TROY, MI – Amtech Electrocircuits, a leading provider of manufacturing solutions, continues to push the boundaries of innovation with the addition of a new AI- powered Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) system for in-line inspection. Designed to enhance quality control and efficiency, this cutting-edge technology is set to optimize Amtech’s high-mix, low-to-medium volume manufacturing.

In electronics manufacturing, every misplaced component or solder defect can lead to costly failures. Traditional AOI systems often require manual oversight, frequent setup changes, and long cycle times. Amtech’s AI-powered AOI eliminates these inefficiencies by detecting defects in real time, minimizing scrap and rework, and adapting to different production runs with minimal setup time. By automating quality control, skilled workers can focus on higher- value tasks, while AI-driven analytics allow for smarter process adjustments to maintain peak performance.

Amtech's AI-powered AOI system ensures faster inspections while maintaining high accuracy. By incorporating this advanced technology, Amtech strengthens its 3R Promise—Robust, Responsive, and Reliable—driving improved quality, increased reliability, and enhanced efficiency throughout the manufacturing process

“Integrating AI-powered AOI into our manufacturing process is more than just an upgrade—it’s a transformation,” said Jay Patel, Amtech’s CEO. “By automating defect detection and optimizing process control in real time, we’re ensuring higher quality, greater efficiency, and the highest reliability for our customers. This is just the beginning of how AI will shape the future of electronics manufacturing, and at Amtech, we’re committed to staying ahead of the curve.”

As AI continues to shape the future of electronics manufacturing, Amtech remains at the forefront, ensuring customers benefit from smarter production, stronger process control, and industry-leading quality.

For more information about Amtech Electrocircuits, please visit www.buildamtech.com 

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