(adjective) [im-PREG-nah-bahl]
1. impossible to take by force; ‘an impregnable fortress’: “This impregnable canister will keep your food safe from bears and discourage them from entering the campsites.”

2. able to withstand challenge and attack; ‘an impregnable argument’; ‘impregnable faith’
adverb form: impregnably

Elijah McCoy – Biography
The inventor was born in 1843, in Colchester, Ontario, Canada. His parents were former slaves, George and Mildred McCoy (nee Goins) had fled Kentucky for Canada on the underground railroad.
George McCoy enlisted in the British forces, in return, he was awarded 160 acres of land for his service. When Elijah was three, his family moved back to the U.S., settling in Detroit, Michigan. He had eleven brothers and sisters.

In 1868, Elijah McCoy married Ann Elizabeth Stewart who died four years later. A year later, McCoy married his second wife Mary Eleanora Delaney. The couple had no children.

At the age of fifteen, Elijah McCoy served a mechanical engineering apprenticeship in Edinburgh, Scotland. Afterwards, he returned to Michigan to pursue a position in his field. However, the only job he found was that of a locomotive fireman and oiler for the Michigan Central Railroad. The fireman on a train was responsible for fueling the steam engine and the oiler lubricated the engine’s moving parts as well as the train’s axles and bearings. Because of his training, he was able to identify and solve the problems of engine lubrication and overheating. At that time, trains needed to periodically stop and be lubricated, to prevent overheating. Elijah McCoy developed a lubricator for steam engines that did not require the train to stop. His lubricator used steam pressure to pump oil wherever it was needed.

For further information on this great man, please follow the link given below:
Elijah McCoy

-Jimmy Carter

people think about this…

By this we are now taking technological innovation, to the next level by developing devices that could automate a car and thereby remove the need for a driver.

There are automated highway systems undergoing research development that would make travel safe, and zippy. Which makes me remember the freeways from the movie iRobot.

Governments, private organizations, and universities are participating in these kinds of research.

So, we can expect that by 2020 or 2030, someone is definitely going to come-up, with a state of the art system of transport.

How CNC Machines Work

CNC machines are used in a variety of industries, manufacturing processes and woodworking shops. CNC routers are used for drilling holes. Some machines have the capability of holding several tools. This allows them to perform more than one operation at a time. Thus they save time and improve accuracy.

CNC stands for Computer Numerated Control. This technology was first seen in the 1970s. The machines need to be programmed and set up properly before operation. Once the initial set up is completed, they are fairly easy to operate and keep running.

In CNC routers, they can be programmed to drill holes in an automatic fashion. This is faster and more accurate over several pieces than in manual drilling. The results are more uniform. This method is very beneficial for larger jobs that require a lot of drilling. Manual drilling can become tiring and when the operator becomes tired, the results can become inconsistent.

Types of CNC Machines

A CNC lathe is a good piece of equipment for cutting wood. These come in models ranging from fifteen to forty horsepower. The amount of power you need depends on the amount of wood you will use with the lathe. The best models operate in several different modes, from completely manual to all CNC. This allows you to tailor the machine’s operation for each project.

A Bridgeport mill is the best in milling technology. Mills are used in many industries, both large and small shops. They are efficient and reliable. Bridgeport mills are built to last a lifetime. However, they are very expensive. The price is out of the range that most people can afford.

The CNC mill is a specialty piece of equipment. It uses computer programming and robotics for accurate operation. The results are more accurate than any person could ever achieve. For this reason, Bridgeport mills are often used in the airline industry. Once the specs are entered, the CNC decides which tools need to be used and automatically changes the tools as needed.

Engraving equipment is made to engrave a variety of materials including glass, stone, metal, wood, composites and many others. The machines mark and engrave with more accuracy than could ever be achieved by hand. Everything from large signs to small lettering can be done, depending on your needs.

Buying Used units

CNC equipment is very expensive and out of the price range of most people. Buying used CNC electronics is an affordable option for some people. You can save nearly 50% or more on some equipment. Be careful when buying used, you want to be sure the equipment is in good condition.

A better option is to look for refurbished equipment. These machines have been inspected at the factory. Any broken or damaged components are replaced. In many cases, the machine is painted and new decals are applied. It’s like getting a new machine for a significantly reduced price. Often, you will get a one year warranty with reconditioned equipment. This gives you time to be sure it is working properly and if not, you can get it fixed for free.

CNC machines are used in a variety of industrial settings and in woodworking shops. Most are out of the price range for the individual user, but can be purchased used for about half the price. These machines increase speed and accuracy when doing large jobs or repetitive tasks.

How CNC Machines Work

CNC machines are used in a variety of industry, manufacturing processes and woodworking shops. CNC routers are used for drilling holes. Some machines have the capability o…

Charles Mahoney publishes many articles for the website http://www.inside-woodworking.com . He writes on topics from CNC technologies and other areas in this field.

* Mechnokrats team would like to thank Charles Mahoney for allowing us to reprint this article.