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AMT Tech Report: Issue #266

Godrick the gifted. Holesome content. Noctura: Where gamers and makers collide. Robot space suits. Digitally win the skills gap.
Jun 30, 2023

“Was it a vision or a waking dream / … Do I wake or sleep?” 

– John Keats "Ode to a Nightingale"


1. Godrick the Grafted

Certainly somebody in this industry plays/played Elden Ring ? That headline’s for an elite few, I guess. A team of researchers at the University of Tokyo has developed wearable robotic arms. The aim is to create a relationship akin to a musician and their instrument. The arms can be incorporated into various activities, from ballet to search-and-rescue missions. Team lead Masahiko Inami believes the tech can unlock creativity and inspire ne

Read more here.


2. Holesome Content

Brian Villa asked ChatGPT to explain how the helix angle of a solid carbide endmill affects cutting tool performance in the form of a children’s story. So now we have a story about a carbide endmill named Carl whose helix angle determined his ability to cut through metal, which he figured out through trial and error. Eventually, Carl's unique expertise makes him a hero in the machining world. This LinkedIn post is a reminder that the perfect helix angle can unlock great potential in metal cutting! 

Read more here.


3. Noctura: Where Gamers and Makers Collide

Austrian company Noctua makes the best fans and other air-cooling components in the PC-building industry. Now with their sights set on 3D printing, they’ve released their NA-VC1 converter, a 24V-to-12V DC step-down voltage converter designed to facilitate the use of standard 12V DC fans in 24V DC environments. It is ideal for 3D printing enthusiasts, as most 3D printers use a 24V fan power system, and it also offers protection against short circuiting, reverse polarity, overcurrent, and overheating.  

Read more here.


4. Robot Space Suits

The European Space Agency has selected scientists from the Danish Technological Institute to develop a smart skin for robot use in space. The skin will be made of a soft material that can be 3D printed directly onto textiles, and its engineering will make it safe for use in space. It will also help the robots detect and avoid collisions, making them more robust and suitable for space exploration. The project hopes to enable robots to assist astronauts in space, as it is cheaper and less risky than sending a human. 

Learn More.


5. Maryland Tech Invitational

With job openings near all-time highs and almost three in 10 manufacturing firms in Europe facing production constraints due to a lack of workers, Hexagon has developed the HxGN Machine Trainer, which uses digital twins to cost-effectively train machinists to use shop floor equipment. This new, globally available technology helps address the skills and labor shortage by combining hardware and software to give trainees a realistic experience without risking expensive equipment, materials, or production resources. 

Learn More.

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To access Tech Trends, log in to or register for an MTInsight account at https://www.mtinsight.org/ 

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Author
Stephen LaMarca
Senior Technology Analyst
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