Electro-ramblings

Social Media? These are the bases to cover...

This one made me smile, flagged by Business Insider - check out the graphic on the post:

"Maybe this is the reason General Motors went "mental" and pulled its Facebook ad budget. Digital marketing is confusing--really confusing--as this insane graphic shows (below). Trying to navigate through the various new social media categories, blogs, sharing sites, and social media firms is an absolute mess."

Read the full article >>

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on May 22, 2012 2:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Only Connect: On new technology (II)

Welcome to another post in the series by Nick Locke, of Nicab Ltd, who has over 15 years experience in the electronics manufacturing industry specialising in interconnection cable assembly.

For those of you that follow this blog you'll know that I am a fan of high speed data and especially new innovative ways of interfacing technology.

I am quite pleased to see the new high speed data connectors from Tyco, the Fas-T connectors.

In short these are Ethernet Connectors in the circular mill-spec style for harsh environments. We have all seen industrial and IP68 Ethernet connectors, however, this is specifically made-for high end Ethernet connector series for truly harsh environments.

Continue reading "Only Connect: On new technology (II)" »

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on May 21, 2012 9:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Gear up for the Pedal4Innovation student contest

Here's an electronics competition aimed at students that is well worth their entering. The prize up for grabs? Three paid-for scholarships, equal to £3,000 each, to help the winners pay their annual university fee. (Note: the compo actually kicks off in September)

As part of Avnet Silica's Pedal4Innnovation charity cycle marathon, the company is also offering to help out some young electronic engineers. Part of the funds that Pedal4Innovation (#P4I) raises will be used to sponsor a number of the UK's innovative students.

View full details of the compo >>

Continue reading "Gear up for the Pedal4Innovation student contest" »

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on May 18, 2012 2:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

PCIM 2012 in picture form

1 - Fraunhofer Integrated for Wheel-Hub-Motor x 100.jpg

Following on from our recent PCIM coverage - see PCIM 2012 - News Roundup - check out our picture gallery of photos from the show floor in Nuremberg.

Take a look at the images of a Fraunhofer Integrated for Wheel-Hub-Motor, an Infineon Hexagon Application Kit, the PTEMC T6973 Electro Mobility Platform, a Vishay Wireless Charging Receiving Coil-Shield with Attractor, a microGaN 6-in wafer with high voltage power transitors, and more...

View the latest photo gallery >>

View all Electronics Weekly photo galleries >>

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on May 15, 2012 10:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Only Connect: On new technology

Welcome to another post in the series by Nick Locke, of Nicab Ltd, who has over 15 years experience in the electronics manufacturing industry specialising in interconnection cable assembly.

One of the biggest challenges in the electronics industry, in fact any industry that requires a substantial amount of human labour, is costing / quoting of new work.

We have all been there, working out how long an assembly will take to make from a drawing. Well, no matter how good you are or think you are you can get this wrong as much as you get it right.

The real question is how do you go back to your customer asking for more money or do you just swallow the loss and hope to make it back on another job?

Continue reading "Only Connect: On new technology" »

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on May 14, 2012 9:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

OhmArt Cartoon: Soft Start

It's time for another in our series of posts featuring the excellent electronics cartoons from OhmArt! Check out more on Barney's blog, too...

A different sort of Soft Start!...

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on May 11, 2012 3:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sign up for the Electronics Weekly newsletters

Just to say we have created a new page to highlight our email newsletter portfolio.

Take a look at what's available, and view a sample of each newsletter.

If you are already signed up - to Mannerisms, maybe, or Gadget Master perhaps, or the Daily News - then excellent. If you are not, take a look at what you are missing.

Mailing times and frequencies are explained for each newsletter, too.

View newsletter samples >>

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on May 10, 2012 11:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

UPDATE: Electronics Weekly site search powered by Google

UPDATE: I'm pleased to say Google has now added 'search-by-date' functionality (which a few of you requested) to its Custom Search Site software, so we've just plugged it in. Give it a go!

And thanks to those who have left such feedback, please keep it coming.

When it comes to online search, who is better than Google? Well, I'm pleased to say the Electronics Weekly site search functionality is now powered by Google!

The search box is in the same familiar place - on all pages - but things get more interesting on the results page. Within the familiar Google layout you will notice the results are now far more exhaustive (our vast blog portfolio is now covered, for example). There is also the option to view Images as well as the default text articles, and if you want to refine the 'buckets' of content, simply click on the News, Blogs, Products or Jobs tabs...

Continue reading "UPDATE: Electronics Weekly site search powered by Google" »

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on May 9, 2012 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Only Connect: On branded manufacturers using multimedia

Welcome to another post in the series by Nick Locke, of Nicab Ltd, who has over 15 years experience in the electronics manufacturing industry specialising in interconnection cable assembly.

As we become more used to multi-interface communication channels for brands to deliver their messages, some are ahead of the game.

We the consumers expect more from our suppliers and especially big manufacturers. In today's multi platform marketing world we have gone from seeing the odd video through to expecting to see a Facebook profile and YouTube channel.

In my opinion it is right that brands invest in communicating their message to as many people as possible through as many mediums possible. In the good old days print media was pretty much the main source for getting the messages about a new product out. These days that just won't do.

Continue reading "Only Connect: On branded manufacturers using multimedia" »

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on May 8, 2012 9:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

UK electronics share index, May 2012: +2.9%

A periodic check on the market capitalisation of publicly quoted UK electronics companies...

EW Index - May 3.jpg

Back in February we took a snapshot of industry market capitalisation, for our Electronics Weekly Index (see The market capitalisation of the UK electronics industry)...

So, how stands the Index for May 2012? It's time once again to take a sample...

