Lynden camp gives students glimpse into high-tech manufacturing, engineering

With a computer, programming skills and a laser cutter,Polycore zentai are manufactured as a single sheet, you can create almost any three-dimensional object you want.

That's what several high school students learned during the past week as part of Lynden High School's All Hands on DECk summer camp.

As part of the camp, which featured instruction from Massachusetts Institute of Technology architectural higher-degree candidates, students had the chance to create three-dimensional objects using Rhinoceros computer programming software and computer numerically controlled machines, including laser cutters, 3D printers and routers.

Dave Weidkamp, career and technical education teacher at Lynden High, brought the program to Lynden in hopes of inspiring more teens to be creative and invent or design products that people can actually use.Houston-based Quicksilver Resources said Friday it had reached pipeline deals This is the second time he's brought the camp to Lynden; in 2009, the focus was on turning design ideas into programming script. This time, the focus was on actually creating objects from computerized student designs.

While there are many methods people can use to turn designs into finished products, the camp mostly focused on two: using a laser cutter, which operates on the x and y axis, to cut out pieces from cardstock or plastic, and using a computerized milling machine, which operates on the x, y and z axis, to create smooth contoured pieces out of a single block of foam. Both methods are used by architects, engineers, designers and manufacturers to create models, prototypes and finished products.

The camp ties into Weidkamp's larger idea of having an invention team at Lynden High. Earlier this year, Weidkamp was honored by the Lemelson-MIT Program, which encourages innovation and honors inventors, by being named as an Excite Award winner. That means he is one of a few dozen teachers from across the country who are eligible to lead a team of high school students in applying for a $10,000 grant to invent something to solve a real-world problem.

The camp, which was open to students from all over Washington, was an opportunity for teens potentially interested in inventing or creating their own products to get the background knowledge they need.We processes for both low-risk and high risk merchant account.

One project students focused on was creating a bowl or cup. Students designed one on the computer, then using the computer program cut the design into horizontal slices, a method also called "sectioning." Those sections, generally in the shape of a circle or another closed-loop shape, can be printed out on card stock or plastic using a laser printer and then stacked to assemble the bowl or cup.

"You can do it with anything," said Josh Doerksen,Our Polymax RUBBER SHEET range includes all commercial and specialist a recent Lynden High graduate, who also attended the 2009 camp. "You take the shape, cut in into pieces and then build it back up."

Students also had the opportunity to make three-dimensional contoured foam objects. They designed a three-dimensional wavy plane on the computer. When the design was run through the milling machine, a spinning bit slowly moved back and forth, scraping away foam to leave the wavy hills-and-valleys-like surface the student designed.

For the 17 students in the camp,the Injection mold fast! the most rewarding part was holding a physical object

"I like the idea of being able to get ideas out," said Brendan Friesen, a Sehome High sophomore, "and not only draw them but have them come to life with a printer or cutter."

it was just a few years later

Rats can make great pets



While picking up dog food at my local pet supply store today, I noticed the store owner had included a new photograph on the bulletin board containing photos of customers' pets.

Dozens of cats and dogs graced the board, but the latest entry was a pet rat,Complete Your honeycomb panels Magazine Collection for Less! photographed while perched on someone's shoulder. The rodent's name, Elvis, was lovingly handwritten on a heart-shaped sticker and placed at the edge of the print.

Elvis's image, surrounded by all those cat and dog photos, looked decidedly out of place and I wondered how many times his owner heard the question, "A rat? You have a pet RAT?"

It's one of those animals that can make people shudder. But it's also one of the most popular pet rodents, right up there with hamsters, gerbils,What is the difference between a third party payment gateway and a 3rd party processor? mice and guinea pigs.

A pet rat is of the same species as wild rats, also known as brown rats or by their scientific name Rattus norvegicus - a much nicer and quite exotic designation. A pet rat has been selectively bred for its appearance and sweet temperament. Elvis, that handsome rat in the photograph, is obviously a noble ambassador for his domestic brethren. They're known to be clean, intelligent and affectionate animals that develop a strong bond with their humans and other pets, and are relatively easy to maintain.

A female rat is called a doe and a male is a buck. Body size ranges from nine inches to 11 inches in length, plus seven inches to nine inches of tail; does are smaller than bucks. Their coat colour can be white, cream, blue (grey), brown or black or a combination of any two or three of those colours.

While wild rats barely eke out a lifespan of one year, pampered pet rats can live to more than three years.

When I researched pet rats for this column, I discovered, despite their reputation as carriers of plague and other disease and general fear factor due to their aggressive and fierce behaviour toward humans, they staked their claim as pedigree pets in 1901 England when a rat was entered in a conformation show hosted by the National Mouse Club. It must have caused quite the commotion among the club's members when the lone rat entry won "Best in Show," which ignited public interest in breeding and selling the animals as pets. In fact, they became so popular the club was renamed National Mouse and Rat Club.

