Multimeter Summer Sale

Siborg is offering up to 30% off on many of their test devices, including LCR-Reader-MPA, LCR-Reader and Smart Tweezers devices. The sale is available in the LCR-Reader Store and Amazon sales channels. The sale runs from August 10 to August 31st at 11:59 EST.

LCR-Reader-MPA Presented at Nepcon Vietnam

Siborg presented the LCR-Reader-MPA at Nepcon Vietnam to an enthusiastic audience. The devices’ capabilities were well received and the booth had many visitors.

Nepcon’s visitors were impressed by what LCR-Reader-MPA can do. THe booth saw may visitors, many showing interest in the whole line of LCR-Reader, including the flagship device. The LCR-Reader line was created in 2014 as a budget alternative to the Smart Tweezers line of devices. The first model only offered a 0.5% basic accuracy and automatic measurements; users are able to change the test mode but not much else. Siborg released LCR-Reader-MP in 2017 as a bridge between LCR-Reader and Smart Tweezers. The MP offered a 0.1% basic accuracy and a range of features that rivaled the Smart Tweezers devices.

“The crowd was excited,” says the Director of Siborg, “the booth saw many visitors, many who mentioned they were very interested in the devices abilities. Among the visitors were many representatives from world leading companies including Toyota, Samsung and Panasonic. The announced Bluetooth model also attracted a lot of attention. The ability to save time, not only with quick and easy measurements, but also by remotely recording the values.”

LCR-Reader-MPA is offers the highest basic accuracy of 0.1% out of all Siobrg’s devices. It also offers a wide range of test features, including 100 kHz test frequency level, oscilloscope mode, LED/diode testing and more.

Siborg now offers a Bluetooth enabled model that can remotely send measurement values to PC or Android device. The measurement results are recorded in a comma-separated string of values and are instantly sent in real time to software, such as the LCR-MPA Bluetooth Logger program or NI LabView. The data can be saved to a database or spreadsheet for later analysis.

LCR-Reader-MPa to be Shown at Del Mar Electronics and Manufacturing show in September 2020

Siborg will be showing the LCR-Reader-MPA and their LCR-Reader multimeters to the Del Mar Electronics and Manufacturing Show at booth #233 in San Diego, California, from September 16-17 2020.

The LCR-Reader line of multimeters offer fully automatic LCR, ESR, LED/diode measurements. The devices use a powerful multimeter combined with a set of gold-plated tweezers; when the tweezers old a component, the multimeter will automatically determine the type of component and best test parameters to use with no set-up required. All measurement values, including any secondary values, are automatically available on the OLED display. The ability to test without any set-up is especially useful for component sorting and time sensitive tasks such as production lines.

NASA TechBriefs Publishes LCR-Reader-MPA Whitepaper

Siborg published a white paper on TechBriefs about their newest device, the LCR-Reader-MPA. The paper gives insight to the devices’ capabilities and features.

The paper reviews how the device uses different measurement methods in order to produce high accuracy measurements, and the properties of operations. These operations include how the device is able to determine the type of component and test parameters to use. The paper also provides a short summary of the features and functions and an explanation how to use the Offset Removal feature.

The paper explains how LCR-Reader-MPA uses two methods of measuring capacitance using AC response method and DC charge/discharge methods. Using the AC response method allows the device to have a 0.1% basic accuracy for capacitances from 0.1 pf to 1 mF, the DC charge/discharge is more efficient in the range from 1 mF to 1 F.

The principle of operations is explained as “Voltage from the voltage source through a limiting 100 Ohm resistor is applied to the DUT connected at points A and B. The amplitude and frequency of the Test signal V are adjustable. The voltage drop on resistor Rj measured by DAj is proportional to the current flowing through the measured component. After digitizing the ADC signals the impedance is calculated according to the formula DUT impedance Z = Rj*Vau/Vaj.

For the Offset Elimination Technique is explained using the Capacitance Offset Calibration board; the dummy PCB uses holes to represent various sizes of components. Users place the tweezers’ tips in the corresponding hole to the component they are measuring and perform an open/closed calibration. The MPA will remove this value from the measured value, eliminating the value of any parasitics between the tweezers’ tips.

LCR-Reader Offset Calibration Board

“Initial values of the impedance (offsets) obtained during calibration with Open and Short probes are stored in the non-volatile memory of the device and are considered in the calculation in the impedance of the measured component thus eliminating the offset due to the device internal parasitics.”

End of Year Sale

Siborg is hosting an end of year sale featuring LCR-Reader, LCR-Reader-MP, Smart Tweezers and other items from the LCR-Reader Store.

