PCB producer Multi-Teknik has increased its sales in Sweden from 34,5 million SEK to 47,2 million SEK. 1 SEK is approximately worth 0,1 Euro. PCB trading company NCAB has grown on the Swedish PCB market by 2 million SEK from last year. The biggest increase for NCAB during 2007 was in Germany and in Poland.
PCB trading company PCB Connect has increased its revenue from 46 to 76 million SEK, 65 million SEK was turned over in Sweden only. Norway based Elprint lost a lot of it sales betwen 2005 to 2006. The turnover for Elprint in Sweden during that period was almost halved. Between 2006 and 2007 Elprint sales in Sweden declined from 9,7 million SEK to 8,9 million SEK.
Teltex which is on of the few producers left in Sweden has grown by 4 million SEK from 2006. The development in Sweden has been good in 2007 but the weak US dollar has held down the development.
Monday, September 29, 2008
PCB market for automotive sector to double
Between 2006 and 2012 it is expected to double to over $5 billion by 2012. Environmental considerations will impact on electronics design and the materials used in vehicle manufacture.
With the increasing electronic content of the average vehicle and the exacting future requirements substrates, are a key component to facilitate increase automotive vehicle functionality. This report reviews the in-vehicle applications driving developments in this market sector and investigates the requirements for a range of advanced and novel substrates from flexible and flex-rigid to multilayer, microvia, thick copper, low loss high performance and ceramic.
The report will provide substrate technology roadmaps for key applications and forecast of demand for specific PCBs by type and by region. Some of the key issues to be addressed in this report are thermal dissipation, high density interconnect and the bus protocols which enable higher data rates to accommodate the increased functionality. Contributing to this functionality are telematics applications such as satellite navigation, location-based services, remote diagnostics, emergency assist, airbag deployment notification, internet access, mobile TV and Bluetooth. Other applications such as passenger comfort and infotainment place demands on interconnect in the cabin as well as under the hood and behind the dashboard.
The plan by North America and Europe to tag all vehicles for distance tolling and emergency assist will further add to the electronic content of each vehicle. This study presents an up to date current assessment and future forecast of how the key substrate technologies will evolve. The research program involved BPA in interviewing substrate suppliers, end users, EMS and ODM companies, materials and process equipment developers. In addition to this, BPA has used its proven and reliable forecasting techniques to predict the future structure and size of this exciting sector.
With the increasing electronic content of the average vehicle and the exacting future requirements substrates, are a key component to facilitate increase automotive vehicle functionality. This report reviews the in-vehicle applications driving developments in this market sector and investigates the requirements for a range of advanced and novel substrates from flexible and flex-rigid to multilayer, microvia, thick copper, low loss high performance and ceramic.
The report will provide substrate technology roadmaps for key applications and forecast of demand for specific PCBs by type and by region. Some of the key issues to be addressed in this report are thermal dissipation, high density interconnect and the bus protocols which enable higher data rates to accommodate the increased functionality. Contributing to this functionality are telematics applications such as satellite navigation, location-based services, remote diagnostics, emergency assist, airbag deployment notification, internet access, mobile TV and Bluetooth. Other applications such as passenger comfort and infotainment place demands on interconnect in the cabin as well as under the hood and behind the dashboard.
The plan by North America and Europe to tag all vehicles for distance tolling and emergency assist will further add to the electronic content of each vehicle. This study presents an up to date current assessment and future forecast of how the key substrate technologies will evolve. The research program involved BPA in interviewing substrate suppliers, end users, EMS and ODM companies, materials and process equipment developers. In addition to this, BPA has used its proven and reliable forecasting techniques to predict the future structure and size of this exciting sector.
Eltek receives US high-end PCB order
Israel based PCB china producer Eltek has announced that a major U.S. industrial manufacturer has placed a frame order for flex - rigid PCB that will be used in the production of advanced industrial equipment.
Shipments under this $1,830,000 order are expected to be made during 2008. Arieh Reichart, President and Chief Executive Officer of Eltek, said, "This is the largest order we have received from a U.S.-based customer and takes our global growth initiatives to another level. As a follow-on order from a prestigious customer, it marks a strategic and quantitative milestone for our company and provides us with a great start to 2008. We expect that this order will further improve our revenue mix and associated operating margins, and increase our overall corporate productivity and visibility."
Shipments under this $1,830,000 order are expected to be made during 2008. Arieh Reichart, President and Chief Executive Officer of Eltek, said, "This is the largest order we have received from a U.S.-based customer and takes our global growth initiatives to another level. As a follow-on order from a prestigious customer, it marks a strategic and quantitative milestone for our company and provides us with a great start to 2008. We expect that this order will further improve our revenue mix and associated operating margins, and increase our overall corporate productivity and visibility."
The future of inkjet processes for PCB manufacturing
Legend ink is already up and running, solder mask is on the way, but etch resist for inkjet is not yet available for production scale PCBs, and conductives, the ultimate goal. AT&S is looking for the ultimate low cost PCB, and here they are pursuing new technologies, they do not to buy in a fixed system, but to devise one that suits them. Ink Print Head Machine and the Process are the key elements. The application has been identified, the business plan and cost calculation has been done, now they are tackling the technical problems, partnering with Printed Electronics Ltd. They meet every 1-2 weeks, and have short communication paths. An ink formulation is almost in place; they have to integrate a machine, the process will be developed by PEL, and AT&S will be the beta site for it.
Dr. Steve Jones spoke on behalf of Printed Electronic Industries, of Cambridge. PEL now have an industrial process - it has been designed to work in a rugged environment, can print at industrial speeds, this is an iTi machine, which can take 6 different heads, Xaar heads mainly, for high speed printing with a small number of heads. Using high speed photography, they can see how the ink is leaving the head and how it is forming on the substrate, PEL know the PCB business and thus are a suitable partner for AT&S. They have an etch resist, and the initial work looks most encouraging. The future includes nano-conductive inks, multilayer dielectronic structures, and components. A panel per second is the goal.
Uwe Altmann from Orbotech said Orbothech is now firmly into the inkjet field, and DoD (drop on demand) is the future, a process which Uwe described. Drops come in a continuous stream, the viscosity is controlled by temperature, (solvent evaporation), and the system boasts lower consumable and maintenance costs than before. Inkjet resolution is 1440 dpi. UV inks are attractive, no solvents, and with them you can create 3D structures. They also cure easily and quickly. The advantages of inkjet versus screen were clearly shown, and probably already well known. Conventional solder mask process steps against ink jet application were also shown, and here the speed of UV assists greatly in the drying process for legend inks.
Legend inks exist now, to come will be etch resists, chemical milling, solder masks and solder dams using inks only. Conformal masks and conductives are also in the future. They have done some work on 100µm lines and spaces using inkjet. They need 1440 dpi for this.
