2023 IS HERE - ARE YOU READY?

Digital twins are virtual simulations of real-world processes, operations, or products that can be used to evaluate new ideas in a safe digital environment. Designers and engineers are using digital twins to recreate physical objects inside virtual worlds, so they can test under every conceivable condition without the high costs of real-life experiments. In 2023, we’ll see even more digital twins, from factories to machinery to cars to precision healthcare.

After testing in the virtual world, engineers can tweak and edit components, then create them in the realworld using 3D printing technology.

For example, Formula 1 teams currently collect data transmitted from sensors during races, as well as race track temperatures and weather conditions, to see how cars change during races. Then they stream the data from the sensors to digital twins of the engines and car components and run scenarios to make design changes on the fly. The teams then 3D print car parts based on the results of their testing.

5. Editing nature

The world we live in will be altered by humans. Nanotechnology will enable us to create materials with completely new features, such as water resistance and self-healing capabilities.

In future gene-editing will give us an increased capability to “edit nature” – like with word processing, where words can be added or replaced, DNA will be altered or corrected. This may solve the problem of food allergies, increase health of crops or even change the eye colour and hair of a person.

6. Quantum Progress

Another trend to follow is the worldwide race to develop quantum computing at scale. Quantum computing, which uses subatomic particles to create new ways of processing and storing information, is a technological leap that’s expected to bring us computers capable of operating a trillion times more quickly than the fastest traditional processors available today.

The potential danger of quantum computing is that it could render our current encryption practices useless — so any nation that develops quantum computing at scale could break the encryption of other nations, businesses, security industries and more. This is a trend to watch carefully in 2023 as countries like the US, UK, China, and Russia pour money into developing quantum computing technology.

7. Green Technology

Bernard mentioned that one of the biggest challenges the world is facing right now is putting the brakes on our carbon emissions so we can tackle the climate crisis.

In 2023 he believes we need to look to continued progress around green hydrogen, a new clean-burning source of energy that produces close to zero greenhouse gas emissions. Shell and RWE, two major European energy companies, are creating the first major green pipeline from wind plants in the North Sea.

We’ll also see progress in the development of decentralised power grids. Distributed energy generation using this model provides a system of small power generators and storage that are located in communities or individual houses — so they can provide power even if the main grid is not available.

8. Bots become more human

Another prediction is that (ro)bots will become even more like humans in appearance and capability. In the near future bots will be used to greet delegates at events or become bartenders, concierges, and companions for older adults. Certain tasks in warehouses and factories may be performed by bots as they work alongside humans in manufacturing and logistics. Tesla is one company that is working hard to create a human-like robot that will work in our homes. In September 2022, Elon Musk revealed two Optimus humanoid robot prototypes, and said the company would be ready to take orders within the next 3 to 5 years. The robot can perform simple tasks like lifting items and watering plants so you may soon not have to lift a finger in the house!

9. Autonomous Systems

Progress in creating autonomous systems, particularly around delivery and logistics, will continue and many factories and warehouses have already become partially or fully autonomous. Bernard believes that in in 2023, we’ll see even more self-driving trucks and ships, as well as delivery (ro)bots.

10. Sustainable Technology

Finally, Bernard believes we will see a push toward more sustainable technology in 2023. Many (if not most) of us are addicted to technology – our smartphones, tablets, and computers are never far away. Do you ever stop and think about where the components are coming from to manufacture these gadgets?

He predicts that people will be more conscious about where components for things like computer chips originate and how we're consuming them. He reminds us that we’re also using cloud services like Netflix and Spotify, which still run in huge data centres that consume vast amounts of energy, though this is unlikely to change. �

Bernard Marr is an internationally bestselling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a strategic business & technology advisor and this article was published on http://www.forbes .com

Six Days on the Road

Delivery is key to a business’ success, so to meet the expectations of the customer you need to keep the trucks on the road and the wheels turning.

In the absence of alternative options, road freight remains the heartbeat of our economy - businesses and consumers alike rely heavily on the transport industry.

CONVENIENCE IS KING

This has become of even greater importance since COVID-19 started. Many consumers have started, and are continuing, to make use of online shopping which resulted in the opening of a whole new market in the industry. Consumers now have convenience at their fingertips.

Online shopping and other industries are facing a whole new set of challenges that influence from the businesses that rely on road transport right down to the consumer’s pocket.

FACTORS IMPACTING ON TRANSPORT

We repeatedly brace ourselves for yet another fuel increase, mainly due to the rising of crude oil prices and the deprecation of the Rand against the US Dollar. The rise in fuel prices impacts so much more than just the price of fuel - it also has a significant role in the cost of maintaining vehicles.

