Product Design & Development articles from July 2002

Product Design & Development archives from July 2002

RF transmission cables.
July 1, 2002... New 50-Ohm radio frequency coaxial cables with gel-filled interior construction provide water-block protection in wet environments. They have gas-injected foamed high-density polyethylene insulation and either a 15, 13, or 10 AWG (solid) bare...

Hybrid linear actuators.
July 1, 2002... Size 17 hybrid linear actuators feature a new class F insulation system that handles temperatures up to 155[degrees]C, allowing operation with high ambient temperatures or increased current. Captive, non-captive, external linear, and linear...

Ultra low ESR capacitors.
July 1, 2002... Designed for use in dc-dc converters and voltage regulators, PS Series radial lead miniature capacitors boast a solid functional polymer electrolyte that provides a lower ESR than regular liquid electrolytes. Their high temperature-resistant,...

Pneumatic valve island.
July 1, 2002... This compact, high-flow VM10 valve island has a flow rate of 0.4 Cv, which is considered the highest available for any valve with a 10 mm width. Made from high-performance thermoplastic polymer, it boasts strength, stability, and low weight....

High power illumination. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... The FS-V20 fiber-optic sensor amplifier boasts a dual, two-color LED digital display, a light source four times more powerful than conventional sensors, and ultra-high speed accuracy and stability. The dual display simultaneously displays both...

Friction fighter. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... MicroBlue is a coating system designed to reduce friction, eliminate galling, improve lubricant performance, and extend part life. It combines surfacing preparation with a tungsten disulfide coating via a patented delivery system. Applications...

Versatile heat resistance. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... The S95 programmable step control provides a 32-in-1 resistance heating load control solution for OEM applications. The unit is designed with four field-selectable input options: 2,200 ohm, 135 ohm, 4-20 mA, and 0-10 Vdc. Versatility is built...

Bright light. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... Designed with a transparent chip substrate material, the Ultra-Bright AIInGaP TS LED Series offers 30 percent brighter illumination than conventional LEDs. The substrate enables enhanced brightness through higher reflective capability, which...

Defeating power struggles. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... The DMS-PS-CM Series of ac/dc instrumentation power supplies is suitable for driving modern transducers, digital panel meters, operational amplifiers, and data acquisition components in complex, multiple-instrument applications. The power...

A higher force. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... A new direct drive brushless dc motor, the higher force 4020-2, incorporates the key elements of a tubular linear design including a single integral linear moving shaft. The simple rotor structure of alternating polarity neodymium-iron-boron...

Where's the axis? (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... Multi-Ball Thread Inspection Products measure the size or locate the axis of threaded holes. Available as a micrometer or location gauge, these precision tools are engineered for accuracy, ease to use, and low cost. They can be used in...

Tough wheels. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... Endurance Series casters feature a kingpinless-style design. The new casters are manufactured from hot forged steel and are designed to accommodate both thrust and radial forces. The top plate and inner raceway are formed from one piece to...

A new addition. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... The DL06 micro PLC has been added to the DirectLogic line of programmable logic controllers. The DL06 offers fixed models of 36 I/O points, or up to 100 I/O points with an expansion I/O. It combines 20 inputs and 16 outputs with four option...

Hydraulic shaft locking bushings in automated systems. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... The Model ETP-Octopus hydraulic shaft locking bushings are suitable for simultaneous, quick-locking, and accurate positioning of sliding shafts and components in automated systems such as machine tools, extruders, and packaging systems. ...

Pull-type tubular solenoid. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... Model ST2552N is a pull-type tubular solenoid that features a maximum rating force of 77.6 oz at 0.4 in. stroke. It's suitable for use in demanding applications including printers, electronic locks, parking meters, vending machines, dispensing...

Single-turn absolute encoders. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... Models 925 and 958 single-turn absolute encoders feature an industrial-grade housing and offer optional sealing up to IP66. The Model 925 is housed in an industry standard size 25 case, which offers a variety of both flange and servo mounting...

