Designfax | Tech for OEM Design Engineers

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.

June 28, 2022

Volume 18 Issue 24

Image - You need motion control components? <br> HIWIN has them in stock!

You need motion control components?
HIWIN has them in stock!
Many models of rolled ballscrews PLUS supports, ballsplines, linear guideways, crossed roller bearings and stages are in stock at our Chicago factory, where HIWIN can cut and machine to our spec or yours. Fast shipment to meet applications in machine tool, medical, lab, packaging, metal fab, semicon and advanced high-precision automation equipment.
See everything HIWIN offers!

In this issue of Designfax

New 3D-printable foam expands after heating
Universal Robots goes bigger and better: UR20 cobot
New lightweight polymer is stronger than steel
Bentley Speed Six reborn: Tool around like it's 1929
Pilot recounts tales of SR-71 Blackbird
New Twin profile Rail Stage actuator for XYZ systems
Tech Tip: Wave spring vs. coil spring
Turn any pipe or hose into a conveyor!
Tech Tip: Gantry vs. Split Bridge system
High-torque flat motors for UAVs and robotics
Slash setup times with One Touch Sliding Locks
Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action

Cold Jet: What can you blast with dry ice?

Most Popular Last Issue

Corvette 70th Anniversary Edition
Airbus RACER copter-plane prototype update
Researchers unveil a secret of stronger metals

New Products

Electrical, Mechanical, Motion

Cover Image: Bentley Speed Six Continuation Series

News

Engineers developing cybersecurity tools to protect solar and wind power on the grid

Scientists craft living human skin for robots

Nissan unveils prototype production facility for EV all-solid-state batteries

Weird Science: Optical microphone sees sound like never before

Image - Complete, configurable and modular palletizing solution

Complete, configurable and modular palletizing solution
The OnRobot Palletizer is a flexible solution to fit all palletizing needs -- it comes with intuitive, step-by-step palletizing software and works with all leading robot arms. Like all OnRobot products, the Palletizer is designed for fast out-of-the-box deployment and features fast programming, even for those with minimal robotic experience.
Learn all about Palletizing: What to Expect

Feature articles

New 3D-printable foam expands to full size after heating

When we first heard about the new FreeFoam material invented by Adaptive3D that can be 3D printed and later heated to expand to its final, intended full size, we thought, "Hmmm ... that's weird," but later it dawned on us that this is incredibly useful -- especially given current supply-chain challenges.
Read the full article.

Insaco: The top choice for high-precision machining of hard materials to very precise tolerances.

Image - Universal Robots goes bigger and better with UR20: 20-kg payload, longer reach, faster handling

Universal Robots goes bigger and better with UR20: 20-kg payload, longer reach, faster handling
Universal Robots, the Danish manufacturer that put collaborative robots (cobots) on the map -- and in thousands of companies all over the world -- has added a new beefed-up cobot to its product range. The next-gen UR20 can handle a payload of 44 lb, has an almost 69-in. reach, and features an entirely new joint design that allows for even faster cycle times and the ability to handle heavier loads.
Read the full article.

Image - New lightweight polymer is stronger than steel

New lightweight polymer is stronger than steel
MIT chemical engineers have created a new two-dimensional polymer that is stronger than steel and as light as plastic, and can be easily manufactured in large quantities. Until now, scientists had believed it was impossible to induce polymers to form 2D sheets.
Read the full article.

Image - Bentley Speed Six reborn: Tool around like it's 1929 and you just won Le Mans

Bentley Speed Six reborn: Tool around like it's 1929 and you just won Le Mans
Feeling nostalgic and got some real coin to spend? Bentley Mulliner is building new 1929 Speed Six models from scratch. The 197-hp straight-six Speed Six became the most successful racing Bentley of its time -- and now 12 lucky people in the world get a chance to own a new one.
Read the full article.

Image - Pilot recounts tales of SR-71 Blackbird

Pilot recounts tales of SR-71 Blackbird
The SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft flew missions around the globe from 1966 to 1998 at speeds above Mach 3 and altitudes of 85,000 ft or more. Although its many contributions to national security will never be fully revealed to the public, the Skunk Works marvel holds world aviation records for its speed and altitude. In this interview with former SR-71 pilot Col. Buzz Carpenter, you'll hear a first-hand account of the aircraft's power and majesty.
View the video. An oldie but goodie.

