Product Design & Development articles from May 2007

Product Design & Development archives from May 2007

Diagnosing medical device trouble: the FDA is turning to a data-mining method to better track potential problems.(At Issue)
May 1, 2007... In 2005, hundreds of thousands of cardiac patients found themselves fearing that the very devices designed to help them may short-circuit or malfunction, putting their lives in even further danger. At that time, the Food and Drug Administration...

Affordable printing.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
May 1, 2007... Z Corporation has released the ZPrinter 450, a color 3D printer priced less than $40,000. The full-color printer transforms electronic 3D data into handheld physical models (Shown, with printer). The ZPrinter 450's features include: *...

High volumes; fast shut-off.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
May 1, 2007... Sealant Equipment & Engineering Inc's Model 2200-033-011 Automatic Snuf-Bak Dispense Valve is suitable for high volume fluid control and fast shut-off of viscous materials such as polyurethanes, epoxies, silicones, greases and various cohesive...

Save panel space.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
May 1, 2007... The PS5R-SB 10W and 15W Slim Line power supplies from IDEC feature low wattage. Measuring 90 x 22.5 x 95 mm for 10 and 15W versions, the power supplies are designed to save users space when designing panel boards. Available output voltages are:...

Raise power levels.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
May 1, 2007... Bringing higher power to the PKJ 4000 series of DC/DC converters, Ericsson Power Modules' PKJ 4316 API is rated at a high 350 W. The fully featured converter offers designers high quality and a cost-effective solution for demanding RFPA...

Slimmed down design.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
May 1, 2007... The eAutomation Group of Advantech introduces TPC-66S 5.7 in. QVGA STN LCD and TPC-66T 5.6 in. QVGATFT LCD fan-less touch panel computers. These new models are designed to provide an industrial-grade and ultra-slim design with the same light...

High-speed pumping.(First Look: Smart Products and Technical Tools for Engineers)
May 1, 2007... Viking Pump released a new addition to its highspeed rotary transport pumps, the RTP20. Offering configuration flexibility and ease of maintenance, the RTP20 is built with all the features of the RTP30 design and provides an additional size,...

Low-profile SNAP-LINE quarter-turn.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... DIRAK has further expanded its A quarter-turn product offering with an aesthetic, low-profile SNAP-LINE gadolinium-zinc quarter-turn with a 32 x 20.1-mm cutout incorporating D-SNAP technology. This new quarter-turn boasts of: *...

High power levels.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... Parker's Electromechanical Automation Division announced four new high-current power levels to its Compax3 family of industrial high-performance, all-digital servo drives. Available withup to 75 kW of output power, the Compax3 series is useful...

High-voltage, high-rate lithium batteries.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... According to Tadiran Batteries, the TLM-1550HP high-voltage/high-rate lithium battery is specifically designed for portable, battery-powered medical applications and packs 2 WH of energy into an hA-size cell. It also offers: * Suitability...

Semiconductor package.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... The CoreEZ semiconductor package developed by Endicott Interconnect Technologies uses organic thin-core, build-up, flip-chip technology to combine electrical performance, wireability and reliability. Other features of the package include: ...

Sealed rocker switches.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... APEM Components announces the release of the KR Series family of sealed rocker switches. With its large actuator surface, the KR rocker switch is designed for applications that require a quality feel and high reliability. The product features:...

Two-channel multifunction calibrator.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... According to the E Instruments Group, the MicroCal 2000+ 2-Channel Multifunction Calibrator has an accuracy of 0.0035-percent RDG. Designed for use in both laboratory and fieldwork, the calibrator can assist in keeping your test and process...

A view of history: CAD software is either history-based or history-free. Each framework fills different design needs.(Software Suite)
May 1, 2007... Designers and engineers today can choose from two basic CAD frameworks: history-based or history-free. Each approach is unique and the choice depends on the user's objectives. The basic idea behind history-based systems is that they capture...

Interoperability for machine tools.(Software Suite)
May 1, 2007... Gibbs and Associates, developer of GibbsCAMsoftware for programming CNC machine tools (www.GibbsCAM.com), released its next generation of GibbsCAM featuring SolidWorks interoperability. Using GibbsCAM's new macro capabilities, the...

