May 7, 2009

Leland Teschler's Editorial: Climbing a Ladder of Manufacturing Jobs

It’s always interesting to review the results of our annual engineering salary survey. We showcased the highlights in our last issue, but this year some of the most-noteworthy findings

Letters 5/07/09

Most readers concur that Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing is a plus when it comes to turning out high-quality designs quickly

Grinder Documentation Essential to Safety

A grinder blade exploded on start-up, injuring the operator. The history of both the grinder and the blade were unknown, and the blade was not a good fit for the grinder or the job at hand.

Eco Caution — Don’t Believe Everything You Think

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Faulty thinking can lead to wasted efforts and squandered resources in the name of greenness.

Protect Intellectual Property Before Bankruptcy Looms

Applying bankruptcy laws to technology licenses is complex. Specific rules apply depending on whether one is the owner or user and whether the technology involves patents, trademarks, copyrights, or trade secrets.

Keeping Up With Technology

The pace of technology is so dizzying, it’s easy to get caught up in it. But then we remember we still have work to do.

2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4x4

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Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4×4 is a mouthful of a moniker for a vehicle that prides itself on keeping things simple.

Advanced Color Sensors Using Color Space

The color-space system assigns numeric coordinates to each parameter of a color, uniquely identifying the color and defining its position within the color space.

Women Don’t Lack Math Skills, Avoid Post Downsizing Stress Syndrome

Women don’t lack math skills, Avoid Post Downsizing Stress Syndrome

Backtalk 5/07/09

Steam locomotives are making a comeback with the introduction of the Tornado, a Peppercorn Class A1 engine.

Stepper-motor-based linear actuators make precise automated positioning possible.

A Finer Control of Linear Motion

Stepper-motor-based linear actuators work well where precise, automated positioning is needed.

Vibration Isolators Protect Electronics at Low Frequencies

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Negative-stiffness vibration isolators outperform pneumatic systems, especially at low frequencies, with a fully mechanical system.

A Critical Look at Acme, Ball, and Roller Screws for Linear Motion

A critical look at Acme, ball, and roller screws for linear motion

Structural Design Reduces Solar-Electric Power-Plant Costs and Improves Solar-Generating Efficiency

Extruded aluminum framing improves solar-thermal collector efficiency, economics.

Hard-Coating Removal That's Easy on the Environment

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Abrasive water-jet (AWJ) coating removal processes are emerging as a greener alternative to acid baths and grit blasting

Microfiber Ring Protects Bearings from Shaft Currents

The ceramic coated, insulated generator bearings at the top of one wind-turbine tower failed only 11 months after the tower was brought online.

Sensor Noise Limits Resolution When Monitoring motion.

Sensor-resolution specs are not always presented in a way that allows direct comparison between sensors.

ifm Sensor Captures 3D Images in Real Time

ifm sensor captures 3D images in real time.

A Belt-Driven Linear Actuator with Speed, Ease of Installation, and Long-Lasting and Accurate Linear Motion

PBC Linear’s PLB actuator provides speed, ease of installation, and long-lasting and accurate linear motion

Step Motor Automates Innovative Camera

Clever use of a step motor lets the DistaCam camera record one continuous image that spans the entire length of a 66-inch roll of film.

Peninsular Cylinder Website Lets Users Customize Hydraulic and Pneumatic Cylinder Designers and Download 2D Drawings and 3D Mode

Peninsular Cylinder Website lets users customize hydraulic and pneumatic cylinder designers and download 2D drawings and 3D models.

A Look at Trends in Fastening Hardware Based on Google Trends

A look at trends in fastening hardware based on Google Trends.

Laser Scanner Measures Package Dimensional Weight

The FS100 laser scanning system from FreightScanner uses a single laser to measure package dimensions and calculate dimensional weight for efficient freight packaging.

Safety Standard for Portable Generators

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has published UL 2201, a standard for portable generators.

Looking Back 05/07/09

Next-generation seaplane: The Centaur seaplane, from the British company Warrior Ltd., should be flying by the end of 2002, according to its designer James Labouchere

Product Spolight: Subminiature Snap-Action Switch

The V5 (V5S) sealed snapaction switch incorporates long overtravel, subminiature size, and customized mounting options in an IP67 fully sealed package.

Product Spotlight: Safety Relay

Models of the PNOZsigma safety relay series range from S1 to S10, with the smallest relay measuring just 12.5 mm.

Product Spotlight: Antivandal Switch

PV8 Series antivandal switch features a metal body and actuator with a 25-mm-diameter panel cutout

Product Spotlight: Safe-Speed Control

The Allen-Bradley Guardmaster Minotaur MSR57P safe-speed monitoring relay is designed to let personnel enter hazardous areas while parts travel at speeds considered to be below a safe level.

Product Spotlight: Membrane-Switch Spacer

XyWeld spacer features a specialty adhesive bonded with a heat-activated process to produce a spacer

Product Spotlight: Passive Interface Modules

Several new interface modules are designed for use with PLCs, microcomputers, and control equipment.

New Products: Circuit Breakers Protect 24-Vdc Loads

EC-E electronic circuit breakers protect load circuits connected to a 24-Vdc power supply

New Products: Voice-Coil-Driven Stage

A new high-precision stage is driven by a voice-coil linear motor and weighs just 1 kg.

New Products: Compact Servo Breaks the 1-hp Barrier

SM3416DT -PLS2 Series SmartMotor is a complete, programmable motion-control system that uses a servomotor, amplifier, encoder, and motion controller

New Products: Rotating-Component Fasteners

The M-Type Shaftlock rotating-component fastener is used as a locking device for rigidly mounting hubless gears, sprockets, pulley, cams, or thinwalled components onto an inch or metric shaft.

New Products: Fundamentals of Piezo Nanopositioning

“Piezo Nano Positioning Inspirations 2009” contains over 200 product families and more than 1,000 drawings, graphs, images, and technical diagrams

New Products: Proportional Control

The LS-V05C proportional pneumatic-control valve is a five-port, four-way valve designed for in-line or manifold mounting.

New Products: Mini Air Cylinder

Mini air cylinder measures only 0.512 × 0.552 × 0.906 in., and features two 8-mm bore × 2.5-mm stroke cylinders

New Products: Mini Air Cylinder

Mini air cylinder measures only 0.512 × 0.552 × 0.906 in., and features two 8-mm bore × 2.5-mm stroke cylinders

New Products: Minimizing Pressure Loss

The new IMH 832 Series Side Exit Chek Valve is said to provide the lowest pressure loss of any valve this size.

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