| December 22, 2020 | Volume 16 Issue 49 |
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 | Motors for model train meet demanding requirements
Building an N-gauge (1:160) model train system involves working with very small units. The 1930s-inspired BR 70 locomotive from Fleischmann is only 2.25 in. long when measured buffer to buffer. As on large locomotives, traction (and on the model, power transmission) between the wheel and the track is a crucial factor. To give the unit appropriately scaled big-train power with low vibration and noise, the folks at Fleischmann turned to customized DC motors from FAULHABER.
Read the full article. |
 | Over 30,000 Stock Metric Gears
KHK USA Inc offers the largest selection of stock metric gears in North America. Beginning in December 2020, KHK will offer more than 30,000 configurations. KHK USA offers the broadest selection of Stock Metric Spur Gears, Helical Gears, Internal Ring Gears, Gear Racks, Bevel Gears, Worms and Wormwheels, and other Gear types.
See what KHK USA has in stock for you today. |
| | Feature articles |
 | 55 Years Ago: First rendezvous in space faces multitude of challenges
The primary goals of Project Gemini included proving the techniques required for the Apollo Program to fulfill President John F. Kennedy's goal of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth before the end of the 1960s. Paramount among those techniques was rendezvous and docking necessary to implement the Lunar Orbit Rendezvous method NASA chose for the Moon landing missions.
Read the full article. |
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 | New transistor design disguises key computer chip hardware from hackers
A hacker can reproduce a circuit on a chip by discovering what key transistors are doing in a circuit, but not if the transistor "type" is undetectable. Purdue University engineers have demonstrated a way to disguise which transistor is which by building them out of a sheet-like material called black phosphorus. This built-in security measure would prevent hackers from getting enough information about the circuit to reverse engineer it.
Read the full article. |
 | Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year from Designfax!
We made it! Thanks to all of our readers, sponsors, writers, and article contributors for helping us make it through 2020 -- despite its many serious challenges. We wish all of you a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2021. Hang in there!
Don't forget to pass along your issue of Designfax to an engineering colleague.
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Go to the Designfax advertise page.
See you in 2021! |
 | Bentley Blower reborn after 90 years for special limited run
In a reverse-engineering project for the record books, a dedicated design and production team at Bentley Motors has spent more than 40,000 hours to create nearly 2,000 individually designed and handcrafted parts to complete Car Zero, the working prototype for its exclusive 12-unit Blower Continuation Series. All the final cars will be crafted from the design drawings and tooling jigs used for the original four Blowers built and raced by Sir Henry 'Tim' Birkin in 1929 and 1930. Bentley's own original Blower was used as the master model, with every single component laser-scanned as part of the wheels-up re-creation.
Read the full article. |
 | Universal Robots reaches industry milestone:
50,000 cobots sold
Collaborative robots -- or cobots -- remain the fastest-growing segment of industrial automation, projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 30.37% during 2020-2025. Cobot market pioneer Universal Robots solidified its frontrunner position this month by selling the 50,000th UR cobot, which was purchased by a German manufacturer to enable higher productivity and better employee safety.
Read the full article. |
 | Extra-clearance compression limiter for plastic assemblies
Metal compression limiters provide spot reinforcement in plastic assemblies to prevent the plastic from cracking when a bolt is used to fasten the plastic component to another component. SPIROL has just released a new product called the CL220 Split Seam - Extra Clearance Compression Limiter, which has a flexible diameter to accommodate wide hole tolerances. Once installed, it will provide a minimum clearance of 1 mm over the bolt diameter. As an added bonus, the CL220 has a protective coating of ArmorGalv, a zinc alloy thermal diffusion coating that provides salt-spray protection for highly corrosive applications.
Learn more. |
 | 3-phase high-performance EMC filter fits in tight industrial spaces
Space is scarce in control cabinets for 3-phase industrial applications. SCHURTER has addressed this problem by downsizing its EMC filter range, which includes the new FMBC EP double-stage filter family. The almost cubical design makes optimum use of the space in the housing. The double-stage filters are designed for currents from 16 A to 230 A and are built with the highest-quality components to provide exceptional broadband filter attenuation. Typical applications -- up to 520 VAC or even 760 VAC -- include automated production equipment, motor drives, and industrial plant machinery.
Learn more. |
 | Cool Tools: XL scanner handles parts over 6 ft
Part of the Polyrix PolyScan Surround 3D Scanner family, PolyScan XL available from Exact Metrology combines up to 16 cameras and 16 projectors (XL8) to measure parts up to 2,000 mm. These scanners are motionless by design during inspection. Their unique calibration avoids the need for data alignment or sticker targets, and multiple baselines increase accuracy when measuring points. Complete inspection of parts is achieved in only minutes. Ideal for medium-to-large aerospace castings or automotive sheet metal components.
Learn more. |
 | New Contrinex DW series proximity sensors from AutomationDirect
New models of Contrinex DW series round proximity sensors are offered in barrel sizes from 8 mm to 3 mm from AutomationDirect. Flush- and non-flush-mount models are available with standard or extended sensing distances, with complete overload protection. These IP67-rated sensors are made of nickel-plated brass or 304 stainless steel. PNP models are IO Link compatible and are available with either a N.O. or N.C. output. NPN logic is also available with a N.O. output. M12 quick-disconnect termination is available on all sizes of sensors; a 2-m pigtail cable is an option on 8-mm and 12-mm sensors. Backed by a lifetime warranty.
Learn more. |
 | Beswick RPV rapid-pressurization valve
The new, miniature RPV valve from Beswick is not like other valves you've encountered. It is used to protect a pneumatic actuator such as a chuck, press, or gripper from sudden bursts of high pressure. The internal needle valve restricts the initial movement of the actuator to a user-defined speed, and then opens up upon sensing back pressure. This allows the user to limit the impact that a work piece experiences when it is clamped down upon without sacrificing the pressurization speed of an open, free-flowing connection.
Learn more. |
| | Most popular last issue |
 | New Boeing Advanced Trainer jet does first roll
This past July, Boeing's new T-7A Red Hawk Advanced Trainer jet aircraft, which was developed for the U.S. Air Force, was really put through its paces -- including a roll to an inverted position and a push to -1 g. Watch as Boeing Test & Evaluation pilots Matt Giese and William Berryman put the jet through a rugged series of maneuvers to test its fuel system at all angles. The T-7A Red Hawk aircraft and trainers will replace the Air Force's aging T-38 training fleet.
View the video. |
 | Superalloy for 3D printing claimed to be defect resistant
Most very-high-strength alloys that function in extreme environments cannot be 3D printed because they crack. A team headed by researchers at the University of California Santa Barbara has developed a new class of superalloys that overcomes this cracking problem. The discovery holds tremendous promise for advancing the use of additive manufacturing to produce complex, one-off components for use in high-stress, high-performance environments.
Read the full article. |
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | What's new in Geomagic Freeform 2021?
Geomagic Freeform 2021 from 3D Systems is one of the industry's most comprehensive organic design solutions, enabling you to solve complex precision-design and manufacturing challenges. It allows you to easily address challenging tasks within existing scan-to-print or CAD-to-manufacturing workflows. From checking for 3D printability to simplifying workflows and even new painting tools, check out the latest enhancements.
View the video. |
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Will thinner oils damage your car engine?
What do oil weights actually mean? Do thinner oils improve fuel efficiency? Can thin oils effectively protect an engine? Jason Fenske from Engineering Explained tackles these basic questions in detail and more (like if manufacturers are moving to thinner oils in general) -- complete with his ever-present whiteboard. We always learn something new in a Fenske video.
View the video. |
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