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No. 3 December 2006 Ask for Samples Request a Quote Place an Order
From the field
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GE Nighthawk
The next time you’re in a Wal-Mart or AutoZone, check out the graphic overlays in the Point-of-Purchase (POP) displays because it’s possible we made them. The GE Nighthawk, created to help consumers select the proper headlight for their vehicle, is one of 18 POP designs we’ve created for this customer. Others guide consumers in the purchase of grill components, cough suppressants, windshield wiper blades and car batteries.
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Kessler Soils
Many of our overlays are used in conjunction with mechanical switches manufactured by other companies. The overlay featured above was used on electronic soil analysis equipment by the federal government to determine if the ground was suitable for the development of roads and bridges.
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ABB
Some projects, like this one, are more complex than others because they require reverse engineering – we’re given only a sample to work with, no drawings. We re-created the overlay and spacer and everything lined up perfectly. (Of course! Or we wouldn’t be telling you about this project!)
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Vet*Star
The overlay shown was once screen printed (not by StanKraft). We demonstrated to the equipment manufacturer that the part could be produced digitally and result in a more colorful and less expensive part.
     
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Lost in Flight: When to Ask for Help

Kevin Caruso Director of SalesEven if you don’t drive a car manufactured by General Motors, chances are you’ve heard about OnStar, the in-vehicle security system available in more than 50 of their models. If you aren’t familiar with the service, the value is that help is instantly available if you need it – such as if you lock your keys in the car, if you’re lost or you can’t find your car in a large parking lot.

I’ve never had occasion to use OnStar, but I believe wholeheartedly in the service. When I first heard about it a few years ago it reminded me of an emergency I once had.

It was a Saturday afternoon in November, 1986. I was a student pilot eager to complete my 20 hours of solo flying and get my pilot’s license. I needed to practice “Touch and Gos” – take offs and touch-down landings – and left Schaumburg airport at dusk and headed for Waukegan airport.

On my way back to Schaumburg I discovered that the airport’s beacon – the green and white rotating light that guides pilots to the runway – was inoperative. This information should have been posted on the message board at the airport. Had it been, I wouldn’t have flown that day since I was trained as a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) pilot.

I circled the area in search of the airport for about five, very long minutes. Then I started to feel a tad panicky. I called in to see if other pilots were in my traffic pattern. There was one, but I couldn’t see him.

Then my training came to mind. (Duh. But give me a break, I was only 24 years old.) I tuned my radio to 121.5, the Air Traffic Control Emergency Frequency. “This is Cessna 96507,” I said in a shaky voice. “Cessna 96507, this is Chicago Approach Control. This is the Emergency Frequency. How can we assist you?” My heart was still pounding but I began to breathe.

I explained the problem and said that if they could guide me to DuPage airport, about 8 miles from Schaumburg, I could refuel (oh, yeah, that was another reason I was anxious) and follow the VOR (navigation beacon) back to Schaumburg airport. No sweat! They told me to tune my transponder to a certain code, contacted DuPage Tower, turned the runway lights up to full intensity and lined me up with the runway. Phew! From there I flew back to Schaumburg. I was glad to get home.

When you’re embarking on an new or relatively new activity, there are always, of course, risks. The lifelong lesson I learned from this experience was never, ever, ever hesitate to ask for help.

Recently I met with a client who asked if we could apply pins to a Kapton circuit. Although we are equipped to apply pins with .1 inch contacts, their design uses .05 inch contacts. I directed him to another company that can meet his needs.

Be sure to ask us for help with your challenges! Directly or indirectly, we’ll do everything we can to solve your problems.

Enjoy the upcoming holidays! And feel free to call me at 888-268-8068, ext. 222, or send me an e-mail, with your thoughts on how we can be helpful to you.

Phenomenal Regards,
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Kevin Caruso
kcaruso@stankraft.com

Next Issue: How to Avoid Field Failures

     
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