CGTech Releases Enhanced CNC Simulation Software

CGTech has released version 7.0 of the Vericut CNC machine simulation and optimisation software. Vericut 7.0 features enhancements that reduce the time required for manufacturing engineers to develop, analyse, inspect and document the CNC programming and machining process.

CGTech have focused on code optimisation and customer-driven enhancements, reducing the number of pop-up dialogues for day-to-day Vericut users and eliminating any confusion associated with 'apply', 'ok' and 'cancel' buttons. As a result, setting up a new project in Vericut has been simplified. Items formerly in pop-up dialogues have been moved to the Project Tree, where all projects are configured using a configuration panel, automatically displayed as the user selects each branch.

Actions are immediate, so 'apply' or 'okay' clicks are unnecessary. The Component Tree has also been merged into the Project Tree but can be optionally hidden. The Project menu has been simplified with menu actions moved to the Project Tree. Motion Simulation refers to how Vericut calculates the motion path from the NC data and animates it.

The motion in all view types is now coordinated and tool images are consistent, while collision tolerance and motion display are independent. When set to stop at a travel limit, the simulation continues the motion with axis clamped, while any cuts during a limit error are painted red. A five-axis NC block is now one motion and simulation times overall are shorter.

5.x and 6.x collision configurations are upward compatible and read into 7.0. This central location for all collision control eliminates any possibility of duplicate collision checks. The user can define a near-miss collision with cut stock, and all near-miss and actual collision errors are separated in the logger. Components turn red upon first display of the collision contact, instead of at the end of the colliding motion.

Vericut runs standalone, but can also be integrated with CAM systems such as Catia V5, Siemens NX, Pro/E, MasterCAM, EdgeCAM, Delcam Powermill and Open Mind Hypermill. Vericut can read Siemens NX Part Files directly when NX is on the same computer and NX parts can be referenced directly from within Vericut or via the NX-to-Vericut interface. The CATIA V5-To-Vericut Interface has been enhanced with several new features for managing tools.

The user can merge tools from a template with new tools from the Part Operation and optionally put all unique tools in one tool library. The user can also use CATIA-referenced STL models. Vericut holders are named using the holder names already defined in CATIA. Additional features include the option to specify work offset subsystems and set model tolerances for the stock, fixture and design models.

Adder Releases CCS4USB Command-And-Control Switch

Adder, a developer of KVM switches, extenders and KVM-over-IP solutions, has announced the availability of the CCS4USB command-and-control switch. Command-and-control installations are said to be critical to environments such as law enforcement, aviation, space exploration, power generation and heavy industry. As such, when new equipment is deployed into them, system integrators need the assurance that the equipment chosen will perform reliably from the moment it is plugged in.

The CCS4USB is designed to give control to a single operator across four connected computers. This is achieved by switching keyboard and mouse between the computers to shift control of each computer. The monitors bypass the switch completely, so the CCS4USB can be deployed alongside DVI, VGA, Display Port or any video standard chosen. Integrated USB2.0 switching is powered using Adder's new USB True Emulation technology, which means the device can connect instantaneously to almost any USB interface (HID) device, from graphics tablets and joysticks to touch screens.

According to the company, interoperability is important in a command-and-control environment, where the choice of interface devices could be varied or even custom to a specific application. The CCS4USB switch enables the keyboard and mouse console to work on one computer, while USB peripherals are connected to another. In addition, the audio can be set to continuously play communications from any one of the attached computers.

Users can still switch all connected devices to any one of the connected computers at the touch of a button. The CCS4USB has been designed to work alongside the Adder RC4 remote control, which means that integrators can hide the main unit away in a cable tray or under the desk and still give absolute control over the switch to the user. Using the RC4 also means that users can hide cable clutter away and concentrate on the efficient working environment for command-and-control staff.

Comtech AHA Releases GZIP Data Compression Board

Comtech AHA Corporation has unveiled its latest high-speed GZIP data compression board, which supports data throughput of more than 10Gbit/s for high GZIP compression. The AHA367-PCIe allows network transmission and network storage appliance customers to reduce the amount of data that is transferred through or stored within their systems. Along with reducing latency, bandwidth and storage requirements, it also eases the loading of precious resources inside these appliances by offloading the data compression task from the core central processing units (CPUs).

