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| For design engineers and engineering management
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August 20, 2009
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Is it safety or just whining?
In response to a recent safety column about an eye injury caused by
rental equipment, a reader chimes in sarcastically, "Hopefully the next
grocery cart I use will come with proper documentation to keep me
safe."
Safety expert Lanny Berke responds, "The next time you are in a grocery
store, read the warnings on the grocery cart. They are there because of
accidents and serious injuries involving grocery carts. If you were to
compare the design of the earliest grocery carts to those available
today, you would see they are much different."
Read the rest of this exchange here.
Read Lanny Berke's online safety Q & A column here.
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An armored billy goat
After a quick competition among four vehicles, the Army settled on
the M-ATV (short for MRAP-ATV which stands for mine-resistant
ambush-protected all-terrain vehicle.) from Oshkosh Defense to protect
GIs in Afghanistan from improvised bombs. The key to the M-ATV is its
in-dependent TAK-4 front suspension, a big step up from straight axles.
It gives the wheels 16-in. of travel, enough to get over boulders,
downed trees, and other obstacles. Read more.
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LabVIEW Graphical Programming – New
Features
 LabVIEW 2009 provides
access to the latest wireless technologies and simplifies real-time math
by streamlining mathematical algorithm design and deployment to
deterministic hardware, as well as increased performance for parallel
programming with multicore processors and field-programmable gate arrays
(FPGAs). View the new features video now.
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The economics of energy efficiency
Whether we like it or not, indications are that a huge green-energy
boom is coming. It’s coming because U.S. state and federal governments
say it will. The federal government will provide construction grants for
up to 30% of the cost of alternative-energy projects breaking ground by
the end of next year. The Dept. of Energy set aside $10 billion to
guarantee construction loans needed to build renewable facilities.
You might think that the large amount of taxpayer money thrown at green
energy was based on a detailed analysis of economics. Unfortunately,
this isn’t the case. Mulling over this lack of definitive information,
Geoffrey Heal, a business professor at Columbia University, surveyed
renewable-energy economics in a paper for the National Bureau of
Economic Research. Read more.
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Say Good-Bye to Metal
Fasteners!
 For high strength
without high cost, choose adhesives to replace unsightly spot welds,
screws, and rivets. Get solid closures, improved product performance,
and excellent appearance with adhesive tapes and die-cut parts.
Light Weight -- Reduced Assembly Time -- Reduced Vibration and Noise --
UV-Resistant -- Corrosion-Resistant -- Will Not Rust -- Flexible Design
-- Improved Appearance
Click here for more information.
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Water sports for a hot summer: Robotic
subs
Thirty teams of students from around the world recently competed in
the 12th International Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Competition,
sponsored by the AUVSI Foundation and the U.S. Office of Naval Research.
Here are some video clips and interviews with competitors. Machine
Design also looked at the technology in an article running two years
ago. Read it here.
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Hydraulic flange seals
A new series of hydraulic flange, manufactured from a high grade of
polyurethane, are for aggressive and heavy-duty applications. The
material provides added resistance to extrusion and compression set over
–40 to 230°F and a pressure rating of up to 6,000 psi.
Unlike common O-rings, the seals are specifically designed to fit the
SAE standard location groove on the underside of the flange. The seals
custom-manufactured rectangular cross section is formed and sized to
accurately locate within the flange machined housing. The seals are
available in six standard sizes to fit flanges from ½ to 2
in.
More Information: Pirtek USA
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Tube and adapter fittings
Medium-pressure gaugeable tube and adapter fittings provide a
leaktight gas seal and vibration resistance in applications to 15,000
psig. The all-316 stainless-steel fittings come elbows, unions, bulkhead
unions, reducing unions, tees, crosses, caps, and plugs in ¼,
3/8, and ½-in. sizes. Comprised of a male nut, female body, front
ferrule, and back ferrule, the fittings apply a hinging-colleting action
to grip and seal tubing securely with no special tube preparation
required.
Features of the space-saving fittings include easy connection to
heavy-wall annealed or cold-drawn 1/8-hard stainless-steel tubing;
fitting assembly is by one turn or torque, allowing manual or automated
assembly; preassembled disposable cartridges for correct ferrule
orientation; and low-temperature case-hardened processing of the
ferrules and nut provides enhanced performance and corrosion
resistance.
More Information: Swagelok Co.
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Check Out the New EET Website
Are you looking for more information on energy efficiency? EETweb.com
features the latest efficiency updates, information on the basics of
energy efficiency and products available for energy efficient designs.
Click here to
visit the site and learn more!
Machine Design Video Spotlight
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Learn more about Proto
Labs |
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See how Proto Labs, through its First
Cut and Protomold services, provides new product designers and engineers
with the easiest, fastest and least-expensive way to obtain real parts,
really fast. |
Now Available On-Demand
The Energy Efficiency Web Conference & Expo
Engineers saw and heard great educational content at the Energy
Efficiency Web Conference and Expo. If you missed the live virtual
event, don’t despair! An archive of the full day’s agenda is now
available.
Design engineers are required to integrate energy efficiency into their
designs while maintaining lower costs, the highest reliability or both.
The editors of Machine Design understand these challenges
and have developed this conference to help engineers understand the
recently imposed energy mandates. The information presented at this
educational event will help engineers compare the different technologies
and product related to energy efficiency. Attendees will gain access to
the technical information needed to help them make the best decisions
without having to travel or take time away from current projects.
Visit the archive to:
- View informative webinars on energy efficiency
- Visit interactive booths where you can contact suppliers
- Peruse the Resource Center where you can download or link to
additional pertinent energy efficiency information
Register Now!
UPCOMING WEBCASTS
Optimizing Mechatronic Systems Using Simulation
Sponsored by The MathWorks
DATE: September 10th, 2009
TIME: 2:00pm ET/11am PT
Are you encountering integration errors in mechatronic systems late in
development during hardware prototyping?
Simulating mechatronic
systems in one environment that combines mechanical, electrical, and
control system modeling makes it easier to find performance errors early
in your development process. In addition, current simulation technology
allows integration of engineering data from different CAE tools, such as
CAD and EDA, reducing translation errors.
Attend this live webcast and learn how simulation can help you:
- Build multidomain mechatronic system models
- Predict and optimize system performance
- Understand and manage complex system interactions
- Detect design inefficiencies and integration errors during
development
- Verify and test mechatronic systems before building hardware
prototypes
Click here learn more and to register!
ARCHIVED WEBCASTS AVAILABLE FOR FREE VIEWING
Click
Here for a list of archived Machine Design webcasts.
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Northwire Custom Retractile Cords are ideal for applications
that require movement. Many sizes, colors and configurations. Made to
your specification – available in 10-15 days. +1 715-294-2121; www.northwire.com/recoil
LED Assemblies and Indicators
LEDCO delivers high-quality, uniform LED lighting assemblies and
indicators for standard and custom applications. RoHS compliant LED
products include a design kit, board mount, panel mount, and
incandescent and neon panel mount LEDs.
www.wilbrechtledco.com
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Contact Information
Editorial questions: Leland Teschler
216-931-9221
Advertising/sponsorship opportunities: Virginia Goulding
216-931-9893
Machine Design
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