DECEMBER 2005 INDUSTRY NEWS

• Tektronix Reports Results for the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2006
• Partnership provides calibration, repair service to Japanese markets
• BOC Backs European Harmony with Move to New Cylinder Colours
• Conference on Quality in the Space and Defense Industries
• Commonly Asked Questions About Mass Standards
• Measurement Science Conference Unveils Technical Program Theme for Lab Managers
• The 20th European Frequency and Time Forum
• Formation of Ashcroft Holdings, Inc. Complete
• NCSL International Launching New Scientific & Technical Trade Journal

Tektronix Reports Results for the Second Quarter of Fiscal 2006

Tektronix, Inc. reported net sales of $253.4 million and net earnings from continuing operations of $19.9 million or $0.24 per share for the second quarter ended November 26, 2005. This compares with net sales of $266.8 million and a net loss from continuing operations of $2.6 million or $0.03 per share for the same period last year.

"Overall, we are very encouraged by our results in the second quarter," said Rick Wills, Tektronix Chairman and CEO. "Business levels firmed considerably during the quarter and we saw modest year-over-year growth in orders. The improvement in our markets at the end of last quarter continued during the second quarter. Our communications products, as well as our video products, each had double-digit order growth in the second quarter. Orders for general purpose products were down slightly from last year but were up significantly from the first quarter."

"Our two newer product categories -- signal sources and real-time spectrum analyzers -- continued to grow rapidly with over 50% year-over-year growth in the quarter, demonstrating our ability to penetrate targeted new market segments which is a key element of our growth strategy. And, we made excellent progress on our wave of new products set to introduce in the third quarter and over the next several quarters," said Wills.

"We continue to be encouraged by the recent strengthening of the market. We are very excited about the success of our recently introduced products as well as the major new products we expect to introduce this quarter and in the coming quarters," concluded Wills.

Recent highlights include the following:

• The acquisition of Vqual Ltd, a leading provider of software tools for analysis, test and optimization of compressed digital media, based in Bristol, UK. The acquisition will enable Tektronix to offer its customers a complete suite of in-house compressed video analysis products.
• The selection by VIA Technologies of high-speed digital systems analysis tools from Tektronix to develop digital products based upon serial data standards such as second generation PCI-Express and SATA III.
• The selection by Framestore CFC, Europe's largest visual effects and computer animation studio, of Tektronix' WFM700 High Definition Waveform Monitors.
• The integration of Tektronix' Unified Assurance solution for IP networks with Psytechnics' Speech IP Monitor to provide customers with industry-leading network management and service management capabilities for IP networks.
• The receipt of the Innovation Award in the Test and Measurement category for the TDS6000 family of digital storage oscilloscopes, the first award of its kind from EDN China.

And the introduction of several new products and capabilities including:

• A PC-based protocol analysis platform which facilitates deployment of triple play services through flexible and scalable protocol testing and analysis. The NSA18 provides portable troubleshooting and optimization of 3G UMTS networks.
• New software utilities for validating Ultra Wideband and WiMedia applications which extend the debug and analysis capabilities of the TDS6000 oscilloscopes to include real-time analysis of Ultra Wideband RF and electrical signals.
• Software for the market-leading Spectra diagnostics product line which helps carriers ensure interoperability between legacy and VoIP signaling technologies and validate equipment performance across converged networks.
• Intelligent Application Services for mobile network operators to its Unified Assurance offering -- a solution which provides the ability to analyze, detect and correct improper configuration of subscriber handsets to improve service levels.

Partnership provides calibration, repair service to Japanese markets

Techno Co. Ltd. have joined forces to provide calibration and repair services for Endevco products in Japan. The arrangement continues Endevco's efforts to provide customer support around the globe; a previous agreement established similar services in the U.K.

Endevco, a designer and manufacturer of dynamic instrumentation for vibration, shock, and pressure measurement, termed the move part of its commitment to supporting its Asia-based clientele. The company is known in Japan's aerospace, automotive, and general testing communities for its accelerometers, crash test, vibration and pressure sensors, and signal conditioners.

Tokyo-based Foresight Techno is recognized for its technical, field support, and calibration services in the Japanese test and measurement marketplace. The independent joint venture company established by Mitsuiwa Corp. and Marubun Corp. provides inspection, installation, test, calibration, repair, maintenance, and technical consultation support services for high-tech import products.

BOC Backs European Harmony with Move to New Cylinder Colours

BOC, the industrial and special gases company, is changing the identification colours of its gas cylinders as part of a European move to make gases and their associated hazards easy to identify.

