I I I I I I I I I I' " I , t 1'1111"" I II I tit I I II I I I I I I I I I • , , f ... r A If you want to engineer a better world ... MaSs Transit - Urban Development a great place to stan is with one of the most diversified companies in the world. Westinghouse thinks its responsibili- tems approach to provide better ties are as big as its capabilities- medical care for more people. Ex- and that's big. ample: electronic equipment that And when you're in everything from lets nurses monitor the hearts of computers to urban development, to eight patients simultaneously. medical science, to mass transit, to Nuclear Power: Westinghouse oceanography - there's action. For leads the way in nuclear power gen- example ... eration. Seven nuclear plants in op- Transportation: Our computerized eration, 34 in various stages of de- transit systems can operate on a 90- sign. We're working on a breeder second schedule, and meet the reactor to keep us ahead. transportation needs of many cities. That's a sampling. We're just get- Urban Development: Our new con- ting started. If you'd like to help us struction concepts will provide bet- engineer a better world, talk with our ter communities across the country. campus recruiter. Or write Luke Projects are planned or underway in Noggle, Westinghouse Education 30 major cities. Center, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15221. An Health Care: We are using a sys- equal opportunity employer. You can be sure .. .if ifs Westinghouse @ What's new will probably be Constantly on the alert to That's you. If you'd like to be going on all around you. anything which shows promise of where the news is-see our Including whatever you're making our world a better place interviewer on campus. working on. Atlantic Richfield to live in. But working this way Free-Get a giant 25V2' x 33' is a vital, on-the-move place. requires a never-ending supply poster of The Girl for your room. Always interested in pushing the of new ideas, new energy and Write to: P.O. Box 158, unknown one step further back. new ways of looking at things. Bridgeport, Pa. 19405 AtianticRichfieidCompany A V An Equal Opportunity Employer October, 1970 1 discover whoyou are ... and what you can do. Explore your talents. Become one of the discoverers At Automatic Electric your creativity and indi- in the new Electronic Age. It can all happen at viduality will receive quick, sure recognition in small Automatic Electric Company. project groups. Couple this with the unlimited op- Automatic Electric. Largest supplier to the Inde- portunities that a large company can offer ... and pendent Telephone industry. We are manufacturers build a truly challenging future. of communications products, simple to sophisti- cated. We sell to industry and to Government as The communications industry is growing fast. well as to telephone companies here and abroad. Why not grow along with us? We have positions for degreed candidates in these fields: • Electrical Engineering • Computer Science • Mathematics • Industrial Engineering • Electrical Engineering Technology • Mechanical Engineering SEE YOUR PLACEMENT OFFICE for more information about Automatic Electric Company and Automatic Electric Labora- tories. Or, write Mr. Robert J. Diana, Coordinator of College Relations, Automatic Electric Company. 400 North Wolf Road, Northlake, Illinois 60164. AUTOMATIC GENERAL TELEPHONE ELECTRONICS ELECTRIC & An Equal Opportunity Employer 2 Spartan Engineer FEATURES PAGE Professor's Profile 6 Superengineer 15 Steps to Becoming a Courteous Driver 20 by Michael E. Largo DEPARTMENTS Editorial 5 Cover Story 8 by Fred C. Bowen This month's cover, designed and photographed by Dave Karrer, features the MSU Chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers' STAFF Dr. Oldsmobile W-31 Machine. David Karrer editor Member, Engineering College Magazine Associated / Chairman: Professor Gordon Smith Oklahoma State University, Dave Borzenski art editor Stillwater, Oklahoma / Publisher's Rep: Littell-Murray-Barhnill, Inc. 369 Janice Peruske editorial assistant Lexington Ave., New York, 17, N.Y. /737 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, III. / Published Karen Peruske editorial assistant four times yearly by the students of the COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY / East Lansing, Michigan 48823. / The office is on the first floor of the Engineering Building I Room 144, Phone 517 355-3520. I Subscription rate by mail ADVISOR $1.00 per year. I Single copies 25 cents / Printed by Greenville Printing Company. Mr. Alan Hoffman 3 October, 1970 You Provide the Fireworks, ReA Provides the Challenge. The technological potential of the future. seems to frighten some people. But not you! ~ .. ..