Product Design & Development articles from January 2007

Product Design & Development archives from January 2007

China's aircraft industry taking off.(At Issue)
January 1, 2007... What's the significance of the number 1, 314, 474, 721? That very large number is the estimated population of China as of 2:30 PM EST on Dec. 18, 2006, according to the China Population Information and Research Center. That's more than 1.3...

Flow/thermal simulation.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
January 1, 2007... A new version of CFdesign upfront CFD software is available. CFdesign Version 9 enables engineers to set up and view first-pass fluid flow and heat transfer simulations in minutes, while generating high-fidelity design reviews up to 20 times...

Recessed toggle switch.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
January 1, 2007... A new recessed toggle switch is comprised of a standard toggle switch centered at the bottom of a plated steel bowl measuring 0.892 in. deep. This new design mounts in the cab or body of a vehicle, and prevents accidental actuation by the...

Magnetic rotary encoders.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
January 1, 2007... The AS5030 and AS5130 are 8-bit absolute magnetic rotary encoder ICs with pushbutton and low-power mode features. The devices offer a reliable, contact-less alternative to mechanical rotary knobs in automotive, industrial, and consumer...

Low-profile connectors.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
January 1, 2007... A new servomotor interconnect system is designed to replace two traditional circular connectors for a wide range of servomotor sizes and to provide design engineers with a space-saving and flexible motor connector. Designated the CmX Series,...

High-definition speaker.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
January 1, 2007... The Majestic Diamond I is a high-definition full-range speaker designed for HDTV. With its tiny size (approximately a 5-in. cube) and weight (2 lbs), the single-driver speaker uses ETL technology to retrieve all details embedded in any high...

Surface mount headers.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
January 1, 2007... MTA-100 surface mount headers offer designers a surface mount connector with 0.1-inch center lines that can withstand up to 280[degrees]C soldering temperatures. Additionally, MTA-100 surface mount headers are packaged in tape-and-reel (225 per...

Broadband white LED.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
January 1, 2007... The OTLA-0130 broadband white LED light engine is intended for applications requiring the full, UV to Red spectrum. The OTLA-0130 integrates a white LED with additional monochromatic LED die to expand the unit's spectral output. It also...

The surge protector: it took nearly near two decades, but Rudy Harford has totally eliminated damaging power line energy.(Engineers@Work)
January 1, 2007... Rudy Harford describes himself as a lone wolf, at least when it comes to his work. While the term "lone wolf" conjures up images of a cowboy riding horseback through the western desert with a 10-gallon hat on top of his head and a lasso in...

Controller chips.(Product Review: A comparison of new product capabilities and specifications to help engineers find the right component to fit their designs)
January 1, 2007... The term "controller chip" tends to mean different things to different people. To some it's a CPU in which complexity can range from that of a 1970's 8048 or 1980's 8051 to ultra-low-power 16-bit RISC mixed-signal processors. To others it's...

Making history: software helps reverse-engineer the past.(Software Suite)
January 1, 2007... If a car crashes and no one sees it, what exactly happened? That's a question often asked in courtrooms around the country. Now, with the help of PhotoModeler software from Eos Systems, mechanical engineers can reverse-engineer the events that...

'Fly' through 3D models.(Software Suite)
January 1, 2007... 3D design and visualization has made work easier for engineers. But what about the navigation systems they use to create their models? 3Dconnexion, a San Jose, CA-based maker of navigation devices has unveiled two new products to expand its...

New toolpaths for increased power.(Software Suite)
January 1, 2007... Building on the Mastercam X platform, Mastercam X2 is designed to increase machining flexibility and to provide users with more programming. Newly added toolpaths significantly expand the range of toolpath style choices and provide capabilities...

Collaboration highlights Acrobat Reader 8.(Software Suite)
January 1, 2007... Adobe Systems Inc. announced that Adobe Reader 8 software is available as a free download. Adobe Reader 8 enables information exchange between enterprises, government agencies, constituents, and consumers who view, print, search, digitally...

Soaring in silence: The Silent Aircraft Initiative unveils a concept design for quieting airplanes and reducing airport noise.(Cover story)
January 1, 2007... There's a reason that airports can only expand so much. Likewise, there's a reason why cities around the world enact ordinances to keep airplanes from taking-off and landing at certain times of the night. What's the reason? It's simple really,...

Low-pressure trucking: CFD software helps vent vacuums inside gasoline tankers.(Automotive Design)
January 1, 2007... Next time you see a gasoline tanker rolling down the highway, you might want to give a silent thanks to Betts Industries. Betts makes the vents on top of gasoline trailers that help ensure safety by normalizing pressure and vacuums that build...

Speed testing: rapid injection-molding helps gain quicker approvals for medical equipment designs.(Medical Design)
January 1, 2007... Medical device manufacturers often face laborious testing cycles that involve rigorous product evaluations to bring products to market or to submit them for clinical trials. With so much time spent during the testing and certification...

