Designfax articles from January 2004

Designfax archives from January 2004

Winter green.(Up Front)
January 1, 2004... There's an annual gathering held around February in Silicon Valley, known as the TED Conference. For those unfamiliar with the name, that's Technology, Entertainment and Design. The five-day program, initiated 10 years ago, offers a remarkable...

Field effect touch controls: the "go-anywhere" switch.(Five Star: Product Of The Month)
January 1, 2004... As product design has evolved since the dawn of the Age of Electricity, so has the execution of the user interface. Switches and controls have been everything from toggle switches to rotated knobs of wood, Bakelite and stainless steel; from...

High-temp bearings.(Technology Spotlight)
January 1, 2004... Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed high-temperature bearings that will allow engines to run more efficiently. "The bearings we've created provide answers to a hurdle for both military and commercial aircraft engines," said Alan...

Walking chair.(Technology Spotlight)
January 1, 2004... The world's first two-legged walking robot capable of carrying a human being, codenamed WL-16, took two years to develop in a joint project involving the Science and Engineering Department of Waseda University, Tokyo, and robot-maker tmsuk,...

Pushbuttons, switches.
January 1, 2004... Pushbuttons, Disconnect Switches, Rotary Cam Switches. Heavy-duty industrial controls. UL/CSA/CE. 22mm/ 30mm operators, standard/custom control stations. Modular contacts with screw, quick connect or cage clamp terminals fit both 22mm & 30mm...

Disconnect switches.
January 1, 2004... Baco Controls Disconnect Switch line is a broad range of "Main Switches" now "Suitable for Motor Disconnects" which utilizes a patented reversible terminal system. Available in 25A, 32A, 50A, 63A, 80A & 100A. Front, Din-rail, and rear mounting...

Solar cells.(News From The Green File)
January 1, 2004... Existing solar cell technologies, based on semiconductor materials, involve high material costs. Consequently, although sunlight is free, the overall cost of solar power (amortized over the lifetime of the cell, typically 20 years) is around...

Hot air.(News From The Green File)
January 1, 2004... Proe Power Systems, Thousand Oaks, CA, announced in November that it received a Notice of Patent Claims Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for HRPG heat recovery power generator technology. To date, DOE cogeneration...

Green labeling.(News From The Green File)
January 1, 2004... Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and even Poland now all have their own different green label requirements, according to a newly updated report, Green Labeling: Global Guide for Marketers in the New Millennium 2003 Edition, from Raymond Communications,...

Hydrogen from methane.(News From The Green File)
January 1, 2004... Scientists at the Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland, have demonstrated a key mechanism in the process used to produce hydrogen from methane. Published in the Oct 3rd issue of Science, the study was an outgrowth of...

Expanded metal foil.(Top Product)
January 1, 2004... * precise conductivity * one-piece construction MicroGrid precision-expanded metal foils are suitable as ground planes for Wi-Fi antennae and can be incorporated directly into building materials such as ceiling tiles and wall panels....

Natural acetal tubular bar.(Materials)
January 1, 2004... ZL900 natural copolymer acetal tubular bar is available in ODs from 25 to 260 mm and IDs from 15 to 190 mm, in 300 mm lengths. Parts machined from acetal tubular bar offer low water absorption for exceptional dimensional stability in many...

Precision components.(Materials)
January 1, 2004... The MICROmfg cold forming process produces parts with diameters as small as 0.015-in. with tolerances held to [+ or -] 0.0005-in. The process yields parts to net or near-net shape so there is virtually no scrap. Cold forming requires no harmful...

Plastics database.(Materials)
January 1, 2004... This company has launched a global plastics material database that provides access to more than 8000 active plastics grades from more than 35 suppliers, distributors and compounders. The database also features an integrated applications...

Acrylic sheets.(Materials)
January 1, 2004... Clarex precision thin sheets are manufactured using a cell-casting method for display applications. Available in a range of thicknesses from 0.008- to 0.197-in., these sheets come with a hard coating on either one or both sides to prevent...

High-strength stainless steel.(Materials)
January 1, 2004... Nanoflex combines high strength, formability, corrosion resistance and a good surface finish, allowing it to be used in lightweight mechanical applications. It is used in such applications as surgical needles and dental tools. The material can...

Polymer powders.(Materials)
January 1, 2004... ICORENE a la carte allows users to specify prime-grade polyethylene resins consistently from the same manufacturers and additive packages and stabilizers produced in-house. The Same Day Color system matches the exact color specified. Powders...

