Video Advanced Manufacturing 3D Printing Is Changing the World

Video Advanced Manufacturing 3D Printing Is Changing the World Video Advanced Manufacturing 3D Printing Is Changing the World Video Advanced Manufacturing 3D Printing Is Changing the WorldExploring the role Additive Manufacturing plays in the 21st century, and its relevance to early career engineers and engineering students as they look forward to entering the workforce Jay Beversdorf, Application Engineer, Stratasys, Inc. moderates a five-part discussion with a panel of experts.The panelist have in-depth knowledge and experience in the manufacturing industry Dr. Farzad Rayegani, Ph.D., P. Eng., FEC., Associate Dean, Professor Director, Centre of Advanced Manufacturing and Design Technologies James Janeteas, President CEO, Cimetrix Solutions, Inc. Timothy Simpson, Professor, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Penn State University and William Predebon, Mechanical Engineering Department Chair, and Engineering Mechanics Professor at Michigan Tech.Part 5 Manufacturing experts discu ss trends in technology and the direction they perceive additive manufacturing will take as it is further developed and accessible. The copyright of this program is owned by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Synthesizing Squid-Based Thermoplastics

Synthesizing Squid-Based Thermoplastics Synthesizing Squid-Based Thermoplastics Now squid has more than just table appeal. Researchers at Penn State University have developed a thermoplastic from squid proteins that is remarkably versatile and can be used in 3D printing. Most companies interested in thermoplastics have focused on synthetic plastics, states Melik C. Demirel, professor of engineering science and mechanics at Penn State University and leader of the research kollektiv. Synthetic plastics are, however, not rapidly deployable for field applications and, more importantly, are not ecofriendly. This innovative research is the result of a broader approach that Demirel terms genomechanics which brings together engineering mechanics, genomics, large-scale computation, werkstoffs science and design, and manufacturing. The research involved four phases Discovery the extraction and sequencing of genomic information to identify elastomeric proteins. Synthesis the process that pr oduces the high-strength proteins. Properties computational simulations of molecular structures are designed and linked to experimental properties. Biomimicry scale-up of the process is performed in a biodegradable, but less expensive, polymer to produce high-volume materials. Compared to polymers manufactured from fossil fuels and synthetic oils, biosynthetic polymers are ecofriendly, biodegradable, lightweight, can be fabricated at room temperature, have gene-sequenced tunable strength and properties, and lend themselves to low-energy and low-cost manufacturing processes, says Demirel. We are opening up a new field of material property design based on tunable genetic sequencing-structure-property relationships. Unique Physical Properties Following this four-point protocol, Demirel and his team have researched a novel fibrious proteinsquid ring teeth (SRT)for the last four years. SRT protein exhibits an unusual and reversible transition from a solid to a rubber and can be the rmally shaped into any 3D geometry (for example, fibers, colloids, and thin films). We have demonstrated that SRT has excellent mechanical, structural, and optical properties, in both wet and dry conditions, which exceed most natural and synthetic polymers, he adds. When cut in half, the SRT-based plastic sticks itself back together with a drop of water. Image Demirel Lab at Penn State University Demirel is also impressed by the self-repair ability of this protein. For example, his team was able to cut a SRT sample in half and repair it by applying pressure and warm water (view video). Most plastics are derived from fossil fuel sources like crude oil. Thermoplastics have properties that allow them to be melted, formed, and cooled without degrading the materials unique physical properties. The SRT team created is semi-crystalline and can be rigid or soft. It also shows a very high tensile strength. Another interesting characteristic is that, as a wet adhesive, it sticks to other mate rials, even if it is wet, expanding the possibilities of combining it with other materials for specialized manufacturing purposes. SRT is a versatile material that can be dissolved in a simple solvent like acetic acid and used in film casting, or it can be extruded or injection-molded like other thermoplastic materials. Results also show that SRT can be used as a 3D printing material to create products with complex, geometric shapes and features. Fortunately, squids do not need to be collected and sacrificed to make SRT, which can be manufactured synthetically using recombinant gene technology. SRT protein genes are inserted into E. coli bacteria, which then produce SRT molecules as part of their normal biological functions. The thermoplastic is then harvested from the E. coli environment. Moving Forward The discovery of this remarkable thermoplastic material shows how new classes of functional biomimetic materials can be synthesized and manufactured through an understanding of how nature customizes biomolecules to createfunctional materials with tailored physical properties. Because it is a protein, SRT can be used for medical or cosmetic applications where biocompatibility is of top concern. The next generation of materials will be governed by molecular composition sequence, structure, and properties, says Demirel. Direct extraction or recombinant expression of protein-based thermoplastics opens up new avenues for materials fabrication and synthesis. Eventually these materials will be competitive with the high-end, synthetic, oil-based plastics. On a broader scale, I envisage applications of genomechanics in high-performance textiles, green cosmetics, medical implants, biosensing, and combatting bioterrorism, among many others. Mark Crawford is an independent writer. Explore the latest trends in bioengineering at ASMEs weltweit Congress on NanoEngineering for Medicine and Biology. For Further DiscussionWe are opening up a new field of material property desi gn based on tunable genetic sequencing-structure-property relationships.Prof. Melik C. Demirel, Penn State University

