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Miniaturized Positioning Stages Offer Micron-level Accuracy Tabletop devices for lab automation, instrumentation, biotech, and semiconductor manufacturing require precise, repeatable, and highly accurate motion control. But researchers and OEMs want to focus on completing their experiments, not becoming motion specialists. That's where National Aperture comes in. The company produces a range of miniaturized linear and rotary positioning stages capable of micron-level accuracy and submicron repeatability - with the help of compact servo motors from MICROMO.
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In this issue of Designfax |
News |
Cover Image: Nelson Publishing
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NIST measurement advance could speed innovation in solar devices New smart headlight system will have drivers seeing through the rain TRW pedestrian protection systems evolve to meet global challenges |
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Free Gates Power Transmission Drive Design Software Gates offers a broad range of design products for both basic and complex power transmission drives. Design a two-point drive from scratch, or modify an existing drive integrating Gates technology, with free Design Flex® Pro™ software. For multi-point drives try Design IQ®. All Gates tools are backed by product application engineers available to collaborate on unique design solutions.
For more information, visit http://gates.com/ptdesign.
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| Featured Articles |
| TRW pedestrian protection systems evolve to meet global challenges
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Kayak slalom presents Olympic engineering challenge For the 2012 summer games in London, Australian engineers have been trying to develop a better "fitout" for their kayakers in the canoe slalom. Fitout means building custom parts of foam and wood for the seat of the craft. More than a simple matter of measurement and cushioning, fitout gives the competitors an especially crucial edge. With help from Creaform and Geomagic, the engineers have developed a reliable and repeatable series of digital procedures that start with real forms of boat and athlete and end with manufactured parts.
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| Muscle-like action allows camera to mimic eye movement Using piezoelectric materials, Georgia Tech researchers have replicated the muscle motion of the human eye to control camera systems in a way designed to improve the operation of robots. This new muscle-like action could help make robotic tools safer and more effective for MRI-guided surgery and robotic rehabilitation.
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| Wheels: New 20% lighter piston is one key to downsizing gas engines Federal-Mogul Corporation has developed a lightweight, high-strength aluminum piston that aims to enable engine manufacturers to increase the power density and efficiency of boosted, direct-injected gasoline engines.
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Mike Likes: Sensor detects water in fuel A new conductivity-based sensor from Gems Sensors & Controls detects the presence of water in fuel and lubricating oil within a broad range of off-highway applications. The WIF-1250 is a solid-state solution specifically designed to detect the presence of water in fuel. It is also ideal for use with fuel filters, and in compressor crank cases to determine if water is present in the lubricating oil. Based on reliable conductivity technology, WIF-1250 sensors are built from robust nickel-plated steel for compatibility with temperatures up to 257 degrees F (125 degrees C), and are suited for the most challenging environments or applications. The compact sensor is an affordable solution that is easy to install and can be mounted in any position.
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Engineer's Toolbox: Adaptive gripper design inspired by nature sorts bulbs and chocolate eggs Festo's super-clever bionic adaptive gripper, called DHDG, is light and flexible. It consists of a pneumatic actuator in the form of a bellows and three bendy gripper fingers arranged in the Fin Ray pattern of the tail fin of a fish.
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Quick Look: Expanded line of miniature cam locks Illinois Lock Company offers an expanded line of miniature cam locks engineered for use in metal, wood, plastic, and fiberglass applications. These locks address small space requirements without sacrificing quality and security. Stock locks are available on some versions. Mini cam locks offer small head diameter, short length, and tubular configurations, along with: ball and spring detent on some models, keying that can be matched between switch locks and cam locks, barrel length of .295 in. on smallest brass tubular cam lock, and O-ring availability on some models.
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Quick Look: Modulating linear motor with integrated safety Crouzet's Linear Motor Series provides varying gas flow control instead of straight on/off control. By incorporating the Crouzet modulating device into furnaces and other types of gas-burning products, gas flow can be controlled and dispensed in varying amounts so that fuel is burned at a slower or faster rate as needed. This solution incorporates motor, valve body, plunger, and safety spring all in one unit. It features highly accurate regulation of the linear stepper motor that allows replacement of two electromagnets per channel, and requires only one channel to control the global range of flow.
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| Most Popular |
| Wheels: Novel gear-changing system helps Volvo Trucks cut fuel on hills The truck industry is always searching for solutions that cut fuel consumption. One method is to use the vehicle's kinetic energy to propel the truck. Now Volvo Trucks has developed I-See, which operates like an autopilot and takes over gear changing and utilizes gradients to save fuel.
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| Unusual motion control projects: Robotic dolphin for the movies Ever wonder how motion control is developed for movie animatronics? Well QuickSilver Controls can tell you a thing a two. The Corvina, CA, company was contacted a while back by KNB EFX Group for motion control help on a fast-turn project: developing the motion control system for the robotic dolphin used in "Dolphin Tale."
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| Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action |
| 3D printed exoskeleton lets little girl lift arms and play | |
| Stratasys released a video and case study last week demonstrating how 3D printing has helped 4-year-old Emma Lavelle overcome the limitations of a congenital disorder, allowing her to use her arms for the first time. Using a Dimension 3D printer, researchers at the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Philadelphia were able to create what little Emma calls her "magic arms." The device is a custom-designed, lightweight robotic exoskeleton that enables her to conquer greatly limited joint mobility and underdeveloped muscles. Really neat.
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| New products |
| Electrical/Electronics | Mechanical | Motion |
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| For advertising opportunities contact: John Holmes jholmes@nelsonpub.com Dan Beck danbeck58@gmail.com (518) 852-9624 |
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