Designfax articles from December 2001

Designfax archives from December 2001

Attitudes & Gratitudes. (Up Front).
December 1, 2001... Richard Mandel Well. That was a year. Does anyone else feel like we should just finish out 2001 with hands loosely thrust above our heads, screaming hysterically as we come to the end of this roller coaster ride? Weeks of accusations...

Toyota Motor Corp. (Technology Spotlight).
December 1, 2001... At the Tokyo Motor Show this October (a venue rife with prototypes and dream machines) was found a curious teaming between Toyota and Sony. Named "Pod," the vehicle suggests elements of the Aibo toy dog as applied to personal...

Phoenix x-ray Systems + Services Inc. (Technology Spotlight).
December 1, 2001... A critical issue in electronics, if PC board real estate is to continue shrinking, addresses techniques for inspection. After all, circuit paths need to be undamaged and whole for the circuit to work. As component sizes decrease, traces become...

Thermoplastic vulcanizates: Top Product. (Materials).
December 1, 2001... * High tear strength * High tensile strength Several NexPrene grades of thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) have been approved by both Ford Motor Company and DaimlerChrysler for use in injection molded, extruded or blow-molded parts. The...

Rubber shock mounts. (Materials).
December 1, 2001... A specially formulated compound of polyester elastomer combined with a urethane elastomer was developed to maximize the damping capacity of a new line of shock mounts approved for use by the U.S. Navy. GI Plastek, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Free...

Precolored TPE. (Materials).
December 1, 2001... This company offers to pre-color TPE orders free of charge. This is possible, says the company has streamlined its manufacturing system to allow pre-coloring, keeping prices competitive. Color concentrates are customer provided, or the company...

Custom rubber products. (Materials).
December 1, 2001... In addition to its standard lines of molded, fabricated and extruded parts, this company also offers custom-designed rubber products, including grommets, bumpers and extrusions. S-B Industries Inc, Fenton, MO. Free info--Circle 168.

Blended polymers. (Materials).
December 1, 2001... This company has developed a manufacturing process whereby secondary, non-standard synthetic rubber feedstock is blended to produce elastomers with very specific material and process parameters. Goldsmith & Eggleton, Wadsworth, OH. Free...

TPE grade compounds. (Materials).
December 1, 2001... Six TPE grades belonging to the Dynaflex Series have been certified by the National Sanitation Foundation. The Dynaflex 7900 series are general-purpose high-performance compounds that are designed to be easily molded with reduced cycle times....

Long Flight, Limited Ceiling: Model aeroplanes for duration competition require low weight/power ratio. (Engineer's Toy box).
December 1, 2001... Indoor electric-motored, radio-controlled (r/c) aeroplanes are catching on as a hobby. They provide the fun of piloting without being reliant on decent flying weather, or a local space approved for model aircraft. While not all park flyers can...

All Aboard!: Model steam locomotives gain realistic slow-speed control. (Engineer's Toy box).
December 1, 2001... Model trains have traveled far since Lionel LLC, Chesterfield, MI, produced its first locomotive more than 100 years ago. Today's trains continue to be designed with painstaking attention to scale detail, with the addition of unprecedented...

Precision gear reducer. (Motion Innovations).
December 1, 2001... The heavy duty RV-E provides high ratio gear reduction in a compact design. It offers extremely high torsional rigidity and overload torque capacity at 500% of rated torque. Rated torque range is 637 to 60,710 in. lbs. with a peak torque...

Magnetic angular position encoder. (Motion Innovations).
December 1, 2001... Using MEMs technology, the AS 5020 encoder provides up to 64 positions of non-contact, absolute rotary position sensing. The 6-bit devices provide real-time encoding in applications with rotation peeds up to 30,000 rpm. Absolute positional...

Thin ball bearing. (Motion Innovations).
December 1, 2001... The B4-72 bearing is 0.031-in, thick, suiting for applications such as ultra-thin motors, pancake resolvers, biomedical assemblies and semi-conductor equipment. Bore dimension is 0.1575 in. (4mm), with a 0.3543-in. (9mm) OD and a 0.31-in....

