Product Design & Development articles from June 2003

Product Design & Development archives from June 2003

High-performance encoder.(from Renco Encoders Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The RCH20, a 2-in. hollow-shaft commutation encoder, accepts motor shafts from 0.25 to 0.5 in. OD. It combines three-phase brushless motor commutation pulses, two data channels, and reference index pulse in a single optical encoder package. ...

UV curable adhesive.(from Permabond International)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Lite-Lok 495 is a UV light curable adhesive designed for the structural bonding of plastics and the sealing of plastic assemblies. Resistant to carpet and floor cleaning solutions, it is suitable for acrylics, polycarbonate, PVC, and other...

Multi-voltage pilot light.
June 1, 2003... A new 30-mm multi-voltage pilot light features super-bright white LEDs and an internal PC board. This indicating light unit is engineered to handle voltages from 20 to 240 Vac/dc without losing light intensity. Red, green, amber, blue, white,...

Sensor/connector combo.(from Balluff Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The M5 is the key element of a new sensor/connector/cabling solution for production lines and OEM production machinery designs. Both 4 and 5 mm sensors incorporating the M5 meet IP67 specs, have an LED built into the barrel, and are made of...

Connection ratings up. (What's Hot).(Wago Corp.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The Wago X-Com (769 Series) System is a plug-and-play connector series recognized at 20 A, 600 V. In applications where maximum voltage and current is key, the ratings allow the system to be used to its fullest potential. It provides "x" number...

Signaling in tight spaces. (What's Hot).(from Macro Sensors)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... A new single-channel LVDT signal conditioner is suitable for use in automation applications with PLCs and mini-PLCs. Operating from 24 Vdc, the unit works in factory locations where space and power sources are limited. Designed to support any...

Two stages of sticky. (What's Hot).(from Adhesive Research Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... This dual-stage pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) is formulated for the encapsulation of rigid and flexible OLEDs, LCDs, electronic paper, and other display technologies. The first stage is a pliable PSA that offers instant bonding. In the...

Transporting light. (What's Hot).(from Lumex Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The LPI-C011701S Series of remotely-lit LED panel indicators features passive light guides that carry light from an LED source to a front panel, display, switch, or any location up to 800 ft away. The indicators allow the design engineer to...

A tube for action. (What's Hot).(from Tyco Electronics Corp.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Raychem NT-MIL heat-shrinkable tubing is a modified elastomeric tubing offering flexibility and resistance to abrasion and physical abuse. Designers can use NT-MIL tubing in applications where insulation, strain relief, or abrasion protection...

Doing the 'low-cost-motion'. (What's Hot).(from Performance Motion Devices Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The MC2502 Series of motion processors provides a low-cost step motor control version of the Navigator Family 2500 Series of motion processor chips. Available in one-, two-, and four-axis configurations, the MC2502 Series consists of two...

Key to success. (What's Hot).(from Datakey Electronics)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... ProtoKey rapid prototyping service provides products with proprietary memory keys and other custom-shaped tokens containing non-volatile memory. The products are a way to store electronic data and control access. The ProtoKey service can be...

Powers of protection. (What's Hot).(from E-T-A Circuit Breakers)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The E-1048-700 is a solid state remote power controller that protects PLCs from overloads and short circuits while providing inexpensive power amplification of PLC output signals, without the need to change PLC output cards. It is available for...

Converting labels. (What's Hot).(from Tailored Label Products Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... A line of custom engineering labeling is available for industries as diverse as out-door power equipment, medical devices, electronics, appliances, and motors. The labels are made through custom converting capabilities, which provide print to...

Latches for restricted access spaces. (What's Hot).(from Southco Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Flush, low-profile, and concealed latches come in a variety of restricted access options and vandal-resistant features for lighting fixture applications. Also available are custom lockplugs, tool-access options, and confirmed closure with...

