Thursday 21 June 2018

THE EASIEST WAY TO CREATE PIPING ISOMETRICS

End-to-end pipework design requires unscaled piping isometrics for manufacturing and documentation

If you want to manufacture pipework quickly and easily, use piping isometrics. These industry specialised drawings contain all the information needed for manufacture and documentation. An indispensable tool for pipework fabrication.

Pipework Design: 3D Preferred

Machine-level pipework is typically designed using 3D CAD software, such as PTC’s Creo Piping. For large-scale plant design, more specialised CAD software is often the preferred choice, such as MPDS4 by CAD Schroer. These solutions are highly affordable given the speed with which designs can be produced, and the level of quality that can be achieved, with them. The end result is a fully-detailed design of the pipework together with comprehensive parts lists for pipes, valves, gaskets and bolts etc.

3D brings automation for piping isometrics

Once the design of pipework has been completed in 3D, a complete set of 2D piping isometric drawings is needed to facilitate the fabrication of the pipework. With the M4 ISO add-on module this task can be accomplished at the push of a button. M4 ISO enables the automatic generation of fully dimensioned, fully annotated 2D piping isometric drawings directly from the 3D pipework design, containing all information required for manufacture.

Piping Isometrics as you like them

CAD Schroer’s M4 ISO software for the production of piping isometric drawings is highly configurable. The layout, content, and appearance of the drawings produced can be customised to suit the customer’s specific requirements, including the use of the customer’s own drawing templates. With M4 ISO, piping isometrics are automatically created in the required style directly from the 3D pipework model. M4 ISO is available for use with either Creo Piping or MPDS4. Both M4 ISO software packages are available on the CAD Schroer website.

Wednesday 20 June 2018

FRICTIONLESS LUBRICANT

Nanodiamonds Converted into a Long-Lasting, Nearly Frictionless Lubricant

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory combined nanodiamonds with layers of molybdenum disulfide layers to create a very-low-friction dry lubricant that lasts so long it could almost be confused with forever, according to Argonne. The substance could have hundreds of industrial applications and can be used virtually wherever two pieces of metal rub together in dry conditions.

The most commonly used solid lubricants on the market today take the form of graphite paste. They are used as lubricants to grease doorknobs and bike chains, among other things.

In 2015, one of the researchers, Anirudha Sumant, made a breakthrough in solid-lubrication technology by demonstrating superlubricity (near-zero friction) at engineering scale for the first time by using graphene combined with nanodiamonds. This approach was revolutionary, and since then his group has continued to further develop the technology.

Most recently, Sumant replaced graphene in the process with molybdenum disulfide to see how other materials would behave. He was expecting the process to resemble the one observed with graphene-nanodiamond lubricant. However, the team was surprised when they couldn’t see nanodiamonds in the material. Instead, they found balls of onion-like carbon.

The molybdenum disulfide was breaking up into molybdenum and sulfur and reacting with the nanodiamonds to convert them into onion-like carbon. Onion-like carbon consists of several layers of spherical graphitic shells that can be used as a dry lubricant. And the process of combining molybdenum disulfide and nanodiamonds automatically creates this form of carbon without any additional chemical application. The lubricant is also self-generating and readjusts itself continuously, so it lasts longer.

These carbon balls sustain high contact pressure and, due to their unique nanostructure, glide easily, creating superlubricity. The team concluded that the sulfur diffusion increased the strain in the nanodiamonds, subsequently breaking them and converting them into onion-like carbon.

The friction in this new combination is one-tenth that of some nonstick coatings including fluoropolymers, which means less heat and less wear and tear on parts and equipment. It also means the machinery and parts the lubricant is used on will last longer, and there won’t be any hazardous liquid residue or the need to use and dispose of rags as part of the clean-up process. It can also be used to make parts that can’t be made today, especially with metal stamping.

Although molybdenum disulfide is a bit more expensive than graphene, less is needed in this process. “The amount is so small, a few drops for kilometers of sliding, that cost is not an issue,” says Sumant.

The potential applications include bearings and mechanical pump seals in dry applications as well as in wind turbines. The technology could also be used in the computer industry for magnetic disc drives.

