Automation Parts

Tyco Offers Sigma-Link Copper-Cabling Solutions Sigma-Link from Tyco Electronics's Amp Netconnect business unit is a range of pre-terminated high-speed copper-cabling solutions designed for ease of installation in office networks and data centres. The Amp Netconnect Sigma-Link system offers all performance and link classes including Category 6/Class E, Category 6A/Class EA and Category 7A/Class FA to support current applications at speeds of up to 10Gbit/s over copper cable. The Class FA version has been developed to support future applications at up to 40Gbit/s. The system is fully standards compliant and is suitable for equipment cabling in data centres. Performance of the Sigma-Link system is ensured by factory testing of all cable assemblies. Traceability of the far end is achieved by an integrated plastic optical fibre, which facilitates identification after installation. The system is fully compliant to TIA/EIA 942 and EN 50173-5, which are specific data-centre standards....

Prism Sound Introduces Wednesday Webinar Events Product developers and engineers working in the consumer electronics, automotive and broadcast industries now have the opportunity to tune in to a series of free webinars organised by Prism Sound. The Wednesday Webinar series starts on 24 June with Mobile Music: a webinar presented by Prism Sound's Dan Foley on measuring the acoustic and electronic performance of portable music players. This event considers whether portable-music-player customers are in danger of suffering hearing damage. Attendees will learn how to make accurate, reliable and repeatable measurement of headphones, earphones and portable-music-player electronics. These measurements are vital in ensuring that customers are protected from excessive loudness but still enjoy high-quality sound. Topics covered in the webinar will include: the present standards environment regarding human safety; fixtures for testing circumaural, supra-aural and supra-concha headphones, ...

Rapid Offers Preferential Pricing For Big Spenders Rapid Electronics, a UK distributor of electronic components, cables, connectors and electrical products, is offering preferential pricing options for high-spending industry customers. For customers who are about to place a bulk order or who have a large bill of materials, Rapid could arrange special pricing that is better than their existing terms and can be held for a three-month period. Additionally, if customers have the potential to spend GBP10,000 or more per annum, they could become a key account holder at Rapid. Key account holders will be assigned a dedicated account handler who can assist with cross-referencing competitor or manufacturer part numbers, source new products, set up schedule and forward orders and arrange preferential pricing.

US Navy Approves Tyco Lightcrimp Plus ST Connector Tyco Electronics has obtained approval from the US Navy for its multimode Lightcrimp Plus ST connector and it has been added to the 'Navy Recommended Fiber Optic Components Parts List'. Currently listed under Tyco Electronics part number 2064757-1, it will also be listed under the CID number once the CID is published. The Lightcrimp Plus ST connector has a dedicated termination kit (part number 2064764-1), the use of which is recommended for proper installation.

NI Announces PXI Express-Based Test Instruments National Instruments has introduced two 32-channel PXI Express-based digital instruments and an eight-slot high-bandwidth PXI Express 3U chassis for advanced automated test applications. The NI PXIe-6544/45 selectable-voltage digital waveform generator/analysers optimise test applications by supporting clock rates of up to 100 and 200MHz, respectively. The NI PXIe-6545 provides typical streaming rates of 660MB/s. The digital instruments are designed to enable test engineers to conduct sophisticated analysis of high-speed semiconductor devices and high-definition (HD) multimedia components that require rapid transfers of large amounts of data to and from host memory. The NI PXIe-1082 chassis, a 3U eight-slot PXI Express chassis with seven PXI Express peripheral slots, complements the generator/analysers with up to 1GB/s per-slot bandwidth and up to 4GB/s of total system bandwidth. Because of the advanced operation of the NI PXIe-6544/4...

GPEG And 4D Systems To Supply 'Smart OLED' Modules GPEG International has announced its partnership with 4D Systems, which will provide customers with 'Smart OLED' modules. These passive- and active-matrix OLED display modules feature a built-in embedded graphics controller that ensures feature-rich functionality that can be simply and effectively incorporated into new product designs. All 4D Systems's 'Smart OLEDs' feature: a near-360-degree viewing angle; high contrast with resolutions up to QVGA (320x240); a five-pin interface to any host device (5V, TX, RX and GND) and reset; a supply voltage from 3.6V to 6.0V; serial RS-232 (0V to 3.3V) with an auto-baud feature (300K to 128K baud); an optional USB interface via the 4D Systems micro USB (uUSB-MB5) modules; an onboard micro-SD (uSD) memory card adaptor included for storing icons, images and animations; three selectable font sizes (5x7, 8x8 and 8x12) for ASCII characters and user-defined bitmapped cha...

NI Offers Reduced-Price Retraining Programmes National Instruments (NI) UK and Ireland has announced a programme to support engineers who have recently been made redundant by reducing the cost of NI Labview training and certification. For GBP395, engineers can take two training courses and a certification exam. For example, they could take Labview Basics I and II and the Certified Labview Associate Developer (CLAD) certification exam, which, with the current reduction, would be a saving of more than GBP1,800. Individual scheduled training courses at Newbury can be taken for GBP195. The NI retraining programme for redundant engineers provides reduced-priced Labview certification that will increase engineers' software development skills and help to boost their career potential with an additional professional qualification. Successful certification will see engineers join a growing band of more than 3,000 certified professionals worldwide. Achieving certification through exams h...

