Product Design & Development articles from February 2007

Product Design & Development archives from February 2007

Direct current: dead or alive?(At Issue)
February 1, 2007... It was only 12 months ago that analysts were predicting huge growth for DC-DC converters. Some estimates put growth for the modules market to nearly $5.4 billion by 2010. It was a dynamic market. Recent analysis has told a different story, or...

Switch makes perfect sense.(PD&D Exclusive)
February 1, 2007... The Model 4123 Sensing A/B Switch is designed to automatically switch to the port with valid activity. This switch enables a device connected to the common port to connect to the port with data activity, either A or B. Once activity on the...

Operator panel.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
February 1, 2007... Automation Panel 800 operates and observes machines and systems. The newest generation of all-around closed display units offers a high degree of flexibility. Mounting on swing arm systems allows the operator panel to be placed at the most...

Dual-Output LED Drivers.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
February 1, 2007... New Dual Output White LED Drivers for LCD Display are backlighting housed in a small package. NCP5602 and NCP5612 charge pump white LED drivers feature programmable dimming, achieve 87 percent peak efficiency and deliver consistent brightness...

Analog proximity sensor.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
February 1, 2007... AccuProx is a new family of analog inductive proximity sensors that can sense objects up to four times that of typical shielded and unshielded tubular analog sensors without compromising output accuracy. With long-range, tight repeat accuracy...

Linear electric actuator.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
February 1, 2007... The Group 42 control drive is engineered in response to user demands for an actuator with improved reliability and control, plus flexible mounting for easy drop-in installation. Typical applications include: utility boiler burner air registers,...

Flow converter.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
February 1, 2007... The MFC 300 converter for Coriolis mass flowmeters is a universal unit suitable for a wide range of industrial applications. It offers optimal measurement performance and possesses a diagnostic function that is able to diagnose problems with...

Digital AC servo drive.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
February 1, 2007... ACS300 Series low voltage, all digital brushless AC servo amplifiers use DSP-based architecture and provide software selectable torque, velocity or position mode operation. Sine Wave commutation provides smooth torque at low speeds for...

Artistry with robots: Ken Rinaldo mixes interactive art with engineering expertise.(Engineers@Work)
February 1, 2007... Ken Rinaldo builds robots, but his robots don't work in factories or help surgeons remove gall bladders. Instead, they're works of art. At the 2006 AV Festival in England ten of his Autotelematic Spider Bots scuttled about a display area,...

Examining interoperability: study finds 'There's still work to be done.'.(Software Suite)
February 1, 2007... The lack of interoperability between CAD data and models has long been a key issue affecting the productivity of designers. While it won't surprise any engineer to find that problems exist when attempting to share model data, what exactly is...

Simplifying frequency modeling.(Software Suite)
February 1, 2007... Version 7.5 of Flomerics' MicroStripes 3D EM simulation solution is designed for RF/microwave and antenna design which integrates with Applied Wave Research's (AWR) Microwave Office circuit design software. "MicroStripes Version 7.5 is...

Simulating sounds.(Software Suite)
February 1, 2007... Engineers interested in creating and measuring sound or acoustic waves can benefit from new simulation capabilities for the COMSOL product line--now available as an acoustics module. The simulator is suitable for examining mechanical wave...

Searching for 3D geometry.(Software Suite)
February 1, 2007... Geolus Search, a 3D geometric shape search technology was recently acquired by UGS Corp., a provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services. A new release of the search technology features several new enhancements. ...

Speaking of interoperability.(Software Suite)
February 1, 2007... Autodesk Inc. and PTC announced a technology exchange agreement to expand interoperability options for their users and the manufacturing industry. The agreement is intended to fulfill a common goal of facilitating software interoperability for...

A newer math version: upgraded software aims to reduce errors and increase analytical productivity.(Software Suite)
February 1, 2007... Maplesoft has released Maple 11, an upgrade to the company's Maple software line. The new version features enhancements to its smart document interface, strong computation engine and connectivity capabilities. It is designed to provide users...

