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The food and beverage industry is one of the largest and most dynamic sectors globally, with new trends and demands continuously shaping the market. Robots Used in Food Preparation, Serving, and Delivery The food and beverage industry is one of the largest and most dynamic sectors globally, with new trends and demands continuously shaping the market. Terry Persun Cool Stuff Jul 9, 2025 Technological advancements have brought about several changes in the food and beverage industry, with robotics being one of the most impactful. Robots have been introduced to perform various tasks, ranging from food preparation to serving and even delivery. Here is a rundown on some of the latest advancements regarding robotic technology and the benefits that come with it. Food Preparation Traditionally, food preparation has been a time-consuming and labor-intensive process, involving the use of multiple kitchen tools and equipment. However, robots have made food preparation more efficient and cost-effective by handling tasks ranging from chopping and slicing to mixing and cooking. Food prep robots are designed to work alongside human employees, with minimal supervision, and can handle large quantities of food. For example, Moley Robotics has developed a robotic kitchen that can prepare thousands of recipes with precision and speed. The robots measure and weigh ingredients with high accuracy and are incredibly fast during operation, helping to increase the output of a kitchen to ensure that orders are fulfilled promptly. Plus, robots offer consistency, which is an important factor in food preparation and assures that the final product will always have the same quality, regardless of who is preparing it. Moley Robotics has systems that can cook for you, teach you to cook, and more. Robotic Serving Photo courtesy of Lin Engineering. The traditional method of serving food and drinks in the food and beverage industry has always involved human servers. However, robots are now being used to serve food and drinks to customers in restaurants, cafes, and other food establishments. These robots are designed to be interactive and engaging, with some programmed to communicate with customers directly. For example, the robot Servi developed by Bear Robotics is designed to serve food and drinks to customers and navigate through crowded restaurants. Servi is equipped with proximity sensors that help it detect obstacles, enabling it to navigate through tight spaces. Additionally, Servi is designed to interact with customers, engaging them in conversation and providing them with a unique dining experience. Robotic serving can not only enhance the customer experience but help to reduce labor costs so that funds can be redirected toward other areas of the business. Robotic serving can also improve service speed, reducing waiting times and increasing customer satisfaction. Robotic Delivery Robotic delivery is a new and exciting development that provides an innovative solution to multiple food delivery challenges. With the increasing demand for food delivery services, the use of robots to deliver food and drinks has become more prevalent. These robots are designed to navigate through city streets and traffic, delivering orders to customers efficiently and effectively. Photo courtesy of Lin Engineering. One example is the robot developed by Starship Technologies, which is equipped with sensors and cameras that enable it to navigate through city streets and avoid obstacles. The robot can be programmed to deliver orders to specific locations, and customers can track the progress of their orders through a mobile app. These robots can travel up to 4 mph and deliver orders within a two-mile radius, making them ideal for delivering food and drinks to customers in urban areas. Overall, robotic delivery reduces delivery costs and improves delivery speeds, which increases customer satisfaction. Custom Robotic Solutions In addition to the many benefits that robotic technology brings to the food and beverage industry, custom motion control solutions from Lin Engineering can further enhance these advantages. Lin Engineering specializes in creating custom motion control solutions with products such as stepper motors, brushless motors, linear actuators, servos, motorized traction wheels, and other products. In the food and beverage industry, Lin Engineering provides motion control solutions that improve the performance and efficiency of robotic equipment. The company’s solutions enhance the precision and speed of robotic food preparation, serving, and delivery, ensuring that food establishments can meet the demands of their customers. By partnering with Lin Engineering, food and beverage robotics manufacturers can benefit from custom motion control solutions that are tailored to their specific needs. These solutions can help to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance customer experience, making them a valuable addition to the food and beverage industry's robotic technology. For more information: Moley Robotics Bear Robotics Starship Technologies Lin Engineering Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Innovation has no bounds when an engineer tackles an industry need and comes up with a single e-mobility concept to fit multiple applications. Electric Mobility Technology Meets Utility With This Highly Versatile Vehicle Innovation has no bounds when an engineer tackles an industry need and comes up with a single e-mobility concept to fit multiple applications. Terry Persun Sports Nov 6, 2025 Cool Stuff E-mobility is flourishing around the world with everything from skateboards to trucks. But what isn’t available is a modular concept that is highly versatile and powerful. Envo has been involved in designing and manufacturing versatile mobility solutions for commuters, recreational use, and for utility operations offering everything from electric bikes, snow bikes, and trikes. Their latest endeavor is the Utility Personal Transporter (UPT). According to Envo Founder and CEO, Ali Kazemkhani, “Our forward-thinking team recognizes significant gaps in the e-mobility industry, particularly between e-bikes and e-cars, for both personal transportation and cargo/utility purposes. These untapped opportunities hold immense potential in the market for