Precision bearing rollers for high loads. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... New precision bearing rollers are designed to provide higher load ratings and deliver longer life expectancy than standard bearings. They also offer less radial float, allowing the roller to run truer with less wobble. The precision...

Polyether foam gasketing material. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... This polyether foam cured-in-place gasketing material is formulated for automotive interior and exterior "buzz, squeak, and rattle" applications. It cures at room temperature. Accelerated cure occurs upon exposure to heat. A two-component...

Magnetically operated cylindrical reed sensor. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... MK20 Series cylindrical reed sensors are magnetically operated proximity devices designed to be mounted on virtually any fixed surface so that the actuating magnet is on the moving surface. Featuring three versions with 10-15, 15-20, and 20-25...

PC board terminal blocks. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... The 253 Series PC board terminal blocks provide several conductor connection positions. They feature two push wire connections--one parallel to the PC board and the other perpendicular. If the primary connection is not accessible due to...

DIP IC pin straightener. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... Designated the DIP-R-Sizer, this tool provides static protection while straightening the pins on 7.62 or 15.24 mm center DIP ICs. It eliminates the need for antistatic devices or complex pin-straightening equipment. The device to be...

Electrically conductive transfer adhesive. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... Arclad 9032 is a 1-mil electrically conductive acrylic pressure-sensitive transfer adhesive with a durable polyester film release liner. This thin tape quickly builds a strong bond and is highly conductive in the z-axis. Arclad can be used...

Elastomer bumpers for corrosive environments. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... Comprised of a thermoplastic co-polyester material, Tubus bumpers are suitable for use in highly corrosive environments. They resist chemicals, oil, grease, salt water, ultraviolet light, ozone, hydraulic fluids, fuel, and micro-organisms. In...

Sunlight visible linear bargraph LEDs. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... These linear bargraph LEDs are designed to simplify the organization of instrumentation and improve the visual transfer of information displayed on aviation instrument panels, temperature gauges, automotive instrument panels, and volume levels....

Solid state relays. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... RVMA solid state relays are available as DIN-rail mounted 25 A or 40 A models with integral heat sink. They accept the industry standard analog 420 mA input and convert it into high-speed pulse wave modulating or time proportioning pulsing...

Dispensing system. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... The 740SYS benchtop dispensing system incorporates a hand-held precision dispense valve and pressurized fluid reservoir. It can apply uniform beads of adhesives and other low-viscosity assembly fluids without the mess, waste, and refilling...

Armature-actuated electric disc brake for crane duty. (What's Hot).
July 1, 2002... This armature-actuated electric disc brake is designed for use on portal cranes and similar applications. Called the 360 Series AAB brake, it is magnet-body mounted and engineered for ease of maintenance. The brake is available in four...

Guidelines for choosing fuses for circuit protection. (Electronics).
July 1, 2002... Overcurrent fuses serve two main purposes. First, they protect components, equipment, and people from risk of fire and shock caused by Second, they isolate subsystems from the main system once a fault has occurred. During normal load...

Staking out a solution: thermostat reliability and temperature control make critical differences in the proper design of security and surveillance cameras for grueling environments. (Electronics).
July 1, 2002... It's a tough job, but something's got to do it. Such is the lot of security and surveillance cameras. Serving a vital function in today's society, they are frequently forced to work in difficult conditions. The designers of such...

The highs and lows of seal materials. (Seals & O-Rings).
July 1, 2002... Where would the world be without the O-ring--the part most commonly used for static and dynamic seals? O-rings keep equipment running reliably and safely in industries as diverse as fluid power, automotive, and semiconductor processing. They...

Machined urethane parts. (Seals & O-Rings).
July 1, 2002... Urethane parts and seats can be machined to customer specifications. In addition, both urethane and rubber solutions, backed with metal or plastic components for added stability, are offered. Seats in inch or metric sizes come in standard...

Forged O-ring face-seal fittings. (Seals & O-Rings).
July 1, 2002... New forged O-ring face-seal fittings are designed for applications where elastomeric seals can overcome leakage and variations in assembly procedures. The fittings can be connected to a range of tubing grades by silver brazing. O-ring face-seal...

