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QuadTech Exhibits at MDM - Minnesota
MDM-MN - Oct. 17-18, 2007, Minneapolis, MN
The MD&M Minneapolis 2007 Conference is a resource event for medical device and equipment manufacturers. It is being held at the Minneapolis Convention Center October 17-18, 2007. QuadTech will be exhibiting Electrical Safety Testing equipment, including its automation software, CaptivATE at Booth #1434.
A key driver for the future of testing is automation. Automating the testing process enables Manufacturers to collaborate on a global level, keep production costs down, collect data electronically, improve compliance with global regulatory requirements, and improve the overall efficiency of manufacturing processes. President and CEO, Phil Harris says, “QuadTech continues to focus on the development and enhancement of electrical safety testing solutions for the manufacturing community.”
QuadTech Engineer Presents at IEEE-PSES Symposium
IEEE-PSES Symposium, Oct. 22-23, 2007, Denver, CO
Shari Richardson, EST Product Manager for QuadTech, will be presenting a paper at the 2007 IEEE Symposium on Product Compliance Engineering being held October 22-23, 2007 in Denver, CO. Please find the paper abstract below.
Calculating the Current Limits to Use in Production Line Dielectric Withstand Tests
For Dielectric Withstand tests, the test standards specify the voltage and the time requirement. In regard to current limits, however, the standards must be vague. Each product has a unique impedance. Therefore, in determining whether a DUT passes or fails, a standard can say only, “each product shall withstand without electrical breakdown.” Two questions must be addressed by the production line QA manager: 1) What does the term “breakdown” mean? 2) How to calculate the settings for the current limits on a programmable tester?
This article includes the result of a survey as to what the term “breakdown” means, and provides a working definition of the term. Next, the article proposes two methods for determining the impedance of a product: sampling and/or using the number provided by the design engineers. To make the process smoother, we suggest, the design engineers should run test samples of impedance in the design phase. The results can be entered in the design specs, which the production line QA people can then refer to.
For more information on this article, please email info@quadtech.com.
QuadTech Exhibits at OEM New England
OEM New England – Oct. 30-31, 2007, Boston, MA
OEM New England showcases new advances in design and manufacturing in areas like automation, and engineering. The event being held in Boston, MA at the Boston Convention and Exposition Center, is co-located with NEPCON, the northeast’s event for electronics manufacturing, and Assembly New England, an event dedicated to the entire assembly process.
QuadTech will be exhibiting its CaptivATE automation software at OEM. Automation is proving to be a key driver for the future of testing. Visit us at Booth #135 for more information!
QuadTech Attending Northeast Product Safety Society's Vendor's Night
The Northeast Product Safety Society (NPSS) is holding its annual Vendor's Night on November 14, 2007. QuadTech representatives will be on hand at the event. For more information please visit www.nepss.org for more information.
Exciting things are happening at QuadTech. Here's a look at what to keep an eye out for!
QuadTech To Launch Redesigned Website!
With a greater focus on the customer, QuadTech is getting ready to launch newly redesigned website, with expanded search capabilities and improved usability. The new www.quadtech.com will be “a comprehensive, user-friendly website with dedicated resources for the medical community, as well as expanded content for all our customers,” says QuadTech President and CEO, Phil Harris.
Key features of the new site will include:
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User-friendly interface allowing for easier navigation
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Highly powerful site search
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New e-commerce engine for online ordering
With a continued focus on customer service and support, Harris says, “Most notably, we’re adding a client portal for our customers to use as a resource.” The portal includes a forum and discussion board, and is just one way QuadTech is demonstrating their commitment to excellence in customer service.
Conformity Magazine - November Issue, How to Choose a Hipot Tester
Shari Richardson, EST Product Manager at QuadTech has been invited to write an article for the November 2007 issue of Conformity Magazine. How to Choose a Hipot Tester will discuss the uses and features, and what's important to know when selecting a Hipot tester. The features within a new Hipot tester have been added due to demand from the industry and most importantly safety.
Additional information and other QuadTech articles can be found at www.quadtech.com.
LCR Primer - Updated!
QuadTech is updating its LCR Primer! Learn how to get more from your inductance, capacitance, resistance and impedance measurement equipment using the LCR Primer reference document. It's packed with tips and technical information that can help make your job easier.
The new LCR Primer will contain updated sections on:
CaptivATE Automation Software - New Release!
QuadTech will be releasing the latest version of its automation software, CaptivATE 3.2. CaptivATE 3.2 has been developed in strict accordance with QuadTech's Software Development Lifecycle process to build-in quality. A key feature in the updated software is the ability to output data to a csv file for easy import of data from CaptivATE into an MES system.
Other features include:
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Numerical Check Function - Allows manual entry of a value with pass/fail determination
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61604 AC Source Support
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Comments - Allows operators to enter comments if test fails, as well as during virtual pause and functional check steps
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Mode Alias - Allows mode names to be customized to better describe test being performed
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Engineering Notation and Units for Reports and Data Displays
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Numerous other improvements related to ease of use
Please contact us for more information on the upcoming release of CaptivATE 3.2.
Featured FAQ - Why is my LCR meter reading negative capacitance?
LCR meters are capable of displaying electrical parameter used to characterize electronic circuits, components, and materials. There are several different reasons why your LCR meter may be reading negative capacitance. Here we would like to illustrate a couple of the major ones for your review.
1. One must understand how an LCR meter measures. All measurements are based off of impedance and phase. If the phase is negative the meter calculates the product to be capacitive, positive phase will result in an inductive result. However if your product is inductive and the meter is set to capacitance measurement then a negative number will appear because on a phase diagram an inductance measurement is 180 degree out of phase from a capacitance measurement as shown on figure 1 and figure 2.
Phase Diagram:
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Figure 1
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Figure 2
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For example: Making a Measurement on a Transformer
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In phase measurement will give a positive inductance reading.
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Out of phase will yield a negative inductance reading.
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When set for “Q” (quality factor) for secondary parameter measurement, “Q” is positive if it is inductive and negative if it is capacitive.
2. Incorrect use of the “Zero” function will cause the LCR instrument to generate negative improper value. Zero function, normally performed before making measurement, will zero out to correct for test lead and/or fixture errors. It reduces the effect for any error sources between the device under test and the instrument.
If you have any additional questions please email our application engineers.
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community and the company.”
