Custom cradle holds tight

The RAM (Round-A-Mount) universal mounting system uses injection-molded rubber balls instead of metal ones to prevent slip in the ball-and-socket, and protect devices from shock and vibration.

The rubber ball moves freely for positioning until the T-knob is tightened to clamp the multi-piece double-socket arm together. The resulting pressure displaces the rubber ball, changing its shape from a sphere to an irregular form that holds tremendous weight and withstands high vibration without slipping.

Jeff Carnevali, National Products Inc., 1017 S. Elmgrove St., Seattle, WA 98108; Tel: (800) 487-7479; Fax: (206) 763-9615; E-mail: [email protected] .

Keyless coupling

Designed to replace splines, Woodruff keys, and other methods of fastening power transmission components, Uni-Key simplifies the machining of keyways, eliminates hubs and setscrews, and eases axial removal of such components.

Three collars around a standard screw comprise the Uni-Key. An unthreaded collar fits over the screw similar to a standard washer. As the screw tightens, the threaded collar provides the clamping force. An oversized center hole in the middle collar allows it to radially shift.

Uni-Key's catseye-shaped cross section prevents rotation in mounting slots during installation, and several devices can be ganged around the shaft for greater torsional loads.

Lou Toffolo, Frank Roth Co. Inc., 1795 Stratford Ave., Stratford, CT 06615-6485; Tel: (203) 377-2155; Fax: (203) 375-8448; E-mail: [email protected] .

Better to break-away

Software glitches that cause loss of machine synchronization or unexpected obstacles crossing the path of a piece of moving equipment frequently result in damaged equipment. Either way, the result in pick and place (P & P) applications is usually a bent spindle (the end of a P & P head where a vacuum cup or end effector is mounted), or utter destruction of the entire P & P head.

A patented break-away spindle design releases on side-load impact to prevent destruction of expensive P & P probe tips, affording z-theta spindle axis crash protection for the semiconductor industry and other applications.

A tapered seal bore in the spindle adapter that attaches to the P & P head receives a spring-loaded collet on the break away probe tip. Collar-clamp screws in the spindle adapter and a keyway in the probe tip maintain rigidity in z and theta directions for accuracy and repeatability during operation, but allow it to break away upon side-load impact. After breaking away, the tapered design automatically centers and seats the probe tip when the user snaps it back into position.

Don Rich, IntellePro, 190 Strykers Rd., Phillipsburg, NJ 08865-9709; Tel: (908) 454-3399; Fax: (908) 454-1440; E-mail: [email protected] .