By Heilind in partnership with Molex

Consumer expectations and advancing technologies are fueling a significant shift toward smaller, more capable devices across various industries. From wearable technology to industrial machinery, the demand for compact designs that deliver enhanced performance continues to grow. This transformation is further driven by the widespread adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the increasing integration of advanced sensors. These trends require devices to process vast amounts of data efficiently while fitting into increasingly smaller spaces. Engineers face the challenge of meeting these requirements without sacrificing the performance, reliability, or durability of the devices they design.

Compounding this challenge is the reality of modern operating environments, which are often unpredictable and harsh. As electronic systems expand into more diverse and demanding applications, they must endure extreme conditions such as constant vibration, wide-ranging temperature fluctuations, and exposure to moisture, dust, and other contaminants. These elements push the limits of electronic components, making ruggedness and reliability not just desirable features but critical requirements. For many applications, particularly in automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics sectors, durable performance in challenging environments is essential to ensure long-term functionality and user satisfaction.

To address these challenges, Molex offers innovative solutions specifically designed to excel under these demanding conditions. The MX150 connector system is a prime example of Molex’s commitment to rugged and reliable technology. Engineered as a sealed connector solution, the MX150 delivers exceptional performance in environments where moisture, vibration, and extreme temperatures are a constant concern. Its robust design makes it ideal for automotive and industrial applications, where dependability under harsh conditions is paramount. The MX150 eliminates the need for additional sealing components, reducing assembly time and complexity while ensuring long-lasting reliability.

For applications requiring compact yet resilient connections, Molex’s DuraClik connectors offer a tailored solution. With a design focused on high vibration resistance and space efficiency, DuraClik connectors provide robust, secure connections in tight spaces. This makes them particularly well-suited for consumer electronics and IoT devices, where the trend toward miniaturization demands components that combine durability with a small footprint. These connectors also meet the needs of applications requiring frequent and reliable signal transmission, ensuring consistent performance even in challenging environments.

The importance of rugged, high-performance components like the MX150 and DuraClik connectors cannot be overstated in today’s landscape. As devices and systems become more sophisticated, they are increasingly tasked with performing in environments where failure is not an option. Whether it’s an automotive system navigating extreme weather, industrial equipment exposed to heavy vibrations, or a consumer device used daily in varied conditions, these components provide the reliability necessary to maintain optimal functionality and user confidence.

Moreover, Molex’s solutions go beyond just addressing immediate needs—they enable engineers to innovate without compromise. By providing products that deliver both compact designs and exceptional durability, Molex empowers designers to push the boundaries of what’s possible in modern electronics. Engineers can focus on creating groundbreaking solutions that meet consumer and commercial demands while ensuring their devices remain reliable under the most demanding conditions.

Molex’s expertise in rugged, reliable connectivity extends across a broad range of applications and industries. The company’s deep understanding of the challenges faced by engineers allows it to develop products that not only meet but exceed expectations. This commitment to innovation and quality ensures that Molex products are trusted by industry leaders worldwide to deliver unmatched performance and dependability.

As the need for smaller, more capable devices grows, the demand for reliable components that can withstand harsh environments will only increase. Molex is at the forefront of this evolution, providing the tools engineers need to overcome design challenges and deliver solutions that are both durable and efficient. Whether it’s enhancing the performance of a wearable device, ensuring the reliability of an industrial machine, or enabling seamless connectivity in a smart home system, Molex’s rugged and reliable products are paving the way for the future of technology.

In an era where consumer expectations are higher than ever, and technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, engineers require partners they can trust to deliver innovative, reliable solutions. Molex stands as a leader in the field, offering products like the MX150 and DuraClik connectors that set the standard for rugged performance and compact design. These solutions not only meet today’s demands but also anticipate the challenges of tomorrow, making Molex a critical partner in the development of next-generation devices and systems.

