Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - Features

SURREY, UK, Oct. 8 -- Demand for embedded optical backplanes has slowed as technology advances push data transmission rates over copper lines beyond 10 Gbps, according to a new report on electrical and optical backplanes.

Yet despite the increasing popularity of low-loss photoimageable waveguide materials, opportunities will continue to emerge for low-cost, mechanically and optically stable alternative approaches, says BPA Consulting Ltd. The firm also found that over 85% of backplanes are proprietary in design.

Sales of backplanes will grow from $1.99 billion this year to $2.11 billion in 2005 and $2.48 billion in 2009, or 9.8%, BPA forecasts.

The report identifies demand for low-loss/low-dielectric constant laminates, high-speed power connectors, advanced backplane fabrication and assembly, and high-speed (10 Gbps and above) channel design services. The report also analyzes the impact of new design standards such as the Advanced Telecommunication Computing Architecture (ATCA).

in MAASTRICHT, THE NETHERLANDS — Ten industry suppliers last month hosted their second workshop on new coating and dispensing technology.

The Sept. 22-23 workshop looked at conformal coating and dispensing and plasma treatment. Over 100 people attended, said event sponsor Asymtek/Nordson BV .

Presenting companies included Concoat Ltd., Beck Electrical Insulations, Dow Corning, Lackwerke Peters and Asymtek. Topics included guidelines for protecting electronics with coatings, changing technologies and how to select, cure, and apply materials.

Presenters on dispensing and plasma treatment included Emerson & Cuming, Henkel Loctite, March Plasma, RMC-Tech, Barco Surface Mounting and Asymtek.

MUNICH, Oct. 1 -- The assembly equipment arm of Siemens AG will change its name to Siemens Logistics and Assembly Systems Inc., effective this month.

In a press statement, Siemens said the new name better describes its business of supplying supply-chain wide solutions. The group was formerly known as Siemens Dematic, the result of the company's acquistion of Dematic.

The move means greater cost benefits and increased efficiencies for customers, Siemens said.

The integration will be approved by Siemens' board this month.

NORTH BILLERICA, MA, Oct. 1 -- The top executive at BTU International Inc. has stepped down effective immediately, the commpany said today. No reason was given.

Mark Rosenzweig, president and chief executive, also resigned from BTU's board, the company said.

BTU chairman Paul van der Wansem, 64, will assume the role of chief executive. van der Wansem was the equipment manufacturer's CEO from 1979 through mid 2002.

The company will release its 3rd quarter earnings Oct. 21.

Last Day for 2005 Service Excellence Awards Registrations
10-06-2004

Think your company provides good customer service? Prove it!

Circuits Assembly is now accepting entries for the 13th annual Service Excellence Awards (SEAs)-the premier awards program in electronics manufacturing.

The SEAs are open to EMS providers and electronics assembly equipment, material and software suppliers. You'll provide us a list of your best customers, and we will gather customer feedback to determine their level of satisfaction. Scores are then totaled, and the highest-ranking companies will be presented awards at APEX 2005 in Anaheim,CA.

What are your chances?

EMS SEAs

If you're an EMS provider, you'll be competing against companies in your own revenue size category-less than $100 million; $101 to $500 million; or more than $500 million. In all, 18 awards will be presented!

Supplier SEAs

If you're an equipment, material or software supplier, awards will be presented to the top participants in each of the following categories: cleaning; dispensing; materials (solder paste); pick and place; repair and rework; screen printing; soldering (reflow and wave); test and inspection; manufacturing and supply chain management software.

Ready to enter?

Visit www.circuitsassembly.com/sea.

Follow the instructions to select the appropriate entry form.

Once we receive your terms and conditions form, payment and customer contacts, your work is done!

Deadline for entries is December 6, 2004.

Please contact Robin Norvell at rnorvell@upmediagroup.com or 678-589-8846 with any questions.

STAMFORD, CT, Oct. 4 - FeinFocus has inked a Japanese rep firm to handle sales of x-ray inspection equipment in Japan.

Unicraft Co., a technical sales company headquartered in Tokyo, will represents FeinFocus' entire line of x-ray inspection systems for electronics and semiconductor manufacturing.

"We are pleased to forge a strong partnership with Unicraft in Japan," said Friedhelm Maur, regional sales manager, in a statement.

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 4 -- An Embedded Systems Pavilion has been added to next year's Del Mar Electronics Show. Technical papers and seminars will focus on embedded designs and products.

The annual trade fair will be held April 27-28, in San Diego.

"Embedded design is becoming one of the most important sectors of Southern California's high-tech industry today," said Ken Arnold president of HTE Corp. a local Southern California embedded RF developer. "As embedded applications continue to increase, new challenges and opportunities are emerging and a local venue like this provides a high value convenient way to stay on top of happenings in this growing segment."

The Del Mar Show (www.vts.com) will be colocated with Medcon Expo, a conference for design and manufacturing medical, bio and pharmaceutical devices.