February 16, 2013
— Open Blogger
There's all sorts of "stuff" that goes on behind the scenes to make the modern world possible. Most people have no idea what any of it is or appreciation for any of this because they just see the finished products.
The infrastructure of industry is something that has fascinated me since I was a small child though. My dad owned an electroplating shop. Electroplating is one of the critical adjuncts to almost all modern industrial production in one way or another. We got to see and process interim products/parts ranging from ordinary nuts and bolts to parts of the Apollo launch pad cooling system come through the business.
One of the major customers we had was Bendix. Bendix makes brake parts for everything from cars to airliners and fighter planes. Specifically, we copper plated some of the stamped brake pad backers for airliners and fighter planes. Apparently the actual brake pad friction gook didn't stick well to steel, but it would stick well to copper.
Those Bendix parts always came into the shop coated with a stamping oil which we had to remove to get them clean. You can't electroplate oily/dirty/rusty stuff. Its gotta be clean, clean, clean.
Apparently, the process of modern metal stamping is very sensitive to the quality of the lubes used on the metal and in the stamping dies. You can't just dump old crankcase drain oil in there and expect to get good results with the newer high strength steel alloys. The metal can tear/gall/curl in unsatisfactory ways if the stuff isn't right and there's been a move towards synthetics to resolve some of these issues.
There's also the issue of die wear. If you're constantly having to change the dies because they're wearing out, that's very costly. One of the things we did in the plating shop was rechrome stamping dies and mandrels used for pipe forming. Its always cheaper to rebuild the surface of a worn die back to spec by building it back up with chrome than it is to have a new die built.
Next time you fly on an airplane, consider all the thousands of little things that had to work right for it to be able to land and stop and not kill your ass in the process ;-> Lowly stamping oil was undoubtedly one of them.
Posted by: Open Blogger at
05:14 PM
| Comments (178)
Post contains 407 words, total size 2 kb.
Posted by: Navybrat at February 16, 2013 05:19 PM (I3elR)
Posted by: Molly k. at February 16, 2013 05:21 PM (QD0lE)
Never thought about stamping lube, but it certainly makes sense that some sort of lubricant would be desirable to make the process go smoothly.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at February 16, 2013 05:23 PM (673KB)
Posted by: Jmel at February 16, 2013 05:24 PM (9tSXa)
Never thought about stamping lube, but it certainly makes sense that some sort of lubricant would be desirable to make the process go smoothly.
I've found that you need two types of lubricant: astroglide and wine coolers.
Posted by: Anya at February 16, 2013 05:24 PM (hpDVh)
Posted by: Adriane ... at February 16, 2013 05:25 PM (TvO05)
Posted by: president hillary clinton at February 16, 2013 05:27 PM (Q2Ne0)
Posted by: Truman North at February 16, 2013 05:28 PM (I2LwF)
Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 16, 2013 05:28 PM (fzl0e)
If you're going to be a proper 'ette you must learn the first rule.
Comment first, post later.
for 'ettes, that's not the *first* rule...
Posted by: chemjeff at February 16, 2013 05:29 PM (BBWjt)
Have you ever noticed how all Barney Franks analogies have a double meaning?
Posted by: gastorgrab at February 16, 2013 05:29 PM (FX38i)
Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 16, 2013 05:30 PM (fzl0e)
Why, I haven't noticed. Would you like some of my frankfurter? Many people say it's delicious.
Posted by: Bawney Fwank at February 16, 2013 05:30 PM (BBWjt)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at February 16, 2013 05:31 PM (7tbEC)
Posted by: The Sea Slugs at February 16, 2013 05:32 PM (1rU+d)
He could be golfing 12 months out of the year by now.
Does anybody really think that he will ever do another day of labor after he leaves office ?
Posted by: Robert Byrd at February 16, 2013 05:32 PM (e8kgV)
Did that last thread go on for hours or is it just me? I am not a movie watcher at all. Have maybe sat through 6 movies total in a theater. So while that was going on I read a bit of it and kept checking back for a new thread. In the meantime I drank about 5 beers, made myself a jalapeno burger, did a few loads of laundry, read some really stupid stuff on the internet, let the dog out about 3 times, booked some rooms in London, painted my toenails and cleaned the microwave. Now that there is finally a new thread I've decided I'm going to read a book.