Another material option. (Seals & O-Rings).
July 1, 2002... New UltraComp engineered thermoplastics handle sealing applications in extreme temperature, pressure, and chemical environments. They are designed to provide higher tensile and flexural strength, as well as resistance to creep and fatigue, than...

New design takes on heavy dust. (Seals & O-Rings).
July 1, 2002... Linear guides are available with a new side seal designed to reduce the entry of contaminants into the ball slide. The patent-pending side seal is available on all LH25, LH30, LH35, and LH45 ball slide models for LH Series linear guides and for...

Compound gives golf club the right click. (Materials).
July 1, 2002... Golfers want to hear the right "click" when their club hits the ball. That's why General Ribbon Corp. of Chatsworth, CA, put "resonance" on its list of top concerns when the company began to develop golf club heads. Nylons and...

Helping gentle giants: design engineers rely on specially formulated monolithic urethane to protect manatees from injury and death. (Materials).
July 1, 2002... Endangered manatees are getting a helping hand from design technology. Thanks to the efforts of engineers at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution and the materials technology at Kastalon Inc., these gentle creatures have a better chance...

One happy family: integrating motion products into one control system can ease machine design and improve performance. (Motion control).
July 1, 2002... Developments in motion control technology have allowed engineers to integrate motion and sequential control functionality into a single multi-tasking controller platform. The results are high system performance, faster application development,...

Electrolytic sensor with metal containment. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... The MCL is a metal dual-axes electrolytic tilt sensor that features metal containment construction to provide durability as well as exacting dimensional tolerances. It has a 0.41 in. height and a diameter of 0.325 in. The Fredericks Co.,...

Molded rubber parts in a variety of colors. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... Precision custom molding of rubber materials is available in variety of colors. The colors include those in the Pantone Matching System, standard black, and colors matched to customer-provided sample parts. In-house chemist and lab...

Ultrasonic sensors. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... US20 self-contained ultrasonic sensors provide a sensing range from 1 to 20 ft, work on solids or liquids, and provide digital, analog, and trip point outputs. These ultrasonic sensors can detect presence, level, volume, proximity, and distance...

Motion control system. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... The Omega Drive Line II motion control system integrates a high-performance in-drive PLC with a high-speed controller for complex, demanding automation applications. The PLC is capable of processing 100 sec per 1,000 lines of code, and the...

Flowmeter in overlapping sizes. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... The Lo-Co Series turbine flowmeter for liquid service is constructed of 316 stainless steel and NPT-type end fittings. It is available in nine overlapping sizes ranging from 1/4 to 2 in. Accuracy is [+ or -] 1 percent. The CE-compliant...

Start the insanity: new technologies and design concepts are making roller coasters more thrilling--and bizarre--for riders. Today's coasters are bigger, faster, and a whole lot more fun. (Real-World Engineering).
July 1, 2002... All over the country, couples, families, and general thrill seekers are heading in droves to amusement parks to spend a day being twisted, turned upside down, and sped up and down peaks and valleys. It's one of the signs of summer, just like...

Lightweight ceramic shear accelerometer. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... An ultra-miniature ceramic shear accelerometer, the Type 8778A500 for general vibration measurements is suitable in small, lightweight structures. The size is much smaller than the 10-32 electrical connector that terminates the end of integral...

Incremental encoder with three-bearing design. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... The HD20-S31 heavy-duty incremental encoder features a three-bearing design that enables high axial and radial shaft loading while sustaining speeds in excess of 5,000 rpm. It provides IP65 protection and features a 2-in.-diameter housing and...

Alternative instrument for flow control. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... The TFC-202 can be used as a drop-in replacement for other flow control instruments. It is a repackaged version of the HFC-202 flow controller made with base mounting holes as well as length and width dimensions that match the Tylan FC-280...

Airtight self-sealing fasteners. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... A line of self-sealing fasteners is designed with a groove under the head to accommodate a rubber O-ring. When compressed, the fastener and O-ring form a complete seal and permit full metal-to-metal contact. The self-sealing fasteners...

