Book on the 'Theory of Machines and Mechanisms' for the serious student

Time to take your engineering knowledge up a notch? Check out this book I discovered on Amazon the other day. For the non-professional engineer it may be a little weighty, but boy...it's all there! (This fourth edition is aimed at senior undergraduate or graduate students in mechanical engineering.)

Theory of Machines and Mechanisms covers the study of displacements, velocities, accelerations, and static and dynamic forces required for the proper design of mechanical linkages, cams, and geared systems. The authors present the background, notation, and nomenclature essential for students to understand the various independent technical approaches that exist in the field of mechanisms, kinematics, and dynamics.

The book includes a CD with working model animations of many figures from the text to help students visualize and comprehend their movement. A companion website for instructors provides additional information and resources, including PowerPoint-based slides of figures from the text.

Here is where you can get Theory of Machines and Mechanisms

---

via The Automata Blog http://blog.dugnorth.com/2013/11/book-on-theory-of-machines-and.html

Is there a police blitz on unsafe driving in London?

Harry Venning of the Guardian’s take on the “blitz” in “Clare in the Community” After a spate of cyclist deaths in London, cyclist safety is on the national agenda. For some, getting cyclist safety in the public eye is inherently good – we’re not so sure. The key issue is, after all, to do the […]



via Road Danger Reduction Forum http://rdrf.org.uk/2013/11/29/is-there-a-police-blitz-on-unsafe-driving-in-london/

December 2013 Timetable

via Skill Share Dundee http://skillsharedundee.wordpress.com/2013/11/27/december-2013-timetable/

December 2013 Timetable

via Skill Share Dundee http://skillsharedundee.wordpress.com/2013/11/27/december-2013-timetable/

How to load a container ship

Container ships are the pack mules of global trade, and journalist Rose George's new book, Ninety Percent of Everything, examines how the steel boxes full of solids, liquids and gases get where they're going. One huge challenge, George says, is simply loading and unloading these giant ships, a task that calls on physics, chemistry -- and knowledge of pirate tactics.

By: Bryan Gardiner,

Continue reading...



via Wired.co.uk http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2013/11/how-to/load-a-container-ship

Sew What? iFixit and Patagonia Turn Black Friday on its Head

Patagonia and iFixit have joined forces to do something about waste and mindless consumerism. The companies will co-publish a series of free repair guides for Patagonia clothing. Patagonia is the first apparel company to partner with iFixit to encourage customers to repair old products, instead of buying new. On Black Friday, customers can visit select Patagonia stores to get help fixing an old Patagonia garment. To sweeten the deal, there will be samples of the new Patagonia California Route beer made by New Belgium Brewery.

Read more on MAKE

via MAKE http://makezine.com/2013/11/27/sew-what-ifixit-and-patagonia-turn-black-friday-on-its-head/

Git Commit

via xkcd.com http://xkcd.com/1296/

Warsaw climate talks expected to end without progress

Clashes and walk-outs have marred the final hours of United Nations talks on addressing the threat posed by climate change.

Every country has agreed that it's vital to prevent the planet from warming by more than two degrees, but the political will to achieve that goal seems out of reach. Campaigners walked out of talks on 21 November, saying that the meeting would deliver "virtually nothing".

By: Duncan Geere,

Continue reading...



via Wired.co.uk http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-11/23/cop19

London’s cycling culture is developing in a dangerous direction | John M Morrison

The capital’s cycling campaigners seem to be outraged by suggestions that cyclists should start taking more responsibility for their safety

John M Morrison

via Environment: Bike blog | theguardian.com http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/nov/21/londons-cycling-culture-dangerous

6 sugru Hacks for Hikers and Ramblers

sugru loves the great outdoors and is great for preparing your kit for your next adventure - it's strong, durable and can stand up to anything the weather throws at it, wet or dry, hot or cold. If you're a hiker or a walker, here's six ways sugru can help you.

1. Add Ergonomic Grips to a walking pole

Personalise your walking pole to make it suit your grip when tackling the more challenging trails. Watch our fencing sword grip tutorial to learn how to make really professional ergonomic grips.

2. Add a reflective strip to your wellies

Add reflective strips to your wellies like this sugruer, and improve your visibility on evening strolls. This would also work to add reflectors to jackets, poles or even the heels of walking boots.