Posted by: Molly k. at February 16, 2013 05:33 PM (QD0lE)
Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 16, 2013 05:33 PM (fzl0e)
Obama is a community organizer. His goal is to organize the entire nation into a grievance mob of clients demanding handouts from the state. And so far it's working.
Posted by: chemjeff at February 16, 2013 05:33 PM (BBWjt)
Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at February 16, 2013 05:34 PM (piMMO)
Posted by: stephie at February 16, 2013 05:34 PM (xG0vx)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at February 16, 2013 05:34 PM (7tbEC)
Posted by: The Sea Slugs at February 16, 2013 05:34 PM (1rU+d)
Posted by: mayor bloomberg idiot savant at February 16, 2013 05:35 PM (Q2Ne0)
Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 16, 2013 05:35 PM (fzl0e)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at February 16, 2013 05:36 PM (7tbEC)
Posted by: Raid at February 16, 2013 05:36 PM (rZ45y)
23 You really have to wonder why Obama ran for re-election.
He could be golfing 12 months out of the year by now.
That's different than what he does now how exactly?
Posted by: buzzion at February 16, 2013 05:36 PM (GULKT)
Posted by: Raid at February 16, 2013 05:38 PM (rZ45y)
Posted by: Clemenza at February 16, 2013 05:38 PM (Fkb9l)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at February 16, 2013 05:38 PM (7tbEC)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at February 16, 2013 09:34 PM (7tbEC)
..........................................
Good point, I have a life story that would make Oprah cry. Funny about that though, apparently I was a big reader at a young age and decided to pen a story when I was around 8...It was in the vein of Little House on the Prarie, My mom kept it and proceeds to embarress me with it until this day.
Posted by: Molly k. at February 16, 2013 05:38 PM (QD0lE)
Can't believe they shot up "M", AND the DB5.
Posted by: Tobacco Road at February 16, 2013 05:39 PM (4Mv1T)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at February 16, 2013 05:39 PM (7tbEC)
Posted by: Clemenza at February 16, 2013 09:36 PM (Fkb9l)
More like Obama is the roids of LBJ
Posted by: Bill from Chappaqua at February 16, 2013 05:39 PM (0SXI6)
Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 16, 2013 05:39 PM (fzl0e)
Posted by: chemjeff at February 16, 2013 05:39 PM (BBWjt)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at February 16, 2013 09:38 PM (7tbEC)
Nah, Reggie Love just wasn't ready for retirement
Posted by: Bill from Chappaqua at February 16, 2013 05:40 PM (0SXI6)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at February 16, 2013 05:40 PM (7tbEC)
Posted by: Clemenza at February 16, 2013 05:41 PM (Fkb9l)
33 Make sure you're up on your Arabic
Pashto and Urdu too
........................................
You guys saying the room I booked at the Hijab Hotel is gonna have desk clerks that don't speak English? I better call my sister and see what she thinks.
Posted by: Molly k. at February 16, 2013 05:41 PM (QD0lE)
Also Obama enjoys the bootlicking.
That this now happens in america is a separate issue.
Posted by: willow-ette at February 16, 2013 05:41 PM (nqBYe)
Posted by: Jones in CO at February 16, 2013 05:41 PM (8sCoq)
Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 16, 2013 05:42 PM (fzl0e)
Lith grease and graphite lube are amazing all by themselves.
Lube is what makes the worlld better. Friction is bad.
Posted by: Invictus at February 16, 2013 05:42 PM (OQpzc)
Posted by: Seaman Mopper at February 16, 2013 05:43 PM (9ScGj)
Posted by: The Sea Slugs at February 16, 2013 05:43 PM (1rU+d)
Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 16, 2013 05:43 PM (fzl0e)
Posted by: willow-ette at February 16, 2013 05:43 PM (nqBYe)
Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at February 16, 2013 09:40 PM (7tbEC)
..............................................
