Designfax articles from July 1999

Designfax archives from July 1999

The Art of Engineering.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... This is a story about an artist, an engineering team and a gallery owner who work together to bring the arts to the public. In a Cleveland Magazine interview with novelist Scott Lax, Art Avenue Galleries owner Paul Sykes mentions his reverence...

Post Office Parable.(direct mail)(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... I'm a firm believer that the best solution for any problem stems from initiating dialogue and the resulting synergistic effect produced when more than one person's perspective navigates an issue. As design engineers, I need your help on...

Grace and power, in a robot?(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... Fiberoptic coupling allows freedom of movement Robots are not ice skaters. Anyone who has ever watched a skater execute a flawless program on the ice will agree. Many ice skaters conclude their programs with a graceful spin-slow at first,...

Counter to their legendary durability.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... Counter to their legendary durability, one of the major problems with diesel engines is vibration. This has been magnified recently with the advent of common rail fuel injection, which produces even higher torsional energy on the crankshaft....

Artificial Intelligence Lab.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... The Artificial Intelligence Lab at MIT has been playing host to the tread of tiny feet these days. Or. more correctly, the feat of tiny treads. Researchers have integrated cubic-inch-size microrobots with 17 sensors each. IR emitters were then...

Reader Connection.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... Absorbed by our projects I read your editorial in the May 1999 issue of Designfax and would like to respond. Your observations of your role as a publisher and our role as design and development engineers is accurate and true. However, most...

Pressure transducer.(267MR manufactured by Setra Syatems)
July 1, 1999... Ideal for users who need to configure on the fly. the model 267MR offers up to 6 different pressure ranges in each transducer. Ranges include [plus or minus]0.1 in. to 30 in. W.C. full scale. The voltage output is field configurable to either 0...

Programmable R-to-D Converters.(RD-19230 series manufactured by ILC Data Device Corp.)
July 1, 1999... The RD-19230 series of 16-bit resolver-to-digital converters is ideal for high-performance industrial and commercial positioning systems. The single CMOS monolithic chip offers user-programmable encoder simulation, resolution, bandwidth,...

Sealed Miniature Switches.(V9 series components manufactured by SAIA-Burgess Electronics Inc.)
July 1, 1999... V9 series components are miniature single-pole switches sealed and pressure-tested against the ingress of liquids. Versions now include a 3mm contact gap snap-action switch for European requirements, and a positive-action, forced-break switch...

Current Sensing Relays.(CR4395 series manufactured by CR Magnetics Inc.)
July 1, 1999... Current reaching a set level on the trip-point adjustment of the CR4395 series energizes the electromechanical relay. A precision voltage reference circuit ensures a highly repeatable trip-point. Variable time delays inhibit activation during...

Power Capacitors.(TFM/IFM Series; PPX/FPX Series, and FAI Series are manufactured by AVX Corp.)
July 1, 1999... These power capacitors employ a range of dielectric materials, electrode material, impregnation and packaging technologies, with capacitance up to 12,000[micro]F and maximum voltage of 36 kV. The TFM/IFM Series is for DC filtering; the PPX/FPX...

3D View.(Parasolid model viewer manufactured by Actify USA)
July 1, 1999... 3D View can be used to view Parasolid models generated by any system that exports native Parasolid. Since Parasolid is the core geometric modeler of many design and manufacturing systems, 3D View facilitates the sharing of 3D data among many...

IronCAD.(from Visionary Design Systems)
July 1, 1999... With fully integrated, real-time texture, bump and decal mapping to represent design details, IronCAD saves time and data space. The software allows engineers make use of CAD data throughout the design process, as well as enables power use sand...

Bravo SMD.(library support software from Applicon)
July 1, 1999... Bravo SMD supports libraries for tools, punches, stamps and corner relief, and material/machine combinations. Libraries are configured to ensure better parts manufacturing. Users are able to define custom tooling and import models to complete...

