Potting Gel
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Optical Gel LS-3238 is a soft encapsulation material designed for the protection of sensitive photonics and fiber optics modules from mechanical or thermal shock, dust and moisture. The product has a refractive index of 1.38 for aiding total internal reflection in silica fiber, optical glass and plastic substrates. Available in self-mixing/dispensing cartridges, it cures in 24 hours at room temperature without the need for UV exposure or high-temperature bake. Service temperature is from -40° to 200°C. Fiber Optic Center Inc., New Bedford, Mass.
Pliers
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Precision Pliers are manufactured from high-carbon steel and have a slim profile for control and maneuverability in tight spaces. Features include nonslip cushion grips, black finishes and nonprotruding springs. Model 450 Tweezernose reportedly combines the precision to pick up a human hair and the strength for wire forming. Model 485 Longnose has an outside edge radius for bending and forming. Model 488 Roundnose transitions to an elliptic shape. Model 489 Combination Tip features one flat and one round tip. Model 496 Split Ring opens a ring and holds it to simplify installation. Xuron Corp., Saco, Maine
In-line Mixer
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This In-line Mixer is designed to mix two-component synthetic resins and materials with fillers such as silicones and silicone foams. Constructed of 316 stainless steel, it features removable/replaceable elements that reportedly make for easy cleanup. Available with diameters from 0.3125 to 0.75" and in lengths of 12 or 18 elements, the product is suitable for applications in the industrial market. ConProTec Inc., Salem, N.H.
Cable Carrier
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This EZ-Chain Cable Carrier can move sideways to a certain degree and features UL HB-94V-0-rated material. These features reportedly make the product suitable for use in enclosures and racks for large printers and plotters, computer centers, medical devices and lab equipment, and vehicle battery trays. Available in more than 50 sizes, it can accommodate cables up to 1.375" OD. This carrier is said to guide and protect moving cables and hoses on all kinds of machinery. igus inc., East Providence, R.I.
Protective Oversleeve
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Expando 686DM is a protective oversleeve for aerospace applications. It is designed to prevent chafing, cutting and abrading of cable assemblies, hoses and wire harnesses in hostile environmental conditions and extreme temperatures. The product reportedly resists damage from high-temperature air guns used with heat-shrinkable elements such as strain reliefs, terminations and identification sleeves. Rated to 200°C, it is UL-recognized and .. meets VW-1 flammability requirements. Constructed from halogen-free materials, its open-weave construction expands to fit a range of shapes and sizes. Federal-Mogul Systems Protection Group, Exton, Pa.
Enclosure
This PRME Coolslot Enclosure is a horizontal, rackmount enclosure that features two slots of CompactPCI or VME in a 1U chassis. Designed to cool cards dissipating 55 W per slot, the product's card guides reportedly eliminate cooling "dead spots" on boards and provide uniform cooling throughout the system. The enclosure is powered by an embedded 150 W ATX power supply. Additional features include front and rear ground clips, internal mounting for one 2.5" slim format hard drive and provisions for 80 mm rear plug-in and transitional modules. Said to be fully compatible with IEEE 1101.10/11 packaging standards, it is available in standard and custom configurations. Hybricon Corp., Ayer, Mass.
UV-curable Adhesives
These UV-curable Adhesives reportedly are suitable for a range of applications. They can be used to quickly bond precisely positioned or fixtured parts, which can then be defixtured and moved on to the next processing step in production. The adhesives can also be used to tack parts in place and then provide a secondary cure mechanism for shadow areas. Adhesives with thermal or electrical conductivity properties are also available. Appli-tec Inc., Haverhill, Mass.
Design Kit
This Design Kit reportedly presents ways to use the insert molding process to reduce assembly and labor costs, size and weight and increase reliability and design flexibility of electromechanical interconnections and components. Included in the kit are the company's white paper and six-page capabilities brochure. The white paper provides a detailed explanation of the insert molding process, design considerations and functional applications. Applications for the product include connectors, disk and tape drive components and filters, switches and relays. Microplastics Inc., St. Charles, Ill.
Adhesives
These Pressure-sensitive Adhesives are designed for wireless communications devices. ARclad 8314 and 8901 are both 8.0 mil, double-sided, high-tack acrylic tapes. These thicker adhesives reportedly provide improved bond strength to both high- and low-surface energy materials. ARclad 7992 is a 5.0 mil, double-sided acrylic adhesive supported by a polyester film. It is suggested for handset assembly requiring a thinner bond line. These weather- and moisture-resistant products can be used for lens and escutcheon bonding in 2.5 and 3G mobile phone handsets, as well as EMI gasketing and LCD/optical components. Adhesives Research Inc., Glen Rock, Pa.
Cable Cutter
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The HCA20 Cable Cutter is an air-operated cutter that cuts cables from 0.01 to 1.25" OD. It is suitable for cutting non-ferrous conductors such as copper and .. aluminum. The product utilizes a guillotine-style blade to shear wires and cables. Dual-activation buttons reportedly ensure operator safety during the cutting cycle. The Eraser Co. Inc., Syracuse, N.Y.
Cutting/Printing System
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Slice 131-IJ is said to provide a complete system for printing and cutting heat-shrink tubing to length. It utilizes a 3.0 ¥ 0.1875" die integrated with the Videojet printing system. Single color printing and up to two lines of print are available. Electronic keyboard and controls and a computer interface reportedly provide a flexible printing system. The product also features a system for dereeling and guiding the tubing. Air filters, regulators, software and label design capabilities are included. American Mfg. & Technologies Inc. (AMTI), Addison, Ill.
