STRATEGIES FOR DESIGN

Integrating CFD into Mechanical Design
Today only a small proportion of the 1+ million mechanical design engineers worldwide use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate the flow of fluids inside and around their products. But as flow simulation becomes more embedded in the mechanical design process, simulation results are becoming available nearly as quickly as changes occur in the design cycle... full story.

Servo-Pneumatic System Improves Theater Seat Dynamics
Imagine sitting in a theater and feeling like you are flying through space, sliding down an avalanche, or descending deep into a volcano. Such are the sensations engineers at MediaMation wanted for their new Invader 4D EFX theater seats. They planned to use a digital control system, but the resulting movements were jerky. Searching for greater realism, the team decided to go with an analog control system... full story

PROBLEM-SOLVING TIPS

6 Problem Solving Tips for Lean Organizations
Common, everyday problems do not go away once a company has successfully adopted lean; daily problem solving must still occur in order to sustain a lean operation. These tips aim to help organizations sustain improvements achieved with lean implementations and prevent backsliding... full story

Encoder 101: Selecting the Right Output
In today’s world of high-tech automation, the design engineer must consider a myriad of variables when specifying the right encoder. Incremental vs absolute output, resolution, and of course physical form factor are key parameters; but selection of the output chip or “driver” is just as important in many applications... full story

PRODUCTS THAT PERFORM

CUSTOM SOLUTIONS for any industry
Three case studies show how a desiccant dryer, a gripper with integrated valve, and an air-operated fluid valve were key to solving unique customer problems...
full story

PEC TEST INSTRUMENT detects subsurface corrosion
Pulsec uses pulsed eddy current to deliver diagnostic imaging and depth resolution for inspecting multilayer aircraft structures. Non-destructive portable tester has 6 hr battery life, TFT color screen, 1 Gb memory, 80 Gb hard disk...
full story

REMOTE AREA LIGHTING SYSTEM weighs only 22 lb
Powered by 15 hr rechargeable battery, Model 9430 Remote Area Lighting System offers up to 8 hr of peak brightness. It has swiveling telescope mast that extends to nearly 3 ft, 360 deg articulated light array, and wide area handle for gloved grip and transport. Unit’s 24 next-generation LEDs and dual power mode (with waterproof switch) radiate 2,000 lm in high and 1,000 in low...
full story