Infrastructure is vital to the survival of our economy. Likewise, poor road conditions are a major cause of fatal accidents. Add to this driver fatigue and the shortage of skilled drivers and you have a recipe for disaster on the road transport system.

The shortage of skilled workers remains one of the biggest challenges in South Africa. Many companies are making use of foreign drivers. This brings another set of challenges of which fake licenses is one to note. Although it is difficult to differentiate between a legitimate license and a fake one it is estimated that about 75% of PrDp’s (Professional Driving Permit) and 30% of normal driver’s licenses are found to be fraudulent when going through a process of validation. Technology makes it easy for certain employees to work from home but this also created new opportunities for cybercrime. An increase in the number of ransomware attacks since the start of the lockdown has been reported. Transportation companies usually do not employ large web security teams to protect themselves from cyber-attacks, leaving a whole lot of companies vulnerable to cyber criminals.

Add to the mix the rise in hijackings, vehicle and cargo theft, and the infamous Zuma-riots of July 2021 and it is clear why SASRIA premiums has such astronomical increase.

TYRE INSURANCE

The Engineering News reported in June 2022 that the local Dunlop Tyres manufacturer and distributor Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (SRSA) launched truck tyre insurance in South Africa.

As of April last year the company extended its Dunlop Sure value-added tyre insurance –previously available for only certain passenger tyres, all sport utility vehicle tyres and light truck radial tyres – to the 315/80R22,5 SP835A in its truck and bus radial (TBR) range at no additional cost.

Their CEO, Lubin Ozoux said in the article that buying new tyres is a big investment and local deteriorating road conditions make this a huge worry for fleet owners and drivers. He added that tyres are an essential aspect of keeping truck fleets moving and getting drivers and cargo safely to their destinations. “With the high-mileage requirements of heavy vehicles in the logistics sector, there is enormous pressure to improve cost per kilometer, reduce breakdown costs and overcome challenging traffic congestion and road conditions, all while ensuring on-the-road safety,” Ozoux said.

ADDING UP

When looking at all these additional costs factors transporters are expected to absorb, it is evident that having a more cost-effective insurance solution for both trucks and the cargo that they carry is required.

Although some of these challenges are out of our control, like the rising cost of fuel, something like the insurance you have is a way of managing cost factors. It is also important to Invest in training and development of your drivers, to combat the skills shortage.

All these challenges are linked and add to the cost of transport which ultimately affects the consumer and the overall cost of doing business.

What skills does someone need to be a truck driver ?

� Communication. ability to convey information in a prompt and clear manner. � Organization. It is important to keep traveling logs and delivery books up to date. � Discipline. It is important to try and deliver the load on time. � Trustworthiness. The customer and your employer trust you to deliver the goods on time and in good order. � Navigation Skills. Following the GPS is not always helpful for a big truck as the roads may not be suitable. So a driver must have the ability to navigate the best route between point A and point B. � Proper Driving Skills. Make sure that the driver carries the correct and legal licence. � Patience. Traffic jams caused by accidents, heavy traffic flow in peak hours or as a result of loadshedding is part of a normal day. Drivers must learn to be patient and not take chances that may cause accidents, loss of cargo, loss of lives and additional cost due to claims against the company for negligence. � Basic mechanical knowledge. As they are sometimes in remote areas after hours, the driver must be able to fix minor mechanical issues on the truck. � NOSA offers training for truck drivers. �

Sources:

Marna Roets, InsCorp https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/ truck-tyre-insurance-a-localfirst-2022-06-03

Engraving & Stamps

Paper crafting and how stamps and engraving enhance this craft

Stamps date from more than 9000 years ago. It’s amazing to think of the stamp as having such an ancient past and to realise that, although it has evolved greatly, we still need, use or are in contact with something stamped almost daily.

Let us delve into the past and see how the stamp has changed over the centuries, looking at everything from cylinder seals to the hi-tech electronic stamps sold online today.

Cylinder seals (7,800 BCE)

The first incarnation of the stamp was the cylinder seal. These were very intricate impression stamps that were used throughout Mesopotamia and were used to finalise business transactions and sign letters.

Known as kishib in Sumerian and kunukku in Akkadian, the seals were used by everyone, from royals to slaves, as a means of authenticating identity in correspondence. In time, they came to be recognized as one's personal identification.

