5 More Tools for Innovative Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical is back with the newest, most awestriking engineering and science innovations of our times. It’s time for our second and final part of the five ASME-defined transformative engineering tools.

Moving on, Japan plans to restore the world’s largest nuclear power plant, which has seven reactors. We also have advancements in 3D cranial implants and 2D ferrofluids for nanoelectronic innovations.

Join us in this exploration as we uncover discoveries that promise to define the next generation of engineering excellence.

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INDUSTRY UPDATES

💀 In a first, FDA approves 3D-printed cranial implants to enter US
3D Systems has devised a patient-specific cranial implant that has been used in 40 cranioplasties in Switzerland, Austria, and Israel.

☢️ The world’s biggest nuclear plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, to reawaken with new fuel
The Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) is preparing to restart what is said to be the world’s biggest nuclear power plant.

🚀 China’s 130-ton reusable rocket engine breaks records during tests
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp completes 15 repeated tests and 30 ignition starts on its new engine.

🧲 Mapping 2D Ferroelectric Materials Unveils Connections
Rice University researchers have mapped the structural features of 2D ferroelectric materials that could influence the design of future nanoelectronics.

🖌️ Quantum Leap in Window Technology Delivers Dramatic Energy Savings
New window coating blocks heat-generating ultraviolet and infrared light while letting visible light in, regardless of the sun’s angle.

SPOTLIGHT

ASME: Tools for Innovative Mechanical Engineering - Part 2

Last week, we discussed five essential tools deemed necessary by ASME for every engineer. The previous list included - 3D Printers, coordinate measuring machines (CMM), Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software, Digital calipers, and MATLAB (Matrix Laboratory). These tools form the cornerstone of modern engineering practices.

Today, we continue to explore the ideal mechanical engineer toolkit and reveal five more handheld and digital tools that help mechanical engineers ensure inch-by-inch precision in their designs.

Fiber Laser Machine: This versatile, minimal-maintenance tool is crucial for engraving and marking metal surfaces. It is especially useful in industries requiring high precision, such as aerospace and automotive. Fiber laser machines adapt to different materials. They are used to engrave everything from serial numbers to decorative details on metal parts.

Vibration Isolators: This device is crucial for maintaining the integrity and performance of mechanical systems. Vibration isolators help engineers manage and minimize the effects of vibration. They are used in a variety of applications, including large industrial equipment to sensitive electronic components, ensuring longevity and reliability.

Cold Forming Press: This tool helps in manufacturing products at room temperature. It allows high-speed production of parts with exceptional material properties. Cold forming presses are increasingly utilizing advanced digital features to make them easier to integrate into modern manufacturing lines and to ensure the results are more precise.

Digital Force Gauge: An indispensable tool for testing the mechanical force that the product is subjected to while testing, quality control, and research. These measurements are critical in situations where the precise estimation of mechanical stress on components is crucial for ensuring reliability and safety.

Visual Basic for Applications (VBA): Automation and data processing is becoming increasingly important in engineering applications. VBA is a powerful tool that mechanical engineers can leverage to automate repetitive tasks and organize processes, particularly alongside CAD software and other engineering tools.

The tools we've highlighted not only enhance the accuracy of mechanical designs but also streamline production processes, making every detail count. As the field of mechanical engineering continues to diversify, these tools will most likely still be relevant and continue to help engineers set new standards for innovation.

For those intrigued by how innovation is continuously reshaping mechanical engineering, check out 25 Mechanical Engineering Innovations That Define Mechanics Today.

MechTech Innovations

Engineers at MIT have produced an innovative modular "flexure" design. This new design maximizes the effectiveness of live muscle fibers and enhances their ability to power biohybrid robots. The new spring-like device acts as a skeleton that allows muscle contractions to extend five times more than previous designs.

The design, published in "Advanced Intelligent Systems," was a collaboration between Ritu Raman’s team and Professor Martin Culpepper's lab, which specializes in ultra-precise machine elements. This advancement could lead to more efficient muscle-powered robots, including potential applications in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

The team is now focusing on creating articulated robots that harness this technology for practical uses.

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

🛠️ 507 Mechanical Movements - Mechanisms and Devices by Henry T. Brown
This book is a classic compendium that was first published in 1868. It illustrates various mechanical movements such as cranks, pulleys, drills, wheels, screws, and devices through clear and concise diagrams.

✅ The Perfectionists: How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World by Simon Winchester
This book explores the history of engineering precision and the drive to make perfect mechanisms. It is a thrilling biographical piece that takes the reader through the lives of individuals who have shaped the technological world.

⚒️ Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts
An enjoyable children's book that encourages innovation and persistence. This book tells the story of a young girl who dreams about becoming an engineer and realizes that failure is a stepping stone to success.

👩‍🔬 The Art of Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz
This book offers insights into the principles of fermentation. It takes the reader through this fascinating biological process that has applications in various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and biofuels.

🤖 Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology by K. Eric Drexler
Focused on the future of engineering and the role of nanotechnology, this book discusses the revolutionary potential of nano-scale engineering.