Product Design & Development articles from April 2004

Product Design & Development archives from April 2004

Threaded inserts.
April 1, 2004... DeltaForm inserts are designed for plastics. They can provide reliable and reusable threads and offer twice the torque-out strength of thread-forming screws without cross-threading risks. PennEngineering Fastening Technologies Use...

Plastic bearings.
April 1, 2004... These iglide R units can replace bronze bearings in many applications. They are designed as a maintenance-free alternative to oil-dependent sintered units. They require no lubrication and will not corrode. igus inc. Use InfoLINK...

Splicing film.
April 1, 2004... Scapa 512 is a polyester film for use on silicone and other surfaces. It is single-coated with a silicone adhesive and can withstand prolonged temperatures as high as 350[degrees]E The polyester film is a pressure sensitive tape. Scapa...

Position sensor.
April 1, 2004... ProSet4 is a cylinder unit with four built-in programmable setpoint outputs for detection of end stroke or any position in between. The four outputs allow for sophisticated motion control without the need for continuous position feedback. ...

Peripheral power.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... This Interpower five-position accessory power strip, designated 852J2E28, is designed to make it easy for any equipment manufacturer to conveniently supply power to system accessories and peripherals while conforming to electrical standards...

Magnetostrictive positioning.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... Using advanced electronics and a new microprocessor-based design, the Temposonics G-Series linear position sensor includes fully programmable setup and complete diagnostic capabilities. It offers magnetostrictive sensing performance and is...

Multi-conductor control.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... Olflex 190 is a multi-conductor control cable designed to perform well in many industrial environments without the use of conduit. It features working voltage of 600 V and a temperature range of -40[degrees] to +90[degrees]C. Conductor sizes...

Comfort heating.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... A line of radiant heaters is suitable for outdoor comfort heating applications as well as ice and snow melting. The units are available in a variety of sizes and styles and for both fixed and portable applications. The CRDS, CRDR CRTS, and CRTP...

Upfront modeling.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... CFDesign Version 7.0 is an upfront CFD with a solid motion module. The module is suitable for use by mechanical engineers during the conceptual and detailed design stages. The software is available as an integrated solution for Autodesk...

Plastic creep control.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... The BosScrew is designed to keep plastic assemblies from loosening as a result of plastic creep. This new screw has a series of "pressure wells", or indentations, along the upper face of the thread circumference. Rather than attempting to...

One module system.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... A new system-on-module combines the high performance of a Transmeta TM 5900 Crusoe with high reliability and extended temperature range. It can be used for deeply embedded industrial PC applications in harsh conditions, such as trains, planes,...

Electric servo motion.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... The RMC70 Series of motion controllers is avail able for one- and two-axis systems. It is suitable for hydraulic, pneumatic, and electric servo motion control applications with position, velocity, and position/pressure control capabilities. It...

Plastic or brass flow sensors.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... These 101 & 102 Series Flo-Sensors provide liquid flow measurement. The flow sensors can be constructed from plastic or brass and provide a 0-5 Vdc analog output proportional to flow rate. Flow rates can be measured as low as 13 mL/min. ...

Rack-and-pinion actuators.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... Typically used in applications that; require turning over, swinging, rotating, and twisting movements, this series of rack-and-pinion actuators is available in four rotation angles: 90[degrees], 180[degrees], 270[degrees], and 360[degrees]....

Ball valves with sealing technology.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... Jamesbury flanged ball valves are equipped with Xtreme sealing technology. They are designed to expand seat performance beyond the boundaries of conventional solutions and to provide opportunities for cost reduction. Compared with products...

Gas discharge lamps and inverters.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... A new line of linear Xenon gas discharge lamps and inverters provides a UVA light source that is mercury-free and long lasting. The Xenon Excimer consist of an aperture lamp and a low-voltage 24 Vdc inverter. The light source provides an...

Casters for use in all directions.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... TwinTech Solus casters are available in five swivel and five total-lock swivel models. They are designed for high-tech medical equipment, displays, appliances, and other applications requiring dependable performance combined with style. ...

Multi-colored screws with combination drive heads.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... New "rainbow" screws are available in red, black, white, blue, green, yellow, and clear. They are furnished with combination drive heads and in 1/4-in. lengths. When used in conjunction with a line of PC terminals, the screws are...

