WaveAce, WaveJet and WaveSurfer oscilloscopes from LeCroy

RS Components, the leading distributor of electronic, electromechanical and industrial products, today announced the expansion of its test and measurement portfolio with the introduction of products from LeCroy, an innovative manufacturer of oscilloscopes and serial data test solutions. LeCroy's oscilloscopes provide large colour screens with many integrated simple-to-use tools to meet design and development engineers analysis requirements.

Included in the RS range is the low cost, feature rich, WaveAce series of six dual-channel, colour screen oscilloscopes, providing bandwidths from 60MHz to 300MHz, sample rates up to 2GS/s and waveform memory up to 9kpts/Ch (18kpts interleaved). The WaveJet 300A series 2 and 4 channel products with 100, 200, 350 and 500MHz bandwidth models enable users to simplify how they work and shorten debug time. With a bright 7.5" display, long 500kpts/Ch memory and up to 2GS/s engineers can easily capture and see every detail in test, while USB ports provide a quick way to save and store waveform data via PC connection. A replay mode allows users to review the history of what has been captured.

Higher specification WaveSurfer Xs-A and MXs-A provide 200MHz, 400MHz, 600MHz and 1GHz bandwidths with 2.5GS/s sample rates per channel and up to 5GS/s with WS 104Xs-A. The large touch-screen interface is the ultimate in ease-of use. With features like WaveStream fast viewing mode and WaveScan search and find, users can be confident that every problem can quickly be detected and analysed. The WaveSurfer also offers a wide range of serial data trigger and decode tools for SPI, I²C UART, RS-232, LIN, or CAN as well as industry leading mixed signal (MSO) capabilities to quickly troubleshoot embedded system designs.

Commenting on the launch, Paul Webster, Head of Electronics Product Management for RS Components said: "We are delighted to be commencing a new partnership with LeCroy.  Electronics customers want a reliable single source for their oscilloscope products that offer outstanding reliability at a competitive price and LeCroy working with RS perfectly fits these criteria."

Roberto Petrillo, Vice President, Sales - Americas, Europe, Middle East & Africa for LeCroy added: "We're excited to be working with RS Components. LeCroy has a newly launched and extremely competitive product line-up. RS Components, a leading distributor of electronic goods, will ensure that LeCroy oscilloscopes reach the most customers in the mid- and low-range bandwidth market segments."

The RS test and measurement range is supported by market-leading delivery and a UKAS accredited calibration lab in the UK. Customers will be able to browse, select and order from a fully-stocked LeCroy range online at rswww.com/lecroy complete with technical information and product features to enable easy and accurate device selection. 

RS Components in profile
RS Components is a catalogue-based distributor of electronic, electrical, electromechanical and industrial components. Founded in 1937, RS is part of the holding company Electrocomponents plc, which is a global business supporting over a million engineers. It has operating companies based in over 25 countries, including France, Italy, Germany and Denmark, with operations as far a field as Chile, Singapore, Australia and China, and distributes to over 160 countries worldwide.

Since it began, RS has had the simple objective of providing a part for every job, from research and development through pre-production to maintenance and repair.  As those jobs have diversified and become even more complex, RS has developed its offering and services accordingly.

New technology also plays an important part. When RS launched http://rswww.com it was the first UK plc in its marketplace with a fully integrated transactional web site. Operating in every market, its e-Commerce capabilities have seen over 50% of sales achieved over the Internet.

The LeCroy Corporation in profile
The LeCroy Corporation is an innovative manufacturer of oscilloscopes and serial data test solutions, creating advanced instruments that drive product innovation by quickly measuring, analysing, and verifying complex electronic signals. The company offers high performance oscilloscopes, serial data analysers and global communications protocol test solutions used by design engineers in the computer and semiconductor, data storage device, automotive and industrial, and military and aerospace markets. LeCroy's 45-year heritage of technical innovation is the foundation for its recognised leadership in 'WaveShape Analysis' - capturing, viewing, and measuring the high-speed signals that drive today's information and communications technologies. LeCroy is headquartered in Chestnut Ridge, New York.

For further information, view website: http://rswww.com   Refer to page 133

Driving piece part costs down and their competitiveness up

The ability to process multiple components in a single cycle is a key factor in enabling users to drive piece part costs down and their competitiveness up. It has certainly proved to be the case for Crabb Engineering in North Wales, which employs Chick workholding equipment from 1^st Machine Tool Accessories (1^st MTA) at the heart of its manufacturing operations and machine tool investment strategy.

Based in Flint, Crabb Engineering is a 20-strong subcontract machining operation with a customer base that includes well known names such as Honeywell, Raytheon, Hawker Beechcraft, Motherwell Controls and Henrob. The ISO 9001/2008 accredited company was established in 1994 and acquired AVVA  Precision Ltd five years ago, enabling it to reinforce its presence in the high value, optical, cryogenic and control equipment sectors.

"Most of our work involves close tolerance milling and / or turning operations in aluminium, mild steel and brass, as well as titanium, aerospace alloys and engineering plastics," says Crabb's sales director, Steve Fox.

