RIVERSIDE, Calif., February 29, 2012 – Bourns, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, announced today that its Automotive Division has expanded its production facility in Chihuahua, Mexico. The 22,000 square feet manufacturing floor space extension will be used for the production of automotive position, speed and torque sensors that Bourns sells to a growing list of automotive customers.

“The expansion of this plant strengthens Bourns’ leadership role in sensor manufacturing and in the automotive industry by providing an increased product offering and enhanced customer service,” said Sergio Valencia, plant manager at Bourns’ Chihuahua plant. “Building on 65 years of growth, Bourns is continuing to expand through acquisitions, the opening of new facilities and the enlargement of current manufacturing plants.  This enables Bourns to maintain its leading position in the design and manufacture of electronic components for a variety of markets including automotive, telecommunications, computer, industrial and numerous other market segments.”

About Bourns Automotive Products
For decades, Bourns Automotive Division has played a leading role in the design, development and manufacturing of potentiometers and position sensors for automotive products. The company develops and designs an extensive range of customized automotive position, speed and torque sensors. Bourns’ research and development efforts combined with close collaboration with customers helps ensure that products meet the highest standards set for the automotive industry. Bourns utilizes state-of-the-art development software and world-class production methods which, provides innovative and cost-effective solutions for a large variety of automotive applications.

About Bourns
Bourns, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of automotive sensors, circuit protection solutions, magnetic products, microelectronic modules, trimming and precision potentiometers, panel controls and encoders and resistive products.  Headquartered in Riverside, CA, Bourns serves a broad range of markets, including telecommunications, computer, industrial, instrumentation, automotive, consumer, non-critical life support medical, audio and various other market segments. Bourns® products are manufactured according to ISO-9000 and ISO 14001 standards under Six Sigma quality programs. Bourns® automotive products are manufactured in accordance with the TS16949 standard. Additional company and product information is available at the company’s website at http://www.bourns.com/.

Bourns® and the Bourns logo are registered trademarks of Bourns, Inc. and may be used only with the permission of Bourns and proper acknowledgement. Other listed names and brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Bourns Blog

Bourns® Guitar Potentiometers (Download Hi-Res Image)

RIVERSIDE, Calif., January 10, 2012 – Bourns, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, today announced that it has released a series of new product options to its industry-leading line of guitar potentiometers. Bourns has developed a specialty line of potentiometers for electric and bass guitars to upgrade these instruments for improved sound quality, reliability and longevity. The following five new model options will be showcased in Bourns’ booth #5696 at the upcoming NAMM Show, January 19-22, 2012 in Anaheim, California.

• Model PDB241-GNL No Load Guitar Potentiometer
• Model PDB241-GTR Left-Handed Guitar Potentiometer
• Model PDB181-GTR Left-Handed Mini-Guitar Potentiometer
• Model PDB181-GTR Long Bushing Mini-Guitar Potentiometer
• Model PDB183-GTR Long Bushing Mini-Guitar Potentiometer with Push-Pull Switch

The “no load” guitar potentiometer is designed with a long-wearing insulator and a positive action detent for improved reliability. The left-handed potentiometers have special reverse audio tapers and a logarithmic curve specifically designed for excellent volume response at all positions along the potentiometer. The long bushing potentiometers are excellent for use in solid body guitars and work in all types of electric or bass guitars, with or without a push-pull switch.

“Bourns continues to introduce new product options that help our customers get the highest quality out of their guitars and associated professional audio equipment,” said Chuck Manzano, product manager at Bourns, Inc. “We have an ongoing commitment to meet market needs.  After listening to our customers, these new options for electric and bass guitars that are being released at NAMM are in direct response to customer requests for higher quality alternatives to some commonly used products.”

As a pricing reference, Model PDB241-GNL is priced at .25, Model PDB241-GTR is priced at .75, Models PDB181-GTR (left handed and long bushing) are priced at .95 and .25 respectively and Model PDB183-GTR is priced at .85. All prices are based on quantities of 1,000. All models are available through Bourns authorized distributors and Pro Audio resellers.

