NO MORE NUTS!
Eliminate screws, nuts, and lock washers when mounting P.C. boards on a metal chassis or stacking multiple tiers. Economical, timesaving, locking clips from Micro Plastics provide a mechanically secure, reusable connection in 2.5mm pre-drilled or punched holes. Molded in Nylon 6/6 with lengths from 2mm to 22mm for 1.57mm thick panels, these new Metric Supports are just part of a full line of insulators, transistor mounts, and covers. Request Catalog #37 or free samples at Micro Plastics.

News

MIT engineer launches review of energy use in manufacturing

Microchip technology delivers five-billionth PIC microcontroller

New research aims to make robotic movement of goods more 'pallet-able'

Power-saving valve gets rugged protection from DuPont Zenite LCP

In this issue:

Feature Articles

Patents secured for world's first hybrid airplane engine
The Scuderi Group has secured patents for the world's first air-hybrid internal combustion airplane engine, which aims to significantly increase the fuel efficiency of today's propeller-styled airplanes and reduce toxic emissions by up to 80% — all within a design that will make air-hybrid prop airplanes lighter and far less expensive to build. The engine takes advantage of Scuderi's groundbreaking split-cycle technology that recaptures and stores energy in the form of compressed air.
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Die Castings Standards Explained
NADCA offers its latest Product Specification Standards for Die Castings to die casters and OEMs in print, CD, and online formats. This comprehensive resource provides specification, design and production guidance, plus valuable new information such as an alloy selection, an improved checklist for purchasing die cast parts and an expanded casting examples section. Visit www.diecasting.org/oem/specs

Next-gen coating takes a pounding
When engineers at Advanced Mechanical Technology wanted a longer lasting wear plate for a new dual belt instrumented treadmill, they tested multiple types of materials. Initially, they chose an acetyl copolymer but soon found that solid plastic plates wore out too rapidly. With the constant friction, the edge of the belt dug into the plastic and wore it away. The ultimate solution came in the form of an aluminum wear plate with a coating based on a high-performance thermoplastic.
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Can you really design a better chisel?
Baltimore Toolworks owner Harry "Downie" McCarty wondered intensely about the science of tool construction. What did research show about reducing vibration and noise produced by struck tools? Was it possible to reinvent the chisel to make it vibrate less and ping more softly when struck? And how can one battle the increasingly unmanageable competition from low-priced international manufacturers?
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Delphi pushes up-integration:
Multiple functions + fewer components = value added + cost savings

Delphi Corp. showcased how up-integrating safety systems can add significant value to customers and OEMs at the 2006 International Convergence Conference in Detroit this October. The company demonstrated how a single integrated CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) camera provides multiple safety enhancements at a lower cost than independent systems. Using vision systems hardware and algorithms, a single camera functioned as lane departure warning, intelligent headlight control, active night vision, and pedestrian recognition.
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Boeing begins use of moving assembly line for 777s
Boeing Company has started using a moving assembly line for the first time to build its market-leading 777 jetliner. For now, the moving assembly line is used only during final assembly positions for the airplane, moving it at a steady pace of 1.6 in. per minute during production.
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New Products

Electrical/Electronic
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Mechanical
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Motion Control
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Special: Materials Products
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Guides

  • Subminiature cylindrical connectors — Amphenol Industrial Applications
  • Complete "Source for Force" CD — Hyson Products
  • More than 68,000 drive components on CD — Stock Drive Products/Sterling Instrument

View guides …

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