IMAGINEERING

5 Astonishing 3D Object

noreply@blogger.com (Kinetics) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:28:00 +0000

Realize it or not, this world is full of so many strange and weird objects, but some of them are quite cool and astonishing. Most of this strange objects were found by Mathematicians. Starting from a very simple form but amazing to the most complex and intricate things. Here are some of them.

Mobius Strip
Mobius strip is simply a band or tape that both ends are connected in such a way that it only have one surface. Consequently, if there is a lost ant on the surface, walking to find a way out, he will surely getting lost more and more... since he will be back to original point even he already walking through both side of the tape.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%B6bius_strip

Because Mobius strip is so unique, many art in the form of Mobius Strip are made. Below masterpiece is one of them.

Source: http://www.plamenarts.com/double_mobius_strip_-_chicago_2002.html

Klein Bottle
This is definitely not an ordinary bottle. It was invented by German mathematician Felix Klein in 1882. Klein bottle is one non-orientable surface where inside and outside reference cannot be defined consistently.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klein_bottle

Below picture shows a real Klein Bottle filled with some liquid. It will not easy to fill the bottle with liquid though. It needs to be done in reverse position, and the air inside will be difficult to get out.

Source: http://archdezart.com/2011/11/25/klein-bottle/

Boy's Surface
A little bit more complex than Klein Bottle, the following surface was invented by Werner Boy in 1901. Boy's Surface is immersions from projective planes to the 3 dimensional space. O..Ow...seems heavy stuff, but probably below illustration video can help us in understanding how a Boy's surface was made.

Besides its complexity, Boy's surface not only exist in the world of theory, but also exist in real world. The Mathematical Research Institute of Oberwolfach have a big model of Boy's surface at its entrance. This model was donated by Mercedes-Benz in Jan 1991.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy%27s_surface

Hilbert Curve
This object is certainly quite "heavy" to be understood. But anyway, it was invented by German Mathematician David Hilbert in 1891. This curve is also known as a space-filling curve.

Source: http://www.datadeluge.com/2011/12/for-nerd-who-has-everything.html

And surprisingly, there is someone, dedicated enough to create a model of Hilbert Curve made from steel pipes.

Source: http://blog.makezine.com/tag/MathMonday/page/5/

Loxodrome
In navigation, loxodrome is a line that cuts all latitudes and longitudes at the same angle, as depicted below.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loxodrome

The interesting part when this concept is converted into a beautiful object as photographed below.

Source: http://www.bugman123.com/Math/index.html

7 Most Unique Machine

noreply@blogger.com (Kinetics) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 04:46:00 +0000

The Writing Ball
This typewriter is really unique. Developed in 1865 by Rasmus Malling-Hansen and being the first ancestor of efficient and financially success typewriter.

Not only efficient, but also has an elegant look. A little bit weird, but definitely unique for an office equipment.
Source:
http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2010/10/hansens-writing-ball-other-unusual.html

John Deere Walking Tractor
A walking heavy machinery is always a brilliant concept. This tractor is used in logging area where a conventional wheel is impossible to pass.

Each of the six foot will provide a larger contact area compared with a conventional wheel, so the load can be spread to reduce ground disturbance.
Source:
http://blog.machinefinder.com/3255/john-deere-walking-tractor

Stirling Engine Model
Stirling engine is a heat engine that work with cyclic compression and expansion of air or other gas in a different temperature level. Stirling engine was a greatest rival of steam engine and widely used for low power application over a century.

The interesting part is when a fully functional mini model of this engine is created for educational purpose. This mini-model can operate with any heat source including body heat.

Source:
http://gyroscope.com/d.asp?product=TWINSTIRLING

GE Frame 9 Gas Turbine
Switching from classic engine to a modern engine of this century, this is one of the world's largest gas turbine with 400 MW capacity. General Electric with its massive Frame 9 gas turbine.

Frame 9 has elevate gas turbine technology to the next level, where capacity is no longer a constraint and efficiency has reach 60% if used in a combined cycle system.

Source:
http://www.emprise-usa.com/test-stands/gas-turbine/index.php

Massive Trencher
This is the world's largest digging machine. Extraordinary massive...

Yokohama Spider
Again, a fascinating giant legged machine. This 15 m tall giant spider robot is manufactured at Liverpool, England by a French company La Machine. The spider was place into action at Yokohama to celebrate 150th anniversary of the opening of the Port of Yokohama in April 19, 2009.

