3D technology

O'Reilly Auto Parts Revs up the Savings for NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway

2010-03-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

O'Reilly Auto Parts and zMAX Dragway are revving up the savings for the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, March 25-28. Fans can save eight dollars on $45 tickets for Saturday and Sunday, resulting in a final purchase price of $37 per ticket.

The offer is available now through the event, at participating O'Reilly Auto Parts stores throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Georgia, Indiana and Ohio.

After purchasing tickets at the store, fans will receive a receipt that can be redeemed at the zMAX Dragway ticket window on event days, or at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office in advance.

The historical event marks the first time that the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will race four wide, unleashing 32,000 horsepower down the Bellagio of drag strips.

Qualifying and eliminations for Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle will be run four wide during the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals instead of the traditional two-wide format.

"We knew when Bruton built zMAX Dragway this was going to happen," said Cory McClenathan, 2009 NHRA Carolinas Nationals Top Fuel champ. "I think for fans, it's going to be unreal. The qualifying is going to be pretty crazy and interesting. We're there to put a show on and obviously everybody wants to win the race. If I could be in the final round and be the first one to cross the finish line-that would be more than cool. I think the roar of three other dragsters, when you're in your own car, is going to be a real rush."

Tickets can be obtained online at www.zmaxdragway.com or by calling the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS. Four-day ticket packages are available starting at $99.

Tips For Increasing Your Truck's Gas Mileage

2010-02-22T19:46:00.001-08:00

Tips for increasing your truck's gas mileage with a few simple car care tips and by getting a truck bed cover, also know as a tonneau cover.

With the high cost of fuel, many pickup owners are feeling the burn at the pump. While some consumers may be able to purchase a new truck that gets better gas mileage, many of us are financially stuck with the truck we currently have. To cope, there are several things you can do to save gas money now.

Oil it up: As most auto body technicians will tell you, checking and changing your oil is one of the most overlooked items. Clean oil reduces wear caused by friction between moving parts and removes harmful substances from the engine, ensuring your engine will run at peak performance. And don't forget to keep it clean. You can increase your gas mileage up to 10 percent by ensuring your oil, air and fuel filters are clean.

Fill it up: Fill up with the lowest octane gasoline possible for your vehicle. That pricey premium fuel won't boost your truck's fuel economy or performance. Passing on pricey premium gasoline could save you hundreds of dollars a year, according to the Car Care Council. The council also suggests tightening your gas cap because fuel will evaporate from your tank if it has an escape. Loose, missing or damaged gas caps cause 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate each year, according to the Car Care Council. So be sure to tighten up that gas cap each time you fill up.

Pump it up: Check your tires to make sure they're properly inflated and aligned. Proper inflation can improve gas mileage up to 3 percent. If you don't know what the right pressure is for your tires and truck, consult your owner's manual or stop in at your local tire shop.

Ease on up: It's hard to make changes, but if you really want to see increased gas mileage, it's suggested you avoid unnecessary idling, revving your engine and slamming on the brakes. It is recommended that you stop and start gently, use cruise control when possible and reduce the amount of trips you make each day.

Roll on down the road: The easiest and most rewarding step you can take to see immediate gas mileage improvement is to install a truck bed cover on your pickup. A truck bed cover, also known as a tonneau cover, will reduce drag, making your vehicle more aerodynamic at high speeds. There are several different tonneau cover options available on the market today.

The Access Roll-Up Cover, manufactured by Agri-Cover, Inc., a North Dakota truck accessory company, is an affordable and high-quality option. Made of heavy-duty, double coated vinyl, the roll-up cover installs quickly and easily with a clamp-on installation and is designed specifically to fit your truck. Since the roll-up cover is lockable, it's also great for protecting your gear, all while improving the overall look of your vehicle. When not in use, the cover can be rolled up behind the cab and never has to be removed when hauling larger items. The company estimates that you can save over $200 within the first year of installing an Access Roll-Up Cover on your truck bed.

Richard F. of Bismarck, N.D, knows firsthand the benefits of having a roll-up tonneau cover on his truck.

"I put on many highway miles during the year and in talking to other owners with a similar truck without a box cover, I am amazed at the savings in gas mileage I'm getting with my cover. The Access Roll-Up Cover is such an attractive addition to my truck. It really finishes the look I want."

Sony Showcases 3D Video Production System

2009-11-19T18:31:00.000-08:00

Sony Corp and Sony Marketing Inc exhibited a set of 3D video production system for business use at International Broadcast Equipment Exhibition 2009, which runs from Nov 18, 2009, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

"Not only movies but also other moving images will go 3D in the near future," the companies said.

The two companies showcased a business-use camera, processor to compensate and adjust 3D images, switcher and recorder for editing, monitors to check images, projector and so forth.

Among them, there was the "SRX-R320," a digital cinema projector that can project 4k2k 3D video and was released Nov 9, 2009. The "HDC-P1," a multi-purpose camera for taking 3D images, and a "rig" will be launched in February 2010. The rig is a mount for the camera, and it enables to combine two units of the HDC-P1 and a half mirror to shoot 3D video.

This time, Sony and Sony Marketing exhibited the "3D LED Wall," a 280-inch LED display that is 6.4m in width and 3.4m in height and can switch between 2D and 3D video. It seemed to be made by combining 70 LED displays, each of which measures about 28 inches.

3D images are shown by using two overlapping images for the right and left eyes. And polarization glasses are used to separate those images.

Home-use TVs and Blu-ray players that can show 3D images are expected to be released in 2010. But it is still impossible to predict when terrestrial TV broadcasts will support 3D images in Japan.

"In the United States, 3D images are already broadcast in live sports and music programs via cable TV networks and satellite broadcasting," Sony said. "In the future, such movements will occur in Japan, too."

Toledo's OC begins to recover from chilled sales

2009-11-17T19:04:00.001-08:00

WHEN HARD times cause boaters on Italy's Lake Como to delay trading up, executives at the Toledo headquarters of Owens Corning take notice.

Slumping sales of swimming pools, corrosion-resistant oil pipelines, and windmills - wherever in the world - are also a cause of concern.

A deal with a rival in late 2007 helped cement the downtown Toledo corporation's position as the globe's undisputed No. 1 producer of glass to reinforce plastic, which is commonly known as fiberglass - "composites," in company parlance.

The product has many uses, including sporting goods, blades for windmills, pipelines, construction, auto parts, blast protection for military vehicles, and smart-phone cases. Sliced into fibers, the glass is combined with polymers to form plastic that is tough, corrosion-resistant, and lightweight.

It is so common around the globe that it is something of a bellwether for the international economy.

And late last year, it became a fire bell.

Fiber-glass sales at OC in December plunged 45 percent from 2008's monthly averages as economies around the world fell into a deep recession that experts described as the worst since the Great Depression.

Officials at the firm's Cesar Pelli-designed office building on the Maumee River characterized what happened to fiber-glass sales as a "global demand collapse."

Blades for wind turbines are among uses for fiber glass-reinforced plastics.

They responded quickly, shutting down more than half of production lines worldwide.

In a conference call with financial analysts three weeks ago, Mike Thaman, OC's 45-year-old chief executive officer, said: "We still have a lot of equipment turned off and a lot of our operations turned off."

Other industry players also experienced declines.

In the United States alone, manufacturers of frp grating shipped 16 percent less product in 2008 than in 2007, according to the American Composites Manufacturers Association.

"Demand dried up," Chuck Dana, head of the division of the Fortune 500 firm that makes fiber glass, said in an interview last week.

But OC's sales of fiber glass are beginning to revive, especially in China, India, and Brazil, he said. The recovery has been slower in western Europe, the United States, and Canada.

"We are restarting capacity in a number of places around the world," Mr. Dana said. He cited a plant in Italy and one in Amarillo, Texas, which had been partially shut down.

After two consecutive quarters of losses, the company's fiber-glass business broke even in the third quarter. But sales in that three-month period, which ended Sept. 30, were down 23 percent from a year earlier to $451 million, according to the firm's financial report issued late last month.

Through the first nine months of the year, the company overall has had a profit of $86 million on sales of $3.6 billion.

The firm's core insulation business also is struggling.

A bright spot is the roofing business, where sales and profits remain strong.

The situation illustrates how OC became much more vulnerable to international economic forces after its purchase two years ago of the fiber-glass business of French rival Saint-Gobain. Fiber glass, which generated $2.4 billion last year, accounted for 41 percent of total company sales in 2008, up from 30 percent in 2006 before the deal with the French firm.

The business has 7,100 of OC's 16,500 employees worldwide, with 100 at the Toledo headquarters.

Two-thirds of fiberglass sales were outside the United States and Canada last year, compared with just 7 percent of building products sales.

The business operates 38 manufacturing plants, including ones in Amarillo, Texas; Jackson, Tenn.; Anderson, S.C.; Chambery, France; Gous, Russia; Vado Ligure and Besana, Italy; Kimchon, South Korea; Ibaraki, Japan, and Apeldoorn, Netherlands.

Construction is under way on a second plant in China in the outskirts of Shanghai. It is to be completed next year.

The renewed importance of fiberglass at OC represents something of a return to the firm's roots.

The company was founded in 1938 as Owens Corning Fiberglas Corp. but dropped Fiberglas from its name in the mid-1990s as then-Chief Executive Officer Glen Hiner sought to enlarge the firm's fiberglass-insulation franchise into a building-materials powerhouse.

Fiberglas, without the second "s," is a company trademark. But it is rarely used in promotional material anymore.

More often, executives refer to "composite materials" or "reinforcements." Consumers continue to talk about "fiberglass boats" and "fiberglass skis." But that is something of a misnomer. In actuality, they are made of glass-reinforced plastic. Fiberglass refers to the glass fibers that are combined with polymers to create the material with which the products are made.

In recent decades, glass' dominance has been challenged by other advanced materials. For example, manufacturers of aircraft and high-end bicycles have mixed carbon fibers with polymers to create a light, steel-like material that is much stronger -and more costly-than glass-reinforced plastic.

But, according to experts, glass continues to represent 85 percent to 95 percent of reinforcements.

Other fiberglass manufacturers include Johns Manville Corp., Denver, and PPG Industries, Pittsburgh.

More recent entrants into the industry include China's state-owned Jushi Group Co. Ltd. Its Web site boasts that Jushi is "the world's leading manufacturer in terms of capacity, technology, and economic efficiency."

OC officials aren't ready to concede leadership in those areas.

"We know Jushi and we know they have grand aspirations," said Mr. Dana. "Their strategy is largely emulating Owens Corning and aspiring to be as big and as technologically oriented as we are."

Said Garik Shmois, a stock analyst with Longbow Research in Cleveland: "OC is certainly No. 1 globally."

He recently raised his rating on OC shares to buy, and predicted that they will reach $27 each. They were in the $24 range in trading last week on the New York Stock Exchange. The stock dropped as low at $5.02 a share over the past year.

The stock analyst expects OC's roofing business to continue to nail down strong profits, sees early signs of a recovery in insulation, and is pleased with progress made by the fiberglass unit.

Even before the Saint-Gobain unit purchase, many of OC's fiberglass sales were outside North America. Partly as a result, business has grown 5 to 7 percent annually for at least a decade as product manufacturers sought out lighter-weight alternatives to steel and other traditional materials, company officials said.

In the United States, shipments of fiberglass material have declined by 26 percent after peaking at 4.2 billion pounds in 2005, according to the American Composites Manufacturers Association.

Problems culminated last year. Losses can be traced largely to problems in three key markets supplied by the industry: boat-building, auto manufacturing, and construction.

However, the crisis of 2008 had been brewing for some time, said John Busel, director of the association's composites growth initiative.

"Our industry was something of a bellwether that something was happening," he said. "We probably didn't know it was going to turn into what happened."

It is difficult to predict how rapidly the U.S. fiberglass industry will recover, but the nation's struggling construction, auto, and boat-building industries are unlikely to lead the recovery, he acknowledged.

OC executives have acknowledged that the firm's fiberglass business is unlikely to turn a profit in 2009.

Jim Barrett, an analyst with C.L. King & Associates, Albany, N.Y., expects losses for the unit to reach $20 million by the end of the year. He predicts a turnaround next year, for which he expects $100 million in profit.

"This assumes that worldwide economies show gradual recovery as we move through 2010," he said in a research note to clients after OC released its third-quarter earnings.

Despite All of the Clouds

2009-11-15T18:32:00.000-08:00

The use of a 3D Laser scanner to survey can quickly result in a cloud of more than one million points; none of which contain any intelligence or reference information on the their topology or what they are supposed to be representing.

PointCloud and PointCloud Pro from kubit allow the display and processing of point clouds directly inside AutoCAD. Every single point of a 3D cloud can be accessed (OSNAP) and thus be used in combination with all traditional AutoCAD commands. Furthermore, PointCloud provides numerous tools for an efficient analysis of 3D laser scan data.

Coordinate systems, polylines, planes and cylinders can easily be fitted to point cloud sections. Planes can be fitted and intersected to quickly derive the edges of houses or curbs. Corners can also be precisely determined using the intersection point of three planes. Full pipe-runs and routing lines can easily be fitted for pipe design programs.

The results of such post-processing techniques can vary between 2D plans or 3D models.

The latest release of PointCloud Pro 5 extends AutoCAD by adding a photogrammetric, multiple image analysis. Three-dimensional objects can now be modelled using digital photos instead of scanned point clouds.

Oriented images can be generated directly within PointCloud and then drawn on to get an image plan. Lines drawn on a two dimensional photograph are simultaneously displayed inside the 3D point cloud at the correct geometric position.

PointCloud license holders may deliver fully functional cloud files free of charge with the FreeEdition version of PointCloud. Thus, service providers can hand their measured point cloud data to their customers for further processing in AutoCAD without the customers having to purchase a licence of PointCloud.

Versions 5 of PointCloud and PointCloud Pro support AutoCAD 2007-2010 and all vertical applications (e.g. Architecture, Civil 3D). They run on both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems. Prospects may try the software free of charge.
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Towards a safer construction industry

2009-11-10T19:09:00.001-08:00

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) formed in 1984, became a pioneering research and development organization in the country specializing in various spheres of technology. After 25 years NBRO now stands as one of the leading multidisciplinary institutions in the country.

This institution was initially formed under the Local Government Ministry, subsequently brought under the Policy Planning and Plan Implementation Ministry and later placed under the Housing and Construction Ministry covering the requirements of housing sector which was then a national priority. During that period NBRO developed solutions for cost effective housing, structural engineering research, and housing in problematic soil areas. NBRO kept expanding their fields of expertise and consequently developed their capacity on landslide studies. Now NBRO is under the Disaster Management and Human Rights Ministry catering to new areas of Disaster Management, Disaster Risk Reduction and Landslide Mitigation.

During this 25-year period, NBRO has stayed ahead of other institutions by developing a multidisciplinary human and physical assets base. NBRO had two laboratories related to building industry; building materials laboratory and soil or geotechnical engineering laboratory.

These laboratories gave NBRO a unique identity of being capable of testing both soil and building materials. Twenty five years ago, NBRO was the only institution that had the capacity in investigating soils or problematic ground conditions.

Formerly the soils and materials laboratories belonged to the Buildings Department and these facilities were used by the Department to conduct investigations on building on problematic soils and on construction materials used in their construction work. As this became inadequate with soil investigations for complex construction becoming common and most of the consultants requesting soil and material investigation reports, a market demand was created naturally that the Department could not ignore.

Also, outside work could not be done within the Buildings Department. In 1984, these became push factors for soil and building material laboratories to break off from their original ‘owners’, the Buildings Department.

The pull factor being that at that time, the Government was looking for an independent institution to provide support services to implement the million housing program. After forming NBRO, the Geotechnical Engineering Division and Building Materials Division provided services such as lab investigation of soils and building materials to such programs.

In 1984, Structural Engineering Research Centre and Project Management Division were added when forming the organization.

The Million Housing Program lacked proper for project management and this was provided by the NBRO at that time. Due to the highlighted Government focus at that time, NBRO got the highest level of attention. NBRO was the main focal point in providing project management services to the Million Housing Program.

To meet other service requirements, the Human Settlements Division and the Environmental Division were created and these supported the process of project management and monitoring.

In 1986, a large number of deaths were reported due to landslides in the hilly areas. This attracted the attention at the highest level. NBRO had been newly established and at this juncture, NBRO was the only institution that was capable of geotechnical and soil related work. For these reasons, the Government decided to develop the capacity of NBRO in the field of landslides and the UNDP stepped forward to help. The initial landslide investigations were carried out by the Geotechnical Engineering Division (GED) of NBRO and at that time, they highlighted the need for further advancement in this newly emerging field. Later, the Landslide, Studies and Services Division was created.

With the establishment of the NBRO and subsequent developments, two diversified areas appear to coincide, the work related to construction industry and housing sector merging with work related to landslides or geo-technical matters. In 1988, UNDP developed a project on landslide risk reduction in hilly areas. This project was conducted with the overall assistance of a Chief Technical Advisor (CTA). The project initially tries to understand the landslide occurring phenomena and the possible remedial measures that can be adopted to reduce the risk on the affected population.

In parallel to the housing program, NBRO seemed to have reached to its climax at that time and most of the value addition programs were carried out based on the research work of NBRO. Most of this research work has gone unnoticed since they were used in policy making by the decision makers. Hence, the access to these reports was very limited to the public. Some of these research work included building standards for economically and differently abled population and condition of workers’ dwellings in the export processing zones. NBRO embarked on a program to introduce cost effective building materials.

Numerous research work was carried out by the Building Materials Division on micro concrete tiles, rice husk ash cement and dolomite lime. During this period, Structural Engineering Research Centre and Project Management Division (SERC and PMD) assisted various development projects in the country specially the Gam Udawa program.

In this program SERC and PMD provided the technical inputs in engineering research, project management and overall project monitoring work. NBRO became one of the silent partners in the Gam Udawa program. NBRO was one of the organizations that could develop through the process and divert from the mainstream of housing and construction at that time. During the past 25 years, NBRO diversified from mainstream of housing and construction to environmental management, landslide disaster risk reduction and now disaster risk reduction through safer environment.

The landslide studies conducted during the past 20 years have created some important developments in the organization, and important land mark being the establishment of the ‘Landslides Services and Studies Division’ (LSSD) of the NBRO.

This was carried out in 1993 by combining all the staff members working in the Landslide Hazard Mapping Project (LHMP) to form the LSSD.

The landslide studies project developed by the Chief Technical advisor of the NBRO/UNDP led to the Landslide Hazard Mapping Project. The study team noted the importance of establishing a system to map the landslide prone area of the country. The team highlighted this issue of the importance in developing mapping methodology. Today these maps are effectively used in development planning, project approval, landslide risk reduction and mitigation projects.

Portable 3-D Laser Technology Preserves Texas Dinosaur's Rare Footprint

2009-11-08T22:06:00.001-08:00

Using portable 3D laser technology, scientists have electronically preserved a rare 110 million-year-old fossilized dinosaur footprint that was previously excavated and built into the wall of a bandstand at a Texas courthouse in the 1930s.

The laser image preserves a "type specimen" footprint -- an original track used to describe a species of dinosaur identified in the 1930s as ichnospecies Eubrontes glenrosensis, says paleontologist Thomas L. Adams at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

Portable 3D laser scanners capture original fossil morphology and texture, making it possible to use the data for rapid 3D prototyping in foam or resin, Adams says.

Without prototyping, the shape of the original track might ultimately be lost. The footprint embedded in the bandstand has been exposed to the elements for nearly 75 years, causing portions of it to erode, Adams says. Erosional loss has affected the outer edge of the toes and heel, altering the initial shape of the track impression.

The track of the ichnospecies Eubrontes glenrosensis was originally excavated in 1933 from a main track layer in a riverbed in what is now 1,500-acre Dinosaur Valley State Park in North Central Texas. Not long after it was excavated, the citizens of Glen Rose built a stone bandstand and embedded the track in one of its walls.

The track was described in 1935 by Ellis W. Shuler, SMU's first geology professor.

Adams says the footprint is that of a three-toed, bipedal, meat-eating dinosaur, with the most likely candidate being the theropod named Acrocanthosaurus, found mostly in Texas, North Carolina and Oklahoma.

"The track is scientifically very important," says Adams, who is earning his doctoral degree in paleontology at SMU. "But it's also a historical and cultural icon for Texas."

Dinosaur Valley State Park boasts the ancient shoreline of a 113 million-year-old sea and is renowned for some of the best preserved dinosaur footprints in the world. The bandstand track is a popular draw for tourists passing through Glen Rose, which is an hour southwest of Dallas.

In an effort to preserve the specimen, as well as to compare its present state with the original description, Adams used a portable 3D laser scanner to perform in situ digitization of the track.

The scans were post-processed to generate high-resolution 3D digital models of the track. Finally the models were rendered in various media formats such as Quicktime VR Virtual Reality and Tagged Image File Format for viewing, publication and archival purposes.

Adams will make the raw scan data and industry-standard 3D object files format available for download.

The research demonstrates the advantages of using portable laser scanners to capture field data and create high-resolution, interactive models that can be digitally archived and made accessible to others via the Internet for further research and education.

"It's a nice way to share scientific data," Adams says.

For more information, go to www.smuresearch.com. Adams' research was funded by the Institute for the Study of Earth and Man at SMU. He presented the research at a scientific session of the 2009 annual meeting of The Geological Society of America in Portland, Ore., Oct. 18-21. His co-researchers are Christopher Strganac, Michael J. Polcyn and Louis L. Jacobs in the Roy M. Huffington Department of Earth Sciences at SMU.

Workshop takes on sustainable building

2009-11-04T21:25:00.001-08:00

Ben Sasse installed a rainwater cistern in his development to help reduce water consumption -- saving him nearly $1,000 annually on water bills.

Joe King decided not to clear-cut his building lots, nestling his homes in the natural Florida landscape to reduce irrigation costs and storm-water runoff and create a forested feel his buyers love.

The building boom may be gone, but Sarasota County leaders are working to ensure that future developments look more like what Sasse and King have created when construction returns.

Some of the ideas proposed Tuesday at the county's annual Sustainable Communities Workshop included impact fee credits for builders who conserve water, allowing taller buildings that preserve more green space, better storm-water management to limit runoff into streams and bays, and charging higher prices for treated water to encourage conservation.

Sasse told the audience of about 100 that his office building uses 83 percent less water than conventional buildings because of the rainwater cistern, low flow urinals and other conservation methods.

"It's really impressive," said County Commissioner Joe Barbetta. "Hopefully it will be contagious throughout the community."

Yet the increased costs of many "low impact" development practices have limited widespread acceptance and it is unclear if government leaders will hold developers to higher standards when people are desperate for economic development.

Current plans include a mix of incentives for developers and new regulations.

New development standards in the works would require more native landscaping and building materials such as pervious concrete that can absorb storm water.

County leaders have also established a panel to investigate impact fee reductions for developers who conserve water.

Sasse believes the impact fee incentives are essential to make products like cisterns more affordable. Sasse's system cost $27,000.

It will take 30 years to recoup that cost based on the $1,000 annual savings in reduced water bills. Technologies will not move from the fringe to the mainstream until they are more affordable, Sasse said.

"Saving water is more than just about saving dollars," Sasse said, "but we live in a real world."

Barbetta said he supports reducing impact fees for conservation. "If you reduce your impact it seems logical to reduce the fees," he said.

But some speakers at the workshop favored more drastic measures that would force developers to abide by higher standards and shock consumers into action.

Pierce Jones, a University of Florida professor in the Resource Efficient Communities program, believes water rates need to be raised to encourage conservation.

"That would change the payback if the cost of water was raised to where it should be," he said.

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3D Laser Mapping Appoints South American

2009-11-04T21:23:00.000-08:00

3D Laser Mapping has appointed GEOCOM to act as Chilean representative for it's hi-tech laser scanning systems. With over 20 years experience in providing advanced solutions for field surveying, GEOCOM was the obvious partner for the region. Chile is a vital area for mining and economic development and 3D Laser Mapping sees the region is a key market for its laser monitoring systems. The partnership with GEOCOM will build on 3D Laser Mapping's position as an international specialist in the global development and deployment of 3D laser monitoring systems.

SiteMonitor is a safety monitoring system that automatically detects tiny movements in slopes and walls in open pit mines and other environments. Using advanced laser scanning technology, the modular SiteMonitor 3 system offers extensive user-defined alarm options with remote monitoring over the Internet and automated warning e-mails. SiteMonitor 3 can be used with virtually
any terrestrial laser scanner giving flexibility in the range, rate and accuracy of scan measurements. It has been designed as a completely flexible laser scanning system that includes configurable software modules to meet individual user's requirements, plus hardware accessories and a comprehensive service package including commissioning, training and remote support, making it a
complete turn key solution.

Thomas Jane’s Dark Country 3D

2009-11-03T19:02:00.000-08:00

October 6th, 2009 saw two very momentous occasions. Firstly, and most importantly, it was my birthday. Secondly, Thomas Jane’s first feature directorial effort (he’s listed as having directed Jonni Nitro, but even I’m clueless as to what that is) Dark Country was released on DVD. Our own Rob Hunter listed the film as a rental in his DVD recommendations but that didn’t stop me from heading out and purchasing it. Then, in a bit of good fortune, I promptly tossed it on the “to watch” pile and forgot about it for three weeks. I say good fortune because not watching the standard, 2D version of the film allowed me to walk into a small, one of a kind screening in late October, the first ever Annual Halloween screening of the film – in glorious 3 dimensions. So my first experience with the film would be as intended – in a theater, with the full effect of the 3D, not on some TV with a flat picture.

Cut to late October and I’m settled in at a Halloween screening, complete with decorations and, no joke, a string trio playing along. The film is introduced by Tom Jane and some characters in face paint as he takes a very Crypt Keeper like approach to the night, complete with “gaping chest wound” t-shirt and flashlights. After a brief intro, the glasses go on and the film comes up.

Dark Country is a Twilight Zone-esque thriller that follows a newly-wed couple Dick (Tom Jane) and Gina (Lauren German) as they drive out of Las Vegas in a vintage car, heading deep into the dark desert country with some steamy love between them and plenty of questions between them. In the dark night on the empty roads, things quickly go south when they come across a car wreck and a badly injured man in the road. Attempting to do the right thing, they load his bloody, disfigured body into the car and go off in search of a hospital. As one might expect, soon they’re lost and the bloodyfaced hitchhiker in the back reveals he’s got some murderous secrets of his own.

Walking into a film like this, I often don’t know what to expect or what I’m in store for. I’m no stranger to lower budget Tom Jane movies, like the not-great Mutant Chronicles or the totally-awesome Give ‘em Hell Malone of late, two different sides of the coin. One works, the other not as much. What makes Dark Country both smart and impressive is the budget – under $4million dollars. For that price, most movies only get the gift bags for their star actors, but Jane and crew get a coherent 3D motion picture up on the screen. I mention smart because when you’re working with little money, you can’t over extend yourself. Shooting for a sci-fi epic (a la Mutant Chronicles) you’re probably going to come up short. But if you’re smart, you find the right story with the right location and $4 million becomes just enough to put out the finished product. Indeed, when you hear about all the ingredients to this film, that it turns out as well as it did, it’s downright amazing. Firstly, you have Tom Jane, a hard-working guy taking his first crack at directing who decides to make it even more difficult on himself by jumping right into 3D. Secondly, toss in a low budget, the untested 3D technology, brand new (aka untested) equipment, night shoots, a short 25 day shooting schedule and the freaking New Mexican desert. The cards were seemingly stacked against the production, that was mired with freezing cold nights and equipment that didn’t always want to work correctly. In one story relayed by Jane after the film, a fancy shmancy piece of equipment meant to raise and lower the 3D camera malfunctioned, stopping production. One for practical solutions, they replaced the machine with the simplest of tools – the human hand – then set the camera onto the road and let the car drive harmlessly over it. That’s how you stretch a budget.

About the movie itself – overall, I liked it. The film is by no means perfect and, personally, started off on the wrong foot for me. I wasn’t engaged in the first few minutes and was beginning to fear a long ride into mediocrity. Luckily, once Dick and Gina had moved into the car, the story quickly shifted gears, sunk in its hooks, and managed to be an enjoyable ride through the dark country. Not until writing down their names (Dick and Gina) did I realize that their names are in fact Dick and (va)Gina. I don’t say this in jest, but perhaps this was a very intentional choice to have them symbolize masculine and feminine sex. Perhaps a wayward thought – until you see the steamy scene in the car. Then the theory gains about a metric ton of weight behind it. We’ve seen terrible sex scenes in cars, like in The Chase when two people somehow engage in coitus while in the middle of a high speed car chase without crashing. The scene in Dark Country is not Dick in Gina (haha, I crack myself) sex, but it is one of the most effective and exciting sexual scenes I’ve seen on film in years. That is the moment when the film really has you and from then on in, it was a far better experience than the first minutes indicated.

dark-country-7Plot wise, the story has that Twilight Zone esque twist you know is coming from the very start. Many of you will probably be able to predict it correctly, but that said, it’s not a deal breaker. I’m a huge fan of The Twilight Zone and even when you know what’s coming, it’s still a fine drive to the finish.

The biggest divider of people who see this movie is going to be style. It’s a love it or leave it type deal, that most likely works far better in 3D than in 2D. Make no mistake, the look of the film is very intentional. Both Jane and Tim Bradstreet (famed artist, Dark Country unofficial production designer and Raw Studios honcho) talked at length about the look of the film, describing it as “intended for a comic book audience.” This is an accurate way to describe much of the film, from the color palate to the angles. Color wise, the film is silvery, channeling in bits of noir and vintage film, while in shot selection, Jane proves himself to be visually very deft with the camera. Certain angles (namely a low angle looking at Bloodyface and out the back of the rear window of the car) are rarely seen in movies, at least in my experience, but are fairly common in graphic novels.

