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.
| October 20, 2026 | Volume 22 Issue 39 |
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 | 27,000 Stock Metric Gears from KHK
KHK USA offers the largest selection of stock metric gears in North America -- with over 27,000 configurations. KHK USA offers Metric Spur Gears, Metric Helical Gears, Metric Internal Ring Gears, Metric Gear Racks, Metric Bevel Gears, Metric Worms and Wormwheels all from stock! Free 3D CAD models, technical specs and 24/7 price and availability are all detailed online.
See what KHK USA has in stock for you today! |
| | Feature articles |
 | Nuking asteroids gets more intense study
Can X-rays from a nuclear device heat and vaporize an asteroid? Lawrence Livermore National Lab researchers are developing 3D simulations to examine how a nuclear device could be used to deflect or potentially disrupt an asteroid threatening Earth.
Read the full article. |
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 | New Moon batteries survive -274 F
If you've ever had your car start sluggishly, or not at all, on a particularly frigid winter morning, you know standard batteries do not like extreme cold. NASA researchers are working to develop a battery that could function in the brutal cold of the Moon's South Pole, where nights get unbelievably chilly.
Read the full article. |
 | Your future home might be framed with printed plastic
The plastic bottle you just tossed in the recycling bin could provide structural support for your future house. MIT engineers are using recycled plastic to 3D print construction-grade beams, trusses, and other structural elements that could one day offer lighter, modular, and more sustainable alternatives to traditional wood-based framing.
Read the full article. |
 | Porsche Mission S supercar: First look
Porsche recently returned to historic grounds to unveil the Mission S -- a concept model reinterpreting the sports car while previewing an evolved design identity. Born from Porsche's "Sportwagenschmiede 35" strategic realignment, this mid-engined supercar platform permanently sits above the 911, offering a bold glimpse into the ideas and features shaping Porsche's thrilling future.
Read the full article. |
 | How standard AI is messing up industrial automation quotes
Reshape Automation's new Industrial AI Accuracy Index 2026 tested three leading AI models -- GPT-6 Astra, Claude, and Gemini -- on 100 questions drawn from what customers ask distributors and OEMs every day, covering parts from 14 industrial manufacturers. From memory alone, the models got 12% to 14% right. With web search, the best scored 52%. About 1 in 3 wrong answers gave a specific part number or figure with no caveat.
Read the full article. |
 | Sealing fasteners can optimize your designs
Highly specialized sealing fasteners include sealing screws, sealing nuts, sealing bolts, and sealing washers. Unlike ordinary fasteners, sealing fasteners are configured with a rubber O-ring (or a rubber element) that, when squeezed, permanently seals out a wide range of contaminants from entering and damaging equipment while preventing leakage of toxins into the environment. ZAGO sealing fasteners are designed to withstand harsh weather and extreme temperatures and are vibration and pressure resistant.
Learn all about ZAGO's wide selection of sealing fasteners. |
 | Next-gen smart servos with higher performance
Nanotec's next-gen PD2 smart servos integrate a NEMA 17 motor, controller/drive, and absolute encoder into a compact unit. Offering up to 75% higher rated torque in stepper and BLDC versions, they feature FOC, EtherCAT, and IP65 protection. Applications include packaging machinery, laboratory automation, medical tech, semiconductor manufacturing, intralogistics, and printing equipment.
Learn more. |
 | New and improved: Electronic flow control for smarter compressed air use
EXAIR's newly redesigned EFC™ Electronic Flow Control makes it easier than ever to minimize compressed air use in automated industrial processes. The EFC pairs a photoelectric sensor with programmable timing control to automatically turn on compressed air only when needed, eliminating waste during production gaps. The latest design introduces asynchronous timing for greater control over operating cycles, convenient external programming that eliminates the need to remove the enclosure cover to make adjustments, and a sleek new appearance.
Learn more. |
| | Most popular last issue |
 | Jaguar goes for broke: Controversial Type 01 makes its real-world debut
Two years after its controversial concept unveiling, Jaguar's all-electric Type 01 grand tourer has finally hit the real-world asphalt. Brash, blocky, and unapologetically radical in design, this 1,000-hp four-door coupe shreds the brand's rulebook. Packed with clever engineering, Jaguar's electric debut isn't just a new car -- it's a direct strike at Bentley and Rolls-Royce and a must-succeed rollout for the brand.
Read the full article. |
 | World first: GPS-free quantum maritime navigation
A new quantum navigation system created by an Australian company maintained one-nautical-mile positioning accuracy over a test mission duration, surpassing navigation-grade GNSS backups by more than 10 times. This demonstration comes as the race intensifies to develop secure capabilities for missions where GPS is unavailable or compromised.
Read the full article. |
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | SOLIDWORKS: Mastering sheet metal -- advanced tips and tricks
GoEngineer's Brady Daniels, Senior Applications Engineer, gives a master class in next-level sheet metal design. This on-demand webinar covers practical tips and techniques aimed at expanding your understanding and improving real-world workflows. Topics include bend calculations, comparing design approaches, how flat patterns work, and embracing multi-body design. Skip through or take in the whole presentation when you have time. [Credit: Screenshot courtesy of GoEngineer]
View the GoEngineer video. |
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