By integrating Molex’s cutting-edge connectivity solutions into their designs, engineers can confidently address the demands of modern applications. Whether in automotive, industrial, or consumer electronics, Molex ensures that devices are equipped to handle the rigors of real-world environments while maintaining peak performance. With a legacy of innovation and a commitment to quality, Molex continues to drive the evolution of rugged, high-performance technology, empowering engineers to create solutions that meet and exceed the expectations of a rapidly changing world.

To learn more about Rugged and Reliable Connectors by Molex, download our RUGGED AND RELIABLE On-Demand Webinar

Sponsored content by Heilind

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A better future is a key focus for all manufacturers in the aviation industry, and every manufacturer is working toward that solution in their own way. Austin Major, Group Vice President of Business Development and Global Support at Parker Aerospace, highlights what this approach means in a conversation.

Q. Recently, Parker joined the consortium to advance aviation liquid hydrogen – can you tell us more?

A. Together with Marshall, GKN and Academic Partners, Parker is embarking on the HyFive project, the goal of which is to develop and implement scalable hydrogen fuel propulsion systems for aircraft ranging from small regional to single aisle. This initiative aligns with our commitment to next-generation technologies and our sustainability strategy. 

The consortium focuses on five areas related to supporting hydrogen-electric propulsion and hydrogen combustion powertrains: filtration, sensing and monitoring, transporting, fuel gauging/indication, and thermal management.

We believe these hydrogen fuel propulsion systems will be critical as our industry works toward net zero emissions and a sustainable future.

Q. How have the last couple of years been for the company? Recently, Parker Hannifin also adjusted its forecast for more profit.

A. We have experienced significant growth and an expanded portfolio with the acquisition of Meggitt. We have a positive outlook on the future of Parker Aerospace in large part due to our innovative technologies, passionate team members who make a difference every day and our comprehensive Win Strategy that guides everything we do. 

Parker is in a leading position in the global Motion and control industry. Across Parker Hannifin, we offer a broad portfolio of interconnected technologies that allow us to offer the best solutions to our customers. 

Q. How has the progress been on Alice since its first flight? What is the status of the project from Parker’s perspective?

A. The first flight of Eviation’s Alice all-electric commuter aircraft in September of 2022 began a new era in aviation. We are proud to be a partner in this incredible achievement. 

Eviation continues to make progress, as demonstrated by the completion of a formal Conceptual Design Review with wind tunnel testing in April. We are working with them closely on state-of-the-art technology for Alice by developing technologies for the future that will help bring more people together across the world in an accessible, responsible way.

Q. A lot of the focus in the commercial aerospace sphere is on electric and sustainable options today. What is Parker doing in that sphere?

A. Electrification is anticipated to be a key component of the expansion of the aviation industry. Not only is this important for our environmental responsibility, but it will reduce the cost of flight and allow for more regional and local opportunities.

We are proud to be part of this future. Parker currently has the biggest and broadest portfolio of electric technologies, and we offer other solutions like lighter weight technologies that enable more sustainable aircraft. Parker has extensive hydrogen solutions, and we have developed an extreme temperature range sealing solution that is compatible with traditional fuel and SAFs – these innovations, and a number of other green technologies, demonstrate our commitment to supporting our customers as they work toward their sustainability goals.

Q. How do Parker products contribute towards a safer environment?

A. Safety, unparalleled reliability, and zero defects are embedded in everything we do, and they are at the core of Parker’s operational philosophy. But our focus extends beyond quality and includes advanced safety systems.

At the show this year, we will be showcasing some of these technologies. This includes Verdagent, the first non-halon fire suppression agent developed and qualified in the world. We are also sharing our e-brake technology, a proprietary system that eliminates hydraulics from braking systems and is a safe, smart solution for the future. We also have a solution that addresses sealing for SAF, which can be used in a number of ways – including aircraft, engines and airports looking to develop ways to reduce their carbon footprint. 

