Design Engineering articles from May 2002

Design Engineering archives from May 2002

Radiation detector. (Patent Watch).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The jury is still out over the health-risk posed by radiation from cellphones. But, although there's still only anecdotal evidence to suggest a risk, prevention against overexposure can only be a good thing. This small EMR detector...

Flat image former. (Patent Watch).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... New from Toshiba is a digital imaging device that looks like a thin filing cabinet (US6336016). Office space is at a premium world wide, so combining a copier, printer, fax paper, scanner and sorter in an flat office partition solves several...

Print job separator. (Patent Watch).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Staying on the print theme is a cheap solution to separating print jobs in a busy office, where many users may share one printer. A large spiral shape (US20020054790) with sheet holders in the centre is fed a complete print job at its base,...

Derwent. (Patent Watch).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Derwent has kept companies ahead of the competition for 50 years. (www.derwent.com/engineering)

Whistle drop. (Design News).(Acme Whistle Company )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... To make the world's loudest whistle you need a bit more than a lot of puff, which is why Birmingham's Acme Whistle Company proposes breaking this record by dropping a giant whistle from a height of 10,000 feet. Dubbed the Meteor, the...

Getting into bed with PLC's. (Design News).(PLC demand rising)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Demand for automation devices with embedded or integrated PLCs is predicted to increase dramatically by 2004 according to industrial market researcher IMS. A recent survey of users of automation products by IMS found that nearly half of...

Long lens of the law predicts crime. (Design News).(CCTV system that can predict crime before it happens)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... UK police may soon have a handy ally in the shape of a CCTV system that can predict crime before it happens. Developed at London's Kingston University by Dr Sergio Velastin, the system uses cameras connected to a sophisticated image...

Brain teaser.(Bosch Rexroth is kindly giving away a Dremel power tool )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... WIN A DREMEL Bosch Rexroth is kindly giving away a Dremel power tool to the first person with the right answer to this month's brainteaser. Dremel is a successful brand of the Bosch Power Tools division. LAST MONTH'S WINNER ...

Global positioning beercan. (Design News).(Budweiser promotion puts GPS transmitter in cans and bottles)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... If, in the manner of R Whites' secret Lemonade drinker, you're planning on having a sneaky can of beer and you don't want anybody to find out, then for heaven's sake, make sure it isn't a Budweiser! In a promotion dubbed 'True location',...

Final Call for TCT papers. (Design News).(time compression technologies)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The organiser of the TCT event has issued a final call for papers for this year's event. Running from 16 - 17 October at the Manchester GMEX/MICC the TCT (time compression technologies) conference and exhibition is designed to help...

Showtime, schmotime! (Editor's Comment).(engineering exhibitions)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
May 1, 2002... The Hanover Fair continues to be awesome. Not only is it a vast display of Germany's engineering capability but also a gathering point for the cream of German society -- the engineer. As such it attracts women too. Picture this, a husband and...

E-mails to the editor. (Design News).
May 1, 2002... Sir, last month's cover story 'When the birds hit planes' reminded me of an amusing story. I believe that the 'bird cannon' described in your feature was originally developed over at NASA, where scientists built a gun specifically to...

Efficient light-bulbs keep cool. (Design News).(new tungsten filament developed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The light-bulb is considered to be one of the great inventions - and, by allowing us to comfortably read books and write late into the night, there's a fair chance that it's been responsible for the genesis of many other great ideas. Indeed,...

X - ray goggles. (Design News).(for viewing underground pipes and mains)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Engineers at Yorkshire water have a valuable new weapon in their unending and expensive war against underground leaks. Scientists from the water company along with experts from Nottingham University and Ordnance Survey have developed special...

On the buses: confused about industrial networks? Don't really know your Profibus from your Devicenet? Then join the club. JON EXCELL attempts to sweep away some of the confusion surrounding industrial networks. (Industrial Networking).
May 1, 2002... I thought I was a fool. The world of fieldbus networks and industrial ethernet seemed to be mocking me with a vocabulary and frame of reference that I could only dream of understanding. Then I realised that I was not alone. Friends and...

Design to automate. (Machine Building).(Brief Article)(Column)
May 1, 2002... In the developed world, automation fights to hold its own against the cheap labour rates of emerging markets. In this article, WILL BOURN from modular automation in Birmingham, illustrates the problems of automated industry, and suggests what...

