News Digest
Technology and Business News for the Industry
Updated: January 30th, 1998
ChemTech Signs Contract for Landmine Detector PrototypeAUSTIN, Texas — Chemical Detection Technology, Inc. signed a contract with System Specialists, Inc. (SSI) of Tucson, Ariz., to build a working bench unit and prototype of a remote sensing device that could solve the world's landmine problems.
Rodney Boone, president of ChemTech and COO of its parent company, Loch Harris, Inc., said the device will be able to identify landmines and other explosives "remotely, accurately, safely and in real time." The light detection and ranging (LIDAR) technology was acquired last week when ChemTech signed a long-term consulting agreement with Henry M. Blair, a noted Tucson, physicist and inventor. "We are honored to be teamed with SSI on this critically important project," Boone said. "SSI was the recipient of NASA'S public service group achievement award in 1986 for its work in design and fabrication of the Spacelab 2 infrared telescope that flew on the space shuttle in July, 1985. SSI's record for timely high quality technical development was critical in our selection process," he said. ChemTech's LIDAR system uses an electromagnetic beam that is aimed at a suspicious area. Its invisible coherent energy excites molecules from the subject throwing off a stream of photons that a computer reads in real time. Artificial Intelligence software evaluates the level of the substance in concentrations as small as 100 parts per billion, sounds an alarm on the spot or in a remote location and documents everything on a record. "Landmines can be safely located and identified from a distance of two to 30 meters with our system. No longer will operators have to walk through danger zones probing for the buried killers with old-fashioned metal detectors," Boone said. "There are more than 100 million active landmines buried around the world," he said, "and each day some 70 persons are maimed or killed. One technician is killed for every 500 landmines successfully disarmed. "This technology propels ChemTech to the forefront of the race for viable tools to rid the world of one of its deadliest menaces," Boone added, "and ChemTech's long-term consulting agreement with Dr. Blair assures timely development of further applications. "One of the first adaptations will be a suitcase-sized portable explosives detection system that will without a doubt give us back the safety and peace of mind we once enjoyed in airports and at public gatherings," Boone said. A definitive timeline will be announced within 30 days. Working prototypes could be demonstrated within six months.
Electric Fuel Sets Up Divisions For Zinc-Air Battery ApplicationsNEW YORK — Electric Fuel Corp. created three market-related divisions to expand its zinc-air battery technology for wider applications. The company named managers for the three parallel business units; Consumer Electronics, Defense and Safety Products and Electric Vehicle.
Jonathan Whartman, vice president of marketing for the corporation, will also serve as division manager of the Electric Vehicle Division which will continue to focus on fleet applications of the zinc-air battery system with its partners in the United States, Asia and Europe. The division will also continue development of new vehicle applications including an electric scooter battery for the Far East market and a battery for transit buses in cooperation with the Center for Sustainable Technology in Las Vegas for the U.S. mass transit market. The acting division manager of the Consumer Electronics Division will be Yehuda Harats, the company’s president and CEO. The division will pursue the increasing market interest in a primary battery as an alternative to the current heavier and more expensive rechargeable batteries. Applications include batteries for cellular telephones, camcorders, laptop computers and other portable consumer electronic devices. Binyamin Koretz was named division manager of the Defense and Safety Products Division which will continue to expand the development of other advanced uses of the battery technology. The division is working under contracts developing a high-power zinc-oxygen battery for torpedoes and underwater propulsion systems, and an advanced portable zinc-air battery for the U.S. Army's Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM). The division will also be responsible for expanding the company's growing activities of its water activated survivor locator light for airline and marine applications as well as pursue further development of the safety products business. As part of the restructuring, Joshua Degani, the company's executive vice president, was appointed chief operating officer of Electric Fuel Ltd. responsible for research and development, engineering, operations and production. The group with facilities and laboratories in Jerusalem and Beit-shemesh, Israel, and Auburn, Alabama, will provide services to all three business divisions. "While we continue to pursue commercialization of our zinc-air battery for electric vehicles, we believe the market for consumer, industrial and defense applications of our technology will provide increased near-term revenues," Harats said. "Forming the divisions will allow us to better focus our resources and advanced technology with the aim of capturing a substantial share of these markets."
CADKEY 97 Second Edition Features Customer- And Market- DrivenMARLBOROUGH, Mass. — Baystate Technologies, Inc. is shipping Release 2 of CADKEY 97, an award-winning mechanical PC-CAD product which debuted in March 1997.
