ditmahawatta

CVD-Coated Insert Improves Cutting Performance

2009-12-07T01:54:04Z

Walter has unveiled its Silver Tiger as the first in a series of chemical vapour deposition (CVD)-coated indexable inserts that improve cutting in milling, turning and drilling applications. The new inserts will be phased in, beginning with the universal WKP 35S ('S' for Silver) insert for milling cast-iron and steel workpieces. Available from Walter GB of Bromsgrove, Silver Tiger's capability is a result of a new surface treatment that reduces the in-cycle machining stresses of both wet and dry applications, due to its balanced combination of a high level of toughness and maximised hardness.

The result is an insert that will compensate for any brittleness that may develop as a result of the CVD coating process, according to the company. The CVD-Al2O3-grade coating counters any influence from thermal shock that can lead to thermal cracking at the cutting edge and minimise tribochemical wear on the flank face. There are key areas that can lead to premature insert failure. The Silver Tiger designation reflects the insert's two-tone finish of glossy silver on its flank face and black on the rake angle face.

Not only is this colour combination distinctive, but it also provides a practical indication of wear. A recent customer trial on a 42CrMo4 steel forging with the Silver Tiger insert running at 260m/min, a 0.5mm/rev feed and a 3mm depth of cut against the incumbent WK35 grade from Walter recorded a further 70 per cent improvement in tool life.

EOS Presents Laser-Sintering Materials At Euromold

2009-12-07T01:47:52Z

EOS, a manufacturer of laser-sintering systems, is presenting new materials at this year's Euromold 2009 event, which is being held in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, until 5 December. New metal materials for EOSINT M 270 systems include EOS Nickelalloy IN718 and EOS Aluminium AlSi10Mg. EOS Nickelalloy IN718 is a nickel-based heat-resistant super-alloy that corresponds to the Inconel 718 alloy. It is a precipitation-hardening nickel-chromium alloy characterised by having good tensile, fatigue, creep and rupture strength at temperatures up to 700C.

It is corrosion resistant and is suitable for many high-temperature applications. The company claims that EOS Nickelalloy IN718 also possesses excellent cryogenic properties. The main target group for this material is the aerospace industry. Owing to the very demanding requirements of this industry, EOS has already been through an extended development and test phase that included several pilot customers. The company has developed process parameters that enable good part building and ensure that the relevant industrial standards for this material type can be reliably fulfilled.

These include heat treatment in accordance with AMS 5662 and AMS 5664 standards as well as tensile and stress-rupture properties at elevated temperature (650C/1,200F). Greg Morris, president of pilot user Morris Technologies, said: 'We have been supplying parts in EOS Cobaltchrome MP1 as a preferred material for high-stress/high-temperature environments since 2005. 'Since working with EOS Nickelalloy IN718, this has become our front-line material of choice for many applications in aerospace and other demanding applications.

'This material allows us to produce parts that will see some of the most demanding environments including high temperatures, high stress loads and extended fatigue situations. 'Not only has EOS Nickelalloy IN718 performed well in such tests and environments, but Morris Technologies' material characterisation efforts have also demonstrated that it performs well to ASTM standards,' he added. Ian Halliday, chief executive officer of pilot user 3T RPD, said: 'EOS Nickelalloy IN718 has helped to open up new application areas for us and we are working with some of our customers to qualify this material for the future series production of aerospace components. 'Tests have shown already that the mechanical properties of parts built from this material exceed what our customers are used to from cast parts and they also report that the parts are easier to machine than conventional Inconel 718 parts,' he added.

EOS is also highlighting EOS Aluminium AlSi10Mg at this year's Euromold event. This typical casting alloy is qualified for EOSINT M 270 systems and opens up new application areas thanks to its light weight and excellent thermal conductivity. The company has carried out process development and testing as preparation for the market launch. Cast parts in conventional AlSi10Mg are typically subjected to T6 heat treatment, including solution annealing and quenching, followed by age hardening at elevated temperatures.

