Designfax articles from May 2005

Designfax archives from May 2005

Correction.(Correction Notice)
May 1, 2005... In our April 2005 issue, an incorrect image of the Zero-Max load adapter appeared on page 40. Here is the correct image--we apologize for any confusion.

Getting cog-native.(UP FRONT)
May 1, 2005... Carefully tucked away amongst personal belongings is the pocketwatch given to my Grandfather as a wedding present by his in-laws, somewhere around a century ago. It is not considered a collectable by virtue of its make or style, so the value is...

DIY transmission software.(FIVE STAR PRODUCT OF THE MONTH)
May 1, 2005... Just as the automotive industry increases its reliance on electronic controls, so too is the heavy equipment industry turning more and more towards the operating efficiencies made possible by guide-by-wire and other increasingly computerized...

Reducing industrial machine vibration.(TECHNOLOGY SPOTLIGHT)
May 1, 2005... Machine tool manufacturer Mori Seiki has introduced another in a series of machines claiming to have solved the industry's farthest-reaching problem increasing performance while minimizing vibration. The company's latest horizontal machining...

Hot wire act.(TECHNOLOGY SPOTLIGHT)
May 1, 2005... Charmilles Technologies Corp., Lincolnshire, IL, displayed its high-speed wire EDM, the Robofil 440cc, at WESTEC 2005 in Los Angeles on April 4. For those unfamiliar with the process, electrical discharge machining (EDM) is used mainly for...

Generating hydrogen.(News From the Green File)
May 1, 2005... Clean hydrogen generation is a key stumbling block in realizing a hydrogen economy with fuel cell use. Reforming fossil fuels can generate hydrogen, but the process produces greenhouse gas carbon as a byproduct. Cleaner electrolysis methods,...

Hybrid vehicles.(News From the Green File)
May 1, 2005... UQM Technologies Inc., Frederick, CO, a developer of alternative energy technologies, has delivered to Deere & Company a hybrid electric concept vehicle incorporating a permanent magnet electric propulsion system. The system achieves 10:1...

Hybrid batteries.(News From the Green File)
May 1, 2005... Techtium Ltd., an Israeli-based, privately-held semiconductor company, and Energizer Holdings, Inc., manufacturer and distributor of batteries and flashlights, have signed a Joint Cooperation Agreement, using their combined strengths for the...

Low-VOC silanes.(News From the Green File)
May 1, 2005... Tire tread compounds filled with silica, instead of carbon black, help reduce automobile fuel consumption by up to 5% and improve traction and handling, but silica tire tread has been difficult to manufacture. Silica is not miscible in rubber,...

Friction/wear reduction.(Top Product)
May 1, 2005... * improves efficiency, life * reduces maintenance To address extreme tribological conditions--such as poor lubrication, high pressure, low-to-zero velocity and rapid directional changes--the CMR (combined micro-relief) technology...

Bearing material.(Mechanical: Bearings & Lubricants)
May 1, 2005... Developed for maintenance reduction in aerospace applications, the HCL high capacity laminate bearing technology eliminates mechanical wear concerns. Custom designed, the elastomeric bearing extends service life, minimizing vibration and...

Oil pump.(Mechanical: Bearings & Lubricants)
May 1, 2005... The air-operated PurgeX injector pump featuring ultra-micro output offers a 1/ 8-in. version to dispense high-cost synthetic lubricants efficiently. The simple de- sign purges all entrained air and impurities with each stroke. The self-priming...

Self-lubricating bearing material.(Mechanical: Bearings & Lubricants)
May 1, 2005... Self-lubricating bearings and bushings made from Graphalloy are designed to withstand harsh chemical environments such as acids, alkalis, bleach, dyes and fuels. Operating temperatures are -400[degrees] to 1000[degrees]F, where plastics may...

Oil skimmer.(Mechanical: Bearings & Lubricants)
May 1, 2005... For removing chips from coolant sumps, the side-mounting ChipGrabber runs a plastic collector tube through an existing opening or small access cutout. to the surface of the coolant, collecting tramp oil. It snakes along the tank bottom and...

