ON BRITNEY SPEARS, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, AND AUTOMATION Recently, Britney Spears has been in the news concerning the court-ordered conservatorship imposed on her stemming from her infamous 2008 mental health breakdown. As details of the story emerged, the public reacted with astonishment at the setup that essentially limits her freedom to make her own choices and…
August 2021 Special Edition: Autonomous & Connected Vehicles
SAY GOODBYE TO CROSS-COUNTRY ROAD TRIPS OFFICIALS ESTIMATE it will cost $50 billion to field the chargers needed for the expected number of electric vehicles on U.S. roads by 2030. But it’s possible that spending every penny of this amount won’t prevent the extinction of the cross-country road trip. Here’s the logic behind that statement:…
July 2021 Issue: Top 10 considerations when applying rack and pinion systems
Do you have an “executive presence?” As we move through our careers, it’s often interesting to watch the trajectory of our peers and compare their paths to our own. In many companies, there’s a natural corporate ladder we all climb, sometimes in stops and starts, depending on the overall structure. But we’ve all seen coworkers…
June 2021 Issue: Smart mechatronics add capabilities to linear motion applications
Teach an old dog some new skills The idea that people can’t adjust and adapt to new rules is a tired one. I’ve seen plenty of people in my career, from the stereotypical older worker who can’t figure out the email system to the stereotypical younger worker who is totally focused on what everything means…
June 2021 Special Edition: Test & Measurement Handbook
MICROWAVES AND THE HAVANA SYNDROME The National Academy of Sciences recently released its conclusions about what sickened dozens of American Embassy diplomats in Cuba, a phenomenon dubbed the Havana Syndrome. Though the panel reached no definitive conclusion, it found pulsed RF (a.k.a. directed microwave energy) was the most likely cause. Panel members could not rule…
May 2021 Special Edition: 5G Handbook
WELCOME TO OUR FIRST 5G HANDBOOK 5G is more than another wireless technology. It’s changed the radio, the access network, the spectrum, and the network core. It might even change our lives. That’s why EE World created 5G Technology World. We cover 5G technologies on engineering terms. The site launched in January 2020, just as…
Machine Monitoring & Energy Efficiency
Energy costs are a significant expense for companies in industries from manufacturing to commercial, transportation to retail, and even for businesses like marinas and campgrounds. But where do you begin the process of maximizing your operation’s energy efficiency? An investment in developing a sound energy master plan, based on guidance in the ISO 50001 standard,…
May 2021 Issue: HMIs with controls—then and now
Disrupting the aerospace industry hope you’ve been enjoying our monthly Future of Design Engineering Series of webinars as much as I have. Last month, we had an engaging talk by Charlie Light, Program Manager for the Space Based Nuclear Detonation Detection Program at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Light’s discussion of the aerospace/defense sector was fascinating.…
Infrared sensor module meets special requirements of outdoor applications
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. introduced a new extended temperature “E” option for its TSSP77038 infrared (IR) sensor module in the Heimdall package. Designed to meet the special requirements of outdoor applications, the Vishay Semiconductors TSSP77038ETR has been enhanced with a storage temperature range of -40 °C to +110 °C and an operating temperature range of -30 […]
Slide switches available in compact package sizes down to 10 x 2.5 x 5.9 mm
CUI Devices’ Switches Group announced the addition of slide switches to its product portfolio. Available in compact package sizes as small as 10 x 2.5 x 5.9 mm, the MSS series is a family of mini slide switches featuring 2.54 mm pitches, SPDT circuits, and on-on switch functions. Thanks to their compact footprints, these mini […]
SMT tactile switch designed for wearables and portable IoT devices
C&K has developed a miniature SMT tactile switch designed for wearable and portable IoT devices. The PTS847 Series side-actuated tact switch combines a space-saving design with heightened durability to handle drop-impacts common to consumer devices. At only 4.6 mm x 2.2 mm x 2.6 mm, the PTS847 Series features an edge mount configuration that raises […]
Nason Cylinders Tech Tip
Download the Nason Cylinders Ebook Nason’s space-efficient pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders are engineered smaller and stronger for a variety of uses, while their custom-build designs ensure there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. With Nason, your specific application gets the perfect solution.
