Product Design & Development articles from December 2003

Product Design & Development archives from December 2003

Illuminated switches.
December 1, 2003... The R5 Series of illuminated, rectangular panel-mount DPDT rocker switches is designed for use in ac power control and similar applications for appliances, lamps, computers, and other consumer electronic devices. The ergonomically designed,...

Integrated motion system.
December 1, 2003... Simple Step 17 is a 1.8 degree step motor, drive, and controller that allows quick installation and setup because it is an all in one motion system. It provides trajectory motion, two digital I/O channels, two fixed I/O channels, pre-set motor...

Isolated sensors.
December 1, 2003... The Level Master Series of low pressure isolated pressure sensors incorporates stainless steel isolation suitable for drinking water and other fluid or gas measurements. They have a modular design that is adaptable to an infinite number of...

Long-life valves.
December 1, 2003... Microvolume Diaphragm Valves are designed for trouble free use in applications requiring minimal maintenance and maximum lifetime. Three configurations are available: a four-port internal loop sample injector, a six-port external loop valve,...

A new information connection.(Info Link)
December 1, 2003... Beginning with our January 2004 issue, Product Design and Development will present a new way for readers to access detailed product information-and all it-takes is a click of a mouse. This new system is called InfoLINK. InfoLINK will allow...

Dry vacuum system for rotary evaporators.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... This self-cleaning dry vacuum system is suitable for use with rotary evaporators for stripping low-boiling-point solvents such as pentane, alcohol, of methylene chloride, or for concentrators. The system's two-stage, flexible diaphragm pump...

High-current driver.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... The SD275 intelligent driver has been designed to outperform many constant bipolar chopper drivers. Its main role is to accept pulses and direction signals and generate phase currents when paired with most two- and four-phase stepper motors. It...

U-channel power supplies.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... The SDS120 Series of U-channel power supplies offers a choice of single or triple output models and delivers up to 120 W of output power. A key feature of the SDS120 is the ability to operate without any airflow requirements. The converters are...

Superconducting wire.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... A new line of industry-standard superconducting wire is offered in a variety of configurations including stabilized and non-stabilized versions. The High Field Superconducting Wire provides a 16-18 K transition temperature and a high critical...

Polyimide film for high temperatures.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... Scapa 554 is a polyimide film formulated for high-temperature masking and electrical insulation of high-temperature coils, motors, and transformers meeting Class H requirements. Single-coated with a high-performance silicone pressure...

Oscillators with tight frequency stability.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... The S 1633 and S1634 Series oscillators feature tight frequency stability and low power consumption within a 3.2 x 5 mm ceramic package. Optimized for IEEE 802.11a/b/g wireless access points and WLAN enterprise networking equipment, these...

Solid state relays.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... The RVx3 Series of solid state relays consists of rugged three-phase devices rated for 25 amps, up to 660 Vac. They offer zero cross firing for fixed resistance loads, which is almost silent in operation and can eliminate switch-on surges by...

DC-AC inverter.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... The SE2 Series is a fully vacuum-encapsulated, low-profile de-ac inverter that promises a space-saving solution for LCDs backlit by two cold cathode fluorescent lamps. The PC-mountable inverter is less than 0.42 in. high and only 0.75 in....

Extension for inserts and adapters.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... A new extension has been added to an existing line of spring clamp contact inserts and terminal adapters for industrial multipole connectors. The revos family of multipole connectors with spring clamp technology allows the connection of...

Thermal circuit breakers.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... The Mid-Range 250 Series of thermal circuit breakers can be used in applications in the marine industry, the medium-duty chassis industry, and specialized vehicles. There are three versions: Automatic Reset, Manual Reset, and Manual Reset...

Open frame modular switching power supplies.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... Designed to meet space and performance needs in medical and dental instrumentation and systems, the OFM/M Series of medically approved ultraminiature open frame modular switching power supplies provides output power over the range of 5 to 15...

Pressure transmitters.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... A new submersible transmitter series, designated CTU8000CS, promises low-cost level measurement for ranges from 0-5 to 0-30 psi. These hydrostatic pressure transmitters boast accurate, long-term, stable pressure sensor elements in rugged...

