NEWS PAGE

Meet your President for 2010-2011 - Mike Vincent
Mike says "I have always had an interest in engineering and aircraft in general, so much so that in 1958 I joined the Royal Air Force as an Aircraft Apprentice, training at the No 1 School of Technical Training Halton. After leaving the RAF in 1982, I have worked for a number of local Companies as a technical author, which for many years was my principal occupation in the RAF.

I am married, living in Norwich, my main interests are photography, vintage cars, DIY (when necessary), industrial archaeology and restoring and maintaining Norfolk’s oldest working motor car, an 1899 Panhard et Levassor owned by the Norfolk Museums & Archaeology Service. Until the beginning of this year I had, as many of you know, been the Honorary Secretary of the NES; I now very much look forward, in the coming year, to serving you as your President."

Team Panhard and the need for a Filler Cap
Team Panhard need a new 60mm diameter filler cap. We would be delighted if any member has the facilities and more importantly the expertise to manufacture one for us. Drawings and brass supplied. Please contact Mike Vincent on 01603 625103

A special invitation to visit Ironbridge
The Norfolk and Norwich Koblenz Friendship Association are planning a visit to Ironbridge from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 October (2 Nights) and have extended an invitation for Norwich Engineering Society members to join them. The cost per person, including Coach Travel, Dinner Bed and Breakfast, but not including museum or attraction entry, is £172.50 in a single room, and £130.50 in a double room. Ironbridge is a fascinating place to visit with lots to see, and depending on the time available we may be able to make a visit to another attraction in the area. We would probably leave fairly early on the Friday and return in the evening of the Sunday, to give us some time on each of these days in the area. If you are interested in visiting this fascinating site, it is more than just an industrial museum please contact Richard Jarrold at 53a Keswick Road, Cringleford, Norwich, NR4 6UQ tel. 01603 454799 Email: richardjarrold@tiscali.co.uk as soon as possible as there only a few places left.

The Rotary Clubs of Norwich School's Technology Tournament held on March 11th 2010 at the Hewett School
This event, organised by the Rotary Clubs of Norwich, Norwich St Edmund and Reepham, is held annually. It is a competitive tournament between teams put forward by local schools - roughly, but not confined to, the Norwich area. This year 20 teams took part from the following schools: Acle, City of Norwich (CNS), Costessey, The Hewett, Langley, Norwich School, Reepham and Taverham.

The tournament is operated at three levels; basic, intermediate and advanced. The tournament is not only judged on the success of the final product but also on a portfolio of design briefs, teamwork and the methods employed for both the build and test regimes.

This year the teams, normally consisting of 4 members, were set the task of designing, building and testing a light flashing unit that illuminated an advertising hoarding; the subject of the hoarding had to be a charity of the team's choice. However the materials supplied precluded a purely electronic/electrical circuit; what was needed was some sort of mechanical timer that interrupted an electrical circuit supplying current to a light bulb.

The design aims for the levels became more demanding the higher level. For instance it was hoped that the basic teams would achieve at least one flash; the intermediates at least 10 flashes of any discernable period and the advanced at least 10 flashes each being of duration 1 sec. Bonus marks were available if these minimum level targets were exceeded. ( More description of the outcomes will be added when some photos become available).

The teams were required to hand in their design portfolio about halfway through the allotted time. Clearly therefore the teams spent a significant part of the first half of the event brainstorming solutions and documenting them in their portfolio. Most teams came up with a variety of solutions ranging from conventional pendula through torsional pendula to oscillating masses on springs to balls rolling down inclined planes.

The second part of the event was spent trying to realise their design; in some cases this led to radical changes in approach at the eleventh hour with the unfortunate consequence that even though the final idea was novel the team members didn't have enough time to fully develop it and get it to work reliably.

The final part of the event was for each team to present its solution to the other teams and to perform a demonstration of their systems capabilities. The very rewarding result for all concerned was that all but one team managed to produce a working unit at their level; indeed one team at the basic level produced a system that would have looked good at the advanced level. Needless to say that this team did indeed win their level.

NES Council has helped sponsor the event since its inception several years ago. Each year we not only give cash aid but we also help with the judging; this year Richard Aldridge was Head Judge ably assisted by Chris Hoskins and Wing Co. Ken Wallis.

Again this year we also supported the event by several of our members, including the President, turning up on the day and giving the teams encouragement in what they were trying to do. Although technically they were not supposed to help the teams a little bit of general friendly advice was very much appreciated!

A great time was had by all!!

Ties
During an audit of the Society assets the treasurer discovered that we had on the books quite a few unsold Society Ties. Clearly they are a wasting asset if they remain unsold. Council at one of their recent meetings have decided that they should be put on sale for the 'bargain basement price' of £5. There are three colours available; red, green and blue with all shades displaying the society crest. Ties will be available at all society meetings and/or contacting the treasurer.