Mostly, this newsletter is about thinking outside the box. In particular, it is about testing assumptions, e.g. that standards will give efficient results or that electric cars produce no emissions. …
The Little Details
Mechanical engineering development projects can be difficult beasts. Whether the concept is straightforward or unintuitive, the difficulty is in the details. Successful projects marry a fundamental theoretical understanding with lessons …
Trust Your Gut
Human factors are important in successful engineering; more than just scientific skills are necessary. Although a mathematical model of knots can lead to innovative new applications, the model needs to …
Jib Arm Project Featured in Innovation Magazine
A motion picture camera jib arm developed by Zedarm Cinema Products with engineering by Bannerman Consultants has been highlighted by the Professional Engineers of BC. The novel, professional-grade jib arm provides…
New Innovations
Some breakthroughs, like the elimination of oil changes in an engine, come from continual improvement. Other ideas are entirely new – like generating electricity from air flows inside a building …
Assessing Value
An item’s value depends on the viewpoint of the appraiser. In the movie Moneyball, the Oakland Athletics decided to think differently about the value they placed on baseball players; one …
Keep Learning
In an age of ever-developing technology and continuous competition, we need to keep learning. Sometimes we can learn by surrounding ourselves and working with talented people. Sometimes we learn from …
Bannerman Consultants Addresses Spam
In Canada, new anti-spam legislation only came into effect on July 1, 2014. However, from the very first Bannerman Consultants electronic newsletter published in July 2009 our policy…
Innovation and Innovators
Innovation is a key mechanical engineering aptitude and it is constructive to deliberately develop this skill. With this aim, it is generally profitable to take a look around at successful …
Milltown Marina Boat Lift in Full Operation
Bannerman Consultants has completed the mechanical design and integrity analysis of a new boat lift that has been installed at Milltown Marina in the Marpole neighbourhood of Vancouver, Canada. The lift is believed…
Questions to Consider
Starting with their headlines, two articles pose questions to their readers. The idea, of course, is to make you think about your own situation. The other articles describe two engineering …
Martin Fandrich Elected as Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
The IMechE has elected Martin Fandrich to its highest grade of membership, that of fellow. While indicative of senior responsibility and an established reputation …