Maple 11: what's new.(Software Suite)
February 1, 2007... Smart Documents * Self-documenting context menus perform calculations and give a description of the steps * Enhanced plotting capabilities: ability to use natural math notation in titles, legends, labels and tick marks; support for...

Auto & air specific.(Software Suite)
February 1, 2007... Two new industry accelerator solutions are available from Dassault Systemes' ENOVIA MatrixOne PLM product line. The MatrixOne Aerospace & Defense Accelerator for Program Management and the MatrixOne Automotive Accelerator for Program Management...

Improving access.(Software Suite)
February 1, 2007... A new product browser developed by Avatech Solutions Inc.'s Software Development Solutions Group works with Autodesk Productstream to give departments that are downstream from engineering easy, visual access to product designs and maintenance...

Controlling motion.(Software Suite)
February 1, 2007... Danaher Motion has released its latest PiCPro software, capable of supporting up to 64 axes of high performance motion control. Designed to simplify the integration of the most demanding machine and motion control applications, PiCPro is used...

The rise of mechatronics: a marriage of mechanical and electrical components creates the ultimate motion control solution.(Cover story)
February 1, 2007... In this world of do more, do it faster, do it better and do it with less, manufacturers and packagers need high-tech equipment that can help them achieve these goals. Adding mechatronics, a technology some tout as the ultimate in motion control...

Getting your bearings straight: machinery designers want smaller, faster and quieter motion. So which type of bearing can help achieve these goals?(Motion Control)
February 1, 2007... The design trends for machinery aim for "smaller, faster, quieter and longer life." Every component ultimately will come into play as designers strive to meet these goals. Along the way, their choices among rolling bearing solutions have...

Examining robot safety standards: need to know how standards apply to your design? Just ask.(Industrial Automation)
February 1, 2007... ANSI R15.06-1999 is the accepted American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard covering safety requirements for industrial robots and robot systems. Speaking of safety, it's safe to say that many end users or systems integrators simply...

Three-wheeler cuts sharp corners: 3D modeling software helps a motorcycle enthusiast create his dream design.(Off-Highway)
February 1, 2007... Geir Brudeli's passion for motorcycles runs deep. He likes the freedom of the ride and the lean turn around the corners. The Norwegian inventor likes motorcycles so much he wanted to make his own, one that softens the ride and makes it faster...

The devil is in the details: when specifying high-performance cables, paying close attention is the only option.(Consumer Electronics)
February 1, 2007... In today's world of sophisticated electronics, cable failure is not an option. There is no acceptable level of downtime and no one can afford to replace expensive machinery years before its predicted lifespan--not when profit margins are razor...

Patent pending? 'Fess up.
February 1, 2007... Probably the biggest news to come out of the 2007 Bus & Board show, held January 14 to 17 in Long Beach, CA; came not from any exhibitor but from show sponsor VITA and its standard-setting subcommittee VSO, the VMEbus Standards Organization:...

Flex your knowledge: considering these factors will help bend circuits for medical devices.(Medical Design)
February 1, 2007... The medical device industry is advancing in leaps and bounds. A new wave of medical devices brings increased functionality in a smaller electronic footprint--largely due to the use of flexible circuits. While flexible circuits have been...

Simplified conversion.(Spec Check: A comparison of new product capabilities and specifications to help engineers find the right component to fit their designs)
February 1, 2007... The subject of this month's Spec Check is converters, and there is quite an assortment: three are ICs while one is a multi-chip module; one handles power, one handles RF, and two transform signals between digital and analog. The power-handling...

Switchboard LED Bargraph.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... Model SEB (Switchboard LED Bargraph)is an automatic tri-color bar-graph with an LED display and serial I/O. The SEB can be purchased as an indicator only (no outputs), V/mA, serial input (as a remote display) or as an indicator/controller with...

Two-channel signal isolators.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... DuoPak signal conditioners offer two channels of signal isolation and retransmission in one compact package. These units can be custom configured to accept any two-process signal inputs, including BC voltage or current, AC voltage or current,...

