Indian inventor unveils flying Maruti concept car

A.K. Vishwanath has spent 16 years working on the flying car, which created a stir at the Aero India 2011 air show

BY: Rebecca D'Souza |
TAGS: Aero India 2011, Air Show, B'Lorean, concept, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), energy flows, Flying Car, Maruti, rotor blades, vacuum, Vishwanath

Indian inventor unveils flying Maruti concept car

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Indian inventor, A.K. Vishwanath, has claimed to have made a flying car from an ordinary 800cc Maruti car.
The car was developed by Vishwanath's company, B'Lorean, named after his home of Bangalore and the winged DeLorean sports car of the 1980s, famously used as a time machine in Hollywood's Back To The Future series of films.
The 52-year-old claims his inspiration for the concept car came from flying bees.
He has told reporters that the flying Maruti car is powered initially by an electrical generator, after which its engine pumps out so-called 'energy flows' which provide lift-off and cruising.
The car has rotor blades affixed to the roof with extended wheel arches creating a 'vacuum section.'
Vishwanath has spent 16 years working on the flying car, on which he has garnered 40 patents.
However, the car which has undergone numerous testing in wind tunnels has not actually flown, leaving many skeptical about its potential.
Nevertheless, the flying car became the star attraction at the Aero India 2011 air show in Bangalore recently.
It was not allowed to take flight since it is still awaiting certification ...Rwad the rest at:
http://www.manufacturingdigital.com/sectors/automotive/indian-inventor-unveils-flying-maruti-concept-car

Chastity Garter texts hubby if wife cheats

This Valentines Day give the woman in your life something special like a Chastity Garter to track her every move

BY: Rebecca D'Souza |
TAGS: boyfriend, chastity, cheating, Dragon's Den, gadgets, garter, Gift Ideas, girlfriend, hubby, husband, infidelity, inventions, romance, sex, unfaithful, Valentine's Day, wife

This Valentines Day give the woman in your life something special

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The Chastity Garter, which was launched on BBC TV show Dragon’s Den last year, will send a text message to a suspicious partner if their girlfriend tries to cheat on them.
The garter, which has two designs - Chastity Lace and Chastity Silk - contains a microchip that monitors the heart rate from the femoral (thigh) artery in real time as well as surface moisture.
When the garter detects these apparent signals of sexual stimulation occur, an automatic text message is sent to alert the woman's partner that she may be straying.
The device does the same if the garter is removed at any point.
The team behind the idea is Edward and Lucinda Hale, who came up with the idea after infidelity threatened their own relationship.
"A few years ago our relationship nearly fell apart when Lucinda cheated with another man. She told me how much she regretted it and wished there was a way of removing the temptation by making the act of straying impossible to go through with," said Edward Hale.
"So we set about designing a product which would help us - and more importantly help millions of other couples around the world in need of extra reassurance that their wife or girlfriend is being chaste."
The garter, which is priced between 60 pounds and 75 pounds, may.... Read the rest at http://www.manufacturingdigital.com/sectors/consumer-products/chastity-garter-texts-hubby-if-wife-cheats

Learjet 85 – an innovation in aviation

Bombardier is hoping the Learjet 85 will revolutionise the aviation industry

BY: Rebecca D'Souza | Mon Feb 7, 2011
TAGS: aircraft, Aviation, Bombardier, Composites, Cytec Engineered Materials, Innovation, latest technology, Learjet 85, luxury jet, Ralph Acs, US Federal Aviation Regulation

