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.
| July 16, 2019 | Volume 15 Issue 27 |
| | Feature articles | 50 Years Ago: Apollo 11 passes countdown test
From July 2-13, 1969, NASA and its Apollo 11 crew were busy with their preparations for the launch (just days away!) and recovery of the historic moon-landing mission. Major activities included the Countdown Demonstration Test, flight plan reviews, press events, and Prime Recovery Ship USS Hornet drills. Meanwhile, the Soviets made their own attempts to upstage Apollo 11. [Countdown Series: 50th anniversary of Apollo 11]
Read the full article. |
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 | Just out! Most powerful Raspberry Pi ever
The new Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Computer is the most powerful Raspberry Pi model ever. It offers significant enhancements in processor speed, multimedia performance, memory, and connectivity that will make it attractive to general desktop computer users, hobbyist and makers, and professional developers working with compute-intensive embedded applications such as computer vision and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Available in 1-GB, 2-GB, and 4-GB models.
Read the full article. |
 | New experiments show dramatic increase in solar cell output
In any conventional silicon-based solar cell, there is an absolute limit on overall efficiency, based partly on the fact that each photon of light can only knock loose a single electron. But now, researchers have demonstrated a method for getting high-energy photons striking silicon to kick out two electrons, opening the door for a new kind of solar cell with greater efficiency than was thought possible.
Read the full article. |
 | Pikes Peak fastest production car ever is ... a Bentley?
Bentley Motors, well-known for cars that ooze upper-crust sophistication, just keeps surprising us. Last year, the British automaker made history when its Bentayga model was the fastest production SUV at the The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the ultra-challenging uphill course in Colorado. This year, Bentley set a new record on June 30 with their Continental GT, which was the fastest production car ever up the mountain.
Read the full article. |
 | Must See! Hoverboard wows Paris parade crowd
Your dreams of having a jet pack are so 2018. Franky Zapata, the French inventor of the jet-fuel-powered, gyrostabilized Flyboard Air platform, stole the show at France's annual Bastille Day parade last weekend in Paris. At the invitation of the French Armed Forces, Zapata sported a rifle and a very confident look-Mom-no-hands attitude as he soared above the Champs-Elysees to the amazement of politicians, military personnel, and the public. The board can go to 10,000 ft, has a max speed over 90 mph, uses four 250-hp turbine engines, and has been demonstrated to fly up to 10 minutes so far. Jaw dropping and also scary. The France 24 site posted the incredible video and short report.
View the video.
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 | On-Demand Webinar: Rapid vs. traditional manufacturing
The plastic injection molding industry and its manufacturing processes have evolved through the years. Gain an understanding of the differences between the rapid and traditional manufacturing processes and how each directly influences and impacts the outcome of parts, costs, and speed to market. When you attend this webinar, you will:
- Gain an understanding of the differences between the rapid and traditional manufacturing processes
- Learn about the injection molding component development process
- Discover the key factors that impact getting your product to market faster
- Understand the features of aluminum and steel molds
View the Xcentric webinar. |
 | Top Tech Tip: Interlaced wave springs
When heavy loads are necessary with a demand for greater travel, Smalley Interlaced Wave Springs can handle weighty loads in small places. Interlaced wave springs can replace heavy-duty coil springs or Belleville stacks. An interlaced wave spring is formed from two constituent wave springs of similar thickness, amplitude, and frequency. The two individual wave springs are combined together by interlacing them so that the spring turns of each spring abut each other for the entire length of the interlaced spring.
Learn more. |
 | Precision motion for X-ray optics
Despite their potential danger, X-rays are one of the most powerful instruments and resources utilized in medical diagnostics to help medical professionals restore health by identifying the correct prognosis. When it comes to achieving the best imaging with the lowest X-ray exposure, lenses made by Optec are almost inevitably involved. Their aperture, focus, filters, and zoom are precisely moved by FAULHABER DC motors.
Read the full article. |
 | Robot Tools for automated manufacturing and finishing
Suhner Robot Tools are available for integration as end effectors on all types of robots for various machining and finishing operations, including drilling, grinding, filing, cutting, brushing, sanding, polishing and deburring. They bring high-level automation to your manufacturing, from large auto production lines to weld shop equipment builders.
Learn more about Suhner Robot Tools.
See Suhner Robot Tools in action.
Or contact Lee Coleman, Suhner, 706-235-8046. |
 | New Hot Tap Digital Flowmeters simplify installation
EXAIR's new Hot Tap Digital Flowmeters allow installation when compressed air piping is under pressure. By eliminating the need to isolate and remove pressure from the pipe, these compressed air flowmeters reduce installation time while maintaining safety. Hot Tap Digital Flowmeters incorporate two valves that the measuring probes pass through. A sound muffler that also collects chips from the drilling process eliminates installation debris from entering the airstream and minimizes noise exposure. Measuring compressed air is the first step toward identifying high compressed air use areas, compressed air leaks and optimizing air use.
Learn more. |
 | Piston pump assembly where extremely tight tolerances are required
Insaco is a precision machining company that provides finished pieces to customer specifications from ultra-hard materials, including ceramics, nitrides, carbides, glass, quartz, and especially sapphire. Here is an example of ceramic-on-ceramic wear applications. In this case, these piston/sleeve combinations are fabricated to clearance tolerances <.00005" for capability to pump liquids for metering applications. Not only is the gap controlled, but straightness or cylindricity is critical as well to prevent binding during the stroke.
Learn more. |
 | New slewing ring bearing offers reduced weight and size
igus has developed a maintenance-free and wear-resistant slewing ring bearing for medium loads that also offers significantly reduced weight and space. The iglide polymer slewing ring bearings (PRT) have sliding elements between the inner and outer bearing rings made of aluminum or stainless steel. The new PRT-04 bearing range is 50 percent smaller in installation height, 60 percent lighter, and can save users up to 20 percent in costs. The bearing will be particularly effective in automation, stage technology, and control panels.
Learn more. |
 | Technical Report: Safe operation of automated vehicles at work
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has developed a technical report to help companies safely manage their high-tech automated fleets -- which is particularly salient now, with auto manufacturers producing more vehicles with automated driving components. The report identifies key factors that fleet managers should consider when selecting automated vehicles and outlines a plan to assist with their safe operation. The consensus-based document, ASSP TR-Z15.3-2019, "Management Practices for the Safe Operation of Partially and Fully Automated Motor Vehicles," contains recommendations from safety experts who have backgrounds in traffic safety, collision avoidance systems, risk management, and motor vehicle equipment manufacturing. Guidance covers vehicle acquisition, training, operation, maintenance, and incident reporting.
Learn more. |
| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | Case Study: First commercial 3D chocolate printer
Xometry helped Evan Weinstein, a new graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, manufacture a consumer-ready 3D chocolate printer by fabricating high-quality sheet metal parts. The sheet metal frame of the printer -- incorporating design feedback from Xometry engineers -- is a stable solution to the previously warped and misaligned plywood frame. With the help of a precise and highly finished structural foundation, Cocoa Press can produce custom chocolate creations in minutes.
Learn more and see it in action. |
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Why Kollmorgen is good for robots
When it comes to Robots, Kollmorgen has been an expert in direct-drive applications for decades. Their solutions also address the growing need for high-ratio gearing with zero-backlash gear sets. These allow articulated robotic applications to take advantage of lightweight and frameless compact motor designs that give extremely high performance. With a wide array of modular and flexible solutions that are pre-engineered for success, Kollmorgen can help you solve many of your most demanding automation challenges.
Learn more. |
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