Designfax articles from April 2000

Designfax archives from April 2000

Scholarships For All Students.
April 1, 2000... First new engineering school in 40 years seeks brightness, creativity With more than 30,000 high-tech jobs going begging in Silicon Valley alone, there is a growing need to train engineers who are qualified to quickly enter the workplace,...

I.C.ing on the Cake.
April 1, 2000... Intellectual Capital Includes All Employees Paid to Think Rumor has it that the entire U.S. steel industry now has a lower market value than the two basement-bound server boxes -- "Please Do Not Touch" -- that make up what we all know as...

Occupies Single Space.
April 1, 2000... Setting up a control system for servo motors often involves more than just plugging into a controller and turning on the power. There are amplifiers to consider, power supplies, and the various connecting lines that string everything together....

HVLS Fan Company.
April 1, 2000... Sometimes a light breeze is just enough. At least, that's the point made by the HVLS Fan Company, Lexington, KY, that recently introduced a ceiling fan with a blade diameter of 20 feet. The high volume, low velocity fan can circulate 88,000 cfm...

SIGHTech Vision Systems, Inc.
April 1, 2000... A lot of production lines would benefit from an inspector who could learn fast, inspect fast, and not be terribly complex or nod off during working hours. Most automated systems involve separate PCs and software, but the Eyebot, made by...

Reader.
April 1, 2000... Checks and Balances I read your editorial in the February Designfax, and I think you did a good job pointing out the responsibility we have as design engineers to help children see their place in the responsible application of technology....

Harsh environment computer.
April 1, 2000... The GPCP (General Purpose Control Processor) 750 is a full Mil-Spec COTS single-board computer based on a 200 MHz PowerPC 750 processor. It features 32 Mbytes of DRAM with error detection and correction (EDC), 16 Mbytes of 64-bit FLASH memory,...

Trimmer capacitors.
April 1, 2000... The dynamic range of the A1 series of miniature trimmer capacitors has been extended to 12 pF. With 13 turns of adjustment and positive stops, the A1_12 is suitable for tuning applications in amplifiers, filters and oscillators. Offered in PCB...

Filter inductors.
April 1, 2000... The miniature Model DR333-7 Series of filter design suitable for surface mounting. Their high energy storing capacity provides very effective filtering of ripple in input or output channels of power supplies. Inductance ranges available are...

Low-power MMX-class single board.
April 1, 2000... The Cyrix-based PCM-5820 offers an optional Windows CE packages bundled with it. The computer packs a Pentium MMX-class processor with a VGA/LCD interface, audio, 10/100Basse T Ethernet, a CompactFlash card socket, and a connector for up to...

Digital I/O.
April 1, 2000... The clock rate on the GT5150 is programmable from 5 Hz to 100 MHz, and can capture or stimulate long patterns at rates up to 100 MHz. The PC-based digital I/O board also features: 32 input or output pins; space for up to 128 Mbit of memory...

PICDEM-2 demonstration board.
April 1, 2000... This company has introduced Internet-ready capability for its PICDEM-2 demonstration board supporting their PIC16CXXX family of 8-bit RISC microcontrollers. PICDEM-2 incorporates emWatre's EMIT evaluation software, allowing PICmicro designers...

Telecommunications voice processing board.
April 1, 2000... The Compact-PCI DSP board is designed specifically for telecommunications voice processing. More than 26,000 MIPS of available DSP performance, 81.3 SPECint95 of available RISC performance and the company's CHAMP architecture combine to make...

Servo couplings.
April 1, 2000... These torsion-resistant, flexible servo couplings are designed for critical drive applications and offer high accuracy, fast speeds, easy installation and long life. Several different types are available, including units with aluminum radial...

Planetary angled gearbox.
April 1, 2000... Power in the CONCURVE line of Planetary Right Angle Gearboxes comes from a gearing design that incorporates larger, stronger teeth than standard involute gears. Three standard frame sizes offer continuous torque ratings of 300, l000 and 2000...

