Product Design & Development articles from January 2003

Product Design & Development archives from January 2003

Compact servo motor.
January 1, 2003... This brushless dc servo-motor-based actuator uses a precision ball screw and low profile encoder to achieve high linear speed and closed loop control. Its NEMA size 23 design features permanently lubricated ball bearings and a dynamically...

Low-profile dc-dc converters.
January 1, 2003... With a height of 5.5 mm, NTH Series isolated 2W dual-output dc-dc converters are suitable for rack-mounted industrial and telecommunications designs where height is restricted. Their small footprint also minimizes board space. The surface-mount...

Small-diameter cables.
January 1, 2003... L-Flexx 690 cables boast long-life continuous flexing, optimum oil resistance, and reliable performance in harsh environments. The high-flex control cables can withstand a bending radius as small as five times their outside diameter. The 600...

Intelligent control system.
January 1, 2003... The Compact FieldPoint family consists of 20 I/O modules and three intelligent controllers that perform analog and discrete control, user-defined data logging, and advanced inline math and signal processing. The products are designed to deliver...

Processed for precision. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... FineLine Series precision ball screws are manufactured using the proprietary PSF Technology manufacturing process, which enables the units to be as accurate as expensive ground screws but at a lesser cost and lead time. They are available...

Large-size protection. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... These 5- and 6-in. snap bushings and dome plugs are designed for closure of and protection for large-size or heavy-duty electrical enclosures and panels. They fit all 5- and 6-in. access holes on large appliances, large power tools and...

Downsized oscillators. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... Designed to provide reliable performance over a wide frequency range from 8 to 67 MHz, the K30 Series of crystal clock oscillators features a low-profile ceramic package for miniature portable electronics. Their low power consumption and...

New movers and shakers. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... Small rotary actuators and grippers are designed for applications requiring fast, accurate handling of small items such as electronic components. The actuators boast consistently smooth cushioned movement, are available in six sizes, and can be...

Interbus encoders. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... Posital absolute rotary encoders for the Interbus are available with resolution up to 25 bits (8192 steps and 4096 revolutions). These encoders are standardized according to ENCOM. Adjustable parameters include counting direction, gearing...

Level measurement. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... The general purpose two-wire LU12-14 MiniMe ultrasonic transmitter provides non-contact level measurement-up to 10 ft in a standard 1-in. Optional 2-in. mount versions are with a measurement span up to 25 or 40 ft. Accuracy is [+ or -] 0.15...

Connectivity to controllers. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... The new Varioface PLC-V8L adapter is designed for 14-mm relays with 6 A DPDT contacts, high inrush currents, and 10 A SPDT load currents. The unit eases the connecting of relay interfaces to PLC and DCS output cards using Controller System...

Automatic insulation. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... The Ultra-Pod .110 Series Faston receptacle is a fully insulated unit for .110 tabs at 0.02 and 0.032 thicknesses. The receptacle employs F-crimp wire termination with automatic insulation. An all-in-one applicator eliminates the need for post...

Tapered for performance. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... Tyson tapered roller bearings feature a logarithmic raceway profile that provides for more uniform load-carrying capabilities. Even under a heavy, misaligned load, this design promises to more evenly distribute stresses than straight profile or...

Mezzanine card for monitoring. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... A new Synchronous Serial Interface M-Module mezzanine card is designed to simplify the monitoring and controlling of shafts and other moving parts in machine tools, automation systems, test and measurement equipment, and other industrial...

Enclosure ventilation device. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... This enclosure ventilation device features a molded-in-place gasket that promises a tight seal and eliminates the loose separate gasket required in older models. It can be used with both metallic and non-metallic enclosures. The device can...

Transparent protocol transceivers. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... A transparent protocol simplifies the wireless integration process by allowing true plug-and-play installation. This new RF-232 technology is embedded into compact AC4424 industrial-temperature 2.4 GHz FHSS transceivers. The transceivers...

Air-actuated ball valves. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... A line of ball valves constructed of Corzan CPVC has been designed for on/off service. These "fail-safe" actuated units can be used in applications that require elevated temperatures and corrosion resistance. The actuator closes the valve...

Ac/dc power switching supplies. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... Two new lines of low-power, high-density ac/dc power supplies are available in a 2 x 4 format. The ACS40 and ACS60 Series are suitable for a variety of applications including network, telecom, POS, and computer peripherals where a small...

