfaces for blade design
A new, interactive program offers parameters that are familiar to the designer of turbomachinery blades, while it produces a precise and portable NURBS surface model

an expert system eases rotor design
A knowledge-based engineering system speeds up the design of compressor rotors for jet engines, completing the job in 5 percent of the time

keeping power plants profitable
Nondestructive evaluation enables power-plant operators to make their own decisions on equipment replacement and upgrades

new processors transform motion control
Electronic processors that cost less and have more capabilities are changing motion control dramatically, expanding applications and fostering the move toward open architecture