Mar 23, 2010 - Successful ISO-Recertification 
Mar 23, 2010 - Successful ISO-Recertification
After the Quality Management System (QMS) ISO9001 had been introduced in 2004, on 22 Mar 2010 a recertification audit was carried out through the DEKRA Certification GmbH.
Despite the global economic recession, the QMS at ertec GmbH, which has been in place for 6 years, has not suffered in which way ever and received full acknowledgement again. Even more, the QMS provided a considerable contribution in terms of coping with the various challenges of the recent past, and, helped to strengthen the company´s stability.
We received our recertification without constraint nor reservation. The auditor has certified
that our company implements a QMS in accordance with the norms and regulations as per
ISO9001:2008 successfully.
This applies for all fields at ertec GmbH, both for R&D, manufacturing and sales of
programming systems for electronic components and boards, just as well as for our
IC-Programming Service, which we provide for the automotive industry.
Our general objective is to achieve gapless customer satisfaction. Our commitment and efforts in this direction provide benefits for our current customers and makes advantages available to our future customers, too.
© ertec GmbH, 91058 Erlangen/Germany, Mar 23, 2010
Author: Dipl.-Ing. Peter Nickel
Managing Director
Nov 20, 2009 - Productronica 2009 - Exhibitor´s Statement On Fair Impressions
Our expectations in the forefront of this fair were rather conservative.
It was easy to feel the considerable shrinkage of visitor numbers compared to 2007.
However, due to the reduction of floor space available to exhibitors, there was a greater
concentration of visitors in general, and even a higher share of potential customers showing up.
Our branch of device programming indicated a strong tendency toward On-Board Programming. Whereas, to program single devices with prgramming robots close to the assembly line, or
having it done externally through a programming house - each solution provides its strength and justification.
We had made the right choice by utilizing the market´s temporary weakness for consistent
innovations.
© ertec GmbH, 91058 Erlangen/Germany, Nov 20, 2009
Author: Dipl.-Ing. Peter Nickel
Managing Director
Nov 05, 2009 - ertec - The New RENESAS Alliance Partner
As one of RENESAS´ Alliance Partners, ertec GmbH is recommended by RENESAS in terms of on-board programming in the assembly line.
ertec´s In-Circuit Flash Programmer PGS80 supports RENESAS-MCs of the families
R8C, R32C and SH (amongst others and more to come).
Remote-controlabilty, compact dimensions, modularity and combinability are the very
advantageous features of the system to integrate it into the assembly line for single or multiple
parallel operating usage.
Further, ertec GmbH is one of RENESAS´ enlisted Programming Houses for MC-programming services.
© ertec GmbH, 91058 Erlangen/Germany, Nov 05, 2009
Author: Rüdiger Streng
Sales Manager
Aug 24, 2009 - ertec & freescale: Partners in the
Alliance Program
Since May 2009, ertec GmbH/Germany is enlisted in freescale´s Alliance Program and
featured in detail as "Hardware/Software Provider" on freescale´s website to the
international group of interested electronics engineers. We are happy to see that
our excellent cooperation could also be emphasized through this channel.
© ertec GmbH, 91058 Erlangen/Germany, Aug 24, 2009
Author: Rüdiger Streng
Sales Manager
July 28, 2009 - MemoBox: Upgrade for "PROFEA-II"
The paperback-sized event recorder "PROFEA-II" provides proof in terms of what interferes the electrical equipment at what time. The signal states are recorded precisely and printed out by the integrated printer on regular paper. The user receives all relevant data for a fault analysis promptly and easily. This is how independent fault protocols can be set up directly on site. As a result, PROFEA-II does not only offer the advantage to reduce the costs caused through downtimes to a minimum; it can also be used as a sort of expert witness in case it is argued on the question "who done it" resp. what is the causer of the given problem. For this system, which has been accompanying service technicians all over Europe for many years, the manufacturer ertec GmbH, Erlangen/Germany, offers an upgrade now - the so-called MemoBox incl. software.