Good thinking Anna!! Now I am seriously off to read.
Posted by: Molly k. at February 16, 2013 05:43 PM (QD0lE)
Posted by: dtih at February 16, 2013 05:44 PM (CmL+e)
Posted by: teej at February 16, 2013 05:45 PM (tWBKX)
Posted by: Raid at February 16, 2013 05:45 PM (rZ45y)
"Just a waste of good scotch."
Posted by: Tobacco Road at February 16, 2013 05:45 PM (4Mv1T)
Posted by: Clemenza at February 16, 2013 05:46 PM (Fkb9l)
On rare occasions, when the govt isn't looking, some bold souls go off reservation...
Posted by: @PurpAv at February 16, 2013 05:46 PM (1rU+d)
Posted by: Mauser757 at February 16, 2013 05:46 PM (TXany)
Posted by: Hogette Winslow at February 16, 2013 05:47 PM (esswZ)
Posted by: Clemenza at February 16, 2013 09:44 PM (Fkb9l)
The inside of the barrel on my T30 was chrome plated, it cut down on wear and corrosion due to corrosive primers. Still looks pretty good 110 years later. The newest finish for the outside of firearms is parkerizing, I don't know exactly what it is. Morons?
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at February 16, 2013 05:47 PM (yh0zB)
Posted by: DC in Towson, assault human at February 16, 2013 05:47 PM (jIaZt)
Posted by: @PurpAv at February 16, 2013 09:46 PM (1rU+d)
the smart ones.
g-dspeed and save a hut.
Posted by: willow-ette at February 16, 2013 05:48 PM (nqBYe)
Posted by: Margarita DeVille at February 16, 2013 05:48 PM (C8mVl)
Posted by: Icedog at February 16, 2013 05:49 PM (9ScGj)
Posted by: willow-ette at February 16, 2013 09:43 PM (nqBYe)
I don't build "that" but I fix the machines that do (semiconductor manufacturing, we make the brightest white LED's in the world, right here in the good old USA)
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at February 16, 2013 05:49 PM (yh0zB)
My son worked at two supermarkets unloading trucks, and more trucks, and then more trucks everyday, before we sent him off to school.
I think everyday how just a wee little disruption in that supply chain, and a crisis, and voila', the shelves are empty.
And my wife wonders why I'm paranoid.
Posted by: Tobacco Road at February 16, 2013 05:49 PM (4Mv1T)
Yep. Creating durable complex things, that build on and inter-operate with each other, is something that separates us from the the animal kingdom.
Posted by: @PurpAv at February 16, 2013 05:49 PM (1rU+d)
Posted by: Clemenza at February 16, 2013 05:50 PM (Fkb9l)
Posted by: Tobacco Road at February 16, 2013 05:51 PM (4Mv1T)
that is awesome
Posted by: chemjeff at February 16, 2013 05:51 PM (BBWjt)
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at February 16, 2013 05:51 PM (yh0zB)
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette, assault Hobbit at February 16, 2013 05:53 PM (wbeNt)
Posted by: Mindy at February 16, 2013 05:53 PM (gBOQE)
Posted by: Tobacco Road at February 16, 2013 05:53 PM (4Mv1T)
Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 16, 2013 05:53 PM (fzl0e)
And Kirchoff is an asshole.
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at February 16, 2013 05:53 PM (yh0zB)
Posted by: Raid at February 16, 2013 05:53 PM (rZ45y)
Posted by: willow-ette at February 16, 2013 05:54 PM (nqBYe)
Posted by: Mauser757 at February 16, 2013 05:54 PM (TXany)
Posted by: Icedog at February 16, 2013 05:54 PM (9ScGj)
Posted by: Mindy at February 16, 2013 05:54 PM (gBOQE)
UPDATE: A reader emails:
The relative lack of ground-level damage from a explosion equivalent to 30 Hiroshima bombs is due to its occurence about 25 miles above ground. And the reason it exploded so high up is that it came in at a shallow angle (20 degrees). If the approach had been steeper (less time in the atmosphere), it would have gotten closer to the ground before exploding. The folks in Chelyabinsk were very lucky.