'Due to the rapid melting and resolidification caused by the laser exposure, the laser-sintered parts match or even exceed the conventional heat-treated parts already in the as-built condition, so even more time and cost can be saved in the process chain,' said Mike Shellabear, vice-president of M Technology at EOS. At Euromold, EOS is exhibiting examples of how intelligent design, such as hollow parts or various mesh-like fill structures, can be implemented by laser sintering to offer new possibilities such as extremely high stiffness-to-weight ratios. These are expected to open up new markets in the light-alloys area.

Adhere IRS2012 Suits Weight-Critical Applications

2009-12-07T00:14:09Z

Intertronics have come up with an advanced, lightweight epoxy potting technology that brings density down to 0.6. The Adhere IRS2012 has been developed for weight-critical applications, for example in aerospace or autosport, mainstream automotive systems or even railway systems.

Adhere IRS2012 is also RF transmissive and effectively transparent to radio signals, with good electrical properties, low cure shrinkage, good chemical resistance and good mechanical properties - The technology is suitable for the potting of aerials and related equipment.

USB-501-PRO Logs Data In Harsh Environments

2009-12-07T00:11:12Z

Adept Scientific has added Measurement Computing's temperature-data logger with a rugged, stainless-steel body to its range of data-acquisition products. The USB-501-PRO standalone data logger is a corrosion-, impact- and weather-resistant device designed for data logging in harsh environments. It offers a storage capacity of up to 32,510 temperature readings over the -40 to 125C (-40 to 257F) range with a typical accuracy of +/-0.2C (+/-0.4F). The body is made from machined 316-grade stainless steel and provides an IP67 ingress-protection rating.

It is powered by a user-replaceable long-life lithium battery that allows logging for up to three years. The USB-501-PRO logger is supported by USB-500 Series Data Logger Application software, included with the package. This software is used initially to configure the logger- and program-alarm thresholds, logging rates, start times and measurement units. When the logger is retrieved from the field, the software provides one-click access to download, display and export the data. The user can display time-stamped temperature and alarm limits on a strip-chart graph. The data can also be downloaded to a text or a .csv file, allowing users to export data to Excel spreadsheets. The software and all Measurement Computing USB-500 series data loggers are compatible with Windows 2000/XP/Vista (32 bit) operating systems.

Integrated Driver ICs Drive High-Current Motors

2009-12-07T00:05:32Z

ON Semiconductor has announced two integrated driver ICs that will drive high-current motors with reduced component count and board space in stepper-motor-based applications. The AMIS-30532 and AMIS-30542 micro-stepping stepper-motor drivers have high current capabilities with integrated H-bridges and are suitable for motion-control designs in automotive, industrial, office equipment, medical, security and marine applications. Designed for use with two-phase stepper motors and a host microcontroller, the AMIS-30542 mixed-signal motor-driver ICs provide high accuracy and reliable motor control, and deliver maximum current outputs of 2.2A continuous and 5.0 A peak.

Each device integrates smart motor-control capability with voltage regulation, onboard current sensing and a number of protection and diagnostic functions. This level of integration eliminates the need for external switches and sense resistors. The onboard speed and load-angle feedback allows removal of end-of-line switches and hall sensors on applications such as surveillance cameras, robotics, printers, industrial automation equipment and textile machines. The ICs feature two embedded H-bridges and connect to a host microcontroller via an SPI interface and dedicated I/O pins. Each chip provides speed and load-angle output, which allows for the accurate control of motor torque and speed, as well as the creation of stall-detection algorithms. Seven step modes can be configured, from full step to 32 micro steps.

An on-chip current translator is used to calculate the appropriate PWM current based on the clock signal at the NXT input pin and the status of the Direction (DIR) register or input pin. The PWM current control includes automatic selection of fast and slow decay modes. The AMIS-30532 and AMIS-30542 are compatible with 5 and 3.3V microcontrollers. The integrated voltage regulator can be used to provide microcontroller power, minimising the need for external components. Each device also incorporates a microcontroller reset function and an integrated watchdog function. Thermal warning, shutdown functionality and full output protection and diagnosis capabilities are also provided.

