Accutronics Blog

Credit card sized rechargeable battery for portable electronic devices launched at Embedded World

2012-02-20T10:53:00.000Z

Accutronics, the UK based developer and manufacturer of professional battery solutions, is set to launch a range of ‘Intellion’ credit card sized batteries for portable applications at Embedded World. These new smart batteries are ideal for high-tech portable applications including tele-healthcare devices, test and measurement equipment and wearable computers. Embedded World is taking place at the NürnbergMesse GmbH, Messezentrum in Nuremberg Germany between February 28 and March 1, Hall 2, Stand 2-502.

Credit card sized batteries on show at Embedded World

The CC2300 and CC3800 credit card batteries have been developed by Accutronics in response to OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) demand for a short lead time, compact and rechargeable Lithium Ion battery solution for their portable devices. The products feature 3.7V Lithium Ion cell technology coupled with an impedance tracking fuel gauge, an active protection system, and a compact connector, all contained in a package with a footprint identical to that of a credit card. Regulatory approval is simplified as both batteries are CE marked and have been tested to IEC62133 (safety) and UN38.3 (transportation) standard. Both batteries are supplied with comprehensive technical back-up and a number of useful accessories which enable the OEM designer to easily integrate the battery into the device system.

“The demand for this kind of product might seem surprising, given the abundant availability of Lithium ion batteries in consumer electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptop computers,” explained Neil Oliver, technical marketing manager at Accutronics. “However, consumer-market batteries do not satisfy the requirements of OEMs in the quality-driven professional electronic device sector, so we’ve created these new credit card batteries to satisfy OEM demand”.

“The crux of all of our products is the technical support that goes hand in hand with them,” explained Oliver. “We believe that our credit card batteries fill a gap in the compact battery market for a fully-supported, OEM oriented battery solution. Device design engineers need technical guidance and feedback when they specify battery products and Accutronics is one of the few companies providing that support as standard. In addition to this, our excellent quality and delivery performance complete the service package that will get the device OEM to market quickly and confidently.”

The credit card batteries are part of the ‘Intellion’ range from Accutronics. Intellion products are smart, innovative portable power products, designed to meet the emerging needs of professional OEMs and market trends.

B is for Banks... and the search for fuel gauge Nirvana

2012-02-09T08:42:00.002Z


Carl Banks with a Lithium-ion fuel gauge PCB

We’ve all been there... Just as you turn on your laptop to deliver the key presentation of your entire career, the infernal machine runs out of power and you are left with a blank screen. It’s not possible! You checked the power gauge before you left the office and it said 80% remaining!

If you work in the battery industry, you have probably already used exactly this analogy to describe the importance of accurate gauging. It’s certainly a story familiar to Carl Banks, one of Accutronics’ fuel gauging experts.

Amongst Carl’s key responsibilities is ensuring that all of Accutronics’ batteries are configured to provide the most accurate gauging possible.

The fuel gauge is a vital part of a professional battery solution. The more accurate it is, the better it can track capacity and the more realistic the device’s predicted run time will be. In mission critical situations, like medical devices and military equipment this can be crucial.

“Of course, there are some applications where the fuel gauge isn’t as important as it is on a medical ventilator or pair of night vision goggles,” explained Carl. “But our customers are leaders in their chosen markets and they demand precise and reliable information whether the battery is brand new or many years old. This is why we test our batteries under various usage scenarios, continually collecting the data that is needed to set-up the fuel gauge.

“The most significant environmental factor that affects fuel gauge accuracy is temperature,” Carl continued. “However, we also have to address non-environmental issues such as charge and discharge rates and cycle life. Put simply, the more the battery is used the more its capacity drops over time, and the fuel gauge must account for this behaviour.”

“We use Texas Instruments’ gauges in many of our products,” Carl went on. “The data we gather from our tests is analysed and used in the programming of the fuel gauges’ FLASH memory. The whole process can take many weeks but it ensures we achieve the best possible precision.”

Carl was keen to emphasise the importance of the ‘impedance tracking’ fuel gauge technology that Accutronics now use in most of their new smart battery developments. This technology allows the battery fuel gauge to continually make adjustments to its remaining capacity prediction - even when the battery is not being used, by measuring the battery impedance during periods of inactivity. Older ‘coulomb counting’ gauges had to ‘learn’ about a battery by establishing the top of charge and discharge limits first. As a result, a battery fuel gauge that uses impedance tracking is more accurate and can be used for longer without needing to be calibrated – this means that customers can rely on the fuel gauge information and don’t need to spend time fully charging and discharging their devices to obtain accurate information.

So, next time you’re sitting in front of a redundant laptop, wishing you had a more accurate power gauge, spare a thought for Carl and his quest for fuel gauge nirvana, which helps ensure that genuinely mission critical applications don’t suffer the same problems as your laptop.

Accutronics shortlisted for major award

2012-02-06T10:17:00.000Z

Earlier this week we learned that we've been shortlisted for the 2012 British Business Awards in the Small Business of the Year category. We’re really excited about the honour here, so we thought we’d share some details with you.

The yearly British Business Awards celebrate exceptional performance in business and acknowledge those organisations that have made an impact in their industry sector. With nine different categories, the awards are designed to promote and encourage startups,
SMEs and large companies alike.

Participating enterprises in Small Business of the Year Award have to demonstrate solid success, be it growth or exploiting new products, production techniques, services or markets. The British Business Awards are run in conjunction with the Sentinel newspaper.

Here at Accutronics we have taken an innovative approach to all of our products and quality manufacturing has been at the forefront of our endeavors.

