Designfax articles from January 2002

Designfax archives from January 2002

Start 'Em Young. (Layer One).
January 1, 2002... For those needing to exchange unusable gifts, or find that special present for the child unfortunate enough to have a birthday this close to the holidays, check out Doctor Walt's CAD for Kids. "Doctor Walt," aka Walt Silva, renowned author...

Tossing about New Ideas: Bellows rides ups and downs of roller coaster simulator. (Just One More).
January 1, 2002... While working in the entertainment industry, Ron Borta noticed that electric motion platforms custom-made for amusement rides had become extremely expensive, so he founded his own company to produce affordable alternatives that would still...

Two-Wheeled talent, wisely. (Up Front).
January 1, 2002... And Kamen descended down The Mount, after weeks and months of conference calls and speculations amongst the chat groups, and he gave the people the blessing of his efforts. And he spoke its name, "Segway," and the people replied "Oooh, cool."...

Polymer intrusion gaskets: Sealing mechanism provides for high compression. (Five Star Product of the Month).
January 1, 2002... As many designers know, me environment that exists under the hood of a motor vehicle is one of the most demanding for components. Heat, hydrocarbons, moisture, road salts, high voltages--a complete recipe for failure and breakdown lies in wait....

Zero emissions vehicle. (Technology Spotlight).
January 1, 2002... Soon to be seen on the roadways is a zero-emissions vehicle. In fact, the Aircar (or CityCAT) actually emits cleaner air than it takes in. This is not the sub-compact size seen in recent hybrids--the body is based on a small mini-van,...

RTP Co. (Technology Spotlight).
January 1, 2002... Because of cast iron's propensity to rust, most of the auto industry has switched to aluminum for hydraulic brake master cylinders, but this requires secondary machining. Demco-Dethmers, Boyden, IA, has lowered their costs and increased lead...

Iron-based alloys. (Materials).
January 1, 2002... * Wear-resistant * Withstands high temperatures Several alloys, designed to support the redesign of large-scale diesel engines, are being prepared for patent application. The movement to redesign engines has been primarily fueled by...

Vacuum injection molding system. (Materials).
January 1, 2002... The VacuJet vacuum injection molding system has been designed to eliminate the need for mold seals or vacuum boxes. This system also lowers scrap rate, eliminates air entrapment and reduces cycle times, according to the manufacturer. The...

Metallization service. (Materials).
January 1, 2002... The ION2000 is a one-step coating process that requires no pretreatment in order to create a strong bond to a variety of difficult-to-adhere substrates. These include silicon, aluminum alloys and composites. Circle 161

Take-off/conveying belts. (Materials).
January 1, 2002... The company is making its custom and standard rubber-covered take-off/conveying belts available through its online e-commerce site. These belts are designed to grip products with the least amount of pressure required. Circle 166

Rubber-based self lubricating material. (Materials).
January 1, 2002... Permitting tight bearing-to-shaft clearances, Graphallast material is capable of withstanding run-dry conditions that can destroy plain rubber and some plastic bearings. Circle 164

Nitrile and hydrin elastomers. (Materials).
January 1, 2002... These nitrue and hydrin elastomers are intended for LPG and natural gas metering applications. They can be combined with substrates such as silk for improved flexibility, as well as nylons, polyesters, cottons and blends. In addition, the...

Metals and materials. (Materials).
January 1, 2002... The CD-ROM Catalog for 200 1-2002 contains updated pricing and technical information for a line of pure metals, alloys, polymers, ceramics and composites. Available in a range of forms and sizes, the catalog features comparative data tables on...

Sheet extruded melt-processible rubber. (Materials).
January 1, 2002... Die cutters, laminators and thermoformers now have commercial access to Alcryn MeltProcessible Rubber (MPR) in heavy-gauge extruded sheet form. The manufacturer has partnered with an extruder that can extrude the entire grade range of the...

Aluminum alloy strengthens casing. (Materials).
January 1, 2002... * Thinner profiles * Hard surface Measuring as thick as a silver dollar, the ICS283465G lithium ion rechargeable cell has a case made from a special aluminum alloy containing 4.5% magnesium. Developed by Hitachi Maxell, Ltd, parent of...

Re-engineering the engine: The V goes W at VW.
January 1, 2002... It's difficult to reconcile the idea that Volkswagen, once best known for the Beetle so ubiquitous with thrifty college students, is now an automotive titan that additionally owns Rolls Royce, Bentley, Lamborghini and the Bugatti marque. At...

