NEWS: Festo opens Regional Contact Center Mississauga headquarters launched as site for Canada, U.S. customer contact centre more... Free software program extended Autodesk offers relief to out-of-work engineers, designers more... Calling all engineers James Dyson Foundation wants ingenious student inventions to compete more...

FEATURED VIDEO Watch: Automation giant prepares for economic recovery Festo Canada president Thomas Lichtenberger reveals strategy in this exclusive interview

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SPONSOR MESSAGE: PennEngineering FLOATING ACCESS HARDWARE (Bulletin PF) A captive screw assembly for permanent installation into panels of any hardness with the capability to compensate for up to .060”/1.52mm mating hole misalignment. Their patented MAThread® anti cross-threading screw technology adds value by correcting off-angle installations, reliably aligning components, and easily sliding through potentially clogged internal threads. Type PF11MW (knurled cap) meets “operator access area” requirements similar to UL 508 and Type PF12MW (smooth cap) meets “service access area” requirements similar to UL 1950.  Universal slot/Phillips recess is standard. They ideally suit close centerline-to-edge applications and can be installed on painted surfaces without marring. www.pemnet.com

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DPN online presents: ADHESIVES & FASTENERS

Steely hook and loop fastener takes on tough applications: Metal version of Velcro introduced by Munich Technical University

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SPONSOR MESSAGE: CLIPPARD Clippard Quality Stainless Steel Cylinders Pneumatic cylinders feature polished I.D 304 stainless steel tubes for low friction. Available in 12 bore sizes with strokes to 40". Precision-rolled construction, clear anodized machined aluminum heads, and rods ensure long life and performance. • Roller-burnished rods • Long lasting seals • Interchangeable design • Replaceable rod seals Clippard—The Preferred Cylinder! Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc. 7390 Colerain Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45239 513-521-4261 www.clippard.com/cylinders/

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PRODUCTS:

Conduit adapter adds mounting flexibility TURCK Form 7 style conduit body offers IP67 protection. more...	Environmentally friendly switches NKK tilt sensor switches are mercury free. more...	Miniature compression springs Lee Spring adds small diameter sizes to REDUX line. more...

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ADVISORY BOARD BLOG:
''Math gene'' myth threatens future of Canadian industry

John Bachmann argues why math teaching in our schools is so misguided more...

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NOW IN YOUR MARCH/APRIL DESIGN PRODUCT NEWS: Cover story: Kiteboards fly with CAD precision Medical Engineering: Our best hopes for isotopes are still home grown Take a weight off: Car makers shed pounds from vehicles XX-rated: ExxonMobil VistaMaxx propylene additives make for quieter homes Click here or on the cover for the Digital Edition.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

Hannover Messe. Multidisciplinary show in Europe includes co-located shows Industrial Automation, Digital Factory and MobiliTec (hybrid and electric powertrains). April 19-23, 2010. Hannover, Germany

Machine Automation Safety Congress, For the third year running, the Partners in Prevention Ontario Health & Safety Conference & Trade Show is featuring the Machine Automation Safety Congress (MASC), a joint initiative by Canadian Occupational Safety (COS) and Manufacturing AUTOMATION magazines. May 3-4, 2010. Toronto

Montreal Manufacturing Technology Show, Sponsored by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, MMTS includes includes a strong factoryautomation focus including control systems, software and hardware, assembly technology and test/inspection. May 17-19, 2010. Montreal

electronica 2010, Trade show and conference includes an electronics summit, automotive conference and wireless congress. Munich, November 9-12

Check out the Calendar of Events on the DPN website for more upcoming industry seminars, conferences, shows and training sessions.

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LATEST ON THE DPN RESOURCE CENTRE:

FREE Clippard Minature Pneumatic Products Catalog

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EDITOR'S NOTE:

Got an event you’d like posted in the next DPN eLETTER or on the website? Want to provide feedback on the eLETTER? Drop me a note, Mike Edwards, Editorial Director, Design Product News at medwards@clbmedia.ca.