| November 24, 2015 | Volume 11 Issue 44 |
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 | A new way to tie one on
The 4ZERO Cuff is the most advanced flexible polymer handcuff on the market and is used by select police and law enforcement agencies that demand the strongest and most durable product available. Now, the same material used to manufacture the 4ZERO Cuff is available from Micro Plastics, Inc. in the line of extremely durable 4ZERO Cable Ties designed to perform and hold their strength in extremely dry environments and in temperature extremes from -30 deg F to 400 deg F -- conditions that can leave normal nylon cable ties brittle and broken. Available sizes include: 8 in. (50 lb), 14 1/2 in. (50 lb), 11 in. (120 lb), and 22 in. (200 lb).
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 | Optimize mechanical misalignments, get hidden benefits
C-Flex Couplings combine the best qualities of disc, beam, and bellows couplings in a unique and economical new design. Made to couple two rotating shafts together, these couplings can accommodate large misalignments while transmitting high torque loads with zero backlash. Benefits include lower energy usage and less-frequent bearing failure, since less stress is placed upon bearings. Constructed using high-strength hardened stainless steel or glass impregnated polyamide flexures, these couplings require no maintenance and provide years of trouble-free life, even in contaminated environments. Flexible Pivot Bearings and Super Plastic Torsional Damping Couplings also available.
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Watch C-Flex Couplings in action handling misalignments. |
 | Wings:
GE advanced turboprop engine reaches new heights
Textron Aviation, the world's largest maker of business propeller planes like Beechcraft Bonanza, Baron, and King Air, said Nov. 16 it would use a brand new advanced turboprop engine developed by GE to power its latest single-engine turboprop plane. The engine burns 20 percent less fuel and produces 10 percent more power, compared to engines in its class.
Read the full article. |
 | Mike Likes: 1080p video development kit for IoT
The MatrixCam video development kit (VDK) from ON Semiconductor has been developed specifically to encourage greater video adoption within Internet of Things (IoT) products, as well as accelerating time to market for OEMs. Among its key applications are home automation systems, building access devices, baby monitors, advanced lighting controls, and smart appliances. It offers smart streaming capability and numerous interconnectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). It can connect to cloud services such as Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform, with support for both video-on-demand and live streaming.
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 | Bearings: Custom self-lubricating components, optimized for friction and wear
Self-lubricating iglide bar stock enables free design of maintenance-free sliding elements and bearings. A range of iglide material options allows for the best friction and wear values with a specific application's requirements to be created. 19 iglide materials are available as bar stock, with a variety of plate and tube options available as well. Custom machining solutions are also available in as little as 3 days.
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 | Sensors: Comprehensive industrial networking capabilities added
MTS Sensors has made enhancements to its R-Series of high-performance magnetostrictive sensors for absolute position measurement. The series now conforms with the latest version of the EtherNet/IP communication protocol with device-level ring (DLR) compatibility, having recently recertified against the ODVA EtherNet/IP Composite Conformance Test revision CT12. Through this, interfacing with a wider array of EtherNet/IP-compliant hardware across numerous industry sectors has been made possible, such as factory automation systems, plastic injection molding apparatus, and materials handling equipment.
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 | Motion: Mini 2-axis beam steering system
New Scale Technologies has created a new beam steering developer's kit for precise point-to-point beam positioning and dynamic scanning up to 100 Hz. The two piezoelectric rotary stages in the DK-M3-RS-U-2M-20-L developer's kit have a familiar galvo-scanner form factor but are only 12 mm in diameter. A closed-loop controller is embedded in each tiny stage, making the complete system more than 25 times smaller than traditional systems with external controllers. Each smart stage rotates a pre-mounted aluminum-coated mirror +/- 20 deg at up to 1,100 deg/sec with angular resolution of 0.05 degrees (1 mrad). Applications include medical lasers and imaging systems, industrial measurement and spectroscopy instruments, and laser printing and engraving.
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 | Ball rail systems: Twice the service life, high accuracy
The new BSHP runner blocks from Rexroth distinguish themselves from the previous generation by reducing pulsation when placed under a load. The machining quality and accuracy of cutting machine tools, measuring machines, glass machining equipment, and other tooling benefit as a result. Rexroth has also boosted dynamic load capacities by approximately 26 percent, with static load capacities improving by as much as 50 percent. Higher dynamic values lead to a service life that is up to 200 percent longer. These units also promote energy-efficient lightweight construction for new machine concepts.
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| | Most popular last issue |
 | Material Wars: Who's going to win the automotive metals race?
There's a lot of press out there about new materials replacing sheet steel in the automotive industry. Aluminum and composites are being touted as the next best things for taking weight out of cars, but steel companies are not ignoring this lightweighting trend. By David Paratore, President and Chief Executive Officer, NanoSteel.
Read the full article. |
 | Neat! New washer can accurately measure a bolt's clamping force
A piezoelectric load-sensing washer being developed by a professor and a recent graduate at the University of Alabama in Huntsville provides a more accurate way to measure the clamping force exerted by the bolt it is on. That's a benefit for numerous industries where the clamping force of bolts is critical, including construction, auto assembly, nuclear power, racing, aviation, and space.
Read the full article. |
 | Wings:
3D-printed jet-powered UAV unveiled at Dubai Airshow
3D-printing and additive manufacturing solutions heavyweight Stratasys has teamed with Aurora Flight Sciences to deliver what is believed to be the largest, fastest, and most complex 3D-printed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) ever produced. The high-speed aircraft was built using lightweight Stratasys materials to achieve speeds in excess of 150 mph.
Read the full article. |
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | Honda shows off motorcycle/car prototype
Combining the open and engaging feel of a motorcycle with the dynamic handling of an automobile, the Honda Project 2&4 made its North American debut Nov. 17 at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. The design is the winner of the company's in-house 2015 Honda Global Design Project. The Honda Project 2&4 is powered by the RC213V competition motorcycle engine, a 999 cc V-4 unit, originally developed for the world-class MotoGP motorcycle racing series and specially tuned for use on public roads. With a 14,000-rpm red line, the powerplant is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission and delivers peak power of 212 hp at 13,000 rpm, and peak torque of 87 lb-ft. at 10,500 rpm. The body design and engine position were inspired by the legendary Honda RA272 Formula One racecar of 1965.
View the video. |
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Inspired by nature: Festo BionicKangaroo
Two years in the making, the BionicKangaroo from automation technology specialist Festo demonstrates how pneumatic and electric drive technology can be combined with a new control technique to make a highly dynamic system. The robo 'roo demonstrates how the real-world kangaroo recovers and stores energy, and retrieves it on the next jump. The function of the natural Achilles tendon is carried out with the help of an elastic band made of rubber. It is fastened at the back of the foot and parallel to a pneumatic cylinder on the knee joint. The artificial tendon cushions the jump, simultaneously absorbs the kinetic energy, and releases it for the next jump. The unit achieves its high jumping power with the aid of pneumatics. In the places where the highest positioning accuracy is called for, electric motors are used -- for example, when it comes to controlling the tail and hip.
View the video. |
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