ATLANTA – According to ACDi (American Computer Development, Inc.), “Flexible, reliable, and equipped to keep your project on schedule, is what you need as an electronics manufacturing services partner.” That ethos explains why they have always been at the vanguard of manufacturing technology and did not hesitate to upgrade from 2D AOI (Automatic Optical Inspection) to 3D AOI and 3D SPI (Solder Paste Inspection) in 2018. Almost five years later, they remain at the forefront of manufacturing technology and recently ordered the 23,000th inspection machine manufactured by Koh Young.

As the team at ACDi explained, all their capital equipment decisions are driven by the desire to be at the forefront of technological advancements, in the rapidly evolving industry of EMS. What’s more, ACDi has a large presence in the aerospace and defense sectors, including some very high- profile companies with strict traceability and reliability requirements.

Garret Maxson, ACDi’s Vice President of Operations, oversaw the inspection equipment selection, and said, “We evaluated a few competitors with demo equipment, performed some simulations and analysis, and Koh Young was the clear decision.”

Software-Driven Manufacturer

Garret added, “we are a data-driven manufacturer, so for us the big draw is data collection, not just ‘go/no-go’ calls, but real, actionable data. KSMART delivers significant metrics like first-pass yield, continuous improvement, review of top-five defects, and more. This is actionable data that can drive real process improvement.” ACDi also values the low false calls they see, which means they can operate the equipment with a small, but well-trained team. They currently have ten machines, with live dashboards across each of its factories in Maryland, North Carolina, and Connecticut. Instrumental in the development of the technology partnership between ACDi and Koh Young is Nagy Bayoumi, President of Atlantech. Nagy has been in the industry for close to 40 years and has led Atlantech for 34 of those years.

Nagy explains, “It’s a pleasure to work with companies like ACDi who see the real value we can deliver, not just in quality control, but also in performance, efficiency, and manufacturing excellence.” He adds, “Garret is a strategic leader of an impressive team that continues to grow organically and inorganically, including their most recent acquisition in Connecticut.”

Garret adds, “the market for skilled labor is tough, partially motivated by labor shortages, so we want less manual inspection dependent on human labor. The latest Koh Young AOI includes a higher height capability, so we can inspect even taller components in 3D. This means less manual visual inspection, and that’s what we need.” He concludes, “Nagy and the team at Atlantech and Koh Young have been important partners for ACDi, and we expect that to continue.”

You can learn more about ACDi at https://www.acdi.com/. ACDi recently ordered the 23,000th machine from Koh Young, a Zenith Alpha HS+ True3D AOI machine, more details at https://kohyoungamerica.com/zenith-alpha/.

SANTA CLARA, CA ― Absolute EMS, Inc., an award-winning EMS provider of turnkey contract manufacturing services, is proud to announce the successful recertification of its ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100 Rev D SAE International Aerospace Standards. As a trusted partner for aerospace and defense manufacturers, Absolute EMS upholds the highest standards of quality and reliability in its operations.

AS9100 Rev D incorporates ISO 9001:2015 quality management system requirements along with additional aviation, space, and defense industry-specific requirements, definitions, and notes. By successfully recertifying to this standard, Absolute EMS demonstrates its capability to meet the stringent quality and safety demands of the aerospace sector while delivering superior products and services to its customers.

Absolute EMS continues to prioritize quality improvement and customer satisfaction by aligning its Quality Management System (QMS) with the seven key principles of quality management outlined in AS9100 Rev D, including Customer Focus, Leadership, Engagement of People, Process Approach, Improvement, Evidence-based decision making, and Relationship Management. These principles serve as the foundation of Absolute EMS's QMS, guiding its operations and ensuring continuous enhancement of its processes and services.

Absolute EMS is a premier provider of end-to-end electronic manufacturing services, facilitating speed-to-market for innovative technology. Based in Silicon Valley, the company offers world-class Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) services.

For more information about Absolute EMS and its comprehensive electronics manufacturing services, visit www.absolute-ems.com 

CAMBRIDGE, UK – "Forever chemicals", or PFAS, are coming under increasing regulatory pressure globally as concerns over the negative effects of PFAS on human health and the environment are mounting. In their brand new report, "Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) 2024: Emerging Applications, Alternatives, Regulations", IDTechEx dives deeply to explore the future trajectory of PFAS in five key emerging applications: thermal management for data centers, sustainable food packaging, electric vehicles, low-loss materials for 5G, and the hydrogen economy.

Introducing the "forever chemical" family – PFAS

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and refers to synthetic chemical compounds that contain multiple fluorine atoms attached to an alkyl chain. The broad definition of PFAS by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development encompasses nearly 5,000 unique chemicals, including PFOA, PFOS, and PTFE.

