|
ENGINEERINGTALK The Independent Weekly Product Information
Guide for Product Design and Automation Engineers ====================================================================
ISSN 1470-627X - Free subscription Last week's delivered
circulation: 50,624 Published every Thursday from the UK. Issue 272: 30 June 2005 ====================================================================
31198 product announcements and technical articles on our website http://www.engineeringtalk.com/ - all fully searchable ====================================================================
In this issue: * Editor's Message * Our Top new
products selection [1] Vision system shows its true colours [2] Modular brakes add machine tool safety [3] Low-fire-hazard
cables cut size and weight [4] Soft starter steps in to upgrade
star/delta units [5] Low-cost servo drive handles resolver
feedback [6] Epoxy resin bonds, seals and impregnates [7]
Innovative single-axis electrical positioning system [8] Software
simplifies temperature controller setup [9] Meter monitors
hydraulic oil systems [10] Compact outline for low-range force
sensor * Other industry news * New technical articles and
case studies * Other featured product news ====================================================================
Chris Rand, Editor, writes:
Last week I wrote about
the underexploited development resource which every manufacturer
has in the form of its customers. Many development projects which
might have been a success never actually become real products
because of flawed research or simply bad management calls. However, another approach is to just throw everything out there,
not worry about failures, and see what sticks. It's expensive,
but will uncover the unexpected gems.
This seems to be
whats going on at Google, which is producing astonishing stuff at
an even more astonishing rate. I've looked at some of its recent
ideas and thought "that's clever, but perhaps not for me", but
others have been jaw-droppingly useful as far as I'm concerned.
The point is, the company is giving them all a go in the real
world.
Take the GMail email service, for example. It brings
together the best bits of different approaches to email, adds
search and storage facilities never offered before, and has
instantly become indispensable to the way I work. Google Desktop
Search is another free application which I've quickly become
dependent on; in fact, I can't imagine now not having results
from my own hard drive integrated into standard Google search
results pages.
Google Maps is a really nice implementation
of online street mapping on its own, but combined with the Google
database it's a really powerful and useful tool ("show me a map
of pneumatics distributors in Bedford" - instant results). But
it's Google Earth which has really blown me away. Some people
might look at it and say "great technology, but how useful is
it?" I'd suggest it's exactly the sort of application which the
public will find unthought-of uses for. You have to see it for
yourselves, but the ability to fly around the entire planet,
photographically, instantly, is just the coolest thing you'll see
on your PC screen this year. Or probably any other year, to be
honest. And the more I think about it, the more I can think of engineering and scientific applications for it too. http://mail.google.com http://desktop.google.com/ http://maps.google.co.uk/ http://earth.google.com/
I
hope you find this issue of our weekly newsletter useful. In addition to the new products, news and ideas featured here, there
are hundreds more on our website and dozens more being added
daily, so do take a look if you can.
Alternatively,
the full stories behind all the summaries and headlines in this
newsletter can be retrieved by email alone: see details below.
In the meantime, if you have any suggestions as to how we
might make the site or the newsletter better, email me
directly.
Best wishes Chris Rand, Editor mailto:ne[-email removed-]ringtalk.com ====================================================================
OUR TOP NEW PRODUCT SELECTION ====================================================================
[1] VISION SYSTEM SHOWS ITS TRUE COLOURS (Digital
Inspection Systems, 30 Jun 2005)
Scorpion is a new machine
vision technology that exploits Windows based PCs, and scores in
that very low cost components can be integrated using standard
USB, FireWire or other interface drivers. It has a highly
accurate colour matching system within the basic toolset which
offers considerable power for identifying and matching colours.
The capability has already been exploited in the production of
colour matching cards for the paint industry, measurement and analyses of fruit in the field before harvest and in the
processing of potatoes on a food production line.
Request free details from the supplier:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/dct/108/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/dct/dct108.html or send a
blank email to mailto:dct1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
====================================================================
[2] MODULAR BRAKES ADD MACHINE TOOL SAFETY (Mayr
Transmissions, 30 Jun 2005)
Mayr has introduced an
innovative series of modular safety brakes for use on machine
tool applications. The Roba-topstop modular units are suitable
for vertical axis drives and are available in three basic sizes
up to 200Nm brake torque, complete with input and output flanges
to suit all standard servo motors.
