Designfax articles from November 1999

Designfax archives from November 1999

Designing for History.
November 1, 1999... Engineer by day, environmental activist by night There is a group of volunteers on the banks of the Rio Grande who aren't too concerned about Y2K (or as they say: "Y2 Que?") as we close this millennium. Okay, so maybe it's because they've...

Signs & Wonders.
November 1, 1999... Rather than the usual photo of my mug accompanying this column, let me offer something infinitely more entertaining -- a highway sign on Interstate 20 in western New Jersey. With no other indication of what travelers might find by following the...

MEMS relay array.
November 1, 1999... Low-resistance switching for small space requirements Cronos Integrated Microsystems Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC, has applied their experience in MEMS manufacturing technology to the creation of a 10-switch relay microarray. Carried in...

Drs. Selly Saini.
November 1, 1999... UK researchers have developed an electronic nose for sniffing out infections, borrowing from Chinese doctors' long-held sense for scents. The Diag-Nose, invented by Drs. Selly Saini and Jan Leiferkus of Cranfield University's Centre for...

DRAM.
November 1, 1999... It is probably safe to say that DRAM is a victim of computer-enhanced natural selection. With all the various forms of SDRAM available, it's hard to determine which is the best for everything. And while the consumer electronics industry has not...

Reader CONNECTION.
November 1, 1999... Apple v. Microsoft In the article on Device Bay [July '99], I found it ironic that you were surprised the Mac would support the Device Bay through IEEE1394 and USB. FYI, Apple invented IEEE1394 (also known as FireWire) back in the '80s and...

Quick connect.
November 1, 1999... The Mach 7 series provides simultaneous safe and secure connection of up to seven hydraulic lines and six electrical lines on agricultural, construction, and other modular hydraulic systems. Connecting errors, which can cause operator errors or...

Directional control valves.
November 1, 1999... The A4D06 control valve has a flow rating of up to 185 gpm and a maximum pressure of 5000 psi. The pilot-operated unit has a very low pressure drop at maximum flow, and is controlled by either solenoids or hydraulic pressure. This...

High pressure sensor.
November 1, 1999... The P4000 transducer is suited for off-highway, vocational vehicles, pressurized tools, adaptive suspension systems, material testing, hydraulic press monitoring, oil plat-form, and other hydraulic applications. The sensors are available in...

Plastic flow switch.
November 1, 1999... Model 2100 is an in-line flow switch used for detecting insufficient flow rates in liquids. One feature is the incorporation of a low flow orifice and adapter assembly which makes the flow switch capable of set points as low as 1 cc/min. in...

Teflon flowmeters.
November 1, 1999... This series of Teflon turbine flowmeters is for corrosive & ultra-pure applications. The flowmeters have all wetted Teflon parts and a flowrate capability from 0.25 to 600 gpm. They are available with wafer end fittings or RF stainless steel...

Quick connect couplers.
November 1, 1999... Series A5600 couplers offer low-pressure drop and interchangeability with other general-purpose couplers. These heavy-duty hydraulic couplers meet or exceed ISO 724-1 series A specifications. They are available for standard hydraulic hose...

Industrial filter breathers.
November 1, 1999... Acting as ventilators, this line of reservoir and filter breathers is designed to filter air-borne particulates, and provide a clean flow of air entering the hydraulic reservoir. The line includes reservoir filter breathers, metal and plastic...

Custom bronze manifolds.
November 1, 1999... An infinite variety of manifolds with fixed mounting holes and 1-1/4- or 1-1/2-in. NPT end ports are available from the manufacturer. The castings, which are 95% machined, are stocked at the factory. Castings are placed on CNC machines to he...

Global valves.
November 1, 1999... This manufacturer offers a complete line of global valves to meet system requirements. Among those offered are: solenoid-operated directional control valves, pressure reducing valves, and support accessories. The solenoid- Operated directional...

Volume booster.
November 1, 1999... The model 20 has been designed with an optional by-pass needle valve on the. 1:1 ratio unit. This by-pass valve allows fine tuning for optimum system response. The booster is suited for systems requiring the conversion of a low flow signal...

Sight flow indicators.
November 1, 1999... The FIS/HP and FIF/HP indicators offer inline, on-the-spot viewing of a pipeline's content. Units may be configured with flapper, drip tube, or rotating flow indicators. Full ANSI pressure class 300 and 600 ratings are available. Standard...

