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The aliens have landed. Lock 'em up. It looks "alien," but it's the ultimate in box-security fasteners. In fact, the Alien Lock from Micro Plastics is the first and only dedicated box fastener. It is a much less expensive solution than banding or taping your boxes, and it keeps them more secure, too. It's easy and fast to insert, and it's incredibly strong. It cannot be pulled out without it being obvious that the box was tampered with -- it must be cut off. This is a 1-step fastener: Push Alien Lock through the lock port, and the locking process is finished.
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In this issue of Designfax |
News |
Cover Image: Nelson Publishing
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Machine vision takes a leap forward: Computer learns to recognize sounds by watching video Arconic strengthens its 3D-printing collaboration with Airbus X-ray satellites discover accelerating jet stream in the Earth's core NASA's Exo-Brake 'parachute' to enable safe return for small spacecraft |
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Happy New Year from Designfax! Thanks to all of our readers, sponsors, writers, and article contributors for making 2016 our best year ever. We wish all of you a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2017!
Don't forget to pass along your issue of Designfax to an engineering colleague. Go to the Designfax subscribe page.
And if you're looking to advertise, we can help you out with that too. Go to the Designfax advertise page.
See you in 2017 with our Best Of 2016 issues!
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| Featured Articles |
| Six surprising capabilities of modern hydraulics | |
 Bosch Rexroth's Dr. Steffen Haack lays out six capabilities for modern hydraulics as a strong drive technology that is well prepared for Industry 4.0 applications, which may come as a surprise for many. Don't underestimate the performance and intelligence of this highly precise and energy-efficient technology.
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Intrusion detection for the IIoT: How do we detect threats on the factory floor? The Industrial IoT (IIoT) provides manufacturers in all industries with greater connectivity that, in turn, generates valuable information and intelligence regarding operations. By leveraging this intelligence, they are able to attain significant efficiencies and manufacturing improvements. However, this expanded network also opens up these newly connected devices to significant threats of cyber attack.
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New stamping technique creates functional electronics at nanoscale dimensions The next time you place your coffee order, imagine slapping onto your to-go cup a sticker that acts as an electronic decal, letting you know the precise temperature of your triple-venti no-foam latte. Someday, the high-tech stamping that produces such a sticker might also bring us food packaging that displays a digital countdown to warn of spoiling produce, or even a window pane that shows the day's forecast, based on measurements of the weather conditions outside.
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Keels: Autonomous swarmboats enable new missions, provide safe harbors Autonomous unmanned Navy swarmboats were put through their paces in a recent demonstration in the lower Chesapeake Bay -- with results that show dramatic new possibilities for autonomy in future naval missions. Using a unique combination of software, radar, and other sensors, officials from the Office of Naval Research and their partners were able to get a "swarm" of rigid-hull inflatable boats and other small boats to collectively perform patrol missions autonomously.
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Mike Likes: Design Essentials for 3D Printing 3D printing has opened up new possibilities, but it's important to keep a few fundamental principles in mind when designing for additive manufacturing processes. These 3D printing design essentials will guarantee a smooth transition from CAD to final part.
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Engineer's Toolbox: Experts answer questions about retaining rings and wave springs Every year, hundreds of technical questions are submitted through Smalley's "Ask the Expert" page. The company's team of engineering experts answers the questions directly, but they also post them in a blog for sharing. This selection addresses some commonly asked questions about retaining rings and wave springs. Very useful info.
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Stratasys launches universal design-to-3D-print application called GrabCAD Print GrabCAD Print, a new software utility available from Stratasys, aims to make 3D printing fast and easy while reducing errors by eliminating requirements to translate and repair STL files in many popular CAD formats before sending the design to the printer.
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Great Resources: Get 'Digital Manufacturing for Dummies' book gratis Proto Labs has put together a comprehensive guide to the major 3D-printing, CNC machining, and injection-molding technologies that are frequently used in digital manufacturing. The book helps readers to compare processes, explore material options, and see how digital manufacturing can fit into every stage of the product life cycle.
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Compressed Air: EXAIR's new catalog 30 features cabinet coolers, conveyors, HEPA vacs, and air jets EXAIR's new Catalog 30 is the company's best catalog yet -- a full-color technical guide offering solutions to common industrial conveying, cooling, cleaning, blowoff, drying, coating, and static electricity problems. Catalog 30 introduces new Cabinet Coolers, Line Vac Air Operated Conveyors, Heavy Duty HEPA Vacs, and Stainless Steel Air Jets. EXAIR products help companies conserve compressed air, reduce dangerous noise levels, and eliminate harmful dead-end pressures. Detailed technical explanations, performance data, application photos, and dimensional drawings are provided for each product.
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Optimize mechanical misalignments, get hidden benefits C-Flex Couplings combine the best qualities of disc, beam, and bellows couplings in a unique and economical new design. Made to couple two rotating shafts together, these couplings can accommodate large misalignments while transmitting high torque loads with zero backlash. Benefits include lower energy usage and less-frequent bearing failure, since less stress is placed upon bearings. Constructed using high-strength hardened stainless steel or glass impregnated polyamide flexures, these couplings require no maintenance and provide years of trouble-free life, even in contaminated environments. Flexible Pivot Bearings and Super Plastic Torsional Damping Couplings are also available. Watch C-Flex Couplings in action handling misalignments.
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Ultra-miniature in-line load cell Introducing FUTEK's brand new in-line load cell: the LCM100 model. It's an ultra-miniature threaded load cell that has a capacity range of 1,000 g to 25 lb. RoHS complaint, the load sensor is great for both tension and compression applications. The most impressive feature of the LCM100 is its very low deflection, which allows it to provide high response rates and superior settling times.
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| Most Popular |
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Engineer's Toolbox: World's smallest production V8 optimized with precision honing Gary Conley's 30-year quest to manufacture a true production V8 engine in quarter-scale almost went up in smoke twice: once in 2001 when a foundry fire claimed all his critical molds, and later when oil smoke proved a stubborn problem during run-offs of the engine. Conley overcame the first setback with years of sheer determination. The second issue required a Sunnen MB 1660 honing machine, abrasives, and some Sunnen know-how.
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Chairless exoskeleton solves long-standing problem The Chairless Chair is a new innovation for relieving strain and fatigue from excessive standing during long work shifts. The entire construct is lightweight, easy to put on, and hardly noticeable when walking. By operating a switch on the strap, the flexible construct turns into a stable seat. Two small DC motors activate a stop valve in the hydraulic elements of the shock absorbers, locking the support into the seated position.
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Wow, they could have had a V-8! Wards 10 Best Engines 2017 announced, turbos take charge WardsAuto's 23rd annual Wards 10 Best Engines list just came out. It honors a diverse set of powertrains that appeal to a wide range of tastes and budgets. Three electrified drivetrains make the Wards 10 Best Engines list for the second time in as many years, while all seven remaining honorees are turbocharged. For the first time in 23 years of testing, no V-8 engines earned a spot on the list.
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| Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action |
| Feel the Burn – Combustion Simulation Video | |
Combustion is a complex process which can only be handled by high performing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software such as FloEFD. Watch this 5-minute video to learn how to:
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