Tokyo, Japan – February 14, 2024 – Saki Corporation, an innovator in the field of automated optical and X-ray inspection equipment, is pleased to announce that it has supplied inline optical inspection systems to Smart Modular Technologies, a Newark California based manufacturer of high-performance DRAM modules and solid-state disk drives (SSDs). The investment enables the company to deliver advanced products and assure customers of the highest quality and value, and to prepare for next-generation smart manufacturing.

Smart Modular provides standard, ruggedized and custom memory and storage solutions for computing applications such as IoT, big data analytics, cloud AI, financial trading, and networking and telecom. Like any manufacturing business, Smart Modular strives to maximize productivity by continuously improving cycle time, production quality, and end-of-line yield. At the same time, maintaining the company’s reputation for quality depends on identifying any defective units to prevent them from leaving the factory. To ensure production reaches these ideals, Smart Modular invested in advanced inline inspection solution consisting of a solder-paste inspection (SPI) station and two automated optical inspection (AOI) systems from Saki.

Inline SPI provides a fast way to check for any problems with the printer, stencil, or cleaning regime, which can be seen in defects such as bridging, insufficient solder paste, and paste-on-pad errors before the boards are populated and reflowed. While many printers contain built-in paste-on-pad inspection, Saki's dedicated 3D SPI system offers advantages such as a mechanical structure shared in common with high-end inline AOI machines and also the software platform for unified machine operation and programming. The system can provide simultaneous 2D and 3D inspection of the entire PCB surface and there are additional features such as warpage management, coplanarity inspection, and SPC support.

Good boards, as checked by the Saki 3Si SPI system, are then passed forwards for components to be placed. To detect any placement errors and pinpoint the causes, the production team at Smart Modular chose Saki’s 3Di series inline AOI platform. They worked with technical and sales staff to configure an optimal solution that would meet their needs.

The 3D AOI series has great expandability and flexibility with the advanced optical head with Z-axis and quad side-camera options with full and deeper inspection coverage. This, combined with advanced inspection algorithms permits both high accuracy and a fast cycle time. While the cameras permit capturing fine details, the 3Di platform’s state-of-the-art image processing can capture a 25mm field of view in one scan which can be extended up to 40mm with Z-axis options. This helps inspect assemblies that contain tall components such as capacitors placed alongside lower-profile components such as leadless ICs and SMD passives. In addition, by also incorporating multi-angle lighting and a side-view camera, Saki’s 3Di machines are well equipped to inspect assemblies that contain densely spaced components of widely varying sizes.

Memory Module Inspection Challenges

Working with Saki to determine the ideal setup to meet their quality and productivity goals, Smart Modular added a second Saki 3Di AOI system to the line to inspect 100% of the boards emerging from the reflow oven. In addition to encountering typical soldering issues such as tombstoning, head-in-pillow, and solder spattering, which the 3Di detects using state-of-the-art algorithms, assemblies such as memory modules and peripheral cards can suffer from problems such as solder spots on gold contacts. These types of defects can compromise the durability of the low-ohmic gold finish, while also spoiling the appearance and so compromising the perception of product quality. In addition, thicker solder deposits can also impair insertion of the module during use.

These solder spots are known to be difficult to detect against a gold finish when using older AOI equipment. The lighting subsystems and detection algorithms can be relatively insensitive to the low contrast between the color and surface characteristics of the reflowed solder and the gold plating. Saki’s engineers have overcome this, enabling unwanted solder spots to be detected automatically so that affected units can be repaired before leaving the factory.

Now that the equipment is up and running in Smart Modular’s factory, operators have been able to assess its overall performance and contribution to enhancing the company’s output. They particularly appreciate the overall accuracy, detecting defects with a high level of certainty while also maintaining a very low number of incorrect no-go results.

“We have experienced very low numbers of “false positives”, which is a strength of the Saki 3Di systems that we strongly appreciate,” said Smart Modular’s Vejay Kumar, VP of WW Specialty Memory Manufacturing. “By creating a stable parts database, and with the flexibility of the repair station, we can run the line for extended periods without stoppages and without needing operators to intervene. The AOI supports the work of our trained inspectors and lets them perform their own assessments on the boards, carefully, at the end of the line without slowing down production.”

