Hybrid connectors
 Molex Incorporated, Lisle, Ill. The company is expanding its CMC, or connectors modular for controllers, product line. Available in standard and power versions, the CMC product line can be used for several modes of transportation vehicles, including cars, trucks, busses, and motorcycles as well as marine and agricultural equipment. These wire-to-board, hybrid connectors are a cost-effective solution for power train and body electronics applications, such as engine-control units, gearboxes, electronic-park brakes, junction boxes, and suspension controllers. Molex CMC connectors are secure, using a high-performing matte seal with multiple sealing lips.
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Brushless blowers
Ametek Technical & Industrial Products, Kent, Ohio. Windjammer variable-speed, brushless dc blowers offer compact, low noise, and long life solutions suitable for medical and industrial applications. There are low-voltage and high-voltage versions, as well as bypass and through-flow products to satisfy a range of blower application requirements. Low-voltage Windjammer blowers provide output pressure up to 98 in. H2O and flows up to 160 cfm. Output pressure for high-voltage blowers can be realized up to 169 in. H2O and flows up to 274 cfm, depending on model. These blowers have compact design with diameters of 5.7 in. (145 mm). Blowers accept voltage inputs of 24 V dc, 48 V dc, 72 V dc, 120 V ac, or 240 V ac, depending on model. Internal electronics convert the line voltage ac input to dc.
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Gas analyzers
Midac Corp., Costa Mesa, Calif. The company’s Titan-OL systems provide real-time, multicomponent extractive gas phase analysis for online and continuous multipoint analysis. These systems include a rugged FTIR spectrometer system, gas cells, sample manifold, valve control electronics, and software. Hardware is enclosed in appropriately rated NEMA enclosures (up to and including Class 1, Div. 1) or in a standard industrial rack mount cabinet. Midac’s fiber optic distribution electronics provide a single hub for temperature, pressure, mass flow, external alarm, and optical switching signals, and can accommodate up to four 12-port manifolds for a total of 48 sample, purge, and calibration lines. Communication between the hub and control computer is over fiber optic cable.
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Compact slide
Accuride International, Santa Fe Springs, Calif. The Aero is a slide that offers smooth, quiet movement in a compact package. Available with multiple options, this product gives manufacturers many flexible design solutions in appliances. It is useful for shelves, drawers, and baskets in refrigerators or freezers; undercounter refrigerator, microwave, or warming drawers, and other pullout appliances. Engineered to fit into tight spaces, the Aero’s compact profile has the sturdiness of a larger slide, but occupies just a small envelope of space. The robust cross section efficiently absorbs loads and resists vertical deflection, ensuring consistently smooth movement. This product comes in ¾ or full extension.
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Touchless sensor
Novotechnik, Southborough, Mass. RFC 4000 Series rotary sensors combine touchless technology and small form factor. The sensor’s touchless technology utilizes the orientation of a magnetic field to determine measurement angle. This makes the sensor appropriate for applications that require mounting flexibility or transmissive measurements through air or non-magnetic materials. The sensor is 7 mm thin with a thumbprint of about one square inch. The two-part design of the RFC 4000 Series—a sensor and its magnetic position marker—offer long mechanical life. The position marker mounts on a rotary shaft, a distance from the detecting sensor component, and the magnetic field orientation is captured using an integrated circuit.
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Electric motor test system
Sakor Technologies Inc., Okemos, Mich. Known previously for the DynoLAB EM dynamometer test control system, Sakor has added the DynoLAB LT, a low-cost, complete turnkey system for electric motor testing. DynoLAB LT offers the test control and data acquisition capabilities required for basic electric motor testing as well as all of the benefits of an ac motoring dynamometer, but costs up to 35 percent less than a comparably equipped DynoLAB EM system, according to the company. Unlike its predecessors, the DynoLAB LT offers a fixed I/O configuration optimized for basic electric motor testing. The system has provisions for measuring speed and torque, and optional voltage and current supply to the motor under test. From this data, the system can calculate values such as input and output power and efficiency.
