Appliance Design articles from September 2005

Appliance Design archives from September 2005

A faster pulse at GE Healthcare: bringing a product to market is never easy, but when that product is a medical device, it gets more complicated.(protomold[R]: RAPID INJECTION MOLDING FROM PROTOMOLD--CASE IN POINT)
September 1, 2005... MEDICAL DEVICES MUST BE TESTED AND APPROVED IN LONG, EXHAUSTIVE PROCEDURES. Faced with that back-end delay, manufacturers are increasingly interested in speeding up product development. That's what brought GE Healthcare to Protomold. ...

Grading greatness.(product design )(Editorial)
September 1, 2005... If you watched the news on June 13, you could not help but witness a pathetic sight, a legion of losers packed outside a courthouse in Santa Maria, Calif., demonstrating their unwavering and inexplicable support for a bizarre pop star who is...

Shipments.(Illustration)
September 1, 2005... SHIPMENTS Product June '05 June '04 %Chg. MAJORS--TOTAL 6,913,400 6,598,600 4.8% CLEANUP--TOTAL 1,410,000 1,308,500 7.8% Compactors ...

Forecasts.(Illustration)
September 1, 2005... FORECASTS MAJOR HOME APPLIANCES--Shipments (Thousands of Units) Qtr: 2004 2005 2006 1 20,345.7 18,262.4 19,066.1 2 21,793.4 22,220.4 22,553.7 3 ...

Industry lauds energy bill.(Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers )
September 1, 2005... The long-debated, long-awaited energy bill finally broke out of Congress this summer and was signed into law by President George W. Bush on Aug. 8. With provisions affecting both industry and consumers, the wide-ranging Barton-Domenici Energy...

Simplified design.(appliances and design )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Electrical equipment manufacturers, including Sony Corp. and Mitsubishi Electric Corp., are exploiting the female perspective on the design of household electrical appliances by appointing women to relevant workshops. To reduce costs, the...

NAM applauds appointment.(National Association of Manufacturers)( Chris Israel )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) welcomed President Bush's creation of the new position of Coordinator of International Intellectual Property Enforcement, and his designation of Chris Israel of the Commerce Department to fill the...

Waterproof sponge.( Nottingham Trent University)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... A group of scientists from Nottingham Trent University, U.K. have created waterproof-sponge hybrids that could be used in future applications such as a temperature sensor in an oven. The material is made from a matrix of methyltriethoxysilane...

Polymer bonding improved.(NEWS WATCH)
September 1, 2005... Researchers at Battelle have developed a new, stronger method of joining materials together that conserves energy and minimizes material costs. The patented process for ultrasonic injection molding strongly bonds polymers, and does so at...

Maytag welcomes Whirlpool bid.(market share)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... The board of directors for Maytag Corp. recommended that its shareholders accept the most recent bid from Whirlpool Corp., which had increased its offer three limes. The advice came on Aug. 12 after Whirlpool's half cash, half stock proposal to...

Scented plastic.(Eastman Chemical Co Tenite cellulosic plastic)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Eastman Chemical Co.'s Material Difference sampling program for designers has produced a new addition to the family of plastics that encapsulate fragrance--Eastman Cafe, a coffee-scented pebble in its Tenite cellulosic plastic. The Cafe pebble...

Manufacturing excellence.(Hearth and Home Technologies Inc wins excellence award)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Fireplace manufacturer Hearth & Home Technologies, was recently recognized as one of 15 winners of the 2005 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing. Dubbed the "Nobel prize of Manufacturing" by Business Week, the Shingo Prize is recognized...

Chinese competition heats up.(NEWS WATCH)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... The competition among China's home appliance retailers heated up this summer, with each trying to open more stores and expand its businesses, according to China Securities Journal. Chinas largest household appliances retailer, Gome Home...

Meetings.(NEWS WATCH)(Calendar)
September 1, 2005... Midwest 2005 Expo & Conference, Sept. 13-15, Novi, Mich. Contact: 800/733-4763 Web site: www.sme.org Coating 2005, Sept. 20-22, Indianapolis, Ind. Contact: 513/624-9988 Email: lmuck@one.net Web site: www.thecoatingshow.com Portable...

Lease free.(high-speed Internet lines leasing regulations)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... The Federal Communications Commission recently ruled that big telephone companies no longer have to lease their high-speed Internet lines to competitors, giving the companies more power over the delivery of popular high-speed Internet services....

