Positronic’s PosiBand Contact Receives AS39029 Approval
March 2010—Positronic’s new PosiBand® contact system, introduced in summer 2009, is now qualified to SAE AS39029. This specification covers a wide range of high-reliability crimp connector contacts for use in military and aerospace applications. The PosiBand system is suitable for any application requiring rugged, high-reliability connectors, and is available with crimp and PCB-mount terminations, including press-fit.

The PosiBand contact system is a unique closed-entry female contact system that overcomes many of the weaknesses associated with the legacy “split tine” and sleeve approach. The PosiBand separates the mechanical and electrical function of the contact system. The base contact provides a true closed-entry feature and enhanced electrical stability, while the PosiBand spring clip provides more stable mechanical function.

The PosiBand design creates a greater area of contact interface between male and female contacts in comparison to that of the ‘split tine’ design, and thus provides greater resistance to vibration and corrosion factors found in harsh environments. This greater area of contact interface is achieved without increased insertion force; in fact, the PosiBand system has a lower average insertion force compared to that of the legacy design.

PosiBand contact resistance is three milliohms for size 20 contacts and four milliohms for size 22 contacts. The current rating for size 20 contacts is 14 amps with six contacts energized. Size 22 contact current rating is 10 amps with six contacts energized. Both were tested per U.L. 1977.

In addition, PosiBand contacts do not require annealing of the crimp barrel. This eliminates the possibility of unintentionally annealing the mating end of the female contact, which can cause intermittent or open electrical circuits.

The PosiBand system is available in standard density, high density, and combination D-Subminiature connectors, as well as subminiature rectangular connectors. PosiBand contacts are priced the same as the legacy design. The price for the M39029/63-368 contact is $0.272 in volume; delivery time is stock to four weeks.

For more information, visit www.connectpositronic.com/pdf_view/181/.

TTI Acquires Interconnect and LED Distributor Net-Aye Technologies Ltd.
March 2010—TTI Inc. has acquired Net-Aye Technologies Ltd., a specialized interconnect and LED distributor located in Kfar-Saba, Israel.

Net-Aye is a subsidiary of Bar-Tec Ltd., founded in 1998. Paul Andrews, TTI president and CEO, said, “Israel has been an important market for TTI for many years, due to its significant growth in high-tech and the electronics industry. Net-Aye is a perfect fit, given their strong relationships with many of these customers.”

Avi Inbar, owner and general manager of Bar-Tec, and Schlomi Schultz, CEO of Tel-Ad Electronics and stockholder of Net-Aye, said, “We have been impressed with the accomplishments of TTI in both North America and Europe, and their specialized business model. They have an impeccable reputation and are admired by customers and suppliers alike. TTI will be a great partner for Bar-Tec and our Net-Aye subsidiary. I am confident that with TTI’s resources and Net-Aye’s design-in capabilities and experience, the future will prove to be very successful.”

The management team will remain in place, with Amir Schor as general manager. Schor will report to Andrews during the 2010 transition.

This marks the fourth acquisition that TTI has made since its own acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway in March 2007. Andrews said, “With the notable exception of our 2000 acquisition of Mouser, TTI has expanded globally through organic growth.” Today, TTI has over 30 branches throughout Europe and Asia, in addition to its 25 branches in North America.

For more information, visit www.ttiinc.com.

Heilind Adds Tyco Electronics’ Corcom CU Series Ultra-Compact Power Inlet Filters for Telecom
February 2010—Heilind Electronics has added Tyco Electronics’ Corcom CU Series of power entry modules to its tool-kit of circuit protection offerings, filling the need for small-form switched, inlet filters.

Corcom’s CU series provides complete shielding and basic filtering for 1 amp to 15 amp applications in an extremely compact size, ideal for equipment designed for popular 1U (1.75-inch) height telecom equipment racks. The filtered design is available in snap-in and flanged mounting options, as well as a rear-mounting style. The unfiltered inlet snap-in versions are available in three different configurations to fit a wide variety of panel cut-outs and thicknesses.