Responding to the call for decarbonizing aviation, fuel providers are blending SAF with conventional jet fuel in ever-increasing amounts. As the composition of current and future SAF formulations may vary significantly, compatibility of all types of SAF with some traditional seal materials is a concern.

Q. What are the key product innovations that Parker has done in recent years? 

A. We are proud to offer a broader, deeper and more interconnected portfolio than we ever have in the past, and we can do this because of our focus on innovation and the combination of Parker Aerospace and Parker Meggitt.

In addition to the products I already mentioned, we are excited to share more exceptional advancements we have made at Parker. This includes an impressive suite of solutions that help solve challenges with thermal management systems and are complete, cost-effective and efficient. 

We have CoolTherm technology that helps prevent overheating and improves reliability and performance for electric vehicles, including aircraft. We also have our smart fan technology on display. These smart fans are made using no permanent magnets meaning they are cost and energy efficient. Smart controls seen on the fans can also be applied to pumps and other components.  Our passionate people with deep engineering expertise, together with our breadth of differentiated technologies, ensure that we make the extraordinary happen and continue to shape the future of aviation in partnership with our customers.

The post Sustainability, Innovation and Safety, Central to Our Approach appeared first on Engineering.com.

Parker Aerospace is proud to continue supporting the pioneering Alice all-electric aircraft developed by Eviation. This partnership demonstrates Parker’s dedication to sustainability, innovation, and the future of aviation. Parker Aerospace has been a key supplier to this groundbreaking project, which brings zero emissions and incredibly efficient air travel closer to becoming a reality.

Electrification and Parker Aerospace’s commitment to a sustainable future

Alice first flew on September 27, 2022, a landmark event in modern aviation history. Alice, designed for both commuter and cargo markets, demonstrated the ability to perform short flights without producing carbon emissions. The successful flight marks a significant step toward more sustainable flight.

Eviation’s Alice is designed to revolutionize regional travel, and Eviation will be offering a viable solution for routes ranging from 150 to 250 miles with models including a nine-passenger commuter model, a six-passenger executive cabin, and an eCargo version.

Parker’s advanced engineering and state-of-the-art solutions have helped support the evolution of the Alice aircraft.

With the largest portfolio of technologies that support electrification, Parker is dedicated to building the future and supporting aviation industry leaders as we work toward a greener future. Alice, which operates with zero emissions and minimal noise, provides a sustainable alternative to conventional air travel. This initiative aligns with Parker’s Purpose to develop innovative solutions that benefit the environment and communities around the world.

Driving innovation in the aviation industry

Alice is a testament to the power of progress and collaboration. The aircraft features cutting-edge electric propulsion units and advanced battery technology. Parker’s contributions highlight a commitment to pushing the boundaries of aerospace engineering.

For Parker, involvement in the Alice project is more than just a business venture; it reflects the company’s core values, which highlight the belief that the future of aviation lies in sustainable and revolutionary solutions. Parker’s work with Eviation on Alice exemplifies this, embracing engineering challenges that strive to create cleaner, more efficient flight for future generations.

Looking forward

Parker remains dedicated to advancing aerospace technology through sustainable practices. Our ongoing support for the Alice project demonstrates a commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility, paving the way for a cleaner, greener tomorrow.

Parker is proud to be at the forefront of this pioneering project, helping to shape the future of aviation for the betterment of our world.

About Parker Aerospace At Parker Aerospace, we develop technologies and innovative solutions that enable reliable, efficient and increasingly sustainable flight for the lifecycle of the aircraft, including aftermarket support. Parker stands at the forefront of aviation technology with an expanded range of products and services that sit nose-to-tail across the entire aircraft. Our passionate people with deep engineering expertise, together with our breadth of differentiated technologies, ensure that we make the extraordinary happen and continue to shape the future of aviation in partnership with our customers.

The post Parker Aerospace Continues to Partner With All-Electric Alice Aircraft appeared first on Engineering.com.