The design on each seal would be completely unique. The cylinder would be worn on a string around the owner’s neck and if the owner needed to sign something, they would take it off and roll it in moist clay to leave an impression, sort of like a signature.

Woodblock printing (220 CE)

The earliest instance of what we would acknowledge as stamping comes from ancient China and existed eons before the invention of the printing press.

Woodblock printing was essentially a technique for printing text, images or patterns used widely throughout East Asia and originating in China in antiquity as a method of printing on textiles and later paper. The process involved carving images and characters into a block of wood and then applying ink and fabric to form an impression. The process was used to make decorative silks and books, and the oldest surviving example is the Diamond Sutra, a 5-metre-long Buddhist scroll dated 868 CE.

Wax seals (500 CE)

The wax seal first appeared in the Middle Ages, and like many seals before it was used to close official documents and seal correspondence. Wax sealing was taken up by the ruling classes. As it became more common, instead of carrying around handheld stamps, those in power started to wear signet rings – a ring emblazoned with the owner’s seal. This made it a lot easier to transport and led to the introduction of customs like ring kissing.

The printing press (1450 CE)

Woodblock printing was commonplace in 14th-century Europe but because it was

costly and time consuming, many metalsmiths started to experiment with movable type pressing.

Johannes Gutenberg perfected the technique in 1450, adapting an old wine press and metal handset blocks. His invention became famous and made it easier to mass produce books like the Bible. Unfortunately, he didn’t get to enjoy his invention for long, as it was taken from him in a lawsuit and given to one of his debtors.

Quick-drying ink (1800s)

Ink has been made from different substances over the centuries, from soot and turpentine to lead and egg whites. Printers added chemicals to their inks for a number of reasons. It wasn’t until the 19th century that solvents were added, which dramatically cut the time it took for the ink to dry. This made stamping effective and feasible and stamps were used to date or price items.

Rubber stamps (1860s)

The rubber stamp came about in the mid-1800s after Charles Goodyear discovered the vulcanisation process. Soon after, rubber stamps became commercially available and were sold primarily to businesses for dating and pricing. In fact, one of the oldest existing self-inking stamps is a vintage pricing stamp, circa 1886.

Brief history till the present day

Stamps were carved out of bone, wood, stone and almost any other hardy substance. This evolved to rubber and more recently acrylic. For a period, signet rings with a seal were used to authenticate documents by pressing the ring into hot wax.

The most famous signet ring in use today is the “Ring of the Fisherman” - an important piece of the ceremonial regalia of the Pope. In a tradition that has been practiced since at least the 13th century, a new ring is made for each new Pope, bearing his name along with the traditional image of St. Peter as a fisherman.

Historically, the old ring was ceremonially destroyed with a hammer after the death of the Pope it had belonged to, but more recently, the old ring has been marred with scratches in lieu of being completely destroyed.

Mass production started

The most credible claimant to the invention of the rubber stamp is a New Yorker named James Orton Woodruff. Sometime between 1864 and 1866, Woodruff is given credit for inventing the rubber stamp because he thought to use vulcanization to improve the basic tool. Also, he began a well-publicized business to mass produce custom stamps. None of his stamps are known to remain in existence today, as the inks of the day contained solvents that destroyed the rubber, but some of his company’s stamp blocks reportedly still exist.

J.F.W. Dorman successfully commercialised the rubber stamp. He was a teenage traveling stencil salesman when he was introduced to the concept of the rubber stamp. By 1866, his Baltimore based company was making stamps. Dorman revolutionized the stamp making industry when he patented a steam vulcanizer in 1889 that was designed specifically to produce stamps, replacing the dental vulcanizers previously used by stamp makers.

By 1892 there were at least 4,000 companies making rubber stamps and, in 1911, a trade association was formed. The International Stamp Trade Manufacturers Association still exists today, after having gone through several name changes. Today, it goes by the International Marking and Identification Association and covers businesses far outside of rubber stamps.

In 1886 B.B. Hill patented the self-inking stamp, a revolution in office automation that can still be seen in use today.

With advancements in technology, the last decade has also seen photopolymer stamps rise into overwhelming popularity. Photopolymer or clear acrylic stamps, are stamps made out of photopolymer. They are transparent, coming on plastic sheets, and used with acrylic blocks to add onto desired surfaces.

Acrylic stamps are popular for a couple reasons. They are clear or transparent, the stamper can see the exact positioning of his or her stamp allowing for accuracy. Secondly, cost; acrylic stamps are much less expensive to make. However, rubber stamps continue to be popular, due to enduring, beloved brands continuing to make rubber stamps (as well as newer crafting brands) and rubber’s reputation for being high quality, durable, and long lasting.

