WALDENBURG, GERMANY – A special kind of educational event was staged in Gran Canaria from February 28 to March 2, 2024. Several teams of students generated innovative solutions and built technological prototypes within a short period of time. These next generation of developers were supported with Würth Elektronik components and expertise.

Where others go on vacation, young talents from various universities hatched innovative solutions for industry in smart farming, smart green energy and mobility, smart automation, IoT, robotics, smart production, smart shipping, and the circular economy.

The Makeathon 2024 focused on practical aspects, in which each team had to come up with a solution to a specific problem and then develop and build a prototype. Over 600 participants formed 24 teams from 29 countries took part in the challenge. The partner companies provided the necessary equipment.

In the seminar “Get the right Voltage: Understand and Setup your Power Supply with Stepdown Converters”, the Makeathon participants were not only provided with the familiar Würth tools, but also with components from the Würth Elektronik eiSos Group, as well as relevant knowledge. The company supported the event with two experienced members of staff.

“The guiding principle of the Makeathon is ‘hands-on’. So of course we’re part of it,” stresses Alexander Gerfer, CTO at Würth Elektronik eiSos. “True to our ‘Creating Together’ mission, we supported this innovative event with expertise and components. Implementation of new ideas takes a reliable partner, so we’re happy to offer our services – as well as to inspire young talents in choosing a career at Würth Elektronik of course. In our efforts to preserve or even improve our living space, everyone has to pitch in. Or putting it in today’s language: Making things happen is like learning – only it takes it to the next level.”

NÁMESTOVO, SLOVAKIA – Incap Slovakia upgraded its second SMT production line, replacing it with advanced SMT machinery. The EUR 891,000 investment increases the factory’s SMT production capacity and supports the planned SMT load increase of more than 45 per cent.

The upgraded SMT line replaces the capacity of two existing SMT lines and has integrated options for automated ERP integration. The total investment of 891,000 EUR in the technology aims to support the expansion of SMT operations and offers the necessary flexibility for handling newly quoted projects.

According to Miroslav Michalik, the Managing Director of Incap Slovakia, this investment has placed Incap Slovakia at the forefront of electronic manufacturing services, ready to capture new business opportunities. “By enhancing our production capabilities, we have not only met but exceeded the evolving demands of our customers, ensuring high-quality, efficient, and flexible manufacturing solutions," explained Michalik.

This upgrade is a key component of Incap Slovakia’s broader technology roadmap, aimed at replacing four existing SMT lines with two new, technologically advanced lines. The benefits of this upgrade are already being realised, including improved SMT operational efficiency, a reduction in the need for skilled technical personnel, enhanced production quality, energy savings, and a stronger appeal to potential customers.

In 2023, Incap Slovakia expanded its Námestovo factory by 1,200 square metres to support increased production demands, boosting its box build production capacity by over 50 per cent. The upgrade involved converting warehouse areas for production purposes and adding a new materials warehouse.

Incap’s factory in Slovakia, based in Námestovo, provides a competitive-cost volume manufacturing option for customers and a dedicated hall for the automotive business. The factory is experienced in electronics manufacturing since 2008, and it has 6,400 square metres of total floor space to serve customers from global companies with operations in Europe. Incap Slovakia provides specialist, niche PCB assembly, complete product build and electromechanical assemblies.

OLDHAM, UK – Solderstar, a leading manufacturer of temperature profiling systems and software for the Electronic Manufacturing sector, is set to showcase its latest innovation at the EPP InnovationsFORUM 2024 in Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany on 17th April. Taking centre stage will be the Reflow Shuttle O2 an advanced process verification tool designed to enhance quality control in electronics manufacturing.

The Reflow Shuttle O2 marks a major advancement by integrating real-time oxygen level monitoring in parts per million (ppm) alongside other critical process parameters like vibration, vacuum, temperature profiles, and conveyor speed into one comprehensive platform. This innovative combination provides manufacturers with an unparalleled level of insight and control over their soldering operations.

Chris Williams, Head of European Sales at Solderstar said: "April is an exciting month for Solderstar as we exhibit at two major events - IPC APEX Expo in the U.S. and the EPP InnovationsFORUM in Europe. At both shows, we're pleased to showcase our innovative thermal profiling systems including the new Reflow Shuttle O2.

"The Reflow Shuttle O2 fulfils a critical requirement in advanced manufacturing by providing precise real-time monitoring and control of oxygen levels throughout the reflow process. With its zone isolation technology, it detects fluctuations in oxygen levels, allowing users to optimise nitrogen usage, quickly identify leaks across the entire oven, and consistently achieve superior solder joint integrity. This level of precision is particularly important for high-precision applications. By facilitating detailed monitoring, it enables the detection of problematic oven zones and quantification of nitrogen consumption, thereby facilitating data-driven process refinement."

Complementing its oxygen monitoring capability, the Reflow Shuttle O2 offers a range of advanced measurement modules. Vibration sensing across three axes guides acceptable operating parameters, while dedicated vacuum sensors verify pressure levels down to 10 mbar, calculating critical metrics such as hold times to mitigate component shifts.

High-precision sensors meticulously map the performance of both top and bottom heaters, providing valuable insights into heating uniformity. Positioned at the front of the Shuttle are temperature sensors precisely calibrated for accuracy, offering crucial data on the consistency of heating across the entire width of the heated zone.

Solderstar's latest profiler streamlines verification processes by consolidating various measurement disciplines onto a single, robust shuttle, engineered for seamless integration into any reflow oven. Machine operators benefit from an intuitive interface that simplifies data collection and enables real-time adjustments based on identified process variations.

The EPP InnovationsFORUM 2024 presents the ideal platform to present the benefits of the Reflow Shuttle O2 to electronics manufacturers in Europe. Solderstar's team of experts will be on hand to provide detailed insights, live demonstrations, and answers any technical enquiries.

Marietta, Georgia, USA – Yamaha Motor Corporation’s Robotics Division will highlight an exciting array of new machines and technologies from April 9 – 11, 2024 at the IPC APEX 2024 trade show in the Anaheim Convention Center, Booth #2820. They will be showcasing the new YAMAHA “YR” Series Platforms with their unique features and added values, coupled with YSUP Intelligent Factory Solutions.

YAMAHA’s 1-Stop Smart Solution helps maximize line productivity and factory efficiency with Yamaha Integrated Solutions and YAMAHA’s Intelligent Factory YsUP Software. YAMAHA’s IoT/M2M Integration system allows linking their SMT machines to equipment made by other companies to provide all-around high productivity and performance monitoring.

YAMAHA’s Best-in-Class solutions are high quality, fully flexible machines that deliver efficiency, quality, and reliability.

The main message of YAMAHA’s exhibit booth will be the added value of YAMAHA Intelligent Factory software, focusing on its ease of use, simple networking and communication to other machines and 3rd party software systems.

YAMAHA’s long experience, based on “Kando” philosophy, offers trust and commitment to best serve its customers. Our goal is to consistently provide high quality products and services that exceed the expectations of our customers, and to create excitement and cultural inspiration together with people around the world.

About Yamaha Motor Robotics

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA Robotics is a subdivision of Yamaha Motor Corporation, and offers a full line of machines for electric/electronic parts mounting and other production-line solutions to answer the diversifying needs of today’s electronics manufacturers. Yamaha Robotics has sales and service offices in Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Europe and North America, providing a truly global sales and service network, delivering best in class on-site sales and service support for their customers.