Sunpower Power Supplies Can Be Remotely Trimmed

2009-12-06T23:59:19Z

The Sunpower SPV Power Supply range is suitable for applications demanding highly controllable DC power. With power possibilities from 150 to 4,500W, the SPV outputs can be remotely trimmed from 20 to 110 per cent (120 per cent for SPV-1500) of their nominal value of 12, 24 or 48V DC. The input specification is similarly flexible, with a range of AC and DC sources accepted. Automation of the SPVs is enhanced by remote sense inputs and remote on/off switching control. The SPVs each feature auxiliary 12V DC 0.1A outputs that can power the remote-control circuit if required.

Alarm-signal outputs are also provided. The range comprises the SPV-150, SPV-300 and SPV-1500. Two or three SPV-1500 units can be paralleled in a current-sharing master/slave configuration for applications demanding up to 4,500W power. The SPV power supplies are compact and designed for efficiency to minimise power demand and heating issues. The SPV-1500 has a power density of 8.3W/in, an efficiency of up to 90 per cent and, with active PFC, a typical power factor of up to 0.98 at full load. The SPV-300 and SPV-150 feature active PFC, offering a similar power factor with efficiency up to 83 per cent.

The SPV-150 needs only free air convection for cooling up to 40C and the SPV-300 can operate with its long-life built-in fan under on/off control up to 50C ambient. All models feature protection against short circuit, overload, over voltage and over temperature, and all carry UL, CUL, TUV, CB and CE certification. All models comply with EN standards for EMS immunity and EMI conductance and radiation. The SPV-150 and SPV-300 have MTBFs of at least 207Khr and the SPV-1500's MTBF is 109Khr minimum. The SPV range is suitable for applications where the DC voltage supply must be varied over time. Examples include battery charging, LCD panel burn-in, IC testing equipment, LED lighting and many other factory-automation applications within mechanical, electrical and other industries.

Syfer Ceramic Capacitors Have Copper Barrier

2009-12-06T23:52:43Z

Syfer Technology has developed a range of multilayer ceramic capacitor devices for the medical-electronics market, featuring a copper barrier and tin finish. The company offers a range of multilayer ceramic chip capacitors, available in C0G/NP0, High Q and X7R dielectrics. With the C0G/NPO and High Q dielectrics, parts are offered across the capacitance range from 0.1pF to 15nF (50V to 3kV).

In addition, X7R capacitors range from 47nF to 6.8uF (16V to 2kV). Devices are packaged in case sizes from 0402 to 2225, depending on value. Operating temperature range for all non-magnetic devices is -55 to 125C. To meet high-temperature 260C soldering-reflow profiles as detailed in the medical-electronics standard, J-STD-020, Syfer's C0G/ NP0 dielectrics are supplied with sintered termination while X7R dielectrics feature Syfer's Flexicap termination.

Fairchild PWM Controllers Meet Energy Regulations

2009-12-06T23:47:39Z

Fairchild Semiconductor has developed a portfolio of pulse-width modulated (PWM) controllers, enabling notebook power-supply designers to meet international energy-saving regulations. These include the Energy Star External Power Supply (EPS) version 2.0 requirement that mandates 87 per cent average active-mode efficiency to obtain compliance. To meet these requirements, Fairchild has developed integrated PWM controllers such as the FAN6754, which offers designers high-voltage startup to improve energy savings at light load by 25 per cent compared to alternate solutions.

It also eliminates external protection circuits by incorporating over-voltage, over-current and over-temperature protection, plus brownout and line-compensation functions. Other features include frequency hopping, which reduces EMI emissions by as much as 5-10dB, and internal soft start (8ms) to reduce voltage stress on the MOSFET at start up. The controllers incorporate several design features that lower the overall power consumption of notebook adapters, such as a green-mode function that provides off-time modulation to continuously decrease the switching frequency under light-load conditions. Fairchild's PWM devices offer a range of protection features built in to protect the power supply and the load from failure, without adding external components or circuitry.