Getting more nerves: a new woven tube lets surgeons take a new approach to regeneration.(Medical Design)
January 1, 2007... The challenge of treating peripheral nerve injuries in the human body, that is, nerve damage not within the spinal cord itself, is compounded by lack of awareness of the latest techniques within the medical community itself. One reason for the...

Say what? If you're having a cross-talk problem, it's most likely the filter.(Telecom / Networking)
January 1, 2007... The devil is in the details. For system engineers who work for US.-based manufacturers of RF and microwave products, that seems to be the message they are painfully discovering. As their products get rushed into the marketplace and put to the...

Scanning for the gold: visualization help a British skeleton athlete streamline his technique.(Sports & Recreation)
January 1, 2007... Strip bobsledding down to its essence--one human being and the slightest of sleds--and you have skeleton, a sport named for the bare-bone metal frames first used in 1892. In many ways, skeleton is one of the simplest sports. After the initial...

An exploratory procedure: medical device engineers search for design cures in Southern California.(Show Stoppers)(Calendar)
January 1, 2007... MD&M WEST 2007, ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER, ANAHEIM, CA, FEB 13-15 Seeking the latest advances in medical-grade materials, components, electronics, software, and systems, medical device engineers from around the globe will trek to Southern...

Power conversion modules.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... VI Chip components enable the design of complete power systems using Factorized Power Architecture (FPA). The components are high-density, high-efficiency. high-speed power conversion modules.. The PRM (non-isolated regulator) and VTM (current...

Surface mount chips.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... The FSB50325S (250 V), FSB50250S (500 V), and FSBS0450S (500 V) are Motion-SPM devices available in 29 x 12 mm surface mount device packages. The Motion-SPM enables designers to achieve high levels of energy efficiency, compactness, and low...

Sealing tapes.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... Many applications in molecular technology, such as high-throughput screening, RT-PCR, cell culture, and compound storage, require high-performance sealing tapes. ARseal high-performance sealing tapes are designed for use with micro-titer...

Monochrome touchscreen.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... The 4.6-in. HG1F monochrome touchscreen is said to contain as many features as larger touchscreens and more screen brightness. This compact model human-machine interfaces (HMI) features panels that previously relied on multiple pushbuttons,...

Brushless motors.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... DurA-Tek brushless DC motors feature integrated drive electronics, enabling enhanced motor controllability in a smaller, lighter package. Their 3-in. outside motor diameter and standard two-wire electrical hookup further allow the units to...

Linear Variable Transformer.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... A new Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) has been developed to measure mirror position on the James Webb Satellite Telescope (JWST), which is due to launch in 2013. The JWST is designed to see further into space than the Hubble...

Expanded bandwidth oscilloscopes.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... With a big display/small footprint form factor, three new oscilloscope models expand the bandwidth of the WaveRunner Xi and WaveSurfer Xs lines. In addition, a new search and analysis feature, WaveScan, is standard on all WaveSurfer Xs and...

Fuel cell system.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... The NDRevolution 50H portable hybrid solid oxide fuel cell system use micro tubular SOFCs in portable power applications. The unit is compatible with a variety of commonly available gaseous hydrocarbon fuels, including propane and butane. The...

Transparent heater.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... The Thermal-Clear transparent heater features a micro-thin wire heating element laid in a pattern between optical grade polyester sheets. It provides reliable heat without blocking light. It transmits more than 80 percent of visible light and...

Non-linear Servo System.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... A new version of the XtraDrive Servo System offers flexibility and increased power capability to efficiently command demanding precision servo motion equipment. With a simplified design, the device features an integrated amplifier and a 5 kW,...

Isolated DC/DC converter.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... The new QUS40-096 isolated DC/DC converter is designed for intermediate bus architecture applications in computer and telecommunications equipment. Features include an unregulated output and a fixed conversion ratio of 5:1, which is maintained...

LVDT signal conditioner.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... A new single-channel, low-voltage signal conditioner supports standard LVDT, RVDT, and VRT half-bridge sensors. Operating from 12 or 24 VDC power, the Model LVC-2500 DC-LVDT signal conditioner is designed for use in 24-V systems with PLCs and...

Wireless Ethernet.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... The inRAx wireless Ethernet/IP communication module (MV156-WA-EIP) acts as a wireless bridge, enabling remote connectivity between a ControlLogix processor and 802.11 wireless devices, including PCs, laptops, and radio modems such as the...

Thermal Imagers.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... New TiR Series IR Flexcam Thermal Imagers are built specifically for use in building diagnostics applications involving HVAC/R and indoor air quality. The devices feature IR Fusion technology, which helps engineers accurately pinpoint building...

