Custom Keypads has recently produced a new membrane panel for Weltech’s new 8010 series automatic bird weighing machine controllers. Based in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, Weltech is a leading manufacturer of weighing, feed and climate control systems for the poultry industry worldwide. The company’s SP-1 and DP-2 bird weighing platforms are widely used in broiler, breeder, laying and rearing operations throughout the world and combine with the Weltech system 8000 controller to provide automatic bird weighing systems.

The system 8000 controller features a drilled metal box with an overlay panel above a PCB within to provide the numerical switch panel.

With considerable use by heavy-handed production workers in the inhospitable environments of the poultry industry, Weltech found that the overlay was eventually splitting.

This resulted in water ingress to the control panel itself ultimately causing them to fail also.

Andy Price of Weltech commented, “These controllers are being used on a daily basis and we eventually began to see the overlays becoming torn around the metalwork.

As this became apparent, we decided that the next generation controllers would need to be more robust”.In designing the new generation 8010 series controllers, Weltech carefully considered its options for the front panel.

The company eventually decided that a membrane keypad would not only avoid the problem of splitting overlays but would also remove the need for a drilled metal box and dispense with the PCB and switches.

In addition, the membrane keypad would be totally water resistant.

The new front panel was designed with extra large buttons (20mm diameter) so that production workers wearing gloves would be able to operate them easily.

The company approached Custom Keypads with its designs who produced a membrane keypad with a pillow embossed key area.

Metal dome construction was chosen to provide a positive feel and feedback and the controller window features a gloss hardcoat for additional protection.

Weltech’s new 8010 series controllers are being launched in Atlanta in January 2003 and will provide both a cost-effective and inexpensive helping hand to the world’s poultry industry, providing a wealth of information at the touch of a button.

With Custom Keypads robust membrane panels they will continue to deliver reliable service for many years to come.

ASP Infotec reckons that the Seiko LTPV series are the only label-ready easy-operation thermal print mechanisms on the market. The company has tested the mechanisms with labels and has found they work fine. The important feature to look for is a straight paper path, and the LTPV range is the only thermal printer set with both easy paper loading and a straight paper path.

There are two sizes - 80 and 112mm paper width - both giving fast printing at around 85mm/s.

The LTPV printers and their sister mechanisms in the other ‘easy operation’ series are the latest mechanisms from Seiko, generally credited with the invention of thermal printing.

The easy operating principle has a separate platen (feed) roller, that is intended to be housed in a lid or cover.

When the paper has been dropped in place, this lid or cover can be closed and the feed roller engages with the mechanism.

Seiko’s design intentionally allows for fairly poor moulding tolerances in plastic housing components without compromising printing consistency or wear on the mechanical components.

New from Cherry Electrical Products, the CR Series power rocker switch has a 20A switching capability. The compact CR series uses heavy-duty silver alloy contacts to perform high-current switching in a 28.6 x 12.7 x 25.4mm package. Typical applications include appliances, office equipment and lighting control.

Cherry’s CR series is available in a wide variety of colours and in both illuminated and nonilluminated designs.

Typical illuminated designs employ neon lamps for use at 125 or 250V AC.

Illuminated versions for DC operation are also available.

Within the nonilluminated family, options include single-throw and double-throw devices, and a two-colour moulded button with bright red secondary colour for optimal visibility at a distance.

Recommended panel cutout length for the CR series is 28.5mm, and the series can accommodate three different panel cutout widths: 12.1,.13.4 and 13.8mm.The maximum operating temperature is 85C, and standard termination is accomplished with quarter-inch (6.3 x 7.9mm) quick-connect tabs.

An optional splash-resistant design features a housing construction that channels liquid or particulate away from internal mechanisms.

All standard versions of the new CR series are UL, CSA, and VDE approved, and all carry the CE mark.

UL and CSA ratings are 20A at 125V AC/16A at 250V AC.

The CR series is available from stock at Cherry and at many authorised Cherry distributors.

