Printed Circuit Design & Fab Online Magazine - Fab News

Fab News

SANTA CLARA, CA - Agilent Technologies has acquired Taiwan-based Escort Instruments, a supplier of test and measurement instruments and a subsidiary of Unitech PCB.

According to an Agilent press release, Escort's R&D, marketing, IP and instrument product portfolio will become part of Agilent's electronic measurements business, and 20 Escort Instruments' employees have transferred to Agilent’s Taipei office as part of the agreement.

According to a posting on the Escort Instruments website, as of June 11, all products have been discontinued and line of Agilent instruments based on Escort's technology will be introduced beginning in Q4 of 2008.

Ee Huei Sin, VP of the basic instruments division at Agilent, said, "Escort Instruments' assets will offer Agilent customers an expanded portfolio of low-cost instruments, and the R&D expertise to continue to grow this product line for the future."

FERNDALE, MI – From circuit boards to LED lighting, Midwest Circuits has adapted its business to maximize the company’s strengths.

Read more: Metal Core Board Cools LED Lights

TOKYO -- Oki Electric Cable Co., Ltd. introduces an FPC that can form and hold a three-dimensional shape. The product is showcased in the FPC Technology Corner at JPCA this week. Using a novel base material called graft polymer developed by NOF Corp., Oki Electric Cable has developed this 3-D FPC for complex multi-branch wiring.

Read more: New Material Enables 3-D Bend and Shape Flex

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Skyrocketing oil prices prompted many companies to increase product prices in early 2008. Some are now experiencing record sales as a result. The four major subsidiaries of the Formosa Plastics Group (FPG) saw combined sales hit a historic high record of NT$160.5 billion (US$5.31 billion at US$1:NT$30.2) in May. The FPGs four major subsidiaries registered NT$704.3 billion (US$23.32 billion) in cumulative sales combined in the first five months of this year.

The Nan Ya division performance for May 2008 was NT$20.78 billion (US$688.07 million), up 8.6% year-on-year. It was the third-largest record in history. Nan Ya saw cumulative sales for 2008 reach NT$102.48 billion (US$3.39 billion) in the first five months of this year, an increase of NT$21.18 billion (US$701.32 million) when compared to the first five months of 2007.

MELVILLE, N.Y. - Park Electrochemical Corp. announced the appointment of Manuel Gonzalez as president of Neltec Europe SAS, Park’s high-technology printed circuit materials business unit in Mirebeau, France. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Gonzalez was the manufacturing director of Neltec Europe SAS. From 1989 to April 2007 Gonzalez was Neltec Europe SAS quality manager. He received a degree in Chemistry from the Lyon School of Chemistry (E.S.C.I.L.) in 1981.

SUNNYVALE, CA – The Kushner Electroplating School announces the Fall 2008 schedule for its two-day training program in electroplating. These training courses will be offered in Dallas, TX, October 27 and 28, 2008 and again in Los Angles, CA, October 30 and 31, 2008.

The two-day program entitled, "Electroplating Know How II," covers the mathematics of electroplating, chemistry and electrochemistry of electroplating, environmental issues, safety issues, plating cycles, cleaning and rinsing techniques and testing procedures. The program is designed for supervisors, operators, sales representatives, engineers and others desiring a better understanding of the basics of electroplating. Dr. Kushner will be the instructor for both sessions.