The composing process in technical communication

The theory and application of the composing process in technical communications is addressed. The composing process of engineers, some implications for composing research for the teaching and research of technical communication, and an interpretation of the processes as creative experience are also discussed. Two areas of technical communications summarized concern: the rhetorical features of technical communications, and the theoretical background for a process-based view, a problem-solving approach to technical writing

Mechanical behavior of entangled materials with or without cross-linked fibers

Entangled materials can be manufactured using fibers made from various materials, such as carbon, glass or steel. The mechanical properties of these low-density materials are linked to their architecture (fiber orientation, number of contacts, etc.). Specimens can be produced with and without cross-links between fibers by sintering for steel wool or by using epoxy spraying for carbon or glass fibers. Experimental mechanical compression tests were performed on these materials. The results were analyzed taking into account the architecture thanks to the relationships existing between morphological data and macroscopic mechanical behavior

Friction behavior of laser cladding magnesium alloy against AISI 52100 steel

The use of magnesium alloys in engineering applications is becoming increasingly important as a relatively low density allows savings in energy consumption and therefore reduction in air pollution. An associated reduction in inertia makes these alloys potential candidates for friction components, but they suffer from poor wear resistance. Laser surface alloying with appropriate powder mixture is an innovative technique to improve surface properties of metallic alloys. In this study, the effect of laser surface alloying using Al12%Si powder on wear resistance of a magnesium alloy ZE41 is investigated. Hardness and wear resistance of the alloy are significantly enhanced after treatment

Numerical Key Performance Indicators for the Validation of PHM Health Indicators with Application to a Hydraulic Actuation System

In order to perform Prognostic and Health Management (PHM) of a given system, it is necessary to define some relevant variables sensitive to the different degradation modes of the system. Those variables are named Health Indicators (HI) and they are the keystone of PHM. However, they are subject to a lot of uncertainties when computed in real time and the stochastic nature of PHM makes it hard to evaluate the efficiency of a HI set before the extraction algorithm is implemented. This document introduces Numerical Key Performance Indicators (NKPI) for the validation of HI computed only from data provided by numerical models in the upstream stages of a PHM system development process. In order to match as good as possible the reality, the multiple sources of uncertainties are quantified and propagated into the model. After having introduced the issue of uncertain systems modeling, the different NKPI are defined and eventually an application is performed on a hydraulic actuation system of an aircraft engine

Naval applications of a TAE-derived executive

Global Imaging introduced an interactive image processing system in 1985, featuring the Global Applications Executive (GAE) which is a modified Transportable Applications Executive (TAE) environment. The executive plus a large variety of image processing functions, known commercially as the System 9000, are designed to operate on the Hewlett-Packard as its standard desktop computer (NSDTC), the System 9000 has found easy acceptance for Naval image processing applications. The Department of Oceanography at the Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, has installed an NSDTC with an image processing upgrade. This interactive digital image processing workstation is used by the midshipmen and staff for training and research in remote sensing oceanography. The turn-key system provides the capability to process imagery from commonly used Earth observation spacecraft, in conjunction with in situ data sets. The Acoustic Group at the Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. has acquired its first System 9000 to interactively process ocean acoustic data gathered by shipboard sensors. Finally, the Naval Oceanographic Facility in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi has acquired a System 9000 to provide a second generation Tactical Environmental Support System (TESS 2) prototype with image processing capabilities. This will permit merging of conventional data with polar orbiting spacecraft imagery. A brief description of these applications and the TAE-derived system is presented

Friction stir welding of AZ31 magnesium alloy rolled sheets: Influence of processing parameters

The temperature evolution during friction stir welding (FSW) and the resulting residual stresses of AZ31 Mg alloy were studied to get a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in this process. The relationship between the processing parameters, the heat and plastic deformation produced and the resulting microstructure and mechanical properties was investigated. Increasing the shoulder diameter or the tool rotation speed or decreasing the welding speed produced an increase in the heat generated during the process and then promoted grain growth. The temperature distribution on the advancing side and on the retreating side differed, and stress levels were higher on the retreating side. The grain size heterogeneity produced by FSW was not the prevailing cause of failure.AEROMAG Project N°AST4-CT-2005-516152 European Unio

L'Avant-projet de Loi sous l'angle de la responsabilité des fabricants et des vendeurs spécialisés

L'évolution du droit civil en matière de responsabilité des fabricants et des vendeurs spécialisés a été considérable au Québec depuis 15 ans. Les tribunaux et le législateur ont non seulement augmenté de beaucoup les obligations faites aux fabricants (responsabilité pour les vices cachés et devoir d'information), mais ils ont également uniformisé et clarifié les régimes juridiques applicables. L'Avant-projet rompt complètement avec cette évolution. Il y est en effet proposé de dédoubler et de distinguer les fondements de la responsabilité opposables à ces deux types de défendeurs, et ce, pour des dommages identiques causés par les mêmes produits. D'autre part, les propositions faites placeraient à bien des égards les fabricants dans une position juridique plus favorable que celle des vendeurs de leurs propres produits pour certains types de dommages et nous jugeons cette proposition inacceptable. Il faut remarquer enfin que les consommateurs québécois assumeraient seuls, si l’Avant-projet était accepté à cet égard, le risque des innovations technologiques, marquant en cela un net recul par rapport à la situation actuelle qui est largement influencée par la décision de la Cour suprême dans l'arrêt Kravitz. C'est pour ces raisons que la présente étude recommande la révision complète de cette partie cruciale de l’Avant-projet concernant la responsabilité des fabricants et vendeurs spécialisés de produits défectueux.Over the past fifteen years, the evolution of civil law in the area of specialized manufacturers' and salespersons' liability has been quite considerable. The courts and the legislature have done much more than just increase the obligations of manufacturers (liability for hidden defects and the duty to inform), they have also standardized and clarified applicable law. The preliminary Draft is a total break with this evolution. Indeed, it is proposed to double and distinguish the grounds for liability that may be invoked against these two types of defendants — both for identical damages caused by the same products. Moreover, these proposals would in many ways put the manufacturer in a more secure legal position than a salesperson's selling their products for certain kinds of damages and we consider this proposal to be inacceptable. It is also noteworthy that — were this preliminary Draft to be accepted — it is the Québec consumer who alone would assume the risk of technological innovations, thus marking a step backwards from the present situation which has been greatly influence by the Supreme Court's Kravitz decision. Hence it is on the basis of these reasons that a complete revision of this crucial part of the preliminary Draft on the liability of manufacturers and salespersons with regard to defective products, is recommended

Excimer laser treatment of ZE41 magnesium alloy for corrosion resistance and microhardness improvement

We would like to acknowledge the financial support of the ‘‘Conseil regional de PACA’’ and Protection des Metaux d’Arenc). The authors are grateful to PMA’s engineers Ms. E. Castellan, Ms. A. Gonthier and Mr. F. Miretti for their help and assistance with the salt-spray testsA laser surface melting treatment (LSMT) was performed on a ZE41 Mg-alloy using an excimer KrF laser. The laser-melted layer depth depends on the laser scan speed. The morphology and the microstructure of the laser-melted surface were characterized, thanks to the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The melted Mg-alloy presented a homogenous distribution of the alloying elements in the magnesium matrix. The laser surface melting treatment increased the microhardness of the ZE41 Mg-alloy and improved its corrosion resistance