ITT CoF Filters Provide Platform For TVS Connector The chip-on-flex (CoF) filters from ITT Interconnect Solutions provide the framework for a new TVS surge suppression connector. The CoF filter design, with one standard flex per layout, utilises a flexible circuit internal to the connector where chip capacitors are surface mounted on a very small pad adjacent to the feed-through contact. This flex circuit design provides the necessary platform for surface-mount TVS devices for lightning-strike protection. Off-the-shelf devices for both filtering and surge protection can be mounted using an automated manufacturing process. The result is a cost-effective, reliable, lightweight and compact design, benefiting from the thermal and mechanical performance associated with ITT Interconnect Solutions's CoF products. CoF filters offer customisable individual circuit values by adding or removing the chip capacitor and TVS devices. A range of capacitance and TVS values is available. Teste...

Vivante Announces Collaboration With China's ICT Vivante Corporation has announced a collaborative relationship with the Institute of Computing Technology (ICT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This long-term development partnership will enable ICT and Vivante to integrate their respective CPU and GPU designs into a cost-efficient, low-power system on chip (SoC) and advance netbook technology for the next generation. ICT, which specialises in comprehensive research into computer science and technology in China, successfully produced China's first general-purpose digital computer and is a research-and-development base for high-performance, low-power computer technology in China. ICT research focuses on strategic, advanced and fundamental contributions towards industry innovation, national needs and market demands.

Sunon Introduces Latest Super Green Fan Sunon has developed the latest generation of the 40mm x 40mm x 28mm Super Green Fan (SG4028). The design of the Super Green Fan features high efficiency, low power consumption, low vibration and low noise. Dedicated to low energy use, Sunon's sealed-motor technology raises the air flow and increases the air volume by 10 per cent. Compared to other products with similar rotation speeds, the Sunon Super Green Fan consumes nearly 50 per cent less power than its predecessors, meeting the eco demands for high efficiency and low power consumption, according to the company. Its sealed motor is protected by EMC and EMI and meets Class B requirements. With a perfectly matched high-efficiency motor and impeller blades, the Super Green Fan reduces vibration within the system, lowers fan vibration by up to 38 per cent and prolongs the lifespan of both the fan and the entire system. Characteristics include: a three-phase motor for low power consum...

ABB NEMA, UL & CSA Circuit Breakers

ABB offers a complete line of NEMA, UL & CSA Miniature, Molded Case And Power Circuit Breakers, residual current (ground fault) devices, manual motor starters to protect personnel and equipment. Our circuit breakers offer the best solution for rapidly restoring normal electrical service after a fault and, at the same time, offering the maximum protection of the electrical installation. The MCCB's have an extensive group of interchangeable accessories from electronic trip devices to flange handles. Miniature Circuit Breakers S200U & S200UP Miniature Branch Circuit Protection S500 Miniature Higher Capacity Branch Protection S200 & S200P Miniature Supplemental Protection Manual Motor Starters MS116 MS325 MS450 & MS497 Residual Current Devices RCDs Molded Case Circuit Breakers UL 489 and CSA C22.2 MCCBs Air Circuit Breakers Monitoring System High Performance Circuit Breakers

DC/DC LED Drivers Launched By Powerpax UK Powerpax UK has announced the launch of the PLC24AH range of dimmable, constant current, DC/DC LED drivers. The PLC24AH series provide a step-down constant current source for driving high-brightness LEDs. Standard output currents include 300mA, 350mA, 500mA, 600mA and 700mA, making these drivers compatible with a range of LEDs and applications. The output voltage range for these drivers is 2-32VDC and all models feature continuous short-circuit protection. These products have a compact size and operate without the need for external components. They provide a high-efficiency solution (up to 95 per cent) for LED driving in both standard and dimming applications. Dimming is achieved through use of an industry standard PWM method - the PWM input is specified to operate between 0.2-10Khz. If dimming is not required, the PWM input doubles as a remote On/Off input. This series has an operating temperature range of -40C to +71C (minimum). These dri...

Mazet Introduces Multi-Range Spectral Sensors Mazet has unveiled its multi-range spectral sensors that it uses as a basis for developing and supplying application-specific sensor modules for its customers. The sensors can be adapted to applications with regard to the number of spectral channels and the spectral transmission characteristics of each channel. The first sensor introduced in this design has six spectral channels, whose filters, which range from 400nm to 700nm, overlap one another and are uniformly distributed over the range. These modules are distinguished by their small size, their parallel signal processing of all spectral channels, their high operating temperature range, their long-term stability and their high degree of resistance to environmental effects. In cooperation with Jenoptik, customised optoelectronic modules are offered in a compact design. These modules include all of the system components, from the optics to the electronic signal processing. These sen...