There was a lot of attention paid to the sky with almost every scene having a brilliant, colorful night sky composited in. The photography was taken especially for the film by one of the nation’s only 3D nightsky photographers (a very limited position, one assumes), who spent days up in the hills taking shots of the night sky. To call the images breath-taking is an understatement, though some may be unable or unwilling to look past the fact that it’s a stylized nightsky, the kind you’d never see with the naked eye. I say, when you’re dealing with a stylized film, let’s do it – go all out. The sky worked for me.

dark-country-9Now, I haven’t fully watched the 2D version of the film, but from what I have seen the 3D element makes the entire picture look better. The compositing (green-screening), which is one of the main criticisms of the 2D version, looks far better in three dimensions than it does in two. Dark Country is also one of the first films to fully utilize 3D for image depth rather than gimmicks. In the entirety of the movie there are only two “gimmick” 3D shots, with everything else being about the expansion of the image rather than making you giggle. I have long championed the return of 3D as a valuable and viable tool for creating image depth rather than jump scares. (I saw my first RealD live action movie in 2006 and have supported the technology ever since) Dark Country goes miles down the road in proving that 3D is here and it isn’t a joke or a toy for a kid’s movie. For any photographers out there, you understand the real magic of photography is in the depth of field and focal lengths and 3D technology opens an entirely new window.

I would be remiss in not talking briefly about the acting, but I do want to keep it brief as I’ve gone on for some time now. Tom Jane has always been an effective actor, whether it’s in comedy or drama or Punishing, but lately it seems that his game is fully realized. Mainstream critics have come around to him and praise his performance in Hung, telling us what we already knew – the guy is good. In Country, he plays a more dramatic role and nails a wide variety of emotions. I feel like he turns in a fantastic performance here. Lauren German is also good, though after her ice-cube-masturbation scene (there, I said it) she could sit there with a blank expression on her face the rest of the time and I’d still praise her performance. Ron Perlman appears late in the game and he’s Ron Perlman – nuff said.

In conclusion, Dark Country is not a perfect film, but it’s a much better film in 3D. The story isn’t groundbreaking and again I’ll mention The Twilight Zone, but the acting is top notch from Jane, the style of the film is very much grounded in the comic world, and several scenes are over the top awesome. If nothing else, Jane has proven two things: The guy can direct and 3D is awesome. As I’m sure many of you are fans of Jane, Bradstreet, and Raw Studios (hey, we’re all nerds here), be on the lookout of “Raw Cola” early in the film.

During the Q&A after the film, Jane and Bradstreet mentioned a desire and intent to tour several cities with the film and show it in 3D. Hopefully this gets off the ground and gives people more opportunities to see the film the way it was meant to be. If we’re lucky in LA, they’ll also keep that “Annual” promise and continue to show the film every Halloween.

Final words? Definitely worth checking out in 3D.

Building material prices Danube expects up to 40% yearly growth

2009-11-02T19:27:00.001-08:00

Dubai Danube Building Materials eg:frp grating expects 30 to 40 per cent growth in revenues and profits every year.

"We expect 30 to 40 per cent growth every year. In 2008 our growth was 70 per cent but you can't sustain that," said Chairman Rizwan Sajan.

This growth will be due partly to the company's recent diversification into the home retail sphere with its Buildmart stores.

Danube aims to open 10 to 15 Buildmart stores by the end of next year across the UAE.

Sajan told Gulf News at the opening of the first store last week that the smaller stores would generate Dh5 million to Dh10 million per year with the bigger stores generating double this.

However, the main focus will continue to be on building materials. Prices have increased since the rocky first quarter and have since stabilised.

"Prices have been more or less stable for the last six months. There is not much variation — I would say not more than five to 10 per cent plus [or] minus, which is good enough. Normally there is a big variation, but for the last six months we have seen stability in prices," Sajan said.

At the end of last year, prices were at the top, and came down drastically when the full impact of the financial crisis was felt.

For example, steel rebar was $1,500 per tonne. It is now $500. The price of steel is fluctuating between $450 and $500 per tonne.

However, prices of some materials are forecast to rise by year-end.

"For the fourth quarter and the beginning of 2010 we are expecting some prices to go up, especially for wood because of the freight rate and the demand that has been created in this part of the world, in the GCC," said Sajan.

The current freight rate from China is about $1,000 for a container, which used to be $600 or $700.

"Now this freight will go to $1,500 for a container by the end of the year. If freight goes up, it means demand is there for the product, but it is not only freight but also commodity prices are also going up.

Quantapoint Announces Integration of 3D Laser Scan Data

2009-11-01T18:31:00.000-08:00

announced the integration of Quantapoint 3D laser scan data with Autodesk? Revit using QuantaCAD(TM). Laser data may be accessed directly within Revit as photo-realistic Laser Images(TM) of individual 3D laser scans and high-definition Laser Models(TM) of integrated laser data, not fuzzy "point clouds" whose sparse measurements make them difficult to use and understand.

"One of the challenges of Building Information Modeling (BIM) has been creating 3D BIM models that accurately represent existing buildings," said Eric Hoffman, Founder of Quantapoint. "By integrating Laser Models and Laser Images with Revit, Quantapoint can more quickly create 3D BIM models and validate their accuracy. Additionally, new 3D BIM designs can be viewed and clashed with the laser data to ensure that they will fit into the existing facility, thus eliminating rework."

QuantaCAD provides a number of useful capabilities to Revit users to enable them to create and validate 3D BIM models, visualize proposed modifications for design and constructability reviews.

By using QuantaCAD to put reality in Revit, BIM remodeling time can be reduced while ensuring accuracy, design time can be decreased by accessing complete and clear Laser Models and Laser Images that represent existing conditions, and rework from design clashes can be eliminated by correcting clashes between the Laser Models and the new design.

If you are interested in finding out more about accessing laser data in Revit using QuantaCAD or would like a demonstration, visit www.quantapoint.com/qp/contact or e-mail info@quantapoint.com.

Pioneer Demos 3D in a USB Video Box

2009-10-29T20:03:00.001-07:00

3D display technology keeps taunting us from around the corner. Pioneer brings it a lot closer today. One of many manufacturers showcasing new technology at the Digital Contents Expo in Japan, Pioneer's next generation 3D display is actually available for order as we speak. The display, called Floating Vision, is able to float a 3D image in its USB connected display at 640x480 resolution. Drivers and software are available for both Mac and PC. The 6 inch device has fairly narrow, 10 degree, viewing range currently, so its applications will tend towards a single user.

Why? The display is geared towards a few niche markets which may take some time to develop. Video chatting and instant messaging is one. The device bears microphone and a pair of speakers, but no 3D camera. Digital modeling for medical and artistic uses are facilitated with the aid of motion sensors which allow you to physically interact with the 3D images. The most immediate use will likely be as a virtual catalog capable of letting potential buyers view and interact with products. Although the display is available now it only ships with a very simple 3D viewing program. The Floating Vision will play/create special images and videos, but Pioneer warns that you need to purchase this with the intent to develop applications. You won't be using this for much out of the box. So if you've got the stones to take on a serious project like this, you can get it today for roughly $540 but you'll need to find an importer as it's only available in Japan for now.

Scans show Nero statue

2009-10-28T20:20:00.000-07:00

A head fragment from one of only three surviving statues of the Emperor Nero may have been discovered in Britain, experts revealed yesterday.

It was thought to depict a child after its discovery during excavations at Fishbourne Roman Palace near Chichester, West Sussex, in the 60s. But archaeologists who used laser scanning to create a 3D profile now believe it shows Nero as a teenager after he was named heir to the throne.

Palace chief Christine Medlock said most Nero artefacts were destroyed after his downfall, which is why only two other statues of him remain.

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the latest 3D technology is coming home

2009-10-27T21:00:00.000-07:00

Now wait one second before you start on the whole "I'm not wearing any stupid looking glasses," because no matter what you say, there are more people paying extra to go 3D movies than ever and the reason is simple; it's because this isn't like the crappy 3D you saw during the Super Bowl last year -- or that our parents grew up with. No, the 3D that Sony, Panasonic, and others are promising next year is like nothing you've seen. We've come a long way since the old anaglyph red and blue glasses that come in cereal boxes, so before you knock the new technology before it's even out, click through and read about the technologies that might bring us a real 3D revolution.

3D, the basics

We have two eyes for a reason and while we've enjoyed stereo sound since-like-forever, stereoscopic images haven't quite arrived. At its core, 3D is as simple as using two cameras to capture the data that our eyes would, but it's the display part that's proven tricky. Ultimately, the technology has to find a way to present each eye with a different variation of an image, at that point our eyes and brain do the rest.

Circular polarized or active LCD shutter glasses

The one thing that hasn't changed about 3D is the need for glasses -- if you're holding out for 3D on a big screen without glasses, you're going to let this generation of 3D pass you by. The technology in the glasses varies by a lot and the main two types these days are circular polarized and active LCD shutter. Both serve the same purpose, to ensure each eye sees a different image, but in much different ways.

Circular polarized glasses are easily the most common used in 3D cinema today. If you've been to a 3D presentation of a Pixar movie, or maybe to Disney World and used what look like cheap sunglasses, you've probably tried the technology. Without going into too much detail, each lens is set to filter out different light, so for example in a polarized system like RealD's, there can either be two projectors with different polarizing filters in front of each (pictured below) or a special ZScreen which can alternate the clockwise and counterclockwise polarization for each frame. In either case, the right and left frame alternate at about 144 times per second so that each of 24 frames per second of a movie is displayed 3 times per eye.

RealD circular polarized filter in front of a projector

One of the problems with circular polarized 3D is that a special silver screen is required and some argue it can negatively affect the color accuracy. But what's worse is that most of us don't have a projector at home and so far only a few HDTVs like the ridiculously expensive JVC GD-463D10 LCD TV at $9,200 can pull off the same polarization trickery.

LCD shutter glasses

So in comes the LCD shutter glasses -- the technology itself has actually been around for some time, in fact there were eight Sega Master Systems games that worked with shutter glasses dating back to the 80's. But the technology was limited by the display technology of that era which could only show 480i at 30 frames per second, which worked out to about 15 FPS per eye in 3D -- so yeah, the flickering could make you sick.

Basically the way shutter glasses work is each lens can be blacked out very very quickly to synchronize with a frame displayed on the HDTV. This way a different 1920 x 1080 progressive image can be shown to each eye.

Notice that the LCD shutter on the left is closed.

An IR emitter connected to the TV sends signals to the glasses to keep 'em in sync. In larger demos, multiple emitters are mounted throughout the venue to ensure all the glasses get the signal. This is obviously less than ideal for a large movie theater, but shouldn't be a problem at home.

IR emitter used in Pansonic's 3D demo

The other reason shutter glasses make sense at home is because they don't limit the viewing angles of the display -- not to mention the glasses are more expensive and someone would likely steal them from a theater. But besides these advantages, proponents argue that the colors are more accurate, there's less ghosting and smearing, and it is argued that the contrast is greater between the left and right eyes. So, you add all these reasons together and the technology should provide the most realistic and reliable 3D technology ever unleashed on consumers -- at home or anywhere else.

It's not all good though, besides the cost of the glasses and the added emitter in the TV, some say that there is added flickering, and with the shutters closing in front of your eyes, the image is dimmed a bit. Both Sony and Panasonic claim these are no longer issues in thanks to the super fast refresh rates and brightness available on the latest HDTVs.

Short Panasonic promotional video about how its 3D technology works

XpanD LCD shutter glasses and special 3D Blu-ray player used in Panasonic's 3D demo

But why can't my current HDTV do 3D?

We know what you're thinking, you just bought a new HDTV and you want to know why it can't handle 3D. Even if it was possible to add an IR emitter to keep the shutter glasses in sync, the experience at 30 FPS per eye wouldn't be as enjoyable. And just like when the first 1080p HDTVs hit the shelves without the ability to actually accept 1080p input, the current crop of 120hz HDTVs can't actually display 120 frames per second -- only show each frame of a 60 fps signal, twice.

Of course, 3D-capable displays don't do much without 3D content, and the good news is that most of the infrastructure needed for 3D in the home is already here thanks to HD. With the new 1.4 spec, HDMI has been updated to accomdate 3D and the first source is almost guaranteed to be Blu-ray. In fact as we speak the BDA is working on standardizing the storage of 3D movies on a Blu-ray Disc. It actually isn't nearly as hard as it sounds, because what is essentially needed is to up the spec from 1080p at 30 FPS to 1080p at 120 FPS. In fact a 50GB Blu-ray Disc has more than ample capacity to handle a 3D HD movie thanks to the wonders of video compression where only the difference of each frame is stored. So 3D movies only require about 50 percent more space, and the one thing about the new 3D Blu-ray standard that has been determined, is that every 3D Blu-ray Disc will include a 2D version of the movie.

3D camera used to broadcast a College Football game on ESPN.

This part might surprise you, but there have already been 3D broadcasts of major sporting events. Using RealD's circular polarized technology, ESPN broadcasts 3D presentations of major sporting events to theaters around the country. The most recent was the USC vs Ohio State game on September 12th, but other events like the National Championship game last year, and the Olympics before it, were beamed to theaters in 3D. And let us tell you, if you haven't seen your favorite sport in 3D, you're really missing something. In fact we wouldn't be surprised if the real killer application for 3D in the home was sports. Sure movies will be the first to be delivered thanks to the slow evolution of broadcast technology, but we still have our hopes that ESPN 3D will be next. But while we wait for CableLabs and the SCTE to hammer out the details of a 3D delivery standard, satellite subscribers in the UK appear to be on track to get a 3D channel next year.

The other 3D content that is coming eventually is 3D gaming. Sony was showing 3D games at IFA this year and there have been a number of rumors that real 3D gaming is coming to the Xbox 360. The only thing we really know for sure at this point is that Avatar will be one of the first 3D games, although no word on what technology will be used.

But not everyone can see 3D

When we say that 3D isn't for everyone, we mean it. In fact it is estimated that 4 percent of us are actually physically incapable of seeing 3D no matter what the display technology. And even worse, according to the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, "Research has shown that up to 56 percent of those 18 to 38 years of age have one or more problems with binocular vision and therefore could have difficulty seeing 3D." So if you are one of these affected, it might be time to see an opthamologist and get screened for amblyopia. And if you happen to be blind in one eye you can still watch 3D, but it'll just look normal to you -- assuming of course you have the glasses on.

Where we go from here

One thing we weren't able to learn in our quest for 3D knowledge was how compatible these different technologies are. Essentially we assume that the functional compatibility between the two main 3D display technologies described above are like the differences between LCD and Plasma -- in other words, they both connect to the same HD set-top-box and Blu-ray player -- but until the BDA announces the final details of the 3D specification there isn't really any way to know for sure. But it seems that if Blu-ray was compatible with both circular polarized and LCD shutter glasses, then certainly whatever broadcast standard or game console announced down the road would also work with both.

Conclusion

Like it or not, 3D is coming and just like HD before it, there will be plenty of 3D technology as 3D laser
,3D crystal pundits predicting its demise. The problem right now is very few have had the chance to check out the technology and if you have been lucky enough to see it, it is hard to convey how cool it is to others. On top of this, 3D has a long road ahead because most people think they have seen it because they've tried the anaglyph glasses during a Super Bowl Commercial. The other big hurdle is the whole stupid looking glasses argument -- which doesn't make that much sense since you'll be wearing them in the privacy of your own home. Now we know that the same technology lovers who read Engadget would never hate on any new technology without experiencing it first hand, but tell your friends and family that something new is coming, and no it isn't like anything else they've seen.

Costs of building materials start rising again

2009-10-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

Construction costs have begun to rise after remaining relatively low for the past year, according to analysis of the latest producer price index.

The analysis found that the price of construction materials as frp grating increased between August and September, with copper rising 10 percent, aluminum up 2 percent and steel up 3 percent.

"These figures serve as an important reminder that governments and developers looking for a good deal on construction should act quickly before having to pay significantly more for their projects," said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, who performed the analysis.

Other construction materials also increased in price, including plastic, 1.2 percent; prestressed concrete, 1.5 percent; and iron and steel pipe and tube, 1.2 percent. Materials declining in price included gypsum, down 1.2 percent, and plywood, down 0.3 percent.

How 3D TV works: Part I – With Glasses

2009-10-25T20:17:00.001-07:00

It seems that everyone is talking about 3D television these days. A few friends and relatives who called up for advice regarding what TV to buy even asked if they should wait till next year to get a 3D TV. Given the recent interest, we thought it would be appropriate to give a brief explanation of the mechanics behind stereoscopy – any technique that creates the illusion of depth of three-dimensionality in an image.

There is one basic preface needed in understanding 3D television: understanding how our eyes work. For the sake of this example, look at your computer mouse (or if you’re on a laptop, any other object nearby). In a nutshell, your left eye and your right eye are two separate lenses, registering two differently-angled images of the mouse, which are then sent to your brain. The brain then acts as the ‘image processor’, putting the two pictures together to come up with one three-dimensional picture in your mind. It’s basically the same principle by which the new FujiFilm FinePix 3D camera works.

Making screens display 3D images is based on a similar mechanism, but is divided into two main wings: Stereoscopic TVs (which require special glasses to watch 3D movies) and Autostereoscopic TVs (which appear 3D without any special accessories).

In the first part of this series of articles, we look at special glasses that are required by some of the upcoming stereoscopic TVs to deliver the 3D experience.

Shutter Glasses

The 3D technology that Panasonic, Sony and Nvidia are most gung-ho about in the near future is based on wearing what are called ‘shutter glasses’. Basically, these are glasses that alternately shut off the left eye and right eye, while the TV emits separate images meant for each eye, thus creating a 3D image in the viewer’s mind.

Here’s how it works: The video signal of the TV stores an image meant for the left eye on its even field, and an image meant for the right eye on its odd field. The TV itself is synchronised with the shutter glasses via infra-red or RF technology.
The shutter glasses contain liquid crystal and a polarising filter. Upon receiving the appropriately synced signal from the TV, the shutter glass is automatically applied with a slight current that makes it dark, as if a shutter was drawn (hence the name). So at a time, only one eye is seeing one image.

The technology perfectly draws the shutters over either eye to make the left eye see the image meant for it on the even field, and make the right eye see the odd field of the video signal. By viewing these two images from different orientations, a 3D image is built up by the viewer’s brain.

While it seems like this would cause a delay for the viewer, there’s no need for such worries. With the high screen refresh rates that these modern 3D televisions have, the end user’s viewing experience is seamless, smooth and rich.

However, the one down-side of this technology is that due to the rapid drawing of ‘shutters’, lesser light reaches the eye, thus making the image seem darker than it is.

Polarised Glasses

Polarised glasses are basically your regular sunglasses, and have been used as a medium for 3D stereoscopic viewing for a long time now. They are also the most popular mode of 3D glasses, currently used by large cinema houses and IMAX. Just like the shutter glasses, polarised glasses use the lenses to show different images to each eye, making the brain construct a 3D image for the viewer.

Here’s how it works: For polarised glasses to work, the movie being shown has to be shot using either two cameras, or a single camera with two lenses. Two projectors (left and right), both fitted with polarizing filters on their lenses, then simultaneously show the movie on the same screen. The polarizing filter orients images from the left projector to one plane (for the sake of example, let’s say ‘vertical’); and the filter on the right lens orients its images to the plane that is perpendicular to the left one (‘horizontal’).

The viewer sits wearing the special glasses, which are equipped with differently polarised lenses. The left lens of the glasses is aligned with the same plane (vertical) that the left projector is throwing up images at; and the right lens is aligned perpendicularly to correspond with the plane of the right projector (horizontal).

Thus, the viewer’s left eye sees only the images which the left projector is screening, while the viewer’s right eye sees only the images which the right projector is screening. As both the images are taken from different angles, the viewer’s brain combines the two to come up with a single 3D image.

But again, like the shutter glasses, the amount of light reaching your eyes with polarised glasses is significantly lesser, making the image appear darker than it is.

Summing up

The biggest disadvantage with stereoscopic 3D TV is that it requires the user to wear a special apparatus. This is quite inconvenient and a burden, as it renders a large screen obsolete without a pair of tiny glasses; i.e. if you aren’t wearing the shutter or polarised glasses, the images on the screen will appear distorted.

So what’s the alternative? Check out the second part of this article which talks about the technology behind next-gen television sets that don’t require the viewers to wear glasses or any special apparatus at all.

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Green building takes root

2009-10-22T19:53:00.001-07:00

As architects and builders push the boundaries of green construction, unique structures emerge. Here are snapshots of three very different green buildings in the Houston area. Each makes the most of natural or recycled materials, sunlight and shade. And each is proof that great design can be green.

ZEROW House

Location: Ultimately, a Third Ward neighborhood

Background

The 800-square-foot home was designed by Rice University students for the 2009 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon, a competition held this month in Washington, D.C. It cost $140,000 to build, but the Rice team thinks it could do it prefab for less.

Green practices

The house runs entirely on solar power. LED lighting is used throughout, which keeps the total wattage below 200. Flooring is all bamboo. Outside, the house is clad with Galvalume metal panels, which are made from some recycled materials. A green wall of vines helps keep outside walls cool.

Quote

“We've been focused on making this an affordable house for Houston, specifically,” said Roque Sanchez, 22, a master's student studying environmental engineering at Rice. “We've known it was going to be donated to Project Row House, in Houston. Hopefully, this house will last in Houston for 100 years.”

Sysco Foods Headquarters

Location: 1390 Enclave Parkway

Background

A collective effort by lead architect HOK Houston, architect of record Kendall Heaton Associates and interior architect Kirksey, the 595,600-square-foot corporate office space is made of two glass, steel and cement towers, set side by side and connected by a pedestrian bridge. The space earned LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, which speaks to its green construction and energy efficiency.

Green practices

Vertical and horizontal fins, or sunshades, along the outside of the structure regulate how much sunlight gets inside. Interior lights adjust themselves automatically; on a bright day, lights may turn off in some areas. Air conditioning comes from under the floor, cooling the area where people are sitting and standing more quickly and efficiently. Low-VOC paints and carpets keep occupants from breathing toxins. Outside, most of the land was unirrigated and seeded with native wildflowers.

Quote

“Sysco made the decision to go for LEED certification in 2000, so it was ahead of its time,” said Daniel Mills, sustainability manager at HOK Houston. “Building green came out of a desire to demonstrate their commitment to the community, the environment and their employees.”

Gazebo

Location: The Emile Community Farm, 700 Emile. The gazebo used to live at Discovery Green but was transplanted — heavy as it is — to the farm, aka The Last Organic Outpost.

Background

It was built by Dan Phillips of Living Paradigm, a nonprofit that helps families build their own houses using free, salvaged and recycled building materials.

Green practices

Living Paradigm uses almost anything to build structures and homes, including glass, corrugated roofing, cisterns, wood floors, wine corks and bottle caps, ceramic tile and more. The gazebo is made of mortar, recycled glass and mirrors, relish plates (for the skylight), stem pipe and license plates.

Quote

“I put together a drawing of the gazebo for Dan, and then he took it to a structural engineer,” said Amanda Tullos, president of Living Paradigm and a senior consultant at Green Building Services. “But we had a hurricane while it was at Discovery Green, and there were no issues.”

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EPA Fines Vermont Flooring Contractor for Improper Handling of Asbestos

2009-10-21T21:02:00.001-07:00

A Vermont flooring company faces of a penalty for failing to follow federal guidelines pertaining to removal and disposal of asbestos building materials.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Morrison-Clark, Inc., of South Barre,Vermont violated federal asbestos removal regulations when workers removed a vinyl asbestos tile floor from Main Street Middle School in Montpelier in July 2008. The company did not provide advance notice to EPA, failed to wet the asbestos while stripping it and did not properly dispose of the materials, EPA alleged in announcing the penalty this month.

The company faces a penalty of up to $32,500 per day for the alleged violation so the asbestos removal regulations.

The federal Clean Air Act and the National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutant, require contractors doing renovation work to follow certain inspection requirements prior to starting work and to follow specific work and waste disposal practices. The guidelines are designed to protect workers and the public from inhaling airborne asbestos fibers.

Breathing asbestos can cause lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs and abdominal cavity.

Earlier this year, researchers with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reported that the overall annual deaths from mesothelioma in the U.S. are still increasing, though the rate as a portion of the population has been stable in recent years. More than 18,000 deaths from mesothelioma were reported in the U.S from 1999 to 2005, researchers reported.

Although asbestos is no longer mined in the United States, it is still imported and a substantial amount of asbestos in buildings eventually must be removed. An estimated 1.3 million American construction workers and general industry workers are exposed to asbestos, researchers say, underscoring the need for efforts to minimize exposure.

In the case of the Vermont school, EPA said it was not aware of any specific harm or exposure to airborne asbestos caused by the renovation.

Hardwood Floor Guide Gives Consumers Current Trends in Hardwood Floors

2009-10-20T20:30:00.000-07:00

A hardwood floor can increase the value and beauty of a home greatly. With design trends moving toward a more traditional flare, hardwood floor installation is a choice many homeowners are moving toward.

To assist with navigating the various means of achieving a hardwood floor in your home, the Harwood Floor Guide strives to educate and inform consumers.

Whether you are looking to do some hardwood floor refinishing, clean hardwood floors or do a completely new hardwood floor installation, the information in the Hardwood Floor Guide may prove invaluable.

The guide covers hardwood floor repair for those who have an existing hardwood floor. Instructions for repairing problems such as cracked or split boards, gaps between boards, and buckling is included.

If you are looking to refinish a hardwood floor, basic instructions to do so can be found in the Hardwood Floor Guide. Step by step instructions for prepping the room, making any needed repairs, sanding and applying a surface finish are given in the guide.

Perhaps all your hardwood floor needs is a good cleaning to bring it into pristine shape, This guide will walk you through the steps you need to follow in order to bring your hardwood floors back to life. Tips for maintaining the beauty of your floors using hardwood floor cleaner is also included.

If you do not have an existing hardwood floor, but would like one, engineered hardwood floor is recommended,
"It is usually in your best interest to choose an engineered hardwood floor over one made form solid wood."
Excerpt from Hardwood Floor Guide

The guide is divided into sections of different types of material you may be able to find for your hardwood floor. Some of the materials explained include bamboo hardwood floor, oak hardwood floor, and maple hardwood floor.

Mohawk Hardwood Floor is a featured brand of flooring in the guide. Mohawk is known for it’s quality workmanship and dependable flooring. Mohawk has a patented installation process called UniClic that is unsurpassed in the flooring industry for ease of installation.

Hardwood laminate flooring continues to gain popularity for it’s superior durability and choice of finishes. Learn about the real wood look of today’s laminates in the Hardwood Floor Guide.

For the do-it-yourselfer intent on putting in unfinished hardwood floor and doing it all himself or herself, the Harwood Floor guide has you covered with information about the benefits and drawbacks of this type of hardwood floor.

The latest manufacturing advances in a floating hardwood floor (no glue required) are showcased within the guide. These innovative interlocking floor tiles make it easy for most anyone to install their own hardwood floor.

Don’t let the expensive look of a hardwood floor lead you to believe they are out of reach on even a small budget. With today’s available options in hardwood flooring; you can achieve the dramatic upgrade a hardwood floor can provide. The Hardwood Floor Guide shows you how.

Related website:http://www.lydry.com/

Danube Building Materials goes green

2009-10-19T19:59:00.001-07:00

Danube Building Materials, the leader in construction, building materials as frp grating and shop fitting industries, has announced the launch of the first Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)-certified whitewood and hardwood timbers products in the GCC. This is in line with the company’s commitment to sustainability, which is further underlined by its planned collaboration with the Dubai Municipality to promote ‘Green building codes’. Company officials are positive of the response for these new eco-friendly products at the upcoming ‘Big5 International Building and Construction Show’, which will mark their official launch in the UAE and across the rest of the GCC.

As support for green building initiatives in Dubai escalates - with the emirate drawing up ‘green’ building standards - Danube has reported that the number of inquiries for FSC and PEFC timber from its customers has increased. This has prompted the company to introduce building materials certified by FSC and PEFC, which are independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisations that promote sustainably managed forests through independent third party certification. Certification from these bodies is a testament of responsible production and consumption of forest products thereby letting consumers make eco-friendly purchasing decisions while supporting ongoing business value.

“No matter what policies exist, contractors cannot fulfil consultant specification if the materials are not available on ground. As the largest building materials company in the Middle East, we have invested in making green products such as certified hardwood and whitewood timber available in the GCC region, and we intend to use our extensive presence throughout the region to enable project managers to turn green policies from theory into practice,” said Frank Owens, Product Manger of Hardwood Timber, Danube Building Materials. “In addition, we have been engaged in ongoing discussion with Dubai Municipality on how to best formulate and implement ‘green’ building codes to ensure a positive effect on the environment.”

As a pioneer in supplying green building materials to GCC market, Danube will be focusing on educating buyers on certified materials, its benefits, and from which local vendors they can legitimately procure materials. Special efforts are also made to meet and educate the consultants specifying new projects so that they understand the availability implications of the certified products they aim to specify. At present, the company is actively working with certification bodies like BM Trada to promote among joinery factories in its sales network the ‘Chain of Custody’ certification, which will be a strong deterrent against certified material fraud. Danube also revealed plans to offer certified plywood and veneer soon, in line with its goals to provide a fully-certified wood products line up by end of 2009.

”The whole idea of ‘green’ building is to invest a little more in the design and materials phase of production and get a larger return on the investment over the long term as reduced energy consumption translates into significant yearly savings. As more organisations recognise and embrace this concept, we are seeing a sizable increase in the number of firms significantly involved in ‘green’ building projects as well as ‘green’ accredited building professionals. While projects in progress for which green building products were not specified will be completed as usual, our focus is to steer future projects towards green materials through education,” concluded Owens.

Construction, renovation swoon hammers jobs

2009-10-18T20:11:00.001-07:00

The slump in new residential building has taken a significant but largely invisible toll on jobs in the building products sector in Canada.

New construction and renovations are down by $8.4 billion on an annualized, inflation-adjusted basis in the first half of 2009 compared with 2008, according to real estate consultancy Altus Group.

That has translated into a loss of 41,000 construction jobs. Another 35,000 jobs in related industries have also been impacted according to estimates by Altus.

