APEX whipped up a storm last month as it ripped into Sin City. Any doubt that Las Vegas was the wrong destination for an electronics manufacturing show was quickly put to rest as the show proceeded to have one of its best years since it started.
The big news on the corporate front was Henkel��s acquisition of National Starch and Emerson & Cuming. Henkel paid a whopping ��3.8 billion for the former ICI giants, and the new group will be headed by Alan Syzdek, the former CEO of National Starch.
On the show floor, exhibitors were selling equipment off the booth with many recording their best show ever. Some of the companies that reported multiple equipment sales included Aqueous Technologies, Assembl���, Essemtec and Juki. Read the full report here....
Video Coverage from the show floor
Global SMT & Packaging had their camera crew at the show and got the inside scoop on a number of new products and technologies. Here's just a sample of what you'll find in the APEX 2008 Inside Scoop:
ZESTRON's Harold Wack talks with Trevor Galbraith about cleaning process evaluations.
Nihon Superior's president, Tetsuro Nishimura, talks about the development of SN100C solder alloy.
MYDATA's Brian Duffy introduces the MY-100 placement family.
Mark Ogden talks about Siemens' new, award-winning X4i.
Kristy Brodbeck interviews winners of the Circuits Assembly NPI Awards.
Jim McElroy tells Trevor Galbraith about iNEMI's 2008 initiatives.
Claire Jeffreys talks about National Electronics Week, coming up in June.
IPC—Association Connecting Electronics Industries® has announced that IPC APEX EXPO™ will return to the Mandalay Bay Resort & Convention Center in Las Vegas next year, March 29–April 2, 2009. The trade show is the largest North American exhibition for the printed board and electronics manufacturing industries.
“This is THE show for the electronics interconnect industry. It is designed by the industry, for the industry, and that will never change,” said Alicia Balonek, director, trade show operations, and staff liaison to the IPC Trade Show committees. “IPC continues to maintain the philosophy it established when it first launched IPC Printed Circuits Expo in 1994: a cost-effective, fair and focused show for its exhibitors as well as an unparalleled educational experience for attendees and a valuable opportunity to provide input in and direction to industry standards development.”
For more information about the 2009 IPC APEX EXPO, visit www.GoIPCShows.org.
This cabinet, designed for the storage of moisture sensitive devices (MSDs), combines the features of our Ultra Dry storage cabinets and low temperature baking ovens. These cabinets meet and exceed the requirements of the IPC and Jedec standard J-Std-033B while baking parts at 40 degrees C. Design includes plug and play controls, data collection and incredible flexibility.
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis.
Agilent’s suite of Medalist test and inspection solutions provide breakthrough technologies for solder paste inspection, automated optical inspection, automated x-ray inspection and in-circuit test, plus system software, common repair environments, process measurement tools, quality control tools and more. All backed by Agilent's hallmark services, support and consulting.
Manufacturer of a variety of award - winning cleaning and cleaning related products. Our cleaners are capable of removing all flux/paste types including Rosin, Water Soluble & removes no-clean solder paste.
The fastest and most flexible batch-format defluxing system available. Trident��s specific throughput rate is determined by equipment model and user��s board size. Trident is available in four throughput configurations, the highest is capable of defluxing and cleanliness testing up to 896 4 x 6" (101 x 152 mm) boards and up to 112 18 x 20" (457 x 508 mm) boards per hour.
Pb-free technology leader providing manufacturing solutions for lead-free electronics. Supplier of high reliability Drop-in Replacement for SnPb solder (VirometT, ability to maintain existing process temperature).
Fruit of Asahi's relentless R&D efforts to create state-of-the-art high quality high-performance Lead-free solder paste. Viromet�� 347 is tested according to international industry classification for the highest reliability and performance. No process change needed, excellent wetting, minimal or no voids, compatible with: Sn, AuNi, Ag, OSP, etc.
ASC helps manufacturers improve the quality of the PCB manufacturing process by providing high precision optically based measurement equipment for post-print inspection.
