Design News articles from August 2006

Design News archives from August 2006

New Directions in plastics.(National Plastics exposition showcases new developments)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff National Plastics exposition showcases new developments Walk the aisles of the National Plastics Exposition, held at the end of June in Chicago, and you might well think the show is all about processing machinery....

Greener plastics.(DuPont Engineering Polymers previews two new biopolymers)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff A new crop of biopolymers won't skimp on mechanical properties DuPont Engineering Polymers previewed two new biopolymers it will roll out in 2007. Both take advantage of a patented single-step fermentation process...

Road test.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Engineering plastics can take on new roles in tomorrow's cars A concept car that showcases a collection of cutting edge plastics' technologies was on display, for the first time in North America, at the Bayer...

The Case of the Sticky Starter.(Column)
August 14, 2006... By Myron J. Boyajian, President, Engineering Consultants As assistant manager of product safety for a forklift manufacturer, I met with zone service managers at quarterly meetings. Although lines of communication already existed between...

One sensor, multiple measurements.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff A single electric field sensor avoids contact and creates new applications An integrated circuit (IC) developed specifically for vehicle systems, frequently opens the door for a number of non-automotive...

Ultrasonic Level Sensors.(Madison Co. (Stamford, Connecticut) introduces USR series)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Level measurement with optional programmable control This series has five models, none of which need calibration -- they all come with a factory-set sensing range. They are more accurate, using microprocessor-based...

ASM Sensors WS42 Series Cable Actuated Position Sensors.(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff New sensor series for medical applications This sensor series integrates a precise encoder with a compact housing that allows multiple mounting configurations. It has a 1,000 mm measurement range and can offer a...

CIT Relay & Switch CH Series.(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff A colorful and compact switch This switch comes with momentary or alternate action in SPDT or DPDT configurations. A red, yellow, green, blue, white or orange LED with voltages inclusive of 6V dc up to 220V ac...

Analog Switches.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff New switches for the mobile technology market The company's new series of dual high-bandwidth SPDT and SP3T CMOS analog switches comes with 2 x 1.5 x 0.6 mm Chip Scale Packaging in each unit. They also feature low...

CIT Relay & Switch A5 Series 40-Amp Relay.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff New series geared toward auto industry Built for automotive applications, the A5 Series Relay comes with SPST N.O., SPST N.C. or SPDT contact arrangement. SPST N.O. arrangements have contact ratings of 40A at 14V...

Jewell Instruments' Magnetic Solenoids.(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Solenoids in a number of configurations These solenoids come in tubular, interposer, open frame in both C-Frame and D-Frame configurations, dual-coil bi-directional and frameless and stopless varieties, and the...

Jewell Instruments' BL Series Digital Panel Meters.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Compact but easy-to-see These new meters are small yet bright and easy to read, offering a number of indicators on one unit. They have a 3 1/2 digit readout with full-scale 1999 display, with 1/2 high digits on a...

Raychem Circuit Protection 2006 Catalog.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Catalog shows off current product line Raychem's newest catalog offers in-depth information on several new product lines. It has technical specifications and application information on the company's PolySwitch[R]...

Delta T max Cartridge Heaters.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff A snug fit for high efficiency These high-performance heaters have diameter tolerances between -.001 and -.005 inches from specified nominal diameters, ensuring a good fit into the heater cavity. The heater's...

Cat Pumps Product Catalogs.(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff New catalogs show off full line of pumps and accessories The company's new pump catalog describes the company's selection of high-pressure, reciprocating, triplex piston and plunger pumps, special centrifugal pumps...

Electronic Position-Sensing Hydraulic Cylinders.(Energy Manufacturing Company Inc introduces cylinders having electronic position-sensing option)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff With electronic position sensing These cylinders now have an electronic position-sensing option for almost all models, including bores to 10 inches (25.4 mm), strokes to 15 feet (4.57m), and working pressures to...

Gowanda SMT 2920 Surface Mount Molded Toroid.(Gowanda Electronics Corp. introduces new series of inductors)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Durable for RF applications Built for "High Q" RF applications in the telecommunications, medical diagnostic equipment and industrial process control equipment industries, this is the first of Gowanda's new series...

PVC-Polyurethane Comparison Chart.(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff All relevant information on one sheet NewAge's chart shows how these two materials are alike and different in hose and tubing made by the company. The chart compares association standards (FDA, NSF, 3A, Class VI),...

