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1. PARC Continues Momentum in Printed Electronics—Creating New Partnerships and Markets--Printing enables low-cost, full-featured components; Flexibility enables new form factors --Consum(read...)
2. X-FAB to Exhibit Foundry Solutions for Designers of Power Electronics at APEC Conference and ExpositionORLANDO, Fla. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — February 6, 2012 — X-FAB Silicon Foundries, the leading analog/mixed-signal foundry(read...)
3. Shining the Spotlight on Clean Boards (read...)
4. Semiconductor Industry Posts Record-Breaking Revenues Despite 2011 ChallengesWASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2012 — (PRNewswire) — The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor m(read...)
5. Cadence Collaborates With Samsung Foundry to Deliver Design-for-Manufacturing Solution for 32-, 28- and 20-Nanometer Chip DesignSAN JOSE, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- Feb 06, 2012 -- Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDNS), a leader in global electronic design innovation, toda(read...)
6. Upstream suppliers of passive components cautious about expansion (DigiTimes) (read...)
7. Chip demand picking up, say Taiwan IC designers (DigiTimes) (read...)
8. Motherboard prices to hike by 10% at end of 1Q12 (DigiTimes) (read...)
9. New Blog: What Would Joe Do? by Peggy AycinenaPeggy Aycinena is a freelance journalist and Editor of EDA Confidential. Her new blog - What Would Joe Do? - starts off by taking a look at the valuat(read...)

Corporate News

1. Electronics Sector in The Philippines Shows Signs of RecoveryElectronic firms have started receiving orders for delivery by the latter part of the year, boosting hopes for recovery in 2012 after suffering a slump last year amidst the global economic crisis.(read...)
2. TTM to Present at Stifel Nicolaus Conference TTM Technologies, Inc. will participate in the Stifel Nicolaus Technology and Telecom Conference on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 1:05 p.m. Pacific time.(read...)
3. Healthcare Handheld Devices Market $11 Billion in 2011The total market for handheld devices in healthcare reached $11 billion globally in 2011, reflecting an annual increase of 11.1% since 2007. (read...)
4. PARC Continues Momentum in Printed ElectronicsPrinting enables low-cost, full-featured components; Flexibility enables new form factors(read...)
5. Raytheon Wins $39.6 Million US Navy Contract for AIM-9XThe U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon Company a $39.6 million contract for Fiscal Year 2012 production and delivery of the AIM-9X Block II infrared-guided air-to-air missile.(read...)
6. eMagin Receives $1.1 Million SBIR Contract eMagin Corporation announced today that it has been awarded a $1.12 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract from the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).(read...)
7. Smartphone Market Hits All-Time Quarterly HighThe worldwide smartphone market grew 54.7% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2011 (4Q11), as Apple unleashed its iPhone 4S on an eager marketplace.(read...)
8. IPC and JEDEC Update Standard for SMDsIPC and JEDEC have released the C revision of IPC/JEDEC J-STD-033, Handling, Packing, Shipping and Use of Moisture/Reflow and/or Process Sensitive Components.(read...)
9. Tech Spending Remains Strong Amid Economic ChallengesEmerging markets continue to lead the way in tech spending, with BRIC countries showing double-digit growth(read...)
10. Expansion Under Way at ImagineeringImagineering Vice President Khurrum Dhanji sits down with Editor Andy Shaughnessy at DesignCon 2012 to discuss the changes coming at his company, including a new facility, a greater focus on contract manufacturing, and online updates. (read...)
11. Alta Devices Solar Panel Earns NREL Verification Alta Devices’ most recent solar panel has been verified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) at 23.5% efficiency. (read...)
12. Abound Solar Produces 82.8W ModuleAbound Solar, a leading manufacturer of next-generation thin-film cadmium telluride photovoltaic modules, today announced the production of 82.8W modules at their Longmont, Colorado, USA factory. (read...)
13. EPTE Newsletter from Japan: Can We Wait 10 Years?The technical conference program at InterNEPCON Japan was a big hit. Several thousand people gathered to listen to experts in their fields speak about leading-edge technologies from several industries. Dominique K. Numakura presented the keynote session, "Leading Edge Technology for Further Evolving Printable Electronics."(read...)
14. Indian Electronics Industry to Create 20 Million JobsIndian electronics industry generated 2 million jobs in the past five years and if industry experts are to be believed, another 20 million will be created in the next five years, considering the development plans.(read...)
15. Sustainability in ActionRegulatory requirements, the need to better manage and reduce energy costs, as well as standards and initiatives promoted by major retailers and consumer advocates are driving efficiency and sustainability requirements up the supply chain. Federal, state, and voluntary energy efficiency standards are driving demand for innovative, "smart" semiconductor technologies. (read...)
16. Smart Phones Exceed Client PCs in 2011 ShipmentsCanalys has released its full, detailed Q4 2011 country-level smart phone shipment estimates to clients, so completing the picture for the year. One notable result was that total annual global shipments of smart phones exceeded those of client PCs (including pads) for the first time.(read...)
17. Kitron to Present 4Q11 Results February 9, 2012Kitron ASA presents its interim report for Q4 2011 on Thursday 9 February 2012 at 08:30 a.m. at Kitron ASA's head office, Olav Brunborgs vei 4, Billingstad.(read...)
18. Self-Assembling NanorodsA relatively fast, easy and inexpensive technique for inducing nanorods - rod-shaped semiconductor nanocrystals - to self-assemble into one-, two- and even three-dimensional macroscopic structures has been developed by a team of researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab). (read...)
19. EIPC Appoints Somacis' Angeloni as Vice ChairmanGiacomo Angeloni, who has been with Somacis since 2000 and is currently R&D and Marketing Director, has been re-elected as Vice Chairman of the European Institute of Printed Circuits (EIPC).(read...)
20. CILS Releases Computer Printable LabelsPerfect for all electrical and electronic applications, CILS-9900 high-performance computer printable labels feature a permanent high-strength adhesion during extreme temperatures up to +388°C, providing the ultimate heat-resistant product identification solution - fully conformable to environmental legislation (RoHS, REACH, WEE etc).(read...)
21. It's Only Common Sense: Putting a Dent in Your UniverseIn our industry you can make PCBs just to make money or you can provide customers, and the world, the best PCB solution they've ever seen. (read...)
22. Sparton Wins $7.6 Million in Foreign Sonobuoy ContractsSparton Corporation today announced that it has been awarded a contract by Australia to manufacture the AN/SSQ-62E and AN/SSQ-53F sonobuoys. (read...)
23. Multiline International Europa Celebrates 25 YearsOn January 5, 2012 Multiline International Europa (mie) marked the beginning of its next 25 years in Europe. (read...)
24. RiverSide Electronics Invests in New SMT EquipmentRiverSide Electronics, Ltd. has upgraded SMT equipment to Advantis 3 from Universal Instruments. With the purchase of two AC-30 single beam machines and one A1-07, RiverSide will boost equipment productivity. (read...)
25. Pegatron, ECS Receive Ultrabook Orders Pegatron, ECS land ultrabook orders from regional brands worldwide, says paper.(read...)
26. Cubic Receives Air Combat Training System ContractCubic Defense Applications, a defense systems business of Cubic Corporation, has been awarded a new contract with a value of over $30 million for its P5 Combat Training System/Tactical Combat Training System (P5CTS/TCTS).(read...)
27. Dynamic Manufacturing Completes ExpansionDynamic Manufacturing has recently acquired additional equipment and completed a 10,000 sq. ft. addition to its manufacturing facility, aimed at enhance its capabilities to remain competitive.(read...)
28. ACE Launches Latest Selective Soldering System at IPC APEXACE Production Technologies is “Pulling out all the stops” at APEX 2012, and bringing the best of its newest soldering production technology to the electronics manufacturing industry’s premier show, according to Alan Cable, President.(read...)
29. gmHealth Users of Remote Health Monitoring to Reach 3 Million by 2016A burgeoning market for healthcare peripherals and increasing smartphone processing power will result in the number of patients monitored by mobile networks to rise to 3 million by 2016, finds Juniper Research's latest report on the mHealth sector.(read...)
30. PCB Assembly Express Enhances WebsitePCB Assembly Express, a company in Lake Oswego, Oregon that provides quality assembly from prototype to high volume, announces new PCB services and partnerships, along with a next-generation website to reflect them. (read...)
31. Semiconductor Industry Hits $299.5 Billion Sales in 2011The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), representing U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and design, today announced that worldwide semiconductor sales for 2011 reached a record $299.5 billion, a year-on-year increase of 0.4 percent from the $298.3 billion recorded in 2010. (read...)
32. CIGS Photovoltaics Markets 2012 Report Now AvailableResearch and Markets has announced the addition of the "CIGS Photovoltaics Markets - 2012" report to their offering.(read...)
33. Physical Optics Earns Small Business Innovation Research AwardPhysical Optics Corporation Announces Small Business Innovation Research Award for Helmet Embedded Conformal Augmented Display - Phase II(read...)
34. UT Biosolar Breakthrough Promises Cheap, Easy Green ElectricityBarry D. Bruce, professor of biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is turning the term 'power plant' on its head.(read...)
35. Watch Our Full Coverage of DesignCon 2012DesignCon 2012 is history, but if you couldn't make the show, don't fret. We have full video coverage of this essential Silicon Valley engineering event. From the leading-edge technical conference to the packed exposition, our Real Time program brings it all to you.(read...)
36. I-Connect007's EMS Asia Week: The Big Ones Get BiggerThe big gets bigger. EMS provider Wistron expects its shipments of notebooks, servers and hand-held devices to grow 20% this year. The company is also eyeing acquisition targets this year. Foxconn, which will kick off its production in Brazil, said it attracted a lot of people looking for jobs after the Chinese New Year. Flextronics, meanwhile, has been named among China's top foreign companies.(read...)
37. Kimball EMS Posts 18% Sales Drop in Fiscal 2Q12Fiscal year 2012 second quarter net sales in the EMS segment decreased 18% compared to the second quarter of the prior year with decreased net sales to customers in the medical and industrial control industries. (read...)
38. Wearable Wireless Sensors Market Growth at 110% CAGR Through 2014MarketResearch.com has announced the addition of the new report "Global Wearable Wireless Sensor Market 2010-2014," to their collection of Computer Equipment market reports. (read...)
39. Motherboard Prices to Rise 10% in Q1Motherboard vendors including Asustek Computer and Gigabyte Technology, in response to increases in the international price of copper and labor costs in China, are expected to hike their prices by about 10% as early as the end of the first quarter of 2012, according to industry sources. (read...)
40. SMTAI 2011 Best Papers AnnouncedThe SMTA is pleased to announce the Best Papers from SMTA International 2011. As speakers at SMTA International, individuals make contributions to the industry by sharing their research and findings. To reward exceptional achievement, $1,000 awards and plaques are given for the Best of Conference Presentation, Best of Proceedings Paper, and the Best International Paper.(read...)
41. Orbit's Power Group Secures New Order for COTS Power SupplyOrbit International Corp. today announced that its Power Group, through its Behlman Electronics, Inc. subsidiary, received a new production order for its COTS Division valued at $877,000.(read...)
42. MFLEX Reports Strong Fiscal 2012 Q1 ResultsCommenting on the company's business outlook, Reza Meshgin, Chief Executive Officer, noted, "We anticipate continued strong demand for our flex assemblies for both smartphones and tablets in the second quarter of fiscal 2012."(read...)
43. Dynamic EMS Enhances Production CapabilitiesDynamic provides a range of test services, one of which is having increasing importance--the flying probe technology.(read...)
44. Smiths Detection Wins $9M Contract from U.S. MarinesSmiths Detection today announced a $9 million contract to supply the U.S. Navy with mobile weather information systems that support mission planning and military operations.(read...)
45. BAE Systems to Develop Next Gen CIRCM SolutionBAE Systems has been selected by the U.S. Army as one of two contractors to develop the next generation Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) solution – a lightweight directed infrared countermeasure system for Army, Navy, and Marine rotary-wing aircraft. (read...)
46. ZESTRON Features Solutions at SMTA Dallas & HoustonAt the show, ZESTRON will highlight the company’s peripheral product lines, process solutions, services as well as training and workshop opportunities in addition to its entire portfolio of broad spectrum cleaning chemistries for the electronics manufacturing industry.(read...)
47. Defense Spending - G8 Industry Guide Now AvailableResearch and Markets has announced the addition of the "Defense Spending - Global Group of Eight (G8) Industry Guide" report to their offering.(read...)
48. Global Mobile Phone Market Maintains Growth TrajectoryThe worldwide mobile phone market grew 6.1% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2011, but as the feature phone market declined faster than anticipated, the market growth is actually down to its lowest point in over two years.(read...)
49. ELCINA, VIC to Create Manufacturing Clusters in IndiaELCINA members and VIC have agreed to create a joint venture to promote clusters for electronics component and equipment manufacturing across the country. The first cluster is expected to come in North India, near NCR in one year. It will involve participation of the members interested in investing in setting up facilities in the area.(read...)
50. Apex FA Stencil Printers Features Built-In 3D SPISMT equipment and process specialist Apex Factory Automation now features the only stencil printer with integrated 3D solder paste inspection. (read...)
51. Dow Electronic Materials Sales Down in Q4Sales in Dow Electronic Materials decreased modestly in the quarter, driven by lower demand in Interconnect Technologies and Semiconductor Technologies. (read...)
52. Solar Energy M&A Transactions Up 7% in 2011There were 174 completed solar energy M&A transactions in 2011, approximately 7% more than the 162 recorded in 2010 and 45% more than the 120 recorded in 2009. (read...)
53. Printed Electronics Coming of Age at IPC APEX EXPOIPC APEX EXPO will feature a dedicated printed electronics area on the show floor, a printed electronics track in the technical conference, and historic standards development meetings where the first-ever industry requirements for the manufacture and assembly of printed electronics will be discussed and developed.(read...)
54. Apex Circuit Enters LCD, Automotive PCB ProductionApex Circuit International will extend its production of PCBs from use in set-top boxes, TVs, printers, and HDDs to LCD panels and cars.(read...)
55. Wistron Seeking Acquisition TargetsWistron is seeking acquisition targets for vertical integration and is eying components such as touchscreen, LCD module and software, according to company Chairman, Simon Lin.(read...)
56. Flexible, Stretchable Electronics at Printed Electronics EuropeFor this year's Flexible & Stretchable Electronics session at the forthcoming Printed Electronics Europe 2012 conference & exhibition, IDTechEx is working together with Fraunhofer IZM, the organizers of the last FlexStretch Workshop.(read...)
57. SiSoft, IBM Give Paper on Advanced IBIS-AMI Modeling SiSoft will present a paper with IBM at the IBIS Summit meeting at DesignCon. The paper is entitled "IBM IBIS-AMI 15G Chip to Chip Cu032 model using Dependency Tables" and discusses extensions to the IBIS-AMI specification that reduce the size and complexity of IBIS-AMI models to simplify the system designer's task of running design simulations. (read...)
58. E-Paper Displays: Markets, Forecasts, Technologies 2012-2022Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/b27fcd/epaper_displays ) has announced the addition of the "E-Paper Displays: Markets, Forecasts, Technologies 2012-2022" report to their offering.(read...)
59. Raytheon Wins $38.1M Contract for Missile Defense SystemRaytheon Company has been awarded a $38.1 million contract to provide engineering support to the Command, Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) program for the Missile Defense Agency.(read...)
60. Cadence Posts $1.15B Revenue for 2011Cadence has reported fourth quarter 2011 revenue of $308 million, compared to revenue of $249 million reported for the same period in 2010.(read...)
61. Rainbow Technology Launches Alternative to LDI MfgThe Rainbow Process represents a breakthrough for the electronics industry by incorporating coating, imaging, and developing of PCBs in one compact, automated unit, which promises to make board production faster, easier and more profitable.(read...)
62. FTG Sales Up 9% in 2011"FTG closed 2011 with another strong quarter making the full year very successful for the company. We achieved our objectives for the year, including growing the company, returning to profitability, and strengthening the balance sheet. We are demonstrating that our focus on the aerospace and defence market has positioned us to succeed now and in the future," stated Brad Bourne, president and CEO.(read...)
63. Benchmark: Net Income Drops from $19M to $3MThe company reported fourth quarter net income of $3 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared to $19 million, or $0.31 per diluted share in the comparable period in 2010.(read...)
64. ADTI Enters Drone and UAV MarketADTI's technologies developed under several DOD SBIR programs have excellent potential for developing the next-generation systems to cater to the drone and UAV market.(read...)
65. January Manufacturing ISM Report: PMI at 54.1%Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in January for the 30th consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 32nd consecutive month, according to the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.(read...)
66. FDA, Industry Reach Agreement on Medical Device User FeesThe recommendations would authorize the FDA to collect $595 million in user fees over five years, plus adjustments for inflation.(read...)
67. Polyera Poised to Enable Windows Acting as Solar PanelsPolyera has achieved a certified world-record 9.1% efficient polymer/fullerene organic solar cell in an inverted bulk heterojunction architecture using its newest proprietary ActivInk PV2000 semiconductor material.(read...)
68. Northrop Grumman Reports Strong 4Q, 2011 ResultsNorthrop Grumman's fourth quarter 2011 earnings from continuing operations increased 80 percent to $550 million, while earnings for 2011 from continuing operations grew 10 percent to $2.1 billion.(read...)
69. 2012: Slight Growth Following a Sluggish StartMost suppliers' revenue fell well below seasonal averages in the third quarter of 2011, leading to a weaker-than-expected fourth quarter--all despite a positive holiday season for portable electronics sales. As a result, the first quarter 2012 will continue this trend, but the market should begin to improve toward the middle of the year as consumer confidence returns in Europe and the U.S. and regional currencies stabilize.(read...)
70. Acer, HP to Expand NB Shipments from Chongqing, ChinaAs total notebook shipments from Chongqing, China increased to 15.74 million units in 2011 with production volume also growing more than 1,000 fold to US$5.15 billion, Acer and Hewlett-Packard (HP) are both set to increase their shipments proportion from Chongqing in 2012.(read...)
71. BBG Marks 10th Year with Record SalesGreg Papandrew said, "We're all very excited about Bare Board Group hitting the 10-year milestone. The road to success may have been rocky at times, but I'm proud to say that BBG is celebrating at the top of our game, stronger than ever. I attribute our growth and success to the collective hard work and dedication of our staff, both stateside and abroad."(read...)
72. Pragmatic's Imprinted Logic Moving Into Commercial ProductionMoves are a foot for PragmatIC Printing to launch its technology to pilot-scale production under an agreement with the Printable Electronics Technology Centre at The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI). (read...)
73. JNC Corporation Opens its DoorsThis week, Printed Electronics World visited Mr Etsuo Nakagawa and Mr Kiichiro Ito of JNC Corporation (parent company Chisso) in Japan.(read...)
74. Notebook Shipments to See Significant Rise in 2H12Notebook shipments, benefiting from the recovery of hard drive shortages and launch of Windows 8 in the third quarter, are expected to rise significantly in the second half, compared to the first with shipments proportion in the first and second halves to reach 45% and 55% and may even hit 40% and 60%.(read...)
75. Samtec Expands Discrete Wire Interconnect ProductSamtec has expanded its Discrete Wire interconnect product family with the release of the 1mm S1SS Series female Discrete Wire Cable Assembly that features a dual beam contact system for reliable, micro rugged applications.(read...)
76. Thinfilm Builds Out Ecosystem for Printed Electronic SystemsThinfilm has announced technology relationships for its integrated addressable memory systems designed to help enable the "Internet of Things." (read...)
77. Optomec Expands Aerosol Jet Production Capabilities Optomec recently announced the opening of its new and expanded Advanced Applications Lab and Product Development Facility in St. Paul, Minnesota.(read...)
78. Fineline to Distribute FTG's Aerospace/Defense ProductsFineline Group has been appointed by Firan Technology Group as its representative and distributor for its aerospace and defense electronics products.(read...)
79. Nortech Highlights Medical Offerings at MD&M West 2012To better serve medical device and life science manufacturers at any phase of a product's life cycle, Nortech Systems personnel will be available to answer questions at MD&M West 2012 (Booth #1975).(read...)
80. Aegis Launches Chinese Language WebsiteAegis has launched a new Chinese-language website as the latest move in its strategic commitment to the region and to meeting its increasing demand for Aegis Manufacturing Operations Software (MOS) products. (read...)
81. EMS Transactions in 2011 Down 30% YoYThirty-two completed EMS transactions took place in 2011, down from 46 recorded in 2010. EMS consolidations were the most common type of transaction with 15 transactions in 2011, or 47% of total activity, compared to 13 transactions in 2010 which represented 28% of activity last year.(read...)
82. Prototron Circuits to Exhibit at Houston Expo and ForumRuss Adams, National Sales Manager, has announced that his company will be exhibiting at this year's Houston Expo and Tech Forum at the Stafford Center in Stafford (Houston) Texas on Thursday, February 9.(read...)
83. Colonial Circuits Participates at Houston Expo and ForumColonial Circuits will participate in the Houston Expo and Tech Forum to be held at the Stafford Centre in Stafford, Texas on Thursday, February 9, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.(read...)
84. Foxconn Sees Influx of ApplicantsFoxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), despite being named a fear factory by the U.S. media, still attracted large amounts of people in China looking for work, and the company's plants in Shenzhen, Zhengzhou and Wuhan attracted large crowds looking for jobs after the Lunar New Year.(read...)
85. SiSoft, Ericsson Present Case Study of Virtual Prototype Analysis"Virtual prototype analysis provides substantial amounts of data," noted Donald Telian of SiGuys. Key performance metrics can be mined to identify important system-level trends. (read...)
86. Intercept Launches Pantheon 7The new Pantheon includes a completely redesigned user interface with significant performance and productivity increases. The last 15 years of Pantheon's development as an advanced PCB/hybrid/RF design application has converged with a modern user flow to provide major productivity increases for all engineers and designers. (read...)
87. Electrolube’s New Product Reduces CO2 Emissions by 99.5%The electro-chemicals manufacturer, Electrolube, holds environmental responsibility at the core of its ethos so when the opportunity came to utilize a low global-warming-potential (GWP) propellant in some of its key products, the company quickly recognised the benefits this would create for its customers and the environment, without any compromise in performance. (read...)
88. Boeing Starts Production of New Distributed Targeting SystemBoeing today announced that it has started production of the new Distributed Targeting System (DTS) for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighter.(read...)
89. Powering Electric Vehicles with SunlightThe Riverside area will become a leader in powering electric vehicles from the sun under a $2 million award to the Center for Environmental Research and Technology at the University of California, Riverside’s Bourns College of Engineering.(read...)
90. Weaving Electronics Into the Fabric of our Physical WorldThe integration of electronics with materials opens up a world of possibilities, the surface of which is just being scratched. (read...)
91. Rice Professor's Nanotube Theory ConfirmedThe Air Force Research Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio, has experimentally confirmed a theory by Rice University Professor Boris Yakobson that foretold a pair of interesting properties about nanotube growth: That the chirality of a nanotube controls the speed of its growth, and that armchair nanotubes should grow the fastest.(read...)
92. Terahertz Polarizer Nears PerfectionResearchers at Rice University are using carbon nanotubes as the critical component of a robust terahertz polarizer that could accelerate the development of new security and communication devices, sensors and non-invasive medical imaging systems, as well as fundamental studies of low-dimensional condensed matter systems.(read...)
93. ORNL Microscopy: “Atomic Antenna” Behavior in Graphene Atomic-level defects in graphene could be a path forward to smaller and faster electronic devices, according to a study led by researchers at the DoE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The study suggests that point defects, composed of silicon atoms that replace individual carbon atoms in graphene, could aid attempts to transfer data on an atomic scale by coupling light with electrons.(read...)
94. Novel Cell Designs for More Efficient Solar CellsInnovation and material technology are the keys to success for increasing the efficiency of solar cells. For the first time ever, scientists accomplished the development of an industry-scale c-Si solar cell with an efficiency greater than 20%.(read...)
95. Arrow Electronics Reports Record 2011 ResultsArrow Electronics, Inc. today reported fourth-quarter 2011 net income of $174.1 million ($1.55 and $1.53 per share on a basic and diluted basis, respectively) on sales of $5.44 billion, compared with net income of $157.9 million ($1.37 and $1.34 per share on a basic and diluted basis, respectively) on sales of $5.24 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010.(read...)
96. Pogo-Style Spring Probes Reaching their Limits: High-Performance Requirements Drive New SolutionsThe popularity of pogo pins has increased greatly over the years with the increase in device speeds and bandwidth requirements. The pins also have lower inductance for cleaner power delivery. The pins are capable of contacting arrayed packages and testing arrays of devices, as when testing devices on strips, on film-frames, or at wafer level.(read...)
97. Two Worlds Collide: Chipshooting & Die BondingTraditional wire bonding is changing to direct chip attach and packaging equipment now has to handle a wave of passives. While die bonders can place passive components, they cannot do this at the speed of traditional SMT chip-shooters. Performing this task with packaging equipment is far more costly, and placing micro-miniature components is still a real challenge. (read...)
98. Automotive Electronics GrowingThe electronics content of an automobile presently represents approximately 30% of its value and this number is predicted to rise to 50% by 2020. Product liability is a major issue. Agilent Technologies' Global Account Manager, Stephan Boettger, explains the importance of functional test in proving the reliability of automotive electronics. (read...)
99. Changing Consumer Trends Alter Electronics MarketTrends in wireless technologies and consumer products are blurring the lines between consumer and industrial hardware.(read...)
100. USAF Selects Getac's Fully Rugged LaptopsGetac has announced that the United States Air Force (USAF) has selected the Getac B300 fully rugged notebook computer as part of its Quantum Enterprise Buy (QEB) program.(read...)
101. Corning Lands First PV Substrate OrderCorning has announced today its first commercial order for photovoltaic (PV) glass substrates, a milestone order following three years of development work of an engineered glass that enables higher efficiency and lighter weight thin-film PV modules.(read...)
102. Sparton to Host Conference Call to Discuss 2QFY2012 ResultsSparton will host a conference call with investors and analysts on February 8, 2012, to discuss its fiscal 2012 second quarter financial results, provide a general business update, and respond to investor questions.(read...)
103. DDi Schedules 4Q, Full-year 2011 Earnings ReleaseDDi will issue its fourth quarter and full year 2012 earnings release on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, after the market closes.(read...)
104. APEJ PC Market Up 11% in 2011 Despite HDD ChallengesThe PC market took a number of punches last year, be it from the uncertain global economy or from media tablets that competed for consumer attention. PCs will still face HDD supply challenges in the early part of 2012, but IDC expects the market to rebound quickly by the second half of the year.(read...)
105. Ducommun’s Flight Test of U.S. Army's AHW a SuccessDucommun Incorporated today announced that its Miltec Corporation subsidiary was the industry team lead for the successful test flight of the U.S. Army's unique Advanced Hypersonic Weapon (AHW). (read...)
106. Acer Aims to Double PC Shipments to Brazil in 2012Acer has been making efforts to tap the Brazil market and aims to ship one million PCs in 2012, double the volume recorded in 2011, according to industry sources.(read...)
107. Vigilant Enhances Capabilities with New X-Ray Test EquipmentVigilant Components has invested further in its component test and verification facility with new state-of-the art component X-ray test equipment.(read...)
108. IPC Releases PCB Industry Results for December 2011"North American PCB sales in December increased over the prior month and the book-to-bill ratio strengthened, reaching parity for the first time since last summer," said Sharon Starr, IPC Market Research Director. "North American PCB sales ended the year down 1.9% over 2010, but current indicators point to a resumption of modest growth in 2012."(read...)
109. China Car Electronics Suppliers Focus on New Markets in 2012China suppliers of car electronics are moving upmarket by releasing more models that harmonize with trends in vehicle infotainment, navigation, digital broadcasting and mobile Internet connectivity. (read...)
110. Facing the Challenges of 2012 and BeyondA diverse group of trends, including the return of manufacturing to the United States, the continued development of clean energy options and mobile communication devices, and the end of exemptions to RoHS chemical restrictions, all bring the potential to affect business in 2012.(read...)
111. N.A. Flex Circuits Shipments, Bookings Down in DecemberFlexible circuit shipments in December 2011 were down 19.8 percent and bookings decreased 27.7 percent compared to December 2010. (read...)
112. Key Tronic's Fiscal 2Q12 Revenue Up 38%"We're very pleased with our strong growth in revenue and earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2012, driven primarily by the rapid production ramp up for new customer programs," said Craig Gates, President and CEO.(read...)
113. Harris Wins $235M Falcon III Radio Systems from ADFHarris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company, has received a US$235 million (AUD$223 million) order to deliver Falcon® tactical radio systems to the Australian Department of Defence in the next phase of its tactical radio modernization program. (read...)
114. FlexLink Launches New Modular Wide Belt ConveyorEverything in the wide belt conveyor, from the smallest component to horizontal plain bends and fully-functioning conveyor modules, is standardized for easy engineering, easy maintenance, and trouble-free operation. The modularity in design makes assembly and modifications easy and the system can be adapted to any requirement.(read...)
115. Colonial Circuits Takes Part at Dallas Expo and ForumColonial Circuits will participate in the Dallas Expo and Tech Forum to be held at the Richardson Civic Center in Richardson (Dallas), Texas on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM.(read...)
116. Flextronics Among China's Top Foreign Companies"We are extremely honored by this rating, a testimony of Flextronics' commitment to the region and an acknowledgement of our pioneering corporate social and environmental responsibility programs that make a difference in the lives of our people, especially the migrant workforce," said Peter Stickler, Executive VP of Human Resources. (read...)
117. GOEPEL, WIN-TEK Enter Distribution Partnership in Italy GOEPEL electronic and WIN-TEK s.r.l. have entered into partnership to satisfy the market needs and the increasing demand for Automated Inspection Systems (AOI/AXI) in Italy. (read...)
118. Prototron Circuits Exhibits at Dallas Expo and Forum Russ Adams, Prototron Circuit’s National Sales Manager has announced that his company will be exhibiting at this year’s Dallas Expo and Tech Forum at the Richardson Civic Center in Richardson (Dallas), Texas on Tuesday, February 7th from 10:00AM to 3:30 PM.(read...)
119. MCPCBs: Easier Assembly of LED Lighting FixturesLED Engin's latest family of metal-core printed circuit boards have integral connectors that eliminate soldering during the assembly of LED fixtures.(read...)
120. OSI Systems Bags $2M Order for Patient Monitoring SolutionsOSI Systems received an order for approximately $2 million from a prominent northwest regional hospital system to provide patient monitoring equipment and related enterprise software.(read...)
121. Foxconn to Kick Off Production in BrazilFoxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) has finished preparations at its assembly lines for smartphones and tablet PCs in Brazil and is ready to kick off production, according to industry sources.(read...)
122. Semicon Market to Suffer Sluggish Growth in 2012With global economic prospects remaining uncertain and semiconductor inventory not moving quickly enough to stimulate new production, the worldwide chip market is expected to suffer a slow year in 2012 marked by sluggish growth. (read...)
123. MFLEX Presents at Stifel Nicolaus 2012 ConferenceMulti-Fineline Electronix, Inc. announced today that the company's President and CEO, Reza Meshgin, and Chief Financial Officer, Tom Liguori, will be presenting at the Stifel Nicolaus 2012 Technology & Telecom Conference.(read...)
124. Lockheed Martin Wins $921M Contract for PAC-3 MissilesLockheed Martin received contracts totaling $921 million from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command for hardware and services associated with the combat-proven Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment program.(read...)
125. General Dynamics Receives F-35 Gun System ContractGeneral Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, a business unit of General Dynamics, was awarded a $23.6 million contract by Lockheed Martin Corp.for production of more than two dozen GAU-22/A gun systems for the F-35 Lightning II.(read...)
126. Harris Posts Solid Fiscal 2Q12 ResultsHarris Corporation reported revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2012 of $1.45 billion compared with $1.44 billion in the prior-year quarter. GAAP net income was $133 million, or $1.16 per diluted share, compared with $151 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, in the prior year. (read...)
127. L-3's Electronic Systems Revenue Down 5% in Q4Electronic Systems net sales for the 2011 fourth quarter decreased by $80 million, or 5%, compared to the 2010 fourth quarter.(read...)
128. IPC EMS Salary Survey Shows Cautious Upturn in Pay HikesIPC's biennial wage and salary survey for the EMS industry shows a cautious upturn in salary increases in 2011 compared to 2009. Reporting on data from 151 U.S. and Canadian EMS facilities, "IPC Wage Rate & Salary Study for the North American EMS Industry 2010-2011" is a valuable tool for EMS companies to gauge their position in competing for the best talent in the industry.(read...)
129. Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Partner for U.S. Navy ContractLockheed Martin and Raytheon Company are teaming to compete for a U.S. Navy contract that will upgrade the fleet's capability to electronically attack anti-ship missiles. (read...)
130. iRobot Invests $6 Million in InTouch HealthiRobot Corp., a leader in delivering robotic technology-based solutions, today announced a $6 million investment and expanded partnership with InTouch Health, a leading remote presence telemedicine solution provider. (read...)
131. Rockwell Collins Receives $5.3M Exclusive DARPA ContractRockwell Collins has launched work on Phase 2 of a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) research contract valued at $5.3 million. (read...)
132. Rogers Features Wide Range of Solutions at APEC 2012Rogers Corporation, represented by its Power Electronics Solutions (PES) Business Group, will showcase some of its more popular products for power electronics applications at the upcoming APEC 2012 conference and exhibition.(read...)
133. Raytheon Receives Naval Power System ContractRaytheon has been awarded a $10 million contract from Naval Sea Systems Command to develop a pulsed power system that will enable projectiles to reach great distances without the use of an explosive charge or rocket motor.(read...)
134. Cambrios Names John LeMoncheck CEOCambrios Technologies Enters Strategic Growth Phase with New CEO, John LeMoncheck, and New Funding from Samsung Venture Investment Corporation(read...)
135. Karl's Tech Talk: LCPs in Electronic PackagingMaterial scientists involved in electronic packaging have long been interested in liquid crystal polymers (LCPs), but faced the challenge of forming balanced LCP films. Constructing dielectric layers from several LCP plies, which are stacked by offsetting adjacent plies 90 degrees, has overcome this problem.(read...)
136. LPKF to Exhibit Laser Plastic Welding at NPE 2012LPKF Laser & Electronics announces that it will highlight its laser plastic welding systems in Booth #3786 at the upcoming International Plastics Showcase, scheduled to take place April 1-5, 2012 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. (read...)
137. Reveal Scanner Exceeds ECAC RequirementsReveal Imaging has successfully passed laboratory testing and met the requirements set by the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) for screening and detecting liquids contained inside passenger baggage.(read...)
138. ManTech Receives $91M Task Order from US NavyThe U.S. Navy has awarded ManTech a task order valued at $91 million to provide communications technology and engineering services.(read...)
139. Polyonics’ XF-592 Provides Durable Label SolutionThe XF-592, which recently received UL 969 recognition, provides a durable label solution with an aggressive pressure sensitive adhesive strong enough to survive the increasing demands of the circuit board manufacturing industry. (read...)
140. Screens and Electroformed AccuScreens for Solar Printing ApplicationsThis presentation will review screen applications for solar printing and will introduce a new product for solar printing, AccuScreen, manufactured using an electroforming process. The electroform screen and a nickel layer define the finger trace that can be as thick as 75 to 100 microns. A mesh pattern is also electroformed to define the mesh pattern over the open finger traces. (read...)
141. Survey Shows Sharp Increases in Anticipated IT SpendingGrowing optimism and greater anticipation of increased IT investments among IT decision-makers has propelled the Six-Month Growth Outlook composite score to 71, jumping three points to reach its highest reading since its inception in late 2007.(read...)
142. Flextronics Adds Sargent as President of Renewable EnergyFlextronics announced the appointment of Jeannine Sargent as President, Flextronics Renewable Energy, a division of the company's Industrial and Emerging Industries business unit.(read...)
143. SMTC Secures New Contract from Alstom TransportSMTC Corporation and Alstom Transport, a global leader in transport, train, and track, today announced the completion of a signed contract agreement to manufacture Alstom's leading-edge transportation technology systems and products.(read...)
144. Germany May Cut Solar Incentives Early to Cool Down MarketAsia-based solar supply chains have been looking for a chance to increase prices, however, the reported decisions of governments in Europe to cut incentives during the Lunar New Year may eliminate this chance. (read...)
145. 3M Launches High-Density ECM at DesignCon 20123M today announced the initial availability of its high-capacitance Embedded Capacitance Material at DesignCon 2012, which allows design engineers a new way to greatly improve power integrity and reduce electromagnetic interference.(read...)
