Retired Engineers

Welcome aboard!

Always glad to have more folks that understand the ethos.

I don't have a headcount on retired, unemployed, underemployed, or just ignoring something we should be doing (myself at the moment) but we are mostly just determined to give away our knowledge and pick some up in exchange.

Feel free to pass out our address amongst fellow travelers (he says like he owns the place) we are not actually possessed of any organization I have been able to detect; although our generous host GlobalSpec provides some worthies to keep us from each other's throats and take care of the backend as well as hosting blogs. Not sure what fit of generosity inspired them, but bless their hearts.

My official role here is that I happened to be walking by the gate when you came in, so none.

With that clearly established, feel free to introduce yourself and explain your group? I am personally curious (ask anyone who likes me - the rest disregard) as to your roots and how you happened to find each other? And then came to find this most interesting place?

My name is Emmett and I have slowly (20 years now) been forced to work my way down from avionics systems to embedded software and thence to organization and documentation in pursuit of FAA (and other) certifications. I should say something about "process" here, but it is late and I've said it too often today.

But around here I am killer on business plans, planning, (otherwise known as nagging about the nasty flies in the ointment) and have a jones for mechanical things of vintage and thermal solar.

Again, welcome! And I will look forward to answers in "my " morning (US-EST).

Hi Emmett,

Thank you for the kind words. I spent 32 years with the Canadian Coast Guard both ashore and on marine platforms (Search and Rescue, Icebreakers). My background is electrical/electronic engineering and had the good fortune to work with very capable marine engineers who managed to provide solutions to problems when several thousand miles away from base. (Murphy's Law is alive and well at sea) I have been retired for 5 years and since joined a group of ship modelers who do volunteer work for the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. The background of these individuals spans a gamut of Special Ops to engineers who worked on Canada's Arrow, ICBMs, one chap has 7 patents under his belt while working for Honeywell, also an engineer who worked safety systems on trans Canada pipeline, etc. Another retiree does aerial photography with his model airplane guided by a state of the art GPS system. Some of these fellows have built models of historic steamboats with working engines true to the period. I just thought we might have something to contribute, certainly will learn much from future discussions.

Best regards from Nova Scotia

Jack

Welcome to CR4. I'm sure that your input will be appreciated.

I have had the pleasure of working alongside the fine folks of the Coast Guard when I shipped with DFO as an interpreter during the "Turbot Wars". My only experience at sea, it left me with the most profound respect for the skill of our Coast Guard, DFO, and Navy.

I'm not an engineer, which is really why I appreciate the enormous reservoir of talent here, where problems are aired, discussed, and solutions pointed out. It's a place for me to check my errors, and a place where I have something to contribute from time to time. The ethos of helping others and straightening problems out is dear to me. And I learn a huge amount from reading other people's problems and answers.

Many problems are best addressed by discussion in a thread. Because it's public it also enlightens the rest of us casual readers. Some more thorny matters, or where applied skill rather than general direction is needed, require exchange of data and that can be accomplished as well in CR4 by private messaging.

So join our community with welcome, contribute what you enjoy contributing, , and prosper your mind with the good humor and the good sense of this fine bunch. Since I'm perenially self-employed I have no hope of enjoying 'retirement'... I just take the retirement bits every chance I get! like, pretending on my day off... Cheers.

What is ASHRAE 62.1 stands for? Can you give me a latest copy of it. Thanks

How many of you have PhD or MSc engineering? Would they be interested in working remotely, that is telecommuting? They will be paid. The tasks will be mostly engineering systems analyses, and I am also knowledgeable of the restrictions on the Canadian engineer, with respect to the oath of the iron ring, and so you will be asked no more and no less than the demands of the Oath.

You may write to me privately by "editor@gbanalysts.com"

Canadian Oath of the Iron Ring?

Planet? Yours or mine?

Eat your heart out.

I am a registered PE in California and Washington states. Currently I am a consultant to several companies doing commercial and defense oriented work primarily in hydraulics. I have several patents and have an extensive backround in project management and at one time was Chief Engineer at Paul-Munroe Hydraulics. At various times, working for companies such as North American Aviation (S&ID), Beckman Instruments and Parker Hannifing I had a secret clearance. I am a US citizen and am definitely interested in telecommuting.

Please, I take it that you are currently in California. Do please write to me again at "editor@gbanalysts.com", so we can communicate further.

