Automation Parts

Cadence Printed Circuit Board Has New Features Cadence Design Systems has released its Cadence Allegro and OrCAD printed circuit board (PCB) software with a range of new features. The Allegro and OrCAD PCB Design Release 16.3 allows engineers to miniaturise the footprint of their end product and reduce the number of physical prototype iterations. This release addresses increased functional and interconnect density through improvements for rigid-flex routing, extended high-density interconnect (HDI) rules, 3D viewing of PCBs and asymmetrical clearance for RF circuits. Extended micro via stacking rules allow users to create the most difficult HDI designs, while multi-line curved bus routing that hugs the flex outline accelerates the creation of rigid-flex designs. An integrated 3D PCB viewer gives designers visibility into components and HDI micro via breakouts, eliminating unnecessary iterations with mechanical design teams. The Allegro PCB RF Option also helps engineers to reduce t...

Terminal Block Features Internal Jumper System Wago Corporation's 805 Series side-entry PCBs are designed to simplify wiring via push-in and push-button-actuated terminations. Available in standard 2-pole to 24-pole configurations, the 805 Series PCB blocks feature 3.5mm pin spacing for conductors AWG 24-16 and are UL/CUL certified at 300V/10A. The 805 Series also offers an internal factory-installed jumper system for commoning, conserving conductor capacity in high-density applications. The 805 Series PCB blocks reduce wiring times via push-in terminations for solid conductors or stranded conductors with ferrules. Terminating stranded conductors is also simple: depress the on-unit pushbutton with a screwdriver to open the clamping unit, insert conductor and release. Conductor entries are 0deg (parallel to PCB), and an optional test port provides hands-free troubleshooting with direct contact to current bar for accurate readings. Ultra-compact spring pressure connection techn...

HFSS 12.0 Software Features Domain Decomposition Ansys has announced the release of HFSS 12.0 software for 3D full-wave electromagnetic field simulation. The product, part of the Ansoft suite, is said to help engineers design, simulate and validate the behaviour of complex high-performance radio frequency (RF), microwave and millimetre-wave devices in next-generation wireless communication and defence systems. A high-performance computing (HPC) enhancement, domain decomposition, is said to allow engineers to simulate and design on a wide scale at high speed. Users of the latest version of HFSS software can achieve a reduction in development time and costs while at the same time realising increased reliability and design optimisation, Ansys said. HFSS 12.0 includes updates in mesh generation, solver technologies, and enhancements to the user interface and the modeller. A faster and more robust meshing algorithm generates higher-quality, more efficient tetrahedral meshes. The most ...

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.

Quadrature Encoder Features Eight Channels Measurement Computing has announced the release of a high-speed, eight-channel quadrature encoder module. The USB-Quad08 data-acquisition device provides simultaneous input and decoding for up to eight incremental quadrature encoders at resolutions up to 48 bits. Its eight quadrature counters with indicator LEDs support both differential and single-ended inputs, and feature multiple programmable counting modes. The counters have less than 10ns jitter, and accept input up to 10MHz. The streaming speed to the PC is software configurable up to 8MS/s. The USB-Quad08 can also serve as a high-speed pulse counter for general counting applications. The eight digital I/O bits support up to 42.4Vpk/50V DC with clamping diodes for CEMF suppression. Other features include: configurable for either single ended or differential; two timer outputs capable of up to 5MHz output rate; 16-bit, 32-bit and 48-bit resolution; and pacing (external/internal) and...

ABB Low Voltage has released a drive module with an in-built energy saving calculator, embedded Modbus and drive-to-drive link, a user interface with a series of assistant wizards and integrated safety functions. It also features modular hardware and software along with a removable memory unit, and uses the latest motor control platform, Direct Torque Control (DTC). Targeted specifically at OEMs, panel builders and system integrators, the ABB industrial drive modules are designed for industrial machinery and applications such as extruders, cranes, mixers, pumps and fans, in the power range 1.1kW to 400kW, with voltages from 380V to 480V. An on-board energy saving calculator indicates the amount of energy consumed and the amount of energy saved in kW hours and money, as well as showing the duration curve showing the load profile of the drive. It also has an automatic energy optimiser that provides for optimum drive efficiency. The drive's internal fan features an automatic on/of...

The Amot XTS-W+ bearing condition monitor has extra operating features including fully integrated water-in-oil monitoring and automatic calibration. Developed to protect large two-stroke diesel engines in marine applications, the system's upgraded functions also include dual alarms and trending, standardised reporting functionality and compliance with the latest MAN Diesel specifications. These new features and enhanced diagnostics are designed to improve engine protection through faster and easier fault finding, allowing engineers to assess the rate of bearing wear and make the necessary operational decisions to protect the engine and maximise running time. By providing advanced warning of bearing wear, serious and high-cost consequential damage to crank-shafts and connecting rod journals will be avoided. The adoption of the Amot XTS-W+ bearing condition monitor can help ship owners prevent high-cost unplanned repairs and loss of revenue from unplanned downtime. XTS-W+ can al...