Fowler Associates Labs

Company Profile-- Spotlight on

ETS- Electro-Tech Systems, Inc.

More than just Cheesesteaks are made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia area is also home to ETS- one of the most respectable suppliers of electrostatic measurement equipment. Some of the products that members of the esd industry are familiar with that ETS manufactures are:electrostatic voltmeters; portable electrostatic instrumentation; ground strap testers; material analyzers; chambers, controllers, and rooms; static level monitoring systems, resistance and resistivity meters and probes; simulation equipment, and static control audit kits.

ETS is located in Glenside (near Philadelphia), a part of Abington Township, located in Montgomery County in eastern Pennsylvania. Along with its natural charm and beauty, Montgomery County is exceptionally rich in American history. One of the best known sites is the Valley Forge National Historical Park,a 3,500 acre preserve commemorating the six month winter encampment of General George Washington and his fledgling Continental Army.

Founded in 1970 to further the development of electrostatic measurement technology, Electro-Tech Systems is now considered a world leader in developing specialized electrostatic measuring, monitoring and simulation equipment for the ESD industry.

The ETS facility operates out of a 1790 farmhouse and barn that has been incorporated into new structures that now include over 12, 000 sq.ft. Stanley Weitz, founder and president of ETS describes the decor as being "early law office." Mr. Weitz received his BSEE from Purdue University along with graduate work at the University of Pennsylvania and Penn State University.

Acquired by Mr. Weitz in 1976, ETS has grown under his strong leadership and is now a leader in the static control industry. As a member of many military and industry associations including the ESD Association, Mr. Weitz is directly responsible for many specifications and test procedures used to classify static control materials and products. Pictured here are Stan and his wife Joyce attending the ESD Symposium.

As the static control industry grew, ETS was there designing and making instruments for the standards as they were being developed. Many of the company's instruments are now industry standards for the measurements of static dissipation, surface/volume resistance, static shielding and ESD simulation. A few of the many firsts created by ETS includes; the first ESD simulation equipment for testing components as well as the first ESD gun. ETS in collaboration with Ike Rupe of Naval Avionics developed a surface resistance probe that is now the ESD Association's standard probe for S11.11. It is called the Ike probe, named after Mr. Rupe. Another first that Mr. Weitz remembers is the purchase by 3M of the first instrument created by ETS.

From the company's beginning it has supplied the ESD industry with humidity/temperature controllers and chambers for certification of materials, as well as developed a complete line of chambers, control systems and rooms to meet the requirements of a wide variety of industries throughout the world.

From time to time ETS has been involved in many diverse projects. One of the most unusual requests recalled with amusement by Mr. Weitz concerned birth control pills! It seemed that as the pills were being packaged, some of them were not going into the package, therefore, packages of pills were being shipped around the country without pills to take on certain days. ETS has been called upon to help with ESD problems on a wide assortment of products from diapers to explosive devices.

The ETS Independent ESD Material Testing Laboratory is recognized as a world leader in performing electrostatic testing of materials and products in accordance with commercial, military and in-house customer standards. And their consulting services brings solutions to electrostatic and humidity/temperature related problems in industries where static electricity or environmental conditions can affect productivity or safety.

As any concerned citizen would be, ETS gives back to its community in a variety of ways. Local school programs such as the little league and internships enjoy a special relationship with them. Charities such as The Red Cross and The United Way also enjoy the support of ETS.

For more information on ETS products and services, visit them on the internet at:

www.electrotechsystems.com