Snap-action rotary switches.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... A line of snap-action rotary switches ensures switches quickly make or break contact independent of the speed of the handle, and hold set positions even in high-vibration environments. The company believes transfer time can translate into...

High flex cable assemblies.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... GORE FireWire High Flex Round and Flat Cable Assemblies provide motion control and vision systems with reliable flex-life performance. These assemblies can be used to prevent lost data or data integrity issues, especially When reliable system...

High-line differential pressure transmitters.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... These differential pressure transmitters are available in piston and diaphragm sensor models rated from 1,500 to 5,000-psig line pressures. While piston models cover differential pressure ranges of 0 to 5 and 0 to 1,000 psid, diaphragm models...

Silicone elastomer compound.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... MasterSil 415 is formulated as a high performance, one-component silicone elastomer compound for bonding, sealing and coating. When exposed to atmospheric moisture at ambient temperatures, it cures to a flexible, rubbery solid. In part due to a...

Flexible hose and ducting.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... Several types of flame-retardant flexible hose and ducting are offered to UL94V-0. Versatile 2PN and TD-S/TD-HS flexible hoses come in standard 25-ft lengths, and can be cuffed for easy installation and tighter seals. 2PN, a polyester hose...

Integrated drives.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... blurbkThe B&R APC620 and Panel PC come standard with front-side USB 2.0 interfaces. To make data exchange even more simple and convenient, the new USB drive combination includes a DVD-RW drive that can read and write all standard DVD formats to...

Bowed handles.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... SNAP-LINE bowed handles incorporate D-SNAP technology to allow each product to function as both a handle and a latch, making each product suitable for use with several types of sheet metal cabinets. Handles incorporating D-SNAP technology are...

Mini photoelectric sensors.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... New, compact SA1E miniature photoelectric sensors suppress background interference while delivering quick, accurate and targeted object identification. Adjustable sensing ranges from 20 to 200 mm enable the SA1E to reliably detect targets while...

Customized machined springs.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... A line of customized machined springs is available in a variety of configurations and materials to accommodate applications with precise spring requirements. These springs are curved beams machined from a single piece of material into the...

Sapphire hemispherical lenses.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... Hemispherical lenses made from sapphire are suitable for a wide variety of applications, including use in fiber communications equipment, endoscopes, microscopes, optical pick-up devices and laser measurement systems. Although attractive,...

Customizable rocker switch.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... The Sigma Rocker Switch--a low-current input membrane switch is compatible with microprocessor-based electrical/electronic systems, and has the characteristics of a conventional rocker switch. Options include custom colors, imprint and...

Industrial pressure transducer.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... The M5100 Pressure Transducer is designed for use in industrial applications that require high accuracy and high, long-term stability despite harsh environmental conditions. The M5100 features proprietary Microfused technology in a compact,...

Safety Interlock Switch.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... A universal tongue-operated safety interlock switch is available with stainless steel actuators. Measuring 25 mm (0.98 in.) wide x 82 mm (3.23 in.) long, the T2008 tongue-operated safety interlock switch is designed to provide a minimum of one...

USB port protection.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... The CeraDiode CDA6 array series has been developed with multilayer ceramic technology for the ESD protection of two USB 2.0 ports. In addition to protecting two or four data lines, the product has the ability to shield the supply voltage...

Thermal transfer labels.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... Print & Seal thermal transfer labels incorporate an integral, easy-to-apply, clear protective layer to enable complete encapsulation of in-house thermal transfer printed data. The labels can be supplied pre-printed or blank, and are available...

Non-adhesive composites.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... These non-adhesive pre-preg thermoset composites (b-stage products) are non-tacky and dry to the touch. Therefore, they do not require the release film found on conventionally tacky pre-pregs. These high-performance pre-preg composites continue...

Fixed and floating barrel nuts.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... Available in sizes from 0.19 to 1.5 in. and traditionally manufactured from alloy steel, A286, alloy 718 or AMS 6304 steel, these fixed and floating barrel nuts can also come in additional sizes or consist of other materials upon request. They...