Engraving

Engraving is one of the oldest and most important techniques in printmaking.

It is the art of incising a design onto a hard, usually flat surface by cutting grooves into it with a burin. The result may be a decorated object in itself, as when silver, gold, steel, or glass are engraved, or may provide an intaglio printing plate, of copper or another metal, for printing images on paper as prints or illustrations. These images are also called "engravings".

The first evidence of human engraving patterns is on a chiselled shell, dating back between 540,000 and 430,000 years, from Trinil in Java, Indonesia. Ostrich eggs with hatching and banding and being used as water containers were found in South Africa in the Diepkloof Rock Shelter and dated to the Middle Stone Age around 60,000 BC. Engraving on bone and ivory is an important technique for the Art of the Upper Palaeolithic, and larger engraved petroglyphs on rocks are found from many prehistoric periods and cultures around the world.

Historically, engraving was an important method of producing images on paper in artistic printmaking, in mapmaking, and also for commercial reproductions and illustrations for books and magazines. It has long been replaced by various photographic processes in its commercial applications and, partly because of the difficulty of learning the technique, is much less common in printmaking, where it has been largely replaced by etching and other techniques.

Line and steel engraving were used for reproductive prints, illustrations in books and magazines, and similar uses, mostly in the 19th century. Traditional engraving, by burin or with the use of machines, continues to be practised by goldsmiths, glass engravers, gunsmiths and others, while modern industrial techniques such as photo-engraving and laser engraving have many important applications.

Other terms often used for printed engravings are copper engraving, copperplate engraving or line engraving. Steel engraving is the same technique used on steel or steel-faced plates, and was mostly used for banknotes, illustrations for books, magazines and reproductive prints, letterheads and similar uses from about 1790 to the early 20th century. After this the technique became less popular, except for banknotes and other forms of security printing.

Engraving in the Bronze Age

During the early Bronze Age, people started working with metal, and the technology of engraving progressed in leaps and bounds. At that time, engraving was often used to signify wealth and power and to honour the divine, as well as to memorialize the dead.

Iron Age Engraving Techniques and Uses

As technology improved, engravers turned to harder and more diverse materials, including gems, stones, bone, ivory and more. In Ancient Greece and Rome, artisans used a range of techniques, including pushing and chasing, along with drilling.

Engraving During the Medieval Period

During the Middle Ages, various funerary traditions continued to use and build upon engraving techniques. In the 1300s, the plague swept across Europe. For sanitary reasons, the dead were buried in underground catacombs and in remembrance golden glass disks were used as memorial markers.

Industrial Age: Engraving and Memorials

As the industrial age gathered steam, engraving technologies evolved quickly. The industry began transitioning from handpowered to steam-powered presses. By the 1800s, steel engraving was all the rage.

Engraved plaques were to be seen everywhere, from train stations to building facades. Even bank notes were often made from engraved steel.

Modern Day Engraving and Memorials

As the world moved into the 20th century, engraving technology continued to evolve at an exponential rate. However, some industries began to move away from engraving with the advent of photography. Exceptions included stamps and music, which both continued to use engraving as a main production method.

3D Crystal Glass Subsurface Engraving

If you're like most people, it's hard not to feel amazed when you see a crystal cube with a flawless three-dimensional shape imbedded in its centre. The technology that underlies subsurface laser engraving (or SSLE) is fascinating.

Also known as bubble grams, because of the shape it creates during the engraving process, it uses laser technology to create tiny bubbles inside the glass. These bubbles then come together to create a beautifully precise image.

SSLE works by using a very strong local temperature gradient to treat the specific point in the glass with thermal stress, which results in a small fracture (bubble) at the point of precision. Once many of these small fractures are combined it creates an image.

Contemporary uses

Contemporary uses for engraving include creating text on jewellery, such as pendants or on the inside of engagement- and wedding rings to include text such as the name of the partner, or adding a winner's name to a sports trophy. Another application of modern engraving is found in the printing industry.

There, every day thousands of pages are mechanically engraved onto rotogravure cylinders, typically a steel base with a copper layer of about 0.1 mm in which the image is transferred. After engraving, the image is protected with an approximately 6 µm chrome layer. Using this process, the image will survive for over a million copies in high-speed printing presses.�

An antique commercial pricing kit from the 20th century - including a bottle of violet ink, an ink solvent, and a pricing stamp gun

Diamond Sutra

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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