Designfax articles from February 2002

Designfax archives from February 2002

The rest of the story. (Layer One).
February 1, 2002... Few design engineers would miss recognizing the name R. Buckminster Fuller. His phenomenal charisma and ability to coin terminology made him a brand name in engineering, scientific and artistic fields--and perhaps thereby overshadowing the work...

Expanding Designfax new product info via the web. (Up Front).
February 1, 2002... Whatever circumstances led to the maxim, "Necessity is the mother of invention," all of us use it in our professional lives from time to time, whether it be in product design or publishing. In our corner of the publishing market, we steer our...

One ring to magnetize them all: radially oriented NdFeB rings reduce production costs. (Five Star Product of the Month).
February 1, 2002... To achieve a radially oriented magnetic field, eight to 12 arc-magnet segments are commonly used to form a ring. These magnet arcs are oriented through their centerline and magnetized prior to assembly. While this enables the production of...

LightWave Systems. (Technology Spotlight).
February 1, 2002... The distinctive sound of the electric guitar ironically arises from the magnetic influence (or interference) of the pickup on the ferrous strings--what was an unfortunate side-effect of making the instrument audible to larger audiences has...

Parker Hannifin Corporation. (Technology Spotlight).
February 1, 2002... Parker Hannifin Corporation has been exhibiting Bluetoothenabled concepts at trade shows this past year, anticipating their introduction within the next several months. The company has also been exploring applications using IEEE 802.11b (also...

Low-VOC seal. (Materials: Top Product).
February 1, 2002... * Low VOCs * Adheres to most substrates Providing adhesion to aluminum, wood, FRP, Filon and other substrates, LoVOC Seal is a one-component, moisture-curing formulation with non-sag properties. Free of xylene, toluene, MEK and similar...

Precision machining and forming. (Materials: Top Product).
February 1, 2002... The company's forming and machining techniques produce custom parts and assemblies from columbium (niobium) and its alloys. The technologies include deep draw forming, spinning and forging. Circle 162.

Stainless alloy. (Materials: Top Product).
February 1, 2002... Carpenter Chrome Core 29 solenoid quality stainless is suitable for use in high-purity environments such as semiconductor manufacturing. The soft, magnetic ferritic grade offers good corrosion resistance. Circle 163.

Copper extrusions. (Materials: Top Product).
February 1, 2002... Many different geometries can be extruded using copper and copper alloys. They are processed through custom-made in-house dies and can be cut and machined into net shape component parts or shipped in lengths. Circle 164.

Fluidized powder coating. (Materials: Top Product).
February 1, 2002... This plastisol coating technology can be used to color wire baskets. The coating offers extra thickness and elasticity for increased wear and scratch resistance, and also hides welds and minor imperfections. Circle 165.

Conductive urethanes. (Materials: Top Product).
February 1, 2002... The Selective Enhanced Polymers (SEP) line now includes conductive urethanes that combine static dissipation properties with the flexibility and mechanical properties of urethanes. Circle 169.

Metal-formed assemblies. (Materials: Top Product).
February 1, 2002... These complex metal-formed components and assemblies are designed for commercial and military applications. They are manufactured using parametric modeling, multiaxis laser machining and welding. Circle 160.

Plastic parts. (Materials: Top Product).
February 1, 2002... This manufacturer of custom thermoformed and molded plastic parts is releasing a brochure that details its capabilities with regard to service, design and prototyping. Manufacturing, secondary operations and assembly operations are also...

Resin gives light therapy device a lift. (Materials: Application Xtra).
February 1, 2002... * Improved flow characteristics * Accepts special effect coloring The winter doldrums often usher in a seasonable depression for many people. Called Seasonal Affective Disorder--or Winter Blues--it is caused by the lack of sunlight...

Closing the loop with soy: Engineers turn soy resins into light-weight, long-life farm equipment.
February 1, 2002... Engineers at John Deere, Lenexa, KS, a company long-connected with agricultural equipment, have been working with Bayer Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA to develop recycled materials that add value to their agricultural equipment. They've succeeded...

