Design News articles from November 2005

Design News archives from November 2005

Car talk.
November 7, 2005... OUR COVER STORY ON AUTOMOTIVE QUALITY (DN, 10.10.05, http://rbi.ims.ca/4400-507) described a design strategy employed by Japanese automakers that leads to older Asian cars having higher quality than new European and American cars. It drew lots...

The Grand Challenge: if you missed the $2 million, winner-take-all robotic vehicle race on October 8th, there's still coverage on the Web.(driverless vehicles in desert)
November 7, 2005... ONE OF THE BIGGEST TECHNOLOGY STORIES of the past 20 years zipped right past us on October 8th with little more than a yawn from world of television news. The story--driverless vehicles racing across the rugged terrain of the Mojave Desert...

That's my car!(Letter to the Editor)
November 7, 2005... When I received my latest copy of Design News, my 1997 Lexus ES300 was on the cover! I have the same car in the exact color and, for a second, I thought it was mine. I have to agree with your cover story (DN 10.10.05, "The Quest for...

Love my Lexus, and Avalon too.(Readers Sound Off)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... I own a 2004 Lexus ES330. I bought it new. This car is pleasure to drive; I have already passed the 50K-mile mark on the odometer. It has good acceleration, relatively low fuel consumption, and excellent handling. I personally think that it is...

Tercel was a trooper.(Readers Sound Off)(Toyota Tercel)(Ford Expedition)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... I had a great Japanese vehicle in the form of a 1985 Toyota Tercel. I bought it new for $6,300. It was just good, basic transportation, with a reliability record beyond reproach. After 11 years and 245,000 miles, my wife made me retire it...

Driving American, and loving it!(Readers Sound Off)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... I read your story on the "presumed reliability of foreign cars." I must relate my experience with ten automobiles that I have owned since my military discharge in 1946. Every car has been a General Motors model: Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Buick,...

It's service, stupid!(Readers Sound Off)(2001 Mercury Grand Marquis )(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... I purchased a new 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis and, after many trips and lost days at the selling dealership and another local dealership, I contacted an attorney that specializes in "Lemon Law" suits. The main problem with the vehicle had to do...

What customers want in motion control: design engineers now demand both high performance and greater flexibility.
November 7, 2005... What are some of the notable changes that you've seen in motion control in recent years? Linear motors are becoming mainstream, as are high-speed digital signal processors that allow very-high-speed servo rates. Analog sinusoidal encoders also...

Tool tips: materials, manifolds & more; Make sure you get what you really want with a little care on the injection mold design.
November 7, 2005... You design a part, build prototype tooling and test the prototype parts. You're going to get exactly the same part from the production tool... correct? Not necessarily. The transition from prototype tool to production tool can be fraught with...

Human side of HMI: preh's human-machine interface eases driver distraction.(HEARD ON THE STREET)(Preh Automotive )(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The growth curve for driver distraction is trending sharply upward as more features and functions to make concern over cell phones seem simplistic. Preh Automotive of Auburn Hills, MI, is the latest to devise a human-machine interface that it...

Idiot lights for the home: ZigBee enables uncomplicated home monitoring.(Eaton Corp. Home Heartbeat monitoring system)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... While Freescale, Ember, Chipcon, Jennic and other chipmakers continue to spar over who's introduced, sampled, or shipped the first single-chip ZigBee device, the imminent availability of inexpensive silicon is unleashing a spate of product...

Police officers go digital: video, wireless links give officers access to more data.(Trimble Navigation Ltd. Global Positioning System supplier)(Digital Ally Inc. developed rear view mirror )(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Miniaturized electronics are giving police officers more access to video information, adding wireless technology to let them control surveillance cameras. But the push to improve productivity with electronics is also moving to an area where...

New and notable product design.(Daktronics Inc. ProStar VideoPlus Scoreboard)(Motorola V360 cell phone)(Wherify Wireless Wherifone )
November 7, 2005... Several different power management techniques reduce the power consumption of grid-connected electronics and increase the battery life on portable products. Here are five examples of power management in action. 1 LONGER CELL PHONE USAGE...

