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ELECTRONICSTALK
The Independent Weekly Product Information Guide
for Electronics Design, Development and Manufacturing Engineers
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ISSN 1475-2913 - Free subscription
Last week's delivered circulation: over 26,000
Published every Tuesday from the UK.
Issue 168: 8 June 2004
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16822 product announcements and technical articles
on our web site, all fully searchable at
http://www.electronicstalk.com/ - take a look!
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In this issue:
* Editor's Message
* Our Top Ten new Products Selection
[1] Novel probe design tips the balance
[2] Lighting chip offers adaptive ballast control
[3] Feedthrough offers twice the suppression
[4] Convertor SoC is single-chip metering solution
[5] Synthesis tool speeds C designs to RTL
[6] Convertor ups the density of eighth-brick outline
[7] Compiler automates SystemC synthesis
[8] Cases offer versatile front panel options
[9] 48V three-phase switcher fills a gap
[10] Dual analogue switch routes handset audio
* New Technical Articles and Case Studies
* Other featured product news
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Laurence Marchini, Editor, writes:
Sifting through this morning's mailbag I was delighted to come across a story from software development specialist I-Logix concerning an upgrade to its website. Hardly anything to set the pulse racing, one might think, but I-Logix certainly won plenty of Brownie points from me by making a point of saying that the new site was designed for "low bandwidth optimisation" (see http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ilo/ilo120.html).
As one who spends the majority of his day tied to a dial-up Internet connection, I certainly do not need to be reminded that the majority of Internet connections are made in this manner. However, all too many companies seem to think that the whole world has gone broadband.
Countless times each week I will try to access a site to retrieve a few bytes of information such as a telephone number or e-mail address only to have to wait while a monster video presentation loads. Strangely, though, the owners of such sites don't seem to worry what effect this waiting might have on prospective customers.
Naturally, life doesn't have to be difficult. Sites such as Electronicstalk and the new offering from I-Logix prove that you don't have to be bandwidth-hungry to present all the salient information in a clear and attractive format that can load quickly on even the slowest connection. And with broadband penetration still running below 20% across Europe, we would all do well to recognise this fact.
As luck would have it, my own domestic exchange is due to be DSL-enabled this month. And while I would not regard any of my recent domiciles as being in the "third world", this will be my first chance to sign up for any form of broadband link that didn't involve a satellite.
Finally this week I really must offer my sympathy to Microsoft. The outrage expressed in many quarters over the company's decision not to issue free patches to users of pirated versions of its Windows XP operating system is ridiculous. For my money, Microsoft is (for once) absolutely right to stick to its guns. Its critics are condoning theft.
I hope you find this issue of our weekly newsletter useful. In addition to the new products, news and ideas featured here, there are hundreds more on our website and dozens more being added daily, so do take a look if you can.
Alternatively, the full stories behind all the summaries and headlines in this newsletter can be retrieved by e-mail alone: see details below.
In the meantime, if you have any suggestions as to how we might make the site or the newsletter better, e-mail me directly.
Best wishes
Laurence Marchini, Editor
mailto:ne[-email removed-]nicstalk.com
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THIS WEEK'S INDUSTRY NEWS
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To read more, use the web links. Or get the full stories emailed back to you: just send a blank email to the address shown. It's a free service. Try it! It works!
EXPANSION TO PUT NEWPORT AT LEADING EDGE
International Rectifier has revealed a major initiative to expand its workforce and double the production capacity at its facility in Newport, Wales.
International Rectifier, 7 June 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sil/sil191.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sil1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
AMINO SET FOR AIM FLOTATION
Amino Technologies will float on the UK AIM on 9th June 2004.
Amino Communications, 7 June 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ami/ami127.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ami1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
INVESTORS CONSOLIDATE SUPPORT FOR CELOXICA
Celoxica Holdings has secured $6.3 million of new investment from existing investors led by Advent Venture Partners, Cazenove Private Equity, Intel Capital and Quester Venture Capital.
Celoxica, 8 June 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cel/cel159.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cel1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CROSS-CHANNEL PARTNERS WIN FRENCH CONTRACT
AB Automotive Electronics and AB Automotive France have jointly secured a Eur 24 million contract to manufacture fully automatic climate control heads for a major French vehicle manufacturer.
AB Automotive Electronics, 8 June 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aau/aau105.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aau1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
QUEEN'S AWARDS ARE UP FOR GRABS
Outstanding businesses from the electronics sector are being urged to act now for the chance to win the UK's ultimate business accolade - a Queen's Award for Enterprise.
Queen's Awards for Enterprise, 7 June 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/que/que100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:que1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
EXPANSION FOR GERMAN FACILITY
XP is expanding its facilities in Bremen, Germany with a new EMC precompliance laboratory and three additional sales staff, including a specialist for the medical electronics industry.
