Tag: electronic component

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Electronic Components

Case Study – A Switch to Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness

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Case Study – A switch to Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness

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The Customer

A long-standing USA-based commercial vehicle manufacturer, renowned for their custom-engineered trucks, with a history extending over 120 years.

The Problem: Navigating Increasing Costs and Supply Reliability

The customer was burdened by the frequent price hikes of their original Honeywell switch. These increases were occurring three times annually, posing a serious financial strain.

Faced with the unsustainable costs of the Honeywell switch, the customer needed an alternative that would not only be cost-effective but also ensure consistent quality and supply reliability. They required a switch that could seamlessly integrate without disrupting their manufacturing processes.

The Solution: Lantek's Tailored Sourcing Strategy

The engagement began through a trusted connection. The buyer at the customer’s end, having worked with Senior Account Manager Shannon Mitchell from Lantek in various capacities across different organizations, reached out, confident in Lantek’s ability to provide a viable solution.

Shannon, utilizing her extensive experience and understanding of the industry, leveraged the specifications of the existing Honeywell switch to cross-reference and identify a suitable alternative.

Shannon identified a Nason switch as the best alternative, ensuring this process involved meticulous matching of PSI, size, and other critical specifications to ensure compatibility and functionality.

The Outcome: Enhanced Operational Efficiency and Cost Savings

The alternative Nason switch sourced by Lantek not only matched the original Honeywell switch in terms of fit, form, and function but also brought a more stable and predictable pricing structure. This was evidenced by only one price increase since the start of the business relationship with Nason, in contrast to the thrice-yearly increases of the Honeywell switch.

Beyond the immediate cost savings and stability in pricing, the new switch also provided the customer with increased supply reliability. Lantek’s ability to hold stock for up to 12 months ensured that the customer had a consistent supply of the necessary components, buffering them against market fluctuations and supply chain uncertainties.

The customer expressed high satisfaction with both the quality of service and the performance of the alternative switch. Lantek’s solution was acknowledged as instrumental in addressing their primary concerns of cost and supply reliability.

Conclusion: Lantek’s Role as a Strategic Sourcing Partner

By providing a cost-effective, reliable alternative to the Honeywell switch, Lantek not only aided the customer in maintaining their production efficiency but also fortified a relationship built on trust and satisfaction.

This case study serves as a testament to Lantek’s expertise in sourcing and supplying high-quality components, tailored to the specific needs of our customers. Our approach – focusing on understanding the client’s problem, strategic sourcing, and delivering customized solutions – positions us as a trusted and reliable partner in the industry, capable of tackling a variety of challenges with efficiency and effectiveness.

Lantek’s ability to provide second-source alternatives, replacements for obsolete components, and significant cost savings showcases our expertise in addressing similar challenges faced by other businesses.

For businesses seeking reliable second-source alternatives and aiming to control costs, Lantek recommends our scheduled ordering service. This service ensures fixed pricing and stock availability for up to 12 months, protecting against price increases and availability issues.

If you are facing similar challenges in your operations or seeking reliable, cost-effective sourcing solutions, get in touch today on +1 973-579-8100 or email sales@lantekcorp.com. Our team is dedicated to providing you with customized solutions that meet your unique requirements.

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Electronic Components

Happy Independence Day from Lantek

Happy Independence Day from Lantek

In the United States, the 4th of July is a very special day. 
 

It is the day we commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the document that created the United States of America.  

 

The date has been a federal holiday since 1941, which means we here in the US are lucky enough to get a day off! 

 

Independence Day means a lot to us here at Lantek. As an independent global electronic component distributor, independence comes with the territory. Our independence has helped us better serve our customers since the company was founded.  

 

Working with Lantek helps keep you independent too. With our all-encompassing service, you are not relying on multiple companies to fill your requirements.  

 

Many of the values in the Declaration of Independence are reflected in our company’s core values: 

Determination 

Making sure to always go the extra mile to meet your requirements. Whether it is stocking, sourcing or selling, Lantek is here to help. 

Faith 

We can give you assurance that when you buy with Lantek, you are choosing a reliable source with years of experience in sourcing. 

Loyalty 

Your dedicated Account Manager who will be your point of contact for everything that you need, with no unwanted communications. 

Trust 

Our industry-leading quality and component inspection gives you the reassurance that your supply chain is protected with Lantek. 

 

 

Although we are off celebrating Independence Day today, we will be back tomorrow to fill all your electronic component requirements. Email us now at sales@lantekcorp.com and we will get back to you.  