Sun pushes for sustainable growth: Kermit the frog says it's hard being green, but for corporate America, green is getting to be the color of cool executives pushing environmental programs.(Environmental news engineers can use)
November 7, 2005... Scott McNealy, chairman and CEO of Santa Clara, CA-based Sun Microsystems Inc. challenged industry leaders to adopt sustainable growth strategies. McNealy outlined a number of new initiatives at Sun designed to be environmentally friendly. One...

Pipe connections made stronger: manufacturer forms a more-perfect union.(TECHNOLOGY YOU CAN USE)(Advanced Groove System from Victaulic PLC.)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Adjoining pipes do not have to be welded or their flanges bolted when designers specify a groove and wedge joining system from Victaulic. The company introduced the system this year for pipes from 14 to 24 inches in diameter. [ILLUSTRATION...

Fourier rules in the frequency domain.
November 7, 2005... The widespread design of wireless devices forces many engineers to move from the time domain into the frequency domain. An instrument such as a spectrum analyzer and a tool such as the Fourier transform can present frequency-domain information...

More options mean better values. Improving the quality of your selection process.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... In today's global marketplace, helping you keep your competitive edge is what we work with everyday at Minnesota Rubber and QMR Plastics. For over 60 years we have provided leading OEM's with the elastomer and thermoplastic elastomer materials,...

Solar inches forward: focusing on integration issues, lower costs.(Cypress Semiconductor Corp. spinning out SunPower Corp.)(solar panels for roofing)(fuel conservation methods)(Solar Roofing Systems )
November 7, 2005... Engineers at Traffic.com Inc. faced an interesting dilemma in the late 1990s. They had devised a way to save fuel by monitoring traffic flows with sensors stationed along roadsides. But before drivers could reduce energy usage by avoiding...

Turbine to go: small, simple unit promises reliability in sandy conditions.(engineers of Southwest Research Institute developed gas turbines)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... By keeping its geometry simple, engineers at the Southwest Research Institute have developed a low cost radial flow gas turbine that uses only two main components and one rotating element, according to Dr. Klaus Brun, principal engineer in...

Extreme plastic bearings: new plastic compound enables bearings to endure high loads and temperatures.
November 7, 2005... Because they need no oiling and have no moving parts, bearings made from internally lubricated polymers can provide maintenance and cost advantages over plain and rolling-element bearings made from metal. But load and thermal limitations that...

Transporting system ... metalworking ... laser wire stripping ...
November 7, 2005... Dear Search Engineer: I'm looking for a transporting system for a product enclosed in the small capsule (130 mm high, 12 mm diameter). The system should enable transporting a distance up to 40m (with curves, drops, and rises). The capsule...

Sonos Wireless Controller: wireless audio access.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: REFERENCE THIS!)(Avnet Inc.)(Advertisement)
November 7, 2005... As part of a digital music system that distributes and amplifies audio music files, a secure wireless network extends the range of control to anywhere inside or outside the home. Sonos' Controller accesses the Sonosnet peer-to-peer wireless...

Fast, faster, fastest: in just four insanely short weeks, Trek's Advanced Concept Group completely redesigned the time trial bike that Armstrong rode to victory in his 7th Tour de France. Here's how they did it.
November 7, 2005... OFFICIALLY, THE 2005 TOUR DE FRANCE INCLUDED THREE TIME TRIAL RACES: Seven-time-winner Lance Armstrong's Discovery Channel team won the first team time trial early in the race. Armstrong placed second in the first-day individual...

Micro PLCs: small, rugged programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are among the fastest-growing areas of control logic. Programmable automation controllers (PACs) serve similar functions with different options.
November 7, 2005... So do you need a micro PLC or a PAC (programmable automation controller)? What's the difference, and, if you do want a programmable logic controller, what designates a "micro PLC," and do traditional monikers still apply? [ILLUSTRATION...

