SAS Automation has introduced its Heated Gate Cutter for plastics degating. This cutter is suitable for cutting acrylic and other brittle plastic materials, as well as preventing stress marks left from the cutting process. Each Heated Cutter set includes a heated blade, nipper and heat controller with ambient temperature blade.

Brushless Servo Motors Provide 2,800-5,200rpm

The Ametek Pittman brand AB series brushless servo motors are available from Mclennan Servo Supplies in NEMA 23, 34 and 56 frame sizes. The motors provide speeds from 2,800 to 5,200rpm and continuous stall torques from 0.42 to 12.88Nm in a selection of motor lengths to suit motion-control applications ranging from medical and industrial equipment to instrumentation and automation machinery.

The IP 65-rated AB range includes optional Hall Effect commutation and a selection of optical encoders, brakes and precision servo gearboxes to match application requirements. The robust, durable motors feature long-life sealed bearings, a smooth finish for direct mounting and integral bayonet mounting connectors for motor and optional encoder feedback, with mating power and feedback cables available.

Suitable for drive-voltage ratings up to 325V DC, the motors have medium- to high-voltage constant values to suit the low- to medium-bus voltages found in modern high-efficiency servo drives. Mclennan has a range of servo-drive and motion controls to suit these motors and is able to offer complete integrated mechatronics assemblies with customised mechanics and other power-train components.

Basler Cameras Include Power Over Ethernet

The Basler ace camera series has been launched at the Vision Show in Stuttgart. The cameras measure 29 x 29mm and include Power over Ethernet. They are designed to meet the cost demands of analogue camera users while offering all of the technological advantages of a digital camera. The high-performance FPGA used in the cameras includes features such as several automatic parameter-adjustment functions and optimised software-trigger function for high-speed triggering via the GigE bus.

The Power over Ethernet option makes connecting GigE cameras less complex and cheaper by eliminating the need for a second cable. Basler provides its pylon software package, a free SDK and Viewer Tool including sample programs to help users get started quickly. The pylon software package runs on Windows and Linux and can be used with all common development environments. The ace series will initially consist of four camera models in monochrome and colour, with resolutions from VGA to 2megapixels and featuring a C-mount adapter. All cameras are equipped with a CCD sensor.

Cissoid Unveils Vesuvio Buck Converters

Cissoid has launched its Vesuvio technology, which implements buck (step-down) DC-DC converters operating with high efficiency from -55C to +225C. Based on Cissoid’s two-chip set Magma-Hyperion and power transistors, the Vesuvio technology includes a reference design and a demonstration board. Vesuvio can step input voltages from 6V to 30V down to an output voltage adjustable from 1.2V up to 90 per cent of the input.

Vesuvio buck converters demonstrate efficiencies in excess of 90 per cent above 200C. When configured as synchronous DC-DC converter, it operates in continuous current mode (CCM) at a constant frequency, making ripple filtering easier for demanding sensor applications. Vesuvio technology uses the soft-start capability of Magma PWM controller to enable a smooth start-up.

The input voltage feed forward compensation makes it very robust to input voltage transient variations and provides a DC line regulation better than +/-1.5mV/V. The demonstration board is adjusted to a 5V output and is able to deliver up to 10W at 225C. The board is rated to 175C but can be tested higher for short periods of time. It is ideally shaped for test purposes with thermo-streamers.

Besides this example, Vesuvio technology can be used to build DC-DC buck converters with output voltages up to 27V delivering up to 50W. The reference design and its bill of material can be mapped onto high-temperature substrates and assembled in high reliability modules. Vesuvio technology is available for licensing and includes the reference design and its schematic, a demonstration board, data sheet and application note, as well as the bill of material.

Tensilica Announces Customisable Processor

Tensilica has introduced the Xtensa 8 customisable processor, the eighth generation of its low-power dataplane processor cores (DPUs). With power dissipation starting at just 12uW/MHz, the Xtensa 8 processor core starts at a size of just 15,000 gates and consumes less than 0.05mm2 in 40nm process technology. Designers using an Xtensa 8 DPU can select from an expanded library of pre-verified configuration options to get the exact functionality they need.

