CircuiTree articles from February 2003

CircuiTree archives from February 2003

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2003... Don't Play Dead I read the letter entitled "It's Just No Fun Anymore" in [the December 20021 issue. I have been in the board business since 1966, and I am still very much active. I love this business. I believe no one has had more fun in...

North American companies seek rebirth in profitability. (The Way We See It).(Endicott Interconnect Technologies, Gorilla Circuits, Chemcut Corp.)
February 1, 2003... Who would invest in the North American printed circuit market after two years of negative growth? Don't look to Wall Street, who has abandoned our industry faster than rats fleeing the Titanic. No, the people who are investing in our industry...

Hole preparation & metalization of high aspect ratio, high reliability: back panels part-2.
February 1, 2003... Any fabrication facility that institutes "best practices" in the "plating process" areas will see significant improvements in quality, productivity, and cost reduction. This article is a starting point. Graphite Based Direct Metalization...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
February 1, 2003... In Part One of "Hole Preparation and Metalization of High Aspect Ratio-High Reliability Back Panels," (January 2003, page 35), Table 2 and 3 incorrectly record the desmear and solvent systems temperatures in Centigrade. In fact, the...

I told you so. (Fein-Lines).(advice for printed wiring board companies: reduce costs, lobby for more business-friendly laws)(Column)
February 1, 2003... Provide a quality, needed product, service and a low price and you will gain business. Sound simple? Do you agree? If it is so evident and simple, then why is there so much doom and gloom, finger-pointing and blame almost to the point of...

Enthone. (People).(Dave Penman named vp of operations)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... West Haven, CT -- Dave Penman was appointed Vice President of Operations by Enthone Inc., a Cookson Electronics PWB Materials & Chemistry business. He is responsible for global manufacturing operations, quality assurance, as well as health,...

RD Chemical. (People).(Wayne Rauser named technical service representative)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Mountain View, CA -- RD Chemical appointed Wayne Rauser as Technical Service Representative. He has extensive experience in the application and sales of process chemicals, as well as manufacturing, from large backplanes to chip substrates...

IPC board members. (People).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Northbrook, IL -- IPC membership elected new directors at its 2002 IPC Annual Meeting. The individuals elected to the board of directors for two-year terms, beginning January 1, 2003, include: Stanley P. Gentry (Noble Industries Ltd.), Stephen...

Jabil Circuit. (People).(Mark Mondello promoted to chief operating officer)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... St. Petersburg, FL -- Jabil Circuit Inc. named Mark Mondello Chief Operating Officer. He joined Jabil in 1992, and has been Senior Vice President, Business Development since January 1999. Mondello succeeds Ron Rapp, who retires this month after...

NEMI. (People).(Robert C. Pfahl Jr. named vp of operations by National Electronics Manufacturing Initiative )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Herdon, VA -- The National Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (NEMI) named Robert C. Pfahl Jr. vice president of operations. Pfahl replaces Ron Gedney, who is retiring at the end of this year. Pfahl retired as director of international and...

Electro Scientific Industries. (People).(names James T. Dooley as president, CEO)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Portland, OR -- Electro Scientific Industries Inc. named James T. Dooley as president and CEO. He was also elected a director of the company. Dooley has been senior vice president, CFO, and acting COO of ESI since April 2002. He joined the...

Ceco Industries. (People).(appoints Greg Sullivan as Technology Director)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Ceco Industries Inc. appointed Greg Sullivan as Technology Director. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force School of Applied Aerospace Sciences, he comes to Ceco with over 22 years experience in PCB fabrication as an Applications Engineer for...

Executive explanations.(Interview)
February 1, 2003... Each month, CircuiTree publishes an interview with a business leader from the printed circuit industry. This month's guest is Greg Albert, CEO of Kaneka High-Tech Materials Inc., maker of polyimide film for the PCB industry. Q: Many...