Upgraded tester.(Software Suite)
May 1, 2007... A software upgrade has been released by CAMI Research (www. camiresearch.com) for the CableEye cable and wire harness tester. The new Version 5 software displays multiple, independent connector graphics with live video graphics to help easily...

A duo of simulation packages.(Software Suite)
May 1, 2007... Ansys Inc. (www.ansys.com), a maker of simulation soft-ware designed for use in the product development process, has released two new packages to help engineers complete jobs efficiently. The company's new releases include the newest version of...

Spec Check/switches.
May 1, 2007... Spec Check/SWITCHES APEM COMPONENTS INC. FERRAZ SHAWMUT The IPP Series of flat These disconnect switches top plunger switches can are available in fusible be...

Fit for life: customized manufacturing of implantable medical devices can help increase patients' treatment options.(Cover story)
May 1, 2007... Imagine the panic a patient feels when hearing a diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Now imagine that person finding out that they are not eligible for one of the best types of treatment because the only implantable stent grafts on the...

Power for sustaining life: Li-ion batteries provide reliable back-up for critical care portable medical devices.(Medical Design)
May 1, 2007... The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides three categories for the classification of medical devices. Class I devices are defined as non-life sustaining; these products are the least complicated and their failure poses...

Large line Flow Meters.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... Fluid Components introduces the new CM Series Coriolis Flow Meters, especially designed for applications with large line sizes (up to 12 in.) and corrosive fluids. These particular meters feature certification by Factory Mutual as Class I,...

Tower lights and LED Beacons.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... Rockwell Automation released the Allen-Bradley Bulletin 855F 70-mm Compact Control Tower Light and the Bulletin 855B 90-mm Round Industrial LED Beacon, which are designed to help reduce downtime by signaling breakdowns and material shortages,...

Air filtration systems.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... Whether electronics engineers need to design air filtration systems for the frame or shelf-level of an enclosure, Universal Air Filter can help meet emerging Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (ATCA) standards. According to the company,...

Vacuum-rated solenoid.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... The new vacuum-rated LFV Series MIV from The Lee Company is a two-way, normally closed, chemically inert solenoid valve that is suitable for fluidic circuits that will see both positive and negative pressures, such as pump inlet/outlet valves....

Tapered polyethylene caps and plugs.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... MOCAP introduces a full range of new tapered polyethylene caps and plugs to offer a closure that can be used as either a cap or a plug. According to the company, these tapered caps and plugs are flexible enough to form secure fits, yet they can...

Simplified operator tracking.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... InteractX version 2.2 OEM-friendly Windows-based HMI software from Parker's Electromechanical Automaton Division features: * Upload functionality added to the Input List Tool. This new feature allows input list items to be uploaded from a...

Heavy-duty telescopic door stay.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... DIRAK recently unveiled a new heavy-duty telescopic door stay for lids and control panels. According to the company, this durable product is ideal for use in the construction of lids and covers for switch cabinets and control panels that need...

Lifetime-monitoring system.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... The SKF actuator lifetime monitoring system can continuously track the service-life status of actuators while in operation and signal when actuator replacement is necessary. According to the company, this technology can enhance actuator...

Color switch boots.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... APM HEXSEAL's Spectrum Color Program makes it possible to order any color, including non-color transparent for illuminated switches and switch and circuit breaker silicone rubber boots. These toggle, pushbutton, rotary and rocker style actuator...

Extended-Distance FireWire Cable.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... Northwire released the DataCELL MVC-800 Extended-Distance FireWire Cable for machine vision, variable frequency-drive control and other long-cable applications. Previously, FireWire cable had a 4.5-m (14.76 ft.) length restriction due to the...

Touch-sensing integrated circuits.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... Omron Electronic Components announces the availability of the B6TS application-ready, touch-sensing integrated circuit. These circuits can measure floating capacitance through most touch-panel materials. Therefore, according to the company,...

Handling the curves: a design firm uses aesthetic sense and surface-modeling software to produce sleek and curvy products.(Engineers @ Work)(Company overview)
May 1, 2007... Brio Innovation creates aesthetically-sculpted designs for products that range from high-end car bodies to hockey masks. And it does most of that work using a $1,000 surface-modeling package that runs on a desktop PC. Brio, founded in June...

