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| The latest information on Electrical &
Electronic Components
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July 2, 2009
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Do you have any energy vampires living in your house? They're pretty
easy to spot -- just look at anything that's "still on" when turned off.
How about that coffeemaker with the clock? Can you turn on your TV or
other piece of AV equipment with a remote control? Something has to be
running to look for those IR pulses. Does your computer actually turn
off, or does it just drop into a standby state?
The International Energy Agency recently estimated that stand-by mode in
electronic equipment consumes 200 to 400 TW-hr annually. At an average
electrical cost of eight cents per kW-hr means up to $32 billion is
spent each year to keep something turned off.
You can join in a discussion about energy vampires on our LinkedIn,
Facebook,
and Twitter pages.
-- Robert Repas, Assoc. Editor
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Cutting Through the Noise About Sensor
Resolution
Resolution is only meaningful within the context of system
bandwidth, the application, the measurement method, and the unit of
measure for the output noise. A simple resolution spec in a data sheet
rarely gives enough information for a fully informed sensor selection.
For confident decision making, engineers need to understand the factors
that impact this specification.
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How to Drive Resistive Tactile
Sensors
Thin-film force sensors are generically referred to as tactile
sensors. The term comes from their frequent use as a means of sensing a
nuanced or delicate touch as with a robotic hand from a humanoid robot.
But tactile sensors have applications extending far beyond
anthropomorphic robots. They typically are built on flexible circuit
material so they can be thin, light, and flexible. This opens up such
potential applications as, for example, sitting under a bolt head to
sense the load as a technician wrenches the nut tighter, or to measure
the contact pressure distribution between two print rollers from within
the nip.
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Microfiber Ring Protects Bearings from Shaft
Currents
Parasitic capacitive coupling between the rotor shaft and stator
windings induces high-frequency currents in wind-turbine-generator
shafts. These currents can reach levels of 60 A and 1,200 V or greater.
If not diverted, the currents discharge through the generator’s
bearings, causing pitting and fluting, premature bearing failure and,
potentially, catastrophic turbine failure.
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Safety Standard for Portable
Generators
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has published UL 2201, a standard for
portable generators. The document, the first voluntary safety standard
for portable generators sold in the U.S., covers units with
internal-combustion engines that generate 15 kW or less, 250 V or less,
and have ac output receptacles.
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Shedding New Light on Solar-Array
Design
Alternative-energy production is getting more competitive thanks to
improved materials and designs. Nevada Solar One, a 64-MW concentrating
solar generating facility that came online in July 2007, uses a new
aluminum frame design that lets the facility output exceed design specs
by up to 15%.
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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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Video: High-flex silicone flat
cable
A silicone injection molding process developed by Cicoil Corp.
embeds wires, coax, fiber optics, and even piping into a single highly
flexible flat cable for industrial applications. Howard Lind from Cicoil
demonstrates some possible uses for Lee Teschler from MACHINE DESIGN
magazine. Run time: 7:34
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Tektronix Oscilloscope Probe and Accessory
Selector
Electronics distributor Newark, part of the global Premier Farnell
Group, has teamed with Tektronix to offer Tektronix’s online probe
selector tool on Newark's website. The selector helps engineers keep
their Tektronix oscilloscopes upgraded with the right probes and
accessories for any application.
The Tektronix probe & accessory selector tool takes all the guesswork
out of the selection process. Results appear as images for the first 15
matches, based on the user’s selection such as oscilloscope,
bandwidth, and type of measurements. All other matches are listed as
manufacturer stock numbers. Both images and stock numbers are active
links that take a user directly to the part details page.
Tektronix Probe Selector on Newark
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Passive Interface Modules
Several new interface modules are designed for use with PLCs,
microcomputers, and control equipment. The modules come with D-sub
connectors; flat-ribbon-cable connectors, with diode arrays; and in
versions that let customers add components to fit applications. Sizes
range from 9 to 50 positions for the D-sub modules, 10 to 64 positions
with the ribbon cable modules, and with 8 to 24 diodes in different
circuit arrangements.
Automation Systems Interconnect Inc.
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Point-Of-Load dc-dc Converters
The iBD Series of 7-A nonisolated, single inline converters feature
a DOSA-compatible pin-out. The point-of-load (POL) dc-dc converters have
an ultrawide 6 to 14-V input range making them suitable for powering
distributed-power and 4:1 and 5:1 unregulated bus-converter systems.
With an output adjustment of 0.8 to 5.5 V, the ability to start with a
prebiased output, and maximum 7-A output current, the converters handle
applications that require multiple voltages.
TDK-Lambda
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Safety Relay
Models of the PNOZsigma safety relay series range from S1 to S10,
with the smallest relay measuring just 12.5 mm. The units are capable of
performing the functions of about 100 other relays, including
safety-related functions such as E-Stop, safety gate, light curtain, or
two-hand control on independent standalone machines.
Pilz Automation Safety L.P.
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Subminiature Snap-Action Switch
The V5 (V5S) sealed snap-action switch incorporates long over
travel, subminiature size, and customized mounting options in an IP67
fully sealed package. The V5S single-break, changeover switch features 2
mm of plunger overtravel (typically 1.2 mm), offering designers expanded
tolerance flexibility and simplified subassembly design integration.
Crouzet North America
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Vehicular Battery Isolators
Battery isolators eliminate battery drain in vehicles and equipment
with multiple batteries. The isolators prevent accessories from draining
the starting battery and allow two batteries to be charged
simultaneously. The isolators feature embedded electronic components for
protection from contamination and vibration; an integral heat sink for
efficient heat dissipation, and are rated for 12 to 36-Vdc negative
ground systems.
Waytek Inc.
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Machine Design Video Spotlight
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CAE Flow Simulation
Software |
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Jim Lindauer from CD-Adapco discusses
fluid flow simulation software and modeling with Bob Repas from MACHINE
DESIGN |
Now Available On-Demand
The Energy Efficiency Web Conference & Expo
Engineers saw and heard great educational content at the Energy
Efficiency Web Conference and Expo. If you missed the live virtual
event, don’t despair! An archive of the full day’s agenda is now
available.
Design engineers are required to integrate energy efficiency into their
designs while maintaining lower costs, the highest reliability or both.
The editors of Machine Design understand these challenges
and have developed this conference to help engineers understand the
recently imposed energy mandates. The information presented at this
educational event will help engineers compare the different technologies
and product related to energy efficiency. Attendees will gain access to
the technical information needed to help them make the best decisions
without having to travel or take time away from current projects.
Visit the archive to:
- View informative webinars on energy efficiency
- Visit interactive booths where you can contact suppliers
- Peruse the Resource Center where you can download or link to
additional pertinent energy efficiency information
Register Now!
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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