Mary Baumgarten

NovaStar to Attend IMTS 2016

August 3, 2016 By Mary Baumgarten

NovaStar invites you to visit booth E-5925 at the 2016 International Manufacturing Technology Show at McCormick Place – 2301 S King Dr, Chicago, IL 60616 in the East Building Quality Assurance Pavillion September 12th-17th.

The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) is one of the largest industrial trade shows on the planet featuring businesses from across the world. Over 2000 companies will be showcasing new and innovative manufacturing technology ranging from conventional fixture and cutting tools to precise plasma-arc and laser systems.

Stop by Booth # E-5925 to chat with Director Guy Howe and Account Manager Jeff Hunt about the newest features of NovaStar’s Calibration Services Customer Portal as well as NovaStar’s recently announced Line Impedance Stabilization Network (LISN) testing capabilities.

Click below to register Online!

Visit https://www.imts.com/ for more information

NovaStar’s LISN Calibration Capability

August 3, 2016 By Mary Baumgarten

What is an LISN?

LISN stands for Line Impedance Stabilization Network. Basically, it’s an instrument used to measure the base radio frequencies of other devices by isolating the radio frequency of the power input. By providing a precise impedance to the power input of the EUT (equipment under test), the LISN gets repeatable measurements of the noise present at the LISN measurement port for the EUT. On top of isolating the unwanted RF (radio frequency) signals from the power source, LISN’s can be used to forecast conducted emission for diagnostic and pre-compliance testing.

Functions of a Line Impedence Stabilization Network

The LISN serves three main purposes:

Stable Line Impedance

Isolation of Power Source Noise

Safe Connection of the Measuring Equipment

LISN Calibration at Novastar

Because they are used for different tests and frequency ranges at different operating voltage levels, there are various types of LISN’s. In general, the anticipated inductance of the power line for the intended installation of the EUT plays a role in identifying the correct type of LISN needed for testing. When testing, it’s important to account for the operating environment for the types of equipment covered by each standard.

Because LISN testing is so complex and precise, it’s important that devices are correctly calibrated. NovaStar’s Calibration laboratory can now test and calibrate various LISN technology with the addition of an LISN Test Chamber, also known as a Faraday cage (named after the English scientist who invented them in 1836). Our technicians run tests in an electronically isolated environment inside an 8’ x 8’ room within the chamber to provide transmission, reflectance and impedance data for LISN’s from 5Hz to 3GHz.

The results of the calibrations are in accordance with CISPR25:2008 specifications and performed using ANSI C63.4-2014 methods.

So if your lab requires calibration of your LISN’s, NovaStar Calibration now provides this service. Instruments can be shipped to NovaStar or picked-up and delivered for free in southern Michigan and northern Ohio. NovaStar provides a one week turn around to assure your LISN works accurately and is back in service quickly.

IT Asset Management Infographic

July 12, 2016 By Mary Baumgarten

Understanding ITAM:IT Asset Management

What do you do when you manage 100’s or 1000’s of computers for your organization and they get replaced with shiny new ones? You could try to sell the old computers on your own, but how do you know what they are worth? What if they are broken or have some dents and dings? Is it safe to throw them away (No!)? How much will transportation and storage cost?

The best way to aproach it is to find a company that specializes in IT asset disposition (ITAD). That’s a fancy way of saying they take care of computer fleet when they are no longer useful to you. There may be substantial residual value in your retired computers that can be optimized by having them refurbished and resold or donated to a non-profit. Perhaps you’re better off harvesting the useful parts and selling them individually. Either way, you need to be certain that no one gets access to the data on the disk drives – you’ll also need to ensure that they do not become an environmental hazard.

Businesses, financial institutions, schools and government agencies come to Novastar to recover value from their aging IT assets. Novastar’s experts access the value of retired PCs, tablets, copiers, enterprise equipment, etc., wipe or destroy the disks, refurbish the devices and re-sell them for your organization through direct sales and online ecommerce websites. What cannot be sold is broken down for parts or environmentally correctly recycled. Every device is tracked and reported on.

Don’t miss out on the value of your retired assets by painstakingly selling your equipment online, let NovaStar be the Solution to your asset disposition problems.

