How are steel pipes made in the factory?
#5563 (In Topic #4288)
The manufacturing process of a steel pipe begins with the use of the raw material. The factory converts it into a workable layout, which it then uses for continuous or semi-continuous production output. The furnace melts the coke and iron ore to get the molten steel. By using the blast of the oxygen, removing the high content of carbon is possible. The molten steel then flows into the molds, where it cools and turns into ingots.
The ingots pass through large rollers under extreme pressure. It helps in achieving the desired output, such as bars, rods, sheets, or plates.
The next procedure consists of producing slabs or blooms. Manufacturing a bloom is possible by passing an ingot through grooved rollers. These rollers also go by the name “two-high mills,” and sometimes, a factory chooses three rollers. The mounting of the rollers is such that they move in the opposite direction, and the grooves coincide. The rolling action causes the squeezing of the steel and stretches to longer pieces. Reversing the rolling motion causes the bar to become thin and long. The process continues until it achieves the needed shape. A manipulator machine helps in flipping the steel to process it evenly.
The blooms pass through further rollers, which increases the length and reduces thickness. Flying shears help in cutting the billets to desired lengths. After the stretching process is complete, it proceeds through a series of tanks that contain sulfuric acid. The acid removes the unwanted deposits on the steel pipes – both externally and internally. After passing through the acid, the pipe heads to the cold and hot water tank. The process helps in rinsing, which removes the acid particles.
The next step involves drying the pipe before passing on giant spools. Both billets and skelp help make pipes. A skelp first sits on an unwinding machine. As the steel spool begins unwinding, heating takes place. The steel then passes through grooved rollers. When it passes through the grooves, the pressure of the rollers causes the skelp to curl together. It forms an unwelded pipe.
The unwelded pipe passes through welding electrodes. They seal the two ends of the tube together. The welded seam passes through a roller to create a tight weld.
Square billets are useful for seamless steel pipe production. The billets pass through the furnace and acquire a round shape. The rollers roll the heated round under high pressure. It causes the billet to form a hole at the center and stretch long. The thickness and shape are irregular. The factory uses a bullet-shaped piercer to correct during roller. After the piercing phase, the round passes through a series of rolling mills to alter the thickness and shape.
The straightening machine achieves straightness. Oil coating or zinc coating helps in the prevention of rust formation. So it was the step guide to produce steel pipes in the factory. If you are familiar with this industry, Read more at https://chelpipegroup.com/catalog/pipes/octg/casings/
1 guest and 0 members have just viewed this.


The cadillac of furnaces is now better than ever and you should know that the advanced combustion tetchnology and state of the art design have earned the Caddy furnace a reputation due to the cleanest and the most efficient furnace that they ever produced by PSG. Today with the electronic components and controls of the newly redesigned Caddy have been reduced to just 3 components for greater ease of use and efficiency:
– An integrated PC board and RTD probe to control blower speeds and plenum temperatures, optimizing home comfort and furnace performance.
– A blower assembly equipped with a prewired main power board for plug and play convenience upon installation.
-A touchscreen LCD control module to make input and output control a breeze.
A UNIQUE HEAT EXCHANGER SYSTEM
The secret behind the Caddy’s outstanding performance is its built-in heat exchanger system, which ensures that heat is transferred quickly and efficiently via the smoke ducts inside the furnace instead of being lost up the chimney. It uses up to 30% less firewood and reduces particulate emissions by as much as 80%. That’s great news for your heating bill—and the environment!
With Caddy series furnaces, you’ll always have an alternate source of heat to ensure the comfort and safety of your family. The Caddy comes in four different configurations: wood-only, wood+electric combo, wood+oil combo, and wood add-on furnace.


irtec is not available in Hong Kong Region at the moment 香港地區暫時未有irtec提供
*irtec is an independent accreditation and validates the competence of technicians working to maintain the commercial vehicle, trailer and passenger carrying industries. An irtec licence is valid for 5 years and tests both the knowledge and practical level of an individual.A voluntary scheme, developed by IRTE, a professional sector of the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE), to raise standards and encourage industry self-regulation in road transport maintenance, irtec is international recognised as the industry benchmark of skills and knowledge.
irtec is managed for the IRTE by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) and delivered by accredited centres in the UK and abroad. This partnership allows quality and independent assurance of the scheme. irtec not only enables individual technicians to develop their skills as they move through their career, but also helps employers to demonstrate their commitment to technical excellence.
SOE also offers IRTE Workshop Accreditation which is an independent review of maintenance providers’ procedures and practice; it involves an audit by one of SOE's approved auditors. This highlights best practice compliance in areas such as premises, equipment, technical staff, management, clerical staff, documentation, quality and appearance.


- 24% reduction of shipping costs of claimed items
- 15% less time is needed for handling the warranty claims in the warehouse
- 20.000 claims have been successfully processed in 2021 from users in 27 countries and counting
Significant cost reduction with smart warranty photo tool
Lely International is a Dutch manufacturer of robots and data systems for dairy farming, serving clients in over 45 countries. The machines are shipped world wide from two production facilities. There are many components in the machine. If one fails, the component is shipped to the production facility to be checked for validity of the warranty. The packing, shipping and checking for warranty conditions is a labor intensive and costly process which Lely International wanted to simplify.
This warranty photo tool enables our franchisers to process the warranty claim much more efficient and with significant reduction of physical handling.
Experience Data fully developed and implemented this smart warranty application. This custom made Microsoft Azure Cloud based solution for Lely International eliminates the shipping from the warranty process and digitizes a big part of the claim handling.
The smart warranty application provides a (mobile) input side for the service centers to add all the components that need to be claimed. Using a custom OCR solution the serial number and production code are scanned from pictures of the item and stored for future reference. The digital claim is then translated into a signal for Lely International employees providing them with the claim context and an advice on the validity of the claim. The service center has a front-end overview of the result of their claims and the feedback of Lely International.
For Lely North America we are developing a custom made version, goal is to have it in use by the end of 2021. Then all the customers around the world are claiming via the warranty application. A second goal is to add all the remaining machine parts that meet the requirements to the warranty application.


Екипът за спестяване на енергия, намаляване на емисиите и компресора на Seize Air е в действие!
Although one power is insignificant,
Over time, it can light up thousands of lights
A piece of paper is insignificant,
Over time, it will eventually be assembled into ten thousand volumes
Powering Dual Carbon Needs
On the way of energy saving and emission reduction, Seize air people are in action!
Under Dual Carbon target
Seize air is in action
Mr.Cheng, General Manager of Seize air Energy-saving Air Compressor, pointed out at the meeting that the theme of the current society is "carbon neutrality and carbon peaking". Get started and integrate green into every aspect of your life.
Mr. Cheng encourages everyone in Seize air to save energy and low-carbon work, improve everyone's awareness of energy saving and low carbon, and at the same time implement the 6S policy, actively promote the concept of green, so that green Seize air, energy saving and environmental protection is no longer a slogan, but implemented into every one. In every word and deed of the staff, we join in the Double Carbon action.
Promote energy-saving products and services
As an energy-saving equipment, air compressors are also widely used in the production of all walks of life, but air compressors are also electric tigers. Energy-saving air compressors must be used to effectively help energy conservation and emission reduction! Seize energy-saving air compressors are deeply loved by users due to the advantages of high efficiency, energy saving, high reliability, high cost performance and low noise.
More energy-saving: the whole line exceeds the energy efficiency standard of Class 1
More environmentally friendly: lower oil content and lower noise
Smarter: Intelligent Internet,frequency conversion joint control compressed air conditioning, constant pressure and constant temperature output.
Green work and life
At the meeting, Mr. Cheng advocated that everyone should save water, electricity, gas, and paper in daily life, and use clean energy at the same time.
Action and plan
The slogan is loud, and it must be implemented in place! Mrs. Yu, Deputy General Manager of Seize Energy-saving Air Compressor, emphasized at the meeting that the heads of various departments should resolutely implement 6S, not only to ensure that the actions are in place, but also to set an example.
Joining in Double Carbon, Seize people are in action!
Green Seize, everyone practice!
Start with me, act now!


The Chikugo River Lift Bridge, the symbol of Morodomi town in Saga city, spans the biggest river in Kyushu, Chikugo River, and is one of only a handful of moveable life railway bridges in the world. It is 507 meters long and the section between the two 30-meter high towers can rise to a height of 23 meters just like an elevator, allowing large vessels to pass underneath. Before the bridge was built, the locals were trying to find a solution to build a railway bridge to allow trains to cross this wide river, with a drastic difference in water level between high and low tide, while not hindering the passage of large vessels, which frequently travelled on Chikugo River. This is when they came up with the bold and innovative idea of a lift bridge. However, the Ariake Sea, with its tidal range of up to 6 meters, meant that the water level of Chikugo River was constantly changing, not to mention the 16-meter thick layer of clay at the bottom of the river was slowing work down, making the work method and construction extremely difficult. Overcoming these great difficulties, a railway bridge for the former national railway, Saga line, was completed on May 25th, 1935 as the first lift bridge in the East, amidst much fan-fare. Since then, the bridge has served an important part in supporting people's lives through enabling both water and land transportation. However, on March 27th, 1987, operation of the Saga railway line ceased at the same time that the moving part of the bridge reached its highest point, and its role as a rail bridge, which it had served faithfully for over 50 years, came to a quiet end. On April 29, 1996, the bridge was reopened as a walking course for pedestrians. The name of that walking course is "Tower Bridge Walking". Eight times a day, the moving part lowers and connects Morodomi town with Okawa city, Fukuoka prefecture, located on the opposite bank. An amicable walking course by day, and a beautiful, lit-up spectacle reflected on the water's surface by night, the Chikugo River Lift Bridge provides delightful romantic atmosphere for couples. The silhouette of the bridge in the sunset is another sight not to be missed. In the huge, mid-summer event carried out beside the bridge, "A Summer Night's Fairytale", huge rings of around 3000 shells of fireworks light up the night sky and invite onlookers into a magical world. The bridge is also open to pedestrians when the moving part is raised, and people can go as far as the middle section. On May 30th, 2003, the bridge was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
From train station: 20-minute taxi ride from Saga Station on the JR Nagasaki Main Line
Car: 30-minute drive from Nagasaki Expressway Saga-Yamato IC
Bus: Get on Saga City Bus bound for Hayatsue at Saga Station Bus Center, get off at “Shokaibashi Tenbo Koen Mae” stop, and walk for 3 minutes
● Closed: Mondays (or the following day if a Monday falls on a public holiday) and December 29 - January 3
● Parking Lot: Available
● Contact: Morodomi Branch Office, Saga City Government, Tel: +81-952-47-2131


