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News
December 31, 1969 |Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Teradyne Acquires GenRadWESTFORD, Mass. Teradyne Inc.'s acquisition of GenRad, a manufacturer of electronics automatic test equipment and related software, is expected to expand Teradyne's presence in the circuit board test and inspection market significantly. The proposed acquisition that is expected to close in this quarter, stipulates that each outstanding share of GenRad common stock be converted into 0.1733 shares of Teradyne common stock.
"The combination of Teradyne and GenRad broadens our scope in the global electronics manufacturing test market, creating a 'total test solution' that will significantly benefit customers," said George W. Chamillard, Teradyne's chairman, president and CEO.
"Today's electronics products are packing higher speeds and greater functionality into denser spaces, creating a packaging revolution in electronics manufacturing. This means the electronics product assembly process has become increasingly complex, placing new demands on test and inspection equipment and creating new market growth opportunities. The addition of GenRad products to our existing product line will give us the industry's broadest range of circuit board test and inspection products. Tying it together will be the factory automation software tools needed to deploy the equipment strategically and manage the process efficiently."
"Adding our strengths in electronics testing and production hardware, software and service solutions to Teradyne's breadth across the semiconductor, telecommunications, computer and Internet industries is a superb strategic fit," said Robert M. Dutkowsky, GenRad's chairman, president and CEO.
PennWell Acquires New International TitlesTULSA, Okla. PennWell, a global media company, acquired SMT Germany, a German-language publication from EMP Mediamarketing based in Boblingen, Germany, to complement PennWell's existing SMT Magazine.
"This magazine possesses a strong synergy with our existing U.S.-based SMT title, providing advertisers with immediate exposure to the largest electronics market in Europe," said Bill Pryor, senior vice president of PennWell's Advanced Technology Div. headquartered in Nashua, N.H.
Similar to SMT Magazine, SMT Germany targets engineers and technical management in the electronics industry, with an emphasis on surface mount technology. Each issue includes special features on electronics assembly production, printed circuit board (PCB) production, microelectronics production techniques, and test and quality assurance. SMT Germany began in 1987 and has a circulation of approximately 11,500, distributed in Germany as well as other European countries including Switzerland, Austria, United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Combined with SMT's existing BPA-audited circulation of 43,000, advertisers will be able to reach a total of 54,500 readers.
SMT Germany will be published by the Advanced Technology Div.'s Computer & Electronics Group based in Nashua and will be headed by Jim Collins, also the publisher of SMT Magazine. PennWell will retain key members of the SMT Germany team. Dr. Ullrich Wachs, chief editor, and Rolf Schirrschmidt, sales manager, both will continue in their roles with PennWell.
SMT Germany will maintain their existing offices in Germany and will continue to publish CADS, a publication covering computer-aided design, and EMV-ESD, a publication covering the latest in EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) and effects of electrostatice discharge.
Samsung Techwin Co. Ltd. Launches New SMT Equipment
Seoul, South Korea This summer Samsung added new SMT pick-and-place equipment to their product lineup. With a formal ceremony, the company introduced the new multi-functional component pick-and-place equipment, the CP-50 II. This unit uses a high-accuracy vision system to place various chips, from 0603s to 55 mm QFP, BGA, SOP, CSP, SMT connectors and other odd-form components. It features three nozzle heads with vacuum and grippers to handle numerous components.Another pick-and-place machine introduced is a compact high-volume (36,000 CPH) chip shooter, the CP-C0L. This unit also handles a wide component range up to 32 mm. The machine is designed to be rigid and non-vibrating during operation. During 2000, Samsung began shipping more than 150 SMT assembly machines per month. The company plans to produce faster, user-friendly machines with built-in stability and vision systems in the future.
Vectron Initiates AOI ServicesSAN DIEGO The existing economic conditions have put contract and OEM manufacturers into a temporary freeze with capital equipment purchases. While cutting back on equipment buys, manufacturers still need to run critical PCB lots with the required high-quality standards.
"Having a viable automated optical inspection (AOI) solution, even if it is on a temporary basis, is an excellent alternative to running the risk of compromising critical product quality," said Joseph Vilella, president and CEO of Vectron Inc.
Vectron is offering demanding AOI services with an affordable price system. "Our technology is very mobile, lightweight, flexible and accurate. Our machines have been proven to perform critical AOI even at an 0402 level and beyond while sitting in their casters," Vilella said. "This provides a realistic alternative for us to get into a facility, run the required inspection and get out of the plant until the next time."
Several companies have responded positively to the new strategy and are using Vectron's AOI services.
EtroniX Changes back to NEPCON WestNORWALK, Conn. Originally scheduled for late February 2002, Reed Exhibition's EtroniX event is reverting back to NEPCON West and now is slated for December 4 to 6, 2002, at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, Calif.
The trade show and conference will co-locate with FIBEROPTIC Automation Expo as well as Assembly West.
"Bringing these three events together ... offers exhibitors and attendees an opportunity previously unavailable to them," said Kelvin Marsden-Kish, industry vice president, Reed Exhibitions. "The Northern California electronics manufacturing community now can come to one place to find the latest technologies needed to build products smaller, faster and cheaper."
The three-in-one event will focus on the latest in automation, assembly/test, processes and services necessary to manufacturing products that focus on emerging technologies in addition to information and knowledge on bringing miniaturized and converged products to market.
In other Reed news, NEPCON Texas 2001 takes place November 13 to 15, 2001. This event features an exhibition that showcases the latest advances in electronics manufacturing technology, a conference program on optoelectronics (OE) and the telecom revolution developed by the SMTA, a free keynote address by Solectron, free presentations on boundary scan and design chain management, and a career fair.
