Atotech Addresses Challenges of Greener Plating

Atotech'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.

Drivers and Changes Affecting Electra's Business

While at productronica 2011, Chris Wall, Technical Director of Electra Polymers, comments on the drivers and changes affecting the requirement on Electra's products, and tells Editor Pete Starkey about current developments.

A Global PCB Market Update

Drilling machine maker Posalux has become a worldwide company. Sue Klay, Sales and Marketing Director for Posalux, shares her observations of the global PCB market with Guest Editor Stuart Hayton at productronica 2011.

North American vs. Asian Fabricators

Marissa Oskarsen, President of Printed Circuit Girls and Geeks, discusses a few of the differences between North American and Asian fabricators. She says many Asian shops have stepped up customer service, and North American companies need to do the same.

Letter to the Editor re: Government Regulations Create Huge Costs for Manufacturers

The October 5, 2011 article titled "Government Regulations Create Huge Costs for Manufacturers," Ron Chamrin, Manager, Government Relations, for IPC, is encouraging companies to take action to prevent new costly and burdensome regulations by sending letters to legislators urging them to address government over-regulation.

Susonence: Reducing Chemical Usage & Decreasing Waste

A new European multi-partner development project has commenced to introduce more efficient and cleaner production into the PCB and metal finishing industries. The project will employ sonochemical processes that decrease hazardous chemical usage and minimise the amounts of waste generated. Energy consumption will also be reduced.

IPC Seeks New President and CEO

As the chief executive of the association, the President and CEO is responsible for providing strategic leadership and vision by working with the Board and other stakeholders to establish long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies. The position oversees association operations and policies, delivery of services to the membership and overall programming.

Chemcut Upgrades Lab; Business Strong

Longtime wet process industry supplier Chemcut Corporation has upgraded its lab to better support its customers. Technical Marketing Specialist Kirk Lauver updates us on the progress of the business.

MFLEX Posts $191 Million in Q3 Sales

Net sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2011 were $191.8 million, an increase of 6% from net sales of $181 million in the same period of the prior year. "While we achieved year-over-year net sales growth of 6% during the third quarter, our top-line results were below our expected guidance range," said Reza Meshgin, Chief Executive Officer.

Does America Need Manufacturing?

The data is clear: America is no longer a manufacturing nation. With only 23% of our GDP, and 20% of jobs coming from the manufacturing sector, this disturbing reversal of fortune from the "good old days" begs the question, "Is there hope?" Perhaps, but one thing remains crystal clear: American manufacturers control their own destiny. Steve Williams breaks it all down.

AT&S Expects Successful Financial Year

Despite restrained growth, Chief Executive Officer Andreas Gerstenmayer is confident in achieving targets for the current financial year. "One good sign is that the growth trend remains unchanged in all the markets in which we operate." Earnings before interest and tax for the first quarter 2011/12 came to EUR 4.4 million with sales revenues of EUR 110.46 million.

Gardien's On-Track Debuts in China at Huizou Facility

Rick Meraw, Gardien's Director of Operations, Toronto, discusses Gardien's proprietary On-Track system, which debuts in China at the new Huizhou facility. He tells China Editor Edy Yu how the On-Track system allows customers to view the complete test history of their product online, and why Gardien plans to release On-Track in Japan and Taiwan as well.

OEM Press Systems on the Technical Edge

John Copp, President, and Mary Quinlan, Sales Manager, of OEM Press Systems sit down with Editor Andy Shaughnessy to explain their company's latest technological updates, as well as what the firm does to support customers.

New Gardien Facility to Focus on HDI, High Tech

Editor Edy Yu recently attended the opening of Gardien's 26th worldwide facility in the Huizhou area of Guangdong, China. Gardien COO Roland Valentini explains that the new test facility will focus on HDI and other high-tech markets, as well as introducing new ideas such as the On-Track traceability system into these markets.

Testing: East Meets West

Alex Fung, Technical Director for Garien Independent Testing, and Adam Yin, Manager, introduce Gardien's AOI manager to Guest Editor Kelly Dack. Fung also talks about the paper he presented at APEX, which dealt with merging automated optical inspection with other forms of inspection.

