Simon
@scanfer.bsky.social
Cyclist, runner, sailor, tinkerer, fan of renewables and electrification. Worked on LHC-ATLAS, JWST-MIRI, Rosetta and Huygens probe
That last line is genius!
June 18, 2025 at 8:36 PM
That last line is genius!
Totally deliberate, I don't believe he could dress himself
April 27, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Totally deliberate, I don't believe he could dress himself
TSMC now has fabs in Arizona. But we're still shockingly dependent on few facilities for a lot of key technologies.
April 4, 2025 at 12:44 PM
TSMC now has fabs in Arizona. But we're still shockingly dependent on few facilities for a lot of key technologies.
Every day I see car transporters carrying JLR cars headed south to the docks and Teslas coming in the opposite direction. Time to reciprocate with tariffs, the only language Trump understands.
March 29, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Every day I see car transporters carrying JLR cars headed south to the docks and Teslas coming in the opposite direction. Time to reciprocate with tariffs, the only language Trump understands.
Only the failures are newsworthy! I work in glues for science so our applications are rather more demanding - space and cryogenics for example.
March 25, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Only the failures are newsworthy! I work in glues for science so our applications are rather more demanding - space and cryogenics for example.
People are demanding cheaper goods so more efficient solutions are used. Screws increase parts count, take time to install, corrode and can get loose for example.
March 25, 2025 at 1:38 PM
People are demanding cheaper goods so more efficient solutions are used. Screws increase parts count, take time to install, corrode and can get loose for example.
Well, today's cars are held together with VHB tapes, adhesives, screws and some welds, or even weld-bonds. Avoiding welding helps workplace safety, and often joining dissimilar materials is required which is tricky with welds.
March 25, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Well, today's cars are held together with VHB tapes, adhesives, screws and some welds, or even weld-bonds. Avoiding welding helps workplace safety, and often joining dissimilar materials is required which is tricky with welds.
All cars are bonded together, heck Boeing 787s are literally a tube made of "glue" (except they call it Carbon Fibre). The problem is likely the quality of surface preparation.
March 25, 2025 at 8:42 AM
All cars are bonded together, heck Boeing 787s are literally a tube made of "glue" (except they call it Carbon Fibre). The problem is likely the quality of surface preparation.
Significant tax payable for the first 5 years on any cars over £40k, as well
March 23, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Significant tax payable for the first 5 years on any cars over £40k, as well
Seems to me only Tesla value efficiency as one of the most important factors in EVs. Add their high charging speeds and that results in a very good experience on long trips. I had a used MS that was so unreliable I had a while in the X and 3 as courtesy cars.
March 15, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Seems to me only Tesla value efficiency as one of the most important factors in EVs. Add their high charging speeds and that results in a very good experience on long trips. I had a used MS that was so unreliable I had a while in the X and 3 as courtesy cars.
Tesla are way ahead in EV efficiency and useability. VW doesn't compete well in the ev market. You could say Tesla have achieved the change in the car market they set out to achieve, in any case.
March 15, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Tesla are way ahead in EV efficiency and useability. VW doesn't compete well in the ev market. You could say Tesla have achieved the change in the car market they set out to achieve, in any case.
Plenty of new ones coming up from Southampton daily. So somebody's buying. But we picked up an EV yesterday, and it wasn't one of them.
March 12, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Plenty of new ones coming up from Southampton daily. So somebody's buying. But we picked up an EV yesterday, and it wasn't one of them.
Look at all the failures in previous projects - but now Falcon 9s are extremely reliable and reusable. Must be expensive to throw away Starships though.
March 9, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Look at all the failures in previous projects - but now Falcon 9s are extremely reliable and reusable. Must be expensive to throw away Starships though.
I'm doubly reassured my employer knows what they're doing by banning it's use!
March 5, 2025 at 4:20 PM
I'm doubly reassured my employer knows what they're doing by banning it's use!
That's a bit rich, when U2 spy planes are operating out of Gloucestershire!
March 5, 2025 at 1:43 PM
That's a bit rich, when U2 spy planes are operating out of Gloucestershire!
February 25, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Thousands could have been enjoying this for years, had Tories not cancelled enhanced building regs 10 years ago.
February 25, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Thousands could have been enjoying this for years, had Tories not cancelled enhanced building regs 10 years ago.
Halfway through your book - it is fascinating and highly recommended (I was unaware of a lot of it and I work in "materials")
February 4, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Halfway through your book - it is fascinating and highly recommended (I was unaware of a lot of it and I work in "materials")
Yes, lots of plumbing and electrical works are involved e.g. a new 40A service from the incoming electrical supply. Plus often enabling works, like fuse upgrades and unlooping. Took us 6 months from quote to install.
January 30, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Yes, lots of plumbing and electrical works are involved e.g. a new 40A service from the incoming electrical supply. Plus often enabling works, like fuse upgrades and unlooping. Took us 6 months from quote to install.
Maybe a team of 20 for a week! Our heat pump install took 10 person days and was a simple install with no plumbing or radiator changes.
January 29, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Maybe a team of 20 for a week! Our heat pump install took 10 person days and was a simple install with no plumbing or radiator changes.