Unsurprisingly, the applications of different PFAS chemicals are nearly as broad as the chemical family itself. Depending on the specific chemical, PFAS are used in industries including semiconductor manufacturing, healthcare, non-stick cookware, and firefighting foams.

Why are concerns over PFAS rising?

Why are PFAS now coming under increased scrutiny? The colloquialism "forever chemicals" hints at a key issue for PFAS: its persistence in humans, wildlife, and the environment. Not only is PFAS persistent, but they can also be found even in isolated areas; thus, humans can be exposed to PFAS through a variety of sources. Now, scientific evidence is growing that, depending on different factors, continued exposure to specific PFAS may lead to negative health effects, such as increased risk of cancer, developmental delays, and hormonal issues (per the US EPA and the OECD).

A new regulatory landscape changing the trajectory of PFAS

With growing concerns over the impact of PFAS on human health and the environment, there are pushes for increased regulations on the use of certain groups of PFAS. Several important regions in the global economy are considering or adopting universal PFAS restrictions, including the European Union (which introduced its universal PFAS restriction proposal in 2023) and the US states of Maine and Minnesota. With such a complicated landscape of PFAS regulations potentially developing worldwide, it is essential for businesses to understand existing and proposed regulations for PFAS to understand its potential effect on them.

Alternatives for PFAS in emerging high-tech applications: a critical consideration

As such, with broad legislation potentially impacting PFAS in countless different applications, it is essential for businesses to consider potential alternatives for PFAS.

Heavy regulations on PFAS would be particularly impactful in emerging high-tech applications. In these less-established markets, PFAS can sometimes act as key technology enablers. PFAS could be used as membranes in fuel cells, as coolants for immersion cooling in data centers, as insulating materials in high-voltage cables, or as moisture-repelling coatings in molded fiber packaging. Therefore, identifying replacements for PFAS in those applications will be important for the future growth of those emerging areas.

For businesses manufacturing or using PFAS in high-tech fields, IDTechEx’s new report, "Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) 2024: Emerging Applications, Alternatives, Regulations", not only identifies the specific impact of different PFAS regulations in key emerging application areas but also identifies potential alternatives for PFAS in these areas. Covering a broad range of growing yet critical future markets, the five main emerging technology areas analyzed by IDTechEx are:

• Membranes in the hydrogen economy
• Thermal management for data centers
• Electric vehicles
• Low-loss materials for 5G
• Sustainable food packaging

There are many alternatives that could potentially replace PFAS in these emerging applications. These alternatives may be at different stages of technology readiness and market maturity, but by analyzing their status, suppliers, advantages, disadvantages, etc., a critical assessment of these non-PFAS alternatives' market potential can be developed. Some alternatives have the potential to substantially impact their application areas, while others have a much longer road to market penetration that includes solving major technical and economic challenges. Regardless, for anyone connected to emerging industries, the pressure is increasing to have a clear understanding of how future PFAS regulations may impact nascent high-tech industries but also what commercial and developing alternative materials are available to replace PFAS in these industries.

For more information on the new IDTechEx report "Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) 2024: Emerging Applications, Alternatives, Regulations", including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/PFAS 

SAN DIEGO – KIC, a renowned pioneer in thermal process and temperature measurement solutions for electronics manufacturing, is pleased to announce the appointment of PIT Equipment Services, LLC, led by Don Dennison, as its representative for New York, New Jersey, and Eastern Pennsylvania. With this strategic partnership, KIC aims to strengthen its presence in the region and continue its mission of delivering innovative solutions to the electronics manufacturing industry.

Don Dennison, a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the electronics industry, will play a vital role in promoting KIC’s next generation of solutions including the latest Thermal Analysis System software.

PIT Equipment Services, LLC has earned accolades for its outstanding performance in the electronics industry. With back-to-back prestigious Global Technology Awards for Rep of the Year for North America, PIT Equipment Services, LLC stands as a trusted partner to electronic assembly firms in the New York, New Jersey, and Eastern Pennsylvania areas.

Established in 1988, PIT Equipment Services, LLC has built a reputation for assisting electronics assembly companies. Under Dennison's leadership, the company has remained dedicated to delivering exceptional service, leveraging extensive product knowledge, and fostering strategic customer relationships.

“We are honored to represent KIC,” said Don Dennison, President of PIT Equipment Services, LLC. “KIC’s innovative solutions have transformed what it means to profile, coming out with industry firsts for process setup, optimization, and inspection solutions in all soldering and curing applications on the electronics manufacturing production floor. We look forward to working closely with KIC to bring these cutting-edge technologies to our valued customers in the region.”

For more information about KIC and its revolutionary solutions, please visit www.kicthermal.com