Electronics Automation

A six-spindle mill/turn bar automatic lathe can have up to 62 CNC axes, including 12 compound slides with X, Y and Z travels of 62, 24 and 85mm, a C-axis and simultaneous back-working.

A six-spindle mill-turning centre, designated MS22C, has been added to the German-built Index line of multi-spindle bar automatics, available in the UK through Geo Kingsbury Machine Tools. The new model, capable of accepting bar up to 22mm diameter, fills a gap in the range that until now comprised machines with maximum bar capacities of 18, 32, 42 and 52mm. According to configuration, the MS22C can have up to 62 CNC axes, including 12 compound slides with X, Y and Z travels of 62, 24 and 85mm and a C-axis.

Simultaneous back-working is achieved using one or two synchronous pick-up spindles that present the parted-off components to six separate tools, four of which can be driven.

For manufacturers of less complex parts that do not require extensive reverse end-working or off-centre cross machining, a lower cost model is available, called MS22C Lean.

Its compound slides omit the Y-axis, there is only one synchro spindle and three fixed tools for back-working, and the single- instead of twin-NC control needs to manage the motions of only 31 axes.

Machining possibilities are nevertheless still extensive, offering a modern alternative to high-end, cam-controlled multi's in terms of speed, but offering greater versatility and much faster changeover times.

In common with the manufacturer's other CNC multi's, the new machine has the ability to optimise feed rates and cutting speeds at each 14kW/10,000 rev/min spindle, avoiding compromised machining conditions and so maximising productivity as well as tool life.

The MS22C is therefore ideal for economical, large and small batch production of components in materials such as high temperature alloys that previously could not easily be machined on a multi-spindle bar auto.

Control is by the Index C200-4D, a derivative of the Siemens 840D which is easy to program on the shop floor and automatically performs collision checking for the pick-up spindle(s).

Comprehensive diagnostics for the machine and control are included, and it is possible to specify tool monitoring and a teleservice connection to an Index engineer for troubleshooting.

The machine may alternatively be programmed remotely on a PC running System 200 software, which accepts CAD input and has a DNC interface.

Another innovation from Index is its range of virtual machines, each of which mirrors on a computer screen the operation of different mill-turning centres including, most recently, the MS22C Lean.

The complete set-up process can be performed on a PC exactly as with a real multi, and it is even possible to carry out a continuous run to optimise the program.

Consequently, a minimum amount of expensive machine time is wasted when changing over to produce a new component, which is ever more important with falling batch sizes.

Any potential collision situations are accurately predicted and corrected before the first-off component is produced, eliminating the chance of damage to the machine.

CNC sliding headstock lathe has produced cost savings of up to GBP 9/component and helped win an overseas contract for a manufacturer of laser-based and other instrumental devices.

Following the installation of a 13-axis, Citizen M32-III CNC sliding headstock automatic lathe from NC Engineering of Watford, UK, Photonic Products, a double Queen's Award winning OEM supplier, has been able to recoup GBP 120,000 a year on subcontract costs, create cost reductions of up to GBP 9.00 per component and following installation of the machine, has been able to secure a US$775,000 contract from a blue chip customer in the USA. Based on the Hertfordshire/Essex border, Photonic Products has enjoyed meteoric growth since its formation just a decade ago. From one man working at home, the business has grown into a 44-employee concern, with overseas offices in Germany and California, generating a turnover in excess of GBP 4.2 million.

However, sales forecasts for 2006 are heading for a massive increase of over 40% on last year.

The business initially focused on the distribution of laser diodes for electronics giant Sanyo, but quickly opted to add the manufacture of laser modules to its portfolio.

Photonic Products' laser modules are used for car wheel alignment tracking, industrial pen pointers, banknote recognition, measurement of glass thickness, fibre optic test equipment, dental scanning, airport baggage sorting and even for room size measurement instruments used by estate agents.

In essence, a laser module is a small semiconductor device fronted by an optic with electronics housed to the rear within a mechanical body.

This body, along with other turned parts such as receptacle housings, are manufactured at the company's rural facility near Hatfield Broad Oak.

'Around five years ago we acquired a manual lathe and employed a model engineer for producing prototypes,' said operations director Damon Cookman, who follows on to explain how this move speeded their sampling process and within 12 months had led to a very positive increase in business.