Taking Operators Off the Off-Highway Vehicle.
November 1, 1999... Remotely-operated and autonomous vehicles for agriculture, toxic waste clean-up, military applications and more There is a rural romanticism a city-dweller associates with farming -- the smell of rich, dark loam being turned, the sun's...

Opto-mechanical adhesives.
November 1, 1999... This adhesive line is designed to prevent movement of critical components during curing and subsequent thermal cycling. Formulated to cure in seconds upon exposure to either UV or visible blue light, these adhesives exhibit excellent depth and...

Low viscosity adhesive/sealant.
November 1, 1999... EP37-3FLF is a two-component optically clear epoxy system with high flexibility and a forgiving one-to-one mix ratio by weight or volume. It cures at room temperature or more quickly at elevated temperatures, and bonds well to a wide variety of...

Epoxy adhesive system.
November 1, 1999... Metregrip 385 is a high-temperature, primerless, versatile two-component adhesive system designed for forming tenacious bonds between a variety of engineering materials such as aluminum, ceramic, copper, glass, steel, stainless steel, and zinc,...

Photocurable adhesive.
November 1, 1999... Permabond 4L35 cures within a fraction of a second when used to bond various plastics in the manufactures of medical devices. It can be cured with a variety of lamp systems and, depending on lamp intensity, curing time can be less than a...

Ceramic-based adhesive.
November 1, 1999... Ultra-Temp 516 is now used to bond thermocouples to silicon waters for calibrating high-temperature, high-vacuum semiconductor furnaces. This single-part zirconiafilled, inorganic adhesive system can be used in applications to 4400[degrees]F....

Sprayable adhesives.
November 1, 1999... Application-specific Sprayon adhesives address specific requirements. Economy Foam & Fabric Adhesive bonds foams, foam plastics, cardboard, leather, wood, rubber, paper, textiles, metal and most plastics. The premium Version can be used on...

Tapes and fabrics.
November 1, 1999... High performance Teflon and Kapton tapes, fabrics and belt ring, are designed for longer life and higher output. These products are used wherever a non-stick, heat- and chemical-resistant surface is required. They withstand extremely high...

Potting epoxy.
November 1, 1999... Thermally Conductive Potting Epoxy is a two-part potting compound idea] for a range of applications, including aerospace encapsulation, electronics, and electrical potting and sealing. The epoxy bonds to metal composites and ceramics, and cures...

Silicone sealant.
November 1, 1999... Dow Corning 700 industrial grade silicone sealant is a one-component paste developed for a range of bonding and sealing applications, including automotive trim, appliance parts and glass/metal sealing. It also can be used as a formed-in-place...

Fast cure liquid epoxy.
November 1, 1999... Loctite 3565 is a high tg, high-reliability, fast cure liquid epoxy for capillary flow underfill applications on hybrid and MCM flip-chip devices. Designed for applications that require maximum reliability and moderate flow speed, this epoxy is...

Fiber optic adhesives.
November 1, 1999... This manufacturer offers a large selection of fiber optic adhesives. An extensive product line with a wide variety of systems to meet specific application requirements is offered These adhesives have glass transition temperatures as low as 11...

Aluminum filled epoxy.
November 1, 1999... Durabond 454 maintains bond strengths of 1000 psi at 400 [degrees] F. It is easy to use Just mix, apply, and cure at room temperature for high temperature bond strength, high temperature stability and excellent chemical, corrosion, and shock...

Potting and encapsulation system.
November 1, 1999... Conapoxy FR-1271 is two-component system with excellent thermal shock characteristics and is recommended for strain-sensitive device applications. It has a one-to-one mix ratio by weight or volume, a viscosity of 18,000 cps, and a work life of...

Sub-Miniature Indicators.
November 1, 1999... Digital counters, timers and panel meters are available in sizes ideal for space-constrained applications. The Veeder-Root MicroMITE Series of counters and timers are in 24 x 48mm or smaller packages, and the panel meters have two 24 x 48mm and...

PCB Component Carriers.
November 1, 1999... PCB component carriers. Surface Mount Component Carriers provide a platform for the installation of mini-transformers, toroids, ferrite cores, small axial lead transistors, capacitors and inductors.. Models are available in four-, six- or...