A sophisticated 3 - dimensional solder paste inspection system offers the latest technology advancements. Improved sensor data acquisition rates along with a multitude of value packed feature enhancements make the VisionMaster series the platform of choice.
The Cobar Group, part of Balver Zinn Group is a recognized global supplier of solder paste, fluxes and related soldering materials for electronics assembly. The company is accredited to the prestigious ISO/TS 16949 Quality Management Standard.
Cobar XF3 Solder Paste Completes SN100C Solder Materials System; Superior Reflow, Printing Performance over SAC Alloys. XF3 is developed to accommodate extended reflow profiles without use of nitrogen. XF3 completes the family of Cobar products based on Nihon Superior��s patented SN100C-alloy.
Available in 10 different models to match any full component range SMT placement requirements. The C5 is the only machine that can implement a number of different tray handling options and large board capability without sacrificing feeder capacity making it the only true single machine solution.
APEX recognized ECD��s MEGAM.O.L.E.��20 thermal profile for innovation excellence: Circuits Assembly��s NPI Award, IPC��s ITC award, and SMT VISION Award finalist. A NEPCON Shanghai encore was the SMT China VISION Award. Twenty channels and potent M.A.P.�� software; the MEGAM.O.L.E.��20 thermal profiler has application in both board assembly and semiconductor manufacturing.
ECD’s MEGAM.O.L.E.®20 thermal profiler is the ffirst ever with 20 channels and an “OK Button” one-touch go/no-go profile validation. 7.2 mm Thin! MEGAM.O.L.E. “M.A.P.” software is easy to use & flexible with 3 work flow Wizards, customizable data extractions (e.g., “Delta-T”), Target-10TM profile validation, 180+ custom data measures & more.
A division of H K Wentworth Limited, Electrolube is a leading manufacturer of electro-chemicals for electronics, automotive and industrial manufacturing. R&D, quality and environmental concerns are fundamental to the Electrolube philosophy of providing the highest level of customer service.
Developed to reduce VOC emissions from electronics manufacturing processes, NVOC was created by adapting a polyurethane pre-polymer with a blend of carefully chosen diluents that offer a massive reduction in viscosity, creating a 100% solids material in a sprayable format, similar to that of solvent-based materials, without the emission of any VOCs. NVOC has been tested by the world’s leading manufacturers of select spray equipment with extremely positive results.
Highly flexible, dual-gantry SMT assembler. The system can accommodate up to 264 x 8 mm tape positions and, in addition, an internal waffle tray zone allows for up to 10 JEDEC trays on the single head version and 3 JEDEC trays on the dual heads version. iineo can also be equipped with one or two 30-channel waffle tray sequencers.
International, state-of-the- art equipment supplier for the PCB assembly and semiconductor industries. Manufacturer of automated fluid dispensing & component-prep systems.
GPD Global exhibited two systems from the Max Series line, the MicroCell and the MicroMaxII. The MicroCell demonstrated precision solder paste dispensing while the MicroMaxII demonstrated underfill dispensing. Additionally their tabletop TMax platform was present doing a gasketing application. Live demonstrations were given throughout the show.
Manufacturer of Reflow Soldering Ovens for Automated SMT PCB Assembly. Specializing in lead free processing and nitrogen reflow. Serving PCB, semiconductor and wafer processing applications.
System for most demanding reflow applications. Featuring enhanced control of the liquidous time, profile sculpting and ultra fast cooling rates of up to 3 - 5°C/second, the Mark III is ideal for reflow optimization and the formation of lead-free solder joints with perfect grain structure. With superior thermal control and easy to use integrated Cpk software, the Mark III represents the most advanced reflow soldering system available today.
Vital force in the X-Ray Fluorescence industry. Our systems perform fast, accurate analysis identify, differentiate and quantify most materials by elemental composition. We pioneered handheld XRF instrumentation using a miniature x-ray tube.
