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Cool! Internal threading in hard materials now possible

INSACO has a new capability where they can machine an internal thread in ceramic, sapphire, quartz, and other very hard materials. This advance pushes the boundaries of what's possible to support advanced applications that demand high precision and complexity. Ultra-hard materials are alternatives for when metal can't do the job. Ideal for aerospace, medical, and industrial applications.
Learn more. Video available on right side of page.

ClampDisk micro fastener is new alternative for automotive and consumer electronics

Designed as a unique alternative in assemblies for the automotive and consumer electronics markets, the ClampDisk Press-on Fastener is a newer offering from PennEngineering that delivers a fast, simple way to achieve sheet-to-sheet clamped fastening while replacing the use of standard screws, nuts, and adhesives. ClampDisk eliminates over-installation, cross-threading, stripped screw heads, broken screws, and damaged product. This fastener can be removed easily with a sharp-edged tool.
See how ClampDisk works.

Simplify appliance glass assembly

Henkel's Technomelt PUR 9015 BV/WV is a polyurethane hotmelt adhesive providing high initial strength and long-term durability for glass and large-panel appliance assembly. It enables immediate handling, excellent substrate adhesion, and high thermal resistance, while supporting automated, cost-efficient production. It offers a flexible solution for high-reliability manufacturing.
Learn more.

Made-to-order stamped components for insert molding

Traditionally, OEMs source metal inserts and insert molding services separately. Not anymore. Plastics manufacturers and injection molders are now taking on more of the sourcing responsibility for insert molded parts, and they are partnering with Boker's, who has a long-term proven record for delivering precision stampings with quick turnaround times and ensuring metal inserts are mold-ready upon delivery. Boker's has immediate access to over 2,000 commonly specified and hard-to-find materials.
Learn more.

SDP/SI Shaftloc Fastening System

Shaftloc is a unique, reusable locking device for securely mounting mechanical components like gears and sprockets onto shafts without the need for keyways, set screws, or adhesives. Its simple, two-piece design offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional fasteners, providing high clamping force and vibration resistance. Installed with standard tools, Shaftloc is perfect for designers seeking flexible, hubless mounting solutions. Available in four styles.
Learn more from SDP/SI.

Epoxy engineered for heat-sink bonding

Master Bond EP54TC is a two-component epoxy engineered for heat-sink bonding and thermal management applications. Featuring the highest thermal conductivity in the Master Bond electrically insulating portfolio, it delivers exceptional heat dissipation while remaining electrically non-conductive and compliant with ASTM E595 NASA low outgassing requirements. It supports thin bond lines and efficient void filling to maximize thermal performance.
Learn more.

Metal 3D printing: Right at your desktop

From prototyping to tooling or batch production of end-use parts, the Studio System 2 from Desktop Metal brings metal 3D printing to any office, studio, or lab setting. This powder- and laser-free system consists of an easy-to-adopt two-step process: print using pre-bound metal rod feedstock and then sinter. It requires minimal training and operator intervention. Combined with next-gen Separable Supports and a software-controlled workflow, the Studio System makes metal 3D printing simpler than ever. This platform offers more materials than any other metal extrusion 3D-printing system on the market, including Inconel 625, titanium (Ti64), copper, tool steels, and stainless steels.
View the video and learn more.

Metal 3D printing: EOS adds four new materials

Industrial 3D-printing supplier EOS has added four new metal additive manufacturing materials to its portfolio: an iron-nickel alloy that boasts stability under fluctuating temps, a nickel alloy with high strength and extreme corrosion resistance, a low-alloyed steel prized for its high toughness and strength, and an industrial-grade stainless steel. Each has been optimized for EOS Laser Powder Bed Fusion systems.
Get all the details.

Application Note: Disc springs in mechanical braking system

Braking systems for off-highway equipment are commonly designed to be hydraulically actuated, but without an additional fail-safe system, this design alone has limited reliability. If a hydraulic seal is compromised, or the hydraulic cylinder loses pressure for any reason, the brakes fail. One solid mechanical back-up design uses SPIROL disc springs.
Read the full article.