Daylight saving 2007.(NEWS WATCH)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... When daylight-saving time starts earlier than usual in the U.S. come 2007, VCRs and DVD recorders could start recording shows an hour late. Cell phone companies may provide an extra hour of flee weekend calls, and people who depend on online...

Circuit powered.(NEWS WATCH)(PowerPulse has created inexpensive electronic circuit )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... PowerPulse, based in Richardson, Texas, has announced that it has created an inexpensive electronic circuit that, combined with some basic changes to the design of portable electronic devices, can increase the life of any battery by 20 percent...

Refrigeration acquisition.(NEWS WATCH)
September 1, 2005... Parker Hannifin recently announced that it has acquired the Herl Co., a privately held manufacturer of industrial refrigeration valves and controls. Herl will become part of Parker's Climate & Industrial Controls Group, which provides...

Fingernail data.(NEWS WATCH)(University of Tokushima)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Researchers from the University of Tokushima and Hokkaido University have demonstrated that it is possible to read data written into a human fingernail using a laser, much like information is written on a rewritable compact disc. The data is...

Quantum leap.(quantum cryptography systems )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Researchers from the Australian National University and the University of Queensland in Australia have found a way to double the speed of information transfer over quantum cryptography systems. The technique can simplify and increase the...

Compliance cost.(NEWS WATCH)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... According to a study commissioned by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, the additional cost to retrofit classrooms to meet the American National Standard Institute's Standard 12.60, "Acoustical Performance Criteria, Design...

Consumers seek convenience.(houseware market research )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Consumer demand for convenience continues to spur evolutionary new product development in the appliance and non-electric housewares categories, according to the summer issue of Housewares MarketWatch, recently published by the International...

Chinese household.(NEWS WATCH)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... CHINESE HOUSEHOLD electrical appliance producers are suffering from high penalty tariffs from a television anti-dumping charge in Turkey and the threat of new anti-dumping measures against air conditioners in the country. The Turkish government...

Sensing radiation.(NEWS WATCH)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... A new sensor being patented by Ohio State University could be used to detect concealed weapons or help pilots see better through rain and fog. Unlike X-ray machines or radar instruments, the sensor doesn't have to generate a signal to detect...

Tank-free diving.(NEWS WATCH)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... An Israeli engineer has developed a breathing device that he claims will allow divers to discard their oxygen tanks. It could also be used to supply air to submarines and future underwater habitats such as hotels or scientific research...

Artful eye.(NEWS WATCH)(Tmsuk Company Ltd's Roborior)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Roborior is an art object that glows in hues of purple, blue and orange, and hums electronic music, but it's also a security device, an electronic guard dog with digital camera, infrared sensors and videophone capability that can be used to...

Alternate views: researchers develop novel display technologies.(NEW & NOTABLE)
September 1, 2005... The figurative concept of looking at something from a different angle takes on a literal dimension with a new display technology developed by Sharp Corp. of Japan and Sharp Laboratories of Europe. The LCD can simultaneously display two...

Functional features: new 3D CAD software provides 2D/3D associativity, workflow-based features.(SOFTWARE)(Cover Story)
September 1, 2005... In the past 3D CAD systems were slow, difficult to master and offered design engineers little flexibility for managing parametric relationships in their designs. Systems now on the market, however, require little training, in most cases a...

Speeding development: OEM finds way to roll out flurry of new products quickly.(SOFTWARE)
September 1, 2005... Hyper-competition has become a cliche in the consumer goods markets, with a constant pressure to innovate on the one hand and continuously cut costs on the other. The appliance industry is no different. U.S. companies have responded by...

Joint decisions: selecting joining method should precede joint design.(FASTENING, ADHESIVES & JOINING)
September 1, 2005... Many design engineers fail to think about joints as much as they should. Yet understanding the needs and purposes of a given joint is crucial to selecting the most appropriate fastening or joining method for joint, which subsequently affects...

Glass challenges: choosing correct process, adhesive in design phase allows engineers to meet today's glass bonding requirements in appliance applications.(FASTENING, ADHESIVES & JOINING)
September 1, 2005... Widely used in appliance applications, glass presents a number of bonding challenges to the design engineer. The material, used in ceramic cooktops, oven door glass, microwave oven doors, glass touch panels, decorative panels for dishwashers...