*" t"Jf" Ala * You know that new technologies, using the total systems concept, 1J1"J will be the answer to the problems of the future. These problems and how well we solve them will determine the future well-being of all mankind. At RCA, you can start your career in one of our Rotational Programs, to give you a wide overview of our activities, or direct assignment in one of the following degree areas: Electronic or Mechanical Engineering or Computer Science. " Design and development openings exist in computer hardware and software, defense and commercial electronics and solid-state devices. Aside from our technological sophistication; we are a diverse corporation, where you will find yourself working with a unique group of human beings who are deeply involved with our future welfare. See your College Placement Director, or write directly to: RCA College Relations, Dept. H, Cherry Hill, Camden, New Jersey 08101. We are an equal opportunity employer. ROil 4 Spartan Engineer Dear Mr. Freshman, The following may look and sound very much like the form letters you have been receiving for the past ten months. It is different in that this letter is going to attempt to convey a messagethat mayor may not seem apparent to you right now. I think that asthe year progressesand you get more involved in your studies and activities you will find this letter helpful in some small way. So now you're enrolled in the College of Engineering at Michigan State University. Some of you will stick it out for the full four years and some will change majors to Zoology, Biological Science, Businessor any number of equally respectable majors. The messageI hope to relay to you is applicable to anyone in any major. The following discussion is designed to stimulate something in your head containing some fact and some opinion. You can weigh it and decide for yourselves. No doubt you've heard of the threee R's of grade school and high school, but have you heard of the three X's of college? I discovered them only a short time ago and hope they can be an aid to you. 1. X-pression. To an engineering student especially a freshman, a subject like American Thought and Language can be a real drag and a pain. Try to remember that we must learn to express ourselves and understand the problems encountered by others before us in this task. Take every opportunity to express yourself and you can save your mind some grief and a few visits to the shrink later. Writing isn't the only form of expression, there's art, building stereo equipment, photography and other hobbies you might still have from high school. This is the time to develop those skills and interests. 2. X-pando Your thought patterns are going to stretch depending on how much you help them. /'11let you in on a little secret to a gold mine of interesting, simple, inexpensive, mind expanding, within walking distance things to do that not very many people on campus know about; Watch the "It's What's Happening" column in the State News. It's full of little goodies that can help you spend your spare time fruitfully by taking your mind off your studies for a while. 3. X-periment. I won't knock such things as T.G.'s, smokers and other underground activities, but before you get too involved ask yourself to think about the long run. Four years is a relatively short period of time if you think back to when you were a high school freshman, so try to round out your extra-curricular activities to include the right proportions of this kind of fun in your learning process. Your curriculum also fits into this category. Be an individual and seek out the courses that are most applicable to your engineering ambitions. Your advisor can be very helpful along these lines along with the older engineering students in your dorm. Don't be afraid to try something once and use discretion you're a big boy now! Use the three X's to your best advantage and you may find college very rewarding. Abuse them and you may find yourself disillusioned and disappointed. If I can be of any assistanceI am listed in the student directory and I can also be reached through Mr. Hoffman, Room 210 Engineering Building. October, 1970 Carl Cooper is a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering. He received a B.S. degree