There are many different names for the same thing in the audio products world, audio alert, audio buzzer, beeper, siren, and these are just the general terms. When you are looking for a quality, low cost, audio device, the piezo bender is the device of choice. The piezo bender also known as bender, element, piezo element, piezo, or piezo switch, depending on the use, has uses ranging from audio in toys to audio in medical devices, and used as a switch in vibration monitors to crosswalk switches.
Next come the audio transducers, both piezo transducers and electro-mechanical transducers, sometimes called electromagnetic piezo transducers or E/M Piezo transducers are used for low current, higher frequency applications, while the electro-mechanical transducer is for lower frequency applications.
For applications where there is no room for a drive circuit, an indicator is the device of choice. Audio indicators are also known as piezo buzzers, E/M buzzers, sirens, piezo sirens, and piezo indicator. Indicators use DC to operate the devices, and the output frequency is stable. IP67, waterproof, and washable are just some of the special features.
Along with audio transducers and indicators, you also have the entire line of SMT audio devices; both surface mount audio indicators and surface mount audio transducers. Surface mount audio devices are used primarily in smaller, handheld applications where real estate on the PCB is critical.
Electret condensor microphones or ECM mics are microphones that were specifically designed for hand held wireless transmission, basically the cell phone market. The electret material uses capacitance instead of resistance or voltages to translate the sound to signal for reproduction. The mics in general come in omni directional, uni directional, and noise canceling or bi directional. Mounting styles vary from pins for through hole, solder pads for adding wires and connectors, bullseye or solderless using a boot with internal connector, and surface mount.
Audio speakers or micro speakers are available in many sizes from 10mm on up. Generally in this industry 10-77mm are prevalent. The shapes are round, oval, square, and pinwheel. Diaphragm materials are commonly differing types of Mylar and paper, with some cloth. Treated paper can be used as well to give your speaker a water resistant barrier.
RoHS Policy
Reflowable ECM Microphones
Audio Products Terms and Conditions
There are many different names for the same thing in the audio products world, audio alert, audio buzzer, beeper, siren, and these are just the general terms. When you are looking for a quality, low cost, audio device, the piezo bender is the device of choice. The piezo bender also known as bender, element, piezo element, piezo, or piezo switch, depending on the use, has uses ranging from audio in toys to medical devices, and used as a switch in vibration monitors to crosswalk switches.
Next come the audio transducers, both piezo and electro-mechanical, sometimes called electromagnetic or E/M. Piezo transducers are used for low current, higher frequency applications, while the electro-mechanical transducer is for lower frequency applications.
Looking for a better solution, PUI partnered with a Swiss firm in 1972 which manufactured a “solid state” buzzer. This buzzer replaced the mechanical contacts with a small IC and some resistors. A product line was developed that included two models: the GA 100 and GA 200, with 1.5, 3 and 12 volt models of each.
1974 was a busy year. PUI developed our own DIP-Alarm® with a dual in-line package for mounting directly on a circuit board. This was paired with DIP-Flash® for pulsing operation when needed. We coined a new term to describe these products: Audio Indicator.
We established partnerships with Seiko and Sumitomo Electric in Japan to meet the growing quantities of new customers and applications. The newly christened AI-100, AI-105 and AI-112 from Seiko and the “X” line of piezo electric audio indicators from Sumitomo set higher standards of performance and reliability.
Also in 1974, we established a European sales office in Belgium to serve our distribution network which ranges from Sweden in the north to Spain and Italy in the south, England in the west to Israel in the east.
In 1976 PUI created a testing facility to measure and test our products. Featuring anechoic chambers, frequency and SPL measuring equipment, our testing process was designed to insure the Audio Products our customers purchase fulfill their exacting requirements. We also added application engineering support to help our customers choose the best Indicator for their needs and assist them in designing circuits which would optimize their results with our products.
Through the balance of the 1970’s and into the 1980’s, PUI increased the breadth of our models, applications and distribution network. Production moved from Japan to Taiwan and Korea to maintain low prices for our customers.
In 1992 PUI began to supply transducers to Motorola for use in their wireless phones. This relationship required new manufacturing plants in Korea and China and led to a joint venture producing audio transducers and microphones with a Korean based company.
The result of these efforts included spectacular growth in the mid 90’s, a new European office in Hamburg and wider use of PUI transducers and vibration motors in wireless handsets and Personal Data Assistants (PDAs).
As the end of the century drew to a close, we continued to focus our efforts on providing our customers with extraordinary service, support and fair prices.
In 2002 the European sales and support operations were returned to the World Headquarters in Dayton, Ohio to facilitate better support of our European Union distribution network. We also restructured our manufacturing capabilities by choosing to work exclusively with several manufacturers in Asia. Our current manufacturing operation allows us to provide our customers cost effective, reliable parts while providing redundant production capabilities.
In 2005, continued growth necessitated moving to a new custom-built 67,000 square foot, state-of-the-art production, distribution, and testing facility.
Projects Unlimited is a world class supplier of Audio Products designed to perform in commercial. medical, fire/safety, & industrial applications for world class companies across the globe.
