July 2008

Line Voltage Rated PPTC Devices Help Protect Appliance Motors and Transformers
By Faraz Hasan, Global Industrial & Applicance Marketing Manager, Raychem Circuit Protection

Although generally reliable, the electric motors used in home and professional grade appliances are subjected to mechanical overloads, overheating, stalls, lost neutral, severe overvoltage conditions, humidity and other damaging factors. Appliance designers employ a variety of circuit protection techniques to help prevent safety and fire hazards, as well as reduce warranty return and replacement costs which may result from motor failure.

The latest generation of PPTC (polymeric positive temperature coefficient) devices includes components that are rated for line voltages of 120 VAC and 240 VAC and can be used in parallel for increased current capacity. Their low cost, resettable functionality and latching attributes make PPTC devices a reliable, cost-effective circuit protection solution for transformers and for the intermittent and continuous-operation electric motors used in appliances.

Protecting an electronic circuit from damage caused by excessive current or heat is the primary function of many circuit protection technologies. In the past, this protection took the form of a fuse or fusible link. In today’s electric motor applications, resettable devices such PPTC devices, CPTC (ceramic positive temperature coefficient) devices, bimetal circuit breakers and thermostats are the preferred solution. These devices help protect the motor or transformer from overcurrent damage caused by electrical short, overloaded circuit or customer misuse.

PPTC devices help protect against damage caused by both overcurrent surges and overtemperature faults, offer low resistance and are compatibly sized with fuse solutions. Like traditional fuses, they limit the flow of dangerously high current during fault conditions. PPTC devices, however, reset after the power has been cycled and/or the overcurrent condition is eliminated.

Technology Comparison – CPTC Devices
Ceramic PTC (CPTC) devices help provide resettable protection; however, their application is limited due to their relatively high operating temperature, high resistance and large size. The composition of the CPTC device tends to be brittle, which makes it vulnerable to damage from shock, vibration, as well as the thermal stress of heating and cooling found in many appliance applications.

Figure 1. Time-to-trip comparison of CPTC device versus PPTC device in secondary short on 120 VAC transformer

Figures 1 and 2 show the results of comparison testing of CPTC and PPTC devices performed by Tyco Electronics Corp. The PolySwitch PPTC devices were compared to CPTC devices as primary protection elements using two identical transformers. The PPTC and the CPTC devices were selected to have the same hold current. In this test, a fault was created with a secondary short, while current, coil temperature and time-to-trip were measured. As shown in Figure 1, the PPTC device reacted more quickly and at a lower temperature.

Figure 2. Comparison of maximum surface temperatures of CPTC device and PPTC device in tripped state

Compared to the CPTC device, which exhibited a surface temperature of about 75°C to 185°C during test, the PPTC device offered a lower surface temperature (about 100ºC to 120ºC) in the tripped state. The PPTC device also had lower resistance in the circuit and was lower in capacitance and less frequency dependent.
Thermal images illustrate the difference in surface temperatures of the CPTC and PPTC devices in Figure 2. In this comparison of a 220 VAC trip, the CPTC device reached a maximum temperature of 184.5ºC, whereas the PPTC device reached a maximum temperature of 118.9ºC.

Technology Comparison – Bimetal Circuit Breakers

Figure 3. Icemaker motor (rotor locked) test results with bimetal device protection

Bimetal circuit breakers, although widely used to help protect the electric motors found in appliances, do not latch and require additional action to interrupt their on-off cycle. The bimetal strip is constructed of two different metals bonded together. When the bimetal’s current rating is exceeded, heat generated by the excessive current causes the bimetal strip to bend and open a set of contacts to stop current flow. With no current flowing the device returns to its normal shape, closing the contacts so current flow may resume. In the case of a stall, the bimetal circuit breaker continues to cycle until power is removed.
The cycling nature of this device has several disadvantages. Among those are material fatigue and a tendency to burn contacts, spark or weld shut. If the device “fails closed” it can cause overcurrent damage to the motor as well as sensitive follow-on electronics. Potential noise or “chatter” and electro-magnetic interference (EMI) can also make bimetal circuit breakers incompatible with advanced electronic control systems.

