Finishing.com
This is a website featuring helpful information related to surface engineering, materials, finishing and other important topics. For example, if an engineer has a question relating to 6061 aluminum material performance in a marine environment, she can turn to Finishing.com and get free expert advice and also view archives dating back many years. The archives feature data relating to topics such as manufacturing, production, chemistry, safety and much more.
Machine Design Magazine
Machine Design is an excellent read. It is informative and yet entertaining. There are many technical articles with details
and there are also light-hearted articles and columns. The magazine is a bit like Popular Mechanics because many of the
topics focus on mechanical designs such as vehicles, automated tools, new inventions, futuristic products and much more.
This journal features colorful cover artwork and looks good on a coffee table. You don't have to be a scientist or an engineer to read this magazine because the technical details are written in ways that even novices can understand. Some
of the other publications are much more technical such as American Laboratory and Vacuum & Coating Technology. machinedesign.com
Electronic Design Magazine
This publication is very interesting and has a lot of useful information readers can use. In each magazine that comes out
you can count on quite a few good articles. Many articles read like a recipe because they are how-to descriptions on
fairly complex electronic projects. Overall, this magazine rates 9/10 and is a heavy read due to the large amount of
knowledge packed into each page. electronicdesign.com
Vacuum & Coating Technology Magazine
Very high-tech journal with fact-filled articles. Each article is quite enjoyable and will teach the reader a tremendous
amount of useful information. The articles mainly focus on surface engineering and ultra-high vacuum topics but other
related subjects are also discussed in great depth. This magazine is a monthly must-read for all audiences. Many readers
may choose to save each magazine rather than disposing it after reading due to the education nature of the journal. vtcmag.com
Metal Components
-BK Engineering
-bkengineering@lycos.com
-415.890.3022 text or call
Military & Aerospace Magazine
This publication focuses on rugged devices, electronics and related topics. Military and aerospace applications require a new
level of durability due to harsh circumstances and testing requirements. Engineers and other professionals involved
in military or aerospace design or manufacturing can gain some insight from the articles. militaryaerospace.com
Quality Magazine
This magazine goes over topics relating to inspection and quality control. Articles also go into subjects such
as using statistical and quality systems to investigate and troubleshoot production defects and issues. www.qualitymag.com
High-Temp Metal Components
-BK Engineering
-bkengineering@lycos.com
-415.890.3022 text or call
American Laboratory
This journal details scientific discoveries and material testing from around the world. Focusing on molecular and
small-scale testing, readers interested in biology, chemistry or genetic engineering will enjoy each article. americanlaboratoy.com
MIL Spec Repository
There is no need to purchase MIL specifications. All MIL specs are available for free online. To get your free MIL specs
simply visit this website: http://quicksearch.dla.mil
A9CAD
This is a free CAD program people can use to make CAD drawings and hone their drafting craft. This is a 2-D program, 3-D
modeling is not supported. There is no cost for the program. The software supports many great tools and complicated drawings
can be easily made using the software. Search online at Google or Bing for A9CAD and download from the internet. When
downloading, beware of add-ons that you may get if downloading from certain sites such at CNET. These add-ons can be
called download utilities or other names. Avoid geting these add-ons. You may try to download A9CAD from a european website
because they seem to be less problematic but do your homework first. A9CAD can be compared to AutoCAD LTE, they are fairly
similar. Exporting to DXF or saving in the native DWG format seem to work fine.
FreeCAD
Similar to A9CAD except this is a 3-D modeling program. When using FreeCAD, the designer feels like she is using a full
version of AutoCAD or Solidworks. Exporting to DXF can be quite tricky, but the software is useful no matter what because
it does allow a designer to design a very complicated model, rotate it, take sections and all of the usual, expected functions.
Overall, the software gets a 9/10 rating, it is surely worthwhile to download and try. Similar to A9CAD, beware when downloading
from the internet due to add-ons; do your homework prior to downloading. To download, search on Google or Bing.
Public Library
Your local public library is an excellent resource because it has books and data on most topics and subjects including
technical articles, manufacturing textbooks, engineering info and more.
Assemblies
If one needs help with an engineering project there are two people one can contact.
-Doug Rich, Engineer
-Omley Industries
-doug@omley.com
-Consult Doug with UHV assembly needs. He works a lot with ceramic and metal assemblies of all sizes large and small.
CNC Machines
If one needs to buy a new CNC machine, call Jorge Medrano at Jaguar Machine in Livermore, California. Mr. Medrano sells
only the finest imported CNC machines and the prices are very reasonable. The machines offer everything a machinist
and engineer desires such as fast spindle speeds and easy set-ups.
Tungsten Raw Material
If raw copper tungsten material is desired, one should contact Bill or Ken at Torrey Hills in Southern California. These
two gentlemen sell very high-quality imported copper-tungsten, plain tungsten and other specialty metals. You can trust
the quality from Bill and Ken, this is great material.
Plating
For your plating needs, you can turn to a local shop but you might want to do your homework first and consult with the experts
either at Feather or Prodigy Surface Tech. or both. It doesn't cost a penny to check with the experts and it could save
a lot of trouble.
-John or Emilie
-Prodigy Surface Tech.
-info@prodigysurfacetech.com
Technical Data and Charts Click here to access the Technical Data portal