Motors & Drives Information

Data Recovery - The Known And Unknown Facts

2008-03-17T05:38:00.001-07:00

Physical Damage

Physical damage is the corruption of the physical parts of the storage media. There are a variety of possibilities like the improper working of a Hard disk due to the mechanical failures such as head crashes, failed motors or insufficient power supply. CD Rom drives can have their layers scratched off, the tape drives can simply break when kept inside a bag while traveling are a few to name and there can be many more reasons. Physical hard drive damage always leads to some kind of Logical damage as well as there are some clusters destroyed which are inaccessible. The logical damage must be recovered before any files are salvaged from the media.

The physical damages cannot be repaired by the user himself as it can cause further damage to the media and moreover the users generally are not trained to handle such extreme processes like opening a hard disk in a normal room can further damage the disk as it leads to dust settlement on the surface of the disk. To overcome these difficulties the Data Recovery Companies are consulted where clean room facilities at 100 percent are maintained to protect the media when the repairs are being carried out. This helps in rebuilding the logical damage before the data is being rescued. However the data recovery success rate is below 100 percent in case of a physical damage but most of the files are recovered. This kind of recovery can also be carried out for other media such as Tape drives, memory cards etc.

Logical Damage

The Logical damages occur more commonly when compared to that of the Physical damage. This is primarily caused due improper maintenance where the file system structures are prevented from being completely written to the storage medium. This results in the inconsistency in the state of file system and can cause variety of problems such as system crashes, operating system checking for the boot file for more than one time or there can also be an actual data loss. These inconsistencies up to a limited stage can be repaired and there are various programs that are accompanied with the operating software and can be used to overcome the problem. For instance there is chkdsk with Microsoft Windows and fsck with Linux and also some software available to overcome these errors when the operating system is unable to correct these errors.

While most of the logical damage can be recovered by the operating system or a good data recovery software. This usually happen when during a recovery process two files claims to share the same allocation unit and in such case, data loss for one of the files is essentially guaranteed. This can be lowered by use of journaling file systems, such as NTFS 5.0. These file systems can always be rolled back to a consistent state, which means the data that will be lost will be likely the one in the drives cache during the system failure. However, regular system maintenance should still be followed to avoid any kind of data loss. This not only protects from the data being lost but also from the file system being infected by the virus. However, one incompatibility still remains where the disk controller reports that the file system reports of structures being saved to the disk when it has not actually occurred. This can often happen during a power loss where the data is stored in cache. This problem can be solved by using a system that is equipped with a battery backup or an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) so that the waiting data can be written when the power is restored or at least to give enough time to the system to shut down properly.

Consideration When Buying a Treadmill - The Motor

2008-03-15T02:52:00.000-07:00

A treadmill motor is one of the most significant components to consider when buying a treadmill. It is what drives the treadbelt that you walk or run on. Depending on the quality and power, it can make the difference between a smooth running machine and a loud noise-maker that struggle to run. In most cases the larger and heavier the motor the better. But that is not always the case. The quality of the motor can make a big difference, even if it is smaller. In other words not all treadmill motors are equal.

When comparing treadmill motors you want to go by the horsepower of the continuous duty, not peak horsepower. Peak horsepower is the maximum horsepower a treadmill can reach. Continuous-duty horsepower is a measure of sustained power during regular use. The continuous motor power is what is consistently delivered during heavy usage over an extended period of time.

Since peak horsepower is usually significantly higher than a motor's continuous capability, continuous horsepower better helps you determine which treadmill will accommodate your intended exercise use. Generally speaking, the larger the motor the more powerful it can operate at a continuous rate

Continuous duty is the standard in comparing horsepower. Unfortunately there is no official standard rating and often treadmill manufacturers will exaggerate the actual continuous duty horsepower. Regardless, the continuous duty horsepower rating will give you some guideline, but it is not an absolute.

An indication of the quality of the motor will often be reflected by the extent of the warranty. A 90 day warranty will suggest lack of quality. A warranty of 5 years or more tells you that the motor is built to last, or otherwise the company would go broke having to replace them. In fact, there are a number of treadmill manufacturers that offer lifetime warranties on the motor.

We suggest the following continuous duty horsepower when selecting a treadmill. If you are over 200 lbs you may want to add a .5 hp to the motor level:

Walking - 2.0+ Continuous Duty HP
Jogging - 2.5+ Continuous Duty HP
Running - 3.0+ Continuous Duty HP

Be especially careful when you purchase a treadmill under $1,000. Below that price you will have manufacturers skimp on the quality of components in order to keep the price down. When you purchase from a reputable manufacturer the chances of the motor breaking down are slim. When you buy an inferior treadmill the chances of the motor burning out increases substantially.

Resurrecting an Old Technology - VSR Motors

2008-03-15T02:51:00.000-07:00

The stator typically consists of slots containing a series of coil winding, the energization of which is electronically switched to generate a moving field. When one stator coil is set on, a magnetic flux path is generated around the coil and the rotor. The rotor experiences a torque and is moved in the line with the energized coils, minimizing the flux path. with the approximate switching and energization of the stator coils, the rotor can be encouraged to rotate at any desired torque and speed.

VSR Motors offers the following advantages: Since there are no brushes ringing, there is no requirement of commutator maintenance. the motor is more robust since there are no coils or moving parts. A VSR motor can maintain higher torque and efficiency over broader speed ranges than is possible with other advanced variable speed systems. In addition, as the commutation can be accurately controlled with respect to the rotor angle, the motor will operate at its predicted high efficiency. With VSR technology it is possible to design a low cost motor with over 90% system efficiency and variable speed.

VSR motors can be programmed to precisely match the loads the serve, and their simple rugged construction has no expensive magnets or squirrel cages like the induction motor. VSR motors are smaller than DC motors. VSR motor is inherently resistant to overload and immune to single point failure. They have a high level of fault tolerance and are immune to switching faults. According t a spokesman of Le Tourneau, While the initial cost of SR motor and control is a little more expensive than standard DC system, in the failure, there may be little or no difference in the manufacturing costs due to decreasing prices of electronic components. VSR motors are not without their drawbacks, however. The most significant downside is the acoustic noise and the large vibration caused by the motor's high pulsating magnetic flux. Another limitation is torque ripple. But while these drawbacks have an effect in small horsepower VSR motors, they are of no significance in large horsepower traction motors.

Swamp Cooling - Not Just for Swamps! FAQ

2008-03-14T00:43:00.000-07:00

1. What is evaporative cooling?

Nature's most efficient means of cooling is through the evaporation of water. Evaporative cooling works on the principle of heat absorption by moisture evaporation. The evaporative cooler draws exterior air into special pads soaked with water, where the air is cooled by evaporation, and then circulated.

2. What choices of evaporative cooling do I have?

The range of commercial and industrial evaporative coolers available today is extensive, varying from commercial mobile coolers to large and fully ducted systems designed for commercial use.

3. Are evaporative coolers more suitable for specific climates?

Evaporative cooling is especially suited for areas where the air is hot and the humidity is low. However, in areas of higher humidity, there are many proven cost effective uses for evaporative cooling that make this the best choice. For example, industrial plants, commercial kitchens, laundry facilities, dry cleaners, greenhouses, places which utilize spot cooling (loading docks, warehouses, factories, construction sites, athletic events, workshops, garages, kennels), and areas using confinement farming (poultry ranches and hog/dairy farms).

4. What advantages does evaporative cooling have compared to a refrigerated cooling system?

Evaporative cooling will provide a substantial energy savings over refrigerated air units. The simplicity of the design allows low maintenance requirements. The evaporative cooler will provide fresh, filtered air. The outside air that has been cooled will blow the stale, inside air, out. With the substantial savings of energy and the constant changes in the air, the industrial/commercial evaporative cooler is ideally suited for area cooling or spot cooling of factories, laundries, churches, schools, agricultural/business areas, restaurants, and more.

5. What size evaporative cooler do I need?

Evaporative coolers are size-based on cubic feet per minute (CFM) of airflow. For sizing information on industrial/commercial coolers, the formulas are located in the specification charts of the cooler considered. When sizing an industrial or commercial cooler it is important to be job specific to include unusual heat loads and static pressures of the system design.

Even More Detailed Answers! Read on...

6. How do swamp/evaporative coolers work?

Swamp coolers are efficient and effective machines of cooling. As a direct replacement for air conditioning in dry climates, these coolers are an example of how we can work with nature. Being considerably less expensive than air conditioning, it almost seems that one is getting something for nothing when using a swamp cooler.

The way a swamp cooler operates is very simple. There is a low horsepower motor which pumps the water from the floor of the cooler to the top of the cooler, where it proceeds to fall down the sides and along porous filter pads. A second motor drives a fan which pulls air from the outside, through the cooler, and then pushes this out into the hot room. The significant cooling action results from the water evaporating as the air passes through it. Incidentally, the water level is kept constant with the help of a floating sphere, functioning similarly to the one in a toilet bowl. The hot air enters the cooler, where two small motors power nothing more than a fan and a pump in order to send cool air into the hot room.

The way the air is cooled in a swamp cooler is similar to the way evaporating sweat cools the human body. When a substance is perceived at a certain energy heat level, measured in temperature, there is really a distribution of varying levels of temperature throughout the molecules of the substance. This assortment of temperatures average out to the measured value. Most of the molecules can be around the average, and the farther from the average, the less of them there are. For example, water at room temperature has most of its molecules at approximately that temperature, but it also contains molecules that are near the boiling point of water and also near its freezing point. However small in quantity they are, these are an important presence. Because at the boiling point of water, there are molecules that are gases and those that are liquids. The liquid molecules will absorb energy in the form of heat to become gases and escape the confines of their old forms. As the molecules from the higher temperatures evaporate, the remaining liquids average less heat, but there will still be water at the higher temperatures because the remaining molecules redistribute themselves along the bell curve, enabling the next molecules to evaporate. Heat is siphoned off this way from the water, and more importantly, heat is extracted from the air as the liquid water at the boiling point grabs the needed energy for its freedom into gas.

Air conditioning on the other hand, became popular because of the ability to cool the air, not depending on the surrounding humidity. Even on humid days, room and central air conditioners can lower the temperature to a thermostatically-controlled temperature. Air conditioners also use as much as four times the electricity than a swamp cooler and are more expensive to install and maintain. Air conditioners can require ozone-damaging refrigerants, not to mention, circulating the same air over and over again. Fairly popular in desert areas, swamp coolers will work well in California's more humid climates for a majority of the time. Sacramento, for example, averages about 30% humidity on a typical, hot summer afternoon, while this is still dry enough for evaporative cooling to work effectively.

7. Why does evaporation lower temperature?

The process of evaporation happens all the time. Our bodies, for example, perspire in hot weather. Through evaporation, sweat dries and causes our body temperature to drop. Whenever dry air passes over water, some of the water will be absorbed by the air. That is why evaporative cooling naturally occurs near waterfalls, rivers, lakes and oceans. The hotter and drier the air, the more water that can be absorbed. This happens because the temperature and the vapor pressure of the water and the air attempt to equalize. Liquid water molecules become gas in the dry air, a process that uses energy to change its physical state. Heat moves from the higher temperature of the air to the lower temperature of the water, resulting in cooler air. Eventually the air becomes saturated, unable to hold anymore water, and evaporation ceases.

Data Recovery - The Known And Unknown Facts

2008-03-14T00:29:00.000-07:00

Physical Damage

Logical Damage

Data Recovery From (RAID) Servers

2008-03-14T00:22:00.000-07:00

n other words, you have sent a request for the web page through the web browser. This request is answered by the web server, by sending the required page to the web browser, which in turn displays it.

The web server works thus; there are many other types of servers that are used commonly.

Types of Servers

Probably, the simplest of servers are the file servers. You can send your request for a file or a file record, over the network to the file server. (File servers require a large bandwidth.) Another equally simple server is the disk server.

A comparatively more advanced version is a database server. In a database server, the user passes on a message to the server (in SQL - 'structure query language') and the results are returned over the network. The data resides on the server, and enables the code that processes the request to find the requested data. The client is not passed on all the files to scan for the required information.

The other server is the transaction server, which contains a SQL data base engine. The procedural statements on the servers either execute the entire SQL transactions or they fail it as a group. As the applications on the transaction servers are mission critical they necessitate an enhanced level of security and integrity of the database. The exchange usually consists of a single request and reply.

A server that is much commonly used unlike the transaction server is the e-mail server. This receives mail from clients and other email servers. The mail server consists of a storage area, a list of users, a series of communication modules and a set of rules defined by the user. The storage area, which is a database of information, consists of the received mail and those in transit. The user defined rules determine the reaction of the mail server to specific messages, for example, only certain e-mails can be sent to a company while the rest get blocked. The communication modules (their number is determined by the mail server) handle the transfer of messages to and fro the email clients.

Servers usually function without manual intervention and they are expected to work almost constantly, therefore, RAID is used.

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Drives)

This is also known as 'redundant array of inexpensive disks.' This term defines a computer data storage scheme that divides and also replicates data among varied hard disks. In a RAID, the different physical hard disks are combined into a single logical unit by using a special hardware or software.

The three key RAID concepts are:

· Mirroring - that of copying data on to different disks in the array

· Striping - the splitting of data in more than one disk, and finally

· Error correction - redundant data is stored for error detection if the need arises

RAID systems are designed to work reliably; therefore, they are ideally suited for servers. However, at times, RAID array also fail and data recovery from a (RAID) server is a complicated process.

Data Recovery from a (RAID) Server

In event of data loss, an initial diagnosis is performed which determines whether each device is accessible. If the media is accessible, a raw image is created of all the data onto a new device so that the nature of information loss can be ascertained. At times, some devices may be inaccessible; these are closely tested to assess the extent of physical damage. Data recovery from a crashed RAID usually involves the replacement of the damaged components like the read/ write head, the drive motors, etc. Specialised tools are used to recover the lost data.

Servers with multiple drives are de-striped on to a device to enable performance of file system repairs and to extract the data files.

Data loss usually induces panic. Losing data from a RAID server necessitates an important precaution. The disk array order should not be changed. Even if they are removed from the server, they should be placed back in the same order and the data recovery experts must be contacted.

Consideration When Buying a Treadmill - The Motor

2008-03-14T00:21:00.000-07:00

f you are serious about purchasing a quality treadmill, and not some toy that will break down in a short period of time, then there are a number of considerations to think about. One of the most important is the quality of the motor.

We suggest the following continuous duty horsepower when selecting a treadmill. If you are over 200 lbs you may want to add a .5 hp to the motor level:

Walking - 2.0+ Continuous Duty HP
Jogging - 2.5+ Continuous Duty HP
Running - 3.0+ Continuous Duty HP

Consideration When Buying a Treadmill - The Motor

2008-03-13T03:46:00.000-07:00

We suggest the following continuous duty horsepower when selecting a treadmill. If you are over 200 lbs you may want to add a .5 hp to the motor level:

Walking - 2.0+ Continuous Duty HP
Jogging - 2.5+ Continuous Duty HP
Running - 3.0+ Continuous Duty HP

Resurrecting an Old Technology - VSR Motors

2008-03-11T03:26:00.000-07:00

Useful Information About ATVs

2008-03-11T03:25:00.000-07:00

Small open motorized buggies and tricycles designed for off-road use are called all-terrain vehicles, or ATVs. The vehicles are generally buggies and tricycles. The typical three-wheeled ATV is trademarked by Honda.

There are various types of buggies, like the dune buggy, which is built to travel through sand dunes and beaches, or a kite buggy, which is a light vehicle powered by a traction kite.

The tricycle is similar to the bicycle, the only difference being that it is three-wheeled. Some tricycles are also motorized. However, sidecars and three-wheelers are not considered tricycles.

The four-wheeled versions of ATVs are commonly referred to as 'quads,' 'quad bikes' or 'quad cycles.'

Six- and eight-wheeled ATVs are also available for specialized uses. Though the rider can sit on them just as he would sit on a motorcycle, the extra wheels make them more stable at slower speeds. They are known as the AATVs (Amphibious All Terrain Vehicles)

They are also considered to be Off Road Vehicles (OTVs), like the jeep and the motorcycle.

The first three-wheeled ATV was made by Honda in 1970. In 1982, Honda came out with the ATC 250R, which was the first model to have a full suspension, manual clutch and a disk brake. It was favored by hunters and was for purely recreational use.

In the later stages, ATVs had such features as four-wheel drives, long-travel suspensions and liquid-cooled two-stroke motors. The four-wheel-drive ATVs are largely used by workers, farmers and ranchers.

Safety concerns forced the production of three-wheeled ATVs to be clamped down in the late '80s. The front end of the three wheelers has only one wheel, and that makes it lighter. Flipping backwards and overturning are a potential hazard in tricycles, especially while climbing mountains.

In most accidents the driver first loses control of the vehicle. Other common types of accidents are collision with a moving or fixed object, and driver or passenger ejection from all-terrain vehicles. It is recommended that drivers never carry a passenger while operating all terrain vehicles.

There are two kinds of ATVs today, the sports models and the utility models.

The sports models are usually light, small two-wheel drives, and therefore can accelerate quickly. They have a manual transmission and can reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour.

They are generally built for racing purposes, and therefore should be lightweight and high-powered, with a good suspension and a low center of gravity. These machines are used in various races like motocross, woods, desert, drag racing, speedway and Tourist Trophy races, after modifications.

The utility models are bigger vehicles with a four-wheel drive. The maximum speed they can reach is 60 miles per hour. Utility ATVs are used for various tasks like hauling small loads or towing small trailers.

Popular producers of ATVs are Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Arctic Cat.

A Guide to Choosing a University Course

2008-02-26T04:24:00.001-08:00

University courses and degree programs take around four years of study to complete. Nevertheless, some students may need more time to complete the university course. It is also possible to shorten the university courses by studying in the intersession of spring and summer.

An average student has to spend three hours of study for every hour spent in class. Fifteen hours per week is the average time for a university course. Depending upon the university course’s subject, classes may be held during the evening, afternoon or in the day. To support the academic university courses, they may also have to attend the clubs, athletics, recreational activities and societies.

The overall requirement for the degree along with the degree elements will be explained to the students by the faculty advisor. The advisor should be kept informed if the student has any specific area of interest or careers in mind while selecting the university courses. The university courses can be chosen by the students based on their degree requirements, schedules and their interests.

During the transition to the university course, there will be a peer mentor or an upper class student studying in the same degree program to assist the first year students undergoing the university course. Find more info at www.university-resource.info

Study skills are enhanced by free workshops conducted through out the year. By appointment and during the regular hours of office, the professors will also assist the students to overcome any problems faced by them during their university course period. For specific classes, tutorials and labs facilities will also be available for the students. In case of difficulties, the students studying a university course are encouraged to contact professors, faculty advisors or counselors to overcome their problems.

The cost of university courses depends upon the area of study and the lifestyle of the student. The technology fee, student fees and tuition fee are standard and must be paid by the students.

Each university course focuses on its studies. To cite an example, languages, politics, history, psychology are people oriented university courses in the Bachelor of Arts program. Where as the university courses under Bachelor of Science programs such as statistics, mathematics or biology are not people oriented.

Within a university course, in the degree program, a major should be chosen by the students. Within the overall degree, this is a specific study area. The majority of the courses will be related to the specific discipline when a major subject is chosen by the student. A student selecting history as his major in his university course will be studying more history related material than any other areas of study within that course.

Whilst selecting the university courses, try to find out the courses disliked during high school and concentrate more on the courses liked. To find more about the interesting university courses, make an appointment with the liaison officer for a discussion. Take a tour of the universities and colleges to find out more about the courses available.

A Guide to Choosing a University Course

2008-02-26T04:24:00.000-08:00

The Popularity of Learning Online

2008-02-26T04:21:00.000-08:00

Online courses help students to further their learning abilities and education. No matter where a student is located, the resources are available at their fingertips when one studies online courses. There are innumerable online courses and training methods available.

A course on personal development, to continue with a hobby, training for a new career or enhancing business skills are just some of the possibilities available in online courses. Their area of interest can be explored at the students own pace. There are thousands of online courses covering hundreds of topics.

Online Courses in Business among others include a course to start your own business or training in time management. Other available online courses include leadership skills, techniques on conducting interviews and marketing courses – online or offline. Online courses in training includes programming languages, marketing through internet, personal computer hardware, Linux, training in office software, graphic designs, web design and other certificate courses in information technology.

Online courses for training in a specific career are also possible. The available resources includes various vocational training programs in wedding planning, carpentry, bookkeeping, real estate, automotive courses, medical transcription and lot of other options to get a diploma. Find more info at www.online-courses4u.info

Professionals who would like to continue their education have various options available in online courses. Engineers, architects, lawyers, physicians, real-estate professionals, social workers, teachers and massage therapists and others, can pursue online CEU and CE courses.

Online courses in personal development are meant for developing a hobby or pursuing a personal interest. Home improvement, investing, gardening, cooking, art and design, digital photography and traffic school and many others are included.

Languages can be learned through various online courses available on the internet. Expanding the existing language skill or learning a foreign language is made easy. Supplementary help for courses such ESL, TEFL are also included in various online courses. Languages such as Japanese, Spanish, Italian, French or German can be easily learnt through online resources.

Convenience and flexibility are the advantages in online learning. This is more so if the students have other commitments. Depending upon on the needs of the student a greater adaptability is also possible along with enhanced communication between the student and the teaching resources online. Some of the advantages of online courses include the teaching materials presented in non-verbal mode and the varieties of learning experience, using multimedia.

E-assessment or assessments made with the aid of a computer includes multiple choice tests which are automatically generated, gearing towards the specific mistakes made by the students and to navigate through a series of questions to find out what the student has learned or not learned.

Chrysler Groups Recalls 62,400 Vehicles For Brake Failure

2008-02-25T03:34:00.001-08:00

Chrysler Group is recalling about 62,400 vehicles because their braking system may fail to work. Among the vehicles to be recalled are the 2007 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles.

The recall is specifically includes 62,369 model year 2007 Chrysler Sebring, Chrysler 300, Jeep Commander, Jeep Compass, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Nitro, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Charger and Dodge Caliber vehicles to fix the brake system Electronic Control Unit computer.

The instrument panel warning lamps of the aforementioned vehicles may illuminate and be followed by failure of Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), anti-lock brake system, traction control and speedometer functions. The failure could lead to loss of control.

No injuries and fatalities have been reported due to the brake system failure. The owners of the affected vehicles will be notified in February next year. For the meantime, customers experiencing warning lamp illumination should take their vehicles to a certified Chrysler dealer for the necessary inspection.

The brake system plays a significant role in the performance of the vehicle as well as in the safety of the occupants. The brake pedal, which is attached to the brake cylinder, can be an indicator of serious vehicle problems like leaks and uneven pads. The combination valve must also work together properly. The valve helps regulate pressure. The wheel cylinder is also deemed a critical element in the drum brake assembly. It contains pistons that thrust the shoes against the drums when slowing down. The drum brake assembly is used to take the rear wheels of most wheels to a stop. Disc Brake assembly, on one hand, absorbs more heat than the drum brake. These parts contribute to the efficiency of the vehicles.

Chrysler Group is an American automaker that has existed independently from 1925 to 1998. The automaker has already established remarkable and popular vehicles. It is also famed for its Dodge genuine auto body parts. Jeep vehicles are also phenomenal. In addition, Jeep Cherokee auto body parts are well-regarded in the auto industry.

On the other side of the automotive realm, General Motors will be expanding a recall of its SUVs and pickups. In all there are 1,357,000 vehicles form part of the GM recall. Said recall is due to the malfunction of the anti-lock brake system integrated to GMC and Chevrolet body parts. Affected vehicles include GMC Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban and Tahoe.

Toyota Formulates Anti-drunk Driving System

2008-02-25T03:31:00.000-08:00

Toyota is formulating an anti-drunk system that detects drunken drivers via steering wheel-based sensors. The sensors detect the alcohol content of drivers through their sweat. If the sensors detect unusual steering or if the installed camera shows that the pupils of the driver are not focused on the road, the vehicle will be slowed to a halt.

Vehicles equipped with said detection system will not start if sweat sensors detect high alcohol consumption in the driver's bloodstream. Also incorporated in the system is the special camera that shows the driver's eyes. Said system is expected to come to the market by the end of 2009. Now, occupants of the automaker's vehicles will not only be protected by the Toyota transmission speed sensor, side and front airbags, and other safety features; they can also rely on the efficiency of the anti-drunk system.

Nissan, another Japanese automaker, has previously ventured in a system almost similar to this one. Nissan's device is called the breathalyzer. The latter is likened to the immobilizers used in the United States as part of several drunk-driving sentences. The system can also be mated to a camera in order to monitor if the driver is sleepy while driving. Saab and Volvo auto parts are also designed to complement this system. This is because Sweden has stringent laws against drunk-driving. Similar technologies like alcohol ignition interlocks are also rampant in the United States and other territories.

What triggered Toyota to formulate the anti-drunk system is the fact that drunk-driving and alcohol related accidents have surged in Japan in 2006. In August, a drunken driver collided with another vehicle carrying a family of five. The three children were killed when the vehicle fell off the bridge. The accident prompted safety roadside spot checks to be done by the police. It also was the beginning of the clamor for higher penalties relating to drunk-driving and other safety issues. With the present statistics relating to drunk-driving accidents, it is just but essential to equip vehicles with features and systems to ensure safety of the occupants.

Toyota, a Japanese multination corporation, is the second largest automaker worldwide. It is popular in the field of manufacturing automobiles, buses, trucks and robots. To measure the magnitude of its financial presence in the world, the company is the 8th largest company by revenue. Also, Toyota is expected to become the world's largest automaker this year or no later than 2008. The automaker is investing a great amount of money in cleaner-burning vehicles like the Prius and the much-awaited RAV4 that runs on hydrogen fuel cells.

Toyota is in almost every part of the globe. It has established factories and assembly plants in the United States, Japan, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Poland, South Africa, Brazil, Turkey, France, and more recently Pakistan, India, Argentina, Czech Republic, Mexico, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Venezuela, and the Philippines.

Buying Your Motorcycle Insurance Online

2008-02-23T04:47:00.001-08:00

There are many ways to go about getting a motorcycle insurance quote but the easiest might be doing it online. While this process of getting estimates for policies over the Internet is still relatively new, it is something that is becoming more common all the time.

It makes shopping around for the best deal on insurance much easier as you do not have to leave your home or office computer to find the best deals. You do not get the same pressures as when you shop in person for insurance nor do you need to spend hours with a salesmen as you attempt to get the best available polices for your money. It can all be done on your time, after business hours if that is easiest for you, and everything you need to know will be delivered to your email.

Some of the insurance companies are in actual fact brokers and they will do the shopping round for you by sending your information around to the companies they deal with. This will give you the opportunity to get even more quotes to compare. Remember that one of the things you are looking for is pricing but the other is what the policy offers to you. They will ask you the same questions as any other indemnity company will.

To get a proper motorcycle insurance quote they will need to know what your driving record is and will ask many questions based on this need. The online form will have places to give full answers to whether you have had any accidents, speeding or parking tickets. They will want to know how long you have been driving and specifically how long you have been driving a motorbike. These online insurance companies also have phone support workers to help you out your needs.

Another advantage to getting a web based estimate is that you can pay for your policy by the use of your credit card or debit card. This can be done by paying the entire amount at one time or with monthly payments. That can be much easier than having to write out twelve postdated checks or remembering to put a check in the mail every month.

They try to make everything easier for you and encourage their potential customers to use web based indemnity companies instead of going to an office somewhere. Convenience is how they sell you on their services. If you are concerned that this may not be the best way for you to get an estimate on the cost of your policy you can always try contacting an insurance salesmen nearby to get your motorcycle insurance quote, but you may still find online an easier route.

Low Cost Motorcycle Insurance

2008-02-23T04:45:00.000-08:00

Low cost motorcycle insurance is offered by many companies that insure all types of vehicles including motorcycles. Coverage for water craft, cars, trucks, and SUVs is available through insurance sources that understand the special concerns and needs of vehicle owners. There are companies that also specialize solely in offering motorcycle coverage for all types of bikes. Whether driving a Harley, racing bike, mountain bike, custom bike or vintage two-wheeler, inexpensive motorcycle insurance can be obtained from the right source.

This category of coverage can be found that protects from fiscal hammering in issue of an accident or scratch to the insured vehicle. In order to get low cost motorcycle insurance, there are numerous equipment to be conscious of that move what charge an anyone can obtain such as age of bike, the driver's age, and driving document. If superstar has just purchased a name, new, trendy motorcycle, they should be arranged to pay senior premiums on the bike than if they had purchased an adult, ordinary standard. Just as in cars, newer, flashier versions end up requiring senior levels of coverage. Low profile standards forever ratio more inexpensive motorcycle insurance.