The system is based on the company's AHA3610 design: a GZIP compression and decompression integrated circuit (IC), which offers up to 2.5Gbit/s throughput via hardware, while also saving power over GZIP software compression. The architecture of the AHA367-PCIe card facilitates migration for current customers of the existing AHA363-PCIe card with little or no changes to the existing software drivers required.

Based on the open-standard GZIP data compression algorithm, the AHA367-PCIe card supports the full-duplex streaming of more than 10.0Gbit/s uncompressed data using an industry-standard X8-lane PCI-Express (PCIe) interface. The system achieves GZIP compression ratios at an average of 3:1. Comtech AHA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Comtech Telecommunications Corporation, which develops technology for the communications, networking and data-storage markets.

Axiomtek Releases 3.5in Intel Atom Embedded Board

Axiomtek has launched a powerful 3.5in (8.9cm) Intel Atom embedded board, expanding its Atom embedded solution. The SBC84832 embedded SBC uses the Intel Atom N270 processor combined with the Intel 945GSE chipset and ICH7M Southbridge, which offers optimised power and a robust performance per watt for cost-effective embedded solutions. The onboard 1.60GHz Intel Atom N270 processor is claimed to provide good performance with low power consumption and fanless operation. The Mobile Intel 945GSE Express chipset comes with the Generation 3.5 Intel Integrated Graphics Engine and the Intel GMA 950, which provides enhanced graphics support over the previous-generation graphics and memory controller hubs.

Moreover, the SBC84832 supports CRT (2,048 x 1,536) and LVDS LCD (1,600 x 1,200) dual-view displays and delivers flexible high-bandwidth expansion capability with one PCI Express mini card for custom system configurations. The small-footprint embedded board provides a solution for digital signage, kiosks, point of sale (POS), thin clients, digital security and industrial control. One DDR2 SODIMM on board implements up to 2Gb of system memory. The SBC84832 platform comes with advanced connectivity and expansion interfaces, including two powered COM ports (RS-232), six high-speed USB 2.0 ports, dual-gigabit local-area-network (LAN) ports, one Compactflash Type-II socket, a PS/2 keyboard and mouse, AC'97 Codec audio, two SATA-150 ports and digital input/output (I/O).

Two highly integrated Realtek RTL8111B 10/100/1000 Ethernet controllers feature remote wake-up functions to increase cost efficiency in network maintenance and management. A watchdog timer is included to keep the system running smoothly. Joseph Chou, product manager of the company's Embedded Computing business unit, said: 'Axiomtek has expanded its range of single-board computers with the launch of several new embedded boards based on the energy-efficient Intel Atom processors. 'Axiomtek's SBC84832 is a small-footprint single-board computer that is configured with the Intel Atom N270 processor at 1.60GHz, FSB 533MHz and the Mobile Intel 945GSE Express chipset with the ICH7M,' he added. The SBC84832 is RoHS compliant and is available now.

Atmel Releases Radiation-Hardened Sparc Processor

Atmel has introduced the AT697 Revision F, a radiation-hardened Sparc processor for space applications. It delivers 90MIPs at 100MHz over full temperature and voltage ranges for only 0.7W. More than 1600 flight models of the AT697 Revision F's predecessor, the TSC695E, have been sold globally. The AT697 Revision E has proven its computing power efficiency of 90MIPs.

It exhibits the following radiation performance characteristics: total dose tested up to 100 Krad; SEU and SET induced error rate better than 10-5 errors/device/day in worst-case conditions; and no single event latch up below an LET threshold of 95MeV.cm/mg at 125C. The AT697E has demonstrated the capabilities of the Sparc V8. More than 100 flight models will be delivered this year. The AT697 Revision F, the radiation-hardened version, achieves 100MHz operation for only 0.7W.

It features: total dose tested up to 300Krad; extreme reliability against single-event upset and transient (SEU and SET induced error rate better than 10-5 errors/device/day); and no single event latch-up below an LET threshold of 95MeV.cm/mg at 125C. The design is based on the European Space Agency (ESA) LEON2-FT (Fault Tolerant) model and includes the latest techniques of radiation hardening by design, including full triple modular redundancy, EDAC and parity bit protections.

