INDUSTRY NEWS
Online Program Configures Power Supplies
A Web site features an online power supply configurator that enables customers to specify products meeting their voltage and output current requirements. Located at www.excelsys.com, the configurator from Excelsys (Little Island, Co. Cork, Ireland) offers a choice of options such as power-fail signal, remote inhibit and enable, a standby 5-V dc supply, thermal control signals, and reverse fan direction. The utility also can be used to configure power supplies by indicating the Excelsys chassis and powerMod output modules required. The final weight and estimated delivery time are also provided. After the power supplies are configured, a customer-specific datasheet of the configuration is available for download. Upon completion, the order will be processed at the nearest authorized dealer in the company’s global distribution network.
Desktop Calculator Facilitates Motor Selection
A speed, torque, and power calculator for rotational device calculations has been upgraded to provide automated unit conversion to assist engineers with calculations often necessary for motor selection. Using the automated conversion function, the tool can be used to specify motor requirements by giving results in multiple measurement units. The utility can be set to display calculations with an accuracy of up to nine decimal places. The Windows-based program also can generate printable reports. Developed by Groschopp Inc. (Sioux Center, IA, USA), the speed, torque, and power calculation utility can be downloaded at www.groschopp.com/stp.php.
Plastics-Processing Software Promotes Energy Efficiency
An online tool is designed to help organizations reduce power consumption by recommending energy-efficient equipment. The software estimates the cost of operating a piece of plastics-processing machinery over its projected lifetime by using power consumption and projected use data. The utility is offered as a free download at www.eurecipe.com. The Web site gives comparisons of the lifetime cost of different machines as well as the differences in the cost when the machines are producing a specific part. A European Best Practices Guide for Low-Energy Plastics Processing can also be downloaded at the Web site.
Webcasts Offer Comprehensive Packaging Information
A series of webcasts on packaging and risk management provides information on the risk assessment procedures that packaging professionals must perform to ensure user safety and that products are delivered to market quickly. Hosted by DDL West (Costa Mesa, CA, USA), the next webcast in the series is titled “When Time to Market Is Critical, Do You Understand Your Risk?” and will be held on 23 and 25 May. Archives of previous webcasts are also available on the site, which is located at www.testedandproven.com/webcast.html.