The event recorder while recording switching events
What can a man do once the electrical facility is down or even out of control? After having taken the necessary safety measures, one needs to trace back what has caused the fault. Electrical facilities with freely programmable controls may be tricky sometimes. It is not because there is a lack of analyzing possibilities of states (e.g. recording disturbances) and fault causers. Such jobs can be handled by the controls anyway. However, unfortunately, only the information is captured which was passed on to the controlling computer. In case of an interference in reality, often the problem pops up that the cause cannot clearly be assigned to the fields of responsibility, i.e. mechanical engineering or electrical engineering. Consequently, those who run the facility find themselves in the poor situation facing the problem that the question on the causer needs to be clarified with several negotiation partners coming from various departments of a concern. Just one brief example: The metal lug of a movable workpiece carrier is not attached correctly. Therefore, the assigned touch-free switches (BERO) get occasionally activated too shortly or even not at all. That is why a complex internal procedure is interrupted. Given that this fault only shows up sporadically, as known from experience, the diagnosis of the fault and the fixing of the problem can take a considerable amount of time. In the worst case, the presence and cooperation of several departments resp. divisions may become necessary. This is the crucial point when PROFEA-II has its performance as an "expert witness". The task is to provide the pieces of information which are required for fault analysis, i.e. quick, straight and plain. In general, the market offers a wide range of highly sophisticated devices regarding event-recording and -protocolling. Yet, those units cannot be considered to be designed for easy operation, nor for mobile usage. PROFEA-II has been filling this gap successfully for many years as per the statement of the manufacturer ertec GmbH, Erlangen/Germany. Its compact paperback-sized design as well as its light weight (< 600g) is appreciated by those who are in service on site. Operation is controlled via two keys at the unit. AC- and DC- signal voltages can be contacted to the clamp-bar for 5 V through 230 V. Lining-up and settings are not required to the connected signal levels, since there is a dynamic adaption. The timely behaviour of up to eight signals is recorded and protocolled in the integrated printer. A printout is only activated once a change of signal level occurs. When several switching events happen, they are stored internally and printed out as per their timely sequence. The time (realtime clock) is assigned parallel to the events in the printout to the sharpest precision of 1 ms. From 1 ms through 250 ms defaults can be variably set via the entry filter. Four operation modes are possible by giving triggering conditions; four display modes are available for printing: numerical, graphic, data-mode or list-mode. All settings remain stored after turning the unit off. It is very easy to attach and detach the unit by its magnetic strips on the rear of PROFEA-II. Just put it to the metal door of e.g. a switchboard. Long-term operation is possible, too. Thus you may use the unit to analyze the processes while a system is running until a fault occurs and beyond. The recordings provide an excellent basis to figure out what causes which problem at what time. As an option, the manufacturer offers a program to evaluate the data which can be fed via RS232. In this context, there is a new optional item: the so-called “ MemoBox“ for long-term data acquisition (switching events with time stamp) and -interpretation. The core is a non-volatile, exchangable data memory with the capacity to store a couple of hundred millions of switching cycles. The power supply is provided by the unit PROFEA-II.
© ertec GmbH, 91058 Erlangen/Germany, July 28, 2009
Author: Rüdiger Streng
Sales Manager
July 27, 2009 - Flashing Vitality into Electronic Devices
Consequently, to make your cell phone ring and dial, your washing machine twist
and pump off water, your car accelerate and retard, your printer print out, your
navigation system calculate the requested travel route – a software program, i.e.
the complete works of conditions and commands, must be transferred into the device.
Therefore, it is a necessity to develop the software on the basis of highest quality
demands and with the appropriate quality design tools. All in all, we are speaking
of a very responsible task. Eventually, each and every programmed function needs
to work properly and remain stable in the target hardware. Actually, your are the
creator, who brings life to the device by means of your software. Yet, how can the
software resp. functionality and "life" be transferred into electronic devices?
The topic of programming is quite a difficult one, indeed. The German company ertec
GmbH was founded in 1980 as an engineering house for microelectronics developments.