Friday 8 June 2018

Top reasons to Use Autodesk 3ds Max Design Software in the Civil Engineering Industry

Easy-to-Use Visualization Capabilities

Autodesk 3ds Max Design – when combined with the
Autodesk Civil Visualization Extension (available
exclusively to 3ds Max Design and AutoCAD Civil 3D
Subscription Customers) – puts easy-to-use visualization
capabilities in the hands of civil engineers. Even those
with little prior experience with 3ds Max Design can
create compelling visualizations that help firms, clients,
government agencies, and community stakeholders assess
the impact of a civil engineering project on surrounding
areas, and see how it will perform in context

Automatic File Linking with AutoCAD Civil 3D
Autodesk 3ds Max Design paired with the Autodesk Civil
Visualization Extension provides a direct link between
AutoCAD Civil 3D and 3ds Max Design so that

visualizations automatically update when design
changes are made. As a result, visualization can be
much more easily integrated into the design process,
and communicating design intent to non-technical
stakeholders becomes that much easier.

Smoother Approval Process with Key Stakeholders
In a recent CG Architects survey, more than 90% of
respondents said they’re more likely to gain community
support for a design based on visuals created in 3ds Max
Design. This shows the critical role visualization plays in the
public outreach process. With the emphasis on infrastructure
spend in today’s economy, a smooth approval process with
government agencies, public, and other key stakeholders is
a necessity

Civil Engineering Specific Materials
The Autodesk Civil Visualization extension includes civil
engineering specific materials and content such as road
striping, pavement textures, vehicles, and signage to
enhance the realism of the visualization

Civil Engineering Specific Materials
Simulate the lighting in your designs with confidence.
Exposure™ lighting analysis technology has been
validated (www.autodesk.com/nrc-exposure) by the
National Research Council Canada (NRC), Canada’s
leading organization for scientific research and
development, and the same organization that has
conducted validation studies on Radiance for lighting

simulation (www.autodesk.com/nrc-radiance). A feature
unique to 3ds Max Design, Exposure enables you to
understand how sun, sky, and artificial lighting interact
with your design and explore direct lighting effects right
in the viewport. For example, if you’re designing a road,
you can accurately render out how the sun brightness
and shadows will impact drivers at certain times of day
and then adjust your designs accordingly

Flexible Rendering
Use multiple renderers, tightly integrated through a consistent rendering interface, to help
create a wider range of highly realistic or stylized looks. 3ds Max Design offers faster
rendering for efficient, production-quality software renders and also integrates the
mental ray® renderer — a high-performance rendering engine for generating photorealistic
images — with unlimited free network rendering. Moreover, the innovative new Quicksilver
hardware accelerated renderer enables you to create higher-fidelity pre-visualizations,
animatics and marketing materials at incredible speeds

Out-of-the-Box Productivity
Autodesk 3ds Max Design software is a tool-of-choice for leaders in the civil engineering
industries who are looking for a comprehensive 3D modeling, rendering, and animation
solution that helps produce higher-quality results out of the box.

Immediate Feedback
3ds Max Design uses state-of-the-art game technology to help provide you with a higher
fidelity preview of your materials and lighting in the viewport prior to rendering. This enables
you to make interactive decisions in a context that more closely matches the final output,
helping to reduce errors and enhance the creative storytelling process.

Partner Technology
Autodesk joins forces with the best and brightest in the industry to spearhead continued
innovation, and to make sure that 3ds Max Design software customers have access to a wide
and current selection of 3D software and hardware. With thousands of commercial and freeware
plug-ins available for 3ds Max Design, a new world of specialized functionality is available to
help meet your specific production needs.

Industry Standard

3ds Max software has long been a preferred choice for advanced visualization. 3ds Max Design
with the Autodesk Civil Visualization Extension builds on this legacy by providing a more
tailored, easy-to-use experience for civil engineers. Used worldwide by professionals and
students, 3ds Max Design enjoys a strong, vibrant community and a vast global pool of trained
talent. Whether you are a civil engineer looking to add visualization to your skill set, or a
student preparing for your first job interview, you’ll benefit from the wealth of experience that
results from the software’s position as an industry-leading tool for visualization.