'This started us thinking about how we could further improve and we began to look very seriously at CNC solutions,' he said.

At the time the company was using three trusted subcontractors, however, the typical six to eight week lead-time was becoming an increasing concern.

'Unfortunately it was difficult to start making demands as we felt we were producing small batches,' he said.

That said, in 2003 some GBP 90,000 was contracted out and this climbed by a third the following year.

'This growth made us reconsider where the business was going and what options we had,' he maintained.

Two of Photonic Products' subcontractors used Citizen sliding head technology, so the showroom of NC Engineering at Watford was an obvious port of call to catch up on the technology.

'Although having NC Engineering based in Hertfordshire was attractive, we were also considering machines by other suppliers,' Cookman said.

'But, as soon as we walked in the door, it became obvious this was a professional machine tool operation that was very willing to help.' The Citizen range of machines has been progressively developed to cater for a wide range of turning and milling requirements and even though the majority of Photonic Products' turned parts could be completed on lower specification models, there were two particular components that would benefit from the functionality of a top-of-the-range machine such as the M32-III.

'These two parts contained a number of prismatic features that meant we would need a large tooling capacity,' explained Cookman.

'Once we discovered that the M32-III was really a machining centre able to integrate precision turning with its 10-station turret that with multiple tool holders could accommodate over 40 tools, we knew it was the machine for us.

We felt we would rather spend a little more on a high specification model than potentially jeopardise future orders due to a lack of flexibility.' Installed in October 2005, the Citizen M32-III was specified with the Cool Blaster programmable 2000 lb/in2 high pressure coolant system to counter concerns over potential 'bird nesting' of high volumes of aluminium swarf, as well as to ensure the removal of any swarf contamination from the machine's sub-spindle collet.

The machine also came fitted with an IEMCA Boss 332r-E barfeed and Citizen's CNC Alarm Alert remote call out system, allowing the initiation of 'lights-out' operations to be maintained without any safety concerns.

Indeed, the company was running unmanned between 16:00 and 07:00 within a month of installation.

Said Cookman: 'We are very proud of this considering the advanced specification of the machine and the fact that we were totally new to CNC but it is also testament to the support offered by NC Engineering.' The company now has within its operation the ability to hold extremely tight tolerances and do so with confidence as Cookman explained: 'On one part we successfully held two micron on a 5mm diameter'.

'Although we've sited the machine in an air conditioned room, I was still concerned.

However, once we had the machine settled, it held tolerance consistently.' One of the most complex turned parts currently produced in batches of 12,000 is a nickel-silver receptacle housing for a telecoms device that is used to fire a laser beam down a fibre optic cable.

The cycle involves multi-diameter turning and threading, drilling holes as fine as 0.5mm diameter, counterboring, slot drilling with a 3.5mm cutter, the milling of external flats, milling tiny spigots and ballnose milling with a 3.5mm cutter.

Simultaneously in the subspindle, holes are drilled and tapped off-centre and the part is drilled and bored.

In both main and subspindle operations the machining cycle makes full use of the M32's ability to cut with three tools simultaneously and the part is completely deburred within the cycle time of just 6 min.

The cost savings are quite dramatic as Cookman outlined: 'Today, using our own M32-III, the cost is just GBP 3.00, a quarter of our subcontract costs even when we are including labour, material, consumables and overheads.

We have calculated that we are around GBP 5,000 a month 'in pocket' with the Citizen installed.' But Photonic Products is not 'sitting on its laurels'.

Currently the company is investigating how to further improve efficiency and one solution proposed by NC Engineering is the retrofitting of a gantry unloading system that operates within the confines of the machine.

This will avoid the occasional situation of the hopper becoming full when running lights-out, will also ensure handling damage is eliminated and brings the unload element into the production cycle.

Another significant advantage that the M32-III has brought to the company is the ability to secure future business, as Cookman proudly explained: 'We've just won the biggest single contract in our history from a blue chip OEM in the US worth US$775,000.

We would never have won this business without the ability to quickly produce initial prototypes and pre-production batches that were representative of production.' Adding recognition to its achievements this year, the company won its second Queen's Award for International Trade with 83% of its products sold overseas.

Although the company has only been at its present 13,000ft2 site for two years, already it is in the process of fitting a mezzanine floor to create a further 7,000ft2.

