Design News articles from March 2002

Design News archives from March 2002

Checklist for leadership. (Editorial).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Welcome to the Annual Design News Engineering Awards Issue. Here, you'll read about the breakthrough engineering work of 12 individuals, including the person voted by readers as Engineer of the Year, and three engineering teams. What...

Readers write.(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... MIXED TIRES: MORE TO IT? Editor's note: Contributing writer Larry Zirkle received many letters from readers raising issues over "The case of the terrible tires" (DN 01.21.02). Several appear here with Zirkle's response. While I do not...

Engineers help fight terrorism. (Sneak Preview).(Customs Service program)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Operation Shield America is a new program announced by Customs Service that seeks identification of technology, components, and products that could be on a "shopping list for terrorist organizations." The agency's media spokesperson Jim Michie...

Network offers engineers faster Internet speed. (Sneak Preview).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... StarLight is a new international high-speed optical-fiber network connection that operates at speeds up to 2.5 gigabits per second. Even higher speeds are expected this spring. StarLight is a stable, high-speed link for testing hardware...

Magnetic films increase data density. (Sneak Preview).(New magnetic recording media from IBM)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... IBM expects that its new magnetic recording media with anti-ferromagnetically coupled (AFC) film will quadruple the data density of hard-disk drive products. "A primary limit to data density is the superparamagnetic effect," explains IBM's...

Fans efficiently cool electronics. (Sneak Preview).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Research engineers at Purdue University are developing very small fans for cooling laptop computers and other portable electronic devices. "Cell phones don't currently have fans, but as we increase their functions, we increase the heat...

Antenna is a first for E-911. (Sneak Preview).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... SkyCross announced that it developed the first embedded antenna for simultaneous coverage of the 800-MHz cellular, 1,575-MHz GPS, 1,900-MHz PCS, and 2,450-MHz WLAN frequency bands for Enhanced 911 (E-911) wireless handset applications. The...

Device destroys anthrax. (Sneak Preview).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Researchers at the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey are developing a device that destroys anthrax and other deadly bacteria. The device emits ultraviolet rays that oxidize bacteria. "It works the way hydrogen peroxide kills...

How to fit 20 Gbytes in your hand. (Hot Products).(Hard-disk drives from Toshiba)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Toshiba's newest 1.8-inch embedded hard-disk drives (HDDs) are available in 10- and 20-Gbyte capacities. These mini-drives are designed to provide storage for mobile and handheld products, such as music players, handheld PCs, PDAs, digital...

Processor boosts digital photo performance. (Hot Products).(From AMD)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 11, 2002... AMD's new 1.3 GHz Duron[TM] processor has the power to deliver top performance in digital photo, audio, and Internet applications, says AMD spokeswoman Catherine Abbinanti. This speed-grade improvement to the mature Duron platform is optimized...

Disk recalls data in a flash. (Hot Products).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Saying it has created the industry's thinnest 128-Mbyte flash disk, M-Systems (Newark, CA) released the DiskOnChip DIMM Plus. It provides capacities of 32, 64, 96, or 128 Mbyte nonvolatile memory storage, as well as data protection, security,...

Chips let you whisper over the Web. (Hot Products).(A network processor from Zarlink Semiconductor)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... As personal electronics converge into multi-use devices (FDA, phone, beeper, etc.), one thing is becoming clear--the Web is not just for typing. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that converts TDM (time division multiplexing)...

DRAM cell saves data from radiation. (Hot Products).(A high-performance network search engine from MOSAID)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... The Class-IC [TM] DC9288 is a high-performance network search engine, based on the industry's smallest ternary CAM (content addressable memory) cell, says its creator, MOSAID (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada). The 9-bit engine uses DRAM (dynamic random...

Multi-purpose DSPs shrink size, power, cost. (Hot Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 11, 2002... How'd you like to reduce cost, size, and power consumption in real-time applications such as text-to-speech, wireless data, voice recognition, and networked security? Two new DSPs (digital signal processors) from Texas Instruments (Houston, TX)...

