News
The U.S. Department of Defense awarded the nonprofit research group a research contract for the Vertically Interconnected Sensor Arrays (VISA) program. This contract is a collaborative effort between MCNC-RDI and DRS Infrared Technologies.
The program objective is to develop 3-D architectures and circuits that enable massively parallel signal processing for high-resolution IR focal plane arrays for strategic and tactical systems. The 3-D interconnect permits integration of detector arrays with multiple layers of ICs by means of insulated and metallized vias (vertical holes) etched through the body of the IC chips. The resulting multilayer structure offers optimal short interconnect paths and enables significantly higher interlayer bandwidths for more demanding signal processing requirements.
The weeklong Chinese Autumn holiday that ended this week has had a big impact on air freight conditions, says Trans Global Logistics. "Local factories pumped out high volumes of goods before the break and many factories continued to churn out goods during the week, adding to the backlog of cargo at regional transit hubs," the company said in a customer briefing. Transit times will likely grow, Trans Global says, as the cargo buildup is worked ouut.
Regional notes:
- Shanghai carriers have announced a rate increase of 9%, while transit times for deferred service have suffered because of the freight buildup. Export volume is projected to be strong through October.
- Big-project shipping will keep air cargo strong in Hong Kong through November.
- In Taiwan, carriers have announced a third round of peak season increases (10 to 15%), but those levels may not stick because the market is not as strong as expected. Anticipate longer transit times and higher costs for space and fuel, and book large-sized or "hot" shipments as early as possible.
The show will be held Oct. 12-14, in Amsterdam.
Elcoteq's model -- called Virtual Cluster -- is based on a partnership where the OEM focuses design and technology, and Elcoteq handles issues of manufacturability, the manufacturing equipment budget, production capacity, bill of materials, supply chain, and creating and maintaining a time-line and focus for production and delivery to the OEM's customer.
By jointly setting up a process of defined milestones to discuss upcoming products and manufacturing challenges, both companies are prepared for time and manufacturing adjustments, and the engineering department can focus on design instead of logistics, reducing time-to-market, Elcoteq says.
For more on the Virtual Cluster model, see next month's Circuits Assembly.
Lyman Brown, executive VP president and COO, will address an expected audience of more than 500 senior managers from central European companies.
CEMCEX is by invitation only. Other events include workshops on lead-free issues and electronics production.
BP Microsystems supplies device programming systems.
Cleveland - Oct. 6, 2004 -- Keithley Instruments Inc. has updated its popular reference book, "Low Level Measurements Handbook: Precision DC Current, Voltage, and Resistance Measurements." The sixth edition of the book describes theoretical and practical considerations involved in the measurement of low DC currents, high resistances, low DC voltages and low resistances.
Chapter topics discuss proper use and configuration of nanovoltmeters, picoammeters, electrometers, high resistance sources and low resistance sources. A number of chapters have been updated to reflect new measurement techniques for making accurate electrical measurements on today's small devices, many of which are down to nano-scale geometries.
The Instrument Selection Guide, glossary and a troubleshooting guide are updated, and a new section deals with safety considerations when making precision electrical measurements.
For a free copy, call 1-888-KEITHLEY or visit www.keithley.com/pr/006.html.
AMSTERDAM, Oct 7 -- Philips Electronics will sell one of its six television assembly plants in Poland to Jabil Circuit, Reuters reported today.
The deal is expected to close next month.
Philips is Europe's largest maker of consumer electronics.
The facility also houses quality operations, sales and technical support.
President Greg Evans said in a press statement, "This facility addresses the tremendous demand for our solder paste by the Chinese market. It is also the next step in our strategy for providing world-class service and support throughout the world."
Indium also has manufacturing sites in Singapore, the U.K. and the U.S.
Other keynoters during the Feb. 22-24 event are:
- Walt Custer, president, Custer Consulting Group, on the industry economy .
- Jim McElroy, CEO, the National Electronics Manufacturing Initiative, on the 2004 NEMI roadmap of future manufacturing needs.
- Pilot Burt Rutan, founder, Scaled Composites and SpaceShipOne, on winning the $10 million Anasari X Prize for reaching space twice in a two-week span using a privately manned rocketship.