Integrated pneumatic valve and field controller. (Valves & Cylinders).
January 1, 2002... * Space savings * Efficient control Designed to improve panel space and cost savings, the AirLINE modular process control system features electronic I/O modules. These modules support 11 fieldbus protocols, including PROFIBUS DP/FMS,...

Solenoid valves. (Valves & Cylinders).
January 1, 2002... The SV51 Series inert solenoid valves features a fully molded solenoid actuator called the Dri-Solenoid design. A flexible diaphragm is used to isolate the valve's metallic parts from the fluid being handled. Circle 239

Relief valve. (Valves & Cylinders).
January 1, 2002... The RXSO-S stainless steel safety relief valve is suitable for cryogenic service as well as for applications where corrosive, noxious and expensive liquids or gases require a good seal. It features a Teflon seat for API 527 spec bubble-tight...

Valve bodies and fittings. (Valves & Cylinders).
January 1, 2002... Stainless steel extrusion permits the production of ball valves, switching valves, crossover valves, manifold valves, plug valves, need valves, relief valves, Ts and elbows, in a variety of shapes and sizes. Circle 244

Gas/liquid separator. (Valves & Cylinders).
January 1, 2002... The Wright-Austin Type T gas/liquid separators have 99% entrainment removal efficiencies. Used in air, steam or gas service, these separators remove moisture and free liquid droplets from the flow. Circle 237

No-weld valves. (Valves & Cylinders).
January 1, 2002... Series 40 valves use a bobbin core as a valve sleeve, simplifying construction while requiring no welding. It has a pressure rating of 300 psi and can survive a 2000 psi hydrostatic test upon coil completion. Circle 245

Hydraulic actuators. (Valves & Cylinders).
January 1, 2002... This line of rectangular hydraulic actuators features simplified mounting for applications requiring large linear forces in limited space. The design has a single leak-proof SAE joint and virtual dry rod operation. Circle 230

Multiposition valves. (Valves & Cylinders).
January 1, 2002... MW Type valves offer many flow configurations, port and fitting sizes, and actuation options. The preload design allows rotor inspection or replacement without removing the valve. Circle 231

Gate valve. (Valves & Cylinders).
January 1, 2002... The Series G Knife Gate Valve brochure describes this valve that incorporates designated features for drop-tight sealing. These include a precision-buffed gate and two bosses welded to the valve seat. A double lead thread on the valve stem...

In-line check valve. (Valves & Cylinders).
January 1, 2002... The non-metallic, self-sealing Bio-Chek inline check valves feature an inert flow path. The zero-maintenance check valves stop back-flow in high-purity, low-pressure fluid transfer applications. Circle 232

Rotary distribution valves. (Valves & Cylinders).
January 1, 2002... These large manual rotary distribution valves are intended for high-precision gas and fluid control in laboratory equipment and analytical instruments. They are pressure-rated to 500 psi and have chemically inert parts. Circle 233

Miniature pneumatic valves. (Valves & Cylinders).
January 1, 2002... The Moduflex miniature pneumatic valve system offers users a selection of two standard valve sizes to assemble dual 3/2, 4/2 and 4/3 configurations, in one island to meet various applications. Circle 234

O-Seal valves. (Valves & Cylinders).
January 1, 2002... O-Seal valves feature a cartridge-type soft seat that provides leak-proof protection to 6000 psi. The valves' design involves an O-ring, which is recessed into a close-tolerance groove on one of the flat-faced union ends. Offering precise...

Pilot control valve. (Valves & Cylinders).
January 1, 2002... The PCM modulating pilot control valve is intended for the company's Series 3800 pilot-operated pressure relief valves. Described in this brochure, the PCM, which reduces product loss and fugitive emissions, is ASME NB-certified for liquid,...

Membrane valves. (Valves & Cylinders).
January 1, 2002... Designed for sample collection on liquid process lines, the PEMS valve series are made of AISI 316L stainless steel. They are equipped with FDA-approved silicone, EPDM and Viton membranes for food hygiene compliance. Circle 235

Inert proportional valve. (Valves & Cylinders).
January 1, 2002... The Inert Proportional Valve (IPV) is a solenoid-operated diaphragm isolation valve designed for use with corrosive or high-purity fluids. The flow is proportional to the magnitude of the current input. Circle 238

Acrylic Pneumatic Circuit Boards clean connections. (Valves & Cylinders).
January 1, 2002... * Eliminates many parts * Simplifies connections Mounting modular valves and associated componentry is clean and easy using clear acrylic pneumatic circuit boards. Designed and manufactured by Clippard Instrument Laboratory Inc. these...

