Nightmare numbers: The maths mistakes that have led to engineering errors

Modern engineering requires an incredible amount of mathematics – and when we are pushing the limits of what can be calculated, things occasionally go wrong. The theory is that we learn from those mistakes and update practices to avoid them happening again.
Take the time when air traffic control in Los Angeles lost contact with around 800 aircraft that were flying above southern California and some neighbouring states. That was down to a very simple maths mistake in their system: the internal clock had run out.
The system worked by starting with a large number – just over four billion – and counting down once a millisecond to keep track of the exact time. The choice of number was not as arbitrary as it seems. The exact figure was 4,294,967,295 – the largest value that could be stored on the 32-bit computer system. That many milliseconds only adds up to around 49 and a half days, but the system was always restarted more often than that, meaning the internal countdown would begin anew.

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Comfort Systems USA Announces Acquisition

Business Wire | February 01, 2024

Comfort Systems USA, Inc. today announced that it has closed its previously announced transaction to acquire Summit Industrial Construction, LLC (“Summit”) headquartered in Houston, Texas. As previously disclosed, Summit is a specialty industrial mechanical contractor offering engineering, design-assist and turnkey, direct hire construction services of modular systems serving the advanced technology, power, and industrial sectors. Summit’s capabilities encompass a wide range of modular and site-based construction, including process piping, equipment setting, large pipe rack trestles, and related steel erection and specialty concrete work. Summit is a trusted supplier to some of the world’s largest advanced technology, power and industrial companies and is currently deployed on several major chip fabrication projects. Initially, Summit is expected to contribute annualized revenues of approximately $375 million to $400 million, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of $35 million to $40 million. In light of the amortization expense, Summit is expected to make a neutral to slightly accretive contribution to earnings per share in 2024 and 2025. Brian Lane, Comfort Systems USA’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are delighted to announce the closing of our agreement to acquire Summit, an extremely capable provider of modular and other complex mechanical services. Summit brings a stellar reputation as a modular technology leader in growing end markets, including multiple ongoing and large semiconductor projects. We are happy to welcome Summit’s wonderful leadership team and excellent production and craft workers across many states, and we are confident Summit will continue to innovate and grow as a part of our network of world-class contracting companies. We are grateful that Summit has chosen to become part of Comfort Systems USA.”

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