Appliance Design articles from August 2006

Appliance Design archives from August 2006

Innovation may fall into skills gap.(Editorial)
August 1, 2006... Imagine you are all ready to launch a new product. You're excited about its innovations that you expect will rock its category. But the timing is critical. Your competitor is not far behind you with something similar. You feel confident,...

Shipments.(table)(Statistical table)
August 1, 2006... SHIPMENTS Product May '06 May '05 % Chg. MAJORS--TOTAL 5,309,300 5,313,600 -0.1% CLEANUP--TOTAL 1,182,000 1,124,200 5.1% Compactors 9,400 ...

Forecasts.(Statistical table)
August 1, 2006... AUTOMATIC WASHERS--Shipments (Thousands of Units) Qtr: 2005 2006 2007 1 2,236.0 2,486.7 2,360.0 2 2,309.8 2,322.4 2,411.7 3 2,362.8 2,354.5 2,407.7 4 2,316.4 2,303.1 2,444.8 ...

Displays dazzle.(Society for Information Display 2006 International Symposium)
August 1, 2006... The rapid pace of innovation in the electronic display industry was evident to anyone attending the Society for Information Display 2006 International Symposium, Seminar and Exhibition, held June 4-9 in San Francisco. This year's event was the...

Carbon combo.(Sparks Technology)(Bonded Particulate Structure )(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... UltraViolet Devices, Valencia, Calif., has acquired Sparks Technology, Batavia, Ill., the exclusive patented license holder of the Bonded Particulate Structure (BPS), a process in which activated carbon is bonded into a monolithic form that...

Phone fuel.(NEWS WATCH)
August 1, 2006... MTI MicroFuel Cells, Albany, N.Y., developer of the Mobion micro fuel-cell technology for handheld electronic devices, has entered into an alliance with Samsung Electronics Co. to develop next-generation fuel cell prototypes for Samsung's...

Sonic seer.(product development of detection equipment)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Researchers at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory developed a patented inspection method that uses ultrasonic waves to detect foreign objects in processing streams. Originally developed to look for bone fragments...

Clever combustion.(control of emissions)
August 1, 2006... Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have created a new, low-emission combustor designed to burn fuel in a wide range of devices. With next to no emission of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO), two of the primary causes...

Solar soars.(facilities of Nanosolar inc.,)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Nanosolar, Palo Alto, Calif., has begun executing its plan to build a high-volume solar-cell production factory that will have a total annual cell output of 430 MW once fully built out, or approximately 200 million cells per year, and an...

Halting headaches.(treatment for headache)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Researchers at the Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, have discovered that an electronic device can be used to "zap" away migraine pain before it starts. Results of a study of 43 patients found that the experimental device...

Hired help.(user statistics of internet services)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Parks Associates, a research firm in Dallas, says that, as the digital home creates new technical challenges, more consumers will turn to professional on-site or remote support services for help with their home technology problems. The...

View on vending.(NEWS WATCH)
August 1, 2006... The $45 billion U.S. vending industry is in the throes of an evolution, according to a new study by the research firm Research and Markets, based in Dublin, Ireland. The biggest change has been the decline in the number of industrial workers,...

Meetings.(NEWS WATCH)(Calendar)
August 1, 2006... Portable Power, Sept. 18-Sept. 21, San Francisco, Calif. Contact: 508/498-1798 Email: brooke@planninghouseintel.com Web Site: www.portablepower2005.com Powder Coating Show, Sept. 19-Sept. 21, Indianapolis, Ind. Contact: 513/624-9988 Web...

Water work.(Insitut Technologi Bandung in Indonesia)(water decontamination systems)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Sanyo Electric Co., Tokyo, and the Insitut Technologi Bandung in Indonesia, have signed an agreement to jointly research and develop household water decontamination solutions for regions with problematic water supply systems. The director of...

Camera shy.(Georgia Institute of Technology)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have completed a prototype device that can block digital camera function in a given area. Commercial versions of the technology could be used to stymie unwanted use of video or still cameras....

Cooperating on cooling.(Chinese Refrigeration Association)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... In recognition of shared interests, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese Refrigeration Association. Objectives of the MOU include the support of...

Turn to zero.(Production of Dixon products)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Husqvarna, Stockholm, has signed an agreement to acquire the assets of Dixon Industries, a subsidiary of Blount International. Dixon manufactures zero-turn riding lawnmowers for both professional users and private consumers. The acquisition...