Right angle servo gearmotors.
April 1, 2000... Stealth gearmotors are offering high torque in a compact, right angle design. They combine a brushless DC motor with helical planetary gearing in, a space-saving unit. The integrated design has the input gear on the motor shaft, ensuring...

Yard tractor transaxle.
April 1, 2000... The Narrow Drive K66, designed with lower noise emissions than the previous generation K61, has a reduced package size that provides more flexibility to OEM designers for mounting the unit to the vehicle. The internal wet disc brake...

Stainless steel couplings.
April 1, 2000... Available in stainless steel are servoquality, backlash-free safety couplings, metal bellows couplings, servo-insert couplings, keyless clamping shrink discs and magnetic couplings. Safety couplings are offered to handle torques from 9 to...

Better belt.
April 1, 2000... The Dodge HT200 belt offers horsepower ratings 200% greater than conventional HTD drives, with all the benefits of synchronous belt drive systems. This includes positive, no-slip drive; lubrication-free operation; corrosion resistance;...

Size 17 gearheads.
April 1, 2000... NemaTrue planetary gearheads are now offered in frame size 17, making it suitable for tight space applications. Featuring steel gears hardened to HRC 55-60, the unit packs a peak torque of 120 in-lb. A choice of 8 ratios have backlash ratings...

Thinking Out of, and About, the Box.
April 1, 2000... After a century of tube-fillers and cartoners, what's new at IWK? The latest Cartopac machine, the SC4, is state-of-the-art in packaging machinery -- a clean, sleek, ergonomic design. The rotary carton pick-up system takes a folded carton...

Hydraulic Coupling.
April 1, 2000... The GlobalSpiral coupling can be used worldwide for all Gates high-pressure spiral wire hoses with ratings from 3000 to 6000 psi. The permanent coupling features longer teeth in the ferrule to provide a more positive, penetrating grip of the...

Position Sensing Products.
April 1, 2000... High dynamic performance, closed-loop proportional valves and servo solenoid valves provide precision zero overlap at the mid-position area, instant response to rapid changes in signal, excellent resolution, reduced filtration requirements,...

DryLin TKM Bearing.
April 1, 2000... Featuring a split housing made from polymer, this economical and lightweight bearing is ideal for applications that do not require the stiffness of metal housings. It is also beneficial for applications requiring vibration-dampening properties....

High Flow, Low Pressure Drop Valves.
April 1, 2000... Produced in three sizes -- 1/8-, 1/4- and 3/8-in. NPT -- the check valves and fixed flow controls are made in both brass and stainless steel. Suitable for liquid or gases, check valve products allow free flow in one direction only. Bubble tight...

Mid-range Shock Absorbers.
April 1, 2000... This company reports its Magnum Group shock absorbers have the industry's highest energy ratings per package size. They offer up to 3.9 times the effective weight capacity of standard models without increasing the size or cost of the shock...

Directional control valve.
April 1, 2000... Booth 105. This Hi-Cyclic valve is designed for applications where space is constricted. It has a maximum length of 2-1/4in. and a maximum 2 5/8 in. body height, providing a low silhouette in tight installation spaces. Mechanically operated it...

Fluid handling system.
April 1, 2000... This breather assembly replaces standard 6 hole, 2.88-in. dia. bolt pattern filler/ breathers used on most hydraulic reservoirs. In addition to a highly efficient air filter, the OILMISER FILLorDRAIN allows both filling and draining through a 1...

Miniatgure check valve.
April 1, 2000... The 855 Series cartridge check valve offers a higher flow capability than previous models, in an 8mm dia. x 13mm long package The flow rate is 1 gpm at 15 psid. Ideal for high volume applications, it is inserted into a drilled hole and a...

Shaft coupling.
April 1, 2000... Curved jaw ROTEX couplings connect shafts separated by extended gaps. Spacers allow the user to disassemble the coupling without moving the driver or the driven component. Repairs are made without disturbing component alignment. The...

Pneumatic Servovalve.
April 1, 2000... The Model 27N R-DDV pneumatic servovalve is designed for high-precision, closed-loop feedback motion control systems. Industrial applications include control of load position, velocity, acceleration and force. The high-performing component...

