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| The latest information on Electrical &
Electronic Components
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May 7, 2009
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Let's face it, the economy is dragging everybody down. And that goes
for electronics suppliers as well. A report from
VentureOutsource.com on a survey of 230 electronics supply-chain
decision makers shows they remain pessimistic. Many still believe the
recession has not yet bottomed out.
From my perspective, I'm not quite as pessimistic as those decision
makers. Yes, the electronics market is down, and I think will stay down
for a while yet, but I think the curve is flattening out and may
actually start showing a small rise before the end of June. As Suntron
Corp. CEO Paul Singh stated, "Quality-focused companies not burdened by
a lot of debt and with good cash flow should emerge okay once economic
conditions improve."
So what are your impressions? Let me know what you think through LinkedIn or on Twitter.
-- Robert Repas, Assoc.
Editor
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Eyes of the Road: Digital Instrument Clusters
for Cars and Trucks
To drive safely, a driver must remain focused on the task of
driving. One distraction that's unavoidable is the instrument cluster or
dashboard, that must display vehicle vital signs in an intuitive and
immediately recognizable fashion to maintain driving safety. Many
automakers are migrating to digital instrument clusters to reach that
goal.
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Negative Stiffness a Big Positive for
Vibration Isolation
All mechanical systems shield delicate electronics from lowfrequency
vibrations and require less space, investment, and maintenance.
State-of-the-art instruments for microelectronics fabrication,
industrial laser and optical systems, biological research, and other
areas may seem to call for expensive active vibration isolators, but
negative-stiffness vibration isolators can provide the necessary
protection at a reasonable cost.
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Open Network Lets Tray Loader Say Goodbye to
Wiring Woes
A firm that makes machine-tool loading equipment for manufacturing
cells used an inexpensive open network to replace a lot of hardwiring on
the I/O running its modular machines. An Actuator-Sensor interface
(AS-i) bus now replaces the hardwiring. AS-i is a low-level, open
network for sensors and simple actuators. It was devised in 1990 by a
nonprofit consortium consisting mainly of sensor manufacturers and is
now supported by more than 100 vendors worldwide.
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Say Good-Bye to Mercury Hearing-Aid
Batteries
Hearing-aid batteries generally contain a miniscule amount of
mercury. But even this small amount may become a thing of the past with
the introduction of zero-mercury batteries for hearing aids that perform
just as well as conventional types.
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Video: Membrane switches for harsh
environments
Video: Joseph Schwartz from The Bergquist Co. shows Lee Teschler of
Machine Design magazine the advantages of heat-sealed membrane switches
over pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) membrane switches in harsh
environments. Running time: 6:57
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Microchip's 13th Annual Worldwide MASTERs
Conference Helps Engineers Stay Competitive
The MASTERs Conference provides design engineers with an annual
forum for sharing and exchanging technical information on Microchip
Technology's 8, 16, and 32-bit PIC microcontrollers, high-performance
analog and interface solutions, 16-bit dsPIC digital signal controllers
(DSCs), KEELOQ security devices, memory products, wireless solutions and
MPLAB development systems—including the industry’s only singular IDE
to support an entire 8, 16, and 32-bit microcontroller portfolio. The
conference is again being held at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort &
Spa in Phoenix, Arizona, from July 29 – August 1, with a
Pre-Conference on July 27 and 28, 2009.
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Omron Switch Engineering Center Opened April
1, 2009
On April 1, Omron Electronic Components LLC opened their American
Switch Engineering Center to meet the demands for customized product for
the automotive, appliance, alternative energy, HVAC, and digital
markets. Adding to their 75-years of component experience, Omron’s
Raleigh, North Carolina-based center is committed to increasing value
and service to customers who need assistance with switch selection
despite challenging industry climates.
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Electrical Connectors
The MotionGrade M23 and M40 connectors feature FlexGrip backshells
and RockSolid contacts, which reduce initial procurement and assembly
costs, while ensuring compatibility. Applications include advanced
servodrive encoder feedback, packaging, robotic, machine tool, medical
and automation environments where control signal transmission or power
are required.
