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December 06, 2022Volume 18 Issue 45


Image - Stuck on Coil Springs?
Stuck on Coil Springs?
Smalley Wave Springs can replace conventional coil springs while occupying only 50% of the space and providing the same force and deflection. Over 4,000 springs are available from stock in carbon and stainless steel or utilize Smalley's No-Tooling-Cost™ manufacturing process on custom designs, available from .118" to 120". Free samples are available for testing.
Learn more.

In this issue of Designfax

  • Air Force unveils new B-21 Raider stealth bomber
  • Neat. Robot handles precision masking tape application
  • New catalyst could be key for hydrogen economy
  • Genesis future EV styling: X concepts
  • Create your perfect parts: Xometry Design Guides
  • Better conveyors for automotive assembly lines
  • Top Tech Tip: Choosing brush or brushless DC motors
  • Feel the difference: 2-shot injection molded knobs
  • NexSafe: Emergency stopping and holding
  • maxon adds dynamism to robotic drives
  • Popular Science: The 100 Greatest Innovations of 2022
  • Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action
    • Very cool. Highly dynamic product sorting
  • Most Popular Last Issue
    • Moon rocket launch blew elevator doors off
    • 'SuperGPS' aims for 10-cm accuracy
    • All-new Honda Pilot SUV
  • New Products
    • Electrical, Mechanical, Motion
    Cover Image: U.S. Air Force unveils B-21 Raider, Genesis X Convertible concept

News

Argonne National Lab helping to revitalize U.S. semiconductor industry

New heat treatment enables 3D-printed metals to withstand extreme conditions

Researchers say robots are taking over jobs -- but not at the rate you might think

Weird science: New insights on how bees construct honeycombs



Image - What is the C-Flex Pivot Bearing?
What is the C-Flex Pivot Bearing?
It's a flexure-based bearing utilizing internal flat crossed springs, capsuled in a cylindrical housing, to provide precise rotation with low hysteresis and no frictional losses. The C-Flex bearing will offer infinite life when used within its rated load and rotation values. Applications include Medical, Industrial, Aerospace, Semiconductor, and Optical.

Advantages include: Frictionless, Backlash-free, Self-centering, Simple installation, Low hysteresis, Vacuum applications, Stock items, No lubrication, No maintenance, and Infinite life.
Learn more from C-Flex, The Leader in Flexing Metal Technology.
View the C-Flex Pivot Bearing training page.


Feature articles

Image - Air Force unveils new B-21 Raider stealth bomber
Air Force unveils new B-21 Raider stealth bomber
The U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense, along with employees/developers from Northrop Grumman, hosted a big reveal of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber -- the first new, long-range strike bomber in more than 30 years -- on the night of Friday, Dec. 2. We present the official version of what was shown at the event, along with many of the details that were left out of the celebrations.
Read the full article.

Image - Neat. Robot handles precision masking tape application for aerospace
Neat. Robot handles precision masking tape application for aerospace
Engineers from Aerobotix and FerRobotics have developed an impressive End of Arm Tooling system that provides smooth masking on parts varying in shape and puts down precise tape lines where the customer needs them -- even on intricate curvy paths. You've got to see it in action.
Read the full article.

Image - New light-activated catalyst could be key for hydrogen economy
New light-activated catalyst could be key for hydrogen economy
Using only inexpensive raw materials, Rice University researchers have created a scalable catalyst that needs only the power of light to convert ammonia into clean-burning hydrogen fuel. "This opens the door to entirely replace precious metals in plasmonic photocatalysis," one of the lead researchers said.
Read the full article.

Image - Genesis gives a look at future EV styling with X Convertible and two other concepts
Genesis gives a look at future EV styling with X Convertible and two other concepts
Luxury automaker Genesis has given us a solid look at what its future electric vehicle design language will entail with the reveal of the X Convertible concept, which is the last of three new EV concept designs released since March 2021. Low, sleek, and a little bit aggressive are the hallmarks of the cars to come -- and of course they will be filled with upscale interiors, which is a given for the brand.
Read the full article.

Image - Create your perfect parts: Xometry Manufacturing Design Guides
Create your perfect parts: Xometry Manufacturing Design Guides
Need to order parts and get it right the first time? Xometry provides more than 17 manufacturing processes, including CNC machining, 3D printing, injection molding, sheet cutting, and more. Get in-depth design-for-manufacturing tips, specs, and best practices for Xometry's services. Optimize your designs, reduce manufacturing time, and lower your costs. Case studies available too.
View the Xometry Manufacturing Design Guides.

Image - Better conveyors for automotive assembly lines
Better conveyors for automotive assembly lines
The Torque Arm Conveyor Drive is a more energy-efficient and maintenance-friendly replacement for the legacy "Floating Frame" conveyor drives used in many automotive assembly lines. Developed by OCC Systems, it features a custom-built gearbox solution with an Overhead Conveyor Drive gear unit from NORD DRIVESYSTEMS. This new drive concept contains far fewer parts, has a modular and maintenance-friendly construction, and comes with a built-in back-up system.
Read the full article.