Projects Unlimited, Inc. is proud to announce that all of our products now comply with the European Union's Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). All devices are backwards compatible (unless otherwise stated) and can be used in a leaded or lead-free soldering environment. To learn more about our position on RoHS and for our latest conversion cross reference
Since 1951 our name, Projects Unlimited, has served us well. We have designed and built everything from Depth Sounders to Motor Scooters. Projects Unlimited also describes the future of our company.
We are a leader in buzzer and audio indicator technology, supplying alerting devices, both audio and vibration, speakers and microphones throughout the world. Our products are used in applications from Cell phones to golf carts; gas pumps to pagers.
Our Aerospace & Electronics experience dates to the founding of Projects Unlimited and is stronger than ever today. Our craftsmen build highly reliable electronics for such challenging environments as missiles, braking control systems for aircraft, electrical load management systems and remote weather reporting stations. And, we do it all to ISO-9001 and IPC standards.
Take a tour of Projects Unlimited in the following pages. See why we become partners with our customers, and why the people of Projects Unlimited are dedicated to “Providing you the products you want, when you want them, at a fair price”.
David L. Wyse
President
The Projects Unlimited, Inc. story began with Wyse Laboratories. Started in 1940 by David S. Wyse, his brother Harold and their father James. Wyse Labs occupied 3,000 feet of leased space in downtown Dayton. A business relationship was established with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base manufacturing scale model aircraft, equipment, instruments, and aircraft test equipment. During World War II, Wyse Laboratories expanded operations and employment increased to approximately 150 people.
Following World War II, the termination of defense contracts forced the Company to change directions and enter into commercial manufacturing. Wyse Laboratories developed and manufactured a small motorcycle, the Wyse-Cycle in 1947. Design efforts included developing and building a 4-cycle engine for this vehicle.
Wyse Laboratories was succeeded in 1947 by GAD-JETS, Inc. with energies directed towards fulfillment of military spare parts requirements. Innovative products such as the Air Line Pipe, Circlatron TV Antenna, Hydro-Wype hydraulic scraper rings, and Coolie Toolie cutting tool coolant emerged during the late 1940's and early 50's.
Volumes increased and military electronic requirements became more complex, and in 1951 a new company, Projects Unlimited, Inc., was born. Business flourished. Projects Unlimited, actively engaged in manufacturing of new equipment covering many fields as well as maintaining its replacement spare parts activities.
The Wyse brothers were not done with motor scooters yet. In 1960, after briefly toying with the Skat Kat, an updated version of the Wyse-Cycle, the Skat Kitty was born. Weighing in at 70 Pounds, the Skat Kitty represented a new era in "portable" transportation. With removable handle bars and a light weight cast aluminum frame, the Skat Kitty was designed to be carried in airplanes, boats and campers for intermediate transportation. It became an instant hit with several Shrine units and even though production was discontinued in 1970, the Shriners still use them in parades to this day.
PUI has also been on the cutting edge of other technologies. Bright sun light made analog depth sounders hard to read so PUI developed the Sea-Vue Hood as an answer. Continuing research in the mid 1960's produced Digi-Depth, the first digital read out depth sounder.
In 1972, PUI moved into a new 28,000 square foot facility on Wyse Road in Vandalia which was expanded in 1975 to 38,000 square feet. Enhanced engineering enabled entry into the production of solid state devices, relays, cables, harnesses and test equipment. Work on military cables led to joint development with McDonnell Douglas of Sparrow Missile motor fire cables for the F-4, F-15, and F-18 aircraft. Additional development work with many aerospace customers provided PUI a reputation as provider of highly reliable products for aircraft and missile systems.
1972 was also the year that marked PUI's entry into the field of solid state buzzers. Originally developed for telephone test sets which the company manufactured, the product line began with two models, the GA-100 and GA-200. Rapid growth of the product line saw the introduction of a new term to the industry... "Audio Indicator". This name more accurately described the solid state products and differentiated them from older unreliable mechanical buzzers. The appearance in 1974 of the Dip Alarm® and Dip Flash® signaled the first "circuit board mountable" audio devices. Continued growth of Audio devices led to the establishment of a separate Audio Products division in 1978.
The Audio Products Division’s line of Audio Indicators Speakers, Microphones and Transducers now numbers in the hundreds. PUI audio devices are in thousands of products you encounter every day, from Glucose Monitors to Golf Carts.
In 1994, Projects Unlimited certified its quality systems under ISO-9001. To continue this certification, regular extensive training programs have been established for employees in manufacturing techniques, computer operation, first aid, CPR, SPC, and human resource related topics. Extensive training facilities enhance this capability. Current certification levels include ISO 9001:2000 and AS 9000. 1997 marked the addition of certification by the FAA as an authorized repair and overhaul facility.
Projects Unlimited is still growing. In 2005 PUI moved down the street to a new 67,000 Square Foot “state of the art” fabrication and office facility completely climate controlled with an ESD floor and environmental testing area. This new building should meet customer’s needs for many years to come.
Projects Unlimited, Inc., is still a family owned business, operated by the fourth generations of the Wyse’s. A "family" of craftsmen is dedicated to producing the best possible products for discerning customers.
