Product Design & Development articles from January 2009

Product Design & Development archives from January 2009

Extreme weather conditions.(First Look)
January 1, 2009... ITT Interconnect Solutions (Santa Ana, CA) has developed protection caps for its PT/M26482 connectors. The range of connector caps are designed for reliability and ease-of-use in extreme conditions. Features include: * A ribbed design. ...

Safe pressure sensor.(First Look)
January 1, 2009... FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology (Irvine, CA) presents the intrinsically safe PMP500 Pressure Sensor. Multiple intrinsically safe approvals include FM, ATEX, CE conformity and CSA to help support international shipments of OEM equipment...

Adjustable speed control.(First Look)
January 1, 2009... Omega (Stamford, CT) now offers the NFX9000 adjustable frequency AC Drives. The drives are designed to provide adjustable speed control of 3-phase motors. The microprocessor-based drives have standard features that can be programmed to tailor...

Fuel cell charger.(First Look)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MTI MicroFuel Cells (MTI Micro) (Albany, NY) has unveiled a new product intent external power-pack prototype capable of providing up to 25 hours of on-the-go power with each cartridge. The compact and lightweight...

Thin filter media.(First Look)
January 1, 2009... Universal Air Filter (Sauget, IL) has created the thinnest media available that meets the UL 94 HF-1 rating, according to the company. The new 0.12"-thick Quadrafoam is ideal for medical, power-gen, military electronics, telecom and any other...

Exceptional load carrying.(First Look)
January 1, 2009... Norgren (Littleton, CO) has launched the RT Series Linear Thruster, a small but rugged pneumatic actuator designed for exceptional load carrying and precise load guiding. The RT series thrusters feature: * 7 available bore sizes ranging...

Precision digital signal conditioning.(First Look)
January 1, 2009... Sensortechnics' (Walpole, MA) new HDI series performs precision digital signal conditioning to achieve ultra high total accuracies, according to the company. Features include: * An internal ASIC that compensates sensor offset, temperature...

Give me what I need.(At Issue)
January 1, 2009... Yes, I know, the holidays are finally over and we are all rejoicing in the fact that we can return to work and finally settle into the status quo. No more fake smiles, no more copious amounts of ham and cheese-laced potatoes; we can all sit...

More ergonomic option.(New Products: Switches)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Baco Controls (Cazenovia, NY) introduces their new line of 22 mm pushbuttons, emergency stop switches, selector switches and pilot lights--all with a 10-year guarantee. These switches also feature: * A new...

Versatile severe-condition switches.(New Products: Switches)
January 1, 2009... C&K Components (Newton, MA) has introduced a family of switches for severe operating conditions and heavy-duty applications, such as industrial controls, farm machinery and off-road vehicles. The series and their features are: * ESM and...

Added energy efficiency.(New Products: Switches)
January 1, 2009... Baco Controls (Cazenovia, NY) introduces the Rex line of digital time switches. These switches are designed to save energy and money with features that include: * Fast and easy 4-button text-based on switch programming. * Optional...

Multi-functional rocker switch.(New Products: Switches)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Phaseda (Beaverton, OR) introduces its R13 small rocker switch series. Available in both single pole and double pole versions, features include: * UL, cUL and VDE-approval. * European Rolls-compliance. ...

Explosion proof.(New Products: Switches)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ashcroft (Stratford, CT) introduces their Type B700 explosion-proof pressure switches that can be specifically configured for harsh pressure media and demanding operating environments. Features of the pressure...

Dust and water proof.(New Products: Switches)
January 1, 2009... Phaseda (Beaverton, OR) introduces its heavy duly industrial HY60 rocker switch series in both single pole and double pole versions. Features of the series include: * UL, cUL and European ENEC approvals. * Compliance with Rolls...

Short-circuit overload resetting.(New Products: Switches)
January 1, 2009... Digital Switching Systems (Raleigh, NC) recently announced that their P-Zero Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIB) will offer Pi-Series key pads and power management enclosures in place of conventional rocker switches and circuit breakers. The boats are...

Industrial grade foot switch.(New Products: Switches)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Linemaster's (Woodstock, CT) Hercules foot switch was designed with a robust cast iron housing for ease of use and longer life in heavy-duty applications. Additional features include: * Momentary or maintained...

User-friendly and energy-efficient.(New Products: Switches)
January 1, 2009... OSRAM Opto Semiconductors (Santa Clara, CA) introduces proximity sensors with an optical touch switch in an SMT package. The 2 new sensors (SFH7740 and SFH7741) use distance measurements to detect a mobile device's operating status without...

