| February 09, 2021 | Volume 17 Issue 06 |
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 | Positioned For Tough Compact Applications
Novotechnik's TX2 Series position sensor's pivot-head mounting can handle +/-12.5° of offset with stroke lengths of 25 to 300 mm. Linearity is within +/-0.5%, and the TX2 Series is sealed to meet or exceed IP67. The TX2 is designed for mobile and other tough environments with heavy-duty construction featuring a stainless steel rod and metal housing. It is sealed against ingress of dust and liquids. Great for off-highway applications.
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| | Feature articles |
 | 50 Years Ago: Apollo 14 lands at Fra Mauro and Shepard plays golf on Moon
On Feb. 4, 1971, Apollo 14 launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center carrying astronauts Alan Shepard, Edgar Mitchell, and Stuart Roosa. The primary mission objectives on the Moon centered on deployment of the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package, collection of surface material samples for return to Earth, and deployment of scientific instruments not part of the experiments package. Unscheduled activities included golf shots and javelin throwing on the lunar surface.
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 | NASCAR engineers nearly eliminate wind tunnel testing using Ansys
NASCAR racing teams are leveraging a state-of-the-art automated simulation workflow created by D2H Advanced Technologies and Ansys to improve high-performance stock cars that are engineered with speed, efficiency, and affordability. The technology significantly streamlines and improves aerodynamics development of race cars by enabling teams to nearly eliminate wind tunnel testing.
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 | Displays: New HMI and drive faceplates
ABB's CP600 Gen 2 HMIs offer NEMA 4X rating, an expanded temperature range, 33% brighter screens, additional communications ports, and integral web server capability, allowing users to expand HMI usage into more applications. Available in 7-, 10-, and 15-in. sizes, the CP600 Gen2 HMI units join the CP600-eCo units and the CP600-Pro units to cover the full range of industrial display needs.
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 | Mechatronics made easier: Mechanical + drive
Nidec Motion Control (motors) and SDP/SI (mechanical components) have partnered to create a one-stop shop for low-voltage standard DC motors and controllers plus mechanical components for industrial automation, robotics, medical technology, safety and security, agriculture, food and beverage, vending, and more. Offerings will include pre-assemblies and kitting, from digital controllers to custom mechanical transmission solutions.
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 | Noncontact measurement of speed and length
With the SPEETEC, SICK has expanded its product range for speed and length measurement of objects moving in a linear path to include technology that measures directly on the material surface. The non-contact sensor is able to measure a wide range of web and continuous materials, as well as blanks, with incredible accuracy. This speed sensor closes the gap between tactile, indirect-measuring encoder solutions and laser velocimeters, which are often expensive to purchase and require considerable effort to integrate and operate.
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 | Is Excel hindering your engineering projects?
While Excel is a great tool for performing quick calculations, it cannot handle the scope of mathematical computation required for advanced engineering projects. Discover why engineers from around the world reap the benefits from the move to robust, interactive mathematical systems such as Maple. Learn how, with the right tools, you can arrive at the right solution faster, while minimizing errors, delays, and rising costs.
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 | Tray tables and more: New bifold torque hinge
Southco's AH-2E Bifold Constant Torque Hinge achieves a new level of safety and performance for fold-out tables in passenger transit applications in the rail, RV, bus and coach, and aerospace industries. With its integrated constant-torque technology, the AH-2E enables controlled motion that keeps the table from falling open onto the passenger's lap. Additionally, its improved aesthetics and enhanced reliability make it an ideal upgrade from traditional free-swinging hinges and dampening devices.
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 | Asset tracking down to the centimeter
ON Semiconductor's Quuppa Intelligent Locating System enables real-time tracking of Bluetooth tags and devices -- with centimeter-level accuracy even in challenging environments. Quuppa technology allows positioning updates to be sent up to 50 times per second, providing a reliable and versatile Real-Time Locating System (RTLS) solution for all industries. Users can design ultra-low-power indoor asset-tracking applications with Direction Finding features and advanced Angle of Arrival (AoA) technology.
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| | Most popular last issue |
 | New rocket thruster concept -- much faster spacecraft
A new type of rocket thruster could take humankind to Mars and beyond. Its novel design applies magnetic fields (and not electric ones, like current designs) to cause particles of plasma to shoot out the back of the rocket and propel a spacecraft forward. The technology accelerates the particles using magnetic reconnection, the phenomenon at the heart of solar flares.
Read the full article. |
 | Engineer's Toolbox: 7 ways to improve sheet metal parts
When designing sheet metal components, there's a lot to consider: bends, reliefs, offsets, hems, holes, slots, tabs, and inserts -- not to mention material and finishing options. The engineers at Proto Labs take a quick look at the different ways to improve sheet metal part design while creating cost-efficient components. Learn some great tips.
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action |
World-first cobot autonomous bin-picking kit
ActiNav from Universal Robots is a new UR+ application kit for companies of all sizes that simplifies integrating autonomous bin picking of parts and accurate placement -- including precise orientation -- in machines using UR cobots. ActiNav handles vision processing, collision-free motion planning, and autonomous real-time robot control all at once. The system is also incredibly easy to program. Genius!
Read the full article and see ActiNav work. |
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