Wednesday 6 June 2018

10 general guidelines for installing power transformers

Operation of power transformers

When your transformer arrives on site, various procedures should be carried out to assure successful operation (installation, testing and various checkings). The successful operation of a transformer is dependent on proper installation as well as on good design and manufacture.

The instructions mentioned in the manufacturer manual or in Standards MUST be followed to ensure adequate safety to personnel and equipment.

This technical article will provide 10 general guidelines for installing and testing both dry-type and liquid-filled power transformers for placement into service //

1. Standard and special transformer tests

Standard transformer tests performed for each unit include the following //

Ratio, for voltage relationship;
Polarity for single- and 3-phase units (because single-phase power transformers are sometimes connected in parallel and sometimes in a 3-phase bank);
Phase relationship for 3-phase units (important when two or more power transformers are operated in parallel);
Excitation current, which relates to efficiency and verifies that core design is correct;
No-load core loss, which also relates to efficiency and correct core design;
Resistance, for calculating winding temperature
Impedance (via short circuit testing), which provides information needed for breaker and/or fuse sizing and interrupting rating and for coordinating relaying schemes;
Load loss, which again directly relates to the transformer’s efficiency;
Regulation, which determines voltage drop when load is applied; and
Applied and induced potentials, which verify dielectric strength.

There are additional tests that may be applicable, depending upon how and where the transformer will be used. The additional tests that can be conducted include the following //

Impulse (where lightning and switching surges are prevalent);
Sound (important for applications in residential and office areas and that can be used as comparison with future sound tests to reveal any core problems);
Temperature rise of the coils, which helps ensure that design limits will not be exceeded;
Corona for medium voltage (MV) and high-voltage (HV) units, which helps determine if the insulation system is functioning properly;
Insulation resistance (meg-ohmmeter testing), which determines dryness of insulation and is often done after delivery to serve as a benchmark for comparison against future readings; and
Insulation power factor, which is done at initial installation and every few years thereafter to help determine the aging process of the insulation.

2. Site considerations

When planning the installation, the location is selected, that complies with all safety codesyet does not interfere with the normal movement of personnel, equipment, and material. The location should not expose the transformer to possible damage from cranes, trucks, or moving equipment.

3. Preliminary inspection upon receipt of transformer

When received, a transformer should be inspected for damage during shipment. Examination should be made before removing it from the railroad car or truck, and, if any damage is evident or any indication of rough handling is visible, a claim should be filed with the carrier at once and the manufacturer notified.

4. Plan for the prevention of contaminants

Develop a procedure for inventory of all tools, hardware, and any other objects used in the inspection, assembly, and testing of the transformer. A check sheet should be used to record all items, and verification should be made that these items have been properly accounted for upon completion of work.

. Making connections that work

The connections shall be made, between the transformer’s terminals and the incoming and outgoing conductors, carefully following the instructions given on the nameplate or on the connection diagram. Check all of the tap jumpers for proper location and for tightness.

Re-tighten all cable retaining bolts after the first 30 days of service.

Before working on the connections make sure all safety precautions have been taken. Arrangements shall be made to adequately support the incoming/outgoing connecting cables, so that there is no mechanical stress imposed on transformer bushings and connections. Such stress could cause a bushing to crack or a connection to fail.

6. Controlling sound level

All power transformers, when energized, produce an audible noise. Although there are no moving parts in a transformer, the core does generate sound. In the presence of a magnetic field, the core laminations elongate and contract. These periodic mechanical movements create sound vibrations with a fundamental frequency of 120 Hz and harmonics derivatives of this fundamental.

For example, if the transformer is installed in a quiet hallway, a definite hum will be noticed. If the unit is installed in a location it shares with other equipment such as motors, pumps, or compressors, the transformer hum will go unnoticed. Some applications require a reduced sound level, such as a large unit in a commercial building with people working close to it.

Occasionally, the installation of some method of sound abatement will be called for.

