Design News articles from January 2004

Design News archives from January 2004

For hire: Russian engineers.(My View)
January 12, 2004... IF YOU THINK THE JOB MARKET IS BAD HERE, you should talk to engineers in Russia. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in the late 1980s, tens of thousands of engineers--up until then guaranteed jobs for life--were tossed out into the street,...

Blunders that bind: don't hide mistakes. They're great for conversation.(Flipside)
January 12, 2004... EVERYONE WHO HAS EVER PICKED UP A hammer, screwdriver, or other tool has at some time made a big goof in a project, something that in retrospect made them laugh even if it didn't seem funny at the time. The great thing about big goofs, aside...

The power of fruit.(Mail: readers sound off)(Letter to the Editor)
January 12, 2004... At first I was impressed by the grapefruit-powered thermometer (DN BUZZ 11.03.03). However, the statement, "Okay, he sort of cheated when he used a grapefruit" is an understatement, because in the design small print it says, "Sometimes, the...

Inventor Guarang Kavaiya's response.(Mail: readers sound off)(Letter to the Editor)
January 12, 2004... Jim, it is obvious to me from your acidic response that you have discovered the sad truth--not all grapefruit are created equal. Allow me to help you overcome your case of grapefruit envy with a little journey through "Mr. Wizard's World" to...

Hackers of another sort.(Mail: readers sound off)(Letter to the Editor)
January 12, 2004... Your editorial on writing (DN MY VIEW 10.30.03) was right on! I've noticed a definite downward spiral in the quality of the written word in just the past year. People bang out emails and articles as fast as they can and send them off. I get...

Saaaay what??(Mail: readers sound off)(Letter to the Editor)
January 12, 2004... One example of bad writing that caught my eye appeared in the technical rationale portion of a proposed standards revision being routed around for approval. The statement was, "It is difficult to measure the depth of the notches, any "dabree"...

Spellchecker fiasco.(Mail: readers sound off)(Letter to the Editor)
January 12, 2004... I have a funny story to pass along regarding the use of Spellchecker. We recently received an email from a young graduate with an attached resume. Within the text of the e-mail, he stated that "our location would be excellent for him" since he...

Cut space-access cost: before realizing any long-term objectives, we must make getting to space economical.(Slant: insight from insiders)
January 12, 2004... With the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first flight, projections as to where spaceflight technology might be at the end of this century abound. Whatever the future, Chaikin cautions that some key elements have to be in place before...

Forget 'typical specs': they'll work most of the time, which isn't enough.(Rant: really opinionated people)
January 12, 2004... FOR LOW-COST DISPOSABLE PRODUCTS, working "most of the time" may suffice. For other products, different rules apply. An automobile that starts most of the time may not generate much customer loyalty. Your customers have expectations of...

Web weaver.(B.M.O.C.: research for the real world)(Jennifer Harbster)(Interview)
January 12, 2004... A veteran user of both the Dewey Decimal System and the Internet, Research Specialist Jennifer Harbster detangles the World Wide Web offers engineers effective web research tips. PRESENT POSITION; Research Specialist; Science, Technology,...

Hoods become a materials battleground: steel or aluminum? Low cost or light weight? That is the big question.(Buzz: heard on the street)
January 12, 2004... Ford's top-selling F-150 pickup has sported an aluminum hood--the most popular automotive body panel application for the material--for ten years. Now, the steel industry wants to take it back. "With advances in medium- and high-strength steels,...

Real-life Susan Calvin: an Asimov-like advocate promoting robotics.(Buzz: heard on the street)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... Joanne Pransky was at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions' (IAAPA) annual trade show in Orlando in November, pitching park operators and editors alike on the cool features of Robocoaster, one of the industry's...

Shock absorber gets a longer life: re-engineering in reverse.(Buzz: heard on the street)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... It's not common for U.S. engineers to re-engineer a product designed in Asia. But that's exactly what engineers at Enidine, which specializes in shock and vibration technologies, did recently with a long-stroke, high-performance shock absorber....

(1) More than games on the go.(Flash: new and notable product design)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... (1) Tapwave Zodiac Mobile Entertainment Console. PDA functionality with fun, in the form of mobile gaming and multimedia image playback, are the ideas behind this hand-held. But the biggest challenge in providing an improved gaming...