A sense of the future: event showcases advancements in detection, measurement, monitoring and control.(Show Stoppers)
May 1, 2007... SENSORS EXPO & CONFERENCE, DONALD E. STEPHENS CONVENTION CENTER, ROSEMONT, IL, JUNE 11-13 Sensors Expo & Conference is billed as the only industry event in North America exclusively focusing on sensors and sensor-integrated systems. The...

Power Factor Correction controllers.(New Products)(Correction notice)
May 1, 2007... ON Semiconductor has expanded its portfolio of Power Factor Correction (PFC) controllers with new devices that can help enable the development of efficient power supplies to meet energy efficiency and power factor standards, * The NCP1605...

Plug-in pnuematic valves with integrated AS-i connections.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... According to Bosch Rexroth, the adaptable and efficient Series CA44 Valves are the intelligent solution for integrating pneumatic valves in systems with actuator sensor interface (AS-i) bus structures. Designed as two-station valve manifolds...

Seeking treatment options: designers search for components that might just be what the doctor ordered.(Show Stoppers)
May 1, 2007... MD&M EAST, JACOB K. JAVITS CONVENTION CENTER, NEW YORK, NY, JUNE 12-14 Billed as a one-stop resource for medical device manufacturing, the annual Medical Design & Manufacturing East show gets set to kick off on Manhattan's west side. The...

8-port midspan.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... Phihong USA has developed a cost-effective 8-port midspan that's fully compliant with the IEEE802.3af standard in detection, disconnect and voltage control. The Power-over-Ethernet solution also provides: * Full power to all 8 ports,...

Hermetic microelectronic packages.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... CPS Technologies now offers hermetic microelectronic packages made from materials such as Kovar, aluminum and steel. According to the company, these packages can enable successful communication, especially in military, electronics, satellite...

Hard-coated graphic overlay film.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... MacDermid Autotype has added antimicrobial protection and longer wear-resistance to its Autotex AM hard-coated graphic overlay film. According to the company, this film now incorporates Microban technology and has the ability to: *...

Miniature dynamic pressure sensors.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... PCB Piezotronics presents the Series 105 family of ICP miniature dynamic pressure sensors, which can monitor dynamic combustion pressure in diesel- and natural gas-powered engines, and other reciprocating equipment. Features include: *...

Digital Visual Interface Translator Board.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... The DV-SLIM Digital Visual Interface Translator Board from Apollo Display Technologies is an ultra-slim, cost-effective solution for connecting thin-film transistor LCDs to standard video interfaces. It also offers: * The automatic...

Custom tubing, hose and assemblies.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... NewAge Industries now makes custom tubing, hose and assemblies to exact specifications. According to NewAge, customized products can result in less waste, labor and cost than stocked tubing and hose. Types of customization can include: *...

Backplane Connector System.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... The I-Trac Backplane Connector System from Molex is a pressfit, monoblock system with a flexible design that can be configured to meet specific requirements. The system also incorporates: * A broadside-coupled, skew-equalized design that...

Making the label stick: for appliances, PS films and adhesives are versatile problem-solvers.(Appliance Design)
May 1, 2007... Today's appliances are a marvel of design ingenuity and advanced hi-tech capability. They are also a showcase for the versatility of pressure-sensitive (PS) films and adhesives, which are found on, under and within the appliance, meeting both...

Optically isolated USB Hub.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... Sealevel Systems announces the arrival of the Seal/0-270U--a seven-port, optically isolated 1.1/2.0-compatible USB hub that can protect computers from damaging power surges, spikes and ground loops. The Seal/O-270U also offers: * The...

Electromagnetic interference-shielding thermoplastic elastomers.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... TPE Solutions announced its PRESEAL electromagnetic interference-shielding thermoplastic elastomers. Patented and compounded by Premix Oy, this easy-to-process compound offers: * Electrical conductivity via metal-coated fillers, which...

Progressing Cavity Pump.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... The versatile Moyno 2000 Progressing Cavity Pump features: * A unique gear joint that allows it to handle a wide range of applications from paint, solvents, adhesives and gels to difficult-to-process slurries and sludges. * A crowned...

A high-density connector system.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... Anderson Power Products offers a new high-density PowerMod connector system with anywhere from 3 to 30 circuits. Features include: * A rating of 30 amps. * A mechanical, polarized UL94VO housing for proper circuit mating. * Up to 4...