8. Final inspection and testing

Once the transformer has been located on its permanent site, a thorough final inspectionshould be made before any assembly is accomplished and the unit is energized. Before energizing the unit, it’s very important that all personnel installing the transformer are alerted, that lethal voltages will be present inside the transformer enclosure as well as at all connection points.

The installation of conductors should be performed only by personnel qualified and experienced in high-voltage equipment. Personnel should be instructed that should any service work be required to the unit, the lines that power the transformer must be opened and appropriate safety locks and tags applied.

A careful examination should be made to ensure that all electrical connections have been properly carried out and that the correct ratio exists between the low and high-voltage windings. For this test, apply a low-voltage (240V or 480V) to the high-voltage winding and measure the output at the low-voltage winding.

8. Final inspection and testing

The installation of conductors should be performed only by personnel qualified and experienced in high-voltage equipment. Personnel should be instructed that should any service work be required to the unit, the lines that power the transformer must be opened and appropriate safety locks and tags applied.

Tuesday 5 June 2018

WANTED ENGINEERS

Monday 4 June 2018

Minimum Wire Bending Radii and Conduit Fittings

Something as simple as installing conduit bodies (such as LBs) should require little thought as far as sizing goes, especially in cases where there are no splices involved. Surprisingly enough, this is one area of the NEC that is often violated. The issue is the minimum bending radius required for the conductors. Let’s run through an example to explain this situation.

Say we have a ¾-in. rigid metal conduit (RMC). We installed 20 ft of conduit, including a couple of ¾-in. LB conduit bodies along the way. Inside the conduit we’ve installed one, 600V, 7/C, 12 AWG, Type TC-ER cable. The individual conductors are type XHHW-2. We looked up the manufacturer’s data on the cable and find the O.D. is 0.59 in.Just to be sure that we’ve sized the conduit adequately, let’s check the conduit size. We’re allowed a 53% fill maximum as per NEC Chapter 9, Table 1, and Notes to Tables [Note (9)]. We’re going to use a cable that has an actual O.D. of 0.59 in. (area = 0.273 in2) in accordance with Note (5). Looking at Chapter 9, Table for Art. 344, we see that the maximum conduit fill allowed is 0.291 in2. Great! Our conduit size should be large enough for a short pull.

Next, we check the bending radius from the cable manufacturer, and find that they require a minimum bending radius of four times the O.D. of the cable: 4 x 0.59 in. = 2.36 in. radius (minimum).

Now we check the minimum bending radius that the fitting will allow. Fitting bend radius and fill information is available from the conduit body manufacturer and is also typically found on their web site or through the local manufacturer representative. In this case, we’re going to use a Form 8 LB, malleable iron, which is much larger than a Form 7. However, even the Form 8 condulet only has an allowable bending radius of 2.1 in. per the manufacturer literature that we’re using in this example. The next trade size larger is a 1-in. LB with a minimum bending radius of 2.5 in.

So, based on our example scenario, we would need to install a 1-in. LB. Finding something like this after the conduit is installed can result in either damaged cable or a costly rework situation. It’s also important to note that the minimum bending radii for different brands of “Form 8” fittings vary.

Gravity, 'mechanical loading' are key to cartilage development

Source:

University of Missouri-Columbia

Summary:

Mechanical loading is required for creating cartilage that is then turned to bone; however, little is known about cartilage development in the absence of gravity. Now, bioengineers have determined that microgravity may inhibit cartilage formation. Findings reveal that fracture healing for astronauts in space, as well as patients on bed rest here on Earth, could be compromised in the absence of mechanical loading.

Mechanical loading, or forces that stimulate cellular growth for development, is required for creating cartilage that is then turned to bone; however, little is known about cartilage development in the absence of gravity or mechanical loads. Now, in a study led by the University of Missouri, bioengineers have determined that microgravity may inhibit cartilage formation. Findings reveal that fracture healing for astronauts in space, as well as patients on bed rest here on Earth, could be compromised in the absence of mechanical loading.