The sale stars December 17th, 2018 and will end on January 1st, 2019 and includes the LCR-Reader Store and Siborg’s Amazon sales channels in USA, Canada, France, Germany, Spain and Italy.

LCR-Reader Store – One Stop Shop for LCR/ESR Meters

The LCR-Reader Store from Siborg Systems Inc. offers a wide selection of handheld digital LCR/ESR meters, accessories and parts. The devices available are as follows:

  • LCR-Reader-MP: This is the newest model available from Siborg. The LCR-Reader-MP or Multipurpose has the highest basic accuracy of 0.1% and the widest selection of test features and functions over all LCR-Reader and Smart Tweezers devices. These features include:
    • Automatic LCR, Equivalent Series Resistance and Diode/LED measurement
    • Basic accuracy better than 0.1%
    • AC/DC voltage measurement up to 15 V
    • Oscilloscope Transient Voltage display for up to 100 kHz
    • Measurement of supercaps up to 680 mF
    • Measurement of Frequency, Pulse period, Duty Cycle up to 400 kHz
    • Signal Generator: Sine, Rectangle, Triangle pulse shapes up to 100 kHz
    • Diode and Continuity test}
    • Two Test Signal levels, Automatic Test Signal Reduction to 0.1 V for in-circuit measurement
    • Easy Short/Open Calibration, Offset Removal
    • Handling of components as small as 0201 size (about 0.3 mm)
    • Display of active and reactive impedance components
    • Adjustable test signal frequencies of 50, 100, 120 Hz, 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75 and 100 kHz
    • Jog-wheel navigation
    • 2 oz. weight, ergonomic design
    • Backlit LCD display
    • NIST traceable calibration certificate

 

  • LCR-Reader: The LCR-Reader is Siborg’s best selling device, which features a 0.5% basic accuracy with minimal features. This device was created as a lower cost alternative to other tweezer-based devices. LCR-Reader is able to automatically determine the type of component and select the best test range for that component. The one-button navigation allows users to select the test mode they desire. Features include:
    • 0.5% Basic Accuracy
    • Fully automatic L, C, R and ESR measurements
    • Manual mode selection
    • Instantly displayed results
    • 1 oz. weight
    • One-button navigation
    • NIST Traceable Calibration Certificate
    • OLED display
      • LCR-Reader Pro and LCR-Reader Pro Plus: These are LCR-Reader Task Kits that include an LCR-Reader device with calibration certificate and accessories (battery, Kelvin Probe Connector Kit, spare tips, charger. Note: accessories depending on task kit selected).

 

  • Smart Tweezers and Smart Tweezers with Bluetooth: Smart Tweezers are the original tweezer-based LCR meter with a 0.2% basic accuracy and multiple test features, including;
    • 0.2% basic accuracy
    • Manual and Automatic L, C, R, ESR, and Z test mode
    • Component sorting with 1%, 5%, 10% and 20% variable tolerances
    • Adjustable test signal levels
    • Diode/Continuity/Short testing
    • Parasitic offset subtraction
    • 1 oz. weight
    • NIST Traceable Calibration Certificate
    • 4-way joystick navigation
    • OLED display
      • Smart Tweezers with Bluetooth is able to connect to PC (ie: NI Labview, Tera Term, etc), Android and iOS to send and receive measurement data over a real-time connection. When connected, users are sent a comma separated string of values representing the outcomes, including the type of component, main and secondary values, and test parameters used. The ability to record all measurement data is invaluable for incoming quality control. The newest update to the device allows users to send information to the Smart Tweezers device and the ability to set parameters that components must meet. This is done by the user creating a profile in the receiving software. When testing, the component must meet this criteria before being granted a pass or fail by the software.
      • Note: the Bluetooth receiver stick is required to connect with PC and LabView 
  • LCR-Reader/Smart Tweezers Kelvin Probe Connector:   The LCR-Reader Kelvin Probe Connector is a shielded two-wire device that can be used as a full probe station. When connected, the LCR-Reader or Smart Tweezers can measure components that are larger than the tweezers’ gap. It is easy to connect to the device, simply remove one of the gold-plated tweezer tips and replace with the flat connector. All extension accessories screw into the other end. The two-wire connection eliminates additional offsets.
    Note: can be used with LCR-Reader, LCR-Reader-MP, Smart Tweezers and LCR-Reader Colibri.
  • Siborg also offers Task Kits that combine a device with accessories; when purchased, the task kits give a greater discount than buying a device and each accessory separately.

See everything Siborg has to offer at the LCR-Reader Store

Siborg Systems Inc. Inteview with Manufacturing Today

Manufacturing Today held and interview with Michael Obrecht, the director of Siborg Systems Inc. about the future of LCR-Reader and Siborg’s software division. The interview will be published in Volume 18, Issue 3.