Ion exchange purifier.
April 1, 2000... This system conditions phosphate ester in hydraulic and lubrication systems. Phosphate ester is used extensively in industries requiring fire resistant fluids in their hydraulic and lubrication systems; however, it is susceptible to degradation...

small motors provide critical motion for process module.
April 1, 2000... When designing the process for its latest semiconductor process station, Plasma-Therm required high quality motors for smooth, accurate motion control. The technologies of Plasma-Therm, Inc., St. Petersburg, FL, deliver robust, repeatable...

Lubrication-free linear bearing.
April 1, 2000... This SKC recirculating bearing can be used in delicate Vacuum and clean room environments, yet is robust enough to provide years of operation. Lubricants are not needed due to alternating ceramic and Teflon rolling elements. The ceramic...

Bearing material.
April 1, 2000... This company's new bearing may be used in hot tub applications where sanitizing agents, such as chlorine and bromine traditionally degrade plastic fittings. The bearing is made of PA (nylon) because of its resistance to attack by these...

Linear rail system.
April 1, 2000... This metal belt-driven system features pre-engineered components that simplify system design and reduce cost. It is ideal for use in laboratory environments, electronics assembly, food processing, high speed packaging and more. The no-stretch...

Elastomeric bearings.
April 1, 2000... These load carrying bearings and isolation systems absorb, dampen and/or control large forces simultaneously occurring in several directions. This includes vibration isolation, centrifugal force retention, and motion control in three axes. They...

Dovetail slides.
April 1, 2000... These Master DS precision slides, available in three models, are computer designed to ensure accuracy and repeatability. Express slides, available in 4-, 6-, 8-, 10- or 12-in. base widths, are for applications requiring compact design and quick...

Turntable bearing.
April 1, 2000... Series M bearings range in size from 16- to 43-in, diameter ballpath. These bearings are commonly used in applications such as industrial turntables, stretch wrappers and palletizers, manlifts, truck cranes, digger derricks, mini-excavators,...

Linear bearings program.
April 1, 2000... Four product families meet the needs of load capacities, precision and, fast, silent movement. Products are based on cold-drawn steel bearing rails with hardened, internal raceways. The Compact Rail family is a versatile linear roller system;...

Roller bearings.
April 1, 2000... This line of heavy duty spherical roller bearings is ideal for vibrating screen and rolling mill applications. Bearings range in size from 40 to 200mm in bore diameter. They feature a two-piece, machined bronze, outer-ring riding retainer that...

Low static slides.
April 1, 2000... A plating of electroless nickel allows static charges to dissipate, making these slides well-suited for applications automated equipment. The ESD slides are plated to ASTM standard B733-97, and the process is available for the company's lines...

Ceramic balls.
April 1, 2000... CERBEC balls improve bearing performance in many applications, including machine tool spindles, ballscrews, dental equipment, turbomolecular pumps, aerospace, food processing and more. The balls decrease wear, enabling the bearings to run at...

Electric slides.
April 1, 2000... Emax Series EQ electric slides provide multi-position linear motion at a low cost. Unique construction along with the choice of packages offers maximum motion control flexibility for a variety of automation applications. A unique bearing system...

Non-magnetic precision XY table.
April 1, 2000... This XY motion system is designed for use in high vacuum, non-magnetic environments ([10.sup.-7] torr). The stage produces a magnetic field variation less than 1 milliGauss. Machined from aluminum, it uses nonmagnetic materials for the...

Air cylinders.
April 1, 2000... The C4 series of metric air cylinders is designed to conform to most worldwide standards. They are offered in bore sizes from 32 to 100mm, and with strokes to 500mm. Aluminum end caps and barrel are anodized for long life. A slot runs the full...

Parallel shaft gearmotor.
April 1, 2000... The GIL200 Series meets demands for high output torque in a compact, durable design. The flexible gearmotor is designed to be combined with RAE's M1600, M4000, M6000, or OPTI 4000 fractional HP permanent magnet motor, offering input HP ratings...

