February 9th, 2009
Direct Digital Manufacturing is a term used to describe using rapid prototyping technologies for producing end-user parts. The SUPERFABlab at the EIGERlab has produced volume parts described by this term. In some cases the material properties of a final part can be matched by rapid prototyping processes. At the EIGERlab a recent application utilized Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) to produce 2,000 parts over a weekend. The advantage for the customer, besides quick turnaround, was no need for the lead-time and cost of a mold to produce the parts. In many cases the complexity and relative low volume requirement of some applications can make SLS and other rapid prototyping technologies appropriate for part production. In this application the 2,000 clips were “printed” out a powder fused by laser sintering. Other DDM applications were highlighted in a recent article in Manufacturing Engineering magazine. The article can be viewed at http://www.sme.org/cgi-bin/find-articles.pl?&ME09ART4&ME&20090101&&SME&#article .
February 9th, 2009
“The public may be lukewarm on the stimulus package because they only see limited benefits from it,” Pollster Holland said. “Sixteen percent say it would help the economy a lot, but 48 percent foresee only some improvements if the bill passes.”http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/09/poll.obama.stimulus/index.html
February 9th, 2009
I, like many Americans, have watched and admired the story of Flight 1549 and Captain Sullenberger as he landed his aircraft with 155 passengers and crew into the Hudson River.  TV interviews focused on “how did you feel” and similar questions.
What I think is missed, is this man’s commitment to his profession and that magical word…TRAINING and MANAGEMENT of the situation.
Not only does he personally train for crisis, but he trains others to deal with crisis. In one part of an interview I heard him tell that part of the story and it really impressed me. Not only did he conduct his job professionally, he did it with utmost grace and dignity and he thanked all the team that assisted him, including the rapid response teams that helped with the rescue.
Here is one of the stories that gives some insight to what it took…
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/flowchart/2009/2/3/how-sullenberger-really-saved-us-airways-flight-1549.html
I’m sure there will be books and movies on the “Miracle on the Hudson”…I just hope that they focus on the training aspects.
