News

NIST research fine-tunes magnetic sensors

New thermoplastic compound developed for state-of-the-art self-contained breathing apparatus

Army vet demos MIT robotic ankle; device is first of its kind

Bullish U.S. plastics manufacturer purchases automated rotational molding system
In this issue:

Feature Articles

Driving emotion through design
Brian Matt, founder and CEO of Altitude Inc., wonders, "How do market leaders keep producing products that consumers adore and covet? … Why do I sleep with my Apple iPhone eight inches from my face on the nightstand, put it on the table at every meeting, use it to surf the Web while at Starbucks, or check the weather in Tokyo, Sydney, and Boston while I ride in a taxi? I can't stop and I don't want to. I love that darn thing!" Matt says that the one thing that exceptionally successful goods and services share is the emotional connection that consumers feel for them.
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Small motors inspire bigger innovations
Just what can't that little motor do? From low-profile motors in fancy humidors to EC motors used for motion camera guidance in mobile cranes at sporting events, small motors are providing big advantages in the ever-shrinking world of electronics. And thanks to a large variety of models and extensive accessories, an optimum drive concept is possible for practically any application.
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Casting repair costs reduced by 75%
Over the last two years, KomTeK Technologies, an investment casting facility, has made more than 800 castings of a key aerospace component for test and development purposes by a major manufacturer. Because the design changed frequently, the manufacturer was reluctant to invest in wax pattern tooling for the component. A switch from 11120 WaterShed resin to ProtoCast AF 19120 resin from DSM Somos, for QuickCast patterns, dramatically influenced casting time, labor, and quality.
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Powered by sound: Revolutionary stove could help reduce poverty
Something is brewing in England. And it's a mighty big little idea. It's a stove, a fridge, and a generator in one — and it could have a huge impact on the lives of people in the world's poorest communities. The SCORE (Stove for Cooking, Refrigeration, and Electricity) device uses thermoacoustic technology to convert biomass fuels, such as wood, into energy to power the appliance. By developing an affordable, versatile domestic appliance, the project aims to address the energy needs of rural communities in Africa and Asia, where access to power is extremely limited.
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Wheels: Vibro-acoustic control delivers improved ride characteristics
Automobile purchasers are continually demanding better driving comfort, improved driving dynamics, and safety. Vibracoustic, the vibration control business of Freudenberg, has implemented a comprehensive testing environment using LMS Test.Lab to prevent annoying vibration and noise in vehicles — from a simple impact testing with modal analysis on a motor, to spectral analysis on brackets, to complete signature testing of a car on a roller bench.
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Geared up
Share your opinions and ideas on designs and pressing industry topics
This week: Leaving the office to lend a helping hand
Last week the Pisco, Ica, and Chincha areas of Peru were hit by a massive 8.0-magnitude quake with death tolls well above 500 as of the weekend. Tens of thousands of Peruvians found themselves homeless, with the severe disruption of telecommunication and road links adding to the nightmare. A group of engineers has traveled to Peru to aid in the reconstruction of telecommunications and roads in the earthquake-ravaged country. What other kinds of philanthropic endeavors are engineers involved in?
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Got a product you think should be redesigned?
We've all experienced disappointment and frustration with products that didn't perform to promises or expectations, experiences that make us scratch our heads and say, "Why did they design this that way?!" If you have an idea for a product redesign that pushes functionality into a more positive light, send it in to the editor mfoley@nelsonpub.com so that we can share your story.

New Products

Electrical/Electronic
View products … 		Mechanical
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Motion Control
View products … 		Special:  Materials
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Guides

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

  • 2007 Test Tools Catalog —  Fluke
  • New identification and labeling catalog—
    • Tyco Electronics
  • Custom-formed tubes solve design problems —
    • Diversico

View guides …

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