Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Mechanical Components

Find multimedia resources and technical briefs covering complex mechanical components and technologies. Find the latest applications that design engineers are using to meet their design challenges.

Stories

Briefs: Motion Control

Spring Drive Fitting

Applications include valves, tubes, and other gas and fluid system components.

Articles: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Celebrating Women in Engineering & Science: Mary Hardgrove, Assembly Supervisor

Mary Hardgrove spearheads an entire assembly department that provides next-generation mechanical cable innovations

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

Bio-Inspired Mechanics to Make Robots More Effective

This technology could impact new directions in robotics design.

Briefs: Materials

Electrically Non-Conductive Ladder Fall Protection

This system protects workers on lightning and telecommunications towers, and on oil and gas platforms.

Briefs: Aerospace

Sensor Uses Microwaves to Determine Real-Time Ice Accumulation

The sensor makes it easier to detect and manage ice accumulation on aircraft wings.

Articles: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Celebrating Women in Engineering & Science

We spoke with five women who lead their fields in engineering and science

5 Ws: Electronics & Computers

5 Ws of PAWS Smart Headphones

Learn about the Pedestrian Audio Wearable System (PAWS), a low-cost, headset-based, wearable platform.

Briefs: Aerospace

Multi-Objective Flight Control Optimization Framework

This framework can be used by commercial and military aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Inspection and Simulation Methods: Powdered Metal and Additive Manufacturing

How does testing a metal 3D-printed part compare to testing a casted one? That's the elephant in the room, says industry pro Kevin Brigden.

Technology Leaders: Aerospace

Better Solutions for Testing and Measuring Compression and Extension Springs

Learn about the latest measurement technology designed to ensure accurate testing of helical compression and extension springs.

Products: Electronics & Computers

New on the Market: February 2020

Low-viscosity plastic; coin cell holders; oxidation-resistant coatings; and more.

Products: Motion Control

Encoder The AI25 hazardous series AI25 encoder from Dynapar (Gurnee, IL) is suited for Class 1 Division 2 applications where a Zone 1 or Division 1 encoder may have previously been specified. It features both BiSS and SSI...

Articles: Motion Control

Going Beyond the Basics: Innovative Step Motor Designs Give Machine Designers More Options for Motion Control

Machine and system designers now have greater options in choosing a motor to meet motion control requirements.

Articles: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Valves for Pneumatic Cylinders and Actuators

Know your valve options.

Briefs: Materials

3D Printing Technique Produces “Living” 4D Materials

3D/4D printing is merged with a chemical process to produce “living” resin, which has potential for recycling and biomedicine.

Briefs: Communications

Wraparound Self-Structuring Leaky-Wave Antenna (WSS-LWA)

This system has applications in the smart grid and military.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Low-Energy Device Rapidly Reroutes Light in Computer Chips

The switch is a major new step toward building a computer that uses light instead of electricity to process information.

Articles: Medical

Products of Tomorrow

Life-saving sensors, soft hearing implants, and a new water-decontamination method

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Insect-Inspired Motion Sensing

This mechanical gyroscope can advance motion sensing capabilities in consumer-sized applications.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Dynamic Gripper Mimics Adjustable Grip of the Human Hand

Such grippers would be suited for human-robot partnership in assembly lines in the automotive, electronic packaging, and other industries.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Flexure for Self-Assembly

Conventional fastening mechanisms like nails, bolts, and welds are subject to manufacturing and inspection tolerances, differential thermal growth, and other sources of error that lead to over-constraint, among other...

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Soft, Skin-Like Structures for Robotic Locomotion and Transportation

These soft robots can be rolled up and carried in a pocket.

Application Briefs: Motion Control

Modified Fittings Enhance Industrial Safety

NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida is home to one of the largest buildings in the world — the massive Vehicle Assembly Building — and also hosts a number of one-of-a-kind facilities. The more...

Question of the Week: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Would You Cook with ‘Julia?’

Last week, we highlighted five CES 2020 technologies that are adding intelligence to everyday aspects of the home. One featured “Smart Home” technology included “Julia,” an all-in-one cooker that performs a variety of kitchen tasks: chopping, whisking, steaming, weighing ingredients, and even kneading...