News
ATLANTA, GA —UP Media Group has developed a Year of the Designer Website (yearofthedesigner.com) as part of its yearlong celebration of the PCB design profession. The site gives designers a forum for sharing “war stories,” swapping ideas, discussing issues and staying informed about upcoming Year of Designer events.
UPMG officially designated 2006 to be the Year of the Designer. UPMG president Pete Waddell explained: “For over 20 years, a large part of our focus has been on PCB designers. Many people think that designers are under-appreciated and under-recognized. Whether that is true or not, we recognize that design is the foundation on which all electronics products are built. We also believe that the PCB designers of the world should receive the credit they deserve.”
The Year of the Designer Website focuses on a variety of designer interests, including:
· “Designer Spotlight” to help give designers the recognition they deserve
· “Design Firm Focus” to detail your neighborhood service bureaus
· “My In Box” to spotlight designs that designers are working on
· “Deep Thoughts” to explain what designers like about designing boards and more
· “Favorite Design Tool” to let designers discuss their favorite tools
· “The Rant” to tackle issues plaguing designers at the moment
· “Designer’s Library” to prove life exists outside of design
· “The Listening Room” to highlight the tunes that fill designers’ headphones.
The site’s content will be updated often and will grow—based in part on the amount of content that PCB designers themselves contribute.
“The site is live, but we need your help to keep the content fresh,” said Waddell. “I know many designers have strong opinions, and we want to hear them. Tell us about your favorite EDA tool or the design you’re working on, or simply ‘rant’ about a pet peeve.”
Send comments and site content to Printed Circuit Design & Manufacture editor Andy Shaughnessy: ashaughnessy@upmediagroup.com).
All PCB designers are invited to attend the Year of the Designer Reception at PCB Design Conference West (pcbwest.com) on March 29 in Santa Clara, CA.
Companies interested in becoming a Year of the Designer sponsor should contact Kamden Robb: krobb@upmediagroup.com.
UPMG officially designated 2006 to be the Year of the Designer. UPMG president Pete Waddell explained: “For over 20 years, a large part of our focus has been on PCB designers. Many people think that designers are under-appreciated and under-recognized. Whether that is true or not, we recognize that design is the foundation on which all electronics products are built. We also believe that the PCB designers of the world should receive the credit they deserve.”
The Year of the Designer Website focuses on a variety of designer interests, including:
· “Designer Spotlight” to help give designers the recognition they deserve
· “Design Firm Focus” to detail your neighborhood service bureaus
· “My In Box” to spotlight designs that designers are working on
· “Deep Thoughts” to explain what designers like about designing boards and more
· “Favorite Design Tool” to let designers discuss their favorite tools
· “The Rant” to tackle issues plaguing designers at the moment
· “Designer’s Library” to prove life exists outside of design
· “The Listening Room” to highlight the tunes that fill designers’ headphones.
The site’s content will be updated often and will grow—based in part on the amount of content that PCB designers themselves contribute.
“The site is live, but we need your help to keep the content fresh,” said Waddell. “I know many designers have strong opinions, and we want to hear them. Tell us about your favorite EDA tool or the design you’re working on, or simply ‘rant’ about a pet peeve.”
Send comments and site content to Printed Circuit Design & Manufacture editor Andy Shaughnessy: ashaughnessy@upmediagroup.com).
All PCB designers are invited to attend the Year of the Designer Reception at PCB Design Conference West (pcbwest.com) on March 29 in Santa Clara, CA.
Companies interested in becoming a Year of the Designer sponsor should contact Kamden Robb: krobb@upmediagroup.com.
MYRTLE BEACH, SC -- AVX Corp. reported third quarter net sales of $349.1 million, up 7.1% sequentially and 15.5% over last year. For the period ended Dec. 31, net income was $24.4 million, up 220% versus a year ago.
Income from operations improved sequentially $30.5 million for the quarter, up 376% year-over-year.
Income from operations improved sequentially $30.5 million for the quarter, up 376% year-over-year.
United Kingdom --Bob Willis was given the “Process Development Award” from Soldertec Global/Tin Technology, in recognition of his achievements assisting industry in the preparation for Pb-free legislation.
Known for his training courses, lectures and practical advice, he writes technical articles, is a regular contributor to magazines (including Circuits Assembly) and has assisted in producing many soldering books.
Willis has coordinated Pb-free hands-on working areas at international exhibitions, including Productronica, the Hannover Fair and Nepcon. He has organized training workshops for research groups such as: ITTF, SINTEF, NPL and IVF.
Willis also coordinates the SMART Group activity for the EU project LEADOUT, currently Europe’s largest funded research project.
