September 10, 2009

Leland Teschler's Editorial: Another 80 Years of Innovation

This issue marks the official 80th anniversary of MACHINE DESIGN’s debut in September of 1929.

Letters 9/10/2009

A reader who once worked at GM recalls some less than stellar moves on the automaker’s part, ones he believes foreshadowed the demise of a once-great engineering company.

Sensor sense: Safety Light Curtains

Safety light-curtains shutdown dangerous equipment when an object blocks any single light beam of several dozen that span an opening.

Inadequate Punch-Press Safety Measures Cost Operator Her Fingers

Poor placement and maladjustment of safety interlocks cost a press operator six fingers.

Careers 9/10/2009

A recent study of 1,200 employees found many felt their immediate supervisor was narcissistic and overly self centered. Engineering majors have about the same drop-out rate as other disciplines such as those in the liberal arts.

Sustainable Engineering 9/10/2009

Kitchen countertop line contains 75% recycled content; Coca-Cola Co. says its new PlantBottle is fully recyclable; LF1B LED light strips provide a bright 62.5 Lumens/W.

Design Considerations for Metal Injection Molding

Tips on designing for MIM

Tips for Surviving an Economic Meltdown

Companies that implement a few basic business principles and adhere to them over time improve their odds of success in the face of a market collapse.

Forget Everything You’ve Learned about Problem Solving

2

Intuition-based management is based on the idea that focusing on your strengths and those of others is far more effective than concentrating on what’s wrong.

Backtalk 9/10/2009

A special exhibition is being held at the Musée des Arts & Métiers in Paris to commemorate Louis Blériot’s daring flight across the English Channel 100 years ago.

Industry Experts Forecast Future Changes in the Technologies

Industry experts forecast the changes in the technologies on which they rely.

Sizing Pneumatics for Performance and Efficiency

1

Here’s how to built air circuits that improve energy efficiency, reduce air consumption, take up less space, and cost less.

New touch sensor uses trapped acoustic resonance technology to monitor contacts

Trapped acoustic resonance technology can expand touch-sensing capabilities to solid steel plates up to 0.5 in. thick.

Wireless Sensor Network Aids Travelers in Parking Their Cars and Trucks

A wireless sensor network monitors a university medical garage, sending word of empty parking spaces to driver cell phones.

Force sensor monitors brake-pedal pressure

Pedal-force load sensor operates through a USB computer port.

Coaxial KD 32 Planetary Gearhead Drive from Maxon is Quiet but Powerful

Coaxial KD 32 planetary gearhead drive from Maxon is quiet but powerful .

Zeta Communities build prefabricated “green” homes that generate as much energy as they use.

Zeta Communities build prefabricated “green” homes that generates as much energy as they use

The military develops an arsenal of non-lethal weapons

10

The military develops an arsenal of non-lethal weapons.

Digital Prototypes? Sometimes, “Going Back to Basics” is Better

1

It’s easy to fall into the trap of relying too much on digital prototyping to test products.

SMT Machine at Minarik a First for the U.S.

Motor drive maker Minarik (www.minarik.com) says it is the first U.S. firm to install MC-1 SMT (Surface Mount Technology) pick-and-place machines from Assembléon in the Netherlands.

NIWeek stresses the need for innovation

Unleashing innovation was the goal for this years annual conference by National Instruments Corp.

Precision Controller Gives Engraver Artisan-like Craftsmanship

A machine capable of mimicking the craftsmanship of hand-engraving uses a four-axis motion controller for its precision movements.

Plastics, robotics, and compliant design called keys to productivity as exhibitors head cautiously to Design & Manufacturing Mid

In a year when manufacturers everywhere are keeping a wary eye on the economy, exhibitors are optimistic and booth space reservations have met expectations, according to officials associated with the upcoming Design & Manufacturing Midwest shows in Rosemont, Ill.

Looking Back 9/10/2009

Fuse box reduces risk of vehicle fires: A pyrotechnic fuse box, from TRW Inc., Cleveland, disconnects itself during a vehicle crash to cut the risk of electrical fires.

Looking Back: Eighty Years

MACHINE DESIGN was very well received by both the engineering profession and professors in colleges and universities.

