Vibration management is a key consideration in the design of any equipment. For high-magnification optic devices, it is critical to isolate the optic heads from external vibrations, such as typing on a workstation keyboard. Engineers at Design Continuum Inc., a product design and development firm, devised an inexpensive way to isolate the sensitive optics in a single molecule analyzer it developed for U.S. Genomics.
The goal? To develop a suspension system for the optic head with a natural frequency in the horizontal direction (the main mode of vibration for the analyzer chassis) of less than 1 Hz. Engineers initially considered a spring-based system, but Principal Engineer Mark West says the length of the spring required would have been excessive (see chart). Similarly, engineers could not achieve the desired frequency level with rubber bushings.
Engineers opted for a mechanical suspension system consisting of a parallel tie-rod pendulum that locates the center of mass at the point of straight-line motion. This economical alternative to air suspension is tuned to a natural frequency of 5.3 Hz in the vertical axis and less than 0.8 Hz in the horizontal axis. A pneumatically actuated pin locks the head in place when it is not in use.
Engineers tested the suspension system in their offices, which are near a commuter railway. Vibrations caused by trains rumbling by were not transmitted to the assembly.
As energy efficiency becomes more and more a concern for makers of electronics devices, researchers are coming up with new ways to harvest energy from sound vibration, footsteps, and even electromagnetic fields in the air.
The government wants to study your brain, and DARPA wants to use similar information to give robots true autonomy beyond any artificial intelligence developed to date. Sound like science fiction? It's not.
By refining topologies and using new fluid technology, Moog's new peak sine drive controller increases available power without increasing controller volume.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 3
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A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
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