If anything is constant in auto design, it is change, especially in terms of material composition. The 1990s saw a dramatic turn from steel toward aluminum, magnesium, polymers, and fiber composites. The primary goal was to meet fuel economy requirements. Although weight reduction remains a major motivator, the material pendulum is swinging back — with steel now seeing the most growth. Why? Engineers find advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) can provide strength to 1,500 MPa, and the formability of lower-strength steels. When using laser-welded blanks and hydroforming, AHSS can increase vehicle crashworthiness and reduce weight up to 25%.

Thinking of building new ergonomically designed assembly workstations? Think RK Rose+Krieger for quality components. The RK MultiLift is ideal for continuous height adjustment of tables, assembly workstations, or similar applications. Its robust construction and narrow footprint make it a popular choice for manufacturing applications where space and durability are concerns.

Fishbowl Inventory is the #1 selling inventory management solution for QuickBooks. If you use QuickBooks as your accounting solution, but want advanced inventory control, then Fishbowl is the answer for you. Track inventory across multiple locations, down to the shelf and bin. Learn more or download our complimentary trial.

Precision UniSlide Assemblies come in hundreds of sizes and lengths up to 90 in. Widths range from 1.5 to 9 in. Models include plain screw drive and graduated knob style to measure travel to 0.001 in. or 10 microns with a maximum payload of 400 lbs. Visit us here for more information.

Quick disconnects (4, 6, and 8 line) feature a releasing sleeve that permits easy one-hand disconnection. Quick release of the assembly saves time while an automatic shut-off valve guarantees a leak tight assembly. Quick disconnects are available in brass, 303, and 316 stainless steel.

Datasheets

When evaluating bearings, engineers can draw from many tribological formulas for hard-to-hard surface contact. For assessing effects of friction on seals in hydraulic cylinders, however, they have less to work with. Help comes from this set of hard-soft surface contact parameters derived from the Abbott Firestone curve (see the complete file pdf). [A short registration may be required.]

Optical systems are everywhere, and share a common aspect — the requirement for precision. Components like bearings must provide stability for camera mounts, even in harsh environments. This Manufacturing Talk article details a custom approach to meet constraints for size, mass, and stiffness in military infrared seeker systems.

Measuring glass thickness in motion is challenging. Traditionally, operators stopped production lines to perform measurements with contact sensors. Non-contact laser displacement sensors made measuring easier, but had limitations. Now laser sensors with better optics and improved receivers can read faster — at angles or in changing light.

A variation of air-spallation drills may help remove rock from depths of 30,000 ft. The approach is anticipated to lead to easier siting of geothermal power plants. The technology is based on injecting a super-heated, high-intensity water stream rather than air, causing crystalline grains in the rock to expand and fracture.

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Smalley has over 5,000 Spirolox® Retaining Rings in 302 and 316 stainless steel from stock in 1/4 in. to 16 in. diameters. Specials can manufactured from .200 in.-90 in. Smalley's manufacturing process allows for the economical production of stainless steel rings. Complimentary samples are available of stock parts to test in your application.

There are more than 70,000 products in the igus Energy Chain cable carrier range. 'An Introductory Guide to igus Cable Carriers' is a basic introduction to some of the advantages and limitations of each type, and information about how to utilize them in your application. Watch the Webcast now.

Magnets, neodymium, strong magnetic force, ultra-thin, hermetically-sealed, stainless steel, snap-in type, magnetic touch latch, magnet catch with switch, and magnet push latch. More info...

Spring discs are an elastic mechanical element. When used in bolt joints that are subject to thermal or mechanical shock, they deflect and move with the bolted joint. Hence, they compensate for developed looseness. The reactive power of the spring disc serves to keep the bolt joint tight under all conditions.

Polyisocyanurate rigid foam is an old, efficient way of providing insulation in metal sandwich panels used in industrial buildings. But their composition prevented use in environmentally - sensitive projects. Now, engineers have developed a polyester-based foam that meets no-flaming and low-smoke classifications required by European and U.S. markets.

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Watch the spinning of one of today's popular high-temperature polymers into fine 4-5 micron strands — for applications from airline fabrics to gas filtration to fuel cells. It can be used wherever inherent thermal resistance (without additives) is beneficial. Beyond low flame and toxicity, Ultem is a favorite because of its ease of processing.

Finishing or polishing metal parts without changing part contour remains a metalworking dilemma. The challenge intensifies when dealing with the growing volume of miniature precision components — like a 1 cm gear-train. This catalyst surface treatment delivers prescribed finishes over an entire piece without degrading the geometry.

Have you gone adrift as you navigate through steel bolt specifications? This discussion will help anchor you by clarifying the differences between ASTM steel grade specifications and anchor bolt requirements under the relatively new ASTM F1554. The standard sets steel chemistry, tensile and yield, and minimum bend radius parameters.

F273 is a fluorosilicone rubber that is approved to AMS-7273 specification. The F273 material is used in high-performance, high-pressure jet fuel systems and is resistant to jet fuels and synthetic turbine lubricants with a typical application temperature range from -70 C to +200 C. For more information, go to simritna.com.

SDP/SI offers quality standard and custom components including belt drives, gears, couplings, bearings, shaft components, and Fariloc® products and more…

Also, view QTC's extensive line of belts/pulleys, gearheads, gears — including metric gears, spur, worm, rack and pinion, belts/pulleys, bevel, and more…

Use the links above to request our full line of catalogs.

Product features include linear wire encoder and suitable for short measurement range.

Specifications:
• Measuring Range: 200/500/1000 mm
•Resolution: 1/0.5/0.2/0.1/0.04 mm/pulse

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DuPont™ Krytox® oils and greases help bearings run quieter and wear less, extending bearing and component life. These high-performance lubricants provide a thick lubricating film that reduces metal-to-metal contact in the bearings, resulting in superior load carrying capability. They also provide protection against corrosion and won't carbonize like conventional lubricants.

You probably hear more about them in the midst of economic downturns, but SWOT analyses (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) can be vital eye-openers anytime. If your strategic plans to meet current challenges includ cutting investments or staff, this commentary suggests averting deeper problems by first conducting an honest analysis of your company strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. Once identified, the analysis should be shared across the organization.

It's hard to image a water fern being extremely hydrophobic, but salvinia molesta is. And, the hairs on its surface may hold the key to creating fast-drying material for swimsuits, or better, reducing fuel consumption in ships by as much as 10%, according to researchers in Germany. The secret is that the fern uses its hairs to wrap itself with a thin layer of air; what the researchers call stapling water in place.

Too Much Digital Assistance?

We've worked on it six decades and had time to prepare, but are we, or will we ever be, ready for automated personal assistants which might out-think us or question our decision-making?