products like our new UPT. With it we’re introducing a highly versatile, 4-wheeled mobility platform, with niche futuristic micro-mobility options as clean alternatives to UTV/ATVs, Cars, and Trucks.” The innovative UPT is a powerful, long-range, all-wheel-drive utility platform. This flexible vehicle starts with a skate-board chassis similar to what you might find on a golf cart except that the basic unit doesn’t have a body or seats. Instead, the UPT offers a wide range of possible configurations designed to handle anything from garden/home improvement jobs to snowplows to backcountry rescue vehicle and much more—including equipment carrier on movie/TV sets, camera mounting for motion capture, or for simply ferrying people or equipment from one place to another when converted into a fully covered micro e-car. The direct-drive PMSM (permanent magnet synchronous motor) hub motors were designed in-house because of the specific geometry and features required of the UPT, such as high-efficiency, high-performance, lightweight, and modularity. Afterward, the motors were assembled, wound, and tested at a motor factory before delivery to Envo. Each motor is a 23-pair pole motor that provides speeds up to 60 kph with a maximum torque of 140 Nm. They are IP67 compliant, which means that they are dust-tight and protected from short-term water immersion of up to one meter for thirty minutes. Images courtesy of ENVO. The four wheels are independently controlled and managed through a main VCU (Vehicle Control Unit) mounted inside the main chassis. The VCU controls motor-wheel behavior based on driving demands such as cruise, traction, anti-slip, tank turn, and other driving modes including sport/eco, 2WD, 4WD, and many more. The controller is modular and updatable for a limitless variety of use cases. A dashboard VCU is available with an HMI (Human Machine Interface) that is external to the main chassis. This touchscreen display not only indicates vehicle driving information but also controls all components and accessories that can be added to the vehicle—module by module. Further, the HMI is CarPlay/Android Auto capable for all other apps used in modern cars. Through the use of a CANBUS network, any future electric or powered accessory could be added and controlled by the same HMI dashboard. Anything that can be controlled or monitored by the HMI dashboard can also be controlled remotely. Images courtesy of ENVO. The dashboard VCU is responsible for matching the vehicle user interface with the main VCU, which means that vehicle developers or individuals (including ENVO) will have different options for controlling the powertrain. Handlebar, thumb throttle, brake lever, or steering wheel with pedals are all possible. Even steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire for robotic and autonomous application is capable, while everything communicates with the main VCU to drive the vehicle. The UPT’s modular design, flat floor surface, and array of attachment points are the key to its configurability. This base platform features a fold-up, telescoping steering column for standing operation—plus an adjustable fold-down seat/leaning support—and allows for simple, narrow-profile upright or stacked storage and transport. From there, users can install accessories like high-capacity carriers and trays, a variety of seating options, gear racks, weather protection, and more, plus front and rear hitches for plowing and hauling. With payload capacities of up to 250 kg and towing capacities to 350 kg, the UPT is capable of traveling over 100 km. In addition, the unit boasts 12,000 watts of power harnessing 640 Nm maximum torque. Key design and functionality features include a fully adjustable upright handlebar for use in left, right, or center location; integrated headlights, taillights, and indicators; and multiple attachment points for various configurations. The flat deck allows for maximum cargo capacity and a pass-through area allows storage or transport of longer items. The handlebar and seat fold to allow the UPT to be stackable as well as to provide stand-up and compact storage. Images courtesy of ENVO. While the company continues to beta test the UPT, they expect to start deliveries in less than a year and are already taking pre-orders. The company also has early interest from the likes of law-enforcement groups, rescue teams, hunting/fishing organizations, construction companies, park/forest administrators, commercial farms, entertainment venues, and general consumers. UPT is a mass-customization platform that incorporates standardized modules that assemble into various LEV chassis. The company expects to scale by leveraging its existing supply chain and in partnering with small to medium manufacturers worldwide to deliver locally tailored vehicles for personal, commercial, and government needs. ENVO will provide the IP and upstream components while local partners will build and support the local community. This approach acknowledges the niche nature of the product and its need for deep customization. The goal is to address varied mobility needs using a fully customized mobility solution—the UPT platform. The company is presently seeking partners in the USA, India, China, Europe, Canada, the Middle East, and ANZ for local production. For more information, visit ENVO . More articles about vehicles >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