At the beginning of the year, turnover was projected to climb from GBP 4.2 to GBP 5.2 million - but judging by results from the first half of 2006, GBP 6 million is the more likely achievement.

'In terms of manufacturing we are going from strength to strength,' Cookman concluded.

'We are lucky to be in a niche market - the big league distributors that supply to the CD and DVD market can't compete in our sector because they cannot support these products technically.

A 'quasi sliding-head lathe' combines the advantages of sliding-head operation with the fast set-up time of fixed-head lathes, set-up times being reduced to 30 min.

Already a user of four Traub sliding-headstock turn-mill centres equipped with a conventional guide bushing, Galway precision engineering firm, Caragh Tool and Die (www.caragh.ie), has taken delivery of its first Traub TNL26K quasi sliding-head lathe from Geo Kingsbury Machine Tools, UK agent for the German manufacturer. Said Pat Ryan, Caragh's engineering manager, 'For relatively short parts, say up to four times diameter, the new machine combines the advantages of sliding-head operation with the fast set-up time of fixed-head lathes. We have slashed bar changeover from four or five hours, which is the norm on our full 'sliders', down to around half an hour on the TNL26K, as there is no guide bush to adjust.

'Reducing bar change time by a factor of 10 is a huge benefit when you are only producing short runs, although the savings are still apparent for larger batch sizes.

The machine allows us to take on complex, high accuracy work that in the past would have been uneconomic.' Instead of bar up to 32mm diameter being supported by a guide bush through which it slides, the material is clamped in an easy-to-set collet mounted on a quill-type headstock that travels 100mm into and out of the cutting zone.

Removal of the guide bush has allowed bar sizes of up to 36mm to be accommodated.

The sub-spindle, 13 CNC axes and tooling layout in two turrets and gang toolposts for front- and back-working are identical to those of a conventional Traub slider (sliding head automatic - Ed), allowing similarly comprehensive, single-hit, close-tolerance machining.

The TNL26K has been bought partly to support Caragh's medical division, Meditech, established in 2003 to provide machining services and turnkey manufacturing solutions to medical device OEMs.

However, the lathe is currently also used to manufacture components for the semiconductor industry.

Caragh Tool and Die was formed in 1983 and operates from a 2,000m2 factory employing around 70 people.

At the outset, the company was a subcontract supplier of jigs, fixtures and tooling to the growing number of multinationals in the region, but later expanded its activities into the component supply business.

Today, output from the Galway plant is split 30/70 between tooling and components, which it supplies to an international customer base in the automotive/transport and information technology industries as well as to the healthcare sector.

CNC automatic lathe with linear motor driven axes incorporates every feature to facilitate highly efficient, complete machining of long workpieces.

The new 'Speed' 32-10 linear automatic lathe from DMG incorporates every feature to facilitate highly efficient, complete machining of long workpieces typically for the automotive, hydraulic and pneumatic, electronics and medical engineering sectors. It combines the latest linear drive technology for the highest and safe dynamic response with a maximum precision tolerance of 0.0015mm on the outside diameter. The re-designed work area allows machining with up to three tools in simultaneous operation resulting in maximum productivity and flexibility for both simple and complex parts up to 33mm in diameter.

A number of features contribute to this superior performance in addition to the two linear drives.

These provide acceleration along the axes from 0 to 40m/min in just 0.04s significantly reducing idle times.

Also important to the machine's design are the main and counter spindles whose integrated motors with mechanical collet operate independently at speeds up to 12,000 rev/min.

The 16i TB Fanuc Series controller ensures optimum machine performance.

The new 10.4in colour display, PCMCIA and Windows interfaces enhance the ease of operation and allow efficient communication with higher-level networks.

The Speed linear Series with sliding headstock has the ability to be upgraded based on double-sided machining with five-, seven-, nine- or even ten-axes technology with two spindles and two carriages.

The machine can also be equipped for thread whirling, slanted milling or deep hole drilling.

BI Technologies SMT Division has developed a nonmoulded power resistor rated up to 75W.

Providing design engineers with an open screened substrate device for applications requiring superior thermal performance, TT Electronics BI Technologies SMT Division has developed a nonmoulded power resistor rated up to 75W. Designated the BHP75 Series, the resistor is housed in a TO-220 opened screened substrate package, and features an insulated tapered venturi bonded to the substrate for maximum heat dissipation. According to Jim Rieley, Sales Director for BI Technologies' SMT Division, the design of the BHP75 Series resistor allows for three methods of heat dissipation, resulting in exceptional power handling characteristics.