"A big part of the Canadian economy and the Ontario heartland are companies that supply building materials ... for the construction industries, and these are the sectors that are really hard hit, but they don't make the headlines," said Peter Norman, senior director of economic consulting for Altus.

Total residential construction investment was $92 billion across Canada, with about 43 per cent of that in renovation spending. Most of the $8 billion drop, representing about 9 per cent of the total, comes from the new homes sector.

Construction workers and crews on job sites are the most visible face of the sector, but plenty of related industries provide the woodworking, steel, insulation and other materials needed to build homes. Include those in the mix, and Altus estimates the $8 billion figure would be more like $15.2 billion.

The casualties can be found scattered throughout the Greater Toronto Area, in industrial strip malls such as the one in Scarborough where Richard Zedzian runs Affordable Woodworking. The maker of custom cabinets says business has declined by more than 30 per cent this year.

Last year, he laid off one of his two workers. Now he says he works longer hours to break even.

"At the beginning of the last year we couldn't even get to new customers we were so busy. It's different now," he says.

Most of his customers now are commercial as opposed to residential, said Zedzian, who has been making cabinets for two decades.

"This is my passion, I can only do the best job I can. But in a recession people are concerned more about the price than the quality."

According to Altus, Zedzian represents the hardest-hit sector, with wood materials manufacturing losing about 5,000 jobs since last year. Steel products and concrete and plastics also showed large declines.

Slowing domestic demand is just one problem. Exports have fallen 26 per cent in 2009 compared with 2008.

Still, there have been encouraging signs in the new homes sector.

"We expect construction investment to steadily improve in the second half of the year," said Norman, "but it will still be weak compared to past years."

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Berlin, With Few Walls

2009-10-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

MICHAEL ELMGREEN and Ingar Dragset are artists who have exhibited from New York to Tokyo. But for the last 12 years, the globe-trotting artistic duo, collaborators since 1995, have lived in Berlin. And at a certain point, they decided it was time to buy.

“We were never particularly interested in property investment,” said Mr. Dragset, who is from Norway (Mr. Elmgreen is from Denmark).

The two men, once a couple but now just artistic partners, originally moved to Berlin because it was near Copenhagen, where they had lived, and because it seemed full of energy as well as inexpensive. But after a decade in Berlin, Mr. Dragset said, “We were tired of fixing up spaces and having to leave them after a couple of years.”

And, he added, “both privately, and within our art practice, we love spatial challenges — so we were looking for somewhere we could apply the concepts we had been working with in our art.”

When they saw an advertisement for the old water-pumping station in a quiet Berlin suburb, a working-class area called Neukölln in the former East Berlin, the pair’s creative antennae began to twitch. The former pumping station, surrounded by fully grown chestnut trees and flanked by apartment buildings on a residential street, had remained empty since the early 1990s because nobody knew quite what to do with such an oversize hall stuck in the middle of a non-industrial location.

“Almost too good to be true,” Mr. Dragset said. “Especially considering the price, which was ridiculously low compared to any other European capital.” He declined to specify but said it was similar to a typical two-bedroom apartment in Oslo, which is about $700,000. The renovations cost about the same as the purchase price.

Working with two young architects, Nils Wenk and Jan Wiese, whom they met through friends, the two began renovations that took about a year. Fortunately the solid old industrial building was in good condition and drastic structural changes were unnecessary. New wiring, heating and plumbing were needed, but as Mr. Dragset explained, “basically we’ve broken down more walls than we’ve built.”

After the initial apprehension at owning their own property, Mr. Dragset said, they began to treat the renovations more like an art project, playing with the space and coming up with clever uses for the former station’s various features. For example, the four large vents in the upper floor once used to ventilate the building have been transformed into a fireplace, a table, a guest bed and an embedded bathtub.

There’s no clutter: just white walls, glacial light streaming in through old warehouse-style windows, trees silently waving at visitors from the outside and what feels like acres of floor space.

The building is now both home and studio space. Generally, the renovation materials have been inexpensive. Most of the floors are sanded asphalt covered in clear polyurethane that goes with the industrial nature of the building. On one hand, “it’s reminiscent of the building’s industrial history,” Mr. Wenk said. “On the other hand, it’s very economical.” In smaller rooms, the asphalt was sanded more finely, he explained, then tinted to reflect the personal nature of the rooms.

The farther up and back one goes, the more private the space becomes. The back boasts five levels, including two private areas for the artists, a kitchen, an attic living room and four bathrooms. And the renovated attic space is reminiscent of a playboy’s penthouse. In this upper section, a window in the roof slides back at the push of a button like something out of Dr. Evil’s lair.

“We deliberately made the borders between the work and living spaces fleeting,” Mr. Dragset said. “The combination of vast floor space and the small, quirky nooks means you can be very hidden here, or very exposed depending on your moods or needs.”

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New Report Just Published US Resilient Flooring Market

2009-10-14T20:10:00.000-07:00

provides action-oriented executives with up-to-date information on vinyl sheet products, vinyl floor tile, rubber flooring, linoleum, frp grating flooring and other resilient floors. Each page will assist the resilient flooring executive exploit growing product lines, improve plant efficiency, strengthen distribution, penetrate end-use markets, and plan for 2009 and beyond.

SUMMARY OF MAJOR FINDINGS

The $2.5 billion (manufacturers’ dollars) U.S. resilient flooring market has significantly increased its share of the domestic floor coverings industry. Resilient flooring gained share due to growing commercial market demand, successful introduction and acceptance of luxury vinyl tile and fiberglass-backed vinyl sheet, and consumer’s growing preference for low-cost hard surface flooring as the housing market weakened and the economy contracted. However, the sharp cut in residential demand and the surge in material costs cut plant profit margins. Margins were also adversely affected by increasing competitive pressures from foreign- and domestic-based manufacturers. Resilient flooring is forecast to make additional inroads in the U.S. floor coverings industry during 2009 as the Federal stimulus package encourages construction of healthcare and educational facilities, two key end-use markets. Profit margins may also rebound along with moderating in material costs.

RESILIENT FLOORING SALES TRENDS

Catalina Research has uncovered these trends in our 190-page in-depth analysis of the global resilient flooring market. U.S. shipments, exports, imports, and price trends are evaluated for vinyl sheet products, vinyl tile, rubber flooring, linoleum, cork flooring and other flooring materials. Data is provided on a dollar and unit basis. Catalina also reviews product innovations such as luxury vinyl tile and fiberglass-backed vinyl sheet. Import data analyzes shipments of foreign-sourced products by major country of origin, and export data analyzes foreign sales by major country of destination. Catalina also investigated global demand by product segment and world area.

END-USE MARKET PURCHASES AND DISTRIBUTION

The report’s end-use market analysis provides executives with the growing sales opportunities in residential, nonresidential, and transportation equipment markets. Residential markets are further divided into new construction, residential remodeling, and manufactured housing markets. Nonresidential markets are segmented into new construction and commercial contract purchasers. Catalina used these data trends to calculate resilient flooring’s share of total residential and nonresidential flooring markets. Retail sales are provided as well.

FACTORS AFFECTING DEMAND

End-use market trends are correlated with U.S. housing demand, nonresidential construction spending, mortgage interest rates, and other housing and economic indicators to uncover the factors affecting demand, and provide insights into the direction of domestic demand in 2009 and beyond.

PROFIT MARGINS AND THE COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT

In addition, Catalina Research examined the cost structure and profitability of U.S. resilient flooring plants. Data trends are compiled for material, labor, and capital inputs. As part of this analysis, Catalina profiled 27 global manufactures and marketers, and compiled company resilient flooring sales. Catalina used this information to calculate U. S. market shares of the leading competitors. Company profiles cover product lines, manufacturing and distribution, capital investments, acquisitions, and new products. Executives are urged to review the growth- and profit-oriented strategies of leading worldwide resilient flooring manufacturers and compare their company’s own performance to the industry averages.

RUBBER MAT, STAIR TREAD, AND COVE BASE MARKET

Catalina Research also evaluated the U.S. and Canadian market for rubber mats, stair treads, and cove base. Product shipments cover roll goods, automotive mats, other mats, and cove base and other products. Export and import trends are also included.

WORLD RESILIENT FLOORING MARKET

The global resilient flooring market is investigated as well. Market trends are segmented for vinyl, rubber, and linoleum flooring; and by world area. Sales of Tarkett and Armstrong are also segmented by world area. Global market shares are calculated for 10 leading manufacturers. Canadian market trends include shipments, imports, and exports.

Governments embrace building deconstruction

2009-10-13T20:24:00.001-07:00

More governments are deconstructing buildings and reusing building materials from obsolete structures as they update and upgrade their communities’ building stock. Many find that the practice saves money as well as resources.

Government-owned buildings are showing their age. A recent Energy Information Administration analysis calculates that 25,000 of the 635,000 government-owned buildings in the United States were constructed before 1920.

Several categories of public buildings offer deconstruction opportunities, says Thomas Napier, research architect at the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center, in Champaign, Ill. “In a governmental context,” Napier told GovPro.com, “deconstructing obsolete public housing could provide ‘green collar’ job opportunities. Any other wood-framed buildings, offices, institutional buildings and other similar structures could provide significant opportunities.”

Seattle is one city that has been deconstructing rather than demolishing government buildings, and it has been encouraging the practice among residents and businesses, too. "We are actively encouraging increased salvage of building materials and increased deconstruction, especially in the single-family areas," says Dick Lilly of Seattle Public Utilities, part of the Seattle city government.

Dirk Wassink, general manager of Seattle-based Second Use Building Materials, told GovPro.com, “We are currently working with the local government in Seattle on a project to recover building materials at city transfer stations. They have also sponsored some deconstruction efforts on government-owned properties.” Wassink’s firm salvages used but still usable construction materials and finds them new homes.

The public sector is key to supporting the widespread adoption of the practice, explains Wassink: “Since governments tend to be owners of large numbers of buildings, their decisions have a large impact on how construction (and deconstruction) gets done.”

Wassink outlines ways that deconstruction can compete with demolition on cost. “Some of the additional labor costs due to the more intensive dismantling process can be offset with the value of the recovered materials. Also, separated recycling streams tend to have lower tipping fees than mixed recycling and landfilling options, so some savings can be achieved there.”

Government agencies that want to salvage materials from old buildings must specify that in contracts. “A huge consideration, as I understand it, is how the demolition/deconstruction specification is written, so that contractors are required (or at least highly motivated) to prioritize reuse over recycling, and to recover as much as possible from the site,” Wassink says.

Napier agrees. “Standard contracting processes and technical specifications have been developed around conventional demolition practices,” he says. “Some adjustments may be required to solicitation and contract award practices.”

The Building Material Reuse Association (BMRA, www.bmra.org), based in Beaverton, Ore., is an educational and research organization whose mission is to facilitate building deconstruction and the reuse/recycling of recovered building materials. Its Web site includes an online directory of contractors and consultants, and a library of case studies and articles. It also offers training in deconstruction and organizes a conference every other year that many government agencies attend. “Government agencies are encouraged to join the BMRA. We currently have representatives from the EPA and the Empire State Council on Economic Development and other government agencies among our members,” says Anne Nicklin, a member of the BMRA’s board of directors and a sustainability consultant for San Francisco-based construction consulting firm Davis-Langdon.

building materials:frp grating

Protest prompts coastal rethink

2009-10-12T20:05:00.000-07:00

PLANNING and the National Trust for Jersey will compile new guidelines for building applications on the west and north coasts in response to the ‘Line in the Sand’ protest, according to Environment Minister Freddie Cohen.

The minister says that although there can be no ‘blanket ban’ on buildings, he wants to work with campaigners behind last weekend’s demonstration with great building materials as high quality frp grating.

The protest last Sunday saw 7,000 Islanders gather on St Ouen’s Bay to protest against ‘inappropriate’ development on the coast.

And while Senator Cohen says that he cannot stop property owners putting in applications for land that they own on the coast, he wants to consult on new guidelines for the proposed Coastal National Park that would encompass the west coast and most of the north coast too.

European building materials industry outlook remains negative

2009-10-11T20:04:00.001-07:00

The outlook for the European building materials(eg:frp grating) industry remains negative, reflecting the ongoing economic weakness in some markets and continued depressed demand, Moody's Investors Service said in a new report of 11 companies it rates. However, there are signs that the decline in volumes is not getting any worse in mature markets and may even start to improve from 2010.
"Overall end-market demand for building materials is expected to remain weak in H2 2009," said Matthias Hellstern, a senior vice president in Moody's Corporate Finance Group. "Indeed, forecasts indicate that global cement consumption is expected to decline by around 16% in 2009, excluding China."
Although economic stimulus packages in the mature countries should help offset declines in demand for building materials from commercial or residential construction, Moody's expects that growth in public construction projects will not be sufficient to fully offset such declines going forward.
"It will take more time for building material volumes to recover," explained Hellstern.
"As a result, profitability and cash flow generation will remain affected for the time being and it is unlikely that levels reported in 2007 and 2008 will be reached in the intermediate term."
However, in line with economic indicators, Moody's believes the current cycle for European building materials companies has reached its bottom.
Indeed, despite the reduction in demand, prices for building materials, especially cement, remain stable overall. Furthermore, liquidity concerns have largely been addressed by many of the building companies, and Moody's believes that the short-term liquidity position of nearly all its rated companies should be sufficient to cover liquidity needs in the next 12 months. However, as a result of past acquisitions, many rated issuers still have major maturities to be covered in 2011 and 2012; thus, Moody's will continue to closely monitor liquidity in the industry.
Moody's also recognises that cement and other building materials producers have set ambitious cost cutting targets and, combined with a reduction in energy costs, should be able to report improving margins in H2 2009 despite the expected ongoing weak demand. Companies are also expected to generate positive free cash flow going forward, by cutting maintenance capex to the minimum, reducing expansion capex and efficiently managing working capital.
Assuming better visibility and positive volume trends, there is a possibility that Moody's could change its outlook for the sector to stable from negative in the next few months. Moody's will continue to assess the situation and take rating action as and when necessary.

Market mezzanine judged to lift trade

2009-10-09T20:06:00.000-07:00

Listed building consent has been granted for an extension to a mezzanine floor in a grade II listed covered market in Durham after an inspector held that it would add to the variety of retail space.

The building was split into two levels and the frp grating market operator wished to secure more space on the upper floor. The inspector noted that the market contained a mixture of open stalls and booths that added to the vibrancy and bustle of the area as a place to shop. Although extending the mezzanine in the manner proposed would affect some views of the upper walls of the building, she was satisfied that the scheme would preserve the overall character of the market.

Mezzanine Floors and Raised Storage Areas

2009-10-09T01:53:00.000-07:00

Mezzanine Floor Systems available from Erect-A-Rack allows companies to expand its existing facilities to meet changing requirements without enlarging the site whilst offering simple and cost effective floor solutions.

Raised Floor Access
Erect-A-Rack staircases are designed to suit floor heights and required widths, whilst complying with standard regulations. Tread boards are available in solid steel, grating or timber. Steel gates are available for forklift loading of the upper level. Gate positions are carefully designed to ensure safety and easy access. Incline conveyors are available for rapid feeding of goods to and from the upper level.

Mezzine Floor Adaptability
The structure of a Mezzanine Floor is of a bolted steel construction which enables easy extension, re-engineering or relocation with significant cost savings whilst manufacturing and constructing the floor to your specific requirements.

Floor Safety
Erect-A-Rack Mezzanine Floors are engineered to the highest structural standards using high grade steel with compliance to all regulations. All perimeter areas of a Mezzanine Floor are fitted with safety rails.

Raised Storage Areas
Erect-A-Rack Raised Storage Areas can double storage space in existing buildings and be equipped with shelves and aisles to suit all your storage needs.
Shelves are available in a variety of short, medium and long spans, also narrow and extra wide depths.

Shelf decking materials includes timber, steel and mesh. Shelves are tailor made for the optimum use of space, ergonomics and productivity.

Mezzanine Floors and Raised Storage Areas Benefits

* Erect-A-Rack Raised Storage Areas are available in multi-tier systems that can increase storage areas up to 300%, within the same rented floor area
* Raised Storage Areas can be classed as one of your assets, not part of your rent. They are depreciable in value, yet never wear out and last a lifetime and they can also be moved if needed
* Raised Storage Areas increase productivity by minimising travel distance and time by 40% and up to 75% with multi-tiered systems
* Erect-A-Rack endeavours to always supply carefully engineered products and systems that are all in compliance with applicable standards, practical, reliable and safe, offering benefits to our valued customers

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Price caps mulled for building materials

2009-09-29T20:50:00.000-07:00

Cement, steel bars and sheets, and wood are not among the goods automatically slapped with price caps when a state of calamity is declared in an area.

Manufacturers said they would comply with the caps if approved but pointed out that they had no plans to hike prices anyway.

"We will recommend it immediately. They (construction materials suppliers) better shape up," Trade Undersecretary Zenaida C. Maglaya told reporters at the sidelines of a National Price Coordinating Council meeting on Monday.

The price ceilings will depend on week-ago prices. If approved, the controls could stay in place for up to 60 days.

Trade Secretary Peter B. Favila added to this later, saying: "Let us recommend it for all prime commodities."

Under Republic Act 7581, only basic commodities are placed under price ceilings in times of calamity. These include rice, corn, bread, fresh meat and vegetables, canned fish, root crops, firewood, certain drugs, cooking oil, salt, and detergent.

Representatives of supermarket groups present at the council meeting yesterday said they were cooperating with the price control order, but noted that inventory could dwindle in the next few days as deliveries are held up by road problems and lack of trucks.

Price ceilings will have to be mandated by Malaca?ang if it wishes to include prime commodities such as cement, steel sheets, hollow blocks, plywood, nails, electrical supplies, flour, dairy products, and noodles, among others.

Sought for comment, cement industry leaders said price hikes were unlikely as supply was sufficient. "We have sufficient inventory and there is no problem," said Eduardo A. Sahagun, Holcim Philippines senior vice-president for sales.

Cement plants do not intend to hike prices anyway, said Cement Manufacturers of the Philippines President Ernesto M. Ordo?ez.

"With or without price ceilings, firms can be charged with profiteering. We aren’t raising prices in this time of need," Mr. Ordo?ez said.

"We have more than enough cement. Our plants are running just at 56% of the 22-million-ton annual capacity," he added.

Producers of steel products likewise do not anticipate supply and delivery problems.

"I don’t think there will be [a] shortage. There is a high volume of inventory," Steel Angles, Shapes and Section Manufacturers Association of the Philippines director Al S. Tatel said.

"Most houses are still standing. [And] even if some tightness occurs, raw materials are expected to come in this month," he added.

Supply of steel sheets will also be adequate as floods did not damage roofing, said Rene Roberto G. Garcia, senior vice-president of Steel Corporation of the Philippines.

What are your floor plans?

2009-09-28T19:51:00.000-07:00

Excuse the lame humor, but I was totally floored! I had never realized the staggering impact our flooring choices have on the environment until I recently began reading Ray C. Anderson's book "Mid-Course Correction."

Mind you, the book was penned way back in 1998 by the CEO of Interface, "the world's largest manufacturer of modular carpet," but its age is precisely what makes the facts and figures that Anderson quotes so astounding.

Taking stock of his company's environmental footprint, Anderson learned that in 1995 Interface and its suppliers extracted 1.224 billion pounds of raw materials from the earth to manufacture its carpets. Of these raw materials, 800 million pounds were "petro-based, coming from either coal, oil or natural gas," two-thirds of which were burned to turn the rest of the materials into carpeting.

And, that's just the impact of one company, producing one flooring material, in one year, more than a decade ago. Pretty amazing.

As you can imagine, to satisfy worldwide demand for flooring, billions and billions of pounds of raw materials are mined, chopped down and processed in factories, using a variety of dangerous chemicals. These same chemicals end up in our homes, affecting air quality and exposing our loved ones to toxic substances. It all goes to show you that our collective flooring choices really do matter, not only to the health of our planet, but also to the health of our children and families.

It's All about Choices(you can refer to frp grating)

Green flooring is all about choices. No, I don't mean the choice between an environmentally friendly floor over one that's esthetically pleasing and comfortable. No sacrifice is involved. With green flooring, you can have it all. In fact, like Anderson's company, a large number of manufacturers have committed to going green over the last few years, creating an explosion of eco-friendly flooring options for the consumer. There's something for every taste; the only hard part is making a decision.

Lustrous Woods

Previously, installing hardwood floors went hand-in-hand with the destruction of forest eco-systems and the loss of old-growth trees. Now, thanks to a wide range of wood choices, you can enjoy beautiful hardwood floors without the guilt.

One option to explore is Forest Stewardship Council or FSC certified wood floors. This designation assures the wood has been harvested sustainably by requiring lumber companies to adhere to a set of independent standards.

Going further, for those wishing to avoid the felling of additional trees, look for reclaimed wood flooring, removed from houses, barns or industrial buildings, and ready for reuse inside your home. Finally, consider cork, whose bark can be stripped for manufacture into flooring, without killing the tree. Flexible, cork has the added benefit of being able to "heal" itself of minor dents by springing back into place.

Durable Linoleums

It you caught my previous column on PVC poly vinyl chloride, you recognize the importance of avoiding vinyl floors, often mistakenly called linoleum. If not, consider the dangers of exposure to vinyl chloride, a potent human carcinogen, whose molecules can be become "unbounded" and "volatile" in flexible forms of PVC, such as flooring.

"Vinyl flooring is very popular, but from a green standpoint, it's a product to avoid. Plasticizers called phthalates used to make PVC soft are a health hazard, especially in nurseries and play spaces," agree Johnston and Gibson, authors of "Green from the Ground Up: A Builder's Guide."

If you like the qualities of this so-called linoleum, why not try real linoleum instead? Made from linseed oil, linoleum is a non-toxic, environmentally friendly and surprisingly durable alternative. Lasting 30 to 40 years or more, it comes in a wide range of colors sure to please any palette.

Soft Carpeting

Cradle to cradle carpets -- those made from recycled plastics that can in turn be recycled at the end of their useful lives -- are all the rage. Nevertheless, I'm a bit skeptical. Yes, from one standpoint, these carpets are environmentally friendly, but I don't like the idea of using large swaths of petro-based plastics in my home. Moreover, plasticizers in these carpets outgas, damaging air quality and have who-knows-what effects on children and pets who spend large periods of time on the floor.

Instead, I prefer wool carpeting. Not only is it recyclable, but it's a natural, biodegradable product. To further minimize environmental impact, check out Greenspace's "chemical-free" and "dye-free" wool options, and make sure the carpet is installed using the least toxic, low-VOC adhesive you can find. Carpet tile is also an excellent option for minimizing waste, allowing soiled and damaged sections to be replaced without throwing the whole carpet away.

Gleaming Tile

Ceramic tile flooring is an excellent green choice. According to BuildingGreen.com, "the materials involved are readily available and mined with fairly low impact." In addition, tile is non-toxic and durable, lasting up to four times longer than other flooring materials according to Environmental Design + Construction.

To minimize environmental impact, Johnston and Gibson recommend purchasing tile that is sourced locally and made from recycled content, and installing it using thinset mortar for less off-gassing.

Jennifer Parrish writes a biweekly column for the Sentinel on environmental issues. She has a background in energy efficiency and renewable energy.

FRP telecommunication towers

2009-09-27T19:36:00.001-07:00

Kemrock Industries and Exports Ltd, a leading FRP/GRP Composites products manufacturer & solutions provider based in India, has developed a FRP Telecommunication Tower . The FRP Tower ( design patent applied for ), is assembled from pull wound sections held together with nodal connectors.

The FRP Tower is 40% lighter than its traditional predecessor, is corrosion resistant, weather resistant and importantly requires the minimum of maintenance. It is designed to hold up to 6+6 telecommunication antennas and is best suited for roof top mounting on buildings, due to its ease of transportation, assembly & installation.

The FRP Towers are available in two types, capable of withstanding seismic & wind loads of up to 260 kmph & 360 kmph respectively, whilst maintaining signals, without interruption, at wind speeds up to 180 kmph and heights upto 30 mtrs.

The area of use of Kemrock FRP Towers can also be extended for lighting and key electrical equipment, utilizing their undoubted advantages to secure significant penetration in all developing markets.

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Is Stereoscopic 3D gaming ready?

2009-09-26T20:07:00.000-07:00

Amidst all this talk of 3D televisions and 3D movies, it's easy to forget one art-form that's been 3D since 1981 - Gaming. The Sinclair ZX81 had what many regard to be the first 3D game - 3D Monster Maze, which placed the player in a maze with a T-Rex, the objective being to escape before you got eaten.

But that isn't true 3D - it's not the kind that we've been looking at all week here on Pocket-lint. However the fact that games have already perfected the depiction of a 3D world is important - it means that there's far fewer problems to solve to get a real 3D experience.

In film, there's no interactivity. You're stuck in one place. Unless you use a sophisticated camera to capture the position in space of everything you're shooting, and then simulate a 3D world (just like a game), then there's no way of accurately simulating three dimensions. You're seeing just one perspective, with a little bit of added depth.

The exception is animated movies, which exist in a 3D world already. These are easier to convert - but to get a realistic 3D effect you still have to simulate the engine that they've been built in on whatever you're watching the movie on - something that requires considerably more processing power than most televisions are equipped with.

Games, on the other hand, have long displayed that 3D world. Their interactivity means that you can move the camera - you can choose your perspective. The downside is that you can only play them on devices that have the heft to render that three-dimensional world - and if you want a good quality picture in HD, then you'll need a lot of heft.

It's all about that perspective, y'see. A full experience in three dimensions can only be simulated if you can look around the sides of things. Games have that capability - unlike movies. All that you need to make that a reality is a way of tracking where your head is. Once you've got that, then a viewer can easily lean or even move left or right to get a different perspective on things.

One limitation is that you still need to be facing the screen - you can't be completely immersed with a traditional display screen. One company, Vuzix, has experimented with glasses that have display screens in and are equipped with accelerometers so that you can spin around 180 degrees in reality and still see what's virtually behind you. However - the company hasn't cracked the technology yet - it's buggy and unreliable.

So what are the other options for gamers wanting 3D? Graphics card manufacturer NVidia has a 3D gaming kit that includes a set of shuttered glasses, and a special graphics card and driver that allows you to turn "hundreds" of PC games into stereoscopic 3D. For that, though you'll need a monitor that can display in 120Hz - double the speed of most monitors. At the time of writing, only two are available - from Samsung and Viewsonic.

Even if you do plump for that option, that doesn't provide the all-important head tracking, so you'll still need to physically move around in the game to see the sides of things - there'll just be the impression of depth given by the shuttered glasses.

The best solution, which doesn't seem to be available, would be a combination of the technologies available. A set of shuttered glasses from NVidia that include a considerably better-tuned version of the accelerometers found in Vuzix's 3D glasses.

However, it appears that we're still a way off getting that tuning right, so a compromise solution for the time being could be to use Wii-style motion sensing.

The one issue with this approach, even when combined with shuttered glasses to improve the picture, is that only one person can play at a time. That's fine for some games, but multiplayer games would require some sort of split-screen capability to work, and a way of differentiating between two different people's head positions.

So is stereoscopic 3D gaming ready for mainstream adoption? No, but in terms of the most realistic 3D simulation, it's development is far further ahead than traditional moving pictures. Within a few years, we'll know if realistic head tracking using accelerometers is possible, or whether there's a better way to approach it.

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Luzon will come down Saturday

2009-09-24T20:16:00.001-07:00

Tacoma's city manager confirmed Tuesday the 1890s Luzon Building in downtown Tacoma will be razed Saturday.

During City Council's noon study session, City Manager Eric Anderson said the building has been enclosed by fencing and the Tacoma Fire Department confirmed the building has been vacated. The contractor began to mobilize on the site Tuesday. He also added an effort to save the Luzon had ended (see editor's note below).

"Saturday is the day the building is scheduled to come down because there will be fewer people in the area," said Anderson. "There are two issues. As we take the building down, we can't have it collapse and have bricks and other materials(as frp grating) hitting people. We also need to be careful about asbestos. It is friable and we have to make sure we don't create a cloud. We're trying to balance everything."

The building should come down right now," he added. "It's very dangerous. It may collapse at any time. What we are doing is securing the site as best we can, and we want to take down in a controlled way as best we can."

On Sept. 15, the City announced it would take emergency action to demolish the crumbling six-story, 119-year-old Luzon Building before the end of this month (see "City will demolish 1890s Luzon Building," TDI, 09/15/09 -- http://tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1624138&more=0 ).

The City's action aimed to address its concern the building, located at the corner of South 13th Street and Pacific Avenue, will suddenly collapse due to an outside engineering firm's report of roof, floor, and wall deflection; separation of floor framing from exterior walls; broken girder beams; and missing columns. On Aug. 11, the City shut down South 13th Street between Pacific Avenue and Commerce Street -- a perimeter around the building -- citing the need for public safety.

The City is taking the action under Tacoma Municipal Code 2.01.060.I, known commonly as the "Dangerous Buildings Ordinance," which gives the City the ability to vacate a building, barricade public sidewalks and streets, secure the building from unauthorized entry, and shore up or repair the building if it believes the structure is "an imminent danger" to public safety. According to the code, if these measures still don't address public safety concerns, the building may be demolished at the owner's expense.

According to Anderson, the Building and Land Use Chief Charlie Solverson has reviewed the circumstances of the building and finds it does present a public threat of danger. "He has directed the building be demolished," Anderson told councilmembers. He added it would take a contractor about five days to tear down the building. Anderson has signed an emergency contract for the demolition. Contractors aren't expected on site until the middle of next week. Demolition and cleanup are expected to cost $600,000.

Anderson also said the City would try to salvage as much of the building materials as possible.

According to a Sept. 10 memo from Deputy City Manager Tansy Hayward to Public Works Director Dick McKinley, a notice was sent Sept. 4 to the building's owner, Tacoma-based Gintz Group, advising that failure to address public safety concerns by Sept. 15 would result in emergency action by the City.

On Tuesday, Anderson responded to criticism the City is moving too fast in its decision to tear down the building.

