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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.

January 28, 2025Volume 21 Issue 04


Image - Replace traditional fasteners: 26 retaining ring applications
Replace traditional fasteners: 26 retaining ring applications
Using a Rotor Clip Retaining Ring to fasten your assembly instead of a traditional fastener not only reduces your costs, but it also saves the environment. Fewer parts and less material provide cost savings for you and less waste for the planet. This quality part offers lot traceability. Want to know what you can do with a Rotor Clip Retaining Ring?
View application examples.

In this issue of Designfax

  • NASA tests revolutionary tire tech for Mars
  • Game-changer for Navy divers: Augmented vision display
  • Strong as steel, light as foam: New nano materials
  • Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO: Top executive vibes
  • Helical thread inserts and kits for soft metals
  • What is 3D-MID? Molded parts with integrated electronics
  • Keypad teardown and design insights: Xometry
  • How to maximize and optimize stepper motor control
  • When metals can't survive: Machined ceramics
  • Adjustable monitor mounts that hold, tilt, and more
  • Fastest large-format SLA 3D printer in the world
  • Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action
    • Trick to measuring angles in SOLIDWORKS
  • Most Popular Last Issue
    • NASA football field-size space radiators: Mars
    • Lexus GX: The best SUV gets even better
    • Can Kevlar get better? New chainmail-like polymer
  • New Products
    • Electrical, Mechanical, Motion
    Cover Image: Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ 2025

News

U.S. Army scientists develop new battery treatment process

Wearable cooling pump drops temperatures by 16 degrees -- more at source of heat

Autonomous Black Hawks? Lockheed Martin to demo latest flying tech for U.S. Marine Corps

Scientists attempting to make 'mother of all motion sensors' for GPS-free navigation



Feature articles

Image - NASA tests revolutionary tire tech for Mars -- next-gen Moon buggy wheels
NASA tests revolutionary tire tech for Mars -- next-gen Moon buggy wheels
NASA recently completed rigorous rover testing on Martian-simulated terrain using revolutionary shape memory alloy spring tire technology developed in partnership with Goodyear Tire & Rubber. The metal can accommodate deformation despite extreme stress.
Read the full article.

Image - Augmented vision display is game-changer for U.S. Navy divers
Augmented vision display is game-changer for U.S. Navy divers
The Navy's new Divers Augmented Vision Display enables divers to better operate in inhospitable underwater environments. It can take sonar imagery gathered before and during a dive and use it to create a detailed 3D model of the dive site, and divers are able to receive videos, technical manuals, images, messages, and other data to help them navigate underwater.
Read the full article.

Image - Strong as steel, light as foam: Nano-architected materials
Strong as steel, light as foam: Nano-architected materials
Researchers at the University of Toronto have used machine learning to design nano-architected materials that have the strength of carbon steel but the lightness of Styrofoam. These optimized nanolattices withstood tested stresses far better than titanium and could benefit industries from automotive to aerospace.
Read the full article.

Image - Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO: Top executive vibes
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO: Top executive vibes
Arriving at U.S. dealerships this year, the 2025 AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ is the newest addition to the Mercedes-AMG GT lineup. The daily-drive coupe features 2+2 seating and a handcrafted AMG 4.0L V8 biturbo that delivers 26 more horsepower than the AMG GT 63, producing a total of 603 hp. It is swift at the track too.
Read the full article.

Image - Helical thread inserts and kits for soft metals
Helical thread inserts and kits for soft metals
E-Z Coil™ helical insert coils from E-Z LOK quickly repair or reinforce tapped holes in soft metals. Made from 18-8 stainless steel wire, these helical coil inserts are corrosion resistant and can withstand temperatures up to 800°F. They offer corrosion resistance and protection from wearing and stripping. E-Z Coil Thread Repair kits are also available in both standard and economy, and in a variety of sizes.
Learn more
or contact Kyle Lindsly-Roach at 310.323.5613 x221.