Our entry was covered by the Sentinel and here is what the journalists had to say:

“Today the Newcastle-under-Lyme battery firm, with its Li-on (lithium ion) range is a power house on the world stage (…)Currently employing some 45 people, it is exporting to over 30 countries and is a contender for The Sentinel Business Awards – having been nominated for the Staffordshire University-sponsored Small Business of the Year Award.”

You can read the full article here.

“We are delighted to have been shortlisted for this award,” said Robert Philips, managing director at Accutronics. “Especially since it’s the first time we’ve entered! I think being shortlisted should be regarded as a reward for the whole team’s effort. We have a great working environment with experienced people here and I think it’s starting to show in achievements like this one. So keep your fingers crossed for us,” he concluded.

Accutronics at Embedded World 2012

2012-02-02T07:54:00.002Z

From the 28th of February to the 1st of March we will be at the Embedded World 2012 exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany.

This is the first year that Accutronics have exhibited at this event. With the ever growing use of our smart battery products in embedded systems we want to get closer to existing and new customers alike.

You can visit us in Hall 2, booth number 502. Myself, Sales Manager Mark Edlin, Managing Director Rob Phillips and Senior Electronics Engineer Steve Dodds will be on hand over the three days to answer your questions and delight you with our products. I look forward to seeing you there.

If you need an invite to the exhibtion then please drop me an email and I will arrange for a ticket to be sent to you. Remember that 2012 is a leap year - so you are also welcome on the 29th of February.

Visit the Embedded World 2012 Website here

Neil

I need a smart battery charger that will work in a car! - HELP!

2012-01-20T08:03:00.001Z

For heavy users of batteries the need to charge them is paramount. It is true to say that if you are a professional user of portable electronic equipment you will want lots of charged batteries around so you can complete your job - especially if you are away from a mains electricity supply.

For customers who buy the range of Inspired Energy standard smart batteries there is an ideal solution with the CH7000 charger that can accept a 10-24V input - this means that you can charge any of the Inspired Energy standard smart batteries from your car cigarette lighter socket - ideal for professionals on the move, on building sites, out in the desert, in a field or doing geological surveys of active volcanoes (yes, these batteries get used everywhere).

The CH7000 uses clever circuitry that allows it to harvest power from virtually any power source within the 10V-24V range, including solar cells, wind generators etc. It even steps the voltage up and down so it can use a 12V input and charge a battery requesting 16.8V - clever eh!? Of course the CH7000 also comes with a regular 60W desktop supply so you can plug it into the mains when you get back to base.

Accutronics is the sole distributor for the wide range of standard smart batteries, chargers and accessories from Inspired Energy. If you need a CH7000 then please visit our website. If you want a copy of our catalogue then please drop me an email.

Neil

Batteries and Fuel Cells Training Seminar

2012-01-19T07:45:00.002Z

Today I am able to announce something truly special: Accutronics has partnered with Shmuel De-Leon Energy to provide a two day 'Batteries and Fuel Cells' training seminar during the 2nd and 3rd of May 2012.

Mr De-Leon is a world expert on both batteries and fuel cells and is travelling over from Israel specifically to deliver this seminar which I hope you will attend. The seminar has previously been delivered in both Europe and the USA.

Key Benefits of the Seminar:

A comprehensive review of current and future electrochemical energy sources.
Provides training on cells and raw material selection, design, manufacturing, testing, safety, transportation and disposal aspects of energy sources.
Distills basic knowledge for new employees entering the field.
Expands the knowledge of industry members already working in the field.
Training on 'Energy Sources Database' software – a vital tool for optimal energy source design.

You can find out more about the seminar here. If you have any questions then please contact me directly at neil.oliver@accutronics.co.uk or call me on +44 (0) 1782 566688.

High voltage smart battery drives device innovation

2011-11-22T14:33:00.001Z

Accutronic's PH2059 Lithium Ion standard smart battery

Accutronics has launched the Inspired Energy PH2059 Lithium Ion standard smart battery across Europe. The product will find a home in sectors including the medical, military, portable electronic and industrial electronic industries. The PH2059 features a host of design innovations that will make it easy to integrate and manage, including an innovative connector, flexible mounting and SMBus and SBS compliance.

Accutronics is the sole distributor for the wide range of smart batteries, chargers and accessories from US manufacturer Inspired Energy. With a nominal voltage of 28.8V the PH2059 is ideal for applications where higher voltages are required and is the highest voltage battery in the range. Applications include all kinds of uninterruptible power supply systems and low-current motors.

The PH2059 is part of Inspired Energy’s growing 'Power Series' and features a mixed D connector, allowing both power and communication in the same interface. The battery also has a five-bar LCD fuel gauge, allowing the user to easily see how much power remains in 20% increments.
Tough plastic housing allows for fitting into a device cavity or hard fixing to a chassis using four bolts, making this battery extremely easy to integrate for design engineers.

SMBus and SBS compliance means that information such as battery voltage (mV), temperature (°C) and current (mA) can be read from the battery. In addition, the PH2059 can provide calculated information such as remaining runtime (min), time to charge (min) and cycle count.

The new battery uses Lithium ion cell technology to provide the highest energy density possible. At just 82mm wide, 168mm long and 28mm high and with a weight of just 533g, the PH2059 is ideal for applications where space is at a premium.

As the stored energy of the PH2059 is only 83.5Wh, and because it has passed all UN T1-T8 transportation tests, the battery is exempted from dangerous goods shipping regulations, making transportation simpler and lower cost. This stands in direct comparison to units exceeding 100Wh, which must be shipped as class nine dangerous goods.

