It can be a physical tool, a math equation, a software program, or even just a handy way of doing something that either expedites your work, or improves its quality. Also, please give a brief explanation as to WHY you like it, and how it has helped you. I would like to start this topic with three of my all-time favorites:

1. The P.I.D. (Proportional, Integral, Derivative) algorithm for temperature and process control. This, in my opinion, is one of the greatest inventions of all time. I have used it in a number of projects over the years. When properly implemented, it provides very precise temperature control, and motor speed or position control. There are many other control algorithms that may be better utilized for a specific application, but in general the PID algorithm is an old staple that works for most.

2. PWM (Pulse Width Modulation). This is another of my favorites. PWM allows you to supply smooth control of power to a device that normally has a very poor power curve, especially on its lower end of the curve. One example is DC motor control. Your variable speed drill most likely uses PWM to smoothly control the speed and torque of the motor. If you listen closely to the motor while you squeeze the trigger on a variable speed drill you will hear the somewhat musical tones of the PWM pulses that power the motor.

3. The Bowline (pronounced BO-LIN) knot. I learned how to tie a Bowline when I was in the Navy, and now I use it whenever I need to cinch a load that I'm carrying in my truck. It is self-locking, but very easy to untie when finished with your job. It is a very useful and strong knot for many applications. There are many web sites that teach you how to tie a Bowline if you are intersted in learning. After useing it a few times, I believe that you mwill agree with me that the Bowline is the most useful knot that you will ever use.

A BFH. Works every time.

A BFH will adjust your temperature control with ease.

A BFH can easily modulate the width of any motor

And with a BFH and a couple of 9" nails, securing that load works even better than a Bowline

.

quote:

Originally posted by GTCGreg:
A BFH. Works every time.

A BFH will adjust your temperature control with ease.

A BFH can easily modulate the width of any motor

And with a BFH and a couple of 9" nails, securing that load works even better than a Bowline

.

That was my number-4 choice, but I didn't want to take up too much space here by listing it.

Top Three without a doubt:

1. The Pulley - the penultimate use of wheel and rope.

2. Pi - without it we couldn't comprehend the mystery of the sphere.

3. L'Hopital's Rule - Nothing says loving like dividing by infinity

quote:

Originally posted by U-Boat:

3. L'Hopital's Rule -

Is that a French Hospital?

Years ago (and I mean years...) my father used to use a slide rule when designing highways here in Missouri. Although he has not used one for a long time, at one time he could figure things out as fast as a calculator.

quote:

Originally posted by xray_man:
Is that a French Hospital?

L'Hopital's Rule is, essentially, a formula used in calculus which allows you to evaluate an indeterminate equation by canceling out the 0/0 or infinity/infinity.

quote:

Originally posted by GTCGreg:
A BFH. Works every time.

A BFH will adjust your temperature control with ease.

A BFH can easily modulate the width of any motor

And with a BFH and a couple of 9" nails, securing that load works even better than a Bowline

.

Greg, he was asking about engineering tools. The proper term would be a KED.

..

quote:

Originally posted by U-Boat:

quote:

Originally posted by xray_man:
Is that a French Hospital?

L'Hopital's Rule is, essentially, a formula used in calculus which allows you to evaluate an indeterminate equation by canceling out the 0/0 or infinity/infinity.

I knew that.... I was trying to be funny.

Good post U-Boat!

Will that French hospital thing cancel out the 0/0 in my checkbook?

It's funny how the brain works. I must have looked at my topic title a dozen times since I originally posted it, and until now, hadn't noticed the typo. Even though my eyes saw the word "YOU", my brain filled in the missing letter "R", and it made it look just fine to me! We all do that on a daily basis, and it could possibly be the topic of another discussion.

quote:

Will that French hospital thing cancel out the 0/0 in my checkbook?

No, but the French hospital comes in handy when you use the BFH on your temple, due to the 0/0 in the checkbook.

I like the TDR, the unlicensed positron collider and the multi-wave-photon energy emitter.

quote:

Originally posted by belezeebub:
I like the TDR, the unlicensed positron collider and the multi-wave-photon energy emitter.

TDR = Time Domain Reflectometer? If so, I used one when I was in the Navy for testing long lengths of sheilded (COAX) cables that were part of a huge Wullenweber antenna. I agree it's a very useful tool for anyone who needs to test very long lengths of wires and cables that are typically inaccessable due to being inside conduit or buried under ground.

I'd have to agree with GTCGreg, The bfh is only surpassed by the MFBFH which, of course, ends all problems.

I can only hope that this thread doesn't degrade into something that gets deleted by the Mod!

Coming from the 'engineering tool' aspect, I am going to go right down to the basics of designing and building something either original or without a pre-existing pattern/template.


The ability to draw with paper and pencil: It doesn't matter what I'm trying to design or build, being able to sketch it out and make notes as to what it will look like before I build has helped more than any more 'advanced' method to get ideas down and then modify as needed.


A tape measure/ruler: Measuring something yourself is the single best way to make sure you are going to make something the right size. Calculating a measurement or accepting someone else's, be it on the box it came in, the label or specs provided by manufactures has inevitably led to wrong sizes and misfits.

How about the brain. It is the most advanced engineering tool around.

What keeps my ears from touching on the inside would be my choice also.

The caps lock key.

MythMod