Product Design & Development articles from October 2008

Product Design & Development archives from October 2008

Unlimited mechanical life.(First Look)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Novotechnik's (Southborough, MA) new RFC 4000 Series rotary sensors combine touchless technology and small form factor. The sensor's touchless technology utilizes the orientation of a magnetic field in order to...

Unprecedented detail.(First Look)
October 1, 2008... Objet Geometries (Rehovot, Israel) has launched its newest printer, the Alaris[TM]30. The first-of-its-kind desktop model allows designers and manufacturers to create durable, high-quality models with utmost accuracy and ease-of-use. The Alaris...

Built-in Intel.(First Look)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] American Portwell Technology (Fremont, CA) has developed a new motherboard with the latest Intel[R] platform for embedded applications. Portwell's WADE-8067 (Mini-ITX form factor), built with the 45nm Intel Core[TM]2...

Built-in Intel.
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Comark (Medfield, MA) announces the addition of a new 42" LCD display/computer, with optional touchscreen, to their portfolio of large screen LCD products. The 42" high-resolution LCD display/computer features: ...

Supplemental protection.(First Look)
October 1, 2008... Automation Systems Interconnect (Mechanicsburg, PA) has announced a new line of DIN rail mounted miniature circuit breakers that are UL1077 recognized for use as supplemental protectors. The new NDB2 UL 1077 miniature circuit breakers feature:...

Snap Rings.(First Look)
October 1, 2008... Smalley Steel Ring Company (Lake Zurich, IL) has introduced 4 new series of Snap Rings. The new XAH, XAS, XDH and XDS series are available from stock in over 300 sizes ranging from 13 to 300 mm (.375" to 10"). Additional product line features...

The Justice League of Engineers.(At Issue)
October 1, 2008... If our industry wasn't handcuffed by limited resources, bureaucracies, egos and a never-ending string of patents, where would our nation--and our world--be in terms of innovation. Granted, it is a utopian idea, but in a time when jobs don't...

Resolved interface.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... Delta Computer Systems (Vancouver, WA) introduces more rotary motion capability by adding absolute position feedback with a resolver interface module for the multi-axis RMC 150 motion controller. According to the company, the resolver exhibits:...

Rugged converter for harsh environments.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... Axiomatic (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) announces the newest addition to their DC/ DC Power Converter Line, the AX080400 24-26V DC Converter. This converter is part of a growing line of compact rugged converters packaged for harsh operating...

Ultra-fast tuning.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... Comdel (Gloucester, MA) introduces its Match Pro Automatic Tuning Networks engineered with Comdel's PROTRAK, a high speed tuning algorithm that gradually slows the system as it approaches the tuning point, allowing a precise match even in high...

3 & 5 Amp.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... Automation Systems Interconnect (ASI) (Mechanicsburg, PA) introduces 2 new wide range input (90-264 VAC/110-230 VDC), 24 VDC output power supplies. According to the company, the new products feature: * 3- and 5-A standard versions or in a...

Digital power.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... Lambda (San Diego, CA) introduces a new range of digitally controlled modules to its innovative NV-Power family of configurable AC-DC power supplies enabling increased power output of up to 1,450 W peak rating for 10 s. According to the...

Multiple LED options.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] E-Switch (Brooklyn Park, MN) offers the TL1290. According to the company, the right angle tact switch offers: * Through-hole termination. * LED colors of blue, red, green and yellow. * Gold-plated...

Timing & synchronization.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... NDK (Belvidere, IL) introduces the NCR-46 embedded timing module. The module has a GPS receiver that will automatically track and receive signals from GPS satellites. Once locked onto these signals it will deliver a precise 1PPS (Pulse Per...

Minimal derating.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FDK (San Jose, CA) introduces a regulated DC/DC converter in the industry-standard quarter brick format that provides 18-A (216 W) of output current with minimal derating at elevated temperatures. According to the...

Right angle actuations.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... C&K Components (Newton, MA) has developed a family of miniature slide switches designed specifically for applications where height or surface area is restricted. Including the AYZ, JS, JSM and PCM Series devices, the ultra-low profile slide...

Simplified module customization.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... EarthLCD (San Juan Capistrano, CA) introduces the ezLCD Series of programmable color TFT LCD modules with touch-screens. The ezLCD modules combine an LCD, a controller, LCD driver circuitry, a processor and a graphic controller. According to...

Ground support: while little can be done to improve the human side of the equation, new motion control advancements for baggage handling equipment offer insight on improving machine operability and reliability.(Engineering Answers)
October 1, 2008... We've all been there. Instead of trying to cram more items into a carry-on, we spin the wheel of chance and check a bag--and then wait in hopes that the luggage actually made it to the same destination. There's definitely some adventure in...