In addition to rack-mounted telecom equipment, the CU Series is ideal for consumer electronics, power supplies, routers, PCs, TVs, set-top boxes, or any application with limited panel space. All products are UL recognized, CSA certified, and VDE approved.

For product specifications on the Corcom CU Series, visit www.heilind.com/products/tyco-electronics/TE_Corcom_CU.asp.

element14 Launches Electronics Technology Store for U.S. Market
March 2010—element14, a new online collaborative workspace created for electronic design engineers, has added an electronics technology store to its environment for U.S. customers. With this enhancement, element14 now seamlessly supports the U.S. engineering community in a way that no other website can—from early design development and concept through the creation of a product prototype, every stage is supported.

At the element14 store engineers can purchase many of the new technologies they learn about and discuss in the community, without having to leave the environment. The store offers a wide selection of board-level products and development kits required for next-generation design development.

Launched in June, 2009 as a global technology resource and community for design engineers, element14 uses web 2.0 functionality and a built-in translation tool to break down language barriers required to facilitate interaction, collaboration, and information sharing worldwide. A fully searchable library of technical data streamlines research for the newest technologies, and CadSoft’s EAGLE software is available for download.

“element14 has already attracted tens of thousands of engineers, drawn by such features as “Ask an Expert,” deep-dive technology microsites like the Microchip Technology nanoWatt XLP Resource Center, and the opportunity to ‘road test’ new technologies,” said Alisha Mowbray, senior V.P., Innovation Marketing, element14. “With the addition of a store, element14 truly becomes the workspace of tomorrow, the way more and more design engineers will choose to connect, design, and purchase.”

element14 is backed by global electronics distributor Premier Farnell. The element14 store is supported by live technical product chat and a customer service team.

For more information, visit www.element-14.com.

Avnet Electronics Marketing and Tyco Electronics Release Pluggable I/O Solutions Kit
March 2010—The Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas business region of Avnet Inc. and Tyco Electronics have released a new Pluggable I/O Solutions Sample Kit. The kit includes 15 product samples and four quick-reference guides for SFP, SFP+, XFP, X2, and Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable (QSFP) connectors, cages, heatsinks, light pipes, and cable products. The kit is being offered exclusively from Avnet and is free of charge for qualified customers through March 31, 2010.

Pluggable I/O interface technology gives designers flexibility and offers significant advantages for use in high-speed networking, storage, and telecom applications. Standard I/O equipment supports fiber and copper links and provides more data throughput in smaller packaging. The new Pluggable I/O Solutions Sample Kit supports various data rates and protocols, including Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and InfiniBand. As a result, the integrator can design the cabling structure based on the application needs.

“As the demand for bandwidth and flexibility in our customers’ datacom applications increases, our products must also evolve to better meet those needs,” said Alex Iuorio, senior vice president of supplier management for Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas. “Tyco Electronics continues to be a leader in the development and innovation of pluggable I/O products, and we believe the samples and technical product guides offered in our new sample kit provide a real benefit for customers using pluggable I/O solutions for their new and existing designs.”

“The Pluggable I/O Solutions kits demonstrate the breadth of Tyco Electronics products for next-generation high-speed datacom applications. The kit is a valuable tool for a designer,” said Michael Walmsley, Tyco Electronics, global product manager for high-speed I/O products. “We are excited about offering this solutions kit as part of a joint pluggable I/O campaign with Avnet.”

For more information, visit www.em.avnet.com/pluggableIO.

Molex Sockets for Servers, Desktops, and Notebooks Earn Intel Validation
February 2010—Three of Molex Incorporated socket products have met the stringent criteria for Intel validation. Molex is one of only three vendors whose socket product families are validated across all three computer market segments (server, desktop, and notebooks). As an Intel-enabled vendor, Molex sockets are compatible with Intel’s reference design and pass the criteria set for electrical performance and long-term reliability with Intel’s CPUs.