Eli Terry

Eli Terry Eli Terry Eli TerryAround the time of the Revolutionary War, Connecticut welches the epicenter of clock-making in the United States. Clockmakers had such a large impact on the region that today, towns around Plymouth still bear the personennames of successful townsmen who were in the clock-making business. One town, Terryville, takes its name from the father of mass-production clock making, Eli Terry (1772 1852), who had factories there and is one of the United States fruchtwein famous horologists,one who studies timekeeping and timekeepers.He grew up in Plymouth and there completed an apprenticeship with a master clockmaker. At that time, clocks were made by hand, and his mentor had begun creating standardized parts for clocks.Terry soon started his own clock-making factory using wood for the gears since it was a locally abundant material. He was considered a great man and a natural philosopher with exceptional mechanical ingenuity. He received the first clock patent gran ted by the United States Patent Office in 1797 for his equation clock. It was signed by President John Adams and was the first of 10 patents awarded to him in his lifetime.Eli Terrys Pillar Scroll Top Case clock was widely used and copied. Around 1800, clockmakers would begin one or two dozen at a time, using no machinery, first marking out with a square and compass then cutting the wheels and teeth with a saw and jack-knife, a very slow and tedious process, says Chauncey Jerome in his 1860 book History of the American Clock Business.Terrys factory was the first to use standardized parts in clock-making and the first to use machinery to create clocks. At his factory, wooden gears were originally fabricated using a hand-operated machine with a foot-powered lathe. In 1803 he devised ways to use waterpower to operate his machines, and shortly after, he created jigs that helped make standardized clock parts, so the factory could produce more parts per year. He had, until this time, deli vered the clocks to his customers in person, a practice that would become difficult with higher volumes.He located his next clock-making factory in a mill that had access to water for power, and it was there, in 1808, that he started the first five hundred clocks made by machinery in the country. This was a larger number than had ever been begun at one time in the world, and it was part of a contract to produce four thousand clocks at low prices, which most people doubted was possible.He sold the plant (which did deliver four thousand clocks) and bought another where he continued his work contributing much to the field of clock-making. He briefly pursued half-second pendulums, which led him to the development of a much smaller shelf clock in 1814. Terry invented and patented his Pillar Scroll Top Case, a one-day clock, which revolutionized the business. It was widely used and copied. This design produced clocks in large quantities until advancements in sheet-metal replaced wooden cl ock bodies almost a century later.Terry not only pursued low-cost clock making, but also high-class brass-geared clocks, which could survive the rough seas better than clocks with wooden gears when exported to customers in Europe. He also made tower clocks, one which still stands today. Of his many children, several sons followed in his footsteps in the clock-making business. Eli Terry was a prime example of a successful engineer who made a fortune out of his own ingenuity.Debbie Sniderman is CEO of VI Ventures LLC, a technical consulting company.Terrys factory was the first to use standardized parts in clock-making and the first to use machinery to create clocks.

