Greetings to all members of the Western Canada Group of Chartered Engineers! My term as the chair of WCGCE is coming to an end and I feel we have had another very successful year. Your committee members worked very hard during the year and I thank them for their dedication and effort.

Two big events this year were the visits by the President and Director General of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the President of the Institution of Structural Engineers. During these visits, both Presidents met with the President and some senior staff of our APEGBC to discuss matters of mutual interest. They also visited UBC, BCIT and some engineering companies.

I am very pleased to report that seven engineers (one Civil, two Electrical, two Mechanical and two Structural) were interviewed during the year, by members of our group, and recommended for promotion to "Members" in their respective Institutions. This shows that we are a very live organisation.

Some of the most significant regular activities of our group are the technical programs - meetings as well as site visits. Although called "technical" they are not all related to engineering. We heard a Forensic expert tell us how the lowly maggots are used when looking for clues for solving certain murder cases, we visited the North Vancouver Fire & Rescue facilities, and we heard the President of the Institution of Structural Engineers, from London, describe the challenges related to the design and construction of the giant Ferris wheel in London, called the "London Eye". These are only some of the events; more details are given elsewhere in this newsletter. I am sure that our members and guests who attended these technical meetings and site visits will agree that these are very worthwhile events. However, these meetings are usually attended by only about twenty to thirty members! Come on members! These meetings are a great opportunity for learning about things that happen outside your own fields of engineering. These meetings are open to all members and non-member guests.

In January, next year, our group will hold the Annual General Meeting, followed by the Dinner and Dance. The time and venue details are given in the enclosed Invitation Notice and also on the Web page. I would like to suggest that all members who can spare the time attend the meeting and, if possible, the dinner. This will be an opportunity for you to meet the members of both the outgoing and incoming committees, and participate in setting the course for next year. The organization belongs to you, the members. Judging by past Dinner and Dance events, this one will be another very enjoyable event.

Arul Raja, C.Eng., MIEE

Dear WCGCE Member,

Your present Group Committee retires on Saturday, January 20^th, 2001. A new Committee will be elected and will take office at the Group Annual General Meeting (AGM). The nominating committee is preparing a panel of nominees and this will be included in this mail as well. The same information will also be posted on our Web site www.wcgce.org.

The official Notice of Annual General Meeting of the Western Canada Group of Chartered Engineers is being mailed with this newsletter. The AGM will be held on Saturday, January 20^th, 2001 at the Four Seasons Hotel, 791 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia. Please note that AGM starts at 6:00 PM followed by Dinner & Dance at 7:30 PM, and the event finishes at 1:00 AM.

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting. The committee counts on your support! If you are a Chartered Engineer and plan to attend the Dinner & Dance, do come to the meeting first. Arrangements are made for the reception of the spouses or significant others of members while they attend the business meeting.

Commencing directly after the AGM, the Group's annual Dinner & Dance will begin. The evening offers good food, great live music, and good company! A detailed program of the event, with a ticket form and contact and payment details, is being mailed with this newsletter. Please, book your place early, number of places is limited!

Please note that the underground parking is available at the Pacific Center (off Howe Street). The (public) evening parking rate is only about $4 and is in force from 6:00 PM.

anawrocki@iee.org.

A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."

Our speaker for this evening was Wally Kerchum, P.Eng., who works as a System Operation Manager at BC Gas Utility Ltd. and is also an active member of the North Shore Rescue (NSR) team. His fascinating presentation was illustrated with 2 short videos showing the NSR team in action.

The NSR group, which is based in Vancouver, Canada, consists of volunteers drawn from the local community who are skilled in wilderness search and rescue (SAR) techniques. It currently has 32 active members and 7 people in training.

The NSR team has been in existence for over 30 years and it is now one of the oldest SAR teams in Canada. The NSR was founded in September 1965 when the Mountain Rescue Group was disbanding. It was initially established to assist with Civil Defense activities in case the USSR dropped a nuclear warhead in the vicinity. The members of the NSR team were trained in subjects like building reinforcement, welding, nuclear fallout measurement, riot control, fire fighting, auto extrication and first aid. Later it was decided that the local community would benefit more if it had a wilderness search and rescue team. Subsequently, the team started to train for SAR operations in the North Shore mountains. The area covered by the NSR includes Grouse Mountain, Cypress Bowl, Hollyburn Mountain, Mount Seymour, Capilano Canyon, Lynn Canyon, Lynn Headwaters, and the surrounding peaks and trails.

