Compressing the design cycle

Article Abstract:

CAD and CAE have become crucial competitive tools. The answer to compressing the traditional five-year cycle for a new car from concept to production, is simultaneous engineering and manufacturing, according to Burt Martens, executive engineer on GM's design staff. Former serial paths must be parallel as much as possible. Computers are now integral to nearly all design processes. Data for new models first enters the computers after clay-model approval stages. Models are coordinate and scanned, and the data is smoothed. The data then goes into different CAD projects in various forms. CAD and CAE promise to reduce the number of prototypes that have to be built , and even some testing can be computer simulated. Even with current CAD snags, most planners are already envisioning fully implemented computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) in the not-too-distant future.

Motor vehicles and car bodies, Automobile industry, Computer aided design, Computer aided engineering, Computer-Aided Design, technical, Computer-Aided Engineering

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Too accurate?

Article Abstract:

The IEEE TC-10 Waveform Measurement and Analysis Committee voted to include the terms 'rise time' and 'fall time' as alternatives to, respectively, 'first transition duration' and 'last transition duration' in the IEEE Standard 194, which specifies the terminology describing electrical pulses. First transition refers to the leading edge of a pulse, while last transition refers to the trailing edge, with duration defined as the time interval over which the transition is made. Companies like Tektronix Inc and HP employ rise time for any positive transition and fall time for negative transitions because it may be difficult for computers to differentiate between first and last transitions during automatic measurement of pulses. The primary objection to the standard terms may be that they are 'awkward' and 'stilted.'

Standard, Standardization, Electronics, Electrical engineering, Waveforms, column, Measurement, Terminology

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Electromagnetic fields: the jury's still out

Article Abstract:

Scientists are still unsure if 50- and 60-hertz fields compromise health. The issue is being examined more closely in light of the groundswell of public concern. The Canadian utility BC Hydro encountered stiff protests when it decided to construct a 230-kilovolt transmission line in 1987. An investigation by the BC Utilities Commission found no threats to public health. Three different experts in the field examine the electromagnetic fields issue.

Electric services, Canada, Investigations, Electromagnetic fields, Public health, Risk Analysis, British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, Investigation

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