In the changing realm of aviation, electrification is emerging as an advancement that offers a vision of more efficient, environmentally friendly and secure air travel. At Parker, we take pride in leading this shift using our engineering know-how, innovative mindset and broad portfolio to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Embracing innovation

Innovation is core to our Purpose. Our team members strive for excellence every day through cutting-edge technology and engineering breakthroughs that help deliver a better tomorrow. We believe in pushing the boundaries of what is possible. As we focus on the challenges of the future and the technological advancements in electrification today, we are redefining the standards of performance and reliability. 

With the integration of Parker Aerospace and Parker Meggitt, our portfolio of technologies in this space is the broadest and most extensive in the industry. We continue to explore new technologies as new opportunities arise. Whether we are developing lightweight electric solutions or pioneering new technologies, we help our clients achieve their goals without compromising safety or performance.  

Across Parker, our teams are developing new ways to solve tomorrow’s challenges. Electric aircraft demand more power storage, and our modular lithium batteries enable higher energy densities and allow for fast and simple capacity changes. Our electrically powered hydraulic powerpacks utilize power-on-demand technology that can significantly reduce power consumption and automatically deliver smart power when and where it is needed. Our Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) in navigation systems, based on MEMS technology, utilizes smaller and lighter apparatus. This solution is as accurate as other high-cost solutions like fiber optic gyros. Parker is also developing smaller electric braking solutions from our proven pedigree found on the A220. These solutions allow for greener, safer, more sustainable electric aircraft.

Commitment to safety

As we progress as an industry, Parker is unwavering in our dedication to upholding safety standards. Through stringent testing procedures and quality control measures, our team is working to guarantee that each component we manufacture surpasses industry safety standards.

The electrification sector poses new challenges, especially when it comes to managing energy systems. Parker engineers are creating and evaluating systems that are not just efficient but are built with an eye to safety and security. Whether it’s mechanisms or innovative thermal management solutions at the component or system level, safety is a top priority in all our electrification endeavors.

Engineering excellence

Our success in electrification is built upon our team’s engineering skills. With a blend of knowledge and experience, we can take on challenges and deliver top-notch solutions in a collaborative work environment that nurtures innovation.

In addition, our aftermarket Services and Support Operations Team enhances the value we offer to our clients. We provide support and maintenance services to ensure the reliability and effectiveness of our electrification solutions over time. 

Sustainability: A core value at Parker

Looking ahead, we are enthusiastic about the potential of electrification. We envision a future where electric aircraft, combined with other expansive, environmentally conscious solutions, set new standards in our industry. Our goal is to continue working with our customers to achieve more secure and sustainable results that redefine aviation. These developments will ultimately make green regional and long-haul flight more attainable by reducing weight, burning less fuel, and prioritizing safety and reliability.
At Parker, we are actively shaping the future of aviation. Through our dedication to progress, safety and sustainability, we encourage you to join us on this journey as we shift towards electrification and a greener tomorrow for the industry.

The post Powering the Future: Parker’s Role in Aviation Electrification appeared first on Engineering.com.

What were you thinking about the last time you traveled on a plane? Your seat assignments, the weight of your suitcase or finding the right gate? Perhaps you were worried about takeoff or experiencing turbulence on your flight. But did you ever stop to wonder about the braking system, about if—or how—the plane would land and stop safely?

For the millions of passengers flying in and out of airports every day, it’s easy to take touchdown for granted. But for the team members in Parker’s Aerospace Group, braking has the potential to revolutionize air travel and pave the way for a better tomorrow.

“The hardest part is not making the airplane fly,” explains Grant Puckett, group chief engineer for electrification at Parker Aerospace. “We’re focused on making sure you land safely and continuing to provide the assurance society expects from the airplane industry.”

Now imagine boarding a plane where the brakes are as efficient and reliable as those in your electric car. While consumers may still be relatively early in their adoption of electrification technology, the aerospace industry has been working towards electric planes for decades, seeking ways to increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact. And Parker’s new electric braking system (Ebrake®) not only enhances safety and efficiency but also reflects progress toward greener, more sustainable air travel.