Environmetally sound adhesives. (Fasteners & Adhesives).
January 1, 2002... * Complies with automotive standards * Reduces VOCs and HAPs Environmentally Preferred Adhesives are available for rubber-to-metal bonding in such automotive applications as anti-vibration engine mounts, seals and gaskets, hoses and...

Ribbon clip. (Fasteners & Adhesives).
January 1, 2002... This one-piece ribbon clip is molded from non-conductive nylon. The device's releasable design holds flat cable measuring up to 50 conductors wide. In addition, this clip has a peel-and-stick backing for easy mounting. Micro Plastics Inc,...

Lockbolt fasteners. (Fasteners & Adhesives).
January 1, 2002... These lockbolt fasteners are intended for a variety of heavy-duty applications such as the assembly of military and mining vehicles. They are resistant to vibration and their swaged-on collars provide a consistent, uniform clamp. Circle...

Conductive adhesive. (Fasteners & Adhesives).
January 1, 2002... The QMI 526 silver-filled thermally conductive adhesive is used to attach integrated circuits and components to advanced substrates, including PBGAs and CSPs. It is designed for use with large die or for applications where the substrates'...

Solder pastes. (Fasteners & Adhesives).
January 1, 2002... Multicore 63S4 solder pastes are formulated using an alloy that eliminates tombstone defects and reduces component misalignment when reflowing boards with very small components. They are suitable for fine-pitch printing. Circle 255

Dual-curing adhesives. (Fasteners & Adhesives).
January 1, 2002... The LX 10070 dual-curing adhesive system can be cured in seconds using ultraviolet light. This heat can then be used to cure the sections that are shadowed or hidden from the UV exposure. The material is thixotropic. Circle 256

Conformal coating. (Fasteners & Adhesives).
January 1, 2002... Conformal coating 920557 cures in seconds when exposed to UV/ visible light. The cured coating forms a transparent layer that protects underlying circuitry and components on PCB surfaces. The viscosity of the one-component coating is suitable...

Epoxy system. (Fasteners & Adhesives).
January 1, 2002... Aremco-Bond 2300 is a high-strength, low-viscosity epoxy system suitable for microelectronic component and structural bonding applications requiring shear strengths above 4,000 psi. It has a lower heat cure. Circle 257

Adhesive tapes. (Fasteners & Adhesives).
January 1, 2002... This company is offering two double-sided, pressure-sensitive tapes that offer good adhesion to a variety of difficult-to-bond substrates. They use a permanent rubber-based adhesive coated on both sides of a polyester carrier. Circle 258

Self-retaining bolts. (Fasteners & Adhesives).
January 1, 2002... A two-color, 12-page brochure details a self-retaining bolt system. Information covered includes bolt installation, removal and wear tests; vibration and environmental tests; and correct applications for these bolts. The benefits of the bolt...

Head screws. (Fasteners & Adhesives).
January 1, 2002... These miniature precision fillister head screws measure 0.386-in, in length. Similar precision Swiss screw machine parts can be produced in other head and point variations. Applications include electronic, appliance and aerospace. Circle...

Metric thread inserts. (Fasteners & Adhesives).
January 1, 2002... This line of metric thread inserts includes internal thread sizes from M3 through M16. Available in both mild and stainless steel, these inserts feature a design that results in greater tensile strength than wire inserts. Circle 260

Alumina-filled epoxy. (Fasteners & Adhesives).
January 1, 2002... The RS-2244 No-Track alumina-filled epoxy is designed for casting large, high-temperature, high-voltage insulators. When exposed to high-voltage surface arcing, this epoxy resists charring. Instead, the affected surface area decomposes slightly...

Thermally conductive adhesive. (Fasteners & Adhesives).
January 1, 2002... Resbond 920 thermally conductive and electrically resistant adhesive maintains its electrical resistance to 3000[degrees]F. It cures at room temperature to bond, seal, and insulate electronic components. Circle 261

Panel fasteners. (Fasteners & Adhesives).
January 1, 2002... Two types of PEM self-clinching, low-profile panel fastener assemblies feature a Phillips recess to enable their captive screws to be manipulated using a Phillips screwdriver. A knurled or smooth knob are available. Circle 271

One-piece screw nut/fastener. (Fasteners & Adhesives).
January 1, 2002... This one-piece screw and nut fastener is a combination of two clear plastic parts that are molded together. At the point of assembly, the two pieces are snapped apart and the bi-directional nut component is quickly ratcheted or turned down on...

Integrated induction-heated adhesive curing and inspection system. (Fasteners & Adhesives).
January 1, 2002... * Shorter curing and inspection process * Lower tooling and operational costs An integrated induction-heated adhesive curing and laser inspection system, designed and built by Robotron-Elotherm, is reducing assembly cost and improving...

