Diamond Electronics News History

A new miniature LCD display from NKK is now available from Diamond Electronics Ltd. The programmable LCD module provides a wide viewing angle with high contrast and clarity and its low profile is ideal for applications where space is limited. Viewing area is 15.0 x 10.8mm at 36x24 pixels with 10mm of space behind the panel. Optional accessories include a snap on panel mount bezel and a range of backlighting options in red, green, orange, yellow, blue, white and bi colour.

Uniquely a switch function can be integrated into the unit to provide a panel mount switch with programmable display function. Switch functionality is up to six times greater than conventional switches of this type and the 8mm dome and actuator travel of 1.8mm provides a crisp, highly tactile feedback.

The unit is designed for high reliability and a minimum life of a million operations. It is ideal for any application that requires a user interface and will be used widely for industrial control panels, broadcast control consoles, simulators, telecommunication systems, medical and military equipment and financial dealer desks.

The operating temperature range is 0 to 40° C and the new low profile socket allows automated soldering for simple and fast board assembly and easy field replacement. Epoxy sealed PC terminals are fitted to prevent contamination.

NKK has named the product SMARTSWITCH and has developed a dedicated web site to create a virtual environment where engineers can program the software controlled LCD and switch assembly on-line,visualise ideas and experiment with different designs

Potentiometers with tactile feedback

Designers who need to give a special "feel" to a rotary control on their product now have a versatile new option in the form of a series of potentiometers from Diamond Electronics. Manufactured by ACP, these controls - from the CA14/MCA14 and CE14/MCE14 series - can now be supplied with a customised series of detents (indexing positions) over their full rotary travel.

The new potentiometers can have as few as one, or as many as up to 27, pre-set detent positions over their mechanical travel. No eternal mechanical components are required to set the detents. The designer can use this capability to create a wide range of user experiences in the end-product, from a single detent to mark (for example) the centre position of a variable control, to a continuous series of stepped positions that mimics the feel of a rotary switch. Any mix of detent positions, from the maximum of 27, can be configured, including asymmetrical layouts. Overall mechanical travel is 260 degrees, with a detent position every 10 degrees.

With the new potentiometers, a customised control feel can be given to products such as heating and air conditioning, and to consumer appliances such as white goods and audio/multimedia systems. The detent positions can be used to set the control to some defined value - such as a centre or zero positions - or can be used to give the user a greater impression of precision as the control knob is rotated through its multiple steps.

Despite the multiple mechanical configurations that are possible, electrical performance has not been compromised. The design of the units completely eliminates problems such as premature wear or noise occurring on the resistive track at positions corresponding to the detent locations. Standard lifetime figures for operation cycles - 10,000 - of the potentiometers apply, and higher specifications can be provided if required. Designers can specify a mechanical torque for the wiper alone from 0.5 to 3.5 Ncm; at the lower end of the range this will produce a free-moving control in which the detent locations are more pronounced; at the other, a "stiffer" feel will be delivered. This offers one more parameter with which the unique "look and feel" of an end product can be cusomised.

Electrically, the units can be supplied with any standard or custom resistive track available in ACP's range, in both carbon and ceramic materials. As well as the standard linear or logarithmic track options, special characteristics can be produced to correspond to the mechanical geometry specified by the detent positions. As the control is rotated through a detent, the resistive characteristic can change from one resistive gradient (change in resistance per degree of rotation) to another, or there can be a step change in the resistance, or there can even be a "spot" where
conduction to the track wiper is interrupted altogether. All non-linear
track characteristics can be accurately related to the mechanical detent layout. Designers can also use the detent feature to reproduce the action of a switch, or to combine switch and potentiometer characteristics.

All of ACP's high standards with respect to testing and quality are inherited from the standard range of potentiometers. The products are available tin the UK from Diamond Electronics; contact etc

Diamond have introduced two new low cost ranges of terminal blocks from DECA SWITCHLAB in Taiwan. The MA412 and MA522 ranges are available in 5.00mm pitch and can be supplied in 2 and 3 pole modular format or pre-assembled to a specific number of poles. Ideal for high volume application, such as security equipment and industrial control applications, Diamond will be stocking large volumes at very attractive pricing.

Diamond have launched their new DEECON range of connector products in the UK

The range include many standard connector types including Dee, IDC and box headers but is enhanced by products such as IEE1394, DVI connectors and USB sockets.

Manufactured for Diamond and sold under their own DEECON brand name details of the range can be found in a comprehensive 140 page printed catalogue as well as through the E-mech components link within this website.

If you would like to order a copy of the catlogue please call our sales team on +44 (0)1477 500450 or send a mail through the "Ask Diamond" link above.