Sealed spindle bearings.(Mechanical: Bearings & Lubricants)
May 1, 2005... These sealed angular contact spindle bearings feature an integral non-contacting seal design that retains lubricant and protects against contaminant infiltration, while facilitating running speeds up to 1.5 M dN. They are available in small and...

Transmission fluid additive.(Mechanical: Bearings & Lubricants)
May 1, 2005... When combined with Group II or III base oil and other components, these Dextron-III H-revised ATF additives improve oxidation stability, sludge resistance, friction and shifting performance, fluid life and seal compatibility. The upgrade...

Dithering failure in bearings.(Application Xtra)
May 1, 2005... Dithering (high frequency, low amplitude) motion is very destructive to traditional composite bearings, resulting in premature failure when compared to the life needed in the associated components around the bearing assembly. In order to...

Dynamic duo: robots in dishwasher production.
May 1, 2005... BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH is one of the world's largest manufacturers of household appliances. Of the company's holdings, 50% are held by Robert Bosch GmbH, and the other 50% by Siemens AG. The company's Dillingen, Germany plant,...

Merging DFM with PLM: alternative leads to reduced costs, streamlined manufacturing.
May 1, 2005... Ten years ago, the drive for business automation pushed manufacturers to invest billions of dollars in separate systems for product design,, and shop floor automation. These systems have since matured into sophisticated but standard enterprise...

Alternative materials for dental devices: polymers facilitate structurally superior applications.
May 1, 2005... The dental device industry often has to strike a balance between the requirements for physical strength against the desire for aesthetic appeal. In the limited space environment of the mouth this need for strength has, by tradition, led the...

Magnetic absolute encoder.(EDITOR'S CHOICE)
May 1, 2005... * precise position monitoring * compact, lightweight Suited for imaging systems such as X-ray, CT, PET and MRI equipment, these low-cost, compact and lightweight MagRes magnetic absolute encoders can replace analog potentiometers,...

2-stage air cylinder.(Medical Products)
May 1, 2005... Designed for applications that require 2 independent axial forces operating inline on the same centerline, these air cylinders have a 2nd stage mounted entirely on the extension of the piston in the 1st stage. A simple control circuit uses two...

Air bubble detection.(Medical Products)
May 1, 2005... Via ultra-sonic means, the Model AD-101 clamp-on air bubble detection system detects breaks in the flow of liquids or blood through different types of flexible and rigid tubing between 1 and 25 mm dia. Standard detectable bubble size is...

LCD controller.(Medical Products)
May 1, 2005... The AL-1280 display interface controller offers a compact, multi-sync interface for analog RGB connection in various LVDS-interface TFT-type LCD panels. Supporting resolutions from 640 x 480 to 1280 x 1024 pixels, the controller features...

Vinyl TPEs.(Medical Products)
May 1, 2005... Medical-grade 2500 NT series Flexalloy thermoplastic elastomers are tougher than conventional flexible vinyl and are less expensive than tough polyolefin and styrenic TPEs. The elastic, transparent material resists kinking, subzero...

When seconds count: CANbus facilitates info & control for EMTs.(APPLICATION IDEAS)
May 1, 2005... An ambulance is a medical center on wheels, expected to more than just make runs to and from the critical care scene. Current technology has created a vehicle that is as responsive as the EMTs that drive it. Made possible by the Command Zone...

New life at 145 years: hydraulic equipment manufacturer upgrades to PLM.
May 1, 2005... Product lifecycle management (PLM) software is often touted as the panacea for the manufacturing industry. Meanwhile, software companies wrestle to position themselves as having the "faster, better, cheaper" PLM package that will get customers...

Choke valve snubbers.(Top Product)
May 1, 2005... * low-cost * adjustable These adjustable choke valve snubbers are typically used to protect pressure gauges from pressure perturbation, surges and fluid hammering, often caused by reciprocating compressors and pumps. Even where damage...

Composite valve material.(Fluid Power: Valves & Cylinders)
May 1, 2005... Designed for use on naval vessels, these in-line valves are manufactured from a composite material, resulting in a third less weight than metal counterparts. The fire-retardant material withstands shock, vibration and heavy use as well as...

