Press Releases
San Diego, CA – July 2026 – PARMI, a leader in advanced 3D inspection systems, has announced that Cope Assembly Products (CAP) is representing the company’s inspection solutions throughout Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Founded in 1993, Cope Assembly Products has built a long-standing reputation supporting OEMs, contract manufacturers and microelectronics companies throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Based in Northern Virginia, the firm represents a range of electronics manufacturing equipment and works closely with customers to identify solutions for SMT and semiconductor production.
“Travis Cope and Ted Kress have developed strong relationships throughout the region and understand the challenges electronics manufacturers face every day,” said Juan Arango, Head of Sales and Business Development, PARMI USA. “They know the equipment, they know the customers, and they’re a great fit for PARMI.”
As PARMI’s regional representative, CAP supports the company’s complete portfolio of inspection systems, including the INTELLION 3D AOI platform with PARMI’s TRCS-II sensor technology, the XCEED-II and XCEED DSI 3D AOI systems, the SIGMAX 3D solder paste inspection platform, the PCI 100 DSI conformal coating inspection system, and the PRECION 2D/3D AOI system for fine wire bond inspection and dimensional measurement.
“PARMI has built a strong reputation for inspection technology, and we’re pleased to represent their products,” said Travis Cope, President of Cope Assembly Products. “Our customers are looking for solutions that improve process control and product quality, and PARMI offers a broad range of systems to support those goals.”
PARMI develops automated inspection and measurement systems for electronics manufacturing, with solutions for solder paste inspection, automated optical inspection, conformal coating inspection and semiconductor applications. The company's technologies help manufacturers improve process control, reduce defects and increase production quality across a wide range of electronic assemblies.
For more information about PARMI and its inspection solutions, visit www.parmi.com.
TORRANCE, CA — July 2026 — Seika Machinery, Inc., a leading provider of advanced machinery, materials and engineering services, will present the second session of its SMI 2026 Summer Webinar Series on Wednesday, July 8 at 10:00 a.m. PDT, focusing on how PCB slicing methods impact board quality, component reliability, and overall manufacturing consistency.
Webinar Registration: Register for SMI 2026 Webinar Series Session 2
Titled “PCB Slicing Methods: Comparing Stress, Edge Quality and Process Performance,” the session takes a practical look at how different separation techniques influence mechanical stress and finished board quality, and why those differences matter in real-world production.
The webinar will cover commonly used depaneling approaches, including hand breaking, pliers, guillotine cutters, and standard PCB slicers. It will compare the strengths and limitations of each method, along with strain gauge data that highlights the differences in stress introduced during manual separation. Real examples of edge damage and component-related defects will also be reviewed to show what can happen when boards are separated without controlled processes.
A portion of the session will focus on Sayaka PCB slicing systems, spanning manual, semi-automatic, and fully automated platforms. Presenters will discuss how low-stress, controlled separation helps protect components, improve edge quality, and deliver more repeatable results across different production environments.
For manufacturers evaluating alternatives to manual depaneling or looking to improve throughput with automation, the session is designed to provide straightforward guidance on selecting the right method based on board design, production volume, and reliability requirements.
The webinar is complimentary, but advance registration is required.
Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. PDT
For more information, contact Michelle Ogihara at 310-540-7310; e-mail michelle@seikausa.com; or visit www.seikausa.com.
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. — July 1, 2026 — Pillarhouse USA Inc., a leading provider of selective soldering systems, is pleased to announce the expansion of its manufacturers’ representative agreement with BarTron, Inc. Effective July 1, 2026, BarTron has added Indiana to its existing Pillarhouse territory of Michigan, Ohio, and Western Pennsylvania.
“I’m thrilled to announce that Pillarhouse is extending the territory covered by BarTron based on the outstanding sales results they have achieved in Michigan and Ohio,” said Adrian De’Ath, President of Pillarhouse USA Inc. “Their commitment to supporting customers, developing new opportunities, and growing our presence has been exceptional, making this a natural next step.”