About Bourns
Bourns, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of automotive sensors, circuit protection solutions, magnetic products, microelectronic modules, trimming and precision potentiometers, panel controls and encoders and resistive products.  Headquartered in Riverside, CA, Bourns serves a broad range of markets, including telecommunications, computer, industrial, instrumentation, automotive, consumer, non-critical life support medical, audio and various other market segments. Bourns® products are manufactured according to ISO-9000 standards under Six Sigma quality programs.  Bourns® automotive products are manufactured in accordance with the TS16949 standard. Additional company and product information is available at the company’s website at www.bourns.com.

Bourns® and the Bourns logo are registered trademarks of Bourns, Inc. and may be used only with the permission of Bourns and proper acknowledgement. Other listed names and brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Bourns Blog

RIVERSIDE, Calif., November 29, 2011 – Bourns, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, today announced that it has added 19 new PortNote® Solutions to assist designers in selecting the appropriate circuit protection solution for a specific port interface. These new documents add to the company’s successful series that provide engineers with a simplified design starting point that includes precise information on relevant compliance standards, the optimal Bourns solution with part numbers, an interface schematic and alternative solution references. These new documents cover port protection for audio/video, battery pack, data communication, LED and telecommunications designs, and are a useful resource to help streamline the circuit protection selection process for a specific port interface. In addition to the documentation, Bourns offers corresponding design kits for each of the new PortNote® Solutions.

“We have seen an overwhelmingly positive response in the marketplace to Bourns’ PortNote® Solutions series mostly due to how these documents can help customers reduce their circuit protection development time,” said Dr. Erik Meijer, vice president of circuit protection at Bourns. “Circuit protection products are often designed into variations of interface ports and Bourns is committed to helping OEMs select the right solution for this sometimes difficult task. This documentation series is another example of the resources we can offer our customers in addition to our extensive experience and broad offering of circuit protection solutions.”

The 19 new PortNote® Solutions offer protection information for LVDS input and output ports for audio/video applications; ESD protection for battery pack applications; Ethernet and RS-485 ports for datacom applications; PWM ports for LED applications and T1/E1 telephony, VDSL line side and VDSL over POTs for ports in telecom designs. The corresponding design kits contain sufficient Bourns® products to prototype five of the circuits designated in the PortNote® Solution. Bourns® PortNote® Solutions are not intended to replace detailed application notes or the customized solutions provided by Bourns’ FAE teams, but instead provide useful information in the circuit protection selection process for a specific port interface. A total of 30 individual Bourns® PortNote® Solutions are easily accessible on the Bourns website at: www.bourns.com/Library.aspx?name=PortNoteSolutions.

About Bourns
Bourns, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of automotive sensors, circuit protection solutions, magnetic products, microelectronic modules, trimming and precision potentiometers, panel controls and encoders and resistive products. Headquartered in Riverside, CA, Bourns serves a broad range of markets, including telecommunications, computer, industrial, instrumentation, automotive, consumer, non-critical life support medical, audio and various other market segments. Bourns® products are manufactured according to ISO-9000 standards under Six Sigma quality programs. Bourns® automotive products are manufactured in accordance with the TS16949 standard. Additional company and product information is available at the company’s website at www.bourns.com.

Bourns Blog

Bourns® Model AMS22
(Download Hi-Res Image)

RIVERSIDE, Calif., October 25, 2011 – Bourns, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, today announced the availability of a new non-contacting magnetic rotary position sensor which can help increase product lifespan and reliability of applications that operate in harsh and high vibration environments. Designated Bourns® Model AMS22, the sensor utilizes magnetic hall-effect technology that enables high performance operation even in severe temperature or unclean conditions. The new sensor is the latest addition to the company’s sensor product line, and is designed to meet OEM requirements for a cost-effective, long life position sensor that improves reliability. Bourns® non-contacting rotary position sensor is an ideal solution for value and actuator position feedback, camera and antenna location identification and precision positioning requirements in a wide range of applications that include medical diagnostic and general industrial equipment.