Posted by: Jones in CO at February 16, 2013 05:56 PM (8sCoq)
Im tired of paying for minimum wage earners kids schooling, medical care, food stamps, etc. The mastas should pay for their own slave labor, not the middle class.
Posted by: Raid at February 16, 2013 05:56 PM (rZ45y)
Posted by: Whatev at February 16, 2013 05:56 PM (A7Wh1)
Posted by: Raid at February 16, 2013 09:53 PM (rZ45y)
Slaves get paid? Why?
Posted by: Invictus at February 16, 2013 05:57 PM (OQpzc)
Posted by: Mindy at February 16, 2013 09:53 PM (gBOQE)
Best Buy carries the Insignia light bulbs that fit most of your household sockets, and they can be used in dimming circuits. The 60 watt model will run ya about 15 bucks.
http://tinyurl.com/cgrhsxn
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at February 16, 2013 05:57 PM (yh0zB)
Posted by: Clemenza at February 16, 2013 05:57 PM (Fkb9l)
Posted by: chemjeff at February 16, 2013 09:56 PM (BBWjt)
Still an asshole. 
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at February 16, 2013 05:59 PM (yh0zB)
Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 16, 2013 05:59 PM (fzl0e)
Sadly, the majority of our country believes shit just appears.
This.
I once (briefly) dated a girl who (in an attempt to appear intellectually active) allowed as how she had no idea whatever how an air conditioner, or even an incandescent light bulb, worked.
The question to me was, did I want stupid kids?
Answer: no.
Adios, honey.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at February 16, 2013 05:59 PM (IDSI7)
Posted by: Clemenza at February 16, 2013 09:57 PM (Fkb9l)
Meh. Probably tastes about the same, especially if it was an Irish cat.
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at February 16, 2013 05:59 PM (yh0zB)
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette, assault Hobbit at February 16, 2013 06:00 PM (wbeNt)
I think pushing my kids into the blue collar/calloused hands world as early as possible and well before college is a must. They should learn to appreciate and understand what they could be doing if they don't push towards for excellence.
Posted by: Mauser757 at February 16, 2013 06:00 PM (TXany)
Posted by: Mindy at February 16, 2013 06:00 PM (gBOQE)
Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at February 16, 2013 06:01 PM (BuSM8)
Posted by: teej at February 16, 2013 06:01 PM (XXIrM)
Answer: no.
Adios, honey.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at February 16, 2013 09:59 PM (IDSI7)
The question should have been, was she interested in learning? That's the difference between stupidity and ignorance, ignorance can be cured.
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at February 16, 2013 06:01 PM (yh0zB)
Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 16, 2013 06:01 PM (fzl0e)
You must not have been near a litter box recently. Me neither. But I still got a good memory.
Posted by: Tobacco Road at February 16, 2013 06:01 PM (4Mv1T)
Posted by: chemjeff at February 16, 2013 06:02 PM (BBWjt)
Posted by: Jay Guevara at February 16, 2013 09:59 PM (IDSI7)
My minimum for a mate was she could at least understand the idea of the latent heat of evaporation. Forget current flow.
Posted by: Invictus at February 16, 2013 06:03 PM (OQpzc)
Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at February 16, 2013 06:03 PM (GEICT)
Posted by: Mindy at February 16, 2013 10:00 PM (gBOQE)
I'm looking at three of them in my kitchen, not a single flicker. These have a power supply built into them that keeps that from happening.
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at February 16, 2013 06:03 PM (yh0zB)
Posted by: Clemenza at February 16, 2013 09:57 PM (Fkb9l)
Well I certainly hope you're doing it like I do and you're surrounded by loaded firearms.
Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at February 16, 2013 06:04 PM (BuSM8)
Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at February 16, 2013 06:05 PM (GEICT)
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at February 16, 2013 06:05 PM (yh0zB)
The question should have been, was she interested in learning? That's the difference between stupidity and ignorance, ignorance can be cured.