Figure 4. Icemaker motor (rotor locked) test results with PPTC device protection

Recent testing by Tyco Electronics compared the thermal and electrical characteristics of a popular bimetal thermal protector and the PolySwitch LVR device, each installed on an icemaker motor. The protection devices were coupled to the motor winding and the motor shaft was locked during the test period. The voltage, current, temperatures of winding/core and the temperature of the PPTC device and the bimetal protector were recorded during the test.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the results of the two tests.  In the test using a bimetal circuit breaker, the motor winding reached a temperature of approximately 129°C at 60 minutes. This was significantly higher than the test that used a PPTC protection device, where the motor winding reached a temperature of 44°C within the same time frame.

Intermittent Operation Motor Protection Technique
Intermittent operation motors, such as those used in blenders and food processors, are usually designed to operate for a limited time. In general, operating these products for longer than the designed maximum limit usually results in stalling, overheating and, ultimately, failure. Fault conditions arise when the power is held on, either because of contact failure or customer misuse.

To prevent overheating, the circuit protection device used must “trip” quickly, but not sooner than intended, to avoid creating a nuisance condition for the user. Developing a protection scheme that effectively protects the motor without nuisance tripping is the design challenge.

Nuisance tripping is often caused by inrush currents associated with certain electrical components found on motorized equipment. The major advantage of the PPTC device is that it can be specified with a trip current substantially below the normal operating current of the motor, but with a time-to-trip that is several times longer than a full system operating cycle, to avoid nuisance tripping.

Figure 5. Typical PPTC device application in motor circuit

Figure 5 shows how a PPTC device can be installed in a motor circuit to help protect against damage from overcurrent or overtemperature events. When the device is enclosed within the motor housing it reacts to the current flowing in the motor, as well as any temperature rise that may occur during a fault condition.

Continuous Operation Motor Protection Technique
Continuous-operation motors, such as those used in refrigerators and air conditioning equipment, are designed to optimize size and cost. Since they often drive fans, some airflow can be diverted through the motor to allow operation under more stress than would otherwise be possible. As a result, the stall current of fan motors is usually only two times the run current, compared to a ratio of three to four times run current that is common in other applications. This complicates finding and sizing a fuse that will open reliably if the fan becomes blocked; yet not blow from an inrush when the motor is first switched on.
As noted in the discussion on intermittent-operation motors, PPTC devices offer advantages in motor protection schemes. By altering their characteristics as the motor’s vulnerability changes with temperature, they can provide a slower response when appropriate.

In applications where a fan is driven, both the PPTC device and the motor can benefit from being placed in the air stream. With this method, the trip current of the PPTC device will be greatly increased because the airflow tends to prevent it from reaching its trip temperature. However, if the fan stalls for any reason, the cooling effect of the airflow ceases, causing the overrated motor to heat up quickly. This condition causes the PPTC device to trip and limit current flowing to the motor.

Unlike a single-use fuse, the PPTC device helps prevent damage where faults may cause a rise in temperature with only a slight increase in current draw – providing both overcurrent and overtemperature protection with a single installed component.
 
Summary
New generation PPTC devices are qualified for and widely used in appliance designs. Their low resistance, fast time-to-trip, low profile, and resettable functionality help circuit designers provide a safe and dependable product, comply with regulatory agency requirements, and reduce warranty repair costs. PolySwitch devices are qualified for and widely used in appliance designs, compliant with the UL 1434 standard, CSA and TÜV approved, RoHS-compliant, and are compatible with lead-free solders and high-volume assembly processes.

