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News - May 2010

Contract Work - Automated Test System

We curently have a contract to develop an automated PCB testing system.
This type of system can be of immense value to a manufacturer:

PreviousProjected
Test Time / 1000 units20 working days
(10 min per PCB)		4 working days
(2 min per PCB)
Labour TypeSkilled or TrainedSemi Skilled
Cost of replicating test systemHigh - Handbuilt complex wiring harness, indicator panelsLow - incremental cost of manufacturing 2 PCBs and simplified point to point wire harness
ConfidenceLow - depended on operatorHigh - each PCB tested to same specification regardless of operator

Call us now if you would like to know more.
Underground Coal Fireproof Diesel

We finished the first revision of application software for the controllers on the  fireproof diesel machine.

We were quite pleased with the overall results, and we are waiting for news from field trials.

News - Feb 2010

Medical
We are currently looking for medical instrumentation / DSP / data acquisition work.
If you are in any way interested in having an engineer with an excellent technical skill base, and is commercially realistic, please pick up the phone and call me on 0407 457 674 right now.
All opportunities will be seriously considered (and this includes the "right" salary opportunity).


Underground Coal Fireproof Diesel
Our client reports the Automatic Isolator is a success, 3 of these isolators have been on machines in use for 6 months.

C6__ Controller Scada (Modbus) Software
We are adding basic off shelf scada software to the C601 controller.
The first addition will be Modbus

C6__ Controller Information Sheet


News / What we've been working on lately: (Nov 2009)

C6__ Control System with C5__ Developement Jig

Pictured below you can see a control system development setup we have been working on.
T801 Test Dev Jig Top View
On the left are three C5__ controllers with IO setup for software development and testing of the two C6__ controllers on the right.
T801 Test Dev Jig Side View
Side view of the three C5__ controllers setup to emulate PT100s, switches, 4-20mA Pressure Sensors and a Frequency Source.

We have developed a class for each type of C5__ controller pictures in VB (studio express 2005), and we are working on testing and machine emulation software
.

Temperature Sensors

We have constructed two types of PT100 temperature sensors lately,
Brass Bolt Type and Lug Type.
S112 PT100 Bolt Sensor
S113 Lug PT100 Sensor

Audio Amplifier

We have built up a simple audio amplifier for a gaming machine. We included an audio transformer to remove ground wiring loops. Also suitable for mobile machines for driving speakers for alerts or communications.
A901 Audio Amplifier


News / What we've been working on lately: (Sept 2009)

Underground Coal Mining

Pictured opposite is an isolation controller with user interface that we have been working on over the past few months.

There are currently 3 of these installed on machines.

You can see a number of aspects to the work we do, including plastic component machining (the insulators, mounting plates and fuse mounting bolt.
__

C601 Controller

We have continued the development of this controller.
There is now a new option card (C606) that has optically isolated inputs and an EEPROM for non-volatile memory.
We are currently manufacturing a small run of these controllers for installtion on machines at the end of October.

We are also planning an option card that can carry a SD card for data logging and event capture.
The device would make a very powerful and robust data logger for industrial machines.

C790 Controller

We have used this in a few applications lately, as a machine tilt monitor and as a brake controller.

P403 Power Supply

The latest variant of P403 Power Supply uses cable clamps to strain relieve 0.75mm2 wires for external connections.

Supplied with Deutsch DT connectors.		P403 Power Supply with Cable Clamps Enclosure

C5__ Controller (Test Jig / Machine Emulation)

We started this controller family to make it easier to create Test Jigs or Machine Emulator Jigs.
One of the objectives is to have the hardware to make it easier and more cost effective to provide test equipment to clients.

It is a card system that uses an IDC 26 way cable to join the cards.
The first controller card has a 9S08AW32 and RS485.

It mounts in a Hammond 1591T / 1591U enclosure.

We currently have expansion cards that emulate a resistance (discrete resistance steps, isolated), emulate a 4-20mA source (isolated), and analog inputs (on controller 0V).

