| January 08, 2019 | Volume 15 Issue 01 |
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 | New Spirawave® Wave Spring Series Just Released
Smalley's Nested Spirawave Wave Springs are the perfect solution for applications requiring high forces in tight spaces. These flat wire springs are coiled in parallel with multiple turns to produce high loads. When replacing single-turn wave spring stacks with one nested spring, misalignment and uneven loading are eliminated, simplifying assembly. Standard available from .500 to 4" in carbon and stainless steel, and customs from .157 to 120" in exotic alloys. Standard or custom, Smalley will provide you the right part, in the right material, with No Tooling Charges™.
Learn more. |
 | Impressive Speed and Power -- in Hand
MICROMO launches the new FAULHABER 1660 BHx series, a high-power, slotless brushless DC motor based on 2-pole technology that's setting new standards for performance, speed, and power. 16mm in diameter and 60mm in length, the 1660 BHx series motor weighs 78g and is ideal for handheld tools and devices requiring impressive power and high efficiency. Available in two motor design options, each optimized for speed and torque performance.
Learn more. Many more applications for this motor! |
| | Feature articles | 300 more meters: Marines get new sniper rifle
The Marine Corps is adopting a new precision sniper rifle to increase the lethality and combat effectiveness of scout snipers on the battlefield. The Mk13 Mod 7 Sniper Rifle is a bolt-action rifle that offers an increased range of fire and accuracy when compared to current and legacy systems. It includes a host of new features.
Read the full article. |
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 | Super wood is stronger than most metals
Engineers at the University of Maryland have found a way to make wood more than 10 times stronger and tougher than before, creating a natural substance that is stronger than many titanium alloys. It is as strong as steel, but six times lighter.
Read the full article. |
 | America's largest Air Force plane turns 50
Few planes inspire more awe than the Galaxy (C-5), which can carry two battle tanks across the Pacific Ocean in a matter of hours -- and on a single tank of jet fuel. In 2018, Lockheed delivered the latest upgraded version, called the C-5M Super Galaxy, to the U.S. Air Force. By Tomas Kellner, GE Reports
Read the full article. |
 | 2019 Silverado boasts new cylinder deactivation tech
Change can be hard, but it's a constant and easy task for the engine on the all-new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The most advanced gasoline V8s in the brand's history feature Dynamic Fuel Management, an industry-first cylinder deactivation technology that enables the engines to operate in 17 different cylinder patterns to optimize power delivery and efficiency.
Read the full article. |
 | 0.38 sec: Fastest Rubik's Cube-solving robot uses 6 Kollmorgen ServoDisc motors
A pair of enterprising engineering students has posted a video online that shows a machine they built solving a Rubik's Cube puzzle in 0.38 sec -- the fastest in the world by far if they can get it made official (current world record is 0.637 sec). The machine was created by MIT Biometrics Lab Master's student Ben Katz and software developer Jared Di Carlo, and each has posted an in-depth blog about their creation and methods. "We noticed that all of the fast Rubik's Cube solvers were using stepper motors and thought that we could do better if we used better motors. So we did," said Di Carlo, adding that each motor "can accelerate insanely fast. In a 10-ms quarter-turn move, the motor reaches over 1,000 rpm." Katz said the device uses six Kollmorgen ServoDisc U9-series motors. "Two were taken from my old robot arm project, the rest were found pretty cheaply on eBay," he said. Two PlayStation cameras are also part of the mix.
Read Katz's blog, which contains videos and a link to his partner's page. |
 | Nissan makes one-off 370Z snowmobile
Arriving just in time to take on recent snowfall, Nissan rolled out a one-of-a-kind 370Z Roadster snowmobile at the opening of the 2018 Chicago Auto Show. Dubbed the 370Zki ("370-Ski"), the car proved a transformational challenge for engineers and builders alike on the extended Nissan team.
Read the full article. |
 | Ford chases a retro spirit: 50th anniversary Mustang Bullitt
Ford put out a special-edition model this summer -- the all-new Mustang Bullitt, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the movie "Bullitt" and the car in its iconic 10-minute San Francisco chase scene with Steve McQueen as the driver. While the 2019 475-hp model is cool, the story behind the original movie car and how it resurfaced is just as interesting.
Read the full article. |
 | Top Tech Tip: Lightweight bike design gets HyperSizer optimization treatment
Collier's NASA-spinoff HyperSizer software has been widely used in military and commercial aircraft and space-agency programs over the past 20 years. Now the company has released a user-friendly "Express" version of its workhorse tool with the aim of supporting the growing number of other industries that are adopting composite materials to make lighter, stronger, more durable products. Wait until you see what it can do with lightweight composite bike design.