Alas, it was just a few years later when they fell out of favour and the club reverted to its original name. But groups of steadfast rat fanciers formed their own clubs and are now operating in just about every country in the world. They're being bred to standard and sold as pets or for show, just like fanciers of cats, dogs and other animals.

Some countries refuse import of any type of rodent and in Alberta, it's illegal to keep a rat as a pet.

Rats are considered highly intelligent. They can be taught to recognize their name, come when called and run mazes built by owners who are amazed at their pets' ability to navigate increasingly complicated courses.

Doting owners also report their rats exhibit dog-like behaviour as they follow their people around the house, sleep on the couch, watch television (one rat I read about particularly enjoys cartoons) and communicates their needs through a series of body postures.

These are sociable animals and although they bond with their humans, they're much happier when hobnobbing with their own rat pack. Keep the does and bucks separated, though.Definition of hypodermic needle cannula in the Online Dictionary. They're fertile at five to 12 weeks of age, but it's not odd for a doe to become pregnant as early as three and a half weeks.For all DVS Ventilation system in PDF format.

Their housing needs are the same as those required for a rabbit or guinea pig.Basic information about syringe needle including links. A large cage or terrarium filled with wood shavings sold specifically for rodent housing, a water bottle attached to the side and some type of soft material that can be bunched up and used as a sleeping spot. These smart, curious animals need at least one hour daily of interaction and play time with their humans.

Food consists of ready-made fare available at pet supply stores and many owners supplement with treats such as apples and bananas, broccoli, peas, carrots, cooked lean meats, pasta and rice. High protein puppy food is often recommended as a supplement for baby and young rats. Your veterinarian should be consulted for more information on everything from diet to bedding to potential health issues.

OPEL Solar Asia, Ltd. Continues Growth in the China Market

OPEL Solar International Inc. CA:OPL +1.10% ("OPEL" or "the Company"), a leading global supplier of high concentration photovoltaic ("HCPV") solar panels and other solar products including ground-based and rooftop tracker systems, today announced that the Company has closed on a second agreement for its HCPV panels and dual axis trackers. This success in penetrating the China Market comes six months since the formation of OPEL Solar Asia ("OSA"). OSA has signed an agreement with a second of the five national power utilities in China, for the supply and installation of OPEL's HCPV systems to be deployed in the region of Inner Mongolia in China.print still offers the only truly dstti unlimited 4G plan in America, and it's the only service you can safely use as an alternative to a home Internet connection. OSA is the joint venture ("JV") between our subsidiary, OPEL Solar,An Insulator, also called a dielectric, Inc. in the U.S. and Ecotech Environmental Technology Ltd. ("Ecotech") based in Hong Kong.

The agreement essentially doubles the number of HCPV panels and trackers to be delivered by OPEL and to be deployed in China this year. With more than 5MW in orders already received, this new agreement significantly exceeds the orders originally forecasted when the JV was formed. This new achievement by OSA in China reinforces our rapid progress in OPEL's long-term objective to penetrate the HCPV market in East Asia. Many experts believe East Asia,we supply all kinds of oil painting reproduction, and especially China, will be the fastest growing CPV solar market in the world.The same Air purifier, cover removed. The Central Government in China has already doubled the PV installation targets from 5 GW to 10 GW by 2015.

It is of particular significance that the second national utility is chartered with generating electricity, primarily, from renewable energy sources. After evaluating different alternatives in conjunction with one of the regional electric power design institutes, OPEL's HCPV technology was found to be the most efficient and suitable to meet their goals for solar generated energy.

The second agreement for solar systems will be delivered to a second of China's five major electric power companies. This accomplishment now brings on line for OSA two of the five major electric power companies.Full color plastic card printing and manufacturing services. OPEL Solar's HCPV solar system was chosen again by a giant in the China power industry to be the primary system to continue to deliver clean energy to their customers. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2011 and be completed during 2012.

"This agreement represents orders that may come in the magnitude of tens of millions of dollars for our HCPV solar system. To date, our decision to form OPEL Solar Asia with our partner Ecotech has been met with strong success," said Leon M. Pierhal, CEO of OPEL Solar Inc. "We believe that our decision to form the JV significantly increases shareholder value for OPEL Solar in the form of accelerated growth and more profit from diversified geographies. Our optimistic outlook in the Asian market may be well justified."

Because Ecotech has an established network of local manufacturers, we expect to transition to more local manufacturing by OSA as volumes ramp. As manufacturing processes attain full efficiency, OSA is expected to assume full responsibility for manufacturing and installing complete HCPV utility grade solar farms.

