NEWS  16/08/2012

New Punching Machine now Ready. Watch this space!

Our new ASIC development facilities are now fully operational. This means that we can design and manufacture logic chips ourselves using FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays). This allows us to greatly reduce the component count on future circuit designs. We use LATTICE SEMICONDUCTORS FPGAs but can target other manufacturers products if required. Reducing component count can greatly improve reliability. It is very easy to change the configuration of FPGAs in circuit, so changes to the design require no hardware changes.

We have now ported all our PC software to Windows 7 which we can configure for the more sophisticated industrial applications.

We have developed a small module which can detect patterns on printed material such as cardboard and paper for cartons or boxes. It can detect Bars and Spaces via a Photo Sensor at speeds of up to 400 Metres per minute. It requires input from a rotary encoder and can be easily programmed from a PC or PLC via an RS232 link. Details will appear in the PRODUCTS page very soon but the device is available now. Most 'cut to Mark' systems will be greatly improved by using this product.

A very low cost, high resolution and high speed Line Scan Vision System is nearly ready for application. This has taken 3 years to develop and uses a CCD Sensor with programmable resolution. The system also has large FIFO memory and can capture and prepare images by itself. Data is transferred to a computer via USB bus. This system also uses a FPGA which we have developed in house using our new facilities!

Various new sensors for detecting Magnetic Ink and measuring metallic objects have been developed using GMRs (giant magneto resistors). This technology has many industrial applications and will become a major part of our work.

The Filomatic System has been redesigned for USB.

New Laser interface system for Quilting Software in progress.