Ultrasonic sensor.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... Priced under $100, the Virtu ultrasonic sensor has sensing ranges from 50 to 510 mm. This proximity sensor boasts a small size and a tough Valox housing for many OEM applications. Available in cable or connector style, the Virtu offers a...

Fasteners for flight.(New & notable: fasteners)
December 1, 2003... Two new product groups are designed for use in aerospace applications. They are the Aerlite 160 and Aerlite 180 titanium alloy fasteners. These new fasteners offer high tensile and shear strength properties and can be used where size...

Patch for high heat.(New & notable: fasteners)
December 1, 2003... Nytemp, an advanced high-temperature self-locking patch material, frees designers from the 250[degrees]F maximum of traditional materials and allows them to use self-locking fasteners with nut pie cycle reuse capabilities. The patch is...

Shortening aerospace assembly.(New & notable: fasteners)
December 1, 2003... As in many industries, aerospace equipment manufacturers lace the need to streamline their assembly processes. One of the challenges the industry faces is that often manufacturers must take the time to drill multiple rivet holes during the...

What's new online @ www.pddnet.com.(New & notable: fasteners)
December 1, 2003... You'll want to make sure you visit Product Design and Development's Web site this month. At www.pddnet.com, you will discover intriguing bonus articles oil cutting-edge technologies as well as bonus new product information. All you have to do...

Ski lifts get a power boost.(In focus: motors & frives)
December 1, 2003... At two popular ski resorts, skiers are getting a new lift, That's because both Breckenridge, in Breckenridge, CO, and Sugarbush, in Warren, VT, have installed 900-hp and 700-hp fully regenerative ac drives and ac motors in the resorts'...

Limit alarm.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... The Model WV118 is an RTD-input dual-setpoint limit alarm with TouchCAL technology. It's a high density DIN-rail-mount device that accepts RTD inputs and provides two selectable relay output functions. The Model WV118 is powered by 9-30 Vdc...

Leveling casters.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... The new Flexello UTP Series twin-wheel leveling casters are designed for use on appliance cabinets, medical carts and equipment, furniture, racks, displays, and other products and equipment requiring periodic rolling and level stationary...

Universal computer brackets.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... Priced at 60 cents each in bulk quantities, standard and custom computer brackets are designed to fit all PC computers. They come with a variety of holes and cutouts. The brackets are manufactured using 0.032-in. steel and feature nickel...

New laser makes the cut.(Tech update: manufacturing)
December 1, 2003... Black Diamond, a producer of equipment and accessories for "on-the-edge" sports such as rock climbing, ice climbing, and backcountry, has upgraded its manufacturing processes with a new laser cutting system. The company is using Cincinnati...

Absolute angle encoders.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... These absolute angle encoders have a system accuracy of [+ or -] angular second. This higher accuracy has been made possible by advancements in bearings and the optimization of the scanning process with signal enhancement. The new versions of...

Sanitary case.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... The San Case, which Can house one, two, or three 6000 Series DPMs, meets or exceeds NEMA 4X (IP65) requirements. The all aluminum double-gasketed case with a high-temperature polycarbonate window can be wall-, pipe-, of panel-mounted and has up...

Dc magnet motors.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... A new line of small dc permanent magnet motors can be used for floor care applications, off-road winches, pumps, gearmotors, transaxles, and stationary vibration systems, The motor specifications range from 12 m 240 volts, 0.115 to 2.5...

Customizable cabinet platform.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... The 20,000 Series is a 19-in. cabinet suitable for defense, security, data communication, and broadcast and telecommunication applications. It's designed to Ice customized. The 20,000 Series uses design for manufacturing methods to enable...

Creating a shield against EMI.(Design ideas: shielding)
December 1, 2003... Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and attenuation components are critical to EMC specifications in the electronics industry, with a variety of solutions available to the designer engineer. One way of illustrating the need for EMI...