Gregory Blake from Printar’s US operation talked about advanced inkjet technology. Cost pressures are enormous on PCB production, so inkjet technology offers potentially attractive cost advantages for certain kinds of circuitry, but not all. Printar have 50 systems installed worldwide, and have 70 staff employed, dedicated to inkjet and nothing else. Having their ink approved is a key element here. Legend printing was the start, and here they have been successful; the advantages of inkjet v screen printing were underlined once more, including the availability of ‘serialisation’, of on-line numbering. Gregory highlighted some of the problems with conventional solder masks, and the potential advantages of ink jet solder mask; here inkjet replaces lots of machines, people, and saves a lot of time - a 2 minute cycle time against 133 minutes. One the face of it, it sounds good, but one must ask the question, given the need for approvals and the meeting of specifications - will it work with all solder masks?
Ashok Sridhar from the University of Twente in The Netherlands is working on his PhD researching the interface between inkjet printed semi-conducting components and the substrates used in the PCB industry. His technical paper covered inkjet printing using functional inks such as PEDOT and a silver nano-particle ink, on pcb substrates and glass. They have characterised adhesion between printed layer and substrate. Using a Microfab JetLab4 inkjet printer, Mr. Sridhar clearly showed how the droplet size can be strongly affected by temperature and humidity. They have also used a silver ink on FR4. The problems and challenges are not a few. One is the absorption of the ink into the substrate, so they have measured this with an autoperosity measurement system, and they can see how problems might occur where two lines meet inside the substrate. Future work looks extensive, and the results so far look most encouraging.
Rob Haslett is the CEO of Patterning Technologies Limited showed the shopping list that is required: a system that produces high quality at low cost, is fast, handles complex materials, in small batch sizes and with full traceability. Here inkjet technology can be of real assistance. If offers minimal set up time, minimal operator skills, fewer processes, lower cost, and with variable data. Getting rid of the wet processing is desirable, but how do you go down that route? With inkjet there are many parameters - ink, print heads, print platforms, and print strategy - they all have to be balanced. Factors to be considered are adhesion-surface wetting; viscosity and jetability, coalescence; resolution, reliability, speed and accuracy.
There is 10 years experience at PTL, a technical consultancy that is experienced in the bio-medical and flat panel displays, and etching applications as well as PCB. They have partnered with KLG in Germany, who know all about X Y positioning, and together they have launched JetRite® as a system. PTL are looking at the marketing, KLG are producing the printing platform, and the manufacturing and sales and support, which is now in place. Unsurprisingly, the printing platform is very similar to a drilling machine. PTL are providing the printing head, the ink, managing the suppliers, and notifying the end users.
So far they have a machine that has one printing speed at very high quality - a 17 second print time. With a 14picolitre drop size, they are obtaining 100 micron lines and spaces. There are two self-aligning print heads, one for white and one for yellow (legend inks). It is a compatible partnership and doubtless destined for great things - interesting to see how his company has arrived at the same place, but via a rather different route.
Dr. Steve Jones spoke on behalf of Printed Electronic Industries, of Cambridge. PEL now have an industrial process - it has been designed to work in a rugged environment, can print at industrial speeds, this is an iTi machine, which can take 6 different heads, Xaar heads mainly, for high speed printing with a small number of heads. Using high speed photography, they can see how the ink is leaving the head and how it is forming on the substrate, PEL know the PCB business and thus are a suitable partner for AT&S. They have an etch resist, and the initial work looks most encouraging. The future includes nano-conductive inks, multilayer dielectronic structures, and components. A panel per second is the goal.
Uwe Altmann from Orbotech said Orbothech is now firmly into the inkjet field, and DoD (drop on demand) is the future, a process which Uwe described. Drops come in a continuous stream, the viscosity is controlled by temperature, (solvent evaporation), and the system boasts lower consumable and maintenance costs than before. Inkjet resolution is 1440 dpi. UV inks are attractive, no solvents, and with them you can create 3D structures. They also cure easily and quickly. The advantages of inkjet versus screen were clearly shown, and probably already well known. Conventional solder mask process steps against ink jet application were also shown, and here the speed of UV assists greatly in the drying process for legend inks.
Legend inks exist now, to come will be etch resists, chemical milling, solder masks and solder dams using inks only. Conformal masks and conductives are also in the future. They have done some work on 100µm lines and spaces using inkjet. They need 1440 dpi for this.
Gregory Blake from Printar’s US operation talked about advanced inkjet technology. Cost pressures are enormous on PCB production, so inkjet technology offers potentially attractive cost advantages for certain kinds of circuitry, but not all. Printar have 50 systems installed worldwide, and have 70 staff employed, dedicated to inkjet and nothing else. Having their ink approved is a key element here. Legend printing was the start, and here they have been successful; the advantages of inkjet v screen printing were underlined once more, including the availability of ‘serialisation’, of on-line numbering. Gregory highlighted some of the problems with conventional solder masks, and the potential advantages of ink jet solder mask; here inkjet replaces lots of machines, people, and saves a lot of time - a 2 minute cycle time against 133 minutes. One the face of it, it sounds good, but one must ask the question, given the need for approvals and the meeting of specifications - will it work with all solder masks?
Ashok Sridhar from the University of Twente in The Netherlands is working on his PhD researching the interface between inkjet printed semi-conducting components and the substrates used in the PCB industry. His technical paper covered inkjet printing using functional inks such as PEDOT and a silver nano-particle ink, on pcb substrates and glass. They have characterised adhesion between printed layer and substrate. Using a Microfab JetLab4 inkjet printer, Mr. Sridhar clearly showed how the droplet size can be strongly affected by temperature and humidity. They have also used a silver ink on FR4. The problems and challenges are not a few. One is the absorption of the ink into the substrate, so they have measured this with an autoperosity measurement system, and they can see how problems might occur where two lines meet inside the substrate. Future work looks extensive, and the results so far look most encouraging.
Rob Haslett is the CEO of Patterning Technologies Limited showed the shopping list that is required: a system that produces high quality at low cost, is fast, handles complex materials, in small batch sizes and with full traceability. Here inkjet technology can be of real assistance. If offers minimal set up time, minimal operator skills, fewer processes, lower cost, and with variable data. Getting rid of the wet processing is desirable, but how do you go down that route? With inkjet there are many parameters - ink, print heads, print platforms, and print strategy - they all have to be balanced. Factors to be considered are adhesion-surface wetting; viscosity and jetability, coalescence; resolution, reliability, speed and accuracy.
There is 10 years experience at PTL, a technical consultancy that is experienced in the bio-medical and flat panel displays, and etching applications as well as PCB. They have partnered with KLG in Germany, who know all about X Y positioning, and together they have launched JetRite® as a system. PTL are looking at the marketing, KLG are producing the printing platform, and the manufacturing and sales and support, which is now in place. Unsurprisingly, the printing platform is very similar to a drilling machine. PTL are providing the printing head, the ink, managing the suppliers, and notifying the end users.