When used in conjunction with a smart charger, the PH2059 will broadcast its required charging voltage and current which the accessory will then supply. This ensures safe and efficient charging and allows for future chemistry changes as the battery is always in control of its charging parameters. This chemistry independence allows the PH2059 to be designed into devices that have product life cycles of many years, with the battery capable of evolving as cell chemistry technology develops.

The new smart battery can be customised to meet the OEM’s requirements. The label can be changed to reflect corporate livery and firmware modifications can be made to enhance the use of the battery in specific OEM applications.

“Customisation of standard products allows our OEM customers to take a tried and tested platform and have it modified to reflect their exact needs” explained Neil Oliver, Technical Marketing Manager at Accutronics. “Our high level technical support service ensures that customers can design an Inspired Energy battery into their new device with total confidence. We can provide CAD models, application support and design advice to ensure the product development process is short and problem free.”

As well as the PH2059 battery, Accutronics also stocks the PH4000 charger and a range of accessories including a PCB mount connector, a wired connector and a wired connector complete with shell and mounting hardware, all of which make it easier to integrate the PH2059 into a device.

Accutronics Catalogue for Inspired Energy Products - Available Now

2011-11-14T08:00:00.001Z

You can now get your hands on the new 2012 Accutronics printed catalogue covering all of the standard smart batteries, chargers and accessories from Inspired Energy.

2012 Catalogue

Accutronics is the sole distributor for the Inspired Energy range of standard smart batteries, chargers and accessories. This extensive range of products offers OEM customers a high performance, timely solution that avoids the time and costs associated with designing a custom solution.

You can request your printed copy by sending an email to our Sales and Customer Services team. Remember to include your name, position, company name, telephone number and postal address so we can ensure your catalogue finds its way to you quickly.

The 2012 catalogue includes:

The entire range of batteries which are available in voltages betwen 3.6V and 28.8V and now in 17 different mechanical footprints.
Desktop chargers in 1 to 6 bay formats
Single and dual bay embeddable chargers
A wide range of accessories to help integrate an Inspired Energy battery into your new system.

You can find out more about the wide range of batteries, chargers and accessories by visiting the Inspired Energy section of our website..

Neil Oliver, Technical Marketing Manager

‘A’ is for Asplin… and his views on custom battery design

2011-11-03T12:58:00.003Z

By Neil Oliver, technical marketing manager at Accutronics

This post is the first in a series of 26, entitled ‘The Accutronics A to Z of batteries’. As you would imagine, today’s star is the letter A and, with this in mind, we’d like to welcome our newest colleague; David Asplin. David’s role as senior mechanical engineer involves working closely with our clients throughout the custom battery design process.

David Asplin discussing a new prototype
with battery Technician Michelle Eardley

Asplin specialises in the mechanical aspect of the design and prototyping of custom batteries. The first step in this process is to discuss every aspect of the application with the customer. Accutronics develops batteries for professional markets where the requirements for size, weight and environmental performance are very high on the list of customer needs. David’s objective is to incorporate all requirements into a battery that is both strong and durable whilst remaining light and compact.

Accutronics takes full advantage of the latest digital prototyping techniques to get the design to market quickly. We perform finite element analysis of the CAD models and employ 3D printing technologies such as stereo lithography apparatus and selective laser sintering to generate physical prototypes. Mould flow simulation is used to test and validate the injection moulding design prior to tooling.

When compared to those who select an off the shelf solution, customers that choose a custom battery have the benefit of an optimal solution where every facet of the design can be tailored to meet their device and market requirements.

“Well designed and efficiently manufactured-to-order batteries will guarantee that you get exactly what you want, with minimal compromise on performance, shape, colour or other physical qualities,” explained Asplin. “Although the initial costs can be higher than for an off the shelf solution, custom design allows the Accutronics customer to brand the product in whatever way they want and guarantee its performance. I can say this with confidence as we also offer a range of standard smart batteries for markets that don’t warrant the investment in a custom smart battery solution,” he continued.

“Furthermore, in some industry sectors, such as medical and healthcare for instance, a bespoke battery design is often the only viable option. Innovative mechanical engineering is the only way of ensuring the product can withstand chemical corrosive cleaning, and unusually high levels of user abuse”, concluded Asplin.

If you are interested in learning more about our custom battery design and manufacturing service, please contact our Sales and Customer Service team on+44 (0) 1782 566688 to discuss your requirements

Credit card sized rechargeable battery for medical applications launches at Compamed

2011-10-28T11:00:00.003+01:00

Accutronics, the UK based designer and manufacturer of professional battery solutions, is set to launch a range of credit card sized batteries for medical applications at Compamed 2011. These new smart batteries are ideal for portable applications including tele-healthcare devices, data recorders and monitors. Compamed is taking place at the Dusseldorf Trade Fair Centre in Germany between November 16 and 18.

The credit card batteries have been developed by Accutronics in response to OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) demand for a short lead time, compact and rechargeable Lithium Ion battery solution for their portable devices. The products feature accurate impedance tracking fuel gauges, an active protection system, and a compact connector, all contained in a package with a footprint identical to that of a credit card. CE marked, IEC62133 and UN38.3 tested, the batteries are supplied with comprehensive technical back-up and a number of useful accessories which enable the OEM designer to easily integrate the battery into the device system.

“The demand for this kind of product might seem surprising, given the abundant availability of Lithium ion batteries in consumer electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptop computers,” explained Neil Oliver, technical marketing manager at Accutronics. “However, consumer-market batteries do not satisfy the requirements of OEMs in the quality-driven medical sector and other professional markets, so we’ve created these new credit card batteries to satisfy OEM demand.