Ferrite beads.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... Murata Electronics North America (Smyrna, CA) introduces the world's smallest ferrite beads, measuring 0.4 x 0.2 x 0.2 mm. The 01005 sized, BLM02 series is ideal for noise suppression use in EMI filter applications and DC power lines. According...

Very low LDO.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ON Semiconductor (Phoenix, AZ) expands its portfolio of low dropout (LDO) linear voltage regulators for automotive electronics modules that require low ignition-off currents. Qualified to AEC-Q 100 and operating...

Background suppression sensors.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... The Contrinex (Old Saybrook, CT) Series 3131 sensors are tough and compact. According to the company, the sensors feature: * Package measurements of 30 x 30 x 15 mm. * A sensing distance of 200 mm. * A background, suppression that...

On-board I/O.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Phoenix Contact (Harrisburg, PA) introduces nanoLine[R], a small programmable controller/ relay with Ethernet connectivity, a removable operator display and easy flow chart programruing. According to the company,...

Pressure sensing.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kavlico (Moorpark, CA) has a full line of pressure sensors that address the needs of tire HVAC/R industry. According to the company, the Kavlico pressure sensors provide: * Usability in variable air volume (VAV)...

Lowered power consumption.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... DDP (El Segundo, CA) has developed the 120MBLS-X-CX, a 120 VAC line voltage lamp that reduces power consumption. According to the company, the wide-angle LED features: * Operation to maximum of 130 VAC while drawing less than 8 mA. * A...

Award winning load cells.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Loadstar Sensors (Mountain View, CA) introduces a new family of displays built to work seamlessly with its line of load cells. The new DS-3000 4-channel display is an integral device that incorporates display and...

Vertically-Polarized.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... Laird Technologies (Delaware Water Gap, PA) introduces its new 3.5 GHz Vertically-Polarized 120-Degree Sector Base Station Antenna for WiMax. According to the company, this new antenna features: * Full compliance with ETSI pattern...

Open frame power supply.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... GlobTek's (Northvale, NJ) GT 9110P series is a high efficiency, 85 percent typical, family of Open-Frame/PCB Mount Style power supplies. According to the company, it delivers: * Up to 240 W of continuous output power with 20 CFM of airflow...

High power transformer.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... The ultra-thin surface mount Model 4260-2757 Series Hi-Voltage Flyback Transformer from Datatronics (Romoland, CA) is designed for extreme acceleration and shock in high-power, high-voltage device applications that require extreme low profile...

High-side power switch.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... Diodes Incorporated (Dallas, TX) extends its offering of USB high side power switches with the introduction of 12 new devices, the AP21XX Series. According to the company, the series features: * A small form fit for USB port applications...

Power density.(New Products: Electronic Components)
October 1, 2008... V*I Chip, Inc. (Andover, MA) introduces a 120 W, 1/32nd brick footprint BCM[TM] bus converter. The VIB0101THJ is a 48- to 12-V surface-mount, non-regulated converter with 94.5 percent efficiency. According to the company, the converter offers:...

SpecCheck/flow control valves.
October 1, 2008... FLOW CONTROL VALVES HYDRAFORCE ACRD ASSOCIATES The new FRRV valves are The Model 958 is a 2-way, combination fixed, normally-closed solenoid ...

Improve OEM designs.(New Products: Motion Control)
October 1, 2008... Performance Motion Devices (Lincoln, MA) introduces its Motion Control Processor that, when combined with Pro Motion and C-Motion development software from PMD, provides features to improve OEM machine designs and reduce time-to-market....

Economical control.(New Products: Motion Control)
October 1, 2008... ACS Motion Control (Plymouth MN) expands its stand-alone motion controller product offering to include a RoHS-compliant controller, the SPiiPlus SARLT. The motion controller offers: * 2-, 4-, 6- or 8-axes designed to enhance the performance...

Guide blocks & rails.(New Products: Motion Control)
October 1, 2008... Quality Bearings & Components (Garden City Park, NY) introduces a new line of linear guide blocks and guide rails. According to the company, the BBRAILMHSR Series rails feature: * AISI 1055 Steel. * Availability in lengths ranging from...

Rugged encoder.(New Products: Motion Control)
October 1, 2008... The new Dynapar (Gurnee, IL) Acuro XR 12-bit absolute encoder is designed utilizing magnetic technology. According to the company, it features: * A magnetic engine. * Oversized bearings to handle high axial and radial shaft loads....

