The ultimate goal

Those who tend to get motion sick may want to refrain from imagining how fast 600 million revolutions per minute is.

Because that's exactly the rotational speed scientists at Scotland's University of St. Andrews achieved with a man-made microscopic sphere of calcium carbonate basically for the sole purpose of observing what would happen at such a speed. The results were published in Nature Communications on Wednesday.

For reference, 600 million revolutions per minute happens to be 500,000 times faster than a standard washing machine, and 300,000 times faster than a standard car engine.

The ultimate goal, put scientifically, was to test what happens when physical objects of millions of atoms -- not simply singular atoms or molecules -- are pushed to extreme, never-before-achieved conditions in situations bordering the boundaries between classic and quantum physics.

In this case, the microscopic sphere -- measuring four millionths of a meter in diameter -- was held in place within a vacuum with tiny pulses of laser light that were exploited, thanks to the concept of polarization, as the light passed through the object to exert torque.

 The fast-moving sphere acted in essence like a miniature gyroscope, stabilizing around the axis of rotation and picking up speed until it hit a limit of 600 million revolutions per minute and appeared to vanish, said the BBC's Pallab Ghosh.

It's unclear to the scientists what happened to the object or why it hit that limit. The phenomenon may in fact be a previously unrecorded event, though the next step is to follow up on the findings and investigate the nature of the phenomenon to be certain.

"In addition to the exciting fundamental physics aspects, this experiment will allow us to probe the nature of friction in very small systems, which has relevance to the next generation of microscopic devices," professor Kishan Dholakia of the research team told the BBC. "And it's always good to hold a 'world record' -- even if for only a while."

Read the full story at www.careel-laser-engraving-machine.com web! Four product lines to meet your Laser engraving, Laser cutting, Laser marking, welding and carving application. If need any help, please contact our Sales Team or Technical Team, they can support you well.

During its participation

During its participation at the India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) 2013, SWAROVSKI GEMS launched the New Zirconia Innovations and Natural Brilliance Genuine Topaz, having already introduced the revolutionary Round Pure Brilliance Cut and the matchlessly beautiful Zirconia Diamond Colors. Its participation was an opportunity to create awareness about the SWAROVSKI GEMS brand and its products, shape business opportunities, which met with positive results, the company noted.

Gem Visions 2014, the SWAROVSKI GEMS unique inspirational tool that explores the megatrends and design directions for the upcoming year was also shared, with the trend books were distributed to all the renowned Designers, Manufacturers and Design Institutes.

Rajendra Jain, Managing Director of SWAROVSKI GEMS India said during the IIJS that “We plan to create a very strong presence of our SWAROVSKI GEMS brand throughout the industry and support our partners at the retail and consumer levels in India through our ingredient brands “Made with SWAROVSKI GEMSTONES”, “Made with SWAROVSKI ZIRCONIA” and “Made with SWAROVSKI MARCASITE”.

He further added that "We want to stimulate demand and enhance awareness for our Pure Brilliance Concept for Zirconia", thus enhancing 'the strength of our brand' and 'the “SWAROVSKI ZIRCONIA” laser engraved quality seal'.

The company showcased three product novelties that further enhance the Pure Brilliance Swarovski Zirconia. The Swarovski Zirconia is now also presented in two new colors: Fancy Green , a color also found in natural diamonds and is modeled on the famous Dresden Green Diamond that is said to originate from India. The amethyst-shaded Fancy Purple offers unique design opportunities for new color combinations. There is also the new Cushion Cut, another classic cut in the jewellery industry, now precision-cut by SWAROVSKI GEMS.

NATURAL BRILLIANCE: SWAROVSKI GENUINE TOPAZ - this is a new cut for genuine topaz: the patented Natural Brilliance cut. It is conceived and executed according to the Gemological Institute of America’s exacting parameters for insuring the maximum refracted light and fire, the impeccably calibrated precision-cut facets unleash all of the stone’s inner light and radiance. Swarovski Genuine Topaz gemstones now achieve a 130 percent higher brilliance than any other topaz available on the market. White topaz achieves dazzling heights with the innovative Natural Brilliance cut. The Swarovski Genuine Topaz is also available in a range of vivid colors with the unique Thermal Color Fusion (TCF) treatment. Unlike other processes, TCF creates a beautifully colored topaz containing absolutely no radiation. The TCF treatment, patented in both Austria and the United States, has been demonstrated to be both permanent and able to sustain cast-in-place production methods and cleaning processes.

