Designfax articles from October 2000

Designfax archives from October 2000

So you have fun at work.
October 1, 2000... You're an engineer and you like to have fun. That's what viewers of the traveling exhibit, Breaking Through: The Creative Engineer, are learning as it makes its way across America. Through a series of eight case studies, Breaking Through...

and you get paid for it.
October 1, 2000... Anyone get a raise last year for having so much fun? According to the National Society of Professional Engineers' 2000 Income & Salary Survey, total annual income for engineers rose 3.7%, increasing 1% over the Consumer Price Index that rose by...

So-called recipe for disaster.
October 1, 2000... While reading the business pages of my local newspaper recently, I came across a story headlined, "White-collar jobs on endangered list, business guru says." Tom Peters, author of "In Search of Excellence" and other top-selling books, states...

Microchip-controlled Fan.
October 1, 2000... The steady flow of "smart" consumer products in the last decade, marching like the brooms in "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" from the movie Fantasia, is a direct outcome of the evolution of microprocessors. Smaller packaging and increased...

"The Flying Karamazov Brothers".
October 1, 2000... Those of you who may have seen the comedy juggling troupe "The Flying Karamazov Brothers" in the last few years would have witnessed one performer moving about on stage wearing coveralls and shoes festooned with sensors that were, in turn,...

Tol-O-Matic.
October 1, 2000... At last month's Assembly Technology Expoin Chicago, actuator manufacturer Tol-O-Matic, Hamel, MN, demonstrated technology for accurate position and velocity control for their pneumatic actuators. The key component, mounted at one end of a...

Reader CONNECTION.
October 1, 2000... Flying high on the NMD Your September "99 Red Balloons" editorial reminds me of my time in the Navy as a fire control technician. One of the shipboard defense systems that my group was responsible for was the CIWS (Close-In Weapons...

Transponder module.
October 1, 2000... Expanding the packaging options for highly secure KEELOQ devices is the HCS410/WM read/write transponder module available in a small, tapered SOT-385 leadless wedge package. This package features a single chamfered corner that dramatically...

Low profile crystal.
October 1, 2000... The CM4 series is packaged in a SMD ceramic base with a metal lid. The crystal quartz resonator is available in the popular Bluetooth frequency of 32.000 kHz, with other versions available in a frequency range of 32 kHz - 1.0 MHz. The...

Imaging signal processor.
October 1, 2000... The ADCDS-1403 processor combines a Correlated Double Sampling function with a high-speed, high-resolution, sampling A/D converter optimized for imaging applications. Parameters include resolution of 14 bits, differential nonlinearity of [+ or...

Triac package.
October 1, 2000... The Alternistor Quadrac series is an alternative to purchasing a discrete diac to assemble in conjunction with a gated triac. The hybrid is comprised of a triac and a 33-43V diac trigger mounted inside the same package. The primary purpose is...

Power conversion products.
October 1, 2000... The LF100D surface mountable DC/DC converter features 1W output power, an ultra-miniature surface mountable package, 1000 VDC I/O isolation, CECC00802 solder reflow, eight dual output models, and MTBF over 1,000,000 hours. The series is...

Rectifiers.
October 1, 2000... The DF Series compact one amp, single-phase, full-wave bridge rectifiers with unique power-to-volume ratios are designed to provide greater power density in highvolume industrial and consumer electronic devices. The rectifiers are compatible...

Terminator networks.
October 1, 2000... These thin film-on-silicon terminator networks are designed for the termination of multiple lines per package. The reliable and stable RBB, RDA and RDB series are available in various body styles including narrow and wide SOIC, QSOP, and Die...

DC-DC converters.
October 1, 2000... The PC and PV series small footprint converters feature a 500 VAC input-output isolation rating, and overcurrent protection. The modules also feature adjustable output voltages, providing flexibility in typical distributed power applications...

Amplifiers.
October 1, 2000... The AD8631 and AD8632 amplifiers provide system design engineers with a cost-effec tive solution to increase performance and extend battery life for all battery-operated systems. These parts are good for battery-powered applications, including...

Interface IC.
October 1, 2000... The LS651 I, low current, mixed-signal CMOS Silicon Gate IC is designed to interface with a Passive Infrared (PIR) sensor to produce a reliable, cost-effective intrusion detection module for security systems. The sensor uses a twostage...

