Spacing Synthesizer is a 2-D and 3-D routing checker for high voltage PCBs such as those carrying power supply circuits or boards designed for intrinsically safe applications.

Where voltages over 60V appear on a multilayer PCB, designers are challenged to ensure adequate separation of signal paths in the x, y and z dimensions of the board. This is particularly important where the board is to be used in environments that demand safe performance, for example on oil rigs and in mines, where insulation breakdown between layers can cause hazardous sparking. The traditional way of making the z-axis checks is manual, often taking up to six weeks to check a typical 4-layer board. This task has been reduced to a few minutes with a tool that works within the PCB design suite from Zuken.

Enables engineers to assign groups of signals, and the distance between signals of the same or a different group, from within the system schematic during the design process. The signal groups can then be visualized in different colors. A distance-matrix is automatically created that shows the design rules required.

By automating the checking process, human error is largely eliminated and board integrity with respect to conductor spacing is assured. In addition, variations in board fabrication process can be taken into account, the 3-D check being adjustable for varying board thicknesses and design rule exceptions.

Zuken USA Inc., zuken.com

Calumet Electronics, manufacturing PCBs in the U.S. for over 35 years, announces a line of RoHS-compliant PCBs.

These boards are produced using a base material designed to withstand the higher assembly process temperatures related to lead-free materials and are available with an electroless nickel/immersion gold or immersion silver surface coating. They feature:

• Verification of compliance for all base materials and additive processes
• Process temperatures UL recognized to 260° C
• 100% traceability.

Calumet Electronics Corp., cec-up.com

High Performance Socket (HPS) Adapters are available for the Pro-LINE RoadRunner and PS-FlashCORE automated programming systems, and for the FlashPAK engineering desktop programmer.

Said to combine longer life/high yield programming sockets with fast delivery time.

Designed for low to medium volume production environments, where continuous uptime and high programming yields are required. Contact pins deliver low noise programming signals for maximum cell charge. Stainless steel/gold plated spring probe contact provides accurate repeatability for longer insertion life, up to 6 times that of low performance burn-in test sockets (using manufacturers’ performance specifications) with decreased maintenance schedules.

Can be delivered within days of customer order receipt. This applies to most existing or new semiconductor vendor-designed 0.8 mm pitch BGA packages up to 15 x 15mm and 216 pin grid.

Data I/O Corp., dataio.com 

The latest addition to Schurter’s range of RoHS-compliant products is the UMT 250 SMD fuse. It offers a breaking capacity of 200 Amps at 250 VAC, 277 VAC or 100 Amps at 125 VDC over a current range of 315 mA to 4 A.

Measures 10 x 3 x 3 mm, maximizes circuit protection while enabling miniaturization. Can replace axial or radial lead through-hole fuses. Provides similar performance, yet occupies approximately 80% less volume than a typical microfuse or 5 x 20 mm cartridge fuse. Is solder immersion-compatible according to IEC 60068-2-58.  Markings are clear, and visual identification of rated currents is easy for pick-and-place.

Meets IEC 60127-4 and its equivalent UL 248-14.  It is cURus and VDE approved. Its time-lag characteristics are suited for applications with inrush currents that require sustained fuse performance (power supplies, battery chargers, AC/DC converters, IT equipment, health care devices and consumer electronics).

Schurter Inc.,  www.schurterinc.com