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Reports that most engineers like to use finite element analysis software to improve racing performance in the U.S. Requirement of the analysis; Benefits of improving a critical component; Components of the racing engine. INSETS: Machine Vision: Another Way To Test;Get Their Models First, Then The Parts;Software Accelerates NASCAR Design.

Discusses electronic commerce related products and services for engineers. Suite of Web based products from Unigraphics Solutions; CoCreate's AnyPDM computer program; Web site of fastener and latch manufacturer Southco; Portal developed by Pacific Bearing.

The article focuses on fastening systems that engineers invented to join those advanced materials in products ranging from cars to hand tools. The new engineering plastics and composites have strength, weight, and other advantages that hit many of the hot buttons flashing around the issue of competitive, high-quality engineering design. Often molded into plastic end products, snap-fits solve an array of fastening problems and eliminate hardware. The dramatic shift from metal to plastic in automotive applications has spawned the development of several other new fastening solutions.

Features several product software for the computer software industry and engineering in the U.S. as of December 2004. Applications of Productstream™ 2 from Autodesk Inc.; Distinct features of the version 6 of Aras™ PLM product from Aras Corp.; Functionalism of the PDM system from RuleStream Corp.

Reports on the certification programs launched by software manufacturers in the U.S. to test engineers' skills in using the software programs to do engineering, as of August 2003. Benefits of engineers from the certification programs; Objective behind the move; Reactions from engineers.

Presents information on the use of computer-aided design and finite element analysis software in electronics engineering. Challenges that electronics present to engineers; Utilization of two-dimensional thermal analysis and computational fluid dynamics in cooling microchips during testing; Significance of using computer software for electronics design.

The article offers several news briefs related to advancement in engineering technology in the U.S. Engineer Gloria Bennett has designed the first heat sink that can continuously cool electronics used in deep geological exploration wells. Pennsylvania's LIDARS {Light Detection and Ranging Systems) can send a light beam into the atmosphere and measure the return scatter to determine atmospheric conditions. Scientist Rafat Ansari has developed a fiber-optic probe that could lead to early discovery and treatment of cataracts.

The article reports on developments related to the field of engineering in the U.S. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Jet Propulsion Laboratory will collaborate with Cray Research Inc. to conduct research activities using Cray's most powerful supercomputer. Engineers from the University of Wisconsin and the University of Illinois will design, build, and test scale-model modules of blanket system. Pratt and Whitney Corp.'s Advanced Ducted Prop technology has moved closer to commercialization, passing a series of sea-level static tests.

The article reports on the voice recognition technology applied on toys in the U.S. Voice-recognition, once relegated to high-end applications such as telecommunications, has finally moved into toyland, as have scanning and multimedia technologies. And the cost-cutting technical refinements that made the migration possible could further broaden the applications.

Presents news items related to engineering research and design in the United States as of June 22, 1992. Evaluation of the quality of corns by the sound of corn kernels by Paul Wheeler and colleagues at Utah State University; Use of magnetic resonance imaging developed by General Electric's Research Center to predict heart disease; Creation of high-performance ultrasonic sensor controller by researchers at Sandia National Laboratories.

Reports on developments in engineering. Experimentation with an electronic beam welding unit in the weightlessness of space; Biomechanics Corp. of America's development of the "Mannequin" software for PC that lets engineers access anatomically accurate human forms and simulate their interactions with computer-aided design models of different products; Testing of X-ray instruments to find tiny defects in welds or in products such as circuit boards.

The author explains why purchasing staff should get involved in the product lifecycle management(PLM). PLM allows everyone in a company to know the development status of a product and even cost control can be done at the concept stage. As purchasing is the link between engineering and suppliers it should play a role in the design and implementation of PLM system. Benefits of PLM system are discussed along with useful guidelines.

Presents an interview with Thomas Murphy, director for global procurement at Instron, on his job. Challenges in the business; Involvement of Murphy in engineering works; Strategic initiatives established with the company's executive committee.

Focuses on the collaboration between engineering and procurement on product development at Rockwell Collins Inc. in the U.S. Responsibilities of the purchasing team; Percentage of product cost accounted for by materials; Categories of suppliers at the company; Involvement of purchasing staff in prototype development and reduction of cycle time.

