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February 09, 2021Volume 17 Issue 06


Image - Positioned For Tough Compact Applications
Positioned For Tough Compact Applications
Novotechnik's TX2 Series position sensor's pivot-head mounting can handle +/-12.5° of offset with stroke lengths of 25 to 300 mm. Linearity is within +/-0.5%, and the TX2 Series is sealed to meet or exceed IP67. The TX2 is designed for mobile and other tough environments with heavy-duty construction featuring a stainless steel rod and metal housing. It is sealed against ingress of dust and liquids. Great for off-highway applications.
Learn more.

In this issue of Designfax

  • 50 Years Ago: Apollo 14 lands at Fra Mauro on Moon
  • NASCAR engineers nearly eliminate wind tunnel testing
  • Laser link corrects atmospheric interference
  • Sikorsky-Boeing unveil advanced assault helicopter
  • 4 key values to determine servo system stability
  • Aero: Thermoplastic tape reaches thermoset laydown speeds
  • Displays: New HMI and drive faceplates
  • Mechatronics made easier: Mechanical + drive
  • Noncontact measurement of speed and length
  • Is Excel hindering your engineering projects?
  • Tray tables and more: New bifold torque hinge
  • Asset tracking down to the centimeter
  • Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action
    • Automated vehicle floor-plug insertion at GM
    • World-first cobot autonomous bin-picking kit
  • Most Popular Last Issue
    • New rocket thruster -- much faster spacecraft
    • 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L: Loaded and loadable
    • Toolbox: 7 ways to improve sheet metal parts
  • New Products
    • Electrical, Mechanical, Motion
    Cover Image: Sikorsky/Boeing DEFIANT X Long Range Assault Aircraft

News

Weird Science: Physicists claim new circuit generates clean, limitless power from graphene

Sandia Labs shows machine learning could lop a year off technology design cycle for new materials

New salt battery design may help electric cars go the extra mile

Dartmouth cancer clinic's technology lets doctors see beam field during radiation treatments



Image - NEW PRODUCT: <br>SPIROL Introduces the Press-N-Lok Pin for Plastic Housings
NEW PRODUCT:
SPIROL Introduces the Press-N-Lok Pin for Plastic Housings

The Press-N-Lok™ Pin was designed to permanently retain two plastic components to each other. As the pin is inserted, the plastic backfills into the area around the two opposing barbs, resulting in maximum retention. Assembly time is quicker, and it requires lower assembly equipment costs as compared to screws and adhesives -- just Press-N-Lok™!
Learn more about the new Press-N-Lok™ Pin.
Check out the new BP100 Press-N-Lok™ Pin Specifications.
Watch how simple it is to install the Press-N-Lok™ Pin in this short video clip.

Feature articles

Image - 50 Years Ago: Apollo 14 lands at Fra Mauro and Shepard plays golf on Moon
50 Years Ago: Apollo 14 lands at Fra Mauro and Shepard plays golf on Moon
On Feb. 4, 1971, Apollo 14 launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center carrying astronauts Alan Shepard, Edgar Mitchell, and Stuart Roosa. The primary mission objectives on the Moon centered on deployment of the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package, collection of surface material samples for return to Earth, and deployment of scientific instruments not part of the experiments package. Unscheduled activities included golf shots and javelin throwing on the lunar surface.
Read the full article.

Image - NASCAR engineers nearly eliminate wind tunnel testing using Ansys
NASCAR engineers nearly eliminate wind tunnel testing using Ansys
NASCAR racing teams are leveraging a state-of-the-art automated simulation workflow created by D2H Advanced Technologies and Ansys to improve high-performance stock cars that are engineered with speed, efficiency, and affordability. The technology significantly streamlines and improves aerodynamics development of race cars by enabling teams to nearly eliminate wind tunnel testing.
Read the full article.

Image - Record-breaking laser link corrects atmospheric interference
Record-breaking laser link corrects atmospheric interference
A team led by scientists in Australia has set a world record for the most stable transmission of a laser signal through the atmosphere. Their technology erases atmospheric turbulence. "It's as if the moving atmosphere has been removed and doesn't exist," said one researcher.
Read the full article.

Image - Sikorsky-Boeing unveil updated advanced assault helicopter: DEFIANT X
Sikorsky-Boeing unveil updated advanced assault helicopter: DEFIANT X
A development partnership between Sikorsky and Boeing has released new details of its advanced helicopter for the U.S. Army's Future Long Range Assault Aircraft competition. Now named DEFIANT X, the coaxial rotor aircraft aims to be the fastest, most maneuverable, and most survivable assault helicopter in history.
Read the full article.

Image - 4 key values to determine servo system stability
4 key values to determine servo system stability
Servo systems operate in various degrees of stability, with a fine line between stable and unstable. Changes in the mechanical system over time or machines with varying loads can move the system from a stable to unstable operating condition. This short article lays out four key values that determine the stability level of a servo system.
Read this informative Kollmorgen blog.