Good point. My take was, no, she wasn't particularly interested in learning anything, it was essentially just a pose. She was, after all, a university graduate (Georgetown, IIRC), and so presumably had the means and the ability to learn this kind of thing on her own, had she wanted to. (A $25 investment in "How Things Worked" would've knocked her questions on the head.)
I think she just thought that her questions made her appear to have an inquiring mind, but had the opposite effect on me.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at February 16, 2013 06:05 PM (IDSI7)
Posted by: Howud Kusel at February 16, 2013 06:05 PM (FTwby)
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette, assault Hobbit at February 16, 2013 06:05 PM (wbeNt)
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at February 16, 2013 06:06 PM (yh0zB)
http://tinyurl.com/cgrhsxn
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at February 16, 2013 09:57 PM (yh0zB)
Many of the reviews at the Best Buy site mention an audible buzzing noise that the bulb makes at all times, but especially when dimmed. Sounds like a design flaw that needs to be addressed.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at February 16, 2013 06:07 PM (673KB)
Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 16, 2013 10:01 PM (fzl0e)
Good theme music for today's drinking alone:
O Fortuna
Posted by: Invictus at February 16, 2013 06:07 PM (OQpzc)
Posted by: Raid at February 16, 2013 06:07 PM (rZ45y)
Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 16, 2013 06:07 PM (wX9t0)
My minimum for a mate was she could at least understand the idea of the latent heat of evaporation.
Still single, I presume?
Posted by: Jay Guevara at February 16, 2013 06:08 PM (IDSI7)
Posted by: Jay Guevara at February 16, 2013 10:05 PM (IDSI7)
Yeah, most of the college girls I've met (what, I wasn't always this old) were more attractive before they opened their mouths.
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at February 16, 2013 06:08 PM (yh0zB)
Posted by: Raid at February 16, 2013 10:07 PM (rZ45y)
We saw your stupid shit the first time, but had the good breeding to ignore it. Now fuck off.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at February 16, 2013 06:08 PM (IDSI7)
Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 16, 2013 06:10 PM (wX9t0)
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at February 16, 2013 10:07 PM (673KB)
Huh, never noticed it in the one I have, and it stays dimmed a lot (stays on all night). Keep in mind with reviews though, either the reviewer absolutely loves the product and can't wait to tell everyone about it, or the reviewer had an issue and can't wait to tell everyone about it. Most of the consumers are satisfied with their purchase and don't bother to write reviews. With that being said, reviews are something that manufacturers surely do look at for product improvement.
FWIW, I dont work for the company that makes the bulbs, just the company that makes the LED's.
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at February 16, 2013 06:11 PM (yh0zB)
Now, if you get to the point of nano assembler who can fashion raw mass into anything you have data files for, that changes the rules. But you shouldn't hold your breath waiting for magic.
This story is also important towards understanding why something like an increase in cost for one process or raw material can send shock waves throughout industry.
If you look at what gasoline costs after taking away all of the expenses imposed by government, it is a testament to the amazing gains in industrial efficiency seen over the last century. Factor in inflation and gas has gotten remarkably cheap in the face of rapidly growing demand. The oil companies don't get the credit they deserve for helping create modern civilization.
Posted by: epobirs at February 16, 2013 06:11 PM (kcfmt)
stamping lube - sounds like a very hardcore version of fisting lube.
Posted by: Mauser757 at February 16, 2013 06:11 PM (TXany)
Posted by: Otis Criblecoblis at February 16, 2013 06:11 PM (IlZPo)
Yeah, most of the college girls I've met (what, I wasn't always this old) were more attractive before they opened their mouths.
Yep. It's OK that they don't know things. The irritating part is when they think that their wholly uninformed opinion should have equal weight that's tough to take.
A neighbor's wife once railed mightily against the construction of a microwave tower within her sight, and wondered aloud why they couldn't put it down in a canyon out of sight.
She really should have been spayed.
The irony is that she burned up that tower will her babbling on her cell.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at February 16, 2013 06:12 PM (IDSI7)
As mostly a lurker, sometime socker and infrequent commenter:
I humbly submit the term " Doldrums" to be accepted as the recognition that a thread has unwoven or died an ugly death.
I will await the council's decision.
