new products

Mechanical Engineering, Aug 2006

www.me.ims.ca/6A79-68 or circle 68

Impact hammers

PCB PIEZOTRONICS INC., DEPEW, N.Y. The Vibration Division of the company has come out with Modally Tuned impact hammers for modal analysis, structural testing and automotive design, impulse and response, resonance determination, laboratory design test evaluation, and civil structure health determinations. The Modally Tuned impact hammers' design has been refined, through the selection of construction materials, to deliver consistent, accurate results, according to the company. This "modal tuning" of the hammer structure eliminates hammer resonances from corrupting the test data, resulting in more accurate resuits. Modally Tuned impact hammers are also available in kits, which include ICP accelerometers, signal conditioning, and all accessories to begin testing with FFT analyzers or data acquisition workstations.

www.me.ims.ca/6479-69 or circle 69

Mini needle valve

BESWICK ENGINEERING CO, INC., GREENLAND, N.H. Beswick's miniature cartridge needle valve promises precise flow adjustment in an very compact package, according to the manufacturer. It can be used to control mini-cylinders, nozzles, timing circuits, filling heads, and bleed vents, and in many other applications as well. It is designed for incorporation into manifold assemblies. Cartridge valves in concert with a manifold offer a smaller envelope, reduced assembly time and fewer parts. O-ring seals throughout the valve ensure a leak proof installation. The cartridge needle valve allows precise flow control due to 56 threads per inch adjustment and three degree taper of the needle. The adjusted flow remains stable even during temperature fluctuations as the needle and valve seat are both manufactured from stainless steel. Maximum inlet pressure is 300 psig.

www.me.ims.ca/6A79-70 or circle 70

Sensing points

SENSOR PRODUCTS LLC, MADISON. NJ. The company has expanded its Tactilus line of dynamic electronic pressure mapping systems with the introduction of its free-form sensor systems. The systems consist of up to 16 individual sensing points that can detect pressures up to 60 psi with simple electronics and a USB interface. These sensors can be used independently or assembled in a matrix to allow the user the flexibility to move from one application to the next without the need for a new system. The free-form sensor systems are useful for such applications as biomechanics, PCB manufacture and polishing, clamping, door seals, ergonomics, heat seals, LCD bonding, nips, presses, switches, and lamination.

www.me.ims.ca/6479-71 or circle 71

Servo coupling

R W AMERICA, BENSENVILLE, ILL. The Ecolight-TX1 series of molded thermoplastic insert couplings seeks to combine durability and performance with cost savings. The most significant technical advantages, according to the manufacturer, are a reduced mass and moment of inertia, accompanied by a high level of chemical compatibility and tolerance for heat. These characteristics are said to make the TX couplings useful for both pump drive and servo applications. These plastics also provide major cost reduction compared to metals, as the result of decreased production times and relatively low material cost. The material of the hubs is a glass fiber-reinforced plastic developed for rigidity and corrosion resistance. R W TX couplings have an elastomer element that is press fit between the two precision-molded coupling halves, giving it zero backlash and guaranteed concentricity.