PENANG, MALAYSIA - November, Year 2024 marks a significant year of growth for ViTrox in Mexico. In collaboration with SMTo, ViTrox has successfully established a state-of-the-art demo room, enhancing its capabilities to deliver advanced solutions to customers. As part of its commitment to the region, ViTrox is also expanding its local workforce, underscoring its dedication to innovation and service excellence in Mexico’s thriving market. This expansion aligns with ViTrox’s strategy to strengthen partnerships and enhance support for its customers across the region.

The new demo room expansion by our Sales Channel Partner, SMTo Engineering S.A. de C.V. (SMTo), marks a significant milestone for the expansion in Chihuahua. Customers are encouraged to schedule appointments for machine demonstrations, demo board evaluations, and in-depth discussions with SMTo’s technical experts. SMTo Chihuahua Demo facility is set to showcase ViTrox’s AI SMT Inspection solutions, including the V510i Optimus Advanced 3D Optical Inspection (AOI) Solution and the V310i SE Advanced 3D Solder Paster Inspection (SPI) Solution. Both ViTrox systems will be available for in-depth demonstrations and evaluation, offering local customers the opportunity to explore ViTrox’s latest inspection technologies firsthand. Apart from that, there are other SMT equipment brands such as Fancort, Essemtec, Rohde, Japan Unix and also Almit will be displayed in the demo room.

The launch of the demo room represents SMTo and ViTrox's ongoing commitment to enhancing their local presence in the northern region of Mexico. This facility enables customers to experience our advanced inspection solutions in a real-world setting, complemented by detailed product explanations from our field experts. ViTrox’s V310i SE Advanced 3D Solder Paste Inspection (SPI) and V510i Optimus Advanced 3D Optical Inspection (AOI) are engineered to deliver industry-leading precision and efficiency. The V310i SPI offers unmatched accuracy in solder paste inspection, featuring Ultra Smart Programming that simplifies parameter settings, reduces human dependency and speeds up programming for increased productivity. Compliant with IPC-CFX-2591, it sets a new industry benchmark for solder paste inspection. The V510i 3D AOI, integrated with advanced Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) Smart Technologies, automates programming and defect buy-off processes, significantly reducing reliance on skilled manual labour and human error. Its A.I. Smart Programming reduces programming time by up to four times, while the A.I. Assisted Defect Review (A.I. VVTS) ensures over 90% judgement accuracy, leading to a 60% reduction in labour costs. Both solutions are designed to seamlessly integrate with Industry 4.0 smart manufacturing environments and meet IPC-CFX-2591 standards, with the V510i 3D earning multiple awards, including the 2024 New Product Introduction Award.

The direct integration of ViTrox’s SPI-AOI program enables centralised library management, allowing synchronised programming setups across both SPI and AOI platforms. ViTrox’s award-winning AOI solution features AI-driven programming that shortens programming time and simplifies the learning curve for new users. The algorithm meets IPC Class standards, ensuring high-quality program coverage of up to 95% across packages. ViTrox’s seamless ONE View Connection provides real-time SPI-AOI defect images from each review station, offering straightforward process traceability and continuous process improvement.

Apart from that, ViTrox is expanding its presence in Nuevo Leon and collaborating with SMTo to establish a new demo room, expected to be ready by this year-end. As part of our growth strategy, we are actively recruiting for our Technical Support team in the Mexico region, with roles based in Monterrey. We seek candidates with robust technical expertise in machine servicing who can deliver prompt, comprehensive support while fostering strong customer relationships. These positions are essential for proactively understanding customer needs, assisting with machine evaluations, and driving repeat business. The insights gained will support continuous improvements to our existing technologies and contribute to developing new, innovative solutions. If you're interested in joining ViTrox’s growing team in Mexico, please apply at hr@vitrox.com.

About ViTrox Technologies

ViTrox is committed to being the World’s Most Trusted Technology Company and the leading solutions provider through the most innovative, advanced, and cost-effective machine vision solutions of excellent quality to its customers by integrating ViTrox’s technologies, people, and strategic alliances.

ViTrox offers a full spectrum of solutions, ranging from Middle & Back-end Semiconductor Inspection Solutions, SMT PCB Assembly Vision Inspection Solutions, Integrated Industrial Embedded Solutions, and Industry 4.0 Manufacturing Intelligence Solutions. ViTrox is headquartered in Penang, Malaysia, with offices in Asia, Germany, and the United States and sales and support sites worldwide.

About SMTo Engineering Sa de Cv

SMTo Engineering S.A. de C.V. is a leading provider of innovative inspection and quality assurance solutions for the electronics manufacturing industry. As ViTrox’s key partner in Mexico, SMTo is recognized for its outstanding service support in handling customer inquiries and ensuring customer satisfaction. SMTo Engineering represents complete SMT line solutions such as ViTrox, Universal Instruments, DigitalTest, Almit, Fancort, Japan Unix, Scienscope, Rohde & Schwarz. For more information about ViTrox’s products and services, please visit www.vitrox.com.

NASHVILLE — November 2024 — KYZEN, the global leader in innovative environmentally responsible cleaning chemistries is proud to announce the election of Danny Ngan and Lina Ong as members of the SMTA Penang Chapter leadership team.

Seventeen new and returning officers were announced for the 2024-2026 term by chapter president Chee Wei Ooi. Danny Ngan, KYZEN Regional Sales Manager – Northern Malaysia, will serve as Vice President – Membership and Lina Ong, KYZEN Marketing Coordinator, will serve on the chapter’s committee.