During its history, the NSR has often taken the lead in developing techniques and protocols for SAR operations. The NSR was one of the first British Columbia SAR teams that was trained in human tracking using search dogs and establishing special protocols for treating hypothermia victims. The team even once had a dive group which performed underwater search and rescue operations.

Every Tuesday they have a training session from 7 PM to 9 PM. Its members are from all walks of life but share a common interest in providing an important life-saving service to the public, 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

The team mission is not only to search and rescue but also to educate the public in matters of survival. Ever wondered what to take with you on a hike? It pays to take a little extra with you in case the weather changes or you lose the trail. The NSR recommends taking the following 10 Essentials:

1) Flashlight (with spare batteries and bulb), 2) Whistle, 3) Fire making kit (waterproof matches, lighter, fire-starter or candle), 4) Hat or Toque, 5) Pocket knife, 6) Large orange plastic bag, 7) Water (1 litter per person) and healthy food, 8) Extra clothes (rain gear, sweater as a minimum), 9) First aid kit, 10) Compass and map.

It turns out that a large orange plastic bag is actually one of the most valuable items on the list. Crawling into the bag helps keep you warm and dry, and the orange colour is also highly visible, particularly from the air.

Are you prepared to be lost when hiking? The NSR recommends planning and preparing for hiking beforehand, and also gives useful advice in case you become lost.

• Prepare for your hike. Be physically fit to enjoy your activities. Take the proper equipment and have a trip plan.
• Leave a message with a responsible person describing your destination, the route you are taking, who is with you, and your estimated return time. If you do not return, this person will be able to give accurate information to the rescue team.
• Always carry the 10 Essentials. It maybe necessary to stay out overnight. It is also quite likely that it may take many hours before the rescue team finds you.
• Never Hike Alone. Keep together with a group. A person who becomes separated by going ahead or falling behind is more likely to become lost.

What to do if you become lost?

• Do Not Panic. Stay where you are and resist temptation to go "Downhill". Most people tend to be attracted by the city lights thinking that if they go down they will have better chances to find rescue - not really true in the case of local mountains. On the North Shore, going downhill often leads to dangerous natural drainages. These drainages have the common features of very thick bush, steep cliffs, and waterfalls.
• Use signaling devices. Blow a whistle, light a fire, make noises, and stay visible.
• Build or seek a shelter. Try to protect yourself from the elements. However, when it is light, ensure that you are visible from the air to searchers in helicopters or planes.

Those attending the meeting had an opportunity to learn how personal responsibility and preparedness can prevent tragedy and death. We also learned that, contrary to common belief, having a cellular phone with you will not necessarily save your life in an emergency situation in the mountains. It may take several attempts to place a call and still take at least one to two hours until help comes - and this in favourable conditions.

The NSR team provides vital services to local community. All members are volunteers who devote their own time for training and searches. In addition, everyone provides their own personal equipment. These volunteers are willing to risk their lives for others. They give of their best to help in otherwise hopeless situations.

For more information about the NSR visit their Web site http://www.northshorerescue.com/.

Our hosts were: Duncan Hume, President; and Mark Tayler, P.Eng., Manager of Engineering. After a brief presentation we toured Axton's facility. This short report describes what we learned about the company and its products.

Axton Manufacturing is a broad-based manufacturing company with engineering, machining, fabricating and assembly capabilities. Axton was incorporated in 1975 and its 50,000 sq.ft. facility is located on Annacis Island in the Fraser River. At the beginning Axton was primarily serving the pulp and paper industry in Western Canada with specialized engineered equipment. Soon the company widened its scope and started to serve other industries including mineral extraction and processing, oil and gas, chemical, power, material handling, and transportation.

The following is a list of major products that have been designed and manufactured at Axton: tanks and pressure vessels, heat exchangers, machined parts, and specialized equipment (e.g. nuclear power plant components, fluidized bed combustion chambers, 30 foot long submersibles).

Tanks and pressure vessels are Axton's specialty. Complex pressure vessels including those with unusual internals are fabricated to a variety of code standards, welding processes and procedures. Codes include ASME Section VIII, Division 1 and Division 2 (U and U2 Stamp), ASME Section I (S-Stamp), AP1 620 and 650 and UL. The U2 stamp allows design of complex vessel shapes and use of thinner material justified by implementing alternative design methods such as finite element analysis.