Enhancements in this new generation processor include pairs of 32-bit GPIO (general purpose input/outputs) and 32-bit Queue interfaces for direct connection to RTL (register transfer level) blocks, and a low-area, double-precision floating-point accelerator. As the Xtensa 8 processor core can be customised, designers have a wide range of choices available to meet area, power and performance requirements. Full synthesis scripts are provided for all major EDA vendors allowing designers to target their favourite libraries and processes.

A typical small configuration consumes 17uW/MHz of power while occupying 0.046mm2 in TSMC 40LP process technology. That same configuration, synthesised for maximum performance in the same process technology, can run up to 540MHz and still only consumes 25uW/MHz of power with an area of 0.074mm2. The Xtensa 8 processor core can be customised with configuration check-box options that provide control and data input/output capabilities that entirely bypass the main system bus. This allows direct connectivity to blocks of RTL in the SOC, providing fine-grained, low-latency control of those hardware blocks.

These connections also allow Xtensa 8 DPUs to stream data to RTL blocks at much higher speeds to improve system performance. The 32-bit GPIO (general-purpose input output) interface provides 32-bit input and 32-bit output control and status information exchange, which is naturally accessed directly as registers from the processor’s regular instruction set. This interface is suitable for peripheral control and monitoring.

The 32-bit input and 32-bit output Queue interfaces operate like FIFO (first in, first out) interfaces, providing a high-bandwidth and low latency mechanism for streaming data to and from other blocks in the system or other Xtensa processors. To the programmer’s viewpoint, input and output queue data is register based for simple and quick access – there is no need to load or store the data before and after any computation.

Tensilica added a lightweight, double-precision floating-point acceleration (FPA) option. It is small in area, consumes less than 7K gates and helps speed up applications that require high-precision, low-bandwidth data operations, such as in motor control or GPS software stacks. This acceleration option is provided in addition to the existing single precision FPU (floating point unit) option.

Tensilica also added enhanced SOC infrastructure choices, including AMBA AHB-Lite and AXI bridges with asynchronous or synchronous clocks and synchronous/asynchronous reset capabilities. Tensilica’s Xtensa processor cores are completely backwards compatible, meaning that code written for the first-generation Xtensa processors will still run on the Xtensa 8 processor. This allows designers to quickly migrate to new versions in order to take advantage of the power savings, performance improvements and additional functionality.

Aimtec Introduces 30W AC/DC Converters

Aimtec has expanded its AC/DC product line from 5W and 15W to include 30W converters that offer the same combination of medical EN60601-1-2 safety certification at industrial prices. The AMExx30-MAZ(30W) series are available in five package types (encapsulated, open-frame screw terminal, enclosed screw terminal, open-frame connector and enclosed connector) and are designed with universal inputs of 90-260V AC, 47-440Hz or 120-370V DC for integration into a multitude of applications.

The AMExx30-MAZ series provides a combination of high I/O isolation of 4,000V AC (leakage current 150uA) within an industrial operating temperature range of -40C to +85C. Highly regulated, protected, isolated single- and dual-output ranges of 3.3-24V DC with ripple and noise as low as 50mV p-p and load regulation of +/-0.5 per cent (no minimum load required) make the AMExx30-MAZ series suitable for a wide range of applications.

These power supplies have passed the environmental shock and vibration tests in accordance to the parameters for passenger, commercial and industrial transportation applications. The high-grade galvanic isolation between input and output, in conjunction with internal circuit protections allow these power supplies to be configured for reverse polarity on the output and can be wired in series to create higher output voltages.

The 4,000V AC isolation protects the application from higher surges on the AC line voltage than standard power supply with just 3,000V AC. All Aimtec AC/DC converters meet the exacting safety standards of EN60601-1-2, EN55011 class B, IEC/EN 61000-3-2, -3-2 and IEC 61000-4-2, -4-1, -4-5, -4-6, -4-8, -4-11, for integration in a wide range of controlled, non-life-support medical and dental devices, instruments and equipment applications.

Excelsys Offers Power Modules For LED Lighting

Excelsys Technologies has announced it has a wide range of products available for industrial and architectural LED lighting applications. The constant current output LXC series and the LXV constant voltage series offer up to 300W of output power in compact, rugged IP67 enclosures. The LX series of LED power supplies offer up to 95 per cent efficiency, MTBF figures in excess of one million hours and an IP67 rating, making them suitable for harsh outdoor/indoor applications.

