Technology for OEM Design Engineers April 24, 2007 — Volume 3, Issue 16
Largest manufacturer of Threaded Nylon Fasteners in the world Micro Plastics, Inc. offers over 20,000 items and stocks an inventory of 250 million parts. Machine Screws, Nuts, Washers, Spacers, Panel Fasteners, Hole Plugs, P.C.B. Hardware, Wire Handling Hardware and more. For more information, visit Micro Plastics online.
Aviation life-support components address critical die cast issues
A world leader in the development and fabrication of integrated life-safety products has selected a precision die casting firm to help solve porosity issues and reduce scrap rates on a crucial aviation life-support component. Developed for use on Air Force tactical aircraft equipped with ejection seats, such as the F-4 Phantom and the F-15 Eagle, the CRU-60/P is a two-piece connector that joins the aircraft's oxygen supply to the pilot's oxygen mask. Read the full article
Solving spacecraft EMC P R O B L E M S
An EMC-induced launch failure generally is not as spectacular as a solid-fuel rocket blowing up on the pad, but EMC has certainly accounted for a large number of very expensive mission losses. To help prevent mistakes from happening, some engineers start by remembering P R O B L E M S: short for Power, Radiated emission and susceptibility, Out-of-band interference, Bonding and grounding, Lightning, ESD, Multipaction, and Space charging. This is a memory hook for spacecraft EMC design and environmental requirements that must be addressed to ensure mission success. This is the first of two comprehensive articles on spacecraft engineering that we will feature. Read the full article
Magnetic drain plug gets overhaul 50 years in the making
For years, greasy-handed mechanics have been dropping magnetic drain plugs and shattering the brittle magnets. Sintered magnetic materials, which are normally used to make these plugs, are easily cracked or chipped, so there is virtually no option for more durability. AlNiCo and ceramic magnets might not even survive the manufacturing processes that utilize crimping to secure them in place. A new rubber-bonded magnet from The Electrodyne Company of Batavia, OH, offers a better option for design engineers as well as for the mechanics using the product. Read the full article
Can foul-tip trauma be minimized?
Putting their engineering education to work in the field of athlete safety, four Kettering University (Flint, MI) students tested the protective properties of old-style and newer hockey-style catcher's masks. The research was inspired by the fate of professional baseball catcher Mike Matheny of the San Francisco Giants. During a three-game series in 2006 against the Florida Marlins, Matheny suffered multiple impacts to his head as a result of foul tips. His injuries caused extensive concussion syndrome, which led to his retirement in February 2007 from professional baseball. Read the full article
Wheels: Third-gen telematics aims for omniscience
The projected future of telematics applications — virtual connectivity with the vehicle, vehicle networking, and more — is set to radically reform the auto industry as advanced features start becoming standard on every vehicle. The expansion of current telematics programs should also provide new incentives for additional automobile manufacturers and other players, new to telematics, to enter the market. Read the full article
New Products
The Countdown
Concludes. Throughout the month of April we've been counting down the Most Requested and most popular new products.
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