Feature Articles
**2nd Place
Winner**
Obtaining a
Short-Circuit Current Rating for Control Panels
Changes to the 2005 NEC will make SCCR a key
criterion for design. Discussions
about fault-current studies, short-circuit current
ratings, and available fault currents may become
routine among many designers of industrial machinery
and control equipment, due to changes in the
National Electrical Code, specifically Article 409.
The 2005 NEC now requires that industrial control
panels, HVAC equipment, and industrial machinery
controls have a short-circuit current rating (or SCCR) on its nameplate.
Read
the full article.
**3rd Place Winner**
Powering Portable Medical Devices
Lithium-ion batteries offer many
attractive advantages for portable medical equipment
applications.
New chemistries account for
dramatic improvements in both weight and volumetric
measures of battery-cell energy density. Choosing an
appropriate chemistry is the first step in designing
a battery-powered system.
Read the full article.
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Engineers are
saying CD® Couplings are ideal for Servo
Motor applications.
They provide repeatable accuracy for cyclic
applications in critical 24/7 environments.
Easily handle rapid start/stop and reversing
motion efficiently and without coupling
fatigue and zero-backlash. Available in
lightweight, low inertia, aluminum
construction.
Visit Zero-Max online
for more
information and to receive your Free CD with
sizing software plus catalog.
|
**1st Place Winner**
Evaluating Engineering Services
At what point are your internal practices “too
core” to outsource? With the current
economic challenges, intensifying competitive
pressures, tightened budgets, and new emphasis on
core competencies, more companies today are
exploring the benefits of engineering/R&D
outsourcing and evaluating which aspects of their
core functions can be outsourced. What they’re
finding in their quest is surprising.
Read the full article.
Application
Xtra
Software system extends ERP manufacturing,
quality-assurance, and labor-tracking capabilities
down to the shop floor for California defense
contractor.
Read the full article.
Perspectives
on Engineering Education
- The 2005 NAM Annual Labor Day Report:
Are American workers prepared for 21st-century
competition?
- Engineering Our Future: Massachusetts
leads engineering education effort for primary
and secondary school children
- Global Engineering Excellence Initiative
Launched: MIT, U. of Tokyo, and six others
to study innovation trends, career paths, and
economic significance of engineering sciences
Read the full article.
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Largest manufacturer of Threaded Nylon
Fasteners in the world. Micro
Plastics, Inc. offers over 20,000 items and
stocks an inventory of 250
million parts. Machine Screws, Nuts,
Washers, Spacers, Panel Fasteners,
Hole Plugs, P.C.B. Hardware, Wire Handling
Hardware and more.
Visit Micro Plastics online for more
information. |
|
Giveaway #2
An Apple for
your thoughts ...
What one product in the marketplace
would you include in the "Ultimate
Design Engineer's Toolbox"?
Tell us, and we could add
an Apple iPod
Shuffle Player to your bag of tricks.
|
5-Star Products
Our best of the best
Explorer Bearings: Improved service life,
load-carrying capacity, friction, noise vibration,
and wear resistance
MStep-407 Microstep Positioning System: Accurate,
high-torque positional control in a small footprint
A7VK P Pump for Polyurethane Production:
Specifically designed for polyol and isocyanate
high-pressure pumping
Embedded 16-bit Microcontrollers and Digital Signal
Controllers: May be key to developing your "smarter"
products
|
Exlar electric roller screw linear
actuators
–
longer life, higher loads, more speed.
The patented roller screw technology offers
peak forces in excess of 40,000 lbf., speeds
to 60 in/sec, and stroke lengths to 96
inches, all with the ease and reliability of
servo control.
Visit Exlar online for more information. |
New
Products
Now including Most Requested
by DESIGNFAX Readers
|
All the performance at half the cost
- IAI SCARA Robots starting at under
$12,000. IAI IX SCARA robots offer the
widest variety of models for cleanroom,
water resistance, high speed and many other
applications. Features include: Easy
programmable controllers, absolute encoders,
ultra-fast repeatability, 3D path
capability, Z-axis "Push", interference
check zones and more.
Visit
IAI online for more information. |
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