product news

Cleanroom option for robots. A Class 10 cleanroom option for the company's IH series SCARA robots is available. This improvement allows the Intelligent Actuator brand of factory automation robots to be used in semiconductor and medical applications where the number of particles generated by the robot must be kept to a minimum. The robots use AC servo motors, absolute encoders, and harmonic drives. IAI America Inc, 2360 West 205th St, Torrance, CA 90501-1436. 310-320-3978. Circle 776.

LED display components. A 0.85-in. bi-color, 8 x 8 dot matrix LED display is combined with Toshiba's ultra-small 8 bit LED driver to provide higher resolution. The display features 2.0mm dots on a 2.7mm dot pitch. The devices are stackable both vertically and horizontally allowing considerable design flexibility. Also offered are a variety of luminosity sorting options to ensure a uniform display without block swapping and matching. Marktech Optoelectronics, 5 Hemlock St, Latham, NY 12110. 800-984-5337.
Circle 620.

Oscillator chips. Three new devices are available in a family of EconOscillators. Each of the reprogrammable, single-chip devices provides system reference frequencies using less board space than alternative devices. These extend the family by adding 3/V operation and TO-92 packaging. Multiple output frequencies in the 30kHz to 100MHz range are possible through the use of a master oscillator followed by a user-programmable, on-chip prescaler and divider. Dallas Semiconductor, 4401 South Beltwood Parkway, Dallas, TX 75244. Circle 624.

Displacement sensor. A laser analog displacement sensor for non-contact distance measurements is ideal for use in robotics and accurate non-contact thickness measurements. Using a red laser spot in the visible red spectrum, the model LAS-1010V sensor provides displacement resolution of ±1mm over a range of ±200mm from a reference distance of 300mm. It is packaged in a compact housing 20mm thick, and 60 x 80mm in size. Adsens Technology Inc, 18310 Bedford Circle, City of Industry, CA 91744. 800-641-9026. Circle 626.

Connector. A DB9 connector for Gigabit Link Module applications offers enhanced EMI and RFI characteristics over previously available connectors and delivers a highly reliable interconnection for copper cables used in GLM systems. The high performance of this 8-pin keyed connector is due to the company's unique mechancial design in which the internal parts count has been substantially reduced. A one-piece die cast metal shield housing provides the high degree of EMI/RFI protection. A one-piece insulator is molded of liquid crystal polymer plastic formulated spcifically for solder reflow. dataMate division of Methode Electronics Inc, 7447 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60656. 708-867-9600. Circle 636.

RTD thermometer. A microprocessor-based themometer features keypad-selectable measuring scale and resolution. The hand-held meter's dual LCDs provide two measurements at once. A four-digit upper display shows current readings, while the five character alphanumeric lower display facilitates setup, calibration or special functions. A rugged ABS plastic housing protects the meter. Barnant Company, 28W092 Commercial Ave, Barrington, IL 60010. 800-637-3739. Circle 623.

Vibration isolators. A line of vibration isolators are suited for off-highway applications and other extreme environments. This rugged, fail-safe design is constructed of oil- and ozone-resistant neoprene bonded to a steel core and mounting flange. The mount has been designed with a soft radial stiffness to provide low horizontal and rotational natural frequencies, yielding excellent isolation in all directions. Five load ratings are available. Tech Products Corp, 2215 Lyons Rd, Dayton, OH 45342. 937-438-1100. Circle 628.

Digital coupler. The ISO508 is an 8-channel digital coupler offering low power and space saving for digital isolation in data acquisition systems. The ISO508 provides signal isolation using the company's capcitive barrier technique. Capacitive barrier technology has several advantages including lower power consumption, reduction in printed circuit board area and lower overall system cost. The coupler also features low power consumption, 1500Vrms isolation, a transfer rate of up to 2 million 8-bit words/second without skew problems, asynchronous or synchronous operation, and double-buffered designed for easy integration into bus-based systems. Burr-Brown Corp, 6730 S Tucson Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85706. 520-746-1111. Circle 637.

Analog display flowmeters. The FL-W7100 series uses two basic variable area flowmeter designs. The low flow models -- to 1 GPM -- have a plug and orifice configuration. Meters with capacities greater than 1 GPM use a float and tapered tube design. Both designs features non-protruding float extensions and magnetically coupled indicators. They also are available in stainless and PVC models. OMEGA Engineering, One Omega Dr, PO Box 4047, Stamford, CT 06907-4047. 800-826-6342. Circle 712.

Voltage monitor. The WVM Series now offers a 10 fault non-volatile memory. The series continuously monitors the phase-to-phase voltages. It protects motors and other 3-phase loads from premature failure and downtime cause by phase loss, phase reversal, low and high voltages, unbalanced voltages and short cycling. It includes a five position switch to select the operating mode. SSAC Inc, PO Box 1000, Baldwinsville, NY 13027. 315-638-1300. Circle 625.

Switchmode transformers. The Series B8494 high isolation voltage switchmode transformers are designed for use in switchmode power supplies in solid state IGBT and GTO motor drive applications. These components are designed for up to 1,800 Vrms working voltage isolation between primary and secondary windings. The transformers are rated at 100 VA total power at 40°C. Bicron Electronics Co, 50 Barlow St, Canaan, CT 06018. 860-824-5125.
Circle 631.

Light pipe. A two-array optical light pipe permits LED indicators to be positioned above corresponding RJ45 jacks or D-subminiature components. Complementing a four-array light pipe for similar applications, it is designed for use with a variety of SMT LEDs, including the company's AlGaAs red and orange offerings. The light pipe press fits into printed circuit boards to create arrays that reduce insertion costs. It is made of high-transmissivity, UL 94V-O-compliant polycarbonate material. This provides a wide viewing angle, as well as ESD protection. Dialight Corp, 1913 Atlantic Ave, Manasquan, NJ 08736. 732-223-9400. Circle 635.

Originally published in the December 1998 issue of designfax.
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