The Learjet 85 will revolutionise the aviation industry

The Learjet85 flies 49,000 feet, compared to the 36,000 feet of commercial aircr

Inside the cockpit

The aircraft galley provides room for tableware as well as drink and ice storage

The Learjet 85 cabin provides a large and comfortable space

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It has been more than 10 years since a new Learjet platform was introduced to the general aviation market. Now, Bombardier has unveiled details of its forthcoming Learjet 85 that promises to fly faster and further than any of its predecessors - and its flawless design is fused with the latest technologies on the market.
Upon its highly anticipated release in 2013, the Learjet 85 will be the first mid-range business jet to be built primarily from carbon composites and designed for type certification under the US Federal Aviation Regulation.
Ralph Acs, vice-president of Learjet 85 at Bombardier Business Aircraft believes the company’s ‘clean-sheet’ approach of replacing traditional aluminium structures with carbon fibre composites will revolutionise the industry.
Acs says: “Sometimes you may need three or more parts if you are constructing something out of metal and then you have to fasten parts together. With composites you are able to mould parts very differently. And therein lies the difference.”
Design structure
The pressurised fuselage section, which extends from the cockpit to the pressure bulkhead, is produced using a low pressure, oven-cured, out-of-autoclave carbon fibre supplied by Cytec Engineered Materials.
In a metallic aircraft, this part would be made out of hundreds of pieces but with the carbon fibre design it is a single piece.
In total, Bombardier has been able to reduce the overall fastner count by an extraordinary 70 percent as a result of fewer parts being needed to be joined.
The composite structure of Learjet will now increase passenger comfort by allowing for the use of complex curves in the aircraft’s internal cross-section and thinner wall thickness to maximise cabin volume.
“Designing in composites requires a different design mentality,” elaborates Acs. “The engineering and the manufacturing of composites go hand-in-hand. You design it, make it, tweak it and then try it all over again. In the end, what we want is a simple and repeatable manufacturing process.”
The ability to design a structure with fewer parts and fastners helps reduce unit costs, which has been a key driver in the company’s switch to using carbon fibre.
“By having a more economic unit cost we are able to add some of the features requested by our customer focus groups, such as auto-throttle and nose wheel steering, which are not typically found in a business jet of this size,” says Acs.
In addition to improving performance and minimising drag through smoother aerodynamics, the composite airframe will also require less maintenance besides being easier to repair and have an extended service life.
Comfort and style
The design goals of the Learjet85 have been heavily influenced by its three customer focus groups, which are made up of between 15 and 20 customers. These groups have focussed closely on the cockpit, interior of the aircraft and maintenance, offering creative input on every detail - from the layout of the galley to the positioning of cup holders and light switches.
The Learjet 85 cabin provides a larger and more comfortable space than current jets in the midsize market. Consisting of 14 large windows, the cabin has a maximum height of 5ft 11 inches and a maximum width of 6ft 1inch.
The aircraft, with a maximum capacity for eight passengers and two crew members, is fitted with the latest technology and some great luxuries.
“From nose to tail, the Learjet 85 aircraft remains true to Learjet’s commitment to innovation by integrating the latest in technological advances with superior design aesthetic,” says Acs.
“The aircraft features the latest technology in its advanced entertainment system, which offers passengers optimal features. These include a DVD player, HD bulkhead monitors, XM satellite radio capabilities and internet access.”
The aircraft galley is 36 inches wide and provides room for tableware as well as drink and ice storage. It can also accommodate an optional microwave oven. Passengers are encouraged to relax onboard with fully reclinable seats and personalised Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting, which includes individual table lighting and reading lights.
Flight height
The Learjet85 flies 49,000 feet, compared to the 36,000 feet of commercial aircraft.
"The real innovative thing we have done is to push down the cabin altitude as low as we can," says Acs. “This means the cabin itself where the passenger is sitting experiences just 6,000 feet. The lower the cabin altitude that the person is feeling, the more rested and comfortable they ...  Read the rest: http://www.manufacturingdigital.com/industry-focus/world-class-operations/learjet-85-innovation-aviation

UK scientists invent artificial petrol

Researchers have created a synthetic, hydrogen-based fuel that produces no carbon emissions

BY: Rebecca D'Souza | Sat Jan 29, 2011
TAGS: artificial, Cars, Cella Energy, Fuel, Gas, greenhouse gases, hydrogen, hydrogen storage materials, motorists, petrol

UK scientists invent artificial petrol

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Boffins at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, near Oxford have invented an ‘artificial’ petrol, which costs just 90 pence per gallon and could run in existing cars.

Motorists could even be able to drive for 300 to 400 miles before needing to fill up.

The breakthrough comes as average UK fuel prices have hit a record high.

The new hydrogen-based fuel produces no greenhouse gases and could be available in as little as three years.

Professor Stephen Bennington, the project’s lead scientist, said: “In some senses, hydrogen is the perfect fuel. It has three times more energy than petrol per unit of weight, and when it burns, it produces nothing but water.

“Our new hydrogen storage materials offer real potential for running cars, planes and other vehicles that currently use hydrocarbons.”

How is it made?
Cella Energy, which is developing the technology, believes that conventional means for containing hydrides are not ideal.

It says: "Storing hydrogen up to now has required either high-pressure storage cylinders at up to 700 times atmospheric pressure or super-cooled liquids at -253 degree Celsius.

“Neither is practical on a large scale as these hydrogen storage methods both require large amounts of energy to either pressurise or cool the hydrogen, and present significant safety risks."

The company has a found a low-cost way to trap the hydride compound inside a nano-porous polymer micro bead.

The result is a revolutionary synthetic fuel, which is formed of ‘micro-beads’ that can ... Read the rest of my article at http://manufacturingdigital.com/sectors/chemicals-plastics/uk-scientists-invent-artificial-petrol

LED teeth trend takes Japan by storm

Demand has gone through the roof for the colour-changing teeth as Japanese schoolgirls pounce on the product

BY: Rebecca D'Souza | Wed Jan 26, 2011
TAGS: graffiti, hand-held computer, Japanese fashion, Laforet Harajuku, LED teeth, lights, mouth-guard, party in your mouth, popular trends, smile, Throwies, wireless

LED teeth trend have taken Japan by storm

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LED teeth are the latest in bizarre trends to hit Japan.

The new fashion accessories were originally created as an experiment by two Japanese designers and are now being used in a commercial advertising of Japanese clothing store, Laforet Harajuku.

The LED insert, which can be affixed to your teeth like a mouth-guard, lights up when you smile.

Japanese schoolgirls have gone crazy over the LED mouth-guard, which is being advertised as a ‘party in your mouth.’

There is a wireless hand-held computer that is available which can control the LED teeth. This means you can make them blink or change colour - from a lurid green to a blinding red.