Hole plug assembly for electrical enclosures. (What's Hot).(from Stahlin Non-Metallic Enclosures)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... PluggIt is a fiberglass hole plug assembly designed to seal any hole where additional protection is needed. It is especially appropriate for electrical enclosures, tank walls, and HVAC ductwork. It protects against entry of dust, water, and...

Surface-mount LED for backlighting. (What's Hot).(from Stanley Electronic Sales of America Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Boasting an advanced design, the 1105CK Super Wide Angle surface-mount LED can be used for backlighting keyboards and various switches, especially in medical devices and instrumentation. The unit is engineered to provide uniform light...

Plug-in module for point-of-load uses. (What's Hot).(from Texas Instruments Inc., Semiconductor Group)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The PT5800 Series is part of the Excalibur line of plug-in power modules. The new unit has an 18-pin package and is designed for point-of-load applications that use high-performance digital signal processors, microprocessors,...

Pressure-reducing regulator. (What's Hot).(from U.S. Para Plate Corp.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The latest version of the miniature 9014 Series pressure regulator is a compact pressure-reducing valve designed for systems in which size, weight, and cost are critical design factors. The 9014 regulates inlet pressures from 0 to 3,000 psi and...

Industrial switches. (What's Hot).(from EAO Switch Corp.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... From Series 04 and 14 industrial switches, users can create illuminated pushbuttons, indicators, and selector switches with stainless steel lenses, protective front rings, and bezels. With ratings up to IP67 and high operating temperature...

High-temperature nylon. (What's Hot).(from DSM Engineering Plastics North America Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Stanyl 46 nylon offers a high maximum use temperature of 215[degrees]C. In addition, it is formulated to offer a combination of high stiffness and strength at high temperatures. The material is designed to provide processing ease for end...

Anti-reflective coating for flat-panel displays. (What's Hot).(from Silver Cloud Manufacturing)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Duralan II A/R anti-reflective coating is formulated for flat-panel displays that are used in high ambient light environments. They are suitable for use with laptops and portable handheld devices that are frequently used outdoors where sunlight...

Fuse series with time-lag capability. (What's Hot).(from Schurter Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The OMT 125 Series of fuses complements the existing range of surface-mount fuses by adding a time-lag version in the same form and fit package as the fast-acting OMF 125 version. The new fuses promise added safety at fault currents up to 100 A...

Ethernet-enabled operator interface. (What's Hot).(from Galil Motion Control Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... QTERM-G124 is an Ethernet-enabled graphics operator interface terminal designed for use with Ethernet motion controllers. It operates off a 10-26 Vdc power source and features a 320 x 240 pixel color graphic LCD touchscreen display and an...

Surface-mount adhesive. (What's Hot).(from Henkel Loctite Corp.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Chipbonder 3627 is a surface-mount adhesive formulated for either highspeed stencil printing or high-speed dispensing applications. It can be dispensed at rates of more than 40,000 DPH and is fully jettable. Its controlled rheology provides...

Spot/wand curing system. (What's Hot).(from Dymax Corp.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The BlueWave 200 spot/wand curing system makes 360-degree UV cures with an intensity of more than 5 W/[cm.sup.2] possible. Fitted with a four-pole light wand, it is CE-compliant and PLC compatible with two-way communication. The four-pole...

Copper adhesive tape. (What's Hot).(from Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Chemlam copper tape is an adhesive tape designed to act as a replaceable non-stick surface for heat sealing units in packaging, preventing flexible packaging films from melting onto the heating element and impeding production. Featuring a...

Electroluminescence in roll/sheet. (What's Hot).(from MACtac Technical Products)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Advanced electroluminescence technology, available in roll and sheet form, can provide a creative light source for applications as diverse as consumer electronics, automotive dashboard, and point-of-purchase displays. Solutions can have...

Serial-to-Ethernet edge servers. (What's Hot).(Comtrol Corp., )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Three new DeviceMaster serial-to-Ethernet device networking edge servers are available. Some of the features of the three models include Device Master RTS 1, a single 10/100Base-T Ethernet port with one software-selectable RS232/RS422/RS485...

