Orientasi week

Hi, this is luqman using mobile live frm utp. Orientation week is now on, until next sun. We're at the mosque, relaxing, bcoz the schedule is very tiring. Thats all4 now. Limited time. Later...

Lotus; Now With Dual-Clutch Transmission

Autoblog reports that Lotus has applied a patent for their very own in-house designed dual-clutch technology. Wonderful.

A dual-clutch transmission is a semi-automatic vehicle transmission that is able to change gears, in most cases, faster than the blink of an eye. We're talking milliseconds here.

Think about it. You're driving, currently in 2nd gear, and point something milliseconds later, you're in 3rd.

I'll say it again; wonderful.

Apparently, this can happen because there are two seperate clutches, and while one clutch is in a certain gear, clutch no.2 is already in the next gear. Quick gear change.

Hey, I'm not an engineer (yet:-), so don't take my word for it. But that's how I currently understand it. Great for sports cars, supercars, F1 cars, you name it. If its fast, then its good to go with a double clutch transmission. And now that Lotus has them, I'll say it for a third time; wonderful.

Check out wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_clutch_transmission.

[Direct from Autoblog]

Report: Lotus files patent application for new dual-clutch transmission

by Jonny Lieberman (RSS feed) on Jan 7th 2010 at 8:00AM

"Simplify, then add lightness." Those are the famous words spoken by Sir Colin Chapman, the father of Lotus and one of the automotive world's great geniuses. Speaking of genius, the dual-clutch transmission (at a sane price point) is a major step forward. It combines the automaticness of an automatic with the manualness of a manual and the speed of a bullet. The trouble is, dual-clutches are complex and heavy. But what if the company Colin built had their way? What if you could simplify a dual-clutch, and make it lighter?

"What if" indeed. Lotus has reportedly filed a patent application for some sort of dual-clutch. We say "some sort" because not only are we not patent attorneys, the "oily bits" in a dual-clutch are a little bit Greek to us. Besides, patent apps are meant to be a bit vague – they don't want to give too much away. Anyhow, long story short – do we want a track-burning Exige that can swap gears in mere milliseconds? Yes, we most certainly do. Text of the application after the jump.

[Source: Jalopnik]

With reference to Figure 2, the present invention provides a transmission unit comprising: a first set of shaft-mounted input gears (206, 207, 208, 209) each of which meshes with a respective one of a first set of shaft-mounted output gears (220, 221, 222, 223); a second set of shaft- mounted input gears (210, 211, 212, 213) each of which meshes with a respective one of a second set of shaft- mounted output gears (224, 225, 226, 227); a first clutch (215) associated with the first set of input gears (206, 207, 208, 209); and a second clutch (216) associated with the second set of input gears and the second set of output gears (210, 211, 212, 213). At least one of each meshed pair of input and output gears can freely rotate on the shaft on which the gear is mounted and a gear ratio selection mechanism (231) is provided to select a gear ratio by locking a freely rotatable gear to the shaft on which the gear is mounted. In use of 'the transmission unit (200) either the first clutch (215) is engaged and the second clutch disengaged (216) and drive is transmitted via a selected pair of the first set of input and output gears or the second clutch (216) is engaged and the first clutch (215) disengaged and drive is transmitted via a selected pair of the second set of input and output gears.

Digital Graphic Training

The best thing about finishing SPM is that, unless you are going to PLKN, you have months of free time in your hands. What better way to spend that time than to learn a new skill that is useful? With Graphic Design skills (Adobe Photoshop), you can do more with your pc or laptop instead of just surfing the internet, design posters, banners, art, everything you want, and also, berlagak to your friends that you 'pandai Photoshop'.

A friend, Hafizan, is currently advertising his Digital Graphic Design class and is looking for potential students. Interested? Contact him at his mobile; 012-3390572.

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How I ran Away From PLKN

Forgive me for making the title sound adventurous. Nothing exciting happened. Getting an excuse to skip PLKN is a boring process. Boring, but also nerve-wrecking.

It was a fine Sunday morning. I woke up early, knowing very well that there are 2 possibilities today; being able to stay home, or being shoved inside a bus heading to Kuala Nerang for a 3-month 'holiday'. Its ok. Think positive.

I had all my forms ready.

So at 8 in the morning, I headed for the stadium, where several buses waited to take trainees to various camps all over Malaysia. Walked past all the buses and headed straight to the Urusetia table, where a man wearing a blue corporate shirt with KOMANDEN written on it sat. He seemed ok.