Molex LGA 1366 server CPU socket
The LGA 1366 (Land Grid Array) is a server CPU socket designed for Intel’s Nehalem micro-architecture that uses an LGA 1366-pin packaging and smaller pitch size of 1.016 by 1.016mm (.040 by .040”). This socket is also known as Socket B, Socket 1366, or LGA 1366, and mates with the server processor through the gold pads of the LGA 1366 package.

More information about the LGA 1366 is available at www.intel.com/design/corei7/components/LGA1366/.

Molex LGA 1156 desktop CPU socket
The LGA 1156 (Land Grid Array) is a desktop CPU socket (see picture) designed for Intel’s Nehalem micro-architecture that uses an LGA 1156-pin packaging and smaller pitch size of 0.9144 by 0.9144mm (0.037 by .037”). This socket is also known as Socket H1, Socket 1156, or LGA 1156, and mates with the desktop PC processor through the gold pads of the LGA 1156 package.

More information is available at www.intel.com/design/corei7/components/. 

Molex rPGA 989/988 Notebook PC CPU Socket
The rPGA 989/988 (Reduced Pin Grid Array) is a notebook PC CPU socket designed for Intel’s Nehalem micro-architecture that uses a Pin Grid Array (PGA) 989- or 988-pin packaging with a reduced pitch size of 1.00 by 1.00mm (.039 by .039”). This socket is also known as Socket G1, Socket 989, or rPGA 989/988, and mates with the notebook PC processor through the gold pins of the rPGA 989/988 package.

More information is available at
www.intel.com/products/processor/core/mobile/components.htm.

For more information, visit www.molex.com.

Arrow Electronics Named Again to FORTUNE’s World’s Most Admired Companies
March 2010—FORTUNE has again named Arrow Electronics Inc. to its annual ranking of World’s Most Admired Companies, the 10th consecutive year the company has been recognized in the magazine’s listing.

FORTUNE and its survey partner, the Hay Group, surveyed executives, directors, and analysts to rate companies based on specific criteria, including innovation, quality of management, and global competitiveness.

“Arrow’s continued recognition among FORTUNE’s Most Admired Companies is the result of our employees’ commitment to create strong opportunities for our business partners,” said Michael J. Long, chairman, president, and CEO of Arrow. “Every day, Arrow is focused on delivering value and high levels of service to our 125,000 global customers and 900 suppliers.”

For more information, visit www.arrow.com.

Allied Electronics Launches Redesigned Website with Enhanced Search
March 2010—Allied Electronics has launched a redesigned website featuring 18 product categories and enhanced search capabilities that make it easier for engineers to find electronic components.

The enhanced search, at www.alliedelec.com, features configurable extended attributes within search results, making it easy to filter results in multiple ways.

The expansion to 18 product categories on the home page means engineers can drill down to find the components that they need more quickly.

“Allied’s redesigned website was built with engineers in mind,” said Dan Stewart, director of eCommerce at Allied. “Engineers can expect to find product solutions easier than ever on the Allied website, allowing them to get back to their design projects quicker.”

Other new features include side-by-side product comparisons, more prominent accessories on product pages, account log-in from the home page, and Canadian pricing. Allied’s website now features over 1.7 million products and over 140,000 datasheets.

Visit the redesigned website at www.alliedelec.com.

TTI Inc. Announces 2009 Winners of the Supplier Excellence Awards
March 2010—The winners of TTI’s prestigious 2009 Supplier Excellence Awards were recently announced by Melanie Pizzey, TTI vice president global product operations. This year’s Supplier Excellence Award winners are Bourns, KEMET Electronics, KOA Speer Electronics, FCI, Littelfuse, Phoenix Contact, and Vishay.

This year, all of the suppliers with the exception of one, have been honored in previous years for their performance. TTI honors Bourns, KEMET, and KOA with the Platinum award, which is the highest award level given. Platinum achievement level requires five consecutive years of award recognition, and continuous recognition each year to maintain Platinum status. KEMET has earned the award 15 consecutive years, every year TTI has presented the awards. KOA has achieved recognition for 14 of the 15 years, and Bourns has earned recognition for a total of 10 years.