HP Elite x3 at a Glance

July 5, 2016 By Mary Baumgarten

The HP ELite x3 is redefining workplace mobility

HP’s newest piece of Tech, the Elite x3, is a near all-purpose mobile device perfect for any business seeking to make their workplace more efficient. The device serves as both a smartphone and a fully functioning PC that can be docked onto other devices or displays.

The x3 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 SoC processor, 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, and 64 GB drive (which is expandable up to 2TB). It also features dual-SIM functionality, the ability to run two separate work and personal profiles, making it a very convenient device for you on-the-go professionals. It also sports some very impressive security capabilities, featuring not only fingerprint recognition but also a retina scanner and security measures built into the operating system.

HP Desk Dock with HP Elite x3, Right facing

The HP Elite x3 bridges the gap between the workstation and mobile computing

Possibly the most impressive aspect of the phone is its seamless workstation to mobile transitioning. The x3 can re-format PC applications to be compatible with the mobile interface, allowing users to continue important work in or out of the office.

The Phone can be connected to a device called a Lapdock, which is essentially a laptop display with a keyboard and battery but without any of the processing power of a regular laptop. The phone can run the OS on the system either through a wired or wireless connection. It has three USB Type-C ports for connecting to the phone, charger and other accessories, along with a Micro-HDMI port for a projector. It offers approximately 14 to 16 hours of battery or 12 hours if charging the phone during usage.

The name of the game with this device is versatility. HP is attempting to provide a completely integrated workspace with all the advantages of doing work while away from the office.

New HP 3D Printer Announced at RAPID 2016

June 6, 2016 By Mary Baumgarten

NovaStar’s Rick Storch and Ben Baumgarten witnessed HP’s grand entrance into the additive manufacturing industry at RAPID 2016, the industry trade show held in Orlando, Florida May 16-19, 2016.

The RAPID conference is the longest-running and most respected additive manufacturing event in North America, attracting buyers, sellers, and end consumers of 3D technology. With 4500 square feet of exhibit space, Hewlett Packard outdid industry veterans including 3D Systems and Stratasys.

Introducing the HP Jet Fusion 3D Printers

HP revealed its new line of Multi-Jet Fusion 3D printers with a plan to initially launch two printers: the Jet Fusion 3D 3200 and the Jet Fusion 3D 4200. “The HP 3D printer announcement was a big hit at the show,” says Rick Storch. With a starting price of $130,000, these 3D printers will be some of the lowest-priced devices in their segment in the industry, intended to cut additive manufacturing costs in half.

The Multi-Jet Fusion 3D devices print at 10X the speed of other large-scale 3D printers, without sacrificing detail. The HP Multi Jet Fusion technology is able to fabricate parts at the level of an individual voxel (3D pixel). The printers will use stereolithography, an additive manufacturing process which uses an ultraviolet laser beam to create 3D objects with a layer-by-layer approach.

HP’s Jet Fusion 3D Printers are Being Adopted Nationally

HP Jet Fusion 3D Printer featured at RAPID 2016

The 3200 & 4200 series are expected to launch January 2017. At RAPID HP highlighted a few beta sites where these printers are being used, including Nike, BMW, and Johnson & Johnson. HP has partnered with Johnson & Johnson to find new ways to use 3D technology to develop better and cheaper healthcare device solutions. 3D printing will allow Johnson & Johnson to create devices catered to individuals’ specific needs.

HP continues to advance its 3D technology. “This was a good first reveal,” says Ben Baumgarten. “HP will have a lot to offer in future generations with features such as multiple materials and integrated circuits directly baked into a print.”

Automotive Testing Expo 2015

October 1, 2015 By Mary Baumgarten

Novastar invites you to visit booth # 7034 at the

2015 North America Automotive Testing Expo at the Suburban Collection Showplace 46100 Grand River,
Novi, MI 48374, October 20,21,22, 2015.

There is no charge to attend but pre-registration is recommended.

