Fluid dispenser meets RoHS

A RoHS compliant digital dispenser, model SL101, sits on a bench and is self teaching. The CE approved unit has a bright LCD and 10 memory locations to store 10 programs. Operating modes include autocycling, a manual mode dispenses material by a foot-pedal signal, and a timed mode dispense for a preset time. Touch-sensitive controls program dispense periods from 0.01 to 9,999 sec. Systems are available in 110 and 220V versions. Air input is 70 to 100 psi (5 to 7 bar). Dispense (output) air pressure is programmed from 1 to 100 psi. An adjustable suck-back feature prevents post-dispense dripping of low-viscosity fluids and potential oozing of higher-viscosity creams.

I&J Fisnar Inc, 2-07 Banta Place, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410, (201) 796-1477,info.ims.ca/18359-256

A seal for ultra-clean conditions

Variseal Ultra-Clean uses an enclosed spring to activate the seal, thus ensuring cleanliness while it works. The best material for the ultra-clean seal is Turcon MF, a proprietary PTFE for super clean environments. Turcon MF compounds are produced from high purity PTFE grades and additives, and are compliant to FDA 21 CFR 177.1550, 3-A, and USP Class VI. A smooth finish, with high gloss and low porosity, avoids the risk of contamination build up and reduces particle shedding. Materials withstand high pressures (in excess of 100 bar or 1,450 psi), temperatures from -423 to 500 F, and a vacuum capability of 10^-9 mbar x l/s in air.

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, Box 176, 2531 Bremer Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46801, (260) 749-9631, info.ims.ca/18359-257

Controllers for LCD monitors

The DVS-1600 controller addresses a range of TFT LCD monitor applications with many inputs and features. The DVS-1600's flexible port architecture now provides physical inputs for DVI, VGA, S-Video and Composite Video, along with a wide range of video modes. This array of inputs combined into a single controller provides a versatile solution for both new and legacy applications. The DVS-1600 comes pre-programmed to support many panel models and switch-selectable resolutions. It supports panel resolutions from VGA (640 × 480 pixels) to UXGA (1,600 × 1,200), and panel formats of 4:3, 5:4, 16:9, and 16:10. New panel timing and other features may be updated when needed by the controller's serial port. Pricing: $110 in 1,000 piece quantities

Digital View Inc, 18440 Technology Dr, Building 130, Morgan Hill, CA 95037, Attn: Michael Robertson, (408) 782 7773, info.ims.ca/18359-258

Power supply mounts on DIN rails

Lambda extends its DPP family of DIN rail-mount power supplies with the addition of 120 and 240-watt models. The new DPP120 and DPP240 series provide an economical solution for mid-power factory automation and process-control applications. The DPP120 series are available with a nominal output of 12V, 24V or 48V, while the DPP240 series are available with an output of either 24V or 48V. For special applications, both series have a front panel potentiometer to adjust output voltage.

Lambda America, 3055 Del Sol Blvd, San Diego, CA 92154, (619) 575-4400, info.ims.ca/18359-259

Hospital cordset reaches 20 ft

A new North American hospital-grade cordset reaches 20 ft. The green dot on the cords and cordsets indicate they have been designed and tested for grounding reliability, assembly integrity, strength, and durability for use in hospital and medical settings. The units are UL and CSA approved and rated for a maximum 13 amps with service at 125 Vac. The cordsets are available with a NEMA 5-15 clear plug, 16/3 SJT black cable, and a black or silver IEC 60320 C13 straight connector.

Interpower Corp., 2900 SE 5th St, Ames IA 50010, (800) 622-2290, info.ims.ca/18359-260

7,500 pieces/hr from programmable cutter

The MMC200 cuts round or flat material up to 100-mm wide by 16-mm thick. The unit can cut multiple pieces of the same material at one time. The microprocessor-controlled unit is easily programmed to cut any length (in inches or millimeters), with a 1% or better tolerance depending on material construction. With a maximum cutting force of 600 lb, the unit cuts most materials, including copper wire and cable, silver solder, power cords, fiberglass sleeving, fabrics, belting, flat and ribbon cable, strapping, hosing, tubing, and more. The MMC200 is programmable for up to 99 batches, 10 fixed feed rates, and up to 7,592, 2-in. pieces/hr.

Eraser Co. Inc, Box 4961, 123 Oliva Dr., Syracuse, NY 13221, (315) 454-3237, info.ims.ca/18359-261

Clever feature extends heater relay life

A NO-ARC relay is a mechanical device with arc suppression from smart electronics. It reduces the amount of arcing across relay contacts and greatly extends the life of the relay. When a control signals a product to turn on, NO-ARC technology energizes a circuit in parallel with contacts to carry the load so the contacts do not have to. The same thing happens when the relay is expected to open or turn off. Standard relays typically have a life of about 100,000 cycles at rated amperage. The new relays will have lives of more than four million cycles and only come in Watlow products.