Request free details
from the supplier:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/myr/118/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/myr/myr118.html or send a
blank email to mailto:myr1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
====================================================================
[3] LOW-FIRE-HAZARD CABLES CUT SIZE AND WEIGHT (Tyco
Electronics UK, 24 Jun 2005)
Tyco Electronics has a new
range of lightweight, small-diameter, low-fire-hazard C-Lite
cables offering up to 30% weight and up to 50% space savings
compared with standard commercial cables from other manufacturers. Using a reduced amount of combustible materials
and offering low smoke generation, C-Lite cables are constructed
from flame retarded, halogen-free cores and Raychem brand Zerohal
outer cable sheath, meeting the requirements of SHF2 to
IEC60092-350 and IEC60332-3 Category A.
Request free
details from the supplier:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/toe/117/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/toe/toe117.html or send a
blank email to mailto:toe1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
====================================================================
[4] SOFT STARTER STEPS IN TO UPGRADE STAR/DELTA UNITS (Fairford Electronics, 24 Jun 2005)
Fairford is making it
quick, easy and cost effective for companies to overcome the
problem of transients associated with star/delta starting. The
company has developed the low cost SDF soft starter, a unit with
simplified wiring that fits in the same space as a conventional
star/delta starter, and provides motor protection by offering the
key benefits of both soft starting and soft stopping. Launched at
the recent Hanover Fair, the SDF offers a new form of soft
starting which overcomes the problems of star delta current surges by ramping up to an initial voltage, holding the voltage,
and then ramping up to full volts without disconnecting the motor
from the mains supply. This eliminates the high current that can
occur at the transition from star to delta.
Request
free details from the supplier:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/frf/120/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/frf/frf120.html or send a
blank email to mailto:frf1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
====================================================================
[5] LOW-COST SERVO DRIVE HANDLES RESOLVER FEEDBACK (Baldor
UK, 30 Jun 2005)
Baldor has extended its MicroFlex family
of low-cost digital servo drives with the launch of a new model
for use with brushless rotary AC servomotors using resolver
feedback. It is likely to prove popular with OEMs and machine
builders designing servo-based systems for use in challenging
environments, as resolvers are generally considered more
mechanically and electrically robust than encoders, especially at
elevated temperatures.
Request free details from the
supplier: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/bal/193/4 *
Read more: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/bal/bal193.html or
send a blank email to mailto:bal1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
====================================================================
[6] EPOXY RESIN BONDS, SEALS AND IMPREGNATES (Master Bond,
30 Jun 2005)
Master Bond has developed a new single
component, no-mix epoxy resin system called EP19HTFL for high
performance bonding, sealing and impregnation applications.
EP19HTFL is designed to have "unlimited" working life at room
temperature as it cures readily at elevated temperatures to a
tough, strong and chemically resistant thermoset plastic.
Recommended cure is at 1-2h at 150C, but the higher the temperature, the faster the cure speed.
Request free
details from the supplier:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/mrb/114/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/mrb/mrb114.html or send a
blank email to mailto:mrb1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
====================================================================
[7] INNOVATIVE SINGLE-AXIS ELECTRICAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (Festo, 28 Jun 2005)
Festo is about to launch an
innovative single-axis electrical positioning system into the UK
automation market. Primarily intended for handling applications,
the system comprises a guide assembly with a fully integrated
linear servomotor and displacement encoder, together with a
programmable positioning controller incorporating all the power
electronics. The motor technology is patented and is capable of
very high positioning speeds and accuracy. The system is easy to
integrate - it is mechanically fully compatible with the complete
range of Festo Plug and Work handling and positioning system components - and provides a highly cost-effective, ready-to-run solution for precision positioning applications.
Request
free details from the supplier:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/fes/196/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/fes/fes196.html or send a
blank email to mailto:fes1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
====================================================================
[8] SOFTWARE SIMPLIFIES TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER SETUP (Omron
Corp, 30 Jun 2005)
Omron's CX-Thermo support software has
been specially developed for use with the company's E5CN, E5EN,
E5AN, E5ZN, E5AR and E5ER temperature controllers. Running on a
standard Windows PC, CX-Thermo enables faster parameter setup,
easier device adjustment and simpler maintenance. It also
provides graphical online monitoring of set point, process value
and manipulated value, and can monitor up to 31 temperature
controllers at a time.
