| February 28, 2012 | Volume 08 Issue 08 |
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 | New ‘pin and keeper' quick-assembly
sign fastening system
The Micro Plastics sign fastener is designed for rapid assembly and disassembly of a sign or other panel to its support structure. The reusable fastener was designed to fit a hole diameter of 5/16 in. to 3/8 in. (8 mm to 9.5 mm) and can be used to fasten two pieces together with total panel thickness from 1 in. to 1.64 in. (25.4 mm to 41.6 mm). Simply squeeze the keeper together and slide onto the pin, then release the keeper. Molded from impact-resistant and UV-stabilized nylon 6/6, the sign fastener is designed to withstand the elements in outdoor applications.
Click here for more information. |
 | Get your Design Cube from Protomold
The Protomold Design Cube illustrates important considerations when designing plastic injection molded parts. It showcases a range of available surface finishes and examples of bosses, gussets, and ribs. It also demonstrates the impact on part quality of overly thick or thin sections, as well as ways to incorporate holes and their potential effect on resin flow.
Get your no-cost Design Cube today. |
| | Feature articles | NASA News:
Rocket-powered landing demonstrator makes successful first flight
The first successful free flight of a new rocket-powered vertical landing demonstrator occurred recently at Mojave Air and Space Port, Mojave, CA.
The flight used a new flight control system concept that will enable future demonstrations of landing technologies needed for exploration of planets and moons, as well as near-Earth objects, like asteroids. NASA's Flight Opportunities Program sponsored the flight and control system test.
Read the full article. |
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Quasicrystals strengthen high-performance steel
Sandvik, a Swedish engineering group known for its work in tooling, materials technology, mining, and construction, says that the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2011 awarded to Prof. Daniel Shechtman last October for the discovery of quasicrystals is intrinsically linked to the groundbreaking work the company has carried out in the field of nanotechnology for more than 20 years. Sandvik is excited to see that Shechtman has finally gotten the recognition he deserves.
Read the full article. |
 | Mike Likes: Loctite Design Guide For Bonding Metals
This extensive 59-page resource details structural adhesives and provides in-depth discussions of the best adhesives for a range of metal substrates. Individual metal bonding chapters provide bond strength and shear strength data for each of eight substrates. Data is included on 23 of the newest structural adhesives from Loctite. Check out the Design Guide for Bonding Plastics too.
Get the .pdf guide (no registration). |
| | Most popular last issue |
 | Video: F-35 fighter testing: 2011 is 'year of firsts'
The F-35A flight test team at Edwards AFB, CA, recounts 2011, a productive year of test that they call "the year of the firsts." From flight envelope expansion to mission systems, and KC-10 fuel testing to sensor fusion, the team made great strides testing the F-35A fighter, a conventional takeoff and landing craft that is the smallest, lightest F-35 version and the only one in the series equipped with an internal cannon. The fighter's fraternal twin, the F-35B, is a short-takeoff and vertical-landing craft.
View the video. |
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | DARPA takes LS3 (BigDog) robot for a walk
DARPA is developing a semi-autonomous four-legged robot, the Legged Squad Support System (LS3) based on the BigDog system created by Boston Dynamics, to work in tandem with a squad of Marines or Soldiers. Recently, the LS3 prototype underwent its first outdoor exercise, demonstrating the ability to follow a person using its "eyes" – sensors that allow the robot to distinguish between trees, rocks, terrain obstacles, and people. Over the course of the next 18 months, DARPA plans to complete development of and refine key capabilities to ensure LS3 is able to support dismounted squads of warfighters. Features to be tested and validated include the ability to carry 400 lb on a 20-mile trek in 24 hr without being refueled. Also planned is the addition of "hearing" technology, enabling squad members to speak commands to LS3 such as "stop," "sit," or "come here." Hopefully it will be made quieter too.
View the video. |
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Security fasteners with incredible grip
Raptor claw-tooth fasteners are the most secure fasteners on the planet, providing "lock" security – not just vandal resistance. Lock security is proven by Bryce Fastener's KeyRex feedback, which shows no reported security breaches in the last 2 million fasteners. Raptor engineering yields 30% higher clamp loads because the radial claws allow the center head to flex downward with torque. The Raptor claws were engineered specifically to be placed only on the outside edge with a radius that would bite. These fasteners feature ever-changing proprietary keyways that foreign security-bit manufacturers can't duplicate.
View the video. |
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