| August 01, 2017 | Volume 13 Issue 29 |
|
 | Protecting Fluid Circuits with Edge Welded Bellows
Use edge welded metal bellows to compensate for expanding fluids and to prevent leaks that could damage equipment in many fluid-power and fluid-handling applications. BellowsTech Edge welded bellows are superior to alternative methods because they are able to maintain proper flow during normal operation and expand and contract to compensate for volumetric changes of the liquid or gas that could otherwise result in blown seals, leaks, broken sensors and premature wear and tear.
Read More! |
 | 32mm Brushless Motor Packs Massive Torque
The FAULHABER 3274 BP4 series packs a punch, yet weights half as much as competitors' motors -- and in a significantly smaller size, too. The 3274 BP4 is overload?resistant and offers longer operational lifetime than conventional DC motors, and withstands harsh ambient conditions and temperatures from -40°C to +125.
Click here to learn more. |
| | Feature articles | Army fielding new modular handguns
Soldiers have many reasons to be excited about the new Sig Sauer modular handguns, which the Army will begin fielding in November. Testing of the modular handgun system, or MHS, this spring by Soldiers at Aberdeen Proving Ground resulted in overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Read the full article. |
|
|
|
 | Wheels:
Driving down automotive headlamp costs at Renault
Automotive headlight design is an important part of the Renault brand these days and our "C shape" headlights are a signature part of the appeal of our cars. About 30% of the cost of automotive headlight assemblies can be found in the mechanics and 70% in the electronics. Hence, any savings that can be made on the electronic side will have a profound influence on the overall cost of these units. By Paul-Henri Matha, Lighting Expert, Groupe Renault
Read the full article. |
 | FUTEK mini load cells take on Shark Week
On the Discovery Channel's special "Shark School with Michael Phelps" last week, the team engineers at Peacock Productions used three FUTEK Donut/Through Hole load cells as well as FUTEK instrumentation to test a great white shark's bite force. The three LTH500 Donut/Through Hole Load Cells were placed in a special mold that mimicked the shark's prey. By combining the IHH500 Digital Hand Held Display and IAC200 4 Channel Summing Junction Box with the load cell setup, the production team was able to accurately measure the force of the great white shark's bite, which registered at 10,000 Newtons -- equivalent to a car crashing into a wall at 100 mph! The force reading was unprecedented; it was the first shark bite to register above 6,000 Newtons.
Check out the FUTEK setup for the Discovery Channel's "Shark School."
Watch the Discovery Channel's bite tester in action. |
 | 3D Printing: Sacrificial tool simplifies production of hollow composite parts
Sometimes 3D printing needs extra built-in technologies or final finishing work to get the job done. Dissolvable sacrificial materials provide a great option. Stratasys has introduced four new enhancements to Stratasys Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)-based 3D printers, fully optimizing select models for creating functional product prototypes, production tools, and end-use parts for the most demanding manufacturing applications.
Read the full article. |
 | The future of 3D printing: 5 additive manufacturing trends to look for in 2017
As a longtime board member of Stratasys, former CEO of SolidWorks, and the co-founder of Onshape, a full-cloud 3D CAD company that serves many 3D-printer manufacturers, John McEleney has been privileged to have a box seat to observe the explosive growth of additive manufacturing. Here are five trends to keep your eye on in 2017 and over the next few years, including updates on materials and applications.
Read the full article. |
 | SNAP-TOP fasteners hold printed circuit boards securely without mating screws
New PEM SMTSS ReelFast SNAP-TOP standoff fasteners from PennEngineering hold printed circuit boards securely in assemblies without requiring mating screws or other loose threaded hardware to complete attachment. These unthreaded standoffs promote streamlined production by easily installing in boards in the same manner and at the same time as other surface-mount components prior to the automated reflow solder process. They ultimately enable precise and reliable mounting and spacing of boards using less hardware and fewer operations.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Industrial cybersecurity for small and medium-size businesses
The International Society of Automation, at the request of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has developed a white paper designed to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) recognize their vulnerability to industrial cyberattack and forge an effective cybersecurity plan based on established standards and practices. "Industrial Cybersecurity for Small and Medium Sized Businesses: A Practical Guide" leverages ISA's in-depth knowledge of industrial automation and control systems (IACS) and subject-matter expertise in industrial cybersecurity.
Get this valuable resource. |
 | New Canfield Connector magnetic sensor adds reliability and safety to vehicles, machines, systems
The rugged Series CS Cylindrical Threaded Mount Sensor from Canfield Connector senses magnetism and triggers action in a variety of applications. The sensor's first field application equips a cement truck, where it picks up a signal from a magnet mounted to the mixing drum and controls how much the drum rotates. In an industrial automation setting, the sensor can detect the closure of a door and allow a machine to run, enhancing safety. The CS Sensor can also react to magnetism that identifies changes in liquid levels or positions of parts in a wide range of vehicles, machines, and systems.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Wi-Fi high-temp air flow monitor for hazardous environments
Wind Probe LLC has introduced a high-temp air flow monitor Wi-Fi instrument for large- and small-size ovens. This instrument combines the latest advances in materials, process control, and microprocessor technology and hardware and software design. The model 200 is small, lightweight, and suitable for harsh environments seen in high-temperature curing ovens. One of the most exciting markets includes air flow monitoring at 200 deg C in carbon composite honeycomb ovens. The software permits selecting data rates and running averaging in both temperature and air flow. The software is easily updated, and reference tables can be uploaded using the RS-232 communications interface.
Click here to learn more. |
 | New nanopositioning solutions catalog debuted at LASER 2017
Motion and precision positioning systems expert PI (Physik Instrumente) issued a catalog on newly introduced precision motion solutions for photonics, robotics, microscopy, and highly accurate industrial automation applications at LASER World of PHOTONICS held in Munich, Germany, in June. The 80-page catalog covers products and custom-engineered systems, including automated photonics alignment engines, linear motor stages, piezo actuators, air bearings, hexapod Stewart platforms, and high-performance motion controllers.
Get your nanopositioning systems catalog today. |
 | ABB's general-purpose motors combine quality, cost efficiency, and industry experience with short lead times
ABB has launched its N-series general-purpose motors to provide a high level of energy efficiency, reliability, and safety in applications where a highly customized motor in the 50- to 8,000-kW power range is not needed. The motors use cost-effective pre-packaged designs to meet the same high quality standards as all ABB motors but with lead times that are several weeks shorter. An easy-to-use online selection tool called "MachSize" simplifies motor configuration. Another tool called "DocStage" is a web-based system for sharing and managing documentation.
Click here to learn more. |
 | 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. |
| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action |
Inside the Navy's Future Force Science & Tech Expo
The Office of Naval Research showed off what's in store for Navy technology at the biennial Naval Future Force Science and Technology (S&T) Expo in Washington, DC, July 20-21. The event showcased ONR-sponsored innovations from the Navy and Marine Corps. Automation, drones, and unmanned technologies were frequent themes.
View the video. |
 |
|
|