A Fresh Look At Primary Imaging

Stuart Hayton, Global Sales and Marketing Director at MuTracx, brings his old friend and colleague Editor Pete Starkey up to date on developments in applications of ink-jet printing of inner-layer etch resist.

Maskless Lithography Leaves a "Global Footprint"

Last year, they were the exciting newcomers at IPC APEX Expo. Bill Elder, President and CEO of Maskless Lithography, explains how the company has gone from meeting in the Mandalay Bay coffee shop last year to exhibiting their latest digital imaging technology as part of its "global footprint" strategy.

Rising Tide of Success for PCB Fabricator

Bay Area Circuits' Vice President of Operations, Stephen Garcia, meets with Guest Editor Kelly Dack to explain success strategies for his company. Garcia says his company's growth can be attributed to almost 90% referrals, a testament to the quality they offer. He also reveals the purchase of a Seica S240 tester--the first in North America.

IPC: April PCB Sales Growth Follows Seasonal Pattern

"Growth in North American PCB sales continues to follow normal seasonal patterns and seems to have returned to normal, and the book-to-bill ratio is holding steady at just under parity," said IPC President and CEO, Denny McGuirk.

Atotech to Enhance Technology; Collaborate with CWRU

Multiple research and development agreements have been signed by Atotech and Case Western Reserve University for the support and enhancement of Atotech's global metallization technology development and material science and application failure analysis activities in Europe, Asia and the U.S.

Market Overview with Marissa Oskarsen

As a PCB distributor, Marissa Oskarsen has to watch market developments in the U.S. and Asia closely. She sits down with Editor Andy Shaughnessy to share her thoughts on board-buying trends here and abroad, and the state of HDI.

Simplifying Thermal Management

Yash Sutariya, Vice President of Corporate Strategy with Saturn Electronics Corporation, sits down with Guest Editor Kelly Dack to highlight his company's new online thermal resistance calculator that cools the complexity of dealing with complex physics.

Camtek: Developments in Inkjet Solder Mask

Camtek exhibited the company's digital inkjet printer for solder mask at APEX and General Manager Jason Rollo details to Editor Pete Starkey the characteristics of the system and its benefits to the quick-turn PCB fabricator.

IPC Flex Committee Update With Co-Chair Nick Koop

Joe Fjelstad interviews Nick Koop of Minco about the IPC flex committee's activities. His committee is working on updates for the HDI specifications for flex. Lots of challenges lay ahead for the flex industry as it moves to finer lines and spaces.

The Future of Digital Imaging

Frank Medina, CEO of Technica USA, and Noriaki Tomioka, Director and Senior Vice President of Hakuto Co., discuss the transition to digital imaging in both the North American and Asian markets. This transition is made easier due to new technologies such as the new Maskless Lithography units.

TTM to Acquire Remaining Stake in Aspocomp

PCB maker TTM has entered into a letter of intent to acquire the remaining 20% interest in Meadville Aspocomp Holdings Ltd. from Finland-based Aspocomp Group Plc for EUR 14.5 million.

The Year of Design

Vicka White, principal engineer at Honeywell Aerospace, interviews Paul Reid, program coordinator of PWB Inc., about what's new in reliability testing and why he believes this is the "Year of Design." He discusses how RoHS requirements have furthered the development of more robust materials and interconnections, and how the effects of design are starting to be a major influence on reliability.

Visper Bridges the Gap in Bare Board Inspection

C.A. Picard's Gary Weidner explains to Editor Pete Starkey how an intelligent final inspection machine with Gerber reference can pick up bare board faults commonly overlooked by human inspectors in this interview from the APEX show floor.

Ventec International: The Importance of Being Different

Technical Editor Pete Starkey sat down at CPCA 2011 with Mark Goodwin, Jack Pattie and Thomas Michels of Ventec International Group and invited them to explain how Ventec differentiates themselves from other Asian laminate manufacturers in overseas markets.