Heaters with PTFE insulated leadwires. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... Thermofoil heaters with PTFE insulation are suitable for applications where caustic or corrosive chemicals are present. At 0.025-in. thin, these heaters are resistant to most acids and bases. Sealed PTFE insulated leadwires allow immersion of...

Solenoid valve with low power draw. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... RedHat Next Generation solenoid valves integrate a power management circuit into the solenoid, which adds new benefits and provides enhanced operation. The unit uses 2 W of power and is designed to provide the same performance as a 17-W ac...

Pushbutton enclosures. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... PBG Pushbutton Enclosures are designed for mounting 22.5-mm pushbuttons and devices, including the Allen-Bradley 800E Series, that, require 2.25 in. center-to-center spacing between holes. The enclosures are available in 13 sizes. There are...

High-pressure adhesive dispensing tool. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... The HP7x high-pressure dispensing tool is designed to let workers apply small dots of extremely thick assembly fluids through small gage tips. It multiplies dispensing pressure by a 7:1 ratio so that 100 psi of input produces 700 psi of air...

Thermoplastics for EMI shielding. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... Premier conductive thermoplastics are formulated for high-performance EMI shielding and grounding in electronic devices. Premier molded plastic parts feature a proprietary dispersion of long, nickel-plated carbon fibers in a choice of resin...

Electronic enclosures for screwless assembly. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... Toptec cases boast time and cost savings through fast and secure screwless assembly. These enclosures can be used for housing desktop or wall-mounted systems. The cases have a universal design suitable for electronic and electro-technical...

Calibration source. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... The BB705 is a black body temperature reference source that is adjustable from 100[degrees] to 1,046[degrees]C and is accurate to [+ or -]1[degrees]C, [+ or -] 0.25 percent rdg. It has a built-in digital temperature controller to provide...

Indicating pressure switch. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... The Ashcroft N-Series electronic indicating pressure switch provides pressure indication and switch functions in one package. This solution also adds transmission capability to the package with a 4-20 mA output signal. By observing values...

Micro-modular PLC. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... The D2-260 CPU is a micro-modular PLC that offers more than 230 RLL instructions. Other key features include easy-to-use ASCII instructions and 16 PID loops with auto-tune. It has a memory of 30.4 K with support for 16,384 I/O points. The...

Solid state pressure switch. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... The One Series 2-Wire pressure switch detects blockage of the sensor port due to process debris, slurries, or crustation build-up. Operating on just two wires and powered from PLC/DCS discrete input, its diagnostic capabilities include...

Telecommunications protection fuse. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... The Model D1250T Telefuse is a powercross protection fuse designed for use in telecommunications circuit applications requiring low current protection with high surge tolerance. The telecom fuse is suitable for protecting central office and...

Miniature four-digit LCD. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... A miniature four-digit LCD has characters that are 0.174 in. high. Called the Model LCD-S401M14TF, it incorporates three decimal points, allowing numbers ranging from 0.001 to 9,999 to be displayed. It also includes units of measure for...

Motion controller. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... The DMC-21x3 Ethernet motion controller incorporates a low-cost 96-pin DIN connector while eliminating the need for cable between the controller and interconnect board. Typically half the size of box-level Ethernet controllers, the unit...

Linear actuator for harsh environments. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... This environmentally sealed linear actuator is designed for extremely harsh environmental conditions--particularly military applications. Various sizes of hybrid linear actuators are available. The size 23 unit (shown) is built with an...

Monochrome and color scanners. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... Four new scanners handle originals up to 36 in. in width and boast resolutions to 800 dpi. The CS4030 and CS4031 are designed to offer CAD users a sophisticated monochrome scanning alternative. They capture gray scales at 12 bits for...

Cam Switches with small footprint. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... Series 20 Cam Switches feature a small footprint designed to reduce the space required on power industry control panels. These instrument and control switches can be mounted on 3-in. centers and can be built with up to 12 decks and 12...

`Pancake' motors. (What's Hot).
January 1, 2003... The EC Series of brushless "pancake" motors is electronically commutated, enabling long motor life since there are no mechanical parts to wear out. Ball bearings or ruby bearings also add to the longevity of the motor. Due to their low...

