Electronics Automation

The BMOD2600-16 is the latest high-performance ultracapacitor module from Maxwell Technologies, offering higher energy in a compact and lightweight packaged module.

Available now from Young Electronics, the BMOD2600-16 is the latest high-performance ultracapacitor module from Maxwell Technologies, offering higher energy in a compact and lightweight packaged module. The module stores up to 430F and has power density characteristics of 5200W/kg. The BMOD2600-16, which incorporates six MC2600 2.7V cells, has a 16.2V operating voltage and weighs 5kg.

The new ultracapacitor has dimensions of 440 x 160 x 70mm, and comes in a rugged, fully enclosed and splashproof case.

These durable 'smart boxes' include temperature and voltage monitoring and internal cell balancing that give designers 'plug and play' solutions, plus module-to-module balancing that makes them versatile building blocks for systems with higher voltage requirements.

Thanks to its built in balancing and plug-and-play integration, this module offers a simple solution to integrate ultracapacitor technology into automotive, heavy-duty vehicle subsystems, rail system power, fuel cells and other applications.

Trisha Kirkham, Business Development Manager at Young's, welcomed this latest news by saying: 'Ultracapacitors deliver up to 10 times the power and longevity of batteries, require no maintenance and operate reliably in extreme temperatures'.

'In transportation applications, they efficiently recapture energy from braking for reuse in hybrid drive trains, reducing fuel consumption and emissions, and provide compact, lightweight, reliable systems'.

Manufactured from a special segmented metallised polypropylene film, the SEG capacitor has a capacitance value of 100uF and a rated voltage of 1100V DC.

Specialist capacitor manufacturer ICW (Industrial Capacitors Wrexham) has introduced a new DC filtering capacitor into its range. Dave Parkinson, Sales Manager at ICW said: 'After extensive market research, an exhaustive development and testing programme and significant investment into tooling and equipment, we are pleased to introduce a DC filtering capacitor that offers significant advantages over competing products in the marketplace today'. 'Our SEG capacitor offers far greater publicised lifetime expectancy than existing products; components can be supplied in a shorter lead time of just four weeks and all of this is offered at a more competitive price than that currently available'.

Manufactured from a special segmented metallised polypropylene film, the SEG capacitor has a capacitance value of 100uF and a rated voltage of 1100V DC.

It is housed in a low profile case, sized to drop into existing applications, and both the case and resin used meet the flammability requirements of UL94V0.

An ideal alternative to electrolytic capacitors in DC filtering, applications cover the areas of DC link, frequency convertors, active compensation and resonance filters.

Specific uses include X-ray scanner power supplies, battery chargers, battery powered cars and other electric vehicles.

Abacus Polar has recruited Felix Corbett to head up its passive components marketing team, based in Newbury.

Abacus Polar has recruited Felix Corbett to head up its passive components marketing team, based in Newbury. The previous incumbent, Mike Fitzpatrick, has been promoted to Regional Sales Manager, covering Abacus Major Accounts, Abacus Hawke, Abacus International Mktg (AIM) and Abacus South. Martin Brooks, General Manager, Abacus Polar, congratulated Fitzpatrick and Corbett, saying: 'With his strong sales experience, and established relationships with key Abacus Polar franchises and customers, Mike Fitzpatrick has the perfect credentials for his new position of Regional Sales Manager'.

'We are replacing him with Felix Corbett, who brings us the benefit of 11 years in the industry, with experience of sales and marketing in distributor based and principal based contexts, for passive and electromechanical devices'.

Corbett joins Abacus Polar from Panasonic, where he spent five years as Northern European Distribution Manager for Passive Components.

Previously, he spent three years as a Product Marketing Manager at Arrow, and three years as Sales Manager at Perancea UK, selling electromechanical components into industrial customers.

A new range of surface mount crystals come in microminiature packages measuring just 4 x 2.5 x 0.6mm.

Frequency control specialist Euroquartz has launched a new range of surface mount crystals housed in microminiature packages measuring just 4 x 2.5 x 0.6mm. Available in the frequency range from 12 to 50MHz, the new X42 series crystals have a gold-plated ceramic base and a seam welded metal lid providing a stable device with very low ageing. The rugged construction ensures that these crystals have high shock and vibration resistance.

X42 series crystals are specifically designed for use in small handheld communications devices such as PDAs, GPS and Bluetooth products.

Frequency stability is from +/-5ppm over the temperature range -10 to +60C and from +/-10ppm over -30 to +85C.

Specifications include AT-cut fundamental frequencies from 12 to 50MHz, calibration tolerance at 25C from +/-5ppm (+/-10, +/-20 or +/-30ppm as standard), ageing less than +/-3ppm per year at 25C, drive level of 100uW maximum, shunt capacitance (C0) of 2 to 4pF typical, 5pF maximum and customer specified load capacitance (CL) of series or from 10 to 32pF.