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Power distribution blocks
AutomationDirect, Cumming, Ga. The company has a new line of Edison power distribution blocks and terminal blocks. The distinctly different styles of short-circuit current rated, or SCCR, power distribution blocks and terminal blocks are designed to support different application needs. Edison’s finger-safe power distribution blocks feature a modular design, allowing users to select and configure the number of poles required by each application. Suitable for today’s power circuit requirements, these blocks are engineered to accept copper conductors and maintain an SCCR rating of 200 kA, with proper fusing. The blocks are suitable for both factory and field wiring and are rated from 175 A to 760 A. Most finger-safe blocks are DIN-rail mountable and prices start at $8.25.
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Addressable actuators
Metso Automation, Northborough, Mass. New Valvcon brand ADC RS-485 addressable quarter-turn electric actuators offer the proven torque and reliability of the Valvcon ADC platform combined with sophisticated data communications and control capabilities. They are well suited for on/off duty and proportional applications in multi-actuator network installations where continuous duty and high starts per minute are a must. The RS-485 offers high data transmission speeds (35 Mbits/s up to 10 m and 100 Kbits/s at 1,200 m), and the ability to query and command multiple units on a single network. While the RS-485 capability is used primarily to monitor standby battery condition, it can be adapted to communicate cycle times, torque characteristics over time, and environmental operating temps.
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RS-232 to USB interface converter
Omega Engineering Inc., Stamford, Conn. The OM-CONV-USB Series of interface converter includes driver software and has a data transfer rate of more than 1M bps. This product is powered from the USB cable with no external power required. One just installs the driver software into the PC and connects the converter into the USB port. The device is immediately recognized by the system. At that point, the user connects the converter to a serial device, such as a modem, scale, serial printer, or other instrument. The price starts at $15.
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Cooling units
 Bessamaire, Cleveland, Ohio. The Workhorse Series of efficient industrial/commercial heating and cooling equipment includes direct-fired heaters combined with evaporative coolers in a single unit. A patented FreshWater slinger wheel technology is used, which evenly distributes atomized water across the entire air inlets to ensure efficient cooling. Traditional evaporative cooling pads are eliminated, which minimizes the risk of airborne pathogens, mold spores, or odors supported by slow-drying cooling pads. Evaporative cooling is a “green” technology, consuming up to 90 percent less electricity than conventional air conditioning, according to the company. Workhorse heaters/coolers can provide 6,000 to 75,000 cfm, with heating capabilities up to 6,500,000 Btu.
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Brush motor for portable tools
ThinGap LLC, Ventura, Calif. The TGB1710 brush motor is for industrial handheld and portable tools. The small size, high torque, and low power consumption of the TGB1710 provide a good solution for heavy-duty battery powered applications. The 1.7-in.-diameter by 3.3-in.-long brush motor delivers 160 oz.-in. peak torque and 183 watts continuous power, yet weighs only 22 oz. The ruggedized brush configuration design withstands the high vibration of portable tools. Brush life is longer than conventional motors because of the unique design and the inherent low inductance architecture of the motor coil, according to the company.
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Diaphragm process pump
KNF Neuberger Inc., Trenton, N.J. KNF has introduced a process pump engineered to deliver the highest flow rate of any electrically operated diaphragm pump, according to the company. These pumps offer oil-free operation without risk of medium contamination and can be equipped with a double diaphragm system for increased safety, critical when handling valuable or dangerous gases. Typical applications include air and gas sampling, vapor recovery, and analytical instrumentation for the chemical, nuclear, hydrocarbon processing, and petrochemical industries, among others. Versions can be supplied with explosion-proof motors for compliance with ATEX and Class 1 Division 1 Groups C and D hazardous locations; corrosion-resistant models can be developed to withstand harsh environments.
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Integrated controller
Watlow, St. Louis, Mo. The EZ-ZONE RM is a configurable multiloop temperature/process controller. According to the company, it is the first industrial controller to integrate an entire assembly of control loop functionality in one space-saving, DIN-rail mounted package. EZ-ZONE RM can be used as a PID temperature/process controller or an over/under limit controller, or these functions can be combined into an integrated controller. Other control functions can be integrated as well, such as high amperage power controller output, creating a complete and integrated thermal loop controller all in one package. The company says that using an integrated controller solution reduces wiring time and termination complexity, improves overall system reliability, and reduces termination and installation costs.