Nitrogen gas springs.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... The T3 Series of nitrogen gas springs includes the T3-1500 and T3-9500 models. The T3-1500 gas spring is 2-1/2 in. in diameter with a contact force of 3,375 lbs. The T3-9500 has a 6-in. diameter and a contact force of 21,400 lbs. ...

Ultra-compact vision sensor.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... The LightPix vision sensor is an ultra-compact, color C-MOS photoreceptor. It provides 352 x 288 pixels of resolution, network capability via RS485 ports, six digital inputs, five digital outputs, and white LED light sources that are built-in....

Ultrasonic sensors.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... The Bulk-Sonics line of ultrasonic continuous level measurement sensors consists of two groups of sophisticated sensors and stand-alone transmitters. The smart transmitters combine state-of-the-art transducer technology with the latest...

Latching handle.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... A high-rise oval latching handle is available as an option on the Apollo 77C Series bronze ball valve line. The series is designed especially for the domestic market. The handle can help prevent accidental valve operation. It is made of...

Single-board computers.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... 91Cheetah Series boards are based on the Pentium M processor and use the 855GME chipset with memory controller and the 6300ESB I/O Controller Hub. The new models offer highly integrated solutions featuring lower power consumption and lower...

Flat-panel display kiosk monitors.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... A family of flat-panel display kiosk monitors is designed to significantly cut time-to-market for OEMs. Wide viewing angles, high contrast, high resolution, and durability make the displays suitable for space-constrained kiosk applications...

Level controls.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... The Nivotemp 6.. Series is an advanced level and temperature control family available with the "easyjust" system for the flexible setting of level contacts in fluid power racks. The "easyjust" system is based on a specially configured print...

Data acquisition adapter.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... A Matlab adapter enables users to control and acquire data directly from digitizers using the Matlab workspace. The combination of the adaptor and the Data Acquisition Toolbox, along with the user-friendly environment, can reduce development...

Vibration monitor for detecting bearing failure.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... The Octavis vibration monitor detects rolling element bearing failures and shaft unbalance conditions on equipment such as pumps, motors, compressors, fans, and spindles. It can be permanently mounted on equipment to continuously monitor a...

Devices for holding motors in place.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... These Adjustable Motor Fixtures can be used to locate and hold a motor in place while running any test. They will accommodate motors up to 6 in. in diameter while maintaining the center height required for coupling to any HD-106 through HD-715...

Double-coated foam with hypoallergenic adhesive.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... The assembly of medical devices such as ostomy mounts, electrosurgical grounding pads, and multifunction electrodes used for monitoring, pacing, and defibrillation all require adhesive systems that are suitable for use on varying skin types....

Terminal blocks for global wiring applications.(What's Hot)
April 1, 2004... OEMs, panel builders, and end users can speed installation, reduce wiring costs, and meet a broad range of global wiring applications with the newly expanded Allen-Bradley IEC terminal block line. The line features the 1492-J screw-type and...

Temperature probes.(Electrical & Electronic)
April 1, 2004... The LSMN Mini Series of temperature probes is designed to meet small space requirements in applications requiring fast and precise temperature sensing. A wide range of custom options allows unlimited temperature sensing applications in...

Dc-dc converter.(Electrical & Electronic)
April 1, 2004... The WPA60 dc-dc converter has nine available variations. Each of the units from the range delivers two independently regulated outputs that provide full regulation down to zero load. The choice of voltage configurations enables the VDE EN60950...

Industrial modem.(Electrical & Electronic)
April 1, 2004... The PSI-Data/Fax-Modem/RS232 DIN-rail mount modem is designed to provide worldwide access to machines and remote installations, via the public phone network, for remote maintenance and monitoring and program downloads. The modem provides users...

Glass capacitors land on Mars.(Electrical & Electronic)
April 1, 2004... AVX supplied its CYR20 glassdielectric capacitors in the mission critical rover lift mechanism actuator and lander petal actuator circuits on the Mars Spirit and Opportunity Rovers. The fused monolithic construction of the capacitors provides...

Pluggable relays use spring connections.(Electrical & Electronic)
April 1, 2004... 788 Series plugable, DIN-rail mount relays use the Cage Clamp spring pressure connection technology for push-in connection of solid wire or ferruled stranded wire and screwdriver actuated connection of all wire types. Either way, it allows a...

