Designfax articles from April 2004

Designfax archives from April 2004

Would you like that product biggie-sized?(Up Front)
April 1, 2004... Owing to rumors of increases at the Post Office that would affect the cost of distributing trade magazines, our staff was asked to make cuts wherever possible. In that spirit, then, only the essentials of my countenance are appearing on this...

Fear and intimidation, by design.(Layer One)
April 1, 2004... "The Deliverator is a Type A driver with rabies. He zeroing in on his home base, Cosa Nostra Pizza #3569, cranking up the left lane of the CSV-5 at a hundred and twenty kilometers. His car is an invisible black lozenge, just a dark place that...

Explosion-proof transmitter/receiver: going wireless in hazardous environments.(Five Star Product Of The Month)
April 1, 2004... How simple life once was. One walked into the diner, sat down on a stool or in a booth, and asked for a cuppa joe. For the day's news and information, one talked to the wait-staff, the cook, the other patrons, read a newspaper or listened to...

Renaissance plastic.(Technology Spotlight)
April 1, 2004... Leonardo da Vinci, it seems, not only anticipated the airplane, the life jacket, the intercom and the robot, he also created the first manufactured plastic, according to an Italian scholar. Alessandro Vezzosi, director of the Museo ldeale in...

Wireless knees.(Technology Spotlight)
April 1, 2004... Last month, at the Scripps Clinic in Southern California, a patient received a full artificial knee replacement capable of transmitting real-time data back to computers during normal activities such as stair climbing, rising from a chair and...

Steel coating.(Top Product)
April 1, 2004... * corrosion resistant * forms, stamps well Intended as a substitute for high-quality hot-dipped galvanized (HDG) coil stock steel with good formability, surface finish and corrosion resistance, Steelshield combines electrogalvanized...

VCI literature.(Materials)
April 1, 2004... RustBan 105 vapor corrosion inhibitor (VCI) treatment is intended for primary packaging of ferrous parts. Applied directly to corrugated, solid fiber and other forms of paperboard packaging in the converting process, the coating eliminates...

PTFE processing brochure.(Materials)
April 1, 2004... A brochure describing this company's PTFE molding and machining capabilities highlights their expertise in single-piece seamless semiconductor wafer carriers and wet process parts. Fabricated from PTFE or PTFM Teflon, the parts are unaffected...

Specialty films.(Materials)
April 1, 2004... This company specializes in custom TPU, TPE, TPO, copolyester and copolyamide film. Film is cast as thin as 0.2 mils onto a variety of carrier materials up to 65-in. wide. Blown film is available in thicknesses from 0.8 to 20 mils in widths up...

Laser turning mirrors.(Materials)
April 1, 2004... A full line of C[O.sub.2] laser turning mirrors and phase retardation reflectors for use with 24 to 200W industrial laser systems is available. The mirrors are optimized for 10.6 [micro]m @45-degree AOI, and offered in 1/2- to 3-in. dia. sizes...

Thermoplastic profile extrusions.(Materials)
April 1, 2004... Design assistance is available for custom thermoplastic profile, tube and pipe extrusions. Both rigid and flexible materials are offered, including PVC, ABS, ASA, HIPS, TPR, TPE, HDPE, and PP. Co-extrusion profiles are available in...

Rust preventative.(Materials)
April 1, 2004... Dri Touch Plus IRP3 water-displacing rust preventative is a penetrant and sealant suited for all grades of powdered metal parts. Both impregnated and non-impregnated metals are protected by the low-viscosity liquid, regardless of the density or...

High-purity thorium.(Materials)
April 1, 2004... Available in both foil and wire form, this company offers 99.5% pure thorium in thicknesses ranging from 0.0125 to 1.0 mm and diameters from 0.22 to 1.0 mm,respectively. Custom fabrication and finishing services are available for unusual...

Plastic/metal insert molding brochure.(Materials)
April 1, 2004... This brochure describes the company's advanced insert molding and assembly solutions for OEMs. Plastic injection molding and precision metal-forming technologies are combined to speed development and production of intricate components. The...

Magnetic materials catalog.(Materials)
April 1, 2004... This catalog offers an extensive line of permanent magnetic materials for OEM product design applications and includes a new section of surplus neodymium magnets. Products include alnico, ceramic, rare earth (neodymium and samarium cobalt),...

Static dissipative compound.(Materials)
April 1, 2004... Specially formulated for the co-extrusion of ESD sheet, Pre-Elec ESD 6110 HIPS-based static dissipative polymer is suited for ESD-proof packaging applications. The material is colorable, washable, reusable, recyclable, clean (low outgassing)...

