Automation Parts

Combined Starter-Alternator Reduces Petrol Use Dow Corning is helping auto manufacturers and suppliers boost gas mileage and reduce emissions. Dow Corning's technical centres are delivering process engineering, testing and even prototyping to help customers accelerate product development and reduce time to market. Among recent fuel-saving advances is a design for a combination starter-alternator that outperforms the conventional starter and alternator as separate components. The device is at the heart of the 'start-stop' system, which conserves fuel and reduces pollution by automatically shutting off the engine when a vehicle is stationary. The system immediately and silently restarts the motor as soon as a gear is engaged; or in the case of a car with automatic transmission, whenever the driver releases the brake. In starter mode, the belt drive and low inertia of the device mean it starts three-times faster than a conventional starter and with a fraction of the noise....

JAI has added the BM-141GE (monochrome) and the BB-141GE (Bayer colour) 1.4 megapixel cameras to its C3 Basic series. These cameras, which feature a GigE Vision interface, are particularly suited to the changing lighting conditions of outdoor applications. The megapixel resolution of these cameras provides outstanding image quality. The BM-141GE and BB-141GE are based on Sony's ICX-285 2/3in progressive scan CCD (1392 x 1040 pixels), providing excellent sensitivity and spectral response. This sensor uses its 6.45um pixel size and improved microlens technology to provide higher overall sensitivity (as low as 0.03 lux) with low smear characteristics. It also features extended spectral response in the near-IR region, offering roughly four-times the sensitivity of conventional sensors at a 945nm wavelength. The BM-141GE and BB-141GE combine sophisticated circuit design and thermal-management techniques to deliver a signal-to-noise ratio of greater than 58 dB, producing high-quality ...

Parker Hannifin has launched a range of air filters that incorporate aerospace technology for optimised air flow and more efficient filtration. As a result, the Moduflex Extras filters can reduce energy costs and help organisations minimise the environmental impact of pneumatic applications. The flow management system uses a number of features based on aerodynamic principles, allowing flow rates to be increased. These features include a 'bell mouth' inlet, which provides an unrestricted path for air entering the filter element, and a smooth elbow that directs air into the filter element more efficiently than the sharp 90 corner inside most conventional filters, said Parker. Many of the models in the range feature specially designed turning vanes, which channel the incoming air to reduce pressure drop and further increase efficiency. The Moduflex Extras filters feature deep pleat element technology and specially treated filtration media to offer 400 per cent greater surface...

Tablet PC Survives Tough Use The computer's SunView Screen has been developed to provide the best user experience in all lighting conditions, both indoors and in bright sunshine. JLT has released the JLT8404 rugged tablet PC, with an aircraft-grade aluminium chassis and 8.4in colour touchscreen, viewable in sunlight. The device offers integrated wireless communications including Bluetooth, WLAN and 3G/GPRS, as well as GPS, a choice of powerful processors and a Windows operating system. It lacks moving and external parts, offers an IP65 rating and has survived drop tests to 1.2m and temperatures ranging from -20 to +50C. The computer's SunView Screen has been developed to provide the best user experience in all lighting conditions, both indoors and in bright sunshine. Coupled with this is a new touch-screen that has advanced features including palm rejection and offers great accuracy without the need of a digitiser and active stylus. The JLT8404 is suited to a wide range of appl...