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.
| May 19, 2020 | Volume 16 Issue 19 |
| | Feature articles |
 | ORNL working on 3D-printed nuclear microreactor
Researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory are refining their design of a small, 3D-printed nuclear reactor core, scaling up the additive manufacturing process necessary to build it, and developing methods to confirm the consistency and reliability of its printed components.
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 | Super steel project claims big breakthrough
Developing new steels is a difficult and tricky process. The conventional view is that raising the performance of one metallic property, whether it's strength, ductility, or toughness, will undermine one or more of the others. Researchers at the University of Hong Kong have published a paper that demonstrates this does not hold true for their new super steel material, which attains excellent performance in all three metallic properties at an unprecedented level. The new steel is cheaper too.
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 | 3 Forms of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs)
Goodfellow offers Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) in three different forms: regular powder, "chunky" powder, and free-standing "carpets," which are exclusive to Goodfellow. All three forms are produced by means of a catalytic chemical vapor deposition process. As an additive in composites, they can improve the mechanical, thermal or electrical properties of a material, offering benefits such as high electrical conductivity, good processability, flame retardancy, thermal dissipation, UV resistance and more.
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 | World Car of the Year: Kia Telluride
It's Kia's largest SUV ever, but the Telluride isn't big enough to fit all the automotive awards it's collected since hitting the scene with the 2020 model. World car of the Year, North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, MotorTrend SUV of the Year, and Edmunds' Top Rated SUV are just some of the accolades for this 291-hp, 3.8-liter V6 that's all about rugged luxury at an affordable price point.
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 | Rising to the Challenge: the fight against COVID-19
The coronavirus COVID-19 has the world on edge. While many standards of our daily lives have changed or slowed down, the demand for medical ventilators, respirators, and other PPE has surged, along with the number of positive cases. Lab diagnostic facilities are also experiencing increased demand for equipment used for testing and vaccine research and development. FAULHABER develops and delivers compact motion systems for use in these life-sustaining products to help in the fight against COVID-19.
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 | How to implement redundancy in stepper motors
Some of the recent research activities in the area of electric motor drives for safety-critical applications (such as aerospace and nuclear power plants) are focused on looking at various fault-tolerant motor and drive topologies. After discussing different solutions, this article focuses on a miniature permanent magnet (PM) stepper motor design that provides increased redundancy.
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 | You asked. We answered.
Finding the best possible solution for your design challenge is no easy task. Smalley engineers have created a brand new Ask the Expert / Wave Spring FAQ E-book that answers all of your wave spring questions in one, simple guide.
Download Now! |
 | Is Excel hindering your engineering projects?
While Excel is a great tool for performing quick calculations, it cannot handle the scope of mathematical computation required for advanced engineering projects. Discover why engineers from around the world reap the benefits from the move to robust, interactive mathematical systems such as Maple. Learn how, with the right tools, you can arrive at the right solution faster, while minimizing errors, delays, and rising costs.
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 | All in one: New lift-and-turn compression latch
Designed for holding doors, covers, and hatches closed, Compression Latch EN 5630 from JW Winco is operated in two steps with an ergonomic, powder-coated T-handle in black or gray. When folding the T-handle in or out, a stroke of 5 mm is initiated on the rotating latch to generate the required pressure against a door seal. In the folded-out position, the T-handle can be turned to the left or right side, moving the rotating latch 90 degrees behind the cover or door, allowing it to be opened. The two-stage movement secures the closure against vibration. To secure the lift-and-turn compression latch in place, the handle can be locked in the retracted position using the supplied key. The T-handle can also be secured with a padlock.
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 | New skinny enclosure air conditioners
Seifert Systems has just introduced the SoliTherm SlimLine Series of enclosure air conditioners that have an inside-cabinet depth of only 3.5 in. and are 4.5-in. deep overall. The SlimLine Series has a condenser specifically designed to maintain performance without maintenance -- even in environments where dust and dirt are present. Models are available with steel covers and external or recessed mounting. The line provides cooling capacities from 1,130 to 5,120 BTU/hr. Operating temperature range is 50 F to 122 F or 131 F -- depending on model. Eight SlimLine models available.
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 | Molded material sample kits
Two mechanical engineers have started their own business endeavor selling Plastic Sample Kits that provide material-to-material comparisons of 20 different types of injection molding plastic. These plastic material samples, each with the material name molded into the part, aim to improve your ability to optimize material selection and part design -- all with a hands-on approach. Compare glass-filled and non-glass-filled resins; common resins and common blends; stiffness, rib thickness, and sink; colors, textures, and more. The 20 Material Base Kit is available now, and a 6 High-Performance Material Kit is coming this summer.
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| | Most popular last issue |
 | Bugatti Divo: Ultimate in personalized style
If owning a $3-million Bugatti Chiron hyper car -- the fastest and most powerful in the brand's history in 2019 -- is just too boring for you, the French carmaker has an almost $6-million extreme version called the Divo that could get you pumped. It takes Bugatti aerodynamics to new heights, and it adapts to customization so well that even if you bought a pair of Divos, they'd look like different cars. Plus you'll do 0 to 60 mph in under 2.5 sec.
Read the full article. |
 | Moon buggy wheel tech evolves for Mars mission
The wheels from the lunar roving vehicle (LRV) for the Apollo 15, 16, and 17 moon missions were made of steel piano wire and titanium treads to give them a cushioning, non-rigid structure. Now NASA has taken that technology a big step further, using shape memory alloys to create tires for Mars rovers.
Read the full article. |
 | Great Resources: Sheet metal design guide
If you're looking for a basic guide to sheet metal design, this one from Xometry will serve your needs well. Follow the design requirements and tolerances in this guide to ensure parts fall closer to design intent. This is the type of information you'll sock away and then refer to again and again.
Read the full article. |
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action |
Extreme-force electric actuator: 50,000 lbf
Tolomatic's expanded extreme-force electric actuator family now includes the RSX128 model, rated up to 50,000 lb of force (222.4 kN). Ideal for replacing hydraulic cylinders and designed for 100 percent duty cycle, the RSX actuator features Tolomatic's precision-ground planetary roller screws for long, consistent operating life in challenging environments. Applications include assembly, metal fabrication (pressing, punching, clamping), automotive manufacturing, timber processing, motion simulators, and more.
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