Technology keeps getting smarter
These days it seems as though machines are smarter than most people. Equipment can monitor body behavior letting first responders know when health conditions reach critical levels. Or, like the concept car written about in this issue, can tell you if it's time to pull over and sleep for the night. This technology now works in the reverse where your mind controls machines. A video game being developed in California lets you control characters with your own thoughts. Check out the video on BBC and tell us what you think!

String us along on your holiday lighting escapade
If you devote more thought to your outdoor Christmas lights than your retirement plans, we want to hear from you. Post a video of your illuminating derring do on YouTube (youtube.com) and send a link to mdeditor@penton.com. We’ll announce the winners in our December issue and post links to the best videos on machinedesign.com. Deadline for submission is December 26th.
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AutomationDirect® Offers General Purpose Motors from $96 IronHorseTM general purpose AC motors, in rolled steel and cast iron styles, are available in single and three-phase models and in one-third to 300 hp sizes. Motor sizes 10 hp and lower are equipped with maintenance free bearings. Larger motors feature NSK/SKF brand premium quality ball or roller bearings. In-stock IronHorse general purpose motors, available for same-day shipping, are backed by a two-year warranty. Order today and get free shipping on orders over $300. Learn more about IronHorse motors here

Machine Design Editor Leland Teschler: What is a factory?
Most Machine Design readers could give a detailed explanation of what goes on in a typical manufacturing plant. But here is how a kid might describe a factory: It is a big ugly building surrounded by a wide berm and a barbed-wire fence. It has small windows, and security guards at all the doors to keep people out. With that image in mind, is it any wonder that most young people don’t aspire to careers in such hostile-looking facilities? This observation comes from Keith Campbell, director of Pennsylvania’s Industrial Maintenance Training Center. The IMTC is a cooperative effort between industry and government aimed at getting more trained employees for the state’s industrial firms.
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Transparentportation: Concept car gets "all clear"
After making his latest prototype all but disappear, Swiss automotive visionary Frank K. Rinderknecht may be the Houdini of concept cars. Rinderknecht's "eXasis" has a transparent body and floor made of polycarbonate (Makrolon) from Bayer MaterialScience (BMS) AG. The Rinspeed Inc. creation, built by Swiss engineering specialists Esoro, debuted at this year's Geneva Motor Show — 40 years after Bayer presented the first "all-plastic" car. "In this ethereal transparency, the true spirit of the eXasis becomes visible. An abstract idea becomes material and visions become tangible. Still, the eXasis doesn't seem to have quite arrived in our material world," says Rinderknecht.
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NI LabVIEW 8.5 - Harness Multicore Performance for Mechatronics Systems Unlock multicore and FPGA technologies for faster machine design and prototyping. Designed specifically for engineers, National Instruments LabVIEW 8.5 software includes built-in I/O connectivity, extensive control IP, and the ability to target embedded systems, which helps you complete machine automation projects in a fraction of the time it takes with traditional tools. View demos and try LabVIEW 8.5 online

Built-in backseat driver could save lives
Imagine you are on a long road trip and your destination is only a few hours away. It's getting late and you're getting tired but you think you can push through and make it that night. If you are one of the lucky ones you're right and you make it safely to your destination. But often times drivers aren't that lucky and, unfortunately fall asleep at the wheel causing fatal accidents. Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are hoping to help prevent accidents like these and others caused by driver distraction by designing cars that analyze human behavior. These cars may be able to tell from your driving that you are getting tired or, if traffic's heavy to put a cell phone call on hold.
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Power design tools
The PowerBench suite of power design tools lets designers specify and verify performance and attributes in real time. Three elements of the suite include the Custom Module Design System that supports FasTrak Maxi, Mini, and Micro dc-dc converters with 2 to 48- Vdc output voltage, 18 to 425-Vdc input voltage in ranges of 2.1 to 1, and 20 to 500-W output power; Vicor Configurable Automated Design — a power system leveraging dc-dc converters and modular front ends and uses a partitioned power architecture; and Vicor Systems Product Online Configurator that lets users specify and verify power solutions in real time.
More Information:
Vicor Corp.