VOGT electronic FUBA makes its own rules: one of Germany's largest printed circuit manufacturers weathered 2002 by making some unorthodox choices.(Company Profile)
February 1, 2003... Like many PCB manufacturers the world over, VOGT electronic FUBA GmbH professes, the importance of customer relationships, quality product, and value-added processes. So what makes this German PCB fabricator unique? In a word, unorthodoxy. By...

Fiber Bragg Gratings. (Seeing the Light).(examined as method of using electrons to transfer information)
February 1, 2003... Historically, electrons have been used to move information, for instance in the interconnect industry. Electrons are usually transmitted via metal wires, like copper, gold, or aluminum, to name a few. While this method is well understood,...

ETI sells equipment to W.L. Gore. (Suppliers).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Equipment Technologies Inc. (ETI) sold rebuilt equipment to W.L. Gore, including an etcher, stripper, developer, exposure unit and a hot roll laminator. ETI also worked with Gore's engineering staff to devise an electrolytic copper line. ETI's...

Coherent acquires MDI. (Suppliers).(Molectron Detector Inc)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Santa Clara, CA -- Coherent Inc. signed a definitive agreement to acquire Molectron Detector Inc. (MDI) for $11.5 million in cash. MDI (Portland, OR) designs and manufactures laser test and measurement equipment used across all photonics based...

Atotech appointed distributor of Peters' special inks. (Suppliers).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Berlin, Germany -- Atotech was appointed exclusive distributor of the whole range of inks for the production of PCBs and of auxiliary products by Lackwerke Peters (Kempen, Germany) for Asia. Under the agreement, Atotech will exclusively offer...

Fujifilm, Patterning Technologies sign license deal. (Suppliers).(Fujifilm Electronic Imaging Ltd)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Fujifilm Electronic Imaging Ltd. (FFEI) signed an exclusive licensing deal with Patterning Technologies Ltd. (PTL) to use Jetmask[TM] technology for inkjet processes within the PCB Industry. The license includes legend, etch mask and solder...

Gould widens distributor agreement with Insulectro. (Suppliers).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Eastlake, OH -- Gould Electronics Inc. completed the consolidation of its U.S. product distribution by naming Insulectro as the exclusive distributor to PCB manufacturers for its CAC[R] (Copper-Aluminum-Copper) foil and related products in the...

Samsung places order with ESI. (Suppliers).(Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co Ltd, Electro Scientific Industries Inc)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Portland, OR -- Electro Scientific Industries Inc. announced a multi-system order for Model 5430 UV Laser Microvia Drilling Systems from Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co. Ltd. The systems were shipped during ESI's second fiscal quarter, ending on...

Fraunhofer Institute confirms HMS capabilities. (Suppliers).(HMS Hollmuller capable of producing 20 pm printed conductor widths)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Fraunhofer Institute confirmed that HMS Hollmuller is capable of producing 20 pm printed conductor widths and clearances. The evaluation was based on the resolution test structure formed. With this test structure (resolution star), various...

Parlex, Hypoguard sign agreement. (Suppliers).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Methuen, MA -- Parlex Corp.'s U.K. subsidiary, Poly-Flex Circuits Ltd., signed a manufacturing and supply agreement to supply blood glucose sensors for use in Hypoguard Ltd.'s new generation of blood glucose monitors. Hypoguard develops,...

Isola awarded ISO 9001:2000 for all locations. (Suppliers).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Dueren, Germany -- Isola AG registered for compliance to the ISO 9000 international quality management standard ISO 9001:2000. All of Isola's locations in Asia, Europe and the U.S. are registered by the independent global certifying agency TUV...

Orbotech authorizes TRI-C Design. (Suppliers).(as Orbotech CAM automation provider for Genesis 2000 software)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Northfield, MN--TRI-C Design Inc. was named an "authorized Orbotech CAM automation provider" by Orbotech Inc. for Genesis 2000[TM] software. The relationship makes TRI-C Design a key resource for PCB and flexible PCB makers seeking automation...