Solid Designer 7.0.(modeling software from CoCreate Software)
July 1, 1999... This modeling tool allows designers to modify designs irrespective of design history. It was developed to support extensive design changes without the need to understand previous modeling steps. Relations between geometrical entities such as...

Explosionproof enclosures.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... The XCE series of electrical control enclosures is offered in 74 sizes. All have UL and cUL approvals, and offer optional gasketing for NEMA 4 protection against driven water, dust and ice formation. The XCE series offers a variety of operator...

Standoffs and spacers.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... These printed circuit board utilities are available in aluminum, brass, steel, stainless steel and plastics, with a variety of metal finishes. A large inventory of styles and sizes, as well as same day processing and shipping, are offered for...

Terminal blocks.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... The ELX 3.5 mm high-density system includes fixed blocks and is ideal for industrial automation, telecom. HVAC and security applications. ELX plugs and headers are available in 2 through 20 positions in a broad variety of configurations. The...

Coin cell holders.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... The 2025 and 2032 series integrate a finger pressure release lever which disengages the battery from the holder for easy access and replacement. Manufactured with a glass filled nylon hase, the holder is UL rated 94V-0 and offers reliable...

Snap-in terminals.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... These PCB terminals are made from a high Conductivity zirconium-copper alloy that resists softening and maintains its shape during thermal cycling up to 500[degrees]C for a few seconds and up to 350[degrees]C for several minutes. Featuring a...

Slide switches.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... The NK series have gold-over-nickel contacts that provide a high level of switching reliability. Electrical life is 2000 cycles minimum at resistive loads from 1 mA @ 10 mV up to 0.5 A @ 12V. Their flux-sealed 0.023-in diameter terminals are...

DIN connectors.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... The mPm 43650 and Field level DIN Devices pro vide a reliable connector solution. The molded DIN 43650 connectors feature 18, 11, 10, 9.4 and 8.0mm standard DIN platforms, enabling connection to all DIN standard solenoid valves and pressure...

Lighter-than-Air Craft.
July 1, 1999... Simple technology returns with refinement The world of the twentieth century. as noted by servers of history moved from disparate countries spread across seven continents to a globalization oh ideas and manufacturing. Thanks in large part...

Chemical Reference Resources.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... Chemistry, like many other scientific disciplines, is blessed with a myriad of resources on the World Wide Web. While these may never replace such handy desk-books as the Handbook of Chemistry and Physics for much of our day-to-day design work,...

LOW FRICTION BEARINGS, ALUMINUM IMPELLER MAXIMIZE WIND SPEED INDICATOR.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... From sailors to scientists, kite flyers to foresters, and pilots to golfers, the Kestrel 1000 and 2000 anemometers are being appreciated for their convenience and accuracy. Nielsen-Kellerman Company, Chester, PA recently released both products...

Polymer material.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... This material is the result of improvement in bearing composition. A radial swelling rating of 0.0% allows the iglide H370 series to thrive in wet environments and even function exceptionally well underwater. In continuous motion. iglide H370...

Laminates and composites.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... The Polycor line offers solutions for noise, vibration and heat in automotive, appliance, computer disk drive, office equipment and aircraft applications. Quiet Steel is a damping material composed of steel, aluminum, galvalume or other...

Thermally conductive compound.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... The Konduit line of thermoplastics is a composite of plastic resins and thermally conductive additives designed to overcome the base resins' natural insulation properties and conduct heat. According to the manufacturer, Konduit compounds...

Acetal homopolymer.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... Sustarin has higher mechanical properties at extreme temperatures than many copolymer acetals. The material is FDA and USDA approved. The material is most cost-effective in applications where additional strength and rigidity is crucial. It has...

Low emissivity foam.(Polydamp manufactured by Polymer Technologies)
July 1, 1999... Polydamp is a thermal insulating material for use in equipment where operators or components need to be kept at very stable temperatures. It is designed to insulate medical equipment, refrigeration units and buildings. The product offers a...

