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PRODUCT SHOWCASE Microgram’s Windows-Based Terminals The new range of Windows-based terminals (WBT) have a 533MHz CPU at their core and a wide range of connectivity options. And, with the Aussie dollar having recently had something of a resurgence, they also have a new lower price. They are suitable for use with Windows NT Terminal Server and Windows 2000 Server as well as supporting ICA and RDP protocols. The terminals provide most popular text-based terminal emulations. They feature a boot ROM socket, smart card capability, PCI slot and are Windows CE.NET based. They have remote management facilities available in include PC card sockets. Full 32-bit colour is supported. The three terminals in the range include one with a PCcard slot for Wireless Card and another with integral Smart Card Security. There is all the connectivity you are likely to need: parallel port, two serial ports, two USB ports and PS/II ports for keyboard and mouse. Up to 17 emulations (including Wyse, DEC, IBM, TVI and ADDS) allow the terminal to access all kinds of mixed environments. Recommended retail prices range from around $729.00 Contact: Microgram Computers 1/14 Bon Mace Cl, Berkely Vale NSW 2261 Tel: (02) 4389 8444 Fax: 1800 625 777 Website: www.mgram.com.au Software and hardware discounts from NI National Instruments has announced a 75% discount on all development software and toolkits for qualifying academic institutions, as well as a 10% discount on all hardware purchases. National Instruments is dedicated to making educators and researchers more productive and improving the way students learn. In the work force, virtual instrumentation is becoming a valuable part of application development. Students develop the skill set for such computer-based measurement and automation by using products such as National Instruments’ LabVIEW, a graphical development environment. National Instruments has also recently introduced NI Educational Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Suite (NI ELVIS), a LabVIEW-based design and prototyping environment for university engineering and science laboratories. NI ELVIS enables students to simultaneously learn and practice engineering theory in areas such as electronics design, signal processing, communications, control systems, www.siliconchip.com.au mechatronics, and instrumentation. NI ELVIS consists of LabVIEW-based virtual instruments, a multifunction data acquisition device and a custom-designed benchtop workstation and prototyping board. The key features of NI ELVIS include: 1. Integrated, multi-instrument functionality 2. Short circuit and high-voltage protection 3. Combined instrumentation, data acquisition, and prototyping station 4. Virtual instrument suite consisting of an oscilloscope, DMM, function generator, variable power supply, bode analyzer, arbitrary waveform generator, DSA, voltage/current analyzer 5. LabVIEW source code for all virtual instruments 6. Data storage in Excel or HTML 7. Detachable, customisable proto-typing board. Contact: National Instruments Tel: 1800 300 800 Website: www.ni.com/info (au96bq) Award no fluke . . . The Fluke SureGrip accessory line has won a Silver Award in the annual Business Week magazine / Industrial Design Excellence Awards (IDEA). Celebrating the best product designs of the year from around the world, the American-hosted IDEA praised the Fluke SureGrip™ in the Medical and Scientific Products category. Introduced earlier this year, SureGrip accessories include an eight-item line of ergonomically designed test lead clips, hooks, and pincers for electronic test and measurement. Business Week magazine publishes an annual review of the best industrial design products from around the world. Fluke has also been recognized by leading design forums and is in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt museum. ANTRIM Contact: Fluke Australia Locked Bag 5004, Baulkham Hills 2153 Tel: (02) 8850 3333 Fax: (02) 8850 3300 manufactured in Australia by Website: www.fluke.com TRANSFORMERS Harbuch Electronics Pty Ltd harbuch<at>optusnet.com.au STEPDOWN TRANSFORMERS Toroidal – Conventional Transformers Power – Audio – Valve – ‘Specials’ Medical – Isolated – Stepup/down 60VA to 3KVA encased toroids Encased Power Supplies Encased Power Supply Pty Ltd Harbuch Electronics 9/40 Leighton Pl. HORNSBY 2077 www.harbuch.com.au Ph (02) 9476-5854 Fx (02) 9476-3231 Harbuch