Design News articles from November 2006

Design News archives from November 2006

Automation Vendors Gather at Assembly Tech.(Cognex Corp introduces DVT 515 and DVT 535 vision sensors)(Promess Inc introduces multi-channel monitoring and test system )(Banner Engineering Corp introduces PresencePlus Pro vision sensor )
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff More than 600 exhibitors present new automation technology The powerhouse Assembly Technology Expo proved that big trade shows can still be vibrant, drawing 600-plus exhibitors and more than 10,000 attendees to the...

The Case of the Acidulated Autobahn.(accident on the New Jersey Turnpike )
November 6, 2006... By Kenneth Russell, Professor Emeritus, MIT, Cambridge, MA My idea of purgatory is driving the New Jersey Turnpike on an hot August day in a crowded car in eight lanes of bumper-to-bumper traffic, the air conditioning out, the heat gage on...

Smooth, Clean Motion.(Airpot Inc introduces Airpel-AB frictionless Air cylinder)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Air cylinder design produces almost no friction Motion in extremely clean environments, such as semiconductor wafer processing, is always a tricky proposition. The tradeoff for excellent sealing typically results...

HEADS-UP DISPLAY MASK.
November 6, 2006... By Randy Frank Pelagic Pressure Systems' DataMask ( http://rbi.ims.ca/4939-517 ). With Pelagic's advanced computer system and wireless technology, divers can find out how much air they have left without being concerned about how much...

SYNTHESIZED SOUNDS.
November 6, 2006... By Randy Frank Korg RADIAS ( http://rbi.ims.ca/4939-519 ). The RADIAS integrates a synthesizer, effecter and vocoder into a single unit. The synthesizer has 24 voices, a variety of synthesis algorithms with multiple effects, a new...

TRIPLE CONSTELLATION RECEIVER.(Topcon Corp introduces GR-3 satellite constellations receiver)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... By Randy Frank Topcon GR-3 (http://rbi.ims.ca/4939-523 ). Able to receive signals from all existing and planned satellite constellations (GPS, GLONASS and the European Union's Galileo system), the GR-3's 72 universal channels can track...

PORTABLE VIDEO PLAYER.
November 6, 2006... By Randy Frank Toshiba Gigabeat Portable Video Players (http://rbi.ims.ca/4939-521 ). Designed for watching digital video on the go, the newest V Series portable video players have a 3.5-inch TFT LCD and extended battery life. For...

TWO-WHEEL TRANSPORTATION.
November 6, 2006... By Randy Frank Segway Inc. Segway Personal Transporter (PT) i2 (http://rbi.ims.ca/4939-524 ). With a top speed of 12.5 mph (20 km/h) on a vehicle that depends on battery power to maintain balance, a ride on Segway's i2 could certainly...

Cell Phones Set to Detect Harmful Chemicals.(Gentag Inc develops diagnostic functions performing technology)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff You walk into a plant and immediately your cell phone begins to buzz. But you don't have a call. Instead, your phone just alerted you that the air is bad for your asthma or allergy. You reach for your inhaler or meds...

Chevron and UC Davis Research Future Biofuels.
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Chevron Corp. of San Ramon, CA, and the University of California at Davis (UC Davis) have formed a strategic research collaboration to pursue advanced technology aimed at converting cellulosic biomass into...

Electronics Industry Calls for Federal RoHS Legislation.
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Leaders in the electronics industry have watched in horror as individual states and provinces in the U.S. and Canada pass legislation similar to RoHS. The problem isn't simply the RoHS-style legislation -- most...

Engineering Goes Global.(enormous growth in global outsourcing of engineering services)(Viewpoint essay)
November 6, 2006... By Terry Costlow Offshore outsourcing is growing rapidly, putting pressure on U.S. engineers The push to outsource engineering and programming to lower wage countries remains a hot button, but it is rapidly becoming a common business...