So far they have a machine that has one printing speed at very high quality - a 17 second print time. With a 14picolitre drop size, they are obtaining 100 micron lines and spaces. There are two self-aligning print heads, one for white and one for yellow (legend inks). It is a compatible partnership and doubtless destined for great things - interesting to see how his company has arrived at the same place, but via a rather different route.
Bosses discussed the European PCB future
Dominique Pellizzari is the boss of the CIRE Group, and wondered what can the European PCB industry do to get stronger? Some facts and figures first - the French PCB industry represents 9% of European production, it is worth 234 million euros, and comprises just 31 companies (down from 68), and they are the 5th largest producer in Europe. Most members are small - medium companies, serving an 800 billion euros electronics industry in France; challenges include a reduced supplier base, restrictions on number of hours, tougher environmental regulations, and changes in the ‘value chain’.PCB China
The structure of FIEN was described, with Gixel, FIEEC, and a competitive cluster, such as in Toulouse, where the companies and universities specialise in aerospace with technology companies gathering together in serving one industry sector. Insurance, payment terms, industry standards and regulations were all matters which came under FIEEC and FIEN takes on the promotion in all aspects, lobbying to promote R&D. Translate such a national approach into a European one was the point made by Dominique. In an ideal world, Dominique.
Giacomo Angeloni from Somacis in Italy had a swift look over his shoulder. Well, there were 767 PCB manufacturers in Europe in 1990, now there are just 342. The PCB market in 2000 was 4775 million euros, and this has dropped down to 2748 million in 2006. In Italy, the number of PCB companies has dropped down from 167 to 33, and there are 25% less people employed in the PCB industry in Italy than there were before.
What manufacture we have left is paying higher prices for most of its supplies. We are paying about twice as much for petrol in Europe as they do in China. In Italy motorists are paying $1.56 per litre, against $0.69 per litre in China. Looking at what the EC does for industry, the answer appears to be - not a lot; 45 % of expenditure is in agriculture. But surely we should be investing in technology, not crops. Technical economical and political actions are needed; we need European funds for research, for it is on the back of innovation that we shall survive. Much team work is needed here, said Giancomo. Like Bernard, Giancomo is looking at the EC for assistance, but it maybe that the commissioners have to be persuaded that the future lies in technological innovation, not olive trees.
Dr. Udo Bechtloff from KSG Leiterplatten GmbH said that his company has the same problems as anyone else, but they have been successful in their own right. It is a family owned company, with a turnover of 9 million Euros in 1996, which had risen by 2007 to 47 million. Founded in 1956, KSG lies in the former East Germany and before reunification were employing 3000 people, but they aim to be down to 430 by 2010. They have made a 50 million Euro investment in plant and buildings, serving 535 global customers, but through German ‘mother’ companies. Growth had been a process of steady increase, and their product spread is 39% for industrial electronics, 31% for EMS, 14% automotive, 10% consumer electronics and telecom 5%. With 25,000 orders per annum, they handle 100-200 different jobs per day, with an average order size of 1-2 m², with 96% delivery reliability. They have grown in a declining market, admirably, where a market in Europe has reduced by 47% in 7 years they have risen by 88%. Supply what the customer wants, said Udo. Yes, but it just maybe that KSG started with a lower operating cost, and benefited from a lot of government assistance. Their technology road map was very interesting, and as was the fact that they fund 10 R&D engineers out of turnover. Reliability of products, says Udo, is the most important thing, and reliability testing is carried out as a matter of routine. We suspect that a little modesty was being displayed here, with inspired management and strong staff motivation being key factors as well.
The structure of FIEN was described, with Gixel, FIEEC, and a competitive cluster, such as in Toulouse, where the companies and universities specialise in aerospace with technology companies gathering together in serving one industry sector. Insurance, payment terms, industry standards and regulations were all matters which came under FIEEC and FIEN takes on the promotion in all aspects, lobbying to promote R&D. Translate such a national approach into a European one was the point made by Dominique. In an ideal world, Dominique.
Giacomo Angeloni from Somacis in Italy had a swift look over his shoulder. Well, there were 767 PCB manufacturers in Europe in 1990, now there are just 342. The PCB market in 2000 was 4775 million euros, and this has dropped down to 2748 million in 2006. In Italy, the number of PCB companies has dropped down from 167 to 33, and there are 25% less people employed in the PCB industry in Italy than there were before.
What manufacture we have left is paying higher prices for most of its supplies. We are paying about twice as much for petrol in Europe as they do in China. In Italy motorists are paying $1.56 per litre, against $0.69 per litre in China. Looking at what the EC does for industry, the answer appears to be - not a lot; 45 % of expenditure is in agriculture. But surely we should be investing in technology, not crops. Technical economical and political actions are needed; we need European funds for research, for it is on the back of innovation that we shall survive. Much team work is needed here, said Giancomo. Like Bernard, Giancomo is looking at the EC for assistance, but it maybe that the commissioners have to be persuaded that the future lies in technological innovation, not olive trees.
Dr. Udo Bechtloff from KSG Leiterplatten GmbH said that his company has the same problems as anyone else, but they have been successful in their own right. It is a family owned company, with a turnover of 9 million Euros in 1996, which had risen by 2007 to 47 million. Founded in 1956, KSG lies in the former East Germany and before reunification were employing 3000 people, but they aim to be down to 430 by 2010. They have made a 50 million Euro investment in plant and buildings, serving 535 global customers, but through German ‘mother’ companies. Growth had been a process of steady increase, and their product spread is 39% for industrial electronics, 31% for EMS, 14% automotive, 10% consumer electronics and telecom 5%. With 25,000 orders per annum, they handle 100-200 different jobs per day, with an average order size of 1-2 m², with 96% delivery reliability. They have grown in a declining market, admirably, where a market in Europe has reduced by 47% in 7 years they have risen by 88%. Supply what the customer wants, said Udo. Yes, but it just maybe that KSG started with a lower operating cost, and benefited from a lot of government assistance. Their technology road map was very interesting, and as was the fact that they fund 10 R&D engineers out of turnover. Reliability of products, says Udo, is the most important thing, and reliability testing is carried out as a matter of routine. We suspect that a little modesty was being displayed here, with inspired management and strong staff motivation being key factors as well.
Italian – French PCB merger complete
Italian based electronics group Elco completes aqcusition of French Printed Circuit Board supplier Main Circuits Imprimés.
Maine Printed Circuit is a subsidiary of French Computer firm Bull. An intensive analysis work, which lasted more than one year, leaded Elco group to the agreement with Bull international group, which identified in the Elco group, the best strategical resolution to assure the growth of Main Circuits Imprimés.
Maine Printed Circuit is a subsidiary of French Computer firm Bull. An intensive analysis work, which lasted more than one year, leaded Elco group to the agreement with Bull international group, which identified in the Elco group, the best strategical resolution to assure the growth of Main Circuits Imprimés.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Weaker demand in Asian handset PCB market
According to industry sources quoted by DigiTimes.com, handset printed circuit board makers expects a fall in the first-quarter sales due to lower demand from mobile handset makers.