Swivel heads
The SRH 180° swivel heads are completely modular and consist of SRU rotary modules combined with two swivel corners, EDF electric feed-throughs, and MDF media feed-throughs. Six sizes and 12 torques ranging from 0.9 to 6.7 Nm (0.6 to 50 lb-ft) are available. The heads' electric feedthrough uses digital signals for sensors or actuators, and ensures greater reliability over the break-prone routing of cables through the rotary actuator's center bore. The media feedthrough is directly connected to the swivel heads’ mounting surface and both the head and rotating grippers can be directly supplied with compressed air without hoses.
More Information:
Schunk Inc.

Bonded hose
The Twin Tough Bonded Hose line is designed to eliminate labor and material costs associated with manually bundling two separate hoses using tie straps or plastic sleeves. Now available are the 451TC and 471TC Twin Tough hoses. The hoses, engineered with the Tough Cover (TC) abrasion-resistant cover, are said to provide 80 times more abrasion resistance than standard rubber hose. A smooth finish on the cover prevents dirt buildup. The hoses feature a one-half SAE 100R1/100R2 minimum bend radius for easier handling and coiling. Available in 25 and 50-ft lengths, the 451TC hose has a 3,000-psi constant working pressure in 3/8 and -in. sizes, and one-wire braided construction. The 471TC version features a 5,000-psi constant working pressure in 3/8-in. size, 4,250-psi constant working pressure in -in. size, and two-wire braided construction.
More Information:
Parker Hannifin Corp., Hose Products Div.

OptimumTM - the Clear AdvantageTM EFD's new OptimumTM syringe barrels, cartridges and pistons set a new standard in consumable fluid dispensing and packaging components. EFD used Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software to engineer a comprehensive family of disposable components that bring fluid dispensing and packaging processes to a higher level of reliability to meet the demands of today's cutting edge manufacturing processes. www.efd-inc.com

Air-piloted valves
The Maximatic line of air-piloted valves come in three and fourway configurations in #10-32 thread to -in. NPT port sizes. They are spool-type valves with single or double air pilots and operate at 0 to 125 psig.
More Information:
Clippard Instrument Laboratory Inc.

Experience National Instruments Technologies From the Comfort of Your Own Computer!
With more than 200 on-demand webcasts, videos, interactive tutorials and demos available for users of any experience level, it is easier than ever to learn about the newest products and features available from National Instruments.
Begin your search here with a collection of webcasts specifically chosen for design and automation engineers.

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Help the environment and win some serious coin

Freescale Semiconductors, a leading manufacture of embedded semiconductors based in Austin, Tex., is looking for innovative and environmental designs that make use of its components. So they are inviting engineers and engineering students from around the world to participate in their Freesscale Technology Forum (FTF) Design Challenge.

"Energy management and other green issues are becoming major considerations in virtually every purchase decision, consumer and corporate," said Mayer. "We encourage the FTF Design Challenge participants to experiment and test the boundaries in designing energy efficient products."

Freescale is hosting Design Challenges in the Americas, Israel, Japan, Europe, India and China to reward the most inventive green embedded designs. The Americas Challenge is open to engineers and students, individuals and teams, in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Entrants must use at least one of the following: MMA7260Q acceleration sensor; MPXV5004 pressure sensor; MC9328MXS i.MXS; MC1321X ZigBee package; MCF51QE128 microcontroller; S12XE automotive microcontroller; or MPC8313E-RDB PowerQuicc II Pro processor. (Designs will earn extra points for using increasing levels of Freescale components. See rules online for more details).

Entries must be submitted online by Jan. 31, 2008. The first place winner will receive $10,000, second place $5,000 and third place $2,000. In addition, regional first place winners will be invited to participate in the Grand FTF Design Challenge, competing against first place winners and other those from Israel, Japan, Europe, China, and India for $50,000 and a ticket to the Freescale Technology Forum 2009 of his or her choice. (Winners must attend FTF.) Regional challenges will open over the next six months in Israel, Japan, Europe, India and China.

