Designfax – Technology for OEM Design Engineers was launched as an exclusive eMagazine in October 2005 following 25 successful years in print. Subscribers to the weekly publication (48 issues a year) are high-level OEM product design engineers and engineering managers who operate in a broad range of manufacturing industries, including automotive, aerospace, appliances, medical equipment, transportation, computer process controls, industrial equipment, and more. Primary content focuses on the latest exciting applications and products for Electrical/Electronic, Mechanical, Motion Control, Fluid Power, and Materials engineering, including articles on powerful software programs that serve as a primary engineering tool. Take a look at what Designfax offers and then subscribe.
| July 27, 2021 | Volume 17 Issue 28 |
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 | Xometry: Get CNC Machining Quotes Within Seconds
You won't believe how fast Xometry's Instant Quoting Engine gives you quotes on CNC machining. Just upload your part and get back pricing and lead time in just seconds. Instant pricing on 3D printing and sheet metal is also available, and parts ship free in the US. Xometry is AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certified.
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In this issue of Designfax
- Ford F-150 Lightning: Ready to electrify mass market
- Airless bike tire uses NASA shape memory alloy tech
- Can hydrogen paste power motorcycles and scooters?
- Gummy metals cut better when marked with Sharpie
- Sikorsky-Boeing unveil advanced assault helicopter
- MAHLE developing magnet-free motor for EVs
- Top Tech Tip: HVACR -- How to clean condenser coil
- Top Product: 3D metal printer for in-office use
- Top Fasteners: Self-clinching fasteners design tips
- Top Tech Tip: 5 top reasons for solder joint failure
- Top Toolbox: All about lead screws
- Top Tech Tip: Stepper or servo motor?
- Top Product: Alternative to traditional drive systems
- Top Cool Tools: Three new CadMouse models
- Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action
- Blue Angels transition to Super Hornets
- World's most powerful electric vacuum gripper
- Honey, I shrunk the V-8 engine!
- Most Popular Last Issue
- Tesla's innovative power electronics: SiC inverter
- Cobot welder is programmable with smartphone app
- Good beer. Zero packaging accidents.
- New Products
- Electrical, Mechanical, Motion
Cover Image: Blue Angels, Ford Lightning, Sikorsky-Boeing DEFIANT X
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News
Is it worth investing in solar PV with batteries at home?
Forensic scientists begin to unlock the unique chemical signatures in tires
Vertical turbines could be the future for wind farms
DOD outlines latest hypersonics development strategy
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 | Can hydrogen paste power motorcycles and scooters?
High-pressure hydrogen fuel tanks are not a viable alternative-fuel option for motorcycles and scooters, but researchers in Germany have another plan: POWERPASTE. This experimental material -- which sports a huge energy density -- stores hydrogen in a chemical form at atmospheric pressure and is activated simply by adding water.
Read the full article. |
 | Top Tech Tip: HVACR -- How to properly clean a condenser coil
Condenser coil cleaning is one of those subjects where there is a fair amount of confusion. Parker Hannifin provides answers to common questions to set the record straight. Why do condenser coil cleaners foam, and evaporator coils usually don't? What is the difference between the acid and non-acid condenser coil cleaners? Learn these things and more in this informative post.
Read the Parker Hannifin blog. |
 | Top Product: 3D metal printer and furnace made for in-office use
In partnership with Rapidia, the ExOne Company has launched the ExOne Metal Designlab printer and X1F advanced furnace, which can produce metal parts in a day. Its 3D printer operates with the ease of an entry-level plastic printer, and the parts it produces go directly into the furnace, skipping the long chemical or thermal debinding steps required by competing systems.
Read the full article. |
 | Top Fasteners: Self-clinching fasteners design tips
Dozens of types and thousands of variations of self-clinching fasteners (steel, stainless steel, or aluminum) have been engineered over the years. Leon M. Attarian of PennEngineering provides three mini case studies where manufacturers benefited greatly by switching to self-clinching fasteners in their assemblies. This article is filled with insightful tips and suggestions.
