Product Design & Development articles from October 2007

Product Design & Development archives from October 2007

Battery free, wireless sensor integration.(First Look)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New from EnOcean is their STM 110, a battery-free wireless sensor transmitter that consolidates multiple functions into a single module. The unit harvests and stores solar energy for power, measures incoming data...

Prototyping gets even more rapid.(First Look)
October 1, 2007... 3D Systems offers their new V-Flash[TM] Desktop Modeler, which they describe as a compact, fast and easy-to-use unit that can produce three-dimensional models in less time, so designers and engineers can obtain prototypes as easily as printing...

On-line temperature measurement capabilities.(First Look)
October 1, 2007... Measurement Computing recently unveiled their line of web-enabled temperature input devices, the WEB-TEMP and the WEB-TC, which allow you to take measurements and monitor them via the Internet. These products build on the capabilities of other...

New processors in-tune.(First Look)
October 1, 2007... New from Freescale Semiconductor is their i.MX31 line of applications processors. According to the company, these Automotive Electronics Council (AEC) Q-100 qualified units provide a rugged solution for applications that can include hands-free...

Bridging the gap.(First Look)
October 1, 2007... Pericom Semiconductor introduces an electrical display port-to-DVI/HDMI bridge in addressing the need for a next generation, high-definition video interface. This unit also helps with the adaptation of Display Port technology in PC and video...

Lower voltage motor driver.(First Look)
October 1, 2007... Allegro MicroSystems recently unveiled their new low-volt age voice coil motor driver with an 12C interface. The company feels their A3904EEW-P offering provides greater accuracy in a smaller package, with operating voltage ranges of 2.4 to 5.5...

More power, less capacitor.(First Look)
October 1, 2007... New from CAP-XX is a line of high-temperature supercapacitors that work to provide more power in a thinner, more environmentally-friendly package. Additional features include: * Higher-boiling-point electrolyte that allows these 5.5-volt...

A 5S approach to design engineering.(At Issue)
October 1, 2007... The competitive and operational benefits of lean manufacturing have been well-documented throughout the marketplace. With more and more production being moved out of the country, there are very few plant engineers who don't want to learn more...

Thread-locking gel.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Permatex[R] GEL SQUEEZE[TM] Threadlockers from ITW Devcon prevent fastener loosening and failure caused by vibration and shock. Permatex Gel Threadlockers flow into threads and cure in the absence of air when it is...

Off-the-shelf ethernet switch.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The T208 Ethernet switch from WESTERMO can operate with accurate time synchronization on both the Simple Network Time Protocol/Network Time Protocol (SNTP/NTP) or Precision Time Protocol (PTP) open standard...

Oversized conical bearings.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... The new SRP planetary reducer from REDEX ANDANTEX provides: * An output bearing featuring, oversized conical bearings--the casing/outer ring assembly enables larger bearing use. * Conical bearings that are fitted with an axial preload....

Drive interface station.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TURCK has added the DeviceNet[TM] drive interface station to their line of DeviceNet I/O stations. The drive interface station includes: * A design that allows adjustable frequency drives to be interfaced onto a...

Bearing protection system guarantee.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... Electro Static Technology recently announced a lifetime beating protection guarantee for any new motor equipped with their AEGIS SGR Bearing Protection Ring[TM]. The company now guarantees that the motor will not fail from bearing damage due to...

An obstacle and impact-absorbing wheel.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] E.R. Wagner Casters & Wheels has developed the Navigator Wheel, an obstacle and impact-absorbing option. Inside the hub of the wheel, load-rated springs reduce the pushback effect of the wheel as it impacts objects,...

Feeling the connection.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New from Anderson Power Products is their Powerpole[R] and SB[R] Multipole connector families. The connectors feature modular, interchangeable, color-coded and genderless housings, providing safe, simple and low-cost...

Computing in minimum space.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... The new 6.5" CyRAQ[R] MicroPanel PCs from CyberResearch pack maximum computing in a minimum space, according to the company. The CyRAQ MicroPanel PC line includes: * The ability to fit a Core[TM] 2 Duo or Celeron central processing unit...

