Product Design & Development articles from June 2004

Product Design & Development archives from June 2004

Multi-position airless cylinder.
June 1, 2004... This multi-position airless cylinder has the capability to move loads up to 22 lbs, operates at very high speeds, and is fully programmable to deliver high stroke accuracies. It can be used in high-speed insertion equipment and in applications...

Surface-mountable resistors.
June 1, 2004... WA80Z Series flameproof resistors with power ratings up to 5 W can handle the harsh temperatures found in automotive environments. They promise to fuse safely under fault conditions and are aimed at replacing expensive molded parts. TT...

Patented hybrid actuator.
June 1, 2004... Built for several million cycles and maintenance-free operation, this high-force Size 14 captive linear actuator features engineering thermoplastics in the rotor drive nut and a stainless steel Acme lead screw. It also boasts an integral...

Low-odor instant adhesives.
June 1, 2004... Suitable for appearance-sensitive applications, 940 Series non-blooming, low-odor alcoxy-ethyl cyanoacrylates bond plastics, rubber, and metal. They do not produce the white frosting on surfaces that common cyanoacrylates cause. Permabond...

Submersible level transducer.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... This re-rangeable submersible hydrostatic level transducer allows users to turn down the full-scale output of the unit by as much as 10:1. Called the Model 772 KPSI transducer, it uses ASIC technology to fully compensate for sensor errors due...

Handheld interface terminal.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... The handheld QTERM-G55 graphic operator interface terminal viewable in most lighting conditions. It has a 320 x 240 pixel grayscale LCD display and uses screen graphics and a keypad to interface with the user. It can be equipped with two...

Filters targeting harmonic distortion.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... AHF Series filters boast cost-effective harmonic reduction despite background disturbances, such as phase unbalance and background voltage distortion, to provide optimized drive performance. The AHF Series 005 is designed to reduce total...

Electrodes engineered for under the hood.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... A new base metal electrode system, the BME system boasts sort terminations designed to improve the temperature cycling performance of multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) and to reduce failures associated with mechanical flexure. ...

Seals designed for safety.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... Faucets, showerheads, aerators, water filtration components, ice makers, and water meters are some of the applications for E1549-70 seals. They meet the National Sanitation Foundation's Standard 61, which restricts the release of contaminants...

Miniature diaphragm seal.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... Designed for use in small spaces, the Ashcroft Type 310 miniature diaphragm seal has been designed to protect transducers, switches, and pressure gauges from corrosive media, plugging, and freeze-up. The seats all-welded construction prevents...

UL recognized Ion Air Gun.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... Priced at $285, the Ion Air Gun removes static electricity, contaminants, and dust from 3D parts prior to labeling, assembly, packaging, painting, and finishing. Other applications include molded part cleaning, pre-paint dust removal, and...

Enclosures for explosion protection.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... BG Series handheld enclosures with ATEX certification (ExII2G/EExeII) can be used for gas monitors, data loggers, and calibration handsets. They are offered in three sizes--180, 220, and 380 mm. The 180- and 220-mm models come in a closed...

Flat panel monitor.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... Priced at $729, the ThinkVision L180p is an 18-in. flat panel LCD with an ultra-thin bezel measuring 0.67 in. Its design makes it suitable for tiling on a wall or arranging on a desktop in a dual monitor configuration. The monitor includes...

Capacitors with low dielectric loss.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... High-voltage laser discharge ceramic capacitors promise superior functionality in circuits with high peak current and repetition rates, making them appropriate for gas lasers, high energy pulsed power supplies, de power supplies, lightning...

Product lifecycle management software.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... Merging design and data management into a single interface, Dassault Systemes and IBM's Version 5 Release 13 (VSR13) product lifecycle management portfolio consists of CATIA for collaborative product development and Enovia and Smarteam for...

Production line sensor.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... The new Big Beam Sensor boasts a large field of view for width and height of solid and opaque targets. It's suitable where fast one-dimensional measurements are needed such as on a production line. The sensor's functionality, also known as...

CVD-coated polycrystalline cubic boron nitride.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... Engineered to cut hardened steels faster, KB9610 is a new CVD-coated grade of polycrystalline cubic boron nitride. CVD stands for chemical vapor deposition, and the material is coated with alumina and titanium nitride layers. The coating...

Filtered power entry modules.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... EEJ Series filtered power entry modules, which have current ratings from 1-20 amps, can be used in computer workstations, networking equipment, telecom-datacom equipment, test and measurement devices, and fitness equipment. They also are...

Synchronized digital video and data.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... Each high-speed imaging application has its own unique requirements, but a significant number of applications can benefit from simultaneous capture of digital video and data. While the video shows what is happening during the high-speed event,...

Short-range sensor.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... The RP5400-6 is a short-range ultrasonic sensor that is well suited for applications requiring the detection of clear objects. The high-speed device is used for short ranges of 2-6 in., and its small size (0.75 x 2 x 1.5 in.) makes it useful in...

