New range of robust RF cables and assemblies from Huber & Suhner for high electrical stability and low-loss applications 

Johannesburg, South Africa, 6 June, 2017 - RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE:ECM), the global distributor for engineers, has extended its portfolio of radio-frequency/microwave equipment with a new range of semi-rigid RF/microwave cables and assemblies from Huber & Suhner that offer ultra-high speed of more than 26GHz. 

Key products in the range are the high-quality flexible SucoFlex 126E coaxial cable assemblies, which are designed to provide enhanced optimal performance at up to 26.5GHz (depending on connector interface choice) with excellent return loss. The cables are ideal for applications that require electrical stability and low loss, such as in test and measurement and defence systems.

They also feature a blue polyurethane (PUR) outer jacket, which offers excellent chemical and abrasion resistant properties and advanced protection in the most hostile environments including those with wide temperature ranges from –40 to +85°C. The high-grade assemblies are available in various lengths and connector types, including 500 and 1000mm lengths. The range now also includes the Minibend 50Ω SMA plug-to-plug cable assemblies.

These are designed for applications requiring low-profile connections between RF modules within communication systems. Available in 3-, 6- and 12-inch versions, the triple shielded cables have a robust high-temperature FEP outer jacket, stainless steel outer braid and an aluminium/polyimide barrier tape. Also available are the TLP-P 11716 high-flex test leads, which are 50Ω TL-P passive intermodulation (PIM) test assemblies.

They are constructed from chemical-, oil- and abrasion-resistant TPU armoured cable for protection in hostile environments, and also include moulded protection between connector and cable supporting IP67 ingress protection, when mated correctly. The optimised 4GHz test leads are available in many various lengths and connector configurations. 

Alternative test leads include the Sucotest ST18A armoured cable assemblies, which are 50Ω flexible leads that offer excellent electrical performance combined with low insertion loss, stability and exceptional return loss. Ideal for heavy duty and outdoor applications up to 18GHz, the assemblies are designed for a range of applications including the testing of wireless communication infrastructure and are available in a variety of lengths and connector configurations. 

The portfolio also includes IP68-rated black silicone universal weather protection boots for LISCA jumper cable assemblies. They are designed to protect jumpers between antennas and remote radio heads from the ingress of water, contamination and corrosion. 

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About RS Components 

RS Components is the market leader in the high service level distribution of electrical, electronic, mechanical, tools and industrial products. Operating in 26 countries whilst serving a further 100 through third-party distributors, RS serves every sector of industry in the procurement of their products relating to maintenance, repair, operations, low volume production, research and development.   

With over 500 000 products across 2500 leading brands, the company is committed to ensuring that their 1,5 million customers have fast access to a broad, as well as deep range, of products and technologies, all under one roof. RS’s customers, whether ordering single or multiple items, experience a quick, easy, secure, painless and cost effective process.  The RS catalogue, available at za.rs-online.com, offers full colour pictures with extensive clear product specifications. 

Free access to thousands of datasheets ensures the correct product choice. Order placement is easily facilitated through za.rs-online.com, the call centre, e-mail, fax and trade counter.  Locally held stock is delivered to customers within 24 hours, and products held internationally, within four to six working days.    

It is proven that departments traditionally spend 80% of their time sourcing products that account for only 20% of their total procurement spend. RS is focussed on reducing the customers “total cost of product ownership” by reducing the need to make multiple calls to various companies to source products, reducing supplier related administration and allowing for the amalgamation as well as consolidation of supplier bases. 

Through this process, procurement efficiency is improved and time is freed up to concentrate on the more important business decisions.  For more information, please visit the website at za.rs-online.com 

Press Office:                                                                       

Le-andra OlivierPR and Communication SpecialistRS Components South This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.+27 11 691 9345 

Further information is available via these links: 

Twitter: @RSNewsSA; @RSElectronics; designsparkRSFacebook: facebook.com/RSSouthAfrica RS Components on LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/company/rscoms 

Relevant Links:RSProRS Components South Africawww.electrocomponents.comDesignSpark Magazine - http://www.designspark.com 

The newly formed Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) tasked specifically with looking after the interests and recycling of steel, tin plate and aluminium packaging, MetPac-SA, says metal packaging is arguably one of the most reliable and versatile types of packaging used in South Africa and the world today. 

Multiple benefits

“Metal packaging comes in a wide range of sizes – from a small can for tomato concentrate, to a steel drum for bulk tomato transport, and everything in-between. Despite holding a relatively small share of the total packaging market, factors such as innovation, new introductions and significant promotional activity are driving the ever-increasing demand for cans,” says Delanie Bezuidenhout, CEO of MetPac-SA. 

Bezuidenhout advocates that metal and aluminium cans are becoming increasingly popular as a packaging option, owing to the multitude of sizes, shapes and printing designs can be manufactured to individual customer requirements. “Innovation sells packaging and packaging sells products. The lightness of aluminium packaging helps to save resources during filling, product transportation, storage and the transportation of scrap at the end of a product’s life. Thanks to its unique attributes, cans act as food warehouses that have unrivalled shelf lives. They are able to protect their contents over many months, with no refrigeration, and therefore helps to save food, energy and prevent wastage. Furthermore, metal and aluminium cans are unbreakable, impact-resistant and puncture-resistant and able to withstand extreme temperatures and pressure,” she says. 

Growing market share 

“Although the market share for metal packaging has traditionally been relatively small (216.8 tonnes of 3 490.1 tonnes, according to the latest stats available to Packaging SA) we believe it is poised for growth as South Africans are increasingly choosing cans as the packaging material of choice when it comes to both their drinking, food and general packaging preferences. Beverage cans today are among the lightest beverage packages, while at the same time being extremely robust and protective of their contents. Today, cans can be produced with a wall thickness of 0.097 mm – as thin as a human hair”, she says.

Safety throughout the supply chain

Metal or aluminium cans offer brand owners a proven safety and sustainability record and excellent performance through the supply chain. Because metal cans are designed to meet the demands of our modern lifestyles, they are unbreakable and reduces the risk of leaking or tearing during transportation. “The lightness of aluminium packaging helps to save resources during filling, product transportation, storage and the transportation of scrap at the end of a product’s life. The weight of aluminium cans has been dramatically reduced over the years thanks to technological innovations. Sixty years ago, the first beverage can weighed more than 80 grams. Today a 330 ml aluminium can only weighs about 13 grams – helping us reduce our carbon footprint from manufacturing through to the supply chain, transportation and recycling process (cradle to cradle),” Bezuidenhout says.

Recycling of cans 

Metal cans and packaging have high recycling value and are one of the most recycled packaging materials worldwide. 74 % of metal packaging is recycled in Europe, and an estimated 72 % for beverage cans in South Africa – ranking us amongst the best in the world in used beverage can recovery. 

“Metals are natural elements that maintain their physical properties forever. When metal products reach the end of their useful life, the materials are simply collected and recycled, again and again, with no loss of their inherent properties. In other words, once metal enters the material-to-material loop, in which it is recycled again and again, it will always be available for future generations,” Bezuidenhout explains.

Conclusion

“The lightness of aluminium packaging helps to save resources during filling, product transportation, storage and the transportation of scrap at the end of a product’s life. Metal offers premium packaging solutions that are able to meet a wide range of market needs, and are proven to be safe and convenient. MetPac-SA is excited to promote the versatility of metals through an ongoing marketing campaign, increase the market share of the industry and protect the interest of its members through stakeholder involvement. We will actively be encouraging more role players to become members in to ensure the local metals packaging industry has a strong voice when matters that directly impact its present and future business interests, are raised”.

For more information on MetPac-SA, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.