How to protect your job in an uncertain economy

How to protect yur job in an uncertain economyHow to protect yur job in an uncertain economyThings are weird. Can you feel it?The governmentss partial shutdown is dragging on. Economists are predicting a Smorgasbord recession will hit some time this year. The Federal Reserve has been raising interest rates, but might put future hikes on hold for fear of global financial insecurity.The economy feels sketchy. And for my fellow millennials, this can be a triggering reminder of the Great Recession of 2008, which set up our generation to stumble just as we were just starting our careers.Its times like these where its easy to get risk-averse. To hunker down. To live small. Well, today I want to share a few reasons why thats the worst possible thing you can do right now and how to act deliberately and intentionally to protect your job security in an uncertain economy.1. Talk to everyone in the industryNow is the time to double down on your network. Seriously. Building strong relationship s is one of the best ways to buffer against being lost in an economic storm. Were all going to need friends in high places or just in places if things go south. They can refer you for other positions within their institutions if needed, and share what industry trends theyre seeing, too. You want people to keep you in mind. And its always better to foster friendships when youre leid asking for anything.Plus, if youve been considering jumping ship for a while now, strengthening your network can accelerate your career change. Because if your workplace doesnt feel like the right fit now, you might not want to hunker down there to try and ride out an economic storm. If youre not already getting along with your boss or colleagues, you might be easy target for layoffs and restructuring if the company has to decide who they can live without.And for freelancers and entrepreneurs like me, talking to all your friends in the industry is also a great way to double-down on business development, w hich we should all be doing right now.2. Check in with your managerAnother proactive move to enkoranvers your institution values you and your efforts is to check in early and often with your managers. Make sure your hard work is visible and show that youre a team player, ready to work for the good of the entire organization.Check in regularly to ask how you can align your priorities with your bosses top objectives and ensure that youre pulling in the same direction. All people want to feel heard and respected including your boss. So the best way you can protect your own ass, is to make sure youre doing all in your power to make them look good, too.3. RetoolWhile I understand the instinct to tighten the belt during uncertain times, the one exception is to make investments in your own professional development. How can you invest in yourself to make you an even more valuable team player at work? Are there extra certifications you can get? Is there new software to master? Can you hone your leadership skills through training, frankly, like what we do at Bossed Up Bootcamp?The key here is to make yourself more valuable to your team and to your employer. Show them youre the kind of worker who goes the extra mile to better yourself proactively, and it might just make the difference when the higher-ups are comparing the costs of losing you versus someone else.4. Boost your emergency fundFinally, when the future feels uncertain, do all you can to shore up your emergency fund. You dont want to find yourself over-leveraged or with a too-tight-for-comfort cash flow. If the ideal goal of saving three months worth of living expenses feels too daunting, break it down into smaller, more manageable steps and start there.Future you will thank you for the sacrifices youre making now to ensure youre not living off credit later, should things take a turn for the worst.Keep calm and keep bossinWith a ton of fear-mongering rhetoric coming out of Washington these days, the best we ca n do it to keep calm and carry on, as our friends across the pond might say.All indicators point to a more subdued market correction coming our way, which is not nearly as severe as the economic crisis spurred on by sub-prime mortgages and the ensuing financial crisis of a decade ago.Part of being a boss is being willing to step into an uncertain future, with the calm confidence in your ability to figure it out as you go.This article was originally published on Bossed Up.

Do Government Employees Earn More than Private Sector Employees

Do Government Employees Earn More than Private Sector EmployeesDo Government Employees Earn More than Private Sector EmployeesDo Government Employees Earn More than Private Sector Employees?Finance.Townhall.com posted an informative article on July 29, 2013 comparing the total compensation packages of government employees versus private sector employees. The article takes into account both the cash income as well as the benefits, and the conclusion is that the average federal government worker makes $26,632 more than than the average private sector worker ($114,436 vs. $87,804).Read the article here at finance.townhall.com Looking for federal employment? Our professional writers can help you make your resume stand out

