Printed Circuit Design & Fab Online Magazine - Current

Products

Sunstone's Design For Manufacture (DfM) Add-On for Altium Designer is free and factory-certified. Implements the company's manufacturing capabilities interactively inside Altium Designer. Is said to reduce costs by reducing design errors; reduced time by using existing rule decks instead of user-created versions; and simplify design processes by following a factory-certified rule deck.

Sunstone Circuits, www.sunstone.com/pcb-resources/downloads.aspx.

OptoTherm introduces the latest version of its EL Thermal Imaging System, which includes a new camera featuring a 320x240 detector array and claimed sensitivity greater than 0.05ËšC, as well as a 16 bit digital camera interface. The camera reportedly displays images at a rate of 30 frames/second with pixel resolution of 70 microns.

The company claims that the system can be used to locate shorts, stressed components and other defects, and can analyze the thermal behavior of individual components. The system includes all necessary mounting hardware, Thermalyze image analysis software, camera stand, and an I/O relay module.

OptoTherm, www.optotherm.com

C&K Components has developed a family of right-angle pushbutton-type switches. Designated the ELUM Series, the switches are available with or without LED illumination, and feature three different snap-on cap covers. The pushbutton switches will reportedly eliminate the need for a separate LED and light pipe on a PCB.

"The compact design of the ELUM switches… saves space on the PC board, enabling product miniaturization and greater on-board functionality, said David Webber, company products manager.

The company states that the switches feature a 6mm profile, are available in both through-hole and surface mount configurations, and have self-cleaning contacts. Product ratings range from 0.01mA to 250mA and 20mV to 50VDC, with claimed RoHS-compliance, are compatible with high-speed reflow soldering processes, and have a 30,000 cycle life expectancy.

www.ck-components.com

The Model 930 oven features an electrically heated, 500°F inert atmosphere used for liquid flow solder masking in a nitrogen atmosphere. Workspace dimensions measure 38" W x 38" D x 38" H. 30 kW heaters are installed in Incoloy-sheathed tubular heating elements; a 1500 CFM, 1-1/2 HP recirculating blower provides horizontal airflow. Features 4" insulated walls, aluminized steel exterior, Type 430 stainless steel interior and an automatic door switch. Includes a pressure regulator, flow meter, pressure gauge, inner oven walls closing directly against a 1/2" thick silicone rubber door seal, air jacket on the inner oven, blower shaft seal, positive latching door hardware, adjustable offset door hinges, outlet with pressure relief, and interior seams welded gas-tight. Oven wall penetrations are equipped with compression fittings.

www.grievecorp.com

Synplicity Inc. has released new product capabilities for its Confirma ASIC/ASSP Verification Platform.

Confirma is an integrated prototyping package combining hardware and software tools designed to help customers overcome ASIC verification challenges. The Confirma Platform includes the company’s Certify tool, and the Identify Pro TotalRecall software, which reportedly provides full visibility into a design under test. The product also includes the company’s High-performance ASIC Prototyping System (HAPS), for prototyping PCBs.

According to Andy Haines, Synplicity marketing VP, “Nearly all of today’s ASICs are being prototyped…by stitching together hardware and software from different vendors. Going forward, we will continue to offer a comprehensive, integration solution through our Confirma Platform”

www.synplicity.com

Trident Industrial Inkjet has announced the launch of its 256Jet-D inkjet printhead. The printhead features durable stainless steel construction that reportedly allows for printing of a variety of direct-write printable electronic applications with up to five times the resolution of screen printing.

The company reports that the product is designed for printing traces, contacts, embedded passives and components on a PCB, as well as for the printing of flexible photovoltaics, fuel cells and batteries in other applications.

"As an additive process, inkjet is a very attractive option for direct write, printable electronics," explained Steve Liker, Trident business. "It allows manufacturers to print exactly the amount of material they need, exactly where they need it, saving significant time and expense when compared to subtractive printing methods that waste valuable printing materials."

The 256Jet-D nozzle plate can reportedly be easily removed, cleaned and reassembled, and users can purchase multiple interchangeable nozzle plates to print different drop volume sizes using one printhead. The product is available in two models, with drop volume ranges of 5 to 40 picoliters and 50 to 80 picoliters in size.

The printhead’s inert stainless steel construction has a claimed resistance to the corrosive alkaline and acidic materials often used in the deposition of printable electronic components. The printhead can reportedly be heated to 70°C and jet fluids up to 30 cps, and print materials with double the viscosity of traditional inkjet systems. The product has a claimed lifespan of 90 billion firings.

www.trident-itw.com