Click this link if you cannot read the issue below: Designfax - Tech for OEM Design Engineers
August 20, 2013Volume 09 Issue 31


Image - Materials Matter: Read up on resin selection
Materials Matter: Read up on resin selection
This enlightening white paper guides you in the often-daunting task of determining performance parameters of different thermoplastic materials, and selecting the best resin for your application.

Get expert advice in this free white paper.


In this issue of Designfax

  • Motors level ocean-bottom seismometers
  • Baby Boomers drive medical device chic
  • Can ultrasound improve WD-40?
  • Wheels: Heftier Army unmanned ground vehicle
  • Mike Likes: ID/OD retaining ring lock
  • Engineer's Toolbox: Filtering out all the 'noise'
  • Customizable, integrated sensors
  • Rugged off-highway electric linear actuator
  • Precision die-cut medical parts
  • Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action
    • One-wheeled motorcycle-like scooter
    • Five favorite no-cost engineering tools
  • Most Popular Last Issue
    • New coating makes super glass
    • Wheels: New process joins aluminum and steel
    • 3D-printing update
  • New Products
    • Electrical, Mechanical, Motion, Special: Materials
    Cover Image: Beefier Army iRobot Warrior

News

Researchers control flying robot with only the mind

National Instruments and Kollmorgen collaborate to provide advanced servo solutions

GE scientists working on electric air jets that could smooth out your plane ride

Stratasys 3D printers being tested at The UPS Store as new retail 3D-printing service



Feature articles

Image - Deep-sea plunge: <br>Motors level ocean-bottom seismometers reliably and efficiently
Deep-sea plunge:
Motors level ocean-bottom seismometers reliably and efficiently

Seismometers capture transient phenomenon. If an instrument malfunctions, whether it's at the bottom of the ocean or atop a polar ice cap, that data is lost forever. "You need to be absolutely sure the sensor will perform perfectly every time," says Nanometrics' Jeff Potter. "Seismometers also need to be small and consume very little power when they level themselves, and that's where MICROMO has helped."
Read the full article.
Baby Boomers driving new era of medical device chic
Who decided that affordable healthcare products had to be ugly, uninspired, and insensitive? For Boomers, that artificial hip better be, well ... hip.
Read the full article.

Image - Engineers use ultrasound to improve the performance of WD-40
Engineers use ultrasound to improve the performance of WD-40
Engineering experts at the University of Sheffield in England have developed a test procedure to measure the performance of everyday household oils, such as the WD-40 Multi-Use Product.
Read the full article.

Image - Wheels: <br>Heftier unmanned ground vehicle offers Army more lifting, hauling strength
Wheels:
Heftier unmanned ground vehicle offers Army more lifting, hauling strength

The 300-lb iRobot Warrior, developed in partnership with the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command's tank and automotive center (TARDEC), is a large UGV that offers more lifting and carrying power, as well as the potential for better dexterity to grab items or open and close doors. Read about the engineering development and testing of this heavy-hitting UGV and its many tools.
Read the full article.

Image - Mike Likes: <br>ID/OD retaining ring lock
Mike Likes:
ID/OD retaining ring lock

Spirolox Retaining Rings, available only from Smalley, can operate in an internal and an external groove at the same time! Spiral-type retaining rings have many great benefits for the ID/OD Lock, some of which include concealed fastening, no required assembly tooling, and a 360-degree rotational capacity.
Click here to see application examples and more.

Image - Engineer's Toolbox: <br>Filtering out all the 'noise'
Engineer's Toolbox:
Filtering out all the 'noise'

EMI and RFI "noise" is an elusive and costly problem that may prevent new electronic equipment designs from passing compliance testing. Learn about filtering solutions -- and maybe how to save some money along the way.
Read the full article.