Image - Top Tech Tip: Choosing between brush and brushless DC motors -- What are the tradeoffs?
Top Tech Tip: Choosing between brush and brushless DC motors -- What are the tradeoffs?
Designing a system that involves motion and performs as intended requires choosing the right motor. The most fundamental decision involves commutation type. In some cases, mechanically commutated brush motors provide the best solution for the budget. In other cases, only brushless DC (BLDC) motors will do. Allied Motion provides a comprehensive review of the technology, along with tips and tricks for choosing the right solution for a given application.
Read the whitepaper (no registration required).

Image - Feel the difference: 2-shot injection molded knobs sample pack
Feel the difference: 2-shot injection molded knobs sample pack
In 1979, Rogan was the first knob company to mold a knob utilizing the 2-shot injection molding process, which uses a single plastic molding machine specially made to inject two materials sequentially or one on top of the other. If you've ever used a plastic toothbrush with a colorful rubber grip, it was likely 2-shot injection molded. Create a competitive advantage for your products. You can add markings, custom colors or graphics, and even glow-in-the-dark materials. Request a sample of control knobs or clamping knobs -- or both.
Request a sample pack from Rogan, and feel the difference.

Image - NexSafe: Emergency stopping and holding
NexSafe: Emergency stopping and holding
NexSafe Functional Safety certified Rod Locks, Rail Brakes, and Servomotor Brakes from Nexen provide a verified, reliable solution that machine builders can depend on. With ISO 13849-1 Functional Safety Certification by Intertek, these brakes are capable of Categories B through 4 and Performance Levels PLa through PLe. With spring-engaged, air-released functionality, these products are default-to-lock and are ideal for emergency stopping and holding applications.
Learn more.

Image - maxon adds dynamism to robotic drives
maxon adds dynamism to robotic drives
Innovative motor concepts are the answer to growing market requirements for dynamic response, compactness, and power density. With the EC frameless DT, maxon presents a solution that really packs a punch. The DT50 with matching encoder is the precursor of a new product family developed specifically for dynamic movements like those in robotics. The brushless motor with its frameless concept can be easily integrated into a wide range of applications by design engineers in applications where speeds can change in an instant. When installed, the EC frameless DT50 effortlessly reaches a nominal torque of over 500 mNm at a nominal speed of 4,000 rpm.
Learn more.

Image - Popular Science: The 100 Greatest Innovations of 2022
Popular Science: The 100 Greatest Innovations of 2022
Popular Science's "100 Greatest Innovations of 2022" highlights the best in Aerospace, Engineering, Gadgets, Health, Automotive, Sports, and more. From the James Webb Space Telescope and a giant hydrogen fuel cell dump truck to a bendable LG display and the latest in virtual reality, this list is always an interesting scroll. [Image courtesy: NASA]
Read the full Popular Science article.

Most popular last issue

Image - Artemis 1 moon rocket blew launch pad elevator doors off
Artemis 1 moon rocket blew launch pad elevator doors off
Space.com has posted a really interesting video that details the damage the Artemis 1 moon mission's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and its almost 9 million pounds of thrust caused to the NASA launch pad and surrounding facilities at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida when it launched Nov. 16. Watch NASA's Mike Sarafin, Artemis mission manager, detail what happened, including views of the doors blown off the elevators used for servicing the launch tower when the most powerful rocket in the world took off.
View the video.

Image - 'SuperGPS' aims for 10-cm accuracy in urban settings
'SuperGPS' aims for 10-cm accuracy in urban settings
Researchers in the Netherlands have developed an alternative positioning system that is more robust and accurate than current satellite GPS, especially in urban settings. Their working prototype -- that does not use satellite GPS systems -- demonstrated an accuracy of 10 cm.
Read the full article.

Image - All-new Pilot: Largest and most powerful Honda SUV ever
All-new Pilot: Largest and most powerful Honda SUV ever
The all-new 2023 Honda Pilot is the ultimate practical family SUV with rugged new styling, more passenger and cargo space, and a class-leading combo of off-road capability and sporty on-road dynamics. It comes in five flavors and boasts Honda's most powerful V6 ever (285 hp), seating for eight, and loads of tech features and upscale touches.
Read the full article.

Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action
Very cool. Highly dynamic product sorting
Beckhoff's NCT (No Cable Technology) enables contactless power and data transmission to the company's XTS linear transport system mover. Products can be picked up dynamically from an unsorted and irregular product inflow and then stored in an orderly manner. A wide variety of movers turns XTS into a flexible multi-robot system that increases sorting performance while reducing the required installation space to a minimum.
See how it works.

New products

Electrical/Electronics
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Mechanical
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Motion
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