Coaxial resonator oscillator.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... Crystek Corp. has expanded its line of ultra low-phase noise voltage-controlled oscillators with the new CVCO55CC-0827-0840 Coaxial Resonator Oscillator. This device can offer: * Operation from 827 to 840 MHz with a tuning voltage...

Product identification and data collection solution.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... Pepperl+Fuclhs presents the IDENT Control, a real-time RFID product identification and data collection solution now available as a 13.56 MHz high-frequency system. This system features: * A transmission frequency that enables more data to...

Micro-Advanced Technology Extended Motherboard.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... Advantech introduces the AIMB-554 Industrial Micro-Advanced Technology Extended Motherboard, which supports the latest Intel Core2 Duo, Intel Core Duo and Intel Core Solo processors with 400/533/667-MHz front-side bus. Features include: *...

Forward & Reverse Relay Module.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... New from Cole Hersee is its Forward & Reverse Relay Module, which is deally suited for a multitude of applications, such as those involving hoists, winches, lifts, snowplows, vehicle outriggers and tarps, in which both forward and reverse motor...

TFE coating.(New Products)
May 1, 2007... Kerk Motion Products offers lead screw, linear rail, spline shaft and ScrewRail actuator assemblies with its Kerkote TFE coating. According to the company, Kerkote coating can: * Reduce friction. * Extend the life of the company's...

Caplugs'.(CATALOGS & BROCHURES)
May 1, 2007... Caplugs' (www.caplugs.com) product catalog features more than 150 new parts along with the existing product lines of caps, plugs, edge liners, grommets, wraps, nettings and Clearview tubing. The 172-page, full-color catalog highlights 175...

MTS Systems Corp. Sensors Division.(CATALOGS & BROCHURES)
May 1, 2007... * ZMTS Systems Corp. Sensors Division (www.mtssensors.com) has introduced a new comprehensive industrial product catalog for linear position feedback solutions for the fluid power industry. The new Temposonics catalog features high-performance...

INSERTA+ADACONN Catalog.(CATALOGS & BROCHURES)
May 1, 2007... The 2nd Edition of the INSERTA+ADACONN Catalog (www.inserta.com) features product lines that have been expanded and data that has been updated. The INSERTA product line includes modular fittings, two- and three-port flange type ball valves,...

Piezotronics Inc. (PCB), a PCB Group Company.(CATALOGS & BROCHURES)
May 1, 2007... Piezotronics Inc. (PCB), a PCB Group Company, (www.pcb.com) has announced the North American release of its Sensor Technologies & Instrumentation Catalogue. The full-color catalog includes 46 pages of PCB? product and internal capabilities, as...

Omega Engineering.(CATALOGS & BROCHURES)
May 1, 2007... * The OMEGAMATION New Horizons Handbook from Omega Engineering (www.omegamation.com), feature 124 full-color pages offering a line of state-of-the art automation products, including sensors, PLCs, HMI, enclosures, motion systems and power...

Elobau.(CD)
May 1, 2007... Elobau (www.alabou-st.com), a supplier of magnetic sensors, vehicle and machine safety components, joysticks, e-stops and other devices for a wide variety of industries, is offering its full line of products, as well as application assistance,...

BURLE Electro-Optics.(DESIGN GUIDE)
May 1, 2007... * BURLE Electro-Optics (www.burle.com) released the new Time-Of-Flight Detector Selection Guide with a comprehensive range of products. These products range from 8 to 40 mm in diameter, and feature the Ultra-Fast 2 micron pore TOF detector. The...

Thomas & Betts.(ONLINE)
May 1, 2007... In response to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RollS) directive issued by the European Union, Thomas & Betts now offers Rolls compliant catalog number search on its Web site at www.tnb.com. The Web-based tool enables users to search...

OpenMake Software.(ONLINE)
May 1, 2007... OpenMake Software, a developer of build-to-release software management solutions, announced that it will provide the process-automation components of its OpenMake build-to-release management solution as a free Eclipse RCP-based application With...

First-Edition optical Source Book.(Free Stuff)
May 1, 2007... In celebration of its 65th anniversary providing optical and photonic solutions, Edmund Optics (www.edmundoptics.com) has released its First-Edition Master Source Book. It combines product listings, volume pricing, technical articles and...