High data rate cable assembly.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... The Eye-Opener ZD cable assembly combines high data rate digital cable assembly technology with a high-speed connector to offer an interconnect that promises signal fidelity and reliability at bandwidths of 5 Gb/s and higher. It uses...

Low-profile sockets.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... Used to interconnect two or more parallel circuit boards, the new 834/835 Series of Organic Fibre Plug Pass Thru Sockets is designed for hand, wave, or reflow soldering. The high-temperature insulator is compatible with all soldering processes,...

Oil level gages.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... A new line of aluminum liquid level gages can be used to view oil levels in hydraulic reservoirs, gearboxes, bearing housings, crankcases, transformers, and machinery off reservoirs. The patent-pending design of the gages includes milled...

USB to CAN adapter.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... The GC-CAN-USB adapter is a plug-in USB 2.0 adapter that allows CAN users to connect their PC to the CAN network. CAN is widely used for 1 Mbaud communications in automotive, industrial, and medical applications. The adapter includes free...

Power monitor in two styles.(What's Hot)
June 1, 2004... The WM12 meter is a multi-function three-phase power monitor that handles the most popular electrical parameters for "three phase" plus power factor, frequency, demand, and reactive energy. The meter is available in two styles. The first...

Preparing for launch: NASA and Flowserve Valtek create new valve design for testing of rocket propulsion systems.(News & notable: valves & pumps)(Cover Story)
June 1, 2004... Can valve technology be as complicated as rocket science? Yes, it can be if the valves are high-pressure cryogenic units in charge of the flow control of propulsion propellants used in rocket systems. NASA engineers round this to be the...

Manufactured for minimum maintenance.(News & notable: valves & pumps)
June 1, 2004... The Moyno 1000 positive displacement pump has been engineered for trouble-free operation in a variety of services including shear sensitive chemical feeds, adhesives, slurries, and viscous crude oil transfer applications. Its design features a...

Suitable for vehicle air needs.(News & notable: valves & pumps)
June 1, 2004... The 327 Series of WOB-L Piston oil-less pumps are powered by 12- or 24-volt permanent magnet dc motors and incorporate heavy-duty pump components. Key applications include air-operated suspension systems, seats, horns, clutches, and doors on...

No part is too small when cutting costs.
June 1, 2004... A display window frame may appear to be a relatively inconsequential part within a large enclosure, but it can be an opportunity for savings. This proved to be the case for Maysteel, a global supplier of custom-made precision enclosures for...

Q&A: top design trends: several significant factors are influencing how enclosures are developed today. Product design and development offers the following look into enclosure manufacture to help readers better understand their options.(In focus: enclosures)
June 1, 2004... As companies revamp their operations with more modern and efficient equipment and methodologies, enclosure manufacturers are responding to customer needs with a wider selection of designs. In many cases, enclosure lines are being offered in...

Shooting down Goliath: good things come in small packages as suppliers continue to add more capabilities to nano, micro, and small class PLCs.(Tech update: instrumentation)
June 1, 2004... "PLCs have traditionally suffered from the stereotypical complex of 'bigger must be better,'" says Paul Ruland, the PLC product manager at AutomationDirect. Ruland ought to know. He has spent the last 14 years working with PLCs, especially...

Multi-function switch saves space.(Tech update: instrumentation)
June 1, 2004... This multi-function, multi-image lighted pushbutton switch can be used in space-conscious display installations on instrumentation and control panels where designers must provide greater system feedback and control functions to the operator....

Data acquisition boards for PXI platform.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... The XH and XM Series are two new product families of data acquisition boards for the PXI platform. The XH Series is a high-speed board line, and the XM Series is a multifunction analog I/O board line. Pricing for the XM Series ranges from $795...

Motion feedback encoder.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... The Mercury 1800 digital kit encoder is being billed as the smallest motion feedback optical encoder to provide 50-nanometer resolution directly from the sensor head. It has been designed to dramatically improve the performance of motion system...

Sealed for marine use.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... Fully submersible stainless steel step motors are engineered to provide maximum operational reliability in marine and submarine applications. Their internally sealed design eliminates the corrosion and motor failure problems common to...

Turbine flowmeter.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... Constructed of 316 stainless steel with NPT-type end fittings, the Lo-Co Series industrial turbine flowmeter has been designed for OEM manufacturers who need a low-cost meter incorporated into their equipment. Nine overlapping sizes from 1/4 to...

Ultra compact carriage for ball monorail.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... The extremely compact BMK ball monorail carriage boasts reduced height, length, and width to save space and allow lower profile stages with less mass. It's available in two sizes--the BMK 15 and the BMK 20. Dimensions range from 24 to 28 mm in...

Double dipped parts.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... A new process produces double dipped caps and grips. The mold is dipped twice--first in the base formula and then in the outer formula. The two formulas cure together to create a durable and finished part that combines various colors and...

