Designfax weekly eMagazine

Subscribe Today!

Buyers Guide

Archives

View Archives

Partners

Manufacturing Center
Product Spotlight

Modern Applications News
Metalworking Ideas For
Today's Job Shops

Tooling and Production
Strategies for large
metalworking plants

Why should you use a wave spring?

Reducing the size and weight of an application is a challenge often faced by today's design engineers. Smalley has a solution that can solve both problems, with one simple spring. Wave Springs operate in the same spring cavity as a traditional coil spring, yet are only half the height. That’s right, they reduce spring heights by up to 50%, resulting in a smaller spring cavity. A smaller spring cavity provides the added benefit of weight savings and ultimately can lead to cost savings as well. While there’s thousands of standards available, Smalley specializes in producing custom springs, designed to your application requirements and operating conditions.
Check out Smalley’s Blog on "Why you should use a Wave Spring."

SABIC adds unique PP Ultra Melt Strength resin to its global foam portfolio for lightweighting

SABIC PP-UMS (Ultra Melt Strength) resin is a completely new generation of melt strength polypropylene. This new resin is unique in the market, with a melt strength of more than 65 cN and outstanding foam-ability. It can be used by all industry segments as a building block to develop new foaming solutions that enable an unprecedented level of lightweighting, from automotive to packaging to the building and construction markets.
Click here to learn more.

Multi-axis position-holding hinge

The Reell SJ300 Spherical Joint delivers a premium feel and performance in a multi-axis position control device. Featuring Reell's patented SphericalTorq technology, the SJ300 has the ability to adjust up/down, left/right, and a full 360 degrees of rotation. This versatility allows the SJ300 to replace multiple positioning components with a single device, conserving space and lowering cost. Its black glass-filled nylon housing is durable and stylish, making it suitable for applications where it will be visible in the final product. The SJ300 is ideal for applications such as tablet stand positioning, medical lighting, camera stands, automotive mirrors, and office furniture where precision position control is critical.
Click here to learn more.

Understanding how metal 3D parts are made

Greg Paulsen, Xometry's director of applications engineering, explores key design considerations for Metal 3D Printing. Learn how support structures and build orientations impact the finished part's features and surface finish, so you can know what to expect from your next Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) project.
Read this insightful blog full of useful examples.

Fast-curing thermally conductive epoxy

A new Aluminum Filled Epoxy Adhesive (70-3814) developed by Epoxies, Etc. has 1,000 psi of strength in just four hours! After 24 hours, the Lap Shear Strength is 2,900 psi. The use of aluminum filler provides lower shrinkage than is commonly found in fast-curing epoxy adhesives. The product bonds well to metals, especially aluminum and steel, as well as ceramics and many plastics. It is used in many industrial, OEM, aerospace, and chemical-processing applications, including aluminum heat sink bonding, filling metal joints, repairing metal surfaces, patching aluminum castings, and assorted metal bonding applications.
Click here to learn more.

Benefits of hybrid bearings

Hybrid bearings have shown good performance in poor lubrication and contaminated conditions, but the understanding of the contributing mechanisms and their effect on performance is still lacking. SKF has developed more insight into the tribology of hybrid bearings through both dedicated experiments and modeling.
Read about it here.

Pick-and-place universal joints upgraded

Belden Universal has recently implemented critical design upgrades to its universal joints for pick-and-place (Delta) robots. The redesign project was necessitated by industry demand (from both OEMs and end users) for space-saving components supporting heavier payloads. The stainless-steel component is based on Belden's unique hybrid design, combining the higher torque capacity of a pin + block joint with the needle bearing's ability to continuously operate at high speeds with low friction. It mitigates corrosion issues, contamination, burnout, and joint seizure.
Learn more.

Dow structural adhesive joining solutions enhance lightweight module construction in automotive

Dow Automotive Systems is leveraging its existing structural adhesives portfolio as well as its development expertise to offer BETAFORCE, BETAMATE, and BETASEAL solutions that enhance lightweight module construction. Liftgate/hatchback, decklids, and front-end carrier modules are increasingly designed using a multi-material mix to decrease weight while maintaining design flexibility, styling, and safety performance.
Read the full article.