About the Author
Faraz Hasan is Global Industrial & Appliance marketing manager for Raychem Circuit Protection products at Tyco Electronics Corp.. He is responsible for identifying emerging requirements and championing new and innovative circuit protection devices that simplify and better protect industrial and appliance electronic systems. He has more than 14 years experience working with the global appliance, bimetal and electromechanical component Industries, designing and developing innovative connector solutions Hasan can be reached at 1.972.470.9575 or faraz.hasan@tycoelectronics.com

FINAL NOTICE - 2008 Motor, Drive & Automation Systems Conference – Call for Presentations

This sixth annual, two-day technical conference will take place March 3-4 in Orlando, Fla. and serve an audience of decision makers from around the world  who are interested in learning the latest advancements and capabilities in electric motor, drive, power & automation systems technology. Don’t miss the once- a-year opportunity to share your technology solutions with hundreds of potential business partners.

We are looking for various types of presentations as they relate to the following categories:
 
• MOTOR & DRIVE SYSTEMS
• POWER ELECTRONICS & EFFICIENCY - NEW!
• MECHATRONICS - NEW!
• PRECISION MOTION CONTROL
• AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY & APPS

The deadline for submitting abstracts is July 31, 2008.
Speaking slots are limited and early submissions are strongly encouraged.
 
 For more information about Motors 2009 visit www.e-driveonline.com or contact jeremym@infowebcom.com.   

SEW Eurodrive Receives Frost & Sullivan 2007 European Electric Drives Product Innovation of the Year Award

The "2007 European Electric Drives Product Innovation of the Year Award," was presented to SEW Eurodrive for its innovative mechatronic drive solution MOVIGEAR.

Launched in 2005-2006, MOVIGEAR has been developed to suit the complex materials handling requirements of various industries such as food and beverage, automotive, airport and general transport logistics.
"Based on a pioneering new technology - single line installation – MOVIGEAR offers numerous advantages over traditional drive solutions," said Frost & Sullivan researcher Kaushik Ghosh. "Compact size, high overload support, quick start up time and continuous torque, absence of noise pollution and a smooth casing ensures that MOVIGEAR offers superior performance over conventional drive solutions with customers also benefiting from lower installation and energy costs."

In contrast to current technology standards based on a decentralised system of transmission requiring several separate cable lines for supplying energy and communication, single line installation technology uses a single cable.
This eliminates the need for complicated, cost-intensive on-site installation. Reduced wiring also makes the system efficient, minimizing system costs. This simplified system also reduces start up times significantly from weeks to a few days. Such attributes make this technology innovation highly efficient and cost effective.

"SEW Eurodrive has also developed Ethernet-based new software for configuring a network structure and facilitating the simple and efficient usage of MOVIGEAR," said Ghosh. "Based on different application requirements, the software is available in various modules and customers can choose according to their needs."

Although the cost for the individual MOVIGEAR components is slightly higher compared to conventional drive solutions, this product enables the customer to reduce his overall costs. High quality networking features and control concepts minimize start up times, monitoring and maintenance tasks. The application of the single line installation principle facilitates a reduction in excessive wiring and variants, translating into substantially lowered installation costs.
"The availability of functional software for integration in higher level Ethernet communication offers a quick solution to drive tasks, helping reduce start up times and installation costs," said Ghosh. "Moreover, MOVIGEAR’s unique design is highly energy efficient, offsetting its higher price through saved energy expenses."

Already, SEW Eurodrive's pioneering drive solution is enjoying considerable demand due to the multiple benefits offered to customers. The company has produced and installed over 1,000 MOVIGEARs in 2007 with positive product acceptance underpinning plans to push for mass production beginning in early 2008.
 
For more information visit www.seweurodrive.com.  

Billions of Dollars in Energy Could Be Lost Annually Due to Poor Motor Sizing

WEG Electric Motors Corp., a global supplier of motors, drives, controls, generators and transformers, explains how proper motor sizing could easily save vast amounts of energy. Energy efficiency losses through over-sizing of pump electric motors by engineers are commonplace and, if the motor specification far exceeds the application, it could be costing industry billions of dollars in wasted energy.
 
“Industry figures suggest that around 80 percent of pump motors could be the incorrect size,” said Andrew Glover, product manager for WEG Motors. “The majority are over specified by as much as 10 or 15 percent by engineers wanting to be ‘on the safe side.’ As pumps typically account for around 30 percent of an industrial country’s energy usage, this represents a serious loss of energy.”

