Product Design & Development articles from August 2005

Product Design & Development archives from August 2005

Infrared camera.(PD&D EXCLUSIVE)
August 1, 2005... The VarioTherm Head has been added to a family of infrared cameras. The VarioTherm Head is a sterling-cooled midwave (1.8 to 5 m) infrared camera for real-time industrial and scientific analysis. It is engineered to deliver intuitive portable...

Hollow pancake motor.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
August 1, 2005... A new hollow pancake stepper motor has a 2.5-in. hole in the center for a microwave tube and is designed for applications where accurate positioning and high torque are desirable characteristics. This pancake motor has a 1.8-degree step angle...

Toggle switches.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
August 1, 2005... NKK Switches 480-991-0942 Use InfoLINK 071-50801-003 or call 800-441-6180 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

High-strength tape.(PD&D EXCLUSIVE)
August 1, 2005... GS Series high-strength tape is designed for assembly, packaging, and other manufacturing industries. The free-film tape is specially formulated to provide instant, aggressive tack-and-peel adhesion as well as high shear strength. The bond...

Terminal blocks.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
August 1, 2005... A line of IEC terminal blocks features high current ranges and expanded options. The terminal blocks are designed, manufactured, and tested to meet the specifications and strict requirements of applicable UL, CSA, and IEC standards. They are...

Fiber-optic sensors.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
August 1, 2005... The D10 Series of compact, DIN rail-mountable fiber-optic sensors is available in three distinctly different models--the D10 Expert with numeric display, the D10 Expert with a bar-graph display, and the D10 with discrete output. All D10 Series...

Adjustable clamping lever.(PD&D EXCLUSIVE)
August 1, 2005... The Soft Touch AXL eliminates the need for adjustment tools and equipment, allowing users to make quick installations and virtually instant changes. Lifting up on the handle disengages the lever and torque action, while the stud or insert...

Digital testers.(PD&D EXCLUSIVE)
August 1, 2005... The 4136mO and the 4137mO are digital milliohm testers. The 4136mO has a power source of 110 or 230 Vac and the 4137mO has a power source of 12 Vdc. These testers are engineered for measuring low ohms to detect any high potential lead junction...

Power resistors: a comparison of new product capabilities and specifications to help engineers find the right component to fit their designs.(PRODUCT REVIEW)
August 1, 2005... The importance of the fact that short-term power capacity, can greatly exceed long-term ratings can be traced back to Charles F. Kettering, co-founder of Delco. In about 1910, Kettering realized that a small electric motor could be operated...

Mountain of information: tough pressure sensor provides inside look at volcanoes.(ENGINEERING AT WORK)
August 1, 2005... In the middle of the cold North Pacific, 675 miles from Anchorage, is Alaska's Shishaldin volcano. It's one of more than 40 active volcanoes in the Aleutian Islands and part of the celebrated Ring of Fire, a zone of frequent earthquakes and...

New proximity sensors address the metal factor.(Focus On Sensors)
August 1, 2005... Standard proximity sensors have long been used on plant floors for metal detection. Whether to detect aluminum cans on a line or a steel gate on a tank, these sensors were one of the first implemented in the field and remain popular today....

Innovations in fastening technology for PC boards.(Tech Watch)
August 1, 2005... No matter how sophisticated or advanced, electronic components must be attached reliably and securely if they are to deliver optimum performance. Beyond this universal requirement, particular attachment demands often will emerge. PC boards cam...

High-voltage switching in hybrid-electric vehicles.(From The Field)
August 1, 2005... The price of gasoline, soaring above $2 a gallon, is driving the automotive industry to rapidly develop vehicles which are far more fuel-efficient. This is the reason there is a rush of releases of highly efficient hybrid-electric vehicles...

The soft side of motion control: new and improved software-based motion control systems are hitting the market and reducing costs, while increasing flexibility for manufacturers.(Technology Review)
August 1, 2005... PC-based motion control is nothing new. OEM machine builders serving the semiconductor automation, machine tool, metalworking, material handling, and packaging industries have been using PC-based systems since the early '90s. However, as new...

Q&A: elevated by elastomers.(Questions & Answers)(Interview)
August 1, 2005... The Model 480B helicopter holds the distinction of being one of the first FAA-certified helicopters to be designed through computer-aided design. Developed by Enstron, there are 80 480Bs in existence, and the easy-to-pilot light turbine...