“The release of Bourns’ new non-contacting rotary position sensor is in direct response to our customers’ requirements for solutions that help extend product life and reliability in an increasing number of applications that must operate in extreme environmental conditions,” said John Kelly, General Manager Industrial Market  at Bourns, Inc. “Designed to maintain its magnetic orientation even during redundant mechanical operation, this new sensor provides an excellent solution to applications that are dormant for extended periods of time but require precise position information on demand. Bourns is committed to continued development of solutions that help our customers solve tough technology issues. We are not just delivering a new product, we are launching a new technology platform that will meet the existing and future needs of the Industrial, Consumer and Automotive markets we serve.”

Bourns’ non-contacting rotary position sensor helps improve product longevity up to fifty million cycles depending on the product and particular application. The new sensor has an analog single output from 0.1 to 4.9v, with an effective electrical output of 340 degrees and is programmable up to 360 degrees. The analog output features a 12 bit resolution and comes with independent linearity of 0.5% or 0.3%.

Pricing and Availability
The new non-contacting rotary position sensor is available now in production quantities. As a pricing reference, the Bourns® Model AMS22 is offered at .50 for 10,000 piece quantities through distribution.

About Bourns
Bourns, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of automotive sensors, circuit protection solutions, magnetic products, microelectronic modules, trimming and precision potentiometers, panel controls and encoders and resistive products.  Headquartered in Riverside, CA, Bourns serves a broad range of markets, including telecommunications, computer, industrial, instrumentation, automotive, consumer, non-critical life support medical, audio and various other market segments. Bourns® products are manufactured according to ISO-9000 and ISO 14001 standards under Six Sigma quality programs. Bourns® automotive products are manufactured in accordance with the TS16949 standard. Additional company and product information is available at the company’s website at http://www.bourns.com/

Bourns® and the Bourns logo are registered trademarks of Bourns, Inc. and may be used only with the permission of Bourns and proper acknowledgement. Other listed names and brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Bourns Blog

RIVERSIDE, California and SEOUL, South Korea, September 27, 2011 – MagnaChip Semiconductor Corporation (“MagnaChip”) (NYSE: MX), a Korea-based designer and manufacturer of analog and mixed-signal semiconductor products, and Bourns, Inc. (“Bourns”), a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components announced today that MagnaChip has ramped to mass production all families of the Bourns® series of  high-speed circuit protection devices (TBU® HSP) designed for a broad selection of Industrial, Consumer and Telecommunication applications.

TBU® HSP devices are constructed using MOSFET semiconductor technology.  When placed in series in the system, the TBU® HSP device monitors the current flowing through the line.  If the current exceeds a preset level, the TBU® HSP device triggers in less than 1µs, providing an effective barrier to large, destructive voltages or currents during surge events, thereby protecting sensitive electronics.  These devices are particularly popular in Telecommunication applications (such as Voice SLICs, xPON and GBEthernet), Industrial applications (such as RS485 interfaces, surveillance systems and avionics) and Consumer products applications (such as set top boxes and home gateways).

The TBU® HSP devices are custom designed and developed using Bourns’ proprietary technology fabricated by MagnaChip.  MagnaChip successfully transferred two proprietary processes of Bourns needed to produce the TBU® HSP devices by closely working with Bourns’ engineering team.  Both processes are currently in the production ramp phase.

TJ Lee, Senior Vice President and General Manager of MagnaChip’s Corporate and SMS Engineering, commented, “We are very pleased to have successfully transferred the Bourns processes to production. We also look forward to supporting their future engineering and manufacturing needs as a partner for our foundry services.”

Arnaud Moser, General Manager of Bourns’ Telecom Segment, added, “We are happy to celebrate this milestone with MagnaChip and look forward to a continued, successful partnership.  Thanks to MagnaChip’s engineering expertise and state of the art production facilities, Bourns has been able to bring this innovative technology to a broad array of customers across many markets.”