The move comes ahead of an EU regulation (BS EN1089-3) due in July 2006, which directs all compressed gas producers to implement a harmonised cylinder colour identification scheme for industrial and special gases. All BOC products, including its range of industrial, special, hospitality and medical gases, will be covered by the new standard. Changing all its cylinder colours is a huge undertaking and the process is envisaged to take five years to complete for some cylinder types.

The new colour coding applies solely to the shoulder or curved part at the top of the cylinder and is used to either identify the gas or the properties of the gas inside. Two shoulder colours may be used where a gas has more than one property, so nitrogen dioxide, for example, being toxic and oxidising will carry yellow and light blue bands on the cylinder shoulder.

The changeover for BOC special products cylinders begins this autumn and, given the number of cylinders in circulation, is expected to take five years to fully implement. The new colours will be seen on the majority of newly delivered cylinders within a few months.

New gas hazard colours include:

• Bright green - inert gases including neon and krypton
• Light blue - oxidising gases such as nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide
• Yellow - toxic and/or corrosive gases such as ammonia and chlorine
• Red - flammable gases such as hydrogen.

Key gases affected by the change include:

• Argon – from light blue to dark green
• Carbon dioxide - from black to grey
• Helium - changed tone of brown
• Nitrous oxide - from manilla to blue
• Oxygen - from black to white.

BOC director of special products, Mike Dennis said: "The safe use and handling of gas is a priority for BOC and ensuring the safety of our customers always begins with clear cylinder identification, backed up by regular safety training and testing of our cylinder products."

Said Dennis: "With a range of over 22,000 pure gas and special gas mixtures supplied to a variety of industries, quick identification is crucial and requires a combination of clear labelling and recognised colours to alert all who use gas to the appropriate safety measures."

Throughout the UK and continental Europe a range of differing colour ID's have been used to identify the estimated 40 million cylinders in circulation. BOC believes harmonisation will go a long way to ensuring safety with gas is made easier for all.

The change to BOC's cylinder shoulders will be accompanied by a range of new body colours for its scientific gas mixtures to distinguish between standard accuracy, high accuracy, medical and high purity gases.

BOC has issued new cylinder colour charts for quick and easy reference and has written to over 9,000 regular customers notifying them of the change. For further advice on these changes and to obtain copies of the cylinder colour change charts contact BOC's team of advisors on 0800 02 0800 or visit www.bocspecialproducts.co.uk

Held annually near the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, this conference is facilitated to promote direct interaction and open discussion of high visibility topics affecting the quality of products and services provided by companies and organizations that supply equipment and/or services to NASA or the Department of Defense. The CQSDI features presentations given by high-level government and industry leaders who discuss the latest policies and practices within their organizations. In addition to sponsorship by the Aviation, Space & Defense Division of the American Society for Quality, the CQSDI is supported by NASA, DCMA, DoD and ASQ Section 1512. Participatory panel sessions present numerous opportunities for attendees to ask their own questions and to express those issues that most concern them and their organizations. Each session is preceded by a high-level industry or government featured speaker. Those featured talks are then be followed by short presentations made by industry and government panelists who will in turn take open questions from the audience.

The next CQSDI will take place March 20-21, 2006. For more conference information visit:

http://www.asq.org/asd/conferences/index.html

Commonly Asked Questions About Mass Standards

Introduction
The National Institute of Standards and Technology, Weights and Measures Division is asked numerous questions throughout the year regarding mass standards, specifications for mass standards, mass manufacturers, calibration intervals, availability of documents and publications, and sources of calibration. This paper summarizes the answers to many commonly asked questions.

Weight Classifications
There are three sources of weight classifications used in the United States. The most common are:

• NIST Class F;
• ASTM E 617-97, Classes 0 through 7; and
• OIML R111, classes: E1, E2, F1, F2, M1, M2, M3. 

Please note: OIML F1 and F2 are NOT comparable to NIST Class F. The table comparing these standards shows the general correlation between the classifications and their typical usage. There is not yet a direct relationship between classifications in these specifications and the specifications have changed over time.

Class F. NIST Handbook 105-1 contains the specifications and tolerances for field standards used primarily in weights and measures and commercial applications (e.g., for testing scales when products are bought or sold over them). The standard is NOT designed to be an industry standard, although a number of industries use the specifications and tolerances for their applications.

