Materials Monthly
Materials Monthly
The latest information on engineering materials December 4, 2007

Print electronics come of age
Our sister publication Medical Design reports on advances in a technology called print electronics. The technique generates permanent or disposable electronics including switches, batteries, displays, sensors, and antennas on thin films, paper, foil, or plastic substrates in a fraction of the time it takes traditional methods to make circuitry with silicon chips and printed-circuit boards.
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Jean M. Hoffman

Articles

Smart pioneers first full polypropylene body panels
The Smart fortwo is the first commercialized car to have full body panels made from polypropylene. Borealis Ag in Austria developed Daplen ED230HP, a thermoplastic polyolefin compound, to meet the cost-effective production targets and aesthetic, safety and environmental requirements set by Smart fortwo designers.
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Composite rides the waves
The Ultimate Kayak from Legacy Paddlesports is the first commercial application to feature formed, large, three-dimensional parts made from Tegris fabric. Tegris polypropylene (PP) composites from Milliken feature a high stiffness to weight ratio and exceptional impact performance.
Read the full story

New Products

Advanced polymers target LEDs
Two polyphthalamides (PPAs), Amodel HFZ A-4133L and A-1133 NL WH886, are available. HFZ A-4133L is a high-flow grade that reportedly outperforms most liquid crystal polymers (LCPs). Improved flow lets it fill intricate, multi-cavity tools for producing complex thin-walled parts used in light emitting diodes (LEDs). A-1133 NL WH886 PPA has improved reflectivity and luminosity-retention and adheres well to silicone or epoxy encapsulants used in LED applications.
More Information:
Solvay Advanced Polymers

FDA compliant PTFE-based engineering plastic
The Fluorosint HPV, a PTFE-based engineering plastic, can serve at temperatures from −240 to 260°C and is FDA compliant. It has a dynamic coefficient of friction (dry versus steel) of 0.14 to 0.15, a K-Factor (an indication of wear resistance) of 25,000, and a Rockwell hardness of R54. It comes in rods, tubes, and sheets that can be machined or as near net-shapes and is for applications such as seals and bearings that demand high wear resistance and low friction. Finished products can mate with surfaces such as 316 stainless steels (corrosion resistant austenitic stainless steels), aluminum, mild steel, brass and other plastics. Fluorosint HPV parts can be used with or without external lubrication. This helps parts wear evenly without erratic motion in low speed start-stop applications that require zero stick-slip.
More information:
Quadrant Engineering Plastic Products

Flexible latex tubing
Newtex natural latex rubber tubing is a candidate for applications requiring repeated flexing and stretching. The tubing withstands repeated sterilization with steam, Ethylene Oxide, and gamma radiation. There are no added plasticizers, coagulants, or fillers to migrate and contaminate the stream or cause tube hardening. Tubing is made from liquid, natural latex; is seamless, uniform, and smooth for maximum flow; and remains flexible even at temperatures approaching −60°F. Tubes come in eighteen sizes, ranging from 0.063 to 0.750 in. I.D.
More Information:
NewAge Industries Inc.

Metallurgical testing
TV SD America Inc., has added metallurgical testing to its lineup of testing and certification capabilities after acquiring test equipment from R & B Test Laboratory. The company offers a range of metallurgical tests including chemical metallographic, microstructure, and scanning electron microscope evaluations, as well as spectrographic analysis and bend, corrosion, plating, and coating evaluation.
More Information:
TV SD America Inc.

News from MD

Introducing Engineering TV, an innovative online video program by engineers for engineers. Twice a week, each 5-8 minute episode shows cutting-edge technology in action and looks behind the scenes as today's engineers shape tomorrow's breakthroughs. Brought to you by the Penton Media Design and Electronics Engineering groups.
View Videos

Experience National Instruments Technologies From the Comfort of Your Own Computer!
With more than 200 on-demand webcasts, videos, interactive tutorials and demos available for users of any experience level, it is easier than ever to learn about the newest products and features available from National Instruments.
Begin your search here with a collection of webcasts specifically chosen for design and automation engineers.

CAD Library offers advanced CAD Resources
The Machine Design CAD Library, includes millions of configurable 2D and 3D CAD models of components and assemblies downloadable for easy use in new and existing designs. Our models are in native CAD formats. No translation required!
Sponsored by:



UPCOMING IN-PERSON EVENTS
Design-2-Part Shows are America's longest running and most trusted events for sourcing custom parts and services. Ten shows covering the country offer OEMs, engineers and purchasing personnel the opportunity to meet job shops and contract manufacturers face-to-face.

UPCOMING WEBCASTS

Discovering Direct Digital Manufacturing: Impact and Opportunity
Sponsored by RedEye RPM
DATE: December 12, 2007
TIME: 2:00pm ET

Designers face difficult design challenges every day and each issue has different technological options for a solution, but no one technology works every where, every time. RedEye RPM, a business unit of Stratasys, Inc. has invited Todd Grimm, a well known rapid prototyping consultant, to discuss different technologies, leading to a closer look at where DDM (Direct Digital Manufacturing) technology works and why. The presentation will cut through the confusion to provide designers and manufacturing engineers the data they need to move in the right direction for their projects.

Click here to register!