146. Essemtec Sees High Demand for New Dispensing Machine"It's just incredible," said Florian Schildein, Marketing and Sales Manager at Essemtec AG. "Since the product launch last autumn, we have been overwhelmed with inquiries for our Scorpion. Many customers are enamored with the fantastic price-performance ratio of this dispensing machine."(read...)
147. SMT Hybrid Packaging Features "Optics Meets Electronics"Coordinated by Fraunhofer IZM, SMT Hybrid Packaging 2012 offers the joint stand "Optics meets Electronics." (read...)
148. Park Electrochemical to Shut Down PACM FacilityPark Electrochemical's PACM facility will be closing its operations at the end of April 2012 after the completion of the transfer of its aerospace composite materials manufacturing activities to the Park Aerospace Technologies facility in Newton, Kansas.(read...)
149. SiSoft Presents IBIS-AMI Tutorial at DesignConSiSoft presented a tutorial entitled "IBIS-AMI Models: How to Tell a Peach from a Lemon" at DesignCon 2012. The tutorial covered the basic concepts behind IBIS-AMI models, with real-world examples of IBIS-AMI model problems and how to use a publicly available test bench.(read...)
150. A Better Look at Endicott Interconnect's New WebsiteEI has been in business for almost 10 years, has expanded into many new markets, and has created products for hundreds of new customers. Unfortunately, the old website did not have the functionality or capability to adequately reflect changes in its growing business. (read...)
151. Intuit Says Job Growth Continued But Slow in JanuarySmall businesses created 50,000 new jobs in January but paid employees less and gave them fewer hours.(read...)
152. Isola Group Quarterly Revenues Down 9%Isola Group, in a filing with the SEC on Monday, saw revenues for the most recent quarter decline 9.4% to $143 million, while net income for the nine-month period was $7 million.(read...)
153. Analyst Examines Dow's Global Strength and WeaknessDow is a global company, more dependent upon the strength of a global economy then a particular country and therefore not prone to wild fluctuations. Its diversification protects it from slumps that may happen in nations or smaller regional areas.(read...)
154. Wistron LCD TV Shipments to Drop 40% in 1Q12With Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) likely to take up nearly all ODM TV orders to be released by Sony, Wistron is expected to see its LCD TV shipments slide by 40% sequentially to 1.2 million units in the first quarter.(read...)
155. Simberian Showcases Simbeor 2012 at DesignConThe Simbeor 2012 release offers new capabilities that further increase productivity of signal integrity engineers. Simbeor 2012 is the most cost-effective and comprehensive solution for physical design of PCB and packaging interconnects operating at 6-100 Gb/s and beyond. (read...)
156. GEN3 Systems: CM-Series Product Line at IPC APEX EXPOGen3 Systems, a global leader in solderability, cleanliness, and process optimization test equipment, will exhibit key systems from its CM-Series (Contaminometer) product line at IPC/APEX 2012 in San Diego, California, February 28 – March 1, 2012, in Booth #617. (read...)
157. GD Secures Contract for Standard Missile-3 Control ActuatorsGeneral Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems has received a contract for the design and production of electromagnetic control actuators for Aerojet's Throttleable Divert and Attitude Control System (TDACS) in support of the Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) Block IIA missile interceptor. (read...)
158. Raytheon Completes Guided Test Vehicle FlightsRaytheon Company's Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2 successfully completed two guided test vehicle flights within one week, demonstrating the system's upgraded kinematic performance, guidance system and airframe capabilities. (read...)
159. Ultra Wins UK Submarine Reactor Control Equipment ContractsUltra announced in June 2011 that its Command & Control Systems business, based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire and its PMES business, based in Rugeley, Staffordshire, had been awarded contracts relating to the supply of Reactor Control and Instrumentation (RC&I) systems for Royal Navy submarines.(read...)
160. Viking Starts 2012 with Good SalesViking has received orders from Trackwise Designs, Trax Interconnext, Garner Osborne and Qualitetch.(read...)
161. Automotive Semicon Market Growth at 7% CAGR Through 2014MarketResearch.com has announced the addition of the new report "Global Automotive Semiconductor Market 2010-2014" to their collection of Automotive market reports. (read...)
162. Scientists Create New Atomic X-Ray LaserLab scientists and international collaborators have created the shortest, purest X-ray laser pulses ever achieved, fulfilling a 45-year-old prediction and ultimately opening the door to new medicines, devices, and materials. The researchers aimed radiation at a cell containing neon gas, setting off an avalanche of X-ray emissions to create a new "atomic X-ray laser."(read...)
163. Aeroports de Paris Picks OSI's Baggage Inspection SolutionOSI Systems, Inc. today announced that its Security division, Rapiscan Systems, was selected by Aeroports de Paris (ADP), one of the world's largest airport owners and operators, to implement the Rapiscan 620XR carry-on baggage screening system at Charles De Gaulle International Airport and Orly International Airport.(read...)
164. Hungary Extends Saab's Gripen ContractThe defense and security company Saab is proud to announce that Hungary is taking a long-term strategic decision to continue operating Gripen and ensuring the continued development of its national capability. (read...)
165. Embedded Passives: Creating New Component Markets & Destroying the OldEmbedding capacitors, resistors, and inductors is a tantalizing prospect that has galvanized the increasing interest of a wide spectrum of companies for more than 30 years, and now the participation of a seminal part of the U.S. DoD establishment. (read...)
166. What Can We Expect in 2012?After a protracted recession, how bleak is the global economic outlook for 2012? Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? How will the global economy affect business? Dr. Jennie S. Hwang takes a look at critical market movement and technological trends the industry will be focused on in the New Year.(read...)
167. EIPC Speednews: News from the European PCB MarketIn this week's EIPC Speednews: AT&S delivers the first Pacemaker PCBs; R.H. Technologies runs nine Mek AOI systems; Frontline launches Insolver, an impedance field solver; and the ElectroTestExpo consortium announces the first in a series of board test and debug events.(read...)
168. Global Microgrid Market to Reach $17.3B by 2017Microgrid capacity worldwide will experience a CAGR of more than 22% over the next five years to reach 4.7GW by 2017 - representing $17.3 billion in annual worldwide revenue by the same year, according to a new report from Pike Research.(read...)
169. Merlin Flexible Circuits Achieves AS9100 to Rev CRev C expands the scope of AS9100 and is designed to meet the stringent and complex demands and requirements of the defence and commercial aerospace sectors.(read...)
170. It's Only Common Sense: 5 Things Salespeople Shouldn't DoThe thing your salespeople should be doing is selling--selling at all times. The last thing you want is for them to be distracted by anything that will take focus away from getting those sales. If you can keep your salespeople moving in the right direction you will be successful. Dan Beaulieu offers a list of five things you don’t want your salespeople doing.(read...)
171. Implant Sciences Supplies Quantum Sniffer to RwandaImplant Sciences recently sold units of its Quantum Sniffer QS-H150 to the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in Washington, D.C., to be deployed in Rwanda for use by the Rwandan Presidential Guard Unit.(read...)
172. Asia Pacific Solar PV Markets Surge 165% in 2011Asia Pacific PV markets continue to surge ahead of expectations, installing 2.8GW in fourth-quarter 2011 and a total of 6GW in fiscal year 2011, up 165% on year.(read...)
173. Prototron Circuits to Exhibit at DesignCon 2012"This is one of our favorite shows at Prototron," said Russ Adams, National Sales Manager. "Because we are in the quick-turn prototype business we are especially interested in events where we get to meet designers, engineers, and others who are focused on new product development."(read...)
174. Mentor Graphics Releases HyperLynx Version 8.2Mentor Graphics has released version 8.2 of the HyperLynx suite of analysis tools offering significant new functionality for optimizing PCB designs, including 3D full-wave field solving and integrated thermal/power co-simulation analysis capabilities.(read...)
175. PartnerTech Appoints Knutsson EVP OperationsAnders Knutsson had been appointed Executive Vice President Operations for System Integration and Enclosures at PartnerTech. He will be heading the operational area of Systems Integration and Enclosures, including PartnerTechs’ sites in Åtvidaberg (Sweden), Moss (Norway), Vantaa (Finland) ,and Myslowice (Poland).(read...)
176. C&M Announces New AppointmentsC&M Corporation, a vertically-integrated manufacturer of bulk cable, coil cords, and cable assemblies, has announced the appointment of two new additions to their sales and marketing and engineering departments.(read...)
177. Adeptron to Hold Special Meeting on Artaflex Acquisition Adeptron Technologies Corporation today announced a change in the date of its special meeting of shareholders to approve, among other things, the proposed amalgamation of Adeptron with Artaflex Inc., which will now be held on March 14, 2012 at 10 a.m. (read...)
178. Wistron Expects 20% Notebook Shipment Growth in 2012Wistron expects its shipments of notebooks, servers and hand-held devices to grow 20% on year in 2012, while LCD TV shipments will stay flat for the year.(read...)
179. Sanmina-SCI Calls for Senior Subordinated Notes RedemptionSanmina-SCI Corporation is calling today for redemption on March 1, 2012 $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 8.125% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016. (read...)
180. ONYX Inks MOU to Acquire 25% of Optimum SolarOnyx Service and Solutions Inc. announced today that it has executed a Memorandum of Understanding agreement (MOU) to acquire 25% of China-based Optimum Solar. (read...)
181. Pickering Interfaces Appoints New Rep for AustraliaPickering Interfaces, a fast growing worldwide manufacturer of signal switching modules and instruments announced today the appointment of Scientific Devices Pty. Ltd. as their representative for Australia.(read...)
182. Hitachi Unveils Production Support Systems In addition to their flagship Sigma G5 high-performance, compact, modular mounter, the Production Systems Division (PSD) of Hitachi High Technologies America, Inc. (HTA), will also exhibit powerful, innovative Production Support Systems and software tools that complement the G5’s performance and capability.(read...)
183. Molex Strengthens Medical PresenceMolex Incorporated has initiated several strategic business developments to further demonstrate its commitment to developing innovative interconnect technologies for next-generation healthcare devices.(read...)
184. IPC APEX EXPO to Showcase Over 250 New ProductsRepresenting advances in more than 100 product categories within the electronics manufacturing supply chain, more than 250 new products and services will debut at IPC APEX EXPO, February 28–March 1, 2012, at the San Diego Convention Center.(read...)
185. Raytheon Posts Solid Q4 and Full-Year 2011 Results"In a year of economic uncertainty, the Raytheon team focused on what we do best - ensuring customer success through program performance and product innovation," said William H. Swanson, Raytheon's Chairman and CEO. (read...)
186. Celestica Posts Q4 Revenue of $7.2 Billion; Up 11%"With a continued focus on operational effectiveness and revenue diversification, Celestica delivered solid revenue and earnings growth and strong return on invested capital in 2011, finishing the year with the best net cash position among our major North American competitors," said Craig Muhlhauser, President and CEO, Celestica.(read...)
187. Lockheed Martin Reports Sales Drop in Q4 Lockheed Martin Corporation today reported fourth quarter 2011 net sales of $12.2 billion compared to $12.8 billion in 2010. (read...)
188. The Way I See It: Outlook for 2012What will 2012 bring for our industry? Editor Ray Rasmussen gives his predictions for the New Year concerning printed electronics, business cycles, possible game changers and recession-proof electronics. He also offers Walt Custer's opinion on when global business conditions will return to normal.(read...)
189. The Sales Cycle: The Team Makes All the DifferenceWith the New Year here, it's time to make our 2012 resolutions. Perhaps the best one you can make for yourself and your business is to become a great organization. Most of us think we are great, but there is always room to improve. The first step is to make sure you have the right team in place. The team makes all the difference.(read...)
190. US Industrial Market to See Moderate Growth in 2012Positive Own-Company Revenue Forecasts and Improving Gross Margins Drive Increased Optimism for U.S. and Global Economy, While Uncertainty Remains Elevated(read...)
191. Deloitte Consumer Spending Index Ends 2011 on a Low NoteDespite small improvements in three out of four components, the Deloitte Consumer Spending Index (Index) dipped slightly in December due to a decline in housing prices. The Index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending.(read...)
192. Boeing, Thales Pick EC135 for Aircrew Training SystemBoeing subsidiary Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) and Thales Australia today named the Eurocopter EC135 as the preferred platform for their bid on the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Project AIR 9000 Phase 7 – Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS).(read...)
193. OSI Systems Secures $5 Million Sub-Assemblies Order OSI Systems CEO, Deepak Chopra stated, "OSI is proud to support this OEM with critical hardware sub-assemblies. We are strategically focused on capturing opportunities with OEM's that develop security solutions to protect our troops."(read...)
194. Ellsworth Adhesives Receives Award from LORD CorporationLORD Corporation has named Ellsworth Adhesives 2011 "Distributor of the Year" in the Product Assembly Division for the United States. Ellsworth Adhesives was honored to receive the distinguished award based on overall performance in the areas of sales, new account development, and customer service and support.(read...)
195. Essemtec FLX 2011 Adds Placing Force Measurement Option New technologies, such as PoP component assembly or bare die assembly on COB applications, as well as the optimization of material consumption, demands increased knowledge of actual placement forces. For this purpose, Essemtec has developed a cost-efficient placing force measurement option for the FLX2011 series.(read...)
196. Polar Unveils New Atlas Si - GHz PCB TestPolar Atlas software enables PCB fabricators to test PCB transmission line losses in a tightly controlled production environment. Atlas employs mathematical processing techniques to extract frequency dependent loss characteristics when used in conjunction with suitably designed test coupons and Atlas precision GHz probe assemblies.(read...)
197. Apple Retakes Smartphone Lead in Q4After losing market leadership in the third quarter, Apple Inc. returned to the No. 1 rank in global smartphone shipments in the fourth quarter as consumers flocked to buy the newly introduced iPhone 4S. (read...)
198. FTG Sets Schedule of 2011 Earnings Release, ConCallFiran Technology Group will release Q4 and full year 2011 financial results after the close of trading on February 1, 2012.(read...)
199. Ucamco Releases New Gerber Format SpecificationOutput by virtually every PCB CAD system and accepted by practically every PCB CAM in the world, the Gerber format is the de facto standard for PCB image data transfer, enabling PCB professionals to exchange image data safely and efficiently. (read...)
200. Endicott Interconnect Technologies Launches New WebsiteOver the past several months Endicott Interconnect has been working hand-in-hand with Web developers, Vibrant Creative, to upgrade and revitalize their Web presence.(read...)
201. PCB Designers Love This Book We've heard it all before: There just aren't that many sources for PCB design information geared toward flexible circuits. Until now. "Flexible Circuit Technology, 4th Edition" was published last fall, and PCB designers have been downloading it like crazy. (read...)
202. European Circuits to Expand Manufacturing AreaEuropean Circuits has announced that its manufacturing expansion plans have now been approved and are in place for the company's first phase of expansion.(read...)
203. Apex Scales Up PCBA Capabilities with New Reflow OvensApex Factory Automation has enhanced its scalable line-up of automatic PCBA systems with the latest installations of TSM reflow ovens.(read...)
204. Mass Design Names Steven St. Pierre as QC Manager"Steve occupies a pivotal position at Mass Design where we take pride in the fact that all our PCB product releases to shipping are signed off by our quality control department rather than manufacturing department."(read...)
205. Printed Circuits Ramps Up Rigid-Flex Manufacturing CapacityPrinted Circuits has expanded its rigid-flex manufacturing capacity with the installation of a new Plasma Etch MK II plasma etching system.(read...)
206. Solar Energy Harvesting: Is Scaling Up the Only Way Forward?Having witnessed the tremendous growth of the solar industry in the past few years, along with all the dramatic events that went with it, it's hard to map out what exactly can make a new entrant to the sector a successful photovoltaic company.(read...)
207. Lingering Economic Uncertainties to Spur Declines in ECMFollowing a year of expansion in 2011, the global electronics contract manufacturing business is expected to decline slightly in 2012, as continuing economic uncertainty in Europe and the United States constricts growth, according to an IHS iSuppli EMS & ODM Market Brief report from information and analysis provider IHS.(read...)
208. A Positive Perspective in Uncertain TimesDemand in the SMT industry grew significantly in 2011. This growth does not simply represent a recovery in the Asiatic market; in Europe too, and particularly in Germany, investments in high-quality manufacturing equipment are again being made. Approximately 700 EMS providers across Europe are exhibiting healthy growth this year. (read...)
209. NWUAV Receives DARPA Contract to Produce Small UAVsNorthwest UAV has been awarded the manufacturing contract under DARPA's UAVForge program to design, build and manufacture advanced small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems.(read...)
210. ONYX to Acquire Significant Stake in Optimum SolarOnyx's management is moving to secure a significant stake in Optimum Solar, its co-development partner on the revolutionary "Plug-N-Play" all-in-one solar panel product, after it has received a surprisingly large amount of positive interest from all over the globe.(read...)
211. Worldwide BEMS Market to Reach $6B by 2020One key mechanism for achieving greater efficiency is building energy management systems (BEMS), defined as the software, hardware, and services associated with the intelligent monitoring, management, and control of energy, specifically for reducing overall energy consumption and lowering energy costs.(read...)
212. Boeing 2011 Revenues Hit Record $68.7BBoeing has reported fourth-quarter net income of $1.4 billion on revenue of $19.6 billion - reflecting continued strong core performance across the company's businesses.(read...)
213. Infographic Provides Overview of Conflict Minerals IssuesVenkel has released "Conflict Minerals 3TG", a Conflict Minerals infographic, designed to provide a visual overview of the issue.(read...)
214. Avnet EM Revenue Meets Expectations Mr. Hamada added, “EM revenue came in as expected while the supply chain correction resulted in the second consecutive quarter of below seasonal revenue growth." (read...)
215. Thai Floods Wash Away CTS EMS Q4 SalesEMS fourth quarter 2011 sales decreased $6.3 million, or 8%, from the fourth quarter of 2010, due primarily to the impact from the Thailand floods. (read...)
216. PVA Highlights New Coating & Dispensing Solutions at IPC APEXPVA (Precision Valve & Automation, Inc.), currently celebrating their 20th Anniversary, will be showcasing its line of coating and automated dispensing equipment, as well as a variety of new options and accessories, at this year’s IPC APEX EXPO.(read...)
217. 2011 Material HighlightsAs high-speed digital applications are stretching to faster data rates, the need for a circuit material to bridge the gap between FR-4 and very low loss PCB materials has become evident. The year 2011 was good for the progression of this type of PCB technology and has set the stage for 2012 to be even better. (read...)
218. OSI Systems Posts Record Q2 Revenue; Up 11% YoYDeepak Chopra, OSI Systems' Chairman and CEO, stated, "We are very pleased to announce outstanding financial results for our second quarter. Our success was evident throughout all of OSI as each of our divisions reported both sales and earnings growth leading to record sales and earnings in our second quarter."(read...)
219. All Flex Offers Free Flexible Circuit Design Course All Flex Flexible Circuits announces the addition of an online design course, “Designing Flexible Circuits”, authored by John Michael Pierobon, an electronics industry expert and writer who has also taught numerous technical courses throughout the world.(read...)
220. Frontline's InSolver Enables Accurate Impedance ModelingPowered by Mentor Graphics HyperLynx technology, Frontline's InSolver is a cost-effective PCB impedance field solver that enables fast and accurate stackup and impedance modeling for a wide range of PCB structures.(read...)
221. Venkel Infographic Provides RoHS Highlights, MilestonesVenkel has released "RoHS: Past, Present, Future", an infographic designed to highlight the timeline, milestones and achievements of the said Directive.(read...)
222. SIA Lauds Obama's Commitment to Focus on InnovationThe SIA applauded President Obama's commitment to growing America's innovation economy, outlined in his State of the Union address. The SIA is particularly reassured by his attention to science and engineering education, basic research investments, high-skilled immigration reform, tax reform, and fair trade as a balanced approach to addressing the nation's short- and long-term goals.(read...)
223. TTM: Technology and Optical PCBsWhat's the status on optical PCBs? TTM R&D Manager Marika Immonen and Guest Editor Bob Neves discuss TTM's optical PCB technology, its working relationship with customers and suppliers, and the process of bringing the technology from the lab to the manufacturing floor.(read...)
224. The NAMM Show: Something Old, Something NewThe NAMM 2012 show, held in Anaheim last week, offered a snapshot of the music industry: Advancing steadily into the future with the latest iPad apps, but with one foot firmly planted in the century-old world of vacuum tube technology. Does this remind you of any other industries? (read...)
225. University of Cambridge Demonstrates Graphene InksResearchers at the University of Cambridge lead by Prof. Andrea Ferrari have recently demonstrated a technique for producing inkjet-printable inks based predominantly on small (<1um) single-layer graphene flakes. (read...)
226. Researchers Devise New Way to Create Elastic ConductorsResearchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new method for creating elastic conductors made of carbon nanotubes, which will contribute to large-scale production of the material for use in a new generation of elastic electronic devices.(read...)
227. Transparent Electronic Materials Market to Reach $325M in 2015NanoMarkets believes that three major industry sectors -- displays, solar panels and the windows industry -- will soon require novel transparent electronics materials.(read...)
228. Challenges with Package on Package: Part I, ManufacturabilityAs with all new technology introduced into the electronics marketplace, the prevalence of PoP has been greatly exaggerated. PoP's recent ascendancy has been primarily through a few high-volume manufacturers in the mobile and memory space. However, as PoP becomes a more common solution, it will become important for companies in low-volume, high-reliability applications to understand the technology's limitations in regard to manufacturability and reliability. (read...)
229. SMT Trends & Technologies: One Size Fits AllThe use of multiple-nozzle heads will limit the number of expensive placement robots. Some pick-and-place machine manufacturers apply multiple placement robots with single-nozzle placement heads. Are they nuts? To answer that question, let's take a look at the differences between a multiple-nozzle placement head and a single-nozzle placement head.(read...)
230. Apple Leads Global Semiconductor Consumption in 2011Apple became the biggest customer of semiconductor chip vendors in 2011, climbing two places in the ranking, from third in 2010, amid its increased share of the smartphone market and its highly successful media tablet business.(read...)
231. Warpage Measurement Over Temp ProfilesJoe Thomas, distributor for Insidix, explains to Editor Andy Shaughnessy how the company's TDM topograpy and deformation measurement systems can replicate the environment found in a reflow oven. (read...)
232. New Models Needed to Address Supply Chain RisksA new report by the World Economic Forum, produced in collaboration with Accenture, highlights the urgent need to review risk management practices to keep pace with rapidly changing contingencies facing the supply chain, transport, aviation and travel sectors.(read...)
233. Digirad Imaging System Receives CE Mark ApprovalDigirad has received the CE Mark approval for its Cardius X-ACT imaging system, enabling it to market and manufacture the advanced, solid-state camera system in the European Union.(read...)
234. Technic's Goldeneye Reduces Gold Consumption in ElectronicsTechnic has announced the commercial release of the first products to be marketed under the Goldeneye gold reduction technology platform.(read...)
235. Sunstone, element14 Partner on PCB Prototyping SolutionsSunstone Circuits has partnered with element14 to deliver bare PCB prototyping services to customers in the Americas through element14's Knode, an intelligent search and knowledge tool helping engineers select and purchase the right solutions for designs. (read...)
236. RH Technologies Strengthens Production CapabilitiesWith nine systems currently in-house, seamlessly centralized control is a significant benefit offered by Mek system software. (read...)
237. SMTA: 2012 SMT Certification Dates & Locations ReleasedThe SMTA proudly announces upcoming offerings of SMT Certification in Minnesota, Ohio, California, and Florida. The SMTA Certification program is unique as it recognizes and certifies the entire SMT assembly process at an engineering level.(read...)
238. EPTE Newsletter from Japan: NEPCON Japan 2012More than 2,000 companies and organizations reserved booths at the huge convention center. The show’s organizers were happy that all spaces were occupied and, after seeing the popularity of the show this year, they decided to expand the exhibit. (read...)
239. Indium Adds Erin Bonk as Account SpecialistIndium Corporation announces that Erin Bonk has been hired as an Account Specialist. She is responsible for supporting the internal and external sales teams for the Northeastern part of the U.S. and Canada by maintaining customer communications and assisting with new business initiatives.(read...)
240. What Became of the Embedded Passive Boom?While the anticipated embedded passive boom never happened, several industry segments have adopted the technology--even depending on it to be successful. While new and exotic to many, EP technology is mainstream to others, especially in the medical, automotive, and military/aerospace industries. (read...)
241. Bay Area Circuits Introduces Tools, Conversion GuideTo help PCB design engineers create and verify their PCB Designs, Bay Area Circuits has introduced a PCB array calculator, a free desktop Gerber Viewer, and a DXF/DFG-to-Gerber Conversion Guide.(read...)
242. JT Technologies to Represent Super Dry in New YorkTotech Super Dry has appointed JT Technologies to represent its growing product line in New York and eastern Pennsylvania.(read...)
243. AT&S Delivers First Pacemaker PCBsAT&S’ Medical Segment unit achieved a notable strategic coup in January, with delivery of the first pacemakers to enter into series production featuring highly complex AT&S printed circuit boards.(read...)
244. CTS Completes Acquisition of Valpey-FisherThe acquisition will expand CTS' technology, and bring strong engineering capabilities and management leadership to support its strategy of double-digit top line growth over the next several years in its Components and Sensors segment.(read...)
245. Taiwan HDI PCB Sector on Track for GrowthHDI PCB manufacture in Taiwan is expected to continue expanding in the coming months amid rising demand, particularly from the portable electronics and mobile communications sectors.(read...)
246. Avnet’s SolutionsPath Engagement Service LaunchedAvnet Technology Solutions, the global IT solutions distribution leader and an operating group of Avnet, Inc., today announced a strategic consulting service for solution provider partners in the U.S. and Canada – Avnet’s SolutionsPath® Engagement Service.(read...)
247. Consumer Confidence in Overall Economy Highest since 2008Consumer confidence in the overall economy is the highest it’s been since February of 2008, according to the latest CEA Index released today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®. Consistent with post-holiday results in previous years, consumer confidence in technology spending fell this month.(read...)
248. Bilayer Graphene Works as an InsulatorA research team has identified a property of "bilayer graphene" (BLG) that they say is analogous to finding the Higgs boson in particle physics. In investigating BLG's properties they found that when the number of electrons on the BLG sheet is close to 0, the material becomes insulating--a finding that has implications for the use of graphene as an electronic material in the semiconductor and electronics industries.(read...)
249. Agilent to Demonstrate Newest Solutions The company's high-speed digital solutions offer a wide range of essential tools to help engineers design and simulate, analyze, debug, and achieve compliant designs while cutting through the challenges of gigabit digital designs.(read...)
250. Thai Manufacturing Sector Struggles to Recover from Flood The floodwaters receded weeks ago from this sprawling industrial zone, but the streets are littered with detritus, the phones do not work, and rusted machinery has been dumped outside warehouses that once buzzed with efficiency.(read...)
251. UTZ Employs LPKF Stencil Cutting Fiber Laser A pioneer in the SMT solder paste stencil industry, UTZ Technologies of Little Falls, New Jersey, continues to stay at the cutting-edge of stencil technology with the recent purchase of a G6080 StencilLaser from LPKF Laser & Electronics. (read...)
252. First ACE Selective Soldering Workshop a SelloutIt took barely a week, but the first Selective Soldering workshop planned by ACE Production Technologies sold out; now Alan Cable, President, is planning more. “We expected our program to be well-received, but quite frankly, we didn’t expect it to sell out so quickly,” he said.(read...)
253. IMF Says Global Growth Still ShakyThe IMF says the world recovery, which was weak in the first place, is in danger of stalling, and that although the epicenter of the danger is Europe, the rest of the world is increasingly affected.(read...)
254. Ruthenium Material Forms Film for DRAM Capacitor ElectrodesTanaka Precious Metals and Professor Seiji Ogo of the Graduate School of Engineering Department of Applied Chemistry at Kyushu University have succeeded in the joint development of ruthenium material able to form a film up to six times the normal depth for capacitor electrodes used in DRAM.(read...)
255. Boeing's Outlook Stable - Fitch RatingsFitch Ratings has affirmed the 'A' long-term and 'F1' short-term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) for the Boeing Company (BA) and Boeing Capital Corporation (BCC).(read...)
256. Zuken Names Chidester Head of International MarketingSteve Chidester has been appointed Head of International Marketing, a strategic role that will draw on Chidester's 30-year experience in the electronic design industry. In this role, Chidester will oversee all marketing activities for Zuken in Europe and North America.(read...)
257. Harris Receives Falcon III Tactical Radio Orders from US DoDHarris has received $4.8 million in orders from the U.S. Department of Defense for Falcon III AN/PRC-152A handheld and AN/PRC-117G manpack tactical radios.(read...)
258. Orbit Reports Continued Order Booking MomentumOrbit's Power Group, through its Behlman subsidiary, received a new order for its COTS Division valued at $649,000.(read...)
259. Northrop Grumman Lands Suez Canal Authority ContractNorthrop Grumman's Sperry Marine business unit has won orders to supply navigation equipment to the Suez Canal Authority for tugboats and other assorted workboats.(read...)
260. CIGS Solar Market to Double to $2.35B, 2.3GW in 2015Falling production costs, improving module conversion efficiencies and increasing adoption in commercial rooftops are expected to fuel the growth of the market for solar installations based on copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film panels.(read...)
261. The Conference Board LEI for Germany DecreasesThe Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for Germany decreased 0.2 percent in November to 103.4 (2004 = 100), following a 0.4 percent increase in October, and a 1.2 percent decline in September.(read...)
262. EV, HEV Battery Module Market to Grow to $47B in 2020The battery module market is expected to grow from about $5 billion in 2010 to $47 billion in 2020, representing a healthy CAGR of 25% over 10 years.(read...)
263. IPC Expands Series of Data Exchange StandardsThe IPC 2-18g Declaration of Batteries and Battery Materials and the IPC 2-18j Declaration of Chemical Analysis Lab Reports Task Groups will begin development of standards that aid in the exchange of information on batteries and lab reports, respectively. Companies throughout the electronics manufacturing supply chain are invited to attend these committees’ meetings at IPC APEX EXPO.(read...)
264. General Dynamics Radio, GD300 Deployed to AfghanistanThe General Dynamics C4 Systems JTRS HMS Rifleman Radio (AN/PRC-154) and the General Dynamics Itronix GD300 wearable computer deployed this month toAfghanistan with elements of the 75th Ranger Regiment. (read...)
265. Intel Takes Key Step in Accelerating High-Performance Computing Intel Corporation today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with QLogic to acquire the product lines of and certain assets related to its InfiniBand business.(read...)
266. US Navy Completes Raytheon Laser-guided Maverick TestingThe U.S. Navy completed developmental and operational testing (DT/OT) of the newest variant of the Raytheon Company laser-guided Maverick missile. (read...)
267. Europlacer Exhibits SMT P&P Platforms at IPC APEX Europlacer will demo its award-winning iineo II and XPii-II SMT pick-and-place platforms in booth number 1305 at APEX 2012 taking place on February 28 – March 1, 2012 in San Diego, California. (read...)
268. Updated Flex Standard IPC-2223 Includes TutorialFlexible circuits continue to see increased use as products get smaller, but most engineers still do not work with these thin substrates on a daily basis. That's prompted a major shift in one of the IPC standards commonly specified in many design programs.(read...)
269. Boeing, IAI Mark 10 Years of CooperationThe Boeing Company today announced that it has renewed its work agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) on the Arrow Weapon System, and enhanced the IAI-Boeing Strategic Teaming Agreement to explore and develop new opportunities in the missile defense arena. (read...)
270. Niagara Thermal Acquires J. Kittredge & SonsNiagara Thermal Products LLC is pleased to announce the acquisition of J. Kittredge & Sons, Inc. The acquisition brings together two highly regarded names in the design and supply of high value custom thermal solutions in the aerospace, defense and electronics markets.(read...)
271. DLS Supports UK MoD Link 16 TechnologyData Link Solutions (DLS), a joint venture between BAE Systems and Rockwell Collins, and a supplier of military communication Link 16 solutions, has been awarded a $29 million, five-year, asset availability and post design services contract. (read...)
272. Trouble in Your Tank: Small Hole Voiding & the Double PassWhy are small holes more prone to voids than larger vias when processed through electroless? It may be hydrogen gas evolution and the challenge of drilling smaller diameter vias, which leads to imperfections that attract and hold the bubbles.(read...)
273. Ventec-USA Unveils New WebsiteVentec-USA, headquartered in Fullerton California, the sales and distribution arm of Ventec Laminates of Suzhou China, has launched a new website specific to the North American market. (read...)
274. Disintegrating the IC: An Alternative Approach to Increasing Semiconductor Integration?Researchers have described a novel chip fabrication technique called "brick and mortar." The concept involves the fabrication of small, pre-fabricated ASIC blocks, or "bricks," which are then placed and interconnected in a designer-specified arrangement onto a backbone chip analogous to a printed circuit which the developers refer to as the "mortar."(read...)
275. AT&S' Mobile Devices Segment Sales Hits Record HighMobile Devices' sales for the third quarter reached a new record high of approximately EUR 83 million. Revenues for the first three quarters of the year amounted to EUR 372 million. (read...)
276. N.A. Semicon Equipment Industry’s December B2B 0.88North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $1.16 billion in orders in December 2011 (three-month average basis) and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.88, according to the December Book-to-Bill Report published today by SEMI. A book-to-bill of 0.88 means that $88 worth of orders were received for every $100 of product billed for the month.(read...)
277. Dr. Jennie Hwang Offers Two Courses at IPC APEX EXPODr. Jennie Hwang will deliver two courses: "PoP and BTC Assembly: Material, Process and Reliability" and "Preventing Production Defects and Failures." In an effort to maximize yield and reliability, she leverages on the confluence of her in-depth knowledge and real-world experiences to address current issues related to SMT production and newer package assembly. (read...)
278. Ellsworth Adhesives Continues Mexico ExpansionEllsworth Adhesives announced it has expanded to larger facilities in Tijuana and Guadalajara, Mexico. (read...)
279. Aegis iLaunch Software Boosts Sigma Technologies' NPISigma recently purchased iLaunch software from Aegis after identifying that their NPI process would greatly benefit from improved speed, accuracy and control.(read...)
280. Qual-Pro Names Alex Richardson Vice President, SalesQual-Pro today announced it has appointed Alex Richardson as Vice President, Sales, effective immediately. Reporting to company CEO, Brian Shane, Richardson will be responsible for growing sales through new customer acquisition. (read...)
281. Analysts Downgrade MFLEX Shares to "Hold"Multi-Fineline Electronix was downgraded by analysts at Stifel Nicolaus to a "hold" rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday.(read...)
282. Colonial Circuits' Mike Tucker Presents at IPC APEX EXPOTucker's course, called "Front–End Engineering Perspective on Design Issues," will provide an inside look at a typical CAM department at a bare-board fabricator, highlighting day-to-day challenges and practices to avoid common problems, and reviewing how a basic multilayer board is built and why a design may go on hold in fabrication. (read...)
283. Harris Receives $4.8M U.S. DoD Orders for Falcon III RadiosHarris Corporation has received $4.8 million in orders from the U.S. Department of Defense for Falcon III® AN/PRC-152A handheld and AN/PRC-117G manpack tactical radios.(read...)
284. Molex’s Stac64 Certified to Key Automotive OEM CriteriaMolex Incorporated has announced that its Stac64 Stackable Connection System is now validated against the most stringent specifications from the major key automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in Germany, France and Japan. (read...)
285. The EMS Corner: Looking at EMS from the OEM PerspectiveThe EMS provider is too often asked to step up to the plate every time a challenge is presented and asked to cut meager profits just for the honor of being a servant. In the right partnership, the EMS provider is the virtual extension of an OEM product company by supplying the manufacturing knowledge and labor force without the need for internal expertise, labor and capital overhead. (read...)
286. The Rise of Counterfeit ComponentsComponent shortages and obsolescence are the key issues that enable counterfeiters to launch and prosper from their illegal activities. Unfortunately, we've seen an increase in both in the past year. John Mayes of Paragon Electronics Group takes a look at the reasons why.(read...)
287. MYDATA Appoints New Rep in Mid Atlantic RegionMYDATA is pleased to announce new representation in the Mid Atlantic region, including Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Delaware. Alfred Freire, owner of LM Instruments, has been appointed sales representative for MYDATA's SMT assembly solutions in this area.(read...)
