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April 01, 2025Volume 21 Issue 13


Image - High RPM Solved with Revolox
High RPM Solved with Revolox
Smalley's Revolox® Self-Locking Retaining Rings are your solution for high RPM. The self-locking feature utilizes a dome on the inside turn, "locking" into a slot on the outside turn, preventing ring expansion. Revolox rings make it possible to operate at higher speeds, withstand vibration, function under rapid acceleration, and absorb a degree of impact loading. They are also lightweight, sturdy, and ideal for high production volumes.
Learn more.

In this issue of Designfax

  • U.S. Marines look deeper into using electric seagliders
  • Coating optimizes golf balls for wet or dry greens
  • New material gives copper superalloy-like strength
  • Audi RS Q8 performance: 631-hp luxury sport SUV
  • Join THK at The Assembly Show South!
  • Engineer's Toolbox: Self-clinching fasteners tips
  • New washer tech for leak-free automotive sealing
  • New aero and defense PEKK-based FDM polymers
  • Safety Wheel Drive simplifies payload mobility
  • Servo controllers: From basic fans to advanced robots
  • LEDs: High-precision and focused light source
  • Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action
    • CAD skill check: Learn to make a groovy ball
  • Most Popular Last Issue
    • SwRI investigates crack in USAF fighter jet
    • Lamborghini Temerario replaces Huracán
    • 99 years ago! Goddard's first liquid-fueled rocket
  • New Products
    • Electrical, Mechanical, Motion
    Cover Image: 2025 Audi RS Q8 performance

News

BYU engineers build air traffic control system for drones for a few hundred bucks

NASA's Electrodynamic Dust Shield successfully repels lunar regolith on Moon

Lightsails for interstellar travel: New design and fabrication method developed

Kenworth to end production of its iconic Class 8 W900, T800, and C500 truck platforms



Feature articles

Image - U.S. Marines look deeper into using all-electric seagliders
U.S. Marines look deeper into using all-electric seagliders
The U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Lab has committed $10 million to a second-phase exploratory collaboration with Rhode Island-based REGENT Craft to pursue the development of all-electric seagliders for defense operations. The high-speed, ground-effect craft with retractable hydrofoils can take off and land on water, flying within one wingspan of the surface. It looks so cool and useful, but is it really an aircraft?
Read the full article.

Image - Coating optimizes golf balls for wet or dry greens
Coating optimizes golf balls for wet or dry greens
Scientists can now slow the roll of a golf ball on a lightning-fast, dry course and speed it up on a sluggish, wet course thanks to a new coating that interacts with water molecules without interfering with the ball's aerodynamics.
Read the full article.

Image - New material gives copper superalloy-like strength
New material gives copper superalloy-like strength
Researchers from the U.S. Army Research Lab and Lehigh University have developed a groundbreaking nanostructured copper alloy -- one of the most resilient copper-based materials ever created -- that could redefine high-temp materials for aerospace, defense, and industrial applications.
Read the full article.

Image - Audi RS Q8 performance: 631-hp luxury sport SUV
Audi RS Q8 performance: 631-hp luxury sport SUV
Audi has added a new model to the top of its 2025 Q8 lineup, and it is the most powerful production combustion model in the history of Audi Sport. The new RS Q8 performance SUV with a biturbo V8 combines impressive everyday usability, a super-luxe feel, and outstanding handling and acceleration. Car and Driver called it, "Lamborghini Urus performance at a huge discount."
Read the full article.

Image - Join THK at The Assembly Show South!
Join THK at The Assembly Show South!
Meet up with THK at The Assembly Show South, April 16-17 at Music City Center in Nashville, TN -- Booth 1223. This is a key event for manufacturing professionals seeking innovative solutions that can drive business growth. THK stands for Toughness, High Quality, and Know-how, which are key differentiators for providing motion products you can count on, including Linear Motion Guides and Actuators, Ball Splines and Screws, Cross-Roller Rings, Cam and Roller Followers, and other motion technologies.
Learn more and register. Use code VIP1223 for complimentary expo pass.

Image - Engineer's Toolbox: <br>Self-clinching fasteners design tips
Engineer's Toolbox:
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. 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.