Cylinder power pack.(Fluid Power: Valves & Cylinders)
May 1, 2005... This 2 3/4-in. dia. hydraulic Power Pak unit for double-acting cylinders operates on 12 or 24V, with a flow rate of 1/4 gpm (0.35 cc per revolution). The bi-rotational design allows the unit to change directions, expanding the range of control....

Multi-port ball valves.(Fluid Power: Valves & Cylinders)
May 1, 2005... Designed for mixing, diverting and multi-directional flow control applications, the TRIAC Series 33, 43 and 53 stainless steel, multi-port ball valves feature easy configuration and in-line maintenance. Five-seat, full-port construction...

Guided cylinder.(Fluid Power: Valves & Cylinders)
May 1, 2005... Incorporating slide bearings into the company's compact pneumatic cylinder, the CQM cylinder fills a product gap between low side load non-rotating cylinders and higher load guide rod actuators featuring high-lateral load resistance. The unit...

Check valves.(Fluid Power: Valves & Cylinders)
May 1, 2005... All-plastic, corrosion-resistant wafer check valves offer cost-efficient prevention of flow reversal in larger size piping systems. The straight-through valve design offers a lower pressure drop than comparable valve designs. Available to fit...

NFPA cylinder.(Fluid Power: Valves & Cylinders)
May 1, 2005... The EN series cylinder is a repairable NFPA interchangeable line that offers features such as an extra-long, graphite-filled cast iron rod brushing, multiple standard rod ends, and strokes up to 48 in. Bore sizes are from 1 1/2- to 6-in., with...

Steam valve.(Fluid Power: Valves & Cylinders)
May 1, 2005... Designed for steam, hot-water and heat-transfer fluid applications, the BE3L bellows seal glove valve features forged steel construction and stainless steel bellows to with-J, stand 10,000 cycles. The triple-seal bellows, gland packing and stem...

Fluid handling CD-ROM.(Fluid Power: Valves & Cylinders)
May 1, 2005... Presented in an interactive, user-friendly program are polypropylene ball valves and strainers; hose couplers; adapters and fittings; tube fittings; and replacement parts for low pressure fluid handling components. The CD includes full product...

2-stage air cylinder.(Fluid Power: Valves & Cylinders)
May 1, 2005... The QPV series closed-loop proportional pressure regulator features high-resolution pressure control via 2 solenoid valves. The output pressure is proportional to electrical command signal input and is unaffected by supply pressure changes. The...

Cylinder, spring CD-ROM.(Fluid Power: Valves & Cylinders)
May 1, 2005... Available in both 2D and 3D formats to simplify die design, CAD drawing templates are offered on the 2005 edition of Nitrogen Die Cylinder Systems and Gas Springs. Products include manifold cylinders, SuperBrute gas springs, consoles, fittings...

Easier rider: hydraulics assist all-wheel-drive motorcycle.(TECH UPGRADE)
May 1, 2005... Designed to provide traction in off-road conditions, 4-wheel drive has been a selling feature on urban-driven SUVs. Now, 2-wheel drive is the latest thing on one vehicle--a motorcycle. Developed by Ohlins Racing AB of Sweden, the 2WD system is...

Elastomer for compression seals.(Top Product)
May 1, 2005... * explosive decompression resistance * low temperature, chemical resistance Explosive decompression often occurs when high-pressure gas molecules migrate into an elastomer seal at a compressed state. When the pressure surrounding the...

Halogen-free composite.(Materials)
May 1, 2005... Halogen-free, injection-moldable ISODAMP C-8002 thermoplastic molding material dissipates energy internally--at the molecular level virtually immediately, avoiding the designed problems of lightly damped compounds (e.g. silicones, gels and...

Universal overmold TPE.(Materials)
May 1, 2005... Designed as a multi-purpose alternative to single-substrate overmold compounds, Versaflex OM9-801N TPE alloy requires no drying and in both 2-shot and insert molding, adheres to rigid plastic substrates, including ABS, COPE, HIPS, PC, PC/ABS,...

