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Designing with Piezo Transducers -- from Welding to Medical Piezo transducers can provide high-frequency sound waves; they can also be operated as sensors and energy harvesters. Piezo actuators and motors provide highly accurate motion in a small package. A variety of sizes, shapes, and materials is available to best match the individual application.
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In this issue of Designfax |
News |
Cover Image: Nelson Publishing
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Inexpensive tin packs a big punch for the future of supercapacitors Researchers develop improved recycling process for carbon fibers |
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Universal Robots to host Expo on Metal Fabrication Applications Whether you're designing applications for welding, cutting, grinding, polishing, or machine tending, you already know the bad news: rampant skilled labor shortages exist across the nation. Collaborative automation is quickly emerging as a solution -- but where to start? Universal Robots' two-day Expo focused on Metal Fabrication, April 13-14, 10AM-5PM EST, is a vibrant virtual experience with live demos, interactive keynotes and booths featuring a wide range of cobot-powered applications.
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| Featured Articles |
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Airless bike tire uses NASA shape memory alloy technology Born from Moon-buggy technology and possibly headed for rovers on Mars, tires made of shape-memory alloys (SMAs) have now been created for bicycles here on Earth. The SMART Tire Company, in partnership with NASA, is developing the first-ever consumer application of the airless tire tech.
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OnRobot launches advanced magnetic gripper for safe and precise cobot applications OnRobot has launched the MG10, a versatile, high-performance, easy-to-use magnetic gripper for material handling, assembly, and machine tending applications in manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace environments. The gripper is fully compatible with all major robot brands.
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Tiny accelerometer uses laser light instead of mechanical strain to produce a signal Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed an accelerometer a mere millimeter thick that uses laser light instead of mechanical strain to produce a signal. The new device is aimed at filling the increasing demand to measure acceleration accurately in smaller navigation systems and other devices.
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Over 30,000 Stock Metric Gears KHK USA Inc offers the largest selection of stock metric gears in North America. KHK now offers more than 30,000 configurations. KHK USA offers the broadest selection of Stock Metric Spur Gears, Helical Gears, Internal Ring Gears, Gear Racks, Bevel Gears, Worms and Wormwheels, and other Gear types. See what KHK USA has in stock for you today.
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1967 Mustang gets carbon fiber body, updated power plant, and more in supercar recreation If your taste in automobiles runs toward American classic with a twist and you've got some deep pockets, Classic Recreations can build a special-edition carbon fiber-bodied 1967 Shelby GT500CR Mustang just for you. Featuring a 810-hp supercharged Ford 5.0L contemporary engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission or 10-speed automatic, it's back to the future in serious muscle car style.
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What motor torque constant to use for drive type: Theory and application Calculating motor torque from available drive current can be confusing due to many different drive types and the multiple ways current is specified. This informative online paper from Celera Motion provides the key formulas for torque constant and motor current from the fundamental principles of three-phase motor theory. It also walks through the many ways torque can be calculated. This information applies to a brushless motor (BLAC or permanent magnet synchronous machines) configuration.
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An in-depth look into hardware and software solutions for dynamic automotive EV testing James Ellis, Motion Control Business Development Manager, Siemens Industry, conducts an extensive review of the drive and software solutions being applied to automotive test stands to address the needs of electric vehicles, including battery, e-powertrain, and motor performance. Interesting.
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MathWorks releases MATLAB and Simulink 2021a Release 2021a offers hundreds of new and updated features and functions in MATLAB and Simulink, along with three new products and 12 major updates. New capabilities in MATLAB include dynamic controls in live scripts as well as a new task for adding plots to live scripts without writing any code. Simulink updates enable users to import C code as reusable Simulink libraries and to speed up simulations. R2021a also introduces new products in the areas of satellite communications, radar, and DDS applications.
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New skinny enclosure air conditioners Seifert Systems has introduced the SoliTherm SlimLine Series of enclosure air conditioners that have an inside-cabinet depth of only 3.5 in. and are 4.5-in. deep overall. The SlimLine Series has a condenser specifically designed to maintain performance without maintenance -- even in environments where dust and dirt are present. Models are available with steel covers and external or recessed mounting. The line provides cooling capacities from 1,130 to 5,120 BTU/hr. Operating temperature range is 50 F to 122 F or 131 F -- depending on model. Eight SlimLine models available.
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Easy-integration compact Z-Theta motion platform The easily integrated Z-Theta motion platform from Haydon Kerk Pittman offers linear and rotary point-to-point motion in a compact footprint. This modular, "bolt-in" package features the patented ScrewRail linear actuator, which combines guidance and linear transmission in a slender co-axial profile. The unique dual-motion integration with a pair of stepper motors adds rotary (theta) motion that reduces motion system size by 50% to 80% and provides as much as a 60% overall cost reduction when compared to traditional design approaches. This setup can be customized with a variety of lead screw resolutions, free-wheeling and anti-backlash nuts, stepper motor options, and optical encoder line counts.
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Good beer. Zero packaging accidents. The Danish division of Carlsberg, one of the leading brewery groups in the world, has significantly improved staff safety and taken steps toward achieving zero accidents since integrating Universal Robots cobots into its Fredericia-based factory. The company invested in two cobots, the space-friendly UR3 and the powerful UR10, to tackle carrying packaging cartons from the pallet to the magazine -- a monotonous and strenuous task that often left staff with repetitive strain or severe cuts. Working in tandem, the cobots can handle up to 500 packaging cartons per hour. Now the company has purchased four additional cobots to further automate its production lines.
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New PLC handbook chock full of must-know information AutomationDirect's Practical Guide to Programmable Logic Controllers Handbook has been improved with tons of new need-to-know info, making it a more comprehensive guide to the world of PLCs. Besides covering the basics of PLC history, PLC hardware, and PLC software, this guide takes you deeper into the ever-changing world of PLC communication, the importance of feedback loops, cyber security, and many other areas that are a must-know for any PLC novice or seasoned automation professional. Get this great resource today.
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All-new Ford Raptor 2021: Grown up but still a rebel The Ford Raptor line hit the scene in 2009 as the ultimate off-road pickup. Like a rebellious, brawny teenager, the high-performance F-150 was brash, fearless, and unapologetic -- ready to jump and to catch some air. Sitting on 37-in. tires, the all-new 2021 third-gen F-150 Raptor is stronger and can take more licks with its updated suspension, but it's smarter and more sophisticated too.
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New inexpensive battery has 10-min. charge for EVs A new thermally modulated and cobalt-free battery for mass-market electric vehicles can reduce range anxiety while providing unsurpassed safety at a low cost. Developed by a team of Penn State engineers, it can charge for 250+ miles in 10 min. and is powerful enough to accelerate an EV from 0 to 60 mph in 3 sec.
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Blue Angels transition to Super Hornets The U.S. Navy Blue Angels​ flight demonstration squadron has transitioned from Legacy Hornets to F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets for the 2021 show season. Ride along with Lt. Cmdr. Cary Rickoff (flying Blue Angel #6) as he conducts a training flight over Naval Air Facility El Centro, CA, with Cmdr. Ben Walborn (Blue Angel #5) during pre-season preparations. 2021 marks the 75th anniversary of the Blue Angels team.
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| Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action |
| Tech Tip: How to use adjustable pillow blocks to optimize precision | |
| Looking to increase precision in your linear motion designs? The engineers at Thomson Industries suggest adjusting the pillow blocks to remove the lash as one solution. Check out this video to learn how. Watch this informative tech tip.
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