EB Industries

03/14/2024

Important Dates in Engineering History:

March 16, 1926,

Auburn, Massachusetts, was the chosen location for renowned physicist Dr. Robert H. Goddard's historic launch of the world's first liquid-fueled rocket on March 16, 1926, an event that marked the beginning of man’s journey into space.

Goddard's rocket design was significantly different from earlier solid-fueled designs because it used liquid fuel, which allowed for greater control and efficiency in propulsion. This first liquid-propelled rocket reached an altitude of about 41 feet (12.5 meters) and traveled a distance of around 184 feet (56 meters) in 2.5 seconds, eventually landing in a cabbage field. It was a modest first step.

Goddard's rocket, named Nell, incorporated several innovative features: it had the engine on top and the fuel tanks below, a setup that Goddard thought would make it more stable. Additionally, it included a combustion chamber, a nozzle, and a system for fuel and oxidizer delivery. His rigorous calculations and propulsion experiments influenced future pioneers like Wernher von Braun and inspired breakthroughs that led to space missions, satellite launches, and crewed spaceflights.

Goddard, one of the great pioneers of rocketry, ignited the imaginations of scientists, engineers, and visionaries worldwide, and influenced generations of thinkers in fields from engineering to filmmaking.

02/15/2024

Important Dates in Engineering History:

February 15, 1946

On February 15, 1946, ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) was presented to the public, displaying its remarkable speed and capability. It performed complex calculations at a fraction of the time taken by a human using a computation device, such as an adding machine, executing up to 5,000 additions per second.

During World War II, American physicist John Mauchly and engineer J. Presper Eckert, Jr., collaborated with a team at the University of Pennsylvania's Moore School of Electrical Engineering on a government-funded project to build ENIAC. The project, which was to help the war effort, began in 1943 and was completed in 1945.

ENIAC was primarily designed for artillery firing table calculation, and eventually performed calculations for the Manhattan Project and the making of the atomic bomb. It was fast, efficient and accurate, a perfect combination for performing complex calculations.

ENIAC was the first programmable general-purpose electronic digital computer. It was a colossal machine that occupied a large room and consisted of around 17,468 vacuum tubes, 70,000 resistors, 10,000 capacitors, and many other components. Weighing about 27 tons, it ran continuously (in part to extend tube life) and required extensive cooling, due to the 174 kilowatts of heat generated by its vacuum tubes.

ENIAC remained operational until 1955, making significant contributions to scientific research and computation during its lifespan. Despite its size, power consumption, and limitations, it laid the foundation for later advancements in computing technology, inspiring further developments in the field of electronic computers.

02/01/2024

Would our pre-quotation process help you develop a better welded part?

Electron beam and laser welding require different design parameters than MIG or TIG welding. Often, a customer part needs some redesign to take advantage of the higher quality, precision welds afforded by EB and laser.

We call this process Pre-Quotation Engineering, and it’s something we do for customers and potential customers free of charge. Find out more in this short, informative video.

Click on the link below.

https://hubs.ly/Q02jpz_w0

01/04/2024

Important Dates in Engineering History:
January, 1974

The image you see here, which looks like something made using a primitive computer or a matrix printer, is actually the first cross-sectional image of a living mouse. It was published in January 1974 by Paul Lauterbur, an American chemist and physicist.

It all began in 1971, when Dr. Raymond Damadian published his findings in the journal ‘Science.’ He discovered that different body tissues emit unique signals and believed these signals could detect cancer without radiation, if a large enough scanner was built.

His article sparked Paul Lauterbur's interest in biological uses of magnetic resonance, and his innovative use of magnetic field gradients with nuclear magnetic resonance, laid the groundwork for 2D imaging in MRI.

Meanwhile, Peter Mansfield, a British physicist, aimed to significantly speed up MRI scans. By 1977, his technique reduced scan times from hours to seconds, while also enhancing image clarity.

In that same year, Damadian, aided by graduate assistants, completed the inaugural MR scanner - the "Indomitable". His assistant, Larry Minkoff, underwent the first human scan on July 2, 1977.

In 1978, Damadian founded FONAR Corporation, introducing the first commercial MRI scanner by 1980. FONAR has been located in Hauppauge, Long Island, New York, since its founding.

Damadian, Lauterbur, and Mansfield transformed radiology and reshaped medical diagnoses. Their groundbreaking work earned Damadian and Lauterbur the National Medal of Technology in 1988, for their pivotal contributions to magnetic resonance technology's medical applications. Additionally, in 2003, Lauterbur and Mansfield were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine.

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12/17/2023

Important Dates in Engineering History:
December 17, 1903

Wright Brothers First Flight

On this day, December 17, 1903, in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, a location known for its consistent winds, a monumental milestone in aviation history took place. The brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright, conducted the world's first controlled, powered, and sustained flight on their biplane, the Wright Flyer.