Anti-reflective material in auto display.(Application Xtra)
January 1, 2004... * enhances contrast * minimizes glare Last year Delphi Automotive Systems, Troy, MI, introduced the Communiport Integrated Navigation Radio (INR), a radio system with a full map turn-by-turn navigation system and voice prompts. It...

Assembling the next generation vehicle: what "intelligent fastening" systems will offer.
January 1, 2004... Fastening technology is on the verge of changing the way motorcycles and other vehicles are designed, assembled, serviced, and recycled. Instead of a hand tool to physically manipulate the fastener, intelligent fasteners presently being...

Piezo ceramics in medicine: healthy, and getting better.
January 1, 2004... There are stories throughout the history of medicine of attempts to create a "cure-all," a magical panacea that could address a broad range of aches and ills and defeat them all. Modern medical science disproves that one drug can treat heart...

Coating services, booth 475.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... This company is a custom coater, converter and packager of medical, pharmaceutical and electrical products. Products available include thermally conductive, hydrophilic, drug delivery, Z-axis electrically conductive materials, coatings and skin...

Materials testing, booth 665.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... This company performs testing and analysis of materials, products and systems for manufacturers of medical devices. Testing results can be used to support material selection and component substitution, evaluate environmental and chemical...

Adhesive tape, booth 800.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... Bioflex Rx632P is a woven fabric adhesive tape for direct skin application. It consists of a tan, woven fabric, single-coated with a medical-grade acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive. The adhesive is supplied on a 42# kraft release liner that...

Coils, booth 649.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... The Micro-Coiler produces coils from 25-micron wire to coil diameters of 150 microns. The Sub-Micro Wire Feed, with its 6.35 mm diameter feed rolls, micrometer adjustable roll pressure and short wire guides, controls wire buckling. Precision...

Plastic tubing, booth 738.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... Catalog 11 offers information on this company's tubing, hose, fittings, clamps and accessories products. The Nylobrade push-on hose has been added to the catalog. It is a PVC hose that attaches to fittings without the need for clamps. A...

Electropolishers, booth 815.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... These electropolishers are used to polish and deburr small, precision-machined stainless steel and Cr/Co parts such as stents, cutters and needles. The polishing solution temperature is automatically controlled by a heater/cooling fan...

Linear guides/slides, booth 798.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... The Mini-Rail LS self-lubricating miniature linear guides provide a low-cost linear or multi-axis motion control solution. There are six sizes to handle a range of loads and two drive mechanism variations to optimize speed and positioning. It...

Compressor/pump, booth 879.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... Measuring 1.4-x 3-in., the P5H7 scroll air compressor/ pump delivers up to 10 psi with a no load flow of 0.14 CFM. Quiet and inherently vibration-free, the pump provides compressed air for small medical equipment such as portable nebulizers and...

Laser welding, booth 1126.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... Clearweld laser welds clear, colored and opaque thermoplastics. It produces instant welds that eliminate particulates, flash and adhesives without adding unwanted color. It uses near-IR-absorbing material systems to convert laser energy...

Flexible adhesives, booth 1514.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... For applications that must withstand vibration, impact and fatigue loads, Loctite 4851 and 4861 deliver excellent long term performance on flexible substrates such as tubing, o-rings, rubber, paper, leather and fabric. Both flexible...

Machining services, booth 2083.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... This company has added several laser tools to its facility. In addition to excimer, tripled YAG and C[O.sub.2] lasers, several frequency-doubled lasers, a fundamental frequency and a frequency-quadrupled laser are available for machining...

SBC copolymer, booth 1221.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... Two injection molding grades of K-Resin styrene-butadiene copolymer (SBC) have been found to improve injection molding flow length by up to 20 percent at the same temperature and pressure used with other like materials. K-Resin BK10 and BK15...

Intravenous filter, booth 1549.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... The MediPure intravenous filter is a self-priming 0.2-micron bacterial retentive, air-venting filter. It is intended to provide a bacterial retentive barrier for intravenous solutions as well as to atmospherically vent existing or entrained air...

Disc valve, booth 2133.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... This patent-pending high-flow disc valve features positive shut-off to eliminate backflow, rendering it virtually leak-proof. Made from lipid-resistant Class VI polycarbonate, the valve is also latex-free. It can withstand 60 psi back pressure....

Pressure-sensitive adhesives, booth 1421.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... The MACbond IB series of double-coated tapes offers high tack for a solid bond with minimal increase in the total thickness of a product. A moisture-stable liner keeps the adhesive layer clean and flat during manufacturing and through many...

