Providing the Ultimate Solutions in Precision Displacement Sensors
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Providing the Ultimate Solutions in Precision Displacement Sensors
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RoundAbout(tm) Cable Guide Wins Product of the Year! |
Position Measurement & Control - Issue 41
PRODUCT FOCUSRoundAbout™ Cable Guide Selected As Product of the Year Patented Design Selected in Feedback Device Category
Figure A1 - The RoundAbout™ cable guide in action. The innovative device allows 3D tracking of applications while providing one dimension of feedback. The product was a winner in Design News' Product of the Year contest. In December 2004, Design News magazine asked for submissions of the best products of 2004. The response was overwhelming. Design News collected a record number of entries. The Firstmark Controls patented RoundAbout™ cable guide was designated as the Best Product of the Year in the Feedback Devices category. The RoundAbout™ cable guide is a simple yet elegantly-designed cable-directing device that allows Firstmark Controls cable-actuated position transducers to follow motion dynamically in 3D space. The product uses two precision-positioned pulleys that provide two dimensions of the tracking capability. The third dimension of tracking capability is provided by a bearing-mount housing incorporating a cable-actuated rotation mechanism (a cable interface surface). The product eliminates the need for specific pulleys to be mounted to provide 2D and 3D motion tracking and gives dynamic tracking capability. The product eliminates requirements for flexible mounting bases or re-location of the position transducer.
Figure A2 - Applications that move in 3D space can now be tracked using the RoundAbout™ cable guide. To learn more about the product, view the RoundAbout™ cable guide data sheet. The RoundAbout™ cable guide is offered on the Series 160/161/162 and Series 6 product lines. APPLICATION FOCUSDARPA Grand Challenge '05: 11 of 40 Teams Will Depend on Firstmark Controls Teams Use Cable-Based Position Transducers When Failure Is Not An Option In October 2005, 40 teams will race vehicles through the Mojave Desert from roughly Los Angeles to Las Vegas. However, unlike Formula 1 racing, the Tour de France, or the Daytona 500, no team members will be on these vehicles. The winner, if any, will walk away with $2 million (USD). The DARPA Grand Challenge pits autonomous, unmanned vehicles against each other in what can be considered to be the robotics version of the famous Baja 500. Eleven of those 40 teams have entrusted Firstmark Controls position transducers to provide feedback to critical steering, suspension, balance, and other systems.
Figure B1 - The DARPA Grand Challenge '05 will take place on 8 October 2005. Eleven of 40 teams will be using Firstmark Controls position transducers. Some of the reasons for the Grand Challenge teams' selection of Firstmark Controls position transducers include:
Figure B2 - Series L position transducer used in DARPA Grand Challenge steering control system. Visit the DARPA Grand Challenge Web site to learn more about the teams and the competition. TECHNICAL FOCUSCycle Testing: Qualifying Position Transducers Determine Failure Modes and Reliability Firstmark Controls position transducers operate in high-reliability applications ranging from manned space vehicles to passenger jets to automated manufacturing facilities. In many situations, those applications require cycle testing of the position transducer to verify performance, to determine failure modes, and to obtain reliability data. Over the past 5 years, Firstmark Controls has developed specialized test facilities to conduct cycle testing on both linear and rotary position transducers. Standard capabilities include:
If you require cycle testing on linear or rotary position transducers but do not have the time to develop your own systems, contact us to learn more about our facilities. Fees for basic testing start as low as 950.00 USD per test. ISSN 1527-5108 • Document Number S050AA(050808) |