Introduction to Direct Gear Design
Sponsored by AKGears
DATE: January 16th, 2008
TIME: 2:00pm ET

Invention of the gear hobbing process about 150 years ago revolutionized not only gear fabrication, but also gear design. The cutting edge of the hob presents the generating gear rack. The standard universal gear design approach provides gear interchangeability and reduces tooling inventory, however, it also constrains performance for particular gear applications.

This webcast presents the Direct Gear Design method – an alternative approach to traditional analysis and design of involute gears, which separates gear geometry definition from the generating rack and tool selection to maximize gear transmission performance for a particular product and application.

Click here to register!


ARCHIVED WEBCASTS AVAILABLE FOR FREE VIEWING


Click Here for a list of archived Machine Design webcasts.

Industry Update

X-Factor Challenge
DSM Somos, is looking for the best designs made from its DMX-SL 100 stereolithography (SL). A grand prize in the Somos DMX-SLT 100 Design Contest 2008 will be awarded for each of the following categories: Replacement of cast urethane or LS part and Creative use of DMX-SL while highlighting its durability.

Once submissions are narrowed to the design finalists, a panel of industry experts will vote based on how well the parts satisfy the contest criteria. Winners will pick their prize which includes airfare and three nights for one at the: User Group Show 2008, April 7-9, Costa Mesa CA, a 32 in. LCD HD Television, airfare and three nights for one at the: Rapid Show 2008 May 20-22, Orlando Fla., or a Garmin GPS, XM radio ready, Navigation System.

To enter visit DSM Somos and click on the design contest to upload your STL files by December 15th, winners to be announced on January 15th 2008.

Energy absorbing foam garners top safety award
Dow Automotive Impaxx energy absorbing foam has been named the "Safety Innovation of the Year" by an international panel of motorsport experts. The announcement was made at the recent Professional MotorSport World Expo. Impaxx foam absorbs energy on impact, compressing, buckling and ultimately exhibiting controlled fracture during the energy absorbing process. The energy absorbing properties of Impaxx foam helps NASCAR drivers experience much lower G-force and cross-car Gs. Additionally, close to two million passenger cars worldwide, including the Smart fortwo, are equipped with the foam. Jurors selected the foam based on its successful application and performance qualities exhibited in all of NASCAR's new Car of Tomorrow race cars.

Die casters open entries for annual competition
The North American Die Casting Assoc. (NADCA) is calling for entries for the 2008 International Die Casting Competition. The competition includes categories for castings made with aluminum, magnesium or zinc and recognizes outstanding castings in nine categories based on design, quality, cost savings, ingenuity, innovation, and industry-changing potential. Winners will be announced during CastExpo, May 17 to 20, 2008, in Atlanta, Ga. All entries must be postmarked by Friday, February 22, 2008.
Click here to download the entry forms.

CastExpo '08
CastExpo is sponsored by the American Foundry Society and the North American Die Casting Assoc., is the largest trade show and exposition in North America for metalcasters and industry suppliers. Held every three years, CastExpo attracts thousands of decision-making metalcasters from around the world, all of whom are looking for the latest advancements in equipment, technology, and services. The event will be held in conjunction with the annual Metalcasting Congress, where technical and management papers are presented on topics including ferrous and nonferrous metals, molding, engineering, melting, patternmaking, die casting, lost foam casting, marketing, human resources, and environmental, health and safety, guaranteed to attract a plethora of metalcasters. CastExpo ’08 will run May 17 to 20, 2008, in Atlanta.

Joint effort develops high-performance coatings
Exousia Advanced Materials Inc. and Shield Industries Inc. announced the release of Bio-Shield industrial epoxy coatings used to prevent corrosion. The companies developed the family of epoxy coatings made with Vistamer engineered rubber particles. The rubber is made in a reactive gas process that alters its surface composition and lets the particles chemically bond with the material to which it is added. This reportedly boosts the coating's corrosion resistance.

Featured Links

BOKER'S FREE 2007 WASHERS CATALOG
www.bokers.com/mde

Meese Orbitron Dunne Co. (MOD)
Free materials literature highlights remarkable product conversions from metal, plastic and wood to stronger, lighter weight rotationally molded plastic. Get it at www.Rotomolding.com: Contact: (800) 772.7659

Rubber Industries
Fast turnaround for liquid injection molded (LSR) clear and colored parts. Also includes bonding silicone to metal or plastic. Highly competitive capabilities. Only purchase the cavity block not entire mold. Clean environment appeals to medical device manufacturers of non-implantable, custom molded parts and assemblies. Free brochure.
www.rubberindustries.com

High Integrity Die Cast Parts
Ideal for Off-Road and Recreational Vehicles. Provides high strength, superior fatigue life and pressure tightness versus traditional die casting. Learn more at www.fivestardiecasting.com

DIGI-KEY CORPORATION
Search over 1,000,000 electronic components from more than 400 leading manufacturers, complete with stock status and real-time pricing.
Go to the Digi-Key PartFinder. Send me a Digi-Key Catalog!

 

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Contact Information
Editorial questions:   Jean Hoffman 303-998-9227
Advertising/sponsorship opportunities:   Rick Seibt 216-931-9652

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