January 2006Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
A major problem for LCDs has been the difficulty in using them in bright conditions. A typical transmissive LCD uses a backlight lamp with brightness of 300 nit (candela per m2). This is fine for indoor use but close to useless in outdoor applications.
One solution has been to increase the brightness of the backlight to 1000 nit or higher. This allows some functionality in bright conditions but in reality one has to compete with the brightness of the sun, which is never easy. These high brightness LCDs are expensive, bulky and have cooling issues. Another option has been to use reflective LCDs. These have no backlight and fully reflect the ambient light, much like a calculator does. Full colour, high resolution versions of this technology suitable for use in a PC environment are virtually non-existent.
A mixture between transmissive (with backlight) and reflective (no backlight), called 'transflective', is available. This passes a high percentage of the backlight through, while also reflecting some of the ambient light thereby trying to give the best of both worlds. These LCDs can be used in the dark as well as in high-brightness situations. Once again, the problem has been that there are nearly no LCDs based on this technology available.
This has now been addressed by a company called Trio. This company can modify an existing transmissive LCD by adding a paper-thin film between the LCD's backlight and the front glass. This film reflects light from the one side (outside) and allows light through from the other side (backlight) much like a one-way mirror does. This gives a perfect transflective LCD capable of working in the dark as well as in high-brightness conditions without adding any of the drawbacks from traditional high-brightness LCDs.
Although Trio cannot modify every available LCD due to internal mechanical design constraints, it does have a substantial list of LCDs ranging from 16 cm to 48 cm that they are able to offer the modification for. Centurion Micro Electronics has received some samples of the transflective LCDs from Trio.
High-efficiency switching solutions
Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
Becker Mining South Africa has launched a new-generation energy distribution system that has been specially developed to enhance productivity and safety in the challenging conditions of local underground coal mines.
Read more...World-first solution for platinum miner ABB South Africa
Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
When a consulting engineering company approached ABB about a specific problem that its platinum mining client was experiencing at its smelter facility in the North West Province, it was an opportunity for the technology provider to showcase its innovation and adaptability in responding to specific customer requirements.
Read more...Robust industrial relays Vepac Electronics
Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
Industrial RT relays from Vepac are particularly robust and are used for high load control. RT modules can control up to three changeover contacts, with 10 A each. In addition, this product is equipped for safety reasons with manual operation, improved LEDs or free-wheeling diodes.
Read more...Pick-to-light device with added flexibility Turck Banner Southern Africa
Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
Pick-to-light devices and systems help industrial automation manufacturers reduce the risk of error in the assembly process, ensuring product quality and reducing cost. These devices are also used in kitting and put-to-light operations to ensure high accuracy in fulfilment operations.
Read more...Protection relays – control what you can Schneider Electric South Africa
Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
With municipalities’ distribution centres and equipment taking immense strain due to load shedding, maintenance has unfortunately moved down the priority list. The time is now to implement what municipalities can control - protecting and monitoring installed equipment.
Read more...Programmable multicolour indicator beacons Turck Banner Southern Africa
Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
Pro Editor software lets users program the K100 Pro Daylight Visible and K100 Pro Indicator with a variety of alarms, colours and animations.
Read more...Low-profile touchless switches Fox Controls Rand
Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
LED illumination and indoor/outdoor durability make these low-profile touchless switches ideal for clean and functional industrial and public applications.
Read more...PID controller with multicolour LCD Allpronix
Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
The Novus N1050 is an advanced PID controller featuring a large, bright and easy-to-read multicolour 11-segment LCD display with clear status signalling.
Read more...Switch amplifiers for multiple voltage ranges Pepperl+Fuchs
Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
The new KFU8-SR-Ex product family of switch amplifiers from Pepperl+Fuchs offers a solution that is both efficient and reliable.
Read more...SIL 2 safety switching over fibre-optic cable Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Operator Interfaces, Switches & Relays
The FCT and FCR module pair are DIN-rail mounted, fibre-optic contact transmitters and receivers that can send a digital contact signal up to 10 km over a single optical fibre.
printer friendly version