Ring index drives.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... A new family of ring index drives features large through-holes to accommodate a variety of automated machinery and equipment, including electrical wiring and air or hydraulic lines. Locating equipment in the large center through-hole frees up...

Splayed pin fin heat sinks.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... The new UltraCool P line of splayed pin fin heat sinks generates a cooling premium of 20 to 30 percent over standard pin fin heat sinks, when operating in low air speed environments and in the natural convection mode. UltraCool P pin fins...

Self-leveling liquid adhesive.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... Safety Clear Coat is formulated to seal and protect glass, metal, ceramics, wood, phenolics, composites, fabrics, and concrete against impact and wear in a variety of OEM applications. This self-leveling liquid adhesive is water-clear,...

Configurable power supplies.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... A new line of configurable power supplies enables an infinite choice of customized power solutions from 400 to 2,200 W, with samples available in 24 hours. The fleXPower family of ac/dc power supplies has been designed to deliver power density...

RFID printer.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... Designed as an inexpensive, user-friendly answer to RFID printing challenges, a new package complies with recent RFID mandates. Used in conjunction with the Zebra R110Xi RFID printer-encoder and a choice of various labeling software programs,...

Sealing boots.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... Two new sealing boots for switches feature a soft feel to facilitate prehension and provide stringent protection to IP 67, which allows for immersion under one meter of water for 30 minutes without water ingress. Applications include optical...

Miniature connectors.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... MMCX, MCX, and SMA connectors have been added to a line of miniature units. Micro-miniature connectors (MMCX Series) are available as jacks and plugs and with a choice of through-hole, surface mount, and edge-mount terminations. A "ganged"...

Thick-film circuits.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... Designed to provide design engineers with high-power circuits and assemblies at lower costs than typical direct bonded copper methods, a technique to produce custom thick-film circuits and assemblies has been developed. The technique allows...

Pressure transmitter.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... Barcon PPC is a new pressure transmitter with a ceramic sensing face that offers stability, no fluid fill (dry sensor), and resistance to corrosive and abrasive media. It can be ordered for sanitary applications with the 3A mark. The Barcon PPC...

Rotary position sensor.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... The RSC3700 family of non-contacting rotary sensors provides 360-degree absolute angle measurements with 12-bit resolution. Measurements are referred to a mechanical index point, providing retention of position in the event of power failures. A...

Brakes and clutches.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... A line of high capacity magnetic particle brakes and clutches features up to 300 lb-ft of torque. The units are suitable for payout and rewind tension control, load simulation (for testing motors and actuators), torque limiting, and soft starts...

Motor feedback system.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... The SKM 36 SinCos has a Hiperface interface. The SKM 36 multi-turn rotary encoder tracks absolute position over 4,096 turns and features a minimum number of components to allow miniature and subminiature motor manufacturers to considerably...

Calling all CAD students.(Extreme Redesign)
August 1, 2005... Once again, the Dimension 3D Printing Group, a business unit of Stratasys Inc. in Minneapolis, MN, is seeking entries for "Extreme Redesign: The Ultimate 3D Printing Challenge." The contest, which is open to high school and college CAD students...

Thermal overload protectors.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... UB8P and UB81P self-hold thermal cut-out and thermal protectors are designed to provide overheat protection in high-voltage applications. With a 16 A capability, the new models are suitable for thermal overload protection in a broad range of...

General-purpose valves.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... Designed for engineers in search of cost-efficient valves that don't sacrifice reliability and quality, a family of general-purpose solenoid valves offers a wide range of fluid control solutions. Available in body materials that include...

Fuses and accessories.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... The Edison line includes a wide variety of fuses and accessories used in several applications. The Edison products are industry-standard fuses designed using high-quality materials and manufacturing methods. All Edison fuses can be directly...

Plastic enclosure.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... The SL-30 is an enclosure designed for maximum versatility. It is available in 16 different combinations and in three standard colors. The SL-30 is available as a wall mount enclosure, a desktop design, or as a handheld enclosure. For the...

Computing system module.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... The OrbiTrak GSM is a PC/104 module for intelligent vehicle and airborne computing systems requiring worldwide GSM/GPRS roaming and GPS positioning. A suitable solution for demanding mobile communications and global positioning applications...

Tin-lead solder terminations.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... The LD Series of multi-layer ceramic capacitors offers tin-lead solder terminations, with 5 percent lead minimum. The unit is designed with non-RoHS industries in mind. The LD Series MLCCs meet the needs of the military and aerospace...