Bluetooth Amolifier.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... A gallium arsenide (GaAs) Bluetooth power amplifier, designated the TQP770001, enables designers to achieve high efficiency and low power enhanced data rate (EDR) while offering 50 percent power added efficiency (PAE) for longer mobile device...

Positioning stages.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... XR positioning stages are a new series of very stable linear motor stages with a wide footprint, crossed roller hearings, and large load capabilities. They have high resolution, high velocity, and high acceleration. The large footprint can be...

Audio power amplifiers.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... Two new audio power amplifiers are capable of delivering high output power. The NCP2892 and NCP2990 are 1.3 W audio amplifiers that feature fast turn-on time and minimal power consumption. Designed for portable communication devices requiring...

Integrated motion devices.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... The MDrivePlus line of integrated motion devices is based on System Semiconductor's M3000 motion control system-on-a-chip. This motion/machine control chip is designed to ensure enhanced motor performance, increased functionality, expanded...

Weld-immune sensors.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... A new line of weld-immune sensors withstands weld spatter and resists electromagnetic field interference in induction welding and hardening plants. The zone immediately adjacent to a welding process can be considered one of the most extreme...

PC board test system.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... The 5800 Series is a multi-configuration, multifunction PC board test system. It is designed as a flexible solution to meets the demands of today's rapidly evolving PC board industry and to be easily upgraded to satisfy future requirements as...

Linear actuator.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... A new linear actuator is designed for positioning requirements in electronics, semiconductor, medical, packaging, assembly equipment, automotive, and other challenging applications. The device is incorporates high precision, long life, and...

Ball bearing units.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... Featuring a multi-step sleeve design, ConCentra ball bearing units are built to provide a secure and concentric fit. As special mounting screws are tightened during installation, the bearing unit's inner ring is driven up a series of inclined...

Digital flight recorder.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... The D200f digital flight recording system now supports the IRIG106 Chapter 10 standard. Featuring modular signal interfacing and interchangeable media cartridges, the D200f is designed to adapt to changing mission requirements in airborne and...

Acrylic sheets.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... Acriglas Neon Lights Series of acrylic sheets is suitable for use in point-of-purchase displays, store fixtures, lighting, and sign or lettering applications. Acriglas Neon Lights Series sheets can be used in combination with other acrylic...

Epoxy preforms.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... Designed as an alternative to liquid epoxy for high-volume, precision sealing, Uni-form epoxy preforms are pre-shaped, one-part resins that are solid at room temperature. When heated, Uniforms melt and cure, forming a consistent seal that...

Electromagnetic brakes.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... Thomson-Deltran AKB Series spring-set electromagnetic power-off brakes are available in diameters from 1.83 to 5 in. (46.5 to 127 mm) and provide static engagement with torque from 12.5 to 470 lb-in. (1.4 to 53 Nm). These brakes are designed to...

Motion control module.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... Motion control capability has been added to the WAGO-I/O-System. Designated the 750-670, this new module provides stepper motor control in a compact 12-mm wide package. The 750670 supports two pulse-output patterns, step/direction, or...

Ethernet switches.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... An expansion of the FocalPoint Ethernet switch device family offers Ethernet switch chips targeted at the coming wave of multi-port optical line termination (OLT) cards for Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) equipment. With the success of...

Toolholding system.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... Using a toolholder and collet, the powRgrip PG 32 toolholding system is built to provide clamping forces higher than shrink-fit holders. Engineers can use the PG 32 to clamp tool shanks up to 25 mm (1 in.)in size. The system, which is suitable...

Miniature sensors.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... Q12 Uprox+ sensors are able to achieve a full 5-mm sensing range when flush mounted. The miniature sensors augment an existing line of Uprox+ sensors that detect all metals at the same rated sensing distance. Q12 sensors measure 12 x 40 x 26...

Disconnect terminal.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... The new WTR 2.5 disconnect terminal is designed to allow engineers to quickly and easily check continuity, test voltage, and distribute power. The terminal accepts pluggable jumpers in an effort to reduce installation and maintenance time....

Switch boxes.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... Two non-metallic nail-on boxes have been added to the Steel City-Bowers product line. The new boxes offer time-saving features for residential wood-stud applications. The non-metallic Single-Gang "Fast-Set" Switch Box offers a patent-pending...

Motion control system.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... The scalable Rexroth NYCe4000 multiple-axis controller integrates the complete control and drive hardware in one unit with a smaller footprint than an industrial PC. Thanks to its open software architecture, the high-end motion controller is...

Power regeneration drives.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... New ACOPOS multi drives are well suited for multi-axis machines used in plastics, packaging, print, and textile applications. The device designed to not leave any of its power in the switching cabinet. A feed-through heat sink with IP65...