Other products on show at Compamed include the range of Inspired Energy batteries for which Accutronics is the sole distributor. The range now includes the new 28.8V ‘PH2059’ Lithium Ion smart battery which opens up a whole new range of application possibilities where higher voltages are required. The PH2059 can be used in a device cavity but also features threaded inserts so it can also be bolted onto a chassis if required. The PH2059 includes a five bar visual state of charge indicator allowing the user to easily see how much energy is in the battery in 20% increments.

“The crux of all of our products is the technical support that goes hand in hand with them,” explained Oliver. “We believe that our credit card battery fills a gap in the compact battery market for a fully-supported, OEM oriented battery solution. Device design engineers need technical guidance and feedback when they specify battery products and Accutronics are one of the few companies who provide that support as standard. Add to this our excellent quality and delivery performance, and you have a valuable total package that will get the medical device OEM to market quickly and confidently.”

Battery Researchers Look To Seaweed

2011-09-22T08:30:00.000+01:00

I have heard of people eating seaweed, but now it seems that it might be used in Lithium ion Batteries as a new binder material. Take a read here.

Neil

Accutronics Stock the Inspired Energy PH2059 and Accessories

2011-09-07T13:57:00.000+01:00

Accutronics now stock the new PH2059 Lithium Ion Smart Battery from Inspired Energy. This 28.8V 2.9Ah battery is part of the 'Power Series' from Inspired Energy that uses a mixed D type connector allowing both power and communication in the same connector block.

As well as being capable of sliding into a device cavity the PH2059 is the first battery from Inspired Energy to feature threaded inserts so it can be bolted to a chassis if required. As with many other batteries from Inspired Energy the PH2059 includes a 5-bar visual state of charge indicator so you can easily see how much charge is in the battery in 20% increments.

As the PH2059 is <100Wh and has passed the UNT1-T8 tests it is excepted from Dangerous Goods shipping regulation which means that transportation is more simple and less costly than units which exceed >100Wh.

As well as the PH2059 battery, Accutronics also stock the PH4000 charger and a range of accessories including a PCB mount connector, a wired connector and a wired connector complete with shell & mounting hardware - all of which make it easier to get the PH2059 designed into your next device.

If you need additional information please visit the Accutronics website or feel free to email me directly.

Neil Oliver

Technical Marketing Manager
Accutronics

Getting more out of your EC9600 Smart Battery Reader

2011-07-25T08:02:00.000+01:00

The EC9600 handheld Smart Battery reader is a very popular Accutronics product - it allows users to easily access smart battery data by just plugging it in and toggling through the data using one of two buttons. The data is read from a two line LCD display. If you need to quickly read data from a smart battery then the EC9600 is invaluable.

What many users don't know is that the EC9600 can also be connected directly to a PC and ALL of the Smart battery data transfered to the computer at the touch of a button. All you need is a serial cable and a PC. The Hyper Terminal application on the PC does all of the hard work for you.

We have step by step instructions on our website - click here to take a look.

Once you are up and running you can quickly transfer the data and save the file for later reference. If you have any questions please feel free to drop me an email.

Neil

Accutronics Take-Back Scheme

2011-07-19T19:57:00.002+01:00

Accutronics take its environmental responsibilities very seriously and encourages the recycling of batteries of all types. In accordance with the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations (2009), Accutronics is happy to take back (for recycling) industrial batteries of the following chemistries:

•Rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH)
•Rechargeable Lithium Ion (Li-Ion)

To find out more click here or to register your interest in this service please contact us by telephoning +44 (0) 1782 566688 and quoting "Take-Back Scheme".

Neil

http://www.accutronics.co.uk/

Lithium ion - The Rise of NMC

2011-07-06T08:26:00.000+01:00

Battery specifiers can now choose Lithium ion cells with a range of alternative cathode formulations, each delivering different performance characteristics. Neil Oliver summarises the mainstream choices available today, and the pros and cons of each option...

Click here for the full article

Confused about the regulations concerning the transportation of Lithium ion batteries?

2011-05-26T21:06:00.000+01:00

The regulations concerning the transportation of Lithium ion batteries can be confusing to those who are designing in their first battery using this technology. It is a subject that I am asked about at most customer meetings that I attend. To aid all of our customers the Accutronics website contains a valuable resource which should help in this matter. You can read it here

If you have any questions you are welcome to drop me an email

Neil Oliver

1st Israeli Power Sources Conference (Batteries, Fuel Cells & EVs)

2011-05-20T12:28:00.000+01:00

I would like to thank Mr Shmuel De-Leon for allowing Accutronics to present at the 1st Israeli Power Conference which was held yesterday at the Daniel Hotel, Herzelia, Israel. My presentation which was entitled "When Power Failure is not an option" covered Lithium ion technology, safety, Smart Battery functionality and Lithium Ion transportion regulations.

Thank you also to our colleagues at Alexander Schneider who hosted us for the day on their exhibition booth. I know that the event generated a great deal of interest from the large number of delegates who attended this excellent conference and exhibition.

Shmuel De-Leon Energy Ltd Website: http://www.sdle.co.il/

Alexander Schneider Website: http://www.schneider.co.il/

Accutronics Website: http://www.accutronics.co.uk/

KTP Poster Competition, Aston University Birmingham

2011-03-21T11:31:00.000Z

The competition attempted to highlight the research ties between Aston University and industries across UK. The event showcased over 19 projects in different industry sectors, covering various aspects on business. KTP associates showed their contribution within the length and breadth of the industrial world covering marketing, manufacturing, finance and strategic areas.

