| March 19, 2019 | Volume 15 Issue 11 |
 | Army explores 3D printing super-strong metals
Soldiers needing replacement parts may turn to 3D printers in the future to rapidly deliver reliable and ultra-strong metal parts. Army researchers are looking at new technologies to create steel alloy parts from powder using a laser. They are also investigating titanium and other metals.
Read the full article. |
 | Scientists weld glass and metal together
Scientists from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland have welded glass and metal together using an ultra-fast laser system. They consider the feat to be a breakthrough for the manufacturing industry. The new process could have direct applications in the aerospace, defense, optical technology, and even healthcare fields.
Read the full article. |
 | Line Vac Air Operated Conveyors
EXAIR's Line Vac connects to standard hose or tube to create a powerful conveyor. The design features large throat diameters for maximum throughput capability. A small amount of compressed air is injected through directed nozzles to produce a vacuum on one end and high output flows on the other.
See video online. |
 | High-traction robot goes underground
Recent developments in motion control and engineering make it possible to inspect and perform maintenance in compact sewers from the inside. The underground sewer robot is equipped with a swiveling camera and an air-powered milling machine driven by FAULHABER miniature DC motors from MICROMO.
Read the full article. |
 | Engineer's Toolbox:
How to choose the right relay
Relays come in a variety of form factors, styles, and technologies. Depending on your application, only one relay type may be suitable. In other cases, multiple relay types may be appropriate. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the different relays, you should be able to pick the one that is best suited for the job at hand. National Instruments lays out the options.
Read the full article. |
 | Top Tech Tip:
Save space and weight with Smalley Wave Springs
Smalley Wave Springs offer the unique advantage of space savings when used to replace coil springs. By reducing spring operating height, wave springs also produce a decrease in the spring cavity. With a smaller assembly size and less material used in the manufacturing process, a cost savings is realized. Over 4,000 springs available from stock or utilize Smalley's No-Tooling-Cost™ manufacturing process on custom designs, available from .157" to 120". Samples available for testing.
Learn more. |
 | How a Seventh Axis adaptation aims to move cobot technology into more factories
Advances in technology and software are expanding the scope of potential cobot work environments to include small and mid-size operations. That's why Rollon Corporation has created a Seventh Axis system for collaborative industrial robots from Universal Robots (UR). This shuttle system is designed to extend the operating area of UR's cobots to enhance their performance in automated processes for various industries without sacrificing their simplicity.
Read the Rollon article. |
 | New 200-W high-torque brushless servo motor
The new EC-i 52XL 200W Brushless Servo Motor from maxon is a powerhouse. When space is limited but high torque and dynamics are required, the maxon EC-i 52XL motor is the ideal motor choice. With its extended length (80 mm to 110 mm), this motor with flux collector rotor provides outstanding torque performance compared to the existing EC-i 52 180W High Torque that is often needed, especially on the industrial automation front. Its extra power can be even more significant at relatively low speed, which makes it a solid fit for a variety of industrial applications including material handling and transport systems.
Learn more. |
 | Helpful tips for molding PEEK polymer
Are you a first-time molder of PEEK? Or maybe you've tried molding it and have run into problems? This article from Victrex presents five important considerations in the injection molding process that can help you avoid the need for troubleshooting when molding PEEK polymer. Following this advice can also help you optimize the full potential of this high-performance material.
Read the Victrex tips article. |
 | ABB launches IEC food-safe motors
ABB has launched a full range of IEC Food Safe motors designed for applications in the food and beverage industry that need frequent sanitation. The new IEC Food Safe motors are part of ABB's Food Safe family that includes stainless steel NEMA motors, mounted ball bearings, and gearing. Motors are available in the power range 0.18 to 7.5 kW, in 2- to 6-pole versions for 230- to 690-V at 50 or 60 hertz. They feature IE3 premium efficiency to reduce energy consumption and emissions. Flexible mounting arrangements ensure they will fit almost any application. Frame sizes are 71 to 132.
Learn more. |
 | Cool Tools: New Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+
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 (and we have seen this on sale for under 20)!
Read the full article. |
| | Most popular last issue |
 | Ford Ranger gets tough with VelociRaptor treatment
Who knew a little 2019 Ford Ranger could look so intimidating? The creative geniuses at Hennessey Performance Engineering did. Known for taking vehicles "from mild to wild," the famous upgrades shop has created a 500-unit special edition VelociRaptor Ranger that looks as big and bad as its high-end Raptor sibling. It's got solid power upgrades too.
Read the full article. |
 | Body and paint problems with my Tesla Model 3
Jason Fenske from Engineering Explained had a $46,000 Tesla Model 3 delivered, and right away -- before he even drove it -- he noticed fit and finish issues. And then he saw some more, and then, well, he got to measuring too. He found paint scratches, paint defects, and also mismatching panel gaps. Is Fenske being picky about his add-on $2,500 special red paint job? Is Tesla missing the mark by ramping up production? Would you accept a new car in a condition like this?
View the video. |
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| | Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action | How strong is a bone? Hydraulic press test -- steel gets smushed too
The Hydraulic Press Channel, a great resource if you need a little diversion and stress relief, focuses its sights and machinery on crushing a moose bone (and later some steel) in this recent smash video. Why is this relevant, and not only fun and interesting? Because engineers are increasingly looking to design materials with bio-inspired properties, and being both lightweight and strong makes bone an excellent target.
View the video. |
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