The European Space Agency has supported the design of this product. With its 90MIPs (Dhrystone 2.1) and 23MFlops (Whetstone) high performance, the AT697F offers the industry's best computing power efficiency of 150MIPs per Watt. The AT697F is software compatible with the other Atmel space Sparc processors and has improved the SDRAM interface efficiency, running at up to 90MHz. Samples of the AT697F are available in MCGA349 and MQFPF256 packages. The AT697F package versions are pin-out compatible with those of the AT697E. The AT697F engineering models, in all package versions, are available now. The AT697F processor flight models will be delivered and tested to QML QandV and ESCC quality flows in December 2009.

Opulan Releases Broadband-Access Products

Opulan Technologies has introduced broadband-access solutions that consist of 10Gbps EPON (Ethernet passive optical networks), OpconnT and cableTV SOCs and ASSPs. The Opulan 10Gbps EPON solution has successfully passed chip-level interoperability testing organised by China Telecom. The main benchmark testing performed included - MPCP discover, register and ranging; DBA; scalable OAM; and backward compatibility with 1G EPON - the key requirements in IEEE802.3av and China Telecom specifications.

Opulan's solution is FPGA based and achieved downstream data flow at 9Gbps and upstream at 950Mbps under an asymmetric model. After smooth testing, Opulan's Opconn 1G EPON SOC will commence full production. The Opconn is a client-side ONU SOC of an EPON solution. Opulan's engineering team has completed thorough product and interoperability testing against IEEE802.3ah and China Telecom EPON standards.

The ONU SOC features an embedded MIPS4kec processor for board-level control and management; a powerful Ethernet switch and dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) engine that offers wire-speed processing; IEEE802.1ad and 802.1q Bridge; flow-based QoS classifier, and hardware-based AES-128/Triple churning encryption module. Opconn can work under three common scenarios.

It can be an uplink for Opulan's cableTV-based EOC solution, carrying traffic from CATV broadband subscribers; it can backhaul Opulan's IPMux-based xDSL traffic aggregation; and it can be the final POP of a service provider directly connecting FTTH (fibre to the home) clients.

V-Infinity Releases Surface-Mount Regulator

V-Infinity, a division of CUI Europe, has announced the release of the V78XX-500-SMT series, a surface-mount version of its 0.5A V78XX-500 DC switching regulator. The V78XX-500-SMT is said to offer efficiencies of up to 96 per cent and is designed to be a high-performance alternative to linear regulators.

Unlike linear regulators, the V78XX-500-SMT series does not require a heat sink, making it suitable for applications where board space is at a premium and energy efficiency is a concern. The V78XX-500-SMT series measures 15.24mm x 8.50mm x 7mm. A wide input range is available from 4.5 to 28V DC and regulated output voltages of 3.3, 5, 12, and 15V DC are offered.

Output current is 500mA with an operating temperature range of -40 to +71C at 100 per cent load, derating to 60 per cent load at 85C. The converters offer short-circuit protection, thermal shutdown, very low ripple and noise (10mV p-p typical), and an MTBF of two million hours. The V78XX-500-SMT series switching regulators are available now through Digi-Key.

Fox Releases Ceramic SMD Automotive-Grade Crystals

Fox Electronics has introduced the FXA5032B and FXA7050B ceramic SMD (surface mount device) automotive-grade crystals. These operate at extended temperature ranges and withstand higher levels of shock and vibration. The FXA5032B and FXA7050B crystals are used in a variety of automotive timing applications, including GPS navigation, high-end audio and video systems, wireless phones, collision-warning systems, radar, onboard computer systems and the Antilock Brake System controller.

Fox's FXA5032B series features a 5 x 3mm package with a frequency range of 8-150MHz, while the larger 7 x 5mm FXA7050B series offers a 6-133MHz frequency range. Standard frequency stabilities for both series are +/-50 to +/-100ppm, with operating temperatures ranging from -40C to +85C and -40C to +125C, respectively, and a 3ppm aging per year. Additional tolerances and stabilities are available upon request.

Both products meet AEC-Q200, the Automotive Electronics Council Stress Test Qualification for Passive Components, and feature a load capacitance of 10pF, a drive level of 100mW and a maximum soldering temperature of 260C per 10 seconds. These RoHS-compliant auto-grade crystals have a gold termination finish and are seam sealed to reduce foreign matter and moisture inside the package.

