Precision

“Another gem from one of the world’s justly celebrated historians specializing in unusual and always fascinating subjects and people.” — Booklist (starred review) The revered New York Times bestselling author traces the development of technology from the Industrial Age to the Digital Age to explore the single component crucial to advancement—precision—in a superb history that is both an homage and a warning for our future. The rise of manufacturing could not have happened without an attention to precision. At the dawn of the Industrial Revolution in eighteenth-century England, standards of measurement were established, giving way to the development of machine tools—machines that make machines. Eventually, the application of precision tools and methods resulted in the creation and mass production of items from guns and glass to mirrors, lenses, and cameras—and eventually gave way to further breakthroughs, including gene splicing, microchips, and the Hadron Collider. Simon Winchester takes us back to origins of the Industrial Age, to England where he introduces the scientific minds that helped usher in modern production: John Wilkinson, Henry Maudslay, Joseph Bramah, Jesse Ramsden, and Joseph Whitworth. It was Thomas Jefferson who later exported their discoveries to the fledgling United States, setting the nation on its course to become a manufacturing titan. Winchester moves forward through time, to today’s cutting-edge developments occurring around the world, from America to Western Europe to Asia. As he introduces the minds and methods that have changed the modern world, Winchester explores fundamental questions. Why is precision important? What are the different tools we use to measure it? Who has invented and perfected it? Has the pursuit of the ultra-precise in so many facets of human life blinded us to other things of equal value, such as an appreciation for the age-old traditions of craftsmanship, art, and high culture? Are we missing something that reflects the world as it is, rather than the world as we think we would wish it to be? And can the precise and the natural co-exist in society?

The Values of Precision examines how exactitude has come to occupy such a prominent place in Western culture. What has been the value of numerical values? Beginning with the late eighteenth century and continuing into the twentieth, the essays in this volume support the view that centralizing states--with their increasingly widespread bureaucracies for managing trade, taxation, and armies--and large-scale commercial enterprises--with their requirements for standardization and mass production--have been the major promoters of numerical precision. Taking advantage of the resources available, scientists and engineers have entered a symbiotic relationship with state and industry, which in turn has led to increasingly refined measures in ever-widening domains of the natural and social world. At the heart of this book, therefore, is an inquiry into the capacity of numbers and instruments to travel across boundaries of culture and materials. Many of the papers focus attention on disagreements about the significance and the credibility of particular sorts of measurements deployed to support particular claims, as in the measures of the population of France, the electrical resistance of copper, or the solvency of insurance companies. At the same time they display the deeply cultural character of precision values. Contributors to the volume include Ken Alder, Graeme J. N. Gooday, Jan Golinski, Frederic L. Holmes, Kathryn M. Olesko, Theodore M. Porter, Andrea Rusnock, Simon Schaffer, George Sweetnam, Andrew Warwick, and M. Norton Wise.

When architects draw even brick walls to six decimal places with software designed to cut lenses, it is clear that the logic that once organized relations between precision and material error in construction has unraveled. In this BIT, Francesca Hughes examines the roots of architecture's fetishization of precision and fear of error.

Seed inoculation is the practice of effectively introducing a high number of nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Rhizobium or Bradyrhizobium) on the surface of legume seeds prior to planting. The bacteria penetrates the root, resulting in the formation of root nodules that fix nitrogen from the air, and make it readily available to the plant. This book descr

Precision Measurement of Microwave Comprehensive resource covering the foundations and analysis of precision noise measurements with a detailed treatment of their uncertainties Precision Measurement of Microwave Thermal Noise presents the basics of precise measurements of thermal noise at microwave frequencies and guides readers through how to evaluate the uncertainties in such measurement. The focus is on measurement methods used at the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), but the general principles and methods are useful in a wide range of applications. Readers will learn how to perform accurate microwave noise measurements using the respected author’s expertise of calculations to aid understanding of the challenges and solutions. The text covers the background required for the analysis of the measurements and the standards employed to calibrate radiofrequency and microwave radiometers. It also covers measurements of noise temperature (power) and the noise characteristics of amplifiers and transistors. In addition to the usual room-temperature two-port devices, cryogenic devices and multiport amplifiers are also discussed. Finally, the connection of these lab-based measurements to remote-sensing measurement (especially from space) is considered, and possible contributions of the lab-based measurements to remote-sensing applications are discussed. Specific topics and concepts covered in the text include: Noise-temperature standards, covering ambient standards, hot (oven) standards, cryogenic standards, and other standards and noise sources Amplifier noise, covering definition of noise parameters, measurement of noise parameters, uncertainty analysis for noise-parameter measurements, and simulations and strategies On-wafer noise measurements, covering on-wafer microwave formalism, noise temperature, on-wafer noise-parameter measurements, and uncertainties Multiport amplifiers, covering formalism and noise matrix, definition of noise figure for multiports, and degradation of signal-to-noise ratio Containing some introductory material, Precision Measurement of Microwave Thermal Noise is an invaluable resource on the subject for advanced students and all professionals working in (or entering) the field of microwave noise measurements, be it in a standards lab, a commercial lab, or academic research.