Positioning stages for medical applications.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... High-precision X, Y, Z, and theta positioning stages have been engineered for use with medical applications. These quiet, high-performance stages are suitable for protein research, crystallography, high-throughput screening of DNA sequencing,...

Grease-fitting caps with retaining ring.(New Products)
December 1, 2003... The GF Series of grease-fitting caps is designed to prevent contaminants and moisture from entering grease fittings. The caps are designed to resist weak acids and various solvents. A retaining ring holds the caps in place during servicing....

Toasting technology: here's to all the engineers who better our world through the products they design. To celebrate, we present the 50 finalists in our annual engineering awards competition. Tell us who should win the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)(Cover Story)
December 1, 2003... Every day design engineers awake and go to work just like everyone else, but many days, these men and women toil in obscurity to produce new products that can better the lives sometimes they're subtle. Some help in a help save dying patients a...

Food oil meter.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The ebro FOM 200 Food Oil Meter is an instrument which instantly measures the quality of hot oil used in cooking. This instrument measures components found in hot oils used for frying foods that can contribute to diseases such as heart disease,...

Piping system valve.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The Series LMBV Lateral Reducing Valve, is a new type of valve for plastic piping systems h can be used as a new method of connecting lateral drops to mainline piping systems to improve piping system strength in semiconductor fabs....

Magnetic Switch.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The Magnasphere Switch is a two-wire magnetic switch. This product has a robust steel construction, magnetic steel contact, and nonmagnetic defeat. It is resistant to permanent contact welding, EMI-RFI, and has a compact size. This switch is...

Linear slides.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... NYS linear slides are suitable alternatives to expensive, high maintenance servo and stepper stages and actuators featuring recirculating ball guide bearing systems with remote amplifier/drives and controls. Using a NYS slide in one axis of a...

Surface mountable universal contact.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... This new surface mountable universal contact has been designed for a broad range of telecommunications and industrial applications including mobile phone speakers, microphones, buzzers, antennas, and other PC board functions. It is designed to...

Refrigeration and air conditioning valves.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The R Series of refrigeration and air conditioning solenoid valves is designed to meet the evolving needs of the refrigeration and air conditioning industries as well as environmental standards. The new line is designed to efficiently meet...

Pressure regulator.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The PRD-1-n-1 pressure regulator is an ultra-miniature regulator that is designed to control outlet pressures down to 1/2 psig. It is made with the demands of the hydrogen fuel cell industry in mind. Many companies are producing fuel cells that...

Dental LED.
December 1, 2003... The Cure is an LED hand piece used to harden resin or composite used by dentists and orthodontists The Cure uses an LLD light for the purpose of curing resin and composites. This product is designed to reduce cure times and costs, making curing...

Aluminum raised rail.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... This aluminum raised rail has centered mounting slots for appyling terminal blocks, power supplies, relays, surge suppression devices, and signal conditioning modules. This aluminum raised rail can be used in electrical control panels in...

Fall protection system.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The Miller Edge is a device that protects construction workers from falling and injuring themselves on the job. This anchorage solution has been designed to protect workers engaged in leading edge deck constructuion. The product provides two...

Flexible elastomeric lamp.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The DFLX (Durel's Flexible Light Lamp) is a thin, flexible, flat-panel light source that is suitable for backlighting keypads in electronic devices such as cell pones, remote controls, and PDAs. DFLX lamps are designed to be a new option that...

Web-enabled touchpanel.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The iPanel web-enabled touchpanel with CT HMI software is a next-generation touch panel for industrial visualization and interactive control. It combines a rugged all steel and aluminum enclosure with state of the art graphics and networking...

Satellite TV antenna.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The TracVision A5 ultra-low profile satellite TV antenna is designed to employ a break-through hybrid phased-antenna that uses hundreds of small antenna elements integrated on a flat surface to provide in-motion reception of satellite TV aboard...

Automation software.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... RSAutomation Desktop is a software technology that has the capability to bring controller programs, HMI screens, documentation, CAD drawings, network configuration, and motion information together into cohesive allowing engineers/designers to...