Known for his training courses, lectures and practical advice, he writes technical articles, is a regular contributor to magazines (including Circuits Assembly) and has assisted in producing many soldering books.
Willis has coordinated Pb-free hands-on working areas at international exhibitions, including Productronica, the Hannover Fair and Nepcon. He has organized training workshops for research groups such as: ITTF, SINTEF, NPL and IVF.
Willis also coordinates the SMART Group activity for the EU project LEADOUT, currently Europe’s largest funded research project.
Endicott, NY – Endicott Interconnect Technologies has entered into a joint development and manufacturing agreement for high performance power modules with a major research lab. The agreement calls for technology transfer of development know how, including the fabrication process and manufacturing parameters from the research firm to EI. EI is supplying prototypes for the power module qualification.
The technology was developed to address the performance limitations that current packaging and interconnection approaches impose upon high performance power semiconductor devices. The product relies on flexible substrates and a direct die attach to connect to power electronic devices. This method eliminates wire bonds, while attaining a small footprint, thin profile and high reliability.
Norwalk, CT - Richard Schuler, the director of Lean implementation at Raytheon's Integrated Air Defense Center (IADC) in Andover, MA, will give the keynote address for the Nepcon East/Electro and Assembly East event in Boston this May. His presentation will cover "Lean Transformation Process...Leveraging the Power of Many."
Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) was awarded the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing last September for its successful Lean manufacturing strategies and practices.
Schuler is responsible for leading the transformation to a Lean inclusive culture within IDS by establishing the strategy, policy deployment, process and measurements used by the organization. He joined Raytheon in 1966, holding various positions in reliability engineering. From 1979 to 1989, he left to work in several commercial companies. Upon returning to Raytheon, Schuler was director of metal fabrication. He also served as the director of integrated air defense operations and is responsible for providing resources and direction for the operations team that was aligned with the IAD business to execute all air defense programs.
"Raytheon's achievement in winning the 2005 Shingo Prize is not only something to honor but also something to learn from," said Kelvin Marsden-Kish, vice president of the NEPCON/Assembly family of events, produced by Reed Exhibitions. "The constant demand of doing more with less is what manufacturing professionals are challenged with daily. We are very excited to have Mr. Schuler share his successes and how they can be applied to the working environments of our attendees."
Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) was awarded the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing last September for its successful Lean manufacturing strategies and practices.
Schuler is responsible for leading the transformation to a Lean inclusive culture within IDS by establishing the strategy, policy deployment, process and measurements used by the organization. He joined Raytheon in 1966, holding various positions in reliability engineering. From 1979 to 1989, he left to work in several commercial companies. Upon returning to Raytheon, Schuler was director of metal fabrication. He also served as the director of integrated air defense operations and is responsible for providing resources and direction for the operations team that was aligned with the IAD business to execute all air defense programs.
"Raytheon's achievement in winning the 2005 Shingo Prize is not only something to honor but also something to learn from," said Kelvin Marsden-Kish, vice president of the NEPCON/Assembly family of events, produced by Reed Exhibitions. "The constant demand of doing more with less is what manufacturing professionals are challenged with daily. We are very excited to have Mr. Schuler share his successes and how they can be applied to the working environments of our attendees."
Brussels, Belgium and Randburg, South Africa – Valor Computerized Systems has appointed South African-based Zetech CC as its representative.
Founded in 1986, Zetech supplies manufacturing equipment, software, materials and technical support to the electronics industry. Its customers are major electronic manufacturers in South Africa such as Elprom, Conlog, Grintek, Kentron, Microtronix, Panasonic and Shurlok. Zetech will resell and distribute Valor’s solutions, and will also provide implementation, support and training services for companies in the South African region.
Founded in 1986, Zetech supplies manufacturing equipment, software, materials and technical support to the electronics industry. Its customers are major electronic manufacturers in South Africa such as Elprom, Conlog, Grintek, Kentron, Microtronix, Panasonic and Shurlok. Zetech will resell and distribute Valor’s solutions, and will also provide implementation, support and training services for companies in the South African region.
ATLANTA, GA – PCB designers and engineers are invited to battle it out for the honor of being a top designer in the annual PCB Top Gun Hall of Fame contest. The intensive two-day contest, sponsored by Printed Circuit Design & Manufacture magazine, is held March 26-28 in conjunction with PCB Design Conference West in Santa Clara, CA
Participants will be put through a stringent battery of tests, including a written exam, personal interviews and an actual board design. The top scorer(s) will be inducted into the PCB Top Gun Hall of Fame, gaining a plaque and a coveted Top Gun-style leather flight jacket.