Accutronics has collaborated with Aston University to develop a manufacturing strategy to support the growing business and its increasing product range. The company gains benefit from the knowledge and experience of the University and well as the associate. This event also gave Accutronics an opportunity to learn about researches in related sectors and fields and gain more insight by collaborating with different on-going projects and further developing its competitiveness.

Prabhjit Singh, Accutronics KTP Associate

Accutronics introduces new test equipment into its smart battery production

2011-02-23T14:06:00.003Z

Accutronics is pleased to announce the implementation of new smart battery test equipment in its UK battery assembly operation. The 'DBT' MKII represents a huge leap forward in the way Accutronics conducts post assembly performance and functionality tests on its smart battery products and allows the factory to test a greater number of batteries for its worldwide OEM customers... Read more...

Lithium ion Battery Market to Quadruple

2011-02-14T12:18:00.000Z

Greater demand for lithium ion batteries means the market is set to quadruple between now and 2020, a new report suggests.

Click here

Neil

Electric Car Batteries to be made in Portugal

2011-02-12T22:43:00.000Z

25% of the batteries for the European electric car market are to be produced by Nissan in Portugal.

Click here to read more.

Neil

South Korea plans to Extract Lithium from Seawater!

2011-02-07T16:37:00.000Z

As electronics proliferate around the world, South Korea plans to meet demand by extracting Lithium from seawater, according to a new report... click here

Neil

Safety End Caps for Standard Lithium ion Smart Batteries

2011-01-04T15:45:00.002Z

When transporting any battery is is very important that the positive and negative terminals are insulated to avoid short circuits. When transporting Lithium ion batteries this requirement is written into the regulations and anyone offering these batteries for transport must ensure that the terminals are correctly insulated. For OEM shipments this requirement is usually met by the original packaging. When end customers transport their batteries the requirement may be met by using electrical tape, a plastic bag or similar crude means.

At Inspired Energy, their solution is to provide a flexible bright yellow end cap which can be fitted over the end of their standard smart batteries. These provide insulation over the already recessed terminals and prevents any chance of short circuit from loose metal parts such as keys, paperclips etc. They also keep the terminals free from dirt and other contaminants.

These end caps will soon be available from Accutronics, contact me for details. You can view all of the Inspired Energy standard smart batteries and accessories here.

Insulation for Transportation

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

2010-12-24T10:02:00.000Z

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. See you in 2011!

Neil

Inspired Energy Nx203x Series now in stock!

2010-12-20T12:44:00.001Z

I am pleased to say we now have stock of the new NB2037, ND2034 and ND2037 standard smart batteries from Inspired Energy. If you need samples please let our customer services team know.

The Transportation of Lithium ion Batteries

2010-12-12T08:00:00.000Z

In this new nine page guidance document from Accutronics we clearly tell you everything you need to know about the the transportation of rechargeable Lithium ion batteries.

International rules and regulations
UN testing requirements
Shipping Exemptions
Class 9 Shipping
Checked in and carry on baggage regulations

To access this invaluable guide please visit our dedicated webpage where you can read our web based version or download the full document.

UL White Paper Examines Safety Issues of Lithium Ion Batteries

2010-11-29T08:00:00.001Z

As a developer and manufacturer of rechargeable batteries for professional applications, Accutronics have developed rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries for many years and seen the technology expand into all of the markets we operate in. Safety is always our number one concern and we boast a 100% safety record. We are however never complacent and constantly upgrade our design and assembly techniques to include the latest developments and practices.

In addition to only using Lithium ion cells which hold UL certification, Accutronics hold a number of UL files for those OEM customers who request external regulatory certification at a battery level. As one of the leaders in battery testing UL have released the following paper which will be of interest if you are developing a product requiring a Lithium Ion Battery:

Extract from UL 23/11/2010:

UL recently released the first in a series of white papers that review evolving battery technology. This paper explores many of the issues and opportunities associated with the new technology as well as current and recommended safety standards to address changes in the technology and use.

Lithium-ion battery technologies have evolved over the last two decades, with batteries now offering longer cycle life and improved reliability for products in the areas of consumer electronics, medical devices, industrial equipment and automotive applications.

In this white paper, entitled Lithium Ion Battery Hazard Analysis, UL explains the need for risk assessment as part of the product design and development process to identify and address root causes of safety issues. UL currently conducts risk assessments on the lithium batteries it tests and those assessments used in developing effective standards

Download the paper here.

Compamed 2010

2010-11-21T18:05:00.001Z

We are all now back from Compamed 2010 which finished on Friday. One word sums up the response we received.. 'amazing'. Accutronics has always been strong in the medical / healthcare market and both existing and prospective customers were able to witness first hand our wide range of products and capabilities for the medical market.

On behalf of Mark Edlin, Gareth Morgan, Rob Phillips, Hans-Martin and myself I want to thank all of the people we spoke to and we look forward to talking to you again very soon.

Neil

Compamed 2010

2010-11-17T21:41:00.000Z

The first day of Compamed has been hugely successful with a record number of first day enquiries.

Customers were very interested in our ability to design customised rechargeable batteries which include features such as fuel gauging, charge control and enhanced safety protection.

Our growing range of off the shelf standard medical batteries were of interest to both dealers and distributors of medical products.

Our Managing Director, Mr Rob Phillips will be visiting the exhibition tomorrow to meet with key account customers.

2010-11-17T07:00:00.003Z

As >75% of our products are smart batteries, we found this cartoon on page 16 of the November edition of New Electronics magazine rather amusing....

