Author: European Springs Web Team

All over the world, there are groups of knowledgeable individuals and teams on a constant search for new and innovative solutions in science, engineering and technology. Here at European Springs Ireland, we love to keep on top of it. We have a great piece of news for all those interested in related news and research, and this one is sure to put a spring in your step. That’s right… Energy recycling stairs which are spring-loaded! But what is this innovative technology and how will it work?

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Research from the US

Researchers in the US have built energy recycling stairs that can store the user’s energy during their movement, returning the energy to the user during the ascent. This ultimately makes their trip easier and could be a potential way to improve health and help certain injuries and mobility issues.

Easy on the Knees and Ankles

The invention of these stairs can not only save energy through impact but can brake forces from the ankle by 26%. When a person is ascending the stairs, the technology will give the user a boost as it releases the stored-up energy from the descent. It will make it 37% easier on the knee compared to conventional stairs. This lower power device doesn’t require a complete separate staircase but can be placed on an existing one. It also doesn’t have to be permanent.

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Spring in Your Step

When we thought going up stairs was a bit too difficult, springs come to the rescue! It works through each and every step being tethered by springs and also equipped with pressure sensors on each step. When the walker descends the staircase, each step will slowly sink until it locks and is level with the next step. The stair then stays this way until someone walks up the stairs.

When someone then goes to ascend the staircase on the sensor, the latch on the lower step releases and the energy which has been stored in the springs are released, lifting the back leg.

The research was published in a journal in the US in PLOS ONE, where the author explained their initial idea to use energy recycling prosthetic shoes to assist in going up stairs. Karen Liu, an associate professor in Georgia Techs school of Computing, states:

“Unlike normal walking where each heel-strike dissipates energy that can be potentially restored, stair ascent is actually very energy efficient; most energy you put in goes into potential energy to lift you up”

 “But then I realised that going downstairs is quite wasteful. You dissipate energy to stop yourself from falling, and I thought it would be great if we could store the energy wasted during descent and return it to the user during ascent.”

She worked alongside a professor in Biomedical Engineering at the same university to develop the research and prototypes.

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The Story and The Benefits

When conducting the research, they didn’t expect, prior to the design, that their invention would actually see ease of impact. The professor initially got the idea when she attended an industry conference where she saw an ankle brace that did a similar thing using springs, to store and release energy. When she thought about her 72-year-old mother and her difficulties upstairs, she knew that she would never wear the brace. Then came the idea of smart stairs.

The researchers believe that the stairs could have numerous health benefits and also be extremely helpful to anyone recovering from surgery or for pregnant women. It could be useful for people who only need assistance for a short amount of time.

This is proof that with innovative thoughts, an engineering mindset, some springs and some research, you can conjure up an engineering marvel!

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The building of bridges and buildings designed to withstand earthquakes is an important discipline of engineering, especially in a world where buildings are becoming increasingly taller. Avoiding all damage in minor incidents and avoiding as much damage as possible during a major earthquake is the aim of this strand of engineering.

As engineers, foreseeing the potential risks is almost as important as creating a building that can withstand earthquakes in the first place.

Seismic Design

The seismic performance of a building is the factor which determines whether or not it is safe following earthquakes. If it does not endanger the lives of people in or surrounding the building as a result of the partial or complete collapse, then it is considered to be a seismically safe building.

Earthquake engineering aims to maintain a standing building in the case of a rare and terrible earthquake, whilst keeping the building serviceable in the case of more minor incidents. The lesser the damage and the continued functioning of the building is the crux of this form of engineering. Simulations are created using a scaled model of the proposed building structure, which is then tested using a shake-table to determine whether or not it would remain intact depending on the severity of the earthquake. Experiments such as this have been performed for over a century, aiming to increase the safety of cities.

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Construction

Methods for helping relieve the stress of earthquakes upon buildings have varied over the centuries. The Incas, for example, mastered the art of creating stone walls that did not use mortar. Instead, the bricks were tightly packed together, so if there was an earthquake the walls could move alongside the tremors without necessarily fully collapsing. This was a result of energy dissipation.

Today, modern engineering takes a different approach to earthquake-resistant construction. One such approach is using spring with damper-based isolator, which is placed in the foundations of a building to help with momentum and energy absorption during an earthquake. Buildings with such a foundation have been known to survive severe earthquakes with very little damage.

Lead rubber bearing, roller and friction pendulum bearing are also ways that engineers have attempted to reduce the damage of earthquakes on buildings in recent years.

Motorcycle suspension

Are you interested in the power of springs in your next engineering project? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us on 028 9083 8605 to enquire about our springs and pressing services.

Alternatively, you can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ to see our news and updates.

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The connection between engineers and mechanics can sometimes be unclear, and although they work together to put all the pieces of industry puzzles together, they are both very separate entities. In terms of automotive engineers and mechanics, engineers work on vehicles in a broader sense and are involved in everything from designing and developing new vehicles to improving performance. On the other hand, mechanics diagnose and repair vehicles, typically in a garage or workshop.

But what are the main differences and how do they work together to complete the entire process?

Engineer Teaching Apprentices To Use Tube Bending Machine

What are the Responsibilities of an Automotive Engineer?

