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Power Gen in an Octopus' Garden
The rising tide for tidal flow generators has gearbox builders wanting components. On the bearings criteria list for a mix of groove ball, tapered and cylindrical roller bearings was a supplier who could dispense tech support, rapid turnaround, and a ready inventory of large rotor shaft bearings — up to 1100 mm outer diameter.
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It Takes Two Techs to Tango
Sometimes it takes more than one technology to generate success. This vendor combined two techs — a molded plastic with more than 50% lubricating oil, plus Martensitic stainless steel. They create bearings for environments where priorities include cleanliness and corrosion-resistance; like food processing and bottling applications.
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Breakstems at a Breakneck Beat
Riveting ranks among the fastest, most consistent ways to join materials. Manually, the pace can reach 500/hr, with automation, hundreds in minutes. Riveting also squelches the threaded-fastener concerns like under-torquing and stripping. Learn how lightweight and portable installation tools increase the method's attractiveness.
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Mechatronic Toolkit
Among the biggest machine design challenges is ensuring efficient workflow between different engineering departments. This mechatronic toolkit helps by bringing mechanical, I/O, and software data into a common measurement environment. It lets mechanical and software engineers test and modify custom motion systems rapidly.
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Seal It, Protect It!
Smalley Steel Ring Company
A Smalley Laminar Seal is a metallic labyrinth seal consisting of multiple rings in a groove. Sealing an assembly from contamination while withstanding high temperatures and corrosive environments, laminar rings are produced from metal. The arrangement and orientation of the rings are dictated by the application/severity of the environment. Learn more.
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No-maintenance Bearings for Longer Life
igus Inc.
igubal spherical bearings are a complete system of self-aligning bearing elements — spherical, pillow block, rod end, flange, and clip — aimed at simplifying the design responsibilities and costs for engineers. igubal is easy to install, adapts to angular deviations, and often replaces special housings. Download complimentary 2D/3D CAD files without registration now.
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Metric Threaded PC Screw Terminals
Keystone Electronics Corp.
Keystone's metric 15 and 30 Amp rated "snap-in" screw terminals feature exclusive anti-rotation, no-rock design. Tin-plated brass terminals supplied with combination drive M3, M4, or M5 nickel-plated brass binding head machine screws. Horizontal-vertical mounting configurations provide cost-effective alternatives to PC screw-type edge connectors, barrier blocks, and terminal strips.
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Gaskets, Seals, and Component Parts
Grumen Manufacturing
Grumen Manufacturing is a "One Stop Shop" for gaskets, seals, and mechanical components. We also offer kitting, marking, assembly service, and more.
We provide products custom-made to your design and specification as well as stock products made to standard industry requirements for flange gaskets, O-rings, and non-metallic washers.
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Rigid to the Core as Temps Soar
Many jet engine turbine blades and vanes are crafted from high temp super alloys. Finding companion blade core materials has been challenging. This fused silica ceramic material is stable enough to stand the heat during alloy casting, and rigid enough to reduce use of platinum pins to hold ceramic during casting.
If you find this subject interesting, subscribe to GlobalSpec's e-Newsletter, DirectU2 The world of Aerospace Technology.
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Coating Creates Performance Pistons
Coating race car engine components can help extract the most in performance, high revs, and power. Hardness protects the parts from wear. Still, the latest target part is surprising: aluminum pistons. One process solves earlier temperature and flaking problems associated with applying thin hydrocarbon layers, 0.002 to 0.004 mm.
For more on this subject subscribe to GlobalSpec's e-Newsletter, DirectU2 The world of Coatings & Surface Engineering.
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Rapid Prototyping Hardware Gets Tougher
Options are widening for rapid manufacturing. Materials have been developed for RP technologies such as fused deposition modeling and laser sintering. The result is functional hardware that competes with injection molded pieces. One example: Stratasys' first polypropylene material for 3D pieces that can take self-tapping screws.
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Wheeling and Dealing
Wheeling for better maneuverability, smoother turns, and minimal starting force for rolling product, but also want a lower price? This twin wheel design provides two independent swivel surfaces on a common axle, eliminating the need for expensive, wider dual wheel casters. Polyurethane treads prevent marking, and mate to rust-resistant aluminum cores.
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High-quality Diaphragms from Simrit
Simrit-Division of Freudenberg-NOK
Simrit manufactures high-quality and fabric-reinforced diaphragms for small engines, fuel systems, irrigation, gaseous fuels, pneumatic controls, and medical regulators.
Simrit offers the following: coated fabric molded, one side coated fabric reinforced, gasketed, die-cut, metal inserted, over-molded custom, homogenous rubber diaphragms or seals parts, and plastic to metal molded diaphragms. |
Constant Force Springs
Vulcan Spring & Mfg. Co.
Conforce springs offer high force with small space requirements, provide long linear reach with minimal force buildup, and store power indefinitely when extended. They are ideal for a wide variety of applications where constant force is needed, including applications requiring smooth returning and retrieving, counterbalancing, tensioning, and loading applications.
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Bronze Bushings and Bearings
Diversified Bronze & Manufacturing, LLC
Manufacturer of bronze bushings and bearings. Products include powdered metal sleeve and flange bearings, thrust washers, wear plates, solid and cored bar stock. Also finish machined parts to print. Materials include self-lubricating bronze [SAE 841], [SAE 863], and [SAE 850]. Also cast bronze alloys SAE 660, CDA 932, aluminum bronze CDA 954, and manganese bronze CDA 863.
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Self-ID Load Cells
United Testing Systems, Inc.
Technically known as precision electronic force measuring units, United's Load Cells are designed to precisely measure the amount of force (load) applied to the specimen being tested. Available in single or dual bridge, United load cells offer the flexibility of using two readouts simultaneously, if desired.
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Careers & Commentary . . .
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Get Business Results in Today's Uncertain Global Engineering Market
ASME
The 2009 ASME Annual Meeting improves your company's ability to get results in today's uncertain global engineering market! Learn effective management techniques that will enable you to do more with less!
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Teaching Real-world Engineering
Lots of groups are taking heat these days for not having done better recently. And that scrutiny has been aimed beyond government agencies and Wall Street. A new study from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and Stanford University says engineering schools can also do better. Especially, they say, in making stronger links between theory they teach and real-world practices. It's time to bring coursework into the 21st century.
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Amazing Animal Amperage
A wired hamster (no harm to the animal) generated 0.5 nanoamps of current, demonstrating the power of a material developed at Georgia Tech. The hamster wore zinc oxide wires a few hundred nanometers in diameter, its motion creating power similar to piezoelectrics. Except this material draws current from virtually any mechanical motion. The hope is to someday power devices like blood pressure monitors.
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Share Your Thoughts . . .
About This Month's Topic
Stimulus for Engineering?
Manufacturing moved out. Followed later by engineering. Self investment is coming in the U.S., but will it hit hard enough in math, science, and engineering to energize our next generation or two?

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