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.

November 10, 2026

Volume 22 Issue 41

Image - 27,000 Stock Metric Gears from KHK

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!

In this issue of Designfax

Kit makes Army standard rounds into drone munitions
NASA announces new experimental X-plane
Ultrasound guides matter through the air
Jeep Wrangler Scrambler SRT: Ultimate desert weapon
New! Magnetite filament for FDM printers
Engineer's Toolbox: Self-clinching fasteners tips
Made-in-USA linear actuators w/ drive, bearing options
Packaging: How much does a cartoner cost?
NASA partners with Xometry to fast-track life support systems
Bison expands global access to MAE stepper motors
New 22-mm pushbutton switch
Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action

All about Smalley wave springs

Most Popular Last Issue

From sketch pad to launch pad: Navy space robotics
2027 Chevrolet Silverado: New small block V8
What's ETCRAM memory? Smart devices get smarter

New Products

Electrical, Mechanical, Motion

Cover Image: Jeep Wrangler Scrambler SRT Concept

News

Researchers demonstrate new approach to measuring airflow under extreme hypersonic conditions

Scientists give hard-to-recycle wind turbine blades a second life

New gel fuel could make rocket and satellite propulsion easier to control

Impressive! Graphene-based energy harvester uses ambient radiation to run temp sensors

Feature articles

Image - Kit makes Army standard rounds into drone munitions

Kit makes Army standard rounds into drone munitions
The U.S. Army's new Munitions Air-dropped Lethal Effects Tool (MALET) converts abundant existing inventory, such as 60-mm and 81-mm mortar rounds, into ready-to-use drone ammo. This innovation eliminates the need to procure expensive, purpose-built drone munitions, significantly strengthening the tactical drone toolbox for Soldiers.
Read the full article.

Image - NASA announces new experimental X-plane: Max maneuverability

NASA announces new experimental X-plane: Max maneuverability
NASA gave a sneak peek of the crewed X-70 Fractal experimental aircraft at the Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Featuring rapidly reconfigurable flight-control technology, this high-performance research platform is designed to allow NASA to explore unprecedented levels of aircraft maneuverability in crewed flight.
Read the full article.

Image - Ultrasound creates a tube that guides matter through the air

Ultrasound creates a tube that guides matter through the air
An ultrasonic tube developed at the University of Helsinki can guide gas, powders, and plasma as well as liquids. The tube is formed by ultrasound from 256 small speakers, and it can be turned while material is flowing through it.
Read the full article.

Image - Jeep Wrangler Scrambler SRT Concept: Ultimate desert weapon

Jeep Wrangler Scrambler SRT Concept: Ultimate desert weapon
Forget the trail -- SRT just rewrote the off-road rulebook. By taking the iconic DNA of the legendary CJ-8 Scrambler and injecting it with an uncompromised high-speed desert-racing pedigree, the Jeep Wrangler Scrambler SRT Concept is a bold, high-octane reimagining of an American classic.
Read the full article.

Image - New! Magnetite filament for FDM printers

New! Magnetite filament for FDM printers
Virtual Foundry, the company that brought us 3D-printable lunar regolith simulant, has a new product called Magnetite Filamet™, giving users the power to print parts with magnetite -- the most strongly magnetic mineral on Earth -- using the FDM printers they already own. This material is great for electromagnetic shielding. Print using a 0.6-mm hardened-steel, standard-flow nozzle on virtually any open-architecture printer. No Filawarmer required.
Get all the material specs.

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 - Made-in-USA linear actuators offer drive, bearing options

Made-in-USA linear actuators offer drive, bearing options
AutomationDirect now offers PBC Compact and UG series linear actuators, delivering versatile, space-saving motion control for packaging, material handling, food and beverage, and automation. These Made-in-USA actuators convert rotary motion into dependable linear motion with customizable drive and bearing options. They feature narrow profiles, lead screw, ball screw, or belt-driven configurations, plus easy multi-axis installation accessories.
Learn more and see all your options.

Image - Packaging: How much does a cartoner cost?

Packaging: How much does a cartoner cost?
According to Jacob D., an application engineering manager at Douglas Machine, "Cartoner price is based on many factors including type, product, and customization." Learn about the main cost tiers of cartoners, as well as what affects their price and lead time, in this thorough run-down. Knowing the pricing behind a cartoner quote will serve you well.
Read the Douglas Machine article.

Image - NASA partners with Xometry to fast-track ISS life support systems

NASA partners with Xometry to fast-track ISS life support systems
Learn how NASA engineers at the Marshall Space Flight Center employed Xometry's large-format CNC machining capabilities to build mission-critical air purification units in this informative real-world application story. These systems allow astronauts to live 220 miles above Earth.
Read the Xometry case study.

Image - Bison expands global access to precision MAE stepper motors

Bison expands global access to precision MAE stepper motors
Bison now brings MAE stepper motors to customers worldwide, expanding access to proven motion control solutions. Delivering precise 1.8-deg positioning, high torque up to 12 Nm, and micro-stepping up to 204,800 steps per revolution, these versatile 2-phase hybrid motors feature high modularity -- including gearboxes, encoders, brakes, and integrated electronics -- to simplify machine design across industrial and commercial applications.
Learn more and see all your options.

New 22-mm pushbutton switch
Discover the new PBA22 Series panel-mount pushbutton switch from E-Switch, engineered for industrial controls, automation, and operator interfaces. Featuring an IP65 rating, a standard 22-mm cutout, and a modular contact block design, it offers unmatched system flexibility. Enjoy reliable performance with multiple circuit options, up to 6A at 230 VAC ratings, quick-connect terminals, and vibrant actuator colors.
Learn more.

Most popular last issue

Image - From sketch pad to launch pad: U.S. Naval Research Lab's space robotics development

From sketch pad to launch pad: U.S. Naval Research Lab's space robotics development
Can robots fix satellites in space? Over two decades ago, a group of U.S. Naval Research Laboratory scientists, engineers, and researchers put pen to paper, brainstorming what would eventually become the first enduring robotic satellite servicing mission. Their robot is now in space for testing after its launch in July from Cape Canaveral.
Read about the full project from first ideas to launch.

Image - 2027 Chevrolet Silverado: Gets a new small block V8 heartbeat

2027 Chevrolet Silverado: Gets a new small block V8 heartbeat
At a time when the automotive industry seems hell-bent on replacing soul with software and displacement with battery packs, Chevrolet is making a defiant, thunderous statement. Enter the next-gen 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (in all its many forms) and its new small block V8 offerings.
Read the full article.

Image - What's ETCRAM memory? New analog memory doesn't use 1s and 0s, may make smart devices even smarter

What's ETCRAM memory? New analog memory doesn't use 1s and 0s, may make smart devices even smarter
A new approach to computing has quietly taken shape at Sandia National Laboratories, where researchers have developed a way to store information that could make future electronics more energy efficient.
Read the full article.

Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action

All about Smalley wave springs
Discover how Smalley wave springs deliver reliable load performance while reducing space requirements in modern assemblies. This short video explains the unique edgewound design and how it creates consistent, predictable force. Learn why engineers choose wave springs over traditional coil springs to optimize size, improve efficiency, and enhance overall product performance.
View this informative Smalley video.