| January 06, 2015 | Volume 11 Issue 01 |
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 | ID/OD Retaining Ring Lock
Spirolox Retaining Rings can operate in an internal and external groove at the same time. Install the ring in one groove and then compress the ring with the mating component into the second groove. When the grooves meet, the ring snaps into place creating a low-cost, hidden, high-strength, tamper-proof rotating joint. Over 6,000 rings are stocked from 1/4" to 16" diameters in carbon and stainless steel; customs up to 120".
Click here to learn more. |
 | MICROMO Presents The New FAULHABER Integrated Encoder
The new FAULHABER IEH2-4096 integrated magnetic encoder offers higher resolution, an expanded operating temperature range and improved speed control, especially in the low speed range. The new model lengthens the motor by just 1.4 mm and can be combined with numerous precious metal commutated coreless DC motors. The encoder can be used in a wide range of applications, including medical devices, measurement apparatuses, and precision positioning systems.
Learn more. |
| | Feature articles | Wheels:
Volvo unveils triple-boosted 450-hp 4-cylinder engine
 They are keeping a lot the details still under wraps, but Volvo unveiled a triple-boost 2-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with no less than 450 hp on October 9.
The new engine is the next-gen version of Volvo's 320-hp Drive-E Powertrain range that debuted in 2013 -- an engine that solidified the carmaker's commitment to developing powerful and fuel-efficient 4-cylinders for its passenger-car and SUV lines.
Read the full article. |
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 | Wheels:
Cockpit for 1,000-mph car revealed
The cockpit of BLOODHOUND SSC, the 1,000-mph Land Speed Racing car, was unveiled June 12 in Bristol, UK. The state-of-the-art carbon fiber monocoque has been tailored to the needs of driver Andy Green and will be his supersonic office during record attempts in the South African desert in 2015 and 2016.
Read the full article. |
 | Adaptive zoom riflescope prototype features push-button magnification
Sandia National Laboratories optical engineer Brett Bagwell (an Army Special Forces officer-turned-engineer) led the development of the Rapid Adaptive Zoom for Assault Rifles (RAZAR) prototype. At the push of a button, RAZAR can toggle between high and low magnifications, enabling Soldiers to zoom in without having to remove their eyes from their targets or their hands from their rifles. The flexible, polymer-based optics are based on the human eye.
Read the full article. |
 | New developments boost LED brightness and efficiency big time
For all of their trumpeted efficiency, did you know that only 2 to 4 percent of the light generated by a standard LED escapes from inside the device? Wow, either did we! With all that trapped light energy, no wonder they get hot. But Princeton University researchers are onto something big to change this, including a 57 percent improvement in brightness and efficiency.
Read the full article. |
 | Engineer's Toolbox:
World's smallest production V8 optimized with precision honing
Gary Conley's 30-year quest to manufacture a true production V8 engine in quarter-scale almost went up in smoke twice: once in 2001 when a foundry fire claimed all his critical molds, and later when oil smoke proved a stubborn problem during run-offs of the engine. Conley overcame the first setback with years of sheer determination. The second issue required a Sunnen MB 1660 honing machine, abrasives, and some Sunnen know-how.
Read the full article. |
 | Wings:
LabVIEW and NI CompactDAQ get the Skylon space plane project off the ground
Current space propulsion systems based on rocket technology alone place limits on the performance of launch vehicles, which leads to multistage vehicle configurations that are either expendable or only partly reusable. This results in complex launch systems that are both high maintenance and expensive to operate. REL's Skylon space plane, a fully reusable single-stage launch vehicle, addresses these drawbacks and could revolutionize future access to space by providing more efficient and reliable launch operations. Michael Hood of Reaction Engines Ltd. talks about developing and testing the Skylon Mach 25 engines.
Read the full article. |
 | Great references:
Basics of Hydraulic/Pneumatic Cylinders design guide
After a reader asked us about some hydraulic cylinder basics, we were reminded of an excellent resource from Milwaukee Cylinder that interested engineers should download for themselves. Milwaukee Cylinder's Design Engineer's Guide does a fantastic job of covering basic cylinder operating principles, standard NFPA mountings, cylinder sizing, air and hydraulic cylinder force and speed, and much, much more. This is a no-cost, no-sign-up invaluable reference. Design Engineer's Guide is the 11th item on the page. Other good materials available.
Click here to go to the Guide page. |
 | Mike Likes:
Cave of the Winds - The remarkable history of the Langley full-scale wind tunnel
After you've had your fill of leftovers and holiday 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. |
 | Top Product: New Raspberry Pi module
Whether you're a hardcore Raspberry Pi fan or have been hesitant to take the plunge into the world of inexpensive playing-card-size computer development, it's a great time to consider the latest board available. The Raspberry Pi B+ board marks the first significant change to the multi-million selling development platform. Priced at $35 and available through element14, the new board offers more sensors and accessories than ever before, enabling users to build bigger and better projects. Advanced power management and enhanced connectivity make it possible to power four USB accessories, such as a 2.5-in. hard drive, through the device.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Top Product:
New innovative way to take up tolerances
Smalley Linear Springs are a continuous wave-formed (marcelled) wire length produced from spring-tempered materials. They act as a load-bearing device, having approximately the same load/deflection characteristics as a wave spring. Linear Springs are now available as a standard part in carbon and stainless steel, with over 200 sizes.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Top Tools: Creaform GO!SCAN 3D scanner
Creaform's Go!SCAN 3D is a simple, portable, and affordable 3D scanner that lets engineering users effortlessly capture the 3D shape of any object, including complex, freeform, and organic shapes. This is a really slick tool that lets you scan using a super-easy spray-paint style for accurate reverse-engineering or prototyping models. Dynamic referencing makes it possible to move the part during scanning, all while keeping the accuracy level up to 0.1 mm.
View the video. |
| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | A little fun and inspiration:
Paper airplane machine gun
A Designfax reader tipped us off to a YouTube user called Papierfliegerei, who says that he has created a paper airplane folding machine that shoots out the little flyers machine-gun style. He says he had most of the parts 3D printed and uses a cordless screwdriver as the main motor component. Pretty inventive if you've got the time and motivation.
View the video. |
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