| July 12, 2016 | Volume 12 Issue 26 |
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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. |
 | Self-lubricating bearings for steam exposure
The new iglide® HSD350 material offers self-lubricating bearings for use in steam chambers and autoclaves. Resistant to continuous exposure to temperatures of 356°F, high moisture levels, and high pressure, this new material is an ideal replacement for metallic options, which can hinder sterilization for the food and medical industries.
Click here to learn more. |
| | Feature articles | Raspberry Pi 3 is here! Latest version of credit card-size computer board
 Raspberry Pi lovers rejoice. A new generation of the crazy-popular and super-customizable credit card-size computer has been born -- and it's still only 35 bucks! element14, the manufacturer and distributor of the Raspberry Pi, has launched the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, a board that is faster and more powerful than ever before and comes with built-in wireless and Bluetooth connectivity.
Read the full article. |
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 | Metallic glue may stick it to soldering and welding
A team of researchers at Northeastern University has created a glue made out of metal that sets at room temperature and requires very little pressure to seal. MesoGlue "is like welding or soldering but without the heat," says Hanchen Huang, a professor and chair in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, who created the substance with two PhD students and started a company to feature it.
Read the full article. |
 | Super Air Knife Replaces Noisy Blowers
EXAIR's Super Air Knife delivers a uniform, high volume, high velocity sheet of air for blowoff, cooling and drying applications. Energy use is 1/3 that of typical blowoffs. Eliminates costly downtime of blowers. Noise is under 70 dBA at 80 PSIG. Web site offers detailed information.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Can foam stop a bullet?
In a recent video making the rounds on the internet, a piece of armor is seen obliterating a speeding bullet. Some experts in the U.S. Army Research Laboratory's Weapons and Materials Research Directorate give their take on it.
Read the full article. |
The BIG picture: Must-see Atlas robot in action
 If you haven't seen it by now, it's time. Boston Dynamics has released a new video of its 5-ft 9-in. two-legged Atlas robot -- and it's a stunner. See the 180-lb humanoid walk in snowy woods, lift stuff, get assaulted, and get right back up. Atlas is electrically powered and hydraulically actuated. Body and leg sensors help it balance. LIDAR and stereo sensors help avoid obstacles, navigate, and manipulate objects.
Watch Atlas in action. |
 | Ford GT supercar sports Gorilla Glass hybrid technology
When tasked with developing lightweight and advanced material vehicle applications, a team at Ford approached Corning, a recognized leader in material science that introduced light and durable Gorilla Glass to the consumer electronic market in 2007. Interested in further exploring potential automotive applications, Ford engaged Corning to help research and develop a unique formulation for exterior vehicle glass.
Read the full article. |
 | Application Note: Quadcopter propeller torque/thrust testing
The quadcopter's four propellers are designed to work in conjunction with each other to ensure that there are no torque imbalances that could send the vehicle spinning out of control. But just how would a professional developer or hobbyist perform accurate propeller torque and thrust testing? Advanced sensor specialist FUTEK has the answer.
Read the full article. |
 | No. 1 Product: Robotics -- Modular kit for low-cost automation
The Robolink D modular robotic kit from igus allows users to assemble custom robotic systems for a range of applications. Separate joints, which are motor-driven directly on the axis, are available in a range of installation sizes. A new, 6-axis arm with strain wave gearing (in two installation sizes) is also available, along with universal gripper adaptors. The gearing, available as an individual component or with integrated NEMA motor, consists of an outer ring gear and flexible, wear-resistant inner ring gear made from self-lubricating, wear-resistant iglide plastic. This solution offers minimal backlash and ensures a precise adjustment with incredible smoothness.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Top Product: What is electroforming? How does it actually work?
Electroplating may have been around for centuries but only Servometer® excels at manufacturing dynamic, convoluted bellows electroforms. Watch Servometer's five-step electroforming manufacturing process and learn how they are able to deliver electroformed components that feature extreme tolerances, complex geometries, lightweight construction, structural strength, and how they can be applied to a variety of applications.
Watch the video. |
 | Top Product: Neat! Plug-and-play motion system in a box
Rollon Corp. has launched Motion Box, a new pre-engineered Cartesian robot system designed to deliver users six different motion profiles that can be set up and running in a couple of hours. Motion Box covers everything from the human-machine interface (HMI) on one side to the output of reliable motion on the other end. Even the cable management is included. The initial system setup is already complete, so end users can get parts moving in a reliable and repeatable manner. Motion Box incorporates the Q-Motion Controller from Mitsubishi Electric, which features four-axis motion control, energy-efficient drivers, integrated I/O and network access, and a clean, efficient HMI setup.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Mike Likes: 3M magnet bonding adhesive tape
Throw out those messy liquid adhesives. The 3M Magnet Bonding Adhesive AU-205 is a high-performance structural bonding tape designed to provide electric motor design and manufacturing engineers with an advanced tool for adhering permanent magnets to rotors and stators in high-efficiency permanent magnet electric motors. The product combines a modified structural epoxy adhesive with a thickness control system, all configured in a low-tack, double-sided tape that offers strong bond strength and chemical resistance, and is RoHS and REACH compliant.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Engineer's Toolbox:
Self-clinching fasteners by design
Dozens of types and thousands of variations of self-clinching fasteners (steel, stainless steel, or aluminum) have been engineered over the years. Leon M. Attarian of PennEngineering provides three mini case studies where manufacturers benefited greatly by switching to self-clinching fasteners in their assemblies. This article is filled with insightful tips and suggestions.
Read the full article. |
 | Top Product: Math Software -- Maple 2016 offers advanced problem solving
Maple 2016 makes it extremely easy to analyze, explore, visualize, and solve math problems. This latest release includes enhancements through the entire product, solving more mathematical problems from differential equations, statistics, graph theory, and many other mathematical domains. New capabilities include: Organizing projects and Maple applications using the Maple Workbook, taking advantage of flexible and intuitive data frames, performing calculations with thermophysical properties, using Clickable Math to perform new operations, searching through over 900 exact solutions to Einstein's field equations, and much more.
Click here to learn more. |
| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | 5 fun, easy project ideas you can try with a
$35 Raspberry Pi
Patrick Norton from Digital Trends scratches the surface of cool things you can do with a Raspberry Pi, that $35 credit-card-size computer board that makers and budding science geeks love. Why not make a vintage arcade console, an ad blocker (called a Pi-Hole) for your home network, or a DIY streaming box for your HDTV? Raspberry Pi boards and accessories are available at element14.
View the video. |
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Inventor shows off 'Iron Man'-like diving suit
CNN's Thom Patterson reports on Phil Nuytten, who in 1985 designed the Newtsuit, a deep-sea diving suit so groundbreaking that it was adopted by NASA and the U.S. military. Nuytten's company also built a submarine escape system for the U.S. Navy. Then Nuytten created the Exosuit, "kind of like 'Iron Man' come to life."
View the video. |
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Show and Tell: Making a 3D-printed lightsaber
Sean Charlesworth from Tested checks out a 3D-printed lightsaber hilt that was assembled from 14 individually printed pieces. Jacky "Valcrow" Wan, the designer of this model, also created a four-piece kit. All the files are available online. With some proper finishing work, it looks as good as the original prop.
View the video. |
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