Adjustable ball lock pins
 Carr Lane Mfg. Co., St. Louis, Mo. Newly redesigned adjustable ball lock pins from Carr Lane now have added clamping strength. These locking pins are useful for pulling two components together or to provide an adjustable grip length. Available in steel or stainless steel, adjustable ball lock pins are manufactured with four balls instead of two, for more-distributed ball-pullout force in clamping applications. They come in three handle styles, knob, T, or L, and in shank diameters from 1/4 in. to 1 in. (6 to 20 mm).
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Laser cutting
Cincinnati Incorporated, Cincinnati, Ohio Bringing high laser cutting productivity to a range of flat stock applications, the Cincinnati CL-850 laser cutting center can make fast work of thick and thin material with a 5,000 W GE Fanuc laser resonator, advanced cutting head, innovative optics, and third-generation linear motor-drive system. Designed for high throughput, all-around material versatility, and cutting precision, the CL-850 delivers 1,000 ipm cutting on 18-ga. steel, and up to 1? in. processing range on mild steel. American-made, the CL-850 comes in 5 x 10 ft. and 6 x 12 ft. cutting table models, each featuring dual quick-change pallets. Pallets move simultaneously, so changes take seconds and cutting is virtually continuous. Full guarding and a frame-mounted resonator save shop space over other lasers, the company says.
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Miniature accelerometer
Dytran Instruments Inc., Chatsworth, Calif. A miniature triaxial accelerometer is for use in applications where space is at a premium. The 3023M20 uses the latest in quartz shear technology coupled with 2-wire internal IEPE electronics. Model 3023M20 mounts with adhesives into very small spaces since its vertical dimension is 0.28 in. It weighs only 2.4 grams. This instrument contains three miniature quartz laminar shear mode accelerometer elements mounted to a single support and welded into titanium housing. The three elements are mounted orthogonally to each other so they can measure the complete motion of a point. The IEPE design means that three miniature IC amplifiers are built into the instrument, one for each axis, to lower the impedance of the quartz seismic elements by many orders of magnitude. The product costs $1,050.
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Secure bottle packing
Standard-Knapp, Portland, Conn. The company has a soft placement module for secure, efficient packing of bottles in a range of industries. Compatible with several case packer models, Standard-Knapp's soft placement module with advanced motion control gently lowers bottles into cases or trays without damage to the label, closure or container integrity. With its steady, precise placement, the placement module eliminates bottle-to-bottle scuffing and breakage, with or without partitions. The unique servo system accelerates bottles downward, then comes to a gradual stop as the heels of the bottles reach the bottom of the case. The packed case is then indexed to the discharge conveyor and the placement module ascends into position for the next cycle. The module is simple to adjust. Its low-maintenance design adapts to bottles of all sizes for more stable packing with less downtime.
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Flexible hosing
Parker Hannifin, Strongsville, Ohio E-Z Form Hose, from the Parker Industrial Hose Division, provides extreme flexibility while retaining full-flow performance. The value to OEMs, equipment users, and distributors is that this hose can be used where formed hoses were required because conventional industrial hose products were not able to bend tightly enough without kinking. By using E-Z Form Hose, designers can eliminate costly formed-hose constructions from their equipment while reducing lead-time and eliminating the need and cost of tooling. Users of equipment with existing formed-hose installations benefit because formed hose can be easily replaced with lower-cost, readily available E-Z Form Hose. Two versions of the new hose are available, suitable for use with oil-based fluids and water-based fluids. Sizes range from 1/2-in. to 4-in. inside diameter. Standard hose length is 25 feet.
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Double-ended studs
SPS Technologies, Jenkintown, Pa. The manufacturer offers double-ended studs in sizes from No. 10 to 1-in. diameters, in a variety of materials, including alloy steel, MP35N, MP159, Aerex 350, Waspaloy, H-11, A286, Alloy 718, and titanium in strength levels from 160 ksi to 200 ksi. Finishes are available in cadmium, nickel-cadmium, plain finish, silver, and passivate. SPS Technologies supplies high-strength fasteners for commercial and military aircraft, jet engines, high-performance racing vehicles, and other critical applications.
