Circuits Assembly articles from May 2003

Circuits Assembly archives from May 2003

Scares.(Editorial)
May 1, 2003... Some serious worries exist in the world today: faceless terrorists, war and unrest, and my 401K statement. Add one more to the list: SARS. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome has swept Asia, Europe and North America for over six months, leaving...

Problems with OEM outsourcing.(Letter)(original equipment manufacturers)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Regarding Pare Gordon's article ["When OEMs Outsource Too Much" December 2002], another strategic error many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) make is outsourcing test development to their contract manufacturer (CM), whose core competency...

Editorial questions desperate measures.(Letters)
May 1, 2003... In regards to your editorial entitled "Desperate Times... " [March 2003], my only comment is that desperate times were brought on by ourselves... corporate greed for ultimate profit. If you want to stay in biz, you've got to move to China! ...

Les Hymes gets it right again.(Letters)
May 1, 2003... Just finished your column ["No Cleaning Required?" February 2003] in Circuits Assembly magazine. Bravo! An excellent one-page summary of the traps to be concerned about in no-clean assembly. I didn't think it could be done, but you did it....

www.EMC-Net.com.(Web Sites Worth Mentioning)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The ETL Semko division o Intertek Testing Services has launched e Web-based electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) project initiation and tracking tool. Customers can initiate new projects, accept or decline work orders, track the status of EMC...

www.uic.com.(Web Sites Worth Mentioning)(Universal Instruments Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Universal Instruments has added a shopping cart feature to its Web site, enabling users to order spare parts and services in a secure environment. The company has also added software support services for its chipshooter products.

www.solderingtech.com.(Web Sites Worth Mentioning)(Soldering Technology International Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Soldering Technology International has recently redesigned its Web site to include links to manufacturers' MSDS and technical data sheets, enhanced product information for electronic assembly and solder supplies, solder training kits and dummy...

www.knsconnect.com.(Web Sites Worth Mentioning)(Kulicke and Soffa)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Kulicke & Soffa's online business center now offers customers access products, services and technical resources at any time of the day, Customers can electronically con duct research, submit forecasting on-line, submit design requests, check...

Correction from March NetGain: www.tecnomatix.com.(Web Sites Worth Mentioning)
May 1, 2003... Tecnomatix introduces new Web site for French-speaking customers.

Correction from March NetGain: www.chickenjoke.com.(Web Sites Worth Mentioning)
May 1, 2003... How do you think people like George Gush, Captain Kirk or Aristotle would answer the age-old question, "Why did the chicken cross the road?"

www.circuitsassembly.com/resource/survey_index.html.(Surveys and Guides)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... All of the Circuits Assembly equipment surveys are now updated! Find information or front-end software pick and place equipment, reflow ovens, inspection equipment, rework/repair equipment, screen printers and wave soldering equipment.

www.circuitsassembly.com/resource/dems.html.(Surveys and Guides)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Are you an EMS provider wanting to attract more OEM customers? Then, don't miss the opportunity for your free listing in the original Directory of Electronics Manufacturing Services Providers (DEMS).

Circuits Assembly Online www.circuitsassembly.com.(Net gain: the latest the internet has to offer)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... * APEX 2002 Past-Show Wrap-Up Circuits Assembly Staff * Real-Time Improvement of PCBAs Terence Collier EXPANDED ONLINE EXCLUSIVES: * On the Road: China Adventures Joe Belmonte and Wolf Spring, Cookson Electronics * SMTA...

Nam Tai, JCT to manufacture one million cell phones.(Industry News)(Nam Tai Electronics Inc.)(JCT Wireless Technology Company Ltd.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Nam Tai Electronics Inc. (Vancouver, British Columbia, www.namtai.com}, an electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider, has announced that JCT Wireless Technology Co. Ltd (Hong Kong), a wholly owned subsidiary of Alpha Star Investment...

BAE systems selects Cogiscan for MSD control.(Industry News)(BAE SYSTEMS Information and Electronic Warfare Integration Inc.)(Cogiscan Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Information and Electronic Warfare Systems, a unit of BAE Systems North America (Rockville, MD, www.baesystems.com), has installed Cogiscan's (Quebec, Canada, www.cogiscan.com) Moisture Sensitive Device (MSD) Control system in their Nashua, NH,...

