Product Design & Development articles from July 2007

Product Design & Development archives from July 2007

Added flexibility and performance.(First Look)
July 1, 2007... W. L. Gore & Associates their GORE[TM] recently unveiled FireWire[R] High Flex Round and Flat Cable Assemblies, which they feel can provide motion control and vision systems with more reliable flex life performance. Features and applications...

A brighter idea.(First Look)
July 1, 2007... New from c3controls is their line of made-in-the-U.S.A. multi-voltage illuminated devices with a lower rate of power consumption to help save energy. Additional features include: * Super-bright white LEDs. * An electronic circuit...

A smart choice.(First Look)
July 1, 2007... Microchip Technology now offers their dsPIC33Fd12GP family of Digital Signal Controllers for a new class of Smart Sensor applications. Available in 18 and 28-pin packages as small as 6 x 6 ram, Microchip feels this 40 MIPS line can enhance...

Added control versatility.(First Look)
July 1, 2007... Elobau Sensor Technology, Inc. introduces its J4/J5 line of industrial joysticks for heavy-duty applications. The units are available with pushbutton or thumbwheel operation and offered in analog, digital or PWM and CAN bus output versions, all...

Greater vertical accuracy.(First Look)
July 1, 2007... Kerk Motion Products offers their ZBX Series anti-backlash assembly, which they feel is the ideal linear actuator for vertical applications requiring noise or vibration control. Additional features include enhanced positional accuracy and...

Power packed.(First Look)
July 1, 2007... Glacier Computer offers their internally integrated 10-60 volt DC wide-range input power supplies for industrial computers. Entirely internal to the computer and electrically isolated, Glacier feels the new power supply eliminates the need for...

An attractive clutches & brake option.(First Look)
July 1, 2007... Placid Industries offers their line of high-torque magnetic particle clutches and brakes that are rated up to 300 ft.-lbs., yet have low de-energized drag torque. According to the company, ideal applications include: * Tensioning (brakes...

Knowledge & power.(At Issue)
July 1, 2007... I guess the best place to start is with an introduction. I'm Jeff Reinke and I'll be taking over the editorial reigns on Product Design & Development. Although you haven't seen my name on the masthead, I've been working with the PD&D team for a...

Miniature, dry-pressed alumina ceramic component.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Morgan Advanced Ceramics now offers miniature, dry-pressed alumina ceramic components from its GBC Materials Division. Designed for miniature electronic devices, these small pressed alumina components exhibit: * Outer dimensions ranging...

Fibereptic and background suppression sensors.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... The V18 Series of cylindrical photoelectric sensors from Pepperl+Fuchs are now available in fiberoptic and background suppression models, while additional models still include polarized retro-reflective, through-beam and diffused. Specifically,...

New IOBs enhance DBOs.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... HEIDENHAIN introduces 2 new input/output boxes (IOBs) to further expand the functionality of its versatile line of digital readouts (DROs). Via a 35-mm standard rail, each IOB can be mounted in an electrical cabinet of a machine by using the...

A USB for industry.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Amphenol now produces a reliable, mobile, sealed industrial USB key that delivers: * The easy downloading of critical operating data from measuring equipment, automation systems, etc. * A metal casing with the availability of various...

A servo with extra drive.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... According to YET US, the new XtraDrive-DL has been added to its XtraDrive Servo System product line, and can address instability issues in high-speed precision motion system applications. The company believes this servo system can achieve: ...

Robotics with vision.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... For manufacturers seeking to give sight capabilities to its robotic systems, ABB Inc. offers its new Vision Guided Robotics with TrueView[TM]. According to the company, TrueView enables robots to see and comprehend information in real-time,...

Big wheel keep on turnin': Bosch Rexroth offers an inside look at the drive and control systems used for the Great Belling Wheel project.(Cover story)
July 1, 2007... The Great Wheel Corporation states on their website that one of the driving forces behind their projects are to, "... cater to a very basic human desire to see the surroundings from an elevation." Thus far the company is working to fulfill that...

A non-corroding pipeline.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... GF Piping introduces its SYGEF[R] Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Exhaust Piping System for aggressive exhaust gases and fumes. According to the company, the system features: * A composition made up of non-metallic PVDF--a highly inert,...