Translucent syringe reservoirs. (What's Hot).(from EFD Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The LB Series of syringe reservoirs block light wavelengths between 240 and 550 nm. Used with all standard air-powered dispensing systems, the translucent dark amber reservoirs prevent many UV-cure adhesives and other light-sensitive assembly...

Triple-redundant sensor pack. (What's Hot).(from BEI Duncan Electronics)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... A new triple-redundant sensor pack has been engineered to offer high margins of safety in critical tractor steering applications. It has three independent sensor outputs, all driven from a common steering shaft. It also provides...

Encoders for angular positioning. (What's Hot).(from Renishaw Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... New RESR rotary encoders are designed to provide an easy-to-mount, versatile, and reliable solution to high-resolution, high-accuracy angular positioning applications. A low-mass, low-inertia design offers accuracy to [+ or -] 0.5 arc seconds,...

Linears slides slow cage creep. (Linear Positioning).(from Schneeberger Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The NDN family of high-precision stainless steel linear positioning slides deliver linear motion in a compact envelope. The units are factory preloaded for optimal stiffness and smoothness. Available in three sizes with overall heights as low...

Thruster offers space-efficient package. (Linear Positioning).(from Bimba Manufacturing Co.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... This extruded thruster is a rugged guided actuator with a cylinder integral to the thruster block. The sleek body incorporates switch mounting for a clean, space-efficient package. Three models are offered with nylon or ball bearings. There are...

Guide sytem with preloaded carriage. (Linear Positioning).
June 1, 2003... The Nk-02-17, a miniature guide system with a preloaded linear carriage design, is engineered to limit the amount of lateral clearance while maintaining consistent performance. No larger than a matchstick, the carriage is made from iglide J...

A precision fit: line of stepper motors and linear actuators uses technology for customization. (Linear Positioning).
June 1, 2003... A line of sub-fractional horsepower stepper motors and linear actuators has been designed to provide precise performance-to-size ratios. They can be used in medical equipment, instrumentation, industrial equipment, machinery automation, HVAC...

How to make costs slide. (Linear Positioning).
June 1, 2003... Ball slide specifiers who can live with less precision can cut their parts costs with a line of ball slides featuring a patented compliant preloaded design. The units offer accuracy of 0.001 in. at prices as low as $63. A typical ball...

Slide for heavy enclosures. (Linear Positioning).
June 1, 2003... A new slide is designed specifically for heavy electronic enclosure applications. Designated the 3507, it offers full extension with 2 in. of over travel and accommodates 4U and 8U rack-mountable chassis. The full ball bearing slide measures...

Compact slides. (Linear Positioning).
June 1, 2003... The Series SxL and SxH slides feature a compact design and provide high load capacities, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. Available in two bearing types and five sizes (8, 10, 14, 20, and 32 mm) with travel lengths up...

Handling higher temperatures. (Batteries & Power Supplies).
June 1, 2003... The R65 is a 65-watt single-output power supply in the industry standard footprint of 3 in. by 5 in. that boasts a 30 percent increase in thermal performance for more reliable operation in today's smaller packages. It's designed for OEMs and...

Predicting maintenance. (Batteries & Power Supplies).
June 1, 2003... The S8VS switchmode power supply provides predictive maintenance to ensure cost savings. It features a three-digit. seven-segment LED display that displays a lifetime monitor and a runtime monitor. The lifetime monitor shows an estimate of the...

The power behind education: in this case, lithium-ion batteries are leading the charge. (Batteries & Power Supplies).
June 1, 2003... What's a WEC? It's a wireless enterprise communicator that relies on advanced battery technology as well as the functions of a handheld computer, mobile phone, localization/navigation device--thanks to its ability to receive GPS signals--and...