Injection molding tools, booth 1694.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... This company builds close-tolerance tooling for plastic injection molding applications. The molds are used in the medical, irrigation and connector industries. The company designs and manufactures high-cavitation, auto unwind insert, stack,...

Turning center, booth 2154.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... The DECO 13a turning center is a single-spindle, automatic system that accommodates part diameters from 13 mm, making it suitable for small medical and dental implants and bone screws. It has 10 axes with a counter spindle and an...

Biomedical polymers, booth 2239.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... This company is building a biomedical polymer compounding facility that will produce nanocomposites, water-soluble polymers and other specialty formulations for catheters and other devices. The facility will include manufacturing software and...

Testing system, booth 2309.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... The 3300 series single-column-testing system is designed to test tensile, compression and flexural properties of rubber, plastic and metals used in medical devices. The 3300 series includes a load frame with integrated control electronics, a...

Stent coating, booth 2478.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... VascuLAST is a surface treatment used to prevent the re-narrowing of vessels after medical intervention and can reduce restenosis after stent implantation. VascuLAST can be applied to virtually any stent design. The coating is uniform and does...

Encoders, booth 2264.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... These 9-bit miniature magnetic rotary encoders are designed for long-life and reliability. The non-contact encoders are capable of speeds over 30,000 rpm and can operate in harsh environments. Encoders can improve the positioning accuracy of a...

Connection device, booth 2330.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... The ABS Twin Tube is a single quick-connection device for two distinct fluid-or air-lines. The panel-mount design makes the ABS Twin Tube suitable for use in patient monitoring equipment, pneumatic control circuits and ink jet printing....

Micron orifices, booth 2565.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... These micron orifices are available in miniature fittings. One example of these orifices is a 0.001 ruby orifice (25.4 micron), with 5-micron filters on either side of the orifice. They are supplied complete in color-coded plastic (kynar,...

Polyurethane resins and tubing, booth 2308.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... Five families of polyurethane resins and tubing are available from this company. Tecoflex, Tecothane and Carbothane are available in durometer ranges from 75A to 75D. These resins are medical-grade materials, having passed USP Class VI, MEM...

Flexible vinyl compounds, booth 2430.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... The Apex flexible vinyl compounds exhibit exceptional resistance to heat-generated discoloration or degradation. They incorporate heat stabilizers that are capable of withstanding the heat and shear of melt processing, enabling extrusion...

Elastomeric and polymeric materials, booth 2655.(Medical Products)
January 1, 2004... This company specializes in manufacturing and finishing parts made from elastomeric and polymeric materials. The company uses laser machining processes capable of putting programmable features into 0.008-in. sheet to molded and overmolded...

Safety sleeve: protecting patients with sterile Slater prophylaxes.(Application Ideas)
January 1, 2004... The concept seems simple enough--place protective sleeves over medical products to save on clean-up time, safeguard patients from cross-contamination and reduce liability risks. And, in response to recent news, help control the SARS epidemic....

Braking into new territory: CAD/CAM services facilitate global market expansion.(Tech Upgrade)
January 1, 2004... Best known as a supplier of brakes to international motor sports champions, Brembo S.p.A also makes brakes for high volume automotive OEMs. Most of this business has been with European manufacturers; however, the company currently is...

Steel proximity sensor.(Top Product)
January 1, 2004... * durable for tough environments * built-in relay contacts The introduction of the PRX+4171 series of proximity sensors provides a durable, ready-to-install device for applications where the position of a ferrous metal component or...

Level transducers.(Sensors & Transducers)
January 1, 2004... Series 740 transducers offer programmable adjustment of the pressure range in the field, by a factor of up to 10:1, with a minimum effect on total accuracy. In addition, the devices have improved thermal compensation, with an increase in...

Temperature sensors.(Sensors & Transducers)
January 1, 2004... The INFOSENSE-P plug-and-play sensors automatically link the application's information to a NIST-traceable calibration lab. An EEPROM chip is preprogrammed with each sensor's part number, manufacturing information and full range temperature...

Pressure transducer.(Sensors & Transducers)
January 1, 2004... The PX41 Series of industrial pressure transducers offers high accuracy a low cost 5V output. Hermetically sealed, the units' all stainless steel construction makes them suited to harsh environments. The PX41 is available in gage, absolute or...

Current transducers.(Sensors & Transducers)
January 1, 2004... Series 920 (closed loop) and Series 921 (open loop) DC current transducers automatically monitor system data remotely, making them suited to local and remote power stations where feedback of operational data is required. Each sensor only...

