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Commando's new testing job?

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shanghaiceltic

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Joined: Sep 20, 2005
Posts: 7588
Location: Perth WA
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Posted: Jan 31, 2007 - 08:52 AM
Post subject: Commando's new testing job?

So what odd things are you shoving down the bogs Commando?

Airbus technicians want everything flushed with success
January 30, 2007 - 11:29AM

Spoons and socks may not be the first objects that spring to mind when gazing at the world's largest airliner, but deep inside an Airbus factory, technicians kill time by stuffing them down the toilet.

Flushing away strange objects is among the unglamorous tasks carried out on a giant three-storey rig designed to test the vacuum-toilet system on an A380 superjumbo.

While the plane's electrical wiring problems occupy the attention of would-be buyers and the world's media, plumbers are perfecting the A380's 1,000 metres of waste and water pipes.

Airlines know from experience that many passengers are careless about what they drop down the lavatory - and blockages on a $US300 million ($A388 million) airliner could spell a public relations disaster.

"The toilets are very important to airlines. Some people put anything down there - towels, spoons, glasses, diapers. They behave as if they were at home," said Frank Dohrmann, head of design support and cabin testing at Airbus's main German plant.

"If the temperature inside an aircraft varies 0.5 degrees it is no big deal. But if the toilets get jammed every passenger will remember it for years," he said.

One airline insisted that Airbus test the toilet by shoving pairs of socks down the system to check it wouldn't block.

To handle the waste produced by up to 800 passengers, Airbus designed plumbing capable of pumping sewage along the 60-metre length of an A380 in about two seconds, Dohrmann told journalists.

That equates to more than 100 kmh, which could be a sanitary speed record.

With airlines up in arms over the wiring problems that delayed A380 deliveries for months, Airbus cannot afford to make mistakes on the sensitive matter of waste treatment after experiencing toilet problems with an earlier model.

To put the A380's 18 toilets and other water systems through their paces, the 200-tonne test rig can be titled upwards and downwards to simulate severe flying conditions.

The A380 plumbing includes capacity for showers, a feature demanded by several airplanes. But to the jetset's disappointment, it is unlikely to include a jacuzzi.

Despite media speculation of whirlpools alongside casinos, bars and shops, the use of uncontrolled water is discouraged and would probably not be approved by flying authorities, Michael Lau, head of industrial design, told Reuters.

Reuters

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mat

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Posted: Jan 31, 2007 - 01:03 PM

Yeah, Commando turns up to work, clocks in. They feed him a high fibre breakfast and give him the Sunday Times.

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dfoo

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Joined: Jan 19, 2005
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Posted: Jan 31, 2007 - 01:22 PM

Quote:

"The toilets are very important to airlines. Some people put anything down there - towels, spoons, glasses, diapers. They behave as if they were at home," said Frank Dohrmann, head of design support and cabin testing at Airbus's main German plant.

So... who the hell stuffs socks, diapers and such down their toilet at home?

mat

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Posted: Jan 31, 2007 - 02:19 PM

Quote:

So... who the hell stuffs socks, diapers and such down their toilet at home?

This is how!

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,20991077-2,00.html

SOME people are born with a silver spoon in their mouth - but this patient literally got one lodged in her gullet.

The 26-year-old Sydney woman accidentally swallowed a teaspoon during a laughing fit while eating spaghetti.

She is understood to have gagged reflexively, but by then it was too late.

Doctors were astonished by what they saw when she arrived at Canterbury Hospital.

An X-ray and camera gastroscope revealed the 15cm implement stuck in her throat at the top of her stomach.

Numerous doctors examined the images and offered advice on how to remove the spoon – with most recommending surgery.

But Dr Bernard Beldholm, an advanced trainee in general surgery, and Dr Alice Lee, a gastroenterologist, wanted to spare her the trauma of an invasive operation.

They eventually managed to remove it manually – albeit "with great difficulty".

The woman, who can't be named because of patient confidentiality, was placed under general anaesthetic.

In a delicate procedure which took 90 minutes, they eased it out of her throat and mouth.

Dr Beldholm and Dr Lee tried several different tactics before successfully using snares to lasso either end of the spoon and pull it upright so it lined up with her oesophagus.

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mat

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Posted: Jan 31, 2007 - 02:20 PM

Quote:

They eventually managed to remove it manually – albeit "with great difficulty".

I wonder which way they went in for the "manual" removal

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shanghaiceltic

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Joined: Sep 20, 2005
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Posted: Jan 31, 2007 - 02:39 PM

Quote:

To handle the waste produced by up to 800 passengers, Airbus designed plumbing capable of pumping sewage along the 60-metre length of an A380 in about two seconds, Dohrmann told journalists.

That equates to more than 100 kmh, which could be a sanitary speed record.

Pheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww......>>>>>

Our submarines had what were termed 'Slop, drain & sewage' tanks, held about 500 gallons from 100 crewmen. They had to be blown overboard using high pressure air. Trouble was the air had to be vented back inboard..always seemed to happen at mealtimes.

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commando
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Joined: July 07, 2004
Posts: 7084

Posted: Jan 31, 2007 - 03:03 PM

That job was actually a kind of promotion for me.

At first they wanted to stuff me down there to make sure it could handle a proper blockage, I talked them out of that though and suggested that we use the Chinese what we have here on a training programme. We explained to them that being sucked through miles of vacuum pipes is part of Airbus training policy, and they happily agreed.

Now my job is to make sure that all the windows are hammer proof, so far so good, just a few minor cracks, we think they will hold under pressure.

shanghaiceltic

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Joined: Sep 20, 2005
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Location: Perth WA
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Posted: Jan 31, 2007 - 03:12 PM

What about the slash testing of the tires?

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Wombadan

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Joined: Jan 31, 2007
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Posted: Jan 31, 2007 - 03:13 PM

Commando has always loved his minor cracks. Bloody English pedaophile at the young girls again no doubt.

skyline5k

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Joined: Sep 06, 2004
Posts: 8657
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Posted: Jan 31, 2007 - 03:51 PM

Good god, who's altarego could Wombadan be?

Commando, just give the windows a few good headbutts. If they can withstand your cranium, they'll be set for life!

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