UK - North Western Branch
“It’s not just about the robot! – the development of automated welding” by Bob Bowden
NEWCASTLE Discovery Museum Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & WearThis highly informative talk from someone on the inside looks at the evolution of the car assembly plant and the resistance welding techniques used to build the body shell. Bob describes from personal experience the difficulties encountered as welding techniques evolved from the early 'solid-state’ sequential controllers, and then to the first generation of robotics, P.L.C.’s, electronic power & motor control systems etc. The purchase of Jaguar by Ford brought about a ‘blue sky’ policy, and Bob was on the procurement team for the all-new assembly plant machinery required for the building of the “X-type” Jag’. He subsequently took on the role of weld engineer for the new 'baby Jag'. As before the meetings are free but because we are limited to the number of people we can have at the meeting and have agreed with Discovery that we will ask everyone to book through Eventbrite so that we can keep track of demand and have a register of who is attending. Also, we have agreed with Discovery that we will hold the meetings in the afternoon starting at 2 pm and the meetings will also be offered online so that those people who feel uncomfortable with attending in person can participate in the talk. I realise that these arrangements are slightly different from in the past and if you have any queries please drop me a line and I will do my best to help. Also if you are aware of any none members who might be interested in joining us please feel free to circulate this email to them. - Eventbrite booking at - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/179391594087
Watering the Capital or Watering Capital? False accounting and a corrupt chief engineer. By Nick Higham
This is an Online EventWatering the Capital or Watering Capital? How false accounting and a corrupt chief engineer nearly brought down two of London's Victorian water companies? The 19th century water supply industry in London relied upon consulting engineers for their development schemes. The outcomes were not always straightforward. A fascinating story from a natural raconteur. Nick Highman’s new book The Mercenary Stream, A History of London's Water, will be published by Headline in Spring 2022.
‘Learning Through Archaeology: Killingworth Billy’ by Michael Bailey and Peter Davidson
NEWCASTLE Discovery Museum Blandford Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear'Learning Through Archaeology: Killingworth Billy' discusses all that has been learned from the detailed examination in 2018 of the 1816-built George Stephenson locomotive from Killingworth that may now be seen in the Stephenson Railway Museum on North Tyneside, one of the affiliated museums to Discovery. BILLY has been in safekeeping as a historic artefact with the City of Newcastle since 1881. Previous to our study it was believed that the locomotive had been built in 1826 at the Robert Stephenson & Co. factory in that city, but detailed research into its working life, and its several rebuildings, have now shown that it was actually made in 1816 under George Stephenson's supervision for operation along the Killingworth Colliery line down to the River Tyne. It has therefore been shown that it is the world's oldest surviving standard-gauge locomotive. The archaeological work was undertaken to reveal from which period each component of the locomotive and its equally historic tender had been fitted, and the sequence of these modifications. The talk will be illustrated with both historic views of the locomotive, and photographs and drawings prepared during the course of the project. As before the meetings are free but because we are limited to the number of people we can have at the meeting and have agreed with Discovery that we will ask everyone to book through Eventbrite so that we can keep track of demand and have a register of who is attending. Also, we have agreed with Discovery that we will hold the meetings in the afternoon starting at 2 pm and the meetings will also be offered online so that those people who feel uncomfortable with attending in person can participate in the talk. I realise that these arrangements are slightly different from in the past and if you have any queries please drop me a line and I will do my best to help. Also if you are aware of any none members who might be interested in joining us please feel free to circulate this email to them.It will be a 'hybrid' meeting with the speakers being there in front of a 'real' audience. Eventbrite booking at - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/134632065131
Golden Egg or Poisoned Chalice? The Story of Nuclear Power in the UK
This is an Online EventAn Online Lecture by Tony Wooldridge (presenting) and Stephen [...]
CANCELLED – ‘Gyroplanes’ by Roger Savage and Wing Commander Mark Quinn
MANCHESTER International Anthony Burgess Foundation Engine House, Chorlton Mill, 3 Cambridge Street,, ManchesterA presentation by Roger Savage & Wing Commander Mark [...]
From Time Balls to Time Lights
MANCHESTER International Anthony Burgess Foundation Engine House, Chorlton Mill, 3 Cambridge Street,, ManchesterAn in-person only (no Zoom) presentation by Dr Roger [...]
‘Float Glass Development and Process History – A Revolution’ by Gerry Miller
MANCHESTER International Anthony Burgess Foundation Engine House, Chorlton Mill, 3 Cambridge Street,, ManchesterAn in-person meeting presented by Gerry Miller The [...]
‘RAF Planes that won the Battle of Britain were built on German Machinery’ by Dr. Jonathan Aylen
MANCHESTER International Anthony Burgess Foundation Engine House, Chorlton Mill, 3 Cambridge Street,, ManchesterWhy the Jewish Refugee Engineer, Ludwig Loewy was crucial [...]