'The chimney-shaped tapered venturi is attached to the ceramic substrate and convection forces hot air up the 'neck' of the chimney and away from the resistor face of the component', Rieley said.

'The power resistor utilises all three methods of heat dissipation, including conduction through the heatsink tab, radiation from the resistor surface, and convection through the venturi element'.

Typical applications for the BHP75 resistor include higher wattage switch-mode power supply circuits, motor control and drive circuits, inverters and industrial power equipment.

The BHP75 Series resistors are rated for 75W power dissipation at tab temperature maintained at 25C or less than 75W.

Resistance ranges from 1ohm to 100kohm, with tolerances of +/-1% and +/-5%.

TCRs range less than 100ppm/C, with maximum DC operating voltage of 250V and dielectric-withstanding voltage of 1kV.

Thermal resistance is 1.3C/W from the resistor's 'hot spot' to the package's metal flange and operating temperature range is -55 to +155C.

The BHP75 device complements BI Technologies' MHP 50W TO-220 and MHP 100W TO-247 power resistors, and provides customers requiring more wattage in a smaller package with an excellent alternative, Rieley continued.

BI Technologies will also produce devices outside these specifications to meet customer requirements, with comprehensive application engineering and design support available for customers worldwide.

The Abacus Group has been named Distributor of the Year at the Elektra European electronics industry awards.

The Abacus Group has been named Distributor of the Year at the Elektra European electronics industry awards. The awards were presented on 15th November 2006 at a gala dinner in Munich. Entrants for the Distributor of the Year category were required to demonstrate 'innovative ideas which support the overall commercial demand of the business' together with specific strategies and effective marketing.

Abacus' recent initiatives include the successful integration of the newly acquired Deltron and Axess businesses, a group-wide rebrand to create a better synergy between the group's distribution businesses as well as the continued commitment to providing world class service via local sales and marketing offices and warehouses across Europe.

Commenting following the award Martin Kent, Abacus Group CEO said: 'The Abacus Group has expanded considerably across Europe in the last year'.

'This award is testament to the hard work and enthusiasm displayed by everyone involved and I am honoured to receive it on behalf of the whole team'.

Samwha Electric now has full TS16949 approval, underlining its continuing commitment to the automotive market.

Samwha Electric now has full TS16949 approval, underlining its continuing commitment to the automotive market. The new 2007 Samwha catalogue is available on request from Easby Electronics. Some of the products featured include the CW series of SMD electrolytics rated to 150C and the VB series of radial electrolytic rated to 155C.

Also of potential interest to automotive manufacturers are the new DP series of electrolytic double layer capacitors with screw terminal terminations and capacitance values up to 3000F.

Other new products featured include the HL series of miniature snap-in capacitors rated to 5000h at 105C, the 7000h-rated EY series of screw terminal capacitors and the CM series of 5000h-rated low impedance SMD electrolytics.

Samwha's growing presence in the conducting polymer capacitor market is also emphasised with two new SMD ranges featured: the FH low-ESR series and the 125C-rated FT series, along with an upgrade to the FC chip series.

Established ranges of miniature aluminium electrolytic, large-can electrolytic and surface-mount electrolytic are also featured.

Comprehensive range of surface mount wire bondable devices consists of resistors, network arrays, capacitors, multitap chip resistors and divider networks on silicon and ceramic.

Providing design engineers with the industry's widest range of wire-bondable resistive devices, TT Electronics IRC Advanced Film Division has developed a comprehensive range of surface mount wire bondable devices. Designated the WBC Series, the family consists of resistors, network arrays, capacitors, multitap chip resistors and divider networks on silicon and ceramic. According to Debasis Roy, Thin Film Business Unit Director for IRC Advanced Film Division, IRC has its own complete in-house silicon production capabilities.

'While most manufacturers produce devices on either silicon or ceramic, IRC manufactures both', said Dr Roy.

'The products in our wire bondable family are produced on both silicon and ceramic, allowing customers to select the technology that is ideal for their application'.

