INGLESIDE, IL – IDENTCO – a manufacturer of high-performance labeling solutions for the power equipment, electronics, transportation, and general industrial sector – will showcase its robust range of solutions for printed circuit boards (PCBs) and electronic components at IPC APEX Expo, March 18-20 in Anaheim. Products shown at the company’s Booth 2632 include a selection of sector-specific presenters and labels that meet the industry’s elevated requirements for durability, reliability and overall quality.
For example, IDENTCO will highlight its range of high-performance label presenters. Designed for seamless integration into surface mount technology (SMT) pick-and-place machines, the presenters allow exacting, automatic placement of the company's PPL™ pick-and-place labels. Hassle-free setup, fast label loading and quick changeover minimize downtime, and the presenters’ precision and reliability help keep production lines running at optimized performance. Compact and durable, the presenters also mitigate cost and labor by minimizing necessary maintenance.
IDENTCO also will showcase the aforementioned PPL™ pick-and-place label series, which provides comprehensive traceability for printed circuit boards and electronic components. Providing seamless integration into SMT as well as the overall assembly process, PPL™ thermal transfer printable labels withstand harsh fluxes, advanced cleaning chemistries and extreme temperatures that circuit boards typically encounter on each side. The labels’ durability ensures full compatibility with track & trace systems – an increasingly valuable feature for brand owners seeking enhanced internal quality control and supply chain transparency in high-value electronics production.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Apptronik, the AI-powered humanoid robotics company, and Jabil (NYSE: JBL), a global leader in engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain solutions, have announced a pilot and strategic collaboration to build Apollo humanoid robots and integrate them into specific Jabil manufacturing operations. This includes the production lines that will build Apollo humanoid robots, paving the way for Apollo to build Apollo.
As part of the pilot program, newly manufactured Apollo units will leverage Jabil’s factory environment for real-world validation testing. The robots will be used to complete an array of simple, repetitive intralogistics and manufacturing tasks, including inspection, sorting, kitting, lineside delivery, fixture placement, and sub-assembly before being deployed to Apptronik customer sites. When humanoids are introduced to Jabil’s manufacturing lines, they are to augment and support the existing workforce; people who may have previously done those repetitive tasks now can dedicate their time to more creative, thought-intensive projects that shape and improve the future of Jabil’s operations.
Jabil supports customers in the development of market-leading advanced robotics and warehouse automation solutions, pushing the boundaries of technology. By building and evaluating their function within a best-in-class production environment, Apptronik and Jabil will gather valuable real-world use cases for automation in manufacturing and optimizing Apollo’s AI models.
As the worldwide manufacturing partner for Apollo humanoid robots, Jabil can provide Apptronik the flexibility and agility to scale production around the world as needed. Jabil’s expertise in developing and manufacturing robots will allow Apptronik to unify its supply chain and gain access to Jabil’s advanced manufacturing capabilities around the globe. This collaboration will benefit Apptronik customers through world-class quality, scalability, inventory management, turn-key procurement, and rapid production while providing Jabil the opportunity to test new automation solutions in support of safer operations, greater efficiency, and accelerated time-to-market.
Prioritizing Humanoid Scalability
To fulfill customer demand for its humanoid robots at the price point necessary for mass adoption, Apptronik’s world-class design includes a heritage of unique actuators, or motors, that unlock affordability and simplify maintenance. Its latest generation of actuators requires a significantly reduced number of components, manufacturing time, and cost compared to previous generations. With a cost-effective, simplified bill of materials (BOM) and ability to mass produce units at scale with Jabil, Apptronik aims to make general-purpose humanoids more affordable to expand into new markets and roles, such as front-of-house retail, elder care, and eventually home use.
"Humanoid robots have the potential to revolutionize the way we live and work, but for that to become a reality, we need to be able to build them rapidly at scale, at the right price point, and in geographies where our customers are located," said Jeff Cardenas, co-founder and CEO of Apptronik. "Our partnership with Jabil, along with our unique design for manufacturability and ability to have Apollo humanoid robots handling material movement and assembly tasks in the factory, are critical components needed to create a flywheel effect that could make humanoid robots ubiquitous."
"We’ve been committed to advanced automation and robotics across our operations, so piloting Apollo is a logical next step for our division and for Jabil in the long term," said Rafael Renno, Senior Vice President of Global Business Units at Jabil. "Not only will we get a first-hand look at the impact that general-purpose robots can have as we test Apollo in our operations, but as we begin producing Apollo units, we can play a role in defining the future of manufacturing. These new technologies and applications further enhance Jabil's best-in-class capabilities to solve complex challenges and manufacture at scale for our customers."
ATLANTA, GA – Professor Ifeanyi Charles Ume founded Akrometrix out of Georgia Tech 30 years ago, to address issues in PCB flatness, using the shadow moiré warpage measurement technique.
These early concepts evolved into industry standards for measuring applications within the semiconductor industry, most often while samples were subject to temperature changes. Akrometrix would go on to add additional metrology techniques in Digital Fringe Projection (DFP), as a complimentary warpage technology to shadow moiré, and Digital Image Correlation (DIC), to address the need for surface strain measurements.
Currently Akrometrix systems remain the industry leading technology for thermal warpage and strain metrology. Akrometrix techniques are utilized across the world by the leaders of the microelectronics industry managing quality assurance, NPI, and failure analysis of surface mount devices.
For more information about Akrometrix, email equipmentsales@akrometrix.com or go to www.akrometrix.com
CLINTON, NY – Indium Corporation Senior Product Specialist Jason Farrell will deliver a technical presentation at the IMAPS Advanced Packaging for Medical Microelectronics Workshop, taking place March 5-7 in Phoenix Arizona.