PTFE, FEP and PFA tubing.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... A line of PTFE, FEP and PFA tubing comes in a choice of styles--straight, thin-wall, coiled, corrugated, convoluted or overbraided--to address various demands. The diversity of styles focuses on different application challenges. PTFE, FEP and...

3D laser scanner.(New Products)
February 1, 2007... Handheld 3D laser scanners were recently released in the form of the ScanWorks V5 sensor. Formulated for the most challenging reverse engineering and inspection tasks, this scanner delivers accuracy, speed and flexibility. The V5 can project a...

Boker's Inc.'s 2007 Washer Catalog is designed as a convenient specifying resource.(Catalogs & Brochures)
February 1, 2007... Boker's Inc.'s 2007 Washer Catalog is designed as a convenient specifying resource. The catalog offers a comprehensive selection of washer sizes. The washers can be produced in short, medium or large run orders, and in more than 21,000...

Medical systems such as scanners, DNA analyzers and X-ray equipment requiring consistent, precision linear positioning benefit from the next generation of ServoClass couplings from ZeroMax.(Catalogs & Brochures)
February 1, 2007... Medical systems such as scanners, DNA analyzers and X-ray equipment requiring consistent, precision linear positioning benefit from the next generation of ServoClass couplings from ZeroMax. An eight-page brochure is available that includes...

This 240-page, full-color guide from Parker Bayside covers linear and rotary positioning stages, frameless kit motors, gearheads, integral gearmotors and a special section devoted to Parker Bayside's Engineered Solutions Group.(Catalogs & Brochures)
February 1, 2007... This 240-page, full-color guide from Parker Bayside covers linear and rotary positioning stages, frameless kit motors, gearheads, integral gearmotors and a special section devoted to Parker Bayside's Engineered Solutions Group. Products new to...

Jarvis Caster Co. has published a redesigned 100-page catalog featuring hundreds of new caster models along with a line of casters, wheels and bumpers.(Catalogs & Brochures)
February 1, 2007... Jarvis Caster Co. has published a redesigned 100-page catalog featuring hundreds of new caster models along with a line of casters, wheels and bumpers. New models include the "Infinity" line of thermoplastic casters along with an expanded line...

A new, short-form catalog that features a line of C[O.sub.2] laser optics for OEMs, small users, researchers and medical laser system manufacturers is available from Laser Research Optics.(Catalogs & Brochures)
February 1, 2007... A new, short-form catalog that features a line of C[O.sub.2] laser optics for OEMs, small users, researchers and medical laser system manufacturers is available from Laser Research Optics. The catalog features high and low power lasers features...

A catalog featuring 2,000 shaft collars and couplings is being offered by Stafford Mfg. Corp.(Catalogs & Brochures)
February 1, 2007... A catalog featuring 2,000 shaft collars and couplings is being offered by Stafford Mfg. Corp. The Signature Series Collars & Couplings Catalog features shaft collars for round, square, hexagonal, and threaded shafts; set-screw, one-piece,...

A four-page, full-color guide to SPS inserts and studs has been released by the Aerospace Fastener Group of SPS Technologies.(Design Guides)
February 1, 2007... A four-page, full-color guide to SPS inserts and studs has been released by the Aerospace Fastener Group of SPS Technologies. The comprehensive guide is designed to familiarize engineers with the applications and features, as well as the...

Pres-On has published a new guide to its line of adhesive tapes, gaskets, pads and bumpers designed to add performance, value and strength to virtually any window or door.(Design Guides)
February 1, 2007... Pres-On has published a new guide to its line of adhesive tapes, gaskets, pads and bumpers designed to add performance, value and strength to virtually any window or door. Targeted to window and door OEM's, the brochure highlights the...

Downloadable open source software solution.(Free Stuff)
February 1, 2007... Aras Corp. has made the Aras Innovator open source solution suite available as a download. The Version 8 release is offered exclusively on the Microsoft.NET platform and includes business ready enterprise solutions along with a solution studio...