Backlight inverters.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... A line of custom backlight inverters is available for flat-panel display applications. The line includes dc-ac power supplies that drive the cold-cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL)in LCD backlighting applications to support displays as small as 2...

Brushless motor controller.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... The DECV 50/5 is a compact, digital, velocity controller designed for controlling brushless motors up to 250 watts and equipped with Hall sensors. The controller has a speed range of 1,000 to 60,000 rpm for two-pole motors. Requiring a supply...

Finger-pull handle.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... A new finger-pull handle is designed to be simple to install. A moderate pressing motion is all that's required to install the handle in place on a prepared panel. The U-shaped Omicron handle requires no screws for installation. It eliminates...

Corrosion-resistant ball valve.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... Designed with aesthetics and safety in mind, the Type 375 True Union ball valve offers an increased breadth of corrosion-resistant materials and sizes. NSF 61-certified in PVC for potable water applications, the valve is also offered in 0PVC...

Cable carrier crossbar.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... A u-shaped crossbar can be installed on the rugged, high-strength System E4 cable carriers. This special crossbar can accommodate conduits up to 11.8 in. in diameter, which are often required for vacuum hose applications such as chip and dust...

Low-profile inverter.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... The 10m Class DC/AC Inverter is designed to provide a high-power, low-profile standard solution for automotive and industrial-grade LCD panels used in a variety of operating environments. The inverter can be used to power one- or two-lamp LCDs...

Flow meter interface.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... The Flo-tech K-Factor Scaler is a field adjustable "frequency divider" that converts low level, pulsed frequency output from a turbine flow meter to a scaled, square wave output signal. It provides an interface with PLC, RTU, PC data...

Flexible Connectors.(NEW PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2005... The high-density PowerMod connector family is offered in three to 30 circuits and is available for straight PC boards, right-angle PC boards, panels, or cable mountings, offering maximum design flexibility for a variety of system packaging. The...

New encoders give medical imaging equipment new life.(MEDICAL DEVICE DESIGN)
August 1, 2005... Manufacturers of medical imaging equipment are seeking to make diagnostic processes more precise and reliable, while containing equipment costs and decreasing time to market. Because the lifespan of medical diagnostic equipment is relatively...

2D bar-codes tackle a big problem for medical electronics.(MEDICAL DEVICE DESIGN)
August 1, 2005... Many medical devices require critical components, and many of these components are quite small. Therefore, tracking these components becomes a tall order. That was precisely the case when a large electronics manufacturer approached Molex Inc.,...

Simulating brain activity in Parkinson's patients.(MEDICAL DEVICE DESIGN)
August 1, 2005... Deep brain stimulation (DBS) can be a dramatically effective treatment for a variety of neurological disorders. However, maximal therapeutic benefit from DBS, a device similar to a cardiac pacemaker, is typically achieved only with optimal...

Cable tube.(MEDICAL DEVICE DESIGN)
August 1, 2005... The new Actone Ultra-Thin is designed for users who require thin wall thickness and excellent torque response, along with kink-resistance at small radius bends. The Actone cable comes in tube sizes of 1 mm or less. A flat wire is used to...

Medical cable assemblies.(MEDICAL DEVICE DESIGN)
August 1, 2005... A line of custom medical cable assemblies features color-coded WPI(R)/Viking Thorkom circular connectors. Designed to withstand autoclaving and irradiated sterilization essential for medical instruments and test tubes, the electrical-tested...

Electrical interfaces.(MEDICAL DEVICE DESIGN)
August 1, 2005... BalConn electrical connecting technologies feature small coil sizes and high coil counts. They can be used in implanted medical electronics applications where lead size is as small as 0.51 mm. BalConn technology provides a long-term electrical...

Focused beam sensors.(MEDICAL DEVICE DESIGN)
August 1, 2005... A line of new ultrasonic proximity sensors generates a highly focused beam of sound that can easily access very tight spaces and openings. Just 0.5 in. in diameter and 3.5 to 4 in. long, these sensors are suitable for small space applications....

Optical mirrors.(MEDICAL DEVICE DESIGN)
August 1, 2005... Tech Spec optical flat mirrors are manufactured using optical fused silica for extra thermal stability and are available coated or uncoated. These mirrors are suitable for the most demanding imaging systems, laser applications, as well as for...

Motion control.(Next Month)
August 1, 2005... Continuing a series of special sections examining specific industry sectors, the September issue of Product Design & Development features a look at motion control. Among the highlights is an industry veteran's look at how encoders are...