“Airplanes need to be able to stop when they land in all imaginable conditions,” says Puckett. “Our Ebrake uses electronic power to do that. This development is crucial because it provides electronic control for anti-skid algorithms and unique diagnostic capabilities, all while using less power and contributing to overall fuel savings.”

Traditional hydraulic braking systems are powerful but complex, and often require extensive maintenance. In contrast, the Ebrake’s electro-mechanical actuation is simpler, more reliable and more efficient.

“By eliminating hydraulic systems we reduce the plane’s weight, leading to significant fuel savings and easier maintenance,” Puckett adds. “This not only benefits airlines but also helps the environment by reducing carbon emissions​​.”

Indeed, Parker’s acquisition of Meggitt in 2022 has created a synergy of complementary technologies, particularly in electrification.

“The blend of Parker and Meggitt offers us the opportunity to think about vertical integration and draw on each other’s strengths to deliver superior solutions to our customers,” summarizes Jennifer Osbaldestin, general manager of Parker Aerospace’s Braking Systems Division.

The system’s successful implementation on the Airbus A220 is proof positive: “The Ebrake system is not only reducing maintenance needs but also enhancing safety by eliminating the need for hydraulic oils,” says Osbaldestin. “This innovation aligns with the growing demand for more sustainable and efficient aviation solutions​​.”

It also aligns with Parker’s Purpose, Enabling Engineering Breakthroughs that Lead to a Better Tomorrow. “Our Ebrake system is not just about efficiency; it’s about making a real impact on our environment,” emphasizes Puckett. “By reducing fuel consumption and emissions, we’re helping to create a more sustainable future for aviation.”

Looking ahead, there are several opportunities on the horizon, with advancements in air mobility and sustainable technologies leading the way. Osbaldestin shares her optimism: “The advanced air mobility sector is booming, and Parker is at the forefront with our innovative Ebrake technology. We’re committed to providing smarter, easier-to-maintain solutions that support our sustainability goals.” By combining the strengths of Parker and Meggitt and focusing on innovative solutions, Parker is not only improving the efficiency and safety of air travel but also setting a standard for future technological advancements. This purpose-driven approach ensures that every engineering breakthrough contributes to a better, more sustainable world.

The post Electrification Takes Flight: How Parker’s Ebrake® is Transforming Air Travel appeared first on Engineering.com.

What began as a Nitinol processing service more than 30 years ago has transformed into a fully integrated Nitinol production program – from raw material melt to customized finish – with Fort Wayne Metals emerging as the largest independent producer of Nitinol products in the medical device industry.

Fueled by an innovative spirit and a commitment to support customers from concept to full-scale production, we continuously expand our manufacturing capabilities and deepen our materials expertise. Ultimately, this leads our team to create tailored Nitinol product offerings – bar, sheet, custom-shaped wire, actuator wire, and shape-set parts – used in medical devices ranging from stents and guidewires to retrieval baskets and orthodontic files.

Our melted Nitinol can be used in our broad range of product offerings because we offer both standard material conforming to ASTM F2063 and a premium option for fatigue-dependent applications. Additionally, to meet the growing demand for increasingly smaller and more complex medical devices and less invasive treatments, we are a global leader in precision fine and ultrafine wire capabilities – customizing material in diameters as small as 0.0127 mm [0.0005 in]. Since 2012, Fort Wayne Metals has sold more than 650,000 pounds of our melted Nitinol in product form primarily to the medical device market.

Check out our entire Nitinol portfolio at fwmetals.com/what-we-do/materials/nitinol

Expanding Nitinol melting capabilities

With an eye always toward the future, CEO and Chairman Scott Glaze has long believed Fort Wayne Metals could better support customers by building a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to melting Nitinol, positioning the company to control the entire production process of the material.

“By controlling the process from start to finish, we can provide consistent quality and delivery,” says Glaze. “This is especially important in the medical device industry, where delays can have significant consequences.”

