Recently 3D Systems introduced Geomagic® Control X 2018 inspection platform and GibbsCAM 12 manufacturing software. We spoke to Chris MacBain, product marketing manager, 3D Systems to learn more about key features that help design engineers work more efficiently in their product design and prototyping functions.

Drawing inspiration from traditional Zen gardens, the kinetic art table uses a metal ball to create unique and complex designs in sand under a glass top. The table is in a perpetual state of motion, continually creating and erasing patterns in the sand.

Tervis Tumbler leverages rapid injection molding for both prototypes and end-use parts

In this age of non-GMO, home grown and fully traceable produce, backyard food gardening is on the rise. But it’s not without a few challenges—weeding, proper watering, and so on. What if you could automate many tasks of personal gardening?

In the latest episode of Design World’s Technology Tuesdays Podcast, Editorial Director Paul J. Heney speaks with Ray Szparagowski, Engineering Fellow with Freudenberg NOK Sealing Technologies about the latest in high performance engineering plastics. These materials are increasingly being used for bearing/bushing applications. They offer design flexibility and reduced weight. However, performance is often limited due to poor design and material selections. Ray talks about some of the ways technology is making fluid work better in engineered systems.

In plastic injection molding, 3D printing of cores that include conformal cooling channels are set to become more of a mainstream choice. But there are a few rules that apply when creating such parts for plastic injection molding.

In this Technology Tuesdays podcast, Brian Scott, application engineer at Nippon Pulse America, chats with Lisa Eitel of Design World about linear motors such as iron core, U-channel, and tubular linear motors … and the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Fluid Power World and Design World Editorial Director Paul J. Heney chats with Allen Carlson of the University of Florida (and retired CEO of Sun Hydraulics) about engineering education. Carlson will be a Keynote Speaker at the upcoming Fluid Power Technology Conference in Milwaukee on May 16-17, 2017 (fluidpowertechconference.com). Carlson covers a lot of timely topics, including encouraging women to pursue STEM careers and the skills gap in manufacturing.

Design World Technology Tuesdays Podcast for April 4th 2017 • In this Technology Tuesdays podcast recorded in Irwin, Pennsylvania, Jeremy Miller, product manager of linear mechanics at the Parker Hannifin Electromechanical & Drives Division, chats with Lisa Eitel of Design World about how an increasing number of design engineers are turning to electromechanical offerings instead of fluid power — even in applications where the latter once dominated.

Insert molding is the process of overmolding thermoplastic material around a preformed component (an insert) to create a finished part that incorporates multiple materials. The inserts are generally metal parts used to reinforce the mechanical properties of the plastic part. The metal inserts are placed into the mold to form the part.