Airports use two types of transportation systems: one for moving people and the other for carrying luggage. People movers are like horizontal escalators and luggage conveyors use belts, metal plates, and rollers. People movers typically move in one direction and luggage conveyors can have different setups. There are two main types of transportation systems found […]
Sealants are used to close gaps and prevent debris from entering, while adhesives bond surfaces together. Sealants are more malleable and contain quick-drying resins, while adhesives are stiffer and have complex structures for stronger bonding. Adhesives require thorough cleaning and treatment for proper adhesion, while sealants usually don’t. Hybrid products exist but may not work […]
Sulfur emissions from power plants, factories, and vehicles contain sulfur dioxide, which is toxic and can cause health problems. It is used in various industries, including winemaking. Burning oil and coal creates sulfur emissions, which can cause acid rain and environmental damage. Shutting down power plants could eliminate sulfur emissions, but it is difficult. Proposed […]
Thermocouples are simple temperature sensors composed of two different materials that generate a voltage proportional to the heat they measure. They are available in different material combinations standardized into types. Amplifiers may be needed to read temperatures into a computer, and accuracy can be affected by several factors. With proper maintenance, thermocouples provide a cost-effective […]
Oxygen cutting involves adding oxygen to a cutting gas to increase the heat and fine-tune the flame for desired effects. It is a popular method for cutting and welding metal structures where electrical power is not available. Oxygen also saves gas and makes the flame burn hotter. The oxygen cutting torch is adjusted by regulating […]
San Michele is a festival on September 29 with Christian and pagan roots, celebrating the autumn equinox and the end of harvest. St. Michael’s Day was a quarter day in the UK and is associated with the election of a reeve. The festival celebrates the strength of the Archangel Michael and has a tradition of […]
Obamanomics refers to the economic policy of former US President Barack Obama, which includes changing tax rates, student loan programs, healthcare legislation, and pollution fines. It is often used as a pejorative term by political opponents and is characterized as a moderate plan that differs from previous policies. The guiding principle is bottom-up economics, which […]
An electric trailer winch is used to pull objects onto a trailer, such as vehicles or boats. It consists of an electric motor powering a steel drum or reel, with a cable or rope attached to a hook. It is not intended to be used as a primary tie down, and other methods should be […]
Directional drilling is drilling for oil or gas in a direction other than vertical. It is done to preserve surface features or target specific subterranean features. It requires specialized equipment and can reach previously inaccessible sources. It is mostly used by the petroleum and natural gas industries, but can also be used for water or […]
The entablature is the section between columns and the roof of a building, consisting of the cornice, frieze, and architrave. Each section has a specific design and varies based on the style and height of the columns. The frieze is often the most decorative and can tell a story, as seen in the Elgin Marbles […]
Back pressure is the resistance and pressure in a pipe caused by changes in its environment, slowing down fluid movement. In computing, it refers to a buildup of data in a network switch. Water hammer is a momentary pressure change caused by fluid bouncing off a change in the pipe, while back pressure is the […]
The major diameter of a screw or bolt is the widest portion of the shank and is used to identify the size of the fastener. It plays a key role in screw identification systems, and can be measured using a micrometer. Suppliers provide charts to help identify screw measurements, including major and minor diameter and […]
A socket weld flange is a pipe connector with a socket for welding, creating a strong connection without the need for grinding. It is ideal for small, high-pressure pipelines and chemical plants. The shoulder inside the socket ensures the pipe is seated with sufficient clearance, and the thick socket provides optimal flow. It is available […]
Laser beam welding fuses metal using a high-temperature laser, with two types of welding equipment available. The technique is popular in the manufacture of airplanes, automobiles, and spacecraft, but has some disadvantages. Laser welders emit a dense beam of photons to rapidly heat and fuse metals, with solid-state and gas laser welders used. The technique […]
Industrial compressors are heavy-duty machines used to compress materials like air, gas, oil, and water. They are critical components in many industrial systems and are found in commercial and industrial buildings. Manufacturers rely on three basic types of operating systems: centrifugal, reciprocating, and rotary screw. Industrial compressors are more powerful and expensive than smaller air […]
A brake band is a flat metal band that can be tightened or loosened around a shaft to slow or stop its rotation. It is used in various applications, including shifting equipment, chainsaws, tractors, go-karts, and emergency braking systems in automobiles. Other elements, such as an anchor and servo piston, are used to regulate the […]
A palletizer is a device used to stack and organize factory products on a pallet for transportation. It can be operated manually or by a complex robotic device. The pallets are designed to be lifted by forklifts or cranes and packed tightly for transit. Automatic palletizers use conveyor belts or rolling platforms to stack boxes […]
Aluminum ducts are used to move air in HVAC systems and home drying systems due to their resistance to corrosion. They can be rigid or flexible, and insulation can be added for better thermal control. Aluminum ducts are easy to install and maintain an airtight cavity. An aluminum duct is a passageway made from aluminum […]
A milling lathe is a woodworking tool that uses an electric router to cut decorative flutes or grooves into round pieces of wood. It is similar to a traditional wood lathe but has a router mounted perpendicular to the axis of the lathe bed. The router is fed along the lathe bed by a screw […]
Boron carbide is a hard and dense ceramic material made by combining carbon molecules with boron. It is used in nuclear power, manufacturing, and as armor due to its durability and resistance. However, it is expensive and has potential drawbacks such as thermal shock failure and susceptibility to oxidation. Boron carbide is one of the […]