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Laser scanner
Faro Technologies Inc., Lake Mary, Fla. Faro's new 3-D laser scanners are called the Photon 80 and Photon 20. These Photons, which replace the company's laser scanners LS 880, 840, and 420, offer greater clarity, accuracy and portability than their predecessors. The laser scanner is a portable, computerized measurement device that scans, digitally recreates, and records all of an object or area's dimensions, creating what looks like a photograph on the computer screen— but in 3-D. The captured data can be used to create a digital model for reverse-engineering, quality assurance, inspection, CAD-to-part comparison, factory planning, investigation, and automatic object recognition in modelling. The scanners have less noise for greater clarity and better positional accuracy.
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Better water quality
 Tideflex Technologies, Carnegie, Pa. Many potable water tanks or reservoirs depend on a typical common inlet or outlet to maintain drinking water quality. This system often proves inadequate when water outside the common inlet/outlet area of influence becomes stagnant, creating dead spots where bacteria are likely to multiply. The Tideflex Mixing System, or TMS, greatly improves the quality of drinking water in finished water storage reservoirs. The TMS is a combination of patented Tideflex check valve technology and a piping manifold that separates the inlet and outlet. The TMS can be installed in new or existing water storage tanks of all shapes and sizes to eliminate stagnation and short-circuiting. The system keeps energy costs low, while the all-elastomer construction of the check valve renders the system virtually maintenance-free.
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Tracking tools
Dickson Co., Addison, Ill. Engineers tracking temperature or humidity conditions can now have the convenience of both real-time data and the ability to download data for further analysis with the redesigned Dickson Graph-at-a-Glance flat panel temperature and humidity data loggers. The Graph-at-a-Glance data loggers are paperless chart recorders that provide a digital graph, enabling engineers to immediately visualize environmental trends. There is greater data resolution in a 4.5-in. x 3.4-in. (114.3 mm x 86.36 mm) display screen. Prices start at $299.
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Spindle alignment tool
Pinpoint Laser Systems, Newburyport, Mass. The company has a new measuring and alignment system for lathes, turning equipment, spindles, and related machinery. This spindle alignment tool is easy to use, versatile, and affordable. Uses of the system include aligning lathes and turning centers, adjusting boring mills, aligning driveshafts, adjusting barfeeders, and many other industrial applications. This newest Microgage system provides information on runout, centerline offset, parallelism, concentricity, and other useful parameters that can guide machinery back to optimal alignment and improved profits. This lathe and spindle alignment system is quick to use with a round laser that is secured into a chuck or attached to the end of a shaft or spindle. This tool can measure to a precision of 0.0001 in. or better and the laser allows for alignments over distances as great as 150 feet.
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Handheld fiber optic meter
Omega Engineering Inc., Stamford, Conn. The FOH201 is a compact, portable fiber optic handheld meter. This device provides accurate measurements complete with white light polarization interferometry technology. Designed to be paired with Omega's interferometric fiber optic sensors, the FOH201 is useful for temperature, pressure, and strain measurements. The LCD display is visible up close or at a distance, and the rugged casing and rubber boot provide protection against intensive handling and harsh environments. This meter comes with a standard ±5 V analog output and RS-232 communication port for real-time data acquisition. Recommended applications include temperature measurement in electrically noisy environments, including microwave manufacturing and testing. This product is CE compliant. The price starts at $2,650.
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Single-seal solution
Emerson Process Management, Marshalltown, Iowa The Fisher Fieldvue DVC6000 is a digital valve controller for natural gas applications, and recently received approval, making the instrument an "energy-responsible" choice for the natural gas industry. The Canadian Standards Association-approved instrument is designed to help customers improve plant safety. This new design for natural gas applications eliminates the need for an additional seal or an associated wiring termination box, creating an integrated and more cost-effective option to actuating the valve assembly. Natural gas from a process line is often used as a medium to actuate the valve assembly. To prevent natural gas from passing into areas not suitable for it, the DVC6000 now provides an integrated solution within the instrument that meets the CSA Single Seal requirements per ANSI/ISA 12.27.01 for applications such as this.
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Pressure transmitters
 Ashcroft Inc., Stratford, Conn. The GC51 and GC52 gauge and differential pressure transmitters offer an economical alternative to network process transmitters when a digital protocol is not required. The innovative design features an ultra-compact NEMA 4X/IP65 enclosure with a diameter of 2.65 in. Stainless-steel wetted parts accommodate either wet or dry media. The GC51 comes in ranges up to 7,500 psig and the GC52 offers D/P ranges up to 400 inches of water. A built-in LED display and a 4-20 mA output provide both local indication and remote signaling. Ashcroft GC series transmitters are useful for measuring fluid levels in tanks, water towers, and across differential pressure membranes in water purification systems.