Over the many years, ertec has been growing to an international provider of systems
and embedded programming solutions when it comes to IC-programming. In accordance
with our corporate philosophy "Competence in Device Programming" the customers share
our innovations by our products and services guaranteeing high productivity as well
as flexibility and an excellent quality. ertec GmbH is Europe´s only manufacturer
of programming technology covering the extensive range of systems. The design and
production comprises manual programming sites, automated offline programming systems
and on-board embedded solutions. Further, the services of a programming house are
provided to serve each customer´s individual requirements During the 1980ies, programming
data used to be shot with so-called EPROM-burners mainly into UV-erasable memory
devices. Ever since, the development of electronic devices has rapidly stepped ahead.
In the year 2008 alone, globally approx. 17 billion electronic devices were programmed,
out of which 90% were flash devices. The share of 6 billion microcontrollers with
on-chip-flash has been increasing continuously, above all, in the automotive sector.
A state-of-the-art automobile these days contains up to 60 microcontrollers in function.
What´s more, many electronic applications get programmed not only once; just think
of the so-called upgrades for cell phones or, e.g., keeping the data for maps of
navigation systems up to date. In general, there are two processes to transfer the
programming data into memory devices: to program offline and to program on-board.
The programming of assembled PCBs (=on-board) does not require to keep on stock
any software versions, i.e. resulting in less administration, lower costs, and avoiding
the risk of delivering possibly an older (not wanted) version to the assembly line.
Further, mechanical damages to the often times very sensitive and tiny device packages
cannot occur. However, the device programming times extend the cycle times in many
an assembly line and costs considerably. Well-known automotive manufacturers flash
millions of PCBs with ertec-on-board programming systems of the family "PGS8X" in
their production lines, taking advantage of the open system solution, which makes
it possible to fully integrate their production software. Besides, they can implement
transparency and traceability of the processes, which is an absolute must nowadays
in quality assurance.
As an alternative, you may decide for offline- and single-device programming or
device programming at the electronics manufacturer resp. in a programming house.
In one of these cases, the programming times are not only used outside the assembly
line; even more, by means of the automated parallel programming mode, you can enjoy
an additional time- and cost-reduction here. Either of the mentioned process decisions
are well acceptable, depending on each individual case, needs and priorities. Therefore,
ertec´s corporate philosophy is based on thhree columns: - Design and production
of offline programming systems and programming robots - Implementation of on-board
embedded solutions for assembly lines - Premium-programming services using ertec-programmers
exclusively Large and medium-sized electronics manufacturers program devices for
the usage in their own products, either manually or by having fed the ertec-programming
robot "Beaver". But it this does not mean programming alone, but also to verify,
to label, to laser-mark, to inspect and to pack the devices – all in one closed
process. No manual interaction is necessary. The risk of human fallibility is actually
no longer existing when operating the Beaver. The programming technologies in use
at ertec are the core know-how. Naturally, these tecniques are taken care of permanently
and designed for future needs. One technology in place is the smartJet-Highspeed-Technology®
allowing ertec to program devices close to the edge of the device´s physical time-limits,
yet keeping a thorough securing of data consistency. Also, the ertec-procedure of
Huge Memory Flashing® is based on this solution. Via special data processing- and
optimized data transmission procedures, huge quantities of data may be programmed
into the flash devices with maximum capacities in record breaking times. When programming
the automated method with the Beaver, which can accommodate up to 64 programming
sockets, you can reach tremendous throughputs even with such high capacity devices.
This is what a 21st century electronics production requires. The management and
staff of ertec have always been committed to customer satisfaction. Therefore, we
guarantee to provide you with a constructive support - our hotline is here for you,
to assist you without delay. Our objective is to keep you convinced of our leading
performance. Since late 2008, ertec GmbH has merged with the HTV-group (parent company
located in Bensheim/Germany), i.e. ertec has an even broader basis for the future
activities and will keep on being your reliable and stable partner. We assure you
to stay the innovative and quickly responding innovator in programming systems –
to serve your requirements and demands.
© ertec GmbH, 91058 Erlangen/Germany, July 27, 2009
Author: Dipl.-Ing. Peter Nickel
Head Onboard-Programming-Systems
Mar 23, 2009 - Extension of Freescale Microcontroller-Support
The new 8-Bit Automotive S08 Family as well as the 16-Bit S12(X) Families of Freescale are supported by ertec, both through manual and automatic offline-programming systems and through inline-programming system solutions.