Multi-functional low profile switches.(New Products: Switches)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New from C&K (Newston, MA) is their line of low profile, snap-acting key switches that offer: * Silver or gold-plated dome inserts that provide an enhanced user feel and tactile feedback. * Smaller,...

More rugged DVR applications.(New Products: Enclosures)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] EIC Solutions (Warminister, PA) offers a new enclosure designed to protect a Digital Video Recorder. The new design is: * Suitable for both indoor or outdoor applications and built to NEMA specifications. *...

Solenoid valve enclosure.(New Products: Enclosures)
January 1, 2009... Parker Fluid Control Division (New Britain, CT) announces the release of a grommet coil enclosure for its Series 204 and 304 solenoid valve lines. The housing features a flexible production option for a group of long-lasting valves that can...

Natural innovation: although it took nearly 20 years to develop, National Geographic's Crittercam provides an interesting look at how persistence and new technology can aid product design.(PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: Engineering Answers)
January 1, 2009... while imitation can be described as a sincere form of flattery, original inspiration simply cannot be duplicated. So try as scientists might to learn about how animals react in replicated, man-made environments, there's just no substitute for...

New sizes save space.(New Products: Valves)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Clippard Instrument (Cincinnati, OH) introduces a new series of sub-miniature manifolds for the 10 mm and 15 mm solenoid valves. Their extremely small size allows for groupings of valves in very small spaces. The new...

VHS injection manifold mounting system.(New Products: Valves)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Lee VHS Injection Manifold Mount System allows for the precise injection of fluid into a flow stream. Using this system, any ported Lee VHS micro-dispense valve can be mounted so that the outlet port is in close...

Lower power consumption.(New Products: Valves)
January 1, 2009... Norgren Fluid Controls (Littleton, CO) uses integrated electronics in their new 3-way media separated valve in helping to reduce power consumption rates. The patented FAS Microsol 15 mm Media Separated Valve offers: * Built-in pulse width...

For tougher environments.(New Products: Valves)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Proportion-Air (McCordsville, IN) produces ultra high resolution, closed loop, electronic proportional pressure control valves for tougher environments. According to the company, their QPV maintains its resolution of...

Smaller and lighter.(New Products: Valves)
January 1, 2009... Beswick Engineering (Greenland, NH) presents their smaller and lighterweight ball valves for miniaturizing pneumatic, hydraulic and other fluid systems. Features include: * Availability in 2 configurations. * Weights between 9 and...

Danaher motion.(SpecCheck/MOTORS: SERVO)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cartridge OUR direct drive servomotors are a completely unique category of direct drive technology that feature pre-engineered components, an integrated, factory-alligned high resolution feedback device and a unique...

Myostat motion.(SpecCheck/MOTORS: SERVO)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Cool Muscle CM2 is an integrated networkable closed loop AC servo system combining an encoder, driver, controller with I/O, power supply, and motor. The on-board 50Mhz RISC processor acts as both a vector drive...

Animatics.(SpecCheck/MOTORS: SERVO)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The SM2315D and SM2315DT are complete servo systems with built-in controller, amplifier and encoder, and are so programmable they often control entire machines. Voltage/Freq. 48 VDC Package 2.25" x 2.3" ...

Yaskawa.(SpecCheck/MOTORS: SERVO)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Direct Drive SGMCS product line provides faster, more accurate positioning for rotary table, assembly, inspection and test equipment. It also provides a programmable alternative to the fixed motion of a...

Midwest motion.(SpecCheck/MOTORS: DC)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Model No. MMP-TM55-48V GPk52-046 accepts any 48 V DC source, including battery power. Voltage/Freq. 1.8 Amps at 48 V Package 2.14" dia. x 1.2" with output shaft 12 mm x 25 mm Shaft Speed 100 RPM ...

Allied motion.(SpecCheck/MOTORS: DC)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new Enduramax brushless DC motors with integrated speed drive electronics are designed for commercial applications such as mobile HVAC (fans/blowers/condensers), agitators and similar pumps, conveyors,...

Miga Motor.(SpecCheck/MOTORS: DC)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Miga Motor Company Dash4 linear shape memory alloy actuator provides 0.23" of stroke with constant force output of 1.75 lb-force. Alarmingly thin at only 0.1", the actuation speed is controllable from 25 ms to...

Ametek.(SpecCheck/MOTORS: DC)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Pittman brand "Series 6000" brush-commutated DC servo motors have been engineered to deliver more power than most other DC motors of similar size. Available in 3 lengths, they feature a skewed 5-slot armature design...