288. Boeing Gets Additional $126M US Air Force JDAM ContractThe Boeing Company has received a $126 million contract from the U.S. Air Force on November 30 for approximately 5,000 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) tail kits - the third major U.S. Air Force contract within a year for conventional JDAM kits.(read...)
289. Raytheon Upgrades Weather Service Forecasting SystemThe next generation of the National Weather Services Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS), which was developed, tested and fielded by Raytheon, is now operational at the NWS Omaha Weather Forecast Office.(read...)
290. EIPC Speednews: News from the European PCB MarketIn this week's EIPC Speednews: MFlex and AT&S have launched a strategic alliance; Ventec Europe has invested in TA Instruments Q20 DSC Machine; Viscom has sold a Desktop AOI equipment to Mosca Elektronik; and The Paragon Electronics Group continues to develop its own electronics manufacturing professionals.(read...)
291. Metrigraphics Showcases Medical Capabilities at MD&M West Metrigraphics LLC, a leader in the flexible circuit industry, views the MD&M West show, set for February 14-16 in Anaheim, California, as a natural venue to spotlight its expanding capabilities in the medical devices, bio medical and pharma markets.(read...)
292. Hamilton Sundstrand Delivers CAMS IIA to the U.S. NavyHamilton Sundstrand recently delivered its first CAMS IIA production system to the U.S. Navy for the Los Angeles Class submarine retrofit program and the Virginia Class Block III program.(read...)
293. Cubic Appoints VP for Engineering and OperationsCubic Global Tracking Solutions, the asset visibility solutions provider of Cubic Corp., recently appointed Jim Kilfeather to the newly created position of Vice President of Engineering and Operations.(read...)
294. IPC-2581: Consortium Leads the Way Founded by a variety of suppliers across the PCB design/supply chain, the IPC-2581 Consortium made great strides in 2011 to promote, enable, facilitate, and drive the adoption of IPC-2581 as the standard data transfer format in the PCB industry.(read...)
295. Ball Aerospace Makes Progress for NASA's JPSS-1 SpacecraftBall Aerospace is leading the design and development effort for NOAA's JPSS-1 satellite, and building the JPSS-1 Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS).(read...)
296. Soldier Modernisation Market to Reach $804.2M in 2012According to Visiongain, soldier modernisation programs and products are increasingly prevalent, with some large scale deployment of equipment suites already in progress.(read...)
297. Zulki Khan Reviews 2011 The first two quarters of 2011 were highly active, but business became sluggish even as advanced technologies moved into high gear. But then, in the third quarter, all that excitement, all that sizzle, faded away virtually overnight.(read...)
298. Poll Finds Top Challenges for Industry Engineers"The survey shows where we need to concentrate our efforts in design, specification and process control," says webinar instructor Bob Willis, an international technology expert who helps companies solve their most perplexing process-related issues.(read...)
299. Conference Board LEI for the U.K. Continues DeclineThe Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.K. decreased 0.6 percent in November, after declines of 0.3 percent in October and 0.2 percent in September.(read...)
300. Conference Board LEI for France Drops in November 2011The Conference Board Leading Economic Index for France decreased 0.2 percent in November to 112.5, following a 0.5 percent increase in October, and a 0.5 percent decline in September.(read...)
301. PAGE Electronica Utilizes JUKI High-Volume P&P Module Page Electronica, a privately owned contract electronics manufacturer in Belgium, has invested in a JUKI high volume pick & place module, the FX3, thus increasing their production to approximately 200,000 components per hour on three highly advanced production lines.(read...)
302. Ventec Europe Invests in New EquipmentVentec-UK has taken to delivery of a TA Q20 DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimeter). This equipment allows the company to conduct degree of cure and glass transition temperature (Tg) measurements to verify customer lamination processes. (read...)
303. It's Only Common Sense: Fire 'Em Up!Let your people know what they are working on and make sure you also let them know how important your products are to your customers’ products. If you want them to take their work seriously you have to let them know just how seriously important their work is. (read...)
304. Ayrshire Electronics Completes Audit for AS9100C AS9100C certification further extends the company's aerospace capabilities, enabling it to provide its customers with high quality, cost-competitive manufacturing services. The Minnesota site is qualified to meet the rigorous standards of the aerospace and defense industries, including ITAR, ISO 9001:2008, AS9100C, ISO13485:2003, J-STD-001, IPC 610 Class 3, and Nadcap registrations. (read...)
305. Paragon's Apprenticeship Program Develops Mfg ProfessionalsThe Paragon Electronics Group is continuing with its commitment to develop its own electronics manufacturing professionals by investing in two programs to ensure young engineers are attracted to a career in this sector.(read...)
306. Flextronics to Move U.S. HQ from Milpitas to San Jose, CAFlextronics has reportedly signed a long-term lease for 140,000 square feet at America Center in San Jose, wherein it will relocate from Fremont in Milpitas.(read...)
307. Council Stresses Need for National Mfg StrategyThe Manufacturing Leadership Council, an executive network designed to define and shape a better future for manufacturers worldwide, today announced that it is actively reaching out to U.S. elected officials to address the need for a comprehensive National Manufacturing Strategy.(read...)
308. U.S. Venture Investment Up 10% in 2011Venture capital investment slowed in the fourth quarter of 2011, but for the whole year, investors put $32.6 billion into 3,209 venture deals, a 10% increase in capital raised and 6% increase in deals from 2010.(read...)
309. Graphene Rips Follow Rules Research from Rice University and the University of California at Berkeley may give science and industry a new way to manipulate graphene, the wonder material expected to play a role in advanced electronic, mechanical, and thermal applications.(read...)
310. Compunetics Certified by Defense Logistics AgencyCompunetics, Inc. has been certified by the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime (DLA), located in Columbus, Ohio, to supply PCBs to the requirements of MIL-PRF-31032. (read...)
311. I-Connect007's PCB Asia Week: Strong Start for 2012The PCB market in Asia is off to a strong start this year. Notebook PCB maker GBM begins production at a new plant in China this July. Ichia expands its production capacity by 50% for flexible PCBs. Thai PCB maker Apex Circuit says four- and six-layer PCBs will be be its revenue growth driver in 2012. MFLEX and AT&S collaborate on HDI rigid-flex circuits.(read...)
312. I-Connect007's EMS Asia Week: ExpansionsThis week saw expansion plans for many Asian EMS companies. Enics signed an agreement to begin operations in Changshu, Suzhou, Greater Shanghai Area. Hon Hai announced an investment of NT $100 billion to set up fully-automated production lines in Central Taiwan Science Park. Qisda expandd its presence in the medical market.(read...)
313. Intertronics: Homogeneous Re-Mixing of Conductive Pastes Some materials – like silver-loaded pastes, adhesives and inks – can suffer degradation in storage. (read...)
314. Jabil to Hold Annual Stockholder Meeting January 26Jabil Circuit, Inc. today announced that its Annual Stockholder Meeting will be held on January 26, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. (ET) at the Renaissance Vinoy Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Florida. (read...)
315. Molex Takes Part at DesignCon 2012Technical papers and product demonstrations highlight broad range of Molex expertise and solutions including I/O, backplane, mezzanine and power(read...)
316. Miyachi Europe Offers Advanced Data Analysis Monitor Miyachi Europe announces the availability of its new Advanced Data Analysis Monitor (ADAM), the most advanced resistance welding monitor available from any manufacturer. (read...)
317. Lux Research Reveals Top 10 Cell ManufacturersWhile the demand in Europe is on the rise, European manufacturers are having trouble remaining cost competitive by producing in Europe, according to Lux Research’s latest Solar Supply Tracker. (read...)
318. Polysilicon Prices Hit Record Low in 2011In 2011, the solar industry saw global oversupply drive PV prices to record lows, with crystalline silicon (c-Si) module prices falling from $1.80 per watt at the start of 2011 to $0.90 per watt by year’s end.(read...)
319. PCB Industry 2011: A Year in ReviewFrom global PCB production statistics to leading technology and process advances, industry veteran Karl Dietz crunches the numbers and provides his unique perspective of the events and trends in the PCB industry in 2011.(read...)
320. JTAG Highlights New AutoBuzz Tool at IPC APEX EXPOThe makers of JTAG Live Buzz and Buzz-plus are proud to showcase for the first time AutoBuzz, the newest addition yet to their no-netlist-required range of JTAG/boundary-scan test and debug tools. AutoBuzz is a tool that uses a unique "seek and discover" feature to scan completely a compliant design and then perform comparative tests using JTAG/boundary-scan.(read...)
321. Intel Enjoys Record Revenue of $54 Billion in 2011“2011 was an exceptional year for Intel,” said Paul Otellini, Intel president and CEO. “With outstanding execution the company performed superbly, growing revenue by more than $10 billion and eclipsing all annual revenue and earnings records. (read...)
322. 2011: Year-End ReviewThe state of economy this year has made us all feel a bit jittery and the U.S credit rating downgrade caused unprecedented discomfort to all. However, corporate earnings for the year have impressed many. Is the world transitioning into a new era--a new economic formula, a new corporate focus and a new political landscape? (read...)
323. 5th Annual Military Radar Summit February 6-8, 2012It is an innovative time for radars. Advances in technology are allowing for reduced size, weight, and power, as well as lower costs. Radar is starting to see applications in even the smallest unmanned systems. However, there are still many technical challenges to overcome.(read...)
324. Harris Receives $65 Million Order for Falcon II Tactical RadiosHarris Corporation has received a $65 million order from an international customer to deliver a full range of capabilities from its Falcon II® RF-5800H high-frequency, RF-5800V very-high frequency and RF-5800M multiband radios. (read...)
325. MFLEX to Release Fiscal 1Q12 Results February 2MFLEX today announced that it will host a conference call and webcast to review its fiscal 2012 first quarter financial results on February 2, 2012, at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time (2:30 p.m. Pacific time). (read...)
326. SMTA, SEMA Announce Solar Conference ProgramSMTA and SEMA announced the finalized program of the Solar Manufacturing & Reliability Conference taking place March 22-23, 2012 in San Jose, California.(read...)
327. Integra Adds Kendziorski as Technical Business Development DirectorIn this role, Jeff will work closely with existing engineering and sales staff to further strengthen Integra's service offerings in the areas of high performance memories and counterfeit detection. (read...)
328. Flextronics' Exit from ODM Biz Affects Q3 Results"This quarter we completed our exit of the ODM PC business and all associated charges are included in our operating results. While this has been a difficult transition, we are pleased that this is behind us and we are looking forward to managing a more stable business with less variability and higher operating margins," said Mike McNamara, CEO.(read...)
329. Circuit Technology Services Launches The Check MarkThe Check Mark has been designed to replace all previous "beeper" test devices formerly available to printed circuit board fabricators and test houses. (read...)
330. Cicor Concentrates PCB Production in SwitzerlandCicor has confirmed the concentration of its PCB production sites in Switzerland and the decision to tighten-up operating processes at the conclusion of the consultation procedure.(read...)
331. APCB: Losses of $15.6 Million due to Thai FloodingAPCB has estimated that its production subsidiary in Ayutthaya, northwest Thailand, will post losses of THB 493 million (US $15.6 million) related to severe flooding. (read...)
332. ODM Orders for Kindle Fire to Drop in Q1ODM orders for Kindle Fire tablet PCs are expected to be cut by half to three million units in the first quarter of 2012, down from about six million units shipped in the last quarter of 2011, according to sources in the supply chain. (read...)
333. Qisda Aims to Expand Presence in Medical MarketQisda plans to partner with telecom operators and biotechnology firms to develop cloud computing platform products for remote medicare and health management, said the company.(read...)
334. Ascentech Introduces Gen3's New Ionic Cleanliness Tester Ascentech LLC will introduce and exhibit Gen3's new CM – Series Large-Format Ionic Cleanliness Test System, the first of its kind, at IPC APEX EXPO 2012. GEN3 has recently updated their line of ionic test systems with the addition of a large test chamber (24" x 24" x 3.6") to the CM33 model.(read...)
335. IPC APEX EXPO Updates Conflict Minerals RegulationTo assist the industry in understanding the conflict minerals legislation set forth in Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act and, more importantly, preparing to comply with the pending regulation, IPC APEX EXPO, February 28-March 1, 2012, at the San Diego Convention Center, will offer updates for the electronics manufacturing supply chain. (read...)
336. Assembléon Launches iFlex P&P Platform in U.S.iFlex is a new SMT solution for electronics manufacturers. It is specially designed to increase productivity in high product mix environments by more than 30%. iFlex produces the highest board quality since it uses the company's unique single-pick/single-place technology, giving the industry's highest first pass yield production levels with defect levels of less than 10 DPM.(read...)
337. MFLEX, AT&S Collaborate on HDI Rigid-Flex Circuits The resulting alliance will enable the parties to offer best-in-class HDI rigid-flex printed circuits for electronic devices and positions both companies to tap new opportunities in additional applications beyond their current offerings. Both companies will continue to pursue increasing market opportunities in their core business, while providing this solution as an addition to their product offerings. (read...)
338. What Can You Rely On?Companies who rode the sharp increase in demand in 2011 had to adapt to fulfilling their customer's requests quickly, requiring a production ramp-up to meet delivery demands. This was true for both electronics manufacturers and their equipment suppliers. If one supplier could not meet required lead times manufacturers quickly turned to another with more capacity.(read...)
339. Morey Utilizes Digitiliti's Information Management SoftwareTape library and offsite storage is replaced, giving the company instant access, as well as file search and restore in order to control of content across the enterprise. (read...)
340. EE Technologies to Talk About EMS in Mexico on TAE RadioSonny Newman, president of EE Technologies, Inc. will discuss operating an EMS plant in Mexico on The American Entrepreneur (TAE) radio network on Tuesday, January 24th at 4:00 p.m. EST with "The International Capitalist," David Iwinski.(read...)
341. Cardiac Assist Devices Market to Hit $1.4 Billion by 2017MarketResearch.com has announced the addition of the new report "Cardiac Assist Devices Market to 2017 - Increasing Uptake of Ventricular Assist Devices and Total Artificial Heart to Drive Growth," to their collection of Medical Devices market reports.(read...)
342. First Solar Achieves Record CdTe Solar PV EfficiencyFirst Solar has set a new world record for cadmium-telluride photovoltaic solar module efficiency, as confirmed by the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Lab, by achieving 14.4% total area efficiency.(read...)
343. RE2 to Deliver Robotic Manipulator Arms to AfghanistanMore than 100 units of RE2's DS1-MA Manipulator Arm will be delivered to MacroUSA for integration onto the Armadillo Micro Unmanned Ground Vehicle (MUGV).(read...)
344. Plexus Fiscal 1Q Revenue Hits Higher End of ForecastEMS firm Plexus has reported revenues of $529.65 million for the first quarter ended December 31, 2011, at the high-end of the company's revised guidance of $525 to $530 million.(read...)
345. Fusion Tech to Increase Adoption Rates of Hybrid Imaging SystemsMarketResearch.com has announced the addition of the new report "Diagnostic Imaging Market to 2017 - Fusion Technology to Increase Adoption Rates of Hybrid Imaging Systems," to their collection of Medical Imaging market reports. (read...)
346. WSGI Demonstrates Argus One UAV for U.S. DoDWorld Surveillance Group Inc. (WSGI) announced today that the Company has completed initial demonstrations of its Argus One UAV to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) at the U.S. Department of Energy Nevada Test Site (N2S2).(read...)
347. Saab Sensis Chosen by US Airways for Surface ManagementUS Airways has selected defense and security company Saab AB subsidiary Saab Sensis Corporation's Aerobahn® airport surface management system for use at its three hubs located at the Charlotte-Douglas (CLT), Philadelphia (PHL) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airports (PHX).(read...)
348. Manncorp Exhibits Best Sellers at IPC APEX EXPOManncorp's APEX plans include the introduction of the value-priced MC-385 pick and place. The system, priced at under $50,000 has a placement speed of 5,000 cph. A faster dual-head version is also available. (read...)
349. Thailand Flood Hurts Sanmina-SCI's Fiscal 1Q12 Revenue"The revenue decline in the first quarter was caused by weakness in the Communications Networks segment and the Thailand floods that impacted shipments to some Enterprise Computing & Storage, and Multimedia customers," stated Jure Sola, Chairman and CEO.(read...)
350. Laminate, Leadframe Materials to Hit $14 Billion in 2012Combined, laminate substrates and leadframes will represent an estimated US$13.3 billion market in 2011 and is forecasted to reach $14 billion in 2012.(read...)
351. A Global Outlook on Green TechnologiesReinvention of the use of resources to create a sustainable economy is being driven by rising environmental awareness across the world against a backdrop of ongoing environment-related issues, such as energy resource depletion, and global warming. (read...)
352. SEMI Recognizes QD Vision for Quantum Dot ResearchThe QD Vision team made significant progress on the integration and manufacturing processes essential to the commercialization of Quantum Dot (QD) technology. (read...)
353. Global PC Shipments Fell 1.4% in 4Q11After two quarters of positive growth, worldwide PC shipments totaled 92.2 million units in the fourth quarter of 2011, a 1.4% decline from the fourth quarter of 2010, according to preliminary results by Gartner.(read...)
354. GE "Global Innovation Barometer" Releases ResultsGE today released the results of its second annual "Global Innovation Barometer" that confirm business executives' belief in innovation as the main driver of prosperity, competitiveness, and job creation, and also reveal how challenging and uncertain economic and political environments may hinder companies' ability to deliver meaningful innovation.(read...)
355. Reactive Silver Ink Emerges for Printing ElectronicsMaterials scientists have developed a new reactive silver ink for printing high-performance electronics on ubiquitous, low-cost materials such as flexible plastic, paper or fabric substrates. "We are really excited about the wide applicability and excellent electrical properties of this new silver ink," said Jennifer Lewis, Director of the Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory.(read...)
356. Toshiba, Lenovo to Outsource WoA Tablet PCs to QuantaToshiba and Lenovo reportedly both plan to outsource their production of WoA (Windows on ARM) tablet PCs to Quanta Computer, according to industry sources. (read...)
357. Kinsus Posts 15% On-Year Revenue Growth in 2011Taiwan-based IC substrate maker Kinsus Interconnect Technology reported 2011 total revenues of NT $16.871 billion (US $563 million), up 15.05% on year. (read...)
358. Boeing to Build More Wideband Global SATCOM SatellitesBoeing has received authorization from the U.S. Air Force to produce and launch the eighth and ninth Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellites.(read...)
359. Seica to Exhibit at IPC APEX EXPO 2012Seica Inc. will be an exhibitor at the 2012 IPC Apex Expo, being held on February 28 – March 1 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. (read...)
360. Harris Receives $10.7M in Orders for Falcon Tactical RadiosHarris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company, has received orders totaling $10.7 million from the Federative Republic of Brazil for Falcon III® VHF Combat Net Radios and Falcon III Secure Personal Radios (SPR) to support a wide range of mission requirements.(read...)
361. Understanding the Risks of Counterfeit Components: An UpdateDespite growing awareness of the counterfeit problem, the situation has only become worse. Not only are a larger number of counterfeits finding their way into the supply chain, but the counterfeiters are becoming more clever at making fakes look like the real thing. Hence the cost of actually detecting counterfeits is going up as well.(read...)
362. Criminal Prosecution: Who's Held Liable for Counterfeit Parts?This article is intended to serve as a warning to sales, purchasing, and management representatives involved in the purchase or sale of integrated circuits in the open market: You are not untouchable merely because you are not an owner/officer of the company for which you are employed. On the contrary, you could be arrested and prosecuted if you "choose to ignore the obvious."(read...)
363. "The Daily Show" Skewers FoxconnNot a very flattering sketch of the EMS giant, Jon Stewart takes on Foxconn. It's certainly not the kind of press Foxconn or Apple would like or, the industry for that matter.(read...)
364. Global EMC Shielding Market to Hit $3.8B by 2016According to a new market research report by MarketsandMarkets, the total EMC shielding market is expected to reach $3,788.86 million by 2016 at a CAGR of 7.1% from 2011 to 2016.(read...)
365. Amphenol Reports Strong Q4 ResultsAmphenol President and CEO R. Adam Norwitt stated, "We are pleased to report strong performance in a very challenging environment in the quarter with fourth quarter sales of $949 million, operating income margin of 18.5% and earnings per share of $.73."(read...)
366. EADS North America Restructures Senior Leadership TeamEADS North America is restructuring the company's senior leadership team to more fully leverage executive experience, skills and talents as well as increase responsibility and decision making throughout the organization.(read...)
367. Glucose Self-testing Market to Reach over $15B by 2015The glucose self-testing market, which includes hand-held meters, disposable electrode test strips, syringes, lancets and other disposable items that are typically distributed over-the-counter for use by patients in their homes, is forecasted to spike to over $15 billion by 2015.(read...)
368. Tiny Quantum Dots Could Provide Future Source of LightingQuantum dots are regarded as the next generation of efficient light sources because of their efficiency in both emitting and absorbing light.(read...)
369. The Next Big Small Thing A Rice University laboratory has found a way to turn common carbon fiber into graphene quantum dots, tiny specks of matter with properties expected to prove useful in electronic, optical and biomedical applications.(read...)
370. Hydrogen Advances Graphene UsePhysicists at Linköping University have shown that a dose of hydrogen or helium can render the "super material" graphene even more useful.(read...)
371. Camtek to Release Q4, FY 2011 Results for February 21The company also announced that it expects to report revenues of $20.5-21million for the fourth quarter, representing an expected all time annual record of over $106 million, with year on year growth of over 21%. (read...)
372. Embedded Component Technology: Can Designs Meet Service Life Expectations?The automobile has evolved into a complex electromechanical system, with electronics working in unison with complicated mechanical components to increase levels of performance, comfort and safety. The industry expects 15 years service life from automotive electronics, and embedded component technology offers a means of achieving this goal.(read...)
373. CAE to Upgrade Canadian Forces SimulatorsCAE today announced that it was awarded a series of military contracts valued at more than C$100 million.(read...)
374. OSI Systems Receives Contract from Mexico’s Tax Collection AuthorityOSI Systems, Inc. has been awarded a six-year authorization by Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT), Mexico’s tax and customs authority, to provide inspection services by implementing a wide-ranging program of cargo and vehicle security screening systems and services throughout Mexico.(read...)
375. Printed Electronics Europe to Tackle Hot TopicsIDTechEx is hosting its 8th annual Printed Electronics Europe event in Berlin, Germany, April 3-4, 2012. The event will focus on the commercialization of printed electronics, with adopters from many verticals discussing needs and experiences.(read...)
376. Being Local on a Global BasisA challenge faced by many companies is that, as they grow, they acquire business units and new facilities that have different quality management procedures. This makes operating as an integrated company challenging to say the least. ESCATEC decided to take the bull by the horns and completely overhaul the process throughout the company in a two-year programme. Christof Kuenz explains how it was done.(read...)
377. Arrow Electronics Acquires TechTurnArrow Electronics, Inc. announced today that it has agreed to acquire TechTurn, Ltd., a leading provider of electronics asset disposition (EAD) services that specializes in the processing and sale of technology devices that are returned or recycled from businesses and consumers.(read...)
378. Front-End Automation: Moving Closer to an Old PCB Man's DreamThe tools are certainly available now to largely automate and integrate the entire front-end operation. How many years will it be before the "A" disappears completely from CAE and CAM, and the computer takes over completely?(read...)
379. ALPHA Presents Soldering Products, to Sponsor Hand Soldering CompetitionAlpha will present its enabling technology soldering products and will be a sponsor of the IPC Hand soldering Competition at the 2012 IPC APEX EXPO in San Diego, California, February 28-March 2, at the San Diego Convention Center. (read...)
380. Current Exposures to TBBPA Raises No Health ConcernsThe European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently released one of its studies showing that current dietary exposure to tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a widely used flame retardant, does not raise a health concern.(read...)
381. PerfectPart v4.0 Aimed at Quality, Traceability ImprovementsPerfectPart v4.0 is the industry's first software appliance designed specifically to improve quality and enable traceability in manual assembly manufacturing operations.(read...)
382. Cellular M2M Connectivity Services Market to Hit $35B by 2016The market for cumulative cellular M2M connections will rise from about 110 million connections in 2011 to approximately 365 million connections by 2016, with a market value of $35 billion, according to ABI Research.(read...)
383. Home Media Moving to Digital ContentA new CEA study found that more than half or 53% of online U.S. adults watch some form of streaming or downloaded video content in the home.(read...)
384. Super Dry Expands Oxidation Free MSD SystemsTotech, a moisture sensitive device specialist and manufacturer of ultra-low-humidity chambers, has expanded their advanced series of oxidation free drying and storage systems to include new features and new price/performance configurations.(read...)
385. Scientists Develop World's Smallest Magnetic Data Storage UnitScientists from IBM and the German Center for Free-Electron Laser Science (CFEL) have built the world's smallest magnetic data storage unit. It uses just twelve atoms per bit, the basic unit of information, and squeezes a whole byte (8 bit) into as few as 96 atoms. A modern hard drive, for comparison, still needs more than half a billion atoms per byte. (read...)
386. Indium Names Eric Bastow Assistant Technical ManagerThe company announces the promotion of Eric Bastow to Assistant Technical Manager. In this position he provides oversight to the Technical Support Team through leadership, advice, technical knowledge, and support to product management. He continues to provide technical support for the Pacific Northwest (U.S.) and Western Canada.(read...)
387. Holst Centre, imec Launch Research Program on Flex OLED DisplayHolst Centre and imec launch a new research program on next-generation flexible OLED (organic light emitting diode) displays.(read...)
388. Endicott Interconnect Honors Staff at Patent Award DinnerEndicott Interconnect Technologies, Inc. (EI) honored 23 employees for patent applications filed, U.S. patents issued and trade secrets received in 2010 at an awards dinner and ceremony held Friday, January 13, 2012 at De Gennaro's in Endicott, New York.(read...)
389. Fabrinet Appoints Marchetti as Chief Strategy OfficerFabrinet today announced that John Marchetti has been appointed the Chief Strategy Officer of Fabrinet USA, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fabrinet.(read...)
390. CTS Lands Accelerator Pedal Module Contract for ChinaCTS Corporation today announced that CTS Automotive Products has been awarded two new production programs for its Electronic Throttle Control Accelerator Pedal Modules from Japanese and Chinese vehicle manufacturers. Both awards represent new programs for vehicles sold into the growing China market, and will result in an increase in CTS’ global market share.(read...)
391. Examining Fab Spending, Capacity in 2012 and BeyondThe worldwide economy and, therefore, the semiconductor industry, depend more upon consumer sentiment and confidence. Will a new "fear factor" affect 2012? Natural and human-made disasters have certainly affected 2011. (read...)
392. Nan Ya Climbs to One-Month High After iPad Shipment ReportNan Ya Circuit Board Corporation, a supplier of PCBs to Apple Inc., rose to the highest in more than a month in Taipei trading after Digitimes reported that shipments for the next-generation iPad would reach about 40 million this year.(read...)
393. Wasp Barcode Launches New Healthcare Barcode ScannerWasp Barcode Technologies, a leading provider of small business productivity solutions, announced today the launch of the WWS450H healthcare barcode scanner with base. (read...)
394. Murray Percival Debuts New Web Store Michigan-based electronics equipment distributor, Murray Percival, has launched a brand new web store at www.murraypercival.com. (read...)
395. Hitachi Medical Device Company Intelligence ReportHitachi Medical is a 62.25%-owned subsidiary of the global electronics giant, Hitachi Ltd, where it is reported as part of the parent company's Electronic Systems and Equipment business line.(read...)
396. BAE Systems to Deliver Head Mounted Displays to U.S. ArmyBAE Systems has received a $21.7 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity order for Head Mounted Displays from the U.S. Army Program Executive Office Soldier.(read...)
397. Smiths Detection Unveils Next-Gen Chemical Threat IdentifierSmiths Detection has unveiled a next-generation chemical threat detector that combines high speed, high-resolution gas chromatography (GC) and a miniaturized toroidal ion trap mass spectrometer (MS) in a portable device.(read...)
398. DoD Airborne ISR Market Report Now AvailableResearch and Markets has announced the addition of Frost & Sullivan's new report "DoD Airborne ISR Market" to their offering.(read...)
399. Solar3D to Focus on Space Limited Solar ApplicationsSolar3D, Inc., the developer of a breakthrough 3-dimensional solar cell technology to maximize the conversion of sunlight into electricity, today announced that its initial market focus will be on those applications that have limited space for solar cells.(read...)
400. Asteelflash Acquires Catalyst Manufacturing Services Asteelflash, already established on the West Coast of the U.S., extends its presence, with three production sites located in Owego, New York; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Tijuana, Mexico. The acquisition will also allow the company to strengthen activities in segments that are already well established in the group, such as Mil/Aero, Medical and Industrial, while increasing manufacturing capacity in North America.(read...)
401. ONYX Demonstrates New Plug-N-Play Panels Onyx Service and Solutions Inc. disclosed today that private demonstrations of the Company’s new “Plug-N-Play” all-in-one solar panels were held in Orlando, Florida on January 5th, 6th and 7th for representatives from Europe, South America and the Middle East.(read...)
402. Arista Power to Develop Intelligent Micro-Grid for U.S. ArmyArista Power, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded a $922,000 U.S. Army contract to be the prime contractor to complete Phase One activities for the development of a new Intelligent Micro-Grid.(read...)
403. Obzerv Receives Contract from Bharat ElectronicsObzerv Technologies Inc. has received a contract from Bharat Electronics Ltd. to supply 46 ARGC-2400 cameras. Obzerv's electro-optic cameras will be integrated by Bangalore-based defense Public Sector Company Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) in a multi sensors Coastal Surveillance System. (read...)
404. Tanaka Precious Metals Begins Providing First Silver Ink Able to Form Electronic Circuits with UV LightTanaka Holdings Co., Ltd (a company of Tanaka Precious Metals) today announced that Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K., which operates the Tanaka Precious Metals' manufacturing business, had commercialized the world's first conductive silver ink capable of forming electronic circuits using only hardening by ultraviolet (UV) light without the need for hardening by heating, and will begin selling the product on January 18.(read...)
405. Letter re: See Ya 'Round, DennyI worked with Denny when I was Chair of the Suppliers Council and as Government Relations Chair for many of the 12 years he was at the helm. I found him to be an honest, straight-talking leader.(read...)
406. Smarter and More Complex Devices Increase High-Speed Requirements of Final TestAfter several years of increases in device frequencies, the capabilities of many test interfaces are now challenged by high-frequency signal requirements. The difficulties are not insurmountable, as there are strategies to address this. By implementing improved design standards and providing custom simulations to critical and sensitive applications, it is possible to ensure that test interface designs are able to meet the challenges of today's devices.(read...)
407. U.S. Airborne & Naval Electronic Warfare Market ReportResearch and Markets has announced the addition of Frost & Sullivan's new report "U.S. Airborne and Naval Surface Electronic Warfare Market" to their offering.(read...)
408. Report on Advances in Thin-Film Solar CellsResearch and Markets has announced the addition of the "Advances in Thin-Film Solar Cells" report to their offering.(read...)
409. EIPC Speednews: News from the European PCB MarketIn this week's EIPC Speednews: Multiline International Europa celebrates its silver anniversary; ICT holds the Arundel Evening Seminar; the SMART Group hosts informational events; and ICT/NUKCG Annual Foundation Courses are announced.(read...)
410. Beyond Design: The Perfect Stackup (for High-Speed Design)Planning the multilayer stackup configuration is one of the most important aspects in achieving the best possible performance of a product, yet it is something that few of us do well. This application note discusses how to plan a multilayer PCB stackup to obtain the ideal stackup for high-speed design.(read...)
411. Solar PV Investments Boosting Equipment Makers' GainsAmbitious solar PV manufacturing capacity investments across the Asia Pacific region during 2011 have provided substantial revenue growth for local solar equipment suppliers, according to Solarbuzz.(read...)
412. Blackfox, VAe Enter Collaboration AgreementBlackfox will use its training experience to teach VAe's Skills Training and Certification (STRAC) Program. The STRAC Basic Assembly, Soldering, Inspection and Cabling TECH (BASIC TECH) course was designed by VAe for military veterans with little or no experience in the EMS industry. Each graduate earns four IPC certificates and one ETA certificate.(read...)
413. Ampex Releases New Ruggedized Airborne RecorderAmpex Data Systems Corporation today announced the release of their ruggedized ultra compact airborne recorder, the TuffServ™ 40 (TS 40).(read...)
414. GOEPEL electronic Introduces PXI 1149/DAKThe company has introduced PXI 1149/DAK, a mass interconnect interface within SCANFLEX. The new option for the SFX/PXI1149/Cx controller are compatible with SCOUT, the mass interconnect system from MAC Panel. Using this option, the customer can now easily combine JTAG/Boundary Scan with the PXI connectivity solution from MAC Panel.(read...)
415. Qual-Pro Earns Nadcap Certification"Nadcap certification provides our customers with additional confidence in our ability to meet their rigorous, mission-critical manufacturing processes and quality requirements. The certification is a reflection of the continuous effort and commitment made by Qual-Pro to provide products of the highest quality to support our customers' success," said Brian Shane, CEO.(read...)
416. German PCB Market Firms-Up Increasing OrdersDuring the first 10 months of 2011, total revenues went up 8% compared with the same period in the previous year, despite a 16% decline in October revenues on-year, according to ZVEI PCB and Electronic Systems.(read...)
417. Zymet Unveils New Reworkable UnderfillThe company has introduced a new reworkable underfill encapsulant, CN-1736, designed to underfill 0.4-mm pitch package-on-package (POP) assemblies. It has low viscosity and a lower CTE than its predecessors. Plus it has greater flux compatibility, making it suitable for use with a broader range of solderpastes and tacky fluxes.(read...)
418. OM Group Board of Directors Welcomes Hans-Georg BetzOM Group's Board of Directors has named Hans-Georg Betz as a Director of the company, effective immediately. Betz becomes the seventh independent director of the company's eight-member board and will serve with the class of directors that stands for re-election in 2014.(read...)
419. Firstronic Expands Capabilities; Adds New EquipmentFirstronic LLC has expanded test, inspection and conformal coating capabilities to support increased revenue and project complexity.(read...)
420. GCT Unveils New Diamond-Coated ToolsGCT GmbH in Weingarten introduces two new diamond-coated tools: End-mill-type 1328 with two flutes and centre cutting and chamfering cutter-type 138x with single flute.(read...)
421. Hon Hai to Build Fully-Automated Facilities in CTSPTerry Gou, Chairman of the Hon Hai Group, now the world's largest contract manufacturer of electronics by revenue, announced the group's grand investment of NT $100 billion in setting up fully-automated production lines in Central Taiwan Science Park, indicating his ambition to build the world's largest kingdom of precision automation and robotics on the island.(read...)
422. Quanta, Compal to Manufacture Ultrabooks for Vizio, DellQuanta Computer and Compal Electronics have received orders for ultrabooks from Vizio and Dell, respectively, according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report.(read...)
423. Taiwan ODMs Mull Cash-Only Transactions with KodakAs Kodak is facing a bankruptcy crisis and rumors of filing lawsuits against Apple, the company's Taiwan-based ODM partners HTC and Fujifilm, as a last resort, are striving to shorten their payment period and are even considering cash-only transactions with the company.(read...)
424. TPT Sees Flat Sales Growth in Q1Taiwan PCB Techvest (TPT), which produces optoelectronics boards, expects its first-quarter revenues to register flat growth sequentially beating seasonal patterns.(read...)
425. Multiparameter Patient Monitoring Market $3.7B by 2017The global multiparameter patient monitoring devices market is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.5% from 2010 - 2017. (read...)
426. It's Only Common Sense: Phones are Driving Me Crazy!What's up with the phones? Have these things completely taken over our lives? Wherever you go people are fiddling with their phones. People are texting and reading e-mails or checking the weather or seeing how their team is doing--these phones have completely taken over our lives. (read...)
427. Research Paves the Way for Flexible SuperconductorsThis research will enable development of new, thread-like and cloth-like superconducting materials called "flexible, lightweight superconductors." Superconductivity is expected to play a key role in solving many environmental and energy problems, as electrical energy can be transported with no loss. Fullerenes have attracted attention as a substance that may make it possible to realize this with lightweight carbon. (read...)
428. Raytheon Wins $51M Contract for Patriot Missile UpgradesRaytheon Company has been awarded a $51.3 million contract to upgrade Patriot Advanced Capability-2 missiles to the Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical (GEM-T) configuration. (read...)