Instrumentation amplifier: with shutdown mode.(ELECTRONICS)
November 7, 2005... Described by the company as the industry's first instrumentation amplifier to offer high precision at voltages as low as 1.8V, the AD8553 is designed for a variety of applications that require low-voltage operation. It features a power-saving...

Single-board computer: Pentium 4.(ELECTRONICS)
November 7, 2005... The ATX-807 single-board computer features a Pentium 4 Prescott (90 nm) CPU with 400/533/800M FSB selectable speed and is Intel VRD 10.1 compliant to support future advanced processors. Two DIMM sockets support up to 2 Gbytes DDR memory and...

Motion control card: compact design.(ELECTRONICS)
November 7, 2005... The NPMC6045A is a 4-axis, PC/104-bus motion control card that enables users to control stepper motors and/or digital servomotors. It uses a PCL6045A advanced ASIC motion control chip as part of its compact design. The product comes with...

PC/104 module: small in size.(ELECTRONICS)
November 7, 2005... Engineered for serial intensive embedded applications, the SIO-104+8.485 is an 8-port PC/104 RS-485 module. It meets the needs of PC/104 applications requiring high reliability, small size, and long-term availability. It conforms strictly to...

SDRAM module: three clock speeds.(ELECTRONICS)
November 7, 2005... The GB DDR SDRAM Registered ECC w/PLL, FBGA-based module has been released. It is a 2X128MX72 DDR SDRAM memory module based on 512Mb DDR SDRAM components. The module consists of 36 128MX4 components in a FBGA package mounted on a 184-pin DIMM....

Liquid flow sensors: for OEM applications.(ELECTRONICS)
November 7, 2005... The 101 and 102 series Flo-Sensors provide precise liquid flow measurement. They can be constructed from plastic or brass, and they provide a 0-5V dc analog output proportional to flow rate. It can be measured as low as 13 mL/min. Compact...

Spring connection system: easy wire terminations.(ELECTRONICS)
November 7, 2005... The FRK spring connection system is designed to reduce wiring time up to 80 percent when compared to screw clamp terminations. It provides fast wire termination for solid wire or stranded wire with a ferrule. The system requires no tools and...

Illuminator: rugged.(ELECTRONICS)
November 7, 2005... The Illuminator M4500 is an FTIR module that integrates well with a range of sample interfaces in virtually any configuration. It measure 16 X 9 X 8 inches. It can be coupled with any sampling accessory equipped with its own IR detector to...

Vision sensor: highly detailed.(ELECTRONICS)
November 7, 2005... The PresencePLUS P4 EDGE 1.3 vision sensor is designed to make highly detailed automated error proofing and inspections possible. It uses a 1280 X 1024 pixel imager to capture minute details of multiple features at ranges from a few inches to...

Charge amplifier: high performance.(ELECTRONICS)
November 7, 2005... The Model 4601 charge amplifier is engineered as a high-performance, general-purpose laboratory instrument for signal conditioning piezoelectric accelerometers and pressure transducers. Features include 500 mV/pC maximum sensitivity, a...

Generator: eight synchronized outputs.(ELECTRONICS)
November 7, 2005... Model 565, a digital delay pulse generator, is designed to eliminate the need to combine several instruments to gate, trigger, delay, and time multiple devices in a test system or experiment. It provides up to eight synchronized outputs, and...

Graphics module: flexible.(ELECTRONICS)
November 7, 2005... The PC-MIP and PMC graphic controllers are meant to give designers of embedded systems the flexibility of configuring application-specific capabilities in a FPGA for systems based on either the Intel or PowerPC architectures. The mezzanine...

Speed sensor: self-calibrating.(ELECTRONICS)
November 7, 2005... The ATS616LSG speed sensor is designed for non-TPOS camshaft applications, providing improved EMC and ESD, and eliminating the need for an external switching capacitor. It uses a dual-element Hall IC that switches in response to differential...

Cylinder sensors: top-loading mounting.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The company's line of magnetic cylinder sensors with GMR technology now includes those for C-slot pneumatic cylinders. The products' bodies are 15 mm long and feature top-loading mounting that eliminates the need to remove cylinder endcaps....

