The human brain may become a "battlefield" in future wars, including "pharmacological land mines" and drones directed by mind control, a new report has predicted. In a report commissioned by the US Defence Intelligence Agency, leading scientists were asked to examine how a greater understanding of the brain over the next 20 years is likely to drive the development of new medicines and technologies. According to the Guardian newspaper, US intelligence officials were told that rapid advances in neuroscience could have a dramatic impact on national security and the way in which future wars are fought. According to the report, they found several areas in which progress could have a profound impact, including behaviour-altering drugs, scanners that can interpret a person's state of mind and devices capable of boosting senses such as hearing and vision. Bullets may be replaced with "pharmacological land mines" that release drugs to incapacitate soldiers on contact, while scanners and other electronic devices could be developed to identify suspects from their brain activity and even disrupt their ability to tell lies, the report says. Greater understanding of the brain's workings is also expected to usher in new devices that link directly to the brain, either to allow operators to control machinery with their minds, such as flying unmanned reconnaissance drones, or to boost their natural senses. "Experiments indicate that the advantages of these devices are such that human operators will be greatly enhanced for things like photo reconnaissance and so on," Kit Green, the chairman of the report committee, was quoted as saying by the British daily on Thursday.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Closed Frame Thread Rollers
In recent years, planetary thread rollers have been adapted to reduce labor and handling, roll smaller batches of higher-quality parts and to allow use by less skilled operators.
The planetary thread rolling system has come a long way since the 1970s and 1980s. In the past, the planetary system was used for rolling commercial and industrial products not requiring high dimensional and quality standards. These products are now made in China and other countries that offer reasonable quality and inexpensive prices, allowing a wider range of customers to purchase products that were once out of reach.
The fact that many standard fasteners are no longer manufactured n the USA and the rest of the western world has created a positive move forward in parts development and R&D of processes, which has resulted in more sophisticated and better quality products. The planetary system that was once used for rolling simple parts is now evolving to accommodate the changing needs of the fastener industry. In the last six years, Videx has been concentrating on developing and adapting this system to reduce labor and handling, roll smaller batches of high-quality parts and to allow less skilled operators to recall machine settings with ease.
Quality of Thread
Thread quality was the major issue and the key to the success of the Videx VA line of thread rollers. Videx has identified a problem in the uncontrolled feed of the blanks into the thread rolling dies in the planetary system. It has developed anew feed system that squares and feeds the blanks while they are already in motion and turns with the rotary die at the same linear speed. n the new system, the blanks move farther before they are fed in between the thread rolling dies. A newly developed feed system has a longer stroke and is more precise with a uniform feed force along the feed stroke. To achieve all these requirements, we eliminated the feed slide and the spring that required constant maintenance to keep them accurate. In the new system, the blanks are fed by a pivot arm and a pneumatic piston. This system is virtually maintenance free. The thread quality achieved with the above system enabled us to develop a few models for the automotive and aero space industries, all based on high quality requirements.
Dual-Spindle Thread Rollers: The first machine designed is a thread roller with two spindles (VA-K), for rolling knurls and threads on wheel bolts in two consecutive operations, done one after the other. The VA-20-K has two rolling stations, capable of performing two rolling operations on the same part. The machine can be used for the following applications:
• Knurl and thread rolling of wheel bolts
• Knurl and thread rolling of socket head cap screws.
• Chamfer, groove and thread standard and long bolts.
The two rolling heads are independently set and matched, eliminating any influence of one rolling operation on the other. The two rolling operations are done one after the other, while the blanks stay oriented in the feed rails, after the first rolling station operation and prior to the second rolling operation. This construction assures that there is no damage to the thread.
The VA-20-K dual head thread rollers solve problems such as the following:
• Separate operations assure a better quality of each rolled operation. It also helps to better control the separate operations and the tooling used.
• Speed achieved is higher than in any other system because the second operation does not slow the machine.
• By saving on handling, the VA-20-K eliminates the possibility of mixing parts, such as heat-treated parts with non-heat-treated parts.
• System allows rolling with inexpensive tooling, while having full control over the quality of each rolling operation. When a tool has to be replaced, it can be done in minutes.
The production rate for example, on standard wheel bolts is 320 to 500 ppm. Both threading stations havehydraulic clamping of thread rolling dies, zero-taper device for parallel threads and micrometric thread pressure screws. Other standard features include AC speed controller, automatic air shutoff and dual operator control panel on both sides of the machine for convenient and safe operation. The control panel at the back is also used when setting up the feeder.