DC/DC Converter Launched By Ericsson Ericsson Power Modules's BMR454 DC/DC converter delivers double the power of most conventional eighth-brick modules, a wide input range of 36-75V, and a tightly regulated output. The BMR454 eighth-brick family delivers up to 240W with an efficiency rating up to 95 per cent at full load, and a PMBus interface is included. The parameters of the BMR454 can be monitored via PMBus, and they can also be adjusted - by the customer or Ericsson - into an endless number of combinations. The module can be used as an intermediate bus converter (IBC) in front of a range of regulators, or as a traditional DC/DC module powering applications such as hard drives, fans and others. Important application areas are 48V information and communication technology applications such as radio base stations, servers, routers, and a range of systems powered by 48VDC. The modules can be used for improved system efficiency, as output voltage and other parameters can be adj...

GPS Simulation Toolkit 1.5 For Labview National Instruments (NI) has announced the NI GPS Simulation Toolkit 1.5 for Labview. This is an extension of the graphical system design environment that expands the NI RFP XI platform to provide engineers a cost-efficient, high-performance solution for GPS receiver testing. The latest version of the GPS Simulation Toolkit gives engineers new satellite simulation features including extended time duration of non-repeating GPS satellite signals and the ability to customise motion profiles for mobile receiver tests. The GPS Simulation Toolkit 1.5 for Labview offers engineers an easy-to-use graphical API for validating and testing GPS receivers. Using the toolkit, engineers can simulate C/A codes for up to 12 satellites in the L1 band. The toolkit also features waveform creation tools to specify both the receiver location and velocity, and the ability to create waveforms with up to 24 hours of non-repeating GPS satellite signals, giving engineer...

Analog Converters Used In Large Hadron Collider Analog Devices' data converters are helping scientists discover what the universe is made of and how it works by playing an important role in Cern's Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Hans Rykaczewski, resource manager at Cern, said: 'The converters we use need to be radiation-hard and reliable because they must function properly for decades in a high-radiation environment. 'The collisions created by the LHC emit energy that can be measured and analysed once it is converted to a digital data stream. 'Analog Devices' converters have the speed and dynamic range we need to measure the energy captured by one of the 64,000-lead tungstate crystals. 'These crystals measure the energy of photons, electrons and positrons.' Within the LHC, two beams of subatomic particles called 'hadrons' - either protons or lead ions - will travel in opposite directions inside the circular accelerator, gaining energy with ever...

DC/DC Converter For GSM And GPRS Cards Linear Technology has announced the LTC3125, a 1.6MHz current mode, synchronous boost DC/DC converter with an accurate and programmable average input current limit. Its internal 1.2A switches can deliver output voltages as high as 5.25V from an input voltage range of 1.8V to 5.5V, making it ideal for Li-ion/polymer, 3.3V PC card slot or multi-cell alkaline/Nimh applications. The LTC3125 can deliver up to 500mA of continuous output current (at 5V) from a 3.3V input. The LTC3125's average input current limit can be programmed between 200mA and 1000mA with +/- 5 per cent accuracy. The accurate adjustable current limit combined with an output reservoir capacitor makes the LTC3125 ideal for applications such as GSM and GPRS cards, which demand 2A or higher current pulses from a power-limited input source. In addition, the LTC3125's accurate input current enables safe and fast charging of large super- or ultra-capacitors in battery backup sy...

Adlink Bases Coremodule 730 On Intel Atoms Adlink Technology has introduced the Coremodule 730 embedded processor, based on the ultra low power Intel Atom Z510 and Z530 processors at 1.1 and 1.6GHz, respectively. The Coremodule 730 sets a new efficiency standard for tiny rugged computers by using the new Sumit expansion interface. It reinvents stackable and mezzanine architectures by packing an enormous amount of data bandwidth and easy connectivity - including multiple PCI Express lanes, USB 2.0 interfaces, LPC bus, I2C bus, and SPI bus - into a fraction of the space previously occupied by only the 33MHz parallel PCI-104 bus. The Coremodule 730 features PCI Express, Gbit Ethernet, USB 2.0 ports and a Compactflash socket. It also features the lowest power Intel chipset available, the US15W, to complement the Intel Atom processor for a total power consumption of only 5W. Conductive cooling solutions are also easy to implement for small sealed boxes with no internal air flow. The r...

GPEG TFT Display Features 800 x 600 Resolution GPEG International has announced the introduction of a 10.4in TFT display featuring a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels (SVGA). The FDT800600K TFT module incorporates a white LED backlight with an option of 250 or 500 nits brightness and a lifetime of 40,000 hours. The TFT display has a contrast ratio of 200:1 with a response time of 20ms. Displaying 262K colours over a wide horizontal and vertical viewing area the TFT operates over a temperature range of -20 to +70C. With its high-brightness long-life LED backlight the FDT800600V TFT display is suitable for embedded applications, industrial control systems, plus marine and medical equipment.

