Mechatronic Component Information

Here are links to manufacturers and vendors that may be helpful to you in finding components, getting data sheets, and building mechatronic systems. The links below are by no means exhaustive. Some of the information has been adapted from the Stanford SPDL web page and Appendix C from by Joseph Jones and Anita Flynn (both of which are excellent resources).

Have a look! If you come across others that you think should be listed here or find any broken links, please let me know.

Actuators, Drive Components, and Electromechanical Parts (new)

  • distributor of bearings, mechanical components, actuators, pneumatics, etc.
  • Ball Screws & Actuators Co. ball screws, leadscrews, linear actuators, rails, and bearings
  • chains, belts, gears, couplings, bearings, shafts, etc. (relatively small parts)
  • electric motor manufacturers including DC motors, stepper motor, servo motors, AC motor, gear motors, and DC electric motors.
  • manufacturer's directory for fractional hp motors, dc, ac, gearmotors, etc.
  • linear actuator manufacturers including electric actuators, electric linear actuators, positioning tables, positioning stages, linear motion components, and linear positioners
  • linear motion products: bearings, linear actuators, linear bushings, etc.
  • high quality dc brush and brushless motors
  • large supplier of mechanical, maintenance, and industrial supplies
  • fractional horsepower DC motors, precision gearheads, tachometers,encoders, brakes, and complete servo systems.
  • gears, pulleys, bearings, shafts, dowel pins, etc. ((mention that your were referred via this website and get a small discount!)
  • industrial machine control supplier
  • linear and rotary bearings, leadscrews and nuts
  • stepper, ac and dc motors and controls
  • Portescap fractional horsepower DC motors, precision gearheads, etc.
  • standardized precision mechanical components such as gears, belts, couplings, fasteners, etc.
  • Pittman large range of dc brush and brushless motors
  • standardized precision mechanical components such as gears, belts, couplings, fasteners, etc.
  • standardized precision mechanical components such as gears, belts, couplings, fasteners, etc.
  • linear and rotary bearings, leadscrews and nuts, linear actuators
  • Thomson Industries, Inc. linear and rotary bearings, leadscrews and nuts, precision shafting, bushings, etc.
  • manufacturer of small electromechanical linear actuators for precision motion control
  • industrial valves and actuators made in the USA

Actuators, Drive Components, and Electromechanical Parts (used)

  • 847-982-0874 (Illinois) wide assortment of electronic surplus.$12.50 minimum order (includes the $4 shipping charge)
  • 800-276-2206 a variety of surplus electronic components, mostly computer oriented, but with a regular streak of motors and LCD displays.
  • 800-445-0697 a wide variety of mostly surplus components and project kits. Lots of neat stuff.
  • 800-652-6733 surplus electronic and electro-mechanical parts. Also sells project kits.
  • 800-325-9465 a good source for surplus motors, power supplies, electronic components, fans, optics and more
  • Foothill Community College, 2nd Saturday of the month from March - October, dawn till noon nice source for used electronic components, computer stuff, tools, consumer electronics, ham radio equipment
  • 1555 S 7th St, San Jose (408) 262-3900 surplus electronics, motors, pneumatics, and other goodies.
  • 800-848-8001 most items are new overstocks, and surplus; much regularly stocked stuff as well. Tools, electrical components, DC, stepper & AC motors, mechanical components. $5 processing charge on orders under $25.
  • 800-524-6464 good source for surplus electronic parts, a few DC and stepper motors.
  • HSC Electronic Supply (Halted Specialties Co.) Bad news: they have closed. Good news: their inventory was sold to , which is at 7th and Alma St.
  • Resources Un-Ltd. 603-668-2499 (New Hampshire) surplus electronics; used and refurbished test equipment; motors.

EE and Chip Selection Resources

Helpful for finding the device you need, part no., manufacturer, vendors, etc.