Neil

Accutronics Invests in Further Solder Training

2010-11-16T07:00:00.014Z

As part of Accutronics’ policy of continuous improvement, we have recently undertaken a training programme to further develop the skills required for successful lead-free soldering.

Working with Michele Robinson, a Certified IPC Trainer from the Faculty of Technology and Enterprise and Newcastle-under-Lyme College, Accutronics’ Production Operators, Quality Department and Battery Technician each undertook a days bespoke training covering the following key areas:

Principles in lead free soldering theory
Lead free soldering techniques
Correct soldering tip selection and temperature
Tinning of stranded wires
Re-work using braid
Rework of through hole components using Pace soldering and rework station.
Fuse soldering with heat sinks

"With more than 80% of our batteries now containing electronics it is vital that our operators receive the latest training to ensure our product quality remains high" said Gareth Hancox, Engineering and Production Manager. "The feedback we have received from our operators is that the training was useful, interesting and beneficial".

I am pleased to say that everybody who attended the course completed it successfully, and certificates have been awarded to acknowledge this.

Neil

Electronica 2010

2010-11-15T10:39:00.000Z

Electronica 2010 is now over. On behalf of the whole team at Accutronics I want to thank all of our existing and prospective customers for their interest during the show and we look forward to continuing our discussions over the coming days and weeks.

The exhibition was also a time to catch up with colleagues past and present, many of whom were very interested to see the new Accutronics business. I wish them all good health and business for 2011.

We now move onto Compamed in Dusseldorf, Germany where Accutronics will demonstrate a large number of rechargeable batteries, both standard and custom, for the medical and healthcare market.

Electronica Update

2010-11-11T08:44:00.000Z

We are now starting day three of Electronica and we are very pleased so far with both footfall and enquiries. There is significant interest in both our custom battery expertise and the standard smart battery range from Inspired Energy. Day three looks like it will be just as busy!

Electronica Approaches

2010-11-08T09:00:00.000Z

We are traveling out to Germany today to set up for Electronica 2010 in Munich. Our stand is number 355 in hall B2.

As well as the full range of Inspired Energy standard smart batteries we will be showing a wide range of custom Lithium Ion and Nickel Metal Hydride smart batteries which have developed for some of the worlds leading OEMs. We also have some exciting new developments for 2011 which are far too exciting for me to talk about on here, you will have to come and see us at the show.

See you in Munich!

Neil

Decade

2010-11-07T20:08:00.001Z

Last week, Carl Banks, our Electronics application engineer celebrated ten years with the company. Carl has been heavily involved in many of our OEM battery projects and has been instrumental in the development of many smart batteries for the medical market. Carl also developed much of the automated test equipment which calibrates the fuel gauge inside tens of thousands of smart batteries each year so they arrive at our customers ready to use.

Thank you Carl.

Neil

Milestones

2010-11-03T07:45:00.002Z

I wanted to post something about Accutronics people today. Mark Edlin, our Sales Manager who covers the United Kingdom, Ireland and Israel has been with the company for 15 years. In addition to his experience with Accutronics, Moltech Power Systems and Energizer, Mark has also worked for Ever Ready and Ultralife. As one of the most experienced people in the business Mark provides tremendous value to our OEM customers.

In addition, our two production supervisors, Lynn Wintle and Tracey Beech have been awarded their Level 2 NVQ in Team Leading. I congratulate them on this achievement.

Neil

Accutronics at Electronica 2010

2010-10-28T08:52:00.002+01:00

Just a quick reminder that Accutronics will be exhibiting at Electronica in Munich from the 9th to the 12th of November. Hall B2 Stand 355.

Myself, Hans-Martin Baum, Rob Phillips, Steve Dodds, Gareth Morgan and Mark Edlin will all be there during the week to show you our exciting developments in batteries for professional applications.

See you there!
Neil

Inspired Energy NF2030 10.8V 5800mAh

2010-10-20T09:07:00.000+01:00

I recently posted about the new NB2037, ND2034 and ND2037 Lithium Ion Standard Smart Batteries from Inspired Energy. I can now announce the fourth battery in this series, the NF2030. At 10.8V and 5800mAh it is the highest energy battery in the new Nx203x series at 62.6Wh. It shares the same compact letterbox profile at just 22.35mm x 42.04mm and is only 216.33mm long. As with the other batteries in this series is has a LCD visual state of charge indicator, standard connector interface, SMBus SBS compliance, Impedance Track(TM) fuel gauge and enhanced safety protection. At just 340g the NF2030 is light enough for portable applications requiring extended run times.

If you need more information about the NF2030 please contact our Customer Service team or you are free to contact me directly.

Neil

Nominal Voltage of Lithium Ion Batteries

2010-10-19T08:49:00.006+01:00

One question I often get asked is "What is the voltage of Lithium ion cells and batteries?" or "Are Lithium Ion cells 3.6V or 3.7V?"

The headline voltage that is quoted on cell manufacturers data sheets is usually the nominal or average voltage measured at the mid point between full charged and fully discharged based on a 0.2C discharge (where C is the rated capacity of the cell in mAh). This nominal voltage is usually shown as either 3.6V, 3.7V or 3.8V.

The actual voltage profile during discharge depends on the cell chemistry being used, the discharge rate, the temperature and the age of the cells or battery being discharged as I will explain below:

Chemistry. Different cell chemistries have different voltage profiles. The most common system consists of a Cobalt Oxide cathode and a graphite carbon anode. This chemistry provides high capacity for low drain applications and has a running voltage of around 3.6V at 0.2C. For higher drain applications Manganese Oxide can be used as a cathode but this has a lower energy density. It does however have a higher nominal voltage of between 3.7V and 3.8V at 0.2C. Nickel Cobalt Manganese (NCM) provides a compromise between high current capability and high energy density and has a nominal voltage of 3.7V at 0.2C.