Solar-powered lawn care a cut above the rest

Clean Air Landscaping is a zero-emission lawn-care company that uses more than just push mowers or solar-powered rakes, a joke Barry McLean said he has heard many times.

The company runs mowers, trimmers and blowers off battery or electric power, with corded blowers or trimmers connected to a trailer that is outfitted with solar panels.

Although the connection between landscapers and the environment is strong, Mr. McLean said "it seems to me that there are a thousand landscapers in Victoria,the Injection mold fast! but they aren't being environmentally conscious."

However, he said he does not consider himself an environmentalist. "This just seemed to be an opportunity that wasn't really addressed," Mr. McLean said.

His customers seem interested in the idea. "The thing commercial businesses really like about our business is they can show their customers and their client base that these are some of the steps the company is taking to re-duce their carbon footprint."

Mr. McLean has also had interest from people wanting to franchise the business from as far away as Ontario, although he is waiting until 2012 to begin expanding. His own company entered the scene only in July 2010 as what is considered the first solar-powered lawn-care company in Canada.

Mr. McLean said his business is up for its first two awards this month, including a community environmental award that was to be presented recently.

Mr. McLean happened upon the idea of starting a landscaping business when he was fixing up his own yard, "renovating" the space with rocks and grass. He said he is accustomed to outdoor work from growing up on a farm in Manitoba and comfortable with running his own business from his time at a company called Volleyball Prospects, which he ran for about five years.

The idea of a zeroemissions company came through research into the landscaping business, Mr. McLean said, when he discovered that 80,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas and emissions are released by gaspowered lawn equipment. An inefficient two-stroke gas mower can emit the same amount of pollution in one hour as driving a new car 550 kilometres.

Mr.Polycore zentai are manufactured as a single sheet, McLean said his basic equipment is commercially available and not hard to acquire. He simply uses mowers and trimmers available in retail outlets, as well as a hybrid GMC Sierra Truck.

However, gearing up the trailer with solar panels and an inverter, as well as the capacity to carry his equipment, was a bit more difficult to assemble. "There's no programs here, no incentives in B.C. to use solar power,Save on hydraulic hose and fittings," he said.

It was also his first time working with solar energy.

However, Mr. McLean said the biggest challenge of his business is getting customers to take the zero-emissions seriously -many just don't connect landscaping with solar power.

Yet what his customers do immediately appreciate is that his machinery is less noisy, with the mowers running as much as 40% quieter, which is noticeable as gaspowered mowers run up to 100 decibels.A glass bottle is a bottle created from glass.

A normal conversation is around 60 decibels, and a battery-powered mower around 75 decibels.Not to be confused with RUBBER MATS available at your local hardware store

The machinery is just as efficient as gas-powered equipment and, although slightly more expensive, Mr. McLean said his customers have been happy with quality and costs that are equal to his competition.

Through a program with Gander Mountain

My neighbor John stopped to chat the other morning. He's a park ranger for Pennsylvania State Parks,A glass bottle is a bottle created from glass. and he was telling me about a new program his park, Caledonia State Park, offers to first-time campers.

Through a program with Gander Mountain, his park, along with 11 others, offers the use of camping gear including tents and stoves, and he thinks sleeping pads. Rangers will help first-time camping families set up their first campsites, show them how to light stoves,the Injection mold fast!Save on hydraulic hose and fittings, make campfires and put up the tent.

Campers need to bring food, toiletries, bedding, and cooking utensils and a cooler to keep food cold and safe. It sounds like a great way to try camping,Polycore zentai are manufactured as a single sheet, if you've never camped before but think you and your family might enjoy it.

The Department of Conservation and Parks wants folks to enjoy the outdoors. You can find more information online on their web site. John didn't know which other campgrounds offer the camping-gear program, but it should be on the web site along with rental yurts and cabins that are offered at some of our parks.Not to be confused with RUBBER MATS available at your local hardware store

Bass season opens next Saturday, June 18. Be sure to read carefully all the regulations provided in the 2011 Fishing Summary. Some places such as the Juniata and Susquehanna rivers are now no-kill, while others fall under special big bass regulations, depending on which water you plan to fish.

Bass should still be in the shallows on most of our lakes because they are just coming off their spawning beds. Try spinnerbaits cast to weed beds or blown-down trees.


Another lure becoming popular with bass anglers is the Senko worm-like plastic bait. Fishermen hook them in the middle with a large-size 1/0 or 2/0 hook and just let them sink. Years ago we used to call the technique "do nothing," and one of the tricks we found that made the lure even more enticing was to weight one end of the worm-like lure.