Welding procedures include Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Submerged Arc Welding (SAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), with approved welding procedures in place for all major materials including: carbon steel, stainless steels (various grades 304, 316, 317, 410 etc.), nickel based alloys (monel, incoloy, hastelloy etc.), titanium, zirconium, ferallium, niobium, and aluminum.

The most common types of heat exchanger produced by Axton are shell and tube exchangers of fixed tube or floating head tube bundle, or "U" tube. Sizes manufactured range from 4" diameter shells with 1/2" diameter tubes to 24' diameter evaporators with 2" diameter tubes. Materials of construction include carbon steel, chrome-moly alloys, stainless steel, high nickel alloys, titanium and zirconium.

Manufacturing complex components requires precision machining. Axton's machine shop is a mixture of conventional and computer numerically controlled (CNC) machinery that is suitable for fabricating prototypes, "one-off" products, and small production runs that are the mainstay of Axton's business. CNC machines ensure a high level of accuracy and consistency. Finishes are better and replacement parts match the original. A new CNC vertical machining center (Mazak V-515 with Kitigawa 4th axis and Mazatrol PC Fusion - CNC 640M) has been added recently. The Mazak mill features column feed design and is capable of both heavy duty cutting and high speed machining of exotic materials such as incoloys and hastelloys.

Many unique products have been developed to Axton's own specifications and standards. These categories include the following: screw conveyor systems, replacement smelt spouts, and core racks. Manufacture of prototypes is another category. The development of successful new products requires close liaison between the designer and the manufacturer. Axton has achieved this with many customers including:

• Sunds Defibrator - Hydrolysis Prototype
• Recol - Soil Remediation Process Equipment
• Artec - Asphalt removal and laying machine
• Questor - Rotor
• Ballard Generation Systems - Pressure Vessel for 250 kW power generation unit

We were impressed by Axton's high level of workmanship, quality, and product diversification. If you like to find out more about Axton, please visit their web site at www.axtonmfg.com.

Measurex Devron, a division of Honeywell IC, specialises in providing advanced solutions for the optimisation of papermaking and other flat sheet forming processes. The company is based in North Vancouver and currently employs about 300 people. Sherman Wong P.Eng., Product Manager at Honeywell-Measurex Devron, was our host for this evening. Twenty-five members and their guests enjoyed this lively presentation well illustrated with numerous pictures. The presentation was followed by a tour of the manufacturing facility.

Measurex Devron was a pioneer in cross-direction (CD) machine controls in the 1970s. Today, with more than 4,000 actuators installed in more than 37 countries, the company is the largest supplier of CD controls in the world. Measurex Devron's core business is in control systems for the papermaking process. These systems are primarily focused on the control of the cross-direction properties of the sheet, such as the basis weight, thickness, moisture content, smoothness, and gloss.

The range of products made at Measurex Devron includes precision mechanical systems with embedded electronics and software, high power induction heating systems, and precision measurement systems. Some of these systems are briefly described below.

AutoSlice CDW - This is a precision actuator system that provides CD basis weight and fibre orientation control at the wet end of the papermaking process. The actuator includes on-board network communications, feedback measurement system, diagnostics, and motor control. A variable speed DC stepper motor is used for precise movement control of a slice lip that is as small as 0.2 microns (0.008 mils). Several slice lips are usually installed at a headbox depending on the sheet width to be produced. All functions of the actuator as well as network communications with the supervisory Quality Control System are provided by an embedded software application that is called CDWeb Explorer.

Devronizer XP7 - It utilises steam shower technology for hot pressing and CD moisture profiling. Hot pressing provides papermakers with the most effective means for improving Fourdrinier and press section dewatering. In addition this process increases sheet temperature before the dryer section. That in turn, improves sheet quality and runability, increases throughput and reduces steam consumption at the dryer section. Devronizer is the only steam shower that can be used for all paper grades and various machine configuration.

AquaTrol - This is a remoisturizing system that provides precise CD moisture control by selectively applying a fine water spray to the drier areas of the paper sheet. The AquaTrol uses hydraulic atomising nozzles to create a uniform spray pattern that remains stable in the rapidly changing air conditions in the dryer section.