(2) Dock, download, and print.(Flash: new and notable product design)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... (2) Extech Instruments Model 42276 Programmer with Printer. This self-standing, portable programmer/printer permits downloading and plotting temperature and humidity data-logger information without a PC or separate printer. Engineers were...

(3) Global recharger.(Flash: new and notable product design)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... (3) DigiPower Ultra Fast Rapid Charger. Patented, nested switchblade plugs with axially rotating flat blades allowed shrinking the size of this universal charger (110 or 220V) for digital camera batteries. But also important was...

(4) Hoops (there it is) without tools.(Flash: new and notable product design)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... Huffy Spots InstaHoop[TM] Technology Basketball System. To allow assembling this portable basketball hoop without any tools engineers were challenged to maintain strength and integrity, notes VP Jeff Breitzman. Features they used include...

(5) Fan fault finder.(Flash: new and notable product design)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... SKF[R] Copperhead Fault-Detection System for Industrial Fans. Thanks to the "acceleration enveloping" possible with this monitoring system, bearing problems in industrial fans can be spotted early. An SKF-developed vibration and temperature...

(6) Soft-surface rolling.(Flash: new and notable product design)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... Roleez Wheels Balloon Wheel. Unlike conventional tires, high flotation wheels roll over terrain rather than "plowing through" and getting stuck in soft surfaces such as mud and sand. Now thanks to its thin-wall (3-mm) Bayer Texin 985...

Angle sensor offers drift-free measurement.(Designer's corner: technology you can use)
January 12, 2004... The Philips KMZ43T magnetoresistive angle sensor, for contactless measurement of the angle of adjustable automotive headlamps relative to the chassis, uses smaller magnets than the company's previous versions--but provides constant, drift-free...

Anti-torque fitting cuts contamination.(Designer's corner: technology you can use)(OmniSafe introduces torque eliminator)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... By introducing a torque-eliminating collar between the tightening nut's load bearing shoulder and sealing gland in each half of a patented process-stream fitting, engineers at OmniSafe prevent torque from being transferred to the glands and...

Nylon bearing housing reduces roller noise.(Designer's corner: technology you can use)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... To reduce workplace noise, engineers at Interroll have developed the 1700 Universal Roller Series with bearings mounted in nylon end housings. The free-spinning rollers for gravity conveyors used in materials handling and packaging meet OSHA...

Integrated bearing simplifies tractor manufacture.(Designer's corner: technology you can use)
January 12, 2004... By integrating a steering bearing's inner race into the pivot on which it mounts, Timken engineers not only simplified a previous two-piece configuration (separate bearing and the flanged pivot pin that mounted it) but improved performance and...

Old ice reveals new secrets: dividing a complex problem into smaller tasks may simplify instrumentation and control. Mixing and matching hardware can help, too.(Extreme Testing: out-of-this-world examples/down to earth applications)
January 12, 2004... FOR SOME TIME, ENVIRONMENTALISTS HAVE WORRIED ABOUT the breakup of ice shelves in the Antarctic. Do these changes stem from global warming, or do they simply occur from time to time during long, natural cycles? A careful study of the...

Auto design winners.(News: trends breakthroughs developments)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... Winners of the 5th annual CIAS Motor Trend International Design Contest were announced at the California International Auto Show, held in Anaheim, CA. Contestants were challenged to design a tuner car for the year 2020. Taking the top award...

No place like home.(News: trends breakthroughs developments)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... Leading the charge of economic recovery in manufacturing, Kansas City is fast becoming a hotbed for jobs, according Jerry Jasinowski, President of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). Jasinowski cites $1 billion in capital...

Data 16.(News: trends breakthroughs developments)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... DATA 16 Percent of U.S. manufacturing jobs lost from July 2000 to October 2003 Source: National Association of Manufacturers DATA 55 Percent of smart cards will be controller-based by 2006 Source: Frost & Sullivan ...

A jump start in a fast world: the use of reference designs is growing as more engineers see the value in slashing design cycle times.(Electronics Design)
January 12, 2004... Need a quick Bluetooth connectivity port and interface for a new cell phone design? Motorola has just the ticket. How about a Windows interface for a wireless smart display? National Semiconductors can provide a complete design for a...