Low-power operational amplifiers.
October 1, 2000... The OPA344 and OPA345 families of precision operational amplifiers feature rail-to-rail input and output in micro-size packages. The amplifiers are optimized for use in communications, laptop computers, data acquisition, process control, audio...

Resolver-to-digital converters.
October 1, 2000... The RD19230 Series, low cost, 16-bit RID converter is contained in a small 64-pin plastic quad flat-pack. This single CMOS custom monolithic chip merges precision analog circuitry with digital logic to form a complete high-performance tracking...

Analog bandpass filter.
October 1, 2000... The ZXF36L01 provides variable Q, up to a value of about 50. For maximum versatility, the filter center frequency is easily tuneable by two resistors and two capacitors. The frequency range extends up to 200 kHz. For higher frequency...

Chip resonator.
October 1, 2000... The ultraminiature SSR-DR Series resonator measures 2.5 x 2.2 x 1.0mm, and uses built-in load capacitors that simplify circuit designs and reduce assembly costs. Features include an operating frequency range from 20 to 60 MHz with several...

Riding O'er the Waves (of grain).
October 1, 2000... When you're a custom manufacturer, inspiration sometimes just walks in the door. Of course, it helps when the company is small and flexible enough to respond in kind. GK Machine, Inc., Donald, OR (a suburb of Portland), is a fabrication...

Linear guide family.
October 1, 2000... The Redi-Rail family is a low friction slider in a lightweight package. The backbone of the assembly is a 6061-T6 aluminum rail that provides rigidity and strength, while remaining cost-effective when compared to a typical steel slide. The...

Food grade bearings.
October 1, 2000... Graphalloy bearings are FDA approved for use in food mixers, packaging equipment and pumps. The bearings maintain a constant low coefficient of friction over their entire operating life and are not subject to seizures, binding or sudden...

Contact bearing.
October 1, 2000... This affordable bearing uses a zero clearance design to provide superior precision and tracking. The bearing maintains contact with the shaft through temperature variations, provides for shaft self-alignment, and absorbs resonance vibration....

"Slide it or glide it" bearing.
October 1, 2000... UniBearings were created through a need to remove or install bearings quickly on an existing T-Slotted aluminum structure without raking the frame apart. The company offers both fractional and metric UniBearings that compliment its line of...

Self-locking linear ball bearings.
October 1, 2000... SFERAX SL series linear ball bearings feature a self-locking retention mechanism that reduces assembly and maintenance costs. The bearings can be pushed into place by hand, virtually eliminating the need for C-clips, grooves, bonding and other...

Guide rails.
October 1, 2000... These conveyor guide rails, brackets, and related items are offered in stainless steel, aluminum, and various plastics to match OEM user requirements. The line includes guide rails with stainless steel sheathed side guides in round, flat-top,...

Light duty slides.
October 1, 2000... Series SCV slides provide a lowcost solution ideal for non-rotating vertical or light duty horizontal applications. Units are available in imperial and metric versions, eight bore sizes ranging from 20 to 100 mm, and travel lengths up to 300...

Spherical roller bearing.
October 1, 2000... These bearings offer extremely high load ratings and a life expectancy up to three times longer than conventional bearings. Design engineers can significantly reduce the size of bearings in new designs without reducing power output. In some...

Motorized slides.
October 1, 2000... The HD2 series of heavy duty stepper or servo motorized slides features a single rigid aluminum extension profile and fully enclosed motor assembly. These compact units are offered in stroke lengths from 122 up to 2722mm. They are designed for...

Mini slides.
October 1, 2000... This line of pneumatic mini slides provides mobility to assembly tools, fixtures, grippers, rotary actuators and more. The slides feature an integrated Star Ball Rail guide for precise movement. Slides are offered in three configurations, with...

Miniature bearings.
October 1, 2000... These bearings are made from SV30, a new stainless steel alloy designed to offer superior wear characteristics in comparison to traditional chrome or stainless steel. This bearing series allows for better running behavior at high temperatures...

High speed bearings.
October 1, 2000... The Maxton HS Series is made from a composition of reinforcing and lubricating fillers that can be formulated with PEEK, PEI, polyimide, and other resins. Bearings feature 100,000 PV at 1,000 FPM, which is the highest PV limit at high speed of...