429. L-3 Link Joins Hawk AJTS Team for USAF T-X ContractBAE Systems and L-3 Communications has announced that L-3 Link Simulation & Training is joining the Hawk Advanced Jet Training System team as an exclusive partner to compete for the U.S. Air Force's T-X program.(read...)
430. The Way I See It: See Ya 'Round, DennyDenny McGuirk was a hands-off manager. He let his managers do their own thing, their own way. In my experience, that’s one of the best ways to run a company. Hire good people, support them, but more importantly, get out of their way.(read...)
431. NP Photonics Lands Aerospace ContractNP Photonics has been awarded a multi-million dollar, two year product development contract by an undisclosed, strategic customer in the aerospace sector.(read...)
432. SMTA OC/LA Chapter Training Program January 19, 2012LA/OC SMTA will hold its Chapter Training Program on January 19, 2012 at Henkel Electronics Materials, LLC in Irvine, California.(read...)
433. Hybrid Medium, Heavy Duty Truck Sales to Double this YearWith the world economy improving, albeit slowly, overall truck purchases are expected to rise this year.(read...)
434. A Dozen Years at IPC: A RetrospectiveIPC is entering the second decade of the twenty first century with solid finances, programs and representation in Europe, China, India and North America, and an excellent reputation worldwide. It's been a great ride and I don’t regret a minute of it. (read...)
435. Enics Expands Operations in ChinaEnics announced today that it has signed an agreement with Changshu Municipal and Changshu Southern Development Zone (CSDZ) authorities to start operations in Changshu, Suzhou, Greater Shanghai Area.(read...)
436. FAA Selects Saab Sensis for Airport Surface SurveillanceSaab Sensis has been selected by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration for the Airport Surface Surveillance Capability program.(read...)
437. Analyst Forecasts Solar Slump to End SoonGordon Johnson, the analyst who predicted "Armageddon" for the solar industry 14 months ago, said the crash that wiped $27 billion off the value of the shares last year may be over.(read...)
438. Germany to Discuss Additional Solar Incentive CutsThe high number of solar PV system installations in Germany may ignite the possibility for the government to initiate incentive cuts.(read...)
439. Letter re: Onshoring: Is That What We Really Want?I have to respectfully disagree with your opinion on this one. I argued in the early 2000s that we shouldn't let our PCB/Flex industry move to China. This is America! We are the smartest, strongest, most resourceful country in the world. (read...)
440. Nordson to Exhibit at INTERNEPCON JAPANLeading technologies for producing high value-added products will be displayed at the INTERNEPCON JAPAN trade show.(read...)
441. Integral Technology Names Ken Parent PresidentParent has been in the PCB industry for over 30 years holding high profile positions at Lockheed Martin, Morton International, Rohm and Haas, including 11 years at Insulectro where he continues to hold the position of Vice President of Product Management. Insulectro will be the exclusive distributor for Integral products in North America.(read...)
442. Moody's: Stronger Growth Expected in U.S. in 2012 Moody's Analytics predicts stronger U.S. growth this year depending on decisions by policymakers.(read...)
443. Ichia to Ramp-Up Flex PCB Capacity this YearIchia Technologies plans to expand by 50% its production capacity for flexible PCBs used in smartphones, tablets and other consumer technology products this year.(read...)
444. Foxconn to Axe 600 Jobs in SlovakiaThe second largest producer of TV sets in Slovakia, Nitra-based Foxconn, will lay off up to 600 people. The main reason is the resistance by its main purchaser, Sony, to buy sufficient quantities of the company's products.(read...)
445. STBs Driving Demand for Four- and Six-Layer PCBsThai PCB maker Apex Circuit says orders for six-layer PCBs for set-top box applications ramped up recently and adds that the product segment is expected to be its revenue growth driver in 2012.(read...)
446. GBM to Begin Production at New China Plant in JulyNotebook PCB maker Global Brands Manufacture (GBM) will start volume production at its new plant in Chongqing, China in July or August 2012, with plans to ramp-up the monthly capacity of the plant to 600,000 square feet of PCBs by the end of the year.(read...)
447. Feinberg: CES 2012, Day 1It is hard to believe but this is my tenth year covering CES for CircuiTree and I-Connect007. Over the years CES has changed, it has gone from a primarily technology show to almost a toy store. (read...)
448. Samtec to Present at DesignCon 2012Samtec, Inc. will participate in the DesignCon 2012 conference and exhibition featuring SI Fusion, end-to-end interconnect solutions that make your entire system faster, thinner and lighter, across longer distances with lower overall costs.(read...)
449. I-Connect007's EMS Asia Week: Record RevenuesSome EMS firms in Asia are posting record revenues and are setting aggressive targets for 2012. Asustek Computer announced consolidated revenues $11.66 billion for 2011, a new record. Foxconn Electronics reported unconsolidated December revenues of $11 billion. New Kinpo Group, which generated consolidated revenues of $5.66 billion in 2011, has set a challenging target of $10 billion for 2012.(read...)
450. I-Connect007's PCB Asia Week: A Good StartAsian PCB firms are starting the year on a good note. Notebook PCB maker GBM's December revenues grew by 27.4% on-month. The company is also scheduled to start volume production at its new plant in Chongqing, China, in July 2012. Flex PCB makers are also on the up, with Career Technology and Flexium Interconnect posting 4.8% and 13% revenue growths, respectively, for December.(read...)
451. CAE Secures Over C$65 Million in Contracts in AsiaCAE today announced that it has sold five Level D full-flight simulators (FFS) to customers in Asia.(read...)
452. Silynx Communications Launches H2Ops Tactical HeadsetSilynx Communications, Inc. today announced the launch of its new, state-of-the-art 20m immersible hearing protection/enhancement headset system, the H2Ops.(read...)
453. Global Military Aircraft Market to Reach $71.9 Billion by 2021This report offers detailed analysis of the military aircraft market over the next ten years, and provides extensive market size forecasts by country and sub sector. (read...)
454. Sanmina-SCI Fiscal 1Q12 Earnings Conference Call January 18Sanmina-SCI Corporation announced today that it will host its fiscal 2012 first quarter earnings conference call on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 5:00 PM ET. Mr. Jure Sola, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sanmina-SCI Corporation, will lead the call. (read...)
455. CTS to Release Q4, FY 2011 Results January 25, 2012CTS Corporation will release earnings for the fourth quarter and full- year 2011 at approximately 4:30 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday, January 25, 2012.(read...)
456. New OE-A Roadmap White Paper Available for DownloadThe 120 page White Paper ”OE-A Roadmap for Organic and Printed Electronics” (4th edition, December 2011) is available for download from the OE-A homepage. Five application clusters as well as materials, substrates and patterning processes are discussed in detail. (read...)
457. Heifetz to Keynote Manufacturing Leadership SummitManufacturing Executive, the global community for manufacturing leadership, today announced that Dr. Ronald A. Heifetz, co-developer of the Adaptive Leadership concept, will provide a special keynote at the eighth annual Manufacturing Leadership Summit, taking place April 29-May 2, 2012, at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida.(read...)
458. High-Frequency Laminates Help Avoid Car AccidentsAdvanced PCB technology enables much of the automotive-based sensing systems that facilitate adaptive cruise control, active brake assist and blind spot detection. The proper choice of the high-frequency laminate to be used in these PCBs can be critical. (read...)
459. Flextronics Appoints Linton Chief Procurement OfficerIn his role, Tom Linton is responsible for managing and optimizing Flextronics' global supply chain activities in 30 countries, overseeing a worldwide team of highly-skilled professionals who are experienced in the discipline.(read...)
460. Essemtec to Demonstrate Solutions at IPC APEX EXPOEssemtec will showcase flexible Swiss-made solutions in booth #1617 at IPC APEX EXPO February 28-March 1, 2012 at the San Diego Convention Center in California. These solutions include: The PANTERA-XV; the Cobra 8C; the ParaRO300FC-C, a full convection oven; the Paraquda 4C pick-and-place system, ePlace, the Tucano USC-V automatic stencil printer; full convection oven RO300FC-C, and Fino. (read...)
461. AirBorn Acquires AESCO ElectronicsWith the acquisition, AirBorn is forming a new division to be called AirBorn Electronics, Inc., headed by AESCO President, Roger Engle. The new division will focus on providing value-added products and services to high-reliability commercial markets such as medical, instrumentation and industrial controls. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.(read...)
462. Cicor Forms Sales Company in U.S.The newly-established company, Cicor Americas Inc., is located in Minnesota and will serve as a hub to assist the company in further developing its business in the U.S. market.(read...)
463. Letter re: Onshoring: Is That What We Really Want?I enjoyed reading the article and agree that it's not feasible, or even desirable, to bring all offshore manufacturing "home." (read...)
464. ZESTRON News Features Customer Case Study on CleaningZESTRON America's most recent edition of ZESTRON News provides the latest information on cleaning within the electronics manufacturing industry, as well as the company's newest initiatives. (read...)
465. EIPC Winter Conference 2012 Programme AnnouncedThe aim of the conference is to provide a platform for speakers and delegates to exchange information on market conditions and future innovation on interconnection and packaging.(read...)
466. Hon Hai Ranks 9th in 2011 U.S. Patents Hon Hai Precision ranked ninth worldwide in the number of U.S patents last year, the best performance of the company ever and the only Taiwanese firm landing on the top-10 list of U.S. patents.(read...)
467. PCB Material Prices Stable in 1Q12PCB material prices, including those for fiber glass fabrics and CCLs (copper-clad laminates) have stabilized due to a low level of inventory at suppliers, as well as a rebound in demand from PCB makers.(read...)
468. Control Micro Systems to Showcase Gen4 at APEXControl Micro Systems, Inc.’s Gen4 laser system is designed to mark and verify ECC200 Data Matrix symbology as well as other machine code formats, man-readable text and graphic images.(read...)
469. Raytheon Receives $60 Million Contract for LPD 26Raytheon Company has been awarded a $60.3 million U.S. Navy contract to develop and integrate the total ship electronics systems for LPD 26, the 10th ship of the Navy's LPD 17 class of expeditionary warfare ships.(read...)
470. IBM Research Determines Atomic Limits of Magnetic MemoryScientists from IBM Research have demonstrated the ability to store information in as few as 12 magnetic atoms. This is less than today's disk drives, which use about one million atoms to store a single bit of information. The ability to manipulate matter by its most basic components could lead to the understanding necessary to build smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient devices.(read...)
471. Sanmina Leads Lincoln EMS Index in Q42011Overall, the large index group went up 2.9% from the previous quarter; the mid index increased 9.8%, and the small index posted a 31.9% growth from last quarter.(read...)
472. Foxconn Posts Record Revenues in December Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) reported unconsolidated December revenues of NT $316.944 billion (US $11 billion), a 3.17% increase on month and 29.53% increase on year.(read...)
473. Raytheon to Provide Sonar System to AustraliaRaytheon Company has been awarded an $80.8 million contract modification from the U.S. Navy in support of a Foreign Military Sale of the AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar to the Royal Australian Navy. (read...)
474. Marine West 2012 to be Held February 1 - 2The 2012 edition of Marine West, one of the nation's most comprehensive military equipment expositions of the year, will be held at Camp Pendleton, CA, during February 1 - 2.(read...)
475. Avnet Launches POURS App for Apple ProductsAvnet Electronics Marketing Americas Makes Supply Chain Automation More Accessible with POURS® App for Apple Products(read...)
476. Multitest MEMS Equipment for MT9510 P&P Test HandlerMultitest, a designer and manufacturer of final test handlers, contactors and load boards used by integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) and final test subcontractors worldwide, has shipped the first Multitest MEMS equipment for the MT9510 pick-and-place test handler to an IDM in the U.S. (read...)
477. Orbotech Earns Viasystems' Supplier Appreciation Award Orbotech was selected for this prestigious award in recognition of its exceptional service at Viasystems' PCB production plants in Asia Pacific and its top performance in providing the enabling solutions required to support the company's continued success.(read...)
478. Mentor Graphics Appoints Three ExecutivesMentor Graphics Corporation today announced the appointment of three executives. John Lenyo has become vice president and general manager of the company's Design Verification Technology Division; Joseph Reinhart has been appointed vice president of Corporate Development and Investor Relations; and Richard Trebing has been named corporate controller and Chief Accounting Officer.(read...)
479. IPC Adjusts Roadmap Direction; Expands CoverageIPC has adjusted its roadmap direction to make it more useful, covering more types of technology and adding emulators. This expansion meets the needs of manufacturers, focusing on the specific requirements of their customers and the product platforms they provide for these customers. That change is occurring as fields like telecom and automotive diverge in the factors important to them.(read...)
480. Standard Printed Circuits Utilizes Chemcut Etching System“We are very pleased that Standard Printed Circuits has selected Chemcut to be the provider of etching equipment for their state-of-the-art facility,” stated Rick Lies, Chemcut’s CEO. (read...)
481. Suntron Develops 01005 Process for Military Customer"With careful planning prior to the actual build, Suntron's assembly with the 01005 components was very successful. We are pleased to offer this leading-edge technology to our customers at a high level of quality and reliability," stated Jon Saunders, Suntron's Methuen, Massachusetts Plant Manager. (read...)
482. IPC Exec Meetings to Focus on Vital Business Issues"The purpose of these meetings is to give senior-level decision makers the view of the industry they need to plan for the future of their companies. Presentations focus on business strategies, supply chain issues, and industry trends," says Susan Filz, Director of Industry Programs and Professional Development for IPC. "More importantly, it is a forum for executive level networking."(read...)
483. Feinberg: CES 2012, Day 3Dan Feinberg expected a slowdown in activity at CES; usually, after the first few days the crowds thin somewhat, but not this time. No official attendance numbers have been released, but he estimates that this is a record show with perhaps near 150,000 visitors in attendance. (read...)
484. MFLEX Beats Expectations for Preliminary Fiscal 2012 Sales "We expect our net sales results to exceed the high end of our previous guidance range as the supply chain shortages from the flooding in Thailand improved throughout the quarter. We also saw an increase in shipments to our largest key customer," said Reza Meshgin, CEO of MFLEX.(read...)
485. Rogers to Present at DesignCon 2012Rogers Corporation will exhibit and present a white paper concerning thermal conductivity at the upcoming DesignCon 2012 conference and exhibition. (read...)
486. Fabrico Delivers Advanced Adhesive for Medical UseFabrico, the leader in design and manufacturing services for flexible materials, announces new adhesives for medical and surgical applications in wound care, ostomy appliances, surgical drapes, and medical diagnostic devices.(read...)
487. Probe to Provide Services to RFID CompanyProbe Manufacturing, Inc. announced today that it has been selected to provide end-to-end manufacturing services to a company set to revolutionize RFID technology.(read...)
488. MTI Electronics Marks 25th Consecutive Profitable YearMTI Electronics is pleased to announce that it has accomplished its 25th consecutive year of profitability. Greg Martinek, President and CEO, commented, "This milestone is a result of the consistency of our discipline in our execution for all of MTI’s stakeholders; customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers, and our community." (read...)
489. GOEPEL Adds BASS to GATE Global Alliance ProgramGOEPEL electronic, worldwide leading vendor of JTAG/Boundary Scan solutions compliant with IEEE1149.x, announces the extended incorporation of the Finnish Company BASS Solutions into the global alliance program GOEPEL Associated Technical Experts (GATE).(read...)
490. Power Design Services Boosts Capability with New EquipmentPower Design Services has added a new automatic screen printer to its production line equipment that will enhance its ability to quickly provide customers with quality PCB prototypes and related products.(read...)
491. IPC Comments on Proposed U.S. Changes to Export ControlIPC has filed comments with the U.S. Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) urging them to protect the security of U.S. defense equipment by ensuring export control protection of design information for PCBs for defense equipment. (read...)
492. Zuken Releases New Version of Board Modeler LiteZuken has released a new version of Board Modeler Lite that offers significant productivity enhancements during board layout design. Board Modeler Lite 6.1, available now with CADSTAR 13.0 , bridges the process between MCAD and ECAD design flows by offering a common platform to communicate between the two disciplines.(read...)
493. New Technology Alert (Really!): 3D Plastic MIDIs it challenging to plate circuitry onto plastic? Yes, but the future for this market is here - in sensors, hearing aids, LEDs, defense, and medical, to name just a few applications. Francis Tan of Cicor explains how 3D plastic molded interconnect device technology pushes the idea of interconnect "out of the box."(read...)
494. Reliability of a Lead-Free System: Grid Array Solder Joint Reliability, Part IIShould the reflow profile be set to specifically melt BGA solder balls? During SMT reflow, within the scope of a practical lead-free system being Sn-based, regardless of alloy compositions (SAC305 or non-SAC305), the most critical material is solder paste and the state of that solder paste.(read...)
495. Moisture Sensitivity Affects the Entire MarketToday's lead-free environment has created a need for improved techniques for keeping components dry and moisture free at lower temperatures. Totech Europe's Sales Director, Jos Brehler, discusses the long-term reliability issues OEMs are encountering and the need for proper storage of MSDs.(read...)
496. Why is Lead Tinning a Required Process?The original need for tinning arose nearly a quarter century ago when the military decided that plated finishes that are not fused were not suitable or acceptable for high-reliability environments. Nowadays, the most common reason for lead tinning is the removal of gold from devices with a gold-plated finish.(read...)
497. Globalization Faces Challenge from Economic, Social TurmoilThe world's vulnerability to further economic shocks and social upheaval risk undermining the progress that globalization has brought, warns the World Economic Forum in its Global Risks 2012 report.(read...)
498. TT electronics Releases Pre-Close Trading UpdateTT electronics plc, a leader in electronic component and sensor technology, issues the following pre-close trading statement and will announce final results for the year ended 31 December 2011 on 15 March 2012.(read...)
499. MELA Sciences Expands Manufacturing Contract with AskionMELA Sciences has entered into an expanded three-year manufacturing agreement with its long-term supplier, Askion, for the production of the MelaFind handheld device.(read...)
500. Growth Opportunities in Automotive ElectronicsEven in light of world economy fluctuations, the semiconductor market for automotive applications is expected to grow rapidly in the next five years, due to increased call for both electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as the demand for more complex electronics in traditional internal combustion vehicles.(read...)
501. Global Competition Aims to Revolutionize HealthcareThe $10 million Qualcomm Tricorder X PRIZE global competition aims to drive development of devices that will give consumers access to their state of health in the palm of their hand.(read...)
502. Engineers Improve Conductivity of Organic SemiconductorsBy packing molecules closer together, chemical engineers at Stanford have dramatically improved the electrical conductivity of organic semiconductors. The advance could herald flexible electronics, more efficient solar panels, and perhaps even better television screens.(read...)
503. Asteelflash Enters Strategic Partnership with Varitron"This new partnership will create value for our customers who will be able to rely on a high-quality local electronics manufacturer in Canada, Varitron, while benefiting from the expertise and footprint of an international EMS company like Asteelflash," said Gilles Benhamou, CEO of Asteelflash.(read...)
504. IEC to Present at Noble Financial Capital Markets ConferenceIEC Electronics Corp. today announced that W. Barry Gilbert, Chairman of the Board and CEO, will present at the Noble Financial Capital Markets' Eighth Annual Equity Conference at the Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, Florida on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. in Room 1 KIZHI.(read...)
505. Orbit's Power Group Lands Two New Power Supply OrdersOrbit International's Power Group, through its Behlman Electronics Inc. subsidiary, has received two new orders totaling in excess of $626,000.(read...)
506. Henkel's New ECA Compatible with Lower-Cost ComponentsIn a significant formulation breakthrough, Henkel has developed a new electrically conductive adhesive (ECA) compatible with lower-cost, tin-terminated components to enable more cost-effective assembly processes. ABLESTIK ICP-3535M1 is a one-component, pre-mixed ECA that provides low and stable contact resistance when used with 100% tin-terminated components.(read...)
507. Feinberg: CES 2012, Day 2Yesterday I posed the question asking whether CES will become a toy and gadget store instead of a stage for truly interesting new technology introductions. Today I can say I don't think so, at least not this year.(read...)
508. Semicon Fab Equipment Spending to Drop 11% in 2012Semiconductor fab equipment spending is expected to decline by approximately 11 percent in 2012, according to preliminary data from the SEMI World Fab Forecast report. (read...)
509. Olympus Innov-X to Hold Free WebinarOlympus Innov-X, in conjunction with Intertek, a leading provider of quality and safety solutions, will present two free one hour webinars on Wednesday, January 18, 2012. (read...)
510. IPC Seeks Industry Comments on Draft of IPC-8701 Following two years in development, a draft of the industry’s first standard on the assembly of solar panels, IPC-8701, Visual Acceptance Criteria for Solar Panels – Final Module Assembly, was released today for industry review and comment. (read...)
511. Alpha Introduces New ALPHA LED Materials TechnologiesAlpha, the world leader in the production of electronic soldering materials, will introduce its new line of ALPHA® LED specialty materials technologies at the Strategies in Light Expo & Conference, February 7-9, 2012 in Santa Clara, California. (read...)
512. Smart Sonic Unveils VOC-Free Stencil Cleaning ChemistryThe company proudly announces that 440-R SMT Detergent is the only volatile organic compound (VOC)-free stencil cleaning chemistry. All other chemistries designed for cleaning solder paste from SMT stencils contain hazardous VOCs. Because VOCs contribute to global warming, smog and health problems, they are highly regulated and targeted for stronger regulation by the OTC and EPA. (read...)
513. SMTA Announces Call for Papers for 2012 ConferenceThe Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA) is inviting the industry to submit technical papers for presentation at the upcoming SMTA International 2012 on October 14-18, 2012.(read...)
514. John Ellis to Keynote IWLPC 2012SMTA and Chip Scale Review magazine are pleased to announce the keynote presentation for IWLPC 2012 in San Jose, California. John Ellis will detail the very possible threat of Cyber-Physical Terrorism in his presentation, "A Trojan Chip in Your Smartphone? It's Coming..."(read...)
515. Pushing the Limits for More Compact, Faster MicrochipsThe microchip revolution has seen a steady shrinking of features on silicon chips, packing in more transistors and wires to boost chips’ speed and data capacity. But in recent years, the technologies behind these chips have begun to bump up against fundamental limits, such as the wavelengths of light used for critical steps in chip manufacturing. (read...)
516. 3CEMS Opens New Plant in Dongguan, ChinaAfter a long-term successful development in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, 3CEMS opened a new factory called NBM production in Dongguan, China. The new space will complement 3CEMS’ current 200,000 square meter manufacturing center in Southern China.(read...)
517. Taiwan Flex PCB Makers Post December RevenuesFlexible PCB makers Career Technology and Flexium Interconnect had December consolidated revenues of NT $1.035 billion (US $34.2 million), increasing 4.8% on month, and NT $927 million, up 13%, while fellow maker Zhen Ding Technology Holding suffered a sequential drop of 3.5%.(read...)
518. GBM Post Growth in December; Tripod, APEX DownTripod Technology and Global Brands Manufacture (GBM), two Taiwan-based PCB makers, saw December consolidated revenues decrease by 3.9% and increase by 27.4% on month, respectively, while Taiwan-listed PCB maker Apex Circuit International suffered a 12% sequential drop. (read...)
519. Letter Re: Outlook for 2011In response to a recent column by Ray Rasmussen, Gene Weiner writes, "I keep hoping that a U.S.-based electronics trade association will look out for the interests of American-owned companies first, as the TPCA, CPCA, HKPCA, IKCA and others do for their own nationals."(read...)
520. TriQuint Advances DARPA GaN R&D ProgramTriQuint Announces GaN Breakthroughs Developing Highly-Advanced, Mixed-Signal Digital/RF Circuits for DARPA(read...)
521. UK Aerospace Industry to Reach $50 Billion by 2016Increasing passenger air travel and the continued development of new programs such as the Airbus A380, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Eurofighter Typhoon, F-35 Lightning III, and the Bombardier C series are expected to support steady growth. The major drivers for the UK's defense sector are tied to budgetary increases, resulting in an increased level of defense aircraft procurement.(read...)
522. Ultra Electronics TCS Wins $23M in Orders from the US ArmyNew equipment to help transition the US Army's deployed communications networks to Everything-over-IP (EOIP)(read...)
523. Raytheon Receives Evolved Seasparrow Missile ContractRaytheon Company was awarded two contracts totaling $212.8 million for the production of the Evolved Seasparrow Missile, with an option for $33 million in additional work.(read...)
524. API to Provide Secure Communications Products to CanadaAPI Technologies Awarded $3.5 Million Order for Secure Communications Products for the Canadian Government(read...)
525. U.S. Coast Guard Purchases Unisys Stealth Solution Unisys "Stealth Solution for Secure Virtual Terminal" can allow Coast Guard teleworkers to safely share enterprise networks from any location(read...)
526. EDA Consortium Posts 18% Revenue Increase for Q3The EDA Consortium (EDAC) Market Statistics Service (MSS) today announced that the Electronic Design Automation (EDA) industry revenue increased 18.1 percent for Q3 2011 to $1543.9 million, compared to $1307.0 million in Q3 2010. (read...)
527. SMTA Chapter Meeting Presentation to Highlight Tin WhiskersThe presentation will discuss the methodology and experimental results for an assembly level process that has shown to substantially reduce the occurrence and size of Sn whiskers, while still meeting a RoHs compliant process.(read...)
528. SMT Magazine and The PCB Magazine to Feature Special Coverage of IPC APEX EXPOThe 2012 IPC APEX EXPO is gearing up to be a great one! From William Shatner's keynote address to the New Product Zone on the show floor, you don't want to miss it! Check out the IPC APEX EXPO Special Coverage sections in our upcoming February issues. (read...)
529. EIPC Winter Conference 2012 Gives Latest Market InformationEIPC Conferences tend to be an absolute "must" for companies associated with PCB fabrication, who wish to stay up to date with the latest market requirements, materials, fabrication equipment and manufacturing processes that also need to improve the efficiency of their processes and the reliability of their products.(read...)
530. IPC Selects Academic Paper Competition WinnersOpen to all accredited U.S. and international colleges and universities with a strong focus on the electronics industry, this year's competition welcomed entries from around the world. The paper abstracts were judged by an IPC blue ribbon committee. The authors of these papers will present their research at a free BUZZ session IPC APEX EXPO in San Diego, California.(read...)
531. Research: CEO 360 Degree on EMS and ODM Industry This research analyzes the evolving role of EMS providers and ODMs in the dynamic electronics industry. It includes revenue forecasts, drivers and restraints, regional forecast and analysis, vertical market forecast and analysis and competitive structure. (read...)
532. The Conference Board ETI Up Again in DecemberThe Conference Board Employment Trends Index™ (ETI) increased 0.66% in December to 104.32, from the revised figure of 103.64 in November. The December figure is also up 4.7 percent from the same month a year ago.(read...)
533. Asustek Posts 2011 Revenues; Conservative about 1Q12 Asustek Computer has announced consolidated revenues of NT$30.5 billion (US$1.01 billion) for December of 2011, down 25% on month, while consolidated results reached NT$100 billion for the fourth quarter of 2011, a slight drop on quarter, and NT$350 billion for 2011, a new historical record. (read...)
534. CACI to Support U.S. Special Operations Command New Work Will Provide Special Operations Forces with Advanced Modeling and Simulation Technology to Enhance Mission Capability and Reduce Cost(read...)
535. Solid State Storage Shipments Expected to Soar in 2012 According to new research from International Data Corporation (IDC), the worldwide solid state storage industry revenue reached $5 billion in 2011, a 105% increase from the $2.4 billion in 2010 and IDC expects the market will expand further in 2012 and beyond.(read...)
536. Survey Reveals Potential Drop in Demand for TelevisionConsumers Intend to Buy Fewer Televisions as They Migrate to Other Consumer Electronics Devices, Accenture Survey Finds(read...)
537. Understanding, Measuring & Tracking Phosphorous in Electroless Nickel BathElectroless nickel baths require good process control for proper operation and consistency from bath to bath. Understanding, measuring and tracking the phosphorous in the electroless nickel deposit gives us a good overall indication of how well the process is being controlled, and good control is directly related to reliability. (read...)
538. How Small Can a Solar Cell be and Still be a Powerhouse?The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory recently validated greater than 41% efficiency at a concentration of 1,000 suns for tiny cells made by Semprius--one of the highest efficiencies recorded at this concentration. The energy conversion efficiency of a solar cell is the percentage of sunlight converted by the cell into electricity. (read...)
539. Cleaning Efficiency: Defluxing Lead-Free and Eutectic PCBs in One ProcessCan an existing chemistry-based cleaning process be used to clean eutectic and lead-free alloys in the same process? A study, detailed in the following article, was created to provide valid technical data to better assess the risk associated with using one cleaning machine for both eutectic and lead-free substrates.(read...)
540. Pegatron Secures New iPad OrdersPegatron Technology has reportedly landed a small volume of orders for the upcoming iPad 3, which is set to launch in March, while the company is expected to see a significant increase in its orders for Apple's iPad 4, which is scheduled to launch in October. (read...)
541. CODI (Advanced Circuits) Declares 4Q11 Cash DistributionCompass Diversified Holdings, an owner of leading middle market businesses, announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.36 per share. (read...)
542. New Kinpo Group Eyes Revenue of $10 Billion in 2012Taiwan-based New Kinpo Group, consisting of three key members Kinpo Electronics, AcBel Polytech, and Thailand-based Cal-Comp Electronics, generated consolidated revenues of US $5.66 billion in 2011 and has set a challenging target of US $10 billion for 2012. (read...)
543. Printed Electronics Europe Expands Exhibition SpaceIDTechEx's Printed Electronics Europe 2012 event in Berlin, Germany on April 3-4, will be the largest gathering of end users discussing their needs and experiences with the technology. The event matches technology providers with adopters.(read...)
544. Agilent Unveils New Handheld OscilloscopesThe company has announced the addition of two new oscilloscopes: The 100-MHz U1610A and 200-MHz U1620A, the first handheld units to include a color VGA display. With up to three viewing modes (indoor, outdoor and night vision), these instruments enable engineers to view signal waveforms by zooming in to capture glitches under all lighting conditions.(read...)
545. Lockheed Martin to Upgrade C-130 Training DevicesThe U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $24 million contract to upgrade weapons systems trainers used in the C-130 Aircrew Training System (ATS) II.(read...)
546. Raytheon Wins New Missile Defense Interceptor ContractRaytheon Company received a $30.2 million contract from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems for continued development of the Stunner interceptor. (read...)
547. Global PV Inverter Market to Continue Steady GrowthThe global solar photovoltaic inverter market is expected to grow steadily after experiencing a tremendous growth in the past year.(read...)
548. ITT Exelis Assembles Team to Build FAA's Comms SystemIn collaboration with Airbus, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, CSC, Rockwell Collins, Raytheon, and several other major aerospace companies, ITT Exelis has assembled a unique industry partnership to support the FAA’s modernization of the nation’s air traffic control system.(read...)
549. Modified Graphene Could Address Heat Dissipation IssuesA team of researchers have made a breakthrough discovery with graphene, a material that could play a major role in keeping laptops and other electronic devices from overheating. The team has shown that the thermal properties of isotopically engineered graphene are far superior to those of graphene in its natural state.(read...)
550. Intertronics Releases New Gantry Style RobotLow-cost versatile robots are becoming increasingly popular in the manufacturing environment and this latest Fisnar F5200N gantry model from Intertronics offers huge flexibility for dispensing operations. The strength of the UNITOP F5200N lies in its ability to create its own working area, enabling the system to be mounted on any work surface. (read...)
551. Key Tronic to Report Q2 Results January 31, 2012Key Tronic Corporation, announced today that it plans to report its results for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 after market close on January 31, 2012.(read...)
552. Benchmark Electronics Expects to Exceed Q4 GuidanceBenchmark Electronics, Inc. announced today that it expects to report revenue and earnings per share modestly above the high end of guidance for the fourth quarter 2011.(read...)
553. IPC Achieves Record Membership NumbersNeal Bender, IPC's Director of Membership, attributes the gain in membership to the nonprofit association's focus on member service. "We've been able to build membership in each region by serving the specific needs of those members," says Bender.(read...)
554. Hansen Medical to Showcase Advanced Catheter SystemHansen Medical will showcase its Sensei X Robotic Catheter System at the 17th Annual Boston Atrial Fibrillation Symposium from January 12-14 at the Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center in Boston.(read...)
555. Learning from SuccessWith electronics at the core of growth, it is vital that manufacturers continue to provide innovative and reliable solutions to address the changing requirements of the industry. To weather the current economic storm, electronics manufacturers need to build on the established markets to which they supply, as well as expand into new areas where proven technologies are of value.(read...)
556. Worldwide Smart Meter Shipments Hit 19.2M Units in 3Q2011Global smart grid deployments continue to enjoy strong growth momentum, particularly those involving smart meter rollouts.(read...)
557. General Dynamics Sets Up Imaging DivisionGeneral Dynamics Advanced Information Systems has created a new organization, General Dynamics Global Imaging Technologies, to deliver high-performance imaging solutions to defense, homeland security, law enforcement and commercial customers worldwide.(read...)
558. Remote Microgrid Industry to Reach $10.2B by 2017A new report from Pike Research forecasts that the global remote microgrid market will expand from 349MW of generation capacity in 2011 to over 1.1GW by 2017.(read...)
559. General Dynamics Lands $60M Contract to Upgrade TankThe U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems $60 million under an existing contract to continue upgrading M1A1 tanks to the M1A2 Systems Enhancement Package V2 configuration.(read...)
560. Researchers Unveil New Way to Manipulate GrapheneResearch from Rice University and the University of California at Berkeley may give science and industry a new way to manipulate graphene, the wonder material expected to play a role in advanced electronic, mechanical and thermal applications.(read...)
561. Solar Market to Heat Up in 2012The price of polysilicon has been increasing towards US$30/kg, while the price of solar wafer has been moving between US$1.25-1.30/unit above production costs, prompting Sino-American Silicon (SAS) Chairman M.K. Lu to predict the industry to begin generating profits by May or June 2012.(read...)
562. Boeing's Argon ST Receives New Contract for US Navy SSTDBoeing subsidiary Argon ST has received a $14.8 million follow-on award under its contract for the U.S. Navy's Surface Ship Torpedo Defense (SSTD) program. (read...)
563. Solar Energy Firms Facing Rush OrdersMajor solar-energy firms, including Green Energy, Giga Solar, and Motech will shorten their Chinese Lunar New Year holidays to cater to influx of rush orders.(read...)
564. Circuits, LLC Achieves UL 94V-0 CertificationCircuits, LLC announced today that the company has received official notification from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) that it has been awarded 94V-0 certification for Type 3 and Type 4 multilayer flex and rigid-flex PCBs manufactured at the site.(read...)
565. SMT Placement Characterization Standard Revised"This standard lets you look at totally different types of machines and get a better comparison for how they will each work in your environment," said Michael Cieslinski, Senior Engineer with Panasonic Factory Solution Company of America, and Chair of the IPC SMT Component Placement Equipment Subcommittee that updated IPC-9850.(read...)
566. OnCore's Longmont Facility Earns AS9100 Certification"Our Longmont site's AS9100 certification, along with our Springfield and Wilmington, Massachusetts and Tijuana, Mexico sites' certifications, provide our aerospace and defense customers a footprint of facilities in which to build their products," said Daniel Perez, CEO. "The OnCore Production System which includes our QMS ensures that we always meet those requirements." (read...)
567. A Look at Printed Circuits in Automotive ElectronicsIt isn't just your dad's old-school radio that has a PCB anymore. The sophisticated vehicle electrical systems of today can be totally dependent upon a printed circuit board. Designs will continue to evolve, but the foundation of the heavy copper, multilayer, plated through-hole, lead-free PCBs will remain.(read...)
568. It's Only Common Sense: Too Technical for Sales?Let me make this clear: I have nothing against technical people. After all, we are selling a technology product. What I do have a problem with is technical salespeople who don’t want to put on their sales hats and unwilling to handle the basic duties that good salespeople are required to handle. (read...)
569. SMTA Training Program to Discuss Material PropertiesThe training will focus on understanding how material properties, such as those of adhesives, polymers, and soldering materials, play an important role in manufacturing electronic devices.(read...)
570. Compal to Begin Production at Vietnam FactoryCompal Electronics will begin volume production at its factory in Vietnam if labor shortages and wage hikes in China pose serious problems.(read...)
571. Inari to Acquire AmertronInari Berhad has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the existing shareholders of Amertron Inc. (Global) Limited (Amertron Global Shareholders), represented by Richard Ta-Chung Wang, under which Inari will acquire 100% equity interest in Amertron Inc (Global) Limited.(read...)