Camera helps boost speed.(Electronics)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... A 12-bit color line scan camera from Atmel Corp. (www.atmel.com) pushes operating speeds up to 40 million pixels per second, improving the resolution available for demanding industrial applications such as circuit board inspection. The Akyla HD...

Lasers dish dirt.(Electronics)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... Laser technology is expanding in construction, helping bulldozer operators smooth sites. Caterpillar Inc. (www.cat.com) is now offering the AccuGrade laser system, which can guide dozers to create surfaces that have only a 6 mm deviation. Once...

IEEE addresses security.(Electronics)(Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... The IEEE is helping the National Institute of Standards and Technology address certification and accreditation of systems by opening work on a standard that will enhance security. The P1700 security architecture standard (http://...

New architectures debut for FPGAs: Xilinx offers modular approach.(Microcircuits)(Field Programmable Gate-Array)
January 12, 2004... San Jose, CA -- FPGA technology is evolving quickly, closing the pricing gap between ASICs and application specific standard products. Xilinx Inc. (www.xilinx.com) is unveiling an architecture with a modular framework that lets users pick only...

Smart Cards slide into U.S.: advanced wireless cards dominate usage.(Data Storage)
January 12, 2004... After lagging behind Europe for years, the U.S. is starting to employ smart cards, with a number of government agencies adopting the technology. Being a late adopter has given the U.S. a different technology. model, using wireless cards that...

Score one for pneumatics.(Fluid Power)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... Pneumatic machines--and their low maintenance costs, simple designs, and ease of use--are expected to overtake electric machines as the automation equipment of choice in years to come, according to a Frost & Sullivan research report. The...

Curious minds use the web.(Fluid Power)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... Never underestimate the web's resourcefulness. A recent search for fluid power subjects turned up a few unique sites worthy of a second glance: * Hydra-Pneu Consulting (www. fluidpower1.us) offers brainteasers to keep the...

Servo pneumatics fill need for efficiency: ethernet capability eliminates manual adjustments.(Pneumatics)
January 12, 2004... A pneumatics company says it has developed a better way to fill plastic bottles and cartons with liquids ranging from orange juice to shampoo. Haupauge, NY-based Festo Corp. (www.fesm.com) says it is working with makers of volumetric...

Archestra website.(Motion Control + Power Transmission)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... Invensys Systems (www.invensys. com), maker of ArchestrA, an industrial software architecture, has launched the ArchestrA Community website (www.archestra.biz) to serve as an applications aid and communication tool for those interested in using...

Industrial module.(Motion Control + Power Transmission)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... Phoenix Contact Inc. (www. phoenixcon.com) has rolled out the RAD-ISM-...-BD, an integrated radio and I/O module with expandable I/O options. Designed to eliminate cable and conduit for analog and digital signals in industrial environments, the...

Real-time PROFInet.(Motion Control + Power Transmission)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... The PROFIBUS Trade Organization (PTO) now offers a PROFInet real-time extension for general automation applications. Based on Ethernet, PROFInet is a modern standard for distributed automation standards that integrates existing fieldbus...

At SPS, a new round of ethernet wars: OEMs cut response time to microseconds.(Fieldbuses)(RELATED ARTICLE: Implementing "hard" real time in ethernet.)
January 12, 2004... Automation engineers visiting the SPS/IPC/DRIVES show held November 25-27 in Nuremburg, Germany got their first impressions of a new fieldbus war heating up. This time it's ultra high-speed fieldbuses based on Ethernet that are in the...

Amusement park rides go all-electric: versatility and low noise are key attributes.(Actuation)
January 12, 2004... Orlando, FL -- Visitors to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions' (IAAPA) annual trade show in November saw plenty of high-thrill rides, increasingly lifelike animatronics, and arcade gimcracks. But what they didn't...

Partners in supply.(Software + Hardware)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... Software company, think3, has partnered with GlobalSpec Inc., an online technical product resource for engineers, to give customers access to supplier and product information from the thinkdesign and thinkteam products. The partners have...