Posted by: seamrog, trying to sound like Rod Serling at February 16, 2013 06:12 PM (FTwby)
Even an incandescent bulb does this when dimmed. Makes the filament "sing". I hate it, just nature of the beast. I spent ten years as a factory rep for Sylvania, but that was a long time ago. No experience with LEDs in the home.
Posted by: Tobacco Road at February 16, 2013 06:13 PM (4Mv1T)
Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at February 16, 2013 06:13 PM (GEICT)
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette, assault Hobbit at February 16, 2013 10:05 PM (wbeNt)
Spend some time on a non-google search engine looking at "light ducts" or
"light pipes", or maybe "light chimneys."
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at February 16, 2013 06:14 PM (673KB)
Posted by: Mindy at February 16, 2013 06:14 PM (gBOQE)
O/B..Having owned a fleet of Harleys, and built a few custom bikes, I almost looked into just buying my own chroming Eq. NO THANKS! Much more work, and the chemistry/chemicals are almost as dangerous as my Meth Lab!
I've been doing a bit of "black chroming" lately. Nice look, but not very durable.
Posted by: hutch1200 at February 16, 2013 06:14 PM (7FDZw)
LED and CFLs can get annoyingly buzzy if you have a lot of line noise. Ferrite cores around the lamp's power cord can fix that. These are the 'undigested meals' you often see on power cords for computer gear.
Posted by: epobirs at February 16, 2013 06:17 PM (kcfmt)
Posted by: Coed at February 16, 2013 06:17 PM (gBOQE)
O/B..Having owned a fleet of Harleys, and built a few custom bikes, I almost looked into just buying my own chroming Eq. NO THANKS! Much more work, and the chemistry/chemicals are almost as dangerous as my Meth Lab!
For some unfathomable cosmic reason, the chemistry of electroplating is incredibly nasty. Cyanides, chromates, etc. are definitely no fun.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at February 16, 2013 06:18 PM (IDSI7)
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette, assault Hobbit at February 16, 2013 06:19 PM (wbeNt)
Ferrite cores around the lamp's power cord can fix that. These are the 'undigested meals' you often see on power cords for computer gear.
Posted by: epobirs at February 16, 2013 10:17 PM (kcfmt)
Interesting. Dampens out the 60 Hz hum?
Posted by: Jay Guevara at February 16, 2013 06:19 PM (IDSI7)
Posted by: Red Neck at February 16, 2013 06:19 PM (rZ45y)
Posted by: Red Neck at February 16, 2013 06:21 PM (rZ45y)
Posted by: Coed at February 16, 2013 06:22 PM (gBOQE)
Posted by: GGE of the Moron Horde, NC Chapter at February 16, 2013 10:11 PM (yh0zB)
Understood. Not trying to slag your guys' product, but it appears the bulbs may have an issue with the circuit board, which I am guessing is a small switching power supply. Maybe a loose components? Some CFLs exhibit this issue too, dimmable or no. I don't use dimmers, but a bulb that makes noise would piss me off.
If I am going to pay $15 for a lamp, it had better not make audible noise.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at February 16, 2013 06:22 PM (673KB)
The devices do that normally since it's a given that it will be present. It's the other crap that creeps into the line that makes the noise.
For a while I was confused by the annoying noise that was often in the back ground of anime shows and movies in an urban or suburban setting. Then I realized it was the omnipresent effect of the power lines that are so much closer to people's home in the high density areas of Japan. It's a sort of audio cue to tell the viewer what kind of neighborhood the scene is set in.
Posted by: epobirs at February 16, 2013 06:26 PM (kcfmt)
Posted by: SEE THROUGH at February 16, 2013 06:27 PM (rZ45y)
That is the stupidest thing I have ever thought about.
Posted by: SEE THROUGH at February 16, 2013 06:30 PM (rZ45y)
......
If you look at what gasoline costs after taking away all of the expenses imposed by government, it is a testament to the amazing gains in industrial efficiency seen over the last century. Factor in inflation and gas has gotten remarkably cheap in the face of rapidly growing demand. The oil companies don't get the credit they deserve for helping create modern civilization.