Advanced functions for this fiberoptic laser encoder.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Renishaw recently released the RLE20 fiberoptic laser encoder system to simplify laser interferometers, while simultaneously enhancing them with picometer resolution, differential measurements and part-per-billion laser frequency stability. The...

The leak sentinel.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Cincinnati Test Systems presents the Sentinel M-24 multi-station leak-test instrument, which boasts of: * The ability to sequentially test for pressure decay, vacuum decay and pressure gain. * A compact design that can handle up to 4...

Expanded operating temperatures for antennae.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Astron Wireless Technologies announces its new certified Enviro-Seal Yagi family of antennae, which boasts of: * Operating temperatures of -40[degrees]F to 160[degrees]F. * An aliphatic acrylic urethane paint coating that virtually...

Flexible printed circuit connection option.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Omron Electronic Components introduces its new series of low-profile flexible printed circuit (FPC) connectors with rotary locking mechanisms that offer easy operation and secure mounting in tight workspaces. According to the company, these...

SpecCheck/valves.
July 1, 2007... EATON CORPORATION A-T CONTROLS The new MDG mobile direc- The TRIAC "V" Series tional control valve is Control Port Ball Valves based on an industry- ...

Switching to a new look.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... E-Switch has printed a new product catalog showing off the company's new look. An example of some of the hundreds of new products include: * TL6700 sealed surface-mount tact switches. * TL3200 dual-LED surface-mount tact switches. ...

On a roll in cleaning solutions.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Hiawatha Rubber offers its line of cleaning rollers, with features that include: * Custom-made sticky or tacky surfaces to meet specific application requirements. * The ability to remove dust and particulate at critical locations in...

An advanced optical fiber length meter.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... OZ Optics has developed a new optical fiber length meter. OZ believes the instrument can: * Quickly and accurately measure the lengths of optical fibers from a few millimeters to 500 M, with a 2-mm resolution. * Achieve measurement...

Blocks that fit to a T.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... 80/20 now produces 2 new panel-mount blocks compatible with the company's slot 6, 10 and 25 Series T-slotted aluminum profiles. According to the company, these blocks are a fast, easy way to mount plastic panels in T-slotted aluminum framing...

An upsurge of protection.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Transtector Systems now offers the APEX Imax surge protector. According to the company, the surge protector exhibits: * Performance in lightning, surge and fault current mitigation. * A 65-kiloamp interrupting capacity fault-current...

Thermocouple channels per node.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... MicroStrain recently unveiled the latest version of its TC-LINK[R] wireless thermocouple node. Some perks of the new product include: * 6 thermocouple channels per node for lower cost per channel. * An embedded cold junction...

Relaying more switching capacity.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... CIT RELAY & SWITCH has upgraded its new A9 Series relays with: * A switching capacity of 40 amps. * A normally open single-pole, single-throw contact arrangement. * The use of standard automotive fuses with the availability of 9...

Added protection, durability.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... C&M offers its new line of high-torsional flex power/control composite cables with high-flex conductors and strength members that can withstand the flexing and torsional bending prevalent in high-production environments. A C&M Duralon[TM]...

Clamping your style.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... New from NewAge Industries are its clamps in 3 different fitting attachment styles. According to the company, most fittings need to be secured to hose or tubing with a clamp. To simplify the task, NewAge offers its new clamps in ear-type,...

Elimination of edge effects.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... KD Scientific believes its UltraSpense 2000 peristaltic dispenser eliminates edge effects and delivers more viable cells more uniformly to 384-well microplates. It also features: * The prevention of fluid drops from sticking to the...

A matter of degree.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... The IRtec Rayomatic 10 infrared thermometer from E Instruments Group is available with several choices of optics, temperature ranges and wavelengths. It also exhibits: * Compact dimensions of 0.7" by 5". * Accuracies of up to [+ or -]...

Clutching onto higher operating speed.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Ogura Industrial Corp. says its new high-speed MICS-5NE Electric Micro Clutch can achieve up to a 300 percent gain in operating speed over the previous bushing design. According to the company, other perks include: * The use of 4 micro...

A safer drive.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... HEIDENHAIN Corp. now supplies encoders, including the ExN 425/437 Series and the ExN 1325/1337 Series of rotary encoders, for electrical drives with an EnDat 2.2 transmission component. This EnDat 2.2 transmission component is an exclusive...