Keeping a low profile. (Batteries & Power Supplies).
June 1, 2003... The 30-watt RKW Series operates at full power in ambient temperatures from -10 to +50[degrees]C with no forced air-cooling requirement. The low-profile power supply also offers compliance to FCC Class B and EN 55022-B standards for conducted...

Gaining medical approval. (Batteries & Power Supplies).
June 1, 2003... The PBM65 Series of medically approved power supplies provides up to 65 watts of output power. These single- output units accept a wide range of input voltages from 85 to 264 Vac and can deliver output voltages ranging from 5.1 to 28 Vdc. A...

Pump makes wheelchair travel easier. (Valves & Pumps).
June 1, 2003... For those who are wheelchair-bound, getting around town is not always easy. It can require extra time and help from others. Imagine if this were not the case. Imagine if all those confined to wheelchairs were able to travel without assistance....

Gas and electric alternatives. (Valves & Pumps).
June 1, 2003... New direct-drive Plunger pumps have been designed for the portable cleaning industry. The 3SP30G11 gas pump delivers 3 GPM @ 3,000 psi, and the 3SP35GEI electric pump delivers 3.5 GPM @ 2,500 psi. Both are direct-mount flange-style units with a...

Working with the forces of flow. (Valves & Pumps).
June 1, 2003... With coils that promise to never burn out, the cx-tec solenoid valve is available in configurations to suit most commonly seen media. Its maintenance-free direct-acting design has a straight-through flow path that requires only small deviation...

Leak-free valves make the difference. (Valves & Pumps).
June 1, 2003... Water flows from a valve with just a simple twist. Once it is turned back, the flow stops and nothing drips. To the common layman, that means the valve is working. But for Ronald A. Moner, P.E., the chief engineer in Parker Hannifin Corp.'s...

In-line check valves. (Valves & Pumps).
June 1, 2003... New non-metallic, self-sealing Bio-Check in-line check valves feature an inert flow path. These zero-maintenance check valves stop backflow in high-purity, low-pressure fluid transfer applications. Unlike spring-actuated check valves that...

Magnetic drive pumps. (Valves & Pumps).
June 1, 2003... A new line of all-plastic magnetic drive pumps has been warranted against failure for two years of even the most demanding service. Webster Series R pumps are designed to handle aggressive industrial and commercial applications. The pumps...

Commercial and precision applications. (Bearings & Related Products).
June 1, 2003... While Pitchlign bearings are designed to handle high loads, RBC Bearings' Heim Division has put out a line of rod ends to tackle the convenience, reliability, and economic demands of both commercial and precision applications. Precision rod...

The high-load life: a line of needle roller bearings adds life to high-load industrial, applications. (Bearings & Related Products).
June 1, 2003... Designing high-load equipment such as hydraulic pumps used on farm equipment or refuse trucks often requires bearings with a long life. That's why a new line of heavy-duty needle roller bearings, called Pitchlign, has been developed. These...

No more fretting. (Bearings & Related Products).
June 1, 2003... DS bearings are designed to eliminate fretting corrosion damage to shafts under low-amplitude oscillating movement. Engineered for both marginally lubricated and dry applications, they are available as cylindrical bushings, thrust washers,...

Self-aligning bearings. (Bearings & Related Products).
June 1, 2003... Self-aligning bearings mounted in aluminum pillow block and housing flange assemblies boast five static alignment capabilities, offering designers the flexibility to incorporate bearings without costly machining and assembly. Spyraflo...

Spindles for optical components. (Bearings & Related Products).
June 1, 2003... These ZAL Series high-speed aerostatic spindles are suitable for cutting and polishing optical components as well as dicing, micromachining, and fine milling. They feature an axial stiffness of 7N/[micro]m, a radial stiffness of 5...

Miniature gearhead with flange output. (Bearings & Related Products).
June 1, 2003... The CSF-XHF Size 5 gearhead delivers 3 arc-min positional accuracy in a package size that is 22 mm square x 17 mm long. It has a rated torque of 5 in.-lbs and a minimum torque of 24 in.-lbs. The gearhead has a flange output to allow for a...