Views from the field.(Software + Hardware)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... Engineers who feel they are in the dark about how their products are working in the field now have Nlighten, a web-based product from Ninatek (www.ninatek.com) that delivers field-performance data to engineers for analysis. Josh Siler,...

Double play.(Software + Hardware)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... Version 6.4 of FEA product ABAQUS provides more than double the solution speed of previous versions of the product for such large simulations as powertrain analysis or cell-phone drop tests, say its developers. The software, released in...

Functionality job one: new CAD release aims to boost ease of use.(Systems Solution)
January 12, 2004... If you want to know how useful an engineering tool is, ask someone who has used it. Chris Oesterle, senior CAD system administrator at Liebert, Inc., spent a full week testing the beta version of the recently released Version 15 of Solid Edge,...

The Iced*CAD cometh: on-the-fly assemblies let CAD engineers do their job.(CAD Assembly)
January 12, 2004... CAD engineers aren't just doing CAD anymore. While engineers take on more project management roles, the CAD designs in which they formerly invested their time are being created with technology that doesn't even require an engineer's...

Ask the Search Engineer.
January 12, 2004... The Search Engineer finds solutions to all your questions, problems, and dilemmas. Occasionally, he could be wrong. But he doubts it. Quick interconnect... Low-cost circuit diagram... Plated screws... Dear Search Engineer:...

Innovating technology to combat low cost labor pressures.(Design News Salutes)
January 12, 2004... Most U.S. manufacturers are feeling the impact of the low-cost labor market overseas, as more and more production is being sourced offshore. Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the Philippines--just to name a few are luring manufacturing operations-their...

Ride design, Russian style: these former Soviet aerospace engineers want to use their knowledge of G-forces to scare you to death--without killing you.(Cover Story)
January 12, 2004... Moscow -- The breakup of the Soviet Union was a disaster for the engineering community. Guaranteed a job for life under the old regime, tens of thousands of engineers--graduates of the country's top technical universities--were tumbled out into...

MEMS' fantastic voyages: micro electromechanical devices have come a long way since they were simply researchers' toys. And the software for designing and analyzing them has come a long way too.(CAD/CAM/CAE)
January 12, 2004... JOURNEY WITH US NOW TO THE ULTRA-MINIATURE WORLD OF MEMS, WHERE microscopically small accelerometers, valves, switches, and gears perform much of the same work as their bigger brothers but in impossibly small spaces. Born in R&D labs more...

Reduce hidden measurement costs: simple steps saves time and money.(Innovative Ideas From The Test Experts)
January 12, 2004... Faced with the job of specifying and setting up a measurement system, many engineers may not know that hidden costs can delay or derail the project. Those hidden costs come as direct expenses (money) and resources (time). In many cases,...

NI-DAQmx technologies lower measurement application development costs.(Test Experts Editorial Series)(National Instruments Corp.)(Editorial)
January 12, 2004... Developing the code for your measurement system can take anywhere from days to years. No matter how large or small the task, software development often takes the most time of any step in the measurement application development process. To help...

Control ICs offer flexibility without the need to program: logic-in-hardware, algorithm speed time to market.(Motion Control)
January 12, 2004... A pair of ICs added to International Rectifier's line of iMOTION[TM] integrated design platforms simplifies configuring motion control algorithms for permanent magnet or ac induction motors and their position feedback devices. Rather than use a...

I/O interface: with LED status indication.(Electronics)(Brief Article)
January 12, 2004... The e2C interface is designed for passive actuator/sensor distribution boxes for the company's e2C product line. Allowing a user to connect passive distribution boxes to the e2X system via an M23 connection, the product features the same bus...

PCB led indicators: rugged housings.(Electronics)
January 12, 2004... The right-angle 3-mm products reportedly feature rugged housings and sturdy pins, and can withstand the stress of automated positioning machinery. Available in bi-, tri-, and quad-level, and in single-column units to four-column configurations,...

Compressed air sensor: improves energy efficiencies.(Electronics)
January 12, 2004... The elector Metris[R] monitors compressed air systems on a regular basis, intending to identify leakage areas, improve system performance, reduce energy costs, and optimize compressed air usage. The product can be mounted in a supply pipe to...

Test measurement software: over 30 new features.(Electronics)
January 12, 2004... TestStand 3.0, the newest version of the company's test management software, was created to help engineers build and deploy automated prototype, validation, and manufacturing test systems 75 percent faster. Some of the new features include an...

