Designfax – Technology for OEM Design Engineers was launched as an exclusive eMagazine in October 2005 following 25 successful years in print. Subscribers to the weekly publication (48 issues a year) are high-level OEM product design engineers and engineering managers who operate in a broad range of manufacturing industries, including automotive, aerospace, appliances, medical equipment, transportation, computer process controls, industrial equipment, and more. Primary content focuses on the latest exciting applications and products for Electrical/Electronic, Mechanical, Motion Control, Fluid Power, and Materials engineering, including articles on powerful software programs that serve as a primary engineering tool. Take a look at what Designfax offers and then subscribe.
| May 27, 2025 | Volume 21 Issue 20 |
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 | Need Inserts? We make it E-Z.
E-Z LOK threaded inserts allow users to repair or reinforce threads without the need for special taps or installation tools. Our line of threaded inserts is used in metal, plastic, wood, composite and additive industries. Extensive inventories of standard products are available throughout the U.S., and we are also able to produce special threaded inserts to print or per application requirements. Our products are available through a variety of different channels depending on the volume needed.
FREE SAMPLES FOR STANDARD PRODUCTS.
Learn more
or contact Kyle Lindsly-Roach at 310.323.5613 x221. |
 | Solve mechanical vibration problems with FORTiS™ encoders
Renishaw has designed the FORTiS encoder series with several unique features that increase its robustness against vibration, such as the use of tuned mass dampers. This innovative encoder design delivers a substantial improvement in positional stability, and an enhanced ability to survive extreme conditions with high levels of vibration.
Learn more. |
| | Feature articles |
 | OLED breakthrough: Each pixel a sound source
As beautiful as many OLED large-screen TVs are today, they often lack great sound quality without a sound bar. The speakers have been thinned and diminished, and they often point backward or down inside the back of the unit. But what if every OLED pixel was a mini speaker itself?
Read the full article. |
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 | Next-gen, all-in-one, entry-level ultrasonic welder
This summer, Emerson will launch the first model in its next-gen Branson Polaris Ultrasonic Welding Platform, an innovative, all-in-one, entry-level system that provides the flexibility and control capability to meet diverse manufacturing needs for automotive, textile, consumer electronics, food packaging, and other applications.
Read the full article. |
 | AirCar set for real-world sales takeoff in 2026
Are we ready for real flying cars? Not electric mini helicopters or enlarged drones with ducted fans, but drive-on-the-highway cars that also take off from an airport runway? Well Slovakia-based Klein Vision is, and its two-minute transformable AirCar -- which already holds a Certificate of Airworthiness in Europe and has successfully completed over 170 flight hours and more than 500 takeoffs and landings -- will officially go on sale next year.
Read the full article. |
 | Dual-laser metal AM system makes parts faster
Renishaw's new dual-laser RenAM 500D metal additive manufacturing machine has been designed to offer exceptional product quality and productivity for a wider range of budgets. The RenAM 500D features two 500-W lasers that can access the entire build platform, delivering superior performance when compared with single-laser systems. Additionally, the RenAM 500D Ultra, fitted with Renishaw's TEMPUS technology, allows the laser to fire while the recoater is moving, saving up to nine seconds per build layer and reducing cost per part. This also helps to deliver a production speed up to three times faster than conventional single-laser systems. Many more features.
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 | Helical thread inserts and kits for soft metals
E-Z LOK, a leading manufacturer and master distributor of threaded inserts for metal, plastic, and wood, now offers E-Z Coil™ thread repair and reinforcement kits. Wire or helical coil threaded inserts quickly repair or reinforce tapped holes in soft metals. Made from 18-8 stainless steel wire, these helical coil inserts are corrosion resistant and can withstand temps up to 800°F. They also offer protection from wearing and stripping.
Learn more
or contact Kyle Lindsly-Roach for free samples at 310.323.5613 x221. |
 | New PTFE-free linear guide for precise positioning
The new drylin WWP linear guide from igus features a PTFE-free locking carriage. Engineered from lubrication-free, high-performance polymers and aluminum, the guide offers a lightweight, hygienic, and low-maintenance alternative to complex mechanical and electronic adjustment systems. It is significantly more compact and lightweight than conventional recirculating ball-bearing systems. Applications include interior components in vehicles, aircraft, and furniture.
Learn more and get all the specs. |
 | Ultra-precise linear stage -- down to 0.005 microns
PI, a global leader in precision motion control and nanopositioning, now offers fast delivery of the L-511 linear micropositioning stage, which is designed for applications requiring minimum incremental motion down to 20 nm, drive forces up to 22 lb, and multi-axis configuration options. The L-511 can be combined to form XY or XYZ motion systems and integrated with rotary stages. A variety of drive and encoder options (stepper and servo motors, rotary, and linear encoders) enable ultra-fine sensitivity. Applications include: metrology, laser processing, semiconductors, biotech, optical alignment, and advanced automation.
Learn more and get all the specs. |
 | New LEGO Icons Shuttle Carrier Aircraft
The new LEGO Icons Shuttle Carrier Aircraft is a must-have for aerospace enthusiasts and LEGO fans alike. With this 2,417-piece set, builders can recreate the iconic Boeing 747 and NASA Space Shuttle Enterprise, the dynamic duo that played a crucial role in shaping the future of space travel. The over 2-ft-long 747 features deployable 18-wheel landing gear and a specialized shuttle mounting system. The NASA Enterprise is mission-ready with an attachable tail cone, detachable engines, and stowable landing gear tucked inside its cargo bay.
Learn more. |
| | Most popular last issue |
 | Slate Truck: Jeff Bezos-backed a-la-carte EV that you can make into an SUV
Minimalist and modular are two descriptors for the new, highly customizable, all-electric Slate Truck from Michigan-based startup Slate Auto. Slightly larger than a 1985 Toyota SR5 Pickup, the under-$20,000 Blank Slate will come in only one color (Slate Gray, of course) but is made to be customized to your heart's content with body wraps, accessories, and kits -- you can even make it Jeep-like or a five-seat SUV. The company received more than 100,000 pre-orders in the first two weeks since the truck launched.
Read the full article. |
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | What's so special about wave springs?
Don't settle for ordinary springs. Opt for Rotor Clip wave springs. A wave spring is a type of flat wire compression spring characterized by its unique waveform-like structure. Unlike traditional coil springs, wave springs offer an innovative solution to complex engineering challenges, producing forces from bending, not torsion. Their standout feature lies in their ability to compress and expand efficiently while occupying up to 50% less axial space than traditional compression springs. Experience the difference Rotor Clip wave springs can make in your applications today!
View the video. |
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