In the new version, Baystate Technologies offers both customer-driven and market-driven CADKEY enhancements: advanced solid modeling without complex constraint tools, solid model creation and freeform editing capabilities, detailing productivity enhancements, and tablet support. This edition of CADKEY 97 is available for Windows 95 and NT 3.5/4.x. CADKEY is used extensively for everyday mechanical design applications including 3D/2D design, drafting, conceptual sketching, reverse engineering, tolerancing inspections, rapid prototyping, and downstream manufacturing. "Baystate's main objective is to consistently produce software releases that meet the needs of our extensive customer base," said Robert W. Bean, president and CEO of Baystate Technologies. "Our users, both design and manufacturing engineers, help us focus on job critical functionality that get products to market faster. CADKEY's freeform hybrid modeling and its 'design for manufacturing' focus is truly unique compared to other midrange PC-CAD products emphasizing one modeling technique. CADKEY is the perfect migration path for companies taking the leap to 3D CAD." CADKEY 97's freeform hybrid technology has been updated to ACIS3.0 and integrates several new ACIS solid modeling components. Solid modeling improvements include creation tools such as offset wall shelling, punching a 2D profile through a solid, adding draft angles to solid faces, projecting a solid face onto another solid face, extruding multiple closed profiles, and more. Users can automatically generate cross-sectional views from solid models for drawing layouts and documentation. In addition to new features for rapidly creating solid models, Baystate added functionality to easily edit solid models in a freeform way. For example, the new Remove Feature option in CADKEY 97 R2 allows the user to select a chamfer or fillet for deletion and it will be instantly removed. The underlying geometry will automatically heal back to a sharp edge. This function enables the user to work with geometry as if it were a block of clay while using the modeling technique of their choice to create or modify a 3D model. RenderWare, an optional rendering vehicle for solid shading and dynamic rotation of shaded models, is included in CADKEY 97 R2. Macro support is available for solid model creation which streamlines repetitive design procedures for greater productivity and user customization. Users can now create a dialog box interface for their CADKEY Advanced Design Language(CADL) programs. CADKEY 97 R2 supports Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) output of solid models for design collaboration over the World Wide Web. The product includes a full suite of industrial-strength translators — ACIS-SAT, IGES, DXF, DWG, STL, CADL, VRML, and the AutoCAD R13 DWG format. CADKEY 97 is the only PC-CAD system with the ability to convert 3D wireframe geometry to VRML models.
LEGO’s Intelligent Bricks Build on Computer Literacy, Kids Can Create Robots and Program Their Actions With Help From MITLONDON — A new generation of intelligent construction toys and learning tools for children, unveiled by the LEGO Group, incorporates computer technology in a programmable building brick — an innovation that will allow the new generation of computer-literate children to add life, personality and behavior to their LEGO creations.
Two new products — LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Invention System and LEGO Technic CyberMaster — bring the LEGO Group into the next millennium. Using a multi-media PC and special LEGO software, children can now build robotic pets, vehicles and other creations, and then program them to behave on their own. "These are the first products ever to give children the opportunity to build their own intelligent and interactive inventions,” said Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, president and CEO of the LEGO Group. “Combining LEGO bricks and computers creates a new category of fun play and learning with a whole new dimension to imagination and creativity." With LEGO Mindstorms, developed with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), children can build behaviors into anything their imagination dreams up — such as a Mars Rover like that used in the NASA Pathfinder mission, dinosaurs that walk toward flashing lights, intruder alarms that can sense people, as well as robots that deal cards, pour beverages and play ice hockey with each other. From a home computer, children program the intelligent brick via infrared beam, and set their robot in motion. The robots use light and touch sensors to see and feel their way around the environment. LEGO Technic CyberMaster is a computer-interactive toy with state-of-the-art CD-ROM software, bringing children into a LEGO Technic city of tomorrow. Humorous, virtual characters lead children through four on-screen areas of play and building, and help them create models that will come alive on the floor. For example, in the Coliseum, children can build a computer-controlled robot gladiator instructed to compete with a hand-held LEGO fighter. The gladiator can be programmed with different personalities. It talks throughout the game, tries to out-maneuver the hand-held fighter and sends a score tally to the computer. In other areas, children are shown how to build intelligent vehicles that can be instructed to move exactly as the child wants.