Request free details from the
supplier: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/oro/115/4 *
Read more: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/oro/oro115.html or
send a blank email to mailto:oro1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
====================================================================
[9] METER MONITORS HYDRAULIC OIL SYSTEMS (PVL, 24 Jun
2005)
PVL has expanded its innovative Clima range with the
launch of the ClimaOil - a flowmeter and datalogger for
monitoring hydraulic oil systems. Providing accurate calculation
of oil flows from 6 to 600 litre/min, the ClimaOil also delivers
a cost-effective method for measuring pressure, temperature and
volume complete with full, in-built datalogging capability. The
ClimaOil package is built around a highly accurate precision,
laser cut turbine, mounted on sapphire bearings - with three
versions to monitor flows from 6-60, 15-300 and 60-600 litre/min
in oils with a range of viscosities. The turbine also
incorporates a 0-600bar pressure transducer and a 0-120C temperature sensor, and comes built into a section of pipe
offering 0.5, 1 or 1.5in BSP connections.
Request
free details from the supplier:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/pvl/112/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/pvl/pvl112.html or send a
blank email to mailto:pvl1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
====================================================================
[10] COMPACT OUTLINE FOR LOW-RANGE FORCE SENSOR (Kistler
Instruments, 27 Jun 2005)
With a front, external diameter
of only 5mm, the new Kistler Type 9215 piezoelectric force sensor
is the smallest sensor in its class. It's very robust, and offers
extremely high rigidly against lateral forces and a measuring
range from -20 to +200N with two calibrated measuring ranges (100
and 10%). The size makes the sensor ideal for product testing of
switches, pushbuttons, connectors and springs and for highly
sensitive force measurement in research and development, for
example in micromanipulators.
Request free details from
the supplier: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/kis/134/4 * Read more: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/kis/kis134.html or send a blank email to mailto:kis1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
====================================================================
New Technical Articles and Case Studies ====================================================================
CUSTOMISED MOTORS AID PRODUCT DIFFERENTIATION (PennEngineering Motion Technologies - Europe, 30 Jun 2005) John McKay, European Sales Director for PennEngineering Motion Technologies, looks at some of the customisation options on offer with Pittman and MAE branded DC brushed, brushless and stepper motors. * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/pit/pit138.html or send a
blank email to mailto:pit1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
SOFTWARE HELPS MAINTAIN A
COMPETITIVE EDGE (Radan Computational, 29 Jun 2005) Henderson Fabrication serves the sheet metalwork requirements of customers throughout the electronics, data and communication,
finance and music sectors using software from Radan
Computational. Request free details from the supplier on CAD/CAM
software: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/rda/110/4 *
Read more: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/rda/rda110.html or
send a blank email to mailto:rda1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
SOFTWARE HELPS MAXIMISE
MACHINE INVESTMENT (Delcam, 28 Jun 2005) PowerMill CAM
software has helped electronics company Magneton maximise the
return on its investment in two high-speed machining centres at
its St Petersburg site. Request free details from the supplier
on PowerMill: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/dea/264/4 * Read more: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/dea/dea264.html or send a blank email to mailto:dea2[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
SELF-DRIVING PLATFORMS GET
CANBUS CONTROL (Sensor-Technik UK, 28 Jun 2005) CANbus
control is allowing fire fighting vehicles to get into position
more quickly and to be used more safely. Request free details
from the supplier on CANbus control:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/stm/129/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/stm/stm129.html or send a
blank email to mailto:stm1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
CNC ADDS A NEW DIMENSION TO
CONTROL (Heidenhain (GB), 24 Jun 2005) One of the first
companies in the UK to take advantage of the new analogue version
of Heidenhain's popular iTNC 530 CNC unit is Peak Precision
Engineering. Request free details from the supplier on ITNC
530: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/hei/142/4 * Read
more: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/hei/hei142.html or send
a blank email to mailto:hei1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
GRAPHICAL DEVELOPMENT AIDS
F1 BRAKE TESTING (National Instruments, 27 Jun 2005) Engineers at Computer Controlled Solutions have used LabView to
build a dynamometer designed specifically for testing callipers