Solving the mystery of solid state relays: the best clues usually involve thermal issues that frequently are overlooked. Here are simple guidelines to follow for a reliable design. (New & notable: switches & relays).
January 1, 2003... Some engineers are mystified by solid state relays. Because they don't fully understand them, they avoid them. The steps involved in choosing a solid state relay, however, are simple. Understanding some basic considerations can help ease the...

Turning the tables on inspection: new vision system keeps programming and setup simple. (In focus: sensors & transducers).
January 1, 2003... Anew camera-based visual inspection sensor, called the PresencePLUS Pro, is designed to transform complex and costly machine vision systems into an easy-to-use and affordable solution. Like larger and more expensive systems, it captures images...

New float/weight design for level sensors. (In focus: sensors & transducers).
January 1, 2003... A new float and weight combination has been designed to detect Liquid levels as low as 1.25 in, in long flex gauges up to 60 feet. The height of the 11-lb weight has been reduced so that the sensing element is able to rest on the bottom of a...

Streamlined ASIC technology. (In focus: sensors & transducers).
January 1, 2003... A new pre-programmed ASIC sensor technology has been developed to replace the more costly IC technology commonly used in many inductive sensor products. The ASIC technology has been engineered to provide consistent sensing characteristics and...

Metal's mettle: technological changes in powder metallurgy have made it match and exceed new mechanical requirements. This report tells how the ability to make high-tech components from particles of metal is bringing many innovative designs to market. (Tech update: materials).
January 1, 2003... While powder metallurgy (P/M) has been around for a long time, the industry has taken a quantum leap during the last decade in providing improved raw materials and processes that match and sometimes exceed the mechanical properties of wrought...

Tough fiber stands up to bullets. (Tech update: materials).
January 1, 2003... A fiber engineered to be pound for pound 10 times stronger than steel is helping keep U.S. troops safe overseas. Called Spectra Shield, it's being used in helmets, personal armor collars, breast plates, and other inserts. Spectra Shield...

Drive solutions for regenerative energy: what is regeneration and why does it happen? This report provides information on various techniques, including dynamic braking, used to mitigate this troublesome condition. (Design ideas: motion control).
January 1, 2003... Load is king. That's the fundamental rule to remember when selecting and applying variable frequency drives. After all, load is the controlling variable in most applications. The drive and motor react to what the load is doing--not the other...

Precision balls in distinctive shapes. (Design ideas: motion control).
January 1, 2003... Distinctively shaped balls are available in flat. diagonally cut, cone, and pin designs. Their applications vary from polishing surfaces with sharp edges to polishing uniformly shaped surfaces such as coins. Sizes range from 1/6 to 1 in. in...

Actuators with anti-backlash nut. (Design ideas: motion control).
January 1, 2003... A new anti-backlash nut is available in a 0.218 and 0.25 in. diameter screw for size 17 Linear actuators. It's designed for applications that require extreme precision over extended periods of time. Available for non-captive and captive...

Reciprocating actuator. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... The Ball Reverser actuator is customizable to provide reciprocating motion in a variety of applications across a multitude of industries. Five standard sizes accommodate practically any size load. Designed to be wear resistant and to meet...

DC to dc signal isolators. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... The DR4300 isolated signal conditioner can be supplied with inputs from [+ or -] 50 mV to [+ or -] 256Vdc or [+ or -] 0/1 mA to [+ or -] 200 mA. Outputs can be supplied for 0/1, 1/5, 0/5, -5/+5, 0/10, or -10/+10 V as well as 0/1, 0/20, or 4/20...

Reversable pressure pump. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... The Rena 301ES air pump, which combines a simple design, low maintenance, and rugged construction, is suitable for OEM applications such as air sampling, ozone generation, water purification, and medical device components. The pump is designed...

Hinged wiring duct. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... The Panduct Type H wiring duct has a dual-sided hinged cover designed to route, protect, and manage electrical wires and data communication cabling. The cover can be opened up to 100 degrees on either side of the duct or be removed during...

Styrenic polymer. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... Septon 4077 is a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer formulated to offer a soft touch, rubbery feel, Shore A hardness from 5 to 95, good weatherability, and ozone resistance. Suitable applications include sports equipment, soft touch...

Automatic thermostats. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... T Series automatic reset encapsulated thermostats feature a dry seal design for protection against moisture, dust, and oil. The units are suitable for humid environments in the HVAC and refrigeration industries such as freezer, refrigerator,...

