| December 02, 2014 | Volume 10 Issue 45 |
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 | Wavo Springs: The New Spring in Town
Wavo Springs are produced from round-section wire to provide higher loads while maintaining the accurate loading found in wave springs. As an alternative to Belleville Springs, the Wavo provides similar loads but with an accurate, predictable spring rate. Available from stock in 1/2" to 6" diameters. Free samples are available to test in your application.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Motors For Model Train Meet Demanding Requirements
Building an N-gauge (1:160) model train system involves working with very small units. The 1930s-inspired BR 70 locomotive from Fleischmann is only about 58 mm long when measured buffer to buffer. As on large locomotives, traction (and on the model, power transmission) between the wheel and the track is a crucial factor. To give the unit appropriately scaled big-train power with low vibration and noise, the folks at Fleischmann turned to customized DC motors from the FAULHABER Group.
Read the full article. |
| | Feature articles | Inside Look: How NASA builds a space laser
 To build the ICESat-2 satellite that will measure all the bumps and dips of our dynamic Earth, a team of 250 engineers, fabricators, and scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland started with a black box built of a composite honeycomb material to make it as light as possible.
Read the full article. |
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 | Robots with guns: Army researchers address challenges of remote lethality
In popular culture, the idea of robots that perform human-like functions has a special hold on the imagination, based on real-life examples like space exploration, unmanned aerial drones and stoked by futuristic scenarios in movies like the "Terminator" series. However, when it comes to the U.S. military integrating lethality, such as a weapon capable of firing 10 rounds per second onto an unmanned ground vehicle, issues arise such as safety, effectiveness, and reliability, as well as military doctrine on how much human involvement is required.
Read the full article. |
 | Researchers develop efficient method to measure residual stress in 3D-printed parts
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory researchers have developed an efficient method to measure residual stress in metal parts produced by powder-bed fusion additive manufacturing. Aside from its potential impact on mechanical performance and structural integrity, residual stress may cause distortions during processing resulting in a loss of net shape, detachment from support structures, and, potentially, the failure of additively manufactured (AM) parts and components.
Read the full article. |
 | Wheels:
English Racing 3D prints custom metal parts
When English Racing came to Metal Technologies Inc. with a challenging design for an oil pump pulley, the answer was clear: use the ProX 300 Direct Metal 3D printer by 3D Systems. See how MTI used the ProX 300 to make end-use custom parts faster than ever before and put English Racing on the winner's stand.
Read the full article. |
 | Mike Likes:
Telematics for off-highway machines
The Danfoss Telematics Solution is a robust plug-and-perform telematics platform for mobile off-highway equipment. Available for new machines and existing fleet retrofits, this system uses data to drive efficiency and profit. The easy-to-integrate platform is an open solution that can be expanded as telematics capabilities evolve, providing: data analysis, remote diagnostics, remote software updates, machine location and tracking, geofencing, machine efficiency monitoring and analysis, frequency and duration use logging, and more.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Engineer's Toolbox:
Slip clutches maximize designs
The way they see it over at Polyclutch, there aren't a whole lot of problems you can't solve with a slip clutch. Way beyond using them for overload protection, there are a surprising number of other applications for these versatile and valuable components. From increasing machine speeds and applying constant tension on wire to indexing a conveyor and automatic screw assembly, slip clutches just may provide the design leverage that you've been seeking.
Read the full article. |
 | Product: LED lighting connector range
Engineered to be the perfect choice for LED strip light applications, the new GCT BJ300 and 301 mating connector combinations offer reliable dual-contact design. LED strip applications are usually low cost, consisting of small panels of LED lights clustered on PCBs. The PCBs snap together in co-planar orientation. GCT White Lite connectors fit perfectly with these applications, because they're economically priced and fit onto small and thin PCBs. Mated connector height is 2.6 mm, with a total mated footprint of 8.80 mm (width) x 11.00 mm (depth).
Click here to learn more. |
 | Product: Linear roller block and rail systems
Low-cost linear roller block and rail systems are available from LM76 in three sizes to meet load requirements up to 1,200 N. (270 lb). These narrow-profile linear motion systems feature low noise, smooth travel, high speed to 10 m/s (120 ft/s), high acceleration to 50 m/s (150 ft/s), low weight, high linear accuracy, sealed radial low-friction bearings, and easy installation into new and existing applications.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Product: Hear it for yourself -- super-quiet DC brush motors
Crouzet Motors has introduced a short, informative video that dramatically demonstrates the whisper-quiet operation of its innovative new DC Brush Motor line. The video tests and measures the sound levels of the Crouzet DCmind Brush motor vs. conventional DC brush motors, and also evaluates the sound levels when used with gearheads. The results: The DCmind brush motor measured 15 decibels (dB) quieter in stand-alone operation compared to a conventional DC motor. The DCmind Brush motor series is particularly well suited to applications in medical, laboratory, commercial, and industrial equipment.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Product: 5 hoses. 2 fittings. One solution.
GlobalCore from Parker Hannifin provides a simple solution of hydraulic hoses designed to endure the extreme conditions where tough work gets done. Designed, built, and tested to the ISO 18752 specification, GlobalCore reduces engineering and service complexity by providing the first comprehensive hose product family across the most commonly used constant working pressure classes.
Click here to learn more. |
| | Most popular last issue |
 | Wheels:
Mastering engine block 'peaks and valleys'
Dick Maskin started Dart Machinery in 1981 in a two-car garage in Oak Park, a Detroit suburb, and has grown it into a manufacturing leader in racing and high-performance engine blocks, heads, and other components. The company turns out about 8,000 blocks and 16,000 heads a year for drag racing, circle track racing, road racing, high-performance custom cars, and more. Maskin says that advanced honing provides a key differentiator for maintaining a competitive advantage in processing an ever-changing mix of blocks.
Read the full article. |
 | Mike Likes:
Cave of the Winds - The remarkable history of the Langley full-scale wind tunnel
After you've had your fill of turkey leftovers and Cyber Monday shopping, why not savor a little "me" time? "Cave of the Winds" is the latest no-cost ebook from NASA. In 500+ pages, it profiles the huge Langley Full-Scale Tunnel building (1930-2011) that was constructed during an era when biplanes and dirigibles dominated aviation. The results of critical tests conducted within its massive test section contributed to many of the nation's most important aeronautics and space programs. Lots of other ebook options to choose from.
Check out NASA's latest ebooks. |
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | NASA set to launch Orion spacecraft for test this week
NASA's newest spacecraft, Orion, is scheduled to launch into space for the first time on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, on a flight that will take it farther than any spacecraft built to carry humans has gone in more than 40 years -- and through temperatures twice as hot as molten lava to put its critical systems to the test.
View the video. |
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ABB unveils YuMi human-robot collaboration solution
ABB's YuMi (short for "you and me") human-friendly dual-arm robot has the ability to feel and see. It performs with accuracy so great it can thread a needle and is perfect for small parts assembly, where people and robots work hand in hand on the same tasks. The robot's soft, padded dual arms, combined with innovative force-sensing technology, ensure the safety of YuMi's human co-workers while the unit works cage-free.
View the video to see YuMi in action. |
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