Polyimide plates.(pyropel HD manufactured by Albany International High Performance Materials)
July 1, 1999... Pyropel HD is a high-purity thermoset polyimide machining stock ideal for the manufacture of parts subjected to high temperatures or chemical attack. With temperature resistance to 550[degrees]F, it exceeds the upper continuous use limits of...

Thermoplastic polyurethane materials.(Estane line manufactured by BF Goodrich Performance Materials)
July 1, 1999... The Estane line of TPU products provides excellent chemical resistance and a high heat profile for hose, tube and profile applications. The material has a shore hardness range from 49D to 57D, and exhibits typical tensile strengths of...

Polyethylene naphthalate film.(Kaladex PFN manufactured by DuPont Polyester Films)
July 1, 1999... Kaladex PFN is a biaxially-oriented film with performance and cost between PET polyester and polymide films. Kaladex offers high stiffness, dielectric and mechanical strength, low thermal shrinkage, hydrolysis and chemical resistance. The...

Silicone elastomer compound.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... This compound has UL 94 V-O flame retardance approval for parts thicker than 0.030 in. It is available in three types for extruded profiles, or precision-cut static sealing solutions. It can be supplied as spliced and fabricated seals or long...

Polyurethane materials.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... The PIM-VG line of fast-setting polyurethanes are designed for vacuum casting of thermoplastic-like prototypes. They are well-suited for generating parts with minimal voids that offer excellent reproduction of intricate detail and a...

Thermoplastic elastomers.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... The Multi-Flex line of elastomers offer 70 Shore A, and Shore D hardness, and enhanced compression at elevated temperatures. They have a wide variety of uses ranging from coextrusion, fire retardancy, and use at high temperatures for doors,...

Aluminum coating.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... Al-Coat is a dense, non-magnetic, chromium alloy composition coating developed for aluminum. Its extremely hard, Rc 72 surface provides a combination of bearing-type properties, low frictional coefficients, longer wear-life and corrosion...

Temperature indicator.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... The Monitor Mark line of threshold indicators are monitoring tools that provide a permanent visual record if temperature exposure exceeds a threshold temperature. The small, adhesive-backed indicator is available in five response temperatures...

Printer sub-assemblies.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... KBT sub-assemblies can be mounted vertically or horizontally, on a stationary bracket or a slide rail. The paper roll can be positioned under or behind the mechanism, or at a 450 angle, providing installation flexibility. The KBT is available...

Actuator.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... The Robotte family of actuators combines a high-performance ball screw with a spline mounted on a single hollow shaft. The resulting screw shaft can move in both straight and rotating directions, offering versatile and compact actuation. It is...

Lighting units.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... Series PL lighting units are UL 1571 listed for nonhazardous locations. They offer glare-free illumination of the interior of normally enclosed containers. The PL series features a high-intensity halogen lamp in a dust-and water-tight cast...

Servo motion processor.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... The MC2100 series of high-performance motion chips provide 1, 2 or 4 axes of motion control for multiple motor types. The common instruction set supports over 130 commands, providing designers with flexibility during application programming....

Speakers.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... The Mylar line of speakers offers consumer and commercial products for computers, modems and telephones. They have impedance values ranging from 4 to 1000[ohm]. Headphone, notebook PC, multimedia, telecommunications and printed circuit board...

Miniature load cell.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... The SML line of load cells is designed to handle the demand of high overload or limited vertical clearance environments. These cells are, according to the manufacturer, more accurate than competitive products of comparable size. SML load cells...

Process Gets The Lead Out Of Solder Materials.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... A new electroplating process creates a special from of pure tin that can be used in lead-free soldering applications. The patented process, called SnTech (pronounced "tin tech"), produces a coating that overcomes the traditional shortcomings of...

Accelerometer connection.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1999... The R60 splashproof quick disconnect is an easy-to-assemble, low cost conector designed for field installation to be used with any accelerometers that have a MIL-C-5015 style connector. The connector has a grounding contact, and a feature is...