Orders from handset vendors such as Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Apple and HTC is not reaching previously expected levels, according to DigiTimes. It looks like orders from these manufacturers will stay flat or drop up to 10 per cent during the first quarter in 2008. This is due to a weaker demand on the mobile phone consumer market in China. Also orders from Motorola remains weak and there is no sign of any planned increase.
Unitech Printed Circuit Board expects a 5-10% drop in the first quarter, according to DigiTime’s source. Unitech's handset PCB shipments for the fourth quarter rose 3% sequentially to 25 million units, according to DigiTimes sources.
Orders from handset vendors such as Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Apple and HTC is not reaching previously expected levels, according to DigiTimes. It looks like orders from these manufacturers will stay flat or drop up to 10 per cent during the first quarter in 2008. This is due to a weaker demand on the mobile phone consumer market in China. Also orders from Motorola remains weak and there is no sign of any planned increase.
Unitech Printed Circuit Board expects a 5-10% drop in the first quarter, according to DigiTime’s source. Unitech's handset PCB shipments for the fourth quarter rose 3% sequentially to 25 million units, according to DigiTimes sources.
German PCB market boomed in October 2007
According to Verband der Leiterplattenindustrie and ZVEI - Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie, the German Printed Circuit Board Market boomed in October 2007.
Incoming orders in October 2007 grew by 40 per cent from the same period in 2006. It grew 26 per cent on average years. Smaller and mid sized companies with prototype and pilot production grew mostly. The German PCB market growth was nearly at the same level during the first ten months in 2007 than it was during the full year of 2006.
Incoming orders in October 2007 grew by 40 per cent from the same period in 2006. It grew 26 per cent on average years. Smaller and mid sized companies with prototype and pilot production grew mostly. The German PCB market growth was nearly at the same level during the first ten months in 2007 than it was during the full year of 2006.
Europe’s and N. Americas PCB share declining
IPC has released World PCB Production and Laminate Market Report for the Year 2006. The report shows that the world PCB market expanded in 2006, for the third year in a row.
At $47.6 billion, it grew 11.7 percent in nominal terms (not inflation-adjusted), and has surpassed its year-2000 peak. According to the report, PCB growth has outpaced economic growth and the growth of most other industries, thanks to the growing demand for electronic products. In addition, Asia has continued to grow to 81 percent of world PCB production, while Europe and North America continued to lose some share. China has outpaced most other countries in PCB production growth. Though slowing, China’s growth is about twice the global rate of growth for PCB production.
At $47.6 billion, it grew 11.7 percent in nominal terms (not inflation-adjusted), and has surpassed its year-2000 peak. According to the report, PCB growth has outpaced economic growth and the growth of most other industries, thanks to the growing demand for electronic products. In addition, Asia has continued to grow to 81 percent of world PCB production, while Europe and North America continued to lose some share. China has outpaced most other countries in PCB production growth. Though slowing, China’s growth is about twice the global rate of growth for PCB production.
Techno-Service enlarges PCB production capacity
During the past few years, the company already invested around €400,000 in the development of its PCB production capacity. Techno-Service purchased a Schmoll drill, AOI and photoploter from Mania as well as an AgfaLine developer.
The total production capacity is 3,000 sqm PCB’s per month. The company also continues the construction of its own waste-waster treatment facility - an investment of around €150,000, which is partly funded (40%) by the EU.
Techno-Service was set up in 1956 and among other activities runs business units in the PCB and EMS sectors. Techno-Service specializes in two-sided and multilayer boards. The PCB division currently employs 102 staff at its facility in a suburb of Gdańsk (Poland). The PCB production is mainly exported to Germany, Lithuania and Scandinavia.
The total production capacity is 3,000 sqm PCB’s per month. The company also continues the construction of its own waste-waster treatment facility - an investment of around €150,000, which is partly funded (40%) by the EU.
Techno-Service was set up in 1956 and among other activities runs business units in the PCB and EMS sectors. Techno-Service specializes in two-sided and multilayer boards. The PCB division currently employs 102 staff at its facility in a suburb of Gdańsk (Poland). The PCB production is mainly exported to Germany, Lithuania and Scandinavia.
Jobs in former Ruwel PCB factory saved
The Ruwel electronics factory was taken over in July by Schoeller-Electronics. Nevertheless the financing by the main investor Nord Holding was until recently not secured.
At the end of August the representatives of the employers and employees of the former printed circuit board factory of the Ruwel GmbH had agreed on an acknowledgment and supplement collective agreement which became effective on 1st September. With that the condition of the Nord Holding for an entry as main investor was fulfilled.
Ruwel sold the factory in Wetter to the previous Ruwel-manager Ralf Ebeling and to Wolfgang Winkelmann, the manager of the pcb factory in Wetter. The new name Schoeller-Electronics GmbH reminds of the previous company name Schoeller & Co Elektronik GmbH.
At the end of August the representatives of the employers and employees of the former printed circuit board factory of the Ruwel GmbH had agreed on an acknowledgment and supplement collective agreement which became effective on 1st September. With that the condition of the Nord Holding for an entry as main investor was fulfilled.
Ruwel sold the factory in Wetter to the previous Ruwel-manager Ralf Ebeling and to Wolfgang Winkelmann, the manager of the pcb factory in Wetter. The new name Schoeller-Electronics GmbH reminds of the previous company name Schoeller & Co Elektronik GmbH.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
No more PCB assembly at Trimble in Sweden
US based Trimble, provider of advanced positioning solutions which has it’s own manufacturing outside Stockholm Sweden, will outsource the entire production of its products.
EMS provider Note has received the major contract for this outsourcing deal. This details was denied by Trimble, however evertiq’s sources said all of Trimble’s SMT-equipment in the Stockholm facility has been sold.
EMS provider Note has received the major contract for this outsourcing deal. This details was denied by Trimble, however evertiq’s sources said all of Trimble’s SMT-equipment in the Stockholm facility has been sold.
PCB Libraries is now PCB Matrix
PCB Libraries has outgrown its name. The company will soon offer new tools beyond the scope of CAD libraries, and so adopted a more appropriate name "PCB Matrix Corp."
PCB Matrix software programmers, also professional PCB designers in direct contact with end users, recognize growing needs for additional software tools to help automate PCB design related tasks. They are developing a variety of software tools such as the Symbol Modeler (automated schematic symbol generation), Board Planner (assisted part placement), and Constraint Rule Editors (defining advanced signal routing rules). Other indispensable tools are also in development.
"We wanted to maintain the high reputation we established and meet growing customer needs" said Tom Hausherr, CEO, "so we decided to keep a part of our logo." PCB Matrix will soon release a major upgrade to the IPC-7351 LP Suite developed by PCB Libraries. The new LP Calculator will include support for IPC-7251 through-hole technology and by customer demand, include Inch and Mil units. PCB Matrix plans to roll out several highly innovative products in Spring 2008.