Posted by: epobirs at February 16, 2013 10:11 PM (kcfmt)
Verne didn't describe the Nautilus as being nuclear powered; it ran on electricity from storage batteries, and had electric lights. This was cutting-edge technology at the time of writing, but he was dealing in stuff that technically-savvy people could foresee as being possible.
And regarding the oil companies" this^^^^
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at February 16, 2013 06:31 PM (673KB)
Those oils were in so much demand that several cities in the 1890's -- DC and Toledo, that I know of -- not only did not pay to have their garbage collected, but actually bid it out and received money for the privilege of hauling it away. During both world wars, there were collection schemes established to conserve those fats for industrial lubricant use. There's something about explosives, too, but shhh.
So in my town there is a creek that runs past "our" refinery, and the better'n'thou crowd has always sneeringly called it "Oil Crick." It's muddy, since it runs through clay soil and has not much of a gradient, but having some relatives in that oil bidness I knew there just wasn't that much pollutant getting loose. I looked into it and found the creek had been called that 25 years before the refinery was built, because of the linseed oil that ended up in it from the old pressing plants farther upstream.
Posted by: comatus at February 16, 2013 06:34 PM (qaVK+)
Posted by: Hrothgar at February 16, 2013 06:34 PM (Cnqmv)
Posted by: Chris M at February 16, 2013 06:34 PM (4lyMJ)
Posted by: SEE THROUGH at February 16, 2013 06:35 PM (rZ45y)
Posted by: Light at February 16, 2013 06:43 PM (rZ45y)
I tend to forget that was an addition made by the 1954 Disney movie. But it rang true. Even with the most modern implementation of Sodium/Mercury batteries taking advantage of the oceans endless supply of sodium, the Nautilus would have perpetually been starved for power or have been about 80% batteries. The issue wouldn't be running out of power so much as never having enough at any one time or being limited to very brief periods of full performance.
Otherwise, the criticism still holds. If you look at what was involved in producing WWII era subs, the idea that Nemo and a few dozen others could pull all of this together while still young enough to get any value from it was highly questionable. The amount of stuff that had to be developed and source from scratch is stunning when you work it all out.
Posted by: epobirs at February 16, 2013 06:44 PM (kcfmt)
During both world wars, there were collection schemes established to conserve those fats for industrial lubricant use. There's something about explosives, too, but shhh.
Posted by: comatus at February 16, 2013 10:34 PM (qaVK+)
Fats are triacyl glycerols --> glycerol --> nitroglycerine.
Posted by: Jay Guevara at February 16, 2013 06:58 PM (IDSI7)
The bulb ballasts have a transformer, full wave diode bridge, a little VRM and a few caps to smooth shit out.
The dimmer switches use a thing called a triac which is completely different than the old rheostat style dimmer. The triac dorks the duty cycle of the 120v sine wave, so its no longer smooth, rather a low duty cycle spikey kinda thing.
Posted by: @PurpAv at February 16, 2013 06:58 PM (1rU+d)
Posted by: Judge_Roy_Bean at February 16, 2013 06:58 PM (cCxiu)
The dimmer switches use a thing called a triac which is completely different than the old rheostat style dimmer. The triac dorks the duty cycle of the 120v sine wave, so its no longer smooth, rather a low duty cycle spikey kinda thing.
Posted by: @PurpAv at February 16, 2013 10:58 PM (1rU+d)
Yeah, I get that. Triac dimmers and transformers don't get along, because transformers are optimized for a sine wave, and the triac basically turns that into a string of pulses. So what they are doing is calling their lamp "dimmable" because it can be dimmed by a Triac dimmer, as long as the user is willing to put up with the noise, which, granted, may not always occur.
I don't have any dimmers in my home anyway. I do use some CFL lamps, and the ones in the bathroom emit a high whine at times. But I limit my bathroom visits to the time required for the task at hand, so it doesn't really bother me there.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at February 16, 2013 09:45 PM (673KB)
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Posted by: Molly k. at February 16, 2013 05:16 PM (QD0lE)