FEATURE ARTICLE
 Reconstruction of a 19th Century Plaster Piece Mold and Recreation of a Casting
by Melvin J. Wachowiak, Basiliki Vicky Karas, and Robert E. Baltrusch
H iram Powers (1805 -1873) is considered one the America's great neoclassical sculptors. His works were popular in his time and remain so today. The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) has one of the most comprehensive collections of Powers' work featuring major sculptures in marble, as well as preparatory works from his studio. The plaster piece mold (figures 1 and 2), Mold for Positive Cast of a Child's Hand (ca. 1851) discussed in this paper is a rare surviving mold for a preparatory work. [full story]
ON THE CASE
 Aircraft OML Reverse-Engineering Enables Complex CFD Analysis
by Direct Dimensions Inc.
There are many reasons why firms need to model the exterior contour of existing aircraft outer mold lines (OML). Most aircraft flying today were not designed in a modern 3-D CAD system. Even with a current 3-D digital design, the actual as-built contour deviates from the intended shape, at least at some level. [full story]
TOP STORY
A Study of Training in the Portable Dimensional Metrology Industry
by Lanny Wilson
The purpose of this article is to examine how users of portable dimensional metrology equipment receive training, what training methods are preferred by these metrology users, and what percentage of them were being trained by metrology professionals. This study also examines the use and quality of training and reference materials being provided to the users of metrology equipment. [full story] |
