Breadboard Stripboard and Prototyping

A Schematic design has been made, either from experience coupled with testing out application note blocks together. It could also be trying out an idea from a Magazine.

If you have simulation tools, you may want to simulate parts of the design and iron out some flaws.

Now if this design is small or made of tested blocks and maybe verified by a seasoned designer. Then you can move to pilot production of 7 Nos.

If you cannot afford the risk and the cost of iterations. Sometimes making the PCB may delay the design so much, that the "Time to Market" will be too long. Then you lose out to the competition.

So... or Hence or even Thus ...

A quick Breadboard or Stripboard testing not only validates your schematic, but improves your design skills by making you more familiar with the components and their behavior. The real world limitations and the non-ideal electrical specifications of passives, semiconductors and chips too. This brings us back to the word Didactic.

We should always have both the feet on the Ground.

in reference to: LochMaster (view on Google Sidewiki)

Navy Electricity Electronics Books

These are nice Mini Reference Books that can build the Learning of EE students.

Some interesting booklets - Circuit Protection, Control, and Measurement; Intro. to Wave-Generation and Wave-Shaping; Microelectronics and Test Equipment.

Communications students see Wave Propagation Transmission Lines, and Antennas; Microwave Principles and Fiber Optics.

Technician's Handbook and Test Methods and Practices are a must read.

in reference to:

"Navy Electricity and Electronics Training Series (NEETS)"
- Navy Documents (view on Google Sidewiki)

RIAC Desk Reference - Reliability

RIAC publications, tools and articles to help you become a Certified Reliability Engineer.

RIAC is all about ....

Information, data, analysis, training, and technical assistance in the engineering fields of Reliability, Maintainability, Quality, Supportability, and Interoperability (RMQSI).

in reference to:

- RIAC Desk Reference (view on Google Sidewiki)

Didactic Tech Training - SystemTechnik Germany

Here are some Training Boards with Teaching Software for electrical engineering and electronics.

They also cover Mechatronic systems, Automation and Embedded Electronics.

These are useful for vocational training, academic education and Introduction for Beginners. The PC is required for this Training Material and Boards.

These are based on Practical Learning or "Didactic concepts" which means - Experiential learning, that expands to things like Factory or Field Visits, Build with Kits and Boards, Hands on Workshop sessions, Environment of the Science or Technology recreated or simulated in Interactive 3D. Objects, samples and Material that the learner can apply his senses on and perceive. Real Life Project or Problem he can tackle by applying his skills.

The best is of course, Apprentice Learning which has been there for centuries. In the ancient days if the father was a Blacksmith, the son would inherit his skills and job. This was because of unconscious Didactic Training the father gave to the son.

in reference to:

- startindex (view on Google Sidewiki)

See a 3D View of your Eagle Cad Layout

With Eagle3D it is possible to generate a 3D View from your Board Layout.

This will help you iron out mechanical clashes, thermal conflicts. Serviceability and Accessibility issues too.

On Panel PCB's Like front/back panels. Usability errors may become visible in this simulation. Connector and wiring layout can be better judged on 3D and strain relief and cable management can be planned in power electronics designs.

In sensitive analog circuits; thermal, leakage or guard rings can be inspected. In RF circuits; the shielding, tracks and components can be studied for unwanted coupling, crosstalk or leakage. Finally safety factors also can be judged keeping the enclosure 3d or cabinet in hand.

Now we have low cost 3D CNC prototype makers. Rapid prototyping - additive or laser erosion. You can probably use this as a input for such a machine. Then you can fix it in a cabinet and complete the Mechanical Simulation. This will save wastage of parts, time and pcb's during prototyping.

in reference to: en:eagle3d:eagle3d [ www.matwei.de] (view on Google Sidewiki)

Industrial control and Networking - Freescale

Wired and wireless industrial communications protocols and human machine interface.

Motorola Semiconductors became Freescale. You may recall that some rugged Mosfets, Bridges and Drivers were developed by Motorola Semiconductor.

The Factory Automation have the resources reference to integrate this expertise of high-reliability electronics into your process control systems.

in reference to:

"Factory Automation"
- Factory Automation (view on Google Sidewiki)

Precision RMS Value of AC Waveform

"RMS to DC conversion is the truest way to measure the energy contained in an AC waveform."