Engine emissions.(Environmental Protection Agency)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The federal government may use California's strict pollution rules for lawnmowers and other smallengine machines as a national standard, a top Environmental Protection Agency official said. While environmentalists and air quality regulators...

Court defers to California.(California Energy Commission energy )(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... On June 19, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a challenge by appliance manufacturers to California regulations that require them to put information about their products' energy performance on their appliances. Four major appliance trade groups...

Clear the air.(Disinfection Research Institute Sterilization Laboratory )(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... In June, Kronos Advanced Technologies, Belmont, Mass., revealed two important developments in its efforts to commercialize its proprietary, electrostatic technology for moving and purifying air without any moving parts. The first involved the...

Entertaining automation.(according to a study ABI Research)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Home entertainment is the key application that will provide traction for the home automation market, according to a study ABI Research, Oyster Bay, N.Y. Home theater systems are increasingly making their way into middle-class homes, and...

Ceramic coat.(coating is a mixture of liquid, preceramic polymer )(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed a new, ceramic-based coating for steel and superalloys that prevents corrosion, oxidation, carburization, and sulfidation effects that commonly occur in hostile environments....

Curvy kiosk.(glass-shelf design )(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Compar Corp., Markham, Ontario, has introduced a versatile and attractive kiosk called the Wave, for its sleek, flowing shape. A unique, glass-shelf design gives it an open, airy profile, designed to make it user-friendly. The kiosk features a...

Mold unmasked.(Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Institute)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... According to a report by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Institute, cutting-edge radar technology may soon make it possible to detect hidden moisture and mold behind wallboards, eliminating the destructive and expensive...

Interactive posters.(Wireless Bluetooth communications technology)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Wireless Bluetooth communications technology from two Cambridge companies in the U.K. is helping to make poster advertising interactive by embedding a chip that allows passers by to receive detailed information using their mobile phones....

High-tech hymns.(Hymn Technology)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Churches can now fire their organists. Karaoke has found religion, or vice versa. Hymn Technology, based in Croydon, U.K., has developed a karaoke device devoted exclusively to religious hymns and is marketing it to churches as "the answer to...

Jumping jukes.(touch-screen jukeboxes )(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Barflies were in awe back when CD-playing jukeboxes started to replace their vinyl-LP predecessors, but now even CD jukes are yesterday, thanks to Internet-fueled, touch-screen jukeboxes that can access hundreds of thousands of songs....

Tagging textiles.(radio-frequency identification tag)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The RFID Systems Department of Fujitsu, Tokyo, has developed a radio-frequency identification tag that can survive laundering and still transmit information. The tag, which is encased in a soft, plastic shell and attached to clothing, can he...

Sound good? Analysis of sound quality can improve product design.
August 1, 2006... The quality of sound emitted by a product has become an increasingly critical factor influencing consumer-purchasing decisions, which makes it more important than ever for product designers to understand the concept of sound quality before they...

Advance absorber: nonwovens deliver a new dimension in sound management.(NOISE & VIBRATION CONTROL)
August 1, 2006... Only a few years ago, quiet was a feature exclusive to high-end appliances. Today, it still stands for quality, but consumers have come to expect quiet operation from virtually every appliance model, at nearly every price point. Today's...

Multifaceted membranes: one simple technique plays a multitude of roles.(SWITCHES & RELAYS)
August 1, 2006... When appliance manufacturers adopted membrane switches as the standard interface for microwave ovens, they did more than just settle on a design solution for a kitchen appliance. They also established a model for how the technology could be...

Cut the chatter: chatter and bounce in relays can be minimized with proper design.(ways to reduce the effect of contact bounce in relays)
August 1, 2006... Recent developments in electronic equipment have led to technically advanced appliances that require progressive electronic technologies. Today's equipment is required to perform multiple functions in limited size due its use of integrated...

Cherry electrical.(NEW PRODUCTS: SWITCHES & RELAYS)
August 1, 2006... The DZ series sub-miniature switch features a positive-break action contact system specifically designed for applications with inductive loads, including automatic sun blinds, drives for adjustable medical beds, and drives for automatic doors...