"We want to take every opportunity to promote PCB engineers and designers as the salt of the earth,” said Pete Waddell, president of UP Media Group Inc., publisher of PCD&M. “Since we cannot directly influence their salary or other compensation, we want to direct a spotlight on the talents of these individuals whenever possible. The PCB Top Gun Hall of Fame is one event that helps us do this."
Entry forms must be submitted by Tuesday, February 28.
For more info: pcbwest.com/topgun.
Participants will be put through a stringent battery of tests, including a written exam, personal interviews and an actual board design. The top scorer(s) will be inducted into the PCB Top Gun Hall of Fame, gaining a plaque and a coveted Top Gun-style leather flight jacket.
"We want to take every opportunity to promote PCB engineers and designers as the salt of the earth,” said Pete Waddell, president of UP Media Group Inc., publisher of PCD&M. “Since we cannot directly influence their salary or other compensation, we want to direct a spotlight on the talents of these individuals whenever possible. The PCB Top Gun Hall of Fame is one event that helps us do this."
Entry forms must be submitted by Tuesday, February 28.
For more info: pcbwest.com/topgun.
SAN FRANCISCO – Fourth-quarter sales of PC units are topping even the most positive expectations, up 17% worldwide year-over-year, a leading analyst said today.
Chris Whitmore, an analyst with Deutsche Bank Equity Research, said recent remarks by AMD and Seagate suggest that demand is strong for PCs in general, and notebooks in particular. Furthermore, motherboard and notebook manufacturing are inline with normal seasonality, he said in a research note issued today.
Chris Whitmore, an analyst with Deutsche Bank Equity Research, said recent remarks by AMD and Seagate suggest that demand is strong for PCs in general, and notebooks in particular. Furthermore, motherboard and notebook manufacturing are inline with normal seasonality, he said in a research note issued today.
FRANKLIN, MA – Speedline Technologies will present two free Webinars on Feb. 16, covering issues involved the 0201 and 01005 component assembly process.
Two live sessions are available: the first at 2-3 a.m. EST (2-3 p.m. Singapore Time), and the second from 11 a.m. to 12 noon EST.
The Webinars will consist of a presentation, discussion of new technologies and techniques, practical advice and a Q&A opportunity.
Specific areas of discussion will include:
* PCB Pad Design
* Solder Paste Printing
* Solder Paste Selection
* Component Placement
* Reflow Soldering
* Inspection
Two live sessions are available: the first at 2-3 a.m. EST (2-3 p.m. Singapore Time), and the second from 11 a.m. to 12 noon EST.
The Webinars will consist of a presentation, discussion of new technologies and techniques, practical advice and a Q&A opportunity.
Specific areas of discussion will include:
* PCB Pad Design
* Solder Paste Printing
* Solder Paste Selection
* Component Placement
* Reflow Soldering
* Inspection
To register, visit speedlinetech.com/seminars.
NORWALK, CT -- Micro-electromechanical systems, or MEMS -- devices that integrate mechanical elements, sensors, actuators and electronics on a common silicon substrate -- are one of the fastest growing technology areas.
Sales of MEMS devices and production equipment worldwide was worth an estimated $5 billion in 2005, and will increase to $12.5 billion through 2010, an average annual growth rate of more than 20%, according to a soon-to-be-released report from Business Communications.
Microfluidic MEMS was the largest segment of the MEMS market in 2004, with a market share of over 44%, reflecting large sales of microfluidic MEMS inkjet heads, which totaled $1.8 billion or almost 40% of the global market in 2004.
Optical MEMS accounted for nearly 20% of the MEMS market in 2004, with MEMS pressure sensors having an 18% share.
Projected AAGRs in the three largest MEMS segments are generally lower than those of other types of MEMS and, as a result, these segments are expected to lose market share between 2004 and 2010.
Accelerometers have a projected AAGR of 45% between 2005 and 2010, and are expected to be the second largest MEMS market segment (after microfluidics) by 2010, with over 22% of the market. Gyroscopic MEMS and particularly RF (radio frequency) MEMS are also projected to gain significant market share between 2004 and 2010.
Life science applications dominated the MEMS market in 2004, with over 46% of the market. Automotive and consumer product applications accounted for most of the rest of the market, with shares of 27% and 17% respectively.
Life sciences, automotive, and consumer product applications should still account for the bulk of the MEMS market in 2010, collectively accounting for over 78% of the market.
Other MEMS application segments expected to grow appreciably in market share include telecommunications (whose market share is expected to grow from 4% in 2004 to 11% in 2010) and information technology (0.1% of the market in 2004 vs. 5.1% in 2010).
Sales of MEMS devices and production equipment worldwide was worth an estimated $5 billion in 2005, and will increase to $12.5 billion through 2010, an average annual growth rate of more than 20%, according to a soon-to-be-released report from Business Communications.