C9__ Controller

Small controllers in a 1591L enclosure with a RS485 interface.
Initially intended to provide a few IO or monitoring functions in a system with C601 controllers.

C901 is a system monitor with RS485, RS232 (user monitoring point) and a DPDT relay.
C902 has a RX2 433MHz receiver and RS485.

News / What we've been working on lately: (March 2009)

C601 Controller

This new controller is destined for the underground coal mining project we are working on.

The power supply and commiunications are on the left card, and there is a further custom option card on the right.

We will be using 3 of these distributed over the machine linked with RS485 for the machine controller.

C601 Assembly
C610 Controller Assembly

P403 Power Supply

The 403 Power Supply is intended as a supply for systems on 12V vehicles. Includes a large transient filter, and 2 option cards.
Shown are the Boost Card (boosts to 10V @ 10W even while cranking the engine) and an Isolated Supply Card.

P403 Power Supply

P403 AssemblyP403 PCBs

LPC2478 to VGA Display

We've been helping a colleague with some hardware testing and low level interfacing software from an NXP LPC2478 to a VGA display.

This is what the colour palette and a few fonts looks like on a 640 x 480b VGA display (thats the old LCD monitor I use for my second screen from time to time)

The LPC2478 PCB the VGA display comes from is shown below:

LPC2478 PCB





LPC2478 640x480 on VGA display

News / What we've been working on lately: (November 2008)

Underground Coal Mining

We have continued to work on the power supply for the Methane Detection system for the underground coal mining fireproof diesel vehicle project we have been working on.

R101 433MHz Transmitter Hardware

The R101 Stand Alone 433MHz Transmitter hardware is finally ready.
Terminal block wiring connections, BNC antenna connection.
2 AA size cells for power (cell holders are behind the PCB).
3 Analog Inputs (2 if the on board battery monitor is used)
6 Digital Inputs
Hammond Enclosure with mounting flanges.
There is some capacity to modify the analog inputs by component changes. Don't hesitate to call us and discuss your applications needs.
R101 Transmiter Assembly

News / What we've been working on lately: (October 2008)

Underground Coal Mining

We were in Queensland in September helping with installation testing and firmware for our controller for the underground mining diesel vehicle.

During October we've been working on an instrisic safety methane system power supply. We hope the first prototype to be ready by the end of the year.

Christmas is Coming

Given the typical hardware design cycle and PCB / Enclosure machining lead times, we are getting close to the end of year cutoff.

The Australian Dollar

The drop in the A$ has been a bit rude, and particularly impacts our business as we use electronic components that are imported.

The large drop in the A$ may effect the price of some products.

The Services We Offer

We thought we should make some comment for all our valued and potential cients:
  • While we do sell "design time" for some clients, our preferred option is to sell "boxes". The idea is that we supply an "off shelf" hardware solution, and depending on your application, needs and budget, either an "off shelf software" or "exclusive supply software" solution.
  • While it is possible to provide us with just operation specifications for your electronics controller, it often helps if you are willing to talk to us about your application.
  • Any confidentiality agreement has to protect the commercial interests of both the Client and Furzy.
  • We only make professionally finished products, invariably at least 2 are always manufactuered.
  • For each and every product, the application, design and implementation is carefully considered. 

What we've been working on lately: (August 2008)

User Interface for Mining Vehicle

We have finished developing the hardware for this simple user interface. Housed in a steel encloure, with 14 front panel dual colour leds, and 2 vandal proof switches.

The front of the steel enclosure showing the 14 light pipes for the leds, the mounting base is part of the rear panel.

The user interface internal PCBs.

R101 433MHz Transmitter

We have finally made some progress on our wireless sensor transmitter.
We now have the first PCBs waiting for components to be loaded.