TraX Interconnect chooses ACS Technologies. (Suppliers).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... ACS Technologies Inc. announced that TraX Interconnect (Diep River, South Africa) ordered the patent-pending TruCure model TC243 LPI solder mask final cure system.

Visteon selects Valor's DFM solution. (Suppliers).(Valor Computerized Systems Ltd, Design for Manufacturability)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Yavne, Israel -- Valor Computerized Systems Ltd. sold its Enterprise 3000 DFM (Design for Manufacturability) solution to U.S.-based Visteon Corp. Visteon will use Valor's system in the manufacturing verification processes.

Muscat buys Nubal assets. (Suppliers).(Nubal Electronics Ltd.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Maidstone, UK -- Nubal Electronics Ltd.'s assets were purchased by Muscat Ltd., a manufacturer of production and material handling machinery for the PCB industry. Muscat has hired most of the technical staff from Nubal, and operates an Asian...

Advanced Plasma Systems, March Plasma Systems merge. (Suppliers).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Concord, CA -- March Plasma Systems integrated with Advanced Plasma Systems under the March name. Production, applications support and contract services for the PCB products will remain in Florida at the St. Petersburg facility. APS specializes...

Technic buys Radiant Heat assets. (Suppliers).(Technic Equipment Division)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Pawtucket, RI -- Technic Equipment Division purchased selected assets at auction of Radiant Heat Inc., a supplier of infrared, hot air and contact heaters used in industrial applications. Items include customer lists, blueprints and...

Intelicoat to close Spartanburg plant. (Suppliers).(InteliCoat Technologies)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... South Hadley, MA -- InteliCoat Technologies announced it will "phase out" production at the company's Spartanburg, S.C. plant by the end of April. Company acquisitions, combined with the consolidation of production capacity in fewer plants,...

Time for a change. (Asian Aspects).
February 1, 2003... Happy New Year! I hope that everyone had a good holiday season. Here in Japan the weather has been cold and adding to the economic chill. There doesn't seem to he much good news to report from Japan. However, it doesn't seem to have much of an...

Processing PTFE circuits: everything you ever needed to know to make fluoropolymer RF and microwave circuit boards without a general anesthesia.
February 1, 2003... Teflon[R] (PTFE) printed circuits, wireless antennas, base stations and wireless subassemblies are on the increase. PTFE laminates, as double-sided PCBs or as single layer FR4 composite subassemblies, have become commonplace. PCB shops...

Multilayer flex circuit construction alternatives. (Flexible Thinking).
February 1, 2003... Multilayer flex circuits are much less common than their rigid laminate counterparts. There are a number of reasons why this has remained the case for many years. Cost of materials, handling concerns, and a general lack of experienced vendors...

TTM Technologies acquires Honeywell's ACI operation for $2 million.(Advanced Circuits)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Redmond, WA -- Illustrating that North America's printed circuit industry is still in flux, TTM Technologies Inc. acquired Honeywell's Advanced Circuits operation (ACI) for just $2 million, including fees and expenses. "Advanced Circuits...

Time for a change: innovation in interconnects. (Happy Thoughts).(Industry Overview)
February 1, 2003... I'll resist the temptation to complain about the current state of our industry. Having worked with the Chinese (and lived there) for four years, I have learned to be patient, and focus on the "Few Important Topics." I've attended many long...

LPKF presents ProtoMat H100 PCB plotter. (Products).(LPKF Laser & Electronics)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Wilsonville, OR -- LPKF Laser & Electronics demonstrated a revolutionary new system, the ProtoMat H100, at Electronica. By doubling its maximum milling speed compared to prior top-of-the-line systems (it can reach up to 4" per second), it...

Polyclad introduces polyimide laminate and prepreg systems. (Products).(Polyclad Laminates Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Londonderry, NH -- Polyclad Laminates Inc. introduced a new line of polyimide copper-clad laminates and prepregs. Based on bismaleimide (BMI) type resin, the systems are engineered for use in rigid, high temperature PWB applications. The pure...

