Touch 1 Ultra combines the Signature Touch 1 cable tester with the Associated Research Hypot Ultra lll Hipot tester into a system capable of testing assemblies of up to 256 points at voltages to 2800VDC and 2000VAC. 
 
Ideal for cables, connectors, flex circuits and other interconnect devices that must be tested at high voltage, offers I.R. testing to 50GW and DWV thresholds from .1mA to 1.5mA (real) and 30mA (total) current.
 
Has menu-driven touch screen, can self-learn from a sample wiring assembly and can programmed via the onboard editor or an imported program.
 
Uses new HVI (High Voltage Interconnect) interface scheme. The 4 column x 28 row test block allows you to build individual interface cables, or HVI Plugs, in four-pin increments, i.e. 4 pin, 8 pin, 12 pin, etc.
 
Cirris Systems Corp., cirris.com

A new module in the boundary scan hardware platform Scanflex, SFX1149.4, provides resources for the test of analog circuits based on the IEEE Std. 1149.4.
 
“We have discussed the subject of 1149.4 frequently at technology events such as our worldwide Boundary Scan Days. This has enabled us now to introduce the first JTAG/Boundary Scan benchtop system for dot1/dot4 mixed-signal applications, just in time to support customer projects entering the prototyping stage,” said Thomas Wenzel, director of the business unit boundary scan.
 
The module provides one complete dot4 test bus (AT1, AT2) and can be plugged directly onto an SFX TAP transceiver. To support applications with multiple dot4 test busses, several modules can be integrated in a SFX-Carrier. The module provides advanced functions for R, L and C measurements, and the generation and measurement of AC and DC signals with programmability in voltage, current and frequency. Provides a ramp function coupled with a programmable digitizer to digitally record response signals.
 
Is fully supported in software System Cascon v. 4.3, including the automated recognition of the instrument through the AutoDetect feature. The Cascon Application Programming Interface (CAPI) enables integration in other test systems, also providing access to the dot4 functions and measurements from external control software.    
 
GÖPEL electronic, goepel.com

Single Lane Tube Feeder and Loader peripherals expand automated programming capability of small devices.
 
Support the consistent loading and unloading of small package parts from carrier tubes. Tooling is currently available for small pin count devices in TSOC, SOIC, TSSOP and MSOP packages.
 
Multiple base units of these ultra-compact automated device feeders and loaders can be mounted on one machine for expanded production capability. Supported on the 3000 and 4000 series automated programming systems.
 

Direct Logix, directlogix.com

Advanced Manufacturing Suite (AMS) 2.0 maximizes performance of Assembléon machines and provides connectivity to other machines and software used in the factory, for a reportedly short design-to-production time, fast ramp-up, low cost per placement and high output.
 
Can move many production preparation functions off-line, said to assure error-free set-ups and eliminate bottlenecks and component starvation.
 
Rapid NPI is achieved by decoupling preparation tasks from board production through off-line implementation of operations such as creation of vision files and data preparation, electrical verification of R, C and L values, and checking of the barcodes on reels. Provides a central database for programs and vision files.
 
Has production scheduling and line optimization functionality, eliminating bottlenecks that impact production volume and time. It generates placement programs and feeder set-ups for every machine in the production line. A feeder viewer enables analysis and allows dynamic re-assignment of feeders.
 
Features off-line and on-line verification of set-ups, with an optional CLi interface using RFID technology for automatic set-up verification. Provides line control and data transfer with all machines in the line, with functionality including production line start/stop, upload/download of programs and component database information to the line, MIS data download and line warm-up. Optionally enables remote line monitoring and operation.
 
Data from set-up verification supports logistics by monitoring component usage and tracking inventory, issuing an alert on potential shortages to avert component starvation. Timely information to the operator indicates how many boards can still be produced or how many production hours remain with the available on-machine component inventory. The component tracking software also forms the foundationfor the lot traceability system, which tracks production details on a real-time basis for possible future product recalls.
 
Manufacturers can choose the entry level which meets their current requirements and add hardware and software modules.
 