Chipworks Report Discusses Intel Microprocessor

2009-12-06T23:43:26Z

Chipworks has made available its Design for Manufacturability (DFM) analysis of Intel's 32nm Clarkdale/Westmere microprocessor from the Core i5 660. The key features of this DFM report include: analysis of the standard design rules; analysis of the DFM features; analysis of standard logic and SRAM cells; ICWorks Surveyor; and Image Mosaic of over 7GB of SEM images. 'Intel has demonstrated the power of its process and design integration, shipping devices that use both metal gates and the latest immersion lithography,' said Dick James, senior technology analyst at Chipworks.

'This includes feature pitches as low as 112.5nm from Metal 3 down to Metal 0 and a functional gate length down to about 30nm. 'A significant change we noted is the move by Intel from substantially unidirectional metal lines at 45nm to orthogonal lines made possible by this move to wet lithography. 'As before, dummy structures are featured throughout the device. Intel Westmere 32nm Layout and Design for Manufacturability Analysis is now available. The analysis combines a standard reverse engineering report with the ICWorks Surveyor format. ICWorks Surveyor is a software tool that allows the engineer to navigate thousands of images stitched together into a massive floor plan across all the metal layers of the device.

Ericsson DC/DC Converters Are Digitally Controlled

2009-12-06T23:38:29Z

Campbell Collins is offering a range of digitally controlled DC/DC converters and switching regulators from Ericsson Power Modules. Covering isolated-fractional-brick-type devices and non-isolated Point-of-Load (POL) converters, design engineers are able to integrate digital configuration, control and monitoring capabilities into their power-supply designs. The BMR453 and BMR454 series are quarter-brick and eighth-brick devices respectively, capable of delivering up to 396W (BMR453) and 240W (BMR454) to the load.

The devices operate over an input range of 36-75V and offer an adjustable output voltage of 8.1 to 13.2V for Intermediate Bus Architecture (IBA) applications. The units have 1,500V DC input-to-output isolation and offer an MTBF in excess of 1.1Mhrs. The products are able to read and write information to and from the devices using the industry-standard PMBus protocol, which is directly compatible with any two-wire I2C host bus. Examples of parameters that can be monitored and reported across this bus are input voltage; output voltage; output current; internal junction temperature; switching frequency and duty cycle.

Examples of the parameters that can be controlled via the PMBus include: the output-voltage set point; input-voltage turn on/off levels; remote-control logic levels; margin up/down levels; soft-start power-up levels; over-temperature, over-voltage and over-current set points, and the switching frequency. In addition to these isolated units, the BMR450 and BMR451 are complimentary non-isolated digital Point of Load Switching Regulators capable of delivering 20 and 40A respectively from a 4.5-14V input-voltage range. The output voltage is programmable from 0.6 to 5.5V for the 20A device and from 0.6 to 3.6V for the 40A unit.

Through-hole and surface-mount devices are available and package sizes are 25.65 x 12.9 x 8.2mm for the 20A and 30.85 x 20 x 8.2mm for the 40A device. These digital POL devices are also able to be interrogated for the same detailed information as the isolated devices using the PMBus (I2C) two-wire system. Using these Ericsson isolated and non-isolated devices together allows the designer to create an IBA using board-mounted power modules, while optimising efficiency levels and operating parameters. A test board containing sample units is available on loan from Campbell Collins, enabling the engineer to evaluate the units using Ericsson's custom-designed Graphical User Interface.

Ansys EKM Addresses Simulation And Data Management

2009-11-14T19:49:12Z

Ansys has released its Engineering Knowledge Manager 2.0, a product focused on simulation process and data management (SPDM). The product addresses challenges such as how to better manage, share and reuse simulation data, and how to capture the engineering expertise that a simulation result represents. Ansys EKM 2.0 offers a number of enhancements that simplify and speed up work, especially for remote teams that hand off data to each other as part of collaborative design.

