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Supercar of the skies: Autodesk Alias design

Learn how Hill Helicopter is using Autodesk Alias to design the innovative HX50, the "supercar of the skies." The next-gen, private copter marries high-end automotive and aero design and materials to create a futuristic flying five-seat SUV for a discriminating clientele. A neat insider look.
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CNC machining: How to avoid high costs on thin walls

Parts that are light and strong are crucial to nearly every industry. To achieve better performance without risking part failure, parts must maintain a specific wall-height-to-thickness ratio and wall-height-to-length ratio. Additionally, some geometries and supports can support thin walls to achieve a lighter component weight. Dive deeper into the cost drivers behind CNC-machined thin walls in this Xometry design-for-manufacturing article.
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Before you design your next application, try this

Smalley's industry-leading Spirolox^® Retaining Rings feature a gapless design with 360° of retaining surface. Unlike other rings, Spirolox has no protruding ears to interfere with mating components in your assembly! The highly versatile Spirolox rings are also groove-interchangeable with circlips, meaning they can replace circlips without any design changes. Are you ready to try the Smalley Advantage? Request your free samples today!
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No-cost courses in fastener technology

Master the theory of fastener design to expand your product knowledge and become an even better and more efficient design engineer. PennEngineering's PEM FastenerClass^® courses aim to give participants insight into peer and competitor techniques, a better understanding of loads and stress analysis, and enhanced career opportunities -- all beyond the basics of fastener design, selection, and installation. Self-clinch, threads, press-in inserts, surface-mount options, and sheet-to-sheet are only a few of the many topics covered.
See what courses are offered.

Engineer's Toolbox: The secret to living hinges that fold flat

Living hinges are often used to produce a container and its lid as a single molded part. If properly designed, they can open and close thousands of times without ever losing strength or flexibility. Protolabs provides valuable tips on designing these (sometimes thin and fragile) parts.
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EXAIR's new Catalog 36: BETE products and a comprehensive guide to industrial solutions

EXAIR is excited to introduce Catalog 36 -- a full-color, in-depth resource designed to help businesses tackle conveying, cooling, cleaning, blowoff, drying, coating, and static control challenges. This latest edition features an expanded selection of products, technical guides, certifications, and expert insights to help manufacturers optimize their operations. A new addition is BETE's robust lineup of precision spray solutions. Catalog 36 is also a valuable reference for industry standards, safety best practices, and energy conservation techniques in compressed air systems.
Get your EXAIR Catalog 36 today.

Telescopic rail system is PTFE-free

igus has introduced an aluminum version of its drylin NT-60 telescopic rail, eliminating the use of polytetra-fluoroethylene (PTFE) and over 100 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This rail system extends up to 2 m and is suitable for many applications, including vehicles, furniture, and medical technology. Despite incorporating a new, PTFE-free plain bearing, the drylin NT-60-4 telescopic rail does not compromise performance.
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Top Product: 3M Friction Shims -- Why have more than 300 million been sold?

3M Friction Shims are small, thin steel shims with a big impact. They can increase maximum load and peak torque in bolted connections without additional fasteners or redesigns. What else makes them so popular -- and so useful?
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Improving high RPM performance with Revolox self-locking rings

Join a Smalley engineer as they explore innovative solutions for high RPM applications. This video delves into the challenges of high rotational speeds and highlights the unique features that make the Revolox^® self-locking retaining ring a reliable choice. Smalley's retaining rings are designed to enhance performance and longevity in demanding applications.
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Now available: Boker's new 2025 Catalog & Calendar

Boker's, Inc. has two new valuable resources available to help design engineers and procurement managers overcome engineering challenges: the 2025 Stampings & Washers Catalog and the 2025 Scheduling Calendar. The Catalog outlines the company's expansive line of more than 32,000 non-standard washer sizes, spacers, and shims that are available with no tooling charges, and the company's vast stamping capabilities. The Scheduling Calendar offers an at-a-glance, 15-month view of January 2025 through March 2026. Reverse side has a metric conversion chart.
Get your catalog and calendar today.

What are Crossed Roller Bearings?

Learn all about HIWIN Crossed Roller Bearings that are three to four times more rigid than standard bearing solutions and are capable of handling loads in the axial, radial, and moment directions. They consist of an outer ring, an inner ring, and a plurality of rollers and spacers. The roller lies between the inner and outer ring with the spacers placed between the rollers to prevent the mutual friction between them, thereby decreasing the torque resistance for rotation. Many options are available depending on the level of rigidity needed.
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How Reell electric wrap spring clutches work

Electric wrap spring clutches are ideally suited for critical timing applications requiring consistent, repeatable engagement and disengagement performance. Wrap spring technology used in Reell clutches provides the capability to transmit a large amount of torque in a small size -- package sizes smaller than other clutch technologies such as friction disk, tooth, or magnetic particle. Reell's technology has very positive engagement characteristics and also limits the effects of wear.
Read this informative Reell article.

Engineer's Toolbox: All about lead screws and how to apply them

Lead screws use the helix angle of the thread to convert rotary motion to linear motion. Learn all about their benefits, performance characteristics, design choices, lifecycles, and more in this in-depth article from Thomson Industries.
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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!
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Eco-friendly thermoplastic: Light, rigid, strong, damping

Polyplastics has launched PLASTRON^® LFT (Long Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastic) RA627P, an eco-friendly composite of polypropylene (PP) resin and long cellulose fiber that delivers low density, high specific rigidity, high impact strength, and excellent damping for a range of applications including audio components and housings of industrial components. LFT exhibits 10% lower density than 30% short glass fiber-reinforced PP resin, roughly the same flexural modulus, and a specific rigidity that is higher.
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Lightweight, long, and lean: Boeing unveils new Transonic Truss-Braced Wing

Designed to be more aerodynamic and fuel efficient, Boeing is studying the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing concept through a collaboration with NASA as part of the Subsonic Ultra Green Aircraft Research program. [Boeing Creative Services illustration]

 

 

 

 

Boeing recently revealed its newest iteration of the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing (TTBW), which researchers say will fly higher and faster than the previous TTBW concepts. The new configuration is designed to offer unprecedented aerodynamic efficiency while flying at Mach 0.80, which is consistent with the speed of many of today's jetliners.

From end to end, the folding wings measure 170 feet. The high wingspan is made possible by the presence of a truss, which supports the extended length of the ultra-thin wing.

Originally, the TTBW was designed to fly at speeds of Mach 0.70 to 0.75. To increase the aircraft's cruise speed, the new concept now has an optimized truss and a modified wing sweep. By adjusting the wing sweep angle, the truss can carry lift more efficiently. The end result was a more integrated design that significantly improved vehicle performance.

The new changes follow extensive wind tunnel testing at NASA Ames Research Center. For nearly a decade, Boeing and NASA have been studying the concept as part of the Subsonic Ultra Green Aircraft Research (SUGAR) program. The research focuses on innovative concepts that reduce noise and emissions while enhancing performance.

Back in 2016, NASA projected that a slimmed-down, truss-based aircraft wing could be expected to reduce fuel and emissions by 50 percent over current-technology transport aircraft, and by 4 to 8 percent compared to equivalent advanced-technology conventional configurations with unbraced wings.

According to Boeing, the high wing also allows easier, more efficient integration of large-diameter fans and open rotor propulsion systems for additional fuel-burn benefits.

Sources: Boeing, NASA

Published February 2019

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