Image - Aero: Thermoplastic tape reaches thermoset laydown speeds -- no autoclave required
Aero: Thermoplastic tape reaches thermoset laydown speeds -- no autoclave required
Using their enhanced Automated Fiber Placement processing technology, Electroimpact, a highly experienced provider of factory automation and tooling solutions, was able to increase laydown speeds of thermoplastic uni-directional tape (TP UDT) from Victrex to 4,000 in./min.
Read the full article.

Image - Displays: New HMI and drive faceplates
Displays: New HMI and drive faceplates
ABB's CP600 Gen 2 HMIs offer NEMA 4X rating, an expanded temperature range, 33% brighter screens, additional communications ports, and integral web server capability, allowing users to expand HMI usage into more applications. Available in 7-, 10-, and 15-in. sizes, the CP600 Gen2 HMI units join the CP600-eCo units and the CP600-Pro units to cover the full range of industrial display needs.
Learn more.

Image - Mechatronics made easier: Mechanical + drive
Mechatronics made easier: Mechanical + drive
Nidec Motion Control (motors) and SDP/SI (mechanical components) have partnered to create a one-stop shop for low-voltage standard DC motors and controllers plus mechanical components for industrial automation, robotics, medical technology, safety and security, agriculture, food and beverage, vending, and more. Offerings will include pre-assemblies and kitting, from digital controllers to custom mechanical transmission solutions.
Learn more.

Image - Noncontact measurement of speed and length
Noncontact measurement of speed and length
With the SPEETEC, SICK has expanded its product range for speed and length measurement of objects moving in a linear path to include technology that measures directly on the material surface. The non-contact sensor is able to measure a wide range of web and continuous materials, as well as blanks, with incredible accuracy. This speed sensor closes the gap between tactile, indirect-measuring encoder solutions and laser velocimeters, which are often expensive to purchase and require considerable effort to integrate and operate.
Learn more.

Image - Is Excel hindering your engineering projects?
Is Excel hindering your engineering projects?
While Excel is a great tool for performing quick calculations, it cannot handle the scope of mathematical computation required for advanced engineering projects. Discover why engineers from around the world reap the benefits from the move to robust, interactive mathematical systems such as Maple. Learn how, with the right tools, you can arrive at the right solution faster, while minimizing errors, delays, and rising costs.
Learn more.

Image - Tray tables and more: New bifold torque hinge
Tray tables and more: New bifold torque hinge
Southco's AH-2E Bifold Constant Torque Hinge achieves a new level of safety and performance for fold-out tables in passenger transit applications in the rail, RV, bus and coach, and aerospace industries. With its integrated constant-torque technology, the AH-2E enables controlled motion that keeps the table from falling open onto the passenger's lap. Additionally, its improved aesthetics and enhanced reliability make it an ideal upgrade from traditional free-swinging hinges and dampening devices.
Learn more.

Image - Asset tracking down to the centimeter
Asset tracking down to the centimeter
ON Semiconductor's Quuppa Intelligent Locating System enables real-time tracking of Bluetooth tags and devices -- with centimeter-level accuracy even in challenging environments. Quuppa technology allows positioning updates to be sent up to 50 times per second, providing a reliable and versatile Real-Time Locating System (RTLS) solution for all industries. Users can design ultra-low-power indoor asset-tracking applications with Direction Finding features and advanced Angle of Arrival (AoA) technology.
Learn more.

Most popular last issue

Image - New rocket thruster concept -- much faster spacecraft
New rocket thruster concept -- much faster spacecraft
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.

Image - 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L: Loaded and loadable with night vision to boot
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L: Loaded and loadable with night vision to boot
If you're in the market for a large SUV that's totally capable in town or off-road, the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee L has a lot to offer, including V6 and V8 options, luxe interiors, seven-passenger seating in three rows (a first for the line), and more than 110 advanced safety and security features -- including an available night-vision camera.
Read the full article.

Image - Engineer's Toolbox: 7 ways to improve sheet metal parts
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.

Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action
Automated vehicle floor-plug insertion system provides GM multiple benefits
FANUC worked with General Motors to automate the insertion of floor plugs to help relieve workers from having to bend and twist to do this process manually. Now, vision-guided robots locate and insert plugs, providing several benefits that have led to higher productivity, including ergonomic improvements and better quality control of the error-proofing process.
Watch this video application story.

Video Image
World-first cobot autonomous bin-picking kit
ActiNav from Universal Robots is a new UR+ application kit for companies of all sizes that simplifies integrating autonomous bin picking of parts and accurate placement -- including precise orientation -- in machines using UR cobots. ActiNav handles vision processing, collision-free motion planning, and autonomous real-time robot control all at once. The system is also incredibly easy to program. Genius!
Read the full article and see ActiNav work.

Video Image

New products

Electrical/Electronics
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Mechanical
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