Screws and strength: use of thinner sheet metal makes proper threaded fastener selection more critical.(FASTENING, ADHESIVES & JOINING)
September 1, 2005... Although the price of steel has dipped somewhat this year, it rose sharply in 2003 and 2004 and is still far above the 10-year average. With that in mind manufacturers have increasingly been seeking ways to use thinner materials in their...

Americor Electronics.(SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
September 1, 2005... 675 S. Lively Blvd. * Elk Grove Village, IL 00007 www.americor-usa.com * 800/830-5337 AMERICOR Electronics, Ltd. is a high volume/ low cost manufacturer who provides Original Equipment Manufacturers with a most comprehensive and expanded...

Protection & power cords: stakeholders have say in new requirements.(CONNECTORS & CORDSETS)
September 1, 2005... Power supply cords on electrical appliances are subject to flexing, abrasion, pulling, impact, crushing and a number of mechanical abuses. Yet they are expected to protect the user from electrical shock and carry electrical current without...

Connecting with the world: globalization drives wider acceptance of RAST Solution.(CONNECTORS & CORDSETS)
September 1, 2005... The appliance industry offers a dramatic view of the growing pains and benefits of globalization. Manufacturers of major appliances have been directly affected by the opening of low-cost labor markets, particularly those of China, India, and...

Point of contact: spring probe technology serves high-performance portable applications.(CONNECTORS & CORDSETS)(Interconnect Devices Inc.)
September 1, 2005... A new interconnect technology for battery and docking applications is experiencing growing use among designers of portable electronic products. Based upon spring probles, the technology typically enables consistent resistance below 5 mO, lasts...

Conductive.(CONNECTORS & CORDSETS: NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2005... Power cords and electrical cable assemblies are fully compliant with the European Union's RollS Directive being implemented July 1, 2006. The products are free of heavy metals and hazardous substances such as lead, cadmium, PBB and PBDE. Before...

Taller.(CONNECTORS & CORDSETS: NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2005... Schuko plug insert B04.512 with hollow pins has extremely low lead content, with pins containing a maximum of 0.002 percent lead. This represents 20 ppm, as compared to the usual 20,000 ppm. A closed chamber design prevents the penetration of...

Anderson power products.(CONNECTORS & CORDSETS: NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2005... Touch-safe, two-pole SBS50 finger-proof connector has a housing design that protects the user by eliminating finger contact with live circuits, per EN 950 and UL 60950 specifications. The component is recommended for use with hazardous DC...

FCI.(CONNECTORS & CORDSETS: NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2005... High-definition, multi-media interface utilizes a small, user-friendly connector designed to carry up to 5 Gbps of uncompressed video and audio in one cable. The HDMI receptacle is designed to support next generation interfaces for consumer...

Mega electronics.(CONNECTORS & CORDSETS: NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2005... Fully molded NEMA 5/15P plug has a resettable circuit breaker that is UL recognized to 15 A/125 VAC - 60 Hz and uses a push to reset function. The plug is UL listed for use with 12 AWG to 16 AWG SJT, SJTO, and SJTOW cable, and is suitable for...

Volex power cords.(CONNECTORS & CORDSETS: NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2005... A lighted plug or connector indicates a live circuit and assists with locating the outlet/connection in dark work areas or behind equipment and office furniture. The component uses clear PVC to show a lighted bulb. Standard brightness bulb will...

Whitney Blake.(CONNECTORS & CORDSETS: NEW PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2005... In-line, moisture-sealed, passive latch interconnect system for cable applications has a specially designed interface that detaches at a specified force to protect both operators and equipment from harm. The passive latch is designed to let...

Laser marking polymers: reactive particles permit high-definition micro-marking.(DECORATIVE TRIM & NAMEPLATES)
September 1, 2005... The traditional method of writing on plastics is printing with ink. The systems currently used for this purpose include pad printing, ink jet printing and stamping. All of these methods are firmly established, but they present some...

Get real: new film structure permits 3D decorating with high-resolution, digital images.(DECORATIVE TRIM & NAMEPLATES)
September 1, 2005... If a picture is worth a thousand words, then plastic parts will soon have a lot to say. A means for applying photorealistic decoration to three-dimensional, injection-molded plastic parts has been developed by Bayer Material Science AG, in...