Source:
http://www.dannychoo.com/post/en/17724/Yokohama+Giant+Spider.html

The Mini-Combustion Engine
This is the world's smallest petrol engine that can be used to power a watch for years with only a single dose of light fuel.

This Micro-engine can produce 700 times more power compared to conventional batteries.

Source:
http://geeknizer.com/worlds-smallest-petrol-engine/

BMW 2015 Concept Car

noreply@blogger.com (Kinetics) — Sun, 17 May 2009 05:00:00 +0000

It's really a very futuristic design! Hopefully I can see the real thing six year from now :D
At a glance, it seems like a speedracer's cars. Hmm...probably that's the inspiration source...

Source:
http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2008/07/25-bmw-2015-concept-ied-turin/
http://www.toxel.com/inspiration/2008/08/18/creative-concept-car-designs/

Eco-Friendly Water Powered Clock

noreply@blogger.com (Kinetics) — Mon, 11 May 2009 00:41:00 +0000

This clock is realy realy cool, it runs on water, without the needs for batteries. The electrodes in this clock will harvest the energy from water. We just need to fill the tank with water. The energy extraction will be more efficient if we add some lemon juice to the water tank.

Because the clock is not using batteries, it's very eco-friendly. If anyone interested in buying this clock, and participating in fighting the global warming, you can read further info here

Sorapot: Modern Teapot

noreply@blogger.com (Kinetics) — Wed, 06 May 2009 22:31:00 +0000

Sorapot is a unique and modern teapot designed by Joey Roth. Sorapot maybe a little too "over designed" for a teapot, because it's made of investment-cast stainless steel, borosilicate glass (Pyrex), and food grade silicon.

One thing that made this teapot not a "logical choice" (especially for Indonesian woman) is the $200 dolar price each. But if you just want to buy it, you can visit sorapot.com .

Source: http://www.toxel.com/tech/2008/08/15/sorapot-unique-modern-teapot/

Curta Mechanical Calculator

noreply@blogger.com (Kinetics) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:40:00 +0000

Classic but cool! This calculator is purely mechanic, no electricity or battery involved. This mechanical engineering marvel was designed by Curt Herzstark in 1938 in concentration camp, as a gift for Hitler.

Curta Calculator has been claimed as the most efficient portable calculator (until electronic calculator was found in early 70's). With a very complex mechanism inside, this calculator even can do a square root !!! (How amazing...)

Further info can be read here

Floating Wind Turbines

noreply@blogger.com (Kinetics) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:59:00 +0000

Wind turbine is one of the most popular power generation system which utilize renewable energy. However, Magenn has develop a unique wind turbine which is called Maggen Power Air Rotor System.

The Maggen wind turbine is very unique because it seems like a giant floating rotor. It uses helium which is lighter than air. The size of this wind turbine is far most bigger than most land-based wind turbine. It generates power from 4 kW (for small scale system) to a large scale system which could power 300 houses. However this powerful device should be pay with a lot of money. As an example, the 4 kw unit is worth 10,000 USD, wow !!!

Further info can be read here

Blade Runner

noreply@blogger.com (Kinetics) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:31:00 +0000

Blade Runner is a unique combination between a train and a bus. This concept vehicle is developed by British Company Silvertip Design. Blade Runner is claimed to be the design that can reduce traffic level, improve fuel consumption, and minimize pollution because it utilize a dual-mode vehicle concept.

Blade Runner is equipped with tires as used in bus and also a retractable train wheels. This will make the vehicle to switch mode from driving in highway to rail-track. When driving in rail-track, the tires will keep operated for driving and braking while the weight of vehicle and passengers is supported by the train wheels. This combine system will make this vehicle more versatile than a train and more fuel efficient than a truck.

Blade Runner has a very good fuel consumption because the rolling resistance of train wheels and track is smaller than tires and road. Furthermore, it has a very good aerodynamics so that the drag force is minimized.

EMBRIO: One-wheeled Motorcycle

noreply@blogger.com (Kinetics) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:42:00 +0000

EMBRIO is a future one-wheeled motorcycle concept designed by Bombardier Recreational Product and planned to be produced in 2025. Although the driver position in EMBRIO is similar with a motorcycle, but it has sensors and gyroscope to create balance. Maximum of two passengers can be balanced on this large one-wheeled vehicle when it's moving.