Tensilica Releases ConnX Baseband Engine

Tensilica has brought out the ConnX DSP range of high-performance communications DSP (digital signal processors) IP (intellectual property) cores. The range includes standard cores, click-box configurable options or a starting point for customised Xtensa LX DPUs (dataplane processor units) for SOC (system-on-chip) designs. The latest addition to the range, the ConnX Baseband Engine, provides sixteen 18-bit MACs per cycle computational throughput, because of its application-specific instruction set optimised for compute-intensive LTE (long-term evolution) and 4G wireless base stations.

Tensilica plans other ConnX family members for the low-power requirements of the handset market. Will Strauss, president of Forward Concepts, said: 'With its configurable instruction set, Tensilica has morphed its basic Xtensa RISC architecture to become a compelling DSP engine.' Jack Guedj, president and chief executive officer of Tensilica, said: 'With this family of pre-designed communications DSP cores, our customers will be able to achieve faster time-to-market on their new next-generation of communications SOCs.' There are two different types of requirements for DSPs in wireless systems.

The ConnX Baseband Engine fills the more traditional software-centric DSP requirements for base stations and for multi-mode, multi-standard terminal devices. Tensilica's Xtensa technology can also be optimised to build more narrowly tailored, optimised functional blocks that fit into a hardware-centric design style typically found in wireless-handset implementations. Tensilica plans several products in this area. The ConnX range of communications DSP engines includes other functions that are in high demand for next-generation compute-intensive tasks.

The ConnX Baseband Engine joins the proven quad-MAC Vectra LX DSP option, which is now re-branded as the ConnX Vectra Engine. The ConnX Vectra Engine has been used in many customer designs and is an integral part of the re-branded ConnX 545CK standard DSP. The ConnX 545CK was previously known as the Diamond 545CK, which received a BDTIsimmark2000 score of 3820. The BDTIsimmark is a summary measure of overall DSP processing speed based on BDTI's DSP Kernel Benchmarks. The ConnX range of DSP engines includes other functions that are in high demand for next-generation compute-intensive tasks. Tensilica can quickly leverage its customisable processor technology to develop key functions that will significantly expand its business in several market areas.

Wilcox Releases PC-DMIS Reshaper Software

Wilcox Associates, a Hexagon Metrology company, has announced the immediate availability of PC-DMIS Reshaper software as a standalone application. According to the company, PC-DMIS Reshaper is a comprehensive 3D point-cloud processing program that can be used to collect or import large quantities of 3D point data for manipulation and processing for downstream processes such as computer-aided-design (CAD) modelling, computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) or rapid prototyping.

PC-DMIS Reshaper operates as a fully functional application in an online or offline mode. Data collection can be accomplished 'live' via a direct connection to a digitising device, such as a Romer portable measuring arm with a laser scanner, or offline via file import from more than a dozen 3D data file formats, including STEP, IGES, ASCII, DXF, DMIS, ISO and RAW.

Point clouds, which can be imported with no file-size or point-quantity limitations, can be cleaned, merged and edited from the streamlined user interface and then rapidly converted into a polygon mesh model. The conversion from cloud to mesh is extremely rapid, utilising proprietary algorithms for polygon organisation, resulting in highly accurate yet lightweight file-size models. Wilcox claims that further manipulation of mesh models, including hole filling, deformation and smoothing is rapidly accomplished with point-and-click simplicity.

The final export of meshes is possible to a dozen file formats. Ken Woodbine, president of Wilcox Associates, said: 'PC-DMIS Reshaper is an excellent package for the user who wants to do a relatively discrete set of tasks, namely collection and clean-up of point clouds, and quickly getting them into a format that can be taken to the next stage in the development process. 'At the moment, PC-DMIS Reshaper is a standalone module but, in time, we will be incorporating elements of the technology into the core PC-DMIS product suite,' he added.

A basic set of point-cloud-to-CAD comparison dimensional inspection is also possible with PC-DMIS Reshaper. A point cloud can be aligned to an IGES or STEP CAD model and deviations from nominal are shown in a coloured graphical 'weather-map' format. This function is said to be suitable for users who want to compare a physical object, such as a mould cavity, with its virtual CAD counterpart. Deviations indicate areas of variation to the original model.

