Mouser Electronics, Inc., regarded as a top design engineering resource and global distributor for semiconductors and electronic components, today announced it is stocking new product from TE Connectivity.
TE Connectivity designed the Automotive Surface-Mount Devices (ASMD) Resettable Fuses offering, which includes the nanoASMD, microASMD, miniASMD, ASMD, and AHS product lines, to support the miniaturization trend in automotive electronics and meet performance specifications for resistance, time-to-trip (TtT) and hold current at three temperatures (-40°C, 25°C and max T) as outlined in the automotive industry’s AEC-Q200 standard for electronic components.

Available in footprints from 1206 to 3425, the ASMD Resettable Fuses provide current ratings from 0.05 to 3.0A and voltage ratings from 16 to 60VDC. These devices provide overcurrent and overtemperature protection for Electronic Control Units (ECUs), I/O ports and traces, telematics and infotainment systems, and motor and motor control circuits. The TE Connectivity nanoASMD, microASMD, miniASMD, and ASMD product lines are rated from -40°C to +85°C. TE Connectivity’s Automotive SMD Resettable Fuses are Pb- and halogen-free, RoHS compliant and are compatible with high-volume SMD assembly processes.

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Rutronik Elektronische Bauelemente GmbH and TXC Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of quartz crystals in the MHz range, are boosting their cooperation. By establishing its first European office in Milan, TXC has enhanced its customer support, moving closer to its customers to provide even greater flexibility. A key element of this is its cooperation with the distributor Rutronik.

The TXC team in Europe is composed of sales staff and FAEs who, together with Rutronik’s expert backup, are able to offer customers even more design-in support as well as providing technical know-how through workshops and tech days. With optimized sales structures and a fast quotation system, the two partners are also looking to intensify their standard business. “To serve the European market you either need a comprehensive in-house structure, or you rely on a distribution partner,” explains Michele Aquaviva, Director Europe Sales Division with TXC. “In Rutronik we have found an outstanding partner whose many years of experience in the quartz crystal sector enable it to provide top-class design-in support and optimum logistical solutions. By our presence in Europe we are looking to build this partnership further, relying even more closely on the expertise and service offered by Rutronik.”

Rutronik has been distributing the full TXC product portfolio of quartz crystals, oscillators, SAW devices and timing modules Europe-wide for the last 15 years. Based on the broadliner’s global presence, fully backed by TXC, the products are now also available through Rutronik worldwide. They are targeted at the key automotive, automation and industrial markets. The automotive market is a key area of focus. TXC manufactures automotive-certified products (to AECQ200, PPAP) on a separate automotive production line. The Rutronik Vertical Team Automotive provides customers with application-orientated technical support to their design-in.

Rutronik Product Sales Manager Jörg Laszák comments: “In addition to its standard range TXC also offers custom products. This enables us to develop products jointly with our customers and TXC and put together closely tailored solutions. At the same time, with the TXC standard range we are able to offer a top-class alternative to other global quartz crystal manufacturers in the event of a shortage. This is part of our Second Source strategy. To respond rapidly to demand as it arises, we hold permanent stocks of the high runners among the standard components.”

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Avnet Abacus and Molex today concluded a strategic agreement extending their relationship to cover the manufacturer’s complete portfolio of automotive connector solutions throughout Europe.

The agreement extends Avnet Abacus European franchise agreement to cover specialist automotive connector families such as CMC hybrid connectors, the HSAutoLink™ I/O connector system and the MOX family of wire-to-board connectors. Avnet Abacus will also be able to offer the full portfolio of standard Molex connectors to automotive customers, such as PicoFlex, FFC/FPC connectors, KK and MiniFit.

Hagen Goetze, European Marketing Manager of Avnet Abacus commented, “We now offer the full portfolio of Molex products throughout Europe. Molex is well known for the exceptional high quality of its products which are widely accepted in the automotive market. We are looking forward not only to offering an extended range of solutions to our existing customers, but also to identifying new customers for Avnet Abacus and for Molex.”

Martin Pfeil, Distribution Corporate Account Manager of Molex added, “We are impressed with the way the Avnet Abacus organisation has evolved and the continuing strength and depth of our relationship with them. Avnet Abacus’ extended field sales and local technical marketing resources coupled with the Avnet global logistical and financial resources offers a unique value add to Molex automotive customers in the recovering market. This is a logical extension to a long term and very successful partnership.”

