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 Meets New Manufacturers and Creates Sales Office in Southeast China

Siborg visited China in May to make local connections for manufacturing parts of their future LCR-Reader models. During the trip, Siborg established a new sales office that will cover all of China and Southeast Asia.

Michael Obrecht met with Andy Leman, an entrepreneur in Baoan, Shenzhen, and had a series of meetings and discussions. Together they also met with Shenzhen Polytechnic and Southern University of Science and Technology where Andy was appointed as Siborg’s representative in China. He will be the primary distributor of Siborg’s test equipment and educational software MicroTec Semiconductor Process and Device Simulation Software.

Michael met with Shenzhen HTX Precision Hardware Co. about manufacturing parts for a new model of LCR-Reader-MP. He also met with a few PCB companies, includng ChinaPCBOne.

ChinaPCBOne is a full cycle PCB manufacturer and assembly provider. Other companies included Shenzhen Eastwin Ltd., Wanfeng Circuit Co., and Shenzhen Sunsoar Circuit Co. Each of these companies showed great efficiency as proven with their 5-7 week lead time. Though the latter 3 subcontract their PCB manufacturing to other companies.

Siborg also visited with plastic mold manufacturers all of which provide a highly flexible arrangments for plastic part manufacturing for a new MP model. These companies included Alpine Mold, Dongguan Hensim Rubber & Plastic Technology Co. and Shenzhen Lafer Technology Co. Each company has their strengths, but Dongguan Hensim showed the most advanced manufacturing capabilities. The initial decision between companies will be decided on cost, which in the end, will benefit the customer.

For more information about the companies Siborg spoke with:

Shenzhen HTX Precision Hardware Co., LTD
Longgang District, Shenzhen, Guangdong,China
Lisa Zhu, International Sales Manager

Wanfeng Circuit(HK) CO.,LTD, POE Precision Electronics CO.,LTD
Futian District, Shenzhen, China
Rae, International Sales Director

Shenzhen Sunsoar Circuit Co.,Ltd, Sunsoar Precision Electronic(HK) Limited
Baoan District,Shenzhen,Guangdong,China.
Apple Gu, Sales Manager

Shenzhen Eastwin Ltd.
Longhua, Shenzhen, China
Zoe, Sales Manager

ChinaPCBone
Bao’an District, ShenZhen
Gary Xiao, CEO

Alpine Mold
Gongming Town, Shenzhen, China
Kerry Wei, Sales Manager

Shenzhen Lafer Technology CO.,LTD.
Baoan, ShenZhen, Guangdong, China
Kevin Jiang, Sales Manager

Dongguan Hensim Rubber & Plastic Technology Co., Ltd.
Dongguan, Guangdong, China
Alex Ouyang, Sales Manager

Andy Leman, Entrepreneur, Baoan, Shenzhen, China

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.

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

Offset Calibration Board for Smart Tweezers LCR- and ESR-metersSiborg’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 offSmart Tweezer probes and offset calibration boardset value. This value can then be subtracted from the value of the component being Smart Tweezers ST-5S and Offset Calibration Boardmeasured.

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.

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 mmextra_fine_pin_probe
extrafinepinprobe

The Fine Pin Probe is 124 mmfine_pin_probe

finepinprobe

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