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| The latest information on engineering materials
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March 3, 2009
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It's March, but winter is still gripping much of the country and the
economic picture is as bleak as it's been for months. But even when the
world seems stuck in a rut, engineers keep finding new ways to meet
everyday challenges.
In this month's newsletter we'll look at polymers for
cabling, magnesium molding, and thermoplastic elasotmers. Scroll down for new products, news from MD, and industry news.
And please let us know how you're weathering both winter and economic
storms. You can contact us by email, comment on any article on our website, or post
an item at our forums.
Jessica Shapiro
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When you think of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), the nonstick
coating on your pots and pans might be the first thing that comes to
mind. Some of the same properties that let food release from cooking
surfaces have made PTFE attractive to engineers for applications from
insulation to sliding surfaces since its discovery in 1938.
These same characteristics let PTFE and its expanded derivatives (ePTFE)
work well in cables for today’s demanding, high-flex, low-downtime
applications. The materials can give cables long flex-life, extra
strength, better signal transmission, and clean-room performance.
Read the full article.
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FREE FRICTION CD FROM GENERAL
MAGNAPLATE
 Increase
the life of metal components with a FREE CD-ROM from General Magnaplate.
The easy-to-use CD assists design engineers in selecting permanent
coatings that prevent wear, friction, corrosion, sticking, galling, and
chemical attack on ferrous and nonferrous metals. The CD resource
compares the static and kinetic coefficient of friction (COF) of
numerous metals with 20 Magnaplate-applied 'synergistic' coatings.
General Magnaplate's surface enhancements become an integral part of the
metal providing permanent, superior performance.
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Magnesium injection molding (MAG) shapes parts out of magnesium
alloy in a semifluid state, without the need of binders, resins, or
sintering. This gives the relatively new technique an environmentally
friendly tag. MAG is a socalled “thixomolding” process — the name
comes from the word “thixotropy,” the property of certain fluids to
exhibit changes in viscosity depending on sheer stresses. MAG produces
net or near-net parts.
Thixomolding and Thixomolded are registered trademarks of Thixomat,
Inc., Ann Arbor, Mich.
Read the full article.
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Motion Resource Center
 Every solution
requires the right tools to get the job done correctly. Danaher Motion
has created a web page with descriptions and access to motor
sizing/selection software, on-line servo technology database, an
engineering toolbar for various calculations and more. The site even
has more details concerning a Motion Control Handbook that will be a
great resource even when a computer with web access is
available.
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TPEs, a varied class of compounds that are easier and greener to
process than thermosets, are gaining acceptance in industries including
automotive and medical.
Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are showing up in more and more places
these days. The array of polymers that fall under the TPE umbrella, not
to mention the color, texture, and property options they offer
designers, can be truly bewildering. But sorting out the TPE universe
can help a designer cut part count, shorten process time, and improve
product durability.
Read the full article.
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The BC40 Tru Temp finishing system forms a corrosion-resistant,
nondimensional, black magnetite finish that meets MIL-C-13924C, Class-1
requirements on iron or nonstainless-steel parts. The process uses
two-stage oxidation at 200°F. Process turnaround time is 25 min, with
throughputs of up to 2,000 lb/shift. The finishing system's seven 16 ×
24 × 24-in. tanks have a total footprint of 3 × 15 ft. The low
temperature prevents boilover, and process chemicals are not EPA
regulated.
Birchwood Casey
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Lexan Thermoclear clear, multiwall sheets have a nine-wall, X-shaped
cross section that forms multiple insulating air pockets between indoor
and outdoor environments. The trusslike structure also adds stiffness,
strength, and impact resistance. The sheets’ overall heat-transfer
coefficient is 1.187 to 0.985 W/m2-K. A proprietary coating on each
surface provides UV protection and preserves optical quality. The
material comes in 35, 40, 45, and 50-mm thicknesses.
Sabic Innovative
Plastics
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Dual-Cure 9481 one-part, solvent-free, acrylated urethane conformal
coating sets in 3 sec and reaches full cure in about 5 min under visible
or UV light. Shaded regions of the part reach full cure in two to three
days in ambient moisture. The coating fluoresces blue under blacklight
inspection.
The uncured material has low surface energy and 125-cP viscosity. It can
be sprayed on to a final thickness of 0.001 to 0.003 in. It has a
dielectric constant of 3.25 and a dissipation factor of 0.01 at 1 MHz.
Its dielectric strength is 75 kV/mm, and its surface resistivity is 2.46
× 1016Ω.
Dymax Corp.
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Energy Efficiency Web Conference & Expo –
May 14
Do you know you can get in-depth education on energy-efficiency and all
the benefits of an in-person trade show without ever leaving your desk
or spending a dime?
The intelligent use of energy is making headlines. Product designers and
manufacturers are striving to deliver products that consume less power,
extend battery life, generate less heat, or work from alternative energy
sources. Our Energy Efficiency Web Conference and Expo will
educate design engineers, product developers, and managers on how to
make the best use of energy-efficient product innovations and devices,
and on how to arrange them in systems to lower power consumption and
stay "green." This special one-day event will include sessions
on such areas as:
- Power-efficient drive techniques for lighting
- ROI for high-efficiency capital equipment
- Energy monitoring and energy standards
- Designing for SEMI S23 and the Energy Act of 2007
- Working with alternative power and battery technology
Make plans now to attend the Energy Efficiency Web Conference and Expo. The
event offers a full day of live webinars and interactive booths, along
with a Resource Center where visitors can download or link to additional
materials.