Direct drive linear motor with built-in bearings. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... A direct drive brushless dc motor, the Higher Force 4020-6 develops a peak force of 1,125 lbs-force at a peak dc current of 30 A and a peak power of 5.2 Kw. A built-in bearing system incorporates a simple self-contained structure available in...

Programmable digital transmitters. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... DTE1000 digital pressure transmitters are based on silicon piezoresistive sensors. They are capable of measuring pressure on request or continuously and can store values at preset intervals in internal memory. Features of the DTE1000...

Electrical enclosure cooling device. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... This Vortex Cooler is engineered to keep electrical enclosures and control panels cool and clean. With no moving parts to wear out, it incorporates vortex tube technology that uses filtered compressed air to produce cold air, delivering up to...

PLL module for fixed wireless networks. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... The PSA5300A is a phase-locked loop module for UNII band and fixed wireless networks. It is designed to cover frequencies between 5,220 and 5,420 MHz with a 1 MHz step size. The PSA5300A has a maximum startup lock time of 1 mS and a...

Control valves for simultaneous actuator operation. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... M6 Series control blocks use the LUDV (load-independent distribution of flow) or flow sharing principle to prevent work stoppage during the simultaneous operation of actuators. These valves are available in sizes 15 and 22. Maximum...

Backlit potentiometer switch. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... The SW44175 backlit potentiometer switch offers both rotary and push-on/off functionality plus backlighting for maximum operation control. The compact unit saves panel space in applications where there are tight design limitations. The...

Angular position sensor. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... The Series 7000 thin-profile, non-contacting angular position sensor is designed as a solution for motion control, rotary position, or steering angle sensing applications. The unit measures less than 8 mm in thickness without housing. The...

Beam sensing fibers. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... These new focused beam sensing fibers detect minute targets. They allow users to "pipe" light into otherwise inaccessible locations. The fibers come in both fixed and adjustable sensing distance models. The L4C6 and L4C20 convergent...

Portable test gauge in weatherproof case. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... The Ashcroft Digital Gauge is engineered to he rugged, portable, and easy to read. Its design combines precision and multi-function capability in a weatherproof case. The accuracy specifications are 0.05 percent terminal point, and total error...

Severe duty motors. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... New NEMA severe duty motors exceed IEEE 841-2001 specifications. They have premium or standard efficiencies in ratings from 1/2 to 500 hp and are suitable for applications where avoiding downtime is critical. The motors feature cast iron...

Wrap spring products. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... A new family of wrap spring products is designed for dependable load starting and stopping applications. The line is made up of Standard CB and Super CB clutches/brakes and WSC Series clutches. The products are suitable for demanding...

Dual resistor/capacitor Snubber Network. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... The RCN Snubber Network has a direct-mounting feature that aligns three terminals with the rectifier package. Film foil capacitors have externally mounted resistors for direct connection to standard ultra-fast rectifiers in MD3CC packages....

Custom rollers for removal of unwanted dirt. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... Cleaning rollers used to remove dust and particulate in card printers, film systems, and manufacturing equipment are available in custom sizes. Designers of circuit board, credit card, and photographic film manufacturing machinery can use these...

Array connector system for EMI shielding. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... Designed to shield and isolate EMI, this array connector system provides multiple back shell options for a variety of fiber management systems. The system can be used on the card front panel or chassis back panel. Constructed of...

Low-temperature sensors. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... The Chill-Out senses freezing temperatures within any 6-in. section along its length. The solid state sensor can replace fragile and difficult-to-install gas capillary tubes and their mechanical switches. Unlike capillary tubes, it can be...

Metric gearheads. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... The NemaTrue Planetary Gearhead Series features three new metric sizes. The new frame sizes are 60, 90, and 115 mm. The gearheads are designed to provide long life in a compact, low inertia package. In addition, the entire line offers a...