The amount of Fort Wayne Metals-melted Nitinol supporting the medical device industry only continues to grow. We doubled our Nitinol melt output in 2023, with 74% of all the Nitinol products sold made from our melted material. As a result of Plasma Arc Melt furnace upgrades this year, we substantially enhanced our melting capabilities and capacity. What’s more, a second VAR (Vacuum Arc Remelting) furnace becoming operational in early 2025 will again help double Nitinol capacity, enabling us to melt as much as 1,000,000 pounds of Nitinol annually.

Because of these recent expansions and our vertical integration to secure the Nitinol supply chain, we are in a position to provide more advantageous lead times, minimize potential bottlenecks, ensure quality control, offer stable pricing, and give customers peace of mind as they scale their operations or develop new products.

“Our strategic investments reflect our long-term commitment to the medical device industry,” Glaze explains. “We are all in, and we want our customers to have confidence in us as their partner of choice, now and in the future.”

Get in touch with a technical representative in your area: fwmetals.com/contact/find-your-rep

Broadening Nitinol product offerings

Expanding our melting capabilities is not just about volume – it’s also about sustaining the flexibility to do what we do best – innovate. Whether creating a new product form or developing cleaner Nitinol used to advance cutting-edge medical devices, we help customers push boundaries.

We’re driving progress with the launch of three new Nitinol products in 2024:

• Nitinol DFT® flat wire: Significantly increases radiopacity compared to round wire, enhancing the visibility of medical devices in X-ray imaging
• Nitinol helical turkshead wire: Offers the same superelastic properties with reduced friction, popular for guidewire applications
• Nitinol <28µm: Low-inclusion material customized for applications where fatigue is critical

These recent innovations reflect our diverse and growing product portfolio and are the result of our exceptional research and development capabilities that leverage our technical expertise and advanced processing technologies to support prototyping and next-generation projects. “We see ourselves as more than a supplier – we’re an innovation partner,” Glaze explains. “Our goal is to help our customers achieve their vision, whether it’s a breakthrough device or a lifesaving technology.”

Fort Wayne Metals has been at the forefront of this transformative material’s journey since 1991, serving as a reliable and trusted collaborator to medical device manufacturers worldwide. “By combining technical guidance, strategic investment in technology, and a relentless focus on product innovation,” says Glaze, “we are not just meeting the needs of today’s medical device market – we are shaping the future of what’s possible with Nitinol.”

Learn more about our history of innovation through R&D at fwmetals.com/resources/technical-literature

About Fort Wayne Metals

A leading manufacturer of precision materials used in life-improving medical devices, Fort Wayne Metals is dedicated to making Northeast Indiana and the world a better place. As committed as we are to supporting our customers’ medical technologies, our more than 1,700 employees are just as committed to contributing to community organizations and causes. Whether it’s providing the world with customized material solutions to support the medical device industry or championing efforts that lift up local communities, we are passionate about making lives better.

Ready to talk? Let’s connect you with a technical representative in your area fwmetals.com/contact/find-your-rep

Sponsored content by Ft. Wayne Metals

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By ASME Staff

As manufacturers and mechanical engineers implement digital manufacturing tools and techniques to take their organizations into the future, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) continues to play a crucial role in achieving part quality and gross margins. “The fundamental principles of GD&T apply regardless of advances in manufacturing processes or automation technologies,” states Israr Kabir, ASME’s Director of Emerging Technology. “All processes introduce variations from the ideal CAD model representation that must be managed by both design (creating specification) and manufacturing teams (translating design specifications to machine setup and operation).

How can you ensure GD&T data is primed to transition seamlessly into this new way of working? Start by considering these questions.