"I am not at all happy about this building coming down," said Anderson. He noted the city approved a $1.65 million low-interest loan for the Gintz Group's plan to renovate the building. "For the last two years, we worked real hard to keep this building up. There was a yeoman's effort to save the building. For a variety of reasons, we weren't able to do it. It came to this point not in the last two weeks, but over the past 15 to 20 years."

"I think everyone hoped this would work," said Councilmember Rick Talbert of the plan to restore the building. "In reality, it didn't."

In an editorial published in the Index , Historic Tacoma Board President Sharon Winters commented, "We mourn the pending loss of the Luzon, the City's most significant architectural treasure. But we must take the lessons learned from this . . . and put policies and incentives in place to preserve significant historic structures which have just recently come to be regarded as assets and economic development tools for the City."

"I would love to report there's hope," Anderson said Tuesday. "But there is no hope."

Win a Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR and W1 3D camera

2009-09-23T19:30:00.000-07:00

Win a Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR and W1 3D camera, plus a London photography day!

Join Fujifilm and Stuff’s very own Simon Osborne-Walker for a day of photography in London with the new FinePix F70EXR, plus the chance to win a Fujifilm W1 3D camera.

Three winners will be invited to meet up in London on 31 October where they will each be given a FinePix F70EXR, taken through the features of their new camera, then set free in the city to snap their little hearts out.

At the end of the day they'll be wined and dined courtesy of Fujifilm, and then Simon and Fujifilm will judge the day's photos, and award the person who takes the best photo with an extra prize of a Fujifilm W1 3D and Fujifilm goody bag.

We're giving away three places on this special photography day along with a Finepix F70EXR camera each, so get your entry in and make it snappy.

Cellular Modem and Router Market

2009-09-22T19:46:00.000-07:00

Shipments of cellular modems, which provide direct Internet connectivity to laptops and other portable devices, are forecast to exceed 46 million this year, according to a new set of market data released by ABI Research.

The new information highlights four developments to watch:

* The USB modem form factor is rapidly eclipsing the PC card format in popularity
* Embedded modems will, over time, replace both those peripheral forms
* This maturing market is led by two giant Chinese vendors
* A new product category, the “mobile router,” may eventually change this market’s course of development

“In the past two years, USB modems have quickly eclipsed PC cards. 82% of all modem types are now USB,” says senior analyst Jeff Orr. “Their popularity is due to their simplicity – they resemble flash drives – and flexibility: they can be used on a wide variety of devices. The same conditions please the vendors as well.”

While only high-end computers currently offer built-in modems, over time they will be included in less expensive models. “When world economies improve,” says Orr, “there will be more devices with embedded connectivity. Embedded module shipments are forecast to exceed USB modem shipments by early 2013.”

Exiting 2008, the cellular module market had a distinctly Chinese flavor: Huawei accounted for 45% of all units shipped, while rival ZTE had captured a further 21% market share. The degree of consolidation on the USB form means economies of scale, and we are reaching a stage at which price becomes more important than availability.

A new product class has recently debuted: the “mobile router,” which provides online access via cellular connection and distributes it among nearby Wi-Fi-enabled devices. Orr characterizes these devices (best exemplified by Novatel’s recently introduced “Mi-Fi” product) as “so far more hype than end users,” but notes that they could, if widely adopted, slow the penetration rate of embedded modems.

Z Corporation unveils affordable portable 3D laser scanners

2009-09-21T19:47:00.000-07:00

Z Corporation has introduced affordable portable 3D laser scanners, providing high-resolution 3D data capture to a broad base of users at an economical price.

The ZScanner 600 3D laser scanners extend Z Corporation’s fast-growing line of uniquely handheld, self-positioning scanners, which are more portable and easier to use than traditional 3D scanners. ZScanners streamline data capture is ideal for use with reverse engineering, product design, cultural preservation and other applications.

ZScanner 600 laser scanners combine these advantages with resolution down to 0.1 mm and XY accuracy up to 80 microns, making it the ideally balanced solution for value-conscious users.

Portability in a 3D scanner provides an enormous advantage in ease of use and breadth of application. Z Corporation’s uniquely handheld 3D scanners eliminate the need for fixed-position tripods, bulky mechanical arms or external positioning devices, all of which make hard-to-reach surfaces like auto interiors nearly impossible to scan. Unlike these cumbersome apparatuses, the ZScanner 600 fits in a carry-on suitcase.

ZScanners laser scanners capture data in one continuous scan rather than in numerous shots from fixed positions, eliminating hours of post-processing time to integrate static shots into a cohesive scan. ZScan Lite software is included with the scanner and automatically produces an .stl file for import into a 3D CAD software package or output to a 3D printer.

The user picks up the handheld scanner unit and "paints" the object with a projected laser crosshair and the surface is recorded by the ZScanner 600's binocular cameras. ZScan software generates a polygon mesh of the surface on the computer screen in real time and since it is self-orienting and part-referenced, the ZScanner 600 lets the user to move the target object during scanning.

Z Corporation handheld 3D laser scanners have been documented to be four times faster than tripod-mounted systems that typically require more than 50 individual scans for something as simple as a bicycle helmet.

“The ZScanner 600 is a tremendous addition to our scanning family and one that delivers incredible value, particularly in this challenging economic environment,” said Z Corporation Director of Product Management Joe Titlow. “Our goal with 3D scanners is the same as that of our 3D printers: making high-end, fast and easy-to-use technology affordable for everyone who needs it.”

ZScanner 600 laser scanners are available today through Z Corporation’s worldwide reseller network.

Laminate Materials Make For An Ideal Kitchen

2009-09-20T21:45:00.000-07:00

There are always several different avenues that you can pursue when you're looking at the different materials as frp grating to compliment your kitchen designs, but when you start planning the high traffic areas like kitchen worktops, laminate is a clear front runner.

One of the reasons that laminate is a popular choice lies in the durable construction of this robust material. Laminate worktops are generally bonded to particle board with some manner of adhesive or glue. This allows the product a good degree of resiliency as well as allowing for a wide range of surface finishes and colors.

An additional benefit is that worktops made from this material clean up easily and spills on these worktops are quickly mopped up and also they do not chip as easily if subject to impacts from kitchen utensils and pots.

Once you've decided on the material, you'll need to design the kitchen using the laminate worktops as a focal point, and it's important to keep in mind that the best kitchen designs start by taking into account how the kitchen is used on a daily basis. It important that you take a look at how the traffic flows around the cabinets and appliances during different parts of the day and make allowances for this as part of your design.

Floor Plans

You can start at the beginning with a floor plan depending on the room layout and there are generally three different choices that you have that are the most common and have proven themselves to be the ones that work the best. Remember as you go along here that laminate is a flexible material that can be cut in to a variety of designs to accommodate kitchen worktops, cabinets as well as laminate flooring.

The most basic of the floor plans that you can choose from starts with what's aptly called the one wall plan. As the name suggests, this is the model where all the appliances and cabinets are against one wall. For convenience sake this is a popular model, but there are other plans that incorporate more elaborate designs.

For example, the galley and L-shaped kitchen breaks up the appliance/cabinets configuration and the peninsula kitchen has an open wall.

The Work Triangle

Another advantage to using laminate for the kitchen worktops comes about when you start designing the work triangle. This is the area that's defined as the spaces between the sink the stove and the refrigerator. Having lots of space to keep things on laminate countertops while you work in this area keeps thing flowing nicely.

Of course worktops and flooring are not the be all and end all of kitchen design so there are other considerations that are important as well. You need to include a lightning design for the kitchen that will allow for enough illumination in these work spaces. As well you need to decide on the correct number and size of the electrical outlets that you'll have in the kitchen.

When you keep in mind that the modern kitchen is all about versatility and efficiency, you'll see how a good design that includes kitchen worktops covered with easy to clean laminate is the answer.

Valeo Unveils 3D-effect Technology

2009-09-18T02:17:00.000-07:00

Valeo, a manufacturer of integrated systems for cars and trucks, has developed three detection systems combining 3D camera, sensor and radar technologies, that improves road safety. Valeo has also unveiled a new technology that transforms lighting and signaling systems.

The multi-camera system provides total visibility of the vehicle's immediate environment so that the driver can maneuver easily and safely. Five miniature digital cameras scan the area around the car, transmitting their data to a control unit that prepares and optimizes the images before they are displayed on the color navigation screen. The precision of the air-conditioning saves energy through the close management of the compressor, contributing to reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

A reversing camera is coupled with the ultrasonic park assist sensors to provide an image of the area behind the car. Two other cameras are installed on the left and right ends of the front bumper, enabling the driver to view pedestrians, cyclists or other vehicles arriving at a low-visibility intersection or when exiting a parking lot. This system is being introduced on the new Land Rover Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Discovery and on the new BMW 5 Series, Gran Turismo. During 2010, four more models will be equipped with this feature. It is already available in the US on the Lincoln MKT and MKZ, Ford Fusion and Taurus, and the Mercury Milan.

Valeo's 3D-effect technology, used in the front and rear position lamps, adds substantial depth to the perceived image, despite being only 25mm thick. It is based on the principle of the multiple reflection of light from LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) and opens up significant new styling possibilities. The company has equipped the D09 concept car with this technology.

The delicate appearance of the rear lamp is improved by a trompe-l'oeil effect. The first stage involved the creation of computer-generated animated images, followed by the fine-tuning of appearance details on a mock-up. The use of LEDs in the lighting system reduces electric consumption, since these light sources require far less power than conventional lamps. A traditional incandescent system requires total lighting and signaling power of around 160W, generating CO2 emissions of over 5 g/km, whereas LEDs cut CO2 emissions to 1.7g/km, corresponding to estimated fuel savings of 0.2 l/100 km on average.

Valeo, an independent industrial Group, focuses on the design, production and sale of components, integrated systems and modules for cars and trucks.

Construction company happy to be in its new headquarters

2009-09-16T20:17:00.000-07:00

J.E. Dunn Construction Co. has moved into its new headquarters at 1001 Locust St. — and at least one key occupant is pleased with all the glass covering the sleek structure.

“I was at the other space for 60 years and never had a window,” said Bill Dunn Sr., chairman emeritus of Kansas City’s biggest construction company. “Everyone that comes in wants to say ‘wow,’ and the employees are happy.”

The six-story building borders the east side of Ilus W. Davis Park between 10th and 11th streets, and helps fulfill the original vision of the civic mall — at least when it comes to framing the eight-year-old park. Before the J.E. Dunn building, most of the east side opened to a vacuum of dreary parking lots.

The company headquarters may not be the government edifice once contemplated — civic leaders had once hoped for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City — but it is a handsome complement to the UMB Technology Center across the park. The 204,000-square-foot headquarters and adjoining 780-space public garage was designed by BNIM and 360 Architecture.

From the inside, the $41 million building takes advantage of having Ilus W. Davis Park as its front yard. The full effect is dramatically on display from the fifth floor board room as frp grating. The sweeping panorama outside the floor-to-ceiling window begins with the towering art-deco grandeur of City Hall and concludes with the Charles E. Whittaker U.S. Courthouse.

Inside, the look is a combination of construction chic and attractive artwork, video displays and graphics. A substantial share of the interior walls and ceilings are bare concrete, designed to remind visitors about the nature of the firm occupying the place.

“Because we do construction, we want to show what we do,” said Dan Euston, president of J.E. Dunn’s Midwest Region.

The most striking exception to the cooler industrial feel is the warm wood floor on the main level. It was built with planks salvaged from old barns in southern Missouri. The recycled floor materials, and many other features in the building, could earn the structure a Gold LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

There was one other change order as well.

The senior Dunn insisted the interior finish of the lobby be a bit more refined, observing that raw concrete might send the wrong message to prospective clients.

“It might make people think contractors didn’t have money to finish the building,” he said.

Another unique design factor is that each employee is no more than 23 feet from one of the large windows. The offices in the building are in two parallel wings, each only 45 feet wide.

Employee amenities include a 2,000-square-foot fitness center with dressing room and showers, and a recreation room that includes a mini-basketball court and video arcade machines. Topping the perks is a full-service cafeteria that offers free lunches on Mondays through Thursday, $5 on Fridays.

Randy Bredar, senior vice president for corporate development, said the building design makes company operations more efficient — employees had been scattered at five locations previously — and also is a great recruitment tool.

“As you look to hire the best and brightest, especially young people, it’s not just about a paycheck, it’s the quality of the environment,” he said.

There are about 500 employees in the new building with substantial room for expansion.

“We built more space than we needed to have space to grow to become the national presence we’re looking for,” Euston said.

The new J.E. Dunn headquarters received significant financial help from the city, and is intended to ultimately be the anchor of the 12-block East Village redevelopment plan.

The city dedicated $12 million for blight elimination, which included the acquisition and demolition of several buildings, including the old Greyhound bus terminal at 11th and Holmes streets. The city also backed the bond for the $18.3 million garage. The bonds will be repaid through city and state tax-increment financing.

The remainder of the East Village calls for 600 residences and commercial space to be developed by Swope Community Builders, but progress on that portion has stalled.

Brazen thieves steal cottage building materials

2009-09-16T01:40:00.000-07:00

A Corner Brook man is disappointed he won’t likely be putting the siding on his retirement cottage this fall.

Derek Mollon, a retired teacher, found out his cottage on the Bay of Islands overlooking Governor’s Island was hit hard by thieves last Thursday.

Around 50 of the 2” x 6” studs had been removed from both the interior and exterior wall plates, enough to make the whole structure unstable in a heavy wind.

There were more than 30 sheets of Aspenite sheathing forcibly removed from both the upper and lower wall structures.

Several more were left in place but broken.

Approximately 15 sheets of Aspenite that had been stored inside a shed were gone from the York Harbour site.

Two used windows were also taken from the shed and a truck load of black creosote-treated 4” x 4”s of varying lengths up to 16’ were hauled off.

Mollon believes the thieves left behind a grey-painted sledgehammer on the second floor, along with a few beer bottles and a cigarette butt.

“Basically someone went in and dismantled it,” Mollon said.

“It was just a shell, but it was totally enclosed with a roof on it.

“They were still there on Thursday, took it apart to remove the studs and just left the skeleton with very few bones.”

He said someone had stopped by on the way to Lark Harbour Thursday morning and thought Mollon was taking the structure down.

On the way back to Corner Brook, he stopped in at the site again and more was taken, so he contacted Mollon who called the RCMP.

Mollon believes the same people could be responsible for the theft of an observation platform in the area of Blow Me Down Mountain, just across the road from his place.

The deck was taken in late May or early June.

The Town of Humber Arm South put up a $500 reward.

He said there are only a few people who would have the brass to take apart a cottage to steal sheathing and studs in broad daylight.

“When I was told about it, I thought it was the wind,” he said. “They said the sheets are off your building materials.’ I said ‘what?’ I never experienced a lot of wind down there. I’ve been there when it was blowing a real gale, but it never impacted that area.

“Then he said ‘they’re gone completely. Someone took them.’ I said ‘oh!’”

New building for Malvern police station, courthouse

2009-09-14T21:23:00.001-07:00

Last week staff employed to contractors Mustang Construction & Engineering used heavy equipment to compact the base on which the pre-fabricated building would be installed.

On Friday, the Observer tried unsuccessfully to get official word on the project's cost and duration. A Government source said, however, it was likely to cost about $8.5 million, and was expected to be ready for occupation by the end of November.

Robert Rainford, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Justice, said the new building would house a police station and court facilities.

"The Ministry of Justice has signed a memorandum of understanding with the national security ministry to construct the courthouse above the police station.

"The ministry of justice will then reimburse the security ministry when the construction is completed," the relayed message from Rainford to the Observer said.

Since the 118-year-old stone/brick building was devastated by the hurricane in August 2007, the Malvern Police have had to operate from a small single-room building traditionally used for sittings of the Petty Sessions Court. The police have had to vacate their cramped quarters for hours at a time, not only to make way for Petty Sessions court, but also on days when the resident magistrate visits Malvern for sittings.

In the context of the wider Jamaica, Malvern and its adjoining communities, with a high school/college population inclusive of Bethlehem College, Hampton School and Munro College, has a very low incidence of serious crime. But over the last 12 to 18 months there has been a spike in break-ins and gun-related crimes along the road corridor from Gutters on St Elizabeth's eastern border with Manchester, through Nain, Junction and Malvern in South East St Elizabeth to the main commercial town of Santa Cruz at the geographical centre of the parish.

The St Elizabeth police believe that a string of successes in recent weeks - not least the killing of a feared gang leader in Nain - has effectively reversed the spike in criminal activity.

Last week the chief of police in St Elizabeth, Superintendent Merrick Watson, who took up position in recent weeks, welcomed the new project in Malvern.

"We are talking about a very large area between Santa Cruz and Junction, which, while it is not a high crime area has a lot of people residing there including many returning residents. They require the constant presence of the police as a deterrent. So clearly there has to be a police station, properly structured and staffed, up and running," said Watson.

There was a good feeling among police personnel in Malvern last week as they looked forward to more spacious working conditions. "This new building is long overdue," said Sergeant Joseph Wilson, who is in charge of the station.

While thankful for the new facilities, there was concern among residents about what will happen to the hurricane-devastated structure - among the oldest in the community. Many feel it should be restored for its historic value. The roof and much of the second floor wall of the two-storey building was removed by Hurricane Dean, and there is fear that the rest of the building will collapse with any other similar natural disaster.

Checks with the National Heritage Trust on Friday revealed that the old building was not on its list of "declared" sites. However, it had been placed on a list of "potential" sites that could be declared for protection and restoration in the future.

Among those who will never forget the night the Malvern police station and courthouse collapsed is barber Cleon Fagan. He was sleeping in his shop next door as Dean raged. He woke to find himself buried from toe to chest under rubble, including bricks and large stones from the neighbouring second floor which housed the courthouse. He managed to dig himself out with a piece of steel and escaped with severe bruising and cuts.

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City waits on federal ‘Building Canada’ funding

2009-09-13T20:21:00.000-07:00

The city of Revelstoke is waiting on several applications to the federal Building Canada Fund.

According to Revelstoke’s Director of Engineering and Public Works, Brian Mallett, the city expects a decision on its applications by this September.

“We’ve submitted a number of projects in for funding under the Building Canada fund, and they’ve all been received and they’re all still under review,” said Mallett, who explained that the city has been told to “... expect to hear something in September.”

According to Mallett, the city has submitted a variety of applications in the hopes of receiving funding for local projects ranging from the installation of a heat capture system at Revelstoke’s Aquatic Centre to the construction of a new water reservoir for the city.

“We submitted one for the Fairview Heights sanitary sewer extension,” said Mallett, continuing: “We put in for the Trans-Canada Highway reservoir replacement.

“We put in for the Aquatic Centre: we want to put in a heat recovery system for the building ... so it will become more energy efficient,” explained Mallett.

The city has also applied for funding for the Downey Sanitary lift station.

Given that the city will receive approval for the projects in September, Mallett did acknowledge that for projects like the sewer extension, the city would have to wait for the 2010 building season.

“For some of the projects, it will be too late [for this building season],” explained Mallett. “With the Aquatic Centre, we’ll have to talk to the designer-builders to see if that would be a problem for them working in that kind of October, November timeframe.”

“As far as the sewer project, no, we don’t want to be constructing that kind of project in September, October, we’ll do that in 2010,” noted Mallett.

When asked about how much of a chance the projects stand during the approval process, Mallet explained that city staff do their best to present the federal government with compelling proposals.

“We do the best we can to make a product that answers all their questions and justifies the project and why it should receive funding, but as far as feel goes, as far as I know, all of them have made it through the first cut,” explained Mallet.

“So we’ll wait and see.”

Serial production offers bridge to the future

2009-09-10T21:43:00.001-07:00

A 100% fibre reinforced plastic (frp grating) composite is the building block of the new Delft Design Bridge. It is lightweight, sustainable, safe and easy to maintain, and it looks good.
Jan Peeters of FiberCore explained to MJ that the company started in 1996 with a one off composite bridge, ‘But the mould itself was more expensive than the bridge would have been in steel! So then we thought, why don’t we test them and sell them as you would cars, asking “what size and colour do you want?” We aim to take away a lot of the fuss, so that people can buy a tried and trusted, fully tested unit.’

The application of high-tech composites is certainly no longer a novelty in the world of industrial design. Composites offer huge benefits in comparison to more traditional materials, such as steel, aluminium and timber, particularly when the designs in question are suitable for serial production. Composite materials are already widely used in the aerospace, automobile and furniture industries but this trend has yet to catch on in the building sector, where the traditional route of individually designing and constructing things like bridges can adversely affect quality while adding considerable costs.

The Delft Bridge, a joint venture between Royal Haskoning and FiberCore Europe, makes use of the fact that composite bridges are ideally suited to serial production. The length and width of the bridge deck can be varied to fit each location thanks to the inclusion of a prismatic mid-section in the moulds. Where aesthetics are important, the colour schemes are also customisable, giving a harmonised finish that will blend into different settings.

Jan Peeters explained the bridge material has a stiffness much greater than steel, which means the units are extremely lightweight, can be swiftly manufactured and are very easy to install. No excavations are needed because the bridge doesn’t require much in the way of foundations, so installation causes little disruption of the surroundings. This also means that bridges can be easily relocated.

As to safety, vibrations and resonance do not jeopardise the bridge, which has an intrinsic damping effect. The composite material has an inherent resistance to fatigue and is also fire resistant.

The long lifecycle FRP is environmentally friendly, with the bridges having an estimated lifespan of around 100 years. It also makes for extremely easy maintenance. FRP is resistant to graffiti as it simply washes off and the sides of the bridge can be given anti-graffiti treatment.

Buying a Wireless Router

2009-09-09T02:19:00.000-07:00

When I need to know something about routers, my first stop is typically smallnetbuilder.com run by Tim Higgins. It's a site for techies rather than the general public and, at times, it's very techie.

But last week, Higgins took a step down, and published an introductory article called How To Buy a Wireless Router: The Short Version. Highly recommended.

Most of the article covers the differences between the four major types of routers: Single-band G, Single-band N, Dual-band-single-radio N and Dual-band-dual-radio N. He also warns readers away from a fifth category, N150 routers.

Some interesting observations from the article follow.

No doubt many people think that Wi-Fi N is better than G and they should always opt for N. But Higgins says:

"...if you already have a wireless LAN with all G devices and you're happy with its performance, there is no reason to change to "N". "Upgrading" to an N router won't increase your range or speed up your G devices. On the contrary, it could end up causing problems with very old gear."

It came as news to me that a new N router may be a problem for old G hardware.

Higgins offers another reason you might opt for a cheaper G router as opposed to a more expensive N model:

"...whenever there are G and N devices connected to the same N type router, they both will operate at slower speed, but only when both are active."

Just like the old days, when B clients slowed down a G router.

Finally, he warns that all Wi-Fi N adapters are not the same; some support the 5 GHz band and some don't. He cited Dell, specifically, for not providing this information anywhere in the specs for a particular Inspiron laptop. In this case, the N adapter did support the 5 GHz band, but you would have to check Intel's website to find out.

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Local demand drives green supply growth

2009-09-07T18:02:00.001-07:00

Green has been the buzz in New Orleans building since Hurricane Katrina wiped out much of the existing housing stock and shined a new spotlight on the city’s ecological vulnerability.

Despite growing interest, one significant impediment to green building locally has historically been a dearth of green building supplies, an issue highlighted in a recent Sierra Club report on green building in the Crescent City.

Today, however, the picture is changing as purveyors of energy-saving, recycled, renewable and low-toxicity building products make their way into the local marketplace. New eco-oriented businesses now open in New Orleans range from solar panel installers and insulation companies to an expanding array of retailers specializing in green design and building materials.

Before Katrina, “it was just a totally foreign concept to build green to the vast majority of people here,” said Forest Bradley-Wright, sustainable rebuild coordinator at the Alliance for Affordable Energy.

Since the storm, Bradley-Wright said, “A lot of people have heard about it and taken interest and one of the most important challenges for building green was ‘Where do I get these products and how do I find someone who is willing to install them?’”

Mike Ward and his brother, Patrick, opened New Orleans Bamboo in January 2007. The store at 6065 Magazine St. specializes in renewable bamboo flooring, countertops, furniture and accessories, and has expanded recently to include products such as low-flow faucets and dual-flush toilets.

“We’re responding and reacting to what people are asking for,” said Ward, who before opening his store was a chef who became “enamored” with bamboo during travels to Japan.

“One of the things we learned is there are many products we use today that have formaldehyde in them,” Ward said. “It was never really brought to the forefront before the FEMA trailers. We try to supply only products that are safe and renewable or recyclable.”

It was a post-Katrina rebuild that served as the inspiration for the “eco-modern” design store owned by longtime friends Nomita Joshi-Gupta and Cheryl Nix Murphy.

Joshi-Gupta is an architect whose Broadmoor home was flooded after the 2005 storm, which pushed Murphy and her family to Oxford, Miss.

“I thought, ‘This is terrible what happened,’” Joshi-Gupta said. “But here is a great chance to make my house my aesthetic.”

It was in her hunt for salvaged materials and other environmentally sensitive products that a business plan began to take shape. She enlisted Murphy, whom she had met in graduate school at the University of New Orleans’ Department of Planning and Urban Studies. Like Joshi-Gupta, Murphy had an eye for design and additionally possessed a background in historic preservation and environmental science.

The pair opened their store, Spruce, in December 2008, initially setting up shop in the Warehouse District. The store’s offerings run the gamut of recycled and renewable design products including custom made rugs, wall coverings, countertops and outdoor furniture.

Spruce purposefully keeps to a design-oriented track, straying from the sorts of building supplies offered at other stores in the area though there is some overlap.

“We’re not interested in mixing paint in the back rooms,” Joshi-Gupta said.

Last week, Spruce moved to 3713 Magazine St., having already drawn considerable media attention. The store has been mentioned in design magazines Metropolitan Home and Dwell and served as the backdrop for an episode of a new green travel show hosted by TV chef Rachel Ray that is set to air this fall.

Peter Seltzer has also gotten plenty of attention for his green building supply store, Canopy. He said he has worked on residential and commercial projects as far west as Lafayette and as far east as Mobile, Ala. His local client roster includes Second Line Studios, the new Garden District film production facility.

Seltzer, a New Orleans native, was studying entrepreneurship at Temple University and working as a corporate sustainability consultant when he got the idea for his business. He moved home last year and opened the store at 1382 Magazine St. in March.

“There was the demand, but there wasn’t the supply” of green building projects available, Seltzer said of the local market at the time. That became readily apparent as he researched products sold at conventional building suppliers around town.

“They didn’t have the products and they certainly didn’t have the knowledge,” he said.

Canopy’s products range from countertop materials made from recycled paper and recycled glass to renewable flooring materials, nontoxic paints, LED lighting fixtures and low-water plumbing fixtures. The store has also formed a partnership with EcoUrban, a local sustainable landscaping company founded in 2007, and sells rainwater cisterns for use in home irrigation systems.

“We’re really trying to develop the market here,” Seltzer said. “There really is a demand and need for these products.”

Bradley-Wright is excited by the swell in green building product suppliers but said there is still room for those products to move into the mainstream.

“People only think of a few places to go to buy their mainstream building materials,” he said. “And those big box retailers have a tendency to sell a lot of products that aren’t green.”

Jon Luther, executive vice president of the Greater New Orleans Home Builders Association, said green-building products increasingly will become the norm as customers demand them. But while interest is significantly more pronounced than it was it was even two years ago when his organization launched its green building program, a “critical mass” of local consumers interested in such products has yet to be reached.

“At the end of the day, any movement still at some level has to be generated by the home-buying clientele,” Luther said. “Our builders are going to respond to demand and our vendors are going to respond to the products and techniques that our builders are using.”

Kano Evacuates Building Materials From Roads

2009-09-06T20:53:00.000-07:00

The Kano state government has decried the indiscriminate dumping of building materials on the recently constructed roads in the metropolis .

The state Commissioner of Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, Alhaji Ibrahim Garba, made this known while supervising the evacuation of the materials on the Yamadawa-Gwarzo road network.

Garba lamented that despite the millions of naira spent in the provision of roads with a view to opening up the state capital, some unscrupulous elements were hell bent on scuttling the efforts.

According to a statement signed by Yahaya Umar, public relations officer in the directorate, the commissioner warned that the government would not fold its arms and allow the perpetrators of these nefarious acts go unpunished.

He directed all those who deposited sand, cement blocks, stone aggregates and other building materials on roads to desist from doing so in their own interest or face the wrath of the government.

Alhaji Garba pointed out that apart from blocking the roads and hindering the free flow of traffic, dumping of the materials also cause accidents, adding that from now on the evacuation of the materials and possible prosecution of the owners would continue.

He then called on owners of tippers to stop dumping building materials on the roads as they are also liable to prosecution. He warned property owners on Yamadawa-Gwarzo Road to guard against re-developing their structures after receiving full compensation for them.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB), Engr. Hussam Musa Kerry, has stated that owners of materials deposited on public roads are legally bound to evacuate them within 24 hours.

Building Materials Corporation Completes Acquisition of Correct Building Products.

2009-09-03T23:05:00.001-07:00

A subsidiary of Building Materials Corporation on frp grating of America (BMCA) has completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Correct Building Products effective today, August 28th, 2009.

Correct Building Products, based in Biddeford, Maine is a leader in developing and manufacturing high-performance, low maintenance, composite decking and railing and the business will operate under BMCA’s newly formed GAF Decking Systems business. The acquisition will add to GAF’s current decking brands, including CrossTimbers? Decking and RailWays? Railing Collection, and further enhances GAF’s position as one of North America’s largest building materials companies.

Bob Tafaro, President and Chief Executive Officer of GAF, welcomed the Correct Building Products team, sharing “Correct’s product has an excellent reputation in the marketplace and immediately gives GAF a leading offering for the growing low-maintenance segment of the market. We’re thrilled that they’re joining the GAF family of quality building products.” The operation will be joined with GAF’s existing CrossTimbers? decking business. Dick Nowak, Chief Operating Officer of GAF, added, “Correct has a terrific reputation for product innovations and has a great team. We are looking forward to working with the team at Correct as we create a true industry leader in decking and railing.”

