Electrical control automation

VIA's Schematic LITE Suite, version 3.0 is a set of software tools that automate electrical control creation in AutoCAD. According to the company, it offers a library of I/O wiring diagrams, and the ability to develop new ones. Users can also drag and drop any of two dozen pre-drawn blocks and devices, from transformers to terminals, as well as ten three-phase motor circuits.

VIA Development Corp. , 867 E. 38th St., Box 3268, Marion, IN 46953; FAX (765) 674-3964; www.viadevelopment.com.

Rapid prototyping

The Maxum(TM)rapid prototyping system is 50% faster than the manufacturer's past machines. Its WaterWorks(TM)soluble-support feature cuts post-processing time, and it offers a build envelope of 600x500x600 mm. The machine comes with Insight(TM)preprocessing software, allowing users to drag-and-drop CAD files to begin modeling.

Stratasys Inc. , 14950 Martin Dr., Eden Prarie, MN 55344-2020; FAX (612) 937-0070; www.stratasys.com.

PCI cards

Thee new PCI Mezzanine Cards (PMCs) are designed to allow system engineers to satisfy real-time DSP/imaging scalability problems without redesign. The Fast4 ex-pands processing power, the FastI/O ex-pands input/output, and the FastMem ex-pands memory.

Alacron , 71 Spit Brook Rd., Nashua, NH 03060; FAX (603) 891-2745; www.alacron.com.

Digitizing

Tracecut version 23 is digitizing software designed for use with contact or laser probe scanning machines, machine tool scanning sensors, or measuring machine probes. It features 2.5D profiling, full modeling capability, a module for turbine blade tip refurbishment, and simple dimensioning, according to the company. It also offers an optional surfacing module for creating CAD surfaces for export to any system in IGES or STL formats.

Renishaw Inc. , 5277 Trillium Blvd., Hoffman Estates, IL 60192; FAX (847) 843-1744; www.renishaw.com.

Timekeeping chip

The DS1672 low-voltage serial timekeeping chip operates within 2.0 to 3.3V, and combines power monitoring and switching, with optional trickle charging. Its 32-bit counter tracks the seconds, then its software algorithm computes time of day, week, month, and year. It resets the processor and switches to backup power when its monitor detects an out-of-tolerance condition, making it suitable for cell phones, GPS devices, laptop PCs, and other handheld electronics.

Dallas Semiconductor , 4401 S. Beltwood Pkwy., Dallas, TX 75244; FAX (972) 371-3715.