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July 21, 2026Volume 22 Issue 27


Image - New angle sensors designed for rugged applications
New angle sensors designed for rugged applications
Novotechnik's new Vert-X 26 (Vert-X 2600 Series) non-contacting magnetic angle sensor uses the Hall effect to track the position of the shaft and is designed for rugged applications such as automotive and off-highway equipment where high humidity, dampness, dust, and/or vibrations are expected. This plug-in sensor uses an AMP MQ5 6-pole connector, with a measurement range from 0 to 360 degrees. Both single and fully redundant versions are available. High ingress protection up to IP69K.
Learn more.

In this issue of Designfax

  • Kapow! New joining technique for sheet metal
  • New NASA tech mimics extreme cold of lunar night
  • MIT chemists design more-impact-resistant plastics
  • Porsche 911 GT3 S/C: Open-top, manual-only fun
  • Compact industrial sand 3D printer
  • Toolbox: How to pin a shaft and hub assembly
  • What can you do with magnetic angle sensors?
  • Battery packs for unmanned aerial vehicles
  • Get reliable labeling done right
  • Driving next-gen pump and fan applications
  • Easy-to-use precision measurement system
  • Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action
    • $100 fix helps protect F-35 fleet from damage
  • Most Popular Last Issue
    • New Texas conveyor system is 42 miles long!
    • AI-evolved robots are born to run -- and never die
    • Ferrari 12Cilindri gets manual option ... sort of
  • New Products
    • Electrical, Mechanical, Motion
    Cover Image: Porsche 911 GT3 S/C

News

Terahertz systems shrunk onto single semiconductor chip

RTX's Pratt & Whitney advances engine inspections with AI-powered technology

Extreme testing: Pump shaft seals endure time in molten salt reactors

New spinning drone disappears right before your eyes



Feature articles

Image - Kapow! New joining technique for sheet metal: Rivets without drilling holes
Kapow! New joining technique for sheet metal: Rivets without drilling holes
Engineers at Pacific Northwest National Lab have developed a high-velocity metal joining technique that drives rivets at up to 300 m/sec -- with no predrilled holes. The intense localized heat and pressure create a melted, metallurgical bond on impact -- slashing manufacturing costs while boosting joint strength and performance.
Read the full article.

Image - New NASA dry tech mimics extreme cold of lunar night
New NASA dry tech mimics extreme cold of lunar night
To build its lunar South Pole base, NASA must first understand how materials handle extreme temperature swings. Engineers at Glenn Research Center invented the Lunar Environment Structural Test Rig. It replaces expensive, hazardous liquid cryogens with a "dry" mechanical vacuum, and it's a huge leap forward.
Read the full article.

Image - MIT chemists design more-impact-resistant plastics
MIT chemists design more-impact-resistant plastics
With help from a novel cross-linking molecule, MIT chemists have shown they can substantially improve the ballistic impact resistance of common polymers, including polystyrene and a type of rubber used to make shoe soles.
Read the full article.

Image - Porsche 911 GT3 S/C: Open-top, manual-only fun
Porsche 911 GT3 S/C: Open-top, manual-only fun
Porsche has unveiled the 2027 911 GT3 S/C, a new model variant focused squarely on drivers who prize visceral, open-air performance. Standing for "Sport Cabriolet," the GT3 S/C provides a pure driving experience by pairing the lightweight body and chassis components of the 911 S/T with the high-revving, naturally aspirated 4.0-liter boxer engine of the 911 GT3.
Read the full article.

Image - Compact industrial sand 3D printer
Compact industrial sand 3D printer
ExOne has launched the S-Print Pro, a compact industrial sand 3D printer that brings production-grade binder jetting to smaller foundries, pattern shops, and print service providers. Aimed at businesses competing on cost and flexibility, it handles low-volume casting, spare parts, and custom components. The system processes furan binder with silica sand, CeraBeads, or silicon carbide.
Learn more about this capable machine.