EMBRIO is still capable of self-balancing even in low speed or not moving condition because of two small wheels which will active when the speed is below 20 km/h. Above 20 km/h, the front wheels or the "landing gear" will be lifted so the vehicle is balanced on one wheel.

The rider has to push the left side handle for driving and the right side handle for braking.

The energy to drive EMBRIO is produced by Fuel Cell (hydrogen fueled). It will generates electricity needed to electric motor that drives the wheel.

Technical Specification
Model Name: EMBRIO Advanced Concept
Developed by: Bombardier Recreational Products
Status: Concept
Years: 2003
Driver: Fuel Cell Electric
Fuel: Hydrogen
Dimension: 1240 x 700 x 1200 mm
Weight: 164 kg
Capacity: 2 passengers

Image courtesy: Borbardier Recreational Products
Article source: Dark Roasted Blend

Peugeot Moovie

noreply@blogger.com (Kinetics) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:09:00 +0000

Did you ever wondering how our future transportation system would be like? This article will discuss a brief description about future transportation concepts taken from my favourite blog Dark Roasted Blend. Actually, this article is based on the book "Future Tech - Innovations in Transportation" published in 2006 by Octopus Design/Black Dog Publishing . All the designs in this book are not only a concept, but it's a realistic design which has a prototype.

Peugeot Moovie
Moovie is a masterpiece of Andre Costa, a portuguese designer. The design of Moovie allows easier parking and manouvering because it has two hub-less side-wheels. These wheels are used both for driving and steering.

Each wheel is driven by a separate electric motors, thus enabling Moovie to turn around and "sneak in" to the narrow parking area. The wheels are also tilted 10 degree to increase car's stability. In the front side, there are two small additional wheels which operate as a safety support. Further development in the future will allows the use of gyroscope and balancing sensor to make the car self-balancing.

This concept car was made by Peugeot with overall dimension of 2.3 x 1.5 x 1.5m. The entrance access to the car is a huge sliding door placed in the center of the wheels.

Oil & Gas Processing

noreply@blogger.com (Kinetics) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:06:00 +0000

For all newbies in oil & gas field, it is important to understand how the oil and gas are processed before it can be exported to the buyer. The picture below shows the diagram of oil and gas processing starting from the oil well to the export piping.

Rule of Thumbs for Process Engineer

noreply@blogger.com (Kinetics) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 01:52:00 +0000

Experience is a thing that can change a good engineer to a great engineer. An engineer who can guess a pressure drop of 5% by only see the pipe and flowmeter. Someone who can at least estimate the size of a vessel without doing any calculation. What kind of "Magic Formula" in that engineer's head?

That "Magic Formula" is commonly called Rule of Thumbs. Rule of Thumbs is made based on so many experiences in engineering field mixed with existing engineering theory. However, it should be noted that this rule is only for estimation purpose and it isn't made to replace the detail calculation when it is needed. But, for certain stage of analysis or design, this rule can made a significant saving in time. For a process engineer, this rule of thumb (in excel format) can be used: Rule of thumbs for Process Engineer

Source: http://www.cheresources.com

Sense of Engineer

noreply@blogger.com (Kinetics) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 23:47:00 +0000

What is engineer? Or who engineer really is? Maybe in Indonesia it's commonly called "insinyur". Well, Wikipedia defined the term engineer as follow:

An engineer is a person professionally engaged in a field of engineering. Engineers are concerned with developing economical and safe solutions to practical problems, by applying mathematics and scientific knowledge while considering technical constraints.

It means that an engineer should be capable to "connect" the existing needs (both social or commercial) with the developed science to produce practical solutions. Other says that an engineer is a profession which connects arts and science. How it related to arts?

Maybe you often hear the term "state-of-the-art technology". It means, in a simple manner, it's a fully developed technology. In other words, this technology has been developed to a highly mature state, similar to the arts. In this state, the science is mixed with alot of practical experience and know-how to form a fully developed technology.

Related to engineer term, an experienced engineer will have some kind of strong "sense" to the engineering field, thus he/she sometimes don't need to do a calculation to solve an engineering problem, he/she just follow his/her "sense" or "feeling". People call this as a sense of engineer, or in other words, an arts to be an engineer.

But don't hope to much with just few years of experience. For a young engineer with a limited experience, feeling is not a very good tools and usually not reliable. They have to act based on the existing standard and code or asking a more experienced engineer.