| October 15, 2013 | Volume 09 Issue 39 |
|
 | 2014 COOL PARTS CALENDAR
Designed by designers and engineered for engineers, our annual Cool Parts Calendar features the visions of product developers across the nation and around the world. It features monthly contests, industry tradeshow dates, and (of course) those elusive days of the week.
Request your calendar today. |
 | Could this be the world's most effective wedge-locking washer?
You can count on one solution to meet all your bolt-securing needs using the just-introduced Nord-Lock X-series washers. They combine Nord-Lock's unrivaled wedge-effect solution (to prevent spontaneous loosening) with an exceptional spring effect (to compensate for loss of preload due to slackening). When used in pairs, each washer duo has cams on one side and radial teeth on the opposite side to secure the bolted joint with tension instead of friction. Quick and easy to install and remove with standard tools, this is a great solution for handling vibration and dynamic loads, painted or powder-coated surfaces, soft metals, and composites and polymers.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Wheels:
Schaeffler shows off precision of e-bike torque sensors and bearings at Eurobike 2013
At Eurobike 2013, the world's largest bicycle show, Schaeffler showed off its latest contributions to providing comfort, dynamics, and efficiency to electric bicycle (e-bike) makers. At the show held in Friedrichshafen, Germany, the company demonstrated its portfolio of FAG sensor bottom brackets and a range of other bearings and components from the INA and FAG brands on an e-bike from smart (a division of Daimler). The focus was on freedom from maintenance and a long operating life with the highest possible level of smoothness.
Read the full article. |
 | Mike Likes:
Reduce spring height by 50 percent
Smalley Wave Springs can replace conventional coil springs while occupying only half the space and providing the same force and deflection. Over 4,000 springs are available from stock in carbon and stainless steel, or you can utilize Smalley's No-Tooling-Cost™ manufacturing process on special designs, available from .200" to 120". Samples available for testing.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Product Spotlight:
LED for automotive headlights provides higher performance and SMT capability
Osram Opto Semiconductors has introduced a new two-chip version of the Oslon Black Flat LED. As with other LEDs from the Oslon Black Flat family, the new version (KW H2L531) features a high level of brightness and is suitable for all headlight functions. The major advantage of the new LED is that, as a surface-mount component, it can be attached directly to the PCB and then processed with other components as part of a standard soldering process. The simplicity of this implementation translates into significant cost and time savings during further processing.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Product Spotlight:
Compact vertical translation stage offers super-precise incremental motion
Aerotech's MPS-SV series lift stages provide high-performance elevation motion in a compact, cost-effective design. These lift stages are engineered for applications ranging from laboratory research to high-reliability production processes and are offered in two sizes: the MPS50SV and MPS75SV. The multitude of adapter brackets and mounting compatibility inherent in all MPS stages permits easy assembly of multi-axis configurations using linear, rotary, and lift MPS stages. These stages utilize a precision-ground ball screw and preloaded crossed-roller bearings (no belts!) for smooth and accurate geometric performance, exceptional accuracy and repeatability, and 0.05-μm minimum incremental motion.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Product Spotlight:
Latest bondable-to-TPE grades for grips, handles
A new series of overmolding (OM) grades of Maxelast TPEs for bonding onto PE used for handles, grips, cosmetic cases, and other applications is now available from APS (Alliance Polymers and Services LLC). The four new grades, available in a Shore A Hardness range of 32, 40, 60, and 70, offer an excellent chemical bond between the soft elastomeric alloy and a rigid PE (polyethylene) substrate. The results are products that are ergonomic and soft to the touch, as well as slip resistant. An additional benefit is that the TPE provides a high level of shock absorption to grips. APS is the exclusive North American distributor of Polymax Maxelast TPEs, the largest producer of TPEs in Asia.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Cool Tools:
World's first wireless 3D mouse
The 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse Wireless provides precise 3D navigation in a sleek, wireless design. This tool combines 3Dconnexion's 6-degrees-of-freedom (6DoF) sensor with 2.4-GHz wireless technology to deliver the reliability of a wired device without the clutter of cords. Gently manipulate the SpaceMouse Wireless' controller cap to simultaneously pan, zoom, and rotate digital models or viewports. You should get about a month's use out of the unit's lithium-ion battery before recharging.
Click here to learn more. |
| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | 3D-printed RoboHands shared with the world
After South African woodworker Richard Van As lost two full fingers and parts of two others in a work accident, he decided to create his own "trade-friendly" prosthetic. On the Internet, he found a collaborator in U.S.-based Ivan Owen, a special-effects maker who had worked on mechanical puppet hands. Even though 10,000 miles separated the pair, they worked together designing and creating prototype prosthetic hands, each using a MakerBot Replicator 2 3D-printing machine to fashion the parts. After a post on Facebook garnered interest from a needy child's parent, Van As and Owen began to share their RoboHand creations. The rest, as they say, is history.
View the video. |
 |
Behind the scenes:
See how Hyundai uses Artec scanners for quality control
Artec scanners are used by Hyundai Motor Europe engineers to measure and compare prototype seats to meet comfort, ergonomic, shape, and contour quality. The Artec L scanner is used to create the "big-picture" 3D model of the car seat. The smaller, intricate details of a seat are scanned with the Artec MHT scanner. Then all the data is combined to make a complete, highly precise 3D model of the car seat that is ready for further refinement.
View the video. |
 |
|
|
