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| The latest information on Electrical &
Electronic Components
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March 9, 2009
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March appears to have entered like a lion, so the hope is that the
lamb takes control soon to ease us into spring. Until then, you can curl
up with another MD Electrical and Electronic Newsletter.
Electronic speed controls help HVAC units meet new energy efficiency
requirements by reducing the speed of compressor motors. Sensor Sense
touches on how capacitive touch sensors work, while expanded PTFE helps
keep electrical cables clean of anything that touches them as well as
providing greater flexibility. LEDs keep shining even if one LED in a
serial-connected bank opens thanks to new Open LED device from
Littelfuse, while IC cross-talk gets cut by new thin films with
nanostructures. Featured this month is a new microsite by Newark on
communication options for electronic systems, while the MD Video
outlines the latest and future technology in cabling and switching. We
round out the newsletter with a selection of new products from the pages
of Machine Design.
-- Robert Repas, Assoc. editor
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Cool electronics for hot A/C
Most engineers know that heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
(HVAC) systems suck down an appreciable amount of electrical power. So
they have been a focus for energy regulators and probably will remain so
for the future. But it should come as no surprise that the road to
energy efficient HVAC may lead to variablespeed compressor technology
and new electronics to drive it.
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Capacitive touch sensors
Many people mistake the growth in capacitive touch sensors as the
adoption of new technology. But the fact is advances in mixed-signal
programmable devices, those that combine analog and digital into a
single package, have brought back this quite old technology and given it
new life.
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Expanded PTFE Polymer Keeps Electrical and
Electronics Cables Clean and Flexible
When you think of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), the nonstick
coating on your pots and pans might be the first thing that comes to
mind. Some of the same properties that let food release from cooking
surfaces have made PTFE attractive to engineers for applications from
insulation to sliding surfaces since its discovery in 1938.
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LEDs shine on
LEDs now go into such critical safety-lighting applications as
traffic signals and airport-runway lighting. One result: Concerns about
quality and reliability now extend even to the least-expensive LEDs. For
efficiency, multiple LEDs typically are wired as series strings. But if
one LED open circuits, the entire string is lost. Open-LED protectors
bypass power around defective LEDs to keep the remaining LEDs lit.
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Film test for better ICs
As IC electronics have become more densely packed, cross-talk among
them has become a problem. One means of preventing cross-talk among chip
components has used electrically insulating dielectric films (also
called low-k films) inserted between the layers of conductors and
components on the IC. Engineers have been making these films porous with
nanoscale voids to let them more effectively stop cross-talk. But these
voids make films brittle, which complicates IC reliability and
manufacturing. Until now, there has been no way designers could measure
the fracture resistance of these films.
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Video: Industrial cabling and
switching
Fritz Taake and Anand Edke from Hirschmann Corp., a Belden company,
talk with Lee Teschler from Machine Design about industrial
network cables and switching systems. Length: 7:06
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Bright & Waterproof Turbo Light™
Panel LEDs
 Floyd Bell’s
new Turbo Light™ is a small (approx. 1”x1”) IP68 panel-mounted
LED indicator with NEMA 4X seal and revolutionary low-profile design
with high-intensity output (up to 1,600 cd/m2).
In a durable polycarbonate casing, the front-mount panel indicator is
tamper-proof. While many indicators on the market only operate at a
specific voltage, the indicator's universal power supply allows it to
operate at various voltages in the 9-30VDC range. Available in 5
different colors and choice of quick-connect or screw terminals.
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Newark microsite covers communication
options
Newark, the multi-channel electronics distributor, has opened a
microsite that covers a range of communication-related devices for
industrial, embedded networking, and point-to-point applications. The
site is arranged by product categories: wireless, wireline,
connectivity, and supporting products. In addition to featuring leading
manufacturers such as Freescale, Tyco Electronics, and Maxim, the site
showcases proprietary communication technologies from specialist
suppliers including Luminary Micro, Meshnetics, Radiotronix, and RF
Solutions.
Hot products, design tips, and user guides are available along with the
latest issue of Newark’s Technology First journal, which takes an
in-depth look at communication technologies in articles contributed by
experts from Analog Devices, Linear Technology, National Semiconductor,
Lattice Semiconductor, and other top manufacturers.
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Compact photoelectric-sensor family
The OHDK10 Spot Beam Sensor features a spot-shaped laser-light
source available in 0.1, 2, or 4-mm diameters. The OHDK10 Line Beam
Sensor features a line beam that detects objects with milled grooves or
drilled holes such as printed-circuit boards as well as detect edges on
printing webs.
Baumer Ltd. USA
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Kit adds audio to embedded designs
The MPLAB Starter Kit for dsPIC digital signal-controller boards
makes it easy to add high-fidelity audio to embedded designs. The kit
includes sample programs and hardware, a USB-powered board with
integrated debugger and programmer, MPLAB C30 C complier software, and
the MPLAB integration development environment.
