News Industry Spotlight In brief...
RS leads future of 3-D modeling with launch of free DesignSpark Mechanical
MSR Bare Element Resistors from UK based Arcol Resistors, have been devel- oped for current sensing and shunt appli- cations in intelligent power systems and instrumentation. This series features a specialised alloy element, copper-clad steel leads and welded construction. They are built in stand-offs and standard lead spacings simplifying PCB mounting. Technical specifications include: values
from 0.0005Ω to 1Ω, low inductance (less than 10nH), a flameproof construc- tion, a TCR of 20ppm/°C and are RoHS Compliant. These resistors will operate up to 275°C and have power ratings up to 5W at 85°C.
www.arcolresistors.com
feature- or parametric-based 3-D CAD software. The tool uses simple gestures that enable real- time editing and instant feedback, making it possible for engineers and others to create geometry and easily explore ideas and product concepts in 3-D.
Altera Corporation has completed the latest upgrade to its portfolio of IP cores targeting 28nm FPGAs and SoCs. Over the past year, the company has released more than 15 new protocol interface IP cores that target a broad range of applica- tions and markets. In addition, the IP cores in the company’s IP portfolio have been upgraded to deliver 15 percent timing margin for faster timing closure, which allows for quick integration of multiple IP cores into designs.
www.altera.com
Driving the future of 3-D design software, RS Components and Allied have launch a new 3-D solid modelling and assembly tool called DesignSpark Mechanical. This software has been devel- oped by the distributor in con- junction with SpaceClaim, a provider of 3-D modelling software and is available to download free of charge. There is also access to more than 38,000 3-D models in the distributor’s DesignSpark online component library. The launch of the company’s new mechanical platform offers engineers a route to quickly under- take an end-to-end design with professional-grade modelling tools at no cost.
RS and Allied have also collab- orated with 3-D content company TraceParts to provide access to millions of models from the online
tracepartsonline.net CAD portal in a format compatible with DesignSpark Mechanical. This new tool also uses a methodology called ‘direct mod- elling’, which is described as “very different” from traditional
The company advises, all basic designs can be achieved simply via the use of the software’s four basic tools – Pull, Move, Fill and Combine – in addition to its use of familiar Windows keyboard shortcuts such as cut/paste, undo/redo, which makes it highly intuitive for new users. The tool can remove bottle- necks in the early design process by allowing changes and addi- tions in seconds, rather than having to wait for the CAD department using the traditional 3-D tools to rework the design. 3-D designs can also be exported in STL, the standard file format to enable rapid prototyping builds and computer-aided manu- facturing, in addition to providing the ability to quickly obtain Bill- of-Materials (BOM) quotes via the RS and Allied websites.
The tool can also import circuit layout files in IDF format from any PCB design tool, including the DesignSpark PCB software. DesignSpark Mechanical is available for free download from:
www.designspark.com/mechanical RS Components
www.rs-components.com
Rutronik hits the big 4 0
Celebrations are in order as component distributer Rutronik celebrates its 40th anniversary in the industry. Claimed as the third-largest distributor in Europe with offices worldwide, the broadline distributor is ideally positioned for further growth. In 1973, Helmut Rudel founded the company as Rutronik Passive Bauele- mente and Silec Aktive Bauelemente. Since then, the distributor has grown organically in all areas: geographically, from a local supplier to a global distributor with 69 offices in 27 countries. In terms of product portfolio, it has
grown from a representative for active and passive components into a broadline distributor with a comprehensive suite of products ranging from electro-mechanical components to storage, displays & boards and wireless components. The subsidiary Rusol supplies high- quality photovoltaic and LED lighting solutions. Consequently, Rutronik is now one of the few genuine broadline distrib- utors to represent components equally across all product areas. Its conventional sales channels have been supplemented with the on-line platforms webg@te and
rutronik24.com. In the early days, the company's service offering was confined to commercial support. This now includes a comprehensive consulting services for products, applica- tions, vertical markets and logistics. These are backed up by supporting data sheets, application notes and other information sources, numerous seminars, workshops and TechDays as well as on- line services. Rutronik
www.rutronik.com
Editor’s Comment
October is something of the Wednesday month of the year, nestled some- where after the height of the summer and just too early to be thinking about Christmas.
But much has been occurring in the elec- tronics world and in
this month’s issue we kick off with a focus on test and measurement with a look at delivering stabil- ity and reliability in a mixed-signal domain and how to achieve this.
A look at the latest display technology exam- ines eight critical considerations for integrating
4
GPRS/3G/LTE in to new products, whilst our EMC & Thermal Management focus highlights the importance of EMC testing and its impact on device development and meeting compliance. In our power feature, the design characteristics of a new hermetically sealed SMD tantulum capacitor structure are explored, solving limited stability in high temperature environments, whilst a focus on the latest in interconnection technology considers a hard-waring cabling solu- tion; designed for the harshest of environments that won’t crack under pressure!
For all the latest news and views visit the Electronics website and read our new industry blog page for a candid industry view. Michelle Winny, Editor
Events
Fortronic Power Forum 2013 22nd October 2013
Williams F1 Conference Centre, Oxfordshire
Free to attend one-day event focusing on high growth technologies and markets.
www..fortronicforums.com OCTOBER 2013 Electronics
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