The programming support which covered the well-known Motorola-microcontrollers of
the HC05-, HC11- and HC12- families has been extended for the use of the newer Freescale-microcontroller-families,
too.
Besides devices of the various HC08-derivates, now, the devices S08-, S12- as well
as the S12X-families are supported through programming systems. This support comprises
the numerous device packages on different programming-modules in parallel-mode offline
or inline through the production accommodatable onboard-programming systems. The
programming-robot BEAVER is the proper tool for these device types to achieve very
high throughput in several input-/output-magazines (tray, tape, tube) in handling,
programming, laser-marking or labelling, 2D- or 3D-inspection and repackaging.
In addition to the support of the various margin-levels, among others, also the
opportunity of activating write- and read-protection functions, is part of the support.
Ertec´s Smart-JET-Technology guarantees alongside minimum programming times
and, thus, the shortest possible cycle times within the production line resp. a
maximum throughput in automated mass-programming.
ertec has the clear objective to broaden the programming support for Freescale-devices
continuously in accordance with the customers´ market requirements. The goal
is to achieve the maximum coverage of Freescale´s portfolio, both regarding
manual- and automatic programming of single devices, and the onboard-programming
directly within the production line.
© ertec GmbH, 91058 Erlangen/Germany, Mar 23, 2009
Author: M. Eng. Andreas Urban
Head Onboard-Programming-Systems
Feb 06, 2009 - M25-SPI Flash-Programming
Quick flashing of M25-SPI-memories within Full-Premium-Programming-Service;
the expert for device programming, ertec GmbH, provides both the equipment and
its Full-Premium-Programming-Service for the quick preprogramming of M25-SPI-Flash
Memories.
Due to their high system speed, low energy consumption, compact design as well as low cost, currently, the serial flash-memories of the M25-SPI-family enjoy a growing popularity. Many users, however, need preprogrammed devices. ertec GmbH covers the complete range of device programming of various device packages with its Premium-Programming-Service.
The Premium-Programming-Service allows customers of ertec to gain from the very latest programming technology and the know-how of the design engineers – without the need to invest capital. Robots like the BEAVER or automated machinery like the MH240E allow a fully automated mass-device-programming incl. 3D-inspection on the edge of zero-error-limit. Within the unique “All-In-Process“, the BEAVER can exclude the “error-source human being“ e.g. while unpacking, programming, laser-marking, 2- or 3-D mechanical inspection and, e.g. repackaging into the tape. A throughput of 650 devices per hour is guaranteed when using parallel programming in up to 64 programming sockets.
This company achieves the maximum throughput by using the mature Smart-Flash-Technology and programming at the edge of the device´s physical limit. This applies for both the several offline-programmming solutions and the production line accommodatable onboard-programming, using the programming systems of the PGS8X-family.
Peter Nickel, Managing Director of ertec GmbH: “Especially those customers
who require high quantities, however, do not consider to purchase a programming
robot for themselves, can take advantage of our most up-to-date programming equipment,
which, needless to say, provides highest quality and transparency.“
© ertec GmbH, 91058 Erlangen/Germany, Feb 06, 2009
Author: M. Eng. Andreas Urban
Head Onboard-Programming Systems
Jul 09, 2008 - All-in-Process Control thanks to Device Programming
The programming robot BEAVER from ertec GmbH now features a measurement unit from the manufacturer ICOS. The connecting pins for the programmed modules are now measured and checked in the same machine directly before packaging. Thanks to the introduction of this technology - known as 3D lead inspection - the programming functions are now integrated in an all-in-process that guarantees that every device that leaves the production line is 100% flawless.
(pressebox) Erlangen, 09.06.2008 - Owing to ever increasing demand, electronic storage devices have to be programmed directly in automation machinery. Once programming is complete, these chips are then transferred manually to another machine, where they undergo optical measurements, after which they are packaged. This manual procedure interferes, however, with what is otherwise an automated process and involves certain risks, for instance NO-GO parts may accidentally be switched with GO parts or damage may occur. With the programming robot BEAVER from ertec GmbH, which features an industrial-standard LIM measurement unit from ICOS, it is now possible to perform the entire programming process in one device with no manual intervention.