Pushing for alternate action.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... APEM Components announces the 8000 Series alternate-action push-button switch, which is well-suited for applications requiring a robust electronic interface, such as medical equipment, communication systems and military instrumentation. APEM's...

Added versatility with ceramic sensor.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Servoflo Corp. recently upgraded its Metallux ME501 piezoresistive ceramic pressure sensor. Features include: * Availability in a variety of pressure ranges, from 0-0.5 up to 0-600 BAR. * An operating temperature range of -40[degrees]C...

More durability with a great look.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... New from ITW Switches is its Series 57M miniature push-button switch that, according to the company, combines a great look with durable construction. Part of the company's Flex-Tech line, the unit combines a zinc alloy/velour chrome-plated...

Simplified digital metering.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Ferraz Shawmut recently introduced the DIRIS--a digital multimeasurement device for measuring and monitoring electrical values, primarily on switchboards, while also metering and managing energy. Part of the Socomec product line, it can also be...

Guarding against friction.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... MRC[R] feels its high-temperature plane bearing inserts provide an ideal solution for applications in which standard antifriction bearings may not be able to handle extreme heat. Features include: * Integration into any MRC Marathon...

A smart choice.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Microchip Technology recently unveiled its dsPIC33FJ12GP family of Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs) for a new class of smart sensor applications. According to the company, these are the world's smallest DSCs (in 18- and 28-pin packages as...

Safety, efficiency focused.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Honeywell introduces its FF Series of contactless safety switches to help improve operational safety and prevent contamination or misalignment. The FF Series uses magnetic actuators to detect panel openings or other component removal, which...

Expanded cable coverage.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... New from Lumberg is its netFLEX-10M Hi-FlexTray and Mid Cables for DeviceNet. Features include: * A 10 million flex cycle lifespan in c-track and robotic applications. * Added abrasion resistance. * A black TPE outer jacket that...

Quicker connection means added flexibility.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... With the release of the new QC (Quick Connect) 1.5 plugs, Phoenix Contact now offers an insulation displacement connection-based plug for use with an expanded range of wire gauges (24 to 16 AWG). The plugs are designed on a 5-mm pitch...

Expanded cylinder flexibility.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Norgren recently launched the NEN line of NFPA cylinders with features that include: * A magnetic piston for position sensing. * Adjustable cushions. * Low-friction nitrile seals. * Teflon wear bands on the pistons. *...

More safety at work.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Pepperl+Fuchs introduces the VAA-2E-G4-SE AS-Interface Safety at Work module. This IP67-rated safety module features: * Powered safety light curtains via the flat, black AS-Interface cable. * The ability to select the optimal light...

Pinning down DC/DC stability.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Offering users a pinned version of its MacroDens PKR DC/DC module, Ericsson Power Modules recently unveiled its PKR-PI, which is based on the same proprietary board-to-board technique that was developed to reduce the amount of molding in its...

An illuminating tact switch.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... E-Switch introduces the TL1260 illuminated right-angle through-hole tact switch. Perks of the product include: * Availability of multiple LED colors. * A contact rating of 50 mA at 12 volts DC. * A life expectancy of about 50,000...

Directly speaking: machine-to-machine communication works to simultaneously streamline processes and expand the landscape of embedded computing.(Machine-to-Machine)
July 1, 2007... The introduction of the Internet has changed the way we communicate and run our businesses, with the number of people using it totaling over one billion strong. Yet a similar, but significantly larger, revolution is poised to take place in...

A variety of mounting option.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Calex Manufacturing Co. has announced the availability of the 6202 Series of single-channel strain gauge signal conditioners. With a unique case design, the 6202 can be mounted on an S-Beam load cell, but it may also be used in a variety of...

Dialed in LEDs.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Dialight Corp. has expanded its line of LED panel-mount indicators with the 612 and 616 Series for easy front-panel mounting in 12-mm (0.492-in.) and 16-mm (0.642-in.) holes, and panel thicknesses up to 6.3 mm (0.236 in.).These RoHS-compliant...

Next-generation inspection.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Cognex Corp. announces its next generation of Checker photoelectric inspection sensors. According to the company, the new Checker 200 series models: * Offer built-in lighting, variable working distance and high-speed inspection capability...