Titan General Holdings acquires Assets of Eastern Manufacturing.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Ventures-National Inc., dba Titan General Holdings, Inc. (Fremont, CA, www.titanems.com), a manufacturer of printed circuit boards (PCBs), has announced that it closed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Eastern Manufacturing...

GSI Lumonics (Wilmington, MA), a supplier of laser-based automated and advanced manufacturing systems and components, was recognized by Samsung Electronics as one of its top 20 equipment suppliers.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... GSI Lumonics (Wilmington, MA), a supplier of laser-based automated and advanced manufacturing systems and components, was recognized by Samsung Electronics as one of its top 20 equipment suppliers. Samsung uses GSI Lumonics' WaferRepair system...

Valtronic USA Inc.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Valtronic USA Inc. (Solon, OH), a firm Specializing in electronic contract manufacturing, has announced that its quality management system has been renewed as compliant with the ISO 9002:1994 International Quality System Standard. The...

Pomona Electronics.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Pomona Electronics (Everett, WA) has transferred its manufacturing, administrative and public relations operations from Pomona, CA, to Everett, WA. The new address is: 9028 Evergreen Way, MIS 85 Everett, WA, 98204; www.pomonaelectronics.com.

Teradyne ATD.(Teradyne GmbH)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Teradyne ATD Marcoms Europe & Asia, TCS Press Relations Asia & Europe has moved. The new address is: Teradyne GmbH, Dingolfinger Str. 2, 81673, Munich, Germany; +49 89 41 8610.

Noveon Inc. (Cleveland, OH), a producer of advanced specialty chemicals, has purchased sheet extrusion technology and other assets from SJM Eurostat S.A.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Noveon Inc. (Cleveland, OH), a producer of advanced specialty chemicals, has purchased sheet extrusion technology and other assets from SJM Eurostat S.A. (SJM, Point-de-Poitte, France), a supplier of electrostatic discharge (ESD) control...

Lightspeed Manufacturing Inc.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... A new electronics manufacturing services (EMS) company, Lightspeed Manufacturing Inc. (Methuen, MA), will focus on ball grid array (BGA) services and has already shipped its first product. For more information, contact Rich Breault, president,...

CirTran Corp. (Salt Lake City, UT), a contract electronics manufacturer of printed circuit board assemblies, cables and harnesses announced that it has received follow-on orders from Parvus Corp.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... CirTran Corp. (Salt Lake City, UT), a contract electronics manufacturer of printed circuit board assemblies, cables and harnesses announced that it has received follow-on orders from Parvus Corp. (Salt Lake City UT). The latest order is for the...

DDi Corp. (Anaheim, CA), a provider of interconnect services for the electronics industry, has announced that its subsidiary, Dynamic Details Inc. (Sterling, VA), has met all requirements for certification by the Defense Supply Center, Columbus (DSCC) for MIL-PRF-31032.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... DDi Corp. (Anaheim, CA), a provider of interconnect services for the electronics industry, has announced that its subsidiary, Dynamic Details Inc. (Sterling, VA), has met all requirements for certification by the Defense Supply Center, Columbus...

EKRA joins SECAP.(Industry News)(Semiconductor Equipment Consortium for Advanced Packaging)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... EKRA (Boennigheim, Germany, www.ekra.com), a provider of screen printing and material deposition technology, has recently joined the Semiconductor Equipment Consortium for Advanced Packaging (SECAP, www.secap.org). The SECAP charter is to bring...

2003 Service Excellence Award winners announced at APEX.(Industry News)
May 1, 2003... UP Media Group Inc. has announced the winners of the 2003 Service Excellence Awards (SEAs) for Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) Providers and Electronics Assembly Equipment and Software Suppliers, Circuits Assembly magazine recognized...

Cencorp/PMJ celebrates 25th anniversary.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Cencorp/PMJ (Longmont, CO, www.cencorp.com) is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a manufacturer of depaneling equipment for the electronics assembly and high: density interconnect industries. Cencorp has been serving customers in these...