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Blind hollow shaft encoders
Sick Stegmann Inc., Dayton, Ohio VFS 60 motor feedback systems are now available in blind hollow shaft configurations. Blind hollow shaft encoders have just one point of potential access, which significantly reduces the potential for contamination by dust, dirt, or water compared with standard hollow shaft encoders. They are well suited for use in dirty or dusty environments with water washdown cleansing. These encoders feature a nickel code disc that provides robust operation in harsh industrial environments, and tolerance to temperatures as high as 100ºC. They are IP65 rated and deliver from 1 to 10,000 ppr in an industry-standard 60 mm housing. The ball bearings that support the encoder shaft are spaced 30 mm apart for concentricity and robustness, and minimum encoder vibration.
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Touchpanels
Omega Engineering Inc., Stamford, Conn. EZ Series PLC Touchpanels are the easy-to-use touchpanels with enhanced data acquisition, Ethernet connectivity options, and simple programming in just 10 minutes. Tested and proven by over 20,000 engineers, according to the company, features include efficient 3-D graphical objects, fast response to touch input, easy-to-learn intuitive software, and eight display sizes. This instrument also offers eight levels of password security, with available programming software. Recommended applications include factory automation, process monitoring, and process control. Touchpanels are suitable for any industry that uses factory automation, including food processing, and automotive and electronic assembly. The price starts at $359.
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Heated touchscreen
Glacier Computer, New Milford, Conn. The company has come out with a heated touchscreen for its Everest line of vehicle computers. The Everest is an all-in-one computer designed for use on forklifts, carts, pallet jacks, and yard jockeys. The addition of a heated touchscreen solves the challenge of condensation refreezing on the touchscreen in applications where the forklift is being driven from a freezer to an ambient environment and back again. The Glacier Everest comes with either a 10.4- or 12.1-in. color LCD and touchscreen. All Everest units use Intel processors, industrial hard drives, integrated 802.11 wireless, and multiple I/O for the connection to an array of peripherals. Solid-state hard drives offer protection against shock, vibration, and temperature extremes commonly seen in warehouse, manufacturing, or shop floor environments.
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Weather sensor
Banner Engineering Corp., Minneapolis, Minn. The R-Gaget QT50R is an advanced radar-based sensor for close and long-range presence detection in many weather conditions. The QT50R features frequency-modulated technology to accurately monitor or detect objects while resisting rain, wind, humidity, and extreme temperatures. The QT50R uses Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave, or FMCW, radar to reliably detect moving or stationary cars, trains, trucks, and cargo. The QT50R detects target objects up to 15 miles away and ignores anything beyond the setpoint. The IP67-rated sensor operates at 24 GHz in the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) telecommunication band, with no special licensing required. List price for the QT50R is $589. The QT50R is suited for such uses as train and tram detection and location in tunnels, cargo positioning and detection on a truck bed, truck detection at a loading dock, and access control to parking ramps and garage doors.
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Contouring control
Heidenhain Corp., Schaumburg, Ill. With the TNC 620 with digital drive control, the company now has a new control for use on both milling machines and machining centers with up to 5 axes plus spindle. This new TNC is based on an innovative software platform NC Kernel. The TNC 620 is equipped to handle very complicated tasks, including those that use swivel and rotary axes. For simultaneous machining with up to five axes, the product offers special functions that produce optimal machining results. Dynamic look-ahead algorithms for jerk limitation and intelligent motion control are the type of available functions that enable the TNC 620 to handle even very stringent requirements on the surface of a finished workpiece.
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Ceramic actuators
Physik Instrumente L.P., Auburn, Mass. PI's new line of compact ceramic piezo motors and nanopositioning actuators replaces classical actuators and motion control components in precision motion control applications, such as are found in the semiconductor, photonics, and nano-biotechnology areas. High-speed motors, high- force actuators, and zero-wear flexure designs are available. Applications include precision motion control in optics and imaging applications, fast valve control, high-energy physics/high magnetic fields, vacuum applications, precision liquid dispensing, and scanning microscopy. The company offers three advanced types of ceramic, non-magnetic linear motor actuators, which are distinguished by force, travel range, and speed and precision.