MicronSi Enters LED Market

Gordon Quinn, President of MicronSi, sits down with Editor Pete Starkey and details his company's entry into the LED market with their new imaging systems. So far, the company has seen remarkable results in just a short time.

Ventec Expands to Europe

Guest Editor Michael Weinhold, Technical Director of the EIPC, talks with Chris Lung, President of Ventec Electronics, about his company's recent venture into the European market. Lung says Ventec will target the high-performance, quick-turn, fast delivery service market in Europe.

Cicor's PCB Sales Up 23% in 2010

In 2010, the PCB Division created new key account management jobs and expanded its regional distribution network in N.A. Challenging qualification phases with new customers in various client segments were taken on to generate sales. The innovation that facilitates the use of PCB connections in three dimensions was also prioritized during the year under review.

IPC Symposium: Roadmap to Regulatory Compliance

Keeping on top of ever-changing environmental regulations around the world and providing a roadmap to compliance, the IPC It's Not Easy Being Green Symposium, May 11–12, 2011, in Boston, will give companies up-to-date information on the laws and regulations that affect every link of the electronics manufacturing supply chain, from Europe and Asia to South America and the U.S.

IPC Winter Webinar Tackles Industry Challenges

Focused on technical challenges facing the electronics manufacturing industry, including lead-free reliability issues, high-voltage PCB design, PoP assemblies, PoP component manufacturing, thermal cycle testing and barrel failures, the Webinars offer companies a great opportunity to bring IPC technical information to a large number of employees at one time.

MFLEX Reports Strong Fiscal 1Q11 Results

The company expects to report net sales in the first quarter of approximately $241 million, the highest quarterly amount in the company's history and an increase of approximately 5% from net sales of $229.5 million in the same quarter last year.

It's Only Common Sense: New Year's Resolutions

I have a confession to make. I've found lately that I am not answering my e-mails as promptly as I used to. In fact, in some cases, I am not answering them at all.

It's Only Common Sense: How Things Have Changed

Something is missing, something very important that has been eliminated and that something is human contact; the plain old face-to-face method of doing business.

Park Promotes Mastrogiacomo to SVP Strategic Marketing

Park Electrochemical Corporation has promoted Christopher T. Mastrogiacomo to Senior Vice President of Strategic Marketing. He will be responsible for the company's global OEM marketing efforts, as well as marketing and sales efforts in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe.

PCB Industry Computing on a Cloud?

Consona is an ERP company with a long history in the PCB business with their Cimnet product. In this interview from the HKPCA & IPC Show, Mehul Dave discusses his company's efforts to capitalize on the move to Cloud computing by providing their customers alternatives to the traditional Client/Server systems currently in use.

HKPCA & IPC 2010: Smiles All Around

The HKPCA & IPC Show 2010 is over, but the memories of the successful south China show can be found in this animated slide show.

Has Chinese Manufacturing Quality Improved?

WKK's President, Hamed El-Abd, sat down with Guest Editor Bob Neves at last week's HKPCA & IPC Show to talk about recent changes that have propelled his company into the manufacturing arena in China.

It's Only Common Sense: What's the Big Secret?

What's the big secret? Is it that you don't want anyone to know about your business? Is it that you feel that you already have all the bookings you need? Just what is the problem with getting your name out there in front of your customers?

Soligie Sold on Printed Electronics

Many PCB companies are moving into printed electronic circuits, but Soligie came at PEC from the other side--printing. Alex Zeitler talks with Editor Andy Shaughnessy about the benefits of PEC and why it will likely replace some traditional PCB technology.

The Real "Total Cost of Ownership" of Your Test Equipment

This paper introduces a TCO model for electronic test and measurement equipment and shows how operating costs can be critical drivers in reducing TCO beyond simply lowering acquisition (capital) costs. The TCO concept will help equipment owners make informed decisions on the purchase decision.

Business Forecast: Partly Murky?

The economy continues to struggle, but some electronics companies are doing quite well. What gives? Bare Board Group President Greg Papandrew talks with Editor Ray Rasmussen about the current state of the PCB markets and the visibility going forward, which can best be described as "murky."

