Design Engineering and Styling

Measurements

Latest Stories

Supplier Eye
Research Lab

Sourcing Re-Evaluation Underway

The events of the last few months (re: tariff structures) underscore that the world is becoming more insular. Last month’s column (on re-regionalization) outlined that major markets like China, the U.S. and the EU already have or are increasingly building a moat around their markets. Read on for this month's column.

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News
Software

Cox Automotive's One-Stop Shop for Repairing, Recycling EV Batteries

At Cox Automotive’s EV Battery Solutions center in Oklahoma City, the conglomerate most famous for its KBB, Autotrader and Manheim auction brands, has become a go-to...

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Articles
Sensors/Data Acquisition

MEMS-Based Accelerometer to Measure Microgravity for In-Orbit Manufacturing

Looking ahead, the continued development of MEMS technology will likely unlock new possibilities for space exploration and utilization, ensuring that projects like ForgeStar remain at the forefront of scientific and technological progress. Read on to learn more.

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Briefs
Semiconductors & ICs

Streamlined Microcomb Design Provides Control With The Flip of a Switch

Researchers at the University of Rochester describe new microcomb lasers they have developed that overcome previous limitations and feature a simple design that could open the door to a broad range of uses. Read on to learn more.

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Supplier Eye
Mechanical & Fluid Systems

We've Been Here Before

For a couple of decades, virtually every global original equipment manufacturer spent significant capital and attention raising their sales/production profile in China. It became the world’s largest light vehicle...

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Supplier Eye
Regulations/Standards

New Keys to Success

Much has been written about the extraordinary vehicle production and market environment of the past four years in North America and beyond. The plethora of negative impacts from COVID, chip availability, scarcity of...

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Briefs
Unmanned Systems

New Method to Measure Wind Speed Could Unlock Drones’ Potential

Dr. Marc Compere, associate professor of Mechanical Engineering at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus, recently described a new approach to measuring wind effects.

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Articles
Weapons Systems

Key Measurements to Maintain Performance of Critical Electronic Systems on Military Aircraft and Warships

Wireless technology is a critical element of the modern battlefield, making accurate and consistent transmissions of high-speed data essential for mission success. Ensuring wireless system performance has additional challenges when implemented on warships and aircraft.

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Articles
Materials

Ensure Aerospace Composite Quality with Force Measurement, Material Testing

Force measurement and material testing is an essential process for product designers and manufacturers to ensure part integrity, and to gain insightful data for creating the highest quality composite components.

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Supplier Eye
Mechanical & Fluid Systems

'Scaling' EVs Won’t Come Easy

Regular readers of Supplier Eye will note that this author tries to outline the positives and the negatives of supplier strategies. It’s a moving target. A recent deluge of negative headlines with respect...

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Briefs
Imaging

Spatial Calibration for Accurate Long Distance Measurement Using Infrared Cameras

All commercially available camera systems have lenses (and internal geometries) that cannot perfectly refract light waves and refocus them onto a two-dimensional (2D) image sensor. This means that all digital images contain elements of distortion and thus are not a true representation of the real world.

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Briefs
Photonics/Optics

Determining Optical Material Parameters With Motion in Structured Illumination

Ellipsometry measures the amplitude ratio and the phase difference between polarized light reflected from the surface of a film and determines the refractive index or thickness by fitting the experimental data to an optical model that represents an approximated sample structure.

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Articles
RF & Microwave Electronics

Advances in Military Avionics Technologies Create New Challenges for RF Test and Measurement

One of the common features of modern military avionics systems is the adoption of high-frequency and millimeter-wave (mmWave) communications to achieve higher data rates and enhanced resistance to interference.

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Articles
Connectivity

Assure 5G NTN Performance Before Launch

Simulation and emulation support NTN exploration and testing, verifying current performance while supporting next-generation evolutions.

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Briefs
Test & Measurement

Methodologies and Equipment for Measuring High Temperature Tensile Properties of Subscale Specimen Geometries for Additively Manufactured Metallic Materials (Continued)

Despite the existence of standards, the issue persists where, in general, equipment is unavailable to measure maximum bending strains at elevated test temperatures.

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Briefs
Aerospace

Repeatability and Reproducibility of a Standard Test Method for Measuring Head-Supported Mass Properties

During development of military helmets and HMDs, materiel developers need a valid and repeatable test methodology for measuring their mass properties.

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Supplier Eye
Power

Electrification Brings Supplier Value Closer to Home

Various aspects of life and business come full circle. While I’m not waiting for bell bottoms from the 1970s to make a triumphant return, the automotive industry is quickly returning...

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Briefs
Aerospace

Multi-Scale Structuring of the Polar Ionosphere

Ionospheric variability is a critical consideration for communication systems, GNSS, and space asset management.

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Briefs
Power

Improving Accuracy of Battery Charge Measurement

The issue of battery usage inefficiency in EVs resulting from an inaccurate battery charge measurement may finally get resolved.

Supplier Eye
Energy

BEV – a New Business Model

Stellantis’ commitment of €30 billion ($35.5B) to electrifying its product portfolio across 14 brands by 2025 joins the seemingly endless flow of capital and human resources towards the electric-mobility...

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What We’re Driving
Power

When a Van Beats a Pickup

As a utilitarian tool, the 2021 Great American Pickup truck has some fundamental flaws. Its open bed jeopardizes any cargo that’s valuable (exposing your payload to the world) or not waterproof. Worse, however,...

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Road Ready
Propulsion

Nissan Reveals Design for Next-Generation Z Sportscar

Giving hope to automotive enthusiasts that niche models will remain in at least some automakers’ lineups, Nissan this week revealed the Z Proto, “signaling the company's intent to...

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Briefs
Weapons Systems

Bore Elevation and Azimuth Measurement System (Beams)

A newly developed laser apparatus verifies that the pointing accuracy requirement of a weapon’s fire control system is met.

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News
Manned Systems

Mecalac Designs Unique-Pivoting Swing Loader

Mecalac markets itself as an urban-equipment manufacturer, and the company’s focus on designing machines for constricted-space jobsites so prevalent in cities is manifested in the AS1600 swing...

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Editorial
Packaging & Sterilization

ConExpo Excels amid COVID-19

Las Vegas seemed to be in a bubble from March 10-13, the week of ConExpo-Con/Agg & IFPE 2020. Tens of thousands of attendees crowded the halls inside the Las Vegas Convention Center and outside on the new...

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News
Manufacturing & Prototyping

Aerospace & Defense, Maintenance, Manufacturing Embrace Cloud, SaaS

Cloud and software-as-a-service (SaaS) adoption is up across aerospace & defense (A&D), energy, engineering, manufacturing, and field service globally. The...

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Articles
Test & Measurement

Tips for Reducing Error When Using Eddy Current Measuring Techniques

Inductive eddy current technology is an extremely versatile non-contact method for measuring an object's position, distance, or vibration.

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Articles
Test & Measurement

The Three Rs of Analog Position Sensor-Based Mechanical Measurements

Learn about Repeatability, Resolution, and Response.

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News
Data Acquisition

J.D. Power Launches New Vehicle-Engineering Award at SAE’s WCX 2019

Long known for its groundbreaking surveys measuring automotive customer satisfaction, quality and dependability—and presenting corresponding awards to top-achieving...

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