Motors and gearmotors with skewed armatures. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... Lo-Cog Series 14000 brush-commutated dc motors and gearmotors feature 11-slot skewed armatures designed to enhance performance by minimizing magnet cogging even at low speeds. This family of brush dc devices boasts quiet and smooth operation...

Not just eye candy: sensing a trend in the automotive industry, manufacturers have been working hard to overcome the challenges associated with designing safety into smaller vehicles. As a result, some of the sweetest cars on the road are now packed with safety features. (Real-World Engineering).
January 1, 2003... When folks refer to something as cute, it generally means the object is diminutive in size and easy on the eyes. And, it's no different in the automotive world--the vehicles most people consider "cute" are those that are small and visually...

Half-length PCI card. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... A half-length PCI card provides one internal and four external USB 2.0 ports. Designated the COU 105P, the card provides five Type A ports, each capable of moving data at 480 Mbps and fully backward compatible with USB 1.1 devices. With...

Check valves for sensitive applications. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... Duckbill valves are manufactured for use in applications requiring sensitive check valves. They are zero gravity fittings with a flow-through design, allowing full volume in the flow direction and instantaneous check once flow is stopped and...

Lighting inverters. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... The NDL Series is a line of 14 self-exciting inverters designed to match the precise power requirements of electroluminescent lighting. The new dc-ad power inverters come in both standard and low-profile configurations. The units feature...

Pressure transducer. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... The HPS Series 901 loadlock transducer is a combination piezo and pirani sensor with an integrated electronic control circuit, digital communications, analog output, and three setpoints. The CE-marked unit combines a Micro-Pirani vacuum...

Enclosed switching power supplies. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... Designed to meet the space and performance requirements in low-to moderate-power telecommunications, industrial control, and embedded systems applications, the MKS320 Series of high-density enclosed switching power supplies provides output...

Threaded inserts for plastic and metal. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... PlusTite threaded steel inserts feature a pre-bulbed slotted body for increased pullout resistance when installed in plastics or thin metal sheets. Upon installation, the inserts provide permanent threads for "blind" attachment applications,...

Power transformer. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... The SPW-3500 Series is an international PC power transformer suitable for domestic or world market applications. Dual winding primaries and secondaries feature input voltages of 115/230 V, 50/60 Hz and output voltages ranging from 5 to 120...

Half-brick dc/dc converter. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... The ALH25AF48 is half-brick dc/dc converter. It stands 0.45 in. above the PC board and delivers up to 100 W of output power to the loads at a typical efficiency of 88 percent. With the capacity to deliver up to 20 A from its 5 V output and 25 A...

Heaters for see-through applications. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... Transparent heaters provide see-through heating for applications requiring a clear viewing area and wireless design. Optical-grade transparent film yields maximum light transmission from 80 to 95 percent, depending upon application...

Green backlit touchscreen. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... The GT-10J is a touchscreen with a green backlit LCD and 192 KB of memory. It features PLC drivers and user-friendly programming software that supports bitmap graphics, true type fonts, key switches, function keys, lamps, multiple message...

Translucent PTFE fluoropolymer tubing. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... Contef translucent PTFE fluoropolymer tubing is designed for applications requiring flexibility and chemical resistance. Applications include those found in the medical, aerospace, computer, cryogenic, and manufacturing industries. The...

Friction clutch with `snap-on' gear. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... The compact C5-08 Series friction clutch features a "snap-on" gear. The modular clutch boasts easy assembly because no hardware or tools are needed to mount the gear. It can be used in office automation and light industrial applications....

Corrosion-resistant wiring devices. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... Four new wiring devices have been added to a dc product line. First is the 12-V 12VRCTT (thin terminal) receptacle, which features two different NEMA connection tabs to prevent misconnection during installation. The second is the 12VPG2A,...

Battery connectors. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... The Euro Battery Connector family features capabilities for 80, 160, and 320 A applications. The design is intermatable with all existing DIN 43589-1 auxiliary contact systems. Units allow the voltage-key to remain in place when acid/air...

Venturi pumps. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... A new series of multi-ejector, air-powered venturi vacuum pumps is engineered to provide vacuum levels down to 27 in. HG using 45 psi air pressure. Designated the Air-Miser Series multi-stage venturi vacuum pumps, the units feature the same...

Ultra-thin supercapacitors. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... PowerStor F Series supercapacitors are ultra-thin flat units that use a thin, aluminum foil-polymer laminate package instead of a thick metal can. The units are suitable for space-constrained applications such as PCMCIA cards, handheld...