Axiomtek Panel PC Supports Intel Atom Processor Axiomtek introduces the GOT-5100T-830 10.4in fanless touch-panel PC, which supports a 45nm Intel Atom N270 1.60GHz processor with Mobile Intel 945GSE Express chipset. The GOT-5100T-830 adopts a 10.4in SVGA TFT LCD with resolution up to 800 x 600 pixels, and features fanless operation and a rugged IP65 dust/waterproof front bezel. Featuring a thickness of 44.6mm and weighing 1.6kg, the touch-panel computer is equipped with one mini card for custom system configurations, and also has a Compactflash card or a 2.5in HDD for storage capability. The GOT-5100T-830 is suitable for limited-space applications in kiosk, DSA, factory automation, building automation and more. With industrial-grade front bezel plus aluminum mechanism design, this 10.4in fanless HMI can dissipate heat easily and keep the operating system stable and healthy. The GOT-5100T-830 provides a mini card and a built-in WLAN antenna for wireless network connections. By plug...

Sharp Announces High Colour Rendering LEDs Sharp is expanding its LED portfolio with eight white light high colour rendering SMD LEDs in the frequently used PLCC2 package. The high CRI (colour rendering index ) value of 80 is reached by a combination of a blue LED die covered with a special mixture of green and red phosphor. The chip LEDs of the GM5SAExxP0A series, from the E-Series, ensure natural colours and true to detail images. This is important where artificial light may not hinder the depiction of the illuminated objects. Typical applications for high colour rendering (HCR) LEDs are in photography, shop windows and store decorations as well as product presentation. They also find uses in medical lighting; for example, in surgery lamps. The E-Series covers a wide spectrum of colour temperatures, beginning with warm white LEDs in the area of 2,700K to the cold white LEDs of 6,500K. Combining high CRI values and a light efficiency of up to 90lm/W (depending on model), the HCR...

Powerpax Launches P78 Switching Regulators Powerpax UK has launched the P78 range of high-efficiency switching regulators, which are designed to be pin compatible with 78xx series linear regulators. This series is designed to fit into the industry-standard TO-220 footprint and to provide a high-efficiency alternative to standard linear regulators. The P78 series features regulators with outputs of 0.5A and 1A, with efficiencies of up to 96 per cent. They feature inputs in the range of 4.5VDC to 32VDC and have low no-load current, making these products suitable for many applications, including those with battery power sources. All products have low-output ripple and noise and have comprehensive inbuilt protection, including continuous short-circuit and over-temperature protection. Output voltages range from 3.3V to 15V with a maximum line regulation of +/-0.4 per cent and a maximum load regulation of +/-0.6 per cent. In addition to the standard positive output voltages, it is poss...

Goepel Develops Juliett Family Of JTAG Testers Goepel Electronic has announced the development of Juliett (JTAG unlimited tester): a family of completely integrated standalone production testers. The modular systems combine all test electronics and the basic mechanics in a compact desktop system. Additionally, they are equipped with a specific interface to an exchangeable adaptor, giving fast changes to accommodate different units under test (UUTs). Thomas Wenzel, director of the boundary scan division at Goepel Electronic, said: 'The increased use of extended boundary scan techniques has led to the need for a completely integrated production system. 'Due to the use of the preset Juliett tester, time-consuming integrations for cost-intensive special solutions can be saved and the handling becomes all in all more effective. 'At the same time, with this system, we become the first vendor to provide off-the-shelf products for turnkey solutions,' he added. Designed as c...

LDMOS Transistors Aid Design Of Wireless Stations Infineon Technologies AG has introduced a range of high-power LDMOS transistors for the design of broadband wireless-network base stations. The transistors, introduced at the IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium, feature power levels up to 300W and video-bandwidth exceeding 90MHz. They support the high peak-to-average power ratios and high data-rate specifications required for the evolution from 3 to 4G wireless networks. The new transistor range achieves higher gain and higher power-density than alternative devices operating in the 1.4 - 2.6GHz cellular bands. This allows the use of packages with a 30 per cent smaller footprint, to enable smaller and lower cost amplifier designs. High peak-power is valuable for Doherty-based amplifier designs, as well as for reducing parts count in other architectures. Illustrative performance of the new transistors, in a two-carrier WCDMA signal at 2170 MHz, 30V, 8dB PAR and 3.84MHz channe...

Truconnect Budget Connectors Available From Rapid Rapid has introduced 72 new lines from budget connector-brand Truconnect. Truconnect products include terminal blocks, leads, sockets and cables for industrial, audio and networking applications. Eleven new ranges of terminal blocks are now available, in PCB mounting, interlocking, pluggable and screwless versions, with pitches ranging from 3.5 to 7.62mm. Another five ranges will soon be added, including terminal strips with and without wire protectors and barrier terminal-blocks. Rapid can negotiate prices on Truconnect components, depending on the size of the order. Product samples are also available.

Intersil Unveils Flexible ISL54230 Octal Switch Intersil has introduced the ISL54230 Octal switch, which is suitable for high-end Smartphone applications. The ISL54230's small size and flexible design enable designers to optimise the routing of the many different types of signals in dual-mode, dual-standby operation phones. It is a quad double-pole/double-throw (DPDT) analogue switch that can operate from a single +2.0V to +5.5V supply. It contains eight single-pole/double-throw (SPDT) switches configured into four DPDT blocks. Each DPDT block is independently controlled by a logic input signal. This flexible configurability provides switching and routing of USB, UART, PCM for Bluetooth Phy, SIM power/data and audio signals between internal chips and external connector pins. In particular, the ISL54230 allows dual-baseband chips to access either of two SIM cards while allowing the unused SIM card to be powered down into a zero-power-consumption condition. Dual USB 2.0 high-sp...