FCI and Vishay will be honored with Silver status, achieving outstanding performance for four consecutive years of recognition. The Bronze award will be presented to first-time winners Phoenix Contact and Littelfuse. The award recognition ceremony will be held this year at the TTI Supplier Executive Breakfast Meeting at EDS in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 11.

The program is centered on quality measurements that include on-time delivery, receiving quality, customer-reported quality, administrative quality, and operations and business systems. In addition, there are performance measurements such as sales and management support.

Pizzey said, “TTI began the Supplier Excellence Program in 1995 to foster continuous improvement in supplier and distributor performance by providing monthly performance results to all suppliers. Overall supplier performance has substantially improved since the inception of the recognition program. Each year we raise the bar in our program and the suppliers who earned recognition for 2009 performance have demonstrated their dedication and commitment to excellence.”

For more information, visit www.ttiinc.com.

AIC Names Lighthouse Technical Sales as Manufacturers Rep
March 2010—Advanced Interconnections Corp. (AIC) has named Lighthouse Technical Sales LLC (Lighthouse) as its authorized manufacturer’s representative in the New England territory. A successor to the former Harman Associates, originally founded in 1961, Lighthouse was formed in 2004 as a technical manufacturers’ representative with a synergistic sales approach focusing on interconnects, fiber optics, power, electro-mechanical products, and electronic assembly services. “Their strategic fit with our customer base, combined with their experience supporting high-reliability electronic applications, makes Lighthouse the perfect choice to promote AIC’s standard and customized interconnect solutions in New England,” said Ron Bond, AIC national sales manager.

Larry Knight, Lighthouse founder and president, said, “Advanced Interconnections is a perfect fit with our existing customer base and mix of principals. They offer innovative interconnect technology, including standard and custom device-to-board and board-to-board solutions that our customers require for their leading-edge applications.”

For more information on Lighthouse Technical Sales, visit www.lighthousetechnicalsales.com. Product information is available at www.advanced.com.

PEI Genesis Opens 14th North American Branch and Launches New Website
March 2010—PEI-Genesis has opened its 14^th North American branch in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The new branch will be managed by Marlowe Enns, who has been with PEI-Genesis for five years and has worked in the electronics industry in Western Canada for 20 years.

The Calgary inside sales team will consist of Barry Thorington and Mike Firmaniuk. Thorington has 28 years distributor sales experience in Western Canada and Firmaniuk brings 26 years of distributor sales experience, also in Western Canada. John Okazaki is currently the PEI-Genesis outside salesperson in British Columbia and will now report to the new Calgary office.

“Being closer to our customers allows us to provide more personalized service, more technical support at their location, and the opportunity to enhance their value-added experience with PEI-Genesis,” said Enns.

(left to right) Barry Thorington, Mike Firmaniuk,
Debbie Campion, and Marlowe Enns 

New Website Launched
PEI-Genesis’s new website has over 300,000 pages of rich text, photographs, and product data. Customers can now buy products online, request a quote, get technical help, view their orders, and track their orders in real time from order entry through production. Additional features and functions will be added in the next few months.

For more information, visit www.peigenesis.com.

Wago Offers Industrial Control Customer Training
March 2010—WAGO Corporation is hosting five free Industrial Control Training Seminars for WAGO customers at its Milwaukee area headquarters. WAGO Training and WAGO I/O experts lead attendees through three days of discussion and extensive hands-on programming. Focusing on IEC 61131-3 programming with live WAGO-I/O-SYSTEM nodes, attendees will advance their skills with PLC- and PC-based industrial control systems.

WAGO provides all course materials, meals, and coordinates local ground transport. Customers are responsible for transport to Milwaukee, lodging, and bringing their own laptops (preferably equipped with 9-pin serial port and Ethernet connectivity). Seminars are limited to 12, allowing WAGO Training to effectively engage newer automation professionals while challenging experienced ones. Enroll online or contact WAGO Training.

WAGO Industrial Control Customer Training Course Schedule:

April 12–14, May 24–26, August 16–18, September 13–15, and November 8–10.

For additional information, visit www.wago.us.