Other aspects that move the cost, is the backdrop in which the driver lives, if the vehicle is motivated occasionally or daily and how it is stored when not in use. If an anyone lives in a rural place, they will more prone be ratio for low cost motorcycle insurance because of excluding passage in the quarter. Motorcycles that are motivated for weekend pleasure rides can obtain more coverage for the money than those motivated daily to work. Storing the vehicle in a garage or storeroom house when not in use can also change what inexpensive motorcycle insurance can be obtained. "For the customs of man are before the eyes of the noble, and he pondered his entire goings."

The adult the holder is, the more prone they are to obtain a better agreement. However, if the driver is not experienced, companies that recommend low cost motorcycle insurance are more prone to viewpoint the applicant as they would a fresh driver waiting that anyone has some experience in driving this separate of vehicle. Forceful document is a determining aspect in getting inexpensive motorcycle insurance as well. Suchlike the driving chronicle is, whether in a car or other vehicle, will help establish what kind of coverage will be probable.

Client Marketing Audit Engine Builders

2008-02-21T01:36:00.000-08:00

Kotler also wrote that for a company to develop an “effective marketing communication requires eight steps: (1) Identify the target audience, (2) determine the communication objectives, (3) design the message, (4) select the communication channels, (5) establish the total communication budget, (6) decide on the communication mix, (7) measure the communications’ results, and (8) manage the integrated marketing communication process.

Within the following marketing audit an honest attempt has been endeavored to accurately observe behaviors and contemporaneously record conversations with employees, ownership, prospects and customers in such a was as not to divulge the identity of the source. Hopefully, such anonymity has bolstered the honesty of those that have given information to the author. In turn, the resulting honesty should have improved the chances for an accurate compilation of the current marketing position of the Company. To the extent that accrued sales data and financial statement information was not available for review and comparison to industry norms and metrics the audit was limited to interviews and subjective data. While some polling has been executed with customers in order to paint an accurate picture of local and surrounding demographics and market share, the Company should endeavor to obtain more comprehensive market share data to fully exercise their place in the industry.

During the past five weeks, the following elements of the marketing position of the company have been reviewed:

Part I. Marketing Environment Audit
· Macro environment

· Demographic

· Economic

· Technological

· Competitors

Part II. Marketing Strategy Audit

· Business Mission

· Strategy

Part III. Marketing Organization Audit

· Formal Structure

· Functional Efficiency

· Interface Efficiency

Part IV. Marketing Systems Audit
· Marketing Control System
· New-Product Development

Part V. Marketing Productivity Audit
· Profitability Analysis

· Cost-Effective Analysis:

Part VI. Marketing Function Audit
· Products

· Price
· Distribution
· Sales Force

Essentially it is the Auditor’s opinion that the Company suffers no problems that well thought out communication both internal and external to the firm coupled with consistent execution through solid team building processes and a permanent change in attitude cannot remedy. Albeit there lies strong institutional resistance to change in the Company which is endemic to most all small closely held operations, much can be done to effect the positive change absolutely required if the Company ever desires to stretch beyond a local company serving customers haphazardly.

Part I. Marketing Environment Audit

Macro environment

Demographic:
Since the customer demographics include direct retail purchasers as well as automotive engine repair shops we look to the individuals and their buying habits within the two groups. First, the individual buying habits of the customers dictates how to approach not only the existing demographic but new undeveloped markets as well. Traditionally, the Company has combined mass mailing with direct in person customer contact by the outside marketing department. In 2000, a major competitor in the rebuilt engine company from Indiana, “Jasper”, entered the Texas market by employing a direct sales force with full management staff in the major markets. Jasper sells directly to the end user, the repair shop mechanic and this approach has changed the way customers can buy engines. In addition, ownership has caused Internet exposure via the websites to become formidable additions to the strategic marketing front consistently generating almost 40% of the sales volume according to ownership since no financial data is made available to employees for management purposes. Jasper prices significantly higher than CLIENT, Inc. but offers a stout warranty. The Company can compete on both the distance advantage and the warranty if it accounts for it in price. In response to Jasper as well as a declined engine market, the company has hired a marketing person to lead the marketing and sales effort for the foreseeable future. Within the last two months, CLIENT., INC mailed 8800 pieces of a combination flyer event invitation to remind customers that CLIENT., INC is still in business. The mailer resulted in approximately 100 attendees to the barbeque event November 8, 2003. Two or three motors were sold as a result. Economic:

No doubt exists that as long as man drives the internal combustion engine; demand will exist for rebuilt replacement engines. CLIENT., INC stands ready to serve this demand. Several factors contribute to the overall demand in a given market as regards engines. First, the general economic health can contribute to whether people drive their cars longer requiring sometimes a replacement engine or they buy a new one. CLIENT., INC obviously prefers the former. Price conditions currently are tough as what is believed to be an end to general industry compression in the number of engine producers, which started in late 2000 and is now tapering off. Nevertheless, ownership has attributed its loss in volume to a poor economy while this Auditor believes a case could be made that the business has shrunk due to improper handling of several strategic issues. Ownership’s short-term attitude to the cost of warranty rather than coupling that with the consequences of irritating customers over warranty such that they cease the relationship may not have been realized.

As a response to this compression, CLIENT., INC has laid off much staff shrinking the payroll to have its height in 2000 when gross sales were also double what they are today. The Company has held prices stable for the past eighteen months, as it has found innovative ways to cut costs. Technological:

The President has indicated a desire to transform the company from a mom and pop operation to a firm that allows rigorously recruited and hired employees to take charge and responsibility of the company’s destiny toward growth and profitability so that all stakeholders will prosper. As such, systems from accounting to order entry to dispatch, communications and fuel and fleet management must be improved and brought up to date so that the company can jump ahead of expectations and get away from the reactionary mode of operating. New skill sets must be recruited to fit the model if this company is going to ever achieve anything more than a fifty-employee company. Competitors:

As indicated earlier, Jasper Engines is a late entry to the Texas market and at the top of the price tier. Other competitors include Four Star, Thunderbolt, Jasper, Roadmaster and others as well as local small town machine shops. Jasper has effectuated a policy to sell to anyone. Others have marketed repair shops but tend to work through parts distributors where possible. Summary Conclusion Part I.

In 2000, the Texas remanufactured auto engine market changed by the entry of Indiana’s Jasper Engine and Transmissions to the State. Jasper changed the industry here not only by entering as a formidable competitor but in their marketing tact of selling directly to the consumer through the repair shop rather than through a jobber or distribution network. Jasper seized onto the extreme high dollar end of the market with its pricing structure where the Company and others missed out by pricing too low and delivering lower quality.

Economic conditions generally declined the auto market and this took auto engine remanufactures with it. As a result to market belt tightening the Company’s ownership made the strategic error of electing a perceived cash flow remedy of not paying warranty claims for shabby craftsmanship rather than controlling cost in a more efficient manner and preserving customer relationships. The Company has as a result lost 45% of year 2000 top line sales.

The Company’s technology is par with industry in the plant but at least ten years lagging in order processing and information technology. The Company has no network administrator and problems result.

As the market has stabilized during 2003, the Company by recognizing opportunities and grasping a second wind now endeavors to position itself to capture market share in risk balanced market place activities and niches.

Part II. Marketing Strategy Audit
Business Mission:
Although ownership possesses a clear mind of mission in the generic sense, part of the mission gets confused when verbally imparted to the employees. That is to say that no visible written strategic business plan of action or business mission exists. If one does exist it no promotion exists or is made available to employees for empowerment and accountability purposes.

The owner and leadership have indicated their desire to recapture lost accounts and develop new channels and customer niches and are willing to invest the time, energy and dollars to do so. The entire process of this marketing audit has indirectly caused a spur in the thinking of what the Company is doing and why they are doing it. In other words, the ownership and employees have begun to realize that positive change is a good thing and that in order to thrive in a global engine market a firm must be flexible and “roll” with market conditions and demands. Customers will not accept less than superior service and a proper pricing model; they will just take their order to the competition.

Marketing Objectives and Goals:
The marketing objectives and goals are the proverbial “Let’s grow” which is to say that no formal written goals and objectives are recorded or articulated to the team. The general employee temperament is stagnation at keeping their job rather than working and dreaming to excel and actually enjoy coming to work. In other words, employees take care of themselves first and the Company (the President) and Customers next. As such, the only way to plan marketing and measure performance is from the daily profit and loss statement, which only seems to be available to the owner and not managers or staff. The purpose of this audit is to determine the action items needed to formulate a formal marketing policy that the staff may implement. Strategy:

While the strategy may be clear in the mind of the ownership of the company, there is tremendous vagueness when an employee is asked the question. The ownership is clear in vision albeit not documented so that it may be measured. The company is not using best basis or best practice for market segmentation nor does it have a clear criterion for rating segments and choosing the best ones the company merely sells to the one on the phone or in their face first. There is no formal marketing resources allocation mix. Monies are provided when the ownership believes the task will be beneficial. Moreover, “the Marketing Budget” exists in the ownership mind but not on a real budget whereas a management team could be charged and then held accountable for results.

Summary Conclusion Part II.
The Company has no formalized mission statement. Disconnection exists between ownership goals and employee execution. Marketing and sales goals are articulated as “Let’s grow.” The ownership has requested this audit to identify problem areas in order to establish and action plan for 2004. Marketing strategy should be written and shared among the employees for morale, accountability, incentive, quality and brand imaging.

Part III. Marketing Organization Audit
Formal Structure:
Prior to September 2003, there was no concentrated marketing effort for well over a year. Customer satisfaction has not been made a responsibility of Marketing, Sales or Production but rather the ownership handles “heat cases” as they eventually make their way to him. Once these situations arrive at “firefighter headquarters.” Headquarters consists of a small desk with an outdated obsolete computer networked to a “Novell” system that is so unproductive when one loads any current day program “the whole network is slowed”, according to one employee. The owner either “handles” it right then or “puts them in cue.” Cue means that they go on a wall file for further negotiation. Most all of the employees believe that customers’ dissatisfaction is so highly enhanced and embellished by this cuing of complaints or untimely resolution that lost customers are the result. A new warranty mechanism must be articulated and implemented. Marketing activities are ad hoc. Functional Efficiency:

Good communication and working relations between marketing and sales now exists. Since overcoming a rocky beginning in September between this Auditor and certain long time entrenched employees, sales and marketing are in constant communication with each other. In the past, the “sales guy” would just go about his business and there was no communication between him and other staff. Product managers (General Manager) are not able to plan profit or sales volume due to no reporting available. Interface Efficiency: There are substantial problems as regards communication and interaction between sales and manufacturing to the extent that the manufacturing manager seems to employ an “us (manufacturing) against them (sales)” philosopy. This individual told the author in October 2003 in an attempted impromptu leadership meeting that “there is nothing that we can do to get better, we are doin’ it as well as it can be done.” Many employees in the inside have stated that the manufacturing manager has threatened the owner in the past with a total labor walkout if his demands are not accommodated. As a result to this and this employees general attitude, the inside the office leadership resents this individual and that causes apprehension about the working relationship so both sides ignore each other. Lower quality, customer satisfaction and high warranty costs are the resulting victim in the end. The established détente and dysfunctional operation cause problems to the extent that communication and cooperation is extremely difficult. The auditor believes that this dysfunctional behavior creates and indeterminable hidden cost to the Company in dollars due to diminished quality and morale. One only needs to review the accompanying photographs on the next page to understand the true room for improvement just by noticing the filthy and non-inspected for safety working conditions. As such the Auditor, while not a certified safety inspector believes that if a regulatory agency like Occupational Safety and Health Administration were to inspect the plant, the Company would incur massive fines. This slip-shod manner in operations carries over into the general image of the Company through the delivery model. Summary Conclusion Part III.

No concentrated marketing effort has existed for at least the last year. Customer satisfaction is handled on an emergency basis as a rule and the old adage of the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Sales counter personnel are distracted with too many non-revenue producing activities. Sales and marketing are jointly working to expand the “thinking” of personnel in order to deliver a superior product to customers. Warranty cash expended is weighed more heavily than long-term customer effects.

Part IV. Marketing Systems Audit
Marketing Control System:
There is no annual plan objective to track or gauge achievement. The ownership rather than the management periodically reviews product profitability, markets, and channels of distribution. Marketing costs are ad-hoc evaluated with the gut instinct rather than with formality or plan. Again, if such a plan exists it is not shared with leadership since the owner is the leader. This control system achieves the result of stifling growth rather than enhancing it. The Auditor makes recognition of ownership’s desire and new found efforts to step back and allow leaders to germinate a new initiative of team work, accountability and profitability.

New-Product Development:
The company is not well organized to gather, generate or screen new-product ideas? Idea generation comes from spur of the moment conversations held with many interruptions and no execution or very difficult execution consequences. It is operated with loose, shoot from the hip mentality with the ownership dictating his desires since as the employee consensus says, “he knows everything and a lot better than us.” In the past the owner has executed much research. Employees perceive that personal initiative is fruitless, not rewarded and discouraged. The disconnection between facilitating passive aggressive behavior and honest communication cause tension when the owner “is around.” This complaint requires that goals, targets and minimum standards for performance dictate rewards and compensation increases. The old saying of just giving him/her enough rope to hang him/herself would apply here. The perception of this attitude by employees is two fold. By placing all blame on the owner, employees avoid taking responsibility for any actions or results. Vice versa, the owner by not properly delegating and then holding personnel accountable only ratifies the employee attitude. Adequate and proper market and product testing is to “whatever the market will bear.” In summation, the owner commits the traditional sin, searching for approval from employees rather than pushing them to develop their talents and allowing them to make mistakes to grow. Summary Conclusion Part IV.

Information is not disseminated to people that need to take responsibility for their daily performance. New-product development does not exist.

Part V. Marketing Productivity Audit
Profitability Analysis:
The company’s profitability of different products, markets, territories and channels of distribution is unknown to the extent that the ownership does not divulge that information to employees. There are no findings pursuant to entry or exit from markets to the extent rendered in the aforementioned statement. Cost-Effective Analysis:

Marketing activities are standard and in line given the developmental level of the Company. Summary Conclusion Part V.

Distribute information to trusted team members and enlist team building with true limited authority for a budget to achieve objectives.

Part VI. Marketing Function Audit
Products:
Product-line objectives are to double sales volume to where it was three years ago so overhead costs are contained. It is unknown which product-lines should be expanded or contracted since that information is not made available by ownership.

Buyers’ attitude toward our general product is good until there is a warranty issue. The ownership executes all warranty claims and takes a short-term approach to solving the claim. While the ownership believes most engine issues are caused by mechanic at installation (this action mitigates costs by blaming the customer), once the claim is not handled to the customers’ satisfaction that customer goes away and tells many to do the same. The general quality of the product to its presentation is in drastic need of improvement. Price:

The company’s pricing objectives are to be price competitive and we are. The ownership constantly reviews and is aware of the market as regards price. Customers that buy believe that we are competitive. Customers that do not buy do so for an array of reasons. Distribution:

Since inception the distribution objectives have been ad-hoc with not much order place on efficiency or consolidation. Now, that ownership has developed the means to wholesale our product by way of a special d/b/a/ and website dedicated to the parts distributor (jobber), marketing can develop new customers and channels through such. The company considers expanding its distribution channels to further diversify its channel mix from delivery and pick up. Advertising, Sales Promotion, Publicity, and Direct Marketing:

The company has no formalized advertising budget, at least not one known by the staff. The company does not employ media except the United States Mail. Ownership has recently chosen to purchase weekly newspaper type advertisement commencing January 2004 convinced that during the Christmas season peoples cars always run and never need motors. The company has a database but does not employ on-line marketing save the website and sporadically (used once or twice according to staff memory) uses coupons.

Sales Force:
What are the sales force objectives? Unknown. Is the sales force large enough to accomplish the company’s objectives? Debatable. The three salesmen at the counter probably exert more effort and activity during the day than any other employees in the company. The direct issue in sales is not effort or activity but direction or lack thereof. The salesmen serve not only as sales people to walk in customers and in bound phone calls but they also serve the Company in a myriad of functions.

The salesmen answer the phones of the company fielding every single in coming call. This is an issue because it is a distraction from sales. In a move to cut costs in recent memory, ownership decided to retire the receptionist. This move was good and bad. When no receptionist answered all the calls, every call then and now arrived straight at the sales counter. The resulting poor allocation of labor may have decreased payroll costs significantly but the underlying hidden costs of lost sales is not measured or realized. In a word, sales guys need to be on the phone with customers or prospects. This customer service or prospecting time is lost due to the overwhelming distraction of having to jump to answer the phone when it rings. While the Auditor is not informed of payroll pursuant to sales personnel, it is imagined with certainty that the lost dollars in opportunity costs relative to lost sales overwhelmingly advocates a better system. The sales force is not organized. The sales manager is also the General Manager as well as a salesman. Procedures are not adequate for setting quotas or evaluating performance. Without any measurement no incentives are paid and employees are unhappy about lower compensation. How does the company sales force compare to competitors’ sales forces? Unknown.

As the means to determining all of these questions, the Auditor tried to review various data compiled by the Company over the past few years. Specifically, we wanted to look to daily, weekly and monthly sales totals and then compare these to their past equivalents. In order to verify the authenticity of the historical data, we wanted to analyze the data to determine who the customers have been and why, what factors yield the best gross margin as well as net income. We would have reviewed this data within the prior committed time limits but such data is not made available to employees to craft a timely report to management. The most difficult part of the analysis will be gaining access to the data since the computer system is not now maintained and not administered from a networking position. This cost cutting measure could be catastrophic is any one of a number of issues occurs.

Summary Conclusion Part VI.
Overhead costs have been slashed to a minimum. Ownership has indicated a goal of year 2000 sales volume at $5,000,000. Warranty costs must be managed as well as the good will of the customer. Look to quality deficiencies in the manufacturing process to cut the true cost of warranties by implementing zero tolerance for defects. Wear safety glasses in the plant and institute at least minimal safety procedures. Enforce the procedures and allow no one to work outside the law or rules.

The Company should balance advertising and marketing with a consistent message to customers. Formalize the marketing, advertising and sales budget as well as all other operating budgets. Improve the quality of product by improving the quality of workers. Start with the worst performing 10% and replace them with more hungry individuals. Eliminate those with non-cooperative or difficult personalities. Remember the Company has to deal with the public and that means that everyone contributes to sales, image and quality. Focus employees on their primary and secondary jobs and eliminate distractions.

Recommended Marketing Improvements
· Enlist team work among leadership
· Establish budget
· Set monthly sales targets
· Monitor daily the progress
· Allocate marketing dollars to maximum impact media
· Advertise
· Diversify media used in advertising
· Promote customer events that pay for themselves via increased sales
· Establish safety and quality as internal standards of living
· Translate internal safety and quality to the brand and the market
· Establish competitors product and pricing and achieve “best of class” solutions

Golf Basics - A Golf Driver Guide

2008-02-21T01:33:00.000-08:00

Golf drivers are best for long approach and driving shots made deep into fairways or from the rough. Coming in with various weights and lengths, each are made to match a golfer's swing type and handicap ability. With the help of this golf driver guide, you'll learn how to choose a golf driver that suits you best.

Material

In this golf driver guide, you'll learn about the three materials from which golf drivers are commonly made: steel, titanium, and composite.

Steel: Steel golf drivers are less expensive but are heavier than their titanium counterparts. They are more metallic and traditional looking and have smaller heads due to increased steel weights as well as the limitations in the metal's capacity. Overall, however, they offer reliable durability and solid, consistent connection when you need it.

Titanium: Titanium is one of the biggest breakthroughs in golf technology, giving you golf drivers that have lightweight but larger heads, helping increase the sweet spot you need. They give you the ability to hit some decent shots from off centre connections that many will find useful in saving them shots in a round. Impact- and corrosion-resistant, the only drawback is that they can be quite expensive.

Composite: Composite drivers combine titanium with non-metal materials. Their biggest advantage? They're lightweight. By reducing head weights, manufacturers can center the drivers' weight nearer their faces, giving you larger sweet spots. Combined with titanium, these drivers lightweight handling, without sacrificing distance.

Length and weight

Another consideration in this golf driver guide is length and weight. Just remember that longer drivers are best recommended for experienced players because they sacrifice control. For faster swing speeds, stick to lighter drivers. Heavier drivers offer more control but, consequently, will give you less control.

Transit Connect X-Press: A Union of Performance and Practicality

2008-02-20T21:02:00.001-08:00

Ford is known for creating great designs and high performance cars. But just imagine what the result will be if Ford fuses one of its low-roof’ Ford Transit Connect van with one of its legendary high performance Focus RS? The product is the remarkable Transit Connect X-Press which is considered to be one of Ford’s fastest and highly versatile small commercial vehicles to hit the market.

Transit Connect X-Press is lowered by up to 70 mm with 18-inch OZ alloys and emitting an exhaust note that is likened to that of the Ford’s Focus RS WRC. It has a race-spec roll cage inside while its exterior is done in a pearlescent white paint job and set off with a tri-color X-Press graphics.

According to Barry Gale Ford of Europe’s Chief Engineer for Commercial Vehicles, "Transit Connect is such a strong and dynamically capable vehicle to begin with, that we knew this project would be feasible from the outset. Certain drivetrain and suspension components are common with the first generation Ford Focus, so the transformation was relatively straightforward from an engineering point of view. We now have a unique commercial vehicle that performs like no other. If pushed, it is capable of a 0-60mph time in less than 7 seconds and a 130mph top speed. As you might expect from a Ford, it handles, steers and stops like a sports car.”

The team of engineers that developed the Transit Connect range found it a challenge on how to fit a high performance, turbocharged and intercooled 215PS engine into a vehicle with only minimal changes required. Unfortunately, the X-Press calls for something more and has pushed Ford’s engineers to develop the X-Press from the ground up. But according to Gale, "It wasn't difficult really. Once everyone understood what we were doing they all offered to help in their spare time to make special parts or work on the vehicle. It became a true labour of love and as we're basically all car nuts, we're very pleased with the end product."

The X-Press also shows Ford’s solid commitment in developing vehicles that are not only high performance but offer rewarding driving experience. This does not only cover the passenger cars segment but also applies to other lines of Ford vehicles.

One of the features that make the X-Press really standout is its lowered suspension which makes it look meaner and sleeker. The lowered suspension also makes the X-Press or any car for that matter more stable especially when making turns since it tend to drop the vehicle’s body closer to the center of the gravity. There are lowering springs available like the Eibach springs that are applicable for 2-wheel-drive car, van, SUV, trucks including a number of 4-wheel-drive trucks which private car owners may use on their cars.

Camera Junkies Get Chance To Win 2007 NAIAS Photo Contest

2008-02-20T20:52:00.000-08:00

Can you say that you or your kids are monster truck fans? When the last truck rally came to town, were you there with a big smile on your face and ear plugs on your ears? Some monster truck fans are so crazy about the sport that they can’t wait for the next rally or event to happen in their area. What do they do to get their “monster truck” fix when they have nowhere to go? Aside from buying a truck and heading out on the tour with them, there are actually quite a few ways to get all of the latest news and information about your favorite monster truck, the teams and the drivers. You just have to know where to look.

First off, if you have never been to a monster truck rally, you should really try to go and see one. There is no better way to get excited about this sport. Kids and adults of all ages are fans and the events are designed to appeal to all ages. If you dare, you should get a seat up close to the floor so that you can see all of the action-you may even get a little bit dirty. Most rallies also have pit passes or pit parties to encourage the fans to come down onto the field when the events are not going on, so that they can get a close up look at each monster truck. If you can’t go to a rally, at least get a video or DVD of a rally so that you can watch it at home (with the volume turned all the way up, of course.)

The internet is another great resource for monster truck fans. You can find websites which talk about the history of the sport, some are dedicated to a specific team or truck, and some even have message boards where you can connect with other fans. You can sign up for a free newsletter so that you can get the scoop on future rallies and events before anyone else. There are also sites which have pictures and videos of trucks.

For those who want even more information you can get magazines or even children’s books about these trucks. You can learn more specifics about the sport and details about each of the trucks.

This is a great, exciting sport that the whole family can enjoy-so get your motor running.

Low Cost Motorcycle Insurance

2008-02-19T02:08:00.000-08:00

Mexican Motorcycle Insurance

2008-02-19T02:00:00.000-08:00

When the cyclist goes to purchase Mexican motorcycle insurance, he or she should realize that there are two types of coverage. Some cyclists request full coverage. Full coverage remains effective only so long as the cyclist stays on conventional roads. A decision to ride off road deprives the cyclist of the ability to claim the full coverage.

Full coverage includes compensation for collision damages, theft, liability and legal assistance. Full coverage gives the cyclist more than is required by law. The purchase of Mexican motorcycle insurance that promises only liability coverage satisfies fully the Mexican legal requirements.

Liability coverage insures the delivery of compensation to the third party. Liability coverage, like full coverage remains valid only as long as the motorcycle rider stays on a conventional road.

Liability coverage should keep a motorcyclist out of jail. In the event that the cyclist does encounter problems, the liability coverage insures the cyclist of access to legal services. Such services include bail bond costs and attorney fees.

The decision to take a motorcycle into Mexico should be made with an awareness of the added hazards on the roads in that country. The purchase of Mexican motorcycle insurance offers protection from those added hazards. Some of the biggest hazards show up at night.

When a cyclist travels at night, he or she faces a greater risk of victimization from highway crime. The exposed cyclist is especially vulnerable to such crimes. Unfortunately, crime is not the only added danger at night.

Often local farmers choose to take their livestock across a local road during the night. A motorcyclist could thus end up running into a cow or sheep while out for a night ride. The resulting damages would be covered, if the cyclist had purchase Mexican motorcycle insurance.

A number of Mexicans drive around in cars with broken brakes. At night, the cyclist must also worry about cars with no lights. Because Mexicans do not always pay to have their cars in top working order, the cyclist in Mexico should plan to pay for Mexican motorcycle insurance. That covers damages resulting from collision with a far less than perfect motored vehicle.

One further note of caution should be issued to the cyclist headed for Mexico. That country has many unmarked construction sites. They pose a big risk to the motorcycle rider.

In order to worry less about that added risk, the motorcycle rider should plan to purchase Mexican motorcycle insurance.

Using The 'Autograph' To Get Cheap Motor Insurance

2008-02-18T01:45:00.001-08:00

What if your motor insurance provider told you that you could get up to 25 percent discounted from your next car insurance policy simply by showing them that you were a safe driver? It would sound obvious won’t it - after all, basically, isn’t that what a no claims bonus is all about? Well, you can guess again, because with the new “autograph” device getting up to 25 percent discounted on your car insurance policy in the years to come is going to be a very real experience!

What Is The Autograph?

Basically, an “autograph” is a device that you ask a garage to plug into the diagnostic part of your car (which can be found underneath your steering wheel). The autograph will then record all of your driving skills, including how fast you drive, your average speed, whether or not you need to suddenly break (and, if so, how often), the times of the day that you like to be out and about on the roads, what your average mileage is, what your longest and shortest journeys are. In fact, the list is endless. After a pre-determined period, say three or six months, you then return to garage that installed the autograph and they will uninstall it and replace it with a new one. The old autograph is then plugged into a computer and all the requested recorded data is feed into a computer and sent to your motor insurance provider. Your motor insurance provider can then take a look at all of this recorded data and can decide, more accurately, if you are a high or low risk driver!

Benefits of the Autograph

If you are a good driver, the benefits of agreeing to use an autograph are easy to see – after all, recorded data rarely lies! The downside to using an autograph is the fact that it is recording the data collected in the car. This has two effects – first, you have to have a car capable of recording this data (i.e., not too old); second, the data collection cannot differentiate between drivers. As such, if you have a car in your house that is driven by several different people, the autograph will not be able to tell who is driving the car at any given time. Consequently, if you have your son or daughter on your car insurance and they tell you they like to drive at 50 miles an hour, while the autograph tells the motor insurance provider they like to drive at 120 miles an hour, it’s not likely you are going to be getting the 25 percent policy premium discount you were looking for!

All in all though, as with pay per mile car insurance, getting cheap car insurance using an autograph device, although being the way of the future, is here to stay and will most probably benefit far more motor drives than it inhibits.

Get Your Motor Insurance Quote Online With A Brokers Help

2008-02-18T01:36:00.000-08:00

A broker can save you an enormous amount of time and money if you get your motor insurance quote online. They are able to gather quotes based on your individual circumstances a broker will know who is likely to offer the cheapest premiums for car insurance based on the information you give to them.

There are insurance companies who tailor car insurance to certain individuals. For example there are those who provide low cost insurance to younger drivers, women motorists or older drivers. A broker will be aware of this and so go with those lenders for your quotes. Of course you will have to decide which level of insurance you want and this will affect the cost.

Fully comprehensive insurance is the dearest type but gives the most cover. Third party fire and theft comes in the middle price range and is often more suitable for younger drivers. Third party only is the least amount of cover you can take and is the cheapest and basic insurance. The level you choose to take is affected by the cost of the car; if you buy a car over a certain amount then financially speaking, you have no option but to take out fully comprehensive in order to protect your investment adequately.