“This takes no account for the extra cost of a larger motor with all the associated equipment, drives, cabling etc.,” continued Glover. “Electric motor manufacturers are forever striving to increase energy efficiency by one or two percentage points, but incorrect specification by an application engineer can mean that is wasted effort.”
“Where a single percentage point increase in energy efficiency can save the equivalent of the purchase price of an electric motor over its design life, it seems ludicrous to waste energy through poor specification.”
Under-sizing is also relatively common and should not be ignored. An electric motor can operate above its rated output thus allowing for temporary overloads. However, such a motor will run hotter as a result and overheating will cause damage and/or shorten its useful life.
 
Two points where this can directly affect the motor life are the bearings, which influence the motor reliability, and the coil insulation. Overheating degrades the insulation more rapidly and encourages discharges which further degrade the insulation, thus shortening the motor’s life.

Specification of motor size should, therefore, include starting condition as well as running torque. Method of starting is also important; direct on line starting methods will create high torque that also impose mechanical stresses on the pump and hydraulic components, while star delta starting delivers lower torque and current.
 
Including a variable speed drive or soft starter in the system specification, matched to the requirements of motor and pump will easily overcome these problems. Variable speed drives also improve energy efficiency in the long term by matching application requirements with the correct motor speed and thus avoid energy wasted by, for example, belt drives, clutches and gears.

For more information visit www.wegelectric.com  

Harbin Electric Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Industrial Rotary Motor Business

Harbin Electric, Inc., a provider of customized linear motors, motor/controller automation systems, automobile specialty micro-motors, and other special motors, has announced that Harbin Tech Full Electric Co. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company ('Harbin Tech Full') has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Weihai Hengda Electric Motor Co. Ltd and Wendeng Second Electric Motor Factory (together "Hengda Electric Motor") for RMB 375 million (approximately US$54 million) in cash.

WITTENSTEIN by name, alpha by design.

Blue gearboxes from alpha gear drives have become the industry standard in servo gear technology. As of July 2008, the blue alpha gearboxes remain but the company’s name has changed to WITTENSTEIN to be consistent with the other business units of the company.

alpha gear drives, Inc. was founded in North America in 1992. By 1999, the strong demand for servo gear solutions branched out from industrial applications and was coming from fields such as military and medical technology. To better support customers in these specialized industries, additional subsidiaries of alpha were created, including WITTENSTEIN aerospace & simulation and WITTENSTEIN arena.

With the aim of synergizing research and communication efforts, WITTENSTEIN subsidiaries converged in 2005 with the building of WITTENSTEIN’s Bartlett, IL headquarters. This move to a centralized facility symbolized WITTENSTEIN’s commitment to its partners with all sales, development and production competencies unified under one roof.

The ISO accredited WITTENSTEIN facility in Bartlett, IL has become the base of operations for all sales and development efforts in North America. WITTENSTEIN offers full training on its portfolio of alpha gearboxes and custom designed servo solutions, as well as in-depth operation analysis on its control loading systems for simulators. With a comprehensive North American sales and support channel, WITTENSTEIN is posed to fully support all its partners and their needs in the future.

Today, WITTENSTEIN develops, manufactures and markets servo drive components and complete electromechanical systems. WITTENSTEIN solutions are used in applications for robotics, packaging, life sciences and aerospace. WITTENSTEIN products are everywhere – from satellites miles above the earth to crude oil extraction miles below.

For more information visit www.wittenstein-us.com

MR15 Line of DC Servo Motors from Dynetic Systems

This compact (1.5 inches in diameter) DC servo motor / gearmotor operates at speeds from 0 to 10,000 rpms with a torque capability up to 80 lb-in when coupled to a gearhead. Options for the motor include all aluminum alloy parts that are anodized per MIL-A-8625 Type 1 and given a color inspectible chemical treatment per MIL-C-5541, Class 1A. this chemical treatment offers a RoHS compliant finish that is conductive for grounding. It includes thermal protection with an aircraft rated non-resetable thermal cutoff to open-circuit up to 305°F max. This DC gearmotor is designed to work in high performance applications including medical, military, aerospace and robots. Other available options are a sealed motor casing, EMI/RFI protection and high temperature construction for oil and gas exploration.