DownStream Technologies reveals CAM350[TM] V 7.6. (Products).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Bolton, MA -- DownStream Technologies LLC announced CAM350[TM] V 7.6, the latest version of its mainstream PCB Fabrication Flow Solution. CAM350 is used by PCB designers to correct fabrication errors early in the design process, and by PCB...

Viking Test Services launch Web site, announce sales. (Products).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Viking Test Services launched a new web site: www.vikingtest.com. The new site has full details about the services and equipment offered from Viking Test Services. In other news, Viking sold more MicroCraft Emma test systems. TraX...

Bassi Trading introduces IR-Fastcure. (Products).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... San Juan Capistrano, CA -- Bassi Trading Inc. introduced the IR-Fastcure, a new line of IR conveyorized curing systems for sob der mask and legend ink. The IR-Fastcure oven comes in six standard curing chamber lengths, and seven IR lamp widths....

Atotech. (Products).(presents new electroless copper system)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... As a CPCA World Premiere, Atotech presents the advantages of a new electroless copper system: The development was focused on enhancing electroless copper adhesion especially for high performance base materials. Aurotech HP is a new ENIG process...

The PCB industry loses pioneer in Ken Armitage. (Products).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... It is with a heavy heart that we at Lazer-Tech Ltd. must inform the printed circuit board world of the passing of Ken Armitage. Ken was the president and owner of Lazer-Tech, located in Toronto, Canada. A pioneer in the Canadian PCB...

Endicott Interconnect Technologies makes fresh tracks.(Company Profile)
February 1, 2003... Sold by IBM to local investors because it was no longer considered a "core competency." Endicott is out to prove it can compete anywhere in the world CirculTree has covered the sprawling printed circuit facility in Endicott twice before:...

2002 North American wrap up & 2003-2006 global outlook. (Market Outlook).(Industry Overview)
February 1, 2003... Based upon IPC data for January-November, 2002, it appears that total dollar shipments of rigid and flexible circuits in N. America declined about 19% in 2002 vs. 2001 (Chart 1). However, flex circuits ($1 billion, 0% growth) fared much better...

IPC-California Circuits Association launches educational program. (Fabrication).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... The IPC California Circuits Association (CCA) launched a program to enhance the English skills of PCB workers in California. Fifteen students from Pro-Tech and TIM Technologies are meeting in the TIM facility twice weekly for two hours each...

GSPK, Cooper Menvier Group announce deal. (Fabrication).(GSPK Circuits Ltd)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Knaresborough, UK -- GSPK Circuits Ltd. secured a multi-million pound supply agreement with the Cooper Menvier Group. GSPK will supply the Cooper Menvier companies (Mitcheldean and Cwmbran, UK) with PCBs. The European roll-out of this deal will...

CMK to transfer domestic PCB production to SE Asia. (Fabrication).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Tokyo, Japan -- According to published reports, Japanese PCB maker CMK Corp. will consolidate its PWB business by the end of next year, reducing the company's manufacturing costs by 300 million yen. CMK will maintain its global PCB capacity of...

IMI receives ISO 9001:2000. (Fabrication).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Haverhill, MA -- IMI Inc. received a certificate of registration to ISO 9001:2000 from Perry Johnson Registrars. This ISO certification follows a long commitment to the internationally recognized standards, as IMI was first certified to the ISO...

Ibiden builds PCB plant in Bejing. (Fabrication).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Bejing, China -- In a move to better supply Nokia, one of its largest customers, Ibiden Company Ltd. has built a PCB facility in Bejing, China. Called Ibiden Electronics (Beijing) Company, the facility spans 37,000 square meters in Bejing's...

M-Flex breaks ground on second Chinese plant. (Fabrication).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Anaheim, CA -- On November 11, 2002, M-Flex celebrated a ground-breaking event for its upcoming new second manufacturing facility (Suzhou, China). The additional nine acres of land will provide the required space for the company to continue its...