Engineers experiment with XP: the new Windows release offers more collaboration and speed for CAD/CAE. (Operating Systems).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 11, 2002... REDMOND, WA--Windows XP is supposcd to offer stability and Web-connectivity--great attributes for design engineers creating products in a digital world. Shorthand for "experience," the new operating system comes as Home Edition, XP...

Electronics are the key to cabinet access. (Engineering News).
March 11, 2002... CHANTILLY, VA--In these security-conscious times, it's more important than ever to prevent the wrong person from tinkering with your industrial enclosures. To clamp down on unauthorized cabinet entry, Dirak Inc. has developed a new...

Mini-rail linear guides eliminate greasy skid stuff. (Engineering News).
March 11, 2002... ROCKFORD, IL--Most bearings need to be lubricated, and lubricants can contaminate clean environments or catch dust, dirt, and debris that interfere with motion or score equipment. A new series of small, self-lubricating linear guides called...

Sedan grips Canadian ice with every wheel. (Engineering News).
March 11, 2002... CALGARY, ALBERTA--Volvo's new S60 AWD sedan swaps power between slipping tires to guarantee a smooth trajectory through slick turns. In a recent test drive, I did my best to spin or skid the car, and failed everywhere but pure ice. The...

Post office zaps anthrax with electron beams. (Engineering News).
March 11, 2002... SAN DIEGO, CA -- When anthrax-tainted letters killed several people and infected hundreds of others last fall, the U.S. Postal Service immediately sought ways to prevent any repetition. One of them proved to be electron beam irradiation of the...

Hydraulic hybrids rev up low-energy technologies. (Engineering News).
March 11, 2002... DEARBORN, MI--By the end of the decade, Ford Motor Co. hopes to have a pilot fleet of vehicles sporting a high-efficiency, hydraulic hybrid power train. Technology development is underway now as Ford engineers collaborate with engineers at...

Car headlights get on the level. (Engineering News).
March 11, 2002... AUBURN HILLS, MI--If you're like many drivers, you probably have a beef with cars that feature high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights. Sure, HID headlights are great if your car has them--they light up the road like daylight--but their...

Design News booth full of fun exhibits -- from flight to F1. (Engineering News).
March 11, 2002... CHICAGO--Most people never have an opportunity to sit in a flight simulator and pretend to be a pilot, but if you happen to visit booth 6142 at the National Design Engineering Show (NDES), you can wear a new flight vest under development at the...

Do your homework. (Hot Spots in Cyberspace).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... If you haven't checked out a Design News webcast by now, you've got your work cut out for you. Archived online under the webcast button at www.designnews.com, the webcasts cover such pertinent subjects as collaboration, plastic parts...

Build with blocks. (Hot Spots in Cyberspace).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... At www.lugnet.com, LEGO fans and users exchange ideas and creations centered around the little plastic building blocks. While the site contains some fascinating links to galleries, forums, and new creations, be sure to try Ldraw, the...

Make your switch. (Hot Spots in Cyberspace).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Having difficulty locating that specific pushbutton switch or hydraulic/magnetic circuit breaker you've been looking for? Check out www.carlingtech.com for Carling Technologies' product selector guide and online product configurator, as well as...

Be a gearhead. (Hot Spots in Cyberspace).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... So did you think you finished learning about power transmission when you earned your engineering degree? Think again. Boston Gear (www.bostongear.com) serves as a resource for motion control and power transmission products and parts, helping to...

Sensor central. (Hot Spots in Cyberspace).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... The International Frequency Sensor Association (IFSA) hosts what it claims to be "the biggest Internet specialized resource devoted to sensors, transducers, and sensor instrumentation." The site (www.sensorsportal.com) serves as a forum for...

Laser tracking. (Hot Spots in Cyberspace).
March 11, 2002... The invention of light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation, known as the laser, has revolutionized technology in a number of industries. At www.bell-labs.com/history/laser, visitors can read about the history of the laser and who...

Our hall of heroes. (OEM Journal).(Editorial)
March 11, 2002... This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Design News Engineering Awards Program, honoring engineers who have contributed enormously to the advancement of technology. Heading this honor roll are those voted by our readers to be "Engineer...

