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Protogami Protogami's three-dimensional flexagons create a continual kaleidocycle that exposes a different set of triangular faces with each turn of its living hinges. It lets product designers and engineers see commonly used materials like ABS, PC and acetal, and how they interact with different surface finishes.
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In this issue of Designfax |
News |
Cover Image: Nelson Publishing
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Tiny terahertz laser could be used for imaging, chemical detection Self-assembling nanoparticle arrays can switch between a mirror and a window Navy deep-sea sensor systems try to find a better way to forecast hurricane strength New manufacturing process for SiC power devices opens market to more competition |
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Voodoo Manufacturing triples 3D printing output with Universal Robots Voodoo Manufacturing was racing against time to scale up their 3D printing business by automating the loading and unloading of printer plates. The Brooklyn startup chose a UR10 robot with a Robotiq gripper and has now tripled output, enabling them to compete with injection molding. Why did UR win? Because no other collaborative robot offered the ease of integration now provided through the Universal Robots+ platform. Want to find out more? Get a free on-site demo: Locate a distributor in your area:
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| Featured Articles |
| WWII Engineering: The saga of the bird-brained bombers | |
During World War II, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) was among those working intensely to develop guided weapons to help the Allies win the war. But before the advent of satellites and GPS, laser targeting, or even radar, how would one guide a bomb? Why, trained pigeons, of course.
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DARPA bushwhacking into unexplored transistor territories In search of more capable radiofrequency technology than ever, a new DARPA program envisions the emergence of next-generation semiconductor materials and innovative transistor designs.
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Nano-sized 'muscle' lifts 165x its own weight Rutgers materials scientists have discovered a powerful effect that could benefit robotics, aviation, medicine, and other fields. Acting like a muscle, a nano-sized device lifts 165 times its own weight.
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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.
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Wings: Industry sends NASA X-Plane ideas flying It won't be long before NASA's aeronautical innovators will have a tough decision to make. While moving ahead with plans to field a new "quiet" supersonic X-plane during the next few years, agency researchers also are developing a plan for commercial airliners that are quieter, burn less fuel, and release fewer emissions. The big question is, what will a new subsonic X-plane look like? Five concepts are in the works.
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Mike Likes: Designing with Wave Springs eBook We know how critical it is to specify the right spring for your design. With tens of thousands of wave springs designed, and counting, Smalley has tackled design challenges in nearly every industry. Their eBook, "Designing with Wave Springs," helps you find the right spring for your application and details how Smalley engineers offer space-saving solutions.
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Self-diagnosing sensors from Honeywell improve aircraft systems performance and safety Honeywell's new self-diagnosing Integral Health Monitoring (IHM) proximity sensors, which can be designed into a range of aircraft systems, can detect whether a sensor reading is correct, the result of damage, or some other problem with the sensor itself.
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Getting a grip on precision: Mechatronics vs. pneumatics A gripping system for small parts that is both quick and powerful -- until now, that was often only possible with pneumatics. However, recently the leading expert for gripper systems and technology has developed a mechatronics-based EGP 40 gripper that easily achieves the same performance of its pneumatic counterparts. The drive that makes this impressive performance possible is FAULHABER small brushless DC servo motors from MICROMO.
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How to replace metal with thermoplastics Have you ever considered replacing your metal parts with plastic parts? It could be a viable option -- especially when it comes to the flexibility of manufacture, faster production cycle times, and the cost effectiveness of replacing metal parts with plastic parts. SolidWorks' Jeff Osman details general best practices to keep in mind regarding both design and manufacturability Osman has more than 23 years of experience in the mechanical CAD industry.
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Fastest way to dry your hands? FloEFD investigates Have you ever wondered what's the fastest way to dry your hands when using one of those air-shooting hand dryers in a public restroom? Should you rotate your hands or leave them in one place? What position is most efficient? Proving that modeling everyday challenges is fun and insightful, Robin Bornoff from Mentor Graphics tackles these questions using the full-featured 3D fluid flow and heat transfer analysis simulation tool called FloEFD.
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Compressed Air: Aluminum SmartPipe+ is clever solution SmartPipe+ is now available from Kaeser Compressors. This versatile, modular, no-rust aluminum piping system features lightweight materials and simple, compression-style connections. Available in multiple sizes from 3/4 in. to 2-1/2 in., SmartPipe+ is ideal for headers and branch lines all the way down to the point of use. It has a low coefficient of friction and provides the best possible laminar flow. The full-bore fittings minimize pressure drop, while the leak-free connectors prevent costly compressed air loss. SmartPipe+ can easily be integrated into existing steel, copper, or aluminum systems and can be modified to accommodate changing needs. Ten-year warranty.
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Electromagnetic actuated clutches Miki Pulley's CS Electromagnetic Actuated Clutches are durable, versatile, and have excellent torque-transmission features to provide an efficient connection between a motor and a load. Benefits include low inertia, minimal drag, and very quiet operation. They function utilizing the magnetic force generated by the energized coil, providing engagement of input and output members of the clutch. Available with three different armatures, they feature an integrated bearing design that makes mounting fast and easy while ensuring application concentricity and excellent system runout. Available in bores ranging from 10 mm to 15 mm, with brake torques ranging from 3.687 ft-lb to 236.02 ft-lb (5 Nm to 320 Nm).
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| Most Popular |
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Wheels: Porsche Panamera uses electromechanical system for active balance One of the many reasons for the superb road feel of the new Panamera is the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (PDCC Sport), an active anti-roll stabilization system. It's what keeps the laws of physics at bay and the Panamera parallel to the road -- even in high-speed cornering sequences. Is it magic? No. It's Porsche engineering acumen.
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Marine Corps explores deploying 3D mobile fab labs The Marine Corps' new X-FAB (expeditionary fabrication) facility is a self-contained, transportable additive manufacturing lab that can deploy with battalion-level Marine maintenance units. It houses four 3D printers, a scanner, and CAD software systems that make quick work of replacement and repair part fabrication.
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Pyroshock: Sandia develops alternative to explosives for rocket test Sandia National Laboratories has successfully demonstrated a new, more environmentally friendly method to test a rocket part to ensure its avionics can withstand the shock from stage separation during flight.
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| Videos+: Technologies and inspiration in action |
| Frankfurt Motor Show: 12 cars you should see | |
From the Mercedes-AMG super-boss Project One hypercar (complete with shark fin!) to the Ferrari Portofino and the Bentley GT, Autocar brings you all you need to know about the most important cars from the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show (the IAA). And don't miss the adorable (can cool cars be adorable?) star of the event, the Honda Urban EV.
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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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