2- or 3- axis inclinometers.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The LCF 2000 and LCF 3000 inclinometers from Jewell Instruments are 2- or 3-axis versions of the LCF Series. According to the company, some available inclinometer options include: * A single-ended power supply....

Pneumatically actuated slide tables.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] According to SMC, the company has pioneered the compact integration of pneumatic cylinders and guided slide tables. The result is a wide range of pneumatically actuated slide tables, dubbed the MXS Series. MXS slides...

Seeing is believing: the role of 3-D printers in product design and development continues to increase.(3-D Printers)(Cover story)
October 1, 2007... They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, which must place the value of a physical prototype at a level where even Webster would be envious. It's no secret that the use of 3-D printer-authored prototypes has grown tremendously in...

Quick-connect coupling.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Micromold Products recently added a cam-lock, quick-connect coupling made of polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon or PTFE) to their line of FLUOR-O-FLO[TM] PTFE threaded piping system components. Additional coupling...

GPS and whip Antennas.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] According to Antenna Factor, their RMG Series dual-band antenna base combines a high-performance internal GPS antenna with a reverse polarity surface-mount assembly connector. A range of connectorized antennas can be...

16-bit microcontroller family.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... Microchip Technology recently announced the PIC24HJ12 family of 40 million instructions per second (MIPS) 16-bit microcontrollers. The family is offered in 18- and 28-pin packages from 6 x 6 mm for space-constrained applications. The new family...

Documenting process calibrator.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] According to the E Instruments Group, their MicroCal 20 DPC analyzer is an accurate (up to 0.006 percent reading) documenting process calibrator (DPC). Features of the MicroCal 20 DPC include: * The simultaneous...

High-density PC board assemblies.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... Endicott Interconnect Technologies now produces large, high-complexity PC boards for use in compute-intensive applications. Features of these complex PC boards include: * Double-sided, hybrid PC board assemblies (surface-mount/pin...

ATCA-compliant air filters.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Universal Air Filters offers advanced telecom computing architecture (ATCA)-compliant air filters to improve heat dissipation. The company's Blade Server air filters provide: * Flame-retardant, low pressure-drop,...

Power distribution blocks.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Altech[R] power distribution blocks for industrial control panels have been approved to a 100-kA short circuit current rating when tested at 600 V with Class J fuses. The distribution block also features: *...

Fuseholder for rear mounting.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... Schurter has added 2 new mounting types to their T9 Series fuseholder-style, single-pole circuit breaker for over-current protection. The 2 new styles for rear mounting include a threaded neck style--secured using a nut--and 'a snap-in type....

Vinyl plastic caps.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... Harman has announced an expanded offering of vinyl plastic caps. According to the company, their plastic caps are reliable, cost-effective products available in a range of diameters, lengths, colors, textures and chemical formulations....

Does your design fit the rapid injection mold?(Injection Molding)(Cover story)
October 1, 2007... Simply put, rapid injection molding is another option for manufacturing parts from plastic materials--fast--using automated processes. Depending on the application of the part, it could be a viably quicker, more efficient, cost-effective way to...

Precise building of any geometry.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... According to Objet Geometries, their [Eden500.sup.VTM] 3D printing system is the solution for large model requirements or when high productivity is vital, providing an easy-to-use, fast and clean system for the precise building of any geometry....

Extra severe-duly motor.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] According to GE Motors, the X$D (Extra Severe-Duty) Ultra [R] motor features NEMA Premium [R] efficiency and an industrial strength design. The product also boasts of: * A range in power from I to 500 HE * A...

Mini photoelectric sensor.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... Balluff recently released a new mini photoelectric sensor family. BOS 11K sensors help to reduce a machine's overall footprint, according to the company. The family includes diffuse retro-reflective, polarized retro-reflective and through-beam...

