Houston International Boat Show – Top 5 Most Frequently Asked Questions at the Boat Show
Posted by in Uncategorized on February 22, 2012
Do you have any idea what does the month of January mean to the boating industry? January is the start of the Boat Show season across North America.
To start off the boat show season, the Houston International Boat, Sport and Travel Show, happening January 7 – 16. The show is located at the Reliant Center in Houston, Texas.
I recently caught up with Lisa Dimond Vasquez, PR representative for the show and I had an opportunity to ask her a few questions about this years show;
1. What would you say is a must “how-to seminar” to take in during this year’s boat show?
Wow, that’s a tough question because all our how-to seminars are so informative. If you are looking for information on basic engine maintenance, you should check out David Whelan’s instruction on Mercury and Yanmar.
Or if you are looking for tips on fishing local waters, we have an abundance of instruction on all different types of fishing. If you are interested in getting your Captain’s license, we have instruction on that too. For more information, you can take a look at the Seminar Schedule.
2. What has always been or will be the “most popular exhibit”?
With more than 300 exhibits, it’s impossible to choose just the one most-popular. Our show is so diverse, as is our crowd, so there are many favorites.
You can find something for everyone here at the Houston International Boat, Sport and Travel Show.
3. In your opinion what’s the “number 1 attraction” of this year’s show?
Our #1 attraction this year will be the always-awesome Comic Bots comedy show – a completely unique interactive robot that sings, dances and entertains all ages. It’s definitely worth seeing.
4. What would be your most “frequently asked questions” about this year’s show?
One of our most frequently asked questions would be “what impact has the BP oil spill had on boating and fishing in Texas?” Our answer is a resounding “We’re still boating and fishing.” While there was much initial concern about the impact of the oil spill, particularly for those fishing guides who make their living on the water, fortunately, the spill never really reached the Texas coast. We really did not see any impact on boating or fishing along the Texas gulf coast.
5. What is “new” at this year’s show?
This year we will have a new experience called the Bubble Runners. It’s an opportunity for kids of all ages to climb inside a watertight “hamster ball” and skim across the water. Watching the kids roll and fall is a ton of fun for everyone.
Of course, there are always the newest models of boats and watercraft, the latest electronic gadgets and all kinds of exciting outdoor-related products.
Spring Grade Steel for the Boat Industry
Posted by in Uncategorized on March 9, 2012
The steel grade used for spiral springs, coil springs, disc springs and washers is steel strip, martensitic stainless, austenitic stainless and precipitation hardening stainless. Ferritic stainless such as SUS 430 is applied to springs for specific purposes.
SUS 430 and ferritic grades are lower grade but have perfect surface finish and superior cleanliness. The more common stainless steels used for marine product springs are sus 631 (easy coilability and improved fatigue resistance after thermal treatment) and marine 316 stainless steel which provides high resistance against pitting corrosion but somewhat lower tensile strength. Marine 316 stainless steel is also the grade usually used in welded marine structures and fasteners.
Carbon steel strip.
For spring applications, carbon steel is used for complicated shaped springs and high carbon steel for springs requiring higher strength. As cold-rolled steel strip for springs, steels generally have 0.5 to 1.0% carbon contents. Heat-treatment of springs after forming falls into two methods, quenching and tempering / aus-tempering. Quenching usually means oil-quenching, although the quenching hardness increases with an increase in the carbon content.
For increased hardness, higher temperature quenching is applied and for greater toughness, lower temperature quenching is applied.
Precipitation hardened stainless used for springs is mainly SUS 631. This material shows higher spring properties, superior fatigue strength and smaller anisotropy compared with other stainless steels. Heat-treatment after spring forming results in superior spring properties.
Properties of steel strip for springs.
The properties required for steel strip are mechanical properties, fatigue strength and formability. The shearing formability depends upon the design of dies. Softer material normally has a smaller bending radius. The bendability not only depends upon steel type and grade, but also the rolling direction.
Composite Manufacturing: Why the Industry Is Growing
Posted by in Uncategorized on January 16, 2012
Composite manufacturing is a growing industry, even in these tough economic times. Established companies, who have recognized product lines, are looking to expand their opportunities. New companies are springing up to take advantage of new demands. Wind energy is a new demand that has provided new opportunities for manufacturers, of every size. Composite materials have many uses, with new applications being developed at a rapid pace.
Composite materials are generally associated with boats, because its used to enhance the boats features. Composite material allows for sleek hulls and are used on innovations designed to make boats faster. Whether an individual is a boating enthusiast or a competitor, they are aware of the beauty and strength, that modern composite materials provide. Unknowingly, casual observers have even observed the beauty and technology that composite manufacturing has brought to the boating industry.
People may also be aware of these materials are used in airplanes. Large passenger planes to small hobby planes sold in a box, all require composite materials in the manufacturing process. Composite manufacturing is responsible for parts used in the production of aircraft also, from the fuselage to the wingtip. As in the boating industry, composite materials used in aviation combine light weight with high strength. The benefits of these materials are not just in their efficiency and strength, but in their beauty as well.
People may not be aware of the various uses of it, in areas outside of the boating and aeronautic industry. One of the newest growing uses of composite materials is in the growing field of alternate energy.
Alternate energy, be it marine, solar or wind generated, benefits from materials that are strong and reliable. Which is why they are being manufactured using composite materials as the composite manufacturing industry grows. The alternate energy industry, with grants available from both the public and private sectors, represents an opportunity for both growth and profit in the industry.
Composite manufacturing is also responsible for innovations in the area of furniture, both for individual consumers and businesses. Manufacturers, using carbon fabricated materials, can create beautiful and innovative designs that could not be easily made using other manufacturing processes. These materials give designers new options to create furniture that isn’t just beautiful, but multi- functional too.
For manufacturers, in every area, be it marine, aeronautic, energy, furniture or in new applications of composite materials, the process can be easily adaptable to changing lines with minimal expense. It encourages innovation and creativity, while minimizing costs. This process produces materials that are strong, reliable and visually pleasing too. This makes composite manufacturing a win win opportunity for the designer, the manufacturer and the consumer.
Purpose-designed, Vacmobiles are complete “ready-to-go” vacuum systems for a wide range of composite manufacturing applications. Now proven in more than 35 countries worldwide, Vacmobiles are reliable, versatile and affordable.