| March 20, 2012 | Volume 08 Issue 11 |
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 | Get Your Protomold Design Cube
Our 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 Protomold cube today. |
For AUVs, sometimes the quickest path is not a straight line
Sometimes the fastest pathway from point A to point B is not a straight line: for example, if you're an automated underwater vehicle (AUV) and contending with strong and shifting currents. Discerning the best route in such settings is a monumentally complex problem, but that's just what a team of engineers at MIT has figured out how to do.
Read the full article. |
 | Mike Likes:
Smalley retaining ring info on the go
Smalley Steel Ring Company has launched a new mobile website so its customers can make fast and easy part choices via smartphone. By using the "Quick Search" function, users can view and select Spirolox Retaining Rings, Constant Section Rings, and Wave Springs based on type and diameter, and then further research the part by viewing product specs. Once a part is chosen, free samples or a quote can be requested with just one more step. The mobile site is perfect for design engineers on the factory floor engaged in the production process.
Check out the Smalley mobile site at www.smalley.com/mobile and then be sure to bookmark it on your phone. |
 | Multiple sensors in one:
A revolutionary concept for vision sensing
The new IV Vision Sensor from KEYENCE combines the functionality of machine vision and traditional sensors in a single, IP67-compliant system. This low-cost, highly versatile sensor handles a wide range of difficult presence-detection applications. With one-minute setup using "Easy Navigation," the IV is ready to tackle difficult detection applications that previously required multiple conventional or proximity sensors. High-intensity illumination, high-performance lenses, and a selection of eight different sensor heads enable sharp, clear, and stable images. Camera selection includes close-, medium-, and long-range models.
Learn more about the KEYENCE IV Vision Sensor. |
| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | What's so great about piezo motors?
High-resolution, high-precision piezoelectric motors are lightweight and mighty mini solutions for your robotics, optics and photonics, medical and lab automation, and other precision-motion needs. These tiny direct-drive powerhouses from MICROMO come in standard or custom linear or rotary configurations, and with no current draw when motionless (like microstepping and servo motors), their reduced power consumption is another big plus.
View the video. |
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Autonomous robot arm is an attention grabber
DARPA's Autonomous Robotic Manipulation (ARM) program is developing software to perform human-level tasks quickly with minimal direction. This video shows the ARM robot performing 18 grasping and manipulation tasks using vision, force, and tactile sensing with full autonomy -- no active human control. The DARPA-supplied robot was built using commercial components that include an arm, hand, neck, and head sensors. Rigorous testing in November 2011 achieved 93% success in grasping modeled and unmodeled objects. The ARM program has entered its second phase, where the focus turns to complex bimanual manipulation scenarios.
View the video. |
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