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SMYRNA, GA – Registration is now open for PCB Atlanta, the industry’s leading regional PCB show in the Southeastern US.
PCB Atlanta will be held Oct. 22 at the Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta, in Alpharetta, GA.
The conference includes a two-track technical program featuring speakers from Plexus, Circuit Connect, Endicott Interconnect Technologies, Clover Electronics, Intercept Technology and others.
Topics include circuit board design to fabrication to assembly, and cover such subjects as counterfeit components, design reuse, cleaning flux residues under the z-axis, and vertical integration strategies.
PCB Atlanta exhibits will be open from 11 am - 6 pm. Free technical sessions will be held beginning at 9 am.
For more information, visit www.pcbshows.com/atlanta.
HARTFORD, CT – Connecticut has proposed state regulations on e-waste recycling that would require manufacturers to fund the pickup and recycling of goods. Electronics manufacturers are unethusiastic, however, and reportedly would favor a federal solution.
According to published reports, the bill calls for electronics manufacturers to pay the costs of recycling their products, while the state would select the haulers.
Manufacturers would be financially responsible only for the transport and recycling of computers, monitors, TVs and printers, and only materials from residences.
The clause excluding manufacturers from controlling the volume and flow of material, as well as the state’s selection of haulers, has prompted the Consumer Electronics Association to voice concerns about the possibility of excessive fees.
Similar legislation is already in effect in six states, including California and Maine.
ELKHART, IN -- Thales has signed a three-to-five year, $5 million deal with CTS Corp.'s electronics manufacturing solutions business to design and manufacture assemblies.
BANNOCKBURN, IL – IPC presented Special Recognition, Distinguished Committee Leadership and Distinguished Committee Service awards at its trade show this week.
SAN FRANCISCO – The combination of firming global IT demand, the release of Windows 7 and an aging PC installed base will drive a strong multiyear PC replacement cycle, says a leading analyst.
Deutsche Bank Equity Research today raised its 2009 PC unit outlook from a drop of 8% year-over-year to a drop of 2%. For 2010, the firm now expects PC units to rise 10% year-over-year, up from a prior estimate calling for a flat year.
LONDON – The global economic downturn had a marked effect on the tantalum supply/demand balance. Demand in 2009 will probably prove to be 40% down on 2008, but some market watchers believe it will fully recover by 2012.
Whether the supply will be in place to meet that demand is another issue entirely.
In mid 2008, tantalum consumption was on a strong growth trend in its principal markets – electronics and aerospace superalloys – which make up around 75% of tantalum consumption. Adequate primary supply was in place, along with substantial quantities of scrap, which is mostly generated during capacitor manufacture.
By the second half of 2009, the tantalum market faces a period of uncertainty that will, quite possibly, remain until 2012, according to Roskill Information Services.
A large part of the primary supply chain is not producing in 2009, with no clear indication about when, or if, it will come back to the market. Inventories are running down; scrap is in shorter supply because of a fall in capacitor manufacture. It is possible legislation under consideration in the US could severely restrict or even halt the supply of tantalum from Central Africa, says Roskill.
Several projects are at various stages of development around the world and some could be in production by 2011 or 2012. Combined, their output would solve the tantalum supply question for the foreseeable future and obviate the need to source conflict minerals.
It is almost certain a tantalum supply squeeze is approaching. If demand picks up more quickly than expected, a spike in spot prices seems inevitable, says the firm.
CLINTON, NY – Indium Corp. has acquired the processes, equipment, and know-how of Reactive NanoTechnologies Inc., developer and manufacturer of NanoFoil.
Indium will move the RNT process and equipment, and a core staff, to its Utica, NY facility.
Customers will now place orders and inquiries directly through Indium. The core RNT team and Indium personnel will support NanoFoil and NanoBond businesses.
No financial terms of the agreement were disclosed.
ATLANTA – Siemens Electronics Assembly Systems has moved to an expanded complex north of Atlanta. The move was finalized in July.
The facility, located in Suwanee, GA, is now fully operational.
BROMMA, SWEDEN – Alpha and AIM have released solder pastes designed and qualified for the Mydata MY500 Jet Printer.
SINGAPORE – Flextronics International Ltd. has sold its remaining stake in its former software development business to private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and Canada's CPP Investment Board for $255 million.
The firm said it is selling the stake to raise cash and improve financial flexibility.
Flextronics sold most of its stake in the business to KKR in 2006. The New York-based firm paid roughly $900 million for the unit, now a privately held company called Aricent, and Flextronics kept a 15% stake.
KKR says its total stake in the company is now 79%.
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