Obrecht spoke of a new model of LCR-Reader that will launch in the summer of 2018. This new model is a refined version; “It will be a much more powerful multimeter, less bulky and more fine tuned. We have improved on the LCR-Reader’s appearance, performance and functionality.” The new model will have a higher price than the LCR-Reader-MP, but will have better functionality, including a three-volt LED test, one-volt signal component testing for ceramic capacitors. Obrecht also mentions that the new device will have a lower signal-to-noise ratio, this is helpful for improving accuracy while testing lower value capacitances and inductances.

Siborg is beginning to refocus on the software side of things, including fresh ideas for very fast software tools for thermal design and updating their semiconductor process simulator MicroTec. “We want to enhance the functionality of MicroTec including the thermal analysis built into the semiconductor device simulator. It’s sold to a lot of educational markets and to semiconductor manufacturers.”

Used in over 100 universities and 35 companies worldwide, MicroTec is a robust process simulator that is computationally extensive for simulations for power semiconductor devices with large dimensions or solar cells. It includes 3 main software tools: SiDif for 2-D simulation of implantation, diffusion and oxidation; SemSim for steady-state 2-D simulation and SibGraf for 1-D and 2-D graphics.  The product’s staying power is that it can perform with very little RAM and is more robust and faster than similar programs.

“One of the main features is that it can be quickly customized, this is great selling feature for smaller companies. Maybe our software can do 90% of what they want. Well, we can quickly do a modification to the software and that’s very important to them. Plus, we offer 24/7 support, which is much higher than competitors. We can serve pretty much anybody that does work on electronic circuit boards, it’s a very wide community.”

Siborg is currently offering a sale on all LCR-Reader, LCR-Reader-MP and Smart Tweezers devices in the LCR-Reader Store.

Siborg Hosting LCR-Reader-MP Sale to Celebrate 6 Months on the Market and New Distributors

To celebrate the LCR-Reader-MP’s 6 months on the market, Siborg is offering the device for a discounted price in the LCR-Reader Store starting March 1st until March 8th, 2018.

The device has also been made available by Siborg’s global distributors to be sold in their respective markets. These distributors include:

  • SIBBIS International (Maryland, USA)
  • Bokar International (Pennsylvania, USA)
  • Advance Tech Services (New Delhi, India; Bangalore, India; Pune, India)
  • Van Device, Co. Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan)
  • Newly Tsuchiyama Co. Ltd. (Kanagawa-Ken, Japan)
  • Weifang Herui Co, (Weifang, Shandong, China)
  • V-Proud Joint Stock Company (Hanoi, Vietnam)
  • Indochina Equipment and Accessories Joint Stock Company (Hanoi, Vietnam)
  • CVKT International (Nagoya Batam, Indonesia)
  • SPE Group (Novosibirsk, Russia)
  • Sanata-Tech (Saint Petersburg, Russia)
  • Tinotec Corporation (Taiwan, China)
  • PrinTec b.v. (Geldermalsen, Netherlands)
  • Lokmita (Kaunas, Lithuania)

LCR-Reader-MP is a complete PCB debugging tool with the highest basic accuracy on all of Siborg’s devices at 0.1%. The MP is able to determine the type  and best test parameters when grasping the component. It instantly measures with high accuracy and reveals results on the built in back-lit display. Each devices is accompanied by an NIST traceable calibration certificate.

Features include:

  • Automatic and manual LCR, ESR, LED/Diode measurements
  • 0.1% basic accuracy
  • Diode/LED and Continuity Testing
  • AC/DC voltage/current measurements
  • Oscilloscope Transient Voltage display up to 100 kHz
  • Frequency, Pulse Period, and Duty Cycle measurements
  • Oscilloscope Transient Voltage display up to 100 kHz
  • Active and reactive impedance component display
  • Two test signal levels, Automatic Test Signal Reduction to 0.1 V for in-circuit measurements
  • Measures components to a 0201 size (about 0.3 mm)
  • Under 2 oz. weight
  • Li-Ion battery and micro-USB charging
  • NIST traceable calibration certificate

The MP is exceptionally useful in conjuncture with the LCR-Reader/Smart Tweezers Kelvin Probe Connector and the oscilloscope mode. These allow the user to analyze various wave-forms at different points on a PCB.

The March Sale begins on March 1st, and ends on March 8th, 2018. Be sure to visit the LCR-Reader Store for your discounted price! The LCR-Reader Store also offers other PCB testing tools such as LCR-Reader, Smart Tweezers and Smart Tweezers with Bluetooth, LED Test Tweezers and the Kelvin Probe Connector set.