Power rocker switches.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... The CM Series single-pole and CN Series double-pole power rocker switches come with a variety of actuator designs, can be illuminated and marked, and are available in white, red, amber, and green. The panel-mount devices feature snap-in...

Loop-powered level sensor.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... The LPU-2127 loop-powered ultrasonic level sensor, designed for tanks and bins, handles continuous level measurement and environmental monitoring. Its non-contact operation makes it suitable for harsh environments. The unit is not...

Displays in focus: the future of organic LEDs seems brighter than ever. Promising vibrant color, fast response, low cost, and a wide viewing angle, organic LEDs have long looked to challenge the hugely popular liquid crystal display. Is their time finally near?(Real-World Engineering)
June 1, 2004... By now, said forecasters, the brilliant images, fast response, and wide viewing angles associated with self-emitting organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) would push liquid crystal displays (LCDs) into obscurity. That was the prediction in the...

PCI-based analog output board.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... The OMB-DAQBoard-2004 is a high-performance PCI-based 16-bit analog output board priced at $749. It offers four 16-bit 100-kHz analog outputs, which can range from -10 to +10 V. Through the use of Bus Mastering DMA, each D/A output can...

Off-the-shelf protective enclosures.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... New TS8 modular enclosures with Type 4 and 4X protection are being designed to meet UL and cUL requirements, feature design flexibility, and offer corrosion resistance. Suitable applications include those where hose-down cleaning is required...

Magnetoresistive current sensor.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... The goal of the CSNX Series sensor is to provide stable, repeatable, accurate current measurement. It uses an ASIC and a magnetoresistive magnetic sensor to provide the low offset drift of 3.2 ppm/[degrees]C over -40[degrees]C to +85[degrees]C....

Powder-coated levelers.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... New powdered-coated levelers for industrial applications have cast zinc construction, offering the strength of steel for less. They can handle weight from 650 to 7,500 lbs per mount and are available in diameters from 1.25 to 4.75 in. ...

Non-contacting pressure or vacuum pump.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... The Mink is a rotary claw-type positive-displacement pump designed for either pressure or vacuum applications. The pressure pump is available in six sizes with a maximum pressure of 29.4 psig. The vacuum pump comes in six single-stage sizes and...

Wide miniature linear guides.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... The new Wide Series of MicroGuide miniature linear guides promises extremely smooth and quiet operation as well as high-precision accuracy with dimensional tolerances within [+ or -] 0.01 mm. The linear guides are intended for equipment...

Compact ac motors.(New Products)
June 1, 2004... AC65 motors are designed to resist damage caused by heat buildup and by "dirty voltage" spikes from lower speed operation while under torque load. Measuring 2.88 in. square at the endbell and 5.22 in. in length, these compact ac motors are...

Hose and fitting catalog.(Free Stuff! catalogs * cds * brochures * samples)
June 1, 2004... This new catalog focuses on products that deliver protection to fluid power hose and fittings. It examines the TectorGuard line, which includes hose protection products such as spiral and flex wrap, bundling and securing solutions such as cable...

Circuit breaker guidebook.(Free Stuff! catalogs * cds * brochures * samples)
June 1, 2004... Research has shown that only 10 percent of engineers are able to answer basic circuit protection questions correctly. A new educational guide on the application of circuit breakers for equipment has been put together to provide advice on how to...

Vibration control guide.(Free Stuff! catalogs * cds * brochures * samples)
June 1, 2004... A 52-page guide details high-performance vibration control equipment including two new active electronic vibration isolation systems. One is the MaxxAlign mounting-hole pattern for mounting optical components and assemblies. The other is the...

Torque motor technology guide.(Free Stuff! catalogs * cds * brochures * samples)
June 1, 2004... "Direct Drive Solutions" is a new guide that highlights the features and benefits of Kollmorgen's Cartridge DDR motor technology as well as frameless and housed direct drive rotary motors. These motors can be used for applications as varied as...

Hybrid stepper motor bulletin.(Free Stuff! catalogs * cds * brochures * samples)
June 1, 2004... "Bulletin STP" is a 20-page product bulletin that profiles new MAE hybrid stepper motors. MAE motors feature step resolutions of 1.8 degrees (200 steps per rev) in full-step mode, standard NEMA frame sizes, precision-honed stators and ground...

Hardware component catalog.(Free Stuff! catalogs * cds * brochures * samples)
June 1, 2004... Information on more than 45,000 industrial hardware components is featured in this 512-page catalog, hems include handwheels, handles, knobs, swing and ball plungers, leveling pads, clamps, fasteners, and switches. New products include...

Tough little robots go underground.(End notes: robotics)
June 1, 2004... It's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it. And that "someone" is often robotic when it comes to the inspection and maintenance of small sewer systems. New specially designed robots are going underground into extensive sewer networks to...