| February 06, 2024 | Volume 20 Issue 05 |
 | 2025 Chevrolet Equinox: Refreshed with rugged looks and more
Chevrolet's Equinox is really growing up. The 2025 next-gen versions of the compact SUV offer modern connectivity and new safety tech, wrapped in more aggressive and utilitarian design. The new Equinox will offer more contemporary and differentiated choices, including larger screens, new safety features, and Equinox's first-ever outdoor-inspired trim, ACTIV.
Read the full article. |
 | Kaboom! Watch space habitat Ultimate Burst Pressure test
Blowing stuff up is just another part the job for some lucky engineers at Sierra Space, where their 20-ft-tall expandable LIFE (Large Integrated Flexible Environment) habitat space station structure made of woven fabrics was recently tested to its limits at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. The full-scale unit reached 77 psi in the Ultimate Burst Pressure test before it burst, which well exceeds (+27%) NASA's recommended level of 60.8 psi (maximum operating pressure of 15.2 psi multiplied by a safety factor of four). When folded, LIFE fits into a standard 5-m rocket fairing and inflates to the size of a three-story apartment building on orbit.
Watch the test. |
 | Stepper vs. servo: The big debate
In the world of precision motion control, many machine designers face a choice between step motor or servo motor technologies to solve their performance requirements. When to use which type has created a big debate. Learn from Kollmorgen about two common scenarios and the good and bad experiences that resulted.
Read the Kollmorgen tech tip. |
 | Can electrical discharge ruin actuator bearings?
According to the motion systems experts at Macron Dynamics, stray electrical voltages traveling from motor shafts through couplings, pulleys, bearings, and housings could lead to system failure. This damage can reduce the life of bearings that should last six to 10 years to as little as two to six months! Learn the signs of this phenomenon and how to prevent it.
Read the Macron Dynamics tech tip. |
 | Benchtop ionizer for hands-free static elimination
EXAIR's Varistat Benchtop Ionizer is the latest solution for neutralizing static on charged surfaces in industrial settings. Using ionizing technology, the Varistat provides a hands-free solution that requires no compressed air. Easily mounted on benchtops or machines, it is manually adjustable and perfect for processes needing comprehensive coverage such as part assembly, web cleaning, printing, and more.
Learn more. |
 | Tiny and smart: Step motor with closed-loop control
Nanotec's new PD1-C step motor features an integrated controller and absolute encoder with closed-loop control. With a flange size of merely 28 mm (NEMA 11), this compact motor reaches a max holding torque of 18 Ncm and a peak current of 3 A. Three motor versions are available: IP20 protection, IP65 protection, and a motor with open housing that can be modified with custom connectors. Ideal for applications with space constraints, effectively reducing both wiring complexity and installation costs.
Learn more. |
 | Screw jack configuration and selection tool
Thomson has added a screw jack config and select tool to its online engineering toolset to help design engineers optimize and specify screw jacks for applications involving loads up to 100 tons. Screw jacks are increasingly replacing hydraulic cylinders in many ultra-heavy, low duty-cycle applications. Enter load, speed, travel, duty cycle, and other motion parameters.
Learn more. |
 | Good reads: Are EVs a 'fading fad' now?
MarketWatch has published an opinion piece by Todd Buchholz that poses the question, "Are plug-in electric vehicles the bread makers of our day?" -- a reference to the early 1990s when electric home bread makers were all the rage but soon died out in popularity. Automakers like Ford, who are offering complimentary Fast Charging Adapters for Tesla chargers, are betting the current slump is just a blip. [Image credit: Ford Motor Co.]
Read the MarketWatch article. |
| | Most popular last issue |
 | Aftermarket brake pads: The sketchy truth
Engineering Explained's Jason Fenske takes a deep dive into aftermarket brake pad design, materials, and construction in a bid to educate consumers about good and not-so-good buying options out there -- and why there are major differences. You can always learn something from a Fenske video -- and you might be a little surprised along the way.
View the video. |
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | When is a frameless brushless DC motor the right choice?
Frameless BLDC motors fit easily into small, compact machines that require high precision, high torque, and high efficiency, such as robotic applications where a mix of low weight and inertia is critical. Learn from the experts at SDP/SI how these motors can replace heavier, less efficient hydraulic components by decreasing operating and maintenance costs. These motors are also more environmentally friendly than others.
View the video. |
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