Future-Proof Flexibility

Saki also offers many flexible options and upgrades that help transition inspection capabilities as the company seeks to adopt smart manufacturing principles in its activities. “This is important to us as we are now bringing Industry 4.0 technologies into our production lines to achieve further increases in productivity and quality, and benefit from data-driven improvements to our products and processes,” explained Vejay. Vejay also commented on the support and training Saki has provided, which helped the manufacturing team to get productive very quickly after the equipment had been installed in the line. “All the machines, including our 3Si SPI system and two 3Di AOI systems are very easy to use. We required only minimal support to get up and running and start using all the features effectively. The customer service from Saki has been attentive whenever we called. This assures us of the best and fastest return on our investment. All our training has been on-site, and their team customized the sessions to ensure all the aspects we need were covered optimally.”

“Saki’s 3D SPI and AOI systems provide a sound and durable hardware base while also giving us flexibility to scale and improve our capabilities by applying regular software updates,” concluded Vejay “We are now equipped to inspect our most advanced products with high accuracy, at high speed, and to detect even small cosmetic issues, without incorrectly failing good units. This has helped us to increase productivity and continue delivering the best possible quality and value for customers, and thereby uphold our great reputation in the marketplace.”

For more information about Saki visit www.sakicorp.com/en/.

Westfield, PA – For more than 75 years, Electri-Cord Manufacturing (ECM) has provided electronic products and supply chain solutions to clients worldwide. Now, with its singular focus on solving the most complex product challenges through technological innovation, the company is updating its brand to reflect its global contract manufacturing and supply chain solutions under the ECM name to demonstrate its collective power in electronics manufacturing services.

The announcement marks the next chapter for ECM, a multi-generation family-owned business, which is leveraging its expertise in electronics manufacturing and supply chain management to bring products from concept to market and introduce solutions that are smarter, cost-effective, and more personalized.

“Our focus on manufacturing and supply chain solutions enables us to solve unique global manufacturing challenges for our customers by leveraging our experience in electronics manufacturing services,” said Ryan Samuels, Director of Business Development. “Updating our brand identity is a natural next step in our journey and reflects our scope and purpose in electronics manufacturing, while staying true to our core values and maintaining the level of service out clients expect from us.”

Family-owned for over 25 years, ECM has grown into a trusted, global electronics manufacturing leader with a rich heritage of customer centricity. This history includes Jerry Samuels taking over as president in 1963 and relocating the company to Westfield, Pennsylvania, where it become a leading supplier of power cords to the consumer electronics and medical industries. ECM’s commitment to providing high-reliability manufacturing, distribution, and supply chain management solutions has helped empower thousands of clients in specialized markets for decades.

• ECM's Manufacturing Solutions consists of manufacturing facilities across North America providing contract manufacturing services for wiring harnesses, cable assemblies, power cords, control panels, box builds, and panel assemblies.
• ECM's Supply Chain Solutions solves complex supply chain challenges through its network of partners with manufacturing facilities in Vietnam, China, Taiwan, and more. Providing turnkey product development, manufacturing, and distribution services.

The new ECM brand integrates the company's rich corporate history of ongoing investments in technology, processes, and relationships, while modernizing electronics manufacturing services and presenting the company' inclusive, family nature.

“At ECM, We Make Powerful Connections, with the products we manufacture as well as the organizations and individuals that we support,” said Samuels. “Our success is determined by our customers’ success, and we are grateful for those connections that we make.”

About ECM

Electri-Cord Manufacturing (ECM) is a leading turnkey electronics manufacturing services company specializing in wiring harnesses, cable assemblies, power cords, high-level assemblies, power distribution units, panel assemblies, and box builds. Our commitment to technological innovation enables us to build a world powered by manufacturing and supply chain solutions. We excel in high reliability markets, delivering intelligent, cost-effective, and personalized manufacturing solutions. Leveraging our expertise in electronics contract manufacturing and supply chain management, we are positioned to add value to our customers' supply chain and ensure their success.

(Left to Right) Jason Samuels, Mitch Samuels, Ryan Samuels.