Aerco holds extensive stock of the Honeywell TL and TW Series of environment-sealed, toggle switches. These compact switches are available in two different sizes, in one, two and four pole configurations and in all circuitry configurations including: on-off, off-on, on-off-on etc. Many different lever types are also available with a wide choice of locking variants.

Sealed to MIL-S-3950, UL listed and CSA certified these high performance toggle switches are ideal for use in harsh environments where environmental sealing and resistance to vibration are required.

This makes them particularly suitable for applications such as military equipment and vehicles, aviation, motor sport and industrial equipment.

Aerco can also supply a range of accessories including a panel seal and switch guard.

Penny and Giles has launched the all new JC2000 compact joystick controller for precision fingertip control applications where safety and long, trouble-free life are primary requirements. The JC2000 is available in one-, two- or three-axis configurations and can be supplied with three handle styles, two of which can be fitted with a pushbutton switch in a choice of five different colours. Typical applications include powered wheelchairs, disabled mobility vehicles, robotic teach controllers, co-ordinate measuring machines, medical and CCTV equipment, professional camera controls and radio or infra-red chest-packs.

For these applications the JC2000’s compact size, low operational force and high reliability are ideal.

The innovative contactless design uses Hall effect sensors, meaning there are no moving parts in the sensing system of all three available axes, effectively eliminating flexing wires that can cause failure due to fatigue.

For super critical applications the single and dual-axis units are available with two independent outputs in each axis.

This new model offers a top mounting flange that is compatible with the Penny and Giles JC200 inductive joystick, but with a below-flange depth of only 31mm.

The competitively priced JC2000 also features an impressive environmental specification that includes sealing to IP65 above the panel, operating temperature of -25 to +70C, a shock level of 40g and EMC immunity of 100V/m.

Micromark C and CD has added a wide collection of switches to its current electromechanical product lineup. Tyco’s Alcoswitch brand provides it with its first switch range and enhances the existing Tyco franchise. Announcing the agreement, Alan Jermyn, Marketing Director, said, “This is the first time Micromark C and CD has been able to offer its customers such a varied range of switches”.

He continued, “The Alcoswitch products provide high quality switch solutions and we are really looking forward to the new business opportunities that the line will open up for us”.

Micromark will provide full technical support for well known switch types, including DIP, slide, toggle, pushbutton, paddle and surface mount tactile switches, which will be available on short lead times.

With an emphasis on ease of use and clarity, specialist distributor of control products Switchtec has launched a new website. Containing details of the company’s entire product range, the website’s clean and logical layout provides easy, hassle free browsing and component selection for engineers, specifiers and buyers. User friendly, tiered menus enable all 7000 products to be rapidly identified and viewed from Switchtec’s vast range of relays, PC connectors, control components, motor control gear, meters, sensors, audible and visual alarms, switches and switchgear.

Switchtec’s line card embraces such prestigious brands as Finder, Sirena, Euroclamp, Bremas, Telergon, Infra, HKE, and Vemer.

With versatility, hyperlinks to each supplier’s website are provided for further information.

Importantly, users can view and if required download technical information in PDF format for later offline use.

To keep things fully up to date, the site includes a news section with press releases and information on Switchtec’s latest products and company news.

As the exclusive Canadian licensee of Duraswitch technologies, GGI is offering one of the most innovative multidirectional switch technologies the industry has to offer. The MagnaMouse is the perfect solution for both simple and complex control systems as it is easily integrated with other membrane switch technology. MagnaMouse is a simple, compact, and durable multidirectional switch, which is perfect for any screen or menu cursor interaction system.

It is an ideal replacement for touch pads and trackballs often present in industrial environments.

Potential applications for the MagnaMouse include computer cursor controls, game controls, seat operations, temperature settings, radio or television selection controls etc.

MagnaMouse can be applied anywhere a multi-directional switch is required.

MagnaMouse technology consists of two simple components: a magnet and an armature.

The armature features a centre contact in addition to an outer contact ring.Actuation is achieved by depressing the top of the armature at any desired position.