[button type=”success” size=”lg” link=”http://www.testing-expo.com/usa/visitor_pass.php”] REGISTER NOW [/button]

The Expo highlights developments in automotive testing from initial prototype analysis through end-of-line inspection and quality assurance. The very latest technologies and services designed to ensure the highest standards are met in terms of product quality, reliability, durability and safety will be available from more than 270 exhibiting companies.

What Components are Critical for a Calibration Asset Management Tool?

September 24, 2015 By Mary Baumgarten

In our previous blog we covered the value of a Calibration Lab providing its customers the functionality of a Calibration Asset Management Tool. In summary, the tool helps the person responsible for instrument calibration to schedule, implement and track the histories of each instrument in a fast, easy and accurate manner.

What are the critical components of a Calibration Asset Management Tool?

Traceability of Assets throughout the Calibration Process

The person responsible for keeping their company’s instruments measuring accurately within standard tolerance ranges should be able to see on their computer – via a digital customer portal – the status of every instrument as it goes through the calibration process: received, calibration in process, awaiting quality control (QC), outsourced (if applicable), in storage (if applicable), notification of out of tolerance, notification of repair or replacement needed, calibration reports available.

The Calibration Asset Management Tool should be customizable to your requirements. For example, specifying the technician (and his or her email address) assigned to the instrument in the database facilitates sending notices of calibration due. This ensures technicians complete tests and the equipment is ready to be sent in, prior to the calibration due date.

Automatic Notifications that Call to Action

A calibration management tool should notify you when action is required. This includes notification that certain equipment is due to be calibrated and notification that an instrument has been calibrated and the status of that calibration.

The Calibration tool is interactive and allows you to alert the Calibration Service provider of any special needs you have for particular instruments, when you require a rush job, authorize a repair or replacement, or request a quote for additional instrument calibrations.

Import, Export and Search

Companies have lists of assets that need to be calibrated, as well as those assets’ calibration histories. A Calibration Asset Management Tool should be able to electronically import existing data to eliminate the need to manually input the list and histories. Conversely, an asset management tool should be able to export a newly generated and updated list to a customer for his or her internal use.

A search function in the Calibration Asset Management tool can help locate an individual asset on any parameter in the database – segregate, asset number, technician, location, serial number, manufacturer, and model.

Should You Develop an Asset Management Tool Internally or rely on an Outside Service Provider?

Should a company requiring instrument calibration develop its own Calibration Asset Management Tool internally? Or rely on an experienced service provider? What about data security, the reliability of the system, etc.? In our next blog we will examine the pros and cons of internal developing versus externally existing Calibration Asset Management tools. We will also explore the options of sending instruments out to a lab, having the calibration service technician calibrate on site or a combination of both.

Why Use an Instrument Calibration Asset Management Tool?

September 14, 2015 By Mary Baumgarten

The Benefits of an Instrument Calibration Management Tool

Periodic calibration of test instruments is required for accurate measurement and testing, but it can be an involved process. How many instruments do you have that need what kind of calibration?

What is the calibration history of each instrument? How do you set schedules for multiple instrument calibrations without disrupting your test and design productivity? Should you do the calibration in house? Hire a company to send technicians to your site? Or send your equipment to a lab either by shipping or pick-up and delivery? When as audit is required – how do you get all the relevant information is a useful format all in one place?

The logistics of staying on top of equipment calibration can be time-consuming and distracting from your primary purpose – design, testing, building prototypes, and the like. A Calibration Asset Management Tool makes the process easier, faster and more accurate which results in saving you time and money.

Instrument Calibration Software Saves Time and Money Spent on Managing Assets.

Typically, tracking test instrument calibration status and schedules has been done in a spreadsheet where the individual performing the operation must manually look at each line item and independently verify if its status is correct – functioning in tolerance and/or in need of calibration. This task may take a lot of time, and therefore money, away from a manager or technicians who could be spending the time on the core business. A Calibration Asset Management tool automatically tracks the process and prevents a technical resource from list-checking.

Asset management software is available to purchase – but that requires you to put on an IT manager’s hat and sort through the pros and cons of each option and then pay a lot to purchase and pay to maintain that software – and require your staff be trained. Often these packages are not specific to instrument calibration so they require extensive re-work.