Join this channel to get access to perks:
The “939” generation #AlfaRomeo #Spider was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2006. The model was a close derivative of Giugiaro’s Brera, so the #Pininfarina input on the design was, of course, limited to the rear quarters and the canvas roof, which folded away electrically in just 25 seconds. I must say that, back then, I wasn’t entirely convinced of the final result, and I appreciate it much more now.
Like the Brera, the Spider was initially available in two powertrain configurations: a front-wheel-drive 2.2 liters four cylinders and a 3.2 V6 with permanent “Q4” all-wheel drive. Both units were developed under the Fiat-GM Powertrain joint-venture and used existing GM aluminum blocks mated to specific Alfa-designed cylinder heads, featuring variable valve timing for both intake and exhaust. Both engines failed to impress potential buyers, though, and the addition of Fiat’s inline-five turbodiesel during 2007 didn’t improve matters. Like the Brera it’s so closely related with, the Spider was misunderstood in period and sold poorly as a result: just 12.488 examples were ever made, and it’s a real pity, as there’s a lot to like about this Spider. Relatively spacious and very comfortable, it’s a stylish cruiser rather than a canyon carver, but that’s not what people typically have in mind when they hear the words “Alfa Romeo Spider.”
The exclusive merchandise you can buy to support my channel:
My automotive books:
Six Appeal – The Story Of The Alfa 6
Alfa Romeo Giulietta – The Story 1977 – 1985
Alfa Romeo Arna – The Full Story 1980 – 1987 0


RMS Air Conditioning - For Commercial, Business & Home
RMS Air Conditioning has installed thousands of air conditioning units for homeowners and commercial clients across Kent and Medway over the past 30 years
Key to our success is the staff we employ. All are time served air conditioning experts that work to the highest standard.
The quality of the finished installation and after care support is the best in our industry and because we only sell the best units from approved and recognised manufacturers you are guaranteed air conditioning that works for a very long time. Whatever type of air conditioning system you need, we'll provide a high quality, cost effective and reliable installation.
Based in Chatham, Kent, we provide our air conditioning installation, maintenance and design services to commercial and domestic customers across London, Kent and the South East, including Croydon, Orpington, Dartford, Gravesend, Ashford, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester, Canterbury, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Bromley, Bexleyheath and Dover.
For your free property survey and quotation and first class air conditioning maintenance, servicing and installations from Kent's best, call RMS Services now on 0800 999 6044.
You Benefit From
Full design, supply, installation and maintenance of your new air conditioning, with outstanding after sales support. Our bulk buying power helps to reduce installation costs and our air conditioning installers have over 30 years experience of installing anything between one and five hundred air conditioning units to thousands of Medway and Kent clients.
Quality Always Pays
We supply the best commercial and domestic air conditioning equipment, provide the best quality design, installation, maintenance and support and ensure when we leave the unit(s) work perfectly and are installed correctly. This is supervised by the design engineer and signed off before the project is handed over so we control the whole process from start to finish.
Health & Safety Is A Priority
Our staff are well versed in our health and safety policies and all our experienced and dedicated air conditioning installers are trained in safe working practices. During every Chatham and Kent air conditioning installation or repair project, we work efficiently and in a clean and tidy manner to avoid accidents and to minimise disruption to your business or home life.


Since its very foundation, baby lock has steadily been working on interesting engineering innovations and has continuously been growing its product range. The NEW Baby Lock Gloria Overlocker & Coverstitch Machine marks a new milestone.
Apart from some well-known features from the successful baby lock coverlock machines, the new machine will impress you with the so-called RevolutionAirTM threading system. This fully automated jet-air threading system lets you thread not only the loopers but also the needle eyes easily with just a press of a button.
The knee lift and the speed regulation offer unique comfort for complicated stitching projects. When the presser foot is in the raised position, the machine doesn’t start sewing for additional safety. The automatic thread delivery system makes operation even easier because the thread tension no longer has to be adjusted by hand.
Switching over from the cover stitch to the overlock stitch is already easy as it is. But the new machine now reduces the number of steps needed to change the needles even further. After taking the needles out of the needle clamp, the fastening screws don‘t have to be tightened by hand anymore.
The Gloria provides up to eight threads and thus offers a wide variety of decorative effects and stitch combinations such as the popular baby lock wave stitch.
The RevolutionAirTM system helps you thread the looper port at the touch of a button. The system’s automatic needle threader, which also works by simply pressing a button, is really unique.
The proven automatic thread delivery system and stitch selector dispel any worries about thread tension adjustment.
The presser foot pressure and differential feed (0.6 – 2.0 :1) can be adjusted to your needs at any time.
The wide throat space provides maximum flexibility, letting you accomplish even larger projects. The bright LED technology rounds off the overall coverlock package perfectly.
The Baby Lock Gloria Overlocker & Coverstitch Machine Features
The RevolutionAirTM threading system has been installed in a coverlock machine for the first time and makes threading your Gloria child’s play. From now on, a gust of air will not only thread the loopers but also the eyes of the needles. What’s more, you can thread the machine automatically in any order you like.
The Gloria’s workplace layout has been optimised by placing the presser foot lifter on the side.
The Gloria’s clearly designed thread path makes it easy for you to thread the chain looper.
More or thicker layers of fabric can fit between the foot and feed dog.
The coverlock machine will not start sewing as long as the presser foot is in its raised position. This ensures both your safety and perfect seams. The presser foot must be lowered and/or positioned on the fabric before you can continue sewing.
The new presser foot pressure dial of the babylock Gloria allows you to handle all kinds of material or fabric individually. Regardless of whether your fabrics are fine, firm or heavy – the presser foot pressure is easily adjusted to the respective requirements. Thanks to the easy-read scale, you can precisely find the basic setting and adjust the controller for lighter and heavier materials.
This is what makes the baby lock Gloria perfect: more freedom for your creativity. The wider throat lets you handle larger and more voluminous sewing projects without difficulty. It is no longer your machine but you who decides the size of your sewing projects!
How to Buy The Baby Lock Gloria Overlocker & Coverstitch Machine
This wonderful machine is NOT available online. Please come into our store at 850 Lower North East Rd, Dernancourt, 5075 SOUTH AUSTRALIA and we’ll happily give you a demonstration.


There are many questions emerging about the energy use related to commercial and domestic hot water. The city of Toronto estimates that 25-35% of household energy use comes from hot water. Much of the hot water energy use is derived from “stand by loads”. This is the energy used to heat the water in hot water tanks when the water is not in use.
On demand hot water systems are designed to take very little space, and to heat water at time of demand, only when the hot water tap is on. Condensing on-demand gas hot water heaters are the best on demand solutions. Condo owners, empty nesters, frequent travellers and water conservers will benefit most from on-demand hot water systems. As an example, I have retired clients who travel often and have a cottage. Their on-demand hot water heater investment is paying for itself very quickly because there is no standby load for the 2/3 of the year that they are not in their condo.
Solar hot water heaters are ideally suited for families and heavy users of domestic hot water. The key opportunity is that water is heated for free, meaning guilt free and bill free hot showers for everyone. The reason family sized consumers of hot water benefit most from these systems is that the displacement of hot water heating costs is the measure of system payback. For example, a family of 4 will have significant demand for hot water for bathing, dishes, and washing. When not using solar the energy the costs for providing hot water to a household like this is significant. Therefore the return on investment, measured in displaced utility costs, is significant. Imagine selling your home with Solar hot water; being able to say “this home comes with free domestic hot water”. The most powerful part of this sales pitch is the math, comparing the operational costs associated with heating the same water volume using electricity or natural gas allows your Realtor to demand a higher price for your home.
Every home and condo owner who currently has an electric powered hot water tank should consider migrating to one or both of these technologies immediately – the investment is a no-brainer. Anyone using a gas fired hot water heater should consider switching, because these systems are the emerging standard and you don’t want to be left behind. There are significant grants available for home owners who invest in these systems through the ecoEnergy program – so get an audit before you make the change. Visit www.HomeEnergyOntario.ca for more information.


On 1-3 June 2018, the Watercress Line welcomes a huge array of historic diesel engines, as part of its annual Diesel Gala, including BR Class 20 Bo-Bo diesel-electric locomotive, D8059, and freight work locomotive, D8001.
D8059 was formerly known as an English Electric Type 1. Weighing 73 tonnes and delivering 1,000 horsepower, it was designed to work light mixed freight traffic at up to 75 mph. It has the well-used nickname of “Chopper”, due to the distinctive engine beat under load which resembles the sound of a helicopter. The locomotive is now known as 20059, having been renumbered in 1973 under TOPS and is owned by the Somerset and Dorset Locomotive Company and currently based on the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway.
BR Class 20 Bo-Bo diesel – electric locomotive, D8059 (20059). Photo © David Coombs.
D8001 was built by English Electric (EE) in 1957 at the Vulcan Foundry in Newton le Willows and was one of a prototype batch of Class 20 locomotives which owed its origins to the 1955 modernisation plan, in which manufacturers were asked to produce trial builds for evaluation. The design was based on one which EE had designed for export and consequently proved extremely successful at home. The prototype batch was first allocated to Devons Road Depot in London (which was the first purpose built diesel depot in the UK) and the locomotives of this class were eventually used throughout almost the entire network. D8001 worked in the construction of the Channel Tunnel and was for some time at the Midland Railway Centre, Butterley. This loco also had a brief spell at Washwood Heath in 2011 for an engine overhaul.
Tickets cost £25 for adults and £13 for children with discounted family packages available. To find out more, including diesel engine, parking and ticket information, visit: https://www.watercressline.co.uk/product.php/106/diesel-gala-2018.