Perhaps, I should clarify that this offer was extended only to residents of the NAFTA Zone: This restriction is necessary only because the Tax with-holding management issues are easier for us to take-on for such residents than others. Thank you.

I'm sure there are folks on this site who would gratefully receive all directed contributions. Advice based on experience is invaluable.

Good to meet you - stick around.

Hi 86

Welcome, I'm sure you have much to contribute, and as part of a group the contribution will be of added value. I am retired, not sure whether I'm still with it but put in my bit where I can.

Regards JD.

I am soon to be a retired professional engineer, so I'll try to keep up with you and anything going on -- I don't intend to let my registration lapse.

Background is custom/original electronic circuit design, mainly in control systems, but as a research support engineer, I worked on stuff (not just electronics) in about every field of engineering except mining.

Also have around 20 years experience in building construction from digging ditches to carpentry and job superintendent to project manager.

Are you planning on starting a "forum" here on CR4?

Background is custom/original electronic circuit design, mainly in control systems, but as a research support engineer, I worked on stuff (not just electronics) in about every field of engineering except mining.

There's still time!

Small rural town looking for Photo-Voltaic lighting systems for Parks and Recreation areas that include picnic areas, swimming pool and possibly skate-board park. Town of 3000 (That's right) friendly people that are trying to enter the twenty-first century but are probably 50 yrs. behind. Any communication(s)/assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely, Curt Williams Town of Superior, Az.,USA Ph# 480 600 7828(USA)

Greetings,

Please have a look at carmanah.com. We have used their navigation lighting system.

Hope it meets your requirements.

Jack

Hello Guys

I am from Pune / India, however not yet retired , but may be after an year. I am having 33+ years of experenience in Mechanical Seals and Related products.My experinece starts from Designer to Managing Director to CEO to Business & Management Advisor.

I will be able to contribute my expereince / expertise and knowledge.

Thanks & Regards,

Ashok Punde

Pune / India

E-Mail: acpunde@gmail.com

I ma in Mumbai,if you could tell me what you need to keep it as it was,I may be a position to avail,say shipping related,pumps where ever

hello.

I have interest in contact you organisation, I have a small project for remanufacturing small power transformer and need to someone to hekp me in make all the planification for a small shop, please contact me to my personal mail deltrafosa@gmail.com

my name is Mario, and the project will be in Guatemala.

A million thanks in advance for you help.

I to am an old fart, 73 to be exact retired at 65 and looked like becoming a chair fixture, so I made a very large decision I started a new company building transportable homes that are a new concept in home building, look at my web page.

modakaustralia.com.

I ask this so you can get a better idea of what I am up to and to ask if anyone out there with light steel construction abilities or are inventive has some ideas to improve this concept I would most like to hear from you.

Puzzel for the day, you have a package 30 ft long 8 ft high and 12 ft deep and you want to slide it out as you would a draw in a match box with only the floor to use for support and guidance. how do you do it and keep straight????.

simple just design the floor with u channel and a series of rollers. done this for mobile units here in the states. total prefab homes can be setup in 2 days after truck arrives a site ,you and also design it for 2 story application and no need for crane work.

Reusable internal tensioning cables running from corner to corner as required. They won't need to carry a lot of load to keep the corners square as long as the building is supported by a flat surface that distributes the weight. To the extent that you ask the building to act like a beam with discrete supports like during unloading or support side loads during transport the loading in the tension members will increase as will the point loads at their anchor points. The anchor points may present design problems to make them compatible with the building function and a reasonable cost since they will have to stay with the building.

Ed Weldon

Inflatable/deflatable "sausage" rollers.

Great concepts. The aesthetic architectures is great.

Personally I would like find a way to 'repurpose' used containers into affordable, and transportable housing, that is still shipable as a 'container'. Adding a better aesthetic manner to it is needed, and, I think possibly a good way to do windows and doors that don't protrude, and adding a 'docking' mechanism to take, say 20' containers and connect them off a central 40' container conduit.

Being able to 'franchise' inter-operable 'container buildings' to be made locally (at least near major cities world wide) would allow great use of resources.

Not all 'containers' can be, or should be repurposed for housing, but there does seem to be a 'glut', at least in the USA, of containers that are emptied and not re-shipped.

Also, IMHO, putting the ability for heating and cooling abilities in all modules sounds reasonable, the ability to ship with solar panels pre-installed (or 'clip' install able, so it could be 'removed' for trans-shipping, and installed again). Solar panels can include PV AND thermal radiators for both heading and cooling and domestic water heating.