Engineers in the automotive industry tend to not only work for auto manufacturing companies, but for engineering firms, governmental agencies and other industries and firms that require the skills and expertise of an engineer. Many engineers work on the actual creation of vehicles, assisting in the act of designing the systems and all components involved. Some engineers assist in analysing the systems and any problems that may occur to hope for improvements or changes.

Engineers are vital to the manufacturing industry and all the processes that connect to it, from ongoing oversight to ensuring the automobile is safe for public use. As a branch of vehicle engineering, not only do automobile engineers work in the conventional car design and manufacturing, but they are equally as important in aerospace and marine engineering, which can incorporate skills and elements of safety, electronic, mechanical, electrical and software engineering. These skills are all assets of an automotive engineer applied from design to manufacturing, and operations of trucks, motorcycles, trains, and all subsystems within.

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What About the Responsibilities of an Automotive Mechanic?

Automotive mechanics usually aren’t involved in the design side of the industry and usually work in repair shops or garages, either at a shop which repairs vehicles or with a dealer that works with a specific brand. Mechanics in this sense usually work in direct correlation with drivers – in the way that engineers don’t.

Mechanics work to identify a source of a problem with aim to fix the issue. They can discuss the operations of a vehicle, and use their knowledge to ensure the vehicle operates to optimum level. A part of an automotive mechanics job is to also make sure that the vehicle is safe for road operation, which is similar in certain ways to the responsibilities of an engineer. Many mechanics can specialise in a certain area, but with the advancement in technology, the job role of a mechanic has evolved to needing a wider spread knowledge, including electronical technology knowledge. Vehicles now possess modern technology which gives extra demand to the workers in this industry.

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Does the Training and Education Differ?

Engineers tend to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a related industry, but many will progress onto further education to allow them to specialise more closely in the industry. Mechanics in this industry usually need to have a minimum of high school education or equivalent, but unlike an engineer, they will receive extensive training in their area. This will require years of hands on training and tutoring to be ready to take on the industry fully.

How Do the Two Work Together?

Not only in the automotive industry but any type of engineer, whether electrical, civil or mechanical, technically needs the aftercare of a mechanic to keep the industry striving. An engineer could be said to be the backbone behind the automotive businesses, needed for design and specifics in creation of the technology, although mechanics will also know basics of their industry, and vice versa to synergise the entire process smoothly.  Although the two jobs are different, and some may complicate the two sometimes, they would not work without each other.

An engineer needs to apply skills and principles of physics and material science into the design, manufacturing and analysis of the mechanical systems, although the tradesmen in mechanics will utilise their skills to build or repair the machinery alongside.

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Without either of these job titles, the industry could not be what it is today, and both are equally as important as one another. At European Springs Ireland we are proud to be a part of the industry, and not only do we work in conjunction with the automotive industry, but in many related businesses, such as Electronics and Hydraulics. If you would like to know any more about our skills and services including manufacturing torsion springs, tension springs and compression springs, we would love for you to:

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Referring to an intelligent system, artificial intelligence seeks to recreate the human brain and provide a complex but efficient technology that will innovate the way technological industries work. In recent years, artificial intelligence has seen a big development, with more self-aware robots that are increasingly more capable of performing difficult tasks.

With the evolution of the Internet of Things and the rise of automation, artificial intelligence will play a growing part in all processes of design and manufacturing involved in a wide range of engineering industries.

IoT, The Internet of Things

The Internet of Things is allowing for an interconnected world, where devices connect everyone from everywhere. This connection allows for engineers from all over the world to collaborate and minimise errors in projects. This ease of collaboration also permits for students to easily develop their skills by learning from the best, regardless of where they are situated.

Technological advances have transformed manufacturing, which has increasingly more cognition. The Internet of Things is opening the way for manufacturers to simplify all processes, with the transfer of information made easier in a continuous flow. This will permit real-time and informed decisions to be made, and for engineering projects to benefit from the input of several industries across the globe.

 

Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 refers to the fourth industrial revolution, which relates to the rise of artificial intelligence and robots. With the integration of these machines, their cognitive and physical abilities are progressively being developed and innovated. Robots are increasingly more and more able to perform repetitive and heavy tasks, which allows them to perform at high capacity in automated and sophisticated environments.

Behaviour-based robots are permitting an Artificial Intelligence revolution, with engineering industries becoming more organised and more able to perform at higher, optimised rates.

 

Automation

In manufacturing, for example, this rise in automation and increase in robots with better cognitive skills will transform the industry in varied ways. Robots will be able to function semi-autonomously, providing support through a wide range of tasks in all projects. They will be able to draw expert knowledge from cloud-based databases provided by the Internet of Things’ connectivity.

They will be able to recognise all components within specialised equipment and apply different behaviours according to necessary tasks to perform and apply the correct tools. Through the database, robots will also be able to rapidly correct errors and provide suggestions to engineers, so that these are able to perfect their projects.

Through analysing global databases and applying that knowledge, robots will be able to identify opportunities and optimise all tasks within engineering projects and design. In this rapidly changing and evolving environment, engineering expertise is essential in order to adapt to technological developments.

