Smart Tweezers Blog

Marketing in China for Smart Tweezers and LCR-Reader

// November 7th, 2014 // No Comments » // Distributors, LCR-Reader, News, ST-5S

Siborg Systems Inc. has gained new partners to serve customers in China and surrounding Asia. These new partners will offer a closer-to-home alternative to ordering their devices from North America.

These new partners include;

Sugimoto China; based in Shenzhen, Sugimoto offers more than 500 000 kinds of domestic and international famous brands of industrial products, including tools, equipment and materials.

Shenzhen Maple General Technology Co.; founded in 2004, with headquarters in Nanshan District, Shenzhen Science and Technology Park; Shenzhen Maple General Technology Co. has become one of the largest equipment dealers, systems integrators and integrated service providers. They also have offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Dongguan.

Shanghai PanXi Electronics Co. Ltd.; based in Hong Kong, Shanghai PanXi Electronics Co., Ltd. is a distributor of imported testing equipment, including LeCroy, EA, Agilent Instruments and other famous manufactures of products.

For more information:

Contact Sugimoto
Vivian Bian, Purchasing Dept.
Sugimoto Trade Co., Ltd.
A-1606 World Trade Plaza,
No. 9 Fuhong Road, Futian District,
Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong
China, 518030
Phone: 0755-83501888-879
Fax: 0755-89698555
Toll Free: 400-885-3088 / 400-885-4088

Contact Shenzhen Maple General Technology Co.

David Yip Wai
Universal Technology Co., Ltd. Shenzhen
Nanshan District, Shenzhen Science Park Road North on the 2nd New Oriental Harbor 2 301
Tel: 0755-86677030
Fax: 0755-83323909

Contact Shanghai PanXi Electronics Co. Ltd.
Bony Xi, Purchasing
19D, BeiHai Building, No. 859, Tian Yao Qiao Road
Shanghai 200030, China
Tel: +86 21-64867827, 64865993
Fax: +86 21-64867564

Smart Tweezers and LCR-Reader LCR-meters Gain New Distributor in Singapore

// October 1st, 2014 // No Comments » // Distributors, LCR-Reader, News, ST-5S

Siborg Systems Inc. has signed a new distribution deal with AOne Electrotest Services in Singapore. This new deal will serve customers in Singapore and surrounding Asian areas.

AOne, established in 2007, are a premium distributor of high-quality measuring electronics and electrical test equipment, offering brands such as Additel, Kaise, Kewtech, Tenmars, Flir-Systems, Chauvin Arnoux, etc. Instrumentation is their core business and are dedicated to meet the customers’ every need. AOne aims to cater for the growing needs of all electronics and electrical test and measuring equipment in Singapore. From July 2009, AOne Electrotest Services was incorporated to a Private Limited Company.

“We are excited for this new deal with AOne,” says the Director at Siborg, Michael Obrecht, “Our customers will greatly appreciate having a distributor in their area, and we believe that Smart Tweezers will be a great fit among their already existing line of test equipment and products.”

Smart Tweezers and LCR-Reader Verification Tool for Distributors

// September 4th, 2014 // No Comments » // Distributors, LCR-Reader, News, ST-5S, ST5

Siborg Systems Inc. and the Institute of Automation and Electrometry of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Novosibirsk, Russia have developed a verification tool for Smart Tweezers and LCR-Reader.

“Although all Smart Tweezers PCBs are calibrated after the PCB is made, the verification jig is still a desirable tool for incoming control and troubleshooting devices returned due to a failure or malfunction. It can also be used for periodical traceable calibration if the jig is calibrated by a certified agency. The best thing about the jig is that it can be used for any model of Smart Tweezers after the ST-3 where, for the first time, the 4-wire connection was utilized.” says Michael Obrecht, the Director of R&D at Siborg.