Developer's Kit: multi-axis motion control.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The all-motor Magellan Developer's Kit is an integrated board and software package that enables users to evaluate and exercise the company's Magellan Family of motion processors. It provides dedicated multi-axis motion control for dc brush,...

Data cables: high coverage shield.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Chainflex CF211 and CF240 data cables are UL approved and feature the company's standard Chainflex design attributes, including low-adhesion PVC-based outer jacket, high flexural strength shielding, and short-pitch conductor twisting for long...

Node computer: with six USB ports.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The BoxPC-128 Node computer is powered by an Intel Pentium-M low power processor. It is engineered to meet the demands of mission-critical, high-performance, and reliable operation for factory automation, facility monitoring, machine...

Relay application notes: with Smith charts.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The RF522 relay is designed as a compact, DPDT; surface-mount latching device. The company has released its application notes, which come accompanied by a data sheet, Smith charts, and charts that compare the product's performance against...

Microprocessor: digital display.(ELECTRONICS)
November 7, 2005... The MR Flow Transmitter is a variable area flow meter that provides a digital display of both flow rate and total accumulated flow. Both can be displayed in any one of a number of user-selectable measurement units. It combines state-of-the-art...

Electroform: solid gold.
November 7, 2005... The company's solid gold electroforms are thin walled, lightweight, structurally rigid hollow shells that can be made in an infinite number of shapes and forms. They can be made as small as 0.020 inch with walls as thin as 0.0005 inch,...

Ethernet modules: standard Web browser.(ELECTRONICS)
November 7, 2005... The BusWorks 900EN series Ethernet I/O modules feature a capability that enables input modules to send measured signal data directly to output modules without a PLC, PC, or other controller in between. Each remote I/O module has its own...

PWM-driver IC: for dc/dc converters.(ELECTRONICS)
November 7, 2005... The IR3621M and IR3621F voltage-mode, dual output bi-phase synchronous buck controller-driver ICs are designed for high performance POL buck converters used in networking, computing, and communications systems. They include a full suite of...

Rolling diaphragm pump: pulsation-free air flow.(ELECTRONICS)
November 7, 2005... Engineered to use a rolling diaphragm design that combines the best features of rotary and diaphragm pumps, the Model 1101 pump's diaphragm does not move up and down; rather, it rolls in the cylinder. This increases airflow relative to size and...

Embedded board: touch screen controller.(ELECTRONICS)
November 7, 2005... The EMB-625T is a Mini-ITX motherboard for the.embedded market. It is designed for tough environments and is powered by Intel Celeron LV processors. It features DDR266/333 memory in single socket supports up to 1 Gbyte, integrated AGP 8X 2D/3D...

Chassis: improved cooling performance.(ELECTRONICS)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The Type 39 4U Easy Plug CompactPCI enclosure chassis features improved cooling performance and a removable fan and filter tray. It features a 9U 8-slot cPCI backplane that includes pluggable 47-pin connectors for hot-swapping power supplies....

Oscilloscope: PC-based tester.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The USBee AX Test pod is designed as a PC-based pod that functions as a programmable oscilloscope, logic analyzer, and digital signal generator in one compact unit. It is used for testing and controlling electronic circuit designs, and it can...

Vacuum lifter: ergonomic.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The VM Series vacuum lifters is a hoist-integrated lifting system that operates on compressed air and can be equipped with custom pad attachments for handling small loads weighing up to 550 lbs. It features a high vacuum level (27 inches/Hg)...

Pneumatic valve island: more flexible.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The company has added more flexibility to its VS 18/VS26 pneumatic valve islands. They are now compatible with the company's FD67 distributed I/O solutions, and they feature an M23 19-pin connector. The series addresses the CNOMO standard...

Pump controller: with pump alternation.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The MPC Junior pump controller is engineered to provide one or two pump control with built-in alternation, process liquid retransmission, and high and low alarm contacts in a standard 1/4 DIN package. The product features additional analog...