The wire bondable product offering includes: the WBA Series of TaNFilm precision ceramic resistors, with a resistance range of 10ohm to 20kohm; the WBC Series of TaNSil precision silicon resistors, with a resistance range of 10ohm to 1Mohm and TRC tracking to +/-2ppm/C; the WBC-CR Series of Chromaxx precision high range silicon resistors, with a resistance range of 1.01 to 2Mohm, absolute tolerance to +/-1% (ratio tolerance to +/-0.5%), absolute TCRs to +/-100ppm/C, and TRC tracking to +/-5ppm/C; the WBC-Divider Series of TaNSil precision silicon voltage divider networks, with a resistance range of 10ohm to 1Mohm and TRC tracking to +/-2ppm/C; the WBD-NET Series of TaNSil silicon resistor network arrays, with a resistance range of 10ohm to 2.5Mohm; the WBC-CAP Series of TaNCap wire bondable chip capacitors, with capacitance range from 10 to 1000pF and absolute tolerance to +/-0.5%; the WBC-RC Series of TaNSil chip resistors and capacitor circuits, with capacitance range from 47 to 80pF and resistance range from 33 to 100ohm, absolute resistor tolerance to +/-10% and absolute capacitance tolerance to +/-20%; and the WBC-Multitap Series of TaNSil silicon multitap chip resistor networks, with resistance range from 100ohm to 80kohm, and absolute tolerance to +/-5%.

Unless otherwise noted, the devices in the wire bondable family feature absolute tolerance to +/-0.1% (ratio tolerance to +/-0.05%), absolute TCRs to +/-25ppm/C, and TCR tracking to +/-5ppm/C.

Due to their small size and stability, the wire bondable devices are being specified for use in hybrid modules, as well as for applications involving implantable medical electronics and other battery-operated miniature devices.

IRC's proprietary TaNFilm and TaNSil processes produce an ultrastable self-passivating tantalum nitride resistance element that provides exceptional stability, power dissipation and precision.

TTI Europe is on target to achieve year-on-year growth figures which are more than double that predicted for the industry in general.

TTI Europe, the world's leading authorised specialist distributor of passive, connector and electromechanical components, is on target to achieve year-on-year growth figures which are more than double that predicted for the industry in general. More, the company is moving up the top 10 largest European distributor rankings, despite the fact that it only sells low value components, not the high value semiconductor items which account for the majority of all other top 10 distributors' revenues. 'This year, the distribution industry is experiencing solid growth of around 15%', details Glyn Dennehy, TTI's VP Europe.

'We are on track to grow by 35% in revenue terms this year'.

'What's more, if we look at our performance over the last three years, we will have achieved a CAGR of 28.9% in a market (passives and e-mech) where the European TAM has only grown by around 3%'.

'In other words we are rapidly gaining market share'.

TTI has been seen by many commentators as a relatively new player on the European scene.

And of course it is easy to achieve high growth figures when starting from a small base.

But TTI is no longer a small player - in fact the company, predicts Dennehy, will end 2006 positioned as the ninth largest distributor (by revenue) in Europe - so the sales performance is a genuine reflection of market validation of TTI's approach.

Says Dennehy: 'Another point to remember is that we only sell low value items such as capacitors, resistors, inductors, connectors, relays'.

'All the other major distributors sell semiconductors as well'.

'If you just look at passive components, TTI is Europe's second largest distributor'.

So how has this been achieved?.

Says Dennehy: 'There is no question that we lead the field with our on-time delivery performance, and the breadth and depth of stock we hold on our lines is the best in Europe'.

'We also place a huge focus on design-in of suppliers' new products'.

'Customers know TTI's philosophy, they buy more from us, and they tell other customers'.

'Our business grows'.

'It's simple but hard work'.

He continues: 'Core to our philosophy is our focus on a small number of suppliers'.

'Yes this has grown, but we never add a line without staffing it'.

'85% of our revenue comes from 10 key suppliers, and we work very intimately with these market leaders to ensure that we mirror their focus'.

'This means that we sell more of their new products - often we are the first distributor in the network to hold stock of such items - sometimes we even stock them on an exclusive basis, a recent example being the AirMax connector from FCI'.

'But our - and I hesitate to use the description - smaller franchises are vital too'.

'They fill specific niches or maybe able to supply high end product in smaller quantities'.

'Syfer and Harwin are perfect examples'.

'We understand and promote their strengths and unique value propositions to maximise their opportunities with our customer base'.