Possibly making a more 'standardized' (and thus 'less expensive') 'wet' module could help. Containing bath/restroom, possibly a kitchen/utility either in the same or a separate module. These could also contain needed 'mechanicals' to support HVAC, humidity control, power management, etc.

This is just some musings. ... What do you think?

I have seen some information about a company in El Paso TX (or near) that is taking 40' containers and makeing 1 bed room housing that is shippable. It has a bed room, a 'wed module' that slides in that is pre-plumbed for rest room and roughin in for the kitchen that is finished out in the container, and living/dining room area. ... I think they are focused at the needs of migrant workers, so property owners could purchase and install pretty reasonable housing inexpensively. This would significantly upgrade the conditions of many migrant agricultural workers in the USA. But I don't know if they are really in production or just have built a 'prototype'. I think they were thinking of about $10K USDollars that they could load on a truck or train to ship whereever.

To me the concept you are talking about makes a lot of sense. But I think it should be designed to fit inside a container, not use one for a structure. Designing a "house" to meet all the requirements of intermodal transport would be a waste of money considering that it will likely only be used once. I think $10,000 for a manufacturing cost is way to low for construction in Group 7 nations. You can hardly build an 18 foot travel trailer for that cost let alone a 40 foot house with systems that have to hold up for many years of continuous use. Maybe major components or modules could be built at East Asian labor rates and assembled locally. My thought is that for the purpose of low cost housing sizes less than 40 feet with add-on bedroom modules would make more sense. Kind of along the line of thinking of current US modular home builder who don't mess with the things like garages that can be built cheaper on site.

Ed Weldon

The reason for using the containers IMHO, is to use a 'pre-built box', that could be outfitted within reason. Using what the shipping industry seems to consider 'disposable' containers (not worth shipping back empty),

The $10K US is a target one company has, but they are targeting a specific need. It is not outfitted 'nicely', but is generated for very low income. At $10K, I would assume it is focused at $30K annual income families if used as a permanent residence.

If they are done on the averate for $10K/module, it would still be inexpensive. Possibly a $20K for a 'plumbed' or 'mechanical' module, and $10K for a 'sleeping' or 'room' module.

Add them together with couplings included... I could see a 2br, 1 bath, 1 kitchen, 1 living room for about $30K to $50K.

Doing a single 40' module that is a 'complete' house like the one the $10K house only nicely appointed to be $20 to $30K delivered would be in the realm of reasonable.

Another reason for the containers is to hopefully be able to have it be closer to 'tornado proof'. Or possible to 'easily' cover with concrete add that level of security.

There are a few areas in the US considered 'tornado alley', and addressing their concerns is another need. Even areas like Houston and Miami that are hurricane prone, could use it, since more people are killed from spawned tornados than the hurricanes themselves. (I have lived in a 'tornado alley' in North Texas, and in the Houston area for most of my life. But since moving to TN I have never had so many tornado's close to where we live, and this is not known as a 'tornado alley' or tornado prone area. ... I just heard on the news that here in TN there is lobbying started for legislation to require tornado shelters at each residence.. making residence have a 'secure' structure from the beginning is better than any retrofit, IMHO.)

Servant 47 -- Your ideas here make a lot of sense. Especially for tornado country. I can see the market is widespread and diverse in terms of local requirements. How do you visualize solving three problems in using actual steel containers as the structure?

1. How best to deal with cooling and ventilation in hot USA summers?

2. How to deal with entry doors and a second fire exit?

3. How to compromise with NIMBY zoning and building codes?

Ed Weldon

GA, Ed. If I ever move from my hillside home and need to add a workshop I'll try that one. A good sprinkler system will take care of most of the fire safety issue.

Ed Weldon

Here in Panama, I know of several old containers that have been converted to both housing and to office facilities. Some of these containers have doors on the sides as well as the ends- I do not know for sure if these were part of the original container design or not, although looking at the closure mechanisms and hinges, I suspect that, at least in some cases, they were original. Joining multiple containers in just about any configuration you can imagine should be trivial. I have also seen everything from very high-end interior decoration (complete with picture windows and all) to very, very basic applications (open the door and move in level). Air conditioning is another matter- on the high end, the insides are finished with conventional, insulated walls and ceilings. On the low end, the occupants are challenged to pay for electricity for lights- air conditioning is not even a remote dream. Leave the doors open for natural ventilation...

