Japanesegovernment launchesEnglishlanguage high tech information service The Japan Information Centre of Science and Technology (JICST), an agency of the Japanese Government, has announced a new English language information service which reports the latest Japanese developments in five high technology areas. Prepared in association with Nikkan Kogypo-Shimbum, a newspaper company specializing in news of Japanese industry, the new service is available on subscription in five separate categories. Biotechnology (DNA, interferon, nucleic acid, anticancer substances, bio-reactors); Materials (Amorphous, high polymer, metallic, advanced composites, ceramics); Electronics and Computer Technology (auto electronics, optical fibres, 5th generation computers, CAD/CAM, optical discs etc.); Medical and Pharmacology (Treatment for the aged, artificial organs, anticancer agents, medical engineering and instruments, agricultural chemicals); Robots and Automation (Industrial robots, intelligent robots, nursing robots, automatic assembly systems, factory automation systems). Information will cover new products and new technology as well as the latest trends of high technology related industries, research institutions and universities in Japan. All material will be held in computer files; items will be printed out twice each month and copies will be air mailed direct from Tokyo to UK, and European subscribers. Microinfo Ltd, PO Box 3, Alton, Hampshire, UK
sity of Washington DC) was chairman of the panel that judged the paper by Maurice Baigent (The Glacier Metal Company) and Wolfgang Kauschke (Glacier GmbH - Sollinger Hutto) to be the most outstanding of the congress. Over 350 delegates, bridge owners, engineers, contractors and designers, attended the five day Congress and exhibition held in San Antonio, Texas. Among keynote speakers were Professor John Breen of the University of Texas and Professor T Y Lin of T Y Lin International. AE PLC, Cawston House, Rugby Warwickshire CV22 7SB, UK
Seal design improvements Latty International has announced a universal stationary face; silicon carbide on the primary sealing faces; and universal stationary elements available separately in a range of different materials. The operating length of the new )universal stationary face has been standardized so that it can be used with different rotating parts from the stock range. This means a reduction of inventory and more application possibilities at reduce t cost. Compared with conventional tungsten carbide, the silicon carbide on the primar); sealing faces results, they
claim, in improved performance in many applications. Its resistance to wear and chemical and thermal shock makes it appropriate for a wider range of service conditions. A policy of offering separate universal stationary elements in different materials for the same rotating part offers a choice of mechanical seal types at minimum cost. Latty International Ltd, 101 Carolgate, Retford, Nottinghamshire DN22 6AR, UK
PTFE lined seals A family of fluid sealing components which incorporates a film of PTFE bonded to the contact surface were exhibited at SITEV for the first time by Woodville Polymer Engineering. SITEV (Salon Int. des Industries et des Techniques et des Equipments pour Vehicles '86) was an international exhibition for suppliers to the vehicle industry. The thin membrane of PTFE, typically between 0.2 and 1.0mm, is formed and bonded to the flexible rubber lip during vulcanisation using a specially developed and patented process. Most rubber compounds can be used, with lower cost polymers often replacing fluoro-elastomers without sacrificing seal performance. Modified PTFE compounds incorporate special fillers to permit operation at high p.v. ratings without
2nd world congress on joint sealing and bearing systems A paper on 'Improvements in the Long Term Durability of Bridge Bearings' from the Glacier Metal Company, part of the AE Group, won the 'Outstanding Technical Paper Award' at the second world congress on joint sealing and bearing systems this October. Professor Charles W. Roeder (Univer-
TR I BO LOGY international
Maurice Baigent receives his outstanding technical paper award Jkom congress chairman Edward V Hourigan
215