Machinable glass ceramic.(Materials)
April 1, 2004... Aremcolox 502-400 machinable glass ceramic is suited for use in thermally insulative dielectric components in applications to 700[degrees]F. Features include low thermal conductivity, high mechanical strength, zero porosity and machinability...

Colorants brochure.(Materials)
April 1, 2004... The Inspired Colorant Concepts brochure illustrates this company's general-purpose, high-pigment-loading and special-effect concentrates for every thermoplastic process, special programs for wire, cable and rotational molding, and pre-colored...

Delivering water to the desert.(Application Xtra)
April 1, 2004... * low-cost material * high-transparency Northern Chile has one of the driest deserts in the world; in order to sustain human activity in such a place, a good and reliable water supply is vital. Before it is suitable for human...

Routing fiber optic cable: optimizing results through radius control modules.(Cover Story)
April 1, 2004... What happens if there's kink in a fiber optic network cable in a company's server room? What happens if a fiber optic cable coming through a wall conduit 'snags' and bends before it reaches a computer? Slower download speeds? Lost data? Or...

PROFInet 'net forum.(Innovations)
April 1, 2004... An online PROFInet Public Forum has been implemented to provide answers to specific PROFInet questions and facilitate PROFInet discussions. The intended audience includes system operators and manufacturers, machinery and device manufacturers,...

Stepper motors.(Innovations)
April 1, 2004... Designed to overcome the challenges of grinding debris, carbide powder, glass particles and mineral components that destroy seals and bearings, Abrasive Dustproof stepper motors are available in industry standard 23, 34 and 42 frame sizes. The...

Wash-down stepper.(Innovations)
April 1, 2004... The IP66-rated WS-series stepper motor uses O-rings and a shaft seal for protection against jets of high-pressure liquids. Torque ranges from 1.4 to 440.4 lb-in. Windings of 260V/460V and a 10-ft shielded cable with grommeted cable gland are...

IC PLC.(Innovations)
April 1, 2004... Said to be the first PLC offered at the IC level, PLC on a Chip can be embedded into OEM products and programmed by EZ LADDER PC-based software, featuring ladder diagram and function block programming. The Development Kit includes a library of...

Hybrid stepper motor.(Innovations)
April 1, 2004... MAE stepper motors deliver accurate open-loop control for high-performance positioning applications. They feature step resolutions of 1.8-degrees (200 steps/ rev) in full-step mode; standard NEMA frame sizes, precision-honed stator and ground...

Damping vibration in the air: single system used in active and passive environments.
April 1, 2004... In the quest to get there from here and back, the traveler seeks three things--speed, economy and comfort. The middle item depends, in part, on the amount expended to maximize the first and last, which of themselves are products of advancing...

Servo-pneumatic control.(Top Product)
April 1, 2004... * multiple feedback design * real-time command & feedback monitoring The LS System, comprised of a dedicated device controller and a 5-ported, 3-position, closed-center directional valve, helps automation designers control position,...

Pressure transducer.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... Housed within 303 stainless steel, the P265 pressure transducer incorporates a mixed-signal CMOS ASIC that enhances the sensor's accuracy and EMI/RFI protection. A ceramic diaphragm assembly withstands exposure to various compatible liquid and...

Pressure control.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... The series 61.2 Butterfly pressure control system uses full range position encoding and high torque, for reliable downstream pressure control in vacuum chambers. The company's adaptive control algorithm is combined with a high-speed plate...

Expansion chamber.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... The Equalizer Expansion Chamber is designed to prevent pressure increases in closed system equipment. A rolling diaphragm provides a variable volume that, when properly sized, maintains housing pressure at or near 0 psi. The reduced pressure...

Rotating base.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... The Power Rotate-Multiple Position system is an airpowered rotating base with a spiral gear equipped with an outer ring of support castors for offset loads. The power rotating function is bi-directional and provides 360 degrees of operation...

Test point fittings.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... Designed to test hydraulic systems at working pressures, these fittings permit quick connections to monitor and control pressure, vent a system draw samples. The connection is leak-proof before the ball check is open in order to minimize...

Rod locking unit.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... The Nu lock series of rod locks provides reliable load holding during emergency stop conditions or when the air supply experiences a significant drop in pressure. The piston-operated clamp mechanically locks a cylinder piston rod in place in...