ASTM E 617-97. The Federal government is required to use industry standards whenever available and wherever appropriate. It is for this reason that Circular 547, which contained specifications and tolerances for Classes M, S, S-1, P, etc, was not updated but was superseded in 1978 by ASTM E 617. A number of rather old requirements specify NBS Class S or Class S-1 weightsCthese should all be replaced by ASTM Class 1 or 2. The U.S. Pharmacopeia has changed its recommendations for pharmaceutical applications, but Federal agencies may not have changed their recommendations or regulations regarding weights. The latest revision of E 617-97 was a move toward harmonization with the OIML R111 which is currently undergoing revision. ASTM also has three standards that may be used for testing balances/scales for noncommercial applications: E 319, E 898, E 1270. All of these ASTM standards are available in Volume 14.02 of the ASTM Annual Standards.

Measurement Science Conference Unveils Technical Program Theme for Lab Managers

Newport Beach, CA - December 7, 2005 - Measurement Science Conference (MSC) Programs Chairman Mark Kaufman announced today a strong line-up of sessions focusing on the challenges in the business of metrology and calibration. The challenges to managers and supervisors come mostly from technology or the need to improve business efficiency. More than a dozen technical sessions will cover the current state of metrology (national and international), standards and practices, corporate process changes and the impact on the lab, and how lab managers can meet the coming challenges. The 36th Annual Conference is being held at the Disneyland Hotel, February 27 - March 3, 2006. The technical program is on Thursday and Friday.

"In keeping with our 2006 conference theme of The Science, Technology, and Control of Measurement, we've organized a broad spectrum of presentations, spanning a couple different tracks, which are of particular interest to lab managers and supervisors," said Kaufman. "MSC has always been an educational conference; the program has always focused on exchanging information. These presentations will provide valuable insight in the future of the field."

One of the key sessions, entitled Metrology: the Next 20 Years, will discuss the struggle between the obvious benefits of calibration, its overhead expense, and the market forces to drive that expense down. "Advances in technology and business environments will bring about these challenges, and challenges always bring about changes in the ways we do business," said session developer Chet Franklin. "Lab administrators can respond to these changes by utilizing technological innovations."

Other papers will discuss how wireless connectivity and disposable sensors can increase productivity, reduce calibration- and maintenance-related workloads, while increasing system availability and cutting costs. Presenter Chris Campbell of AssetSmart said, "Advances in computing technologies can help metrology professionals increase productivity and efficiency, improve process repeatability and integration by minimizing opportunities for human error, increase internal/external customer satisfaction, achieve and maintain compliance and save money."

In the presentation, Future Sensor-Based Networks, Randy Rupnow of NSWC Corona Division will discuss how sensors of the future, such as embedded and wireless sensors, must have the ability to support sensors of the past, our current-state technology, as well. "Upfront and early participation in the design and development of technologies will ensure that calibration capabilities are built into the future systems, such as U.S. Navy ships," said Rupnow. "Any future Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security initiatives - such as remote system monitoring and control, conditioned-based maintenance, and perimeter security monitoring - will introduce multiple sensors into government security and military weapon systems," continued Rupnow. Challenges of maintainability and calibration requirements associated with current analog sensor based systems will need to be overcome, and this discussion will explore foreseeable sensor/system attributes from the viewpoint of the end user, maintainer, and metrologist.

Additional program tracks of interest are public responsibility, metrology processes, and education.

Further updates on the workshop schedule, NIST tutorial schedule, technical paper presentations, as well as the latest Conference updates, can all be found by logging on to the website at www.msc-conf.com or calling tollfree 1-866-MSC-MEAS (1-866-672-6327).

The 20th European Frequency and Time Forum

The European Frequency and Time Forum (EFTF) is an international conference and exhibition, providing information on recent advances and trends of scientific research and industrial development in the fields of Frequency and Time.

The fact that time can be measured so precisely, far better than any other physical parameter, represents a technological asset of great importance. Many space programs and terrestrial applications require some form of stable timing for successful operation. Typical examples are digital network synchronization, spread spectrum communication, range and range-rate determination, navigation and position location, very long baseline interferometry (VLBI), scientific research (gravity and relativity experiments), time transfer by satellites, Earth observation, and geodesy.

For more information about the EFTF Organization please visit http://www.eftf.org/default.htm

Organizers
The 2006 Forum is organized for the EFTF by Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB).