Adhesive with Built-in Cure Indicator

Dymax 3-20794 is a See-Cure, color-changing adhesive formulated with Ultra-Red fluorescing technology

Power Tape Sticks to Wet Surfaces

The adhesion of Pattex Power Tape has been increased, making it stronger and capable of adhering to wet surfaces.

Barrel Nuts

Fixed and floating barrel nuts come in sizes 0.190 to 1.5 in. and are traditionally manufactured from alloy steel

Hybrid Welding of Complex 3D Parts

A new development in the process of laser through-transmission welding, called hybrid welding, unites monochromatic laser radiation with a secondary radiation source.

Colored Access-panel Screws

C.A.P.S. access hardware consists of a captive screw and plasticcolored cap in a spring-loaded assembly

Cryogenic Epoxy for Wind-Tunnel Bonding Aapplications

The EP21TCHT-1 two-part cryogenic epoxy adhesive is for the assembly of difficult-to-bond substrates used in state-of-the-art wind tunnels.

Ultraviolet Light Sensor

This UV sensor identifies the presence of grease, glue, labels, wood, thread, rubber, paint, UV ink, UV crayon, and more to confirm manufacturing processes more reliably than vision systems.

Bearing Lubricant

Klüberplex BEM 41-141 is a synthetic hydrocarbon oil with a lithium-complex soap thickener

String Pot Handles Wet, Outdoor Environments

The SR1E string pot withstands wet environments and rigorous outdoor applications.

Handheld 3D Laser Scanner

REVscan 3D self-positioning, handheld laser scanner delivers improved surface quality and surfacereconstruction capabilities including surface-boundaries recognition and automated multiresolution

Space-Saving Drum Motor

Drum Motor 127i features an internal gearing system with a 97% efficiency that lowers energy consumption and reduces noise levels.

Heavy-Duty Slide

Heavy-Duty Slide 2 is constructed from a single rigid aluminum extrusion profile

Safety-Function Tool

SafeDesigner is a development and configuration tool for programming safety-related functions from within the Automation Studio development environment.

Safety Light Screens Include Low-Profile Models

The EZ-SCREEN family of safety light screens now includes low-profile models that feature the first and last beams positioned at the ends of the light screen.

Magnetic-Encoder Chip

AM256 magnetic 8-bit encoder chip is for noncontact angular position encoding over 360°, providing incremental, parallel, serial SSI, and analog sinusoidal output options

Metal Inserts for Plastic

Inserts for Plastics Design Guide covers topics such as the specific plastic type in which the Insert will be used, torque, and tensile requirements, corrosion resistance, temperature requirements, and installation methods

Programmable Magnetic Encoder Handles 1 to 4,096 Counts/rev

The EcoMag BRIx 58 magnetic incremental encoder can be programmed to produce 1 to 4,096 counts/rev.

Military-Approved Tool Case for Civilian Use

Combat-ready 0450 tool chest designed specifically for the U.S. military as the GMTK (General Mechanics Tool Kit) is now available for civilian use

Pressure Transducers Work Wet or Dry

The P6000 line of pressure transducers for respirators, oxygen generators, laboratory instrumentation and the like, operate on a linear, amplified output of 0.5 to 4.5 Vdc.

Positioning Stage

The Model PMT320 linear stage features ±1-micron repeatability, excellent straightness run-out accuracy, and 600 to 1,500-mm travel distances.

Miniature Single and Dual-Channel Incremental Encoders

Designated as the OPE1275 singlechannel (tachometer) and OPE2275 dual-channel encoders, these analog output encoders are designed for small-shaft motors with a shaft diameter of 2 mm (0.079 in.) and a minimum length of 3.8 mm (0.150 in.)

Office-Friendly 3D Printer for Prototypes

The Alaris30 3D printer is officefriendly and small enough to fit on a desk.

Modular Signal-Conditioning System Offers 2,048 Channels

Model 4990A (Oasis) rackmounted modular signal-conditioning system offers management of up to 2,048 channels and support of multiple sensor technologies within the same application environment

No-Lead Bronze

Several grades of bronze Graphalloy grades now have no lead.

Motion Computer Combines Internal with Customized Motion Commands

Power PMAC lets designers choose between built-in motion and PLC algorithms or providing their own software written in C or C++ compiled with a GNU compiler

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