Taking Flight

The first flight, piloted by Orville Wright, lasted only 12 seconds and covered a distance of approximately 120 feet (36 meters). They conducted three more flights, on that same day, with the final one, piloted by Wilbur, covering an impressive distance of 852 feet (255.6 meters) in 59 seconds. Unfortunately, just after that last flight, the Wright Flyer, sometimes referred as the Kitty Hawk Flyer, was blown over by the wind while parked and was severely damaged, never taking flight again.

Aviation Legacy

One of The Wright brothers’ most important innovations was the three-axis control system, which provided control over pitch (climb and descent), roll (banking the wings), and yaw (nose side to side). This control system was an important design breakthrough because it allowed for a more stable and controlled flight, which became one of the most important principles in aeronautics.

Their ingenuity, determination and engineering skills continue to inspire aviation enthusiasts and engineers to this day, reminding us of the power of human tenacity and innovative spirit regarding conquering the skies.

11/29/2023

How crucial is the role of welding in semiconductor manufacturing?

Semiconductors power the very essence of modern technology, from the tiniest circuits to the lights in our homes. But behind their assembly lies a crucial factor: welding.

In the realm of semiconductor manufacturing, welds are the unsung heroes. They're not just about joining parts; they're about precision, reliability and, above all, quality.

Dive into the various welding processes, such as resistance welding, TIG welding, laser welding, and electron beam welding, that continue to power the heart of this cutting-edge industry, in our latest post.

Click on the link below.

https://hubs.ly/Q02bgFYF0

11/16/2023

Important Dates in Engineering History:

November 16, 1904

The Vacuum Tube's Invention

On November 16, 1904, John Ambrose Fleming, a British electrical engineer and physicist, patented the vacuum tube, also known as the thermionic valve, an innovation that worked by using a heated filament to release electrons into a vacuum, creating a flow of current that could be modulated and controlled by an external voltage.

Fleming’s vacuum tube became a standard equipment in radio receivers, radar and early television sets, as well as other forms of electronic communication, helping to amplify weak electrical signals, allowing long-distance communication and paving the way for the evolution of early radio technology.

Vacuum Tube: The Prelude for Modern Electronics

One of the most remarkable uses for the vacuum tube was in the field of early computing. The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), which was completed in the 1940s, relied on thousands of vacuum tubes for processing and data storage.

The ingenious vacuum tube was, eventually, replaced by more efficient transistors, in the late 1940s and 1950s, which proved to be more reliable, compact and energy-efficient, leading to the miniaturization of electronic devices and the birth of the modern electronics industry.

Nevertheless, John Ambrose Fleming’s vacuum tube's invention remained an historical moment, in the world of technology, that initiated the electronic revolution that continues to shape our world today.

10/11/2023

Important Dates in Engineering History:
October 11, 1958

Pioneer 1 - NASA’s First Space Mission

On October 11, 1958, NASA's Pioneer program launched the Pioneer 1, a crucial step for space exploration, with the goal of studying Earth's radiation belts and cosmic rays. Although it did not succeed in achieving the intended lunar orbit, it did, however, confirm the existence of Earth's radiation belts and provided important and valuable information about the environment encountered in space.

Pioneer 1's innovative instruments also allowed a better understanding of cosmic rays, solar winds, as well as the intensity and structure of the radiation belts, which was a significant contribution to the initial attempts to study space.

The Thor-Able Rocket: Enabling Exploration

Used to launch the Pioneer 1 spacecraft, The Thor-Able Rocket was built with two main stages: the first stage, based on the U.S. Air Force's Thor ballistic missile, that provided the initial thrust to propel the rocket into space, and an Able second stage, that had the ability to restart engines in space, allowing it to place payloads into different orbits or on interplanetary trajectories.

Electron Beam Welding Advancements

Since Pioneer 1's launch, in 1958, numerous sectors, as well as industrial processes, were transformed by groundbreaking technological innovations, being electron beam welding, a precise and efficient method used worldwide in aerospace and automotive industries, one of the most notable advancements. This progress emphasizes the importance of scientific exploration, such as Pioneer 1's mission, as a catalyst for technological advancements regarding real-world applications.

10/05/2023

Having problems with weld quality?

Maybe it’s your weld vendor.

From experience, you know the right vendor can make a tremendous difference in your product and in the level of stress in your life. It’s not just about "can they do the work,” it’s also about can they get you information quickly, do they solve problems, are they pleasant to work with, and do you feel confident you’ll get your parts on schedule.