Modular redundant dc power systems. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... Modular redundant dc power systems have been designed to eliminate the hassle usually associated with combining power supply outputs for redundancy. They work by plugging in the two cables and connecting the ac input power and load. Input...

Single-output compact switcher. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... Weighing 6.7 watts per cubic inch, the LPS125 is an 85-264 Vac power supply suitable for 1U (1.75-in.) rack installations and other low-profile applications. The unit can deliver its full rated output of 130 watts with 30 CFM forced air or 80...

Single-slot VME board. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... The new Eurocom 148 VMEbus CPU board features a complete PC kernel with graphics, a VMEbus interface, and an additional PMC module in a single VME slot. With a clock speed of 600-1266 MHz for Pentium III or Celeron processors, the board...

True color sensor for user-determined colors. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... The QC50 true color sensor analyzes and identifies user-determined colors. Unlike standard sensing methods that only detect light to dark contrast, it emits a modulated white light that when reflected back from an object is electronically...

Power supplies. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... ZC Series multi-output switching power supplies have a 1.6-in. profile to meet 1U requirements and five outputs. The 600-W configurable units are capable of producing 234 different output combinations. By setting internal DIP switches, the...

Gapped toroid inductors. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... Models PG0036 and PG0058 (without base) and Model PG0035 (with base) are new through-hole power inductors for 100 W Class D amplifiers and digital audio amplifiers. The high-performance gapped toroid inductors are designed for the Zetex IC...

Single board computer. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... For designers of VMEbus-based systems, this single board computer (SBC) features a 600-MIPS PowerPC processor with input/output options for M-Modules, PC.MIPs, or PMC mezzanine cards. The 6U single-slot SBC, designated the A15, is normally...

Air-actuated valves. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... Series ASO air-actuated thermoplastic valves have positive bubble-tight shutoff for critical liquid processing. Based on a globe-style flow pattern, they have a clear acrylic upper housing and heavy-duty spring. Series ASO valves are...

Coating for aluminum alloys. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... New Diamond-Like Carbon Coating is designed for the dry machining of aluminum alloys. Its low friction coefficient and adhesion resistance make it suitable for cutting tools. This new coating is engineered to maintain its hardness, low friction...

Automatic cutter for various materials. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... The MMC100 is an automatic cutter designed to cleanly cut a wide variety of materials. It cuts round or flat material up to 3.94 in. wide and 0.63 in. thick. It has a maximum cutting force of 600 lbs and can cut copper wire and cable,...

Control unit for vacuum pumps. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... The AVM5050 is a new electro-pneumatic unit for controlling and monitoring vacuum systems where material is handled with suction cups. The compact unit (5.7 x 3 x 4.8 in.) promises rapid and safe handling of many materials, including sheet...

Electromechanical switches. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... New surface-mount electromechanical switch devices are ultra-miniature products that allow for high-density mounting and incorporation in the smallest hand-held devices. They boast crisp actuation for a positive indication of circuit status,...

Non-metallic conduit and fittings. (New Products).
June 1, 2003... Gator-Flex UV-stabilized, non-metallic, liquid-tight flexible conduit and fittings can be used for outdoor, all-weather applications. They are designed to protect wire bundles and harnesses, hoses, tubing, and cable assemblies from mechanical...

High-tech home run: today's baseball and softball equipment designers are upgrading traditional gear for enhanced performance. Here's how ... (Real-World Engineering).
June 1, 2003... For many people, the approach of warm weather brings memories of long summer days spent hitting and catching baseballs with neighborhood buddies. Back then, the gear was pretty low-tech--wooden bats and chunky catcher's mitts. Today, however,...

Decorative designs. (Show Stoppers).
June 1, 2003... IMD1 is an in-mold decorating solution suitable for automotive interiors, electronics, white goods, and medical devices. It can be used to create metallic looks and produce scratch-, fade-, and wear-resistant logos. Designers can coordinate the...

