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The Roush Yates NASCAR Team had found problems with dog rings used to engage transmissions. So instead of relying on a vendor's analysis, they got the vendor's solid model, added […]

CHICAGO -- "It's evolution, not a revolution," Senior Mechanical Designer Mark Termion tells his coworkers at Life Fitness who are resistant to change. The evolution he speaks of has less […]

From frustrating interfaces to glitches in functionality that stall production, engineering software problems can some-times cause users to roll their eyes in dismay. But, say software vendors, beta testing can […]

DEARBORN, MI--HAD SHE LISTENED TO HER MOTHER, BARB SAMARDZICH MIGHT NOT BE AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE WORLD'S SECOND-LARGEST CAR COMPANY. BUT SHE DIDN'T. SHE LISTENED TO HER BROTHER--THE ONE […]

Despite the wealth of sophisticated software available, pencil-and-paper drafting lives. And for some projects, it's the best choice for initial design. So say the engineers at Ove Industrial Design. They […]

Although it's been said before, engineers really do need 3D software to be taken seriously in design. It's not just for large companies either. Perhaps a more substantial investment for […]

It's a bold concept: a small company in the huge aerospace industry comes up with the idea of shunning the big-plane concept and instead designing small ones to operate as […]

LAS VEGAS--For over two months, the press followed the mantra of "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." No longer. At Autodesk University, held December 2-5 in Las Vegas, Autodesk […]

Jacek Marczyk, chief scientist of stochastic simulation for MSC.Software, has a theory when it comes to design: "Failure is an option," he says. "It's part of physics." When a car […]

It's not just teenagers and hackers using software illegally. Adults, including some engineers, are doing it too. Indeed, several CAD companies have been involved recently in legal disputes with each […]

You may never see analyst Terry Bender on CSI, but some of the forensic work you do see is part of his daily routine. Bender works as an analyst with […]

BY NOW THE TERM 'BLOG' IS COMMONplace enough to not be mistaken for some kind of swamp creature from a B-rated movie. With so many news publications concerned about the […]

PRESENT POSITION: VP for Innovation and Research, and F.W. Olin Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Olin College of Engineering (Needham, MA) DEGREES: A.B. in physics, Mount Holyoke College; M.A. […]

PRESENT POSITION: Asst. Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University DEGREES: B.Sc., M.Sc., Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology (Tehran, Iran); Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut WHAT IS THE GOAL […]

Ken O's mini radio antenna, at less than one-tenth of an inch on a computer chip, is closer to achieving ultra small radios for military surveillance use. PRESENT POSITION: Professor […]

Engineers are becoming more familiar with product lifecycle management (PLM) software and its promise of efficiency. But what about grid computing? When a tier I automotive supplier cuts its clash […]

Who says sensors are easily contaminated? Craig Grimes has found a material that enables hydrogen sensors to rid themselves of impurities. PRESENT POSITION: Associate Professor, electrical engineering/materials science, Pennsylvania State […]

Karthik Ramani is trying to save engineers' time by reusing their knowledge in a 3D CAD shape-search database. PRESENT POSITION: University Faculty Scholar, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University DEGREES: […]

According to professor of physics, Z. Valy Vardeny, an electron's spin--rather than its electrical charge--may be the key to unlocking cheaper and faster electronics and computers. Then it's only a […]

PRESENT POSITION: Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Kettering Univ. DEGREES: B.E. in mechanical engineering, American University of Beirut, Lebanon; M.S. and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, Michigan State University HOW YOU […]

Given the cost and fragility of glass Professor Zheng-Hong Lu is pioneering the field of flexible organic light emitting diodes (FOLEDs). With two patents pending, his flexible screen technology could […]

PRESENT POSITION: Professor of Mechanical Engineering, GeorgiaTech DEGREES: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Israel; M.S. and Ph.D. in Aeronautics, CalTech AREA OF RESEARCH: Thermal management of electronic systems, […]

Walt Scacchi is discovering when, how, and why open source software development (OSSD) works and whether it truly is a frontier for innovation. PRESENT POSITION: Senior Research Scientist & Research […]

A veteran user of both the Dewey Decimal System and the Internet, Research Specialist Jennifer Harbster detangles the World Wide Web offers engineers effective web research tips. PRESENT POSITION; Research […]

PRESENT POSITION: Senior research engineer, Aerospace, Transportation and Advanced Systems Laboratory, Georgia Tech Research Institute DEGREES: B.S., U.S, Military Academy; M.S., aerospace engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology HOW DID YOU […]

Ronald Gutmann is stacking chips and wagering that his effort to interconnect wafers in 3D will allow more electrical functionality in less space. PRESENT POSITION: Professor, Dept. of Electrical, Computer, […]

PRESENT POSITION: Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University, School of Arts and Sciences Degrees: B.S., Western Illinois University; M.S. and Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, University of Iowa AREA […]

PRESENT POSITION: Professor, Department Chair, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Clarkson University DEGREES: B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Iowa State University AREA OF RESEARCH: Power quality, power […]

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.

Presents the development of the alpha and beta software testing in the U.S. Importance in software development; Provision of the alpha and beta tester; Requirements of off-site testing.

Features Barb Samardzich, executive director of Small Front-and-Wheel Drive Vehicles at Ford Motor Co. and winner of the 2004 Women in Engineering Award by "Design News." Strategy done by Samardzich to attain her goal of turning around the company's automatic transmission line and improve its rating in customer satisfaction; Career background; Her role in delivering the 2005 Mustang model to market.

Presents the concept of product lifecycle management (PLM) software used by the industry that allows an air taxi type of operation to exist with the cost of transportation similar to full-fare aircaft. Description of PLM tools within the umbrella of an information architecture system; Usage of Eclipse Aviation Corp. on Teamcenter PLM software program; Key behind the seamless operation powering the company's Eclipse Aviation Corp.

Focuses on the use of stochastic simulation by several computer-aided engineering (CAE) companies in U.S. Advantage of using CAE software according to Jacek Marczyk, chief scientist of stochastic simulation for MSC.Software; Version of random testing developed by ANSYS; Reason ALGOR and SolidWorks do not incorporate stochastic simulation analysis in their products. INSET: SOURCES OF UNCERTAINTY.

Provides information regarding the best means to find weblogs. Discovery of blog directories with a simple Google Web site search; Lists of blogs by country and keyword; Special features of the Web site Blogdigger.

Interviews Sherra Kerns, vice president of innovation and research and F.W. Olin professor of electrical and computer engineering at the Olin College of Engineering in Needham, Massachusetts. Role of Kerns as founding member of the college; Curriculum offered; Role of research at the college.

Interviews Nader Jalili, developer of smart tires embedded with piezoelectric materials, on his research and invention. Aim of Jalili to make a better sensor and actuators from nanomaterials to be used on the tires and body of a car; Operation of smart tires; Development of the concept.

Introduces the product lifecycle management software from Magna Steyr company. Assessment on the quality of the products; Prices of the items; Reliability of the software.

This article focuses on Bassem Ramadan, an associate professor and about his work on the development of a two-zone combustion system. Presently he is working as an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Kettering University, Flint, Michigan. He is trying to come up with a new engine technology to improve offence and reduce emissions. The challenge in making two-zone combustion system is in preventing the two zones from mixing before combustion occurs. But, this would require a more complicated intake system design and manufacturing costs would add up.

Interviews Ari Glezer, professor of mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech University and developer of a synthetic air jet that could replace cooling fans. Area of research; Comparison with cooling fans; Target applications.