The Leading Source for Design Engineering News & Insight
A Robot that Runs Like a Cat
June 17, 2013 12:56 am | by Sarah Perrin, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne | News | CommentsEven though it doesn't have a head, you can still tell what kind of animal it is: the robot is definitely modeled upon a cat. Developed by EPFL's Biorobotics Laboratory (Biorob), the "cheetah-cub robot," a small-size quadruped prototype robot, is described in an article appearing in the International Journal of Robotics Research.
Making Alternative Fuels Cheaper
June 17, 2013 12:51 am | by Anne Trafton, MIT | News | CommentsMIT chemical engineers have devised a cheaper way to synthesize a key biofuel component, which could make its industrial production much more cost-effective. The compound, known as gamma-valerolactone (GVL), is attractive because of its versatility, says Yuriy Román, an assistant professor of chemical engineering and leader of the research team.
Matched Motor/Drive Combination Package
June 17, 2013 12:39 am | by PD&D Staff | Siemens Industry Inc., Solutions, Automation & Drive Technologies | Product Releases | CommentsSiemens Industry has announced the release of combination motor/drive packages, allowing an OEM or end-user the option to select the optimum solution for a variety of heavy-duty industrial motion control applications from a single source.
AC Temperature Controller
June 17, 2013 12:33 am | by PD&D Staff | Oven Industries, Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsOven Industries has announced the new 5R1-1400 AC Temperature Controller. This compact design measuring two and one half inches square can deliver up to 15 A of load current from a zero voltage switched, low noise solid state relay.
Wireless Energy Monitoring
June 17, 2013 12:29 am | by PD&D Staff | Microstrain Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsLORD MicroStrain Sensing Systems has introduced Watt-Link, a wireless energy and power monitoring sensor node. Watt-Link streamlines discrete industrial power installations and provides remote energy monitoring and reporting via any web-connected device.
End of BP Cleaning Crews Leaves Questions on Gulf
June 16, 2013 11:25 am | by Jay Reeves - Associated Press | News | CommentsFinding tar balls linked to the BP oil spill isn't difficult on some Gulf Coast beaches, but the company and the government say it isn't common enough to keep sending out the crews that patrolled the sand for three years in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi.
Paris Air Show: Wide-Body Battle & Drones
June 16, 2013 4:01 am | by Lori Hinnant, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe Paris Air Show, which opens for business on Monday Jun. 17, brings hundreds of aircraft to the skies around the French capital, the usual tense competition between aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus, and a slew of innovations large and small. Here's what to look for over the show.
Secret to Prism Program: Even Bigger Data Seizure
June 15, 2013 3:44 pm | by Anne Flaherty - Associated Press | News | CommentsIn the months and early years after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, FBI agents began showing up at Microsoft Corp. more frequently than before, armed with court orders demanding information on customers. Around the world, government spies and eavesdroppers were tracking the email and...
GM Recalling 193,652 SUVs for Fire Risk
June 15, 2013 10:56 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsGeneral Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire. The vehicles involved are the Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Ruick Rainier, Saab 9-7x and Isuzu Ascender from the 2006 and 2007 model...
Web Giants Get Broader Surveillance Revelations
June 15, 2013 4:23 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsFacebook and Microsoft Corp. representatives said that after negotiations with national security officials their companies have been given permission to make new but still very limited revelations about government orders to turn over user data. The announcements Friday night come at the end of a...
Microsoft: More User Surveillance Information
June 15, 2013 3:19 am | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsA top Microsoft Corp. lawyer says the company has secured permission from federal officials to say more about the volume of law enforcement and national security orders it has received to turn over customer information. The disclosure came in a statement Friday from Vice President and Deputy...
Explosion a Reminder That Plants Not Always Safe
June 15, 2013 12:36 am | by Jeff Amy, Associated Press | News | CommentsBy some measures, chemical plants like the sites of separate fatal explosions this week in Louisiana are among the safest manufacturing workplaces in America. That doesn't stop residents and emergency responders from keeping wary eyes on the hundreds of facilities stretched along the Mississippi.
Inductive Sensors
June 14, 2013 6:20 pm | by PD&D Staff | Product Releases | CommentsSteute Xtreme has introduced a NEW Line of ATEX- IECEx Certified Inductive Sensors designed for use in Zone 0 and 20 explosive atmospheres and extreme environments. Units are available in M8, M12, M18, and M30 sizes with a cable or plug-in connector. Models are also available with IP68K or IP69K ratings and for temperature from -40° to +120°C.
Electronic Rotary Latch
June 14, 2013 5:37 pm | by PD&D Staff | Southco, Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsSouthco (Concordville, PA) has recently expanded its R4-EM Electronic Rotary Latch product class to include a version suitable for outdoor environments. With its corrosion-resistant plated steel and stainless steel construction and fully-sealed internal actuator, the R4-EM Outdoor provides reliable electronic locking that is resistant to moisture and dust.
New Series of Insulation Testers
June 14, 2013 5:30 pm | by PD&D Staff | Megger | Product Releases | CommentsMegger (Norristown, PA) offers a new series of insulation and continuity testers that conform to IEC1010-1 standards. Rated to CAT IV 600 V, the MIT400 series provides greater user safety when testing in higher voltage environments.