The web-based software includes capabilities for archival and management of simulation data, traceability and audit trail, advanced search and retrieval, report generation and simulation comparison, process/workflow automation, collaboration tools, and capture and deployment of best practices. Release 2.0 enhancements allow faster file transfer between remote locations and the ability to run simulation jobs remotely using job-submission systems such as RSM, LSF, SGE and compute clusters.

An addition to the suite is Ansys EKM Studio, an intuitive graphical system for quickly defining simulation workflows that can be used for dynamic-engineering-simulation collaboration. Ansys EKM 2.0 also offers a scripting interface that enables the creating and publishing of custom applications templates that can then be accessed by users over the internet. This enables the capture of simulation expertise for deployment throughout the engineering organisation. The Ansys EKM portfolio is a scalable solution that includes Desktop, Workgroup and Enterprise versions designed to meet varying needs and differing levels of deployment, while providing a growth path from the desktop to the enterprise.

Release 2.0 offers automated metadata extraction and report generation for use with other CAE formats, tighter integration with Ansys Workbench project files for performing what-if studies, extended change configuration with branching and versioning, and an analysis project type that allows users to track input and result dependencies for simulation files. The software is tightly integrated with other products in the Ansys multiphysics suite.

Sherborne Angular Sensors Are Weatherproof

2009-11-14T19:24:08Z

Sherborne Sensors has announced the global launch of the LSW Series, a range of rugged, high-precision angular sensors designed for use in demanding, all-weather applications. LSW Series sensors are offered in resolutions down to 0.2arc/sec (0.00006deg) and in angular ranges from +/-3 to +/-90deg, with full range outputs of +/-5V DC. They are designed to withstand mechanical shock to 1500g.

Sensors are housed in a durable, stainless-steel case and sealed to IP67, with a field-replaceable waterproof connector/cable system, should the cable become damaged in service. Units are fully self contained and able to connect to a DC power source and a readout or control device to form a complete operating system.

The LSW Series is suitable for high-precision measurements within physically challenging environments, adverse weather conditions, or where exceptionally high levels of shock and vibration are present. Applications can be found in the offshore industry, military, civil engineering, bore-hole mapping and in geophysical and seismic studies.

Metrohm Offers Half-Price Acid Bath Monitors

2009-11-05T04:14:01Z

Metrohm has a limited number of acid bath monitors for the plating industry available at less than half price. According to Metrohm, the 877 Titrino plus instrument can measure critical parameters in the plating industry, quickly and accurately.

Examples of analysis determined by these instruments include: chloride in an acidic copper plating bath; free boric acid and tetrafluoroboric acid in nickel plating baths; Cr(VI) and Cr(III) in chromium baths; cyanide and silver in a silver plating bath; and determination of HF and H2SO4 in same solution. This offer is strictly limited and is sold on a first-come-first-served basis.

Digital Pressure Gauge Works In Hazardous Settings

2009-11-05T04:08:11Z

The Barflex gauge from the Baumer Group is a digital manometer with integrated data memory. The ATEX-version gauge, the Barflex 4Y, is suitable for use in rough and hazardous surroundings. It can measure the gauge and absolute pressure of almost all liquid and gaseous media in a range from 500mbar to up to 1,000bar and with an accuracy of up to 0.1 per cent of full scale. Used as a barometer, the Barflex displays the atmospheric pressure from 200hPa to 1,150hPa, with an accuracy of 1hPa.

The digital pressure gauge is housed in a splash waterproof epoxy-coated aluminium case and corresponds to protection class IP65. It is available in a stationary and a portable version and is suitable for measurements on site. Via a standardised infrared interface, the collected data can be transferred directly to a PC. The device automatically memorises minimum and maximum pressures recallable at the display.

