Brand new Keithley Source Measure Unit announced! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: w2aew
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 03:16:27 am
content: All new touch-screen interface - very cool...http://www.touchtestinvent.com/

author: plesa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 04:06:29 am
content: I like the front banana connectors idea and triax on rear side they were inspired on Agilent SMU I think.TSP express inside unit can be quite handy.

author: KedasProbe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 08:07:15 am
content: Nice screen, a touchscreen can easily get dirty though.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 10:22:29 am
content: Keithley became part of the Danaher group in 2010, but under the Tektronix umbrella, for some strange reason. I understand they manufacture some high end gear, like Agilent. They also seem to manufacture some low end DMMs in direct competition to Fluke, which is also part of the same group.Does anybody know if the Fluke bench meters are rebadged Keithley boxes or are the two companies kept totally separate, including R&D?

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 10:45:59 am
content: I know the 8846A is made in the USA at the Fluke Calibration Everett WA facility. They do their own sheet metal there and they do subcontract some moldings etc. like any other manufacturer. Electrical assembly and testing/calibration are all done there as is ageing of the references. You can call there and talk to a real live engineer with detailed technical questions about your instrument and you will get an answer. The tek 4050 is a rebadged 8846A. AFIK there is no Keithley connection whatsoever.

author: all_repair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 10:47:48 am
content: Is it another instrument that if you need to ask the price, then you definitely cannot afford one?Curve tracer is nice.

author: kayvee
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 11:09:49 am
content: The interface looks as laggy as my very first android phone.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 11:40:20 am
content: http://www.keithley.com/data?asset=577030.020-0.025% (+150 counts) current spec on most ranges, and 6 1/2 digit 10nA range, very nice.

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 12:12:02 pm
content: Quote from: kayvee on August 14, 2013, 11:09:49 amLet's hope it's not another piece of test gear running Windows CE. There is no CE sticker on the back and the datasheet doesn't specify OS.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 12:19:22 pm
content: $5400http://www.testequity.com/products/4933/And available in a no-screen model.

author: w2aew
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 12:26:57 pm
content: Quote from: Wytnucls on August 14, 2013, 10:22:29 amFluke has been owned by DHR for almost 20 years, long before the acquisition of Tektronix. The Keithley acquisition was actually done by Tektronix because of the the very complementary products, and the benefits of the combined sales and applications teams. Really a very good fit for both companies - both 65+ years old, with great products.

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 01:03:55 pm
content: I see that Tektronix still have a couple of bench DMMs on their books. Are those made by Keithley or are they just a left-over from the days before the acquisition?Tektronix also sells a hand-held oscilloscope, in direct competition with Fluke.There seems to be a lack of synergy in the Danaher group, with some units operating in competition with each other. Perhaps they figured that brand loyalty is more important than manufacturing efficiency and economies of scale, a bit like what is happening in the Swiss watch industry.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 14, 2013, 01:08:45 pm
content: The Tek-branded bench DMMs are made by Fluke, actually. I think these date from before the Keithley acquisition. I would expect that Keithley will stop designing new bench meters (when was the last time they introduced a Keithley-designed bench DMM, as opposed to a rebranded one?) in favor of Fluke.