Smart Tweezers LCR-Reader – Page 4 – Smart Tweezers LCR-Reader LCR-meter

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.

Black Friday in the LCR-Reader Store

Starting midnight on November 21st, 2017, Siborg is offering up to 30% off on devices, accessories and task kits in the LCR-Reader Store and on Amazon sales channels in Canada, USA, UK, Germany, France, Spain and Italy.

The sale includes the new LCR-Reader-MP; a multipurpose device for testing and troubleshooting surface mount technology with the highest basic accuracy of all Siborg’s devices at 0.1%. This device also offers the most features including: LED/diode measuremsnts, signal generator, super large capacitance measurements, AC/DC voltage measurements, oscilloscope mode, pulse counting, and more. The MP is also able to test components with a 100 kHz test frequency with 0.01 pF resolution for capacitance and 1 nH resolution for inductance. It also offers a Large Cap mode that measures large and super capacitances up to 680 mF.

Siborg will be showing the LCR-Reader-MP at this years International Electron Device Meeting Exhibits (IEDM) in San Francisco from December 3rd to 5th, 2017.

Visit the LCR-Reader Store from now until Sunday November 26th at 11:59 PM for Black Friday discounts.

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

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.

Smart Tweezers Offset Calibration Board Available in the LCR-Reader Store

Siborg’s newest addition to the LCR-Reader Store is the Smart Tweezers Offset Calibration Board.

This PCB emulator allows Smart Tweezers and Colibri LCR-meter users to easily and accurately find the offset capacitance to a varied range of components (02014, 0402, etc.) with a simple measurement. The PCB uses holes at the width of components; when the tips of a device are inserted in the holes, the device will give the actual offset value. This value can then be subtracted from the value of the component being measured.

Previously, to find out the parasitic value, users had to approximate the width of the component with the tips. This method was unreliable for accuracy.

The Offset Calibration Board also makes setting the Smart Tweezers’ semi-automatic offset subtraction value easier.

The Smart Tweezers Offset Calibration Board is available in the LCR-Reader Store in all Smart Tweezers and LCR-Reader Pro and Plus task kits as well as alone.

Educational Sale for Students, Educators and Educational Institutes in the LCR-Reader Store Until the End of August

Siborg is offering a discount on all LCR-meters, test equipment and accessories in the LCR-Reader Store until August 31, 2017, for all students, teachers and educational institutes. The sales price will reflect the quantities of devices purchased.

The LCR-Reader and Smart Tweezers LCR-and ESR-meters, as well as the LCR-Reader Pro task kits and Smart Tweezers Bluetooth are also included in the sale.

The Smart Tweezers Bluetooth model recently got upgraded to include the ability to send data to the ST device as well as receive the measurement data. The Bluetooth connects to PC, smart phones or tablets and can be used with software such as National Instruments LabView and the Windows’ Smart Tweezers Bluetooth Utility. These programs allow users to save all measurement data into a .csv file or other preferred file type for later processing or to be put into a database. Custom profiles can be set that use previously measured results or manual settings; these profiles are a set of specific parameters that a component must meet. When the measurement is complete, the program will grant the component a pass or fail whether it meets the specifications.

Siborg is also offering their other accessories and SMD devices in the sale. These include:

SMD Multimeter Test Tweezers that allow for tweezer-probe precision with most multimeters that have 4 mm jacks.
LED Test Tweezers that use a 12 VDC output with variable current ratings for testing LEDs. This device can also test circuitry and components using the included multimeter connector cable, which allows the device to be used as tweezer probes.
LCR-Reader/Smart Tweezers Kelvin Probe Connector: a shielded two-wire connector that allows Smart Tweezers and LCR-Reader to become full probe stations. The device includes 5 attachments and allows the multimeter to measure components larger than the tweezers’ spread would normally allow. Siborg has recently added fine and extra-fine pin-probes that can be purchased separately.

From March 29th to August 31st, 2017, Siborg is offering the sale to educators, students and educational facilities in the LCR-Reader Store. Students are required to show valid I.D, while educators can have their devices shipped to an institute or send a P.O. The sales price is reflected in the quantity of devices bought, starting at 15% for a single device.

Updated Smart Tweezers with Bluetooth: Now Sends and Receives Information

The Smart Tweezers ST5S-BT has been updated to include the ability to send and receive information to and from the device. The previous model allowed device only to be sent from the Smart Tweezers device to the communication software; the update allows software to control the device by sending test settings.