Read the full story at www.careel-laser-engraving-machine.com web! Four product lines to meet your Laser engraver, laser cutting machine, Laser marking, welding and carving application. If need any help, please contact our Sales Team or Technical Team, they can support you well.

Unison Opens New Facility

The manufacturer of all-electric tube bending machines, Unison, has opened a new facility in Scarborough, U.K. Purpose-fitted for machine design and manufacture, the building more than doubles the production capacity of this fast growing company, and accelerates machine building times by around 15%.

Located close to Unison's previous building, the new facility gives Unison more than 24,000ft2 of manufacturing space, along with two acres of surrounding land. The building interior has been remodeled to increase Unison's manufacturing efficiency and capacity.

One of the most important new features is a dedicated flow line for building machines, fitted with a gantry crane to simplify handling and installation of large components. Tube bending machines now progress through six sequential assembly cells with application-specific tooling for each stage of the build cycle, from the basic preparation of the mechanical chassis and equipment cabinets, through the installation of electrical and mechanical components, to cabling, system commissioning and test, and finally customer acceptance. At the end of the line, machines can be rolled into containers for shipping. In the old facility, assembly time for a typical machine was 12 weeks. The organization and higher efficiency of the new flow line will reduce this to 10 weeks for a majority of the smaller machine sizes that Unison builds.

Another key new feature is an expanded metalworking machine shop, including a brand new $470,000 investment in a very large laser cutting machine center, to speed the fabrication of the metalwork components and tooling required for the bending machines. This brings in-house some components previously made by sub-contractors, further helping to speed delivery times.

Unison is growing rapidly, thanks to its focus on the most advanced sector of this metalwork machinery market - all-electric machines with their computer-controlled bending - plus the company's willingness to invest in design which has continually extended the scope of the bending technology into larger tube and pipe sizes. All-electric bending machines, rather than the traditional hydraulically powered machines, have now become the de-facto standard in all of the precision metalwork fabrication markets that Unison specializes in, including aerospace, automotive production, shipbuilding, oil and gas, and small-batch manufacturing.

In addition to larger size machines, a key element of Unison's philosophy is to assist clients in re-engineering their manufacturing processes alongside the acquisition of a new machine - to multiply productivity. This is achieved by Unison's vision of their machines as elements of the wider manufacturing process, and the availability of Unison software and hardware engineering development resources to enable new bending machine investments to form part of more integrated design-to-manufacturing solutions, and to optimize bending performance.

Die Cutting Machine Star at Odyssey in Nashville

Masterwork USA, a leading manufacturer of folding carton and packaging equipment headquartered in Charlotte, NC, is pleased to announce its strong success at the IADD FSEA Odyssey trade show in Nashville, Tennessee where it exhibited its new MK21060 STE Duopress automatic foil stamping and laser cutting machine with stripping. The Odyssey show took place from May 1-3 in the Nashville Convention Center.

“We were the stars of the show,” says Carol Jiang, Vice President, Masterwork USA. “Our new Duopress foil stamping and die cutting machine was in production throughout the three-day show.  Everyone was talking about our equipment because we brought something new that no one else had. We were able to demonstrate to a targeted audience how the Duopress can improve production and reduce downtime in the print and packaging industries with an integrated design that processes multiple functions in one pass. We felt that the quality level of attendees was very high and we had a number of major packaging firms that showed great interest in purchasing our equipment. We heard over and over from attendees how impressed they were with our price versus performance ratio--the high performance of our Duopress versus its economical price. “

The MK21060STE Duopress foil stamping and die cutting machine with stripping is designed with a one-pass integrated system combining the platen through the embossing and foil stamping onto the die cutting and stripping functions. The two-platen system makes the machine a versatile production platform for creating high-quality packaging or decorative greeting cards with elaborate designs.