Yet despite the increasing popularity of low-loss photoimageable waveguide materials, opportunities will continue to emerge for low-cost, mechanically and optically stable alternative approaches, says BPA Consulting Ltd. The firm also found that over 85% of backplanes are proprietary in design.
Sales of backplanes will grow from $1.99 billion this year to $2.11 billion in 2005 and $2.48 billion in 2009, or 9.8%, BPA forecasts.
The report identifies demand for low-loss/low-dielectric constant laminates, high-speed power connectors, advanced backplane fabrication and assembly, and high-speed (10 Gbps and above) channel design services. The report also analyzes the impact of new design standards such as the Advanced Telecommunication Computing Architecture (ATCA).
in MAASTRICHT, THE NETHERLANDS — Ten industry suppliers last month hosted their second workshop on new coating and dispensing technology.
The Sept. 22-23 workshop looked at conformal coating and dispensing and plasma treatment. Over 100 people attended, said event sponsor Asymtek/Nordson BV .
Presenting companies included Concoat Ltd., Beck Electrical Insulations, Dow Corning, Lackwerke Peters and Asymtek. Topics included guidelines for protecting electronics with coatings, changing technologies and how to select, cure, and apply materials.
Presenters on dispensing and plasma treatment included Emerson & Cuming, Henkel Loctite, March Plasma, RMC-Tech, Barco Surface Mounting and Asymtek.
In a press statement, Siemens said the new name better describes its business of supplying supply-chain wide solutions. The group was formerly known as Siemens Dematic, the result of the company's acquistion of Dematic.
The move means greater cost benefits and increased efficiencies for customers, Siemens said.
The integration will be approved by Siemens' board this month.
NORTH BILLERICA, MA, Oct. 1 -- The top executive at BTU International Inc. has stepped down effective immediately, the commpany said today. No reason was given.
Mark Rosenzweig, president and chief executive, also resigned from BTU's board, the company said.
BTU chairman Paul van der Wansem, 64, will assume the role of chief executive. van der Wansem was the equipment manufacturer's CEO from 1979 through mid 2002.
The company will release its 3rd quarter earnings Oct. 21.
Last Day for 2005 Service Excellence Awards Registrations
10-06-2004
Think your company provides good customer service? Prove it!
Circuits Assembly is now accepting entries for the 13th annual Service Excellence Awards (SEAs)-the premier awards program in electronics manufacturing.
The SEAs are open to EMS providers and electronics assembly equipment, material and software suppliers. You'll provide us a list of your best customers, and we will gather customer feedback to determine their level of satisfaction. Scores are then totaled, and the highest-ranking companies will be presented awards at APEX 2005 in Anaheim,CA.
What are your chances?
EMS SEAs
If you're an EMS provider, you'll be competing against companies in your own revenue size category-less than $100 million; $101 to $500 million; or more than $500 million. In all, 18 awards will be presented!
Supplier SEAs
If you're an equipment, material or software supplier, awards will be presented to the top participants in each of the following categories: cleaning; dispensing; materials (solder paste); pick and place; repair and rework; screen printing; soldering (reflow and wave); test and inspection; manufacturing and supply chain management software.
Ready to enter?
Visit www.circuitsassembly.com/sea.
Follow the instructions to select the appropriate entry form.
Once we receive your terms and conditions form, payment and customer contacts, your work is done!
Deadline for entries is December 6, 2004.
Please contact Robin Norvell at rnorvell@upmediagroup.com or 678-589-8846 with any questions.
Press Releases
- NEDME 2025 Draws Strong Northwest Crowd, Builds on Tradition of Regional Collaboration
- Cofactr Democratizes their Complete Procure-to-Ship Automation Service at a Pivotal Moment for US, Unlocking Support for Agile Hardware Manufacturers in America—with No Upfront Costs
- Semi-Kinetics Adds 2nd Pemtron X-Ray Inspection and Component Counting Capabilities as Part of California Expansion
- The Training Connection Continues to Grow with Addition of Veteran IPC Trainer Bill Graver