Split-clamp quill.
April 1, 2000... Posidyne Model 01 and 1.5 oil-shear clutches gain longer, trouble-free service life When locked in With this split-clamp quill design. The quill eliminates play between keyway, key and input quill shaft, and helps the two clutch-brakes deliver...

Precision gears.
April 1, 2000... An innovative precision gearing works with threaded long length rods, and adapts to rotary or linear motion machinery. This gearing works with any standard screw, and is offered in a variety of standard sizes. It can also be made-to-order for...

Gear reducer.
April 1, 2000... An industrial-grade planetary gear reducer fits PseudoServo applications at parallel shaft cost structure. The MotionMaster 7300 features involute net-shaped gears in a pressed and sintered, powdered-metal gear Continuous-duty torques of 500...

Brushless DC motors.
April 1, 2000... A BMC 34 Series of motors has been designed for long life and maintenance-free applications in pumps, air moving and medical devices. The control electronics are potted for moisture resistance, and are completely built within the motor housing,...

Gear reducers.
April 1, 2000... The MultiTech line of servo duty gear reducers accommodate stepper and brushless DC motors in precision applications. Developed on the base of existing gearheads, the new reducers can be used with NEMA 23 and 34 mounts There are eight ratios in...

Timing/drive motors.
April 1, 2000... POLYVOLT permanent magnet subfractional hp motors are available in AC (synchronous/reversible), DC and stepping configuration. Many options are offered for custom configurations, and include different gearbox styles, voltage ratings, torgue...

Unimotor gearmotors.
April 1, 2000... This company's gearmotors use low backlash planetary gearboxes designed to satisfy demands for higher torque levels without sacrificing positioning accuracy. They provide a cost effective method of extending motor rated torque within a range of...

Absolute encoders.
April 1, 2000... The VA (virtual absolute) series of encoders combine the opto-mechanical simplicity of an incremental encoder, with the system reliability and interfacing ease of an absolute encoder. The technology has inherent error defection circuitry not...

Feedback monitoring system.
April 1, 2000... Incorporating a digital signal processor, the IntelliTach is a feedback monitoring device designed to eliminate downtime resulting from loss of encoder signals. It accepts inputs from any line driver encoder or digital tachometer, and...

Single-component machined assemblies.
April 1, 2000... Wrap spring assemblies machined as a single integrated part can suit applications ranging from deep space instrumentation to more earthly medical instrumentation. In one example, a pneumatic cylinder was to rotate a six-position carousel, The...

26mm DC motors.
April 1, 2000... LO-COG Series 8920 brush-commutated DC motors and gearmotors offer a cartridge brush assembly, that reduces audible and electrical noise and improves brush life by maintaining optimum brush force throughout the life of the motor. An economical...

Technology Revolutionizes Semiconductor Industry.
April 1, 2000... ChamberLink rewrites industry rules on how to create motion within a vacuum chamber Creating motion in a vacuum typically requires either a rotary feedthrough, with ferrofluid or O-rings to seal the shaft, or a magnetic feedthrough, which...

Designing Motion Control Systems with Electric Cylinders.
April 1, 2000... Motion control systems that require linear movement can be designed with a variety of different technologies. The most commonly used can be grouped into three categories: linear actuators, linear motors and precision positioning tables. Linear...

Software for Lighting Design.
April 1, 2000... A new version of TracePro opto-mechanical 3-D solid modeling software, customized specifically for the biomedical lighting and lighting design markets, has been released by Lambda Research Corporation, Littleton, MA. The new TracePro 2.0.4...

Bondage on the 'Net.
April 1, 2000... Assistance with Adhesives You might think adhesives are mundane because of their ubiquitous nature. But if you read about the exciting case of Four Pillars Enterprises earlier this year, you'd realize that adhesives are the stuff of...

Diffusion bonding.
April 1, 2000... This company helps designers create intricate, multi-layer manifolds that will withstand harsh chemicals, high temperature and other stresses. Using a proprietary process called diffusion bonding, the company creates complex, close-tolerance...

Prototype process.
April 1, 2000... This company offers streamlined capabilities for the rapid production of thermoplastic prototypes. The specialized prototype process accelerates the verification of design and manufacturing feasibility allowing faster time-to-market. A...

