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EC installs high speed YESTech FS1 AOI system for automated PCB Test and Inspection
The design of a completely new and highly innovative navigation system presented some
unique challenges to B & G. Not least of these was the cabling needed to allow the system
to function and the requirement for a non – existent five-pin connector !
With the vital input of EC Electronics, a custom- designed solution was supplied
that more than met B & G’s expectations.
With over 45 years’ experience in marine electronics, Romsey based B& G is world
renowned within yachting communities for its constant commitment to innovation. As a
global leader in instruments and auto pilots, B & G ‘s products have been specified on
boats that have endured the world’s toughest events, such as the BT global challenge and
the Vendee Globe. During the latter, Ellen MacArthur had B & G equipment on board her
yacht when she became the fastest woman to single handedly circumnavigate the world
last year.
As part of its ongoing product development initiative., B & G’s designers recently came up
with the h1000, a sophisticated and accurate yet highly functional and easy to use system.
‘ The philosophy behind the h1000 is to bring top range capability to the mid range market ‘
says Jim Totczyk, B & G’s manufacturing manager. ‘ In order to achieve this , we have re-
invented and redesigned the standard mid range product currently found on the market –
its processing power, its user interfaces and its capabilities. The h100 has a processing
capability unsurpassed in this market sector and, as such, could be described as a
completely new product grouping. It really has redefined what comprises a mid range
system ‘
The revolutionary h1000 is based around the concept that , while out on the water a
yachtsman not only needs accurate navigational readings such as speed and heading, but
also needs to be able to access this data quickly. He needs to be totally in control and able
to read the required information at the touch of a button. Utilising a large, clear digital LCD
readout and with just three controls, the h1000 is focused firmly on achieving these targets.
Operation is incredibly simple and intuitive using a series of drop down menus activated by
‘ up ‘, ‘down’ and ‘ enter ‘ buttons on the display to access different functions. Indeed, B &
G makes the claim that the user will be able to make his way around the functions almost
without the need to look at the manual.
Officially launched at the London Boat show at the beginning of the year, the h1000 can be
customised to meet each boat’s precise needs, as Totczyk explains :
‘ Designed as a modular system, it can be supplied as a fully- integrated system of pilots,
instruments, sensors and chart plotters, or as upgradeable stand –alone units. Information
can be accessed from any display unit anywhere on the boat. ‘
Connecting each of the system’s sensors , instruments and readouts within the confined
spaces of a sailboat or powerboat is a challenging task.
‘ Cabling is a major consideration when designing a navigation system for a boat ‘says
Totczyk. ‘ Having runs of multiple power and data cables trailing throughout the boat and
hidden behind bulkheads is simply not an option. Cables and connectors need to be small
enough to be hidden away from places they may cause problems, but also functional
enough to be accessed easily. This means that working with a cable manufacturing
specialist with detailed knowledge of such issues is a key requirement. ‘
For over ten years, B & G has entrusted Basingstoke - based EC Electronics with its
cabling requirements, in a relationship that has grown to the extent that Totcyzk now
describes EC as a ' key vendor '.
EC is a contract electronics manufacturer devoted to cable assembly, PCB and electronic
product assembly and supplies B & G with complete cable assembly solutions.
‘ As well as the usual cabling issues we face when developing a new system, in order to
allow the h1000 to function as its designers intended, a further and somewhat unique
problem arose ‘, says Totczyk.
The h1000 employs a new, high speed data link called FastNet 2 to achieve the all
important processing power that the product is based around. Utilising the new bus system
requires an extra cable to be added to the existing four – cable run. This in turn required a
new connector, as standard connectors are designed for four cables not five. However,
when the cabling specification was drawn up , B & G discovered that such a connector did
not exist. It was at this point that the company turned to EC Electronics for help.