XP Offers JHM Low-Power Isolated DC/DC Converters XP Power's JHM ultra-compact low-power isolated DC/DC converters are available in 3 and 6W board-mounted variants and packaged in an industry-standard 24-pin DIP package. They conform to the international medical-equipment safety standards UL / IEC 60601-1 and CSA-C22.2 No 601.1. The units provide 3,000V AC input to output isolation for up to one-minute - meeting the secondary-isolation requirements for BF and CF applications - and 5,000V AC isolation of up to 10 milliseconds for defibrillation proof compliance. Any medical appliance that may involve patient-contact needs to provide isolation from hazardous voltages and have an extremely low leakage current. The JHM series features a small leakage-current of 2uA and low 20pF input to output capacitance. It provides a reliable and cost-effective solution for designers of medical equipment. The JHM series comprises of 20 models. The 3 and 6W units are available in +12V DC or +24...

AMLD-IZ Drivers Ensure LED Performance Aimtec has expanded its AMLD-IZ series of step-down DC-DC LED drivers with five new models generating constant output currents reaching 1.2A. The new models have wide input ranges of 5-36V DC that step down to wide output ranges of 2-32V DC. They generate constant output currents of 800, 900, 1,000, 1,100 and 1,200mA, with an accuracy of up to +/- 2 per cent, ensuring the constant colour and brightness required by demanding LED applications. The AMLD-IZ series produces up to 38.4W of power in a compact DIP24 package (31.80 x 20.30 x 10.20mm). It features remote on/off control function as well as PWM and analogue voltage dimming control (0 - 100 per cent). Aimtec's LED drivers have efficiencies of 96 per cent. They are as reliable as the LEDs they drive, allowing them to be used at an operating temperature of -40C to +85C at full load. All of Aimtec's LED drivers are compatible with a range of LED applications. They provide turn-key...

ON Semiconductor Expands Range Of DPP ICs ON Semiconductor's range of digitally programmable potentiometer (DPP) ICs now includes high-resolution devices incorporating I2C and serial peripheral interface (SPI) bus connectivity. The new DPPs offer a low-noise, reliable and space-saving alternative to mechanical potentiometers, in applications ranging from instrumentation and industrial automation to portable battery-powered equipment. The ON Semiconductor CAT5171 and CAT5172 are single-channel, digitally programmable linear taper potentiometers featuring 256-position resolution. Digital control of wiper settings is made via I2C and SPI interfaces. Both devices are available with end-to-end resistance options of 50 and 100kohm. The CAT5171 and CAT5172 are insensitive to mechanical vibrations, shock, oxidation, dust and dirt, unlike their mechanical counterparts. Each device also has a low-temperature co-efficient of 100 parts per million per degrees Celsius (ppm/C). As a result...

Schroff Issues Updated Product Catalog Schroff UK, an electronics packaging specialist, has launched an updated edition of its main catalogue. Running to more than 1,100 pages, Edition 23 provides detailed technical information on the company's complete range of products, including cabinets, cases, subracks, plug-in units, embedded systems, backplanes and power supplies. Among the products in the catalogue is the Propacpro series of cases: a range of frame-type plug-in units, intelligent socket strips and extensions to the company's cabinet range. In addition, the catalogue features an appendix containing an overview of relevant standards, a list of commonly used abbreviations and a complete product index. It is laid out in colour-coded sections and makes use of colour pictures, as well as dimensioned line diagrams showing assembly details, tables and selection charts with stocked items shown in bold text. Providing information for anyone involved in specifying or purchas...

National Electronics Week To Host Radiometrix Power-radio specialist Radiometrix will exhibit at National Electronics Week, which will take place from 16-18 June 2009 at London's Earls Court 2. Radiometrix will showcase its extensive range of wideband and narrowband low-power radio modules and latest products, including FCC Part 90 compliant radio modules. Opening times for this year's event are 10am-5pm on 16 and 17 June and 10am-4pm for 18 June.

SP 2 Supports ECP3-70 And ECP-95 Devices Lattice Semiconductor has introduced Service Pack 2 for Version 7.2 of its Isplever FPGA design-tool suite. SP2 is an important update for users of LatticeECP3 devices and also includes support for new LatticeXP2 devices. Mike Kendrick, manager of software-product planning at Lattice, said: 'This important update allows users of ECP3-70 and ECP-95 devices to design with even greater confidence that the board-level behaviour of their design, such as simultaneous-switching output noise (SSO), power and timing, will match what the tools report. 'SP2 also boosts DSP application performance in the LatticeECP3 devices.' Design support for the LatticeECP3 FPGA range was first made available in the Isplever 7.2 SP1 design tool suite. Service Pack 2 updates the device values to production-characterised silicon for the LatticeECP3-70 and ECP3-95 devices. With SP2, static timing analysis, power and SSO will report results that more accurate...