Separator Filter Dryer System.(SKF USA Inc. introduces new system to remove oil)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Removes oil, contaminates and water from compressed air systems Designed to go with the company's full line of specialty after-market products, this new system removes oil, contaminates and water from compressed...

Parker Hannifin Corp. Digital Valve-Control Modules.(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Made to replace analog electronics The company has released four modules, with plans for a fifth in the works, all designed to be configured to function just like a variety of individual analog cards, and all for a...

Beswick PRD2 Pressure Regulator.(Beswick Engineering Company Inc. designs Pressure Regulators for gas storage tanks)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Tiny, but without sacrificing performance This is a compact device, weighing only 50g in brass and stainless steel, and 23g when made out of aluminum. It's about the size of a stack of 10 quarters. It can control...

Ark-Plas Polycarbonate Luer Check Valve.(Ark-Plas Products Inc. one-way valves takes high pressure flows)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff One-way valves take high pressure flows Built for chemical analysis, fluid and gas delivery applications, the check valve meets most clean room and sanitary requirements, non-contact medical delivery, and can be...

Oilgear PVWC Closed-Loop, Hydrostatic Axial Piston Pump.(Oligear Co introduces low horsepower for high performance)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Low horsepower for high performance Oilgear's latest pump offers several mechanical, hydraulic and electrohydraulic servo valve controls. The pump can be interchanged in the field, needing no disconnection from the...

B-Series Bronze Control Valve.(Spirax Sarco Inc. adds new valve to its current product line)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff New valve adds to current product line Spirax's newest valve works with steam, water, gases and other liquids at up to 204C (400F), and a maximum pressure of 27 barg (400 psig). It comes in a two and three-way...

Vernon Computerized Pipe Cutting Machines.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff New cutters use computer controls Vernon's cutting machines use a Windows-based operating system with color icons, 2D and 3D-dimensioned graphics, and network-compatible communications. The cutting software is...

DAPstudio Measurement Software Upgrade.(Microstar Laboratories Inc. DAPstudio software includes interactive filter design)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Eliminating extra data acquisition software Microstar's DAPstudio software now includes interactive filter design allowing users to build and run applications based on the digital conditioning system series without...

V-Infinity's VKD1000 DC-DC Converter Series.(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Built to take high-voltage inputs Designed for transportation, telecom, base station and other applications, the VKD1000 series converters are chassis-mounted, and enclosed in a 9.76 x 7.17 x 2.28-inch shielded...

DFMA[R] 2006 Software.(Boothroyd Dewhurst Inc. introduces DFA version 9.3 and DFM Concurrent Costing software)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Estimates manual, automatic, printed circuit board production This updated software suite includes DFA Version 9.3 and DFM Concurrent Costing[R] Version 2.2, new versions of previous bundled DFMA modules. The suite...

General Micro Systems Spartan Mobile PC.(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Small and powerful for military use Built for military applications, the Spartan is a mobile computer with a built-in GPS receiver and 802.11b/g wireless Ethernet port. It measures 6.5 x 3 x 0.5 inches, and can...

SpliceRite(TM) Wire Splicers.(Sonobond Ultrasonics Inc. introduces SpliceRite Wire Splicers )(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Simple to use, even with oxidized, tin-plated wiring Sonobond's SpliceRite Wire Splicers can quickly splice wire bundles, making a true metallurgical bond without arcs, sparks or fumes. There's no need for...

Liquid Flexane[R] compounds.(Devcon Corp introduces urethanes )(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Durable, castable urethanes for OEM These compounds are made for OEM applications such as strain relief, potting and encapsulating, forming nonscratching holding fixtures and edging and sealing felt belts and dryer...

Olympic Steel Oly-Flatbrite[R] Continuous Milplate.(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Flatter and smoother than other steel Geared toward making ethanol tanks and vessels, Olympic's Oly-Flatbrite is flatter, smoother, and easier to make than ordinary stainless steel. Olympic uses its own...

Mastertube Plasma Profiler.(Vernon Tool Company Ltd. new tube cutting machine)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Cutter uses Windows-based program, Auto CAD Vernon's latest tube cutting machine offers plasma-cutting profiles and holes in diameters from 1-6 inches O.D., and rectangular tubing up to 71/2-inch cross section. It...

Bettcher Amherst Metal Stampings has new layout.(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Updated plant makes work more efficient Bettcher's plant now has a new layout and new parts washer to make the factory more efficient in metal stamping. The company offers four-slide and multi-slide ports,...

