 |
| The latest information on engineering materials
|
March 6, 2008
|
Pure titanium's 80 kpsi tensile strength and the 180 kpsi-plus
rating for its alloys are far greater than that for many alloy steels.
This gives an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio. So it comes as no
surprise that automotive, medical, chemical, micro-component and,
especially, aerospace designers love titanium. Problem is, the same
qualities that make titanium appealling for most applications also make
it one of the most difficult-to-machine materials. A recent article in
our sister publication American Machinist gives some insights
that can help overcome the material's peculiarities that may have kept
machinists from successfully cutting parts cost-effectively.
Read the full story
--
Jean M. Hoffman
|
The game of darts is more than a bar sport, complete with touring
professionals. To this end, German dart supplier Evolution
Dart-Technologie used carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide to improve
reliability and prolong the performance life of its products.
Read the full story
|
|
Free Guide: Convert Metal Designs to
Plastic
 Cut your parts
count, eliminate welding and assembly. This new
guide reveals how design engineers in the know converted their metal,
wood and plastic parts to rotationally molded plastic. They cut the
weight, cut hard costs and then earned promotions. True case studies
highlight award-winning, fully integrated design upgrades for Titleist
and Callaway plus lighting, construction, basketball units and
more.
Get your free guide, "Rotomolding.com's Most Remarkable Plastics Design
Conversions" at Rotomolding.com; call 800.772.7659 or email agirard@modroto.com.
|
|
A tiny elastomeric bearing seal was key to helping Jayhawk
Motorsports, the racecar team from the University of Kansas (KU), build
a formula-style racecar that handles easily. The seal serves in the
suspension system shock absorbers of the single-seat racer that KU
School of Engineering students run in the annual Society of Automotive
Engineers Formula Car Challenge.
Read the full story
|
A plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) process transforms aluminum
tool surfaces into a chrome-free complex ceramic composite. This lets
aluminum tooling replace steel in molding processes ranging from the
less aggressive blow molding and vacuum forming, to injection and
resin-bonded sand core molding.
Read the full story
|
Hyperform HPN-20E, a hyper-nucleating agent with food contact
approval, expands the property performance of polyolifins. It changes
crystallization behavior of both polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene
(PP) resins improving barrier properties, toughness, and aesthetics. The
additive also reduces cycle times, warpage, and shrinkage. It is the
first nucleating agent for PE and opens the door for new film
constructions thanks to the physical, optical, and barrier properties
possible with linear PEs. Compounds with the additive can be processed
using blow, rotational, injection, and compression molding, as well as
extrusion.
More Information:
Milliken Chemical, a div. of Milliken & Co.
|
High strength, lightweight X Series thermoset composites are
resilient and feature impact strengths of between 40 and 60 ft-lb/in.
Flexural and tensile strengths range from 40 to 60 kpsi and 25 to 35
kpsi, respectively. Glass contents of 20 to 60% are available, depending
on strength requirements and cost restrictions. Various chemical
additives can boost composite flame resistance.
More Information:
IDI Composites
International
|
Geon HC line of flexible injection molding and extrusion grade vinyl
compounds feature durometers ranging from 60 Shore A through
nearly-rigid grades. Many have USP Class 6 and FDA regulatory status.
The compounds can be gamma and EtO sterilized and are available in
quantities as small as 50 lb. Non-phthalate grades are also available.
More Information:
PolyOne
|
Introducing Engineering TV, an innovative online video
program by engineers for engineers. Twice a week, each 5-8 minute
episode shows cutting-edge technology in
action and looks behind the scenes as today's engineers shape tomorrow's
breakthroughs. Brought to you by the Penton Media Design and Electronics
Engineering groups.
View
Videos
Rev up your interdisciplinary design skills
What happens when a microcontroller turns on a power FET, sending a
current pulse to a motor coil that develops a magnetic field which turns
the rotor shaft, advancing a timing belt that drives a pair of nip rolls
suspended on bearings in a web-processing operation on a form, fill, and
seal machine installed on a potato chip line at a Frito Lay plant in
central California? And how can you be sure that the encoders, prox
sensors, and other feedback devices you plan to use will accurately see
and report every relevant motion, machine state, and process condition?
