You are invited to participate in the most exciting competition of 2010: the World's Smartest Design Engineer tournament. Just go to the game website we'll be announcing at www.motionsystemdesign.com, register for the contest, and then starting in March, roll up your sleeves and get ready to play. The 10-month online game — comprised of thousands of questions — will continue until December 31.
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Participation requires registration but is free. Monthly gifts and a grand prize of $5,000 or more will be awarded to participants who most quickly and accurately answer technical questions.
Newly updated sites
New website for elevator industry
Altra Industrial Motion's www.altraelevators.com is for elevator engineers, detailing Warner Electric and Twiflex Limited braking technologies for passenger and freight applications. Site categories include geared and gearless traction machines and modernization.
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A literature portal also incudes product data sheets.
New site details diagnostics
A new website at www.diagnosys.com from Diagnosys Systems Inc. now details test equipment plus test services and diagnostic tools. Pages cover functional (go-no go) tests, circuit-card diagnostics, boundary scans, and custom design applications.
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Training and support are available; a secure website section is for registered customers and distributors.
3D CAD files now more exact
Engineers can now draw conveyor systems with 3D CAD software from Dorner Mfg. Corp. in 1/8-in. increments. (Most conveyor software only allows 12-in. increments.) Other features are also more flexible.
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Site requires registration; free SolidWorks and Pro Engineer, IGES, STEP, ACIS and other formats can be downloaded after configuration. Connect at www.dorner.com.
VFD energy estimator
A new $avings Predictor application is available on iTunes for the iPhone. It estimates energy savings when using variable frequency drives instead of conventional volume control methods.
Variable frequency drives are electronic devices that control three-phase electric motor speed. They are used in building automation, industrial, and agriculture applications. The payback period for installing drives is usually less than three years.
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The application is offered free by Yaskawa Electric America Inc.