Smart Tweezers Blog

LCR-Readers Now Accompanied by Calibration Certificates

// July 29th, 2016 // No Comments » // Devices, LCR-Reader, LCR-Reader Store, News

Over the past year, Siborg worked with the Institute of Automation and Electrometry at the Russian Academy of Sciences in creating a new calibration fixture that could handle the complete range of measurements for both Smart Tweezers and LCR-Reader. After completion, Siborg sent the fixture to one of Canada’s leading calibration houses for verification. Once verified, Siborg was able to offer periodic calibration with certificate for LCR-Readers when the device and a certificate were purchased together in the LCR-Reader Store.

Siborg also created new task kits, including the LCR-Reader Professional that included the certificate as well as spare bent tweezer-tips and an extra battery.

Siborg is now offering NIST Traceable Calibration Certificates with every LCR-Reader without any extra cost.

The lack of traceable periodic calibration was a hindrance for professionals that were looking for a tool like Smart Tweezers that offers a certificate, but did not agree with the high price.

Check out the LCR-Reader Store for all Siborg’s offerings:

LCR-Reader
LCR-Reader Task Kits: pre-bundled options that offer customers a device and accessories with a lower price than buying each piece separately
Smart Tweezers ST-5S
Smart Tweezers ST5S-BT: Bluetooth enabled Smart Tweezers that can record measurement results in real-time
Smart Tweezers Task Kits
SMD Multimeter Test Tweezers: add tweezer-like precision to any multimeter
LED Test Tweezers: Tweezer testing for LEDs, switches, fuses, etc. Comes with a special connector cable that connects the device to a multimeter
LCR-Reader Probe Connector: Turns LCR-Reader and Smart Tweezers into a probe station for complete PCB probing, as well as extends the abilities of the devices to measure components that would not fit between the tweezers

Bluetooth Enabled Smart Tweezers Now Available in the Store

// July 18th, 2016 // No Comments » // Bluetooth, News, ST-5S

Siborg has begun offering the Smart Tweezers ST5S-BT in the LCR-Reader Store!

Smart Tweezers ST5S-BT allows users to remotely record their measurement values in real time.

This new model offers all the same features and functions found on the popular Smart Tweezers ST-5S model, but with the added benefit of being able to record all measurement values remotely via Bluetooth.

Using the USB receiver stick, the Smart Tweezers ST5S-BT opens a virtual serial port that can be received by any communication software such as NI LabView® or Tera Term free software. Currently, the USB stick is required for use with computers and NI LabView®; Android devices are able to receive data without. Eventually there will be dedicated Apps for iOS, Windows and Android.

The data is represented in a string of comma separated values. Ex: C1.398nF,R3.461kR,10kHz,0.5,S,,,,;

This string is explained as: main impedance value and type, secondary value and type, test frequency, test signal level, measurement mode, and 4 reserved values. The photo to the left shows Terra Term receiving data from ST5S-BT. Depending on the software used, the measurement values can be saved to a file, or in cases like NI LabView®, the data can be saved to a database to be processed later.

Based on the popular ST-5S model, the ST5S-BT offers the same features and 0.2% basic accuracy with the added bonus of Bluetooth.

Features include:

Automatic and manual L, C, R, ESR, D, Q and Z measurements
0.2% basic accuracy
Variable tolerances of 1%, 5%, 10%, and 20%
Continuity/diode/short testing
NIST Traceable calibration certificate
Extensive menus for customized measurements
1 oz. weight
Li-Ion battery with micro-USB charging
Bright OLED display
4-way navigation button

Siborg is offering 2 different packages in the LCR-Reader Store for Smart Tweezers ST5S-BT; one with the USB receiver stick and one without.

Please note when purchasing: the receiver stick is required for use with computers and some software.

New LCR-Reader Probe Connector

// July 14th, 2016 // No Comments » // LCR-Reader, LCR-Reader Store, News, ST-5S

Siborg Systems Inc. has released a new product: the LCR-Reader Probe Station allows complete PCB probing and allows the device to measure components larger than would normally fit between the tweezers’ tips.

The kit includes a 60 cm shielded two-wire connection with a small PCB on one end and a universal attachment for the seven included probe types (alligator clips, 4mm multimeter jacks, long and short pin-probes and a spade connector).

The shielded two-wire connection virtually eliminates all parasitics due to the wires. The Probe Station is also compatible with both LCR-Reader and Smart Tweezers devices.

It is easy to connect and use; simply remove one of the gold-plated tweezer probes and replace with the flat end of the Probe Connector, making sure that the gold strips on the connector and device’s flex cable connect. Replace the screws, choose a probe attachment and begin measuring.

This new product is available in the LCR-Reader Store for only $24.99 US.

Siborg to Begin Offer Bluetooth Enabled Smart Tweezers

// April 28th, 2016 // No Comments » // Devices, LCR-Reader, LCR-Reader Store, News, ST5S-BT, Uncategorized

Siborg Systems Inc. will be offering a new model of Smart Tweezers with Bluetooth capabilities in mid-May, the ST5s-BT.

This is the first upgrade to the ST-5S, which will allow users to remotely log their measurement results with a compatible device. This will be more efficient by letting users keep track of their previously measured components rather than re-measuring each time.

The Bluetooth is connected using a USB receiver stick that establishes a virtual serial port. Measurements results are sent using a string of comma separated values that represent the measurement results.

