Mechanical Spotlight: Assembly Components - continued

Electrical insulation tubing. This company provides custom small diameter, spiral-wound electrical insulation tubing made from paper, resin, impregnated paper, heat shrinkable and non-shrinkable plastic films, and extruded plastic. Tube diameter sizes range from 0.026- to 2.00-in. ID for plastic film materials, and 0.050- to 2.5-in. ID for paper materials, with wall thicknesses between 0.001- and 0.125-in. Stone Industrial, College Park, MD. Free info--Circle 746. http://www.OneRS.net/105df-746

Cable-tie holders. The PEM TY-D Mount self-clinching cable-tie holders are designed to provide secure attachment points for mounting wires to electronic chassis or enclosures without the problems associated with traditional mounting methods. PennEngineering, Danboro, PA. Free info--Circle 749. http://www.OneRS.net/105df-749

Polyurethane adhesive. Combining flowable viscosity that facilitates application with good sag resistance that inhibits run-out, Arathane AW 8680/HW 8685 polyurethane is flexible and impact resistant at temperatures down to -40°F and prevents read-through. Vanticol, Los Angeles, CA. Free info--Circle 755. http://www.OneRS.net/105df-755

Mechanical tensioner. This 22-in. thread, 34-in. dia. OD mechanical tensioner creates over 6 million lbs of bolt tension. The tensioner eliminates the long tedious process of heating the tie-rods to pre-load them, saving days in installation time, cost and size over hydraulic nuts. The company also offers in-stock and custom multi-jack tensioners that provide higher bolt tensions using standard torque wrenches or air tools. Superbolt, Carnegie, PA. Free info--Circle 743. http://www.OneRS.net/105df-743

Microswitch handle. Designed for high-density packaging needs in the telecommunications market, the Schroff CompactPCI injector/extractor handle has a depth of 0.55 in.--two-thirds less than the standard 1.5-in. deep IEEE 1101.10 handles--to increase useable enclosure space by 8 percent. Unlike similar devices, the live-insertion microswitch is operated by a recessed pushbutton located within the Schroff handle and functions independently of the handle ejection process. This prevents accidental triggering of the hot-swap microswitch. Penair Electronic Packaging, Warwick, RI. Free info--Circle 758. http://www.OneRS.net/105df-758.

Vibration control pads. Standard and custom vibration control pads are offered in various sizes. They can also be integrated into a wide range of machine mounts for all types of equipment. AirLoc, Franklin, MA. Free info--Circle 410. http://www.OneRS.net/105df-410

Knobs and handles. These black plastic knobs are either made from thermoplastic or with a cushion grip material for added comfort and durability. Both have a textured non-slip, non-glare finish, with a molded-in brass insert for superior thread strength. Carr Lane Mfg Co, St Louis, MO. Free info--Circle 411. http://www.OneRS.net/105df-411

Lever. Designed as a replacement for jacking screws and traditional panel fasteners, the built-in lever-assisted mechanism on this Ejector Lever easily ejects and injects modules with connector pins. Its 5:1 mechanical advantage provides the force required to connect and disconnect even high-density connectors. The lever is made from UL94-V0 rated materials. A locking version with higher panel holding force is also available. Southco, Concordville, PA. Free info--Circle 752. http://www.OneRS.net/105df-752

Mechanical Application

• less hazardous
• easier to maneuver

Clamps for safety harnesses

Bridge and building construction workers walking structural steel beams use portable harnesses to prevent dangerous falls. Safe Approach, Auburn, ME, provides a movable, adjustable safety device that attaches to the flanges of I-beams to secure the workers performing assembly, welding or decking installation. The clamp formerly used a mechanical pin for adjusting the product to fit different-sized beams. The hair-pin sized piece had to be inserted through the top of the clamp and then manually lined up by the operator to attain desired adjustments. However, since the pin was separate from the rest of the device, tether cables had to be added to prevent loss. These tethers ironically proved a tripping hazard, compromising safety. Additionally, the small pins were difficult to maneuver with gloved hands.

Safe Approach redesigned their product to use a different clamping system, incorporating a Quick Release Spring Plunger made by Vlier. The spring plunger could be directly designed into the safety device, and its spring-loaded feature would be virtually self-adjusting. The pin is inserted on one side of the clamp, which makes that portion of the clamp adjustable. By simply pulling a large spring-loaded ring, the clamp can be lifted and slid along until it clears the beam and reaches the proper hold. The pin then drops back into its hole and locks in place.

This new design has resulted in simpler and safer use. Since no pieces can be removed, tether cords are no longer necessary, eliminating the tripping hazard. Simpler construction reduces the amount of time it takes to adjust the product and the use of a large spring-loaded ring means that workers wearing heavy gloves no longer need to fumble with small pins. Stainless steel materials make the pins corrosion-resistant in outdoor environments.

Vlier, Brighton, MA. Free info--Circle 759. http://www.OneRS.net/105df-759