572. P. D. Circuits' Tech Director Completes Six Sigma Training P. D. Circuits, Inc. announces that its Technical Director, Kathy Nargi-Toth, completed a Six Sigma Black Belt training program.(read...)
573. Mentor Graphics Acquires Flowmaster GroupThe acquisition of Flowmaster complements the acquisition of Flomerics Limited by Mentor Graphics in 2008, the leading player in the general purpose, 3D multi-CAD embedded CFD and 3D electronics cooling thermal analysis sectors, and broadens the Mentor Graphics portfolio in the CFD space. (read...)
574. CIL Ends 2011 with Positive ResultsJohn Boston, Managing Director of CIL, reported an exceptional increase in sales performance, with a 30% increase on the previous 12 months. The business fully achieved its 2011 financial budget carrying a strong and healthy order book into 2012.(read...)
575. Arakawa Chemical, Taimide to Form Research JVTaimide Technology will work with Japan's Arakawa Chemical to develop a new process used for the manufacture of high-density flexible PCBs.(read...)
576. ScanCAD Enhances Solder Ball Inspection SystemScanCAD International releases its latest low-cost inspection system in its extensive family of process control tools.(read...)
577. I-Connect007's EMS Asia Week: Strong StartThe year 2012 looks to be a bright year, judging by recent announcements from companies in Asia. Quanta expects to ship 57.43 to 60.5 million notebooks in 2012. Wistron expects to land tablet PC orders from Asustek. Foxconn sees its smartphone shipments to exceed 10 million units, while Compal Communications is confident of hitting 9.6 million unit shipments.(read...)
578. LONGBOW to Deliver Radar, Data Link Systems to US ArmyLONGBOW, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman Corp., received a $181 million contract from the U.S. Army for AH-64D Apache Block III LONGBOW systems.(read...)
579. EMRISE Lands $1.2M Order for IFE&C SystemsEMRISE has received an order valued at approximately $1.2 million (750,000 pounds Sterling) for electronic devices to be used in In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFE&C) systems.(read...)
580. Flamac, Imec Collaborate to Develop New Solar Cell MaterialImec is working together with Flamac to develop novel semiconductor materials for solar cell applications.(read...)
581. Light-to-energy Conversion through PaintA team of researchers at the University of Notre Dame has made a major advance toward this vision by creating an inexpensive "solar paint" that uses semiconducting nanoparticles to produce energy.(read...)
582. Corning to Exhibit the "Gorilla" at CES 2012A key feature of Corning's CES exposure will be the introduction of Corning Gorilla Glass 2, the next generation of the popular, damage-resistant cover glass for consumer electronic devices.(read...)
583. DDi Corp. to Present at Needham Growth ConferenceDDi Corp. will present at the 14th Annual Needham Growth Conference to be held January 10 – 12, 2012, at The New York Palace hotel in New York, New York. Mikel H. Williams, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer will present at 8:40 a.m. EST on Thursday, January 12, 2012.(read...)
584. AS&E Receives Five ZBV Systems OrderAmerican Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E), a leader in X-ray detection technology, announced today the receipt of an order for five of its top-selling Z Backscatter Vans (ZBV) from a law enforcement agency in South America.(read...)
585. SBEI Continues Increase in DecemberThe December CBIZ Small Business Employment Index (SBEI), a barometer for hiring trends among companies with 300 or fewer employees, increased by 1.75 percent throughout the past month, following an increase of .35 percent in November.(read...)
586. China's Aerospace & Defense to Hit $187 Billion by 2015The performance of the market is forecast to decelerate, with an anticipated CAGR of 11.9% for the five-year period 2010 - 2015, which is expected to drive the market to a value of $187 billion by the end of 2015.(read...)
587. Don’t Shoot the Messenger: Make Your Quality Meetings Fun!Quality meetings are about hiding, fear and survival. Who wants to be the messenger that dares speak the truth, only to be shot? The truth is, in some way we all contribute to the problems in our company. Our work lives will improve dramatically when we accept this fact and stop shooting the messenger. (read...)
588. Aerospace & Defense Industry in India to See CAGR of 13.2%The performance of the market is forecast to decelerate, with an anticipated CAGR of 13.2% for the five-year period 2010-2015. The defense segment was the market's most lucrative in 2010, with total revenue of $17.7 billion, equivalent to 73.5% of the market's overall value.(read...)
589. Lead-free Solder Ames Lab's Top Income-Generating TechnologyFifteen years ago, an environmentally-friendly solder developed by the U.S Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory made history as the first cost-effective, broadly useable alternative to tin-lead solder, a toxic but necessary ingredient in a range of popular – and proliferating – consumer electronics.(read...)
590. Maintaining Consistent Manufacturing Efficiency and Quality WorldwideSMTC Manufacturing Corporation’s Executive VP, Operations, Paul Blom, sits down with our editor to reveal his company’s supply chain management strategies, quality management and PLM systems which produce excellence throughout technology and manufacturing centers worldwide.(read...)
591. Multitest’s UltraFlat Process Meets Requirements Multitest, a designer and manufacturer of final test handlers, contactors and load boards used by integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) and final test subcontractors worldwide, announces that its UltraFlat process meets the requirements of high parallel vertical probe card applications.(read...)
592. MFLEX to Present at Needham Growth ConferenceMulti-Fineline Electronix, Inc. announced today that the company's Chief Financial Officer, Tom Liguori, will be presenting at the 14th Annual Needham Growth Conference. (read...)
593. Laser Market to Reach $12.5 Billion by 2016MarketResearch.com has announced the addition of the new report "Global Markets for Laser Systems, Components and Materials -- Focus on the Americas" to their collection of Electronics market reports. For more information, click here.(read...)
594. Integrated Technology Wins Patent Suit Against Rudolph Integrated Technology Corporation, a leading provider of probe card inspection systems and electronic testing equipment, today announced that a jury has returned a verdict in the patent infringement suit between Integrated Technology and Rudolph Technologies, Inc.(read...)
595. General Dynamics Wins Submarine Systems ContractThe U.S. Navy recently awarded General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems a $95.9 million contract for production and deployed-systems support of U.S. and U.K. (read...)
596. Automotive Electronics OEM Market: An OverviewWhile worldwide demand for OEM automotive electronics is expanding, especially for powertrain and emissions systems, telematics (electronics communication and entertainment systems) struggles to find an audience. This may change as automakers begin collaborating with third-party application developers like Microsoft.(read...)
597. ZESTRON to Hold “Why Clean PCBs?” WebinarThe company is pleased to announce that its first 2012 webinar, titled "Why Clean PCBs?," is scheduled for January 18 at 12:00 p.m. and January 26 at 1:30 p.m. This 45-minute webinar (including 15 minute Q&A) presented by Umut Tosun, Application Technology Manager, is free of charge and the first of a 10-part cleaning series ZESTRON Academy will be hosting throughout 2012. (read...)
598. Real-Time Locating Systems Break Through in 2011Real Time Locating Systems (RTLS), systems that remotely locate tags on things, animals or people, usually in 3D and in near-to-real-time, had a great 2011. RTLS does not rely on readers being brought close to the tag or to portals where the tag is read when it passes, its previous and subsequent location being subject to heroic assumptions. (read...)
599. Atlanta SMTA Expo to be Held April 19, 2012 The Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA) announced today that the Atlanta SMTA Expo would return to the Gwinnett Civic Center in Duluth, Georgia for its 16th annual event on Thursday, April 19, 2012, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (read...)
600. BobWillisOnline Highlights Upcoming WebinarsBobWillisOnline announces dates for upcoming webinars.(read...)
601. SMTC Adopts Shareholder-Friendly PoliciesSMTC Corporation, a recognized global EMS provider, today announced changes to its Charter and Bylaws aimed at improving shareholder rights, and an agreement with its largest shareholder, Red Oak Partners, LLC to limit its voting rights in certain circumstances.(read...)
602. Unitech Shifts Investments Back to TaiwanUnitech Printed Circuit Board Corporation will increase its investment in Taiwan to reduce labor costs in China, according to company Chairman Lawrence Chang.(read...)
603. Metallic Nanomaterials Market to Grow $2B by 2017Industry analyst firm NanoMarkets is announcing the release of a new report on metallic nanomaterials (nanometals). In this report, "Nanometals in Electronics and Energy Markets – 2012 and Beyond," NanoMarkets estimates that the total market for metallic nanoparticles, nanoinks and pastes, and nanostructures will grow to around $2.0 billion (USD) by 2017.(read...)
604. CAGR of 9.7% in Active Electronic Components Market The global market for active electronic components reached $129.5 billion in 2010. It reached an estimated $137.6 billion in 2011 and is expected to reach $144.5 billion in 2012. It will further grow to $229.8 billion by 2017, increasing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7% between 2012 and 2017.(read...)
605. Dongbu HiTek Earns ISO13485Dongbu HiTek today announced that it has been certified to meet all international quality management criteria set forth in the ISO13485 standard for the medical device industry. (read...)
606. DC Electronics Qualifies for Medical ISO CertificationDC Electronics today announced it has met all the requirements and passed inspection from an independent certifier to qualify for ISO 13485 Class III certification. The company will receive its Registration Certificate by January 31, 2012.(read...)
607. Smaller, Smarter Electronics Using Flex AssembliesJay Desai of MFLEX explains how effective hardware design optimization using flex assemblies, and supply chain reduction with a modularization approach, can lead to superior 3D packaging solutions enabling thinner, smaller and lighter devices.(read...)
608. Employment Index Shows Improved Growth for DecemberSmall businesses created 55,000 new jobs in December and employees worked more hours and made more money.(read...)
609. Consumer Confidence Remains Steady in December Consumer confidence remained fairly consistent in December, as consumers viewed the economy and their finances as improving, but consumers are heading into the New Year with conservative spending intentions according to the Discover U.S. Spending Monitor. (read...)
610. FDA Clears Vioguard Self-Sanitizing Keyboard First FDA cleared computer keyboard to use germicidal properties of ultraviolet light to destroy harmful viruses and bacteria(read...)
611. Process Targets High Parallel Vertical Probe Card ApplicationsMultitest has announced that its UltraFlat process meets the requirements of high parallel vertical probe card applications.(read...)
612. Global Telecom Industry Revenue to Reach $2.7 Trillion by 2017According to the new industry market study, telecommunications services revenue on a worldwide basis will grow from $2.1 trillion in 2012 to $2.7 trillion in 2017 at a combined average growth rate of 5.3 percent.(read...)
613. Global IT Spending to Grow 3.7% in 2012Worldwide IT spending is forecast to total $3.8 trillion in 2012, a 3.7 percent increase from 2011, according to the latest outlook by Gartner.(read...)
614. Newark/element14 Offers Exact Tax and Freight FeatureNewark/element14 has released an automated exact tax and freight display to provide its customers with this important information at the time of order.(read...)
615. TTM Technologies to Present at Needham Growth ConferenceTTM Technologies, Inc., a leading manufacturer of time-critical, technologically advanced printed circuit boards, will participate in the 14th Annual Needham Growth Conference on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time. (read...)
616. Encompass Launches Green Choice Parts WebsiteEncompass has launched the website GreenChoiceParts.com to market cost-effective, eco-conscious alternatives to OEM replacement parts.(read...)
617. Tech M&A Spending Up 17% in 2011Technology acquirers increased M&A spending for the second year in a row in 2012, spending $219bn to purchase 3,690 information technology, telecommunications and Internet companies around the world last year, a 17% increase in spending and a 13% increase in number of deals from 2010.(read...)
618. CES 2012 to Showcase New Generation of Electronics The overall semiconductor outlook for 2012 is slightly positive at best, but that doesn't mean there won't be giant leaps in technological innovation during the next year. (read...)
619. Standard Simplifies Comparison of Placement EquipmentThe newly revised IPC-9850A, Surface Mount Placement Characterization, makes it easier to compare multifunction production equipment that can be altered quickly by changing heads.(read...)
620. Plexus Enters Agreement with Kontron; Narrows Q1 GuidanceDean Foate, President and CEO, commented, "We believe this strategic arrangement will expand and strengthen our existing relationship with Kontron, capitalizing on our demonstrated leadership in mid- to low-volume, higher-complexity manufacturing programs. In fiscal 2012 this arrangement is expected to add an incremental $50 to $75 million of revenue." (read...)
621. Rogers Lowers Q4 Guidance Bruce D. Hoechner, President and CEO commented, "As we had anticipated in October, demand across many of our markets continued to weaken through the fourth quarter, adversely affecting the sales and earnings of many of our business segments." (read...)
622. Lackwerke PETERS Expands in Italy; Forms SubsidiaryAs part of this growth strategy, Lackwerke PETERS has founded its own sales company in Turin, PETERS ITALIA S.r.l., which will commence business on January 11, 2012.(read...)
623. Automotive Air Conditioning Boosts Efficiency and ComfortThe automotive HVAC (Heating-Ventilation-Air Conditioning) industry is set to grow due to recent mandates and legal incentives demanding greater efficiency.(read...)
624. IPC Conference to Highlight Eastern Europe's EMS Industry "The success of the inaugural conference in 2011 and growing interest among exhibitors and attendees for the 2012 conference reflects the growth of electronics manufacturing services in Eastern Europe," explains Tony Hilvers, IPC VP of Industry Programs. "We are planning a more robust conference in 2012 to accommodate this growth and connect companies in this region."(read...)
625. GCT GmbH Reports 32% Sales GrowthGCT GmbH in Weingarten today reported a YoY net sales increase of 32% in 2011.(read...)
626. Semi Inventory Declines as Suppliers Reduce OversupplyChip inventories held by semiconductor suppliers declined in the third quarter of 2011 as the industry cut production in order to reduce oversupply.(read...)
627. DDi Corp. to Relocate Headquarters and Anaheim FacilityDDi Corporation has entered into an agreement to purchase an existing building in Anaheim, California, for $7.5 million, into which it plans to relocate its corporate headquarters and Anaheim manufacturing operations. (read...)
628. 2011 Global Solar PV Installations Up by 15%The global solar PV system installations in 2011 continued to grow by 15% on year, reaching 23.4GW, according to Digitimes Research.(read...)
629. The Impact of Electronics on the Automotive IndustryFor the automotive industry, the increasingly expanding role of PCBs in the electrical and electronic system adds new complexities to the already challenging PCB design process. However, with these complexities come new opportunities for process improvement.(read...)
630. China Announces More Solar PV System SubsidiesChina's Ministry of Finance has announced the subsidies for built-in PV (BIPV) systems and normal solar PV installations, aimed at expanding the BIPV market in China.(read...)
631. Shenmao Tapping Japan MarketShenmao Technology has set up an office in Japan with the aim to cut into the supply chain of the country's first-tier electronics vendors such as Panasonic, Sharp and Sony.(read...)
632. Kitron Secures Two New F-35 ContractsKitron AS, a subsidiary of Kitron ASA, has recently won two new F-35 contracts as part of an international "Best Value" competition. (read...)
633. Incap Reforms Corporate Services; To Cut 8 JobsNegotiations were concluded today and resulted in reorganization of corporate services in the way that the employment of a total of eight persons will be terminated by the end of September. Furthermore, the situation of three persons will be reviewed separately during 2012.(read...)
634. Foxconn, Compal to Ship 10M Smartphones in 2012Taiwan-based ODM/JDM makers Foxconn International Holdings (FIH) and Compal Communications are expected to ship more than 10 million smartphones in 2012, while fellow maker Arima Communications will ship an estimated 8 to 10 million units.(read...)
635. Lead-Free Solder is 2011's Top Income-Generating TechLead-free solder, a tin-silver-copper alloy invented by a research team headed by Ames Lab Senior Metallurgist Iver Anderson, has made history for a second time: In 2011, it became the top royalty income-generating technology ever produced in the history of both Ames Lab and Iowa State University. (read...)
636. Mercury Completes Acquisition of KOR, Paragon DynamicsMercury Computer Systems, Inc., a trusted provider of commercially developed application-ready ISR subsystems for defense prime contractors, today announced that it has completed its acquisition of KOR Electronics (KOR) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Paragon Dynamics, Inc. (PDI). The all-cash transaction closed on December 30, 2011.(read...)
637. Compal Expects 9.6 Million Handset Shipments in 2012Compal Communication Chairman Ray Chen expects total handset shipments of 9.6 million units in 2012 as clients have already started placing orders.(read...)
638. Indian Medical Electronics to Hit $6.5 Billion by 2020A FICCI-Deloitte thought paper has suggested that the non-market factors like development of infrastructure, favourable regulations, FDI inflow, outsourcing of manufacturing and R&D activities to India as well as government initiatives to improve healthcare access through insurance schemes can help Indian medical electronics market reach $6.5 billion by the year 2020.(read...)
639. New iFlex Platform for Component PlacementAssembleon's National Sales Manager Glenn Shaffer talks with Guest Editor Stuart Hayton about the company's new intelligent component placement platform, iFlex. iFlex is available in three types: The T4 chip shooter, the T2 multi-functional placer and the H1 for fine-pitch placements. (read...)
640. Medical and Printed Electronics Update Dr. Markus Riester of maris TechCon discusses some of the issues addressed during a panel session on reliability in medical electronics. He also details some of the current and future opportunities for printed electronics, including what he calls a "hybrid approach."(read...)
641. Epec Marks 60th Anniversary; Proud to be America's OldestAs the oldest production printed Circuit Board Company in North America, perhaps in the world, the 60-year story of Epec is connected to the development of the Printed Circuit Board Industry. (read...)
642. Identifying the Right Strategy for Growth in SMT Placement Equipment MarketThe increasing prevalence of electronics medical, automotive, communication, computing, A&D and consumer electronics has helped bolster the SMT placement equipment market. It is now witnessing a new breadth of opportunities as contract manufacturers and OEMs are investing in more capital equipment to increase manufacturing capacity globally. (read...)
643. AWR Hosting Three Seminars in India in January AWR Corporation will host a three-city seminar tour in India on January 17, 18 and 19, 2012. The seminars will take place in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Bangalore, and will be led by AWR and partners National Instruments and ICON Design Automation. (read...)
644. Printed Circuits Inc. Expands Capacity, Lowers CostThe company has expanded its manufacturing facility. Through the acquisition of new equipment, PCI has increased inner layer capacity and improved manufacturing yields resulting in a cost reduction on their rigid-flex products, and the additional service offering of higher volume production to their customers. (read...)
645. High-Performance Thin Film Boosts Electronics ResearchResearchers have developed the world's highest performance thin-film capacitors using a new high-permittivity dielectric sheet with molecular-level thickness (~1 nm). This technology may revolutionize next-generation electronics. The announcement of this breakthrough comes from scientist Dr. Minoru Osada and Principal Investigator Dr. Takayoshi Sasaki at NIMS in Japan.(read...)
646. European PCB Industry has StabilizedDieter Walz, Business Manager, Electronics Europe for Atotech, talks about the market for PCBs in Europe. The shift to Asia of volume production, along with the recent downturns in the market, has left PCB companies in Europe scrambling for new business models, consolidations and alliances. Today, conditions have stabilized and the survivors seem to be stronger. (read...)
647. Essemtec's Schildein Wants to "Achieve More"For the past 20 years, Essemtec has been successful in the competitive market of electronics production systems. Adrian Schärli, of Azular GmbH, spoke with Florian Schildein, Marketing and Sales Manager, about the strength of the Swiss Franc, future technologies and competitor reactions.(read...)
648. SMTC Expands Medical Device Capabilities at CA FacilitySMTC has announced the licensing by the State of California Food and Drug Branch (FDB) to manufacture Class 1 and Class 2 medical devices. The FDB, which partners with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has authorized SMTC to operate under the rigorous quality guidelines of California's Device Manufacturing Licensing laws.(read...)
649. OM Group Completes Purchase of Rahu Catalytics Ltd.OM Group, Inc. today announced that it has purchased Rahu Catalytics Limited, the developer of a unique iron-ligand based chemistry for use in environmentally friendly coatings, composites and inks from Unilever Ventures and Management. The transaction includes all related intellectual property rights and master patents, as well as all manufacturing and supply agreements. (read...)
650. EICC Takes on Conflict MineralsDeborah Albers, Principal Social Strategist with Dell, discusses EICC's activities and how the organization is helping companies meet the demands of reporting on conflict minerals/metals. (read...)
651. Faisal Pandit: New President of Panasonic Factory Solutions Panasonic Corporation of North America has named M. Faisal Pandit the next President of Panasonic Factory Solutions Company of America (PFSA). Pandit assumed leadership on January 1, 2012 after holding several positions within Factory Solutions over his 20 years with the company. (read...)
652. Sparton's Cary Wood to Present at NY Investor ForumSparton Corporation today announced that Cary Wood, CEO, will present at the Sidoti & Company Emerging Growth Institutional Investor Forum at in New York on Monday, January 9, 2012.(read...)
653. Gartner: Top Vertical Industry Predictions for 2012Gartner, Inc. has revealed its top predictions for IT organizations and users for 2012 and beyond. Analysts said that the predictions herald changes in control for IT organizations as budgets, technologies and costs become more fluid and distributed. (read...)
654. ABI: Half a Million TD-LTE Base Stations Deployed by 2016"It was only two years ago that nearly every WiMAX operator, including operators with unpaired TDD frequency spectrum, were planning to deploy WiMAX 2," says Aditya Kaul, Practice Director, Mobile Networks. "Today, almost all of them have switched plans and are deploying TD-LTE instead." (read...)
655. Flexible PCB Production Value in Taiwan to RiseTaiwan-based flexible PCB makers' combined production value as a percentage of global total is expected to reach15 to 20% in 2012, up from 10 to 15% currently, according to industry sources.(read...)
656. ACE Exhibits New KISS-205 Selective SolderingACE Production Technologies will exhibit the next-generation KISS-205 fully in-line automated Selective Soldering system, recently introduced to the market(read...)
657. RE2 Bags Phase II SBIR Contract for HDMS for the U.S. ArmyRE2 has been selected to develop a two-arm Highly Dexterous Manipulation System (HDMS) for the U.S. Army's Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) under a Phase II Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) competitive contract.(read...)
658. Lockheed Martin, NASA Place Grail Spacecraft into OrbitBoth of NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) spacecraft were successfully inserted into orbit around the Earth’s moon. The mission will analyze the internal structure and gravitational forces of the moon.(read...)
659. Elbit Systems Lands $50M Hermes 900 UAS ContractElbit Systems was awarded a contract valued at approximately $50 million to supply Hermes 900 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to a governmental office of a country in the Americas.(read...)
660. Aeroflex Ships GRMATS to the U.S. Marines“The outstanding support and dedication of the U.S. Marine Corps has been crucial in helping us complete the approval process for shipping the GRMATS units,” said Len Borow, Chief Executive Officer of Aeroflex.(read...)
661. Lincoln International Advised Force Protection's SaleLincoln International has served as Financial Advisor to Force Protection in its sale to General Dynamics for $360 million in cash consideration.(read...)
662. Solar Market to Return to Normal in 2Q12The falling utilization rates in the solar market during the fourth quarter of 2011 and price drops of silver conductive pastes are expected to result in fourth-quarter revenue decreases on month. However, the solar market is going to be better by the second quarter of 2012, according to Giga Solar Chairman Chi-jen Chen.(read...)
663. Tainergy Expects to Return to Profitability in 2012Tainergy Tech, the solar cell manufacturing subsidiary of Kenmec Mechanical Engineering, expects the market to rebound after hitting the bottom in the first quarter.(read...)
664. Solder Material Maker Shenmao Expects Lower 1Q12 SalesShenmao Technology expects its consolidated revenues to decrease 5-10% sequentially in the first quarter of 2012, citing seasonal factors a well as fewer working days due to Lunar New Year.(read...)
665. Saab Receives Command & Control Systems Order from FMVDefense and security company Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration, FMV. The order sum amounts to MSEK 146 and the work will be carried out during 2012.(read...)
666. IEC Files Amended Proxy StatementIEC Electronics announced that it filed an Amended Proxy Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission today. The Amended Proxy Statement will be mailed to stockholders.(read...)
667. Arrow's Acquisition of Seed International CompletedArrow Electronics, Inc. announced today the successful completion of the acquisition of all of the assets and operations of the distribution business of Seed International Ltd.(read...)
668. OSI Systems Secures $15M Service and Maintenance ContractOSI Systems, Inc., a vertically-integrated provider of specialized electronics and services, today announced that its Security division, Rapiscan Systems, received orders for approximately $15 million to provide field service and maintenance of Rapiscan inspection systems, including Secure 1000 personnel screeners. (read...)
669. Asustek to Reduce Mobo Production Volume for 1Q12Asustek Computer reportedly reduced its motherboard production volume to help digest its inventory from the fourth quarter of 2011.(read...)
670. Karl's Tech Talk: Wafer Bumping Technology ChoicesDominant bumping technologies include ball-drop, stencil printing and plating. Given these choices, how does one select the best and most cost-effective process for a given flip-chip type package?(read...)
671. U.S. Lost 1.9M Manufacturing Jobs to China Trade DeficitAccording to a study by the Economic Policy Institute, the U.S.-China trade deficit has eliminated or displaced nearly 2.8 million jobs, of which 1.9 million, or 70%, were in manufacturing. The trade deficit with China grew from $84 billion in 2001, when China entered the WTO, to $278 billion in 2010.(read...)
672. Ventec Europe Completes Holiday MoveFollowing a successful move between Christmas and New Years Day, the Ventec-Europe team is pleased to announce the start of operations from its newly-designed UK service centre and warehouse(read...)
673. Manufacturing Software as a Competitive AdvantageManufacturers face pressures from local competition as well as low labor cost markets abroad. Production process optimization can take a manufacturer only so far in the drive to maintain margins and differentiate offerings. Manufacturing operations software addresses hidden overhead involved in the daily reporting, control and decision-support required, giving adopters a tangible financial and marketing advantage.(read...)
674. Grayhill Earns AS9100C CertificationGrayhill Inc. has been certified to SAE AS9100 Revision C Quality Management System (QMS) for aviation, space and defense organizations. Grayhill, a supplier of interface solutions to defense industry prime contractors, has implemented and demonstrated many upgrades to its ISO 9001:2008 certification to achieve this new AS9100C standard. (read...)
675. Book Review: No Bulls**t Social MediaThere's nothing BS about this book. It is a clear, concise, and very comprehensive guide to social media and how you can use it in your business. (read...)
676. Aspocomp, Cibo-Print Purchase Agreement CompletedAn Aspocomp Group company Aspocomp Oulu Oy and Cibo-Print Oy have today completed the transaction in which Aspocomp Oulu Oy purchased the business operations of a factory located in Teuva including the PCB trading operations of Cibo-Print Oy.(read...)
677. Inventec Appoints New President for PC BusinessInventec has recently assigned Maurice Wu, its Executive Vice President, Director and General Manager for Inventec Shanghai, as the new President of its PC business.(read...)
678. Wistron to Land Tablet PC Orders from AsustekWistron is expected to land orders from Asustek Computer for one of its two tablet PC models in the first half of 2012, according to a Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) report.(read...)
679. Taiwan Camera Makers See Less Business from KodakTaiwan-based ODM camera makers for Eastman Kodak expect the company to reduce order volumes this year amid sliding market share due to increasing competition from Japan-based vendors such as Canon, Nikon and Sony.(read...)
680. Panasonic to Increase Camera Orders to TaiwanPanasonic, to minimize production cost, is expected to release ODM orders for more Lumix models to more Taiwan-based makers in 2012-2013.(read...)
681. December Manufacturing ISM Report; PMI at 53.9%Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in December for the 29th consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 31st consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®.(read...)
682. Global Semicon Sales Reach $25.1 Billion in November"Supply chain disruptions resulting from the floods in Thailand have impacted semiconductor sales in the near term, however OEM's are expected to recover production losses over the course of the next few months," said Brian Toohey, President, Semiconductor Industry Association. (read...)
683. Lockheed Martin Wins $1.96B THAAD Contract from UAELockheed Martin received an undefinitized contract totaling $1.96 billion to produce the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System for the Missile Defense Agency and the United Arab Emirates.(read...)
684. Graphene Mixer Can Speed Up Future ElectronicsResearchers at Chalmers University of Technology have for the first time demonstrated a novel subharmonic graphene FET mixer at microwave frequencies. The mixer provides new opportunities in future electronics, as it enables compact circuit technology, potential to reach high frequencies and integration with silicon technology.(read...)
685. Saab to Continue to Support Carl-Gustaf System Defense and security company Saab has signed a contract regarding further deliveries of components for the M3 Carl-Gustaf man-portable weapon system. The order sum is MSEK 105 and deliveries will take place during 2012.(read...)
686. Will You Follow the Herd or Be a Leader?The management of American manufacturing companies should be leaders in their industry instead of following the "herd mentality" of outsourcing their manufacturing offshore to China to the detriment of the overall American manufacturing industry and the United States' position as the world’s pre-eminent country.(read...)
687. Organic Chips to Revolutionize LightThe Federal President of Germany Christian Wulff awarded the Deutscher Zukunftspreis 2011 to the three researchers Prof. Karl Leo (TU Dresden and Fraunhofer IPMS - COMEDD), Dr. Jan Blochwitz-Nimoth (NOVALED AG) and Dr. Martin Pfeiffer (HELIATEK GmbH).(read...)
688. Happy New Year from I-Connect007We hope that amid the challenges of 2011, we are all sharing the same optimism toward the coming year, and that we are stronger than ever to face whatever challenges lay ahead.(read...)
689. Boeing, Northrop Grumman GMD Team Receives New Contract The Boeing Company and industry partner Northrop Grumman Corporation have received the development and sustainment contract (DSC) from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency for future work on the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) element of the United States' ballistic missile defense system.(read...)
690. Top 10 Most-Read SMT Products of 2011The list of new products introduced this year is quite extensive, but we managed to whittle that list down to the 10 most-read new product announcements of 2011. (read...)
691. It's Only Common Sense: It's Time to Take a StandIt's time to take a stand and start working together. Let's start looking out for one another. Let's unite our forces and make the North American PCB industry stronger than it has ever been.(read...)
692. Top 10 New Products of 2011It took some time, but we did it. After scanning the long list of products launched this year, we came up with what we believe are the PCB007 Top 10 New Products of 2011.(read...)
693. Robots to Take Over Assembly LinesAn upsurge of workers who are replaced by robots is now a hot topic in the Pearl River Delta region, with Foxconn being one of the most prominent examples. (read...)
694. Quanta to Remain Largest NB Maker in 2012Quanta Computer is expected to ship 57.43 to 60.5 million notebooks in 2012, remaining the largest notebook maker, according to industry sources.(read...)
695. The Sales Cycle: Alignment--The Truth is the TruthEmployees need to be heard and listened to, even when their leaders may not want to hear it. These truths are not something you learn from a suggestion box or water cooler gossip. In fact, the truth has to be something that is carefully learned because, often, it is so closely tied to great emotion. (read...)
696. Boeing, Boeing...Gone!From a CNN Special Report by Chris Isidore: "I don't like labor unions. I believe they are bad for business--period. Their time has come and gone in North America, at least for private sector, non-regulated business--which is most of us."(read...)
697. Graphene Nanoelectronics for a Post-Silicon WorldCopper's days are numbered, and a new study at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute could hasten the downfall of the ubiquitous metal in smart phones, tablet computers, and nearly all electronics.(read...)
698. Self-Healing Electronics: The Dawn of a New Era?Engineers have developed a self-healing system that restores conductivity to a cracked circuit in less time than it takes to blink. "In an aircraft, especially a defense-based aircraft, there are miles and miles of conductive wire," said Professor Nancy Sottos. "You don't often know where the break occurs. The autonomous part is nice--it knows where it broke, even if we don't."(read...)
699. Point of View: Delighting Your CustomersA recent survey showed a vast majority of business owners believed they were fully meeting their customers' needs. However, a subsequent survey of those same customers painted a starkly different picture. Having an inflated perception of your organization's ability to meet customers' needs is common, but presents a problem that must be addressed.(read...)
700. I-Connect007's EMS Asia Week: Year-End HighsThe last week of the year brings a lot of good news to the contract manufacturing industry in Asia. After landing sizeable orders from customers, Pegatron and Inventec expect to gain robust momentum from strong shipments in 2012. Compal reportedly secures contract order from Samsung. Asustek aims to ship 3 to 6 million tablet PCs in 2012.(read...)
701. Growth in Electronics Recycling Mitigates E-Waste CrisisPike Research anticipates that the electronics recycling movement will make strong progress and the cleantech market intelligence firm forecasts that electronics recycling and reuse will rise from 122 million cubic feet (and 1.1 million tons) per year in 2010 to 789 million cubic feet (and 7.9 million tons) annually by 2025. (read...)
702. Why a Lack of Skilled Workers with Such High Unemployment?The national unemployment rate has ranged between 9 to 10% for nearly three years, representing 14 to 15 million workers and another 8 to 9 million workers that are considered underemployed. (read...)
703. Raytheon Books $50 Million in Electronic Warfare ContractsRaytheon Company booked $50 million this month in new contract awards related to its electronic warfare (EW) business.(read...)
704. Ray’s Top SMT Articles for 2011Looking back at 2011, two events stood out for me and for most of us I would suspect. First the disasters in Asia certainly captured the world and disrupted business for entire industries; next, the untimely death of "Mr. Reliability," Werner Engelmaier. (read...)
705. Ray’s Top PCB Articles for 2011I've taken a look through our article archives and picked what I believe to be some of most interesting or important articles we’ve published over the last year. Not necessarily in order of importance, they provide a snapshot of the year's highlights for the PCB industry, from my perspective.(read...)
706. Survey: Chinese Manufacturing Weak in DecemberChina's manufacturing sector performed weaker than initially thought in December, according to a survey compiled by HSBC.(read...)
707. Global LCD TV Shipments to See Modest Growth in 201Following a flat performance in 2011, global shipments of large-size display products will continue to grow at a slow pace in 2012, with LCD TV shipments to post a growth around 10%, according to estimates of industry observers.(read...)
708. Nam Tai to Release Q4 Results February 13, 2012Nam Tai Electronics, Inc. today announced that it will release its unaudited fourth quarter results for the period ended December 31, 2011 on Monday, February 13, 2012.(read...)
709. VS Industry Reports 14.2% Revenue Increase in Fiscal 1Q12"The commendable growth in the first quarter reflects end-user sentiment in our customers’ target markets in Europe, United States and Australia, leading to the festive year-end season. We are pleased that we are able to sustain our top line expansion during the challenging economic climate, which further indicates the high value of the products manufactured by the Group," said Gan Sem Yam, Managing Director.(read...)
710. Raytheon Secures $320M Airborne Radar Contracts Raytheon Company booked $320 million this month in new contract awards related to its active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar programs for domestic and international customers.(read...)
711. Mitchell Institute to Release New Study on ISR ForcesDr. Rebecca Grant, Director of the Mitchell Institute for Airpower Studies, recently announced the forthcoming publication of a Mitchell Paper, "Layering ISR Forces." It will be released at 9:30 a.m., January 17, 2012, at the Air Force Association's national headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.(read...)
712. Raytheon Receives Nearly $72M U.S. Navy Systems Contracts Raytheon Company has received two separate contract awards from the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) of the United States Navy for work on: the Phalanx, SeaRAM and Land-based Phalanx weapons systems; and on NATO SEASPARROW surface missile systems.(read...)
713. FKN Systek Releases N200 Punch DepanelizerThe FKN Systek N200 punch depanelizes odd shaped boards. The N200, is a top down air operated punch for separating tab routed Panels one tab at a time.(read...)
714. New Device Could Bring Optical Information ProcessingResearchers have created a new type of optical device small enough to fit millions on a computer chip that could lead to faster, more powerful information processing and supercomputers.(read...)
715. "Nanoantennas" Show Promise in Optical InnovationsResearchers have shown how arrays of tiny "plasmonic nanoantennas" are able to precisely manipulate light in new ways that could make possible a range of optical innovations such as more powerful microscopes, telecommunications and computers.(read...)
716. Compeq to Build PCB Plant in Chongquing, ChinaThe board of directors of Compeq Co., Ltd. recently approved a plan to invest US $45 million to open a PCB factory in Chongquing, mainland China. Volume production is planned to start in 2013. (read...)
717. SMART Group to Host Components & PCB Handling WorkshopSMART Group announces that it will host a workshop titled Handling Moisture-Sensitive Components & PCBs Without Failure on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at the Stoke Mandeville Stadium in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, UK. (read...)
718. DDi Shares Upgraded to "Neutral"DDi was upgraded by equities research analysts at Zacks Investment Research from an "underperform" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday. (read...)
