CHANNEL ISLANDS SECTION

FEBRUARY 1998 NEWSLETTER

FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Dear Members,

Last week I received a list of Channel Islands Section members whose ASME memberships will end very soon because of unpaid dues. Of the approximately 420 members in our section, 67 are delinquent. Should we lose them, our membership will drop 16%. I am disappointed by this significant loss.

Although people have different motives for joining ASME, those that discontinue their membership may share a common misconception. I have heard people complain that the only benefit of membership is Mechanical Engineering magazine. If you have this view, I urge you to take a moment to research the ASME Website. Or look back at our September newsletter, in which we listed the top 10 reasons to join ASME. Clearly, ASME offers many more benefits than just a magazine.

Of course you do not need to visit the Website to reach ASME. We on the Channel Islands Section Executive Committee are eager to respond to your needs. Currently we schedule one event each month, and we believe we can have more. In our past newsletters we have consistently asked for your feedback, but we have received none to date. In this newsletter we introduce a "Reader’s Forum". We invite your opinions and concerns for publication. Please take this opportunity to tell us your likes, your dislikes, or any suggestions for improving the Channel Islands Section or the ASME. Mail your feedback to the return address on this newsletter, or contact one of us through e-mail or telephone.

The foundation of the ASME is its members. Loss of membership will weaken that foundation. Imagine the extreme scenario, in which the ASME dissolves. We would lose an organization that unites mechanical engineering professionals through a vast network. We would lose an organization that provides forums and journals communicating the latest academic research. We would lose an organization that expresses our political voices as engineers. And in the end, we, mechanical engineering professionals, would lose prestige and recognition in our society.

Your participation and volunteer work make the organization stronger and better. While we are not faced with the threat of ASME International dissolution, the loss of members does threaten our local section. Please do whatever you can to reverse the trend. Approach the ASME with renewed enthusiasm. Come out and share the events and networking with us!

DR. ZADEH SHARES HIS EXPERTISE

On January 20 the world-renown Dr. Lotfi A. Zadeh captivated an audience of about 30 ASME members and guests with his introduction to fuzzy logic. Dr. Zadeh, invited by the Channel Islands Section through the ASME Distinguished Speakers Program, spoke for about an hour at the Pierpont Inn in Ventura. He described how, in contrast to the focus on precision that characterizes traditional sciences, fuzzy logic relies on more qualitative assessments.

To introduce his field Dr. Zadeh briefly discussed the interaction of sets with loosely-defined boundaries. He described linguistic variables, in which words, not numbers, indicate a state or condition. Dr. Zadeh noted that the use of qualitative conditions and linguistic variables is, in many ways, a better approximation of the human thought process. For this reason, fuzzy logic offers promise for computing solutions to problems that are simple for humans but currently very difficult for computers.

Chairman Steve Tang presenting a certificate of appreciation from the Channel Islands Section to the distinguished Dr. Lotfi A Zadeh. 

Dr. Zadeh addressing the audience after dinner.

That qualitative approach, however, has met some resistance in academic circles. Dr. Zadeh humorously quoted some of his skeptical colleagues. He attributed the skepticism to science’s traditional reliance on precision and on assumptions of certainty.

Despite its critics, fuzzy logic has been especially embraced in Japan. Dr. Zadeh listed several Japanese applications of fuzzy logic, including home appliances, automotive transmissions, and cameras.

In closing, Dr. Zadeh stressed that fuzzy logic is just one of many tools required for effective problem solving. He described how, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence, fuzzy logic should be considered together with such methods as neural networks, genetic algorithms, and soft computing.

The Channel Islands Section expresses its sincerest appreciation to Dr. Zadeh for so generously sharing his expertise as the recognized father of fuzzy logic.

READER’S FORUM

 I was working in my home office some months ago, going about my usual activities. I had my Pentium Pro-200 Mhz PC computer turned on, my FAX machine activated, my laser printer set to go and the telephone at the ready. I breezed through my daily planner and began executing the tasks that I had organized for the day. I made calls to associates and other businesses, I faxed important documents and I sent several E-mail messages to professional associates and friends along the Internet highway. When the end of the day came, I found that I had accomplished most of what I had set out to do. Instinctively, I knew this was good. But somehow I felt less than satisfied; I actually felt somewhat empty. I did feel a sense of accomplishment, but I did not feel a true sense of significance. That day I determined to do things that were of significance to me, not just important for me to accomplish.

What I realized, as many before me have, is that we must live a life of significance for it to be meaningful to us. This is not a revolutionary thought. However, I began to think about that in the context of our professional society. Had I just been doing things to mark activities off my ASME "to-do" list (i.e. read Mechanical Engineering, read the ASME news, do my annual insurance review, think about attending a section meeting)? Or, has there been real significance to my efforts when it came to the ASME?