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Inclinometer sensor
Turck, Minneapolis, Minn. The dual-axis inclinometer sensor is for angular tilt detection. These sensors feature compact rectangular housings and may be mounted at ±10, ±45, ±60 and ±85 degree angles. Inclinometer sensors may be used in a variety of industries to solve unique feedback requirements where the customer needs to level platforms, control tilt angle, or control a dancer. This inclinometer measures angular tilt in reference to gravity. At the heart of the Turck inclinometer is a MEMS capacitive element that uses two parallel plate electrodes, one stationary and one attached to a spring-mass system. Movement causes acceleration that produces deflection in the non-stationary electrode. This results in a measurable change in the capacitance between the two plates that is proportional to the angle of deflection.
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High-temperature ball bearings
SKF USA Inc., Kulpsville, Pa. Deep groove ball bearings for high temperatures can operate reliably in the most extreme conditions and often can eliminate a need to specify expensive special bearings or costly lubricants, the company says. They can serve in many industrial applications, including kiln truck wheels, support rollers, general wheel arrangements, and other equipment where bearings will be subject to temperature demands. Five designs in this bearing product series offer solutions for many application environments. Innovations among the five types incorporate unique cage materials and designs, lubrication systems, and seal arrangements. Depending on type, SKF deep groove ball bearings for high temperatures feature graphite cage technology, which contributes to extended service life and minimized maintenance.
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Digital pressure gauges
 Ashcroft Inc., Stratford, Conn. An innovative alternative to traditional dial gauges, these digital pressure gauges have features to advance the way a user can monitor pressure. Attributes such as a backlit LCD, selectable engineering units, and min/max recall provide capabilities that once required several different instruments to achieve, according to the company. The digital pressure gauges come in a variety of sizes, accuracies, and price ranges. The commercial Type D1005PS is a 2½-in. gauge with ±0.5 percent FS accuracy, while the industrial Types 2074, 2174 and 2274 3- and 4½-in. gauges are rated at ±0.25 percent FS and are available with 4-20 mA output and on-board SPDT switches. The 3-in. Type 2089 test gauge tops off the line with an accuracy of ±0.05 percent FS and a five-digit display.
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Program card
Scantek Inc., Columbia, Md. Scantek, an ISO 17025 NIST/NVLAP accredited calibration laboratory, is a distributor for multiple sound and vibration lines, including RION. It has issued the RION NX-28FT, a program card for RION’s newest sound level meter, the NA-28. The NX-28FT turns the NA-28 into a meter that can do 1/3rd, 1/1/ octave bands simultaneously into a capable FFT analyzer with 8,000 lines resolution and 20 kHz frequency range. (Both of these are not changeable.) It has 100 dB dynamic range, hanning and rectangular weighting, and sorts up to 20 “peaks” by level, then frequency. It also has up to 40 x zoom, and a trigger—internal and external.
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Thermocouple data logger
Omega Engineering Inc., Stamford, Conn. The OM-EL-USB-TC data logger measures and stores more than 32,000 temperature readings from either type J, type K, or type T thermocouple, which plugs into a miniature female thermocouple receptacle at the base of the unit. The user can easily set up the initial data logging parameters, including thermocouple type, logging rate, start-time, high/low alarm settings, logging mode, and desired temperature units (Celsius or Fahrenheit), and also download the stored data by plugging the module straight into a PC’s USB port and running Windows software. Downloaded data can then be graphed, printed, and exported to other applications, such as Excel. The data logger is supplied with a long-life lithium battery. This product is suitable for the chemical, water, and pharmaceutical industries. The price starts at $82.
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Fastener for pivoting panels
PennEngineering, Danboro, Pa. PEM SpotFast fasteners paired with a specially designed wave washer allow reliable attachment of two thin metal parts in applications requiring repeatable pivoting or hinging action. These self-clinching fasteners (Type SFW) permanently join the two metal components to create a flush-attachment connection without protrusions on either side. The compatible wave washer delivers consistent torsion to promote repeatable hinging action while attachment remains secure. The steel fasteners have zinc plating with integral lubricant to promote smoother operation. They can join dissimilar metals or sheets with different thicknesses, and install in steel or aluminum sheets as thin as 0.031-in./0.8 mm with hardness of 80 or less on the Rockwell “B” scale.