719. Hon Hai Units Invest $19.3M in Integrated-Circuit MakerFour units of Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. agreed to subscribe to a total of NT $585 million (US $19.3 million) worth of new shares issued by integrated-circuit maker Fitipower Integrated Technology Inc. (4961.OT), the companies said Friday. (read...)
720. IPC: November Flex Shipments Fell YOY; Up From OctoberFlex shipments in November 2011 fell 10.0%, but bookings gained 13.6% compared to November 2010. Year to date, flexible circuit shipments decreased 0.7% and bookings increased 2.7%. Compared to the previous month, flex shipments increased 6.2% and flex bookings were up 14.6%. The North American flexible circuit book-to-bill ratio in November 2011 climbed back up to parity at 1.00.(read...)
721. November PCB Book-to-Bill Down YOY, Up MonthlyRigid PCB shipments were down 5.9% and bookings were down 7.2% in November 2011 from November 2010. Year to date, rigid PCB shipments decreased 1.7% and bookings declined 9.6%. But compared to the previous month, rigid PCB shipments increased 8.8% and rigid bookings increased 2.8%. (read...)
722. What's Being Done to Address the Lack of Skilled Workers?For the past 15 years, manufacturing companies have been focused on training existing employees in the tools and methodologies of lean manufacturing and Six Sigma to improve efficiency, productivity, quality and customer service to be more competitive in the global economy. However, this training doesn't address the lack of workers trained in the specific skills needed for today's advanced and higher-tech manufacturing. (read...)
723. POWRtec: Survey Shows Promising Future for Smart MetersGeneral industry expectations--at a level of 73% of respondents--are that budgets to support the implementation of smart grids are on the rise, according to the survey. These indications show that the hype about smart grids has died down and the real work has begun. (read...)
724. Top 10 Most-Read SMT Articles of 2011The past year was a great one for outstanding content. Readers could find detailed papers and articles at SMTOnline, in SMT Magazine or the SMT Week newsletter. To wrap up 2011, here's the list of the Top 10 SMT articles of the last 12 months. (read...)
725. IEC Announces Resignation of CFO Susan Topel-Samek IEC Electronics has announced the resignation of its Chief Financial Officer, Susan Topel-Samek. She informed the company that she had reluctantly decided to leave her position for personal reasons and to explore other opportunities that would allow for a different work/life balance.(read...)
726. Top 10 Most-Read PCB007 Articles of 2011The top articles from 2011 include a little bit of everything, from processes to printed electronics. So, without further ado, here are the Top 10 Most-Read PCB007 articles of the past year. (read...)
727. Top 10 Countdown: Most-Read Flex Stories of 2011As 2011 comes to a close, the editors at I-Connect007 decided to take a look back at the year's top stories. We've compiled our own "Top 10 Countdown" of the most-read items from the Flex007 and the Flex007 Weekly Newsletter. Several research reports have seen significant growth in the flexible circuit market in 2011; IPC in particular expects that flex will continue to boom and will reach $12 billion in global annual sales by 2015.(read...)
728. Viasystems to Present at Needham Growth Conference Viasystems Group, Inc. expects to participate in the 14th Annual Needham Growth Conference at The New York Palace Hotel in New York, New York, January 11, 2012. David Sindelar, CEO, will make a presentation to conference attendees. (read...)
729. Flamac, Imec to Develop New Materials for Solar CellsImec, a leading nanoelectronics research center based in Leuven (Belgium) is working together with Flamac, a division of SIM vzw (Strategisch Initiatief Materialen in Vlaanderen or Strategic Initiative Materials in Flanders) to develop novel semiconductor materials for solar cell applications.(read...)
730. Fuji Establishes New JV with Toyo Communication in ChinaFuji Machine Manufacturing Co., Ltd., with supplier Toyo Communication Technology Co., Limited, will establish a joint venture called Kunshan Fuji Machine Mfg. Co. Ltd. in Kunshan, Jiangsu, China. This JV will manufacture highly-reliable, high-quality, cost-competitive machine parts and assemblies to be used in electronics assembly machines and machine tools. (read...)
731. Lenovo's Laptop Rollout to Bolster Supply Chain in Taiwan Taiwan's PC supply chains are estimated to benefit from rollouts of brand new collections of the ThinkPad laptop planned for the first half of 2012 by Lenovo Group Ltd., currently the world's No. 3 PC maker with global revenue of approximately US $22 billion in 2011. (read...)
732. High-Capacity Flash Supply Tight in 2012Sources at memory makers expect demand for high-capacity NAND flash memory to outstrip supply in 2012 due to strong demand for SSD and embedded storage applications. However, oversupply will remain in the low-capacity flash memory sector in 2012 as demand coming from the mature flash card and drive market has little room to grow. (read...)
733. Tablet PCs to Dominate Touch-Controlled Device Market in 2012Buoyed by the release of Android 4.0 and Windows 8 operating systems, tablet PCs will dominate the touch-controlled device market in 2012 with models below 10.1-inch sizes accounting for a majority share, according to industry sources.(read...)
734. Techspray Unveils Pine-Shower Surface and Equipment CleanerTechspray, a leading manufacturer of precision cleaners for electronics, and industrial and electrical applications, has announced their ecologically-friendly TECHSPRAY RENEW Pine-Shower Surface and Equipment Cleaner.(read...)
735. Manncorp Expands CR Series Reflow OvensRecognizing the growing demand for smaller-footprint lead-free reflow ovens that are also more energy efficient, Manncorp has broadened its famous CR series with three compact, mid-range models that require less power to operate. Included is the CR4000C, CR5000F, and the CR6000. (read...)
736. First Solar Cells with Quantum Efficiency Over 100%Researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory have reported the first solar cell that produces a photocurrent that has an external quantum efficiency greater than 100% when photoexcited with photons from the high-energy region of the solar spectrum.(read...)
737. DEK Launches New Website for Process Support ProductsDEK has announced the launch of a new website for customers of its Process Support Product (PSP) division. For businesses that are interested in high-quality consumables, stencils, tooling and high-precision screens, the new easy to navigate customer portal will allow them to find what they are looking for more quickly. (read...)
738. Report on Singapore Defense Industry MarketReportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue: The Singapore Defense Industry – Market Opportunities and Entry Strategies, Analyses and Forecasts to 2016(read...)
739. ZESTRON to Launch Webinar Series in 2012ZESTRON is pleased to announce the launch of a free-of-charge 10-part "lunch and learn" webinar series throughout 2012. (read...)
740. Konarka, Webasto Collaborate on Organic Solar for AutomotiveKonarka Technologies and Webasto collaborate for organic solar application in automotive industry(read...)
741. Solar Firms Need Strong Financial Support for 2012Industry sources believe solar firms with strong financial support will be able to survive better in 2012.(read...)
742. Next-Gen Mobile Huge Opportunity for SemiconCommunications technology in most countries has evolved far beyond a simple voice service to encompass video broadcasting. The need for improved functionality, particularly in smart phones and long-term evolution (LTE) phones, has multiplied the RF components in mobile phones, which, in turn, has raised the cost share of these components in the baseband module.(read...)
743. Top 10 Most-Read PCB Columns of 2011Unique and fresh content--one of the many things we at I-Connect007 are proud to offer our readers. Weekly, visitors to the site can find new and informative content from many of our dedicated columnists. These industry experts are happy to share their knowledge and answer questions from peers. Here's our list of the most-read PCB columns of the past year. (read...)
744. Global M2M Market Outlook Appears PromisingNow that smartphones and tablets account for over half of the mobile devices used in developed countries in just the last few months, the machine-to-machine (M2M) market is progressing very impressively, and the short- and medium-term outlook appears promising for a number of good reasons.(read...)
745. Top 10 Most-Read SMT Columns of 2011More than a dozen columnists regularly contribute to SMTOnline and SMT Magazine and cover the latest in industry developments, controversies and events. You've come to rely on their insight and opinions and these men and women haven't let you down. Here's our list of the most-read SMT columns of the past year. (read...)
746. Intel's Q4 Revenue to Suffer from HDD Supply ShortagesIntel Corporation today announced that the company's fourth-quarter results are expected to be below the company's previous outlook due to hard disk drive supply shortages. (read...)
747. Top 10 Countdown: Most-Read Design Articles of 2011It's been quite a year in PCB design. In 2011, stories about HDI or microvias usually drew a big audience. And a column series on DDR design techniques went through the roof. And so, without further ado, we present the Top 10 most-read PCB design articles. (read...)
748. Global Magnetic Field Sensors Market $2B by 2016According to a new market research report, "Global Magnetic Field Sensors Market (2011-2016)," the demand for magnetic field sensors in the year 2010 was 3.67 billion units; which are expected to reach 7.14 billion units in 2016 at a CAGR of 10.3%(read...)
749. Report on Global Mixed Signal System-on-a-Chip Market The report, "Global Mixed Signal System-on-a-Chip Market (2011-2016)," defines and segments the global mixed signal system-on-a-chip (MxSoC) market with analysis and forecasting of the global volumes, shipments and revenues.(read...)
750. Foxconn to Expand Smartphone Capacity in Northern ChinaTaiwan-based EMS provider Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) will expand production capacity of smartphones at its factory in Zhengzhou City, northern China, from 200,000 smartphones a day currently to 400,000 units. (read...)
751. Asustek's Tablet PC Shipment to Soar in 2012Asustek Computer Inc. Chairman Jonney Shih recently said his company will ship three to six million tablet PCs in 2012, spiking from an estimate of 1.8 million systems in 2011, in spite of unstable signal problem with Wi-Fi device inside its Transformer Prime tablets.(read...)
752. Lockheed Martin Delivers U.S. Navy's First MUOSLockheed Martin delivered the U.S. Navy’s first Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., on December 15, where it will be prepared for a Feb. 16, 2012 liftoff aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle.(read...)
753. Raytheon Wins $122M Contract for Standard Missile-3Raytheon Company received a $122.5 million contract from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency for continued development of Standard Missile-3 Block IA and IB programs.(read...)
754. Pete Starkey's Top 10 PCB Technical Articles for 2011To mark the end of 2011, I-Connect007's Technical Editor Pete Starkey selected his top 10 technical articles from the past year. The articles he chose aren't necessarily the most-read, but the articles he feels provided the most interesting and innovative information to the industry.(read...)
755. Pete Starkey's Top 10 SMT Technical Articles for 2011What were the most innovative and informative SMT articles of 2011? Choosing a list of 10 was not an easy task, but Technical Editor Pete Starkey was up to the task. Not surprisingly, you'll find great articles from key names in the industry, including Happy Holden, Karl Seelig, Joe Fjelstad and Dr. Jennie S. Hwang. (read...)
756. Confidence in Economy, Technology Up in DecemberConsumer confidence in technology reached a yearly high in December, while confidence in the overall economy also improved this month, according to data release today from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). (read...)
757. Flexible Substrates Market to Reach $1.2 Billion by 2017Industry analyst firm NanoMarkets is announcing the release of its latest report on flexible substrates that estimates that the total market for flexible substrates will grow to $1.2 billion by 2017.(read...)
758. BAE Systems to Assist in M113 Upgrades for BrazilBAE Systems, in partnership with the Brazilian Army are upgrading 150 M113 armored personnel carriers for Brazil through a foreign military sales contract worth $41.9 million.(read...)
759. Top 10 Countdown: Most-Read Mil/Aero Articles of 2011As 2011 comes to a close, the editors at I-Connect007 decided to take a look back at the year's top stories. Like a team of analysts toiling in the Pentagon's basement, we've compiled our own "Top 10 Countdown" of the most-read items from MILAERO007 and MILAERO007 Weekly Newsletter. If this list is any indication, ITAR compliance is a very important issue for many of you.(read...)
760. DDR3 Contract Price Stays Flat in DecemberAccording to DRAMeXchange, a research division of TrendForce, while the market has entered the traditionally weak PC shipment season, compared with the first half of December, the second half of December showed a flat trend for contract price. (read...)
761. Raven Grabs 49th Place of Forbes Best Small CompaniesSix consecutive times! Raven Industries has sealed the 49th place position on the Forbes America's Best Small Companies list. This honor is based on earnings growth, sales growth and return on equity over the past 12 months and the past five years. Raven's stock performance versus its peers was another key factor.(read...)
762. Scanfil's Share of Ownership in Iloq Oy IncreasesScanfil plc has subscribed shares in iLOQ Oy's share issue, which entail Scanfil Oyj's share of ownership to increase from 18.7% to 23.6%. At the same time iLOQ Oy will become associated company of Scanfil plc.(read...)
763. Improving Electrical Efficiency in Organic SemiconductorsBy packing molecules closer together, chemical engineers at Stanford have dramatically improved the electrical conductivity of organic semiconductors. The advance could herald flexible electronics, more efficient solar panels and perhaps even better television screens.(read...)
764. Pegatron, Inventec to See Strong Shipments in 2012After landing sizeable orders from customers, Pegatron Corporation and Inventec Corporation, two of Taiwan's large-sized contract manufacturers of electronics, are both expected to gain robust momentum from strong shipments in 2012. (read...)
765. Sechan Electronics Receives New DoD ContractsSechan Electronics Inc. in Lancaster County on Monday was awarded a $64.2 million contract by the U.S. Navy, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. The company was also awarded a $13.8 million contract by the Navy to produce an additional 84 signal data processor-Sierra systems. (read...)
766. Compal Reportedly Secures Contract Order from SamsungTaiwan-based Compal Electronics Inc., one of the world's largest notebook PC makers by shipments, has reportedly garnered Samsung's outsourcing order for ordinary laptop models for sale in 2012, hopefully reviving its shipment growth in the year.(read...)
767. Saab to Provide Continuous Support to GripenDefense and security company Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration, FMV, for the continuous support of Gripen’s operational capacity. The order amounts to MSEK 127.(read...)
768. UNDT to Provide Biological Detection Devices to US ArmyHandheld Assays Detect the Presence of Biological Hazards Including Anthrax and Ricin(read...)
769. Japan Picks Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIThe Japan Ministry of Defense has announced its selection of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II as the Japan Air Self Defense Force’s (JASDF) next generation fighter aircraft, following the F-X competitive bid process. (read...)
770. NREL Grants License to Natcore to Develop “Black Silicon” Solar Cells The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) announced today that Natcore Technology Inc. has been granted a patent license agreement to develop a line of black silicon products.(read...)
771. Northrop Grumman Extends Commercial Space PortfolioNorthrop Grumman Corporation expanded its commercial space portfolio with Stratolaunch Systems' recent selection of Scaled Composites, a Northrop Grumman subsidiary, to build the largest aircraft ever constructed. (read...)
772. Raptor Products Qualified as Anti-Terrorism TechnologyRaptor Detection Technologies, LLC announced today that its line of “Substance Activated Fast Evaluation Technology” (SAFE-T) explosive detection products have received official “Qualified Antiterrorism Technology” designation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). (read...)
773. Santa Teresa, New Mexico, Poised to BoomSanta Theresa, New Mexico, is turning out to be one of the development hot spots amid this economic downturn.(read...)
774. Onshoring: Is That What We Really Want?I'm not so sure onshoring is what we really want. It sounds good on the surface, but I'm not sure I'd want to make the sacrifices needed to bring all or most manufacturing back to the U.S. It really isn't good for the kind of business we do here.(read...)
775. UK Ministry of Defense Invests BAE's Combat Air SystemsThe Ministry of Defense yesterday signed a new £40 million contract with BAE Systems to ensure the UK retains a leading edge in the next generation of combat air systems.(read...)
776. Most-Read SMT News Stories of 2011What interested readers the most in 2011 is varied, but the earthquake in Japan, and its effect on the global supply chain, was obviously a top concern. The loss of Werner Engelmaier was also saddening news to the industry.(read...)
777. Most-Read PCB News Stories of 2011It's that time of the year again--time to look back at 2011 and review the stories that interested us the most. From tin whiskers to printed electronics, to new surface finishes to a devastating earthquake in Japan, I-Connect007 covered it all. (read...)
778. Indian Medical Electronics Market to Hit $6.4 Billion by 2020Indian medical electronics industry has been growing at an average rate of 17 per cent for past couple of years.(read...)
779. Wireless Infrastructure Market Rebounds in 2011 Following two years of decline and stagnation, global spending on wireless infrastructure gear is set to return to growth in 2011 as carriers migrate their networks to newer-generation technologies.(read...)
780. Global Semicon Revenue Up 1% to Reach $302B in 2011Worldwide semiconductor revenue grew 0.9% from 2010, reaching $302 billion in 2011, according to preliminary results by Gartner, Inc. After a strong start to the year, worries about the strength of the macroeconomy slowed equipment and semiconductor orders in 2011.(read...)
781. New Discovery to Improve Solar Panel Efficiency by 66%Onyx Service & Solutions Inc. is applauding news released from the University of Texas at Austin stating that one of its chemists has discovered a way that may allow solar panel efficiency to be doubled, possibly reaching as high as 66%. Such a development is capable of causing a positive “sea-change” in the solar power industry.(read...)
782. It's Only Common Sense: Starting Fresh in a New YearThe New Year is just around the corner and, to those of us in sales, this means a chance at a new beginning--to leave the old behind and bring in the new. With that in mind, here are seven things to make 2012 the most successful year of your career.(read...)
783. China Handset Market Slowing DownDemand for feature phones in China has turned weaker than expected since the middle of October, according to sources at Taiwan's LCD driver IC design houses. Smartphone demand in China is also slowing down recently, bringing further adverse impact to some firms' sales performance, the sources indicated.(read...)
784. Acer to Stay in the Tablet PC BusinessIn response to the rumor that Acer will withdraw from the tablet PC and smartphone markets, the company's founder, Stan Shih, has said that although Acer's tablet operation has not performed well, it is not time to give up the business. (read...)
785. Intel Continues to Lead the Microprocessor Market in Q3Despite a plunge in sales of its Atom chips destined for the moribund netbook market, Intel Corporation in the third quarter managed to expand its leadership position in the global microprocessor business on the strength of its corporate sales. (read...)
786. Sony, Samsung Ink New LCD Panel AgreementSony Corporation and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. today announced that the two companies have signed agreements to transition the current business relationship with respect to LCD panels.(read...)
787. Sypris Board Approves Share Repurchase ProgramSypris Solutions, Inc. announced today that its Board of Directors approved a new program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $5 million of its outstanding shares of common stock from time to time over the next twelve months. (read...)
788. Asustek Aims for 40% Revenue Increase in 2012Asustek Computer Inc. CEO and President Jerry Shen recently announced the company's 2012 goals, with consolidated revenue projected at US $16.8 billion for a 40% increase over 2011 and laptop shipment set at 24.5 million systems, up from 23.8 million in 2011.(read...)
789. Top 10 Science Stories of 2011Los Alamos National Laboratory's top 10 science stories of 2011 illustrate the broad variety of scientific excellence that's the hallmark of the Laboratory. This year's stories include alternative energy research, world record magnetic fields, disease tracking, the study of Mars, climate change, fuel cells, solar wind and magnetic reconnection.(read...)
790. Surging Smart Meter Shipments Spur Soaring Chip SalesBecause of their capability to save energy and to improve the efficiency of electrical grids, power utilities are expected to rapidly adopt smart electricity meters, causing global shipments to triple from 2011 to 2016—and spurring the doubling of the associated semiconductor market during the same period.(read...)
791. Aspocomp's Directed Issue of Treasury SharesThe Board of Directors of Aspocomp Group Plc has, pursuant to the authorization of the Extraordinary General Meeting held on December 20, 2011, resolved to offer 1,440,005 treasury shares through a directed share issue to its subsidiary Aspocomp Oulu Oy.(read...)
792. New Technique Makes it Easier to Etch SemiconductorsA semiconductor's physical properties can vary depending on its structure, so semiconductor wafers are etched into structures that tune their electrical and optical properties and connectivity before they are assembled into chips.(read...)
793. ORBIT/FR Reports Significant Recent OrdersORBIT/FR, Inc., a Microwave Vision Company (MVG) and a leading producer of automated microwave test and measurement systems for the aerospace, defense, communications, automotive and satellite industries announces significant recent orders totaling more than $10M.(read...)
794. Mercury to Acquire KOR Electronics and Paragon DynamicsMercury Computer Systems, Inc., a trusted provider of commercially developed application-ready ISR subsystems for defense prime contractors, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire KOR Electronics, Inc. (KOR) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Paragon Dynamics, Inc. (PDI). (read...)
795. Report on Advanced IC Packaging IndustryResearch and Markets has announced the addition of the "Advanced IC Packaging Technologies, Materials, and Markets, 2011 Edition" report to their offering.(read...)
796. I-Connect007's PCB Asia Week: How the Tide TurnsThe Thai flooding has somehow leveled the electronics industry supply chain. APCB and Chin-Poon Industrial are now restarting operations. Others, specifically FPCB firms, are benefiting from orders shifted from clients of Japan-based Nippon Mektron and Fujikura, which continue to suspend operations at their Thai factories due to flood damage.(read...)
797. The SB Authority Index Up 0.31% in NovemberNewtek Business Services, The Small Business Authority , announced the release of the SB Authority Index for November 2011 reaching 109.48 points. (read...)
798. I-Connect007's EMS Asia Week: PressureWhile some companies are beating expectations and others are seeing rosy business next year, some facing pressure. Taiwan ODMs are expected to face significant pressure from Lenovo's plan of establishing production bases in Japan and South America. Quanta just might see a 20% NB shipment drop in December due to the short supply of HDDs because of Thai flooding.(read...)
799. Report: New-Vehicle Retail Sales End 2011 with Strong PerformanceConsistent with their performance in November, new-vehicle retail sales continue to show strength, according to a monthly sales forecast developed by J.D. Power and Associates Power Information Network® (PIN) and LMC Automotive.(read...)
800. General Dynamics Wins $191 Million Sub ContractThe U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $191.3 million contract modification to continue concept studies, engineering and design of a Common Missile Compartment for the United Kingdom's Successor ballistic-missile submarine and the U.S. Ohio replacement submarine.(read...)
801. DYMAX Sponsors Susan B. Anthony Project Authors' LuncheonDYMAX Corporation recently co-sponsored the Susan B. Anthony Authors’ Luncheon at the Torrington Country Club in Goshen, CT. The luncheon was a fundraising event for the Susan B. Anthony Project, a non-profit agency which provides domestic violence services, sexual assault crisis services, and other support for women and children in northwestern Connecticut.(read...)
802. How to Address Key Barriers to the Acceptance of E-VehiclesIn the last five years, the popularity of e-vehicles has rapidly gathered pace, buoyed by the introduction of government incentives and concerns about the availability of oil and the world’s burgeoning carbon footprint. Bloomberg New Energy Finance believes electric hybrid cars could account for 9% of total U.S. auto sales by 2020 and 22% by 2030.(read...)
803. The Conference Board LEI for the U.S. Up in NovemberThe Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. increased 0.5% in November to 118.0 (2004 = 100), following a 0.9% increase in October, and a 0.1% increase in September.(read...)
804. Ventec Germany Receives UL Repackaging AccreditationVentec Central Europe announces that, as of December 22, 2011, their Service and Distribution Centre in Kirchheimbolanden, south-western Germany, has been accredited under the UL Repackaged Product Program.(read...)
805. nanoCu Withstands 200 Degrees C, Offers Higher ConductivityATC researchers took advantage of the strong melting point depression of nanomaterials and developed a pure copper nanoparticle-based "solder-free" (nanoCu) interconnect material with a 200°C processing temperature, up to 15x higher thermal and electrical conductivity.(read...)
806. Scanfil EMS Expects Weak 2011 ResultsDue to the decline of demand especially in telecom products and partly also in products related to renewable energy the turnover of the contract manufacturing business is estimated to fall a little short of last year's level and to be about EUR 210 million (EUR 219,3 million in 2010). (read...)
807. Likelihood of Global Recession Increases in Early 2012FOREX.com, the retail division of GAIN Capital, a global provider of online trading services, today released its 1Q Markets Outlook report focusing on major economies' currency movements, as well as across asset classes.(read...)
808. Kitron to Produce Medical Instruments for CellaVisionKitron ASA's subsidiary Kitron AB in Jönköping, Sweden has received new orders, worth more than NOK 45 million annually from CellaVision.(read...)
809. ETI's 12 Days of Christmas In a light-hearted note, Equipment Technologies Inc.'s Eric Winkler, International Vice President, Sales and Marketing, has summarized his company's important milestones during the past 12 months. (read...)
810. Flextronics Board Approves Additional Share RepurchasesFlextronics today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized an additional share repurchase plan. This is in addition to the program announced on July 21, 2011 for $200 million in share repurchases, under which approximately $182 million of the company's ordinary shares were repurchased as of December 22, 2011.(read...)
811. Quanta to See 20% NB Shipment Drop in DecemberMainly Due to short supply of hard disk drives (HDD) arising from the impact of flooding in Thailand, Taiwan-based ODM maker Quanta Computer's shipments of notebook PCs in December is expected to drop by 20% on month.(read...)
812. Christopher Associates Ships Multiple Inspection Systems in DecemberChristopher Associates announces the shipment of a wide range of inspection systems in the month of December, including AOI, X-ray and Tagarno inspection systems.(read...)
813. Accenture Awarded Biometric Identity System Contract The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded Accenture Federal Services a 13-month, $71 million contract to further enhance the capabilities of its immigration and border management functions.(read...)
814. Saab Inks Extension Contract for Carl-Gustaf Ammunition“We are very proud of the confidence our customer place in the Carl-Gustaf system and satisfied to have been able to secure an additional order for the system.” says Tomas Samuelsson, Head of business area Dynamics.(read...)
815. Raytheon's Counter-IED System RecognizedThe U.S. Army has named a system developed and produced by Raytheon Company to defeat improvised explosive devices (IEDs) one of "the most innovative advances in Army technology."(read...)
816. Benchmark Resumes 2010 Stock Repurchase ProgramBenchmark Electronics, Inc. announced today that it is restarting its 2010 stock repurchase program. The Company has repurchased 4.2 million shares totaling $64 million and has $36 million remaining under the 2010 repurchase program. (read...)
817. Conversations with...FastprintFastprint rode on the tip of the offshoring spear, opening its doors in 1999 in Shenzhen, China. Today, boasting a roster of 4,000 customers, 2,500 employees and several offices worldwide, Fastprint is a high-tech, quick-turn company that embraces Lean.(read...)
818. Raytheon Wins Air-Launched Weapons Contracts from DoDThe Department of Defense awarded Raytheon Company two separate air-launched weapons contracts with a combined value of nearly $100 million.(read...)
819. CML Group Receives Successful Evaluation of IPC PCQR2CML Group submitted an IPC-6R-E test panel, produced by main production partners Gainbase, Onpress and Techwise, according to IPC specifications. The IPC PCQR2 test results provide detailed information about the process capability and reliability of PCBs. (read...)
820. Implant Sciences' Quantum Sniffer Achieves CE CertificationCE Mark Opens Door for Sales of the Benchtop Explosives and Narcotics Trace Detector in Europe and Beyond(read...)
821. Spectrum Assembly Utilizes Aegis SoftwareSpectrum Assembly Inc. (SAI) has recently purchased Aegis iLaunch and iView Manufacturing Operation Software modules for their Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) operation.(read...)
822. Past, Present and Future of Package-on-PackagePackage-on-package (PoP) technology has enabled PCB designers to conserve board real estate and reduce crosstalk, while simplifying testing of the decoupled memory and logic devices. SMTAI keynote speaker Lee Smith of Amkor Technology discusses PoP technology, ongoing industry collaboration and standards development. (read...)
823. Cicor's 3D-MID Technology Launched SuccessfullyCicor, a leading high-technology industrial group internationally active in PCBs, microelectronics and electronic solutions, has secured a number of orders in the field of 3D-MID technology.(read...)
824. Koh Young Expands Singapore Sales, Services FacilityKoh Young Technology, a leading supplier of 3D SPI, AOI, and advanced automated inspection equipment for the electronics manufacturing industry worldwide, announces the relocation and expansion of its Singapore sales and service facility. (read...)
825. Burton Industries Expands Sales TeamBurton Industries, Inc. has expanded its sales team to better serve its Midwest customer base.(read...)
826. Zollner Milpitas Hosts Successful Grand OpeningZollner Elektronik AG, and its USA division Zollner Electronics Inc., held a Grand Opening ceremony for its new Milpitas, California facility recently. Tours of the newly-constructed facility were given and demonstrations of the various products and technologies Zollner provides to its customers were conducted throughout the afternoon and evening.(read...)
827. Totech Super Dry Appoints EAP as Rep in FloridaMSD handling specialist and manufacturer of ultra-low-humidity drying and storage cabinets Totech Super Dry has announced the appointment of Mark Hendron to represent their growing product line throughout Florida.(read...)
828. Aspocomp Releases EGM's Decisions 2011The Extraordinary General Meeting of Aspocomp Group Plc held December 20, 2011 decided to execute a reverse share split under Chapter 15 Section 9 of the Companies Act and related share redemption in a proportion other than shareholders' holdings, to authorize the Board to issue shares and special rights entitling to shares and to terminate stock option program 2008. (read...)
829. Taiwan ODMs Facing Pressure from LenovoTaiwan-based ODMs are expected to face significant pressure from Lenovo's plan of establishing production bases in Japan and South America, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.(read...)
830. PCB Manufacturers in Taiwan Expect 2012 ReboundPCB manufacturers Taiwan PCB Techvest (TPT) and Tripod Technology, which mainly supply optoelectronics boards for LCD TV, monitor and notebook applications, both agree that orders will remain sluggish through January 2012, but rebound between February and March when clients begin to replenish their inventories.(read...)
831. Taiwan FPCB Firms Benefiting from Transferred OrdersTaiwan-based flexible PCB manufacturers including Career Technology and Flexium Interconnect are benefiting from orders shifted from clients of Japan-based fellow firms Nippon Mektron and Fujikura, which continue to suspend operations at their factories in Thailand due to damage caused by the country's flooding.(read...)
832. Cal-Comp Receives Mobo Orders from AsustekAsustek Computer has recently added Taiwan-based Cal-Comp Electronics, an affiliate of Compal Electronics, as its motherboard manufacturing partner and is expected to outsource 5 to 6 million motherboards to Cal-Comp in 2012.(read...)
833. Thermal-Electrical and Mechanical Simulation of PackagesKirsten Weide-Zaage offers a look at some new phenomena surrounding thermal-electrical and mechanical simulation of PoP, microBGA and TSV packages. Her department at the University of Hannover works with industry partners on a variety of projects related to advanced packaging. (read...)
834. Avnet, Toshiba Celebrate Milestone Year In 1986, the distribution partnership inked between Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. and Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas, a business region of Avnet, Inc., coincided with Toshiba’s launch of the first 4-megabit dynamic RAM. Twenty-five years later, the two companies have not only broadened their respective product and service offerings, but have strengthened their partnership as well.(read...)
835. OSI Receives $2.3M in Orders for Patient Monitoring SolutionsOSI Systems' Spacelabs Healthcare, received orders for approximately $2.3 million from two hospitals in the Southeast region to provide new patient monitors, including Spacelabs’ premier, state of the art, XPREZZONTM patient monitor.(read...)
836. Successful Management in a Global EnvironmentBasic management tenets, such as good communication, employee recognition and motivation and contingency planning, really are the best methods for achieving successful management. It takes courage and strength and managers who are willing to make the tough decisions needed to survive in today’s business climate.(read...)
837. Atotech Expands Facility in Podnart, SloveniaThe new production facility of Atotech Slovenia covers a total area of approximately 3,200 square meters, hosting 29 mixing vessels for an annual production capacity of 15,000 tons, which can be further expanded to 20,000 tons/year. (read...)
838. Park Electrochemical Reports Q3 ResultsPark Electrochemical Corp. reported sales of $47,312,000 for its 2012 fiscal year third quarter ended November 27, 2011 compared to sales of $46,920,000 for last fiscal year’s third quarter ended November 28, 2010. (read...)
839. SMT Inspection Equipment Market: Poised for GrowthCustomer perception is evolving from defect detection, capturing failures and containing defects to progressive prevention and using the collected data to prevent occurrences of defects during manufacturing. An increasing paradigm shift can be seen in terms of capital spending as customers are ready to invest in high-end inspection equipment. (read...)
840. Flex Technology Trends with All FlexDave Becker, Director of Sales and Marketing for All Flex, sits down with Editor Andy Shaughnessy to show the new types of flex his company has been developing. He also discusses the overall business climate in the flex industry. (read...)
841. IPC Releases Winter 2012 Webinar ScheduleOffering convenient and cost-effective staff development, IPC – Association Connecting Electronics Industries announces its Winter Webinar Series for January, February and March 2012.(read...)
842. Hitachi to Exhibit Solutions at IPC APEX EXPO 2012The Production Systems Division (PSD) of Hitachi High Technologies America, Inc. (HTA), will exhibit equipment and software solutions for today’s electronics manufacturing industry challenges at IPC APEX EXPO 2012 in Booth #2440. (read...)
843. Jabil Posts Strong Q1 Results; Revenue Hits $4.3 Billion "Jabil posted another company record quarter in revenue and earnings per share, driven by strength in Diversified Manufacturing Services and High Velocity segments," said Timothy L. Main, President and CEO of Jabil.(read...)
844. U.S. Military Airborne Comm Market to See Significant GrowthForecast International projects that defense departments throughout the world will spend about $4.25 billion on 13 military airborne communications development and acquisition programs within the U.S. market over the next ten years. (read...)
845. Ellsworth Adhesives Launches Spanish WebsiteEllsworth Adhesives announced today the launch of its new website in Spain, www.EllsworthIberica.es. The site is well-suited for the company's rapidly growing Spanish market and features over 4,000 products from industry-leading manufacturers, including 3M, Lord Corporation, Dow Corning, Dymax and many more.(read...)
846. Foxconn to Venture Into Solar MarketTaiwan-based Foxconn Electronics has announced a plan to invest US$30 million to set up a firm that produces solar cells. The firm will be located in Yancheng City, Jiangsu province in China.(read...)
847. Webinar Highlights Electronics Industry Prospects for 2012"2012 will not be a year where you can sit on your tail and grow," said Walt Custer, President of Custer Consulting. "Growth will have to come from your competitors." He was one of three analysts focused on the electronic interconnect supply chain in a recent IPC webinar entitled "Business Outlook for 2012."(read...)
848. Book Review: Whoever Makes the Most Mistakes WinsAuthors Richard Farson and Ralph Keyes impart: "Relying on conventional, outmoded ideas about success and failure stands in the way of your ability to innovate, compete and stay ahead of the curve in a changing economy." (read...)
849. Lloyd Doyle to Celebrate 30 YearsFounded in 1982 by Roy Lloyd and Dr. Keith Doyle to develop industrial automation products, the company has earned a world-leading reputation for its unique connectivity-referenced automated optical fault detection systems for PCBs. (read...)
850. 2011 HKPCA & IPC Show Reaches New Heights of SuccessThis year’s show, jointly organized by HKPCA, IPC and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangzhou Sub-council, marked the Fair's 10th anniversary as the flagship trade show in Southern China for the PCB and EA industry. Both organizers and Show participants hailed the huge success of the event, which continues to expand in size and importance in each successive year.(read...)
851. Benchmark's Thailand Facility Reopens Ahead of ScheduleBenchmark Electronics, Inc., announced today that its Ayudhaya, Thailand facility has restarted operations a week ahead of our planned schedule. (read...)
852. Aspocomp Amends Terms of Convertible Debenture LoanAspocomp Group Plc's Extraordinary General Meeting has decided on a reverse share split in which 10 existing shares are merged into one new share. Subsequent to such reverse share split, the Board of Directors has today decided to amend the terms and conditions of the Debenture Loan I/2006 and of the existing option and other special rights relating to such loan.(read...)
853. Compal to Manufacture NB PCs for SamsungSamsung Electronics plans to place ODM orders for notebook PCs with Taiwan-based Compal Electronics for shipments in 2012, according to Taiwan-based supply chain makers.(read...)
854. Amazon Readies Next-Gen Kindle Fire Supply Chain ListAmazon will also add Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) to its OEM partner list for the assembly of the new Kindle Fire in addition to Quanta Computer.(read...)
855. PKC Eesti AS Chooses Mentor's Capital Harness ToolsPKC Eesti AS, an Estonian supplier of electrical wiring harnesses to European truck makers, has deployed the latest technology from the Mentor Graphics Capital suite of tools at its factory in Estonia. This technology includes the Capital HarnessXC product.(read...)
