Around the Industry

The use of additive manufacturing processes is increasing within industrial applications, as they bring some significant customer benefits compared to conventional processes. Additive manufacturing is based upon the layered structure of a component. The production time therefore depends on the volume to be applied to the component. 

Semiconductor test equipment supplier Advantest has expanded overseas support for its AirLogger WM2000 series of wireless data loggers. Following the expansion of support to China and Vietnam, as announced in January 2019, the company also started support in the United States, EU and Thailand from February.

The semiconductor industry showed impressive figures in 2017; +21.6% YoY growth to reach about $412bn. Without a doubt, the industry is entering a new age, where innovation and disruption are the key words. In addition to mobile, Yole Développement (Yole) analysts identified emerging mega-drivers that are step by step changing our world.

Semiconductor test equipment supplier Advantest has closed its acquisition of the commercial Semiconductor System Level Test business (“Test Systems”), from Astronics on renegotiated terms due to a change in business conditions related to the semiconductor industry and Test Systems business.

In-Mold (or Mould) Electronics (IME) promises to enable high-volume production of structural electronics where the electronic circuitry and functionality are part of the 3D-shaped structure itself. This will save weight and space and will enable new elegant designs. IME in many ways, it is an evolution of the well-established IMD, in which molding (or other ways of 3D forming) are combined with graphic printing. 

The hand soldering competition from IPC returned to the United States with the first-ever IPC Hand Soldering World Championship and Rework Competition, held at IPC APEX EXPO 2019 in San Diego, California. Contestants representing Britain, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Thailand participated in the event.

The introduction of a brand-new line of tooling products has been announced by Ellsworth Adhesives Europe, adding to its portfolio. The new range has been designed for use in the composites and foundry industries and comprises of over a hundred products including polyurethane and epoxy boards for styling, model making and tooling, as well as specialist resin systems, close contour materials and reaction injection moulding. 

A PCB Hardware Book published in paper and electronic form by Anglia lists over 2000 PCB supports & spacers, screws, nuts & washers, fasteners & feet, cable management accessories, insulators and other hardware items. The publication follows Anglia’s recent appointment as UK and Ireland distributor for Kang Yang Enterprises, a leading manufacturer specialising in plastic hardware and PCB accessories.

The new global market report from IDTechEx Research, ‘In-Mold Electronics 2019-2029: Technology, Market Forecasts, Players’, provides technical assessment of manufacturing process and material requirements, market outlook for applications and players, study of competitive routes to 3D electronics and more.

The report ‘Stretchable and Conformal Electronics 2019-2029’ from IDTechEx Research, aims to explain everything you need to know about stretchable electronics. It provides the a comprehensive and insightful view of this diverse emerging industry, discussing each of the different stretchable materials and components available or being developed today.