INDIANAPOLIS – Specialty Coating Systems will host a free webinar on Dec. 1: Advances in Conformal Coatings: Enhancing the Reliability of Innovative Technologies.

The 60-minute webinar will provide an overview of ultra-thin, pinhole-free Parylene coatings; Parylene’s properties that enhance reliability of components; how Parylene is applied to result in ultra-thin conformal coatings; examples of applications that benefit from Parylene’s properties; new advances that have been made in adhesion technologies, and advanced applications for Parylene.

For more information, visit www.SCSwebinars.com.

MUNICH – Initial thoughts from Productronica, where the weather was brisk outside, but starting to heat up inside.

Traffic was a bit slow relative to past years. The show itself seems smaller – and again, this is relative, as it remains bigger than almost all the other major electronics assembly trade shows combined – with traditional powerhouses like Siemens, Universal Instruments and other placement companies occupying booths that, while they would still qualify as monstrous at any other show, no longer fill entire halls on their own. (This is a good thing.)

AUSTIN – A new TechSearch International survey reveals market growth and the latest developments for fan-out wafer level packages.

BRATISLAVA – Samsung Electronics plans to invest $123 million to modernize its Slovak operations and to prepare for production of new TVs, say published reports.

TAIPEI – Foxconn reported consolidated revenues of $28.6 billion for the third quarter, up 9.8% sequentially, and up 6% year-over-year.

SHENZHEN – Nam Tai Electronics said it has signed a major customer contract for LCD modules.

REDMOND, WA – Data I/O Corp. has partnered with Aegis Software to deliver comprehensive solutions for end unit traceability, process tracking, and quality management.

The two firms are partnering to help manufacturing companies streamline production processes, eliminate operator errors, and the risk of having the wrong flash program written to a given device and assembly.

Aegis’ solutions aid in data acquisition and visualization, process tracking and control, quality analysis, document management, reporting and material traceability. Additional features include real-time data dashboards and interactive multimedia.

Data I/O provides RoadRunner 3 and PS Series automated programming solutions with Factory Integration Software. FIS Track and Remote modules interface with external software systems, including Aegis Software. FIS Track enables automated collection and export of programming results. FIS Remote provides remote control of programming commands.

No financial terms of their agreement were disclosed.

FELDKIRCHEN, GERMANY – MatriX Technologies, manufacturer of automatic x-ray solutions, this month is taking over worldwide customer support for the semi-automatic MXR and MXS x-ray system series of Saki.

The MXR/MXS system series includes high-resolution, programmable x-ray systems that can be optionally configured for automatic loading. The systems can be integrated in a “closed-loop verify and repair” concept via a verification station.

The support agreement covers X-AIP software as well.

No financial terms were disclosed.

SAN JOSE – Zero Defects International will hold an open house to showcase its newly acquired facility here.

The event will feature technical equipment demonstrations by partners and event cosponsors, Seica USA and Viscom.

SHENZHEN – SinoHub reported third-quarter net sales of $52 million, down 7.3% year-over-year.

SANTA CLARA, CA – DisplaySearch has increased its 2011 forecast for total China PC market shipments from 95 million to more than 100 million units, accounting for a 25% year-over-year increase.

The research firm has increased its 2011 shipment forecast of desktop PCs from 51.6 million units to 52.4 million units, AIO PCs from 2.5 million to 3.8 million units, nd mobile PCs from 40.8 million to 47.4 million units.

“Despite weak global demand, PC market growth in China continues to outpace the rest of the world,” noted Robin Wu, DisplaySearch China PC/IT analyst. “The rapid development in the region as part of the country’s strategy to develop western China over the past 10 years ultimately resulted in the China PC market growth exceeding expectations.”

DisplaySearch previously forecast 2011 tablet PC shipments at 3.4 million units; however, the second quarter far exceeded this estimate, reaching 2.4 million units. The growth was attributed to aggressive pricing strategies by brands, including Lenovo. The firm raised its 2011 tablet PC shipment forecast to 10 million units, accounting for a 10% share of the total China PC market.

Apple continues to lead in tablet PC brands in China, while other brands like Lenovo, Acer and Samsung are also increasing their efforts.

The do-it-yourself market, consisting of self-built PCs that have a monitor included as part of a complete solution, still accounts for a significant share of the overall China PC market, the firm says. 2011 shipments are expected to exceed 20 million units.

Lenovo’s leading position in the China PC market is strengthened by its efforts in the LCD monitor, desktop PC and mobile PC segments, with a 23.6% share of the total China PC market. AOC’s share was 8.5%. The combined market share of Lenovo and AOC reached 32.1% in the second quarter, compared to 27.6% in the first quarter, and Lenovo’s shares in all market segments grew in the second quarter.

DUSSELDORF, GERMANY – Henkel’s sales in the third quarter of 2011 increased to $5.5 billion, up 1.7% year-over-year.

Net income was $431.7 million, down 8.5% compared to the third quarter of 2010.

Adhesive Technologies attained sales growth of 8.7%.

“All our business sectors contributed to this growth, and with further double-digit increases in our growth regions, we improved their share to 43% of our total sales. Despite higher raw material prices, we managed to improve profitability in all our business sectors,” said Henkel CEO Kasper Rorsted.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2011, Henkel increased sales 3.9% to $16.2 billion compared to the same period last year.

Net income for the first nine months was $1.35 billion, up 10.7% year-over-year.

The company said it expects full-year 2011 organic sales growth to be between 5 and 6%. The adjusted EBIT margin is expected to increase to around 13%, and adjusted earnings per preferred share about 10%, says Rorsted.