Long-wearing material. (Show Stoppers).
June 1, 2003... Hithane vaccum pads are available in flat 1.5 and 2.5 bellows in a range of sizes from 8 to 53 mm. Hithane is a silicone-free hybrid material that combines the high temperature qualities of silicone with the long wear properties of...

Foam and film tapes. (Show Stoppers).
June 1, 2003... Foam and film tapes with solvent and aqueous-based adhesive systems are suitable for automotive, electronic, appliance, and aerospace applications. New aqueous-based adhesive systems are offered in acrylic and an acrylic/rubber hybrid coated on...

Flexible shapes. (Show Stoppers).
June 1, 2003... Vespel parts and shapes for automotive designs boast various combinations of physical properties similar to plastics, ceramics, and metals. They offer heat, wear, and friction resistance and require no lubrication. Applications include thrust...

Different angles. (Show Stoppers).
June 1, 2003... Magic Color Concentrates use Variocrom pigments from BASF Corp. to bring iridescent multi-colored effects to products when viewed at different angles. The concentrates are available is a range of colors including red, green, gold, purple,...

Impact testing. (Show Stoppers).(Instron Corp.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The Dynatup 9250 tests impact properties of plastics and elastomers. Suitable for the aerospace and automotive markets, the unit offers computer control and impact velocities up to 22 msec for rigorous impact testing in the fields of quality...

Healthy compounds. (Show Stoppers).(STAR Thermoplastic Elastomers)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Mediflex compounds are TPEs designed for medical product and tubing applications. They are available in very soft (8 Shore A) to very hard (60 Shore D) grades. For tubing applications, they are designed to replace Latex. All offerings are...

Combination wood. (Show Stoppers).(from NFM Welding Engineers)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The TEM Series co-rotating, intermeshing compounding twin-screw extrusion system offers a high torque-per-free-volume and high screw speed. It produces a finished extrusion that is a combination of plastic, such as PVC, polyethylene, or...

Abundant alloys. (Show Stoppers).(from GLS Corp. )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Three new thermoplastic elastomers can provide a soft touch and rubbery feel in thousands of consumer goods. Versalloy 8000 thermoplastic vulcanizate alloys, available in a range of grades from 45 to 70 Shore A, boast better colorability and...

Shaft collar. (New Products).(Acromag Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... EasyLock shaft collars install without special tools to provide non-slip holding of tools and reels on smooth case-hardened shafts. The EasyLock system is designed for high-volume production where frequent changeovers of shaft-mounted tools,...

RTD input modules. (New Products).(Acromag Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... New BusWorks 966PB input modules interface up to six RTD or resistance signals directly to a Profibus-DP network. These independent input devices do not require expensive additions such as the bus-couplers and mounting racks needed by modular...

Transparent interfaces. (New Products).(from ifm efector inc)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The Controller-E Series has been expanded to include new gateways with DeviceNet and Ethernet interfaces. The Controller-E gateway can connect to two full AS-i systems, up to 868 I/O points, as one node on a higher-level network. Information is...

Industrial LCDs. (New Products).(Nortech Engineering Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Express Plus Line LCDs are light industrial displays that adhere to NEMA 4 standards. Featuring a proprietary "Speed Clip" assembly for quick mounting, the displays include two cooling fans to enhance operating temperature performance. ...

Pressure sensor. (New Products).(GE Druck Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Series 1500 industrial pressure sensors are suitable for demanding, high-volume measurement applications such as those in the transportation and industrial arenas. Designed for OEM and large-scale users and boasting ranges up to 2,000 psi,...

Composite encoders. (New Products).(Turck Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... New compact 37-mm encoders are suitable for point-of-use mounting and confined applications including packaging machinery, material handling, pick and place, and medical and office equipment. Constructed of a lightweight, impact-resistant...