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The article focuses on the development of the automated coffee system called Javabot by New York-based Roasting Plant Coffee Co. The Javabot coffeemaker's storage section is composed of clear tube-like bins, six bins hold green coffee beans prior to roasting and seven hold roasted beans. Its pneumatic tubes connect these storage bins to each other including micro-roaster and automated grinding-brewing machines.

The article reports on the increased market for industrial Ethernet technologies and related infrastructure in the U.S. It stated that engineers have developed ways to make Ethernet networks offer real-time performance that is suitable not only for less demanding input/output applications but also for complicated motion control tasks. However, it noted that different approaches to maintain determinism have important consequences beyond motion control which include the cost of the system.

The article discusses the innovation in the U.S. packaging industry which focuses on sustainability. It is noted that this greener approach, which is initiated by Wal-Mart Stores Inc., promises to bring about significant changes in packaging design and materials, improve efficiency of manufacturing lines, and reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with production. It is noted that sustainable technologies would not succeed without the acceptance of consumers.

The article discusses the manufacturing application practices used by Morris Technologies in the U.S. The company is recognized for its specialty in metal components manufacturer for aerospace, medical and industrial applications. The company is described that had the world's highest concentration of direct metal laser-sintering capacity. It introduces the "Rapid Quality Manufacturing," a direct digital engine-related machine project in cobalt chrome with 405 parts throughout the course. INSET: Intelligent Subtractive Manufacturing.

The article discusses the hydraulic hybrid vehicles that companies like Federal Express, United Parcel Service, and Waste Management are considering for their trucks in the U.S. Companies have been shifting to hybrid vehicles due to the increase of gas prices. However, hydraulic hybrids are unlike the usual hybrid cars because it uses hydraulic pump motors, high pressure fluid lines, and accumulators to propel he vehicle.

The article reports on the implication of force control and machine vision to precision robots in the U.S. Vendors used these technologies to improve the tolerance of robots especially on the variability in world assembly and finishing operations. Force control allowed robots to feel while the machine vision enabled them to see and both technologies raised the technical capabilities of robots and improve the economics of using them. INSET: Hybrid Sensing For Robots.

The presents information on humanoid robots whose faces mimic the appearance and movements of a real human face. These robots, created by David Hanson, President of Hanson Robotics Inc., can perform some human-like behaviors. Hanson refers to an AI-driven motion control system that can simulate the human face's 48 major muscle groups in response to speech and machine vision inputs. Hanson states that these robots have to make the right expression at precisely the right time.

The article focuses on the integration of engineering and information technology (IT) functions for factory floor automation. With this integration, machine performance and maintenance of data will become more visible to engineers and help them in the collection of desirable data. However, this collaboration is not always pleasant as engineers and IT personnel have conflicting views which need to be sorted out. INSET: Safety and Robotics Move to the Machine.

The article provides information about Creata Promotion Pty. Ltd., manufacturer of promotional toys for McDonald's, Kellogs and other companies in the U.S. The company produces more than 1 billion units annually and employs about 40 designers and engineers to produce the volume of annual production. Despite the huge volume, the company is still able to maintain a level of sophistication in their produce that is equal and at times better than the ones found in the retail market.

The article presents information on the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) A3, a new version of the HEMTT used by the U.S. Army. The A3 is being developed by Oshkosh Truck Corp. to be more fuel efficient. Oshkosh made a new drive system for the A3 called ProPulse which features hybrid-electric diesel powertrain. The truck has an electric power plant which can generate 300kW, enough to power a field hospital.

The article presents information on electroactive smart fabrics. The fabrics were considered the smartest because of its ability to address more important engineering problems. Electroactive fabrics can help build flexible sensing systems, detect chemicals, and generate mobile power. Electroactive smart fabrics is a combination of many textiles and electrically conductive materials. Aside from creating smart fabrics based on elastomeric fibers, textile manufacturers can also create them from knit and woven fabrics. The electrical properties of smart fabrics are generated from fine metal wires incorporated on the textile. INSET: PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

The article focuses on the innovation involving fabrics that are becoming electro-active, which allows them to address more important engineering problems. These products will facilitate the person to build flexible sensing systems, detect chemicals, generate mobile power, and perform other tasks. According to Textronics Inc. president Stacey Burr, there are more than 70 percent of the surfaces that people interact with daily are textiles, therefore allowing it to open a new world of applications. INSET: Proceed With Caution.

The article provides information regarding the functions of composite materials in the making of the Airbus A380 plane. Design engineers has incorporated more composite materials on the plane to eliminate heavy metals on the aircraft without sacrificing strength. Reinforced plastic composites make up most of the plane's body, making it light on its landing gear.

The article features the chairs from Haworth Inc. and Steelcase Inc. that won a Cradle to Cradle environmental certification from the McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry. The Think Chair has won an environmental certification which requires the use of sustainable materials and other environmentally conscious design practices. While Haworth Inc.'s Zody Chair has won the gold level certification which requires the purchase of wind energy credits to offset the energy consumed by its assembly plant. INSET: Design Innovations..