The jig uses 16 known components: 8 resistors, 4 capacitors and 4 inductors of different values in Smart Tweezers measurement range. The device being tested is connected to the jig using a 4-wire connection. When on, the jig connects to every component, with the results shown on the Smart Tweezers’ display allowing for comparisons to be made between the measurement values and the known values.

The 4-wire connection is an essential part of the jig; this connection reduces the noise generated by the connections on the PCB. The connections are controlled by a microprocessor and a set of 32 relays. After a switch, the micro-controller goes into the sleep mode in order to reduce the effect of the digital circuitry on the measurement.

Smart Tweezers Newest Models Have Been Shipped Worldwide to Distributors

// June 4th, 2014 // No Comments » // Distributors, LCR-Reader, News, ST-5S

The new ST-5S and LCR-Readers have been shipped to distributors worldwide to AdvanceTech in India, KaiserTech in the UK, Sanata Ltd. in Russia and VanDevice in Japan. With these distributors, users across the globe have access to the ST-5S and LCR-Readers without waiting for shipment from Canada and possibly long customs waiting times.

LCR-Reader to Show at Produktronika in Munich by KIT and Bokar International

// November 1st, 2013 // No Comments » // Distributors, LCR-Reader, News, ST5

Germany’s KIT and USA’s Bokar International are taking the LCR-Reader and ST5 to Produktronika in Germany.

The first few batches of the new LCR-Reader have made their way to Bokar International in the USA, Van Device Ltd. in Japan, Sanata-Tech in Russia and Advance Tech in India.

“We are not sure how popular the new device will be. It is always hard to predict the market. But we are hearing good responses from our European distributors and therefore we are going to present  LCR-Reader at Produktronika in Munich in November. Meet us at KIT Kroschewski Industrie Technik GmbH, Booth number 532, Hall A4, Messe Müchen, to see a quick LCR-Reader and Smart Tweezers ST-5 demo.” says Czes Ruskowski, the CEO at Bokar International.

Sanata-Tech in St. Petersburg Boosts Smart Tweezers and LCR-Reader Marketing in Eastern Europe

// October 31st, 2013 // No Comments » // Distributors, LCR-Reader, News, ST5

Sanata-Tech, based in St. Petersburg, has joined Siborg Systems Inc. in marketing LCR-Reader and the ST5 model in Customs Union countries, including Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

Following a summit in Minsk on October 29, 2013, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan announced their intention of forming the Eurasian Economic Union in 2015, and opened the invitation to join to Turkey, India and Syria to join the alliance, further expanding past former Soviet Union countries.

Sanata-Tech is an Eastern European supplier of soldering equipment, electrical test equipment and workplace furniture and hand tools.

“A major portion of our clients are electronic companies dealing with Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs).” says the CEO of Sanata-Tech, Natalya Petrova, “Any person using soldering equipment finds Smart Tweezers LCR-meter very efficient in testing and characterization of Surface Mount Devices and it is an indispensable tool for PCB debugging and repair.”

This new partnership offers further accessibility to Smart Tweezers and LCR-Reader to customers in the Eurasian Economic Union.

Smart Tweezers ST5 and New LCR-Reader Now Available in Vietnam from Indochina Equipment and Accessories JSC

// September 27th, 2013 // No Comments » // Distributors, LCR-Reader, News, ST5

Siborg Systems Inc. and Indochina Equipment & Accessories Joint Stock Company, in Hanoi, Vietnam, has agreed to join efforts in offering both ST5 and LCR-Reader models of Smart Tweezers in Southeastern Japan.

Indochina JSC is a known supplier in Southeastern Asia, specializing in supplying equipment and spare parts for various industries using heavy machinery.

“In a modern world, all machines use Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) with a high density of Surface Mount Devices (SMDs),” says the CEO of Indochina JSC, Mr. Tam, “A few of our clients approached us with a request to procure Smart Tweezers LCR-meter, which is an indispensable tool for PCB repair.”

Both devices are now available for order.