We’ve made a guide about how to select a welding vendor. You’ll find the ideas in our guide useful whenever you have to select a vendor. Click on the link below.

https://hubs.ly/Q024mWmD0

Considering how critical welds are, how much thought are you putting into welding and who is doing that welding for you? This guide will break down choosing a welding vendor and give you a framework to help make decisions that fit all aspects of your requirements, from quality, to expedience,…

09/22/2023

Important Dates in Engineering History:
September 23, 1879 - The birth of hearing aid technology

On September 23, 1879 the Audiphone, a device that consisted of a fan made from a hard rubber material that used the operator’s teeth and jaw bone as conduits for sound vibrations, was patented by the American inventor Richard Rhodes.

Rhodes suffered from a conductive hearing loss and realized that, by holding ear trumpets up to his mouth, he was able to hear the ticking of his watch, inspiring him to develop the Audiphone.

American inventor and engineer, Miller Reese Hutchison, developed the Akouphone in 1895, which was considered to be one of the earliest electric hearing aids.

Hutchison's later invention, the Acousticon, in 1902, was a refined version and was the first portable electric hearing aid. It was far more convenient due to its advancements: a compact carbon microphone and a battery-powered amplifier, which made daily life easier for people with hearing loss.

Hutchison also developed similar devices which converted audio into vibrations, to help those with more profound hearing loss, which were adopted by schools for the deaf in the US and Europe.

These devices' significant role in the development of hearing aid technology helped lay the foundation for modern hearing aids, now smaller, sophisticated and capable of providing customized sound amplification to meet the hearing needs of each individual.

Find out more: https://hubs.ly/Q01Z-DZX0

08/16/2023

Important Dates in Engineering History:
August 16, 1858

The first transatlantic cable connection, from Ireland to Newfoundland, completed on August 16, 1858, marked a significant milestone in global communication history. This project’s purpose was to establish faster means of communication between Europe and North America, however, the success of this first international endeavor was short-lived.

Laying the transatlantic cable involved meticulous ex*****on; ships deployed the cable across the Atlantic, which consisted of insulated copper wires protected by gutta-percha, but when the cable was finally installed it was spliced and its insulation damaged, from exposure to the elements during storage.

The ships laying the cable endured many setbacks; violent storms and crew being swept off the decks, but they persisted and the cable was finally installed, covering a distance of 2000 miles; a groundbreaking achievement.

However, the initial cable connection optimism was dampened by its subsequent failure, within a few weeks of operation signal degradation and disruptions occurred, due to faulty insulation, and it only succeeded in sending around 730 messages before failure. Nevertheless, the technologists involved learned more about insulation and signal propagation, which led them to refine their manufacturing and deployment processes.

Additional cables were installed across the Atlantic, and the Pacific was crossed in 1906.

Today, modern technologies have revolutionized global communication when it comes to computer interconnects and fiber optics, which have emerged as key components of intercontinental communication networks.

Computer interconnects, such as undersea data cables, promote high-speed data transmission between continents, thus enabling seamless connectivity. Fiber optics, with their ability to transmit vast amounts of data using light signals, have become the backbone of modern telecommunications.

These advancements have transformed global connectivity, improving real-time communication, international collaboration and the exchange of information, but it all started on the deck of a pitching wooden ship in the North Atlantic, reeling copper wires wrapped in rubber down into the depths of the Atlantic.

Find out more: https://hubs.ly/Q01WMxxl0

07/20/2023

Important Dates in Engineering History:
July 20, 1969

On July 20th, 1969, the Lunar Excursion Module, which was named “The Eagle," landed on the surface of the moon and Neil Armstrong made history as the first human being to walk on the moon. Commanded by Neil Armstrong, with Buzz Aldrin as the lunar module pilot and Michael Collins as the command module pilot, Apollo 11 captured the world's attention.

The Lunar Module was principally built on Long Island by the Grumman Corporation in Bethpage, and a number of other Long Island aerospace and technology companies were heavily involved in designing and supplying components for the Apollo Project.

Republic Aviation Corporation, at the time located in Farmingdale, Long Island, contributed to the Apollo program by manufacturing components for the Command Module, which was responsible for housing the crew during the mission.

Sperry Corporation was involved in the Apollo 11 mission. Sperry provided crucial guidance and navigation systems for the Command Module, which played a vital role in the success of the mission. Their systems helped ensure precise navigation, trajectory calculations, and guidance for the astronauts throughout their journey to the Moon and back.

Hazeltine Corporatio, based in Greenlawn, provided electronic and communication systems for the Apollo Command Module, including navigation and radar systems.

Fairchild Hiller, also located in Farmingdale, was involved in the production of components for the Apollo Guidance Computer, a critical system that provided guidance and navigation capabilities for the spacecraft.

And a company in Farmingdale, founded in 1967, did electron welding on many structural and control components for the Apollo Project, and yes, it is us, EB Industries.

We’re proud to have played a part in getting a man on the moon, and we’re glad we’re involved in other ground-breaking space and aerospace projects today, more than fifty years later.