Nano-miniature interconnects. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... Designed to provide reliability in ultra-dense applications, a line of nano-miniature interconnects can be used for critically reliable applications where extremely small size and light weight are required. Designated the N-Series, the...

Torque and horsepower monitor/control system. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... The TorqueTrak Revolution Series is designed to monitor and control torque and horsepower on rotating drive shafts. The system also monitors shaft speed and direction. It fits any size shaft up to 20 in. in diameter and can be installed...

High load ball bearings. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... Heim Unibal ball bearings handle high loads and promise long service life in such applications as wheels, casters, ammunition loaders, textile machines, door closers, power tools, conveyors, wheelchairs, pulleys, and lift mechanisms. The...

Window current sensor. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... The ECSW Series is a single-phase, ac window current sensor with adjustable overcurrent and undercurrent trip points ranging from 0.5 to 50 A in three ranges. If current flowing to a load exceeds the trip points, the SPDT output relay...

Photoelectric sensor for label detection. (New Products).
January 1, 2003... The Label-Eye is a special-purpose gap or slot sensor that is optimized to sense adhesive labels adhering to a roll of backing paper. It can be set up and adjusted with a single push of a button. It features pulse modulation to prevent any...

Acrylic compound helps medical OEMs reach new markets. (Case in point: medical design).
January 1, 2003... "There is an increasing demand for lipid- and alcohol-resistant components as well as for gamma and e-beam sterilization-tolerant materials," says Mark Emory of Industrie Borla in Torino, Italy. Borla is a manufacturer of plastic and rubber...

Motor and drive CD-ROM. (Free Stuff!).
January 1, 2003... Version 8.0 of this interactive catalog on CD-ROM allows users to instantly access a variety of technical information on more than 6,500 motors and drives. Product reformation includes nameplate data, dimensional drawings, performance and test...

Knob and handle catalog. (Free Stuff!).
January 1, 2003... This 96-page catalog on knobs and handles is designed to take the guesswork out of selecting the proper knob or handle for each application. It features hundreds of styles and sizes as well as a large variety of colors, and materials to choose...

Adhesive dispensing sourcebook. (Free Stuff!).
January 1, 2003... The Equipment Sourcebook is a 60-page resource guide that outlines manual, semi-automatic, and automatic adhesive dispensing and curing equipment. Eleven new products also are highlighted. The sourcebook is organized into lout categories:...

Corrugated FEP tubing samples. (Free Stuff!).
January 1, 2003... Samples are available of kink-resistant corrugated FEP tubing. Called Tex-Flex Corrugated FEP Texflon, the chemical-resistant tubing is designed to achieve small bend diameters without reduction of inside diameters. It also provides a non-stick...

Swivel Luer Fitting Samples. (Free Stuff!).
January 1, 2003... Samples are available of new Quick-Disconnect Swivel Luer Fittings. They are designed to allow for universal connection and are billed as offering a more secure lock than a standard luer combination. The swivel lock aids in the removal of the...

Gas spring catalog. (Free Stuff!).
January 1, 2003... This catalog contains detailed technical information on gas springs and cams. Gas springs with standard and special mounts are featured. Also examined are compact bore sealed springs, high-temperature springs, and hollow rod springs. In...

Industrial caster guide. (Free Stuff!).
January 1, 2003... Catalog No. 290 contains 120 pages of information on industrial casters and wheels with capacity load ratings from 125 to 20,000 lbs. Detailed illustrations and graphics as well as user-friendly charts are provided to simplify the selection...

Level and pressure transducer CD. (Free Stuff!).
January 1, 2003... This specifier's manual in CD format details KPSI level and pressure transducers for use in above and below ground applications. Spotlighted is information on the new submersible Series 510 Modbus level transducer, which supports the operation...

EMI/RFI shielding manual. (Free Stuff!).
January 1, 2003... This 48-page catalog includes information on variable finger snap-on edge mount gaskets in five standard finger patterns. One side of the gasket hooks over the edge of the flange while fingers on the opposite side snap into slots. Also featured...

Contouring control CD. (Free Stuff!).
January 1, 2003... This interactive CD explains the important functions and characteristics of a new high-speed contouring control called the iTNC 530. The brochure offers both product and application information including data on programming support, setup with...