Press Releases
BILLINGSTAD, NORWAY – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has awarded Kitron a sub-contract for production of AN/ASQ-242 Integrated Communications, Navigation, and Identification (CNI) modules for the F-35 Lightning II-program. Deliveries will secure a backlog into 2025 and have a total value of more than USD 13 million.
Production will take place at Kitron’s plant in Norway.
The sub-contract relates to the Long-Term Supply Agreement announced on 21 September 2015 and 24 November 2016, and covers Lot 16 through Lot 17.
Northrop Grumman’s ICNI-system provides F-35-pilots with more than 27 fully integrated operational functions. Using its industry leading software-defined radio technology, Northrop Grumman’s design allows the simultaneous operation of multiple critical functions while greatly reducing size, weight, and power demands on the advanced F-35 fighter. These functions include Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), automatic acquisition of fly-to-points, and various voice and data communications such as the multifunction advanced data link.
Norway is one of the international partner countries participating in the F-35 program. Under a manufacturing license agreement between Kitron and Northrop Grumman, Kitron will manufacture sub-assemblies for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
HALFMOON, NY – PVA, a global supplier of automated dispensing and coating equipment, is excited to announce its participation in productronica India 2023, in collaboration with its distributor, Maxim. productronica India, the International Trade Fair for Electronics Development and Production, will take place Sept. 13-15, 2023 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) in Bengaluru, India.
PVA’s Asia Pacific Sales Manager Paul Kim will be in attendance to engage with industry professionals and to showcase the latest advancements in conformal coating and dispensing technology.
PVA offers flexible robotic conformal coating/dispensing systems that are ideal for selective coating, potting, bead, meter-mix dispensing applications, and more. With state-of-the-art valves, PVA ensures precise and consistent coating applications, offering an array of coating options to meet various requirements and specifications.
With PVA’s advanced dispensing and coating technology, electronics manufacturers can achieve superior protection for their PCBs, safeguarding them against environmental factors and ensuring reliable performance.
As a trusted innovator in precision application solutions, PVA is committed to providing cutting-edge technologies that enhance production processes and drive efficiency in various industries.
For more information about PVA, please contact PVA at info@pva.net or (518) 371-2684.
CLINTON, NY – The upcoming SMTA High Reliability Cleaning and Conformal Coating Conference, taking place August 29-31 in Dallas, Texas, U.S., will feature presentations by two Indium Corporation experts. Both presentations will take place on August 31.
First, Global Head of e-Mobility and Infrastructure Brian O’Leary will participate in a keynote panel presentation titled Strengthening e-Mobility Infrastructure: Overcoming High-Voltage and Environmental Challenges.
The recently introduced U.S. standard requiring 97% up-time performance, combined with the global expectations of consumers and fleet operators for robust and durable EV infrastructure capable of withstanding harsh outdoor conditions, is driving manufacturers to develop weather-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and outdoor-friendly solutions with advanced features. This technical presentation will explore the critical elements of producing e-Mobility modules and the difficulties in maintaining reliability and durability under high voltage, current, and temperatures in electric vehicles and charging stations.
Later in the afternoon, Technical Support Engineer Matt Gruber will deliver a presentation titled A Sustainability Look at a Reliable Low-Temp Process.
Reducing energy consumption is of increasing interest in SMT assembly industries for both cost and sustainability initiatives. However, despite new demands on manufacturers, reliability expectations remain and, in many sectors such as Healthcare and Automotive, have increased. Gruber will examine the energy-saving potential of compounding reflow and cleaning process modifications in circuit board manufacturing. He will also evaluate the assemblies for surface insulation resistance (SIR) and ionic contamination with the goal of providing manufacturers with confidence and guidelines for low-temperature soldering and cleaning implementation.
O’Leary is responsible for promoting Indium Corporation’s full range of products and services for e-Mobility, which includes electric cars, trucks, eVTOLs, charging stations, and battery energy storage systems. He joined Indium Corporation in 2014 and has more than 20 years of experience in the electronics industry. He authored two books on electronics manufacturing and currently serves as the chair of the IPC e-Mobility Quality & Reliability Advisory Council. In addition to regular technical conference participation, O’Leary co-hosts a free monthly webcast—EV InSIDER Live—with Loren McDonald of EVAdoption and a high-profile industry stakeholder as a guest. In the webcast, they discuss current pressing issues and hot topics in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle landscape.