Large bearings.
October 1, 2000... Manufacturers of large diameter bearings in sizes up to 180 in. OD. Bearing types include four-point contact ball bearings, biangular roller bearings, and WireX inserted raceway bearings. Offered in single- and multi-row designs. Internal gear,...

Nitrogen Gas Spring.
October 1, 2000... The Tanker XPIL is a full one inch shorter than ISO and NAAMS standard gas springs, and is engineered for low shut height applications. It is constructed with a corrosion-resistant body and piston rod assembly. A dynamic lubrication system...

Caged Ball Screw.
October 1, 2000... This company's Caged Ball technology has been extended into its ball screw line. The Type SBN uses an elastomeric spacer between individual balls to reduce the heat, friction and noise caused by metal-to-metal contact in typical systems. A...

Miniature Right-Angle Speed Reducers.
October 1, 2000... A line of compact right-angle speed reducers are offered in a choice of nine gear ratios, from 1:1 to 25:1. They are offered with a mounting base, or in a panelmount configuration. Torque rating is up to 1/8 HP, depending on the gear ratio and...

Shaft Clamping.
October 1, 2000... The GripFast self-locking collar fastening system enables fast action, secure attachment and quick release for a wide variety of items on a shaft. No tools are necessary with this system, and operation can be carried out with just one hand. A...

Brushless Ring Motors.
October 1, 2000... The ring servo-torque motors from this Swiss company can be used in place of ball screws and gears for higher precision and increased resolution. Applications include machine tool turntables and transfer machines, semiconductor test tables, and...

Horizontal ball valve.
October 1, 2000... The "Type 343 Plus" valve features three true union ends for easy installation or removal of connection parts for inspection and maintenance. This valve is available in Beta-Polypropylene PP material as well as PVC, CPVC and PVDF. The T-port...

Ball valves.
October 1, 2000... Available in stainless steel, carbon steel and brass body materials, 60 Series valves prevent leaks with a live-loaded stem seal. Spring-loaded valve seats exert constant pressure against the ball to provide a reliable seal. They are offered in...

Tubing pumps.
October 1, 2000... MityFlex pumps are ideal for hundreds of material transfer, dispensing, and sampling applications across such diverse industrial uses as appliances, vending equipment, food/beverage/pharmaceutical processing, medical equipment and more. These...

Miniature pump.
October 1, 2000... Thc 15D Next Generation Miniature Diaphragm Series of ultra-quiet pumps (down to 45 dBA) incorporates oversized ball bearings to ensure maintenance-free operation and a flow-enhanced design that increases performance. The AC motor, single-head...

Massive pinch valve.
October 1, 2000... This 48-in, air-operated pinch valve is for use in demanding slurry applications. Thc valve features a tube and shell design with air surrounding the rubber sleeve that squeezes/pinches for a drop-tight closure. The 9500XL valve line offers...

Corrosion-resistant valve.
October 1, 2000... The Tube-O-Matic valve is ideal for applications where engine coolant is used. Its aluminum valve body resists damage in contaminated, corrosive and caustic media, as well as wet, high flow or explosive environments. This valve comes standard...

Control pinch valve.
October 1, 2000... The Series 5200 valve is designed to provide accurate, repeatable control of abrasive and corrosive slurries. The resilient elastomer sleeve produces a smooth venturi flow path that outlasts gate, plug, ball and even stellite-coated control...

Compact industrial pumps.
October 1, 2000... The High Pressure D04 Series of positive-displacement pumps features hydraulically balanced diaphragms for quiet, smooth operation, while providing pressures to 2500 psi. These heavy-duty pumps have no troublesome cups, packings, or seals,...

Multiposition valves.
October 1, 2000... MW Type Valves offer a variety of flow configurations, port and fitting sizes, and actuation options. A preload design allows the rotor to be inspected or replaced without removing the valve from the actuator, and if ordered with a...

Heavy-duty cylinders.
October 1, 2000... The EC4 Series of high-performance electric cylinders is engineered for thrust loads to 2,700 lbs., speeds to 52.4 in./sec., and travels to 59.1 in. Precision rolled ballscrews are standard for quiet operation, low backlash and high accuracy....

Fluid metering pump.
October 1, 2000... This positive displacement pump has no seals and only two moving parts that deliver ml/min to 35GPM. Designed to be submerged in tanks, totes or drums, this reliable rotary pump mounts inside the vessel. Custom configurations can be built to...

