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News

Vectron Inc. (San Diego, CA), a provider of automated optical inspection (AOI) for semiconductor and electronics assembly, has announced the appointment of Joe Vilella, president and chief executive officer, as co-chairman of the IPC 7-32 Automated Inspection Technologies committee.

The industry subcommittee was formed to help surface-mount technology manufacturers deal with the present and future challenges posed by the continued trend of miniaturization in this industry through the proper application of state-of-the-art inspection technologies.

Vilella is responsible for the efforts to create up-to-date industry standards for the proper evaluation and implementation of AOI, automated x-ray inspection (AXI) and automated paste inspection (API) technologies to the surface-mount process. Amit Verma, who co-chairs the 7-32 subcommittee with Vilella, is responsible for the efforts to translate IPC-A-610 solder joint acceptance criteria into a language that is directly measurable by automated inspection machines through the correlation of data from AOI/AXI inspection methods to the reliability of lead-free solder joints via thermo-cycling. Both Vilella and Verma report to John Perry, who is the IPC staff liaison responsible for the oversight of this as well as several other committees related to the improvement of surface-mount methodologies and processes.

www.vectroninc.com

Meriton Networks Inc. (Ottawa, Canada), a provider of carrier-class wavelength networking systems, announced that it has selected Sanmina-SCI (San Jose, CA), an electronics manufacturing services (EMS) company, to be its engineering and manufacturing partner. Under the terms of the partnership, Sanmina-SCI will provide end-to-end services from optical design engineering to fabrication, assembly and chassis integration and test for Meriton Networks.

The formation of the alliance signals Meriton's transformation from an early stage to a mid-stage, commercial organization. With its High- Speed Metro (HSM) Services Architecture and strong customer traction, Meriton Networks hopes the agreement will fortify its position in next-generation metro WDM solutions.

Additionally, Meriton Networks announced the appointment of Robert K. Webster as chief financial officer.

www.sanmina-sci.com

www.meriton.com

NACOM Corp. (Griffin, GA), a manufacturer of automotive electronics and junction block components, is adopting computer-aided manufacturing using XML (CAMX), an exchange framework that will allow all of its equipment and applications to speak the same language. NACOM had announced that any equipment or software it purchases in the future must be CAMX compliant.

NACOM has partnered with several of its suppliers and the Georgia Institute of Technology's Manufacturing Research Center (Georgia Tech's MARC, Atlanta, GA) to develop a CAMX application program interface (API).

"We are essentially writing a piece of software that will speak CAMX," said Andrew Dugenske, manager of research services at MARC. "Companies will then be able to embed this software into their equipment and applications and become CAMX compliant at a much lower cost and with much less risk than going it alone."

The participants in the CAMX API project include Agilent, BTU International, DEK Printing Machines, IPTE, Orbotech, Panasonic, Pillarhouse International, Universal Instruments and Visiprise.

At the heart of CAMX is a framework with an intermediary-a message broker-that handles information exchange and complies with IPC-approved, internationally accepted standards. Dugenske likens it to a mail server. "If you send me an e-mail, you don't connect your computer directly to mine," said Dugenske. "You send it to a server and I retrieve it when I want."

With the CAMX system, the factory's equipment and applications all communicate directly only with the message broker. When people or equipment need information, they get it from the broker-in real-time and in the correct format. Terms and codes are all standardized so there is no chance for misinterpretation. The factory manager will have access to information such as work in progress, throughput and equipment utilization.

One of the major strengths of CAMX is its plug-and-play characteristic. CAMX allows any piece of equipment on the floor to plug into a common framework and begin to exchange information with little effort.

NACOM is working with Georgia Tech to make CAMX more accessible to its vendors. The interface will be IPC-2501, IPC-2541, IPC-2546 and IPC-2547 compliant.

NACOM has reviewed several data formats and various vendors in the electronic manufacturing industry in its quest to establish an open source standard's based solution. Since none existed, IPC is actively working on the IPC 25XX series, of which CAMX is a part.

www.marc.gatech.edu

BTU International (North Billerica, MA) showcased the newest version of its Pyramax solder reflow oven for surface-mount processing, the Pyramax 150 X5, at APEX 2004.

The new machine features lead-free process, low cost of ownership and a closed loop convection control for unmatched process control and repeatability. The 10-zone air or nitrogen capability, combined with 350°C maximum temperature and 24-in. board processing, provides process flexibility and throughput for high volume, high mix applications.

With increased heating and cooling performance and repeatable process control, the oven ensures an easy transition to lead-free production.

Reduced power consumption and nitrogen consumption as low as 500CFH decreases the cost of ownership. In addition, the available self-contained on-board water supply eliminates the need for a facility water supply.

The oven also offers a closed loop convection process to offer continuous monitoring and feedback of heating and cooling convection rates, with adjustments being made automatically through the system's operating software. The process control will be critical for lead-free processing.

www.btu.com

Kester, a business unit of Northrop Grumman Corp., has been sold to American Capital Strategies Ltd. for an undisclosed amount.

At a press conference on Tuesday during APEX, Dave Torp, Kester's vice president of marketing and business development, announced that the company has just one announcement to make at the show this year--they have been acquired. The acquisition allows Kester to break from the defense arena and return to their roots of supplying to the assembly, component, electrical and industrial marketplace.

According to Torp, the acquisition allows Kester more freedom. "We have increased flexibility and agility within the marketplace, and can generate more buiness, especially in foreign entities," he siad. "With them [American Capital], we are free to market globally, manufacture and support customers, especially in China."

Kester was sold to American Capital "lock, stock and barrel," said Torp. He added that Kester's management team remains intact.

Torp also said that Kester comprises a large portion of American Capital's holding portfolio, allowing Kester to keep up with this constantly changing industry and new technologies. Kester also has implemented a "phase-gate system" which will allow them to accelerate new product development from years to months.

American Capital's investment takes the form of a revolving credit facility, senior term loans, senior and junior subordinated debt and preferred common equity. Post-closing, American Capital will own 84% of Kester on a fully diluted basis. The remaining ownership in the acquiring company represents amounts under the employee options program, as well as equity co-investors.

www.kester.com

Tyco Electronics (Willow Grove, PA), a business segment of Tyco International Ltd., is highlighting the Kanetic product line at the APEX show taking place Feb. 24-26 in Anaheim, CA.

Tyco Electronics signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Kanetic that resulted in Tyco assuming all responsibility for the manufacture, sales and support of the Kanetic product line. This agreement provides customers Kanetic's product offerings along with Tyco's financial strength and worldwide sales and service capability.

The product line features an adjustable length edge belt workstation, magazine unloader, an inline board destacker, inverter, and magazine loader. All products have adjustable length, dual speed adjustment, thin board capabilities, a control board and flow reversibility.

Tyco Electronics Automation Group (TEAG), a business unit of Tyco Electronics, is a supplier of automated equipment that is used in the manufacturing of printed circuit board assemblies and systems.

http://automation.tycoelectronics.com