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ATLANTA– Jabil Circuit, the Georgia Institute of Technology, GTC, Universal Instruments and Vitronics Soltec recently completed a pilot test to demonstrate the speed and viability of CAMX software for electronics manufacturers. CAMX aims to quickly and effectively gather, compile and communicate data essential for manufacturers as they seek to address regulatory requirements and control costs.

The pilot took place at Jabil’s Billerica, MA, manufacturing facility in October 2005. The test team installed software and configured vital equipment in minutes. A number of CAMX events identified by Jabil for the pilot were collected and displayed throughout Jabil’s global enterprise using real-time, Web-based applications.

Since CAMX is based upon international standards, the time spent on configuring systems was minimal. The test also showed that critical machine and manufacturing data were exchanged accurately and efficiently.

Jim Jacobson, director of software product development for Universal, said, "The test proved that CAMX will enable more of our customers to easily monitor and collect machine performance data."

As demonstrated by the pilot test, CAMX can simplify and improve the speed of communications, while providing a non-proprietary standard platform for message exchange for manufacturers.

OTTAWA, CANADA -- Fabrinet, a top manufacturer of optical components, will acquire the Ottawa operations of JDS Uniphase Corp., the companies said.

The deal covers JDS' manufacturing operations in Ottawa, and is expected to be completed by April 1.

ONTARIO, CA -- J.R. Controls has acquired Cosmotronic Inc., a maker of mil spec rigid and rigid-flex printed circuit boards and assemblies.

The Cosmotronic management team has been retained and will report to Bill Kennard, president and general manager of the Winonics Printed Circuit Board group, a wholly owned subsidiary of J.R.Controls.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Abstracts for the SMTA International 2006 conference are due this week. Proposals for short course are also being solicited. The deadline is Feb. 24.

Notifications of acceptance will be made April 14.

To submit a abstract online go to www.smta.org/smtai/call_for_papers.cfm. Papers should describe significant results from experiments, emphasize new techniques, and contain technical, economic or appropriate test data. Material should be original, unpublished and noncommercial in nature.

NORTH BILLERICA, MA -- Oven maker BTU International Inc. today reported net sales of $19.3 million, up 4% sequentially and 41% over a year ago, and net income of $2.1 million, up 31% vs. the third quarter and 2000% over the fourth quarter 2004, for its fourth quarter ended Dec. 31.

TAIPEI -- Wistron, the Taiwan-based electronics manufacturing services firm known for building Xbox consoles and notebook PCs, is considering building a plant in Eastern Europe, the company's chairman said in an interview.

Possible sites include the Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania, chairman Simon Lin said.