Correct Building Products was founded in 1999 by two industry veterans with the goal of manufacturing technically superior, durable and sustainable composite building products for outdoor living. CorrectDeck? products, including CorrectDeck CX?, CorrectPorch? and CorrectDock?, are made from a patented wood fiber-polypropylene formulation. In addition to producing a superior product, CorrectDeck? has also been recognized for their environmentally friendly manufacturing processes including a two-time winner of the Governor’s Waste Reduction Award. Correct was the first manufacturer of polypropylene based composite decking products and continues to lead the industry with technical innovation in areas of design, formulation and automation.

This acquisition will provide GAF with a more comprehensive offering of composite decking and railing, supported by a top notch sales force, two of the best manufacturing facilities in the industry, the strongest customer service, and outstanding marketing support and advertising. Moving forward, GAF will continue to offer both the CrossTimbers? and CorrectDeck? products. Each product serves a unique market segment, and every customer will have access to both brands. In addition to the current offerings, stay tuned for new and exciting products that will ensure GAF has one of the most comprehensive decking system offering in the industry!

For more information, visit CorrectDeck’s website at www.correctdeck.com, call 1-877-332-5877 or contact your GAF Decking Systems sales representative.

About GAF Materials Corporation:
Building Materials Corporation of America (“BMCA”), which operates under the name of GAF Materials Corporation, has grown to be North America's largest commercial and residential roofing manufacturer with sales approaching $3 billion. The tradition of excellence and innovation has made GAF one of the most respected manufacturers in the building materials industry. Products like Timberline? shingles, Cobra? ventilation, Ruberoid? roofing membranes and EverGuard? Thermoplastic (TPO) membranes are well respected in the industry. GAF is a national manufacturer with facilities around the United States. For more information, please visit our website at www.gaf.com.

This press release may contain “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to BMCA’s financial results and future operations and, as such, concerns matters that are not historical facts. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such statements. Important factors that could cause such differences are discussed in BMCA’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and are incorporated herein by reference.

New building code promises poor Kenyans decent homes

2009-09-02T17:49:00.000-07:00

Millions of Kenyans could soon have a chance to own a decent home if Parliament passes a building code that broadens the range of acceptable construction materials beyond brick and mortar.

A task force appointed by Prime Minister Raila Odinga four months ago to review the building laws, on Tuesday reported that it had completed the work and prepared a draft Planning and Building Bill for tabling before Parliament.

“The outdated laws have resulted in tragedies and have been a major impediment to the delivery of modern housing to millions of urban residents,” said Mr Tirop Kosgey, the Housing permanent secretary, at a conference on quality and affordable housing in Nairobi.

“There must be a paradigm shift in the area of building materials that is centred on material performance instead of materials specification,” he said. Key segments of the current building code have been in existence since 1967.

The new building code is expected to move the building industry away from brick and mortar that some players claimed has made construction a rich man’s business, locking out Kenyans of average means from owning homes.

Though cement will remain a vital component of any construction, locally available materials and latest building technologies could help offer faster and cheaper solutions for housing in the semi-permanent segment.

Among the materials being considered are timber and UN blocks and bricks made from earth across many parts of the country.

The use of eco-friendly materials for roofing such as the traditional grass used for thatching will also be considered.

Currently, houses built from this materials are considered temporal and the approval of local authorities must be sought.

If passed in parliament, it would be a major boost on the housing sector and could slow down the proliferation of slums that has emerged as the best alternative to the lower class on a low supply of housing.

The appetite for housing currently stands at 150,000 units annually but the country can only produce 50,000 units, with most targeting the high-end of the market due to the high returns from this segment.

About 60 per cent, or 1.9 million of the three million Nairobi residents live in slums and informal settlements, according to UN figures.

Building experts reckon that the cost of putting up a house could fall by up to 30 per cent under the proposed code.

“We estimate that it will be possible to get a two bedroom house for Sh900,000, compared to the current average price of Sh1,500,000,” said Mr Sylvester Muthari, the chairman of the Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya.

If the Bill is passed it will be possible to use modern construction technology such as prefabricated boards and interlocking blocks which are cheaper than the preferred brick and mortar.

Compared with conventional masonry, which heavily relies on cement, interlocking blocks save construction time and mortar, a huge benefit to builders because of the high cost of cement.

It is hoped that there will be a reduction in the construction period, hastening the rate at which houses are being completed.

Prefabricated housing is used to do this given that a house is assembled like a jigsaw where entire parts are fitted together.

Builders who have been moving to areas where the construction code is lax will also be hemmed in by the proposed new law.

“Those who have been rushing to Mavoko and Ruiru will also be forced to adhere to strict planning,” Dr Reuben Mutiso, a technical advisor to the committee, said at the same function.

The current building law has 103 statutes but their enforcement depends on different ministries including Housing, Water, Environment and the Local Government, a drawback to investors, especially foreign investors.

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Building with green bricks

2009-09-01T20:17:00.001-07:00

Steel or stone? Bamboo or brick? Concrete or composites? A wiser choice of construction materials could go a long way to transforming our cities into “greener” urban jungles.

An environmentally friendly building is not only about choice of site and the play of the layout. The actual materials that are laid down for the foundations, frames, walls, roof and cladding determine how green a building really is.

To date, our vocabulary on building materials has been limited to bricks, cement, timber and glass with steel occasionally popping up when needed.

But experts agree that so much more can be done to make the already widely used materials greener or to maximize the potential of currently underused ones.

Bamboo is among the latter. The pipe-like plant that can grow and be harvested faster than conventional wood is earning the label of 21th-century building material.

“In just four or five years, bamboo stems are old enough to serve as solid framing. And every year afterwards it can still be harvested,” said Eko Prawoto, a leading architect who since 2000 has tested various types of bamboo construction.

“In a way, bamboo is more renewable than timber.”

While architects in Japan and Germany have started to explore the potential of the plant for the construction industry, not many in Indonesia are willing to take the same path that Eko trod.

“Bamboo has been utilized here for centuries and it has a social aspect, quite apart from the fact that it is a potential green building material,” he said. “Its elasticity makes it suitable for buildings in earthquake-prone areas like Indonesia and it’s a labor-intensive material.”

Because of its hollow cylindrical-shaped segments, bamboo is lighter than steel but can almost match its traction coefficient. It is also stronger than concrete.

Yet despite Indonesia’s abundance of the natural material, bamboo is still viewed as being a building material for the poor. Mention building with bamboo, and the image that most likely first comes to mind is of a makeshift shack in a rural village.

Indonesia is home to some 60 species of bamboo, on a total of around 320 hectares of plantation with an annual production of 726,000 tons, according to Forestry Ministry data.

Most bamboo production and trade is conducted by small and medium enterprises, ranging from traditional bamboo wall weavers to small workshops developing more modern bamboo product manufacturing processes.

Yogyakarta’s Gadjah Mada University researcher Morisco has developed more solid bamboo jointing by combining the woody stalks with steel plates and bolts and filling the hollow segments at the joints with cement.

The result is a roof frame that is cheaper than that made of conventional wood, less prone to termites as the bamboo is pre-treated and can hold up even in the event of earthquakes.

Morisco’s laboratory has also come up with laminated bamboo where the stalks are cut and flattened into planks similar to wooden ones. These “planks” can then be further processed into wall
cladding, doors, window sills and furniture.

And, as Eko pointed out, with plaster on both sides, a traditional bamboo wall is as sturdy as one made of brick.
Bamboo is not the only green material. Several researchers have also tried modifying the composition of conventional bricks by utilizing waste.

Yogyakarta’s Islamic State University researcher Fajriyanto adds sludge from paper factories, plastic waste and coir into a composite that could serve as building panels, which would have an elasticity suitable for construction in earthquake-prone areas.

Meanwhile, a researcher at Bandung’s Ceramic Center, Nuryanto, is currently developing permeable ceramic paving, a type of ground cover that would better let water seep into the soil than the currently available concrete blocks do.

Once the prototype is completed and industry gets involved to mass produce these paving blocks, urbanites will be able to pave their car ports while still letting water flow underground, therefore both adding to groundwater reserves and preventing flooding.

“It is made of feldspathic materials which are more porous than concrete,” Nuryanto said. “Mixed with coloring, it can still be aesthetically pleasing as well as environmentally friendly.”

For the current planned production, the feldspar, or tectosilicate minerals, can be found in Banjarnegara in Central Java and Pangaribuan in North Sumatra.

Adding waste material to composites is actually not a new thing in the building material industry.

Researchers have long suggested the addition of fly ash, the waste generated from burning coal, into concrete mix.

Most recently, researcher Puti Farida Marzuki has also suggested replacing Portland cement with a mixture of hydraulic lime with fly ash when building small houses.

“Small houses such as those built by the government public housing program don’t need the strength
of Portland cement. It’s too expensive and needs a lot of energy resources in the manufacturing process,” Puti said.

By mixing calcium hydroxide with cement-like pozzolan aggregate in a simple churning sill, locals can produce their own affordable alternative to Portland cement.

Many have tried coming up with more environmentally friendly building materials, but unfortunately, it is not that easy to tempt industries to start mass producing these alternatives.

So far, the research and development of such products has mostly been done independently of the building materials industry.

And apparently, there are no incentives available either to link inventors and producers.

For this, Indonesia might want to learn from its neighbor Singapore, which currently provides incentives for building material producers that develop greener products.

“We want to further develop our subsidy scheme into one where industries can submit an ad hoc proposal so that the support can be channeled when needed,” Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority research division director Ang Kian Seng said.

“But, we only want to support those with a sound proposal. Green construction does not need to be expensive,” he added.

Nevertheless, even without such a scheme, some local building material manufacturers have increased their own research and development efforts to serve the market with a greener product.

“The problem is that sometimes architects who are supposed to choose those greener building materials are not aware that they exist,” said Naning Adiwoso, head of Green Building Council Indonesia.

Naning pointed out that locally made products such as water-based paint, nano-finished ceramics or biofil septic tanks were already available for those looking for more environmentally friendly construction materials.

But, then again it’s always a matter of choice. Steel or bamboo? Concrete or permeable paving?

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Fiberglass Repair for RVs and Mobile Homes

2009-08-31T17:47:00.000-07:00

Charlie Jones, owner of Collision on Wheels, a mobile auto body shop serving Shelby and Jefferson County also specializes in fiberglass(frp grating) repair for RVs and mobile homes. Charlie purchased his franchise in January, 2009 when he decided to make a career change. “I take pride in providing top-notch service, completing work in a timely fashion and offering a guarantee for as long as the customer owns their vehicle, RV or mobile home,” said Charlie.

Though Collision on Wheels is best known for dent repair, paint repair and minor auto collision repair for cars and trucks, Charlie Jones also specializes in fiberglass repair for RVs and mobile homes. “Consumers enjoy the convenience of having an auto body shop that comes to their home or workplace to do auto body work. My company also meets a demand for body work on RVs and mobile homes.”

Collision on Wheels advanced technology provides technicians with a fully-equipped van with everything they need to do on-site auto body work. They use top-skilled auto body repair technicians who must pass a complete screening and background check and be well qualified and highly trained to use the high-tech tools and techniques. Collision on Wheels technicians are fully insured and they receive continuous training to keep ahead of the competition.

Charlie Jones provides services for residential customers and businesses including rental car companies, dealerships and companies with a fleet of vehicles including maids, pest control services, Coke/Pepsi and anyone who has a vehicle. Most work is completed within hours and the cost is less than a typical insurance deductible, eliminating the need for an insurance claim. “In the event that repairs are extensive, we do work with insurance companies,” said Jones.

Collision on Wheels is a national franchise company specializing in mobile auto body repair. The franchise services a niche market of consumers who don’t have time to take their vehicle to a body shop for small collision repairs and who are reluctant to file an insurance claim.

Fibreglass Reinforced Doors Provide Blast Protection

2009-08-30T20:46:00.001-07:00

SL-17 Fiberglass Reinforced Polyester (FRP) Flush Door was found to provide protection to building occupants from flying debris in the event of an explosion according to the criteria of the ASTM F 1642-04 Standard Test Method for Glazing and Glazing Systems Subject to Airblast Loading.

When blasts occur in urban areas, glass shards and similar material from fractured doors and windows can pose significant danger to building occupants. Developed by ASTM International in cooperation with the U.S. Departments of Defense and State following the 2001 terrorist attacks, the ASTM F 1642-04 standard measures the potential hazard from flying glass or other fragments in the event of such an explosion.

Third-party testing lab Architectural Testing Inc. conducted the test in June, attaching a standard SL-17 door to a large shock tube, a machine that simulates the effect of an actual explosive device. When subjected to force in the 5.5 to 6.5 psi range, the SL-17 was slightly damaged but remained operational.

"The amazing thing is that this is the same FRP door Special-Lite has been making since 1982," said Dan Depta, Marketing Manager for Special-Lite, Inc. "We keep challenging the SL-17 with new tests, and it keeps passing. Facility managers with existing installations and those who choose SL-17 for the future, now get the additional peace of mind knowing they have blast protection, too."

The SL-17 has previously passed similar third-party tests for windborne debris and impact resistance in order to achieve hurricane-rating and Florida product approval. Despite its blast resistance, the SL-17 door is not intended for fire-rated applications. Instead, Special-Lite recommends its SL-21 fire-rated FRP doors with ratings up to 90 minutes.

Chinese to add 358 000 MW of FGD by 2020

2009-08-27T20:49:00.001-07:00

The installed capacity of flue gas desulphurization (FGD) systems in China will rise from 365 000 MW this year to 723 000 MW in 2020 according to the latest forecast in FGD World Markets, an ongoing publication of the McIlvaine Company.

This investment in 358 000 MW of FGD represents a value based on international pricing of over 100 billion dollars, says the report. Despite the fact that prices of FGD systems in China are 50 per cent lower, this market represents a big potential for suppliers of slurry pumps, mixers, alloy steel, valves, limestone, ball mills, nozzles, fans and many other components and consumables.

The magnitude of the Chinese effort to clean up its coal fired plants is put into perspective with the comparison to the total world FGD capacity today. World capacity is only 797 000 MW and this represents the cumulative investment of the world over the period 1968 to 2009. The world has been adding FGD capacity at a rate of 19 000 MW/yr. China has had some recent years where FGD capacity additions were above 70 000 MW. Over the next eleven years it will add 32 000 MW of FGD per year. This represents 75 per cent of all the new FGD to be installed each year.

There are now a number of Chinese companies offering components for FGD systems. The big FGD slurry recycle pumps have only been available from a few European-based suppliers. Now several Chinese companies are offering the very large pumps and others are offering the smaller ones.

Chinese FGD systems use more synthetics and less alloy metals than European or U.S. FGD systems. Chinese FRP suppliers have teamed with international companies to offer scrubber shells and stack liners of FRP. The ceramic scrubber nozzles are now available from multiple sources within China. Chinese system suppliers have primarily teamed with licensors from Japan, Europe and the U.S. Most of the systems have been wet using limestone as the reagent. Recently a system which will utilize ammonia to make ammonium sulphate fertilizer was awarded to a Chinese/U.S. team. Along the coast there have been some systems designed to use seawater for scrubbing. The world's largest fluid bed dry lime absorber has also been awarded by a Chinese utility.

A number of steps are being taken to improve the operations of existing installations. This will provide a retrofit opportunity of sizable proportions. Offshore suppliers of instrumentation and optimization systems have a big opportunity in this market.

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Floor drain grates is added to the list of grating products of Rockcreteusa

2009-08-26T18:21:00.000-07:00

Rockcreteusa has a dedicated steel service center that specializes in providing quality grating products. They offer a complete line-up of metal grating products that includes welded bar grating, stair treads and molded and pultruded fiberglass. Floor drain grates for drainage systems are rectangular in shape with a variety of applications. A drain grate body has a circular lower portion i.e. outlet and configured to mate with an under drain structure. The upper portion defines an inlet that is configured to receive the drain grate in a frictional fit.

Since 2005, Rockcreteusa has provided focused service in the metal industry to all customers. Depending upon your requirement whether large or small, we proudly offer our services to 52 states within the US. Our knowledgeable, friendly sales personnel routinely work together with engineers, designers, architects, buyers, and maintenance personnel to quickly and effectively find solutions to their needs. Not only this, our experts can create concrete trench drain grates in any configuration, size, color, texture or style needed.

Welded carbon heavy duty steel grating is the most popular choice of customers when they are looking for high strength grating. As a matter of fact, the main bars are slotted and assembled with cross bars. These bars are welded with one fillet weld at every joint. With a great list of grating products, Rockcreteusa continues to pioneer. For more information about Floor drain grates, Trench Drains visit http://www.rockcreteusa.com/

CanWel Building Materials Income Fund Declares August Cash

2009-08-25T18:12:00.001-07:00

CanWel Building Materials Income Fund (the "Fund") (TSX:CWX.UN) today declared a cash distribution of $0.04166 per trust unit for the period from August 1, 2009 to August 31, 2009.

- The August cash distribution will be paid on September 18, 2009 to unitholders of record at the close of business on August 31, 2009.

- This is the Fund`s 51st consecutive monthly cash distribution to its unitholders.

- The Fund's policy is for unitholders of record on the last business day of a calendar month to receive distributions on or about the 20th day following the end of such month.

The Fund trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol CWX.UN and is one of Canada's largest national distributors in the building materials and related products sector, operating 16 distribution centres across Canada. The Fund distributes a wide range of hardware, building materials, lumber and renovation products.

Further information can be found in the disclosure documents filed by CanWel Building Materials Income Fund with the securities regulatory authorities, available at www.sedar.com.

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking" statements. When used in this press release, such statements use words, including but not limited to, "may", "will", "expect", "believe", "plan", "intend", "anticipate" and other similar terminology. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations of the Fund's management regarding future events but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Fund, including the performance of, and distributable cash generated by, its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Actual events could differ materially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors. These factors include the risk that acquisitions will not be integrated successfully; the risk that any cost savings and any synergies from transactions may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; and disruption from acquisitions making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers. Additional risks and uncertainties include, among others: general economic and business conditions, product selling prices, commodity price fluctuations, information systems risk, environmental risk, interest rate changes, operating costs, and competitive conditions. These statements reflect management's current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this press release. The foregoing risk factors are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative; additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the periodic and other reports filed by the Fund with Canadian Securities Commissions and available on Sedar (http://www.sedar.com). The Fund does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update or revise any forward looking information, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Reference is made above to distributable cash. We define distributable cash as net earnings before depreciation, amortization, gain or loss on sale of fixed assets, goodwill impairment loss, provision for future income taxes, unit based compensation and after maintenance of business capital expenditure and contributions to any reserves the Board of Trustees of the Fund deem to be reasonable and necessary for the operations of the Fund.

Kitchen gadgets to Microplane grater

2009-08-24T20:40:00.000-07:00

Kitchen gadgets to make cooking easy and fun – Microplane Grater.

Cooking gadgets come and go, but Microplane zesters are currently on our current top 10 favorite kitchen gadgets:

Microplane zester - (around $13) These are perfect for zesting citrus; and grating cheese and chocolate. There are 3 types of Microplanes; citrus zester, cheese grater and ribbon grater. The regular zester is probably the most useful, but they are small, inexpensive, and don't take up much room in your kitchen so why not have for all three!

For quick grating of garlic, ginger and cheese, these can’t be beat. They now also come in narrow and wider widths so you can choose the type you like.

These can be purchased at Bed Bath & Beyond or any cookware store

other grating:frp grating

Volunteer Group Discovers Robbery

2009-08-23T23:29:00.001-07:00

Volunteers were supposed to help fix up this domestic violence shelter.They do it about once every few weeks, but were surprised when they showed up Sunday morning."What they did is take a pair of wire cutters and cut the bottom part," said Kathy Daily.When Daily showed up to the storage facility she said she knew something was wrong and when she opened up the door almost everything was gone."It was just a feeling of disbelief," said Daily.There was $7,000 worth of building materials as frp grating that were stolen and the supplies were for an important project."It was sad. There were some tears. There was some anger," said Daily.Volunteers with a non-profit organization called CREW need those donated items to renovate a counseling center that helps immigrant mothers and their children cope with domestic violence."This matting was for the children's playground that we're building and they left a couple pieces but we had to special order this from out of state it was pretty expensive," said Daily.Finishing the playground was top priority, but without flooring and funding. The project is now at a standstill."It's sad to think something we we're doing to help other folks...someone sabotaged," Daily said.While Daily questioned how someone could have done this, she said her top priority is figuring out how to move forward with renovations."You can't stop the work of people who want to do stuff in the community. We're going to keep at it and we're going to find a way. We're going t find a way," Daily said.The supplies were all donated and bought through grants.The volunteer organization said they need donations.

CHPS debuts high-performance building products database

2009-08-20T23:08:00.000-07:00

The Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) made a new tool available to product manufacturers to help customers identify building products that contribute to sustainable, healthy, built environments. The tool is an online, searchable database where manufacturers can list products that have met certain environmental or health standards ranging from recycled content to materials that contribute to improved indoor air quality.

The project was funded by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and was supported by the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB), California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI).

"CHPS is excited to be able to offer a new tool to help schools and all building types achieve the highest standards for sustainability and health,” said Bill Orr, executive director of CHPS. “Identifying products that meet these standards can be the toughest part of the battle for school and building owners and designers, so we wanted to offer them an easy, accessible solution that will also help to increase the commercial use of these products.”

The database will list low-emitting materials, materials containing recycled content, rapidly renewable materials, organically grown materials, certified sustainable wood products, and products with low mercury content. The database will also list “multiple attribute” products, including Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP), Resilient Floor (NSF 140), low-emitting office furniture (BIFMA), and products that have undergone life cycle assessments.

"Using environmentally-sound building materials and products promotes healthier indoor air quality and contributes to reducing a building's carbon footprint," said Tom Huetteman, Waste Management Division associate director for U.S. EPA's Pacific Southwest Division. "Manufacturers are increasingly providing environmentally-friendly, green building materials. EPA funding has helped CHPS create this database, which offers an important opportunity for manufacturers to gain consumer awareness of their green building products.”

The database is one of the first of its kind to combine a diverse slate of certifications to address high performance building practices. As the database continues to grow, CHPS will strive to add new product categories, and new functionalities, such as a search function based on a product’s green building rating program compliance.

“This one stop, easy-to-use database supports informed choices for creating buildings that are good for people and the environment" Huetteman added.

Manufacturers are required to submit documents proving their products’ certification. Products that have not been verified can be listed in the database but are “flagged” with a self-declaration status. Certifications are valid for two years. The database replaces the low-emitting materials table, a popular resource provided by CHPS. This static table is referenced by a number of green building standards for schools and other types of buildings.

CHPS is a 501c(3) non-profit headquartered in San Francisco. The Collaborative for High Performance Schools created the nation’s first green building rating program developed especially for school learning environments. The mission of CHPS is make schools better places to learn. CHPS improves the quality of education for our nation’s schoolchildren by facilitating the design, construction and operation of a new generation of high performance - environmentally sustainable, healthy and comfortable

more informations :frp grating

Plasti-Fab Launches Guardian Industrial Shelter Line

2009-08-19T18:37:00.001-07:00

Plasti-Fab, the manufacturer of world class composite solutions, has officially launched their new line of Guardian Shelters in conjunction with their corresponding web site, solely dedicated to customizing and purchasing the shelters online.

The Guardian Shelters are pre-engineered, pre-wired, and built with Plasti-Fab's recognized corrosion resistant Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (frp grating), providing, durable, economical, and long-lasting housing for protection of outdoor equipment. They are designed with reinforced walls and have a 25 year guarantee for protection against the severe elements, including 135 MPH winds, 40PSF snow loading, and R7 insulation factor. As a unique benefit, the shelters are shipped complete and ready for use. Examples of typical applications include instruments, pumps, blowers, generators, chemical feeders and telecommunications equipment.

The new website offers immediate pricing for all models and a simple, user-friendly interface for customizing any of the 11 different sizes to fit your specific needs. Upgrades and additional design features are also available.

"It is extremely exciting for the Plasti-Fab family," says Ron Schneberger, International markets and contract manufacturing manager, "to see the research, engineering, and design that went into our industrial shelter line have a tangible influence on both the evolution of the company and development of the composites solution industry."

For 40 years now, Plasti-Fab has been developing innovative corrosion resistant equipment out of their facility in Tualatin, Oregon. Over that time, the company has evolved and expanded their composites expertise into contract manufacturing for industry applications and are a recognized visionary company for fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP). This evolution has allowed Plasti-Fab to bring their experience to new industries, a second location in Lakeland, Florida, and new products, including the new Guardian Shelter Line.

About Plasti-Fab
Plasti-Fab is a world class composite products manufacturer focused on flexible manufacturing that solves customer's needs. For over 40 years they have produced engineered products designed to meet specific application requirements. Plasti-Fab serves the global marketplace from their facilities in Tualatin, Oregon and Lakeland, Florida, as a service-oriented organization with the experience necessary to recommend workable equipment and installation modifications when required.

Fire-protection tax fought

2009-08-18T20:34:00.001-07:00

The Knox County Commission will consider a three-year contract for Rural/Metro Fire Department to provide fire protection to businesses in the Forks of the River Industrial Park, under a proposal approved with no recommendation Monday by the commission's Finance Committee.

The contract for $807,206 covers three years, beginning Monday if the measure gets commission approval.

The three years of fire protection would be paid for by a special property tax on occupants in the business park — but not without controversy.

John Valliant, representing the businesses in the district, said they are 'opposing the increase.'

'With the economy the way it is and several businesses in the Forks of the River laying off … this is an inopportune time to be imposing a tax for fire protection,' Valliant said. 'This is certainly sending a bad signal. When it comes to County Commission, if it gets that far, there will be companies (here) that feel this is unfair.'

The tax supports a fire station that serves Forks of the River Industrial Park, and 40 businesses 'are directly affected,' Valliant said.

For example, Valliant said Sea Ray Boats has laid off employees.

'It's just not right to do that right now,' he said.

Commissioner Richard Briggs asked when the last time the tax was increased, and Valliant said he didn't believe it's ever been increased in the 16 years it's been in place.

'There's an increase because some of these businesses handle hazardous material,' Valliant said. 'You've got one special tax district here. This is a huge, huge deal. Some people are going to go out of business.'

Mayor Mike Ragsdale's chief of staff Mike Arms said the tax went into place in 1993 and that the park had no fire protection at that time.

Jerry Harnish, Rural/Metro Fire Department fire chief, said that before the early 1990s, there was no fire station to serve the area. 'There was a very destructive fire at Bike Athletic involving liquid propane,' he said, which spurred the location of the fire department on National Drive.

The tax would be $175,000 the first year, about $266,112 the second year and $319,334 the third year. The additional costs would be to pay the Knoxville Utilities Board for the use of water and hydrants.

'The contract doesn't pay for all the costs of the fire station,' Harnish said. 'The residents pay a subscription to the fire station. The issue to us is, if the fire district isn't paying its portion of the costs, the burden falls on residents outside the (industrial park). We don't want residents outside the district to pay for fire protection inside the district.'

2010 Honda Pilot Review

2009-08-17T18:27:00.001-07:00

The 2010 Honda Pilot won't blend in with the crowd, that's for sure. But you'll have to decide whether the Pilot's controversial frp grating and chunky, sometimes overwrought styling fits you or is just too over-the-top.

Edmunds notes that the new Pilot “tries hard to look more like a utility and less like a minivan,” and they call the look “bluff and hearty, like an American wearing a simple white T-shirt,” but point out its “self-consciously truck-style grille that strikes the same note of authenticity as a sumo wrestler wearing a belt buckle from the Salinas Rodeo.”

Automobile reports that the new Pilot “looks like a more muscular caricature of its predecessor, with enormous headlights, a menacing grille, and thick C-pillars.” BusinessWeek finds the Pilot “boxy-looking (and, to my eye, stodgy)."

Most reviewers focus on the grille for critical comments. USA Today thinks the Pilot is “not swoopy and sexy like the CX-9, nor graceful like the GM's GMC/Saturn models,” in part because of its “big, ugly grille—a visual sore point.” They also consider the Pilot’s proportions “off a bit,” though Cars.com thinks there are some “interesting angles in the liftgate near the taillamps.” Car and Driver contends that “there are more right angles on the thing than you’ll find in a T-square factory,” and the Detroit News adds, “None of its edges are sharp; instead, it's soft and curvy.”

Reviewers point to the often-overwrought details of the Pilot's interior, and not always in a positive sense. Motor Trend says the “center stack layout [is] a trifle busy, especially in Touring trim,” and The Detroit News observes that the “center stack, when the navigation system is included, becomes a confusing mess of buttons, switches and knobs.”

Although TheCarConnection.com's editors find the instrument panel in the 2010 Honda Pilot to be overly cluttered, at least in initial feel, several reviewers like the look and the layout. Motor Trend thinks its “3D-look analog gauges” are “highly legible,” but Cars.com spotlights the “new dash” and its “white-faced gauges and translucent turquoise trim,” and thinks “the design works well.”

Talley has makes hash of it

2009-08-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

Talley's has issued a nationwide recall of hash browns after small pieces of metal from a grating machine were found in two bags produced by its Ashburton plant.

Director Andrew Talley said last night that one of the bags had been sold in Nelson and the other somewhere in the North Island.

"We're confident this is a minor, isolated problem," Mr Talley said.

The company was working with the Food Safety Authority and as a precaution had issued a recall on Value Fries and Pam's products.

The recall on the 2kg hash brown Value Fries product involved bags marked "best before June 5, 2011". The 750g Pam's triangle hash brown bags involved were labelled "best before April 17, 2011".

Mr Talley was unable to say how many bags were being recalled. The two offending bags had escaped the company's metal

3D Software Giving Patients Confidence

2009-08-15T23:14:00.001-07:00

What if you could see the results of your cosmetic surgery even before you go under the knife? That's the idea behind new 3D technology for surgeons. Doctors report it's giving patients more confidence before they go into surgery.

Jennifer Robinson has suffered with breathing problems for years. "I have memories of being in middle school and not liking my nose," said Robinson. She has a deviated septum and is also a little self conscious about how her nose looks.