Linear actuators with high-speed capabilities. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... Size 23 hybrid linear actuators are available with 0.002-in. per step resolution, which is suitable for high-speed applications. The actuators are available in four designs: captive, non-captive, external linear, and linear rotary. Built...

Planetary roller screws for high speeds. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... These planetary roller screws feature threaded rollers with a planetary timing mechanism designed to promote reliable performance in demanding applications where high speeds and acceleration are required. Designed to be robust and...

Plastic connectors for industrial uses. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... Plastic Mini-Link Connectors feature vibration-resistant couplers, an easy grip design, enhanced keyway indicators, and sleeved gold-plated contacts for enhanced electrical connectivity. They are available in two through six poles in standard...

High-performance controller for multiple devices. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... The Ethernet E-Series of high-performance controllers has been expanded to include the new IOC-7007 I/O controller. The new unit is designed to provide an intelligent solution for handling inputs and output. It features a 10/100 Base T-Ethernet...

Linear guides with large vertical load capacity. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... Miniature LH Series linear guides have self-aligning properties, allowing the guides to absorb a wide range of mounting errors. Featuring a 50-degree contact angle, they are designed to provide a large vertical load capacity and good rigidity....

Ergonomic enclosures for handheld instruments. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... Two new series of ergonomic enclosures are designed for handheld instruments, controls, testing equipment, consumer audio and video electronics, security, and medical device applications. The XP and XPL enclosures are available in 5.5 x 3.6 x...

Enclosures suitable for body wear. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... Ergo-Cases feature a body-hugging system suitable for medical and mobile instrumentation. They are specifically designed to allow engineers to develop electronic devices that can be strapped to the body of a user. In fact, these enclosures have...

Machine tool spindle bearings. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... Fafnir True high-speed sealed bearings incorporate Cerbec silicon nitride ceramic balls for machine tool spindles. They are designed to deliver high speeds, high accuracy, and long service life. Their maintenance-free, non-contact seals are...

Thermal circuit breaker with plastic flanges. (New Products).
July 1, 2002... The 1658-F Series thermal circuit breaker features plastic flanges to grip a panel opening and allow the breaker to be snapped into place without the need for panel modification. Available in ratings from 5 to 30 A, the single-pole unit is...

Free stuff! (catalogs cds brochures samples).
July 1, 2002... See something you like? Just write in the number on our reader service card. Or jump onto www.pddnet.com. Sealing Solutions Sealing Solutions for Medical and Healthcare Applications includes physical and performance properties for...

New workstation gives mobility to CAD users. (Computers & Office Equipment).
July 1, 2002... Today's high-end computing requires equipment that handles complexity and mobility. The Dell Precision Workstation M50 is designed specifically for professionals needing those capabilities. Priced starting at $3,599, the Precision M50 comes...

Display offers world of images. (Computers & Office Equipment).
July 1, 2002... This display is designed to provide a new way of looking at computer images. The display is round like a basketball--but bigger. Inside the display, images that would appear flat on a standard screen are given dimension. Users can literally...

New equipment for in-house modeling. (Computers & Office Equipment).
July 1, 2002... Dimension is a 3D printer that builds functional models of durable ABS plastic, allowing designers to test for fit and function. The $29,900 unit is designed as a simple-to-use desktop system. It can be located in any office and operated on a...

High-performance workstation. (Computers & Office Equipment).
July 1, 2002... This x4000 workstation features a high-performance Intel Xeon processor with speeds up to 2.4 GHz. Geared for high-end computing applications such as CAD and digital content creation, it features a 400 MHz front-side bus and up to 4 GB of main...

And the beat goes on. (The Last Word).
July 1, 2002... Remo Inc. is in the business of making music. More specifically, it manufactures synthetic drumheads, the kind that transformed sound and put pulsing percussion into so many forms of music all over the world. Remo constructs its technologically...

Dilbert.
July 1, 2002... ALICE, DID YOU BOOBY-TRAP YOUR CUBICLE? THE QUESTION IS, WHY ARE YOU IN MY CUBICLE WHAT IF I PROMISE TO NEVER AGAIN BORROW YOUR GUEST CHAIR?