Enclosures
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The PN Series NEMA 4X Line has nine additional enclosure sizes. They have a recess in the cover for labels, decals, nameplates .. and keypads. The products are designed and constructed to conform to NEMA 4X and IEC529 IP65 requirements, and reportedly have been certified to UL 508 4X ratings. These boxes are suitable for PCB enclosures, junction boxes and other applications where internal electronics need protection from wet and corrosive environments. Outside dimensions range from 3.94 ¥ 3.94 ¥ 2.17" up to 7.87 ¥ 5.91 ¥ 2.95". Bud Industries Inc., Willoughby, Ohio
Epoxy System
Epoxy System EP30LTE-LO features low shrinkage, high-dimensional stability and a low coefficient of thermal expansion. It has passed ASTM 595 for low outgassing. Suitable for applications requiring vacuum compatibility, sealant or encapsulant, the product offers a 10:1 mix ratio by weight with a room-temperature cure. Other features include a CTE of 12 ¥ 10-6 in/in per °C, linear shrinkage of 0.0002 in/in per °C and service temperature range of -60° to 250°F. It is available in pints, quarts and gallons and bonds to a range of metals, plastics, ceramics and glass. Master Bond Inc., Hackensack, N.J.
Fiber Optic Epoxy
Tra-Bond F113SC is a room-temperature curing, high Tg, low-viscosity adhesive formulated for terminating fiber optic connectors. It is also suitable for bonding LED displays, lenses and other optical components. The product reportedly provides high bond strength and low stress connections with no pistoning. It is said to cure overnight at room temperature or in 15 minutes at 90°C, and is available in a dark blue color for easy polishing. Operating temperature is -60° to 120°C. Tra-Con Inc., Bedford, Mass.
Cable Ties
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Cable and Wire Tie Wrap Straps are said to allow assemblers and installers to cinch bundles of wire and cable faster and with less effort and strain than with plastic ties, wire ties or string. They are 6.00" long .. and 0.375" wide, and have a 0.750" head. Features include flexibility, thin profile and superior strength for temporary or permanent cable bundling, harnessing and wire fastening. The products are said to eliminate work-in-process damage because of abrasion, crimping or cutting and are gentle on sensitive wire and cable. They are available on perforated rolls in red, blue, green, yellow, white and black. 3M Electrical Products Div., Austin, Texas
Solder Paste
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SolderPlus with WS421 flux is suitable for use on hard-to-solder materials such as stainless steel 304 and 316, Nichrome and .. oxidized surfaces. It features flux chemistry that is said to provide superior bonding strength for mechanical assembly applications where traditional solder pastes are not sufficient. Available in a range of common lead-free and tin/lead solder paste alloys, it is prepackaged for precise applications with automatic dispensing equipment. EFD Inc., Lincoln, R.I.
PCB Supports
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Heavy-duty PCB Supports are designed to snap into the PCB support from the bottom. The locking arm clips to the side .. of the PCB for easy removal and replacement of the PCB. The products reportedly do not rotate in the chassis or positioning holes. Board clearance can vary depending on chassis thickness. The supports are available in natural or black nylon 6/6. Micro Plastics Inc., Flippin, Ark.
Board-level Shields
These Drawn Board-level Shields reportedly can be designed with any configuration of ventilation holes, tape-and-reel packaging and formed partitions that provide multicompartment shielding of components. Combined with mold-in-place and form-in-place elastomer technologies, the products are said to shield multiple components with a single part. They are available with EZ-peel scored lids for easy removal, repair and resealing when board-level devices require service. The shields are offered in tin-plated, cold-rolled steel, brass, stainless steel and nickel/silver, in heights up to 0.25" (6.35 mm) and lengths and widths from 0.3 to 2.0" (7.6 to 50.8 mm). Laird Technologies Inc., Delaware Water Gap, Pa.
Cable Tie Mounts
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Self-clinching TY-D Cable Tie Mounts and Hooks are said to provide secure attachment .. points for mounting wires to electronic chassis or enclosures. They are available in several sizes for permanent installation in sheets from 0.040" (1.02 mm) to 0.125" (3.18 mm). Type TD mounts allow users to slide ties through the hardware's "eye" for fast cable mounting. Type TDO hooks can be used to attach, remove and return tie-bundled wires to mounting points when components need to be accessed for service. The products reportedly do no create openings that result in EMI/RFI or contamination of electronics by dust or dirt. PEM Fastening Systems, Danboro, Pa.
Soldering System
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The G-35 Ultrasonic Soldering System allows for the fluxless soldering of metals, Niobium, ceramics and glass. An ultrasonic soldering iron is used to apply heat and .. ultrasonic energy. The soldering iron is available in various tip sizes and configurations, with a range of heat and ultrasonic power settings. The product reportedly can be used in engineering and R&D labs, as well as in the development of medical devices. Misonix Inc., Farmingdale, N.Y.
Faston Tabs
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Ultra-pod 0.250 Series Faston Tabs offer F-crimp wire termination and are applied with an all-in-one applicator that crimps .. the terminal to wire and inserts it into the insulation housing. They reportedly eliminate the need for post-insulation processes. The fold-over tab design is said to permit reliable terminations with longer applicator tool life and consistent strand capture from a more accommodating wire barrel. The products connect with 0.250 ¥ 0.032 receptacles and accept 18 to 10 AWG wire with insulation diameters up to 0.200. The contacts are made from tin-plated brass and rated for 600 VAC. Tyco Electronics, Harrisburg, Pa.