Crouzet.(SpecCheck/MOTORS: BRUSHLESS)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Motomate Brushless Motor features compact size, convenience and easy programmability. Designed with an integral controller, brushless motor drive, motor and gearbox, the new motor provides an all-in-one solution...

Dynetic systems.(SpecCheck/MOTORS: BRUSHLESS)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new family of NEMA 23 and 34 integrated brushless PM servo gear motors for use in a wide range of applications are combined with lower noise planetary geartrains to provide minimum gear motor torque values. ...

Koford.(SpecCheck/MOTORS: BRUSHLESS)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 22mm slotless brushless motors offer the highest power density and efficiency in their class. They are available in 2 and 4 pole designs and with hall sensors or sensorless with power outputs 0.1 to 406 W, speeds...

Thingap.(SpecCheck/MOTORS: BRUSHLESS)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The small size, high torque, and low power consumption of the TGB1710 provide an excellent solution for heavy-duty battery powered applications. Voltage/Freq. 18.2 VDC Package .7" dia. x 3.3" length ...

Omega.(SpecCheck/MOTORS: STEP)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The STM is a drive + motor + control unit, fusing step motor, drive, and controller technologies into a single device, offering savings on space, wiring and cost over conventional motor and drive solutions. ...

Intelligent motion.(SpecCheck/MOTORS: STEP)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1.8[degrees] enhanced hybrid stepping motors with a range of sizes including NEMA 14, 17, 23 and 34. Voltage/Freq. N/A Package 1.4" to 3.4" sq. face plate, 1" to 4.1" length (dependent on model) Shaft...

Phytron.(SpecCheck/MOTORS: STEP)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Food line of stainless steel stepper motors is designed for the stringent requirements of the Food Processing and Food packaging Industry. Voltage/Freq. 700 V Package Stainless steel, IP 61 to IP 69K...

Technosoft.(SpecCheck/MOTORS: STEP)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The IS23x family represent cost-effective, compact solutions specially adapted to distributed motion control applications. A cost optimized design embeds stepper motor, power electronics, controller and interface...

Improved rotary union design.(New Products: Industrial Design)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Advanced Machine and Engineering (Rockford, IL) introduces both new and improved OTT-Jakob GD single-passage rotary unions with tile GDR-LC, GDR and GD units. The rotary unions fit into OTT-Jakob unclamp units and...

Compact cabinet coolers.(New Products: Industrial Design)
January 1, 2009... Now available with their Heat Pipe Technology are Noren's line of compact cabinet coolers (Menlo Park, CA) with features that include: * Air-to-air heat exchangers that work to remove waste heat from electronics ill reaching levels slightly...

Multi-faceted pressure sensor.(New Products: Industrial Design)
January 1, 2009... FUTEK (Irvine, CA) presents the PMPS00 pressure sensor. Multiple, intrinsically safe approvals include FM, ATEX, CE conformity and CSA to help support international shipments of OEM equipment. These 4 approvals also provide global recognition...

Smaller, low-current clock modules.(New Products: Industrial Design)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] According to Epson Toyocom (El Segundo, CA), they can now offer the world's smallest real-time clock modules. Features of the new design include: * Maximum dimensions of 3.4 mmx 1.7 mmx 1.0 mm. * A footprint...

The brainstorm.
January 1, 2009... The Brainstorm is a new section of Product Design & Development where we talk with industry leaders to get their perspective on issues critical to the overall design engineering marketplace. In this issue, we ask: What implications will...

Bearing greater loads.(New Products: Industrial Design)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Misumi USA, Inc. (Schaumburg, IL) announces new line of angular bearings with housings used to support heavy thrust loads in combinations with radial loads in the same application. These new RoHS-compliant products...

Rotary axis for complex designs.(New Products: Industrial Design)
January 1, 2009... OMAX (Kent, WA) offers its Rotary Axis Accessory that facilitates complex design capabilities on machining centers. Additional features include: * Multiple mounting in the output drive shaft. * A drive head that allows for attachment...

Industrial Ethernet improvements.(New Products: Industrial Design)
January 1, 2009... Phoenix Contact (Harrisburg, PA) aims for added reliability in the transmission of Ethernet-driven systems with their family of wireless products, which includes 3 new options: * Trusted Wireless Ethernet (TWE): The trusted wireless...

Controlling the heat.(New Products: Industrial Design)
January 1, 2009... New from Hotwatt (Danvers, MA) is a line of cartridge heaters for providing localized heat in restricted areas that need closely monitored thermal controls. Features of these units include: * Added watt density, temperature, heat transfer...