DeviceNet solenoid.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... Designed to operate a family of low power pilot valves, the DeviceNet Solenoid Valve is a discrete device that is hooked to a DeviceNet connection for direct control of solenoid valves. Operating voltage is 11 to 24 VDC. Housed within a NEMA 4...

Hydraulic digital controller.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... The HDCD series dual output hydraulic digital controller offers current control based on multiple temperature sensor, PT or RPM sensor inputs. Switched inputs are provided to suit a range of applications. A PWM signal input is available for...

Vacuum transducer.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... Designed for use in semiconductor loadlock and other applications requiring a wide range of pressure sensing capability, the HPS series 901 Plus Loadlock transducer combines a MicroPirani absolute pressure sensor and a piezo sensor (offering...

Basket strainer.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... This clear, all-plastic simplex basket strainer allows full visual verification of trapped dirt and debris. Since it is plastic, it does not rust, corrode or contaminate the process media as a metal strainer would. The strainers remove...

In-line flow sensors.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... These remote in-line flow sensors feature a compact housing with stainless steel wetted parts that are available with a 4 or 10 mm ID. Flow detection is accomplished without moving parts using the calorimetric principle, resulting in a reliable...

Pneumatic actuators.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... Typically used in applications that require turning over swinging, rotating and twisting movements, these rack-and-pinion actuators are available in 90-, 180-, 270-and 360-degree rotation angles. They feature male and female pinion variants,...

Pneumatic products catalog.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... Bulletin AU01-1000/ US includes over 3000 pages of catalog information from all of the company's pneumatic divisions. The CD-ROM contains detailed information, including specifications, performance curves, technical data, cross-sectional...

Motion controllers.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... Targeting hydraulic, pneumatic and electro servo control, RMC70 series motion controllers are suited for both single and double-axis systems. The RMC75S-MA1 is oriented toward linear motion control, and includes RS232/ 485 serial communications...

Electronic governor.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... Designed for applications such as lawn-and-garden tractors and generator sets, this electronic speed governing system dictates movement of the throttle with steps as small as 0.2 degrees. The governor offers smooth, steady-state operation...

Optical encoders.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... Based on their Opto-ASIC technology, this company introduces a compact optical incremental encoder featuring an integral 5-pin mating connector compatible with both Amphenol and Molex standard configurations. The 910 series offers one of the...

Compact encoder.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... The Model 15 line of encoders is available in 3 styles: Shaft (S), Thrubore (T) and Hollow-bore (H). The units have a low 1-in. profile in an industry standard size 15 housing. They provide high accuracy, high speed performance and up to 2-pole...

Robot controller.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... The PRCX 4-axis robot controller includes YRADS application developer software, permitting the user to define and configure a robotic work cell with the ease of a Windows-based application. The software includes component and parameter...

Pressure equalization.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... The PosiVent pressure equalization system is designed to keep water, washdown solution and other airborne contaminants out of gearboxes in food processing and material handling applications. The system is available on the company's 700 series...

Large bore brakes.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... Large Bore hysteresis brakes contain a large inside diameter to accommodate wire feed directly through the brake, while the rotor mounted to a tape supply reel provides the required tension. Torque is independent of speed and is available in...

Gearmotor.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... The PS1900 parallel shaft gearmotor is offered in 14 different gear ratios (from 5:1 to 320:1). Continuous-duty torque ratings are available up to 125 in.-lbs. Internal ball bearings and needle bearings on the output shaft provide substantial...

Absolute encoder.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... CoreTec CA6 series single-turn absolute encoders are available in any resolution from 2 to 32,768 ppr. Alignment of encoder zero position to the mechanical zero position is facilitated by an electronic zero set. The unit is available with...

Digital readout.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... Capable of programming contours, the POSITIP 880 DRO allows programming of any 2D part and displays the cutting process graphically on a large TFT color monitor. Through coordinated hand control on the two axes, parts with contours can be...

Washdown motors.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... Available in TENV and TEFC enclosures in NEMA frames 56C through 213TC, Washdown and Stainless Super0E electric motors are designed for use in food processing and other difficult environments. Washdown models arc offered in 1 to 20 hp, while...

Miniature linear guides.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... The wide series of MicroGuide miniature linear guides meets high accuracy and load capacity requirements. Constructed of 440 stainless steel, the guides require little or no lubrication, are corrosion resistant, and offer smooth, quiet...

Servomotors.(Fluid-driven Components)
April 1, 2004... AKM servomotors are wound with non-overlapping coils, thereby reducing the potential for phase-to-phase shorting. The assemblies are potted and IP65 sealed to provide durability in harsh applications. The balanced electromagnetic design offers...

