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SPEE3D develops ultra-corrosion-resistant alloy
-- a game-changer for maritime additive manufacturing

Australian manufacturer SPEE3D has developed two grades of an ultra-corrosion-resistant Nickel Aluminum Bronze alloy that are compatible with its Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing technology. The powder material is a game-changer for maritime OEMs and the U.S. Navy, as it will help with supply chain delays and keep critical maritime systems operational.
Read the full article.

Achieve higher loads with a round wire Wave Spring

Wavo Springs are produced from round-section wire to provide higher loads while maintaining the accurate loading found in wave springs. As an alternative to Belleville Springs, the Wavo provides similar loads but with an accurate, predictable spring rate. Available in carbon and stainless steel from stock, sizes range from 1/2" to 6" diameters. Free samples are also available!
Learn more.

Conveying and guiding: One-stop shop for components

JW Winco has expanded its range of conveying and guiding components with additional practical elements designed for common industrial applications, providing everything needed -- from guides and rails to brackets and feet -- for constructing unmotorized conveyor lines using standard parts.
Read the full article.

Why hybrid bearings are becoming the new industry standard

A combination of steel outer and inner rings with ceramic balls or rollers is giving hybrid bearings unique properties, making them suitable for use in a wide range of modern applications. SKF hybrid bearings make use of silicon nitride (twice as hard as bearing steel) rolling elements and are available as ball bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, and in custom designs. From electric erosion prevention to friction reduction and extended maintenance intervals, learn all about next-gen hybrid bearings.
Read the SKF technical article.

What are carbon composite bellows springs?

The Carbon Composite Bellows Spring (CCBS) from MW Components is a system of carbon fiber elements that combine to work as a high-performance, lightweight, and design-flexible compression spring meant to replace coil springs or metallic Belleville disc springs. A functional spring is made from several individual elements paired and joined to make a stack. The stack spring rate is determined by the number of elements, the base rate of each element, and their series or parallel orientation in the stack. Applications include motorsports, aerospace, and high-performance activities.
Learn more.

Bellows couplings for robotics

Ruland bellows couplings are ideal for precision motion in robotic applications due to their zero-backlash design, high torque and torsional stiffness, and various styles that ensure accurate movement and smooth operation. These lightweight couplings are commonly used in industrial, medical, and autonomous robotic systems requiring high speed and accuracy. They have reduced vibrations at speeds up to 10,000 rpm and can accommodate all forms of misalignment, making them highly versatile for different applications.
Learn more.

Structural adhesive bonding 101

Learn how LORD structural adhesives are eliminating rivets, welds, and mechanical fasteners to enable lower-cost assembly. Listen to Angela Zambanini as she describes Parker LORD's acrylic, epoxy, and urethane adhesives and the best applications for each adhesive category.
View the video.

World first: Industrial 3D printer makes metal or advanced composite parts

Markforged Holding Corporation has unveiled the FX10 Metal Kit, a print engine that brings metal-printing capability to the FX10 machine system. With this kit, the FX10 becomes the world's first industrial 3D printer that can be switched to print with metal filaments or composites.
Read the full article.

World's first current-carrying fastening technology

PEM^® eConnect™ current-carrying pins from Penn-Engineering provide superior electrical connections in applications that demand high performance from internal components, such as automotive electronics. This first-to-market tech provides repeatable, consistent electrical joints and superior installation unmatched by traditional fastening methods. Features include quick and secure automated installation, no hot spots or poor conductivity, and captivation options that include self-clinching and broaching styles.
Learn more about eConnect pins.

Retaining magnets from JW Winco: Universal and clever

JW Winco has expanded its magnet line to support more applications with new materials, shapes, systems, and even raw magnets. Learn about their latest offerings, including retaining magnets designed for corrosive environments (GN 50.8), encapsulated magnets designed for sensitive or painted surfaces (GN 51.8), handle magnets (GN 53.3), and powerful magnets designed to handle challenging environs (GN 52.6).
Learn more.

New polymer bearings are PFAS- and PTFE-free

igus has developed a new polymer bearing material called iglide JPF that is free of both per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). This innovation marks an important step in the company's efforts to create sustainable alternatives to conventional plain bearings. JPF is a dry-running, wear-resistant polymer that offers comparable friction and wear performance to iglide J. It delivers high wear resistance and durability.
Learn more.

New high-speed PSLA 270 printer from 3D Systems

The all-new PSLA 270 projector-based polymer 3D-printing platform and associated new materials from 3D Systems enable faster production times for a wide range of applications. This machine's high throughput and accuracy make it ideal for industries like healthcare, aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing, where precise and durable components are critical. Complementary Wash and Cure systems streamline post-processing and ensure high-quality finished parts.
Learn more including materials and build sizes.

New slim and ergonomic compression latch

Southco has launched the E3 Compact MIM compression latch, bringing new ergonomic and safety features to its durable family of latches in a low-profile package. The E3 Compact MIM compression latch is metal injection molded and has a shorter head (4 mm vs. the normal 6.4 mm), 180-degree ergonomic actuation, and visual indicators machined into the latch and color coded to easily show when it is open or closed. Features a sleek, low-profile, polished look.
Learn more.

Optimizing seal selection: From O-rings to press-in-place

What is the right seal for my application? The Sealing & Shielding Team at Parker Hannifin is looking to help you out in this blog. Learn some basics and possible modifications, including application and manufacturing considerations, gland options, mating hardware, and more. They are always very helpful over there at Parker.
Read the Parker blog.

