WASP has doubled its screen-printing capacity for both membrane switch panels and touchscreen combination panels.
and touchscreen combination panels with the introduction of a complete new range of semiautomatic screen-printing equipment. With its screen printing design expertise which has recently been extended to include the printing of EL panels, allied to its innovative switching capabilities, WASP is able to offer a complete custom designed service from the initial concept to the production product in house. The membrane production area at WASP has also been improved with a more efficient layout to enable throughput to match demand.

Duraswitch Industries and Utek Corp have signed a strategic alliance agreement. The goal of the alliance is to have Utek identify unique technology acquisition opportunities for Duraswitch and when appropriate, use its U2B model to enable Duraswitch to acquire licenses to these technologies in exchange for stock. According to Bob Brilon, President and CEO of Duraswitch, “Duraswitch has built a scalable licensing infrastructure.

We see this alliance as an opportunity to leverage our existing network of licensees by offering additional new technologies that can be commercialised through one, or many, of our licensed manufacturers and strategic technology partners”.

Duraswitch’s licensee network spans the globe, including the USA, Canada, Europe, and Southeast Asia, offering a diverse range of manufacturing capabilities and broad base of customer relationships.

“Expansion of our technology portfolio through Utek’s established relationships with research organisations and universities offers exciting growth potential for Duraswitch”, Brilon continued.

Utek creates value for universities and laboratory research centres by finding, acquiring and transferring university intellectual capital to commercial partners.

Technology firms benefit from having the opportunity to commercialise new technologies developed outside their organisations by universities and government laboratories.

“Utek looks forward to working with Duraswitch to identify technology acquisition opportunities that fit their strategic vision”, commented Clifford M Gross, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Utek Corp.

“Duraswitch’s technology licensing strategy allows us to evaluate available technologies that would fit with not only Duraswitch’s strengths, but also those that would be a benefit to their already established relationships with licensees and technology partners”.

New cost-effective rotary DIP switches from Omron are offered in four different styles and two different standard PCB layouts, giving a wide range of options in application.
Omron’s A6R series of rotary switches is offered in top actuated, side actuated flat and extended shaft models. Each version is available with a single row of four terminals, or two rows of three terminals, to allow flexibility in PCB layout.

The two layouts offer ten and sixteen output codes respectively.

In common with other high quality Omron rotary switches, the new A6R series features an O-ring sealed construction, preventing the ingress of dust and dirt.

The switches can handle up to 25mA at 24V DC.

Initially offered in through-hole form only, Omron is to release surface mount versions of the switches in 2003.

The terminal pitch on the Omron DIP switches conforms to the standard 2.54mm pitch for IC packages, simplifying board layout.

Duraswitch President and CEO, Bob Brilon, will present to analysts and portfolio managers at The Wall Street Analyst Forum’s Institutional Investor Conference in New York City on 12th February.

Brilon commented, “This conference will allow us to explain to investors Duraswitch’s business strategy, accomplished milestones, and our roadmap for the future including key areas of growth, licensed manufacturers and technology alliances”.

A 9mm miniature control potentiometer is the latest addition to the extensive range from Piher. The PC9 has an enclosed construction with a metal shaft, and is ideally suited for many audio, audio-visual, instrumentation and professional analogue applications. Devices are available as single units or in modules containing up to six potentiometers, in several electrical and mechanical formats, and with or without an SPST switch.

This well constructed unit has a smooth front-end feel, and is compatible with wave soldering.

Sonitron’s latest flat piezoelectric speakers now feature shock, water and dustproof front panels, making them suitable for industrial applications where harsh environments are encountered. Available from electromechanical component specialists, Radiatron, SPS speakers are based on a sandwich construction using a specially shaped piezoceramic disk and composite polymer membrane. The membrane reduces unwanted resonance peaks to provide a more even frequency response than can be achieved with conventional designs.

They also feature low weight, low distortion and low energy consumption relative to their sound output levels.

The rugged front panel has achieved the BS EN60529, IP67 rating for protection against water and the SP03 version is rated to IP68.

Compared with electrodynamic speakers, the new devices typically produce 60% higher sound output for a given input current and the speakers deliver consistent performance over a temperature range of -20 to +60C.

SPS speakers have input impedances from 103 to 574ohm at 1kHz, depending on size, enabling them to be driven directly from an integrated circuit without the need for matching networks or transformers.

