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March 12, 2024Volume 20 Issue 10


Image - What is the C-Flex Pivot Bearing?
What is the C-Flex Pivot Bearing?
It's a flexure-based bearing utilizing internal flat crossed springs, capsuled in a cylindrical housing, to provide precise rotation with low hysteresis and no frictional losses. The C-Flex bearing will offer infinite life when used within its rated load and rotation values. Applications include Medical, Industrial, Aerospace, Semiconductor, and Optical.

Advantages include: Frictionless, Backlash-free, Self-centering, Simple installation, Low hysteresis, Vacuum applications, Stock items, No lubrication, No maintenance, and Infinite life.
Learn more from C-Flex, The Leader in Flexing Metal Technology.
View the C-Flex Pivot Bearing training page.


In this issue of Designfax

  • New X plane: Flight with no moving control surfaces
  • Engineer redesigns nuke warhead test cable connector
  • MIT engineers 3D print electromagnets for electronics
  • Rivian debuts new all-electric SUVs
  • Cool Tools: SpaceMouse Pro Wireless Bluetooth
  • OnRobot Palletizer: Complete, configurable, modular
  • Helical thread inserts and kits for soft metals
  • Prevent overtightening: Torque-limiting handles
  • Hot Tech: Stepper drive with closed-loop position control
  • Best high-speed rotary bearing in THK history
  • Tech Tip: Mastering sheet metal bend calcs in Onshape
  • Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action
    • Did you know you can 3D print rubber?
  • Most Popular Last Issue
    • All-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma: Work and adventure
    • U.S. Army biz jets for surveillance, recon
    • New process reShAPEs aluminum recycling
  • New Products
    • Electrical, Mechanical, Motion
    Cover Image: Rivian R2 SUV EV

News

New triple-junction tandem solar cells operate with world-record efficiency

Researchers 3D print multiple dynamic colors from a single ink

MAHLE wins series order for hydrogen engines -- modified diesels

No outer-space UFOs: DOD report discounts sightings of extraterrestrial technology



Feature articles

Image - New X plane will test flying with no moving control surfaces
New X plane will test flying with no moving control surfaces
DARPA has selected Aurora Flight Sciences to build a full-scale, modular X-plane -- about the size of a military trainer aircraft -- to demonstrate the viability of using active flow control actuators (air from a pressurized source) for primary flight control in place of traditional flaps and rudders.
Read the full article.

Image - Engineer redesigns nuclear warhead testing cable connector
Engineer redesigns nuclear warhead testing cable connector
Robert Petterborg saw an opportunity to improve a critical part used to test a weapons system. With the help of his Sandia National Labs colleagues, he designed a new cable connector that eliminates misalignments that could interfere with testing and potentially damage hardware.
Read the full article.

Image - MIT engineers 3D print electromagnets at the heart of many electronics
MIT engineers 3D print electromagnets at the heart of many electronics
Solenoids, electromagnets formed by a coil of wire wrapped around a magnetic core, are a fundamental building block of many electronics. New 3D-printed solenoids could enable electronics that cost less and are easier to manufacture -- on Earth or in space.
Read the full article.

Image - Rivian debuts new all-electric SUVs: Make or break for U.S. company
Rivian debuts new all-electric SUVs: Make or break for U.S. company
In a real "You get a car!" Oprah moment, EV maker Rivian surprised the automotive press last week by unveiling not one but three new competitively priced and very versatile models: the R2 SUV, smaller R3 crossover, and the R3X performance variant -- all built on its new midsize platform. They are boxy, cool, and uber utilitarian, and they may well define and decide this sink-or-swim moment for Rivian in the EV marketplace.
Read the full article.

Image - Cool Tools: SpaceMouse Pro Wireless Bluetooth Edition
Cool Tools: SpaceMouse Pro Wireless Bluetooth Edition
Purpose-built for engineers, 3D artists, and architects, the new SpaceMouse Pro Wireless Bluetooth Edition from 3Dconnexion delivers a seamless experience centered on meeting the evolving needs of professionals worldwide. It features a patented 6-Degrees-of-Freedom (6DoF) sensor for unparalleled precision, a thoughtful ergonomic design, and customizable buttons. It's design uses innovative, wear-resistant materials and components and incorporates recycled plastics.
Learn more.

Image - OnRobot Palletizer: Complete, configurable, and easy-to-use modular solution
OnRobot Palletizer: Complete, configurable, and easy-to-use modular solution
The OnRobot Palletizer is a complete collaborative palletizing solution designed to take the physical and financial pain out of palletizing processes. It includes four new hardware and software products to make affordable collaborative automation available to companies of all sizes and technology skill levels.
Read the full article.