Watlow Inc, 12001 Lackland Rd., St. Louis, MO 63146, (314) 878-4600, info.ims.ca/18359-262

Polymer thick films build a better heater

Disposable sensors used in tasks such as blood-glucose monitoring and EKGs, uses Parlex's Polymer Thick Film (PTF) technology. These products are easily designed and manufactured for cost-effectiveness and fast turn-around. PTF increases component reliability because they weigh less and distribute heat better. Components are mounted using Parlex Polysolder Adhesive that reduces thermal stress versus traditional SnPb flow. PTF uses silver and carbon inks for conduction, making it environmentally friendly versus traditional copper etching.

Parlex USA Inc., One Parlex Place, Methuen, MA 01844, (978) 685-4341, info.ims.ca/18359-263

Elastomer makes earphones more comfortable

Earbuds provide the function of an earphone yet sit next to the ear so users avoid the discomfort of inserting them into the ear canal. An earbud accessory called Lobie is made of soft, lightweight Versaflex CL30, a thermoplastic elastomer. The material's pliability lets it stretch to accommodate different ear sizes without being floppy. Versaflex has a high friction coefficient to keep the device in place over the ear, colorability, clarity, and FDA approval. The Lobie solves drawbacks associated with ear phones that often fit poorly.

GLS Corp., 833 Ridgeview Drive McHenry, IL 60050, (800) 457-8777, info.ims.ca/18359-264

Valves ready for oxygen service

The Oxygen Clean series of electronic valves are for use on oxygen lines and work well in low-pressure pneumatic applications for compressed air. The new valve is ultrasonically cleansed, assembled, inspected, and tested in an enclosed and controlled area with a state-of-the-art positive-pressure, HEPA air filters. The valves come in 2 or 3-way, normally closed or fully ported versions. The O-E series use an unconventional valve system that responds more quickly than conventional designs.

Clippard Instrument Laboratory Inc., 7390 Colerain Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45239, info.ims.ca/18359-265

RFID wizard for labeling software

The RFID Wizard in Easylabel software lets users create EPC (Electronic product code) and DoD smart labels. The wizard prompts for necessary information and then does the rest. RFID projects that do not require the EPC or DoD RFID code can use Easylabel to directly program high frequency and UHF labels in a hexadecimal or ASCII format. A software option imports parts or all RFID data from sources such as databases, serial files, existing bar code or text fields, and external text files. A free trial edition is available for download.

Tharo Systems Inc., 2866 Nationwide Pkwy, Brunswick, OH 44212, (800) 878-6833, info.ims.ca/18359-266

Vinyl compounds in wide durometer range

Geon HC vinyl compounds are available for the healthcare industry. The materials feature flexible injection molding and extrusion grade vinyl compounds with a wide durometer range. These compounds are available from a low 60 Shore A through nearly-rigid grades, and many have USP Class 6 and FDA regulatory status. The compounds can be gamma and EtO sterilized, and are available in quantities as small as 50 lb. Nonphthalate grades are also available.

PolyOne Corp., 33587 Walker Rd, Avon Lake, OH 44012, (440) 930-1000, info.ims.ca/18359-267

Nonmetalic bearings for the medical industry

An iglide bearings brochure is geared towards the medical industry. Iglide and DryLin for Medical and Laboratory Equipment includes product data about the company's plain plastic bearings and linear guide systems, as well as various medical application examples. The 10-page brochure includes a rundown of features and benefits of bearings such as iglide R, a low-cost replacement for bronze bearings, and iglide T500, a high-temperature bearing with superior chemical resistance. And iglide A200 is good for applications requiring FDA-approved material.

Igus Inc, Box 14349, East Providence, R.I. 02914, (800) 521-2747, info.ims.ca/18359-268

Drawing software for healthcare

SmartDraw.com launched its Healthcare Edition 2008, a program that automates the task of creating healthcare graphics including patient handouts, anatomical diagrams, treatment protocols, timelines, flowcharts, and more. The software uses templates tailored to each specific type of diagram, such as a flowchart. Users enter information and SmartDraw lays out the correct illustration using built-in rules and professional design themes for presentation-quality results in just a few minutes. The software has thousands of detailed medical illustrations from Lippincott and Elsevier, and more than 1,000 professionally-designed templates.

SmartDraw.com, 10085 Carroll Canyon Road, Suite 220, San Diego, CA 92131, (858) 549-0314, info.ims.ca/18359-269

Metal injection molding for net-shaped parts

Metal injection molding (MIM) allows manufacturing highly detailed, intricate parts that can weigh less than one gram. Proprietary injection molding produces net-shaped components to reduce the number of parts through design approaches that for example, combine machined and stamped details. MIM can also eliminate laser welding and provide consistent high volume production through high quality, multi-cavity tooling and stringent process control. Net-shape parts are available in many medically approved materials.

Polymer Technologies Inc., 10 Clifton Blvd., Clifton, N.J. 07011, (973) 778-9100, info.ims.ca/18359-270