Position control sensor. (Innovations).
February 1, 2002... Providing enhanced interface to Allen Bradley and Automation Direct PLC platforms, the S-series ASCII-protocol position sensor features a high-performance sensor and embedded closed-loop position controller in the standard sensor envelope....

Linear motor flanges. (Innovations).
February 1, 2002... The integrated fan on the PFO1 flanges provides forced-air cooling, which can increase the continuous force of the company's P-series industrial linear motors by a factor of 1.8. These flanges provide good mechanical support and thermal...

Linear encoder. (Innovations).
February 1, 2002... Designed to be compatible with industry-standard counter cards and counter modules, this series of 12mm and 25mm linear encoders with sine wave output feature high accuracy and ruggedness suited for laboratory or shop floor use. Resolution is...

Hermetically sealed AC-LVDTs. (Innovations).
February 1, 2002... Operating in hostile environments with extreme temperature variations, the HSAR 750 series of hermetically sealed AC-LVDTs have a radially mounted electrical connector that permits through-bore operation and tighter installation than...

Ball bearing blocks. (Innovations).
February 1, 2002... The Monorail ball bearing system has low profile ball bearing blocks mounted at both sides of a double-sided, low rectangular guideway. The gothic-shaped ball race allows free linear motion of the bearing blocks with the carriage and resists...

Good food--by design: Steel drive tape in grill design provides user-friendly, consistent cooking.
February 1, 2002... The moment that specialized equipment began to replace short-order cooks signaled a major turning point in the fast-food industry. Over time, the list has come to include everything from grills, ovens and fryers, to soft-serve dispensers and...

HVAC drive. (Top Product).
February 1, 2002... Saves space Performs in extreme environments The Class 8839 Econo-flex Type 3R drive is a packaged, outdoor-rated, adjustable speed drive for HVAC and pump applications. This enclosed drive is suitable for overcrowded mechanical rooms...

Digital driver. (Motion Spotlight: Motors & Drives).
February 1, 2002... The DVD-2 pulse-width modulated solenoid driver with modularized electronic printed circuit boards serves as a power amplifier to drive virtually all types of motors, pumps, valves and devices that respond to PWM signals. Circle 204.

Step motor driver. (Motion Spotlight: Motors & Drives).
February 1, 2002... Integrating the company's microstepping driver and programmable indexer with multiple user I/O, ports, the all-in-one DCB-264 motion control system operates low inductance step motors from a single supply Voltage. A bi-polar chopper drive...

NEMA 34 servomotor. (Motion Spotlight: Motors & Drives).
February 1, 2002... The SilverMax 34HC motor is offered in four stack lengths with more than 3200 in-oz. of torque and a maximum power of 600 watts. This system combines motor, controller, driver and encoder in one unit. Circle 203.

Control chip. (Motion Spotlight: Motors & Drives).
February 1, 2002... The PCD-4541 is a four-axis motion control chip designed for two-phase unipolar or bipolar stepper motors. This control chip can output CW/CCW pulses or excitation signals directly to drive chips. Circle 196.

AC drive. (Motion Spotlight: Motors & Drives).
February 1, 2002... The GP10 AC drive is dual-rated for variable torque and constant torque loads. This open-loop vector drive offers precise speed regulation for both HVAC/R and other industrial applications. It features smart speed search for accurate capturing...

Miniature step motor. (Motion Spotlight: Motors & Drives).
February 1, 2002... The 25mm PF25 step motor has an integral lead screw shaft as well as either anisotropic ferrite or high-strength neodymium magnets. The 0.12-in. dia. threaded shaft is available in lengths up to 1-in. Circle 198.