Image - Product Spotlight: <br>Customizable, integrated pressure and thermal sensor solutions
Product Spotlight:
Customizable, integrated pressure and thermal sensor solutions

Honeywell has launched new customizable pressure and thermal sensor solutions, including modules with multiple sensors and technologies integrated inside. Heaters, magnetic, magneto-resistive, infrared, optical, pressure, thermal, and humidity options are all available for customization. Value-add options include custom interfaces, I/O, size and shape, environmental packaging, and total thermal management solutions.
Click here to learn more.

Image - Product Spotlight: <br>Rugged electric linear actuator for off-highway applications
Product Spotlight:
Rugged electric linear actuator for off-highway applications

Thomson's newest heavy-duty linear actuator, the Max Jac electric linear actuator, is designed for high performance in mobile off-highway applications. It is built to work with virtually no maintenance while maintaining accuracy under the harshest conditions. The Max Jac actuator has a stainless steel adapter and extension tubes that prevent leakage and enable it to achieve IP69K protection class status. This actuator successfully completed the following rigorous tests without compromise in performance and accuracy: 500 hr of salt spray, exposure to aggressive substances, rigorous vibration testing, and extreme temperatures ranging from -40 deg C to 85 deg C.
Click here to learn more.

Image - Product Spotlight: <br>Precision die-cut medical parts
Product Spotlight:
Precision die-cut medical parts

If you need custom fabricated precision filters, gaskets, membranes, seals, shields, spacers, and related parts for medical applications, check with Interstate Specialty Products. They produce medical parts to OEM specification using the most appropriate die-cutting technology for the application and are ISO 13485 certified. Parts can be manufactured from a wide range of materials such as engineered plastics, thin-film polyesters, rigid and flexible plastics, foams, felt, and Poron. Featuring intricate shapes, narrow cross-sections, close hole spacing, and different geometries, they can incorporate custom-engineered adhesives to match your application. Available in prototype through production quantities.
Click here to learn more.

Most popular last issue

Image - New coating turns ordinary glass into super glass
New coating turns ordinary glass into super glass
A new transparent, bioinspired coating created by Harvard researchers makes ordinary glass tough, self-cleaning, and incredibly slippery.
Read the full article.

Image - Wheels: <br>BYU's friction bit joining process aims to help automakers lighten up
Wheels:
BYU's friction bit joining process aims to help automakers lighten up

Researchers at Brigham Young University and their commercial partner have found a way to successfully create an extremely strong bond between lightweight aluminum and ultra high-strength steel. It's called friction bit joining, and it may be the breakthrough the automotive industry is looking for.
Read the full article.

Image - 3D-printing update: <br>Stratasys acquires MakerBot and venture capitalists discover key to 3D printing money; Is home 3D printing really safe?
3D-printing update:
Stratasys acquires MakerBot and venture capitalists discover key to 3D printing money; Is home 3D printing really safe?

3D-printing giant Stratasys announced June 19 that it was acquiring MakerBot, the New York-based privately held manufacturer of desktop 3D printers. No surprise there, although the Stratasys shareholders may have been a little taken aback by the price. Meanwhile, a new scholarly article suggests that emissions from the melted plastics used in some desktop 3D printers may not be safe.
Read the full article.

Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action
One-wheeled motorcycle-like scooter
See the RYNO in action, a self-balancing, one-wheeled prototype electric scooter that lets you ride "in between the cracks of urban transportation." Chris Hoffman, RYNO's CEO and chief creator, says the scooter is "regulated in the city at 12.5 mph just like any other mobility scooter," but comes preloaded with way more fun. Although it still hasn't rolled into showrooms, the aim of the latest model is to "pack 4 horsepower into the wheel ... with 2,000 Watts of motor power, this thing will climb a wall." Twin removable, rechargeable battery packs provide an estimated range of 25 miles.
View the video.

Video Image
Five favorite no-cost engineering tools
Jeremy Regnerus, product marketing specialist for SolidWorks, takes a look at his five favorite free tools (not all SolidWorks!) for engineers. Each tool provides valuable time-saving capabilities. Watch and learn how each tool works and where to find it.
View the video.

Video Image

New products

Electrical/Electronics
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Mechanical
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Motion
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Materials
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