Innovative drinking straw

The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

LifeStraw Filter

Innovative drinking straw designed by Vestergaard Frandsen will give you easy access to safe and clean water.

LifeStraw with integrated water filter does not use chemicals, does not require batteries, and has no moving parts.

It effectively removes 99.9% of waterborne parasites and bacteria.

Place LifeStraw in water and drink through the mouthpiece.

Vestergaard Frandsen LifeStraw

Water Filter Straw

Personal Water Filter

 

to view the function of drinking Straw, click on the link below:

The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

Drop Forging

What is drop forging?


Drop forging is a metal shaping process, the metal to be formed is first heated then shaped by forcing it into the contours of a die, this force can be in excess of 2000 tons. The drop forging process can be performed with the material at various temperatures;

  • Hot ForgingDuring hot forging the metals are heated to above their recrystallization temperature. The main benefit of this hot forging is that work hardening is prevented due to the recrystallization of the metal as it begins to cool.
  • Cold ForgingCold Forging is generally performed with metal at room temperature below the the recrystallization temperature. Cold forging typically work hardens the metal.

There are two types of drop forging, open die and closed die.
Open die drop forging requires the operator to position the work piece while it is impacted by the ram. The die attached to the ram is usually flat or of a simple contour, most of the shaping is achieved by the operator physically positioning the work piece before each stroke of the ram. There are also special dies which can be used to cut the metal, form holes or notches.

Closed die drop forging comprises of a die on the anvil which resembles a mould, the ram which falls and strikes the top of the metal billet can also be equipped with a die. The heated metal billet is placed on the lower die while the ram drives down forcing the metal to fill the contours of the die blocks.

drop_forging

Diagram of basic drop forging set up


Drop Forging – Open die

Open die drop forging gets its name from the fact that dies on impact do not completely cover the work piece allowing the work to deform into open space. This is why an operator must position the work piece before each strike of the tool, it’s not unusual for the tool to strike a work piece many times before shaping is complete.

 notching_drop_forging  hex_open_drop_forging

Fig 1: Notching

Fig 2: Shaping

The above image “Fig 1” is showing notching, this process uses a tool similar in shape to a chisel, the operator will rotate the work piece through a gradual 360° ensuring the tool leaves an even impression around the circumference of the work piece. The operator may have to rotate the work piece several times to achieve the desired shape.

For “Fig 2” multiple sided shapes can be made with much the same method as notching, just with different tools, for shapes where more accuracy is required for example the six sided shape above a machine jaw might be used to hold the work piece in place and move it through a consistent rotation of degrees each tool impact.

Open die drop forging is capable of producing forgings from around 2kg to 150 tons and when a very large structurally sound part is required open die forging is usually top choice.


Drop Forging – Closed die (Impression die)

Closed die drop forging sometimes referred to as impression die forging comprises of a die on the anvil which resembles a mould, the ram which falls and strikes the top of the work piece can also be equipped with a die. The metal work piece is heated and placed on the lower die while the ram falls down forcing the metal to fill the contours of the die blocks. The ram may impact the work several times to ensure all of the contours are filled, with all the pressure put on the work piece its common place to get metal flow between the dies called flash, however the flash due to its decreased size cools relatively quickly and therefore helps block or reduce further flow between the dies. This flash will have to be trimmed off once forging is complete.

 drop_forging_diagram  closed_die_blocks

 

Advantages

  • Hot forging prevents work hardening associated with cold forming
  • Parts of sizes up to 25 tons can be produced with closed die forging
  • Closed die forging can produce near net shapes that will require only a small amount of finishing
  • Economic for large runs of product
  • Forging provides superior mechanical properties over castings due to the internal grain structure formation in forged parts

Disadvantages

  • Not very economical for short runs due to the high cost of die production
  • The business set up cost of drop forging is very high, not only are the machines and furnaces costly but special building provisions must be in place to cope with the powerful vibrations caused by drop forging. A special foundation must be laid to deal with this environment
  • Drop forging presents a dangerous working environment

A Mechanical Engineering Student’s Story

My engineering word starts when I was in standard one. During the time when I was small, I have totally don’t have any idea about what is the word “engineer” stands for, what is the job specification of engineers, how many division of engineering that exist in the world and so on. But, what had I put in my first ambition is – engineer. The childish thinking of mine does not drive me to explore more about engineering. However, the ambition keeps on changes as the years go by Engineer, Doctor, Painter, Musician, Architectural ….

My real engineering story starts when I won the third prize in the Physic Olympiad 2004. I have a well preparation work before I went to that competition. After the competition, I feel that my interest is actually lies on mathematics and physics. I am interested in exploring the knowledge of physics especially quantum physics, nuclear physics and material science. I have a good understanding on those modern physics theories by some of the famous sciencetist like Sir Elbert Einstein, Sir Arthur Holycomtum, Sir Neil Bohr and so on. These experiences drive me to take my form six study major in Physic.

This decision further enhances my bonding with physics when I found my good physics teacher – Mr. Teoh Paik Eng and Mr. Ooi Lin Chew. Both of them share the same characteristics – their passion towards physics study. I am totally “influence” by their passion. They make me fall in love with physics. With this interest and passion, I got a good result for the physics and mathematics in STPM. When the time I applying for the program of study in University, I face a contradiction. Should I choose pure physic or engineering study? After several tests on my ability and interest by the counselor, the engineering study is more suitable for me. Then, I start to choose the material engineering as my first choice in the list.

I was very fortune enough. I got my first choice and steps into University of Science Malaysia. I was very excited with this course because this is something that I want. My first lecture in my engineering life is “Introduction to Material Engineering”. I am really impressed with that method the lecturer lecture. She can explain everything about the material structures and have a well understanding on this field. Besides that, I am interested with the course “Engineering Mathematics” by one of the lecturer in EE School. At first, I felt bore and difficult with this course. The feeling was changed when I found the tutor. He is good in explaining the engineering mathematical problems and pulls me back from the boring status. I start to study hard in the courses for my first semester. At the end, I got a good result in my first engineering semester.

My ambition as a Material Engineers was changed when the story came to second semester. I am the kind of person who doesn’t like memorizing work. I like something calculation and hands on applications. I start to worry about my engineering life because I have to face lots of memorizing work for my four years of study. Therefore, I made researches on the other field of engineering and I found that Mechanical Engineering is suite me. I made a decision to change my program of study to Mechanical Engineering. With the result from 1st semester, I got the permission from the Registrar Department to change the program.

My first lecture in Mechanical engineering is “Thermodynamics”. The lecturer is good in explanation and expresses the knowledge to the students. At that moment, I was running in the right way. The actual engineering field for me is Mechanical Engineering. After the three years of study in Mechanical Engineering, I enjoy the study life. Besides that, study something interested makes me feel easy and satisfy with my achievement in this engineering field.

My first engineering experience starts when I had my internship in Bosch Rexroth. During the period of internship, I was given lots of project to handle. Of course I need the supervisor to check for my calculation and works. These are really a fantastic experience that I have not experience before. With the supervision from my manager and assistance manager, I have successfully design few hydraulic and pneumatic systems for the customers. The senses of satisfaction and achievements stronger the bond between me and mechanical engineering.

I am graduates soon. I hope that my life’s entire obstacles do not stop me from enrich my engineering experiences and knowledge. I plan to pursue my PhD degree in aircraft composite material after a few years of work. This is because I feel satisfy when I continue my Doctor Grades degree with some industrial experience.
I can express my engineering story in few words – because of enthusiasm, I love engineering.

Sdr. Choong Chin Hooi
Mechanical Engineering
University Science Malaysia