# Star Trek Transtator - What Should It Do? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 7, 2014, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-transtator-what-should-it-do/695029 "2014-08-07T13:40:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-transtator-what-should-it-do/695029/41 "2014-08-08T17:01:37Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > What about self sealing stem bolts? What the hell are those things good for? I feel like it’s a tech that allowed Yoyodyne Propulsion to manufacture the drive systems better. I guess I could look it up… ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-transtator-what-should-it-do/695029/42 "2014-08-08T17:04:52Z")
Where are Tars, Viva, N(\*)ckers, and Wearia, among others? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-transtator-what-should-it-do/695029/43 "2014-08-08T17:41:32Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Why on Earth (so to speak) would they revert to such a primitive society if they were already much more technically advanced? That’s not being imitative, it’s being batshit crazy!\* > > \*Though I will admit, none of the Iotians we saw seemed to be perfectly balanced. I see no reason to automatically rule it out. Heck, it could be like the Organians - the well-meaning Feds show up, thinking they help the poor primitives but they actually have no fucking clue what the deal is. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-transtator-what-should-it-do/695029/44 "2014-08-08T17:51:53Z")
> [@AncientHumanoid](#): > > Where are Tars, Viva, N(\*)ckers, and Wearia, among others? Tars Taka? I’ve not seen him here for quite a while. I thought she was kn(\*\*)chers. She too, is missing. Perhaps there was a transporter accident? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-transtator-what-should-it-do/695029/45 "2014-08-08T17:58:54Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > What about self sealing stem bolts? What the hell are those things good for? Summary: 1. They are a version, presumably an advancement, of a component called a “stem bolt”, which has been around for a while. (Stem bolts were mentioned in _Enterprise_.) 2. They have applications for which being self-sealing is an important feature. 3. Although they are called “bolts”, the self-sealing variety, at least, does not have threads, like the fasteners we commonly refer to by that term. 4. Physically, they seem to consist of an offset metal shaft, with the offset point enclosed in a box. Samples we have images of are fairly large objects. It is possible other sizes are available, but as no measurements are mentioned in sales discussions, it is likely that they are either one-size-fits-all, or only available in a single size. 5. They are used in the production of machinery, either as components or as part of the manufacturing equipment. Either way, their use was predicted to dramatically speed production. Given all this, my conclusion would be that they function as adaptable linkages, or “stems”, between components. The visible offset is a default state; the bolts automatically adjust their shape within a limited range to match sizes and offsets between components they are used to join. The box around the center of the bolt contains both the adjustment mechanism and a material reservoir. The self-sealing feature is useful in high-stress applications, such as manufacturing equipment, and enables the adjustment mechanism to also correct metal fatigue and stress fractures in the bolt. This makes it possible for equipment constructed with SSSBs to be operated at much higher rates and for longer periods without maintenance. (Yes, I’m fully aware that the guy who made up the term said he had no idea what they were. I’m declaring them.) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-transtator-what-should-it-do/695029/46 "2014-08-08T18:04:58Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > I see no reason to automatically rule it out. Heck, it could be like the Organians - the well-meaning Feds show up, thinking they help the poor primitives but they actually have no fucking clue what the deal is. If the Organians had all carried heaters too, you might have a point. But I hardly think the two cultures are comparable. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-transtator-what-should-it-do/695029/47 "2014-08-08T18:10:30Z")
I only suggest an analogous reaction by the humans. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-transtator-what-should-it-do/695029/48 "2014-08-08T18:11:01Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > What about self sealing stem bolts? What the hell are those things good for? They hold the self sealing stems together. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-transtator-what-should-it-do/695029/49 "2014-08-08T18:33:45Z")
> [@Balance](#): > > Summary: > > 1. They are a version, presumably an advancement, of a component called a “stem bolt”, which has been around for a while. (Stem bolts were mentioned in _Enterprise_.) > > 2. They have applications for which being self-sealing is an important feature. > > 3. Although they are called “bolts”, the self-sealing variety, at least, does not have threads, like the fasteners we commonly refer to by that term. > > 4. Physically, they seem to consist of an offset metal shaft, with the offset point enclosed in a box. Samples we have images of are fairly large objects. It is possible other sizes are available, but as no measurements are mentioned in sales discussions, it is likely that they are either one-size-fits-all, or only available in a single size. > > 5. They are used in the production of machinery, either as components or as part of the manufacturing equipment. Either way, their use was predicted to dramatically speed production. > > Given all this, my conclusion would be that they function as adaptable linkages, or “stems”, between components. The visible offset is a default state; the bolts automatically adjust their shape within a limited range to match sizes and offsets between components they are used to join. The box around the center of the bolt contains both the adjustment mechanism and a material reservoir. The self-sealing feature is useful in high-stress applications, such as manufacturing equipment, and enables the adjustment mechanism to also correct metal fatigue and stress fractures in the bolt. This makes it possible for equipment constructed with SSSBs to be operated at much higher rates and for longer periods without maintenance. > > (Yes, I’m fully aware that the guy who made up the term said he had no idea what they were. I’m declaring them.) This has got to be the best piece of fanwank I’ve ever seen. Well done **Balance**! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-transtator-what-should-it-do/695029/50 "2014-08-08T19:23:23Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Tars Taka? I’ve not seen him here for quite a while. > I thought she was kn(\*\*)chers. She too, is missing. > Perhaps there was a transporter accident? :dubious: Apparently, the Kaiser took my N Kn(\*)ckers Kn(no longer here after P2P and never came back, sadly)ckers. Tars Tarkas did the same. :::le sigh::: **Balance** is doing a fine job. A fine job indeed! ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-transtator-what-should-it-do/695029/51 "2014-08-08T19:25:06Z")
Any other Trek-tech without a good enough explanation, post it here for **Balance** to fix it! ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-transtator-what-should-it-do/695029/52 "2014-08-08T19:50:23Z")
> [@AncientHumanoid](#): > > Any other Trek-tech without a good enough explanation, post it here for **Balance** to fix it! :eek: Unfortunately, I’m probably compulsive enough to try. Still, decades of treknobabble to wade through…ouch. Could they not manage to find _one_ consultant in whom engineer and writer overlapped? We exist, really! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-transtator-what-should-it-do/695029/53 "2014-08-08T20:14:01Z")
Thanks, Ancienthumanoid. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-transtator-what-should-it-do/695029/54 "2014-08-08T20:33:51Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Thanks, Ancienthumanoid. > > ☹ Trek Doping is still fun. I get to see you all the time! I do miss the ones we lost from years past. We had people leave the Dope even before the P2P stuff. Those ENT EP SPOILER threads were a highlight of my week’s entertainment. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-transtator-what-should-it-do/695029/55 "2014-08-08T20:37:45Z")
By the way, duotronic computers revolutionized dynamic addressing. [sub]Batman and Robin used one[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-transtator-what-should-it-do/695029/56 "2014-08-08T20:50:10Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > By the way, duotronic computers revolutionized dynamic addressing. > > [sub]Batman and Robin used one[/sub] PBSAC Problem Between Spandex And Keyboard. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-transtator-what-should-it-do/695029.md?page=2)