Two new Multi-Wing impellers to be launched at Interbuild. (Fan Impellers: Advertisement).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Building on its reputation as market leader in the design and manufacture of axial fan impellers, Multi-Wing is launching two innovative impellers at the Interbuild Exhibition, NEC. Visitors to the Multi-Wing UK Stand, 3K100 in Hall 3, will...

Analogue electronics no longer a black art. (Microcontrollers).(Anadigm discussion)
May 1, 2002... Analogue signal conditioning has historically demanded fixed solutions, designed by experts. But in the last couple of years there has been a quiet revolution that makes software-configured analogue solutions possible even for one-off...

Designed-in high current connectors: are you stuck when it comes to providing suitable connectors between a withdrawable module and the fixed parts of an installation? Then read about Icore's. (Connectors).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Easy maintenance and quick replacement are among the benefits which are making withdrawable designs increasingly popular for electrical equipment, such as motor starters, power supplies and distribution switchgear. Designers of...

A great noise from the fans. (Enclosures & Fans).(fan noise emissions need to be kept low)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Noise from fans becomes disturbing when it rises above a certain auditory level. Since many electronic systems are located close to users, fan noise emissions must be kept as low as possible, says IAN McLEOD, Engineering Director at Papst ...

Acid test for springs. (Spring and Dampers).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... The Zwick Roell Group believes that it is the first to develop a testing machine to establish the true performance of compression springs. A six-channel digital system from the company Is said to solve the problem of catering for the...

A shocking three days. (Springs and Dampers).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Acoustic and vibration specialist Bruel & Kjaer has unveiled a three day training course for engineers seeking to improve their theoretical knowledge of shock and vibration technologies as well as to provide them with practical advice on...

Metrol is approved. (Springs and Dampers).
May 1, 2002... Metrol Springs manufacturer of Nitro-Springs has announced that it has gained full ISO 900 approval. The company says that it has achieved this rating through modern production techniques throughout the design and manufacturing process....

Stainless steel gas springs. (Springs and Dampers).
May 1, 2002... For applications where corrosion resistance is paramount, Ace Controls International can now offer a wide range of stainless steel gas springs. Manufactured in V2A stainless steel, models with outer body diameters ranging from 15mm to...

Gas springs eternal. (Springs and Dampers).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... The Stabilus Lift-O-Mat range of gas springs is now available from SKF Engineering Products Limited. Size and force variants in the Lift-O-Mat range cover piston rod diameters from 6 to 20mm and forces from 50 to 5200N. The spring...

Coated shielding fabric. (EMI, EMC, RFI).
May 1, 2002... Fabric over foam EMC gaskets have been increasingly used by manufacturers looking for alternatives to expensive dispensed materials, or abrasive metal wire gaskets. The principle behind the gaskets is that a diverse range of open-cell sponge...

Soft shield expanded. (EMI, EMC, RFI).
May 1, 2002... Chomerics has expanded its SOFT-SHIELD 4000 series of oil over foam EMI gaskets with the addition of a new line designed for use with D-subminiature connectors. Available as standard die-cut parts to suit connector sizes ranging from 9...

Fenced screening. (EMI, EMC, RFI).
May 1, 2002... Perancea is announcing the introduction of a new range of RFI/EMI metal screening strips which provide an ideal solution for segregating devices and assemblies on circuit boards. The strip can be arranged to 'fence off' selective and even...

New test. (EMI, EMC, RFI).
May 1, 2002... To enhance the service provided to customers, European Antenna has built a new spherical near field test facility on site to provide a fast supply of radiation pattern data to accompany existing and new antennas and to verify specifications...

RF source. (EMI, EMC, RFI).
May 1, 2002... Latest from EMC specialist Schaffner is a high-stability RF emission source for the evaluation of parameters of open area test sites, anechoic chambers and other test sites in the frequency range 1GHz to 18GHz. Flexible in application the VSQ...

Compact. (Data Acquisition).
May 1, 2002... Gould Nicolot technologies has introduced the Compact Data Acquisition (C-DAQ, System. This provides synchronised CAN bus data frames up to 96 channels of traditional analogue inputs coupled with GPS positor an time in a ruggedised low power...