YPH Welding Supplies was established in 1989 continuing to grow and becoming a limited company in February 1999.
The business comprises of two main sides, one providing welding consumables, particularly Nickel Alloys to the petro-chemicals markets. The other is capital welding plant and associated equipment with a bias towards positioning equipment for manual and automatic welding.
Over the last 10 years many manipulators have been specifically designed and made to customer specifications, to speed up welding and product handling.
In 2001 YPH Welding Supplies, in partnership with Kistler Machines of Germany, purchased the world renowned Welding Positioner Manufacturer, F Bode & Sons.
We have a wide range of welding wire, protective clothing, welding electrodes, spare parts, welding torches & welding masks.
YPH offer a full range of welding machines, MMA, TIG & MIG, either 1 phase or 3 phase Inverter driven, pulse synergic MIG & TIG, keyhole plasma etc, along with service and calibration.
A comprehensive range of welding manipulators, positioner pipe welders & profile machines which incorporate coldwire feeders, AVCs, oscillation etc.
YPH Welding Supplies are distributors for the following companies Kemppi, Kistler Machines, F Bode and Sons Ltd, Parweld, Gas Arc and Bohlet Thyssen.
YPH Welding Supplies has a wide range of Welding machinery to hire including MMA, MIG, TIG, Pulse, Synergic & Subarc Welding Equipment, Positioners 250kg – 100 tonnes, Kistler Manipulators (U Range), Rotators 1 – 100 tonnes and Automatic Applications – CNC Pipe Profiling & Cutting Equipment.
We can hire out anything to meet your immediate demands, please call us with your hire requirements. YPH have what you want, when you need it!


For enthusiasts, by enthusiasts. We are always told that experience is the best form of education, and we couldn’t agree more. With over 10 years of building and sourcing some of the best, High performance Cars on the east coast, we know a thing or two about them. Wether you’re not sure what direction to take your build in, what parts to use, or simply just need a platform to start from, we got you covered.
We have been sourcing some of the most sought after cars from Japan and Europe for nearly a decade, as well as building them in-house to be turn key monsters, ready to tackle the US roads reliably, for our clients.
From mild to wild, or street cars to full blown track cars, we have done it all. Whatever your goal may be, we can achieve it together.
We have the largest inventory of Genuine OEM and aftermarket JDM Parts
Toxic Labs not only carries many new & used performance parts, we have the expertise and experience to help you make the right decisions for your build.
We carry a wide variety of cars, truck, and motorcycles at some of the most affordable prices in the Philadelphia area!


Hand Pallet Truck
Hand Pallet Truck is suitable for manual conveying of materials in warehouses, manufacturing plants etc. This pallet truck can attain required lifting height. Ergonomic handle design of this hand pallet truck ensures comfort of operator without causing hand fatigue Offered Hand Pallet Truck comprises of precisely shaped fork that has high strength so that this truck can be used in the tough working condition. Push rod of this manual pallet truck can be adjusted easily. This manually controlled pallet truck has self lubricated bearings for its smooth operation and long working life.


Ahuja SCM-15T PA Column speakers are 10W RMS, 15W Max speakers that are suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. They have a frequency response of 150-10,000Hz and are available in both 8Ω and 100V versions.
Ahuja SCM-15T Specification
Column speakers are a type of speaker that uses a vertical array of drivers to project sound over a wide horizontal area. This makes them ideal for use in large spaces such as halls, auditoria, and airport lounges.
|Info Power||10W RMS, 15W Max.|
|Force Taps||10W, 10/7.5/5W|
|SPL at 1kHz||92dB/1W/1m|
|Speakers||× 152.4 mm (6″) × 101.6 mm (4″)|
|Measurements||W165 × H455 × D145 mm|
Ahuja SCM-15T PA Column speakers are weather resistant and have a metal cabinet in a silver-ash paint finish. They come with mounting clamps and hardware supplied.
The features of the SCM-15T PA Column speakers
- 10W RMS, 15W Max power handling
- 8Ω and 100V versions available
- Frequency response of 150-10,000Hz
- Column design for wide horizontal sound dispersion
- Weather resistant metal cabinet
- Mounting clamps and hardware supplied
The SCM-15T PA Column speakers are a versatile and affordable option for a variety of sound reinforcement applications. They are particularly well-suited for use in large spaces where wide horizontal sound coverage is required.


Factor has added a new gravel bike to its range, dubbed the Ostro Gravel. In doing so, the brand says it has created the world’s fastest gravel bike.
Created for gravel racing, the Ostro Gravel draws inspiration from the Ostro VAM, the brand’s aero road bike but with lower speed aerodynamics, fast handling and more focus on comfort.
The Ostro Gravel is the newest addition to Factor’s gravel offering, and comes two years after the launch of the LS. While the LS focuses on light weight and the Ostro Gravel on aerodynamic efficiency, Factor claims a weight of just 900g for a size 54 fully painted Ostro Gravel frame.
According to the brand, the bike has clearance for 45mm tires but has a specific geometry to minimize the possibility of low-speed wheel flop with certain tire sizes.
Factor says the Ostro Gravel is aimed at riders looking for a gravel race bike. Pro gravel racer Dylan Johnson rode the bike at Unbound 2022.
‘The reason that we created this new bike was because of our commitment to gravel and alternative racing,’ says Factor founder and CEO Rob Gitelis. ‘We have invested heavily in the technology to create what we believe to be the world’s fastest gravel bike.’
Prices start from £4,730 for a frameset kit (including seatpost, cockpit, CeramicSpeed headset and bottom bracket) and go up to £9,380 for the power meter-equipped SRAM Red eTap AXS full build. Availability is expected from the end of September.
Made for speed
Factor says aerodynamics have been a key consideration in the Ostro Gravel’s design, unlike that of the LS, which focuses more on light weight.
According to Factor, its engineering has resulted in a fast, aero gravel bike with lower speed aero-efficient features when compared to the Ostro VAM.
‘For the LS we made assumptions that gravel speeds were low enough that we didn’t see a benefit in having an aero frame and we really prioritized lightweight instead,’ explains Graham Shrive, engineering director at Factor. ‘But working with riders we realized that in gravel races speed is creeping up and being aero is becoming a major factor.’
The brand says it has manipulated the behavior of airflow around the head tube before it can be disrupted by the rider and the bike itself, specifically looking at the laminar separation bubble in that area.
‘We focussed on the free stream flow, the areas which come in front of the rider and outside of the wheel, so the forks, the headtube and then the handlebar and seatpost,’ explains Shrive.
‘At lower velocities, the airflow will detach and at some point it reattaches, but if you can trick that airflow to separate earlier it can then reattach quicker and you get lower performance drag further downstream.’
The Ostro Gravel’s Black Inc cockpit – Black Inc being Factor’s components brand – has also been designed to support the frameset’s aero rationale.
Factor says it has been designed to maximize the free air stream flow available before the rider’s body fouls the air moving past the bike and the rider.
Factor says the cockpit can save up to 9 watts in comparison to a regular bar/stem setup, although it did not specify at which speed this saving would be achieved.
Factor says the Ostro Gravel’s purpose of gravel racing is reflected in the bike’s aggressive yet comfortable geometry.
‘We stretched the top tube by about a centimeter to try and promote the slightly further back center of gravity that you want when you are going down a really steep hill on a gravel bike,’ explains Shrive. ‘So you lose that tendency to feel like you have been thrown over the front end of the bike.’
‘We also coupled that with a slightly steeper seat tube angle, which is a response to the phenomenon of most people being on a zero offset seat post.’
The Ostro head tube angle ranges from 71.2 to 72.3 across sizes. Factor says this is because it has prioritized the steepest head tube angle possible, whilst maintaining neutral trail values across the range so it can work with 43mm gravel tires as well as 32mm slicks with no low-speed wheel flop.
A notable element to the Factor Ostro Gravel is that it is intended to be a ‘cross over’ bike, when ridden outside of pure gravel racing.
Factor says that the handling geometry was selected to ensure road-like trail values when used with narrower tires, such as 30mm to 35mm, as they have a smaller outside diameter that typically reduces trail.
The brand claims that the rear center length, higher stack, and slacker head tube angle contribute to all day comfort, meaning that the bike can be used for more than just racing.
‘We didn’t want to restrict riders going in either direction. If you are really keen, you could probably race this bike in a crit with a smaller tire. Our philosophy is very much to try not to exclude any riders,’ says Shrive.
Flexible gravel spec
The Ostro Gravel features a removable front derailleur mount with a paint-matched carbon chip which Factor says means that riders can choose a 1× setup and the bike will still look attractive.
The bike also has integrated hose routing, but uses the industry standard of 1-1/2 upper and lower bearings and a fork steerer that will fit conventional stems.
‘With the plethora of cockpit arrangements around for gravel we don’t want to constrain any rider, we want to open up the system to a wide variety of stems and bars,’ says Shrive.
Factor’s latest gravel bike has electronic shifting, clearance for 45mm tires and is disc brake only.
It also comes with the new Black Inc Thirty-Four wheels which are hookless, feature custom CeramicSpeed bearings and have a 25mm internal width.
The Thirty-Four wheelset is Black Inc’s first off-road wheel and the brand says while it is primarily made for gravel it is also capable on the road with a 30mm or larger hookless-compatible tire.
The Ostro Gravel also has a T47A threaded bottom bracket and features a new two-bolt seatpost, which the brand says is a robust solution for gravel.
It has multiple attachment points for bags, boxes, tools, and bottles.
Factor Ostro Gravel prices and availability
The Ostro Gravel is available as a frameset kit (that includes seatpost, barstem, CeramicSpeed bottom bracket and headset), a frameset kit with Black Inc Thirty-Four wheels, or as a complete bike in the following builds:
- SRAM Force eTap AXS XPLR + power meter ($8,199 / €8,120 / £7,060)
- SRAM Force eTap AXS ($8,599 / €8,520 / £7,400)
- SRAM Force eTap AXS + power meter ($8,799 / €8,720 / £7,570)
- SRAM Red eTap AXS XPLR + power meter ($9,799 / €9,710 / £8,430)
- SRAM Red eTap AXS ($10,499 / €10,400 / £9,030)
- SRAM Red eTap AXS + power meter ($10,899 / €10,800 / £9,380)
Color options include ‘Naked Grunge’ (black), White Grunge (white) and custom paint schemes too.


