TORRANCE, CA — California Manufacturing Technology Consulting® (CMTC) recently provided Additive Manufacturing training to Mini Micro Stencil to help the company increase their in-house Additive Manufacturing capabilities, enabling them to improve productivity and reduce their lead time on 3D designs.
Mini Micro Stencil was started in 1994 by Gary Miller and is a veteran-owned, small operation. The company provides printed circuit board (PCB) and surface mount technology (SMT) tools as well as contract rework services for the military, aerospace, medical, commercial electronics, and transportation industries. Mini Micro Stencil’s contract rework is a major portion of the company’s revenues and is growing due to increasing military contracts.
Mini Micro Stencil had a strong expertise in 2D Computer Aided Design (CAD) work, allowing them to perform some design work in-house. However, for 3D design work, Gary and his team sought outside resources. Unfortunately, the lead time for outside contractors to perform this work was several days; and Gary had no control over the timing or quality of the work. Gary realized an opportunity to increase profitability and quality control as well as reduce customer lead times by improving his team’s internal 3D design expertise, allowing them to expand their Additive Manufacturing proficiency for producing tooling needed for their rework services.
In April 2022, Mini Micro Stencil engaged CMTC’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology Services (AMTS) Program to help its employees become more proficient in using 3D design software and Additive Manufacturing. CMTC instructors provided classroom instruction on the use of the OnShape program and ensured practical applications of the software by offering opportunities for students to design fixtures. In addition, CMTC provided Design for Additive Manufacturing training to help Mini Micro Stencil understand how to utilize Advanced Manufacturing tools such as 3D printing to produce tooling and products in-house in less time than traditional manufacturing or outsourced manufacturing. Finally, CMTC provided an evaluation of the financial impact and improvement opportunities by incorporating Advanced Manufacturing into the company’s operations.
As a result of the project, Mini Micro Stencil purchased a new CAD station for use of the OnShape 3D software for $2,000 and an updated 3D printer to produce jigs, fixtures, and other tools for contract rework services for $700. Mini Micro Stencil also expects to purchase a $5,000 MakerBot in the next 12 months to increase their in-house Additive Manufacturing capabilities. With the expertise and training provided by CMTC, Mini Micro Stencil is able to deliver 3D designs in house, reducing each design’s lead time by one week. The increased productivity and shorter lead times offered to Mini Micro Stencil’s customers is expected to increase their revenue by $10,000 in the next 12 months and allow them to retain $10,000 in business that may have otherwise been lost to competitors with shorter lead times. Mini Micro Stencil estimates they will save approximately $10,000 in contracted services and purchased goods due to the increased in-house capabilities to produce and design products. Mini Micro Stencil expects to invest $10,000 in new products and processes, $2,000 in additional workforce development, and $2,500 in other areas of their business to capitalize on their expanded Advanced Manufacturing capabilities. If sales increases are realized, Gary expects to be able to hire one new employee, growing his team of four to a team of five.
For more information about CMTC’s services, contact Rachel Miller at rmiller@cmtc.com or 310-984-0096.
DULUTH, GA — Viscom Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Viscom AG, Germany, has announced the appointment of Juan C. Briceño as Vice President of Sales – Americas. In his new role, Briceño will continue to drive sales of Viscom's broad range of high- end inspection systems, develop new business opportunities, and coordinate customer support.
Most recently, Briceño’s position at Viscom was that of General Sales Manager – Americas, including key account management responsibilities. Until June 2018, he served as Viscom's Regional Manager for Latin America, overseeing sales activities throughout the region. Technical oversight of the regional offices and leading a team of software and service engineers were key tasks in his previous roles at Viscom.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Juan for nearly 19 years. He has always succeeded, and his diverse background will serve him well in his new position,” stated Ed Moll, President, Viscom Inc. The promotion of Juan C. Briceño to the role of Vice President of Sales – Americas is effective as of January 2, 2023.
Briceño earned an associate degree in Electronics Engineering Technology from the ITT Technical Institute and holds a bachelor’s degree in Technical Management from DeVry University. He has over 27 years of experience in the manufacturing industry. Starting his career in sales at Bose Corporation, Briceño progressed later through various positions at Siemens, including international assignments. In 2004, he joined Viscom as Engineering Manager.
DERRY, NH – StenTech® Inc., the leading multinational SMT Printing Solutions company, is pleased to announce the opening of its newest facility in Huntingdon Valley, Philadelphia. The new facility offers local support, manufacturing of Laser cut Stencils and Laser Welded Steps. The Philadelphia facility also features the Advanced Nano coating, proven to be the best coating in North America.
Over the last 21 years, StenTech has built a reputation of quality, service and commitment. StenTech uses the highest quality materials and the latest technologies, supported by its highly skilled and experienced technical team members.
Introductory offers at the new facility include:
*some restrictions may apply
Please email philly@stentech.com for your stencil requirements.
Operations: Jeff Poulos Jeff.Poulos@stentech.com
978-259-8398
Sales: Greg Starrett Greg.Starrett@stentech.com
609-932-9571
StenTech has been leading the way in stencil technology, being the first company to introduce Fiber Diode lasers into North America. With more than 30 experienced CAD designers, their strength is the support they provide in stencil modifications, materials and thickness recommendations. StenTech incorporates sub-brands, PhotoStencil and ADT, and offers a complete array of stencil technology, custom-tailored to suit your manufacturing requirements. They manufacture all types of stencils for the SMT industry.
To learn more, visit www.StenTech.com or www.photostencil.com
FARNBOROUGH, UK — Gen3, Global leader in SIR, CAF, Solderability, Ionic Contamination & process optimisation equipment, is pleased to announce that they were once again selected by Retronix – this time for two NC25 PCB Cleaning Systems. The first unit was installed at the company’s factory in Scotland and the other at their factory in Austin, Texas.