Seven ICs in One Chip.(Analog Devices Inc introduce ADE7100 and ADE7500 families of single-chip solution )
November 6, 2006... By Charles J. Murray Energy measuring chip brings more LCD meters to residential market A new single-chip solution may replace as many as seven separate integrated circuits (ICs) in energy meters, enabling designers to bring products...

Blow Molding PVDF.(Polyvinylidene fluoride)(ICM Plastics works together with Arkema Inc. to develop optimized blow-molding process)
November 6, 2006... By Joseph Ogando Kynar, a high-purity fluoropolymer, can be more easily transformed into hollow parts thanks to a blow-molding breakthrough Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) has long seen use in applications requiring a...

All-in-One Drive Module.(International Rectifier introduces HiRel hybrid motor control module)
November 6, 2006... By Al Presher Digital control, analog interface and power stage in a single package A fully integrated, HiRel hybrid motor control module from International Rectifier provides digital, sensor-free vector control for permanent magnet...

SolidWorks punches up eDrawings.(new version of program available)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... By John Day Users can now drag-and-drop into Microsoft programs, while preserving the CAD drawings' features SolidWorks Corp. is out with a new version of its eDrawings e-mail collaboration tool (http://rbi.ims.ca/4939-540 ) that...

Collaboration Is Better.(cooperation is a better business strategy than competition)
November 6, 2006... By Wolfgang Dangel, President and CEO, Bosch Rexroth Corp. Strategy for 21st century leadership means less competing After a century rife with pitched competitive battles, many business experts predict this century will be more...

Thermocouples Join Forces.(detection of temperature changes in a thermocouple wire)
November 6, 2006... By Jon Titus, Contributing Writer Many engineers, and some instrument companies, think thermocouples produce a small voltage created by the junction of two dissimilar metals. In fact, the temperature difference from one end of a conductor...

A Three-Dimensional View of Molding Issues.(Protomold introduces ProtoQuote Web-based system)
November 6, 2006... By Joseph Ogando Senior Editor Protomold enhances its web-based design review process Identifying design-for-manufacturing issues from a molded part's CAD file can be tricky, especially for engineers without much molding experience....

Best of the Engineering Marketplace.(Endicott Research Group Inc introduces dc-ac Inverters)(Pulse Technologies Inc introduces SolarPulse® Charger)(Lumitex Inc introduces Fiber Optic Backlights)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Endicott Research dc-ac Inverters Design News Staff For powering CCFL and EL backlit LCDs These inverters can run CCFL and EL backlit LCDs from single-lamp to multi-lamp designs, geared toward the medical,...

Robotic Lifesaver.(Vecna robotics introduces Battlefield Extraction Assist Robot)
November 6, 2006... By Charles J. Murray, Senior Technical Editor Vecna's humanoid robot can walk, run, lift heavy objects, and climb stairs on its track-powered, jointed legs Some day, you'll see videos of it rescuing battlefield casualties. Or maybe...

Reusable CAD Models Help SunCorp Cut Design Time.(SunCorp uses Alloy Ltd developed NX Digital Product Development Software)
November 6, 2006... By Karen Field, Editor-in-Chief Here's how Alloy Ltd., a product design firm, helped SunCorp bridge a single data set across a multitude of products SunCorp, a Hong Kong-based telephone manufacturer was getting its lunch eaten by...

Unreinforced Plastics Get Stiffer.(Solvay Advanced Polymers introduces Primospire Self-reinforcing polymers)
November 6, 2006... By Joseph Ogando, Senior Editor Self-reinforcing polymers from Solvay Advanced Polymers will help unfilled plastics replace metals and composites in military, medical, and industrial applications Engineers interested in replacing...

CASE #93 Hap Tells His Backyard Varmints to Hit the Road.
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Tired of torn-up flower beds, Hap took matters into his own hands by combining a sprinkler and wireless driveway alert system. To allow enough time for the sprinkler valve to open, build pressure, and activate the...