Toyota Rolls Into Chicago With New Land Cruiser and T150 Concept Truck, Both Powered By First-Ever V8 EngineCHICAGO — The first V8 engine to power a Toyota Division vehicle will be introduced at the 90th Chicago Auto Show, Feb. 4, when the automaker unveils its all-new Land Cruiser and T150 full-size pickup truck concept. Both vehicles will feature the new 4.7-liter DOHC engine.
The T150 concept truck will offer the first hint of the size, styling and specifications of an all-new full-size pickup that Toyota will begin building at a new manufacturing facility in Indiana in 1999. The new truck will arrive at Toyota dealerships in the spring of 1999. A digital image of Toyota's new V8 engine is available through Toyota's journalist website, at http://pressroom.toyota.com. The completely re-engineered and re-styled '98 Land Cruiser will arrive at Toyota dealerships in March.
Rolls-Royce Extends Global Aftermarket PresenceRESTON, Va. — Rolls-Royce has extended its worldwide presence in the gas turbine aftermarket with a new venture in Latin America announced yesterday in Mexico by its Spanish aero-engine affiliate Industria de Turbo Propulsores (ITP).
ITP, in which Rolls-Royce has a 45 percent shareholding, has taken a controlling interest in Turborreactores, a Mexican aero repair and overhaul company. The new agreement sees ITP take a 60 percent share in the company, which is based in Queretaro. The remaining 40 percent share will be held by the Mexican company CINTRA. This latest development furthers the strategic development of Rolls-Royce's global aftermarket capability, which is now undertaken by the company and its affiliates at 13 facilities on four continents. Turborreactores will initially overhaul Pratt & Whitney JT8D engines for several airlines in Mexico and other parts of Latin America. It anticipates that its turnover during the initial phase of development will be in the order of $50 million. ITP has been involved in engine repair and overhaul activity at its Ajalvir plant in Spain for more than 25 years. Its current annual repair and overhaul turnover is in the region of $60 million.
New Egyptian Airline Selects International Aero Engines V2500EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — Egypt's newest airline, Lotus Air, chose V2500 power for its first two purchased aircraft. Lotus, based in Cairo, will take delivery of its first A320 from Airbus Industrie in January 1999, and has an option on a second aircraft. The engine business for the total order is worth $27 million.
Ali Dashti, managing director of Lotus Air, said the V2500's proven reliability in the region was a factor in engine selection, and the choice was made because of its outstanding resistance to foreign object damage. Lotus anticipates a strong resurgence in international tourism to Egypt and will concentrate on routes linking Egyptian resorts with Europe. Lease aircraft are being used until the V2527-A5 powered A320s are delivered. United Technologies (Pratt & Whitney), Rolls-Royce plc, the Japanese Aero Engines Corp. and MTU Daimler-Benz are partners in International Aero Engines, which has won orders from more than 70 airlines and leasing companies. The V2500 series is used on A319, A320, A321 and MD-90 aircraft.
Unique Mobility Receives Patent on Phase Advance Control of Permanent Magnet MotorsGOLDEN, Colo. — Unique Mobility, Inc. received a long-awaited U.S. patent covering a key technology that increases the capabilities of its proprietary brushless permanent magnet (PM) motor systems.
The technology covered by the patent allows such systems to service a much broader range of applications. It is especially advantageous with respect to all types of electric and hybrid electric vehicles such as electric scooters, passenger cars and large trucks and buses. Unique's brushless PM traction drives are recognized worldwide for their power density — small size and weight relative to power output — and high efficiency. The newly issued patent provides yet another advantage—the ability to achieve both high starting torque and higher speeds without increasing the size and cost of the motor/controller package. In vehicle applications, this enables a brushless PM magnet motor to operate as an electric transmission that can deliver quick acceleration at low speed, like the lower gears in a conventionally powered automobile, and high top speed, analogous to high gears in a car or truck, yet without the need formultiple mechanical gears. The methodology uses programmable software and electronic components to control the timing and phase angle of the electrical current supply to the motor, thus the designation Phase Advance. Unique has implemented phase advance technology in many of its drive systems ranging from electric scooter motors of less than five horsepower to hybrid bus motors rated at over 130 horsepower. In electric and hybrid vehicle applications, the improved efficiency of the system results in increased fuel economy and vehicle range. "The acquisition of this patent is a major milestone for Unique Mobility," said Ray A. Geddes, chairman and chief executive officer. "It's as big a development for brushless PM traction drives as the invention of the automatic transmission was for the conventional automobile — another demonstration of how electronics and software can dramatically increase the performance and efficiency of mechanical devices with no added complexity or cost." Jon F. Lutz, Unique's senior motor designer and co-inventor of the phase advance technology, said "The phase advance invention is a step beyond the art of influencing electric motor operating characteristics through various methods of weakening the motor magnetic field. This proprietary technology allows for improved efficiency and design of the electronics, lower system losses in all modes of operation and is simpler and more cost effective to implement." Unique Mobility, Inc., one of the world's leading developers of energy efficient electric and hybrid electric vehicle systems, is a Golden, Colo.-based engineering concern and manufacturer of high efficiency permanent magnet motors and controls for automotive, aerospace, healthcare and industrial applications.