BEAVER is an all-in-one parallel programming robot. Used in combination with smartJET
technology form ertec GmbH, BEAVER achieves an extremely high processing rate of
up to 700 modules per hour. BEAVER can perform parallel programming in up to 64
programming sockets, meaning that its high processing rate can also be achieved
with modules with very high Flash capacities that normally take longer to program.
In reference to BEAVER's new measurement unit, Manager of ertec GmbH, Konrad Kruse,
says: "Thanks to the addition of 3D lead inspection, we can now offer all-in-process
device programming. BEAVER takes the chips from the magazines, places them in the
programming sockets and starts programming. Then it marks the flawless modules either
with a label or by laser, performs a three-dimensional optical check and places
the modules in the output magazine. This means that common errors such as coplanarity,
pin location or dimensional inaccuracies can be avoided and a 100 percent overall
guarantee can be given that modules that have been programmed incorrectly or not
at all, as well as modules with mechanical damage are detected.""All-in" means that a process can be carried out on a machine without manual "intervention" as it were. Such processes are also fully documented, making them fully traceable. The combined BEAVER/ smartJET solution puts ertec GmbH one step ahead on the quality and speed front in device programming. In smartJET programming, all of the data is stored on memory card on site and is therefore directly accessible when required. The data is then taken from preloaded image memory cards and programmed directly into the module. In this way, virtually no time is spent on data transmission and PC computing, and the programming throughput is equal to the direct time needed to programme the devices themselves and nothing else.
© ertec GmbH, 91058 Erlangen, Jul 09, 2008
Written by: Werner Bauer
Head of Programming Service
|
Apr 22, 2008 -
|
Micronas VCT: Maximum Precision Called for |
| in Manufacturing Programming Systems |
VCT49, VCT6x and VCT7x microcontrollers from the company Micronas generally do not
require additional external components to be used in a TV set. Besides the audio,
video, teletext and OSD functions, highly complex electronic modules such as these
also feature different volatile and non-volatile memory components.The on-chip Flash can be programmed via a serial I ² C interface or inline in the production line. But time is money, which is why this type of inline programming is not always the most efficient of methods,
especially given the high production volumes and cycle requirements. The call for high processing rates, plus increasing quality demands are becoming more and more important in the mass production of such price-sensitive consumer goods.
ertec has 4 programming solutions to this problem:
Provided the customer's production conditions allow for onboard parallelisation, the onboard programming system PGS8P can program up to 8 PCBs (pre-assembled with VCT microcontrollers) in-line at the same time. It goes without saying that this system can be easily integrated into the production software, with no compromise to transparency, logging and traceability features.
A possible solution for medium-sized production batches is manual individual module programming using the P67390 programming modules from the modular programming system PGS67. Due to the meticulous packages (PLQFP208-1) with 208 pins, however, this can become problematic, which is why ertec recommends using the recently developed pneumatic socket opener to open and close the individual programming sockets. The operator will, however, still have to take the utmost care when removing and inserting the microcontrollers.
When programming larger lot sizes an automated process is an absolute must. In the majority of cases it makes sense to outsource the programming to competent programming firms. At the programming centre of ertec GmbH even memory components with relatively large packages are programmed using our programming robot BEAVER and checked for pin defects in an optical 3D inspection before being placed in the output magazines.
Depending on the customer's production volume, two options are possible: the customer can either invest in one of our BEAVER programming robots or outsource the programming to us - whatever makes most sense financially.
© ertec GmbH, 91058 Erlangen, Apr 22, 2008
Written by: Dipl.-Ing. Peter Nickel
Head of Programming Systems
Apr 12, 2008 - Holtek HT48F: In-house or Outsourced Programming
The difference in price between mask ROM products and programmable Flash microcontrollers
is becoming increasingly smaller. And how much more flexible is a Flash microcontroller,
say in comparison to OTP technologies?
More and more often special module-specific information (e.g. IP addresses, MAC addresses, version, production data, etc.) is needed in the Flash program memory or EEPROM data memory. This is outwith the realm of mask products.
