TOKYO -- The Tokyo Big Sight exhibition center last week was crammed with attendees wanting to see the latest in electronics components, equipment and materials. Really a co-location of six different shows, Nepcon World is geared toward the EMS and OEM customer, and offers myriad suppliers in one place.

Aisles were packed and business was brisk. Unlike some shows, booths tend to be smaller and the focus closer to the customer’s immediate needs. While many manufacturers do roll out their latest technology, others reserve their big splash for the more extravagant exhibitions. The show has grown by almost 20% in exhibit space, with over 1,000 companies participating, but the estimates for attendance of 50,000 may well have been significantly exceeded as evidenced by the difficulty in navigating the aisles. 

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TAOYUAN CITY, TAIWAN – Lloyd Doyle has opened demo room here to house the company’s IBIS solder bump inspection system.
The demo room is located at Sigmatek, a supplier of electronics assembly equipment and consumables in Asia.

ROCHESTER, NY – EMA Design Automation announced that it has acquired the Chronology Division of Forte Design Systems. No terms were announced. As part of the deal, EMA acquired TimingDesigner, an interactive timing analysis tool.  
 

ST. LOUIS, MO - Laird Technologies has acquired AeroComm for $38 million. AeroComm designs and manufactures wireless communications systems for low- to mid-volume OEM applications.  Key applications include gaming machines, industrial automation, lighting controls, heavy equipment telemetry, athletic event scoreboards, wheel alignment sensor systems, and automatic utility meter readers. Lenexa, KS-based AeroComm reported 2006 profits of $2.9 million.

Laird designs and manufactures antenna solutions, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding products, telematics, signal integrity products and thermal management solutions.