Those at Productronica this week can view the suite at Stand A4.179.
 
 Assembléon, assembleon.com
 

St. Louis – The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted Watlow Electric Manufacturing Co. with a patent on its Rapid Response electric heat exchanger, a circulation heater for gases and other fluids.
 
The electric heat exchanger heats gases and fluids as they circulate through the unit’s tubular design.  It offers users a quick response rate and peak performance in high-pressure conditions for applications requiring a high degree of precision. Applications include solvent replacement, fuel cell gas heating, biomass extraction, refrigeration systems, gas heating, humidity generation, bio reclamation and food and deionized water heating.
 
Can be custom-configured to fit into small areas without sacrificing wattage.  Has integral temperature sensing and is energy efficient.  Since the entire heater is immersed in the circulated chemistry, it virtually eliminates heat loss to the surrounding environment.  In some applications, heat loss can be reduced further through the use of molded insulation surrounding the heating element.
 
Watlow, watlow.com

TT electronics’ BI Technologies SMT Division has released a series of planar heater products with ratings up to 50W for military, computing, telecommunications, medical and commercial applications.
 
According to Jim Rieley, sales director, the company has developed surface mount, through-hole and custom-profiled planar resistive heaters. “Because they are available in a power rating range of 2 to 50W, they can be used for a wide variety of applications,” Rieley explained. “For example, by spreading our 2W surface mount heaters over PC boards, heat is targeted to where it’s needed to maintain optimum operating temperature in severe cold weather conditions.  Engineers can also position our through-hole planar heaters (3 to 50W) adjacent to individual modules. This targets the heat, rather than heating the complete inside of enclosures, making this method of heating much more energy efficient.”
 
The company also provides profiled heaters for outdoor computer accessories such as keypads, LCD displays, disk drives, card readers and various drive mechanisms. 
 
Thermal measurement components may be placed directly onto the substrate-heating element to provide an accurate interface to the control electronics. Additional applications include military systems, parking meters, medical equipment, telecom repeaters, external cameras, drive mechanisms and printers, as well as baby bottle warmers, domestic irons, hair straighteners, fish tank heaters, hair dryers, air fresheners and bug-free vapor atomizers etc.
 
Printed on ceramic substrates, resistance ranges from 0.1Ω to 100KΩ, with tolerances to ±1%, TCRs to ±100ppm/°C and operating temperature of -55° to +155°C. Maximum operating voltage is 250V.
 
BI Technologies, bitechnologies.com/power

MatriX Technologies is a new company specialising in x-ray inspection systems. The company focuses on the electronics and automotive industries, e.g. specialised applications for assembly production and the inspection of airbag components. It will introduce its automatic x-ray inspection platform at Productronica.
 
Prior to founding MatriX Technologies, Eckhard Sperschneider was the managing director of Macrotron Process Technology for over eight years. Before that he led the division Inspection & PCB Production Systems at the pan-European distributor Macrotron Systems (now MSE).
 
"In recent years, major progress has been made in the area of inspection performance for AOI systems. However, in the case of automatic x-ray inspection there has been little innovation since the year 2000. In particular, assembly manufacturing users, who often have to guarantee 100% solder joint inspection, have been waiting for a technology leap. Compared to AOI testing, real-time x-ray technology – e.g. for covered solder joints – has clear advantages that enable superior test coverage. MatriX Technologies' high-speed AXI line represents a new benchmark. Our goal is to significantly improve test efficiency through the consistent application of new technologies on double-sided PCB assemblies and, above all, to eliminate time-consuming application programming,” said Sperschneider.
 
MatriX Technologies will soon open an office in the U.S..
 

MatriX Technologies, m-xt.com
Booth A1, 339

WBC series of wire bondable chip resistors feature self-passivating tantalum nitride thin film technology on silicon substrates.
 

 Absolute tolerance ranges are down to ±0.1%, with absolute TCRs to ±25ppm/°C.
 

 
TT electronics IRC Advanced Film Division, irctt.com