HVAC? In the Southwest, 'swamp bucket' air coolers work well and provide ventilation along will cooling. It does 'cost' considerable water. In other parts of the country, there are starting to be liquid desicant cooling systems that basicaly de-humidify and not really cool the air, but it makes it 'easier' to live with. ... What is the best solution? ... There is the 'rest of the country' where refrigeration is the only reasonable option. But with refrigeration comes the posibility of geothermal, ether with a thermal 'well or two' or a field, depending again on the locale. ... Some of the 'insulating paints' are interesting thermal bariers and could be useful almost anywhere (basically paint with a ceramic bead additive, touted as being the offspring of the tiles used to protect the space shuttle on re-entry) also, but use of foam on the inside may be the 'best' and most standard solution building inspectors are comfortable with. Building a house out of steel 'lego's should bring down its flamability, depending out what the 'buildout' uses. For heating and some cooling, using tubing like pex pre-installed in the walls and ceiling with 'quick disconnects' could make it easy to deal with much heating and cooling.

Taking a hint in the southwest from old hacienda's, it would be interesting to stack adobe brick on the outside. Thick walled adobe hacienda type buildings are relatively cool in the summer and warm in the winter due to having such a thermal mass. The 4' thick walls in some I have been in make it almost like living underground.

Entry and fire exits? ... With a cutting torch? Yes, more questions than I know solutions. I would assume architectural types would have suggestions for comprimize between estetics, practicality, and art. I come from the 'practical' school but do understand the desire for it have good flow for the work of living, and the estetics to not just be a 'box'. ... Being 'factory made', it might be able to have built in eminities that are less easy to do in stick built structures. Having a good 'docking' mechagnism that would allow opening a hole in the 'side' of a container, and allowing the end of another to 'dock' would make a very open passage, and could be used to make rooms feel larger.

I was also toying with the idea of making a 'hollow square' or other shape to allow an 'internal courtyard' or patio lile old haciendas in the US Southwest.

Codes and zoning... always an issue with what would be considered 'manufactured housing'. This is where I can read, but have not been a builder or housing manufacturer. Also different codes are in place different places. ... Where I am now there is about to be a mandate to add required sprinkler systems to all new construction. I am not sure, but I am told this should add about $2 to $5/sqft to housing costs. Being pre-planned for such things could make meeting such requirements easier. ... As far as getting the 'sign off', again, I will defer to any experts in the area. Lile everyone, I have an opinion, but it is not necessarially 'right' in the view of zoning and codes.

not my field...

sounds like a shipping container...So , can i use cables and the containers hooks... seen what special material mover is used in lumbar moving.looks like..... like 2 u bolts on wheels , cab in the back... slides up to the bundel.. hooks up to the bundle ..drags it out driving the line you need ..

space clown here,are or do you folk have any knowledge in hover craft if so,were starting a business building some but in need of a experience cad design engr.to help with some issue. If interested be willing to pay for your help.

Perhaps Modak in 12 should experiment with air skates [ ex hovercraft technology] I use them to push heavy machines around on a good level floor. beuty is therwe is no resriction in the direction you can move unlike rollers .

garth.it not haed to move heavy objects around with hover craft tech, I move 8500 lbs over water in the air and on ground, i need to find a way to Inprove on noise reduction. Also use hovercraft to spray crops,for our farmers were we are assembling the units.

This writer is 65 years old with 75% hearing handicap. Still managed to complete engg and now heading Purna Design Engineers Pvt Ltd, Bangalore, India. We have 16 engineers ( it was 25 last year). Website www.purnadesign.com describes our functions. We do not have marketing and business development staff. Anybody is free to help us by introducing us to clients. We will compensate the effort. Basically we are in the industrial/power/chemical piping and structural engg field.

The company is not family controlled as happens in most cases. An employee is a director on the Board.

I can help you in Mumbai tel 9323277145

At 60, I have about 5 yr to go to retirement. Currently unemployed, with about 30+ years experience in mechanical engineering of large products (100 lb - 600 tons). I have 2D CAD at home, and would be happy to take on a suitable project.

What kind of project? What is the nature of work done so far?

Thanks to hear you sir... Well i have to ask you about surge tank for water pump supply and also the ESP of fans. Can you tell me the formula in computing this subject. I am a junior designer and i have some doubts about this things. Thanks...