Laser Processing of Materials: A New Strategy Toward Materials Design and Fabrication for Electronic Packaging

Increasing the unit volume complexity and density of next-generation packaging products is key. Laser processing is finding an increasing number of applications in the fabrication of these devices. This paper focuses on the application of laser processing to two specific material areas--thin films and nanocomposite films.

Potential Low-Cost Palladium-Alternatives for Activating Electroless Copper Deposition

In this paper, electrochemical measurements were carried out to obtain information about the catalytic activity of copper, silver, nickel and palladium in the oxidation reaction of formaldehyde, as well as glyoxylic acid. Metals with high catalytic activity for each reductant oxidation can be determined by using cyclic voltammetry. These metals are suitable for an improved activation process in electroless copper deposition.

Thermal Management Conference Tackles FR-4 Alternatives

Removing heat has become a major issue as more highly-integrated devices are jammed into less space. At the same time, high-power devices, such as LEDs, are becoming increasingly common, forcing designers and manufacturers to figure out how to keep their products cool.

Taiyo Gains Market Share in Europe: Campisi Interview

Steve Campisi, Taiyo's technical sales expert, having just returned from an extended, but successful, sales trip to Europe, sat down with Dan Beaulieu last week to discuss what it's like for an American-based, Japanese-owned company to do business in Europe.

IPC Opens India Office, Training Facility

Extending its training and knowledge-based resources and services to Indian electronics manufacturing facilities on a local level, IPC has opened its first office in India. Located in South Bangalore, close to the well-known Electronics City, IPC India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IPC, will be under the leadership of Managing Director, Akshinthala Vijayendra.

Tyco to Sell Mechatronics Business, Affirms Q4 Guidance

The closing of the transaction is expected to occur within 30 days and, in connection with the sale, the company will record a non-cash pre-tax loss of approximately $45 million. Tyco continues to expect adjusted EPS from continuing operations of $0.68 to $0.72 and revenues of $3.05 to $3.15 billion for the fiscal quarter ending September 24, 2010.

Through-Hole PCB Plating With Ultrasonically-Dispersed Copper Nanoparticles

This paper demonstrates the "proof of concept" that copper nanoparticles can be utilized to catalyse the electroless copper process and their potential to replace costly palladium-based activators. The potential for copper nanoparticles to be used as a "direct plate process" is also addressed.

Cicor's PCB Segment Posts 27% Revenue Growth in 1H

Compared to the previous year, the PCB Division increased its net proceeds during the period by 27.3% to CHF 17.8 million (first half of 2009: CHF 14.0 million); During the period, the ES Division achieved net proceeds of CHF 44.8 million (first half of 2009: CHF 41.5 million).

Organic Optical Waveguide Fabrication in a Manufacturing Environment

In this paper, authors from Endicott Interconnect show various organic optical waveguide samples using various fabrication methods. A detailed discussion of all the processes, materials and equipment sets that are employed in the fabrication of the organic optical waveguides are presented.

Guidelines Set on Conflict Minerals Regulation

A new bill, the Financial Reform Bill (HR 4173), has been recently signed, wherein Sec. 1502 states that manufacturers are required to report annually to the SEC if their products contain "conflict minerals" from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It's Only Common Sense: Let's Start Really Selling

Today's sales people need to be hunters. Listen to this week's new column from Dan Beaulieu, the first in a new series on hard-core selling the "new" way.

BBG's Papandrew Talks PCB Market at Home and Abroad

Bare Board Group's Greg Papandrew sits down with Editor Ray Rasmussen to discuss the PCB market here in the U.S., Taiwan and China, as material shortages push out lead-times and drive up prices.

Meet Our Columnists and Advisors

With the marriage of I-Connect007 and SMT Magazine, the group of industry experts on hand to guide our readers through news, events, controversies, solutions and more--in every aspect of the electronics industry--has grown to an impressive list.

