Siborg Systems Inc.’s popular Smart Tweezers LCR-meter for Surface Mount Technology has gotten a design facelift for a new model. Smart Tweezers are the world’s first handheld LCR-meter that combines the high accuracy readings found in conventional testers, with a small LCD display and gold-plated stainless steel tweezer tips. Designed for testing Surface Mount Technology (SMT), the lightweight device is easily operated with just one hand, leaving the other free for tasks like taking notes or holding other tools. The integration has been a successfully proven design that is currently used by many high-tech companies worldwide.
Though Smart Tweezers’ popularity has grown exponentially since its release, the main detriment of the device has been a high price that can range from $300-$700, depending on the region it is sold in and the seller. Although the price point is find for professional use, hobbyists looking to use Smart Tweezers find it too high.
Siborg had previously tried to recreate the device with a lower cost, but the device lacked a 1 V test signal option, and the price reduction did not change the overall market at about only 20% of the manufacturing cost.
Nearly a year ago, Siborg began developing a new model based on new microchips that had become available. These chips helped offer a lower cost without losing too much of the accuracy. A working prototype has been created that features a lower manufacturing cost, and half the weight of the ST5 model. The smaller device is powered by a li-ion battery (rechargeable via micro-USB), and offers a basic accuracy of 1%, on par with the basic accuracy found in the Smart Tweezers ST2 model. A one-button navigation system allows easy on/off and shuffling between modes; A (Automatic Mode), L (Inductance), C (Capacitance), R (Resistance), ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance). All measurements are fully automatic (with manual options), with a test signal amplitude of 0.5V. The test frequencies are adjusted accordingly to components and value.
The previous screen on the ST5 model had been disparaged for being overcrowded. An example of the optimized screen (viewable on the Smart Tweezers’ Blog) while the device measures Inductance. AM shows that the device is in ‘Automatic Mode’, Rs is an indication of a parasitic series resistor of the inductance, L indicates the component being evaluated is Inductance, 10 kHz is the test frequency, and 104.8 uH is the Inductance measurement in micro-Henries. The battery icon shows the battery charge.
The new device will be available this coming summer from Siborg Systems, and has an estimated sales volume of 4 times the amount of the ST5 sales. Visit the Smart Tweezers’ Blog for the latest news about Smart Tweezers.
