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December 12, 2017Volume 13 Issue 46


Image - The World's First -- and Best -- Linear Motion Guides
The World's First -- and Best -- Linear Motion Guides
THK's original technology is behind the smooth and silent movement of the "Linear Motion System." The LM Guide is our major product that put the rolling of the linear motion part into practical use for the first time in the world. This improves the accuracy, rigidity, energy saving, velocity, productivity, and service life of the machine. THK offers a full support system from the beginning design phase throughout the maintenance, and follow-up service.
Click here to learn more.

In this issue of Designfax

  • NASA nuclear reactor for human crews on Mars
  • Supercomputer testbed from Raspberry Pi modules
  • Artificial muscles give soft robots superpowers
  • Incredible Machines: Porsche is first to offer braided carbon fiber wheels
  • Mike Likes: Plastic parts -- no molds required
  • Engineer's Toolbox: Wave energy converters boosted by robotics engineering
  • Extreme force electric linear actuator controls lumber drying
  • Reduce automation costs with belt drive axes
  • Cartridge fuse for cooking appliances
  • New planetary PMDC gearmotors from Bodine
  • Industrial 3D Printing for Dummies book
  • Filter fan kits with louvered guards
  • Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action
    • Universal Robots surprise in harsh environment
    • 3D-printed working human organ models
  • Most Popular Last Issue
    • Fastest production Corvette ever! 2019 ZR1
    • Design Fun: Nissan unveils 'Star Wars' cars
    • New 3D printer is 10X faster
  • New Products
    • Electrical, Mechanical, Motion
    Cover Image: Raspberry Pi supercomputing with BitScope Pi Cluster Modules

News

Toyota aims to build world's first megawatt-scale 100% renewable power and hydrogen generation station in California

Special new Navy Research Lab-developed single-component topcoat applied on entire freeboard of Navy ship

Super-cool manta ray robot swims fast effortlessly and operates up to 10 hours

Scientists get first close-ups of finger-like growths that trigger lithium-ion battery fires



Image - 17,200 Stock Metric Gears
17,200 Stock Metric Gears
KHK USA Inc offers the largest selection of stock metric gears in North America. With over 180 types, in more than 17,200 configurations, KHK USA offers the broadest selection of metric spur gears, helical gears, internal ring gears, gear racks, bevel gears, worms and wormwheels, and other gear types.
See what KHK USA has in stock for you today.

Feature articles
NASA testing nuclear reactor for human crews on Mars surface
NASA is testing a nuclear energy source that could literally "empower" human crews on the Mars surface, energizing Red Planet habitats and running on-the-spot processing equipment. The prototype reactor system features a Stirling engine that uses heat to create pressure forces to move a piston, which is coupled to an alternator to produce electricity.
Read the full article.
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Learn about the high-torque 1016 SR DC motor.


Image - U.S. government lab makes supercomputer testbed from Raspberry Pi modules
U.S. government lab makes supercomputer testbed from Raspberry Pi modules
A quest to help the systems software community work on very large supercomputers without having to actually test on them has spawned an affordable, scalable system using thousands of inexpensive ($25) Raspberry Pi nodes.
Read the full article.

Image - Artificial muscles give soft robots 1,000x lifting superpowers
Artificial muscles give soft robots 1,000x lifting superpowers
Researchers at the Wyss Institute at Harvard University and MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory have created origami-inspired artificial muscles that add strength to soft robots, allowing them to lift objects that are up to 1,000 times their own weight using only air or water pressure.
Read the full article.

Image - Incredible Machines: <br>Porsche is first to offer braided carbon fiber wheels
Incredible Machines:
Porsche is first to offer braided carbon fiber wheels

Porsche is the world's first vehicle manufacturer to offer lightweight wheels with braided carbon fiber, available now as an option for the Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series. The innovative wheels weigh around 20% less than standard alloy wheels and are 20% stronger. You can watch the wheels get made on an incredible machine in this article -- it's pretty fascinating!
Read the full article.

Image - Mike Likes: <br>Plastic parts with no molds required
Mike Likes:
Plastic parts with no molds required

How often have you wondered what life would be like without having to worry about paying tooling charge after tooling charge for products in early development? The "No Molds Required" (NMR) manufacturing technology from Envision Plastics & Design could be your answer. This unique production process harmonizes a combination of sheet metal fabrication and woodworking practices to produce plastic parts used for enclosures, panels and shrouds, brackets and shields, medical-based products, and more.
Read the full article.

Image - Engineer's Toolbox: <br>Wave energy converters get efficiency boost from robotics engineering
Engineer's Toolbox:
Wave energy converters get efficiency boost from robotics engineering

Sandia's engineering team has designed, modeled, and tested a control system that doubles the amount of power a wave energy converter can absorb from ocean waves, making electricity produced from wave energy less expensive. The team applied classical control theory and robotics and aerospace engineering design principles to improve the converter's efficiency.
Read the full article.

Image - Extreme force electric linear actuator controls lumber drying
Extreme force electric linear actuator controls lumber drying
The lumber processing industry demands rugged, strong, reliable, and accurate equipment in all its operations. Conditions can be harsh. Hydraulic cylinders have been the go-to, but they have limitations, such as inconsistent control, leaks, temperature sensitivity, maintenance requirements, and lack of feedback. Now there are electric rod actuators powered by roller screws that can meet the requirements of these high-force applications.
Read the Tolomatic blog.

