| March 22, 2016 | Volume 12 Issue 12 |
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 | Smartest, toughest cable tie out there
The DualZip cable tie from Micro Plastics combines the functionality of both a releasable and a permanent tie in one part. The permanent lock is so strong that, under normal circumstances, the part will fail with the strap breaking before there is slippage within the lock. The releasable lock can be ratcheted and released many times and will continue to reliably lock. With this design, the teeth are on the outside of the bundle diameter, making it easy to release, and the release tab is located up and away from the bundle for easy access every time. The DualZip Cable Tie is available in 8-in. length. Free samples available on request.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Wheels:
Honing gives drag racers the winning finish
Winning finish has a double meaning for Elite Performance, where the honing expertise of co-owner Nick Ferri has put the "winning finish" into engines behind 57 national NHRA Pro Stock wins and five championships, including back-to-back titles for 2015 Pro Stock Champion Erica Enders-Stevens. Ferri says honing finish rates a "10" in importance for engine seal-up, which translates into higher vacuum, greater fuel pull, and ultimate track performance.
Read the full article. |
 | Cool Tools: Proto Labs demo mold
The Proto Labs Demo Mold is an instructive plastic model that shows the injection molding mechanics behind the production of parts. See how the A and B sides of a mold interact with ejector pins, side-actions, gates, runners, and other design features to create the prototypes that product designers and engineers see every day.
Get a free Demo Mold today! |
 | Mike Likes: HyperSizer Express for the composite engineer
Using HyperSizer Express from NASA-born Collier Research, users can produce manufacturable and lightweight laminates that satisfy all analyses for all load cases in minutes. Simply import your FEM, and the software guides you through a process to generate global plies according to manufacturabilty rules and failure-analysis checks. Your FEM is automatically updated with the sequenced plies, and you can export this data to spreadsheets or into CAD such as CATIA. Also provides capabilities for metals optimization.
Read the full article. |
 | Motion: Compact metrology XY stage
Motion and precision positioning systems expert PI (Physik Instrumente) introduces a new compact metrology XY stage -- the L-731. The magnetic linear direct drive ensures high velocity and acceleration, ideal for inspection and microscopy. With a travel range of 205 mm2 and solid velocity to 100 mm/sec, the L-731 delivers high accuracy and smooth motion. Precision crossed roller bearings with anti-creep cage assist guarantee superior guiding accuracy (1.5 µm straightness for loads up to 20 kg). An integrated optical reference encoder and limit switch provide further positioning control and accuracy for this compact stage with 5-nm resolution. DC servo motor versions are available on request.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Materials: Soft-touch polymers for med devices
Foster Corporation introduces ProFlex styrene-ethylene butylene-styrene (SEBS) for medical device applications -- a low-cost alternative to other thermoplastic elastomers with superior elastomeric properties. Styrene block copolymers (SBCs) provide design flexibility and resilience properties similar to thermoset rubber, while maintaining the desirable processing characteristics of thermoplastics. Soft touch over-molding of ProFlex SEBS onto rigid thermoplastic or metal components provides a high-friction, ergonomically friendly surface. ProFlex SEBS polymers have 20 percent lower specific gravity than other engineering thermoplastic elastomers, yielding more parts per weight. Six standard grades available, ranging in Shore hardness of 35A to 85A.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Accurate dosing: Two-way electronic valves
Clippard is excited to announce the release of a new series of direct actuating valves that offer an extremely fast response time for accurate dosing of minute volumes with the same long life you expect from the original Clippard EV line of valves, now in a 7-mm cartridge package. Due to very low moving weights, they are extremely quiet and emit very low vibration. Subminiature size and low energy consumption make them ideal for transportable and mobile systems, among others. The SV series valves can be fully customized according to the user's unique requirements.
Click here to learn more. |
| | Most popular last issue |
 | Flexible skin traps radar waves, cloaks objects
Iowa State University engineers have developed a new flexible, stretchable, and tunable "meta-skin" that uses rows of small, liquid-metal devices to cloak an object from the sharp eyes of radar. By stretching and flexing the polymer meta-skin, it can be tuned to reduce the reflection of a wide range of radar frequencies.
Read the full article. |
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | Inventor shows off 'Iron Man'-like diving suit
CNN's Thom Patterson reports on Phil Nuytten, who in 1985 designed the Newtsuit, a deep-sea diving suit so groundbreaking that it was adopted by NASA and the U.S. military. Nuytten's company also built a submarine escape system for the U.S. Navy. Then Nuytten created the Exosuit, "kind of like 'Iron Man' come to life."
View the video. |
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Update: Air Force testing flex-wing design
Since 8 percent of the annual budget for the entire U.S. Air force is spent on jet fuel, finding a way to maximize fuel use is a top concern. This short U.S. Air Force Tech Report looks at how the team at the Air Force Research Laboratory is working on the Variable Camber Compliant Wing (VCCW) concept. Now in physical testing, this flex-wing design will take flight optimization to whole new level.
View the video. |
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