| September 12, 2017 | Volume 13 Issue 34 |
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 | The World's First -- and Best -- Linear Motion Guides
THK's original technology is behind the smooth and silent movement of the "Linear Motion System." The LM Guide is our major product that put the rolling of the linear motion part into practical use for the first time in the world. This improves the accuracy, rigidity, energy saving, velocity, productivity, and service life of the machine. THK offers a full support system from the beginning design phase throughout the maintenance, and follow-up service.
Click here to learn more. |
| | Feature articles | Marine Corps explores deploying 3D mobile fab labs
The Marine Corps' new X-FAB (expeditionary fabrication) facility is a self-contained, transportable additive manufacturing lab that can deploy with battalion-level Marine maintenance units. It houses four 3D printers, a scanner, and CAD software systems that make quick work of replacement and repair part fabrication.
Read the full article. |
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 | Overcoming motor inertia -- 5 things you need to know
Most engineers recognize that gearheads can be used to create a better inertia match between the object that is being moved and the motor being driven. Put simply, it is dictated by the gearhead ratio where the object reflected inertia to the motor is reduced by 1/ratio2. So, what should the correct inertia be? Jeff Nazzaro, gearhead and motor product manager, Electromechanical and Drives Division, Parker Hannifin, runs through what you need to know about gearhead and servo motors.
Read this informative Parker Hannifin blog post. |
 | New! Diametral pitch gearing now available from KHK USA
For over 80 years, the Kohara Gear trademark KHK has been synonymous with stock metric gears. Recognizing the fact that 80% of the gears consumed in the USA are inch pitch, KHK USA has just made available diametral pitch spur gears that have the same quality, performance, and cost as their traditional stock metric gears. Based in Mineola, NY, the company stocks approximately 4,500 skus of metric gearing for same-day warehouse shipping and can, within 3 business days, make shipments direct from their factory in Japan. In all, they have 181 configurations of stock metric spur gears, helical gears, internal ring gears, gear racks, screw gears, worms and wormwheels, ratchets and pawls, gear couplings, right-angle gearboxes, and more. 3D CAD models are available for each product.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Speed-torque characteristics of DC motors by Portescap
Looking for some help in choosing the right DC motor for your application? You can learn about the speed-torque characteristics of DC motors from Portescap Application Engineer Faisal Pawaskar. He covers application load points, speed limits, important load values, maximum continuous torque, lowering heat, short-term duration, the relationship between current and torque, and the effect of limiting current.
View the video. |
 | Position hinge with patented technology
The Reell SJ300 Spherical Joint delivers a premium feel and performance in a multi-axis position control device. Featuring Reell's patented SphericalTorq technology, the SJ300 has the ability to adjust up/down, left/right, and a full 360 degrees of rotation. This versatility allows the SJ300 to replace multiple positioning components with a single device, conserving space and lowering cost. Its black glass-filled nylon housing is durable and stylish, making it suitable for applications where it will be visible in the final product. The SJ300 is ideal for applications such as tablet stand positioning, medical lighting, camera stands, automotive mirrors, and office furniture where precision position control is critical.
Click here to learn more including holding torque values. |
 | Waterproof tact switches for harsh environs
Engineers working on consumer, automotive, industrial, and medical products need high-quality electromechanical switches that operate dependably under the harshest of conditions. C&K's new KMR6 (1.9-mm tall) and KMR7 (2.5-mm tall) no-ground-pin switches were built specifically to fill this need. They are waterproof, reliable, and resistant to vibrations, making them perfect for innovative products such as personal health monitoring systems (they're resistant to typical cleaning chemicals) or even car door handles (they protect against weather conditions). They are available in four actuation forces, come with Gullwing termination, and are IP67 watertight sealed.
Learn about the KMR6 and KMR7 switches. |
 | Cool Tools: Logitech launches MX ERGO trackball
Think trackballs lost their cool factor years ago? Think again. Logitech has just announced the wireless MX ERGO, its first new innovative trackball in nearly a decade. It offers personalized comfort with a unique adjustable hinge and precision tracking with multi-device connectivity. With the adjustable hinge, you can increase the angle from 0 to 20 degrees, which improves wrist posture and pronation. And you can instantly change your cursor speed and fine-tune your accuracy with the press of a button. Logitech says the MX ERGO can reduce muscular strain up to 20 percent compared to using a standard mouse. Available this month for under 100 bucks.
Click here to learn more. |
 | More efficient heat sink with higher performance per gram
Advanced Thermal Solutions (ATS) has created a family of Pin Fin heat sinks designed as cost-effective solutions for systems with adequate airflow. The high aspect ratio design enables ATS Pin Fin heat sinks to provide low thermal resistance from base to fins in systems where the airflow measures 200-plus LFM (linear ft/min.). The cross-cut design also allows the Pin Fin heat sinks to be effective in systems where the airflow is ambiguous. These high-efficiency platform products, made from extruded aluminum, are available in component sizes from 10 mm x 10 mm to 60 mm x 60 mm. Heights range from 2 mm to 25 mm. At higher airflows, ATS Pin Fin Heat Sinks can provide thermal resistance as low as 2.5° C/W without adding significant cost or weight to the design.
Click here to learn more. |
 | Eastman introduces engineering bioplastic breakthrough
Eastman Chemical Company has leveraged nearly 100 years of cellulosic expertise in the design and testing of its new TREVA engineering bioplastics to meet the improved sustainability profile and performance needs of brands, fabricators, molders, and other companies. Its composition is about half cellulose, sourced from trees derived exclusively from sustainably managed forests. The new material is BPA-free and phthalate-free, and its excellent flow rates, durability, and dimensional stability allow for less material usage, thinner parts, and longer product life. The material also offers excellent chemical resistance, standing up better than other engineering thermoplastics to some of the harshest chemicals including skin oils, sunscreens, and household cleaners. It also boasts great color saturation and superior secondary processing and decorating capability, creating additional design and branding options. Applications include electronics, automotive interior components, and other demanding applications with high sustainability and safety requirements.
Click here to learn more. |
| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | Smaller springs, smarter applications
When space is an issue, Smalley Wave Springs can reduce spring heights by up to 50% compared to ordinary coil springs. Smalley's expanded manufacturing capabilities now allow them to coil wave springs to almost any diameter. Regardless of your unique application requirements, Wave Springs are an ideal solution to save space and weight.
Watch this video to learn more. |
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What's inside a hurricane-monitoring dropsonde?
Inside a cylinder that is about the size of a roll of paper towels lives a circuit board filled with sensors. It's called a dropsonde, or "sonde" for short. It's a workhorse of hurricane forecasting, dropping out of "hurricane hunter" airplanes right into raging storms. As the sonde falls through the air, its sensors gather data about the atmosphere to help us better understand climate and other atmospheric conditions. The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) has been designing, building, and improving dropsonde technology for more than 30 years.
View the video. |
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