Epoxy adhesives approved for military use

Master Bond has six epoxy compounds -- EP17HTDA-1, EP21TDCHT, EP33, EP46HT-1AO, Supreme 11AOHT, and Supreme 12AOHT-LO -- that have passed MIL-STD-883J section 3.5.2., the subsection of the U.S. Military Standards set by the U.S. DoD that refers to the thermal stability of a material. This test indicates a consistent product performance for temperatures up to 200 C. MIL-STD-883 section 3.8.5 defines that thermal stability testing should be done by performing a thermogravitmetric analysis (TGA) according to ASTM D3850. TGA is the study of a material’s weight change as a function of temperature and time under a controlled atmosphere. It can be used to determine the thermal stability of a material.
Learn more about military-grade epoxies.

Self-clinching captive panel screws -- easy access to stainless steel enclosures

PEM PFC4 self-clinching captive panel screws from Penn-Engineering install permanently into stainless steel enclosures to enable easy access whenever necessary and eliminate risks associated with loose screws. The captivated screw remains reliably in place where designed in a door or panel and will not loosen, fall out, or damage internal components. Expanding their application potential, these spring-loaded fastener assemblies comply with UL 60950 equipment access standards. PFC4 captive panel screws will install successfully in stainless sheets as thin as .060 in./1.53 mm with hardness up to HRB 88. A shoulder provides a positive stop during installation, and the fastener ultimately will be flush on the opposite side of the sheet for a clean and unmarred appearance. A fully recessed head in the fastened position allows for tool-only access.
Click here to learn more.

Bosch chooses Ultimaker 3 Extended printers

Robert Bosch GmbH is investing on a global scale in Ultimaker 3 Extended printers. After comparing several desktop 3D printers, the Additive Manufacturing department of Bosch selected Ultimaker as the most reliable, easy-to-use, and professional machine. The printers will now be used in different locations across Germany, Hungary, China, India, the United States, and Mexico for printing prototypes, tooling, jigs, and fixtures -- all in a bid to boost innovation while cutting manufacturing and design costs. Materials include nylon, ABS, CPE, PC, and TPU, along with both a PVA water-soluble support material and a dry breakaway support material.
See what makes Ultimaker dual-extrusion printers a standout.

Designing with wave springs

Smalley can manufacture custom Wave Springs quickly and economically to meet your specific application requirements. Smalley Wave Springs reduce spring heights by 50%. Because force and deflection requirements are application-specific, custom springs are often needed. With Smalley’s No-Tooling-Cost™ manufacturing process, customs can be produced from .157” to 120”, 4 mm to 3000 mm diameters in carbon steel, stainless steel, or other readily available exotic alloys. Prototypes can be available with fast turnaround time for testing.
Click here to learn more.

High-performance mini ball screws

New SKF SP Series high-performance miniature ball screws have been optimized to deliver precise positioning, excellent repeatability, and smooth-running and quiet linear actuation. Their advanced internal ball recirculation system and thread design enable higher speed capabilities (up to 15,000 RPM) and longer operating life compared with conventional rolled ball screws. These robust solutions in small packages can help extend mini machine reliability, increase speed and output, and reduce noise for a wide range of medical, laboratory, automation, and other small-equipment applications. Diameter ranges from 8 mm to 16 mm.
Click here to learn more.

Eaton's hydraulic tech powers Valor first flight

As members of Team Valor, power management company Eaton and Bell Helicopter closed 2017 on an uplifting note with the successful first flight of the Bell V-280 Valor. Created and led by Bell Helicopter, Team Valor is a group of leading aerospace companies working together to develop the next generation of vertical lift aircraft for the U.S. Army. Eaton provided components for the V-280’s hydraulic power generation system along with system design and analysis support, component modification and qualification, and flight-test support.
Click here to learn more.