Gas sensor.(Sensors & Transducers)
January 1, 2004... Designed for applications requiring the monitoring of hydrogen sulfide, the Model S4171T features long distance remote mounting, 3-digit display, and a 4-20 mA output. The unit provides sensor life indication, and features fault codes for...

Inductive proximity sensor.(Sensors & Transducers)
January 1, 2004... This company now offers an 8 mm all-metal inductive sensor as part of their Pile Driver line. The devices are fully flush mountable with a 100% stainless steel housing that provides 20X the life span of plastic-faced sensors. Their ruggedness...

Measurement test stand.(Application Xtra)
January 1, 2004... * versatile, multipurpose design * CANbus interface for signal transmission The BMW Research and Engineering Center in Munich, Germany, requires multipurpose-designed test stands for testing specific functions, or for long duration...

Die attach adhesive.(Top Product)
January 1, 2004... * durable for tough environments * built-in relay contacts AAA1000 low bleed die attach adhesive is a Teflon (PTFE) filled non-conductive paste specifically designed for tight-tolerance die stacking. It is also usable for other...

Marine machine screws.(Fasteners & Adhesives)
January 1, 2004... Designed to withstand salt water and chemicals, these stainless steel machine screws are corrosion resistant can include chrome plating to eliminate bleeding. They are machined to meet IFI, ASTM and ISO standards. Various stainless grades, head...

Insert & tool catalog.(Fasteners & Adhesives)
January 1, 2004... This company's new catalog details their line of helical coil inserts and tools. The company has developed tangless inserts and tools, and also offers conventional tanged inserts and tooling. Technical information includes drilling, tapping,...

Fastening brochure.(Fasteners & Adhesives)
January 1, 2004... This company's brochure describes their engineering, international sourcing and support services. Services include application engineering, domestic production, import sourcing and quality assurance. All import parts are tested to the same...

Motorsport fasteners.(Fasteners & Adhesives)
January 1, 2004... Instead of being re-purposed aircraft fasteners, Raceline fasteners have been designed from the ground up to satisfy the needs of motor racing, including high shock and vibration resistance, metal and composite compatibility. Offered are...

Liquid metal bonder.(Fasteners & Adhesives)
January 1, 2004... Designed to repair, rebuild and bond, Durabond 200[degrees]F liquid metals a machinable. There is no need for fixturing or clamps with these smooth putties. Cure is at room temperature and hardening starts in an hour. There are no flammable...

Methacrylate adhesives.(Fasteners & Adhesives)
January 1, 2004... Agomet methacrylates include 6 adhesives and 4 hardeners that bond substrates via surface activation. This feature allows users to apply hardener/lacquer to a substrate up to 30 days before the resin is added to bond an assembly. They are...

Wire accessory.(Fasteners & Adhesives)
January 1, 2004... Adding to this company's line of wiring accessories, the Push Tie Mount is available in natural colored nylon 6/6 and will fit a 0.244-in. (6.2 mm) dia. hole and accept wire ties up to 0.299-in. (7.6 mm) wide. The cupped head design assures a...

Plastic fastener.(Fasteners & Adhesives)
January 1, 2004... TineLok self-locking, vibration-proof nut-and-bolt fasteners are now available in plastic materials, purportedly the first of the type in the industry. Performance characteristics are identical to its metal counterpart, while adding...

Custom film adhesives.(Fasteners & Adhesives)
January 1, 2004... The 400 series of film adhesives is solvent-cast from specialty nylon polyamide resins that provide superior adhesion for various substrates, including nylon, polyimide, Tedlar, vinyl, metals, fabrics and urethane foams. Custom thermoset or...

Electrical tape.(Fasteners & Adhesives)
January 1, 2004... Designed to be conformable around uneven magnet wire winds, series 85 electrical tape holds well to magnet wire. With a backing that is polyester web-reinforced and a thermosetting rubber, pressure-sensitive adhesive, this tape is UL recognized...

Thread protectors.(Fasteners & Adhesives)
January 1, 2004... The TC series straight cap thread protector meets the functional intent of MIL-C-5501/11, NAS814, MIL-C5501/3 and NAS832. They are designed to protect straight threads on studs and fittings, and the rolled threads allow either push or thread-on...

Automotive brackets.(Application Xtra)
January 1, 2004... * reduces weight * cuts costs In the automotive industry, cost and weight reduction are the driving force behind engineering design. Volvo Trucks recently identified two types of brackets as cost-cutting candidates. They selected RTP...

