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Press Releases

ATLANTA, GA — Koh Young Technology, the industry leader in True 3D measurement-based inspection solutions, will discuss the benefits of combining IPC-DPMX with IPC-CFX to deliver data directly to machines and streamline the process. Mr. Ivan Aduna, Global MES Manager at Koh Young America, will present the whitepaper on Thursday, 03 November 2022, during the MFX5 Smart Factory & Automation Technical Session during SMTA International in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The paper, a collaboration with Michael Ford from AEGIS Software and Hemant Shah, the IPC-DPMX Consortium Chair, will outline how to securely exchange data between design and manufacturing areas by using the Digital Product Model Exchange (IPC-2581 DPMX) and Connected Factory Exchange (IPC-2591 CFX) standards. This combination will help electronics manufacturers improve efficiency, security, and costs.

IPC-DPMX is a standard for transmitting information between a printed circuit board designer and a manufacturing or assembly facility. For nearly every step in the process, IPC-DPMX offers a standard to help companies ensure superior manufacturability, quality, reliability, and consistency. IPC-CFX is an industry-developed open standard forming the backbone of a smart factory. IPC-CFX is a plug-and-play solution that simplifies and standardizes machine-to-machine communication, while helping machine-to-business and business-to-machine applications.

Traditionally, it could take days for manufacturers to compile the necessary files needed for production. Worse, the outdated formats may exclude critical elements like stack-ups, materials, design intent, and more. With IPC-DPMX, what took days, now takes minutes thanks to an intelligent data exchange. “The IPC-DPMX and IPC-CFX combination provides production flexibility and security while driving the movement towards Industry 4.0,” said Ivan.

Description automatically generated with low confidenceTo learn more about how our solutions boost your quality, visit us at the SMTA International in booth 925. You can register to attend the in-person conference and exposition at https://smta.org/mpage/smtai-registration. If you cannot attend the panel, but still want to learn more about smart manufacturing and our best-in-class portfolio of True 3D solutions, visit our site at www.kohyoungamerica.com.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) is entering a new phase of rapid growth to better connect the electronics industry with government needs and opportunities. Effective immediately, membership dues are reduced to $1,000 for all organizations, and the process to join is streamlined.

USPAE membership entitles qualified companies to participate in the Defense Electronics Consortium (DEC), which is a Department of Defense contract vehicle targeted at non-traditional defense suppliers. The first DEC project is a $42 million effort that involves academia and large defense prime contractors along with small- and medium-sized companies.

“We anticipate a multi-project solicitation will be available to DEC members in the next few months,” said Chris Peters, USPAE Executive Director. “The business changes we’re making will help us be better positioned for that and other opportunities.”

Launched in 2020, USPAE is a DC-based nonprofit industry association dedicated to ensuring the U.S. government has access to resilient and trusted electronics supply chains. Membership is open to companies, academic institutions and nonprofit organizations based in the United States or its allies. Members from across the electronics supply chain participate in a variety of programs, such as conferences, networking events, and funded projects.

For further information, visit www.USPAE.org or send inquiries to info@uspae.org.

CLINTON, NY — The next episode of Indium Corporation’s free webcast series, EV InSIDER Live, will examine the sudden proliferation of electric vehicle startups chasing one of the largest business opportunities in the last century.

The free webcast will be held on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 11:30 a.m. EST.

From electric vehicle OEMs, such as Rivian, Lucid Motors, and Fisker, to battery startups, such as Solid Power, ONE, and QuantumScape, or EV charging companies, such as Volta, WiTricity, and EVgo, there will likely be more losers than winners in the race for market and mindshare.

In the webcast EV Survivor: Which of the EV Startups Will Live or Die, Alexa St. John, transportation reporter for Business Insider who specializes in covering EV industry startups, will share her thoughts on the headwinds facing many of these startups and who some of the most likely survivors and next unicorn companies will be.

What are the key hurdles and challenges facing these startups in today’s challenging economic and supply-chain constrained environment?
What are the profiles, traits, and signs of success that companies in the EV space have that will most likely determine whether they die, survive, or thrive this decade?
Which EV startups among the current crop will survive? Who has the capital, teams, backing, and supply-chain relationships to pull it off? Who is in trouble? And who are some of the sleeper companies in the EV battery and charging space?

Alexa St. John is a Detroit-based reporter covering electric vehicles, the future of the auto industry, and startups at Business Insider. Before joining Business Insider, she spent two years reporting on mobility and the global automotive supply chain at Automotive News. St. John also spent a summer reporting for the Wall Street Journal's Greater New York desk.

About EV InSIDER Live

EV InSIDER Live is a webcast series co-hosted by Brian O’Leary and Loren McDonald, which sheds light on the most pressing issues from across the dynamic and rapidly evolving electric vehicle landscape. Conducted in an approachable, conversational format suitable for business executives, casual observers, and seasoned engineers alike, each episode features a high-profile guest from the EV industry.

About Indium Corporation

Indium Corporation® is a premier materials refiner, smelter, manufacturer, and supplier to the global electronics, semiconductor, thin-film, and thermal management markets. Products include solders and fluxes; brazes; thermal interface materials; sputtering targets; indium, gallium, germanium, and tin metals and inorganic compounds; and NanoFoil®. Founded in 1934, the company has global technical support and factories located in China, Germany, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.

For more information about Indium Corporation, visit www.indium.com or email jhuang@indium.com. You can also follow our experts, From One Engineer To Another® (#FOETA), at www.linkedin.com/company/indium-corporation/ or @IndiumCorp.

NEWMAN LAKE, WA – Hentec Industries/RPS Automation, a leading manufacturer of selective soldering, lead tinning and solderability test equipment, is pleased to announce that K&F Electronics has purchased their second Hentec/RPS Vector 300 selective soldering system.