and brakes on Formula 1 racing cars. Request free details
from the supplier on LabView:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/nat/186/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/nat/nat186.html or send a
blank email to mailto:nat1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
VIDEO SYSTEM CHECKS OUT
DELICATE COMPONENTS (Nikon UK, 30 Jun 2005) The precise
position of delicate components at the heart of laser modules are
now being more accurately measured than ever before by Intense
using a newly installed video measuring system. Request free
details from the supplier on Nexiv VMR 3020:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/nik/116/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/nik/nik116.html or send a
blank email to mailto:nik1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
LUBRICATION-FREE CHAIN
SAVES DOUGH (Renold Chain, 28 Jun 2005) Australia's largest
bread manufacturer has replaced the chain on all the machinery in
one of its bakeries with Renold's nickel plated and dry-to-touch
Syno chain. Request free details from the supplier on Syno
chain: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/reb/141/4 *
Read more: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/reb/reb141.html or
send a blank email to mailto:reb1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
COMPACT VALVES MAINTAIN
CONTROL DOWN THE HOLE (Lee Products, 24 Jun 2005) When
Aberdeen based Red Spider needed design compact valves into its Red Plug intervention set barrier it turned miniature component specialist Lee Products. Request free details from the
supplier on Jeva Jet and zero leak check valves:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/leb/124/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/leb/leb124.html or send a
blank email to mailto:leb1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
====================================================================
Other featured new product news ====================================================================
MACHINE BED CLAMPS EXPLAINED (WDS, 30 Jun 2005) WDS has now made it quicker and easier for engineers to source
manual and hydraulic actuated Microloc machine bed clamps by
producing a comprehensive new brochure and support website.
Request free details from the supplier on Microloc machine bed clamps: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/wds/136/4 *
Read more: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/wds/wds136.html or
send a blank email to mailto:wds1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
FAST CONSTRUCTION FOR
MODULAR ASSEMBLY SYSTEM (Bosch Rexroth - Linear Motion and
Assembly, 27 Jun 2005) New components in the Manual Production
System from Rexroth provide more added value thanks to its
transparency and high flexibility. Request free details from the
supplier on Manual Production System:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/mad/126/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/mad/mad126.html or send a
blank email to mailto:mad1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
PIEZO STAGES PROVIDE
PRECISION POSITIONING (Lambda Photometrics, 24 Jun 2005) New
piezo stages with dimensions as small as 30 x 30 x 12mm provide linear travel ranges up to 1mm with subnanometre resolution.
Request free details from the supplier on P-620 series:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/lam/159/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/lam/lam159.html or send a
blank email to mailto:lam1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
LASER TARGETS ULTRAFAST
APPLICATIONS (Newport Group, 28 Jun 2005) An enhanced
version of the industry-leading Mai Tai laser delivers more than
2.5W of average power and is now available with a 700-1020nm
tuning range. Request free details from the supplier on Mai Tai
HP: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/mcr/147/4 * Read
more: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/mcr/mcr147.html or send
a blank email to mailto:mcr1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
THRESHOLDING COMMAND
PROVIDES CLEANER CAD DATA (Softcover International, 30 Jun
2005) Softcover have added thresholding technology to Scan2CAD
v7.3, the latest release of their low cost raster to vector
converter. * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/sof/sof113.html or send a
blank email to mailto:sof1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
FREE TRIAL FOR ONLINE CAD
DATA TRANSLATION (Delcam, 29 Jun 2005) On 7th July 2005
Delcam will offer unlimited use of its PS-Exchange online CAD
data translation service completely free of charge. Request free
details from the supplier on PS-Exchange:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/dea/265/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/dea/dea265.html or send a
blank email to mailto:dea2[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
OSCILLATING MOTOR HAS ONLY
ONE STATOR PHASE (Servotechnic, 24 Jun 2005) Haydon Switch
has constructed an economical patented oscillating motor which
has relatively few parts and only one stator phase. Request free
