| June 02, 2015 | Volume 11 Issue 21 |
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 | Constant Section Rings from Smalley
Smalley offers over 1,000 Constant Section Rings from stock in both carbon and stainless steel in diameters ranging from .375" to 10". Smalley can also produce these heavy-duty rings with different end configurations to meet your application requirements. Custom designs are available from .200" to 120" diameters. Free samples available for testing.
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 | New Motion Controller For Stepper Motors
The new MCST 3601 series, developed by micro motor specialist, FAULHABER, and motion controller specialist, Trinamic GmbH, is a programmable motion controller for use with micro stepper motors. The MCST 3601, equipped with a micro controller and driver, can precisely regulate phase currents from 10mA to 1.1A, while operating on supply voltage of 9-36 VDC. This powerful new series of drive electronics for steppers is ideal for applications in optics.
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| | Feature articles | 'Better buying power' key to maintaining Army tech edge
 If the Army is to maintain its technological edge over potential adversaries, it must improve the way it conducts business with industry partners, said Kevin Fahey, one of the service's top acquisition experts. A key step toward that improvement is Better Buying Power 3.0, which relies heavily on a "modular open systems architecture" or MOSA. Compliance with MOSA requires software and hardware components to be effectively partitioned in their design and functioning or swapped out with minimal effort and cost if new components become available.
Read the full article. |
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 | Simulation solves mystery behind elevator accident
In 2007, an elevator began moving upward while passengers were exiting, trapping and injuring an occupant. A drum brake intended to hold the elevator stationary failed, resulting in the unexpected movement. But how did it fail and at what rate -- slowly (preventable) or quickly (probably not preventable)? Veryst Engineering used COMSOL multiphysics simulation to investigate and determine the answer.
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 | Mike Likes:
Silicon carbide foam -- Extreme toughness in a lightweight form
Silicon carbide (SiC) foam, available from Goodfellow, provides the exceptional hardness (Mohs 9), high-temp durability (up to 2,200 C), and performance of solid silicon carbide, but in an extremely lightweight and versatile foam structure. This material has a high thermal and electrical conductivity, and its matrix of cells and ligaments is completely repeatable, regular, and uniform throughout the material, yielding a rigid, highly porous and permeable structure with a controlled density of metal per unit volume. This combination of properties is highly valued in a range of industries, including aerospace, defense, and semiconductor manufacturing. Applications include: high-temp filters, rocket nozzles, heat-shielding elements, heat exchangers, and electromagnetic radiation absorbers.
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 | Engineer's Toolbox:
A safer Subaru through simulation
For Subaru's first production model hybrid vehicle, the Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid, engineers at FUJI Heavy Industries (Subaru's parent company) reduced test time to 1/20 of the estimated time for equivalent testing on a real-world dynamometer through hardware-in-the-loop simulation. To test the motor electronic control unit (ECU), the team created strenuous test conditions that are difficult to achieve using real machines.
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 | Heating Tech: High-temp mica foil heater
Need uniform heat with fast response for applications up to 600 deg C? Distributed-wattage etch foil heater elements bonded between a high-temperature mica sheath material might be the answer. Durex developed the Mica High-Temperature Heater Technology for material bonding and laminating applications where temperature profile and thermal response are critical to the manufacturing process.
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 | Robotics: Get more powerful robot vision
For more than 15 years, Epson Vision Guide has been used in factories throughout the world to allow Epson Robots to "see." Epson CV2 Vision Systems take performance to the next level, providing powerful vision guidance solutions at a value price. They contain powerful CPUs and vision processing that runs in parallel with the Epson RC90 or RC700 Controllers, allowing for maximum throughput. These systems are easily programmed via the industry-leading Epson RC+ Development Environment. A point-and-click interface reduces development time from weeks to hours, so no time is wasted solving your next robot guidance application. Two core models are available depending on speed requirements.
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 | Fasteners: Surface mounts for PC boards
New PEM ReelFast brass surface-mount fasteners from PennEngineering introduce ideal hardware solutions for printed circuit board applications requiring superior electrical and mechanical attachment points. These tin-plated Type SMTSOB brass nuts and spacers/standoffs install permanently on printed circuit boards in the same manner and at the same time as other surface-mount components prior to the automated reflow solder process. They can serve reliably to space or stack boards, mount boards, and/or attach components.
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 | Hexapods: Six-axis precision for loads to 1 ton
Precision motion control systems leader PI (Physik Instrumente) announces the H-845, a new series of preconfigured high-load hexapods. This newest addition extends PI's catalog to 50 standard hexapods covering a large variety of applications, from palm-size units for micro-manufacturing to high-speed motion simulators and vacuum- and UHV-compatible units. The H-845 series provides an easy solution to complex multi-axis precision motion applications with models available in various travel ranges, load capacities, and velocities.
Click here to learn more. |
| | Most popular last issue |
 | Freightliner Inspiration Truck gets its autonomous vehicle license from Nevada DMV
At a ceremony at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on May 5, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval officially granted the first license for an autonomous commercial truck to operate on an open public highway in the United States to Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA). Developed by engineers at DTNA, the truck holds the promise of unlocking autonomous vehicle advancements that could reduce accidents, improve fuel consumption, cut highway congestion, and safeguard the environment.
Read the full article. |
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action |
Hacker's motorized gadget cracks combo locks
C-C-C-Combo Breaker is a motorized, battery-powered, 3D-printed, Arduino-based device that can crack any Master combination lock in less than 30 seconds. According to an NBC News report, the device was created by Samy Kamkar, a hacker and engineer "who in April revealed a method of cracking Master locks by feeling carefully for hitches in the dial's spin, which hint at the actual combination and limit it to eight options. ... One part grips the dial and spins to the numbers as it goes through the process of checking for the resistance that indicates the combo. Meanwhile, a little lever tugs on the shackle at the right moments -- and to see if the lock opens after each attempt."
View the video. |
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