May 2021 Special Edition: Power Transmission Reference Guide
THE RESILIENCY OF MECHANICAL POWER TRANSMISSION What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time, as we were putting the finishing touches on the Power Transmission Reference Guide, much of the country was shut down as the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic swept through the nation and the world. Uncertainty reigned, with…
Gas sensor for multiple applications detects propane leaks
NevadaNano announced its Molecular Property Spectrometer (MPS) R-290 Propane sensor. The new device is the most accurate on the market, making it an ideal solution for residential and commercial R-290 propane applications including air conditioning, vending machines, commercial refrigeration racks, and clothes dryers. According to Reports and Data, the Global Natural Refrigerants Market, which includes […]
Mars helicopter makes history with maxon’s precision motors
NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter has successfully completed its pioneering flight on Mars. This is the first time in the history of powered, unmanned spaceflight that a device has flown in a controlled manner on another planet. A short flight for “Ingenuity” but a big success for unmanned space flight. NASA’s Mars helicopter flew over the surface […]
Koford Engineering introduces 45 amp 48 volt digital sensorless drive
Koford Engineering LLC has introduced a new 45 amp 48 volt sensorless drive with unique characteristics. This drive can operate over a 80:1 speed range, mush broader then the usual 3:1 to 5:1. It also features ultra low EMI. It has a 99% efficiency and operation up to 200,000 rpm with a two pole motor […]
Air flow sensors offer enhanced protection for respiratory care
Posifa Technologies announced the next generation of its mass airflow sensors for use in respiratory care and other medical and instrumentation applications. Designed to provide an extra level of protection for reliable performance in harsh environments with high humidity and trace amounts of corrosive gases, new PMF83000 and PMF86000 series sensors have been enhanced with […]
Robotic bartender powered by Arduino-compatible controller and BLDC servo motors
Teknic’s Robotic Bartender uses one of Teknic’s new ClearCore controllers (Arduino compatible) and six ClearPath integrated servo motors. A small team of engineers were challenged to demonstrate the flexibility and power of the new controller. They came up with a robotic bartender that lets you order one of 130,000 possible drink combinations for the perfect […]
What are the different types of fingerprint scanners?
Fingerprint scanners, which were once reserved for biometric logging systems and attendance systems, are now part of regular smartphones and much more. Fingerprints have been a trusted method of personal identity. Combined with face id or other biometric identification systems like retina scanning, fingerprints offer an impeccable way to recognize any person. With a blast […]
PowerSTAR right angle gearmotor features advanced precision hypoid gearing
Bison Gear and Engineering designs and manufactures a complete line of standard and custom AC Right Angle Gearmotors and DC Right Angle Gearmotors. The gearmotors are used in applications such as industrial equipment, beverage dispensing, packaging equipment and conveyors. Bison’s line of right angle gearmotors provides the power and reliability to meet customers’ needs. Bison […]
April 2021 Issue: How to handle tasks with contactless energy and data transfer
The new social media is more than just noise Several members of our editorial staff have tried out Clubhouse, the newest social media site that’s been gaining traction. Clubhouse is more LinkedIn than Instagram, with more appeal to corporate types and more professional profile pictures. You have to use your real name, and people can…
April 2021 Special Edition: Internet of Things Handbook 2021
Worst suspicions confirmed: The terrible security of internet routers Here’s the latest IDT security nightmare: All of the wireless routers through which most loT traffic passes are probably vulnerable to botnets and other kinds of security breaches. That’s the conclusion of researchers at Fraunhofer FKIE in Germany who analyzed 127 different routers sold by seven…
LINAK calculator takes the guesswork out of actuator lifetime prediction
LINAK is launching a B10 lifetime calculator, providing their customers with a valuable glimpse into the future when it comes to actuator service life. Predicting the lifespan of integrated actuators can be challenging, as different applications and conditions place varying demands on components. However, because the B10 life is based on a combination of real-life […]
Differential pressure transmitter subsystems target HVAC, industrial air handling uses
Superior Sensor Technology announced the HS Series, an advanced family of differential pressure transmitter (DPT) subsystems that offer engineers a flexible, accurate, and easily configurable DPT design solution for HVAC and industrial air handling systems. The HS Series is a DPT subsystem that includes the already popular performance features of the HV Series with additional […]
MEMs device integrated with MCU-based measuring electronics in compact PCB assembly
Posifa Technologies introduced its new PVC4000 series MEMS Pirani vacuum transducer. Designed for cost-effective OEM integration, the device consists of a surface-mount MEMS Pirani sensor and microcontroller-based measuring electronics — all packaged in an ultra-compact PCB assembly featuring a connector-terminated wire harness. The PVC4000’s sensor element is based on Posifa’s second-generation MEMS thermal conduction chip, […]