Advanced technology, in some cases, makes the engineer's job tougher, not easier. In uncharted territory, engineers are designing products containing carbon nanotubes or metal nanoparticles, without data about their potential for interaction with biological systems — human cells or organ tissues. This article suggests that engineers need to understand these interactions to ensure their products produce desired effects and steer clear of negative impacts. It also highlights a laboratory in Switzerland that has initiated some foundational investigations — on cellular responses to new materials, on using new materials for medical purposes, and on the possible risks of human cell-nanoparticle interaction.

SKF "Speedi-Sleeve" offers a cost-effective sealing solution when machine shaft surfaces have been damaged or worn in operation. Simple replacement of the original radial seals over a worn surface cannot provide effective sealing performance. These wear sleeves eliminate the need to replace or rework (more about SKF).

Efdyn designs custom shocks for a variety of industries, including; construction, defense, entertainment, medical, and many others. No job is too big or small for us. If your need is one or 1,000, Efdyn has the ability and desire to custom engineer the solution for your application.

The newest fasteners on the market can now take the pressure and heat of your application without downgrading from stainless. We stock A4-80 fasteners and nuts. Also available are A4-88 and A4-109, which have the same characteristics as the 8.8 and 10.9 metric fasteners, but in 316 stainless.

Comprehensive catalog showcasing extensive offering of disc springs in metric and standard sizes. ODs 1/4 in. to 40 in. for applications as diverse as aerospace, agricultural, energy, heavy trucks, medical equipment, electrical, computers, and display fixtures. You can rely on Rolex Spring's 40 years experience. Learn why — Request your copy of the catalog.

A decades old, recognized but rarely understood tech — the harmonic drive — is based on common technology. It consists of ball bearings mated with an elliptoidal plug to create a wave generator. This video clip reveals how the gears achieve zero backlash, higher reduction and higher torque-to-weight ratios than multi-stage gear systems.

Advances often spring from combining technologies. Here's one combo: a hybrid linear bearing that both rolls and slides. The load is carried by polymer rollers, resulting in a 5x reduction in driving forces. The bearing is suited for handling tasks and machine guards, doors, partitions and locks that call for both sliding and rolling movements.

Perhaps you considered non-contact thermal analysis to identify hot spots and head off trouble in your rotating equipment. Then reality set in: prohibitive cost and inconvenience for many measurements. Time to revisit your thought: handheld infrared pricing has slipped below the stratosphere and functionality is zooming.

A limited list of compatible materials held rapid manufacturing back for a while. But introductions of materials like this flame-retardant plastic should spark interest in quick prototyping and laser sintering. Unlike predecessors, this plastic earned a UL 94 V-O rating and passed flame, smoke, and toxicity tests for aircraft parts.

Grumen Manufacturing Inc. provides custom gaskets, seals, and mechanical component parts. We can process most non-metallic materials and assist with material selection. Each part is made per individual specifications. We are experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated to complete customer satisfaction. We are the "one stop shop" for all your gasketing needs.

Enidine Incorporated Air Springs are highly durable, precisely engineered, and cost-effective for use in a wide variety of actuation and vibration isolation applications. These air springs offer a favorable stroke-to-compressed-height ratio when compared to air cylinders, and can accept a wide variety of actuation media.

It's worth noting when a material delivers balance between performance and cost. This glass roving is a lower cost fiber, bridging a market gap between E-Glass and higher performance glass. The roving enables lower-fiber content thermoplastics without sacrificing properties such as hydrolytic stability, tensile strength, and impact resistance.

Found just the right material, but can't shape or bend it for your use? This UK company faced that dilemma with ceramic, and developed a method to spray the heat-shielding material onto foil surfaces. The world's first foldable ceramic is supplied in rolls, cuts easily, and can be hand or machine installed.

A maker of propulsion systems for unmanned aerial vehicles discovered a novel use for ink jets: they've created a MEMS fuel injection system that can improve small engine efficiency. This video explores how the device produces much smaller fuel droplets — down to 10 microns — helping improve fuel mix and combustion.

Because of a nearly linear relationship, voltage is the primary means to maximizing torque from electromagnetic clutches and brakes. After reviewing hardware basics, this Machine Design article presents paths for improving performance. It covers burnishing surfaces, optimizing engagement time, adding friction material, and over-excitation to shorten actuation time.

Roller Chain is available from 1/2 in. to 3 in. pitch in carbon steel, stainless steel, or plated chain to provide extra corrosion resistance as well as resistance to caustic acids or environmental issues. Special plating is offered for the food industry.

Craftech's line of plastic washers and spacers are available in hundreds of plastic materials including high-performance plastics such as PEEK, Ultem, Fiberglass G10, as well as Nylon, Polypropylene, and many others. Our washers and spacers are manufactured to ANSI and DIN standards as well as custom specifications.

Let's obsolete planned obsolescence. Recycling messages pop up everywhere, but ecological benefits of our actions have been minor — leaving the planet hurting ecologically and people wanting for resources. Design engineers can save the day, but only if they start creating products that last 10x longer, and balance the energy embedded in everyday products. This Australian born Mechanical Engineer envisions appliances that last for 100 years — including cell phones that can be upgraded by swapping out electronics — to create an heirloom-based economy.

Exactly how low can the oil industry go? We'll soon find out more. The oil business seldom ceases to provide plenty of intrigue. But today's "wows" laud the industry's technology for tapping oil and gas from the deepest of deep-sea reservoirs. Starting next year, Shell's Perdido platform will operate in water 7,500 ft deep and draw raw product from another 8,000 ft down. It will access 35 subsea wells and produce 130,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

For more on this subject, subscribe to GlobalSpec's e-Newsletter DirectU2 The world of Oil & Gas Technology.

GPS Tracking's Best Uses?

GPS systems can track vehicle location, miles driven, and more. Should they change how we pay for road-use taxes or insurance? What about police surveillance — have your next speeding ticket forwarded to your cell phone?