Image - Reduce automation costs with igus belt drive axes
Reduce automation costs with igus belt drive axes
Mechanical engineers often need a basic, space-saving linear guide when designing technology that performs simple tasks, such as vending machines. However, most solutions on the market are very advanced, leaving manufacturers forced to either pay for features they do not need or develop their own linear guide. igus is now offering the drylin ZLW eco, a ready-to-install entry-level series that is making simple positioning and adjustment tasks extremely efficient and cost effective. A toothed belt axis of this entry-level series with a stroke length of 100 mm starts as low as $150. Two sizes handle loads of 3 kg or 10 kg.
Click here to learn more.

Image - Cartridge fuse for cooking appliances, photovoltaic systems
Cartridge fuse for cooking appliances, photovoltaic systems
SCHURTER offers a robust, compact, and cost-effective cartridge fuse (part SHT) with increased breaking capacity and voltage ratings. The high breaking capacity up to 3,500 A at a nominal voltage of 250 VAC meets standards for commercial electric cooking appliances according to UL 197, while the 1,500 A at 500 VAC is suited for a broad range of industrial one- and three-phase systems such as photovoltaic systems and frequency converters for industrial automation. The fuse is also rated for DC applications up to 400 V.
Learn more about the SHT fuse.
Learn more about the SHT Pigtail fuse.

Image - New planetary PMDC gearmotors from Bodine
New planetary PMDC gearmotors from Bodine
Bodine Electric Company introduces the new type 24A4-60P planetary gearmotor. This integral gearmotor combines Bodine's high-performance type 24A PMDC motor with the all-new 60P (60-mm) planetary gearhead. It is ideal for applications that require higher torque than conventional helical/spur gearheads of a similar size can provide, and where a very low-backlash gearhead is not required. Typical applications include conveyors, pumps, packaging, industrial automation, and a wide range of solar- or battery-powered equipment.
Click here to learn more.

Image - Industrial 3D Printing for Dummies book
Industrial 3D Printing for Dummies book
Proto Labs' "Industrial 3D Printing for Dummies" book explains how additive manufacturing can accelerate and augment product development -- from prototype through production. Learn about new and existing technologies, available materials, and how 3D printing is being used for commercial applications in nearly every industry.
Download your complimentary e-book now!

Image - Filter fan kits with louvered sliding and hinged guards
Filter fan kits with louvered sliding and hinged guards
Orion Fans has expanded the industry's lowest cost louvered filter fan kit to include sliding (LFGS Series, push/pull) and hinged (LFGH Series, flip-up) guard versions. Made up of a louvered sliding or hinged fan guard, filter, fan, metal guard, and hardware, the heavy-duty louvered filter fan kits simplify installation and reduce maintenance time and costs. They are easy to open, with no tools required to access the filter. Compared to regular grills or guards, the louvered filtered guards provide ingress protection as well as protecting fingers from fan blades. Standard filtering to 8 microns and specialty filters are available. Louvered guards feature UV protection. Filter fan kits are available with 120-, 172-, 180-, 200-, 225-, and 280-mm fans.
Click here to learn more.

Most popular last issue

Image - Fastest production Corvette ever! 2019 Corvette ZR1
Fastest production Corvette ever! 2019 Corvette ZR1
Is it too late to add just one more item to your 2017 wish list? Or too early to start one for 2018? Either way, make an exception for the 2019 Corvette ZR1. Just add it on. So what if this car starts at over 100 grand. With 755 hp, it's the fastest, most powerful production Corvette ever.
Read the full article.

Image - Design Fun: Nissan unveils 'Star Wars' cars at LA Auto show
Design Fun: Nissan unveils 'Star Wars' cars at LA Auto show
Life can get pretty serious sometimes, so a dose or two of fantasy can be good for the creative soul. Enter the Nissan "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" concept car fleet, a seven-strong force that made its debut at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show last week.
Read the full article.

Image - New 3D printer is 10X faster than commercial counterparts
New 3D printer is 10X faster than commercial counterparts
MIT engineers have developed a new desktop 3D printer that performs up to 10 times faster than existing commercial counterparts. Whereas the most common printers may fabricate a few Lego-sized bricks in one hour, the new design can print similarly sized objects in just a few minutes. The key to the team's nimble design lies in the printer's compact printhead.
Read the full article.

Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action
Universal Robots surprise in harsh environment
Aircraft Tooling, a Texas-based repair center for the aviation industry, was surprised to find that the UR robots could withstand the high temperatures and harsh environment while performing metal powder and plasma spray processes. The cobots have now been in operation for three years without breakdown or service requirements.
Watch how:
Download the free "Get your Team Onboard with Cobots" ebook:
Request an on-site cobot demo:

Video Image
3D-printed working human organ models
A team of researchers led by the University of Minnesota has 3D printed lifelike artificial organ models that mimic the exact anatomical structure, mechanical properties, and look and feel of real organs. These patient-specific organ models, which include integrated soft sensors, can be used for practice surgeries to improve surgical outcomes in thousands of patients worldwide. This is an amazing advance for personalized medicine.
View the video.

Video Image

New products

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