Portable monitor. (Data Acquisition).
May 1, 2002... The ECP 1601/EUR/P portable constant monitor from TBA Electro Conductive Products (ECP, is salt to be idea in held service applications where the benefits of continuous monitoring are required. TBA ECP's portable 1601/P monitor is powered...

General purpose logger. (Data Acquisition).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... The dataTaker DT505 data acquisition unit is a general purpose data logger with many features; 30 single ended analogue channels, 4 digital channels and a channel expansion port. Sensor support includes 11 thermocouple types, 4 RTD types Pt,...

New testpoint. (Data Acquisition).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Keithley Instruments has launched version 4.0 of its test and measurement data acquisition environment, TestPoint. It integrates the ongoing work in 32-bit ActiveX technology in order to provide a wealth of new capabilities for a growing...

Black Box. (Data Acquisition).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... The blackBOX 'wire-free' system offers organisations of any size or requirement a cost efficient data monitoring and equipment control solution suitable for any application. Developed by BOX telematics, part of The Mobilefone Group, the...

Castell to safety. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... A range of switch disconnectors for the isolation or switching of power supplied between 32 and 350 amps has been developed by Castell Safety International for use in machinery safe access control systems. Each KSD unit comprises 6 poles plus...

Barksdale. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Barksdale Control Products, a name synonymous with high-quality pressure, level, flow and temperature sensors, has launched the UPA 5 electronic pressure transmitter. Compact and robust, the UPA 5 offers OEM's a reliable sensor for...

Third is free. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Components Direct has just launched a promotion to save companies and heavy users a considerable amount on their portable energy bills. Duracell is perhaps the most well known and respected brand - particularly amongst the general public, but...

New profiles brochure. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... The newly revised edition of Octanorm UK's 'profiles' brochure now illustrates over 200 aluminium, plastic, and rubber extrusions for the construction of items as diverse as retail counters / showcases and machine guards, and exhibition...

ABB appoints Gareth Dean. (Mareketplace).(Vice President, Manufacturing and Electronic Industries, UK)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... ABB, the global power and automation technology group, has appointed Gareth Dean, 34, as Vice President, Manufacturing and Electronic Industries, UK. Moving to ABB in February from a sales background at Rockwell Automation, Gareth's...

British turntable. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... A CU25 turntable unit hired from British Turntable Co. helped exhibition design and project management company, Wilson Brown create a major impact at the annual outdoor SED (Site Equipment Demonstration) show in Milton Keynes. Supplied from...

Arcolectric. (Marketplace).(Arcolectric Switches announces acquisition of Otehall Switches)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Arcolectric Switches, the largest manufacturer of rocker switches in the UK has just announced the acquisition of the specialist snap-action switch manufacturer Otehall Switches. This latest development represents a further expansion of the...

No compare. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... The innovative regulated speed (RS) rotary vane compressor launched last year by CompAir has been chosen by readers of a US trade publication as one of the best industrial products on the market. Available in 7kW, 15kw and 22kW, the Vane...

Welding. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... A high power, direct diode laser transmission welding system, from Herfuth Laser Technology, of Coventry, is being used by Birkby's Plastics Ltd in the manufacture of a new electronic throttle control pedal assembly for motor vehicles. The...

Omega opens doors for Warner Bros. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Leading UK fire door specialist, Omega Doors has supplied double leaf latchless fire doors to the prestigious Warner Village multiplex cinema at The Lowry, Salford. Building on the complex, which comprises nine screens and can seat over 2000...

Loctite cover. (Marketplace).(Advertisement)
May 1, 2002... For critical manufacturing applications such as production lines, where output would be seriously affected by the failure of an adhesive or sealant dispensing system. Henkel Loctite Adhesives has introduced an Annual Breakdown Cover scheme....

Poeton. (Marketplace).(Advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Poeton Industries, a world leader in surface coating technology, is claiming significant quality improvements for its electroless nickel coatings following the installation of a special environmental dialysis system EDEN designed to reduce...

David Brown. (Marketplace).(Advertisement)
May 1, 2002... David Brown Engineering has launched a range of low-cost, low maintenance, non-lubricated couplings which allow for rapid replacement without disturbing connected equipment. Advanced manufacturing methods and innovative materials enable...