Vacuum generator. (Motion Innovations).
December 1, 2001... Originally a component in this company's Vacu-Vise system, the VG01 Venturi Vacuum Generator can produce 27 in. Hg vacuum from shop air, providing a holding force of greater than 13 psi. The unit eliminates the need for stand-alone compressors,...

Siemens puts "spin on control scheme: Specialty machines enhanced with CNC retrofit.
December 1, 2001... MJC Engineering and Technology, Inc., Huntington Beach, CA, is a builder of CNC spinforming machines, typically used for spinning circle blanks up to 15 feet in diameter, tube spinning and steel and aluminum pressure vessel production up to 22...

Large permanent magnet clutch and brake: Top Product. (Power Transmission).
December 1, 2001... * High torque capacity * Long life This company has introduced what it says is the industry's largest permanent magnet clutch and brake. Called the Precision Tork M9, it features adjustable torque capabilities ranging from 15 lb-in, to...

Planetary gearhead. (Power Transmission).
December 1, 2001... The TP-High Torque planetary gearhead offers 110% higher torque, 50% greater rigidity, and 700% higher overload safety than the original model. In addition, the low-backlash gearhead is available in a very compact size, reducing the amount of...

Speed controllers. (Power Transmission).
December 1, 2001... The Series 4.000 is a complete line of braking devices that control the speed of packages and palletized loads in conveyor applications. They maintain proper and safe speed of conveyed objects regardless of package or pallet size, shape or...

Manual release back stop. (Power Transmission).
December 1, 2001... The patented manual release backstop (MRB) reduces the time and effort needed to reverse conveyor direction. Drum motors with the MRB device can be implemented on inclined conveyors. Van der Graaf Inc, Brampton, ON. Free info--Circle 196

Stepper/servo brakes. (Power Transmission).
December 1, 2001... The SSB series of front end brakes is designed for braking applications on stepper and servo motors. Available for NEMA 23, 34 and 42 sizes, the SSB incorporates a zero backlash permanent magnet brake and a torsionally rigid coupling to accept...

Powder brake dynamometers. (Power Transmission).
December 1, 2001... The PB Series powder brake dynamometers are Suitable for low- to mid-speed range and mid- to high-torque range (under 850 ft. lbs. of torque). They provide full torque at zero speed and are water-cooled. Magtrol Inc, Buffalo. NY. Free...

Planetary gearheads. (Power Transmission).
December 1, 2001... Three metric models have been added to the NemaTRUE planetary gearhead series. Available in two front-face mounting options, the models are offered in 60mm, 90mm and 115mm frame sizes. Thomson Industries, Inc, Port Washington, NY. Free...

Cycloidal speed reducers. (Power Transmission).
December 1, 2001... Transcyko cycloidal speed reducers offer smooth, silent operation without vibration in various mountings and configurations. They are also capable of absorbing exceptionally high shock loads in excess of 500%. Hyatt TSC Reducers Inc, Vancouver,...

Geared step motors. (Power Transmission).
December 1, 2001... The PM line of geared steppers is a low-cost alternative for use in medical equipment, computer, telecommunications and other applications. The compact motors are available in sizes ranging from 35mm to 56mm in diameter and between 17.3mm to...

Disposable cartridges. (Tubing, Hoses & Connectors).
December 1, 2001... These disposable plastic cartridges are offered in 1-, 2 1/2-, 8-, 12-, 20- and 32-oz., as well as 1/l0th gallon sizes. Suitable for a wide variety of pneumatic and manual dispensing applications, the disposable cartridges are available molded...

Timing belt drive: Top Product. (Power Transmission).
December 1, 2001... * Compact design * Well-protected belt Designed for single-axis positioning and sequence control procedures--including PLC-controlled setups--the AZ-1010 timing belt drives feature are compact, making the unit ideal for restricted...

Magnetic clutches. (Power Transmission).
December 1, 2001... The HSV line of permanent-magnet hysteresis clutches provides smooth torque transmission with servo quality overload protection for bottling applications. Constructed of stainless steel, this clutch is designed as two magnet-lined cylinders...