Configurable welding platform for flexible manufacturing

Emerson's new Branson Polaris Ultrasonic Welding Platform offers a highly configurable, smart solution for advanced manufacturing. It features secure connectivity and real-time control to join diverse materials, from medical devices to food packaging. With adaptable power supplies and actuators, the system scales from benchtop lab trials to fully automated production lines, optimizing footprint and data storage to meet complex application needs.
Learn more.

SPIROL receives 2025 Supplier Excellence Recognition Award from Caterpillar

Kudos to SPIROL! The engineered fasteners manufacturer has received the 2025 Supplier Excellence Recognition Award from Caterpillar Inc. This prestigious award recognizes suppliers who demonstrate world-class performance and a sustained commitment to quality, delivery, and operational excellence.
Read the full article.

Eliminate cotters, bolts, nuts with SLIC Pin^®

The SLIC Pin (Self-Locking Implanted Cotter Pin) from Pivot Point is a pin and cotter all in one. This one-piece locking clevis pin is cost saving, fast, and secure. It functions as a quick locking pin wherever you need a fast-lock function. It features a spring-loaded plunger that functions as an easy insertion ramp. This revolutionary fastening pin is very popular and used successfully in a wide range of applications.
Learn more.

Tech Tip: How to install sleeve bearings

According to the engineering experts over at PBC Linear, "Installing Simplicity Sleeve Bearings can be tricky due to the thin aluminum outer shell." Learn the basic procedures that can be followed to install the aluminum-backed Simplicity Sleeve and Flange Bearings -- each comes with its own unique challenges.
Read the PBC Linear blog.

Hold any shape with ID and OD Form Holding Clamps

These simple OD and ID clamping solutions from Fixtureworks clamp onto your part in one easy operation, eliminating the need for custom fixtures. They allow users to clamp onto the inner or outer diameter of small-size, irregularly shaped work parts fast. Lots of options.
Learn more.

Engineer's Toolbox: The basics of pressure regulators

Pressure regulators are found in many common home and industrial applications. Learn all about their functions, selection criteria, installation, and more in this in-depth article from Beswick Engineering.
Read the full article.

'Industrially viable tech' makes hydrogen from seawater

By Ifath Arwah, University of Sharjah

Researchers from the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) claim to have developed a novel technology capable of producing clean hydrogen fuel directly from seawater -- and at an industrial scale.

In a study published in the journal Small, the researchers report they extracted hydrogen without the need to remove the mineral salts dissolved in seawater or add any chemicals.

According to the authors, the technology enables hydrogen extraction from seawater without relying on desalination plants, which require massive investments totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.

"We developed a novel, multi-layered electrode that can extract hydrogen directly from seawater efficiently and sustainably. Traditional methods face a host of problems, mainly corrosion and performance degradation caused by chloride ions in seawater," said Dr. Tanveer Ul Haq, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, University of Sharjah, and the study's lead author.

The authors designed a specially engineered electrode which, in the words of Dr. Ul Haq, "overcomes these issues by creating a protective and reactive microenvironment that boosts performance while resisting damage."

Systematic illustration of the formation process of how the new device extracts hydrogen from seawater. See full-size image here. [Credit: Small (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202501376/Courtesy of the researchers, University of Sharjah]

In a world where clean energy is no longer a luxury but a necessity, hydrogen stands out as one of the most promising solutions. Until now, scientists have primarily relied on pure water -- a precious resource in many regions -- to produce hydrogen.

This study addresses that challenge by introducing a new technology capable of generating hydrogen directly from seawater.

"In short, we've demonstrated that direct seawater electrolysis is not only possible but scalable, delivering industrial-level efficiency while protecting the electrode over long-term use," Dr. Ul Haq said.