Breather valve: enviro-sealed.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Model TA333-R is a specially weather-shielded breather valve that is designed for long-term shipping or storage containers where world-wide environmental and weather variations are encountered. The TA238 valve features a perforated metal cover...

Electronic pressure switch: non-contact.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Designed for use in hydraulic and pneumatic applications, the PK Series pressure switch features no moving parts that can wear or break over time. It features a 316 stainless steel process connection, and its welded, gas-tight measuring cell...

Sanitary Flowmeters: with tri-clamp fittings.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The company's Sanitary Flowmeter Series features 3A Sanitary Rating 28-03, providing [+ or -]0.5 percent accuracy for use in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage industries, or any applications where sanitary requirements are necessary. Sizes...

Braid hose: handles high temperatures.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Reinforced with a tightly-woven stainless steel braid covering, the company's line of smooth-bore PTFE hose is suitable for a variety of hydraulic and pneumatic applications. It features a virgin fluoropolymer (PTFE) innercore reinforced with a...

Heat exchangers: new production line.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Made for refrigerant condensers and evaporators, as oil coolers for engineers and machinery and for other industrial applications, the BRAZEPAK brazed plate heat exchangers are now produced in a new North American production cell. The...

Solenoid pilot valves: versatile.(FLUID POWER)
November 7, 2005... The PV three-way normally-closed electro-pneumatic solenoid pilot valves feature fully-reversible DIN connections to keep electrical wiring hassle-free, while the direct mounting banjo connection eliminates common installation problems. They...

Heat transfer fluids: three varieties.(FLUID POWER)
November 7, 2005... The company's line of heat transfer fluids features three different products to suit various applications. The MG mid-range fluid is a food-grade non-aqueous heat/cool fluid. The LR heat transfer fluid is a food-grade fluid that operates...

Turbo pump: for clean applications.(FLUID POWER)
November 7, 2005... The OnTool[TM] Booster Pump is the first turbo pump that goes from atmosphere to high vacuum, according to the company. It is designed for clean applications that operate without any particulate matter, corrosive gases, or condensation. It can...

Vibration monitor: for outdoor applications.(MOTION CONTROL)
November 7, 2005... The company's Octavis vibration monitor product line now includes a durable metal unit for washdown, metalworking, and outdoor applications. It resists oils and coolants, is designed to withstand extreme washdowns, and tolerates harsh outdoor...

Linear actuators: new metric stroke.(MOTION CONTROL)
November 7, 2005... A metric stroke of 25 mm for the Z26000 captive linear actuators is now available. The product is available in a range of resolutions, from 0.0127 to 0.1016 mm per step and offers up to 4.5 Kg of force. Using rare earth magnets, they are...

Rotary blast cabinet: expanded.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The RSSA-8 is an expanded rotary blast cabinet for automatic processing of large components that require consistent surface preparation. It is available in specially adapted versions for abrasive blasting, shot peening, nondestructive blast...

Stepping actuator: miniature.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The company's size 17 DSM 2344H-C6231 miniature stepping actuator is made of a hybrid step motor and an internal lead screw cut directly into the shaft. It features an M5 X 2.0 lead pitch configuration that develops a linear force of 13.5 lbs....

Stepping actuators: size 17.(Gee Plus Inc)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Model DSM4234-LN-04150, a size 17 linear step actuator, is designed to combine a two-phase hybrid step motor with a lead screw to create a precision linear motion. The maximum load capacity is 33.8 lbs/force, and the position step size is...

Actuator: strong, lightweight.(MIGA Motor Co)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The DM-01 is an innovative module SMA actuator that provides a large stroke in a small package with a high degree of design flexibility. It is engineered as a strong, lightweight, silent, fast-acting product with low power requirements. The...

Dampers: provide motion control.(MOTION CONTROL)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The company's line of compression and extension dampers are engineered to assist users with their motion control needs. They are primarily used where a heavy load or door must be lowered or swung in a controlled motion at a constant speed. They...

Bearings: slef-clinching.(Spyraflo Inc)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The company's line of self-clinching and self-aligning bearings now include a line of high-temperature plain bearings that will be available to users looking for improved performance and savings in applications where constant or intermittent...