The most important of all the forms were shown to him first; Borang Penangguhan. This is to be my ticket out of PLKN. My luck depended on whether the KOMANDEN accpepts this form or not. Evidence of cause of posponement was also needed to make the posponement form valid. In my case, I handed to him my e-mail copy from UTP.

He seemed hesitant to accept my borang. He can't make the decision by himself, so he consulted a woman personnel sitting near him.

It was this kind woman who gave my form the green light. And with that, my PLKN duty is behind me, at least for now.

Now I owe the government my PLKN service.

Aku berhutang dengan kerajaan:p

I wonder when I am going to pay back my duties...Hmmm...

Should I wonder?

Mechanical Engineering (ME) @ Universiti Teknologi Petronas

I am so happy and relieved to inform you that I have received an offer from Universiti Teknologi Petronas to continue my studies in the UTP Engineering Foundation Programme, in Mechanical Engineering.

I received an e-mail from UTP a few days ago informing me about this. I can safely say that I will be registering for the Foundation programme this coming 16th January 2010, at the Tronoh campus. The Engineering Foundation at UTP is a 1-year crash course that preps you up on all things engineering, so that you are able to tackle smoothly the engineering degree that is to come after completing the foundation, which, in my case, is Mechanical Engineering.

Let this post be a token of gratitude and thanks to parents, teachers, and friends. Things are possible and meaningful only because of support and encouragement. It is with this gratitude in mind that I will continue with the foundation at UTP:-) Also, a million thanks to Cikgu Anisah, for all the required signatures put down on my documents:-) When I came to pick the papers up from cikgu's office that day, you were not there, and I entered your room without permission as I was in a hurry. I left a note on your table. I hope you got that...

So I'm going to Tronoh. That dosen't mean that the Axiom will stop running... I will continue to post from Tronoh, bringing you the latest updates, right here on the Axiom. Remember, the Axiom will never die. Count on that.

Alfa Romeo 159 Price Hike

It is with great displeasure that I am commenting on the price change of the Alfa Romeo 159 for the year 2010. Now, the 159 is priced at 195888 Ringgit. Previously, it was priced at RM 188888. Could someone please explain to me why this car, which is still the same in every way as last year (no changes in spec), suddenly needs to be charged a premium 7000 Rinngit more than previously? I do not understand how this works. Indeed, something seems fishy here.

The 159 is currently Italy's (Alfa Romeo's) premium small-sized sedan. Generally, the 159 competes with the likes of the Mercedes C-class, BMW 3-series, and other worthy premium small sedans. In my view, surely the Alfa is a winner in this segment, priced relatively cheap at 188888, compared to those German sedans, which go for above 220k for the low-end models. But, price is not everything here. The 159 is just up there design-wise, with its distinctive and agressive stance and presence. Basically, the 159 is the best out there.

I must admit that this Alfa Romeo is my favourite car, for design reasons. So, its kind of depressing to hear a price hike on the 159. 7000 ringgit extra? Geez, that's a little too harsh. Then again, why take my word for it? I can't even afford the car when it was 7000 Ringgit cheaper...

What's next, sugar price hike? Oh, wait...argggh!
[Info sourced from Paul Tan]

TopGear Malaysia Price Increase

Firstly, Happy New Year from the Axiom. The Axiom wishes all a 2010 which is progressive and fulfilling:-)

Now, on to business.

I recently got hold of TopGear Malaysia, January 2010, and was quite moved to notice that the price was not the usual 10 Rinngit, but 12.50 (for Sabah &Sarawak current price is now 15 Ringgit.

What could possibly bring the price of TopGear up by RM 2.50? Seriously, that's quite a lot to handle when you're so used to forking out 10 Ringgit a month to buy only the best magazine available for petrolheads.

Well, the premium price may be due to the cool 2010 SuperCar Calendar that you get with your January TopGear, but still, I have reasons to doubt that.

I checked, and I found out that the previous Jan '09 issue of TopGear also comes with the same sort of calendar (2009), but the price still remained at RM10. Hmmmm...

Is this the end of the times when you and me could gladly just hand out a red bill in exchange for TopGear? There's only one way to find out; wait for TopGear Feb, and check the price.

This could possibly be quite a a bad start to 2010 for those guys out there who treasure their TopGear magazines as much, if not more than their lives; those guys who are happy parting with 'only' RM10 (a relative term) per month in exchange for TopGear, which they openly know, but are reluctant to admit, is worth a lot more than 10 Ringgit, quality-wise.

Donald Cheah, if by any chance you are reading this, we're all panicking here.

Got some info regarding this issue? Don't hesitate to share it here, on the Axiom.

Check out the new price