Daily Archives: February 6, 2012


With the examples of the Lockheed-Martin F-35 Lightning fighter and the Boeing 787…

With the examples of the Lockheed-Martin F-35 Lightning fighter and the Boeing 787 so prominent right now, it's clear that it's probably not a good idea to start regular production of a major aircraft before you even fly a prototype for the first time.

Both programs, one military and one civilian encountered multi-year delays and billions of dollars in cost overruns because of the decision to proceed with production before a maiden flight. Aircraft like these are far too complex to assume that they you can accurate simulate everything before building even one example. This is especially true for programs like this depend on huge networks of suppliers.

The problem now is that there are dozens of aircraft that have been built while testing is still ongoing and problems are being found and resolved. All of those changes now have to be retrofitted back to those planes that have already rolled off the line. Boeing built 40-some 787s before the flight test program was completed last September. Since that time, Boeing has only managed to deliver 5 planes to customers while others are being reworked, a process that takes several months per plane (longer than the time to build it in the first place).

It will be interesting to see if the lessons of these failures are incorporated into future programs. I think Boeing certainly is, now that it has opted to build a re-engined version of its high-volume 737 rather than an all-new plane. Similarly, acting Pentagon procurement boss Frank Kendall is acknowledging that this process should not be repeated. Let's hope their memories aren't too short.

Embedded Link

Kendall: Early F-35 Production a Mistake | AVIATION WEEK
The next Pentagon acquisition czar says early production approval of the F-35 was

Google+: View post on Google+

Post imported by Google+Blog. Created By Daniel Treadwell.


To anyone that thinks Chrysler's Halftime in America ad was a political statement…

To anyone that thinks Chrysler's Halftime in America ad was a political statement or payback, please take your head out of your backside and smack it against a brick wall.

This was a brand building ad and nothing more. It was about telling Americans that Chrysler is on the upswing and that they should take a look at the vehicles they are building.

Embedded Link

Only An Idiot Would Think Chrysler's Clint Eastwood Ad Was Pro-Obama
As one of the first to call the Chrysler Clint Eastwood commercial from last night's Super Bowl a "political ad" — for a moment I felt like the brouhaha over it was partly my fault.

Google+: View post on Google+

Post imported by Google+Blog. Created By Daniel Treadwell.


Do as I say, not as I do

#indecision2012

Reshared post from +Talking Points Memo

GOPer's solar company took stimulus cash, but he explains that it's not really from the stimulus:

Embedded Link

GOP Senate Candidate’s Solar Company Took Stimulus Cash
Former Rep. Mark Neumann (R-WI), who is running in a three-way primary for the state’s open Senate seat on a platform of cutting government, has in fact taken government spending from a particular Oba…

Google+: View post on Google+

Post imported by Google+Blog. Created By Daniel Treadwell.


This is a prime example of why it's so important for us to stop legislation like… 1

This is a prime example of why it's so important for us to stop legislation like SOPA and PIPA. Even with the existing copyright laws like the Digital Millenium Copyright Act, "rights-holders" are abusing the process and it would get exponentially worse if we increased the "protections" they get under law.

You can see Chrysler's "Halftime in America" ad on the automaker's site at http://media.chrysler.com/homepage.do;jsessionid=D5D361FB66F4FA32CE6E3C886C71706B?mid=1 and even download a copy.

There is nothing whatsoever in that two minute clip that should violate any NFL copyrights, no mention of teams or players, no clips of games. This is just absurd. Stop the madness

#SOPA #PIPA #halftimeinamerica

Embedded Link

Chrysler's 'Halftime in America' Super Bowl commercial taken down from YouTube by NFL
One of the undisputed winners of last night's Super Bowl commercial competition had to be Chrysler's "Halftime in America" spot, but if you're expecting to find it on Chrysler's YouTube page, you'd……

Google+: View post on Google+

Post imported by Google+Blog. Created By Daniel Treadwell.


3D rapid prototyping has really come a long way in just the past two decades

The combination of some raw materials and precision numerically controlled lasers can create virtually anything in just a matter of minutes or hours as I described in a series of stories I wrote when I was still at GM.
http://bit.ly/zHeTEn http://bit.ly/xYOOg0 http://bit.ly/wepmwl

The process for making this jawbone sounds basically like selective laser sintering SLS.

I can't wait until we can make our own new bones at home with a MakerBot http://www.makerbot.com/

Embedded Link

83-year old woman gets replacement 3D printed titanium jaw, makes her the coolest member of the bridge club
3D printers are continuing to force their way into medical applications and the latest beneficiary is an 83-year old woman. She's the first patient to

Google+: Reshared 2 times
Google+: View post on Google+

Post imported by Google+Blog. Created By Daniel Treadwell.


Pretty fascinating story in pictures

Dismantling a beached cargo ship in Northern France in just over a month.

Reshared post from +Andrey Tochilin

Another great photo story that I've missed last week. Have you seen it? Take look, it is rather cool one.

Embedded Link

Salvaging the TK Bremen
Just over a month ago, the TK Bremen, a Maltese-registered cargo ship, ran aground high on Kerminihy beach in Brittany, France, during a severe storm

Google+: Reshared 1 times
Google+: View post on Google+

Post imported by Google+Blog. Created By Daniel Treadwell.