When depressed, the armature pivots on its centre contact and makes contact with the outside ring, which determines the direction of the cursor.

The cursor will travel at a constant speed; however, an accelerator can be added through the software if required.

Other options available are obtainable through the custom design of a circuit substrate containing electrical contacts, which may be arranged in various configurations, giving the MagnaMouse the desired functionality.

Some of the most poignant advantages available through the integration of MagnaMouse into a front panel interface solution include: a long life of 1 million plus actuations; durability and reliability, with no mechanical parts to wear or break; integration and fewer parts translates into lower manufacturing costs; environmental sealing for superior performance in harsh environments; and easy integration into membrane interface panels as well as with other dome switches.

“Our sales and technical teams are generating high interest for this exciting new and unique product”, stated Peter Graham, Co-President of GGI, “Electronics manufacturers are enquiring, wanting to see first hand how the technology works and how it can be integrated into their front panel projects”.

MagnaMouse next-generation technology allows for the easy integration of a cursor control device into ultra thin, durable control panels, not possible by any other multidirectional switch.

New from Knitter Switch is the TSSJ-2 multifunction tact switch. This microminiature surface mount switch has no fewer than five separate switch movements. The single actuator may be moved north, south, east, west and pushed down to select different functions.

This means that up to five separate switches may be replaced by one, or the TSSJ-2 may be used as a joystick controller.

The market demand for increased functionality in end product design with more and more functions being required by a limited number of controls in an increasingly smaller space requires innovative responses from switch manufacturers.

The TSSJ-2 has been designed for scanning and navigation functions such as menu scrolling and selection.

It has very small dimensions suitable for applications such as mobile phones, pagers, PDAs, scanning and data capture and entry devices, data loggers and medical products.

This surface mountable switch has body dimensions of just 10.8 x 10.8 x 2.25mm with the actuator making the overall height 5mm.

The maximum contact rating is 10mA at 5V DC, insulation resistance better than 100Mohm and operating temperature is in the range -20 to +60C.

The contacts are silver plated phosphor bronze with a giving a minimum lifetime of 100,000 cycles.

Terry Moss, General Sales Manager for Knitter Switch comments “this new multi-function Tact switch will find applications in all industries where pressure in on to reduce size and add functionality and what’s more, it’s available from stock now”.

Duraswitch has executed a nonexclusive license agreement with Sweden-based Danielson Group. Under the terms of the agreement, Danielson is authorised to market, manufacture and distribute Duraswitch’s patented electronic switch technologies. One of the largest membrane switch manufacturers in Europe, Danielson is recognised as a leading supplier of specialised man/machine interfaces.

Danielson is Duraswitch’s seventh European-based licensee.

“We are pleased to welcome Danielson as a licensee”, stated Tim Kuhn, Vice President, Business Development for Duraswitch.Danielson is Duraswitch’s seventh European-based licensee.

“We are pleased to welcome Danielson as a licensee”, stated Tim Kuhn, Vice President, Business Development for Duraswitch.

“With manufacturing facilities in Sweden, the Netherlands, Hungary and the UK and sales offices in France, Danielson broadens sales and marketing efforts of Duraswitch technologies across Europe, including some regions of Europe where we have not had strong licensee representation”.

“Danielson has made a commitment to manufacturing high-quality products”, said Johan Alander, President and CEO of Danielson.

“We are excited to expand our product offering to include the PushGate, Thincoder, MagnaMouse as well as some of the constructions Duraswitch has recently introduced such as the normally closed PushGate, large actuation area and vandal-resistant PushGate technologies”.

Alander continued, “Duraswitch technologies are customisable and robust - making them an ideal option for many OEMs”.

“Europe is a large market for products using electronic switches.

We see the advantages of Duraswitch technologies being embraced by European OEMs and switch manufacturers and are excited to expand our base of high-calibre licensees that serve these markets”, commented Bob Brilon, Duraswitch President and CEO.