The machine boasts a maximum output speed of 6,000 sheets per hour, but because multiple passes with two platens run at one time, users realize an output of 12,000 sheets per hour. Its optimized pressure adjustment provides a better foil stamping result. Its patented design of the adjusting mechanism ensures that the two units have high register accuracy. A separate power-driven waste conveyor belt is capable of removing waste at a high speed.

“Folding carton and packaging firms were able to see in person that our new all-in-one machine offers faster speeds, more precision productivity, and less waste,” says Jiang. “On the show floor, we were able to demonstrate how easily it is to produce high-quality boxes with enhanced designs for high-end customers in the cosmetic, fragrance, tobacco, and music/film/gaming markets.”

IADD FSEA Odyssey is the converting industry’s premier three-day education and technology expo uniquely focused on diemaking/diecutting, folding carton, corrugated, converting, foil stamping, embossing, and specialty industries. It is sponsored by the Foil and Special Effects Association and the International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking.

Masterwork USA Inc. is the US headquarters and demonstration facility located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The parent company, Masterwork Machinery Co., Ltd is based in Tianjin China, was established in 1995 and operates from a 90,000 square meter factory employing over 500 people. The firm has been a premiere provider of corrugated package printing solutions and has over 800 partners stretching around the world including Europe, Japan, and the Americas.

Duluth motorcycle clothing maker's socials boost visibility

The first was to park his Honda Gold Wing next to a nondescript, three-story brick factory building in Duluth's Lincoln Park, walk inside and try on some made-only-in-Duluth Aerostich gear.

"I've got myself in a situation now where I can afford better stuff," said Ramker, 47, who is married and has a daughter in college. "And I'm sick of things leaking. I ride in all sorts of inclement weather. Most riders will pull over to a wayside and wait it out. I ride through it, and I'm sick of being wet."

So Ramker turned to Aerostich, the gear made by Aero Design and Manufacturing. Andy Goldfine established the company nearly 30 years ago in a former candy factory at Superior Street and 18th Avenue West to design and manufacture fine-quality, waterproof textile riding gear for motorcyclists.

"At the time Andy started riding, he wanted to be able to use his bike and ride it as a transportation tool," said Lynn Wisneski, sales and business development director, who started with the company 22 years ago. "And there was nothing at the time that you could ride in to protect you from the rain or from falling. The suits that Andy designed were the first textile rider suits in the world."

Over almost three decades, the Aerostich brand has developed a worldwide following among passionate motorcyclists, Wisneski said. On Saturday, a customer from Texas was expected to arrive to be fitted for a rider suit. Early in her career, a couple from Norway arrived at the factory. The gear has made frequent appearances on the covers of motorcycling magazines.

Aero Design is making efforts to increase its visibility in the Northland. Among them are the "Saturday Motorcycle Socials" at the factory store on the first three Saturdays in December.

Another is a remodeling project that is transforming the entire first floor into retail space.

Already, all of the design, sewing and production take place on the second and third floors. The factory usually is open five days a week, but several employees were working on Saturday to keep up with the Christmas rush. Among them was one man working at the factory's new robotic garment-cutting machine, which Wisneski said has allowed Aero Design to greatly speed production and add a line of rider suits specifically designed for women.

The company has a work force of 60, Wisneski said, down from 113 at its pre-recession height. But the recession allowed the company to rethink what it was doing, she said. Among other things, the company has learned to use social networking as a marketing tool. And it has worked with a team of senior engineering students from the University of Minnesota Duluth to make the manufacturing process more efficient.

The expanded retail outlet is only a small part the company's strategy. Wisneski said Aerostich will remain primarily a mail-order business. But some customers, like Ramker, make the trip to Duluth to be professionally fitted for their garment, or just to rub shoulders with the people who design and make their gear.

Wisneski said Aerostich gets letters testifying about crashes in which the rider was uninjured, or only slightly injured, while wearing the company's gear. A hall is lined with suits that went through crashes. In one of them, the rider was traveling 65 mph when he spilled on dry pavement, slid and tumbled. He was able to ride away from the scene with bruises on his hands and a twisted knee, she said.

Ramker had a similar adventure in his own Aerostich gear years ago, he said, and back then he couldn't afford to replace the suit. The pants purchased on Saturday mark his return to the company's gear, and were the only thing he wanted for a certain holiday."Merry Christmas to me," he said.