Discreet Component Piezo-sensor.
November 1, 1999... Offered as a discrete component item, these ceramic piezo-sensors have no moving parts and are mounted in a variety of materials. Pressure on the housing surface sends enough force through the material to generate a ripple that is subsequently...

Ultra-Thin Coin Cells.
November 1, 1999... These lithium coin batteries boast a profile of just 0.5mm. The gaskets and separators are made from a proprietary engineered plastic, and a high boiling point electrolyte has been employed to maintain stable performance at high temperatures....

50mm Chip Cooling Fan.
November 1, 1999... The 2004KL fan delivers up to 11 CFM and can operate under static pressure levels of up to 0.15 in. [H.sub.2]O. Additionally, the product features optional tach output, locked rotor alarm signal and temp sensing options. A dual ball bearing...

Toggle Switches.
November 1, 1999... These tiny and versatile switches satisfy applications in equipment for data processing telecommunications, automation, computers and peripherals and many others Both panel mounting and printed circuit mounting types available, with optional...

Solid, state relay.
November 1, 1999... Compatible with existing industry-standard Japanese models and American designs, SG series feature a photo-triac coupler and can be specified with an internal zero cross circuit and/or a varistor. The device has an input voltage of 3 to 24 VDC...

Custom panels.
November 1, 1999... These custom panels with integral pushbutton switches are available for a variety of applications, including door actuation on trains and other public transport vehicles. The panels can be produced to customer specification with flush-mounted...

Current switch.
November 1, 1999... The CR9321 series was developed for applications that require an on/off indication of current flow. It was specifically designed for lowcost, high-volume OEM applications of monitoring motor overloads and heater elements. The CR9321 is fully...

Electronic solenoid switch.
November 1, 1999... This electronic solenoid uses solid-state circuitry to eliminate movable parts that can wear out, allowing the switch to withstand one million on-off cycles. The electronic switching mechanism eliminates problems associated with electrical...

Hermetically sealed switch.
November 1, 1999... The series 6600 switch is a long-life, hermetically sealed switch designed for harsh environments where extended hermetic seal integrity of the switch is critical. This switch is designed to last the life of the product for most applications,...

Magnetic click switches.
November 1, 1999... This push-button switch combines the best properties of mechanical and membrane switches. It remedies collasping domes, teasing problems, early failure and inconsistent actuation force. In tests, PushGate switched over 200 million actuations....

Snap-in switch.
November 1, 1999... This panel-mounted switch is designed for harsh and rugged environmental conditions. The series 49-9 is waterproof and splashproof, ESD resistant, and has crisp momentary action. It features a thermoplastic snap-in housing for quick and easy...

Membrane touch switch.
November 1, 1999... This switch is resistant to damage from pens, pencils, screwdrivers, and other sharp objects. The switch is easily actuated through a protective front surface and complies with standard specifications. The unit's durable front surface can be...

Solid-state relay.
November 1, 1999... This plug-in relay module allows for precise heater control in plastic and metal processing. All functions can be controlled at one location through one operator interface. There are four solid-state relay outputs in a single module. Each relay...

Time delay relay.
November 1, 1999... The KRDS series is an ultra-compact, encapsulated, low cost time delay relay. It is designed for use in OEM equipment, business machines, medical and dental instruments, commercial appliances, vending machines, and process controls. It is a...

Multifunction switch.
November 1, 1999... The RDS series of switches has dual shafts for applications requiring multiple control functions from a single input device. Housed in a lightweight and durable package, the RDS series offers versatile performance from a single compact...

Power entry module.
November 1, 1999... This product combines an AC inlet and circuit breaker. The circuit breaker provides manual reset of the circuit, and high current limiting characteristics up to 15A. It also provides circuit status indication depending on the switch position...

New ScopeCorder Reduces R&D Testing Time By 50%.
November 1, 1999... Until a year and a half ago, electronic component manufacturer MGE UPS Systems, Inc., Costa Mesa, CA, used a traditional, 8-bit oscilloscope and a paper chart recorder in their R&D department. Setting up both instruments was tedious and...

Flash memory modules.
November 1, 1999... This series of flash memory modules is compliant with JEDEC standard pinout and size. The memory modules are configured as 80 pin SIMMs with two organizations: 1 Meg x 32 and 2 Meg x 32, using standard programming timing and voltage. Featuring...

