Liberté! Égalité! Fraternité! Pick any two
Liberty, equality, and brotherhood were the goals of the French Revolution of 1789 to 1799. Pretty noble sounding. Who could argue with those sentiments? Too bad that revolution ended up eating itself. Makes you stand in that much more awe of how we accomplished ours without the usual reign of terror that accompanies most revolutions [see French, Russian, etc.].But, liberty, equality, and brotherhood, like that other tripartite slogan – Time, Quality, Money – are somewhat mutually exclusive. It's possible to have any two, but impossible to have all three.
Of course, it doesn't sound like that on first blush, but liberty means having the freedom to take one's fate into one's own hands and either succeed or fail. Equality – beyond one's standing before the law – means that everyone is kept even, usually by legal mandate. No one can be better than anyone. We're all reduced to the lowest common denominator.
Kurt Vonnegut wrote a good example of the extremes to which equality can be imposed in his short story Harrison Bergeron. Harrison is shot to death at the end of the story by United States Handicapper General Diana Moon Glampers for the crime of showing his superiority, his inequality.
Where's this going? It's headed to that third rail, the whole health-care issue before congress.
One of the fears is that we will lose our freedom to determine our own health-care needs. We're now at liberty to spend as much as we care to, or can afford, on maintaining our health. Sometimes that can be overwhelming in the case of a catastrophic illness. I have an acquaintance who went to heroic measures to find a cure for a spouse's lung cancer, even to the point of taking part in investigational drugs and procedures. The spouse died more than 10 years ago and this person is still working two jobs to pay the expenses.
But, they were both at liberty to seek the health-care they wanted.
Under federally-mandated rules, where people are treated "equally," there is the fear that the government will not only deny such experimental treatment, but also make it illegal for people to pay for it themselves.
A lot has been said about how the health-care system in this country is broken, with citations about the number of uninsured in the U.S. But, since when is health-insurance a right? How about all of the people without life insurance? Does everyone deserve equal coverage for their deaths?
Right now, I'm worth about $20,000 dead. Not much considering the expense of taking care of my remains and filling the income loss to my wife. But, that's what I can afford. I'm sure the president of Government Motors is insured for a lot more. I'm also sure that the guy we pay to mow our lawn may not have any life insurance at all. Should all three of us be treated equally in terms of life insurance? Should there be government spending to be sure that my lawn guy's heirs get an "equal" amount of death benefit?
Sure, there are problems with health coverage in the U.S., but there are better solutions than the government taking charge of it.
For those who are demanding government health-care, let them remember the last time they stood in line at the post office.
A bit o' news
Siemens PLM Software give big to Arizona State UniversityArizona State University will enrich its engineering education and provide students more advanced preparation to enter the workforce through an in-kind software grant from Siemens PLM Software to the university's Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of the Siemens Industry Automation Division, is a provider of product lifecycle management – PLM – software and services. The grant has a commercial value of nearly $245 million, and is the largest in-kind grant in the university’s history. The grant was made through the Siemens PLM Software Global Opportunities in Product Lifecycle Management program – called GO PLM – and includes engineering software, student/instructor training and specialized software certification programs.
“Advanced tools, such as the PLM software, are essential to preparing our engineers for the challenges they will face in a complex and global economy. They will be able to meet demand for designing and analyzing systems that transcend traditional boundaries,” Deirdre Meldrum, dean of the engineering school, said.
"It will definitely open more doors," Adam Dixon, ASU grad student, said. "Training on the technology will make ASU engineering grads more marketable."
"Our mechanical and aerospace engineering graduates go to work for major engineering companies that use these kinds of high-end computer –aided design and finite element analysis software packages,” Jami Shah, and engineering professor and director of the school's Design Automation Lab, said. “It’s important to instruct students with tools they're use in business."
New Products
Until it's measured, it just opinion (Have I written that before?)
EasyForm 3.0 dimensional metrology system from Mahr Federal Inc.