Digital load monitor. (Motion Spotlight: Motors & Drives).
February 1, 2002... The Digital Load Monitor (DLM) is a monitoring device capable of accurately measuring load on electrical motors. It also warns of overload and underload conditions. The DLM alarm is triggered by over- or under-loading. Circle 197.

DC motor control. (Motion Spotlight: Motors & Drives).
February 1, 2002... This microprocessor-based, variable-speed motor control is designed for battery-powered electric vehicles. It reduces heat buildup and operating temperatures in both the controller and motor at any speed. Circle 207.

Combination starter. (Motion Spotlight: Motors & Drives).
February 1, 2002... The CX7 enclosed combination starter consists of the KT7 motor circuit controller and a CA7 contactor for remote operation, eliminating the need for a disconnect, short-circuit protection device, contactor and overload relay to perform the same...

Variable speed drives. (Motion Spotlight: Motors & Drives).
February 1, 2002... The SCM Series variable speed drives are designed for single-phase 220V supply with a power range of 1/3 to 3 hp. The 1 hp unit requires a small 5.75- x 2.9-in. panel space. The control terminal block has 11 terminals to configure I/O logic as...

Geared stepping motors. (Motion Spotlight: Motors & Drives).
February 1, 2002... The RK Series five-phase geared stepping motor system features a Smooth Drive function in which the driver microsteps internally. Smooth Drive reduces motor shaft vibrations and audible noises. Circle 201.

Piezoelectric motors. (Motion Spotlight: Motors & Drives).
February 1, 2002... The HR Series piezoelectric motors range in size from a single element motor, providing 0.45 kg of force, to an eight-element motor, providing 3.6 kg of force. These motors can drive both linear and rotary stages. Circle 205.

Rotary stages. (Motion Products).
February 1, 2002... Offering smooth, cog-free low-friction motion with large speed range, the T-Max series of direct drive rotary stages are driven by brushless servo motors with zero backlash and extremely low hysteresis. Circle 227.

Right angle gear motor units. (Motion Products).
February 1, 2002... Most widely used in winching applications, the 265 series motor unit is available in 48 through 52 frame with 12 or 24 VDC permanent magnet motors. Shaft power ratings are from 1/3 to 1 hp. Circle 216.

Miniature ball and lead screws. (Motion Products).
February 1, 2002... This company introduces its new product line and catalog of miniature precision ball and lead screws. Lead screw sizes range from 1-50mm with a minimum pitch starting from 0.1mm. Ball screw sizes range from 4-16mm with various lead options....

Encoder. (Motion Products).
February 1, 2002... The Cube series Accu-Coder is available with the Eurofast connector which reduces stocking requirements for electrical connectors. The Cube series features temperature and voltage compensation for long life in harsh environments. Circle...

Torquemeters. (Motion Products).
February 1, 2002... The MCRT 48550V and 48551V DC-operated torquemeters with spline drives measure driveline torque with fast response and 0.1% accuracy, traceable to the NIST. They feature dual [+ or -]5V outputs and remote calibration. Circle 219.

Compact AC drive. (Motion Products).
February 1, 2002... With a choice of either open loop vector or V/H control, the compact GPD 315/V7 adjustable frequency AC drive is available in both NEMA 1 and NEMA type 4X/12 enclosures, and 1/8 to 10 HP. Custom application software is available to allow...

BotZilla vs. Robotica: Vibration control keeps combat robot together. (Tech Upgrade).
February 1, 2002... When Lawrence Feir, 39-year-old professional photographer for the aviation industry and robot hobbyist, received the invitation to participate in The Learning Channel's Robotica series, he jumped at the chance (literally). Months after he...

Nylon for connectors. (Top Product).
February 1, 2002... * Color consistency * High wear strength A precolored nylon specialty compound reinforced with glass fiber can be used to produce high-strength connectors. The 200 Series nylon provides consistent color and heat stability for many part...

Metric fittings. (Fluid Power: Tubing, Hoses & Connectors).
February 1, 2002... This company has expanded its line of metric fittings to include several popular new sizes and styles. The line includes BSPP, BSPT, Metric Bite type, Komatsu, Metric Face Seal and JIS fittings. Circle 250.

