Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - News

News

TOKYO - A massive earthquake that hit Kyushu Island Sunday temporarily disrupted several electronics companies located in the area. Various reports placed the estimated number of injured close to 700, with at least one person killed.

Although Japan is among the most earthquake-prone areas in the world, Kyushu, known as Silicon Island because of the number of electronics companies there, hasn't been struck in centuries.

The quake measured 7.0 on the Richter scale and has been followed by several aftershocks. A magnitude 7 quake can cause tremendous damage in populated areas, and can trigger tsunamis.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Navman has finished a major expansion in Northcote that doubled the size of its electronics manufacturing space.

The company, which is owned by Brunswick Corp., a U.S. company, designs and builds marine, wireless data and personal and car navigation systems.

The company spent more than 12 months and NZ$4 million on the expansion. The company employs 450 staff in Auckland.

The 85,000 sq. ft. campus is more than twice the previous size.

In a statement, Brunswick chief executive and chairman George Buckley said Navman "is on track to achieve $400 million this year" and NZ$1 billion within three to five years.

Norcross, GA, March 23 -- The Electronics Assembly Systems Division of Siemens Logistics and Assembly Systems Inc. is providing SMT Process training on April 18-22, in partnership with the Center for Electronics Manufacturing & Assembly (CEMA) at Rochester Institute of Technology, (RIT).

The training will take place at RIT's CEMA facility in New York. It features a fully equipped SMT Laboratory, which includes screen printing, dispensing, pick-and-place, reflow, rework stations, optoelectronics workstations, wire bonding, test and inspection equipment.

The hands-on course provides participants with a thorough understanding of SMT and advanced packaging principles needed for supporting and troubleshooting the SMT process. It will offer discussions on process parameters and process characteristics, paste qualification including lead-free solder compounds, as well as identifying and correcting defects.

The course is offered as a result of the Siemens Electronics Consortium for the Advancement of Electronics Manufacturing Education (CAEME).

North Reading, MA, March 23 - Teradyne Inc. has announced a new 3-D x-ray imaging technology for detecting PCB solder and production defects.

Using a patented off-center tomosynthesis imaging technique, ClearVue is suited for densely packed single- or double-sided boards that use BGA-style components, or when loss of electrical or optical access is problematic.

Compared to laminography and other 3-D x-ray techniques, the technology reportedly provides superior image clarity, diagnostic capabilities and full board coverage to expose solder (including lead-free) flaws that are otherwise overlooked.

Operates using a stationary x-ray source and detector and, unlike conventional systems, does not require complex or rotating mechanical parts. Said to result in lower false call rates (promising up to 40 times improvement over existing solutions), improved reliability, better repeatability and improved cycle times.

FRANKLIN, MA- SMT knowledge experts from Speedline Technologies will lead a free, one-hour Webcast seminar on April 14 to answer questions engineers need to consider before implementing lead-free reflow soldering processes on their manufacturing floor.

The Webcast, scheduled from 11 a.m. to Noon, EST, will feature live discussions of process challenges, new technologies, how-to implementation information and participant questions. Topics include:

Required equipment and process changes; Details to consider in optimizing the lead-free process; Reflow equipment configurations and differences; Producing lead-free assemblies; Nitrogen process variables; Cooling considerations; Cost of operation.

For more information, visit: speedlinetech.com/seminars.

LOUISVILLE, KY --Sypris Solutions Inc. today promoted Robert Sanders to president of Sypris Electronics. Sanders, recently named group vice president of the Electronics Group, replaces James G. Cocke.

Sanders is a former general manager and site executive for the Defense & Space Electronics Systems division of Honeywell.

Sypris Electronics is a contract desginer and assembler of missile guidance systems, and gear and satellite communication systems.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Connecticut area designers and engineers are sought for the Connecticut chapter of the SMTA.

A new leadership team is being established for the Nutmeg (Connecticut) chapter and will be planning meetings for 2005. The group will meet in April. Those interested in serving on the leadership team should contact Gayle Jackson at SMTA, gayle@smta.org.

Jackson is also accepting input on technical topics for upcoming meetings.

The next chapter meeting will be held in May; visit www.smta.org for details.