Flush design swing handle.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... DIRAK has expanded their swing handle offering to include a new flush design, stainless steel swing handle for applications in which corrosion resistance is important. Additional swing handle features include: * Internal components that...

Added inputs offer versatility.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Measurement Computing has unveiled two new 8-channel USB analog input devices, the USB-TC-AI and the USB-TEMP-AI, which feature four differential temperature inputs and four differential or single-ended voltage...

Compliant pin connectors.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... Onanon has announced immediate availability of their renovated line of smooth sliding, fast holding press-fit compliant pin connectors. The line exhibits: * Compliant pins that slide smoothly into plated thru-holes. * Pins that are...

Low skew performance.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... C&M has developed a new flexible cable assembly that delivers 120 signals over high precision coax with 120 grounds, all with optimized signal integrity. The new cable features: * A50W ([+ or -] Sw)impedance. * Less than 35 ps of skew....

Precision cycloidal gearboxes.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... The RD-E series of precision cycloidal gearboxes from Nabtesco Motion Control combines the performance and precision of the component type RV-E in an easy-to-use package, according to the company. By utilizing the patented 2-stage cycloidal...

Copolyester polymers.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... Eastman Chemical has extended the availability of Eastar EB062 copolyester for custom container applications. The polymer is an extrusion blow-molded resin that offers a combination of water-like clarity, toughness and melt strength, according...

Zero leakage.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... Conval recently unveiled their new Camseal[R] line of N-stamped, metal-seated ball valves. The company believes their new Camseal ball valve features zero leakage of the body, seat and stem. According to Conval, the ball valve also features:...

MicroTCA systems test and debug.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... Elma Electronic has released a new Advanced Mezzanine Card (AMC) load hoard, which is designed for testing the cooling and power of MicroTCA systems. The AMC load board features: * MicroTCA.0 and AMC.0 Advanced Mezzanine Card specification...

Designing successful careers: employers want students up-to-date with the ability to hit the ground running.(SOFTWARE SUITE)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Pennsylvania College of Technology (Penn College), an affiliate of the Pennsylvania State University, is training students in the School of Industrial and Engineering Technologies on Autodesk Inventor software....

Deep server achieves SAP-certified integration.(SOFTWARE SUITE)
October 1, 2007... Right Hemisphere's Deep Server[TM] 4.1 enterprise software has achieved SAP-certified integration status for the SAP[R] Product Lifecycle Management (SAP PLM) release 4.7 application. Right Hemisphere believes the combination of the Deep Server...

Integrated SynqNet motion capability.(SOFTWARE SUITE)
October 1, 2007... phoenix Contact's Steeplechase Visual Logic Controller (VLC) software now offers integration with the SynqNet [TM] motion network when used with a RapidCode VLC driver. According to Phoenix, a SynqNet-based system with Steeplechase VLC and the...

HMI/SCADA with power, flexibility, technology enhancements.(SOFTWARE SUITE)
October 1, 2007... GE Fanuc Automation recently unveiled the Proficy[R] human-machine interface (HMI)/supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) iFIX 4.5 software for comprehensive monitoring, control and data management. This new version of the...

Autovue 19.2 provides visualization solutions via EDA-centric products.(SOFTWARE SUITE)
October 1, 2007... Cimmetry Systems has announced the immediate availability of AutoVue v.19.2. According to the company, release 19.2 solidifies Cimmetry's presence in the electronics and high-tech market with new electronic design automation (EDA)-centric...

Technical support online forum and live support.(SOFTWARE SUITE)
October 1, 2007... ZwCAD recently debuted their interactive online discussion forum and live support options, both available now at www.zwcad.org. The aim of the online forum is to provide a mechanism for users to communicate with each other and promote free...

A record half-year for sales.(SOFTWARE SUITE)
October 1, 2007... Delcam recently announced that the company has achieved their best ever half-year sales in the first six months of 2007. Sales to June 30 were $29 million, up almost 10 percent over the $26.4 million accrued in the first six months of last...