Extruded tubing. (Fluid Power: Tubing, Hoses & Connectors).
February 1, 2002... This extruded Teflon tubing is chemically inert and non-flammable. It is available in sizes from 0.010- to 0.015-in. ID and AWG #30 to AWG #0 in standard and thin-wall versions. Circle 251.

Port connectors. (Fluid Power: Tubing, Hoses & Connectors).
February 1, 2002... The ADACONN series of port connectors offer enhanced pressure capabilities for 37-deg. male end fitting connections when used with ADFLANGE adapters. They are offered in a range of sizes up to 3-in. Circle 236.

High-purity fittings. (Fluid Power: Tubing, Hoses & Connectors).
February 1, 2002... Teflon PFA HP is used to manufacture ultra-high purity tubing and fittings for analytical and semiconductor applications by Upchurch Scientific. Fittings made from this material are compatible with a wide range of solvents. Circle 243.

Disc pumps. (Application Xtra).
February 1, 2002... * Low NPSH requirements * Suffers little damage or wear A chemical processor located in the United Kingdom experienced considerable losses in a centrifuge feed of delicate and expensive crystal slurry. The progressing cavity pump was...

Measuring molten metal: Actuator/laser sensor system increases safety and product consistency. (Revision).
February 1, 2002... When Ormet Aluminum Mill Products Corp., a manufacturer of fiat-rolled, coated and foil products, decided to upgrade its strip casting line at its Jackson Coated and Foil Division facility, Jackson, TN, the company considered several...

Grommet edging material. (Top Product).
February 1, 2002... * Abrasion resistance * Aesthetically pleasing Made of spring-tempered stainless steel fusion-bonded with thermosetting polymer resin, Spring-Fast Flexi-Grommet edging material can be used in applications where cabling or other...

Floor hatch. (Mechanical: Enclosures & Fixtures).
February 1, 2002... The Access floor hatch is a flexible method of terminating under-floor voice, data and power cables at a single location. Developed for use with raised floors, the interchangeable hatch allows wire management in new or retrofit applications....

Wall-mount enclosures. (Mechanical: Enclosures & Fixtures).
February 1, 2002... The 10-in, deep Concept wall-mount enclosures are available in 20 different sizes. They feature flush latching and hidden hinges for smooth appearance and a durable powder paint finish. The enclosures are rated UL 508 Type 4 and 12. Circle...

Enclosure accessories. (Mechanical: Enclosures & Fixtures).
February 1, 2002... Kooltronic air-cooled panel-mounted air conditioners are offered in both NEMA 3R and NEMA 4/4X models. The UL/cUL-listed units are available with cooling capacities ranging from 1,000 to 12,000 BTU/hr. Circle 263.

Compression latch. (Mechanical: Enclosures & Fixtures).
February 1, 2002... The Folding T-handle compression latch provides effective sealing against environmental contaminants. The latch provides 6.4mm of consistent pull-up compression, eliminating shock and vibration. Circle 255

Pleated filter. (Mechanical: Enclosures & Fixtures).
February 1, 2002... The Type DP8 filter is available with a MERV 8 rating per ASHRAE Standard 52.2. The filter has a proprietary media that is made from 100% synthetic fibers enhanced with an electrostatic charge for increased efficiency. Circle 256.

Heat exchangers. (Mechanical: Enclosures & Fixtures).
February 1, 2002... ProAir heat exchangers feature a modified heat pipe core that provides efficient heat exchange, preventing excessive heat rise inside the cabinet. A closed-loop design ensures that unclean, ambient air circulates separately from the clean...

