Designfax articles from March 2004

Designfax archives from March 2004

Save the whales: win valuable prizes.(Layer One)
March 1, 2004... Yes, the subtitle is an old eke, but the following story came in from a company we've known for years, and we couldn't resist running with it... Twenty-eight pilot whales had stranded themselves in the shallow waters just northwest of Big...

Pandora's in-box.(Up Front)
March 1, 2004... From within our bunker at Designfax HQ, do I anxiously tender greetings to you for the month of March. "Great Scott!" you say, "is the magazine being taken over by hostile buyers, with advance troops marching briskly at the doorstep, slavering...

Grace under pressure: fiber-optic medical sensor.(Product of the Month)
March 1, 2004... How new audiences must have marveled, forty years ago, as they watched "Star Trek" and its dazzling offer of future technologies. "Trans-warp" travel. Transporter booths. Photon torpedoes. In turn, research labs have spent the last four decades...

Small-scale hydrogen reactor.(Technology Spotlight)
March 1, 2004... Researchers at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis say they have produced hydrogen from ethanol in a prototype reactor small enough and efficient enough to heat small homes and power cars. Current methods of producing hydrogen from...

Silica optical wires.(Technology Spotlight)
March 1, 2004... Over at Harvard University scientists have married fiber optics with nanotechnology, creating silica wires that are fat" narrower than the wavelength of light yet can still guide a light beam with great precision. The wires, about a thousandth...

Motor controller fuses.(Top Product)
March 1, 2004... * high-speed protection for controllers * handles overloads 135% of rating High-Speed Class J (HSJ) fuses have been engineered specifically for the operating characteristics of electronic motor controllers. In one Class J package, the...

Micro actuator.(Motion Products)
March 1, 2004... Based on DC servo motor technology, this pen-like actuator can move samples or payloads in increments as small as 50 nm. With a maximum controlled speed in closed loop of 2 mm/s, and a travel range of up to 1 1/4 in., it can push up to 5 lbs....

Amp for hi-res motor.(Motion Products)
March 1, 2004... The AB2 amplifier, for use with the company's high resolution motors, combines standard servo and ultrahigh (1 nm) resolution modes. The standard servo mode provides unlimited travels with a wide range of velocity from 1 pm/sec to 250 [micro]m/...

Speed control.(Motion Products)
March 1, 2004... The MD3E is a microprocessor-based, digital, closed loop speed control for DC motors up to 2 hp. Packaged in a stand-alone NEMA 4 enclosure, the unit has a non-volatile memory. Front-panel programmable parameters include max/min set speed,...

Industrial drive chain.(Motion Products)
March 1, 2004... Among many types of IW1S pre-stretched chain offerings are MEGAlife maintenance-free roller and conveyor chains, CR (corrosion-resistant) chains, and Grip chains for feeding, transporting and positioning of large area, thin-walled materials....

Modular control.(Motion Products)
March 1, 2004... An intermediate solution between manual change over and total servo control, this modular system uses the IB IL POS 200 position controller, which handles up to 10 axes of motion. There are DC servo amplifier modules for drive control, and...

Miniature linear actuators.(Motion Products)
March 1, 2004... The company's ScrewRail actuator line has received the addition of a unit with a 0.375 in. outside diameter. Available with a wide range of screw leads, in both standard and self-compensating anti-backlash assemblies, the units feature...

External linear actuator.(Motion Products)
March 1, 2004... This Size 11 hybrid actuator features a rotating stainless steel acme lead screw incorporated into the motor's rotor, eliminating shall-to-lead screw couplings. Available resolutions range from 0.000125-to 0.002-in. per step, with thrusts of up...

Pneumatic cylinders.(Motion Products)
March 1, 2004... Space Saver Cylinders, designed for applications with space and weight constraints, provide the stroke and power of standard cylinders in less than 50% of their space. Units are avail-able in bore sizes of 3/4-to 4 in., and Viton seals are...