This transmitter is designed to:
  • Operate for a few years on its internal batteries (2 AA cells) depending on transmission rate and connected sensor types
  • Ready to install in a weatherproof enclosure (see the C790 controller encosure below)
  • Use a BNC connector for the antenna. Either use an internal rubber ducky, or an external antenna for longer hauls
  • Connect to switch contact sensors
  • Connect to simple analog sensors
The first assembled prototypes should be ready by September.

What we've been working on lately: (June 2008)

C790 Controller

Medical Devices

We have prototyped photoplethysmograph circuits (base band amplifier and modulated carrier types) for assist one of our clients with some signal processing.
We have also recently helped with EMC emissions and immunity testing.

Commercial Radio - Field Support

We have recently helped a client with an assessment of the 24V-12V power supplies and their apparent failure in heavy vehicle installations.
An interesting fault that resulted in the switchmode converter secondary rectifier diodes failing short circuit.

What we've been working on lately: (April 2008)

Small Stand Alone Controllers

New Product C790, has:
  • 4 inputs individually able to be configured at build time (opto analog, opto digital, voltage, current to 0V)
  • 2 Relays (250V 10A DPDT)
  • Freescale 9S08AW32 microcontroller (we will even write your application software)
  • Robust power supply capable of operating over a 6V to 18V range
  • Regulated 12V available for Sensors, 5V availabe for ratiometeric sensing
  • All in a Hammond 1591TFL enclosure with 2 wiring glands already mounted
Very suitable for a process monitor, particularly on a vehicle or other battery powered system. Example uses include:
  • relay hold timer
  • over speed / over revs monitoring
  • basic level and pump control
  • solar system monitor

Small 433MHz Transmitters and Receivers

We've built a 433MHz transmitter based on the Microchip rfPIC12F675F.
We've also built a corresponding reciver based on the Microchip rfRXD0420 with a 9S08GT Freescale Processor.

These RF circuits were developed for the Underground Coal Mining Fireproof Diesel Shutdown System.

We were so impressed with the perfromance, we have decided to rebuild the hardware in a configuration for wireless sensors.

The Transmitter Features are:
  • FM modulation, and we've used a capacitance diode, not switched load capacitance on the crystal.
  • The transmitter has 4 inputs, 3 of them analog capable.
  • AA Battery Holders directly mounted on the PCB
  • Simple transmission interval setting

Medical Devices

We have been helping a multinational medical device supplier with their product design and manufacturing support.
  • ECG design
  • Strain Bridge Pressure Sensor Inteface Design 
  • USB data and power connection (the instrument is entirely USB powered)
  • ECG and Pressure Sensor have 60601 isolation from each other and from USB
  • ARM7 processor provides power for real time DSP filters for ECG and Pressure Sensor
  • Fast recovery for ECG using combination of ARM processor and analog interface
  • ECG is EC13 compliant
Please call us at any time if you are interested  with help in Medical Instrumentation or 60601 compliance.

Underground Coal Mining

We are working on a controller for an underground coal mining fireproof diesel vehicle.
Its a large system that includes:
  • The Controller Monitors:
    • Surface Temperatures inc Exhaust (PT100s and Thermisters)
    • Oil Pressure (Engine and Brake System, 4-20mA Sensors)
    • Engine Revs (Dedicated Hall Sensor)
    • Vehice Speed (Dedicated Hall Sensor on Drive Shaft)
    • Doors
    • Operating Area Receiver (433MHz Receiver)
    • Brake Release Sequencing
  • The Controller Provides: 
    • Starting Sequence Control
    • Brake System Control
    • Speed Limiting
    • Engine Revs Limiting
    • a 433MHz Transmitter (to test the receiver)
    • a Driver Interface with a basic LED indicator panel
    • a Serial Data Link for testing and fault finding
  • Operating Area Transmitters
  • A Hand Held 433MHz Receiver for setting up the operating area Transmitters

Intrinsic Safety

We still offer our opinion on Intrinsic Safety conformance, and also offer our opinion on how to approach the intrinic safety design for a product.
We've recently helped a client that produces control systems for cranes.

Call us to find out whether we can help.