Once you have decided which level you require, then a broker will search based on this and other factors. Insurance companies offer a cheaper motor insurance quote based on many considerations. One of the ways which you can get a cheaper quote is if you have substantial no claims bonus. Drivers who have built this up with years' of experience will be able to secure the cheapest premiums for their insurance.

Younger drivers often find that they are in the high end of the bracket when it comes to paying out for car insurance. The type of car you choose will add to the cost. If it is a sporty model with a big engine then you can expect to pay more for cover. A younger driver would be better off choosing a more sedate small model in order to keep the insurance costs down. Taking advanced driving lessons to improve your safety can help and a broker can certainly dig out those insurance companies who are more lenient with younger drivers.

Installing additional safety features on you car such as having windows etched, putting in car alarms and fitting a tracking device can all go a long way to keeping down the cost of your car insurance. A specialist website will be able to give you hints, tips and advice on many more ways to reduce the cost. Certainly getting your motor insurance quote online is the best way to not only make great savings but is also the easiest way. A specialist will provide you will the key facts of the insurance policy and this is where you can find what is and is not covered. It is essential you read these and compare them at the same time as comparing the premiums because they can vary quite a lot between quotes.

Swamp Cooling - Not Just for Swamps! FAQ

2008-02-14T01:55:00.000-08:00

1. What is evaporative cooling?

Nature's most efficient means of cooling is through the evaporation of water. Evaporative cooling works on the principle of heat absorption by moisture evaporation. The evaporative cooler draws exterior air into special pads soaked with water, where the air is cooled by evaporation, and then circulated.

2. What choices of evaporative cooling do I have?

The range of commercial and industrial evaporative coolers available today is extensive, varying from commercial mobile coolers to large and fully ducted systems designed for commercial use.

3. Are evaporative coolers more suitable for specific climates?

Evaporative cooling is especially suited for areas where the air is hot and the humidity is low. However, in areas of higher humidity, there are many proven cost effective uses for evaporative cooling that make this the best choice. For example, industrial plants, commercial kitchens, laundry facilities, dry cleaners, greenhouses, places which utilize spot cooling (loading docks, warehouses, factories, construction sites, athletic events, workshops, garages, kennels), and areas using confinement farming (poultry ranches and hog/dairy farms).

4. What advantages does evaporative cooling have compared to a refrigerated cooling system?

Evaporative cooling will provide a substantial energy savings over refrigerated air units. The simplicity of the design allows low maintenance requirements. The evaporative cooler will provide fresh, filtered air. The outside air that has been cooled will blow the stale, inside air, out. With the substantial savings of energy and the constant changes in the air, the industrial/commercial evaporative cooler is ideally suited for area cooling or spot cooling of factories, laundries, churches, schools, agricultural/business areas, restaurants, and more.

5. What size evaporative cooler do I need?

Evaporative coolers are size-based on cubic feet per minute (CFM) of airflow. For sizing information on industrial/commercial coolers, the formulas are located in the specification charts of the cooler considered. When sizing an industrial or commercial cooler it is important to be job specific to include unusual heat loads and static pressures of the system design.

Even More Detailed Answers! Read on...

6. How do swamp/evaporative coolers work?

Swamp coolers are efficient and effective machines of cooling. As a direct replacement for air conditioning in dry climates, these coolers are an example of how we can work with nature. Being considerably less expensive than air conditioning, it almost seems that one is getting something for nothing when using a swamp cooler.

The way a swamp cooler operates is very simple. There is a low horsepower motor which pumps the water from the floor of the cooler to the top of the cooler, where it proceeds to fall down the sides and along porous filter pads. A second motor drives a fan which pulls air from the outside, through the cooler, and then pushes this out into the hot room. The significant cooling action results from the water evaporating as the air passes through it. Incidentally, the water level is kept constant with the help of a floating sphere, functioning similarly to the one in a toilet bowl. The hot air enters the cooler, where two small motors power nothing more than a fan and a pump in order to send cool air into the hot room.

The way the air is cooled in a swamp cooler is similar to the way evaporating sweat cools the human body. When a substance is perceived at a certain energy heat level, measured in temperature, there is really a distribution of varying levels of temperature throughout the molecules of the substance. This assortment of temperatures average out to the measured value. Most of the molecules can be around the average, and the farther from the average, the less of them there are. For example, water at room temperature has most of its molecules at approximately that temperature, but it also contains molecules that are near the boiling point of water and also near its freezing point. However small in quantity they are, these are an important presence. Because at the boiling point of water, there are molecules that are gases and those that are liquids. The liquid molecules will absorb energy in the form of heat to become gases and escape the confines of their old forms. As the molecules from the higher temperatures evaporate, the remaining liquids average less heat, but there will still be water at the higher temperatures because the remaining molecules redistribute themselves along the bell curve, enabling the next molecules to evaporate. Heat is siphoned off this way from the water, and more importantly, heat is extracted from the air as the liquid water at the boiling point grabs the needed energy for its freedom into gas.

Air conditioning on the other hand, became popular because of the ability to cool the air, not depending on the surrounding humidity. Even on humid days, room and central air conditioners can lower the temperature to a thermostatically-controlled temperature. Air conditioners also use as much as four times the electricity than a swamp cooler and are more expensive to install and maintain. Air conditioners can require ozone-damaging refrigerants, not to mention, circulating the same air over and over again. Fairly popular in desert areas, swamp coolers will work well in California's more humid climates for a majority of the time. Sacramento, for example, averages about 30% humidity on a typical, hot summer afternoon, while this is still dry enough for evaporative cooling to work effectively.

7. Why does evaporation lower temperature?

The process of evaporation happens all the time. Our bodies, for example, perspire in hot weather. Through evaporation, sweat dries and causes our body temperature to drop. Whenever dry air passes over water, some of the water will be absorbed by the air. That is why evaporative cooling naturally occurs near waterfalls, rivers, lakes and oceans. The hotter and drier the air, the more water that can be absorbed. This happens because the temperature and the vapor pressure of the water and the air attempt to equalize. Liquid water molecules become gas in the dry air, a process that uses energy to change its physical state. Heat moves from the higher temperature of the air to the lower temperature of the water, resulting in cooler air. Eventually the air becomes saturated, unable to hold anymore water, and evaporation ceases.

Data Recovery - The Known And Unknown Facts

2008-02-14T01:54:00.000-08:00

Data Recovery is the process of rescuing the data from the spoiled or inaccessible storage media when the media reaches a situation where it cannot be accessed in the normal manner. The data often can be rescued from the storage media formats such as Floppy Disks, Hard Disks, Tape Drives, CDs, DVDs and RAID Drives. The data is lost either due to the Physical damage to the storage disk or the logical damage to the file system in the disk that prevents it from being accessible by the operating system.

Physical Damage

Physical damage is the corruption of the physical parts of the storage media. There are a variety of possibilities like the improper working of a Hard disk due to the mechanical failures such as head crashes, failed motors or insufficient power supply. CD Rom drives can have their layers scratched off, the tape drives can simply break when kept inside a bag while traveling are a few to name and there can be many more reasons. Physical hard drive damage always leads to some kind of Logical damage as well as there are some clusters destroyed which are inaccessible. The logical damage must be recovered before any files are salvaged from the media.

The physical damages cannot be repaired by the user himself as it can cause further damage to the media and moreover the users generally are not trained to handle such extreme processes like opening a hard disk in a normal room can further damage the disk as it leads to dust settlement on the surface of the disk. To overcome these difficulties the Data Recovery Companies are consulted where clean room facilities at 100 percent are maintained to protect the media when the repairs are being carried out. This helps in rebuilding the logical damage before the data is being rescued. However the data recovery success rate is below 100 percent in case of a physical damage but most of the files are recovered. This kind of recovery can also be carried out for other media such as Tape drives, memory cards etc.

Logical Damage

The Logical damages occur more commonly when compared to that of the Physical damage. This is primarily caused due improper maintenance where the file system structures are prevented from being completely written to the storage medium. This results in the inconsistency in the state of file system and can cause variety of problems such as system crashes, operating system checking for the boot file for more than one time or there can also be an actual data loss. These inconsistencies up to a limited stage can be repaired and there are various programs that are accompanied with the operating software and can be used to overcome the problem. For instance there is chkdsk with Microsoft Windows and fsck with Linux and also some software available to overcome these errors when the operating system is unable to correct these errors.

While most of the logical damage can be recovered by the operating system or a good data recovery software. This usually happen when during a recovery process two files claims to share the same allocation unit and in such case, data loss for one of the files is essentially guaranteed. This can be lowered by use of journaling file systems, such as NTFS 5.0. These file systems can always be rolled back to a consistent state, which means the data that will be lost will be likely the one in the drives cache during the system failure. However, regular system maintenance should still be followed to avoid any kind of data loss. This not only protects from the data being lost but also from the file system being infected by the virus. However, one incompatibility still remains where the disk controller reports that the file system reports of structures being saved to the disk when it has not actually occurred. This can often happen during a power loss where the data is stored in cache. This problem can be solved by using a system that is equipped with a battery backup or an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) so that the waiting data can be written when the power is restored or at least to give enough time to the system to shut down properly.

For more information on most typical data recovery cases and various data recovery software available click on the respective links.

Consideration When Buying a Treadmill - The Motor

2008-02-13T02:08:00.000-08:00

If you are serious about purchasing a quality treadmill, and not some toy that will break down in a short period of time, then there are a number of considerations to think about. One of the most important is the quality of the motor.

A treadmill motor is one of the most significant components to consider when buying a treadmill. It is what drives the treadbelt that you walk or run on. Depending on the quality and power, it can make the difference between a smooth running machine and a loud noise-maker that struggle to run. In most cases the larger and heavier the motor the better. But that is not always the case. The quality of the motor can make a big difference, even if it is smaller. In other words not all treadmill motors are equal.

When comparing treadmill motors you want to go by the horsepower of the continuous duty, not peak horsepower. Peak horsepower is the maximum horsepower a treadmill can reach. Continuous-duty horsepower is a measure of sustained power during regular use. The continuous motor power is what is consistently delivered during heavy usage over an extended period of time.

Since peak horsepower is usually significantly higher than a motor's continuous capability, continuous horsepower better helps you determine which treadmill will accommodate your intended exercise use. Generally speaking, the larger the motor the more powerful it can operate at a continuous rate

Continuous duty is the standard in comparing horsepower. Unfortunately there is no official standard rating and often treadmill manufacturers will exaggerate the actual continuous duty horsepower. Regardless, the continuous duty horsepower rating will give you some guideline, but it is not an absolute.

An indication of the quality of the motor will often be reflected by the extent of the warranty. A 90 day warranty will suggest lack of quality. A warranty of 5 years or more tells you that the motor is built to last, or otherwise the company would go broke having to replace them. In fact, there are a number of treadmill manufacturers that offer lifetime warranties on the motor.

We suggest the following continuous duty horsepower when selecting a treadmill. If you are over 200 lbs you may want to add a .5 hp to the motor level:

Walking - 2.0+ Continuous Duty HP

Jogging - 2.5+ Continuous Duty HP

Running - 3.0+ Continuous Duty HP

Be especially careful when you purchase a treadmill under $1,000. Below that price you will have manufacturers skimp on the quality of components in order to keep the price down. When you purchase from a reputable manufacturer the chances of the motor breaking down are slim. When you buy an inferior treadmill the chances of the motor burning out increases substantially.

Resurrecting an Old Technology - VSR Motors

2008-02-13T02:07:00.000-08:00

A 170 year old electrical technology, called variable switched reluctance (VSR) motors was resurrected in the 1980s with the advent of electronic controllers. The Texas based Le Tiurneau.inc has developed a wheeled front end loader for mining work which use large horsepower VSR motors for its wheel drives. Basically, a VSR motor comprises a rotor and a stator with a coil winding in the stator. The rotor, which consists of a laminated permeable material with teeth, is a passive device with no coil winding or permanent magnets.

The stator typically consists of slots containing a series of coil winding, the energization of which is electronically switched to generate a moving field. When one stator coil is set on, a magnetic flux path is generated around the coil and the rotor. The rotor experiences a torque and is moved in the line with the energized coils, minimizing the flux path. with the approximate switching and energization of the stator coils, the rotor can be encouraged to rotate at any desired torque and speed.

VSR Motors offers the following advantages: Since there are no brushes ringing, there is no requirement of commutator maintenance. the motor is more robust since there are no coils or moving parts. A VSR motor can maintain higher torque and efficiency over broader speed ranges than is possible with other advanced variable speed systems. In addition, as the commutation can be accurately controlled with respect to the rotor angle, the motor will operate at its predicted high efficiency. With VSR technology it is possible to design a low cost motor with over 90% system efficiency and variable speed.

VSR motors can be programmed to precisely match the loads the serve, and their simple rugged construction has no expensive magnets or squirrel cages like the induction motor. VSR motors are smaller than DC motors. VSR motor is inherently resistant to overload and immune to single point failure. They have a high level of fault tolerance and are immune to switching faults. According t a spokesman of Le Tourneau, While the initial cost of SR motor and control is a little more expensive than standard DC system, in the failure, there may be little or no difference in the manufacturing costs due to decreasing prices of electronic components. VSR motors are not without their drawbacks, however. The most significant downside is the acoustic noise and the large vibration caused by the motor's high pulsating magnetic flux. Another limitation is torque ripple. But while these drawbacks have an effect in small horsepower VSR motors, they are of no significance in large horsepower traction motors.

Audi to Strengthen Brand Identity in the US

2008-02-12T01:47:00.000-08:00

Audi luxury unit of Volkswagen and recipient of high-quality VW auto components such as VW pressure plates---is planning to increase its US sales by introducing a fleet of new models that hopefully will surpass the brand’s competitors in the luxury car segment in the US market. But first Audi needs to promote its brand to the American buyers. It has to make the US buyers see the significance of the brand.

To accomplish this, Audi is planning to conduct some new advertising campaign that will kick off Monday. There will also be some changes made like for instance its tagline “Never Follow” is to be replaced by “Truth in Engineering” with the objective of showing just what Audis has to offer. The ad will show how engineering can provide better driving experience especially in terms of safety, quality and performance.

One of the reasons that Audi is facing slow sale in the US is the fact that it has never had a comprehensive brand marketing scheme in the first place and instead chose to rely on its products to do the advertising. This simply shows that Audi has great confidence in the quality of its vehicles however what the automaker doesn’t know that even the most successful luxury marques in the US needs advertising to strengthen its brand identity.

Even Toyota Motor Corporation - now world’s largest automaker - has based its product success on the marketing strategy it has implemented in the US. Advertising helps promote and build brand identity which is very important for car manufacturers to obtain the attention that they need for their products. BMW has been able to create the identity as the “ultimate driving machine” so thus Mercedes which is identified as the ultimate in the car luxury segment. Unfortunately for Audi, according to Johan de Nysschen, executive vice-president of Audi AG’s US office, “We seem to be faceless”.

This is also the very reason why despite the remarkable quality of Audi cars it is still lagging behind its competitors in terms of sales. Last year, 2006, Audi sold more than 90,000 vehicles in the US which is a first for the company. Similarly for the first four months of this year, the luxury unit of Volkswagen has also record an increase of 15 percent increase in sales. Despite such increase that the brand is experiencing it still doesn’t come near to what its competitors has achieved – the likes of Lexus has sold more than 322,000 vehicles last year while BMW brand has been able to sell more than 274,000 cars and SUVs.

For many years, the Audi executives have considered the US market as if it was one of those German provinces and have relied solely on its product lineup to produce sales for the brand. And now they have found out that the US market is in fact a unique market on its own.

The luxury unit of Volkswagen has learned its lessons and is now trying to set things right. Audi is now currently developing its identity in providing the best driving experience. According to Scott Keogh, Audi marketing executive who was hired last year after ten-year tenure in Mercedes-Benz, “You see this every few years where luxury brands change their message. We are putting our foot in the ground and saying this is who we are."

One of the commercial released by Audi gives emphasis on the A4 sedan and displays the vehicle as being parked on a neighborhood street in between two of its competitors. The commercial states that the Audi is “for people who can park themselves” stressing the remarkable driving experience that comes with the vehicle. The ad also indirectly pokes at the Lexus that possess a self-park system on its new LS sedan.

To produce the new commercials for Audi Mr. Keogh hired the Venables, Bell & Partners based in San Francisco. Mr. Keogh said that it’s about time that Audi stopped being the understated brand in the US. Audi needs to break out and to make some noise. The new marketing campaign is aimed at helping the brand to achieve such. The new ad will be launched at the introduction of the TT sports car, the S5 coupe, and the R8 sports car. And for next year it will have a redesigned version of the high-volume A4 and the small SUV called the Q5.

To further develop brand identity Audi will also be conducting more events that aim to generate brand awareness for the various Audi models. Volkswagen’s luxury unit has opened a new brand showroom in midtown Manhattan called the “Audi Forum”. To attract attention, Audi has invited New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and had him driven an Audi R8. Later that evening Audi has hosted a party at the showroom that features Woody Allen’s jazz band together with comedian Stephen Colbert and singer Wyclef Jean.

Audi is considered outspent by competitors like Mercedes-Benz and BMW, according to Mr. Keogh that’s why it is not surprising that it will get a treatment similar to that of unknown personality. The marketing team of Audi has developed a grassroots marketing scheme that would rely primarily on word of mouth and viral marketing backed by traditional media campaign.

There were already tow commercials released that focuses on the new TT sports car and are 15seconds long. The ads open up with a question “Do you have a moment?” and then flashes a stream of images in less than a second making as what Audi claims as “the world’s fastest commercial” which relates to the high-performance of the TT. The ads were also designed for consumers with digital video recorders in which they can view the commercial in slow motion.

Checking Your Car's Cooling System

2008-02-12T01:45:00.000-08:00

Regular inspection of a vehicles cooling system is a task which can be performed by anyone, even those not experts in the field of automotive. This inspection is very important especially during spring season when cars easily experience overheating due to poorly maintained cooling system.

Unfortunately most owners deal with their cooling system problem when it is already severe.

Car owners are advised to make sure there is enough coolant or antifreeze in the system. Inspecting the level of coolant or antifreeze is made easy with many recent model cars having semi-transparent plastic coolant reservoirs.

Auto mobile experts say a vehicle must also have 50:50 antifreeze or coolant and water mixture.

The span of the coolant mixture is as important as ratio of the mixture. This is because the coolant contains corrosion inhibitors which are vital to the engines life.

Rust, scale and acid formation are results of failure to keep fresh coolant in the system. Eventually, this can also result to over heating and engine damage. Replacing the coolant can help prevent this.

Thirty thousand miles or 24 months is the typical coolant replacement interval for many vehicles. But some newer more refined cars with extended-life coolant can go 100,000 miles or more.

Before, automotive repair shops suggests opening the radiator petcock valve and removing the lower radiator hose to drain the fluid into a catch pan for later reclamation. However, in this era with advanced technology, this procedure gives rise to a few problems. First is that the old fluid is being trapped in hoses, in the heater core and in the engine block. In rare cases, majority of the fluid is held only to be mixed with the fresh coolant. This contamination severely diminishes the new coolant or antifreezes efficiency, quality and corrosion inhibitor longevity.

Another thing is that any rust or scale deposits in the radiator, heater core or engine remain after the drain and refill. This results to a blockage. This blockage further diminishes the cooling systems efficiency and increases the chances of excessive heating.

Lastly, the proper disposal of old coolant captures all of the old ones, including that which was flushed from the system with water, and delivering it to a recycling center.

Volkswagen, maker of quality VW fan, offers performance quality cooling system that does not easily breaks down even during very hot weather. Nonetheless, maintenance must also be done to extend its longevity.

Consideration When Buying a Treadmill - The Motor

2008-02-11T03:20:00.000-08:00

The 16 Motors of the Golf Swing: Part 1 - Harry Vardon's Secret

2008-02-11T03:19:00.000-08:00

Harry Vardon is one of the greatest golfers of all time. 6 time British Open Champion, Vardon's (Overlapping Grip) debut of the vertical swing, etc. etc. etc.

BUT there is something that is still a very well kept secret that almost no one understands. The secret to his DISTANCE.

Harry was considered a long ball hitter of his day but also a weakling. He suffered from tuberculosis and had repeated attacks.

In fact, he had to cancel a promotional tournament tour in America sponsoring the newest golf ball from Dunlop due to a bout of tuberculosis, which also forced him to cancel his ticket on the Titanic!

So how could he be a long hitter and suffer from tuberculosis at the same time? The answer is in his bent left elbow.

Yes, I know your Pro has told you many times to keep a straight left elbow. And that is the classic thinking even today.

But is a difference between the problem the Pros are trying to prevent and what Vardon did. Many amateurs will over-swing at the top and let their left elbow bend.

On the start down, they will again straighten out the elbow causing extra movement and swing plane variations. What Vardon did was something else. He HELD the bent left elbow until just before impact with the ball.

John Jacobs, in his book - The 50 Greatest Golf Lessons of the Century (HarperAcademic), described Vardon’s swing LIKE THROWING A FRISBEE!!

Theodore Jorgensen in his book - The Physics of Golf - devotes 1 separate chapter to Vardon’s swing and comes to the conclusion that by using his left elbow as an additional hinge a power increase of up to 50% is theoretically possible.

Another description of Vardon’s bent left elbow is that he made his left arm into a whip with an additional bending point in it. And then threw his left arm down the target line similar to an athlete throwing a discus but in a more vertical plane. How can you try this out?

Think - throw the Frisbee down the target line.

Keep your left elbow bent on the way down to the ball and unfurl it, like throwing a discus, down thru the ball.

Resurrecting an Old Technology - VSR Motors

2008-02-08T02:02:00.001-08:00

Linear Motors and Stepper Motors

2008-02-08T02:00:00.000-08:00

A linear induction motor is made up of an inductor which is made of individual cores with a concentrated polyphase. Linear motors can be directly substituted for ball screw drives, hydraulic drives, pneumatic drives, or cam drives.

A linear induction motor is basically what is referred to by experts as a “rotating squirrel cage” induction motor. The difference is that the motor is opened out flat. Instead of producing rotary torque from a cylindrical machine it produces linear force from a flat machine. The shape and the way it produces motion is changed, however it is still the same as its cylindrical counterpart. There are no moving parts, however and most experts don’t like that. It does have a silent operation and reduced maintenance as well as a compact size, which appeals many engineers. There is also a universal agreement that it has an ease of control and installation. These are all important considerations when thinking about what type of device you want to create. The linear induction motor thrusts ratio varies depending mainly on the size and rating. Speeds of the linear induction motor vary from zero to many meters per second. Speed can be controlled. Stopping, starting and reversing are all easy. Linear induction motors are improving constantly and with improved control, lower life cycle cost, reduced maintenance and higher performance they are becoming the choice of the experts. Linear motors are simple to control and easy to use. They have a fast response and high acceleration. Their speed is not dependant on contact friction so it is easier to pick up speed quickly.

Stepper motors are a special kind of motor that moves in discrete steps. When one set of windings is energized the motor moves a step in one direction and when another set of windings is energized the motor moves a step in the other direction. The advantage of stepper motors that the position of the motor is "known". Zero position can be determined, if the original position is known.

Stepping motors come in a wide range of angular resolution and the coarsest motors typically turn 90 degrees per step. High resolution permanent magnet motors are only able to handle about 18 degrees less than that. With the right controller stepper motors can be run in half-steps, which is amazing.

The main complaint about the stepper motor is that it usually draws more power than a standard DC motor and maneuvering is also difficult.

VW Makes Rear Engine Vehicle Again

2008-02-07T01:16:00.000-08:00

In the news: Sources inside Volkswagen headquarters are reportedly saying that the German auto maker is currently making a rear engine vehicle again. Volkswagen has indicated that it is currently working on a rump-motored, water-cooled small car. It is one that resembles the original Beetle in both layout and purpose.

Reports are also saying that Volkswagen's reinvention of its iconic people's car will have its engine situated on top of the transaxle and a radiator in the nose. Three wheelbase options and two body styles will be offered worldwide, but only two variations will come to the United States. These are the 130-inch-long Beetle reincarnation aimed at the Smart for Two, and the no-frills, four-door notchback likely to be marketed as a smaller, cheaper Jetta. Pricing will be in the range of $10,000 to $14,000.

Other features supposedly included are ABS, satellite navigation, and a sun roof. Power steering however, will not be offered as a cost-reducing measure. Although third-world countries will receive a two-cylinder engine and emerging markets may even get a one-cylinder unit, U.S. VW cars will likely be powered by a turbocharged and direct-injected three-cylinder.

Speculations are that the rear-engine revival was largely Ferdinand Piëch's idea. Piëch, the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche, the man behind the original Beetle reportedly convinced VW chairman Martin Winterkorn that the dynamically challenged rear-engine layout was attractive enough to succeed.

According to reports, one VW executive has already admitted that the company plans to install stability control to address handling issues. But other automotive journalists are still not sold on the rear-engine idea though it is quite certain that it can be made to work in an inexpensive car like a VW small car.

Other have been speculating that the German automaker has long abandoned the people's car demographic for “richer climes”, what with Piëch's grand vision for the brand lay in cars like the Phaeton in recent times. But who knows if wild ideas like these will be able to do wonders for Volkswagen’s seemingly lackluster offerings of late? That we have to wait and see.

Meanwhile, no mention of the engine components of the rear engine vehicle has been made. Nonetheless, it can be anticipated that the automaker will give it the same quality VW engine components, with the same durable VW valve covers. These are components which are typically made of heavy gauge die cast steel. They come in different shapes, sizes, and finishes to function to all kinds of engine specifications.

What Does the Check Engine Light Really Mean?

2008-02-06T00:02:00.000-08:00

When a car's check engine light comes on, it is a mystery to most drivers. It instills panic in many for good reason. There are times when that light can mean drastic problems in a car's engine system or other operating parts. There are also times when it simply means you changed your brand of gasoline and the car needs to adjust to the new mix. For that reason there is a tendency to ignore that little light and hope the problem will go away.

Should You Worry About Your Check Engine Light?

How do you know if the check engine light is trying to tell you there is a serious problem or if it is nothing to worry about? One way is to take the time out of your busy schedule, drive to the mechanic and pay a hefty fee to have them hook up their machine to your car's OBDII system and then tell you to tighten your gas cap as a result. Or you can get your own OBD diagnostic tool that will give you all the information you need right at your fingertips.

Onboard Diagnostic System

These simple devices attach to your automobile's OBDII (onboard diagnostic system) right under the dash just like the big machine at the mechanic shop does and it will give you the exact same readouts plus provide easy to understand graphs and explanations of those confusing codes your mechanic gives you to keep you in the dark as to what is really going on.

Simply take the OBD diagnostic system for a short ride with you when your check engine light comes on and then take it in the house to your personal computer and download the data. The website provided to you with your OBD diagnostic system will decipher the information and give you all the information you need to determine if the problem is serious or not at fractions of the cost of a mechanic's garage. The readout will also give you simple solutions to the easier fixes if they are available plus if you do need to take the car to your mechanic, you can go in well-armed with the knowledge you need to keep from being overcharged for their services.

The OBD system will also alert you to potentially damaging driving habits you may have acquired over time even when your check engine light is not blinking. Things like hard braking and excessive acceleration so that you can correct problems before they affect your car's mechanisms.

Benefits of OBD

There are even more benefits to your own OBD diagnostic system. Never get stuck with a lemon again by taking it on all of your test drives. With your own diagnostic system, you will be able to find out for yourself if your potential new or used car is in good operating order before you drive off the lot. You can even find out why the check engine light is on. You can also take all the worry out of vacations when you hook it up before a road trip.

7 Myths About The Color of Your Car

2008-02-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

You may have heard that if you drive a red car you are more likely to get a speeding or other traffic ticket. This is just one of the myths and urban legends that are believed about what effect the color of your car may have.

1. Red cars get more tickets. There is no proof that people who drive red cars are any more likely to receive a traffic citation. Now if your car is a red corvette or mustang it might be that the driver is doing something that attracts attention, like speeding or driving recklessly. Someone driving a red pickup truck may go for years without getting a ticket or even being pulled over by the police.
2. Black cars are stolen more often. Black is popular with high performance cars and more manufacturers make their top selling models black. Thieves tend to steal cars that are a particular make and model, not a specific color.
3. Green cars are traded in or resold more quickly than any other color. This has not been observed by car dealers. Cars are generally traded in because the owner is purchasing a newer car or a car of another make and model.
4. Yellow cars are more easily seen by other drivers, resulting in fewer accidents. Again, this is just an urban legend. Other drivers should be on the lookout for cars of all colors.
5. Blue cars have the best resale value. This is not true. Cars with low miles and in good condition will sell for more.
6. Brown cars are driven by people who are set in their ways and are very inflexible with their dealings with others. Stubborn people drive cars of all colors.
7. White cars are the safest ones to own. There is no evidence to support this idea.

So drive any color car that you like. If you speed you will probably get a ticket. Trade it in when you like. Take care of your car and the resale value will be the highest it can be. Stay out of other driver’s blind spots so they can see you. Be flexible when dealing with others. Always drive safely and courteously and obey all laws. And most of all, enjoy your car, whatever color it is, and the time you spend driving it. Driving is a privilege, not a right. Be kind to other drivers and you will enjoy this privilege even more.