"Cartilage tissue engineering is a growing field because cartilage does not regenerate," said Elizabeth Loboa, dean of the MU College of Engineering and a professor of bioengineering. "Because these tissues cannot renew themselves, bioreactors, or devices that support tissue and cell development, are used in many cartilage tissue engineering applications. Some studies suggest that microgravity bioreactors are ideal for the process to take place, while others show that bioreactors that mimic the hydrostatic pressure needed to produce cartilage might be more ideal. Our first-of-its-kind study was designed to test both theories."

Chondrogenic differentiation is the process by which cartilage is developed and cartilage is the basis for bone formation in the body. Additionally, cartilage does not renew itself once it breaks down or fails in the body, making it a target for bioengineers who wish to help patients regenerate cartilage from other cells.

Using human adipose, or fat cells (hASC) obtained from women, Loboa and her team tested chondrogenic differentiation in bioreactors that simulated either microgravity or hydrostatic pressure, which is the pressure that is exerted by a fluid.

Researchers found that cyclic hydrostatic pressure, which has been shown to be beneficial for cartilage formation, caused a threefold increase in cartilage production and resulted in stronger tissues. Microgravity, in turn, decreased chondrogenic differentiation.

"Our study provides insight showing that mechanical loading plays a critical role during cartilage development," Loboa said. "The study also shows that microgravity, which is experienced in space and is similar to patients on prolonged bed rest or those who are paralyzed, may inhibit cartilage and bone formation. Bioengineers and flight surgeons involved with astronauts' health should consider this as they make decisions for regenerating cartilage in patients and during space travel."

Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Missouri-Columbia. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Friday 1 June 2018

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

In this article, architect and construction expert, Bruce Corke, AIA provides an introduction to BIM and discusses how this relatively new technology is likely to affect the landscape of construction litigation in years to come.

CONSTRUCTION DISPUTES AND BIM: A PRIMER

Introduction

During much of modern history architectural designs were communicated through the medium of two dimensional hand drawings and written specifications. These technical drawings were produced by applying ink or pencil to a medium of paper, velum or Mylar. The 1990’s brought the advent of computer-aided design (CAD) as the popular medium to draw a building. In the 2000’s Building Information Models (BIM) were introduced to the architecture and engineering professions as the latest medium for designing and drawing a building. In spite of the evolution of technology over the years, construction disputes continue to occur.

A Definition of BIM

BIM is a virtual construction model of a building with the three primary spatial dimensions being width, height and depth. BIM can augment the three primary spatial dimensions with time as the fourth dimension (4D) and cost as the fifth dimension (5D). BIM therefore covers more than just geometry. It also covers spatial relationships, light analysis, geographic information, quantities and the properties of the building components. BIM allows the extraction of different views from a computerized building model for drawing production as well as other uses. BIM has the potential to be linked with construction scheduling software (4D). BIM models can also carry attributes for selecting and ordering materials automatically, providing cost estimates as well as material tracking and ordering (5D).

Potential BIM Benefits

Architects utilize BIM to create three dimensional spaces and buildings. BIM has the potential to enhance the design team’s visualization of a project as well as improve the design team’s coordination of a project. It has been shown that BIM has the ability to aid the contractor’s efforts to manage acceleration, avoid delays and mitigate disruptions.

Better coordinated 2D drawings can potentially now be extracted from BIM models. Changes to three dimensional models during the design process are automatically updated in extracted 2D drawings. Historically, 2D drawings were manually checked for coordination and accuracy. A quality control specialist spent multiple days reviewing two dimensional drawings attempting to make sure the architecture and engineering components blended properly into an integrated design. Available BIM software includes programs for semi-automated quality control. When properly utilized, these programs perform coordination checks called “clash detection”. Working in 3D, designers have the potential to identify conflicts between and amongst the building systems that might not be readily identified on 2D drawings. When properly utilized, the clash detection can eliminate serious constructability issues before work has begun onsite. This can mitigate risk by providing greater accuracy and ensuring that building systems fit in the locations shown on the drawings. Properly executed clash detection has the potential to benefit the designer, contractor and owner. It can reduce requests for information (RFIs) and change orders thereby helping to keep the project on schedule.