CTH/CTM600s Provide Connection In Heating Systems Camden Electronics has introduced a range of 2.5mm pitch PCB connectors for use in heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) control applications. The new CTH/CTM600 series connectors provide fast and easy interconnection between a printed circuit board and cables. They are polarised to avoid mis-mating and are ideal for use in boilers and boiler controllers, air conditioning and similar heating/ventilating systems. The CTM600 series is available in 19 sizes from two to 20 poles and provides polarised male PCB mounting connectors; the CTH600 series provides the equivalent female parts. A staggered pin header is also available (CTH601 series) while two sizes of crimp connectors (CTC600 and CTC750 series) for easy connection of cables to the CTH600 series complete the product line up. The 2.5mm pitch PCB connectors are moulded from UL94V0 grey polyamide (PA) and feature tinned nickel-plated brass contacts rated at 6A (CTC600)...

Richard Noble Will Open National Electronics Week Richard Noble, the former land-speed record holder and driving force behind The Bloodhound SSC project, will open the 2009 National Electronics Week exhibition on 16 June at London's Earls Court. Noble will cut a ribbon and declare the show open to visitors at 10.00am at the front of the event's venue. He will then present a keynote speech. Noble is keen to ignite young people's interest in maths, science and engineering in the most exciting way possible, and cites this as the philosophy behind his latest land-speed record project, The Bloodhound SSC. The project will generate cutting-edge research that will have far reaching benefits across the science and engineering industries.

Micro Metalsmiths Makes Fuel Cap For Spyker Micro Metalsmiths has developed and manufactured a specialist fuel cap for Dutch luxury car manufacturer, Spyker. The fuel cap, which features Spyker's company emblem, took less than eight weeks to deliver and will feature on all production cars. Micro Metalsmiths had to quickly re-engineer the production tool, which was completed in only two weeks. This needed to be more economical and less complex to machine, while providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Reel And Shaft Offers Stacker Truck Cradle Reel And Shaft Handling (RaSHCo) has designed a stacker truck cradle for offloading finished reels from both shafts of slitter rewinders at the same time. The system is easy to install and operate and is safer and faster than traditional methods. The stacker truck cradle slides easily into place under the finished product reels, then gently pulls them from the shafts as the operator reverses the truck. The hydraulically powered cradle then rotates the reels to vertical so they are ready for loading onto a pallet. A separate vertical reel lifter mounted on a customised air hoist, hanging from a swing-jib crane, allows the operators to offload the reels of up to 95kg, quickly and with virtually no effort.

Active Andon System Reduces Downtime Gemba has launched the Active Andon system, providing a fully flexible and user-configurable LCD display, real-time alerts via text/email, and a historical reporting function. A user-programmable LCD display shows whatever data is required, and can be changed at any time. Off-the-shelf delivery of LCD displays of all sizes means no long waits for equipment to arrive. If there is a problem, messages and alerts are displayed on the Andon board, and it is automatically escalated to senior staff via email or text. Alerts based on any aspect of the production process are automatically triggered. A closed-loop process ensures problems are resolved quickly and effectively, so that downtime and maintenance stoppages are minimised. All data is available for review and analysis on a PC. The wireless system allows the user to put button boxes in any location; supervisors can move around the shop floor and take a button box with them. Minimal cabling mean...

JP Forrest Invests In More Boring Capacity JP Forrest of Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK has ordered a large five-axis horizontal boring machine from Italian manufacturer Alesa Monti. The machine, which is due to be commissioned in July this year, has a table size of 2500mm x 2000mm, X-axis travel of 4000mm and Y-axis travel of 3000mm, with Heidenhain ITNC 530 five-axis control. Managing director Martin Hodgkinson says: 'This machine is the central part of a GBP1m expansion project, which includes the building of an extension to the company's premises, almost doubling the effective floor area of the existing machine shop.' The expansion plans also include the installation of a 20-tonne overhead crane in the machine shop extension. The company, which specialises in the fabrication and horizontal boring of equipment such as gear cases, housings and mainframes, already has six horizontal borers working on two shifts, but recent requests from several key clients for heavier ...

ABB Updates Six-Step Energy Saving Plan

ABB has launched the latest version of its six-step energy saving plan. It provides customers with information on the best ways to save money, by applying variable- speed drives and low-voltage motors to their fan and pump applications. The six-step energy saving plan is captured in a free 20-page guide, available to download. Using the guide, customers can assess up-to-date information on climate change and how it could affect their business. The guide also provides information on how to save money in setting up and running drive and motor applications, with tips on managing installations and when best to replace old technology with modern drives and motors. Schemes to help those willing to invest are also highlighted in the guide. The government's Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs) scheme, and interest-free loans from the Carbon Trust help reduce the initial cost of implementing energy saving measures. ABB's six-step plan provides information on what they are, qualifyin...

Proto Labs Lowers Entry-Level Prices Proto Labs has announced that it can now make a mould and ship injection-moulded parts for as little as GBP995. The company attributes its price reduction to increased efficiencies in its automated manufacturing processes, improvements in its software and advances in its application of compute cluster technology.

