New Products
December 31, 1969 |Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
FEATURE PRODUCTSMachine Vision BoardPCVisionplus, a new half-slot PCI bus frame grabber designed specifically for high-speed inspection application, is said to digitize monochrome analog video at frequencies up to 53 MHz. The system features 4 MB of on-board memory and hardware "scatter gather" that supports fully automated image transfers from image memory, thus freeing the host computer from controlling the transfer operation to performing image processing functions. The frame grabber reportedly combines a high-performance frame grabber, support for a wide range of standard and nonstandard cameras, and OPTO-22 compatible digital I/O to control external events. Imaging Technology Inc., Bedford, Mass.
PC-based Field SolverSI600A is a new controlled impedance field solver for PCB designers and manufacturers. Said to be a powerful PC-based design tool, the system simulates the effects of variations in board parameters in more than 35 different single-ended, differential and coplanar PCB structures. The field solver features graphics presented in an Excel interface. Additionally, board parameters can be keyed in or imported directly from another spreadsheet. Results are viewed on screen, printed or exported for reporting purposes. Polar Instruments Ltd., Garenne Park, Guernsey, United Kingdom.
Wavelength Sensor and CircuitPSS-WS-7.56-PCBA is constructed monolithically by vertically superimposing two photodiodes. The active area is 7.56 mm2 (2.7 x 2.7 mm). This wavelength sensor and circuit is said to be most useful for monochromatic light source (such as from lasers and LEDs) wavelength determination. Resolution of 0.01 nm is possible. The circuit requires °15 V and consists of two logarithmic amplifiers and a ratio calculator. Applications include laser monitoring, matching of LEDs and other light sources. Pacific Silicon Sensor Inc., Westlake Village, Calif.
Dam-and-fill ProductsTwo new chip-on-board encapsulation application products are high-purity epoxies designed to work together as dam-and-fill materials for bare-chip encapsulation, reportedly protecting gold wire bonds and silicon die from mechanical damage, corrosion and electrical interference. Loctite 3532 is a high-viscosity material that provides minimum flow, allowing the epoxy to act as a dam- or flow-control barrier around areas of bare-chip encapsulation. Loctite 3533 is a low-viscosity, self-leveling material that is said to flow easily, effectively penetrating and covering fine-pitched wire leads. Loctite Corp., Rocky Hill, Conn.
Flame Retardant Vent PanelsStreamShield EMI shielding air vent panels, with fire retardant coating and HEICF 1594 intumescent coating on both frames and honeycomb media, reportedly provide improved fire containment in electronics enclosures. A thin layer of intumescent coating in the vents' honeycomb cells reacts on exposure to flame or heat at 300±F (149±C). The coating is classified by UL as providing Class A flame spread protection and low-smoke density. The standard vents are constructed of one or two layers of 0.125" (3.175 mm) cell and 0.50" (12.7 mm) thick aluminum honeycomb. Framed vents are available for round and rectangular openings. Chomerics, Division of Parker Hannifin Corp., Woburn, Mass.
Compact IonizerZV15000 compact, benchtop, air-blowing ionizer releases large quantities of positive and negative ions into the atmosphere to neutralize static charges surrounding ESD-sensitive boards, products and materials. By using a sealed, "Thru-Tunnel" single-fan airflow design and an automatic ionization balancing system, the ionizer is said to be a breakthrough in stability, decay time and overall ionization coverage. The ionizer reportedly optimizes system performance by providing automatic balancing of the unit's fan output to maintain ion equilibrium, a feature designed to provide continuous coverage over work surfaces that have either turbulent or zero airflow. Metcal Systems, a Division of OK International, Menlo Park, Calif
ASSEMBLY TOOLS & EQUIPMENTDesoldering BraidESD-safe, static dissipative, oversized bobbins for this company's Pro Wick, No-Clean Wick and Unfluxed Wick desoldering braid lines reportedly feature an advanced braid design and proprietary flux technology. In addition to 5 and 10' sizes, new 50, 100 and 500' lengths are available. All desoldering braid is vacuum-packed for protection against humidity, thus extending working shelf life. Techspray, Amarillo, Texas.
Laser Cutting SystemThe Gemini laser cutting system, which offers 3-D drilling capabilities and high power, claims to be ideal for demanding applications requiring high aspect ratio holes at shallow entrance angles, deep holes, or high-speed drilling. With 50,000 W of power, the system reportedly achieves large diameter percussion drilled holes while providing the versatility and precision to trepan and drill smaller holes. Features include a compact footprint, a cast-iron base, enclosed construction with sealed wireways, direct drive motors for rotary axis, multi-axis crash protection and more. Convergent Prima, Sturbridge, Mass.