Alchrome[R] Tri-Tec Trivalent Coating.(Heatbath Corp. introduces coating for aluminium products)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Easy-to-use with a durable finish. This trivalent chromium, aqueous coating is made for aluminum, aluminum alloys and IVD deposited aluminum. It has a low electrical contact impedance, and comes in a color range...

NewAge Industries Clear-40[R] PVC Pipe and Fittings.(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff A PVC pipe you can see through This rigid PVC pipe is made to schedule 40 dimensions, but it's transparent, with only a slight blue tint, making it easy to see what's inside it. Built for laboratories, food and...

SEPAC Motion Control Solutions.(SEPAC Inc. offering full range of brakes and clutches)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff A full range of brakes and clutches This company offers spring-set and large spring-set power-off brakes, permanent magnet power-off brakes, multiple disc clutches and brakes, tooth clutches and brakes, and...

6H 3 Series of 1/5-inch Pitch Timing Belt Pulleys.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Pulleys use unique fastening system This series of pulleys is made for 3/8-inch wide belts. They use the Fairloc[R] hub fastening system, which has radial and angular slots, making a transverse wedge attached to...

Double-Sided .080 Pitch Timing Belts.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Simpler, better synchronized These belts, part of the A 6B16-D Series, are built for machine tools, mowers, business machines, copiers and printers. They have double-sided tooth action and excellent flexibility....

Bug Linear Acutators.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Stronger, more precise and more reliable Built as an alternative to pneumatic or hydraulic systems, this actuator series offers lightweight products with a small footprint. They last longer and are more precise...

Fairchild Semiconductor 50A, 75A Motion-SPM(TM) Devices.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff For inverter motor designs up to 7.5 kW The FSAM50SM60A and FSAM755M60A devices offer 50A and 75A ratings, respectively, and are made for the 5kW to 7.5 kW commercial and industrial inverter motor designs. They...

DODGE[R] Ultra Kleen(TM) Wide Slot Take-Up Frames.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff New frames made out of stainless steel These frames are made for food processing applications, designed to take the industry's harsh wash down environments. Made out of 304 stainless steel, the frame is corrosion...

Del-Tron 3D Product Catalog.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Online catalog has 3D views of products This online catalog offers views of the company's linear motion products online that customers can view, zoom and rotate. The images are available in all major CAD formats,...

Gardner Wave-Scan Dual Diagnostic Tool.(Paul N. Gardner Company Inc. introduces tool to detect the optical profile)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff High-performance, easy-to-use package This tool detects the optical profile in high-gloss surfaces with a laser light source, and an extra infrared LED measures the same structure spectrum (0.1-30 mm) on...

DirectIndustry Website Portal.(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Site now has seven times as much content The company's online industrial exhibition portal now has seven times as much content as it had before. In the past eight months alone, more than 2,000 new exhibitors...

Online Technical Service.(Vernon Tool Company Ltd. introduces house calls to cutting machines for technicians)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Lets technicians conduct remote "house calls" to cutting machines This system allows factory service technicians to link up directly with the company's pipe cutting machines in the field over a secure broadband...

Elma Bustronic's 14-Slot AdvancedTCA Backplane.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff New 14-slot backplane has full pluggability This full-mesh backplane's 18-layer stripline design is fully pluggable, with pluggable fan tray, shelf manager and power entry connectors. It has 14-slots with a...

Hollow Shaft Fiber Optic Rotary Encoder.(Micronor Inc. works in tough places)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Works in tough places This encoder is made for harsh environments, with a temperature of operation of -60 to 150C, immunity to lightning, high-voltage static and plasma fields, and resistance to radiation. It...

Pericom Fibre Channel Re-Driver Products.(Pericom Semiconductor Corp. introduces products to maintain high-speed signal integrity)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Strong signal integrity over long distance These products are made to maintain high-speed signal integrity on PCB boards or through cables and multiple connector points up to 4.5 Gbps bandwidth. They put...

Sensor Systems Solutions 5400, 5410 Pressure Sensors.(Sensor Systems Solutions Inc. designs new sensors)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Inexpensive new design These two new sensors are redesigned from the 5100 and 5110 models into a newer, cheaper pair of products. They are made with a "Foil Gauge" technology that avoids contamination from...