Cites some training on-line services being offered by individual software vendors to engineers. Training channel of computer-aided design developer Alibre; Web-Based Learning Solutions on the homepage of Dassault Systemes for instructions in different aspects of CATIA Version 5; Schedule of training events on use of various Mathworks products available on the developer's website; Link to the MSC Institute of Technology at MSC.Software which lists courses users can take in physical classrooms.

Comments on the growth of online networking in the field of engineering design in 2004. Value of peer brainstorming among design engineers; Content of engineering Web sites; Opportunities for online networking offered in industry organization Web sites.

Provides information on Website of most benefit to designers and engineers. Inclusion of computer-aided design (CAD) users' consideration of the Website for the Congress on the Future of Engineering Software, or the Website for Daratech; Information for engineers available on the Website for the ARC Advisory Group; Courses offered by the Motor and Motion Association on its Website; Recommendation of the Website for the Robotic Industries Association for engineers interested in robotics.

Discusses the importance of design engineers in the company. Job description; Responsibilities in the company; Rules that should be followed in a company.

Provides pieces of advice for engineers with regard to career development. Possession of initiative in projects; Identification of problems.

Editorial. Forecasts several technological innovation in 2001. Assessment on the changes in design and engineering technology.

Presents a Christmas poem on the critical nature of design engineering.

Editorial. Focuses on several engineering technologies that originated outside the United States. CATIA, a computer-aided design program from France by Dassault Systemes; Frammasoft, an innovative software packaged from France; OneSpace, a Web-enabled engineering collaboration tool from Cocreate's German offices.

Editorial. Focuses on the 97th anniversary of the invention of air conditioning which was considered as one of the greatest engineering innovation. Purpose of Willis Carrier for designing the first air conditioning system; First application of air conditioning for people.

Editorial. Lists some of the breakthroughs in engineering in the 20th century. Sustained flight achieved by the Wright Brothers, the inventor of airplane; Rocket that broke the sound barrier; Launching of the satellite Sputnik by Russia; Landing of the first man on the moon.

Editorial. Focuses on the Design News Web site. Importance of the Internet to the engineering profession; Useful information that the Web site provides; Features of the Web site.

Focuses on acquisition of information on engineering and manufacturing in United States, by means of visiting companies. Information on T.B Woods company and Transicoil company of Pennsylvania; Insight on the success of Compact Air Products company of South Carolina; Details on Hoffman company of Anoka, Minnesota.

Editorial. Focuses on the importance of creativity in engineering. How to make collaboration that leads to creative solutions; Solution offered by Tilman Schad, president of CoCreate Software Incorporated; Comments from Schad; Demonstration of the possibilities by connecting three engineers.

Editorial. Discusses the benefits of being an engineering journalist. Identification of several engineers; Detailed information on Pat Hanratty, president of MCS, Incorporated and primary developer of the CAD programs ANVIL-5000 and the ANVIL EXPRESS; Comments from engineer and consultant Dick Miller.

The article highlights the first Western Engineering Technology Exposition held at the Convention Center of Anaheim, California. The show featured more than 200 exhibitors and eight technical sessions covering a variety of topics in design, manufacturing, and maintenance. Stimpson Co. unveiled a new automatic-feed grommeting machine while Long-lok Corp. displayed its new self-seal fasteners. Among new plastics products unveiled at the show were E/M Corp.'s self-lubricating plastics.

This article reports that combining PDA's PATRAN with CSA/NASTRAN and ABAQUS software, engineers at Deutsch Metal Components Co. used finite element analysis to cut by 65% the size and weight of a line of swaging tools used to made the repair in 20 minutes with crimp fittings onto aircraft tubing. Deutsch's fittings connect hydraulic tubing in aircraft. They have to be small, lightweight, and leakproof, yet strong enough to withstand shock, vibration, impulse, flexure, fire, and high pressure. The swaging tool also has to be small and lightweight for hard-to-get-at aircraft compartments.

Discusses 10 developments that have revolutionized engineering. Having more powerful computer tools; Designing for the international market; Use of Design for Manufacture techniques; Outsourcing engineering design; Pursuit of quality; Use of microcontrollers; Faster design cycles; Tailor-made materials; Life-cycle engineering; Partnering or technical alliance.