Joseph

May 07, 2009 Retired Engineers Your Forum Thread sounds very encouraging, I am also an Engineer and almost reaching the retirement age, my main area of interest is steam turbines and turbo-generators, having studied Mechanical Engineering in U.K and worked in association with a USA based Steam Turbine for a long time now I am settled in my home country, Pakistan providing Technical Consultancy and Services, there is lot of scope for activity for a retired person, main area of interest will be Power Generation, if any one interested please get in touch and I am sure we all can find some good and interesting activity for retired Engineers. Please be assured that Pakistan is a much safer country than being portrayed on the media Mahmood M. Khan Director EM TECH 45 - Surria Park Lahore - 54920 Pakistan Ph.:00-92-42-682-3048 Fax:00-92-42-687-2035 E-Fax:00-1-815-327-6508 Cell:00-92-300-424-0509

Good morning to you all, it is very refreshing to have the aquired knowledge of so many people willing to help others. With that in mind I am currently a second year Electrical & Electronics student, and I am having a bit of a problem with a project, I have to design a 3 wheeled robot, and implement a simulation using a programming language of my choice. The main idea is to let the robot move and when it encounters and object, it then reverses and avoids the object. I am not so good with programming and because of this I have thought that I should use an H bridge configuration, for 2 motors. Just simple dc motors. I also think that just having a simple bumper switch would be ample. Do you think that you may be able to assist me in this problem?

Many thanks in advance.

How many reading this programs the 80xxx (Intel)??

8051 Basic is VERY easy,eeprom writers(serial or parallel) abound the internet,,,,,,

Good Luck

Joe.

In the right use, the 8051 and its various derivatives drive lots of the worlds control systems. ... you may not want to put a TCP/IP stack on one, but they are great machines.

If the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. - Anonymous

Congrats for your desire to serve the soceity . I am also a retired professor of engineering. You may count on me too.

My e mail id : psubbu44@yahoo.com

Check out Engineers Without Borders. I'm the founding President of the San Diego chapter, and each chapter throughout the US and Canada are always looking for all sorts of engineers (and non-engineers) to help out. If there's not a chapter near you, you should start one! http://www.ewb.ca/en/index.html or www.ewb-usa.org Sincerely, Tim Boelke, California

Hi!

Hey! That sounds very familiar...Yeah, me too in the same predicament! The trouble is no one wants to gain from the wealth of experience that old retirees have accumulated during decades of valuable service rendered by them to their respective professions. By the way, I am a Civil Engineer specialised in Dams, Hydro-electric Power Projects, Ports, Harbours, Marine and Infrastructure Works, Environmental Engineering, Urban Development and Project Management.

Sir, what do you do for your living? Surely, life is tough after retirement. What do you suggest?

Regards and Best Wishes

PLAN from Hyderabad, India.

With all the whining about the current economy, no jobs, etc, and the brain trust available with PRACTICAL knowledge in engineers of all ages around this country (USA) and the world, IMHO this problem can be solved.

Let's attack this like we attack ANY engineering problem.

But we need to frame the final solution(s) with business plans, target the buy in of 'suits' (be them bankers, vulture capitalists, or a few of us that are also business savy and have sat on the Cxx side of the tables who want to get it going ... [Paul Alan? Bill Gates? Others with deep pockets and experience listening?])

Once there is a business plan, there are ideas that don't take megabucks to implement, and in the process we can get ourselves and others doing stuff, feeling useful, employed (pay checks are a good way of counting coo, give it away if you don't need it, or invest it back into the venture, but don't NOT take it. It gives an unreasonable perspective on the value of your contribution), and noting is as satisfying as a new business, and employing others in useful and profitable enterprises.

My suggestion is to choose 'a few' of the tasks here by consensus. Someone passionate about it, start a thread with some seeds of data/information/passion from this thread, and post back here that 'you are raising the flag' and giving us a direction to charge.

Real work can be done virtually (Skype type teleconferences, google docs for information sharing and storage, whatever...) or face to face depending on the participants.

My request is to have projects that are 'seeded' from this thread, post back here from time to time, indicate projects or the need for new help. I am sure you can get more participants.

Some projects with 'win' and be successful, some with die a natural death, some with languish (please kill the project so energy can be put somewhere else if this is happening). Such is the way of our open society especially in a free (mosty) market economy. We can whine about our governments, but we can surpass them and get things done in spite of them.

Do things that make sense. Do things that are good for others, environment, and ourselves.