The Best Calibration Labs Have the Asset Management Tools & Software You Need

If you hire an external lab to conduct your instrument calibrations, first and foremost they need to perform the work accurately, on time and at a fair price – and often they must be accredited by an external organization like A2LA. Beyond the basics, however, the best labs offer the service of asset management tools – at no additional cost to you.

Our next blog will explore the components that make up a leading edge Calibration Asset Management Tool. Some of these are: Trace-ability of the Asset throughout the process; automatic notifications with calls to action; search, import and export features; scheduling and creating shippers; requesting quotes and more.

Free Electronic Products Design Webinar: Slash Your Design Costs While Boosting Productivity

September 9, 2015 By Mary Baumgarten

Better. Faster. Cheaper. Can it really be done? Yes – and we at NovaStar Solutions want to show you how.

We are conducting a webinar on how NX from Siemens PLM Software can help you improve productivity while being more innovative. Will you let us show you how to make your productivity skyrocket?

Technology Growth in Southeast Michigan

September 2, 2015 By Mary Baumgarten

When the topic of technology centers in the U. S. comes up, discussions focus on Silicon Valley, the “Route 128 Belt” in Massachusetts, Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, as well as centers in Texas and Seattle. But one of the fastest growing technology centers is often overlooked – Southeastern Michigan. The area is sometimes discounted because of the well-publicized struggles of the auto industry. A recent report, however, shows that the region is in fact one of the leading tech centers in the country and compares favorably with other more heralded technology hotbeds.

Technology Advancements in Southeast Michigan

Part of this growth is being driven by rapid advances in computer aided design/computer aided engineering (CAD/CAE) that allows engineers in many of the region’s 7,000 technology companies to develop innovative manufacturing solutions. The 2015 Technology Industry Report from Automation Alley shows Southeast Michigan as home to some of the nation’s top technical talent, a leader in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) academic disciplines, and a key driver of automotive industry innovation.

Automation Alley is a technology business association and business accelerator dedicated to growing the economy of Southeast Michigan and enhancing the region’s reputation around the world. Their report outlines where Southeast Michigan ranks compared to other U. S. technology centers, details the importance of technology to their region, highlights their STEM education trends, and projects the innovation potential for the area.

How Southeast Michigan Stacks Up with Tech Giants

The report analyzed data for 15 tech centers in the U. S. and rated them by various criteria. Southeast Michigan ranked in the top half of the regions analyzed in size, and first in a number of advanced automotive establishments. They employed almost a quarter of a million people working in technology businesses, more than 10 of the 14 regions analyzed. Most jobs were in the advanced automotive industry followed by information technology, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and chemical and material. All of these industries are heavily reliant on CAD/CAE.

A Resurgence of Technology Jobs in Southeast Michigan

After a downturn from 2006 to 2010 in Southeast Michigan, the number of technology jobs began a growth spurt of 4.5% between 2012 and 2013 and a 3.6% increase from 2013 to 2014. Southeast Michigan’s growth of tech jobs is projected to be 1.9% into 2015 with the biggest gains expected in IT, Life Sciences, and Advanced Manufacturing.

An Increased Focus in the Leading Sector for STEM Education

A key driver of growth in the Tech sector is the strength of the STEM education pipeline. Southeast Michigan ranks third nationally in the number of STEM degrees earned making highly skilled workers available to fuel the region’s growth. STEM degrees make up almost 19% of the degrees earned in the area compared to less than 14% nationwide, showing the region’s increased focused on technology education.

Engineering and engineering-related fields – both industries heavily dependent on CAD/CAE – ranked first and second in terms of field of study.

Innovation Leadership is Fueling Economic Growth

The strength of the technology industry is leading to a burst of innovation from the Southeast Michigan area. The region ranks second in the Midwest in the number of utility patents issues – a key indicator of innovation.

CAD/CAE technology and expertise is critical to the economic growth of not only the Southeast Michigan area but also the entire country. Pioneering efforts in robotics, advanced materials, life sciences, and alternative energy, among others, would not be possible without advanced CAD/CAE technology. The Automation Alley report demonstrates that Southeast Michigan is doing its part to help make technology a leading driver of the U. S. economy.