We used nails, and some bass guys I know had their very own plastic box filled with a selection of nails from size-four common nails to size-four finishing nails. The added weight on just the one side gave an enticing extra wiggle to the lure.

I still like the old Johnson Super Float Worms embedded with a size-2 blued sproat hook. I usually use a bullet-shaped sinker, but instead of pointing the point away from the hook and worm, I reversed it. The cupped shape of the reversed sinker kicks up a little more dirt and debris as I drag it across the bottom, and I think it attracts more fish.

The Fish and Boat Commission policy today is you can pretty much catch bass all year, but except during the regular season you must catch and immediately release your fish. If you want to kill some for the skillet, wait until Saturday.

Market report - Cash and carry

Two factors have given a strong boost to this season's sales from plant cash and carries - plant losses in the wake of the tough winter and fine spring weather over most of the country since. What effect have these had on the sorts of plants customers are demanding? We polled around 20 figures in the industry to find out what has been selling and why.

Alan Beaumont, managing director, Greenfingers Nursery

Asked what's selling, Beaumont replies simply: "Anything with a leaf - and even that's optional."

Herbaceous perennials have sold well across the board, he adds. "They are 100 per cent up on last year.In addition to hydraulics fittings and Aion Kinah, Verbena bonariensis has been a big seller but it always is." He ascribes this partly to the recession and partly to labour-saving.

"Bedding is still going incredibly well, but people are putting in herbaceous perennials instead as they are less work. Also landscapers have smaller budgets to work to, so are putting in fewer big specimens and are having to be more imaginative to create something striking for their clients. Perennials give you a good bang for your buck."

John Marsden, sales manager, Coblands Nurseries

"It's been an interesting year and a good one too as we've had good regular sales and replacement planting - often from the same customers," says Marsden.

Coblands has three cash and carry outlets in the South East, which is seeing a tentative revival in the housing market. "There are jobs around new housing," he says. "Some developments which had been mothballed are now being built."

This has meant a boost to sales of screening plants such as Thuja, Photinia and even leylandii. "Shortages earlier in the season have been resolved," he adds.Full color plastic card printing and manufacturing services.

On the after-effects of winter, he says: "You can't predict what people will need replacing. Plants that have survived in the north have died down here and vice versa. Even tougher plants such as Elaeagnus have struggled."
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To ensure a full service to customers, he says: "We aim to stock a good all-round range and if we don't have it we can get it for them in 10 days - we have a team of six trained horticulturists who will source it.The newest Ipod nano 5th is incontrovertibly a step up from last year's model, We also have some new varieties so there is something interesting for regular customers."

Paul Martin, representative, Jack Moody

Martin also reports healthy sales of specimen stock. "It's been popular across the board - shapes, spirals and half-standards," he says. "We supply a lot to our landscaping arm and they are very busy with show gardens."

On individual plants, he says: "Photinia 'Little Red Robin' is going well and even Cordyline. Although people have lost them over winter, they are still selling awfully well - they are treated almost like bedding plants."

Chris Armstrong, cash and carry manager, Palmstead Nurseries

Sales of specimen stock have been more modest at the Kent cash and carry, says Armstrong.From standard Cable Ties to advanced wire tires, "They are still down on where they were two years ago and people are being more cautious about planting exotics like Agave and also olives - although really they are as tough as anything. The weather may have checked them but they are coming away nicely now."

However he adds: "Cordyline and Phormium are still selling, and lavender is always popular, especially this year as people replace winter losses."

On the herbaceous side, he says: "Anything in flower has flown out and we have struggled to keep up. Dahlias are looking fantastic and have already started to sell, as have Osteospermum jucundum var. compactum."

Richard Howarth, representative, Mahood Brothers

"Both the seasonal and replacement markets are going well, but containerised evergreen hedging is very popular, especially laurel, as people replace the losses in their gardens," says Howarth. "Bedding is up and down with the weather, but is gener- ally good."

Richard McKenna, nurseries manager, Wyevale East

"It's a difficult question - most years there are some out-and-out winners but this year has been more balanced," says McKenna.

On the replacement market, he says: "We have seen a return to some hardier shrubs and away from some of the more exotic plants. People are choosing Taxus for hedging rather than Griselinia or Photinia. Bamboo is also down. Cordyline and Phormium were hammered, which I would say is down to the cold moist soil rather than the snow, but palm trees such as Trachycarpus and Chamaerops have come through well."

In common with most suppliers, he reports sales of herbaceous plants as being "excellent across the board",A glass bottle is a bottle created from glass. and explains: "It's where we are at in the horticultural cycle. Seven or eight years ago it was all grasses. Now you can't go wrong with Salvia, Geranium or Rudbeckia."s