EMAC Engineering Services

Single Board Computers
Microprocessor Training Systems
Custom Engineering & Manufacturing

Semicustom engineering is a new concept when it comes to custom application/product engineering. EMAC has been doing custom engineering since 1984. Since that time EMAC has developed a wide array of single board computers, peripherals, and development software. These off-the-shelf products have a wide variety of features allowing them to be easily incorporated into a number of applications. Typically EMAC can make use of these off-the-shelf items along with an arsenal of ready to run library routines and device drivers in a custom application. This semicustom approach provides the customer with a substantial cost savings and time savings over a fully custom approach.

The semicustom approach works extremely well for prototypes and small production runs. If your application is cost sensitive or will be mass produced then a fully custom approach makes the most sense for production units. If a fully custom approach is warranted and the application requirements can be met by our off-the-shelf components, then a semicustom design of the prototype is a cost effective method of determining the feasibility of an application. After the prototype has been approved, a fully custom design can be derived from the semicustom prototype.

Hardware design of digital, analog and microprocessor based circuitry is no problem. Circuits containing programmable logic or even ASIC's can be developed.

Multilayer PC boards and surface mount technology can be incorporated into your design. The ability to make use of these new technologies can substantially reduce the cost per piece of the production unit for large runs.

EMAC can have your product talk and interact with a PC. As a matter of fact, your circuit application can be put on a PC card if appropriate. PC interface software may be text or Windows™ based. Acquired data can be stored in standard spreadsheet or data base formats and manipulated by the PC. Custom PC-based software, such as TSR's and device drivers, or fully stand-alone application programs can be developed.

After the circuit board is finished and the software is written, EMAC can help with enclosures, front panel artwork, and even manufacturing of the product. EMAC can offer a turn-key solution to your custom engineering needs. Give us a call and just see how reasonable custom engineering can be!

BENEFITS OF SEMICUSTOM DESIGN

There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Our off- the-shelf hardware has been fully field tested and development software has already been written.
Make use of ready-to-run display boards, expansion boards, signal conditioning cards, and terminal boards, all of which are off-the-shelf and fully tested.
There is substantial cost savings compared to a fully custom approach. Typically over 80% of the hardware development cost is saved.
Prototype time is dramatically reduced. Because we are intimately familiar with our off-the-shelf hardware and development software, prototypes are completed rapidly.
For applications requiring only a few pieces, the semicustom approach offers easy part replacement for off-the-shelf components, allowing easy maintenance and repair.

BENEFITS OF CUSTOM DESIGN

Because only your desired features are provided, costs are reduced.
The required features, functions, and options can be placed on one printed circuit card, reducing costs.
Plug in options, functions, and features, reduce costs and inventory.
Installation time is reduced by eliminating wiring and cabling.
Generally, for custom designs, space requirements are reduced.
Low development charges for agreed upon production quantities.

CUSTOM DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING

Custom services includes:
Printed Circuit Boards
Hardware design and development
Software design and development
Control/Display panels
EMAC, Inc. will supply the above from concept to manufacturing.
Some typical applications are:
Time/temperature control
Power line monitoring
Special interfaces for PLC's
Stepper motor controllers
Data acquisition systems
Low power battery applications
Industrial machine control
Modems, networks, PC support
PC application programs
Single Board Computers (8 to 32 bit)
Internet Devices/Appliances

THE GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR CUSTOM DEVELOPMENT IS:

1. Develop a specification.

A. Define functions, features, options, inputs, outputs, safeguards, operation, etc.
B. Define Printed circuit board size.
C. Control/display panel size, layout, and mounting arrangement.
D. Mounting arrangements of printed circuit board(s), panels, indicators, etc.

2. Develop a time schedule.
3. Determine pricing.
4. Design hardware and software.
5. Deliver a prototype for evaluation.
6. Modify design if necessary.
7. Manufacture and deliver product in a timely fashion. This can include "Burn in" if required.