Top Stories

Low Pressure Wafer Handling

Al Presher, Contributing Editor, November 16, 2009
Innovative design of wafer handling grippers requires only 3-5 percent vacuum levels
New Class of Linear Motors

Al Presher, Contributing Editor, November 16, 2009
Synchronous design reduces costs for travel distances greater than 2m
Elevated Single-Axis Tracking Photovoltaic Systems

By Design News Staff, November 16, 2009
ViaSol Energy Solutions designed an economical, elevated, single-axis-tracking PV system, currently deployed on top of two parking garages at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ.
Protecting Equipment Operators from Hydraulic Fluid Injuries

By Design News Staff, November 16, 2009
A pinhole leak in a hydraulic hose under pressure releases toxic fluid at more than 600 ft/sec - approaching the muzzle velocity of a gun, now many users are exploring ways to better protect employees who workin close promiximity to exposed hydraulic hoses.
Hydraulic Controls Make Helicopter Parts Pass the Test

By Design News Staff, November 16, 2009
Hydraulic testers are getting "smarter" through the use of programmable electronic motion controllers.
Automotive Parts Made Simple with Upgraded Lathes

By Design News Staff, November 15, 2009
TRW has been making parts for the automotive industry for many years, but when Ford Automotive considered giving them the contract to manufacture the rear toe-links for its Navigator and Expedition SUVs, the company's traditional lathes were just not accurate enough for the task.
Helping NASA Survey the Moon's Surfaces

By Design News Staff, November 15, 2009
In 2020, NASA plans to go to the moon to explore its varied surfaces. It needed to develop a vehicle that was capable of traveling over the extremely rough terrain of the moon, as well as be able to climb 40-degree slopes.
Tiny Encoder Ideal for Medical Application

By Design News Staff, November 15, 2009
SenoRx's EnCor^®allows a doctor to remove a small amount of tissue from the breast for biopsy. The device is handheld and uses vacuum-assisted technology (VAB) resulting in a minimally invasive procedure.
Rexroth Integrated Motor/Drives Help Improve Veronica Cartoner

By Design News Staff, November 15, 2009
Ultra Packaging worked with local Bosch Rexroth automation distributor CMA/Flodyne/Hydradyne of Hanover Park, IL to take its vertical cartoner machine to another level.
Plastic Bearings Picked over Bronze

By Design News Staff, November 14, 2009
Harriston Industries' "The Pick Planter" uses individual row units with walking gauge wheels to provide a consistent planting depth. The planter's large pick wheels and a low drop point also ensure better seed placement.
Better Automation Critical to Winning Design

By Design News Staff, November 13, 2009
Immunicon Corp.'s design-award-winning CellTracks^® Analyzer II automated fluorescence microscope aids cancer research and treatment.
Controller Retrofit Solutions

By Design News Staff, November 13, 2009
Re-control projects allow manufacturers to realize some significant cost savings, while modernizing the control system, which is typically the backbone of the machine tool itself.
Gefasoft Documents Production Process with TURCK RFID Solution

By Design News Staff, November 13, 2009
For a recent semiconductor application, Regensburg specialists developed an automated loading and unloading system for the manufacturing of multi-chip modules.
Why Servos Are Multiplying on Packaging Machines

By Design News Staff, November 13, 2009
Market demands, ease of use, shrinking prices, and most of all, advances in functionality, have accelerated servo usage yet again in packaging machines.
First Place Finish for New Pick-and-Place DeltaBot

By Design News Staff, November 13, 2009
AEMK robots use cables instead of rigid arms to reduce moving inertia and mechanical equipment cost. Due to their simple design, AEMK robots can be installed in many labor-intensive applications with high capital cost barriers to incorporating automation equipment.
Metal Belts Improve Performance and Reduce Costs

By Design News Staff, November 13, 2009
After developing a test to detect the presence of a specific DNA, Cepheid engineers found they were unable to produce the test's disposable reaction tubes in sufficient quantity to keep up with testing demands, so they developed a new production system.
World's First Servo-Driven Lumber Stickering Stacker Saves Energy

By Design News Staff, November 12, 2009

MoCo Engineering and Fabricating decided it was time to move forward with an all-electric, servo-driven machine that could provide lumber mills with an impressive return on investment.
Precision Technology Increases Farm Productivity

By Design News Staff, November 12, 2009
AutoFarm, a division of Novariant Inc. located in Fremont, CA, was developing the OnTrac2™, a new precision GPS implement steering system powered by an electromechanical drive. AutoFarm needed a solution for growers who required affordable, easy-to-install, hands-free steering on their agricultural operation.
Intelligent Air Valve

Al Presher, Contributing Editor, October 13, 2009
Proportion Air's MizAir^® technology shuts off air supply to the pump at the midpoint of each stroke, creating energy efficiency.
Magnetic Torque Transfer

Al Presher, Contributing Editor, October 13, 2009
Flux Drive does not create any power line disturbances, making it ideal for applications where sensitive equipment could be affected by operation of a frequency drive.

Design News Partner Zones

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First, let's define "no-compromise." In an ideal configuration, this lamp would use a high-brightness LED (HBLED) that is built into a small, integrated package and is able to produce a large quantity of focused light, operate with a high level of reliability and generate no audible noise. Is this difficult? Yes, but it is possible.
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Design Engineers' Portal for Sensing and Machine Safety
Whatever industry you're in, or whatever product you manufacture, the right sensors to automate your plant, and to improve your overall efficiency, quality and safety are a must. You'll find Banner Engineering to be an amazing resource of products, training and people with expertise.