High-precision actuators.(Motion Products)
March 1, 2004... The TN Series of actuators is offered with three motor types--the TN-D has a 24 VDC motor, the TN-S/P a stepper motor, while the TN-B is equipped with a brushless serve motor. actuator is available in standard lengths zip to 18 in., with...

Submersible linear actuators.(Motion Products)
March 1, 2004... Developed for use on unmanned submersible vehicles, the Inner Space linear actuators provide up to 100 lbs of force and are oil-filled to keep inner and outer pressures continuously equalized. The devices are offered in 2-and 4-in. stroke...

Integrated step motor.(Motion Products)
March 1, 2004... The SilverPak 17 2-phase, 1.8-degree bipolar step motor has an integrated microstepping driver that delivers high performance in a small package. Features include selectable step resolution from full step, half step, 1/4 step to 1/8 microsteps;...

Brushed DC motors.(Motion Products)
March 1, 2004... The LOCOG Series 8000 brush-commutated DC motors and gear-motors feature seven-slot skewed armatures that minimize magnetic cogging (reluctance torque) at low speeds. The units are available in three lengths, and can achieve peak torques up to...

HVAC drives.(Motion Products)
March 1, 2004... MCH Series drives are mounted in NEMA 12 enclosures for installation in dusty or dirty areas. The 3-contactor Bypass assures full isolation of the VFD electronics when the motor is operating in bypass mode. Controls allow complete isolation of...

Commutator design for fuel pumps.(Application Xtra)
March 1, 2004... * reduced cost * minimizes fuel loss A graphite commutator, used in armatures that are fitted in fuel pump motors, allows consistent performance in many types and blends of fuels including gasoline, diesel, alcohol, ethanol and...

Sizing a power inductor: an aid to employment of switch mode power supplies.
March 1, 2004... The rapidly evolving consumer electronics market is driving the transition from less expensive, less efficient linear power supplies to the switch mode power supply (SMPS). This shift, spurred by the falling cost of producing such a device, is...

SMT inductors pack more performance into smaller packages.
March 1, 2004... Perhaps the most important consideration for SMPS power inductors is size. SMT-based inductors save space in assemblies and are easy to handle using automated equipment; and new developments are helping power supply push the envelopes of size,...

Photovoltaic cell.(News from the Green File)
March 1, 2004... The A-300 silicon solar cell developed by SunPower Corp, Sunnyvale, CA is based on a rear-contact design that maximizes the working cell area, hides unsightly wires and simplifies automated production. This architecture allows for significantly...

LED street lamps.(News from the Green File)
March 1, 2004... Doing its bit to aid the worldwide Dark Skies initiative, LEDtronics, Torrance, CA, has introduced direct incandescent replacement M400 CobraHead-Styled LED Streetlights. The LED cluster lamp contains 400 Warm Incandescent-White (3200K) LEDs...

Bio-technology.(News from the Green File)
March 1, 2004... A Danish company, Aresa Biodetection, has developed genetically-modified flowers that change color when their roots come in contact with nitrogen dioxide in the soil. Explosives used in mines produce N[O.sub.2] as the chemicals gradually decay....

Rapid-injection molding: RIM slashes development time, production costs.
March 1, 2004... Facing issues ranging from regulatory approvals to extended product testing and trial development cycles, many of today's medical device manufacturers need to find ways to get new products to market faster and realize a return on investment...

Electrosurgical pad eases trauma: whole CAE eases design process.
March 1, 2004... 3M Company, a manufacturer of over 60,000 industrial and consumers products, uses CAE methods extensively in its product and process development efforts. Many of their analyses are performed using ANSYS software. "Our modeling needs are as...

Micro coupling.(Editor's Choice)
March 1, 2004... * balanced up to 10,000 rpm * low lateral spring stiffness Only 5.5 mm dia. and 9 mm long, the series FK Microflex flexible miniature coupling helps preserve the tiny bearings in micro-pumps and micro-motors used in medical and biotech...

Biocompatible miniature bearing.(Editor's Choice)
March 1, 2004... An essential element in the self-winding watch, the 4-point contact bearing has a ball raceway consisting of 4 inclined planes. Marrying this design with titanium alloy parts and myrox zirconium oxide ceramic balls creates the sub-bearing...