Zero backlash.(New Products: Motion Control)
October 1, 2008... Available in 7 sizes to meet axial thrust requirements from 22 to 450 lbs, the Amacoil/Uhing (Aston, PA) RS indexing drive is a backlash-free alternative for linear motion systems. According to the company, the drive features: * An inner...

Heavy loads.(New Products: Motion Control)
October 1, 2008... SKF USA (Kulpsville, PA) CARB[R] toroidal roller bearings serve idealy as non-locating bearings in large electric motors (125 Hp and above) with their capability to accommodate very heavy radial loads and compensate for misalignment from...

Guitar Solo.(New Products: Motion Control)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Elmo Motion Control (Westford, MA) announces a new addition to its SimplIQ core motion control technology. The Solo Guitar is an integrated solution designed to connect Elmo's Guitar Servo Drive directly to a motion...

Hexapod system.(New Products: Motion Control)
October 1, 2008... PI (Auburn, MA) introduces the world's smallest commercially available electro-mechanical, high-force Hexapod 6-axis micropositioning system. According to the company, the new M-810 ultra-compact miniature hexapod features: * A 5-kg load...

3-D printing capabilities.(The Brainstorm)
October 1, 2008... The Brainstorm is a new section of Product Design & Development where we talk with industry leaders to get their perspective on issues critical to the overall design engineering marketplace. In this issue, we ask: Do you think 3-D printing...

Seat belt design: next-generation seat belt restraints aimed at reducing passenger injury in automotive collisions.(New Products: Software)
October 1, 2008... Over the past 40 years, technology to reduce occupant injury in automotive collisions has advanced remarkably. Pre-crash shoulder belt tensioning is one promising new technology designed to reduce automotive crash injuries. Current...

Three new editions.(New Products: Software)
October 1, 2008... Geomagic (Research Triangle Park, NC) has launched 3 new Geomagic Studio editions that target specific application needs in mechanical design and medical/scientific markets. According to the company, the three editions include: Geomagic...

Full-functioned testing.(New Products: Software)
October 1, 2008... JTAG Technologies (Stevensville, MD) now offers their Application Executor (AEX), a full-functioned test sequencer and manager, now integrated into ProVision. According to the company, the product features: * The ability to develop and...

Increased security.(New Products: Fastening & Assembly)
October 1, 2008... The DIRAK (Sterling, VA) 3-145 T-Handle Latch expands their offering for indoor and outdoor enclosures. The new latch features: * A design for 2 separate locks, a key lock and/or a pad lock eyelet. * An anti-vandalism device protecting...

Constant rotational velocity.(New Products: Fastening & Assembly)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Helical Products' (Santa Maria, CA) W-Series coupling offers metric sizing and fasteners for many designs. According to the company, these single-piece, flexible couplings compensate for mechanical movement...

Washers & spacers.(New Products: Fastening & Assembly)
October 1, 2008... Boker's (Minneapolis, MN) adds 800 sizes to their product offering with the addition of non-standard washers and spacers. The new products offer: * A choice of more than 2,000 commonly specified and hard-to-find materials, including low...

Permanent fastening.(New Products: Fastening & Assembly)
October 1, 2008... PEM[R] ReelFast[R] surface mount spacers and nuts (Type SMTSO) from PennEngineering (Danboro, PA) install permanently on printed circuit boards in the same rammer as other surface mount components prior to the reflow solder process. According...

Prototyping power: material advancements and lowering price points fuel the additive fabrication fire as 3-D printing increases its presence in the marketplace.(Additive Fabrication)
October 1, 2008... "There is still a lot of work that needs to be done in the area of materials," says Terry Wohlers, principal consultant and president of Fort Collins, CO-based Wohlers Associates. According to Wohlers, if you compare the materials currently...

Tapping schools.(Additive Fabrication)
October 1, 2008... According to Terry Wohlers, principal consultant and president of Fort Collins, CO-based Wohlers Associates, about a third of the $20,000 to $30,000 systems are going to schools. "Not only are students coming out of colleges, but also high...

Smart cameras.(New Products: Test & Measurement)
October 1, 2008... The family of NI Smart Cameras from National Instruments (Austin, TX) comprises models with VGA (640 x 480 pixels) and SXGA (1280 x 1024 pixels) resolutions, as well as models that contain a DSP co-processor that gives optimal performance for...

Stable measurement.(New Products: Test & Measurement)
October 1, 2008... A series of accelerometers introduced by Measurement Specialties (Hampton, VA) can be used for a range of testing applications. Model 4610 is a low noise signal conditioned accelerometer with long-term stability ideal for DC and low frequency...

