| June 24, 2014 | Volume 10 Issue 24 |
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 | Molded Nylon Special Standard Round Spacers
Micro Plastics announces a new product line of Special Standard Round Spacers. The new line of molded nylon round spacers includes over 250 sizes, with diameters of 1/8" through 1 1/2" and lengths from 1/8" to 2 3/4". These tough, resilient spacers can be used in a variety of assemblies. Useful in electronic and electrical applications, they may also be used as bushings, bearings, rollers, gliders, and bumpers. They are resistant to vibration, abrasion, and corrosion; are electrically insulating; and have a high strength-to-weight ratio.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Wheels:
Titanium-alloy 3D-printed bike frame is a first
In the latest demonstration of what additive manufacturing can do in the finished-product (as opposed to prototyping) space, Empire Cycles of Lancashire, U.K., has created a super-cool, experimental mountain bike that features a 3D-printed titanium-alloy frame that weighs only 3 lb. The project, undertaken in tandem with British 3D-printing specialist Renishaw, used topological optimization to squeeze out every last gram of unnecessary metal in the design.
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 | Top Mike Likes:
Taking paper airplanes to a whole new level -- Boeing 777
What can you do with an X-ACTO knife, some tweezers, and some glue? Luca Iaconi-Stewart is a 22-year-old self-described "crazy guy who loves aviation." He loves it so much that he spent the last five years building a table-size replica of a Boeing 777 airplane made entirely of paper file folders. Read about Iaconi-Stewart's incredibly dedicated (and detailed) endeavor in this fascinating CNET story. [Image: ©Luca Iaconi-Stewart]
Read the full article. |
 | Top Mike Likes:
Carbon fiber and nanotube-reinforced high-performance materials for 3D printing
3D printing with PEEK and other advanced reinforced polymers has been technically challenging until now. Silicon Valley startup Arevo Labs has created proprietary carbon fiber and carbon nanotube-reinforced high-performance materials that are compatible with commercially available filament fusion 3D printers. The company's patent-pending 3D-printing technology combines the benefits of printing complex geometries with reinforced materials that have excellent resistance to high temperatures and chemicals -- all to form lighter, stronger parts. Supported materials include KetaSpire PEEK, AvaSpire PAEK, Radel PPSU, and PrimoSpire SRP.
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 | Top Product:
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.
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 | Top Product:
Real LSR parts really fast:
Proto Labs launches advanced liquid silicone rubber injection molding; provides valuable design tips
Proto Labs is officially kicking off its new, advanced liquid silicone rubber (LSR) injection molding service at the Boston Convention & Expo Center, March 26-27, 2014. LSR is a thermoset engineering material that is particularly suitable for applications in the medical sector: It can withstand sterilization and is biocompatible, so it works well for products that have skin contact. The material also lends itself to applications in the automotive and food appliance industries, typically in the form of seals, gaskets, valves, and cables. Proto Labs is offering parts production in as fast as five business days. The company also offers some super-valuable design tips in this article.
Read the full article. |
 | Top Product:
'Grippy' thermoplastic elastomers
When you think about "grippy" thermoplastic elastomers, grips for items like golf clubs and bicycle handles are usually the first things that come to mind. No longer, thanks to Star Thermoplastic Alloys & Rubbers. Easily colorable, easy-to-process StarGrip-X TPEs from the company's labs produce covers, stubs, and wraps that are grippy and protect expensive gadgets. The benefit is the opportunity to improve a wide range of products, from laptops and tablets to stapler bases and laboratory equipment to ensure they remain stationary on just about any surface and provide a "personalized comfort factor."
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 | Top Product:
Zinc foam with cost-saving feature
Goodfellow has announced the availability of two variants of zinc foam: 99.99% zinc deposited on a polyurethane foam and ZAMAK 410 Zn /Al4/Cu1/Mg0.04 zinc alloy foam with solid ligaments. Both combine the versatile properties of zinc or its alloy with the functional benefits of a foam. This combination should be of particular interest to design engineers working in the fields of heat exchangers, catalyst substrates, energy absorbers, filters, and mixers. Cost-saving feature: For the variant deposited on a polyurethane structure, it is possible to design the finished component in the base foam before metalizing, avoiding post-machining and thereby reducing costs. Editor's note: Goodfellow copper foam has been a favorite of Designfax readers for years, so check that out too.
Click here to learn more about Goodfellow foams. |
| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | See a U.S. Navy railgun in action
The Office of Naval Research Electromagnetic Railgun located at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division fired a world-record-setting 33-megajoule shot earlier this year, more than three times the power of the previous 2008 record. The railgun can shoot a projectile at mach-7 speed over 100 miles -- for just a fraction of the cost of the projectiles we have in current operations.
View the video. |
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Five favorite no-cost engineering tools
Jeremy Regnerus, product marketing specialist for SolidWorks, takes a look at his five favorite free tools (not all SolidWorks!) for engineers. Each tool provides valuable time-saving capabilities. Watch and learn how each tool works and where to find it.
View the video. |
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