Enough cheer leading. ... Let's go take over this world again!

So someone select your pet project, start another thread to kick it off in a big way, and let us know. Some will follow, some won't. There are enough ideas and projects for us all to win with out there!

(IMHO, we can participate in a project we are interested in even if employed else where. But check employment contracts... please do these as open projects, so no NDA's and other things that only make lawyers rich., but that is my opinion, your project is yous, go for it.)

That's why I posted the apix stuff...

Good idea that got boged down in the legalities...

someone has to be in charge, there needs to be some sort of structure, these two issues were [& are] the biggest thorns to deal with.

The originator feels [rightly so] that he should be able to decide the direction of the project.

How can we form a effective group?

How can we build the trust necessary?

The technical details are easy compared to having the P's & Q's covered

Everyone has to get paid

Payment can take many forms

money, time, fulfilment, political capitol [insert your favorite]

Gentlemen,

I originally submitted comment # 48. I have been involved in advisory engineering services for a number of years and would like to repeat what I said in my earlier comment. I have read many of the comments and as in everything else when you put more than 1 person in a room for an answer you will get as many answers as are people in the room.

The name of the organization should be "International Association of Independent Consultants" It should be incorporated as a non-profit, LLC Corporation. It should have a board of directors elected from the body of members. Members should be required to join for a fee of $X per year to cover administration, legal costs, website costs, incorporation costs, etc.

An administration executive committee should be nominated to handle finances, coordination of engineering and other assistance to a client, etc. The board of Directors is to evaluate administrative costs and time in order to evaluate need for compensation.

Members should fill out a simple qualification, experience, professional type personnel sheet not only for file but for client review.

Client should fill out a sheet of personal data, company financial basic information, reason for request and specifics of request. In order to assign appropriate people to the client a review committee should approve the request, make assignments, follow any client concerns, assign other disciplines if required. Approval of a request should be based on real need, financial need, etc. There should be a limit on anytime spent on student requests.

Client request should be evaluated as to potential scope and involvement. (It is my opinion that any assistance we can give realistically, by email, can be given free of charge. If any administrative, telephone charges like should be addressed by the assignee and the client and charges appropriately invoiced. Any other costs incurred such as travel, out of pocket as requested by the client, more detailed work such as design, project services, are to be compensated by the client, with a token charge for administrative costs to IAIC.

Client is to agree to a waiver of liability before any service is rendered. Client is to agree to joint ownership of any new developments, patentable and must agree to compensation of any related fees, etc.

I think we should have an open discussion on the above so we can get it going and do what we are intending instead of bickering. By the looks of the comments there are already things to do places to go people to see.

The cost of incorporation should not be over $200 to $300. in any state. A decent web site set up and monthly fees. Admin. costs to set up the books, spread sheets, data files, project files.

Regards

TC

Hi All respected Seniors

I am electrician and have experience in telecommunications recently i graduated in wireless telecom from Humber College but i dont have practical experience in wireless RF designing i am intrested to learn to get real experience in field.IF you guys can help me to learn more in RF networking Please send me a email on exxman23@hotmail.com.

Thanks to all

I am trying to find out which metal has the best thermal transmission to durability ratio. I need something that is going to be able to withstand extended periods at 500 deg F without causing any loss of therrmal transmission through the metal. I also need to know which light weight metal has the best durability in a high heat environment. If you can provide me with either of these answers, I would greatly appreciate it.

Hi All,

I am Suresh Sharma Retired Mechanical & Production Engineer from Mumbai,India. I retired 10 years back at the age of 58 years,retirement age in India. I have worked for 33 years with a Indo-German company mfg. Manual/Electric Hoists,EOT Cranes, High Rise Stores Stacker Cranes. At present doing free lancing for my clients in India just to keep myself busy. I will be glad to help anyone needing help for the products stated above.God Bless You all Retirees.

Regards,

Suresh Sharma

Dear Sharma Sir,

I would like to introduce myself as Management grad and professionally served IT industry for five year but never had job satisfaction so in 2005 resigned as started Venture Crozair Technicea with objective to work for my first crush i.e. Mother Nature. I have no engineering background but deep interest drove in this area, after four years of real life learning now i have a established company with Products like DSRP and recently launched Scroll vacuum Pump (Fourth Company worldwide).