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Rotary spindles
Hirschmann Engineering USA Inc., Elgin, Ill. Hirschmann has added an entry to its line of high-speed submersible rotary spindles for EDM. The new H80R.MNCM high-speed rotary indexing spindle, combined with the H1625.AC3 programmable variable speed ac control, has made possible the production of miniature round parts with small diameters and finer finishes. The H80R.MNCM has special bearings with minimum radial run-out, an ac variable speed motor, and a Heidenhain encoder for direct measurement positioning. The new H1625.AC3 control allows programming of continuous variable high-speed rotation and indexing, which can be integrated to the machine control for automatic operation via M-Code. Some product uses are: core and ejector pins for micro molds, medical applications, miniature valve slides, and micro pump parts.
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Clean motors
HaydonKerk Motion Solutions, Waterbury, Conn. The specialty clean motor product is for contamination-sensitive applications, cleanroom environments, and environments within systems under high vacuum. It is designed to limit contaminants and out gassing in vacuum environments. Provided that the motor operates below its rated operating temperature, clean motors will survive in a vacuum down to 10-8 Torr. To ensure the minimum amount of out gas in a vacuum environment, the clean motor undergoes special handling and uses parts fabricated in a proprietary process. Clean motors are constructed of non-volatile materials, thoroughly cleaned using ultrasonic equipment, and then vacuum-baked at high temperature to extract contaminants. Out gassing results from a lack of motor cleanliness, often created by contaminants present during the manufacturing process and even the slightest contact with a human hand.
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Ultrasonic sensor
Banner Engineering Corp., Minneapolis, Minn. The U-Gage T30UX ultrasonic sensor is for challenging applications. With its extended functional range and advanced temperature compensation, the T30UX sensor can withstand hostile environments, providing ultrasonic sensing to solve tough application problems. Examples are: liquid level monitoring in tanks, web loop control, slurry monitoring in vats, clear bottle detection, and automotive glass detection. This sensor comes in a choice of three ranges for reliable sensing from 100 mm to 3 m, and delivers high-accuracy performance with built-in temperature compensation across a range of ambient temperatures, according to the company. The sensor can self-correct for the temperature in its environment and maintain high accuracy in changing conditions.
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Solar panel connector
Amphenol Industrial, Sidney, N.Y. The low-loss 4 mm Helios H4 connector for photovoltaic systems features a locking design to meet NEC 2008, and improved gasket materials to enhance reliability for long-term use in any environment. The connector includes a TUV-compliant touch-proof casing for increased product and user safety as well. The Helios H4 has a self-cleaning, high-efficiency grid contact as well as long-term UV and ozone resistance to extend the product's life expectancy and performance. This versatile, low-cost connector, used to connect multiple solar panels in strings and then to combiner boxes or inverters, mates with industry standard connectors already in the market, making it suitable for use in existing applications. The RoHS-compliant Helios H4 uses a simple unlocking tool for quick mating and unmating in the field.
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Transparent receiver
Pinpoint Laser Systems, Peabody, Mass. The Microgage 2D transparent receiver is for aligning production machinery and equipment. A narrow laser beam provides a measuring reference line that allows the transparent receiver to determine the position of a machine or subassembly relative to the laser beam. The receiver operates over distances of a few inches to 100 feet and delivers measuring precision of less than 0.0005 in., making it useful for demanding industrial alignment applications. The Microgage system and transparent receiver are appropriate for lathe and spindle alignment, checking machine tool run-out, roll and web alignment, and precision bore alignment. This product combines a compact laser transmitter with a receiver and digital display.
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Piezo amplifier
 Physik Instrumente LP, Auburn, Mass. PI’s E-617 high-power piezo amplifier is suited for high-dynamics switching and scanning applications. Its innovative, efficient circuitry based on energy recovery technology reduces power consumption and heat dissipation, especially in dynamic applications. The amplifier has peak output power to 280 W, high source and sink currents to 2 amps, very low power consumption due to the energy recovery principle, output voltage from -30 to 135 V, and amplifier bandwidth to 3.5 kHz. The E-617 four quadrant amplifiers were designed to provide precision control of high performance / high capacitance multilayer piezo actuators and positioning systems.
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