Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - News

News

FRANKLIN, MA – Speedline Technologies will address the issues involved with the challenge of tin whiskers in SMT manufacturing during a free, live, one-hour Web seminar on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 11 a.m., EST

The challenge of tin whiskers – the small protrusions of tin that can grow from tin-plated surfaces, causing electrical short circuits – has plagued the electronics industry for years. Concern has recently accelerated with the use of lead-free solders that are high in tin content.

Especially troublesome for high reliability applications such as military, medical and automotive manufacturing, research into the cause – and cure for – tin whiskers continues. Most agree that the whiskers are caused by the compressive stress of the tin-plating process.

Topics will include causes and types of tin whiskers; prevention of whiskers; and where to find additional information on the phenomenon.

For more info. and to register, visit speedlinetech.com/seminars

Carlsbad, CA – Asymtek, Dow Corning, Emerson & Cuming, Henkel Technologies and Humiseal are planning a conformal coating and dispensing workshop on Nov. 8 at the Center for Board Assembly Research/ Manufacturing Research Center (MARC) at Georgia Tech University in Atlanta. The event will feature new information on conformal coating, and the best practices for jetting and other electronic assembly dispensing from both material and equipment perspectives.

Topics will include:
How to select, cure and apply different coating materials (aqueous, acrylic, silicone, and heat-humidity cure materials);
Fluid jetting processes and material applications, including the advantages of non-contact jetting underfill and other fluid materials for electronics assembly;
Live demonstrations of coating and jetting applications on equipment.

There is no fee, but a reservation is required by Nov. 1. Visit: asymtek.com/news/seminars/southeast_2005/default.htm

NORTH BILLERICA, MA -- The recovery continues at BTU International, which last night said third-quarter net sales rose 20% to $18.5 million, while earnings jumped to $1.6 million from a loss of $2.4 million last year.

For the quarter ended Oct. 2, net sales were up 17% and net income doubled sequentially.

GUADALAJARA – Electronics manufacturing in Guadalajara is recovering, sometimes even at the expense of China. Electronics exports – mostly telecom and computer equipment – from the region are expected to rise 10% this year, to a record $11.3 billion. The city was the site of the annual Mexitronica trade show this week.

SAN JOSE -- SEMI today announced the release of eight standards, including specifications for epitaxial silicon wafers, test methods for measuring mechanical vibrations in FPD handling equipment, MEMS terminologies, and data matrix symbology for automated identification of EUV lithography masks.

SEMI releases specs three times per year. The Nov. 1 batch of eight new technical standards are applicable to the semiconductor, flat panel display and MEMS manufacturing industries.

They are available in CD-ROM format or can be downloaded from the SEMI Web site. View the complete list at: http://downloads.semi.org/pubs/wstdsbal.nsf/NewPubsList.

ANGLETON, TX -- Benchmark Electronics reported sales of $561 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30, up 11% from last year. Third-quarter net income was $20.3 million, up 12.7%.

"Our third quarter results are a clear indication that our strategy is working as we delivered double digit growth in sales and net income," said president and CEO Cary T. Fu.

TORONTO -- Celestica this afternoon said third-quarter sales were down 8% to $1.99 billion, year-over-year. The GAAP loss for the quarter ended Sept. 30 was $19.6 million, including charges, versus $24.4 million last year.
Operating margins were 2.3%, up from 1.8% a year ago

The comany guided for Q4 revenue of $1.9 billion to $2.1 billion, and adjusted net earnings of $0.10 to $0.18.

NEW YORK -- Dover Corp. today reported profits from continuing operations rose 18% to $132.6 million and revenue rose 23% to $1.56 billion for its third quarter ended Sept. 30. Net income was $122.7 million, including a loss of $9.9 million, versus $120.3 million in 2004.

Income and earnings per share from continuing operations were at their highest levels since the third quarter of 2000.

ELKHART, IN -- CTS Corp., a manufacturer of electronic components and sensors and a provider of EMS
services, will build a manufacturing operation in Ostrava, on the eastern border of the Czech Republic. Production is expected to start mid-2006. The facility will initially manufacture automotive products for the European market.

In a press statement, vice president and general manager of CTS automotive products Jeff McCurley said, "Our European sales are projected to double in the next five years. Expansion of our European manufacturing presence to the Czech Republic will better serve our European automotive customers. Locating our new plant in Ostrava offers low costs, availability of technical skills and necessary manufacturing infrastructure," added McCurley.

CHANDLER, AZ -- Isola said it might raise prices up to 10% due to cost increases in various raw materials for laminate and prepreg products. A decision is expected in a few weeks.

Price inflation has been rampant for such materials as hydrocarbon-based products, copper and even oil. In a press release, Tim McCloskey, vice president sales, Americas, said, “Recent increases in the prices of all hydrocarbon-based products are having a significant impact on the cost structure throughout the Isola product line. In addition, rising oil prices have increased operating costs through higher natural gas prices and freight surcharges. Copper prices continue at record levels in the commodity markets, driving recent increases from the producers of electrodeposited copper foil."

"Our goal is to keep any potential increase in the 8 to 10% range. While we regret that this action may be necessary, it is quite clear that the entire supply chain in electronics manufacturing is similarly affected”, said McCloskey.

Recently, a pair of major Japan-based laminate producers raised prices about 10%.

An announcement detailing the pricing for Isola products is anticipated in the coming weeks.

SAN JOSE -- North American-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $1.09 billion in orders in September on a three-month, down 1% from August and 19% from last year. The book-to-bill ratio was 1.02, the SEMI trade group said.

GREENVILLE, SC -- Kemet Corp. today said it is in "advanced" negotiations to acquire the tantalum capacitor business of Epcos AG. The deal is expected to close early next year, and no financial terms were disclosed.

Separately, however, Epcos said the proceeds of the sale would improve its net cash flow by at least 70 million euros.

In a press release, Kemet said the acquisition would increase its access to key markets including automotive and telecom and broaden its manufacturing base.

The deal hinges on the completion of a definitive agreement, among other customary business.

Epcos is based in Munich. The tantalum capacitor business was reportedly profitable business until 2001, but since has been hurt by overcapacity and falling prices.