Pressure and temperature: steam sterilization.(Electronics)
January 12, 2004... The ebro[TM] Model EBI-125A-PT has a built-in temperature-compensated ceramic pressure-sensing element and the PT 1000 temperature sensor, combined with WINLOG 2000 software. It is de signed to offer improvement over existing methods of...

LDO: microcontroller reset function.(Electronics)
January 12, 2004... The TC1302A/B integrates two low-dropout regulators (150 and 300 mA), while the TC1301A/B also has a microcontroller reset function. The company asserts that combining these parts into one device will require fewer passive and discrete...

White LEDs: up to 50-degree viewing angle.(Electronics)
January 12, 2004... Made for high temperature indoor and outdoor environments, the UW3804X and UW5805S white through-hole LEDs deliver a luminous intensity of up to 2000 mcd. Designed with an InGaN die for superior brightness, the products are available in either...

Sensor: sorts parts, detects object orientation.(Electronics)
January 12, 2004... Ultralinear[TM] analog prox technology was created to combine prox sensor toughness with a highly linear analog feedback signal (without an external switching device) proportional to target distance from the sensor face, providing resolution...

Data bus transformer: high electrical performance.(Electronics)
January 12, 2004... The 4260-1646 and 4260-1647 series data bus transformers have a minimum input impedance of 3,000[OMEGA] or 7,200[OMEGA] over the full temperature range of up to -55 to + 130C. They support a wide range of instrumentation, data collection, and...

Fiber optic panel: simplifies assembly.(Electronics)
January 12, 2004... The UniGlo[R] is designed to improve the backlighting of the control panel LCD used in portable instruments for locating underground cables and pipes, while allowing the manufacturer to assemble the device quickly. The RD4000Rx receiver...

Retractile power cordage: available on-demand.(Electronics)
January 12, 2004... Using the company's Direct stocking program, customers now have access to same day shipping on a wide range of severe duty retractile power cord products. These include products from 12-18 AWG, 2 5 conductors, and 1-6 ft retracted, and 5-30 ft...

PC mount switch line: miniature and sub-miniature.(Electronics)
January 12, 2004... The company's new line of miniature and subminiature switches are toggle, rocker, slide, and pushbutton. Many are certified to UL/CUL under file number E7560, are sealed to IP67, and are available as surface mount. The new switches are included...

Mezzanine card: features complete oscilloscope.(Electronics)
January 12, 2004... The M78, an M-Module mezzanine card, was created to enable system designers to add multichannel oscilloscope functionality to systems based on a large variety of open buses (it can also be installed in bus-less, standalone systems). It is a...

Telecom relay: low power consumption.(Electronics)
January 12, 2004... The AZ8222 two-pole telecom relay with the industry standard 16-pin DIP footprint has bifurcated cross-bar contacts and a high switching capacity of 60W or 125 VA. With dc coils from 3 to 48V dc, the product has three sensitivities: standard...

Sub-miniature dip relay: small, lightweight.(Electronics)
January 12, 2004... Providing high sensitivity switching with a 0.15W coil option, the WJ102 subminiature DIP relay is designed to be a perfect fit for high density PC beards. It has gold-plated bifurcated contacts that reportedly provide designers with reliable...

Connectors: for damaged molded cord sets.(Electronics)
January 12, 2004... Designed as a replacement for in-field repairs, the 3- and 4-pin M8 picofast IACs reportedly provide easy assembly. As no soldering is required, the "tool-less" design has color-coded contact holders and can handle 22-26 AWG conductors. They...

Acrylic adhesive: cures rapidly at room temperature.(Fastening/Joining/Assembly)
January 12, 2004... The SPEEDBONDER[TM] H8000 is a non-sagging structural acrylic adhesive that reportedly fixtures rapidly and delivers impact- and peel-resistant, high-strength bonds on a range of surfaces. The two-component gel is 100% reactive and bonds...

Fastener: self-locking.(Fastening/Joining/Assembly)
January 12, 2004... The NYTEMP[R] is designed to withstand temperatures up to 400C, and meets newly published NAS1189 and NAS1190 standards. The orange-colored patch is made of a high temperature-resistant polymer element, applied to internally- or...