Image - Engineer's Toolbox: How to pin a shaft and hub assembly properly
Engineer's Toolbox: How to pin a shaft and hub assembly properly
One of the primary benefits of using a coiled spring pin to affix a hub or gear to a shaft is the coiled pin's ability to prevent hole damage. Another is the coiled pin absorbs wider hole tolerances than any other press-fit pin. This translates to lower total manufacturing costs of the assembly. However, there are a few design guidelines that must be adhered to in order to achieve the maximum strength of the pinned system and prevent damage to the assembly.
Read this very informative SPIROL article.

Image - What can you do with touchless magnetic angle sensors?
What can you do with touchless magnetic angle sensors?
Novotechnik has put together an informative video highlighting real-world applications for their RFC, RFE, and RSA Series touchless magnetic angle sensors. You may be surprised at the variety of off-highway, marine, material handling, and industrial uses. You'll learn how they work (using a Hall effect microprocessor to detect position) and their key advantages, including eliminated wear and tear on these non-mechanical components. We love when manufacturers provide such useful examples.
View the video.

Image - Battery packs for unmanned aerial vehicles
Battery packs for unmanned aerial vehicles
Re:Build Manufacturing has launched U.S.-assembled, NDAA-compliant lithium-ion battery packs for commercial, public safety, and defense UAV applications. Available in Core, Power, and Performance series, the packs use non-FEOC cells and are produced at Re:Build's advanced facility in New Kensington, PA. Re:Build also offers custom pack and battery management system development.
Learn more.

Image - Get reliable labeling done right
Get reliable labeling done right
Videojet Technologies has released the Videojet 9310 label applicator, designed to simplify everyday labeling on rigid and flexible packaging. Using Intelligent Motion technology, it digitally controls label tension and alignment to ensure consistent placement with minimal manual adjustments. The system features a simple label path, an intuitive touchscreen, and flexible mounting options to reduce downtime and keep production moving.
Learn more.

Image - Driving next-gen pump and fan applications: Sinamics G210X
Driving next-gen pump and fan applications: Sinamics G210X
The Sinamics G210X is a new frequency converter for advanced pump, fan, and compressor applications, combining easy engineering with robust design. Integrated functions, seamless TIA Portal integration, and a web server reduce PLC effort to speed up commissioning, operation, and diagnostics. IP55 protection, 3C3 coating, and S2 system redundancy ensure reliable operation in demanding environments.
Learn more.

Image - Easy-to-use precision measurement system
Easy-to-use precision measurement system
Optical Gaging Products has announced the StarLite S1, a compact, semi-automatic 3-axis video measurement system. It combines fully automatic video measurements with manual stage motion and features an IntelliCentric-S optical system for high-resolution images. Powered by Measure-X software, this system delivers fast, repeatable, high-accuracy results, making it ideal for both shop-floor and quality-control applications.
Learn more.

Most popular last issue

Image - New Texas conveyor system is 42 miles long!
New Texas conveyor system is 42 miles long!
SEW-EURODRIVE is helping power one of the most ambitious bulk material handling projects in North America through its contribution to the Dune Express conveyor system, a record-setting 42-mile single-flight conveyor across the Permian Basin.
Read the full article.

Image - AI-evolved robots are born to run -- and never die
AI-evolved robots are born to run -- and never die
Northwestern University engineers have developed the first modular robots with athletic intelligence. They can be combined and recombined in the wild, recover from injury, and keep moving no matter what's thrown at them.
Read the full article. Fun to see in action.

Image - Ferrari 12Cilindri gets manual option ... sort of
Ferrari 12Cilindri gets manual option ... sort of
When the super-slick Ferrari 12Cilindri two-seat berlinetta came out two years ago, it was hailed as an 800+-hp, 12-cylinder race-bred Italian stunner. It lacked one thing, though: a stick shift. Prancing Horse engineers have solved that by providing a new manual option, but there's nothing standard about it.
Read the full article.

Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action
$100 fix helps protect F-35 fighter jets from engine damage
Ever had a great idea to improve the process at work? Two Air Force weapons Airmen at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona did while working on a flight line that includes one of the world's most advanced fighter jets: the F-35A Lightning II. Their less-than-$100 solution solved a continuing, and potentially dangerous, problem when servicing the aircraft. We like these examples of kaizen. [Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nicolas Myers]
Watch the ABC15 Arizona news report.

Video Image

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