INSPECTION EQUIPMENTX-ray Inspection SystemNXR-1500Plus, an extended, high-resolution X-ray system, is said to be ideal for inspecting and verifying large boards up to 18 x 24" using BGAs, flip chips, microBGAs and other high-density, hidden-connection devices. In addition to an 800X variable magnification combined with 5 µm resolution, other key features include four-axis manipulation with standard rotation control, dual-field image intensifier and the company's image processing software, AIP II, reportedly providing high-quality, real-time X-ray images. With more than three times the magnification power of the other NXR-1500 Series systems, the NXR-1500Plus' X-ray source of 90 kV is said to give sufficient penetrating capability for difficult materials. Nicolet Imaging Systems, San Diego, Calif.
StereomicroscopeThe new StereoZoom line, which claims to have the largest field of view (36.5 mm) of any comparable stereomicroscope, features a patented magnetic mounting system to maintain proper alignment of the internal optics, outer shells made with Zerostat polymers to provide maintenance-free protection against ESD, and a 38± ergonomic viewing angle. Additionally, the new line offers a large selection of stands and specialty accessories. Leica Microsystems Inc., Bannockburn, Ill.
LITERATUREMachine Vision Technical GuideAn advanced technical guide is said to provide helpful tips and applications for the CV Series ultra-small vision systems. Highlighted in the guide are sections on vision-processing system measurement function examples; sub-pixel processing techniques; the normalized correlation method for accurate position detection; position/rotation adjustment; two-camera connection; auto sequence function; and the presentation of specific problems. A comparison of both the general method and the CV Series method of rotation adjustment is included to aid the reader. Keyence Corp. of America, Woodcliff Lake, N.J.
Aerospace BrochureA new six-page brochure, entitled "Inter-connect Solutions for Aerospace," highlights the AMP and MICRODOT product offerings with specific applications in aerospace. Said to be an effective tool, the brochure contains standard product descriptions, highlights value-added cable assemblies, RF connectors and other MIL-qualified interconnect products, and provides quick reference to specific catalogues for 25 product families. Tyco Electronics, Harrisburg, Pa.
SMT MATERIALSCarbon-filled Conductive InkThe 121-33 is a carbon-filled, electrically conductive ink/coating designed for printing over barium Titanate inks for use as a back electrode on electroluminescent devices. As a carbon-filled material, the coating eliminates the problem of silver migration. This product, in addition to being resistant to abrasion and scratching, is said to feature strong adhesion to Kapton, Mylar, glass, barium Titanate-coated surfaces and numerous other substrates, and can be applied through various techniques including dipping, screenprinting and syringe dispensing. Creative Materials Inc., Tyngsboro, Mass.
Thermally Conductive TapeThe thermally conductive tape 9892FR is designed for bonding heat sinks to a wide variety of heat-generating electronics components such as IC packages, circuit boards and plasma-type flat-panel displays. The 40 mm thick tape combines an acrylic adhesive with highly conductive ceramic particles reportedly to provide a reliable and user-friendly thermal interface material. The tape can be die-cut to meet specific application requirements. Permanent yet reworkable bonds are achieved at room temperature in just seconds without the need for an extended curing cycle or mechanical fixturing. 3M Co., South St. Paul, Minn.
One-component PuttyDurabond7032 reportedly is a one-component, metallic, stainless steel putty that fills, bonds, protects and repairs to 2,000±F. The putty cures at room temperature to form a machinable composite with high bond-strength at high temperatures and is chemical-, corrosive- and shock-resistant. The product is said to be ideal for repairing pumps, valves, fittings and equipment, rebuilding worn housings, shafts and tank linings, and filling cracks, holes, voids and blowholes. Cotronics Corp., Brooklyn, N.Y.
SOFTWAREDefect Detection SoftwareThe company's Aims 3.3 software is said to offer reduced inspection times and a new off-line training system to help operators maintain efficiency on the production line. The Off-line Training Station (OTS) relieves the inspection station of building a new knowledgebase (KB) or performing KB maintenance. The OTS inspects regions of interest for enhanced performance, verifies images collected on the inspection station, processes training data and archives information. Additionally, the Graphical User Interface reportedly has been improved. Intelligent Reasoning Systems Inc. (IRSI), Austin, Texas.
Power Supply SoftwareThis PC-based program is said to dramatically reduce the amount of time involved in designing an optimized switching power supply. It allows users to enter their power supply input requirements, output requirements and optimization preferences. Reportedly, in less than a minute, the software determines the critical components needed for a working switched-mode power supply, including the best TOPSwitch power IC, input capacitor, output diodes and design details for the transformers. In addition to the power supply software, each CD-ROM contains design demonstration videos, help files, and a complete library of the company's data sheets, application notes and design tools. Power Integrations Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif.
SOLDERING EQUIPMENTOven SystemThis new drying oven system is designed to reduce the time and space required for drying coated parts. It uses both IR heating and convection heating to reduce curing time from 30 to 10 minutes in less floor space, the company says. In this system, an enclosed first-stage tunnel, under positive-pressure HEPA-filtered air, contains an IR source that heats the wet-coated part itself. The second stage consists of an enclosed multizone convection oven that directs a controlled heated airflow around the part. The two stages are joined together, with parts being conveyed on a floor-mounted conveyor. Thierica Equipment Co., Grand Rapids, Mich.