An insightful dialogue about what goes into designing something new and how it relates to other projects. WATCH: One-on-One with Chris Porter of igus An insightful dialogue about what goes into designing something new and how it relates to other projects. Videos Aug 11, 2025 Theme Parks In a casual conversation with the Industry Manager for Stage & Amusement in Central Florida for igus, Inc., Entertainment Engineering explores how closely designers get to their projects, how they start the process of designing something new, and how they are always working on several projects in several different industries at the same time. In this video, we show how creativity and inspiration can come from anywhere and how easily it can reshape a solution to fit a specific application. Whether working with off-the-shelf components or thinking up a completely off-the-charts custom approach, it’s all about brining your experience as well as an open mind to the table. Note to our audience: Technology Transfer DIY Stories Entertainment Engineering Magazine is looking for stories about your home projects where you take the technological experience you have at work and apply it to your home projects. I know engineers in aerospace who have rebuilt their lawn mowers, engineers in medical devices who built their own toy rocket. The spark of inspiration can come from anywhere. And once that spark is enflamed the design can morph and adapt along the way. We’re interested in your non-work-related projects. What are you designing at home, for yourself or a neighbor or relative? Is it a Halloween project? A Christmas project? Or just a backyard thing you’re working on? Here’s what we’d like to see: 1) What got you thinking about the project in the first place? 2) What is your background and why you thought you could tackle the project? 3) What technologies did you use (electrical, electronics, mechanical, fluid power, materials, etc.)? 4) How does the end product work and how did it do what you needed it to? 5) Answer those four questions in less than 800 words (and focus on the tech), then send us your story, some photos, and even a video if you have one. We can’t publish every story, but we can choose a few a month to publish. If you want to read an example, check this out: You can reach us at: Contact@EntertainmentEngineeringMagazine.com Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

A first-of-its-kind interactive digital touch table and software package is custom built for wine tasting. Custom Software and Touch Screen Technology Used for Wine Tasting Experience A first-of-its-kind interactive digital touch table and software package is custom built for wine tasting. Jim Spadaccini, Founder & Creative Director of Ideum Cool Stuff Jun 16, 2025 I am thrilled to be the first to announce that Ideum has released a new touch table called the Tasting Table . It comes bundled with software that facilitates wine tasting. The Wine Experience allows guests to learn more about the tasting process and share what they experience. The software provides a new way to experience wine, demystifying and deepening the tasting experience—part of the company’s Sensory Dining experience. Photo: Nebbiollo ripens on the vine in the author's backyard vineyard. It is not hyperbole to say that we’ve been working on this new interactive experience for decades. The last project I managed at the Exploratorium in San Francisco was the Science of Wine project, during which I was introduced to Ann Noble, the U.C. Davis Professor who developed the Wine Aroma Wheel, a custom and highly modified version of the open-source Wine Aroma Wheel which is important in The Wine Experience application. We’ve made it interactive, where guests can select and share the flavors they are tasting. Analytics are built into the software, so a winery that uses this application can see what their guests are experiencing, effectively crowd sourcing their tasting notes. How it Works The Wine Experience software is paired with our new Tasting Table, developed explicitly for tasting rooms, popup events, and other spaces where wine tastings happen. The Tasting Table has a unique design: It is bar-height and has an optically bonded 55-inch touch display. An onboard computer makes the system plug-and-play. The system is lockable, and the software only requires an internet connection to load new content. In addition, the experience uses our object-recognition system, Tangible Engine. This software allows the interactive coasters that are part of the Tasting Table to recognize up to eight different wines. Tangible Engine was the first object-recognition software package for projected-capacitive touch tables; many design firms, including ours, use it. Over the years, we developed experimental applications that involved tasting. The Interactive Coffee Experience was designed with Starbucks and appeared at several pop-up events. We also developed an interactive wine-tasting experience, the JCB Tasting Salon with JCB Wines. More recently we worked with MSC Cruises to create the Interactive Wine Bar for the Euribia cruise ship. These experiences and the great and knowledgeable collaborators we worked with have contributed to our thinking as we developed this exciting new wine-tasting experience. In addition, we worked closely with VARA Winery & Distillery, who provided excellent feedback during our extensive testing and tasting sessions! Photo: Ambassador and former NM Senator Tom Udall & entrepreneur Steve Case visit Ideum and try an interactive coffee tasting developed with Starbucks. Our mission was to create a guest-centric experience, focusing on individuals tasting the wine. We want to enhance the tasting experience, making the interactive less of a brochure for the winery and more about the social experience surrounding tasting and the joy of tasting fine wines. I’ve been interested in wine since working in a wine shop and a restaurant in my early twenties. I also have a small vineyard in Corrales, New Mexico, with 150 vines I’ve been growing for over a decade. This project blends my personal and professional interests like no other endeavor has. We’ve had our first pop-up event with VARA, with more planned, and will have our first permanent installation at the New Mexico Wine Association’s new tasting room in Old Town later this year. For more information: See the video Ideum Tangible Engine Sensory Dining Website Wine Aroma Wheel VARA Winery & Distillery New Mexico Wine Association Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