LCR-Reader Is Released and Is on Sale Until October 31, 2013

// September 27th, 2013 // No Comments » // LCR-Reader, News

Siborg Systems Inc. has released LCR-Reader, a new member of Smart Tweezers LCR-meter family. The new device is half the weight of previous Smart Tweezers models at 1 oz. and a lower cost. It is offered at introductory price until October 31, 2013. To order please follow LCR-Reader Sale link.

The new LCR-Reader, the newest model in the Smart Tweezers LCR-meter family

The new design keeps up with Smart Tweezers tradition of an accurate LCR-meter merged with a set of tweezers. The LCR-Reader is smaller and lighter than previous models, while still maintaining a 1% basic accuracy.

Before the release, the new device was showing variations while trying to reach the 1% basic accuracy objective. This problem was fixed by calibrating each unit using the Calibration Fixture.

“We are very happy with the new device. Customer satisfaction is our main priority.” said Michael Obrecht, the Director of Research and Development at Siborg, “Therefore we took additional measures to ensure high measurement accuracy of the LCR-Reader before we start mass production of this model. Basic accuracy of 1% was our target and we eventually have been able to achieve it.”

The most obvious differences between the LCR-Reader and previous Smart Tweezers, from first glance, is the size and the new high-contrast LCD screen. Still available are such features as;

• automatic Capacitance, Resistance and Inductance measurements
• ESR measurements
• 1% basic accuracy
• ergonomic, one-handed design, now with only 1 oz. weight
• one button navigation
• test signal amplitude of 0.5 Vrms
• automatically selected test frequency
• Li-Ion battery with micro-USB charging  (cable not included)

The one handed navigation button allows users to easily switch between measurement modes, from Automatic to Inductance, Resistance, Capacitance and ESR modes.

LCR-Reader demonstrating a measurement of an Inductor

The photo above demonstrates the new screen. AM indicates Automatic Mode, ‘L’ indicates that the component under test is an inductor, the value 104.8 uH is the main impedance value, ‘Rs’ indicates parasitic series resistance of the inductor. 10 kHz is the test frequency being used. The bottom right hand corner provides an indication of battery power remaining.

While creating a device with a lower cost, some of the features found on Smart Tweezers had to be left out, including; semi-automatic offset subtraction, component sorting, open circuit detection and continuity and diode testing.

The new LCR-Reader still offers the same functionality and easy-to-use experience of previous Smart Tweezers, but the new upgrades will maximize these features, while offering a lower-priced device.

The Smart Tweezers Comparison Table has been updated to provide a side-by-side comparison of previous Smart Tweezers and the new LCR-Reader.

Updated Smart Tweezers LCR-meter, LCR-Reader, Shown at Nepcon Shanghai

// May 22nd, 2013 // No Comments » // Distributors, LCR-Reader, News, ST-5S

The very first public glimpse of Siborg Systems Inc.’s new LCR-Reader, a simplified model of Smart Tweezers LCR- and ESR-meter, featuring a lighter weight and price with high accuracy measurements.

Siborg Systems Inc.’s new, updated model in the Smart Tweezers family was presented for the first time in Shanghai. The new LCR-Reader offers users the same familiar functionality as Smart Tweezers LCR-meter, but boasting half the weight and half the price without limiting the high accuracy measurements.

Nepcon Shanghai 2013, left to right: Eagle Sun (Ascentek), Alston (Goldtek), Michael Obrecht (Siborg), Willie Fan (Ascentek), Jason Yeh (Goldtek)

The LCR-Reader was presented at Nepcon Shanghai Trade Show, the largest electronics manufacturing show in China. About 20,000 visitors and hundreds of exhibitors attend the show, including leaders in Surface Mount Technology, including; Fuji Machine Manufacturing, Sony, Panasonic Factory Solutions, Hitachi, OK International and Heller.