PC-DMIS Reshaper software benefits functional areas such as product development, rapid prototyping and reverse engineering and industries that create or use moulds and dies or that produce parts with complex surfaces. Even heritage preservation can benefit from using PC-DMIS Reshaper software to collect 3D models of priceless artefacts for archival or copy purposes, according to the company.

Thermo Fisher Releases Mass Frontier 6.0 Package

Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched Mass Frontier 6.0: a software package offering sophisticated features for the management, evaluation and interpretation of mass spectra. The software is applicable to small-molecule structural elucidation in a range of applications, including metabolite identification and impurity analysis in drug-discovery and toxicology studies.

Providing comprehensive spectral data and fragmentation mechanism knowledge management, this new version of Mass Frontier facilitates structural elucidation by simplifying the interpretation of MSn spectral data. The software will be showcased at the Thermo Scientific hospitality suite at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown in Salons G-K during ASMS, which runs from 31 May to 4 June in Philadelphia. Mass Frontier 6.0 includes several software tools for processing and organising mass spectral and chromatographic data.

Providing a platform to determine structure, properties and class membership of small molecules, the software offers users fast access to useful information, providing them with the data they need to make decisions. A capability of Mass Frontier is its copyrighted Fragmentation Library, which contains fragmentation mechanisms for small molecules. These mechanisms have been collated from all available printed media dedicated to mass spectrometry.

Each mechanism, along with the chemical structures, is manually and automatically verified and saved in the library, along with complementary information such as the title, authors and the source. The library collection, together with 24 general ionisation, fragmentation and rearrangement rules, serves as a knowledge base for the prediction of fragmentation pathways from user-provided structures. With Mass Frontier 6.0, the Fragmentation Library now covers almost all published literature, allowing users to quickly search thousands of entries, eliminating the time lost to a manual literature search.

The library, along with Mass Frontier's predictive fragmentation tool and automatic spectral annotation, is intended to simplify the structural elucidation of mass spectral data. In addition to the literature-based Fragmentation Library, Mass Frontier 6.0 also allows users to create their own library of customised fragmentation mechanisms and is able to learn these mechanisms and apply them to predict fragments. The new version also offers SQL client-server capabilities for dynamic library searching and storage, which is intended to increase productivity by allowing multiple users to share access to the libraries and to manage knowledge more effectively.

Additionally, Mass Frontier provides expert-annotated spectral libraries in both positive and negative ionisation modes from common pharmaceutical compounds and human metabolites. These libraries establish an empirical knowledge database applicable to pharmacology and toxicology studies. The software features intelligent knowledge management systems with a flexible database structure, allowing heterogeneous data (spectrum, spectral tree, structure, fragmentation mechanism and experimental conditions) to be stored, transferred and queried in and between libraries.

MSn spectral trees acquired from Thermo Scientific ion trap products can be automatically deconvoluted in Mass Frontier, which assists in data comparison. The Fragment Ion Search (FISh) function provides fast screening for structurally similar compounds through filtering a list of fragments acquired either by theoretical fragment prediction or by experimental MSn spectral trees.

The product complements Thermo Scientific Metworks metabolite identification software for the study of biotransformations and Sieve differential analysis software for the study of metabolomics. The new version of the software is also fully compatible with high-resolution accurate-mass data from the Thermo Scientific LTQ Orbitrap family of products. The software streamlines data processing and boosts confidence in analytical results, according to the company. Fragmentation Library and Mass Frontier are trademarks of Highchem.

SDP/SI Releases D795 Inch/Metric Catalog

Stock Drive Products / Sterling Instrument (SDP/SI) has published the 360-page 'Inch/Metric Supplement Catalog, D795', containing over 7,000 components. It will make it easier to locate components for prototype and/or production applications. This catalogue updates the SDP/SI 1,184-page Master Inch Catalog, D790, and the 1,240-page Master Metric Catalog, D785.

All three catalogues can also be found online, where there is eStore access to order parts, request quotes, download 3D drawings and check inventory at any time. The D795 Inch/Metric Supplement Catalog contains technical information, specifications and photos sorted into the following groups: Belt and Chain Drives, Shaft Accessories, Bearings, Feed and Idler Rollers, Couplings, Vibration Mounts and Pads, Linear Motion Systems, Hardware, Right-Angle Drives, Gearheads, Gearmotors and Clutches.