Miniature bearings: provide flexibility.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Engineered for service in demanding, high-speed applications, the company's line of miniature bearings ( [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kaydon Bearings Div. http://rbi.ims.ca/4400-621

Speed controller: good value.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The DEC 70/10 speed controller is developed for the upper performance range where it can control electronically commutated dc motors of up to 700W. The four-quadrant product needs no additional encoder; it operates with the motor's own Hall...

Brake pack: instantaneous stop.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The SB50 brake pack provides four key control functions for ac induction, reversible, watertight, and electromagnetic brake motors in a single package. Forward/reverse motion, instantaneous stop, electromagnetic brake control, and thermal...

Improve competitive advantage through relentless innovation!
November 7, 2005... EVENT TIME: NOVEMBER 16, 2005 AT 2PM ET MODERATOR Karen Field As editor-in-chief of Design News, Karen's background as a mechanical design engineer in the electronics industry and 15 years as a journalist covering technology gives...

These little solenoids can make a big difference!(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Since the reliability of the solenoids in your products can so seriously affect your reputation, it pays to stick with the solenoid specialists at Decco. For over 60 years solenoids have been our only product. If one of our many AC or DC models...

Taylor Devices Uni-Shok.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... (North Tonawanda, N.Y.)--Taylor Devices offers the Uni-Shok industrial shock absorber for high-speed, automated machinery. Available in 14 models, Uni-Shok provides up to 5000 in-lbs. of capacity. Patented, self-adjusting fluidic metering...

The gadget freak files case #14: Jared's ride isn't fly, but the steering's perfect.
November 7, 2005... So he always stays on course, Jared designed a mechatronic device that simulates perfect steering in an automobile. The small-scale, single-wheel model determines the speed of wheel rotation from the magnitude of the curve it's traveling. It...

The case of the slippery strapping.
November 7, 2005... MOST OF MY FORENSIC CASES BEGIN WITH PHONE CALLS FROM attorneys or insurance adjustors. In this case the caller was an attorney from a large West Virginia law firm that handled the Appalachian area litigation for numerous large corporations....

It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's a super monkey!(MY VIEW)
November 21, 2005... Quick--name your top five engineering superheroes! Okay, name one. (And Dean Kamen doesn't count.) The sad truth is that while there is an abundance of superheroes hailing from other professions, engineering is seriously under-represented...

Cooking for Engineers: if you can't stand the heat transfer calculations, get out of the kitchen.(WEB LOG)
November 21, 2005... AT THE END OF YOUR BUSY WORKDAY, DO you leave your engineering mindset at the door to your cubicle? Or does it follow you home and change the way you approach even the most basic day-to-day activities? Like cooking. Your average hungry man...

Buyer beware.(Readers Sound Of)
November 21, 2005... Software on eBay, it is a great thing. But when it comes down to it... buyer beware. I don't believe in piracy. If you want a piece of software, then pay for it like the rest of us! If it costs $300 new, then either buy it or go without....

Do it all the time.(Readers Sound Off)(Brief Article)
November 21, 2005... Why should software be different from any other item sold on eBay? I have purchased legal software on eBay at great savings. It came in the original shrink-wrapped box with valid serial number and the vendor (Adobe in this case) accepted the...

How to avoid getting ripped off.(Brief Article)
November 21, 2005... Sorry to hear about your bad experience with eBay software. Unfortunately there are only a few things you can do to try to prevent it, namely: 1) Ensure the person has many sales behind them 2) Those sales resulted in a 97 percent or...

Just transfer the license!
November 21, 2005... I have not looked for software on eBay until now. It would seem to me that if you purchase "used" software and receive all the documentation, authenticity seals, etc. and you contact the manufacturer to transfer the license then it is a reuse...

Make it easy for engineers.(Brief Article)
November 21, 2005... I have not bought software on eBay. However, as an engineer who would love to have a home version of Pro/E but can't justify the cost of the software, much less the computer required to run it, I believe the marketing folks at these CAD...