Motor feedback systems.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... New SinCos SRM 64 motor feedback systems feature Hiperface interface, operate in temperatures from -20[degrees] to +110[degrees]C and offer enhanced resistance to shock (100/10 g/ms) and vibration (20/10-2000 g/Hz). Hollow shaft bores are...

Sensor cables and connectors.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... Engineers can choose molded cables with M12 male or female and straight or 90-degree angle connectors. Available with or without LED indication, the cables feature three, four, five, or eight Doles and are made with PVC, shielded, or Pun. In Y...

Digital angular position sensor.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... Designed for automotive steering applications, this new digital angular position sensor (DAPS) offers analog, PWM, and CAN Bus outputs. DAPS position sensing is suitable for use in automotive stability control systems that require accurate...

Non-fused switches.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... Series DS2 IEC non-fused disconnect switches are suitable for rugged applications and are designed to fit control panel and motor circuit disconnecting requirements. The disconnect switches offer a compact design and positive drive to open...

Universal communication card.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... The new PCI-1625U eight-port intelligent RS-232 universal PCI communication card features an onboard DSP processor, designed to take over the processing load from the host PC. The device's 1 MB of SRAM can store serial data and effectively...

Gas detector.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... The ORION Plus detector combines the features of the ORION Multigas Detector with a range of infrared and toxic sensor options. The infrared sensor is designed to deliver stable readings in environments with challenging temperature and humidity...

Point of load regulators.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... PMD Series point of load (POL) DO/DO regulators are well suited for low-current applications. Featuring integrated functionalities in a single chip control IC, the devices measure less than 2.4 cm2 (0.37 in. sq.) and offer flexibility when...

Illuminated ring keys.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... Designed to improve visual components and enhance security, illuminated ring keys are suitable for operator panels on modern machines and systems. The keys consist of a short-stroke key, a light source, and high-performance LEDs. Luminous rings...

Shape-based search software.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... CADSEEK shape-based search software is designed to integrate with CAD software to provide fast, accurate, geometric-based parts and assembly searches. Engineers can search an enterprise-wide CAD database by zooming in and "flying over" files in...

Large-bore shaft collars.(New Products)
January 1, 2007... A line of large-bore shaft collars is designed for use in large-scale processing machinery and all types of oversize equipment and conveying systems. The shaft collars and couplings are engineered for applications requiring up to a 16 or 8 in....

Waldmann Lighting Co. and Derungs Medical Lighting have released a four-color, 28-page medical catalog featuring a line of medical lighting for surgeries and exams.(Catalogs & Brochures)
January 1, 2007... Waldmann Lighting Co. and Derungs Medical Lighting have released a four-color, 28-page medical catalog featuring a line of medical lighting for surgeries and exams. The luminaires are suitable for effectively illuminating a variety of clinical...

Advanced Polymer Alloys has release the Fuel Immersion Data Guide for its melt-processible elastomers (MPE), including Alcryn melt-processible rubber and DuraMax TPV.(Catalogs & Brochures)
January 1, 2007... Advanced Polymer Alloys has release the Fuel Immersion Data Guide for its melt-processible elastomers (MPE), including Alcryn melt-processible rubber and DuraMax TPV. The new guide includes hardness change and retention properties--tensile,...

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

The North American Die Casting Association (NADCA) has introduced "Creating Value with Die Casting," a program offering OEMs free value analysis reviews at the manufacturer's location in order to help engineers and designers evaluate the potential for using die cast components.(Services)
January 1, 2007... The North American Die Casting Association (NADCA) has introduced "Creating Value with Die Casting," a program offering OEMs free value analysis reviews at the manufacturer's location in order to help engineers and designers evaluate the...

CS Hyde Co. has added PTFE (Teflon) beading, also known as miniature cord or rod to its line of products.(Samples)
January 1, 2007... CS Hyde Co. has added PTFE (Teflon) beading, also known as miniature cord or rod to its line of products. Free samples are available. Diameters range from 0.028 to 0.15 in. PTFE beading is suitable for electrical applications as it does not...

The updated 14-page Self-Clinching Fastener Handbook is available from PennEngineering.(Handbook)
January 1, 2007... The updated 14-page Self-Clinching Fastener Handbook is available from PennEngineering. The publication is designed to serve as a useful educational resource and general reference guide about self-clinching fastener technology. The illustrated...

High-speed cable assembly guide.(Free Stuff)
January 1, 2007... Samtec's expanded line of high-speed cable assemblies, cables, and custom capabilities is detailed in its High Speed Cable Guide. Data Rate cable assemblies include 50 and 75 ohms coax and 100 ohms twinax cable assemblies on a variety of...

Real-time togetherness: device networking gives factory managers updated wireless control of industrial equipment.(Telecom / Networking)
January 1, 2007... More companies are adopting some form of automation, whether it is within their offices or manufacturing facilities. Companies see automation as a way to reduce costs, increase access to information when needed, and improve productivity....