The constant current output LXC series is available with either 30W or 50W output power with efficiencies up to 88 per cent. Both models have universal input over the range 90-305V AC and an operating temperature range of -30C to +70C. The LXC series is protected against over voltage and short circuit and meets EN55015 level B for conducted and radiated emissions. Output currents available include 350mA, 450mA, 700mA, 1,000mA, 1,400mA, 2,100mA, 2,500mA and 3,000mA.

The LXV series of constant voltage LED power supplies is comprised of five models with output powers of 75W, 100W, 150W, 200W and 300W, with no minimum load and up to 95 per cent efficiency. All feature over-current, over-voltage, short-circuit and over-temperature protection and are rated to IP67. These models have an input voltage range of 90-305V AC.

All models meet EN55015 level B for conducted and radiated emissions as well as EN61000-4-5. A wide range of output voltages are available to suit specific LED requirements, these include 12, 24, 36, 42, 48, 54, 81 and 105V DC. All Excelsys LED power supplies carry full safety approvals to UL1310, EN61347-2-13 and are CE marked and RoHS compliant.

Excelsys will be increasing the range of both its constant voltage and constant power LED power supplies throughout 2009 and 2010 to provide high-quality, high-efficiency, IP67 power solutions for manufacturers of street lighting and architectural lighting installations. Typical applications for the LXC and LXV power supplies include outdoor applications such as street lighting, tunnel lighting, sign applications and architectural lighting solutions, as well as electrical brown and white goods.

Devlin Launches Industrial Keyboard

Devlin Electronics has announced the KFM-096 industrial keyboard, designed to be compact, suitable for use in confined and harsh working areas. Designed specifically for rugged industrial, factory and process control applications, the KFM-096 features a reduced footprint of 345 x 170 x 45mm, achieved without removing the function keys or number pad from the keyboard.

Also included are VESA mounting points, allowing the keyboard to be secured onto wall or equipment brackets. The KFM-096 meets IP65 and NEMA 4 certifications and is sealed against liquid and dust. The keyboard is suitable for use in a temperature range of 0 to 50C, and can be stored in temperatures from -20 to 60C. Foreign language and custom legend variants are available.

Dynaload XBLs Test Transient Load Conditions

The Dynaload division of TDI Power has developed a line of electronic loads that offers cutting-edge functionality at a competitive price. The Dynaload XBL series features 800, 2000, 4000 and 6000W models with a range of voltage inputs and sophisticated computer programming via GPIB, Ethernet or RS232. These units also feature an integrated web page for local system operation and control.

Individual models are available for specialised low-voltage high-current applications. High-voltage models up to 1000V are also available. Pulse rates of up to 3.5kHz with minimum pulse widths of 150us and high-speed programmable slew rates enable pulse shaping, making the XBL ideal for transient load condition testing. The XBL series is a reliable, precision controlled, high-speed load that has been developed to meet the needs of fuel-cell testing and dynamic testing for military and avionics DC supplies.

All models include easy configuration of master/slave parallel capabilities to extend the range of operation. Higher-power models incorporate variable-speed forced air cooling to ensure a quiet environment. Dynaload products are available exclusively in the UK from TTi Instrument Distribution.

Phihong Publishes Short-Form Catalog

The Phihong Technology Power Solutions catalogue lists the company’s products and provides information about the many global energy-efficiency regulations it aims to comply with. The catalogue features standard EISA and Energy Star EPS Version 2.0-compliant desktop, wall-mount, and interchangeable AC plug adapters; open-frame switch-mode power supplies for information technology and medical applications; LED drivers; IEEE802.3af and IEEE802.3at-compliant single- and multi-port PoE midspans and splitters; and Phihong’s new Ultra and Mega PoE midspans, which provide between 60 and 95W of power per port.

The catalogue also provides application information, complete with product suggestions and spec charts, for a number of OEM solutions, including lighting, personal electronics, network power and IP security, home entertainment and battery chargers. The global energy-efficiency regulations that Phihong strives to both comply with and exceed include the US Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) and Energy Star EPS Version 2.0, as well as standards from Canada, the EU, Australia/New Zealand and Korea. The catalogue contains a comprehensive listing of the many safety agencies that Phihong works with.