Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - Current

Press Releases

CLINTON, NY – Indium Corporation® will feature selections from its portfolio of proven products for automotive and power electronics applications, including electric vehicle manufacturing, at APEC 2023, March 19‒23 in Orlando, Florida.

With its significant automotive industry expertise and an award-winning portfolio of proven products, Indium Corporation will feature:

InFORMS® are reinforced solder alloy fabrications that improve mechanical and thermal reliability and are specifically designed to produce consistent bondline thickness for power module applications. They also address specific challenges for the power electronics industry by providing an enhanced material for the development of more reliable and higher performance modules.
InTACK™ is a no-clean, no residue, halogen-free adhesive solution developed for holding parts in place during placement and reflow processes. Designed for use in no-flux reflow applications with formic acid, InTACK™ is specially formulated with high tack to hold a die, chip, or solder preform in place without movement, creating a low-cost tooling-free solution without compromising soldering quality.
QuickSinter® is a high metal content paste, redefining sinter technology for power electronics. Available in pressureless and pressure formulations, this portfolio of sintering solutions delivers products engineered for customers’ specific application needs.
Durafuse® HT features a novel design based on a novel alloy technology, designed to deliver a tin-rich, high-temperature lead-free (HTLF) paste, presenting the merits of both constituent alloys. Durafuse® HT delivers simplified processing, with no special equipment needed, and enhanced thermal cycling reliability equal to or higher than a high-Pb solder.

To learn more about Indium Corporation’s innovative products for EV and power electronics, visit us at booth #859 at APEC or online at indium.com.

HANOVER, GERMANY – With PB Technik Sp. z o.o. coming onboard, Viscom AG has gained a new strong distribution partner for Poland. The contract was signed on February 1, 2023 and covers Viscom's entire portfolio of inspection systems for electronics manufacturing.

PB Technik is based in Warsaw, the capital of Poland. Founded in 1991, the company now represents many manufacturers known in the industry for equipping modern assembly lines and has over 40 employees, including its own service specialists. Jakub Karpowicz, Senior Product Manager Testing Systems, and Paweł Szumny, Managing Director and Vice President at PB Technik, analyzed Viscom in direct comparison with other potential suppliers before making the decision.

"We also solicited opinions from our customer base. The feedback was really positive about the technologies used by Viscom and the image quality," emphasizes Karpowicz.

Viscom products will replace three other brands at PB Technik. With this step, the sales partner wants to optimally meet the requirements of larger electronics manufacturers located in Poland. "PB Technik is excellently networked in the Polish market and has the right competencies, especially for our inspection solutions," says Sebastian Legierko, Sales Manager Europe, Viscom AG, and direct contact for PB Technik's future concerns.

At the end of January 2023, Jakub Karpowicz came to Hanover, Germany, to get a detailed overview of the system types, prices, and options at Viscom. However, the overall impression on site was also important for him: "I'd like to come here more often in the future together with customers as part of joint projects," says Karpowicz. "Viscom's campus with its manufacturing, large demo center and other buildings simply deserves to be seen."

To make it easy for interested parties to get to know the technical possibilities, PB Technik will present selected systems from Viscom on its own premises as part of the cooperation. Jakub Karpowicz: "The demo machines are also proving really popular among our service staff, who utilize them to try out their unconventional ideas with a view to expanding their own knowledge." A transition process associated with appropriate training is planned here, ensuring that specialists from Viscom and PB Technik always cover the entire spectrum of support tasks within Poland in varying proportions.

CLACKAMAS, OR – MaRC Technologies, Inc. and Treston Inc. announced today a new partnership, with the mutual goal of bringing to market a complete ergonomic workspace solution.

Treston is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of ergonomic workstation solutions for a range of demanding industrial and technical setups. Treston’s products will provide MaRC Technologies’ customers with smart ergonomic workspace solutions that adapt flexibly to the needs of the individuals as well as the constant changes in the process. With Treston’s decades of experience, in-depth understanding of industrial environments and proven know-how of ergonomics, ESD and Lean, the new partnership will help customers achieve an optimal workstation solution and keep both their business and people in excellent shape.

“MaRC Technologies has always focused on providing top quality products to our customers,” stated Mike Gunderson, President of MaRC Technologies. “Treston exceeds these requirements with quality, delivery and flexibility. Ergonomics and safety are becoming more of a concern with manufacturing and design companies. Treston’s complete line of ergonomic focused products and configurations can accommodate any workstation requirement.”

Additionally, MaRC Technologies will make it easy to design a Treston workstation or cart using the new 3D Configurator Design Tool. When the design is complete, users receive an email of the design with a parts list and list price quote.

“Treston is looking forward to supplying MaRC Technologies with great products and excellent sales support for their team and their customers,” says Mariah Holback, Regional Sales Manager for Treston. MaRC Technologies is a specialized supplier of tools and supplies for the electronics manufacturing and high-tech industry. Mike Gunderson and the team at MaRC Technologies provide sales and service for customers in the Pacific Northwest and the entire United States.

