| September 09, 2014 | Volume 10 Issue 34 |
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 | Completely Updated New Full Line Catalog:
Full of New Fasteners
Micro Plastics introduces its new 300-page catalog #40 containing thousands of fastening solutions for engineers and product designers. Find hundreds of new problem-solving products, including Spacers, Washers, Clips, Clamps, Ties, Bushings, Screws, Nuts, Rivets, and Plugs. Micro Plastics specializes in Nylon threaded fasteners, but the company also offers extensive product lines for wire management and circuit board hardware. FREE samples are available upon request.
Click here for more information. |
 | Metal Bellows ... As Spring Replacements
In electrical systems, springs are commonly used as an electrical interface to connect devices that are not permanently installed. Servometer® precision metal bellows are a reliable alternative to springs in both electrical and mechanical applications, and offer various benefits to create a cost-effective, repeatable solution.
Read the full article. |
| | Feature articles |
 | Hydraulics:
The 'dinosaur' returns, again and again
Over the past 40 years, hydraulic systems have been continually deemed a dying technology -- if not pronounced dead altogether. And these views don't seem all that farfetched in light of the on-going energy-efficiency debate and the apparent cure-all: electric drive systems. Perhaps the "dinosaurs of drive technology" are truly at an end. Yet they keep coming back and are more sustainable than ever -- all thanks to consistent, systematic thinking.
Read the full article. |
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 | Wheels:
Stressed and strained to the max -- New NIST research center helps auto industry 'lighten up'
As they transition to new types of steel, aluminum, magnesium, composites, and other lightweight options, automakers and their suppliers are turning to the new National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Center for Automotive Lightweighting (NCAL) for information key to the manufacturability of these materials -- including critical information on metal-forming characteristics. Center-supplied information also guides design decisions that will impact the performance, durability, and crashworthiness of future cars and trucks.
Read the full article. |
 | Mike Likes:
Plastic parts with no molds required
How often have you wondered what life would be like without having to worry about paying tooling charge after tooling charge for products in early development? The "No Molds Required" (NMR) manufacturing technology from Envision Plastics & Design could be your answer. This unique production process harmonizes a combination of sheet metal fabrication and woodworking practices to produce plastic parts used for enclosures, panels and shrouds, brackets and shields, medical-based products, and more.
Read the full article. |
 | Engineer's Toolbox:
How to maximize retention of spring pins
Spring pins are used in many different assemblies for a variety of reasons: to serve as hinge pins and axles, to align components, or simply to fasten multiple components together. When properly implemented, they provide reliable, robust joints with excellent retention. SPIROL Application Engineer Evan Dowell runs through the dos and don'ts of using spring pins.
Read the full article. |
 | New Concepts:
VERSABALL 'jamming' gripper in action at IMTS
Attendees at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago, September 8-13, will be the first to witness the commercially available version of Empire Robotics' VERSABALL -- a new gripper archetype able to flexibly adapt to multiple, automated manufacturing tasks. Hosted at Universal Robots' IMTS Booth E-4841, the VERSABALL demonstration takes place on Wednesday, September 10, from 9 am to 1 pm. The VERSABALL is a squishy balloon membrane full of loose sub-millimeter particles that easily conforms around a wide range of target object shapes and sizes. Even if you can't attend, learn more about this super-cool innovation here.
Read the full article. |
 | Cool Kits:
Wireless tactile feedback prototyping anytime, anywhere
Texas Instruments' wireless haptic development kit enables easy tactile feedback prototyping for eccentric rotating mass (ERM) motor and linear resonant actuator (LRA) haptic effects in a wide range of applications. Using Bluetooth low energy (BLE) and a free iOS app, the Haptic Bluetooth Kit (DRV2605EVM-BT) enables designers to create haptic sequences and LED patterns for tactile feedback, notifications, and alerts from a pre-licensed library of more than 100 distinct haptic effects, eliminating wires and the need to design haptic waveforms.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Services:
Custom molded and overmolded components
Molded components for critical applications have their performance life extended with proprietary elastomer and thermoplastic compounds developed by The Rubber Group. Combining high strength and resistance to high- and low-temperature extremes, these specialty compounds and adhesive technologies reduce operating costs and enhance service life expectancies. For both dynamic and static applications, high-performance Nitrile, Fluorocarbons, EPDM, Neoprene, and Hydrogenated Nitrile meet wide-ranging environmental conditions.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Products:
Customized direct-drive motors
Applimotion's Frameless Direct Drive motor kits have been used in custom direct-drive motors for more than 15 years in automation systems, robotics, semiconductor equipment, medical devices, and communication systems. The ULT, UTH, and UTS motor kits can be integrated into a customized assembly with high-resolution encoders and precision bearings. Some assemblies even include harmonic-drive gearing systems. Custom assemblies can range from 8-mm to 600-mm diameters and torque from .1 to 1,000 NM with unique through-holes, mechanical features, and custom cabling.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Products:
3D CAD viewer adds Catia 2D-drawings support, large format printing, and undo
KISTERS has announced the release of 3DViewStation V2014.1. The KISTERS 3DViewStation is known for its modern user interface; high-performance 3D viewing and Digital MockUp (DMU); current and mature CAD-importers for i.e. Catia, NX, Creo, SolidWorks, JT, 3D-PDF and STEP; plus a reasonable set of functional tools to view, analyze, and communicate 3D data as STEP, JT, or 3D PDF. 3DViewStation ships with a fresh Office 2013-compliant user interface. The focus of the latest developments has been set to Catia 2D-drawings support, large format printing, and undo.
Click here to learn more. |
| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | igus self-lubricating solutions for 3D printing
igus® gives designers of 3D printers access to a wide variety of linear technology, plain bearings, energy supply chains and lead screw units -- all tested and self-lubricating, shipped from stock in 24 hours, and with no minimum order required.
Additionally, igus has introduced their own filaments for 3D printers. 50 times more abrasion resistant than traditional 3D printing materials, the iglide I170 and I180 filaments are perfect for prototyping or creating custom, wear-resistant solutions.
View the video. |
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