In Holtek Flash Microcontrollers, however, it must not be forgotten that the demanding memory conditions needed to save, for instance, serializable data makes manufacturing programming particularly challenging, too. One requirement, for instance, is a high processing rate for manual or automatic programming, while another is a reliable, transparent programming method for the module-specific data in this complex process. Such processes have to guarantee 100% traceability - an absolute must in view of today's high quality standards.
There are two possible ways of meeting these requirements: either use suitable programming systems with production-friendly operating software in-house or, alternatively, outsource the work to external programmers. ertec GmbH covers both possibilities. To programme medium-sized quantities of Holtek MCU's, it would be feasible to carry out the programming, marking and re-packaging in-house on manual programming stations. ertec's production-friendly user interface PSI67 (from the PGS67 modular programming system) provides all the necessary features - from the OTP or MTP file, which is created directly from the output files of the HOLTEK development system HT-IDE3000 (available free), right up to the fully programmed, verified, labelled and fully documented HOLTECK MCU Flash series in various package types (DIP, SKDIP, SOP, SSOP, LQFP).
For larger quantities that may even involve module-specific programming data in MCU Flash or EEPROM an automatic programming process is essential. Investing in such complex programming robotics only makes sense financially in the case of a few large-scale projects (i.e. for large quantities). In the majority of cases it makes more sense to outsource the programming to experienced programming firms. This is where ertec GmbH steps in: At the ertec programming centre, programming robot BEAVER carries out the different individual steps in a single "all-in process". In the BEAVER, the differently packaged Holtek microcontrollers are taken from their tape, stick or tray, programmed, laser marked, checked for pin or labelling marking defects and re-packed in a fully automatic process, reducing the human error factor to an absolute minimum.
© ertec GmbH, 91058 Erlangen, Apr 12, 2008
Written by: Dipl.-Ing. Peter Nickel
Head of Programming Systems
Apr 06, 2008 - Billions of Bytes Programmed at JET Speed
One billion has nine zeros, one gigabyte has even more bytes, and if we go down
as far as bits, then 1 gigabyte contains just short of 10 billion bits. But what
use is a gigabyte to us tomorrow when individual chips with a Flash capacity of
16 gigabytes are already on the market today? Today, more and more electronic products
have such huge memory capacities, which in many cases have to be programmed "bit
for bit" during the production process. Conventional processes are simply not up
to the job, as can be shown in a simple example:Even if just 100 nanoseconds per byte are additionally needed for Flash programming, for an 8 GB module this additional time amounts to as much as a quarter of an hour per module. This is because conventional microcontroller processing does not allow for shorter processing times.
In device programming the time needed is broken down as follows: the time for the PC to access the programming data (hard drive, network, external data storage device...), program running times inside the operating system (computing speeds), time needed to transfer the programming data from the storage location to the Flash module (data transmission), the software overhead inside the programming system (processing times for data transfer, retrieval, evaluation..) and finally the time needed to actually program the Flash memory.
The new P67805 JET-based programming modules from ertec feature smart, high-speed JET technology based on the optimum combination of a fast microcontroller master and a super fast FPGA module as a slave. In addition, the transmission time for the programming data is zero and PC computing time next to nothing, since the data is taken directly from pre-loaded image storage cards and programmed directly into the Flash in the fastest possible time. Furthermore, thanks to 4-fold parallelization per programming module and up to 64-fold parallelization in the overall system, a total programming rate of more than 5 billion bits per second is achieved.
In sum, the programming robot BEAVER from ertec features 64 programming sockets to allow for a fully automated programming rate of around 650 devices per hour, even if the theoretical individual module programming time is more than 5 minutes. With BEAVER programming, the modules are taken from the input tape, programmed, laser marked, undergo a visual check for marking errors and mechanical pin check (2D or 3D check, as required) and re-packed in output tape in a single complete process. Tight multi-level safety checks are, of course, also performed during the entire process to ensure compliance with the relevant quality standards for data consistency, transparency and traceability.
ertec GmbH, 91058 Erlangen, Apr 12, 2008
Written by: Dipl.-Ing. Peter Nickel
Head of Programming Systems