Image - New washer tech for leak-free automotive sealing
New washer tech for leak-free automotive sealing
Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has launched the Rubore® Washer, a unique solution offering virtually leak-free sealing beneath screwheads to safeguard critical systems in vehicles, especially electric ones.
Read the full article.

Image - New aero and defense PEKK-based FDM polymers from Stratasys
New aero and defense PEKK-based FDM polymers from Stratasys
Stratasys has partnered with top aerospace and defense companies to develop two newly qualified materials for 3D printing. Antero 800NA is a PEKK-based FDM polymer with excellent physical and mechanical properties for demanding applications. Antero 840CN03 is a high-performance PEKK-based FDM polymer with electrostatic dissipative (ESD) properties. These new advanced industrial solution materials were rigorously qualified in collaboration with Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Blue Origin, Raytheon, Naval Air Systems Command, the National Institute for Aviation Research, United States Air Force, BAE, and Stratasys Direct Manufacturing.
Learn more.

Image - Safety Wheel Drive simplifies payload mobility
Safety Wheel Drive simplifies payload mobility
IDEC has expanded its ez-Wheel product family with the new SWD Safety Wheel Drive for automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). This system combines wheels, gearboxes, motors, encoders, controllers, and power systems into singular, extremely compact, and maintenance-free solutions, reducing component count up to 50%. Available in light/medium (SWD 125) or heavy-duty (SWD 150) models. When integrated with other safety devices, such as IDEC SE2L laser scanners or bumper/edge switches, the SWD can provide Safe Brake Control, Safely Limited Speed, and Safe Direction with a SIL2/PLd rating. A SIL3/PLe safe motor disconnection is also integrated.
Learn more.

Image - Servo controllers: From basic fans to advanced robots
Servo controllers: From basic fans to advanced robots
Implement your most innovative ideas by combining maxon's ESCON2 servo controllers and the user-friendly Motion Studio software. ESCON2 controllers use the latest technology in semiconductor and PCB manufacturing to achieve unprecedented power density and control performance in terms of torque and speed. ESCON2 controllers can be used in a wide variety of applications -- from simple analog/digitally commanded standalone applications such as fans, scanners, and pumps to sophisticated CANopen-based systems in AGVs, hand tools, or logistics and transport applications. Three ESCON2 Modules available.
Learn more.

Image - LEDs: High-precision and focused light source
LEDs: High-precision and focused light source
Würth Elektronik's WL-SMCW SMT Mono-color Chip LED Waterclear now includes a compact model with a footprint of just 1.6 mm x 0.8 mm, in which a dome lens focuses the light with an emission angle of just 30 degrees. With this LED, light can be precisely directed onto a small area while minimizing light scattering and energy loss. This space-saving LED is suitable for consumer electronics, medical devices, handheld products, and symbol or text displays. Available LED colors are blue, green, light green, yellow, amber, and red. A model with diffuse light (WL-SMTD) is also available.
Learn more.

Most popular last issue

Image - SwRI investigates crack in U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon fighter jet
SwRI investigates crack in U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon fighter jet
The U.S. Air Force called on the Southwest Research Institute to help ensure fleet safety after a large crack was found unexpectedly near the cockpit of a T-38 Talon fighter jet. A new study describes how SwRI's risk and damage tolerance analyses helped determine a more effective inspection schedule, allowing the Air Force to find cracks before they grow to critical size.
Read the full article.

Image - Lamborghini says hello Temerario, goodbye Huracán
Lamborghini says hello Temerario, goodbye Huracán
Lamborghini is replacing its best-selling model ever, the Huracán, with a new powerhouse: the 907-hp twin-turbo V8 hybrid Temerario that features the perfect blend of "blistering speed and luxurious comfort." It has big shoes to fill.
Read the full article.

Image - 99 years ago! Goddard's first liquid-fueled rocket
99 years ago! Goddard's first liquid-fueled rocket
Robert H. Goddard is recognized as the father of American rocketry. Although his work was revolutionary, he received little recognition from fellow scientists and some ridicule from the press for his seemingly outlandish ideas about space exploration.
Read the full article.

Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action
CAD skill check: Learn to make a groovy ball in Onshape
A groovy ball looks like a complicated design, but Onshape makes this sphere with a groove really manageable using four main features. This is an interesting challenge, even if you don't use Onshape. Think about how you would make it with your design software, and then watch this video.
View the video.

New products

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Motion
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