| September 22, 2015 | Volume 11 Issue 36 |
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 | A new way to tie one on
The 4ZERO Cuff is the most advanced flexible polymer handcuff on the market and is used by select police and law enforcement agencies that demand the strongest and most durable product available. Now, the same material used to manufacture the 4ZERO Cuff is available from Micro Plastics, Inc. in the line of extremely durable 4ZERO Cable Ties designed to perform and hold their strength in extremely dry environments and in temperature extremes from -30 deg F to 400 deg F -- conditions that can leave normal nylon cable ties brittle and broken. Available sizes include: 8 in. (50 lb), 14 1/2 in. (50 lb), 11 in. (120 lb), and 22 in. (200 lb).
Click here to learn more. |
 | Are You Spending Too Much On Metal Bellows?
Making an error when choosing the right material for your application's performance requirements could be one reason a project is over or under budget. Finding the right material at the right price doesn't have to be difficult. BellowsTech edge welded bellows are available in a wide variety of materials with a range of media compatibilities. Our newly developed one-page "Material Selection Guide" quickly and easily helps you compare leak rates, temperature ranges, tensile strengths, and more of various typical applications.
Learn more and view the infographic. |
| | Feature articles |
 | 3-ton digital camera gets construction green light
The Department of Energy has approved the start of construction for a 3.2-gigapixel digital camera -- the world's largest -- at the heart of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope. Assembled at the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (Stanford, CA), the car-size camera will be aimed to reveal unprecedented details of the universe.
Read the full article. |
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 | Vastly improved high-volume joining process expands use of aluminum in autos
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchers have demonstrated a new process for the expanded use of lightweight aluminum in cars and trucks at the speed, scale, quality, and consistency required by the auto industry. The process reduces production time and costs while yielding strong and lightweight parts, for example delivering a car door that is 62 percent lighter and 25 percent cheaper than that produced with today's manufacturing methods.
Read the full article. |
 | Internet of Things: Ultra low-power circuit improves efficiency of energy harvesting to more than 80%
The latest buzz in the information technology industry regards "the Internet of things" -- the idea that vehicles, appliances, civil-engineering structures, manufacturing equipment, and even livestock would have their own embedded sensors that report information directly to networked servers, aiding with maintenance and the coordination of tasks. Realizing that vision, however, will require extremely low-power sensors that can run for months without battery changes -- or, even better, that can extract energy from the environment to recharge.
Read the full article. |
 | Mike Likes:
All-new CadMouse for CAD professionals
Designed using extensive CAD-user input, the 3Dconnexion CadMouse is the first mouse made specifically for CAD professionals. It combines powerful, ergonomic hardware and smart, easy-to-use software. It features a dedicated, full-size middle mouse button; QuickZoom; a smart scroll wheel; an advanced laser sensor; a gesture/radial menu button; and optimally shaped PTFE feet. Power users will have the CadMouse in one hand and the 3Dconnexion wireless SpaceMouse Pro or SpaceNavigator in the other.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Engineer's Toolbox:
How to maximize retention of spring pins
Spring pins are used in many different assemblies for a variety of reasons: to serve as hinge pins and axles, to align components, or simply to fasten multiple components together. When properly implemented, they provide reliable, robust joints with excellent retention. SPIROL Application Engineer Evan Dowell runs through the dos and don'ts of using spring pins.
Read the full article. |
 | Springs: Tiny but tough mini compression springs
BANTAM Mini Compression Springs are Lee Spring's unique line of miniature springs. These stock products are offered in wire sizes .0040, .0045, .0050, and .0055 in standard outside diameters of .025, .040, and .057. BANTAM Springs are offered in a range of free lengths from .005 to 0.625 in. Stock BANTAM Mini Springs are made of Elgiloy, a corrosion-resistant cobalt-nickel alloy known for its high strength (10% stronger than Type 316 Stainless Steel). Great for med devices, aerospace, firearms, automotive, precision instruments, and more.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Fasteners: One-way-motion torque insert
A unique "one-way" motion feature developed and engineered exclusively by Reell Precision Manufacturing is now available as an option for Reell's patented TI-340 torque inserts. This advanced, patent-pending technology eliminates almost all the torque required to move the insert in one direction without compromising holding force in the other. This results in reliable holding force for the torque insert in one direction and the capability for easy adjustment in the opposite direction with virtually no resistance. TI-340 inserts generate the highest torque available in the marketplace for their size by delivering torque capabilities ranging from 2.00 Nm/17.7 lb-in. to 5.00 Nm/44.3 lb-in., depending on model.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Motion: New ServoBelt rotary stages
Bell-Everman has developed a new type of belt-driven rotary stage that costs up to 50% less than the company's previous rotary stage designs. Shrinking the through hole allowed engineers to simplify the design of the stage's angular contact bearings without affecting accuracies, speeds, load capacity, or lifecycle expectations. The bearing simplification resulted in the bulk of the cost reduction. The new rotary stages offer all the precision and technical performance of the company's original ServoBelt rotary stages and are available with 16-mm and 25-mm through holes.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Materials: Rugged TPEs with easier processing
The general-purpose 8078B grade of TPEs from Elastocon TPE Technologies is a great choice for both consumer and industrial products. It can be injection molded, extruded, or blow molded, and even overmolded (onto polypropylene) for products that call for rubber-like properties (Shore A 82) and a good surface finish. Benefits include: high flow properties to enable complex part design, high impact resistance, excellent cold-weather stability, requires less material usage during processing, and is UV stable. Heavily lubricated versions are available to eliminate post-mold lubricant application.
Click here to learn more. |
| | Most popular last issue |
 | Going solid state could make batteries safer and longer lasting
Researchers at MIT and Samsung have developed a new approach to one of the three basic components of batteries: the electrolyte. The new findings are based on the idea that a solid electrolyte, rather than the liquid used in today's most common rechargeables, could greatly improve device lifetime and safety, and the amount of power stored in a given space.
Read the full article. |
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action |
Meet the Boeing 777X and its foldable wing
The amazing, glider-like wings of the 777X take carbon composites to a new level. Longer and more efficient, these curved, revolutionary wings will change how we fly. With a 71-m span, the wings are 20 percent longer than a normal 777 and feature folding tips. The 777X program has 306 firm orders from six customers. Production is set to begin in 2017, with first delivery targeted for 2020.
View the video. |
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