How technology and performance combine to create expressive storytelling and audience immersion. Groundbreaking Dance Performance Uses Motion Capture, Aerial Drones, and Visual Effects How technology and performance combine to create expressive storytelling and audience immersion. Jeff Gunderson Stage Events Nov 11, 2025 The Netherlands-based contemporary dance company, Another Kind of Blue (AKOB), has received widespread acclaim for its groundbreaking performances that explore the relationships between humans and technology. Founded by visionary choreographer David Middendorp, the company not only uses technology as a subject of exploration but also as a dynamic tool for expressive storytelling. "I've always been fascinated by the intersection of culture and technology," said Middendorp. "People often perceive them as separate, but I firmly believe they are closely related. Technological innovations are often born from someone's dreams. For instance, airplanes would never have been invented without the dream of flying. And I believe technology plays a significant role in shaping human nature. It contributes to our sense of identity." Photo by Kim Vos Fotografie, courtesy of Some Kind of Blue and OptiTrack. Middendorp talent caught the attention of "America's Got Talent," where his choreographed performances reached the finals. Encouraged by the experience, Middendorp decided to establish AKOB. Several productions soon followed. AKOB's artistic live dance performances feature imaginative uses of motion capture (mocap) technology, aerial drones, digital elements, and real-time visual effects and animations, captivating audiences with experiences that are both mesmerizing and thought provoking. Photo by Kim Vos Fotografie, courtesy of Some Kind of Blue and OptiTrack. Discovering Motion Capture Middendorp's exploration of aerial drones stemmed from his desire to examine the concept of free will. The early stages of the concept involved someone remotely controlling a single drone from the wings. Then, the idea evolved into a swarm of drones that would form into certain shapes. However, 10 to 20 people operating drones in synchronized patterns proved impossible. “We started to search for solutions," Middendorp said. "One idea was to build our own localization system. Then, as we were looking at other possibilities, we discovered OptiTrack.” Middendorp purchased his first eight OptiTrack cameras early in his explorations and has slowly been accumulating more. Today, AKOB has 22 OptiTrack mocap cameras—16 Primeˣ 13 cameras and 7 Primeˣ 22 cameras. The configuration provides real-time, low latency tracking that optimizes accuracy across capture areas. Photo courtesy of OptiTrack. As Middendorp became more proficient with the mocap system, his team began using it to track dancers on stage wearing OptiTrack mocap suits. Using positional data, the dancers' movements were translated into commands for controlling the drones in real-time. The subsequent performance, “Airman,” featured 12 drones, some flying pre-determined paths, and others programmed to respond to the dancers’ movements. According to Middendorp, “With OptiTrack, we can track drones, dancers, and other elements. Another advantage is that the infrared cameras work in low-light conditions, which is crucial since we often darken the stage to create a specific ambiance.” Imaginative Uses Another idea conceived by Middendorp was to create a duet that explored interactions between dancers and elements of physics. He envisioned a powerful way to visualize physics through sound waves, and particularly an effect known as Chladni patterns. Named after 18th-century German physicist and musician Ernst Chladni, these intricate patterns emerge when a flat surface with a sprinkling of sand (or similar substance) vibrates at specific sound wave frequencies, causing the sand to move and gather at certain locations on the surface. Rather than making the entire stage shake, he chose to replicate the sand motion through simulation, leading to the development of a dynamic virtual sand representation complete with the ability to form Chladni patterns on a stage. However, for live performances, he needed to depict a convincing engagement between dancers and the simulated sand. OptiTrack was able to help him with a solution. In the performance, “Wave”" virtual sand is projected onto the stage, and dancers, donning OptiTrack mocap suits, are tracked with precision using the OptiTrack system. Similar to the way drones can be controlled, OptiTrack allows the dancers' movements to manipulate the virtual sand in real-time. The result is an immersive presentation where the interplay between the dancers and the simulated sand appears remarkably true-to-life. Forging Into New Dimensions The most recent production from AKOB originated from what Middendorp calls, “a fantasy.” He said, “What if you could visit people that aren't here anymore? Maybe they passed away or maybe they just left. But what if there was a virtual space where you could still interact with them? I wanted to use this concept to create a choreography.” His piece, “Missing” (part of the new full-length performance “Digital Twin”), transports audiences into a near future scenario where a dancer engages in a duet with the digital version of someone who is no longer physically here but continues to exist in an alternate reality. The performance offers a profound insight into the possibility of leaving a digital version of ourselves for our loved ones. To create this experience, Middendorp uses a “virtual mirror” on stage comprised of a very large display that rotates during the performance, seamlessly reflecting both virtual and real objects. Using OptiTrack, the hands of dancers on stage are closely tracked, translating gestures into movements performed by digital counterparts in the mirror. Middendorp said, “OptiTrack serves a critical role in the performance for making the display function like a true mirror.” AKOB continues to delve into new realms of creative possibilities, pushing boundaries of contemporary dance, while OptiTrack provides multiple tracking solutions in one system. “I am always learning new things about the system and what it can do. If I have a spare moment, I sometimes just play with it, which is very useful for developing new ideas,” Middendorp said. For more information: OptiTrack OptiTrack Cameras OptiTrack Mocap Software Another Kind of Blue Read more about stage performances >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Introducing X1: The World's First Multirobot System EE Staff Mini Story Oct 27, 2025 Caltech’s Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies (CAST) and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates joined forces to design and build a multimodal system. The aim was to create a robot that could fly, drive, and walk so that you don’t have to focus on one area of operation—and purchase three devices. This demo shows how three distinct robot types come together to form a multimodal system that will offer a single solution to multiple challenges. We still think it operates similar to a Transformer, which is pretty cool. Read the whole article from CalTech here . *Photo courtesy of Academic Media Technologies/Caltech. Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Using Kodak film and Panavision lenses, director Gareth Edwards sought to capture the magic of Spielberg's original vision. Here's How Jurassic World Rebirth Captured the Nostalgia of Film Using Kodak film and Panavision lenses, director Gareth Edwards sought to capture the magic of Spielberg's original vision. Joe Gillard Film and TV Jul 8, 2025 Can you believe there are now seven Jurassic films? I still remember seeing the first two in theaters, and they were big moments in my childhood. They were all I could think about. And I’m far from the only one who experienced that joy in theaters. The films are some of the most influential ever made. “All those films you love, that you grew up with, that have that certain look that really hard to describe? It’s because it was shot on Kodak.” – Gareth Edwards, director, Jurassic World Rebirth. Jurassic World Rebirth premiered on June 17th and stars Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Mahershala Ali. Capturing the Spielberg look with Kodak and Panavision technology The Jurassic films are known for pioneering visual effects , but all but one of the films was shot on traditional 35mm film. Jurassic World Rebirth continues the tradition. The past few decades saw a transition into digital to film movies, but there has been a nostalgic resurgence of interest in using traditional methods. Also from EE: The Technology Behind the Rotating Chairs on The Voice You can thank director Gareth Edwards for the decision to use Koday 35mm film and Panavision lenses. “All the films I grew up loving were ... shot on Kodak,” says Edwards in a video uploaded to YouTube. He says he “fought really hard” to shoot Jurassic World Rebirth on Kodak film a Panavision lenses. “All those films you love, that you grew up with, that have that certain look that really hard to describe? It’s because it was shot on Kodak,” said the nostalgic Edwards. But it goes beyond nostalgia. For Edwards, a film can look “better” than reality, even with the right camera technology, because of how colors can appear. “Having the film stock and the film veneer and grain and these really beautiful wide, animorphic, distorted lenses to work with has been really beautiful,” says David Vickery, Visual Effects Supervisor, in the video. “It’s something to help us bed the visual effects and creatures into, how much bowing and distortion and stretching of the image happens towards the edge, all sorts of chromatic aberration that happens to the highlights and make sure that when we add digital elements into the frame that we can sample that and put it all back on.” Panavision lenses preserve the magic In addition to Kodak film, the team also tried to recreate the magic behind Spielberg’s first film by using the iconic Panavision anamorphic lenses to shoot the film. Animorphic lenses work by using cylindrical lenses to compress the image during recording, rather than cropping or matting. Then, an additional lens expands the image back to widescreen proportions. This way, more image resolution is preserved. It's interesting to see film studios lean into the public demand for experiences that feel familiar, even if the technology is older. I suspect we'll see even more of this attitude towards film and TV as too much AI has the potential to overwhelm and exhaust audiences, particularly Millennials and Gen Xers who will likely pine for a simpler time. For more information: Jurassic World Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Small details like easy-to-use cases with squeak-free hinges enhance the high-end makeup experience. Innovative Pins Used in High-End Cosmetics Cases Small details like easy-to-use cases with squeak-free hinges enhance the high-end makeup experience. Terry Persun Cool Stuff Oct 27, 2025 There are a wide variety of plastics used in industry today, but only a few meet the demands and requirements for packaging cosmetics, some of which include PET, ABS, PCR and others. Regardless of which plastic material a company chooses to employ, the most important component might not be the cosmetic case itself. Functionality often plays an even more important role than aesthetics. We’re talking about the mechanism used to open and close the case: the hinge. There are a number of methods available to provide the hinge on cosmetic cases, such as snap-on or concealed hinges, butt hinges, and Solid Pin hinges, which have their own challenges. For example, a leading cosmetics packaging company of high-end products used two Solid Pins in their styrene case. The two pins caused the case to squeak when opened and closed. This was because the pins relied on deformation of the plastic for retention, which stressed the material and caused the noise. In addition, the holes had to be misaligned in order to keep the Solid Pins in place. Angular pressure caused by the misalignment along with the solid pins bending, also contributed to the squeaking. Image courtesy of SPIROL. The cosmetics packaging company looked for a new method that would allow multiple opens and closings without making a sound. After some analysis, the company chose to make minimal adjustments to their cases and incorporate SPIROL® Series 550 Cosmetic Coiled Pins as an excellent solution that eliminated the squeaking completely. Needed Modifications The plastic molding customer was willing to modify the existing hole size in the case to achieve the proper friction fit for the Coiled Pin. Further, redesigning the hole in the case allowed the company to incorporate a standard Series 550 Cosmetic Coiled Pin, which also reduced costs by avoiding the need for a custom solution. Rather than misaligning holes in the case, the uniform radial spring force of the Series 550 resulted in a controlled hinge movement. Image courtesy of SPIROL. Uniform radial spring force allows for controlled hinge movement and hinge quality that remains consistent over time. Controlled hinge movement is achieved with wider tolerances and lower molding costs than when a solid pin or cut wire is used. The inherent design of the Series 550 Cosmetic Coiled Pin allows it to flex and absorb