PCB Matrix software programmers, also professional PCB designers in direct contact with end users, recognize growing needs for additional software tools to help automate PCB design related tasks. They are developing a variety of software tools such as the Symbol Modeler (automated schematic symbol generation), Board Planner (assisted part placement), and Constraint Rule Editors (defining advanced signal routing rules). Other indispensable tools are also in development.
"We wanted to maintain the high reputation we established and meet growing customer needs" said Tom Hausherr, CEO, "so we decided to keep a part of our logo." PCB Matrix will soon release a major upgrade to the IPC-7351 LP Suite developed by PCB Libraries. The new LP Calculator will include support for IPC-7251 through-hole technology and by customer demand, include Inch and Mil units. PCB Matrix plans to roll out several highly innovative products in Spring 2008.
PCB producer Eltek reports 2007 loss
In the fourth quarter Eltek made significant progress to increase revenue and to rapidly overcome the adverse revenue impact of a discontinued customer product. Fourth quarter revenue grew to $9.9 million from $8.8 million in the third quarter. Revenue growth in the fourth quarter was driven, in part, by continued penetration of the high-end PCB market in the U.S. This market includes customers in the aerospace, industrial and medical industries who have growing demands for Eltek’s flex-rigid capabilities. In 2007, Eltek’s strategic penetration of the U.S. high-end PCB market substantially gained momentum, by nearly doubling its U.S. revenues to $4.3 million and by winning 13 new tier-one customers.
In the fourth quarter the Company made an important step forward in its efforts to rapidly overcome the adverse revenue impact of the end-of-life notice regarding the principal product of a former customer. Excluding sales relating to the former customer’s discontinued product, revenues in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2007 increased by $4.9 million compared to the same period in 2006, reflecting an annual growth rate of 17%. Moreover, the Company made progress in diversifying its customer base, as its largest affiliated group of customers accounted for 15% of total revenues, and no other single customer accounted for more than 10% of total revenues in the fourth quarter or full year 2007.
Year Ended December 31, 2007:
Revenues for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2007 were $37.5 million compared with revenues of $39.0 million for the comparable period in 2006. The year-over-year decrease in revenues is attributable to reduced sales to the Company's former largest customer, which notified the Company at the end of the second quarter of 2007 that it was terminating production of its principal product. Revenues from that customer were $3.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $9.9 million in the year and quarter ended December 31, 2006.
Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $301,000, or diluted net loss of $0.05 per share, compared with a net profit of $1.7 million, or diluted net profit of $0.24 per share, for the same period in 2006. The reduction in net profit is mainly attributable to the negative impact of the devaluation of the U.S. dollar against the NIS and to the previously mentioned reduction in sales. The Company’s sales are primarily denominated in dollars while its expenses are mainly denominated in NIS. During the year ended December 31, 2007 the U.S. dollar decreased in value against the NIS by 9.0%.
Fourth-Quarter 2007:
Eltek reported revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2007 of $9.9 million compared with $8.8 million for the third quarter of 2007, $8.6 million for the second quarter of 2007, and $10.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2006. The slight year-over-year decrease in revenues is attributable to reduced sales to the Company's former principal customer.
The Company incurred a net loss in the fourth quarter of $472,000, or diluted net loss of $0.07 per share, compared with net profit of $63,000, or diluted net profit of $0.01 per share, for the same quarter in 2006. The loss is mainly attributable to continued devaluation of the U.S. dollar against the NIS and, to the aforementioned reduction in sales.
Arieh Reichart, President and Chief Executive Officer of Eltek, commented: "In the fourth quarter we made an important step forward in our efforts to rapidly overcome the adverse revenue impact of the discontinued customer product, as fourth quarter revenue grew nicely over the third quarter. This achievement is a further testament to the continuing strengthening of our global market position as well as to the robustness of our growth strategy."
"In 2007, our penetration into the strategic U.S. high-end PCB market substantially gained momentum. We nearly doubled our U.S. revenues to $4.3 million, won 13 new tier-one customers, and expanded our distributor network. Based on recent wins and marketing initiatives, we currently believe that we will continue to grow our U.S. revenues in 2008."
"Since the second quarter, we obtained sufficient orders from new and existing customers to almost completely compensate for the reduction in sales associated with the former principal customer and are now very encouraged with our progress in diversifying our serial production customer base. Our top ten customers accounted for 48% of our total sales in 2007 as compared with 60% and 63% in the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. In addition, although our operating measures are in line with the industry for the high-end products, we are working on improving our manufacturing processes in order to achieve better operating performance, and expect to see the positive outcome from these steps in the second quarter of 2008 and onwards."
Amnon Shemer, CFO of Eltek, added: "As an Israeli-based export-focused company, whose domestic prices are also denominated in U.S. dollars, the unprecedented devaluation of the U.S. dollar against the NIS had an inevitable negative impact on our operating margins and profitability. While we have been proactive in entering into hedging transactions, these transactions are of a short term nature, and the magnitude of the devaluation took its toll and adversely offset operational - leverage related profitability improvements. The dollar has continued to decline against the NIS in 2008. However, we have recently been working diligently with many of our Israeli clients to increase the actual exchange rate underlying our price lists, and are encouraged by the responsiveness and understanding we have been receiving on this front. We expect to see the positive outcome from these steps in the second quarter of 2008 and onwards."
In the fourth quarter the Company made an important step forward in its efforts to rapidly overcome the adverse revenue impact of the end-of-life notice regarding the principal product of a former customer. Excluding sales relating to the former customer’s discontinued product, revenues in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2007 increased by $4.9 million compared to the same period in 2006, reflecting an annual growth rate of 17%. Moreover, the Company made progress in diversifying its customer base, as its largest affiliated group of customers accounted for 15% of total revenues, and no other single customer accounted for more than 10% of total revenues in the fourth quarter or full year 2007.
Year Ended December 31, 2007:
Revenues for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2007 were $37.5 million compared with revenues of $39.0 million for the comparable period in 2006. The year-over-year decrease in revenues is attributable to reduced sales to the Company's former largest customer, which notified the Company at the end of the second quarter of 2007 that it was terminating production of its principal product. Revenues from that customer were $3.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $9.9 million in the year and quarter ended December 31, 2006.
Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $301,000, or diluted net loss of $0.05 per share, compared with a net profit of $1.7 million, or diluted net profit of $0.24 per share, for the same period in 2006. The reduction in net profit is mainly attributable to the negative impact of the devaluation of the U.S. dollar against the NIS and to the previously mentioned reduction in sales. The Company’s sales are primarily denominated in dollars while its expenses are mainly denominated in NIS. During the year ended December 31, 2007 the U.S. dollar decreased in value against the NIS by 9.0%.
Fourth-Quarter 2007:
Eltek reported revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2007 of $9.9 million compared with $8.8 million for the third quarter of 2007, $8.6 million for the second quarter of 2007, and $10.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2006. The slight year-over-year decrease in revenues is attributable to reduced sales to the Company's former principal customer.
