mechanical power model
At the Power Integrations booth, there was a mechanical representation of a power supply, including a weighted flywheel for a capacitor and clutches for the MOSFETS!

I recently returned from a week at the leading convention for electronic components and technology, the 2006 Electronica Show in Munich, Germany. A total of 2,961 international exhibitors covered an overall exhibition area of 152,000 square meters of floor space spanning the New Munich Trade Fair Center’s 14 halls.

The big news included multicore processors and advanced wireless networks along with next-generation automotive systems and digital power management technology. The show was so big and busy I wound up losing 6 pounds over the course of the show.

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Every trade show I’ve ever been to looks this chaotic the night before, yet everything is always in place when the doors open in the morning. Crates stacked all over, people looking for their exhibit materials, and asses and elbows everywhere.

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Munich, where the event was held, was littered with artsy lions in the manner of the cow parade.

Here are more pictures of the infamous painted ladies at the Congatec booth. I must admit I had to look at the photos I took to remember what company was showing off the ladies. The double-edged sword of booth babes: too hot and you don’t even notice the stand they’re at!

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Most booths used more traditional means to get attendees to notice them, with very pretty but clothed booth ladies. Here’s a charming lady from RITDisplay showing off their slim OLED display.

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As I mentioned, it is a huge show and you spend all day running. I had to go to the Hofbrau house every night for some liquid carbohydrate loading. Here I am with a group of power industry analysts and their spouses from the Darnell Group

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Check back tomorrow for more pictures from the show!



  1. James Hill says:

    That one motherboard has an odd knob-like protrusion on it. Huh.

  2. bill says:

    Blonds do have more fun!

  3. JoaoPT says:

    I don’t find bodypaint all that sexy…
    Gimme a booth babe with a pretty face and genuine sympathy anyday.

    Skin comes out better on photos though…

  4. Angel H. Wong says:

    Don’t be fooled by their looks! German geeks ARE KINKY!

  5. Eideard says:

    Cripes, Alix — it’s going to take days to digest all this stuff. What a wonderful trip.

  6. joshua says:

    Those beer mugs give a whole new meaning to the phrase…..**Honey, I’m just going to have a couple beers**.

  7. Smartalix says:

    The beautiful part is the beer is wonderfully fresh, and since it still complies with German purity laws doesn’t give you a massive hangover the next day.

    Eidard, you don’t know the half of it. European shows dwarf ours. Each of the 14 halls at the show would be a trade show in its own right here. They’re split by product category, so one hall has opto, one semiconductors, two for boards (bare and populated), automotive, etc.


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