Leslie Langnau's Page

I love cool research and developments. I love experiments that make me say “Wow!,” even if they may not be realized for many years. One of the most interesting research projects I’ve come across lately comes out of Carnegie Mellon University. The project focuses on the control and manipulation of 3D objects. It can be viewed as the 3-Dimensional display of electronic information, which is a cool idea in itself. One example of this development is known as Claytronics. Seth Goldstein, associa… Continue

According to research from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) micromanufacturing and nanomanufacturing are becoming the biggest thing to occur in manufacturing since the moving assembly line. A recent survey found that out of 400 manufacturing professionals who expressed an interest in micromanufacturing, half are already using it to produce products. And more than 60% indicate an interest in nanomanufacturing. Such interest bodes well for product designers who are exploring either new… Continue

For those of you choosing among the various networking systems, the most interesting points in recent research from ARC Vice President Chantal Polsonetti, (cpolsonetti@arcweb.com) the principal author of ARC’s “Factory Automation Networks Worldwide Outlook” are the following:

--The cost of wiring apparently does not impede the installation of Ethernet-based device networks. Noted ARC, much of the growth in these networks results from successful competition against traditional serial device netw… Continue

One of my hobbies is questioning conventional thinking. Recent news about bailout bank CEOs pay provides an example. Conventional thinking says that there are a limited number of skilled executives who can lead a company to growth and profit. As with any resource, when supply is viewed as scarce, its price goes up. Hence, conventional thinking says we have to pay these CEOs lots of money.

But who says talented executives are in scarce supply? Who benefits from that viewpoint? The list includes,… Continue

For packaging machinery, a mechatronics approach will help you reduce inertias that usually require extra energy to overcome; improve control system response, which can eliminate the practice of oversizing motors; decrease or eliminate compressed air; and reduce heat and shock loadings, among other benefits.

Take air-actuated devices, for example. Compressed air is widely recognized as costly to produce, and it consumes electrical energy better used directly for actuation. Then you have the by-… Continue