Cut Your Lab Costs Down to Size. Let the Innov-X Handheld XRF Analyzers drive your RoHS Compliance. Detect PPM levels of Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr and Br in seconds. Automatically classify mixed or homogenous - alloy or polymer. Screen non - destructively without disassembly. RoHS Handheld XRF screening can pay for itself.
Koh Young Technology was established in April 2002 by members with core competence in world-class mechatronics technology. Currently they are leading the market with their unique machine vision technology, intelligent system software technology and precision mechatronics technology.
Koh Young Technology's new product aSPIre 3D in-line solder paste inspection system adds more value to your production. Keeping with high speed SMT lines, aSPIre system helps maximizing productivity and ensures no compromise is made between speed and accurate 100% 3D measurement capability as well as unrivalled measurement performance of <<10% Gage R&R on 01005 deposits.
Manufacturer of award winning cleaning products, chemistries and services for electronics and advanced packaging applications from sprayable aqueous cleaning formulations to engineered vapor degreasing solvents.
AQUANOX A4625B is used at low concentrations for optimum cleaning efficiency without damaging delicate substrates. A biodegradable, non - flammable, non - corrosive liquid, A4625B has proven compatible with all materials commonly used in cleaning processes and electronics assembly manufacturing.
Leading producer of high power programmable AC to DC power supplies. Lambda Americas products provide power to many of today's semiconductor, automotive and component burn-in systems.
APEX Featured Product: Genesys�� Programmable Power Supplies
Lambda Americas Genesys™ Series of Programmable Power Supplies now has the highest density with 5kW in 2U. Output 0 to 600VDC, 0-500A The series is the widest range AC/DC programmable power solution sharing completely identical interfaces. Platforms include 750W, 1500W, 3300W, 5000W and 10/15kW Output..
EDA - Electronic Design Automation technology leader providing software and hardware design solutions that enable companies to develop better electronic products faster and more cost-effectively.
APEX Featured Product: CAMCAD Manufacturing Flow
Mentor Graphics offers the CAMCAD manufacturing flow that enables the generation of correct, complete, and intelligent product descriptions for use in PCB manufacturing. This flow spans the product lifecycle, enables collaborative communication, streamlines process development, and supports manufacturing initiatives, all of which improve our customers' profitability.
Quadrus�� MINI Velocity autofocus imager consistently reads linear bar codes and 2D symbols moving as fast as 100 inches per second, for easy implementation of automatic data tracking on high speed production lines. Includes advanced features like Easy Setup Program software, multi-symbol reading, match code, trend analysis, symbol quality reporting, and multiple I/O programming.
Fully configured, the MV-3L provides one top-down camera and four side-view cameras. The system's patented "Quad Angle Lighting System" provides four independently programmable zones for optimal illumination of inspection areas. Two MV-3L systems were on display during APEX: one featured a 3-D beam laser system and the other an NG marking system.
Mossman Tebbs designs and manufactures a high quality range of reel racks, feeder mobiles and board handling solutions, capable of meeting the exacting demands of electronics manufacture.
Safe handling of boards that cannot be held conventionally - i.e. populated to the edge, odd shaped, or flexible. Static safe handling trays with dissipative foam matting - 30 trays at a 45mm pitch for excellent space utilisation. Tray retaining mechanism for transportation safety.
Oak-Mitsui specializes in the development and production of world class performance Aluminum Bonded Copper, Foils, and FaradFlex�� Buried Capacitance�� materials.
Oak-Mitsui Technologies provides the premiere Embedded Capacitor material with the highest available capacitance density (1.7 nF/cm2). FaradFlex�� can be used to form discrete capacitors inside your PCB, module or IC package. A new low loss version for RF modules was introduced at IPC APEX/EXPO.
"All the Other Parts for your PCB Assembly" are now available from Pentagon EMS Corporation. Manufactured from your specifications or Pentagon��s design, prototypes to high volume production, this new service expands and compliments Pentagon��s complete line of PCB Assembly Process Tooling. Industry-leading turn times, no-fault guarantee.