Accolade targets simplified development.(SOFTWARE SUITE)
October 1, 2007... Household appliance manufacturer and designer Electrolux realized $15 billion in sales last year due in part to a growth strategy that is intensely focused on new product development. This creates a need for tools that streamline related...

Digital pen platform.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] InPlay Technologies recently introduced advancements in their FinePoint system of active digital computing pen technology. With a choice of battery-powered or battery-free pens, the patented platform, the FinePoint...

Programmable touchscreens.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Parker Hannifin SSD Drives Division recently unveiled new features and enhancements for the TS8000 line of programmable touchscreens. The new line includes the latest software--Version 3--and users of previous...

Knurled nuts and knobs.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] J.W. Winco now offers inch and metric size hollow knurled nuts. The knurled nuts come with: * A black nylon plastic design. * A smooth, glossy finish. * Zinc-plated steel tapped through inserts that are...

Calibrator kit.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] LitePoint's TrueCableT is a kit that measures the loss of cables used in precision wireless test setups. Once the measurement is performed, and the file saved, it can be incorporated into any LitePoint IQfactT...

Square potentiometer for contaminated environments.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... BI Technologies' Electronic Components Division has developed a 12.7-mm rotary potentiometer. The Model P260 panel potentiometer features: * A conductive plastic element with up to 6 gangs. * A seal for dusty or contaminated...

Plug-in migration solution.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Foxboro Automation Unit of Invensys Process Systems recently announced that they have extended their family of plug-in distributed control systems migration modules with a new generation of Honeywell migration...

Level measurement.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Elobau Sensor Technology introduces a new line of level measurement products that includes sensors for liquids and bulk solids, switches, and level indicators. The level measurement products offer: * Compatible...

Enhanced LED driver.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... Allegro MicroSystems recently unveiled a new 3-channel constant-current LED driver with an on-chip oscillator for programmable brightness control. Allegro's A6281 features: * Precise LED brightness control via a 10-bit pulse-width...

The next best thing: whether for prototyping or low-quantity production, choosing the right technology to implement can prove vital in minimizing product development cycles.(Rapid Manufacturing & Digital Prototyping)(Cover story)
October 1, 2007... Size hurts, quickness kills. At least that's what my high school football coach told me. It's a saying that seems to apply not only to undersized defensive ends, but also to those at the forefront of product design. Facing greater demands to...

Emerald servo drives.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... Industrial Indexing Systems has added 2 new servo drive products to the Emerald Series motion control product line. Used as standalone indexing or positioning controllers, both new servo drives feature a direct 440 VAC input and are...

Encoders for dummies.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BEI Industrial Encoders now offers a new complimentary guide, BEI Industrial Encoders for Dummies. Whether a novice or an expert on encoders, the book can help you find out more about the multipurpose devices,...

Single-axis actuators.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... Misumi USA has announced the introduction of single-axis actuators available in 208 configured styles. Each unit is a ball-screw driven device, built on an extruded 6063-T6 aluminum base with a blackanodized finish and 1045 steel side supports....

Thermal interface pads.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MH&W International now supplies Keratherm 86/82, a high tensile strength, thermal interface material that improves heat transfer from integrated circuits and other components to their heat sinks. Keratherm 86/82 is a...

Precision optical micrometer.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new Keyence LS-7010 optical micrometer system provides a resolution of 0.01 m m with a repeatability of [+ or -] 0.06 m m. The LS-7010 also samples targets at a rate of 2,400 samples/sec. The product also...

Secure radio frequency.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Linx Technologies now produces the CipherLinx[TM], an encrypted remote control technology for remote keyless entry and remote control devices. CipherLinx technology is based on a core algorithm called Skipjack,...

Adjustable industrial shock absorber.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Enertrols announces the introduction of the SA x adjustable industrial shock absorber. The new miniature shock absorber offers high-energy capability in confined spaces, according to the company. It also boasts of:...

SpecCheck/linear actuators.(LINEAR ACTUATORS)
October 1, 2007... SpecCheck/LINEAR ACTUATORS [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SKF USA WARNER LINEAR SKF[R]'s CAT33 electro- The B-Track linear ...