3. Fix up your hiking boots nice and proper

Patch up leaks and put a stop to fraying shoelaces to keep your hiking boots going for longer. Stop them rubbing and improve fit too by setting some sugru into the heel, or wherever it's needed.

We also really like sugruer Happy's use of a stamp on his sugru patch to personally brand his boots!

4. Keep your waterproofs... waterproof

You can have the best spangling high-tech rain mac out there, but a little snag by a passing branch and suddenly you've got an unrelenting damp elbow every time it rains. Patch up little rips and tears before they become a bigger problem.

5. Turn a Walking Pole into a MonoPod

We love sugru-er Mark Langford's ingenious use of a walking pole - an instant monopod for when you reach that hilltop and find that breathtaking view.

6. Fix a zip on a backpack

Make your zips zippy again for quicker access to your well-earned sandwiches, once you've found that perfect lunch spot. Mmm.

via sugru http://sugru.com/blog/6-sugru-hacks-for-hikers-and-ramblers

Dialogues | Audiovision

Thursday 28th November 2013, 8pm.

Inspace, 1 Crichton Street, Edinburgh EH8 9AB

Christos Michalakos a composer and performer who works with combinations of bespoke software, acoustic percussion and live electronics. His practice explores new strategies for electronic performance by investigating modes of interaction between the acoustic and electronic sound worlds.

Chris Watson is one of the world's leading recorders of wildlife and natural phenomena. The unearthly groaning of ice in an Icelandic glacier is a classic example of, in Watson's words, putting a microphone where you can't put your ears.

For guest list reservations click here.

read more

via New Media Scotland http://www.mediascot.org/dialogues/audiovision

LitteBits and Korg Release Synthesizer Kit

Combine snap-together electronics gurus littleBits with Korg's synthesizer mastery and you get an impressive kit for creating modular synths.

Read more on MAKE

via MAKE http://makezine.com/2013/11/12/littebits-and-korg-release-synthesizer-kit/

Jazz breaking news: Polar Bear go Black and White on vinyl-only EP ahead of fifth album release in 2014

Polar Bear, one of Brit jazz’s most forward-thinking ensembles are set to return with a limited edition Black and White EP featuring new music taken from their long-awaited fifth album that’s scheduled for release in March 2014. The first new music to be released by the band since their 2010 album, Peepers, this vinyl-only 10” EP features hand-printed artwork by Craig Keenan, with each copy hand numbered by the band’s influential drummer Seb Rochford. The music includes two tracks taken from the sessions for the band’s fifth, as yet untitled, album and won’t be available anywhere else, either on the album or as a digital download. Released in five different coloured screen-printed sleeves, the EP will only be available through the Polar Bear Bandcamp page – polarbearmusic.bandcamp.com – their gigs, or Rough Trade record shops.

Nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2005 for their album Held On Tips Of Fingers, the band continues to feature its core line up of bassist Tom Herbert, electronics/laptopist Leafcutter John, drummer Rochford and saxophonists Pete Wareham and Mark Lockheart. The group previewed some of the new material at their Bishopsgate Institute gig in October and are set to head out on an extensive series of gigs in spring 2014 at the following venues: Band On The Wall, Manchester (20 Mar); Wardrobe, Leeds (21 Mar); Thekla, Bristol (22 Mar); Komedia, Brighton (26 Mar); Hare & Hounds, Birmingham (27 March); XOYO, London (2 Apr); SJE Arts, Oxford (3 April) and Sage, Gateshead Jazz Festival (6 Apr).

– Mike Flynn

For more info go to www.polarbearmusic.com

via Jazzwise Magazine http://jazzwisemagazine.com/news-mainmenu-139/70-2013/12891-jazz-breaking-news-polar-bear-go-black-and-white-on-vinyl-only-ep-ahead-of-fifth-album-release-in-2014

Rhythm by Matt McConnell

A massive sculpture constructed out of 166 drum cymbals that reflects the rhythm of musical beats.

















via Design Milk http://design-milk.com/rhythm-matt-mcconnell/

Spring Fling Rural Mural

via recoat http://recoat.blogspot.com/2013/11/spring-fling-rural-mural.html

Simple Answers

via xkcd.com http://xkcd.com/1289/

Aluminum Cans Become Stools by Studio Swine

Studio Swine turns the streets of Sao Paulo into a manufacturing line, creating aluminum stools from cans collected on the streets.

















via Design Milk http://design-milk.com/can-city-studio-swine/