News


Company signs KH Distributors to supply high-tech electronic design aid to SA designers

6 October 2004 News

Schmartboard, a company which manufactures a new type of tool to help engineers, students, and hobbyists create electronic circuits, has signed South African electronics distributor, KH Distributors, as an agent to distribute its products.

Schmartboard has just begun to add international distributors. According to Neal Greenberg, Schmartboard's VP sales and marketing, "We have received numerous e-mails from people in South Africa who have wanted Schmartboard. We are happy to finally find a partner to make Schmartboard available to people in South Africa and other countries on the African continent."

The Schmartboard solution allows one, in a matter of hours, to put together a board and instantly make modifications as one needs. With Schmartboard one does not have to order a custom PCB initially or deal with wire-wrap boards. Schmartboards are pre-traced printed circuit boards that are connectable like building blocks. The company calls its patented system: 'Electronic Circuit Building Blocks'. They allow one to build electronic circuits on a Schmartboard block by block, and then connect the blocks together to form a functional board. Because the boards are pre-traced, the need for wire jumpers is minimised, as opposed to breadboards or wire-wrap boards. Schmartboard also supports both through-hole and surface mount components.

How it works

1. Select the boards that you will need for the project. A detailed description is available on the Schmartboard website. Tip: Print out a mechanical drawing for each of the boards you will be using, and map out the placement of components and connections before doing it.

2. Solder the components to each board. Tip: Segment your project into blocks to take advantage of the pre-routed traces on Schmartboard, this minimises the number of wires needed on each Schmartboard.

3. Connect the boards together using the mechanical bridges. The two slots on each side of the Schmartboard fit the notches on the bridges.

Figure 1. Two Schmartboards being connected with a bridge
Figure 1. Two Schmartboards being connected with a bridge

4. Connect the wires: Wires and male headers are included in the combination and multipacks. Use the headers to connect the wires.

5. Test and make modifications: Modifications can be made simply as needed. Tip: Glue can be used to make the board more rigid once satisfied with the final configuration.

Figure 2. Top view of the connected Schmartboards. A dab of glue can be put on top where the bridge shows through to make board rigid
Figure 2. Top view of the connected Schmartboards. A dab of glue can be put on top where the bridge shows through to make board rigid

Why is it better?

Schmartboard gives some reasons: Engineers can easily spend weeks on new layouts, wait 1-2 weeks for a PCB, spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on a prototype, then only to find out they need a revision. Then, they can do the process over again, and perhaps over yet again. Students and hobbyists can spend weeks trying to use wire-wrap boards. Putting wire jumpers in between every component is tricky, and trying to troubleshoot the resulting birds-nest to find a short or bad component is difficult indeed.

Using Schmartboard is the 'Schmart way' says the company, where in a matter of hours, one can put a board together and instantly make modifications as one needs. It is no longer necessary to order a custom PCB or deal with wire-wrap boards, and this also is with a very low investment cost.

Schmartboard is committed to helping engineers, students and hobbyists develop electronic circuits faster, easier, and less expensively than previously possible.

For more information contact Mohammed Waja, KH Distributors, +27 (0)11 854 5011.



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Rooibos heads to space
News
A South African scientific initiative linking agriculture and space research has officially launched today with the Rooibos in Space programme at Parklands College’s Innovation Centre in Cape Town.

Read more...
From the editor's desk: Local can be international
Technews Publishing Editor's Choice News
Welcome to the July 2026 issue of Dataweek. As you can see from this introduction, Dataweek’s regular editor, Peter Howells, is on extended leave and I am filling the void in his editor’s column – hopefully without being too boring.

Read more...
Landis+Gyr EMEA introduces new company name: EYKON
News
EYKON is the new company name of Landis+Gyr EMEA, formerly part of the Landis+Gyr Group. The company supports electricity, gas, water and thermal utilities in managing increasingly complex networks, improving operational efficiency and enabling more sustainable use of resources.

Read more...
Yamaha Robotics will show visitors to EFX
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services News
Yamaha Robotics will show visitors to EFX 2026, the Expo for Electronics Manufacturing, in Stuttgart from 6-8 October 2026, how advanced surface-mount automation helps companies grow their business and increase productivity.

Read more...
From the editor's desk: The art of measuring the truth
Technews Publishing Editor's Choice News
All electronic measurements are a lie. The trick is making the lie as small as possible.

Read more...
TSE has relocated
News
The Technology Station in Electronics (TSE) has entered a new chapter with its relocation from the CSIR campus to TUT-owned building at Ditsela Place in Hatfield.

Read more...
Innovative MyLegrand app
RS South Africa News
Legrand SA is set to launch the MyLegrand mobile application, a digital platform designed to strengthen engagement across its professional network.

Read more...
Kulani Energy acquires critical assets from Optipower
News
Kulani Energy preserves engineering, procurement, and construction capability and positions a wholly women-owned firm at the forefront of South Africa’s grid expansion.

Read more...
From Cape Town to Johannesburg
News
Würth Elektronik South Africa has taken a significant step forward with its recent relocation from Cape Town to Johannesburg, marking a new phase of growth and ambition for the company.

Read more...
Lesley Havenga: Building partnerships for Africa’s electronics future
Editor's Choice News
As Würth Electronik expands its footprint across South Africa and the broader sub-Saharan region, Havenga’s blend of manufacturing expertise, supply chain knowledge, and people-centred leadership appears well suited to the task.

Read more...









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.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved