Welcome to another episode of Powering Wearables, a monthly web series covering topics from today’s topic—utilizing thin-film batteries, to flexible batteries, increasing battery efficiency, and more. Today, we’re talking passive verses active wearables. One application in particular where wearables are seeing successful uptake is in the world of events. From sports matches to theme parks…
Amid Pressure, FCC Updates Wireless Emergency Alerts
The FCC on Thursday took action to pass a proposal that will strengthen the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system amid pressure from lawmakers, police groups and emergency responders. The new rules expand the maximum number of characters permitted in WEA messages from 90 to 360 on 4G LTE and next generation networks; require support for…
FCC Beefs Up Emergency Cellphone Alerts
The federal government is beefing up emergency cellphone alerts like the one used in New York to advertise a search for a bombing suspect earlier in September. The Federal Communications Commission approved a measure Thursday that will let messages be up to four times longer than the current 90-character limit. Cellphone companies will have to support Spanish…
New Sensors Announced at Sensors Midwest
With the new Sensors Midwest conference and exhibit that took place September 27-28 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, sensor suppliers have a new…
FAQ: How do I calculate the inertia of a servo-driven system?
Inertia, or more specifically, inertia ratio, is one of the most important factors in sizing a servo system. Inertia is defined an object’s resistance to change in velocity, and in servo-driven systems, it can be used as a measure of how well the motor is able to control the acceleration and deceleration of the load. […]
Process lets sensors be applied by machine
Until now, plastic parts have predominantly been manually equipped with sensors using mainly the expensive OCA (optically clear adhesives) technology. Integration processes developed by Kurz, however, enable sensors…
Qutoplex High Performance Plastic From Minnesota Rubber & Plastics
Minnesota Rubber and Plastics specializes in metal to plastic component conversions using Qutoplex™ a proprietary high performance plastics (HPP). Proven to lower costs, reduce weight, increase corrosion resistance and perform better in many applications, Qutoplex™ is a new option for component designers. Qutoplex™ is another “first” in the advances in HPP technologies allowing conversions of…
Using injection molding to reduce part count
3D printing is often viewed as the best technology to use to reduce part count. But there are times when injection molding serves this function better. For Smalley, an Illinois-based wave-spring manufacturer that serves aerospace, automotive, oil and gas, medical, and other industries, injection molding helped reduce component count, and save time and money. The […]
New York’s Maker Faire Gives Innovators a Stage
Drones and robots and battling kiddie ride-on toys, oh, my! It’s all going down at New York’s Maker Faire, where innovators from around the world gather to show off their creations. The festivities kick off Saturday morning. Maybe you’re into drones and other flying machines. There’s a zone set up to display all things that fly. Or…
It’s just lunch—check out NFPA’s regional meetings
I’m a big fan of the National Fluid Power Association’s series of regional meetings. The association has done a nice job in recent years holding these free luncheons…
Energy sector prime target for cyber attacks
The report investigates how cyber risks can be managed taking into account the changing nature of the energy industry and energy infrastructure.
Matrox enhances radient line of frame grabbers
Matrox Imaging today announced the Matrox Radient eV-CXP for 3D Profiling, the first member of the Radient eV-Series of frame grabbers to feature on-board 3D profiling using patented…
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New curved linear guides for variable radii from igus
Based on the proven line of drylin W linear plain bearings, igus has now introduced linear rails bent to custom radii, along with adaptable carriages that can self-align between straight linear runs and curves without binding. According to Matt Mowry, Product Manager for drylin linear and drive technology at igus Inc., this new addition to […]
Scientists Bid Farewell to Comet Probe, Eye More Discoveries
Scientists are saying their final farewells to the Rosetta space probe ahead of its planned crash-landing on a comet. The probe was launched in 2004 and took a decade to reach comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, where it released a lander in November 2014. Both Rosetta and its lander Philae have gathered a wealth of data about 67P…
China, Britain, France Sign Pact for New UK Nuclear Plant
Officials from China, Britain and France have attended a signing ceremony to mark the final approval for the construction of the new Hinkley Point nuclear power station in southwest England. The 18 billion-pound ($23 billion) project will be financed by Chinese nuclear power provider CGN and French energy group EDF. It will be Britain’s first…
The Latest: New Jersey Doesn’t Have Key Rail Safety System
The Latest on the commuter train that crashed into a station in New Jersey (all times local): 11:40 a.m. The New Jersey Transit train that crashed in Hoboken, killing one person and injuring more than 100 others, was not equipped with a technology that is designed to slow speeding trains. U.S. railroads are under government…
World’s First 4-Seater Fuel-Cell Plane Takes Off in Germany
Aircraft engineers in Germany have successfully tested the world’s first four-seater plane that uses emission-free hybrid fuel cells to fly. The 10-minute test flight Thursday at Stuttgart Airport in southwestern Germany involved two pilots and two dummy passengers. The twin-cabin plane, known as HY4, was developed by aircraft maker Pipistrel, fuel cell specialist Hydrogenics, the…
Scientists: World Likely Won’t Avoid Dangerous Warming Mark
A team of top scientists is telling world leaders to stop congratulating themselves on the Paris agreement to fight climate change because if more isn’t done, global temperatures will likely hit dangerous warming levels in about 35 years. Six scientists who were leaders in past international climate conferences joined with the Universal Ecological Fund in…
Absolute linear encoders now with Panasonic interface from HEIDENHAIN
HEIDENHAIN has started series production of the new generation of LC encoders. The LC xx5 Absolute Sealed Linear Encoders have long been available for use with Siemens, Fanuc, Mitsubishi, and HEIDENHAIN controls, and can now be ordered with Panasonic interface (Pana01). As with the interfaces that have already been introduced, these encoders are available in […]
Set-Top Box Proposal Dropped from FCC Meeting Agenda
The drama swirling around the FCC’s planned vote on its set-top proposal ended with a statement on Thursday that the order was removed from the agenda. The so-called “Unlock the Box” would require TV providers to make their programming available through third-party devices instead of just cable boxes. “We are still working to resolve the…
Photo of the Day: ‘Pandora’s Cluster’ Seen by Spitzer
This image of galaxy cluster Abell 2744, also called Pandora’s Cluster, was taken by the Spitzer Space Telescope. The gravity of this galaxy cluster is strong enough that it acts as a lens to magnify images of more distant background galaxies. This technique is called gravitational lensing. The fuzzy blobs in this Spitzer image are…
Farming in ‘Martian Gardens’
Of the many challenges involved in sending humans on the journey to Mars, figuring out how to pack enough food for such a lengthy trip looms large. Of course, astronauts will need food on their way to and from Mars, and also during their time on the Red Planet as part of the almost two-and-a-half-year…
Clinton Vows to Retaliate Against Foreign Hackers
Hillary Clinton is vowing anew to respond to foreign hacking the same as any other attack against the United States. When she openly blamed Russia for recent U.S. cyber break-ins, Donald Trump wondered whether to blame overseas governments or overweight hackers working from home. “She’s saying Russia, Russia, Russia, but I don’t — maybe it…
Engineering Update #180: World’s Largest Telescope Now on the Hunt for Aliens
Cable’s Infrastructure Will Win in Wireless, MoffettNathanson Says
During an investor conference last week, T-Mobile COO Mike Sievert was pretty lax about the news that cable operators are looking to jump into wireless via MVNO deals. But T-Mobile and all the wireless incumbents might do well to stay on their toes, MoffettNathanson said this week. According to the Thursday note, the advent of…