Do Gifts Of Socks Suck Or Should You Stock Up?

2008-02-05T02:18:00.000-08:00

Socks

If you like getting socks for Christmas or your birthday, then you are in the minority. No one likes socks, yet we all get them at one point or another in our lives. Why are these gifts so popular, why do we need them and why do people keep buying them for other people but never for themselves.

Do We Need Them?

Humans have been walking up right for a million or so years, and during the vast majority of our species' life, we have not used socks. If anything, we have worn shoes, usually made of leather, to protect our feet, so why do we wear socks?

Are they even necessary to wear? Do we need to wear something while we wear our shoes? Well, the truth is that we probably do not need socks but so many of us have become accustom to them that it is highly unlikely people are going to stop wearing socks anytime soon.

Of course, this does not answer the question of if we really need them. No matter what the answer is, whether we need them or not, socks still constitute a multi-billion dollar industry across the world.

Good Gift?

Ask anyone who has received the gift of socks and they will say no, while the people who give those gifts will say that they are.

For the people who receive the gift of socks, they don't like them because they see them as cheap and a gift that takes zero thought at all. While the people who give the gift of socks will like the gift for the exact same reasons, they are cheap and easy to find anywhere in the world. Of course, whether you buy them or get them, it is the thought that counts, no matter how small of a thought it was.

Conclusion

Socks are a very common gift, given by everyone to everyone else. They are cheap, easy to find and there are not usually any size restrictions, nor color restrictions, with most coming in the standard colors of white or black.

Whether they are needed by our species or not, they are bought by millions of people every year, putting thousands of people to work making a product that most people don't think about, but everyone uses. Who knew that there was so much to the gift of socks? Think about that the next time you put your socks on.

Save A Whole Lot, With Wholesale Clothing

2008-02-05T02:16:00.000-08:00

Wholesale Clothing

Not everyone can afford brand name clothing, yet everyone wants to look good in what they wear, however it reflects their personality. Thankfully, if you are not one for designer clothes, there are wholesale clothing outlets that allow a consumer to buy clothes that look and feel good, but at cheap prices.

Cheap or Expensive?

There will be individuals out there who will tell you that they will wear nothing that is not designer-labeled. They will refuse to even consider buying wholesale and putting anything but on the latest fashion on their body is blasphemy. Of course, those people will usually have plenty of money to afford those fashions. For the rest of us, staying on budget is more important than wearing whatever the big celebrities at that moment are putting on.

Buying cheap does not have to be a bad word, it can be something beneficial that will save you money so that, every so often, you will be able to buy a special designer outfit that you want. With wholesale clothing, you can save money on what you buy, yet get something that looks good.

Is it Bad?

It has a stigma that only soiled and dirty clothes are sold second-hand, and that they all sit in a big bin that people rummage through. However, wholesale clothing can be very nice and in no way is it soiled or dirty. In fact, some of the clothes that are sold wholesale are actually nicer than the clothes people spend oodles of money for.

For example, many consumers buy retro T-shirts that are marked in price, while wholesale shoppers can find the retro T-shirts that were made when the fashion was not retro, for a fraction of the price.

Conclusion

Wholesale clothing has helped a great deal of people stay on budget, while wearing clothes that look good and feel good. There is no reason that someone should have to make clothes out of curtains anymore when wholesale clothing exists. By shopping in the wholesale warehouses, and individual can find a fashion that fits them perfectly, both in personality and size, while spending much less than what they would at a designer store. In fact, they could probably buy 20 excellent shirts at a wholesale distributor for the price of one at a designer store.

Client Marketing Audit Engine Builders

2008-02-04T00:22:00.000-08:00

The paper is intended to outline the marketing situation of the Company and to make reasonable recommendations about the proper tact and development of a strategic marketing position. As written in A Framework for Marketing Management and Marketing Management Millennium Edition, Tenth Edition (Kotler, Philip), “Modern marketing calls for more than developing a good product, pricing it attractively, and making it accessible to target customers. Companies must also communicate with present and potential stakeholders, and with the general public. The marketing communications mix consists of five major modes of communication: advertising, sales promotion, public relations and publicity, personal selling, and direct marketing.”

Kotler also wrote that for a company to develop an “effective marketing communication requires eight steps: (1) Identify the target audience, (2) determine the communication objectives, (3) design the message, (4) select the communication channels, (5) establish the total communication budget, (6) decide on the communication mix, (7) measure the communications’ results, and (8) manage the integrated marketing communication process.

Within the following marketing audit an honest attempt has been endeavored to accurately observe behaviors and contemporaneously record conversations with employees, ownership, prospects and customers in such a was as not to divulge the identity of the source. Hopefully, such anonymity has bolstered the honesty of those that have given information to the author. In turn, the resulting honesty should have improved the chances for an accurate compilation of the current marketing position of the Company. To the extent that accrued sales data and financial statement information was not available for review and comparison to industry norms and metrics the audit was limited to interviews and subjective data. While some polling has been executed with customers in order to paint an accurate picture of local and surrounding demographics and market share, the Company should endeavor to obtain more comprehensive market share data to fully exercise their place in the industry.

During the past five weeks, the following elements of the marketing position of the company have been reviewed:

Part I. Marketing Environment Audit
· Macro environment

· Demographic

· Economic

· Technological

· Competitors

Part II. Marketing Strategy Audit

· Business Mission

· Strategy

Part III. Marketing Organization Audit

· Formal Structure

· Functional Efficiency

· Interface Efficiency

Part IV. Marketing Systems Audit
· Marketing Control System
· New-Product Development

Part V. Marketing Productivity Audit
· Profitability Analysis

· Cost-Effective Analysis:

Part VI. Marketing Function Audit
· Products

· Price
· Distribution
· Sales Force

Essentially it is the Auditor’s opinion that the Company suffers no problems that well thought out communication both internal and external to the firm coupled with consistent execution through solid team building processes and a permanent change in attitude cannot remedy. Albeit there lies strong institutional resistance to change in the Company which is endemic to most all small closely held operations, much can be done to effect the positive change absolutely required if the Company ever desires to stretch beyond a local company serving customers haphazardly.

Part I. Marketing Environment Audit

Macro environment

Demographic:
Since the customer demographics include direct retail purchasers as well as automotive engine repair shops we look to the individuals and their buying habits within the two groups. First, the individual buying habits of the customers dictates how to approach not only the existing demographic but new undeveloped markets as well. Traditionally, the Company has combined mass mailing with direct in person customer contact by the outside marketing department. In 2000, a major competitor in the rebuilt engine company from Indiana, “Jasper”, entered the Texas market by employing a direct sales force with full management staff in the major markets. Jasper sells directly to the end user, the repair shop mechanic and this approach has changed the way customers can buy engines. In addition, ownership has caused Internet exposure via the websites to become formidable additions to the strategic marketing front consistently generating almost 40% of the sales volume according to ownership since no financial data is made available to employees for management purposes. Jasper prices significantly higher than CLIENT, Inc. but offers a stout warranty. The Company can compete on both the distance advantage and the warranty if it accounts for it in price. In response to Jasper as well as a declined engine market, the company has hired a marketing person to lead the marketing and sales effort for the foreseeable future. Within the last two months, CLIENT., INC mailed 8800 pieces of a combination flyer event invitation to remind customers that CLIENT., INC is still in business. The mailer resulted in approximately 100 attendees to the barbeque event November 8, 2003. Two or three motors were sold as a result. Economic:

No doubt exists that as long as man drives the internal combustion engine; demand will exist for rebuilt replacement engines. CLIENT., INC stands ready to serve this demand. Several factors contribute to the overall demand in a given market as regards engines. First, the general economic health can contribute to whether people drive their cars longer requiring sometimes a replacement engine or they buy a new one. CLIENT., INC obviously prefers the former. Price conditions currently are tough as what is believed to be an end to general industry compression in the number of engine producers, which started in late 2000 and is now tapering off. Nevertheless, ownership has attributed its loss in volume to a poor economy while this Auditor believes a case could be made that the business has shrunk due to improper handling of several strategic issues. Ownership’s short-term attitude to the cost of warranty rather than coupling that with the consequences of irritating customers over warranty such that they cease the relationship may not have been realized.

As a response to this compression, CLIENT., INC has laid off much staff shrinking the payroll to have its height in 2000 when gross sales were also double what they are today. The Company has held prices stable for the past eighteen months, as it has found innovative ways to cut costs. Technological:

The President has indicated a desire to transform the company from a mom and pop operation to a firm that allows rigorously recruited and hired employees to take charge and responsibility of the company’s destiny toward growth and profitability so that all stakeholders will prosper. As such, systems from accounting to order entry to dispatch, communications and fuel and fleet management must be improved and brought up to date so that the company can jump ahead of expectations and get away from the reactionary mode of operating. New skill sets must be recruited to fit the model if this company is going to ever achieve anything more than a fifty-employee company. Competitors:

As indicated earlier, Jasper Engines is a late entry to the Texas market and at the top of the price tier. Other competitors include Four Star, Thunderbolt, Jasper, Roadmaster and others as well as local small town machine shops. Jasper has effectuated a policy to sell to anyone. Others have marketed repair shops but tend to work through parts distributors where possible. Summary Conclusion Part I.

In 2000, the Texas remanufactured auto engine market changed by the entry of Indiana’s Jasper Engine and Transmissions to the State. Jasper changed the industry here not only by entering as a formidable competitor but in their marketing tact of selling directly to the consumer through the repair shop rather than through a jobber or distribution network. Jasper seized onto the extreme high dollar end of the market with its pricing structure where the Company and others missed out by pricing too low and delivering lower quality.

Economic conditions generally declined the auto market and this took auto engine remanufactures with it. As a result to market belt tightening the Company’s ownership made the strategic error of electing a perceived cash flow remedy of not paying warranty claims for shabby craftsmanship rather than controlling cost in a more efficient manner and preserving customer relationships. The Company has as a result lost 45% of year 2000 top line sales.

The Company’s technology is par with industry in the plant but at least ten years lagging in order processing and information technology. The Company has no network administrator and problems result.

As the market has stabilized during 2003, the Company by recognizing opportunities and grasping a second wind now endeavors to position itself to capture market share in risk balanced market place activities and niches.

Part II. Marketing Strategy Audit
Business Mission:
Although ownership possesses a clear mind of mission in the generic sense, part of the mission gets confused when verbally imparted to the employees. That is to say that no visible written strategic business plan of action or business mission exists. If one does exist it no promotion exists or is made available to employees for empowerment and accountability purposes.

The owner and leadership have indicated their desire to recapture lost accounts and develop new channels and customer niches and are willing to invest the time, energy and dollars to do so. The entire process of this marketing audit has indirectly caused a spur in the thinking of what the Company is doing and why they are doing it. In other words, the ownership and employees have begun to realize that positive change is a good thing and that in order to thrive in a global engine market a firm must be flexible and “roll” with market conditions and demands. Customers will not accept less than superior service and a proper pricing model; they will just take their order to the competition.

Marketing Objectives and Goals:
The marketing objectives and goals are the proverbial “Let’s grow” which is to say that no formal written goals and objectives are recorded or articulated to the team. The general employee temperament is stagnation at keeping their job rather than working and dreaming to excel and actually enjoy coming to work. In other words, employees take care of themselves first and the Company (the President) and Customers next. As such, the only way to plan marketing and measure performance is from the daily profit and loss statement, which only seems to be available to the owner and not managers or staff. The purpose of this audit is to determine the action items needed to formulate a formal marketing policy that the staff may implement. Strategy:

While the strategy may be clear in the mind of the ownership of the company, there is tremendous vagueness when an employee is asked the question. The ownership is clear in vision albeit not documented so that it may be measured. The company is not using best basis or best practice for market segmentation nor does it have a clear criterion for rating segments and choosing the best ones the company merely sells to the one on the phone or in their face first. There is no formal marketing resources allocation mix. Monies are provided when the ownership believes the task will be beneficial. Moreover, “the Marketing Budget” exists in the ownership mind but not on a real budget whereas a management team could be charged and then held accountable for results.

Summary Conclusion Part II.
The Company has no formalized mission statement. Disconnection exists between ownership goals and employee execution. Marketing and sales goals are articulated as “Let’s grow.” The ownership has requested this audit to identify problem areas in order to establish and action plan for 2004. Marketing strategy should be written and shared among the employees for morale, accountability, incentive, quality and brand imaging.

Part III. Marketing Organization Audit
Formal Structure:
Prior to September 2003, there was no concentrated marketing effort for well over a year. Customer satisfaction has not been made a responsibility of Marketing, Sales or Production but rather the ownership handles “heat cases” as they eventually make their way to him. Once these situations arrive at “firefighter headquarters.” Headquarters consists of a small desk with an outdated obsolete computer networked to a “Novell” system that is so unproductive when one loads any current day program “the whole network is slowed”, according to one employee. The owner either “handles” it right then or “puts them in cue.” Cue means that they go on a wall file for further negotiation. Most all of the employees believe that customers’ dissatisfaction is so highly enhanced and embellished by this cuing of complaints or untimely resolution that lost customers are the result. A new warranty mechanism must be articulated and implemented. Marketing activities are ad hoc. Functional Efficiency:

Good communication and working relations between marketing and sales now exists. Since overcoming a rocky beginning in September between this Auditor and certain long time entrenched employees, sales and marketing are in constant communication with each other. In the past, the “sales guy” would just go about his business and there was no communication between him and other staff. Product managers (General Manager) are not able to plan profit or sales volume due to no reporting available. Interface Efficiency: There are substantial problems as regards communication and interaction between sales and manufacturing to the extent that the manufacturing manager seems to employ an “us (manufacturing) against them (sales)” philosopy. This individual told the author in October 2003 in an attempted impromptu leadership meeting that “there is nothing that we can do to get better, we are doin’ it as well as it can be done.” Many employees in the inside have stated that the manufacturing manager has threatened the owner in the past with a total labor walkout if his demands are not accommodated. As a result to this and this employees general attitude, the inside the office leadership resents this individual and that causes apprehension about the working relationship so both sides ignore each other. Lower quality, customer satisfaction and high warranty costs are the resulting victim in the end. The established détente and dysfunctional operation cause problems to the extent that communication and cooperation is extremely difficult. The auditor believes that this dysfunctional behavior creates and indeterminable hidden cost to the Company in dollars due to diminished quality and morale. One only needs to review the accompanying photographs on the next page to understand the true room for improvement just by noticing the filthy and non-inspected for safety working conditions. As such the Auditor, while not a certified safety inspector believes that if a regulatory agency like Occupational Safety and Health Administration were to inspect the plant, the Company would incur massive fines. This slip-shod manner in operations carries over into the general image of the Company through the delivery model. Summary Conclusion Part III.

No concentrated marketing effort has existed for at least the last year. Customer satisfaction is handled on an emergency basis as a rule and the old adage of the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Sales counter personnel are distracted with too many non-revenue producing activities. Sales and marketing are jointly working to expand the “thinking” of personnel in order to deliver a superior product to customers. Warranty cash expended is weighed more heavily than long-term customer effects.

Part IV. Marketing Systems Audit
Marketing Control System:
There is no annual plan objective to track or gauge achievement. The ownership rather than the management periodically reviews product profitability, markets, and channels of distribution. Marketing costs are ad-hoc evaluated with the gut instinct rather than with formality or plan. Again, if such a plan exists it is not shared with leadership since the owner is the leader. This control system achieves the result of stifling growth rather than enhancing it. The Auditor makes recognition of ownership’s desire and new found efforts to step back and allow leaders to germinate a new initiative of team work, accountability and profitability.

New-Product Development:
The company is not well organized to gather, generate or screen new-product ideas? Idea generation comes from spur of the moment conversations held with many interruptions and no execution or very difficult execution consequences. It is operated with loose, shoot from the hip mentality with the ownership dictating his desires since as the employee consensus says, “he knows everything and a lot better than us.” In the past the owner has executed much research. Employees perceive that personal initiative is fruitless, not rewarded and discouraged. The disconnection between facilitating passive aggressive behavior and honest communication cause tension when the owner “is around.” This complaint requires that goals, targets and minimum standards for performance dictate rewards and compensation increases. The old saying of just giving him/her enough rope to hang him/herself would apply here. The perception of this attitude by employees is two fold. By placing all blame on the owner, employees avoid taking responsibility for any actions or results. Vice versa, the owner by not properly delegating and then holding personnel accountable only ratifies the employee attitude. Adequate and proper market and product testing is to “whatever the market will bear.” In summation, the owner commits the traditional sin, searching for approval from employees rather than pushing them to develop their talents and allowing them to make mistakes to grow. Summary Conclusion Part IV.

Information is not disseminated to people that need to take responsibility for their daily performance. New-product development does not exist.

Part V. Marketing Productivity Audit
Profitability Analysis:
The company’s profitability of different products, markets, territories and channels of distribution is unknown to the extent that the ownership does not divulge that information to employees. There are no findings pursuant to entry or exit from markets to the extent rendered in the aforementioned statement. Cost-Effective Analysis:

Marketing activities are standard and in line given the developmental level of the Company. Summary Conclusion Part V.

Distribute information to trusted team members and enlist team building with true limited authority for a budget to achieve objectives.

Part VI. Marketing Function Audit
Products:
Product-line objectives are to double sales volume to where it was three years ago so overhead costs are contained. It is unknown which product-lines should be expanded or contracted since that information is not made available by ownership.

Buyers’ attitude toward our general product is good until there is a warranty issue. The ownership executes all warranty claims and takes a short-term approach to solving the claim. While the ownership believes most engine issues are caused by mechanic at installation (this action mitigates costs by blaming the customer), once the claim is not handled to the customers’ satisfaction that customer goes away and tells many to do the same. The general quality of the product to its presentation is in drastic need of improvement. Price:

The company’s pricing objectives are to be price competitive and we are. The ownership constantly reviews and is aware of the market as regards price. Customers that buy believe that we are competitive. Customers that do not buy do so for an array of reasons. Distribution:

Since inception the distribution objectives have been ad-hoc with not much order place on efficiency or consolidation. Now, that ownership has developed the means to wholesale our product by way of a special d/b/a/ and website dedicated to the parts distributor (jobber), marketing can develop new customers and channels through such. The company considers expanding its distribution channels to further diversify its channel mix from delivery and pick up. Advertising, Sales Promotion, Publicity, and Direct Marketing:

The company has no formalized advertising budget, at least not one known by the staff. The company does not employ media except the United States Mail. Ownership has recently chosen to purchase weekly newspaper type advertisement commencing January 2004 convinced that during the Christmas season peoples cars always run and never need motors. The company has a database but does not employ on-line marketing save the website and sporadically (used once or twice according to staff memory) uses coupons.

Sales Force:
What are the sales force objectives? Unknown. Is the sales force large enough to accomplish the company’s objectives? Debatable. The three salesmen at the counter probably exert more effort and activity during the day than any other employees in the company. The direct issue in sales is not effort or activity but direction or lack thereof. The salesmen serve not only as sales people to walk in customers and in bound phone calls but they also serve the Company in a myriad of functions.

The salesmen answer the phones of the company fielding every single in coming call. This is an issue because it is a distraction from sales. In a move to cut costs in recent memory, ownership decided to retire the receptionist. This move was good and bad. When no receptionist answered all the calls, every call then and now arrived straight at the sales counter. The resulting poor allocation of labor may have decreased payroll costs significantly but the underlying hidden costs of lost sales is not measured or realized. In a word, sales guys need to be on the phone with customers or prospects. This customer service or prospecting time is lost due to the overwhelming distraction of having to jump to answer the phone when it rings. While the Auditor is not informed of payroll pursuant to sales personnel, it is imagined with certainty that the lost dollars in opportunity costs relative to lost sales overwhelmingly advocates a better system. The sales force is not organized. The sales manager is also the General Manager as well as a salesman. Procedures are not adequate for setting quotas or evaluating performance. Without any measurement no incentives are paid and employees are unhappy about lower compensation. How does the company sales force compare to competitors’ sales forces? Unknown.

As the means to determining all of these questions, the Auditor tried to review various data compiled by the Company over the past few years. Specifically, we wanted to look to daily, weekly and monthly sales totals and then compare these to their past equivalents. In order to verify the authenticity of the historical data, we wanted to analyze the data to determine who the customers have been and why, what factors yield the best gross margin as well as net income. We would have reviewed this data within the prior committed time limits but such data is not made available to employees to craft a timely report to management. The most difficult part of the analysis will be gaining access to the data since the computer system is not now maintained and not administered from a networking position. This cost cutting measure could be catastrophic is any one of a number of issues occurs.

Summary Conclusion Part VI.
Overhead costs have been slashed to a minimum. Ownership has indicated a goal of year 2000 sales volume at $5,000,000. Warranty costs must be managed as well as the good will of the customer. Look to quality deficiencies in the manufacturing process to cut the true cost of warranties by implementing zero tolerance for defects. Wear safety glasses in the plant and institute at least minimal safety procedures. Enforce the procedures and allow no one to work outside the law or rules.

The Company should balance advertising and marketing with a consistent message to customers. Formalize the marketing, advertising and sales budget as well as all other operating budgets. Improve the quality of product by improving the quality of workers. Start with the worst performing 10% and replace them with more hungry individuals. Eliminate those with non-cooperative or difficult personalities. Remember the Company has to deal with the public and that means that everyone contributes to sales, image and quality. Focus employees on their primary and secondary jobs and eliminate distractions.

Recommended Marketing Improvements
· Enlist team work among leadership
· Establish budget
· Set monthly sales targets
· Monitor daily the progress
· Allocate marketing dollars to maximum impact media
· Advertise
· Diversify media used in advertising
· Promote customer events that pay for themselves via increased sales
· Establish safety and quality as internal standards of living
· Translate internal safety and quality to the brand and the market
· Establish competitors product and pricing and achieve “best of class” solutions

Physics - Magnetism and How it Works

2008-02-04T00:21:00.000-08:00

Since our beginnings, mankind has always known about magnets and knew that, based on their position, magnets can either attract or repel one another and that they attract objects made out of iron. However, beforehand, no one could explain why it was like this or could not think how to make practical use out of them.

Today however, we know that there are magnetic areas of microscopic size in many substances. If they are oriented identically, they become magnetic, creating around themselves a magnetic field. If we place such an object in close proximity to another magnetic object, they either attract or repel one another, depending on whether the respective magnetic fields are identically or oppositely oriented.

Magnetic fields are not in any major way influenced by their surroundings and, contrary to sound, work in a vacuum. Furthermore, the magnetic material within them can neither be removed nor changed.

A compass using a magnetic needle was the first and, for a long time, the only practical use of magnets. The Chinese apparently discovered the magnet several thousand years ago, the Europeans only until a few hundred years ago. A compass needle is a small magnet which easily rotates and which orients itself according to the magnetic field of the earth, in a north/south direction. Besides the position of the stars, compasses were for a long time the only navigational aid used by sailors.

The magnetic field of the earth is created by the convection (flow) of molten iron in the earth's core. The geographical and magnetic poles are not exactly the same and the magnetic north pole is close to the earth's geographic south pole.

At present, mostly only electromagnets are used in technical practice because they are more effective and their strength and orientation can be easily regulated.

An electromagnet is composed of an electrical conductor wound around a core, usually made of iron. If a current passes through this winding (electrical coil), a magnetic field is created relating to the iron core and electromagnetic fields are located on its ends. If the size of the current or its direction changes, the strength of the magnetic field changes as well, or its polarity is reversed. As soon as a current stops passing through the coil, the magnetic effect ceases.

Electric motors, electric relays and loud speakers all operate on this principle.

Artificially created magnetic fields are also used for storing data. Cassettes, diskettes and hard drives all store information magnetically. In these case, however, it is important that the information stored on them remain protected even once the electrical current is disconnected, in order that its data do not get erased. This is accomplished by using several protective layers made from special materials.

Data Recovery - The Known And Unknown Facts

2008-02-02T01:34:00.000-08:00

Swamp Cooling - Not Just for Swamps! FAQ

2008-02-02T01:33:00.000-08:00

Data Recovery From (RAID) Servers

2008-02-01T02:24:00.000-08:00

In other words, you have sent a request for the web page through the web browser. This request is answered by the web server, by sending the required page to the web browser, which in turn displays it.

The web server works thus; there are many other types of servers that are used commonly.

Types of Servers

Probably, the simplest of servers are the file servers. You can send your request for a file or a file record, over the network to the file server. (File servers require a large bandwidth.) Another equally simple server is the disk server.

A comparatively more advanced version is a database server. In a database server, the user passes on a message to the server (in SQL - 'structure query language') and the results are returned over the network. The data resides on the server, and enables the code that processes the request to find the requested data. The client is not passed on all the files to scan for the required information.

The other server is the transaction server, which contains a SQL data base engine. The procedural statements on the servers either execute the entire SQL transactions or they fail it as a group. As the applications on the transaction servers are mission critical they necessitate an enhanced level of security and integrity of the database. The exchange usually consists of a single request and reply.

A server that is much commonly used unlike the transaction server is the e-mail server. This receives mail from clients and other email servers. The mail server consists of a storage area, a list of users, a series of communication modules and a set of rules defined by the user. The storage area, which is a database of information, consists of the received mail and those in transit. The user defined rules determine the reaction of the mail server to specific messages, for example, only certain e-mails can be sent to a company while the rest get blocked. The communication modules (their number is determined by the mail server) handle the transfer of messages to and fro the email clients.

Servers usually function without manual intervention and they are expected to work almost constantly, therefore, RAID is used.

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Drives)

This is also known as 'redundant array of inexpensive disks.' This term defines a computer data storage scheme that divides and also replicates data among varied hard disks. In a RAID, the different physical hard disks are combined into a single logical unit by using a special hardware or software.

The three key RAID concepts are:

· Mirroring - that of copying data on to different disks in the array

· Striping - the splitting of data in more than one disk, and finally

· Error correction - redundant data is stored for error detection if the need arises

RAID systems are designed to work reliably; therefore, they are ideally suited for servers. However, at times, RAID array also fail and data recovery from a (RAID) server is a complicated process.

Data Recovery from a (RAID) Server

In event of data loss, an initial diagnosis is performed which determines whether each device is accessible. If the media is accessible, a raw image is created of all the data onto a new device so that the nature of information loss can be ascertained. At times, some devices may be inaccessible; these are closely tested to assess the extent of physical damage. Data recovery from a crashed RAID usually involves the replacement of the damaged components like the read/ write head, the drive motors, etc. Specialised tools are used to recover the lost data.

Servers with multiple drives are de-striped on to a device to enable performance of file system repairs and to extract the data files.

Data loss usually induces panic. Losing data from a RAID server necessitates an important precaution. The disk array order should not be changed. Even if they are removed from the server, they should be placed back in the same order and the data recovery experts must be contacted.

License Plate Search - How And Where To Search

2008-02-01T02:22:00.000-08:00

If you need to perform a License Plate Search to discover who owns a particular vehicle, there are now a number of options available to you. You may notice that online there are a number of sites which try to attract visitors by seeming to offer free license plate searches, but in fact there are no such free services. Similar to the services which offer free cell phone lookups, this information is simply not available for free.

If for whatever reason you really need details of a vehicle owner based on their license plate, you do have a few options. Firstly you could try a simple google search, in the hope that some information about a particular vehicle exists somewhere in the billions of pages of information indexed by the search engines. However, it is unlikely you will succeed.

A better method, one which should be successful, is to contact a professional investigator. They will have access to data and records which ordinary citizens do not, either through law enforcement contacts or paid access to official databases. The drawback with this approach however will always be the price - private investigators are costly.

Using the internet however there are newer and faster options. You can use one of the online investigations websites which attempt to provide the same services as a traditional offline professional investigator. They will charge a certain rate to run a single license plate search, likely using the same databases and contacts as an offline service, and although cheaper than offline investigators they can be quite expensive.

Finally there are new membership websites which have only recently started to appear. These services offer unlimited access to a myriad of public, government and legal databases and records, all for a small one-off fee. The reason they can offer this service so much cheaper than the professional investigation companies is that the whole process is automated online, so their overheads are much lower and they are able to pass this saving to the customers. Conversely this also means there are no guarantees the many databases and resources they provide will contain the information you seek, however they also offer 90 day money back guarantees, so your investment is safe.

Cleaning RC Motors

2008-01-31T03:30:00.001-08:00

Owning an electric RC car is just like raising a child or can be compared to having a pet. All that is needed to keep a child (or a pet) safe from all sorts of diseases or sickness is to make sure that the child eats a lot of vitamin-rich food. Also, regular check up and exercises is a secondary requirement.

As for RC cars, they need proper and regular check ups too. This means that the RC motor has to be cleaned regularly as well so the machine works on its top most speed and performance.

In terms of cleaning the motor of your RC car, you need to use a motor spray so the dirt and excess carbon deposits in the motor are removed. A high quality type of motor spray should do the trick. Do not forget to use oil for lubricating each of your car and motor's bearings.