Embedded SOM.(Editor's Choice)
March 1, 2004... The Plug-N-Run G3 System-on-Modules with Intel Pentium M processor is designed to provide complex, high-speed computing power for medical information systems. Security features are based on Signature technology for authentication at the user,...

Valves, pumps, fittings.(Editor's Choice)
March 1, 2004... This company offers Confluent valves and pumps, including the IPV integrated piston/valve that outlasts traditional glass barrel/Teflon syringes; precision dispense pumps with accuracy Scivex, Oak Harbor, WA. Circle 138, or...

Valveless pump.(Editor's Choice)
March 1, 2004... The Travcyl "traveling cylinder" is an internally sealed, valveless pump that provides absolute control over fluid movement. The hybrid piston-syringe pump design offers high accuracy and durability. Digitally controlled fluid delivery ensures...

Photoetched titanium.(Editor's Choice)
March 1, 2004... Intricate medical parts and implantables are manufactured using this photochemical etching alloys. Burr-free parts are fabricated from both standard and exotic non-corrosive metals without inducing the stresses common to traditional machining...

Plastics coatings.(Medical Products)
March 1, 2004... Specialty Performance Coatings are offered to enhance corrosion/chemical resistance, provide electrical insulation, non-wetting characteristics (up to 550[degrees]F) or dry lubrication. Suitable for parts ranging in size from Applied...

Borosilicate capillary tubing.(Medical Products)
March 1, 2004... Round borosilicate capillary tubing can be produced in varying lengths, with or without microfilament, in sizes ranging from 0.30 to 3.00 mm OD, with thin, standard or heavy wall. Tolerances of [+ or -] 10% ID are routine, whereas tighter...

Valves, trap columns, filters.(Medical Products)
March 1, 2004... Micro-nanoscale NanoPeak valves are pressure rated to 5500 psi. Biocompatible inline check valves are offered in 1/4-28 and 10-32 internal and external threads. Conductive capillary sample trap columns feature a conductive stainless steel...

Medical fasteners.(Medical Products)
March 1, 2004... Featuring low cost and precision performance, these stainless steel fasteners include machine screws, thread cutters, thread formers and self-drilling screws, as well as washers, nuts and bolts. All grades of steel are offered, including 18-8,...

Medical adhesive foam.(Medical Products)
March 1, 2004... Designed for use in medical devices where skin contact is possible, TM9616 1/16-in. 4# white polyethylene foam is double-coated with an acrylic-based, hypoallergenic medical grade adhesive. The adhesive is protected by a 70# densified,...

Low emission tube.(Top Product)
March 1, 2004... * reduces permeation in vapor lines * lower cost than standard tubing The Normaflex LET 10 low-emission tube features a 3-layer polyester-based design, the mechanical qualities of which are superior to that of PVDF barrier hoses...

High-pressure fittings.(Fluid power: tubing, hoses & connectors)
March 1, 2004... A line of high-pressure couplings and adapters with NPT threaded connections feature 316 cold-worked stainless steel construction, with other materials available. Pressure ratings are either 10,000 or 15,000 psi. Straight couplings are...

Miniature pneumatic fittings.(Fluid power: tubing, hoses & connectors)
March 1, 2004... This company's wide range of miniature brass fittings is available with electroless nickel plating to meet demanding applications where plating is required. The fittings can be oxygen-cleaned at the factory and are designed for use with...

Custom manifold systems.(Fluid power: tubing, hoses & connectors)
March 1, 2004... CSMS customer specific manifold systems eliminate the need for tubing between valves, minimize internal flow volumes, reduce labor costs and improve reliability. These fully integrated and tested manifold assemblies use the company's IIV inert...

Overbraided hose.(Fluid power: tubing, hoses & connectors)
March 1, 2004... Stainless steel overbraided PTFE hose is available for air and fluid transfer applications within harsh environments. The smooth core has the lowest coefficient of friction of any solid material and is inert, imparting neither taste nor odor to...

