Automation Parts

Open Design Alliance Announces World Conference The Open Design Alliance (ODA) has announced its second ODA World Conference in Orlando, Florida, from 4-5 May 2010. This conference will offer attendees the opportunity to discuss and learn about the latest advances in ODA platform technology and the technical graphics industry. Each day of the conference will include presentations by ODA member companies, ODA partners and other third parties, as well as offer workshops in the ODA Technology Exchange. The ODA Technology Exchange will provide more direct interaction, collaboration and 'how-to' sessions with technology leaders to address the specific questions and requirements of conference attendees. Topics will include the latest developments and advancements in the CAD industry, conceptual and practical implementations of ODA technology, and how to blend ODA components and third-party components to create a foundation for new solutions. The ODA is also asking its members, partne...

Autodesk Expands Online Sustainable Design Guide Autodesk has launched updates for the Autodesk guide to sustainable design for architecture, engineering and construction. Enhancements include interactive graphical interface and resources for green building renovators. The free online guide helps industry professionals make better informed decisions to achieve building performance goals. The updated site now extends through the entire building lifecycle with new features and tools targeting green building retrofit and renovation projects, and an expanded focus on relevant issues of interest to building owners and energy service companies. The new graphical user interface presents the user with two options; New Construction or Renovation. The guide offers detailed virtual walk-throughs for all phases of a new design or renovation project, allowing visitors to view key decision points at each stage of a building's lifecycle: energy efficiency, water efficiency and carbon emissions. ...

Rockwell's Motion Analyzer mechatronics tool optimises design for the automation and machine-construction industry. Application data can be accepted by the 3D CAD software Solidworks via the interface, directly from the OEM's mechanical design. An estimation of the loading then becomes superfluous and a genuine computation of the drive load is possible. Based on these data, the tool suggests a suitable drive, taking into consideration local conditions such as the supply voltage and the siting level. Motion Analyzer is able to carry out a comparison of costs and performance for various drive technologies. This means that the user can select the variant most suitable to the machine's use. With the aid of the Motion Analyzer computation tool, the user can adapt the movement to the conditions in the mechanical system and optimise it for his specific application. There is an export function to the Logix controller so that the computed travel profile can also be executed later...

3D CAD Environment Combines Modelling And Design IronCAD has released its IronCAD 3D design solution version 2009, combining modelling and structured design into a single environment. IronCAD has also introduced a 2D design environment integrated within IronCAD that offers mechanical design capabilities to assist in detailing 3D and 2D design data. All new customers buying Ironcad will automatically receive Version 2009 Next Generation. Next Generation provides the combination of IronCAD's design environment with the more conventional history-based structured-design environment, allowing users to choose at an individual part level which process is most appropriate for the particular part they are designing. IronCAD's structure part design allows users to build rigid feature dependant parts with embedded design intent, delivering control over future changes and a predictable structure to the design. With Next Generation, IronCAD offers the customer a choice between Structu...

LDMOS Transistors Aid Design Of Wireless Stations Infineon Technologies AG has introduced a range of high-power LDMOS transistors for the design of broadband wireless-network base stations. The transistors, introduced at the IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium, feature power levels up to 300W and video-bandwidth exceeding 90MHz. They support the high peak-to-average power ratios and high data-rate specifications required for the evolution from 3 to 4G wireless networks. The new transistor range achieves higher gain and higher power-density than alternative devices operating in the 1.4 - 2.6GHz cellular bands. This allows the use of packages with a 30 per cent smaller footprint, to enable smaller and lower cost amplifier designs. High peak-power is valuable for Doherty-based amplifier designs, as well as for reducing parts count in other architectures. Illustrative performance of the new transistors, in a two-carrier WCDMA signal at 2170 MHz, 30V, 8dB PAR and 3.84MHz channe...

Cedrat And Motor-Design Launch Motor-CAD v5.1 Cedrat and Motor-Design have released a Motor-CAD software package for the thermal analysis of motors and the optimisation of motor cooling. Motor-CAD v5.1 enables motor designers to optimise their designs for energy efficiency, size and cost reduction. The software is intended to provide the link between the electromagnetic design and thermal analysis of motors. Non-heat-transfer specialists are able to evaluate different cooling options during the design process. According to Cedrat, Motor-CAD has a user-friendly interface that allows the inputting of geometry, winding data, losses, materials and cooling details. The thermal parameters, such as convection and radiation coefficients, are automatically calculated. The software supports a range of motor types and a number of cooling options are available. It provides the ability to perform the steady-state and transient thermal analysis of electric motors. Motor-CAD v5.1 includes a num...

Wago 2716 Series high-current PCB-mount terminal block features a lever-actuated termination design for tool-free termination of conductors 24 - 6 AWG. The integrated lever minimises operator strain and wiring times while reducing torque exerted on PCBs. To operate, simply lift the lever, insert a stripped conductor, then lower the lever. The spring pressure cage clamp assures that terminations are maintenance free and gas tight, as well as resistant to vibration and temperature cycling. There are no screw torque requirements to be concerned with, making the 2716 an ideal PCB terminal block for field wired installations. Standard 2716 Series configurations include 10mm (55A/600V) or 15mm (65A/600V) pitch variants, ranging from two to eight-pole configurations. Additional pole configurations, as well as a 20mm pitch variant, are available upon request. The 2716 Series PCB terminal block is available with or without a jumper slot. An integrated test port allows probe access with di...