impact preventing premature damage to the hole wall. This feature means the quality of the hinge is maintained throughout the life of the product, preventing the lid from flopping open and spilling the contents. In the end, the cosmetic company got a product that created a seamless experience for the user where the lid opened and closed smoothly and stayed securely in place. Overall, the company was able to solve its squeaking problem with minor permanent adjustments and save costs as well. Manufacturing Efficiency The use of the SPIROL Series 550 Cosmetic Coiled Pins simplified the design and manufacturing process. For example, the low insertion force and compression of the pin during installation minimized hinge stress and scrap. SPIROL had designed a pin installation system Model HC Horizontal Dual Pin Inserter to dramatically increase production efficiency with minimal operator training. The Inserter is lightweight and portable for ease of use and flexibility. The cylinder/driving head modules can be moved in and out with ease, and fixture changes are simple, which enables quick conversion from one assembly to another. Pins are delivered automatically to the installation site, eliminating the need for the operator to touch them during the assembly operation. For more information, visit SPIROL . Read more consumer-related articles >>> Top image from CreativeCommons.com . Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Bionic and the Wires uses bionic arms, bio-sensors, and electronic instruments to create music from plants and fungi. Mushrooms Playing Music? How an Engineer and a Musician Turn Bioelectric Signals into Art Bionic and the Wires uses bionic arms, bio-sensors, and electronic instruments to create music from plants and fungi. Nicole Persun Music Nov 11, 2025 Cool Stuff Somewhere in the woods outside Manchester, a mushroom is hooked up to electrodes and bionic arms and given a synthesizer. In response to the fungi’s bioelectric signals, the mallet-like arms knock on the synthesizer and create music. Bionic and the Wires is an artistic project that blends technology and nature. It was created by Jon Ross, a multi-disciplinary eco-artist, technologist, and environmental thinker, and Andy Kidd, a musician with a background in electronic music. Jon brings the “how” with the technology, and Andy brings the “what” with the sound design. The result is strange, otherworldly music that’s intended to make the viewer think differently about the natural world. The inspiration for the project came, Jon says, “from two key areas: the emerging scientific understanding of non-human intelligence (e.g. in fungi and plants), and a desire to experiment with music.” Jon and Andy have made music together for nearly ten years, but things changed when they started running simple bio-sonification experiments by connecting sensors directly to synthesizers. “The critical leap came when I had the idea for the bionic arms in 2024,” Jon says, “enabling plants and fungi to play real life instruments.” This allowed these organisms to become active creators rather than simply passive subjects. “By giving plants and fungi ‘hands,’ we challenge the exclusive human claim to artistic creation and invite profound reflection on the unique essence of human consciousness versus the intelligence found throughout nature.” At its heart, Bionic and the Wires is meant to “foster a deeper connection with the living world.” Andy Kidd (left) and Jon Ross (right) playing music with a peace lily plant. All photos courtesy of Bionic and the Wires . How it works The music is created through various components, including bio-sensors, bionic arms, electronic instruments, and — of course — the plants and fungi. The primary sensor is a biosonification device (MIDI Sprout) from Electricity for Progress, which operates on a galvanometer-style circuit. When clipped onto a leaf or the bell of a mushroom, the sensor detects minute magnetic fluctuations in the plant or fungi’s electrical conductivity, which is impacted by the nutrients and water that make up its physiological state. In other words, the sensors detect the plant’s “mood” based on its electrical charge. The electrical activity of the plant is then translated into MIDI signals, which are fed into bionic arms custom-engineered by Jon. This allows the plants and fungi to “control” the motion. The final piece is the music technology. “We utilize a combination of traditional and electronic musical instruments as the final output devices for the plants' signals,” Jon says. While the rhythm comes from the plants and fungi, Andy’s artistic role is in deciding how to translate the motion with the synthesizers. For routing, they use Ableton Live, a digital sound software. Aloe with a keyboard. All photos courtesy of Bionic and the Wires. The intersection of technology and nature Different plants and mushrooms yield different results, and Jon and Andy have experimented with a wide variety. “Some have a much faster signal response than others,” Jon adds. “We choose the plant/fungi based on what type of music we want to make.” Bionic and the Wires shares music on YouTube and other social platforms. “Our art serves as a bridge, making complex scientific concepts about bio-electricity and plant cognition accessible and understandable,” Jon says. It’s the intersection of nature and technology that makes it possible. Their vision for the future of Bionic and the Wires stems from its original idea: “We hope to continue pushing the boundaries of what it means to be an artist and who gets to create,” Jon says, “with a future goal of solidifying the recognition of plants and fungi as creative entities.” For more information: Bionic and the Wires Bionic and the Wires on YouTube Electricity for Progress Ableton Live Read more articles about music >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Van Nuys, California, June 25, 2014—When Sebastian Lindstrom, co-founder of What Took You So Long, and his team journeyed to Liberia for their latest documentary, they employed an iPhone 5s equipped with the iPro Lens System® by Schneider Optics iPhone Lenses Used in Film Shoot Van Nuys, California, June 25, 2014—When Sebastian Lindstrom, co-founder of What Took You So Long, and his team journeyed to Liberia for their latest documentary, they employed an iPhone 5s