Point Cloud

Renovating existing buildings and spaces always created a unique challenge for architects. Obtaining accurate existing “as-built” conditions on which to base a design was both time consuming and fraught with the potential for inaccuracies. It involved sending teams of individuals with tape measures and note pads to gather the existing building’s information from scratch. Or if existing drawings existed, the team went to verify the as-built conditions as represented on those drawings.

Point Cloud is a computerized “mapping” format that can be utilized with BIM. Point clouds of existing buildings and spaces are generated by 3D scanners. These devices optically measure a large number of points on an object’s surface, and output a “point cloud” as a data file. In a three-dimensional coordinate system, these points are defined by X, Y, and Z axis coordinates. They are intended to represent the external surface of an object, the internal surfaces of a space or sometimes a combination of both. A three dimensional BIM model can be created from these measurements. The proper utilization of 3D scanners can increase the accuracy of existing building surveys. They can thereby decrease the potential for construction site conflicts by having the proposed construction more closely integrate with the existing conditions.

BIM and the AIA

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the leading producer of the design and construction industry’s standardized contract documents. In 2007 the AIA explicitly stated in their Owner-Architect Agreement B101 what the standard of care was to which an architect must perform. That document, although mentioning digital models and listing BIM as an additional service, does not define BIM. In recognition that BIM was becoming a force in the industry the AIA introduced the E202 Building Information Modeling Protocol Exhibit in 2008. A key element in this protocol was the term “levels of development” or LOD, the ubiquitous five levels of progressive model element completeness. In 2013 the AIA updated this document to AIA E203 – Building Information Modeling and Digital Data Exhibit. This document expands the definition of how BIM will be utilized by the project team including: 1) who will be modeling what portions of the project including the architect, engineers and possibly the contractor; 2) what levels of LOD will be provided in the model elements; 3) if the model will be utilized for facilities management; and 4) What facilities management responsibilities the architectural firm will have and how they will be compensated for these services. It is through these documents and others that the AIA establishes a standard of care as it relates to BIM.

BIM and Design-Bid-Build vs. Design-Build

A traditional project delivery system is called design-bid-build. In this system the roles of designer, contractor and owner are clearly defined and separate. The architect and engineers design the building for the owner and create documents for use by the contractors. The contractors bid from the construction documents and ultimately build the building for the owner from them.

Another project delivery system that has become popular is design-build. Design-build relies on a contract that establishes a single point of responsibility. It is intended to minimize risks for the project owner. It is also intended to shorten the delivery schedule by overlapping the design phase and construction phase of a project. This delivery system is highly collaborative and multi-participant in nature. In the BIM platform, Architects, engineers, specialty consultants, sub-contractors, building product manufacturers and the client’s out-sourced service providers all contribute to the BIM model. Controlling each team member’s contribution to the BIM model presents challenges and must be managed properly.

BIM and Construction Disputes

Regardless of the evolution of design and drawing production, construction disputes continue to occur. BIM is a tool. All tools can be handled with varying degrees of skill.

The production of construction documents (CDs) has always required the coordination of multiple design entities. Likewise the construction of a project has always required the coordinated efforts of multiple contractors and trades. The use of point cloud enables an architect to create a 3D model of an existing building, but its accuracy is only as good as the technicians translating the data.

In the design-build delivery system responsibilities are sometimes blurred. Contractors and manufacturers are now assisting the design team with various components of the building in the BIM model. Who has the ownership and responsibility for each of the parts? What level of detail is being provided by each team member? The new AIA agreements noted above seek to help define this changing landscape of design and construction but they help only if they are properly utilized. Many future construction claims will be similar to those of the past but with the arrival of BIM and its increased capabilities there will also be new claims that arise. Contracts will need to be carefully reviewed for duties and responsibilities. BIM models and extracted 2D drawings will need to be evaluated for standard of care and workmanlike performance including model ownership and clash detection.

BIM now provides the designer with a tremendous delivery platform. Unfortunately if not properly managed; it will only result in another layer of construction disputes. The architects and engineers at Robson Forensic have consulted on a wide variety of construction disputes. Please contact us to discuss how we might assist you with yours.