igus sponsors robotics contest
The 19th annual BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology) Robotics Competition kicked off nationwide with its 2011 game called “Bugs!” recently unveiled to more than 1,000 teams. BEST Inc. is a nonprofit organization that aims to inspire students to pursue careers in engineering, science, and technology through participation in robotics competitions. igus inc., East Providence, R.I., has a similar goal: Through its Y.E.S. (Young Engineers Support) Program, the company donates products to engineering competitions such as BEST Robotics and others. This year's BEST teams will have the chance to use Energy Chain cable carriers, DryLin linear slides, igubal spherical bearings, and aluminum shafting donated by igus. Students have six weeks to design and build their robots for the competition. For more information, visit igus.com/yesprogram.
Servometer releases new white paper
Servometer, Cedar Grove, N.J., announces a free white paper titled, “Precision Metal Bellows Used as Spring Replacements in Mechanical and Electrical Applications.” The paper gives a brief overview of metal bellows technology in comparison to spring technology. It also reviews the capability of a bellows to act as both a spring and a sealing device. Examples are given for a mechanical actuator seal and an electrical contact to help explain the technology. To download a free copy, visit servometer.com/products/metal-bellows. No registration is required.
Sixnet joins Red Lion Controls
Spectris plc, the parent of Red Lion Controls, York, Pa., has acquired Sixnet LLC, Albany, N.Y. Sixnet manufactures flexible industrial Ethernet switches and other industrial automation and wireless products, while Red Lion provides operator interface products for both the manufacturing and process industries. Red Lion's president, Mike Granby, will lead both companies. For more information, visit redlion.net or sixnet.com.