Ex. C1.398nF,R3.461kR,10kHz,0.5,S,,,,
C(main impedance value type)1.398nF(main impedance value),R(secondary impedance)3.461kR(secondary impedance value),10kHz(test frequency),0.5(test signal level),S(measurement mode, in this case, serial), followed by 4 reserved values.

This information is then sent to the port and is received by any communication software.

TeraTerm Screen.jpg(STBT-may032016) For example, the photo shows the free Terra Term software receiving data. This data can be save into a file or documented. If the LabView software is being used, it can process and store the data in a database as needed.

The Bluetooth connection will be supported by an NI VISA instrument driver in the NI LabView® environment. Eventually the device will have Apps for the Windows, Android and iOS operating systems.

Smart Tweezers ST-5S is a hand held LCR-meter with high accuracy and plenty of features for specific tasks. These features include: fully automatic LCR and ESR measurements, variable tolerances and test signal ranges, basic accuracy of 0.2%, component sorting, diode and continuity testing, and offers a 4-way joystick-like-navigation that allows basic settings to be changed quickly on the default screen.

The new ST5S-BT will be available starting mid-May from Siborg’s LCR-Reader Store and Amazon sales channels in USA, Canada and Europe.

Siborg Creates New Calibration Fixture and Calibration Certificates for LCR-Reader

// April 1st, 2016 // No Comments » // Distributors, LCR-Reader, LCR-Reader Store, News, ST-5S

Calibration Jig for Smart Tweezers and LCR-Reader

Siborg has been working over the past year with the Institute of Automation and Electrometry at the Russian Academy of Sciences in creating a Calibration Fixture that will allow periodic calibration of all models of Smart Tweezers, and, most importantly, the LCR-Reader. The calibration fixture was then sent to Navair Technologies in Toronto, Canada to be verified. With this verification from Navair, Siborg will soon be able to include calibration certificates with LCR-Reader, which was a main hindrance in companies using the device.

The calibration unit utilizes a 4-wire connection which has been found to reduce noise between connections and the PCB within the calibration fixture.

Previous calibration fixtures used a 2-wire connector which worked well for older models of Smart Tweezers, including the ST-1, ST-2 and ST-3. The 2-wire connector was not able to handle the measurements within the LCR-Reader and Smart Tweezers measurement ranges. Due to parasitics, it could not measure lower values of capacitance and inductance and higher values of resistance. Therefore, the 2-wire calibration fixture was only able to measure mid-range values.

The calibration fixture uses 14 known components that lay within the range of measurements. When a device is connected, the fixture will signal a different component with each button push. The measurement values are instantly displayed on the LCR-Reader or Smart Tweezers’ display which can then be compared to the known values of the components to determine accuracy.

“The new fixture makes it much easier to provide periodic traceable calibration now that it has been certified by Navair Technologies. We have now completed two versions of the calibration fixture using both 4-wire and 2-wire connections. The 4-wire is best suited for newer models, including the recent LCR-Reader. The 2-wire is best for the older models, including the ST-1, ST-2, ST-3 and STIC. These older models used a 2-wire connec jig tion in the handles of the device and could not be properly tested with the 4-wire terminal. This new calibration unit will allow all models to be tested and calibrated.” says the Director of Research and Development at Siborg, Michael Obrecht.

Soon, the calibration certificates will be available in the LCR-Reader Store; there will be 2 types to choose from: a basic calibration certificate that ensures the device has been calibrated, or a more detailed format that shows the measurement results compared to the known values.

Siborg Extends Cyber Week Sale Until January 31st, 2016

// January 28th, 2016 // No Comments » // LCR-Reader, LCR-Reader Store, News, Sale, Smart LED Test Tweezers, ST-5S

Siborg is extending their Cyber Week Sale in the LCR-Reader Store; from 12:00 am EST on Monday, January 25th to 11:59pm EST on Sunday, January 31st, 2016, all devices and task kits, including Smart Tweezers, LCR-Reader and Smart LED Test Tweezers, are 10% off. Visit the newly redesigned LCR-Reader Store to take advantage of the sale.

Boxing Week Sale in the LCR-Reader Store!

// December 31st, 2015 // No Comments » // LCR-Reader, LCR-Reader Store, News, Sale, ST-5S

Siborg Systems Inc. is having a sale on devices and task kits in the LCR-Reader Store until 11:59pm EST on January 2nd, 2016.

The LCR-Reader and Smart Tweezers LCR-meters and the new Smart LED Test Tweezers are on sale as well as the new Task Kits. The Task Kits combine a device (either LCR-Reader or Smart Tweezers) with accessories and replacement parts. For example, the kit could be an LCR-Reader with charger and spare tweezer probes, or a Smart Tweezers ST-5S with bent tips and precision tips or extra battery.

Visit the newly redesigned LCR-Reader Store for to see all the discounts until January 2nd, 2016!

Siborg Systems Inc. Launches New Webstore with Year-End Discounts

// December 21st, 2015 // No Comments » // LCR-Reader, News, ST-5S

Siborg Systems Inc. has recently launched a redesign of the online store for Smart Tweezers and LCR-Reader. The new store has a more standard online-retail feel that allows customers to see details about the products before adding them to a cart to purchase.

The new store also offers the LED Test Tweezers and new Task Kits for LCR-Reader and Smart Tweezers. These kits offer a device and different accessories, such as tips, batteries, and chargers. Each kit offers a discount opposed to buying each piece separately.

Come check out the new online store and receive discounts until December 31st, 2015!