The CA 1550 micromanometer can be used to check the operation of ventilation and air-conditioning installations, etc. It offers the following measurements:
• Differential pressure management to check installations
• Air-speed measurement in ducts with the Pitot tube
• Measurement of air pressure on air extraction outlets on pressure-reducing orifices
• Measurement on pressure-reducing orifices
• Measurement of filter choking on air handling units
To optimize measurement accuracy, the CA 1550 is equipped with an atmospheric pressure or temperature compensation function.
This compact, ergonomic instrument can be used in various ways: handheld, fixed magnetically to a metal panel, suspended, placed on a flat surface or hooked by means of the Multifix accessory. Thanks to its communication functions, it can be connected via USB to a PC with the Data Logger Transfer software, making it possible to process the data, configure the instrument and generate reports in Word format.
The CA 1550 can also communicate via Bluetooth with an ANDROID smartphone by means of the dedicated application.
Click here to download the ANDROID application
- Dynamic range: ± 2,450 Pa
- Resolution: 0.1 Pa
- Accuracy: ± 0.5 % full scale ± 1 ct
- Air speed: 2 m/s to 60 m/s
- Temperature: manual or automatic with thermocouple socket
- Recording of up to 1 million points
- Min, Max, Hold, AVG


Royal Visit for Commercial Vehicle Museum and Veterans’ Cafe
His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent visited Leyland to see the results of the recent £2.4m transformation of the British Commercial Vehicle Museum, and to hear all about the inspirational work of the Leyland veteran’s Café.
At the British Commercial Vehicle Museum, The Duke was met by Trustees and staff from the museum, alongside local officials including Mayor of South Ribble Councillor Harry Hancock.
His Royal Highness toured the museum, inspecting some of the heritage vehicles on display including two vehicles from a pivotal point in commercial vehicle heritage – a 1922 Foden Steam Lorry and the first ever diesel wagon built by ERF Ltd in 1933 – which represent the move from steam to diesel engines. The Duke heard about the advanced engineering involved in the very latest hybrid and electric vehicles. His Royal Highness also saw a brief snapshot of the extensive archives held by the museum, which include technical documents and many thousands of photographs.
The museum was recently completely transformed thanks to a £2.4m refurbishment, made possible by a £1.8m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The major works programme was completed in January 2019 and has helped to secure the future of the museum, meaning that the important story of Britain’s rich commercial vehicle heritage will be told for generations to come.
Keith Moyes, manager of the British Commercial Vehicle Museum, said: “We are honoured to have welcomed His Royal Highness to the Museum. He showed great interest in the work of the museum, our volunteers and the many exhibits we have on display. We hope both enthusiasts and families will follow in The Duke’s footsteps, enjoying a day out at the British Commercial Vehicle Museum.”
His Royal Highness departed the museum in style, boarding a beautifully preserved 1927 Leyland Lioness Charabanc – a vehicle with its own Royal connections. The coach was originally owned by King George V – The Duke of Kent’s Grandfather – and was used to transport staff and luggage from Buckingham Palace to various Royal estates. The Duke took a much shorter journey in the eye-catching Lioness, just ½ a mile from the British Commercial Vehicle Museum to Brothers of Charity Services’ Roccoco Coffee Shop, the venue of the Leyland Veterans’ Café.
Leyland Veterans’ Café Founder, Phil Burton, met The Duke in front of an impressive L118 Howitzer Light Gun on loan from The Royal Artillery TA Regiment, and welcomed him to the Veteran’s Café. Inside, His Royal Highness met veterans who have benefitted from the work of the café, along with representatives from the many organisations who provide support to veterans referred from the café including Blind Veterans, SSAFA, Royal British Legion, NHS, Job Centre Plus and many others.
The Leyland Veterans’ Café was established in 2017, in partnership with Brothers of Charity Services, after Phil Burton successfully approached South Ribble Borough Council for funding from the Borough’s Armed Forces Covenant. Phil had identified a gap in support for veterans and he was determined to do something about it. His vision was to create a drop-in style, café environment that would enable veterans to meet in a ‘military family’ environment, and a place where they could also get help and support from a vast array of organisations, that can often be difficult for Veterans to navigate.
Phil explained, “Military camaraderie is really important to many veterans – it is often an important coping mechanism. Following the closure of Leyland’s Royal British Legion Club, I realised there was nowhere specifically for veterans to meet, share stories and seek support. It took a huge amount of time, effort and support – most notably from South Ribble Borough Council, BAE Systems and Brothers of Charity Services – to get the café from being an idea in my head to a reality that is changing lives.
“Two years after opening our doors, I am delighted to say that we are welcoming around 70 veterans to each café session, they travel from near and far to join us. We’ve had so many success stories already, of people who were at the end of their tether, not knowing where to turn. We offered them friendship and support; and made sure they got access to the services they needed. It’s amazing what can be achieved over a cup of tea and a bacon butty!”
The Veterans Café meets on the first and third Saturdays of the month from 10.00 – 13.00 in Roccoco Coffee Shop, a social enterprise run by Brothers of Charity Services to provide support and employment opportunities to adults with learning disabilities. They have been a key partner in delivery of the Leyland Veterans’ Café from day one.
Commenting after the visit, Mayor of South Ribble, Councillor Harry Hancock said, “It was a tremendous honour to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent to South Ribble today at the British Commercial Vehicle Museum and the Veteran’s Café.
“We have such a rich cultural offer here in South Ribble and I am delighted that His Royal Highness was able to visit the Museum which holds such treasured elements of the country’s transport history. In relation to the Veteran’s Café, as a borough we are dedicated to providing help, support and kinship to our veterans and as a former member of the Royal Horse Guards, I am immensely proud that our wonderful Veteran’s Café has been recognised in this way.”
Submitted by Unlocked Potential Consulting


KOHLER ENGINEERING CLUB
Open to grades 9-12, students involved in Engineering Club may work on Project GRILL, high-mileage vehicle, and/or robotics. In Project Grill, high school teams in Sheboygan County are paired with manufacturing partners in the community and work together to build a customized grill from scratch. The purpose of the high-mileage vehicle is to determine what kind of fuel economy a well-designed super-mileage vehicle would get as a function of its speed. The robotics program represents a partnership of students, teachers, parents, and volunteers. The combined efforts of this exceptional group help give the world its future engineers, scientists, technicians, inventors, and business leaders.


Electric water supply pump 230VAC
With 10 meter 1″ hose
Electric water supply pump 230VAC with 10 meter 1″ hose / quick-connect couplings / 270W / 270mm x 200mm x 435mm / 15.8 kg
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
There are no reviews yet.


LA PUENTE – Edgewood Academy students in third through eighth grades will present Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) and robotics achievements during the second annual Celebrating Bassett showcase from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at Torch Middle School.
The robotics class was formed in 2016 as part of Edgewood's GATE enrichment program.
“I want an engineering degree in the future and robotics will help me get to that goal by giving me the experience I need,” eighth-grade robotics team member Kenny Le said.
This year, the robotics class theme is “Into Orbit.” Students are building and programming robots to accomplish space-themed missions. GATE students are practicing the four Cs of 21st century learning – critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication – while building projects.
04-16-19_BASSETT_ROBOTICS_2: Edgewood Academy’s robotics team The Tech No Logics took part in the First Lego League Robotics tournament and competed in friendly Bot Battles. They will present their robots at the Celebrating Bassett showcase from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at Torch Middle School’s Watanabe Center.
Read more about Bassett Unified School District Here


Whenever you experience car problems, it is important that you take the necessary steps to fix them. When you have no car, you may be stranded. You may think you have to spend a lot of money on auto repairs; however, this is not usually the case. There are many simple repairs that even a novice can fix on their own.
Get yourself a good battery charger, making sure to keep it inside the car. Dead batteries are a common occurrence and you'd be able to aid other drivers who have broken down. Learn to locate the points where you should connect the battery charger on your car.
Make sure the repair shop technician is familiar with the particular model of your vehicle. If they have experience with your type of car, they are more likely able to correctly diagnose and fix the problems your vehicle is having.
It is very important to keep records of all your auto repairs. If your car ends up with more problems later on, your mechanic will appreciate having access to your past records. The records can help the mechanic determine the problem.
As the mechanic whether they've worked on your make and model before. If the answer is yes, that's a very good thing.
Make sure your headlights are clean if they don't look as bright. Sometimes, dirt from the road transfers over to your lights dim them. Clean your car's headlights and taillights with a glass cleaner.
Do not forget about your windshield wiper blades. You need new windshield wipers if they are making noises or leaving streaks. You should replace wiper blades at least once a year or more often if you live in an area where rain is commonplace or if you notice your wiper blades are worn out.
You should check the tire pressure when you go to the gas station. Take a look at each tire and be sure they are free of any debris. If you see anything wrong with them, get the problem fixed right away. Driving on the highway with corrupt tires can be very dangerous.
Take photos of your car ahead of a visit to the garage. Some shops might strip your car to justify billing you for more repairs. Because of this, it is advisable to get proof of what you vehicle looked like before it goes to the shop, just in case.
There are quite a few body shops that are just out there to take off the tires you have and put older ones on. This is a quick way for them to make a profit and take advantage of you. Before you go in, place some chalk on your tires to mark them up. You have been duped if there is no chalk on the tires when you pick it up.
Know when your oil needs changing. If you wish for your automobile to run great for a long time, the oil needs to be changed on a regular basis. Your car will not last as long as it should when the oil is not regularly changed, so be sure you have some kind of reminder.
If a mechanic gives you a quote that exceeds two hundred dollars, ask for a written estimate. This helps you with complaints down the road. Mechanics aren't as likely to charge you for unrequested repairs as well.
Even if your car only seems to have a small issue going on, you should definitely have it looked at. Sometimes, the smallest issue can escalate to a major problem if not attended to in a timely manner.
Always be wary of sellers claiming they have auto parts that will last a lifetime. This is often simply a sneaky way for unscrupulous parts dealers to get more money out of you. Lifetime deals are typically not legitimate. Although this special transmission fluid does last longer than regular fluid, it still needs to be replaced after 80,000 miles.
Always be wary of sellers claiming they have auto parts that will last a lifetime. This is a lie in an attempt to take your money. As an example, some vehicles come with transmission fluid marked as "lifetime". It is true that this fluid lasts much longer than standard transmission fluid, but you will still need to change it out at around 80,000 miles.
If you get an estimate from a mechanic, tell them you need a few hours to think about it before making your decision. Call other dealerships or garages to inquire what they charge for the type of repair the original mechanic is recommending. If you find something less expensive, pay them for their labor, but take your car somewhere else.
When discussing your car's problem with a mechanic, question him about the repair and why it is needed. You need a thorough understanding of the repair, not just a price quote. How long are the repairs going to take? What's being worked on? Find out how much the new parts cost. Make a long list of questions. This will not only show the mechanic that you are well informed, it will also help should the same issue pop up again.
Each time you wash the car, remove the car mats and shake them vigorously. Dirt gets trapped in the rubber, which can lead to tearing. These holes are unattractive and allow dirt to reach the carpet.
Right now, you should feel a bit more confident about having your auto repaired. Although nobody loves getting their car fixed, you'll find that the process doesn't have to be a painful ordeal. Use these tips for all of your own auto repair needs.