About MagnaChip
Headquartered in South Korea, MagnaChip Semiconductor is a Korea-based designer and manufacturer of analog and mixed-signal semiconductor products for high volume consumer applications. MagnaChip Semiconductor has one of the broadest and deepest range of analog and mixed-signal semiconductor platforms in the industry, supported by its 30-year operating history, a large portfolio of registered and pending patents, and extensive engineering and manufacturing process expertise. For more information, please visit http://www.magnachip.com/.

About Bourns
Bourns is a leading manufacturer and supplier of automotive sensors, circuit protection solutions, magnetic products, microelectronic modules, trimming and precision potentiometers, panel controls and encoders and resistive products.  Headquartered in Riverside, California, USA, Bourns serves a broad range of markets, including telecommunications, computer, industrial, instrumentation, automotive, consumer, non-critical life support medical, audio and various other market segments.  Bourns® products are manufactured according to ISO-9000 standards under Six Sigma quality programs.  Bourns® automotive products are manufactured in accordance with the TS16949 standard.  Additional company and product information is available at the Bourns website http://www.bourns.com/.

Press Contacts
MagnaChip

Bourns

Bourns®, TBU® and the Bourns logo are registered trademarks of Bourns, Inc. and may be used only with the permission of Bourns and proper acknowledgement.  Other listed names and brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Bourns Blog

Bourns® Models 54 & 56
(Download Hi-Res Image)

RIVERSIDE, Calif., August 23, 2011 — Bourns, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, today announced two new industrial-grade panel control models that include a push-pull switch and rotary switch.  Designated the Bourns® Model 54, the new ½-inch panel control is an extension of Bourns® Model 51/53 Series with an added double-pole, double-throw (DPDT) push-pull switch module. The Bourns® Model 56 is a new ½” panel control and is also an extension of the Bourns® Model 51/53 Series with an added single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) rotary switch module.  Both new products are high-performance alternatives to readily available consumer-grade potentiometers with push-pull and rotary switches.  Developed to match the requirements of a broad range of industrial, medical and aerospace/avionics applications, Bourns’ new panel control models are particularly well-suited for use in test and measurement and communications equipment.  Bourns® Model 54 is also an optimal solution for medical diagnostic and professional audio equipment, while the Bourns® Model 56 is designed for use in avionics controls and medical laboratory equipment.

The new models measure 12.5 mm and feature metal bushings and shafts, splash seals and a wide range of linear and audio resistance tapers.  Rotational life for both models is 50k cycles with contact resistance at 100 mΩ for Model 54 and 30 mΩ for Model 56.  Both models are RoHS compliant.*

“Bourns’ new industrial grade panel controls are significant because they provide the flexibility of a panel control plus push-pull switch or rotary switch in one compact component.  In addition, the splash seal provides protection from moisture ingression in a wide variety of applications,” said Chuck Manzano, Product Specialist for Bourns, Inc.  “The new panel controls provide designers with high-performance alternatives to consumer-grade potentiometers, providing end customers with enhanced reliability and improved performance as required by industrial, medical and avionics applications.”

Pricing and Availability
Samples and production quantities are now available through Bourns authorized e-Commerce distributors.  As a pricing reference, Bourns® Model 54 is priced at .95 in 1,000 pc quantities and Model 56 is priced at .84 in 1,000 pc quantities through authorized distributors.  Data sheets with complete specifications are available on Bourns website at www.bourns.com under Industrial Panel Controls.

About Bourns
Bourns, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of automotive sensors, circuit protection solutions, magnetic products, microelectronic modules, trimming and precision potentiometers, panel controls and encoders and resistive products.  Headquartered in Riverside, CA, Bourns serves a broad range of markets, including telecommunications, computer, industrial, instrumentation, automotive, consumer, non-critical life support medical, audio and various other market segments.  Bourns® products are manufactured according to ISO-9000 and ISO 14001 standards under Six Sigma quality programs.  Bourns® automotive products are manufactured in accordance with the TS16949 standard.  Additional company and product information is available at the company’s website at http://www.bourns.com/.

*RoHs Directive 2002/95/EC Jan 27 2003 including Annex.