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Electronic Components

CHIPS Act Statements of Interest

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CHIPS Act statement of interest

The Department of Commerce’s CHIPS Act Program Office has received more than 200 Statements of Interest (SOIs) since February.

NOFO

The first Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was released at the end of February this year. The NOFO detailed some of the incentives for semiconductor and equipment manufacturing facilities laid out in the CHIPS Act.

Over 50% of the statements show interest in the first NOFO, but the rest indicate interest in upcoming funding opportunities for 
semiconductor suppliers and R&D facilities.

Applicants include leading-edge fabs, legacy chip facilities and packaging facilities. The Department is evaluating applications based on whether they will advance the US economy and protect national security.

Statements so far

The CHIPS Program Office Director, Mike Schmidt, and Chief Investment Officer, Todd Fisher, were recently interviewed by Bloomberg.

During the interview Schmidt mentioned some issues that were repeatedly coming up in SOIs, including what federal state local permits were required, and what the NIPA (National Income and Product Accounts) review process would be.

Schmidt made it clear that, although the US has a share in the global semiconductor R&D industry, it is lagging behind in leading-edge logic and advanced chips. They also both stressed they were aiming for supply chain resilience, rather than a purely financial return.

Supporting the industry workforce

Some critics have questioned the relevancy of certain areas covered in the CHIPS Act, including the childcare clause. The Act’s first NOFO set childcare requirements that manufacturers would have to fulfil to qualify for funding. Some question whether this is relevant or necessary to the Act, however Fisher and Schmidt said it was.

Schmidt stated that workforce concerns are at the top of many companies priorities lists. He said that adding a childcare clause is an aide to attracting a larger, more diverse workforce down the line. Fisher added that in the last 20 years the domestic semiconductor industry lost a third of its workers while the industry tripled globally.

The two also cited companies such as Samsung, TSMC and Micron who all have successful childcare policies in place.

A class act

 

Despite the fast-paced nature of the electronics industry, Lantek Corporation is a safe, reliable choice to source all your electronic components.
With an extensive stocklist, global network, unrivalled on-time delivery and dedicated account management team, we’re able to provide a rapid response to our customers’ urgent needs and dynamic market conditions. Contact Lantek today at sales@lantekcorp.com, or call us on 1-973-579-8100. 

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Electronic Components Environment

Increase in lithium battery recycling

Increase in lithium battery recycling

The Department of Energy (DOE) is making further investments in lithium battery recycling.

In late February the DOE loaned battery recycling company Li-Cycle $375 million to build a plant near Rochester, New York.

This followed several other recycling companies’ announcements about lithium battery recycling facilities, including Ecobat and Redwood Materials.

The latest facility will be Li-Cycle’s fifth in North America.

Significant investment

Many facility announcements have come as production and popularity of EVs grows in the US. Not only in recycling, but also lithium battery production. Earlier this year the DOE announced a $700 million loan for a processing facility at the Rhyolite Ridge lithium deposit in Nevada.

The company in charge of the facility, Ioneer, states there will be enough lithium produced from the site to build 400,000 EVs each year.

The goals

The US is aiming for 500,000 EV chargers and 50% of all new light-duty vehicle sales being electric by 2030. They are further hoping to be a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.

Sales of EVs in the US were 630,000 in 2021, according to the International Energy Agency. This would need more than 7,560 tonnes of lithium. To reach the goals stated by the Biden Administration, 90,000 tonnes of lithium would need to be produced. This is 1700% more than the lithium currently mined in the US.

Slow and steady

A lithium mine takes between four and 20 years to begin commercial production. Although there are several projects underway in the country, there’s no telling when these might become steady sources of lithium.

Lithium mining is a concern due to the water consumption and toxic chemicals that can leak into the environment. There are also lithium shortages predicted as soon as 2025. Recycling would make the production of lithium batteries more sustainable and potentially mitigate future shortages.

The cost of recycling these batteries can be high. There are additional risks with lithium batteries, demonstrated by the 245 fires across 4 waste facilities caused in the past. The process is pretty time-consuming too. Consequentially, the price of running safe recycling facilities is quite high.

There is hope, though, that it will be worth it in the future. 

Guaranteed

Lantek is a distributor with decades of experience in the electronic components industry. Whether you’re looking for new shortage components or obsolete ones, trust Lantek to provide what you need. Call us today on 1-973-579-8100 or send us an email at sales@lantekcorp.com.