Discharge Rate. The discharge rate makes a significant difference to the discharge voltage, especially if the cell is not designed for higher rates. As mentioned above, the nominal voltage is usually based on a 0.2C discharge and the actual voltage will be far lower if the cell is being discharged at 5C or 10C (note that cobalt cells are typically only capable of a 2C max discharge).

Temperature. Data sheet figures are normally based on a discharge at room temperature (+20°C to +25°C). The voltage profile will be slightly improved if the cell is discharged at a higher temperatures (up to +60°C) due to lower internal cell impedance. At lower temperatures the impedance is increased and the voltage is suppressed. At application temperatures below 0°C the selection of a lithium ion cell needs careful consideration, especially if the discharge rate is high as performance between models varies considerably.

Age. The impedance of a lithium ion cell increases as it is cycled and this further suppresses the discharge voltage profile.

Conclusion

The headline voltage of 3.6V or 3.7V on a cell data sheet is only ever going to be a nominal figure that ends up being shown as 10.8V or 11.1V on a three cell series battery. The actual voltage depends on all the factors I have mentioned above.

So what should you write on your battery? We recommend using the nominal voltage from the cell manufacture data sheet and multiplying it by the number of cells in series. It just makes life far more simple!

Neil

Two New Inspired Energy Lithium Ion Standard Smart Batteries

2010-10-15T10:55:00.001+01:00

Last week I told you about the new 7.2V 2.9Ah NB2037 from Inspired Energy. Now I can announce two further new products with twice the energy. The 7.2V 5.8Ah ND2037 and the 14.4V 2.9Ah ND2034.

These two batteries have the same 5-way connector interface, LCD visual state of charge indicator, impedance track fuel gauge and use the latest 2900mAh Japanese Lithium ion cells.

Mechanically these two models have the profile as the NB2037 but they are longer.

Mechanical samples are available next week and full production models will be available in early December. If you need batteries for test, please contact our sales office or send me an email directly.

Neil

Accutronics at HOSDB in March 2011

2010-10-13T08:03:00.000+01:00

I am pleased to tell you that Accutronics will be exhibiting at the Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) exhibition in March 2011.

The HOSDB 2011 exhibition is the UK's only secure event for displaying the latest security equipment for law enforcement and public security. It focuses on the four key Home Office business areas: Crime and Policing, Security and Counter Terrorism, Identity Management and Border Security.

Accutronics are pleased to be exhibiting for the second year and look forward to meeting new and existing customers to discuss how battery technology can be incorporated in equipment used to fight crime and maintain security.

Neil

Moulded Lead for Inspired Energy Nx204x and Nx205x Series batteries

2010-10-12T15:58:00.000+01:00

For customers who purchase the Nx204x and Nx2050x series Inspired Energy batteries from us there is now a 1m long moulded lead available which I have just added to our website. The 629028 lead fits the NC2040, NF2047, NF2040 , NI2040, NL2044, ND2053, ND2057, ND2054, NH2057, NH2054, NL2050, NL2054 batteries and has five internal conductors for positive, negative, data, clock and T which allows full communication with the battery during charge or discharge.

Accutronics FAQ

2010-10-11T06:00:00.000+01:00

One thing that we wanted to create when we set up the accutronics website is a Frequently asked Questions page. We set up our technical section so that it includes the answers to many of the FAQs that our sales managers and technical staff get asked. Of course we have not covered everything yet I welcome your questions at any time.

The FAQ section is here

Neil

Smart Batteries are not all about the electronics…

2010-10-07T06:00:00.000+01:00

Accutronics’ Engineering Department have recently upgraded their 3D CAD modelling software, enhancing our mechanical design capability.

Using this new design tool, the Accutronics engineering team can efficiently take a conceptual design, model the components that are to be used within battery, check and verify design constraints, resulting in a clear communication of design intent.

One of the key advantages for none technical people involved with the project is that the days of only being able to review the design using conventional engineering drawings are a thing of the past! The battery concept can easily be visualised, annotated and manipulated “virtually” on any computer, with free design review software (which Accutronics can provide). Modifications that maybe required, can be made quickly and easily by the Accutronics engineers, with the impact of the update seen instantly.

The 3D CAD modelling approach also saves considerable time as the CAD data can be exported directly to manufacture. Conventional 2D drawings, bill of materials and manufacturing instructions can be generated and updated automatically from the 3D model data, which in turn reduces the risk of potential errors (when compared to working with conventional 2D data).

Using the latest rapid prototyping techniques, Accutronics can also provide you with prototype components (in various materials) in a few days directly from the 3D CAD data.

Do your engineers use 3D CAD software and do you already have a 3D model? Accutronics can also accept CAD data from most major 3D CAD software packages available today (AutoDesk Inventor, Pro/Engineer, CATIA, Solidworks etc).

If you would like us to work with you on a concept, drop me an email.

NB2037 - New Standard Smart Battery from Inspired Energy

2010-10-06T07:00:00.002+01:00

I am pleased to introduce the NB2037 - a brand new 7.2V 2.9Ah 20.9Wh Lithium Ion Standard Smart Battery from Inspired Energy.

I recently received a sample of this product and I know it is going to be extremely popular with OEM customers requiring a hard wearing, compact, powerful Lithium Ion battery for their portable application. The NB2037 has the following features:

High Energy Density Lithium ion technology - featuring 2.9Ah cells.
Impedance Track based SBS rev 1.1 compliant fuel gauge
LCD visual state of charge indicator
Connector which is compatible with Inspired Energy's range of smart chargers
Compact, rugged housing

Our website now has full details of this new battery, including a full data sheet. Samples are available upon request and production will commence during this last quarter. If you need technical advice you can contact me directly by email.

