The buzz of additive manufacturing continues to make headlines. Additive manufacturing permits the fabrication of complex plastic and metal parts by starting with powdered materials. There are no cutting tools involved, very little waste and production time is in hours, not weeks, regardless of the complexity of the part. There are many variants of the […]
World’s Most Human-Like Android Wasn’t Unveiled at GF2045
Headlines preceding the Global Future 2045 Congress proclaimed: WORLD’S MOST HUMAN-LIKE ANDROID TO BE UNVEILED AT GF2045 “The Dmitry Avatar-A head represents the most expressive facial robot in history and far exceeds the life-like characteristics of previous robot portraits of humans in both technology and artistry,” stated David Hanson. “The Dmitry Avatar-A head can establish eye…
Additive Manufacturing in the Real World
There is no doubt that additive processing will dramatically change the future of manufacturing. If you consider the original stereo lithography polymer proces, 3D printing, one example of additive manufacturing, has actually been around for a long time, 30 years according to one leading supplier. It has progressively impacted the process of new product design […]
Innovation in Motors for Mechatronics
Innovation is the watchword of mechatronics. The pressure for solutions in alternative energy continue to push the boundaries of design in electromechanical systems. In the wind energy arena the biggest change has been the shift to direct drive permanent magnet generators. By eliminating the gear “increaser” to convert the low RPM of the propeller system […]
Friction Part 2
An interesting aspect of actuator design popped up in a couple of recent applications. The efficiency value of the actuator isn’t often the top parameter on the list of things to check when making a selection. But it should be. Efficiencies vary wildly, even from the same vendor, and will have signficant impact on the […]
With Piezotronics — a Mechanical Action Creates a Logic Operation
Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new class of electronic logic device in which current is switched by an electric field generated by the application of mechanical strain to zinc oxide nanowires. The devices, which include transistors and diodes, could be used in nanometer-scale robotics, nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS), micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) […]
Cable Carrier Delivers 3,000 Degrees of Circular Motion
Cable carriers that handle circular movements and reverse bending radii often require lots of space for their movement. The TwisterBand TB30 makes rapid rotating movements possible up to 3,000 degrees and depends only on the belt length or design height in the axis of rotation. The smaller masses involved mean lower centrifugal forces and possible […]
Bionic Exhibits from Festo at Pop!Tech 2008
From October 23-25, 2008, more than 600 remarkable thought leaders, influencers and social change agents will convene in Camden, Maine for Pop!Tech, the acclaimed annual ideas summit. Now in its 12th year, the event explores the new ideas, technologies and forces of change shaping our future. This year, the conference will also present three Bionic […]
FESTO’s AquaJelly and AirJelly
GERMANY – AquaJelly is an artificial autonomous jellyfish with an electric drive and an intelligent, adaptive mechanical system. AquaJelly consists of a translucent hemisphere and eight tentacles used for propulsion. At the center of the AquaJelly is a watertight, laser-sintered pressure vessel. This comprises a central, electric drive, two lithium-ion-polymer batteries, the charge control device […]
Bayer MaterialScience Supports FIRST Robotics Competition
PITTSBURGH- Further demonstrating its support for nurturing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) talent among students, Bayer MaterialScience LLC has donated more than 3,100 pounds of its Desmopan DP 6065A thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) resin for a global robotics competition. Bayer’s TPU resin is being used to mold experimental, light-duty tires that are included in parts […]
Rapid Prototype Trends
3D solid model software has come a long way. It makes complex finite element analysis an integrated feature so that new designs can be explored in hours, rather than days or weeks of building prototype parts and making changes. New product development costs have been falling consistently since the advent of this technology. The logical […]