Materials catalog.(Materials)
May 1, 2005... This catalog describes new grades of Meldin Polyimide and high-performance engineered thermoplastic materials, offered in custom molded, machined components and stock shapes for machining. The Meldin materials retain critical properties in...

MPE website.(Materials)
May 1, 2005... To facilitate access to technical information on this company's growing line of melt-processible elastomers (MPVs), the website has been redesigned. Detailed, updated technical information includes real-world application profiles, processing...

ASA resin shines up hot tub design.(Application Xtra)
May 1, 2005... * long-term weatherability * high-gloss finish Geloy XTW E290 resin is an extrusion-grade of acrylic-styrene-acrylonitrile (ASA) resin developed for large-part thermoforming of hot tub shells. Manufactured for Great Lakes Home &...

Half-bridge gate driver ICs.(Top Product)
May 1, 2005... * low power consumption * fast switching speed The FAN7380 and FAN7382 gate driver ICs both use common-mode dV/dT noise canceling circuits for excellent noise immunity in consumer and industrial applications. The components deliver an...

Non-fused switch disconnects.(Electrical/Electronics: Power Sources)
May 1, 2005... The SDI series of disconnects allow breaking on loads of up to 600 VAC at a nominal current range from 16 to 40A, while the SD2 series handles a current range of 63 to 125A. Both series are DIN rail or panel mountable and feature high breaking...

Coils and power supplies.(Electrical/Electronics: Power Sources)
May 1, 2005... This company specializes in high frequency magnetic components, with both standard and custom designs. Available switching power supplies range from enclosed units with an output of 2.8V/0.4A, tip to open style units with outputs of 24V/2.5A....

Power distribution blocks.(Electrical/Electronics: Power Sources)
May 1, 2005... These DIN rail mountable blocks are intended for distribution of power while managing large wire sizes and maintaining finger-safe connections. The devices allow for multi-pole assembly, accommodating 1-, 2-and 3-phase power feeds in a small...

Current mode controllers.(Electrical/Electronics: Power Sources)
May 1, 2005... The NCP1230 and NCP1231 families of PWM controllers allow for the shut-down of the Power Factor Correction (PFC) stage in light-or no-load conditions. Suited to power supply applications for notebook computer adapters, off-line battery charges...

Broadcast power monitor.(Electrical/Electronics: Power Sources)
May 1, 2005... The Broadcast Power Monitor-Enhanced (BPM-E) provides complete analog and digital power and VSWR monitoring through around-the-clock remote access from any web-enabled device, ensuring problems are detected early. Features include alarm...

Front-end power supply.(Electrical/Electronics: Power Sources)
May 1, 2005... The DPS2000 is a 2U, 48V AC/DC front-end supply for high-end blade servers, storage and network equipment using distributed power, architectures. The device is power-factor corrected, and boasts an efficiency of 87% at full load. Additional...

Circuit breaker.(Electrical/Electronics: Power Sources)
May 1, 2005... Designed in a fuseholder style, the T9 series of circuit breaker snaps into a 5/8 in. (16 mm) hole. Rated currents range from 5 to 16A, and the devices are cURus approved at 240VAC/48VDC for 5 to 8A, and 240VAC/32VDC for 10 to 16A. Terminals...

Zeners and Schottkys.(Electrical/Electronics: Power Sources)
May 1, 2005... A series of 1W Zener devices, and a series of 2A, low-voltage Schottky rectifiers, have been developed using this company's PowerDI 123 Compact Power Package, featuring a footprint of just 6.75 [mm.sup.2], and a height of 1 mm. The 1W Zeners...

Power and surge resistors.(Electrical/Electronics: Power Sources)
May 1, 2005... Designed for medical electronics applications, such as motor controls, inrush current limiters and general purpose power supplies, the LAS series of wirewound resistors are offered in values from 0.1 [ohm] to 18 K[phm]. Ratings for the LAS-1...

Load center.(Electrical/Electronics: Power Sources)
May 1, 2005... The multiplexed Vehicle Electrical Center (mVEC) was designed for high currents in a variety of applications. As a networked controller and power distribution module, the mVEC alerts the operator to any system deficiency by sending information...