Storage temperature range is from -40 to +85C.

Suitable for reflow soldering (10s maximum at 260C twice or 180s at 230C once), the new X42 series crystals are supplied in bulk on 16mm EIA tape and reel.

Rapid Electronics has published its first mailer specifically targeting its customers in manufacturing.

Rapid Electronics has published its first mailer specifically targeting its customers in manufacturing. Recent analysis proved that this customer group, long considered the core area was indeed where the highest concentration of sales lies. The rapid design and manufacturer mailer showcases the Rapid-stocked products most attractive to the modern manufacturer.

A selection of popular ranges spans the Rapid portfolio from cables and connectors through semiconductors, passive components, batteries and power supplies and workplace equipment.

The emphasis is on big brands and value for money.

Featured manufacturers include ST, Kingbright, Microchip, Hitachi, Molex, BC Components, NIC and Xytronic.

The mailer also showcases Rapid's extensive offering of surface mount devices with LEDs, discretes, ICs, capacitors, inductors and resistors all available individually and on full reels.

Handy full-page datasheets provide helpful in-depth reference and a competition offers the opportunity to win one of four REva starter kits for STR7 microcontrollers.

Rapid's mailer will appeal to both its existing customers and potential new customers in manufacturing.

As the electronics industry faces the looming RoHS deadline new industry research from Farnell InOne shows that 94% of companies are relying on the Internet for the latest RoHS information.

As the electronics industry faces the looming RoHS deadline new industry research from Farnell InOne, international distributor of electronic and industrial components, shows that 94% of companies are relying on the Internet for the latest RoHS information, news and legislation updates. The study also reveals that online technical advice is a priority among design engineers, production engineers and purchasing agents with 90% of respondents stating this as one of their top concerns. Other support services highlighted as key to enabling RoHS include written declarations of RoHS compliance and the provision of cross-reference information from non-compliant to compliant products.

With only 2% of UK companies questioned claiming to be fully compliant, the research illustrates that it is crucial for suppliers to provide up-to-date, accessible information via the web if there is any hope of meeting the deadline next year.

Despite this alarming figure, nearly half (45%) of companies are planning to switch to compliant products as soon as possible with a further 31% committed to using RoHS components once the legislation has come into force.

Farnell InOne sees web functionality as core to this uptake.

Its dedicated RoHS website (www.rohs.info_ outlines the range of online support it offers including a product search flagging over 30,000 compliant components or suggesting alternative stock where appropriate.

Other benefits include technical support and online chat, easily downloadable certificates of compliance, a complete RoHS step by step guide and all the latest news on the legislation, also provided via an email newsletter.

Gary Nevison, Head of Product Market Strategy at Farnell InOne, commented: 'Our online RoHS offering has clearly been a huge draw to the Farnell InOne website'.

'We've seen visitor numbers grow by a staggering 49% over the past six months as more and more people go online to access the latest compliant product listings' 'The research highlights that accurate lead time information is also important for companies looking to design-in compliant products ahead of the deadline and by signing up to Farnell InOne's email notification service, companies can be alerted as soon as specified stock arrives and as part numbers change'.

'Only distributors that can get RoHS products to market quickly can truly support engineers through the changing legislation'.

Abacus Group has promoted Lorna Finch to Head of Marketing.

Abacus Group has promoted Lorna Finch to Head of Marketing. In her new role, Finch will be responsible for ensuring consistent branding and messaging and co-ordinating marketing support across the whole of the Group throughout Europe. Finch will report to Martin Kent, Chief Executive of Abacus Group, who commented: 'I am certain that Lorna will be invaluable in developing and implementing new strategies and ideas for the Group following our recent European acquisitions'.

'She will be responsible for unifying the marketing approach for the whole Group whilst making sure we remain locally focused on our customer and suppliers requirements'.

Finch moves to Abacus Group from Abacus subsidiary Trident where she was appointed Marketing Manager in 2004.

She previously worked for over 4 years as Marketing Manager at LG Electronics, and prior to that she worked at Attachmate.

Sager Electronics has added Paul G Horgan to its corporate management team as Corporate Controller.

Sager Electronics has added Paul G Horgan to its corporate management team as Corporate Controller. 'Over a distinguished career that has included significant roles in manufacturing, distribution, and service companies, Paul has exhibited a strong ability to lead his teams in fulfilling the financial reporting responsibilities that are so important to a business', stated Sager Chief Financial Office Tom O'Reilly. O'Reilly continued: 'With over 27 years of accounting experience, we are confident Paul will play a key role in helping us achieve our corporate financial objectives'.