"It's really noticeable from the profile I think," she added.

Rhinoplasty specialist Dr. Spencer Cochran showed her how 3D technology is giving patients an advanced look at how their nose will appear after surgery. "The two of us kind of find a common ground to find something that not only would be realistically achieved but something that they would be pleased with as well," explained Cochran.

About a month before surgery, Cochran took a series of close up pictures of Robinson's nose from different angles.

"It was really cool to see and it really helped me to see the changes and helped me to see the problems I was having," Robinson said.

A computer program allows Robinson to see exactly which areas Cochran will repair.

"What we'll do here is remove the hump that you have on your bridge and set your tip back closer to your face," Cochran explained to Robinson.

Cochran takes the 3D images into the operating room to help guide him through the surgery.

"It's nice to just kind of look at it and reassure myself that I'm not doing something I'm going to regret," Robinson concluded.

Two weeks after the procedure Robinson was still a little swollen, but she was amazed how her outcome matched the 3D images she saw before surgery. "I'm happy with it after two weeks. I'm really happy with the profile," she said smiling.

The 3D imagery is mostly used for rhinoplasty surgeries right now, but could be expanded to other procedures in the future.

3D technology centre taking shape

2009-08-15T05:46:00.000-07:00

The University of Northampton says work is progressing well on an ￡11 million project designed to provide a technological boost for both students and businesses across the county.
The Grade II-listed Kingsley Park building is being completely refurbished and developed into a technology and research centre that will provide an extended home for the university's School of Applied Sciences.
The project is expected to be occupied and fully operational by April 2010.
In addition Kingsley Park will house the university's new `Nvision' centre, a state-of-the-art facility providing specialist services to help companies of all sizes develop and promote their products using the latest 3D modelling and visualisation capabilities.
"Nvision will include a suite of immersive virtual reality technologies, underpinned by technical resources and extensive expertise at the University," said Nvision manager, Stuart Wayne.
"It will offer significant and exciting benefits to a host of industries, including health, motorsport, games, architectural and environmental organisations to name just a few.
"We plan to have an immersive 3D technology demonstrator unit in place by the beginning of 2010, enabling us to run a series of showcase activities for prospective clients. At the heart of this project is the fact this is the first time in the UK that Small to Medium Size Enterprises will have access to this level of technology."
There will also be additional opportunities for external technologyfocused companies to base themselves within the building through a series of new business innovation units.
The venture is being further supported by a close strategic partnership with the British Institute of Non Destructive Testing (BINDT).
This Kingsley Park building development adds to the recent ￡3 million expansion of the Portfolio Innovation Centre, based at the university's Avenue Campus, which now offers space to house up to 46 of the region's most exciting creative, digital and design companies.

Eagle Modular Spill Containment Platforms

2009-08-13T20:45:00.001-07:00

Spill 911 is excited to introduce our new and improved Eagle Modular Spill Containment Platforms. Eagle Modular Spill Containment Platforms are easy to use in about every hazardous spill containment environment. The new design makes it easier to create a pallet system that works for you.

The newly redesigned 2-drum and 4-drum platforms now feature several improvements, including forklift pockets, a redesigned flat top frp grating and a new interlocking technology that eliminates the need for U channel connectors. This allows you to quickly join multiple units together to create the desired shape or size. The platforms are constructed of 100% blow-molded, high-density polyethylene with a patented grating design that provides optimal load bearing capacity and removes for easy spill cleanup. Chemical-resistant polyethylene construction will not rust or corrode.

About Spill 911 — Since 1995 we have offered a complete line of industrial absorbents and spill response kits as well as spill containment, material handling, janitorial, stormwater control, facility protection and safety products. Our line is diverse, encompassing the top manufacturers and the highest quality products.

Router with Printer Connectivity

2009-08-12T18:08:00.001-07:00

Taipei, Aug 11, 2009 - (ACN Newswire) - The ASUS RT-N13U wireless cnc router is the latest in the line of quality routers from ASUS that aims to provide users with a host of easy-to-use wireless features. Among them, the EZ UI lets users set up and manage wireless connections, printers, and scanners with exceptional ease. It also facilitates troubleshooting, sharing of multimedia content and documents, as well as the allocation of bandwidth to different activities based on user preferences. With more wireless connectivity options, the ASUS RT-N13U can also support 24/7 downloads-even when the PC is turned off. It is also a stylish performer that complements any home or office with its clean design and hidden internal antenna.

Configure an All-in-one Printer Easily with EZ UI

The ASUS RT-N13U wireless router features EZ UI, a powerful graphical user interface that provides intuitive setup and easy management of printers and other networked resources. It features a suite of innovative connectivity solutions including EZ All-in-One Printer, QIS, Ai Disk, Dr. Surf, EZ QoS, and Network Map.

EZ All-in-One Printer allows multiple users to share printers and scanners without a dedicated server managing the process. It increases office efficiency by handling multiple printing requests simultaneously. Additionally, convenient scanning can be done on the printers with auto-installation of drivers. No loading of additional programs is required. For easy configuration, EZ All-in-One Printer supports and detects all the major printer brands on the market.

QIS (Quick Internet Setup) facilitates device connection to the Internet in three easy steps. With Ai Disk, users can easily set up a file-sharing server at home in three simple steps. Dr. Surf offers real-time diagnostics for rapid troubleshooting. EZ QoS lets users easily prioritize application bandwidth for an optimal experience. Network Map provides a complete overview of network status for easy monitoring.

Set Up Effortlessly with EZ Switch

For more advanced users, the ASUS RT-N13U features the exclusive EZ switch with three modes to meet various wireless network requirements. If a user wants to set up an ADSL network at home, they can set the EZ Switch to router mode, whereas if they want to use wireless connectivity, the EZ Switch can be set to repeater mode. Lastly, if the user has another router at home, they may choose the AP mode, which allows them to share the network.

Internal Antenna-A Stylishly Well-received Connection

Another innovative feature of the ASUS RT-N13U is its design. It features an internal antenna, which provides wider coverage than an external antenna. Furthermore, with an optimized antenna isolation configuration, users can get even better connectivity, as well as extremely clear reception for the best performance with minimal adjustments. Finally, with a clean and minimalist exterior, the ASUS RT-N13U is a stylish and contemporary addition to any home.

The case of the impossible IP address

2009-08-11T18:09:00.000-07:00

When I get free time (which isn't often), I try to review the logs of our various security devices. We have other people who can dig through this sort of thing, but I think it's important to be connected to what's going on in our network. Maybe my eyes will see something that the software tools are missing or that other people have overlooked. In this case, I validated that idea.

Trouble Ticket

At issue: A routine review of logs turns up something intriguing.

Action plan: Put on your detective hat, recruit a sidekick, and get to work on solving this mystery.

As I was reading through our firewall's logs, which is usually a tedious and unexciting (though necessary) activity, I found something strange. Our firewall was seeing a lot of traffic coming in from the Internet with the destination IP address of 0.0.0.0 -- an impossible address. I long ago set up a rule on our firewall to block traffic either coming from or going to that and other clearly bogus numbers. Our firewall was dutifully blocking this bad traffic and noting that in its logs. But when I saw the log entries, I was intrigued -- my boring duty had suddenly become interesting. What could be trying to send traffic into my network with that crazy, nonexistent address, and how could it possibly have been delivered to us? That's like finding a letter in your mailbox with no address on it.

I put on my detective hat. There weren't too many possibilities within the realm of credibility. If somebody was sending traffic from somewhere on the Internet to a destination address of all zeroes, it would go exactly nowhere. Yet here it was at my network's door. Was there a way the address could have changed somehow once it got into my perimeter?

I didn't think that was very likely but noted it as a possibility. But if it wasn't coming from the Internet, the only other reasonable explanation I could think of was that the traffic was somehow being injected into our network between our firewall and the Internet, which would mean -- cue the spooky music -- that the call was coming from inside the house!

Zero Sense

Naturally, it's not easy to track down the source of traffic when the address doesn't make any sense. I enlisted the help of my company's network engineer, a very sharp guy. He was as intrigued as I was, so together we set out to try to figure out what was going on. We took a look at the Internet router, which is the next hop for network traffic outside our firewall. We didn't find anything strange in the router's configuration or traffic logs, but something was definitely fishy. There was no trace of any traffic with that strange, all-zero IP address.

After a closer look, the network engineer discovered a significant clue: The router was out of memory. Apparently, our Internet router had been working hard, and it ended up without enough free memory.

In the end, that memory shortage turned out to be the culprit. This brand of router ends up "dropping" some network information when it doesn't have enough memory, and that explains the zeroes: Without enough memory to put together a valid network packet, the result was a bunch of zeroes, some of which turned out to be in the right place to produce the mysterious empty address.

A reboot of the router seems to have solved the problem. Now our network team is going to keep a closer eye on the resource usage in our routers and network devices.

I'm pleased that IT security tools and personnel were able to identify and help track down a functional problem on our network. Even though the problem wasn't strictly security-related, it was first detected by our equipment, and in this case, security was able to do something that was perceived as helpful instead of being a roadblock. I count that as a win.

The case of the impossible IP address

2009-08-10T19:52:00.001-07:00

When I get free time (which isn't often), I try to review the logs of our various security devices. We have other people who can dig through this sort of thing, but I think it's important to be connected to what's going on in our network. Maybe my eyes will see something that the software tools are missing or that other people have overlooked. In this case, I validated that idea.

As I was reading through our firewall's logs, which is usually a tedious and unexciting (though necessary) activity, I found something strange. Our firewall was seeing a lot of traffic coming in from the Internet with the destination IP address of 0.0.0.0 -- an impossible address. I long ago set up a rule on our firewall to block traffic either coming from or going to that and other clearly bogus numbers. Our firewall was dutifully blocking this bad traffic and noting that in its logs. But when I saw the log entries, I was intrigued -- my boring duty had suddenly become interesting. What could be trying to send traffic into my network with that crazy, nonexistent address, and how could it possibly have been delivered to us? That's like finding a letter in your mailbox with no address on it.

I put on my detective hat. There weren't too many possibilities within the realm of credibility. If somebody was sending traffic from somewhere on the Internet to a destination address of all zeroes, it would go exactly nowhere. Yet here it was at my network's door. Was there a way the address could have changed somehow once it got into my perimeter?

I didn't think that was very likely but noted it as a possibility. But if it wasn't coming from the Internet, the only other reasonable explanation I could think of was that the traffic was somehow being injected into our network between our firewall and the Internet, which would mean -- cue the spooky music -- that the call was coming from inside the house!
Zero Sense

Naturally, it's not easy to track down the source of traffic when the address doesn't make any sense. I enlisted the help of my company's network engineer, a very sharp guy. He was as intrigued as I was, so together we set out to try to figure out what was going on. We took a look at the Internet router, which is the next hop for network traffic outside our firewall. We didn't find anything strange in the router's configuration or traffic logs, but something was definitely fishy. There was no trace of any traffic with that strange, all-zero IP address.

After a closer look, the network engineer discovered a significant clue: The router was out of memory. Apparently, our Internet router had been working hard, and it ended up without enough free memory.

In the end, that memory shortage turned out to be the culprit. This brand of router ends up "dropping" some network information when it doesn't have enough memory, and that explains the zeroes: Without enough memory to put together a valid network packet, the result was a bunch of zeroes, some of which turned out to be in the right place to produce the mysterious empty address.

A reboot of the router seems to have solved the problem. Now our network team is going to keep a closer eye on the resource usage in our routers and network devices.

I'm pleased that IT security tools and personnel were able to identify and help track down a functional problem on our network. Even though the problem wasn't strictly security-related, it was first detected by our router equipment, and in this case, security was able to do something that was perceived as helpful instead of being a roadblock. I count that as a win.

Sprint unveils new Mobile Broadband Router products

2009-08-10T01:53:00.001-07:00

Staying connected no matter where you are is something that most of us take for granted these days, and Sprint aims to enable you to stay in touch with anyone online from anywhere thanks to their new range of Mobile Broadband Router products. These new devices not only allow one, but multiple folks to stay connected at 3G or 4G mobile broadband speeds as long as there are Sprint 3G and 4G networks around. The two new 3G/4G Mobile Broadband Routers are known as the Sprint Personal Hotspot PHS300S and Cradlepoint MBR-1000 Broadband Router, where each of them boast 3G and 4G connectivity and can be used in conjunction with any Sprint 3G or 4G data plan which will set you back anywhere from $39.99 to $79.99 monthly, depending on your choice.

First off is the Sprint Personal Hotspot PHS300S which allows one to connect up to a quartet of simultaneous Wi-Fi connections, while the Cradlepoint MBR-1000 Broadband Router will target businesses and small organizations, where up to 32 simultaneous Wi-Fi connections are supported. Either device is able to handle the entire range of Sprint 3G and Sprint 4G mobile broadband USB devices, so no worries for those who have backwards compatibility in their minds. These devices allow one to connect Wi-Fi-enabled smartphones, notebooks, portable media players, digital cameras, gaming devices and other Wi-Fi-enabled devices simultaneously to the Sprint 3G and 4G networks.

If you want to bring home the Sprint Personal Hot Spot PHS300S, it will cost you $159.99 outright without including any monthly plan charges yet, while those who opt for the Cradlepoint MBR1000 broadband router will have to fork out an initial amount of $249.99. Bear in mind that not all territories are able to support Sprint’s 4G networks just yet, so you might have to make do with 3G connectivity for the moment until an upgraded service is introduced in your area.

Cisco's fourth quarter's crib sheet: Gauging enterprise spending

2009-08-06T23:41:00.001-07:00

Cisco reports its fourth quarter results Wednesday and analysts are looking for a few signs that the enterprise business has stabilized and an outlook that’s a touch optimistic.

Cisco is expected to report fourth quarter earnings of 28 cents a share on revenue of $8.5 billion. Cisco CEO John Chambers is expected to remain cautious about the economy, but note that the enterprise business has at least stabilized a bit.

Here are some of the mileposts to watch:

Orders: Cowen & Co. analyst John Marchetti said in a research note that he’s looking for “signs of sales stabilization and modest improvement in the order pipeline for Cisco’s enterprise and service provider business” for the back half of calendar 2009. He’s expecting a book-to-bill ratio of 1.

Revenue: Most tech companies this quarter have topped earnings estimates on weak sales. Cisco may be no different. Morgan Keegan analyst Simon Leopold said that sales may fall short of expectations. However, there are some signs that the North America enterprise business is improving and could lead to better fiscal first quarter sales.

We think North American enterprise spending has shown some improvement and large global service providers likely deliver increased spending in (second half of 2009). However, European and emerging market trends from enterprises and carriers sound weak and do not likely rebound in Cisco’s October quarter.

Routers: Leopold sees routers (about 17 percent of Cisco’s sales) being up 3 percent sequentially, but still down 30 percent year over year. Wedbush analyst Matthew Robison is a little more optimistic:

There have also been industry indications that the company is seeing product cycle strength in the router business with adoption of the new applications services router family, especially the ASR9000, and capacity upgrades for 7600 and XR12000 routers. While these products are mostly for service providers with strong emphasis on capacity to accommodate video, industry checks and our June survey indicate router upgrades remain high priority with enterprise customers.

A recommended website:cnc router

Cisco Ignores Sizable Market For Used Networking Gear

2009-08-05T17:37:00.001-07:00

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--While luxury car company BMW AG (BMW.XE) feels comfortable selling used cars, Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) remains skittish about doing the same with its routers and switches.

Demand for used networking equipment (eg:cnc router) flourishes without Cisco, driven by the recession and tightening budgets. Yet instead of embracing the estimated $2 billion market, the San Jose networking titan largely ignores it, pointing out the potential risks and complications of using discarded gear.

But in mostly avoiding the market, industry observers say, Cisco is missing an opportunity to provide a low-end offering when businesses are seeking a break.

"There's a fundamental change with the way IT managers are thinking about owning equipment," said Doug Washburn, analyst at Forrester Research. "The down economy is prompting these questions and forcing people to act on this."

Take the Baylor College of Medicine. For a year and a half, the school has dabbled in the secondary market, but only as a seller who unloads older equipment.

The college has always bought new products from Cisco, but Bud Bocchino, director of supply chain management for the school, said with resources stretched, he would try to convince the IT department to start buying used.

"It's breaking new ground for us here," Bocchino said. "I'm hoping to bring them around."

Bocchino doesn't go to Cisco to sell or buy used equipment. Instead, he goes to privately held Network Hardware Resale LLC, the largest player in what is known as the "grey market."

Used equipment can be bought at 50% to 70% off of the retail price, according to Mike Sheldon, chief executive of NHR, which is on track to generate $180 million in sales this year.

The recession has created a large pool of inventory as businesses have gone belly up or resellers were stuck with excess equipment to dump. Sheldon said a third of its inventory has never been used, and nearly all of it was originally made by Cisco.

Interest in the secondary market is on the rise. NHR, based in Santa Barbara, Calif., said unit sales are up 10% from a year ago, and the number of customers has risen by 5%. Revenue, though, is still flat due to pricing pressure.

"This could be a wave of people getting more comfortable with the secondhand market," Washburn said.

Cisco, meanwhile, posted a 17% drop in revenue in the fiscal third quarter, and is expected to see an 18% decline in fourth-quarter sales when it reports Wednesday.

Sometimes, you get what you pay for, according to Cisco. The company notes that counterfeit or faulty equipment is a common risk when buying from the grey market. The complicated set-up and different components mean lots can go wrong.

"Cisco is more concerned with the potential adverse customer satisfaction and brand impact from this market," a company spokesman said. Cisco has its own refurbished equipment program, but it's fairly limited.

The two largest grey market vendors, NHR and Network Liquidators Inc., both tout a low failure rate for their products and said they work with authorities to ensure the products were legally obtained.

Cisco declined to comment on the vendors.

Rather than thumb its nose at the grey market, analysts say Cisco should embrace it. The company is already facing price competition from cheaper players such as Hewlett-Packard Co.'s (HPQ) Procurve unit, Dell Inc. (DELL) and Extreme Networks Inc. (EXTR). Offering discounted used equipment, or partnering with vendors who do, could allow Cisco to compete on price.

The other big tech players share a similar attitude on the grey market as Cisco, but given the company's size and dominance of the networking industry, it could benefit most by moving into the segment, analysts say.

Fostering a marketplace for used Cisco equipment could also prevent businesses from looking elsewhere for cheaper options. Cisco, meanwhile, could sell additional features or services because they run on the same platform.

"To pretend a resale market for that equipment doesn't exist is crazy," Sheldon said. "If Cisco partnered with us, they could help stave off lost customers."

Is Your Linksys or Netgear Router Open to Attack?

2009-08-05T00:29:00.000-07:00

If you have a Linksys model WRT160N or Netgear RP614v4 router, it may be time to worry a little. At least according to a report out of Defcon from The Register. The vulnerability is based on CSRF, or cross-site request forgery, an issue with the cPanel web-based control software used to administrate the devices.

Basically, if you're logged into the router as an admin while you visit a seemingly benign site that contains a malicious cross-site request forgery, they can do all kinds of nasty stuff. They can change your admin login, load custom firmware, or change basically any setting they want.

cPanel is a fairly popular web-based hosting application, and of course companies like Linksys and Netgear often use similar code across a product line, so there may be quite a few other products compromised - the two mentioned above are just the two singled out by the security researchers.

Will it get fixed? Probably not. Reseacher Mike Bailey is quoted saying, "The response I got from cPanel was we can't fix this because it's a feature. Apparently, they're worried it's going to break integration with third party billing software, so they can't fix this."

3G Routers for On-The-Go Web Work

2009-08-03T17:48:00.001-07:00

Every laptop comes with Wi-Fi these days, but all the Wi-Fi in the world is useless if you're so remote that there's no signal around. Wi-Fi public hotspots are in a lot of places, but they're not everywhere, and stealing from neighbors can be an iffy legal proposition. Not even cable and DSL can go everywhere. That's why wireless carriers like Sprint and Verizon Wireless offer 3G service, which can go a lot farther (at least in the right markets).

Beyond Wi-Fi

3G stands for "third generation," a catch-all term for several wireless broadband technologies. Sprint and Verizon Wireless both use a tech called EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized ) Rev. A, which can deliver a typical download speed around 1.0 to 1.1 Megabits per second, with occasional bursts to go faster. Of course, 3G connectivity is in phones, but you can also buy 3G modems for laptops. Usually these modems come as USB dongles or PC Cards or ExpressCards. What you need depends on your laptop.

Now, what if you could get a router—just like the one you use on your home or office network to get Wi-Fi—but instead of having Internet powered by a cable or DSL modem, the backbone was that wireless 3G connection? Just plug that USB-based 3G modem dongle in and you could take your Wi-Fi with you anywhere—in theory.

Bring your AC Adapter

One hang-up is power. Wi-Fi signals suck a lot of electrical juice. (Go ahead and turn off your laptop's Wi-Fi sometime and see how much longer the battery lasts.) Because they need to be plugged in, most 3G-capable Wi-Fi routers are more "portable" than truly mobile—great for remote meetings, but still pretty stationary.

Such is the case with three of the products in this group from Linksys by Cisco, Netgear, and LevelOne. The upside of such routers is they can use 3G modems from multiple carriers, have the full complement of router features (including security), and because they run off AC power, they offer very powerful Wi-Fi signals.

However, two other products in this list are unique at the moment: completely mobile routers. The MiFi 2200 is made by Novatel, but like most of Novatel's products, it's resold by carriers. In this case, we got the first-generation versions from Sprint and Verizon Wireless. The MiFi quickly translates the carrier 3G signal into Wi-Fi suitable for up to 5 users. Only five, because the MiFi is super small (fits in a pocket) and entirely battery operated, making it perfect for all the Wi-Fi users in your car-pool. However, the battery doesn't last long if you connect multiple Wi-Fi devices, and MiFi can run a little too hot to actually stay in the pocket without getting uncomfortable. As first-generation products go, they're pretty amazing, albeit not quite perfect for their price. Yet.

The trouble with hooking up

2009-08-03T01:29:00.001-07:00

Brian Worobey stands on the roof of the Tobin Community Center in Boston peering through a telescopic sight, the sort that fits snugly atop a sniper rifle. Spread out before him is a target-rich environment: the town houses of Mission Main, the Alice Taylor homes, the Franklin Square Apartments -- residential space for thousands of Bostonians. From where he is standing, Worobey figures he can hit them all with radio waves capable of carrying Internet data.
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The sniper scope is to help him spot a work crew perched on the roof of the Beatty Hall library at the Wentworth Institute of Technology a quarter mile away. That crew and Worobey’s are doing the same thing: installing digital radio devices to wirelessly connect computers in homes and businesses to the Internet. Two electricians are setting up a big white box festooned with antennas, wiring it to the city’s fiber-optic network.

Worobey points southwest toward Mission Hill, another prime target. “We’ve got the hill covered reasonably well,” he says. “When we light this up, we’ll get this whole area covered.” This box -- it’s one of about 100 wireless networking devices that his nonprofit has installed in Boston -- is yet another step toward Worobey’s goal: a city where Internet access flows in the air and where it might eventually carry the same price -- zero.As chief executive and president of OpenAirBoston, Worobey has spent the past three years working toward that goal. In 2006, when he was vice president of information systems at the Museum of Science, he was on a task force established by Mayor Tom Menino to figure out exactly how to set up such a network. The task force report, issued in July of that year, figured the job would take 12 to 18 months and cost $16 million to $20 million. By now, you should be able to stand on any corner, anywhere in town, whip out a wireless-equipped laptop, and get on the city network. Try it in Jamaica Plain or Southie, Allston or Back Bay, and you’re in for a disappointment. But try it on Westland Avenue in the Fenway district, or Warren Street in Roxbury, and you’ll see that the efforts of OpenAirBoston haven’t been entirely fruitless. In about 2 square miles out of Boston’s 48, less than 5 percent of the city, you’ll find wireless capability, up to 1 million bits per second, that the nonprofit manages. That’s not much for YouTube videos. But it’s plenty for e-mailing a client or researching homework.

it turns out that building a wireless network that provides cnc router to all of Boston is going to take more time -- not more money, though that point is moot since the city doesn’t have it budgeted -- than the mayor’s task force predicted. In fact, this kind of project has thwarted government leaders and technologists in cities from coast to coast.

Rubicon Technology, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results

2009-07-31T00:10:00.001-07:00

Rubicon Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:RBCN), a leading provider of sapphire substrates and products to the LED, RFIC, Semiconductor, and Optical industries, today reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2009.

The Company reported revenue of $3.2 million, a net loss of $2.9 million, and a $0.15 diluted loss per share for the second quarter. The second quarter financial results were better than the Company’s prior quarter results of $2.3 million in revenue and a net loss of $3.9 million, as demand for LED substrates began to strengthen in the quarter.

Raja Parvez, President and CEO noted, “We saw an improvement in the LED market in the second quarter. This improvement has initially been focused in the Taiwan and Korea markets and is driven primarily by the increased rate of adoption of LED backlighting for notebook and netbook computers as well as a rush to bring LED backlit LCD televisions to market by some of the large consumer electronics companies.”

Mr. Parvez continued, “We believe that the LED market will continue to strengthen throughout the remainder of the year and into 2010. Based on the improving market environment, we are working on bringing manufacturing capacity back on-line.”

The Company also noted a weak pricing environment presents a challenge to improving profitability. William Weissman, Rubicon’s Chief Financial Officer said, “Since we are still early in the recovery, the pricing environment has been very difficult. However, sapphire capacity is beginning to tighten and we expect to see some improvement in the fourth quarter.”

Third Quarter 2009 Guidance

Commenting on the outlook for the third quarter, Mr. Weissman continued, “We estimate revenue for the third quarter will further improve to approximately $4.5 million. We expect utilization will continue to improve and the volume of material sold into the LED market in the third quarter should begin to approach the levels we were at last summer. However, pricing and product mix will continue to be challenging in the third quarter. Based on the expected pricing and mix, the net loss in the third quarter is expected to be $2.5 million.”

Conference Call Details

Rubicon will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time on July 29, 2009 to review the highlights of the second quarter 2009 results and the third quarter 2009 outlook. The conference call will be available to the public through a live audio web broadcast via the Internet. Log on to Rubicon’s website at http://www.rubicon-es2.com/index.html. An audio replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call. The audio replay will remain available until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time August 5, 2009, and can be accessed by dialing (888) 286-8010 or (617) 801-6888 (international). Callers should reference conference ID 80298414. The webcast will be archived on the Company’s website.

About Rubicon Technology, Inc.

Rubicon Technology, Inc. is an advanced electronic materials provider that is engaged in developing, manufacturing and selling monocrystalline sapphire and other crystalline products for light-emitting diodes (LEDs), radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), blue laser diodes, optoelectronics and other optical applications. The Company applies its proprietary crystal growth technology to produce very high-quality sapphire in a form that allows for volume production of various sizes and orientations of substrates and windows. Rubicon is a vertically-integrated manufacturer with capabilities in crystal growth, high precision core drilling, wafer slicing, surface lapping, large-diameter polishing and wafer cleaning processes, which the Company employs to convert the bulk crystal into products with the quality and precision specified by its customers. The Company is actively developing larger diameter products to support next-generation LED, RFIC and optical window applications.

Further information is available at http://www.rubicon-es2.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements in this release, particularly those preceded by, followed by or including the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “should,” “estimates,” or similar expressions, or those relating to or anticipating financial results for periods beyond the end of the second quarter of 2009, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. For those statements, the company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by us. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. These risks and uncertainties include managing the expansion of our manufacturing capacity, market acceptance of LED lighting, our ability to adapt to future changes in the LED industry, our successful development and market acceptance of RFIC and other new products, changes in the average selling prices of sapphire products, dependence on key customers, potential disruptions in our supply of electricity, changes in our product mix, our ability to protect our intellectual property rights, the competitive environment, the availability and cost of raw materials, the cost of compliance with environmental standards, the ability to make effective acquisitions and successfully integrate newly acquired businesses into existing operations and other risks and uncertainties described in the company’s most recent Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For these reasons, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the company’s forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement that the company makes speaks only as of the date of such statement, and the company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indications of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data.

Blurry Customs Offers Affordable CNC Technology to the Home Work Shop

2009-07-29T18:14:00.001-07:00

Moscow, ID (PRWEB) July 27, 2009 -- Blurry Customs, a small, innovative machine design firm, has introduced a line of CNC wood routers aimed at increasing efficiency for small shops on a small budget. The new "IronMan Router" series is currently offered in 36"x24" and 48"x24" models, with new models and features currently in development.

Blurry Customs developed the IronMan Router Series by adopting design principles of larger industrial machines, including all metal construction and high-end linear components, and maintaining a low maintenance, simple operation. Yet, the IronMan Router series is offered at an unusually low price point, filling a large gap in the current industry offering. Blurry Customs offers packages ranging from core components, all of the way to full 4-axis turnkey systems.

"Our woodworking routers have come about as a result of the giant technology-price gap that exists for shops on a small budget," says Blurry Customs owner Alex Burt. "Home workshops and similar will now have machine that they can have confidence in to produce consistent and efficient results for many years."

The simplicity of the IronMan Router takes much of the mystery out of the CNC technology with its open-frame design. It also provides a uncomplicated machine core that allow for many upgrades and custom options to fit the needs of every shop. This CNC router series offers production rate manufacturing speeds of up to 350 inches per minute, and Blurry Customs works one on one with customers to tailor the machine to their specific needs.

About Blurry Customs:
Blurry Customs, based in Moscow, ID, is a machine design firm, that produces high-quality, affordable CNC equipment. Founded by Alex Burt in 2008, Blurry Customs' started shipping their IronMan Router series in early 2009. Blurry Customs continues the development of its CNC product lines in a continued effort to bring the efficiency of industry giants to small workshops.

Grunley Construction Company: Shaping History

2009-07-28T23:44:00.000-07:00

Aman stands in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building slowly chipping away 1950s lead-based paint to reveal a 120-year-old mural hidden on the wall. This is not a scene from the latest National Treasure movie; it is just one facet of reconstruction work the Grunley Construction Company, based in Washington D.C., gets to perform. In fact, the company has discovered original murals under white washed walls and ceilings more than once.