The Vector 300 is a small board size selective soldering system with a compact factory floor footprint and is ideally suited for prototype or small batch production. The Vector 300 is fully lead-free compatible and features an integrated computer with unlimited program storage, integrated system software, witness camera and auto fiducial correction.

Available in either standalone or SMEMA in-line configurations, the Vector 300 is offered with topside preheat, spray or drop-jet fluxer, dual flux nozzles, and custom or wave solder nozzles. The Vector 300 is UL and CE compliant and carries both a two-year system warranty and a four-year solder pot warranty.

About K&F Electronics

Headquartered in Frasier, Michigan. K&F Electronics provides PCB manufacturing, assembly services and in-house engineering services for complete design, prototype and building of printed circuit boards. Their comprehensive range of services serve a wide range of end-user applications. For more information, please visit: www.circuitboards.com.

About Hentec Industries

Hentec Industries/RPS Automation is a manufacturer of automated selective soldering, component lead tinning, and solderability test equipment for electronics and electronic component manufacturing, assembly, and distribution. Hentec/RPS has been advancing automated soldering and lead finishing technology for defense, aerospace, automotive, contract manufacturers and micro-electronics component manufacturers since the early 90’s. All Hentec/RPS products are designed and manufactured in Newman Lake, Washington. For more information, please visit us at www.rpsautomation.com.

PENANG, MALAYSIA — ViTrox is delighted to receive Etron's satisfaction testimonial who was astonished by the capabilities of V510i Advanced 3D Optical Inspection (AOI) Solution and the outstanding support from ViTrox’s Sales Channel Partner (SCP) in Mexico, SMTo Engineering SA de CV.

Etron is a world-renowned fabless IC design and product company that specialises in the production and research of buffer memory, logic chip designs, electronic applications, and system-on-chips. With strong business growth, Etron Technology expands its footprint in Mexico. Etron Monterrey has successfully implemented ViTrox’s V510i Optimus 3D AOI XXL to increase product efficiency, and cost savings for electronic manufacturing services for the business expansion.

José Mata, Etron Engineering Manager at Etron Technology said, “Firstly, let me congratulate every SMTo worker on the exceptional support of 24/7 and the development of our staff that they have provided us, for which we are grateful. When it comes to the ViTrox AOI system's performance, we were astonished by its tremendous capabilities, as it has exceeded our expectations in terms of meeting our clients' demand for the highest quality products, which has consequently shown itself in the highest levels of performance.” Jose added, “The team has a remarkable capacity for inspection. This system has proven to be very beneficial for our needs as it has greatly enhanced our plant's manufacturing processes. Let me congratulate the entire SMTo team for this great job!.”

SMTo is a key valued partner of ViTrox in Mexico, best known for its outstanding service support in handling customer inquiries and ensuring customer satisfaction. Besides that, SMTo Engineering has established full sales and service support in Tijuana, Monterrey, Reynosa and Chihuahua to provide better support to the customer. For more information on SMTo, please contact Juan Carlos Santoyo (juancarlos.santoyo@smto.mx) for further assistance.

About ViTrox Advanced 3D Optical Inspection (AOI) Solutions

ViTrox V510i Optimus 3D (AOI) XXL is equipped with substantial 3D inspection capabilities, resulting in an AOI system that manages 2D + 3D inspection simultaneously to enhance productivity and high detection range. The latest AI technology in programming and review stations makes ViTrox AOI the pioneer in the SMT Inspection solution market. It is proud to mention that Vitrox AOI is selected by the top 10 EMS companies in the world where they trust in ViTrox AOI Technology with our breakthrough AI technology that brings benefits to the customer. For more details about ViTrox’s AOI products and services, please contact Ken Soon (chuan-sen.soon@vitrox.com) or visit www.vitrox.com.

REDDITCH, UK — Altus Group, a leading distributor of capital equipment in the UK and Ireland, has announced the appointment of Jiri Kucera as Operations Director, strengthening its after sales and delivery department.

Jiri joins Altus as an experienced professional in engineering and operations development and will take the newly created role to support the company’s growth as the business continues its rapid expansion and solidifies its management team for future growth.

He brings a wealth of experience and in-depth industry knowledge, having worked with several of Altus’s key customers in his career, and having worked closely with Altus as a business consultant, where he advised on processes and management of the customer ecosystem. This enabled the company to offer its customers and suppliers even more value over the last 18 months.

Joe Booth, Altus Chief Executive Officer said: “The last few years of Altus Groups development has been superb to see and play a part of. We have made significant changes to our internal processes, supplier portfolio and approach to sales and marketing. We are seeing those efforts pay dividends now with the projects that the market trusts us to fulfil, surpassing all prior records set across most metrics.

“Now is the perfect time to bolster our senior management team and bring in an individual with the skill set of Jiri. He will be able to leverage all of his prior knowledge from working on the customer side to offer the highest standards of support available across pre and post sales. I am delighted for Jiri, whom we have known for a long time. I am also pleased for Altus Group and our wider team to be able to bring on a person of this calibre to help guide the company through its next stages of evolution.”

Jiri said: “I am thrilled to be joining such an exciting team of individuals and at a point where they are making a big market on the sector. It’s a great time to be joining Altus Group. The company has been on a very exciting growth path over the past few years and I’m looking forward to playing a key role in the next chapter of enhance the aftersales.”

Jiri will oversee all after-sales operational elements of the business’s strategy and help to lead Altus on its impressive growth trajectory. Most recently, Jiri was Head of Engineering for STI Ltd and has held similar top tier management roles as Operation Director at Fabrinet.