Adjustable Spot Cooler provides precise industrial cooling

EXAIR's Adjustable Spot Cooler System offers a low-cost, reliable, and maintenance-free solution for industrial spot cooling needs. This tool offers precision control, versatility, and ease of use for a variety of applications including milling, machining, soldering, gas sampling, welding, and more. Utilizing cool and clean compressed air, the Spot Cooler allows users to precisely adjust temperatures from as low as -30°F (-34°C) to room temperature with the simple turn of a knob.
Learn more.

Creator of darkest material on Earth honored by IEEE

By Tracey Leibach, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

[Photo Credit: Rensselaer]

 

 

Nanophotonics expert and physics professor Shawn-Yu Lin has been selected to receive the 2016 Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Nanotechnology Council Pioneer Award in Nanotechnology "for pioneering contribution to the development of 3D optical photonic-crystals and the discovery of the darkest nano-material on Earth."

Lin, professor of physics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), will receive the award at the annual IEEE Conference on Nanotechnology Aug. 22-25 in Sendai City, Miyagi, Japan.

Nanophotonics expert and physics professor Shawn-Yu Lin.

 

 

The darkest material was discovered by Lin and his team in 2008. The material, a thin coating comprised of low-density arrays of loosely, vertically aligned carbon nanotubes, absorbs more than 99.9 percent of light and could one day be used to boost the effectiveness and efficiency of solar energy conversion, infrared sensors, and other devices. The research has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.

The total reflectance of conventional black paint, for example, is between 5 and 10 percent (or absorptance of between 95 and 90 percent). The darkest manmade material, prior to the discovery by Lin's group, boasted a total reflectance of 0.16 percent to 0.18 percent (or absorptance of 99.84 to 99.82 percent).

Lin's team created a coating of low-density, vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays that are engineered to have an extremely low index of refraction and the appropriate surface randomness, further reducing its reflectivity. The end result was a material with a total reflectance of 0.03 percent (or absorptance of 99.97 percent) -- more than three times darker than the previous record, which used a film deposition of nickel-phosphorous alloy. Lin's darkest material has a higher absorptance than that recently reported value of 99.965 percent by Surrey Nanosystem. The original darkest material from Rensselaer is still the darkest manmade nano-material on Earth.

Lin was congratulated by his colleagues at Rensselaer and within the field of nanophotonics.

"Shawn is richly deserving of this award that recognizes his work toward generating an extremely unusual -- and up to that point, what was expected to be unattainable -- material that has applications in photonics, electronic materials, and solar energy capture," said Jonathan Dordick, vice president for research and the Howard P. Isermann Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Rensselaer.

Lin has earned international recognition for his pioneering work in developing photonic crystals. His recent scientific breakthroughs include the discovery of extreme light bending by negative-refraction for solar harvesting and the discovery of super-Planckian thermal radiation in 3D photonic crystals. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Physical Society, and the Optical Society of America. He has received research funding from the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Basic Energy Sciences, the U.S. National Science Foundation, and the Focus Center (New York) for Interconnects.

His current work with 3D photonic crystals is funded by the Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences.

The IEEE Pioneer Award in Nanotechnology recognizes individuals who by virtue of initiating new areas of research, development, or engineering have had a significant impact on the field of nanotechnology. The IEEE considers itself to be the world's largest professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. IEEE has more than 400,000 members in more than 160 countries, 45 percent of whom are from outside the United States.

Lin received his bachelor's degree from National Taiwan University, his master's degree from the University of North Carolina, and his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Princeton. Before joining Rensselaer, Lin headed Sandia National Laboratories' multimillion-dollar research and development effort in photonic crystal devices. He also directed a U.S. Department of Energy multi-laboratories initiative in nano-structural photonics.

Lin's research exemplifies the work being done at The New Polytechnic, addressing difficult and complex global challenges, the need for interdisciplinary and true collaboration, and the use of the latest tools and technologies, many of which are developed at Rensselaer.

Sidebar: More about the material's properties
All materials, from paper to water, air, or plastic, reflect some amount of light. Scientists have long envisioned an ideal black material that absorbs all the colors of light while reflecting no light. So far they have been unsuccessful in engineering a material with a total reflectance of zero.

The darkest manmade material, with its 0.03 percent reflectance (center), is noticeably darker than the 1.4 percent NIST reflectance standard (left) and a piece of glassy carbon (right). This photo was taken under flashlight illumination. [Photo Credit: Rensselaer]

 

 

 

 

Lin's team created a coating of low-density, aligned carbon nanotube arrays that are engineered to have an extremely low index of refraction and the appropriate surface randomness, further reducing its reflectivity. The end result was a material with a total reflective index of 0.03 percent -- more than three times darker than the previous record, which used a film deposition of nickel-phosphorous alloy.

"The loosely packed forest of carbon nanotubes, which is full of nanoscale gaps and holes to collect and trap light, is what gives this material its unique properties," Lin said. "Such a nanotube array not only reflects light weakly, but also absorbs light strongly. These combined features make it an ideal candidate for one day realizing a super black object."

"The low-density aligned nanotube sample makes an ideal candidate for creating such a super dark material because it allows one to engineer the optical properties by controlling the dimensions and periodicities of the nanotubes," said Pulickel Ajayan, the Anderson Professor of Engineering at Rice University in Houston, who worked on the project when he was a member of the Rensselaer faculty.

The research team tested the array over a broad range of visible wavelengths of light, and showed that the nanotube array's total reflectance remains constant.

"It's also interesting to note that the reflectance of our nanotube array is two orders of magnitude lower than that of the glassy carbon, which is remarkable because both samples are made up of the same element: carbon," said Lin.

The project was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Basic Energy Sciences and the Focus Center New York for Interconnects.

Published July 2016

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