EasyForm 3.0 dimensional metrology system from Mahr Federal Inc. provides a touchscreen interface that guides operators through measurement setup and operation. A teach-in mode remembers every step taken and can easily combine steps to perform repetitive multi-feature measurements. Measurement results are displayed on the screen, including 3D representation, with color or grid lines, providing an interactive graphic preview. Results can be printed, saved in file formats such as PDF, or exported for analysis in ASCII or optionally in QS-Stat formats. The software can exclude certain trace data after measuring or analyzing part features. This allows inadvertent data from dirt, or from recurring features such as splines or grooves, to be removed from consideration without remeasurement. Also included are options for output formatting to enhance the usability of the results for different users. To support applications on CNC systems as well as basic manual systems, abilities to separate positioning movement of the probe or measuring device from evaluation has been added. For manufacturers of high-precision parts interested in harmonic analysis, EasyForm offers a variety of analysis methods including basic Fourier analyses, input of multiple bands, and generation of tolerance curves for the histogram. For additional information, e-mail Mahr Federal Inc. or call 800.333.4243.
Home, home on mid-range
LVD Strippit introduces a line of PPEC mid-range press brakes
LVD Strippit introduces a line of PPEC mid-range press brakes for less challenging forming applications. The line includes the PPEC-6 and PPEC-7 models with capacities from 80 tons and 2m, up to 220 tons and 4.2m, with four to seven CNC controlled axes, depending upon machine model. The press brakes have a welded one-piece frame machined without repositioning. Hydraulic cylinders are machined from a solid steel billet. Pistons are steel forgings, precision ground, and micropolished. Microprocessor technology is linked to servo-controlled hydraulics and electronics for optimum control of the bending. Double bed referenced encoders are connected to the bed in such a way that deformation of the side frames during bending does not influence the positioning accuracy of 0.01 mm of the upper beam – Y1-Y2. A two-axis backgauge allows X-axis depth and R-axis height positioning of the two standard backgauge fingers. The standard PPEC backgauge fingers allow gauging to 39.4" and serve as material supports. PPEC-4 and PPEC-5 models can be fitted with an additional third finger support for bending channels. For more information, call 800.828.1527, or visit the LVD Strippit website.
A real cut-up
The Pro Pegasus DS Mitre Semi-Automatic Saws, from Pat Mooney Inc. – The Saw Company
The Pro Pegasus DS Mitre Semi-Automatic Saws, from Pat Mooney Inc. – The Saw Company, feature 1¼"-wide saw blades. The gear-drive saws have an electronic display of the cutting angle. the saws perform semi-automatic operations, including positive hydraulic cutting control, hydraulic clamping, and auto return of the saw head after the cutting cycle. Its swivel saw head mitre cuts up to 60º both left and right. The saw head rotates via a rack and pinion system. The saws have a locking cabinet, carbide blade guides with roller guides, and case-hardened and ground helical gears. Variable blade speeds from 50 to 400 fpm are controlled via the saw’s inverter. Cutting capacities are 12½"×20". For more information, e-mail Pat Mooney Inc. – The Saw Company or call 800.323.7503.
Micro manipulator with macro features
The MP63 3-axis micro manipulator module from Steinmeyer, Inc.
The MP63 3 axis micro manipulator module from Steinmeyer, Inc., is a fully-enclosed 3-axis positioner with 25mm stroke in each direction. Included are DC gear motors, rotary encoders, lead screws, and non-contact limit switches. Accuracy in each direction is 5µ with ±1 micron repeatability. Standard straightness and flatness is ±3µ, with 1µ available as an option. The assembly weighs about 2 kg. All cable connectors are located on one end. For more information call 781.273.6220.
Take this rotary table for a spin
The 5AX-201 rotary table from Lyndex-Nikken
The 5AX-201 rotary table from Lyndex-Nikken features a 8" faceplate trunion work envelope that can be incorporated in smaller BT30 vertical machining centers such as the Fanuc Robodrill, Brother Drill and Tap, and Kitamura Mycenter. It provides a workholding space once associated with larger 40-taper machines, but with a body design for use in conjunction with BT30 machines. The carbide worm system uses a carbide worm screw and ion nitrided worm wheel rather than a conventional bronze or bronze-alloy actuation mechanism. The result is a reduction in friction and wear by up to eight times, according to the manufacturer. The worm screw consists of a less brittle V-grade form of carbide, while the worm gear is ion nitrided to a depth of 0.1mm and an external surface hardness of 68RC. These properties, as well as a steel way hardened to 58-60 RC, add to system rigidity and longevity. To machine five sides of a workpiece, the 5AX-201 features a drop trunion and rotary/tilting axis clamping torque of 434 and 452 ft/lb. For more information, visit the Lyndex-Nikken, Inc., website, call 800.543.6237, or e-mail Lyndex-Nikken
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