The article reports on some of the industrial applications of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has been useful in coatings and surface enhancements for metal, plastic, and ceramic substrates. Bob Kumpf of Bayer MaterialScience LLC stated that the invisibility properties of nanotechnology works without changing the way surfaces look. Sally Ramsey, chief chemist at Ecology Coatings, said that companies are utilizing nanoparticles to produce properties that would not exist with larger particles. INSET: Molding Nanotech Surfaces.

Reports on the reduction of the custom-part lead times by quickturn manufacturers in the U.S. Production of actual parts using conventional manufacturing technologies; Limitation of the metal manufacturing capabilities; Integration of die-casting and five-axis machining by QuickParts in its QuickQuote system.

Focuses the design of Flexible Noryl wire coating based on alloy of polyphenylene oxide by Delphi Packard Electric Systems. Absence of halogens in the wire coating; Advantages of the wire coating; Reduction of wire diameter. INSET: What is Flexible Noryl? And Where Can You Use It?.

The article presents information on a Formula race car designed by the company Raser Technologies. It runs solely on electric power from a bank of more than 30 12V batteries and a proprietary drive system based on an ac-induction pancake motor. Raser's race car serves as a powerful demonstration. Raser's technology represents an attempt to preserve efficiency when the motor works its hardest. Raser's claims about all extra torque with low losses will likely stir some skepticism among those who know motors. The company has plans to develop switched and variable reluctance motors.

Introduces the new outboard engines from Mercury Marine Ltd. Product specifications; Assessment on the quality of the engines; Durability of the products.

Features Brett Blaisdell, plastic engineer at Kodak and winner of the Global Design Award for being responsible for the materials selection for the Ultra camera in the 2004 Engineering achievement Awards by "Design News." Features of the camera; Challenges faced by Blaisdell in choosing the materials for the camera; Comment given by Blaisdell about the materials selection for the camera. INSET: When Weakness Can Be A Design Benefit.

Provides ways for engineers on choosing different grades of commercial plastics. Disadvantage of data sheet as an initial screening for choosing plastics according to Andrew Poslinski, GE Plastics' global application technology group; Use of Notched Izod number to test the resistance of plastic; Information on the flexural modulus test of plastic; Creep property of plastics. INSET: The Right Way to Pick a Plastic.

Explores how a computational fluid dynamics software has enabled the engineers of Volvo Trucks North American Inc. to create a heavy truck that meets the clean air standards of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Efforts to design an engine that would prevent overheating; Fuel economy of the truck; Role of aerodynamics in the exterior components of the truck. INSET: Save Weight, Save Fuel.

Highlights the development of plastic windows using polycarbonate for automobiles. Implication of using plastics for the automotive industry; Benefits of using plastics; Features of polycarbonate windows manufactured by Exatec. INSETS: Glass Gains;Plastic Glazing Guidelines.

Focuses on the use of rapid prototyping by Motorola in designing mobile telephones and communication devices. Advantages and disadvantages of using rapid prototyping; Approach used by Motorola's engineers; Benefits gained from the use of rapid prototyping. INSET: COLOR OFFERS TECHNICAL INSIGHT.

Focuses on the networking standards and hardware products being developed by engineers from Gibson Labs of Sunnyvale, California to send real-time audio over an Ethernet network. Key features of a digital guitar developed by the company; Background of the company; Overview of real-time data transport problems. INSET: A HISTORY OF INNOVATION.

Describes the TPC 1000 Tablet PC from Hewlett Packard. Difference of the TPC 1000 from other personal computers; Function of the Tablet PC; Features of the Tablet PC. INSET: HERE'S WHY YOU WANT A TEBLET PC OF YOUR OWN.

Reports on the developments in visual effect plastics. Composition of the plastic; Factors to be considered to succeed with special effects plastics; Advances in the base resins and software screening techniques. INSET: Speedy Color Development.

Discusses how DeWalt adopted advanced metal technologies on its XRP line of conventional and hammer drills to achieve a better performance than plastic components. Features of the products; Reasons for rejecting plastics; Design advantages.

Deals with Quadrasteer, a system that features steerable rear wheels that can reduce the turning radius of General Motors' trucks. Difference of Quadrasteer from four-wheel steering of passenger cars; Information on how Quadrasteer works; Mechanical innovations in Quadrasteer. INSET: SRIM keeps on trucking.

Evaluates several computer productivity tools released in August 2002. Series 2446 ball screw from Steinmeyer Inc.; RexMover rodless pneumatic cylinder from Bosch Rexroth Corp.; FP Sigma logic controller from Aromat Corp.