Easy-to-load pump.
October 1, 2000... The 313D Speedyload pumphead model features a contamination-proof design and customization capabilities. Ideal for the medical OEM market, this pump features secure clamps that allow more clearance during loading, preventing tampering in...

Vacuum pumps.
October 1, 2000... The MSP series of multistage air-powered pumps features machined brass nozzles, a machined aluminum housing, and an external muffler to provide vacuum levels down to 27-in. Hg and flows to 340 SCFM with low noise levels. A suitable replacement...

Solenoid valves.
October 1, 2000... This line of servo-assisted modular valves is ideal for low-cost fluid collection and distribution systems. Available for either 1/2- or 3/4-in, pipe sizes, they fit easily into this company's modular valve manifolds to build centralized and...

Diaphragm pump.
October 1, 2000... The Ecodos hygienic pumps feature hermetically tight, sealless construction with smooth internals and a tow pump head volume to assure that wetted parts and product contact areas meet 3-A sanitary standards. Providing [+ or -]1% or better...

Electric cylinders.
October 1, 2000... The ActionJac Series-CC cylinders are enhanced ball and acme screw actuators that provide low-cost positioning options and can handle a 3,000-lb. static load. Available in two models, thc CC-19 can handle a 75-lb. load and the CC-58 can handle...

Solenoid Valve Innovations Provide Alternatives to Traditional Proportional Controls.
October 1, 2000... For years, plant engineers have wrestled between system cost and process control accuracy when choosing between traditional pneumatic or hydraulic proportional fluid control systems and simpler on/off fluid control systems. Today, innovations...

Size 17 captive linear actuator.
October 1, 2000... A stainless steel splined shaft coupled to a stainless steel leadscrew allows for precise motion control with resolutions ranging from 0.00012- to 0.0092-in/step. A 0.500-in. stroke is standard and can easily be customized up to 2.5 in. The...

Manual motor controllers.
October 1, 2000... This line of UL508 listed and CSA certified manual motor controllers features motor disconnect means. The thermal/magnetic type manual motor controllers are used to protect the wiring and loads of electrical circuits against thermal overload...

Maintenance-free bushings.
October 1, 2000... The self-lubricated JU and JX series are designed for low vibration and noise, and withstand a wide temperature range. The simple-to-install bushings are available in sizes between 1/4- and 12-in. ID, including metric versions. The JU series...

Bevel gear jacks.
October 1, 2000... Spiral bevel gears increase strength for higher capacity. The jacks are available complete with reducer or direct drive in a ready-to-run package, and they can act as a miter gear box. Jacks come in translating screw and rotating screw designs....

High output gearbox.
October 1, 2000... The GIL 200 heavy-duty gearbox operates at speeds up to 400 rpm with up to 300 in.-lbs. of torque. This rugged, die cast gearbox performs continuously in material handling applications, food processing equipment, wheelchair, scooter and...

Multi-beam couplers.
October 1, 2000... Three- and six-beam couplers can accommodate any combination of axial motion, including angular and parallel misalignment. Their design provides higher torque capability and greatly reduced wind-up compared with single beam couplers. The...

Planar encoder.
October 1, 2000... The RGH42 XY encoder system features advanced miniaturized electronics with industrial strength reliability. A single friction-free non-contact readhead with proprietary spatial-filtering, dirttolerant optics reads a 40[micro]m pitch planar...

Brakes for servomotor applications.
October 1, 2000... The MCNB Series of spring applied brakes are engineered specifically for servomotor applications, and incorporate a plastic armature with friction material bonded directly to the surface. This armature reduces system inertia, thereby reducing...

Planetary gearboxes.
October 1, 2000... The LinearMount Series features an output mounting method that connects directly and quickly to a linear belt-module or ballscrew. The series eliminates the need to purchase a gearbox and coupling from different manufacturers. It also...

AC inverters.
October 1, 2000... The Pacesetter OEM Series allows machinery builders to add the versatility of adjustable speed, dynamic braking and comprehensive motor protection to their products. Two models of open chassis inverters cover 115 VAC or 230VAC 50/60 Hz inputs...

