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How to Start Designing 3D Models

When you’re a mechanical engineer like me, starting a new 3D model design is equally exciting and nerve-wracking as your mind fills with possibilities. Whether it’s a complex CNC part, a simple mechanical assembly, an innovative new product development (NPD) design, or a 3D printed mechanism, every project presents unique challenges and opportunities for innovation.  […]

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Your Guide to Nickel Plating

Nickel plating dates back several centuries and has been used for a variety of purposes over that period. There are two types of nickel plating, electroless and electrolytic. Electrolytic nickel plating or nickel electroplating is an electrochemical process whereby metal is deposited on a surface. Electrochemical processes are fueled by a chemical reaction, along with […]

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Compliant Mechanisms: An Overview

A compliant mechanism is a mechanical system that uses flexible components such as springs, cables, and linkages to absorb energy, provide compliance, and reduce the overall stiffness of a system. Compliant mechanism designs use flexible members (often 3d printed) to achieve a prescribed range of motion and/or force.  There are also secondary benefits to compliant […]

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The Bimetallic Strip Explained

While you may not be familiar with bimetallic strips, you likely have encountered thermometers that utilize them. Bimetallic strips are most often used in modern electronic and mechanical devices such as thermal circuit breakers, thermometers, temperature-sensitive switches, fire alarms, timers, relays, and motor starters. This article discusses what a bimetallic strip is, where it originated, […]

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8 Creative Ways to Recruit Skilled Mechanical Engineers

Recruiting skilled engineers is a daunting task — factors like job security, income, and benefits are a good start in attracting mechanical engineers, but you need to go the extra mile to attract highly skilled, passionate, and motivated engineers. Engineering candidates typically use logic when deciding to take a job and will often utilize a […]

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Consumer Electronics Certifications: FCC Regulations, EMC Testing, and More

You and your team have a killer consumer electronics product idea and the necessary skill set to bring it to market. But 50% of consumer electronics products fail EMC testing during their first pass. A failure in certification testing can stop your product development process dead in its tracks, resulting in large costs and significant […]

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Problems with MCAD-ECAD Integration and How to Solve Them

Designing complex PCBAs for external enclosures requires meticulous attention to detail, ensuring compatibility between both mechanical and electrical aspects. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of this integration and common problems that often arise during the process, then provide ways to avoid them.  Why MCAD and ECAD Integration is Important  Electronics and mechanical systems […]

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Understanding the Finite Element Method

The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a numerical analysis technique used to obtain approximate solutions to complex engineering and mathematical problems. It involves dividing a complicated object or system into smaller, more manageable parts, known as finite elements. These elements are connected together by nodes, and the governing equations for the entire system are expressed […]

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ENGINEERING FUNDAMENTALS Refresh: Ductility, Strain, and Toughness

Ductility, strain, and toughness are fundamental concepts in the field of engineering, particularly in materials science and mechanical engineering. Ductility is a measure of a material’s ability to deform plastically (permanently) before fracture. In other words, it’s a measure of a material’s ability to stretch or bend without breaking. Ductile materials, such as copper and […]

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Engineering Fundamentals Refresh: Bernoulli’s Equation

Fluid mechanics is one of the four branches of mechanics, the study of how fluids behave at rest or in motion — and you’re likely to use this knowledge as an engineer in real practice fairly often. I have used fluid mechanics to design heat exchangers for airplanes, to predict the flow of chemical solutions […]