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Partnership will leverage RS’ global infrastructure and world-class facilities to build customer base among tomorrow’s dominant automotive brands

RS Components, the leading distributor of electronic, electromechanical and industrial components, has announced an extension of its distribution agreement with FCI Connectors to introduce FCI’s family of automotive products through distribution for the first time. The agreement makes RS the only high service level distributor to have access to the FCI automotive range.

As a result, customers will have rapid access to FCI OE-quality connectors, with no minimum order quantity for prototyping, test programmes, replacement-parts supply and specialist markets such as industrial vehicles. The partnership will take advantage of the global RS infrastructure, with distribution centres throughout strategically important European, North American and Far Eastern territories including China.

The comprehensive connector range is produced by FCI’s Motorized Vehicles Division, and includes wire-to-wire connectors, flex interconnects, wire-to-PCB and wire-to-device connectors, power terminals, signal terminals, squib interconnects, high-reliability enclosures, pin headers and press-fit pins. RS Components will support customers with over 100 different product configurations optimised for use in areas such as engine compartment, power-train, body and chassis, cockpit and multimedia.

“Vehicle markets worldwide are changing quickly, and rising car ownership in fast-growing economies empower new channels to challenge established players,” said Ronald Velda, Sales Director EMEA Distribution for FCI. “A strong distribution channel is the key to maximising our support for tomorrow’s market leaders. RS Components, with its excellent track record and well-developed infrastructure serving important markets such as Europe, China and Far Eastern territories, where many new channels are emerging, is the perfect partner to work with us to achieve that goal.”

“This is an important extension of our long-standing distribution partnership supporting the wider FCI Connectors portfolio, and endorses our achievements in growing sales generally across diverse markets and applications,” said Valerie Ramon, Category Business Manager for Electromechanical and Connectors at RS. “We are pleased to be selected by FCI Connectors as their new and exclusive high service distribution partner for this range at an exciting time in automotive markets globally, and anticipate rapid and sustained sales growth supported by our world-class distribution facilities.”

The FCI connectors range from RS is available online at rswww.com/fci, where customers can browse, select and order, complete with technical information and product features to enable easy and accurate product selection.

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Automotive relay range is vast for wide range of applications

Specialist distributor Switchtec is offering a range of automotive relays from Hongfa. New cars are using more and more relays to control attractive, ‘value added’ features and functions within the vehicle. This has led to an increase in demand for automotive relays year on year. The total automotive relay output for China for 2007 was 137 million relays, up 15% on 2006. Demand is forecast to increase to 650 million relays by 2010.

Aimed at the automotive Industry, OEMs, equipment manufacturers, and PCB manufacturers/builders, the relays are used in automobiles, mobility vehicles, waste collection vehicles, caravans and trailers, and in motor control applications such as lifts, robotics, and garden machinery.

Ratings wise, the Hongfa automotive relay series ranges from the small PCB relay HFKW rated at 15A up to the large 70A HFV7 panel mount relay.

A technological development achieved by Hongfa is the twin relay. Two relays are packaged in one housing, both with their own coils and contacts. This space saving development enables more relays to be fitted to a PCB, as the relays can be populated closer together, saving valuable PCB space and reducing enclosure sizes and weight, which is a serious consideration in many automotive applications. Hongfa currently has three types of the relay that are also available as a twin relay. These are the HFKA, HFKC and the HFKD.

The latest automotive relay from Hongfa is the HFV9. This is a miniature relay measuring just 25x22x15mm, yet capable of switching 20A. Suitable for PCB or Faston connections, the relay’s compact size and high performance is ideal for automotive applications.

To perform some of the more complex applications within a vehicle, application specific relays are required. These are the Hongfa HF350 relays for flashing control (indicators), wiper control and delaying relay (oil pump).

All of the Hongfa automotive relays from Switchtec are RoHS and ELV compliant. With over 40 automotive relays types, and an ever-expanding production capacity, Hongfa offers a complete automotive relay series. Major customers of Hongfa include Ford, Fiat, Delphi, Chery, and Jiangling motor companies.

With a 700 million piece manufacturing capacity, Hongfa is the largest relay manufacturer in China. Appreciating the importance of the automotive industry worldwide, Hongfa was the first relay manufacturer to achieve the automotive standard TS16949.

Hongfa has a design and production facility dedicated to automotive relays. It is equipped with the latest moulding, assembly and production technologies. Hongfa also has its own internal test house, which is recognised by TUV, VDE, UL and CNAS, enabling Hongfa to complete in house testing to higher standards, shortening approval lead times and allowing for increased production flexibility.

The Hongfa automotive relay range is available from Switchtec on short delivery times. A dedicated automotive relay brochure is also available.

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