Subtractive rapid prototyping.(Top Product)
May 1, 2005... * materials variety * functional prototypes The MDX-40 desktop subtractive rapid prototyping (SRP) system can mill a wide range of non-proprietary materials, such as ABS, Delrin, nylon and tooling board, allowing accurate functional...

Front panel design.(Engineer's Toolbox)
May 1, 2005... With various drawing functions for rectangles, polygons, ellipses, labels, drillings and object-grouping, FrontDesigner software allows engineers to design professional-looking front panels for small production run devices. Specialized...

Hybrid modeler.(Engineer's Toolbox)
May 1, 2005... The Dome function in VX V10 provides double-curvature end caps and complements other new tools such as the Morphing deformation toolkit. Both 2D and 3D profiles can be changed into a concave or convex shape. The user controls the height,...

Fluid structure interaction.(Engineer's Toolbox)
May 1, 2005... Both Abaqus 6.5 FEA and Fluent 6.2 CFD simulation software offer FSI fluid structure interaction for solving complex multidisciplinary design problems involving coupled fluid flow and structural phenomena. The FSI capability supports steady...

Rapid molding.(Engineer's Toolbox)
May 1, 2005... The ZA-12 casting process uses permanent graphite molds to produce zinc-aluminum alloy parts as an economical alternative to die- or investment-casting, or sand casting with machining and CNC machining for production quantities between 300 and...

Test analysis.(Engineer's Toolbox)
May 1, 2005... Automating the correlation process for optimization, the MATLAB-based Attune 1.0 standalone test-analysis correlation and model updating software is compatible with NX Nastran, MSC.Nastran, Abaqus, I-deas, NX and MTS I-deas, Pro Test software...

Geometry-dependent design.(Engineer's Toolbox)
May 1, 2005... For geometry-dependent design, the InventBetter Suite 2005 includes GrafiCalc for combination of sketching and calculations, ToleranceCalc "spell-checking" wizard for linear stack-up and statistical tolerance analysis, and SectionCalc wizard...

Mid-level CAD.(Engineer's Toolbox)
May 1, 2005... To simplify the design of complex models and streamline interoperability with imported 3D geometry, Solid Edge V17 mid-market CAD software offers Direct Editing of native complex models 'after the fact' without requiring history tree steps to...

SL materials.(Engineer's Toolbox)
May 1, 2005... Various new stereolithography materials include: an ultra low modulus elastomer with a Shore A ~70 and tensile elongation over 100%; a UL 94V-0 rated self-extinguishing plastic, a material that delivers the look of injection molding plastic...

Design for manufacture and assembly.(Engineer's Toolbox)
May 1, 2005... DFMA 2005A includes Version 9.2 of the DFA module and Version 2.1 of the DFM Concurrent Costing module. This release features a cost model for deep-drawn sheet metalworking and other alternative shape-forming processes. Additionally, there is...

Digital filter design.(Engineer's Toolbox)
May 1, 2005... The LabVIEW FPGA V7.5 toolkit includes tools for modeling and creating software based digital filters, as well as native- and C-code generation capabilities for chip-level implementation. Custom floating- or fixed-point filters can be designed...

Pneumatic fittings catalog.(Product News)
May 1, 2005... This catalog describes the company's line of push-to-connect pneumatic fittings, which require no tools. Available ill various body designs and configurations from 1/8- to 1/2-in. dia., these fittings are offered in both poly and nickel-plated...

Cable assemblies.(Product News)
May 1, 2005... These custom cable assemblies can be made to withstand specific requirements such as temperature variations from -40[degrees] to 100[degrees]C, high vacuum or pressure, and the need for exceptional flexibility and abrasion resistance. Featuring...

Intelligent actuators.(Product News)
May 1, 2005... Based on DC servo motor technology, these intelligent, rotational or linear closed-loop actuators move lightweight payloads (up to 0.5 lb) with accuracy and high speed. Max velocity on the linear units is 500 mm/s (50g load) with resolution...