Prior to joining Sager Electronics, Horgan served as the Corporate Controller at Cybex International, a leading manufacturer of fitness equipment headquartered in Massachusetts.

Multiphase coupled inductors are developed and manufactured under a licence agreement with Volterra to support that company's VT1165M and VT1115M chipsets.
Focus EDL has introduced what is claimed to be the industry's first family of coupled inductors for nonisolated step-down DC/DC voltage regulators. According to Focus EDL, these bring a faster transient response, lower ripple current per phase and increased system efficiency. The PA131xNL is a family of off-the-shelf, surface-mount, RoHS-compliant inductors, with two, three, four or five phases magnetically coupled together in a single part.

Each phase has an equivalent transient inductance of 50nH and a magnetising inductance greater than 250nH.

Each phase is rated for 40A and has a maximum direct current resistance of 0.5mohm.

These parts can accommodate a 5A current imbalance between phases, ensuring they will operate well in less-than-ideal conditions.

Produced by Pulse, these multiphase coupled inductors have been developed and manufactured under a licence agreement with Volterra to support that company's VT1165M and VT1115M chipsets which implement its patented coupled inductor topology.

This innovative inductor solution provides a highly efficient voltage regulation system with low system cost.

In a noncoupled multi-phase DC/DC convertor, each phase has an independent inductor.

To improve transient response, the value of this inductor must be reduced.

However, this reduction causes an increase in current ripple per phase and a decrease in efficiency.

With a coupled inductor topology, all of the inductors are integrated on the same magnetic core and the interaction of the magnetic fields from each phase enables the use of a lower equivalent inductance for faster transient response without increasing the current ripple per phase.

The reduction in ripple current in a coupled inductor topology compared with a noncoupled solution is approximately 50% for a two-phase system, 66% for three-phase, 73% for four-phase and 77% for a five-phase system.

The Pulse PA131xNL family package dimensions and footprint match Volterra's requirements to enable second sourcing for the inductors while maintaining a low profile and small footprint.

The sizes of the inductors are: PA1312NL - 18.3 x 9.0 x 5.2mm, PA1313NL - 27.3 x 9.0 x 5.2mm, PA1314NL - 36.6 x 9.0 x 5.2mm, PA1315NL - 42.7 x 9.0 x 5.2mm.

These products are in production with samples available for approved Volterra customers using the Volterra chipset.

The inductors are available packaged in tape and reel and in trays.

Stackpole Electronics has upgraded both the ohmic value range and TCRs for its popular RN 1/4 series of metal film resistors.
Stackpole Electronics has announced a significant expansion in the ohmic value range and TCRs for its popular RN 1/4 series of metal film resistors. For most TCR and tolerance combinations, Stackpole's ohmic value range has been extended from 1ohm to 2.2Mohm. For tolerances tighter than 1%, the RN 1/4 series previously extended from a minimum of 30ohm to only 1Mohm.

Stackpole now offers TCRs of 15 and 10ppm, where previously the tightest TCR available for the RN 1/4 series was 25ppm.

Regarding the recent changes, Stackpole's Product Engineering Manager Kory Schroeder commented: 'Stackpole has always been one of the leaders in standard metal film and carbon film resistors'.

'This expansion of our precision metal film offering, along with the recent additions to our thin film chip resistor and precision wire-wound offering, give Stackpole one of the broadest precision resistor offerings available'.

Current lead times are seven weeks with many values in stock.

Premier Farnell has published its results for the second quarter.
Premier Farnell, the leading global marketer and distributor of electronic, maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) and specialist products and services, has announced its results for the second quarter and half year ended 30th July 2006. Sales in the first half from continuing operations were GBP 421.3 million (2005-06: GBP 377.5 million). Sales per day from continuing businesses increased 10.5% on the prior year, or 9.4% before acquisitions made in the prior year.

Sales in the second quarter from continuing operations were GBP 206.4 million (2005-06: GBP 190.8 million).

Sales per day from continuing businesses increased 10.8% on the prior year, or 10.1% before acquisitions made in the prior year.

In the second quarter, the average exchange rate for the US dollar against sterling was $1.85 (Q2 2005-06: $1.78) compared with the first quarter of $1.76 (Q1 2005-06: $1.91).

At constant exchange rates, the sales increase in the second quarter over the prior year was GBP 18.6 million.

Gross margin from continuing operations in the first half was 38.2% (2005-06: 38.4%), above that achieved in the second half of last year of 37.9%.

Operating profit in the first half from continuing businesses was GBP 41.8 million (2005-06: GBP 33.5 million), producing an operating margin of 9.9% (2005-06: 8.9%).