"We initially investigated multi component workholding methods on a contract making pharmaceutical components. However, it was the opportunity to quote on batches of higher volume parts for a UK based building equipment specialist that proved to be the catalyst to take matters further."

According to Fox, Crabb's initial quote for the job proved too expensive. However, that changed when the job was re-costed using Chick's Qwik-Lok workholding system, which enabled the company to machine six parts in a single set up. Today, Crabb is the preferred supplier for the parts, not just on the basis of cost, but on its quality and delivery performance as well.

"Although keeping a tight rein on costs is extremely important, we don't necessarily expect to be the cheapest when quoting for jobs," says Fox. "Service and support are central to our offering to customers, which is something we also value from our own suppliers.

"When we invited 1^st MTA - Chick's UK distributor - in to discuss our requirements, it soon became clear that they were looking to find the best solution to our problems, not simply to supply a collection of parts from the standard catalogue."

Crabb was also impressed by the quality of the Chick equipment and after the proposed workholding concept had been established in pilot tests, the company placed an order for three Chick Qwik-Lok vice units, complete with extra-wide dual station jaw sets. (Refer to the pictures above).

The use of Chick workholding vices proved to be an instant success, with Crabb ordering an additional three Qwik-Lok units and jaws within a month of its initial purchase.

"Not only are Chick base units robust and strong, but the system's jaws are easily profiled using standard tools," says production director, Ken Petryszyn. "They grip components securely using only minimal face areas and locate exceptionally accurately - providing excellent tool access, as well as fast, reliable and repeatable workholding over extended production runs.  What's more, the jaws can be easily changed to suit new jobs, ensuring rapid set-up times."

As production volumes grew, Crabb streamlined its operations further by investing in four new Haas vertical machining centres, which are supported by the company's SolidWorks CAD installation and an EdgeCAM offline programming system.

The benefits of faster change-overs and enhanced machining accuracy provided by the Chick equipment also prompted Crabb to utilise the workholding system for other new and existing jobs - resulting in the purchase of a further 47 sets of interchangeable jaw sets, as well as three extra Qwik-Lok units within a year of their original specification.

"We have found 1^st MTA's support excellent throughout, both in terms of recommending the most effective clamping methods for a particular application and in tailoring solutions to our requirements," adds Petryszyn. "Today, the Qwik-Lok system is an integral part of our manufacturing operations, being incorporated within dedicated kits that also include tooling, inspection equipment, set-up instructions and CNC programs for every job."

The company's extensive plant list is grouped into a number of manufacturing cells, with operators typically responsible for two or three machines each.

"Our investment in high capability manufacturing equipment throws the spotlight onto downtime in all its forms," continues Petryszyn. "If a machine is not cutting, it's not earning its keep. So, the ability to reduce set up and changeover times, plus maximise the number of parts cut in a single cycle have enabled us to achieve a payback on our Chick investment in well under two years. Furthermore, these are important factors in enabling us to maintain a flexible and responsive service to our customers." 

For further information, contact Catherine Kelly at 1^st MTA, e-mail: enquiries@1mta.com  Refer to page 150

New Southco® CR Multi-Point Compression Latching System

The new Southco® CR Multi-Point Compression Latching System provides a robust solution to enhance secure performance with multiple key-locking options and adjustable multi-point latching for gasketed enclosures. High vandal resistance, sealed performance, and 5mm of centre-point compression, make it an optimal choice for use with environmental, EMI or RFI gaskets in a wide range of outdoor enclosures for telecom, electronics, or industrial equipment applications.

Four different locking options offer choices for enhanced security, convenient access control, and multi key code management flexibility. These include standard Southco® shuttered lock cores - with or without a supplemental padlock - DIN 18254 lock cores, and two industry-standard tool-access options with padlock protection. This key-locking versatility allows users to match key codes with other Southco® lock cores used throughout their installation, for single-key convenience. It offers the option of using higher security DIN lock cores, installed by Southco or by the end user. And it provides an add-on layer of padlocking security that allows end users to make instant changes to access control with supplemental 8mm padlocks.

Designed to provide an aesthetically pleasing look and ergonomic performance, the CR latch handle is partially recessed into the door panel for minimal protrusion - just 12mm. When the recessed handle is released, it creates a convenient user grip and provides the means for controlled release of the centre compression. Since the latch opens by turning the swing handle in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction, it is well suited for close-quarter installations on either left-hand or right-hand opening doors.

The main latch housing fits outer door panels ranging from 1.5mm to 3mm thick, and can accommodate double-walled doors. Individually ordered multi-point latching rods allow the main latch mechanism to be mounted off-centre, or to be centred on doors up to 2 meters tall. A wide selection of cams and the multi-point latching rods satisfy a broad range of enclosure designs and dimensions, while adjustment options allow the latching system to be fine-tuned to the dimensional and gasket requirements of each unique enclosure. Cam grip dimensions - the distance from the face of the door panel to the point of latch cam engagement - range from 6.5 mm to 112 mm. For further information, view website: www.southco.com/H3 or e-mail: info@southco.com or preichle@southco.com   Refer to page 107