Research Engineers Reports First Month's Sales of Its Upgraded Structural Engineering Product Exceeded $500,000YORBA LINDA, Calif. — Research Engineers, Inc. reported that its first month's sales of STAAD/Pro exceeded $500,000. STAAD/Pro, the company's next generation structural engineering product, was launched in November 1997, with geographically limited sales starting in December.
The company reported that 244 software units were sold and shipped in December, producing revenue in excess of a half million dollars. Of the 244 units shipped in, 56 percent, or 137 units, were sold in the United States, while 82 units were sold in Singapore and 25 in Canada. Of those units, 92 percent were upgrades, and the remaining 8 percent were sold to new users as primary and additional copies. Additional refers to more than one copy purchased by the same customer for multiple users. The introductory price of the new product was $6,995, with additional copies selling at $2,333. The cost of the STAAD/Pro upgrade in December ranged from $1,495 to $5,380, depending on the customer's need for a concurrent upgrade to STAAD PC Unlimited and a maintenance contract. In commenting on this accomplishment, Amrit K. Das, president and chief executive officer of Research Engineers, Inc., said, "With December's distribution limited to only three markets, we exceeded a half million dollars in sales. The response in the United States was even stronger than expected and included several leading engineering firms. We believe that STAAD/Pro is the first complete solution for the structural engineer and will serve as foundation technology for the structural design office." The company plants to begin worldwide distribution of STAAD/Pro in the coming months, said John Putnam, Research Engineers' manager of sales and marketing, said. “We will be marketing extensively in Europe, while continuing to concentrate our efforts in the United States,” he added. “Our fourth quarter U.S. marketing plan includes a 21 city STAAD/Pro Seminar series, in which the participants will be offered a time-limited discount on the software. Based on our experience, we anticipate that over 700 engineers will be attending these seminars. In addition, we will be conducting a 59,000-piece mailing to structural engineers and related professionals. The early responses to our limited sales efforts are very encouraging." Research Engineers is a leading worldwide provider of third-party engineering software solutions. Its core product line, Structural Engineering Solutions, includes its flagship product, STAAD III, highly rated in the industry. Its emerging product lines address the requirements of mechanical, civil and pipe engineering. The company develops, distributes and supports cost-effective, Windows-based engineering solutions for customers in the architectural, commercial, transportation and utility industries.
The Randers Group Receives Contracts Totaling $7.8 MillionWALTHAM, Mass. — The Randers Group Inc. was awarded three contracts totaling $7.8 million. Under the largest contract, valued at $6 million, Randers will design and construct an office building and chemical laboratory near Cincinnati for Diversey Lever Corp. Diversey Lever provides chemicals, products, and services to the cleaning and sanitation markets.
Randers was also hired to complete a $1.3 million project to design and construct two tank farms for Americhem Corp., a distributor of industrial solvents and oil blends. This project is located near Lansing, Mich. Howmet International Corp. retained Randers for approximately $500,000 to provide design and construction services on an expanded water cooling system for manufacturing processes at its Whitehall, Mich. facility. Howmet is a world leader in the manufacture of investment-cast turbine engine components. "The continuing trend to hire a single contractor for both design and construction uniquely positions Randers to secure these types of projects," said Emil C. Herkert, the company's president and chief executive officer. The Randers Group Inco. provides comprehensive engineering and outsourcing services in such areas as water and wastewater treatment; highway and bridge projects; process engineering; construction management; and operational services. Clients include municipalities, government agencies, and companies in the manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and chemical-processing industries. The Randers Group is a public subsidiary of Thermo TerraTech Inc., a Thermo Electron company.
MotivePower Industries Closes New $200 Million Financing PackagePITTSBURGH — MotivePower Industries, Inc. closed a new $200 million financing package with ABN AMRO Bank N.V., the largest foreign-owned bank in the United States, and Mellon Bank of Pittsburgh.