  • an extensive source for data sheets
  • a relatively new search engine and data base for electronic components and circuits
  • a comprehensive resource database on electronic components and circuits
  • EE Design Center a comprehensive technical resource for the electronic design engineering community
  • electronic engineers master online is billed as the electronic engineer's search engine for electronic parts
  • a good listing (with comments) of helpful sites for everything EE!
  • an excellent resource for finding numerically and functionally ordered chip lists, chip pinouts and lists of chip manufacturers, manufacturers of controller embedding tools, electronics, books, CDROM's, magazines, WWW sites and much more.
  • IC Master this site boasts of ability to access over 150 million parts
  • Part Miner a leading-edge online resource for online information and purchasing of electronic parts
  • a new website to easily find electronics parts and inventory. Over 185 million parts in their database.
  • extensive tools for part search, BOM management, and managing electronic parts

Electronic Parts Suppliers (new)

  • 303-258-3161 (CO) books, sensors, and parts for robot enthusiasts
  • 800-433-5700 a major distributor of electronics parts
  • Arrow Electronics 408-441-4050 a major distributor of electronics parts. $25 minimum order
  • 877-528-2288 Supplies rechargeable batteries: Li-ion, lithium, NiMH, lead acid. Student discounts available.
  • 800-528-1417 offers a wide range of electronic parts; can supply pre-packaged kits of parts per your spec.
  • 800-292-7711 test equipment, science, toys, and parts
  • 800-344-4539 wide selection of parts and excellent service
  • 800-972-2225 competitive prices; can supply pre-packaged kits of parts per your spec.
  • 800-831-4242 good selection of parts; excellent service; can supply pre-packaged kits of parts per your spec.
  • 800-538-5000 local vendor for electronic components and PC products
  • MCM Electronics 800-543-4330 test equipment, tools, connectors, replacement parts for electronic appliances
  • 800-346-6873 a wide selection of parts; regional distribution centers; will fax detailed specs to you.
  • 800-463-9275 a major distributor with a huge selection of parts; local offices around the country. $25 minimum order.
  • (check phone book or web site for nearby stores) basic components, connectors, tools, batteries

Electronic Parts Suppliers (used )

  • (ACE) 408-416-0513 local surplus supplier with a good selection of components, connectors, etc.
  • 800-826-5432 surplus boards, components, assemblies; good source for LCD display modules
  • 408-943-9773 a local surplus electronics supplier
  • 800-531-5369
  • 847-982-0874 (Illinois) wide assortment of electronic surplus.$12.50 minimum order (includes the $4 shipping charge)
  • 800-276-2206 a variety of surplus electronic components, mostly computer oriented, but with a regular streak of motors and LCD displays.
  • 800-325-9465 a good source for surplus motors, power supplies, electronic components, fans, optics and more
  • Foothill Community College, 2nd Saturday of the month from March - October, dawn till noon nice source for used electronic components, computer stuff, tools, consumer electronics, ham radio equipment
  • 800-445-0697 a wide variety of mostly surplus components and project kits. Lots of neat stuff.
  • 800-848-8001 most items are new overstocks, and surplus; much regularly stocked stuff as well. Tools, electrical components, DC, stepper & AC motors, mechanical components. $5 processing charge on orders under $25.
  • 800-524-6464 good source for surplus electronic parts, a few DC and stepper motors.
  • 800-652-6733 surplus electronic and electro-mechanical parts. Also sells project kits.
  • 510-490-1377 a local surplus dealer specializing component level computer electronics.
  • 408-262-7144 or 800-675-1177 a local supplier of electronic parts
  • Resources Un-Ltd. 603-668-2499 (New Hampshire) surplus electronics; used and refurbished test equipment; motors.
  • SMC ELECTRONICS (508) 884-3061 (Massachussetts) surplus electronics; emphasis on personal computer hardware.
  • (514) 739-9328 (Vermont) surplus electronic, computer, and high-tech parts and equip.
  • Tucker Electronics 800-527-4642 surplus electronic gear; used and refurbished 'scopes and signal generators.

Local Parts Suppliers

local vendors of new and used parts, etc.