Custom plastic pipe, tube.(Fluid power: tubing, hoses & connectors)
March 1, 2004... This company custom extrudes pipe and tube from various materials, including PVC, HIPS, ASA, ABS, TPR, TPU, HDPE and PP. With the ability to match critical roundness, concentricity, straightness and ID requirements, the company produces...

Pneumatic fittings.(Fluid power: tubing, hoses & connectors)
March 1, 2004... Available in various configurations with pre-applied sealant on the pipe threads, the Minimatic line of PushQuick fittings connects pneumatic components to accepting both flexible hose and stiff tubing. Sizes include 5/32-,1/4- and 3/8-in., as...

Fluid handling challenges in welder/generator/compressor.(Application Xtra)
March 1, 2004... * fits tight tolerances * withstands high heat Combining multiple machines into a single unit is a great idea, but it results in some daunting design issues of trying to fit everything into the smallest possible package. The Big Blue...

Pushbutton cam lock.(Top Product)
March 1, 2004... * keyless * mechanical The Quick-Access keyless cam lock allows OEMs to supercede unreliable keyless or key-based mechanical locks by incorporating a camshaft for enclosure doors. Combinations can be changed right at the lock as often...

Subrack enclosures.(Mechanical: enclosures & fixtures)
March 1, 2004... The RatiopacPRO series of compact multi-functional system cases features integral EMC shielding meeting IEEE1101.10 specifications. The series includes a wide range of enclosed 19-in. subrack solutions especially suited for measurement,...

Strut clip.(Mechanical: enclosures & fixtures)
March 1, 2004... The CADDY Easy Strut Clip (ESC) offers quick snap-in installation on the side of any industry standard strut profile. It provides either a "portable hole" (1/4-in.) anywhere along the strut substructure or, when factory-riveted to J-hooks or...

Leveling casters.(Mechanical: enclosures & fixtures)
March 1, 2004... These leveling casters mount to modular T-slotted aluminum extrusions. A variety of configurations and load bearing qualities suits the weight load of many applications, such as carts, fixture dollies, tradeshow displays, workstations, etc. The...

Electronics packaging catalog.(Mechanical: enclosures & fixtures)
March 1, 2004... This CD includes over 300 pages of information on over 13,500 items for electronic packaging. 3D IGES models are provided. Enclosures for EMI/RFI, FCC/VDE, EMP/TEMPEST, MIL-specs 810 and 901, as well as those resistant to earthquakes (NEBS TR...

Enclosure accessories.(Mechanical: enclosures & fixtures)
March 1, 2004... Type 4X rated 316 stainless steel enclosure accessories include aesthetically designed 316SS deep-hinged window kits and 316SS Powerglide handles. The window kit is available in 7 sizes for mounting to the company's NEMA and Concept wall-mount...

Universal bushings.(Mechanical: enclosures & fixtures)
March 1, 2004... The OCUB open/closed universal bushings with flexible shutters are designed to mount around pre-assembled wires, cable and hose bundles, routing them and securing them inside electrical panels of all kinds. They absorb vibration and/or cushion...

Modular latch.(Mechanical: enclosures & fixtures)
March 1, 2004... The Softline Quarter-Turn latching system provides an aesthetic touch and look, while the built-in finger-pull offers both traditional and finger-pull opening options without additional assembly or cost. An assortment of cams provides...

Enclosures catalog.(Mechanical: enclosures & fixtures)
March 1, 2004... The SPC-35 catalog contains detailed selector guides to help configure the proper enclosure for an application, along with appropriate accessories, components and hardware for added functionality. The product lines include accessories,...

Enclosure windows.(Mechanical: enclosures & fixtures)
March 1, 2004... Designated for heavy-duty operation, these tempered-plate glass windows fit the company's increased-safety terminal enclosures (protection type 'e') and general purpose NEMA 4, 4X, 12 and 13 enclosures. A silicone gasket protects against oil,...