The UNI-DOLLY Axle Work Station
The UNI-DOLLY® Axle Work Station is the newest addition to the UNI-DOLLY product line. Rated at 3600 lb. capacity, this versatile dolly is designed for dropping axles, axle maintenance, and for supporting and moving other heavy objects requiring vertical/horizontal adjustment and mobility. Its heavy duty steel frame and large 2" X 6" swivel casters with wheel locks make the UNI-DOLLY Axle Work Station a convenient and safe alternative for both maintenance and storage.
- 3600 lb. Capacity
- 2” X 6” Swivel Casters w/ Wheel Locks
- Vertical screw adjustment from 36” to 50”
- Heavy Duty Steel Frame
- Independent Vertical & Horizontal Adjustment
- Two Horizontal stabilizing bars with adjustment up to 60”
- Adjustable Tray for liquid waste container
- Strap mechanism, (easily operated with one hand), for securing axle on dolly
- Removable Tool Tray with adjustable mounting bracket
- Lifetime Warranty
Check out the rest of the UNI-DOLLY product-line including our Pinch Clamps, "V" Shoe, and HAB Adapter Bar accessories that transform the UNI-DOLLY car dolly into a multi-purpose tool, giving you the most value for your dollar.


Camping Wash Set Portable 20L Flush Toilet Hand Wash Sink Basin Towel Holder
- 3 cups of fresh water will be pumped out continuously by one step on the foot pump.
- 3L liquid soap tank dispenser
- Operates with a "hands-free" foot pump
- Integrated towel rack
- Two wheels make it easy to move when the tank is full
- Equipped with a flexible hose for draining discarded water into the included portable toilet
- Lightweight: just 8lbs 13oz without the tank full.
- Easy to store and carry, thanks to the detachable washbasin and stand
Sink Dimensions: (12.80 x 9.45)" (L x W)
Height of the Sink: 32.68"
Hand Sanitizer Tank Capacity: 3.5L
Dia. of the Wheels: 1.77"
Folded Dimensions: (20.08 x 13.19 x 40.55)"
Wash Basin Weight: 8.82lbs (empty)
Toilet Dimensions: (16.34 x 14.37 x 16.54)" (L x W x H)
Toilet Freshwater Tank Capacity: 2.64 Gallons
Toilet Waste Recovery Tank Capacity: 5.28 gallons
1 x Wash Basin
1 x Vertical Column
1 x Hand Sanitizer
1 x Faucet
1 x Pipeline System
1 x Lower Water Pipe
1 x Portable Toilet
Free shipping on all orders in the USA.
Our amazing support team is here to help.
Simply return it within 30 days for an exchange.
We ensure secure payment and accept Stripe, Visa, Mastercard, Amex & Paypal.


With a 60% stronger motor, high speed stitchery, it is very useful for free-motion embroidery, automatic button sewing and doing monograms.
All these aspects are made easier by the presence of a movable drop feed level. The machine can be used to automatically make beautiful buttonholes in 4 steps. It is also sold with a number of accessories including needles, screw drivers, dust cover, power cord and buttonhole foot.
Stitching is accomplished easily through simple turns instead of many button pushes. It is sold together with a number of accessories, which can be stored in a storage compartment on the machine. The 25 years guarantee provided by the company makes any prepared buyer to have more confidence in the equipment.
SINGER 4411 is a high-speed machine that manages up to 1, 100 stitches per minute due to the powerful motor and nature of construction. It is thus applicable in busy, professional and high-end high-production environments, whether the goal is to make garment alterations or complete new projects. Those in need of a machine that can achieve skip-free sewing will find the interior metal frame of Singer 4411 very useful. In most cases, ordinary machines will get stuck when working on heavy fabrics and completing projects on deadlines becomes difficult.
- The overall metal frame on Singer 4411 holds all mechanisms in perfect alignment and this allows it to stay still when performing its duties.
- Its strong frame makes the machine last longer.
- Smooth fabric feed is possible thanks to the stainless steel bed plate on the machine.
- Comes with a top drop-in bobbin system, which makes it easy to load and remove bobbins.
- Has an automatic four-step buttonhole feature and its pressure foot pad is also adjustable to allow working on heavy duty fabrics.
- Track and monitor the bobbin thread as it is being supplied to the machine, thanks to the clear view cover. This makes it possible to know when respooling is required.
One of this sewing machine’s disadvantages is its a 110 volt power source, thus designed with United States and Canadain mind. A step down would be necessary in order to use this machine in other parts of the world.
This extra-high speed sewing machine can be used for virtually all sewing projects, especially with an all-purpose foot, buttonhole foot, zipper foot and button sewing foot. The machine has a smooth feeding system and is durable thanks to the metal framework.


A part of something bigger
We supply parts for hydraulics, pneumatics, power transmission and hard-wearing surfaces.
Browse our off-the-shelf wares, or we can machine something with more specific requirements in our engineering workshop.
Transmissions are used in agricultural, industrial, construction, mining and automotive equipment.
We stock a large range of rods and tubes in various sizes and a range of hardness. They come in 12” lengths ranging from 7/8” – 6” in diameter.
We also make various sheet sizes to custom requirements. These start at 4mm thick and can be up to 950mm x 2000mm.
If you need a custom moulded part, we can do that too. We’ll also refurbish old wheels and rollers and remove old polyurethane and recoat.
O-rings & Hydraulic Seals
We carry a wide range of hydraulic seals to suit most brands of earthmoving and farming machinery.
Our clever engineering experts can design and create custom engineered solutions and applications to your out-of-the-box problems.
With thousands of products and product variations, we can’t list everything here, but you can download our comprehensive product catalogues below for more listings.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for or need advice about which products suit your needs, give us a call.


Clemson Wind-Turbine Test Facility Readies for Second Massive Concrete Pour
January 10, 2013
Compliments of Clemson University Newsroom
NORTH CHARLESTON — Construction of Clemson University’s Wind Turbine Drivetrain Testing Facility at the Restoration Institute reaches another milestone Friday when the foundation for the larger test rig is poured.
Beginning late Friday, engineers with Choate Construction will pour 1,900 cubic yards of concrete into a pit 50 feet wide by 100 feet long by 15 feet deep, all resting on 115 seventy foot-deep piles, to form the 15-megawatt test rig foundation.
If those piles were placed end-to-end, they would cover a distance of more than a mile-and-a-half. To put it another way, the building’s foundation is almost seven stories deep. The pit already has approximately 450 tons of reinforcing steel weighing roughly as much as 250 mid-size cars.
There will be about 3,500 tons of concrete poured into the foundation base — enough concrete to pave more than a half-mile of a two-lane interstate or for the slabs of about 225 two-car garages.
The massive pour will last through the night to take advantage of generally calmer weather conditions and minimize traffic congestion. The operation is expected to take up to about 12 hours.
Click here to view a streaming web cam of the testing facility construction site.
The operation has taken months of planning and thousands of man-hours of preparation and field work. Engineers must consider environmental conditions, influence from local traffic and other factors that could cause an inconsistent flow of concrete.
The pour marks a milestone for the massive construction project. After breaking ground in October 2010, construction began the following year. In May last year, the engineering team from Choate poured the foundation for the smaller test rig. The pour for the 7.5-megawatt test rig required 750 cubic yards of concrete.
The project involves completely redeveloping an 82,000-square-foot warehouse on the former Navy base. Engineering design was performed by AEC Engineering of Minneapolis.
In November 2009, Clemson and its partners were awarded a $45 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, which was combined with $53 million of matching funds, to build and operate the large-scale testing facility for next-generation wind turbine drivetrains.
When complete later this year, the facility will have the capability for full-scale highly accelerated testing of advanced drivetrain systems for wind turbines in the five- to 15-megawatt range.
It also will have 50 hertz and 60 hertz testing capability, which means it can accommodate test specimens destined for anywhere in the world.
About Choate Construction
As one of the largest general contractors in the Southeast, Choate Construction Company considers its Reputation as its number one asset, with future success founded upon the strength of its client relationships. Choate Construction excels in both base and interior construction with office locations in Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Savannah. Choate strives to lead the industry in financially viable, function solutions and continually invests in the tools to do so, promoting advances in Building Information Modeling (BIM) software, LEED® Rating system and Risk Mitigation. Visit www.choateco.com for more information.