Medical external power supply family.(Electrical & Electronic)
April 1, 2004... The MW117 6- to 12-watt, universal switch-mode power supply family has been designed for the medical market. The Ault MW117 power supplies are suitable for powering medical equipment, including insulin pumps, handheld glucose monitors, and...

Solution for connection of electrical devices.(Electrical & Electronic)
April 1, 2004... The 862 Series offers a flexible solution for connection of electrical devices and equipment. This new series is specifically designed as a cost-effective alternative, with flexible options, to traditional chassis mount terminal blocks such as...

Non-metallic gaskets.(Seals & O-Rings)
April 1, 2004... Gore Universal Pipe Gaskets are designed to enable users to standardize their gasket applications across steel, glass-lined steel, and FRP systems, or wherever nonmetallic gaskets can be used. The result is lower overall sealing costs,...

Octogonal O-rings.(Seals & O-Rings)
April 1, 2004... These octogonal cross-section O-ring seals, designated Octi-Ring, can be used in applications that would normally require a special seal groove. The new seals are available in virtually every common and many exotic seal materials. They are...

Fighting the bulge battle.(Seals & O-Rings)
April 1, 2004... The F-35 is a joint strike fighter being developed for a joint program between the United States and the United Kingdom. Lockheed Martin is designing the fighter, which could be in the air by 2005. The multi-role fighter is being developed to...

O-rings ready for tough requirements.(Seals & O-Rings)
April 1, 2004... Two lines of O-rings are engineered to meet stringent requirements in both healthcare and tubing applications. The first line features O-ring seals specially formulated of elastomer materials that comply with FDA and U.S. Pharmacopoeia (USP)...

Outer-rotor brushless dc motor.(Seals & O-Rings)
April 1, 2004... A compact low inertia, outer rotor brushless dc motor is designed to combine precision stability along with the economical and lightweight advantages of plastic construction. It features a through-hole design, optional integral drive...

Wireless sensor link.(Seals & O-Rings)
April 1, 2004... Omegalynx wireless products include 100 meter range, Class I Bluetooth technology for industrial applications. The Omegalynx is designed to replace cable and conduit that connect 4 to 20 mA sensors with the data processing or acquisition...

Fixed versus floating-point DSP control.(Motors & Drives)
April 1, 2004... The advantages of controlling electric motors with digital signal processors (DSPs) instead of microcontrollers are well established. DSPs can boost operating efficiencies significantly--from the 40 percent typically found in...

Washdown motors.(Motors & Drives)
April 1, 2004... A line of washdown motors is available. The washdown motors include ac and dc units. JM pump motors, inverter-duty, vector-duty. SmartMotors, and ac servo units, all with a choice of finishes. These washdown, paint-free washdown, and stainless...

Soft starters.(Motors & Drives)
April 1, 2004... The MCD 200 Series of soft starters features compact units that offer advanced heat dissipation, eliminating the need for extra ventilation or bypass connectors while simplifying installation and minimizing panel, space requirements. The MCD...

Air motor with special configurations.(Motors & Drives)
April 1, 2004... The compact M42 air motor delivers more than 1 kW at 3,000 rev/min from a 6 bar supply. As well as the standard D71 output flange, the M42 is also available with special and custom output configurations to suit any application. Gearbox...

Cageless iron-core torque motor.(Motors & Drives)
April 1, 2004... The TML is a simplified cageless iron-core torque motor. It is based on the widely used TMA torque motor. Thanks to recent improvements in the motor's design, the peak torque has been raised by 40 percent, and the maximum speed is much higher....

Sleeving for outboard motor cables.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... Expandable Sleeving is suitable for outboard motor cables, marine hoses, trailer chains, and harness assemblies. Its flexibility allows it to fit over bulky connectors and odd shapes. It works anywhere users need a thin, flexible, lightweight...

LCD chip with graphical operating system.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The Amulet LCD features the Amulet AGB64LV01-QC. This chip (an ASIC) is a graphical operating system in silicon using a graphics library, dedicated microprocessor, and LCD controller. The LCD features software controlled contrast and LED...