Stainless latches.(Product News)
May 1, 2005... A wide range of stainless steel latches with specialized coatings and finishes are offered for demanding environments. The company uses a passivation process using an acidic solution to form a protective chromium oxide film in order to increase...

Pressure sensors & transducers.(OEM MARKETPLACE)
May 1, 2005... Kavlico's 4-color, quad-fold capability brochure has just been re-issued detailing the latest information about their standard and custom sensors & transducers. Included are typical performance specifications & features, a company profile,...

Wave springs.(OEM MARKETPLACE)
May 1, 2005... The new Smalley Steel Ring Company Wave Spring Catalog features over 2000 stock size springs, ranging from 3/8- to 16-in. Special designs range from 0.200-to 90-in. and can be ready in 1 to 4 weeks with No-Tooling-Charges[TM]. Carbon and...

Free motor samples.(OEM MARKETPLACE)
May 1, 2005... Bodine Electric Company is now offering free stock AC, DC, or Brushless DC motor/ gear motor samples to qualified original equipment manufacturers. This offer is backed by the company's 100 years of experience producing fractional horsepower...

FREE sleeving solutions.(OEM MARKETPLACE)
May 1, 2005... This new pocket-sized folder contains electrical insulating sleeving samples available in a wide range of sizes, colors and types; including those that meet military specifications, are UL recognized and CSA-certified. Varflex also offers...

Pneumatic components.(OEM MARKETPLACE)
May 1, 2005... Catalog contains a sampling of the products manufactured. Components include: Pressure Regulators, Quick Disconnects, Pressure & Vacuum Switches, Vacuum or Air-Piloted 3-Way Valves, Plastic Fittings, and numerous Pneumatic Accessories. For...

Precision aluminum extrusions.(OEM MARKETPLACE)
May 1, 2005... New! An informative brochure from MINALEX, a leader in close tolerance shapes to 3 1/2-in., illustrates typical applications and describes capabilities including short runs. MINALEX, quality leader, delivers on time, every time....

Complete line of lubrication equipment.(OEM MARKETPLACE)
May 1, 2005... A NEW full color 104 page catalog is available on Oil-Rite's Lubrication Equipment featuring PurgeX[R] Centralized Lubrication Systems. Complete "turn key" systems are available for immediate delivery, Liquid or Grease delivery, Air or Electric...

High misalignment coupling solution.(OEM MARKETPLACE)
May 1, 2005... Schmidt Couplings provide greater misalignment capability than most couplings. Models designed to handle angular, parallel and axial misalignment problems. Offset, Inline, Flexible and Control-Flex models. Sizes to handle 5 to 500,000 in.-lb...

Position/velocity transducer handbook.(OEM MARKETPLACE)
May 1, 2005... Design, engineering and applications of Linear (LVDT) and Angular (ADT) Displacement and Linear Velocity Transducers (LVT) are described in this comprehensive textbook-like catalog. A teaching tool for transducer technology, it provides...

Telescopic tubing & stands.(OEM MARKETPLACE)
May 1, 2005... Telescopic tubes, extension poles, folding stands, signframes, ball swivels, mounts, instruments, and C-clamps are manufactured to your dimensional specifications. RFQ worksheets included for fast, easy quotations. Over 80 years of...

Free polymer & Rubber Compound Selection Guide CD.(OEM MARKETPLACE)
May 1, 2005... To help with the selection process, the new Rubber Industries' Rubber Compound Selection Guide in CD format presents a brief description of the most popular base polymers along with durometer range, useful temperature range, useful properties,...

5000+ stock springs--all sizes.(OEM MARKETPLACE)
May 1, 2005... Offering over 5000 stock springs, including die springs, compression, and extension. Wire diameters from 0.012- through 0.625-in. with loads up to 2000 lbs. Contact us for a FREE new catalog featuring thousands of ready-to-ship stock springs,...

3000-LB linear electric actuators!(OEM MARKETPLACE)
May 1, 2005... New brochure features Burr's high performance A-Series acme screw actuators, which handle load capacities up to 3000 lbs. and static loads to 5000 lbs. for your most demanding applications. Line offers 34:1 and 110:1 gear ratios, and is AC or...