Clare Instruments' SafeTest Safety Tester Instrument.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Versatility in a small package Built for low to medium-volume electrical production environments, this instrument combines seven different electrical safety tests into one compact unit. It can be used both as a...

Small, Cool, Powerful.
August 14, 2006... By Joseph Ogando Compact liquid-cooled electric drives help propel the latest generation of a heavy-duty military truck When the U.S. Army needs to move ammunition and other supplies cross-country, its soldiers often turn to a Heavy...

Small-Scale Logic Packaging.(input and output of the microprocessor)
August 14, 2006... By Sujatha Garimella and Lance Wright, Texas Instruments New technologies shrink the footprint and weight of handheld products The most advanced semiconductors provide incredible levels of integration. The 2006 forecast from the...

New and Notable Product Design.
August 14, 2006... By Randy Frank Wireless networks use a number of proprietary and standard-based technologies including cellular (GSM), Bluetooth (Bluetooth Special Interest Group), ZigBee (ZigBee Alliance), WLAN (IEEE 802.11a and g), WiFi (IEEE 802.11b),...

TOUCHING THREE SENSES.
August 14, 2006... By Randy Frank Zeal Optics the Confidant BT (http://rbi.ims.ca/4930-511 ). In addition to UV-activated photochromatic lenses that get darker in bright sun, these protective sunglasses have a Bluetooth interface. Working with Kyocera...

CREW STATUS DETECTOR.
August 14, 2006... By Randy Frank Raymarine LifeTag Wireless Man Overboard (MOB) System (http://rbi.ims.ca/4930-509 ). Using ZigBee wireless technology, the LifeTag system detects and sounds an alarm if a crew member falls overboard or moves beyond 30 ft of...

WIRELESS BROADBAND SUBSCRIBER MODULES.
August 14, 2006... By Randy Frank Motorola Canopy Lite (http://rbi.ims.ca/4930-513 ). Using Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access or WiMAX, this wireless product meets the IEEE 802.16e standard. The subscriber modules allow initial data throughputs...

MULTIRADIO CELL PHONE.
August 14, 2006... By Randy Frank Nokia 6136 WI-FI with GSM (http://rbi.ims.ca/4930-514 ). The Nokia 6136 phone integrates Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) technology with cellular to provide users a seamless transition of voice and data connections between...

CELL PHONE/MEDIA PLAYER.
August 14, 2006... By Randy Frank Sagem My700x Mobile Phone (http://rbi.ims.ca/4930-515 ). RF technology in the Sagem cell phone includes GSM, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE). EDGE wireless technology...

Case #88: William Saw Light at the End of the Tunnel.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Looking to light up the town, model railroad enthusiast William Grill developed this unique and flexible control board for driving lighting for water towers, running and crossing lights, and storefront dress-up lights....

EPA Introduces UPS Hybrid.(Environmental Protection Agency, United Parcel Service)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff The Environmental Protection Agency and United Parcel Service have partnered to develop a delivery truck that uses EPA-patented hydraulic hybrid technology. Using the new system, the UPS truck can increase fuel...

DaimlerChrysler Sponsors D.C. EcoZone.(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Automaker DaimlerChrysler will sponsor the nation's first EcoZone in the District of Columbia. The EcoZone is a public/private partnership designed to fund solutions that can measurably improve the local environment at...

Change Leaded to Lead-Free, Lead-Free to Leaded.(Environmentally Certified Electronic Trade Alliance)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff A new company in Bloomington, IN, was launched to help manufacturers through the transition to RoHS-compliant electronic components. E-Certa (Environmentally Certified Electronic Trade Alliance), a consortium of five...

Readers Sound Off.(Letter to the editor)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff MAY I TAKE YOUR ORDER? You make some good points in your editorial, "Bring a Number Two Pencil, Please" (My View 04.21.03). There will always be those who think standardized tests are discriminatory. Indeed they...

Pirates of the Near Caribbean.(Editorial)
August 14, 2006... By Karen Auguston Field, Editor-in-Chief On a recent trip to Shanghai to research an article on "fakes," I strolled into the Xiangyang Market. Thirty minutes later, I strolled out with copies of Adobe Acrobat 3D, SolidWorks 2006, AutoCAD...

Windows CE to Run 32,000 Processes.
August 14, 2006... By Charles J. Murray Microsoft creates software 'roadmap' for cell phones, PDAs Announcing that it's reacting to a growing need in the consumer electronics market, Microsoft Corp. recently expanded its Windows CE embedded software to...