Electronic trimmer.
November 1, 1999... The CLAROCHIP is a 7- or 8-bit control with up to double the resolution of older, low-end digital trimmers and potentiometers. It has a 128- or 256-step resistor-ladder, easy-to-use up-down counter or serial interface, and an output buffer...

High-voltage transformer.
November 1, 1999... The model 4253 series provides a cost-effective means of driving high impedance loads requiring up to 7,500 Vrms. Providing primary-to-secondary isolation of up to 18 KVDC, model 4253 is ideal for applications requiring a high-voltage low-power...

Rectifier blocks.
November 1, 1999... The 6HV RC series is offered with ratings of 3,000 to 50,000 VAC and average forward currents from 2 to 4A. Maximum surge rating is 400A. Recoveries to 50 ns are available. The assemblies are available in half-wave, full-wave, center-tap,...

Interface controller.
November 1, 1999... The MCP2510 18-pin standalone CAN controller features an industry standard SPI serial interface which allows easy connection to virtually any microcontroller. With minor software modifications for sending data to and from the MCP2510 SPI port,...

Circular connectors.
November 1, 1999... These plastic circular connectors incorporate pins and sockets in either the plus or the receptacle, depending on the application. A secondary locking system is featured to provide true position assurance for contacts and to protect against...

Voltage suppressor chips.
November 1, 1999... The TransGuard series of surface mount suppressor chips now includes nickel barrier terminations. The barrier is designed to prevent solder leaching -- common with many sib ver-based terminations -- when they are exposed to the various solder...

Electrical insulating sheet.
November 1, 1999... The Thick Sheets line combines electrical insulation and strength properties in a single material. These sheets are ideal for applications requiring heavy-duty cable supports such as buss ducts, locomotive components, blocking, severe-duty...

DC/DC converter.
November 1, 1999... The RM series of converters provides efficiencies of 90% at 5V/100W with up to 30% less power dissipation than many standard products. The RM series modules have a low profile (8mm height) and do not require a heatsink, making them ideal for...

Surface mount inductor.
November 1, 1999... The SMC0805 series of multilayer chip inductors for UHF applications features zero percent coupling, high heat resistance, high reliability and excellent solderability. Minimum SRF ratings of 6,000 MHz, with minimum Qs as high as 56, are...

Surface mount audible signals.
November 1, 1999... The Sonalert II line has small dimensions and is ideal for compact electronic products and systems such as pagers, computers, and radar detectors. The line consists of eight different models of which two have built-in drive circuitry, and the...

DSP board.
November 1, 1999... The PCIDSP-2C6 is equipped with two DSPs running at 200 MHz, which allows performance of up to 1600 million instructions per second (MIPS). The unit has up to 12 MB of asynchronous and synchronous burst static RAM and DRAM. The board also...

Backlit LCD touch panel.
November 1, 1999... TG24161FEB-TP is a 240 x 160 pixel LCD module. This TAB-style LCD module has a negative mode FSTN with transflective rear polarizer, and offers good contrast and viewing angle. The Blue EL backlight offers low power consumption as well as crisp...

Primary switched power supply.
November 1, 1999... These primary power supplies offer all alternating voltages in the 115 to 230 VAC ranges, as well as with 350 and 500V. The control panels can be loaded uniformly, regardless of their worldwide application sites. At 90% efficiency, they not...

Monorail air bearing system.
November 1, 1999... This single axis system offers a frictionless platform for the repeated traversing of a linear distance with precision, accuracy and repeatability. It is ideally suited for servo track writing. CD/DVD mastering, and integration into slow scan...

Linear guide.
November 1, 1999... The DryLin T is a maintenance-free alternative to re-circulating ball linear guides. The DryLin T design features an adjustable clearance achieved by increasing or decreasing the distance between the glide pads and rail. Caps are also available...

Dolphin guides.
November 1, 1999... These guides solve the problem of tolerance build-up in linear motion systems by reducing the number of components in the system. The guide rail is a ceramic coated, 1-piece extruded 6063 aluminum rail. Mounting and bearing surfaces are...