Electronics Pty Ltd September 2003  75 9/40 Leighton Pl, HORNSBY 2077 Ph (02) 9476 5854 Fax (02) 9476 3231 Even robots need protection from the cold … Assembling pallet loads of cartons in distribution applications is a highly labour-intensive and physically demanding task in even the best of conditions. So imagine how much more difficult this process would be in a freezer environment. Eight people at dairy products man-ufacturer Crossroad Farms Dairy production facility outside Indianapolis (USA) previously handled palletising in the freezer, which operates at between -12° and -18° Celsuis. Staff turnover in the freezer was high and workplace safety was difficult to maintain. To eliminate the need for people to work in such an arduous environment, Siemens Dematic recently developed an automated palletising solution, an integrated material handling system incorporating three articulating arm robotic palletisers. While the robots’ electronics would be unaffected by the extreme cold, it was necessary to fit each robotic palletiser with heated Kevlar jackets to keep the necessary lubricants pliable. The entire system is controlled from an external “warm” room by one technician, via video cameras and real-time system monitoring and maintenance software. The robotic palletisers handle up to 45 cases/minute and typically operate for 16 hours a day. In Australia, Siemens Dematic has designed integrated robotic palletising systems for a number of manufacturing and distribution applications for companies including Carter Holt Harvey and Australia Meat Holdings. Contact: Siemens Dematic 24 Narabang Way, Belrose NSW 2085 Tel: (02) 9486 5555 Fax: (02) 9486 5511 Website: www.siemensdematic.com.au Hong Kong Electronics Fair on next month The 2003 Hong Kong Electronics Fair, to be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from October 13 to 16, will boast a wide selection of advanced electronic products. It continues to reach new levels of success every year. The 2002 Hong Kong Electronics Fair attracted 1,740 exhibitors from 22 countries and regions and over 47,000 buyers from all over the world, again breaking records of its own. With the lifting of the World Health Organisation’s travel advisory against visiting Hong Kong, the 2003 show is expected to be very popular with visitors and exhibitors, perfectly timed to allow international buyers to check out the latest samples and to replenish stocks. 76  Silicon Chip Energy chain The igus energy E2/000 energy chain has various functions to provide optimum protection for cables and hoses without compromising flexibility in the day-to-day movement of cables. The system can be opened up in the inner or outer radius, or ‘half’ the energy tube can be opened up in the inner radius and completely closed in the outer radius. This is particularly useful in machine and plant engineering where high speeds are encountered, sophisticated energy is used alongside data, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment. A break-proof opening mechanism can be used to open up the system from either the right or left hand sides. Opening clips can also be swung out more than 180º to provide undisturbed access to the energy supply system. Openable by hand or by screwdriver, the igus E2/000 has a new type of mechanism allowing a split second closing operation and a secure fit without using any additional locking devices – it is simply locked down by thumb pressure. Integrated fixed or pivoting connecting mounting brackets simplify on-site installation. Contact: Treotham Trading Unit 38, 9 Powells Rd, Brookvale 2100 Tel: (02) 9907 1788 Fax: (02) 9907 1778 Website: www.treotham.com.au Hong Kong continues to be the major supplier of electronic products to the world and Hong Kong Electronics Fair, the premier show in the region, is the power switch that turns on unlimited trading opportunities for suppliers. Hong Kong exported a total of US$27.4 billion worth of electronic products in the first four months of 2003 – an encouraging growth of 21% over the same period last year. 1800 exhibitors will cover audio & visual products, electronic accessories, personal electronics, home appliances, multimedia, electronic gaming, office automation and equipment, related services, security equipment and telecommunications products. Contact: Hong Kong Electronics Fair Tel: (HK)22404030 Fax: (HK)25986737 Website: http://hkelectronicsfair.com www.siliconchip.com.au