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An Ultrasonic Drill ANEW drill for dentistry, developed by a Moscow professor and an engineer, would seem to present possibilities in other directions. It works on the ultrasonic principle. When used on a tooth a drop of liquid containing abrasive is placed on it. Meanwhile a small tube with a pointed bit is connected to a generator which transforms the electrical energy into high-frequency oscillations and these are transmitted to the bit. When the " drill " is brought into contact with the abrasive on the tooth, the 30,000 vibrations per second quickly bore a hole.
Land-Rover Birthday Party
LAST week Solihull was the scene of a three-day celebra tion organized by the Rover Co., Ltd., to recognize the tenth birthday of the Land-Rover and announce the introduction of the Series II models which were described in last week's issue. Among the many interesting things seen by the guests on these three days were some wellproduced films of Land-Rovers in action in various parts of the world, also some hitherto unreleased pictures of the original Land-Rover prototype. In general outline this did not look unlike the Land-Rover as we know it today, but one of the essential differences was the use of a central steering position: presumably this came about with the object of reproducing the driving characteristics of an A26 agricultural tractor, this prototype model having been used extensively on farming work.
In his address to the guests, Mr. M. C. Wilks, joint managing director, revealed that the idea of the I,and-Rover had originated early during the last war, but that the military authorities had turned the idea down and it was not until 1947 that the project was resurrected.
The initial scheduled production was to be 2,500 vehicles a year, whereas the current rate is about 10 times that number, over 202,000 vehicles of different types having been produced, including 15,000 for the British Armed Forces. Mr. Wilks concluded by saying that the Rover Co. should welcome the appearance of competitive vehicles which appear from time to time, in that they act as a stimulant.
Pioneers in "Powder" Handling
iviucH interest has been shown in many quarters in the
handling of granulated and powdered materials in bulk, as is exemplified by the appreciation accorded to the "Bulk Traffic Handling Number " of this journal, published on March 14,
As regards the delivery of cement under pressure, a pioneer company are Portasilo, Ltd., Blue Bridge Lane, York, who originated the system in this country and had manufactured for them the first tanker demonstrated to the trade and the cement manufacturers. They also claim that
over 90 per cent, of all cement delivered in this way into portable silos is accepted by their equipment.
Last year The Commercial Motor gave a report on a bulk handling demonstration of animal feeding stuffs arid it is interesting to note •that Portasilos were instrumental in organizing this in conjunction with the Harper Adams College. They are also taking a leading part in the provision of bulk storage for flour and other powdered materials.
An Adjustable Turntable
QOMETHING new in fifth wheels or turntables has been "--" introduced by the Holland Hitch Co. of Holland, Michigan. This type is made to slide, and it can be locked in any of 15 positions over a travel distance of 23 in. The locking device takes the form of two stout racks with wedge-shaped teeth, one at each side of the chassis.
What is particularly interesting is that the locking and coupling can be effected automatically from the cab. The object of having teeth of this shape is that the lateral twowedge locking device is built to take up all play.
By making the turntable adjustable in this way, the load can be distributed as required over the tractor axles. Also, in some cases in the U.S.A., there are varying regulations as to. overall length, and the adjustment allows a certain amount of latitude in this direction.
Language Limits Technical Knowledge
MUCH knowledge that is being continually acquired is never efficiently converted to practical application. How is this big deficiency to be made good so that the hidden knowledge can be disseminated to benefit most of mankind?
In Sweden no one can enter an engineering course without being able to read and speak at least English and German, in addition to the mother tongue. Half the textbooks are written in these two languages. Russians, Germans and Poles, besides other nationalities are being trained in English.
In the United States the Commerce Department Office of Technical Services is arranging to translate Russian and Chinese technical journals. But there is no official individual encouragement of the study of other languages.
What is the position in Britain? Do we rely solely on the hope that individual engineers will feel the urge to learn other languages than their own? Will they be sufficiently interested to know what is going on in foreign lands, some of which "goings on" may be in advance of our own?
Many of us are not satisfied that such procedure, of possibly low efficiency compared to those of other competitive nations, will keep us in the forefront.