Flex cable.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... W. L. Gore & Associates has introduced GORE[TM] FireWire[R] high-flex round and flat cable assemblies with flex life performance for motion control and vision systems. According to Gore, the new cable assemblies maintain stable attenuation over...

PathWay[TM] switching.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New from Electro Standards Laboratories is the new PathWay[TM] Model 7349 Dual-Channel CAT5e RJ45 A/B/off-line switch with 10 Base-T LAN access. The new product offers: * A design that allows the user to schedule...

Secondary reference temperature sensor.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... Hart Scientific, a division of Fluke, has added the 5608 secondary reference temperature sensor to their line of high-temperature platinum resistance thermometers. The 100 W sensor includes: * A 1/8" sheath diameter. * A short-term...

Increased optical performance.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cad Zeiss MicroImaging recently unveiled the SteREO Discovery.V20 stereomicroscope. According to the company, features include: * A 23-mm field of view at 10 x. * Availability of a 20-to-1 zoom range. *...

A range of voltage.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Crystek's CVCO55CW-1000-2000 voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) operates from 1 to 2 GHz with a control voltage range of 1 to 20 V. The VCO also features: * A typical phase noise of-100 dBc/Hz * A 0.5"x...

Bigger power management product portfolio.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mouser Electronics has expanded the availability of new power management products from Texas Instruments (TI). New TI products available through Mouser include: * The TPS799275 low-dropout (LDO), low-power linear...

PCB connectors with juice.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The newest printed circuit board terminal blocks and plug connectors/headers from Phoenix Contact's COMBICON Power line can be used for increased voltage in a power application. The GMSTB(A) 2.5 HC(V) is a...

Male bridge power cord assembly.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... Now available from ETCO is a patented male bridge power cord assembly that holds standard brass blades and a ground pin. The assembly features: * Crimp ears that face in the same direction and are uniformly positioned to accept 3 wires in...

Super-flux LEDs.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... American Bright Optoelectronics has introduced the new BLF Series of super-flux LEDs. The industry-standard footprint is available in a range of colors to accommodate signaling and marker light applications, including a new white. The product...

Rubbery texture.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... The Zeotherm[R] thermoplastic elastomer 100-60B from Zeon Chemicals now offers a heat resistance of 175[degrees] C, hot oil resistance and a new robber-like flexibility. The company says the 100-60B includes: * A polyamide (nylon) plastic...

Step-up DC-DC converter.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... According to austriamicrosystems, the AS1323 is an ultra-low quiescent current, high-efficiency, step-up DC-DC converter that comes in a 5-pin total system operational test package. The AS1323 delivers: * A 100 mA output current from a...

In a better position.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Pepperl+Fuchs introduces the Series F31 valve position sensors, which are low-profile inductive proximity sensors that can mount directly to the top plate of any standard pneumatic actuator with just 2 screws for...

Durable, functional models.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... The Desktop Factory 3D printer builds durable, functional models from the bottom up, 1 layer at a time. The Desktop Factory 3D printer produces robust parts, according to the company. The Desktop Factory proprietary software imports STL files...

An alternative to mechanical seals.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... According to Garlock Sealing Technologies, the company recently developed the leak-free, no-dilution HYDRA-JUST[TM] sealing system, which can replace mechanical seals in virtually any industrial pumping application. The patent-pending rotary...

A PCB connector with modular design.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... Amphenol now offers HiLinx, a high-density connector made up of modules that can be freely assembled, which are held together by 2 stainless steel outer strips. The modules can be equipped with traditional electrical signal contacts (3A), or...

A valuable resource.(New Products)
October 1, 2007... The RM-2AC-IP is the latest addition to Omron Scientific Technologies' RM-2 family of resource modules. The new RM-2AC-IP offers IP65 protection with a metal chassis for harsh applications. The RM-2 features an IP20-rated 100-ram DIN enclosure,...