Researchers discover how bicycle works - 25-09-2007 - 16:20

It's not rocket science, but it has taken scientists over 150 years to discover how a moving bicycle remains so stable while it is in motion.

Researchers at Delft University of Technology, with colleagues at the University of Nottingham and Cornell University claim to have finally perfected a model of how a bicycle works.

"Bicycle manufacturers have never been able to say precisely how a bicycle works," said Dr Arend Schwab of the Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering.

"They have always had to refine their designs purely through experimentation. In our model, they can enter into the computer all of the various factors that influence the stability and handling of their bicycle.

"The model then calculates how the bicycle will react at specific speeds."

Manufacturers could use the model now to tailor bicycles to specific groups of riders as they discover more variables instead of the usual three parameters - geometry, distance between axles and angle of the downwards fork.

40 years of Lotus celebrated - 24-09-2007 - 11:25

Automotive engineering firm Lotus celebrated 40 years in the business by opening its factory in Hethel to employees, their families and enthusiasts last weekend.

The factory, which is south of Norwich, is the Group Lotus headquarters and it opened up its assembly lines for the public to inspect.

Visitors were also offered the thrill of being driven around the test track at up to 90mph at the sight where a Lotus first came off the production line in 1967.

The Eastern Daily Press reported that Mike Kimberley, Group Lotus chief executive said: "The open day has been a chance for us to celebrate the 40th anniversary of manufacturing cars here at Hethel.

"It is also a chance to look at the heritage as something to be proud of. Colin Chapman was one of the greatest innovators of his time and we have built on that."

He went on to confirm the firm's commitment to Norfolk ant the UK.

Record-breaking Bluebird rebuilt - 20-09-2007 - 16:40

An engineering firm has painstakingly rebuilt a water-speed record breaking boat that had sunk to the bottom of a lake.

PDS Engineering, which was been involved in land-speed record breaking car Thrust 2, has reconstructed the Bluebird, the boat in which Donald Campbell broke the water-speed record and in which he died.

Campbell died when he lost control of the Bluebird during an attempt to break his record of 298 mph on Coniston in the Lake District.

Some 34 years later, the boat was discovered by amateur diver Bill Smith, who then funded the rebuilding project.

He originally hired PDS Engineering - which also worked on Richard Branson's round-the-world hot air balloon - to reconstruct the largely intact rear of the boat.

Upon seeing the work PDS did, Mr Smith asked the firm to put the whole boat back together.

And, while rebuilding the Bluebird, the engineers discovered that parts of it had never been straight.

John Getty, PDS's managing director, told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "It wasn't straight from the start and that side has a definite bend - it wouldn't have been enough to cause the crash that killed him, but it would certainly have made the steering a bit more difficult.

Engineer gets exclusive look at Formula 1 - 12-09-2007 - 16:52

An engineering student won a competition to spend a day exploring life behind the scenes of a Formula 1 team.

Masimba Sagwete joined pupils from around the country at the AT&T Williams Formula 1 camp in Oxfordshire.

The student, who wants a career in motorsport engineering, impressed his Durham University lecturers to get the coveted slot.

As well as hands on experiences such as learning to change tyres quickly and racing around a simulated track, Masimba and fellow students attended lectures on aerodynamics and the weight of cars.

He told the Blackburn Citizen newspaper: "It was great to see inside the factory, and I found it very interesting to learn about the extensive testing that is carried out, primarily with wind tunnels, and also the extensive nature of the input on the car from the driver."

A Williams track engineer who led the students through some of their learning told the paper: "It was good to have the opportunity to pass on some knowledge to these keen young minds."

Brake engineers part of McLaren team - 11-09-2007 - 16:55

Akebono Brake was unveiled as part of the team of automotive engineers behind the success of the McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team.

The company established Akebono Advanced Engineering earlier this year to jointly develop brake callipers and master cylinders with the current leaders of the Formula 1 constructors' and drivers' championships.

While the company is an expert in braking technology, Hisataka Nobumoto, president and CEO of Akebono stressed that reliable brakes help speed the race cars up.

He said: "When brakes are mentioned, people generally tend to think of 'stopping' and 'deceleration,' while in fact brake systems are one of the most essential components in vehicles, as they enable them to drive quickly and handle smoothly in a safe manner."

McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh praised the brake maker and said: "Vodafone McLaren Mercedes prides itself on forging technical collaborations with the best organisations in the world by integrating leading-edge technology into our race cars."

UK manufacturers good at niche, quality - 04-09-2007 - 17:18

The Engineering Employers Federation (EEF) said that British manufacturing can succeed with high quality niche products.

This is particularly evident in the automotive industry where mass-market automobile construction is the preserve of low cost manufacturers, many of which are in Asia, claims BBC business correspondent Hugh Pym.

One such automotive company has bucked the trend of declining English sales.

Ariel, a classic British motor manufacturer, managed to turn around its fading fortunes in 2000 with a new model - the Atom.

The company produced 25 Atoms in the first year and expects to produce 400 globally over the next year.

UK manufacturing, bolstered by companies like Ariel, has reached its highest output in 12 years despite a strong pound and high interest rate - conditions which in the past have hindered or slowed down production.

A survey by the EEF also confirmed that manufacturers expect the sector to continue performing well.