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Pressings and springs are important for many types of industries even though you might not think it, and there are several products which are great to use! There is a large variation of springs to choose from and different types of machinery to create the perfect spring. Stamping presses are used in a variety of industries including aerospace, automotive, medical and construction fields.

This blog is to highlight why stamping presses are good to use in the spring industry.

What Is It?

A stamping press is a metalworking machine tool that can precisely shape or cut metal to a consumer’s specifications. The process involves forming, drawing, trimming, blanking, and piercing the metal with a die. The process can be used for both sheet and coil forms of metal. Stamping presses are the modern-day equivalent of a hammer and anvil.

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How They Work

The press is composed of a bolster plate and ram. The stamping process works by forming the metal between two halves of the press tool. The upper part is attached to slides of the press, while the bottom part is attached to the stationary bolster bed. The larger presses have a die cushion integrated in the bolster plate, which helps apply blank holder forces.

Importance of Stamping Presses

Stamping presses are high quality, effective and inexpensive. This developed technology allows companies and individuals to easily create many different metal products, which is why many businesses use them today.

Different Types of Stamping Presses

There are several different types of stamping presses to suit the best results of the job provided.

Mechanical presses use an eccentric drive, and are run by a motor which runs the flywheel. These types of presses operate at a steady pace and can easily produce metal products. This type uses press force progression, meaning the die guides the pressing action.

Old punching machine closeup.

Hydraulically Driven Presses use hydraulic cylinders to move the ram up and down. They use constant press force during the stroke, utilizing air or liquid to create the pressure.

Single-Acting and Double-Acting Presses. Single-acting presses have asingle ram whilst double-acting presses have a subdivided ram. Its clamped to the top portion of the stamping die, which generates the up and down movement when metal is fed through the die of the press.It works by firstly unrolling the metal from a coil and putting it through a straightener. Once cut, the metal can be shaped to any form.

Nongeared presses are used for when the workload is applied to the bottom of the stroke, for operations such as, blanking, perforating and shallow forming.

At European springs Ireland, we have years of experience working at the highest standard.  We are proud to be a market leader in the industry environments of spring and high speed press technology. We deal with any of our materials in thickness of 0.05 to 4mm. European Springs efficiently manufactures either a single piece or millions of pressings if needed to. We offer services throughout Ireland, giving the same level of service as our clients in the UK and continental Europe.

Get in contact with a member of our friendly team to help you with any enquiries you have.

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Industry is constantly evolving has been over thousands of years, from the Bronze and Iron Ages all the way to the Industrial Revolution and the modern day. We have seen some truly amazing things come out of the industrial sector, and it’s important to understand how things we take for granted were initially developed.

As such, we’ve come up with a small list of scientific breakthroughs that were incredibly important in the industrial sectors, but also to modern day society.

The Internal Combustion Engine

If this wasn’t invented at the time, then we might not be able to see the magnificent automobiles that we see daily. The internal combustion engine is a heat engine that uses thermodynamics to achieve the correct results.

The internal combustion engine is constructed so that when fuel enters the engine block, it reacts with the air inside and is then ignited by a spark plug, which then provides power to the camshaft, and this the transmission and the vehicle chassis.

This type of engine was invented in the mid 1800’s, and it wasn’t until the late 1850’s when it was used commercially for the first time. After this, Nikolaus Otto perfected this engine and developed the Otto engine, which was a four-stroke internal combustion engine. This became the starting point of the invention of the automobile, which was vital since there are now over one billion vehicles on the road across the world.

Technological engine

The Steam Engine

Even though this type of engine is used as frequently as it was in the past, it was still a massive breakthrough when it was patented by Thomas Savery in the late 17th century. The steam engine was an external combustion engine, meaning that the fluid that undergoes work is separated from the products that undergo combustion.

When the steam engine was put into commercial use, it was generally used as a water pump and was then developed into an atmospheric engine, which used half as much coal as the leading engine at the time.

After this, more people began to understand the possibilities that could be achieved through steam engines; this is when they became popular in steam locomotives, paving a new age in transportation across the country.

Steam power was one of the most efficient ways of providing energy to a process, and it was only beaten by electrical powers in the 19th and 20th centuries, meaning that it was a massive breakthrough indeed.

Steam Trains On Parade

The Birth of Electrodynamics

When comparing this to what we see in the modern age, this is one of the most important scientific breakthroughs. This began in the early 19th century with Sir Humphrey Davy inventing the first incandescent light by supplying a current from a battery through a strip of platinum.

After this, William Sturgeon invented the electromagnet and then, in 1831, Michael Faraday developed his theory of electromagnetic induction, which is the principle that is used to operate transformers and all modern electrical generators.

In the 1860’s, Michael Faraday added to this theory and came up with the four Maxwell equations that used to govern the behaviour of electricity and magnetism. These equations have helped us to develop some of the world’s most widely used products, from smartphones to the very best televisions.

Electrical spark

The industrial sector is one of the world’s most important sectors, as it’s a sector that is constantly developing. As specialists within this industry, we understand how important the industrial sector is, which is why we are so proud of being a part of it.

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