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The Kester lab will use a SlimKIC 2000 and Navigator tools for defining process windows and selecting ovens or wave solder recipes.
"We are excited about this opportunity to work so closely with Kester Europe. Kester's solutions are in line with KIC's high standard of quality, and we feel that the SlimKIC 2000 and Navigator tools will help Kester elevate their solutions and customer service to the next level," said Bjorn Dahle, President of KIC.
BOSTON, Nov. 4 -- Airlift capacity throughout the Asia Pacific has been relatively static but rising fuel prices and delays in major ports are trouble spots, a major freight forwarder said this week.
In its monthly report on airlift conditions, Trans Global Logistics says escalating fuel surcharges, strong demand for space fueled by delays at Long Beach and higher export volume from Asia
Peak season conditions exist in most markets with the greatest demand in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea, Trans Global says. Charter space is limited and the cost of a charter is more than $400,000, the firm says.
In Shanghai, new capacity is helping to handle the significant growth of export volume. But Hong Kong is struggling to meet demand as lift capacity is down about one-third.
"As you make plans to move your shipments during
the next few weeks, anticipate longer transit times and higher costs
for space and fuel. If you have large-sized or "hot" shipments, try to
book them as early as possible," Trans Global says.
While the main drivers remain mobile phones, display interconnects, digital cameras and PDAs, new applications are emerging in the medical, aerospace and military markets, BPA predicts that these markets will remain relatively small.
The demand for hard disk drives and optical media drives is also increasing for portable consumer goods, A/V and computers . However, says BPA, the net effect for volumes will be negligible as the smaller size of flex boards used will offset higher demand. Furthermore, the costs of flex-rigid PCBs outweigh the benefits in most portable consumer applications.
Discrete flexible circuits and connectors will continue to be used in most mobile phones for the next thrree to five years. Many Asian producers are developing and sampling innovative lower-cost technologies that show promise, BPA says.
Asia (excluding Japan) produces the largest volumes of FPC, having overtaken Japan last year. The fastest-growing country in Asia is China, who has increased its share of Asian production from 8% in 2000 to 17% in 2003. China is expected to account for 29% in 2008.
Press Releases
- NEPCON ASIA 2025: Innovating Smart Manufacturing Ecosystems and Bridging Global Opportunities
- Viasion Technology Expands Global Reach as a Trusted PCB Manufacturer and EMS Provider in China
- Viasion Technology Expands Global Reach as a Trusted PCB Manufacturer and EMS Provider in China
- Nordson Test & Inspection Expands Partnership with Distributor smartTec Nordic A/S