Taiyo Yuden GPS Antenna Is Smallest In Industry

Taiyo Yuden's newest Radiedge GPS antenna is said to be the smallest in the industry. Measuring 3.2 x 1.6 x 0.5mm, the AH316M157501 is approximately 87 per cent smaller in volume and 69 per cent shorter in height than the company's previous AF816M157502 (8.0 x 1.6 x 1.6mm) model.

The lower-profile EIA 1206-size antenna is designed to promote the development of smaller and slimmer GPS-ready mobile phones, smartphones and portable navigation devices (PNDs), as well as improving the flexibility of antenna placement. While Taiyo Yuden's previous compact chip antenna could only be mounted to the corner of a substrate for GPS-ready devices, the smaller AH316M157501 allows for flexibility in antenna placement.

Weldwide Supports Pipe Fabrication Industry

Weldwide Solutions is a sales and support business for pipe fabricators that will support the industry with a range of products and technical know-how. From its homepage, Weldwide Solutions is promoting a range of welding and weld-purging products including inflatable pipe-purging dams, weld-gas analysers, pipe stands, clamps, welding and cutting automation equipment and pipe-freezing systems.

The company said the technical support and assistance also available will help the fabricator develop and enhance all welding procedures to move towards the zero weld failure rate attributed to gas purging. Working with its customers on-site and at their facilities, Weldwide Solutions helps to develop in-house procedures to maximise production output while improving weld quality.

Rofin Presents Lasers For Medical Device Industry

Rofin-Baasel will exhibit examples of welding and marking systems for the medical device industry at Medtec 2010. Rofin's Starweld Select is a self-contained and fully integrated welding system that provides a stable platform required for many different welding applications. The system includes four high-precision axes that can be controlled manually by a joystick or operated under full CNC control.

This concept provides flexibility for welding applications on medical device components. A flow-controlled exhaust system with Hepa filters is also incorporated and a closed-loop cooling system enables continuous operation. Starweld Select can be used to weld many different materials including stainless steel, gold, silver, platinum, titanium and memory-shape alloys. Users can automate the system as required.

All parameters are adjusted using the multi-function joystick and the large colour touch screen. Rofin's Easymark system uses a diode-pumped Nd:YVO4 laser source capable of marking the wide range of metal and plastic components typically found within the medical device industry. The Easymark system can be used to generate alpha-numeric content, vector or raster graphics, grey-scale, barcodes or data matrix codes. With a marking field of 120mm x 120mm and the capacity to accommodate components up to 450mm x 150mm x 200mm in size, Easymark can process a diverse range of parts.

An optional rotary axis provides further flexibility for marking cylindrical components. Easymark is a compact system that operates from a conventional 240V power socket, does not require any external cooling, and has the same safety rating as a CD player due to its fully enclosed (Class 1) marking area.

The self-contained and compact desktop configuration means that the unit is portable. Rofin's Visual Laser Marker (VLM) software allows the layout generation and transfer of the required marking data to be sent straight from the PC to the laser marker. Standard focusing and positioning aids ensure that the system can be operated following a short introduction and training course. Rofin-Baasel UK can be found in hall 20 on stand number 1936 at Medtec 2010, at the NEC in Birmingham from 27-28 April 2010.

Laser-Sintering Powders Target Aerospace Industry

Two powdered metals for the rapid manufacture of nickel alloy and aluminium alloy components by additive layer manufacturing have been introduced by EOS Electro Optical Systems. The company has specified the materials for use in its EOSINT M 270 laser-sintering systems. EOS nickel alloy IN718 is a nickel-based, heat-resistant super alloy, which corresponds to Inconel 718. It is a precipitation hardening, nickel chromium alloy characterised by good tensile, fatigue, creep and rupture strengths at temperatures up to 700C.

It shows high corrosion resistance, is suitable for many high-temperature applications and possesses strong cryogenic properties. The material may be of particular interest to the aerospace industry due to its demanding requirements. EOS said that it has carried out extensive tests in collaboration with several pilot customers. It 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, for example, heat treatment in accordance with AMS 5662 and AMS 5664 standards, as well as tensile and stress rupture properties at elevated temperatures (650C). EOS aluminium AlSi10Mg powder, a typical casting alloy, is the first aluminium-based powder to be qualified for EOSINT M 270 systems and opens up application areas due to its light weight and thermal conductivity. Thorough process development and testing were performed as preparation for the 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.

EOS has already produced examples of laser-sintered aluminium alloy components illustrating intelligent designs such as hollow parts and mesh-like structures with high stiffness-to-weight ratios. The material is expected to open up new markets in the area of light alloys.

Report Offers Analysis Of Abrasives Industry

The Abrasive Engineering Society has released the 6th edition of the 'Abrasives Industry in Europe and North America: A Market/Technology Report'. The 2009 update offers an analysis of the two largest markets for bonded abrasives (including superabrasives), coated abrasives, and loose abrasives (blasting media, etc) industry sectors. The 550-page publication provides the latest data on production, trade, and technologies for abrasive products and raw materials.