And will the signals get through the networks fast enough, without being
corrupted, giving the controllers time to execute their algorithms as
intended? It's a lot to think about, and it only scratches the surface
of what many engineers grapple with today. If you happen to be one of
them, then the place for you — where you can find answers and meet
others with similar concerns — is www.Mechatronic-Design.com.
Backed by some of engineering's top information sources including
Machine Design, Electronic Design, Motion System Design, and Power
Electronics, Mechatronic-Design.com is the interdisciplinary engineer's
desktop, toolbox, library, and lifeline in one easily accessible
place.
Find. Learn. Apply.
Mechatronic-Design.com.
Experience National Instruments Technologies From
the Comfort of Your Own Computer!
 With more
than 200 on-demand webcasts, videos, interactive
tutorials and demos available for users of any experience level, it is
easier than ever to learn about the newest products and features
available from National Instruments.
Begin your search here with a collection of
webcasts specifically chosen for design and automation engineers.
CAD Library offers advanced CAD Resources
The Machine Design CAD
Library, includes millions of configurable 2D and 3D CAD models
of
components and assemblies downloadable for easy use in new and existing
designs. Our models are in native CAD formats. No translation
required!
|
|
Sponsored
by:
 |
UPCOMING IN-PERSON EVENTS
Design-2-Part Shows are America's longest running and most trusted
events for sourcing custom parts and services.
Ten shows covering the country offer OEMs, engineers and purchasing
personnel the opportunity to meet job shops and
contract manufacturers face-to-face.
UPCOMING WEBCASTS
Two-Shot Silicon and Thermoplastic Molding:
The Innovative Cost Saving Solution for Medical OEM's
Sponsored by Saint-Gobain
DATE: April 2nd, 2008
TIME: 2:00pm ET/11am PT
Medical device designers are facing intense pressure to create
innovative designs and maintain the highest quality over a product's
lifecycle while also being forced to design for lower cost
manufacturing. This is a challenge we recognize, but one that can be
overcome by leveraging the cost savings and benefits of two-shot molding
technology. Saint-Gobain's engineering team will present on two-shot
molding, how this process innovation can provide cost savings, increased
design freedom, and provide the quality and performance you demand.
Click here to register!
Gearmotors: Achieving the Perfect Match
Success through optimized motor & gearbox integration
Sponsored by Groschopp
DATE: April 9th, 2008
TIME: 2:00pm ET/11am PT
How do you select a motor and a gearbox (speed reducer) separately, then
perfectly match them for your OEM application? Is it better to specify
a pre-engineered gearmotor? Does it make a difference?
These are the questions that will be answered in Groschopp's upcoming
webcast. Groschopp engineers Matt Decker and Loren Kamstra will share
tips, tricks and techniques for specifying the most efficient and
cost-effective choices given a variety of application considerations.
Review of actual Case Studies will bring their experiences to life and
reinforce your new motor/gearbox/gearmotor knowledge.
Click here to learn more and register!
ARCHIVED WEBCASTS AVAILABLE FOR FREE VIEWING
Click Here for a list of archived Machine Design
webcasts.
|
|
|
|
Boost your pore structure know
how
|
Porous Materials Inc. (PMI), Ithaca, N.Y., will host its
13th short course titled Advanced Techniques for Pore
Structure Characterization; Theory and Practice May 13 to 15. Topics
covered will include the basic principles, current practices, recent
advances, critical assessments, and applications of pore structure
characterization. The course features lectures from PMI's team of
experts and hands-on demonstrations in PMI's testing laboratory.
Participants are encouraged to bring samples including brake pads, oil
and air filters, automotive sintered metal filters, and filter
cartridges where pore size and distribution, gas and liquid
permeability, and pore volume are important properties driving component
performance. Attendance is flexible: Attend one, two, or all three
days.