Readers Sound Off.
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Let the market decide I found your article on SawStop and the company's unique marketing strategy disturbing (DN 09.04.06, http://rbi.ims.ca/4939-511 ). Apparently the new paradigm is: "Build an arguably better...

Integrated Software Tools.(National Instruments introduces Motion Assistant 2.0 interactive software)(Danaher Motion introduces Version 3.04 of the Motion Programming Interface)(B&R Industrial Automation introduces Automation Studio&trade integrated Windows[R] development tool)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff New automation software provides powerful motion development tools Integrated development tools that help users manage every aspect of machine and motion control development projects is a top priority for...

Using the Power.(utilization of highly integrated solutions by control equipment industry)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Controllers focus on using highly integrated solutions After almost 25 years since the introduction of the first general purpose, programmable motion controller, many of the major trends for controllers remain the...

Optimized CNC Control.(Delta Tau Data Systems Inc introduces Advantage 900 CNC package)(Bosch Rexroth Corp introduces MTX compact CNC platform)(GE Fanuc Automation Corp introduces the new servo system)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Focus is on latest networking technology and specialized software CNC solutions, automation concepts for optimizing machine tool productivity and specialized software solutions are the focal points of developments...

Application-Specific Solutions.(Baumuller Nurnberg introduces ready-to-run application software)(Bosch Rexroth Corp introduces programmable lift platform)(Copley Controls Corp introduces cost-competitive subsystem)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Targeted hardware/software offerings provide specific application solutions More and more, controls suppliers are moving beyond providing motion control components to offerings that provide complete...

Controller/Drives Unite.(Aerotech Inc introduces Ensemble Epaq motion control standalone package)(Berkeley Process Control Inc introduces BX-300 motion-and-machine controllers)(Galil Motion Control Inc introduces 32-bit RISC-based microcomputer)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Controller and drives in one box saves space and simplifies wiring A key problem for machine/motion controllers has always been what it takes to integrate an effective control solution. Systems engineering...

The Smaller the Better.(Maxon Corp introduces new EPOS P 24/5 digital motion controller)(Control Technology Corp introduces Model 5300 Blue Fusion(TM) Web-enabled automation controllers)(Trio Motion Control introduces MC302X motion controller)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Controllers look to pack new features and capabilities into smaller footprints One of the overriding trends for machine and motion control is more compact solutions and more power in smaller packages. Conserving...

Everything Under Control.(ACS Group introduces SPiiPlus SA multi-axis motion controller)(Pilz Automation Safety L.P introduces PMC primo system)(Ormec Systems Corp introduces ServoWire Motion & Logic Controllers)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Solutions emphasize complete automation of machines with motion control The drive for better machine performance, while at the same time trimming manufacturing costs, is constantly a challenge for machinery...

Machine Networking Solutions.(Festo Corp introduces SEC-AC-SMLC multi-axis controller)(Yaskawa Electric Manufacturing Company Ltd introduces MP2200 machine controller and MotionWorks Version 6 software)(Baldor introduces NextMove e100 Ethernet Powerlink machine controller)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff New controllers advance networking capabilities for improved machine control Networking is a major priority for new multi-axis machine controllers. In the past few years, high-speed drive networks for high...

Drives Are Smarter.(use of intelligent drives for processing product designs)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Intelligent drives provide distributed processing in unique product designs The trend with drives is more intelligence , more distributing processing for real-time motion and logic control and a wider variety of...

Servo Drives Add Features.(Parker Electronics Inc introduces Compax3 industrial servo drives)(Allen-Bradley Company Inc. Drives Business introduces Kinetix 6000 Safety servo drive)(Baldor introduces MicroFlex e100 servo motor drive)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff New servo drive products respondto a range of market needs A variety of new servo drive products from leading suppliers are providing standard product solutions and advanced features required for specialized...

Drives Add Controller Smarts.(Delta Tau Data Systems Inc introduces Geo Brick multi-axis, smart servo-drives )(Bosch Rexroth Corp introduces IndraMotion for Trans system )(Danaher Motion introduces Digital MMC Smart Drive servo amplifier)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Incorporating motion/logic control Drives are adding more motion/logic control capabilities that are simplifying the design of servo systems, especially for systems with a low number of servo axes. These solutions...

