| April 09, 2013 | Volume 09 Issue 14 |
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 | New Full Line Catalog -- Full of New Fasteners
Micro Plastics introduces its new catalog #39. With 290 pages of nylon fastener items, 12 new product lines, and over 500 new items added. Contents include: standard and metric machine screws, cap screws, nuts, washers, spacers, insulators, grommets, bushings, rivets, hole plugs, clamps, printed circuit board accessories, suspended ceiling hooks, and wire routing kits. FREE samples are available upon request.
Click here for more information. |
| | Feature articles |
 | All about the latest, ultra-precise hexapods
In the past several years, with the integration of advances in technologies like piezo actuators, virtual programmable pivot points, and system simulation, hexapod performance has taken a significant leap forward, to the extent that electromechanical and piezoelectric hexapods are now viewed as more efficient and accurate systems compared to serial linkage and hydraulic kinematic positioning systems, including those commonly used on robotic arms. Learn all about hexapods and their capabilities in this extensive article.
Read the full article. |
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'Virtual Window' aims to provide vital view for Soldiers
To provide better situational awareness for Bradley Fighting Vehicle Infantrymen, a cross-discipline team of U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command engineers is developing the Virtual Window -- a video display mounted to the interior of the rear ramp that provides the Soldiers a comprehensive environmental view before they dismount the vehicle.
Read the full article. |
 | Mike Likes:
Loctite Design Guide For Bonding Metals
This extensive 59-page resource details structural adhesives and provides in-depth discussions of the best adhesives for a range of metal substrates. Individual metal bonding chapters provide bond strength and shear strength data for each of eight substrates. Data is included on 23 of the newest structural adhesives from Loctite. Check out the Design Guide for Bonding Plastics too.
Get the .pdf guide (no registration). |
 | Two-way high-flow electronic valves
Clippard Minimatic Electronic valves and manifolds provide a complete system for efficient interface with electric and electronic circuits for many applications. The standard models provide an air flow of 1.4 scfm at 100 psig, more than twice the flow of Clippard's trusted EC/EV/ET valve series. Optional 1.1 scfm at 50 psig and 0.95 scfm at 25 psig flow models are also available. The valves are precision-built, two-way, normally closed control valves, utilizing a unique valving principle with no sliding parts. Complete poppet travel is a mere 0.007 in.
Click here to view Clippard valve options. |
 | New kit measures motor shaft voltage of VFD-controlled motors
Whether they drive the fans and pumps of commercial HVAC systems or the conveyors of industrial production lines, motors controlled by variable frequency drives (VFDs) are vulnerable to electrical bearing damage. A savvy specifier will choose new motors that are already equipped with shaft grounding rings, but for retrofits the new AEGIS Shaft Voltage Test Kit makes it easier than ever to measure and document VFD-induced voltages while there is still time to head off damage and downtime. The result of collaboration between Electro Static Technology and Fluke Corporation, the kit includes a specially tipped probe and a portable oscilloscope.
Click here for more information. |
 | InduSoft releases SCADA Visualization App for Windows 8
InduSoft has created the world's first SCADA/HMI app designed specifically for Windows 8 and Windows RT. InduSoft Visualization App gives users the ability to monitor critical industrial-floor information anytime/anywhere on their tablets or laptops. Users can view alarms, alarm history, process values, trends, and historical data from any location.
Click here for more information. |
 | Maple 17 includes over 400 new commands for mathematical, engineering, and scientific problem-solving
Maple 17 from Maplesoft includes ground-breaking achievements in solving a whole new class of differential equations, major advancements in solving systems of equations, new signal processing tools, expanded support for physics, statistics, dynamic systems, and more. Performance has also been enhanced with improvements to frequently called routines and algorithms as well as in the low-level infrastructure of memory management. Updates include a new advanced code editor, an embedded video component, and improvements to 2D and 3D visualizations.
Click here to learn more. |
| | Most popular last issue |
 | Wheels (and wings):
NASA seeks it all: High lift, low drag
NASA and its industry partners have been working to disprove an aeronautical version of the notion that you can't have your cake and eat it too. The challenge is to figure out how to design an airplane wing so that it can provide high lift during takeoff and landing, yet still be able to cruise at altitude such that the air is moving absolutely smoothly across the wing -- a concept called laminar flow.
Read the full article. |
 | 3D-printed cars edge closer to production at RedEye On Demand
RedEye On Demand, a rapid prototyping and direct digital manufacturing service, and its parent company Stratasys, recently announced a collaboration with KOR EcoLogic to produce URBEE 2, the first road-ready, fuel-efficient car built using 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, technologies. Targeted to hit the road in two years, the 10-ft-long, 1,200-lb three-wheeler represents a significant milestone in the world of traditional assembly-line manufacturing.
Read the full article. |
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | Insider's Look: Microsoft Surface tablet design
Take a peek behind the scenes at the designing of Microsoft's Surface Tablet. You know, that cool one on the commercials that "snaps" together with its keyboard? When the video is over, take a look at the "Making of the Touch Cover for Surface" video. It looks like Microsoft has really loosened up on letting people see the design considerations and processes behind some of their products.
View the video. |
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Making GE90 and GEnx composite fan blades
Learn how CFAN, a joint venture between GE Aviation and Snecma in San Marcos, Texas, handcrafts carbon composite fan blades using more than 1,700 sheets of carbon fiber material per piece for the world's most powerful jet engines.
View the video. |
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