"I am honored to be appointed as a committee member of the SMTA Penang Chapter,” said Ong, “I am excited to work with the other committee members over the next two years. Together, we can achieve great things.”

The SMTA Penang chapter was established in 2007 with a founding committee of ten members. KYZEN has played a significant role in the chapter from the beginning with early STMA Penang meetings being held at KYZEN’s Malaysia office.

Ngan said of his election, “SMTA is an organization that has greatly benefited the electronics manufacturing community, and it is an honor to be a part of it. I’m thankful to SMTA for this incredible opportunity and for the trust of my fellow Penang Chapter members in me.”

KYZEN Corporation and KYZEN cleaning experts have remained actively involved in SMTA by supporting local and national events by exhibiting and presenting technical papers, serving on the national board of directors, as well as local chapter officers for more than 30 years. For more information about KYZEN, visit KYZEN.com. For more information about SMTA, visit SMTA.org.

Altus Group, a leading distributor of capital equipment in the UK and Ireland, has seen an increasing interest in laser depaneling systems from LPKF in 2024. Laser depaneling is an advanced method for separating PCBs from their panels using precise laser cutting technology. This innovative process offers significant benefits in efficiency and versatility, making it increasingly relevant across various manufacturing sectors.

Laser depaneling has emerged as a superior alternative to conventional separation methods. It allows for stress-free, non-contact separation, enabling cuts to be made close to mounted components without damaging them. The precision cutting with narrow channels, combined with the flexibility to process various materials—both rigid and flexible—makes it a highly efficient solution for electronics manufacturers. Especially those that are looking for cost saving on their bill of materials, as using a laser can significantly reduce the amount of PCB needed for break out areas providing material and immediate ROI. This digital, software-based and laser beam guided method accommodates complex geometries while eliminating tool wear, significantly reducing maintenance and changeover costs.

Joe Booth, Altus Group CEO, said: "We've seen growing interest in LPKF laser depaneling solutions, particularly the CuttingMaster 3000 series with Tensor technology. Manufacturers are increasingly recognising the benefits of this advanced approach to PCB separation. The precision, flexibility, and efficiency offered by these systems allows our customers to stay competitive in demanding industries such as automotive, medical technology, and consumer electronics where accuracy is key."

The LPKF CuttingMaster 3000 series is recognised as one of the most flexible and precise laser depaneling systems on the market. Equipped with linear drives, these systems ensure exceptional positioning accuracy and high-quality results with a large working range.

These systems can integrate a wide variety of laser sources with different wavelengths and pulse widths in the nano or picosecond range. Many of the models also feature LPKF's advanced Tensor technology, making them suitable for a diverse range of applications and materials. This ultrafast beam deflection technology offers up to a 70% reduction in cycle times when combined with LPKF CleanCut. It significantly increases performance potential while maintaining maximum transmission and high robustness for excellent reliability, improving cost efficiency.

As the complexity of electronic devices continues to increase, Altus sees laser depaneling as an important technology for manufacturers looking to enhance their production capabilities.

www.altusgroup.co.uk.

Indium Corporation today announced that InnoJoin GmbH will be the exclusive global sales partner for NanoFoil® in component mounting applications. NanoFoil® is a leading nanotechnology material that delivers energy in a controlled and precise manner for joining, energetics, and heating applications.

InnoJoin, based in Bremen, Germany, has been working with NanoFoil® technology since its inception and has since developed extensive expertise in this field. The company utilizes two in-house laser systems for precision cutting of NanoFoil®, ensuring high accuracy and flexibility in the production process. It operates its own dedicated laboratory for nanobonding trials, enabling rigorous testing and process optimization for bonding applications. The lab is fully equipped with advanced metallographic analysis tools, allowing comprehensive evaluations of bond quality and material integrity in-house.

“We’ve worked with InnoJoin for several years to provide NanoFoil® to customers in Europe and other markets, and it has been an extremely positive collaboration,” said Jon Major, Associate Director, ESM Project Management, Indium Corporation. “By expanding our partnership, we are able to provide even better service to our customers in critical markets around the world while simultaneously expanding the NanoFoil® product line.”

“Collaborating with Indium Corporation has been an exceptional, reliable, and trustworthy experience. We are more than delighted to continue this successful journey with them,” said Christian Walz, CEO, InnoJoin. “The NanoFoil® technology is a perfect addition to our portfolio, allowing us to provide our customers with the best possible technical solution for their bonding applications.”

NanoFoil® is a predictable, controllable, and affordable material that is industry-accepted and proven to lower manufacturing costs while providing repeatable and reliable bonds and reactions. It has applications in many industries, including semiconductor, aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and defense markets.

About Indium Corporation

Indium Corporation is a premier materials refiner, smelter, manufacturer, and supplier to the global electronics, semiconductor, thin-film, and thermal management markets. Products include solders and fluxes; brazes; thermal interface materials; sputtering targets; indium, gallium, germanium, and tin metals and inorganic compounds; and NanoFoil®. Founded in 1934, the company has global technical support and factories located in China, Germany, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.

About InnoJoin

InnoJoin GmbH, based in Bremen, Germany, specializes in advanced welding and coating solutions. The company focuses on providing reliable, economical, and high-quality solutions for its customers, including welding tasks, wear or corrosion protection requirements, and worn component refurbishment.

For more information about Indium Corporation, visit www.indium.com or email jhuang@indium.com. You can also follow our experts, From One Engineer To Another® (#FOETA), at www.linkedin.com/company/indium-corporation/.