News
PALO ALTO, CA -- New analysis from Frost & Sullivan reveals that the worldwide SMT cleaning equipment market generated revenues of $34.3 million in 2005 and is likely to reach $55 million in 2012.
"Lead-free manufacturing has caused process changes in the SMT line that have placed more emphasis on cleaning," notes F&S industry manager Keith Robinson. "With more residue left on the assembly during lead- free manufacturing, industries that did not historically clean are likely to do so between 2006 and 2010, thus creating new market opportunities."
Pb-free manufacturing requires higher preheating and heating temperatures, causing changes in the flux that make it more difficult to clean. It also calls for an increased amount of flux, which leads to more residues on the assembly. Defects can occur in products if the assembly is not thoroughly cleaned, thus creating increased demand for SMT cleaning equipment.
Pb-free assemblies more difficult to clean, causing concerns among electronic assemblers about the feasibility of becoming Pb-free compliant in 2006. Moreover, cleaning Pb-free materials is highly demanding and places increased stress on the entire cleaning process.
"Some companies have been very proactive in educating customers on how to clean lead-free assemblies effectively," says Robinson. "SMT vendors will need to be very aggressive in addressing customers' needs in 2006, because this is a critical year for the SMT cleaning equipment market."
"Lead-free manufacturing has caused process changes in the SMT line that have placed more emphasis on cleaning," notes F&S industry manager Keith Robinson. "With more residue left on the assembly during lead- free manufacturing, industries that did not historically clean are likely to do so between 2006 and 2010, thus creating new market opportunities."
Pb-free manufacturing requires higher preheating and heating temperatures, causing changes in the flux that make it more difficult to clean. It also calls for an increased amount of flux, which leads to more residues on the assembly. Defects can occur in products if the assembly is not thoroughly cleaned, thus creating increased demand for SMT cleaning equipment.
Pb-free assemblies more difficult to clean, causing concerns among electronic assemblers about the feasibility of becoming Pb-free compliant in 2006. Moreover, cleaning Pb-free materials is highly demanding and places increased stress on the entire cleaning process.
"Some companies have been very proactive in educating customers on how to clean lead-free assemblies effectively," says Robinson. "SMT vendors will need to be very aggressive in addressing customers' needs in 2006, because this is a critical year for the SMT cleaning equipment market."
Apart from electronics manufacturing, the medical device, aerospace and defense industries are likely to increase their demand for SMT cleaning equipment. F&S predicts that these industries will be the primary markets for SMT cleaning equipment in North America and Western Europe. In China, the expanding space program is likely to provide new opportunities to equipment vendors.
Taunton, MA – Following its acquisition last year by HumiSeal’s parent company Chase Corp., Concoat Ltd. has changed its name to HumiSeal Europe Ltd.
The UK conformal coatings supplier has been manufacturing HumiSeal products for the European marketplace for over 25 years.
David Greenman, managing director, noted in a press release: “By operating in the USA and Europe under the same name, we make it crystal clear that we can offer a seamless transition between our manufacturing, sales and technical support services, with products that are tested and certified independently to military and automotive standards throughout the world.”
The UK conformal coatings supplier has been manufacturing HumiSeal products for the European marketplace for over 25 years.
David Greenman, managing director, noted in a press release: “By operating in the USA and Europe under the same name, we make it crystal clear that we can offer a seamless transition between our manufacturing, sales and technical support services, with products that are tested and certified independently to military and automotive standards throughout the world.”
Greenman is enthusiastic about the company’s prospects, and about its new identity: “We expect to grow between 5 and 10% this year. We are winning new projects all the time, in a broad range of industries. With our new identity, we can build on our excellent market position and good name, and grow our global business still further. Our new name truly makes us part of the HumiSeal family and opens the door completely for real, in-depth co-operation."
ROME, NY – The Electrostatic Discharge Association (ESDA) will offer professional education classes during 2007, providing coursework to earn ESD Device Design or Program Manager Certification. Courses will be available in North America, Europe and Asia, and include topics such as ANSI/ESD S20.20 ESD Program Development, How To’s of In-Plant ESD Auditing and Evaluation Measurements, Cleanroom Considerations for the Program Manager, System Level ESD/EMI: Testing to IEC and Other Standards, and more. Visit www.esda.org for available courses. Registration is underway for classes offered during February in Anaheim, CA.
GUADALAJARA -- Sanmina-SCI today announced the opening of a 347,000 sq. ft. foot enclosures facility here. The new factory brings the EMS company's enclosure manufacturing capacity to more than 500,000 sq. ft., the largest in North America.
ANGLETON, TX -- Benchmark Electronics
today promoted Gayla J. Delly, 47, to president and Donald F. Adam, 43, to chief financial officer. Delly replaces Cary Fu, who remains CEO.
Delly has been with the company since 1996 and CFO since May 2001.
Delly has been with the company since 1996 and CFO since May 2001.
Adam has worked at Benchmark since January 2002, most recently as vice president and corporate controller.
"Gayla and I have worked closely together over the past decade and she has made significant contributions to Benchmark and been an integral part of our executive team," said Fu in a statement. "Gayla is an accomplished leader and is highly respected both within Benchmark and the industry. Likewise, Don has assumed increased financial responsibilities over the past few years and is well qualified to serve as CFO."
ST. LOUIS -- LaBarge Inc. has received an initial $1.7 million contract to build assemblies for Northrop Grumman's Defensive Systems Division.
The assemblies will be used in Northrop's internally mounted radar countermeasures system, the AN/ALQ-135, for the F-15K fighter.
Production is expected to begin early this summer at LaBarge's Tulsa, OK, facility and is expected to continue through fall 2006. Additional orders are expected, LaBarge said in a statement.
The assemblies will be used in Northrop's internally mounted radar countermeasures system, the AN/ALQ-135, for the F-15K fighter.
Production is expected to begin early this summer at LaBarge's Tulsa, OK, facility and is expected to continue through fall 2006. Additional orders are expected, LaBarge said in a statement.
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