InfraTrol - This device utilises infra red energy to provide rapid and uniform drying of the sheet. Infra red energy is produced by 12 infra red lamps that are built into an emitter module. The drying process of the sheet starts from within and then vaporising moisture migrates towards the surface. In order to increase the efficiency of the InfraTrol, each emitter module is equipped with a ceramic plate mounted inside the module. The plate acts as a reflector and effectively re-radiates reflected energy toward the sheet. Pressurised air is used to cool the emitter module and maintain constant operating temperature of the infra red lamps.

Calcoil - That device uses unique continuos wave induction to heat the calender roll surface up to 130°C (266°F). It includes several individually controlled work coils that are custom-made to match a contour of the calender roll. Each coil controls a narrow CD zone, about 75mm (3 inches) wide, providing up to 90% reduction in CD caliper profile variation. Each coil is powered by an intelligent power module that is able to deliver either 4 kW or 6 kW output power with overall energy efficiency up to 94%. Calcoil is used to control quality of sheet gloss and to improve smoothness and print quality on a coated paper.

The North Vancouver facility is unique to the industry by combining various functions under one roof. The manufacturing staff works closely with design and software engineers, product managers and support services. Measurex Devron is registered to the ISO-9001 standard. The company also has received awards from the BC Export Council and the Quality Council of B.C. More information about the company can be found on their Web site www.MeasurexDevron.com.

SkyTrain has been in operation since 1986. Since its launch it has carried over 400 million passengers safely, providing reliable service to the Greater Vancouver's community. Under agreement between the province of British Columbia and Bombardier Transportation a new extension (the Millennium Line) to the existing 29 km (18 miles) SkyTrain line is being constructed. The Millennium Line, including 14 new stations, will extend from Columbia Station in New Westminster to Vancouver Community College near Broadway Station in Vancouver. The line will be open in two phases. Phase I is scheduled to be completed in 2001 and Phase II, including a link to Coquitlam Centre, to be completed in year 2002.

Bombardier is providing all electrical and mechanical systems for the new 20.3 km (12.6 mile) dual-track route. The list of elements of the complete transit system include the following:

• 60 Advanced Rapid Transit (ART) MK II vehicles,
• automatic train control,
• communications systems,
• power supply and distribution system,
• trackwork,
• system engineering and integration,
• platform safety system.

Communications systems include the following major elements: fibre optic transmission system, telephone and integrated communications console, supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCADA), integrated alarm notification system, closed circuit television system (CCTV), radio systems, and vehicle communication systems.

More information about Bombardier can be obtained from their Web site www.transportation.bombardier.com.

I.Mech.E. President Visit in Vancouver - report by Bob Martin

The President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (I.Mech.E.), Denis Filer with wife Pamela and the Director General, Sir Michael Moore with wife Penelope visited Vancouver from July 3^rd to July 5^th, 2000.

In the morning on July 4^th Jim Gordon, the I.Mech.E corresponding member, and Bob Martin, Hon. Sec. of WCGCE, Denis Filer, and Sir Michael Moore went to meet the senior staff of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of B.C. The APEGBC was represented by President of APEGBC, Phil Sunderland, John Bremner, Managing Director & Registrar, Ross Rettie, Director of Profession Practice and Ethics and Elvis Riou Assistant Director of Registration.

The meeting covered the registration requirements, the fact that engineering in Canada is covered by Provincial legislation, in B.C. by the Engineers and Geoscientists Act, and the aspects of the Washington Accord for recognition of C.Eng. status for academic qualifications. Denis Filer and Sir Michael Moore had numerous questions and a very good discussion ensued. It was noted that only recently have Professional Engineers (P.Eng.) in Canada been able to transfer their membership easily between provinces, as up to about a year ago an engineer had to reapply at the provincial association when he or she wished to practice in that province. The main thing that engineers coming to Canada need in addition to their academic qualifications is to get at least one year of Canadian experience so that they become familiar with the differences in codes and laws pertaining to engineering work. All applicants also have to write the Professional Practice exam.

During lunch Denis Filer and Richard Hancock, who is the recent past Chairman of the Canadian Council of Professional Engineer, and the Chair of their International Committee, had a discussion on recognition of I.Mech.E. members’ academic qualifications in Canada.