The Company incurred a net loss in the fourth quarter of $472,000, or diluted net loss of $0.07 per share, compared with net profit of $63,000, or diluted net profit of $0.01 per share, for the same quarter in 2006. The loss is mainly attributable to continued devaluation of the U.S. dollar against the NIS and, to the aforementioned reduction in sales.
Arieh Reichart, President and Chief Executive Officer of Eltek, commented: "In the fourth quarter we made an important step forward in our efforts to rapidly overcome the adverse revenue impact of the discontinued customer product, as fourth quarter revenue grew nicely over the third quarter. This achievement is a further testament to the continuing strengthening of our global market position as well as to the robustness of our growth strategy."
"In 2007, our penetration into the strategic U.S. high-end PCB market substantially gained momentum. We nearly doubled our U.S. revenues to $4.3 million, won 13 new tier-one customers, and expanded our distributor network. Based on recent wins and marketing initiatives, we currently believe that we will continue to grow our U.S. revenues in 2008."
"Since the second quarter, we obtained sufficient orders from new and existing customers to almost completely compensate for the reduction in sales associated with the former principal customer and are now very encouraged with our progress in diversifying our serial production customer base. Our top ten customers accounted for 48% of our total sales in 2007 as compared with 60% and 63% in the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. In addition, although our operating measures are in line with the industry for the high-end products, we are working on improving our manufacturing processes in order to achieve better operating performance, and expect to see the positive outcome from these steps in the second quarter of 2008 and onwards."
Amnon Shemer, CFO of Eltek, added: "As an Israeli-based export-focused company, whose domestic prices are also denominated in U.S. dollars, the unprecedented devaluation of the U.S. dollar against the NIS had an inevitable negative impact on our operating margins and profitability. While we have been proactive in entering into hedging transactions, these transactions are of a short term nature, and the magnitude of the devaluation took its toll and adversely offset operational - leverage related profitability improvements. The dollar has continued to decline against the NIS in 2008. However, we have recently been working diligently with many of our Israeli clients to increase the actual exchange rate underlying our price lists, and are encouraged by the responsiveness and understanding we have been receiving on this front. We expect to see the positive outcome from these steps in the second quarter of 2008 and onwards."
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
iPhone second generation PCB suppliers revealed
Apple is expected to launch its second generation of the iPhone this month. Apple has decided which companies that will supply the PCBs.
According to industry sources - Nanya, Tripod, Foxconn and Foxlink have received orders from Apple. These companies will start shipping in May. Tripod and Compeq has not comment on being selected. Unimicron did produce motherboards for the first generation of iPhone however the company has not yet been selected for the second generation.
According to industry sources - Nanya, Tripod, Foxconn and Foxlink have received orders from Apple. These companies will start shipping in May. Tripod and Compeq has not comment on being selected. Unimicron did produce motherboards for the first generation of iPhone however the company has not yet been selected for the second generation.
Germany leads PCB industry in Europe
About 40% of all European PCBs are produced in Germany. In 2007, 80 PCB manufacturers with 9,220 employees produced PCB corresponding to a value of € 1,039 million.
Main customers segment for the German PCBs was the automotive electronics sector with 36.6%, followed by the electronics industry with 30% and telecommunications with 10.7%. The information technology segment accounted for 7%, consumer electronics for 4.7%, medical technology account for 2% and military technology for just under 1%. Other were 11%.
The number of employees in Germany grew from 8,780 in 2006 to 9,220 in 2007, an increase of just over 5%.
Positive development in Germany continues
The market volume in Germany in 2007 amounted to € 1,445 million - an increase of 2.5%. Main customer segments were the automotive electronics with 33.6% and the electronics industry with 29.4%. The telecommunications sector accounted for 22%, followed by the segments of information technology (9%) and consumer electronics (6.2%). For 2008, an increase of 2.6% to €1,482 million is predicted.
"In order to continue successfully in today’s market, a company needs to respond to costumer wishes in a flexible and innovative way," said Dr. Wolfgang Bochtler, chairman of the VdL. "The close cooperation as well as the supply chain is a big plus for market success. Moreover, the local industry also has soft location factors such as social skills and customer service. These are essential for consulting intense services and products."
Main customers segment for the German PCBs was the automotive electronics sector with 36.6%, followed by the electronics industry with 30% and telecommunications with 10.7%. The information technology segment accounted for 7%, consumer electronics for 4.7%, medical technology account for 2% and military technology for just under 1%. Other were 11%.
The number of employees in Germany grew from 8,780 in 2006 to 9,220 in 2007, an increase of just over 5%.
Positive development in Germany continues
The market volume in Germany in 2007 amounted to € 1,445 million - an increase of 2.5%. Main customer segments were the automotive electronics with 33.6% and the electronics industry with 29.4%. The telecommunications sector accounted for 22%, followed by the segments of information technology (9%) and consumer electronics (6.2%). For 2008, an increase of 2.6% to €1,482 million is predicted.
"In order to continue successfully in today’s market, a company needs to respond to costumer wishes in a flexible and innovative way," said Dr. Wolfgang Bochtler, chairman of the VdL. "The close cooperation as well as the supply chain is a big plus for market success. Moreover, the local industry also has soft location factors such as social skills and customer service. These are essential for consulting intense services and products."
Nordic PCB provider sees demand in flex-rigids
Multi-Teknik has seen a massive increase of orders for flex-rigid flex-circuit boards. While interest in this technology has accelerated, the flow of offers has gathered pace too. "This is a little surprising, because - among other things - the IPC " book to bill "for the North American market has levelled during the last six months. Of course, this is at the same time very gratifying and this is the reward for the efforts we took to increase our knowledge of this subject. Our gut feeling tells us that the price gap between rigid and flex slowly decreasing and it also means that the technology is more accessible to a wider market, "said the Multi-Teknik's Vice President Magnus Svensson told evertiq.
PCB provider Multi-Teknik sees increasing demand for flexible printed circuit boards and has seen a substantial order increase during the past few months.
Elvia PCB receives PRI NADCAP certification
This certification is required for work in the aviation sector and for manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing. It is also said to further open the French aviation market for the group, reports electronique, which currently account for about 35% of its operations.
PCB Connect to take over Elprint's Oslo office
When the Norwegian PCB manufacturer Elprint declared bankruptcy just prior to the holidays, the Oslo office was closed down too. However, when the new owners had the company up and running again, the Oslo office was no longer part of the organisation. Instead it was taken over by PCB Connect.
The new office will be directed by Svein-Erik Rambø, employ 4 staff and be located in Hønnefoss, just outside Oslo.
The Swedish company PCB Connect AB has established an office in the Norwegian market by taking over Elprint's former office in Oslo.
The new office will be directed by Svein-Erik Rambø, employ 4 staff and be located in Hønnefoss, just outside Oslo.
The Swedish company PCB Connect AB has established an office in the Norwegian market by taking over Elprint's former office in Oslo.
Falcon PCB Group acquires Elite Circuits
UK Based PCB Group Falcon Holdings has acquired Elite Circuits, based in Cranbrook, Kent.