Electric encoder. (Designer's Corner).
March 11, 2002... The Sine/Cosine Rotary Electric Encoder[TM] relies on the physics of electricity instead of using the magnetic or optic principles applied in most encoders. The design combines both the accuracy and range of optic and magnetic encoders, however...

Rolling-diaphragm damper. (Designers Corner).
March 11, 2002... James Ranz of Wilmington, OH sent in this design concept that replaces the rod seal, and associated fluid leaks in hydraulic dampers, with two rolling diaphragms. A separator disk, with a central hole supporting the operating rod, divides...

Shape-memory motor. (Designer's Corner).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... The NanoMuscle Actuator exploits the properties of shape-memory alloys (SMA) to produce movement. The result: a linear actuator that costs less than a dollar, is three to five times more efficient than existing motors and 1/3 the weight,...

Ultrasound elevator positioning. (Designer's Corner).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 11, 2002... Unlike switching technology or common encoder systems, the USP 30 non-contact positioning system relies on ultrasonic pulses to monitor cabin travel in an elevator shaft. A signal wire, measuring as long as 30m, links transmitter and...

Hearts empowered. (Engineer of the Year/Gerson Rosenberg).
March 11, 2002... HERSHEY, PA--In 1967, just three years after President Johnson challenged the medical community to design an artificial heart, the world received a startling report: South African surgeon Christiaan Barnard had successfully transplanted a human...

Lifer in the fire wars: Bill Lambert's engineering designs and industry work have helped set the standard for the breathing apparatus that enable fire fighters to save lives, including their own. (Special Achievement Award/Bill Lambert).
March 11, 2002... Pittsburgh, PA--Warriors without arms, the nation's more than one-million fire fighters battle a fire every 18 seconds, on average, according to the latest statistics from the non-profit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Lying...

A commitment to quality: Quality Award winner Michael W. Hunkapiller has created a culture of continuous innovation at Applied Biosystems. (Quality Award/Applied Biosystems).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Foster City, CA--On June 25, 2000, scientists announced completion of the initial mapping of the human genome at a press conference with Bill Clinton. That was several years earlier than expected, thanks in part to DNA sequencer technology...

CAD by the people, for the People: Ease-of-use and customer-driven features turn CAD users on. (Best Product of the Year/Solidworks Corp.).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... "It's electronic Play-Doh[R]." That's how Lisa Dunnack, president of Jacob Sportz (Willimantic, CT) describes SolidWorks 2001. Dunnack is not a designer, nor an engineer, but she reaped the benefits of the CAD program's 3D Instant Website...

Big crane has global reach. (Global Innovation Award/Grove Worldwide).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Engineers in the U.S. and Germany worked together to build a crane that not only takes the prize for its best-of-class lifting capacity but also meets conflicting global transport standards. Shady Grove, PA and Wilhelmshaven, Germany--A...

Texas students solve vacuum puzzle: TCU engineering class tests 56 bottles per minute. (Ansys College Design Engineering Award/Texas Christian University).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Fort Worth, TX--How do you measure something you can't touch? Physicist Erwin Schrodinger famously proved that merely observing an object (say, a cat) can change its state of being, at least in quantum physics. Alcon Laboratories Inc....

Ophthalmoscope widens retinal view: Materials and design integration give doctors efficient diagnoses and patients greater comfort. (Excellence in Design Grand Prize).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Skaneateles Falls, NY--The eyes are not only windows to the soul, they also provide a detailed look into the body. Specifically, the region at the back of the eyeball known as the fundus is the only area within the body where the network of...

Servovalve slashes costs: Simple, low-cost design could open up new avenues for electrohydraulic servovalve control. (Excellence in Design Grand Prize).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Plymouth, MN--Since the emergence of the electrohydraulic servovalve during the 1950s, engineers have searched for a way to achieve servo performance without high costs. Now, that way may be at hand. By reducing part-count, eliminating...

