Universal Instruments (Binghamton, NY) and Hitachi High Technologies (HHT, Schaumburg, IL) have renewed their successful original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement for a further five years. HHT acquired Sanyo High Technologies, Universal's original OEM partner, in 2003. The partnership has enhanced Universal's turret-style high-speed placement (HSP) technology while affording HHT an extensive sales and support network.
Since it was first announced in 1989, the agreement has resulted in more than 1200 HSP platforms sold. Continued success of the partnership and sustained market demand for HSP equipment have allowed the agreement to be renewed several times in the past.
In addition to customers' access to the entire line of 4797-series HSP machines, extending the agreement until 2009 will allow further joint efforts to continue. Such efforts include recent line software development work and may extend in the future to additional joint technical projects, technology transfers and further product sharing.
Copyright 2004, UP Media Group. All rights reserved.
Sanmina-SCI Corp. (San Jose, CA), an electronics contract manufacturer and printed circuit board (PCB) fabricator, has become the first company to enter a world-wide licensing agreement under Nortel Networks' Channel Routing technology licensing program, authorizing it to design and manufacture PCBs using Nortel Networks' patented technology.
Channel Routing allows designers the opportunity to improve the routability of signals out of dense array packages and potentially reduce the number of layers required to interconnect components. It is an algorithm that utilizes blind vias and/or microvias to open up routing channels in dense array packages allowing for improved wiring density. A software layout tool works with Sanmina-SCI's current ECAD tool to allow for auto-routing of designs with high I/O array packages, such as ball grid arrays (BGAs), speeding up the design process.
George Dudnikov, senior vice president and chief technology officer of Sanmina-SCI's PCB Division, said, " This is an opportunity for us to license someone else's innovation and provide products and services which utilize this licensed technology to all of our customers in addition to Nortel Networks. It also demonstrates a close collaboration between an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and EMS partner in developing and commercializing new technology."
"By using our patented Channel Routing technology, complex PCBs can be designed with fewer layers, thereby enabling even higher density products, improved manufacturing yields, and overall, a more cost effective PCB," said Ryan Stark, vice president, Advanced Technology Investments, Nortel Networks. "Channel Routing will benefit those who are pushing the envelope in complex PCB design."
With this license, Sanmina-SCI is immediately able to offer Channel Routing to all of its board layout and PCB customers.
Copyright 2004, UP Media Group. All rights reserved.
AIM (Montreal, Canada) has announced an all day lead-free seminar to take place in Sydney, Autralia, on March 23, 2004. Future workshops are being planned at various locations worldwide.
To successfully achieve lead-free electronics assembly, each participant in the manufacturing process, from purchasing to engineering to maintenance to quality, must have a solid understanding of the changes required of them.
While there are many theoretical workshops on lead-free assembly, this seminar focuses on the practical considerations for achieving successful lead-free assembly at a factory. Each step of the manufacturing cycle is addressed, from purchasing parts to inspecting assembled board.
Some of the lead-free assembly topics to be presented include: the status of lead-free legislation, marketing and implementation worldwide; reasons for hesitating to move towards lead-free soldering; design, component flux and solder alloy considerations; lead-free alloy requirements and materials management issues.
The instructor of the workshop is Karl Seelig, vice president of technology of AIM. In his 25 years of industry experience, Seelig has authored over 20 published articles on topics including lead-free electronics assembly, no-clean flux technology, assembly and process optimization, inspection and metallurgical studies. Seelig has numerous awards and patents in soldering technology—including four for lead-free solder alloys—and has been one of the key developers of no-clean technology.
To participate, contact AIM Products Australia: (02) 47356775, or email: tweber@aimsolder.com.au.
Copyright 2004, UP Media Group. All rights reserved.
A supplier of electronic assembly machinery, Panasonic Factory Automation (PFA, Elgin, IL) has introduced a new offering—Solutions. The primary goal of the program is to demonstrate the benefits of customers partnering with their original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
"Solutions was developed to globally share methods to increase customer's profit, performance and possibilities," said John Worthylake, PFA solutions and development manager. "Insight from customer suggestions and challenges—coupled with Matsushita's own manufacturing experience—has successfully provided solutions that simultaneously increase throughput, decrease costs and maximize the full potential of PFA's products."
Specifically, Solutions offerings include enhancements (a white L.E.D. Fiducial Light kit and a wide angle PCB detection sensor upgrade); equipment maintenance; spare parts options (cost-saving reversible tape cutter blades, remanufactured placement head assemblies); tools and jigs and training.
Copyright 2004, UP Media Group. All rights reserved.
Tamura F.A. System Corp. (Beaverton, OR), a company that develops and supplies the materials, components and products demanded by electronics markets, has announced the availability of a new lead-free system featuring solder bath technology designed for the electronics assembly industry.
FLIP Solder Bath for Lead-free Wave Soldering Solutions features linear induction pumping technology in which three phases of AC currents flow through induction coils to induce horizontal magnetic fields inside solder bath. The magnetic fields generate vertical force, per Fleming's left hand law. The force moves molten solder upward through nozzles and flow down by gravity. Two induction coils generate magnetic field and propelling force as the alternating AC current flows in induction coils.
Additionally, the solder bath features advantages over other solder bath systems, including the use of less solder (300 kg, instead of 450 kg) and less solder dross (7 kg, instead of 15 kg) after 8 hours of operation. It also offers open space to access the inside side bath and easier nozzle cleaning and maintenance. It also features a quieter and more stable solder wave than impeller motor types. Acid oxidization around the motor spindle is eliminated.
Copyright 2004, UP Media Group. All rights reserved.
Genesis Electronics Manufacturing Inc. (GEM, Tampa, FL) has transitioned its operations to a Tampa, FL, facility acquired in July 2003 from Jabil Global Services. GEM is a medium-volume, high-response electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider.
In addition to nearly doubling GEM's physical space, the 50,000 sq. ft. facility expands the company's customer service offerings in the areas of equipment repair and service, specifically in the rebuilding of monitors, keyboards and telecommunications equipment. Test, repair and refurbishment equipment were acquired along with the facility and GEM added 15 new employees to cover its new areas of service.
"By growing our team, our physical space and our equipment, GEM has the ability to fulfill the demands of this service contract and extend like services to existing and new accounts," said GEM president Robert Stoller.
The expanded offerings bring GEM closer to its goal of providing services similar to those provided by tier-one suppliers. "While our customer base is generally not considered to be the market of the tier-one suppliers, we want to offer our customers the gamut of services they need to market their products, and equipment repair and service is considered the last stage of product life management," Stoller said. "GEM looks forward to providing a domestic option to customers who desire to have their product built in the USA."
The company can now be reached at:
14201 McCormick Drive
Tampa, FL 33626
(813) 854-1661
Copyright 2004, UP Media Group. All rights reserved.
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