Click this link if you cannot read the issue below: Designfax - Tech for OEM Design Engineers
August 21, 2012Volume 08 Issue 31

Image - What the heck is a hexa-kaleidocycle?		What the heck is a hexa-kaleidocycle?
It's Protogami, a 3-dimensional folding object that showcases the interaction of materials and surface finishes - an interactive design aid from Proto Labs. Broaden your knowledge of surface finishes, materials and design techniques by requesting one today. You'll learn, you'll be endlessly amused, and you just might be inspired to come up with the next big thing.

Request a Protogami today.

In this issue of Designfax

  • Plastic parts molded with steel inside
  • Luxury cars bomb new front overlap crash test
  • Can a smart hand router rival CNC machines?
  • Wheels: Replicating classic motorcycle engines
  • Mike Likes: Retaining ring installation and removal
  • Engineer's Toolbox: Pancake motors move robotic hand
  • Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action
    • Printed paper speakers
    • Ramp up electric motor efficiency
  • Most Popular Last Issue
    • Spray-on battery materials created
    • 8 million stop-start systems by 2017
    • Swimwear simulation helps U.S. win gold
  • New Products
    • Electrical, Mechanical, Motion, Special: Materials
    Cover Image: New IIHS frontal crash test takes on luxury auto segment

News

Sensors aim to save millions: Army developing new aircraft maintenance technologies at research lab

Bigger than the London Eye: SKF wins contract for Caesars Las Vegas High Roller wheel

Tiny Mitsubishi electric car finishes 8th overall, second in EV class in 2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb debut

Renishaw introduces additive manufacturing systems designed for rapid material changeover and low cost of ownership


Image - Have you checked out our <br>Motion Control Products section lately?		Have you checked out our
Motion Control Products section lately?
You can find lots of cool new solutions in the Designfax Motion Control section, like the world's most compact drive with integrated motion controller, the BX4 range, from MICROMO.

See this and more in the Designfax Motion Control section.

Feature articles
Plastic parts can now be injection molded with steel cord reinforcement
BASF and two international partners are working on perfecting thermoplastic components that are reinforced with steel cord fabrics and mass-produced by injection molding. The technology could be a real game-changer for lightweighting vehicles.
Read the full article.
New front overlap crash test challenges luxe vehicle segment
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has a new, small overlap frontal crash test, and the luxe automobile segment has not fared well with it.
Read the full article.
Can a smart hand router rival big CNC machines?
A self-correcting handheld-router system created by students at MIT precisely follows a digital plan with minimal guidance from a user. The students may have come up with a new system that manufacturers of large CNC systems can learn from.
Read the full article.
Wheels:
CAM software makes classic racing engines go faster
A leading U.K. engine manufacturer for classic motorcycles says 4-axis machining driven by Edgecam toolpaths helps him produce faster engines and win more races.
Read the full article.

Image - Mike Likes: <br>Learn all about retaining ring installation and removal		Mike Likes:
Learn all about retaining ring installation and removal
Smalley has put together some great new videos and corresponding information pages for manual and automated spiral ring installation and removal. Learn some new tips and tricks for low- or high-volume assembly. You can also download the comprehensive "Introduction to Spiral Retaining Ring Installation and Removal" brochure. The no-registration brochure is really worth the download.

Learn about manual retaining ring assemblies.

Learn about automated retaining ring assemblies.

Download the full Smalley Spiral Retaining Ring assembly brochure.

Engineer's Toolbox:
15 pancake motors move humanoid robotic hand
The German Aerospace Centre (DRL) has developed a robotic hand that features flat drives (pancake motors) fitted into each of the five fingers.
Read the full article.
Most popular last issue
Rice researchers develop spray-on battery materials
Scientists at Rice University have developed a lithium-ion battery that can be painted on virtually any surface. The technique could turn any surface into a lithium-ion battery and can be combined with solar-cell production.
Read the full article.
More than 8 million cars expected to have stop-start systems by 2017
The stop-start system, a technology that shuts off a vehicle's engine when stopped in traffic, is now making its way to the U.S. from overseas where such systems are already in common use.
Read the full article.
Swimwear simulation helps U.S. athletes increase speed, win gold
Competitive swimmers this summer have been streamlining performance thanks to Speedo's revolutionary Fastskin Racing System, which was designed using engineering simulation software from ANSYS and tested in the pool by Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte.
Read the full article.
Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action
While you're at it, print me a speaker system to go
A professor at Germany's Chemnitz University has been developing printable-electronics technology that is transforming electronics into novel paper-based products, like functioning, printed loud speakers or even solar cells.
View the video.
Video Image
Ramp up electric motor efficiency with solid-state motion control
Born from NASA research, E-Save is a solid-state motion control platform that can optimize the efficiency of 3-phase electric motors by 15% to 30% in appropriate constant-speed/variable-load applications like those found in industrial equipment, commercial buildings, and appliances. We suggest going the full 7-min video route when checking out this dynamic energy-saving option from Power Efficiency Corp. There's also a 2-min quickie primer. Good stuff. Videos are on left of screen.
View the video.
Video Image
New products

Electrical/Electronics
View Products…		Mechanical
View Products…		Motion
View Products…		Materials
View Products…
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