The relationship TTI has with its suppliers is most simply represented by the number of awards the company has received this year.

Murata, FCI, Kemet, Bourns, Harwin, Amphenol and Phoenix Contact have all named TTI Europe in a roll call of honours.

By working so closely with a small number of leading players, TTI is able to deliver excellent customer service.

But the distributor is also very active in establishing close working partnerships with its customer base too.

Adds Dennehy: 'An increasing percentage - currently 30% - of our business goes through our inventory management system, whereby customers supply their forecasted component requirements directly to our system, so that we can manage any variances and address any supply chain issues before they become critical'.

'This frees up resources at our customers enabling them to concentrate on what they do best'.

Notable investments this year have included a $1 million warehouse control system at TTI Europe's headquarters in Maisach-Gernlinden.

This has improved productivity and efficiency - resulting in even fewer errors.

Concludes Dennehy: 'Because we deal with massive volumes of relatively low value items we have to able to do it well, or else it would all go wrong internally - let alone for the customer'.

Family of power MELF resistors feature extended performance capability with ratings up to 2W.

Providing design engineers with a family of resistors designed specifically for surge and pulse applications, TT Electronics IRC Wire and Film Technologies Division's family of power MELF resistors feature extended performance capability with ratings up to 2W. Consisting of the CHP, SMC and HSF Series resistors, the devices in the power MELF family all use IRC's Metal Glaze resistive element on ceramic substrates. According to David Winkler, Product Manager for IRC's Wire and Film Technologies Division, the resistors in the power MELF family provide excellent thermal compliance as well as a variety of surge capabilities.

'The rugged CHP and SMC Series resistors are rated up to 2W and provide maximum thermal compliance, while the HSF Series resistors offer as much as three times the surge rating of standard CHP resistors, which equates to up to 10 times the surge rating of similar-sized flat thick film chip resistors', said Winkler.

'The range of capabilities allows customers to select the best device to provide stable performance in harsh environment applications'.

The Metal Glaze thick film element on the CHP Series devices is fired at 1000C to a solid ceramic substrate.

The resistors feature power ratings of 0.25, 0.5 and 1W at 70C and 2W at 25C.

Resistance values range from 0.2ohm to 2.2Mohm with standard tolerance to +/-0.5%, maximum voltage of up to 1000V and TCRs to +/-25ppm/C.

The SMC Series resistors feature metal caps fitted on the terminals of the cylindrical resistor body to give the devices exceptional thermal compliance.

The resistors have a maximum power rating of 1W at 70C for the 2512 package and 2W at 70C for the 3610 size.

Resistance range is 1ohm to 2.0Mohm, with standard tolerance to +/-1%, and TCRs to +/-50ppm/C.

The HSF Series resistors feature an unspiralled thick film element and are designed to fit within the footprint of a standard 2512 chip.

Power rating is 1W at 70C and working voltage is 350V.

The following resistance values are offered: 5.9, 11, 27, 68 and 270ohm, with a tolerance of +/-10%, and TCRs to +/-50ppm/C.

Maximum operating temperature for the resistors is +150C.

IRC will also produce devices outside these specifications to meet customer requirements.

Resistor features a wider metal alloy resistive element that offers exceptional TCR ratings and superior thermal compliance.

Providing automotive design engineers with a power current sense surface mount resistor with enhanced thermal characteristics, TT Electronics IRC Wire and Film Technologies Division has developed a wider version of their open air current sense resistor with a higher power rating than conventional metal element resistive devices. Designated the OARS-XP Series, the resistor features a wider metal alloy resistive element that offers exceptional TCR ratings and superior thermal compliance. According to David Winkler, product manager at IRC's Wire and Film Technologies Division, the OARS-XP Series' unique form factor provides automotive designers with several advantages.

'The wider resistive element enables higher current to pass through the device', said Winkler, 'and the open air design provides a far cooler operation by allowing more air flow under the resistive element to keep excess heat from being transmitted to the PC board'.

In addition, the unique form of the product provides the inherent ability to flex slightly and provide stress relief during extreme temperature cycling on typical or metal substrates, Winkler continued.

The OARS-XP Series resistor is being specified for applications involving window lift motors, fuel pump systems, seat belt pretensioners, and pulsewidth modulator feedback.