Continue reading "UK electronics share index, May 2012: +2.9%" »

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on May 3, 2012 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Avnet Abacus joins the Electronics Weekly Supplier Ecosystem

I'm pleased to announce that Avnet Abacus has joined the Electronics Weekly Supplier Ecosystem. See the company page >>

Make sure you bookmark the page, too: www.electronicsweekly.com/static-pages/directory/avnet-abacus/

The page features latest products, events and company news, along with linecard information, its Ask-an-Expert service and details of the Avnet Abacus Focus magazine...

Continue reading "Avnet Abacus joins the Electronics Weekly Supplier Ecosystem" »

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on May 2, 2012 8:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Raspberry Pi gets in the zone

I'm pleased to announce the Raspberry Pi Zone has launched on ElectronicsWeekly.com, keeping up to date with all the news and developments around the exciting new initiative that has grabbed people's imagination.

The idea is to bring many strands of content together under one roof, as it were, all related to the progress of the Pi. Videos, twitter feeds, and blog posts, as well as news. I'll be looking to add a Timeline of developments, too, so keep tuned!

Check out the new Zone and bookmark www.electronicsweekly.com/raspberry-pi

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on May 1, 2012 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Only Connect: Tin plating on contacts

Welcome to another post in the series by Nick Locke, of Nicab Ltd, who has over 15 years experience in the electronics manufacturing industry specialising in interconnection cable assembly.

Have you ever wondered what difference the plating on connectors and contacts make, or thought there must be a reason that they have different levels of plating but never understood why?

If you have then these questions often go unanswered, however help is at hand. Tyco have produced a series of in-depth technical reports and this week I'm going to discuss tin plating.

Continue reading "Only Connect: Tin plating on contacts" »

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on May 1, 2012 8:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Elektra 2012 Product Innovation Award - Readers' Choice

This is your chance to shape the destination of an Elektra 2012 Award. We are looking for readers' votes in the Product Innovation category, which is sponsored by Avnet.

There are five products involved, from: Neul and Carlson, FlatFrog, Thales, Tobii Technology, and HTC. Read the entries below and cast your vote!

Continue reading "Elektra 2012 Product Innovation Award - Readers' Choice" »

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on April 30, 2012 9:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Only Connect: Marketing to the electronics manufacturing industry

Welcome to another post in the series by Nick Locke, of Nicab Ltd, who has over 15 years experience in the electronics manufacturing industry specialising in interconnection cable assembly.

A lot of people in our industry complain that traditional marketing systems just don't work because their business / industry is different than others.

For example, we in the cable assembly business mostly make to order, which means we have issues such as lead-times, stock of parts and tooling to consider.

This is going to be pretty much the same across all the electronics industry especially for CEMs. I find this area of business fascinating as we all know that we do a good job and work hard for our customer, right? So can't we just tell them that, then they will queue up to buy what we have?

Continue reading "Only Connect: Marketing to the electronics manufacturing industry" »

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on April 27, 2012 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Elektra Awards 2012 - CALL FOR ENTRIES

In their 10th year the Elektra European Electronics Industry Awards will once again be the high point of the year for the European electronics industry. Entries are now open in 20 categories.

The awards are established as the best promotional platform to celebrate the achievements of individuals and companies across Europe, this year's awards will present best-practice in key areas including, innovation, sales growth and employee motivation.

This year the awards will focus on the achievements of new and emerging engineering talent across Europe.

Enter your company or your clients now. All you need are 500 words to describe why you, your company or product should win an award. Don't delay, enter by 8th July.

To view all the categories and to enter visit our website: www.elektraawards.co.uk/.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact lee.delaruebrowne@rbi.co.uk on 020 8652 3262

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on April 23, 2012 9:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Only Connect: Going Green #10 - electronics sections

In my previous blog posts I have discussed electronic OEM manufacturers going green, which was quite challenging. However, in this week's post I bring you five websites dedicated to green issues, and specifically electronics sections.

Greener Gadgets

Greens Life

The Daily Green

Tree Hugger

Going Green Today

This is all good information. Hopefully the future is bright and uses very low amounts of energy!

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on April 16, 2012 2:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

OhmArt Cartoon: Stranded Conductor

It's time for another in our series of posts featuring the excellent electronics cartoons from OhmArt! Check out more on Barney's blog, too...

This week's is not quite Desert Island Discs!...

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on April 13, 2012 10:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Google graphing calculator supports 3D plotting

The humble search box has come a long way...

I wrote once before about the graphing functionality that is available within Google Search - see Google searches for the function of love. Well, now they've gone 3D.

Adi Avidor, "Google Engineer and Math Lover", writes on the company's Inside Search blog:

In addition to calculating something simple like dividing up a restaurant bill or graphing more difficult math functions using the search box, people have also been plotting some really unique and interesting functions. you'll be able to do even more with the graphing calculator, which now supports 3D plotting as well.

Continue reading "Google graphing calculator supports 3D plotting" »

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on April 12, 2012 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Texas Instruments Technical Resource section - April update

Don't forget to bookmark the Texas Instruments Technical Resource section on Electronics Weekly, providing design engineers with access to resource guides, videos, articles and catalogues - www.electronicsweekly.com/static-pages/ti-microsite/. April's update is now live.

As always, we are updating the resource section every month, but the new year saw a whole new layout and re-organisation of categories, too. Check them out:

Analogue Resources >>

Embedded Processor (Microcontrollers & DSPs) Resources >>

Wireless Connectivity Resources >>

Applications Resources >>

Visit the Texas Instruments Technical resource section >>

Continue reading "Texas Instruments Technical Resource section - April update" »

Posted by Alun Williams - Electronics Weekly.com on April 11, 2012 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)