Tight chains. (Marketplace).(Advertisement)
May 1, 2002... To take up chain slack and ensure constant tension without the need for operator adjustment, R A Rodriguez is introducing a four-line range of automatic tighteners. Application of these tighteners has been proven to increase chain life by...

The Velleman touch. (Marketplace).(Advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Velleman Switch one of Europe's leading manufacturers of bespoke and standard machine interfaces has announced details of its latest range of touch screen systems. Ensuring acqurate and reliable data entry. Velleman Switch's ScreenTouch...

Rockwell. (Marketplace).(Advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Rockwell Automation Entek introduces Sentinel, a rugged, low cost, single channel vibration monitor designed to protect rotating machinery against damage due to mechanical problems. Ideal for OEMs and end users requiring cost effective,...

Quick connect. (Marketplace).(Advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Reductions of 40% or more in the time required to wire sensors and similar devices are easily achieved by using the innovative new Snap-C connectors from Telemecanique a brand of Schneider Electric. To use the new connectors it is only...

Hankison's new facility. (Marketplace).(complex in Germany)(Advertisement)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Customers specifying advanced compressed air treatment systems from HANKSION will soon benefit from reduced lead times and improved service standards following the opening of a new production and training complex in Germany. The...

Safe with IFM. (Marketplace).(Advertisement)
May 1, 2002... A new range of AS-I products from IFM Electronics means that safety related control systems can now benefit from the convenience, reliability and cost-effectiveness of the popular AS-I fieldbus system. IFM's new AS-I Safe modules, which are...

ETA's CBE. (Marketplace).(Advertisement)
May 1, 2002... ETA Circuit Breakers has introduced a modified design for one of its popular, low-cost circuit breakers for equipment. Designed for mounting in standard fuse-holder panel cut-outs, the high reliability CBE is suitable for rapid assembly in a...

New sensors. (Marketplace).(Advertisement)
May 1, 2002... The four sensor heads that make up the new LV range from Keyence are breaking industry records because of their accuracy and ease of use. The secret of this technology lies in the use of a semiconductor as a light source, which ensures sharp...

Current sensors. (Marketplace).(Advertisement)
May 1, 2002... LEM has introduced three families of split-core current sensors that can be clamped around a busbar or cable without moving the conductor. The HOP, HTR, and HT families use open-loop Hall-effect technology to provide accurate AC, DC, and...

Bearing benefits. (Marketplace).(Advertisement)
May 1, 2002... High precision linear recirculating roller guidance systems developed by INA Bearing Company provide a bearing support system for linear motion with unlimited stroke length and high load carrying capacity. Suitable for numerous applications,...

Terminals. (Marketplace).(Advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Products in the new TeSys contactor and motor protection range from Telemecanique are now available with innovative spring-clamp terminals. These not only cut wiring time by as much as 40% but also eliminate the risk of poorly made...

Ian Freeman. (Marketplace).(appointed at Stainless Fittings)(Advertisement)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2002... Stainless Fittings, manufacturer of high purity stainless steel tube and fittings for the pharmaceutical and bio-processing sector, has appointed Ian Freeman as sales supervisor as part of an internal restructure. Ian, who joined SFL in 1996,...

New converts. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Protocol Power is pleased to announce the launch of a major new range of enclosed DC/DC converters, now available through Routeco. There are thirty two models in this competitively priced range, spanning an output range from 25 watts up to...

Ring laser gyro breakthrough. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Inertial Aero Systems has introduced a new, compact, six axis, inertial measurement unit manufactured by Honeywell that represents a cost breakthrough in ring laser gyro technology. Designated the JG 1700, it is designed for full motion...

Launch. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Sarralle UK, a subsidiary of Sarralle SA - the leading Spanish manufacturer of workshop equipment and tool storage systems - launched a range of new products at the recent MACH 2002 show. Products on show included workbenches, electronic...

Speed vehicle. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Vantico's Renshape Solutions' epoxy laminating system Araldite CY219 with hardeners HY 5160 and HY 5162 is helping engineers at MIRA, the UK motor industry's premier R&D test facility, build a unique vehicle for the Goodwood Festival of...

SIS expansion. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Sheffield software development company Specialist IT - Services (SIS) is gearing up for significant expansion in response to a series of exciting opportunities and events which have been unfolding since the beginning of the year. This...

