Wunstorf, Germany -- phoenix|x-ray Systems + Services reports that it has increased sales by 35% over fiscal 2003. According to a press release, the company has also given a positive impact on the regional employment quota, with a staff of over 70 employees that includes a growing number of research and development engineers.

phoenix|x-ray is a manufacturer of microfocus and nanofocus x-ray systems, x-ray tubes and computed tomography systems.

“We see this an investment into the future,” says Helmut Appelt, general manager. “Our goal is to keep our position of the market leader in our segment which means we always need to be ahead our competitors when it comes to developing new products.”

The company cites as an example the launch of the product series v|tome|x in 2002. The x-ray system combines 3-D computed tomography and 2-D inspection with submicron resolution. The demand for computed tomography has increased during the last couple of years, leading to an interesting market potential. Accordingly, phoenix|x-ray set-up a new business department for CT.

Despite the growth of the 3-D inspection business, phoenix|x-ray still sees new applications for 2-D inspection. The x|argos introduced in mid April is a high kV x-ray system for large samples up to 100 kg. The company believes the market potential for this system is large due to new materials and production techniques (especially in the automotive industry) that require high-resolution x-ray inspection. 

Irvine, CA – MIMOT, a provider of flexible SMT placement equipment, is expanding in Russia and Eastern Europe, most recently with the installation of an Advantage 3 flexible placement machine and In-line dispenser near the city of Kursk.

Joerg Widmer, general manager, said, “We see electronics industry market growth happening in the Eastern European countries and Russia; consequently, we have moved to expand further into that market. Our goal is to be a strong supplier to multinational companies in Asia, Europe and the Americas.”

According to Widmer, MIMOT’s sales in Eastern Europe and Russia have focused on automotive electronics applications.

MIMOT will show their newest products at the ATE Show in Chicago in September. 

NORWALK, CT -- Michael G. Lutomski, NASA's risk manager for the International Space Station Program, will keynote the Assembly Technology Expo and the International Robots & Vision Show in September. His presentation, on the emerging use of robots to perform functions in space, will kick off the events.

SAN JOSE – The Semiconductor Industry Association today called for legislation to enhance and make permanent the R&D tax credit. The current law authorizing the credit is set to expire at the end of 2005 unless Congress passes legislation to extend it.

“Aggressive investment in research and development is critical to U.S. leadership in information technology, which in turn is the cornerstone of our national strategies for economic growth, productivity improvement, and national security,” said SIA president George Scalise in a press release. "We strongly urge Congress to pass legislation to ... make permanent the R&D tax credit. "