With brushes, it is also adamant that you are keen in checking it if it already needs replacement. A worn out brush which remains in used for your RC motor could possibly cause you the top performance you've been trying to achieve and maintain. So by the time the tip of the brush which is in contact with the commutator of the motor becomes the shade of violet, better replace it with a new one. Be sure though that before replacing an old brush with a new one, the commutator's overall condition should be round and smooth.

The same thing goes with the motor's brush as well as with the springs. With springs, the tension should always be there, the same way it was when it was still brand new. You can either opt for a spring tension checker so you can use it regularly or replace the springs the same time when you replace the brushes.

For a better maintenance approach, you can clean out the dirt and other unnecessary deposits in your motor after each run. This does not make you an obsessive-compulsive person but maintaining your RC motor this way is a lot better.

What matters in maintaining a RC motor for your RC car is you understand that all motors will lose their brand new and impressive performance over time. What you can do is just make sure that you clean and spend money for it to keep it running as if you just bought it yesterday.

Blower Motors

2008-01-31T03:28:00.000-08:00

Single-phase motors are built differently from three phase motors that start and run in a direction based on the phase rotation of the incoming power. An auxiliary starting means is required to run single-phase motors, which, once started in a direction, will continue to run in that particular direction.

Single-phase motors are categorized by the method used to start the motor and the method used to establish the direction of rotation.

Split Phase Motors

Split phase motors are categorized under single phase and are generally available from 1/25 to 1/2 HP. They have low starting torque (turning force) and high starting current but are less expensive. Split phase motors are generally restricted to applications where the load needs low starting torque and starts are infrequent.

Capacitor Motors

Capacitor motors are available in sizes from sub-fractional to 15 HP and prove to be the most popular single-phase motors on the market.

Single Value Capacitor Motors

They are also called permanent split capacitor (PSC) motors. The motor operates with a capacitor connected in series with one of the two windings. This type of motor is generally used on small sized fans, blowers, and pumps typically less than 1 HP.

Two Value Capacitor Motors

The two value capacitor motor is generally used on large blowers with 5-15 HP single phase motors. It starts as a capacitor start motor but runs as a form of a two phase or PSC motor. Therefore, large single-phase motors having high starting torques and moderate starting currents can be constructed using this combination, and at reasonable rates.

Yellow Lamborghini Gallardo for Rent

2008-01-30T00:58:00.001-08:00

What’s in a Lambo that can arouse emotional reactions and invoke a cosmos of images? Is it the Lamborghini’s razor-sharp headlights, long edgy lines of body work, deep side air intakes or maybe the fact that it is a luxury car that makes it a wonderful sight to behold?

A rental company in Washington, DC is giving everybody (but basically those who can afford only) the chance to drive a Lamborghini Gallardo. Capital Dream Cars will soon have the Lamborghini as part of their rental fleet. Oh yes, believe it or not the Capital Dream Cars, Washington, DC’s premier exotic car rental service is happy to announce that the Lamborghini Gallardo is the latest addition to its fleet of world-class rental automobiles.

Jumi Kim, Founding Partner of Capital Dream Cars, "The hard-top, E-Gear transmission Lamborghini is a nice complement to our manual Ferrari convertible and tiptronic Bentley coupe. Whether you want a coupe or convertible, a manual, semi-automatic or automatic transmission, we have a dream vehicle for every preference, season and occasion."

The Yellow Lamborghini Gallardo has a design inspired by modern jet fighters. The Lamborghini Gallardo is a muscular car that possesses dynamic styling and performance. The Lamborghini Gallardo is called SantAgata’ raging bull and it’s because of its 5.0 liter, V10 engine that produces 500 horsepower and sprints from zero to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Despite its power some people who have already tested to drive a Gallardo claimed that it is smooth.

As expected from a Gallardo its interior is sleek black which Motor Trend magazine describes as “the best cabin ever bolted and stitched into a Lamborghini...an exotic-car cockpit that you'll actually want to ride in." it is equipped with power seats, on-board computer, heated seats/floor mats/exterior mirrors, coming home function, silver brake calipers, and 19” alloy wheels.

According to a Lamborghini of Washington spokesman, “Five thousand Lamborghini Gallardos can't be wrong. Style, performance and fun are why the Lamborghini Gallardo is the most successful Lamborghini ever built and one of the most popular sports cars today." In short great cars like the Lamborghini Gallardo calls for great responsibilities and attention.

About the Capital Dream Cars

Capital Dream Cars in Washington, DC is the premier exotic car rental company that provides only the finest and the most elegant marques for rent such as the red Ferrari 360 Spider, metallic gray Bentley Continental GT and the new addition to the fleet, the yellow Lamborghini Gallardo—self-drive basis; the white or silver Rolls-Royce Phantom, blue or black Maybach---on a chauffeured basis. Capital Dream cars also provides corporate incentives and programs such as the Prince Michael package or the thrilling Power Tour package which includes a visit to the rural back-roads in the Ferrari, Bentley, and Lamborghini.

Taking Care of Your VW Car

2008-01-30T00:55:00.000-08:00

Buying your new VW car cost you thousands of dollars – an investment that would certainly make you want to cut future repair and maintenance expenses for your new car as much as possible. Having the know-how in cutting repair and maintenance expenses will help you a lot in dealing with future severe car problems.

After buying the car, reading the manual is a must. Learning the details about its parts, how it runs and when to take it in for maintenance makes you an informed and aware owner and helps to reduce costly breakdowns. This knowledge will serve you well throughout your ownership.

You must also keep in mind that oil is the lifeblood of you car. So change it according to the Volkswagens recommended schedule. Some cars have an oil-life monitor. This notifies the driver when the oil needs to be changed. In addition, use the type of oil that the automaker suggests. This alone will increase your VW vehicle's life.

Always check the tires. It is very important to check and maintain proper air pressure in your VW cars tires. Under inflated tires are the main causes of tire malfunction or flats. This is because when a tire is under inflated; heat is built up internally. This eventually causes a blowout. Studies show that under inflated tires also decrease fuel economy by as much as 10 percent.

Take not that it is best to check tire pressure when the tires are cool. Quality tire-pressure gauge is highly recommended. Furthermore, always use the right tires for the season to avoid tire damages.

Modern vehicles, like those recently produced by VW, can have any number of warning lights for various onboard components like the antilock braking system. Sometimes, the behavior of a given warning light may indicate two entirely different issues. So it is important to understand each warning light's purpose, its various modes, and what to do if they illuminate.

Your vehicles vital fluid include the radiator coolant, engine oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and automatic transmission fluid. It is important to regularly check them; either by you or through a mechanic.

Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot or the car is running. Check your oil when the car is off but the engine should still be warm. Check the transmission fluid with the engine running but the car in halt.

Inspect engine components. Belt and hose failures are one of the main causes of roadside breakdowns. Rubber components under the hood are exposed to extreme heat, so they tend to wear out faster than any other parts on your car. Inspect belts and hoses every six months and before long trips. However, replacing them before breakdown occurs is more cost saving.

Also, always check the transmission mount. The VW trans mount holds the transmission assembly to the body of the vehicle. It also works with the engine mount to control torque and reduce the vibration that is being transferred to the vehicles chassis. This is also the component that is responsible for maintaining the linkages in their correct positions.

Cleanliness is necessary for your car. Make sure windows are well polished, headlights and headlights are clean, the interior is not messy, and the exterior is still neat.

Dirty headlamps can reduce the amount of illumination provided. If you cannot see something on or alongside the road, then you cannot avoid it. In addition to this, an improperly aimed headlight greatly reduces its effectiveness and affects visibility for oncoming drivers. Keeping your car clean does not only give you and the passenger comfort, but also, and is most importantly, safety.

Consideration When Buying a Treadmill - The Motor

2008-01-29T01:41:00.001-08:00

Resurrecting an Old Technology - VSR Motors

2008-01-29T01:40:00.000-08:00

Take Responsibility And Wear A Motorcycle Helmet

2007-09-26T04:01:00.001-07:00

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), when comparing a automobile to a motorcycle rider the motorcycle rider has a 35 percent greater chance of getting hurt or dying in a automobile accident compared to a driver in a automobile. When wearing a helmet it is less likely that the motorcyclists will receive a serious head injury and more likely to survive the accident according to the The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Safety helmets for motorcycle users are the law in many states, optional in others. Especially so if the helmet is rated for safety and is properly fit to the wearer. Safety is what it's all about right.

When wearing a motorcycle helmet it will protect your head against the following, it protects your face, your ears and you are able to have an intercom system to talk to others. A helmet protects your head and your face from injuries. There are many different types of helmets ranging from helmets that have a face guard and helmets that have an open face so you can feel the wind on your face, helmets can be customized to your specifications. Looking for full face helmets can be a challenge. On helmets the face shield can retract by lifting up and down.

Because Motorcycles lack the protection of other vehicles, such as a car or truck, severe injury is much more likely. For comfort and protection they generally have fabric and foam interiors. Motorcycle helmets act as a protection device for your head.

When looking at helmets to purchase don’t let the price determine which helmet you will purchase, you will need to look at the protection factor it can provide and how it is rated. Helmet design considerations are all about the tolerable impact the head can handle, which the soft linings provide as protection, and the exterior protection from punctures.

When trying on a helmet press down on the helmet and make sure that it fits properly and it feels comfortable and check to see if it surrounds your entire head. Before putting a helmet on a child, it is a good idea to check for defects such as cracks, loose padding, frayed straps or exposed metal that could be unsafe for the child.

Even if you don’t choose to wear a motorcycle helmet for safety reasons, there are other reasons. With many designs and makers to choose from, you would surely have your hands full finding one that you will like. There are a lot of motorcycle helmets you can choose from. The designs are made to match the likings of the women to provide more appeal.

Safety helmets successfully reduce the chances of head injury to a great extent. For instance, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated in a report that if you do not wear a helmet there is a 40% chance that the rider will suffer a head injury and a 15% chance of it being a fatal head injury.

Motorcycle Sound Systems: What Is The Right System For You?

2007-09-26T04:00:00.000-07:00

Motorcycle sound systems have come a long way in the past couple of years. We all like to hear the wind and rumble of our bikes, but if we are riding for a few hours it's nice to hear some tunes to help the miles roll by.

In the past the choices for motorcycle sound systems have been somewhat limited. Bulky am/fm radios with less-than-spectacular speakers often provided more grief and inconsistent reception than they were worth.

Well, that has changed for the better with the modern electronic revolution. With the advent of i-pods, satellite radio, and MP-3 players, the music of our choice is more available than ever.

The current offerings of sound systems vary widely but most offer better performance than even the top of the line models of just a few years ago.

There are several things to consider when looking at motorcycle sound systems. The ability to plug in your MP-3, satellite radio, and i-pod provides a lot more flexibility in your sound system.

Typically, if you are going on a road trip outside of your usual haunts your standard am/fm radio will be losing channels and you'll need to search for more.

If your sound system incorporates the new technologies you'll be able to listen to your favorite tunes for miles and miles without monkeying around with channel surfing.

Another advancement is the sound delivery system. Gone are the old speakers that strained to deliver clear, crisp sound at 60 mph. New external speakers are driven by small yet powerful amps that deliver clear crisp sound at any speed.

Another excellent advance is the in-helmet audio. The current offerings provide an excellent sound with no external speakers to clog up space on your bike.

Whatever system you choose, just keep in mind that technology will be constantly advancing so if you can get a system that is flexible it will allow you to upgrade as new technologies become available.

Deep dive into Denso: technology drives company's growth to top levels of automotive supply chain - Auto Diesel Tech

2007-04-25T04:33:00.001-07:00

In 1949 Nippondenso Co. Ltd. was spun off from Toyota Motor Co. Ltd. with a modest capital base of [yen] 15 million, something less than $150,000 at today's exchange rate. In late 2003, the company now known as Denso Corp. projected record sales of $22 billion for its fiscal year ending in March, putting it comfortably among the top five OE automotive suppliers in the world.

Denso's growth very much parallels Toyota's success. In the years from 1988 to 2000, Denso total sales actually doubled. Though separated from Toyota for more than 50 years, very nearly 50% of Denso's sales are still credited to Toyota.

Conversely, however, that means some $11 billion in sales is to other automakers and engine builders of the world, and Denso is certainly out to win more. It consistently wire accolades from its customers. General Motors, for example, has named Denso supplier of the year For 10 consecutive years.

Denso's engine products are its largest product sector, representing 37% of its business, with climate control at 30%, computer-related products at 14%, with information and communication systems, instruments and small motors accounting For die balance. Information Technology Systems (ITS) are expected to be the largest area of growth in years ahead. The use of pre-crash safety systems and adaptive front lighting systems are also evolving rapidly.
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Japan accounts for 57% of Denso's sales volume, the Americas for 23%, Europe for 12%, with the balance going to Asia, Oceania and other lands.

Following the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show, we received an extensive tour of Denso's R&D center, several engineering and production facilities, and were able to interview key executives and engineering managers about Denso developments and directions.

Our deep dive into Denso revealed a richly textured organization of 90,000 employees all seemingly moving in the same direction to produce world class quality products at the lowest cost with the least possible environmental impact.

"Denso considers environmental protection in all of its activities," said Koichi Fukaya, president and CEO, "including planning, development design, manufacturing, marketing and services. We are developing technologies that will reduce the environmental burden of vehicles.

"We're also tackling higher fuel efficiency, exhaust gas purification and automotive air conditioning systems that have minimal impact on global warming."

Denso's immediate strategy is to maintain its global leadership position in automotive air conditioning, achieve the leadership position in engine and powertrain products, and to further develop its ITS and telematics products, prominently including navigation systems. According to Hiroshi Uchiyama, senior managing director of Denso, the company is very focused on making ITS the third pillar of Denso's product portfolio.

Denso's efforts are backed by a strong commitment to research and development. The company R&D budget is typically in the range of 8% of net sales. The development work is organized into three areas: safety, environment, and information--matching up generally with the three product areas.

Specific product development, however, is separate from pure R&D and is "also budgeted separately. Some 70% of the corporate R&D would be classified as basic research in fields such as materials technology, semiconductors, nanotechnology, telecommunications, energy conversion, and biotechnology.

While most of this activity supports Denso's automotive-related product, the company indicates it will push into new fields if that's where its research takes it.

Denso automotive developments are both frequent and far ranging. In 2003 it introduced a novel new fuel pump, called the model GH, which is half the size of a conventional fuel pump and uses 25% less power. It is driven by a very compact d.c. motor with a high density winding. A highly optimized impeller on the pump helps achieve smooth fuel flow and efficiency.

On the diesel side, Denso has recently introduced a 26,000 psi common rail system, which meets Euro 4 emission regulations without a particulate filter. It is widely applied in Europe by Mazda, Toyota, and Nissan. Ford will adopt the new system in 2005. The system is currently being manufactured in Hungary and will also go into production in Thailand next year.

Denso claims to be the first fuel injection manufacturer to go into production with a common rail diesel injection system. That was in 1995. And this new system is currently the only one in production at the 26,000 psi range. A 29,000 psi system is being developed and it will use piezoelectric technology. That should see production in 2005.

The 26,000 psi bar system makes splitting a second like peeling an onion. Injectors can inject fuel in 0.4 millisecond intervals as precisely as one cubic millimeter per injection. Five multiple injections can be made each combustion stroke, and it may go to seven in the future, the company said.

The system also uses a software compensation method that compensates each injector individually for its manufacturing variance. Each injector has a two dimensional code that is read by the engine ECU and the system automatically compensates each injector by 0.5 cubic millimeters or less during injection.

Chorus Motors Partners With Magnetek for Underground Mining Drives

2007-04-25T04:32:00.000-07:00

Chorus Motors plc (OTC: CHOMF) has signed an agreement with Magnetek Inc. (NYSE: MAG) to develop traction drive technology for the underground mining industry. The companies plan to offer complete motor and drive systems for customers who demand the highest performance and reliability in the smallest available package.

Chorus drive and control systems offer unequalled power density in a compact AC unit, together with the ability to switch between high and low torque applications without loss of efficiency, allowing the same system to be used as a generator as well as a traction motor.

Magnetek is a market leader for drives and controls to the underground mining market. It has over 30 years experience in designing and manufacturing industrial power controllers with a range of solutions for the most severe duty equipment as well as custom designs.

"Magnetek is an excellent partner for us," said Isaiah Cox, Chorus's President. "The underground mining market has very rigorous requirements in which reliability and performance are at a premium, and Magnetek will ensure that the products we make will meet and exceed the industry's expectations."

"The Chorus technology allows Magnetek to provide an AC motor and drive package with torque performance equal or greater than the existing Series DC controls," according to Ed Butte, Magnetek VP Product Management. "It also provides a level of redundancy that will allow greater up-time and throughput for our mining customers."

The agreement provides for the development of Chorus® motors for haulage equipment, shuttle cars, and regenerative traction drives, with further products envisaged over time. Marketing, integration, sales and ongoing service and repair contracts will be handled by Magnetek.

Mow better greensmower: Jacobsen makes series of improvements to G-Plex III riding greensmower targeting ease of use, maintainability

2007-04-25T04:31:00.000-07:00

In golf, the condition of the green matters. Indeed, in many athletic and recreational activities, ground conditions can make a significant difference. Understanding that, Jacobsen, the Charlotte, N.C., turf equipment manufacturer, has developed a full line of mowers dedicated to maintaining proper ground conditions for golf courses and athletic fields, as well as for professional lawn care, municipal and industrial cutting applications.

As part of that ongoing development, the company recently made a series of improvements to its G-Plex III riding greensmower, which is used primarily to maintain the greens on private and municipal golf courses. "These new features strengthen the position of the G-Plex III," said Quinn Derby, Jacobsen product manger. "Understanding the needs of our customers inspired us to add new features that make the G-Plex III easier to use and maintain."

The improvements included adding a new air purge filter in the engine fuel line. The gasoline version of the GPlex III is powered by a 574 cc two-cylinder OHV Briggs & Stratton Vanguard engine rated 18 hp, while a diesel variation of the G-Plex III is equipped with a 719 cc, three-cylinder Kubota D722 engine rated 18.8 hp. The addition of the new filter, Jacobsen said, prevents engine hesitation on slopes and sharp turns. That improvement is mated with a new 8 gal. fuel tank that has a wider, taller fuel tank neck and larger cap for easier filling and fewer spills. A Donaldson dry-type air cleaner is also installed on the gasoline engine and a Kubota-supplied radiator is used on the diesel mower.
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Jacobsen has also made changes to the hydraulic valves on the G-Plex III mower to ensure consistent front and rear lift phasing is maintained. According to Jacobsen, this helps prevent scalping the turf when lifting or lowering the reels. A Casappa piston pump powers three Cassapa hydraulic gear-type motors--one at each reel--to supply the double-acting cylinders to raise and lower the reels. The power steering is also powered through this circuit.

A separate Sauer-Danfoss hydraulic pump drives the G-Plex III mower's hydrostatic drive system through Parker dual-direction torque motors on each of the drive wheels. Pneumatic tires are also included in the drivetrain, along with hydrostatic brakes and a 6 in. caliper disc parking brake. A third wheel drive system is also offered as an option through the installation of an additional Parker wheel motor to the hydrostatic assembly. Maximum transport speed for the 98 in. long, 74.5 in. wide, 49.4 in. high mower is 7.5 mph. Wheelbase on the machine is 49.7 in.

The cutting system on the G-Plex III rider continues to use three 5 in. diameter x 22 in. long cutting reels equipped with 11 high-manganese carbon steel blades. Overall cutting width of the reels is 62 in., which can be adjusted to cut to a 0.083 to 0.62 in. heights, depending on turf conditions and type of bedknife installed, said Jacobsen. The blades have a cut frequency of 0.05 in./mph, which is matched to the G-Plex III's mowing speed of 3.8 mph (2 mph reverse).

Other changes on the mower included installing what Jacobsen said are more simplified electrical systems, including a new dash panel and electronic controller. Higher quality switches were also added and a new automatic glow plug timer is designed to provide greater reliability, convenience and less downtime in the diesel version of the mower.

The reel controls also have a new pull handle design and are now located on the swing-out center arm. In addition, the mow pedal placement was rearranged and the operator seat has a farther rear adjustment setting.

"With a comfortable operator station, easy-to-use controls, greater visibility and Jacobsen reels, you get an all-around performer with the power to do the tough jobs and the finesse to leave the perfect cut," said Derby. And he added that, "these improvements translate to the operator never having to think about some of these components ever again."

Jacobsen also offers a multitude of accessories through its dealers to customize the G-Plex III mower to the specific application. Options such as smooth and grooved rollers in steel or aluminum are available, as well as brush assemblies and grass catchers.

Software Drives Quality for Auto Suppliers

2007-04-25T04:30:00.001-07:00

Quality has been job 1 for top automakers for more than a decade, as Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG try to reduce outlays for warranties and improve customer satisfaction. Now those OEMs are making quality just as important for the component makers that supply auto parts.

Much of this effort is centered on APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning), a process for documenting how suppliers design and deliver components. Software developers including Aras Corp. and Powerway Inc. have been rolling out applications to automate the gathering and distribution of that documentation.

The APQP process takes outsourcing beyond simply requiring a supplier to provide a component that matches a specification. It adds the monitoring of how and when a component is created and delivered to the OEM, thus speeding the supply chain and new-product introduction by ensuring that the OEM and supplier are working on the same schedules.

"Now, instead of delivering just to a specification, the OEM also tells [a supplier] how to design and tool up their factory," said Peter Schroer, chief technology officer at Aras, in Lawrence, Mass. "And they say, 'We're going to monitor you over three years so we know you are completing the project the way we want.' What's new is [the OEMs] are enforcing APQP."
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Aras late last month began shipping its APQP Plus software, which automates the collection of APQP documents, provides a framework for managing APQP compliance projects and integrates with Aras' namesake PLM (product lifecycle management) software.

The new software includes templates for APQP and the Production Part Approval Process auto industry standard. An additional four applications in the suite enable users to manage production, sourcing, other quality issues and tooling. Together, these applications provide document management, engineering change management and cost accounting capabilities.

Indianapolis-based Powerway in March released Version 2.0 of its Powerway.com Web-based APQP software. The upgrade, which is being used by GM and DaimlerChrysler, features enhanced navigation capabilities, additional language support and a new activity log.

Freudenberg-NOK GP, which makes molded rubber components for automobiles, uses Aras' APQP Plus mainly for project management and design management, according to Tom Gill, director of CAE technology and support.

Use of APQP "has been mandatory, but we had been using manual processes," said Gill in Bristol, N.H. "Aras has allowed us to automate a lot of that. We also used this as an opportunity to standardize our processes [among Freudenberg's offices]."

APQP is called a phase-and-gate process, meaning that when suppliers have complied with one step in the process, they can go to the next step. The steps, which cover stages from request for quote to the start of production, are based on several quality standards, including QS 9000.

Freudenberg has broken its APQP compliance into five phases encompassing 60 major steps, Gill said. The phases are quote, product design, process design, validation and launch.

The company, based in Plymouth, Mich., has deployed the Aras APQP software at about 20 sites. By documenting every relevant part of the system, administrators managing the rollout of products have been able to use their time more effectively, Gill said.

"It's improved communication but cut down on meetings," Gill said. "The meetings were used to gather information and disseminate it. Now the project manager can audit [a project] for quality as opposed to dragging information out of people."

Enabling APQP Plus or similar systems to exchange data with PLM systems chosen by the OEMs will probably take some integration work, Gill said, but that's to be expected. "Historically, they pick the systems that work for them, and suppliers adapt," he said.

In deploying collaboration tools such as APQP Plus, integration of the technology is only one hurdle."The culture is the hard part," Gill said. "The software is not the hard part; changing the culture to become more strategic is. Some employees are using the software as intended, [and] that almost came as a surprise—that they are not seeing it as a burden, that they are changing their processes because of the software."

Scientific advancements continue to drive tape's market leadership

2007-04-25T04:28:00.000-07:00

While electronic data generation continues to grow at an 80% annual rate globally, according to IDC, the tape industry is keeping pace with the introduction of larger capacity, faster data transfers, and more scalable products that provide even better returns on investment that provides the protection of your business' data. Unlike their magnetic disk cousins (where the understood physical limits of the medium are continually being challenged and redefined) tape manufacturers have proven that there is at least another 16-fold capacity increase possible by using technologies and materials that are already being tested in their labs.

It is well established that tape is the most cost-effective media for storing large amounts of data. And even as disk capacities have dramatically increased over the past 10 years, the tape industry has continually maintained a capacity advantage over disk; a single tape cartridge can be used to backup the contents of a single hard drive. This has always been the case, and it continues to be the driving imperative behind tape drive and media development.

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The science behind the improvements in tape technology is very impressive, and also very technically sophisticated. Over 40 researchers representing the major tape drive manufacturers, tape media suppliers and many of the leading research universities, collaborated (as part of the Information Storage Industry Consortium--INSIC) to analyze enterprise tape market requirements. The result was the development in 2001 of a 10-year projection for the future of magnetic tape storage. INSIC's work indicates that to remain an economically viable storage solution when compared to disk, tape capacity must grow at a rate comparable to future disk capacity growth on a cost-per-gigabyte basis.

Although disk densities are continuing to rise, the rate of growth is expected to slow as disk recording nears a superparamagnetic limitation. Due to a much lower areal recording density and much greater recording area, tape technology has the potential to grow at a faster rate and as a result improve its cost per gigabyte trends compared to disk. Therefore, when combined with disk in the enterprise storage environment, the tape industry roadmap currently maintains that tape capacity on a single cartridge must achieve 10 terabytes (TB) uncompressed per cartridge by 2011, and must reach 1TB uncompressed on a single cartridge by 2006 on its way to reaching the 10-year goal.

Areal Density

One way to increase storage capacity is to increase the areal density of the medium. Areal density is the number of bits that can be reliably stored on, and retrieved from, a fixed surface size, such as a square inch on the tape or disk. In the mid-1990s, physicists announced the theoretical areal density limit of magnetic disk at 36GB/[in.sup.2], and expected to hit the actual limits somewhere before this theoretical limit. Today, that limit has been surpassed and driven to top-of-the-line enterprise disk drive models of 75GB/[in.sup.2].

Today's mid-range quarter-inch linear tape drives can store data at about .25 to .35 GB/[in.sup.2] on tape media, which is 200 times less than that of a mid-range magnetic hard disk of 65 GB/[in.sup.2] on a 3.5-inch platter. If you consider a half-inch linear tape cartridge, it is 1000 times that of a 3.5-inch platter. The capacity advantage of tape is its large volumetric density of tape in a given cartridge. While this may seem like tape is technically behind disk, tape drive design has kept pace with overall capacity increases, while tape reliability and data retention longevity have increased.

"Disk and tape scientific and engineering advances have been applied to each technology's products," states John Goode, Quantum's Tape Storage Product marketing manager. "These include the development of new, smaller magnetic particles, improved methods of placing these particles on the medium, and smaller, more responsive read/write heads with more parallel data channels."

Greatly improved methods for detecting and recovering from errors have also helped to push the limits of tape and disk capacity. Simple parity schemes have been replaced by complex algorithms, including Partial Response Maximum Likelihood (PRML), to make intelligent decisions on what the recorded content really should be.

As improvements in magnetic media design continue, the developers of tape drives and media have more technology to work with to improve their products. But even if and when magnetic media (particularly disk engineers) do hit the areal density wall, tape engineers will still have many generations of capacity improvements to come, due to the 800:1 ratio in areal density that currently exists between disk and tape design. Another way to look at this would be to say that current tape cartridges contain 800 times the recording surface of a disk drive.

Motor Technologies Compete for Space in Small Variable Speed Drives

2007-04-13T04:59:00.004-07:00

Alternately called speed controls, small variable speed drives (VSDs) typically range from 10 to 2000 watts in output power. The core of this lower power class is best represented by VSDs ranging from 75 to 750 watts, often described as the fractional horsepower segment of this important family. Applications can be found in many markets; some of the most popular uses include variable speed conveyors, multi-axis conveyors, bar feeders, fans, compressors, pumps, mixers, food processing equipment, automated ticket handling equipment, body scanning actuators, and centrifuges.

Regardless of the type of application, a VSD must control the speed of the motor over a wide speed range. It holds the motor's velocity signal within a specified range as a function of voltage, temperature, and load changes. Actual performance parameters include speed range and speed regulation. Other important performance parameters include motor torque, power levels, input current levels, and motor efficiency.

Two control strategies are used in industry: open-loop control and closedloop control. Open-loop control depends on the electric motor's internal regulation. Closed-loop control techniques measure the motor's speed and compare it to the desired speed values.
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Most smaller VSDs in use today continue to employ brush DC motors for a majority of applications due to their lower unit cost and ease-of-use, but technology change is on the immediate horizon. Two different VSDs - brushless PM and AC induction driven VSDs - are competing technology replacements. Both provide performance enhancements and better long-term cost savings than equivalent brush DC VSDs.