Seals: long life.(Fastening/Joining/Assembly)
January 12, 2004... Using proven Fluoroloy PTFE compounds and stainless steel spring and case material, the OmniLip XT and OmniSeal XI reportedly provide chemical resistance and reduced friction over elastomer seals. They are available from 12 to 65 mm and can...

Strap/t-hinges: heavy duty construction.(Fastening/Joining/Assembly)
January 12, 2004... The polished, stainless steel products are avail able in two styles: flat or high profile. Each is available in 3.15, 4.72, and 7.87 inch lengths with fixed or removable pins. Also available are round, square, and countersunk holes. The...

Plastic fasteners: self-locking, one way combo.(Fastening/Joining/Assembly)
January 12, 2004... TineLok[TM] nut and bolt, self-locking, vibration-proof fasteners are now available in plastic materials. The new version is a one-way combination nut and bolt fastener that locks into position at preset intervals when the nut is counter...

Urethane adhesive: highly flexible.(Fastening/Joining/Assembly)
January 12, 2004... Engineered for bonding polycarbonate, glass, metal, and a variety of other plastics, Hysol[R] U-09FL offers a 10 minute work life after mixing. It is ultra-clear and provides excellent peel strength, according to the company. It is suited for...

Fiber optic pressure seals: safe, convenient, reliable.(Fastening/Joining/Assembly)
January 12, 2004... Designed to provide a safe, reliable, and convenient method to existing fiber optic data lines through a structure while preserving the integrity of a pressure of vacuum environment, the company's line of fiber optic pressure seals are...

Fastening robots: dispense adhesives and sealants.(Fastening/Joining/Assembly)
January 12, 2004... The robots are available in four different models, each with increasing operating ranges. All can be requested in eight different configurations with a variety of options, including: three or four controllable axes; 110 or 220V power; and...

Needle bonding adhesive: light curing.(Fastening/Joining/Assembly)
January 12, 2004... Created for bonding needles, syringes, and other stainless steel cannula to polycarbonate, PVC, and polypropylene hubs, MD[R] Medical Device Adhesive 1193-M-VLV is low viscosity for quick, air-free dispensing into needle hub cavities. It can...

Screw covers: no adhesive required.(Fastening/Joining/Assembly)
January 12, 2004... Hex Socket Cap Screw Covers are manufactured to fit 5/16 inch, 1/4 inch, and #10 screw sizes. They are made of a lightweight durable polypropylene that is molded to a snug fit and reportedly reusable. The covers have a matte finish with a...

Plastic bonding adhesive: pigmented to blend in.(Fastening/Joining/Assembly)
January 12, 2004... Colored to blend in with "flesh colored" hearing aid shells and back-plates, the DYMAX 1-20687 is a low-viscosity, light-curing, plastic bonding adhesive. It is designed to form high strength bonds with a variety of plastics, including...

Strain relief clamp: rolling clamp nut design.(Fastening/Joining/Assembly)
January 12, 2004... The SR-Series Clamp Attachment is designed for easy installation by screwing it onto the back of the RF coaxial connectors. Constructed from nick el- or silver-plated brass, it reportedly prevents distortion of the cable and provides greater...

Adhesives: forms clear bonds.(Fastening/Joining/Assembly)
January 12, 2004... Designed to have excellent gap filling capability and to maintain bond strength through thermal cycling, shock, vibration, and impact, the Ultra Light-Weld[R] 3094 Series reportedly forms strong bonds to most plastics in a few seconds. It can...

Solenoid valves: application flexibility.(Fluid Power)
January 12, 2004... Offering a high 0.8 Cv flow rate in a 22-mm body are the 318/418 Series direct-acting solenoid valves. The 318 are multi purpose, 2 position, 3-way valves, while the 418 are multi-purpose, five-ported, 4-way valves. Both can be mounted in...

Graphalloy: lower friction, environmentally friendly.(Fluid Power)
January 12, 2004... The Tin Babbitt GRAPHALLOY[R] is reportedly environmentally friendly, making it usable for potable water and food applications. It is designed to handle 300F operating temperatures and requires no oil or grease to maintain. It is also designed...