Resistance value for the resistor ranges from 2 to 50mohm, with standard tolerances of +/-1% and +/-5%.

Inductance values are less than 10nH, with operating temperature ranging from -40 to +125C.

IRC will also produce devices outside these specifications to meet customer requirements.

Lead-free RoHS-compliant and zero ohm jumper versions are also available.

The OARS-XP Series devices also feature bimetallic construction with welded copper terminals that aid in solderability and resistance measurement reliability.

Passives specialist AVX has produced a ceramic capacitor designed to virtually eliminate the risk of short-circuit failure.

Passives specialist AVX has produced a ceramic capacitor designed to virtually eliminate the risk of short-circuit failure. Flexisafe components are terminated with the award-winning Flexiterm layer to absorb shock and prevent internal cracking resulting from board flexure and temperature cycling damage. In conjunction with this technology, Flexisafe parts are structured with a 'cascade electrode design' to protect the ceramic capacitor from low insulation resistance failure that results from thermal stress, repetitive strike ESD and placement damage.

This cascade design was traditionally used by the company to manufacture its high voltage ceramic capacitors.

Parts are available in 0603 50V to 22nF, 0805 50V to 100nF, 1206 50V to 150nF and 1210 50V to 470nF.

Flexisafe capacitors are recommended for new designs in military/aerospace COTS+, automotive and safety critical designs.

NIC Components has introduced six new series of SMT V-Chip capacitors that feature +260C soldering heat ratings.

NIC Components has introduced six new series of SMT V-Chip capacitors that feature +260C soldering heat ratings. The liquid electrolyte, aluminium electrolytic devices are able to withstand the requirements of Sn-Ag-Cu (SAC) alloy lead-free soldering process. SAC solder alloys have emerged as the industry standard replacement for Sn-Pb solder alloys that were used extensively prior to the implementation of RoHS legislation earlier in 2006.

The new NASE, NAWE, NAWT, NAZK, NAZT and NAZU series, from NIC, provide designers with an extensive choice of devices for use in applications that demand characteristics such as low ESR, wide operating temperature range, small form factors as well as general purpose styles.

Available case diameters for +260C soldering heat rated capacitors are 4, 5, 6.3 and 8mm.

Larger case sizes, 10, 12.5 and 16mm, are rated from +250, +240 and +235C, respectively.

These new series from NIC cover voltage ratings of between 6.3 and 50V DC, and capacitance values from 0.1 to 6800uF.

Load life ratings from 1000 to 5000 hours at maximum rated temperature.

Common SAC solder alloys have a melting point of 217C.

A peak reflow soldering temperature of 12 to 43C above the melting point is typically recommended in order to achieve good wetting and to form a quality solder joint.

The time above melting point should be between 30 and 90s, depending on the application/assembly.

All of the new ranges of parts are supplied in tape and reel packaging for automatic placement and reflow soldering.

RS Components UK has beaten strong competition to win the Environmental Award at the Elektra 2006 European Electronics Industry Awards.

RS Components UK has beaten strong competition from Datec Technologies, Farnell InOne and Samsung to win the Environmental Award at the Elektra 2006 European electronics industry Awards. The judges awarded the trophy to RS in recognition of the work the company has done in preparation for the RoHS Directive, which came into effect in July of this year. As well as providing a host of services to help customers understand and meet with the legislation, the company also worked with over 700 suppliers to obtain product compliance information.

Its range of services includes compliance seminars, an online knowledge centre, and the 'Notify Me' service, where customers are emailed with the compliance status of unconfirmed products.

RS has also kept customers up-to-date by introducing product compliance flags throughout the online order process and the introduction of printable certificates of compliance.

RS was also one of the first companies to achieve the BSI RoHS Trusted Kitemark which stands alongside RS's existing ISO9001 and ESD S20.20 approvals which provide further reassurance for electronics purchasers.

On receiving the award, Richard Eden, RS Components' Market Development Manager, said: 'RS is very proud to have won this award'.

'This is a fantastic achievement recognising RS as the leader in the RoHS arena and its commitment in providing the very best service to meet its customers' needs'.

'Thanks go to our customers, suppliers and staff for their support'.

An independent panel of judges including specialists from Afdec, Envirowise, ISLI, NMI, Qinetiq, Roke Manor Research and The University of Manchester, concluded that the quality of entries this year were particularly impressive and wide-ranging.