High-speed cutter.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The WC301 Automatic Wire & Tubing Cutter cuts wire from 10-30 AWG and tubing from 0.01-5/16 in. The WC301 is designed to quickly and accurately process up to 13,800 1-in. pieces per hour or 6,900 10-in. pieces per hour. With 99...

What's new online @ www.pddnet.com.(NEW Products)
April 1, 2004... Would you like In discover the secrets behind some of today's most successful designs. Then, you'll want to make sure you visit Product Design and Development's Web site this month. At www.pddnet.com, you will find intriguing bonus articles on...

DIN rail-mounted power supplies.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The THF120 Series of DIN rail-mounted power supplies is suitable for industrial control and embedded systems. Lightweight, yet durable, the THF120 is capable of delivering up to 120 W of output power. This series features an input voltage...

AC drives with embedded software.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... P10 and VG10 Series ac drives: embedded Programmable Application Software (PAS) modules operates in the drives' internal flash memory, enabling customers to augment their application solutions with special logic function, customized displays...

Four-axis motor amplifier.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The AMP-19540 is a four-axis amplifier capable of driving up to four brush or brushless motors up to 500 W each. It delivers the same cost-effective, multi-axis, and powerful performance of the AMP-20540 servo amplifier board, which attaches...

Switch design development technology.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... PushFlex technology, a development in switch design combines a commonly available magnet sheet and a magnetically receptive actuating layer to create a new switch construction. The actuating layer is a slotted flat configuration which aligns to...

High-power surface mount inductors.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The PG0138 Series of low-profile, high-power, surface mount power inductors is designed to aid manufacturers in lowering the component cost of ac-to-dc switched-mode power supplies and dc-to-dc converters in distributed power architectures,...

Environmentally sealed rocker switches.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The WR Series of cost-effective, environmentally sealed rocker switches are 15-A rocker switches specifically created for harsh, outdoor applications. The sealed construction of the standard size rocker switch conforms to IP67 of IEC529...

Storage oscilloscope.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... Model 381285 combines a handheld graphical storage oscilloscope with a True RMS multimeter. The graphical mode display with EL backlighting allows the observation of actual voltage waveforms. The multimeter mode display is a 4,000-count dual...

Vehicle detection sensor.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The M-GAGE S18M vehicle detection sensor uses magnetoresistive-based passive sensing technology. The M-GAGE S18M reliably detects 3D changes in the Earth's natural magnetic field when the presence of a large metal (ferromagnetic) object such as...

Sapphire and ruby tips.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... Sapphire and ruby tips are in demand for analytical instruments, dispensing equipment, abrasive spray, and micrometering applications. These micro-orifices, available in ranges from 10 microns and up, are nozzles and orifices for sampling,...

Logic microcontroller.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... This new logic controller offers a wide range of commonly used pre-programmed functions and applications for machine manufacturers and panel builders. Available under the brand name Milleninm II+, it represents the complete range of Millenium...

Dual-rate voltage controlled crystal oscillators.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... 7311Q is a new series of dual-rate voltage controlled crystal oscillators for communication systems requiring a dual-rate frequency signal. These DR-VCXOs can be switched form their operating frequencies to the FEC (forward error correction)...

Adhesive and sealant dispenser.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... Program-A-Swirl system is designed to dispense adhesives or sealants in a circular swirling pattern or as a continuous bead. By dispensing in a swirled pattern of closed loops, the Program-A-Swirl maximizes adhesion between two substrates and...

Video frame grabber.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The FG104 video frame grabber board is a low-cost, high-performance solution for capturing analog broadcast signals across the PCI bus in an embedded computer system. Unit pricing is $144 each in volume orders of 100+ units. Based around the...

Multifunction timer with compact housing.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The DMB51 Series multifunction timer is packaged in a compact, space-saving 17.5-mm wide DIN rail-mount housing. The timer is powered by 12 to 240 Vac/Vdc, offers one SPDT 8 A relay output and provides timing ranges up to 100 hours. Types of...

Flash microcontrollers.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... These 8-bit Flash microcontrollers with new advanced motor control peripherals are engineered to deliver better efficiency, quieter operation, greater range and extend the life of motors in automotive, industrial, appliance, and consumer...

