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.
| January 15, 2019 | Volume 15 Issue 02 |
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 | Eliminate The Need For A Dynamic Seal
BellowsTech edge welded metal bellows can eliminate the need for a dynamic seal, when used within a bearing housing to translate rotation from an input shaft to a co-linear output shaft while sealing hermetically. Linear and angular motion for "wobble stick" applications is also available.
Learn more. |
 | World's largest jet engine takes maiden flight
The world's largest jet engine took its first flight over the Mojave Desert on March 13. The GE9X is a showstopper. At 134 in., its fan diameter is so tall and wide that Shaquille O'Neil would fit inside the engine's cover with Kobe Bryant sitting on his shoulders. The whole engine is as wide as the body of an entire Boeing 737. By Tomas Kellner, GE Reports.
Read the full article. |
 | 2,304 motors: LEGO engineers build life-size drivable Bugatti Chiron
Nope, it's not an April Fool's joke. Engineers at LEGO have built a life-size, working Bugatti Chiron (in real life the world's fastest production car) that features more than 1 million LEGO Technic elements and is powered exclusively using LEGO motors. The feat took more than 13,000 man-hours to complete. Really impressive multi-discipline engineering here!
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 | Jeep rolls out Gladiator -- first pickup in 25 years
Jeep rolled out something really big at the LA Auto Show, 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. |
 | Top Tech Tip: 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. |
 | Top Product: 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. |
 | Top Product: Spinning flare nuts eliminate loose fasteners in thin metal sheet applications
PEM SFN spinning flare nuts from PennEngineering become permanently captivated upon installation in thin metal sheets and, when paired with a self-clinching stud or other fixed externally threaded hardware, can eliminate all loose fasteners (including flange nuts) in attachment applications. These one-piece, flanged hex nuts additionally will spin freely in a sheet enabling quick attachment to mating hardware. Their use ultimately promotes savings in assembly time and costs.
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| | Most popular last issue |
 | 12 principles of modern military leadership
Leadership is paramount to the success of any army -- and any organization in general. Leaders not only make life and death decisions sometimes, but directly control the climate and quality of life of their subordinates. But what is the real definition of leadership? Capt. Ron Roberts of the U.S. Army's Asymmetric Warfare Group discusses 12 fundamental leadership principles, as well as several educational and inspirational historical examples. How much do they apply to what you do?
Read the full article. |
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | Opposed-piston diesel engines are crazy efficient
Jason Fenske from Engineering Explained takes a look at the Achates Power opposed-piston engine, which is packed full of unique technology. The supercharged, turbocharged, diesel three cylinder makes use of six pistons, two of which operate in each cylinder. It's a two-stroke design, meaning every time the pistons come together a power stroke occurs, forcing both pistons away from one another and rotating their respective crankshafts. The two crankshafts are geared together to a common output shaft, which powers the vehicle. Research has shown two-stroke opposed-piston engines to be wildly efficient. Three-cylinder designs are the most efficient, and it's possible to achieve brake thermal efficiencies as high as 55 percent, a massive improvement for road car engines.
View the video. |
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7 strangest new engines
Tech Planet runs through their top seven choices for alternative engine designs for cars, power tools, spacecraft, and more. Some are works in progress, some are prototypes, and some are just concepts. What a fun and different countdown. Thanks, Tech Planet!
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Pilot recounts tales of SR-71 Blackbird
The SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft flew missions around the globe at speeds above Mach 3 and altitudes of 85,000 ft or more. Although its many contributions to national security will never be fully revealed to the public, the Skunk Works marvel holds many world aviation records for its speed and altitude. In this interview with former SR-71 pilot Col. Buzz Carpenter, you'll hear a first-hand account of the aircraft's power and majesty.
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Festo creates rolling spider-like bot
The pneumatics wizards at Festo, famous for creating nature-inspired bionic creature concepts that also often include electromechanical drives, motors and controllers, and grippers, have unveiled the cartwheeling BionicWheelBot at Hannover Messe 2018. Like its biological model, the flic-flac spider discovered at the edge of the Sahara, the BionicWheelBot can both walk and roll. This machine rolls along the ground by forming a wheel with three legs on each side of its body. Two more legs, which are retracted during running, are then extended. When the spider is rolled up like a ball, these legs push it off the ground and propel it forward in a continuous rolling motion.
View the video. |
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Boeing 777X final body join
It's official! Workers at Boeing are joining together the first 777X flight test airplane at the company's Everett, WA, site. In this video, the three main sections come together. Great progress is being made as Boeing prepares for flight test in 2019 of what will be the most fuel-efficient twin-engine airplane in the world.
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