XP, 3 June 2004
http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/xpp/xpp134.html
or send a blank email to mailto:xpp1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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OUR TOP TEN NEW PRODUCTS SELECTION
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[1] NOVEL PROBE DESIGN TIPS THE BALANCE
(Tektronix, 8 June 2004)
The P7380 active differential probe incorporates the new Z-Active architecture, a probing solution claimed to set industry benchmarks for bandwidth to 8GHz and superior signal fidelity with fast rise time and low circuit loading. The P7380 also uses new interchangeable Tip-Clip probe tips that enhance usability and connectivity for solder-in, "fixtured" and handheld applications and are 90% more affordable than competing probe tip solutions.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tek/tek204.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tek2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[2] LIGHTING CHIP OFFERS ADAPTIVE BALLAST CONTROL
(International Rectifier, 3 June 2004)
The IR2520D is a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) ballast control IC that can adapt to changing supply voltage, frequency and lamp conditions to increase lamp life and reliability. All necessary ballast features are integrated into a single 8-pin DIP or SOIC, reducing parts count, simplifying circuits and increasing reliability. The new device includes a novel zero voltage switching (ZVS) circuit that maintains soft switching, regardless of supply voltage, frequency and lamp conditions, and includes internal crest factor overcurrent protection and an integrated bootstrap diode.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/sil/sil190.html
or send a blank email to mailto:sil1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[3] FEEDTHROUGH OFFERS TWICE THE SUPPRESSION
(Epcos, 7 June 2004)
A novel two-line device has joined the tried and tested Epcos range of feedthrough capacitors employing metallised polypropylene films. Compact dimensions and excellent attenuation properties, right up into the gigahertz range, distinguish the new double feedthrough capacitor from its competitors. Solder-free MeshContact technology ensures uniform concentric bonding of the capacitor windings and avoids the thermal stress of soldering.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/epc/epc155.html
or send a blank email to mailto:epc1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[4] CONVERTOR SOC IS SINGLE-CHIP METERING SOLUTION
(Xemics, 2 June 2004)
The ZoomingADC is billed as the world's most versatile single-chip acquisition chain. Ultra-low-power miniature solutions based on the XE88LC02 from Xemics need a minimal number of external parts, lowering bill of material costs. The ZoomingADC (programmable gain/offset amplifier, high resolution ADC) has four differential or seven pseudodifferential inputs. It can apply a gain of 1000 to the sensing element's signal while rejecting its offset, and then convert the resulting signal with 16bit resolution.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/xem/135/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/xem/xem135.html
or send a blank email to mailto:xem1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[5] SYNTHESIS TOOL SPEEDS C DESIGNS TO RTL
(Mentor Graphics UK, 2 June 2004)
Catapult C is billed as the only algorithmic synthesis tool that uses pure, untimed C++ to create quality register transfer level (RTL) descriptions up to 20 times faster than traditional manual methods. With the Catapult C synthesis tool, hardware designers can significantly reduce RTL implementation time, improve design flow reliability and shrink hardware size.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/men/men301.html
or send a blank email to mailto:men3[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[6] CONVERTOR UPS THE DENSITY OF EIGHTH-BRICK OUTLINE
(Tyco Electronics Power Systems, 8 June 2004)
The EUE200 is an industry-standard bus convertor claimed to bring a significant increase in power capability to the industry standard eighth brick footprint. The EUE200 bus convertor supports applications where multiple low voltages are generated using discrete/modular point-of-load convertors. The EUE200 convertor incorporates synchronous rectification technology and innovative packaging techniques to achieve ultra high efficiency reaching 95% at 12.0V full load.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tco/tco106.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tco1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[7] COMPILER AUTOMATES SYSTEMC SYNTHESIS
(Celoxica, 8 June 2004)
The Agility compiler synthesises SystemC directly to high-density FPGA and programmable SoC logic and generates RTL VHDL and Verilog for SoC design. The Agility compiler takes in SystemC and outputs optimised EDIF netlists for high-density programmable logic devices from Actel, Altera Corp and Xilinx. The Agility compiler also generates VHDL and Verilog RTL output to support SoC synthesis tools.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cel/cel158.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cel1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[8] CASES OFFER VERSATILE FRONT PANEL OPTIONS
(OKW Enclosures, 8 June 2004)
Design engineers can choose between two versatile front panel options when using OKW's Unidesk-Terminal cases. Typical applications will include medical, security, machine control and point-of-sale terminals. These sloping front cases consist of a basic housing (made from die-cast aluminium side panels and extrusion profiles), and a removable base panel.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/okw/138/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/okw/okw138.html
or send a blank email to mailto:okw1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[9] 48V THREE-PHASE SWITCHER FILLS A GAP
(Puls UK, 7 June 2004)
The SilverLine series now includes the SL10.305, a 240W, three-phase DIN rail switch mode power supply with an output voltage rating of 48-52V and an output current rating of 5A. This gives users who need a 48V supply, access to proven quality in a 240W model, in addition to the 480W class available until now. Moreover, this Puls device is one of the few three-phase models available in this class today.