Stahl Releases Fieldbus Power Supply System Stahl has expanded the ISbus range, adding a modular Fieldbus power supply system that provides up to 28V and 500mA for Foundation Fieldbus H1 segments, and allows for redundant supply. In Boost mode, a parallel connection of two power supplies enables users to continuously supply the bus with up to 1A, providing sufficient power reserves even for special Fieldbus applications. An integrated basic diagnosis function monitors each segment for line faults, reporting these via a potential-free relay contact and indicating them via a red Error LED. The activation of the integrated switchable Fieldbus terminator is clearly indicated by a yellow LED. The units can be installed on a DIN rail or clicked into place on special bus carriers. On each bus carrier, up to eight segments with a standard supply or four segments with a redundant supply are connected to a host via optional precon-figured system cables. The bus carrier can be operated with...

Aerospace Industry Buys Flexible Enclosures Huntingdon Fusion Techniques (HFT) has sold flexible welding enclosures to global aerospace manufacturers involved in helicopter, bellows, spacecraft and fluid handling systems production. The HFT enclosures are manufactured from UV-resistant PVC, and are suitable for welding with oxygen levels down to 10 parts per million. All enclosures are manufactured as standard with two sets of glove ports, but extra sets can be specified. The upper half of the enclosure is optically clear and provides good welding vision. An entry lock is fitted, for small parts to be taken in and out without loss of purge quality. An exhaust valve allows continuous purging, so that impurities can be expelled during welding.

Dormer Offers Replaceable-Head Drilling Solution Dormer Tools has added a replaceable-head drilling solution to its programme of solid-carbide tooling. Offering high productivity across a range of materials, the range - branded Hydra - represents a cost-effective alternative to solid-carbide drills. Two head types are available. The Hydra-M (R960) has been developed to give optimum performance in stainless steel and cast iron, but is also recommended for drilling operations in titanium and nickel. The Hydra-P (R950), meanwhile, is suitable for machining carbon and alloy steels. All drilling heads are manufactured from micrograin carbide and feature a titanium aluminum nitride-based coating for high toughness and oxidation stability, enabling high speeds and feeds while resisting built-up edge. The self-centring 140-degree four-facet split point means that required thrust forces are low, while the need for pre-drilling is eliminated entirely. Heads are held in place by two screws;...

DSK Orders Pullmax 720 Punching System DSK Engineering has placed an order with Pullmax, valued at more than GBP300,000, for a 720 punching system. This comes after a long-term customer told Dave Jordan, managing director of Pontefract-based subcontractor DSK Engineering, that it had plans to put a growth plan in place by the end of June 2009, if not sooner. Jordan decided to make some decisions regarding investment in capital equipment so that DSK could continue providing this customer with good-quality products and services. DSK is an existing user of laser technology, but it was apparent that the next investment would need to complement laser cutting in order to deal with the range of specifications and materials outlined by its customer. Jordan decided that modern CNC punching technology would provide DSK with the additional dimension required. He contacted Coventry-based Pullmax in March 2009 and, following an initial assessment of the company's requirements, a visit was s...

Sprint 300 Plus Improves Quality Of Clean Rooms Sara Loading Bay Specialists has introduced the Sprint 300 Plus clean room door, which enables pharmaceutical and food companies to improve the quality of clean rooms. The high-speed and flexible configuration of the Sprint 300 Plus - with optional FDA-approved materials - means that it is suitable for areas where there is an air-pressure difference, such as clean rooms. In these environments, the Sprint 300 Plus also saves energy and provides maximum safety provision, with an electrically monitored contact safety beam and a clear safety curtain that allows personnel to see movement on either side, which is essential in facilities that employ automated transport. Designed to conform to EN 12424, Class 1, for wind resistance, the Sprint 300 Plus is described as a robust, flexible and highly reliable door that provides smooth and steady movement via a curtain tensioning system. It can be programmed to meet specific customer needs using ...

Machine Building Systems Offers Item Base Plate Item has added a die-cast 'Base Plate 8, 40x40 M10' to its aluminium-profile machine construction kit, available from Machine Building Systems. An M10 foot is suitable for customers with uneven floors who require a knuckle foot with a generous amount of adjustment on a bench or a conveyor, for instance. This gives the longer threads some resistance to the side loads that they will meet. However, this leads to two problems, according to the company. First, the 40x40 profile most commonly used for legs has a bore at the tapping size for M8 and must be drilled and re-tapped out where this is feasible. Second, permissible thread pitch deviations under DIN standards, common in the male threads, often mean that the feet will bind in long tapped holes, no matter how accurate the tapping. The new base plate is intended to solve both these problems at low cost by having the M10 tapped hole for the foot aligned with any of the T-slots...

Lee Products Updates Its Microhydraulics Handbook The 2009 Lee Industrial Microhydraulics Handbook (IMH) is now available from miniature components specialist Lee Products. This third-edition 210-page handbook has been updated and includes a range of new products, all of which are said to be presented in a clear and concise, colour-coded design. A red section features components designed for installation into metal manifolds and fittings for high-volume industrial and automotive applications. A blue section shows components intended for installation into plastic manifolds and fittings for low-pressure medical applications. Finally, a grey section is claimed to provide useful technical engineering data. A CD containing a fully indexed PDF file of the IMH is also available.

