News
BRUSSELS -- The latest round of exemption requests for the RoHS Directive closed Friday with an overwhelming response for allowing lead use in electronics solder.
More than 325 support responses were submitted, nearly all for item 15, a proposed exemption for lead submitted by RoHSUSA.com.
More than 325 support responses were submitted, nearly all for item 15, a proposed exemption for lead submitted by RoHSUSA.com.
THIEF RIVER FALLS, MN – Digi-Key and Cree have signed a global distribution agreement for Cree’s silicon carbide-based power devices.
Cree manufactures silicon carbide semiconductors. Digi-Key stocks Cree’s Schottky diodes with voltage ratings reportedly ranging from 300V to 1200V and current ratings from 1A to 20A.
Cree manufactures silicon carbide semiconductors. Digi-Key stocks Cree’s Schottky diodes with voltage ratings reportedly ranging from 300V to 1200V and current ratings from 1A to 20A.
EL SEGUNDO, CA -- Surplus semiconductor inventories rose again in the fourth quarter of 2006, meaning that excess stockpiles are likely to linger through 2007, iSuppli Corp. predicted today. The research firm was quick to dispel concerns that the stockpiles are worsening or will hamper market growth, however.
Preliminary estimates show excess chip inventories swelled to $4.3 billion in the fourth quarter, up 4.9% sequentially.
Preliminary estimates show excess chip inventories swelled to $4.3 billion in the fourth quarter, up 4.9% sequentially.
THIEF RIVER FALLS, MN – Digi-Key has signed a global agreement to distribute Excelsys Technologies’ switch-mode power supplies. Terms were not disclosed.
The agreement will permit Digi-Key to provide customers with custom power solutions, reportedly without the standard lead-time. Digi-Key stocks Excelsys powerPacs and an assortment of powerMods.
SAN FRANCISCO -- Saying the maker of the unbiquitous iPods was going to "reinvent" telecommunications, Apple CEO Steve Jobs today unveiled a long-rumored iPhone and a set-top box that handles videostreaming from PCs to TVs.
Speaking at the MacWorld trade show, Jobs showed off "Apple TV," which comes with a 40 GB hard drive and an Intel chip and is priced at $299.
Speaking at the MacWorld trade show, Jobs showed off "Apple TV," which comes with a 40 GB hard drive and an Intel chip and is priced at $299.
ST. LOUIS -- LaBarge Inc. said Tuesday that it received a $1.3 million contract from Applied Marine Technology Inc. to build a variety of cable assemblies for U.S. Marine Corps military applications.
Production began last month at LaBarge's Berryville, AK, facility, and is expected to continue through next month.
AMTI makes homeland security products.
Production began last month at LaBarge's Berryville, AK, facility, and is expected to continue through next month.
AMTI makes homeland security products.
JACKSON, MI -- Electronics manufacturing services provider Sparton Corp. will close its manufacturing operations in Deming, NM, by March 31, the company said Monday, citing competitive issues.
The site builds cable wire harness assembly services for transportation customers. The current business climate, offshore pricing pressures and lower demand have diminished Sparton's ability to turn a profit in the cable wire harness market, Sparton said in a release.
The company expects no adverse financial impact from the site closure.
Sparton said it would complete and ship all current commercial customer orders as scheduled. Existing intra-company production will be transferred to other Sparton facilities as soon as possible.
The site builds cable wire harness assembly services for transportation customers. The current business climate, offshore pricing pressures and lower demand have diminished Sparton's ability to turn a profit in the cable wire harness market, Sparton said in a release.
The company expects no adverse financial impact from the site closure.
Sparton said it would complete and ship all current commercial customer orders as scheduled. Existing intra-company production will be transferred to other Sparton facilities as soon as possible.
ANGLETON, TX -- Benchmark Electronics Inc. on Monday completed its purchase of Pemstar Inc. after the boards of both companies signed off on a final agreement.
Benchmark, the world's 8th largest electronics manufacturing services company, paid 0.16 of a Benchmark share for each Pemstar share. Shares of Pemstar last closed at $3.98 Friday on the Nasdaq exchange.