For additional information or to register click here
|
|
|
|
Ticona to add 15,000 metric ton
compounding unit in China
|
Ticona,
the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corp., plans to
expand its integrated China complex to include a compounding unit that
will produce advanced engineered compounds including Vectra liquid
crystal polymer (LCP), Hostaform polyoxymethylene copolymer (POM),
Celanex thermoplastic polyester (PBT), Riteflex thermoplastic polyester
elastomer (TPC-ET), Vandar thermoplastic polyester alloys (PBT) and
Fortron polyphenylene sulphide (PPS). Ticona's 15,000 metric ton
compounding unit in Nanjing, China will come online early 2009.
|
|
|
|
Centre for Manufacturing Innovation
grand opening
|
SABIC Innovative Plastics, formerly GE
Plastics, opens its Centre for Manufacturing Innovation in Cobourg Ont.
The CMI is a state-of-the-art research laboratory which was funded with
$700,000 matching funds from the Province of Ontario's Rural Economic
Development Program. Researcher will work collaboratively with area
universities and colleges including the University of
Waterloo and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology
to expand plastics manufacturing knowledge and expertise. Research areas
include online precision color monitoring and control, online materials
characterization, and productivity improvements. The ultimate goals of
the center are driving economic development through manufacturing
excellence, and establishing best practices for the plastics industry.
SABIC's Cobourg manufacturing facility specializes in fast turnarounds
of small, custom-color batches of Lexan, Cycoloy, Cycolac, Xenoy, and
Valox resins.
|
IDTechEx in the U.K. will host the Photovoltaics beyond
conventional silicon, USA 2008 conference June 17 to 18 in Denver. The
event will showcase innovative processes and materials beyond
conventional silicon technologies that will improve solar cell
efficiencies. New technologies promise flexibility, printability, and
lower manufacturing, implementation, and maintenance costs. The main
conference themes will be on CIS/CIGS-CdTe thin film technologies,
sensitized solar cells (from dye to quantum dot sensitized compounds),
organic and multi-junction cells, and environmental issues.
For more information click here
|
The International Conference on Powder Injection Molding of Metals,
Ceramics, and Carbides will play host to engineers, product designers,
manufacturers, consumers, researchers, educators, and students
interested in the science, technology, and applications of powder
injection molding (PIM). The conference will explore PIM advances,
assist in the transfer of technology, and investigate new developments
in the field of powder injection molding of metals, ceramics, and
carbides. It runs March 10 to 12, at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach in
Calif. The conference is co-organized by the Metal Powder Industries
Federation (MPIF), Princeton N.J. and APMI International, in
cooperation with the Metal Injection Molding Assoc.
For technical program details click here
|
Boker's 2008 Washer Catalog
Boker's, Inc.'s FREE 2008 Washer Catalog has over 22,000 non-standard
sizes
available with no tooling charges. A wide range of ODs, IDs and
thicknesses,
plus 2,000 material variations provide millions of possibilities.
www.bokers.com/mde
Big 6 Dos and Don'ts Booklet from UFE
UFE's FREE Parts SmartsTM booklet "The
Big 6 Design Dos and Don'ts" addresses fundamental considerations for
engineers who design, specify, or purchase injection molded parts.
Download your copy today!
Big6PR.ufeinc.com
|
|
|
Thank you for reading the Materials Monthly Newsletter from Machine
Design.
This email was sent to #email#. You've received this e-newsletter for
one of two reasons:
1) You signed up for it on one of our web sites.
2) You are a reader of Machine Design magazine.
Manage Your Subscription
To quickly unsubscribe from this newsletter, click here Unsubscribe
To subscribe or unsubscribe, to this or any of our newsletters, visit our subscription page.
To CHANGE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, visit our subscription page, login with your
old email address, then change your address.
Contact Information
Editorial questions: Jean Hoffman
303-998-9227
Advertising/sponsorship opportunities: Virginia Goulding
216-931-9893
Machine Design
1300 E. 9th St.
Cleveland, OH 44114
©2008 Penton Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
|
|
Subscribe to our RSS feeds