Adhesive sprayer takes an environmentally friendly tack: Dispensing system helps adhesives go solvent free. (Excellence in Design Grand Prize).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... St. Paul, MN--Solvents and propellants may make it easy to get liquid mounting adhesives out of an aerosol can, but these chemical agents hardly take it easy on the environment. "They tend to be greenhouse gasses," according to Russell Blette,...

Steerable monotread simplifies robots: Captive belt, flexing track/guide, and articulating drive enable single-tread steering. (Excellence in Design Second Place: Bose Music System Award).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Pittsburgh, PA--Most tracked mobile machines and robots use dual-treads, and change the speed of one track relative to the other for steering. In contrast, the AURORA (Advanced Urban RObot for Reconnaissance and Assessment) from Automatika uses...

Rubber makes a better input device: Materials mastery is behind tiny joysticks. (Excellence in Design Second Place: Bose Music System Award).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Sacramento, CA--A well-chosen material can indeed make familiar devices smaller, cheaper, and better. Just take a look at the tiny joysticks that Vara-touch Technology Inc. can create from a single bit of rubber measuring as little as 7 mm...

Chip spurs Bluetooth wireless growth: Single CMOs chip cuts cost and footprint. (Excellence in Design Second Place: Bose Music System Award).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Cambridge, England--Bluetooth wireless connectivity has been acknowledged for its versatility in linking everything from cell phones and hand-held devices to office and automotive electronics. But until recently, the cost of implementing this...

Overload tensor saves the weakest links: Lever actuation and built-in overload pick-up limit stress. (Excellence in Design Third Place: Handspring PDA).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Sherwood, OR--Cranes on Navy ships and in nuclear power facilities operate under some of the most brutal conditions. Conventional safety links for such equipment, typically C-shaped plates that deflect minutely, often become inoperable within...

Watercraft makes waves: Dual steering, high draft allow control and safety. (Excellence in Design Third Place: Handspring PDA).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Wilmington, CA--Will motorbike-like racing on water be the next great motorsport? It will, if Jetbike inventor Gerald Wiegert, CEO of Aquajet Corp., gets his way. The inventor envisions motorcycle-like watercraft races, extreme sports, stunt...

Controller impacts torque wrench: Sensor and algorithms deliver accuracy and safety. (Excellence in Design Third Place: Handspring PDA).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Carthage, IL--Impact wrenches can squeeze plenty of torque out of a hand-held tool. But because they provide only a weak link between applied torque and what the operator feels, they can have a problem with accuracy. "In automotive tire shops,...

Drive eases microstepping: Change from full- to microstep mode in software. (Excellence in Design Third Place: Handspring PDA).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Torrance, CA--If an engineer using a full-step, 5-phase motion system wants to improve performance without a complete redesign, then switching to a 5-phase system with microstepping capability may do the trick. Microstepping lets the motor stop...

Nurse: "We're losing him." Doctor: "Darn, let's start over." (Medicine).(Human simulators for medical students)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... He breathes, has a pulse, responds to stimuli, and has medical residents at his beck and call. He's the Human Patient Simulator (HPS). These lifelike Simulators are designed to provide medical students and physicians with all the effects...

Do these new stadiums outshine their teams? Move over, Sosa. Sorry, Barry.(Brief Article)(Cover Story)
March 11, 2002... Fans across the country are no longer just flocking to the ballpark because they want to see 450-foot home runs. They're flocking to the ballpark because they want to see the ballpark. Period. And who could blame them? Especially when you've...

Straighten up and fly right. (Safety).(Tactile Situation Awareness System [TM] (TSAS) vest, Captain Angus Rupert,)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... You're flying at 20,000 feet. Visibility is less than 50 feet. You can't see the physical horizon. And though it doesn't feel like it, your instruments tell you you're flying upside down. So what do you do? Well, if you're wearing a Tactile...

Behind every good intention, there's invention. (Anything Parker Possible[TM]).(Parker Hannifin Corp.)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... To see the forest for the trees, you really need to see what's being done to save it. Things like machinery that actually walks into the forest rather than rolls over it, so that no other trees, plants, or wildlife get hurt in the process. At...

