AdVantis XS is designed for the convergence of semiconductor and standard surface-mount assembly, uses VRM linear motors for accuracy and repeatability.
 
Evolved from the company’s GSMxs, delivering accuracies of +/-9 microns at +/- 3 sigma, but with a reported 25% increase in feeder capacity and a 15% speed improvement. Advanced materials engineering and optimized design available at a price 25% lower than its predecessor.
 
Includes high magnification cameras, flip-chip algorithms, low force capability, heated spindles, fluxing, dispensing and a variety of feeder types. Is Class 1000 clean room compatible.
 
Universal Instruments, uic.com

Electronics engineers requiring the condensed system architecture in camera inspection and vision-aided robotics applications but needing the transmission performance available from larger connectors in Camera Link applications can take advantage of Shrunk Delta Ribbon (SDR) Connectors and 0.8 mm Cable Assemblies from 3M Electronics. 
 
Comprised of RoHS-compliant boardmount connectors and a variety of cable assemblies developed to address Camera Link and mini Camera Link (mini CL) interface requirements while offering signal integrity.
 
New connector provides a variety of SDR solutions for Machine Vision and CL applications that require a smaller form factor with high transmission speeds.
 
SDR Connector uses a ribbon contact system with a 0.8 mm contact pitch. SDR low profile, polarized boardmount connectors are constructed of high temperature plastic bodies with 30 micron gold contacts, stamped metal EMI/ESD interface, and come with installed jack sockets and supporting board mounting hardware.  The installed jack socket supports the corresponding assembly thumbscrew interface.
 
Boardmount products are offered in both vertical and right-angle RoHS-compliant PTH and SMT attachments.
 
SDR Cable Assembly consists of rugged, over-mold shells with a thumbscrew locking system.  Come in a variety of MDR/SDR configurations. Uses 28 AWG cable and wiring configurations that meet legacy CL specifications. Available in 30 AWG configuration upon request.
 
 
3M has added two features to its CL assembly offering for both MDR and SDR.  The first is an over-mold, right angle configuration that provides a low profile, thumbscrew interface which reduces the assembly profile by more than four inches compared to traditional straight-exit backshell options. The second is an extender assembly for adding length to existing cables or providing means for bulkhead/mid-span/pass-through requirements. Extender cables feature over-mold MDR receptacles.
 
 
3M Electronics, 3M.com
 
 
 
 

Z-2000 series of flame, furnace and tandem atomic absorption spectrophotometers can accurately determine low concentrations of toxic elements such as cadmium, mercury, lead and hexavalent chromium. This is of increasing importance with the implementation of the Waste 
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive and the planned implementation of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances.
 
A new method of sample preparation for polyethylene samples uses high pressure microwave digestion with nitric acid. This replaces traditional extraction methods using sulphuric acid which is not suitable for the measurement of  lead. Details of the new  extraction method can be found in a new technical data sheet. (AA Sheet No. 72) For a copy,  e- mail: info@hitachi-hitec-uk.com.
 
Has polarized Zeeman background correction method on both flame and furnace instruments, for effective background elimination and stable baselines. The dual-beam optics feature twin detectors. Detection limits for the flame instrument (in micrograms/g) are Cd: 2, Pb: 50 and Cr: 
50. For the furnace instrument they are: Cd: 0.01, Pb: 0.25 and Cr:  0.2.
 
Hitachi High-Technologies Corp, hitachi-hitec-uk.com

AirMax VS signal connectors have passed both the RoHS and FCI Lead-Free qualification. While the AirMax VS Guides have always been available only as lead-free parts, the qualification of the signal connectors is the next step in ensuring that the VS family meets the environmental specification.
 
RoHS qualification included testing both receptacles and headers for insertion, retention and repair. The FCI lead-free qualification is an internal six-month test for whisker growth.
 
The test documentation report will be available in approximately three weeks.
 
VS connector system offers high-speed computing and networking designers versatility in structuring their backplane signal routing.
 
VS power connectors are in the process of being RoHS-qualified.
           
FCI, fciconnect.com

Mill-Max now offers a 7” mini reel to accommodate 8 & 12 mm carrier tapes.
 
Offers receptacles (discrete sockets) on carrier tape per EIA-481 to feed automated pick-and-place equipment. A 7” reel holds about one quarter the parts of a 13” reel. Is more economic and convenient for smaller volume customers.

Two types of receptacles are available on carrier tape: surface-mount, flat types, which sit on the    surface of the PCB where the pin or component lead plugs-in parallel to the PCB; and thru-hole types where the lead plugs-in perpendicular to the PCB. Thru-hole receptacles are intrusive reflow soldered.

Thru-hole (tubular) receptacles have an Organic Fibre Plug barrier which prevents solder paste or flux from contaminating the spring contact. After soldering, the barrier is pushed out of the receptacle when the device is plugged in.

Lead free plating options are available. Instead of traditional tin/lead plating on the receptacle’s shell and contact, a pure matte tin with oxide and whisker inhibitors can be specified.
 
Mill-Max Mfg. Corp., mill-max.com
 

Ground Pro ground integrity meter measures tool and facility ground parameters, including connectivity and noise.
 
The handheld, portable instrument measures impedance in compliance with ANSI 6.1 and ESDA S20.20 requirements.
 
Measures three important ground parameters:
 
1) Impedance Meter -  Measures the true value in Ohms on ground regardless of ground currents and noise/EMI that is common on working tools, with alarm threshold settings.
 
2) High Frequency (EMI) Signal Meter - Measures the peak and average of the high frequency (EMI) signals traveling in the tool or facility ground.  User defined alarm thresholds will audibly warn of high frequency (EMI) signals above preset levels.
 
3) AC Voltage Meter - Measures the AC voltage on ground, if ground is miswired accidentally, as with the other features, an audible alarm indication with notify the user.
 
Credence Technologies, credencetech.com

Speedline offers two options for its Electrovert Electra, Vectra and Econopak Gold wave soldering systems .
 
The Quick-Change Solder Pot allows for easy changeover between tin/lead and lead-free alloys. It is inserted in a cart on rollers, making it simple to move the pot to and from a storage location.
 
Cast iron solder pot and its components are resistant to the corrosive nature of lead-free solders and are capable of withstanding temperatures of 315ºC (600ºF). All stainless steel components that come into contact with the solder are composed of ElectroCoat corrosion-resistive surface conversion as a standard feature, or titanium as an option.
 
UltraFill Lead-Free nozzles are 40% wider than traditional tin/lead nozzles to increase contact length and dwell time. Are also placed closer together to reduce the temperature drop between nozzles – so less heat is needed to reflow solder joints in the second wave.  Reportedly deliver better hole fill without requiring a slowing of the conveyor, while reducing bridge defects and dross production.
 
Nitrogen shroud is available as an option – and allows for either air or nitrogen operation without the need to change nozzles.  The shroud encompasses the nozzles in the pot and contains the dross in the solder pot. It lifts for easy maintenance and dedrossing – without nozzle removal.
 
Speedline Technologies, speedlinetech.com
 

With the release of BP Win 4.54, all newly manufactured device programmers will ship standard with USB 2.0 communication interface.

The new product line -- 1410/84, 1410/240,1610, 2610, 3610, 4610 -- replaces earlier programmer models that used a parallel port to communicate from the PC to the programmer.
 
New programmer models also reportedly feature an average increased programming speed of 20%.
 
USB 2.0 upgrade kits are also available for existing customers using 6^th and 7^th Generation manual programmers.
 
New device programmers are supported in Windows 2000 and XP.
 
BP Microsystems, www.bpmicro.com