Hardened steel slides.
November 1, 1999... The HS Way Slides are designed for high load carrying capacity at high cycling rates and frequencies. The rigid base is constructed of 40,000 psi tensile gray iron, stress-relieved and normalized for minimal distortion. Wide base flanges...

Dovetail slides.
November 1, 1999... Designed to deliver smooth accurate, long-life operation, these slides are crafted from close-grained cast iron of 30,000 PSI minimum tensile strength. Both saddle and base are machined and ground parallel on top and bottom after assembly to...

Linear positioning table.
November 1, 1999... RB6 positioning tables are designed to provide high speed and acceleration for applications requiring fast, accurate movement. Its compact cross section (6- x 3 5-in), linear guide way bearings and leadscrew or ballscrew drive compatibility...

Linear slides.
November 1, 1999... Adaptable to any drive system, these matched components ensure better system performance, easier maintenance and lower machine support costs. With. PowerTrac ball screws, they are factory set-up and prealigned for easy intallation. They come in...

Bearing and shaft assembly.
November 1, 1999... This metric bearing assembly features a bearing/shaft fit-up of only 0.0025 to 0.0075mm of clearance - guaranteed when purchased as a matched set. Their stainless steel-and-brass construction makes these bearings highly corrosion resistant, and...

Linear guide.
November 1, 1999... This company reports its Black Diamond Linear, Guide Systems cost much less than standard industrial motion guide systems and provide significantly lower maintenance costs. They consist of aluminum linear bearing cartridges, aluminum linear...

BIRD-DOGGIN' THE INTERNET.
November 1, 1999... Patents & Trademarks II One of the first activities in a product development and improvement process is to scan the field to see what other designers are doing. One of the best ways to do this is to investigate prior art and intellectual...

Composites - Design Manual.
November 1, 1999... By Jim Quinn, 189 pages; Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE); $56 (member) $71 (list) The Composites - Design Manual is a concise handbook of composites-related information that engineers, designers and specifiers will find valuable....

Handbook of Package Engineering, Third Edition.
November 1, 1999... By J. F. Hanlon, R. J. Kelsey and H. E. Forcinio, 680 pages; SPE; $81 (member) $101 (list) Still considered the standard industry reference on packaging materials and engineering, the editors have added a new chapter on environmentalism...

Injection Molding Alternatives: A Guide for Designers and Production Engineers.
November 1, 1999... By Jack Avery, 256 pages; SPE; $88 (member) $99 (list) This guide covers a wide range of processes, variations of injection molding techniques, and low volume production techniques used for prototyping and pre-production. Process...

Advanced Engine Technology.
November 1, 1999... By Heinz Heisler, 806 pages; Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE); $52 (member and list) This book provides a comprehensive reference for anyone wanting to study the way in which modern vehicle engines work, and why they are designed as...

Vehicle and Engine Technology, 2nd Edition.
November 1, 1999... By Heinz Heisler, 451 pages; SAE; $49 (member and list) This book provides a unified, precise and clear description and explanation of the fundamentals of all the essential components of the motor vehicle, including a comprehensive...

Automotive Handbook, 4th Edition.
November 1, 1999... By Robert Bosch GmbH, 892 pages; SAE, $35 (member and list) For years, the Automotive Handbook has been considered the most indispensable reference for automotive engineers, mechanics, students and anyone interested in technical matters...

Successful Assembly Automation: A Development and Implementation Guide.
November 1, 1999... By Dean A. Shafer, 254 pages; Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME); $64.95 (member) $69.95 (list) This book describes manufacturing theory, general assembly principles, automated assembly processes, product design for efficient...

Collaborative Engineering and the Internet.
November 1, 1999... By Anthony Mills, 380 pages; SME; $64.95 (member) $69.95 (list) This book helps manufacturing organizations use the Internet and other modern communication technologies to assemble product development teams, whose members may contribute...

Ergonomics in Manufacturing.
November 1, 1999... By Waldemar Karwowski and Gavriel Salvendy, 538 pages; SME; $89(member) $99 (list) This volume presents a comprehensive perspective of ergonomics, starting with a general overview and going on to encompass such areas as designing the...

AIAA Aerospace Design Engineers Guide, Fourth Edition.
November 1, 1999... American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), 400 pages; $29.95 (member) $49.95 (list) This classic, indispensable, practical guide has been completely revised and reformatted for easier use. The figures, charts, and tables...