Electrical/Electronic Components . . . |
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Power MOS Rises to Auto's Challenges
Jim Gillberg and Gary Wagner of Fairchild Semiconductor explain how power metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) targeting automotive applications meet a broader range of design challenges. They describe market dynamics including the forces driving automotive power devices, and review current solutions and trends.
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Auto MEMS Sensor Market Surges
A newly released market research study reveals how government mandates are driving the automotive MEMS sensor market to nearly double by 2012. The report also discusses the established and emerging applications in chassis, power train, and body electronics, as well as the major product areas.
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Steel Tries to Reduce Vehicle Weight
Weight reduction is a top design priority in fuel efficiency gains. The Future Steel Vehicles program aims to share research for new design in power trains, suspensions, and body panels. Advanced steels helped slash vehicle body mass in recent years, but third generation steels should deliver even more dramatic cuts.
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Less Resin Means More Savin'
To cut down on resin weight and costs, just use less resin — which is exactly what a new Mazda molding process enables. Rather than mold resin only, an inert gas-made supercritical fluid (SCF) mixes with the plastic resin raw material, cutting down on the amount of required resin. Result: a " substantial reduction in the weight of plastic parts used in vehicles."
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Molex CMC Hybrid Connectors
Power & Signal Group
CMC (Connectors Modular for Controllers) Connectors: sealed, high-density, modular connection system for heavy-duty transportation applications, available in standard and power versions. These wire-to-board, hybrid connectors are a cost-effective solution for power train and body electronics applications, such as engine-control units, gearboxes, electronic-park brakes, junction boxes, and suspension controllers. Learn more.
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Sharpen In-The-Cutter-Body Without Heat
Glendo Corporation
With Accu-Finish, get accurate in-the-cutter-body sharpening and easy rake angle adjustment to eliminate tool chatter — all without heat. Accu-Finish Automotive Fixtures are available for Sunnen (VSC, SGM) holders, Serdi-style cutter bodies, and more. Save time, money, and tools with Accu-Finish fixtures.
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Simulate Your Product's Real-world Performance
LMS International
How do you guarantee your design performs as expected, before physical testing? Will components move as planned? Will parts break or cause unwanted vibrations? LMS Virtual.Lab enables you to quickly simulate and optimize the performance of your design. Request your complimentary LMS Virtual.Lab Guide Tour CD to find out how.
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Compact, High Accuracy Flow Meters
Flow Technology, Inc.
Obtain accurate, reliable flow measurements for your transmission, brake, power steering, and hydraulic fluid test applications. Flow Technology's FT series flowmeter meets the needs of the automotive industry with a compact design, fast response, and high accuracy. With over 50 years experience, FTI has a solution to meet your needs.
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Simulation Speeds Engine Development
Germany's Fraunhofer Institute has developed simulation software that sharply reduces the time to design high-heat engine components. Researchers compiled the data on which the software is based by observing under the microscope where cracks occur when metal is heated under loads. Car manufacturers and suppliers can now use the software to calculate how and where a material will fail as they develop new components.
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From Formula One to Family Car
Many of the best comfort features on modern automobiles come to consumers thanks to advances in auto racing technology. A recent development may bring a top secret shock absorbing and stabilizing component to the suspension of your next family car. The new absorber technology might even be applied to motorcycles.
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Pancake Motor Drives Electric Vehicles
Designers of electric vehicles are focusing on direct-drive motors because they are small and eliminate gear reducing differentials and transmissions. It is now widely recognized that permanent magnet motors best fit the requirements of high torque at low speed needed for the vehicles. This design house has produced the first proof-of-concept of a proposed axial flux permanent magnet (AFPM) machine that has an unusual pancake geometry.
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Drive for a Better Battery
Analysis of EPA Kansas City driving cycle data indicates that U.S. Department of Energy/U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium target battery specs for 10 and 40 mile plug-in hybrid electric vehicles fall short of enabling a high percentage of trips with uninterrupted all-electric range. This range also declines with temperature, suggesting the need for pack-warming in colder weather. Results should prove useful for optimal battery design and sizing.
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Automotive Diagnostic Kit
Silvertronic Limited
Silvertronic introduces the Automotive Diagnostic Kit (ADK). This comprehensive kit meets the requirements of car manufacturers, repair shops, service training centers, and automotive parts wholesalers. The kit features a variety of adapting leads which enable connectivity to virtually all the automotive connectors found in foreign and domestic vehicles.
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The World Knows Rubber Sticks
Ehren-Haus Industries, Inc.
What the world doesn't know is how much that increases manufacturing costs. Implementation of cutting edge separators, transporting rubber through the process, reduces sticking and shrinks manufacturing costs and delays. It starts with material selection and development. Do you have the courage to change the archaic habits of your plant?
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Careers & Commentary . . . | |
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Collaboration Key to Fending off Perfect Storm
To survive in world markets, U.S. manufacturers and their engineers have to change, and fast. This observation was made by the chairman of the Center for Automotive Research at a recent Mechatronics Expo. New practices must include greater collaboration with partners, such as between auto makers and utilities, or between manufacturers and suppliers. Other necessary changes include stronger knowledge about markets, competitors, and technology trends. David Cole indicates that the cross-discipline integration seen in the rise of Mechatronics will have to be accelerated and expanded beyond just engineering departments working together.
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Dream Garage
Jay Leno has a dream garage for his fleet of collector cars that makes all us gearheads green with envy. He has three full-time people that restore, repair, and maintain a fleet of 200 cars and motorcycles. The Big Dog garage is equipped with a waterjet cutting machine, welding equipment, mill, lathe, sheet-metal fabricating equipment, and a CNC mill, all used to make parts for the vintage vehicles.
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Share Your Thoughts . . . About This Month's Topic
Which Path for Auto Power?
Auto engines are being redesigned to burn a mix of 85% ethanol, 15% gasoline. Is this the right plan, or will this put the nation on the wrong consumption path?
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