Trademark Class 6 is all about common metals and related goods used in metal heavy industries.
Trademark Classes Background
When applying for a trademark applications at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), trademark owners must identify what goods and/or services they use their trademark in connection with.
Furthermore, the international trademark community, through the Nice Agreement, breaks down all goods and services into forty-five different Trademark Classes. For example, Primesource Building Products, Inc applied for a trademark registration for its GRIP-RITE brand in connection with metal screws in Class 6.
If a trademark applicant does not correctly identify what Trademark Class their goods or services fall under, the USPTO’s Examining Attorney will issue an Office Action delaying the application process. If the Office Action is not dealt with in a timely fashion, the application will be abandoned by the USPTO and the trademark applicant will not be refunded any of their USPTO fees.
The best way for trademark applicants and trademark lawyers to identify what Trademark Class goods or services fall under is to view the Trademark Identification Manual (TMIM) online at the USPTO website.
Lastly, trademark owners can apply for a trademark application in one Trademark Classes of goods or services or file one trademark application that covers multiple Trademark Classes of Goods or Services. However, the USPTO charges a fee for each Trademark Class of goods or services applied for in the trademark application.
Trademark Class 6 - Metal Products & Related Goods
Class 6 is the Trademark Class that covers most metal products, especially metal products related to construction and building materials such as metal roofing systems, metal pipes and tubes, metal framing for sheetrock and similar products. Below are some subcategories within Class 6 and some examples of products within the subcategories.
Metal Building Materials: metal roof sheets, cornices, flashing, scaffolding, ladders, flooring, grates, manholes, metal framing for walls or doorways,
Metal Pipes & Tubes: pipes, metal oil wells, water pipes and metal joints and connectors, heating ducts
Railroad Materials: metal rails, railroad ties, turntables, switches
Metal Knobs & Hardware: door knobs, metal anvils, metal doors, metal gates, metal fasteners
Nuts & Bolts: screws, nails, bolts, washers,
Metal Safes & Related Goods: keys, locks, safes, metal lock boxes, metal boxes
Chains & Cables: metal chains, metal wires, barbed wire, metal cables, metal ropes
Metal Signs: metal road signs, metal signs, metal statues, metal works of arts, weather vanes
Welding & Soldering Materials: all materials for welding, soldering wires
Raw or Semi-Processed Metal: steel, brass, iron, nickel, silver, aluminum, ore
Trademark Class 6 Specimens & Examples
One of the most important USPTO requirements to obtain a trademark registration is submitting an acceptable trademark specimen. Acceptable trademark specimens must show use of the trademark in connection with the goods or services the trademark owner identified in the trademark application. The trademark applicant must submit an acceptable trademark specimen for each Trademark Class in the trademark application.
Acceptable specimens come in many different forms for Trademark Class 6 goods that show the trademark used in connection with Class 6 products. Acceptable specimens in Class 6 include the trademark shown on product packaging and hangtags, the trademark directly on the product, or the trademark displayed on signage at a point of sale in a store or a screenshot of an ecommerce website with the trademark displayed near the applied for product and near a CHECKOUT button.
One last thing to note is that trademark applicants do not need to mail in their physical specimens, such as the trademark displayed on the product, to the USPTO. Trademark applicants only need to take a picture (or screenshot if the specimen comes from an ecommerce website) and upload the image to the USPTO website.
Above is an acceptable specimen for GRIP RITE in connection with screws because the trademark is prominently displayed on the product packaging
If you have any questions about what is an acceptable trademark specimen in Class 6, do not hesitate to Contact Us today.
Class 2 - Metal Based Paints
Class 19 - Non-Metal Building Materials
Class 35 - Retail or Online Retail Stores Selling Class 6 Products
Do you have any questions about Class 6 or what trademark class your goods or services fall under? Contact us today for a Free Trademark Consultation and one of our attorneys will contact you within twenty-four hours.


Diesel becomes attractive option as fuel prices soar
SINCE the arrival of ATV ‘quad bikes’ in the mid-eighties, there have been demands for a diesel alternative to petrol models.
That these requests initially fell upon deaf ears was down to the relatively low sales volume, the UK market, even at its peak, struggling to better 10,000 units a year. In the USA, the key world market for ATVs, annual sales routinely exceeded 100,000 units.
With the main ATV manufacturers all fighting for a slice of the US market, it should come as no surprise that building a diesel bike for Europe in general, but the UK in particular, would not meet with much success. But it was not for want of trying.
In 1993, Oxfordshire-based E.P. Barrus developed its D-Bat diesel. In simple terms, the original models matched a Polaris 250cc petrol ATV chassis to a 300cc Yanmar single cylinder diesel power unit.
The resulting machine underwent a degree of evolution – a switch to a 350cc chassis and 400cc diesel engine, boosting both reliability and performance. But these chain-driven machines did need careful owners. Production ceased in 1997.
Then there was the Diablo from independent engineer Gifford Langley and latterly his Diesel Quads company on Anglesey. The Diablo diesel was powered by a series of different engines, the most appealing of which was the 850cc Yanmar liquid-cooled triple cylinder.
The D-Bat was a modest success, with promising initial sales that prompted Polaris to develop its own diesel model.
The Diablo project meanwhile soldiered on with little financial backing and sales volumes remained low.
The relative success of the D-Bat prompted US maker Polaris to develop its own diesel-powered machine.
Launched in 1999, the Polaris 455 diesel had all the ingredients to be a success: shaft drive, 4WD, independent suspension and a decent power unit – the Fuji liquid-cooled single developed 11hp and 21.6Nm of torque at a modest 2,500rpm. This made the diesel a good machine for towing.
The initial production run of Polaris models all suffered from a weak big end in the engine, which led to a raft of warranty and modification work.
The next batches made in 2000 and 2001 were pretty much sorted out, constant velocity joints replacing plain universal joints used on the drive shafts of the original.
Despite its promise, however, the Diesel 455 just did not sell well enough to justify its production costs and manufacturing ceased.
Sales outside the UK had proven pretty slow, with unsold diesel machines from other markets allowing Polaris in the UK to continue to sell the diesel into 2003.
These Polaris machines are now sought after as a used buy, incidentally, but it is increasingly difficult to find a good one these days.
Fast forward to 2005 and Massey Ferguson stepped into the diesel market with its MF700D ‘AgTV’.
Powered by a Lombardini 686cc SOHC twin-cylinder liquid cooled diesel developing 17.0hp at 3,600rpm and torque of 40.5Nm at 2,000rpm, this machine has enjoyed sales since launch at the back end of 2006 equivalent to 400 to 450 units a year.
It would be good to say this machine was purpose developed for agriculture, but the reality is somewhat more prosaic. The US military needed an ATV that could run on diesel, so Arctic Cat and military specialists Roush Technologies came up with a solution that subsequently, with red plastic and badging, morphed into the Massey.
The MF700D has been produced by Arctic Cat in Austria. Originally, the plan was that Massey would sell the ATV through its dealers, but by late 2007 the marketing of the machine had altered to the stage where Arctic Cat dealers are now the more active in the market.
This essentially means you can buy the same diesel ATV with Massey or Arctic decals. It is always tricky to talk about pricing, but the £7,500 sticker price of the MF700D when launched can be seriously bettered by shopping around.
In common with its diesel predecessors, the MF700D/ Arctic Cat 700D are not the nimblest of machines. Get up and go is perfectly acceptable, but probably tardy in comparison to a petrol ATV with a decent-sized engine.
Based around the three-in-one ‘long wheelbase’ chassis that affords two-up seating, the 700D is not the most manoeuvrable either – a turn radius of around 4.65m – but with the intitial purchase price having drifted downwards and petrol prices drifting upwards, some buyers are prepared to overlook manoeuvrability.
The flip side is that the 700D is a very comfortable machine, the extra 200mm in its wheelbase helping to smooth the ride already made good with independent suspension. It is also designed to take two riders or, perhaps more usefully, a rear load platform.
In terms of dependability, reports from users suggest the 700D is not prone to any major issues, a weak shaft on the initial batch of machines having replaced by a much meatier design that is common to all current production machines.
Running costs are harder to pin down, but as a guide the manufacturer was suggesting at the model’s launch that users should expect to at least halve their fuel bills.
This is a pretty modest claim and one that overlooks the key diesel strength; the ability to run on ‘red’.
But this is not the only diesel quad currently on offer, the Scottish-built Ecorider Ecoquad has just entered the arena (see page 6).
Powered by a 440cc diesel unit, this 2WD machine mixes lightness and simplicity with a claimed 90mpg potential. Those used to the 10 to 25mpg of a petrol ATV will no doubt covet this level of frugality. Of equal importance, the Ecoquad has an affordable sub-£4,000 price tag.
So, if you want a diesel ATV you can now buy one. For some, the lack of out and out pep and general refinement of a petrol-powered machine will still see them live with the ever rising cost of running a petrol ATV or consider an LPG conversion, but at least you now have some choices.
As it stands, those favouring diesel can now take another option – the side-by-side. A diesel-powered utility machine, such as a Kawasaki Mule 3000D, Massey MF 20MD, Kubota RTV or a John Deere Gator HPX can make a viable alternative to an ATV.
These machines are no longer as pricey as they used to be either.


The Greenworks 16" 2.4kW Commercial Chainsaw is the most powerful battery-powered chainsaw in its class. This unit's combination of power and speed sets the standard for lithium- ion battery power and outperforms gas.
With the equivalent power of a 3.2 HP engine and 45cc displacement gas engine, this ultra high performance chainsaw leverages a built-in commercial-grade Brushless Direct Drive Motor and lithium-ion batteries to provide the power and torque necessary to cut faster than gas-all at only 12.9 lbs. operating weight.
This unit utilizes 2.4kW of max power and 2.4Nm of torque to generate up to 13,000 RPM when cutting and maintains a consistently higher RPM than gas alternatives. Users never have to worry about bogging down in the middle of a cut, maximizing their productivity.
The 82CS24 offers up to 225 cuts per charge on a 4 Ah battery and is part of the industry's most complete portfolio of commercial-grade, zero emission 82V landscaping equipment.
The most powerful battery-powered chainsaw in its class!
- Power Output: 2.4kW output provides 45cc gas equivalent power
- Runtime: Up to 225 cuts on a single charge with 4 Ah battery
- Charge Time: Charge batteries in 30 minutes or less with dual-port charger
- Max Power Speed: High-torque system provides up to 13,000 RPM max speed even under load
- Chain Speed: 82 ft/s for faster cutting
- Motor: Highly efficient Direct Drive Brushless Motor provides optimal cutting performance while decreasing noise and vibration
- What's Included: (1) 82V 4Ah Battery and (1) Dual Port Charger
Cut, Limb, And Fell Your Way Through The Day With Our Best-In-Class Battery Chainsaws!
- Exceptional Efficiency. Provides Expected Power And Torque Of A 45cc Gas Engine.
- No Bumpy Bucking. Sturdy Steel Bucking Spikes Provide Leverage For Easier, More Controlled Sawing.
- Cut With Confidence. 16" Bar And Chain Provides Ease Of Use While Delivering The Highest Cutting Performance.
- Zero Gas Smell. Zero Pull Cords. Zero Pollution Breathed. Zero Time Wasted.
- 16” Bar and Chain
- Simple Trigger Start—Get Straight to Work With No Time Wasted
- Oversized Wraparound Handle for the Best Grip When Sawing
- Sturdy Steel Bucking Spikes Provide Safety and Control
- Easy-Access Bar and Chain Oil Cap Make Usage Quick and Simple
- Inertia-Activated Chain Brake and Automatic Chain Lubrication Ensure Constant User Safety
- 200 ML Oil Tank Capacity
- Weather Resistant—IPX4 Certified Water-Resistant
- Battery Powers 50+ 82V Products - One Battery to Mow, Blow, Cut, Trim, Cultivate, and More!
The No List
- No Fumes - No more smelling like gas after cutting
- No Emissions - Save money on fuel and breathe cleaner air
- Low Maintenance - No tune-ups, no mixing fuels, no messy spills
- Low Noise - Easy on the ear, low decibel operation
- Low Vibration - Less fatigue so you can work longer
- 82v Commercial Handheld tools, battery, and chargers: 2-year limited warranty
- 82v Consumer/Prosumer lineup: 4-year limited warranty
- 24/48v warranty: 3-year limited warranty
- Commercial ZTR Warranty: 5-year or 2,000-hour warranty
- NEW residential/consumer warranty on our COMMERCIAL ZTRs: 7-year or 700-hour warranty
- Commercial UTV warranty: 5-year battery warranty, 2-year bumper to bumper warranty
- Wearable Parts: 60-day warranty
Dealer Support (See Dealer Locator For Details)