Neil Martin, Chairman of Falcon Holdings, welcomed Elite to the group commenting "In acquiring Elite we add further capacity and capability to the group from a long established company with a reputation for first class quality and service".
Elite MD Bill Pegram sees the acquisition as "providing Elite with the added support and strength of the Falcon Group and an opportunity to broaden our markets and increase our customer base".
Falcon PCB Group acquires Elite Circuits
Neil Martin, Chairman of Falcon Holdings, welcomed Elite to the group commenting "In acquiring Elite we add further capacity and capability to the group from a long established company with a reputation for first class quality and service".
Elite MD Bill Pegram sees the acquisition as "providing Elite with the added support and strength of the Falcon Group and an opportunity to broaden our markets and increase our customer base".
Falcon PCB Group acquires Elite Circuits
Pcb news:Prices for PCB material go down
Pcb news:Prices for PCB material go down
Printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturers can expect to improve profitability in Q4/08, as prices for raw materials - such as solder paste and copper clad laminates (CCLs) are going down.
Industry players have indicated that the price of tin has gone down to US$19,000 per metric ton (from US$22,000). However, if the price drops any lower, companies are usually pressured to a price adjustment.
Many solder paste makers have a sufficient level of inventory at the moment and flat material prices will affect average selling prices (ASPs) in September and October, reports DigiTimes. Pricing of CCL may also go down - due not only to decreasing copper cost, but also to a very high level of inventory
Printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturers can expect to improve profitability in Q4/08, as prices for raw materials - such as solder paste and copper clad laminates (CCLs) are going down.
Industry players have indicated that the price of tin has gone down to US$19,000 per metric ton (from US$22,000). However, if the price drops any lower, companies are usually pressured to a price adjustment.
Many solder paste makers have a sufficient level of inventory at the moment and flat material prices will affect average selling prices (ASPs) in September and October, reports DigiTimes. Pricing of CCL may also go down - due not only to decreasing copper cost, but also to a very high level of inventory
European PCB producers will all disappear, or be transferred to China in the future?
In Electronics.ca new report, the advanced PCB (printed circuit boards) mainly refers to non-traditional PCB, including mobile phone board and photoelectric board; only hard board is set as the research object without involving soft board. 40% of the world's PCB is produced in the uppermost manufacturing bases - China and Taiwan.
Furthermore, only a few of PCB enterprises in military and aerospace fields survive in North America. In Europe, PCB industry has been gradually shrinking due to the strict demand in environmental protection and weak competitive ability caused by workers' unwillingness towards overtime; hence in the future, Europe-based PCB enterprises will all disappear, or be transferred to China, said Electronics.ca.
Japan majors in high-end products like IC board and flexible board, and that of Korea in IC board, memory module and mobile phone boards. In recent years, Taiwan has made rapid progress in IC board; Nanya has exceeded IBIDEN, ranking first globally, and the overall production value of IC boards has surpassed South Korea. Taiwan also acts as the world's another largest mobile phone board producing area, sharing over 60% of the global market. In China, there are 1200 plus PCB enterprises, most of which are engaged in single-sided PCB and multilayer PCB with low technology content as well as downstream products usually including computer motherboard and inferior consumable electronics, according to Electronics.ca.
As for the traditional PCB field, owing to the lower threshold and furious competition, manufacturers are successively seeking new profit points, which can be concluded into the following three directions:
The first is IC board. As the capital intensive investment, IC board covers semiconductor packaging industry and PCB industry, requiring manufacturers to own technologies in the two fields. So IC board has the highest threshold, yet with the largest profit. All of the top PCB manufacturers show great interest in IC board, such as the world largest PCB enterprise - IBIDEN, the world second largest PCB enterprise - Shinko Electric, Taiwan-based largest PCB enterprise - Nanya PCB and Taiwan's second largest PCB enterprise - World Wiser Electronics.
The second is the special fields, including mobile phone board, photoelectric board, laptop computer PCB and memory module. Taiwan is the world largest supplying region in mobile phone board, and over 65% of the world's mobile phone boards come from Taiwan, said Electronics.ca.
Due to the costliness of horizontal Electroplating equipments and the superior demand on interlayer registration accuracy and electroplating level up degree, the entry threshold is comparatively high despite being 4-6 layer board in the photoelectric field. Taiwan-based Tripod Electronic and Wus Printed Circuit Co., Ltd. are the two giants in this field, while Dynamic Electronics and Taiwan PCB TechVest Co., Ltd. are regarded as the rising stars; besides, Yang An Electronics and Gold Circuit Electronics have also made progress, and the breakthrough in vertical electroplating technology made by Yang An Electronics is worth mentioning. In the laptop computer PCB china area, over 60% of the market share goes to HannStar Board Corp. and Gold Circuit Electronics, Wah Toon, Tripod Electronic, Vertex Precision Electronics and Cadac Electronic also share certain market, especially Wah Toon which is trying to gain more market margin in this field.
As for memory module, though being PCB similarly, the electromotive and shaping equipments needed by memory PCB all have exclusive devices, unable to be widely used manufacturing other PCBs, so this part requires special investment. Meanwhile, due to the low profit margin of memory module, the scale should be large enough so as to make a gain. Tripod Electronic, SIMMTECH, Dade Motor, South Korea Circuit and Copam Electronics invested by Brain Power predominate in this field. South Korea, is acting as not only the memory base but also the memory module PCB base. However, Taiwan-based Tripod Electronic has unique features as well, ranking second globally with Samsung and Qimonda as its clients.
The third direction is to develop towards EMS manufacturers. The crucial strategy for PCB manufacturers and EMS manufacturers is cost control. These manufacturers usually manufactured LCD-TV, DVD, and PDP-TV circuit board in the past, and afterwards began to assemble these products, such as Ya Hsin. Additionally, Meiko Electronics also has similar intention, and Viasystems Group, the largest PCB manufacturer in North America, also orients itself at an EMS manufacturer.
Furthermore, only a few of PCB enterprises in military and aerospace fields survive in North America. In Europe, PCB industry has been gradually shrinking due to the strict demand in environmental protection and weak competitive ability caused by workers' unwillingness towards overtime; hence in the future, Europe-based PCB enterprises will all disappear, or be transferred to China, said Electronics.ca.
Japan majors in high-end products like IC board and flexible board, and that of Korea in IC board, memory module and mobile phone boards. In recent years, Taiwan has made rapid progress in IC board; Nanya has exceeded IBIDEN, ranking first globally, and the overall production value of IC boards has surpassed South Korea. Taiwan also acts as the world's another largest mobile phone board producing area, sharing over 60% of the global market. In China, there are 1200 plus PCB enterprises, most of which are engaged in single-sided PCB and multilayer PCB with low technology content as well as downstream products usually including computer motherboard and inferior consumable electronics, according to Electronics.ca.