The measurement of pressure deviations in a given time interval enables leak tests. The Barflex allows the calibration and verification of the correct operation of the installed devices as well as the verification of pressure switch and transmitter settings. It is suitable for applications in pneumatic, hydraulic and thermodynamic areas, such as in gas engines, laboratories or maintenance. The ATEX version can also be used for the petrochemical and gas industry, such as in gas underground stores, gas delivery installations or gas expansion systems.

IFM PMD Camera Sees In Three Dimensions At Once

2009-11-05T03:55:31Z

The Efector PMD 3D camera from IFM Electronic is the first industrial camera that 'sees' in three dimensions at once. The device integrates PMD (photonic mixer device) time-of-flight measurement sensing technology into a full-vision chip.

The image sensor has 64 x 48 pixels and each pixel evaluates its distance to the object, resulting in 3072 distance values. The image of the object on the matrix and the respective distance values give a 3D image. The geometrical characteristics of the object or the scene can be read from these values. With a built-in infrared light source, the PMD 3D Camera provides the user with real-time image data from as far away as 6.5m, comprising 3072 grey-scale and distance values.

The 30 x 40deg aperture means a large area can be viewed. Designed for OEM use, the O3D201 PMD 3D Camera utilises a downloadable software development kit that provides all tools necessary for the system designer to integrate the 3D information into the control system. It complements the O3D200 unit designed for end-user applications, where all evaluation is carried out internally. The device has digital and analogue outputs for the user to scale or configure and inputs for triggering or synchronisation.

For interface with the eventual users there are two pushbuttons alongside the 10-digit display. The housing is robust, die-cast zinc with polycarbonate optics, making it suitable for industrial use. The two connections on the housing use industrial-standard M12 connectors, maintaining the overall IP67 environmental protection rating. The 3D vision camera provides illumination, depth measurement and evaluation in one industrial housing.

Anvil Selects CDS Solution To Present CAD Online

2009-11-05T03:50:05Z

Catalog Data Solutions has announced that Anvil International has selected its Online Catalog and CAD Download solution to present its products with downloadable CAD models online. Anvil International manufactures piping connections and support systems.

RDP Transducers Give Direct Analogue Output

2009-11-04T18:26:11Z

RDP Electronics' rugged MTS R Series analogue transducers are suited to a range of industrial applications that require a direct analogue output for continuous measurement of displacement and speed.

The magnetostrictive principle permits absolute, contact-free position measurement combining various magneto-mechanical effects with precise speed measurement of an ultrasonic wave. Integral signal processing electronics accommodated in the sensor head can be selected for a range of standard analogue outputs: 0 to 10V, +/-10V, 4 to 20mA and 0 to 20mA. There is the option for user-configurable variations, for example to set to 1 to 9V over a portion of the nominal measuring range.

With linearity of +/-0.01per cent FS (+/-50um best) and 16-bit resolution of 0.0015 per cent (or 1um best), the R Series accuracy and repeatability of measurement. A hand-held programming device allows simple reconfiguration to be achieved.

Safety Shield Protects Against Fuel-Oil Spray Outs

2009-10-27T04:41:21Z

Allison Engineering has released a TUV-approved stainless-steel guard that protects against dangerous spray outs of flammable liquids and fuel oils from pipes and flanges. The Allison safety shield incorporates a steel band and an internal stainless-steel mesh that wraps around flanges and valves.

This mesh is designed to sit against the flange, between it and an outer steel band, and compresses against it to ensure that sprays or leaks are dispersed, while also preventing lateral spray. The mesh acts as a seal: it is 'pinched' in the middle to form a raised layer that squeezes in the small gap between the two flange faces.

The shield, which is TUV approved and has been pressure tested up to 50 bar, has a quick-release connection and does not require tools or knots to be tied, making installation and removal quick and simple. It provides effective spray control on most flange configurations - round, oval or square - and regardless of the flange gap, the internal stainless mesh adapts accordingly.