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component shortage Covid-19 Electronic Components Supply Chain

Lantek 2022- a year in review

Lantek 2022- a year in review

As 2022 comes to an end, we at Lantek are reflecting on the many ups and downs of the year and the great things that will be happening in 2023. 

This year was yet another year of challenges for finding product and then the even bigger challenge to find stock at pricing that customers can afford. Lantek was able to work with many companies this year to help avoid lines down situations. The years of experience from all of our staff
played a major role in that.

Electronica

This past November we were able to meet up with long time and even some new customers at Electronica in Munich. Some conversations were
had about the market and where everyone sees it going but more importantly, it was a chance to just sit and talk face to face with people we haven’t seen since 2018!

Frank Cervino, our GM, said this: “After so many years, catching up with customers and suppliers during these uncertain market
conditions was very beneficial. It was also a pleasure to spend time with the Cyclops Group and be present on the stand.”

Christmas

As our year ends on December 22, we will be having a Christmas lunch brought in for us all to enjoy.

In January, Lantek will be marking its 29th year in business and what a way to celebrate but with our new office and warehouse
space!

We are hoping to be able to start moving product by mid-February.

We will take volunteers to help with that! (If any of you have ever been to NJ in the winter, you will appreciate the challenge this will be)

See you next year!

In closing we would like to wish all of you a very happy holiday season and may your 2023 be a prosperous and positive one!

We will be back in the office on January 3, 2023 for any and all of your electronic component needs. Please contact us at 973.579.8100 or at sales@lantekcorp.com.

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Electronic Components

The future of memory

The future of memory

The future of memory

Memory is an essential electronic component. Not only can it store data, but it can also process vast amounts of code. As it is so vital, manufacturers are upgrading it and adding improvements constantly. This could improve the way our computers and gadgets run but could also help people’s memories in the future.

Next-gen memory announcements

This year Samsung announced new products during the Flash Memory Summit in August. One of the products announced was the new ‘Petabyte Storage’, able to store as much data on a single server. A petabyte of storage (equivalent to 1,024 terabytes) would let manufacturers increase their storage capacity without requiring more space.

The company also announce Memory-Semantic SSD, combining flash and DRAM to to supposedly improve performance twenty-fold. This technology may be perfect going forward, suiting the increasing number of AI and ML operations with faster processing of smaller data sets.

SSD demand is increasing and other companies are vying for a share of the market. Western Digital also announced a new 26TB hard drive 15TB server SSDs earlier this year. Its new SSDs have shingled magnetic recording (SMR), which allows for higher storage densities on the same number of platters.

Market Worth

In 2021 the next-gen memory market was valued at $4.37 billion, and is expected to reach $25.38 billion by 2030. This demand is partly driven by high bandwidth requirements, low power consumption and highly scalable memory devices.

The need for scalable memory comes from the continually rising use of AI and ML. Lower-spec memory devices are causing bottlenecks in the functioning of these devices. Data centres are needed to process more data than ever before, so scalability is key for this market.

Futuristic Products

One promising product for the future of memory technology is Vanadium Dioxide. VO₂ is usually an insulator, but when it is heated to 68⁰C its structure changes and acts like a metal.

When an electrical current is applied to the circuit the metal would heat to its transition point. When it is cooled it would transition back.

Upon further study it was discovered that, when heated multiple times, the material appeared to remember the previous transitions and could change state faster. In a way, the VO₂ had a memory of what had happened previously.

The exciting discovery could mean the future of memory is brighter than ever. VO₂ could be used in combination with silicon in computer memory and processing. Especially for fast operation and downscaling, this material is an interesting prospect.

Our memories

Today our regular blog post coincides with world Alzheimer’s day. Dementia is a collection of symptoms caused by different diseases, that can result in memory loss, confusion, and changes in behaviour. If you would like to learn more about dementia or Alzheimer’s, visit Dementia (who.int)

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Electronic Components

What is fabless production?

What is fabless production?

What is fabless production?

A fab is short for ‘fabrication’, which is a facility that produces electronic components. When it comes to fabless production, it refers to when companies outsource their manufacturing. The development of fabless production is a pretty recent development, but one that has flourished since its conception.

How did it come about?

Fabless production didn’t exist until the 80s, when surplus stock led to IDMs offering outsourced services to smaller firms. In the same decade the first dedicated semiconductor foundry, TSMC, was founded. It is still one of the biggest foundries in operation to this day.

In the following years many smaller companies could enter into the market as they outsourced manufacturing. More manufacturers, each with different specialities, also came to the fore.