Register Now!
Machine Design Video Spotlight
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Machine Vision for
Compliance |
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Vision systems aid compliance with the
growing volumes of regulations in the manufacturing sector. John Lewis
of Cognex Corp.
demonstrates some of those methods to Lee Teschler of Machine
Design. |
Check Out the New Machinedesign.com
Our newly redesigned web site still features the best content and
information for engineers provided by engineers but with these new great
features.
Multiple Path Navigation
Find content your way. Improved site navigation creates multiple ways to
find the content you are looking for.
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The search function has been highly improved and tested to provide the
most effective results for engineers.
Highlighted Resources
Looking for CAD drawings? Find them in our CAD Library.
Download whitepapers in the Whitepaper
Library. Valuable educational content is featured in the eBook
section. Check out the latest in editorial and sponsored video
in the Video
section.
UPCOMING WEBCASTS
Take Advantage of Web-based File Sharing
Sponsored by PTC
DATE: March 5th, 2009
TIME: 2:00pm ET/11am PT
Collaboration is essential to successful product development in
today’s difficult economy. However, facilitating and managing the
process is growing increasingly difficult. Design teams must
participate from all parts of the world, develop products that are more
complex than ever before, and deal with product-update cycles that move
faster and faster.
Do you have the right CAD collaboration platform?
- Do you use network folders or an FTP site to manage CAD
files?
- Have you experienced trouble locating the latest versions of CAD
files?
- Are you looking for an easy way to collaborate internally?
Companies of all sizes face Product Data Management and Product
Lifecycle Management challenges. Fortunately, quick-to-deploy solutions
can help companies overcome these challenges. In this Webinar, we’ll
explore how design teams in small and medium-size companies can use
these solutions to work concurrently, find the right files, share data
and enable social product development.
Click here to learn more and register!
The Fundamentals of CANopen for Industrial Machine Control
Sponsored by Maxon Precision Motors
DATE: March 12th, 2009
TIME: 2:00pm ET/11am PT
CANopen is an industrial networking system used in millions of
applications worldwide. It is based on Controller Area Network (CAN)
technology, a proven serial bus that links multiple devices, allowing
them to work together.
Optimized for reliability and real-time control, CAN/CANopen is
especially well suited for motion systems consisting of actuators,
sensors, controllers, and analog and digital I/O. It also offers a
competitive edge. Unlike other serial-bus systems, CANopen maintains a
certain level of manufacturer independence through standard device
profiles with layered flexibility.
In this overview of the CANopen specification, we will give designers a
fundamental understanding of the platform, advantages and disadvantages,
and where the standard is headed. We’ll also take a focused look at
device profiles, including an actual multi-networked application, and
explore the various communication layers and how they can be optimized
for industrial control applications.
Click here to learn more and register!
ARCHIVED WEBCASTS AVAILABLE FOR FREE VIEWING
Click
Here for a list of archived Machine Design webcasts.
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DSM Desotech's antitrust case moves
forward
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Photochemical resin supplier DSM Desotech's federal and state
antitrust case against 3D Systems has been approved by a U.S. District
Court. Judge Joan H. Lefkow ruled the majority of Desotech’s claims
could proceed, including claims for attempted monopolization,
unreasonable restraint of trade, deceptive trade practices, and tortious
interference with prospective business relations. 3D Systems did not
move to dismiss Desotech’s patent infringement count.
For more information, visit DSM Desotech.
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IDI Composites improves bulk and sheet
molding compound processes
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IDI Composites International, formulator and manufacturer of BMC and
SMC thermoset molding compounds, announced several manufacturing process
improvements at its Noblesville, Ind. location. The processing lines now
feature three-stream in-line metering, automated paste-dispensing and
doctor-blade systems, compaction control, high volume, automated mixing,
a feeder/bagging system, an automated extrusion line, and a
temperature-controlled storage area.
“We’re certain this will result in far superior molding compounds
for high-performance end products,” said Tom Flood, Vice President and
General Manager.
For more information, contact IDI Composites
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Sikes Composites
recognized
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Sikes Composites, Wetumpka, Ala., a manufacturer of fiberglass
composite components, has been named “Outstanding Supplier” by Altec
Industries, Birmingham. The company supplies aerial lift platforms and
other fiberglass components to Altec. Over the past year, Sikes has
improved efficiency and on-time product delivery to 93%.
“That, along with standardizing our work procedures and processes, has
tremendously improved our product quality,” says co-owner Curtis
Howard.
For more information, visit Sikes Composites
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First Cut
CNC machined parts in 1-3 business days. Get parts with better material
properties, surface finishes and dimensional properties than additive
rapid prototypes. Visit www.firstcut.com
Protomold
Turn your 3D CAD model into real plastic parts in one business day!
Visit www.protomold.com for information and a free automated
ProtoQuote®. www.protomold.com
Boker's Free 2009 Washer Catalog
Boker's 2009 Washer Catalog has over 23,000 non-standard sizes with
outside diameters of 0.080" to 5.140", numerous IDs and thicknesses and
2,000 material variations. ISO 9001:2000 Registered
www.bokers.com/mde
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Contact Information
Editorial questions: Jessica Shapiro
216-931-9850
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216-931-9893
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