Sealing tapes and die-cut gaskets approved for F-16

GORE SKYFLEX Aerospace Materials products have been approved for use on F-16 wing access panels. These materials effectively seal panels and protect against mechanical forces and harsh environments that can damage aircraft structures, such as vibration, corrosion, high temperatures, aggressive fluids, UV radiation, and other environmental hazards that tend to break down and weaken traditional materials. Unlike traditional two-component sealants, the materials are lightweight and non-curing, and they simplify the process by reducing installation steps. They are available in a variety of form-in-place (FIP) tapes and die-cut gaskets in various sizes.
Click here to learn more.

Finnish-Dutch business partnership says nanodiamonds boost 3D-printed polymer performance, will offer enhanced filaments

Finnish nanodiamond manufacturer Carbodeon and Dutch 3D-printing specialist Tiamet 3D have announced the first nanodiamond-enhanced filaments for 3D printing.

The Carbodeon/Tiamet 3D filaments are based on a jointly patented technology that significantly improves the mechanical and thermal properties of 3D-printed items.

"By joining forces, we've already developed filaments with a 100 percent increase in tensile strength, improved printability, and better thermal properties," said Reid Larson, CEO of Tiamet 3D. "Printing also runs more quickly and more reliably with the addition of Carbodeon polymer-tailored nanodiamonds."

"Nanodiamonds offer the potential to make 3D-printed components that perform as well as or better than comparable injection molded components, but with massive cost reductions and production speed improvements, especially for prototype, on-demand, and short-run production," said Carbodeon CEO Dr. Vesa Myllymäki.

3D printing using improved-performance thermoplastics has potential in almost all manufacturing environments, but especially in electronics, automotive, and aerospace industries. As well as improving thermal management, conductivity, and tensile strength of the base polymer, nanodiamonds can increase the glass transition temperature of the end product or component to achieve more robust and reliable polymer products, suitable for more challenging environments.

But how does adding nanodiamonds help the final result? Myllymäki told Designfax exclusively, "The way selected nanodiamond addition affects the polymer is affecting both its thermal and mechanical properties. Regarding thermal, both thermal conductivity and glass transition temperature are affected, resulting in enhanced printing speed (three- to fivefold looks possible for the PLA filaments), printed item isotropic strength (better layer-to-layer adhesion), and higher temperature range for said item use." Regarding mechanical properties, Myllymäki said the nanodiamond particles act as a nucleus for crystallization (if distributed well in parent matrix) to enable tailoring of the polymer crystallinity (strength). While tailoring the polymer structure, their dispersion strengthens the composite structure and prevents the movement of dislocations.

Myllymäki told Designfax the nano-sized particles are spherical and applied at very low concentrations -- the concentration varies per application and targeted property, but it is always less than 0.5 wt. percent. The particles don't cause wearing of production tools. From a safety point of view, they are not cytotoxic nor immunotoxic (on the contrary, they are heavily investigated as a drug carrier within many pending biomedical applications). Carbodeon's U.S. agent Silicon Sense and Carbodeon have received EPA registration as the first nano-diamond actor in the United States.

Myllymäki said the detonation nanodiamonds Carbodeon manufactures are 4 to 6 nm spherical diamond particles, with covalently bound surface termination. It is this tailored surface that allows perfect electrostatic coupling of these diamond particles to the applied parent polymer. "Here, we can now select between carboxylated, amine-terminated, and hydrogen-terminated nanodiamonds. In addition to nanodiamond development and manufacturing, Carbodeon has made significant investments in developing nanodiamond material use within various polymer thermal compounds, metal finishing, polymer coatings, CVD seeding, and within 3D-printing filaments."

The first Carbodeon/Tiamet 3D filaments will be PLA (polylactic acid) based, with further development focused on higher-performance thermoplastics. The companies have signed a strategic partnership agreement on joint filament development, along with an agreement for Carbodeon to supply nanodiamond materials to Tiamet 3D.

The newly developed PLA filament product will be available both from Carbodeon and Tiamet 3D. Carbodeon filament products will be sold under the uDiamond^® brand.

Source: Carbodeon

Published April 2018

Rate this article