CONTACT: 800-438-6087, www.hoshizakiamerica.com
SANDWICH TOP AND MEGA TOP PREP TABLES
Peachtree City, GA (February 20, 2017) – Hoshizaki America, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of the 36” wide refrigerated sandwich top and mega top prep tables with doors. These single section refrigerators feature a stainless steel exterior, as well as, stainless steel interior walls and floor with coved corners. The Commercial Series sandwich top and mega top prep table widths now are 27”, 36” 48”, 60”, and 72”.
Hoshizaki America, Inc. is the world leader in the design, manufacturing, and marketing of a wide range of products for the foodservice industry including ice machines, refrigerators, freezers, prep tables, display cases and dispensers. With corporate headquarters in Peachtree City, Georgia and a second manufacturing facility in Griffin, Georgia, Hoshizaki employs around 700 people in the metro Atlanta area. In 2016 Hoshizaki was awarded the ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence for continued leadership in protecting our environment through superior energy efficiency achievements.
For more information, visit Hoshizaki America, Inc. www.hoshizakiamerica.com.
The IM200BAA from HOSHIZAKI AMERICA, INC. is the newest model in the popular large square-cube ice machine series. The undercounter unit has the capacity to create up to 200 pounds of individual square cubes daily. With a 75-pound capacity, built-in storage bin for optimum convenience, the IM200BAA has a small footprint and is Energy Star-qualified.


We offer comprehensive and reliable all-trades facilities management and building maintenance encompassing both on-demand repairs and term contracts. Covering all types of property from supermarkets, retail parks and restaurants through to factories, we work in partnership to ensure cost effective and sustainable building and site maintenance and repair programmes.
Planned Building Maintenance and Emergency Repairs
We provide a professional approach to the planning and scheduling of building maintenance working in partnership to ensure that building maintenance works have a minimal impact on our Clients' day to day operations. In relation to reactive repairs and maintenance we have the flexibility to ensure that we provide an appropriate response in terms of manpower, materials and timescales.
- Electrical inspection and testing
- Fire and security systems
- Plumbing, heating and air conditioning
- Painting and Decorating
- Interior fit-out and repair
- Mechanical and electrical installation
- Mechanical and electrical maintenance
- Pest control
- Property fit-out and refurbishment
- Roofing maintenance and repair
At Dunham Building and Civil Engineering we ensure that the health, safety, environmental and sustainability aspects of projects are aligned to the standards of our Clients and that they meet operational, legislative and corporate responsibility requirement.


Why would anyone buy an electric kick scooter that costs $2,700? It’s the question I asked myself after a representative from MiniMotors USA suggested I try the company’s new Dualtron Victor. It’s also a question a colleague, who has been riding a sub-$500 e-scooter, asked me.
After several weeks of riding it … well, I get it. This is the only scooter I’ve ridden that feels like it’s made for long treks. I took it on a 24-mile round trip from Brooklyn to New Jersey, and it still had 30 percent battery left in the tank. That’s probably the farthest I’ve ever traveled while standing upright!
It’s so powerful it casually zoomed up steep hills that would’ve crippled most e-scooters, and its suspension makes for a well-cushioned ride. It has a few quirks—and one big con—but this thing is practically perfect.
The Victor arrived on my doorstep in a giant, heavy box. No, I don’t know who Victor is, but I’m glad this e-scooter takes just minutes to set up. Tighten the clamp on the stem, then unfold the handlebars and secure them with their respective clamps.
There’s a hook at the end of the deck, so you can clip on the handlebar stem when you fold it. It keeps the stem from collapsing when it’s stored, and it makes it much easier to carry the Victor. Here is where I should mention my biggest problem: It’s heavy. It’s 73 pounds, which is even more than most electric bikes. Even lifting it to mount a curb is cumbersome. Thankfully, I live in an apartment with an elevator. But there was one day when the elevator wasn’t working and … well, let’s just say the stairwell heard some choice words.
It’s impossible to find a comparable scooter with this much range and power at a significantly lighter weight, but that doesn’t mean I won’t complain about it. If you can manage to lift it, it will fit into a trunk. It’s surprisingly compact when folded.
The Victor is almost fully equipped out of the box. There are front headlights, taillights, and rear and front mudguards. (A bell would’ve been nice.) It also has LEDs to illuminate the underside of the deck, and the Dualtron branding on the handlebar lights up like an RGB gaming PC. You can use the included remote to tweak the colors and lighting patterns if you like.
You’ll need to turn on the power switch on the underside of the deck before you can power the Victor on, via the dashboard on the top-right handlebar. There’s a Mode button here to switch the onscreen ride data, and the third button (with a dot on it) will change the e-scooter’s gear. These three gears will regulate your speed. The first gear, for example, limits you to 15 miles per hour.
On the left handlebar, there are two switches. The first toggles between Eco and Turbo—Eco dramatically slows the e-scooter to conserve power, whereas Turbo will hit the top speed of whatever gear you’re in. The second toggle switches between Single and Dual (more on this later) motors. It’s hard to tell exactly what mode you’re in with these buttons, which can be a problem. Trust me, you don’t want to hit the throttle while accidentally in Dual motor mode without preparing for the kickback.
The display also shows battery life, and it’s one of the more accurate battery indicators I’ve seen. It’s also very easy to read the screen in broad daylight, which is an issue I’ve had with some other e-scooters.
The first thing I noticed on my very first ride with the Victor was how high the deck is off the ground. The handlebars are lower, to compensate, which means that when I was riding the scooter my arms were quite outstretched. Since I’m 6′ 4″, it took me awhile to get used to the reach. MiniMotors USA does sell stem adapters.
I had some of the comfiest e-scooter rides I’ve ever had, though, thanks to the ultrawide tires and the excellent suspension. I only really felt some jerkiness when I went over cobbled road, but I probably would’ve had to get off and walk on any other e-scooter.
Did I mention the Victor can go up to 50 miles per hour? You read that right. That’s because of the 4,000-watt dual-motor design (yes, four thousand). When you toggle on Single motor, you’re going to be restricted to a little under 30 mph. Toggle on Dual, and you’ll feel the torque. Your head will whip back and you’ll be zooming up to 50. I … didn’t quite try that. I can’t legally operate this e-scooter at those speeds in New York City.
In New Jersey, I did give it a spin on a wide stretch of open road that didn’t have any traffic, and I hit nearly 40 mph before I had to slow down. Those speeds are terrifying when there’s nothing protecting you but a metal handlebar and stem. However, you can use the gears to limit your speed to what you’re comfortable with (and what’s legal). You need to make sure you’re legally operating the e-scooter, just like you would for a car.
On the only other dual-motor e-scooter I’ve tried, the Apollo Ghost ($1,500), I was warned never to downshift from Dual to Single motor while riding, in case I hurt myself when it abruptly slowed. MiniMotors USA says you don’t need to worry about this on the Victor; you can engage and disengage the front motor at any time during a ride. I can’t imagine doing this at 30 to 40 mph, so I switched between them only when I came to a full stop. Thanks, Apollo.
The Victor uses powerful hydraulic disc brakes for the front and rear, with ABS so that the wheels don’t lock up. I had zero issues coming to a full stop very quickly, but make sure to hit the rear brake first, so you don’t tip yourself onto your face. You also never really want to slam the brakes when you’re going really fast.
As for range, MiniMotors USA claims 62 miles from the 60-volt LG battery. I rode for 24 miles, and the Victor had 30 percent left in the tank, which doesn’t seem like a lot considering that I also mostly rode it in Single motor mode. Dual mode would exhaust the battery faster. Range also varies depending on the rider and terrain, but I can’t see someone hitting more than 35 or 40 miles on this thing.
Even if that’s not quite the promised 62-mile range, that’s still fantastic. Most e-scooters I’ve tried tap out around the 20 mile mark, or even 10. The Apollo Ghost sat a little under 20 miles before needing a recharge.
The Victor takes a whopping 20 hours to charge, with the charger that’s included, so don’t expect to quickly top it off. You can buy another charger to juice it up with two (there are two ports), and that will trim the time down to 10 hours, or buy the fast charger for a much more reasonable five-hour recharge. For the price, it’d be nice if a faster charger was included.
The display and brake levers on the handlebar can sit a little loose. Perhaps more annoying is that the tires are not tubeless. Tube tires are more prone to flats and usually require more maintenance. Boo!
MiniMotors USA prides itself on its use of high-quality LG batteries, which it claims don’t degrade as quickly over time. I can’t quite test for that, but the good news is that it’s easy to replace the batteries. For any repairs you might need, the company stocks parts and components, and it has service partners and its own locations around the country if you don’t want to tweak anything yourself.
This is the e-scooter for anyone that puts serious miles on the road every single day. You won’t get range anxiety, which is freeing. And just because you buy an e-scooter that can go 50 miles per hour doesn’t mean you have to use it anywhere near those speeds. My favorite part is how I can crush any hill without going at a snail’s pace. That’s thanks to the heaps of power in the Victor.