Interconnect system.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The E-connect system quickly connects standard e-stop devices on a DeviceNet network The system is made of E-connect busstop stations and various configurations of cables, cordsets, and accessories to accommodate every connectorized...

Linear Actuator.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The Hybrid Size 14 Captive Linear Actuator converts rotary motion into linear motion. It is available in a wide variety of resolutions ranging from 0.000125 to 0.002 in. per step, delivers up to 25 lbs of thrust and lasts up to 20 million...

Electrical enclosures.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... Hoffman Watershed Enclosures are stainless steel, sloped top free-standing and wall-mount enclosures with features designed to facilitate washdown while protecting sensitive electrical controls. They can be used for removal of waste...

Water analysis colorimeter.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The Pocket Colorimeter II is designed to be a low-cost, high-value colorimeter for use in water analysis applications. It is designed to perform routine water quality measurements such as chlorine and lead detection levels. Each instrument is...

Mechanical seal.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The GSG Seal is a mechanical seal for the gear-box of integrally geared high-speed pumps and compressors. There are approximately 24,000 integrally geared process pumps and compressors in operation that can use the GSG design. By using this...

Epoxy adhesives.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The SC 2000 Series family of single-component epoxy adhesives provides rapid bonding of metal, ceramics, glass, and concrete in a variety of OEM applications, such as potting, encapsulating, the assembly of metal filters, securing stainless...

Rotary servo motors.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... Advanced Kollmorgen Motor (AKM) is a family of rotary servo motors that feature an advanced electromagnetic design and flexible feature sets to satisfy global motor requirements. AKM motors are applicable wherever industrial servo motors are...

Drive-up ATM.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The Opteva 740 Drive-Up ATM is designed to add versatility to drive-up ATM machines. It is a through-the-wall drive up automated teller machine. The machine is designed to be a versatile, drive-up ATM because it can be configured in a variety...

Rapid prototyping.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The ProtoKey Rapid Prototyping Service allows an embedded systems developer to make any serial EEPROM portable instantly. Almost any EEPROM device available in an 8-pin SOIC, TSSOP or DIP package can be placed onto the ProtoKey. The ProtoKey is...

Energy storage system.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The Pentadyne Voltage Support Solution (Model VSS-120) is a high speed, composite flywheel-based energy storage system providing 120 kW input for 20 seconds. Target applications for this product include UPS battery conditioning or replacement,...

Power supply protection devices.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... Designed for use in line voltage applications, the LVR Series of PolySwitch devices protects against both overcurrent and overtemperature faults on the primary side of power supplies and transformers. The devices help prevent damage to control...

Prosthetic wrist.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The N-Abler 5 Function Wrist is a fully integrated, five-function body powered prosthetic wrist incorporating wrist rotation flexion and extension. It provides practitioners in the prosthetic trade a ready made "out-of-the-box" wrist unit,...

Extreme environment sensor.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The 5320 Series Extreme Environment Panel Position Sensor is a compact panel sensor with the low electrical noise and high performance characteristics required for control critical applications. It is designed to provide durable service life...

Digital dancer control system.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The RSD200 Digital Dancer Controller is a microprocessor-based position controller designed to minimize dancer arm movement during tension disturbances and then return the arm to its running position. Engineered for web control applications, it...

Steam-in-place connection.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The Steam-Thru Connection (STC) is a Steam-in-place product that streamlines critical biopharmaceutical processes. It serves the dual function of valve and connection, while eliminating costly and labor-intensive steps found in traditional...

Aquatic analysis system.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... Aquanex+Video is a biomechanical analysis system that simultaneously captures underwater video and measures forces during aquatic activities such as swimming, aquatic therapy, rowing, and running in water. It displays synchronized underwater...

Window spacer system.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... Insuledge is a flexible, warm-edge spacer system used to fabricate insulating glass window units. The warm edge spacers provide for reduced heal transfer around the perimeter of the glass units. It is designed to provide the window market...

Insulin pump lead screw.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The Mini Series lead screw is used in the Deltec Cozmo Primp, an insulin infusion device. The pump is a lightweight cell phone-size device worn by people with diabetes that delivers insulin at regularly scheduled intervals through a short,...