Mira news. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Mira Ltd, the premier full spectrum engineering services company in the UK, has been appointed by the DTI as a notified body for the new Outdoor Noise Directive for their certification services. The appointment designates Mira as a recognised...

Tough guy coatings. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Coating punching tools with Balzers Balinit coatings can extend tool lite, improve the quality of punched parts and contribute to more economic production. Applied by PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition the coatings are harder than cemented...

Royalite sheet. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... A flame resistant Royalite thermoplastic sheet, produced by VTS Royalite in Scotland, is being used for key components in the latest medical ultra sound machine, developed by GE Medical, for hospitals and clinics worldwide. Constant research...

Gewiss plugs. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Gewiss, the leading European manufacturer of LV installation equipment has won its second international design award, iF 2002, for its unique IEC 309 SL industrial plugs and sockets. The connectors can be wired and assembled quickly without...

Textron fast. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... For the UK's leading manufacturer of bespoke steering wheels, the use of Avdel Stavex multi-grip breakstem fasteners allows it to assemble over 200 different types of steering wheel using just one size of fastener. Mountney has been producing...

Hunting for ghosts. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... The Testo 445 multifunction measuring instrument is being used by Dr Richard Wiseman, of the University of Hertfordshire, to investigate alleged hauntings at two sites in Edinburgh - the dungeons of Edinburgh castle and the vaults beneath the...

Weidmuller's cubicle connect. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... A significant cost saving has been achieved by Weidmuller working with Virgo Screens on custom-designed computer cubicles for a London-based university library. By using Weidmuller's Modulex Heavy Duty Connectors, the pre-wired cubicles can...

Telemecanique. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... With over 700 A4 pages, the new Power Control and Protection catalogue from Telemecanique, a brand of Schneider electric, has information on just about every motor starter, contactor, protection device, disconnect switch and control relay...

Loading up. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Thames Side-Maywood has developed a range of load cells for controlling forces in high frequency fatigue testing and other repetitive applications. Designed for the testing of component parts in the aerospace and automotive industries, the...

Rencast. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... RenShape Solutions Rencast epoxy casting system is being used to make the mould for the pieces of a toy car kit now being sold throughout mainland China. It is saving the manufacturers up to 75% in production time and 60% on the costs of...

Bosch. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Following internal restructuring, Bosch has established a new business arm called Bosch Motors & Controls to facilitate the sale of DC electric motors, sensors and relays for non-automotive applications. The business, formerly based in...

Linx into gear with Roulands. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... To meet the coding demands of its European automotive customer base, Roulands Codan has employed a Linx 6200 continuous ink jet printer to mark a variety of different automotive components manufactured at its Corby site. Roulands produces a...

Icore connects. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Durability, versatility, low insertion force and consistently low contact resistance are among the key benefits provided by the latest range of push-on busbar connectors from interconnect expert, Icore International. Available in standard...

Slip-rings. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Manufacturers of industrial robots looking for a versatile and reliable method of transmitting control signals and electrical power across rotating joints will find the ideal solution in the H series of miniature slip-ring assemblies from...

PC protection. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Rittal's range of TS8 PC housing and enclosure systems offer protection for PCs and associated equipment operating in industrial environments. The additional use of climate control components guarantee that a correct operating temperature is...

New gear set. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Although 50% shorter and 40% lighter than its predecessor, the Harmonic Drive CSD precision gear component set from Heason Technologies Group is no shrinking violet. The CSD covers a repeated torque range from 39 to 823 Nm with reduction...

Spirax meets regs. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... All products manufactured by Spirax Sarco have been approved to new pressure equipment regulations. The regulations implement the pressure equipment directive which applies throughout the European Economic Area. The requirements of the...

Laserlines. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Laser Lines Ltd has introduced the Lineax-6 linear servo motor translation stage. This is a new design based on most recent linear motor technology for fast and precise positioning tasks in photonic, biomedical, semi-conductor,...

Easy monitoring. (Marketplace).(advertisement)
May 1, 2002... Monitran Ltd, a world leader in vibration measurement technology, has launched a new range of low-profile vibration sensors specifically designed to offer both OEMs and end-users the perfect vibration monitoring device for machine tool...