The accurate measurement of AC for a wide variety of waveforms and noise is difficult. When we make solar systems and inverters, the AC outputs are seldom sinusoidal. The easy method is to use a Precision rectifier/filter, get the average voltage and a RMS calibration/scaling is done for sine is by tweaking a trimpot. This will not show the right values for other waveforms. The other way was, analog computing, with many opamps and a matched pair of transistors; like multipliers and log amps, very cumbersome for manufacturing and testing.

These single chip solutions like LTC1968 - Precision Wide Bandwidth, RMS-to-DC Converter make it easy to implement an AC Measurement in your embedded, PLC or PC based solution.

Learn more about RMS here Make Better RMS Measurements with Your DMM

in reference to:

"LTC1968 - Precision Wide Bandwidth, RMS-to-DC Converter"
- Linear Technology - RMS-DC Conversion (view on Google Sidewiki)

First Aid and Flame Resistant Uniforms

At Cintas you will find many Tools to make workplace safe. These are like Uniforms and Apparel, First Aid and Safety, Fire Protection and Flame Resistant Clothing.

Also a Cleanroom Resources section, which is very important for Microelectronics and Precision Instrumentation.

In spite of "Prevention better than cure", a worker can get injured, more so on the field, where preventive measures may not be in place.

Here is a Portable First Aid Kit that should be in Service and Commissioning Departments. A stitch in time saves nine.

in reference to:

"Your employees may require first aid at remote worksites, too."
- Portable First Aid Kits | Cintas (view on Google Sidewiki)

Workplace Safety and Human Health

This is another resource for Workers and Employers. When we educate ourselves about a Hazard, that awareness is the first step of defense.

Resources like this should have a Kids Section. Just like Nasa and Fcc have. We have to catch them young, Interactive tutors and Activities will prepare them for a Safe and Sensible future. Home, Garden, Transport and School are also like a Workpace.

Kids of recent generations are degrading intellectually, it is more so in the developed countries. Education has to be emphasized, Hobby DIY activities encouraged. Hardships simulated, so they become responsible Young Citizens.

Rockefeller Jr. was brought up with such discipline, he was not allowed entertainment when he was young. His father the richest man in the US at that time.

in reference to: CDC - Workplace Safety and Health (view on Google Sidewiki)

Ergonomics and Worker Safety and Health

A Worker in One Firm is a Customer for another Firm. Healthy and Safe Workers implies a strengthening Consumer base.

Just imagine what wonders it can do for the economy, when you broaden your view, think togetherness, as a Whole; not in isolated competitive groups, not in parts.

Ergonomics reduces Worker Stress. Helps in keeping good Mental and Physical Health. Safety is very important. His Limbs, Eyes and Ears are assets that a firm hires.

On this page you can start learning these aspects. A good Manager knows that Manpower is the Foremost Asset of any Company.

in reference to:

"Ergonomics"
- Ergonomics (view on Google Sidewiki)

Electrical Engineering Library - Mathcad

Ideas, Design, Simulation, Emulation and Testing. The fundamentals are governed by Math.

The parameters, the metrics, the limits, the specifications. All have to be taken into account, none overlooked.

More Meticulous and exhaustive the pre-processing is, the less errors and shocks we get at the end of the product design cycle.

I have had my share of jolts, the only reason being, i did not anticipate that jack in the design engineers design box. Remember Murphy is always looking.

Plan-Simulate-Proto-Pilot-Execute

Here is a tool Mathcad and a module for EE. That helps us in our design goals.

Standard calculation procedures, formulae and reference tables used by electrical engineers.

Electrical & Electronic Engineering from Hicks' Adapted from the Standard Handbook of Engineering Calculations (edited by Tyler G. Hicks).

in reference to: PTC - Mathcad Electrical Engineering Library (view on Google Sidewiki)

Jumo Process Control Literature

There is some useful information on automation here.

pH Measurement, Temperature Measurement, Water Purity, Conductivity and some Analytical Instrumentation too.

Industrial Automation and Process Control is to make Manufacturing and Products safe, consistent quality, cost efficient. The optimum approach in automation saves energy and enhances the work skills and safety of workers too.

in reference to:

"have Technical Literatur"
- JUMO Process Control, Inc. (view on Google Sidewiki)