Sensors. (Show Preview).(Baumer Electric Ltd introduces analog output ultrasonic industrial-position sensors)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Redesigned analog output ultrasonic industrial-position sensors are said to increase measuring ranges from 30 to 2500 mm, and have an improved resolution of 0.03 mm with enhanced repeatability of [plus or minus]0.5 to [plus or minus]1 mm. These...

Moldings. (Show Preview).(Sorbothane Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Custom-molded products are reportedly beneficial for applications that require shock absorption, vibration isolation, and acoustic damping. The company also features sheet goods and a variety of standard shock mounts and vibration isolators....

PLC. (Show Preview).(Omron Electronics LLC)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... The Cj1 series of controllers is reportedly designed to deliver improved PLC performance, requiring 40 to 600/0 of the panel space of traditional mid-size PLCs. The devices are said to have process speeds of 20 nsec and up to 2,560 I/O points,...

Gearhead. (Show Preview).(Mijno Precision Gearing)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... The company is introducing all-planetary, low-backlash, servo-grade gearheads for motion control applications. Named type MRP, these products are said to be close to very high-end gearheads in torque ratings and torsional rigidity, but lower in...

Power supply. (Show Preview).(Phoenix Contact)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... The three-phase QUINT POWER Supply with 20A output is a 24V do power supply that is said to feature a wide range input suitable for North American (3 x 480V) and European (3 x 400V) machine tool, material handling, and automotive industries....

Motors. (Show Preview).(Maxon Precision Motors)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... "EC" series of brushless "pancake" motors are electronically commutated, reportedly enabling improved motor life since there are no mechanical brushes to wear out. Ball bearings also add to the longevity and, due to their low profile, the...

Assembly products. (Show Preview).(Amacoil Inc)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... A new traversing assembly is a featured product by the company, reportedly designed with two side-by-side load carriers on which to mount take-up material guides. A single rolling-ring linear actuator drives both load carriers, permitting near...

Cotter pin. (Show Preview).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Bow-Tie[TM] Locking Cotter Pin works like a hairpin cotter that, according to the company, locks itself on. A simple but definite action releases the cotter, yet it cannot be accidentally knocked or vibrated off. Available in sizes that fit...

CAD. (Show Preview).
March 11, 2002... Solid Edge Insight technology is said to enhance the company's mechanical design tools--including its 3D mechanical software--with data vaulting, revision management, engineering change orders, and BOM management to help companies share and...

Filter cartridges. (Show Preview).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Each 6-inch OD x 40-inch long MegaFlow[TM] pleated cartridge filters up to 250 gpm. The cartridges are coreless, which reduces disposal costs. MegaFlow vessels can hold up to 19 cartridges for a maximum 4,750 gpm flow rate. To simplify...

Rotary switch. (Show Preview).(Duraswitch Industries' thiNcoder 5B)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Designed for the appliance industry, the thiNcoder[TM] 5B is said to increase capability to a five-bit encoder switch that can be customized not only for washers and dryers, but other industries as well. It provides increased position allotment...

Positioning table. (Show Preview).(advertisement)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 11, 2002... Open-frame positioning table is designed for applications requiring backlighting. It is available with ball- or crossed-roller rolling elements that can handle loads of 225 or 450 lbs, respectively. Both versions are said to provide smooth...

Ceramics. (Show Preview).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... A highlighted product from the company's advanced ceramics includes the AmAIOx 68 alumina ceramic that features improved wear- and corrosion-resistant properties. Used in a wide range of industrial applications, AmAIOx 68 components are...

Gas filter. (Show Preview).(Pall Corp's Intervene Max-Flow Gas Filter)(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... The Intervene Max-Flow Gas Filter is said to feature improved air-flow rates and low-back pressure to maximize performance in insufflation, oxygen concentration, vacuum protection, and ventilation applications. A 15/22mm connector is said to...

Linear bearings. (Show Preview).(advertisement)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 11, 2002... All-polymer linear bearings in inch (Drylin[R] RJI) and metric sizes (Drylin[R] RJM) are interchangeable with standard recirculating ball bearings and offer cost and weight reduction. They fit into standard pillow blocks, are made from...

