In November 2021, Precision Graphics Inc. announced they were expanding their business to Snow Hill and in doing so, create 70 jobs. Per their website, Precision Graphics Inc. is a complete electronic manufacturing services organization. With over 40+ years of experience in design, layout, and manufacturing of printed circuit board assemblies.

The North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region posted the following on their Facebook page:

Today we celebrate the official opening of Precision Graphics, Inc., a leading global electronics manufacturing solutions provider. The company announced in 2021 it would open a production facility in Snow Hill, NC, with plans to renovate the former Smart Play building with an investment of $5.1 million and create 70 jobs. Today the ribbon has been cut with remodeling complete and production already underway. Great news for the EDR region, Greene County, and Eastern NC.

CRANSTON, RI — AIM Solder, a leading global manufacturer of solder assembly materials for the electronics industry, is pleased to announce their participation in the upcoming NEPCON Asia and SMTA South China taking place from November 30th – December 2nd in Shenzhen. AIM will highlight their MiniLED assembly and new AIM LUX™ Product Line, along with their full line of solder assembly materials.

During SMTA South China on November 30th, AIM Solder’s Flopy Feng will present from 13:45-14:20 on the concerns of Ultra-Miniature Component Assembly, covering M0201, 008005 and Micro/MiniLEDs in Hall 5 in the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center. AIM’s presentation will detail the challenges in producing MiniLED assemblies and provide information about how AIM products are being used to address the unique requirements of current and future applications.

Designed to provide tier one manufacturers of LED, miniLED and hi-power LED assemblies with solder materials to solve production challenges associated with these applications, the LUX product line pairs ultra-fine SAC-based and silver-free Type 6, 7 and 8 alloy powders along with innovative flux chemistries. AIM’s NC259 series is proven to provide excellent soldering performance and high production yields. When combined with the SN100C® alloy, NC259 solder pastes eliminate silver migration concerns. AIM REL61™ is a low-silver alloy option that can lower peak reflow temperature requirements and improve mechanical strength over other low/no-silver alloys. For high-power LEDs, AIM's REL22™ doubles the service life under extreme thermal cycling conditions. AIM's Tacky Flux offers high tack forces, unlimited open time, and improved wetting for all mass transfer and high-speed dipping applications.

To discover all of AIM’s products and services, visit the company at the NEPCON Asia and SMTA South China from November 30th – December 2nd for more information and to speak with one of AIM’s knowledgeable staff members, or visit www.aimsolder.com.

HELSINKI — Incap UK is upgrading its machinery at the factory in Newcastle-under-Lyme and adding an automated optical inspection machine with increased maximum PCB load size, angled cameras, Z-axis and full 3D capability.

According to Jamie Maughan, Managing Director of Incap UK, the investment in the new machinery will support the company in its growth and will increase the quality of service provided to its customers.

“Electronic devices get smaller and smarter every day and so do the electronics inside them. This means that the accuracy of our products must be provided on the highest level, in order to eliminate any possible quality defects. We need to follow the trend and the increase in the usage of electronic devices and provide the highest quality no matter how sensitive or detailed products are. That is why we decided to upgrade our machinery and add a new AOI machine that could support us in it,” explained Maughan. He added that the new machinery will be up and running in January 2023.

The MV-3U OMNI Desktop 3D AOI machine purchased by Incap UK is providing 100% compatibility across the 3D AOI product line. According to Maughan, it is suitable for Incap as the company requires a larger maximum PCB load size. The system features specific 3D inspection technology that combines 15-megapixel camera technology with the revolutionary digital tri-frequency 3D system in a cost-effective platform. The 15-megapixel vision system is a proprietary camera system designed for use with its complete product range of 3D inspection systems. With the specific 3D inspection to yield, the precise height measurement data is used to detect lifted components and lifted lead defects as well as solder volume post-reflow. Fully configured, the machine features four 10-megapixel sideview cameras in addition to the 15-megapixel top-down camera and multifunction AOI/SPI inspection capability.

Incap UK is part of Incap Corporation, which is an international contract manufacturer. Electronics manufactured by Incap UK can be found in electric vehicles, medical devices and other areas which are continuing to grow.

ATLANTA – ECIA has announced the Distinguished Service Award recipients, to honor six individuals who have worked tirelessly in various roles within the ECIA during 2022:

• Tom Wichert, TDK-Lambda Americas - Tom completed six years of service to the EDS board, serves on the ECIA Manufacturer Council and Executive Conference Committee.
• Mike Swenson, Mel Foster - Mike is highly involved in the ECIA Rep Council, is a Council project team leader, is a contributor in the TAMU study, and involved on the EDS Board.
• Teri Ivaniszyn, Digi-Key Electronics - Teri has been a strong contributor to the GIPC for many years and is a past Chairperson. Teri has worked in areas such as China Tariffs, Managing COVID in the day-to-day business operation, International Trade Compliance, Environmental Compliance and Quality and more.
• Thomas Griffin, Catalyst Unity Solutions - Tom is a strong contributor to the ECIA Rep Council, was formerly on the GIPC and is a new addition to the EDS Board.
• James Kaplan, Cornell Dubilier Electronics, Inc. - Jim is Foundation President, has been driving the PACE (Paul Andrews Continued Education) initiative and collected over $450K in donations to fund PACE!
• Mark Conley, O’Donnell Associates - Mark has been an outstanding contributor to the ECIA Rep Council and was Executive Conference Committee Chair for TWO LONG years during Covid. While he didn’t get to see his hard work come to fruition, what he and the committee accomplished was foundational to the success of the 2022 Executive Conference.

“We are very grateful to these individuals, without whom the important goals and initiatives of all the Councils and Committees would never be achieved,” commented David Loftus, ECIA President and CEO. “ECIA continues to work on resolving the challenges and inefficiencies in the authorized channel. Leaders such as these award recipients help drive our success.”