Image - What is 3D-MID? Molded parts with integrated electronics from HARTING
What is 3D-MID? Molded parts with integrated electronics from HARTING
3D-MID (three-dimensional mechatronic integrated devices) technology combines electronic and mechanical functionalities into a single 3D component. It gives engineers the power and freedom to shrink components, optimize space, and provide higher overall functional density -- while offering the same or more capabilities as in larger devices. HARTING's tagline for the tech is, "Like a PCB, but 3D."
Read the full article.

Image - Keypad teardown and design insights with Autodesk and Xometry
Keypad teardown and design insights with Autodesk and Xometry
Take a deep dive into the second revision of the macro keypad developed for Autodesk University's Factory Experience 2024 in this exclusive, on-demand webinar hosted by Xometry's Greg Paulsen and Autodesk Fusion's Jonathan Odom. This presentation features a live teardown of the keypad, showcasing how the design team addressed challenges and elevated the product. No registration required.
Watch this Xometry webinar at your convenience.

Image - How to maximize and optimize stepper motor control
How to maximize and optimize stepper motor control
Engineers from Performance Motion Devices take a comprehensive look at how to control two-phase stepper motors, beginning with the basics (operations, strengths, and weaknesses) and moving on to traditional and updated advanced techniques for control including closed loop. A very thorough presentation.
Read this Performance Motion Devices article.

Image - When metals can't survive: Machined ceramics as an alternative
When metals can't survive: Machined ceramics as an alternative
Technical ceramics are so hard and wear resistant that they cannot be machined with conventional tools -- but they can outlast and outperform other materials in demanding or harsh applications. INSACO's proprietary diamond grinding process and specialized techniques developed over many decades allow the company to produce parts to exacting specifications consistently. Learn all about the alternatives you have when metals just can't take it.
Read this informative INSACO article.

Image - Adjustable monitor mounts that hold, tilt, and more
Adjustable monitor mounts that hold, tilt, and more
AV Monitor Mounts from Southco allow intuitive and ergonomic display positioning, enabling the operator to grab and move the screen without significant effort. These mounts also hold the screen in any position securely and resist unwanted movement when in use. Constant-torque functionality provides an arm that can withstand strong touch forces, vibration, and heavy loads. Lots of options.
Learn more.

Image - Fastest large-format SLA 3D printer in the world
Fastest large-format SLA 3D printer in the world
Built on Formlabs' next-generation Low Force Display print engine, the new Form 4L SLA 3D printer delivers unmatched reliability with a 99% print success rate compared to other SLA 3D printers. These benefits, combined with a build volume nearly 5x the size of Form 4, allow Form 4L users to solve big problems and print smaller parts at high volume. Large-scale prints finished in under six hours.
Learn more.

Most popular last issue

Image - Football field-size space radiators are part of NASA Mars nuclear propulsion plan
Football field-size space radiators are part of NASA Mars nuclear propulsion plan
One option NASA is exploring to get to Mars faster is nuclear electric propulsion, which would require a huge heat dissipation system -- too big to fit inside a single rocket and unfold later. Researchers are looking into how to assemble it robotically and autonomously in space.
Read the full article.

Image - Lexus GX: The best SUV gets even better
Lexus GX: The best SUV gets even better
Named "The Best SUV of 2024" by Motor1, the Lexus GX gets some nice upgrades for 2025. This tough-but-luxe mid-size SUV comes standard with a highly capable and efficient twin-turbocharged 3.4L V6 engine paired with a 10-speed Direct Shift Automatic Transmission. Six grades are available. A top-notch ride.
Read the full article.

Image - Can Kevlar get better? The future of armor could be a new chainmail-like polymer
Can Kevlar get better? The future of armor could be a new chainmail-like polymer
A Northwestern University-led research team has developed the first two-dimensional mechanically interlocked material. With 100 trillion mechanical bonds per square centimeter, it contains the highest density of mechanical bonds ever achieved. When added to Ultem (a material in the same family as Kevlar), it produced dramatic increases in overall strength and toughness.
Read the full article.

Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action
Trick to measuring angles in SOLIDWORKS
Learn from the pros at TriMech how to take angle measurements easily in SOLIDWORKS. TriMech has an entire YouTube channel dedicated to SOLIDWORKS tips, and the company is excellent at training too.
View the video.

Video Image

New products

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