Omron components.(NEW PRODUCTS: SWITCHES & RELAYS)
August 1, 2006... The G5LB and G5LB-25 series of power PCB relays are low-profile, sub-miniature, single-pole devices designed for applications with restricted spaces. Measuring 19.6 mm x 15.6 mm x 15.2 mm, the relays are well suited for freezer controls and...

ITT electronic components.(NEW PRODUCTS: SWITCHES & RELAYS)
August 1, 2006... The KMX series of low-profile, keypad tact switches are designed to provide the user a positive, tactile feel and fast-switching response that make the switches well suited for handheld applications. The switches have a slim design and measure...

Gentech.(NEW PRODUCTS: SWITCHES & RELAYS)
August 1, 2006... The CT10 surface-mounted reed switch, proximity sensor is suited for use in laptop covers, security systems, gas meters, and fluid flow applications. The reed switch is a single-pole, single-throw type having normally open contacts and...

Honeywell sensine & control.(NEW PRODUCTS: SWITCHES & RELAYS)
August 1, 2006... The GLL series, electromechanical limit switch is a compact, low-cost component designed for high-volume applications. The small size makes it well suited for restricted space applications. The double insulated housing eliminates the need for a...

CIT relay & switch.(NEW PRODUCTS: SWITCHES & RELAYS)
August 1, 2006... The NL series ultra-subminiature, bi-color illuminated switch contains two embedded, independent LEDs with any combination of red, green, yellow, or blue. The surface-mount switch is 2 mm high and is designed to work in tandem with other...

Carling technologies.(NEW PRODUCTS: SWITCHES & RELAYS)
August 1, 2006... The RR series and LRR series of round rocker switches feature a sculpted design and electrical ratings up to 12 A/125 VAC and 10 A/250 VAC. The RR series is available with custom imprinting. The lighted LRR series is available with dependent or...

Schurter.(NEW PRODUCTS: SWITCHES & RELAYS)
August 1, 2006... The metal line of vandal-proof switches has been expanded to include blue, illuminated piezo and mechanical switches. The luminous switches are designed for use in applications where the lighting is dim and indication is needed to identify the...

APEM components.(NEW PRODUCTS: SWITCHES & RELAYS)
August 1, 2006... The 3500 series toggle switches feature molded-in terminal inserts and a silicone membrane for IP67 front-panel sealing and can withstand 0.1 bar pressure under total immersion. Single-pole and double-pole models are available in a wide range...

NKK switches.(NEW PRODUCTS: SWITCHES & RELAYS)
August 1, 2006... The UB2 series of low-profile, illuminated pushbutton switches has been expanded to feature an option for super-bright, bi-color LEDs with alternating legends, permitting design engineers to replace split-legend caps. The glossy polycarbonate...

Pivotal point: Clinch fastener joins metal sheets and yields smooth surface.(JOINING)
August 1, 2006... When an application requires two thin metal sheets to be joined permanently face-to-face, designers routinely have turned to rivets, welding, or adhesives and tapes. But tradeoffs loom with each of these methods. An innovative fastener design...

Press time: PSA tapes find increasing acceptance as bonding method.(pressure-sensitive adhesive)
August 1, 2006... The peel-and-press simplicity of applying pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes makes them inherently attractive as a bonding method, but that same simplicity has, in the past, made many wary, as the association with peel-and-stick labels created...

Ingenuity with inserts: insert molding expands design capabilities.
August 1, 2006... When designing components, engineers today are challenged to reduce size, weight and cost, while increasing part reliability. Achieving these goals is often difficult with conventional production methods such as soldering, fastening, adhesives,...

NPE energizes: record show featured more of everything.(Dow Chemical Co.)(LANXESS Corp.)(RTP Co.)(National Plastics Exposition )
August 1, 2006... More visitors. More education. More innovations. That would be the concise way to sum up NPE 2006, the international plastics exposition held at Chicago's McCormick Place in June. The Society of the Plastics Industry, sponsor of the show, was...

One of our oldest tools is still one of our best: hosting a legislator on a plant tour enables us to showcase what a real-world company does ... and how government regulations have a direct impact on our businesses.(ASSOCIATION REPORT: GAMA)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2006... I would like to relate a little piece of history because I believe it has a direct bearing on any trade association's activities today. In 1823, John Cleves Symmes proposed an expedition to the interior of the Earth by way of the North or...