MINNEAPOLIS – CyberOptics Corp. today reported first-quarter consolidated sales of $12.3 million, up 38% sequentially, and up 183% year-over-year.
Orders for the quarter were up 58% to $17 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2009.
First-quarter operating income was $257,000, compared to operating losses of $1.6 million in the prior quarter and $4 million in the same quarter last year.
Net income was $247,000, compared to net losses of $1.6 million in the fourth quarter and $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2009.
“Sales of alignment sensors to manufacturers of robotic assembly equipment, including Juki and Assembléon, were up 61% from last year's fourth quarter. Sales of inspection systems increased 32% during the same period, paced by orders for our SE500 solder paste inspection system from original design manufacturers in China,” said Kathleen P. Iverson, CEO and chair.
The firm forecasts $16 million to $17 million in revenue for the second quarter.
LAS VEGAS – IPC announced the 2010 Best Industry Posters and the winners of the second annual IPC Academic Poster Competition at Apex Expo.
Tied for first place were Christopher Hunt, Ph.D., National Physical Laboratory, for “Solder Joint Reliability from Material Properties,” and David Lee, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, for “Comparison of the Electrochemical and Physical Properties of the Nanocrystalline Copper Deposition in the Fabrication of Wiring Boards.”
From twenty–three industry posters presented, the event’s Technical Program Committee selected the winners through a ballot process.
IPC also held an academic poster competition. Attendees voted on the top three posters, with first place going to Pylin Sarobol, Aaron Pedigo, P.Su, J.E. Blendell, and C.A. Handwerker, Sc.D., from Purdue University for “A Defect Phase Diagram for Tin Whisker and Local Film Properties near Whiskers.”
The same team, with Aaron Pedigo as the main author, took second place for “Tin Whisker Growth Related to the Crystallographic Texture of Sn and Sn Alloy Electrodeposits.”
Amendra Koul from Missouri University of Science and Technology won third place for “Thermal Effects on PCB Laminate Material Dielectric Constant and Dissipation Factor.”
Ten posters highlighting research being conducted at the college level were featured from Auburn University; Missouri University of Science and Technology; Purdue University; University of California, Irvine, and University of Maryland.
SAN JOSE – North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment reported $1.29 billion in 90-day average orders for March, up 2.7% sequentially, says SEMI.
Compared to March 2009, orders are up a giant 423%.
GAINESVILLE, GA – Count On Tools Inc. is offering free trial nozzles for SMT professionals.
Current customers are allowed to request any trial nozzle that they currently do not purchase from the company on a regular basis.
New customers are allowed to request any trial nozzle that fits their individual process requirements and is available in the standard range of products.
ST. LOUIS – LaBarge Inc. said it expects to report third-quarter net sales of approximately $74 million, up 7.2% sequentially and up 2.5% year-over-year.
TAIPEI – EMS giant Hon Hai Group (Foxconn) said it would develop plant factories using solar energy and LED lamps in collaboration with College of Bioresources, Agriculture of National Taiwan University, and Yunlin County Government, say published reports.
STOCKHOLM – EMS provider Note Ab reported year-to-date losses through February 28 were SEK 18.6 million, including restructuring and currency translation costs.
As part of a previously announced restructuring program, the company will discontinue production at its plants in Skänninge, Sweden, and Tauragé, Lithuania.