Low-profile power supplies

A new range of industrial low-profile ATX computer power supplies is available. The ZWX-series open-frame, ac-dc supplies are aimed at server and industrial-computer applications. These supplies provide the five voltages (+3.3, +5, +12, -12 and +5V standby) and are 1U rack or enclosure mountable. The ZWX300 includes a second +12V to support extra drives, memory, and fans. The supplies work well in applications where convection cooling is preferred, yet can provide higher power for fan cooling. The convection-cooled power ratings are 90, 120, and 150W. With forced-air cooling (30 cfm) these ratings jump to 153, 204, and 255W respectively. Add 30 to 40W for peak power ratings.

Lambda Americas, 3055 Del Sol Blvd, San Diego, CA 92154, (619) 575-4400, www.info.hotims.com/18361-256

More low pin-count options for embedded designs

Over 30 new 28 and 44-pin 16-bit devices for embedded designs increase memory or performance, and enhance peripherals while keeping the small size and costs associated with lower pin count devices. Ten PIC24H family 40 MIPS 16-bit microcontrollers, ten dsPIC33 Family General Purpose DSCs, and ten dsPIC33 motor control and power-conversion family DSCs are available. The devices offer 32, 64, or 128 Kbytes of programmable Flash memory, up to 2 Kbytes of dual-port RAM, 4 to 16 Kbytes of SRAM including DMA, two on-chip comparators, and a user-selectable 10-bit (4 S&H) or 12-bit (1 S&H) Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC). Standard serial peripherals include two SPIs, two UARTs and one I²C module.

Microchip Technology Inc., 2355 West Chandler Blvd., Chandler, AZ, 85224, (480) 792-7200, www.info.hotims.com/18361-258

Miniature connectors with up to 65 pins

Nano-Miniature Bi-Lobe connectors come in single and dual-row formats. Single-row devices come in 5 to 51-pin count versions and a low profile of 0.115 in. Polarized to prevent mismating, the connectors feature a metal shell, and jackscrew for locking and unmating. They are available in wire-to-wire and surface-mount versions. Pin counts run 15 to 65 positions with custom configurations available, and are rated to 1 A. The units withstand a shock of 100G in each axis and have passed a vibration exposure from 10 to 2,000 to 10 Hz at 20G amplitude in each axis.

Omnetics Connector Corp., 7260 Commerce Circle East, Minneapolis, MN 55432, (800) 343-0025, www.info.hotims.com/18361-257

Small cable-extension transducers last 5 million cycles

Celesco's M150 transducer has a range of 1.5 inches, fits into tiny spaces, and is good for applications such as biomedical and robotics. The aluminum transducer body measures just 0.74 × 0.74 × 0.38-in., or the approximate size of thumbprint, with a 0.014-inch diameter nylon-coated stainless steel measuring cable. It offers extremely durable construction and a high degree of reliability. The devices don't require precise manual alignment so users need not sacrifice stroke range to properly position the sensor.

Celesco Transducer Products Inc., 20630 Plummer St., Chatsworth, CA 91311, (800) 423-5483, www.info.hotims.com/18361-259

A sequence relay for cycle tests

A 100% solid state, SEQ Series sequential recycling relay alternately switches two to five loads in a repeating sequence with an adjustable frequency and duration. The solid-state portion handles the load switching. Typical applications include On/Off-cycling for equipment during burn-in tests and automatic cycling of electrically operated devices, such as signs and lighting controls. The SEQ Series timers have a max-load current of 5A, an operating range of -30 to 70C, and voltage drop of 2.5V RMS or less. Ac units come in 12, 24, and 120V with power requirements of 5 VA or less. Dc voltages of 12, 24, 36, 48 and 110 are available and have a power requirement of 5 watts or less. Dc custom voltages are also available.

Amperite Co., 4201 Tonnelle Ave. North Bergen, NJ 07047, (800) 752-2329, www.info.hotims.com/18361-260

Over 7,000 fluid connectors

More than 100 new fittings have been added to Colder Products Co.'s line of quick-disconnect couplings and fittings. The new items include larger hose-barb sizes, more material options and tube-to-tube reducers. The company provides more than 7,000 different quick disconnect couplings and fittings. Available in white nylon and animal-free natural polypropylene, these fittings have no parting lines, making them instrumentation-quality hose barbs. Colder fittings feature tapered 10-32 threads to aid sealing, and a shrouded 1/16-in. hose barb to prevent breakage of polypropylene hose barbs, making them well suited for medical and instrumentation applications.

Colder Products Co., 1001 Westgate Dr, St. Paul, MN 55114, (651) 645-0091, www.info.hotims.com/18361-261

Three dispensing valves for many fluids

The DV509 pneumatic diaphragm valve is suitable for precise flow control of low to medium-viscosity liquids such as cyanoacrylates, reagents, UV adhesives, and volatile substances where the wetted parts must be separated from the air supply. This valve can dispense >0.0001cc or 0.1µl at 200 cycles/sec. Use the VDP150 for constant high repeatability deposits of medium to high-viscosity fluids of 5,000 to 20,000 cps. Shot size is tuned by a stroke adjuster in the valve. Filling a known chamber volume allows positive displacements of >0.005cc or 5µl. A 4-way valve controller provides rapid cycling. And the PDV-1000 valve is a series of precision screw designs for high-viscosity materials, 35,000cps and up. It makes repeatable deposits of >0.00003cc to 0.01µl. Shot-time intervals can range from 0.001 to 65.63 seconds. The PDV-1000 can be used with filled or abrasive materials.

I&J Fisnar Inc., 2-07 Banta Place, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410, (201) 796-1477, www.info.hotims.com/18361-262

Test probe goes connectorless

The Spirit Connectorless Test Probe provides high-speed serial testing with a quick and reliable connection to electrically sensitive signals. The Spirit Probe uses 100 differential pair signal routing and a replaceable, bifurcated compression contact-array system on the DUT end with a high-speed Q-Strip connectors on the instrument end.

Samtec Inc, Box 1147, New Albany, IN 47151, (812) 944-6733, www.info.hotims.com/18361-263

Diamond turner for polymer optics

G-S Plastic Optics recently expanded its diamond turning capabilities with a new Precitech Nanoform 200 machine. This two-axis aspheric contouring machine with real-time operating system will be used for single-point diamond turning. The work center is also equipped with a slow tool servo that enables the company to rapidly manufacture large departure freeform optics. By bringing this capability in-house, the company can offer improved operational efficiency and delivery times, specifically in rapid prototyping and limited production runs of polymer optics.

G-S Plastic Optics, 408 St. Paul St., Rochester, NY 14603, (800) 252-5335, www.info.hotims.com/18361-264

Fluid connector disconnects without leaking

A dry-break quick connector disconnects without fluid spray or leakage, and with minimal dead volume. The stainless-steel assembly weighs only 15 grams. Internal and external ends are available with 10-32 internal or external threads and include captured o-ring seals for leak-tight connections. Panel mount versions are also available.

Beswick Engineering Co. Inc, 284 Ocean Road, Greenland, NH 03840, (800) 354-5014, www.info.hotims.com/18361-265