equipped with the iPro Lens System® by Schneider Optics Terry Persun Film and TV Jun 3, 2025 “We are a small documentary production company that specializes in supporting non-profits and development entities around the world,” explains Lindstrom. “Our method of filmmaking depends on high-quality, lightweight equipment.” For the documentary about women with obstetric fistula, which was co-funded by the United Nations Populations Fund, the team took two Canon 5Ds to the West African country. And for the most audience-engaging results, they also took a 7D and an iPhone to capture slow motion and extreme close-up footage. “We shot with the iPhone 5s ─ mostly in 720p at 120-fps ─ and iPro Super Wide and Macro lenses,” he says. “The Macro captures the same details as a $1000 lens would. It’s amazing how close you can get with it ─ so close, we were able to position it just inches from a person’s iris,” which is shown in the opening sequence of the video. On the opposite end of the spectrum, “The iPro Super Wide frames a much bigger picture of the world than the native camera inside the iPhone,” Lindstrom adds. “While at a stadium in Monrovia for a big soccer game between Liberian and Ghanaian teams, the president of Liberia came out on the field to wish everybody ‘good luck.’ The iPro Super Wide lens enabled us to spontaneously capture innovative wide-angle shots for slow-motion content that will take audiences’ imaginations to the next level when watching our videos. In retrospect, we should have left the 7D at home, because the daylight footage we caught with the iPhone and iPro lenses was superior ─ and it was much easier to pack.” While the DSLR revolution gave the world access to smaller, less expensive cameras, Lindstrom notes that “Filming with a phone takes it to another level, as you can quickly position angles that your DSLR would require a jib for, and it’s something most people travel with anyway. And you could never get smooth traveling shots by holding your DSLR outside of a car window with your hand like we did with the iPhone. We believe that the iPro Lens System used in conjunction with the iPhone 5s for slow motion filming has the potential to become an important, value-added component for any type of documentary work. We plan to use them in all our upcoming shoots around the world as an integral part of our DSLR filming.” For the past five years, What Took You So Long has worked within more than 70 developing countries. “Some of the areas we travel to may not take kindly to visiting filmmakers,” he says. “So it’s very beneficial to be able to shoot with the iPhone ─ now with professional-grade lenses that are easy to conceal.” For more information: What Took You So Long Home Schneider Optics Lenses Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Reducing maintenance requirements and overall manufacturing costs helped to put book printing machines in libraries, schools, and bookstores. Book-Printing Machines Are Getting Faster, Simpler, and Easier to Maintain — Here's How Reducing maintenance requirements and overall manufacturing costs helped to put book printing machines in libraries, schools, and bookstores. Edited by Terry Persun Cool Stuff Dec 16, 2025 We are all familiar with how eBooks have changed the face of publishing. With lower cost digital books on the market, more books were sold and read. But there were still many readers who wanted to hold the book in their hands, to feel the pages as they turned, and to smell the paper and ink. During the time when eBooks were becoming widespread, print book manufacturers were already working on machines that could print books quickly and for lower costs. The aim was to put book printing machines into the hands of bookstores and libraries. This was where the concept for Print On Demand (POD) books started, and is now used by bookstores and libraries but also by small publishers and large publishers alike. This article is about one of the ways this technology progressed and is now even more important that eBook prices are on the rise. On Demand Books originally came up with the POD solution they called the Espresso Book Machine®. This machine was a collaborative design effort, first conceptualized by Jeff Marsh and On Demand Chairman Jason Epstein. The Espresso Book Machine was further refined for manufacturability by DT Engineering to reduce the overall assembly part count, improve performance, and reduce the total cost of printing. DT Engineering is a specialty engineering firm that focuses on machine design, build, and replication (build to print) of custom machinery. The first working prototype from On Demand Books was presented to DT Engineering, whose task was to bring in a more refined design that increased manufacturability, decreased machine complexity, and operated reliably. One issue with the original design was the numerous linear motion components that made up the system. Rails, mounting components, fasteners, and pillow blocks combined to take up a considerable amount of space resulting in a complex assembly. DT Engineering developed a modular approach for the internal sub-assemblies and sought out maintenance-free components for longer-lasting performance. DT Engineering began by working closely with PBC Linear to simplify the linear motion system, and finally decided on their Uni-Guide linear slide for the three critical tasks of the book printer. The simple, two-piece rail and carriage assembly of Uni-Guide provided a more streamlined design without bulky mounting pieces or painstaking assembly work. In addition, the carriage’s internal Simplicity® plain linear bearings glide smoothly and reliably without the need for additional lubrication or preventative maintenance. Images courtesy of PBC Linear. The rails have dual shafts that are precision machined along the edge to ensure perfect alignment and parallelism. All of these Uni-Guide advantages were essential to improving the performance of the Espresso machine’s smooth cutting of the book pages, gluing of the pages to the cover and spine, and collating the pages for binding. All in all, the Uni-guide provided long-lasting transfer and adjustment for some of the Espresso’s most important operating tasks. Uni-Guide linear slides are available in carriage widths of 75mm, 100mm, and 125mm, and feature a ceramic coated aluminum rail and