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U.S. Lags Behind in Use of Contactless Payment Cards (5/07)

The U.S. lags behind in the use of banking and smart cards, according to a new a report.

Approximately 582 million banking and payment smart cards are in circulation worldwide, but only 27 million contactless payment cards were in circulation in the United States in 2006, according to Smart Cards in the U.S.: Contactless Payment Cards, a new Packaged Facts report. Read more ...

   MAY 2007 ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS

QUALITY & STANDARDS

Integrating Biometrics

These days, there are only a few people left who haven’t heard of biometrics. This technology is becoming popular for a variety of applications where personal identity verification is needed. Typically, this is based on improvements in security, convenience, or both.

Biometric devices are now being embedded into many platforms, including laptops, PDAs, cell phones, memory sticks, automobiles, and personal verification devices. They have even been integrated into smartcards. Over the last few years, the size, cost, and power consumption have decreased, and OEM sensor modules are available for several biometrics. Some are able to leverage existing components, such as miniaturized cameras or microphones, while others require special purpose components, such as fingerprint sensors. The latter remains the most widely used, as exemplified by manufacturer Authentec, Melbourne, Fla., which has shipped over 15 million of its fingerprint sensors. Read more ...

DISPLAYS

Adding the Right Touch

Glass-front appliances are known to perform better than non-glass-front units in vending m achine applications, and also promise greater performance and functionality in commercial and home appliances. A touchscreen technology that is compatible with the glass-front panel will extend the reach of these types of machines and enable further improvements in appearance and styling.

Glass-front vending machines are well-proven merchandisers. As long ago as 2001, the facilities management services company Sodexho demonstrated a six-fold increase in revenue from glass-front vending machines, which allow customers to see items on offer before buying, compared to non-glass-front units. Appliance designers are now seeking the functional advantages of a glass-front design in a wider range of equipment and environments, and are also looking to improve on the appearance of more traditional appliances. Read more ...

ELASTOMERS

Vents Make Sense

Consumers expect appliances and portable devices to the withstand normal wear and te ar of an active household. At the same time, the electronic components used in consumer products are becoming much more sophisticated and sensitive. It is essential to protect the electronics from external contaminants such as dust, dirt, liquids, and detergents. At the same time, battery gases that build up inside appliances must be vented so as not to damage the electronics. Therefore,  the design engineer must develop a product housing that allows gases to be vented, equalizes pressure, and prevents corrosion and damage to the internal electronics.

Many engineers address these issues by increasing the thickness of the appliance housing, using stronger O-rings, or gaskets at the seals, or installing additional bolts to maintain a robust seal. These alternatives prevent the damage initially, but they don’t address the cause of the problem — pressure variations within the appliance itself. These pressure differences are usually caused by rapid changes in temperature and altitude, internal gas buildup, or both.  Read more ...

IAQ/WATER QUALITY

Catalyst for Change

There are different ways to clear the air, with basic filtration being the simplest approach, focusing on the removal of particulates. But as the issue of indoor air quality becomes more complex, involving microorganisms and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), there is a growing interest in high-performance methods that can attack a broader range of air contaminants.

In testing situations, photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) systems have proven effective in removing VOCs and other vapors. They can eliminate mold, bacteria, viruses and other spores. And, when activated by the appropriate ultraviolet wavelengths, they do not produce ozone as do some of the other electronic air cleaners and air purifiers that are currently sold. Read more ...

PRODUCTS

BI Technologies Electronic Components Division

The new tactile switch product offerings include a series of devices with a square st em, designated the SWT8 Series; and added three additional styles to the sealed product offering designated the SWTW Series. In addition to these products, the popular 6.2mm x 6.2mm SWT6 series tactile switch family was expanded to include a 100K-cycle mechanical life version in the same package as the standard 1 million version. The SWTW Series of sealed switches was expanded to include: SWTW-S side actuation surface mount 6.2mm x 6.2mm switch; SWTW-K top actuation through-hole switch in an 8mm x 8mm configuration; SWTW-R side actuation through-hole switch in an 8mm x 8mm configuration. The SWT8 Series switches measure 6.2mm x 6.2mm with a 2.4mm and 2.8mm square stem. The switch includes an expanded number of actuation forces ranging from 100gf to 520gf. Available configurations for the SWT8 Series include: SWT8-R side actuation through-hole; SWT8-V top actuation through-hole; SWT8-M top actuation surface mount. Square and round caps are available for the 2.4mm square stem. The caps, with SWT8-C part number designation, are offered in a variety of colors. Read more ...

