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.
| December 11, 2018 | Volume 14 Issue 46 |
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 | The World's First -- and Best -- Linear Motion Guides
THK's original technology is behind the smooth and silent movement of the "Linear Motion System." The LM Guide is our major product that put the rolling of the linear motion part into practical use for the first time in the world. This improves the accuracy, rigidity, energy saving, velocity, productivity, and service life of the machine. THK offers a full support system from the beginning design phase throughout the maintenance, and follow-up service.
Click here to learn more. |
| | Feature articles | Every aircraft can become its own simulator
A new virtual reality tool developed in cooperation with NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center hooks into any airplane and, with the aid of virtual reality goggles, layers a virtual scene over the real world outside the cockpit. "You actually get the dynamics of the exact airplane you're flying," one development engineer says.
Read the full article. |
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 | New tech to keep skydivers, astronauts from spinning
Skydivers spinning out of control have just a few seconds before becoming unconscious. Draper engineers are perfecting a spin-control system to address such a worst-case scenario, and it could also be used in emergency situations encountered by astronauts and space tourists traveling in the high stratosphere.
Read the full article. |
 | Retro-inspired new Porsche 911 is a slick and sleek update
The 8th generation of the Porsche 911 features a design language that pulls from the past to create something powerfully new in the form of the Carrera S and Carrera 4S models. While the front and the dash feature elements that are clear nods to much earlier models, the rear and the next-gen flat-six turbocharged engine tech -- which provides 443 hp, an improvement of almost 25 hp from the current model -- are clearly modern updates.
Read the full article. |
 | How colorants affect plastic characteristics
If you're starting a custom plastic injection molding project, you'll want to select a material with the properties most suitable for the function of your parts. One aspect of polymer characteristics that doesn't always get the consideration it deserves is the addition of colorant. Believe it or not, there is a whole scientific body of knowledge about the ways in which adding color to plastic can affect the behavioral properties of the plastic. This short article by Denny Scher of ICOMold takes a high-level look at some of the different, and surprising, ways colorants can have an effect on plastics.
Read the full article. |
 | Metal 3D printing: X-rays, infrared used to find what causes defects
Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, could reinvigorate aerospace, defense, transportation, and numerous other industries by shortening development cycles, but many hurdles still stand in the way. The formation of defects within materials is one example. To see what is really happening when metal is 3D printed, researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Lab are using high-power tools to get an unprecedented look inside the process.
Read the full article. |
 | Guide to overmolding best practices
Overmolding is a great injection molded feature you can utilize in your design to capture color contrasts, add flexibility or eliminate assembly. Take advantage of this feature by learning how to design your part for overmolding.
You'll learn:
- How to set up your design for complex overmolding
- Material evaluation and best practices for proper adhesion
- Feature specifications to consider for good overmolds
Get the Xcentric overmolding guide (no registration required). |
 | Hybrid gantry stage provides precision XY/XYZ motion with linear motors, air bearings, and ball bearings
PI's new A-341 hybrid gantry XY/XYZ positioning stage provides the framework for controlled precise overhead motion that is often sought after for 3D printing, assembly, pick-and-place, alignment, inspection, and industrial automation applications. The A-341 HGS hybrid gantry is designed to combine maximum throughput with smooth and highly accurate motion in a compact envelope. It features a unique hybrid bearing design. The cross axis utilizes a frictionless air bearing guiding system, which allows for excellent velocity control, repeatability, straightness, and cleanliness. The lower dual-motor axis uses precision mechanical linear bearings for rigidity and reduced size. This combo offers an overhead gantry motion platform optimized for step and scan applications in the smallest possible form factor.
Learn more. |
 | 20-in. automotive touchscreens enabled by new controllers
With cars like the Tesla Model S featuring 17-in. touchscreens, the trend in automotive displays is to go bigger and bigger. But unlike handheld mobile devices, screens in automobiles need to meet stringent head impact and vibration tests, so they have thicker cover lenses that potentially affect the touch interface performance. As screens get larger, they are also more likely to interfere with other frequencies and car access systems. These factors pose a major challenge in the design of modern automotive capacitive touch systems, but a new family of single-chip maXTouch touchscreen controllers from Microchip Technology was designed to address these issues.
Learn more. |
 | New e-chain features injection-molded contact points to reduce energy-line failure due to freezing
In order to prevent freezing of an energy supply, for example on inclined lifts, the motion plastics specialist igus has developed a new e-chain called "ice-chain." With injection-molded raised contact points, the chance of freezing is significantly reduced along with the costs of downtime and maintenance. This solution can be used in applications down to -40 F. The ice-chain is also available as a complete system equipped with pre-harnessed cables that can be quickly installed and connected.
Learn more. |
 | Cool Tools: World's darkest spray paint
A whole range of products can now take advantage of the world's blackest coating, Vantablack, thanks to the development of a new spray version called Vantablack S-VIS. It is easily applied at large scale to virtually any surface. Vantablack's carbon nanotube matrix structure absorbs virtually all (99.8 percent) incident light, enabling precision optical systems to be optimized. The material's developer, UK-based Surrey NanoSystems, has mimicked the performance of its original Vantablack with this new version that can be sprayed onto objects, rather than deposited using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Single-cylinder engines for combustion research
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has designed and manufactured two advanced single-cylinder engines for combustion research and friction analysis, as well as alternative fuel, wear, optical, crank offset, and bore-to-stroke relationship studies. The engines, one for light- and medium-duty applications and one for heavy-duty applications, can accommodate either multi-cylinder or single-cylinder heads through a custom cylinder barrel and head support shelf. They include several unique patent-pending innovations, including mechanisms that adjust compression ratios and crankshaft offsets without the need for disassembling the engine. Optical access, dynamic cam phasing, secondary balancers, and floating liner devices can be added to the standard configurations. Specs available in online "Single-Cylinder Research Engine" flyer.
Click here to learn more. |
| | Most popular last issue |
 | Jeep rolls out Gladiator -- first pickup in 25 years
Jeep rolled out something really big at the LA Auto Show last week, and it came in the hulking form of the Gladiator -- the brand's first new pickup in just over 25 years. The very versatile midsize truck line promises open-air freedom, impressive on- and off-road dynamics, best-in-class towing, fuel-efficient powertrains, innovative safety and advanced technology features, and more.
Read the full article. |
 | Researchers fly first-ever ion drive plane
MIT engineers have built and flown the first-ever self-powered plane with no moving parts. Instead of propellers or turbines, the light aircraft is powered by an "ionic wind" -- a silent but mighty flow of ions produced aboard the plane that generates enough thrust to propel the aircraft over a sustained, steady flight.
Read the full article. |
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action |
Thermal interface material (TIM) testing using DynTIM S -- Bulk thermal conductivity measurement
Mentor provides this short video on Thermal Interface Material (TIM) testing to measure bulk thermal conductivity using MicReD DynTIM S. The video introduces accurate and repeatable measurement of Type I, Type II, and Type III TIM materials using the DynTIM S standalone automated test solution. You will learn how to assess thermal properties of thermal greases, pastes, adhesives, and gap pads, and to select solid TIM materials and others quickly. DynTIM S features proven thermal transient test technology, a sample holder resembling ASTM standard D5470-based methods, and precise bondline thickness control.
View the video. |
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