Mechanical Power Transmission

Due to the rigors (joys?) of work and life, I divide my time between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. With cheaper gasoline in New Jersey, I fill my tank there. Due to seemingly archaic state laws, I can't pump my own gas in New Jersey (Oregon also prohibits self-service gas). State law cites higher general liability insurance premium rates for self-service facilities and health hazards from gasoline vapor exposure as reasons to ban personal petrol pumping. On one hand, I don't have to leave my car when it's 22 F. On the other hand, the law creates jobs. Third hand: Automatic shut-off mechanisms and other safety features make such legislated precautions moot. Is it time for this statute to be outlawed?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Mechanical Power Transmission, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Mechanical Power Transmission today.

Reading recently about the house built primarily of paper in 1924 in Rockport, MA, started me thinking about other available materials that could substitute for more commonly used ones. In this instance, paper was used to substitute for whatever materials could have been exploited to fabricate walls, furniture, and other interior components of a residence. A two-part question: What would be your one material of choice for application in residential design and construction? What would be your one material of choice if your selection was restricted to resource availability in the geographic area in which you reside? Oh yes, please tell me why you made your choice.

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Mechanical Power Transmission, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Mechanical Power Transmission today.

The U.S. Minerals Management Service estimates that about 76 trillion cubic feet of gas and 17.8 billion barrels of oil are off-limits to drilling in coastal areas as a result of congressional and presidential moratoria. Pressure to permit exploitation of these resources at a time of record oil and gas prices prompted lifting of the presidential ban on Outer Continental Shelf drilling. Yet Congress may restore the moratorium and state governors might oppose offshore activity. Hypothetically, would it be worth it? The available resource would supply at least two years' worth of national needs. Should the U.S. go for the black gold?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Mechanical Power Transmission, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Mechanical Power Transmission today.

The junction of mechanical systems, electronic systems, control systems, and computers forms the discipline of mechatronics. Its embrace has placed a stronger emphasis on early design integration and parallel development and on a multidisciplinary approach from concept through delivery. But which engineers should lead? Some make a case for mechanical engineers, arguing that it represents the broadest discipline. Others contend that electrical engineers are better versed in the control theory needed to deal with complex systems. How important is the engineering adjective? Does any one discipline own mechatronics?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Mechanical Power Transmission, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Mechanical Power Transmission today.

The merits of various vaccines have been verified, the role of evolution in biodiversity has been clarified, and anthropogenically-induced global warming, well — is still being debated. But why is scientific authority challenged by skeptics in many corners? Sociologist Harry Collins of Cardiff University, Wales, contends that this trend lies in a misunderstanding of expertise itself. Why should the average person admit that scientists might know better than they do? Collins points to contributions made by those with interactional expertise and tacit knowledge as the pinnacle of scientific probity. Certainly debate is a major part of the scientific process, but is science being undermined by a large dose of skepticism — or is caution wise?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Mechanical Power Transmission, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Mechanical Power Transmission today.