Details within the 300-plus tables, charts and graphs show a USD4.8bn (GBP2.9bn) business in the US, where coated and related products hold a share of USD2.1bn followed by bonded products (including superabrasives) at USD1.3bn. The sharp decline in markets in 2008 was replaced by a slow recovery beginning in the second half of 2009. An analysis of major end-use sectors shows the recovery will continue through 2012.

The total abrasives market in the European Union (EU) was valued at EUR3.4bn (GBP3bn) in 2008 and is expected to decline to EUR2.9bn by 2010 before entering positive but slow growth again. The European bonded abrasives market, excluding superabrasives, was valued at EUR850m in 2008 and is projected to continue shrinking until 2010, when positive growth will resume. The coated abrasives business in Europe, which was valued at EUR950m in 2008, is forecast to shrink to EUR836m by 2010 followed by growth around three per cent per year.

Superabrasives accounted for EUR1.3bn in 2008. The report includes details of production, markets, and trends for base materials such as silicon carbide, fused aluminium oxide, industrial diamond and CBN, which have a combined value of EUR220m, excluding single-point cutting tools and large stones. Manufacturers in the EU consumed around 400 million carats of diamond and CBN in 2008.

The Lowest Priced Terminal Blocks In The Industry Are Here

Altech offers the most competitively priced blocks in the industry. We feature screw and spring clamp models for DIN rail and panel mount applications. This advanced line of wire termination products will increase your design options and help to get the job done more efficiently. Our line of blocks include feed-through (single, double or triple level), distribution, ground, fuse, disconnect thermocouple, surge suppressor and indicator. A wide variety of accessories, tools and ferrules are available.

As a leading supplier of terminal blocks since 1984, Altech continues to expand the line with the most competitively priced blocks in the business. Whatever your needs from simple wire terminations to sophisticated electronic functions we have standard and miniature DIN Rail mounted terminal blocks to meet them.

When you are competing in the global marketplace, you need world-class capabilities. Altech DIN Rail components put those capabilities at your fingertips. Altech’s level of quality meets or exceeds every national and international standard for performance and safety.

The heart of the Altech Philosophy is the standardized DIN rail. Save installation time - just mount the rail and snap on terminal blocks and other components. A complete system in one organized arrangement provides reliability, high density, safety, economy as well as efficiency in design and production. Distribute power and ground, protect against overloads, isolate circuits, monitor status and more. Order as individual blocks or custom assemblies with one order number. Efficient screw-cage clamps provide reliable, vibration-proof and gas-tight terminations.


The DIN Concept

The heart of the Altech philosophy is the standardized DIN Rail and snap-on terminal block. The DIN Rail makes possible a compact, organized arrangement of terminal blocks and other DIN Rail mount components. This gives more than just the appearance of quality; it saves time and space, enhances design capabilities and provides a centralized connect-disconnect area where external and/or internal wiring can be connected quickly and efficiently. At the same time, the DIN concept allows designers to take advantage of constant advances in terminal block technology. Altech DIN Rail components do more than terminate wires. They distribute power and ground, protect against overloads and perform a host of other sophisticated functions. Whatever the application: control systems, instrumentation, automation—DIN Rail terminal blocks can help you create it and keep it as up-to-date as tomorrow.

Screw Clamp Terminal Block

Altech terminal blocks feature screw clamps for maximum wiring efficiency and reliability. The blocks are supplied with open clamps, ready to accept wires. No special wire preparation or wire lugs are required. Simply strip the wire, insert and tighten the screw to the torque for gas-tight, vibration resistant, solid connections.

The screw clamp design uses a tin-plated, solid copper or solid brass current bar with grooved serration, a steel cage clamp and screws. As the clamp is tightened, the wire is pressed firmly against the current bar, ensuring positive connections every time. The steel parts are zinc plated and passivated by a golden yellow chromate layer for maximum resistance against oxidation.

When applying tightening torques, use our straight blade screwdriver to fit the screw hole guides located in the terminal block housings.

Spring Clamp Connection

The spring clamp series terminal blocks offer a time saving alternative to the popular screw clamp connection.

The pre-stressed spring is opened using a tool (screw driver) so the conductor can be inserted into the insertion space through an opening in the spring leg. The conductor is pulled against the current bar under spring force when the tool is removed.

A high contact force is acheived by the design of the spring clamp system. The design delivers a secure and reliable connection for any application.

Housings

The metal parts of Altech terminal blocks are housed in precision-molded, self-extinguishing polyamide 6.6 material for maximum dielectric strength, electrical insulation and temperature resistance. Standard features on all housings include funnel-shaped wire entry openings and screwdriver guides.

Custom Assemblies

The beauty of the DIN Rail concept is its convenience; the unsurpassed ease with which many different components and devices can be mounted on the same rail.

Altech has made things even easier by making it possible for you to order custom designed assemblies with a single part number or, for that matter, your own drawing number. No need to order a multitude of parts, no more unwanted inventories of bulk-packaged accessories.

Send Altech your drawings or specifications, and our experienced staff will build, mark and ship your assembly, ready for installation. Our on-staff engineers will also assist you in reviewing your drawings.