| April 15, 2014 | Volume 10 Issue 15 |
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 | Protomold Demo Mold
As part of our commitment to continually provide our customers with design-related resources, we created the Protomold Demo Mold. This simulated mold demonstrates specific mold and part features we refer to in our ProtoQuote® interactive quotes. Request a no cost Demo Mold with mold terminology glossary today.
Click here to get a Protomold Demo Mold. |
 | Designing telemedicine robots:
Bringing expertise to remote areas
There was a time telemedicine meant holding a heart-rate monitor up to the phone receiver to play an audible signal. Modern telepresence robots do more than put a patient's diagnostic information in the hands of an offsite doctor. They create a virtual presence that delivers a lifelike experience. With sophisticated controls, advanced imaging, and small, quiet FAULHABER DC motors from MICROMO, InTouch Health (along with partner iRobot) brings top-flight medical care across the globe.
Read the full article. |
 | A new twist produces better steel
In steel making, two desirable qualities -- strength and ductility -- tend to be at odds: Stronger steel is less ductile, and more ductile steel is not as strong. Engineers at Brown University, three Chinese universities, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have shown that when cylinders of steel are twisted, their strength is improved without sacrificing ductility.
Read the full article. |
 | Engineer's Toolbox:
Advances in robotics empower smaller manufacturers
Once found mostly in manufacturing environments with extremely high volumes, robots are now being used in smaller organizations, and in a wider variety of applications. The cost of implementing robotic systems has fallen significantly, plus it is now easier to apply robotics in more ways. These benefits are encouraging smaller companies to explore the use of robots -- especially Cartesian robots -- in new applications, such as automated storage and retrieval, pick and place, liquid dispensing, packaging, machine tool auxiliary operations, and many more.
Read the full article. |
 | Solderless LED interconnect solution
Illumination specialist VCC has developed solderless panel-mount LED holders that combine simple and fast assembly with reliability and ruggedness. The CNX 440 and CNX 460 Series receptacles require no tools for assembly, offering quick and easy threaded connections into a broad selection of panel lenses. These modular indicator assemblies resolve LED push-back issues, eliminate the need for soldering or crimping wires to fragile LED leads, and deliver superior stability when subjected to forces of 2Gs, 4Gs, and 6Gs from 0 to 2,000 Hz. The CNX 440 Series 5-mm LED holder can be configured to support up to six leaded, RGB, undercover (UC), or infrared (IR) LEDs. The CNX 460 10-mm LED holder can be configured for high flux and standard 10-mm LED packages.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Heavy-duty spring plungers optimize positioning accuracy
SZ-NIV-HD series heavy-duty spring plungers from FIPA are new must-haves in rough production environments. Also called spring-loaded suction fingers, the units ensure that the attached suction cups handle sensitive products gently and protect the grippers from collision damage. One of the key reasons for the long service life of FIPA's heavy-duty spring plungers is the high-quality igus plain bearing, which offers high abrasion resistance and excellent sliding properties with minimum play. The lubricant embedded in the bushing material ensures smooth running and thus maintenance-free operation throughout the entire service life.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Cinching latch motor for power tailgates
Johnson Electric has developed a new cinching latch motor platform for automotive power tailgate closure. Available in three forms (CL30L, CL30, and CL24) the platform provides the industry's highest power density in a compact package. Compared with existing motor technology, the new platform is 15 percent more compact but can deliver 20 percent higher torque for fast and reliable cinching actuation. The cinching motor platform has integrated electronics with advanced EMC suppression. The motor designs support the range of power tailgates used in full-size SUV, compact SUV, and hatchbacks.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Precision spheres in a range of materials
Goodfellow, an international supplier of metals, ceramics, polymers, and other materials for research and industry, offers researchers and engineers an extremely wide selection of precision spheres in a range of materials, including ceramic, glass, metal, and polymer. Applications include flow control, gauging and measuring standards, down-hole oil drilling, bearings, fiber optics and lasers, lenses, electrical conductors, polishing media, integrated circuits, instrumentation, small engine parts, and inspection tools. Spheres are available in diameters from 0.15 mm to 20 mm from stock, and up to 150 mm as a special order. Goodfellow also offers precision spheres with drilled holes for mounting on a spigot, and with a spigot, if required.
Click here to learn more. |
| | Most popular last issue |
 | New wind-power concept inspired by birds
Taking a cue from the natural airfoil design of bird wings, the creative wizards at pneumatics specialist Festo have come up with a totally new concept for generating wind power. The horizontal DualWingGenerator uses an opposing-wing design to generate electricity and is especially effective at low wind speeds. This video explains the simple mechanical inner workings. A really fresh -- and inspiring -- design.
View the video. |
 | World's smallest, most integrated Wi-Fi module
Need to connect your product to the Internet of Things? Econais Inc. has created the EC19W01, arguably the world's smallest, smartest, and most integrated 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi System In Package (SiP) module. The EC19W01 offers low power drain and features a fully integrated MCU, Wi-Fi, cloud connectivity, flash, and an antenna that is fully certified FCC, EC, IC, and TELEC. This unit makes it easy to quickly design a Wi-Fi-equipped device that connects to the cloud. A development kit (EC19W01EVB) is also available.
Click here to learn more. |
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | High-altitude wind turbine aims to break world record in Alaska
Altaeros Energies, a wind energy company formed out of MIT, says that its demonstration project south of Fairbanks, Alaska, is set to break the world record for the highest wind turbine ever deployed. The $1.3 million, 18-month project will send the Altaeros BAT to a height 1,000 ft above ground -- over 275 ft taller than the current record-holding ground-based wind turbine. The BAT (Buoyant Airborne Turbine) project, partially financed by the Alaska Energy Authority's Emerging Energy Technology Fund, will also be the first long-term demonstration of an airborne wind turbine. The BAT uses a helium-filled, inflatable shell to lift to high altitudes where winds are stronger and more consistent than those reached by traditional tower-mounted turbines. These high-altitude winds help generate twice the power of ground-based systems, according to Altaeros engineers.
View the video. |
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A padlock in every fastener
Bryce high-tech security locks use cabinet-lock technology to take tamper-proofing to the next level. Vice grips, screw drivers, and drills can't get past these privately keyed fasteners, which are forged in solid stainless or CRv alloy and are ready to be power-driven. These fasteners are available in sizes from 2-56 to 5/8-11 and in metric sizes M2 to M16. Customer-specific key codes provide unmatched security. Bryce Fastener had 800 new customers last year alone with no reported security breaches!
View the video. |
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