856. Report Analyzes Top Global Defense/Aerospace CompaniesThe new research report “World's 13 Leading Defense & Aerospace Companies - Strategic Initiatives, Developments, SWOT, Key Trends & Outlook for 2012” by Noealt Corporate Services provides true and unbiased insights into the strategic initiatives as well as developments for 13 key global defense & aerospace companies.(read...)
857. Express Circuits Unveils Secrets to Five-Year StretchIn a conversation with Pete Starkey, Vin Makwana, Technical Manager at Express Circuits, discusses the technology that the company has been pursuing for the past five years: stretchable circuits. Express has been working with certain military and medical customers to develop stretchable circuits, materials, and processes. (read...)
858. Altium Inks Distribution Agreement With CADD Edge The reseller CADD Edge will make available Altium's full product offering to the entire Eastern U.S., covering all states east of the Mississippi River from Maine to Florida. (read...)
859. Raytheon Terminal Passes IOT with On-Orbit AEHF SatelliteRaytheon has again successfully tested with the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite that will provide secure communications for the U.S. military and international partners.(read...)
860. Globecomm Extends Contract Service to NATOGlobecomm Systems has received a contract extension from NATO CIS Agency valued at $8.8 million to extend communication services and onsite support for the Company’s previously deployed GPS-Based Force tracking System.(read...)
861. URS Acquires CATI Training SystemsURS has acquired the assets of CATI Training Systems, a designer and developer of virtual visual environments for flight simulators and a variety of other training systems for the Department of Defense and commercial customers.(read...)
862. Elecsys' EDMS Segment Grows 17% in Fiscal 2Q12Sales for the company's Electronic Design and Manufacturing Services (EDMS) business segment grew by 17% to approximately $3,772,000 for the quarter ended October 31, 2011, an increase of $548,000 from $3,224,000 in the prior fiscal year. (read...)
863. Implant Sciences Quantum Sniffer Passes TSA TestingImplant Sciences has received notification of vendor eligibility in the Air Cargo Screening Qualification Test Qualification Group 2 from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration for its Quantum Sniffer QS-B220 benchtop explosives trace detector.(read...)
864. Parvus Earns AS9100 Rev C Quality CertificationFollowing its legacy of quality-certified electronics manufacturing and design, Eurotech Subsidiary Parvus Corporation announced today its successful certification to AS9100 Rev C.(read...)
865. OSI Systems Receives $5M Order for Rapiscan Eagle M-60OSI Systems, Inc. today announced that its Security division, Rapiscan Systems, was awarded an order for approximately $5 million from an Eastern European customer to provide multiple units of its Rapiscan Eagle® M-60, mobile cargo inspection system.(read...)
866. Henkel: Knobel to Succeed Steinebach as CFO July 2012Effective July 1, 2012, Carsten Knobel, Corporate Senior Vice President and Financial Director of the company's Cosmetics/Toiletries business and responsible for Corporate Controlling, will succeed Lothar Steinebach as Chief Financial Officer. (read...)
867. Polyonics' Flame Retardant Tapes Prevent Fires in AvionicsPolyonics flame retardant tapes offer superior dimensional stability and help to effectively prevent the propagation of fire. (read...)
868. Aspocomp Oulu, Cibo-Print Sign Purchase AgreementAspocomp Oulu Oy and Cibo-Print Oy have today signed a Business Purchase Agreement in relation to purchase of the business operations of a factory located in Teuva including the PCB trading operations of Cibo-Print Oy. (read...)
869. Tool Uncovers Patterns in Vast Data SetsWith support from the NSF, researchers from the Broad Institute and Harvard University recently developed the Maximal Information Coefficient or MIC--a tool that can uncover patterns in large data sets in a way that no other software program can.(read...)
870. BAE Systems, UK Ministry of Defense Enter New ContractThe Ministry of Defense recently signed a new £40 million contract with BAE Systems to ensure the UK retains a leading edge in the next generation of combat air systems.(read...)
871. Yingli Solar Invests $10M in Solar Project LeasingDue to a lack of demand and the credit crunch, financial institutions in the US have been reluctant to provide funds for solar projects - driving solar firms to set up leasing offices to help customers finance for their solar projects.(read...)
872. Lockheed Martin Achieves Critical Testing Milestone Lockheed Martin completed 500 hours of reliability testing on the U.S. Navy’s Remote Multi-Mission Vehicle (RMMV), marking a critical testing milestone. The system will provide mine reconnaissance capabilities to the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).(read...)
873. Samsung to Begin Laptop Outsourcing in 2012Taiwan’s industry executives said Samsung will farm out its first-time outsourcing contract for laptop computers to pure manufacturers in 2012, and a Taiwanese ODM-based manufacturer has landed an insignificant contract.(read...)
874. Indium to Invest in DEK Horizon 01iX DEK, the world's leading provider of screen printing equipment and processes for diverse industries, has signed a contract with The Indium Corporation for its print platform, Horizon 01iX. (read...)
875. Solar PV Firms Shifting Focus to Profitability in 2012Financial challenges are forcing solar PV companies to shift focus from seeking market share to instead prioritizing a return to profitability, according to NPD Solarbuzz.(read...)
876. Secondary Protection Device Helps Prevent Damage Caused by Thermal Runaway in Power Electronics SystemsThe continued growth of power electronics in our homes, offices and vehicles is fueling a trend toward new materials and more efficient power components. High-power, high-temperature applications place greater demand on power electronic systems, increasing the potential for serious thermal issues when components fail due to long-term exposure to harsh environments. (read...)
877. 1-Source Electronic Components Secures DOL GrantElectronic components distributor 1-Source Electronic Components was awarded a $46,410 grant on December 15 from the New York State Department of Labor. The purpose of the money is to train 20 current employees, to help improve its quality management, prepare for internal audits, and become industry certified. (read...)
878. General Dynamics to Deliver Air Traffic Control Radios to FAAGeneral Dynamics C4 Systems received a $6.5 million order from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for more than 1,000 CM-300/350 series ultrahigh frequency (UHF) Air Traffic Control (ATC) radios.(read...)
879. Interactive Kiosks to be Nearly Doubled to 3 Million by 2016As companies in a range of industries seek to reduce costs, increase revenue opportunities, and improve customer service, they are increasingly turning to interactive kiosks as an additional channel to enable their customers with self-service options.(read...)
880. Park Electrochemical to Release Q3 Results December 21Park Electrochemical Corp. announced that it plans to release its financial results for its 2012 fiscal year third quarter ended November 27, 2011 before the New York Stock Exchange opens on Wednesday, December 21, 2011. (read...)
881. The Pulse: Roller Coaster YearOver the past 12 months, "The Pulse" has explored a range of PCB topics from a signal integrity standpoint. Columnist Martyn Gaudion takes a look back to see how these issues have played out over the course of this crazy year. (read...)
882. Ventec Central Europe Appoints Flossbach Product ManagerVentec Central Europe's management team has been further strengthened by the appointment of a specialist manager with 30 years of direct sector experience. Bernd Flossbach joins Ventec January 1, 2011 as Product Manager, bringing with him a wealth of experience in addressing customer needs for new and improved products.(read...)
883. APEX EXPO 2012: 100 Technical Papers to be PresentedIndustry experts from around the world will present more than 100 papers in technical areas including lead-free alloys and reliability, high-temperature laminates and counterfeit components, as well as a new track on printed electronics.(read...)
884. ORPRO Vision Appoints CPS as Distributor for PolandThis partnership furthers ORPRO Vision’s global strategy of selecting only very experienced and highly professional distribution partners for its advanced inspection technologies.(read...)
885. Kratos Provides Electronics for U.S. Ballistic Missile ProgramKratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. announced today that its Herley Industries, Inc. subsidiary has received a contract valued at $11.5 million from a major prime contractor for the continuing production of electronic hardware for a critical U.S. ballistic missile program. (read...)
886. Enigma Divests PCB Fabrication BusinessDorigo Systems Ltd. founder Mark Mark Pillon, P. Eng., has acquired the business assets and operations of Enigma's Burnaby PCB fabrication facility.(read...)
887. Notebook ODMs Stepping-Up China Manufacturing PlansNotebook ODMs, such as Quanta Computer and Compal Electronics, have both recently picked up the pace in production in inland China.(read...)
888. APCB, Chin-Poon to Resume Operations in ThailandTaiwan-based PCB makers Advanced Printed Circuit Board (APCB) and Chin-Poon Industrial have both said that operations in Thailand, which have been halted since October due to flooding in the country, will return to normal by the second quarter of 2012.(read...)
889. New Path to Flex and Stretch ElectronicsImprinting electronic circuitry on backplanes that are both flexible and stretchable promises to revolutionize a number of industries and make "smart devices" nearly ubiquitous. From solar cells to pacemakers, the list of smart applications for "plastic electronics" is both flexible and stretchable. First, however, suitable backplanes must be mass-produced in a cost-effective way.(read...)
890. Kyocera Patent Infringement Suit Against KodakKyocera has filed a complaint against Eastman Kodak in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California for infringement of one of Kyocera's patents for inkjet recording head structure.(read...)
891. Tri-Star Launches New Laminate for China MarketTri-Star International Group, a sister company to Insulectro in the U.S., has launched Zeta, a new class of substrates for high-reliability, high-technology PCBs. Yu Zhao, Marketing Sales Director, sits down with Editor Marcy LaRont to discuss the launch. (read...)
892. Kyocera to Power Palau's Largest Solar ProjectKyocera has supplied a solar power generating system for the Republic of Palau international airport.(read...)
893. AS&E’s Cargo Inspection Systems to Secure Middle East Critical InfrastructureAmerican Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E), a leading worldwide supplier of innovative X-ray detection solutions, announced today it has received an $8.8 million order for a combination of cargo and vehicle screening systems to secure critical infrastructure in the Middle East. (read...)
894. Special Report Examines New Opportunities in ITThe Information Age is an 80 year wave of economic and societal change that is in its second half, where business value comes from exploitation of technology rather than from installation, according to Gartner, Inc.(read...)
895. Acer, Compal Beat November ExpectationsAmid a persistently slack market for notebook PCs, Acer and Compal both raked in better-than-expected revenues in November, mainly driven by increasing shipments of high-priced laptops.(read...)
896. General Dynamics Completes Tender OfferGeneral Dynamics today announced the successful completion of its tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Force Protection, Inc., for a price of $5.52 per share in cash.(read...)
897. Solon Bankruptcy Causes Stirs in Taiwan Solar IndustryTaiwan-based solar firms that have been cooperating very closely with Europe-based solar firms are worried that if Europe-based customers cannot make payments in time, it will take a toll on their financial stability.(read...)
898. Military Components Spending to Increase in China, APACWith the reduced global expenses on new platforms in North America and Europe as troops continue to withdraw from Afghanistan and Iraq, there will be more spending on upgrades and retrofit programs. Sales in North America, Europe and Japan will be modest, while those in China will substantially increase.(read...)
899. Multitest Launches MT Pro Support ProgramThe MT Pro Support Program encompasses the complete after-sales support services offered by the company. Currently, the program includes the Recommended Spare Parts Lists, the Top-X List, and the Preventative Maintenance Kit Program.(read...)
900. Electrolube Features New Range of Silicone Products The company will feature its newest products for the electronics, automotive and industrial manufacturing industries at the Southern Manufacturing and Electronics show February 15-16, 2012. The new SC range of silicone products will be a main feature at the show, following great interest created during productronica 2011. (read...)
901. It's Only Common Sense: Advertising - What Good is It?Dan Beaulieu says he's been asked too many times to count just how advertising works. Many of his clients have a difficult time seeing the correlation between their ads and getting business.(read...)
902. Essemtec Unveils Fino Programmable Precision PrinterCompact, precise and exceptionally easy to use: These are the characteristics of Fino, the new printer from Essemtec. The programmable precision printer can be placed on a table, making it is ideally suited for smaller, flexible production. Optionally, the printer is available mounted on a robust steel stand.(read...)
903. Ryder Expands Business: Now Offers Cable AssemblyWith its new subsidiary Ryder Electronics Xinfeng Ltd. in Jiangxi province, China, EMS specialist Ryder Industries has added cable assembly to its services.(read...)
904. Government Initiatives Strengthen SEA Electronics IndustryProactive government initiatives coupled with the presence of state-of-the-art infrastructure and an efficient workforce is fuelling growth in the electronics industry in Southeast Asia.(read...)
905. Samsung Leads Global DRAM Market in Q3 South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. in the third quarter managed to rise above challenging conditions in the dynamic random access memory (DRAM) business to achieve an all-time record-high market share, according to a new IHS iSuppli DRAM Market Brief from information and analysis provider IHS.(read...)
906. Kitron to Close Karlskoga FacilityKitron has decided to shut down its Karlskoga facility amid unfavorable business conditions and the transfer of its largest customer's orders to its plant in China.(read...)
907. Pegatron Secures Orders for Lenovo Quad-Core Tablet PCPegatron Technology reportedly has landed orders from Lenovo for its quad-core LePad tablet PC, which is set to enter mass production after the Lunar New Year in January.(read...)
908. EV Telematics Market to Reach $1.4B by 2017Nearly nine out of 10 PEVs sold this year will include at least a basic telematics package, and that percentage will likely grow to 94% by 2017, according to a new report from Pike Research.(read...)
909. Ebook Reader Display Market to Double in 2011 Although worldwide shipments of displays for pure-play ebook readers are set to more than double in 2011, growth will slow in the coming years, prompting suppliers to consider spicing up their products.(read...)
910. Quiptech, Nordson DAGE Partner to Launch X-PlaneQuiptech is proud to announce the launch of X-Plane by Nordson DAGE. This option for their range of X-ray inspection systems uses a proprietary, patent applied for, tomosynthesis, or CT technique, to create 2D X-ray slices in any plane of a printed circuit board assembly without the need to cut or destroy the board. (read...)
911. High Costs Limit Sales of Electric Vehicles in 2012Many potential buyers will hold off on purchases of electric vehicles (EVs) during 2012 due to the premium pricing of the vehicles, according to a new white paper from Pike Research. (read...)
912. I-Connect007's PCB Asia Week: Optimism Amid ChallengesIPC recently announced its expansion to China. While never an easy task, IPC remains optimistic amid challenges--the association is attempting to promote common international standards in a huge country that's never before seen the need for adopting standards.(read...)
913. I-Connect007's EMS Asia Week: Struggling to SurviveIn this week's EMS Asia Week: TPV Technology and Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) are competing eagerly to land as many OEM LCD monitor orders as possible, as the growth of the global monitor market is expected to subside to 2 to 3% in the next few years.(read...)
914. EIPC Speednews: News from the European PCB MarketIn this week's EIPC Speednews: BPA announced a new comprehensive report, "Metal in the Board;" ICT announced the 2012 Annual Foundation Course in PCB Design and Manufacture; and the issuing of a market report on the growth of the PE industry.(read...)
915. Moog Acquires Bradford EngineeringMoog has acquired Bradford Engineering, a European developer and manufacturer of satellite equipment including satellite attitude and orbit control subsystems, propulsion and thermal subsystems and components.(read...)
916. PacStar to Deliver Ruggedized Mobile Units to USFOR-APacStar has been awarded a contract totaling $12.2 million for the delivery of several hundred of the firm's mobile tactical communications units to US Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A).(read...)
917. N.A. Semicon Equipment Industry's November B2B Ratio 0.83North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $973.3 million in orders in November 2011 (three-month average basis) and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.83, according to the November Book-to-Bill Report published today by SEMI. A book-to-bill of 0.83 means that $83 worth of orders were received for every $100 of product billed for the month.(read...)
918. Park Electrochemical Declares Cash DividendThe Board of Directors of Park Electrochemical Corp. declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share payable February 3, 2012 to stockholders of record at the close of business on January 6, 2012.(read...)
919. The Rebranding of Christopher AssociatesMatt Holzmann, President of Christopher Associates, discusses his company's rebranding efforts, as well as possible effects of the faltering economy on this industry during an election year. (read...)
920. Fuji to Exhibit at InterNEPCON JapanOne highlight of Fuji's exhibition will be a complete production line made up of its NXT IIc modular solution. This line is the ultimate in complete, compact lines and features the full range of Fuji solutions: Printers, solder paste inspection, mounters, inline placement inspection and PoP placement using a dip flux unit. (read...)
921. Orbit Receives Orders for Prototype Aircraft DisplaysOrbit's Electronics Group, through its Tulip Development Labs subsidiary, has been selected to develop prototype displays for three major aircraft programs: KC-135 military aircraft, the P-3 Orion aircraft, and the F-16 fighter jet.(read...)
922. Precision to Close PCB Plant in Noida, IndiaThe Board of Directors of Precision Electronics Ltd. has decided to shut down its PCB unit at Noida, as the PCB plant is more than 20 years old and productivity has been severely affected due to frequent breakdowns.(read...)
923. AccuKraft Employs D.B. Management Group L.L.C.Becky Hanson, President of AccuKraft, announced this week that her company has engaged the services of D.B. Management Group L.L.C. to help with their national expansion.(read...)
924. CTS Approves 17% Dividend IncreaseCTS Corporation announced today that its Board of Directors approved a 17% increase of its quarterly cash dividend from $0.03 per share to $0.035 per share.(read...)
925. Global Chip Revenues to Reach $305B in 2012Despite the continuing global macroeconomic problems, semiconductor inventory overbuild early this year, and current DRAM oversupply, semiconductor revenues will register positive year-over-year growth of 3.4% and 3.1% with $296 billion and $305 billion for 2011 and 2012, respectively, according to IDC.(read...)
926. Foxconn, Nvidia Set Up Joint Venture R&D Center in ChinaFoxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) and Nvidia, under coordination with the Tianjin City Government in northern China, signed to establish a joint venture R&D center specifically for mobile terminal devices and cloud computing-based applications on December 16, 2011.(read...)
927. Wistron Exclusive Smart TV Distributor to LenovoTaiwan-based Wistron Corporation has reportedly landed Lenovo's contract order for smart TV devices and will start supplying the product to customer on an exclusive basis in the first quarter of 2012 at the earliest.(read...)
928. Conversations With...Dan Czebiniak, IPSIntegrated Process Systems (IPS) has come a long way since its founding in 1996. The Utah-based maker of wet processing and materials handling equipment recently signed industry veteran Dan Czebiniak as Technical Sales Manager. We caught up with Czebiniak recently and asked him about his upcoming plans for the company.(read...)
929. AmbiCom Receives $1.2M Medical Device Purchase OrdersAmbiCom Holdings, Inc., a leading designer and developer of wireless products for the medical industry, today announced that it has received more than $1.2 million in purchase orders for the Company's existing products and newly developed products, which will begin shipping this month through April 2012.(read...)
930. "From One Engineer to Another" With IndiumRoss Berntson, Indium's Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Technical Support, sits down with Editor Pete Starkey to explain how a culture of direct engineer-to-engineer interface forms the basis of Indium's success. (read...)
931. UNDT Receives Purchase Order from U.S. ArmyUniversal Detection Technology, a developer of early-warning monitoring technologies that protect against biological, chemical, and radiological threats, announced today that that it has received a purchase order from the US Army for its biological detection equipment.(read...)
932. Notebook HDD May Recover by 1Q12The Thailand flood-induced HDD supply chain disruption has resulted in a fourth-quarter global PC shipment shortage of approximately 4 million units, of which 3.5-inch desktop HDD accounts for around 80%, according to DRAMeXchange.(read...)
933. Media Tablet Shipments Miss 3Q Targets, Recover on 4QDespite lower-than-expected shipments in 3Q11, IDC sees strong demand for media tablets in 4Q11 and has increased its worldwide shipment forecast for 2011 to 63.3 million units, up from a previous projection of 62.5 million units.(read...)
934. U.S. Private Companies Prioritizing Innovation as Growth EngineWith the pace of U.S. economic recovery remaining sluggish, leading privately held businesses are putting greater emphasis on innovation as an engine for growth, according to chief executives surveyed for PwC U.S.'s Private Company Trendsetter Barometer.(read...)
935. Dow Declares Quarterly Dividend of 25 Cents per ShareThe Dow Chemical Company has declared a dividend of 25 cents per share, payable January 30, 2012, to shareholders of record on December 30, 2011.(read...)
936. QuEST Formally Opens Siemens Offshore Design CenterThe center is the result of a multiyear agreement signed by QuEST with Siemens AG to provide engineering services to all of its divisions worldwide.(read...)
937. Orbit's Power Group Receives New OrderOrbit International Corp. today announced that its Power Group, through its Behlman Electronics, Inc. subsidiary, has received an order for a power supply used in oil and gas exploration valued at approximately $1,334,000. (read...)
938. Taiwan Vendors to Benefit from U.S.-China Solar Trade WarAs the US has launched an anti-dumping investigation of China's solar products, and the Chinese PV industry is taking steps towards self-preservation - Taiwanese vendors will reap the benefits of these measures, and will likely see increased sales.(read...)
939. Nordson Posts Record Results in Q4, Fiscal Year 2011"Our continued focus on meeting customer needs with innovative precision technology, application expertise and direct global service enabled us to deliver another quarter of excellent performance," said Nordson President and CEO Michael F. Hilton. (read...)
940. IPC to Introduce New E-PublicationIPC will launch IPC Outlook, an electronic newsletter and Web portal for multimedia information about technology, standards, best practices and industry research. The new e-publication will focus on information that helps engineers and managers succeed in their jobs.(read...)
941. General Dynamics JTRS HMS Complete Operational TestingThe JTRS HMS networking radios are the first ground-domain radios to meet the full suite of JTRS operational requirements for the U.S. military.(read...)
942. Semicon Packaging Materials Market to Hit $25.7B by 2015The market for semiconductor packaging materials, including thermal interface materials, is expected to reach $22.8 billion in 2011 and grow to $25.7 billion by 2015, according to a new study by SEMI and TechSearch International.(read...)
943. Boeing Submits Proposal for US Navy Aegis CSEA ContractThe Boeing Company today submitted its proposal for the Combat System Engineering Agent (CSEA) contract for the U.S. Navy’s Aegis Weapon System.(read...)
944. Ventec Central Europe Adds Frasnelli as Customer SupportDue to the recent success in the Italian and French market, Ventec Central Europe has made an important staff appointment to enhance the company’s customer service.(read...)
945. JTAGLive Adds New ToolAutoBuzz is a totally unique new tool that effectively learns a connectivity signature of all boundary-scan parts within a design from only the BSDL models of those parts. (read...)
946. German PCB Market NormalizingAccording to ZVEI, cumulative revenue for the year represents one of the highest values for the past 10 years, reflecting normalization in the industry.(read...)
947. Absolute Turnkey Earns Medical ISO CertificationThe company has received its ISO 13485:2003 certification. Michelle Barbe, COO, said, "We are ecstatic to have received our medical certificate. This will help us better manage our customers' medical devices through their life cycles and add more traceability throughout our manufacturing process."(read...)
948. Kea Made for Versatile ProductionThe new Kea from Essemtec is the preferred screen/stencil printer for versatile production processes that value high-quality and process control. Its software controls all printing parameters, and it is converted quickly and set up easily.(read...)
949. Court Dismisses Administrative Suit Against Isola PatentIsola has announced that the Taiwanese Intellectual Property Court confirmed the validity of Isola's Taiwan patent no. 413659 (Fillers for Improved Epoxy Laminates) by dismissing an administrative suit filed by Taiwan Union Technology challenging Isola's patent.(read...)
950. Unitech Expands HDI Board Business; Adds New InvestmentTo explore business opportunities generated by growing popularity of smartphones, Unitech Printed Circuit Board Corporation, a Taiwanese PCB manufacturer, has invested NT $4 billion in building a new manufacturing base of HDI boards. (read...)
951. Compal to Start Pilot Run at Chengdu, China PlantsCompal Electronics is set to start pilot production at its plants in Chengdu, China on December 19 with initial output to reach more than 1,000 notebooks each month.(read...)
952. TPV, Foxconn Competing for OEM Monitor OrdersTPV Technology and Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) are competing eagerly for OEM LCD monitor orders, as growth of the global monitor market is expected to subside to 2 to 3% in the next few years.(read...)
953. Multi-Purpose Photonic Chip Essential for Quantum ProcessorsA multi-purpose optical chip which generates, manipulates and measures entanglement and mixture--two quantum phenomena which are essential driving forces for tomorrow's quantum computers--has been developed by researchers from the University of Bristol's Centre for Quantum Photonics. This work represents an important step forward in the race to develop a quantum computer.(read...)
954. How to Optimize the CM Relationship: Disciplined Processes Fill the GapsWhat competencies are critical when structuring a contract manufacturing relationship? While project complexity will ultimately define exactly what services are needed, several core capabilities are critical to most of these projects. An EMS provider’s disciplined processes in these areas speeds product introduction, saves money, contributes to high quality and helps avoid costly errors.(read...)
955. The EMS Corner: Networked Solution to Total Customer ServiceDoing things in-house gives you a greater perception of control, but may not always be the right fit for a specific product. By strengthening your relationship in a virtual network, you can pick the right resource for a specific product. Even better, you now have another company helping you sell.(read...)
956. Raytheon's High Speed Guard Now Commercially AvailableRaytheon Company's High Speed Guard cross domain technology is now commercially available as an off-the-shelf product.(read...)
957. VirTra to Deliver Force Training Simulators to Agora TelecomVirTra Systems has announced an order for three VirTra 100 portable use of force training simulators from Agora Telecom, VirTra's distributor in Latin America.(read...)
958. Efore Enjoys Positive FY 2011 ResultsVesa Vähämöttönen, President and CEO, said, "We achieved a good result in 2011. Net sales increased by 26% year-over-year and EBIT margin was 5% of net sales. Strategy clarification enabled resource allocation for growing markets. The project award from the Finnish Defense Forces strengthened Efores industrial business area."(read...)
959. Optical Components Industry on Track for GrowthGlobal macroeconomic uncertainty dominated headlines in 2011, but there was plenty of positive news for the optical communications industry.(read...)
960. Campus Microgrid Market to Hit $777M by 2017According to a recent report from Pike Research, total installed generation capacity for microgrids - pockets of distributed energy resources that can be isolated from the utility power grid - for campus environmets will increase by 164% between 2011 and 2017, rising from 620 megawatts (MW) to 1.6 gigawatts (GW).(read...)
961. SpectraFluidics Receives $1.3M Award from TSASpectraFluidics Inc., a company that specializes in developing and manufacturing vapor trace chemical detection technology, was recently awarded a $1.3 million contract from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (DHS/TSA).(read...)
962. CAE Lands Four Full-flight Simulators, Training Devices ContractThe contracts are worth a total of more than C$50 million at list prices, and bring the total number of FFS sales that CAE has announced to date during fiscal year 2012 to 25.(read...)
963. Powerwave Cries Foul over PTH Patent InfringementPowerwave has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against MTI, alleging that MTI is infringing US Patent 6,818,477 entitled "Method of Mounting a Component in an Edge Plated Hole Formed in a Printed Circuit Board".(read...)
964. Researchers Ink Nanostructures with Tiny "Soldering Iron"Researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have shed light on the role of temperature in controlling a fabrication technique for drawing chemical patterns as small as 20 nanometers. (read...)
965. Gold Nanodots Could Improve Organic Solar Cell EfficiencyA layer of gold nanodots on the surface of indium-tin oxide-coated glass may improve the efficiency of organic photovoltaic cells, according to new research published in the journal, "Gold Bulletin." The paper, written by an international team from France and Denmark, explains how a discontinuous film of gold nanodots just 0.5nm thick is sufficient to generate the performance improvement.(read...)
966. There's More to PlasmaPlasma has many more applications in PCB manufacturing than desmearing drilled holes and activating surfaces. Peter Bierhuis, previously President of Nordson March, now newly-appointed President of Nordson Asymtek, discusses a few of these uses with Editor Pete Starkey on the productronica 2011 show floor.(read...)
967. Fully Printed Flexible and Transparent Graphene DevicesThe "wonder material" of modern science now promises all-printed, flexible and transparent graphene devices on more or less any surface.(read...)
968. First Molybdenite Microchip Proves CapabilityMolybdenite, a new and very promising material, can surpass the physical limits of silicon. EPFL scientists have proven this by making the first molybdenite microchip, with smaller and more energy efficient transistors.(read...)
969. Spherical Bend Tests Can Reduce Mechanical FailuresA new quantitative test methodology within IPC/JEDEC-9707, Spherical Bend Test Method for Characterization of Board Level Interconnects, lets users determine how much strain packages can take before reliability degradation.(read...)
970. Momentive, UPC Technology Form Phenolic Resins JVMomentive and UPC Technology have now signed a definitive joint venture agreement creating Momentive Union Specialty Chemicals, a joint venture that will build manufacturing capability in China to produce specialty phenolic resins.(read...)
971. Solar3D Sees 25% Efficiency in New Silicon 3-D Solar CellSolar3D, Inc., the developer of a breakthrough 3-dimensional solar cell technology to maximize the conversion of sunlight into electricity, today announced the results of a simulated test of its new solar cell design that projects the conversion efficiency to be in excess of 25%. (read...)
972. SMTA Members of Distinction Award Winners During the 2011 Annual Meeting at SMTA International, the SMTA honored members who have shown exceptional service to the association and the electronics assembly industry, and the list of winners includes many industry greats. SMTA has recognized exceptional individual and corporate members for their immeasurable contributions to the Association since 1994. (read...)
973. Happy Holden: Printed Electronics Won't Replace Flex Happy Holden, "Mr. HDI," sits down with Guest Editor Michael Carano to discuss his keynote presentation at ECWC. Happy talks HDI, the importance of printed electronics, and the fact that we need to do more to educate the up-and-comers in the PCB industry on these important technologies.(read...)
974. Ellsworth Adhesives Strengthens Management Team Roger Lee has been promoted to Vice President and General Manager - Specialty Chemicals Division; Jay Richardson has been appointed to Director of Sales – Engineering Sales Representative Group; and Andre Rivard has been named Eastern Region General Sales Manager.(read...)
975. Thailand Flood Spurs Shortfall in PC Shipments in 1Q12Hard disk drive shortages triggered by the Thailand flood will result in a 3.8 million-unit shortfall in PC shipments in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the previous IHS forecast issued in August. (read...)
976. Industry Still Awaits Conflict Minerals RegulationsAlthough provisions in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act required the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to issue conflict minerals regulations by April 2011, the SEC has yet to finalize the regulations it proposed in December 2010. (read...)
977. Global Solar PV Module Shipments to Reach 43.8 GW in 2015Global solar photovoltaic module shipments are forecast to grow from an estimated 22.7 GW in 2011 to 43.8 GW in 2015 according to IDC Energy Insights' Worldwide Quarterly Photovoltaic Module Tracker. (read...)
978. Wistron Secures Smart TV Orders from LenovoWistron has beaten Compal Electronics to win smart TV orders from Lenovo with shipments to begin in the first quarter of 2012 at the earliest.(read...)
979. Co-Tech Increases Copper Foil PricesTaiwan-based copper foil maker Co-Tech Copper Foil has decided to raise quotes for its products by US $0.2-0.3/kg in December as compared to the levels in November.(read...)
980. PCB Materials, Processing Gaining SpotlightAn EDN article discusses the latest developments in PCB fabrication.(read...)
981. Fire Breaks Out at MPL's Lansing FacilityMPL sustained damage during an early morning fire at its Lansing facility yesterday.(read...)
982. Federal Committee Expects Moderate Economic GrowthInformation received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in November suggests that the economy has been expanding moderately, notwithstanding some apparent slowing in global growth.(read...)
983. Global Hiring Confidence Index: Hiring to Drop in Q4Financial uncertainty in Europe continues to drag on hiring confidence; positive signals seen in the U.S., Japan and India as Chinese job prospects continue to cool.(read...)
984. BNA Index Sees Signs of Improved Wage Gains Annual wage gains in the private sector are on track to improve in the coming months, according to the revised fourth quarter Wage Trend Indicator (WTI) released today by BNA, a leading publisher of specialized news and information. (read...)
985. Growth in Printed Electronics IDTechEx held the world's largest printed electronics and photovoltaics conference and tradeshow in Silicon Valley at the Santa Clara Convention Center. (read...)
986. Military Radar Systems Market Hits $9.16 Billion in 2011Developed economies are seeking to maintain dominance in new radar technological developments and, as new radar development will normally take between five and 10 years to reach production and deployment stage, countries are willing to inject large sums into their development.(read...)
987. Raytheon's Next Gen Jammer Power System Passes TestsA critical power generation subsystem of Raytheon Company's Next Generation Jammer has demonstrated its technical maturity through successful completion of a series of sea and altitude level wind tunnel tests.(read...)
988. API Receives $1.4M Order for Precision Position SensorsAPI Technologies Corp. today announced that it has received a new $1.4 million order for precision position sensors to be used in air-to-surface missiles. API's RF Solutions division was awarded the order by a Fortune 100 defense contractor.(read...)
989. Flextronics to Report Fiscal 3Q12 ResultsFlextronics today announced that it will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss third quarter results on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time).(read...)
990. 3eTI Launches New High-Speed Crypto DeviceEtherGuard HSE is designed to provide high speed data encryption for enhanced performance and reliability, providing impenetrable multi-key data security that will enable the ultimate in secure applications for DoD network operators.(read...)
991. DuPont Materials Enable Hypothermia Prevention Gear DuPont Electronics & Communications and North American Rescue have launched a line of battery-activated hypothermia prevention products that are enabled by DuPont's Kapton polyimide and conductive inks. The gear is used as an early intervention measure for EMS, military and law enforcement personnel.(read...)
992. Screaming Circuits, element14 Partner to Enhance Offerings"Screaming Circuits' customers operate in a rapidly changing environment, said Rick McClain, General Manager, Screaming Circuits. "By partnering with the Knode on element14, parts, services and information are available to our customers all in one place. This fits right in with our mission to make the engineer's job easier."(read...)
993. General Dynamics Receives Connections II Contract by GSAGeneral Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics, has been selected as an awardee by the General Services Administration (GSA) for the Connections II contract. (read...)
994. 2012 LED Penetration Rate to be Driven by Cost-Effective BacklightsBoyce Fan, WitsView research manager, indicated that to effectively stimulate LED display sales in 2012, the market focus in the backlight design will migrate toward lowering the material costs and the brightness level.(read...)
995. IPC China Remains Optimistic Amid ChallengesExpanding into a new geography is never an easy task. That's especially true for IPC’s efforts in China, where the association is attempting to promote common international standards in a huge country that's never before seen the need for adopting standards.(read...)
996. Rockwell Collins Secure $46 Million Order for DAGRThe Rockwell Collins Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR), credited for playing a critical role in helping soldiers complete missions and save lives, will be provided to more warfighters as the result of a recent $46 million order for more than 20,000 additional units for use by the U.S. Armed Services and Allies.(read...)
997. JDSU Unveils Top Tech Trends for 2012JDSU today launched its 2012 technology trends campaign with a video that premiered at their website.(read...)
998. Essemtec Introduces Stingray Table-Top X-Ray InspectionStingray table-top digital X-ray inspection from Essemtec features ease of use and quick setup. The affordable device is ideal for measurement and inspection in electronics production, incoming goods departments or process laboratories. Significant X-ray images from a sample are obtained in a matter of seconds.(read...)
999. L-3 to Acquire Kollmorgen Electro-OpticalL-3 Communications announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the Kollmorgen Electro-Optical (KEO) unit of Danaher Corporation.(read...)
1000. AS&E Receives Z Backscatter Van Order from Saudi ArabiaAmerican Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E), a leading worldwide supplier of innovative X-ray detection solutions, announced today it has received its first order for a Z Backscatter Van (ZBV) from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (read...)
1001. U.S. CE Industry Faces a $17B Product Returns Bill in 2011Customers returning electronics products will cost U.S. consumer electronics retailers and manufacturers nearly $17 billion this year, an increase of 21 percent since 2007, according to a new Accenture research report. (read...)
1002. Ducommun Wins $14 Million in Contracts from Bell HelicopterThe Ducommun LaBarge Technologies business unit, a provider of EMS, will produce electronic assemblies and wiring harnesses for the V-22 Osprey military aircraft. DLT has supported the V-22 program since 2005.(read...)
1003. Agilent Enhances RF Simulation Speed with EMProAgilent Technologies Inc. has launched the latest release of its Electromagnetic Professional software, EMPro 2011.11. The updated 3-D modeling and simulation platform features enhancements to further speed and improve RF design and verification.(read...)
1004. Trouble in Your Tank: More Funky Plating Anomalies, Part 2Circuit boards covered with stringy nodules? Mushroom plating of copper on critical circuit features? This month, Michael Carano explores plating anomalies like this and more, along with causes and remedies, in Part 2 of his column. (read...)