For more information about this partnership, contact MaRC Technologies at 503-723-0962 or visit www.marctechnologies.biz.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The SMTA announced that abstracts are now being accepted for several technical conferences and symposia currently scheduled for 2023. The following events are all currently soliciting abstracts for participation:

High Reliability: Strategic Technology Advancement Research (STAR) Forum
April 18, 2023 | Kansas City, MO, USA

Electronics in Harsh Environments Conference
May 23 - 25, 2023 | Amsterdam, Netherlands

Symposium on Counterfeit Electronic Parts and Materials
June 27 - 29, 2023 | College Park, MD, USA

High Reliability Cleaning and Conformal Coating Conference
August 29-31, 2023 | Dallas, TX, USA

SMTA International
October 9 - 12, 2023 | Minneapolis, MN, USA

Advanced Electronics Assembly Conference
November 9, 2023 | Budapest, Hungary

View the full list of upcoming conferences here.

Submission of an abstract for an SMTA program is with the understanding that, if accepted, the author will provide a conference presentation and/or a technical paper for the proceedings. All submissions must be non-commercial in nature and focus on technology research rather than a company product.

For full details and to submit an abstract, visit https://smta.org/page/call-for-participation or contact Karlie Severinson: +1-952-920-7682 or karlie@smta.org.

SANTA CLARA, CA – TEXMAC/Takaya, the pioneering developer of flying probe testing systems for assembled Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBAs), announces the appointment of Quality Associates as its manufacturer’s representative for Indiana and Kentucky. Leading efforts on behalf of Takaya will be industry veteran Rick Emery, whose focus is S. Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. He can be reached at C- (317) 698-6294, and via email, rick@qa-rep.com.

In making the announcement, David Levine, Takaya Central Regional Manager, stated, “Quality Associates is a diverse company dedicated to serving the needs of its principals and our customers with timely manufacturing and test solutions. They have been serving all aspects of the electronics environment for more than 30 years. We are pleased to be partnering with them and look forward to working with Rick and his team to support our customers and their needs in PCBA test and assembly.”

He adds, “With single or dual sided flying probe testing, Takaya systems are well suited for performing In-Circuit Test without fixtures. Always perfect for proto and low volume high mix applications, with our latest automated systems, mid volume runs without an operator now has a great justification.”

Takaya invented Flying Probe test technology in the mid-1980s. TEXMAC is the supporting distributor for Takaya systems in the Americas. As the leader in flying probe test technology, Takaya systems are trusted by top tier OEMs, EMS and Military Aerospace companies worldwide.

TEXMAC, the exclusive authorized distributor of Takaya flying probe test systems in North and South America, is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and offers a full range of sales and support services including test and programming services. Locations include facilities in the Boston, Chicago, Dallas, and Silicon Valley areas. We have system stock and parts support in two US locations, and support personnel coast to coast.

GUERNSEY, UK – Offshore Electronics will provide design for manufacture support and PCB assembly services to Fireco, a supplier and manufacturer of fire door compliance devices and solutions.

The move consolidates much of Fireco’s PCBA procurement, with the company having used several suppliers prior to signing its new contract with the Guernsey-based CEM.

Based near Brighton, Fireco’s range has become a staple of modern building safety and compliance since first being introduced in the early 1990s. Despite this success, the product’s circuitry is now in need of a major update to maintain its leading position in the market. The agreement with Offshore – which covers current and future projects throughout 2023 – will also ensure the range’s pro devices work seamlessly with Fireco’s proprietary site manager software.

Fireco’s Dorgard and Freedor products automatically close when a building’s alarm systems are triggered. This allows a business to leave its fire doors open, if desired, while still complying with building regulations. The company has manufactured three variants of this product over almost three decades, but will now incorporate greater functionality into a single all-purpose solution due to be released in 2023.

The agreement comes at a crucial time for both businesses. Fireco has grown significantly since 2020 and is expecting continued significant growth throughout 2023. Offshore, meanwhile, has recently invested in new production machinery, including a Yamaha Z:LEX YSM20R modular pick and place machine, effectively doubling the number of components it’s able to place each month.

Mark Challacombe, Fireco’s Purchasing Manager, points out the decision to consolidate PCB assembly was down to Offshore’s ‘extra as standard’ approach. He said: “I’ve worked with many CEMs throughout my career, but the team at Offshore have consistently outperformed their competitors. There’s a wealth of in-house knowledge and an attention to detail that can be lacking with other outsourced partners. I was unable to appoint the company in a previous role and really noticed the difference, so it made sense to bring the company back on board for this important project. Now we have a dedicated partner in tune with Fireco’s plans”.

Dan Attewell, Offshore’s Director, added: “Offshore’s NPI process is proven and will take Fireco’s range to the next level during an important period of growth. Our close supplier relationship will keep the project running to schedule, and a new pick-and-place machine will vastly increase output once we’ve settled on a new board design.

The way CEMs work with customers has changed over the last three years but we’ve always adopted a value-added mindset. It’s validating to see this approach pay off with an exciting new contract”.