Gruber is responsible for providing technical assistance to resolve soldering process-related issues. This includes assisting customers with optimizing their use of Indium Corporation’s soldering materials, as well as providing product and process training to current and potential customers. With more than 30 years of experience as a Manufacturing Engineer, he is a subject matter expert for solder integrity, root cause analysis, and problem resolution. Gruber attended the University of Texas at Dallas where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He is a Certified IPC Specialist, and a Certified SMT Process Engineer (CMTPE).
MANASSAS, VA – ZESTRON, the leading global provider of high-precision cleaning products, services, and training solutions in the electronics manufacturing and semiconductor industries, is excited to announce its participation at the SMTA High Reliability Cleaning and Conformal Coating Conference. The event is scheduled to take place on August 29th-31st at The Westin Dallas Fort Worth Airport Hotel, where ZESTRON will be showcasing its innovative cleaning technologies and expertise.
As part of the conference program, ZESTRON's Senior Application Engineer, Ravi Parthasarathy, M.S.Ch.E., will be delivering a joint presentation alongside Brent Frizzell, Ch.E., Electronics & Automotive Market Segment Manager for Specialty Coating Systems. The presentation is titled "Enhancing Reliability and Performance: The Crucial Role of PCB Cleaning Before Conformal Coating and Optimizing the Coating Process," and promises to be an enlightening session for attendees seeking to elevate their PCB cleaning and coating practices.
The presentation will be enriched with relevant case studies, providing attendees with practical and actionable insights into the impact of PCB cleaning on product performance and reliability. The collaborative efforts of ZESTRON and Specialty Coating Systems aim to empower conference participants with the know-how to improve their PCB cleaning practices, choose appropriate conformal coatings, and enhance overall product reliability.
To schedule a meeting with ZESTRON at the Cleaning and Conformal Coating Conference register here.
SAN JOSE, CA ― Green Circuits, a full-service Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) partner to leading OEMs, is proud to announce that it has achieved the prestigious IPC certification for J-STD-001 Space and Military Addendum. This certification is a testament to Green Circuits’ commitment to meeting the rigorous quality and environmental controls required by the aerospace and defense industries, particularly for soldered electrical and electronic assemblies designed to withstand the challenging conditions of space and military applications.
Originally developed for NASA projects, the Space and Military Addendum within the IPC J-STD-001 standard was specifically crafted to address the unique demands of the aerospace and defense communities. These stringent requirements are essential for electronic components that need to endure the extreme vibration and thermal cyclic environments inherent in space travel and military operations.
Green Circuits’ successful attainment of the IPC J-STD-001 Space and Military Addendum certification represents a significant milestone for the company. This achievement further solidifies the company’s position as a reliable and trusted partner for customers seeking high-reliability electronics manufacturing solutions.
“Receiving the IPC J-STD-001 Space and Military Addendum certification is a proud moment for our entire team at Green Circuits,” said Mark Evans, Chief Operating Officer at Green Circuits. “This certification underscores our dedication to delivering top-notch quality and performance in electronic assemblies, even in the harshest and most demanding operating environments. We are excited to provide our customers in the aerospace and defense industries with the assurance that our products meet the most stringent requirements for space and military applications.”
The certification process involved a comprehensive assessment of Green Circuits’ manufacturing processes, materials, and personnel training to ensure full compliance with the IPC J-STD-001 Space and Military Addendum standard. Green Circuits' commitment to continuous improvement and adherence to the highest industry standards played a crucial role in achieving this notable recognition.
Green Circuits has a proven track record of supporting customers across various industries and this certification further strengthens the company’s capability to deliver advanced electronic assemblies that meet the rigorous demands of space and military applications. With this accomplishment, Green Circuits is well-positioned to take on more complex projects in the aerospace and defense sectors, contributing to the advancement of technology in these critical fields.