The gross margin from continuing operations in the second quarter was 38.3% (2005-06: 38.3%), the third consecutive quarter of underlying gross margin improvement.

Operating profit from continuing operations was GBP 20.2 million (2005-06: GBP 16.1 million), producing an operating margin of 9.8% (2005-06: 8.4%).

At constant exchange rates, the increase in operating profit compared with the prior year was GBP 4.4 million.

The net interest payable in the first half of GBP 7.1 million (2005-06: GBP 6.7 million) was covered 5.9 times by operating profit.

Included in finance costs for the first half is a charge of GBP 4.0 million (2005-06: GBP 4.1 million) in respect of the company's convertible preference shares.

Reported profit before tax from continuing operations in the first half was GBP 30.7 million (2005-06: GBP 22.7 million).

At constant exchange rates, profit before tax increased 32.3% year-on-year, significantly ahead of the rate of sales growth achieved.

The taxation charge for the first half was at an effective rate of 29.0% of profit before tax and preference dividends (2005-06: 23.8%).

Return on net operating assets for the first half was 26.2% (2005-06: 24.8%).

Total earnings per share in the first half were 5.9 pence (2005-06: 4.6p).

Earnings per share from continuing operations in the first half were 5.7 pence (2005-06: 4.5 pence).

The board is declaring an interim dividend of 4.0 pence per share (2005-06: 4.0 pence) to be paid on 18th October 2006 to shareholders on the register on 22nd September 2006.

Net cash generated from continuing operations before exceptional items was GBP 43.8 million, 11.5% up on the prior year.

Working capital levels remained stable in the second quarter.

Net cash inflow during the first half was GBP 2.8 million (2005-06: net cash outflow of GBP 0.8 million before the cost of businesses acquired).

Net financial liabilities at the end of the quarter were GBP 317.4 million (29th January 2006: GBP 330.1 million), including GBP 110.8 million attributable to the Company's preference shares.

During the quarter the Group repaid $155 million of 7.2% senior notes by drawing on existing committed bank facilities.

On 31st July 2006, the group completed the disposal of its Kent business, part of the Industrial Products Division, to Barnes Group for cash consideration, before associated costs, of approximately GBP 22 million (on a cash and debt free basis).

Kent is a specialist automotive consumables business with sales in 2005-06 of GBP 40.5 million and an operating profit of GBP 2.1 million.

RS has expanded its support for the upcoming RoHS Directive with the opening of an online RoHS knowledge centre on its website to answer any questions on compliance issues.
RS has expanded its support for the upcoming RoHS Directive with the opening of an online RoHS knowledge centre on its website to answer any questions on compliance issues. An online 'notify-me' service has also been launched, allowing customers to be emailed with the compliance status of unconfirmed products. The RoHS Directive, which comes into force across the EU on 1st July 2006, restricts the concentration of six hazardous substances contained within electrical and electronic equipment.

To help its customers make a smooth transition, RS has added an 'expert advice' area to the RoHS knowledge centre dedicated to answering questions and clearing up common misunderstandings about the new legislation.

A panel of experts at RS has compiled a database of frequently asked RoHS questions and provided in-depth answers.

These cover every issue from the basic rules of compliance to the types of equipment affected and available alternatives to the hazardous substances.

Users can either browse directly through this list, or enter their own query in the search box provided.

The site will then return all relevant matches to the question asked.

If this still doesn't answer the question, customers can email the RS RoHS team, who will send a personal reply within two working days and add the information to the database.

The service will provide customers with unrivalled access to RS' team of RoHS experts and the latest compliance information.

Those looking to purchase RoHS compliant products from RS Online can also be sure that what they buy will meet the legislation.

RS are currently evaluating the compliance status of their product ranges, with every compliant product labelled with a green symbol, and every noncompliant product labelled with a red symbol.

In addition, a new 'notify-me' service has been launched to help customers purchasing those products with an unknown status.

By entering their email address customers will automatically be sent an email reply as soon as that product's compliance status is known.

Klaus Goeldenbot, RS UK General Manager said: 'Uncertainty over the RoHS Directive is still widespread, despite the deadline for compliance drawing ever closer'.

'The knowledge centre at RS Online will provide our customers personal contact and advice from our team of experts, who will answer any question on details of the legislation and what to do now to ensure compliance'.

The measures are the latest part of an ongoing pledge from RS to use all its experience and technical know-how to support the RoHS needs of its customers.

Combined with RS' flexible, multichannel approach to ordering through the website, the catalogue, by phone, fax or via the nationwide RS trade counter network, the knowledge centre provides an invaluable resource for those searching for RoHS information and compliant products.