Key Largo, Florida, USA – Rework and repair of electronic assemblies can be necessary at all times, in peace or in war, on land or on the sea. Automated Production Equipment’s benchtop Trident SMT Repair System is designed to be a seagoing electronics PCB repair depot, at home on a Navy ship as in a shoreside repair facility. It’s easy to use, precise and repeatable, featuring single push-button operation.

The self-contained Trident is designed to enable any user to remove and replace SMT components using a precisely controlled Ramp/Soak oven profile and upper and lower heating configuration. Ruggedly manufactured to Military specifications, its chassis is made of Marine Grade Stainless Steel and is 20G Impact Rated.

The Trident Benchtop SMT Rework and Repair Station is a Military Marine Grade Self-Contained Rework Platform, and in addition to reworking legacy MIL components, it is built to rework and repair all SMT components, including RoHS (lead-free). Plus, its state-of-the-art design incorporates an all-stainless-steel chassis to ensure years of worry-free rework especially in a marine environment. The unit package is supplied with a freestanding PCB holder, nozzles, flux and other supplies, and is protected by warranty. The Trident is Model: 115VAC, Part Number: APE-3500-1500.

About APE

With more than 50 years of manufacturing experience, APE.com provides industrial electronics rework equipment known for reliability and consistent performance. APE products are built in the USA with durability and ease of use as core design priorities. For more information, visit www.APE.com, email Sales@APE.com, or call (800) 822-8646.

Atlanta, GA — Koh Young, the industry leader in True3D™ measurement-based inspection solutions, invites electronics manufacturing professionals to register for its upcoming webinar, “From Quality to Resilience: How Data-Driven Transparency Ensures Delivery Capability,” scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

The webinar will provide a practical look at how AI-supported inspection and process optimization solutions can help manufacturers improve process transparency, strengthen production resilience, and support delivery capability in increasingly complex manufacturing environments. Registration is open now at: https://lnkd.in/dWKPqK_8

The webinar is designed for process engineers, production leaders, quality managers, and manufacturing teams seeking practical ways to use inspection data to improve SMT line stability, traceability, and decision-making.

Artificial intelligence is already part of electronics manufacturing. The more important question now is how AI can be meaningfully integrated into existing production processes to help manufacturers make better decisions, improve process stability, and reduce variation. At the same time, many companies must meet strict data security and cybersecurity requirements, particularly in sectors such as medical technology, avionics, and defense.

“Manufacturers do not need AI as a separate concept. They need practical tools that help them understand what is happening on the line, respond faster to process variation, and keep production moving,” said Axel Lindloff, Senior Process Specialist Pre-Sales at Koh Young Europe GmbH. “By using process data closer to the machine and within the factory environment, manufacturers can improve transparency while keeping sensitive production information under their control.”

Against this backdrop, process-oriented AI solutions are becoming increasingly important. Systems that operate directly on machines or local line servers can analyze process data and support immediate manufacturing optimization without requiring sensitive data to leave the production floor.

Using Koh Young solutions as practical examples, the webinar will demonstrate how AI can be deployed across an SMT line and how connected inspection, review, process control, and smart factory systems can work together to improve quality, line availability, and overall production resilience. The session will reference Koh Young technologies for 3D inspection, AI-assisted programming, review optimization, factory connectivity, and process optimization.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Apply AI closer to the SMT line without moving sensitive production data offsite
• Use inspection and process data to identify variation earlier
• Improve production transparency across connected inspection and process control systems
• Support quality, line availability, and delivery capability through data-driven decision-making

The session will be led by Axel Lindloff, who studied Electrical Engineering at Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and has worked in the SMT industry as an application engineer, trainer, and process consultant. Since joining Koh Young Europe, he has supported customers with feasibility studies, cycle-time analysis, application evaluation, and the practical communication of advanced technical concepts.

Two sessions will be available on May 20:

• German Session: 10:00 – 11:00 AM CET / 4:00 – 5:00 AM ET
• English Session: 3:00 – 4:00 PM CET / 9:00 – 10:00 AM ET

Registration is open for both the German and English sessions. Attendees may select the session that best fits their schedule during registration.

Register now: https://lnkd.in/dWKPqK_8

ANN ARBOR, MI — May 2026 — Aven Tools, a trusted provider of precision tools and inspection solutions, has announced the addition of Max Ramos as Distribution Partner Operations Manager, supporting the company’s growing global distribution network.