Smart Tweezers with Bluetooth is based on the ST-5S model with the same features and basic accuracy of 0.2%, while also offering the ability to remotely record measurement data. The device connects to PC, tablets and smart phones with iOS and Android platforms. To connect to PC, the Bluetooth USB receiver stick is required. The device is then able to communicate with software such as NI LabView, Windows’ Smart Tweezers Bluetooth Utility and dedicated apps.

When connected to apps, users can set custom profiles using previous measurements or from scratch. The profiles set parameters that components must measure between. When a measurement is completed, the program will either determine if the component meets these specifications and is marked as red or green. Profiles can include the type of component, measurement values or secondary values. Profiles are also able to set device test settings like frequencies or test modes; these settings are sent to the device.

Depending on the software used, the measurements can be saved to Excel compatible files or databases for other file types for later review or processing. The ability to remotely record measurement values in real-time is essential for jobs where quality control is required.

Smart Tweezers ST5S-BT2 receiver stick uses an FTDI bridge that creates a virtual RS232 serial port for connection.

The newest model of Smart Tweezers Bluetooth is available in the LCR-Reader Store.

Windows’ Smart Tweezers Bluetooth Utility measuring using a custom profile.

New Pin Probes for LCR-Reader/Smart Tweezers Kelvin Probe Connector in the LCR-Reader Store

Siborg has added new Fine and Extra-Fine Pin Probes for LCR-Reader/Smart Tweezers Kelvin Probe Connector in the LCR-Reader Store.

There are two new available probes.
The Extra-Fine Pin Probe is a 73 mm

The Fine Pin Probe is 124 mm fine_pin_probe

Both Pin Probes connect using the 4 mm jack plugs included with the Kelvin Probe Connector.

How to Remove False Measurements

False measurements are when the device shows a measurement while not being in contact with a component. The device will stop showing a measurement value when the tips are removed. False measurements will cause the device to continue displaying a measurement and not turn off, leading to the battery being drained.

There are a few reasons as to why the device is showing a false measurement. This could include the tips being misaligned or shifted during transportation or if the device has been dropped or mishandled. Replacing the tips with a new set may also cause false readings. Generally, these false measurements are caused by metal or plastic debris caught between the tips and arms of the device and can be fixed with these easy steps:

Start by removing the tips and cleaning the arms with isopropyl and a soft cloth or gauze to remove any extra debris. Reinstall the tips to the device. If the device is still showing a reading, remove the tips and continue to step two.
Try removing any excess flex cable from in or around the screw-holes. Gently rotate a drill bit by hand or use a Philips head screwdriver that is twice the size of the hole. This will scrape away any extra plastic and gold from the flex cable. The red circles in the image below shows where interference can occur.
Sometimes bits of metal remain stuck in the threads from assembly. These bits can be removed using a tap or one of the screws to clear the threads. Tighten and remove a few times.
Cleaning the screws may also help. Sometimes debris can be stuck between the threads.
If all else fails, make sure there is no metal bits stuck under the flex cable around the screw holes. Very rarely does metal get between these two pieces, but it can create false measurements. Always try scraping away extra flex cable first. Use sharp tweezers to remove any visible metal pieces without tearing or damaging the flex cable.

NOTE: Removing the flex cable will damage the glue and may cause issues when re-adhering the flex cable which can impact the accuracy of the measurements.

Make sure to clean away any residual plastic or metal using isopropyl and a soft cloth or gauze before reinstalling the tips.

If these steps do not remove the false readings, please contact Siborg Systems Inc.

End of January Sale in LCR-Reader Store and Amazon Sales Channels

Siborg is hosting an end-of-January sale with up to 20% off devices and accessories i nthe LCR-Reader Store and Amazon Sales Channels. The sale begins on January 18th 2017 at 12:00 AM and end on January 31st at 11:59 PM EST. The sale includes LCR-Reader and Smart Tweezers (including Smart Tweezers with Bluetooth) devices and task kits, as well as LED Test Tweezers, Kelvin Probe Connector for Smart Tweezers and LCR-Reader, and SMD Multimeter Test Tweezers.

Go to the LCR-Reader Store or Amazon Sales Channels in USA, Canada and Europe before the end of January for your chance to take part in this sale!