new products

Optical sensor
Bossa Nova Technologies LLC, Venice, Calif.
Now, it is possible to measure extremely small vibration amplitudes on any surface without using retro-reflective tape. The company's new optical sensor, Tempo, is dedicated to high-accuracy laboratory vibration measurements. The sensor's innovative optical architecture, based on photorefractive interferometry, leads to a higher sensitivity compared to conventional vibrometers and opens new possibilities in mechanical engineering, according to the company. Tempo can measure displacements in the subnanometer range at frequencies from KHz up to GHz on any unprepared material: composites, concrete, ceramics, rocks, rough or rusted metals, brushed metals, and much more. Tempo is designed to provide optimal calibrated measurements with easy "point and shoot" operation.

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Ball screw actuator
Duff Norton Co., Charlotte, N.C.
The ball screw actuator is a useful solution for load applications requiring precise, efficient linear movement. The new one-ton-capacity ball screw actuator has a standard 23.1 percent efficiency rating, can be driven at 1/2 maximum horsepower, and is available with top plate, clevis, or threaded end mounts. Operation is not complicated. As one turns the horizontally mounted worm shaft, sliding contact is made with a worm gear inside the actuator housing. The worm gear is attached to a ball nut fitted with recirculating steel balls that makes translating contact with the ball screw. That reduces friction to a bare minimum and converts torque to thrust. The positive action of the low-friction ball screw (which has also been heat treated for less wear) and nut design provides longer life at load and requires less power to achieve a specified thrust. The ball screw actuators can be used individually, in tandem, or as part of a larger mechanical system.

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Flue gas analyzer
E Instruments Group, Langhorne, Pa.
The BTU 2000+ portable gas analyzer is a multifunctional unit that also functions as a hand-held boiler tuning unit. It is suitable for the servicing and maintenance purposes of HVAC professionals who work with boilers, heaters, and other domestic and industrial applications. The tool analyzes oxygen and carbon monoxide, and calculates carbon dioxide. It also serves as a pipe pressure leak detector and as a draft and differential pressure meter. The BTU 2000+ comes with a 7-in. removable flue gas dual probe. It is designed for ease of use with direct function keys.

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Three-axis controllers
Alin Engineering, Santa Clara, Calif.
The step motor specialist, in conjunction with Trinamic Motion Control GmbH & Co., has introduced the TMCM-303 and TMCM-310 three-axis controllers. Both controllers provide a complete motion control system at low cost and are conveniently compact in size. The TMCM-303 is a 1-3 axis stepper controller that has an output current of up to 1.5 amps/ phase and can support 16x microstepping. This three-axis controller can be remote controlled by a host via CAN, RS-232 or RS-485 interfaces. It has a built-in ramp generator for autonomous positioning and speed control as well as on-the-fly alteration of target motion parameters, such as position, velocity, and acceleration. The TMCM-310 has all the attributes of the TMCM-303, but with a number of additional features. Some of the added features are an RS-232 level shifter, two optional 12-bit adc inputs (in addition to the eight standard 10-bit adc inputs), an SPI controllable by an external master, and a reset button.

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Non- replaceable filters
SMC Corp. of America, Indianapolis, Ind.

The Series FN1 filter, signed for machine tools and general machinery, generates no industrial waste, because there are no replaceable elements. A series of grooved filter plates and wave washers is compressed by a compact cylinder, and foreign matter in the fluid is trapped between them. As the element is decompressed, foreign matter is back-flushed and washed away for collection. The filter is compatible with water, water-soluble, and oil-based coolants.

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Sealing porous metals
Hernon Manufacturing Inc., Sanford, Fla.
Hernon Porosity Sealant 1000 and 1100 seal leaking porous metals, such as powder metal castings and sintered metal parts. HPS 1000 and 1100 also offer increased lubricity, which lowers tool wear and increases resistance to degradation by hydrocarbon solvents, such as gasoline, motor oil, and transmission fluid. HPS1000 and 1100 are also surfactant-free, which eases washing the impregnated parts, and eliminates the need for costly pretreatment of waste rinse water. Many metal components, especially cast parts, are plagued by microscopic voids that allow leaks under pressure. This limits the use of these low-cost alternatives in applications that require a seal, as in transmission housings, engine blocks, and gearboxes. HPS 1000 and 1100 seal the microscopic voids through a vacuum application process. The machining properties of parts impregnated with these sealants is improved through increased lubricity, filled voids, and better dimensional control.

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Motors and actuators
Exlar Corp., Chanhassen, Minn.