from the dr. Gerald Pollack is presently a professor in the University of Oklahoma in 1936 and a Doctor of Science degree from M.I.T. in 1950. His industrial experience department of Physics. He received his B.S. at Brooklyn includes service as Technical Director of Vulcan-CincinnatJ. College and his M.S. and Ph.D. at California Institute of He nas authored articles in technical journals arid in the Technology. His area of specialization is low temperature Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. Physics and Hydrodynamics. Over a 20 year period Dr. Cooper has taught nearly ~ Dr. Pollack is one of the more interesting teachers in the courses in Chemical Engineering. Students know hun the department of Physics. This year he will be teaching for an experimental and often unconventional approach to junior and senior level quantum mechanics. In past years he teaching. Last Spring he surprised his CHE 303 class by has taught the course concerning waves in the Berkely series giving a quiz on the first day of class. This was followed by on Physics and may be associated with the up to two quizzes plus an equal number of take-homes electromagnetism course of this series in the fall. every week for the rest of the course. At the end of the Dr. Pollack resides in East Lansing with his wife and term, the students presented him with a three children. - Detroit-Phone-Book sized grade book for recording all the grades. Student reaction to the course varied widely. On ~he SIRS analysis lowest rating was in answer to the quesh~n about the difficulty of textbook assignments (16 percentile in College). Best rating was on the one about intellectual challenge (95 percentile). - Long a bachelor, Dr. Cooper was married to his wife, Emmajean, eight years ago. They have two daughters, ages 6 and 7. 6 Spartan Engineer BASIC DESIGNDATA-Zinc Die Castings vs. Plastics Tensile Strength Elongation In pounds per square inch '/, in 2 inches except where otherwise noted 50 800 PSI in thousands 37.5 () 600 'C/) Z W C/) N w .... « z C/) w C/) Z o C/) W .... « ~I >- 25 o_z 400 ~-o- z Cl.. o en W 0:: C/) C/) z a:::: ..J z en a. ..J « o « () >- Cl.. 0:: « ~ .... ..J >- >- 0 o o 12.5 C/) en-« « W 0 Z ..J o_~ Cl.. 0:: ..J o Cl.. 200 () C/) en « ,2 >- ..J a. Z N o o TENSILE STRENGTH-p.i 'I. ELONGATION 2 in. ZINC DIE CASTINGS ZINC DIE CASTINGS A. c••t Aft.r 20 y .... A. C .. t(I) Aft., 20 y, ••(') Alley Anoy 41,000(1) 32,000<') 10 14 5A£903. ASTM AG40A. No.3 SAn03. ASTM AG40A. No.3 Source (1) ASTM B86 (2) Reports of ASTM Comm. Source (1) ASTM B86 (2) Reports of ASTM Comm. TENSILE STRENGTH())-p.i "I. ELONGATION 2 In. SOME PLASTICS USED FOR SOME PLASTICS USED FOR INJECTION MOLDING INJECTION MOLDING A.Molded Aft., 20 ".. A. Molded (Jl Aft., 20 ".. ABS H. { HiPHat ...... IIIIpKt IIesisIMt IIIIpKt 3.500- '._ Nol Av.i1ebl • ...... ....... .us { IIiIIt HiP-.- 111M ...... 3-M Av""" Not ACETALS l~- ',100-10.0lIO Not ACETALS l~- 25-75 Not Av ...... ..-. Av.ilable Not Not fCYLON IType I. 1/1. I/W' 7,800-12,400 Av.' ...... fCYlON IType •• 1/'. 1/_) Av ...... Not Not --- POlYCARBONATE (u.lillIlIl a,ooo.. ',500 POlYCAIlBOIATE (lIIIfiW) 1M-I. A........ Aval .... POlYPROPYLENES (\hllMIliliN ....,." 2.100- 5,500 Not A....... POl YfIIOPYLENES C........ ~ ........ Not Source (3) Modern Plaslics Encyclopedia- 1969-70 Source (3\ Modern Plastics Encyclopedia- 1969-70 S'tJOE MINERALS CORPORATION 250 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, Tel. (212) 986-7474 October, 1970 7 Droject W-31 began during winter term 1970 w";n the local SAE student branch acquired a 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass W-31. The car was a former engineering test vehicle at Oldsmobile Motor Division of General Motors Corporation and Olds donated the car to the MSU chapter of SAE for educational purposes. Jim Miller, an Oldsmobile engineer who has long been interested in the student SAE chapter, arranged for the club to receive the car. Mainly through the efforts of Paul Aurand (ME senior who was graduated last spring) the SAE drag project was approved by DraC!m Dean of Engineering L.W. Von Tersch and arrangements were made to house the car in the old blacksmith's shop behind the Ag. Engineering labs. Last winter the M.S.U. Student branch of the Society of Automotive Engineers inititated a drag racing project to provide exercise for the automotive talents of interested members. Club members had expressed a desire to "get their hands into" something in which they could invest