Smart Tweezers Automatic LCR-Meter for Electronic Testing
Siborg Systems Inc. has released their newest model of world renowned LCR-meter and electronics tester Smart Tweezers ST5, the solution to testing and troubleshooting Surface Mount Technology
Surface Mount Technology is the leading method of manufacturing electronics, where the components known as Surface Mount Devices (SMDs) are mounted directly to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). These components are replacing the older through hole technology, where components have wire leads that need to be threaded through holes on the PCB. Often, both through-hole and SMDs are found on the same PCB to allow for components not suited for mounting, such as transformers and heat-sinked power semiconductors, can be placed on the PCB as well.
Surface mount components are generally very small and may or may not have wire leads. The size makes differentiating the components difficult, as well as leads to losing values or the components themselves. Smart Tweezers is a handy solution to these problems.
Easily held and operated with one hand, the device can evaluate all passive types of SMT components such as Resistors, Capacitors and Inductors automatically. It also automatically determines the type of component, and selects the proper range or highest accuracy results. A small LCD screen fitted in the handle, relays the measurement results, type of component and test conditions used.
"The main advantage of Smart Tweezers is virtually instantaneous and highly accurate evaluation of SMT components as small as 0.3 mm," says Michael Obrecht, Director of Research and Development at Siborg Systems Inc. "This accuracy level of about 0.2% is only available from expensive bench-type LCR-meters that require significant efforts in setting-up the measurements."
Smart Tweezers are simply a highly accurate automatic LCR-meter fitted with a pair of tweezers acting as the probe. Designed for a production line component evaluation, Smart Tweezers features on-board impedance testing and SMD component sorting. Because of the automatic measurement mode recognition (L, C or R), the device is essential in identifying SMD components.Designed to be efficient, thus cost effective, Smart Tweezers allows the user to focus solely on the task at hand by offering fully-automatic LCR measurements, including automatic measurement mode recognition (L, C or R) and automatic range of measurement.
The LCD display fitted into the device shows up to 5 digits depending on the function, and is split into 3 main sections. The primary display shows the main impedance reading, the secondary display (the top of the screen) shows the present reading of additional parameters (such as parasitic resistance) and measurement. (IE: the primary display reads a capacitor value, while the secondary shows the ESR value.) A bar graph along the bottom of the screen provides an analog view of the evaluation measurements. Smart Tweezers also tests continuity and diodes, and can 'beep' to warn user when an open circuit is present or if a resistance reading is below threshold.
Unlike similar devices available that only measure Resistance and Capacitance, Smart Tweezers features Inductance reading, as well as;-Automatic LCR, and Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) measurements
-Basic accuracy of 0.2%
-Diode and Continuity test
-Adjustable Test Signal
-Component Sorting with 1%, 5%, 10% and 20% Tolerance
-Semi-automatic Offset Subtraction
-Ideal for small components, as small as 0201 size (about 0.3 mm) -Displays active and reactive impedance components
-Just 2 Oz weight and ergonomic design
-Long battery life with Li-Ion Battery, USB Charger
"If you do any work on a PCB, Smart Tweezers, once used, become indispensable," says Obrecht, "Users say: 'I don't use them every day, or even every week. But when I need them, I really need them!' "
Surface Mount Technology is the leading method of manufacturing electronics, where the components known as Surface Mount Devices (SMDs) are mounted directly to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). These components are replacing the older through hole technology, where components have wire leads that need to be threaded through holes on the PCB. Often, both through-hole and SMDs are found on the same PCB to allow for components not suited for mounting, such as transformers and heat-sinked power semiconductors, can be placed on the PCB as well.
Surface mount components are generally very small and may or may not have wire leads. The size makes differentiating the components difficult, as well as leads to losing values or the components themselves. Smart Tweezers is a handy solution to these problems.
Easily held and operated with one hand, the device can evaluate all passive types of SMT components such as Resistors, Capacitors and Inductors automatically. It also automatically determines the type of component, and selects the proper range or highest accuracy results. A small LCD screen fitted in the handle, relays the measurement results, type of component and test conditions used.
"The main advantage of Smart Tweezers is virtually instantaneous and highly accurate evaluation of SMT components as small as 0.3 mm," says Michael Obrecht, Director of Research and Development at Siborg Systems Inc. "This accuracy level of about 0.2% is only available from expensive bench-type LCR-meters that require significant efforts in setting-up the measurements."
Smart Tweezers are simply a highly accurate automatic LCR-meter fitted with a pair of tweezers acting as the probe. Designed for a production line component evaluation, Smart Tweezers features on-board impedance testing and SMD component sorting. Because of the automatic measurement mode recognition (L, C or R), the device is essential in identifying SMD components.Designed to be efficient, thus cost effective, Smart Tweezers allows the user to focus solely on the task at hand by offering fully-automatic LCR measurements, including automatic measurement mode recognition (L, C or R) and automatic range of measurement.
The LCD display fitted into the device shows up to 5 digits depending on the function, and is split into 3 main sections. The primary display shows the main impedance reading, the secondary display (the top of the screen) shows the present reading of additional parameters (such as parasitic resistance) and measurement. (IE: the primary display reads a capacitor value, while the secondary shows the ESR value.) A bar graph along the bottom of the screen provides an analog view of the evaluation measurements. Smart Tweezers also tests continuity and diodes, and can 'beep' to warn user when an open circuit is present or if a resistance reading is below threshold.
Unlike similar devices available that only measure Resistance and Capacitance, Smart Tweezers features Inductance reading, as well as;-Automatic LCR, and Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) measurements
-Basic accuracy of 0.2%
-Diode and Continuity test
-Adjustable Test Signal
-Component Sorting with 1%, 5%, 10% and 20% Tolerance
-Semi-automatic Offset Subtraction
-Ideal for small components, as small as 0201 size (about 0.3 mm) -Displays active and reactive impedance components
-Just 2 Oz weight and ergonomic design
-Long battery life with Li-Ion Battery, USB Charger
"If you do any work on a PCB, Smart Tweezers, once used, become indispensable," says Obrecht, "Users say: 'I don't use them every day, or even every week. But when I need them, I really need them!' "
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