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hyperMILL 2024 CAD/CAM software suite

OPEN MIND Technologies has introduced its latest hyperMILL 2024 CAD/CAM software suite, which includes a range of powerful enhancements to its core toolpath capabilities, as well as new functionality for increased NC programming efficiency in applications ranging from 2.5D machining to 5-axis milling. New and enhanced capabilities include: Optimized Deep Hole Drilling, a new algorithm for 3- and 5-axis Rest Machining, an enhanced path layout for the 3D Plane Machining cycle, better error detection, and much more.
Learn more.

One-part epoxy changes from red to clear under UV

Master Bond UV15RCL is a low-viscosity, cationic-type UV-curing system with a special color-changing feature. The red material changes to clear once exposed to UV light, indicating that there is UV light access across the adhesive material. Although this change in color from red to clear does not indicate a full cure, it does confirm that the UV light has reached the polymer. This epoxy is an excellent electrical insulator. UV15RCL adheres well to metals, glass, ceramics, and many plastics, including acrylics and polycarbonates.
Learn more.

SPIROL Press-N-Lok™ Pin for plastic housings

The Press-N-Lok™ Pin was designed to permanently retain two plastic components to each other. As the pin is inserted, the plastic backfills into the area around the two opposing barbs, resulting in maximum retention. Assembly time is quicker, and it requires lower assembly equipment costs compared to screws and adhesives -- just Press-N-Lok™!
Learn more about the new Press-N-Lok™ Pin.

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.

3M and Ansys train engineers on simulating adhesives

Ansys and 3M have created an advanced simulation training program enabling engineers to enhance the design and sustainability of their products when using tapes and adhesives as part of the design. Simulation enables engineers to validate engineering decisions when analyzing advanced polymeric materials -- especially when bonding components made of different materials. Understand the behavior of adhesives under real-world conditions for accurate modeling and design.
Read this informative Ansys blog.

New FATH T-slotted rail components in black from AutomationDirect

Automation-Direct has added a wide assortment of black-colored FATH T-slotted hardware components to match their SureFrame black anodized T-slotted rails, including: cube connectors (2D and 3D) and angle connectors, joining plates of many types, brackets, and pivot joints. Also included are foot consoles, linear bearings in silver and black, cam lever brakes, and L-handle brakes. FATH T-slotted hardware components are easy to install, allow for numerous T-slotted structure configurations, and have a 1-year warranty against defects.
Learn more.

Weird stuff: Moon dust simulant for 3D printing

Crafted from a lunar regolith simulant, Basalt Moon Dust Filamet™ (not a typo) available from The Virtual Foundry closely mirrors the makeup of lunar regolith found in mare regions of the Moon. It enables users with standard fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printers to print with unparalleled realism. Try out your ideas before you go for that big space contract, or help your kid get an A on that special science project.
Learn more.

Break the mold with custom injection molding by Rogan

With 90 years of industry experience, Rogan Corporation possesses the expertise to deliver custom injection molding solutions that set businesses apart. As a low-cost, high-volume solution, injection molding is the most widely used plastics manufacturing process. Rogan processes include single-shot, two-shot, overmolding, and assembly. Elevate your parts with secondary operations: drilling and tapping, hot stamping, special finishes, punch press, gluing, painting, and more.
Learn more.

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.

New interactive digital catalog from EXAIR

EXAIR's latest catalog offers readers an incredible source of innovative solutions for common industrial problems like conveying, cooling, cleaning, blowoff, drying, coating, and static buildup. This fully digital and interactive version of Catalog 35 is designed for easy browsing and added accessibility. Customers can view, download, print, and save either the full catalog or specific pages and sections. EXAIR products are designed to conserve compressed air and increase personnel safety in the process. Loaded with useful information.
Check out EXAIR's online catalog.

5 cost-saving design tips for CNC machining

Make sure your parts meet expectations the first time around. Xometry's director of application engineering, Greg Paulsen, presents five expert tips for cutting costs when designing custom CNC machined parts. This video covers corners and radii, designing for deep pockets, thread depths, thin walls, and more. Always excellent info from Paulsen at Xometry.
View the video.

What can you secure with a retaining ring? 20 examples

From the watch dial on your wrist to a wind turbine, no application is too small or too big for a Smalley retaining ring to secure. Light to heavy-duty loads? Carbon steel to exotic materials? No problem. See how retaining rings are used in slip clutches, bike locks, hip replacements, and even the Louvre Pyramid.
See the Smalley design applications.

Load fasteners with integrated RFID

A crane, rope, or chain may be required when something needs lifting -- plus anchoring points on the load. JW Winco offers a wide range of solutions to fasten the load securely, including: lifting eye bolts and rings (with or without rotation), eye rings with ball bearings, threaded lifting pins, shackles, lifting points for welding, and more. Some, such as the GN 581 Safety Swivel Lifting Eye Bolts, even have integrated RFID tags to clearly identify specific lifting points during wear and safety inspections and manage them digitally and without system interruption.
Learn more.

Couplings solve misalignments more precisely with targeted center designs

ALS Couplings from Miki Pulley feature a simplistic, three-piece construction and are available in three different types for more precisely handling parallel, angular, or axial misalignment applications. The key feature of this coupling design is its center element. Each of the three models has a center member that has a unique and durable material and shape. Also called a "spider," the center is designed to address and resolve the type of misalignment targeted. Ideal for unidirectional continuous movement or rapid bidirectional motion.
Learn more.

