Responding to the need for high-pressure products, Crystal Engineering, San Luis Obispo, Calif., a leader in high-end portable pressure calibrators and digital test gauges, introduced a 15,000 psi version of its popular XP2i test gauge. The ultra-rugged, intrinsically safe, easy-to-use test gauge joins the recently released GaugeCalHP Pressure Comparator and nVision Reference Recorder among other instruments offered by the company. The one-year XP2i accuracy specification is 0.
Continue readingVolume rendering on mobile devices
Bruker microCT (Kontich, Belgium) introduces a newly developed volume rendering application for mobile devices operating under iOS, such as iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. It is now available as a free download on the App Store. Any 3D results obtained using SkyScan scanners can be sent to a mobile device for realistic visualization by real-time volume rendering with the possibility of 3D object manipulation, virtual cut, adjustments of object’s opacity and colors, etc.
Continue readingCritical Materials Survey
The U.S. Defense Logistics Agency is requesting assistance on identifying materials critical to military and essential civilian needs. To ensure consideration of all materials important to the U.S. Department of Defense, the agency is seeking survey responses to be received before the end of July from organizations and experts who are concerned with availability of critical materials.
Continue readingAzzurro sets volume production for GaN-on-Si high-voltage wafers
Azzurro Semiconductors, Germany, has successfully achieved superior electrical performance and established a volume production track record for large size high-voltage GaN-on-Si high-voltage wafers. Unlike silicon, which has inherent limitations for fast switching at high voltage, GaN can meet these performance requirements with its excellent breakdown voltage and low leakage characteristics. At present, the availability in the industry is still limited for production-suitable 6 in.
Continue readingUsing 3D to make materials stronger
Aided by funding from NASA and using methods similar to 3D printing, researchers at Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, are running computer simulations of processes that could lead to stronger, more durable materials for the space agency. The researchers plan to fabricate some of these new materials soon, says Frank Liou, director of the Laser Aided Manufacturing Process (LAMP) Laboratory and the Michael and Joyce Bytnar professor of product innovation and creativity.
Continue readingHVAF tungsten carbide is studied as alternative to hard chromium coating
Tungsten Carbide Deposition Processes for Hard Chrome Alternative: Preliminary Study of HVAF vs. HVOF Thermal Spray Processes C. Lyphout, University West, Production Technology West; J. Kitamura, K. Sato, J. Yamada, Fujimi Incorporated; S.
Continue readingNitinol Devices & Components provides Nitinol components in a wide range of forms
Nitinol Devices & Components Inc., Fremont, Calif., produces an expansive array of components for the medical device and industrial markets. Products range from simple and delicate wire forms, to complex and unique laser cut designs. Materials are available in wire, strip, sheet, tubing, and bar for development, testing, and high-volume production needs.
Continue readingPartnership formed to improve aircraft component design
Working with national laboratories, universities and industry, the Air Force is ensuring it stays on the cutting edge of global security by creating a new engineering paradigm to improve the safety and fuel-efficiency of aircraft. Materials research engineers at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Lemont, Ill.
Continue readingNIST and ASM International to Collaborate on Structural Materials Data Demonstration Project
The NIST Material Measurement Laboratory, Gaithersburg, Md., and ASM International, Materials Park, Ohio, through its Computational Materials Data Network, formed a collaboration: the Structural Materials Data Demonstration Project. The project will establish a data repository focused on metallic structural materials, leveraging the overlapping interests and strengths of the two organizations.
Continue reading27th ASM Heat Treating Society Conference Reports Strong Attendance and a Sold Out Expo Floor
The 27th ASM Heat Treating Society Conference and Exposition (Heat Treat 2013) concluded this week with a strong attendance from the Heat Treating community and a sold out crowd of exhibitors on the show floor. Heat Treat 2013 was held in Indianapolis at the downtown convention center September 16-18. The event attracted over 2000 people from the heat treating community, marking a 16% attendance increase from 2011 and 28% increase from 2009.
Continue readingOptomec launches low-cost 3D printer for metal additive manufacturing
Optomec Inc., Albuquerque, N.M., launches a low cost metal 3D printer named the LENS 450. The system was developed specifically in response to growing industry interest in 3D printing of metals, including the need to train a new generation of workers in metal additive manufacturing technology. The first delivery will be to the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science at the University of Pittsburgh, where it will be used in its new Advanced Manufacturing education program.
Continue reading