In this role, Ramos will serve as a key link between Aven’s internal teams and its distribution partners, helping ensure product, pricing, and program initiatives are executed accurately and consistently. He will work closely with cross-functional stakeholders to support compliance with program, policy, and regulatory requirements while keeping day-to-day operations running smoothly.

Ramos brings more than a decade of experience in program management and supply chain operations across manufacturing and industrial environments. His background includes managing complex, multi-site programs, leading sourcing and procurement strategies, and driving cost savings and process improvements.

Before joining Aven, he held roles in project management, sourcing, and supply chain leadership, where he was responsible for vendor management, inventory strategy, and cross-functional coordination. He has also led initiatives that improved efficiency, reduced lead times, and strengthened supplier performance—experience that aligns closely with Aven’s operational priorities.

At Aven, Ramos will focus on improving visibility and coordination across the distribution network, with an emphasis on inventory flow, partner readiness, and risk mitigation. His analytical approach to operations is expected to support better decision-making and more consistent service levels across partners.

He will also help refine internal processes tied to partner communication, pricing updates, and rebate programs—areas that are increasingly important as Aven continues to expand its reach.

“Max brings a practical understanding of how supply chains actually operate day to day,” said Mark Kanpurwala, VP Sales & Marketing at Aven. “His ability to connect the details with the bigger picture will help us stay organized and responsive as we grow.”

Ramos has a strong background in international business and is certified in Six Sigma and SAP supply chain systems. He is known for building strong working relationships across teams and maintaining a steady, solutions-focused approach in fast-paced environments.

For more information, visit www.aventools.com.

Byron Center, MI – May 2026 – ubersmt, a U.S.-based electronics manufacturing services provider, has expanded its surface mount production capabilities with the addition of a Juki G‑Titan Screen Printer and Juki RS‑1R Placement System, strengthening its ability to support startups, innovators, and low- to medium-volume production builds.

The investment marks a meaningful step forward for the company as it continues building out a flexible, U.S.-based manufacturing model focused on helping customers move from prototype to production without getting lost in the gaps that often exist in traditional high-volume EMS environments.

With the new G-Titan platform in place, ubersmt is improving control over solder paste printing for fine-pitch components, dense layouts, and high-reliability assemblies. The system brings more stability to the earliest part of the SMT process, where small variations often translate into downstream defects.

Features such as solder paste rolling measurement, Optimum Paste Control (OPC) squeegees with automatic paste dispense, and stencil lock with stencil position memory help maintain consistent deposition across complex boards. Automatic stencil cleaning, 2D paste inspection, and flexible auto clamp functionality also reduce setup time and support more stable changeovers, which is an important factor in a high-mix environment. Built-in monitoring of humidity, temperature, and paste behavior adds another layer of control during production runs.

On the placement side, the Juki RS-1R brings added flexibility and speed to the line. Designed around a single dynamic placement head, the system automatically adjusts to component heights ranging from 1mm to 25mm. This allows ubersmt to handle a mix of parts without slowing down changeovers or introducing unnecessary complexity.

The system’s variable laser sensing and large nozzle automatic tool change capability also make it easier to place odd-shaped components, a common requirement in prototype and low-volume builds. For ubersmt’s customer base—often working on evolving designs rather than stable, high-volume production—this flexibility is a practical advantage rather than a convenience.

For ubersmt, the investment is closely tied to its broader mission. Founded by Michael Antwih, the company was built to support customers who often struggle to find manufacturing partners willing to take on early-stage or low-volume work in the U.S. That includes startups and engineers bringing new ideas to life, where speed, communication, and adaptability matter just as much as scale.

The addition of the Juki platforms builds on an already integrated SMT line and supports the company’s approach of keeping operations lean while still expanding capability. By improving process control at the printing and placement stages, ubersmt is able to deliver more consistent results, higher yield, and increased capacity for more complex assemblies.

Customers ultimately benefit from tighter process windows, more repeatable builds from prototype through production, and a manufacturing partner willing to stay close to the work as designs evolve.

With this expansion, ubersmt continues to position itself as a practical option for teams that need real manufacturing support without the constraints of a traditional high-volume model.

For more information, visit www.ubersmt.com.