Lighterweight, miniature vacuum solution.(New Products: Industrial Design)
January 1, 2009... Anver Corporation (Hudson, MA) offers a line of low-cost, lightweight miniature venturi vacuum generators for easy integration into pick-and-place, automation and small robotics equipment with features that include: * 26" Hg vacuum at ...

Enhanced angular tilt detection.(New Products: Industrial Design)
January 1, 2009... TURCK (Minneapolis, MN) introduces a new dual axis inclinometer sensor for angular tilt detection. These sensors feature compact rectangular housings and may be mounted at [+ or -]10, [+ or -]45, [+ or -]60 and [+ or -]85 degree angles....

Brighter, waterproof panel LEDs.(New Products: LEDs)
January 1, 2009... Turbo Light[TM] from Floyd Bell (Columbus, OH) is a panel-mounted LED indicator that is IP68-compliant and provides a NEMA 4X seal. Featuring the same revolutionary low-profile design as our Turbo[TM] Series alarm, the Turbo Light[TM] is...

New version 597 series.(New Products: LEDs)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dialight (Farmingdale, NJ) introduces a new series of reverse-mount LED indication products created for the needs of electronic and industrial equipment manufacturers. The 597 series help eliminate mixed-technology...

New prism LED design.(New Products: LEDs)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dialight (Farmingdale, NJ) expands their 591 series of surface-mount packaged LEDs including a patented Prism LED designed with 2mA low-current and now features: * 4-color illumination in red, green, yellow and...

Homogeneous screen display.(New Products: LEDs)
January 1, 2009... OSRAM (Santa Clara, CA) launches 2 new MultiLEDs for LED video displays. The 2 new MultiLEDs are targeted at high resolution video display applications that require high brightness and high color fidelity from all viewing angles. The new...

Expanding automation animation.(New Products: Software)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Craft Animations (Sweden) offers its Craft Director Tools for high-end artificial intelligeuce and autonomous control systems in condensing traditional animation processes. By eliminating key flaming and scripting,...

Greater configurable surface capabilities.(New Products: Software)
January 1, 2009... Spatial (Broomfield, CO) announces availability of 3D Mesh object-based software components that provide fully-configurable surface and volumetric capabilities. Features of 3D Mesh include: * Fast, fully automatic generation of triangular...

Backlash-free reversal.(New Products: Motion Control)
January 1, 2009... Amacoil (Aston, PA) introduces the Amacoil/Uhing model RG linear drive that features: * Mechanical control over travel direction and linear speed eliminating the need for an electronic control system. * Automatic reversal of travel...

End-to-end mechanical stability.(New Products: Motion Control)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HaydonKerk Motion Solutions (Boston, MA) offers the Haydon Linear Rail Systems (LRS). These precision linear rail systems consist of a stationary base with a load bearing carriage that travels along a custom-extruded...

Light to rugged-duty range.(New Products: Motion Control)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Warner Linear (Belvidere, IL) offers an electric actuator to help solve motion control challenges. The actuator features: * The flexibility to custom-engineer actuator configurations in meeting special...

Higher speeds & rigidity.(New Products: Motion Control)
January 1, 2009... Festo (Hauppauge, NY) announces the addition of the Electric Actuator EGC to their family of electromechanical actuators, which has been designed for higher dynamic speeds and rigidity. This modular actuator call be used as an individual...

Hollow shaft actuators.(New Products: Motion Control)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Harmonic Drive (Peabody, MA) FHA Series of actuators feature: * A through-bore up to 45 mm in diameter, high torque and exceptional positioning accuracy. * Max torque up to 7,300 in.-lbs. *...

Wide-ranging applications.(New Products: Motion Control)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HaydonKerk Motion Solutions (Boston, MA) offers the Kerk RGS 10000 slide, designed to provide both exceptional value and performance for use in a diverse range of motion control applications. Features include: *...

High precision, non-friction motion.(New Products: Motion Control)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dover (Salem, NH), a Danaher Motion company, introduces the Dover MAB-100 Linear Motor Stage, which they feel is specifically engineered to help OEMs build a better machine, faster, by delivering precise, repeatable...

Greener gearmotors.(New Products: Motion Control)
January 1, 2009... Bison Gear & Engineering Corp. (St. Charles, IL) introduces its new 107 series Verdant Duty gearmotors in 5 standard, off-the-shelf models that they feel can increase efficiency in fractional horsepower electric motor applications. Additional...