1. Are you using consistent standards across the organization? 

Consistency enables greater collaboration, because it means everyone is using a shared language with a clear, understood meaning behind each and every symbol. If engineering teams are still using a mash-up of formal standards and ad hoc annotations, now is the time to get everyone on the same (digital) page. You may not realize that there are two GD&T standards currently in use: The ASME Y 14.5-2018 standard, published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, measures and verifies the schematics of a product, and is used by roughly 86% of U.S. manufacturing companies, according to a survey by GD&T Basics. The ISO Geometrical Product Specifications (GPS) standard, published by the International Organization for Standardization, is designed to both specify and verify a part’s geometry, as well as to calibrate geometry-verifying instruments.

2. Is your GD&T data incorporated into digital models?

Many engineers rely on a combination of 2D and 3D renderings, but this hybrid approach means any manual change is an opportunity for error, misunderstandings, and delays. By incorporating GD&T data into your model-based definition, or digital twin, that information becomes part of one consistent, easy-to-access artifact. Even as the design winds its way through various departments and to the production floor, the data is included in the model and any adjustments are included in the model.

Most manufacturing organizations manage their 3D measurement data files and folders manually. If your organization is only adopting digitization halfway, with one foot in the new ways of manufacturing and one foot still in the old, you’re not only hindering your own efficiency but hampering any further digitization efforts.

3. Is GD&T data positioned consistently within digital models? Digital twins and virtual 3D models may not yet dominate engineering, but now is the time to develop robust routines and clear consistency so engineering teams aren’t breaking bad habits later. The majority of engineers who incorporate GD&T data into 3D models do so by adding it directly to the syntax (23% of respondents), according to a survey by Engineering.com. Fewer (15%) add it to the semantic model. What matters more than which method you prioritize is that you pick one to prioritize—and stick with it.

4. Have you given thought to how to maximize the benefit of your GD&T data?

There are plenty of ways that this data store can be of profit-boosting, efficiency-increasing use to you—presuming it’s robust, consistent, and standardized, as explored above. But none of those can come to fruition if you haven’t yet considered how to make the most of the data you capture. For example, have you given thought to incorporating Internet of Things (IoT) sensors in your calibration and inspection instruments? By marrying these sensors with the bevy of GD&T data you already have in hand, your organization can inspect products without an iota of data being manually entered.

5. Have you developed a system to address problems in your GD&T data?

One of the chief benefits of GD&T is the ability to quickly spot errors within designs or products—and the faster these can be identified and corrected, the better, considering the waste and inefficiency that can result from design or manufacturing inaccuracies. To that end, does your organization have a system in place to reiterate ideas and designs once errors like these are spotted during the GD&T verification process? Routinizing this correction process helps avoid slowdowns and any costly reworking down the line.

As the digitization train rolls on, barreling ahead into a new future of manufacture, your GD&T methods, measurements, and metrics for further improvement must keep pace. Be sure to stay current with the latest ASME 14.5 Standards, check out the entire GD&T Course Collection for upskilling opportunities.

Sponsored content by ASME

The post Is Your GD&T Data Ready for Digital Transformation? appeared first on Engineering.com.

As the power density of electronics devices go up, so does the need for chip and system thermal management. One way to cool the components down is to add a heatsink. heatsinks uses conduction, convection and sometimes radiation to enhance the heat transfer from a hot surface to a cooler fluid. Many factors such as cost, manufacturability and weight need to be considered when choosing a heatsink. How the heatsink gets attached to the component is also critical.

During this 45 minute presentation, we will focus on how heatsinks work and how to design a heatsink while considering all the critical factors such as size, airflow, cost and attachment methods. We will also investigate how, using simulation, the heatsink design could be optimized and validated in the application environment. Engineers involved in board and chassis design would find this session very educational.

What You Will Learn

• How to design a heatsink for a specific electronics cooling application
• To visualize the airflow around the heatsink and identify potential bypass areas
• Estimate heatsink thermal resistance
• Use Response Surface Optimization to come up with the best heatsink design for the considered environment

The post Heatsink 101: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know Web Seminar – Mentor Graphics appeared first on Engineering.com.