Read the full article. |
 | Top Tech Tip: 5 top reasons for solder joint failure
Solder joint reliability is often a pain point in the design of an electronic system. According to Tyler Ferris at ANSYS, a wide variety of factors affect solder joint reliability, and any one of them can drastically reduce joint lifetime. Properly identifying and mitigating potential causes of solder joint failure during the design and manufacturing process can prevent costly and difficult-to-solve problems later in a product lifecycle.
Read this informative ANSYS blog. |
 | Top Tech Tip: Stepper or servo motor -- Which should it be?
Bring out the full capacity of your machines through the most efficient mechatronic design. Hurley Gill, Senior Applications/Systems at Kollmorgen, outlines servo and stepper motor baseline capabilities for selection criteria like torque, speed, accuracy, and repeatability. Technical advantages and disadvantages are discussed, helping machine designers select the best motor drive system for their application.
Read "Servo or Stepper: Which Should It Be?" |
 | Top Product: Alternative to traditional drive systems
Nexen Group has introduced a stainless steel version of its patented precision roller pinion system (RPS). The Nexen RPS engages two teeth simultaneously to achieve superior accuracy with zero backlash at any length. The system is also extremely quiet and 99% efficient. Stainless steel makes the system corrosion resistant, with a long life of up to 36 million meters. Nexen's RPS provides a low-maintenance, durable alternative to rack and pinion, ball screw, and belt drive technology. The RPS is used for a wide range of applications including laser cutting, plasma cutting, and gantry applications.
Learn more. |
 | Top Cool Tools: Three new CadMouse models
3Dconnexion has expanded its range of peripherals designed to meet the needs of professional users. The refined CadMouse range of products now includes a compact form factor, a compact wireless, and the ultimate Pro model for power users. These new introductions cater to specific and exacting user requirements, ranging from hand size and grip type preferences to special application functionality, extensive programmability, and mobility features for users on the move.
Learn more. |
| | Most popular last issue |
 | Cobot welder is programmable with smartphone app
The new Cobot Welder from Hirebotics is a major leap forward in easy-to-use welding automation that combines industrial-grade robot welding functionality with consumer-level ease-of-use and a phenomenal price point -- especially for small and medium-size businesses. The Cobot Welder's app programmability decreases the time required to teach a new part by 60%.
Read the full article. |
 | Good beer. Zero packaging accidents.
The Danish division of Carlsberg, one of the leading brewery groups in the world, has significantly improved staff safety and taken steps toward achieving zero accidents since integrating Universal Robots cobots into its Fredericia-based factory. The company invested in two cobots, the space-friendly UR3 and the powerful UR10, to tackle carrying packaging cartons from the pallet to the magazine -- a monotonous and strenuous task that often left staff with repetitive strain or severe cuts. Working in tandem, the cobots can handle up to 500 packaging cartons per hour. Now the company has purchased four additional cobots to further automate its production lines.
Read the full article. |
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | Blue Angels transition to Super Hornets
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels​ flight demonstration squadron has transitioned from Legacy Hornets to F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets for the 2021 show season. Ride along with Lt. Cmdr. Cary Rickoff (flying Blue Angel #6) as he conducts a training flight over Naval Air Facility El Centro, CA, with Cmdr. Ben Walborn (Blue Angel #5) during pre-season preparations. 2021 marks the 75th anniversary of the Blue Angels team.
View the video. |
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World's most powerful electric vacuum gripper now available from OnRobot
Who needs an unwieldy and costly pneumatic material-handling system when OnRobot has just launched the VGP20 electric vacuum gripper? The easy-to-deploy new grasper can handle payloads up to 20 kg (44 lb), making it a great fit for a wide range of applications. The VGP20 comes complete with everything needed for fast, easy deployment with any leading robot. It's full of advanced features too.
See how it works. |
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Honey, I shrunk the V-8 engine!
Piezo V-8 Linear Motor: Borrowing from the classic design of a V-8 engine to achieve high push/pull and holding forces, patented piezo actuator technology and linear stepping motion design principles come together to create the fastest and strongest non-magnetic drive of its class size. These piezoelectric motors are self-clamping, i.e., at rest or in steady-state mode, they automatically hold the position without any need for power. Learn how this technology can be used in your application.
Watch video. |
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