Established in July 1989, BarTron is a manufacturers’ representative firm serving companies that provide equipment and consumable solutions to the electronics assembly and related production industries.
BarTron helps customers address process and manufacturing challenges by combining regional and application knowledge with the technical capabilities of its supplier partners. The company supports organizations of all sizes, from global electronics manufacturers to smaller regional operations, providing its team with a practical understanding of the markets and customers it serves.
“Pillarhouse has been a close partner to BarTron and our customers for nearly 20 years,” said Nick Papp and Matt Bonweg of BarTron, Inc. “We are excited to expand this partnership and bring Pillarhouse’s selective soldering solutions and support to customers throughout the Indiana market.”
The expanded agreement reflects Pillarhouse USA’s confidence in BarTron’s ability to continue delivering responsive technical sales support and customer service throughout the region. Customers in Indiana will now have access to localized support for Pillarhouse’s complete portfolio of selective soldering systems and related solutions.
“We’re excited to strengthen our partnership with BarTron and look forward to building on the momentum we’ve created together,” added De’Ath. “This expansion will enable us to better support both existing and new customers with our industry-leading selective soldering solutions.”
BarTron officially assumed responsibility for Pillarhouse customers and sales development within Indiana beginning July 1, 2026. Customers throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Western Pennsylvania can expect the same responsiveness, technical expertise, and customer-focused support that have contributed to BarTron’s continued success.
About Pillarhouse USA Inc.
Pillarhouse USA Inc. provides advanced selective soldering and nitrogen generator systems, process solutions, technical support, training, and after-sales services to electronics manufacturers throughout North America. As part of Pillarhouse International, the company supports a broad range of manufacturing requirements with flexible selective soldering platforms designed to improve process control, consistency, productivity, and soldering quality.
About BarTron, Inc.
BarTron, Inc. was established in July 1989 as a manufacturers’ representative firm serving suppliers of equipment and consumable solutions for the electronics assembly and related production industries. BarTron combines territory knowledge, process experience, and strong supplier partnerships to help manufacturers solve production challenges throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Western Pennsylvania.
Peter most recently served as Vice President and General Manager for the Americas at Soleras Advanced Coatings, where he led initiatives to strengthen regional operations, expand manufacturing capacity, and secure long-term strategic agreements. Earlier in his career with Soleras and Bekaert Advanced Coatings, he managed global product launches and led teams across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Peter said: “I’m excited to start this new chapter with MRSI. Coming out of the thin film industry, it’s energizing to dive into the die bonding technology and gain a deeper understanding of the market. The MRSI team has been incredibly welcoming and supportive in helping me get up to speed, and I truly appreciate the collaboration so far. I look forward to meeting our customers in the coming weeks.”
In his new role, Peter will focus on advancing MRSI’s die bonding business through continued innovation, operational excellence, and customer-focused growth. His experience in commercial execution, operational management, and team development will further strengthen MRSI’s ability to deliver advanced die bonding solutions, responsive service, and long-term value to customers worldwide.
Baltimore, MD – June 2026 – The Test Connection, Inc. (TTCI), a provider of electronic test and manufacturing solutions, can now lay claim to what few companies in the electronics industry can: having officially supported a mission that reached space.
TTCI recently contributed engineering time and resources to the Observation & Detection Interpreted by Neural-networks (ODIN) project, a student-developed payload by Capitol Technology University in Laurel, Maryland. The ODIN payload was one of only twelve payloads selected by NASA for its RockSat mission this June ─ primarily for its advanced sensors and unique onboard AI system capable of interpreting data in real time. After integration onto NASA’s RockSat rocket, the payloads were successfully launched from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, marking a major milestone for the university team and everyone involved in bringing the mission from concept to reality.
While TTCI's role was part of a much larger effort, the company is proud to have supported the next generation of engineers in developing technologies intended to advance AI applications in space. The ODIN payload project represents an important step toward future autonomous systems capable of operating in space environments that prove challenging for human exploration.