PCMCIA enclosures & connectors.(Mechanical: enclosures & fixtures)
March 1, 2004... The ExpressCard line of enclosures and connectors was developed by the PCMCIA Standards Organization as a faster, smaller alternative to current PCMCIA cards for the next generation PC card. The card is available in two sizes: the ExpressCard...

Clamp system increases valve manufacturing flow.(Application Xtra)
March 1, 2004... * high-density workholding * flexible set-up Carolina Precision Components manufactures valves and flow control mechanisms for hydraulic motion control systems. When the volume of work increased, the company faced the challenge of...

Power over ethernet for embedded applications: integrating PoE into powering source equipment (PSE).
March 1, 2004... Power over Ethernet (POE) enables the convergence of power with data on the same cabling. An IEEE 802.3af PoE standard, "Data Terminal Equipment Power over Media Dependant Interface," was ratified in June 2003, and there has been wide...

Leadless relays.(Top Product)
March 1, 2004... * enhanced RF performance * easily integrated on SM boards. The signal path between input and output in the B10 and B40 BGA ball-grid-array reed relays is designed as an RF transmission line, with RF impedance close to 50[OMEGA]...

Rocker switch.(Electrical/electronics: relays, switches, & timers)
March 1, 2004... The Tippmatic range of illuminated rocker switches features integral, time dependent, auto switch-off electronics. The compact switches have the shape of a conventional rocker switch, but house internal electronics. The switch has an auto-off...

Sealed rocker switches.(Electrical/electronics: relays, switches & timers)
March 1, 2004... The WR series of environmentally sealed 1P67 and IEC529 rocker switches is intended for harsh outdoor applications. The 15A switch has an outer housing constructed of a heat resistant resin that meets UL 94V-O flammability, supporting an...

Miniature reed switch.(Electrical/electronics: relays, switches & timers)
March 1, 2004... The HSR-0025 is cited as more than 50% smaller than the smallest reed switch currently on the market. The tiny oval-shaped glass body of the switch measures 4.06 mm long, 1.22 mm wide and 0.89 mm high. The 0.25 mm dia. leads on he unit make it...

DIN-rail relays.(Electrical/electronics: relays, switches & timers)
March 1, 2004... Giving engineers the flexibility to switch high currents for a wide variety of input voltages, the 788 series of pluggable DIN-rail mount relays separates the coil side connections from the load side, thereby simplifying wiring. The compact...

Time switches.(Electrical/electronics: relays, switches & timers)
March 1, 2004... The 93P mechanical interval time switch offers center stub mounting, 310-degree wind and a combined NO and NC switching configuration. Additional features included continuous operating temperature range from 40[degrees] to 150[degrees]F, and...

Safety interlock switch.(Electrical/electronics: relays, switches & timers)
March 1, 2004... The MC-S series compact coded magnetic safety interlock switch is tamper-resistant and operates with its own control unit, which provides motor contactor monitoring and/or a manual reset function. Thus the control units may replace a safety...

Mixed-signal IC.(Electrical/electronics: relays, switches & timers)
March 1, 2004... The multi-chip MC33984 eXtreme Switch can control and diagnose two loads independently while providing self- and system protection. With a very low RDSon of 4 m[OMEGA], power and temperature control may occur in a range of applications. Serial...

Miniature trackball.(Electrical/electronics: relays, switches & timers)
March 1, 2004... The Trackball 360[degrees] is housed in a unit measuring 12 x 12 x 9.1 mm. The 8 mm dia. ball delivers 360-degree scanning and select functions to replace navigation keys or mini joysticks used in portable devices. Two built-in LEDs can be...

Voltage controlled crystal oscillator.(Electrical/electronics: relays, switches & timers)
March 1, 2004... The VCP series of VCXOs is suited for high-end applications with frequencies within the 120 to 600 MHz range, including SONET, ATM/ SDH and other optical applications. A fundamental inverted mesa crystal blank provides exceptionally low jitter...

Low-phase noise oscillators.(Electrical/electronics: relays, switches & timers)
March 1, 2004... The ultra-low phase noise HCMOS oscillator provides--162 dBc/Hz noise floor. The unit is offered in a Clock version CCHD-950 and VCXO version CVHD-950. Both are fitted in an FR5 9 x 14 mm SMD package. The oscillator generates frequencies...

