Article contributed by the RoboRoos team. RoboRoos, a community based robot-building team of Adelaide students will be part of SCIENCE ALIVE® held at the Adelaide Showgrounds from the 9th to 11th August. They recently finished second in the competition “Duel Down Under” (DDU) in Sydney on the last weekend of June, completing a highly successful season of the 2013 FIRST® FRC® challenge Ultimate Ascent®. RoboRoos are the only South Australian team to have competed in the US based … [Read more...]
A Little Contribution for Children’s Smiles
The 2013 Underprivileged Children’s Movie Day, which is held by the Rotary Club of Adelaide West, will lift the curtain soon at local cinemas in Salisbury and Mitcham. To support this happy and meaningful annual event, Don Alan has sponsored 6 children to attend it. In past events, this day always put HUGE smiles on faces of children with disabilities, and those who are underprivileged and disadvantaged in many ways. These children are from local communities, and through no fault of their own, … [Read more...]
It’s Time to Get to Know Our New Operations Manager
Don Alan welcomed its new Operations Manager Robert Garaguso to the job this April. His background in Electronics / Mechanical Engineering is one of the key advantages which will help him fulfil his responsibilities in engineering management, while his over 20 years experience managing business and manufacturing operations for the Electronics industry will ensure his good performance in production management. Born and educated in Switzerland, Robert has been living in Australia since 2002. He … [Read more...]
‘Robo Roos’ Recovered Black Jaguar Motor Controllers
Article contributed by Nick of the Robo Roos team. The FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is an annual competition held in many regional events throughout the world. The Robo Roos, a local Adelaide team are the first and only South Australian team to enter, and will be competing in the Hawaiian event this year. The Robo Roos have been tasked to build a robot which will compete in this year’s challenge, ‘Ultimate Ascent’. In doing this they will develop skills in planning, construction, … [Read more...]
Our RSP Status Saves You Money
Easier access to R&D tax concessions and SA innovation grants will be a new benefit we can bring to you if you work with us from now on, as we are now a Research Service Provider (RSP) approved by Innovation Australia, taking effect from 24 January 2013. If you are a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME, annual turnover < $20b) who plans to conduct R&D in electrical and electronic engineering but do not want to spend money in investing in the specialist staff or infrastructure, … [Read more...]
Internet Connectivity for Home Appliances No Longer Optional
It has happened really suddenly. For the last three years we have been asking customers if they want these features and it was just seen as a step too radical. But in the last six months nearly every conversation with customers has included IP connection. Even on sub $100 units. With such explosive interest you have to wonder if it is a fad. But it just makes too much sense to be a fad. Using mobile smart phones, iPhones, wireless Android Internet tablets, or iPads as home automation user … [Read more...]
‘Robo Roos’ Hopping Into Engineering with Don Alan
The Robo Roos, a local Adelaide robotics team made of students, have designed and built a robot that recently competed at the 2012 national FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) event, held in Sydney. The Robo Roos are the first and only South Australian team to be involved in FRC, and are able to experience the ‘real’ world of engineering. Thanks to FIRST, the Robo Roos are inspiring the next generation of engineers. Now, they are looking at competing in their next challenge, thanks to generous … [Read more...]
Adding Zing to a Classic Game
Friday 7 December, (Etihad Stadium, Renegades V Stars) was the first time that electronics has been used in the bails on a televised game of cricket. The electronic bail system developed by Zing International not only provides umpires with valuable assistance in run out decisions it adds several new visual aspects to the game. … [Read more...]
Christmas Closure Notice
From all the staff at Don Alan Thank you for your support during 2012, And we look forward to working with you in 2013. We hope that your staff enjoy the holiday season, and wish your business a prosperous new year. DON ALAN PTY LTD WILL BE CLOSED FROM: 12 noon Thursday 20th December 2012 AND RE-OPEN 9am Monday 7th January 2013 … [Read more...]
The Technology of Failure
The Technology of Failure We want everything to work perfectly all the time – it is just the way humans are. And as much as you might bemoan the failure of your smartphone to update contacts today, if it were a choice between that and your brakes failing on the car the answer is pretty obvious. So if ABS brake systems and airbag systems can be made so they virtually never fail, why isn’t the same failure busting technology applied to everyday items like smartphones? This blog entry aims … [Read more...]