their carburetor replacements or modifications are practical mechanical know-how and engineering allowed. Shock absorbers can be changed and imagination. traction aids such as rubber air bags and traction Club members immediately began to prepare bar may be installed. the car for the spring drag wars. The car fits into The club lacked the money to buy the the National Hot Rod Association's G/Stock class equipment necessary to prepare the racer so we and much work was necessary before the car cou Id members have appealed to manufacturers of racing be expected to run competitively in N.H.R.A. accessories and speed equ ipment for components meets; the Olds W-31 350 cubic inch engine is to build the machine. Although we have expected rated at 325 horsepower. The car is equipped with and received a few turn-downs, the results of this close ratio "Saginaw" 4-speed and a 5.0-1.0 axle endeavor have been gratifying. ratio. It weighs 3450 pounds ready to race. SAE members Rick Dolan, Paul Aurand, Jim Contrary to common belief, stockers are actually Minneker, Bob Dennis and I worked steadily on quite far removed from showroom condition. True, the car throughout winter term with assistance the engine and driveline must be standard items from Dick Parnell, Bob Sedlak, Rick Sunamoto, offered for the cars in which they are run and no Mike Miller, and AI Wilson. The engine and project sparks ~AE enthusiasm bV Fred C. Bowen transmission were removed from the car and use of the clutch! However, this modification disassembled. It was decided early that, wherever renders the car totally unfit for street use. possible, SAE members would undertake all jobs The front springs were replaced with units necessary in car preparation in order to enhance from a six cylinder model Pontiac Tempest. The the educational value of the drag project. Thus the Tempest springs are longer and softer than the only job that was farmed out was the blueprinting standard Olds springs and allow the front end of of the engine cyl inder heads. Any transmission the car to rise more easily under modifications are allowed as long as the gears run acceleration-providing needed weight transfer. All in the original equipment case so Paul Aurand built power accessories were removed from the car and a crash box 4-speed transmission by removing all the interior was removed so that all body sealer, synchronizer clutches and springs and grinding sound deadener, and undercoating could be every other internal tooth from all forward gears scraped out to reduce weight. The heavy jute and every other internal spline from the two shift carpet backing was removed and the interior sliders. The result of his many hours of difficult reinstalled-full interior trim must be retained in labor was a transmission that can be shifted very stock classes. The Airlift air cylinders were quickly with ease at all engine speeds even without installed in the rear sprinQs and a pinion snubber Continued on p e 12 Gulf's got problems like you wouldn't believe. At 8:00 a.m. we awoke and prepared to haul the car into the pits. Tri-City opened at 9:00 a.m.; we entered the grounds, installed the driveshaft, olted on the slicks and rolled the car into the aging lanes. Problems cropped up. The battery, orn down from a nights towing with the lights on ecame increasingly enfeebled as the day wore on ue to excessive accessory drive belt slip which ouldn't be corrected. The air temperature ncreased into the mid-nineties and the car began stalling on top end because the stock fuel pump couldn't supply the necessary pressure (this was before the auxiliary electric fuel was installed.). There were six G/Stockers at Tri-City that Sunday. With Jim Menneker at the wheel the car ch turned consistent 13.40's with speeds in the 90's n to due to the stalling problem. On the first e best competition run the Michigan State Olds faced a ds for the quicker and faster Camaro but Minneker caught its miles per hour driver napping and put a fender on him-actually e car took its class about two car lengths- and stayed ahead for the trophy-running in G/SS because of the 8% inch win. In drag racing whoever gets to the finish line tread width of the borrowed slicks (stocker tires first wins and thus a slower competitor can may only be 7 inches wide and our pair had not eliminate a faster and quicker opponent through yet arrived). The trailer towed very badly so tow skillful driving. It is most important to leave the brackets were welded to the car's