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  • Technical Visit to ABB Malaysia

    A Technical visit to ABB Malaysia took place on 1st Oct 2015 (Thursday) and attended by 5 IET members and 6 non-members. The visit was organised by IET C&A TPN and IET Malaysia Network. All participants arrived at ABB Malaysia Office before 9.30 am and the visit commenced with the safety briefing and introduction about ABB Malaysia at their meeting room. During the presentation, participants learnt about ABB operation and business portfolio in Malaysia and were told that the first ABB power generator installed in Malaysia was in 1904 by MFO Oerlikon. After the presentation, Mr. Richard Yeoh, Senior Manager from ABB Malaysia took the team to visit their Low Voltage Motor Control Centre (MCC) fabrication plant at the back of their office. At the fabrication plant, Richard explained their various…

    Joanne Longton
    Joanne Longton

  • Visit to Centrilogic in Bracknell

    There was a warm welcome for our members at Centrilogic last Wednesday (14th). Paul Reeve was our host for a tour of Centrilogic's modern data centre in Bracknell. Paul explained how they keep energy consumption low and how waste heat is minimised. The visit was enjoyed and valued by the attendees.

    Andrew Dodd
    Andrew Dodd

  • Highlights From The IET NorCal Seminar On October 10th.

    Dr Ronjon Nag gave a very enlightening talk about of the smart phone through its recent history covering the evolution of the hardware (phone size, form factor, battery), the software (features such as voice and hand writing recognition) as well as the development of the infrastructure which included the development of the app store (which was not an Apple invention!). He also touched on the future of mobile technologies and the directions which industry is exploring. One of the most interesting aspects of the talk was that Dr Nag covered why he become and engineer in the first and what drew him to the field. Like a lot of engineers, the world of science fiction was his inspiration and in particular, the idea of the Star Trek communicator. At University he made his first forays into speech…

    Allan Casey
    Allan Casey

  • Low Pass Filters, Mutliplexers, Satellites, 5G & Beyond.

    Sending a message is now done in a split second, the faster in-tune a business to the market place the quicker they can take the lead – spearhead even, typically known as first mover advantage. Consumers can also build their life around this fast information transfer, though are limited by the constraints of equipment and technologies. The ability for cable companies to provide fibre level internet speeds to homes sets the consumers expectations to be very high, when these are phased into the corporate world, we find that the license costs and technology setup costs are too high to have the latest and greatest. Sure, pure internet based companies pride themselves on this platform, for example Hutchinson Three has always focused on an IP based network thus their offers to consumers will remain…

    Rimesh Patel
    Rimesh Patel

  • Dyson 360 Eye Robot Vacuum Cleaner

    On Monday, 5th October (a very wet night indeed), over 100 people got together in Bristol to hear Mike Aldred, from Dyson, talk about the challenges in bringing a consumer grade robot to market. It was a fascinating insight into the project and brought home the need for companies to have clear objectives, a robust test plan, (quote from Mike: "Test, test and test"! ), and the ability to adapt in the face of challenges and failures.The Dyson 360 Eye robot vacuum cleaner has been in the making for 10 years and Mike showed a really interesting timeline which included, as a comparison, developments in mobile phones. For the Dyson 360 Eye to be ready, it had to satisfy a function first (in this case, it had to be a great vacuum cleaner); from the average user’s point of view, the robotics aspect…

    Joanne Longton
    Joanne Longton

  • Annual Young Entrepreneurs Competition

    The Young Entrepreneurs Competition allows an individual or a group of individuals to present a business plan for an imaginary start-up company to an audience and a group of judges. The aim is for contestants to demonstrate their entrepreneurship skills as well as their knowledge of the product or service that they’re putting forward. Contestants aren’t necessarily judged on the innovativeness of their idea but rather on the quality of their business plan, market research and power point presentation. This year’s event took place at IET venue in Austin Court, Birmingham on the 22nd of July and had a good turnout. The competition provided an excellent opportunity for like-minded professionals to socialise, network and share ideas. You can read more in the attached report.

    Joanne Longton
    Joanne Longton

  • Naomi Climer’s interview on the Today programme (06.10.15)

    For those of you that missed it... Link to the video

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • IET Scotland South East Committee For 2015-16

    The IET Scotland South East Committee for 2015-16 elected in May 2015 comprises the following office bearers. Please address questions to the secretary Robert D'Arcy . To contact others on the committee, if there is a link, click to be taken to their MyCommunity page, then "Select add as contact". This will have to be approved by the person before you can re-visit and select "Send Message" to contact them. CHAIRMAN Dr C. Marsh CEng, FIET, SIEEE, MInstP, MIACR, FWES SENIOR VICE-CHAIRMAN S Girdley BEng(Hons), MSc, MBA, CEng, MIET, MCMI JUNIOR VICE-CHAIRMAN [vacant ] HONORARY SECRETARY R. M. D'Arcy IEng, MIET, Tech IOSH ( MyCommunity ) HONORARY TREASURER B. Clarke BEng (Hons), CEng, MIET, IGEM ORDINARY MEMBERS: B. Anderson MSc, CEng, MIET Dr. J. Dempsey BSc, PhD, CEng, MIET F. Ku-Mesu R. Mbireaye…

