Nov 23, 2006 11:51
17 yrs ago
German term

die nur mechanisch wieder zu entfernen ist

German to English Tech/Engineering Engineering (general) Nano-Products
"Alle Produkten von ABC haben ein Ziel: Sie schaffen eine intelligente, Schmutz und Wasser abweisende, ultrafeine, unsichtbare und atmungsaktive Beschichtung. Kleinste Partikel bewirken auf der behandelten Oberfläche eine dauerhafte Antihaft-wirkung, ***die nur mechanisch wieder zu entfernen ist***. Schmutz kann einfach und ohne Einsatz von aggressiven Reinigern entfernt werden. Ähnlich dem Lotuseffekt: Sparen Sie in Zukunft doppelt, denn Sie benötigen weniger Zeit und weniger Reinigungsmittel zur Pflege aller Oberflächen."

Talking about nano-products (coatings for treating surfaces and suchlike). I don't understand what is meant by the phrase, "die nur mechanisch wieder zu entfernen ist". The "mechanisch" part is especially troubling me. TIA for your help.

Discussion

TonyTK Nov 23, 2006:
Probably needs rephrasing. The "only" construction suggests that someone might actually want to remove the coating. Maybe "... will withstand anything short of grinding ..." (Sorry it's just a note - I'm outta the door as of now).

Proposed translations

+1
3 mins
Selected

that can be removed only by mechanical means



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 12 mins (2006-11-23 12:03:50 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Poorly written. Syntactically the phrase modifies "Antihaft-Wirkung", which they then promptly remove. I guess if you scrape off the coating, the effect does go with it.
However, on second thought, what they might mean is:
"and the surface can be cleaned by mechanical means alone" -- i.e., without cleaners etc.
Peer comment(s):

agree Joern Gaedcke : Sorry, your answer was not showig, when I wrote mine.
3 mins
"removed only by mechanical means" is cleaner than "only removed (as opposed to scratched ...) by mechanical means". Plus, who knows what the author meant?
neutral Ken Cox : IMO the meaning is that the nanoparticles are physically bonded to the surface, so the effect can only be removed by mechanical means. It is thus not diminished by brushing or using chemical cleaning agents to remove surface fouling...
17 mins
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Both answers were pretty well identical, but this one was suggested first, so points are awarded mainly on the basis of speed, although I would award points to you both if I could. To avoid the that vs. which dilemma, I actually turned the clause into a separate sentence, i.e. "This effect can only be removed by mechanical means". Thank you all (including the peer graders) again - appreciate everyone's help."
+3
5 mins

which can only be removed by mechanical means

From the context I would assume that this is meant in contrast to 'washing, wiping, rinsing off'.
One needs a mechanical aid, implement, a tool to remove the coating.
mechanical - working or produced by machines

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 mins (2006-11-23 11:58:20 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

'showing'
Peer comment(s):

agree David Moore (X) : (Much prefer the "which")
35 mins
agree Ingeborg Gowans (X)
1 hr
neutral Dipl.-Ing. Robert Bach (X) : Which witch is which? Let's open the discussion on restrictive clauses. Note that most English translations are for the eyes of non-native speakers. It is easier for them to understand "that" (always restrictive) rather than comma rules. ...
5 hrs
agree Andrew D : which can only be removed by mecanical means is ok. => cleaning: only with water and soap, removing the nano coating permanently:with any abrasive cleaning agent or scouring agent, which you could normaly use on an enamel / ceramic bath etc without damage
8 hrs
Something went wrong...
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search