HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – April 2025 - Saki America, Inc., an innovator in the field of automated optical and X-ray inspection equipment, is pleased to announce the hiring of Jacob Doose as Service Engineer in the Chicago area. Jacob will play a critical role in supporting Saki’s customers by providing technical service, troubleshooting, and process optimization to ensure peak performance of Saki’s advanced inspection systems.

Bringing extensive experience in manufacturing systems engineering, automation, and quality control, Jacob has a strong background in automated optical inspection (AOI), X-ray inspection, and manufacturing execution systems (MES). Prior to joining Saki America, he worked at SigmaTron, where he optimized production layouts, reduced downtime, and implemented lean processes to enhance efficiency. He also served as a Manufacturing Systems Engineer at Plexus, where he was responsible for data-driven process improvements, system implementations, and automation that saved over 10,000 hours of labor annually.

Jacob’s expertise includes SQL, Power BI, MES, AutoCAD, and various programming languages, making him well-equipped to enhance Saki’s technical service capabilities. His hands-on experience in creating AOI and X-ray programs, training operators, and troubleshooting equipment will help Saki America’s customers reduce downtime and improve overall manufacturing productivity.

“We are excited to welcome Jacob to our team,” said Craig Brown, General Manager at Saki America, Inc. “His technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and passion for process improvement will be invaluable in strengthening our service operations and ensuring our customers receive the highest level of support.”

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

About Saki Corporation

Since its inception in 1994, Saki has led the way in the development of automated recognition through robotic vision technology. Saki's 3D automated solder paste, optical, and X-ray inspection and measurement systems (SPI, AOI, AXI) have been recognized to provide the stable platform and advanced data capture mechanisms necessary for true M2M communication, improving production, process efficiency, and product quality. Saki Corporation has headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, with offices, sales, and support centers around the world.

NORTH TONAWANDA, NY — April 15, 2025 — NOVAIR USA Corporation ("NOVAIR USA"), a global leader in oxygen, nitrogen, and medical gas generation solutions, proudly announces the appointment of PIT Equipment Services, LLC (“PIT Equipment Services”) as an official representative serving North America. This partnership will expand NOVAIR USA’s high-quality American-made nitrogen and oxygen generation systems in the territory for the electronics manufacturing industry and beyond.

PIT Equipment Services, led by industry veteran Don Dennison, has established itself as a premier representative firm, known for its customer support, technical expertise, and longstanding partnerships. PIT Equipment Services brings over four decades of experience in serving the electronics assembly sector, adding to NOVAIR’s nearly five decades providing top air gas solutions worldwide.

“With a stellar reputation and a deep understanding of the industry, PIT Equipment Services is the ideal partner to expand NOVAIR USA’s reach and support customers with tailored gas generation solutions,” said John Longuil, NOVAIR USA Chief Executive Officer. “We are excited about this collaboration and the value it will bring to our customers seeking efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly gas solutions.”

NOVAIR USA’s industry-leading nitrogen and oxygen generators deliver oxygen at 93% ±3% concentration and nitrogen purity levels ranging from 90% to 99.999%. These systems support a wide range of industries, including electronics manufacturing, semiconductors, healthcare, aerospace, and many other medical and industrial applications. Through this partnership, NOVAIR USA aims to strengthen its service capabilities, ensuring that customers receive cutting-edge gas generation solutions that optimize production efficiency and sustainability.

For more information, please visit www.novair-usa.com.

About NOVAIR USA Corporation

NOVAIR USA is a member of NOVAIR Groupe, headquartered in North Tonawanda, New York, USA, in-between Niagara Falls and Buffalo. The company is the leading global manufacturer of quality American-made systems. These include oxygen generators, nitrogen generators, industrial air and vacuum systems, and medical gas piping solutions. NOVAIR USA equipment produces 93% +/-3% oxygen concentration as well as 90% to 99.999% nitrogen concentration using nothing but ambient air and electricity. It helps fill cylinders for first responders and others that save lives, while boosting industrial output for industries through economical, eco-friendly solutions. NOVAIR is redefining air gases!

NORTH BILLERICA, MA — BTU International, Inc., a leading supplier of advanced thermal processing equipment for the electronics manufacturing market, will exhibit at the SMTA Capital Expo & Tech Forum on May 8, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. At the event, BTU will highlight its Aurora reflow oven platform, showcasing the latest innovations in precision thermal processing and energy efficiency.

The Aurora 125N and Aurora 150N, state-of-the-art 12-zone convection reflow ovens, feature advanced process control and enhanced efficiency, setting a new benchmark for solder reflow technology. The Aurora platform also includes the 175N and 200N models, providing increased throughput and flexibility. With the addition of the 125N, the Aurora line now offers four distinct models, each tailored for different production demands and scalability.

The Aurora series integrates best-in-class features, including:

• Factory-configurable heating and cooling zones for precise thermal control
• Enhanced maintenance accessibility for streamlined servicing
• Aqua Scrub flux management system to improve process stability
• Smart power and energy efficiency for reduced operational costs
• Optimized gas flow and advanced conveyor options for superior profile control

Designed to minimize the total cost of ownership while maximizing performance and sustainability, the Aurora reflow platform supports high-reliability PCB assembly across diverse industries.

Visit BTU at the SMTA Capital Expo & Tech Forum to learn how the Aurora platform can enhance your manufacturing process with cutting-edge reflow technology. For more information about BTU International and its industry-leading reflow solutions, visit
www.btu.com.

About BTU International

BTU International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amtech Group (Nasdaq: ASYS), is a global supplier and technology leader of advanced thermal processing equipment in the electronics manufacturing market. BTU’s high-performance reflow ovens are used in the production of SMT printed circuit board assemblies and in semiconductor packaging processes. BTU also specializes in precision controlled, high-temperature belt furnaces for a wide range of custom applications, such as brazing, direct bond copper (DBC), diffusion, and sintering. BTU has operations in North Billerica, Massachusetts, and Shanghai, China, with direct sales and service in the U.S.A., Asia and Europe. Information about BTU International is available at www.btu.com.

CHINA - PCBAIR, a leading provider of PCB manufacturing and assembly services with fully automated production lines, announced that it is increasing funding for research and development to incorporate AI into its manufacturing processes, dramatically improving defect prediction accuracy and efficiency.

"We are focused on improving our manufacturing processes," says Dr. Jian Li, Chief Technology Officer at PCBAIR. "Our investment in AI-powered defect prediction represents a major step forward. By applying machine learning and advanced thermal imaging analysis, we can identify potential defects with unprecedented precision, long before they impact product quality."

The core of PCBAIR's research centers on developing sophisticated AI algorithms trained on vast datasets of thermal images and other process data. This allows the system to learn the subtle indicators of potential defects, such as solder joint inconsistencies, component misalignments, and other anomalies that might be missed by traditional inspection methods.

"This technology has the potential to transform how we approach quality control," adds Sarah Chen, Director of Quality Assurance at PCBAIR. "Instead of simply reacting to defects, we can proactively address them, ensuring that every circuit board we produce meets the highest standards of performance and reliability. This is particularly crucial for our customers in demanding sectors like aerospace, medical devices, automotive electronics, and industrial automation, where failure is not an option."

PCBAIR's research also incorporates the integration of AI-driven insights with its existing automated production lines, creating a closed-loop system for continuous improvement. The company anticipates that this technology will not only enhance its own manufacturing capabilities but also provide valuable data for optimizing PCB design and component selection.