| January 10, 2017 | Volume 13 Issue 01 |
|
 | 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. |
 | Small Brushless Motor with Big Performance
The new 3274 BP4 brushless DC motor series from FAULHABER is overload?resistant and operates without wear?prone mechanical commutation, giving the 3274 BP4 longer operational life than conventional micro DC motors. Weighing just under 320 grams, the 3274 BP4 brushless servo motor packs massive continuous torque of 165 mNm and is overload-resistant, making it ideal for applications in which high power and dynamic start/stop operation with the lowest possible weight is crucial.
Click here to learn more. |
 | U.S. Navy commissions electric-propulsion stealth destroyer
The U.S. Navy has commissioned for service the USS Zumwalt, its largest and most advanced stealth destroyer. The 610-ft-long electric "multi-mission" ship can hit a target at a range of more than 60 miles, has a wave-piercing tumblehome design, and features a unique superstructure that makes it less visible to enemy radar.
Read the full article. |
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
 | No. 1 Mike Likes 2016: ABCs of gears and more
KHK USA takes you on a journey through the history and applications of gears in two information-packed free volumes called "The ABCs of Gears." Part A is aimed at beginners, while part B moves on to intermediate fare, such as types of gears and tooth forms, heat treatment, surface treatment, production methods, etc. Another mid-level text called "Introduction to Gears" and an in-depth "Gear Technical Reference" are also available, chock full of materials information and calculation examples and tables. Best of all, there is no registration for any of these valuable no-cost PDF resources.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Top Mike Likes: Intel drone developer kit
Pre-orders are open for the Intel Aero Platform for UAVs. Designed from the ground up to support drones, the $399 UAV developer kit is powered by an Intel Atom quad-core processor. It combines compute, storage, communications, and flexible I/O in a form factor the size of a standard playing card. When matched with the optional Vision Accessory Kit, developers can create sophisticated drone applications. Also available early 2017: Intel's Aero Ready To Fly drone, a fully assembled quadcopter with compute board and integrated depth and vision capabilities.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Top Mike Likes: Unit Conversion Tool
Convert popular spring units such as force or retaining ring thrust capacities into metric units with Smalley's engineering tools. Convert units such as mass and weight, angular measurements, velocities, temperatures, pressures and densities, and more.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Engineer's Toolbox:
Chairless exoskeleton solves long-standing problem
The Chairless Chair is a new solution for relieving strain and fatigue from excessive standing during long work shifts. The entire construct is lightweight, easy to put on, and hardly noticeable when walking. By operating a switch on the strap, the flexible construct turns into a stable seat. Two small DC motors activate a stop valve in the hydraulic elements of the shock absorbers, locking the support into the seated position.
Read the full article. |
 | Engineer's Toolbox:
A look at ion propulsion technology
Ion thrusters are being designed for a wide variety of space missions -- from keeping communications satellites in the proper position to propelling spacecraft throughout our solar system. These thrusters have high specific impulses (ratio of thrust to the rate of propellant consumption), so they require significantly less propellant for a given mission than would be needed with chemical propulsion. Here's a look at how they work.
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: Nanocoating waterproofs electronics
Ever wonder how top name brands like Sony, Nokia, Agfa, and Skullcandy can crank out more and more products with better and better waterproofing characteristics? They turn to a Belgian company called Europlasma and its time-tested Nanofics line of plasma coating solutions. The company's Nanofics 120 family of coatings can be applied at the component level, PCB, or even the whole device, and is typically used to reach water ingress protection levels up to IPX4 (splash of water for 5 min.), and salt mist corrosion protection for at least 48 hours. A new ultra-thin version allows electronics to survive full water submersion while powered on, reaching IPX7 (immersion in water up to 1 m for up to 30 min.) or higher.
Click here to learn more. |
| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action |
Two-seater electric helicopter takes first flight
Germany-based e-volo's emissions-free Volocopter VC200 took its first official manned flight in April 2016. The all-electric flyer is made of a lightweight, fiber-composite material and features 18 rotors with motors driven by nine batteries. With a 450-kg take-off weight, the VC200 requires about 45 kW to hover, depending on the air pressure/temp. Its built-in multiple redundancies help ensure stability, even if parts of the system fail, and make the unit easy to fly using only a joystick. Unlike a helicopter, the blade angle on the VC200 cannot be adjusted. The amount of thrust produced depends solely on the rotation speed of the rotors. The copter received its permit to fly as an ultralight aircraft from German aviation authorities in February 2016, and NASA invited e-volo to present the technology at its On-Demand Mobility workshop in Washington, DC, this past March. And did we mention it folds up too?
View the main video.
View folding mechanism video. |
 |
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. |
 |
You crushed it! See stuff get smashed
Some enterprising guys in Finland with a penchant for smashing stuff have created their own Youtube channel -- and they want to share all the fun. "Wanna see stuff getting crushed by a hydraulic press?" they ask. This is the right channel for you. From cameras to ice to an old safe, a ball bearing, a running four-stroke motor, a motorcycle helmet, and more, take a few minutes out of your day to feel like you crushed this one.
View the videos. |
 |
|
|