Rapid prototyping.
April 1, 2000... This company specializes in the rapid prototyping of injection molded plastic components and is able to build prototype lighting components for new models and concept vehicles. Capabilities include an in-house mold and pattern shop, a carbide...

Specialty composite materials.
April 1, 2000... This company produces a wide range of specialty composite materials and glass-bonded mica ceramics. Precision fabrication and custom assembly services enhance its product offering of thermoset high pressure laminates, asbestos replacement...

Custom and standard molded and stamped rubber products.
April 1, 2000... With more than 35 years of experience in design engineering and product prototyping, this company can manufacture both large and small production runs. Materials include neoprene, buna-N, nitrile, EPDM, SBR, silicone, urethane and more. Die-cut...

Custom metal forming services.
April 1, 2000... This company offers roll forming, metal stamping and steel bands, and also provides support with its engineering, AutoCAD design and tool room services. ISO 9001 certified, Sun Metal Products offers products with tolerances up. to [pm]0.005 and...

Mold maker and manufacturing services provider.
April 1, 2000... This company creates added value for clients through the application of its broad base of services including product design, mold manufacture, injection molding, special purpose automation and contract manufacturing services. Systems and...

Teflon tubing.
April 1, 2000... Gas diffusion rates through Teflon AF tubing are 200-300 times faster than other fluoropolymers. This allows gas detection or degassing of liquid media at faster response times and in smaller spaces. Liquid degassing is possible with Teflon AF...

Solenoid valves.
April 1, 2000... These stainless steel solenoid valves for corrosive fluids and steam are available in 1/2-, 3/4- and 1-in. pipe sizes. Pressures range from 0 to 500 psi for corrosive fluids and 0 to 180 psi for steam: Other features include: all AC and DC...

Composite ceramic tubes.
April 1, 2000... These tubes, for use in high temperature and corrosive environments, are manufactured by slip casting, which allows production in many complex shapes and sizes up to 36 in. long. The composite ceramics exhibit excellent thermal shock resistance...

Shaft sensor mount.
April 1, 2000... The WHIRLIGIG three in one target/bracket/ guard is available for all industry standard cylindrical or DIN inductive sensors. The sensor bolts to the base plate and the complete assembly bolts to the machine's shaft. Machine and shaft vibration...

Self-centering dampers.
April 1, 2000... The patented SCD09 and SCD12 dampers allow controlled movement in extension and compression while providing a controlled rate of return from either direction to a neutral position. The most common use for this new technology is in the control...

Surface mount DC/DC converters.
April 1, 2000... The Excalibur series is a new line of 5 to 100W isolated and non-isolated DC/DC converters. This series features open frame housings with the ability to mount the converter either vertically or horizontally. The horizontal mount can be...

Fluorosilicone sponge gaskets.
April 1, 2000... These sponge rubber gaskets and pads are designed to seal out dust and moisture in applications where harsh fluids such as coolants, fuels and oils may be present. Along with superior fluid resistance, fluorosilicone resists sunlight aging and...

Ultra-high molecular weight plastic.
April 1, 2000... GAR-DUR is abrasion resistant and offers a low coefficient of friction, reducing clean-up time as materials do not stick to its surface. It is self-lubricating and has high impact resistance, becoming work-hardened in the course of use. GAR-DUR...

Knitted wire mesh filters.
April 1, 2000... These product alternatives are ideal for filtration applications where rubber, plastic, paper and cloth will not handle pressure, vibration, chemical and temperature extremes. Since wire can be knitted into a uniform mesh from a wide variety of...

313D Speedyload pumphead.
April 1, 2000... This company has improved its 313D clamp design to allow for very easy loading. The clamps have been redesigned to hold the tubing better and allow more clearance for tube loading that will warrant against potential loading errors with surgical...

RV Suspension Uses Non-Metallic Bearings to Cut Maintenance.
April 1, 2000... Aunique recreational vehicle (RV) suspension system that uses rubber shear springs and specially valved shock absorbers also incorporates non-metallic bearings to eliminate the need for lubrication and to provide the rigidity needed to maintain...