Small thermostat.(New Products: Test & Measurement)
October 1, 2008... Omega Engineering (Stamford, CT) introduces the new KT011 . series of small thermostats. The thermostat features: * A compact design. * DIN rail mountability. * A wide adjustment range. * Availability with a Celsius...

Easy testing.(New Products: Test & Measurement)
October 1, 2008... Fluke (Everett, WA) introduces 2 new models to its range of Fluke Color ScopeMeter[R] Test Tools with automated test capability for Fieldbus, Profi Bus and other communication protocols, the ScopeMeter 225C (200 MHz, 2.5 GS/s) and 215C (100...

AC.(SpecCheck/motors)
October 1, 2008... AC BALDOR ELECTRIC COMPANY OMEGA ENGINEERING The new API 547 AC The OMT Series of industrial motors meet general purpose AC the American...

Brushless.(SpecCheck/motors)
October 1, 2008... BRUSHLESS CUSTOM SENSORS & TECHNOLOGIES MAXON MOTOR The Motomate Brushless The EC-powermax 22 Motor is designed with achieves high...

DC.(SpecCheck/motors)
October 1, 2008... DC AMETEK TECHNICAL & ASI INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS This line of motion MCG[R] brand ID Series ...

Variable.(SpecCheck/motors)
October 1, 2008... VARIABLE B&R NSK PRECISION AMERICA In combination with the The Megatorque[TM] Motor ACOPOS drive system, the PS series offers high ...

New generation precision.(New Products: Peripherals, Hardware, Materials & Hydraulics)
October 1, 2008... 3D Systems (Rock Hill, SC) introduces its iPro[TM] 9000 SLA[R] Center, anew professional Stereolithography system for the production of ultra high-definition 'Pro-Parts' from its integrated portfolio of proprietary Aceura[R] Plastics. The new...

2- and 3- way latching.(New Products: Peripherals, Hardware, Materials & Hydraulics)
October 1, 2008... Clippard's (Cincinnati, OH) 2- and 3-way Electronic Latching Valve features: * A small, compact design. * Quiet operation. * A single moving element. * A balance of forces through the placement of a permanent magnet in the...

Valve compatibility.(New Products: Peripherals, Hardware, Materials & Hydraulics)
October 1, 2008... The Humphrey (Kalamazoo, MI) Model HKL5 Valve is designed for use with reagents and other aggressive liquids and gases found in typical analytical applications. The direct-acting solenoid valve features: * A 12.6-mm width. * A...

Rapid materials.(New Products: Peripherals, Hardware, Materials & Hydraulics)
October 1, 2008... Quickparts (Atlanta, GA) introduces a new gray ABS-like Stereolitlaography (SLA) material for use in rapid prototyping and RTV/Silicone master patterns. The materials feature: * Low viscosity. * High processing speeds. * Easy...

Handwheels with revolving handle.(New Products: Peripherals, Hardware, Materials & Hydraulics)
October 1, 2008... J. W. Winco, Inc. (New Berlin, WI) expands its offerings to include Solid Disk Handwheels with a Revolving Handle. The glass-filled, nylon plastic handwheels are of modern design that offers: * A choice for light to medium duty...

XTX & ETX.(Distributor Data)
October 1, 2008... Mouser Electronics (Mansfield, TX) has signed a distribution agreement with congatec AG (Deggendorf, Germany), a manufacturer of COM Express, XTX and ETX embedded computer boards. Mouser's congatec portfolio includes: * COM Express. *...

High-performance LEDs.(Distributor Data)
October 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cree (Durham, NC) and Digi-Key (Thief River Falls, MN) have signed an agreement for the distribution of Cree's high-performance LEDs. The global agreement covers the Cree LED port- folio, including: * XLamp[R]...

Selective disconnection.(Distributor Data)
October 1, 2008... Newark (Chicago, IL) has announced that it is first to market Weidmuller's (Richmond, VA) new line of compact electronic circuit protection devices. The devices feature remote reset capabilities that operate via the use of an electronic signal....

EMI suppression.(Distributor Data)
October 1, 2008... Avnet Electronics (Phoenix, AZ) and EPCOS AG (Munich, Germany) have expanded their distribution agreement to include the more than 70 new markets around the globe. Avnet will distribute a range of EPCOS products including: * Aluminum...

Development war.(Final Thought)
October 1, 2008... Why should you care if your company is aggressively filing patents? Rejoice! The war is here. No, not Iraq or Afghanistan or even Georgia. I mean the war being waged in Washington at the USPTO between heavyweight, middle-weight and...