For more information about entry requirements, rules, the design selection process and winner notifications, please visit www.freescale.com/designchallenge.

Minarik expands with acquisition of Applied Motion Products
Minarik Corporation, Glendale Calif., a motion control and automation distributor, has recently acquired Applied Motion Products (AMPRO). Minarik is also a leading U.S. manufacturer of 2HP and below DC drives for the industrial market. AMPRO, a motion control distributor in the Upper Midwest, has operations in Bloomington, Minnesota with additional coverage in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin. The acquisition of AMPRO, increases Minarik's position in those markets by adding to it's existing locations in Eagan, Minnesota, Chicago, Illinois and Cleveland, Ohio. "AMPRO's technical resources and expertise, together with these of Minarik will offer Upper Midwest products with application support and service," says John Hegel, President and CEO of Minarik Corp. For a period of time both companies will retain separate identities and trade names for brand awareness and reputations. This is Minarik's sixth acquisition in seven years and shows the company's commitment to improving its support to both its customers and suppliers.
More information:
Minarik

Omron STI 2007 Machine Safeguarding Design Guide
This 2-volume set includes over 200 pages of engineering and regulation data. The balance of the 1400 pages includes product specifications and selection guides for the following safety products: Light Curtains, Laser Scanners, Mats, Interlocks, Relays, Network Controllers, Contact Strips, Edges, Two Hand Controls, and Enabling Switches. Get the catalog

Guide features incremental and absolute encoders
Stegmann has a free Encoder Selection and Application Resource Guide. It has product specifications and selection guidelines on its family of encoders and servomotor feedback systems. Information is included about the company's CoreTech encoders, with two to three-day delivery on most line counts or resolutions. Get the guide

Is that hard-guard adequately protecting your machine operators?
Based on revised anthropometric data, the 'Gotcha Stick' from STI is a three-segment safe-distance scale used to verify openings in machine hard-guards will not allow the point-of-operation to be accessed by the operator. Register to receive a free 'Gotcha Stick': Get the stick

J.W. Winco Web Site Offers eStore, 3D-CAD
Standard inch and metric parts for industry. Free downloadable 3D CAD for 11,000+ parts, eStore for online purchasing. Free 3-day shipping in U.S., much more.
Visit: www.jwwinco.com.

Northwire's ITC/PLTC cable is custom-configured for exposed-run industrial control and instrumentation circuit applications. Low minimums shipped in 15 days or less. Free Samples! 1-877-210-9941; www.northwire.com/er

DIMENSION'S 3D PRINTER SAVES TIME AND MONEY
Xerox® Limited uses a Dimension 3D Printer to design prototypes to get parts to the market much faster. From $18,900.
www.dimensionprinting.com/md

DIGI-KEY CORPORATION
Search over 1,000,000 electronic components from more than 400 leading manufacturers, complete with stock status and real-time pricing.
Go to the Digi-Key PartFinder. Send me a Digi-Key Catalog!

Fluid Power Conference & Expo Registration is Now Open!
Join us at the Crowne Plaza City Centre Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio on November 13th & 14th for Fluid Power Conference & Expo 2007. You'll learn from an extensive lineup of conference sessions including: Hose & Tubing Assemblies, Water Hydraulics, Quieter Fluid Power Systems, Top Ten Hydraulic Safety Practices, Hydraulic Power Unit Design, Mobile Electrohydraulic System Design, Industrial Hydraulic System Design, Hydraulic Integrated Circuits, and more. What better place is there to exchange ideas with the best in the business than at THE industry event for fluid power engineers and designers?

For more information, or to register online, visit www.fluidpowerexpo.com, or contact Sharon Conley, 216.931.9427, e-mail: sconley@penton.com

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Contact Information
Editorial questions:   Julie Kalista 216-931-9458
Advertising/sponsorship opportunities:   Jake Martin 216-931-9428

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