Alps Electric

Alps Electric USA makes computer hardware products for nano-processing technology, communications technology and human-machine interfacing. Its products include switches and encoders, tact switches, potentionmeters, sensors, connectors, magnetic heads, cassette mechanisms, RF components for broadcastings, LCD related products and printers. The company distributes its products through a network of retailers located throughout the United States. Alps is first in the industry to develop a vibration device that utilizes its proprietary magnetic circuitry to drive an oscillator supported by a spring. Alps achieved this by applying actuator technology cultivated in the development of floppy disc drives. By using magnetism and spring tension for vibration control, balance is created and short-vibration is accomplished, thereby enabling a variety of vibrations. Alps is located in San Jose, Calif., and is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Alps Electric Company, a Japanese corporation that has manufactured various electronic components since its foundation in 1948.

Akon Inc. is one of the leading suppliers of microwave products for airborne, ground, shipboard and space applications. Some of the products offered by the company include switches, filters, components, integrated microwave assemblies and subsystems. Various defense contractors, such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, Raytheon, DRS Systems, Naval Research Laboratory and Jet Propulsion Lab among others utilize the company's products. In addition, Akon Inc. has a fully equipped Environmental Stress Screening lab that has the ability to perform vibration, mechanical shock, thermal shock, temperature cycling and humidity.