frame and a hitch starting line first. The W-31 drew a bye run for the was borrowed so that the car could be flat towed. second round and squared off afainst a 390 cubic The group enlisted the help of SAE member AI inch Hurst SIC Rambler for the trophy run-the Wilson who towed the car to Freeland (near very same car which eliminated the stricken Olds Saginaw) for its second outing-a two day bash at the previous Saturday. Menneker charged through Tri-City Dragway. With Paul Aurand at the for the win as the Rambler shut off early due to controls the car ran 13.40's at 102-103 miles per handling problems. The G/Stock trophy was ours. hour (the new stocker slicks needed breaking in for Since then the car has run at Onondaga top traction and their larger diameter caused the Dragway, Tri-City Dragway, Brohman M-37 drop in top speed) during time trials and Dragway, and Martin US 131 Dragway. It has won unfortunately the car was eliminated during the three class trophies so far. Its best run to date has first round of competition due to a cold engine. netted a 13.15 second elapsed time and a speed of Several members camped overnight at the drag 105.38 miles per hour at US 131 Dragway. We now strip and lined up early to get many time trial runs believe that with some careful suspension and for Sunday's races. Misfortune struck the group as engine tuning the car should be capable of the painstakingly modified transmission failed on sub-thirteen second blasts down the 1320. the second run of the day. We towed the disabled Weaknesses are spotted in the car nearly every car back to East Lansing for repairs. weekend and corrections are constantly being made. OLDS TAKES FIRST TROPHY Hopefully, if parts can be located, the club A new transmission was located and was would like to build a new stocker engine this fall installed the following Friday night. The group with trick, yet N.H.R.A. legal, parts for the 1971 t~ok the car to Onondaga Dragway on Saturday drag season. The project, which is the first of its night and made four runs during time trials-in the kind at Michigan State, is now off the ground. The process ascertaining that the stock trans shifted too group believes that, with enough outside support it slowly to be competitive. We returned to East is capable of building a car that could run near the Lansing to make alterations. It took three hours to national record and be competitive at N.H.R.A. tear down the transmission and replace the stock World Championship Series points meets and could synchronizer rings with the modified units from possibly qualify to compete at the N.H.R.A. World the broken transmission. By 11:00 p.m. the car Finals. A car must accumulate 500 points at local was again in running condition and we rolled it out division points meets by setting a record or for a trail run; the trans shifted beautifully so we winning eliminator rounds to qualify for the World started for Tri-City Dragway. We arrived at 2:00 Finals. Michigan is located in N.H.R.A. Division III a.m., cooked some hamburgers and bunked at the which includes Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, pit entrance by 4:00 a.m. It was getting light. Illinois, Wisconsin, and Ontario. - 12 Spartan Engineer ......, ......:,.~ : . f+ .•.. .....•... .. H t~ '. ....•. h. ::;.;.'.+..' '. T;;:t:.:~ 13 October, 1970 A diversified and challenging career is yours at Monsanto because the key to our future rests with engineers of ability. At Monsanto there is no ceiling on your future. A rewarding and interesting career will be found by engineers who thrive on engineering challenges. Important opportunities are offered to chemical. mechanical. electrical. industrial and civil engineers who are needed to maintain our outstanding growth record. Your profes- sional challenge can be found in engineering, manufactur- ing, research or marketing at locations throughout the nation. Excellent benefits and salaries are yours at one of the nation's largest chemical companies. If you are interested in a career at Monsanto, ask your placement director for more information and see the man from Monsanto when he visits your campus. Or write to: Manager, Professional Recruiting, Department CL 815. Monsanto Monsanto, St. Louis, Missouri. 63166. An equal opportunity employer upel EnJineel \umfs into ().,time vY\a.ch',ne. (AYld be~'ns a.. DeW ~o\\e5e (CAre er at M.. U. Re me'fYI b e '(' w h e Yl ••• 15 October. 1970 Yo u 're r e ~l\'j fUfn!c! You've to.. ken C~\ \e7\e Oh abovt