Month: April 2015

April 30, 2015

CPI K1005 Waterproof Pendant Switch Chosen for Army CROWS program

The United States army knows a thing or two about tough environments. The M153 Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) provides soldiers with the ability to acquire and engage targets while protected inside an armored vehicle. When it came time to select a switch for operator control of the sensitive electronics in the army’s newest CROWS targeting system, the CPI K1005 waterproof maintained contact rocker switch was the only real choice to meet full mil-spec requirements.

The CROWS system is designed to mount on any tactical vehicle, and contains a sensor suite and fire control software, allowing on-the-move target acquisition and first-burst target engagement. Capable of target engagement under day and night conditions, the CROWS sensor suite includes a daytime video camera, thermal camera, and laser rangefinder. The system was developed at the small arms center here in NJ at Picatinny Arsenal.

K1005 Waterproof Maintained Contact Pendant SwitchThe K1005 was selected for its proven waterproof design and high electromechanical endurance. An overmolded neoprene coating applied with our proprietary process ensures completely waterproof operation, even submerged. Inside the switch an all-metal snap-action contact mechanism carefully designed and qualified to withstand high shock and vibration make it a perfect choice for the rough conditions of firearm use and battlefield conditions. The  contact parameters can be custom modified to meet the electromechanical endurance requirements of your application and multiple lead types and electrical parameters are specifiable.

 K1005 Product Features

  • Waterproof
  • -65F to 175F operating temperature
  • .30″ high base, .53″ button portion
  • Choice of 16AWG wires or 2-conductor cable (with 18AWG internal wires)

For more information on the K1005, and all of CPI’s waterproof switches visit us at www.cpi-nj.com.

This content was originally posted at www.cpi-nj.com.

Waterproof pendant switches used for squib fx
April 13, 2015

Our Waterproof Momentary Pendant Switches Are Movie Stars…

Ever watch a good horror film? Or a good battle scene in a war movie? If you’re one of those folks who doesn’t go running for the bathroom when the on-screen blood starts to flow, then you’ve probably seen one of the most unique applications for our waterproof momentary pendant switches that we know about…

They’re called “Squibs” and they are air powered non-explosive bullet hit rigs and blood delivery systems which are used to create the illusion of gunshot wounds and blood sprays and splats for everything from Freddie Kruger slash films to police drama’s, war films, even civil war reenactments!

Squibs work in a fairly straightforward way… a cylinder filled with compressed air once triggered, powers an explosive force which drives fake blood, or other material out of a tube. The tube is strategically located on the actor and the switch can routed through the actors clothing, or alternately off camera to a separate operator.

The squib in the picture is made by Squib FX, and uses two of our B7151-18 pendant switches, allowing for two simultaneous blood effects like both an entry and an exit wound or other dual position effects. The B7151 is a sealed momentary contact switch that is completely waterproof. This model is a “low force” variation of our basic switch allowing for quick manual responsiveness and better tactile feel for the actors. CPI switches were chosen for their ability to be used in wet, dirty movie environments as this switch is sealed in a santoprene casing and is industrial rated. Pictured is our two wire version but the switch is also available in 3 conductor with special terminations and coil cords.

We knew it was just a matter of time before our switches became stars! If you have application you’d like to cast our waterproof switches in, visit us at www.cpi-nj.com.

At CPI we get it right on the first take…

Content was originally posted on www.cpi-nj.com.