Digital brushless servo-amplifier.
October 1, 2000... The SES 50/5 is designed for velocity or torque control of brushless motors. Sinusoidal commutation at 50 kHz is used to ensure smooth velocity and torque control even at low speeds. This 4-quadrant servo-amplifier can control speed in CW and...

Hysteresis brakes and clutches.
October 1, 2000... Model 513-001 is manufactured from stainless steel for fine tensioning applications. This unit is just [-in. in diameter and has a torque range of 0.15- to 2-in. oz. The unit requires no external power and has no wearing parts -- enabling...

Multi-axis motion controller.
October 1, 2000... The SB214PC is a PC/ISA-based motion controller that provides up to four axes of motion control for AC induction, DC brush and DC brushless motors. Its multiprocessor distributed control design consists of 20 MHz Intel 80C196KD processor for...

Mini torque/thrust sensor.
October 1, 2000... Initially designed for use in tire rubber testing rheometers, the M211-114 is suited for applications where low torque levels need to be measured in the presence of high compression loads and temperature extremes. Features include low inertial...

Motion controllers.
October 1, 2000... The Unidex 500 family of multi-axis motion controllers comes in two bus formats -- PCI and ISA. For each bus format, three models -- Base, Plus, and Ultra -- provide multiple performance levels from which to choose. The controller is built on...

Profile rail system.
October 1, 2000... The SBC System is designed for use in automated production lines, CNC machines, power transmission, and any linear motion application where high precision and good performance in a compact size is required. The system consists of LG series...

Incremental encoder position sensor.
October 1, 2000... The A series OEM transducers have ranges from 500 to 2500mm, 0.04% accuracy, 0.02% repeatability, and TTL, line driver and open collector outputs. Available in resolutions from 10 to 500 pulses per inch, the devices detect and measure linear...

Gear reducers.
October 1, 2000... Ironman 600 Series cast iron worm gear reducers includes hollow output shaft units, and are available from 1.33-through 3.75-in, center distances in ratios from 5:1 through 60:1, with non-flanged, motorized coupling input, or motorized quill...

Multi-axis motion control software.
October 1, 2000... The AML software-only motion controller runs on any NT-based PC containing a Sanyo Denski SMS-PCI interface card. AML provides coordinated control of up to 32 Sercos-compatible servo drives and I/O modules. The AML Productivity Suite for...

Welding Helmet Design Aided by Plastics Supplier.
October 1, 2000... Although its flagship welding helmet is considered an excellent product, Sellstrom Manufacturing, a 77-year-old molder of industrial safety equipment in Palatine, IL, was not content to rest on its reputation. The company set an ambitious goal...

Aircraft & Aerospace Resources.
October 1, 2000... Since the beginning of time (for humans, that is), the desire to take to the sky has been a pervasive preoccupation in the collective mind of mankind. Manifested first by airborne weapons, pictographs of flying reptiles, and later by...

Thick film coating.
October 1, 2000... Curing in seconds upon exposure to UV/visible light, 9-20558 exhibits excellent adhesion to Kapton. The cured coating forms a transparent layer, which protects underlying circuitry and components from moisture, dust and other contaminants. The...

Electrically conductive coating.
October 1, 2000... Pyro-Duct 598-C is an aqueous-based, single part, nickel-filled, inorganic coating system that offers a temperature resistance of 1000[degrees]F and volume resistivity of 0.005 ohm-cm at room temperature. This odorless system is an ideal...

Polymer coating.
October 1, 2000... HumiShield's formulation turns practically any material into a solderable and electronically conductive substrate. It also protects metals from corrosion. The formula contains a metallic component that provides magnetic and electronic...

Polyethylene film.
October 1, 2000... Polyflex 136 is a single-coated, heavy-duty film for general purpose bonding applications. This low residue, pressure sensitive rubber adhesive film bonds well to most surfaces over a wide range of temperatures, and is an excellent alternative...

Insulating films.
October 1, 2000... NRC-2 super insulating films are made from ultra-lightweight polyester film with a heavy, high-purity aluminum coating on one or two sides that provides a flexible, moisture-resistant thermal barrier. Featuring a crinkled finish to minimize...

Vacuum Impregnation Seals Electronics Against Moisture, Corrosion.
October 1, 2000... Plastic molded and encapsulated electronic components are often exposed to extreme environments such as high temperatures, moisture, dust, and vibration as part of everyday operation. Unfortunately, microscopic holes and cracks inherent in all...