In their study, the researchers describe their device as a "microenvironment-engineered, multilayered electrode design for sustainable seawater electrolysis." When in operation, the apparatus delivers "a geometric current density of 1 A cm^-2 in real seawater at an overpotential of 420 mV, with no hypochlorite formation and outstanding operational stability for 300 hours at room temperature."

The electrode, the study notes, produces hydrogen at industrially relevant rates using untreated seawater. Nearly all the electrical input was converted into gas output, achieving a Faradaic efficiency of 98%.

Faradic efficiency: Corrosion potential and corrosion current density recorded before and after 300 h electrolysis, chronopotentiometry of valance band spectrum, and Raman spectrum after 300 h continuous electrolysis in alkaline seawater. See full-size image here. [Credit: Small (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202501376/Courtesy of the researchers, University of Sharjah]

"The advanced anode design achieves an industrially viable current density of 1.0 A cm^-2 at 1.65 V under standard conditions, marking a significant step toward scalable, desalination-free hydrogen production directly from seawater."

Faradaic efficiency measures the effectiveness with which electrons participate in a given electrochemical reaction.

"We created an advanced electrode that works in real seawater without needing any pre-treatment or desalination," said the study's corresponding author, Yousef Haik, professor of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering at the University of Sharjah.

"Our system generates hydrogen at industrially relevant rates -- 1 ampere per square centimeter -- with low energy input. This could revolutionize how we think about hydrogen production in coastal regions, especially in arid countries like the UAE, where fresh water is limited but sunlight and seawater are abundant."

The technology's strength lies in the electrode's advanced, multilayered structure, which not only withstands harsh seawater conditions but thrives in them. The device forms "a protective metaborate film, preventing metal dissolution and non-conductive oxide formation" -- an approach that eliminates the need for energy-intensive water purification.

"This bypasses costly desalination and complex water purification, making green hydrogen production cheaper and more accessible," said co-author Mourad Smari, a research associate at Sharjah University's Institute of Science and Engineering.

One of the most impressive features of the system is its longevity. "It runs for over 300 hours without performance loss, resisting corrosion that usually destroys similar systems," said Dr. Ul Haq. The study explains that the carbonate layer "acts as an electrostatic shield," protecting the electrode's multiple layers from dissolution.

In performance tests, the electrode achieved a turnover frequency of 139.4 s^-1 at 1.6 V, which the authors consider one of the highest reported for similar systems.

"In summary, the multilayered electrode architecture developed in this study provides an effective solution for efficient direct seawater electrolysis," the study authors wrote. "The ultrathin nanosheet morphology, with its high surface area, facilitates substantial catalyst exposure and activity, maximizing the surface sites available for direct seawater oxidation."

Dr. Ul Haq emphasized the technology's potential impact on clean and sustainable energy production.

"This technology can be applied in large-scale hydrogen plants that use seawater instead of precious fresh water. Imagine solar-powered hydrogen farms along the UAE coastline, using seawater and sunlight to produce clean fuel -- with zero emissions and minimal resource strain."

Asked to explain in simple terms how the multilayered design works, Dr. Ul Haq said, "The electrode's layered design acts like a smart filter -- allowing water in, blocking corrosion, and supercharging hydrogen production." He added that the system's performance is largely due to how it handles chloride ions in seawater.

The carbonate functionalization repels these ions and creates a local acidic microenvironment that accelerates the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), essential for hydrogen production. According to the paper, this mechanism "enhances OER kinetics and protects against chloride attack and precipitate formation."

The technology has already attracted interest from "clean energy startups and regional innovation hubs," Dr. Ul Haq said. "Our innovation transforms seawater from a challenge into a solution. ... This is clean hydrogen made from the sea."

The researchers are looking forward to large-scale deployment of their technology. "We're now moving from lab-scale to pilot-scale testing, looking to validate the technology under real-world outdoor conditions," Dr. Ul Haq said. "Our next goal is to develop a modular hydrogen generator powered by solar energy, tailored for use in arid, coastal regions."

Published June 2025

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