Switches, sensors catalog.(Electrical/electronics: relays, switches & timers)
March 1, 2004... The Condensed Catalog features a complete summary of liquid level sensors, including capacitance transmitters, ultrasonic and conductivity switches, as well as standard and specialty float type level controls and flow switches. Large and small...

Power tool switches.(Electrical/electronics: relays, switches & timers)
March 1, 2004... The N series switch is a family of single-pole, single-throw switches suitable for use in power tools. Versions include NO on/off, NI 2-speed control bypass contact, N2 half-wave speed control with bypass contact, N3 full-wave speed control...

Counter/timer modules.(Electrical/electronics: relays, switches & timers)
March 1, 2004... The IP48x series of industry pack mezzanine modules offers units with up to 10 quadrature/counter/timer channels. Configurations are available with 16-bit counters and TTL or RS422 interfaces. Quadrature measurement supports X1, X2, X4 and...

Overload relays.(Electrical/electronics: relays, switches & timers)
March 1, 2004... Offered in both NEMA and IEC configurations, the Allen-Bradley E1 Plus electronic overload relay has standard AC15/B600 rated isolated NO and NC contacts. The self-powered design and direct contactor mounting of these relays simplifies...

Tactile switch.(Electrical/electronics: relays, switches & timers)
March 1, 2004... The PushFlex tactile switch combines a commonly available magnet sheet with a magnetically receptive actuating layer. The actuating layer is a slotted flat configuration that aligns with holes cut in the magnetic layer, forming a web of...

Miniature motion switches.(Electrical/electronics: relays, switches & timers)
March 1, 2004... These miniature motion switches sense motion, acceleration, impact and other disturbances with a current-handling capacity ranging from mA to A and a sensitivity range from fractional to kilo g's. Multiple configurations are available and the...

Pluggable relay system.(Electrical/electronics: relays, switches & timers)
March 1, 2004... Offered in both SPDT and DPDT contact configurations, the flareMOVE series of pluggable terminal block relays offers high contact current ratings of 16A. A reverse voltage protection diode is provided on the coil. The relays are suited for...

Custom micro switch for powered wrench.(Application Xtra)
March 1, 2004... * high activation force * fits narrow handle. Inspired by the notion of power tools with built-in power sources, independent inventor John Picone of Oceanside, NY, designed a battery-powered adjustable wrench. Shaped like a...

Nano-particle modeling material.(Top Product)
March 1, 2004... * high modulus * elevated temperature performance This company has introduced NanoForm 15120, a composite stereolithography material that incorporates hang-particle technology. The material exhibits many properties similar to fused...

Added solids module.(Engineer's Toolbox)
March 1, 2004... The GibbsCAM 2.5D Solids module specifically targets 2.5D parts with an automatic feature recognition capability for holes, reducing programming time for holes. Other features include advanced interactive selection techniques to facilitate...

Enhanced CAD/CAM package.(Engineer's Toolbox)
March 1, 2004... Among many enhancements to Version 9 of this software is an assembly cut feature, improved interference checking, alignment capabilities. The history manager GUI now allows users to combine multiple history operations into a single custom...

Capacitor evaluator.(Engineer's Toolbox)
March 1, 2004... SpiCAP v3.0 is an online engineering tool that characterizes this company's ceramic chip capacitors as based on user inputs. Compatible with Windows 95 and higher, the software generates frequency responses and provides parameters required for...

Measurement with scanner.(Engineer's Toolbox)
March 1, 2004... The Laser ScanArm is a seven-axis contact/non-contact measurement device with a fully integrated laser scanner. Through this single unit, users can collect simple point variations with a hard probe, then laser scan sections requiring larger...

Design data management.(Engineer's Toolbox)
March 1, 2004... Presently available online is ToolWorks B O M Manager Version 5.0, which captures bill of material contents and allows modifications and management from a single Solidworks window interface. The current version adds an interface that simplifies...