For more information visit www.dynetic.com

ThinGap Introduces Battery Powered DC Motor Part Set For Oxygen Concentrator

ThinGap LLC, a provider of high power density DC motors, has introduced the TG2310 and TG2320 DC Brushless Motor part sets that power compressors used in portable oxygen concentrators. ThinGap’s motor technology provides high levels of mobility and efficiency when used in this application.

“ThinGap motors improve convenience and quality of life for oxygen patients by allowing concentrator models that weigh less and provide a longer time between battery charges,” said Rean Pretorius, president and CEO, ThinGap LLC.

ThinGap’s TG2310 and TG2320 brushless motors have high inertia, which minimizes the power losses caused by torque pulsation that are common in conventional motors. This increases the efficiency of the motor leading to extended battery life for oxygen concentrators. By providing motor part sets, couplings and bearings are eliminated allowing customers to reduce the weight and size of oxygen concentrators.  Additionally, assembly is much easier because the ThinGap stator does not contain iron, eliminating the magnetic attraction of parts.

The TG2310 motor features 450 oz-in.peak torque, 452-watts peak power, 84 percent peak system efficiency, weighs 21 oz and has no cogging or hysteresis torque.

For more information visit www.thingapmotors.com 

New Controller System Reduces Costs for CANopen-Based Electrical Vehicle

Danaher Motion, a provider of drive and control technology, has launched the VMC30, a new controller system for a wide range of electrically-operated industrial vehicles such as fork-lift trucks and other electrical vehicles. With this solution, vehicle manufacturers and users benefit from low total cost of ownership, since the platform is quickly and precisely configured to customer and application-specific requirements, and enables simple maintenance and troubleshooting to minimize downtime. Furthermore, the VMC30 system can be easily extended and allows for future technology changes, such as a migration to wireless communication.

The VMC30 platform, which represents a further development of tried-and tested control solutions, is based on one of the industry’s leading processor cores for embedded controllers. The VMC30 unit can be connected via the CANopen bus to AC drives and motors for steering, traction, and lifting movements, and also other auxiliary equipment like joysticks, displays, wire guidance unit and generic CANopen products. Additional components as diverse as remote controls, hydraulic valves, relays, gas pedals, sensors can also be integrated. Finally, the system also provides connections for a range of service tools (e.g., for application development and troubleshooting), including a USB connection. On request, individual option cards are also available for the VMC30 system, which fulfills IP65 requirements as standard.

Design tools provided include a VMC30 software development package with example files and tools for quick and reliable development. Developers can focus on the functions and behavior of their electrical vehicle and use all ready software blocks in VMC30 as operating system, CANopen stack, system supervision etc.

For more information visit www.danahermotion.com

NEMA-4X / IP-65 High Performance AC Speed Control From Bodine Electric

Model 2994 from Bodine Electric offers NEMA-4X / IP-65 protection, and the high performance to be expected from a digital AC speed control. This control operates from single-phase, 115 or 208 to 230 VAC line voltage. It is designed to power 230 VAC, 50 or 60 Hz, inverter-duty, three-phase gearmotors and motors; ranging from 1/8 HP to 1 HP (746 Watts). The control can provide more than 200 percent starting torque. The four-digit LED display provides easy readout of drive operating parameters and programming functions. It displays output frequency, motor RPM, output current, output voltage, bus voltage and fault codes. Housed in a rugged die-cast aluminum enclosure, the control is UL and CE certified. The control is well suited for use with conveyors, feeders, blowers or pumps.
 