Distributed Control Using SERCOS III.
August 14, 2006... By Al Presher New controller-to-controller synchronization and communication profile The SERCOS III industrial Ethernet-based standard for motion control has added synchronization and communications technology for multiple master-...

How We Improved Our CAD Efficiency By 2,000!(PING)
August 14, 2006... By Karen Field PING's plan to improve its product development process is paying off big PING's plan to completely re-engineer its product development process is paying off big. Yes, that decimal point is in the right place....

Pilotless Planes.
August 14, 2006... By Terry Costlow Unmanned aerial vehicle use grows rapidly, versatility improves The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department got plenty of attention in the spring when it announced plans to use Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to help them search for...

Success Not Determined by Size of Organization.
August 14, 2006... By Richard Johnson, President, Cherry Electrical Products By thinking big and staying small, companies reach their goals After reading the article "Listen Up Corporate America," (DN 04.10.06, http://rbi.ims.ca/4930-506 ), it seems as if...

Tough Challenges Ahead.
August 14, 2006... By Jim Fox, Director of Product Marketing, LSI Logic Corp. Platforms ensure complexities are met quickly, cost-effectively TV is going digital, driven by legislation and consumer demand for high-definition (HD) video and HDTVs. There...

Designed for Direct Connection.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Handling equipment configures easily and consistently Those who have never seen one of Rube Goldberg's designs that make a simple task complicated may not appreciate the simple elegance of design for simply...

Rugged Packaging Environment.(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff System components requiring corrosion protection proliferate The packaging environment in many industries is usually moisture-free. However, to cope with requirements in food processing and packaging operations...

CORROSION-PROTECTED ELECTROMECHANICAL ACTUATORS.(Bosch Rexroth Corp.)(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Bosch Rexroth modified its CKK and CKR Compact Modules for damp environment applications in the food and packaging industries. Key modifications for operating in damp environments include chrome plating of internal...

CORROSION-RESISTANT GEARBOX.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Tol-O-Matic SlideRite CR (corrosion resistant) gearboxes target packaging equipment with washdown requirements or operating environments where water or high relative humidity is present. The units consist of two...

CLEANABLE VALVE TERMINALS.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Festo's Clean Design valve terminal approach eliminates the need for dirt traps. The CDVI has a highly wear-resistant polypropylene (PP) plastic housing, anodized aluminum base plate, stainless steel screws, EPDM seals...

Ethernet/IP Steps Up.(Brief article)
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Automation solutions use Ethernet/IP for control and information During the recent Hannover Fair, ODVA, http://rbi.ims.ca/4931-511 , it was projected that more than 1 million total nodes of Ethernet/IP(TM) have...

RFID PRODUCT INDENTIFICATION AND DATA COLLECTION.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff IDENT Control from Pepperl+Fuchs provides real-time RFID product identification and data collection. The system facilitates a seamless connection to DeviceNet scanners and ControlLogix or CompactLogix systems using...

BAR CODE SCANNER.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff The AXIOM-X(TM) bar code scanner from Accu-Sort is a modular system that provides higher read rates, greater flexibility and lower total cost of ownership than previous systems. An omnidirectional laser reader, it...

SCANNER INTERFACE USING ETHERNET/IP.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff The Anybus-M module from HMS Industrial Networks offers an easy method for implementation of a 10/100 Mbit Ethernet/IP Scanner interface into industrial devices. The module supports up to 64 adapters, and configuration...

SCHUNK LMG Grippers.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff First with a standard hygienic design SCHUNK's newest 2-Finger Angular Gripper Type LMG 64 is made for the food-handling industry, and is the first manufacturer to offer a gripper in hygienic design as a standard...

SEW-Eurodrive Operator Terminals.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Built for monitoring and troubleshooting This line of five new panels are easy to use and read. They come with built-in recipe controls, alarm management, multi-level password security, and have an optional...

ATLANTA Servo Worm Reducers.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Expanding on the original model ATLANTA Drive Systems Inc. has expanded its range of servo worm reducers, building a high-torque, economy and basic version to go with the existing high-precision reducer. The...

HG+, TK+, and SK+ Gearheads.
August 14, 2006... By Design News Staff Works in worm, bevel or hypoid applications This new line of gearheads offers hypoid gearsets made for precision machinery, with smaller sizes and less torsional backlash. The HG+ hollow-shaft gearhead has a...