Image - Helical thread inserts and kits for soft metals
Helical thread inserts and kits for soft metals
E-Z Lok, a leading manufacturer and master distributor of threaded inserts for metal, plastic, and wood, now offers E-Z Coil™ and thread repair kits. Wire or helical coil threaded inserts quickly repair or reinforce tapped holes in soft metals. Made from 18-8 stainless steel wire, these helical coil inserts are corrosion resistant and can withstand temps up to 800°F. They also offer corrosion resistance and protection from wearing and stripping.
Learn more
or contact Kyle Lindsly-Roach for free samples at 310.323.5613 x221.

Image - Prevent overtightening: Torque-limiting handles
Prevent overtightening: Torque-limiting handles
You can provide constant tightening force by setting the desired torque on Fixtureworks' adjustable handles. You'll hear an audible click when the specified setting is reached. This prevents damage from overtightening, as well as rattling that can result from too little torque. What's more, you can adjust the torque level and handle position easily.
Learn more.

Image - Hot Motion Tech: Stepper drive with closed-loop position control
Hot Motion Tech: Stepper drive with closed-loop position control
Kollmorgen's P80360 stepper drive is the newest addition to the company's flagship P8000 stepper platform. Like other drives in the series, the P80360 incorporates innovative stepless control tech to deliver smooth, quiet motion and optimal performance across the full speed range. Additionally, it offers closed-loop position control and is fully programmable, enabling servo-like versatility, precision, and repeatability. This drive also offers the ability to track load position via encoder feedback and automatically correct for any overshoot or undershoot errors.
Learn more.

Image - Best high-speed rotary bearing in THK history
Best high-speed rotary bearing in THK history
THK has developed its best-performing rotary bearing ever: the High-Speed, Double-Row Angular Contact Ring BWH. This rotary bearing has balls aligned inside a cage between the inner and outer rings and is part of the THK Rotary Series, along with the cross-roller ring. The main features are its ability to receive loads in all directions as well as its high rigidity and rotational accuracy, which are equal to that of cross-roller rings. By adopting a new structure to change the rolling elements from rollers to balls, this product achieves the greatest high-speed performance ever offered by THK.
Learn more.

Image - Tech Tip: Mastering sheet metal bend calculations in Onshape
Tech Tip: Mastering sheet metal bend calculations in Onshape
Mastering bend calculations in sheet metal design is a key skill that can impact the accuracy and manufacturability of your designs significantly. Explore the various options available to become a pro in this Onshape Tech Tip: K Factor, bend allowance, and bend deduction, with guidance on when each should be used. You may learn something even if you don't use this software.
Read the Onshape blog.

Most popular last issue

Image - All-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma: Work and adventure truck
All-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma: Work and adventure truck
For 2024, the Toyota Tacoma has been completely redesigned from the ground up. Offered in eight models, it gives customers more of everything, including power, technology, style, and off-road capability -- all with an attractive starting MSRP.
Read the full article.

Image - U.S. Army testing business jets for aerial surveillance and reconnaissance
U.S. Army testing business jets for aerial surveillance and reconnaissance
The U.S. Army is testing a Bombardier Global 6500 business jet to support prototyping efforts for its High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES). The aim is for the aircraft, which has a range of 6,600 nm, to provide advanced deep-sensing capabilities for use in multidomain operations.
Read the full article.

Image - Energy-saving process reShAPEs aluminum scrap recycling
Energy-saving process reShAPEs aluminum scrap recycling
Rather than processing mined aluminum, rigorous lab testing has shown that Pacific Northwest National Lab's Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion Process (ShAPE) can transform 100% post-consumer scrap aluminum into usable extrusions that meet or exceed stringent ASTM standards for strength and flexibility. Energy savings approaching 90% are expected using this unique process.
Read the full article.

Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action
Did you know you can 3D print rubber?
3D-printing materials just keep getting better -- and now there are more choices than ever. Watch as Walter Voit, SVP Polymer Materials, Desktop Metal, describes the 3D printing of DuraChain Elastic ToughRubber photopolymers, which produce tough and resilient end-use parts while eliminating the need for a two-part resin. DuraChain photopolymers also demonstrate a long pot life of roughly one year, depending on environmental conditions, making them more suitable for volume production and reducing waste from spoiled, unused material. These materials are offered exclusively on the ETEC Xtreme 8K top-down DLP systems. ETEC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Desktop Metal.
Learn about this exciting material.
Learn about the ETEC Xtreme 8K DLP systems -- and what makes them so much better.

New products

Electrical/Electronics
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Mechanical
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Motion
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