The package, which includes an interest-rate reduction, consists of a five-year, $100 million revolving credit facility and a one-year, $100 million revolving credit facility that is renewable annually upon the company's request and lender approval. The new facilities replace MotivePower Industries' previous $75 million loan agreement with Bank of America. "These new credit facilities will provide significantly more capacity and flexibility for growth through acquisitions and capital expenditures," said William F. Fabrizio, MotivePower Industries' chief financial officer. MotivePower Industries is a leader in the manufacturing of products for rail and other power-related industries. Through its subsidiaries, the company manufactures and distributes engineered locomotive components; provides locomotive fleet maintenance and overhauls, and diesel engine overhauls; manufactures new, environmentally friendly, switcher, commuter and mid-range locomotives up to 4,000 horsepower; and manufactures components for power, marine and industrial markets.
Under Cooperative Marketing Agreement, Kollmorgen Technologies Will be Available to Manufacturing Data SystemsANN ARBOR, Mich. (BUSINESS WIRE) Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. (MDSI), manufacturer of factory automation products, signed a cooperative marketing agreement with Kollmorgen Motion Technologies Group, Radford, Va.
Kollmorgen, a $250 million maker of servo and spindle systems for industrial markets, will make its products available to MDSI's OpenCNC software based CNC control customers — providing CNC system solutions to end users, machine tool builders, and retrofitters. The cooperative marketing arrangement allows purchasers to continue to buy MDSI's OpenCNC as an unbundled software control solution if they choose, but now also makes available complete turnkey packaged solutions, with Kollmorgen's servo drives and motors, to customers who want the assistance. MDSI's product, OpenCNC, is the only production proven, unbundled software based CNC machine tool control on the market. Unlike traditional CNC controls, OpenCNC uses no proprietary hardware or motion control cards. The entire control is delivered on a disk. Because it's unbundled software, it gives manufacturers a cost effective way to extend the productive lives of their machine tools. "One of the advantages of OpenCNC," said Jim Fall, MDSI vice president of marketing, "is that customers are free to choose the appropriate drives or motors for their applications. The agreement with Kollmorgen provides our customers a structured approach to using Kollmorgen's outstanding product line of motors and amplifiers." Kollmorgen supplies a full line of rotary and linear servo motors, digital controllers, and drive electronics for machine tools, material handling, textiles, semiconductor processing, and other applications. "Kollmorgen is an industry and technology leader in the servo and spindle system marketplace," Fall said, "with patented technology in several areas of their product line. We are very pleased to be working with such an outstanding organization." "MDSI's OpenCNC and Kollmorgen motors and amplifiers bring end users a complete machine tool retrofit solution," said Larry Kingsley, executive vice president of sales and marketing, Kollmorgen Motion Technologies Group. "We are particularly enthusiastic about our business association with MDSI, because it supports our continued commitment to open architecture motion systems." Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. supplies factory automation software and services that increase manufacturing flexibility and enable agile manufacturing. The company's primary product is OpenCNC, a software based CNC control that reduces machine tool control costs and extends the productive life of machine tools. MDSI's business strategy emphasizes technological and price/performance leadership, hardware independence and comprehensive customer support. The company's customers, spanning virtually every industry, include Caterpillar, Dana Spicer, Detroit Diesel, Eagle Picher, Ford Motor Co., General Motors, Lockheed and Tecumseh Products. OpenCNC is a registered trademark of Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. MDSI and the MDSI logo are trademarks of Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Incentive AB Subsidiary Hagglunds Drives Sold to Industrial GroupSTOCKHOLM, Sweden (BUSINESS WIRE) — The sale of Incentive AB subsidiary Hagglunds Drives to the Swedish industrial group Atle was approved by the requisite government authorities and the sale was completed.
The selling price is dependent on the 1998 performance. The capital gain generated by the sale will be used for the restructuring of MacGregor. Hagglunds Drives is no longer included in the consolidated accounts of Incentive as of Oct. 1, 1997. Hagglunds Drives has a globally leading position within the heavy hydraulic drive systems and hydraulic motors markets primarily for industrial and marine applications. The company has approximately 500 employees. The sale of Hagglunds Drives represents a further step in the strategic concentration of the group's operation on medical technology and healthcare. Incentive AB is an international industrial group with roughly 19,000 employees in some 40 countries. Operations are conducted in the following business areas: environment and materials handling and medical technology.
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Mechanical Engineering Magazine Online's Weekly News Digest is compiled from original reporting and various print and online news sources. The Digest will be updated regularly.
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