Advantages

One of the original reasons it became so popular was due to the cost reduction it provided businesses. With the actual semiconductors being manufactured elsewhere, companies saved money on labour and space.

With production outsourced, companies also had the ability to focus more on research and development. No doubt this gave way to many advancements in semiconductor technology that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.

Having a choice of which manufacturers to work with is beneficial too. Depending on your requirements you can choose someone who best suit your needs.

Disadvantages

When you outsource production, you are putting part of your business under someone else’s control, which can be risky. There could be a higher chance of defects if manufacture isn’t being directly overseen.

It also means that, in terms of quantity of product and price of production, you don’t have total control. If a manufacturer decides to change the quantity they produce or the price, customers are limited to their options. They either have to accept the changes, or search for an alternative which, in a fast-paced market, would be risky.

Conclusion/Disclaimer

The fabless business model, as it is known, will probably continue long into the future. TSMC’s continued profit, among other companies, is a key indicator of its success. And with big names like Apple, Qualcomm and Nvidia working fabless, it would be safe to say it’s popular.

That’s not to say that an integrated business model, with every stage of production occurring in-house, is a bad choice either. There are many just as successful IDMs like Samsung and Texas Instruments.

For a ‘fab-ulous’ stock of both foundry and IDM components, check out Lantek. We specialise in obsolete, day to day and hard to find electronic components. Send us your enquiry at sales@lantekcorp.com, or use the rapid enquiry form on our website.

This blog post is not an endorsement of any particular business model, and is purely for informational purposes.

Categories
Electronic Components

Traditional fuses and eFuses

fuses

Traditional fuses and eFuses

Fuses are an essential electronic component in most circuits, and act as a safety feature to keep the other components within the circuit safe. Billions are used today to safeguard against circuit failures.

The purpose of fuses

If a circuit is overloaded, or there is a voltage surge, the fuse essentially self-destructs to protect the rest of the circuit. A traditional fuse contains a central fusible element that, when heated to excessive temperatures, melts and stops the flow of current through the circuit.

The speed that the thermal fuse melts depends on the how much heat is being caused by the current, and what temperature the fuse is designed to react to. The fuse can be designed with different melting elements that have varying melting points and resistance, so the currents they can cope with can differ.

eFuses

The new kid on the block is the newer electronic fuse, or eFuse. This component is an updated, re-usable version of the more traditional thermal, one-use fuse.

This component comprises of a field-effect transistor (FET) and a sense resistor. The resistor measures the voltage across it, and when it exceeds a certain limit, the current is cut off by the FET. Usually, the eFuse is placed in series with a thermal fuse rather than replacing it, giving the circuit a second layer of more localised protection for components.

Often eFuses are used as a protection when components are plugged into a computer while the power is still on, also called hot-swapping. In automotive applications, programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and battery management eFuses are a great tool to protect the circuits.

An offer you can’t reFuse.

As thermal fuses have been around for so long, it’s unsurprising that there are certain things the more recent eFuse can do slightly better.

The first and most straightforward advantage is the lifespan: once a thermal fuse is activated and the element inside it fuses, it will have to be replaced. The eFuse, however, can be reset and used multiple times without requiring replacement.

The eFuse is also able to respond to a circuit overload more quickly and works in circuits with a lower current and voltage. For some eFuses the current level it reacts at is set, but for some types it can be altered by an external resistor.

It’s possible to create a homemade eFuse too, just by putting together a few FETs, a resistor and an inductor, which filters the output and acts as your sense resistor.

Reaching melting point

Both fuses have their uses, and utilised together are even more effective as a circuit failsafe. However, each designer must consider their requirements and what will best suit their clients. There are scenarios where the thermal fuse just won’t do the job, and it’s better to be safe than sorry, right?

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Electronic Components

Could conductive ink replace conventional circuitry?

conductive ink

Could conductive ink replace conventional circuitry?

Intro

It seems like the stuff of dreams, having a pen or a paintbrush that could conduct electricity. Well, those dreams are very real, readily available to buy online, and at a relatively cheap rate, too.

Conductive ink pens and conductive paint that can be used with a pen, paintbrush, or a printer is a reality, and is already being put to work.

What is it?

Conductive ink and conductive paint are liquid materials mixed with nanoparticles of a conducting material like silver or graphite. The paint and ink are technically slightly different, in that the paint sits on the surface of a substrate, while the ink would sink into a substrate it was applied to, like regular ink on paper.