President Ken Grunley explains, “During the late 1950s and 1960s, our country went through a period where new was good, and they white-washed a lot of surfaces in historic buildings. At the Library of Congress and the Eisenhower office buildings, we started stripping years of paint layers, and it was amazing when we uncovered hand painted murals from when these buildings were originally built. And they have now been restored.”

In the past 10 years, Grunley Construction has renovated and modernized more than 4.8 million gross square feet of building space in the Washington, D.C., area. The majority of that work has taken place in occupied buildings.

Four generations

Construction is in the Grunley family DNA. At the turn of the century, architect Abraham Grunstein was a developer and window manufacturer in the Bronx but went bankrupt during the Depression. He moved to Washington after WWII and a construction family was born.

Abraham’s son Martin Grunley founded Grunley-Walsh construction in 1955, which was in business until 1988. The young construction company soon discovered a unique talent for government renovation projects. Through the years Grunley-Walsh worked on projects such as National Institutes of Health, the National Portrait Gallery, multiple U.S. House of Representatives Office Buildings, The Blair House and the Old Post Office.

“They always did government work and they were relatively small, so they originally found a niche of doing renovation work,” explains Ken Grunley.

Ken Grunley joined the family business in the early 70s and one of his first project management roles was on The Blair House. Originally built in 1824, the house is well known as the official residence for guests of the U.S. president. Blair House is primarily used to house foreign heads of state, but has also been used for domestic guests. Several presidents-elect of the United States have spent the night in Blair House before their inauguration.

The two-year renovation of the Blair House culminated for Ken Grunley with a dinner with then-President Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy.

In 1988, Grunley-Walsh Construction split and each went their separate ways; the families remain close to this day. Ken and his father, Martin, created Grunley Construction and their passion for historic renovation continued to grow.

Grunley Construction specializes in renovations, restorations, and modernizations of large-scale government and commercial buildings. It also focuses on educational facilities as well as new facilities and additions to existing buildings in the public and private sector. Many projects involve historic, secure, occupied facilities and on occasion a portion or all of the work is performed at night and/or on weekends to meet the special requirements of their clients.

“Half of the people in this company are history buffs,” Ken’s son Adam Grunley adds. “Our modernization projects usually involve demolition of original systems and removing hazardous materials, installing state-of-the-art mechanical and electrical systems while preserving the original historical fabric and in often cases working around occupied tenants.”

Extraordinary effort is made to use new preservation technologies to restore the historic fabric of the building and to re-use historic materials.

Eisenhower Executive Office Building

The history of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) began long before its foundations were laid. In December 1869, Congress appointed a commission to select a site and prepare plans and cost estimates for a new State Department Building. Construction took 17 years as the building rose wing by wing. When the EEOB was finished in 1888, it was the largest office building in Washington, with nearly two miles of black and white tiled

corridors. Almost all of the interior detail is cast iron, plaster and masonry; the use of wood was minimized to ensure fire safety. A number of monumental curving staircases of granite with more than 4,000 individually cast bronze

balusters are capped by four skylight domes and two stained glass rotundas.

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1969, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the District of Columbia Inventory of Historic Sites a few years later. Fast forward to modern day and the EEOB didn’t have central air conditioning, 21st century mechanical and electrical systems or, adequate “anti-terrorism force protection.”

Grunley Construction was the design/build contractor on the 17th Street Modernization of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) project, which covered 192,000 sf of the massive building’s 692,000 sf of space. During renovation, the construction crew uncovered those hand painted murals. Grunley Construction is presently the design/build contractor for the final phase of the building’s overall project, with a 2011 completion date.

Today the EEOB is regarded as one of the nation’s premier architectural treasures and is a designated National Historic Landmark. The structure’s several wings have been the subjects of various restoration and renovation projects for much of the past 20 years.

“It’s truly an honor to be working in that building,” Grunley continues. “It’s one of the most unique buildings in Washington, D.C.”

FDA Building One

Another one of Grunley’s premier renovations was for the 102,000 sf, four-story historic Building One of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Headquarters of the Naval Surface Warfare Center for 52 years, it now accommodates portions of the FDA’s Office of the Commissioner and related executive functions.

When Grunley started renovation in November 2007, it was the only original building standing on the site. Because of Grunley’s attention to historic detail, they found new windows to match the original ones. In view of the substantial demolition required and the historical significance of the building, Grunley, as always, relied on a few closely trusted subcontractors for the project.

“Building One now serves as the focal point of entry to the FDA campus – the most beautiful, environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art infrastructure for regulatory science,” notes Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D.

On the project, Grunley’s scope of work included construction of a new main entrance to the campus with a new security screening pavilion and new roadways, sidewalks, stone walkways, a greenway and circular driveway with surrounding landscape work. The addition serves as an atrium and pedestrian walkway to join Building One with the recently constructed Central Shared Use (CSU) building. Interior work included the fit-out of modern office space and many historical renovations.

The project was designed and constructed to achieve, at a minimum, Silver-level certification for the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, with the possibility of Gold certification pending final review.

New technology

Well-known for its expertise in logistically-complex projects, Grunley is at the forefront of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology adoption. BIM helps improve coordination between design and construction while calling attention to the related challenge of managing the flow of information. This includes information such as project email, action items, markup sessions, transmittals, requests for information, LEED certifications and more. This has led the firm to seek a comparable information management solution.

“In addition to LEED, where I do think we’re on the cutting edge, we have also recently hired Michael Tardif. Michael is a recognized industry leader in BIM. He literally wrote the book,” said Vice President and General Manager Greg Druga.

BIM is a 3D tool that creates a virtual model of a building. When fully integrated into the design and construction process, it streamlines the flow of building information, eliminating many unnecessary or non-value-added tasks. “One of the things we are trying to do with Mike Tardif and BIM is to become the leader in the use of BIM in historic modernization and renovation. One aspect we are exploring and have used on several projects is the use of 3D laser scan technology. It is actually a small scanner that looks like a surveying instrument. This device has a laser on it and we can insert it into spaces that we can’t readily access to survey what the existing conditions are,” Druga says.

“If you can imagine, if there’s a space like the Vice President or a commissioner’s office where we can’t go in and remove the ceiling and then draw the plans, fabricate materials and come back six months later and then do the work, we need to somehow know what’s above his ceiling before we get there. Accessing though a light, or an access panel, or a device opening, we can get above those spaces and use this 3D laser scan technology and identify all the existing conditions,” he explains.

Ken Grunley and Greg Druga both agree that the industry is moving toward integrated project delivery. IPD leverages BIM and related tools to enable the owner, architect, contractor and other major players to operate in more of a collaborative way to deliver the entire project.

Michael Tardif describes a typical Grunley project — the phased renovation of occupied, historic buildings — as, “doing a heart, lung, liver, kidney and stomach transplant while the patient is awake and without leaving any scars.” Grunley intends to use BIM and IPD to meet the demanding technical, aesthetic and logistical requirements of these projects.

People management

Grunley Construction’s expansion has led to the Washington Business Journal’s continued recognition of the company as being among the top 20 largest general contractors and interior construction companies in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Engineering News Record ranked Grunley Construction #268 among the “Top 400 Contractors” in the nation. The firm is also ranked among the “Top Green Contractors” in the nation.

At the end of the day, Grunley has been able to stay in business for 50 years and continue expanding because of its familial atmosphere. Grunley says his and Druga’s doors are always open for people to discuss any issues they’d like. With all this one-on-one mentoring, Grunley suspects this is why the company has been able to avoid a lot of turnover through the years.

“I think that’s one of the great strengths of the company: though we have approximately 275 employees we take tremendous strides and put a lot of effort into keeping that family feel. We never want to get so big that we feel like we lose that feeling. We don’t want to feel like a big company, we want to feel like a big family,” says Grunley.

Grunley gets so involved with the employees he actually sits down with each and every new employee to discuss their families and background as well as likes and dislikes. In addition, he and Druga host a town hall meeting every six months where employees ask questions about anything they wish, and periodically host breakfasts for all new employees.

According to Grunley, this kind of personalized communication is the main goal of the company as it moves forward in the coming year. He says it keeps employees at a comfort level, especially in tough economic times.

“We try to connect with them personally, and I think the communication and connecting with people personally is the biggest thing when people are concerned about the economy or jobs or where we’re heading. So that’s what we are trying to do: have a high level of communication. We are fortunate that we are government contractors, and we are hopeful that given some of the stimulus activities out there, that is going to generate some great opportunities for us and our people as well as the other local contractors in the next few months,” concludes Ken Grunley.

Switch-Mode Battery Chargers accept USB/AC input.

2009-07-26T23:36:00.001-07:00

SMB136/SMB137B employ CurrentPath(TM) technology, which supports dual input source (USB or AC/DC) with arbitration, dual output for system and battery, and system operation with dead/missing battery. Based on 3 MHz, switch-mode architecture, products are supplied in 3.0 x 2.5 mm CSP; integrate TurboCharge(TM) technology; and support all battery charging standards. ICs detect input source type and automatically optimize operation for fastest and safest charging.

AT&T, Jasper develop high-tech platform to capture more wireless business

2009-07-24T00:26:00.000-07:00

AT&T Inc. and Jasper Wireless have developed an integrated platform that consumer electronic and business device manufacturers(eg:cnc router,) can use to wirelessly connect to AT&T’s nationwide network.

Officials with the two companies say this platform will allow personal navigation, in-car navigation, e-readers, mobile Internet devices, gaming units, health care equipment and other devices to connect to AT&T’s wireless network quickly and easily. AT&T Control Center, powered by Jasper Wireless (as the platform will be known) will be marketed to electronics manufacturers. AT&T is actively searching for new avenues to extend its wireless business.

AT&T and Jasper officials say they will offer manufacturers that select the AT&T Control Center platform flexible rate plans, billing options, engineering support and instant connection to the wireless network once the device is turned on.

AT&T (NYSE: T) is a Dallas-based communications holding company. Jasper is a privately held wireless platform, application and design services company based in Sunnyvale, Calif.

New Routes to 3D Content During D Cinema Day at IBC 09

2009-07-22T00:59:00.001-07:00

Monday, September 14th is officially D Cinema Day at IBC 09, and in the morning the focus will be firmly on stereoscopic 3D for the cinema. Chaired by 3D film producer and session architect Phil Streather, CEO of pioneering giant-screen movie production company Principal Large Format, the morning’s programme will guide delegates through the complete process of 3D movie-making; from pre-visualization, through stereo 3D acquisition and on to stereo 3D editing.

“If 3D is going to drive our industry forward, then we are going to need fantastic 3D content, and plenty of it,” comments Streather, whose 3D Masterclass at IBC 08 drew hundreds of attendees.

D Cinema Day Executive Producer, Dave Monk says, “We are delighted to have Phil’s input on this session. He is one of the most knowledgeable producer/consultants working in Europe today and he has opened his little black book and pulled together a world class set of speakers.”

Continues Streather, “The purpose of our programme on D-Cinema Day at IBC 09 is to ensure that people are aware of the latest tools in 3D content creation and editing, how they can be used, and what benefits they can bring to a project. Fantastic though it is not everybody can afford a Quantel Pablo with the stereo tool set. But there are alternatives out there that are more accessible to smaller or independent production companies, and our aim is to showcase some of them to an audience that might so far have limited or no experience of 3D movie-making. The more people who can have access to tools to make good 3D the better.

“Thus the morning aligns to a narrative that will have a beginning, a middle, and an end: a beginner’s guide, followed by tutorials on how to previzualise 3D before shooting, how to shoot, and finally how to edit.”

Part 1: Primer

The session begins with a primer offered by Bernard Mendiburu, renowned LA-based CGI stereographer whose credits include ‘Meet The Robinsons’ and ‘Monsters vs. Aliens’. A respected industry consultant and author of the newly published book, ‘3D Movie Making: Stereoscopic Digital Cinema From Script To Screen’, Mendiburu will offer an overview of the latest developments in 3D workflow which will enable delegates to get the best from the three presentations that follow.

Part 2: Pre-visualisation

The second part of the session will be led by Ken Schafer, President of Innoventive Software, who will look at pre-visualization. A provider of cutting-edge software solutions for the film and television industries since 1991, Schafer will demonstrate how Innoventive Software’s latest package, FrameForge Previz Studio 3, allows users to prep live-action stereo 3D shoots.

Part 3: Image capture

The session’s third presentation will be by the acclaimed stereographer Steve Schklair, CEO of 3ality Digital, who returns to IBC to demonstrate the tools that are needed to capture the very best stereo images. Schklair, whose most recent work includes overseeing the production, post-production and completion of ‘U2 3D’ at the 3ality Digital studio in Burbank, California, will use projected images from live cameras positioned outside the Auditorium to demonstrate alignment, misalignment, image correction, intertaxial and convergence shifting, and much more.

Part 4: Editing

Editing and image manipulation take on new importance in the 3D movie-making process, with stereoscopic depth and acquisition inconsistencies needing to be processed to ensure viewer comfort and the proper deployment of dramatic effect. The morning’s final presentation, hosted by David Newman, CTO of CineForm, will demonstrate how the company’s neo3D plug-in for Final Cut Pro can manipulate images, correct vertical misalignment, perform Horizontal Image Translation and more; all using the revolutionary and virtually lossless CineForm codec, as used on the Oscar-winning ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.

Commenting further on the programme, Phil Streather adds: “The second, third and fourth sessions will be a complete antidote to the theoretical, PowerPoint-based approach of so many industry seminars. Using the IBC Big Screen in the RAI Auditorium, which holds 3,000 people, our speakers – who are all professionals at the top of their game – will demonstrate the latest 3D imaging techniques in real time, using real-world content, in a real cinematic environment. This will give delegates an opportunity to see not just how stereoscopic effects can be created, but also some of the problems they may typically encounter along the way – along with appropriate solutions.”

The programme will end with a round-table Q&A session chaired by Streather and attended by all four speakers, during which delegates will get the chance to discuss the most pressing issues surrounding 3D movie-making.

“After they’ve attended this session, we just don’t want delegates to get started making 3D content,” concludes Streather. “We want them to create movies with 3D laser ,3D crystal,laser crystal and so on,that are effective, appealing, impactful, future proof and, above all, profitable.”

New MATRIX UV Laser for High-Throughput Applications

2009-07-20T00:47:00.001-07:00

Santa Clara, Calif., June 30, 2009 - Coherent Inc. has expanded its family of MATRIX(TM) 3D laser
with a new ultraviolet model optimized to produce 1.5 Watts at a high repetition rate of 70 kHz, in order to support high-throughput applications. In addition to high speed, the MATRIX 355-1.5-70 delivers enhanced precision by enabling complete control over pulse energy and timing from the first to the last pulse. For example, the pulse energy can be held constant as the repetition rate is varied. Moreover, the cost/performance ratio of this new laser is specifically targeted at industrial processing applications where cost per processed unit is just as important as reliable operation and stable parameters over time.

All MATRIX lasers are fully RoHS compliant and backed by an 18 month/10,000 hour warranty. They utilize Coherent's unique PermAlign(TM) (soldered) component mounting technology, robotic assembly methods and proven, long-lived components such as Aluminum Free Active Area (AAA(TM)) pump diodes. Together with unique multi-pass harmonics generation technology, this results in long laser lifetime, the industry's lowest pulse-to-pulse noise (typically <2% rms), outstanding pointing stability (max. ±15 μrad/°C), and high beam quality (M2 <1.3).

MATRIX 355-1.5.70 is ideally suited for stereolithography, enabling the step from rapid prototyping to rapid manufacturing, as well as for scribing sapphire substrates in GaN/InGaN based LED production. Other applications include thin film processing, memory repair, cold marking and semiconductor scribing.

3D Laser Profile Sensor Gets Smaller and Smarter

2009-07-17T01:04:00.000-07:00

The latest addition to Micro-Epsilon's scanCONTROL range of 2D/3D laser profile sensors is the scanCONTROL 2710, which is not only more compact than its predecessors, but also offers new set up and configuration software. The sensor is ideal for industrial automation, robotics and machine building applications, where space is often restricted.

The new compact design, integrated controller and easy-to-use set up software, enable users to quickly mount the sensor onto robot arms, inspection equipment or production lines. The sensor can be used to measure the profile of adhesive beading, weld seams, channels, grooves, gaps, angles and steps, as well as for parts recognition, traceability and robot guidance/positioning.

Once the scanCONTROL 2710 has been configured using the set up software supplied, the system operates in standalone mode. Using the integrated controller, the sensor can acquire data, calculate profiles and generate measured values for the complete field of measurement at high speed (64,000 points/100 profiles per second) and full resolution. The user requires no other components to evaluate the measurement data (no PC or special programming software is required) and the unit can be easily re-configured and adapted for different applications.

The system works in two ways: either in a stationary mode, with the sensor fixed and looking at moving targets, or in a scanning mode, where the sensor works in combination with a motion control device or robot. The sensor uses an innovative CMOS array with a real time, high-speed electronic shutter (rather than conventional rolling shutters), which captures the entire profile and processes the information instantaneously.

The system is available with measuring ranges from 25mm to 300mm in the Z (vertical) axis and 22mm to 148mm in the x (horizontal) axis. A small output module for DIN rail mounting is also available to convert the sensor output data into common fieldbus systems, including CANbus, Profibus DP, Ethercat and IEEE. Measurement results can be output using digital or analogue modules for further processing and evaluation. The sensor also provides synchronous triggering of multiple scanCONTROL sensors.

Chris Jones, Managing Director at Micro-Epsilon UK comments: "The scanCONTROL 2710 offers all the technical features of its predecessor, the 2810, but goes even further in terms of compactness and ease of set up and configuration. Additionally, the 2710 provides a greater choice of measurement ranges, which enables the sensor to solve a wider range of applications. The scanCONTROL 2710 is a true market leader in terms of its size, performance, low price and ease-of-use."

Like its predecessor, the scanCONTROL 2710 uses the laser line triangulation measurement principle. The sensor has an integrated, highly sensitive CMOS array, which enables measurements of almost any difficult surface such as shiny or reflective surfaces, independent of the reflection from the target. This means excellent accuracy, resolution (4μm) and reliability are achieved, even at high measurement speeds.

A line optical system projects a laser line onto the surface of the object being measured. The back-scattered light from the laser line is registered on a CMOS matrix by a high quality optical system. Along with distance information (z-axis), the controller calculates the true position along the laser line (x-axis) from the camera image and outputs both values in the sensor's 2D coordinate system. A moving target or traversing sensor generates a 3D representation of the object being measured.

Micro-Epsilon (www.micro-epsilon.co.uk) is a major global manufacturer of sensors, headquartered in Germany. The company's range of displacement sensors measure everything from to distance, position, vibration, dimensions and thickness, using both contact and non-contact measurement techniques. These techniques include 1D, 2D and even 3D laser-optical sensors and systems, eddy-current, capacitive, LVDT & inductive, potentiometric and draw-wire principles. Additionally Micro Epsilon has developed its own range of non-contact infrared temperature sensors that can measure virtually any target temperature from -40 to +3,300°C.

With more than 30 years' experience in the industry, Micro-Epsilon isn't just a sensor manufacturer. The company is highly innovative and understands the importance of providing complete solutions and support services for its customers. The firm is renowned for its expertise in consulting, development and application of industrial sensors to complex, customer-specific solutions for measurement, inspection and automation. The focus is on selling technical advantage to its customers.

Lamda – Large aperture MEMS scanner module for 3D distance measurement

2009-07-15T00:38:00.001-07:00

Micro-Epsilon is expanding its Scancontrol range of 2D/3D laser profile sensors with the addition of the Scancontrol 2710, which is not only more compact than its predecessors, but also benefits from new set-up and configuration software. The sensor is suitable for industrial automation, robotics and machine building applications, where space is often restricted.

Together, the new compact design, integrated controller and intuitive set-up software enable users to mount the sensor onto robot arms, inspection equipment or production lines and get operational quickly. The sensor can be used to measure the profile of adhesive beading, weld seams, channels, grooves, gaps, angles and steps, as well as for parts recognition, traceability and robot guidance/positioning.

Once the Scancontrol 2710 has been configured using the set-up software supplied, the system operates in standalone mode. Using the integrated controller, the sensor can acquire data, calculate profiles and generate measured values for the complete field of measurement at high speed (64,000 points or 100 profiles per second) and full resolution. Users require no other components to evaluate the measurement data (no PC or special programming software is required) and the unit can be easily reconfigured and adapted for different applications.

The system works in two ways: either in a stationary mode, with the sensor fixed and looking at moving targets; or in a scanning mode, where the sensor works in combination with a motion control device or robot. The sensor uses an innovative CMOS array with a real-time, high-speed electronic shutter (rather than conventional rolling shutters), which captures the entire profile and processes the information instantaneously.

Systems are available with measuring ranges from 25mm to 300mm in the Z (vertical) axis and 22mm to 148mm in the X (horizontal) axis. A small output module is also available to convert the sensor output data into common fieldbus systems, including Canbus, Profibus DP, Ethercat and IEEE. Measurement results can be output using digital or analogue modules for further processing and evaluation. The sensor also provides synchronous triggering of multiple Scancontrol sensors.

Chris Jones, managing director at Micro-Epsilon UK, comments: "The Scancontrol 2710 offers all the technical features of its predecessor, the 2810, but goes even further in terms of compactness and ease of set up and configuration. Additionally, the 2710 provides a greater choice of measurement ranges, which enables the sensor to solve a wider range of applications. The Scancontrol 2710 is a true market leader in terms of its size, performance, low price and ease-of-use."

Like its predecessor, the Scancontrol 2710 uses the laser line triangulation measurement principle. The sensor has an integrated, highly sensitive CMOS array, which enables measurements of almost any difficult surface such as shiny or reflective surfaces, independent of the reflection from the target. This means excellent accuracy, resolution (4um) and reliability are achieved, even at high measurement speeds.

A line optical system projects a laser line onto the surface of the object being measured. The back-scattered light from the laser line is registered on a CMOS matrix by a high quality optical system. Along with distance information (Z-axis), the controller calculates the true position along the laser line (X-axis) from the camera image and outputs both values in the sensor's 2D co-ordinate system. A moving target or traversing sensor generates a 3D representation of the object being measured.

Wireless-N Router plus HSPA Support for 3G Mobile Broadband

2009-07-13T01:33:00.000-07:00

One Commerce (Int’l.) Corp. brings in the Aztech HW550-3G. The new product enables dual

functionality to the consumer – convenience of sharing 3G Mobile Broadband when they are

on the go and the enjoyment of a high-speed 802.11n wireless network at home or SOHO.

With HW550-3G, users can run media-intensive, high-bandwidth applications such as cnc router

, laser engraver or VoIP. Downloading high-resolution photo files or streaming

High Definition (HD) video wirelessly or via Ethernet is a breeze.

Simply connect a DSL or cable modem to Aztech HW550-3G for a high speed Internet

connection that can be shared with multiple desktop computers or notebooks. The 4-port

router supports Smart MIMO technology, wireless encryption and port forwarding features

and includes Network Address Translation (NAT), Dynamic Domain Name System (DDNS),

Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) and Denial-of-Service (DoS) protection. A USB host

connects users to a 3G/3.5G USB modem*, printer or storage device.

Aztech HW550-3G offers an instantaneous wireless solution users can share wherever they

are. Users can share a portable high-speed wireless hotspot for project discussions,

tradeshows, conferences and business meetings - wherever on the go.

No fixed DSL/cable line is needed – simply dock a 3G/3.5G USB modem* into HW550-3G to

create a WiFi hotspot that can be shared with business partners, family or friends.

Laser tube cutting

2009-07-10T00:32:00.001-07:00

TruLaser Tube 7000

A tube inside a tube. That might be your initial reaction when you see the new TruLaser Tube 7000 in action. This laser cutting system processes tubes inside a
tunnel-like safety enclosure and then, depending on size, moves them forward to the brush table or ejects them to a parts container behind the machine. With this high-end modern designed machine, TRUMPF (Farmington, CT; www.us.trumpf.com) offers a laser cutting system featuring heavy-duty drives engineered for heavy tubes, a broad chucking range, and a high degree of flexibility.

This new machine can cut tubes and profiles with large diameters and wall thicknesses without sacrificing productivity. It is able to process tubes up to 30 feet long and can handle a maximum weight of 496
pounds. The system's 0.6 to 10 inch clamping range enables new applications. Available with up to 3.6 kilowatts of laser power, it is ideal for a wide range of applications.

Compared with conventional processes like sawing, drilling, or milling, selecting a TruLaser Tube 7000 machine can boost productivity significantly. One example of a productivity enhancement is the short
set-up time when changing programs. Nearly all of the adjustments depend on profile specifics. Values that have to be entered at the machine and the loading unit can easily be handled by the parts program. The self-centering chucking jaws do not need to be changed
and the rollers that provide support and lateral guidance for the tubing automatically adjust to the diameter. Even the integrated scrap container in the feed station is emptied without operator intervention.

The FocusLine function automatically adapts the laser focal position to the material type and thickness. The machine's software independently adjusts to the focus parameters given in the technology table, eliminating any set-up effort. Also new is the slender cutting head with a 6 inch lens and new style clutch, designed for flexibility and process safety.

When combined with the LoadMaster Tube, featuring a tube magazine that can hold up to 8000 pounds of raw material, the TruLaser Tube 7000 can be fully automated. Its pivoting feed support holds a number
of tubes and keeps them at constant orientation. The loading unit performs a feasibility test to compare the tube geometry with the parts program. Special profiles and small batches can be fed by a conveyor section. The LoadMaster Tube measures the pipe length and adjusts
the position of the grippers accordingly.

The TruLaser Tube 7000 works with a new version of TruTops Tube software to make sophisticated processing strategies available. This software is built around a database that contains all of TRUMPF's
technical knowledge. With this new software, complex tube designs can be fabricated more easily, precisely, and reliably. It is now possible, for example, to position one 3D laser on another instead of designing and programming individual tubes. This saves time because parameters such as length, width, height, wall thickness, and spacing between cut-outs can readily be modified to generate any number of variations.

D-Link Launches DIR-685 Storage Router in Australia & New Zealand

2009-07-08T00:24:00.001-07:00

D-Link Australia & New Zealand has launched the DIR-685 Xtreme N Storage Router, an all-in-one networking solution combining a fast, far-reaching 802.11n Wi-Fi router with network attached storage (NAS), SharePort technology for sharing printers and scanners, and a bright LCD display for viewing digital photos, desktop applications and network performance.

D-Link's DIR-685 Xtreme N Storage Router features a sleek design made possible, in part, by the router's internal antennas, which received an honorable mention from red dot for product design this year. Created with convenience and functionality in mind, the router provides a stylish central control unit for a modern digital home.

"Not only does our latest all-in-one networking solution function as a router, a network storage unit, a print server and an FTP device, it is attractive on any desktop, environmentally friendly and Internet secure," said Maurice Famularo, Marketing Director for D-Link Australia and New Zealand.

The DIR-685's integrated 802.11n wireless LAN provides a fast Internet connection and smooth streaming of music and videos from stored media on the network to a TV and stereo equipment. Without any cumbersome cables or protruding antennas, the router can share disk space wirelessly among family members. Multiple input/multiple output (MIMO) antenna technology ensures that wireless data transfers are fast and reach all wireless devices in the home.

The user-friendly interface with a 3.2-inch LCD screen displays the status of connected devices graphically. Moreover, digital photos, videos, weather forecasts and other Internet content can be streamed in up to 1.6 million colors. To manage the photo frame feature, D-Link has partnered with FrameChannel, a free Web service (internetphotoframe.com) that allows for the customization of content displayed on the screen, so photos can be easily accessed and viewed.

The DIR-685 storage router also employs D-Link Green technology to help conserve energy. This includes automatically recognizing port activity, cable length and adjusting power usage accordingly. A scheduler can turn off the router's Wi-Fi module at a preset time, and the power adapter complies with Energy Star specifications for average power savings of up to 30%. The NAS drive and the Gigabit ports have power-saving features to make the DIR-685 a green product from the top to the bottom.

Users can optionally add a 2.5-inch hard drive with up to 500 GB of disk space to provide network storage. The network attached storage (NAS) feature supports both UPnP server functions and BitTorrent downloads. A built-in FTP server allows users to access files locally through the home network or remotely over the Internet.

Two USB ports use new D-Link SharePort USB over TCP/IP technology. This enables multiple users to seamlessly share USB devices, including printers, multi-function printers (MFP) and external hard drives, from any location in the home or small office, in a Wi-Fi environment. The DIR-685 also comes with a 4-port 10/100/1000 Gigabit switch to connect multiple wired devices such as computers, laser engraver and cnc router for fast file transfer and lag-free online gaming.

The D-Link DIR-685 Xtreme N Storage Router is available now with a recommended retail price of AU$499.95 inc. GST and NZ$579.95 inc. GST. Units shipped during the initial launch period include a 160 GB hard drive at no extra cost.

A Router So Complete, and Vexing

2009-07-05T23:57:00.001-07:00

Even before someone coined the term “mashup,” mashups were popular in the technology world. Some are made in heaven, and are now standard pairings: clock+radio, refrigerator+freezer, cellphone+camera.

Others are still on the early-adopter fringe: TV+Internet, camera+Internet, fridge+Internet.

This month, D-Link, the networking equipment company, will offer a mashup that nobody’s ever tried before: wireless router + home backup hard drive + digital picture frame. That, in a nutshell, is the D-Link DIR-685 ($300 list price).

The 685’s heart is in the right place. Its inventors have noticed that our high-tech homes are becoming cluttered with network-related gadgets and their associated cable creep. As long as people are going to buy all these different network gadgets, D-Link figures, why not combine them into one?

It’s the right idea. Unfortunately, D-Link is the wrong company to make it a reality.

First, the good news: once you get the 685 set up, it works very well indeed. It broadcasts your Internet connection wirelessly — a fast, strong Wi-Fi signal (802.11n). This single router turned my entire house into a Wi-Fi hot spot, thanks to its ability to blast through floors and walls. I was even getting three bars of signal (out of a possible four) all the way upstairs.