WT3000T Tests Transformers At Low Power Factors

2009-10-27T04:31:09Z

Yokogawa's WT3000T is a precision power analyser targeted at the needs of the power-transformer industry. It is based on Yokogawa's WT3000 and combines accuracy and long-term stability with the ability to carry out measurements at low power factors - a challenging area for transformer manufacturers. The WT3000T offers excellent accuracy at the low power factors that often compromise the integrity of transformer measurements.

It also has accredited calibration via VSL (the National Metrology Institute of the Netherlands), which guarantees that the integrated transformer measurement system meets the requirements of the IEC60076-8 standard covering power-transformer applications. At the standard commercial AC frequencies in the range 45-66Hz, the WT3000T offers an accuracy of better than 0.6 per cent at a power factor of only 0.01 (at 100V and 1A). It also provides six-digit resolution through the use of 32-bit RISC processing and high-quality 16-bit analogue/digital convertors.

The instrument's accuracy is also indispensable for additional measurements on capacitors, line filter coils or other power-factor correction circuitry used in the power grid. The instrument's accredited calibration certificate, provided at delivery by VSL, is based on tests performed at a frequency of 53Hz and at power factors of one, 0.5, 0.05, 0.01 and 0.001. Because of its high stability and precision, the WT3000T can itself be used as a calibration standard. The long-term stability of the WT3000T means that its recommended calibration interval is two years, offering additional benefits in terms of minimising downtime and saving money.

The WT3000T provides direct readout of corrected power under small load conditions according to the formulas in the IEC and ANSI/IEEE standards. The large (8.4in) colour LCD screen makes measurements easy to read. Clear on-screen indicators alert the operator when the voltage and/or current inputs of the power meter are overloaded, allowing the power to the device to be disconnected to prevent potentially costly damage.

Dynamic Rack Control Cuts Inventory Errors

2009-10-27T04:25:07Z

In large data centres most of the inventory is recorded using a spread sheet, a manual process that is time consuming and subject to human error. Rittal's Dynamic Rack Control has a 482.6mm (19in) rail that incorporates an RFID reader (aerial) mounted within the rack that lets the user easily manage and update the inventory. It can also determine capacity issues and manage maintenance schedules.

An RFID (radio frequency identification device) is a globally standardised technology for the contactless detection of objects in the room. An RFID system is always comprised of two components: a reader with an aerial (RFID mounting frame with reader), and a small microchip with an aerial coil on a substrate material (RFID tag). Rittal uses this technology directly inside the rack to log component population without contact and in real time.

In this way, a current overview of the components installed in the racks, separated according to device category, power consumption or form factor, is possible at any time. Each RFID tag has its own ID number. When a tag is attached to a piece of equipment, part of the registration procedure is that the installer has to identify the equipment for the receiver.

This information includes the physical dimensions, the weight of the equipment, power draw and also the maintenance details. Data associated with the tag helps the IT manager maintain inventory and 'balance' demand by moving equipment around and determining optimum rack-load rating in both power and cooling. With IT resources being further stretched under the current economic challenges, having any solution that saves basic data-centre.

Alliance Learning Introduces Learndirect Courses

2009-10-27T04:16:59Z

Alliance Learning has announced that it is moving its Learndirect courses to the Leigh centre to better facilitate the number of learners wishing to take a course. In addition to the move, the centre will also be introducing various new Learndirect courses.

The new Fire Awareness course is aimed at all fire safety professionals within the industry and is available on demand. Lasting approximately two hours, the course will address the potential risks in the workplace and actions for dealing with the different fire risks. The second new Learndirect course to be introduced at the Leigh site is the Fire Warden course.

Aimed at appointed personnel, the course covers all aspects of evacuation procedures, use of extinguishers and special regulations. The practical aspects of the Learndirect courses will remain at the Bolton-based Horwich site.

