As do astronauts, space vehicles also need the right stuff, too. For trenching the Mars surface and retrieving ice and soil samples, the right stuff for the robotic arm of the Phoenix Lander included stainless thin-section bearings. These bearings were lightweight and small enough, yet could manage loads up to 100 lbs of force.

Need FDA-approved components in your machinery? Need smoother, quieter operation in high stress jobs? This review of self-lubricating plane bearings should help you select a type — oil-impregnated, polymer-lined metal, or solid polymeric bearing — that best matches the application's wear rate, temperature needs, and speeds.

When metal parts need smooth surfaces and precise tolerances, the abrasive globules mounted on the filaments of ball-style hones are up to the task. They've proven particularly proficient for polishing brake drums and rotors, preventing the harmonic vibrations and annoying hum, and keeping Cadillac limousine OEMs happy.

Lithium-ion batteries only recently emerged as king of power sources for rechargeable cordless tools. And the art advances. Stanford University researchers developed a battery using silicon Nanowires in the battery anodes. The result: battery life up to 10 times longer for applications including electric cars and rooftop solar energy storage.

Taking shape-memory-polymers to new heights, John Glenn Center researchers made trusses with SMP thermoset fiber-reinforced resin. When heated, they self-deploy to support large, lightweight objects. Cooled, the trusses compact to a fraction of their original volume. They predict uses including temporary inflatable shelters.

Unable to wait a decade to determine that the composite material you picked will endure for its prescribed life? Your gut says there's a material for the job, but you can't find it. Two companies are creating a new search engine to help locate composites, make comparisons and gather reliable performance data.

Skip the mess of gluing hoses to manifolds. Use a fast installation clamp that you can't over- or under-tighten, even when using pneumatic tools. Suited for low-pressure applications, the self-compensating hose clamps expand and contract with the hose, responding to temperature changes. Uses include appliances, HVAC, automotive, and marine.

Closed silicone rubber's properties — high/low temperature capability (-100F to 500F), UV, ozone, and fire resistance — beg its consideration in a wider range of jobs. This table helps guide your silicone selection for cushioning and vibration dampening, removing heat generated by electronic devices, shielding to prevent electromagnetic interference, and other uses.

Most people don't think much of their bosses. Several studies show that fewer than 25% think their supervisors could handle their jobs. Check out how GM executives managed when they worked on an assembly line in a productivity experiment. Then, consider putting yourself on the line, just for a project. It could strengthen relationships with your team, present ideas for enhancing the operation, or reveal issues that need attention.

Spurred by efforts to strengthen military vehicles and improve protection against bullets and mine blasts, a new high-hardened steel armor was unveiled this summer. The first introduced in the U.S. since the Viet Nam era, its advantages over previous high-hard steels include improved flatness, better hardness consistency, minimal distortion when cut. Applications for 500-MIL steel include land, sea, and airborne systems.

Rapid Manufacturing — Primed for Production?

Rapid manufacturing has evolved, the processes pumping out parts quickly, layer by layer. Devised for prototyping, the machines are now seeing use to make finished parts. Are they ready for prime time?