What is 3D-MID? Molded parts with integrated electronics from HARTING

3D-MID (three-dimensional mechatronic integrated devices) technology combines electronic and mechanical functionalities into a single, 3D component. It replaces the traditional printed circuit board and opens up many new opportunities. It takes injection-molded parts and uses laser-direct structuring to etch areas of conductor structures, which are filled with a copper plating process to create very precise electronic circuits. HARTING, the technology's developer, says it's "Like a PCB, but 3D." Tons of possibilities.
View the video.

U.S. Army harnessing power of artificial intel to build smarter robots

By David Vergun, U.S. Army

It's time for robots to replace Soldiers for certain specialized tasks involving "dull, dirty, or dangerous work and to reduce their cognitive load," said Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins.

So the Army is now investing $30 million to harness the power of big data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence in order to create unmanned ground and aerial vehicles such as future vertical lift and the next-generation combat vehicle, said Wins, who is the commander of U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command.

It's time for robots to replace Soldiers for certain specialized tasks involving "dull, dirty, or dangerous work and to reduce their cognitive load," said Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins. [Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo illustration by Peggy Frierson]

 

 

 

 

Wins spoke Friday, May 4, at an Association of the United States Army "Sustainment" Hot Topics event at the Virginia State University in Petersburg, VA.

Besides investing in this new, enabling technology, the Army has taken two other significant steps toward enhancing robotics, he said.

First, RDECOM, which is a subordinate command of Army Materiel Command, will instead fall under Army Futures Command once it is stood up this year, he said. This will allow AFC to enlist the talent and resources of some 10,000 engineers and scientists in RDECOM, along with its vast network of partnerships throughout industry and academia.

Second, RDECOM has entered the Department of Defense's Algorithmic Warfare Cross-Functional Team, code-named Project Maven, he said.

Project Maven was stood up to "integrate artificial intelligence and machine learning more effectively," according to an April 26, 2017 memorandum from then-Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work, announcing its establishment.

"Although we have taken tentative steps to explore the potential of artificial intelligence, big data, and deep learning, I remain convinced that we need to do much more, and move faster …" the memo states.

Wins explained some of what the Army expects to get from Project Maven.

The project is divided into two phases, he said. Research in phase one involves developing computer decision algorithms to help analyze full-motion video input. Phase two consists of improving on the first phase by broadening the scope, scale, and speed of the process to analyze data more quickly and comprehensively.

Although this all sounds simple, it's really not, he said.

"To maximize big data, you need a very, very, very robust high-performance computing capability, focused on being able to deal with the volume of information, harness the speed by which data can be generated, and be able to deal with the diversity of data to make it meaningful and informative for the user and then having the ability to trust the information and verify and validate that data and then make it useful," he said.

Why invest in this?

"The operational risk is, if we don't pursue these, we will continue to plow down the road of the status quo," he said. "That means while we're not taking advantage of these technologies, our adversaries will. And, we will continue to put Soldiers in harm's way when this meaningful technology might allow Soldiers to avoid coming to harm."

Other uses for AI, big data
Besides powering robots, the Army has other areas of interest for AI, machine learning, and big-data analytics, said Brig. Gen. Rodney Fogg, commandant, U.S. Army Quartermaster School.

AI, big data, and machine learning could utterly transform mission command, he said. The technology is already there to do it, and it's very likely that will happen in five to 10 years.

Fogg provided an example of what the technology could do for mission command during a battle.

Imagine an operations officer at a command post directing a battle, he said. With an AI system in place, the Soldier could voice-activate a smart computer by saying "logistics updates."

An AI-driven system would then quickly respond with an update on quantities and types of ammunition on hand, fuel, maintenance required, and medical readiness across the brigade, he said, to include sustainment estimates for the next 48 hours.

The computer would also inform the Soldier when the next resupply mission will arrive and what it is carrying, he said.

All of this would be possible with powerful software, sensors in vehicles monitoring fuel-level and maintenance requirements, and relaying it wirelessly to the Soldier in a useful and easy-to-understand, secure format, he said.

Lt. Gen. Aundre F. Piggee, G-4, said that the Army has already begun to leverage big data in useful ways.

"Last year, we successfully finished fielding the first increment of the Global Combat Support System - Army," he said. "Now, we are working to bring in aviation units and provide business intelligence capabilities through the employment of big data. This will move us close to our goal of total asset visibility."

GCSS-Army does things like track supplies, spare parts, organizational equipment, maintenance, total cost of ownership, and other financial transactions related to logistics for all Army units.

"We have changed the way we manage our supply chain," he continued. "We're giving units repair parts that we have concluded will be the parts most needed in austere and high op-tempo environments.

"The goal is to have these parts mobile so our units can move in one lift. We are already finding it is saving money. We are filling more of what is demanded. And we are repairing weapons systems faster. All of this has already improved readiness in our formations," he concluded.

Retired Lt. Col. Jennifer Chronis, general manager, DoD Amazon Web Services, added that Soldiers are already harnessing the power of big data through cloud services, utilizing computing storage and power right to the forward edge of the battlefield.

The cloud offers secure data transfer and storage, she said. It is being used by Army cyber protection teams and others to analyze data 500 times faster than before, she said, adding that their analysis has resulted in identifying 60 malicious activities recently.

Published September 2018

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