anodized carriage with an underliner of self-lubricating maintenance-free FrelonGOLD®. This Gliding Surface Technology™ eliminates tolerance stack-up and dampens vibrations and shock loads. The guides are designed to be easily incorporated into existing applications, facilitated by their two-piece assembly. The fact that the device has no rolling elements eliminates the possibility of catastrophic failure. By implementing Uni-Guide technology from PBC Linear, DT Engineering was able to reduce each linear motion assembly from roughly ten pieces down to two, creating a simpler, cost-effective printing machine. Today, the on-demand Espresso Book Machine is used by a wide number of publisher and is also available in college libraries and bookstores worldwide. For readers who want a print book that they can hold in their hands and put on their bookshelves, the machine automatically prints, binds, and trims perfect bound, bookstore-quality paperbacks at the point of sale, eliminating the need for overstocked inventory. What’s better is that the Espresso Book Machine boasts the added value of offering rare, hard to find titles just as easily. Books are first selected using EspressNet® software developed by On Demand, and then printed within minutes. The final book is complete with front/back covers and is ready for immediate purchase. For more information: PBC Linear Uni-Guide DT Engineering Read more about motion >>> Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next

Aixtreme Racing is reaching a new milestone for the 2025 season by developing their first-ever electric vehicle. Electric Race Car Uses 3D-Printed Components Aixtreme Racing is reaching a new milestone for the 2025 season by developing their first-ever electric vehicle. Terry Persun Sports Jun 17, 2025 Aixtreme Racing is a Formula Student team of 40 passionate engineers from the University of Applied Science Aachen that have been designing and building prototype race cars since 2007. The team is reaching a new milestone by developing their first-ever electric vehicle. This transition has opened the door to new technical challenges and innovative approaches, including the adoption of advanced 3D printing for lightweight custom parts, reliable housings, and rapid prototyping. It’s a pleasure to see how passionate, talented engineers are using 3D printing to push the boundaries of innovation. Also from Entertainment Engineering: According to Luis Do Carmo, Head of Powertrain & LV-Electronics, “We are very happy with our Raise3D printer. Our printed parts are quickly processed and easy to slice. The workflow integration is smooth, and the print quality consistently meets our needs.” Challenges Before 3D Printing Before integrating 3D printing into their workflow, Aixtreme Racing primarily relied on composite structures, as well as aluminum and steel milling, to manufacture their parts. While effective, these traditional methods had notable drawbacks such as long lead times, high production costs per part, and a dependence on machine availability and workshop capacity. Other concerns included the high material waste, especially for parts that didn’t require metal strength. But most of all, the team found very limited agility when iterative changes were required. The transition to an electric vehicle also introduced new demands, such as the need for flame-retardant and electrically insulating components—something that is very difficult to achieve cost-effectively while using conventional methods. Selecting a 3D Printer To meet these challenges, Aixtreme Racing turned to 3D printing for its rapid, flexible, and material-efficient production capabilities. Not only did the technology provide faster development of lightweight custom components but gave the team greater independence from external suppliers and workshop scheduling bottlenecks. This gave the team an improved ability to prototype and test complex geometries quickly and easily while providing reduced material waste compared to milling processes. After researching the alternatives available to them, the team chose to purchase Raise3D products specifically because their faculty advisor had experience with the Raise3D Pro2, and was impressed by the print quality, reliability, and seamless workflow capabilities it offered. Raise3D printed parts had been mounted on previous vehicles, though not as extensively as planned for the upcoming e-car. The Raise3D Pro3 was selected for its generous build volume, more than sufficient for the team’s relatively compact parts, and the option to upgrade to a Hyper Speed Extruder if faster print times were required in the future. Materials and Applications Aixtreme Racing primarily uses Polymaker’s PC-FR filament for their high-voltage tractive system enclosures, which demand flame-retardant, electrically non-conductive properties in compliance with Formula Student regulations. Additionally, the team has been experimenting with a UL94 V-0 rated TPU 95A, which delivers additionally flexible components such as vibration-dampening parts, seals, small molds. Besides producing high-voltage and low-voltage enclosures for PCBs and cell fixations, Aixtreme Racing also uses PETG, PLA, and PC materials to print tools, test fittings, small molds, and prototypes such us the Red Stack Enclosure below. Raise3D’s Open Material Program allowed the team to access pre-configured material templates for PC-FR, minimizing setup time and ensuring consistent print quality. “We really appreciate the consistency of the prints and the seamless integration between the Raise3D cloud platform and the ideaMaker slicer. So far, all our prints have worked out very well — even without deep prior knowledge in 3D printing,” Luis Do Carmo said. The team relies heavily on ideaMaker for slicing and RaiseCloud for managing print jobs remotely. Features they particularly value include pre-configured material profiles for reliable, out-of-the-box performance; centralized job management via RaiseCloud, which allows multiple team members to manage prints independently; and efficient printer queue management, with minimal downtime between jobs. For information: Raise3D: https://www.raise3d.com/ Raise3D Demo Videos: https://www.raise3d.com/demo-video/ University of Applied Sciences Aachen: https://www.fh-aachen.de/en/ Previous Facebook LinkedIn Copy link Next