Although the metals are usually in a solid state at room temperature, if it’s in a nanoparticle form it can be mixed with a liquid. When the liquid is spread and begins to dry, the nanoparticles and electrons within them begin to form conductive chains that the current is then able to travel through.

The inks used normally work at 12V, and can be transparent which means it would be a good choice for companies to integrate it invisibly into their graphics.

Uses

One notable way silver-infused ink is currently used is to print Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags in tickets.

Another common place to find conductive paint or ink is in the rear windscreen of cars. The resistive traces applied to windscreens to help defrost them contain conductive paint. Traces printed on the window can also serve as a radio antenna in more recently manufactured cars.

Conductive inks and paints were originally intended to be used for e-textiles and wearables. The potential for clothes that could detect temperature and heart rate, among other features, is an area receiving considerable investment.

Problems

When compared to conventional circuity and conductors, conductive inks and paints will never be able to emulate the strength of conductivity. In a way, it would be unfair to pit the two against each other, like putting boxers from vastly different weight classes in a ring together.

The reliability and connectivity of traditional conductors is much higher so is preferred for regularly used products, however conductive inks and paints would be utilised in areas that traditional means could not. So, as much as these factors are disadvantages they would be irrelevant when it comes to the product.

Layers of the ink or paint may not always be thick enough to have any conductive strength at all, and it could take several layers of it to properly form a current-conducting pathway. Additionally, the user is relying on the nanoparticles in the liquid to align correctly for conduction. The material would work only for smaller direct voltages too, probably up to around 12V.

Silver is a material that has a higher cost than other conductors like graphite, and could make the price of some paints unreasonable for some customers. The low cost alternative is graphite, but this also has a higher resistivity than metals like silver.

The future

As far as development goes, nanoparticle paint is still in its infancy. Its uses are limited and occasionally unreliable, so although it has cornered a niche conductive market it’s unlikely we’ll see it permeating the sector for a while.

If you are looking for trustworthy day-to-day or obsolete electronic components, Lantek are here for you. Don’t paint yourself into a corner, contact Lantek today to find what you’re looking for, at sales@lantekcorp.com

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Electronic Components

How transistors replaced vacuum tubes

transistors

How transistors replaced vacuum tubes

Electronics has come on leaps and bounds in the last 100 years and one of the most notable changes is the size of components. At the turn of the last century mechanical components were slowly being switched out for electrical ones, and an example of this switch was the vacuum tube.

A lightbulb moment

Vacuum tubes were invented in the early 1900s, and the first ones were relatively simple devices containing only an anode and a cathode. The two electrodes are inside a sealed glass or aluminium tube, then the gas inside would be removed to create a vacuum. This allowed electrons to pass between the two electrodes, working as a switch in the circuit.

Original vacuum tubes were quite large and resembled a lightbulb in appearance. They signalled a big change in computer development, as a purely electronic device replaced the previously used mechanical relays.

Aside being utilised in the field of computing, vacuum tubes were additionally used for radios, TVs, telephones, and radar equipment.

The burnout

Apart from resembling a bulb, the tubes also shared the slightly more undesirable traits. They would produce a lot of heat, which would cause the filaments to burn out and the whole component would need to be replaced.

This is because the gadget worked on a principle called thermionic emission, which needed heat to let an electrical reaction take place. Turns out having a component that might melt the rest of your circuit wasn’t the most effective approach.

The transition

Transistors came along just over 40 years later, and the vacuum tubes were slowly replaced with the solid-state alternative.

The solid-state device, so named because the electric current flows through solid semiconductor crystals instead of in a vacuum like its predecessor, could be made much smaller and did not overheat. The electronic component also acted as a switch or amplifier, so the bright star of the vacuum tube gradually burned out.

Sounds like success

Vacuum tubes are still around and have found a niche consumer base in audiophiles and hi-fi fanatics. Many amplifiers use the tubes in place of solid-state devices, and the devices have a dedicated following within the stereo community.

Although some of the materials that went into the original tubes have been replaced, mostly for safety reasons, old tubes classed as New Old Stock (NOS) are still sold and some musicians still prefer these. Despite this, modernised tubes are relatively popular and have all the familiar loveable features, like a tendency to overheat.

Don’t operate in a vacuum

Transistors are used in almost every single electronic product out there. Lantek have a huge selection of transistors and other day-to-day and obsolete components. Inquire today to find what you’re looking for at sales@lantekcorp.com or use the rapid enquiry form on our website.