This is an exciting time for Retronix as the company’s investment in people, premises, processes and equipment accelerates at an exponential rate to meet growing industry demands. Recently, the company was in need of a new cleaning system to clean their components after processing.
In order to meet their high quality Component / PCB cleaning requirements after processing, Retronix decided on the highly efficient MB-Tech NC25. Retronix performed trials at the Zestron lab and quickly realized they achieved better cleaning results with the NC25, and having the components completely dry after cleaning was an added bonus for Retronix.
Specially designed around a patented filtration system providing high cleaning performance, Components / PCBs are first immersed in a washing tank where they undergo the combined action of vertical agitation and a turbulent spray under immersion action that achieves the desired cleaning efficiency. Components are then transferred in two stages of DI Water rinsing and are finally dried during a unique process combining forced convection and vacuum.
Graham Dickson, Area Technical Manager for the North, commented: “When the initial interest in the MB-Tech NC25 was discussed, I thought the NC25 was overkill for the intended use. But after realising how stubborn the fluxes were to clean off properly it became apparent that the NC25 was the perfect tool for the job. Retronix’s customers demand extremely high levels of cleanliness & this is what the NC25 delivers.”
SUWANEE, GA — The SMT Solutions division of market leader ASMPT will once again demonstrate its position as the industry’s technology pioneer at booth 1701 at the IPC APEX Expo 2023 from January 24 to 26 in San Diego. Among the exhibits will be new DEK TQ L solder paste printer for large circuit boards measuring up to 600 by 510 millimeters and innovative software for the integrated smart factory. Also on display will be the smart shop floor management suite WORKS for optimizing SMT line processes, smart SaaS applications for factory and enterprise uses, and an MES solution that was specially designed for the needs of SMT manufacturers. Modular, manufacturer-independent and retrofittable, all hardware and software solutions being shown fit seamlessly into ASMPT’s Open Automation concept for the economically sensible automation of SMT production.
Best-in-class SMT line
At the ASMPT booth, visitors can see for themselves how high-performance printers, high-end SPI systems, high-performance placement systems, industry-leading feeding solutions and fully automated storage systems work together perfectly and with the highest precision on a fully functional SMT line. And for the first time on U.S. soil, the new DEK TQ L solder paste printer will demonstrate how effectively it handles circuit boards measuring up to 600 by 510 millimeters (23.6 by 20 inches). With this new printer, manufacturers significantly increase their flexibility and product range, thus opening the door to a completely new set of markets.
Full integration for Open Automation
Thanks to open interfaces such as IPC-HERMES-9852 and IPC-CFX, all ASMPT systems are designed for seamless M2M and M2H communication. They fit easily and comprehensively into the modular and manufacturer-independent Open Automation concept for the economically sensible automation of SMT production, which runs as a recurrent theme through the entire trade fair presentation.
Today, software is just as important to ASMPT as hardware. With smart solutions and SaaS applications (Software as a Service) for the machine, shop floor, factory and company levels, ASMPT is underlining its technological leadership at APEX in this field as well.
Process optimization on the shop floor
The smart shop floor management suite WORKS covers all production workflows. WORKS Command Center, for example, optimizes employee assignments by automatically generating tasks and sending them to their smartphones, tablets, or smart watches while the WORKS Performance Monitor provides information about all of the production’s relevant performance indicators at the line in real time. And the unique WORKS Process Expert turns the high-end Process Lens SPI system into the world’s first self-learning inline expert system that can control and optimize the printing process fully autonomously if desired.
Intelligent software for the Integrated SMT factory
In the area of factory solutions, ASMPT will focus on SaaS applications such as the Factory Equipment Center, its comprehensive solution for company-wide asset and maintenance management, and on Data Analytics for extensive reporting across the whole enterprise. Virtual Assist is the brand-new AI- and NLP-supported ASMPT expert system that lets users handle all maintenance, repair and service tasks with help from their smartphones or tablets. The system answers concrete questions like an experienced coworker and reduces the time spent looking for information by up to 95 percent. As a special feature, it works even for third-party systems.
Powerful MES for electronics manufacturers
ASMPT recognized at an early stage the hugely important role that software would play today and decided in 2018 to invest in Critical Manufacturing (CMF), an MES developer specializing in the electronics industry. Today, the Portuguese company is also responsible for ASMPT’s software applications on the factory and enterprise levels. At this year’s APEX show, CMF will present its leading “Critical Manufacturing MES”, which was designed to meet the special needs of the electronics manufacturing industry.
HOUSTON, TX — MacroFab, the cloud manufacturing platform for building electronics from prototype to high-scale production, with a network of more than 100 factories across North America, announced today $42 million in new growth capital.
The funding was led by Foundry and joined by BMW i Ventures, as well as existing investors Edison Partners and ATX Venture Partners. With this round of financing MacroFab has raised a total of $82 million, enabling the company's accelerated growth amid the ongoing transformation of global supply chains.
MacroFab's shipments were up 275% year-over-year, as more companies moved their electronics production to North America. The company has doubled its workforce and opened a new facility in Mexico to help customers manage inventory and reduce the impact of tariffs. As reshoring momentum increases, MacroFab is well positioned at the forefront of enabling companies to overhaul their global supply chains and modernize their electronics manufacturing.
The platform MacroFab helps manage electronics manufacturing and provides customers with visibility into their production. Access to real-time supply chain and inventory data puts its customers in control and is key to MacroFab's achieving the best customer satisfaction rates in the industry, with Net Promoter Scores (NPS) remaining above 50 even during historic supply chain disruptions.