Ejector vacuum pump.(Top Product)
April 1, 2004... * multi-staged * miniature Said to be the smallest multi-staged ejector vacuum pump in the world, the P2010 stands only 1.08 in. high and weighs 0.54 oz. While most pumps require at least 59 to 87 psi of field pressure, the P2010 can...

Peristaltic pump.(Pumps)
April 1, 2004... Sterile products in the Multi Filling peristaltic pump system contact only medical-grade silicone tubing and filling needle. When the process is completed, the tubing can be easily cleaned or disposed of to eliminate contamination concerns....

Open-circuit pumps.(Pumps)
April 1, 2004... Added to the 45 series axial piston open-circuit pump line are Frames E (100 to 147 cc) and J (45 to 75 cc). The compact, quiet-operating pumps are designed to withstand higher input speeds than traditional designs. The servo pistons are...

Infusion pumps.(Pumps)
April 1, 2004... This company introduces its ambIT Continuous and Intermittent infusion pumps designed for delivery of continuous and intermittent dosages, respectively. The compact, battery-operated pumps are designed for portability, with simple programming...

Pump motors.(Pumps)
April 1, 2004... Available in single and 3-phase ODP and TEFC constructions, these commercial-duty pump motors range from 1/3 to 40 hp and offer NEMA 56C, 56J, JM, JP, T, TC and TCZ mountings. The motors feature 303 stainless steel shaft extensions for...

Integrated pump/motor.(Pumps)
April 1, 2004... The Nachicco II compact variable pump unit occupies a footprint of 11.81- x 15.75-in. Capacities reach 16 [cm.sup.3]/rev with 1150 psi, with minimal noise output. Compared to standard units, the integrated pump/motor conserves 40% energy...

Hydraulic piston pump.(Pumps)
April 1, 2004... The XL series medium duty open-circuit hydraulic piston pump family now includes the 140 cc size. They feature high-volume, high pressures (280 bar/4060 psi), hydrostatic cam bearings, tapered-roller shaft bearings, O-ring seals and a...

Pump catalog.(Pumps)
April 1, 2004... Describing the company's general industrial pumps and accessories, this catalog includes automatic demand and by-pass diaphragm pumps operating on 12, 24 and 36 VDC, and 115 and 230 VAC. Accessories include accumulators, heat sinks, water...

Electronic metering pumps.(Pumps)
April 1, 2004... Liquid-end options have been added to Series PZ Electronic Diaphragm pumps, specifically Kynar (PVDF) and 316SS ends, in addition to the original PVC and acrylic models. The pulse metering series is suited for accurate, reliable injection of...

High-pressure pumps.(Pumps)
April 1, 2004... The VM E2HP 2-in. stainless steel standard flow pump delivers up to 200 psi, with standard flow at a rate up to 69 gal/min. The BL N25 1-in. and BL N50 2-in. full flow pumps deliver 238 psi, with the N25 flowing at 30 gal/min and the N50 at 90...

Baseplates & guards.(Pumps)
April 1, 2004... Designed to facilitate pump and motor installation, HDD series horizontal direct drive pump/motor baseplates and guards are available for NEMA motor frame sizes 56 through 326. The series features heavy-gauge construction of epoxy powder-coated...

Diaphragm pump.(Pumps)
April 1, 2004... The Boxer series 3000 diaphragm pump for liquids or gases is suited for low-current/ high-reliability pressure or vacuum applications. DC powered and rated for liquids to 5.0 1pm (gases to 30 1pm), the pumps are constructed of non-corrosive...

Mini-venturi pumps.(Pumps)
April 1, 2004... The JV series of nucro-miniature, airpowered, in-line venturi vacuum pumps features thermoplastic construction. They weigh only 16g and measure 1- x 1.69-in., allowing close mounting next to pick-up points. Capable of achieving a 24-in. Hg...

Axial piston pumps.(Pumps)
April 1, 2004... Four new displacements, ranging from 1.55 in.[sup.3]/rev (25.4 ml/rev) to 3.88 in.[sup.3]/rev (63.6 ml/rev), have been added to this PVM medium-duty line of axial piston hydraulic pumps. The open loop pumps feature a rotating group design with...

Machining torque anchor for progressive cavity pump.(Application Xtra)
April 1, 2004... * increased tool life, throughput * standard pricing on custom tooling While operating, progressive cavity pumps used in the oil and gas industries can produce thousands of ft-lbs of torque. A torque anchor can act as a conduit for the...