At the beginning of the design process, users may select a brushless PM VSD (employing a brushless DC motor) because they need high performance capability and are willing to pay more to obtain it. AC induction VSDs, on the other hand, are selected for longer life requirements and acquisition pricing similar to brush DC VSDs.

Emerging Pressure Points

Factory automation machines used in lower intermittent duty cycle applications will continue to use brush DC VSDs as their first choice; however, an increasing number of factory machine builders are looking at lower life cycle costs. Key elements for better life cycle costs include longer life expectancy, lower maintenance costs, better power efficiency, lower electromagnetic interference (EMI), and lower thermal stress. These elements provide the user with cost savings over a longer time period.

The rapid increase in the use of nonlinear power electronics found in today's DC and AC VSDs has significantly increased the level of EMI in industry. The impact of government regulations and industry standards (FCC, IEEE, and IEC) concerning EMI levels places a premium on lower EMI performance. As a result emphasis is now placed on implementing new circuitry dedicated to minimizing EMI and using electric motors with lower EMI signatures.

AC induction USDs

The popularity of smaller AC induction motors in lower cost and higher volume markets (appliances, vending machines, etc.) has fostered its use in VSDs in industrial and factory automation markets.

The AC induction motor is a brushless AC motor with demonstrated longer life and lower maintenance performance. Power electronics packages continue to drop in price as quantities begin to climb and the semiconductor industry's manufacturing processes shrink electronic device size and package more components on a smaller volume of silicon. Of the many types of VSDs used, the inverter driven three-phase VSD and the single-phase control VSD are currently the most popular.

Benefits and disadvantages of the brushless AC VSD versus the brush DC VSD can be seen in the following comparison. The 90-watt, single-phase ES01+VS1590A VSD and the 200-watt, three-phase BHF62AT VSD from Oriental Motor represent two different AC closed-loop control schemes. The ES01 AC VSD uses a pulse generator to control speed regulation over a 17.8 to 1 speed range. The larger three-phase BHF62AT AC VSD uses a sensorless vector closed-loop control with inverter drive. The. two AC VSDs show similar regulation capabilities to the 90-watt brush DC VSD using a closed-loop back EMF control scheme. The DC motor has a wider speed range and better power efficiency, but its major limitations are in life cycle costs and EMI performance. (The brush DC motor generates large amounts of EMI.) While the DC VSD has lower acquisition, installation, and operating costs, the unit life expectancy is much shorter (due primarily to motor brush life). The lower performance AC induction motors achieve the same acquisition costs as the brush DC VSD at a longer life expectancy and much lower EMI levels.

Smart Power Modules suit low-power appliance motor drives

2007-04-13T04:59:00.003-07:00

Rated from 50 W to 3 kW, Motion-SPM(TM) 500 V multi-chip Models FSB50250 and FSB50450 each combine 6 fast recovery MOSFET's and 3 half-bridge high-voltage ICs in one thermally efficient, Tiny-DIP package designed for BLDC motors with built-in control. Gate-driver ICs offer high-isolation, 5 V CMOS/TTL interface and under-voltage lockout protection. High-speed level-shifting function permits operation from single power supply voltage, eliminating need for opto-isolation.

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Fairchild's SPM portfolio is the industry's most comprehensive line-up of power modules--50 W to 3 kW--for inverter motors

South Portland, Maine-June 8, 2005-Fairchild Semiconductor's (NYSE: FCS) Motion-Smart Power Modules (SPM(TM)) offer a highly integrated solution for low-power (below 100 W), brushless dc (BLDC) motor applications. The Motion-SPM devices integrate multiple functions in a single compact package, offering a simplified motor drive solution to speed engineering design, reduce PC board space and enable energy-efficient and reliable designs in home appliances. Motion-SPM multi-chip modules combine six fast recovery MOSFETs (FRFET(TM)) and three half-bridge high-voltage ICs (HVIC) in one thermally efficient, ultra-compact (29 mm x 12 mm) Tiny-DIP package designed for BLDC motors with built-in control.

"The low-power appliance market is selecting high-voltage brushless dc (BLDC) motors over single-phase AC induction motors, due to their increased efficiency (from 50 to 90%), decreased acoustic noise and vibration, and higher power density per volume and weight. Fairchild's Motion-SPMs make it possible to build the motor control into the BLDC assembly," said Taehoon Kim, vice president of Fairchild's High-Power product line. "By integrating power analog and power discrete IC functionality into a single package, the SPM represents how Fairchild understands--and meets--the thermal efficiency, reliability and board space demands of the home appliance market. In addition to offering advantages over non-integrated solutions, the new Motion-SPM series makes Fairchild's SPM portfolio the industry's most comprehensive line-up of power modules covering inverter motors used in a full range of 50 W to 3 kW appliances."
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Each Motion-SPM uses advanced FRFET and HVIC devices to ensure the performance and long-term reliability of the end product, while simplifying motor inverter designs. The Motion-SPMs' FRFETs optimize system efficiency by lowering switching and conduction losses during low-current conditions. For ruggedness, they provide a wider reverse bias safe operating area (RBSOA) than IGBTs of similar ratings. By using the MOSFETs' body diodes as freewheeling diodes, Motion-SPMs eliminate the need for additional components, improving the efficiency and noise immunity. The gate-driver ICs increase reliability through high-isolation, 5 V CMOS/TTL interface and under-voltage lockout (UVLO) protection features.

Additional features of the Motion-SPM series streamline the design process. The HVICs' high-speed level-shifting function permits operation from a single power supply voltage, a technique that makes space-consuming opto-isolation unnecessary. By providing optimal control of switching speeds, Motion-SPMs lower electromagnetic interference (EMI), enabling designers to decrease the design costs related to reducing noise. In addition, these modules save space while increasing reliability by offering three divided negative DC-link terminals for inverter current sensing.

The 500 V FSB50250 and FSB50450 (2 A- and 3 A-rated, respectively) are each housed in a 23-lead DIP. These products are lead-free (Pb-free).

With this introduction of low-power SPM products, Fairchild now offers the most comprehensive portfolio of power modules covering the full range of 50 W to 3 kW appliances. The Motion-SPM series represent the way Fairchild uses its design and manufacturing expertise, as well as a deep understanding of the markets it serves, to offer both integrated and non-integrated solutions that meet specific application requirements.

Integrated Stepper Module controls up to 5 stepper motors. As Part Of Their Total Motion Control Solution

2007-04-13T04:59:00.001-07:00

Aegis(TM) Shaft Grounding Coupling prevents electrical damage to bearings of AC motors with variable frequency drives by safely passing harmful shaft current to ground. With Electron Transport Technology(TM), coupling provides virtual short between shaft and motor frame that keeps shaft current and voltage from building up. It provides cleanroom-quality bearing isolation with dust-proof seal that also protects against water spray.

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MECHANIC FALLS, ME - The revolutionary new Aegis(TM) Shaft Grounding Coupling (SGC) from Electro Static Technology prevents electrical damage to bearings of AC motors by safely passing harmful shaft current to ground. Extremely effective yet low-cost, the Aegis coupling provides an ultra-low impedance path from shaft to frame, allowing current induced by variable frequency drives (VFDs) to pass to ground without damaging motor bearings or the bearing race.

When variable frequency drives are used with AC motors, current is induced along the motor shaft. When it overcomes the resistance of the grease, this current discharges through the motor bearings causing frosting, pitting, fluting, and fusion craters which can lead to premature motor failure. With its patent-pending Electron Transport Technology(TM), the Aegis coupling solves this problem by providing a "virtual short" between the shaft and motor frame that keeps shaft current and voltage from building up in the first place. Easily installed and maintenance free, the Aegis coupling is a reliable, low-cost alternative to less effective mitigation schemes such as brushes.
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In addition to eliminating damaging shaft current, the Aegis SGC provides cleanroom-quality bearing isolation with a dustproof seal that also protects against water spray. Developed initially for 5 to 15 HP NEMA motors (the largest installed base of motor/drive applications), the Aegis SGC is ideal for HVAC, cleanroom, petrochemical, manufacturing, transportation, and other applications where VFDs are used. Additional sizes will be available in the immediate future.

Electro Static Technology is a global leader in the elimination and/or mitigation of induced electrical charges. Other products include FLX-P(TM) flexible peel-and-stick passive static eliminators for printers, copiers, and other imaging devices. Electro Static Technology is a division of Illinois Tool Works (ITW), a $10 billion multinational conglomerate operating in 44 countries.

Grounding Coupling works with 5-15 hp NEMA motors

2007-04-13T04:57:00.000-07:00

Networked Digital Servo Drives use IEEE 1394b technology

2007-04-05T23:27:00.002-07:00

Suited for motion control applications, ServoWire SD series is comprised of 14 drives ranging in size from 3-60 A. Products include analog input and output as well as 8 digital I/O points and 2 high-speed sensor inputs, which are connected via pluggable terminal blocks with LED indicators. Offering 600-15,000 W of output power, 230 Series accepts 115 or 230 Vac inputs, while 460 Series offers 2,400-24,000 W of output power and accepts 230 or 460 Vac inputs.

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ROCHESTER, NY, March 6, 2006 - ORMEC has expanded their networked servo drive line with the release of the SD Drive family. The SD family enhances the popular networked digital drive line with the addition of IEEE 1394b technology. The 1394b network is more robust, efficient and faster than the previous 1394a network. The 1394b standard expands on 1394a, and defines a roadmap to 3.2 G-bit signaling as well as definitions for additional communications media (e.g. fiber optic). The introduction of this drive family, combined with our new series of SMLC controllers, allows ORMEC to provide a complete motion control system with the advantages of 1394b.

ServoWire SD Drives include an analog input which can be used within the drive or by the host controller. This allows high performance tension control within the drive. An analog output is also provided and can be used to command a remote device or as a monitor signal. The drive has 8 digital I/O points and 2 high speed sensor inputs; all connected via pluggable terminal blocks with convenient LED indicators to aid in system start up and trouble shooting.

The SD family consists of 14 drives, ranging in size from 3 amps to 60 amps. The 230 Series accepts 115 or 230 VAC inputs, offering 600 to 15,000 watts of output power. The 460 Series accepts inputs of 230 or 460 VAC, offering 2,400 to 24,000 watts of output power.

ServoWire SD digital drives provide high performance servo operation utilizing digital networking technology based on IEEE 1394b. This network provides high bandwidth and ease of use through cost-effective, industry-standard cabling. Each ServoWire drive supports a variety of high performance, quadrature and serial encoder and resolver-based servomotors. Consult ORMEC for OEM applications of user-supplied brushless rotary or linear motors---as well as DC brush-type & voice-coil motors from a wide range of manufacturers.

All ServoWire drives utilize reliable IGBT-based intelligent power modules and provide a cost effective solution for today's motion control applications.

About ORMEC

ORMEC is an ISO 9001:2000 certified company that manufactures motion control systems that integrate motion controllers, logic control, drives, servo motors and Firewire-based networking into cost-effective solutions. ORMEC is fully committed to excellence in applications engineering and technical consulting, applications programming assistance, on-site service and support. The company continues to be a leader in the development of motion control technology, including being the first company to introduce an industrial motion control system using the high-speed FireWire network.

Motion Control Research Center Develops Speed Control System for SRM Drives

2007-04-05T23:27:00.001-07:00

The Center for Rapid Transit Systems at Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, VA) is an internationally recognized drive systems and motion control research group with expertise in the design, simulation, and control of switched reluctance motor (SRM) drives and power converter topologies.

Because of its mechanical simplicity and low cost, the SRM has become the subject of great interest in the field of electrical motor drives. Virginia Tech sought to develop a realtime speed control system for SRM drives, which involved designing, prototyping, and deploying an experimental environment for developing new SRM simulation, control system, and drive technology.

The Center chose LabVIEW graphical development software from National Instruments (Austin, TX) to create a design and simulation platform for developing new control algorithms and power electronics. With the LabMEW Simulation Module, the engineers simulated the closed-loop system dynamics of the SRM, and used the LabVIEW Control Design Toolkit to design the motor current and speed control loops. The lookup table (LUT) functions in LabVIEW represented nonlinear relationships in the simulation model.

SRMs have a nonlinear, three-dimensional relationship that relates inductance and torque to current and position. A model was added for the power electronics N+l converter, which was invented by Virginia Tech professor Krishnan Ramu. A LabVIEW block (for the commutation logic used to control the converter) was added to the model and the block was validated using simulation.

The disk drive: 50 years of progress and technology innovation: the road to two billion drives

2007-04-05T23:26:00.003-07:00

50 Years of Hard Disk Drives

A Golden Anniversary

It seems like only yesterday. You remember yesterday, a storage world filled with clunky metal monsters hoarding bits the way banks hoarded cash--and just as inflexibly. IBM changed all that with hard disk drive development starting in 1952, and first products two years later.

In this issue, we take a look back from the point of view of the creators themselves--as well as providing a timeline of what has passed, and some hints at what will come.

CTR celebrates "The Golden Anniversary of HDD" beginning on page 8.

The hard magnetic digital disk drive, as we know it today, is used in all computer applications--in home appliances and PVR/DVRs, in automobiles, cameras, and medical applications. It is now pervasive in all segments of our society. The technology got its start in IBM's San Jose laboratories in 1952, with innovators such as Rey Johnson, Dr. Al Hoagland, Al Shugart and Bobby Smith, among others. The disk drive is unique in its history for overall cost reductions, while at the same time fostering rapid technology growth, and reaping amazing production ramps. Success in this industry has been associated with:

* Device size reduction

As a result of these accomplishments, the industry has grown from a volume of several thousand disk drives per year in the 1950s to over 260 million drives per year in 2003. The first digital hard disk drive was the 24-inch IBM 350-1, which was announced in 1955 and began shipping in 1956. This drive housed fifty 24-inch disks, had an access time of 600 milliseconds, and a capacity of 5.0 megabytes. Table 1 compares the specs on the 350 with the most recent Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 disk drive of 2003.

During this same period of time and due to the technology and production volumes, the cost of magnetic disk storage has decreased from $2,057 per megabyte in the 1960s to $.005 today--and the price per MB will continue to decrease in the future (Table 2).

The yearly volume demand of disk drives has, with the exception of 2001, increased each year since the late 1970s. Figure 1 shows the annual production of disk drives by form factor from 1975-2004. This data was gathered yearly by Disk/Trend to 1999, and by Peripheral Research and Coughlin Associates from 2000 on.

Sometime during the third quarter of 2004, the disk drive industry will reach a historical cumulative shipment level of 2 billion disk drives, and will reach the 3.5 billion mark within the next 3.5 years. The fastest growing segment in disk drive unit growth is for consumer electronic applications. Consumer electronics (CE) disk drives will approach the numbers of disk drives used for conventional desktop computer applications by 2010.

To accomplish these volumes, technology feats and production numbers, the disk drive industry grew in number of participant companies from, initially, IBM and a few other early companies to approximately 136 competing companies in the mid 1980s. Due to intense competition and price wars, industry consolidation has decreased this number to the nine companies that exist in 2004 (see Tables 3,4 and 5). Of these nine companies, two are recent start-up companies focusing on the small disk drives for the Consumer Electronics markets (Cornice and GS MagicStor).

Thinking big: this shop specifies large machine tools not just for today, but also with an eye to the machining possibilities of the future. To prepar

2007-04-05T23:26:00.001-07:00

Coast Composites doesn't know of any cutting tools that can mill Invar faster than 1,200 ipm. This is the feed rate of the fastest passes the shop takes in Invar today. Even so, when this shop in Irvine, California, ordered two more five-axis gantry machines for milling Invar molds, company president Jerry Anthony insisted that the machines be able to cut at 2,500 ipm.

Those machines are in the shop now, and they are performing well. They are not cutting at anywhere near their top feed rate but that's OK, says Mr. Anthony. Cutting tools will evolve, and the machines will be ready when they do. With X-Y-Z travels of 30 by 12 by 6 feet, the machines are too big to consider replacing as cutting conditions get better.

Besides, cycle times have improved at the same programmed feed rates. How is this possible? In a word: acceleration.

The big machines are nimble. To meet the 2,500 ipm requirement, machine tool builder Henri Line (Granby, Quebec) applied linear motors in all three linear axes. Four motors drive the gantry along the X axis; one moves the cross slide in Y; and two linear motors move the spindle vertically in Z.

AC Drives Provide Precise Control Critical to Next-Generation Test Stands

2007-04-05T23:24:00.000-07:00

Direct Torque Control (DTC) is widely used as a method for controlling AC motors in many demanding applications. It is a unique method for controlling AC. motors. In pulse-width modulation (PWM) drives, the output frequency and voltage are the primary control reference signals for the power switches, rather than the desired torque in/of the motor shaft. For those who are not familiar with inverter technology, the DTC principle can be illustrated most accurately via this mechanical analogy: the continuous calculation of the best angle at which to rotate a shaft, with a given arm length and the forces available. These electrical "force vectors" are generated with the help of semiconductor switches called Integrated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT).

Testing of rotating machines like gears, engines, and complete cars is a demanding task. Iligli accuracy and dynamic load control - that is, control of torque - is needed both for day-in-day-out testing, but excels., specifically, on those tests with new complex electronic functions, such as ABS, EPS - or electromechanical innovations like final - clutch transmissions being introduced in the current generation of automobiles. AC motors drive these test rigs. When manufacturing test rigs for engines, transmission, or chassis dynamometers with high-performance requirements, careful consideration must be given to the AC machines and drives used in such applications (control of speed and torque are paramount). The way the AC; motor is controlled by the drive has a primary effect on these considerations.

Chassis dynamometers are typically used to test the performance of vehicle, exhaust emission, fuel consumption, noise, and fine-tuning of exhaust, catalyst, and motor fuel-injection system. It is well known that dynamometers with AC motor technology offer the best platform to realize high accuracy, dynamics, and energy savings.

Dynamometers should simulate the real highway precisely. This requires that, during acceleration and deceleration, the roll inertia be compensated dynamically to match the mass of the tested vehicle and the real road. To be able to realize such high-dynamic online compensation (real-world, real use), the load torque of the roll motor must be controlled accurately and with extreme precision at every speed point.

Testing geai-shifting-and-synchronization, calibration of automatic transmissions, clutching, and durability - these are typical testing needs. Inherently, these cases require a capability to change load torque very quickly. And, transmission test-stand configuration can include several motors - one simulating the engine, and two or even more for the simulation of the load. This requires mutual coordination of drives operation; the faster and more accurate it is, the better it simulates real-world conditions like differential-gear operation.

For engine dynamometers, the dynamic performance is the key issue to ensure that you can simulate real systems dynamically and accurately. DTC drive technology answers this challenge directly. The test system's overall dynamic performance can be quantified by looking at the delay from reference change to change in AC motor torque.

The dynamics of the electrical system are defined by several fundamental elements: the electrical and mechanical characteristic of the AC machine (leakage inductance and inertia); the torque-control cycle of the AC drive; and any delay from speed/torque reference via any drive interface to the control-cycle loop itself. DTC controls motor torque every 25 µs (microseconds).

Once the torque reference is changed, DTC automatically selects the best voltage vector to achieve the desired torque, and checks every 25 µs if this vector is still the hest one to maximize torque rise, or whether another vector should be used. The actual rise then is solely dependent on motor characteristics, such as leakage inductance. The torque rise time with a standard motor is between 1-2 milliseconds (ms), measured from current rise. For high-speed dynos, the leakage inductances are typically smaller, thus requiring shorter current- and torque-rise times.

The repeatability of testing is always important, but it is of particular importance when testing engines and complete cars for emissions. DTC has torque repeatability of less than ±0.5% of nominal torque. This means that the load applied will be the same time after time, and the measurement results from a test cell are comparable with each other. The benefits are reduced testing requirements, improved test data quality, i.e., reduced overall testing time.

Grounding Coupling works with 5-15 hp NEMA motors

2007-04-04T01:53:00.000-07:00

********************

MECHANIC FALLS, ME - The revolutionary new Aegis(TM) Shaft Grounding Coupling (SGC) from Electro Static Technology prevents electrical damage to bearings of AC motors by safely passing harmful shaft current to ground. Extremely effective yet low-cost, the Aegis coupling provides an ultra-low impedance path from shaft to frame, allowing current induced by variable frequency drives (VFDs) to pass to ground without damaging motor bearings or the bearing race.

When variable frequency drives are used with AC motors, current is induced along the motor shaft. When it overcomes the resistance of the grease, this current discharges through the motor bearings causing frosting, pitting, fluting, and fusion craters which can lead to premature motor failure. With its patent-pending Electron Transport Technology(TM), the Aegis coupling solves this problem by providing a "virtual short" between the shaft and motor frame that keeps shaft current and voltage from building up in the first place. Easily installed and maintenance free, the Aegis coupling is a reliable, low-cost alternative to less effective mitigation schemes such as brushes.

In addition to eliminating damaging shaft current, the Aegis SGC provides cleanroom-quality bearing isolation with a dustproof seal that also protects against water spray. Developed initially for 5 to 15 HP NEMA motors (the largest installed base of motor/drive applications), the Aegis SGC is ideal for HVAC, cleanroom, petrochemical, manufacturing, transportation, and other applications where VFDs are used. Additional sizes will be available in the immediate future.

Electro Static Technology is a global leader in the elimination and/or mitigation of induced electrical charges. Other products include FLX-P(TM) flexible peel-and-stick passive static eliminators for printers, copiers, and other imaging devices. Electro Static Technology is a division of Illinois Tool Works (ITW), a $10 billion multinational conglomerate operating in 44 countries.

Modular AC Drives operate on standard platform

2007-04-04T01:52:00.003-07:00

Featuring interchangeable architecture, SINAMICS[R] G and S series scalable ac drives let users select, start up, and configure appropriate drive for any application, at any power range from 120 W to 1+ MW using same software for every drive. Models in G series offer power from 1/6-1,100 hp for stand-alone applications. For applications requiring coordinated drives with servo functions, models in S series offer max power from 125-1,500 hp.

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New comprehensive drives line creates consolidated approach to drive management

ATLANTA (March 7, 2005) - Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc., adds another checkmark to its innovation scorecard with the unveiling of SINAMICS[R], the first family of AC drives that operates on one, standard platform.

This revolutionary technology makes it easy for Siemens customers to select, start up and configure the right drive for any application at any power range (120W to more than 1MW), using the same software for every drive in the family. As a result, manufacturers can streamline simple and complex multi-drive manufacturing operations, giving them new ways to push cost out of their processes and stay more competitive.With SINAMICS, Siemens has made a tremendous investment in the next generation of drives technology," said Aubert Martin, president of Siemens Energy & Automation. "We've spent a significant amount of time and resources over the past several years researching and developing SINAMICS, which builds upon our time-tested expertise from Siemens worldwide and defines our commitment to bringing the latest innovations to U.S. businesses.

"SINAMICS incorporates best-in-class engineering, tools and products to give manufacturers more ease of use, options and flexibility to keep them competitive at home and abroad."

SINAMICS modular and scalable industrial AC drives feature an interchangeable architecture, which simplifies application startups and the integration of new drives into new and existing systems.

Common engineering tools available exclusively from Siemens, SIZER and STARTER, are designed to easily select and configure any drive solution - from the most basic operation to complex motion and servo control functions. The user-friendly programs are applicable to every drive in the SINAMICS line.

"The engineering is unified and seamless throughout, making SINAMICS the choice for any power range, functionality and application," said Martin.

The new SINAMICS drive line is broad enough for any stand-alone or multiple-drive application in any industry. Martin added that the SINAMICS line allows Siemens customers to apply SINAMICS drives in many more applications not served with the existing Siemens drive products. Existing drive lines, generally found in more complex industrial applications, will continue to be part of Siemens' product mix.

CE- and UL-certified (cUL for Canada), the SINAMICS family consists of drive G and S models, each with a wide range of performance and power-handling characteristics. The SINAMICS G drives are designed for general to high-performance, stand-alone drives applications. The SINAMICS S drives take a unique approach to coordinated drives with servo functions.

SINAMICS "G" drives for general to high-performance, stand-alone drives.

SINAMICS G110 - Easy to use and compact for commercial and industrial constant or variable torque applications including water pumps, material handling conveyors and fans found in the HVAC industry

The SINAMICS G110 is a compact, low-power AC drive frequency inverter for the low-cost, high-volume marketplace. Delivering smooth and continuous speed control, the SINAMICS G110 operates variable-speed, three-phase motors on single-phase line power supplies. The SINAMICS G110 frequency inverter is rated for 200-240V input with a power range of 1/6HP to 4HP.

* SINAMICS G130 - Modular and easily integrated for standard, general performance VT applications including pumps, fans and compressors

The SINAMICS G130 is a modular, high-power drive ideal for OEMs that construct their own drive enclosures. Rated from 500 to 800 HP, the G130 is comprised of a power chassis that operates on three-phase, 400-480VAC power. A controller kit supports a variety of optional components.

Modular AC Drives operate on standard platform

2007-04-04T01:52:00.002-07:00

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New comprehensive drives line creates consolidated approach to drive management

"SINAMICS incorporates best-in-class engineering, tools and products to give manufacturers more ease of use, options and flexibility to keep them competitive at home and abroad."

SINAMICS modular and scalable industrial AC drives feature an interchangeable architecture, which simplifies application startups and the integration of new drives into new and existing systems.

"The engineering is unified and seamless throughout, making SINAMICS the choice for any power range, functionality and application," said Martin.

SINAMICS "G" drives for general to high-performance, stand-alone drives.

SINAMICS G110 - Easy to use and compact for commercial and industrial constant or variable torque applications including water pumps, material handling conveyors and fans found in the HVAC industry

* SINAMICS G130 - Modular and easily integrated for standard, general performance VT applications including pumps, fans and compressors

* SINAMICS G150 - General performance for high horsepower needs for a wide range of applications including pumps, fans, compressors, mixers, extruders and mills

The SINAMICS G150 is a high-horsepower, AC/AC 6-pulse general purpose enclosed drive available from 150-800 HP at 400-480V and 100-1,100 HP at 660-690V, and mid 2005 at 500-600V. The drive is designed for a wide variety of applications including pumps, fans, compressors, mixers, extruders and mills. The G150 is available in two versions - a ready-to- install, connect-and-run enclosed drive offered with a wide range of options, and a more basic enclosed chassis for use with an MCC. Both versions are housed in a NEMA 1 or an optional NEMA 12 ventilated enclosure. The enclosure design incorporates Siemens proprietary components that make it compact, low-noise and very efficient in cooling.

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Brush/Brushless Servo Motors feature low torque ripple

2007-04-04T01:52:00.001-07:00

Series SE500 consists of 8 brushed servos from 23-500 W, while Series SE600 features 8 low inertia brushless servos from 30-1,500 W, and Series SE700 includes 12 medium inertia brushless servos from 50-7,000 W. Differential Hall signals U, V, and W are standard on SE600 and SE700 units. Torque ripple on these 10-pole servos is 0.3% of rated torque. Series SE500 features 1,000 line differential encoders, while Series SE600 and SE700 come with 2,000 line differential encoders.

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San Luis Obispo, CA - Trust Automation, Inc. has introduced a new series of brushed servos and two series of brushless servos that can lower the cost of new or existing applications, and improve the performance of an existing application. The integration into an existing application is easy as each motor has been designed as a, "Drop-in-Replacement." Additionally, each series of servo motors has been engineered to reduce torque ripple for smooth operation. Integral encoder, brake, and tachometer options make these brushed and brushless servos ideal for: Robotics, machine tools, medical equipment, assembly, and packaging applications.

Matching the right servo is easy. The SE500 series consists of eight brushed servos from 23 Watts up to 500 Watts. These motors have been designed for high performance. For example, the 5000 rpm SE540-0200 motor is rated at 200 Watts, 3.3 A continuous, and 25 A peak for greater throughput.

The SE600 series of eight low inertia brushless servos features servo motors that go from 30 Watts up to 1500 Watts and the SE700 series of twelve medium inertia brushless servos go from 50 Watts to 7000 Watts. Standard on SE600 and SE700 servos is differential Hall signals U, V, and W. Torque ripple on these 10 pole servos is only 0.3 % of rated torque.

Brushed Motors, SE500 series, come standard with 1000 line differential encoders, and Brushless Motors, SE600 and SE700 series, come standard with 2000 line differential encoders. Optional 500, 1000, 2000, and 2500 line differential encoders with A, B & Index (for brushed and brushless) are available as special order. A standard 24 Volt DC and optional 90 Volt DC fail-safe brake is available for brushed and brushless motors. Brushed motors have optional tachometers (for 110 watts and above). Oil seals are standard on all models and matching servo amplifiers are available.

Trust Automation, Inc. has focused on developing and manufacturing the highest performance servo products in the motion control market. Our innovative products address the increasing demand for higher performance and simpler machine integration.

Trust Automation's motion control products include: Stand-alone motion and machine controllers, SynqNet I/O and SynqNet Drives, Brushed and Brushless Rotary Motors, Interconnect Products and Automation Engineering consulting covering Mechanical, Electrical, Software and System aspects of machine design.