It also features the Fairloc integral fastener system located right on the hub of a part. This eliminates the need for set screws to prevent shaft damage. The Shaftloc rotating device fastener is also featured. Shaftloc uses an outer and inner sleeve to lock components to a shaft. The catalogue also highlights Conidrive belts and pulleys, which use a conical groove design that keeps the drive aligned with no need for pulley flanges.

AST Releases The AST46HA Explosion-Proof Sensor

American Sensor Technologies' (AST) AST46HA is a media-isolated explosion-proof sensor with digital compensation and single-seal approval. It is made of stainless steel and is approved to CSA30 (UL1203/FM3615) Class 1, Division 1 and Zone 1 Group IIB Explosion Proof, groups C and D. The AST46HA is suitable for extreme temperature applications, including arctic environments and off-shore platforms.

It applies digital compensation and utilises Krystal Bond technology. It utilises a one-piece stainless steel non-oil-filled sensor design, which offers continuous operation at temperatures that cause other sensors to fail. The AST46HA is suitable for applications where linearity and repeatability are critical. The AST46HA is versatile and suitable in a variety of applications.

These applications include: oil and gas pipelines, well optimisation, drilling platforms, CNG/LNG fill stations, paint booths and remote transmitter units (RTU). The AST46HA operates at a wide ambient temperature range -40 to +85C, offers a compensated temperature range of -30 to +55C and a media temperature range of -40 to +125C. All AST46HA units come standard with +/-0.1 per cent BFSL accuracy, EMI/RFI protection of 100V/meter and a variety of output options including 4-20mA, 1-5V and 0.5-4.5V ratiometric.

Verlinde Releases Hollow Profile Handling Rails

Verlinde has introduced a hollow profile for its range of handling rails in Eurosystem Alu aluminium. Intended for car manufacturing markets, this fourth profile, AL08, is intended for loads up to 500kg Eurosystem Alu is intended for setting up tailor-made handling systems for loads up to 2000kg. The AL08 profile will be the meeting point between the AL06 and the AL10 (which goes up to 2000kg).

The lightness of the hollow aluminium profiles makes them easy to assemble. They can all be moved and positioned manually without hoisting equipment. The elements are bolted to each other, as are the system and the load-bearing structures, and do not require special tools. This makes the external groves on the profiles compatible with the Item standardised attachment system. The profiles are then manufactured by extrusion which gives them substantial geometric homogeneity.

The profiles can be assembled without mechanical adjustment. The full handling system in hollow aluminium profiles is 50 per cent lighter than a traditional steel structure. In the case of new buildings, renovations or extensions, substantial savings can be achieved on the load-bearing structure, the dimensions of which could be calculated to the minimum according to this equipment.

Photonfocus Releases Pixel Professor Smart Camera

Photonfocus, a manufacturer of CMOS industrial cameras, has brought out the Pixel Professor CMOS Smart camera, featuring on-camera image pre-processing. The pre-processing in the camera enables the design of machine vision systems with distributed intelligence. Performing pre-processing on the camera reduces the vision system computer CPU load, meaning the vision system can run faster or use more sophisticated algorithms in the same time period, producing better results. The technology is scalable and can be fitted to a customer's application.

The Pixel Professor supports common image pre-processing operations in pipelined processors, such as convolution and non-linear filters, histograms, erosion and dilation, adaptive thresholding, image buffers, image arithmetic, colour space conversion, look-up tables (LUT), triangulation and others. Setting up the pre-processing unit on the Pixel Professor is made easy with a simple graphical user interface (GUI).

It allows for control loops and multiple passes. Customised operators can be implemented alongside standard operators. Alternating frame capture setups can be realised with an embedded sequencer to achieve maximum frame rates.

In-built pre-processing hardware in the camera removes the reliance on specialised frame grabbers or other hardware accelerators. The Pixel Professor cameras output pre-processed images via USB 2.0 or Gige. No frame grabbers are required. The benefits of the Pixel Professor cameras include: reduction of pre-processing time, which increases frame rate; enhanced algorithms with same CPU-load compared to software image processing; and real-time processing of up to 640 Mega pixel per second (Mps).