Analyses Show Growth Potential for SMTSAN ANTONIO The analysis, "World Electrical Solder Paste and Adhesive Markets" by Frost & Sullivan, revealed the market generated a total of $679 million in 2000 and is predicted to reach $2 billion by 2007.
"New opportunities for growth can be found in the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) industry. The EMS market is the fastest growing segment for electrical solder paste and adhesives," said Keith Robinson, Frost & Sullivan analyst. "To maximize gains, solder paste and adhesive manufacturers should focus on the first and second tier EMS providers, which are experiencing the strongest growth within the electronics assembly industry."
A second analysis by Frost & Sullivan, "World SMT Rework and Repair Equip-ment Markets," revealed that the rework and repair equipment industry revenued a total of $286.5 million in 2000 and is predicted to reach $458.3 million in 2007.
"EMS providers, prime customers for SMT rework and repair equipment, face intense competition within their field," said Frost & Sullivan Analyst Raman Monga. "With profit margins at a minimum, the appeal of expanding their services can be offset by the high cost of equipment. SMT rework and repair equipment markets are becoming increasingly price conscious."
Hwang Invited to White House EventCLEVELAND SMT Magazine's Advisory Board member and influential industry member, Jennie S. Hwang, Ph.D., along with 30 businesswomen from all over the county met with President Bush on the subject of trade promotion on August 2. President Bush emphasized the importance of trade for the U.S. Exports account for more than one-quarter of "nations" economic growth. Our foreign competitors are negotiating a web of trade agreements that exclude the United States. Of the more than 130 bilateral and regional free trade agreements in force, only two include the United States. It is the time to restore America's leadership position on trade. Bush stressed that the President needs the authority to negotiate free trade agreements and to maintain U.S. leadership by writing new trade agreements (Trade Promotion Authority).
Jennie Hwang also is a member of U.S Commerce Department's Export Council. More specifics on trade and TPA is planned to be covered in Hwang's future columns.
Conversion Benchmark Costs Updated for PCAsOLD LYME, Conn. Conversion cost of a printed circuit assembly (PCA) is the difference between the selling price and the purchase order cost of material, according to CEERIS, an electronics assembly consulting firm that has completed global research on conversion cost by type of board technology, assembly volume and lot size, and business sector and geographic region. The detailed statistics and analyses, obtained worldwide from 26 well-known contract manufacturers (CM) and OEMS who selected representative PCAs for inclusion, are available in the updated report, "Cost of Conversion Benchmarks for Printed Circuit Assemblies (CC-2001)."
For different types of PCA layout complexity and assembly environments, "the data set provides not only reliable cost information for assessing assembly factory performances, but also is an important tool for budgeting costs for a wide variety of boards," said Charles-Henri Mangin, president of CEERIS International Inc.
Fine analysis is required to grasp the cost conversion variations observed in the industry. For example, for mixed through-hole/SMT PCAs, the average conversion cost in early 2001 varied from a low of $0.014 per component for very high-volume boards and increased to $0.085 per component for high-volume PCAs, $0.160 per component when assembled in medium volumes and $0.443 per component for low-volume boards.
The cost differences as a function of volume are even more pronounced when expressed per lead or solder joint, CEERIS' preferred reference, because it factors in the impact of high lead count packages. Volume is a key cost of conversion driver, as well as lot size and geographic location.
Aegis Announces Technology Agreement with SiemensPHILADELPHIA Under a new technology integration agreement between Aegis Industrial Software Corp. and Seimens Dematic Electronic Assembly Systems Inc., Aegis CAD data importers now are embedded with the new Siemens SIPLACE machine management and programming software as an option.
This technology integration provides automatic placement program generation for SIPLACE customers through the robust and proven CAD interpreters used across all Aegis products. The state-of-the-art design platform of both the SIPLACE Pro and Aegis software enabled this integration under which SIPLACE Pro users benefit from single software interface rather than the traditional separate applications.
"Collaboration with partners such as Aegis, who is a market leader, confirms our continuing effort for open systems on the factory floor," said Robert Huber, manager of Siemens' Global Software Product Management.
EKRA Makes OEM AgreementPHILADELPHIA Aegis Industrial Software Corp., developer of CircuitCAM FUSION TransCollaborative Manufacturing (TCM) software, announced an OEM agreement with EKRA America, a worldwide supplier of surface mount stencil printing systems. Under this agreement, EKRA will offer CircuitCAM CIM software for rapidly converting CAD and Gerber data into printer programs complete with safe under-board tooling programs.
"EKRA is very excited about forming a strategic alliance with Aegis," said General Manager of EKRA America, Steve Hall. "By providing our customers with CircuitCAM CIM software, we give them the ability to program our machines quickly and easily from CAD or Gerber data."
In other company news, EKRA was one of 58 companies to receive the outstanding supplier award for achieving outstanding performance in regards to quality, price performance, delivery and reliability during the 1999 to 2000 period by the Bosch Group. The worldwide award is presented every two years by Bosch to production materials and capital goods suppliers as well as to logistic services providers.
SMTnet.com Offers Industry Trade MagazinesPORTLAND, Maine SMTnet.com added industry trade magazines to their online bookstore with the help of PennWell. This feature gives electronics manufacturing industry professionals the opportunity to subscribe to trade magazines for free by directly going to SMTnet.com. SMTnet's next focus will be to accommodate its international users by adding a variety of global magazines to the industry.