Venue
EFTF 06 will be held in Braunschweig, Germany, on March 27 - 30, 2006. Close to Hannover and Berlin international airports and three hours by high-speed ICE train from Frankfurt Airport, Braunschweig can easily be reached from destinations all over the world.
For more information about the city of Braunschweig (or "Brunswick" by its English name) and its many attractions please visit http://www.braunschweig.de.

Working Language
The working language of the conference is English, which will be used for all printed material, presentations, and discussions.

Topical Areas of EFTF 2006
The technical sessions of the conference will cover state-of-the-art research, development and manufacturing technology in the area of frequency and time:

• Resonators, Filters, Sensors and Materials
• Oscillators, Synthesizers and Circuit Techniques
• Atomic Frequency Standards and Clocks
• Time Scales and Time Transfer

There is a special focus at the 2006 meeting on these two "Special Topics":

• Time Scales for Satellite Navigation Systems
• Optical Frequency Standards

Visit to the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
The frequency and time activities (as well as several other laboratories) at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt will be open to visitors on Thursday, March 30. If you wish to visit PTB, please sign up at the EFTF reception desk when you register on arrival. A list of the PTB laboratories offering tours can be viewed at: http://eftf2006.ptb.de/visit.htm

Further information about the work of PTB in frequency standards and time metrology can be found on the main PTB web site at www.ptb.de or at www.ptb.de/time.

Formation of Ashcroft Holdings, Inc. Complete

John McKenna, CEO, announced the formation of Ashcroft Holdings, Inc. ("Ashcroft"). The newly-formed company, formerly known as Dresser Instruments, was acquired from Dresser, Inc. by KPS Special Situations Funds ("KPS"). "Since 1852 the Ashcroft® trademark has been synonymous with quality and reliability in pressure instrumentation so it is fitting that our new name aligns with what has long been recognized in the marketplace" stated McKenna.

McKenna further commented, "This is the beginning of an exciting new era for Ashcroft as a stand-alone company. We are delighted that KPS recognized the investment opportunity presented by Ashcroft. We are confident about the direction of the business and the many opportunities available to us. I am especially grateful to our customers, vendors and employees for their continued support."

KPS intends to invest substantial capital in Ashcroft to fund growth opportunities, including new product introductions and working capital requirements, capitalizing on Ashcroft's strong brands and leadership positions in the markets it serves.

"Ashcroft is the most recognized brand name in the world for premium pressure gauges and related products," said Michael Psaros, a Managing Principal of KPS. "This is a company with an underleveraged global franchise, comprehensive product offerings and unique technologies that should thrive as a focused, independent enterprise."

Ashcroft Holdings Inc. manufactures gauges, thermometers, switches, transducers, transmitters, data loggers, calibration equipment and isolators for pressure measurement, monitoring and control. Product brands include Ashcroft®, Heise®, Willy®, ebro® and Weksler®. As a global provider, Ashcroft Inc. maintains a network of manufacturing facilities, sales offices and distributors worldwide. Headquartered in Stratford, CT, it also has operations in Brazil, Germany, Canada, Mexico and Singapore and joint ventures in Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. The company's website can be accessed at: www.ashcroftinc.com. To read more news from Ashcroft, Inc. visit http://www.ashcroftinc.com/index.cfm?call=3&pid=1.

The KPS investment strategy and portfolio companies are described in detail at the firm's website: www.kpsfund.com.

NCSL International Launching New Scientific & Technical Trade Journal

NCSL International is pleased to announce the launching of a new scientific and technical trade journal in metrology, called, measure. The journal's primary audience is centered on calibration laboratory personnel, from laboratory managers to project leaders to technicians. The quarterly publication will begin with its first issue in March, 2006. This new journal will become an unparallel resource for every NCSLI Member by providing practical and up-to-date information on calibration techniques, uncertainty analysis, measurement standards, laboratory accreditation, and quality processes, as well as providing timely metrology review articles.

As NCSLI continues to develop its presence in the world of metrology, the time is right to introduce measure as a new and expanded forum to document the considerable influence and positive impact that NCSLI and its Member Organizations are having on the practical application of measurement science in the global business community.

All technical articles in measure will be refereed by the NCSLI Technical Review Board currently managed by Dr. Richard Pettit, and all advertising is reserved exclusively for NCSLI Member Organizations. In addition to the technical articles, the journal will feature information about calibration laboratory excellence, international and industry-wide best metrology practices, new trends and opportunities in management and metrology training, emerging technologies, new and existing standards, innovative standards and calibration equipment, support software, and new products and services.

For more information visit NCSLI.

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