The presentation, Gold Solder Solutions for Medical, will highlight the critical role of gold solder solutions in medical device manufacturing, emphasizing their biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and mechanical strength. Used in implantable electronics, surgical instruments, and robotic surgery, these precision-engineered materials ensure durable, non-toxic, and reliable connections in life-critical applications. Attendees will gain insights into the composition, properties, and performance benefits of gold solder for medical technology innovations.
“Gold solder solutions are going to play a vital role in the future of medical technology,” said Farrell. “I look forward to sharing how these advanced materials enhance reliability, safety, and performance in medical applications.”
Jason Farrell is the Senior Product Specialist for Indium Corporation’s gold-based solders and brazing products. In this role, Jason is primarily responsible for developing new sales opportunities, providing marketing support to promote his products to key markets, and providing training for customers and internal teams. Jason joined Indium Corporation in 2016 as a business analytics specialist. During his time with the Business Analytics team, Jason worked with Marketing Communications, Sales, and Product Marketing on marketing and CRM efforts. Jason has more than eight years of experience in the manufacturing industry.
The presentation will take place on Thursday, March 6, at 5:30 p.m.
To learn more information on Indium Corporation’s gold solder solutions, visit https://askindium.com/aultra-medipro/
ATLANTA, GA – Koh Young America, the global leader in True 3D measurement-based inspection and metrology solutions, is pleased to announce the addition of MaRC Technologies as its sales representative for the Pacific Northwest region, effective February 24, 2025.
MaRC Technologies, known for its expertise in providing advanced solutions to the electronics manufacturing industry, will support Koh Young’s expanding customer base across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. The company brings extensive experience in surface mount technology (SMT) and process solutions, making them a strong partner in delivering Koh Young’s industry-leading inspection technologies to manufacturers in the region.
“We are excited to welcome MaRC Technologies to the Koh Young sales network,” said Allen Phung, Head of Sales at Koh Young America. “Their deep knowledge of SMT processes, combined with a commitment to customer success, aligns perfectly with our mission to provide innovative inspection and measurement solutions that drive process optimization and quality improvements.”
MaRC Technologies President Mike Gunderson expressed enthusiasm about the new partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to add Koh Young, the industry leader in True 3D measurement-based inspection and metrology, to our line card. Their innovative SPI and AOI technologies perfectly complement our existing solutions, enabling us to offer customers best-in-class process control and quality assurance tools. We look forward to working closely with the Koh Young team to support manufacturers in achieving their production goals.”
With a strong presence in the Pacific Northwest, MaRC Technologies will work closely with Koh Young America to support manufacturers seeking to improve yield, reliability, and efficiency through advanced inspection and metrology technologies.
For more information on Koh Young’s award-winning solutions, visit www.kohyoungamerica.com or contact MaRC Technologies at www.marctechnologies.com
NEUSS, GERMANY – Yamaha Robotics SMT Section has announced increased support for customers in Türkiye, Ukraine, and Gulf states with the expansion of its appointed regional sales agent, ProSMT Elektronik, into new Istanbul headquarters.
Founded in 2016 ProSMT was chosen the following year to support the complete portfolio of Yamaha surface-mount printers, mounters, 3D AOI systems, and YSUP software tools that comprise the 1 STOP SMART SOLUTION. A frequent winner of service excellence awards from partners, including Yamaha’s Special Achievement Award, ProSMT has consistently increased its sales and service performance. Now consolidating its activities at the new headquarters, the Company is managing over 500 Yamaha machines installed at customers’ factories and has grown its team to 52 employees in total.
“Our new headquarters is a great environment for our people to work and provides more space for a larger warehouse and showroom. We are also setting up our new repair centre, which allows us to offer extra services and even greater value for customers,” said Zafer Karamanli, co-founder of ProSMT Elektronik. "Our market is extremely competitive, given this region’s strategic location, and I am proud of the commitment and hard work from everyone in our team that made this exciting expansion possible and necessary.”
“We are impressed at ProSMT’s consistently high performance throughout the time we have been working together,” echoed Shuichi Imai, Yamaha SMT Section Sales General Manager. “Zafer and his team have succeeded by investing in skills and facilities that enhance the customer experience for owners of Yamaha’s advanced SMT equipment. ProSMT Elektronik is one of our highest performing representatives and we have total confidence that the new headquarters will become a platform for even greater success in the future.”
ProSMT supports the region’s electronic manufacturers with a broad range of products in addition to advanced automation from Yamaha. These include automated and hand-soldering equipment, test and inspection systems, wirebonders, consumables, and 3D printers by leading brands. The company also offers related consumables including solder pastes, adhesives, cleaners, and more.
“Our customers range from established electronic manufacturers looking for the latest automation to companies making the transition to new technologies,” comments ProSMT’s Zafer Karamanli, citing automotive solid-state lighting as one example. “This region has a vibrant automotive-component manufacturing sector comprising Tier-1s and EMS companies serving Europe’s major indigenous vehicle brands. The Yamaha portfolio gives us great flexibility to configure a solution that delivers high speed, outstanding accuracy, low stoppage time, and a compact footprint.”
He concludes, “Leveraging our close links with Yamaha and the strong technical backup available, we also take care of installing and setting up the equipment, training operators, and providing ongoing customer support. Offering excellent products and taking care of the details to ensure our customers always achieve their goals is the key to our success and we now expect to enhance our service in every way, working from our new headquarters.”