Microfluidic MEMS was the largest segment of the MEMS market in 2004, with a market share of over 44%, reflecting large sales of microfluidic MEMS inkjet heads, which totaled $1.8 billion or almost 40% of the global market in 2004.
Optical MEMS accounted for nearly 20% of the MEMS market in 2004, with MEMS pressure sensors having an 18% share.
Projected AAGRs in the three largest MEMS segments are generally lower than those of other types of MEMS and, as a result, these segments are expected to lose market share between 2004 and 2010.
Accelerometers have a projected AAGR of 45% between 2005 and 2010, and are expected to be the second largest MEMS market segment (after microfluidics) by 2010, with over 22% of the market. Gyroscopic MEMS and particularly RF (radio frequency) MEMS are also projected to gain significant market share between 2004 and 2010.
Life science applications dominated the MEMS market in 2004, with over 46% of the market. Automotive and consumer product applications accounted for most of the rest of the market, with shares of 27% and 17% respectively.
Life sciences, automotive, and consumer product applications should still account for the bulk of the MEMS market in 2010, collectively accounting for over 78% of the market.
Other MEMS application segments expected to grow appreciably in market share include telecommunications (whose market share is expected to grow from 4% in 2004 to 11% in 2010) and information technology (0.1% of the market in 2004 vs. 5.1% in 2010).
NORWALK, CT -- Worldwide shipments of electronic displays reached $85 billion last year and
will grow at an average annual growth rate of 10.6%, reaching $141 billion by
2010.
Rearchers Business Communications Co. forecast flat panel displays will almost eliminate CRTs, which accounted for just over 32% of the market in 2005 and are forecast to decline to 6.6% by 2010.
Flat panel displays accounted for 67% of the total value in 2005. and will grow at an AAGR of 16%, jumping from $57.8 in 2005 to $121.5 billion in 2010. At this point they will account for 85% of the total display value in 2010.
Liquid crystal displays are used in a broad range of technologies, particularly the fast growing handheld applications. LCDs are the primary competitor to the CRT and will reach an AAGR of 17.5% in 2010. Shipments of plasma displays, a competitor in large television applications, reached $4 billion in value in 2004. Over the five year forecast period, shipments of plasma displays are forecast to reach a value of $10 billion.
Organic light emitting displays (OLEDs) are a burgeoning display technology that had shipments valued at close to $1 billion in 2004. The value of OLED shipments is expected to grow at an AAGR of 22.3% by 2010 to reach more than $3 billion. Shipments of other display technologies, including inorganic LEDs and vacuum fluorescent displays are projected to grow in value at rates exceeding 4% through the 2010 forecast period.
Rearchers Business Communications Co. forecast flat panel displays will almost eliminate CRTs, which accounted for just over 32% of the market in 2005 and are forecast to decline to 6.6% by 2010.
Flat panel displays accounted for 67% of the total value in 2005. and will grow at an AAGR of 16%, jumping from $57.8 in 2005 to $121.5 billion in 2010. At this point they will account for 85% of the total display value in 2010.
Liquid crystal displays are used in a broad range of technologies, particularly the fast growing handheld applications. LCDs are the primary competitor to the CRT and will reach an AAGR of 17.5% in 2010. Shipments of plasma displays, a competitor in large television applications, reached $4 billion in value in 2004. Over the five year forecast period, shipments of plasma displays are forecast to reach a value of $10 billion.
Organic light emitting displays (OLEDs) are a burgeoning display technology that had shipments valued at close to $1 billion in 2004. The value of OLED shipments is expected to grow at an AAGR of 22.3% by 2010 to reach more than $3 billion. Shipments of other display technologies, including inorganic LEDs and vacuum fluorescent displays are projected to grow in value at rates exceeding 4% through the 2010 forecast period.
TAIPEI -- Foxconn filed more patent applications than any other business in Taiwan in 2005.
Foxconn, which also goes under the name Hon Hai Precision Industries, filed for 1,886 patents, nearly 1,000 more than runner-up Industrial Technology Research Institute. The EMS company received approval for 1,018 patents last year.
Foxconn, which also goes under the name Hon Hai Precision Industries, filed for 1,886 patents, nearly 1,000 more than runner-up Industrial Technology Research Institute. The EMS company received approval for 1,018 patents last year.
Press Releases
- Surf-Tech Manufacturing Corp. Ensures World-Class Quality with Advanced Conformal Coating Services
- Luminovo Partners with Sluicebox to Offer an Industry-First Instant Product Carbon Footprint for Electronics
- The Assembly Show and SMTAI Announce Colocation in October
- SIA Applauds CHIPS Act Incentives for GlobalWafers Projects in Texas and Missouri