Designing out of the box: new products derived from technologies in very different markets.
January 1, 2004... Sometimes, the creative ideas and technology needed for designing a company's product derive from the least likely of places--areas outside of the company's own realm of expertise. As an example, engineers at Xerox, Rochester, NY, never...

High pressure valves.(Top Product)
January 1, 2004... * economical * redesigned seals Series 20 valve models H21 and H24 have a redesigned guide pin that provides high sealing ability at a lower cost. Standard operating pressures are to 2000 and 1000 psi, respectively in gas or liquid....

Non-rotating gas lifter.(Valves & Cylinders)
January 1, 2004... Featuring a keyed guide rod that prevents rotation during lift applications, the SLN.300 nitrogen gas lifter has a small extension for attaching lifting structures. Extended guide rod bushings increase stability, and an inverted gas spring...

Miniature shock absorbers.(Valves & Cylinders)
January 1, 2004... With energy capacities of 30 and 50 in.-lbs, respectively, the Uni-Shok 30 and Uni-Shok 50 miniature self-adjusting shock absorbers operate in the -20[degrees] to 140[degrees]F range. Injected with Teflon, the one-piece cylinder has a steel...

Valve actuator control.(Valves & Cylinders)
January 1, 2004... Designed to control up to 250 actuators, the Master Station II provides complex control and diagnostics of the company's field units through a simple touch-panel operator interface. Optional hot stand-by configuration automatically assumes...

Check valves.(Valves & Cylinders)
January 1, 2004... ICFT 4-bolt flange-type check valves are designed for piping systems that use SAE 4-bolt flange ports. Included are ICT thread-in type check valves for applications where the free-flow direction is from the sealed to the plain surfaces....

Manifold valves.(Valves & Cylinders)
January 1, 2004... As an extension of its needle valve line, this company provides 2-, 3- and 5-valve manifold valves in either hard or soft seat configurations. Materials include carbon and 316 SS steel with either inline pipe threads or flanged configurations....

Pressure regulation.(Valves & Cylinders)
January 1, 2004... Reducing high inlet pressure (600 to 6000 psia) at a minimum flow rate of 50 lbs/hr (G[N.sub.2]) to precise low-output pressure of 25 psia, this 2-stage pressure regulator is housed in a small, lightweight design. It operates in temperatures...

Ultra-miniature regulator.(Valves & Cylinders)
January 1, 2004... Designed to control outlet pressures down to 1/2 psig, the PRD-1-N-1 regulator measures 1 1/32- by 1-in. Brass versions weigh 26.6g, while aluminum versions are 15g; steel versions are under development. Output pressures range from 0 to 30 psig...

Diaphragm check valve.(Valves & Cylinders)
January 1, 2004... Not dependent on gravity, mounting position or reverse flow, series CKM diaphragm check valves maintain a bubble-tight seal. The leak-proof valves are chatter proof, since there are no internal sliding or loose parts to slam or vibrate, and...

Rotary control valve.(Valves & Cylinders)
January 1, 2004... Suited for liquids, gases, steam and slurries, the K-Max rotary control valve features a greater than 100:1 range and stable bi-directional flow. Available in sizes 1-through 8-in., the valve can be constructed from various alloys for ANSI 150,...

Gas spring.(Valves & Cylinders)
January 1, 2004... The Super Tanker gas spring offers a dynamic lubrication system that coats the sealing surfaces of the spring with each stroke to reduce heat buildup and extend spring life. Other features include a low operating temperature and pressure rise...

Pressure regulators.(Valves & Cylinders)
January 1, 2004... Available in flows from 0.025 to 5.0 Cv and pressures from 0 to 10,000 psi, this line of pressure regulators is offered in sizes from 1/8 to 1-in. and in various body materials, including PVC, brass, 316SS, Monel, Hastelloy, Inconel, and...

Valve terminals.(Valves & Cylinders)
January 1, 2004... The type CPV-SC plate mounted and CPA-SC sub-base mounted miniaturized Smart Cubic valve terminals offer compact size versatility, high speed and high flow rates. For decentralized control, the CPV-SC fixed-grid valve offers 4-, 8- 12-, or...

Ice cream dispenser.(Application Xtra)
January 1, 2004... * valve is cylinder actuated * automatic, safe pressure exhaust When a soft serve ice cream manufacturer approached KIP for aid in the design of a new, point-of-use, soft serve ice cream dispensing machine, the key issues of this...