Neil

Accutronics - Knowledge Transfer Partnership

2010-10-05T09:29:00.000+01:00

Production efficiency is key to any manufacturing business. At Accutronics this is no different.

Accutronics, in partnership with Aston University have been awarded a KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnership) project. The KTP will be investigating ways of further improving our manufacturing processes and facilities, enabling us to further support our growing and increasingly complicated product range at our production facility in Newcastle-under-Lyme in the UK.

The KTP is a UK-wide programme that helps businesses and organisations to improve their competitiveness and/or productivity through the better use of the knowledge, technology and skills that reside within Higher Education Institutions.

“We have recently advertised for the position of a KTP 'Associate Operational Strategy Engineer' said Gareth Hancox, Engineering and Production Manager at Accutronics. “This is a very exciting opportunity for us to work with Aston University, one of the UK’s leading academic institutions, learning and implementing best practice techniques, which will allow us to remain competitive within the international market.”

More information on KTP projects can be found at www.ktponline.org.uk

Inspired Energy Batteries with 2.9Ah cells

2010-10-04T19:28:00.001+01:00

Slightly late blog today...

As many of you know, Accutronics distribute the entire range of Standard Smart Batteries, chargers and accessories from Inspired Energy. What you may not know is that most of the battery range will soon be available with high capacity 2.9Ah Lithium Ion cell technology which represents a massive increase in capacity as most batteries are currently available with cells of 2.4Ah or 2.6Ah.

As the products roll out during Q4 I will keep you up to date with more information: data sheet releases, MSDS etc,

In the mean time, you can see the entire Inspired Energy range of batteries here

Electronica - Munich

2010-09-30T07:00:00.002+01:00

Just a quick note to let people know that Accutronics will be exhibiting at the Electronica Exhibition which is held in Munich, Germany between the 9th and 12th of November. We will be on stand 355 in hall B2. Myself, Rob Phillips, Gareth Morgan, Mark Edlin and Hans-Martin Baum will all be present to answer your questions and show off our latest products. More info to be released closer to the show...

Neil

Energy Density - Myth and Legend

2010-09-29T07:00:00.002+01:00

Cell and battery manufacturers often promote their technology and products in terms of Energy Density to demonstrate stored energy with regard to both weight and volume.

Gravimetric Energy Density (GED) is expressed in Watt Hour per Kilogram (Wh/Kg) while Volumetric Energy density (VED) is expressed in Watt Hour per Litre (Wh/l). These figures are useful to battery designers and device manufacturers as they allow comparison between different battery technologies, different cell sizes and different manufacturers.

It is commonly known that out of the three mainstream technologies used for portable batteries, Lithium Ion has the highest energy density with Nickel Metal Hydride in second place and Nickel Cadmium coming in third which explains the transition away from Nickel based chemistries over the past ten years.

The following chart shows the energy density of various cells based on data taken from commercially available data sheets, this clearly demonstrates the advantages of Lithium Ion Technology.

To learn more about energy density please read my article on the Accutronics website.

Smart Battery Gadget

2010-09-28T14:22:00.000+01:00

The rechargeable battery industry is not known for its gadgets but the Accutronics Smart Battery Reader is one of those pieces of kit that become invaluable once you have one. They plug directly into any smart battery fitted with a standard Tyco 5-way smart battery interface and draw power from the battery. A 2-line 16-character display shows each piece of smart battery data and the user can toggle between them using two buttons. There is even a serial port on the back for connection to a PC. You can find out more about this product here.

Once you have a reader you will know what you battery is thinking - know its state of charge, who made it, the serial number, the calibration status plus a myriad of other information which is important to the smart battery system.

Accutronics are experts in the development and manufacture of smart batteries for a wide range of professional applications. If you wish to discuss your latest battery powered product please contact us or drop me an email directly. - Neil

Battery Recycling

2010-09-27T08:07:00.000+01:00

We often get asked if we can take back batteries for recycling. In accordance with the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations (2009), Accutronics Limited is happy to take back (for recycling) industrial batteries in both Nickel Metal Hydride and Lithium Ion technologies. Our website covers this subject in great detail - click here to find out more.

Neil

Embedded Technology Conference

2010-09-26T13:55:00.002+01:00

Hi, Back in July we were fortunate enough to exhibit at the Embedded Technology Conference in Germany. Accutronics presented a paper entitled "When Power Failure is Not an Option" and I participated in an interview for Embedded News.TV. These are still on-line for all to enjoy. You can download a copy of the presentation here and watch the video by clicking here.

Neil

NiMH Battery for Teradyne Diagnostic Computer

2010-09-25T13:37:00.000+01:00

Since adding this battery to our website we have been amazed how popular it has become. The 45A048AJ00005 is a 9.6V 4Ah NiMH battery for the Teradyne WDS car diagnostic computer and is used by automotive garages the world over. The Teradyne part number is 3548-1021-00 and you can view the product here. If you need this battery then please contact us. This item is ex-stock and we can ship world wide.

First blog

2010-09-24T20:50:00.000+01:00

My name is Neil Oliver, I am the Technical Marketing Manager at Accutronics and have worked for the company for nearly 20 years in a number of Engineering and Technical Marketing management roles. I will be providing product and technology updates via this blog. Please send me an email if you wish to discuss any aspect of rechargeable battery technology. To visit the Accutronics website please click here