Green Circuits will be exhibiting at the Small Satellite Show from Aug. 7-10, 2023 in Logan, UT. Attendees are invited to stop by booth #133.
Green Circuits, Inc. provides high-quality design, prototyping and full-scale production services for all types of printed circuit boards and complex systems. For more information, visit www.greencircuits.com.
FREMONT, CA – Nextracker Inc. (NXT), a global market leader of solar trackers and Asteelflash/USI, a high-end global electronics component manufacturer, today announced the grand opening of Asteelflash's U.S. manufacturing line for Nextracker. Asteelflash has expanded its capability to include dedicated production of Nextracker's patented self-powered controller (SPC) and high voltage power supply. Key components of the Nextracker controller include printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), battery integration, and other essential components used in the company's solar tracking technology deployed globally.
The manufacturing line is housed in a 197,000 square foot facility in Fremont, CA, and represents a multi-million-dollar joint investment in this first phase, creating new jobs and boosting local economic growth. Nextracker controllers are the "brain" and power supply enabling precision control of the company's tracker systems such as NX Horizon™, the company's flagship product for large-scale solar power plants. Nextracker's SPCs are highly reliable over a wide range of conditions and powered by a battery, allowing the trackers to still function even if grid power is down.
"We are excited to announce our commitment to procuring Nextracker's U.S.-made trackers as part of Clearway's broader domestic content strategy and pleased to see the heart of their robust tracker technology, the self-powered controllers, be manufactured here in California," said Craig Cornelius, CEO of Clearway who recently announced a two-gigawatt volume commitment agreement with Nextracker. "With Nextracker's precise control over tracker row angles and rapid stowing capabilities in extreme weather conditions, our growing fleet will set new standards of module protection and help ensure the reliability and resilience of the solar industry."
"We are delighted to be supply partners for Nextracker's U.S. self-powered controller line," said Matt Behringer, USI Corp. VP and AFG EVP. "Asteelflash/USI fully embraces Nextracker's principles, advocating for a future built on clean economy ideals and creating local jobs by producing essential components like PCBAs which play a crucial role in our daily lives. All these components are proudly manufactured right here in the heart of Silicon Valley."
"Nextracker is thrilled to work with Asteelflash/USI as we continue to put in place the domestic manufacturing capacity we need to serve the rapidly growing solar market," said Dan Shugar, CEO and founder of Nextracker. "Our expanding product manufacturing footprint is bringing new jobs throughout the country and enables us to better serve customers. We are pleased to add California to our production capability, with Silicon Valley having some of the best tech talent in the world."
With these newly dedicated mechanical assembly production lines, Nextracker is further building out its supply capacity for domestic demand as well as for export, having opened over 10 new U.S. production facilities in the past year with its suppliers. In 2022, the company publicly inaugurated four new steel fabrication lines in Texas, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. In May of this year, Nextracker announced another steel tracker factory in Tennessee.
Nextracker and Asteelflash/USI held a dedication event to announce the facility. At the event, Fremont Mayor Lily Mei, Chair of the California Energy Commission David Hochschild, Craig Cornelius of Clearway Energy, Becky Cranna of Cypress Creek Renewables, and Frank Macchiarola of the American Clean Power Association (ACP) spoke about the positive impact of clean energy and job creation.
According to the American Clean Power Association, clean energy currently makes up 15% of U.S. electricity and more money was invested into utility-scale clean energy projects and manufacturing facilities in the U.S. between last August and this March than the total investment into clean power projects between 2017 and 2021. Wood Mackenzie reports that the U.S. solar industry just had its best first quarter in history and is expected to triple in size over the next five years.
Press Releases
- PRIDE Industries Invests in Kurtz Ersa POWERFLOW Wave Soldering System to Expand High-Reliability Electronics Manufacturing Capabilities
- Federal Electronics Adds AS9100 Certification to Hermosillo, Mexico Facility, Expanding Aerospace & Defense Capabilities
- SMTC Strengthens Leadership for Future Growth: Ed Smith Promoted to Executive Chairman; Mike Buseman Joins as CEO
- TTCI Expands Southeastern U.S. Presence Through Partnership with Microwave Component Sources; Bert Horner and Ryan Peavey Comment