SMTA, Auburn U. Cosponsor Harsh Environments Workshops.(Industry News)(Surface Mount Technology Association)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA, Minneapolis, MN, www.smta.org) is cooperating with Auburn University CAVE (Auburn, AL) to organize a workshop on Harsh Environments and High-Temperature Electronics to be held June 24-25, in...

Assembly East joins NEPCON East/Electro in Boston.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Reed Exhibitions (Norwalk, CT, www.reedexpo.com) announced recently that Assembly East, the company's Philadelphia-based trade event for final product assembly, will join NEPCON East/Electro, June 10-11, at the Bayside Expo and Conference...

National Physical Laboratory projects announced.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Electronics Systems Design Centre (ESDC) at the University of Kent and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL, Middlesex, UK, www.npl.co.uk) are collaborating to address worries that current test methods for electromigration based on DC...

Universal instruments hits the road with five traveling shows.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Universal Instruments (Binghamton, NY, www.uic.com) has announced a series of road show events to take place across North America in 2003. The company's objective is to further strengthen customer relationships and to present its new products,...

MAPICS, Georgia Tech pilot program for electronics manufacturers.(Industry News)
May 1, 2003... MAPICS Inc. (Atlanta, GA, www.mapics.com), a provider of enterprise resource planning (ERP) and supply chain software for manufacturers, has announced that it has broadened its relationship with The Georgia Institute of Technology's (Georgia...

Nam Tai Electronics Inc.(People)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Nam Tai Electronics Inc. (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) has announced that Dr. William Lo Wing Yan has accepted the board of director's invitation to stand as a director nominee at the company's annual shareholders meeting in June. Lo is...

LEDtronics.(People)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... LEDtronics (Torrance, CA) has appointed Jeffrey Mizel (pictured) as district sales manager for upstate New York, New York City, northern New Jersey, Florida and Puetro Rico. Mizel has over 32 years' experience in the electronics industry.

QuadTech.(People)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Jeffrey St. Onge has joined QuadTech (Maynard, MA), an electronic test equipment manufacturer, as an application engineer to support the complete product line. St. Onge was previously in charge of new product development and project design with...

Borisch Manufacturing Corp.(People)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... (BMC, Grand Rapids, MI), an electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider, has hired Leslie White as a materials engineer. White has been with BMC since 2001. Jamie Miller has also been hired as lean implementation engineer. Miller will...

RBP Chemical Technology.(People)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Chemlex Division of RBP Chemical Technology (Milwaukee, WI) has appointed Rob Coleman as director of sales and marketing. Coleman has experience as a manufacturer's representative, a general manager in a printed circuit hoard (PCB) shop and...

Cernotec.(People)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Cernotec (Greenville, SC), a provider of turnkey manufacturing solutions, has named Jason Premo as executive vice president. Premo brings more the 10 years of manufacturing leadership experience to his new position.

Improved production yields boost demand for inspection equipment.(Market Watch)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... As the sluggish economy and weakening demand force manufacturers to improve quality and increase production yields, the market for surface-mount inspection equipment--especially automatic optical inspection (AOI)--is seeing new growth...

Component orders remain stable amid uncertainty.(Market Watch)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Amid concerns such as the war in Iraq and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), component orders remained flat in the first quarter of 2003, according to the monthly index issued by the Electronic Components, Assemblies & Materials...

February 2003 IMS/PCB Book-to-Bill.(Market Watch)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... IPC--Association Connecting Electronics Industries announced the findings from its monthly Interconnect Manufacturing Services (IMS)/Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Statistical Program. The IPC PCB Presidents Council recently selected IMS as a...

Enthone appoints marketing director for performance coatings in Asia.(Asia Watch)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Amy Tsang has been promoted to director of marketing-performance coatings, Asia, by Enthone Inc., a Cookson Electronics PWB Materials & Chemistry (West Haven, CT, www.cooksonelectronics.com) business. Tsang will have direct responsibility for...

IC processing equipment sales flat in Mainland China.(Asia Watch)(integrated circuits)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... According to a new report, the consumption of integrated circuits (ICs) in China will be staggering between 2002 to 2005, a mixed blessing for equipment manufacturers. The report, "Mainland China's Semiconductor and Equipment Markets: A...

