Online Multimedia Museum of Machine Motion

November 13, 2009 by kris de decker Filed Under: Books & Reference, Mechanics, Obsolete technology, Random

steam turbine

Reader Mathew Lippincott (check out his mutoscope) points us to Kinematic Models for design (KMODDL), an open access, multimedia resource for learning & teaching about kinematics and the history & theory of machines.

The core of this wonderful museum is the Reuleaux collection of mechanisms and machines, a set of 19th century models built to demonstrate the elements of machine motion (more collections here). Also of interest are the tutorials and this extensive list of online references.

KMODDL also has 3D-printable models (see the multimedia section) and some of these have stereolithography files. They can be viewed with Meshlab. Thank you, Mathew!

Floating Citadels, Powered by Wind and Water Mills

November 7, 2009 by kris de decker Filed Under: Balloons, Boats, Ferries, History, Inventions that never made it, Military technology, Random, Shipping, War technology, Warfare, Water wheels, Weapons, Wind Power, Windmills

floating citadels

This engraving, published in 1798, shows the gigantic St. Malo raft, designed in 1791 during the French Revolution. The engraving informs us that this extraordinary structure was 600 feet long by 300 broad, mounts 500 pieces of cannon, 36 and 48-pounders, and is to convey 15,000 troops for the invasion of England. In the midst is a bomb-proof, metal-sheathed citadel.

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Ran Prieur

November 4, 2009 by kris de decker Filed Under: Blogs

Radical low-tech blog.

507 Mechanical Movements (1908)

November 4, 2009 by kris de decker Filed Under: Books & Reference, Mechanics, Obsolete technology, Random

507 mechanical movements

“507 Mechanical Movements, embracing dynamics, hydraulics, hydrostatics, pneumatics, steam engines, mill and other gearing, presses, horology, and miscellaneous machinery, and including many movements never before published, and several which have only recently come into use“. Henry T. Brown, 1908. Via Doug Berch.

It’s Easy Being Green

October 31, 2009 by kris de decker Filed Under: Marketing

Green-leaf-eco-enviro-logo-compilation (via).

TimberTower: a High-Tech Wind Turbine, Made from Trees

October 30, 2009 by kris de decker Filed Under: Wind Power, Wind turbines, Wood

Timbertower Our article on industrial windmills appeared on The Oil Drum and, as could be expected, this generated many interesting comments. One in particular was made by a reader named “anyone“, who sent in a link about a high-tech wind turbine placed on a tower made entirely of wood.

So while we suggested to redesign traditional windmills by using modern, high-tech materials, the German company TimberTower proposes the opposite: redesign modern wind turbines by using traditional, low-tech materials.

Large wind turbines are usually made of steel, and while they definitely deliver more energy over their lifetime than it takes to produce them (contrary to small wind turbines), using no energy at all would of course be even better – and cheaper.

Wood is easier to transport (the TimberTower is manufactured out of glued laminated timber panels which are assembled on-site), doesn’t need to be mined, has no corrosion issues (think of offshore turbines), and it captures carbon. And while trees bend in strong winds, they usually don’t break.

Using a timber tower for a 100 metre high wind turbine can save approximately 300 tons of sheet steel, writes the company at their website. One “TimberTower” also ties up approximately 400 tons of CO2. They say they can build them as high as 200 metres. Serial production should start in 2010. More:  TimberTower. Related: wooden pipelines, wooden bridges.