Another look at the 1/X Toyota Plug-In Hybrid Car
While it debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota showed off its "1/X" plug-in
hybrid concept vehicle at the Chicago Auto Show. (It’s pronounced
"one-Xth".)
Compared to the Prius,
gas-electric hybrid, the 1/X is smaller, lighter (by about two-thirds), has a
smaller engine (again by two-thirds) and uses lithium-ion batteries instead of
NiMH. A future Prius model will incorporate some of the technologies. Not all will make it, though–the carbon-fiber-reinforced
plastic frame and bio-plastic roof, for instance. Of course, a heavier car will
not achieve 125-miles-per-gallon, but I imagine it will be good.
Yes, doors might make them heavier, but it should decrease wind resistance.
–by the staff
Teamcenter 2007 is Impressive PLM
A review of the Teamcenter 2007 software currently appears in Desktop Engineering. By Al Dean, it was published February 1, 2008 and is titled, "Teamcenter 2007 is Impressive PLM, Siemens PLM Software unifies Teamcenter’s architecture once and for all." This review details many of the new features of the Teamcenter 2007
release. Highlights include:
"I saw many impressive things at the Teamcenter 2007 launch .
. ."
to supplier management — and all across the board."
–by the staff
One word. Plastics.
Plastic razor blades? Really? Yes, really. Why? Designed
for the automotive detailing industry, these blades can remove most stuck-on
paints, adhesives, or other muck without damaging the surface like harder steel
razor blades.
ScrapeRite makes three varieties of plastic razor blades
that fit in standard cutting and scraping tools. The three types are: a rigid yellow, a flexible blue and a
general-purpose orange. A pack of 25 is
$9.
More info here
http://toolmonger.com/2008/01/25/plastic-razor-blades/
http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/01/28/scraperite-plastic-r.html
–by the staff
New Kid in Town
At the Monday General Session of SolidWorks World 2008, VEX
Robotics showed their VEXplorer, the ideal robot kit for the novice
builder. It is aimed at beginners and
hobbyists. “Complete with detailed step-by-step
plans, this almost-ready-to-run kit comes with pre-assembled modules making it
quick and easy to build. Best of all, your robot is compatible with Vex Motion
and Structure parts allowing you to expand and grow your robot.”
The most interesting part, however, is that the kit includes
a FREE fully licensed seat of the student edition of SolidWorks. I don’t know of
any other kit/RC model that comes with CAD software.
–by the staff