Delving into doming: how appliance designers employ bubble nameplates and labels.(DECORATIVE TRIM & NAMEPLATES)
September 1, 2005... Where do those bubble nameplates come from? Because many U.S. manufacturers have mistakenly thought that so-called bubble labels and nameplates are only sourced in Asia, many have not considered them in great detail. Actually, the highest...

Interpower Corporation.(DESIGN MART)
September 1, 2005... Interpower[TM] hospital-grade power cords are designed for use in hospital and medical settings. The plugs carry the characteristic "greed dot", indicating hospital-grade. These plugs meet the North American medical industry requirements in UL...

FasTest.(DESIGN MART)
September 1, 2005... Instant leak tight connection up to 1000 psi, NuJaws[R] JXL lever action connector from FasTest, provides an instant leak tight connection for vacuum or pressure applications. The easy cam lever action with patented pressure assisted gripping...

IMS EXTON.(DESIGN MART)
September 1, 2005... Supplying the Appliance Industry with a variety of fabricated sheet metal parts, with special capabilities in cosmetically critical stainless steel components. Contact IMS EXTON, one of the Innovative Manufacturing Solutions Corporation...

Marking Specialists group.(DESIGN MART)
September 1, 2005... New revolutionary, patented emblem technology introduced, Marking Specialists group a leader in the product identification industry with 30 years experience as a manufacturer of high-quality, high-end emblems and nameplates used in the...

Chiaphua Components.(DESIGN MART)
September 1, 2005... Chiaphua Components Limited is one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality A6 and DO motors for various applications. Our motors are exported to global markets. We keep our customers' original ideas confidential and customize un designs,...

Caplugs.(DESIGN MART)
September 1, 2005... CAPLUGS' NEW CATALOG RELEASED (Buffalo, N.Y.)--Caplugs' new product catalog features more than 80 new parts along with our existing product lines of caps, plugs, edge liners, grommets, wraps, nettings, and Clearview[TM] tubing. The 150-page,...

All Shore Industries.(DESIGN MART)
September 1, 2005... Liquid Crystal Displays, All Shore Industries, providing compelling display solutions since 1987, is uniquely qualified in offering the highest quality LCD Modules at the most competitive prices. Standard and Custom LOB Modules, TN, STN, and...

American Zettler, Inc.(DESIGN MART)
September 1, 2005... American Zettler, Inc. introduces a new 20 A SPST Miniature Power Relay with Quick Connects. Features include: high temperature operation 125 [degrees], dielectric strength 5000 Vrms, 10 kV surge withstand, low profile quick connects (0.618"),...

Conductive.(DESIGN MART)
September 1, 2005... Conductive, a Tier 1 supplier of Appliance and Medical Grade Power cords, specializes in power cord lines aimed at resolving power cord issues in tough, high flex applications. As a value driven, vertically integrated manufacture, Conductive...

Orbitform.(DESIGN MART)
September 1, 2005... New Orbital Forming Head. Until now an orbital head's life expectancy was measured in months. With Orbitform's new Gold Series, the components can last for years (based on bearing life calculations for standard orbital heads). The Gold...

KB Electronics, Inc.(DESIGN MART)
September 1, 2005... Low Cost AC Drives Chassis / IP-20 and Nema 4X / IP65 models thru 5HP. 115, 230 and 460 VAC--50/60 Hz input These low cost drives save time and labor by providing drop-in installation. No more pushing buttons or downloading. The "2G" is factory...

Buhrke Industries.(DESIGN MART)
September 1, 2005... Stamping, Automated Assembly And More Aa part of the IMS group, Buhrke offers short-run to high-volume metal stamping and automated assembly services to appliance, telcom, electronic, industrial machinery, automotive and other OEM's worldwide....

Zettler Controls, Inc.(DESIGN MART)
September 1, 2005... Zettler Controls, Inc. has proven its quality and reliability in the HVAC/R market, with product lines such as relays, transformers, fan center controls, contactors, heat sequencers and thermistors. These products are used in both residential...

Everybody wins when design energizes.(ASSOCIATION REPORT: IHA)
September 1, 2005... Why would someone love a vacuum cleaner? Or a coffeemaker? Ever hear a friend rave about an outdoor grill? It's the design that causes such strong feelings about appliances today. In a world of many consumer choices and constant information,...