T-Bolt Thread Rollers: Another model that was developed as a consequence of the new feed system was the VA-T series for rolling T-bolts. These thread rolling machines incorporate special T-bolt feeders that were developed in the USA. Combined with the long stroke feed mechanism, this special feeder allows the feeding of T-bolts one by one into the thread rolling dies at speeds of 100 to 200 ppm
Thread Rollers for Pre-Hardened Fasteners: The real breakthrough in the furthering of the planetary system was achieved last year. Based on the increasing market need to roll harder materials and longer threads, Videx developed a line of machinery with 200 mm (8") and 300 mm (12") thread length capacity To overcome deflection problems, we used a technique of a closed structure, creating a closed frame between the segment die and the rotary die. This construction is similar to the construction of a two-roll machine, and enables Videx to offer machines with long thread capacity, that roll perfectly parallel threads on any length of parts and any material hardness. An unexpected result of the supported spindle construction, which was discovered by customers, was a considerable increase in the life of a thread rolling die especially when rolling pre-hardened parts, between 25 Rc and 36 Rc .This improvement in die life is now opening new opportunities for the planetary system, and Videx has decided to offer the closed structure thread rollers as an additional line to its commercial thread rollers. This line was demonstrated for the first time at the wire 2002 show, rolling pre-hardened M-14threads at a rate of 250 ppm The closed structure thread rollers can be used for the following applications:
• Thread rolling of pre-hardened fasteners.
• Straightening/rolling of long screws after heat treating.
• Thread rolling of long bolts to 350 mm (13.7") under head.
• Rolling of hard to roll forms such as Acme threads.
• Re-rolling of hardened fasteners.
• Feeding/rolling of hard to feed and grip parts like flanged bolts or parts with an upset under or above the head.
• Double-end thread rolling of headed parts under or above the head.
Dual Station (Single Spindle) Thread Rollers: The next step in machine design was the creation of a thread roller with a supported spindle and two rolling stations. This machine was designed for an American company that was looking for a thread roller that can roll long parts, with a thread and a chamfer above the head
Emphasis
Videx Machine Engineering Ltd., offers fully automated machines for the production of a variety of bolts and studs including magazine-feed thread rollers and bending machines. Also offered are planetary thread and form rollers for headed parts, various bolts, pipe plugs, etc. as well as planetary thread rolling dies. Videx also provides straightening and cutoff machines for short and long parts, construction steel and scaled wire models. designed to roll T-bolts, long screws and standard screws. The machine’s two rolling stations are mounted at a fixed distance from each other. The upper station accepts work pieces which are rolled above the head and the bottom station accepts standard screws, T-Bolts and long parts that are supported on the upper station and are rolled in the bottom station. The machine is equipped with two sets of feed rails and two floating feed arms, that can be positioned anywhere along the introduction shaft, for feeding long blanks on both sides at the same time. This feature is especially important when rolling long parts that should be fed both in the thread area and in the head area. The two rolling stations are independently set. Each one of the rolling stations has a separate thread pressure adjustment with hydraulic clamping and micrometric screws.
Additionally, the double station (single spindle) thread rolling machine can be equipped with a chamfer rolling attachment upon request of the customer. The VA line is also equipped with automatic air shutoff systems, that turn off the air supply to the feeder when it is not working and to the feed rails when the machine is not operating.
In Conclusion
The thread rolling world is in transition, with higher quality demands in many industries and tighter profit margins. In addition to the recent technological advantages, the prices of these machines have been kept highly affordable to protect your bottom line. For more details on planetary thread rolling machines
The planetary thread rolling system has come a long way since the 1970s and 1980s. In the past, the planetary system was used for rolling commercial and industrial products not requiring high dimensional and quality standards. These products are now made in China and other countries that offer reasonable quality and inexpensive prices, allowing a wider range of customers to purchase products that were once out of reach.
The fact that many standard fasteners are no longer manufactured n the USA and the rest of the western world has created a positive move forward in parts development and R&D of processes, which has resulted in more sophisticated and better quality products. The planetary system that was once used for rolling simple parts is now evolving to accommodate the changing needs of the fastener industry. In the last six years, Videx has been concentrating on developing and adapting this system to reduce labor and handling, roll smaller batches of high-quality parts and to allow less skilled operators to recall machine settings with ease.
Quality of Thread
Thread quality was the major issue and the key to the success of the Videx VA line of thread rollers. Videx has identified a problem in the uncontrolled feed of the blanks into the thread rolling dies in the planetary system. It has developed anew feed system that squares and feeds the blanks while they are already in motion and turns with the rotary die at the same linear speed. n the new system, the blanks move farther before they are fed in between the thread rolling dies. A newly developed feed system has a longer stroke and is more precise with a uniform feed force along the feed stroke. To achieve all these requirements, we eliminated the feed slide and the spring that required constant maintenance to keep them accurate. In the new system, the blanks are fed by a pivot arm and a pneumatic piston. This system is virtually maintenance free. The thread quality achieved with the above system enabled us to develop a few models for the automotive and aero space industries, all based on high quality requirements.
Dual-Spindle Thread Rollers: The first machine designed is a thread roller with two spindles (VA-K), for rolling knurls and threads on wheel bolts in two consecutive operations, done one after the other. The VA-20-K has two rolling stations, capable of performing two rolling operations on the same part. The machine can be used for the following applications:
• Knurl and thread rolling of wheel bolts
• Knurl and thread rolling of socket head cap screws.
