SynQor

Power performance┬áOne power conversion supplier is redefining industry expectations for quality and reliability as todayÔÇÖs economic climate increases the pressure on electronics makers to do more with less.  Without a standard power converter, the high voltage coming from a wallÔÇÖs power outlet would cause any sophisticated electronic deviceÔÇöa computer, cell phone, or high-end audio systemÔÇöto be fried instantly upon plugging it in. Power converters not only deliver energy to an electronic device from an electrical outlet but also regulate the current to meet the deviceÔÇÖs specific requirements to allow it to function properly. Most power converters are generic, and because of weight, economic and convenience factors these are the device of choice to power most consumer electronics that need stable current and voltage. However, they have the negative connotation of sometimes being too ÔÇ£cheapÔÇØ and providing power with efficiency problems such as high noise.SynQor, in its twelve-year history, has been able to give the power conversion industry a new appreciation for quality and reliability through high efficiency, and a lowest cost of ownership model. The company was founded in October of 1997 by M.I.T. professor Dr. Martin F. Schlecht, who believed that a technology known as ÔÇ£synchronous rectificationÔÇØÔÇöa technique for improving efficiency of power converters in power electronicsÔÇö ould revolutionize the decades old industry of standard power converters.The introduction of SynQorÔÇÖs first high-efficiency power converter in 1999 earned widespread industry attention and praise, and the company quickly started manufacturing at full force from its original Hudson, Massachusetts facilities. Shortly after it extended across Europe and Asia, and its product line grew as fast as its list of customers.As the pioneer in the use of synchronous rectification which revolutionized the DC/DC converter marketplace in 1997, SynQorÔÇÖs latest feat has broken new ground as well. The company announced a few months ago its most recent technological breakthroughÔÇöa series of products called ACuQor, designed specifically for medical applications.The ACuQor AQ0500M series of off-line power supplies packs 500 watts of usable power into the worldÔÇÖs smallest cardiac care, medical-grade AC / DC converter for this power level, and with a 91 percent efficiency level, it is being distributed worldwide.Today SynQor operates from a 102,000 square foot, ISO 9001:2000 certified corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility in Boxborough, Massachusetts, and sales and support offices worldwide. The facility is state-of-the-art, using the latest in automated surface mount technology.ItÔÇÖs an in-line, flow manufacturing process that allows for nearly hands-free construction and minimal WIP processing. Since SynQor units have 90 percent common materials, there is hardly any breakdown and setup between production runs, leading to shorter cycle times, higher flexibility, and simpler part sourcing. SynQor does charge a premium for its products but establishes ownership value in its short lead time and high material quality. SynQorÔÇÖs lead time on most of its products is only four weeksÔÇöa fraction of the industry average, which gives it the additional advantage of being able to pick up the slack when larger and cheaper suppliers fail to deliver.Schlecht says SynQor has ÔÇ£stunningÔÇØ quality capabilities. The company uses in-process quality control to achieve a consistent and high yield manufacturing process, and keeps its manufacturing expertise in-house to have complete control of the quality and traceability of its products. The production line is fully automated, providing stability, repeatability, and traceability at the component level with in-line automated optical inspection (AOI) and a real time data collection and monitoring system. Machine programs are automatically loaded as product travels through the production line, with a ÔÇ£mean time between failureÔÇØ of literally hundreds of thousands of hours.SynQorÔÇÖs capabilities include both standard and custom solutions for distributed power architectures and are delivered with industry leading levels of service and support. Its modular DC/DC converters serve as critical components in a variety of applications, including telecom and datacom, electronic data processing (EDP) and industrial, instrumentation, medical, and military industries. The companyÔÇÖs design and manufacture of state of the art AC/DC and DC/DC power converters exceeds the demanding performance, quality, and reliability requirements of todayÔÇÖs power electronic engineers that are developing leading-edge infrastructure hardware. Its global customer base extends from small original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), to Fortune 500 multinationals and includes the 12 largest telecom OEMs in the world.  ÔÇô Editorial research by Michael Fretwell┬á