Drives Move into Larger Motors.(Intelligent Motion Systems Inc upgrades micro-stepping motors with integral electronics)(Bosch Rexroth Corp introduces IndraDrive Mi drive)(ELAU AG develops integral servo motor/drive)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Integrated drives and controls are moving to larger motor sizes The move to integrate drives and controls into the motor package started with small stepper motors a number of years ago. Since then it's been picking...

Drives Are in Control.(Rockwell Automation Inc introduces Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 40P ac drives )(Siemens Energy and Automation Inc introduces SINAMICS[R] ac drives)(Danfoss Drives introduce VLT[R] AutomationDrive variable frequency drives )
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Variable frequency drives advanced control features and standard platforms New variable frequency drives from major suppliers are including sophisticated control functionality and new software tools as part of...

Stepper Motor Drives.(Lin Engineering introduces MiniPak integrated product)(RMS Technologies Inc introduces NEMA 17, 1.8 degree bipolar step motor)(Oriental Motor U.S.A. Corp introduces BLF series driver brushless dc motors)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Stepper drivers provide more high power operation and networking Simplifying interfaces, making solutions more compact and lowering installed cost are the goals that are all working together to shape new stepper...

Editor's Letter.(increasing usage of integrated solutions in control equipment industry)(Editorial)(Brief article)
November 6, 2006... By Joseph Ogando Ask just about any motion control supplier about their products nowadays, and you'll likely hear the word "integration." These suppliers argue that higher levels of integration amongst motors, drives, controllers and...

Closing the Loop.(Balluff Inc introduces BML linear position encoder)(BEI Motion Systems Co. Integrated Circuits Div introduces LN series linear encoder)(Heidenhain Corp introduces LIDA 200 series of encoders)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Motion control systems require improved feedback sensors Linear and rotary encoders provide critical feedback information for motion control systems. Long life, even in a harsh operating environment, lower cost and...

Valves Shrink.(Humphrey Products Co introduces Humphrey Model HK5 and Model HKL5 valves and 310/410 Series solenoid valves)(Festo Corp introduces Festo MH1 miniature valves )
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Applications benefit from newest designs For solenoid valves, once the application requirements have been met, smaller is always better. In addition to compact size, the valves in this section display ease of...

Take it Easy.(Hoke Inc introduces R6000 right angle relief valves)(Beswick Engineering Company Inc introduces miniature metering valve)(Wanner Engineering Inc introduces Hydra-Cell C80 Series Airbleed Priming Valves)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Valves simplify configuring a variety of fluid power systems With the many different types of valves and improvements that have occurred recently, it is difficult to find a single trend. Users' requirements can...

Pneumatic Subsystems.(Humphrey Products Co introduce Koganei Blow-Type Ionizers and Dual-Zone GEN2 control System)(Rexroth Corp introduce MS01 pneumatic modular system )
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff These more complex products solve unique problems A variety of rather unusual products meet the need to add value to pneumatic products in industrial applications. By identifying users' requirements for increased...

Add Functionality, Reduce Waste.(Humphrey Mechanical Inc introduces GEN2 systems)(Bosch Rexroth introduces QR1 (Quick Release) series of push-in fittings)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Fluid power defines its role in the system What customers expect from fluid power these days could simply be two things. According to David Maurer, director of sales and manufacturing for Humphrey Products, those...

Clearing the Air.(Fabco-Air Inc introduces Filters, Regulators and Lubricators)(Bosch Rexroth's AS2 series Filters, Regulators and Lubricators)(Wilkerson Pneumatic Division 03 Series Filters, Regulators and Lubricators products)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff New FRLs improve the process Pneumatic systems requiring clean air rely on the integrated capabilities of Filters/Regulators/Lubricators (FRLs). A single location may require different types of FRLs. Since they...

Air-Powered and Rodless Cylinder Motion.(Airpot Corp introduces pneumatic actuators cylinders)(SMC Corp. of America introduces RLQ series cylinders)(Bimba Manufacturing Co introduces Ultran Band rodless cylinders)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff These cylinders address application-specific motion requirements Known for their low noise levels, linear air power cylinders address unique applications in industries such as semiconductor manufacturing,...

Motion Controls Goal: Easy Does It.(latest trends for motion control equipment industry)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Ease-of-use tops the list of customer requirements With all of the development activity to improve motion control, identifying the top trend would seem to be a daunting task. However, that did not stop a number of...

Improved, Not Cheaper.(consumers opt for cheaper design tools rather than the new and improves ones)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Better performance and cost savings at the system level While cost is important in many market segments , the cheapest product may not be the right one and really low cost may not be a good trend for the mechanical...

Moving Forward.(Kerk Motion Products introduces precision molded nuts)(Haydon Switch & Instrument Inc introduces C-series Anti-Backlash Nuts)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Anti-backlash nuts provide a key ingredient The newest lead screws provide many advantages for linear motion systems. According to Tom Solon, an applications engineer at Kerk Motion Products, lead screws were once...

Linear Motion Systems.(Aerotech A/S introduces ATS150 series motor-driven linear stages actuators)(Kerk Motion Products Inc introduces Linear Actuator)(Haydon Switch and Instrument Inc introduces 21000 series (Size 8) linear actuators)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Motor-driven lead screws provide improved performance The electromechanical linear actuators included in this section have a lead or ball screw. These actuators eliminate the noise, need for a quality air supply...

Geared for Action.(Danaher Motion introduces Micron ValueTRUE planetary gearheads)(Alpha Gear Drives Inc introduces TP+ low-backlash planetary gearhead)(Bison Gear and Engineering Inc introduces 562 series hollow shaft gearmotor)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff It's all about performance Industrial motion control systems require ruggedness and long life, so those parameters are somewhat of a given. The battleground in gearheads and even gearmotors appears to be...

Mechanical Glue.(Aerotech A/S introduce ABS2000 series direct-drive, air-bearing spindles and AMG position and rate gimbal mounts)(Zero-Max Inc introduce Zero-Max ServoClass Couplings )
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Components that complete the system It usually takes additional mechanical components to provide a complete motion system, especially a highly complex motion system. The mechanical components discussed in this...

Changing Motorscape.(maximum advantage from motion control equipment and motors)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Focusing on power density, motion control solutions The overriding trend for motors is more power density in the same or smaller packages. But motors are also being swept into the wider motion control trend for...

Refined Motor Designs.(Baumuller Nurnberg introduces DST series servo motors )(Baldor introduces BSM C-series of brushless ac servo motors )(Standard Insert Company Inc. Pittman Div introduces Series 1300 slotted brushless dc servomotors )
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Combining performance, efficiency, compactness with cost effectiveness The relentless pursuit of perfection, once the slogan of a major luxury car company, could easily be the slogan of the brushless motor...

Triple Threat.(Ametek Process Equipment Div introduces Dura-Tek[R] brushless dc motors )(Lin Engineering introduces SilverPak 17T integrated step motor/driver/controller )(Exlar Corp introduces Tritex(TM) Series of electric actuators )
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Integrated motor-drive-controller solutions combine brains with brawn The technology for motor-drive-controllers is on the move. Standing on the shoulders of technologies like stepper motors with integral drivers...

Motor Size Matters.(Maxon Corp introduces EC 16 mm brushless motor )(Nippon Pulse America introduces 4mm linear shaft diameter servomotor )(QuickSilver Controls Inc introduces NEMA 11 frame motor)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff The priority is on packing extraperformance into smaller packages Smaller products are fueling the need for smaller motors, and the need for more torque that fits into thinner, smaller and lighter product designs....

