Apex Day 2: Traffic Improves
Published: 22 February 2007
by Mike Buetow
LOS ANGELES -- Traffic was up somewhat on the second day of the IPC Apex show, to the relief of exhibitors who were beginning to show some frustration with the downtown Los Angeles site.
Purchasers take note: Cookson’s Steve Corbett and Henkel’s Pat Trippel separately stressed that the precious metals markets are running wild. “The tin market situation is scary,” noted Corbett, noting the shutdowns in Indonesia and market uncertainty in Bolivia – two primary suppliers.
On the show floor, Asymtek showed its new Axiom jet dispenser, which performs simultaneous top- and bottom-line material dispensing. In a demo, the company showed how material now spreads to the full perimeter of the substrate. The machine has a dual-lane conveyor option. The firm also rolled out an RoHS-compliant benchtop model called DispenseMate.
Elektrobit showed four JOT Automation handling and routing machines. They are adding computer controls and extra heads to increase automation and throughput. One two-lane, dual gantry model handles 200 x 240 mm panels; another handles up to 350 x 300 mm panels.
Valor has been demo’ing its vPlan software, which controls assembly line resources and line balancing. Henry Jurgens, the former Celestica technologist who is now with Valor, is said to have had a big hand in designing the tool for assembly operations. EMS provider Mack Technologies is the first user.
Lots going on in the test and inspection side today. VJ Electronix showed its Vertex Series A, a standalone x-ray machine which will ultimately have in-line capability. And Dage shows a couple of new x-ray machines that continue to push the resolution envelope. For example, the 7500 model now has a resolution of 0.95 microns, improving from 2 microns in the former version.
As mentioned yesterday, the NSpec brand of inspection tools is now seguing to Marantz. Christopher Associates distributes Marantz in North America.
Viscom conducted an interesting spin on the age-old product introduction, using a via a live, interactive video transmission direct from the company’s demo center in Hannover, Germany, to demonstrate its combination 3-D x-ray and AOI system. Called the X7056, it performs 3-D x-ray inspection of one board and simultaneous top- and bottom-side optical inspection of another board. Viscom USA president Carsten Salewski, said, “We have found this to be a very effective way of presenting complex technology to trade-show visitors. The response has been very positive. One of the best features is that viewers are able to ask detailed technical questions and get immediate answers from a specialist right in our demo lab.” The machine is set for deliveries beginning in the second quarter.
Panasonic is generating some buzz on its post-print inspection on its placement machine. It is said to be 01005-capable.
Overheard
Cookson’s Bangalore R&D team is moving into a new 30,000 sq. ft. facility.
OK International will standardize on one platform for its Metcal line of desoldering and rework tools, while the OKI brand will be reduced to two platforms from four.
Speedline will also reduce its printer platforms to two. The company said the last of its UP models has been built, and the machine will be phased out.
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