Benchmark, the world's 8th largest electronics manufacturing services company, paid 0.16 of a Benchmark share for each Pemstar share. Shares of Pemstar last closed at $3.98 Friday on the Nasdaq exchange.
ARLINGTON, VA -- Factory-to-dealer sales of consumer electronics are projected to top $155 billion in 2007, up 7%, according to the Consumer Electronics Association.
"We're on track for another year of healthy growth," said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. "We surpassed original projections for the second year in a row, and the industry outlook is proof-positive Americans can't do without their beloved consumer electronics."
CE sales hit $145 billion in 2006, up 13%, the CEA said. 2006's results topped the CEA's initial forecast of 8% growth.
CEA predicts displays will continue to fuel industry growth in 2007. "The TV market is setting all-time revenue records. CRT-based sets are giving way to flat panel displays," CEA said, forecasting $22 billion in revenue. Flat panel displays are expected to ship a combined 19 million units.
Holiday sales of game consoles will lift revenues 23% to $16 billion in 2007. MP3 players will account for 90% of the $6 billion portable entertainment market, with unit sales rising to 41 million from 34 million last year.
Shipments of portable navigation and GPS devices reached 2 million units in 2006, up 66%, and are expected to top 3 million units this year, good for $1 billion in revenues.
In 2006, shipment volumes of laptops eclipsed desktops. CE accessory sales also will grow in 2007, to the tune of $11 billion, in large part due to an overall consumer emphasis on portability. Total digital imaging shipments are expected to exceed 32 million units, with revenues projected to reach $8 billion, making 2006 and 2007 the best revenue years for this category.
"We're on track for another year of healthy growth," said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. "We surpassed original projections for the second year in a row, and the industry outlook is proof-positive Americans can't do without their beloved consumer electronics."
CE sales hit $145 billion in 2006, up 13%, the CEA said. 2006's results topped the CEA's initial forecast of 8% growth.
CEA predicts displays will continue to fuel industry growth in 2007. "The TV market is setting all-time revenue records. CRT-based sets are giving way to flat panel displays," CEA said, forecasting $22 billion in revenue. Flat panel displays are expected to ship a combined 19 million units.
Holiday sales of game consoles will lift revenues 23% to $16 billion in 2007. MP3 players will account for 90% of the $6 billion portable entertainment market, with unit sales rising to 41 million from 34 million last year.
Shipments of portable navigation and GPS devices reached 2 million units in 2006, up 66%, and are expected to top 3 million units this year, good for $1 billion in revenues.
In 2006, shipment volumes of laptops eclipsed desktops. CE accessory sales also will grow in 2007, to the tune of $11 billion, in large part due to an overall consumer emphasis on portability. Total digital imaging shipments are expected to exceed 32 million units, with revenues projected to reach $8 billion, making 2006 and 2007 the best revenue years for this category.
SANTA CLARA, CA — Direct Logix and the AberdeenGroup are surveying EDA end-users on software-assisted engineering products. The survey aims to understand how end-users use available software in designs, and to discover whether the available tools meet their needs.
Results will be gathered and formulated into a report by the AberdeenGroup in late January. Visit http://www.aberdeen.com/survey/eda-dlogix/ to participate in the survey.
Results will be gathered and formulated into a report by the AberdeenGroup in late January. Visit http://www.aberdeen.com/survey/eda-dlogix/ to participate in the survey.
CARLSBAD, CA – Asymtek has sold its 1,000th Century series conformal coating unit, the company announced.
The machine went to Siemens A&D for its Erlangen, Germany, plant.
Siemens purchased the Century C-740 series selective conformal coater, Asymtek said.
The machine went to Siemens A&D for its Erlangen, Germany, plant.
Siemens purchased the Century C-740 series selective conformal coater, Asymtek said.
BOSTON – Innov-X, a maker of x-ray equipment, has received a $27 million investment from Summit Partners.
Innov-X develops portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology for elemental analysis. The firm has offices in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Its products use XRF to determine the chemical composition of substances used in manufacturing, compliance, and oil and gas formulation.
Press Releases
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- Indium Corporation Technical Expert to Present at SiP Conference China
- Flex Announces Kevin Krumm as Chief Financial Officer
- Green Circuits Enhances Inspection Capabilities with New DAGE Quadra 5 Pro X-ray System