We are delighted to have received a report from the recent meeting of the Auchterarder and District Local History Club. This meeting was entitled, “Industrial Heritage”
It is not customary to open a lecture on industrial heritage by singing a chorus. Professor Margaret Bennett had us sing the “Weavers song” before delivering a talk focusing on the Scottish Flax industry and the Stanley Mills in particular.
The Mill, built by Richard Arkwright, better known for his cotton mills in Lancashire, was opened in 1787. He chose the site to exploit the fast flowing waters of the Tay. The mill processed flax to produce linen. The mill required large numbers of female workers who at that time were confined to domestic or farm work and a smaller number of men. Professor Bennett told of farm girls who preferred the 12 hour days in the mill to being at home on the farm. It was a sign of early female emancipation and the movement of agricultural workers into industry. The village of Stanley was created from the houses the company built. The company also provided a range of cultural and sporting facilities.
The unfinished linen was set out on what were known as bleach fields. These fields situated at Stanley and Luncarty were extensive. As production increased the area required for bleaching increased from 80 Acres in 1791 to 130 acres in 1846. After the linen had lost most of its colour it was pounded to soften the fabric to make it suitable for its final uses. Eventually Arkwright turned to chemicals to give a more assured result. The machinery in the mill encouraged the birth of engineering activities. The town of Kirkcaldy became well known for its innovations in weaving machinery.
The development of shuttles which were safer than those previously used, resulted in the company of McFarlane & Sons becoming supplier to most of the British weaving industry. There were three major employers in the town producing weaving machines which were exported in large numbers to the Baltic States. The need for skilled engineers to build and maintain the machinery was recognised leading to the introduction of apprenticeship for new entrants. The skills the apprentices learnt on weaving and similar machines were transferable to other aspects of engineering.
The Scottish apprentice engineers who had received this training went throughout the world to work on major project. An example was Sir Sandford Fleming, born in Kirkcaldy, where he served his engineering apprenticeship,
who went on to become the main engineer responsible for the construction of the Trans Canadian railway. His engineering and practical brain also saw the need for standardised timekeeping on the railways and his suggestions form the basis of the system used today. Professor Bennett told us that although he is an iconic figure in Canada he is largely unknown in Scotland.
Professor Bennett traced the beginning of Scotland’s industrial heritage to places like the Stanley Mills. The increase in the urban population and the freedom from the land for young women began at this time. The importance of education and training became apparent leading to the introduction of training for engineers.
At the next meeting on 19th October in the Aytoun Hall, Lynne McGeachie will talk on Beatrix Potter’s Scotland, “Her Perthshire Inspiration”.


Thanks to PHS Online for some of these statistics.
Introduction: Having watched first the Ford Mustang and then the Chevrolet
Camaro enter into the pony car market, Pontiac finally got into the act in
the middle of 1967. The Firebird was offered with both six and eight cylinder
engines, like the Mustang and Camaro, and was based heavily on the Chevrolet
Camaro chassis. Pontiac did try to make it their own and would create a
European styled and mannered pony car that could hold its own against its more
1967 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: The Pontiac Firebird was released five months after the Chevrolet
Camaro, and offered buyers choices of six and eight cylinder engines. Pontiac
was able to use that additional time to create a unique identity for the Firebird,
despite having to use the Camaro chassis and some body panels. Despite using the same
front fenders, doors, and rear fenders as the Camaro, the Firebird's styled
split front grille, beaked hood, and GTO-slitted taillights gave it a distinctly
Pontiac apperance. But the key differentiator was under the hood, where the Firebird
offered a range of Pontiac engines. Initially, five different Firebirds were available,
named after their respective engine choices. At the bottom was the lowly 230 cubic inch
OHC six cylinder engine with a single 1bbl carb, rated at a measily 165 bhp. Stepping
up to the "Sprint" version got the buyer a 230 I6 with a 4bbl carb rated at 215bhp. Either
six cylinder was linked to either a three or four speed manual or two-speed automatic
transmission. Although the six cylinder engines were more powerful than Chevy's offerings,
most buyers wisely opted for one of the available V8 engines. At the bottom was Pontiac's
326 V8 with a two barrel carb that was rated at 250 bhp. A special "H.O." (High Output) version
of the 326 V8 fitted with a four barrel carb was rated at 285bhp. At the top was the
400 V8 borrowed from the GTO. This engine was rated at 325 bhp, and was available
with or without Ram Air (which suspiciously didn't affect the engine rating, hmm.)
The Ram Air engine included a hotter cam, stronger valve springs, and made use of the
otherwise decrorative hood scoops. With no publicized power increase and a hefty $600 price
tag, the Ram Air option was rarely ordered. All V8s came with a standard heavy-duty three speed
manual transmission; a four speed manual and three speed automatic were optional. Performance
axle ratios up to 4.33:1 were available as well as front disk brakes. Firebird prices
were roughly $200 more than comparable Camaros and the Camaro outsold it two to one.
But Pontiac's pony car had arrived.
400/325: 0-60 in 6.2 sec, 1/4 mile in 14.7 sec @ 98 mph.
1968 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: The Pontiac Firebird underwent minor changes for its second year.
On the exterior, it lost its side vent windows and gained fender marker lights.
The interior was revised and the rear suspension was refined with the adoption of
staggered shocks in the rear (one in front of the rear axle and one behind) and the
use of new multi-leaf rear springs. The big news was under the hood. The standard
400 engine gained 5 bhp to 330 while the Ram Air engine was rated at 335 bhp.
In mid year, it was replaced by the 340 bhp Ram Air II. Newly available was a
third 400 V8, named the HO (High Output) that was slotted between the two other
engines. The 400 HO cam with free-flow exhausts and its own revised cam (when
mated to the four speed manual). It too was rated at 335 bhp. On the lower side
of the model line, the 230 I6 was replaced by a new 250 I6 and the 326 V8s were
replaced by new 350 V8s. Performance was definitely the key at Pontiac.
400/335 (HO): 0-60 in 5.5 sec, 1/4 mile in 14.2 sec @ 100 mph.
1969 Pontiac Firebird
Comments: The Pontiac Firebird underwent a major restyling for the 1969 model
year. The front end was redone and the rear end and interior were changed
slightly. The redesign did not do well with customers, and sales fell, despite the
fact that production lasted for 17 months, well into 1970 due to production
problems with the 1970 model. The Ram Air 400 was renamed the Ram Air IV and had
a slight increase in power. The 400 HO option was known as either the Ram Air, Ram
Air III, or simply HO. It too received a slight increase in power. In March of 1969,
Pontiac released a little publicized option package, the Trans Am Performance and
Appearance Package. Conceived to campaign in the SCCA's road racing series (with a
special 303 cubic inch V8 which was never offered in production cars), Pontiac
paid a $5 license fee to SCCA for each Trans Am sold to use the name. Offered as
a $725 option, only 689 Firebird coupes and 8 convertibles (talk about a collectible)
were built. Although not apparent at the time, the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am,
along with the Chevrolet Corvette, would be the only American high performance cars
that would remain in continuous production since their inception. The Trans Am came
standard with the HO engine with Ram Air (also called the Ram Air III). The only other
engine option was the 400 Ram Air IV, ordered on just 55 coupes.
All Trans Ams were Polar White with blue racing stripes, tail panel, and decals.
The exclusive hood had functional air intakes which could be closed by the driver
and functional fender scoops designed to vent the engine bay. A 60 inch rear foil
(spoiler) was mounted on the trunk. Although the Trans Am was no faster than
similarly equiped Firebirds, it represented the peak of Pontiac performance excitement.
Hardtop Coupe: 76,059
Trans Am Hardtop Coupe: 689
Trans Am Convertible: 8


Houshang Darabi is currently an Assistant Professor with the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago. Houshang received his Ph.D. degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, in 2000. His research interests include the application of discrete-event systems control theory in modeling and analysis of service and manufacturing systems, computer-integrated manufacturing, supply chain networks, and manufacturing information systems. His research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, the Department of Commerce, Motorola Inc., and several other agencies. He has published in different prestigious journals and has presented his research in national and international conferences. Houshang is a senior member of the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE), a member of the Instrumentation, Systems and Automation Society (ISA), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS).
Supply chain networks, Radio Frequency and Identification (RFID) systems, health care resource management of mass casualty events, real time monitoring and control of agent based supply chain systems, supervisory control and data acquisition systems, and programmable logic controllers.
Houshang Darabi, Mohsen Jafari and Shomit Manapure. Finite Automata Decomposition for Flexible Manufacturing Systems Control and Scheduling. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetic- Part C, 33(2), 2003.
J. Liu, and H. Darabi. Control Reconfiguration of Discrete Event System Controllers with Partial Observation. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics- Part B, 34 (6), 2004.
Houshang Darabi. Finite automata modeling and analysis of workflow management systems. International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 1 (4), 2006.
Andreas Schaller, Lusine Baghdasaryan, Francesca Ruffolo, and Houshang Darabi. Experience and Challenges in Creating Mathematical Models that Facilitates Simultaneous Product and Supply Chain Design. Proceedings of the Annual Industrial Engineering Research Conference. May 2005.
Copyright © 2005 Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
Contact the Webmaster


With more than 30 years of metalworking experience, Owner Byron Wood brings a variety of techniques to the fabrication of every piece. His knowledge of the properties of steel, aluminum, and other metals allows him to craft designs of unique artistry and remarkable quality.
He can also help Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and Naples businesses with metalwork for machine stands, custom retail displays, exhibit stands, logos and other custom fabrications in steel or aluminum. If you have a problem that involves metals and metalwork, Byron Wood can design a practical solution.
Custom Faux Finishes
Metal Furniture Refinishing
Custom Metal Fabrication
Wrought Iron Restorations
Interior Decorators in Southwest Florida rely on Mr. Wood's creative eye and finely-tuned artistic taste to help their clients achieve beautiful metalwork designs for both inside and outside their clients' homes.
Works in Progress - Watch the ongoing progress of your design here!
One of our current projects under fabrication.
__________________________________________________________________________ Byron Wood is also a recognized metal artist whose work has been exhibited in a number of Fort Myers galleries.