TURN UP YOUR SHUTTER
Micro Plastics introduces the "SHUTTER PIN" with a split head, allowing for greater rotation. Parts are molded in translucent nylon 6/6 material, allowing for excellent wear, low coefficient of friction, and good chemical resistance. Six additional styles are available for the assembly of shutters. See the complete line of nylon fasteners in Catalog #37, or contact us for FREE samples by visiting Micro Plastics.

News

OPTEK's tunable color mix is clear LED choice for Microchip Technology products

New OERC studies replicate enhanced productivity findings from ergonomics

Leading manufacturers report millions saved with DFMA software

Gunk and Liquid Wrench offer industrial penetrating solvents, lubricants, and degreasers
In this issue:

Feature Articles

God Particle's super collider secured by American steel, fasteners
When CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is switched on next spring underground in Switzerland, there's no telling exactly what's going to happen. Physics theories range from the innocuous study of some of the Standard Model’s less obvious facets, to the creation of stable black holes and the end of the universe. But Timken Steel and Superbolt know one thing: the collider's endcaps won't fall apart.
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Starflam is hot material for flame retardance
GE Plastics has launched a new portfolio of high-tech LNP Starflam compounds that provide excellent flammability performance while meeting the requirements of halogen-free parts. "Many different industries face increasingly stringent environmental requirements on the use of halogenated flame retardants," says Nitin Apte, general manager of LNP at GE Plastics. "Until now, there were no good alternatives to traditional reinforced polyamides. But with our new LNP X-Gen Starflam compounds, GE has changed the game."
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Mold design: Getting it right the first time
David Martin is a mechanical engineer who has been working in the die casting industry since he got his feet wet with an apprenticeship when he was 13 years old. The owner of seven-year-old J&M Mold addresses industry challenges by staying in tune with the latest technologies and newest strategies for faster, more efficient mold assembly. "For instance, we use VISI Flow software to design accurate molds faster, and VISI Machining for cutting steel and high feed milling. It's very important that we get the part right the first time," he says. Among the many experiences and trends that Martin has to share is that designing aluminum molds versus steel is becoming very popular — but aluminum has special considerations.
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Right this way folks: Evacuation software finds best route
Suppose, for instance, that a disaster occurred in Southern California and suddenly 700,000 vehicles headed for the Arizona border. How would transportation officials generate the best traffic management strategy to cope with the traffic? Yi-Chang Chiu, an assistant professor at The University of Arizona Civil Engineering Department, believes one very good option would be to use the computer simulation package that he has been developing since 1995, when he was a graduate student at the University of Texas in Austin.
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Wheels: Hybrid propulsion system on U.S. Air Force radar
What's propelling the military in a hybrid direction? One answer is the UQM propulsion system and motor controller from UQM Technologies, Inc. UQM machines can be operated in either a forward or reverse direction of rotation and either in motor or generator mode, and they can dynamically change from one mode of operation to another in millisecond response time. A two-year effort to improve the power density and packaging of previous generations of silicon carbide power modules developed by UQM in Air Force programs is currently underway.
Read the full article

Geared up
Share your opinions and ideas on designs and industry topics
This week: Is your time spent wisely?
How are you spending your day? More than 50% of engineers at build-to-order and engineer-to-order manufacturers spend their time on activities that add no real value to the customer (i.e., administrative tasks), according to a research report recently released by software maker Cincom Systems. "Engineering is uniquely positioned to optimize the fit between a customer's needs and manufacturing," writes Jim Wilson, Cincom program director and author of the report. "Unfortunately, much of the time spent is low-customer-value activity."
Read the full article, including responses to last week's "Big Dig" topic.

New Products

Electrical/Electronic
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Motion Control
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Guides

Literature, guides, catalogs, and other great free stuff: Always more than 50 new resources

  • Adhesives selection guide — Bacon Industries
  • Ethernet-compatible 3-phase AC drives — Baldor Electric
  • Vibration isolation systems —Technical Manufacturing

View guides …

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