After lunch we drove the short distance to the British Columbia Institute of Technology to meet with some of the staff and tour the facility. We met with Dr. Brian Gillespie, President, Mr. Paul Morrison, Acting Dean of Mechanical Engineering, and Ms Susan Walters, Annual Giving and Awards Coordinator. Dr. Gillespie gave us an excellent audio-video presentation about BCIT that was followed by a discussion about the type of education that was provided at the Institute. The tour showed the wide range of equipment and types of engineering technology that the BCIT provides for its students.

The next on an agenda was the dinner at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. The dinner was attended by WCGCE Committee members and their wives and our guests for a total of 30. The guests enjoyed the setting, the great food, and good company. After dinner at 8:00 P.M. another 14 I.Mech.E members joined us for a reception and Mr. Filer's presentation.

On Wednesday, July 5^th, Denis Filer and Sir Michael Moore were picked up at 9:00 A.M. and taken to UBC to visit with the Mechanical Engineering faculty. We were met by Dr. Dale Cherchas and Dr. Bob Evans, recent head of the Mechanical Department. A short presentation was made which outlined the range of courses being presented and questions by Mr. Filer were answered. Later we were joined by Dr. Michael Isaacson, Dean of the Applied Science Faculty and the head of the Mechanical Engineering department Dr. Nimal Rajapakse. Dr. Issacson outlined the overall scope of the Applied Science Faculty which includes, Electrical and Electronic, Computer, Civil, Naval Architecture, Mining & Metallurgy and Nursing, besides the Mechanical aspects. Bob Evans gave us a tour of the various facilities and showed some of the award winning projects that the students have constructed in the past few years.

The next stop was at Westport Innovations. We arrived at Westport Innovations about 2:30 and were given a tour by Dr. Phil Hill. The new company is the result of primary research conducted by Phil and now has over 100 employees, working on various applications of the use of natural gas injection to fuel diesel engines. We saw two engines on test beds being monitored, designers working on various CAD programs and a 18 wheel semi trailer truck which is fueled with liquified natural gas. Brian Demers, the President of the company gave us a detailed outline of the company and its goals and answered the numerous questions put to him.

We enjoyed having our guests and hope they had an interesting and informative visit to Vancouver and take pleasant memories back to the UK.

Bob Martin, C.Eng., P.Eng.

Hon. Sec. WCGCE

I.Struct.E. President Visit in Vancouver – report by Les Metcalf

Les Metcalf reports on Dr. John Roberts' visit to Vancouver. Dr. Roberts, the president of the Institution of Structural Engineers in the U.K., and his wife Angie, visited Vancouver from July 19^th till July 21^st. On the first day of his visit Dr. Roberts met with the President of APEGBC, Phil Sunderland, committee members of the Association's Division of Structural Engineers and Ed Houston from Washington State. They discussed a proposal for using either USA examination or the I.Struc.E. examination for qualifying structural engineers in British Columbia.

The next morning Dr. Roberts met Dr. Ron De Vall, the chairman of CANCEE. During this meeting details of building codes that are applicable to requirements for seismic design were discussed. In the afternoon Les and Dr. Roberts visited Buckland & Taylor's site office for the Lion's Gate Bridge restoration. Darryl Matson, P.Eng., the project engineer gave them an insight into some of the engineering challenges and the traffic problems associated with this project. In the evening there was a dinner with the executive members of the WCGCE at the Vancouver Club, courtesy of Jack Bibby.

Following the dinner Dr. Roberts gave an excellent talk illustrated with slides on London Eye. This structure, also known as the Millennium Wheel was financed by British Airways. It was designed and built to comply with the Eurocode. It is capable of carrying up to 800 people who can enjoy overview of London from a height of the equivalent of a 35-storey building. It takes 30 minutes for the Millennium Wheel to complete one revolution and the wheel never stops turning. Dr. Roberts had been involved in the construction of the London Eye as a member of the engineering team of Babtie, Allott & Lomax, Hollandia, Infragroep and Ove Arap & partners along with Marks Barfield, architects.

After a morning spent visiting the Vancouver Art Gallery and other attractions close to the Vancouver Hotel, the Roberts left Vancouver on the 21^st July.

The annual inspection of this historic, early Scottish telephone took place on Saturday, August 12^th, 2000 at Jane and Ian Price Residence in North Vancouver, B.C. For the eighth time Jane and Ian were hosting this ever so popular event. About thirty-five members and their guests attended this annual social event. Traditionally the focus of this event was on the technical inspection of this fine, fully operational, telephone box.