Teradyne opens Shanghai facility.(Asia Watch)(Teradyne Inc.)
May 1, 2003... Teradyne Inc. (Nashua, NH, www.teradyne.com) has opened the doors of a new Shanghai office and manufacturing facility, expanding the company's operations in China. The 84,000 sq. ft. office will serve Chinese and multinational customers...

EV group opens joint venture company in Taiwan.(Asia Watch)(EVG-Jointech Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... EV Group (EVG, Scharding, Austria, www.evgroup.com), a manufacturer of microelectro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and semiconductor wafer processing equipment, recently held the official opening celebration at the new joint venture company,...

Setting the foundations: a look at China's infrastructure development for the semiconductor industry.(On the Forefront)
May 1, 2003... In March 2003, Shanghai hosted the 13th SEMICON China, highlighting the growth of the semiconductor manufacturing industry infrastructure in China. The show, sponsored by Semiconductor Equipment and Material International (SEMI), has come a...

Solderability and traceability: les addresses surface finish concerns and component identity tracking.(Ask Les)
May 1, 2003... Q: Our assemblies will soon be incorporating 0.75 mm and 0.5 mm micro-ball grid arrays (BGAs) on FR-4 printed wiring boards (PWBs). Will a hot-air solder leveling (HASL) surface finish on the boards be flat enough for reproducible results with...

China Tales; two men. One country. Many observations.(On the Road)
May 1, 2003... Over the past several years, much of our business has migrated to Asia and most recently to China. To better assess our situation and implement practices there, we were asked to travel to Asia last fall to support our equipment group based in...

Manufacturing with 0201s: the latest developments: placing and inspecting these tiny components are still major challenges. But our authors reveal a process to drop in 0201 with near Six Sigma results.(0201s)
May 1, 2003... The use of 0201 components is an enabling technology to further the miniaturization process of electronic products. Many consumer product development teams have been interested in using 0201 components but have not yet implemented them on a...

Investigating 0201 printing issues and stencil design: experimental results on printer settings, stencil design and stencil technology for 0201s.(Screen Printing)
May 1, 2003... Many of today's consumer electronic products require miniaturization of components and high-density assembly on printed circuit boards (PCBs). With these demands, 0201 packages have become an interesting topic to study in electronics...

The most important integrated passive R&D projects:a top five list.(Emerging Technologies)
May 1, 2003... Integrated passives seem to be coming with both the speed and certainty of a glacier They are going to happen, but when, in what forms and to what extent? One reason for the slow implementation is that important technical questions are still...

Avoiding board bounce: addressing root causes of digital noise and test instability.(Test)
May 1, 2003... Test stability and signal fidelity problems during in-circuit digital testing have long plagued test engineers. Progressively higher-speed logic families and larger integrated circuit (IC) packages continue to exacerbate these problems. What...

A3 thermal transfer printer from cab.(Assembly Insider)(Technology Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The first in a series of exciting new innovations in label printing. More standard features and versatility, and ingeniously simplified ease of use will quickly make this printer a leader in the labeling industry. cab Technology Inc. ...

Witness the difference.(Assembly Insider)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Leading the x-ray inspection field, Doge announces the XD6600--XiDAT a groundbreaking Digital X-Ray System with outstanding image resolution. grayscale analysis and ease of operation. The XiDAT system acquires images with a resolution of...

Affordable AOI solution.(Assembly Insider)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The cost effective MV-2BT bench top AOI system is designed for the low to medium volume, high mix customer. The system's strengths are in its ease of programming and flexibility to be utilized anywhere in the manufacturing process, i.e.,...

PCBUPdate: news and resources for PCB industry professionals.(Assembly Insider)
May 1, 2003... PCB UPdate is a semimonthly e-mail newsletter from UP Media Group, which provides subscribers with the terrific editorial content and expertise of UPMG's two industry magazines: Printed Circuit Design & Manufacture and Circuits Assembly....