For more information visit www.bodine-electric.com

New Silicone Cables Deliver Versatility For High Performance Motion Control Systems

Cicoil, a manufacturer of flat, flexible cabling, recently made available a new Motion Series PLUS (MS+) flat power/signal cables for high-performance motion control applications. This new series integrates six power conductors and 20 signal wires in a compact flat cable measuring just 0.80 inches by 0.2 inches.  Motion Series Plus cables feature ultra-high-flex shielded wires and Cicoil's 'glass-clear' silicone encapsulation for flexibility, durability and environmental resistance. Cicoil's President, Howard Lind, said, "Motion Series PLUS cables add an extra level of versatility to our Motion Series line. For multi-axis applications, the new configuration of the Motion Series Plus allows designers to place the cables side-by-side for maximum flexibility, or stack them for a very condensed and compact cable bundle."

Two options are available on Motion Series Plus cables. The first is integrated Teflon tubing for transmission of fluids or gases. The second is Cicoil's new patent pending StripMount integrated mounting aid. StripMount is a reinforced strip embedded in the cable that allows for quick and easy cable mount¬ing, eliminating the need for bulky, expensive cable management systems. StripMount allows fasteners to be safely inserted through the cable for secure attachment to virtually any surface.

Cicoil's Motion Series Plus cable is available in a single axis design that may be ganged for one, two or three axes of servo motion. Their silicone encapsulation provides a solid, one-piece construction that creates a highly durable cable package. The cable will not deform, break or wear during a lifetime of more than 10 million cycles, even under high flex conditions. Cicoil's silicone process also delivers advantages in extreme environments, including temperature ranging from -65°C to 260°C. They are also impervious to water, steam and chemicals. Their solid construction makes them uniquely well suited for vacuum or clean rooms environments.

For more information visit www.cicoil.com

GE’s 750 kVA SG Series Digital Energy UPS Delivers Maximum Efficiency Greater than 94 Percent, 30 Percent Smaller Footprint

GE Digital Energy has introduced the 750 kVA SG Series Digital Energy Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), which offers energy-conscious electrical managers of large data centers and mission critical facilities maximum efficiency greater than 94 percent, a 2.5 percent increase from previous 750 kVA designs, and a 30 percent smaller footprint.

“Customers don’t have to compromise ease-of-use and serviceability for high-efficiency and cost savings with our new 750kVA SG Series Digital Energy UPS,” said Brad Thrash, North American UPS product manager, GE Digital Energy.

Operating in a double conversion mode with true continuous on-line VFI (voltage and frequency independent) operation, the 750 kVA utilizes GE’s Intelligent Energy Management (IEM), which automatically determines the most efficient mode of operation for the Redundant Parallel Architecture (RPA) system. It saves energy and reduces operating costs.

The 750 kVA, compatible with full GE or non-GE systems, offers front service access with a small system footprint and eliminates the need for an input isolation transformer, reducing maintenance, installation and repair costs.

Developed using GE’s design for Six Sigma methodology, the 750 kVA utilizes the RPA paralleling system to parallel up to eight 750 kVA modules, eliminating single points of failure and increasing system efficiency and reliability. In the RPA system, the UPS is controlled in a true peer-to-peer configuration with up to eight modules, using redundancy in all critical elements and functions, resulting in no single points of failure. A “zig-zag” transformer also improves voltage regulation during unbalanced load conditions.

The 750 kVA utilizes an optional Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) plug-in card, allowing the UPS to be managed with an existing Network Management System or with Digital Energy exclusive UPS with non-proprietary service software architecture.
 
For more information visit www.gedigitalenergy.com

Harsh Environment HEC-20XX Controller from Divelbiss

Designed for tough environments, the HEC-20XX (based on patented PLC on a Chip) is well suited for harsh environment areas including washdowns. With J1939, eight digital inputs, eight digital outputs, counter inputs and support of PWM, the HEC-20XX is suited for a variety of applications including mobile equipment, material handling and machine control. The HEC-20XX also has a general purpose serial port cable of supporting Modbus Slave.