TPE Bumps up PDA Protection: Elastomer case guards personal digital assistants from impact damage. (RevisionX).
January 1, 2002... In an effort to provide users of personal digital assistants (PDAs) with the most effective protection for their equipment, Fellowes, Itasca, IL, a manufacturer of mobile, computer and consumer electronics accessories, is introducing an...

Non-contact position sensors. (Sensors & Transducers).
January 1, 2002... * No moving parts * Unlimited duty cycle rating The NCPS non-contact position sensors are designed primarily for use in the automotive, agricultural, construction, mechanical handling, process control, municipal vehicle and marine...

Compact sensor. (Sensors & Transducers).
January 1, 2002... The BS-112 miniature linear gauge sensor measures dimensions, thickness, curvature, eccentricity, displacement, height, depth, flatness, variation, run-out, roundness, distortion, deflection and position. The sensor uses linear glass scale...

Thickness displacement sensor. (Sensors & Transducers).
January 1, 2002... The Model 5820 thickness measuring gauge can measure any non-conductive material up to 10mm thick. Applications include measuring thickness of paper, plastic, polymer film and rubber. Circle 287

LDV sensor. (Sensors & Transducers).
January 1, 2002... The miniature S-100Z laser Doppler velocimetry sensor (LDV) is suitable for measuring movement velocity of solid objects, powders and fluids. The sensor measures a wide range of velocities from 12m/minute to 120m/minute. Circle 296

Low-pressure sensor. (Sensors & Transducers).
January 1, 2002... The Model 82 UltraStable pressure sensor is designed for O-ring flush mounting. It is a 19mm, small profile, media-compatible, piezoresistive silicon pressure sensor packaged in a 316L stainless steel housing. Circle 290

Pressure sensor material. (Sensors & Transducers).
January 1, 2002... Impress is an inexpensive and integrable pressure sensor that demonstrates measurable reactions to small changes in pressure. Available as a wire or in custom shapes, the Impress exhibits resistivity inversely proportional to the length of the...

Dual-level sensing. (Sensors & Transducers).
January 1, 2002... The Superprox Model SM602 series sensors monitor and control most non-hazardous liquid or dry material levels within sensing ranges up to 305mm. Offering short-range sensing solutions, they measure 18mm. Circle 293

Fuel flow sensors. (Sensors & Transducers).
January 1, 2002... The 102 series liquid flow sensors are designed for the measurement of micro liquid flow rates from 13 mL/min to 10L/min. Rated for operation up to 500 psig, these sensors have an accuracy of [+ or -]3% full scale. Circle 304

Pressure sensors. (Sensors & Transducers).
January 1, 2002... These pressure sensors are suitable for emission control system applications such as exhaust gas recirculation and spark ignition engines. Available in pressure ranges of zero to one-in. [H.sub.2]O to 25,000 psi, gauge, absolute or differential...

Liquid level sensor. (Sensors & Transducers).
January 1, 2002... The Series 3G8500 liquid level sensor is designed for reliable high and low fluid level alarms on trucks, buses and other vehicles. It is designed to meet or exceed the requirements of SAE J1455. Circle 295

Photo IC sensors. (Sensors & Transducers).
January 1, 2002... The EIC-3200 series photo IC sensors incorporate a photodiode with a signal processing circuit. They have digital outputs, a wide temperature range and security systems. Circle 291

AC/DC current transducer. (Sensors & Transducers).
January 1, 2002... The MCR-S 1/5-UI-(SW)-DCI and MCR-S 10/50-UI-(SW)-DCI DIN-rail mounted compact current transducers are designed with a Hall effect sensor allowing adjustable current ranges. Circle 292

Proximity sensors. (Sensors & Transducers).
January 1, 2002... The QF 5.5 ultra-thin 5.5mm capacitive proximity sensors exhibit a long sensing range relative to their size. The sensors can be mounted in many ways due to several holes and slots that allow multiple mounting options. It comes standard with...

Inductive sensors speed pallet system. (Sensors & Transducers).
January 1, 2002... * fine-scale repeatability * increases productivity A problem that has plagued assembly lines for years is slow throughput, especially for heavy objects. Glenn Peck, president of Peck Assembly Systems in Grand Blanc, MI, developed an...

Gearing Up Performance: New gear design reduces swelling and downtime. (Tech Upgrade).
January 1, 2002... A medical device manufacturer was having trouble with its equipment. A latex dipping gear cassette required constant maintenance, causing downtime frequency averaging every few months. The original gearbox design resembled a tightly-fitting...