TPEs on a roll: design tune-up for mechanic's creeper.(Revisionx)
April 1, 2004... Just because a product has wheels does not mean that it will roll effectively. This frustration, coupled with the pure discomfort of lying on one's back while performing a repair, drove Pegasus Products Corporation Inc, Kent, OH, to design and...

Shaft coupling.(Top Product)
April 1, 2004... * cartridge configuration * eliminates misalignment Premature bearing and coupling failure in direct-coupled tandem applications is caused primarily by misalignment between shafts. End-to-end misalignment of 1-degree or parallel...

Disc coupling.(Couplings & Adapters)
April 1, 2004... Available in 4-, 6- and 8-bolt designs to accommodate connections to pumps, conveyors, printing presses, etc., RINGflex disc couplings are for torques up to 500,000 lb-ft and shafts up to 11-in. OD. No lubrication is required for...

Hydraulic bushings.(Couplings & Adapters)
April 1, 2004... Ambush hydraulic squeeze bushings are used to clamp moving shafts to fixed housings. Type ASA squeeze bushings are designed to resist axial forces only. Alternatively, Type AST squeeze bushings also resist torque with one or two holes for dowel...

Rigid couplings.(Couplings & Adapters)
April 1, 2004... PowerRing rigid couplings transmit 3 times the torque of conventional clamp-type couplings without a keyway and are easy to assemble and remove. Consisting of 2 collars and a compressing sleeve, they have a smooth bore and are suited for...

Coupling.(Couplings & Adapters)
April 1, 2004... The Ecoflex economy class coupling features a stainless steel bellow exhibiting high torsional rigidity with zero backlash. Standardization of components and manufacturing processes reduce the cost, even for small lots. They are designed as a...

Washdown couplings.(Couplings & Adapters)
April 1, 2004... This company's CD couplings are offered in a stainless steel single-flex model for harsh environments and washdown applications. Available in sizes 30 to 52, the couplings have clamp or keyway style hubs with the company's composite disc design...

Coupling in steel manufacturing.(Application Xtra)
April 1, 2004... * withstands harsh environment * eliminates slippage, excessive wear The environment in a steel plant is harsh--combining heat, water and corrosive elements that are tough on parts and machinery. The business environment facing steel...

Playing around with 3D: design analysis software speeds time-to-market.(Tech Upgrade)
April 1, 2004... Fun is the obvious endgame in playground equipment design, but when you're designing something for children, nothing is ever one-dimensional. Fun is second to safety. And don't forget durability--anything designed with children in mind has to...

Fiber-optic rotary joints.(Top Product)
April 1, 2004... * optical slip ring * uninterrupted data transmission Available in a variety of package types, wavelengths and fiber types, the FORJ line of rotary joints for fiber optic systems functions as the optical equivalent of the electrical...

Rugged connectors.(Wires, Cables & Connectors)
April 1, 2004... Tuff-Seal wire management products include strain relief cord connectors, wire mesh grips, liquid tight connectors and water-tight hubs. Tuff-Link molded connectors include various mini-/micro-/pico-connectors and cable assemblies, distribution...

Component housings.(Wires, Cables & Connectors)
April 1, 2004... The ME MAX modular electronic component housing features 30% more PCB space than previous versions of the ME series. An optional mounting rail serial bus connector loops signal and supply voltages through a mounting rail bus connection that is...

Energy supply system.(Wires, Cables & Connectors)
April 1, 2004... Smooth contours and tubular design ensure fluid mobility in the Triflex R line of flexible Energy Chains. Designed for robotic applications requiring 3D and multiaxis freedom of movement, the chain is constructed with a trailer-hitch...

Nanominiature connectors.(Wires, Cables & Connectors)
April 1, 2004... The N-series of single-row nanominiature connectors offers design-in flexibility in terms of size, termination configuration, hardware and shell plating options. The units meet or exceed DSCC 94031 and MIL-DTL-83513 specifications for size,...

Plugs, connectors.(Wires, Cables & Connectors)
April 1, 2004... The Safeway+ Wiring Devices feature a 3-piece Core-Lock rubberized nylon assembly that allows the plugs and connectors to lock together with a pair of screws, eliminating the need for face screws. A reversible cord clamp accommodates a full...

Shielded cords.(Wires, Cables & Connectors)
April 1, 2004... Serve Shield cords offer soft tinned copper spiral wrap and 36 AWG, which offers 90% coverage. Foil Shield is a heat-laminated aluminum foil polyester tape with 24 AWG drain wire, which offers 100% coverage. Customized to suit specific...