Every conceivable home router feature is on this machine’s configuration screens: port forwarding, Application Rules, individual Web site blocking, a sophisticated firewall, UPnP, Multicast Streams, Wake on LAN, users and groups, network access lists, scheduled lockouts, logs, security formats like WPA and WEP, remote management and much, much more. (And no, I’m not going to define those. If you’re among the geeks D-Link is apparently courting with this router, you know perfectly well what those things are.)

But you can get a much less expensive router with those features. The 685’s selling point is that it has some unique tricks up its sleeve.

One of them is a tiny (3.2 inch) color screen. It’s useful for inspecting the router’s settings, but it can also display dozens of Internet information widgets: weather, New York Times headlines, stocks, sports scores, stocks, Twitter posts and — delightfully — photos from your Flickr or Facebook accounts. It’s as if your router is now a Chumby, if you remember that desktop gadget.

(Too bad you can’t make the screen show you exactly what other people in the house or office are downloading or reading online. Now that would be an interesting feature.)

The 685’s case is so attractive (its antennas are concealed inside), and its widget feature is so cool that you might be tempted to set the thing on your desk and glance at its parade of Internet info-bits throughout the day. Unfortunately, nobody will do that; this thing has a really, really loud fan. If you’re close enough to the router to see your photos and widgets, you’re also close enough to be driven mad by its jet-engine whirring. Bedroom placement is out of the question.

The 685 also has a slot on the side for a hard drive, which is not included. That’s O.K.; that way, you can buy your own hard drive online, in the capacity you desire. (Shop for a “2.5-inch SATA” hard drive.) Once you click it into place, the router’s screen offers you the chance to format the hard drive, and you’re off and running.

Why would you want a hard drive in your Wi-Fi base station? Because now it’s a NAS drive (network-attached storage), which is geek-speak for “a hard drive that every computer in the house can access at once, wirelessly.”

For example, the whole family can use it as a backup hard drive. You can use it as a central storage repository for files that everybody needs — including, intriguingly, your whole family’s iTunes music collection. That’s right: put your iTunes folder on this drive, and now all computers can play whatever music is in it. The router’s name shows up at the left side of the iTunes window as if it’s an iPod, which is very cool.

You can even teach the 685 to download BitTorrent files in your absence. That’s right, software pirates, you can have it download huge TV and movie files even while you and your laptop are out of the house. You have to know the Web address of the file you want, and you have to paste that into the router’s extremely technical configuration pages in your Web browser. But once you do that, you can go away, confident that the downloaded files will be on the D-Link’s hard drive when you return.

The cherry on top is a feature called SharePort. It lets you connect a U.S.B. scanner, hard drive or printer — and once you do, any Mac or PC on the wireless network can use it.

All of this is great, right? So what’s the problem?

User-friendliness is the problem. Frankly, you’d have better luck figuring out how to fly the Space Shuttle.

Belkin's New Wireless Router for Homes

2009-07-02T23:29:00.000-07:00

Belkin Asia Pacific Limited has launched its new Enhanced Wireless Router (F6D4230-4) that is 802.11b and 802.11g, certificated and based on 802.11n technology. The company claims that it offers users 802.11n performance of up to 150Mbps, at a price you would expect to pay for a G standard cnc router.

The new design includes enhanced usability of having WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) situated at the front for easy one-push security setup. The six LEDs for Power, Wired, Wireless, Modem, Security, and Internet let you know the status of your network at a glance, making it easy to troubleshoot any problems. It has a range of up to 300m, which can easily cover an apartment or small office. The Router also supports VPN for making secure connections between home and office and is backed by a lifetime warranty.

This Wireless Router has a vertical enclosure that takes up less desk space, giving you more room to work and improves ventilation. Connecting the N150 Enhanced Wireless Router to your cable or ADSL modem lets you share your broadband Internet account with all your networked computers.

Now you can quickly and efficiently exchange documents, share resources, and stream digital music throughout your network.
This wireless router is a good option for those who need a reliable wireless connection and range, but don't need the higher transfer speeds offered by N or N+ products.

Perfect way to show how much you love your Palm Pre or the iPhone 3GS

2009-07-01T00:42:00.000-07:00

There are many reasons why you’ll want to do this crazy thing either with your new iPhone 3GS or your Palm Pre. I am talking about giving a quick laser engraving to the back of the devices mentioned.

If you think that the logo or the inscription at the back of your device is too minimal and does not actually express your love for it, you now can do laser engraving the way Phil did to his Palm Pre.

Or even if you want to distort/customize it to make it look like your own, you’ll definitely want to do this laser engraving.

Not sure whether the engraver (Mark) would do this neat job for iPhone 3GS users, he works in Sprint Studio. You may need to do a lot of diplomatic persuasion (I guess).

The status quo of today’s Engraving Machine

2009-06-29T00:33:00.000-07:00

In 1938, the world’s first hand laser engraving in France “Garbo” advent 1950 “Garbo” to produce the true sense of the world’s first electric, can be manually scaling the engraver. Followed by the United States, Japan and France and other countries also started to develop. 20th century 90’s, with the rapid development of microelectronic technology, the direct promotion of the rapid development of micro-computer. Microelectronic technology and micro-computer technology to promote the rapid development of the entire high-tech group, so that the engraver produced a qualitative leap. completed the engraver from the 2D - 2.5D–3D processing of the change, fully functional, stable performance, beautiful design and reasonable price has become a basic requirement for the development of engraver.
Abroad engraver, such as the United States “carved tyrants,” the French “Garbo” and Japan “Mimaki” is a leader in this industry, but the price is very expensive. Regardless of size are more than RMB 100,000 yuan each. In recent years, domestic engraver, Beijing “carved,” Shanghai, “Woodpecker” in the domestic market to a certain extent, but the price is also expensive.
Application engraver application in all walks of life have become increasingly widespread, but the domestic market appears engraver, although the performance is better, but prices are also very expensive. Million ordinary engraver is more than the number of small units and individual users discouraged.
Many advertising industry clients have experienced from a hand-lettering vinyl cutter the use of computers, machinery instead of manual, the computer instead of the human brain, standard font and at the same time greatly improving the production efficiency and achieve a qualitative leap. Now, the advertising production industry are now facing a challenge at the same time the production of three-dimensional advertising. With the continuous improvement of people’s aesthetic standards, the three-dimensional, color pattern is more popular, therefore, came into being three-dimensional engraver on.
Calculation, the profit is quite amazing! Recession is now a wide range of industries, not to do business, carving processing industry that profits are being cognitive people.
Investment in a engraver, our domestic brand as an example, a format for processing the machine 60cm * 60cm price of about 3.5 million yuan, processing format for the machine 60cm * 80cm Price around about 42,000 yuan, and the use of carved engraver Pa do not have two computers with only one on the line, along with about 3,000 Grinding, polishing machine of about 2,000 yuan, with a total combined investment, processing 60Cm * 60cm format for the machine not more than 40,000 yuan, processing format for 60Cm * 80Cm But the machine also super 50,000 yuan. We then calculate a Printer investment costs, the price is about Printer 120,000 yuan, take a look at the needs of the auxiliary equipment, laminating machine of about 5,000, high-end scanning only about 7,000 yuan; high-end configuration Computer 2 Total 12,000 yuan, with at least 10,000 yuan of supplies, and space needed to place a greater need to configure the air-conditioning, humidifier, understand
Photoshop, Coreldraw, such as art design software and design talent, at least the initial 17 NT yuan, the money should be for many people is not a small sum.
Engraving process involves all walks of life and a very wide distribution, there are gifts, advertising industry, the seal industry, wood processing industry, construction, industry, art model, machining, tooling mold and so on. Machinable is a very wide range of materials, including metal, stone, PVC board, ABS board, acrylic, imitation stone, rubber, two-color plates, aluminum plates of various materials and so on. With the people’s understanding and grasp of engraver gradually deepened, the scope of application will be constantly expanding, application level will gradually increase, engraving process there are bound to be more broad prospects.
Since social activities with the future of mankind, there is a carving of the industry, along with the development of human society, is now carving industry of an entirely new understanding of the rise of computer engraving process and development are the needs of the development of the times, instead of a computer engraving machine is the general trend, however, should not invest in the computer engraver, is that we need to take into careful consideration. Carving industry in the light there is???does not make much money, and no more than subsistence, it is necessary to increase new business, computer engraving process can be the ideal choice is the current, although some areas of computer engraving process instead of business many, but it is the carving of the inevitable trend of development of the industry, it is precisely because of the current small business, some people dare to invest, to take the carving business will have to go to a computer engraving equipment there to do the peer, so that most of the money make a left by others, but now customers are smart, you do not have equipment, do not not look at you, so there is no equipment on the customer means that the loss of money means that the loss of revenue.
Investment in any project, there will be a certain degree of risk, but as long as you seize the opportunity to look ahead, others do not know or not know when the time or do not dare, it is a fierce competition, the profit space of time, but also investment the best time.

Justifying Investment in CNC Technology

2009-06-23T23:47:00.001-07:00

Navigating a profitable path through the increasingly competitive industry of precision parts production is harder than ever today. Companies need to use every resource at their disposal, which makes getting the most out of CNC technology all the more vital. CNC allows shops to do more in one operation with less direct labor, producing more consistent, higher quality parts (eg:laser crystal,3D Engraving and so on)and helping to reduce the cost per piece produced.

Some shops still remain tied to their traditional ways, believing that familiar technologies will see them through new challenges. It won’t — at least not in today’s global market. Recognizing new technology, such as the advances in CNC, is a strategic decision that assures the future competitiveness of a company.

Justifying new technology is a multi-step process:

Step 1: Understand your costs
Use a transparent costing system, evaluate all cost factors, assess the influence of new technology on the cash flow, and calculate piece-cost and the influence of investment of new technology on production cost and return on investment.

Step 2: Understand potential benefits of CNC technology
Some of the measurable benefits include increased productivity, reduced set-up and tool change time, improved uptime, throughput, scrap rate and tooling costs, while lessening the burden of maintenance costs and job preparation costs.

Just as important, some of the intangible benefits of CNC include quality, accuracy, and improved surface finish, without depending on operator skill. It can also enhance process flexibility, with preset quick change tooling with standardized inserts and single point turning rather than costly form tools.

Step 3: Understand the costs of older equipment
Older equipment means more modest efficiencies, longer than planned set-up times, requiring vanishing skills to set up and operate. Equally important, older equipment cannot statistically hold tolerances, and produces excessive scrap parts, hurting efficiency, and adding to material cost.

Calculating Payback
There are a number of ways to evaluate the payback of new technology. Doing a Return on Investment (ROI) analysis can help you to make a good decision on whether to buy an expensive or less expensive machine.

ROI analysis indicates how the investment will impact a company’s cash flow, based upon the revenues and expenses associated with the project. ROI is given as a percentage rate of return.

The company performing the ROI analysis must determine the rate of return for the investment based on the project cost and the impact the investment would have on its cash flow. Once the rate of return is determined, the company must then determine if it is an acceptable rate of return. Typically a 20 percent or greater rate of return is considered acceptable.

There’s More
However, this justification method does not consider important technical and strategic aspects for maintaining competitiveness. Quality, for instance, is one of today’s top priorities for end-users. This factor is a good example of what is not fully recognized in an ROI analysis. Quality depends not only on the type of equipment being used but also on the process, such as making parts complete in a single step.

In addition to quality, there are a number of other benefits — intangible benefits — which will have an impact on the competitiveness of the company. These may be as important as the impact of the investment on the cash flow. Considering these other benefits is a longer-term approach to investment that can ensure the survival of the company.

While the ROI analysis method has traditionally been used to analyze high-volume multi-year projects, it can also be used to analyze the wisdom of buying a machine for low-volume production of a large variety of parts over a number of years. The example shown was very simple, and there are many additional factors that you might want to consider, such as tax implications regarding new machinery.

Finally, ROI is not necessarily the same as profitability and competitiveness. Profitability depends on the cost per hour rate of the machine being considered for purchase and on the impact of the intangible benefits. Depending on a company’s capital investment decision, the cash flow impact can be quite different from long-term competitiveness and profitability.

It is possible to have a high ROI and a low profitability, and the opposite is also true.

Look at a new machine purchase from both standpoints. Perform an ROI analysis, and also look at the long-term impact of the investment. Although profitability may initially be higher when looking at a lower priced machine; due to the long-term benefits, the higher quality machine purchase can be the most favorable choice for the precision parts producer.

New large-format CNC router line announced

2009-06-22T00:46:00.001-07:00

Vision Engraving & Routing Systems has announced a new large-format CNC router line aiming to help people wanting to use CNC machining for areas of 4ft x 8ft and upwards.

The aluminium T-slot table and Vision Series 3 Controller helps create a dependable system, with advanced software and an Ethernet interface allowing the user to adapt it to a range of ideas, such as CNC milling, drilling, contouring and routing.

Vision PRO 8 software comes as standard with the routers as well, allowing companies to have a "high level of flexibility" when working with graphics and logos on the workpieces.

The organisation continued: "This extensive software package also has the ability to run virtually any type of router, engraver, laser engraver, colour printer or vinyl plotter on the market."

Vision Engraving also revealed this month that it is to release the 2525 and 2550 precision routers, targeted directly at the sign-making business.

If you're searching for machining centres visit our preferred supplier list.ADNFCR-1982-ID-19218446-ADNFCR

laser engraver

2009-06-18T23:28:00.001-07:00

Once a circle missed a wedge. The circlelaser engraver wanted to be whole, so it went around looking for its missing piece. But because it was incomplete and therefore could roll only very slowly, it admired the flowers along the way. It chatted with worms. It enjoyed the laser cutting machine sunshine. It found lots of different pieces, but none laser cutting machine of them fit. So it left them all by the side of the road and kept on laser cutter searching. Then one day the circle found a piece that fit laser engraver perfectly. It was so happy. Now it could be whole, with nothing laser cutter missing. It incorporated the missing piece into itself and began to roll. Now that it was a perfect circle, it could roll very fast, too fast to notice flowers or talk to the worms. When it realized how different the world seemed when it rolled so quickly, it stopped, left its found piece by the laser engraving machine side of the road and rolled slowly away.

The lesson of the story, I suggested, was that in some laser cutting machine strange sense we are more whole when we are missing something. The man who has everything is in some ways a poor man. He will never know what it feels like to yearn, to hope, to nourish his soul with the desktop laser engraver dream of something better. He will never know the experience of having someone who loves him give him something he has always wanted or never had.

There is a wholeness about the person who has come to terms laser cutter with his limitations, who has been brave enough to let go of his unrealistic dreams and not feel like a failure for doing so. There is a wholeness about the man or woman who has learned that he or she is strong enough to go through a tragedy and survive,she can lose someone and still feel like a vinyl cutter complete person.

Life is not a trap set for us by God so that he can condemn us for failing. Life is laser machine not a spelling bee, where no matter how many words you've cnc machine gotten right, you're disqualified if you make one mistake. Life is more like a baseball season,where even the best team loses one? third of its games and even the worst team has its days of brilliance. Our goal is plotter to win more games than we lose.

When we accept that imperfection is laser engraving machine part of being human, and when we can continue rolling through life and appreciate it, we will have achieved a wholeness that others can only aspire to. That, I believe, cutting plotter is what God asks of us -- not “ Be perfect” , not “ Don't even make a mistake”, but “ Be whole.”
If we are brave enough to love, strong enough to mini laser engraver forgive, generous enough to rejoice in another's happiness, and wise enough to know there is enough love to go around for us all, then we can achieve a fulfillment that no other living creature will ever know.

Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have laser cutting equipment governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind. These passions, like great winds, have blown me hither and thither, in a wayward laser cutting course, over a great ocean of anguish, reaching to the very verge of despair.

I have sought love, first, because it brings laser cutting system ecstasy - ecstasy so great that I would often have sacrificed all the rest of life for a few hours of this joy. I have sought it, next, because it relieves loneliness--that terrible loneliness in which one shivering laser engraving consciousness looks over the rim of the world into the cold unfathomable lifeless abyss. I have sought it finally, because in the union of love I have seen, in a wood cnc router mystic miniature, the prefiguring vision of the heaven that saints and poets have imagined. This is laser tube what I sought, and though it might seem too good for human life, this is what--at last--I have found.

With equal passion I have sought knowledge. I have cutting plotter wished to understand the hearts of men. I have wished to know why the stars shine. And I have tried to apprehend the Pythagorean power by which number holds sway above the flux. A little mini cnc router of this, but not much, I have achieved.

Love and knowledge, so far as they were vinyl cutter possible, led upward toward the heavens. But always pity brought me back to earth. Echoes of cries of pain reverberate in my heart. Children in cnc router famine, victims tortured by oppressors, helpless old people a cnc wood router burden to their sons, and the whole world of loneliness, poverty, and pain make a mockery of what human life should be. I long to alleviate this evil, but I cannot, and I too suffer.

Suction systems of CNC router

2009-06-17T23:56:00.000-07:00

The wood router typically holds wood with suction through the table or pods that raise the work above the table. This type of hold-down is used for components which require edge profiling (or undercutting), are manufactured from solid wood or where greater flexibility in production is required. This type of bed requires less extraction with greater absolute vacuum.

A second type hold down requires a “spoil board” or “cull sheets” to the work. This allows vacuum suction through the low density table and allows the placement of parts anywhere on the table. These types of tables are typically used for nest-based manufacture (NBM) where multiple components are routed from a single sheet. This type of manufacturing precludes edge drilling or undercut edge work on components. However most industrial sized machines similar to the S series CNC by Vortech Routers or C.R. Onsrud Panel Pro allows the use of spoil boards or a pod system that elevates the work piece to accommodate edge work.

Vacuum pumps are required with both types of tables where volume and “strength” are determined based on the types of materials being cut.

Redsail M series CNC router has such a function which will fits many customer’s requirements.

At the same time, our CNC wood router also has Oil lubrication system which can smooth the rail and block for rail.

New large-format CNC router line announced

2009-06-16T22:31:00.000-07:00

Vision laser engraving & Routing Systems has announced a new large-format CNC router line aiming to help people wanting to use CNC machining for areas of 4ft x 8ft and upwards.

Vision PRO 8 software comes as standard with the routers as well, allowing companies to have a "high level of flexibility" when working with graphics and logos on the workpieces.

The organisation continued: "This extensive software package also has the ability to run virtually any type of router, engraver, laser engraver, colour printer or vinyl plotter on the market."

Vision Engraving also revealed this month that it is to release the 2525 and 2550 precision routers, targeted directly at the sign-making business.

If you're searching for machining centres visit our preferred supplier list.ADNFCR-1982-ID-19218446-ADNFCR

SMALL CO2 LASER OPTICS FIELD REPLACEMENTS FOR CUTTING SYSTEMS

2009-06-15T01:32:00.000-07:00

A full line of CO2 optics that fit virtually all lasers used for cutting wood, plastic, and light metal and are shipped overnight for field replacement are available from Laser Research Optics of Providence, Rhode Island.

Laser Research CO2 Lenses and Mirrors meet OEM and ISO-10110 specifications for optical elements and are compatible with all popular low power cutting lasers. Optimized for use @10.6 μm where depth of field is important, the lenses are offered in 1/2" to 1-1/2" dia. sizes with focal lengths from 1" to 25", in 1/2" increments, and have 40-20 scratch-dig surface quality.

Shipped overnight to minimize downtime, Laser Research CO2 Lenses and Mirrors are compatible with Amada, Coherent, Cincinnati, Continuum, Epilog, Lambda Physik, Mazak, Synrad, Universal and similar lasers. Featuring <0.2% total absorption values, the ZnSe lenses are A/R coated; with dual-band coatings offered to aid in system alignment. Mirrors and reflectors are 1/2" to 3" dia., 2 to 10mm thick, and come in silicon, molybdenum, and copper.

Todays Laser Engraving Machine For Small Businesses

2009-06-12T00:43:00.001-07:00

The new catch phrase for todays small business is “high tech”. This is because like it or not, new technologies are finding their way into more small businesses than ever before. No matter what type of business it is, it seems that it’s out with the old and in with the new.

More Affordable Than Ever

The good news is that incredibly complex technologies have become more affordable then ever dreamed possible and so many of them allow businesses to do more things in much less time, using less manpower.

Compact New Laser Engraving

The laser engraving machine is a fine example of this new business trend. Not only is todays laser engraving machine so much more affordable then earlier models but it is smaller too. In fact you can now find portable laser engraving machines that are small enough to fit on a small table.

New Business Possibilities

Todays laser engraving machines bring new possibilities to so many businesses that are out there. For instance, a laser engraving machine can engrave an image or words on virtually any surface, no matter how hard it is. They can also engrave images and wording on opaque or see through surfaces as well.

Transfer Images Directly From the Internet

Also, just like a printer or color copier, new laser engraving machines can have images and wording uploaded into them. This means that you can have images transferred directly from the Internet into many of todays modern laser engraving machines.

So Easy and Safe to Use

These new high tech engravers are more easier and safer to use then ever before. This means that if you picture people being “zapped” by them, you have nothing to worry about. This is because new safety features make using them as safe as using any other type of engraving machine.

Glass laser engraving machine LD-EG-602C

2009-06-11T00:11:00.001-07:00

LD-EG-602C Rapid Scanner Laser Engraving Machine is used to engrave 2D, 3Dimages or individual figures in crystal, glass and other transparent material products. It is suitable for advertising lamp box, signboard, undertaking culture revelation, glass decorating, upholstering, glass furniture decoration, glass individuation decoration, large scale wedding photo, large scale religion arts and crafts, and other relative industries. Assorting the LED lamp, it may appear the supernatural, elegance and fresh impression.

Advantage:

1. LD-EG-602C Rapid Scanner Laser Subsurface Engraving Machine adopts the advanced galvanometer scanner technology together with 2KHz diode-pumped YAG frequency doubling laser which is faster, the laser point is more thin and bright, the image also will be more elaborate and lively.

2. The key parts of the apparatus mainly come from Germany and the USA. It is more reasonable and steady for long-term production.

3. It has original technology, and the engraving range is 1500X 1000mm.

Technique Specification:

Laser Wavelength 532nm

Laser Frequency 2 KHz

Maximum Engraving Speed 80000~120000dots/min

Maximum Engraving Range 1500mm×1000mm×1~80mm

Power of the whole machine 1KW

Electricity of the whole machine 15A

Continuous working time 12 hrs

Number of Laser Heads 1

Control System Galvanometer Scanner Technology, DSP, 5Dimension

Cooling System Semiconductor Cooling, free of other cooling mediums

Weight of the whole machine 450Kgs

Size of the whole machine 1400mm×2100mm×1200mm

laser engraver and cnc engraver and application of the distinction between

2009-06-10T01:49:00.001-07:00

laser engraver can be divided into: carbon dioxide (CO2)-based, current dollars (GALVANOMETER) and YAG type.

In accordance with the size, power and speed, then hours, laser engraver can be divided into many types, but for the gift industry, only carbon dioxide (CO2) and the YAG type. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and YAG-based laser engraver for the main differences between the different materials to generate laser. Carbon dioxide (CO2)-based cations and by stimulating dioxide mixed gas molecules to produce the laser and the YAG type is excited by the YAG crystal or crystal to generate laser rod. Issued by different laser light sources of different wavelength, so each engraver suitable for engraving on different materials.

Light-type fly, also known as flat-plate laser engraver, in the gift industry the most common is the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) slab laser tube laser engraver. Slab laser engraver also have the use of YAG laser, but very few. For flat-plate laser engraver, laser beam back and forth through a moving car in the mobile plate.

There is also a use of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser engraver is a galvanometer-type, also known as the galvanometer, he was fast rotating mirrors to control the beam movement in the work of the table. This allows the beam to high-speed operation, because it do not move the entire car.

Galvanometer, however there are deficiencies, it is processing the smaller size (usually 12×12 inches or 14×14 inches), if the galvanometer to do with cutting, it is not straight forward to cut it, but a certain degree of curvature. Rose to 100 watts, the galvanometer can be laser engraver and plate the same power, up to 100 watts, but at the same power, the galvanometer-type in terms of speed there is a great advantage. Galvanometer-type mainly used for marking, rather than cutting, they also sell peace of plate-type galvanometer CO2 laser engraver. In addition, the current flat rate of laser engraver has been getting faster and faster and the speed of galvanometer difference is getting smaller and smaller.

Widespread use of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is very simple reason: He’s a wide range of applications. Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser engraver engraving or marking can be plastic, acrylic, lacquer-plated metal, glass, leather, paper, cloth, wood, marble, etc., can also be used to cut many of these materials, not only sculpture there is no coating of the metal.

YAG laser is divided into two main types, their main difference is that flash YAG crystal is excited or excited by diode. The main difference between the two is how to produce light to stimulate the formation of crystal laser beam, laser diode laser machine than the flash is that the former have a more detailed laser beam, light is more pure and does not need as high-power flash power . “The key is that both have the same laser wavelength,” high efficiency diode YAGlaser engraver, laser engraver and flash-based and less expensive. CO2 than the two-type your laser engraver.

The benefits of YAGlaser engraver wavelength is that it can be a very good absorption of the metal in the marking devices and other industrial applications can do a good job. However, for YAG-based laser engraver, many materials can not be carved, and carbon dioxide (CO2) laser engraver can, such as wood, paper, fabric, glass and some gypsum.

cnc engraver

Used in the production of early gift computer industry cnc engraver, cnc engraver produced in the gift industry is still widely used, although in YAGlaser engraver marking on metal, but more deeply carved, it can only be used cnc engraver.

As a result of the inscriptions carved cnc engraver, there is no way to handle design alternative, it is always like the traditional and classic stuff, this is the reason why mechanical sculpture and there is also a wide range of reasons, this is a natural psychological, when you see a sculpture, you will always want to touch it.

Laser engraver will not your business, there are many constraints, there are also some business to do can only be used cnc engraver, therefore, at the same time have a laser engraver and cnc engraver is a good idea, they can complement each other.

3D Technology Lends Mother Nature a Hand to Tell Story of Surfing

2009-06-08T01:48:00.000-07:00

San Diego-based multi-media production studio PassmoreLab, in conjunction with on-location entertainment company Lucid Dreams 3D, has begun principal photography on a new educational 3D surfing film called Physics of Sur?ng, available to science centers and museums later this year.

It's science meets sur?ng in this truly exceptional educational project. Shown in the crystal clear beauty of high-definition 3D, audiences everywhere will be thrilled and amazed as they follow two professional female surfers to gorgeous locations around the world - including Hawaii's breathtaking North Shore and renowned surf spots along the California coast - exploring sur?ng's deep in?uence on modern culture while experiencing Mother Nature's magificent power in the creation of our ocean's waves.

Shot using PassmoreLab's proprietary 3D rigs, stereosynthesis conversion, and RED cameras in spectacular digital high de?nition, Physics of Sur?ng is an exciting addition to the rich history of surf cinema. Gorgeous scenery and incredible sur?ng action are the orders of the day as the surfers' grace and athleticism illustrate principles of physics, culture and history.

"The digital 3D science adventure is something we take seriously and do quite well," said Greg Passmore, President of PassmoreLab. "On this film, the audience will be transfixed in a completely immersive 3D surfing experience, and learn a thing or two along the way."

Pro surfers Julie Cox and Kyla Langen, the two featured surfers in the film, are both longtime surfing competitors and aficionados. Cox, a talented longboarder who also works for the California Surf Museum, has competed in contests around the globe - winning California coalition events and consistently placing in the top 10 of international events held in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. On the other hand, Langen's radical, aggressive style is pure excitement. She's surfed professionally in over twenty countries and works with the Cousteau Foundation's CELP program as a youth instructor. Both women are also surf coaches and share an intense affection for the sea.

"Julie's lyrical, ?owing surf style is a joy to behold. Her empathy for the ocean is truly inspiring," said Executive Producer James Humann of Lucid Dreams 3D. "While Kyla's style is like listening to rock 'n' roll - daring, brash, reckless - and her love of the ocean is completely infectious."

Unlike other sur?ng documentaries, Physics of Sur?ng is a 35-minute educational ?lm that uncovers the physical science of ocean waves and the art of sur?ng. In this captivating presentation, the ?lmmakers explore how energy moves through water, building and combining its force, traveling thousands of miles over the course of weeks until the ocean ?oor underneath disrupts the wave's formation and causes it to pitch up and collapse. The ?lm also investigates the science behind various sur?ng styles and how surfers instinctively address such notions of gravity and buoyancy while using the energy of motion to ride waves.

Further, the ?lm looks at how the modern technology of surfboard design affects a board's performance on the wave. Audiences will experience the exhilaration of sur?ng while learning how surfers play with nature's purest form of energy and power.

The musical legacy of sur?ng is a rich and exciting element of surf culture and Physics of Sur?ng honors this with a truly inspired soundtrack. Produced by Dusty Watson, it includes tracks from instrumental surf-rock mainstays Slacktone and Southern California's legendary skate-punk band Agent Orange (Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4). Since the late 70s, Agent Orange has had an enormous in?uence on the skate-punk/surf-rock scene and Slacktone are widely regarded as the greatest exponents of the genre. Rounding out the musical lineup is punk supergroup Osaka Popstar - the standard bearers of old-school punk in the 21st century - featuring members of the Ramones, the Mis?ts, and Black Flag.

Physics of Sur?ng, a beautiful, high definition 3D celebration of surf, science, and music, will be available for distribution to science centers and museums everywhere by December 2009.

About PassmoreLab

PassmoreLab is a San Diego-based multi-media production studio that specializes in 3D production and 2D to 3D content conversion. The studio custom-designs and builds its own RED camera 3D rigs for both conventional and rugged film productions, shooting everything from feature films, television and science documentaries, to underwater diving, extreme sports and cave exploration.

State-of-the-art facilities include a full 3D production studio, video/film post-production, optical development lab, and a software development environment. Production includes 2D, 3D, high dynamic range time lapse, stereoscopic microscopy and cutting-edge simulation technologies for real-time SFX. PassmoreLab's proprietary technology for 2D to 3D video and film conversion is unmatched in the industry, in both turnaround times and conversion costs.