Materials software. (The Engineer's Toolbox).
January 1, 2002... The 7th edition of Roark's Formulas for Stress and Strain is available with 30% new material on a CD entitied interactive Roark's Formulas. The software allows superposition of multiple loads and can generate reports. Circle 305

CAD parts. (The Engineer's Toolbox).
January 1, 2002... This company now has CAD models available in 91 different formats for downloading from their website. One can view 3D anti isometric picture previews and send selected part numbers to an email address. Circle 306

CFD software. (The Engineer's Toolbox).
January 1, 2002... For rotating machinery applications, CFX-5.5 can use any combination of meshes while Multiple Frames of Reference (MFR) allows analysis of situations involving domains that are rotating relative to one another. Circle 319

Simultaneous product development. (The Engineer's Toolbox).
January 1, 2002... Streamlining product development, IX SpeeD software combines digital modeling with collaboration tools. In this model, an engineer designing a hairdryer gets an email specifying a new motor configuration (attached in a 10KB file). Upon...

Rapid pattern-making system. (The Engineer's Toolbox).
January 1, 2002... This company has installed 7 ModelMaker II systems at a company that produces spinal implants. The system fabricates investment-casting patterns that deliver intricate feature details and a smooth surface finish within the strict dimensional...

CAM. (The Engineer's Toolbox).
January 1, 2002... ESPRIT 2002 features a new solid simulation and verification tool for production turning and milling, a project manager for cutting tool and machining operation management and an automatic feature recognition tool for wire-EDM. Circle 307

Web-enabling kit. (The Engineer's Toolbox).
January 1, 2002... For designers who want to quickly web-enable their devices and systems without royalty fees, the DeviceGate development kit includes a multi-purpose programmable interface between Internet/Ethernet and target devices. Circle 308

Product configuration. (The Engineer's Toolbox).
January 1, 2002... For rapid customization, the Concept system allows configuration by engineering staff or customers via the Internet. The company's engineering specialists program all relevant design rules and manufacturing logic into the system's Automation...

3D CAD. (The Engineer's Toolbox).
January 1, 2002... Solid-Works 200lPlus includes new features, such as "true motion" simulation, mate diagnostics to identify individual problems between mated components, and the ability to create assemblies with over 10,000 parts. Circle 309

Simulation software. (The Engineer's Toolbox).
January 1, 2002... UltraSpot's comprehensive built-in robot libraries, automatic collision-detection functionality and device-building capabilities reduce man-hours and process engineering lead time while improving program accuracy. Circle 310

High-speed video. (The Engineer's Toolbox).
January 1, 2002... The Photron FASTCA-PCI motion analysis system offers PC-based motion analysis for a wide range of OEM applications. The camera records color or monochrome images at speeds of 250 to 10,000 pictures per second. Only one PC slot is needed,...

Collaboration software. (The Engineer's Toolbox).
January 1, 2002... visualCollabo-ration software provides real-time design and simulation collaboration with voice, video, text and graphics. It supports open GL graphics and multiple OS via network or Java interface. Circle 318

Torsion testing. (The Engineer's Toolbox).
January 1, 2002... For torsion testing of materials and parts that must withstand constant twisting and wrenching, the 55MT MicroTorsion is offered in 20 and 220 N-m designs. Its tabletop design has a small footprint and requires minimal lab space. Circle...

CAD viewing markup. (The Engineer's Toolbox).
January 1, 2002... 3Dview 4.0 view, measurement and markup software now includes "one-click" web publishing and free viewing via compressed email file attachments. All major CAD systems are fully compatible. Circle 315

Custom CAD/CAM. (The Engineer's Toolbox).
January 1, 2002... ShoeExpress incorporates three software modules-- Solfast, Tacfast and Fusion--designed for the industry's mold and pattern makers, with automatic data acquisition from a sketch, 2D drawing or measurement system. Circle 311

Collaboration. (The Engineer's Toolbox).
January 1, 2002... Containing more than 100 customer-driven enhancements, ME10 2002 Dynamic Drafting integrates the company's product lines into a scaleable solution targeting all stages of collaborative product design processes. Circle 312

Applied math. (The Engineer's Toolbox).
January 1, 2002... Supporting Windows XP, Mathcad 200 1I has improved usability, more data acquisition choices, enhanced security with the introduction of advanced encrypted security to protect Mathcad documents, streamlined web publishing, expanded...

Power inductor. (Product News).
January 1, 2002... With a maximum height of 1mm, the LPO1704 Power Wafer inductor is designed for PC cards and handheld devices. Inductance values range between 1 and 330 [micro]H, and RMS current ratings are up to 3.6A. Circle 371