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Optic level sensor
Gems Sensors & Controls, Plainville, Conn. The 950 Electro Optic Level Sensor was developed to perform in harsh environments with features such as an overmolded electronics insert, TPE insulated wires, and fluorosilicone O-ring seals that create a watertight, environmentally resistant assembly. Housing options include polysulfone or polyethersulfone, providing compatibility with a range of media. The compact size, durability, and low cost of the sensor creates options for applications such as medical diagnostic, sterilizer, and dialysis equipment; low lubricant warning on machine tools and generator sets; construction, agricultural, and material handling equipment; coolant reservoir monitoring/warning; and OEM food and beverage applications.
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Crankcase filtration systems
Donaldson Co., Minneapolis, Minn. Donaldson recently introduced two new plastic Spiracle crankcase filtration systems models. The Spiracle CFS removes crankcase aerosol and particulate using Donaldson's proprietary Synteq XP, a breakthrough new media that has a lower operating pressure drop, higher overall efficiency, and longer filter life than traditional media, according to the company. Spiracle CFS systems reduce blow-by emissions generated from an open crankcase vent and prevent fouling turbochargers or intercoolers in CCV systems. Spiracle CFS also reduces in-cab fumes and draft tube "road drips," keeps the engine enclosures free from oil film, and reduces engine oil consumption.
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Output encoders
Micronor Inc., Newbury Park, Calif. The ENA361M (hollow shaft) and ESA361M (solid shaft) series high-resolution analog output encoders provide 12-bit resolution with a choice of analog output, considered useful for high-reliability and high-precision industrial automation and process control applications. The units are rugged with high levels of shock (>500 g) and vibration (>30 g) resistance. The products can be used in outdoor applications over wide temperature ranges and fluctuations (-40°C to 85°C) and are protected against humidity and condensation. These single-turn absolute encoders are offered with a choice of 4-20 mA or 0-10 V output and measuring range options of 45, 90, 180, or 360 degrees. With an overall diameter of 36 mm, these encoders are useful where space is tight. The unit price is $285 to $415, depending on options.
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Plug-in limit switches
Omega Engineering Inc., Stamford, Conn. Model E50 modular plug-in limit switches are reliable, low maintenance, and economically priced to lower inventory costs. These switches are complete with FKM gaskets, seals and boots, and zinc die-cast enclosures to provide chemical resistance to common coolants, cleansing agents, and hydraulic fluids commonly found in machine tool, automotive, wastewater treatment, and other heavy-duty industrial applications. These switches have a very bright LED light to simplify setup and troubleshooting operations and they install easily. This product is CE compliant. The price starts at $139.
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Pneumatic actuator
Tolomatic Inc., Hamel, Minn. The company has added three new sizes to its MXP rodless pneumatic actuator, completing the size range from 16 mm to 63 mm bores. MXP is designed with Tolomatic's exclusive Endurance Technology features for maximum durability and long life. MXP delivers increased load capability and offers enhanced features to deliver superior performance and reliable operation, according to the company. MXP is also designed for easy installation. The advanced MX platform delivers a family of 30 actuators and provides increased bending moment and load capability, offering a range of 35 lbf to 2,583 lbf (Fz), with auxiliary carriers available for double the load capacity. With MXP, customers can select from six bore sizes, three durable bearing systems, and inch or metric versions to suit the widest variety of applications.
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Side exit check valve
 The Lee Co., Westbrook, Conn. The new Lee IMH 832 series side exit Chek valve provides the lowest pressure loss of any valve this size, according to the company. At only 8 mm in diameter, this new valve features a side exit design, which will flow in excess of 6 gpm of water at 100 psid. Featuring low leakage, easy installation, and robust stainless-steel construction, these valves have been thoroughly tested to ensure consistent, long-term performance.
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Slewing rings
Igus Inc., East Providence, R.I. These slewing ring bearings use two self-lubricating, low-friction polymer sliding elements in place of ball bearings. The cost-effective, low-noise PRT modules are highly wear resistant, easy to install, and completely maintenance-free, the company says. The slewing rings are also robust and have a high load capacity. The PRT slewing rings have aluminum housings and use stainless-steel screws. The polymer sliding elements are made from the company's iglide J, which contains a solid lubricant, so it doesn't require additional lubrication. The iglide PRT slewing ring bearings are suitable for all environments; in particular, semiconductor and cleanroom applications, assembly lines, production facilities, and robots.
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