Beam Profiler Analyses Laser Sources

2009-10-27T04:12:07Z

Newport's LBP-HR laser beam profiler offers true 12-bit dynamic range and a high-resolution 1.4 megapixel CCD for detailed beam profile measurement and analysis of most laser sources. The LBP-HR is a software-driven laser beam diagnostics device with complete beam diagnostic measurement features, including a multi-measurement routine to increase signal integrity for higher accuracy results.

For continuous or pulsed laser beams, it provides an extensive range of graphical presentations and analysis capabilities of laser beam parameters such as beam width, shape, position, power and intensity profiles. The LBP-HR laser beam profiler includes an NG4, an NG9 and an NG10 attenuator that all thread into the camera aperture for power reduction of the input beam.

The LBP-HR communicates with the PC software via USB and is powered by the USB port on a PC; there is no need for and an external AC adapter. This system presents graphical and numerical information for interpretation of data in real time.

Dynamic Releases Checkmate Barcode Software

2009-10-27T03:56:53Z

Dynamic Systems, a software developer specialising in barcode data collection, has introduced a low-cost software suite for small to mid-sized manufacturers. Checkmate Manufacturers' Suite features WIP Lite, Job Costing with Time and Attendance, Stockroom Inventory Control, Toolroom Tooltracking and Capital Asset Tracking.

This new release allows the applications to share the inventory database and employee identification codes, thus making it possible to cost jobs and track important assets without time-consuming data entry. Checkmate can track and cost jobs, maintain an accurate account of inventory, gather payroll information and keep track of important tools in an integrated system. Barcodes are printed on work orders, badges and labels for tools and inventory.

Barcode scanners (either corded to a PC or portable) scan the bar codes during transactions to record the movement or use of the job or item. This information is transmitted to accounting, sales or purchasing to produce job-costing reports, employee-attendance information, parts reorder reports and more. New features have been added to the Checkmate software packages as well, including the ability to set min/max levels for the same inventory item in multiple locations and to attach five different items per record (such as a build of materials, manual, photo).

Signature capture on a portable terminal provides proof of delivery of tools or inventory items. Advantages of Checkmate include: reduction of late jobs, ability to identify bottlenecks, improvement in productivity, reduced employee frustration, accurate job costing, collection of employee hours for payroll, and better customer service.

Interface Boosts Interpolator Performance

2007-11-16T16:45:29Z

Delta Tau has added an EnDat feature to the ACC51 interpolator boards. These upgraded boards make it easy to connect quadrature encoders to PMAC controllers. EnDat is a bi-directional synchronous digital interface that was developed by Heidenhain to provide fast, reliable data transfer, yet needs only four signal lines between the encoder and the interpolator board.
The subsequent economy of wiring allows EnDat users to achieve significant cost reductions.

Savings of up to 50% have already been reported. The technical advantages of EnDat, combined with the performance of the 4096x interpolator chips used on ACC51 interpolator boards, gives encoder feedback a very high resolution. Importantly for engineers, this in turn leads to greatly enhanced velocity loop stability and much greater static and dynamic stiffness.

Currently the Delta Tau ACC51 boards implement EnDat Version 2.1, which provides power-up only via the serial interface, with subsequent positional information derived from sine/cosine data. In the near future support will be added for the recently released EnDat Version 2.2, which provides a fast serial interface for every servo cycle.

Interlock switch meets food industry needs

2007-11-04T17:44:27Z

Idem Safety Switches has released a compact, 316 stainless steel noncontact interlock switch to cope with the rigorous demands of the food, beverage and pharmaceutical environments. The Hygiecode SMC range offers a compact yet robust 22mm fitting, provides environmental protection up to 105C and is suitable for high-pressure hosing.

The housing is finished and sealed with a stainless steel back plate for extra mechanical and environmental durability. The switch offers a wide 14mm sensing distance, a high tolerance to misalignment, LED indication of switch status, anti-tamper coded magnetic actuation and 2NC 1NO switching circuits to cope with modern industrial control requirements. They will connect to most popular Safety Monitoring relays to provide up to Cat 4 EN 954-1 and SIL 3.