From the very binging i learned a lot from Veteran of engineering industry and they acted as real Guru of my engineering career but i lack a lot on project management and other issues. I would like to interact with you and share some of my unfinished projects where i expect help from seniors. Please pass your contact detail.

Thank You

Manoj Krishna Shukla

Crozair Technicea

Hi Mr.Shukla,

My contact details are sureshsharma@yahoo.com.

Suresh Sharma.

Dear mr sharma

I am soni from kenya and require gantry crane of 25tons .Is there any way you can help? I am also looking at the possibilities of manufacturing inhouse as we have a well equipped workshop but lack the expertise. The span we are looking at is 20mtrs with 9mts lift.

kindly advise

regds

soni

You need a Whiting Crane Handbook, no longer in print. Older editions 1955 and earlier have the most useful information for design. The company, now located in Canada, might be able to help; but I'm inclined to think their lawyers have convinced them to act as if they never published such a book.

Ed Weldon

Fourth edition available for $200 here.

I would start with your local schools and unis. Then start looking for local government projects. No glamor there but plenty of dirt to play in. Local factories that need to have a manufacturing line brought up to date are good candidates. You'll need political connections to get funding for yourselves and the factory equipment. You will probably have to incorporate as an NGO as well. You can take this as far as you care too, there is plenty of room for engineers to do projects that aren't "profitable."

Have fun with that!

Good points...even if it's not working on projects, most educational institutions could sure use some help in generating interest in engineering and sciences...

I am a bit far from retirement but after being involved with open source software I've always wondered about open-engineering. I personally think that the current paradigm of patenting obscure ideas is crippling innovation. I'd like to get involved with like-minded individuals who could communally come up with a way of collaborating on anything and/or everything and then legally licensing their work in a way that:

• allows companies to produce something (while making a fair profit) or improve on something (but bound to share those improvements as the originators of the root item/idea/process/etc.
• kickbacks (call it a royalty for lack of a better word) are used expressly for the development of new ideas

On these forums I find myself drawn to conversation that are genuine people concerned about genuine problems. Sure, there's always room for questions and answers regarding specifics on commercial projects but I like my idealistic view (sometimes pronounced "delusion") that an open and honest sharing of ideas, methods and procedures between local economies is where the world will make it's greatest advances...not in the current closed-minded marketing and profit driven society run by super-corporations that exploit the wealth, resources, manpower and ecosystems of different nations for their own gain.

One that note, I've got to get to work or I'll turn this into a novel or something.

A good article I just read on the topic:

One of my favorite tech authors, Don Lancaster, wrote a paper years ago on the case against patents. Basically patents are a license to sue. Having a patent only means you have the ability to protect your turf if you want to. He has a site, syngernetics.com if I rember right. It contains lots of his writings. Some rambling, some pointed.

What I would like is the ability to protect ideas that are 'open' and available for use, with whatever restrictions, and these to be considered 'prior art' if published before a patent is granted. Having the not be able to be 'patented' after being published in the open press (or internet or whatever). I am sure there are some legal details in there, but currently inspectors only seem to consider prior patents or prior art that is brough to their attention, not that it is published.

Hi,

Try Rotary. My chapter is working on providing water and sanitation to some villages outside of Gondar Ethiopia. We have a proposal, but need people with the right experience to evaluate it and provide some guidance.

Another place for you to look is Engineers Without Borders, www.ewb.org.

Good day seniors.

I have 13 years to official retiring border but engineer is young forever. Only experience gets old - I mean more in time unit. One of my friends, a strong and young engineer (I'm younger than him) has been available at work for 60 years since his graduation. He seldom asks me for new ideas but he often suggests me new ideas. It proves that the longer engineer stays in engineering career, the richer, more contribution he/she shows.

the younger engineer.

I am retired as well. Started out as a machinist and retired as a project engineer. I am still very active in church work though. Currently trying to make the "live" feed work in remote theatre. Have background in electronics/electrical, mechanical design, pneumatics, computer hardware and software, auto repair, video and audio. Other hobbies include music and tropical fish. I have been a musician (technically) for 57 years. I add my welcome to CR4 as well.

Regards,

Jimmy (AKA Keywalker)

A musician with a chronic engineering habit...I work with several of those! ;)

cheers!

Dear All,

I'm assuming that I should address the originator of this idea and that should be srofficer86@aol.com? If not let me know who did. The purpose of the address is to congratulate him/her on the idea and to throw in my two cents as well. By the looks of the comments to CR4 it has already generated some work and needed advice.