I long ago decided the real value of any professional society is in relationships, with my peers, with key leaders in the profession and as a mentor for the younger members of the profession. This is where action becomes significance; in the relationships we have with others in our professional society.

So I began to review what I had done of significance as a card-carrying member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, International. I realized that there was significance for me, only because I participated with others in the Society's activities on a personal level. I had (and have) established relationships with others in ASME, both on a one-to-one basis and through group activities, beneficial to me over my career in the engineering field.

Now I don't say this to sound or be pompous. My point in all this is that I hope you will review your reasons for being a member of ASME. Is your membership significant to you, or just another "activity" to be checked off of your list? I encourage you to make ASME significant in your life. There are so many good reasons for this. I think the most important reason is that you can establish lasting relationships with people who may be able to help further your career, and equally important, relationships with people you may be able to help. ASME has many, many areas where you can make a contribution. It all depends on your desire to be more than just effective in your endeavors. It simply depends on your desire to be significant.

Richard T. Ramsey

Industrial Relations Chairperson

Channel Islands ASME

ENGINEERS WEEK BANQUET

                                                                        Cal State, Channel Islands

                                                                        Steven Jenkins

                                                                        Jet Propulsion Laboratory

                                                                        (Mars Explorer Project)

National Engineers Week is held every year to celebrate and promote the engineering profession. During the week of February 22-28, engineering societies around the nation will sponsor a variety of activities. This year, the engineering societies in the Channel Islands region are hosting an awards banquet. Engineer of the Year, Engineering Project of the Year, the Engineering Instructor Award, and thousands of dollars in scholarships are among the awards to be presented.

This is an excellent opportunity to meet your fellow engineers from the local area, and to develop your network of contacts in industry. Members of around 18 societies are expected to attend. Please join us in celebrating our fine profession.

TOUR: HAAS AUTOMATION

In 1983, Haas Automation achieved its initial success with a programmable part positioner used in automated machining. Within 5 years, Haas was an industry leader in its field. In the past ten years Haas has expanded its product line to include a variety of quality, affordable CNC machining centers. Today Haas offers 14 different vertical machining centers, 4 different horizontal machining centers, 8 different CNC lathes, and over 20 different rotary positioning devices. Their products are used in many industries, including aerospace, automotive, and consumer products.

We are pleased to accept Haas’ invitation to tour their state-of-the-art headquarters and manufacturing facility in Oxnard. Here is an excerpt from Haas describing the tour site:

Due to the phenomenal growth of the company, Haas has built a massive new headquarters and manufacturing plant in Oxnard, California. Located on an 86-acre site near the Pacific Ocean, this 420,000-square-foot facility is one of the largest, most modern machine-tool operations in the United States. All critical components, including electronics, are manufactured in-house to control quality, cost, reliability, and availability.

The approximately 1 hour tour will include engineering and production facilities. Afterward, everyone is invited to gather at a to-be-determined local restaurant for dinner and socializing.

Do not miss this opportunity to witness the latest technology at work in precision machine design and manufacture. No reservations are required. Simply assemble in Haas’ front lobby at 5:30 for the beginning of the tour. We look forward to seeing you there.

To learn more about Haas Automation, their products, career opportunities, and even to apply for a free subscription to their quarterly magazine CNC Machining, visit their corporate web site at:

http://www.haascnc.com/

INDUSTRY BREAKFAST

The Channel Islands Section is hosting another Industry Breakfast in a few months. At this event, representatives from local businesses will meet to discuss the current state of mechanical engineering in the area. The breakfast seeks to:

The breakfast is tentatively scheduled for late April, from 7:00am to 9:00am one morning. To assist in our planning, we invite you to submit the following information to your Industrial Relations chair, Richard Ramsey:

  1. Whom can we contact at your place of work to invite your company’s representative(s)?
  2. How many engineers work at your facility?
  3. Would you be willing to follow-up after the formal invitation is made?
  4. What are your specific suggestions for improving the event?

Phone or fax Richard at (805) 445- 7605, or send him email at dynamicsol@earthlink.net. As always, your feedback is greatly appreciated.

GETTING THERE

 

 YOUR COMMITTEE

Steve Tang 818.874.7735

Chairman tangs@std.teradyne.com

 Richard Ramsey 805.445.7605

Industrial Relations dynamicsol@earthlink.net

Bob Morris 805.524.3727

Treasurer rpmorris@compuserve.com

Kevin Manning 310.457.3881

Vice Chairman/Newsletter kevinmanning@asme.org

Steve Harrington 805.388.9911

Secretary/Technical Activities steveh@meissner.com

Elizabeth Rowins 805.525.7165

Vice Chairman jerowins@west.net