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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.

Argonne lab team creates new fueling technology that can lower hydrogen costs

By Joan Koka, Argonne National Laboaratory

Employees from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory have been recognized for developing and commercializing technology that lowers the cost and increases the efficiency of dispensing hydrogen at refueling stations, which could potentially lower hydrogen costs paid by fuel cell vehicle customers.

The Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) bestowed its Excellence in Technology Transfer award on the patented hydrogen refueling technology developed by Argonne researchers Amgad Elgowainy and Krishna Reddi. Argonne has transferred the technology to PDC Machines, a global compressor manufacturer, through a combination of mechanisms that include a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement and Technology Licensing Agreement. These technology transfer activities were coordinated by several members of Argonne's business development team, with support from Argonne research engineer Munidhar Biruduganti.

Refueling station cost is barrier to hydrogen fuel adoption
The Argonne researchers developed the technology to address a barrier to wider hydrogen fuel adoption: the high cost of deploying and operating a hydrogen refueling station.

"The refueling station itself is roughly half of the cost that customers pay at the dispenser, and roughly half of the station equipment cost comes from the compressor," says Elgowainy.

Elgowainy and fellow collaborators investigated ways to reduce station equipment cost by targeting the hydrogen compressor, a particularly high-ticket item. Researchers found that compressors, despite each costing $500,000 or more, operate inefficiently. Compressors are oversized to meet demand during peak fueling hours; during off-peak hours they remain mostly idle, operating well below full capacity.

"You don't want your major capital investment, this big-cost item, to be sitting underutilized," Elgowainy says. ?"We tried to see how we could overcome that dilemma while increasing the fueling capacity of the compressor, which can have an impact on the bottom line hydrogen cost for fuel cell vehicle customers."

Increasing the pressure to reduce the cost
The team's solution is ?"pressure consolidation" technology that increases the fueling capacity of the compressor by supplying it with a high-pressure stream of hydrogen. The team's solution takes advantage of the compressor's basic working principles and the typical hourly refueling station demand.

Stations traditionally use a hydrogen supply storage system -- onsite stationary storage or onboard a delivered tube-trailer -- to store the hydrogen that ultimately supplies the compressor. When a vehicle arrives to refuel, hydrogen leaves the supply storage and enters the compressor to be pressurized before delivery to the dispenser and into the vehicle.

Through the course of the day, pressure within the supply storage drops as more and more hydrogen is dispensed. ?"As the pressure drops, the density of the gas entering the compressor also drops, lowering compressor throughput," Reddi said.

The team's technology consolidates the pressure of the hydrogen in the supply storage vessels during periods of low fueling demand. When demand goes back up, the compressor receives a high-pressure stream of hydrogen, enabling compressor throughput to remain high and increasing the station's capacity to sustain a high fueling rate during peak demand periods.

"The high supply pressure is really the key here," Elgowainy says. ?"When you supply the compressor with a high-pressure gas, its throughput increases proportionally. Double the pressure, double the throughput. Triple the pressure, triple the throughput."

The patented pressure consolidation technology offers refueling station operators a savings of up to 30 percent on their equipment costs by minimizing the amount of time the compressor remains idle. The technology also maximizes fuel transfer from the tube-trailer by more than 20 percent.

"This technology has the potential to disrupt a consumer's fuel choice," Biruduganti said. ?"The hydrogen economy offers excellent alternatives."

This work was supported and funded by the Fuel Cell Technologies Office of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Published October 2019

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