| November 10, 2020 | Volume 16 Issue 43 |
 | Universal Robots launches Continuing Education credit programs
Universal Robots -- the originator of the cobot, the fastest growing segment of industrial automation -- has become the first collaborative robot manufacturer accredited to issue Continuing Education Units. The Education Program provides a clearly defined pathway for students to master cobot programming and deployment as part of an Industry 4.0 career in robotics and advanced manufacturing. The program will also be offered to manufacturers seeking certified cobot training for employees.
Read the full article. |
 | Liquid nanofoam: Game changer for football helmets?
A liquid nanofoam liner undergoing testing could prolong the safe use of football helmets, says a Michigan State University researcher. The 1/8-in. nanofoam liner repeatedly outperformed the traditional 3/4-in. solid foam used in helmets today. The material could prove useful to the military too.
Read the full article. |
 | FANtastic beast? T.50 supercar by Gordon Murray Automotive
Famed Formula 1 technical designer Gordon Murray was part of a team that once put a car with a rear fan on the track. Now the owner of his own car company, Murray is bringing the downforce-enhancing tech to the street. The ultra-lightweight T.50 supercar does away with a huge rear wing. Instead, it uses a 400-mm ground-effect fan to help suck air from under the car. It's not a new concept, but the 650-hp T.50 with a naturally aspirated 3.9-L V12 is a twist on something new -- and full of surprises.
Read the full article. |
 | SlimLine variable-speed enclosure air conditioners
Seifert Systems has just introduced its SlimLine Vario Series of enclosure air conditioners that can be adjusted and set to provide only the cooling needed for a particular application. This results in a very uniform temperature level within the cabinet. Electrical components and the cooling are significantly less stressed, enabling higher safety and longer life cycle. In addition, the condensation inside the cabinet is minimized. The SlimLine Vario Series performance-to-size level makes it particularly suitable for special applications such as battery cooling. Units are designed for maintenance-free operation and are available with internal, external, or recessed mounting. Several models available for cooling capacities from 1,640 to 8,700 BTU/Hr.
Learn more. |
 | Mike Likes: Plastic parts with no molds required
How often have you wondered what life would be like without having to worry about paying tooling charge after tooling charge for products in early development? The "No Molds Required" (NMR) manufacturing technology from Envision Plastics & Design could be your answer. This unique production process harmonizes a combination of sheet metal fabrication and woodworking practices to produce plastic parts used for enclosures, panels and shrouds, brackets and shields, medical-based products, and more.
Read the full article. |
 | No. 1 reason for retaining ring failure -- and how to overcome it
Drills, saws, sanders, and grinders -- what do all of these power tools have in common? Retaining rings keep them from falling apart. A retaining ring's function is to hold components or assemblies in place. For a retaining ring in a power tool, this is no easy feat because it is regularly exposed to high axial and vibrational force. Understanding why failure happens and how to prevent it is imperative. The most common point of failure may surprise you.
Read this informative Smalley blog. |
 | Alternative to traditional drive systems
Nexen Group has introduced a stainless steel version of its patented precision roller pinion system (RPS). The Nexen RPS engages two teeth simultaneously to achieve superior accuracy with zero backlash at any length. The system is also extremely quiet and 99% efficient. Stainless steel makes the system corrosion resistant, with a long life of up to 36 million meters. Nexen's RPS provides a low-maintenance, durable alternative to rack and pinion, ball screw, and belt drive technology. The RPS is used for a wide range of applications including laser cutting, plasma cutting, and gantry applications.
Learn more. |
 | Top Tech Tip: Stepper or servo motor -- Which should it be?
Bring out the full capacity of your machines through the most efficient mechatronic design. Hurley Gill, Senior Applications/Systems at Kollmorgen, outlines servo and stepper motor baseline capabilities for selection criteria like torque, speed, accuracy, and repeatability. Technical advantages and disadvantages are discussed, helping machine designers select the best motor drive system for their application.
Read "Servo or Stepper: Which Should It Be?"
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 | Recommended: Join carbon materials and more with innovative C-Solder
C-Solder tin-based soldering alloys from Goodfellow enable the joining of carbon materials as well as carbon to metals (copper, aluminum) and aluminum to aluminum. The resulting bond is mechanically strong and electrically conductive. C-Solder is both flux-free and lead-free, has a melting point of 232 degrees C (solidus temperature), has excellent flow, does not leave a residue, and is not affected by cleaning solvents.
View the short video.
Learn more. |
 | Automated deburring tool from SCHUNK uses proven blade tech
The CDB robot deburring tool from SCHUNK is suitable for robot-assisted deburring of workpieces made of plastic, aluminum, steel, brass, and other materials in a wide variety of geometries. It can be used for deburring stamped parts, for household and industrial fittings, as well as for plastic or metal components in the automotive or aviation industry. Being able to insert conventional deburring blades that were previously used manually 1:1 into the robot tool makes quick and uncomplicated changeovers from manual to automated operation possible. Compared to manual deburring, robot-assisted deburring offers a vast range of advantages, including that employees no longer need to endure difficult, dangerous, and lengthy deburring tasks.
Learn more. |
 | Most compact 1500-W integrated servo motor
The MAC1500 motor from JVL sets completely new standards for the performance and size of servo controls. It is only 182 mm long. For a 1500-W motor with a torque of 4.78/14.3 Nm at 3,000 rpm, the MAC motor matches the size of traditional servo motors without built-in controllers. Both the motor and all electronic components have been specifically selected to withstand the rigorous demands required by industrial use. Advantages include savings on space and cabling, minimized noise, and no installation errors between driver and motor. Servicing is easier too.
Learn more. |
 | Tiny MEMS temp and humidity sensor
Würth Elektronik has developed a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) temperature and humidity sensor that is only 2 x 2 x 0.9 mm in size. Alongside classical applications such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, building automation, and cooling systems, the WSEN-HIDS humidity sensor is also suitable for dataloggers and stationary and portable IoT applications. The sensor with integrated analog-digital converter can be connected to commonly used microcontrollers via an I2C or SPI interface.
Learn more. |
| | Most popular last issue |
 | Simple software creates complex wooden joints
Construction of useful wood objects sometimes requires complicated structures and ways to connect components together. Researchers in Japan have created a novel 3D application to simplify the design process and also provide milling machine instructions to efficiently produce the components. The designs do not require nails or glue, meaning items made with this system can be easily assembled, disassembled, reused, repaired, or recycled.
Read the full article. |
 | Ferrari's super-sleek entry-level convertible GT: Portofino M
If you're just dipping your toes into the world of Ferrari convertibles, the Portofino M is a great place to start. After its introduction three years ago as the replacement for the California T, the Portofino has gotten some powerful updates -- redesigned powertrain, a brand-new 8-speed gearbox, and a race mode -- but it is still as luxe and stylish as its namesake village on the Italian Riviera.
Read the full article. |
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | Reverse engineering with Geomagic
See how 3D Systems' Geomagic Design X software can break down a typical reverse engineering job. Geomagic Design X makes it easy to create CAD models from 3D scans faster, more accurately, and more reliably. It handles large scan data sets and makes complex 3D models with hybrid modeling for solid, surface, and mesh. Users can convert physical parts into CAD for new product designs or make existing parts fit with new parts. This short presentation is a helpful way to view the tool capabilities and functionality using real-world examples.
View the video. |
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Why we celebrate Veterans Day
This short video from the U.S. Army retraces the history of honoring the service of our nation's military veterans on Nov. 11, also called Armistice Day. A few civilians give their feelings on the day too. This 2013 video is an oldie but a goodie -- and a chance for some reflection and gratitude.
View the video. |
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