Presented by Siborg and distributors GoldTek and AscenTek in China, and AscenTex in Taiwan, the prototype [shown] was well received. Jason Yeh, the GoldTek Sales Manager, said;

“It is very important to be able to reduce the price of LCR-Reader compare to the Smart Tweezers LCR-meter. We hope to double our sale with the introduction of the new affordable model.”

LCR-Reader prototype

The cost reduction was possible by way of cheaper manufacturing cost to the benefit of the consumer. The device keeps the same high accuracy known in Smart Tweezers with a basic accuracy of 0.1%, the same accuracy available on the previous ST-2 model. The updated design offers a one button navigation, one push of the button cycles through measurement modes including; A Automatic, C Capacitance, L Inductance, R Resistance, ESR Equivalent Series Resistance. LCR-Reader automatically selects the best range for L, C, R and ESR measurements, based on the component value and type. Parasitic impedance components, such as the R for C or L, are measured and shown, along with the main impedance component. All measurements are performed at a test signal amplitude of 0.5 Vrms. The device is powered by Li-Ion battery charged by Micro USB cable.

Some of the features known to Smart Tweezers were lost on the new device, including; the offset subtraction feature, voltage measurement, diode and continuity testing and component sorting.

The LCR-Reader will be available in July-August 2013, with sales expected to be fourfold to the ST5 model. A 20% discount is offered for customers pre-ordering the exciting new model.

An intro video is available for viewing.

A Sneak Peek into New Model of Smart Tweezers LCR-meter with Half the Weight, at Half the Price

// April 2nd, 2013 // No Comments » // LCR-Reader, News

Designed specifically for Surface Mount Technology (SMT), Smart Tweezers are a pioneer in handheld LCR-meters. With a compact design that integrates a set of tweezers, a small display, and an LCR-meter, Smart Tweezers simplifies evaluating and identifying components. The unit’s 2 oz. slender design is easily held and operated with one hand, leaving the other free for taking notes or using other tools, and has been proven as winning combination of tools, currently being used by many major high-tech companies and customers worldwide.

Although Smart Tweezers popularity has grown exponentially over the years, the high price tag can range from $300 to $700 depending on the region and seller. The size of the screen, and overcrowding has also become a problem for some customers on the ST5 model. Even with accessibility and worldwide acclaim, the price leaves the device out of reach for hobbyists and casual users. Siborg had attempted making an alternative model of the device with a lower price, without a 1 Volt test signal option, but the price cut appeared to be only 20% and did not change the market picture overall.

Fig. 1

A prototype for the new model has emerged (Fig 1.) that features half the weight and half the size of previous Smart Tweezers, but also a much lower manufacturing cost.. Development on this new model began nearly a year ago, based on new microchips and a new idea of simplifying the circuit without losing the accuracy that has become synonymous with Smart Tweezers.

Siborg’s new LCR-Reader is about half the size of current Smart Tweezers and is able to charge the Li-Ion battery via USB. Although similar in design and features, like the gold-plated tweezer tips, the new LCR-Reader features a 1% basic accuracy (the same as the previous ST2 model), a one-button navigation which turns the device power on or off, as well as mode selection; ‘A’ automatic, ‘L’ Inductance, ‘C’ Capacitance, ‘R’ Resistance and ‘ESR’ Equivalent Series Resistance. The new device still offers fully automatic measurements, with the test frequency adjusted according to the component type, test signal amplitude is 0.5 Volts.

Fig 2.

Figure 2 shows an example of the device measuring inductance, where AM shows the measurement in ‘Automatic Mode’, ‘Rs’ indicates the parasitic series resistor of the inductance, 10 kHz as the test frequency, L proves that the component is an inductance, and 104.8 uH is the inductance value in micro-Henries, and a battery indication of the charge.

The new LCR-Reader is projected to be available in the summer, estimating sales to be four time more compared to the previous sales of the ST5 model.

The Smart Tweezers’ Blog features all the latest news about Smart Tweezers and the coming LCR-Reader.