News
Minneapolis, MN -- The SMTA has issued a call for papers for the next SMTA International event, to be held in conjunction with AT Expo on Sept. 25-29, 2005, at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in Chicago. A 300-word abstract should be submitted online by Feb. 7.
Papers are sought in the following technology tracks: assembly; business; components; emerging technologies; PCB technology; and process control
New topics for 2005 include New Materials & Processes, Battery Interaction, Lead-free Case Studies, Doing Business in Asia and RoHS Compliance. A full list of topics can be found on the SMTA Web site.
IC Insights, a research firm, today forecast the 2004 ranking of the top 10 semiconductor suppliers, with Intel leading the way, surpassing $30 billion in semiconductor sales. However, the company is expected to register only 11% growth this year, and a 3.4% CAGR over the 1999-2004 timeframe, compared to an industry-wide 6.9% average.
Number two is Samsung, followed by Texas Instruments, Renesas and Infineon.
Driven by surging DRAM and flash memory sales, Samsung's semiconductor revenue (85% of which is memory) is forecast to grow 53% in 2004. Infineon is forecast to jump from seventh in 2003 to fifth in 2004, aided by the strength of the euro. In euros, Infineon is expected to register a 24% growth rate (35% when its sales are converted into U.S. dollars).
The rest of the top 10 include Toshiba, STM, TSMC, NEC and Freescale. Excluding TSMC, which is a pure-play foundry, Philips would come in at no. 10.
The top 10 semiconductor companies revenues are forecast to grow 24% over 2003. In contrast, the worldwide market is forecast to grow 28%. Of the top 10, including TSMC, only four are forecast to grow faster than the total market in 2004. Excluding TSMC, only three top 10 companies are expected to increase their 2004 sales faster than the overall market growth rate.
Weymouth --On Nov. 25, DEK held a Stencils Technology Day at its Weymouth, UK, office to share the findings from its recent lead-free print trials, and to provide hands-on experience with stencil technologies.
Clive Ashmore, global applied process manager, presented the lead-free trial results. The company found that having a stencil that is well designed and specified for its application has the greatest impact on process performance, whether the application is lead-free or leaded. A second important consideration is materials composition. Electroformed nickel was the top performing stencil material in tests, closely followed by laser-cut nickel.
Richard Boyle of Henkel Multicore then gave a presentation on lead-free pastes that focused on areas where the differences between leaded and unleaded may impact the industry most.
The afternoon was dedicated to workshops and discussions on the theme "Print failures: cause and effect."
Dek reported positive feedback from the 32 customers in attendance.
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