Two-phase step motor support.(New Products: Motion Control)
January 1, 2009... ACS Motion Control (Plymouth, MN) offers what they feel is more powerful, user-friendly motion control software to support its new motion controller products. The Designated Application Development Kit (ADK)--version 6.5, supports all ACS'...

Smoother, cleaner torque control.(New Products: Motion Control)
January 1, 2009... Warner Electric (South Beloit, WI) offers their line of magnetic particle clutches and brakes as a solution for many web tensioning processes that require adjustable torque while maintaining a clean, dust-free environment. Magnetic particle...

Saving power, equipment costs.(New Products: Motion Control)
January 1, 2009... The recently re-designed series of air motors from Huco Dynatork (England) has reduced the need for air compressors in U.S. and U.K. plants that have switched to air motors from traditional vane motors. The operating principle of the Huco...

Streamlining automation applications.(New Products: Motion Control)
January 1, 2009... NSK (Addison, IL) feels their MCH Series Monocarrier linear actuator can aid in streamlining the design and assembly of many automation applications, including assembly equipment, inspection machinery and equipment transportation. Features are:...

New industrial interfaces.(New Products: Motion Control)
January 1, 2009... Myostat Motion Control (Newmarket, ON Canada) now provides Ethernet and CANopen interfaces for the CM1 and CM2 Cool Muscle line of integrated servo systems. Moving beyond MODBUS, the CANopen interface provides a standardized DS402 protocol for...

Omron.(SpecCheck/PROXIMITY SENSORS)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] No-polarity proximity sensors offer a 30-mm sensing distance and easy wiring. Type DC 2-wire, DC 3-wire models Distance 30 mm [+ or -] 10 percent Body Style N/A Temperature -25[degrees] to...

Eaton.(SpecCheck/PROXIMITY SENSORS)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Cutler-Hammer AccuProx is a high performance analog inductive proximity sensor that provides an unmatched sensing range and varying electrical signals. Type Inductive Distance Up to 25 mm Body Style...

Turck.(SpecCheck/PROXIMITY SENSORS)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TURCK The MB miniature picoprox sensors provide a compact housing with a sensing distance that exceeds ferrite core sensors. The stainless steel housing and weld field immunity features are great for harsh duty...

Omega.(SpecCheck/PROXIMITY SENSORS)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Cutler-Hammer iProx utilizes an embedded microprocessor and exclusive SmartSense technology. With extended sensing range, quality construction and ability to automatically configure its output for sinking or...

Festo.(SpecCheck/PROXIMITY SENSORS)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The SMAT 8M is designed for all applications with restricted installation space. Provides positional feedback in the form of an analogue voltage signal via the cylinder piston. Type Pneumatic Distance Up to...

Pepperl+Fuchs.(SpecCheck/PROXIMITY SENSORS)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IThe X-Series Pile Driver delivers both durability and sensing range for demanding application environments. Type Inductive Distance 5 mm, 10 mm or 15 mm Body Style Barrel Temperature -25[degrees]...

Osram.(SpecCheck/PROXIMITY SENSORS)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new SMT proximity sensors (SFH7740 and SFH7741) use distance measurements to detect a mobile device's operating status without physical contact to the sensor itself. and allows for the automatic shut-off of...

Canfield connector.(SpecCheck/PROXIMITY SENSORS)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Series 7000 rugged, cost effective proximity sensors are used to sense position on 2" to 8" tie rod cylinders. Type Hall Distance Varies dependent on magnet and cylinder Body Style Cylinder ...

128 communication slaves.(New Products: Electronic Components)
January 1, 2009... The Industrial Automation Group of Advantech (Cincinnati, OH) introduces the ADAM-5202, a 2-ring AMONet module that provides up to 128 communication slaves and supports distance communication of up to 100 meters. Features include: * An...

Load cell with USB output.(New Products: Electronic Components)
January 1, 2009... FUTEK Advanced Sensor Technology (Irvine, CA) presents its LSB200 S-Beam Jr. Load Cell with a brand new USB Digital Interface and 16 bits resolution. Additional features include: * A more compact size. * Availability in aluminum or...

New CAN bus controllers.(New Products: Electronic Components)
January 1, 2009... B&R (Roswell, GA) introduces new bus controllers for CAN and POWERLINK. The CAN features include: * Specifications of DS301 aNd DS 401. * Automatic baud rate detection. * PDO linking. * Life/node guarding. * Integrated...

Lower cost wireless communication.(New Products: Electronic Components)
January 1, 2009... The SG-Link[R]OEM wireless module from MicroStrain (Williston, VT) is designed to provide manufacturers with a low-cost method of adding wireless capability to their product line. With one differential channel and one single-ended channel, the...