Embedded PXI controller.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... This series of Pentium 4 and Celeron-based embedded PXI/CompactPCI controllers includes the NI PXI-8186 controller, a 3U PXI/CompactPCI embedded controller that features a 2.2 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor. With the increased processing power...

DIN rail mount relays.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The new 788 Series plugable, DIN rail-mount relays uses Cage Clamp's spring pressure connection technology for push-in connection of solid wire or ferruled stranded wire and screwdriver actuated connection of all wire types. The series has...

Modular connectors.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... Code 61 and Code 62 4-bolt, Split Flange Type, Modular Connectors are used in integrated hydraulic systems in place of welded and threaded pipe fittings. "These are the Modular Connectors whose port face widths are made to accommodate the width...

Missions in motion: standard linear actuators are being modified for specialty applications in both outer and 'inner' space.(Real-World Engineering)(Cover Story)
April 1, 2004... While most of us tend to think of motion control as a very down-to-earth topic, designers of space apparatus and undersea equipment have a very different view of the technology. As a matter of fact, these types of out-of-this-world applications...

Fieldbus controller.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The IP Programmable Fieldbus Controller (PFC), part number 750-841 features 100 Mbits/s Ethernet, IEC-61131-3 and the latest open architecture software interfaces and protocols. The 750-841 crones standard with a 32 bit RISC processor, 512 KB...

Motor for motion control.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... This linear actuator, the Squiggle is a pen-sized actuator. It uses ultrasonic vibrations to directly rotate a threaded shaft. Squiggle motors create tools for nanotechnology research and enable highly miniaturized products. Squiggle motors use...

Motion-feedback encoder.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... The Mercury M1500 is a low cost digital output kit encoder that has all signal conditioning and interpolation electronics within the sensor head. The system provides quadrature output at the sensor, making it ideal for high noise environments....

Low profile bench scales.(New Products)
April 1, 2004... This series of low profile bench scales features seven models that are engineered to provide durable performance, compact size and affordability. The 3700LP Series scales are available in three sizes--10 x 10 inch., 14 x 14 inch. and 18 x 18...

Software grabs surgery by the throat.(Medical Design)
April 1, 2004... Tool and mold maker Minimould achieved improvements in quality and till time as a result of using Moldflow software early in the manufacture of a new range of laryngoscopes. These devices are now in production by medical device manufacturer...

Packaging and assembly catalog.(Free Stuff!)
April 1, 2004... This 2004 catalog features 104 pages of design and cost-saving hardware solutions for a host new products designed to lower assembly and packaging costs of components, PC boards, and optoelectronics. Products featured in the full-color catalog...

Free calibration software.(Free Stuff!)
April 1, 2004... Engineers can download tree calibration software that is designed to improve the accuracy of all thermocouple measurements. This software works with the LabView graphical development environment to perform multipoint system calibration on any...

Fluid power catalog.(Free Stuff!)
April 1, 2004... This miniature fluid power products 400-page catalog includes features, specifications, color photographs, and technical drawings for more than 5,000 standard products. The catalog is divided into main product categories, including cylinders,...

Position sensors catalog.(Free Stuff!)
April 1, 2004... This 430-page position sensors catalog features more than 800 sensors and control products for industrial control applications. Product families include inductive and capacitive proximity sensors, actuator sensors, photoelectric sensors,...

Electronic enclosures catalog.(Free Stuff!)
April 1, 2004... This electronic enclosures catalog combines a 500-page printed catalog with a Web-based product database to provide engineers with comprehensive and detailed product information. The catalog covers a range of products including cabinets, cases,...

Design guide.(Free Stuff!)
April 1, 2004... The Ultimate Design Guide 2003 includes 200 new pages and more than 500 linear motion products, along with tens or thousands of existing mechanical components. Among the new products offered are double wide linear bearings (inch and metric),...

Thin-section bearing manual.(Free Stuff!)
April 1, 2004... This free manual covers the specifications, performance, applications, installation, and maintenance of Reali-Slim thin-section bearings. The 100-page manual contains selection tables for both open and sealed Reali-Slim bearing types, in...

Lighting samples.(Free Stuff!)
April 1, 2004... Free samples of a new series of flexible and rigid LED linear strip lighting are available. The product call be used for edge lighting, backtighting complex contours, marking paths, task lighting, for commercial signage, and safety and rescue...