Micro Metalsmiths Opens Machining Facility Micro Metalsmiths has launched an advanced, high-efficiency machining facility, based around its recent acquisition of nine CNC Fanuc Robodrill machines. The facility is at Kirkbymoorside, near York, and is one of the company's two production sites in North Yorkshire. The launch event was attended by customers of Micro Metalsmiths, senior representatives of major international equipment suppliers and consultants to the facility. These included Mike Fujita, president and chief executive officer of Fanuc Robodrill Europe, and Mike Berry, general manager of 600 UK, part of machine tools group 600 Group plc. Guests heard Christopher Shaw, Micro Metalsmiths's chairman and managing director, detail the reasons behind the company's decision to create a dedicated, centralised machining facility - capable of both manned and unmanned machining operations - and to make a major investment in the latest Fanuc Robodrill technology. He said t...

John Neale Creates Water-Based Rust Inhibitor John Neale has developed Rust Preventive FC-X: a water-based rust inhibitor that has given a 1,000-hour salt-spray performance in independent tests. High-performance long-term outdoor corrosion inhibitors have typically been based on oxidised waxes with other additives in solvents. The solvents used are volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the emissions of which need to be reduced. The solvents are also often flammable or of low flash point, have exposure limits and can cause skin de-fatting. These products can, however, offer high-performance de-watering and long-term corrosion inhibition. According to the company, there is now a desire for rust preventives to give new performance characteristics. These include: a dry film, which means that dust and dirt will not adhere to it; non-VOC; and renewable or renewable-based. Rust Preventive FC-X is said to achieve all these requirements. It is a renewable-based inhibitor with negligible VOC ...

NMB-Minebea Benefits From Aqua-Save 30 System A wastewater treatment system from Aqua-Save Technologies, part of Mecwash Systems, is helping a UK manufacturer of aerospace bearings enhance its environmental performance and save processing costs. The use of an Aqua-Save 30 at NMB-Minebea UK's Lincoln factory has helped to address a waste product disposal requirement that results from a key part of its manufacturing processes. Stuart Haysman, health, safety and environmental officer at the site, said: 'We undertake a wide range of processing operations including machining, plating, grinding and anodising and, in many cases, products pass through a "rumbling" phase - a vibratory process that enhances the surface finish of each product. 'This requires significant amounts of water that, inevitably, become contaminated with oil, metal "fines", detergent and media dust, which, in turn, calls for a suitable disposal process. 'Conventionally, this has s...

Aerotech Introduces Pro Series Linear Stages

Aerotech has completed and launched its low-cost Pro series linear stages. It can now offer a total of 68 standard models with travel from 50mm to 1,500mm in a choice of four stage widths from 115mm to 280mm for high-throughput, medium-precision positioning. The modular range features Aerotech's hard-cover/side-seal system that provides entire stage protection for arduous manufacturing environments such as laser machining. With high-load-capacity linear-motion guide bearings and servo-motor-driven precision ballscrews, available in normal or 'faster' pitches for speeds of more than 1.4m/s, the range is suitable for demanding multi-axis-positioning applications across manufacturing and test. The Pro series has been designed as an adaptable family of positioning stages that allow original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and system integrators to select and mix models to match their machine-building requirements. For typical applications, the 115mm and 165mm narrow-width ...

Biasi Develops ActivA Unique Boiler Range Biasi UK has developed ActivA, a new range of high efficiency A rated condensing boilers boasting a unique heat exchanger. The launch of ActivA is further testimony to the company's commitment to strengthen its position in the UK domestic gas boiler market. At the heart of ActivA is a newly developed pre-mix condensing heat exchanger that is manufactured in a corrosion resistant, pressure moulded aluminium. Its sectional construction means it can be easily adjusted for different boiler outputs and its 'multipass' design ensures very low resistance for both combustion and water passage. This unique heat exchanger carries a five year guarantee. Designed to provide outstanding heating performance at an affordable price for almost all types of domestic properties, the compact range boasts some of the smallest boilers available - at just 700mm high x 400 wide and only 290mm deep - thereby allowing installation in cupboards. As well a...

St Germans Pumping Station Is Sika Watertight Sika Watertight Concrete has been used on the new land drainage and flood risk management pumping station, St Germans. Sika Watertight Concrete is being used to build the floor slab that separates the wet volutes from the dry plant rooms in the pump hall at the new GBP38 million St Germans pumping station, currently being constructed by Main Contractor, Costain at Wiggenhall St Germans in Norfolk. The station, the UKs largest, spans the middle level main drain, pumping land drainage and floodwaters into the tidal River Great Ouse. The new pumping station replaces the 75 year old existing facility which provides flood protection to over 24,000 residential properties and 70,000 hectares of agricultural land with a total value to the nation of GBP3.6 billion. Rising tidal levels coupled with the effects of climate change, plus the old facility coming to the end of its serviceable life, meant that a new pumping station with a higher capaci...