| February 02, 2021 | Volume 17 Issue 05 |
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 | High Rotational Capacity Retaining Rings
Self-locking retaining rings are ideal for applications that have high rotational requirements. This feature allows the ring to function at speeds that exceed the recommended rotational capacity. Self-locking allows the ring to operate at high speeds, withstand vibration, and function under rapid acceleration.
Learn more. |
 | High-Power Brushless DC Motor Designed for Handheld Devices
Discover the FAULHABER 1660 BHx series: a high-power, slot-less brushless DC motor based on 2-pole technology that delivers optimized performance. 16mm in diameter and 60mm in length, the 1660 BHx motor is ideal for handheld tools and devices requiring impressive power, while also featuring low vibration for reduced user fatigue. Offered in two motor design options: one is optimized for high speed (BHS-version) applications, and the other is designed for high-torque (BHT-version) performance.
Learn more. |
| | Feature articles |
 | Army works to improve quadrotor drone performance
The U.S. Army Research Lab has collaborated with researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to create a trajectory planner that significantly shortens the time it takes for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) tail-sitter drones to transition from hover to forward flight and vice versa.
Read the full article. |
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 | New rocket thruster concept may propel spaceships much faster
A new type of rocket thruster could take humankind to Mars and beyond. Its novel design applies magnetic fields (and not electric ones, like current designs) to cause particles of plasma to shoot out the back of the rocket and propel a spacecraft forward. The technology accelerates the particles using magnetic reconnection, the phenomenon at the heart of solar flares.
Read the full article. |
 | Engineer's Toolbox: 7 ways to improve sheet metal parts
When designing sheet metal components, there's a lot to consider: bends, reliefs, offsets, hems, holes, slots, tabs, and inserts -- not to mention material and finishing options. The engineers at Proto Labs take a quick look at the different ways to improve sheet metal part design while creating cost-efficient components. Learn some great tips.
Read the full article. |
 | Specialty hinges expand design possibilities for opening and closing
From the simplest of hinges to multi-joint hinges with complex kinematics, the JW Winco selection has everything needed for superior door and flap solutions -- including extra functions. Popular choices include the heavy-duty stainless steel GN 237.3 with 180-degree range of motion and the GN 235, which can be mounted with socket head cap screws and -- thanks to its offset axis -- still swivels 180 degrees without collision. Additional functionality is offered by hinges with variable friction, and in another Winco part, an integrated spring ensures independent return of the hinge. This special product range, which also includes integrated damping, indexing, and locking functions, is being continually expanded. One kinematic highlight is already available from Winco: the multiple-joint hinge with either a 4x, 7x, or 10x joint mechanism, which opens flaps and shifts their position at the same time, while still offering 180 degrees of travel. Many more options.
See the full range of JW Winco hinges. |
 | LED integrated directly into computer chips
Researchers at MIT's Research Laboratory of Electronics have fabricated a silicon chip with fully integrated LEDs, bright enough to enable state-of-the-art sensor and communication technologies. The advance could lead to not only streamlined manufacturing, but also better performance for nano-scale electronics.
Read the full article. |
 | Mike Likes: Micro-sized high-power servo drives
The FM060-25-CM is part of a new breed of micro-sized high-power servo drives available from ADVANCED Motion Controls (50.8 mm x 25.4 mm with a height of 22.1 mm -- three units can fit within the footprint of a standard business card). Rated to output 25A continuous and 50A peak, this fully featured digital servo drive is small enough to fit in the tightest locations. It is ideally suited for mobile and portable applications such as mobile robotics, automated mobile robots (AMRs), AGVs, material handling, warehouse automation, lab automation, and more. Two lower current options (5A and 10A) are also available.
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 | Alternative Materials: Space Station uses silicon carbide ceramic bearing
Insaco, working with a major pump manufacturer, helped design a specialized pump to process wastewater into usable water on the International Space Station. To overcome both the requirement for reliability during manned space flights and the poor lubricity of water, Insaco recommended and machined a special grade of silicon carbide for their ceramic bearing with dimensional tolerances of +/-.0002". The pump has run in space successfully since 2016. For your unique machining requirements using sapphire, ceramic, quartz, and glass, trust the experts at Insaco.
Learn about high-precision machining of hard materials. |
 | AutomationDirect adds GAM helical racks and pinions
Rack-and-pinion systems are a type of linear actuator consisting of a rotating pinion that drives a linear rack, converting rotary motion to linear motion. The new GAM helical racks and pinions, along with a broad offering of gearboxes, can provide a complete linear solution for your application. High-precision helical racks provide smooth, quiet operation. Pinions can be mounted to SureGear gearboxes, are hardened, and work with ISO 10 hardened racks. Components with module pitches of 1.5, 2.0, and 3.0 are available.
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 | Thermally conductive battery adhesive for hybrid vehicles
DELO now offers DELO-DUOPOX TC8686, a thermally conductive and flame-retardant structural adhesive for batteries used in hybrid vehicles. Already being used by an automotive supplier, this new adhesive is suitable for low-voltage batteries found in mild hybrid and conventional hybrid vehicles, as well as in e-bikes and e-scooters. The adhesive allows battery cells to be bonded into a battery's housing while dissipating the heat generated during operation. Instead of mechanically connecting the battery cells and then using gap fillers for heat dissipation, DELO-DUOPOX TC8686 combines connection of the thermal management system and structural bonding into one step, simplifying production.
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 | Customized ABS with metallic effect
Avient Corp. has just added a new customized ABS formulation that features a metallic effect to its Artisan pre-colored thermoplastic series. The material was developed to help electronics manufacturers eliminate the painting process while achieving scratch and chemical resistance and sustainability goals. By using Artisan pre-colored ABS thermoplastics, molders are able to produce parts with a brilliant, high-gloss metallic effect without any secondary processing.
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 | LEGO Porsche 911 set is 2 in 1: Build Turbo or Targa
The latest LEGO car kit is a slick two-in-one 1970s and 80s throwback affair. The almost 14-in.-long, 1,458-piece Porsche 911 set can be built either as the fixed-roof 911 Turbo model or as the open-roofed 911 Targa. Highlights include a 2+2 interior with sculpted front sports seats (finished in dark orange and nougat) and a faithfully recreated interior with tilting front seats, gearstick, handbrake, and functional steering. Available March 1.
Learn more. |
| | Most popular last issue |
 | Ready to rumble: All-new Ford F-150 Tremor
It may not be a high-end Ford Raptor, but if you like to do some off-roading the new Ford F-150 Tremor may be all you need -- and it'll cost a lot less too. The ready-to-rumble Tremor boasts a 5.5-ft box, 400-hp 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, 10-speed automatic transmission, standard four-wheel drive, and an impressive array of super-capable all-terrain tech -- including some of what is available on the new Bronco.
Read the full article. |
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | Cobots power flexible machine loading at PrecisionForm
PrecisionForm, a market leader in small custom metal parts, was challenged to automate the task of picking parts in deep bins and inserting them into a CNC machine. The company deployed Universal Robots' ActiNav system for flexible machine loading, enabling them to boost competitiveness, overcome labor challenges, empower their workforce, and extend the lifespan of older equipment.
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Leverage 3D CAD models for technical communications
Learn how to share virtually any CAD format with important stakeholders throughout the enterprise using XVL from Lattice Technology. This fast and lightweight tool lets you publish 2D or interactive 3D documents for consumption using free viewers and players. An XVL file contains the CAD-accurate geometry, the linked Bill of Materials, Assembly/Service Process Instructions, and more.
View the overview video. |
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