Solid-form threadlocker.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The 248 Threadlocker Stick is an anerobic threadlocking chemical available in a solid form and packaged in a convenient self-feeding tube. It is available in both medium and high strength versions and cures in the absence of air and in the...

Crutch/cane tip.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The Adventure Ambulatory Aid Tip is designed to go on the bottom of most crutches and canes to provide the person using them with improved ground contact and safety. The tip does this by allowing the soft EVA foam to flex when the aid is at an...

Level detection sensor.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The levelprox dual-mode non-invasive level detection sensor determines the level of media inside a metal tank by evaluating an echo as it returns from the opposite tank wall. Its echo mode is useful when detecting the level of a high viscosity...

Plate magnets.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... "PM" Series plate magnets are ceramic (ferite) and neodymium-iron boron powdered plate magnets mounted inside a completely stainless steel housing for separation of ferrous metal particles from powders, grains, and granules in free-flowing...

Camera-based inspection sensor.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... PresencePLUS Pro is a new camera-based visual inspection sensor designed to transform costly, complex machine vision systems into a simple. easy-to-use and affordable sensor. Like larger, more complex systems, it captures images and analyzes...

Mechanical design software.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... SolidWorks 2004 is a 3D mechanical design software that streamlines new product design and helps manufacturers in any industry speed products to market. It is designed to accelerate design-to-manufacture so companies can speed products to...

Electromotive coil motor.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The TG3300 Series Brush DC Motor is based on patented electromotive coil technology, which eliminates the: iron core and wire windings found in conventional motors. The coil is made with precision-machined copper sheets rather than circular...

Air nozzle.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The Super Air Nozzle is designed to reduce noise levels and air consumption on blowoff, cooling, drying, and cleaning applications. It produces a forceful air-steam with minimal wind shear. The air nuzzle is designed to address energy...

Valve manifold system.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The VM10 10-mm wide pneumatic valve manifold system is designed to be easy, to understand and use with LEDs and clear labeling. It quickly connects via integrated push-in fittings. In addition, it is easy of configure with a free valve island...

Dc contactors.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... PowerSeal is a family of dc contactors with electrical performance exceeding that of metal dc contractors. The units have the corrosion resistance and sealing level of plastic dc contactors and are environmentally resistant. The units are...

Automated molding clamps.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... Extreme Temperature Pneumatic Clamps are automated devices designed for use in the extreme temperature environments of rotational molding in order to hold mold halves together while they travel in and out of high temperature ovens. They...

Pulldown kitchen faucet.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The Aberdeen Hi-Arc Pulldown Kitchen Faucet is designed to help homeowners more easily accomplish tasks such as watering plants on a win dowsill or filling a vase on a countertop. It has all ergonomically designed pull-down spout that has a...

Servo control system.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The SM3410, NEMA 24 size low-cost, fully integrated servo motor is an entire servo control system that is built into a motor. It is designed for extremely low-cost manufacturing because it has a die cast aluminum housing, a machine wound...

Dental treatment device.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The HealOzone Mark II Dental caries with an application of ozone. Rather than drilling and filling dental caries, dentists can apply the ozone via a handpiece with a sealing cup attached. The exposure to ozone dramatically reduces...

Power inductors.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The DXM Series of power inductors includes low-voltage, high-current units designed for switching power supplies and portable electronics. The magnetic component collects, filters, and smooches ac ripple current in dc circuits. The...

Medical-grade seal compound.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... EJ590-70 is a specialty healthcare sealing elastomer that is 100 percent carbon-free and suitable for use in medical and dental devices, such as inhaler dispensing valve seals. The material is formulated to eliminate concerns that sealing...

Custom Cordset/Mating Receptacle.(Product Design and Development's Ninth Annual Engineering Awards)
December 1, 2003... The M-8 Pico Custom Cordset and Mating Receptacle is a custom designed cable and connector system designed for use in life support systems, such as the NXG2 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, which provides firefighters with vital air and...