Amphenol Sine Systems
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Electronic Reversing Contactor
The Contactron 4-in-1 solid-state reversing contactor combines four
functions in one narrow package. Designed for threephase ac motors up to
4 kW/5 hp in size, the 22.5-mm-wide Contactron provides forward,
reverse, overload protection, and redundant emergency stop functions.
Its small size reduces DIN-rail space size by 75%. Life expectancy is
said to be 10 times longer than traditional electromechanical
contactors. Integrated input/output surge protection circuits reduce
system downtime, and 16 separate motor overload settings reduce
inventory requirements.
Phoenix Contact
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Quick-Fit Female PCB Terminals
The quick-fit female PCB terminals provide vertical, horizontal, or
bottom-entry connections with male types. The tin nickel-plated
terminals maintain integrity under repeated multiple mating cycles.
Keystone Electronics Corp.
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Slotted Wire Duct in Colors
The T1 Series of slotted wire duct line now comes in black and blue
for specialized wiring identification. Blue wiring duct typically
indicates intrinsically safe components in a control panel. Black wire
duct is for networkcabling systems, fiber-cable racks, patch panels, and
telecommunication closets.
AutomationDirect
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Turning Heat into Electricity
A self-contained device, the PG-1 from Tellurex Corp., Traverse
City, Mich. (tellurex.com), generates electricity when heat is properly
applied. (The company suggests using canned fuel as a heat source.) It
is designed to demonstrate the Seebeck effect, but can also be used for
practical purposes, such as powering handheld electronic devices, LED
arrays, and USB equipment, as well as to charge batteries, according to
the company. The generator puts out 0.75 W, adjustable from 3 to 14 Vdc
with a built-in voltage converter. It costs about $250.
Tellurex Corp.
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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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Membrane Switches for
Harsh Environments |
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Joseph Schwartz from The Bergquist
Co. shows Lee Teschler of Machine Design magazine the advantages
of heat-sealed membrane switches over pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA)
membrane switches in harsh environments. |
Why Product Designers Are Switching to CoCreate Modeling
1pm EST – 1:45pm EST
Tuesday
May 12, 2009
Not satisfied with your 3D CAD system?
As a product designer or CAD manager, you must be flexible, spontaneous,
creative, and take a team design approach to creating great products.
You need sophisticated and intuitive software to create well-engineered
and attractive designs.
If you're not thrilled with every aspect of your CAD system, it may be
time to consider the benefits of switching to CoCreate Modeling - the
world's #1 explicit 3D CAD system.
To find out why engineers are switching to explicit modeling, join us
for this live webinar.
Register now
Call out for Questions!
3M industrial Adhesives will be interviewing Jack Roush, Co-Owner Roush
Fenway Racing and Chris Andrews, Head Engineer Roush Fenway Racing on
May 15, 2009. Do you have an engineering question you’d like to ask
them? Submit it here. Visit 3M.com/vhb mid June to see the interview.
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
Understanding Key Power Transmission Technologies:
Comparing Belt, Chain & Gear Drives for OEM Projects
Sponsored by Rexnord
DATE: May 28th, 2009
TIME: 2:00pm ET/11am PT
OEM design teams are under pressure to juggle technologies with
specifications with the outcome always being a great new or improved
product. Many of these projects have Power Transmission components at
their core and the wrong technology can really hurt the end product.
Dennis Missun and Nick Derus from Rexnord have gathered
information about the critical issues that need to be considered when
deciding between belt, chain and gear drive technologies for
applications requiring 5 lbs – 100 lbs of force.
The course will cover
- Torque Density: comparing key rating systems AGMA & ISO
- Application considerations: impact of thermals, friction and
vibration
- Basics of sizing & selection: information to right-size
components
- Other Project/End Customer Considerations
- Live question/answer session with presenters
Click here learn more and to register!
ARCHIVED WEBCASTS AVAILABLE FOR FREE VIEWING
Click
Here for a list of archived Machine Design webcasts.
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Wilbrecht Electronics metal foil resistors are designed to
consistently meet the tightest temperature coefficients and resistance
tolerances, while providing long-term stability in a wide range of
high-reliability applications.
http://www.wilbrechtledco.com
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Contact Information
Editorial questions: Robert Repas
216-931-9319
Advertising/sponsorship opportunities: Virginia Goulding
216-931-9893
Machine Design
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