CIT Relay & Switch

The RoHS compliant J102 Series Sub-Miniature DIP relay is a small in size relay th at offers SPST N.O., SPST N.C. and SPDT contact arrangements. The J102 is super light weight and offers high sensitivity. This relay is ideal for high density PC board mounting and has low coil power consumption. Sealing is standard. The versatile J102 offers 1amp, 3 amp and 5 amp contact options at 125VAC or 30VDC with coil voltage options of 3VDC, 5VDC, 6VDC, 9VDC, 12VDC and 24VDC.  Coil power sensitivity choices are .20W, .36W and .45W. The electrical life at rated load of the J102 is typically 100K cycles with mechanical life of 10M cycles typically. Insulation resistance is 100MW minimum at 500VDC. Dielectric strength, coil to contact is 1250V rms minimum at sea level with contact to contact at 500V rms minimum at sea level. The J102 offers shock resistance of 100m/s2 for 11 minutes with vibration resistance of 1.50mm double amplitude 10~40Hz. The copper alloy terminal strength is 5N.  The operating temperature of the J102 Series is -40 degC to 85 degC with a storage temperature of -40 degC to 155 degC.  Solderability is 260 degC for 5 seconds. The J102 measures in at 15.5mm x 10.5mm x 11.25mm and weights 3.5g. Read more ...

Multi-Seals Inc.

Multi-Seals, Inc. offers a solid alternative to liquid epoxy for high-volume, precisi on sealing.  Uni-form™ epoxy preforms are pre-shaped, one-part resins that are solid at room temperature.  When heated, Uni-forms melt and cure, forming a consistent seal that protects components from dust, moisture, oil, flux, solvents, conformal coatings, and other contaminants.  Close tolerances on preform dimensions, consistent pre-mixed ratios of resin to catalyst, and consistent viscosity from beginning to end of batch ensure uniform, high-quality results.  Uni-forms eliminate seal variations caused by operator technique or epoxy pot life.  Costly cleanup procedures are also avoided.  To accommodate diverse applications, Uni-forms are available in several epoxy formulations and a wide range of configurations, with inside diameters as small as .010" (0.25mm) and outside diameters as large as .720" (18.3 mm).  Preforms can be dispensed as rapidly as 200 to 600 parts per minute with little or no operator training. Typical preform configurations range from US$0.025 to US$0.005 each, depending on preform size and order quantities. Read more ...

NewAge Industries Inc.

An addition to the company’s line of multi-barbed thermoplastic fittings, the ne w style, called Thermobarb FDA PP, offers several benefits over look-alike connectors. These advantages include the elimination of mold parting lines and flashing (waste particles that can dislodge during use and cause contamination). It also features a longer, more tapered lead barb for easier installation, a tighter fit, and reduced leakage; smooth surfaces throughout for unrestricted, uniform flow; sterilization by gamma radiation or autoclave. The fittings are free of animal-derived ingredients, and work in a temperature range of 10 degF to 220 degF (-12 degC to 104 degC). They conform to USP Class VI standards and are compliant with FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 for food contact surfaces and with RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances). The fittings work well with soft, flexible tubing such as silicone or thermoplastic rubber and are ideal connectors for single-use/disposable tubing assemblies in, for example, sampling and fill applications. Available in three sizes, 1/4 in., 3/8 in., and 1/2 in. — in the Y style, Thermobarb FDA PP connectors are just the first in this new line. Other styles, such as T’s and straight connectors, are in the finishing stages of development.   Read more ...