    David E Ferguson
    David E Ferguson

  • Microsoft Windows 10 for PCs

    For those who use voice recognition software, Dragon NaturallySpeaking what version should you use with Windows 10. The answer is you have to use the version 14 just released. Special offer, electronic download only, it will overwrite and destroy current installation. To place a full play to backup first. Special deal, sorry I do not know if it is available in non-English languages yet. http://shop.nuance.co.uk/store/nuanceeu/en_GB/pd/productID.324133800/pgm.95940300/offerID.45187376801/Currency.GBP?utm_source=bh&utm_medium=emea-email&utm_campaign=GB-ecom-dgn-launch_ohter-201508&utm_content=dpi. Brian Reynolds

    Brian Reynolds
    Brian Reynolds

  • Request for volunteers for IET stand at FESTOMANE

    This year the IET Gloucestershire Network will be supporting the Stroud Pop-Up Festival of Manufacturing and Engineering - FESTOMANE. If you feel that you're able to offer around 2 - 3 hours of your time during the day to help man the stand, your help would be greatly valued! The format is very similar to that of the Cheltenham Science Festival, albeit the stand is outside, and we expect a good crowd (weather permitting) as the Farmers’ Market will be on at the same time. For further details of the event, please see the website: Stroud FESTOMANE Date: Saturday 10th October, 9:30 am - 3 pm Venue: Stroud Subscription Rooms Volunteer: For more information or to volunteer, please contact Will Foster willfoster@theiet.org Thank you!

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Female engineering president calls for women in engineering boost

    The new President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) calls for quotas to boost number of women in engineering. Naomi Climer, who has become the IET’s first female President in its 144-year history, has been an engineer for almost three decades, during which time the proportion of female engineers in the UK has remained at less than one in 10, the lowest level in Europe. Naomi believes the lack of gender diversity in engineering means that the time is now right to encourage employers to ensure they employ more female engineers. Read more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • September 2015 to end January 2016 MWC LN Newsletter

    If you would like to view the September 2015 to end January 2016 Merseyside and Western Cheshire Local Network Newsletter on-line, please click the link Events Newsletter

    Rob McDonald
    Rob McDonald

  • The Need For SPDY - Legacy Web Protocol Gets A Boost As HTTP/2.

    To serve web pages, a web-server needs work with multiple requests i.e. connections. To make the process faster, techniques such as caching and lowering image resolutions can be adopted - however this still stretches the actual reason for which HTTP was created. SPDY was created and now coming into mainstream use to help reform the original HTTP to be more suited to todays actual use of the protocol. Thus HTTP/2 now contains the ability to compress requests and headers saving on bandwidth, enables multiple multiplxed requests and push scripts/files from the web server before they are actually requested within an existing connection and uses TLS as the encryption mechanism. This is really good news for existing TCP/IP based systems - the internet is getting a little faster and secure now. With…

  • 1st Annual Local Network Debate: Why We Don’t Need Any More Engineers

    Synopsis: Listen to the highly qualified speakers supporting and refuting the motion then add your views into the mixture. This should prove to be an entertaining evening . Bio : Prof Joseph Kasser - F or the Motion Joseph E. Kasser has been a practicing systems engineer for 40 years and an academic for about 15 years. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), an INCOSE Fellow, the author of “ Per ceptions of Systems Engineering ”, “ Holistic Thinking - creating innovating solutions to complex problems ”, “ A Framework for Understanding Systems Engineering ” and “ Applying Total Quality Management to Systems Engineering ” and many INCOSE symposia papers. H e is a recipient of NASA’s Manned Space Flight Awareness Award (Silver Snoopy) for quality and technical excellence…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Joint Institutions Annual Dinner 2016

    Dear Members This year the IMechE is organising the annual dinner, which they will host at the Cercle Norvégien de Paris on 22nd January 2016. The annual dinner is a great opportunity to meet and get to know engineers and guests from the other institutions who also live and work in France. The attached file gives a little detail on the Cercle Norvégien de Paris, and the menu for the evening. Kindly note that reservations for this annual dinner can only be taken until Tuesday 5th January 2016 , because the Cercle Norvégien requests this time delay to finalize the dinner, so make sure you reserve before that date. Dress code: Lounge suits. Access by metro is through place de la Concorde station and three convenient car parks are available in Place Vendome, Place de la Concorde and Place de la…

    Phil Dunbar
    Phil Dunbar

  • 20 Years of Eurotunnel and Eurostar

    The IMechE welcomes all IET members to this event that they are hosting at Hotel Novotel Montparnasse in Paris on Friday 4th December. The event will be presented by Professor Yves Machefert-Tassin FIMechE, Honorary Director of Engineering & Research with Schneider Group, France Rail Expert and Technical Adviser for Eurotunnel Honorary Professor of Rail Traction at Ecole Spéciale des Travaux Publics in Paris. Please see the attached file for details.