For TTCI, the launch was about more than watching a rocket leave the pad. It was an opportunity to help students gain real-world engineering experience while contributing to a project with ambitious technical goals.
"Being associated with a NASA mission is something we're incredibly proud of," said Bert Horner, President of The Test Connection. "The success of the ODIN project reflects the talent and determination of the students and faculty at Capitol Technology University. We're grateful to have played a small role in helping them reach this milestone."
The successful launch highlights the value of collaboration between academia and industry. By working together, educational institutions and engineering companies can help accelerate innovation while preparing students for careers in advanced technology fields.
NASA's Wallops Flight Facility provides launch and flight services supporting scientific research, technology development, defense initiatives, and commercial aerospace programs. The facility serves as a critical hub for missions ranging from suborbital research flights to orbital launches.
TTCI extends its congratulations to the ODIN team, Capitol Technology University, and all mission partners on a successful launch and mission accomplishment.
With more than 45 years of experience, TTCI specializes in in-circuit test (ICT), functional test development, and boundary scan solutions for high-reliability industries including aerospace, defense, medical, and automotive. As an ISO 9001:2015 certified and ITAR-registered company, TTCI helps manufacturers improve product quality, reliability, and test coverage across complex electronic assemblies.
To learn more about TTCI’s test services, visit www.ttci.com. For information on training programs, visit www.ttc-llc.us.
SANTA CLARA, CA ― June 2026 ― Absolute EMS, Inc., a six-time award-winning provider of fast turnaround, turnkey contract electronic manufacturing services (EMS), is helping customers meet increasingly strict SWaP-C requirements – size, weight, power, and cost – through advanced miniaturization, precision assembly, and smart factory manufacturing.
As electronic systems become more complex, especially in aerospace, defense, and high-performance applications, design teams are under constant pressure to do more with less. Whether it’s reducing footprint, lowering weight, improving power efficiency, or controlling cost, even incremental gains in one area can drive major design decisions. In many cases, these priorities are collectively defined as SWaP-C.
Absolute EMS supports these efforts with proven capabilities in ultra-miniature component assembly, including placement down to imperial 008004, as well as extensive experience in flex and rigid-flex circuit assemblies. These technologies allow for more compact, lightweight designs without sacrificing performance or reliability, critical factors in mission-critical applications.
“SWaP-C isn’t just a design challenge, it’s a manufacturing challenge,” said Mark Sika, President, Absolute EMS. “Our role is to help customers take those design goals and turn them into something that can actually be built consistently and reliably.”
Operating from its Silicon Valley facility, Absolute EMS combines advanced SMT equipment with a fully integrated Industry 4.0 Smart Factory environment. Automated inspection systems, including inline 3D solder paste inspection, optical inspection, and 3D X-ray, ensure accuracy and repeatability when working with extremely small components and complex assemblies.
This focus on continuous improvement and manufacturing excellence has earned Absolute EMS recognition as a two-time winner of the Global Technology Awards for Most Improved Smart Factory.
In addition to its miniaturization expertise, Absolute EMS provides full turnkey support, including new product introduction (NPI), supply chain management, conformal coating, and box-build integration. The company serves customers across a range of industries, including aerospace, defense, medical, and industrial markets where reliability and performance are non-negotiable.
By aligning manufacturing capabilities with SWaP-C design priorities, Absolute EMS helps customers bring next-generation electronic systems to market faster, with fewer compromises.
For more information about Absolute EMS, visit www.absolute-ems.com.
Press Releases
- Altus Group Invests in Major Headquarters Expansion to Showcase Complete Turnkey Manufacturing Capability
- ViTrox Americas Welcomes Eric Cruz as Technical Support Engineer
- ECD Strengthens Engineering Team with New Software Development Hire
- ViTrox Americas Welcomes Doug Ennis as Senior Field Applications & Service Engineer