Getting a temperature.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... E Instruments has launched the MicroCal T1100 high-accuracy temperature calibrator to keep thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) and other sensors compliant with ISO 9000 standards. With CalpMan and CalpMan Plus Software, the...

Muffling noise and oil mist.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... According to EXAIR, its new Reclassifying Mufflers can be installed directly into the exhaust port of cylinders, valves or other air-powered equipment to reduce work area noise and harmful oil mist. Other perks include: * The capability to...

Eliminating drippy nozzles.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... BETE Fog Nozzle now produces MicroWhirl misting nozzles to eliminate the dripping problems and fragility of impingement nozzles. The company also says these nozzles can offer improved durability in a wide range of applications, such as turbine...

A cooler comprehensive series.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Perma Pure introduces its new Baldwin Series line of probes and thermo-electric coolers for continuous emissions monitoring. These systems are intended to prepare gas samples for analysis. Baldwin Direct Extractive Filter Probes extract sample...

On the edge of lighting technology.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... MicroLens[TM] edge-lighting modules from Global Lighting Technologies produce white-LED backlighting for LCDs. The MicroLens is also highlighted by: * Functional, efficient use with a minimum amount of LEDs. * A bright, clean, uniform...

The force is with the sensor.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... The new piezoelectric dynamic quartz force sensors from PCB Piezotronics are well-suited for multi-cycle, high-repetition automotive and component test applications. Due to their extreme rigidity, these sensors permit high repeatability and...

A stickier situation.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... CS Hyde Co. has Designed its UHMW High-Bond Tape to encompass all the benefits of strong, slippery, abrasion-resistant, ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene tape, plus a super-high bond adhesive. According to CS Hyde, UHMW High-Bond...

Staying connected.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Fujitsu Components America recently released the very low-profile FCN-560 Series Micro SD connector for Micro SD/TransFlash memory cards. This RoHS-compliant connector boasts of: * Dimensions of 15 (D) by 14 (W) by 1.6 mm (H). * A life...

Zero backlash, plus rigidity.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... According to flEDEX ANDANTEX, its DualDRIVE can eliminate backlash and increase rigidity of rack and pinion drives by using a mechanical or electrical preload system and reinforced output bearings. The company believes the perks of this system...

Attractive actuators.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... H2WTechnologies believes its moving magnet voice coil linear actuators are ideal for light-load applications requiring high acceleration, high speed, high accuracy and repeatability, such as mirror tilt and focusing, laser beam steering,...

Signals for the real world.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Sealevel Systems recently unveiled the SeaDAC Lite family of USB digital I/0 solutions, offering system designers a compact alternative for interfacing any USB-equipped computer with real-world signals. Product highlights of the first two...

In-control oscillators.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Crystek Corp. says the company recently released the Red Box voltage-controlled oscillator series in order to provide: * A robust aluminum enclosure (1.25" by 1.25" by 0.58") with subminiature version A connectors. * Enhanced...

Portable DC/AC inverter applications.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... In situations in which compact size, high efficiency, cold temperature operation and reliability are critical, Endicott Research Group offers the W10M Series DC/AC inverter. The W10M can provide: * Reliable starts for LCDs backlit by 1 or 2...

Foretelling failure: analysis software predicts when solder joints in automotive systems are in peril.(Software Suite)
July 1, 2007... Lately it's hard not to notice that automobiles have morphed into circuit boards on wheels. Electronics now control every important system in the average passenger vehicle, from entertainment and navigation to chassis and steering, brakes,...

Crash landing.(Software Suite)
July 1, 2007... ESI Group, a leading provider of digital simulation software, has released PAM-CRASH 2G, a virtual testing solution for impact, crash and safety applications. "PAM-CRASH 2G allows engineers to evaluate design variants by taking local...

Lower memory requirements lead to greater flexibility.(Software Suite)
July 1, 2007... Xilinx, Inc. recently announced the availability of their ISE[TM] 9.2i (Integrated Software Environment) design tools that are focused on reducing memory requirements by an average of 27 percent. This reduction in memory enables users to design...

New release focuses on quality.(Software Suite)
July 1, 2007... SolidWorks Corporation has Unveiled SolidWorks[R] 2008, the latest version of its 3D CAD software with a new, intuitive, time-saving user interface and upgraded 3D graphics. Building on their SolidWorks Intelligent Feature Technology (SWIFT),...

