Joining & Assembly

Briefs: Materials

Cord Tension Measurement Device

Potential applications include parachutes, hot air balloons, weather balloons, blimps, sails, and parasails.

Articles: Robotics, Automation & Control

Get a Handle on Grippers

In North America alone, the gripper market is worth roughly $100 million — and that number is expected to climb up to 5 percent each year.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Lightweight Crane Technology for the Moon

A prototype version could be demonstrated on a large cargo lunar lander.

Products: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

New Products: April 2021 Motion Design

Servo drives, magnetic angle sensors, draw wires, and more.

Briefs: Energy

Materials Capable of Self-Propulsion

Shape and environment can cause materials to move without motors or hands.

Products: Electronics & Computers

New on the Market: April 2021

Displacement sensors, metal 3D printers, shielding materials, and more.

Articles: Transportation

Disrupting the Automobile Design Process

The more complex the vehicle, the greater the need for comprehensive design solutions.

Articles: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Industrial Connectivity with Single Pair Ethernet

Is "SPE" the future of industrial automation and automotive? It certainly has the potential, says Mike Anderson.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Implantable Sensor Could Measure Bodily Functions — And Then Safely Biodegrade

Sensors need to be flexible, stretchable, biodegradable, safe, and stable for use in the body.

Products: Electronics & Computers

New on the Market: March 2021

Vision software, thermal sensors, ceramic pastes, and more.

Blog: Manufacturing & Prototyping

How to Build and Test a Robotic Remote-Control for Ventilators

Dr. Axel Krieger from Johns Hopkins University explains how he is getting a robotic system ready for the fight against COVID-19.

Podcasts: Robotics, Automation & Control

Here's an Idea: Hospital Robots

In this episode of Here's an Idea, we look at a set of robots already helping out hospitals in the fight against COVID-19.

Products: Test & Measurement

New on the Market: February 2021

Disconnect terminal blocks, oscillioscope probes, test modules, and more.

Articles: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Electronic Device Manufacturers Shouldn’t Fear Custom Connector Solutions — They Should Embrace Them

As 5G arrives, devices will need to expand I/O counts at the controller, as well as overall networking capabilities.

Blog: Robotics, Automation & Control

A Spiraling Robotic Gripper 'Twines' Like a Plant

As engineering professor Mable Fok saw how the pole beans in her garden wrapped tightly around any objects nearby, she had an idea:

What if a robotic gripper could do the same...

Articles: Test & Measurement

Executive Roundtable: Robotics Design

A panel of experts explains how robots are playing a larger role in manufacturing.

Articles: Materials

2020 Create the Future Design Contest: Manufacturing/Robotics/Automation Category Winner — RadiBond

RadiBond technology, based on nanometer-thin coatings, provides ultra-strong and ultra-tight bonding between metals and plastics.

Products: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

New on the Market: December 2020

Mixed-signal oscilloscopes, 3D printers, DC/DC converters, and more.

Articles: RF & Microwave Electronics

2020 Create the Future Design Contest: Aerospace & Defense Category Winner — NiobiCon™

The NiobiCon™ underwater connector will not short out, corrode, or cause an electrical shock if touched while powered in harsh environments like saltwater.

Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Researchers Prove Their Elastic Exosuit Eases Back Stress

Vanderbilt University engineers are proving that their elastic exosuit can provide relief for people doing the heavy lifting.

Products: Motion Control

New on the Market: October 2020

Tubing plugs, displacement measurements, CAM software, and more.

Articles: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Rapid Prototyping of Cable and Connectors for Unique Applications

Standard commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) connectors continue to be a great resource for quick prototypes and reference designs.

Application Briefs: Imaging

Custom Gimbal for JHU-APL Shows Promise for Others

See how Blue Joule developed and delivered the Mini Mount (MM) Gimbal to Johns Hopkins University.

Products: Robotics, Automation & Control

New Products: October 2020 Motion Design

Accelerometers, actuators, hexapods, and more.

Blog: FDA/Regulatory

NASA's 'VITAL' Ventilator: A Choice Between Licensing and Open-Source

As Brazil begins mass-producing a NASA-developed ventilator, a Tech Briefs reader asks why NASA didn't go open-source.

Products: Materials

New on the Market: September 2020

Foam gasket tapes, data analytics software, ceramic tape, and more.

Facility Focus: Communications

Facility Focus: NASA John C. Stennis Space Center

Stennis now is testing RS-25 rocket engines for the Space Launch System (SLS) that will carry humans back to the Moon.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Acoustic Monitoring of Laser Welds

Empa researchers were able to demonstrate real-time acoustic monitoring of laser weld seams.

Application Briefs: AR/AI

USB and GigE Connectivity for Modern Machine Vision

Learn the USB3 and GigE vision standards, how they keep pace with imaging technologies, and how augmenting the cabling is critical for optimal performance.