details from the supplier on Haydon oscillating motors:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/sjm/144/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/sjm/sjm144.html or send a
blank email to mailto:sjm1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
CASTORS PUT THE BRAKES ON
HEAVY LOADS (Machine Building Systems, 29 Jun 2005) Item has
added a new heavy duty braked swivel castor to the MB building
kit system. Request free details from the supplier on Heavy duty
braked swivel castors:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/mbs/135/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/mbs/mbs135.html or send a
blank email to mailto:mbs1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
OEM MODULE MASTERS
AS-INTERFACE COMMUNICATIONS (LC Automation, 30 Jun 2005) The
AS-interface Master Board Module is latest addition to the Bihl and Wiedemann range for the OEM market. Request free details
from the supplier on AS-interface Master Board Module:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/lca/132/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/lca/lca132.html or send a
blank email to mailto:lca1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
VIDEO INSPECTION EQUIPMENT
COMES TO THE UK (Orbimatic, 27 Jun 2005) Orbimatic UK has
formed a partnership with Vizaar of Germany to supply
high-quality reasonably priced video inspection equipment in the
UK. Request free details from the supplier on Vizaar video
inspection equipment:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/orb/184/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/orb/orb184.html or send a
blank email to mailto:orb1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
RHEOMETER ADAPTS TO
CUSTOMER DEMANDS (Celsum Technologies, 29 Jun 2005) The T2SR
time and temperature scanning rheometer is an extremely versatile
instrument with a range of options that allow users to select the
configuration best suited to their application. Request free
details from the supplier on T2SR:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/csu/128/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/csu/csu128.html or send a
blank email to mailto:csu1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
MEASUREMENT SYSTEM HELPS
IMPROVE WATER PURITY (Emerson Process Management - Rosemount
Analytical, 27 Jun 2005) The Rosemount Analytical FCLi
measurement system helps preserve and improve water purity
through the determination of free chlorine in fresh water without
reagents and without pH correction. Request free details from
the supplier on FCLi free chlorine system:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/fib/130/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/fib/fib130.html or send a
blank email to mailto:fib1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
UV ANALYSER PROVIDES ONLINE
AUTOMATIC MONITORING (ABB Automation Tech (Instrumentation +
Automation) , 27 Jun 2005) ABB's new AV400 UV analyser will be
just one of the many products on display at the Water, Sewerage
and Waste exhibition at the Glasgow Moat House Hotel.
Request free details from the supplier on AV400 UV analyser:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/apr/170/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/apr/apr170.html or send a
blank email to mailto:apr1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
INDUSTRIAL PCS ARE GEARED
UP FOR AUTOMATION (LC Automation, 30 Jun 2005) Following the
very successful launch of the E1000 Series of HMIs, the Mitsubishi IPC1000 range of industrial PCs are now available from
LC Automation. Request free details from the supplier on
Mitsubishi IPC1000:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/lca/133/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/lca/lca133.html or send a
blank email to mailto:lca1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
WINDOWS CE TERMINAL IS
POWERED BY XSCALE CHIP (DLoG (UK), 30 Jun 2005) DLoG (UK)
has added a half screen VGA Windows CE terminal, the DNeT X7, to
its rapidly expanding range of hardware for industrial and mobile
applications. Request free details from the supplier on DNeT
X7: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/dlo/117/4 * Read
more: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/dlo/dlo117.html or send
a blank email to mailto:dlo1[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
INDUSTRIAL CHILLERS HANDLE
UP TO 400KW (Rittal, 29 Jun 2005) Rittal's comprehensive
range of industrial chillers for process cooling can now be
tailored to suit customer requirements. Request free details
from the supplier on Industrial chillers for process cooling: http://www.engineeringtalk.com/rdx/ml/rit/227/4 * Read more:
http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/rit/rit227.html or send a
blank email to mailto:rit2[-email
removed-]ngineeringtalk.com
====================================================================
Have you seen our other newsletters? ====================================================================
Engineeringtalk is one of a number of free email newsletters
for technical professionals. See what else we have to offer, and
sign up today, at http://www.pro-talk.com ====================================================================
| |