Medical

H-811.F2 Compact Hexapod

PI has added a high dynamics model to its range of compact hexapods. Designed for photonics alignment applications, the hexapod provides 6 degrees of freedom, actuator resolution of 5 nanometers and repeatability as good as 60 nanometers, while providing velocities to 20mm/sec. Sustaining loads to 5kg, the new H-811.F2 features a removable magnetic kinematic plate to accelerate workflow with different fiber optics components. Its compact size, large travel range of up to 34mm for linear motions and up to 42° for rotary motions, and a user programmable pivot point facilitate work with fiber optic and photonics components.

Tobii Pro VR Analytics

Tobii Pro announces a new analytical tool: Tobii Pro VR Analystics, which allows eye-tracking studies to be conducted within 3D virtual reality (VR) environments. The tool integrates into Unity environments and comes with automated features for visualizing and measures what a user sees, their interactions and navigations within a simulated world.

The art of machining

Some people say there is an art to machining. In some cases, there is actual artwork. Machinists Inc. in Seattle, the largest precision machining shop in the Northwest, has made big sculptures since the early 1990s. The first piece was a 17'×13'×3' steel sculpture that hangs in Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, and many more have followed. However, art accounts for only about 1 percent of the manufacturer’s work, said Weld Engineer Steve Pollard, who has been with the company for 30 years.