An Australian steel company, ASM International, claims that a savings of 40% of the cost of stainless steel threaded bar can be achieved by replacing ma­chined threads with precision weld depositions. A U.S. manufacturer of rock bolts and grout-in-fittings plans to purchase the equipment. A mechanical en­gineer with the company has prepared the following estimates for additional costs and savings over the next 4 years (16 quarters). Costs decrease for some time, then increase rapidly as the equipment ages. Savings peak at $80,000 for some quarters, but then decrease as expected competition takes its toll. The U.S. manufacturer president is not sure of the time frame to plan for the use of this new tech­nology. The decision, in part, rests upon the rate of return achievable as the

years of use progress. In the past, projects must return at least 24% per year to be retained.



(a) Determine the expected rate of return per quarter for 2 years (8 quarters) and beyond using a spreadsheet.

(b) Plot i* versus quarter to graphically illustrate your results.

(c) Make a recommendation on the number of years to use the technology to economic advantage.


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A technician attaches one lead of a digital voltmeter to the ground terminal of the TP sensor and the other meter lead to the negative terminal of the battery. The ignition is turned on, engine off, and the meter displays 37.3 mV. Technician A says this is the signal voltage and is a little low. Technician B says the TP sensor ground circuit has excessive resistance. Which technician is correct?

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