PCI system. (Mechanical: Enclosures & Fixtures).
February 1, 2002... The Schroff Pro Series 9U/8-slot CompactPCI NEBS-ready system is compatible with IEEE 1101.10, 1101.11 and CompactPCI. It accepts eight 6U x 160mm cards as well as an 8HP CPU from the front. Circle 259

Bifurcator fans. (Mechanical: Enclosures & Fixtures).
February 1, 2002... This 20-page brochure describes Barry Blower's Axcentrix Bifurcator fan line. Both the BFD direct-drive line and the BFB belt drive fans are detailed. These inline, axial centrifugal blowers are designed to move large volumes of air against...

Accessible enclosures. (Mechanical: Enclosures & Fixtures).
February 1, 2002... The 503 Series PCI/ISA chassis incorporates lightweight aluminum construction with an easy-to-use design. It features front access to peripherals and fans as well as single-tool, single-screw accessibility to all internal boards. Circle...

Ball bearing slide. (Mechanical: Enclosures & Fixtures).
February 1, 2002... The Model 2907 is a narrow, 0.38-in, wide ball bearing slide that offers movement and mounting flexibility for 1U to 4U rack applications. It features a low profile and carries loads up to 100 pounds. Circle 261

T-frame enclosure. (Mechanical: Enclosures & Fixtures).
February 1, 2002... The T-Frame test and development system features an open-frame design as well as a comprehensive set of chassis management and monitoring functions, enabling developers to access and monitor installed boards without extender cards. The most...

Wall mount cabinets. (Mechanical: Enclosures & Fixtures).
February 1, 2002... The 19-in. Space Saver wall mount cabinets are designed for back-room systems, tight space requirements and network component organization. They are available in three heights and two depths. Circle 273

Housing problem solved with foam lining. (Application Xtra).
February 1, 2002... * Holds electronics in placewithout screws * Reduces tooling and molding costs The PxV4l4 flexible, scalable 4U open-architecture system, by PEP Modular Computers, not only accommodates two platform configurations and several 110...

Flow switch. (Top Product).
February 1, 2002... * Allows high flow * Maintains low-pressure drop. The patented Model 2600 flow switch operates by a two-mode design: set point and by-pass. The set point is achieved by either increasing or decreasing liquid flow at the calibrated set...

Safety relays. (Electrical/Electronics: Relays, Switches, Timers).
February 1, 2002... The PMUT XIP muting controller has been added to the PNOZ Xrange of safety relays. The unit can be used with all types of muting sensors, including optical sensors and proximity switches. Circle 287.

Potentiometer switch. (Electrical/Electronics: Relays, Switches, Timers).
February 1, 2002... The PA 400 potentiometer switch is environ mentally sealed with transfer molded epoxy resin and an O-ringed shaft. It is resistant to elevated temperatures, corrosion, water moisture and bodily fluids. Circle 280.

Pressure switch. (Electrical/Electronics: Relays, Switches, Timers).
February 1, 2002... The Model 33D pressure switch provides reliable switching and long life up to 100 million cycles. It is available in ranges from vacuum to 10,000 psi and is fully programmable for NO, NC or window mode operation. A real-time LCD display with...

Relay assemblies. (Electrical/Electronics: Relays, Switches, Timers).
February 1, 2002... These solid-state relay assemblies are rated for 60-amp loads. Available in a variety of models, these relays accept controller inputs of either 3.5-32 VDC or 90-280 volts VAC. Load currents range from 0.02 to 60 amps DC. Circle 283.

Motor starting switches. (Electrical/Electronics: Relays, Switches, Timers).
February 1, 2002... MS Series motor starting switches are available in metal NEMA 1 enclosures. They are used in industrial MRO and OEM applications, including manual ON/OFF switching control of conveyor lines. Circle 284.

Switch control solutions. (Electrical/Electronics: Relays, Switches, Timers).
February 1, 2002... The Master Catalog 100 includes a fax-back form to help designers describe their switching needs and receive specific information to their applications. Featuring switch control solutions for front-panel integrated assemblies and inserts, the...