  • 1810 Oakland Rd # C , San Jose, 408-416-0513 surplus supplier with a good selection of components, connectors, etc.
  • PO BOX 730 Morgan Hill, CA 95038-0730 408-778-3868 surplus electronics and motors
  • 2040 Walsh Ave., Santa Clara, 408-727-3693 a local electronics supplier (new parts) M-F 7:30 am-4:30 pm, Sat. 10 am-3 pm
  • 255 E. Brokaw Rd., San Jose, CA, 95112, 408-436-5464 new parts supplier for W. M. Berg and other mechanical and electromechanical parts.
  • 1555 S 7th St, San Jose (408) 262-3900 surplus electronics, motors, pneumatics, and other goodies.
  • 4450 Enterprise, Suite 113, Fremont, 510-490-1377 surplus dealer specializing component level computer electronics.
  • 3501 Thomas Road # 11, Santa Clara, 95054, (408) 986-8464 gears, pulleys, bearings, shafts, dowel pins, etc. (mention that your were referred via this website and get a small discount!)

Microcontrollers

  • microcontrollers, ASIC's, memory IC's, imaging, and wireless chips
  • sells PC boards and kits for the Handy Board, a 68HC11-based controller developed at MIT
  • sells the Handy Board, a 68HC11-based controller developed at MIT
  • manufacturer of the PIC microcontroller family
  • a leading supplier of single-board computers and industrial embedded controllers
  • manufactures a broad range of microcontrollers (including the 68HC11 chip we use in the lab)
  • sells a very nice board using the OOPic microcontroller
  • sells some nice, modular development boards (what we use in the lab)
  • sells the Basic Stamp, a PIC-based microcontroller
  • Rabbit Semiconductor sells the Rabbit, a nicely integrated, feature-rich, 8-bit microcontroller

Semiconductor Manufacturers

good sources for device data sheets, application notes, etc.

  • power IC's (motor drivers, etc.), signal processing IC's, and Hall-effect sensor IC's
  • analog, mixed signal, and digital IC's used in signal-processing applications.
  • microcontrollers, ASIC's, memory IC's, imaging, and wireless chips
  • Dallas Semiconductor chips and chip-based subsystems for a variety of applications, from timing to thermal management
  • analog, mixed signal, logic, non-volatile memory and discrete power and signal devices
  • Gray's List the most complete and up-to-date listing of IC manufacturers available on the internet
  • Harris Semiconductor logic, power, signal processing, telecommunication, digital, and radiation hardened devices
  • power semiconductor devices
  • high performance linear IC's including op-amps, data acquisition, power management, etc.
  • linear, mixed signal IC's (data converters, interface circuits, power supplies, voltage references, etc.)
  • embedded controllers (maker of the PIC microcontroller)
  • analog, mixed signal, logic, microcontrollers, discrete and small signal, telecommunication, etc.
  • IC's for power management and low-voltage power transistors
  • analog, mixed signal, microcontrollers, audio, wireless communication
  • Philips Semiconductor logic, linear, power, small signal, sensors, microcontrollers, RF, communications, multimedia
  • formerly SGS-Thomson, analog, mixed-signal, telecommunication, automotive, and industrial control IC's
  • analog, mixed signal, logic, ASIC, microcontrollers, programmable logic
  • MOSFET's, power IC's, optoelectronics, diodes, transistors

Sensors

  • expertise and products for applications in embedded robotic, automation and control systems.
  • a leading manufacturer of industrial sensors especially photoelectric and fiberoptic
  • a leading manufacturer of load cells, torque sensors, and pressure sensors
  • Hamamatsu a leading manufacturer of photosensors
  • maker of high precision position feedback devices (encoders)
  • a major manufacturer of a broad range of sensors: optoelectronic, Hall effect, pressure, etc.
  • full line of load and torque transducers
  • another good source for sensors used by mobile robots
  • Keyence a leading manufacturer of industrial sensors especially photoelectric and fiberoptic
  • provides a wide range of custom and stock load cells (educational discounts are available)
  • a leading manufacturer of strain gages
  • optoelectronic sensors, Hall effect sensors
  • a leading manufacturer of industrial sensors, switches, relays, and automotive electronics
  • another good source for sensors used by mobile robots
  • leading supplier of encoders
  • LVDT's, pressure sensors, tilt sensors, inertial sensors
  • an extensive 'broker' for lots of information about sensors
  • lots of neat optoelectronic devices
  • a leading manufacturer of industrial photoelectric, proximity, vacuum/pressure, and optical measurement sensors
  • motion control components, especially encoders