New Twin profile Rail Stage actuator improves accuracy in XYZ motion systems
The new Twin profile Rail Stage (TRS) actuator from Tolomatic improves accuracy and increases production uptime on XYZ linear motion systems with two- or three-axis configurations. Applications include machining centers, collaborative robot movement, drilling, cutting, pick-and-place, material handling, and more.
Read the full article.

Image - Tech Tip: Wave spring vs. coil spring -- what's the difference?

Tech Tip: Wave spring vs. coil spring -- what's the difference?
The key advantage of using a wave spring is in the axial space savings. Whether it is a static or dynamic application, a wave spring can provide the same force and deflection as a coil spring -- but in considerably less space. There are many other advantages of using wave springs, including cost savings when considering the whole assembly.
Learn more in this informative Smalley blog.

Image - Turn any pipe or hose into a conveyor! Now with custom options

Turn any pipe or hose into a conveyor! Now with custom options
EXAIR's Line Vac Air Operated Conveyors provide an efficient method of converting ordinary pipe, hose, or tubes into powerful in-line conveyors. EXAIR can customize Line Vacs to different specs, such as unique sizes, shapes, and materials, for the perfect system fit. Even smaller sizes can be created while still offering the same quality of conveyance. In applications where stock aluminum or 303 and 316 stainless steels won't work, alternate materials are available. Prices start at just over a hundred bucks.
Learn more.

Image - Tech Tip: Gantry vs. Split Bridge system -- what's the difference?

Tech Tip: Gantry vs. Split Bridge system -- what's the difference?
Gantry motion systems and split bridge motion systems are often used in industrial production, testing, and additive manufacturing, but what makes one better than another for a given application? The experts at PI (Physik Instrumente) run through the basics.
Read this informative PI blog.

Image - High-torque flat motors for UAVs and robotics

High-torque flat motors for UAVs and robotics
maxon's ECX flat BLDC motors are perfectly tailored to compact drive solutions that need a high torque. ECX motors are optimized for max performance thanks to their special winding tech and segmented magnets. These external-rotor motors feature a ratio of torque to weight and size that is second to none and are ideal for use in unmanned aerial vehicles and robotics. The iron-wound motors are available with diameters of 22 mm, 32 mm, and 42 mm in short or long versions. All variants are available with integrated encoders or speed controllers for a complete drive system.
Learn more.

Image - Slash setup times with One Touch Sliding Locks

Slash setup times with One Touch Sliding Locks
One Touch Sliding Locks from IMAO Fixtureworks provide quick and secure positioning and locking. Users can prevent misalignment and quickly lock with a quarter turn of the knob or handle. Ideal for slide position adjustment with a sliding bar or a slotted hole, these easy-to-use sliding locks reduce set-up times in a wide variety of applications. They feature secure locking with a wedge mechanism.
Learn more.

Most popular last issue

Image - Corvette 70th Anniversary Edition

Corvette 70th Anniversary Edition
Chevrolet is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its iconic Corvette with special edition cars. Corvette is the longest running nameplate of any car on the road today, and its 70th Anniversary Edition package includes special badging and features for 2023 Corvette Stingray 3LT and Z06 3LZ coupe and convertible models.
Read the full article.

Image - Airbus RACER copter-plane prototype aims for end-of-year first flight

Airbus RACER copter-plane prototype aims for end-of-year first flight
Airbus is making progress on final assembly of the high-speed RACER prototype rotorcraft, which features an innovative box-wing design, a combination of a traditional main rotor and lateral rotors, hybrid metallic-composite airframe, and an air speed of almost 250 mph.
Read the full article.

Image - Researchers unveil a secret of stronger metals

Researchers unveil a secret of stronger metals
Using a laser to launch metal particles at supersonic speeds at a surface, researchers at MIT have been able to study exactly what happens when tiny crystalline grains that make up a bulk metal form -- down to the nanometer scale. Their experiments showed they could increase one metal's strength almost tenfold.
Read the full article.

Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action

Cold Jet: What can you blast with dry ice?
What can you do with a dry-ice blasting system? Learn all about Cold Jet's capabilities, from automotive restoration, coatings and corrosion removal, and parts finishing to mold and weld line cleaning and more. Learn how putting recycled CO2 to work can replace harmful processes with a water-free, waste-free, and chemical-free solution. Check out Cold Jet's YouTube channel for lots of individual applications after this intro.
View the video.