Request a free brochure by post:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/pul/109/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pul/pul109.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pul1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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[10] DUAL ANALOGUE SWITCH ROUTES HANDSET AUDIO
(Fairchild Semiconductor, 7 June 2004)
A new dual SPDT analogue switch offers designers of cellphones, digital still cameras, PDAs and other portable electronics a compact, high performance and flexible solution for routing audio signals in speaker sharing or hands-free functions. The device's low distortion and exceptional ESD protection, combined with a robust ultracompact leadless MicroPak package, optimise design flexibility in response to the continuing miniaturisation trend in portable devices.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/fai/fai296.html
or send a blank email to mailto:fai2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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New Technical Articles and Case Studies
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DIGITAL MEDIA PROCESSORS EMPOWER PORTABLE PLAYERS
(Texas Instruments, 3 June 2004)
Two new portable media player/recorder reference designs from leading third-party partners are based on TI's family of DSP-based digital media processors.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tex/tex636.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tex6[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
READ-CHANNEL CHIPS SPEED COMPACT STORES
(Agere Systems, 7 June 2004)
Agere Systems is providing read-channel storage ICs to Cornice, an innovator in compact, high-capacity storage, for use in its 2.0Gbyte Storage Element (SE).
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/age/age142.html
or send a blank email to mailto:age1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SOFTWARE SPEEDS CANCER SCREENING INTO SERVICE
(I-Logix Europe, 8 June 2004)
When Cytyc Corp partnered with I-Logix to develop the software necessary to help run a more effective cervical cancer screening device, the result was a resounding success.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ilo/ilo116.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ilo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MODEL DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT SPEEDS AUTOMOTIVE DESIGN
(I-Logix Europe, 8 June 2004)
Omron Automotive Electronics has adopted model driven development, and uses the I-Logix' Statemate integrated toolchain.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ilo/ilo117.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ilo1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SIMULATION HELPS PROVIDE COST-EFFECTIVE SCREENING
(Vector Fields, 8 June 2004)
Electromagnetic simulation has substantially reduced the cost of the protective shields surrounding magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suites at one Chicago hospital.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/vct/vct103.html
or send a blank email to mailto:vct1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
GPRS MADE AS SIMPLE AS ABC
(Alpha Micro Components, 2 June 2004)
Nick Robins, Technical Director, Alpha Micro Components, is in the know about wireless communication, especially when it comes to embedding GPRS functionality into electronic designs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/alp/alp107.html
or send a blank email to mailto:alp1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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Other featured product news
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CMOS RADIO CUTS THE COST OF WIRELESS LAN CHIPSETS
(Athena Semiconductors, 3 June 2004)
Athena Semiconductors has unveiled two wireless local area network chipsets for wireless connectivity primarily in Cardbus and MiniPCI solutions.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ath/ath100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ath1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
LOOP SWITCH SPEEDS FIBRE-CHANNEL ARRAYS
(Agilent Technologies, 3 June 2004)
A novel highly integrated 4Gbit/s loop switch IC can replace older port bypass circuits and use intelligent port management features to reduce system costs and downtime.
Free brochure on HDMP-0540:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/agi/229/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/agi/agi229.html
or send a blank email to mailto:agi2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
MULTIMEDIACARD ENTERS NEW GENERATION
(Kingston Technology, 4 June 2004)
Kingston Technology is claiming a technology breakthrough with its development of the first high-performance MultiMediaCard 4.0 (MMC 4.0).
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kin/kin110.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kin1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
HALL-EFFECT SWITCHES RUN HOT UNDER THE BONNET
(Allegro MicroSystems Europe, 7 June 2004)
The A118X is a family of two-wire, unipolar Hall-effect switch ICs is designed for use in automotive and industrial high-temperature applications.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/alb/alb175.html
or send a blank email to mailto:alb1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
BUDGET MCU TAKES CONVERTORS ONBOARD
(Philips Semiconductors, 8 June 2004)
The LPC935 is the flagship chip of nine new microcontrollers in the LPC900 family designed for a variety of consumer devices.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/phi/phi264.html
or send a blank email to mailto:phi2[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
POWER RELAY HAS WHITE GOODS ASPIRATIONS
(Tyco Electronics UK, 7 June 2004)
Rated at 16A and with a maximum switching capacity of 4kVA, the RF series of power relays is aimed at domestic appliance applications such as oven controls and heating as well as power supplies.
