TechArchive

Original article date: October 1995 The reverse of the piezoelectric effect is used in micropositioning. KEVIN GRIMLEY of Lambda Photometrics explains the basics. The piezoelectric effect – where mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy – is well known. A common use is in a cigarette or gas grill lighter, where a lever applies a [...]

This article was originally written in the period 1995-2000 A philosophical piece from Bentley Systems, looking at how the structure of CAD companies has changed and continues to change, to reflect the products available. In the early 70s, both CAD software and graphics hardware were typically developed by the same vendor and sold as a [...]

Original article date: January 1999 CCD CMOS or CID? NEIL STEWART of Sira explains the selection factors between different types of imaging sensors. With the advent of much lower cost semiconductor imaging devices digital imaging technology has come on by leaps and bounds in the last five years; so much so that many more business [...]

Original article date: February 1999 It’s a myth that electronic weighing systems are inappropriate for use in hazardous areas says CHARLES WARREN Industrial Product and Marketing Manager of Avery Berkel. With increased concerns for the health and safety of personnel and plant more and more areas previously classified as “safe” are now being reclassified under [...]

Original article date: February 1998 A French metal stamping simulation tool that uses finite element analysis has been extended to cover thermoforming. Alan Quinn explains the significance. Press forming of continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastic (FRTP) sheets, known as thermoforming, offers a promising fabrication option for lightweight structural composite components. Thermoplastic polymers have several improved mechanical [...]

This article was originally written in the period 1995-2000 How do you select the required sprocket combination, belt length and centre distance for belt drives? This feature from GATES looks at some of the construction features for the Poly Chain GT. Guide flanges are needed in order to keep the belt on the sprocket. Due [...]

This article was originally written in the period 1995-2000 Paul Brackell of Townsend Coates covers the basics of a technique which is often overlooked – resistance welding can be the answer to joining small parts together The four basic bonds Braze/soldered bond:-resistance heating of the workpieces produces sufficient heat to melt a third metal, such [...]

Original article date: February 1999 With the withdrawal of the old British Standards and the integration of the new BS EN standards for copper and copper alloys there is inevitably going to be confusion. For this reason the Copper Development Association has published “Copper and Copper Alloys – Composition Applications and Properties” which explains the [...]

Original article date: February 1999 They’re offering us wider ranges of compatible components, cheaper prices, faster delivery, and better support too. David Norris talks to the framework based system suppliers Only a few years ago it took us just hours, not days, to contact all the UK suppliers of aluminium framework systems for machine building [...]

This article was originally written in the period 1995-2000 Steve Elliott of Field Electronics explains a few of the mysteries and provides some helpful tips for getting serial communications to work first time. If you regularly configure, wire and test serial communications links, this article is not for you. If, like most of us, you [...]