Metal bellows coupling. (Power Transmission).
December 1, 2001... The KLC metal bellows coupling is available finished bored, pre-bored or bored with a range of sizes for additional bushings. The series is designed with one radial clamping screw for each hub. GAM Enterprises, Chicago, IL. Free info--Circle...

Worm gear speed reducers. (Power Transmission).
December 1, 2001... The BostKleen worm gear speed reducers are available in white and stainless models. They provide control of speed and torque for bakery, conveyor, meat processing and packaging equipment. Boston Gear, Quincy, MA. Free info--Circle 273.

Equalizing thrust bearing. (Power Transmission).
December 1, 2001... The LEG SlimLine bearing features a thickness that is 35% smaller than that of traditional bearings, says its manufacturer, yet it provides the same load-carrying capacities as other bearings offered by the company. The fluid-film-type bearing...

Shooting Blind: Threaded inserts aid attachment of skill games. (Revisionx).
December 1, 2001... Many of the skill games at amusement parks and arcades are built with a tubular steel frame, where accessibility to install fastening hardware is limited to one side. Assembly of these frames with tapped holes, weld nuts rivets and...

Airflow transducer: Top Product. (Sensors & Transducers).
December 1, 2001... * Measures in real time * Accurate readings The AVT Series airflow transducer simultaneously measures air velocity and air temperature in real time. This transducer features a temperature compensation algorithm that allows for accurate...

Turbine flow sensor. (Sensors & Transducers).
December 1, 2001... The Activa Sensor Array Series F6200A/F220A simultaneously measures the flow, pressure and temperature of mobile or stationary hydraulic systems and components. Available with either U.S. or metric ports, the Series F6200A/F220A offers three...

Load cell. (Sensors & Transducers).
December 1, 2001... The M7200 universal load cell series features a hermetically sealed design with a 300% overload rating. It is easily installed on any existing container or table for safe weight measurements for up to 10,000 lbs per cell. Muse Measurements...

Linear displacement sensor. (Sensors & Transducers).
December 1, 2001... The LD-50 non-contact sensor offers a sensing range to 30-in, in a protected custom housing. It has a programmable non-contact analog or pulse width-modulated output. Power Components of Midwest Inc, Mishawaka, IN. Free info--Circle 289.

Pressure/vacuum sensor. (Sensors & Transducers).
December 1, 2001... The HPS Series 901 loadlock transducer (LLT) is a combination piezo and Pirani sensor with an integrated electronic control circuit, analog output and two setpoints as standard features for process control. MKS-HPS Products, Boulder, CO. Free...

Transducer catalog. (Sensors & Transducers).
December 1, 2001... The Handbook of Transducer Design Engineering and Application is a 73-page catalog describing this company's full range of linear and angular displacement sensors and linear velocity sensors. In addition to product descriptions, the handbook...

Polypropylene reservoir: Top Product. (Tubing, Hoses & Connectors).
December 1, 2001... * All-in-one design * Easy-to-use This polypropylene reservoir features built-in internal mountings and outlets in an all-in-one design, allowing for the attachment of various outlet fittings. It can also be used with any of the...

Hose - bend restrictors. (Tubing, Hoses & Connectors).
December 1, 2001... The HB Series hose-bend restrictors feature a tapered design that reduces bending stress near the hose-coupling junction, preventing damage to a variety of hydraulic and pressure washer hoses. Niagara Plastics Co, Erie, PA. Free info--Circle...

Tube fittings. (Tubing, Hoses & Connectors).
December 1, 2001... Metru-Lock push-to-connect tube fittings are available in metric and European sizes. They feature a one-piece, bite-type fitting with a ferrule positioned captive by the nut. These fittings are designed for both copper and plastic tubing....

Silicone hose. (Tubing, Hoses & Connectors).
December 1, 2001... Integra color-coded sanitary hose features vulcanized, platinum-cured silicone construction, and is offered with a wide range of color band variations. It conforms to USP Class VI, FDA CFR 177.2600, USDA, FDA/ISO 10993 and European...