Peak-to-peak output is 5 to 30 or 5 to 60V, depending on the model and size selected.

The devices are offered in a choice of sizes: 46.9 x 40.8 x 5.5, 87.25 x 70 x 6.8, or 100 x 80 x 6.8mm, and they can be used as both speakers and microphones.

A further advantage of piezoelectric speakers over traditional types is that no electromagnetic field is generated, making it easier for designers to ensure that their products meet EMC requirements and regulations.

In addition to industrial applications, SPS speakers are ideal for use in mobile communications and computing products where they are easily integrated into the housings of flat panel displays and other compact enclosures.

Bernd Steinebrunner has been named as Director of Product Management for the Dome Array operation within ITT Industries Cannon’s Switch Products group. Steinebrunner will be located in Santa Ana, California at Cannon’s headquarters. Steinebrunner will be responsible for all aspects of Cannon’s worldwide dome array product strategy, new product identification, new market identification, marketing communications and business development.

Steinebrunner has more than 14 years of experience in product development, sales and marketing.

Most recently, he served as the Vice President of Marketing for STM Wireless, an international satellite communications system equipment manufacturer.

Prior to this, he held the position of Director of Proposal Management for Bosch Telecom in Germany.

Steinebrunner holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from University Fachhochschule of Ulm in Germany.

He recently completed a certificate program in Business Management in the Executive Education Programme at UCLA’s Graduate School of Business.

PushGate is a revolutionary new pushbutton switch that presents all the possibilities of a standard pushbutton switch and much, much more. Its crisp, consistent tactile feedback, coupled with its durability, reliability and its ability to be environmentally sealed, makes this technology an attractive option for most control panels. The large key PushGate construction offers a crisp tactile feel, over a large actuation area.

Duraswitch developed the large key PushGate construction to answer the needs of clients in search of a switch with a larger actuation area, such as manufacturers of gas pump octane selectors, exercise equipment, handicap entrance buttons etc.

The large key PushGate construction offers easy activation and provides a solution currently unavailable with other thin-film based switch technologies.

The customisable key area is entirely active and can cover an area of up to 2 x 2in.

Furthermore, the key retains its uniform tactile feel across the key for up to 30 million actuations, can easily integrate with pushbuttons and rotary switches, and is flex circuit/PCB compatible.

GGI International is excited about the advantages the large key PushGate construction can provide to its customers.

“This new technology has broadened GGI’s product offering, ensuring we can provide our clients the widest range of customised solutions.

As Canada’s leading membrane switch manufacturer, GGI is working very hard to ensure we are continuously pushing the level of innovation in the industry”, states Peter Graham, Co-President of GGI International.

A novel patented mouse pad from Rittal is designed for those who prefer using a mouse to micro-joystick or touch-pad control. It is also for applications where the operator may be wearing gloves, which inhibit the use of any other pointer operators. Requiring just 1U for installation, it is a useful optional extra for the 1U keyboard drawer.

Its special strengths have been developed in connection with the recently released keyboard drawer and a specially designed 37mm slimline 482.6mm (19in) keyboard.

Both are so slim that after use the pad can be effortlessly folded over the keyboard and slid away, for protection in the enclosure.

The pullout drawer is prepared for the patented mouse pad to be mounted from the left or right hand side.

It is connected via an integrated PS/2 plug accessible from the front.

An ideal combination is the patented mouse pad, keyboard drawer and a high-quality TFT display with 15.1in screen diagonal.

Red Lion Controls has appointed Routeco as a distribution partner for its complete range of products in the UK. Says Rocco Colauto, Director Sales and Marketing Europe, Red lion Controls: ‘Routeco brings a wealth of experience and geographical coverage in the UK market to Red Lion’s channel partners. We are delighted to add Routeco to our ever-strengthening distribution network in Europe.

This will enable us to better support our current award winning products and some exciting new additions to our range due throughout the first 6 months of 2003′.

Says Tony Usher, Marketing and Support Director, Routeco: ‘We have always had a policy of allying ourselves with market leaders such as Red Lion Controls in order to offer our customers the very best brand leading products.

We are constantly reviewing and updating the services we provide, and we are pleased to find a partner so similar in outlook’.

Says Kevin McCarthy, Global Vice President Sales and Marketing, Red Lion Controls USA: ‘We are extremely excited to begin a long relationship with such a fine company as Routeco who brings to the table both high name recognition and a strong value-add proposition throughout the UK’.