Motors Plus Actuators.(Festo Corp introduces MTR-DCI servo actuator )(Copley Controls Corp introduces ServoTube motors )(Concise Industries Inc introduces Miniline[R] family of linear actuators )
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Motors with integral actuators meet a wide range of application needs Motors are highly specialized, but their level of specialization pales in comparison to mechanical actuators. Actuators can be rotary or...

Specialized Motor Solutions.(New Scale Technologies Inc introduce piezoelectric Squiggle[R] motor )(Applimotion Inc introduces LARC Series motors )(Empire Magnetics introduces Custom Hollow Series motors )
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Motor manufacturers provide motors for specialized application needs In today's changing environment, there is sometimes a need for motor solutions not provided by traditional motor suppliers. A variety of...

Industrial Motion Control Sensors.
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Solving difficult problems with ease Outside of the industrial marketplace, microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensors based on semiconductor technology have advanced rapidly. However, industrial applications,...

Position Sensors.(SICK Inc introduces W2 and W4-3 series photoelectric sensors)(Banner Engineering Corp introduces SLM Series Metal Slot Sensors )(Turck Inc introduces levelprox sensors )
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Unique specs make these sensors indispensable in motion control apps Motion control applications frequently require position sensors. Depending on the application, the specs might dictate small size, ruggedness or...

Wrap-Up.(certifying agencies for control equipment industry)
November 6, 2006... By Design News Staff Regulations, standards, certifications drive trends Mentioned several times in this trend watch supplement, regulations, standards and certifications provide a driving force for new products. From the size of the...

Too Busy to Read This Column? I'm Not Surprised.(professional responsibilities of the 21st Century design engineer )(Editorial)(Column)
November 6, 2006... By Karen Auguston Field, Editor-in-Chief We probably didn't need to do a survey here at Design News to figure out how insanely busy design engineers are today. You know it better than I do, and I hear about it all the time from readers and...

Chip Suppliers Roll Out Compute Power at Convergence.(Convergence 2006 Conference and Exhibition)
November 20, 2006... By Design News Staff The importance of electronics to the future of the automobile hit home this year at the Convergence 2006 Conference and Exhibition at Detroit's Cobo Hall, as engineers discussed topics ranging from telematics to...

The Case of the Compromised Compensator.
November 20, 2006... By Myron J. Boyajian, President, Engineering Consultants An attorney called to tell me of a truck-car collision that killed a young mother, but miraculously spared her baby who was secured in a baby seat. The tractor-trailer driver was...

Accelerometer Applications Expand.(Freescale Semiconductor)
November 20, 2006... By Design News Staff Selectable-gain, three-axis sensor provides the key Highly integrated and compact accelerometers have enabled key functions in several portable products. These dual and three-axis units can provide tilt detection,...

Thirty Watts of Power from a Portable Fuel Cell.
November 20, 2006... By Design News Staff Key developments take fuel cells closer to production A fuel cell with 30W average power and up to 600 W-hr of run-time per cartridge could drastically change the design of portable systems for the Air Force and...

Cooling Rack-Mounted Electronics.
November 20, 2006... By Design News Staff New approach cuts power consumption by 420W Frame and cabinet-mounted electronics in commercial and telephone installations have an increasingly difficult task removing the heat generated by high performance...

Automotive Goes Plug-and-Play.
November 20, 2006... By Charles J. Murray, Senior Technical Editor As the focus of vehicle design changes from mechanical to electronic, automakers are learning to let drivers dock mobile consumer products in the vehicle It all started with an audio jack....

Putting Plastic Bearings to the Test.
November 20, 2006... By Cristoph Klingshirn, igus GMBH Tests that mimic real-world conditions are an important key to understanding how polymer bearings will hold up in the field Over the past 20 years, plastic bearings have come a long way from their...