Exlar's linear actuators and brushless motors now come with food grade epoxy coatings and all stainless steel construction. This, along with IP65 sealing, makes them suitable for all types of wash-down applications requiring the convenience and performance of servo electric actuation. The addition of food grade epoxy coatings and stainless steel construction makes them suitable for food processing or other applications with exposure to chemicals, which would require the elimination of fluid power devices such as hydraulics and pneumatics. With planetary roller screw technology, Exlar says its FT Series actuators offer some of the highest force, electromechanical linear actuators available with stroke lengths to 8 feet and forces in excess of 40,000 pounds.

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Lead screws
Danaher Motion, Wood Dale, Ill.
Thomson metric lead screws are suitable for positioning light to medium loads in a range of equipment where fast, precise, and reliable positioning is a main objective. The screws are available in diameters from 10 to 24 mm and leads from 2 to 45 mm. Potential applications include semiconductor manufacturing, medical, laboratory, and life science equipment, and engraving. Most notable of the new metric lead screw family is the XC Series that uses ActiveCam technology to provide a rigid stainless steel cam for biasing. This achieves the highest possible axial stiffness and minimal drag torque available, according to the company.

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Integrated encoder
Micromo Electronics Inc., Clearwater, Fla.
The Faulhaber Group has added another powerful drive to its range of dc micromotors with an integrated encoder. The 2232 of the SR Series features a diameter of 22 mm, a length of 32 mm and an NdFeB magnet. It has an unusually high constant torque of 10 mNm. With an output power of over 9 watts, it is well suited to demanding applications. Because of its precious metal commutation, it can also be used for very low starting voltages. The IE2 Series magnetic encoder integrated into the miniature motor is insensitive to dust, dirt, or light incidence, and adds 1.4 mm to the overall length of the motor. This arrangement offers two quadrature signals (90 degree phase shift) and up to 512 pulses per revolution per channel, thus combining high resolution with a small footprint for motors equipped with magnetic encoders.

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Control cables
Northwire Inc., Osceola, Wis.
EnduroFlex XM Series industrial control cables have been tested to exceed 10 million bending and torsional flex cycles. These cables have a core design to withstand heat generated by friction from constant motion that will cause ordinary cables to fail, according to the company. These cables include the XM version, which has a TPE outer jacket for resistance to liquids and abrasions in the manufacturing plant, and the CRXM version, which has a high-performance elastomer outer jacket designed for continuous operation in extreme temperatures. These cables are suitable for manufacturing robots, material handling, assembly machinery, and biotechnology applications.

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Control system
Chromalox Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa.
The Chromalox IntelliPanel is a three-phase, two-leg/three-leg SCR power control panel that uses touch-screen technology to bring advanced diagnostics, trending, and monitoring right to the user. With simplified configuration settings and local monitoring, setup time is greatly reduced. Users have quick access to measurement instruments, alarm configurations, control algorithms, start-up, and troubleshooting. Loaded with standard features, IntelliPanel brings the power and convenience of several instruments to a process heat application.

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Laser tracker
Faro Technologies Inc., Lake Mary, Fla.
The Laser Tracker X features the company's latest technological advancement: XtremeADM. According to the company, the tracker provides automotive, aerospace, and other large-part manufacturers with a means of ensuring quality for assemblies and components beyond the measuring capabilities of other CMMs or portable CMMs. The tool lets facilities perform those measurements with greater ease, accuracy, and cost efficiency. The Faro Laser Tracker X is a portable, 3-D measurement system that uses laser technology to effectively and accurately measure large-scale parts, tooling, and machinery. The system measures xyz coordinates with its laser by following a hand-held mirrored, spherical probe. The 3-D position of the probe is reported in real time, because of high-accuracy angular encoders and the new XtremeADM feature.

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Roller screw assemblies
Nook Industries, Cleveland, Ohio
The company's roller screw assemblies are for precise linear motion applications. The assemblies leverage Nook's engineering expertise with a device that keeps operating under shock loads even with poor lubrication and after ingesting ice and sand, according to the company. NRS roller screw high efficiency and shallow lead designs provide very high axial resolution (small axial movement) with a multitude of contract points for carrying large loads. These roller screws provide high rotational speeds with faster acceleration without adverse effects. NRS assemblies feature nuts with threaded rollers instead of bearing balls as rolling elements.

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Exhaust valve
Clippard Instrument Laboratory Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio
The J-Series inline exhaust valve offers fast response time and high flow rates with its 1/8-in. and 1/4-in. ports. The all-brass construction and 100 percent testing assure the highest level of quality, according to the company. Although the primary function of this new valve is to increase cylinder speed, it also enables the use of smaller directional valves and longer control lines. In addition, it can be used as a shuttle valve.

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