New Technology Improves Quad System tape feeder accuracy and performance for placing small components. The ThinPRO was designed to run 0402s & 0201 and 01/0005��s components. It will fit every Quad model pick & place and was designed to meet the demands of the smaller components being used on today��s PCB��s.
Manufacturer of substrate support tooling systems for the electronics industry. The focus of our projects has been on improving the methods of assembly of PCB.
How much time and money are you spending on correcting defects? It slows down your process. Red-E-Set Universal board supports have been proven to reduce defects Quality - Improved. Component Damage - Eliminated. Changeover Time - Reduced. Revenue - Increased. See it for yourself. Ask about our 30 day free trial.
Leading manufacturer of NDT test and inspection equipment such as X-Ray machines, stereo zoom microscopes, XRF spectrometers, video inspection systems, and video measurement systems.
The cost efficient Scienscope View X is a full-featured x-ray inspection system with an improved high-resolution 90 kV x-ray source and new Capture X image processing software. APEX attendees can bring samples to the Scienscope booth #1462 and receive a free product evaluation and sample images on CD-ROM.
Siemens Energy and Automation, Inc. is dedicated to providing complete electrical, engineering and automation solutions for the industrial manufacturing and construction industries. With more than 9,400 employees, our customers include some of the world's largest and most respected companies in these industries.
The SIPLACE D4 with its four gantries places up to 66,000 components per hour with an accuracy of 60 ��m at 3 sigma. Since it is designed for top placement performance applications, it is equipped with four 12-nozzle Collect & Place heads. Its component spectrum ranges from 01005s to 18.7 x 18.7 mm.
Shimadzu offers a full line of analytical measurement and testing instrumentation for a broad range of applications in science and industry. Products include chromatographs, spectrophotometers, spectrometers, balances, and materials testers. »»»
Ideal for trace and rapid analysis of elements within a sample, the EDX-720 can be used for quantitative analysis and monitoring processes and/or for demanding regulatory compliance measurements (RoHS/ELV). Powerful features enable analysis at ppm level, while advanced software and a variety of accessories enhance performance.
Leader in ultrasonic stencil and pallet cleaning technology. The Smart Sonic Stencil-Cleaning Process is guaranteed to clean any type of solder paste from any fine-pitch stencil!
Specialty Coating Systems (SCS) is the world leader in parylene conformal coatings for the medical, electronics, automotive and military industries. SCS also offers industry-leading lines of liquid spray coating systems, spincoat systems, dipcoat systems and UV cure systems.
The fully programmable SCS Precisioncoat RTV system is repeatable, precise and accurate to 0.001 inches and offers faster, more efficient application of RTV materials, reducing the need for manual labor in the application process. RTV offers protection and flexibility to components that may be exposed to vibration, moisture, salts, or electricity.
Best Source for Electronic Assembly Equipment. Specializing in Test, SMT & Production Equipment, Lead Free Applications, Excess Components, Asset Management and Liquidation Services.
Complete SMT facility up for bid! World Equipment Source is conducting a negotiated sale and bidding-process on behalf of Reliant Manufacturing. The equipment up for bid comes from a facility located in Orange Country, California. 3 complete SMT lines available! Manufacturers include Siemens, Juki, Heller, Vitronics, Nutek, and more!
With the integration of the Feinfocus Microfocus product line, YXLON is the leading supplier of Industrial X-ray Inspection systems and Industrial Computed Tomography (CT) solution for the non-destructive testing of materials.
APEX Featured Product: Y.Cougar PRO x-ray inspection platform
Based on the successful Y.Cougar compact x-ray inspection platform, the Y.Cougar PRO provides the most versatile microfocus x-ray solution for fully automated 2D and 3D inspection in the market. Designed to meet a wide range of rigorous needs of the electronics, automotive, military and aerospace, telecom and medical device markets, the Y.Cougar PRO addresses constantly changing market and application requirements through maximum operator flexibility. Ranging from failure analysis and R&D to production volume x-ray inspection, the Y.Cougar PRO is the x-ray solution of choice
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