Design News

ATLANTA, GA. - The Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA) has announced that Jim Raby, renowned 50-year industry veteran, founder, technical director and program manager at STI Electronics will present the morning keynote, An Industry Perspective: Past, Present and Future, on April 17 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Raby has spent his entire career in electronics manufacturing training scores of engineers and operators. His accomplishments include patents for wave soldering, work on the Saturn and Apollo programs, initiating the Zero Defect Program for wave soldering, and the development of the China Lake soldering schools. Raby was also instrumental in developing the IPC soldering certification curriculum and initiating the Electronics Manufacturing Productivity Facility. He is also known for the Lights Out factory concept for electronics manufacturing facilities.

“The 12th Annual Atlanta SMTA Expo is honored to feature Mr. Raby as our keynote. His service to the industry, pioneering spirit, dedication and mentoring of countless engineers is a true inspiration,” said chapter president CW Kelly.

The Atlanta SMTA Expo will be held at the Gwinnett Civic Center in Duluth, GA on Thursday, April 17, 2008, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The one-day event is free, and will feature suppliers to the electronics industry displaying products and services for the high-technology and surface-mount markets, and free technical presentations.


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BARCELONA - Broadcom Corporation has announced a new HEDGE reference design platform for developing next-generation for mass consumer smartphones. The reference design is reportedly based on the company’s 65 nanometer single-chip dual-core HSDPA + EDGE multimedia baseband processor, and integrates several communications functions in a single platform.

According to company information, the new HEDGE reference design platform combines an HSDPA baseband modem that incorporates audio and multimedia processors with a Category 8 HSDPA 7.2 Mbps modem, joining them on a single monolithic chip.  The platform provides support for the three mobile operating systems. Features include the company's Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS and FM radio technology, along with digital image processing that features support for an up to 3.2 megapixel camera. With this integration, the new reference design platform is said to require less board space with lower cost and power usage.

Bringing our various technologies together on a single reference design platform is a strong achievement, made possible by the breadth of our product portfolio and the strength of our engineering capabilities." says Michael Civiello, Senior Director of Marketing.

CARLSBAD, CA - Asymtek announced that Michel van de Vijver has been promoted to general manager Asymtek, Europe. Van de Vijver joined the company in 2000 as European sales and marketing manager.

Van de Vijver will be responsible for European operations including applications engineering, sales, service, and support for dispensing and conformal coating products. He will also oversee the region’s distributor network, and work with regional sales managers and technical support departments.

“Asymtek has been the leader in dispensing technology and innovation throughout Europe,” said van de Vijver. “I look forward to working together with our customers to help them achieve their dispensing goals.”

Van de Vijver brings extensive international technical sales and marketing experience to the GM position. Prior to joining Asymtek, he was the sales manager for VCST Industrial Products. Van de Vijver received his degree in engineering from TH Groep T in Leuven, Belgium.
YAYNE, ISRAEL – Valor Computerized Systems has been selected by Thales Nederland to provide its process engineering software for CAD-to-Machine transfer.

Valor’s software will be used in the process automation and machine program optimization tools for mixed SMT production lines.

“Our solutions for accelerating and improving quality of electronics manufacturing are suitable for all types of companies – even those who need to meet the strictest demands like Thales Nederland,” said Stephan Häfele, president of Valor Europe.
HORSHAM, PA – Aegis Software Corp. announces the opening of a new global headquarters in Horsham, PA. The company reports that the new offices will meet growing workforce demands and provide a training environment for the company’s customer base.

According to reports, the new headquarters will house an interactive training center to give customers a hands-on approach, using a conveyorized production line, test and quality cell, and a hand assembly line. Trainee stations are equipped to simulate a real production environment.

The new facility also reportedly includes a large meeting center with advanced video conferencing, and customers are provided a video system for use in their own factories as part of the company's customer service.

“In addition to supplying us with a more modern and spacious workspace, the new headquarters helps us show our customers how to leverage our solutions fully in their manufacturing environment” says Aegis CEO Jason Spera.

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