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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.

Simulation technique can predict microstructures of alloy materials used in jet engines -- before they are made

Japanese researchers recently demonstrated the ability to rapidly and accurately predict the microstructure of Nickel - Aluminum (Ni-Al) alloys that are commonly used in the design of jet engine turbine parts. Predictions of the microstructure of these alloys have so far been time consuming and expensive. The findings have the potential to greatly advance the design of materials -- made up of a range of different alloys -- that are used to make products in several different industry sectors.

Alloys are durable materials made up of two or more metals. The current high cost and design limitations of traditional alloy manufacturing processes have driven the need to create more efficient design methods. One key challenge has been how to accurately predict an alloy's microstructure (the very small-scale structure that is only visible by microscope), which can greatly influence physical properties such as strength, toughness, resistance to corrosion, hardness, and/or wear and tear resistance.

The authors were able to predict alloy microstructures by using the "first-principle phase field method." This procedure predicts the microstructure of alloys based on the fundamental laws of physics alone (first principles) and then uses those parameters to model microstructure formations (phase field). This is contrary to empirical modeling, or predictions based on experiments or previous observations alone. Furthermore, the researchers conducted their modeling experiments under high temperatures that mimic those of jet engine turbines (~1,027° C).

The research was published in Nature Communications on Aug 1, 2019.

The quest for new materials with desirable properties requires microstructure engineering of materials based on changing several variables, such as composition, morphology, pressure, temperature, doping, casting, and forging.

A reliable simulation technique that can help with the design and production of new materials based on a theoretical principle alone could make production faster and cheaper. However, most of the current theories of material design are phenomenological and derived from experimental observations and empirical experiences. These are both time consuming and expensive.

What makes the first-principles phase field method so advantageous, according to the authors, is that it bridges the accurate small-scale (first principles) calculations and large-scale (phase field) model by renormalization theory, a concept in physics that essentially makes infinite degrees of freedom finite, or continuous variables discrete. In other words, by using their method, they were able to overcome time-consuming and expensive experimental procedures and still produce materials that were in agreement with experimental methods.

The new "First-principles phase field" method to better predict complex microstructures of alloys. [Credit: Yokohama National University]

 

 

"First-principles phase field method was invented as the world's first innovative multiscale simulation technique. Using this method, we were able to successfully predict complex microstructures of any compositions of Ni-Al alloys from first-principles (basic laws of physics) without using any empirical parameter, and our results agree quite well with experiments," says Kaoru Ohno, corresponding author and professor at Yokohama National University.

Ohno and co-authors from the National Institute for Materials Science in Japan say the method can be used to predict mechanical strength of alloys because the local force distributions as well as the microstructures can be easily calculated.

The method that the authors present can also be used to predict microstructures of multicomponent alloys, or alloys that are made up of more than two metals. "These studies highlight the fundamental nature of steels and other alloys that have so far only been demonstrated based on empirical observations. As such, the proposed method is a powerful theoretical tool to quickly predict the most suitable alloy that can realize the desired strength, toughness, ductility, plasticity, lightness, etc. as much as possible," says Ohno.

In the future, the authors plan to apply the method to various steel materials and other multicomponent alloys in order to predict the dependence of microstructures and local stress distributions on their initial compositions and better understand their characteristics.

Source: Yokohama National University

Published September 2019

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