Apex Waves | Blog – Automation & Test Equipment Information

March 23, 2023March 23, 2023

Government Asset Scrapping By the Pound

Closeup picture of the US Capitol Building, angled from below with a blue sky in the background

Recycling or reusing materials in order to reduce global waste is not the only consideration when disposing of unneeded NI Hardware. With so much personal and proprietary information being stored and shared around the globe each day, the secure removal of data is an equally important consideration. This is especially true for government entities, where cybersecurity is paramount. Read on to learn more about the importance of scrapping government assets and how Apex Waves can help.

March 9, 2023March 10, 2023

How to Identify Your NI Part

Closeup of a NI box label with the model name, part number, and catalog number highlighted in yellow

If you have ever found yourself confused by all of the different numbers associated with your NI part and what they signify, you are not alone. With an impressively massive catalog of parts that has only grown over the past few decades, the numbering system established by NI uses many different identifiers out of necessity. In this post, we will break down the most common identifiers and variations for NI parts and explain their significance.

March 2, 2023March 2, 2023

How NVIDIA Jetson Systems are Revolutionizing AI Applications

Companies in almost every industry are being transformed by artificial intelligence, and autonomous machines are paving the way for new business models and services. This is especially evident in the work from tech company NVIDIA®, which has been a driving force for innovation in the fields of robotics, creative design, autonomous vehicles, and artificial intelligence since 1993. The NVIDIA Jetson™ series of modules are advanced AI embedded systems that are impacting industries across the globe.

February 16, 2023

Simulating Circuits With SPICE

Light blue holographic 3D model of a circuit board

It is no secret that simulation and testing is an important part of designing circuits. Due to the high costs of photolithographic masks and additional production materials, it is highly preferred to have integrated circuits as close to perfect as possible before they are constructed. Integrated circuits cannot be breadboarded prior to production (unlike board-level designs made up of discrete pieces), so what is the best way to simulate them? The solution comes in the form of the computer program SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis).

February 9, 2023February 9, 2023

The Beginner’s Guide to Test Equipment Obsolescence

Female chemical engineering with long dark hair in a white lab coat works at a lab table, pictured from behind

Addressing test equipment obsolescence can be a daunting task, further complicated by the speed of innovation. However, you don’t need to be a seasoned engineer or technician to understand the importance of the topic! This post will go over the basics of test equipment obsolescence, providing a starting point for anyone new to the industry or simply looking for a comprehensible guide.

February 2, 2023February 2, 2023

Impacts on the Semiconductor Industry in 2022

When you think of the phrase “small, yet mighty”, do semiconductors come to mind? While the size of these electronic chips continues to decrease, their status as the powerful building blocks of modern electronics only increases. The Semiconductor Industry Association recently released their official “2022 State of the U.S. Semiconductor Industry” report detailing the status of this multifaceted industry within the United States and on a global scale. As we reflect on the past year, what are some events and innovations that made a big impact on the industry overall?

January 26, 2023January 26, 2023

The Tech Teamwork of NASA and NI

Picture of rocket launching on a sunny day

From humble beginnings in James Truchard’s residential garage in Texas, NI has become a massively respected producer of automated test equipment. Since launching in 1976, the company has helped find hardware and software solutions for multiple industries on an international scale. The incredible impact that NI has had on technological innovation is even more evident when considering its long history of working with NASA.

January 12, 2023January 12, 2023

Methods For Measuring Currents

Closeup of the screen of an analog ammeter

Last week, we published a blog post going over the tools and methods used to measure electrical voltage in various situations. This week, we are taking a look at tests for measuring electrical currents- an essential step in electronic equipment maintenance that can identify the root cause of any failures and malfunctions. We will look at how to use ammeters, the importance of wire size, and how to test currents in power lines, heater motors, and air conditioners.

January 5, 2023January 5, 2023

Methods For Testing Voltages

Closeup of person holding a yellow digital multimeter to check voltages of wiring

Measurements of electrical voltage are used to determine the possible differences in electric charge between two different points in an electric circuit. This data makes it possible to ascertain how much power is being used by a specific object, compared to how much power is available in the circuit. Since it allows us to ensure that an electrical circuit is operating both correctly and safely, this information is essential for the design, installation, and operation of electrical systems.

December 22, 2022December 22, 2022

Product Spotlight: The PXIe-1095

PXIe (PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation) is a modular instrumentation platform that combines strong CompactPCI features with industry-standard PCI bus technology to provide capabilities for power, communication, and cooling. The platform can be adapted and changed to meet even the most complex instrumentation needs. With 58 W of power and cooling in each slot, the PXIe-1095 chassis allows for increased power and cooling in FPGA workloads.