Westfield, PA – For more than 75 years, Electri-Cord Manufacturing (ECM) has provided electronic products and supply chain solutions to clients worldwide. Now, with its singular focus on solving the most complex product challenges through technological innovation, the company is updating its brand to reflect its global contract manufacturing and supply chain solutions under the ECM name to demonstrate its collective power in electronics manufacturing services.

The announcement marks the next chapter for ECM, a multi-generation family-owned business, which is leveraging its expertise in electronics manufacturing and supply chain management to bring products from concept to market and introduce solutions that are smarter, cost-effective, and more personalized.

“Our focus on manufacturing and supply chain solutions enables us to solve unique global manufacturing challenges for our customers by leveraging our experience in electronics manufacturing services,” said Ryan Samuels, Director of Business Development. “Updating our brand identity is a natural next step in our journey and reflects our scope and purpose in electronics manufacturing, while staying true to our core values and maintaining the level of service out clients expect from us.”

Family-owned for over 25 years, ECM has grown into a trusted, global electronics manufacturing leader with a rich heritage of customer centricity. This history includes Jerry Samuels taking over as president in 1963 and relocating the company to Westfield, Pennsylvania, where it become a leading supplier of power cords to the consumer electronics and medical industries. ECM’s commitment to providing high-reliability manufacturing, distribution, and supply chain management solutions has helped empower thousands of clients in specialized markets for decades.

• ECM's Manufacturing Solutions consists of manufacturing facilities across North America providing contract manufacturing services for wiring harnesses, cable assemblies, power cords, control panels, box builds, and panel assemblies.
• ECM's Supply Chain Solutions solves complex supply chain challenges through its network of partners with manufacturing facilities in Vietnam, China, Taiwan, and more. Providing turnkey product development, manufacturing, and distribution services.

The new ECM brand integrates the company's rich corporate history of ongoing investments in technology, processes, and relationships, while modernizing electronics manufacturing services and presenting the company' inclusive, family nature.

“At ECM, We Make Powerful Connections, with the products we manufacture as well as the organizations and individuals that we support,” said Samuels. “Our success is determined by our customers’ success, and we are grateful for those connections that we make.”

About ECM

Electri-Cord Manufacturing (ECM) is a leading turnkey electronics manufacturing services company specializing in wiring harnesses, cable assemblies, power cords, high-level assemblies, power distribution units, panel assemblies, and box builds. Our commitment to technological innovation enables us to build a world powered by manufacturing and supply chain solutions. We excel in high reliability markets, delivering intelligent, cost-effective, and personalized manufacturing solutions. Leveraging our expertise in electronics contract manufacturing and supply chain management, we are positioned to add value to our customers' supply chain and ensure their success.

(Left to Right) Jason Samuels, Mitch Samuels, Ryan Samuels.

ANN ARBOR, MI — February 2024 — Aven, a full-service technology provider, is proud to announce its partnership with Comtree Inc., who will serve as stocking distributor for Aven products across Canada. This strategic collaboration will enhance Aven's distribution network and strengthen its presence in the Canadian market, ensuring customers have easier access to high-quality tools and equipment. Comtree, a respected distributor known for its commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction, will now offer Aven's precision tools, optical magnifiers, and inspection systems to customers throughout Canada. Under the agreement, Comtree will now stock an extensive range of Aven products at its Mississauga warehouse location.

"We are thrilled to partner with Comtree Inc. and expand our reach across Canada," said Steve Carter, National Sales Manager USA & Canada at Aven. "Comtree's reputation for delivering exceptional service and support aligns perfectly with Aven's commitment to providing high-quality products and solutions. Together, we look forward to serving customers throughout Canada and delivering the tools they need to succeed."

Comtree Inc. will offer a wide selection of Aven products, including precision tweezers, magnifiers, illumination solutions, and inspection systems. With Comtree's extensive distribution network and Aven's innovative product portfolio, customers can expect to find the tools and equipment they need for a wide range of applications, including electronics assembly, inspection, repair, and manufacturing. For more information about Aven products available through Comtree Inc. in Canada, please email info@comtreeinc.com, or visit www.Comtreeinc.com.

Comtree Contacts:

Jill Gagnon – jill@comtreeinc.com