1005. Cicor Streamlines PCB Division; Restructures OperationsCicor says the intensity of the competition and the negative impact of the Swiss franc on its exports is forcing it to institute a rigorous regime of cost management. The company's Board of Directors and management are looking at streamlining the operational arrangements of its PCB division. (read...)
1006. Bergquist Expands Wisconsin Thermal Substrates LineThe new manufacturing line is capable of producing up to one million Thermal Clad panels annually. It features enhanced capacity, cleanliness and control, and uses state-of-the-art equipment, automation and technology to produce the high reliability line of Thermal Clad materials. (read...)
1007. Compal Posts 24.9% Revenue Drop in NovemberCompal Electronics has announced revenues of NT $52.57 billion (US $1.74 billion) for November, down 24.9% on year. Combined revenues from January to November reached NT $602.51 billion, down 23.17% on year.(read...)
1008. Flextronics Pecs' Could Reach 800 Employees in 2012Headcount at contract electronics manufacturer Flextronics’ plant in Pecs (SW Hungary) will reach 100 by the end of 2011, but could climb to 800 next year.(read...)
1009. The Conference Board LEI for Japan IncreasesThe Conference Board Leading Economic Index ® (LEI) for Japan increased 1.1% in October to 95.2 (2004 = 100), following a 0.4% decrease in September, and a 0.1% increase in August.(read...)
1010. SEMI: Q3 Global Semicon Equipment Billings $10.6 BillionSEMI today reported that worldwide semiconductor manufacturing equipment billings reached US $10.6 billion in the third quarter of 2011. (read...)
1011. Arotech's FAAC Receives Navy ID/IQ Contract FAAC Incorporated, as part of the Triton Joint Venture, was awarded Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division's (NAWCTSD) Training Systems Contract III (TSC III). (read...)
1012. Garmin GTN Touchscreen Avionics Receives EASA Approval Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd., the global leader in satellite navigation, announced today that it has received the European Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) validation of the U.S. Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the GTN 650 and GTN 750 series touchscreen avionics.(read...)
1013. Boeing B-52 CONECT System Completes Flight Test MilestoneToday Boeing announced completion of all flight testing needed for the B-52 Combat Network Communications Technology (CONECT) program to receive low rate initial production (LRIP) authorization from the U.S. Air Force. (read...)
1014. SigmaTron Posts Revenue of $39.9 Million in Fiscal 2Q12Commenting on the company's results, Gary R. Fairhead, President and CEO, said, "Given the continuing margin pressures in our industry, I am pleased to report that SigmaTron remains profitable for the second quarter of fiscal 2012. As I have been reporting for some time, we are experiencing level revenue with pricing pressures from both our customers and vendors.(read...)
1015. CPMT Seminar to Discuss 3D Packaging and TSVsTo be presented by MonolithIC 3D Inc.'s Brian Cronquist and Zvi Or-Bach, the presentation titled Fine-Grained 3D Integration will discuss 3D packaging and TSVs, and will show how getting through-silicon connections in the 10s of nm to 100s of nm range could have tremendous benefits.(read...)
1016. Mentor Graphics Launches T3Ster ProductThe Mentor Graphics T3Ster product is the world's leading advanced thermal transient tester for semiconductor device packages and LEDs. (read...)
1017. New Energy Develops Faster Coating Process for SolarWindowNew Energy researchers developing SolarWindow have successfully fabricated its latest working window prototype using a faster, rapid scale-up process for applying solution-based coatings.(read...)
1018. NanoMarkets to Discuss Silver Inks and Pastes Markets 2012NanoMarkets, a leading industry analyst in advanced materials and emerging electronics and energy markets will be hosting a webinar on the morning of January 5, 2012 to present findings from a soon-to-be released report, “Silver Inks and Pastes Markets 2012”.(read...)
1019. Multitest Releases 2012 Training ScheduleMultitest, a designer and manufacturer of final test handlers, contactors and load boards used by integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) and final test subcontractors worldwide, announces that its 2012 training schedule is now available online.(read...)
1020. Raytheon Receives Contract from Norway's NASAMSRaytheon Company has received a multimillion-dollar contract to provide International High-Mobility Launchers (HMLs) to the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) for its National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS).(read...)
1021. SunPower to Supply 54MW of Solar Power Tech to NRG SolarSunPower Corp. announced today that it will supply NRG Solar, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc., with a total of 54 megawatts (dc) of SunPower solar power technology.(read...)
1022. Raytheon Receives $241 Million Contract for SM-3 Block IIAThe Missile Defense Agency awarded Raytheon Company a $241 million contract modification for continued engineering design and development work on the Standard Missile-3 Block IIA.(read...)
1023. AMOS-5 Communications Satellite Successfully LaunchedSpacecom, operator of the AMOS satellite fleet, announced that its AMOS-5 satellite has been launched from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. AMOS-5 soared upward aboard a Proton Breeze-M launcher December 11, 2011 at 13.17 Israel time (11.17 GMT).(read...)
1024. Ocean Modules Picks IAR Systems Development ToolsIAR Systems, a leading provider of software tools for embedded systems, announced today that its build and debug tool chain IAR Embedded Workbench has been selected by Ocean Modules, an ISO 9001:2008 certified manufacturer of remotely-operated vehicles (ROV), for the next generation underwater technology.(read...)
1025. KYOCERA Supplies Additional 10MW of Solar Modules in ItalyKyocera Corporation today announced that it has recently delivered an additional 10 megawatts (MW) of solar modules to an existing 6MW installation near Turin, Italy — which the company supplied modules for earlier this year. (read...)
1026. Social & Environmental Goals Pose Supply Chain ChallengesThe EU began the quest for lead-free electronics with the RoHS Directive which was eventually followed by REACH. It used to be that supply chain management meant ensuring you had cost-effective relationships with reliable suppliers of quality materials, components and parts--not anymore. The newest trend to rattle the supply chain isn't about materials in the product or the environment. It's about corporate social responsibility.(read...)
1027. Solar Cell Makers Report Mixed November PerformanceTaiwan-based solar cell makers have achieved mixed results for their November revenues, with Neo Solar Power showing a slight sequential increase while Motech, Gintech, and Solartech reported falling revenues.(read...)
1028. OEM Production of iPhone 3GS to Hit 2M Units in 4Q11The OEM production of iPhone 3GS has continued steadily with the volume likely to reach two million units in the fourth quarter of 2011 and 1.4-1.6 million units in the first quarter of 2012, amid Apple's increasing penetration into entry-level smartphone markets.(read...)
1029. Nook Shipments to Barnes & Noble Reach 1M UnitsBarnes & Noble should have so far taken delivery of one million units of Nook Tablet PCs from OEM production partners.(read...)
1030. Schmid Group Unveils Vertical EtcherPrecision machine manufacturer Schmid Group earns 50% of its revenue in the Chinese market. But the company is a significant supplier to the PCB industry worldwide, serving the U.S., Taiwan, Japan and Europe. Laurent Nicolet, VP - PCB Business Unit, discusses the company's new vertical etcher and wet process solutions. (read...)
1031. EPTE Newsletter from Japan: The Beginning of a Collapse?Laminate manufacturers in Taiwan and Korea have unveiled plans to expand plants. Some newfound business stems from the devastating flood in Thailand, and the shift in the flexible circuit business from Japan. Will any of this business return to Japan? Is this a sign of a huge collapse for the Japanese circuit board industry? (read...)
1032. Photo Stencil's Full Range of Stencils Now in VectorGuardPhoto Stencil, a leading full-service provider of high-performance stencils and tooling, now makes available its full range of stencil products and technologies integrated in DEK’s VectorGuard frameless stencil tensioning system.(read...)
1033. It's Only Common Sense: That Ship has SailedWhen it comes to national security, columnist Dan Beaulieu says that ship has sailed in this week's all-new edition of "It's Only Common Sense."(read...)
1034. EF Precision: One of Phily's Fastest Growing CompaniesThe EF Precision Group announced that it has been selected by Philadelphia SmartCEO magazine as one of the city's fastest growing companies. (read...)
1035. DfR Solutions, ISD Italia Partner on Sherlock ADA SoftwareISD Italia has joined forces with DfR Solutions' North American sales teams in offering DfR Solutions' revolutionary automated design analysis tool, "Sherlock." (read...)
1036. PartnerTech Appoints Knutsson Executive VP OperationsAnders Knutsson has been appointed Executive Vice President Operations for System Integration and Enclosures at PartnerTech. He will head the operational area of Systems Integration and Enclosures, including PartnerTechs' sites in Åtvidaberg (Sweden), Moss (Norway), Vantaa (Finland), and Myslowice (Poland).(read...)
1037. CIOs Must Assess Challenges of the Euro CrisisWith extreme uncertainty plaguing all enterprises operating in the eurozone, CIOs must act immediately to protect their enterprises, according to Gartner, Inc. CIOs need to safeguard their enterprises from the risks of government/bank default, euro break-up, counterparty bankruptcy and employee/customer distress.(read...)
1038. Google Logo Morphs into Microchip to Honor Robert NoyceToday's Google Doodle honors the birthday of Robert Noyce, the co-founder of Intel and the co-inventor of the integrated circuit (IC) or microchip, used in practically all electronic equipment today. (read...)
1039. Foxconn Achieves Record Revenue in November Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) has reported non-consolidated revenues of NT $307.196 billion (US $10.17 billion) for November, creating a monthly record for the second consecutive time with growth of 3.94% on month and 32.54% on year.(read...)
1040. Indian LED Lighting Market to Grow at 45.5% CAGR through 2015The LED lighting market in India was $73.3 million in 2010 and will continue growing at a CAGR 45.53% until 2015.(read...)
1041. Taiwan PCB Production Value to Drop in 4Q11Taiwan's PCB production value is set to decrease 4% sequentially to NT $129.8 billion (US $4.3 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2011, due to a slowdown in orders, predicted the Industrial Economics and Knowledge Center of the Industrial Technology Research Institute. (read...)
1042. Graphene for EnergyGraphene has the potential to solve many issues in vital energy research, as summarized in a review by Chinese and Australian scientists.(read...)
1043. Technic Develops Black Pad Resistant Electroless NickelTechnic has released the Technic EN AT5600, an electroless nickel developed specifically to eliminate black pad and to improve soldering on ENIG coated PCBs.(read...)
1044. Interdigitated Back-Contact Silicon Solar Cells: 23% EfficiencyImec together with its silicon photovoltaic industrial affiliation program partners Schott Solar, Total, Photovoltech, GDF-SUEZ, Solland Solar, Kaneka and Dow Corning, have demonstrated an excellent conversion efficiency of 23.3% on interdigitated back-contact (IBC) silicon solar cells.(read...)
1045. Camtek Unveils Next-Gen AOI for PCB, IC SubstratesCamtek has launched Phoenix, the next generation of automatic optical inspection (AOI) systems for the PCB and IC substrates industry.(read...)
1046. Flextronics Puts HR System to the CloudWorkday Inc. today announced that Flextronics has completed its rollout of Workday Human Capital Management for more than 200,000 workers, representing the world's largest deployment of a global HR system of record delivered via real Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).(read...)
1047. I-Connect007's EMS Asia Week: Washed AwayNovember results are in, and some Asian EMS providers say the recent Thai flooding has washed away profits. Inventec's revenues dipped, citing lower notebook sales and shortage of hard disk drives arising from the impact of flooding. Quanta also saw consolidated revenues decrease due to lower notebook sales caused by the shortage of HDDs.(read...)
1048. I-Connect007's PCB Asia Week: PCB Industry to Hit $18BTaiwan's PCB industry is on an upswing. Production value was up 9.2% in the third quarter of the year, reaching $4.6 billion, on the back of growth in sales of HDI boards, multilayer and other high-end PCBs used in smartphones, tablets and ultrabooks. In 2012, Industrial Economics and Knowledge Research Center expects the PCB industry to grow 8.4% to $18.1 billion.(read...)
1049. Founder PCB: Growth and InnovationChief Technology Officier George Dudnikov of Founder PCB has spent almost a year in China and he is celebrating the company's growth and expansion, including Founder's new R&D facility. He offers his perspective on Americans working for Chinese companies, on innovation, and on the atmosphere of today's PCB industry. (read...)
1050. EIPC Speednews: News from the European PCB MarketIn this week's EIPC Speednews: Michael Gasch sees growth in the European PCB industry; Multitest, Enthone name new executives; IPC announces what to expect on the upcoming IPC APEX EXPO 2012.(read...)
1051. Poll Shows Creating Manufacturing Jobs is Key to Recovery"This poll is a stark reminder that while official Washington goes back and forth in our newest crisis, Americans still feel no one is focusing on the real problems that matter to them: Losing jobs, losing our manufacturing base, and the decline of our position in the world," said Scott Paul, Executive Director of the Alliance for American Manufacturing.(read...)
1052. Oerlikon Solar Enter Strategic Solar Partnership in ChinaOerlikon Solar signs Memorandum of Understanding with International Cooperation Center for China Renewable Energy Society (CRES)(read...)
1053. The Conference Board LEI for the U.K. Dips Again in OctoberThe Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the U.K. decreased 0.4 percent in both October and September, after decreasing 0.5 percent in August. Three of the seven components made positive contributions to the index in October. The index stands at 103.1 (2004=100).(read...)
1054. Christopher Associates Unveils New Edge Coating System for LED PanelsChristopher Associates Inc., one of the world’s leading technology solutions providers, introduces Shoda Techtron’s UVP-630A Edge Coating System for LED substrates.(read...)
1055. ZESTRON Opens 5th Technical Center in Shenzhen, ChinaZESTRON, the worldwide leading provider of high-precision cleaning products and services, opened its fifth global Technical Center in Shenzhen, China. With the opening of this facility, ZESTRON is adding its second Customer Support Center for China and fifth globally in addition to Europe, the U.S. and South East Asia.(read...)
1056. TTM Wins Stoke's Supplier Excellence Award"TTM Technologies has helped Stoke create breakthrough solutions through a close and collaborative manufacturing partnership," said Paul Cianci, Vice President of Operations.(read...)
1057. Acer to Trim Ultrabook PricesDespite high unit prices seeming to compromise ultrabook laptop’s marketability in the short term, Jim Wong, president of Acer Inc. has forecast big price cuts to be seen in 2012 through 2013, when an ultrabook will likely retail for only US$499 and then better compete against tablet PCs, especially Apple Inc.’s iPad.(read...)
1058. Solar Mfg & Reliability Conference Call for PresentationsElectronics Industry professionals are invited to submit technical presentations for the first Solar Manufacturing and Reliability Conference, to be held in San Jose, California on March 21st - 23rd, 2012. (read...)
1059. DuPont Revises Outlook; Expects 18-20% EPS GrowthDuPont today revised its 2011 full-year earnings outlook to a range of $3.87 to $3.95 earnings per share (EPS), excluding significant items, which represents an 18 to 20% increase from 2010 earnings.(read...)
1060. Stadium Announces New AppointmentsFollowing the appointment of new CEO Stephen Phipson in September 2011, formerly President of Smiths Detection, Stadium has appointed a Group Operations Director to the Board, a Business Unit Director for its Midlands-based manufacturing operation and three new appointments to the commercial team.(read...)
1061. Glass Fiber Shortage for 2012In the future, affected by sluggish capacity expansion and increasing demand, glass fiber prices will continue to rise slightly. In 2012, glass fiber will be in short supply in the world.(read...)
1062. Aspocomp Releases EGM NoticeNotice is given to the shareholders of Aspocomp Group Plc to the Extraordinary General Meeting to be held on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. (EET) in Helsinki. (read...)
1063. Quanta's Revenue Down, Wistron Hits Record in NovemberQuanta Computer saw consolidated revenues for November decrease 9.68% on month and 3.41% on year, while fellow maker Wistron generated record consolidated revenues of NT $66.097 billion (US $2.19 billion) in November.(read...)
1064. The Way I See It: Printed Electronics in the MiddleThere's an interesting convergence happening in the printed electronics industry, and the 2011 Specialty Graphic Imaging Association show, along with other recent news, illustrates where we are, and more importantly, where we're headed with PE. Hold on...here we go!(read...)
1065. MIRTEC Europe Appoints ODEOM Distributor for TurkeyMIRTEC, the “Global Leader in Inspection Technology” announces that it has recently appointed ODEOM Elektronik as its Turkish distributor. ODEOM serves a national customer base from its headquarters in Izmir, Turkey.(read...)
1066. Rehm Names Li Solar Sales DirectorRehm Thermal Systems has appointed Sunny Li, as the new Solar Sales Director. He will be based at the Dongguan production facility in China and will be charged with continuing to develop and grow sales within the solar market, as well as providing a high level of customer service to Rehm’s existing and prospective customers.(read...)
1067. BAE Systems Wins Contract for New U.S. Navy DDG Destroyers BAE Systems has received a $37 million contract to design, install and test onboard radio communications and network capability for the U.S. Navy’s new DDG 113 and DDG 114 destroyers. (read...)
1068. Nasco Enhances XRF Analysis CapabilityFrank Bagnasco, President of Nasco added the Oxford Instruments X-Strata 980 to its list of equipment used to not only verify the authenticity of the parts it sells but also offer affordable testing services to companies needing RoHS compliance verification.(read...)
1069. Arrow Electronics Boosts Asset Securitization ProgramArrow Electronics, Inc. announced that the company has increased the size of its existing asset securitization program. Under the new program, the company now has available liquidity of $775 million.(read...)
1070. Boston Scientific’s Infinion 16 Percutaneous Lead Receives FDA ApprovalWorld's first and only 16-contact percutaneous lead provides innovative, new option for physicians to treat chronic pain(read...)
1071. Hybrid & Plug-In EVs to See Significant Market Share by 2017According to a recent report from Pike Research, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) combined will represent 3.1% of worldwide auto sales by 2017. Thanks to higher penetration rates in the United States, HEVs and PEVs will account for 5.1% of total U.S. vehicle sales in 2017.(read...)
1072. Park Expands Aerospace Business with New FacilityPark Electrochemical Corp. Announces Grand Opening of Major Expansion of Aerospace Advanced Composite Materials, Parts and Assemblies Facility in Newton, Kansas(read...)
1073. IEC: Solid Results for Q4 and Fiscal 2011"2011 was a solid year for IEC as we continue to improve our operating performance and make strong inroads into the Medical sector," said W. Barry Gilbert, Chairman of the Board and CEO.(read...)
1074. Adjusting to a Dynamic Solder Paste MarketStan Renals, CEO of the Cobar division of Balver Zinn, sits down with Editor Pete Starkey and explains how a supplier of solder pastes responds to the demands of a rapidly-moving market: With constant new product development. (read...)
1075. Trilogy Circuits Achieves AS9100C CertificationTo demonstrate its commitment to delivering quality products and services to its worldwide customers in the military and aerospace industries, EMS provider Trilogy Circuits recently became one of the first Texas companies in the industry to achieve AS9100C Aerospace Quality Standard System Certification.(read...)
1076. Heliatek Achieves Record 9.8% Efficiency for Organic Solar CellsThis new record makes the third time in a row that Heliatek has set a world record for efficiency in the field of organic photovoltaic and demonstrates its continuous technology leadership in organic solar.(read...)
1077. Oerlikon Solar Trims Costs for Thin Film Silicon PV Panels ProductionOerlikon Solar have announced another milestone to further reduce the cost of production for its Micromorph® thin film silicon PV panels.(read...)
1078. Medtronic CRT-D Devices Receives Recommendations from FDAMedtronic CRT-D Devices Demonstrate Survival Benefits for Mildly Symptomatic Heart Failure Patients in Two Pivotal Clinical Trials (read...)
1079. Design-Focused Courses at IPC APEX EXPO 2012 "In today's high-tech, competitive and socially responsible environment, it's imperative that we all understand the choices available in materials, processes, requirements, quality and parts--as well as how those choices impact the final design's performance and reliability," says Dieter Bergman, IPC Director of Technology Transfer. (read...)
1080. IPC China Aims for Solid ExpansionChina's growth as an electronics manufacturing powerhouse has been solid, with no signs of slowing down. If IPC China's general manager gets her wish, Chinese manufacturers will see equally solid growth. "I have a five-year plan. By 2016, I'd like China to account for a third of IPC's membership,” said Leesha Peng, General Manager of IPC China.(read...)
1081. Sanmina-SCI to Manufacture TrueNorth's Telecom Systems"We are very impressed with Sanmina-SCI's depth of domain expertise in communications network products, wireless and product integration, plus its many years of experience serving the aerospace industry," said Mark van Berkel, President and CEO of TrueNorth.(read...)
1082. Pan Pacific Symposium Early Bird Deadline January 13SMTA announced that the Early Bird Registration Deadline for the 17th Annual Pan Pacific Microelectronics Symposium is January 13, 2012. The event will take place February 14-16, 2012 at the Sheraton Poipu Resort on Kauai, Hawaii. (read...)
1083. Jabil Shanghai Earns Aerospace Certification"Achieving this level of certification in the aerospace industry at our Shanghai plant is a significant milestone in Jabil's global aerospace strategy," said Scott Gebicke, Vice President, Global Business Units and head of the company's Defense and Aerospace Services business.(read...)
1084. Fire Breaks Out at Former PCB Facility in MissouriThe factory, which previously belongs to PCB maker Solid State Circuits, is about halfway through a 40-year clean-up process after trichloroethylene was found during a drinking water study three decades ago.(read...)
1085. Inventec's Revenues Dip in NovemberTaiwan-based ODM maker Inventec had unaudited revenues of NT $25.539 billion (US $846 million) for November decreasing by 21.59% on month and by 17.74% on year and revenues of NT $309.127 billion for January-November slipped by 3.48% on year.(read...)
1086. Wistron Secures Asustek Tablet PC OrderWistron Corporation, one of Taiwan's leading contract manufacturers of personal computers, has acquired orders from Asustek Computer Inc. to manufacture the latter's medium- and low-tier tablet PCs.(read...)
1087. Foxconn Denies CMI RumorsFoxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) has rebutted recent market reports that it will take control of Chimei Innolux (CMI) following the resignation of Chairman Liao Ching-siang.(read...)
1088. PCB Production in Taiwan Expected to Grow 8.4% in 2012Taiwan's PCB industry is expected to see its production value surge 8.4% year-on-year to NT $545 billion (US $18.1 billion at US $1:NT $30) in 2012, according to the Industrial Economics and Knowledge Research Center of the government-backed Industrial Technology Research Institute. (read...)
1089. Zhen Ding Tech Eyes Top Spot in the Global PCB MarketC.F. Sheng, chairman of Zhen Ding Technology Holdings Co., Ltd., has pledged to push his company up to No.4 place in the global printed circuit board (PCB) industry soon after its going public from current No. 7 position, with grabbing No.1 title as its ultimate goal. (read...)
1090. Taiwanese PCB Makers in China Expected to Move WestIn the face of tougher operating challenges in eastern and southern China, including labor shortages and a rise in manpower costs, the Taiwanese producers of PCBs operating there are beginning to relocate toward more central and western areas of China.(read...)
1091. Indium’s Jensen Hosts Webinar on Head-in-Pillow EliminationIndium Corporation Product Manager of PCB Assembly Materials Tim Jensen will present "Material and Process Optimization for Head-in-Pillow Elimination" as part of SMTA's webinar series January 12, 2012. His presentation will include an overview of head-in-pillow defects and how process and material selection can have a significant impact on the potential for such problems. (read...)
1092. 2011 Washington Year in Review: Fiscal Outlook Cloudy with a Chance of ProgressThe forecast for 2012 will likely be more of the same. Despite these problems, and the vast media coverage devoted to them, there have been some successes for our industry this year, with some hope for more before the presidential election that is now less than a year away. (read...)
1093. Using Stencils to Simplify the PCB Assembly ProcessWith the increase in the number of components available only in SMT packages, assembly skills, at least for prototypes, will continue to move away from the realm of hand assembly by the design team. If you've tried, you know: It's one thing to hand solder a 0804 component, but trying to work a soldering iron in and around anything smaller is difficult indeed.(read...)
1094. Manufacturing Software as a Competitive AdvantageProduction process optimization can take a manufacturer only so far in its drive to maintain margins and differentiate offerings. Today, enterprises are optimizing the way they handle information. Manufacturing operations software addresses hidden overhead involved in the daily reporting, control and decision-support required, giving adopters a tangible financial and marketing advantage.(read...)
1095. IPC Forms PE Management Council Steering CommitteeIPC has created a new IPC Printed Electronics Management Council Steering Committee that will oversee the development of educational programs to support the printed electronics industry. Don Banfield, President of Conductive Compounds, and Steve Tomas, Director of Flexible Electronics for FLEXcon Company, have been elected chairman and vice chairman of the steering committee. (read...)
1096. CADSTAR 13.0 Constraint Browser Increases Design FlexibilityThe CADSTAR 13.0 Constraint Browser guides engineers through a fully integrated, constraints-driven design methodology to meet high-speed performance requirements, offering a fast and effective method to enter the most complex rules early in the design process.(read...)
1097. Fully Printed Carbon Nanotube Transistor Circuits for DisplaysSince the invention of liquid crystal displays in the mid-1960s, display electronics have undergone rapid transformation. Recently developed organic light-emitting diodes have shown several advantages over LCDs, including their light weight, flexibility, wide viewing angles, improved brightness, high power efficiency and quick response. (read...)
1098. Stretching Electrical Conductance to the LimitAccording to Nongjian (NJ) Tao, a researcher at the Biodesign Institute at ASU, unique properties inherent in single molecules also may allow clever designers to produce novel devices whose behavior falls outside the performance observed in conventional electronics.(read...)
1099. IBM Researchers Demonstrate Future of ComputingFollowing years of key physics advances previously only achieved in a laboratory, IBM scientists successfully integrated the development and application of new materials and logic architectures on 200 mm diameter wafers. These breakthroughs could potentially provide a new technological basis for the convergence of computing, communication and consumer electronics.(read...)
1100. Atotech Addresses Challenges of Greener PlatingAtotech's Dr. Gerd Linka carries responsibility for sustainable development, risk management and compliance. He gives Editor Pete Starkey a brief insight into the challenges to be overcome in the development of greener plating technologies. (read...)
1101. Molex Support for Medical Technology InnovatorsTen year commitment to micro product availability and technical support reflects lengthier design cycles and product life cycles for medical devices and equipment(read...)
1102. CFOs Plan to Increase Capital Expenditures in 2012 A new survey by TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank®, reveals that middle market CFOs, buoyed by increasing optimism fueled by sales growth, are prepared to increase capital expenditures by dipping into their stockpile of cash reserves.(read...)
1103. Agilent Unveils New SD UHS-II Bus Interface TechnologyAgilent Technologies Inc. has announced the industry's first secure digital ultra-high-speed card-compliance test software. The new SD UHS-II bus interface technology increases secure digital performance with data rates up to 1.56 Gb/sec in consumer electronics applications.(read...)
1104. GeckoSystems Forms JV with a Chinese Company on Wheelchair ManufacturingGeckoSystems International Corporation announced additional details today regarding their Joint Venture with the Chinese. Under the auspices of the People's Republic of China a new company is being formed and a new wheelchair manufacturing plant is being built to accommodate updated healthcare standards for the Chinese people.(read...)
1105. PentaLogix Now Offers Full Turnkey ServicePentaLogix, a leading software company in Oregon, known for ViewMate Gerber-viewer and SmartDFM design-rule-check software, can now service PCB industry needs from design through final PCB assembly. (read...)
1106. CCBA to Hold Meetings on PCB Pad Cratering The Chicagoland Circuit Board Association will be holding two meetings focused on pad cratering and HDI options and technologies on December 13, 2011.(read...)
1107. TRACE Releases Report on Bribe Demands in the United StatesTRACE released the 2011 BRIBEline United States Report today, the organization's seventh analysis of demands for bribes reported in specific countries. Previous reports have analyzed patterns of bribe demands in Brazil, Mexico, Ukraine, Russia, India and China.(read...)
1108. Enthone Names Fucci Manager of E-Marketing Comm Denise Fucci has been appointed the Manager of e-Marketing Communications by Enthone Inc., a business of Cookson Electronics. Her primary responsibilities will be to ensure the successful and continuous development, optimization and content management of websites, SEM and online activities. (read...)
1109. Paramit to Acquire LemtronicsThe acquisition by Paramit creates an industry leading global platform for medical device and instrument manufacturing services. This platform will be a vehicle for Paramit to service current and future customers within the Asian and European markets.(read...)
1110. MAKE: AN AMERICAN MANUFACTURING MOVEMENT to be Released SoonCalled MAKE: AN AMERICAN MANUFACTURING MOVEMENT, the strategy maps how the United States can lead the world in 21st century advanced manufacturing that will be at the heart of our nation's long-term productivity and prosperity.(read...)
1111. Manncorp Replaces MC384 with Enhanced P&P at Same PriceA new replacement for the widely sold MC384 pick and place has been announced by Manncorp. Aside from the many technological and mechanical breakthroughs permitting improved flexibility, accuracy and speed (5,000 cph), the new MC385V1V.(read...)
1112. DEK Expands Stencil Business with New Franchise Delivering even greater access to its stencil technologies worldwide, DEK announces that it has expanded its stencil business with the addition of a Southwest franchise to serve the states of Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.(read...)
1113. Essemtec Releases New 3-D Dispense & Placement System Until recently, specialized machines were required for SMD assembly of 3D-MID. Essemtec is now presenting an absolute world's first with Hydra. Hydra is the first standard machine for dispensing and assembling in 3-D that easily can be integrated into a production line. This machine allows for fully automatic production with low manufacturing cost. (read...)
1114. Purchasing Execs: Economy to Sustain Growth in 2012 Expectations for 2012 are positive as 69% of survey respondents expect revenues to be greater in 2012 than in 2011. The panel of purchasing and supply executives expects a 5.5% net increase in overall revenues for 2012, compared to a 7% increase reported for 2011 over 2010 revenues.(read...)
1115. Taiwan's PCB Production Value Up 9.2% in Q3Taiwan's PCB production value increased 9.2% sequentially to NT $135.2 billion (US $4.6 billion) in the third quarter of 2011, propelled by growth in sales of HDI boards, multilayer and other high-end PCBs used in smartphones, tablets and ultrabooks.(read...)
1116. Boeing to Upgrade Malaysian F/A-18D HornetsThe Boeing Company received a U.S. Navy contract under the Foreign Military Sales Program to provide the first major upgrades for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) fleet of eight F/A-18D Hornet fighter aircraft.(read...)
1117. Jabil to Hire Former Elcoteq EmployeesMany of the new hires will come from an Elcoteq plant in the city which went bust, Pava said. Jabil Circuit Magyarorszag aims to continue to raise headcount at the servicing centre over the next one to two years, he added.(read...)
1118. Chin-Poon, Unitech Land Automotive PCB OrdersAutomotive PCBs orders are being shifted from Thailand's KCE Electronics to Taiwan-based Chin-Poon Industrial and Unitech Printed Circuit Board as the company suspends operations due to flooding.(read...)
1119. CMI May Relocate OEM Business to FoxconnMarket speculations have indicated that the chance is high for CMI's OEM business to be be completely switched to Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) after the restructuring.(read...)
1120. Survey Reveals Better Outlook for 2012 EconomySenior-level CPAs plan to increase spending, but companies remain reluctant to hire, AICPA survey finds(read...)
1121. Winland Electronics Receives Stock Exchange Compliance NoticeWinland Electronics, Inc. announced that it received a notice from NYSE Amex LLC indicating that Winland is not in compliance with certain of the Exchange’s continued listing standards as set forth in Part 10 of the Exchange’s Company Guide, and Winland has therefore become subject to the procedures and requirements of Section 1009 of the Company Guide. (read...)

Asian News

1. Electronics Sector in The Philippines Shows Signs of RecoveryElectronic firms have started receiving orders for delivery by the latter part of the year, boosting hopes for recovery in 2012 after suffering a slump last year amidst the global economic crisis.(read...)
2. Smartphone Market Hits All-Time Quarterly HighThe worldwide smartphone market grew 54.7% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2011 (4Q11), as Apple unleashed its iPhone 4S on an eager marketplace.(read...)
3. Tech Spending Remains Strong Amid Economic ChallengesEmerging markets continue to lead the way in tech spending, with BRIC countries showing double-digit growth(read...)
4. EPTE Newsletter from Japan: Can We Wait 10 Years?The technical conference program at InterNEPCON Japan was a big hit. Several thousand people gathered to listen to experts in their fields speak about leading-edge technologies from several industries. Dominique K. Numakura presented the keynote session, "Leading Edge Technology for Further Evolving Printable Electronics."(read...)
5. Indian Electronics Industry to Create 20 Million JobsIndian electronics industry generated 2 million jobs in the past five years and if industry experts are to be believed, another 20 million will be created in the next five years, considering the development plans.(read...)
6. CIGS Photovoltaics Markets 2012 Report Now AvailableResearch and Markets has announced the addition of the "CIGS Photovoltaics Markets - 2012" report to their offering.(read...)
7. Motherboard Prices to Rise 10% in Q1Motherboard vendors including Asustek Computer and Gigabyte Technology, in response to increases in the international price of copper and labor costs in China, are expected to hike their prices by about 10% as early as the end of the first quarter of 2012, according to industry sources. (read...)
8. Defense Spending - G8 Industry Guide Now AvailableResearch and Markets has announced the addition of the "Defense Spending - Global Group of Eight (G8) Industry Guide" report to their offering.(read...)
9. Global Mobile Phone Market Maintains Growth TrajectoryThe worldwide mobile phone market grew 6.1% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2011, but as the feature phone market declined faster than anticipated, the market growth is actually down to its lowest point in over two years.(read...)
10. Solar Energy M&A Transactions Up 7% in 2011There were 174 completed solar energy M&A transactions in 2011, approximately 7% more than the 162 recorded in 2010 and 45% more than the 120 recorded in 2009. (read...)
11. Apex Circuit Enters LCD, Automotive PCB ProductionApex Circuit International will extend its production of PCBs from use in set-top boxes, TVs, printers, and HDDs to LCD panels and cars.(read...)
12. E-Paper Displays: Markets, Forecasts, Technologies 2012-2022Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/b27fcd/epaper_displays ) has announced the addition of the "E-Paper Displays: Markets, Forecasts, Technologies 2012-2022" report to their offering.(read...)
13. Acer, HP to Expand NB Shipments from Chongqing, ChinaAs total notebook shipments from Chongqing, China increased to 15.74 million units in 2011 with production volume also growing more than 1,000 fold to US$5.15 billion, Acer and Hewlett-Packard (HP) are both set to increase their shipments proportion from Chongqing in 2012.(read...)
14. JNC Corporation Opens its DoorsThis week, Printed Electronics World visited Mr Etsuo Nakagawa and Mr Kiichiro Ito of JNC Corporation (parent company Chisso) in Japan.(read...)
15. Notebook Shipments to See Significant Rise in 2H12Notebook shipments, benefiting from the recovery of hard drive shortages and launch of Windows 8 in the third quarter, are expected to rise significantly in the second half, compared to the first with shipments proportion in the first and second halves to reach 45% and 55% and may even hit 40% and 60%.(read...)
16. Changing Consumer Trends Alter Electronics MarketTrends in wireless technologies and consumer products are blurring the lines between consumer and industrial hardware.(read...)
17. APEJ PC Market Up 11% in 2011 Despite HDD ChallengesThe PC market took a number of punches last year, be it from the uncertain global economy or from media tablets that competed for consumer attention. PCs will still face HDD supply challenges in the early part of 2012, but IDC expects the market to rebound quickly by the second half of the year.(read...)
18. Acer Aims to Double PC Shipments to Brazil in 2012Acer has been making efforts to tap the Brazil market and aims to ship one million PCs in 2012, double the volume recorded in 2011, according to industry sources.(read...)
19. IPC Releases PCB Industry Results for December 2011"North American PCB sales in December increased over the prior month and the book-to-bill ratio strengthened, reaching parity for the first time since last summer," said Sharon Starr, IPC Market Research Director. "North American PCB sales ended the year down 1.9% over 2010, but current indicators point to a resumption of modest growth in 2012."(read...)
20. China Car Electronics Suppliers Focus on New Markets in 2012China suppliers of car electronics are moving upmarket by releasing more models that harmonize with trends in vehicle infotainment, navigation, digital broadcasting and mobile Internet connectivity. (read...)
21. Karl's Tech Talk: LCPs in Electronic PackagingMaterial scientists involved in electronic packaging have long been interested in liquid crystal polymers (LCPs), but faced the challenge of forming balanced LCP