    Phil Dunbar
    Phil Dunbar

  • Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell Car

    Members and guests of the IET in Southern California, ranging from teenagers to those over half a century older enjoyed a fantastic talk from Jackie Birdsall talking about the upcoming Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell car. As one of the engineering team who had been working on this for 12 years Jackie was able to answer every question that a room full of engineers could ask about the fuel cell technology and the innovations that Toyota had made to produce the vehicle. %u200BWhile electric cars currently have all the press, the production efficiency to generate electricity is low compared to CNG or Hydrogen, so while Electric Vehicles are more efficient and CNG is a more efficnet fuel, the total efficiency of Hydrogen production with a Fuel Cell Vehicle makes it 50% more efficent than an electric vehicle…

    Richard Tregaskes
    Richard Tregaskes

  • LifeSkills – Introduction to Continuous Professional Development

    A blog from the IET Buckinghamshire Local:Skils/LifeSkills organsiser, Emma Wilcockson LifeSkills – Introduction to Continuous Professional Development on Tuesday was another informative and engaging workshop. I feel much more confident about the forthcoming 30 hours of CPD requirement. We discussed why CPD is required, what it is and how to record it. I was also pleasantly surprised at how much easier the new version of Career Manager is to use. www.theiet/cpd I'm looking forward to Lifeskills - Communicating for success www.theiet.org/bucks

    Andrew Dodd
    Andrew Dodd

  • ETCS - European Train Control System

    Fascinating lecture given by Antonio Bravo Vera of Siemens Rail Automation on Tuesday evening (29th October). Historical overview followed by a clear description of ETCS which is to be introduced on part of Thameslink and also on the East Coast Mainline. The audience enjoyed what they heard and asked a variety of searching questions.

    Andrew Dodd
    Andrew Dodd

  • Cyber Insurance; The New Commodity Product.

    A while back now (2011) I had the time to research the health of the cyber insurance market which had not taken a mainstream approach due to market inexperience. Since then, the myriad of cyber hacks have exponentially grown. Governments are now creating cyber insurance policies, the UK Government has created a guide on cyber insurance products and a Cyber-Essentials program whilst more and more IT staff are encouraging companies to change IT Security policies to incorporate a cyber insurance product. By the time research was completed (2013) the insurance market was still augmenting the landscape of modern cyber insurance. At that time of research, information asymmetry between customers and providers was the reason for overpricing cyber insurance products, however to help the lack-lustre…

  • Satellite Systems And Applications Network YouTube Playlist

    Take a look at the Network's YouTube playlist showcasing exclusive general interest videos. The playlist covers an array of hot topics within the space and satellite industries, and includes: Catch ups with leading companies to talk about their latest projects Debates about key issues Expert opinions on the challenges of the industry Go to the YouTube playlist

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Mentoring Awareness Week - Be Inspired Inspire Others

    Do you remember someone from early in your career who supported and inspired you to become the professional you are today? Could you be that person for someone working toward Professional Registration? The IET Mentoring Service are currently seeking mentors in your area for those working toward professional registration. If you are already professionally registered, and have just a few hours a month to share with another member and feel that you could pass on your experience and support a developing engineer then the IET Mentoring Service want to hear from you. There is further information, and an application form available on the IET website at: www.theiet.org/mentor , or contact the team at: mentoring@theiet.org to find out more information.

    Lynsay Callaghan
    Lynsay Callaghan

  • Mentoring Awareness Week - Be Inspired Inspire Others

    Do you remember someone from early in your career who supported and inspired you to become the professional you are today? Could you be that person for someone working toward Professional Registration? The IET Mentoring Service are currently seeking mentors in your area for those working toward professional registration. If you are already professionally registered, and have just a few hours a month to share with another member and feel that you could pass on your experience and support a developing engineer then the IET Mentoring Service want to hear from you. There is further information, and an application form available on the IET website at: www.theiet.org/mentor , or contact the team at: mentoring@theiet.org to find out more information.

    Lynsay Callaghan
    Lynsay Callaghan

  • Mentoring Awareness Week - Be Inspired Inspire Others

    Do you remember someone from early in your career who supported and inspired you to become the professional you are today? Could you be that person for someone working toward Professional Registration? The IET Mentoring Service are currently seeking mentors in your area for those working toward professional registration. If you are already professionally registered, and have just a few hours a month to share with another member and feel that you could pass on your experience and support a developing engineer then the IET Mentoring Service want to hear from you. There is further information, and an application form available on the IET website at: www.theiet.org/mentor , or contact the team at: mentoring@theiet.org to find out more information.

    Lynsay Callaghan
    Lynsay Callaghan

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