A new curve in motion control.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Performance Motion Devices announces the Magellan[TM] family of motion control integrated circuits with 7-segment, s-curve profiles. According to the company, these flexible, programmable chips provide users with the additional control required...

Going with the flow.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Fluid Components International now facilitates the controlling of liquids, specialty / gases or air in high-purity or sanitary processes with the NuTec[R] FS2000L Inline Flow Switch. This general-purpose flow switch features: * A...

A pump requiring less PSI.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... According to Anver Corp., its line of compact, multi-stage venturi vacuum pumps require only 45 PSI of air pressure, yet provide the same holding capacity as comparable pumps requiring 80 to 100 PSI. The Air-Miser[TM] MSP-AM Series of...

A region of interest.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Sensors Unlimited (SUI) has expanded its KTS product line with 2 additional cameras--the SU320KTSW-1.7RT InGaAs SWIR Windowing Camera and the SU320KTSWVis-1.7RT Visible-InGaAs[TM] SWIR Windowing Camera. These video cameras feature: *...

Miniature quartz crystals.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... New from NDK America is its new series of ultra-small, thin, surface-mount quartz crystals for size-restrained applications. The NX2016AA Series: * Measures only 2.0 (L) by 1.6 (W) by 0.45 mm (H)--and is just half the volume of any other...

A workstation minus vibration.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... In a joint venture with Kinetic Systems, Minus K Technology recently released the 1/2-Hz MK26 Series Vibration Control Workstation", specifically designed for ultra-low natural-frequency applications and negative stiffness vibration isolators....

Cool clutches and brakes.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Wichita Clutch announces the availability of its new AquaMaKKs watercooled clutches and brakes, intended to impart accurate torque control for constant tensioning. According to the company, AquaMaKKs are ideally suited for heavy-duty,...

Measured air/fuel mixtures.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... AMETEK Technical & Industrial Products now produces Nautilair[R] variable-speed brush-less DC blowers. The company says these blowers are engineered to deliver a measured air/fuel mixture in gas-fired burner systems for optimal combustion, and...

Smaller servo motor frames.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Danaher Motion has added 3 smaller frame sizes to its family of CARTRIDGE DDR[TM] direct-drive rotary servo motors. According to the company, these frames now deliver: * A range of sizes from 4.25" to 13.78" square with 4 stack lengths per...

A turbocharged speed sensor.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Oxford RF Sensors recently unveiled a sensor for speed measurement in the next generation of automotive turbochargers. According to the company, the solution combines: * A probe able to withstand operating temperatures up to 350[degrees]C....

Integration efforts: semiconductor manufacturers are more like systems integrators these days, taking advantage of subcontracting expertise.(Semiconductor Trends)
July 1, 2007... Semiconductor manufacturing is an exact activity and it's expensive. Manufacturers of semiconductor wafers work with precise machinery in pro-measurements associated with the thickness of atoms. For this reason, one trend that is taking...

A do-it-yourself door.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... According to ASN Safety Solutions, the GE F45 Series is a do-it-yourself sensing edge for rolling steel overhead doors. The GE F45 allows customers to use the edge as is or tear away the removable mounting fin to customize the sensing edge for...

A versatile 5-digit display.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... Red Lion Controls announces its new programmable LDA large-digital display for analog inputs. The LDA is a versatile 5-digit display with: * The option to choose 2.25- or 4-in. (H) red LED digits, with readability levels up to 130 and 180...

Shaft collars for higher thrust loads.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... New from Stafford Manufacturing is a full line of ACME threaded collars for use with ACME shafts as end stops, stroke limiters, and in other holding or tensioning applications. The company says these shaft collars can deliver: * Optimal...

Incremental and absolute encoder functions.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... New from SICK STEGMANN is its XKS Motor FeedbackWire Draw Encoders, which can render position or distance information with a repeatability to [+ or -]0.15 mm for linear measurement paths up to 5 M at speeds up to 3.5 M/sec. Additional features...

Taking a position.(New Products)
July 1, 2007... BlockMaster Electronics recently released the new PSQ Multi-Level, Single-Position Series of modular terminal blocks. The product line provides: * Up to 4 staggered levels of poles. * Increased space for wire connections to printed...