The development of new-generation micro-manufacturing technologies and systems has revolutionised the way products are designed and manufactured today with a s- nificant impact in a number of key industrial sectors. Micro-manufacturing techno- gies are often described as disruptive, enabling and interdisciplinary leading to the creation of whole new classes of products that were previously not feasible to ma- facture. While key processes for volume manufacture of micro-parts such as mach- ing and moulding are becoming mature technologies, micro-assembly remains a key challenge for the cost-effective manufacture of complex micro-products. The ability to manufacture customizable micro-products that can be delivered in variable volumes within relatively short timescales is very much dependent on the level of development of the micro-assembly processes, positioning, alignment and measurement techniques, gripping and feeding approaches and devices. Micro-assembly has developed rapidly over the last few years and all the pred- tions are that it will remain a critical technology for high-value products in a number of key sectors such as healthcare, communications, defence and aerospace. The key challenge is to match the significant technological developments with a new gene- tion of micro-products that will establish firmly micro-assembly as a mature manuf- turing process. th The book includes the set of papers presented at the 5 International Precision - sembly Seminar IPAS 2010 held in Chamonix, France from the 14th to the 17th February 2010.

While ultra-precision machines are now achieving sub-nanometer accuracy, unique challenges continue to arise due to their tight specifications. Written to meet the growing needs of mechanical engineers and other professionals to understand these specialized design process issues, Introduction to Precision Machine Design and Error Assessment places

"With ever-increasing pressures on world agriculture in both economic and environmental terms, application of the concept of precision agriculture is one way of enabling farmers and producers to cope. ‘Doing arable agriculture and horticulture more precisely’ means that the use of inputs is optimised, crop yield and quality are maximised and leakage of agro-chemicals and fertilisers to the environment is minimised. This publication contains papers presented at the 6th European Conference on Precision Agriculture. The papers reflect the wide range of disciplines encompassed by precision agriculture, including: soil physics, crop physiology, agronomy, IT, agricultural technology, sensor technology, remote sensing, geostatistics and environmental science. The wide range of research topics reported will be a valuable resource for researchers, advisors, teachers and professionals in agriculture long after the conference has finished. Peer-reviewed papers from the 3rd European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming are presented in a companion proceedings, Precision livestock farming ’07."

Whether you're a seasoned machinist or an enthusiastic beginner, understanding the nuances of CNC machining is crucial. "CNC Machining: Precision, Process, and Tools Explained" is your ultimate guide to navigating this intricate world. Are you struggling with complex programming? Frustrated with machine setup issues? Or simply eager to elevate your machining skills? This book addresses all these challenges and more, providing you with the knowledge and confidence to excel. About This Book Comprehensive Overview: Dive into the foundational principles of CNC machining, from basic concepts to advanced techniques. This book covers everything you need to know about the process, ensuring you have a strong grasp on the essentials. Detailed Tool Guides: Explore an in-depth look at the various tools used in CNC machining. Understand their functions, applications, and how to select the right tool for every job, boosting your efficiency and productivity. Troubleshooting Tips: Gain insights into common issues faced during CNC machining and how to resolve them quickly. This book equips you with practical solutions to keep your operations running smoothly. Advanced Techniques: Push your skills further with advanced programming and machining techniques. Discover how to optimize your processes for faster production times and higher quality results. Case Studies and Real-World Examples: Benefit from real-world case studies and examples that illustrate key concepts and best practices. Learn from the successes and challenges of industry professionals. Future Trends and Innovations: Stay ahead of the curve with a look at the future of CNC machining. Explore emerging technologies and trends that are shaping the industry and how you can leverage them to stay competitive. Ready to take your CNC machining expertise to the next level? "CNC Machining: Precision, Process, and Tools Explained" is your gateway to mastering this dynamic field. Don't miss out on the opportunity to enhance your skills and achieve exceptional results. Get your copy today and start your journey to CNC machining excellence!