Presents information on the use of plastics in agricultural equipment by John Deere Co. Importance of using plastics in agricultural equipment; Details of the tofu tractors developed by John Deere; Information on the folding grain tank cover; Description of the rotational molding linear-low-density polyethylene; Features of the resin transfer molding process called virtual engineered composites. INSET: And the winner is....

Introduces design engineering equipment and supplies. Liquid dispensing valve by Deltrol Controls Co.; Shaped Electromagnetic Field level sensors by MTS Systems Corp.; Spray marking system by EFD Inc.; Torque analyzer by Mountz Inc.; Adhesive by Loctite Corp.

Introduces several design engineering products. OMEGADYNE PX02 Series of industrial pressure transducers from Omega Engineering; Serializer/Deserializer solutions for wireless base stations from Texas Instruments Inc.; HM1900 series touch screens from Maple Systems.

Provides information on several fastening, joining and assembly products as of April 2002. Details on the MicroTach Attaching System from Avery Dennison; Design of the Flush Pull marine latch from Southco; Features of the Arclad 9032 transfer adhesive.

Discusses the design of plastic gears. Comparison between plastic gears and metal gears; Environmental considerations in the design of plastic gears; Materials used in the development of plastic gears. INSET: Plastic gear design bugaboos.

Focuses on the all-terrain construction crane GMK 7450 designed by Grove Worldwide engineers from the U.S. and Germany. Features and capabilities; Discussion on the North American and European policy considerations about all-terrain crane design; Description of the steel used for the crane. INSETS: Steering clear of the frame;It's a small world after all.

Features several engineering products. T-1200 and T-1400 friction brakes from Nexen Group Inc.; 9900 Dual Output Hall Effect Rotary Sensors from BEI Duncan Electronics; Series 500 KPSI transducer from Pressure Systems Inc.; Micrometer Torque Wrenches from Stanley-PROTO Industrial Tools.

Presents news briefs on various technology products as of January 2002. Acoustical foam-barrier-foam composite from TUFCOTE; Melt-Processable Rubber from Alcryn; Epoxy encapsulant from Tra-Con Inc.

Talks about the television series `BattleBots' that pits dueling robots against one another. How the game works; Examples of robots participating in the game; Problems with designing the robots.

Focuses on the use of adhesive-bonded composites in the design of the structural components of a stern drive at Volvo Penta company. Benefits of using adhesive-bonded composites in the design of the stern drive; Two types of structural composite components used in the stern drive; Details on the design and construction of the stern drive using adhesive-bonded composites. INSET: Floating a few mechanical innovations.

Discusses the business strategies at the Deere & Company. Formal product development methodology used by engineers at the company; Framework for Deere's push to analytically validate designs; Ingredient in Deere's approach to engineering quality.

Looks at materials and manufacturing innovations in the production of Barbie dolls at Mattel Corporation. Impact of engineering thermoplastics on Barbie's complexion; Efforts of Mattel engineers to make Barbie's movements more lifelike; Role of PBT formulation called Silkstone on the body of Barbie dolls; Paint that may replace the solvent-based paint used in Barbie's face.

Discusses the fuel efficiency plans of Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. Reaction of automotive engineers; Engineering problems that the companies may encounter; Outline of Ford's sports utility vehicle engine strategy.

Focuses on the project of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to find signs of water in Mars. Efforts to acquire important geological and chemical data; Planned deployment of two rovers; Technical challenges faced by NASA. INSET: Who says there are no RATs on Mars?.

Looks at some examples of how engineers in different industries use advances in plastics, metals and ceramics to solve design problems. Performance of aluminum when used in the front suspension cradle of DaimlerChrysler's minivans; Advantages of using lightweight materials in the automotive industry; How GE Plastics faced the challenges posed by hard drives.

Provides information on Raven, a full-suspension mountain bike which has a combined frame of lightweight aluminum spine and carbon-reinforced epoxy skins, manufactured by Cannondale. Raven's design and components; Suspension system of the bike; Its advantages.

Describes the polymer tissue fastening devices manufactured by Innovasive Devices Inc. What contributed to the shift from metal fasteners to plastics; Features of the ConTack, a device for attaching torn tissue to the underlying bone; How the company overcame material limitations.

Looks at the industrial applications of several traditional coating processes in the manufacturing of products. How MetoKote Corp. uses the anodic coating process; Information on the hybrid coating system of Huffy Bicycle; Factors which led the on-going shift to powder coating.

Presents forecasts for the plastics molding industry in the year 2009. Changes in the industry from 1989 to 1999; Manufacturing pressures facing molders; Relationship between original equipment manufacturers and molders; Productivity through systems integration within manufacturing cells. INSET: Faster tools wanted.

Discusses the advantages of electric presses for plastic. Includes energy savings; Molding accuracy and repeatability; Efficient drive systems; Cleanliness; Short learning curve to get electric machines running; Sensitivity to poor set-up or bad tooling; Price comparison with hydraulic machines. INSET: Put All-Electric to the Test.