Microchip Technology Inc.
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Motion Resource Center
 Every solution
requires the right tools to get the job done correctly. Danaher Motion
has created a web page with descriptions and access to motor
sizing/selection software, on-line servo technology database, an
engineering toolbar for various calculations and more. The site even
has more details concerning a Motion Control Handbook that will be a
great resource even when a computer with web access is
available.
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Open-frame power supply
The ZWX Series of open-frame dc power supplies have five output
voltages of 3.3, 5, 12, and -12 V along with a 5-V standby. The ZWX300
includes a sixth output at 12 Vdc for extended support. All models are
1U rack/enclosure mountable and may be convection cooled at power
ratings of 90, 120, and 150 W.
Lambda Americas Inc.
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RoHS-Compliant Tact Switches
The KSA family of RoHS-compliant tact switches consist of the KSA,
KSL, KSB, KSI, KSFI, KSJ, and KSD models. The switches have a life
expectancy up to 1,000,000 operations and feature an actuation force
from 1.5 to 5 N, including detect version with silver and gold
coatings.
C&K Components
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Energy Efficiency Web Conference & Expo –
May 14
Do you know you can get in-depth education on energy-efficiency and all
the benefits of an in-person trade show without ever leaving your desk
or spending a dime?
The intelligent use of energy is making headlines. Product designers and
manufacturers are striving to deliver products that consume less power,
extend battery life, generate less heat, or work from alternative energy
sources. Our Energy Efficiency Web Conference and Expo will
educate design engineers, product developers, and managers on how to
make the best use of energy-efficient product innovations and devices,
and on how to arrange them in systems to lower power consumption and
stay "green." This special one-day event will include sessions
on such areas as:
- Power-efficient drive techniques for lighting
- ROI for high-efficiency capital equipment
- Energy monitoring and energy standards
- Designing for SEMI S23 and the Energy Act of 2007
- Working with alternative power and battery technology
Make plans now to attend the Energy Efficiency Web Conference and Expo. The
event offers a full day of live webinars and interactive booths, along
with a Resource Center where visitors can download or link to additional
materials.
Register Now!
Machine Design Video Spotlight
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Saving Energy Beyond
Motor Efficiency |
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Richard Mintz from SEW Eurodrive Inc.
provides details of a report that says energy efficient motors may use
more energy than standard motors in certain applications and that one
must look beyond the motor for the best energy savings. |
Check Out the New Machinedesign.com
Our newly redesigned web site still features the best content and
information for engineers provided by engineers but with these new great
features.
Multiple Path Navigation
Find content your way. Improved site navigation creates multiple ways to
find the content you are looking for.
Supercharged Search
The search function has been highly improved and tested to provide the
most effective results for engineers.
Highlighted Resources
Looking for CAD drawings? Find them in our CAD Library.
Download whitepapers in the Whitepaper
Library. Valuable educational content is featured in the eBook
section. Check out the latest in editorial and sponsored video
in the Video
section.
UPCOMING WEBCASTS
The Fundamentals of CANopen for Industrial Machine Control
Sponsored by Maxon Precision Motors
DATE: March 12th, 2009
TIME: 2:00pm ET/11am PT
CANopen is an industrial networking system used in millions of
applications worldwide. It is based on Controller Area Network (CAN)
technology, a proven serial bus that links multiple devices, allowing
them to work together.
Optimized for reliability and real-time control, CAN/CANopen is
especially well suited for motion systems consisting of actuators,
sensors, controllers, and analog and digital I/O. It also offers a
competitive edge. Unlike other serial-bus systems, CANopen maintains a
certain level of manufacturer independence through standard device
profiles with layered flexibility.
In this overview of the CANopen specification, we will give designers a
fundamental understanding of the platform, advantages and disadvantages,
and where the standard is headed. We’ll also take a focused look at
device profiles, including an actual multi-networked application, and
explore the various communication layers and how they can be optimized
for industrial control applications.
Click here to learn more and register!
ARCHIVED WEBCASTS AVAILABLE FOR FREE VIEWING
Click
Here for a list of archived Machine Design webcasts.
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LED Assemblies and Indicators
LEDCO delivers high-quality, uniform LED lighting assemblies and
indicators for standard and custom applications. RoHS compliant LED
products include a design kit, board mount, panel mount, and
incandescent and neon panel mount LEDs.
www.wilbrecht.com
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Contact Information
Editorial questions: Robert Repas
216-931-9319
Advertising/sponsorship opportunities: Virginia Goulding
216-931-9893
Machine Design
1300 E. 9th St.
Cleveland, OH 44114
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