The Hidden Truth Regarding Sample Engineering Resume Revealed by an Expert

The Hidden Truth Regarding Sample Engineering Resume Revealed by an Expert What You Dont Know About Sample Engineering Resume Theres no greater means of making certain your cover letter shines than writing content which you know will be acceptable to the hiring manager. If you realize that you are going over that recommended length, dont think that you can fool anyone by employing a 10-point font. To be able to enhance your odds of being considered for the job, you require a top-notch resume. If your resume go over that recommended length, there is not any way it is possible to fool anyone by utilizing a 10-point font. Unless the organization looks for an employee with a specific set of skills, do not neglect to include all the technical skills that youre capable of. The engineering profession has among the greatest median wage rates in the international job industry. For that reason, its extremely important to focus your efforts on what is going to convince the employer tha t youre ideal for the position, and what convinces them are your abilities and experiences as an engineer. Managers like to employ individuals who can grow into a position. Its simple to say that the job duties and obligations are the exact same no matter the engineers work experience. Most employers arent expecting you to get extensive experience because an internship is generally the very first experience students have in their area. Potential employers dont have enough time to read between lines to learn about your abilities. A Secret Weapon for Sample Engineering Resume Do a bit of research on the company where you are likely to submit your resume. If youre looking for a very good chemical engineering resume example, then youre on the most suitable spot. Today, individuals are utilizing a computerized device till they start pre-kindergarten. You have to make your posts of fantastic length and fantastic quality. For example, the work description might say that you need to have the capacity to diagnose malfunctioning systems and fix them. The last number will always be impacted by place, experience, education, and other aspects. In any case, the next step is formulating the company program which will permit you to where you will have to go. Finding the Best Sample Engineering Resume Put simply, format matters for an expert engineering resume. Your engineering Resume Templates is a powerful advertising tool, so make the the majority of it. It resume templates is an effective marketing tool so make the most of it. The perfect industrial engineering resume has the perfect blend of relevant info, strength-highlighting and formatting. Just take a couple of minutes and review our sample, and that means you can better understand how to compose your own resume. There are numerous dozen free resume maker program program titles available so you can pick from, equivalent to HotJobs and Resume Builder, merely to call a couple. Have a look at this sample to acquire a notion. Sample Engineering Resume Secrets That No One Else Knows About The Resume Summary is where it is possible to come across different specifics about the candidate. Then, the free Example Of Qc Chemist Resume will request that you supply a succinct summary of your expertise and talents. Resumes usually have a tendency to be longer than the essential standard. The Sample Resume, in this instance, is for an internship in the area of biology. Hiring managers are interested in engineers with a history of offering out-of-the-box solutions that may profit the business. Employers just want to see the facts of your engineering work history and experience. The Good, the Bad and Sample Engineering Resume Another means to secure an engineering job is by way of submitting an application for an internship programs. Nothing, if you prefer your engineering resume to look like all of the rest. Youre going to compose the most effective civil engineering resume around. I ndustrial engineering is a great career field. Increase your probability of finding the internship position working with this internship resume sample. For example, a student searching for an internship at a related company could use the fundamental templates found here. You desire a good internship resume that you could adapt and update for future opportunities. Customize your resume for the various internships youre applying for. For example, the businesss mission statement might help you express to the interviewers why you wish to work for their company. At the base of the sample, youll find some advice for your chemical engineering job interview, alongside the most frequent questions asked by your employer. It can be hard to understand exactly what an employer is searching for, but should you pick the examples of your experience carefully and consult the chemical engineer resume sample, it becomes easier. The very last thing that you want to do is make a prospective empl oyer think youre boring or not able to communicate effectively with nontechnical personnel.

6 Things to Consider When Screening Technicians - Spark Hire

6 Things to Consider When Screening Technicians - Spark HireIf you are new to technical recruiting, it can seem a bit overwhelming at first. However, if you are screening equipment technicians, there are 6 key things to focus on that will help you to be sure you have the right candidate in consideration.1. Work HistoryFirst, you will want to clearly understand the technicians work history. Find out as much as you can about where the technician has worked. If you are tasked with finding a technician with a specific type of equipment experience, it is important to know how much experience the technician has and in what types of environments.For example, if you are searching for an experienced technician to work on equipment in the semiconductor industry, it would be extremely beneficial if the technician has experience working in a clean room environment.In addition, find out why the technician has made the moves he has made. Ask why he left each employer and be sure to do your due dil igence and check references later. The last thing you want to do is submit a technician to your client, when the technician was fired due to violating safety protocol at a past employer.2. Equipment ExperienceAlways ask the technician to explain his equipment expertise. Ask for types of equipment he has worked on, the specific types of work he has performed on the equipment, and find out if he was in a lead role or simply a helper.The more you understand about the technicians equipment expertise, the better you will know if he is a fit for your clients needs.3. Problem Solving AbilityAny technician should have strong problem solving skills. Question your technician about any equipment issues he ran into in the past and what he did, step by step, to figure out and resolve the issue.You may not understand the entire technical lingo, but you will be able to tell by each technicians explanation if he has the ability to figure out problems and find resolutions. This is key with any techn ician, regardless the industry.4. Customer tafelgeschirr SkillsOne of the most important skills that is often overlooked when screening technicians is the ability to provide excellent customer service.Remember, quite often a technician will travel to another work site or will work with other customers on equipment issues. Having impeccable customer service skills in addition to the technical expertise is quite often a must.5. EducationIf a technician is fairly new to the game, you will want to find out about his education. When a technician is lacking real world expertise, he should have had formal education that allowed him to develop his technical skills and problem solving ability.Find out where the technician went to school, what type of degree he received, and if he had any internships or hands-on labs at school. Specifically, ask about his work in school and any technical projects or assignments he was responsible for. Have the technician walk you through what he specifically did from a technical perspective on any assignments or projects.6. ReliabilityFinally, another key thing to consider is the technicians ability to be reliable.Many times, technicians are scheduled to work compressed shifts. When a facility is open 24/7, it is of the utmost importance that technicians are on time and at work when they need to be there.If your technician was fired from his last job due to continuous absences or tardiness, chances are youve found an unreliable technician.What are some other things that you focus on when screening technicians? Please share your tips in the comments below.Image Wavebreak Media Ltd/BigStock.com