Firstly, I am also a 66 year young retired engineer, extractive metallurgy and chemical, specializing in minerals process technology as it applies in the iron and steel making industry, have visited 72 countries and counting and have worked in 25 on mining through processing and steel making. I possess patents not only in these fields, but in environmental recovery of mineral wastes, direct steel and stainless steel making with as mined minerals, reduction of energy and effluents in the minerals industry, direct reduction of iron and oxides, enhancements to moving bed phenomenum and others.

I have worked in areas from project management and project engineering to manufacturing management, process development, corporate development, patent and licensing, contracts and project agreements, personnel/corporate development and training, etc., blah, blah. I would be happy to assist this development.

Secondly, we should put some stipulation in the "free" advisory services as it is going to take something to give out free advise. Next, we should consider a web site, departments and heads of departments for coordination, requirements of travel and costs, on and on and on.

Next we should have limitations as to who we help and is it going to be free assist and how far. And of course the question of liability will be an issue, so should the group be licensed or LLC, non-profit, etc. Many type issues need to be addressed.

What's the next step since the original message has generated extreme interest.

Regards

tcinc002@aol.com

Thomas J. Coyne, Jr.

Oregon, USA

(503) 630-6759

Dear All,

I am humbled and blown away by the response. The keen grey matter that is bottled up by so many senior professionals with no outlet, and the years of vast experience should not lay in waiting for the grim reaper.

But I did not invision mega project that would require a hierarchy of departments, liability issues and intercontinental travel. Rather a chance to help less fortunates by solving their problems together. A chance to think "outside the box" and a diversion from the tedium of the daily news.

I am just another senior who happened to raise the question and started what I hope will be a vehicle of learning, sharing and mutual respect.

Hi Srofficer86,

I have understood your point of starting this thread.What I understand is the basic purpose of your taking this initiative was to help less fortunate people on this earth. Now it may be required for us to identify the problems faced by such people. Best source for this would be to get in touch with NGOs like "Rotary" or others.

After identification of the problems let our many friends with vast experience apply their minds and suggest solutions and help in what ever possible way.I am just listing few problems which are commonly faced by such people around the globe:-

1.Availability of drinking water.

2.Affordable and cheap houses.

3.Basic Education.

4.Hunger. etc.

I hope you will agree with me.

Regards,

Suresh Sharma

Dear SROFFICER86,

By entering into the CR4 forum itself, I think you have achieved what you are opting for.Untested/tried knowledge is a waste of potential.Day to day technical touch,polishing,sharing could lead to better technical satisfaction for those who are really aspiring and still in possession of it[the technical value stuff].

For a cohesive ongoing of society,the three generations should work hand in hand-like 1]The wisdom and experience of elders,2]the strength and vigour of the present generations3]The adventurous spirit of the youngers-are put into best blending.Learning and contribution are never ending activities for the active people.The industrial life grooms such culture.

Added activities for elderly engineers could be in the following volunteer or invited activities.

*Guest lecture programmes in engineering education institutes

*Chairing sessions

*A how are you performing visit to past served companies[provided terms are good]

*Contributions to expert panels related to social/technological issues,strategic advice

*Policy advisory role to state/federal governance

*Contributions to technology and refinements

*Private expert consultations.

*Contributions to technical articles in periodicals

I see many of my senior gurus being active even after retirement in the above said means.

Best wishes

Dear CATZPAW. I am replying to your comment #164. I applaud your work and fortuitiveness (sp). I don't know where you live or what your disability is in specifics, but you would do everyone a favor by visiting a veteran's hospital and discussing this idea with some of the people there. They have been thrust on their disabilities and some of them seem not to have any kind of vision for the future. They do have the exact experiences you will need and a bunch of them I'm sure can come up with a solution to these problems. Try cooking a couple of eggs when you can't reach the stove or its too high and a wheelchair that will do the trick is $40,000.

Also these people have what is called veterans' benefits with business startup loans and educational loans that they can use perhaps as a buy-in, partnership, etc.

HIRE A VET, you won't be sorry!

Let us know how it went and let us know if we can help with some of the engineering, answer questions, review designs. What we accomplish here can be used all over the world for the forgotten many.

Tom

PS: Perhaps some of the people here can start the assistance role by signing up to help. Remember, you are going to need practical experienced people too, if you are going to build something in a garage, like machinists, welders, steel carpenters (millrights) plumbers, electricians, etc., etc..