Recon.inc.(Assembly Insider)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... RECON.INC is located in Concord, minutes from Charlotte North Carolina. Our 30,000 sq. ft. facility is equipped to meet the needs of the industry. Our normal hours of operation are Monday through Friday 9am. to 6pm EST. Emergency technical...

Positioning system.(NEPCON East Product Preview)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Onyx 32 provides fully automated, selective assembly and rework, including pick, align, place and reflow. Alignment accuracy is less than 3 microns with load cell force placement. Options allow programmable dispensing (solder paste, flux or...

X-Ray inspection system.(NEPCON East Product Preview)(Glenbrook Technologies Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Jewel Box 70-T is a high-resolution, real-time x-ray inspection system for laboratory and failure analysis applications. The system can provide magnification from 15 to 500X. The system includes a five-axis positioner with 360[degrees] rotation...

Thermal direct/transfer printers.(NEPCON East Product Preview)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The A-Series family of thermal direct/thermal transfer printers has graphic LCD displays, navigator pads, USB peripherals, net work control with e-mail alerts and stand alone printing for easy use. The advanced design features minimal...

X-Ray inspection system.(NEPCON East Product Preview)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The FX-160.40 (T.I.G.E.R.) x-ray system offers oblique angle views, geometric magnification of up to 636X and a new, larger sample tray area of 610 x 610 mm (24 x 24 in.) to accommodate larger boards and multi up flip chip assemblies. The 2-D...

Desoldering ribbon.(NEPCON East Product Preview)(Plato Products Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Matrix desoldering ribbon is constructed with four layers of fine precision copper screen wire mesh to remove more solder faster than conventional wick braided wick, resulting in less heat stress to boards and components and greater operator...

Pulse bonder.(NEPCON East Product Preview)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... A new line of machines for pulse heat bonding and soldering, primarily of flex circuits, have a variety of applications, including: FLEX to printed circuit board (PCB); heat seal connectors to LCD and PCB; tape automated bonding (TAB) to PCB;...

No-clean solder paste.(NEPCON East Product Preview)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... NC253 is a pin probeable, no-clean solder paste that can accommodate a range of assembly processes. The paste offers low residues, extended idle time, tack time and stencil life and prints at high speed without slumping. The solder has proven...

Digital control unit.(NEPCON East Product Preview)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The DI 3000 digital, dual port soldering station allows users to connect soldering irons and/or hot tweezers. The microprocessor controlled automatic switch allows one tool to rest at a sleep temperature while using the other. The station's...

Stereo zoom microscope.(NEPCON East Product Preview)(Vision Engineering Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The LYNX stereo-zoom microscope produces images to 120X on a large viewing area. Patented technology promotes operator comfort and eliminates neck and back strain. The microscope's features include 6 to 40X magnification, image brilliance and...

Routing system.(Product Spotlight)(Cencorp L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The TR2100 circuit-side router for final processing of electronics assemblies in high-volume, high-mix environments is capable of rout speeds of up to 51 mm (2 in.)/sec. and slew speeds of up to 510 mm (20 in.)/sec. Servo repeatability is [+ or...

Substrate fill process.(Product Spotlight)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Via Fill system delivers 100% fill of substrate vias with no voids, minimal surface residue and aspect ratios of up to 8:1. The process solves problems such as insufficient fill, voiding, poor throughput and excessive handling of the...

Surface-mount adhesive.(Product Spotlight)(Henkel Loctite Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Chipbonder 3627 is a surface-mount adhesive formulated for either high-speed stencil printing or high speed dispensing applications. The product may be dispensed at rates of 40,000+ DPH and is fully jettable. The controlled rheology provides...

Placement platform.(Product Spotlight)(Universal Instruments Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Vantis is a placement platform to meet the needs of small-to mid-size consumer electronics, audio-visual equipment, personal computer and peripheral manufacturers. The platform incorporates a single-beam positioning system and supports a...

Elementary, my dear rework technician: uncovering the mysteries of 2-D x-ray inspection.(Rework and Repair Deport)
May 1, 2003... Reworking high mix/low-volume ball grid array (BGA) packages requires the discipline and attention to detail of a hard-nosed detective. One essential tool for the successful sleuth is x-ray inspection. Rework departments examine BGAs after...