San Diego — KIC, Kester and Metcal will co-host a seminar, "Project 2005: Achieving Lead-free RoHS Assembly," on Thursday, April 7, 2005, at the Four Points Sheraton in Sunnyvale, CA.

The companies' experience in soldering technology (both leaded and lead-free) can help industry companies become compliant with the RoHS directives. The seminar is designed to assist companies in transitioning reliably without false starts. The series brings together the information that will save companies many engineering hours of research and will give what is needed to achieve lead-free and RoHS compliancy rapidly.

Topics include: lead-free and RoHS directive overview; impact to a company's operations; impact of dual systems, leaded and lead-free; boards and RoHS requirements; components and RoHS requirements; lead-free soldering and alloy selection; surface finish changes and solderability; equipment changes and process modifications; optimizing the wave solder operation; BGA rework practices; hand soldering and rework production issues; preventing soldering defects with lead-free; contamination controls; training and documentation with lead-free; field service issues with lead-free; and finished assembly identification and traceability.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Attendees will receive a lead-free assembly technical manual and detailed white papers; a subscription to the Lead-Free Connection Newsletter; and valuable process information and technical tips to achieve solid lead-free processes.

March 21 -- The newly formed JEDEC JC64 committee will have its first meeting on June 6 in Seoul, Korea at the Shilla Hotel, immediately following the JC42.4 flash memory device committee.

Created by the JEDEC Board of Directors at the request of industry leaders in flash memory, the committee is focused on standardizing flash memory modules for the industry.

At the meeting, JC64 members will elect a chairman, establish plans for their activities and future meetings, and initiate the standardization work. Mian Quddus from Samsung has been appointed temporary chairman until elections are held.

All interested companies are invited to join.

Irvine, CA-- Henkel Corp. was named a recipient of Intel Corp.'s Preferred Quality Supplier (PQS) award for outstanding performance in supplying Intel with underfill and die attach paste. This is the company's third consecutive PQS award since 2001.

"Henkel has set an example of outstanding customer commitment with flawless support on High Value Manufacturing," said Mark Kaltenbach, Intel Director, Assembly Test Materials Organization. "In addition, Henkel has proven themselves as invaluable technology partner through their dedicated engagement and continuous improvement approach on future technologies with Intel."

Henkel and 25 additional PQS award winners were recognized at a celebration in Burlingame, CA, on March 15. The awards are part of Intel's Supplier Continuous Improvement (SCQI) process that encourages suppliers to strive for excellence and continuous improvement.

CHANDLER, AZ - Isola Group has acquired the assets and intellectual property of Gividi-Italy, a specialty manufacturer of fiber glass cloth for the PCB industry. The company, located in Monza Italy, has revenue of over $20 million and will report to Isola Europe. The acquisition is set to be completed during the first week of Apri. Terms were not disclosed.

"This acquisition strengthens our technology platform enabling us to expand the development of proprietary finishes used for our rapidly growing high performance products segment," said Ray Sharpe, president and CEO of Isola Group. "This investment demonstrates the commitment of our shareholders to not only the printed circuit industry, but to our new product development process as well."

The new company will be renamed to Isola Fabrics S.r.l. according to Augusto Meozzi, president Europe for Isola Group.

Carlsbad, CA -- Asymtek, a Nordson Company, received Intel Corp.'s 2004 Supplier Continuous Quality Improvement (SCQI) award. The company was given the award for its efforts in supplying Intel with automated fluid dispensing equipment. The company also won a SCQI award in 2003.

Asymtek and other SCQI award winners were honored at a celebration in Burlingame, CA on March 15. Intel also recognized award winners with an advertisement in the U.S., Europe and Asian editions of the Wall Street Journal.

"Asymtek continues to deliver outstanding results on key programs and initiatives for Intel," said Ron Rinfret, Director of Assembly Capital Equipment Development, Intel. "For the second year in a row Asymtek has been recognized as one of the 'best of the best' suppliers at Intel. We look forward to working with Asymtek in 2005 on additional challenging and strategic initiatives and are confident in their continued excellent support."

The SCQI awards are part of Intel's Supplier Continuous Quality Improvement process, which encourages key suppliers to strive for excellence and continuous improvement.