Switch. (Show Preview).(advertisement)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 11, 2002... A 3-position safety foot switch features Off, On, and E-Stop positions. The CE-compliant Model GFS also features an IP65 corrosion-resistant metal housing, positive-break switches rated at 16A/400V ac, and a life expectancy exceeding 10 million...

Transmitter. (Show Preview).(advertisement)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 11, 2002... The Ashcroft [R] DXLdp low-pressure transmitter with SpoolCal [TM] process-valve actuator enables transmitters in critical airflow systems to be easily validated and calibrated in place, without disturbing process tubes or wiring. A twist to...

Rotary encoders. (Show Preview).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Rotary encoders, with their inductive scanning principles and EnDat interfaces, are said to surpass resolver performance because these devices meet the demands of drive technology for simpler commissioning and diagnostic functions. The products...

Lubricants. (Show Preview).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Krytox [R] Performance Lubricants feature a new line of XHT products for an improved high-temperature fluorinated grease. Krytox FG is another line of oils and greases designed for the food-processing industry. In addition, the company's...

Linear guide. (Show Preview).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... UtiliTrak linear guide is designed for light-to-medium duty, anti-friction, linear-motion guidance and is used in applications where load capacity, stiffness, and positional accuracy are less demanding than typical "machine-tool grade"...

Adhesives. (Show Preview).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Adhesives for assembly applications include methacrylates, epoxies, and flexible urethanes in a range of viscosities, cure speeds, and resistances to chemicals and environmental factors. Plastic Welder [TM] is designed to bond engineered...

Converter box. (Show Preview).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... To convert electrical equipment to foot pedal control, just plug equipment (such as augers, appliances, or medical and dispensing equipment) into the ControlSafe [TM] Electric to Pneumatic/Electric Converter Box. This box contains an alternate...

Linear-motion guide. (Show Preview).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Caged Technology now includes three product groups: Caged Ball[TM], Caged Roller[TM], and Caged Technology Ball Screw[TM]. The company claims to have improved upon the ball screw by incorporating a newly designed ball-return tube and an...

Ball valves. (Show Preview).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... Quick-fitting ball valves feature polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) construction. A form of plastic, PPS is said to result in a lightweight product that allows for varying configurations, including elbow styles. The use of wear-, chemical-, and...

Controller. (Show Preview).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... The model CT325 temperature controller measures 1 x 1 x 1.5 inches and can control up to 240W of heating power. The unit is powered for a single dc supply that provides power to the control electronics, as well as the heating element. The...

Encoder. (Show Preview).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... A Sine/Cosine Linear Electric Encoder[TM] is said to provide a durable, non-contacting absolute output with minimal speed/resolution tradeoff. The device is comprised of an electrically excited patterned scale and a read head that responds to...

Speed valve. (Show Preview).(Brief Article)
March 11, 2002... The Iversen Speed Valve is said to increase cylinder speeds, reducing cycle times on injection-molding machines, hydraulic presses, and die-casting equipment The valve increases the piston speed, but not the force it exerts. The product is an...

Push-in plugs. (Show Preview).
March 11, 2002... Series PIP and PIP-TAB push-in plugs are available in seven new sizes and fit SAE and NPT threads. These reusable snug-fitting PIP and PIP-TAB series are made from flexible low-density polyethylene, and are reportedly highly resistant to impact...

Timing-belt installation. (Show Preview).
March 11, 2002... ATN[R] connect technology is reportedly a mechanical connection system designed for rapid belt assembly and disassembly in the field to be installed directly at the drive set up. The finger-spliced ends of the timing belt are prepared for field...

Springs. (Show Preview).
March 11, 2002... Stock and custom springs feature compression, extension, and torsion springs. The company's Belleville Washers are also available, as well as the Hefty Line of heavy-duty die springs. Engineering support is reportedly offered in designing or...

PLCs. (Show Preview).
March 11, 2002... Latest additions to the MicroSmart series of programmable logic controllers include the "slim"-type CPU units, available with 20 or 40 I/O points and various types of output. Each CPU module is said to be equipped with four high-speed counters,...