NKK Switches.(Design Guides)
August 1, 2005... NKK Switches has released its latest switch guide featuring new RoHS-compliant switches. The guide's easy-to-use organizational structure and more than 80 switch families with 3D cutaway and detailed specifications are intended to aid designers...

The engineering consulting firm Spitzer & Boyes.(Design Guides)
August 1, 2005... The engineering consulting firm Spitzer & Boyes offers an unbiased look at the "ins and outs" of non-contact level gauges with The Consumer Guide to Non-Contact Level Gauges. The guide offers an independent look at non-contact level gauges,...

ITT Industries, Electronic Components Div.(Design Guides)
August 1, 2005... ITT Industries, Electronic Components Div. has released an automotive design guide. The guide demonstrates the organization's range of switches, connectors, and design services. The brochure includes index listings of specific product series...

Free JAX Version 2.0.(Design Guides)
August 1, 2005... Free JAX Version 2.0 from Joyce/Dayton Corp. is a Windows-based software available on CD-ROM. It is intended as a complete source for jack selection and engineering data and includes all the information designers may need to specify the right...

Industrial Motion Control.(Catalogs & Brochures)
August 1, 2005... Industrial Motion Control, also known as IMC, has released a comprehensive catalog for users of index drives and related products. The 260-page color catalog features more than 1,000 products under the Camco and Ferguson brands, including index...

Manufacturers of appliances.(Catalogs & Brochures)
August 1, 2005... Manufacturers of appliances, consumer goods, vehicles, and general industrial equipment can use a catalog from McGill to find toggle, rocker, and levolier switches. The units are UL-recognized and CSA-certified. They are fabricated to precisely...

Solutions That Cure.(Catalogs & Brochures)
August 1, 2005... Solutions That Cure: Adhesives for Medical Device Assembly is a 12-page brochure from Henkel Corp. that overviews Loctite medical device adhesive technology, products, and applications. The literature also provides information on the company's...

Eaton.(Catalogs & Brochures)
August 1, 2005... Eaton debuts a new 12-page four-color brochure featuring electro-hydraulic fan drive systems. The brochure describes electronic controller options, an integrated fan drive system, a stand-alone fan drive system, and tailored systems for...

Molded parts design guide.(FREE STUFF)
August 1, 2005... UFE Inc. has developed a new guide to assist engineers in the design and specification of parts. The guide is called The Big 6 Design Do's and Don'ts When Designing Molded Parts. This handy online guide addresses fundamental design...

Banner Engineering.(Online Offerings)
August 1, 2005... Banner Engineering introduces a new catalog CD that contains all current product catalogs for more than 15,000 sensing, safety, measurement and inspection, and vision products, as well as current pricing. New and notable for this CD are the...

Galil Motion Control.(Online Offerings)
August 1, 2005... Galil Motion Control, a maker of high performance motion controllers and drives, has announced MotorSizer, a free, web-based tool designed to help users quickly and easily size their motion system. Essentially, MotorSizer directs users to...

Position sensor ideal in hostile mining environments.(Linear & Rotary Measurement Technology)(Advertisement)
August 1, 2005... The PT9150 Cable-Extension Position Sensor provides reliable performance in harsh environments such as non-stop use on mining equipment by Superior Highwall Miners, Beckley, WV. Environmentally rated IP67, the PT9150 makes linear measurements...

Linear potentiometer ideal for industrial automation and robotic applications.(Linear & Rotary Measurement Technology)(Advertisement)
August 1, 2005... Specifically designed for a wide range of demanding applications including industrial automation and robotics, the CLWG Linear Potentiometer is a highly accurate and rugged device with measurement ranges of 3" to 30". Easy to install and...

Digital output position sensors are easy to install and quick to ship.(Linear & Rotary Measurement Technology)(Advertisement)
August 1, 2005... Easy to install and maintain, Celesco's ruggedly designed digital output position sensors are reliable and accurate devices that are available with DeviceNet[R], CAN J1939, and RS232 communication protocols. Digital signals are highly reliable...

Linear position transducer has 316SS enclosure for hazardous area applications.(Linear & Rotary Measurement Technology)(Advertisement)
August 1, 2005... Rugged by design, the PT8000 Series Linear Cable-Extension Transducers are industrial grade devices that have been engineered for reliability and easy installation. The 316SS enclosure provides increased corrosion resistance in hostile...