Since 1990 Trust Automation has provided Smart Solutions in Motion Control and Affordable Customization of motion related products.

AC Drives feature 600 V rating in 1.5-150 hp range

2007-04-04T01:50:00.000-07:00

Available in NEMA 1 or NEMA 12 enclosures, Series AC550 features sensorless vector design, combined with 2 internal slots for options such as encoder feedback, 115/230 V digital interface card, I/O expansion, or fieldbus adapters. Units are suitable for end users, OEMs, system integrators, and panel builders that need compact drives to power fans, pumps, and other motors common to machines and processing equipment.

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(The ACS550 drives line has been extended beyond the 208/240 and 380/480 volt class for use in a variety of industrial applications)

NEW BERLIN, Wis., March 24, 2005 . . . Extension of the voltage rating of ABB's ACS550 AC drives line to 600 volts, in a 1.5-150 HP range, widens significantly the universe of end users that now will be able to install the drives for a variety of industrial applications. "That includes applications in the U.S., and customers throughout Canada where 575 volts is the standard," according to Cliff Cole, director of marketing for ABB Inc., Automation Technologies, Low-Voltage Drives.

The ACS550 line, which "features a unique built-in combination of simplicity, convenience, fieldbus connectivity, harmonic mitigation and programmability to a degree we've not seen in drives before," Cole said, "has been greeted with immense enthusiasm during the roll-out over the past year.

The ACS550 is ideal for OEMs, who make machines for use throughout North America, Cole noted. "Through ABB, these machine builders now can access this complete drive family, which is optimized for common North American voltages." Drives rated at 600 volts also are used in the southeast and along the Gulf Coast in a variety of industries, including textiles, and petrochemical (refineries and processing facilities).

As the 1-550 HP, 208/240 and 380/480-volt class of the drives were introduced, ABB engineers developed the drive further, with extensions to 500, 575 and 600 VAC inputs. The 1.5-150 horsepower drives are ideal for powering fans, pumps, and the host of motors common to machines and processing equipment.

It's All Inside --

High horsepower in a compact design delivers high power density to end users, OEMs, systems integrators, and panel builders who need a full-featured drive in a small, flexible package. They are available in NEMA 1 or NEMA 12 enclosures.

The power-to-volume ratio in this sensorless vector design, combined with two internal slots for options such as encoder feedback, 115/230V digital interface card, I/O expansion, or fieldbus adapters, gives the ACS550 line "a leg up on the competition, when it comes to customer ease of installation," according to Jukka Nurmi, product line manager for the ACS550 series. "Drive usage has never been so easy."

The 600-Volt drive units are now available from stock, Nurmi noted, and they currently are in production and assembly at the ABB drives factory in New Berlin. "Production here also facilitates quick, easy delivery of the new drives to customers throughout North America," he said.

ABB Inc., Automation Technologies, Drives and Motors, is the world's largest manufacturer of electric motors and drives. In the USA, an integrated channel of sales representatives, distributors, and system integrators, allows ABB, New Berlin, Wisconsin, to supply a complete line of energy-efficient electric drives, motors and engineered drive systems to a wide range of industrial and commercial customers. Products manufactured include AC and DC variable speed drives for electric motors from 1/2 through 135,000 HP, large AC machines and drives, medium-voltage AC drives, power electronics and rectifier systems, AC & DC motors, and application-

GM drives HR to the next level: GM undergoes a transformation, and HR helps to steer the changes - Strategic HR - General Motors Corp.; human resource

2007-03-23T06:23:00.000-07:00

Most people may be surprised to find out that the nearly century-old General Motors Corp. has become something of a leader in innovative HR practices. Over the past two years, the world's largest automobile manufacturer has completely reshaped the way HR operates within the company, and GM officials like to say that the corporate HR function is changing from a tactical to a strategic role. Indeed, one of the world's largest and most complex corporations understands that it cannot become a truly global corporation without strategic support from HR.

To this end, GM CEO Rick Wagoner appointed the head of HR, Kathleen S. Barclay to the company's overall strategy board. He also gave her the authority to reshape the HR department. Barclay accomplished this through a strategy she calls the 3Ts: technology, talent and transformation.

While many businesses flourished during the boom years of the 1990s, GM, like other U.S.-based automakers, struggled to maintain the status quo. During those years, GM's market share continued to shrink as a steady stream of consumers bought cars from its Japanese, German and Korean competitors.

When Wagoner took over as president and chief operating officer of GM in 1998, he knew the company had to change its approach to manufacturing and selling cars or it would continue a downward spiral and eventually lose its place as the world's pre-eminent automaker. Wagoner set into motion an effort to reorganize and rebuild GM from the inside out. One of Wagoner's primary objectives was to refocus and revamp the company's HR department.

"In my mind, HR is paramount to our reorganization effort. If we are to hire, train and keep the best workforce possible, then we must have the best and most up-to-date HR practices possible," Wagoner says. "While the change in HR is just one element of making GM a more globally focused and competitive company, it is a key element."

One of the first things Wagoner did as president was to organize a senior executive management committee, which he named the Automotive Strategies Board. The newly formed board includes the top-level executives at GM such as the chief financial officer, the chief information officer and the vice president of communications.

Wagoner, who had promoted Barclay to the position of vice president of global human resources for GM, named her to the strategies board. The move to place the head of HR on a top-level management team is something new within the organizational chart at GM. Essentially, Barclay now is considered the chief human resource officer at GM, and she reports directly to Wagoner.

Wagoner says it is crucial that GM's head of HR be a member of the top management team and says the board now actively seeks Barclay's input and opinions at its monthly meetings.

"Katy is a great asset to our organization, and I seek her counsel and perspective constantly," says Wagoner. "She has demonstrated a tremendous capacity to think and act strategically, which is essential to our HR function and what we want to achieve in making GM a globally competitive business."

Wagoner, who assumed the CEO position two years ago, is a relatively young chief executive at age 49. He has received some high marks from business analysts and the media for the changes at GM. Many have praised his fresh and energetic approach, which has helped GM maintain and actually show market share gains in a slumping economy and competitive global marketplace.

"Rick Wagoner is doing a wonderful job at GM, and he is taking the correct approach in involving and placing HR into a leadership role in the reorganization process," says David Ulrich, a management professor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. "I believe he is doing all the right things to help turn GM around. I think they have turned a corner here and are positioning themselves well for the future."

Some observers, however, don't quite share Ulrich's optimistic outlook and say that GM faces some serious obstacles to becoming the globally cohesive company of Wagoner's s vision.

"GM has always been a very siloed corporation with all of its different divisions really operating like separate companies. There have been numerous reorganization efforts at GM, and most have not fared well, because of the turf battles and independent nature of GM's divisions," says Jay Conger, a management professor at the London School of Economics and a research associate with the Los Angeles-based Center for Effective Organizations at the University of Southern California.

Conger does admit, however, that GM appears to be taking a different approach. He says that focusing on HR and making it a key element in the reorganization effort is the right thing to do and is something that GM has never really attempted before. He also adds that reorganization on such a massive level and within an organization the size of GM will take several years to take root.

Driving for growth: long known for its drive systems, Hagglunds is targeting growth in hydraulic motors for the mobile market

2007-03-23T06:22:00.000-07:00

In much of the equipment industry, the trend over the last several years, particularly when it comes to hydraulics, has been toward systems. As a company that has offered complete packaged hydraulic power units almost from the beginning, Hagglunds Drives Inc. understands the appeal of the systems approach. But in the case of the Columbus, Ohio-based arm of Sweden's Hagglunds Drives AB, the systems message has overshadowed the fact that the company also offers a wide range of discrete hydraulic components.

"Over the years, we've positioned ourselves as a drives company," said John Duncan, President of Hagglunds' U.S. and Canadian operations. "We've been doing complete drive systems for all kinds of industrial applications but we've not been necessarily known as a discrete hydraulic motor supplier.

If they don't, perhaps it's because of the success Hagglunds has had pioneering its packaged drive systems that are used in a variety of market segments, including mining, marine, pulp and paper, chemical processing, etc. The company's integral and open power units have been sold in the U.S. for more than two decades. But over the same span, the company has also developed a new range of hydraulic motors that are becoming increasingly recognized for their capabilities in very rugged mobile and semi-mobile applications such as bucket wheel stacker reclaimers, marine dredges, heavy-duty shredders, C. & D. grinding, piling machines, heavy-duty augers, trenchers and drilling, boring and tunneling machinery.

"Looking at our business, we're into 10 different segments," noted Duncan. "Mining is very strong for us, and you'll see a lot of our orange drives around the world.

"One of the areas where we think we have the most potential to grow is construction. We have a lot to offer the OEMs with our Compact CA/CB line of LSHT hydraulic motors that have a very high horsepower to weight ratio. We also are expanding our North American capabilities by adding additional sales and engineering personnel to enable us to respond to our growing customer base."

Hagglunds' product line consists of an array of recent and well-proven components that span a very wide application range. It includes:

CA motors--the smallest of the company's signature line of LSHT radial piston hydraulic motors, the motors incorporate a stationary housing with a rotating hollow shaft that is connected to the shaft of the driven machine with either an integral mechanical shrink disc or via splines. Motors can be flange or torque arm mounted. Displacements range from 76.6 cu.in./rev to 805.5 cu.in./rev with rated operating speeds from fractional to 400 rpm and torques to 53,000 lb.ft. They are available in a two speed version with many bolt on valve accessories. A space saving tandem version is available in many combinations, along with integral enclosed brakes.

CB motors--a similar, but larger range of LSHT radial piston motors, the CB model covers a displacement range from 920 cu.in./rev to 3220 cu.in./rev, with operating speeds from fractional to 125 rpm. Torques range to 213,500 lb.ft.

Marathon motors--a range of LSHT radial piston units, the Marathon motors incorporate a stationary housing and a rotating hollow shaft which is connected to the shaft of the driven machine with either an integral mechanical shrink disc or via splines. The Marathon displacement range is from 542 cu.in./rev to 15,330 cu.in./ rev. with speeds up to 90 rpm and torques to 1 million lb.ft.

Viking motors--the original Hagglunds motor is a rotating housing version. These motors are used in many winch applications with displacement beginning at 203 cu.in./rev to 2319 cu.in./rev. Maximum torque is up to 110,000 lb.ft at speeds up to 200 rpm.

Hydrex motors--Hagglunds purchased this line of LSHT motors from Flender in 2001. Motors range in displacement from 77 cu.in./rev to 2562 cu.in./rev. The comany offers factory service for the line and sell new replacements where required.

SP piston pumps--Among the company's newest products are a range of eight hydraulic piston pumps covering a displacement range of 2.4 cu.in./rev to 45.7 cu.in./rev. They can be stacked for applications requiring tandem pumps with full through drive horsepower and are used primarily in their power units as well as diesel engine driven mobile applications. The pumps incorporate standard crossover reliefs and flushing.

Kawasaki drives fitness home: at Kawasaki Motors, supervisors and team leaders spend the first five minutes of each shift leading a series of stretchi

2007-03-23T06:21:00.002-07:00

Known for motorcycles, the company actually makes everything from Jet Skis and ATVs to industrial robots and light rail cars, so the daily workouts differ, depending on the type of work. (Painters, for instance, get exercises that strengthen rotator cuffs and shoulders.) That's just a tiny piece of this company's huge commitment to wellness. The 10,000 sq. ft. fitness center is free; on a typical day it's visited by more than 100 people. During the holidays, teams compete in the Holiday Butterball Derby to see who can maintain their weight in the face of temptation. Yearly confidential health risk appraisals catch early symptoms and spur employees to visit their doctor or make lifestyle changes. In the cafeteria, meal choices are accompanied by fat and cholesterol information; more than half the entrees are either heart-healthy or low-fat. Wellness coordinator Jim Townsend explains that in 1998 the company went through the Wellness Council of America's Well Workplace process (he calls it 1809000 certification for wellness). Now they conduct regular audits, assess how well they've met their goals, and set new ones. "Our management," he says, "knows the benefit of productivity, morale and the quality of life. We work from there."

Putting it together--integrated motors and drives

2007-03-23T06:21:00.001-07:00

N AUTOMATION HISTORY, THE motor goes all the way back. Every so often, changes and advancements in technology allowed for major new motor products, but for the most part the process of improving motor offerings has been incremental.

When electronic variable-speed drives came to the marketplace, they gave automation designers a whole new direction-and in the beginning they gave maintenance and service personnel a whole new headache. To say the least, some early industrial electronics were finicky and unreliable.

Time has passed and technology has improved. Advancements in microelectronics, microprocessors, and power electronics have all improved the capability and reliability of electronic drives.

Every year it seems that drives have been decreasing in size in the same manner that computer microprocessing power has increased in size, so it just seemed obvious that eventually the motor and the drive would come together.
ntegrated motor/drive products seem to break down into two categories.

First is the speed/torque combination. These units put a speed controller as part of a motor and would propose to handle the majority of motor drive applications.

The second category handles positioning applications. These units combine a motor, position feedback, power control, and motion control to cover motion applications.

Applications

Speed control units generally would be used in any application where previously a motor had been connected to a variable-speed drive. The drive was mounted either locally or in a remote control panel.

Roddy Yates, product manager for Baldor Electric Co., says that Baldor has been marketing its SmartMotor product line since 1995. The product was originally developed for the fan and pump market. It has really become more utilized, however, in the singlemotor applications, such as small machines.

According to Yates, Baldor is "committed to the product line" which is growing at a rate of "about 3% per year." This experience fits with a reasonable conclusion that a motor/drive combination would sell most easily where it would be the only motor in the application, effectively reducing the number of components for electricians to purchase and install.

At TB Woods Sons Co., Rick Kirkpatrick indicated that their product, the IMD, has been available since 1998. Kirkpatrick says that they have had some success with "direct OEM sales." However, they see what others have seen-that the traditional thinking patterns of separating the motor and drive with the drive in the control panel continue.

Kirkpatrick also says that customers have "not yet transitioned fully to this new thinking." TB Woods has seen more success with their European product release, where they believe the service personnel are more interested in a "higher-tech" product. They also stress that the cost analysis needs to be handled in an honest manner to include not only component costs but labor and time costs as well.

Proving that the concept applies to all sizes of motors, Bodine Electric Co. has the INTEGRAmotor product line. Rod Maksinovic of Bodine indicates that smaller electronics packages have promoted their concept of a product line that is easy to apply and while Bodine has "had some good success stories," Maksinovic believes that it will be "a year or two before wide acceptance." This sentiment seems to be widespread. There is also the feeling, however, that the economic sluggishness in capital equipment may be affecting product sales.

Integrated systems

Certainly, the more complex catego

INTELLIGENT MOTORS continued

ry of products and perhaps the "hotter" in terms of technology are the integrated motion systems. Machine builders and designers have long been involved in applying motion products. These products, including servomotors, controllers, and power amplifiers, have been steadily decreasing in size, yet increasing in technological features.

Because most motion applications require a significant level of accuracy, manufacturers have attempted to provide a complete line of products, which would include the motor, a coordinated power amp, a motion controller, and some sort of feedback device such as an encoder. Designers could choose from these and feel fairly confident that their application would be successful.

However, these still required some control panel building and special wiring or cabling. The integrated motion products seem to be trying to resolve some of these issues. Now on your servomotor you have an encoder, a power amplifier, and a motion controller all built together.

Animatics of Santa Clara, Calif., was "the first in the market to do a servo motion controller," according to Nathan Turner, vice president of sales and marketing. Animatics' products reached the marketplace in 1995. Turner says that Animatics has seen a significant growth in their market in "especially multi-axis" applications in the past year.

Intelligent Drives suit motors up to 700 hp

2007-03-06T01:22:00.000-08:00

Featuring dual microprocessors and motor control algorithms, Telemecanique[R] Altivar[R] 71 variable speed ac drives handle constant torque applications. Customizable LCD display has navigation wheel that allows users to scroll through menus. Integrated Modbus[R] and CanOpen protocols assure integration into any device level network, and PowerSuite software allows configuration, monitoring, and diagnostics of drives through Ethernet or Bluetooth wireless connection.

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PALATINE, Ill. - SEPTEMBER 6, 2005 - Best-in-class motor control for up to 700 HP motors is now available in the new Telemecanique[R] Altivar[R] 71 variable speed AC drive from Schneider Electric. Dual microprocessors and motor control algorithms provide superior torque performance and speed regulation. Advanced materials reduce the drive's size by 15 percent compared to previous generations. These features make the Altivar 71 the most advanced AC drive on the market for constant torque applications.

Now one of the world's top four manufacturers of variable speed drives and soft starts, Schneider Electric specializes in motor control solutions for industrial and facility applications. The Altivar family of variable speed AC drives provides functionality by incorporating common user interfaces, common I/O options and flexible communication options over the widest horsepower range in the industry.

The operator-friendly design of the Altivar 71 line is evident in a large and easy-to-read, customizable LCD display that uses plain text words and features a navigation wheel that allows users to easily scroll through menus. The new Telemecanique drive family features a common user interface and options, from 0.5 to 700 HP. A quick-start menu incorporates macro-configurations for easy and fast commissioning.

Integrated Modbus[R] and CanOpen protocols assure low-cost integration into any device level network. PowerSuite software that can be used to program all Altivar drives allows configuration, monitoring and diagnostics of the Altivar 71 through an Ethernet or Bluetooth wireless connection. Among the many new features is an integrated oscilloscope function to detect operational drift on machines.

Highly expandable with I/O, communication cards and programmable controller cards, and with more than 150 built-in functions that reduce application costs, the Altivar 71 is ideal for material handling, packaging, hoisting and a wide range of process applications.

A long product life and reliability are assured by protective features at all levels, including advanced thermal protection, an integrated power removable safety function, drive protection and environmental protection in accordance with the WEEE regulations and RoHS standards. The new drive meets IEC, EN, CSA and UL 508C standards. The power removal function has been certified by an independent body for e-stop requirements.

New motor drives lose encoders, keep efficiency: no-encoder drives can make AC motors perform with close-to-servo precision, while remaining robust an

2007-03-06T01:21:00.000-08:00

A new type of AC motor drive has the potential to provide packaging machinery users more precise control for little extra expense.

No-encoder drives use advanced methods of analyzing current and other factors to allow for extra-tight control of speed and torque. They offer the low cost and relatively easy maintenance of AC motors, avoiding the extra expense and fragility of encoder mechanisms.

These motors are not yet used extensively by packaging machinery manufacturers. But as manufacturers strive for more precision and interconnectivity, no-encoder drives are emerging as an alternative and/or supplement to servos, steppers, standard three-phase AC motors and other devices.

"We model the motor itself and from that, based on what the currents are doing, we can tell what speed it's running," says Glenn Frazier, a product manager for Rockwell Automation's drive business. "It's not quite as precise as with an encoder, but it's pretty good."

Controlling the speed and torque of an AC motor depends on several factors. In a sense, speed or torque control is an either/or proposition. A drive can keep the motor's speed at a given rate and vary the torque to stay at that speed; or the torque can stay constant, and the motor will speed up or slow down depending on how much there is to pull. This dichotomy is due to the way AC motors respond to electricity. Speed is a function of the intensity of electric current (expressed as volts), while torque depends on the amount of current (amps).

Both speed and torque control have their place in many kinds of packaging machinery. For instance, in form-fill-seal equipment, speed control is necessary to match the film feed to the packaging flow, says Steve Bergholt, chief engineer for Triangle Package Machinery Co. Torque control is needed to hold and feed the film with just the right amount of tension. A typical form-fill-seal machine will have motors with both torque-based and speed-based drives.

Achieving more precise control has always been a goal of AC motor manufacturers. (In general, AC motors are preferred for industrial machinery. DC motors offer more precise control, especially at low horsepower, but their design makes them harder to maintain.) One increasingly common way to increase speed control for AC motors is through the use of encoders.

An encoder is a device that gives feedback to a drive based on the rotation of the motor or of something it powers. The encoder translates the rotation into analog or digital data. Based on this data, a processor in the drive directs changes to the current being fed to the motor, turning it on or off and altering voltage (to control speed) or amperage (for torque). Many motors, such as servomotors, come with encoders built in. Other encoders are sold on an aftermarket basis, for attachment to the motor's shaft or the driveshaft of a conveyor or other equipment.

Encoders are a well-established technology, especially in servos, whose use in packaging machinery has greatly increased in recent years. Drives that use them, known generically as closed-loop drives, are about 10 times more precise in speed control than open-loop drives.

But encoders have their drawbacks. They add to the cost of the motor, and they're susceptible to accidents and environmental stress.

"The encoder can get knocked off the motor because it was hanging out in an aisle or it was sustaining damage from gases or dust particles--something that would impede its operation," says John Tisdale, a sales manager for ABB Industry Oy.

That's where no-encoder drives can help. No-encoder technology has spawned a new generation of AC drives that can greatly improve a motor's accuracy while maintaining the simple design of a threephase AC induction motor. These drives use an especially sophisticated algorithm in analyzing the current that the motor draws at any given point in its operation.

Shopping for Harley Davidson Motorcycle Part

2006-12-30T01:57:00.001-08:00

Owning a Harley-Davidson is not simply a owning a motorcycle. Owning a Harley-Davidson is owning a piece of machine that has been hailed to be one of the most sought after motor vehicles ever existed. And because any Harley-Davidson motorcycle is entitled each owner to a great pride that comes along with each, no rider would want a Harley to be ill maintained.

This is why, whenever the time comes when you, the owner of a great Harley-Davidson motorcycle, need to get Harley-Davidson parts, you can be assured to have whatever part you need.

Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts are quality motorcycle parts that match the tough image and quality of the legendary motorcycle. Each Harley-Davidson motorcycle part promises to be durable and dependable and would certainly last for a long time. And like the motorcycle itself, these parts can perform through different demands.

Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts can be acquired both online and offline.

Offline, each Harley-Davidson dealers across United States sell parts for each model regardless of the year it is manufactured. Dealers also service costumers with other merchandise. The Harley-Davidson of America is a reliable source when it comes to quality Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts.

Online, there are several websites that are dedicated in providing motorcycle parts exclusively for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. These sites may be the authorized dealers themselves. There are also sites that offer Harley parts together with other motorcycle parts of different brand. This is not a concern since parts are made differently from one motor brand to another. Each site provides a wide inventory of parts to serve as many Harley owners as possible. Online parts stores provide a more convenient shopping experience than that of the traditional way, which is personally visiting each store to find a particular part.

Thus, online shopping for Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts are more popular among costumers because it saves time, energy, and of course money.

Some stores only offer brand new parts while others sell used Harley parts. These parts are a lot cheaper since they are already used but not necessarily be in poor quality. Used Harley motorcycle parts can well be lined-up with brand new ones in terms of quality. Remember that each Harley-Davidson motorcycle part is built tough. Thus, even if they have already been used, they are still in tiptop condition.

Motorcycle Towing Tips

2006-12-30T01:56:00.001-08:00

How to prepare your motorcycle for towing and get to a new destination safe and in one piece? Here is a list of motorcycle towing tips:

Check for damages: To prevent disputes of possible damage during shipment, make a report of any existing damage prior to pickup. You may also want to take dated pictures of your motorcycle.
Clean your motorcycle: It will be helpful to you and the driver when inspecting it before towing for any markings or damage.
Special instructions: Have a specific list with any problems your motorcycle may have. You carrier will want to know of such things during the loading and unloading of your motorcycle.
Accessibility: Make sure that both your pick up and drop off locations of your motorcycle are tractor-trailer accessible.
Alarm: If your motorcycle has an alarm, please disable it before towing.
Tires: Make sure that your tires are properly inflated and that you don't have any fluid leaks.
The Battery: Must be secure and the battery cables must be protected from causing an electrical short. Fluids must not be leaking.
Weight: Know the weight of your motorcycle to avoid over billing.
Gas Tank: It's always a good safety precaution to drain your gas tank and remove your battery. If you are towing your motorcycle in a crate, draining the gas tank is required.
Unlock the Steering: Make sure it is unlocked and remove the keys.
Mirrors: If possible, fold them all in.
Forks: Keep them unlocked.
Loose Items: Remove empty saddle bags, glove boxes, etc. These items will not be insured if they are included with your shipment.
Inventory Sheet: Maintain an inventory sheet signed by the motorcycle towing company.

A Look At Some Must Have Biker Gear If You Want To Ride A Motorcycle

2006-12-30T01:55:00.000-08:00

Here are some common sense tips for what to wear while you are out tearing it up on your brand new motorbike.

First off, and I know this is old but it always bears repeating, get a helmet. Which would you rather have to do; hammer a few well earned dents out of your bike, or have the doctor hammer a few dents out of your skull? Besides, with all the technological advances in helmet engineering, you might actually look pretty cool with one on your noggin. Oh yeah, and make sure it fits snugly on your head.

Next, you will want to invest in clothing that will protect the rest of your body. With motorcycling, falling is inevitable. Get a jacket, pants, boots and gloves that will be sturdy enough to take a beating, but will still allow your body to stay cool and breathe well. It can get a little toasty under all that leather. Keep in mind also that you do not want your clothing to inhibit the operation of your machine, so make sure that the stuff you get fits well. Oh yeah, and fit is more important than style, ok?

Protective gear has come a long way, offering benefits like waterproofing, special kevlar composites and padding to protect those, um...sensitive areas. Be willing to invest in a quality set of protective gear and you won't regret the extra money spent. Next we need to talk about boots.

Boots come in an amazingly broad variety, and they are an absolute must for riding a motorcycle. Forget about wearing anything else unless you really aren't concerned about protecting your feet, ankles, and lower calf. Remember that comfort and fit are important, just as much as the new, fancy kevlar lining and neat zippers and buckles are. The boots should be fairly stiff, but only pro racers need boots that are completely rigid.

There are plenty of other handy tools and add ons that you can get for your bike. Be sensible and choose the ones that would be best for the kind of riding that you will be doing. Do your homework and go for quality.

After you have fitted yourself with the latest in motorcycle apparel, including a more than just decent pair of boots, the next thing to equip yourself with is a riding buddy. Never go riding alone, because even if you have the fancy global positioning instrumentation installed, with the emergency radio built into your well fitting helmet, it will be kind of hard to operate any of that stuff if your neck is broken and you can't move or speak. Riding buddy...if you don't have one, get one!

What the Motorcycle Helmet Law States Per State

2006-12-29T01:00:00.001-08:00

Motorcycle helmets may not seem all that important when you think about it. It is heavy, hot and even suffocating. The material may even cause break-outs on the skin and even allergies. Motorcycle helmets also keep you from enjoying the wind on your face as you ride. So why the hell should people wear them? The answer is actually fairly simple. It can keep you from having a permanent disability or even keep you from dying.

Take for instance the story of Don Koening who died when his head hit a tree. He left his helmet on his front porch.

There are a lot of people who have suffered from permanent disability, some even died, just because they have forgotten one tiny detail, to wear their motorcycle helmet. What is more saddening about this is the fact that most of these people are between the ages of 16 and 24, people who still have a full life ahead of them.

Laws requiring helmet use

This is perhaps the reason why legislators have included the wearing of the motorcycle helmets in state laws. The law also states that the helmet worn must also pass the criteria that are set by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Motorcycle Vehicle Safety Standard 218. It is one of the three laws that require motorists to wear safety gears while in motor vehicles. The other two are the use of a child-passenger safety restrains and the use of seatbelts while inside the car.

Differences in some state laws

Although the same basic law is stated in all the states, there are slight differences as to the enforcement especially with the monetary fines. In California for instance, motorists must wear helmets all the time. Helmets should not only be worn but also securely strapped in. In Florida, the law is somewhat a little bit more complicated.

Although all motorists are encouraged to wear helmets when they ride, people over 21 years old and are covered by an insurance policy that provides for at least 10,000 dollars in medical assistance should an accident happen are exempted.

The helmet law also does not apply to people who are 16 and older and are operating a motorcycle that have a displacement of 50 cubic centimeters; does not have an excess of two brake horsepower or those that are not capable of operating it beyond the speed of 30 miles per hour.

Unique Motorcycle Helmets for You

2006-12-29T00:59:00.002-08:00

Looking for a novelty motorcycle helmet can be very challenging. Such motorcycle helmets can usually be found on motorcycle helmet specialty shops that offer unique design choices for the discriminating rider.

Novelty motorcycle helmets provide a very attractive addition to a rider’s getup. Whenever you want to go for a ride, use a novelty motorcycle helmet to get yourself noticed. Such helmets can make you very popular among other avid motorcycle riders in no time.

There are many ways that you can have your own novelty motorcycle helmet. There are many shops that offer you a selection of novelty designs that you might find very attractive indeed. If this fails, you can always have one custom made for you. You can have a certain design for a helmet in your mind and you might want to have one. The best thing for you to get one is by having one custom made. That way, even your choice designs are made to your exact specifications, giving you a helmet that looks and also feels good on you.

