Just Batteries was recently contracted by one of its military customers to design and manufacture a battery charger and analyser system to be used in various field operations.
The company’s national sales manager, Gary Chapman, provided insight into the challenges that the project presented. “Initially, we were obviously very excited by the challenge of designing the system. It was only after a few days that the design team started to fully understand the magnitude of the system’s requirements. It was then that we were able to fully appreciate both the complexity and magnitude of the circuitry that would need to be both designed and manufactured.”
The customer’s requirements included charging of three different chemistries (Li-ION, Ni-MH and lead acid batteries) as well as the ability to fully analyse the health of any one of these batteries. The charger analyser system needed to accommodate no less than 10 different battery models currently used by the military.
Each battery type had to have its own bay designed. The bays were made using two methods, namely laser cut plastic sheets and vacuum formed plastic. These bays were then built into sheet metal boxes in which the electronics were housed.
“Once we had completed the charger circuitry, the next challenge was to interface the battery charger with the analyser unit,” Chapman explained. “This was achieved through close collaboration with our customer who was also heading up the software side of the system. It was during this phase that our design team had to iron out a few niggles, mainly involving electromagnetic interference caused by the charging circuitry.”
With the delivery date approaching fast, the design team at Just Batteries gathered around for the first powering on of the completed units. “It was really an awesome feeling seeing all the little LED lights lighting up for the first time,” reported Chapman. “We are really satisfied with the end result and, most importantly, so is our customer.”
Hitachi reinvents asset management solution
News
Hitachi Energy, in collaboration with Microsoft, is accelerating the digital transformation of essential infrastructure - from electricity networks and transportation corridors to heavy industrial operations - by reinventing how critical assets are managed and maintained.
Read more...Mycronic releases mixed Q4 results
News
Mycronic reported mixed Q4 results for the year ended January to December 2025, while delivering record full year order intake and net sales.
Read more...AGOA: Businesses should diversify or face significant exposure
News
Cross-border payments platform Verto has called on South African and African businesses to accelerate their transition toward a “post-AGOA” trade strategy following President Donald Trump’s signing of a one-year extension to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Read more...Silicon Labs reports strong growth
News
Silicon Labs has reported robust financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2025, with significant YoY revenue gains and shifting market dynamics.
Read more...Siemens acquires Canopus AI ASIC Design Services
News
The acquisition extends Siemens’ comprehensive EDA software portfolio with computational metrology and inspection to help chipmakers solve critical technical challenges in semiconductor manufacturing.
Read more...Micron breaks ground on new wafer fabs
News
Micron Technology has advanced two major semiconductor manufacturing initiatives that together reflect the company’s strategic response to sustained global demand for memory solutions.
Read more...Research agreement for EUV tech
News
Gelest, Inc., a Mitsubishi Chemical Group company, recently announced a research agreement with IBM to test Gelest precursor materials for dry resist EUV lithography.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version