Read the full article. |
 | Top Product: New Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ launched
Fans of the extremely popular credit card-sized computer called Raspberry Pi have something new to celebrate. The line of highly customizable base units has expanded with the third-gen A+ board, which brings the latest features and capabilities to a more compact form factor and lower price point -- only 25 bucks!
Read the full article. |
 | Top Product: Alternative to traditional drive systems
Nexen Group has introduced a stainless steel version of its patented precision roller pinion system (RPS). The Nexen RPS engages two teeth simultaneously to achieve superior accuracy with zero backlash at any length. The system is also extremely quiet and 99 percent efficient. Stainless steel makes the system corrosion resistant, with a long life of up to 36 million meters. Nexen's RPS provides a low-maintenance, durable alternative to rack and pinion, ball screw, and belt drive technology. The RPS is used for a wide range of applications including laser cutting, plasma cutting, and gantry applications.
Learn more. |
 | Top Product: Revolutionary new high-pressure electric pump system
High Pressure Equipment Co. (HiP), a subsidiary of Graco, introduces the eTensifer pump, the first-of-its-kind high-pressure electric pump system. The plug-and-play pump simply plugs into a wall outlet -- no need for an air compressor like other high-pressure pumps on the market. The portable, lightweight (only 46 lb) eTensifier will deliver hydraulic/liquid pressures to 36,500 psi with a smoother flow rate from zero to full pressure and a quiet electric motor. SmartControl technology allows for two operational modes: a traditional pressure knob for standard jobs and an industry-first pressure test mode. Another first is the ProConnect quick-connect system that allows users to switch out the Sprague pump lower.
Learn more. |
 | Top Product: Stainless steel multiple-joint hinges
JW Winco now offers GN 7237 Stainless Steel Multiple-Joint Hinges with internal mounting brackets and a maximum opening angle of 180 deg. These multi-joint hinges are installed on the inside of flaps, hatches, or compartment doors to save space and ensure protection against vandalism. These hinges are generally used in pairs, meaning that one type L (left-hand) and one type R (right-hand) are used per opening. For higher loads, such as from large hatches, these can be supplemented with additional hinges of either type.
Learn more. |
| | Most popular last issue |
 | Ford starts using graphene in vehicle parts
It's in cell phones and even some sporting goods -- and soon, for the first time in automotive, it will be under the hood in Ford vehicles. It's the wonder material graphene -- a two-dimensional nanomaterial. When mixed into foam materials, the graphene imparts impressive functional properties.
Read the full article. |
 | Great Resources: ABCs of gears and more
KHK USA takes you on a journey through the history and applications of gears in two information-packed, no-cost 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 PDF resources. Thanks, KHK USA!
Click here to learn more. |
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | How Malibu Boats gets its angle for wakeboarding fun
Watch how Malibu Boats' PowerWedge II, the world's only watersports hydrofoil, enables watersports fun -- and how Novotechnik's RFD4800 sensor plays a key role by measuring hydrofoil angle while partially exposed to the elements. The positionable hydraulic hydrofoil gets a boat "on plane" quickly to create wakes up to 5 ft high.
View the video. |
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Jay Leno's Garage uses On Demand Manufacturing
A reverse-engineering workflow using Faro scanners, Geomagic software, and SLA-printed investment casting patterns through On Demand Manufacturing from 3D Systems helped Jay Leno and his team get this hundred-year-old Owen Magnetic electric car back up and running efficiently and cost effectively.
View the video. |
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Atlas robot does parkour moves
The droid wizards at Boston Dynamics have been very busy improving -- and now showing off -- the incredible balance and nimbleness of their straight-out-of-a-sci-fi-movie Atlas robot. This time around, they demonstrate parkour jump moves. The control software uses the whole body, including the legs, arms, and torso, to marshal the energy and strength for jumping over a log and leaping up steps without breaking pace. Atlas uses computer vision to locate itself with respect to visible markers on the approach to hit the terrain accurately. It never gets old watching Boston Dynamics innovate!
View the video. |
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Honey, I shrunk the V-8 engine!
Piezo V-8 Linear Motor: Borrowing from the classic design of a V-8 engine to achieve high push/pull and holding forces, patented piezo actuator technology and linear stepping motion design principles come together to create the fastest and strongest non-magnetic drive of its class size. These piezoelectric motors are self-clamping, i.e. at rest or in steady state mode, they automatically hold the position without any need for power. Learn how this technology can be used in your application.
Watch video. |
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Take a tour of the moon in 4K
Think you've seen the moon up close before? Think again. Take a virtual tour of the moon in all-new 4K resolution, thanks to data provided by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft. As the visualization moves around the near side, far side, north, and south poles, NASA Goddard highlights interesting features, sites, and information gathered on the lunar terrain. We'll be surprised if you don't learn something new.
View the video. |
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