Once you have your own novelty motorcycle helmet to use, you should be able to know how to take good care of it. Such motorcycle helmets may be tough and sturdy but they should be handled as a fragile item. In cleaning your helmet, try using only the mildest soap recommended.

Avoid using petroleum-based cleaning fluids and agents on your helmets as they can cause the protective layer of your helmet to decompose. Try not to drop your helmet on hard surfaces. A dent on your helmet would be enough to cause you discomfort when you wear it and its safety and protective properties may be compromised.

Do not store your novelty motorcycle helmet near gasoline, cleaning fluids, or in places with excessive exhaust fumes and heat. Materials that make up your motorcycle helmet may react chemically in such environments and may be invisible to the naked eye.

Read instructions carefully about painting or decorating your helmet. The material composition of your motorcycle helmet can change if painted or applied with decals. Try also to avoid hanging your motorcycle helmet on your side mirrors, turn handles or sissy bar. This can damage the inner liner of your helmet which can make it unusable after a short time.

Motorcycle Rear Wheel Propeller Adapter

2006-12-29T00:59:00.001-08:00

Many motorcycles can travel up to 165 mph in sixth gear. The average Cessna private airplane, which has a single-engine takes off at about 40 miles per hour. So why can't a motorcycle fly? Only one reason; it does not have wings and it does not have a propeller.

However both of these problems are easily solved. The rear wheel of a motorcycle could easily be retrofitted with a propeller adapter and NASA has already designed unmanned aerial vehicles with foldout wings, which blow up. Many home built aircraft are open cockpit and many ultra-lights have no cockpit in all. You sit in a seat and basically buckle in and go for it.

How would a motorcycle rear wheel propeller adapter work? Well, consider if you will the little lights that that are used on bicycles, which would run on the tire as it went around and make electricity. Similar to this but, a small rubber wheel attachment on a lever could be pushed onto the back motorcycle wheel.

The smaller wheel would have a short chain on it and spin a propeller. When you give it throttle, the propeller would go round faster and the wheel would move even if it were not touching the ground. Building a motorcycle rear wheel propeller adapter is a key component to getting your motorcycle to fly. Please consider this in 2006.

Getting To Grips With Riding An Electric Bike

2006-12-28T00:58:00.001-08:00

There can be little argument that zipping around on your scooter is far preferable to trudging around on foot and is a much more fun way to travel than driving a car. It is important before you get started that you at least have the first idea of how to ride a scooter, unless you want to wrap yourself round a lamp-post!

Riding a scooter is surprisingly easy to get the hang of :

First of all, start your engine - you'll only get so far with a head-wind! Many engines are started by pulling at a cord attached to the engine - the same as you would start a lawn mower. Electric engines have to be push-started, by first riding the scooter as you would a kick scooter.

Get a firm grip on the handlebars and place one foot on the deck of the scooter, leaving your other foot on the ground so that you get comfortable and remain balanced. Once you are ready to move off hit the throttle to accelerate, if you have a gas engine, then bring your foot off the ground when you begin to pick up speed. Be sure to accelerate gradually in order that yourself and the scooter remain as one, don't accelerate too hard as it will fly off into the road ahead leaving you looking miserable on the deck!

It is important that your posture on the scooter is correct, avoid keeping your feet and body up front near the handlebars so that your weight is distributed across the length of the scooter. You also should have one foot slightly ahead of the other, both facing forward.

Steering your scooter is very similar to that of a push-bike, steer by turning the handlebars in the direction you want to go, and lean slightly into each turn. When riding your scooter treat the brake handles carefully, being careful not to grip them too strongly which might cause you to flip. Apply a steady and subtle squeeze to slow or stop the scooter. There's no need to use the scooter's brakes at all to slow down, just take your hand off the scooter's throttle.

Tips for Getting Motorcycle Helmets for the Kids

2006-12-28T00:58:00.000-08:00

Greg is an active 2 wheeled biker. The first time this person rode on one, this individual knew this was the best way to drive through the open road in the hopes of adventure.

When this individual got married, a part of this biker wanted to settle down and keep the memory of the past behind. This is the reason that this father of two would sometimes bring the kids out around the neighborhood to reminisce this memory.

State laws require the biker to wear a helmet when driving on the street. The passengers are also required to do the same even if the one in the back is a kid.

Greg knew that helmets for kids are not available where the motorcycle was purchased. This is because the place only sold models for adults so none of these will fit. The best place to go to then is the sports shop since people can get helmets for skateboarding and bicycling.

Here are tips to get the right motorcycle helmet for the kid.

· Before putting it on the child, it will be a good idea to check for defects such as cracks, loose padding, frayed straps or exposed metal that could be unsafe for the child.

· If its safe to put on, the parent must make sure that his will snugly go around the child’s head. If this is too heavy, this should be changed for something else. This should be worn for 30 minutes to make sure it is comfortable for those long trips.

· To prevent this from falling off, it is advisable to get the one that has strong straps with two rings so it can be securely fastened.

· The helmet for the kid should be just like the driver’s that come in bright colors such as red, yellow, white or orange. This should be made of reflective material that may have stickers in the back or in the sides making it easy for motorists in the back to notice there is a motorcycle in front many yards away.

· The best helmets to buy should be those that have a sticker inside certifying that this has gone numerous tests.

The Police and the Motorcycle Helmet

2006-12-27T02:32:00.003-08:00

Jeremy has been a member of the California Highway Patrol for the past 6 years. This individual wanted to serve the public and ride on the bike as a kid and got the opportunity to do both after graduating from secondary school.

The job did not pay much but the rewards came when the roads this officer patrolled on were safe. One of the things that this person always had on to remind other bikers of safety first is the police motorcycle helmet.

Law enforcement riders are not the only ones required to have a helmet. State law requires bike owners to have one on every time the individual decides to hit the open road. The reasons for this are simple that is to protect the biker during an accident.

Highway patrol officers are given a helmet before going on the road. The best ones are those made of thermo plastic composite material that uses high pressure compression giving it strength and making it lightweight.

The helmet is about three pounds. When the police officer puts this on with the radio and the utility belt mounted on the waist or shoulder, this will be an additional 6 pounds to the individual’s normal weight.

There are two types of visors that can be chosen for the motorcycle helmet. The person can choose to get the standard snap on visor or the fixed patent leather version.

The individual can easily put this one or take it off because of the quick nylon tubular chin strap that is adjustable. This means that it can fit any officer who will be patrolling the streets using a motorcycle.

The interior of the helmet can be removed and is hand washable. This will keep it clean and smelling good even if the person sweats due to extreme heat especially in the hot summer months or during rainy weather.

Those serving in law enforcement can only purchase the police motorcycle helmet. This means people who want to have one should pass through the rigorous process of applying then training to be one of the few with a badge and a gun.

It takes courage to get on a bike and join the ranks of others in the service who have been doing this for a number of years. This is the reason that people like Jeremy still prefer to patrol the streets so that ordinary motorists can always be safe.

Want to Become a Harley Davidson Dealer

2006-12-27T02:32:00.001-08:00

If you share interest on becoming a Harley Davidson dealer, the first thing you should know is that Harley Davidson is open for dealership. Having said that, the next question that should be answered is: “How?”

There are two possible ways where you can acquire for dealership.

First, is the sellout of the existing dealership. Here, Harley-Davidson has a list of existing dealership locations ready for sale. If you match the requirements on this site, you can be contacted for an interview. But first you have to submit an application. Harley-Davidson can disclose the list of dealerships that are to be sold-out once you have submitted your perspective dealer application. It does not end here though. The company has to review your application, your business experience, your financial strength, and your geographic preference.

Second, is the opening of a new dealership location. You must be aware that the company is the sole determiner whether it needs to open a dealership on a particular location or not. Once it has determined the need and the location, Harley-Davidson advertises on newspapers for applications, interviews and assessments.

The Harley-Davidson requires you to complete the Prospective Dealer Application together with the required documents that come along with it. Failure to provide the required documents will mean delay on the processing of the application.

What are the investment requirements?

Take note that Harley-Davidson does not charge for franchising fee. It only requires applicant to have sufficient financial status, which depends on the need and the market standing of the dealership location. Your finances will be reviewed and your capability to become a dealer lies greatly on this.

What are the financial requirements?

To become a dealer of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, you must reach the minimum financial requirements. This is to guarantee the capability of the applicant to sustain and improve the business. In general, a minimum $600,000 of liquid asset and $1 million net worth are required to pass the financial requirement.

Motorcycle Touring in the United States

2006-12-27T02:31:00.000-08:00

Motorcycle Touring in the United States is unbelievably fun and many people who have toured Europe and the United States on a Motorcycle often say that they had more fun in the United States. We simply have more scenic highways, roads, forests, canyons and space to do it in than in Europe’s largest countries. Motorcycle touring in the United States is truly the epitome of freedom.

Often as one travels the United States you see folks on motorcycles with saddle packs and gear stopped for a break and when you talk to them you find they are touring our nation on motorcycles. Well at the price of fuel that is a good way to do things. Some of these people are from the United States and some are from other countries enjoying the Euro Strength against the Dollar and they are having a literal blast cruising the highways and back roads of America.

Why is Motorcycle Tourism so popular in the US? Because we have wide-open areas, it is safe and there is so much to see and do in this country that you can never run out of great roads to ride, places to see or things to do. So consider your next motorcycle touring adventure today.

Choosing the Right Motorcycle Repair Shop

2006-12-26T01:28:00.001-08:00

Motorcyclists spend hundreds of hours studying, thinking and shopping for their motorcycles. Yet, if they are really smart it is more important to attempt to buy your motorcycle from a place who will give you the best service too. However, if you are solely shopping for price or buying used then this may not be totally possible.

Next order of business after your purchase is to consider the preventative maintenance for your bike and which company or motorcycle shop can help you keep your cycle in pristine shape. This is about as important or perhaps more important than your actual purchase of your iron horse.

How can you tell if you have found a good motorcycle shop? Well when you ask questions they will know the answers completely. You can also tell because they are busy and all those waiting in line are happy and satisfied with the service they have been getting, rather than bitching and moaning about the wait, excuses and lack of parts inventory.

Now then, just because someone is upset in the lobby or hanging out in the show room in a piss poor mood does not mean they are mad at the service. So, realize there are hard to deal with customers and ask them if the service is good or bad and exactly what is wrong.

If you get many horror stories of service, then leave. If on the other hand people are chatting up a storm about motorcycle riding experiences and having a good time in the waiting room, then you have found a good motorcycle shop and stick with them. Consider this in 2006.

Motorcycle Canyon Riding; High Speed Turns with Rocks in the Road

2006-12-26T01:27:00.002-08:00

As motorcycle street performance bike riders get more proficient they find them selves searching out more and more challenging highways to ride on. In fact eventually they find two or three and really like to let it all hang out and test their skills. As a young man living close to the Malibu Hills in California, I found myself bonsai’ing thru the canyons about three times a week. Eventually I met others doing the same. Being self-employed like a number of the high-performance riders, sometimes I would ride mid-week, evenings too, when there were little or no other cars on the road.

Indeed I would ride with full racing gear and literally become one with the road. Was what I was doing illegal? Well, I doubt that the speeds I was riding at would be considered anything less than a Two-Point Reckless Driving Ticket, although as I got better and more proficient, I certainly was not reckless driving, more like precision performance riding. Later, I took in on the track, grew up a little bit and raced against even better riders.

In doing all this, which I cannot say I condone it in hindsight and today there are more cars on the road and the bikes are even faster and more maneuverable, which is good and bad; in that you can have more control for safety, but are tempted to go much faster. Nevertheless more than once I had come around the corner and had my pulse and adrenaline catapult into hyperspace when there was debris on the highway, no where to go, no time to slow down and well you get the point.

My advice to younger riders is learn the fundamentals and although you should not play at this level too often, I know the reality of testosterone youth. Here is the deal; if you set up the turn and are doing everything right, you can still have things go wrong and make it thru.

So learn to do it right, take some SuperBike professional classes and take every turn seriously. This way if you end up hitting a rock you may hurt the bike, but you should be able to stay on it without crashing or taking a free fall on the cliff side, where no one will ever know you took a flying leap on a drop off and are resting on the other side of the canyon wall, ten feet from the bottom of the creek. The Helicopter Evacs do not need your business, nor do you want to spend the rest of your life in a wheel chair. Consider this in 2006.

Why a Harley Davidson Motorcycle

2006-12-26T01:27:00.001-08:00

There are several manufacturers of motorcycles around the world. The BMW for one, builds performance driven motorcycles for years. Japan-made Honda, Kawasaki, and Yamaha also have race winning motorcycles. Ducati is another motorcycle brand that is very popular around the world. But why a Harley Davidson?

Why is Harley-Davidson so popular around the world? Why is that when a Harley rolls on the road, everyone will turn their heads for a glance? Why is it that when one talks about motorcycle, the very first brand in mind is the Harley-Davidson?

Finding answers to these questions will give us 3 words: name, quality, and pride.

Name – When you hear the word “Harley-Davidson”, the first thing that might pop out from your mind is a “one hell of a machine”. Hearing the name “Harley-Davidson” would also easily gives you the impression of a great motorcycle company that set a great legacy throughout history. The name can be synonymous with toughness, quality, speed, and versatility. The name itself will set itself on the top of your mind.

Quality– Whether it is a CVO (Custom Vehicle Operations), Dyna, Sportster, Softail, Touring, or VRSC model, it is a Harley-Davidson. And when we say Harley-Davidson, we mean quality that is built over the years. Each Harley-Davidson motorcycle is made in superiority from the engine parts to the decals and finishing touches. Harley-Davidson motorcycles are made not only to sell but to live for a lifetime as well.

Pride – Harley-Davidson has been manufacturing motorcycles for over a century. And with a company that survived this long, owning one is like owning a piece of history of the company. Harley-Davidson motorcycles have gained so much respect over the years and it has set the trend for the motorcycle industry in the United States. Any Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner would say that they are proud to have at least one great motorcycle in their possession.

What would you feel if you are riding a motorcycle with the name “Harley-Davidson”? Surely, you feel proud. Proud as if you have your first baby; proud as if you have owned a brand-new house; and proud as if you have realized your dream. Indeed, owning a Harley-Davidson can be a dream come true for most. As the price of a Harley motorcycle does not come cheap, owning one can be hard. But if you do, you feel fulfilled and you somehow feel you have your life complete.

Safety Motorcycle Helmets

2006-12-25T01:27:00.000-08:00

Motorcycle helmet is used as a protective gear for the head to avoid severe injuries brought about by accidents. In some countries, wearing helmet is comparable to wearing seatbelts, regulated as part of the street ordinances as general safety measure. But of course, any promulgation imposed is debatable and others would drop the matter in every philosophical manner they can give reason against its use.

Looking at the physical make-up of motorcycles will not guarantee pure salvation in every imaginable trauma. When used, it can only lessen the severity. To have an understanding on its function it is important to know how fatal head injuries can disable a person in one incident. When it comes to serious matters like heavy impact, a helmet is nothing. The most important thing about skull fractures is to avoid the fragments from embedding the sensitive tissues of the brain, until then, most head injuries are not as fatal as expected. Basically, a full-blown impact on head can lead to permanent malfunctioning of the body system.

Another kind of fatal head injury caused by motorcycle accident is when the brain is stirred while there is no open wound in the head. In this case the brain bumps the side of the skull leading to small yet deadly movements and rotation enough to cause internal bleeding inside. The use of properly designed motorcycle helmet can help absorb the shock in the head after it sinks to its protective cushions. It must not be too soft to let the head crush through its hard interior walls at once. After that, the hard plastic will yield without control. Helmet design considerations are all about the tolerable impact the head can handle, which the soft linings provide as protection, and the exterior protection from punctures.

Types of motorcycle helmets for effective use come in different appearance:

FULL FACE - Covers the full area of the back of the head, chin but has a shield made of plastic in the eye area for visibility. It is usually ventilated though some still consider it warmer and lacking flow of air inside. It tends to isolate a rider and restrain hearing because of full head coverage.

OPEN FACE - Almost the same as the full face design except it has no chin cover, which means it has low protection for the face. It has a plastic shield open to particles during a ride. It can cause injuries out of trapped small debris caught on speed. Thus, it is advisable to wear riding goggles as additional protection for the eyes.

Motorcycle Riding Tips

2006-12-24T01:26:00.000-08:00

We all have enough "In memory of…" patches on our vest and do not wish to add any more. So here are 11 motorcycle riding tips to remind us of the things that can keep us in one piece and out of the hospital.

· If you are a novice, sign up for and attend a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. Not only will this course teach you lots of the things that will help keep you safe but your motorcycle insurance will probably be slightly lower as well – and who doesn't want to save on insurance, especially when riding in states with Helmet Optional laws that require large bodily injury coverage to enjoy the right for those who ride to decide.

· Remind yourself where your suicide or kill switch is located. This switch, if you realize you are going to have to drop the bike, can save you from having your own motorcycle run over you causing injury.

· If you are just learning to ride and live in a highly populated area, have an experienced rider take you and your bike into an area with little or no traffic. A parking lot of a closed business works very well. Neighborhood streets can cause the residents to complain. Ride in this controlled environment until you feel completely in control of the vehicle. Learn how to stop and start easily and smoothly. Learn how long it takes to stop safely – it isn't the same as stopping a car.

· First-time street riders should choose a time of day when the traffic is at a low. Jumping into rush hour traffic can easily lead to an accident on your very first outing. Select a route that takes you into very low traffic zones such as through neighborhoods, scenic routes and avoid at all cost getting on a freeway until you gain quite a lot of experience.

· Never, ever become aggressive toward a car or truck driver. Those cars win every single time in a road rage situation. They are bigger, heavier and have a lot more power. If someone tailgates you, tap your brake lights a few times and if they don't back off, change lanes or give them the road by pulling off to the side

· We all know black is the only cool biker color, right? Well, if you are going to be riding at night in a poorly light area, it is much more important to be seen than to be cool, no matter what your friends say! Be sure your lights are bright and clean for maximum visibility but also consider placing reflective tape on the back of your helmet (if you use one) and maybe a glow in the dark patch on your back.

· Never trust cages. Car drivers somehow, no matter how loud or how rowdy bikers can be, manage to simply not see us! The blind spot in most cars is sufficiently large for a motorcycle to be completely hidden from view. But other cage drivers simply don't seem to look for us. Unless, of course, they son, daughter, husband or wife happens to ride; unfortunately, we can't tell who those people are and have to be doubly aware of other vehicles than when driving a car.

· Never assume that just because there is no turn signal on that car that it isn't going to turn right in front of you. No matter how many other drivers don't use turn signals, ALWAYS use yours and, if you have a passenger during daylight, hand signals can be an extra preventative measure.

· You know those trucker bumper stickers that say "If you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you"? Well, use this same common sense when riding. If you can't see the driver's face in the rear view mirror of the vehicle in front of you, chances are they can't see you at all. Stay out of blind spots at all times.

· Once you become an experienced rider, when riding on city streets, always allow room for other people's errors. An added safety tip is that you should remain aware of where you would choose to put the scoot down if the need arose. If you get in trouble and have any time at all, select where to lay the motorcycle instead of allowing traffic or the bike to determine that for you. If you can elect to place the bike on the ground, allowing it to move out from between your legs at low speed, you will experience much less road rash than allowing momentum to take you with the motorcycle.

· Novice riders should never carry passengers. That comes later with more road experience. The movements of a rider can cause a situation where you can easily lose control, especially at very low speeds.

Above all, plan for safety so you will come home safely to ride again another day. Road rash and accidents costing hundreds of thousands in medical bills are all too common. Be defensive and be aware to avoid losing your bike – or worse, your life.

Motorcycle Helmets for the Youth

2006-12-23T01:51:00.002-08:00

It is particularly important to be aware of motorcycle safety when it comes to the youth. You might have a child who likes to ride motorcycles. To ensure his safety, try to invest in a youth motorcycle helmet that provides good protective coverage and excellent retention to help lessen your worries.

Youth motorcycle helmet safety also involves proper fit and sizing. Every motorcycle helmet dealer should have an expert available to help you find a youth motorcycle helmet that perfectly shaped to your child's head.

In looking for the perfect fitting motorcycle helmet for your child, it is better that you should bring him with you when you do your helmet shopping. This way, you can have him determine for himself if such a helmet would be perfect for his own use. Here are some tips that would be able to help you find that motorcycle helmet with the perfect fit.

Let your kid try on several motorcycle helmets for at least five minutes to check for any bothersome areas. Have him look in the mirror to check for symmetry and ensure that the motorcycle helmet rests just above the eyebrows and to check for red marks after taking off the helmet.

The comfort liner of a motorcycle helmet can form to the shape of your head so the helmet typically becomes more comfortable over time and use. Be sure that you start with a good fitting helmet. You should also make sure that the helmet you choose has undergone anti-scratch and anti-fog treatments. In addition, make sure that the visor doesn't touch the helmet’s outer shell that can result in scratches or fuzzy vision areas on your visor.

When choosing a youth motorcycle helmet, remember that a lighter model may be more comfortable than its heavier counterpart, but is perhaps less equipped to ensure motorcycle safety. You must be able to strike up the perfect balance over both features to ensure that your child enjoys comfort while wearing the helmet along with the features to provide the protection that you look for.

After you have purchased a helmet for your child, try to be cautious and careful in storing them. Avoid placing them in a high or unsteady location where the helmet could come crashing to the ground. Avoid the risk of scratching or busting an expensive motorcycle helmet by taking very good care of it. Avoid placing the helmet on the motorcycle saddle or the side mirrors. Doing so can damage the interior padding which can make the helmet unusable over time.

Is a Hard Tail Frame Right for Your Motorcycle?

2006-12-23T01:51:00.001-08:00

If you are considering building a custom bike, you'll need to determine whether to select a hard tail frame (also called a rigid frame), or a swing arm frame. Deciding on a frame is not to be taken lightly because there are some significant differences in the frame styles.

The hard tail frame is a single piece frame. The rear motorcycle wheel assembly attaches directly to the frame, as opposed to a soft tail frame which is made of two pieces of tubing connected at a pivot joint. That is the source of the nomenclature; the frame really does have a hard tail. The result is that there is no rear suspension to give that 'floating' feel to the ride.

Initially, all motorcycles were hard tails. The bent tubing frames allowed the rear hub to be attached through the one piece frame. That is still the way hard tails are put together today.

The Harley-Davidson Duo-Glide, released in 1958, gave riders the first option of purchasing a bike with rear suspension. Purists, however, still love the ride and feel of the hard tail frame.

Jesse James custom bike builder and owner of West Coast Chopper, in a recent documentary about the history or motorcycles, stated that he loves the hard tail ride because it allows the rider to truly become part of the road. There is no 'bounce' and the road vibrations are not absorbed by shocks, providing a hardcore sensation unlike the swing arm motorcycle frames.

Hard tail frames provide a somewhat rougher ride; people that experience back pain during long rides almost always avoid this frame style. Kidney-jarring jolts can result from hitting bumps. Yet in this modern day, most roads are relatively smooth.

Some people simply love the ride provided by the rigid hard tail frame. Others really hate the differences in ride. The bottom line is that you want to select the right frame for your motorcycle based on your personal needs, expectations, and planned use.

If you want a cross-country touring cycle, a hard tail may not the right choice be for you. If you want to build the ultimate custom show chopper, this frame style could be perfect for you. If you are young, have lots of stamina, are in great physical condition and don't mind a bit of kidney jolting, the hard frame is a viable option. However, if you want to ride from New York to California when you retire, most likely you'll be much happier riding a soft tail.

The choice of hard tail frame or soft tail frame is entirely a personal choice. Just remember, it takes a lot of work to change frames, so think through exactly what you expect from your motorcycle before making a decision about whether a hard tail frame is the best solution for your custom motorcycle.

Motorcycle Fold Down Canard System

2006-12-23T01:49:00.000-08:00

Often when I use to race motorcycle street bikes I found myself feeling more like I was strapping on a fighter plan as I suited up and started the motor and watched it come alive, knowing full well that what I did in the next hour would determine if I would live or die that day.

The adrenaline rush was well you know, excellent and indeed worthy of mention and yes like most hard core street racer motorcycle riders, I understood the movie Top Gun more than most as I am one with the saying; The Need for Speed.

Sometimes I felt I was going so fast it seemed like I was flying as the ground went by under my knee scraping anything that was even close and yet that got me thinking, what if we could build a motorcycle that could fly, lets say wings that used the exhaust to inflate and a system for elevator control? Perhaps a canard in front to help steer too.

How would that be possible? Well consider how strong the front axle is and the forks. A canard system could fold down and become the elevator-horizontal stabilizer and canard system and it could be controlled by levers on the handlebars like the shift levers on bicycle racing bikes. Then you could have the control in the air that you have on the ground? Well anyway that is how I would design it.

Looking for Motorcycle Helmets for Women

2006-12-22T01:50:00.001-08:00

Are you looking for women’s motorcycle helmets? Before you do your search, you should be aware of what makes them different from the men’s. First of all, most of women’s motorcycle helmets are made as slightly smaller than your average men’s motorcycle helmets. The designs are made to match the likings of the women to provide more appeal. But all of these should not take away the protection that such helmets should offer.

Women’s motorcycle helmets come in more attractive colors such as bright pink to polished purple. Women’s motorcycle helmets do not hinder any woman from trying to flaunt her femininity while wearing such headgear. In fact, sex appeal comes into consideration also when designing motorcycle helmets geared for women riders.

Looking for the right motorcycle helmet for women would require you to know about the proper sizing and fit. Men and women helmets follow different size measures to prevent one from mistaking the other. But when looking for the best size, nothing still beats fitting them personally before purchasing any helmet. There are some tips that you can follow in order to determine the proper motorcycle helmet fit for you.

First of all, you should try to make use of the manufacturer’s fitting chart to guide you with the sizes available. Find the corresponding helmet size categories that are made available to you. Put them as small, medium, large or extra large. When fitting a certain motorcycle helmet, tug at the chin straps outward in order widen the helmet and place it over your head. Once worn, keep in mind that it should fit snugly and comfortably without moving.

To determine the right fit for your motorcycle helmet, it should be resting tightly on your forehead. It should be tight enough that you will not be able to wedge your thumb between the helmet and your forehead. Once you have made the right fit, adjust and fasten the chinstrap. Do not allow it to restrain your neck.

Once you have the helmet fastened, give your head a little shake to make sure that the helmet doesn’t shift unnecessarily or fall off your head. Once doing that, try mounting your motorcycle in your riding position. Make sure that the top of the helmet won’t be affecting your field of vision while doing this. Along with this, you should also have an unhindered field of vision from both sides while mounting your motorcycle.

If you wear glasses, make sure that your helmet is able to accommodate your corrective eyewear and still fit comfortably. Try pressing down on the helmet and check if the helmet feels comfortable and is able to surround your head. Also check for added comfort, convenience and other safety features before you purchase and take that motorcycle for a ride.

Harley Davidson History

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In 1901, the 21 year-old William S. Harley had created the blueprint of an engine that was designed to fit in a conventional bicycle. Two years later, William together with his friend Arthur Davidson started and developed a one-cylinder engine that was installed on a conventional bicycle during that time. However, this motorized-bicycle was proved to be incapable of climbing through the Milwaukee hills without pedal assistance. Harley and Davidson developed further their motor after that experience.

Immediately, they have created a bigger engine (405 cc or 24.74 cubic inches) that was become the very first and real Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Meanwhile, the first Harley-Davidson factory was in a 10 x 15-foot wooden shed. The two friends were helped by Arthur’s older brother Walter.

After a year, the Harley-Davidson motorcycle entered its very first motorcycle race at Milwaukee.

The first years came in so quickly for the company that after 3 years, Harley-Davidson motorcycle production was transferred at Chestnut Street (that was later become Juneau Avenue). This is still the Harley-Davidson headquarters up to this time.

In 1907, William received a degree in mechanical engineering at University of Wisconsin. This helped them to development of better Harley-Davidson engines in the future. The same year also provided them a much needed factory expansion for the growing motorcycle demands. The year 1907 introduced the 45-degree V-Twin engine which has become the sole Harley-Davidson engine for a very long time.

Over the years, the company has gained so much popularity that was converted into sales output. During the First World War, Harley-Davidson was commissioned to provide more than 20,000 units for military use. The story of the Second World was the same for the company. They produced thousand upon thousands of motorcycle.

Before the entry of the 70’s, AMF or the American Machinery and Foundry bought Harley-Davidson. Policies had changed that resulted to labor strike and substandard bikes. The popularity and reputation of the company was severely damaged.

In the 80’s, it was sold to a group of investors headed by Willie G. Davidson and Vaughn Beals. The provided innovations such as the introduction of the "Sturgis". The costumers began to return and the company had seen clearer promise.

Since then, the popularity of Harley-Davidson motorcycles was unquestionable. They regained their leadership in motorcycle industry as they create a unique line of motorcycles, different from the conventional Japan made. Now, after more than a hundred years of existence, Harley-Davidson motorcycles have become an attraction in every road around the world.