IPC PCQR2 Database Revises Test Panel

Revisions contain a new coupon strip consisting of a Conductive Anodic Filament coupon (through vias only) with four incremental edge-of via spacings; modified via reliability coupons with two different grid spacings in each via net; along with via and conductor cross-section coupons.

Dow Americas is Ready for the Upturn

Company General Manager for the Americas, Hal Thrasher, discusses the integration of Rohm & Haas, the new business structure and the very comprehensive R&D a company like Dow brings to the PCB industry.

Uyemura on the Market and ENEPIG

Don Walsh, Uyemura USA Director of Operations, and George Milad, National Accounts Manager, discuss the market, their business and the progress of the ENEPIG surface finish. Milad heads up the specifications effort, which will soon help bring this finish to the mainstream market.

IPC-7093: BTC Standard Nears Completion

Chipmakers like BTC because it's inexpensive, while electronic engineers like this package style because the distances signals have to travel are short and there's usually a good thermal connection because the parts touch the board.

The Plan for Success--It's No Secret!

Saturn Electronics bounced back from a significant sales hit, having been immersed primarily in the automotive market. The company is a successful board fabricator and is positioned for strong growth with innovative technology and a commitment to investment, according to Yash Sutariya, Vice President.

IPC: Rigid PCB Book-to-Bill Rose in April

Rigid PCB shipments were up 35.7% while bookings increased 40.6% in April 2010 from April 2009. The book-to-bill ratio for the North American rigid PCB industry in April 2010 continued its climb to 1.11.

Rogers Tackles Top Trends with High-Freq Laminate

John Ritchie, Product Manager for Rogers Corporation, reviews his company's new high-frequency laminate product, RO4360, which features a Dk of 6.15. The new product can address issues concerning what Ritchie sees as three mega-trends in the industry: The drive toward mass transit, sustainable energy and Internet growth.

It's Only Common Sense: Steal This Idea

Are we even interested enough to steal ideas from the "other guys?" Check out this week's all new column and find out.

It's Only Common Sense: The Future is Now

The future is now! Life as we know it is about to change for the PCB industry, starting right now. This week, Dan Beaulieu looks into his crystal ball and gives us a glimpse of this new future.

Walt Custer's Global Market Outlook

With the recession of 2009 behind us, market guru Walt Custer offers his insight as to where we are today and takes a look into the future of our industry. Of course, a few concerns are still evident, but things are looking up.

It's Only Common Sense: Cheaters Cheating

If you think everyone in this industry is playing by the rules, think again. This week, Dan Beaulieu gives you the real scoop on cheaters.

Will Internet Clouds Become Like Electricity?

Consona's Mehul Dave delivered an interesting paper at a recent CPCA Show Forum. He discusses the content of the that paper and elaborates on one of the key points: Internet "clouds" are a technology that our industry--and all businesses--must soon reckon with.

UL and CQC Authorized Testing

Microtek Chairman Bob Neves sits down with Editor Steve Gold during the recent CPCA Show to discuss his company's new worldwide "Preferred Partner" agreement with Underwriters Laboratory (UL), as well as the increase in regulations and litigation in China.

Bogatin Gives "First-Timer" Review of CPCA Show

The "Signal Integrity Evangelist" Eric Bogatin hosted his new, high-speed design workshop during CPCA 2010. He sat down with Editor Steve Gold to discuss the technology he reviewed at his first CPCA event and explains why members of Congress should be attending as well.

It's Only Common Sense: Do You Know What You Don't Know?

We're on the topic of pricing once again! Do you know what you don't know? Check out this week's new column--Dan Beaulieu discusses the all-important issue of pricing.

An Inside Look at ICT's First 2010 Darlington Seminar

ICT welcomed delegates last week to the UK's Devonport Hotel for the first Darlington Seminar of 2010, which included presentations from Lamar Group, Park Electrochemical, Electronics Yorkshire and IeMRC. I-Connect007's European Editor Pete Starkey was there and gives a full report.

It's Only Common Sense: Why Forecasting?

Why forecasting? This week, Dan Beaulieu discusses a few of the hidden benefits of the process.