Editorials - Archives - July 2009

Wireless Power Technology: A Generational Perspective   7/30/2009
After years in the backwoods, inductive wireless power technology has seen a recent resurgence both in the marketplace as well as in fundamental technical innovation   Continue

Old Reliable   7/29/2009
The basic mechanical principles behind bearings are essentially the same. The design, construction and applications can be as varied and unique as a single snowflake. Determining the best overall bearings would be impossible because bearing selection depends both on the application and the operating parameters. Why would you choose the same bearing for a pair of roller skates and a precision machine tool?   Continue

Desk Slaves No More   7/29/2009
iClubby is the second product from Gravitonus president and founder Dr. Alex Kosik, a Russian spinal surgeon who specializes in the treatment of spinal cord injuries and the cervical spine (neck). For more than five years, Kosik was a surgeon in the Central Scientific-Research Institue of Traumatology and Orthopedics – the leading Russian institution in spinal cord injury research and orthopedic treatment. He created the first workstation, the Gravitonus, for the disabled community. The second generation was created for gamers and office workers.   Continue

Growing Up Geek   7/28/2009
Chuck Lewin once bought twenty cheap electric hand drills to try and make a robot out of the motors inside. In PD&D’s latest Electronic Fireside Chat, the founder of Performance Motion Devices (PMD) discusses the early PC game he developed to rival Breakout, his extensive past in motion control, and his role in a gang of microcomputer hobbyists.   Continue

Self-Lubricating Gear System   7/23/2009
When Dexter Magnetic Technologies introduced a dual axis robotic manipulator to control sputtering in the manufacturing of computer hard drives, it was an instant success that relied upon a sophisticated drive and pulley system that quickly developed a troublesome, excessive wear problem that was resolved with a solution presented by Intech Corporation.   Continue

News Exclusive: Selling The Future   7/21/2009
There are many new opportunities being created in this marketplace. There are new industries, niches and thousands of new applications that will emerge in the economy. U.S. manufacturers are geographically closest to these customers and can seize the initiative by offering innovative products and services to take advantage of the new opportunities.   Continue

Optimizing Power Design   7/20/2009

In the past, in order for people to enjoy a television program all they needed was the TV set and an antenna. With the advent of cable and satellite broadcasting, this is no longer enough, and the use of a set top box (STB) has become an almost unavoidable requirement. Now the majority of viewers in the United States rely on some form of STB to provide them with entertainment, instead of analogue broadcasts. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) estimates that, by 2010, over 107 million US households will be subscribing to digital television in this way.   Continue

Keeping Things Clean & Clear   7/20/2009
According to Hille Hyytiä, industrial companies should start the clean tech revolution by enhancing their existing processes – and the management of them. Hille Hyytiä works for Motiva, a government-owned company that promotes the Finnish market for efficient energy and material use and renewable energy sources. One key focus of interest for the company is clean technologies.   Continue

Nice Tan   7/20/2009
A Polyclutch slip clutch provides the control needed to ensure uniform application of spray tanning and skin care products in tanning machines made by MagicTan Corp. The slip clutch provides controlled resistance that ensures the speed of the spray nozzle mechanism.   Continue