Pan International to acquire Chinese facility. (Fabrication).(Pan International Industrial Co.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Taipei, Taiwan -- According to published reports, Pan International Industrial Co. will invest NT$400 million to acquire a PCB facility in China. An affiliate of the Hon Hal Group, Pan International was a major CD-R drive maker in Taiwan but...

Fine lines in high yield (Part LXXXIX): step tablets (gray scales; step wedges)--Part B. (Tech Talk).(part B of three part series covering topic of Step Tablets)
February 1, 2003... Tech Talk is featuring a three-part series covering the topic of Step Tablets. Last month's Part A introduced fundamental relationships between transmittance and optical density. This Part B covers the relationship between different types of...

In memoriam: Richard T. Holzmann.(Brief Article)(Obituary)
February 1, 2003... Richard T. Holzmann passed away suddenly on December 13, 2002. An electronics industry innovator, he held positions as president of Dynachem Corp., Mask Technology Inc., and The Christopher Group during his career. Born in Brooklyn, New...

Chinese electronics manufacturing & supply chain concerns.(Industry Overview)
February 1, 2003... Evaluating the competitive advantage from manufacturing in China ultimately comes down to confidence in the Chinese manufacturer's ability to manage the supply chain. When is the best time to move to manufacturing to China? The answer...

Flextronics expands services in Asia, Mexico. (Board Buyers).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Singapore -- Flextronics expanded its design and development capabilities in Asia by increasing its mechanical, electrical, software, semiconductor, and test development services. The EMS giant plans to double its design and development staff...

Jabil to expand in Hungary; acquires Lucent and Seagate operations. (Board Buyer).(Jabil Circuit)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Budapest, Hungary -- According to published reports, Jabil Circuit will increase production in 2003. To do so, it contacted IBM, asking to take on some of its employees in the region who were in jeopardy of being laid off. Jabil Circuit...

Multek closes Irvine, Kumla PCB facilities. (Board Buyers).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Singapore -- Multek closed its PCB manufacturing facilities in Irvine, California, and Kumla, Sweden. The company will consolidate North American operations by closing the facility in Irvine and relocating its operations in Roseville, Minnesota...

Plexus to close San Diego plant, reduce global capacity. (Board Buyers).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Neenah, WI -- Plexus Corp. said it intends to close its manufacturing facility in San Diego, Calif. In addition, the company plans to consolidate buildings in Seattle, Wash. Plexus intends to reduce its global square footage by approximately...

Sanmina-SCI to acquire Elscint's operations in Israel; closes plant. (Board Buyers).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... San Jose, CA -- Sanmina-SCI Corp. signed a definitive agreement to acquire Elscint's manufacturing, assembly, engineering and integration operations in Israel. This factory makes high-end complex medical systems and other high-end industrial...

Solectron, PerComm ink deal. (Board Buyers).(Brief Article)
February 1, 2003... Woburn, MA -- PerComm Inc. and Solectron Corp. signed a manufacturing agreement in which Solectron will provide new product introduction (NPI), PCB assembly and complete product assembly for the OmniData[TM] two-way telemetry data modem and...

Shipley, Therma-Wave sign JV agreement. (Board Buyers).
February 1, 2003... Marlborough, MA -- Shipley Company signed a joint development agreement with Therma-Wave Inc. (Fremont, CA). The companies plan to develop scatterometric methods to better measure 130nm photoresist features for poly silicon gate and shallow...

Sanmina-SCI inks $3.6 billion deal with IBM. (Board Buyers).
February 1, 2003... San Jose, CA -- Sanmina-SCI expanded its relationship with IBM, signing an agreement that calls for Sanmina-SCI to provide a range of additional manufacturing services to IBM in North America and Europe, As part of this agreement, Sanmina-SCI...

CPCA Show 2003: product showcase.
February 1, 2003... The 12th International Electronic Circuits Exhibition (CPCA Show 2003) will be held March 11-13, 2003, in Shanghai China. CircuiTree has again put together an advertiser product showcase--highlighting a sampling of what some CPCA exhibitors...