| May 15, 2012 | Volume 08 Issue 19 |
Wheels:
Engine control integrates energy-flow management, predicts route demands
International automotive supplier Continental has just released its Engine Management System 3 (EMS3) platform, a new generation of engine and drive controls that not only governs fuel injection and ignition with even more precision than ever before, but also coordinates electric automobile motors and monitors their battery charge. It also attempts to predict future engine load requirements based on GPS data.
Read the full article. |
 | Mike Likes:
Design your own perfect wave spring
Smalley's online Custom Design Tool is especially cool because it allows you to enter your application requirements and design the perfect spring for your unique application. Smalley wave springs have been used in aerospace electrical connectors, bearing preloads, clutch drives, floating gears, face seals, and pressure valves. The ability to manufacture specials quickly and economically – with the No-Tooling-Cost manufacturing process – is what really differentiates Smalley from any other manufacturer out there.
Check out how to design your perfect wave spring today. |
Engineer's Toolbox: Self-clinching fasteners by design
Dozens of types and thousands of variations of self-clinching fasteners (steel, stainless steel, or aluminum) have been engineered over the years. Leon M. Attarian of PennEngineering provides three mini case studies where manufacturers benefited greatly by switching to self-clinching fasteners in their assemblies. This article is filled with insightful tips and suggestions.
Read the full article. |
 | Quick Look:
LED drivers with extended lifespan
Phihong has developed a new series of external AC/DC LED drivers that feature extended lifespans of up to 100,000 hr. Stonehenge drivers are ideal for applications including display lighting and small strings of high-intensity bulbs. They are designed without E-caps, which dry out over time and shorten the operating life of power supplies. A subset of the broader PDA012X Series, the Stonehenge Series consists of two drivers: the PDA012A-350C-H-R, which is designed for AC inputs of 220-277 VAC, and the PDA012B-350C-H-R, which is designed for AC inputs of 100-120 VAC.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Quick Look:
New pitch control doubles linear pitch accuracy of heavy-duty traverse drives
The Amacoil/Uhing RG50, RG60, and RG80 drives have a 10:1 linear pitch range that is adjustable over 100 discrete notched settings. Moving the pitch control lever one notch up or down changes pitch by 0.01. Previously, moving the pitch control lever resulted in only a 0.02 change. A worm gear option is available so the notched pitch settings are bypassed and linear pitch is infinitely adjustable (over the 10:1 range) using a control knob. These large RG traverse drives provide from 225 to 800 lb of axial thrust and are primarily used for traverse winding of thick cable, heavy rope, and chain onto wide, large-diameter flanged spools and reels.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Quick Look:
Composite clad metal wire saves up to 90%
Anomet Precious Metal Clad Wire can be formulated to meet specific OEM performance characteristics such as temperature and corrosion resistance or bio-compatibility – at about one-tenth the cost of solid wire. This smooth-finish wire is functionally equivalent to solid platinum, silver, and gold wire. These precious metals can be clad to lower-cost core materials such as copper, Kovar, nickel-iron, molybdenum, stainless steel, tantalum, and titanium.
Click here to learn more. |
| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | 3D-printed Fenway Park tours Boston
To coincide with Fenway Park's 100th anniversary, Objet 3D-printed a 3-ft by 5-ft, 105-lb scale replica of America's beloved Boston ballpark, down to the smallest detail. Watch project highlights, from design to creation, assembly and unveiling at Fenway.
View the video. |
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Flying inversion object aims to inspire new drive concepts
The nature-loving wizards at Festo have combined extreme lightweight construction, electric drive units, and control and regulation technology to create SmartInversion, a working helium-filled flying object that moves through the air by turning inside out. The shape is based on the geometrical band devised by Paul Schatz: its middle section, in the form of an articulated ring of six members, detaches itself from a cube and constantly turns inside out, taking on different geometrical shapes in the process. Kind of mesmerizing, don't you think?
View the video. |
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