Free brochure on RF series:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/tya/165/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tya/tya165.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tya1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
AUTOMATED FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS SPEEDS VERIFICATION
(Atrenta, 2 June 2004)
Periscope is an automated functional analysis solution claimed to significantly reduce time and effort spent in the verification process for complex systems on chip (SoCs).
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/atr/atr122.html
or send a blank email to mailto:atr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
UPGRADE SPEEDS SYNTHESIS AND TIMING SOFTWARE
(Incentia Design Systems, 8 June 2004)
The latest versions of TimeCraft, DesignCraft and DesignCraft Pro feature improved runtime, capacity and quality, when compared with the 2003.09 release.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ini/ini106.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ini1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SYSTEM COMPONENTS ACCELERATE SOC THROUGHPUT
(ARM, 8 June 2004)
Three new products support ARM11 family-class processors that use the Amba AXI interface specification.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ank/ank157.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ank1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
INDUSTRIAL KEYBOARDS PROGRAMMED IN THE FIELD
(Electronic Keyboards, 3 June 2004)
A new family of rugged field programmable industrial keyboards is suitable for a wide range of industry uses including machine control, process control, desktop and point of sale.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ect/ect100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ect1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
TERMINAL BLOCK TAKES SPARE FUSE ONBOARD
(Camden Electronics, 2 June 2004)
A novel fused terminal block incorporates a spare fuse option in the fuse carrier.
Free brochure on CFTBN:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/cab/130/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/cab/cab130.html
or send a blank email to mailto:cab1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
ANTENNA SOLUTION IS IDEAL FOR GSM MODULES
(Embedded Antenna Design, 8 June 2004)
EAD has enhanced its Neris antenna range to include a standard configuration to compliment GSM modules with the GSC RF connector, such as Siemens and Sagem GSM modules.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/edd/edd100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:edd1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
HOUSINGS TURN MODULES TO TERMINAL APPLICATIONS
(Phoenix Contact, 8 June 2004)
STTCO electronic housings from Phoenix Contact make it possible to configure individual electronic modules as terminal blocks.
Free brochure on STTCO:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/pni/128/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/pni/pni128.html
or send a blank email to mailto:pni1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
SOLDERING SYSTEMS SUIT HIGH-POWER LEDS
(Kaisertech, 2 June 2004)
A soldering system for processing the new generation of high-power LEDs for lighting applications is now available from Kaisertech.
Free brochure on Soldering systems for high-power LEDs:
http://www.electronicstalk.com/rdx/da/kai/137/0
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/kai/kai137.html
or send a blank email to mailto:kai1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
FLEXIBLE CONFIGURATION FOR COMPACT 400W FRONT END
(Tectrol, 4 June 2004)
The TCP1U-400 is a compact front-end power module that delivers up to 400W in a versatile platform.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/ttr/ttr102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:ttr1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
INDUSTRIAL PLATFORM TAKES TWO CANS ONBOARD
(Advantech (UK), 3 June 2004)
The UNO-2052 is a 586-grade platform that offers dual CAN 2.0B interfaces, eight digital I/O channels and two thermocouple inputs.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/axv/axv145.html
or send a blank email to mailto:axv1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
LOW-RISK ROUTE TO ADDED BLUETOOTH FUNCTIONALITY
(Merlin Systems Corp, 3 June 2004)
A new range of Bluetooth development and evaluation products enable fast and cost effective implementation of wireless technology into both current/legacy products and new product development.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/mrl/mrl100.html
or send a blank email to mailto:mrl1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
EMBEDDED MODULE IS ARMED WITH FPGA FLEXIBILITY
(Trenz Electronic, 8 June 2004)
A novel SBC-level embedded module combines the power of an ARM-based microcontroller with the flexibility of a Spartan-IIE FPGA.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/tre/tre102.html
or send a blank email to mailto:tre1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
CURRENT TRANSDUCERS HANDLE SPEEDY WAVEFORMS
(American Aerospace Controls, 4 June 2004)
A new series of bidirectional current transducers is capable of accurately following extremely fast (DC and/or AC) current waveforms.
* Read more: http://www.electronicstalk.com/news/aae/aae101.html
or send a blank email to mailto:aae1[-email removed-]lectronicstalk.com
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Have you seen our other newsletters?
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We also publish other professional technical newsletters like this once a week. All are free, so take a look:
Buildingtalk - for the building and construction industry
* Email mailto:join-buildingta[-email removed-]o-talk.com for your copy
CIMtalk - for automation engineers and the industrial IT sector
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Laboratorytalk - for all lab and research personnel
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Manufacturingtalk - for production engineers
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Printingtalk - for printers and print buyers
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Processingtalk - for process engineers
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QA-talk - for quality assurance professionals
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Subcontractingtalk - for the subcontract manufacturing industry
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