Motoi Ishibashi, one of the designers involved in the project, explained in a blog post that the original idea for the LED smiles came after he saw a video last year of LED Throwies, which are little lights that can be affixed to a magnet and thrown on metal surfaces. They are like lighted graffiti.

Ishibashi and Daito Manabe, the other designer and technologist on the project, are offering workshops in Japan to show people how to build their own LED smiles.
Will LED teeth become a phenomenon in the UK? Instead of gems being used to... Read the rest of my article at http://manufacturingdigital.com/sectors/electronics/led-teeth-trend-takes-japan-storm

Power Balance Bracelet's exposed as sham

The maker of popular sports wristband, Power Balance Bracelets, has admitted that there is no evidence to back up some of its claimed benefits.

The £29.99 accessories have been extremely popular with celebrities and sports personalities, winning the approval of famous faces, David Beckham, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Kate Middleton, rapper P Diddy and Cristiano Ronaldo, to name but a few.

In Australian promotions, the company claimed the bracelets used holograms to improve the body’s energy flow and boost strength, balance and flexibility.

Power Balance Australia has been forced to admit that the bracelets do no such thing and are no more beneficial than rubber bands. It said: “In our advertising, we stated that Power Balance wristbands improved your strength, balance and flexibility.

“We admit that there is no credible scientific evidence that supports our claims and therefore we engaged in misleading conduct in breach of s52 of the trade practices act 1974.”

However, in a desperate bid to save its reputation, it added: “We have heard from fitness professionals, athletes, coaches, personal trainers and everyday users who tell us they have experienced benefits from Power Balance.”

The admittance came following an investigation by Australia’s competition and consumer commission.
Commission head, Graeme Samuel said: “Suppliers of these types of products must ensure that they are not claiming supposed benefits when there is no supportive scientific evidence.

“Consumers should be wary of other similar products on the market that make unsubstantiated claims when they may be no more beneficial than a rubber band.”

The company’s ‘misleading conduct’ has led to it offering consumers a full refund for these bracelets.

How manufacturing software solutions can streamline your company's activities

Manufacturers are constantly struggling to find new ways of reducing production costs so that they can offer their customers competitive prices.

This is because production processes have become increasingly complex and multi-faceted. Any business that designs and builds or produces a product, whether it is large machinery, auto parts, small household appliances, or software, can achieve tangible productivity and cost reduction benefits from the implementation or use of manufacturing software solutions.

Manufacturing software is a collection of comprehensive technology tools designed to improve the entire end-to-end process of designing and building a product. From engineering and planning through production and quality control, manufacturing software solutions provide businesses with the advanced technology to significantly increase efficiency, quality, and profitability whilst at the same time minimising overheads.

Sage UK is a leading supplier of business software and services to 6.2 million customers worldwide. It offers a vast selection of manufacturing software solutions to help businesses of all sizes overcome the day-to-day practicalities of running a business.

Steve Tattum, product manager, Sage ERP X3 & Sage Manufacturing, says: “A fully-integrated system can provide you with information management to plot trends, monitor quality, and respond to any failures that occur in the manufacturing process.”

There are several different types of manufacturing software but most provide a broad range of features, which have been designed to address the full range of production-related processes. These include engineering, which streamlines product design and configuration, and material requirements planning, which is used to balance supply with future demand.

Production management creates automated manufacturing processes and workflows with quality control enabling the implementation of proven, repeatable quality assurance processes.
Capacity planning is another type of software, which is used to identify growth trends. According to Tattum, this software is particularly useful for those businesses at the more specialised technologically-advanced end of the UK market.

“Capacity planning enables you to optimise the use of your resources,” says Tattum. “When you get into more complex scenarios you want to make sure that you are performing the operations in the optimum sequence to minimise the number of changeovers and to use the resources to their full capacity.”

Many companies today use mixed mode manufacturing software packages, which provide the flexibility to stay competitive, address customer needs and grow business.

With the market changing rapidly, in the UK in particular, it is important for companies to choose a system that can handle mixed mode manufacturing without putting undue load on the operators.

“Flexibility is absolute key,” says Tattum. “It is important that you are able to configure the product to work in the way that you operate as a business.”

Pointing to the software, Tattum says it too must be very responsive. “The software needs to provide information in an easy to digest manner. Gone are the days of huge 500-page reports that prop the doors open. If you see a trend, you do not want to run 400 reports to find out what is causing it. Information management, dashboards, and portals are crucial.”

Manufacturing software is continuously changing to keep up with modern technology. According to Tattum, Sage UK is tracking a number of trends in both manufacturing and software.

“We need to look at how information is being delivered and what the next generation of consumers is actually used to using,” he says.

In today’s society, with iPads and iPhones being the most sought-after presents this Christmas, information is mobile and portable. “We need to recognise this and deliver information to the users in a manner that is easy-to-use and easy-to-digest,” Tattum states. “Usability is really big.”

The manufacturers that will benefit most from the use of manufacturing software are those who currently use manual processes to manage key production-related activities such as demand forecasting, scheduling, and materials management.