Single Video and Audio Connection.(Samsung HP-R4262 High-Definition Plasma TV)(Brief article)
November 20, 2006... By Randy Frank Samsung HP-R4262 High-Definition Plasma TV (http://rbi.ims.ca/4941-516 ). In addition to great picture quality, High-Definition Televisions (HDTVs) like the HP-R4262 have numerous connections to simplify interfacing to...

Vehicle USB Connection.(Delphi Grundig S1010 USB)(Brief article)
November 20, 2006... By Randy Frank Delphi Grundig S1010 USB (http://rbi.ims.ca/4941-518 ). With its integral USB connection, the S1010 USB digital media player allows users to control a connected MP3 player directly from the unit's control buttons. An 80...

Sensor Connection.
November 20, 2006... By Randy Frank TURCK Kubler by TURCK Incremental Encoder (http://rbi.ims.ca/4941-519 ). Typically used in factory applications such as material handling, conveyors systems, process control and Web control, Kubler by TURCK incremental...

Servo Motor Connector.
November 20, 2006... By Randy Frank System Antriebstechnik Dresden (SAD) GmbH Servomotor (http://rbi.ims.ca/4941-521 ). SAD servo motors range from a fraction of a kW to several 100 kW. One of the company's units uses a single Cm3 connector from ITT...

Valve Connector.
November 20, 2006... By Randy Frank Festo MH1 Miniature Valves (http://rbi.ims.ca/4941-523 ). Designed for operation in confined spaces, Festo's MH1 Miniature Valves are only 10 mm wide. The 2/2-way or 3/2-way versions are compatible with the range of...

Honda Debuts FCX Concept Fuel Cell Vehicle.(Brief article)
November 20, 2006... By Design News Staff Honda Motor Co. Ltd. of Tochigi, Japan recently rolled out its next-generation FCX Concept fuel cell car. The FCX Concept features a newly developed, compact high-efficiency fuel cell stack as well as a low-floor,...

Bamboo Provides Eco-Friendly Alternative to Hardwood.(Brief article)
November 20, 2006... By Design News Staff Maria Yee Inc., a Santa Cruz, CA lifestyle design company, has started to produce its home furnishings using patent-pending, BambooTimbre. The new product was designed to meet stringent Greenguard and E-1 standards for...

FlipChip Develops Sturdy Lead-Free Packaging.(Brief article)
November 20, 2006... By Design News Staff The problem of putting lead-free components into wireless devices may be at least partly solved. Previously, lead-free packaging had been prone to drop test failure. Phoenix-based FlipChip International says it has...

Lockheed, Toyota and Others Now Blending Technology, People.(Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Div.)(Toyota Motor Corp.)
November 20, 2006... By Terry Costlow Companies focus on processes and culture to get the most from new technology When Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control decided to make simulation a mainstay of weapons' design, technical challenges were many. The...

Semiconductor Capacity Decline Will Have Impact.
November 20, 2006... By Charles J. Murray Drop foreseen in research and high-end engineering jobs A sharp drop in the United States' leading edge semiconductor capacity over the past five years could be a harbinger of bad times to come, says a report by...

CPM Fastools Makes Really Cool Molds.
November 20, 2006... By Joseph Ogando Injection mold components made on rapid prototyping machines benefit from cryogenic treatment For all the interest in using rapid prototyping systems to build injection mold inserts, there has been some justified...

New Motion Control Assoc. Joins Industry.
November 20, 2006... By Al Presher Group focuses on online tools, conferences and trade shows Executives from leading motion control companies are launching a new trade association to strengthen the motion control field by offering improved trade shows,...

How Die Casters Prove Rapid Tooling Has Benefits.
November 20, 2006... By Daniel L. Twarog, President, North American Die Casting Assoc. Dispelling myths about rapid tooling opens up a range of apps A number of designers, engineers and purchasing decision makers still labor under several myths and...

New Breed of Chips Broaden Market.(Buyers guide)
November 20, 2006... By Design News Staff For applications from cameras to MP3 players Single-chip Power over Ethernet (PoE) solutions recently began gaining momentum in such applications as wireless LANs and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), mainly...