• Chamfer, groove and thread standard and long bolts.
The two rolling heads are independently set and matched, eliminating any influence of one rolling operation on the other. The two rolling operations are done one after the other, while the blanks stay oriented in the feed rails, after the first rolling station operation and prior to the second rolling operation. This construction assures that there is no damage to the thread.
The VA-20-K dual head thread rollers solve problems such as the following:
• Separate operations assure a better quality of each rolled operation. It also helps to better control the separate operations and the tooling used.
• Speed achieved is higher than in any other system because the second operation does not slow the machine.
• By saving on handling, the VA-20-K eliminates the possibility of mixing parts, such as heat-treated parts with non-heat-treated parts.
• System allows rolling with inexpensive tooling, while having full control over the quality of each rolling operation. When a tool has to be replaced, it can be done in minutes.
The production rate for example, on standard wheel bolts is 320 to 500 ppm. Both threading stations havehydraulic clamping of thread rolling dies, zero-taper device for parallel threads and micrometric thread pressure screws. Other standard features include AC speed controller, automatic air shutoff and dual operator control panel on both sides of the machine for convenient and safe operation. The control panel at the back is also used when setting up the feeder.
T-Bolt Thread Rollers: Another model that was developed as a consequence of the new feed system was the VA-T series for rolling T-bolts. These thread rolling machines incorporate special T-bolt feeders that were developed in the USA. Combined with the long stroke feed mechanism, this special feeder allows the feeding of T-bolts one by one into the thread rolling dies at speeds of 100 to 200 ppm
Thread Rollers for Pre-Hardened Fasteners: The real breakthrough in the furthering of the planetary system was achieved last year. Based on the increasing market need to roll harder materials and longer threads, Videx developed a line of machinery with 200 mm (8") and 300 mm (12") thread length capacity To overcome deflection problems, we used a technique of a closed structure, creating a closed frame between the segment die and the rotary die. This construction is similar to the construction of a two-roll machine, and enables Videx to offer machines with long thread capacity, that roll perfectly parallel threads on any length of parts and any material hardness. An unexpected result of the supported spindle construction, which was discovered by customers, was a considerable increase in the life of a thread rolling die especially when rolling pre-hardened parts, between 25 Rc and 36 Rc .This improvement in die life is now opening new opportunities for the planetary system, and Videx has decided to offer the closed structure thread rollers as an additional line to its commercial thread rollers. This line was demonstrated for the first time at the wire 2002 show, rolling pre-hardened M-14threads at a rate of 250 ppm The closed structure thread rollers can be used for the following applications:
• Thread rolling of pre-hardened fasteners.
• Straightening/rolling of long screws after heat treating.
• Thread rolling of long bolts to 350 mm (13.7") under head.
• Rolling of hard to roll forms such as Acme threads.
• Re-rolling of hardened fasteners.
• Feeding/rolling of hard to feed and grip parts like flanged bolts or parts with an upset under or above the head.
• Double-end thread rolling of headed parts under or above the head.
Dual Station (Single Spindle) Thread Rollers: The next step in machine design was the creation of a thread roller with a supported spindle and two rolling stations. This machine was designed for an American company that was looking for a thread roller that can roll long parts, with a thread and a chamfer above the head
Emphasis
Videx Machine Engineering Ltd., offers fully automated machines for the production of a variety of bolts and studs including magazine-feed thread rollers and bending machines. Also offered are planetary thread and form rollers for headed parts, various bolts, pipe plugs, etc. as well as planetary thread rolling dies. Videx also provides straightening and cutoff machines for short and long parts, construction steel and scaled wire models. designed to roll T-bolts, long screws and standard screws. The machine’s two rolling stations are mounted at a fixed distance from each other. The upper station accepts work pieces which are rolled above the head and the bottom station accepts standard screws, T-Bolts and long parts that are supported on the upper station and are rolled in the bottom station. The machine is equipped with two sets of feed rails and two floating feed arms, that can be positioned anywhere along the introduction shaft, for feeding long blanks on both sides at the same time. This feature is especially important when rolling long parts that should be fed both in the thread area and in the head area. The two rolling stations are independently set. Each one of the rolling stations has a separate thread pressure adjustment with hydraulic clamping and micrometric screws.
Additionally, the double station (single spindle) thread rolling machine can be equipped with a chamfer rolling attachment upon request of the customer. The VA line is also equipped with automatic air shutoff systems, that turn off the air supply to the feeder when it is not working and to the feed rails when the machine is not operating.
In Conclusion
The thread rolling world is in transition, with higher quality demands in many industries and tighter profit margins. In addition to the recent technological advantages, the prices of these machines have been kept highly affordable to protect your bottom line. For more details on planetary thread rolling machines
Sunday, August 10, 2008
WELDING TECHNOLOGY
Welding technology has made a great revolution in industrial technology. In that Arc welding was the first one.
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