 

New LCR-Reader-MP Introductory Video

Siborg has released a new introduction video for LCR-Reader-MP. The video goes over the basic features and functions of the multipurpose device. It also shows how to set basic settings in the device. The video has been published on Youtube.

LCR-Reader-MP is a new model in the LCR-Reader family of handheld LCR- and ESR-meters. The device has a 0.1% basic accuracy and various test modes and features.

Features include:

  • Automatic and manual LCR, ESR, Diode/LED measurements
  • 0.1% basic accuracy
  • Diode/LED and Continuity testing
  • AC/DC voltage measurements
  • Frequency, Pulse Period and Duty Cycle measurements
  • Oscilloscope Transient Voltage display up to 100 kHz
  • Signal Generator with Sine, Triangle, and Rectangle pulse shapes
  • Two test signal levels; Automatic Test Signal Reduction to 0.1 V for in-circuit measurements
  • Measures components to a 0201 size (about 0.3 mm)
  • Displays active and reactive impedance component display
  • 2 oz. weight
  • Li-Ion battery with micro-USB charging

Recently, Siborg had sent the LCR-Reader-MP to Navair Technologies for calibration. After receiving the results, Siborg is able to issue a NIST traceable calibration certificate for the device. The LCR-Reader-MP has also received FCC certification.

The LCR-Reader-MP is now available for pre-order from Siborg in the online LCR-Reader Store.

LCR-Reader-MP Multipurpose LCR/ESR-meter
Multipurpose LCR, ESR and Diode/LED tester from Siborg Systems Inc.

Siborg Offering New Multi Purpose Device: LCR-Reader-MP

LCR-Reader-MP Multipurpose LCR/ESR-meter
Multipurpose LCR, ESR and Diode/LED tester from Siborg Systems Inc.

Beginning after September 1st, 2017, Siborg is offering a new multipurpose device, the LCR-Reader-MP. This device has a basic accuracy better than 0.1%, a 100 kHz test frequency and more features than Smart Tweezers ST-1.

The LCR-Reader-MP offers many features and measurement modes, including AC/DC voltage measurements, signal generation, oscilloscope mode, pulse counting, frequency measurements, LED and diode testing and more. One of the most important features of the device is the 100 kHz test frequency that allows for 1 nH resolution for inductance measurements and 0.01 pF for capacitance.

The new device is especially helpful when testing large capacitances up to 680 mF using the ‘Large Capacitance’ mode. This will allow electrolytic capacitors to be measured at 120 Hertz with the ESR being measured at 100 kHz according to the regular electrolytic capacitor test conditions. When using the ‘Large Capacitance’ mode, the device will automatically reduce the test frequency to 25 Hertz which allows for reasonable accuracy. The device also offers a wide range of test frequencies for the best results depending on the task; these include: 50, 100, 120 Hz, 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75 and 100 kHz.

The LCR-Reader-MP features an oscilloscope mode for analyzing voltage wave forms with frequencies up to 100 kHz on an active circuit board. This mode is very useful when used in conjuncture with the LCR-Reader Kelvin Probe Connector. The Probe Connector extends the reach of the multimeter, allowing for components larger than the tweezers’ spread to be measured and allows to check wave forms at various nodes on the PCB.

The device does have some downsides: a rather high test signal source resistance of 1 kOhm and a maximum test signal of 0.65 Vrms which is not enough for reliable evaluation of some ceramic capacitors which can result in lower than actual capacitance values.

LCR-Reader-MP is slightly larger than LCR-Reader and Smart Tweezers; at 2 oz., it is twice as heavy and is almost double the width. Though larger, the MP device features a larger screen with better readability.

Features on LCR-Reader-MP:

  • Automatic L-C-R, ESR and Diode/LED measurements
  • Better than 0.1% basic accuracy
  • Signal Generator: Triangle, Rectangle and Sine pulse shapes up to 100 kHz
  • AC/DC voltage measurements up to 15 V
  • Current measurements
  • LED/Diode and Continuity measurements
  • Easy Short/Open calibration and offset removal
  • Oscilloscope Transient Voltage display up to 100 kHz
  • Measurement of Frequency, Pulse Period, Duty Cycle up to 400 kHz
  • Two Test Signal Levels: Automatic Test Signal Reduction to 0.1 V for in-circuit measurement
  • Handles components as small as 0201 sizes (0.3mm)
  • Displays active and reactive impedance components
  • Li-Ion battery with micro-USB charging port
  • 2 oz. (60 grams) weight

LCR-Reader-MP will be available after September 1st, 2017. Siborg is offering an introductory price of $388.99 USD and will be taking pre-orders. The devices will be shipped as they become available.