For more information visit www.divelbiss.com

2009 Motor, Drive & Automation Systems Conference
March 3-4, 2009
Hilton Disney / Orlando, Florida
http://www.e-driveonline.com/Conf-09/motors_conf09_index.php

Contact Jeremy Martin regarding speaking opportunities.
jeremym@infowebcom.com

September 2008
    8-13
    IMTS, Chicago, Ill.

    17-18
    Embedded Power Conference, San Jose, Calif.

    22-25
    Assembly Tech Expo, Chicago, Ill.

    22-25
    National Manufacturing Week, Chicago, Ill.

SEMICON West 2008
July 15-17
San Francisco, Calif.

SEMICON West2008–Infinite Innovations, Infinite Ideas SEMICON West is the place to see the companies, technologies, and people driving the future of micro design and manufacturing. No other event this year has more new products, more new technologies, and more solutions than SEMICON West.
From the latest developments in cutting-edge materials, to the systems and technologies driving semiconductor designs to the limits of Moore's Law, you'll find everything and everyone in the industry at SEMICON West.

Registration is now open! Plan now to participate and get ready to discover the infinite opportunities shaping the design and manufacture of semiconductors, MEMS, photovoltaics, flexible electronics, and more!

For more information, visit www.semiconwest.org.

IMTS 2008
September 8-13, 2008
Chicago, Illinois

Sign Up TODAY!
Attend IMTS, the largest manufacturing show in North America, Sept. 8-13, Chicago.  Attend IMTS Power Gen/Green Innovation Day. IMTS will help you make your operation greener two ways. First, by helping you reduce manufacturing costs, thus leaving your company greener and more prosperous. And second, by helping you become more efficient—savings in materials, tool consumption, reducing waste and scrap. IMTS 2008 features more than 1200 exhibitors offering some 15,000 products. You’ll see faster, more precise machines; cutting tools designed to process virtually any material; finishing technologies; automation systems; sophisticated quality instruments and manufacturing software. You’ll see how to reduce cycle times and increase productivity. Sign up now and save. Go to www.imts.com.

2008 IUV Technology Conference
September 16-17, 2008
Lincolnshire, IL

Don't Miss the Opportunity!

Take part in the 2008 IUV Technology Conference: ‘Emerging New Technologies in Design & Engineering for a Challenging World’, taking place on September 16 & 17 at the Lincolnshire Marriott in Lincolnshire, IL.

This two-day conference features exhibits, panel discussions and in-depth seminars addressing the latest developments in system solutions, engineering, alternate fuels and motive power, plus materials handling with regard to small task-oriented vehicles. Emphasis will be placed on the critical need for increased efficiencies in end product manufacturing and operations.  Additionally, the latest advancements in components, controls, and instrumentation for mobile equipment will be on display in our exhibit area. The IUV Technology Conference is a unique networking opportunity. 

BOOK your Conference Registration and Hotel ONLINE NOW and SAVE at: www.iuvconference.com

Embedded Power Conference
September 17-18, 2008
San Jose, CA. 

Embedded Design Magazine and PlanetAnalog.com have launched a conference where power is a front of mind consideration!  Targeted content directly applicable to embedded engineers handling line powered systems such as rack and bank servers.  Over two days, engineers can experience over 50 courses and sessions divided into four tracks including: heat management, software, system-level & backplane supply and circuit level power.   At its core, The Embedded Power Conference is about presenting power solutions to engineers that they are not aware of.  Register today for best rates! 

For more information, visit www.Embedded.com/Power.

Design Engineering Show and Conference at National Manufacturing Week
September 23-25, 2008
Rosemont, IL

Few investments in time deliver the return you’ll receive by attending Design Engineering at National Manufacturing Week.  Design Engineering is the only event that connects you with the systems, products, and solutions for the entire manufacturing enterprise. Meet knowledgeable suppliers and find the fresh ideas and new technologies you need to remain competitive in today’s global marketplace. Register online today for complimentary expo hall admission and your visitor badge includes access to nine industry-related shows taking place under one roof. Innovation in advanced design and manufacturing starts here!
 www.ManufacturingWeek.com

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