Tuning fork level switch. (Electrical/Electronics: Relays, Switches, Timers).
February 1, 2002... The LZ10 switch is designed for installation through the wall or inside a tank. It is suitable for applications with light- to medium-coating or scaling-type characteristics, including light sodium hydroxide. Circle 286.

Pushbutton switches. (Electrical/Electronics: Relays, Switches, Timers).
February 1, 2002... The Series 76-95 switches can handle heavy electrical loads in harsh environments. The main switch body and button are created using stainless steel with front-mount styling. Circle 285.

Screwless terminal socket. (Electrical/Electronics: Relays, Switches, Timers).
February 1, 2002... The PYF-S screwless terminal socket for the MY family of relays features a simple procedure that eliminates time-consuming relay wiring jobs. The screwless PYF-S procedure involves inserting a screwdriver, the wire and then removing the...

Miniature isolation valve. (Product News).
February 1, 2002... For applications using corrosive or high-purity fluids, this compact solenoid valve features a seat and diaphragm design that provides good sealing characteristics and longevity in excess of 15 million cycles. Circle 308.

SiC heater. (Product News).
February 1, 2002... This SiC heater resists corrosive environments with high thermal conductivity and thermal shock resistance. It is designed for use in process chambers where rapid heating to high temperature with low contamination is necessary. Circle 309....

Digital cable assembly. (Product News).
February 1, 2002... Packaging high-data rate signals in small cables, the 2mm Eye-Opener copper cable assemblies can provide up to 2.5 Gbps of data transmission and 200 single-ended signals into 50 linear mm of backplane space, when using VHDM 8 x 25 column cable...

Press-fit headers & sockets. (Product News).
February 1, 2002... Press-fit 2mm PIT series pitch headers and PTF series sockets provide a board-to-board spacing of 8.36mm when mated. An elevated version of the PRF socket provides a mated height of 11.15mm. These dual-row interconnects are available in various...

Bumpers. (Product News).
February 1, 2002... Adhesive-backed rubber and polyurethane bumpers are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, in a choice of clear or color. All styles fix to a variety of surfaces, including steel, aluminum, vinyl and glass, with no staining or marking....

CRT monitor. (Product News).
February 1, 2002... The CFMl910 19-in, flat monitor features a maximum resolution of 1600 x 1200 and a 0.2mm dot pitch, which provides a vibrant image with reduced glare. An Invar Shadow Mask eliminates aperture grille lines. Circle 312.

Infrared LEDs. (Product News).
February 1, 2002... Designed specifically for ultra-high current applications, the model OD-663 GaAlAs high-power IRLED illuminator features three 0.03- x 0.30-in. chips connected in series. Peak emission is 880 nm. Circle 310.

Filter plates. (Product News).
February 1, 2002... With an extended capacitance range of 22 through 5000 pF standard, the Easy Mate, Easy Mate Jr, Bolt-in and custom filter plates eliminate EMI/RFI. They interface voltage and/or data and ensure electromagnetic compatibility. Circle 311.

Bluetooth module. (Product News).
February 1, 2002... Measuring 7- x 7- x 1.8mm, this ultra-compact RF Bluetooth module incorporates a Silicon Wave RF chipset with high-frequency performance providing Bluetooth 1.1-compliant Class 2 (max 4 dBm) output, using 1/3 less power than other Bluetooth...

Bose Wave CD/Radio needs redesign: Problem of the month--power outage. (Side Jobs).
February 1, 2002... At first glance, the battery back-up feature in a piece of audio equipment seems superfluous. Does it really matter if you have to tune in a couple of stations after the loss of AC power? Actually, it does. In modem digital CD/radio units,...

Topping the bottle: Polymer replaces brittle ceramic stopper. (Just One More).
February 1, 2002... For many beer drinkers the ceramic resealable bottle closures used in some premium brands will be well known. However, this is an expensive bottle design that relies on the bottles being returned to help reduce costs. The ceramic stopper, which...