Mechanical Power Transmission

What piqued your interest in putting things together or taking them apart? Was it the same interest that pointed you towards engineering? Perhaps it was Lincoln Logs, Lego blocks, or an older Erector Set. But many engineers were inspired to pursue a technical career by a toy they loved as a child. Was this your case? Or was it your first car, and the repairs that it needed? Did a toy lead to your career 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.

Recent articles tell of the trials of Burt Siegal, a degreed engineer and head of his own design firm. It just happens that Siegal is being prosecuted for calling himself an 'engineer' because he doesn't hold a PE license. But, other than the traditional requirement of a PE for mainly public works, civil engineering work, are other 'engineers' less professional for not having a license? Does either a degree or a license define an engineer? What role should the Professional Engineering Act adopted by many states have in this matter?

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.

Recent trade press articles note that in China, as well as in the U.S., government incentive programs are lending a boost to sales in several industries. Do such programs put off a day of reckoning, or do they in fact jump start industries in trouble to help boost economic recovery? Are government incentives a solid boost or merely a flash-in-the-pan to long-term economic recovery?

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.

Recent articles in the press tell of a breakthrough possible in wind turbine power generation — robust gearboxes that are claimed to have a 50% torque density improvement. This would allow smaller units to produce the same power or the same size ones to generate more. Do you think this could help jump start wind power generation in the U.S? Can we come up with enough advances to help wind power application pick up speed?

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.

And some follow that action plan. However, when it comes to maintaining mechanical power transmissions, it generally is best to follow the axiom that if something is not broken, then don't fix it—in regard to preventive maintenance. Do you know of any situations where attempts to maintain or fix a component or system caused more problems than were solved? Should engineers leave well enough alone?

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.