As for the traditional PCB field, owing to the lower threshold and furious competition, manufacturers are successively seeking new profit points, which can be concluded into the following three directions:
The first is IC board. As the capital intensive investment, IC board covers semiconductor packaging industry and PCB industry, requiring manufacturers to own technologies in the two fields. So IC board has the highest threshold, yet with the largest profit. All of the top PCB manufacturers show great interest in IC board, such as the world largest PCB enterprise - IBIDEN, the world second largest PCB enterprise - Shinko Electric, Taiwan-based largest PCB enterprise - Nanya PCB and Taiwan's second largest PCB enterprise - World Wiser Electronics.
The second is the special fields, including mobile phone board, photoelectric board, laptop computer PCB and memory module. Taiwan is the world largest supplying region in mobile phone board, and over 65% of the world's mobile phone boards come from Taiwan, said Electronics.ca.
Due to the costliness of horizontal Electroplating equipments and the superior demand on interlayer registration accuracy and electroplating level up degree, the entry threshold is comparatively high despite being 4-6 layer board in the photoelectric field. Taiwan-based Tripod Electronic and Wus Printed Circuit Co., Ltd. are the two giants in this field, while Dynamic Electronics and Taiwan PCB TechVest Co., Ltd. are regarded as the rising stars; besides, Yang An Electronics and Gold Circuit Electronics have also made progress, and the breakthrough in vertical electroplating technology made by Yang An Electronics is worth mentioning. In the laptop computer PCB china area, over 60% of the market share goes to HannStar Board Corp. and Gold Circuit Electronics, Wah Toon, Tripod Electronic, Vertex Precision Electronics and Cadac Electronic also share certain market, especially Wah Toon which is trying to gain more market margin in this field.
As for memory module, though being PCB similarly, the electromotive and shaping equipments needed by memory PCB all have exclusive devices, unable to be widely used manufacturing other PCBs, so this part requires special investment. Meanwhile, due to the low profit margin of memory module, the scale should be large enough so as to make a gain. Tripod Electronic, SIMMTECH, Dade Motor, South Korea Circuit and Copam Electronics invested by Brain Power predominate in this field. South Korea, is acting as not only the memory base but also the memory module PCB base. However, Taiwan-based Tripod Electronic has unique features as well, ranking second globally with Samsung and Qimonda as its clients.
The third direction is to develop towards EMS manufacturers. The crucial strategy for PCB manufacturers and EMS manufacturers is cost control. These manufacturers usually manufactured LCD-TV, DVD, and PDP-TV circuit board in the past, and afterwards began to assemble these products, such as Ya Hsin. Additionally, Meiko Electronics also has similar intention, and Viasystems Group, the largest PCB manufacturer in North America, also orients itself at an EMS manufacturer.
German PCB market on track for growth
Sales of printed circuit board manufacturer in May were again very high. In comparison with previous years, the month reported a 21.5% - higher than the long-term average, states the Association of the PCB industry (VdL) and the ZVEI.
This is all the more remarkable, because in May only 19 working days were available, additional to several bridge days at Pentecost.
The order intake in May was very low - has not been as low since 2004 - but the order activity per working day in May and accumulated over the first five months of 2008 has been higher than in previous years. The result is a book-to-bill ratio of 0.91.
The number of employees changed only slightly and is at about the same level as in May 2007.
This is all the more remarkable, because in May only 19 working days were available, additional to several bridge days at Pentecost.
The order intake in May was very low - has not been as low since 2004 - but the order activity per working day in May and accumulated over the first five months of 2008 has been higher than in previous years. The result is a book-to-bill ratio of 0.91.
The number of employees changed only slightly and is at about the same level as in May 2007.
France largest overseas market for Exception PCB
UK based Exception PCB's largest overseas market is France. Exception PCB’s high-end circuit boards are used in applications such as mobile phones, jet fighters and airplanes.
Garry Myatt, Business development director at Exception, said in the latest EIPC newsletter that the UK market is steadily declining and the exports will be important for the future of the company. Today the French market makes up approximately 15% of Exception's turnover of around £15 million.
Garry Myatt, Business development director at Exception, said in the latest EIPC newsletter that the UK market is steadily declining and the exports will be important for the future of the company. Today the French market makes up approximately 15% of Exception's turnover of around £15 million.
PCB News:Mania Belgium appoints Scanditron Danmark
PCB manufacturer Mania Belgium has appointed Scanditron Danmark as its agent for Scandinavia, the Baltic countries and for Poland.
Scanditron Danmark will be promoting Mania's entire product range. Mania Belgium will directly support the UCAM software and the SilverWriter and older Barco plotters, both by Hot Line Support from Ghent in Belgium. Additionally it will also offer field service intervention at the customer’s site by Mania's service engineers.
Scanditron Danmark will be promoting Mania's entire product range. Mania Belgium will directly support the UCAM software and the SilverWriter and older Barco plotters, both by Hot Line Support from Ghent in Belgium. Additionally it will also offer field service intervention at the customer’s site by Mania's service engineers.
ECB offer to Pakistan a possible 30 million Dollars
LAHORE, March 27: The England and Wales Cricket Board has come forward to host the postponed Australia-Pakistan Test series. If the Pakistan Cricket Board accepts the offer to play Australia in England in July, two of the three Test matches would be held in London and one in another city.
The Dawn reported that the ECB had verbally offered $10 million to the PCB for each Test match. The PCB earlier ruled out the chances of holding the series at any neutral venue. But now the board chairman, Mr Nasim Ashraf, has informed members of the governing board of the offer. The members have asked him to wait till he receives a written offer from the ECB, which is expected anytime.
The ECB’s helping hand can assist the Pakistan board in offsetting huge losses, which were incurred owing to the late withdrawal of Australia from the March-April tour for security reasons.
The Dawn reported that the ECB had verbally offered $10 million to the PCB for each Test match. The PCB earlier ruled out the chances of holding the series at any neutral venue. But now the board chairman, Mr Nasim Ashraf, has informed members of the governing board of the offer. The members have asked him to wait till he receives a written offer from the ECB, which is expected anytime.
The ECB’s helping hand can assist the Pakistan board in offsetting huge losses, which were incurred owing to the late withdrawal of Australia from the March-April tour for security reasons.
PCB etching using a Copper Solution SAVE YOUR MONEY
Preface: Anytime you play with chemicals, there are dangerous situations which can arise; burns of exposed skin, vapours which can cause blindness, or lung damage. I personally know someone with visible scarring from an incident with concentrated acids (it wasn’t even their fault, someone else tripped and it got on them; SO unfair). I am not going to be able to make predictions about what is going to happen if you try to generate the solutions listed in this article. The ingredients are wholly unhealthy, and only someone with deep respect for safety should even THINK about etching their own PCB’s with their own solution. I had reservations about it and I have a degree which included years of study on the subject of chemistry. I am able to do the math, and I did the math initially while developing a non mathematical method of solution generation and maintenance.
My basic point: I won’t be held responsible, Do your homework, understand exactly what you are making!
PCB etching is an invaluable capability for the home electronics DIY person. You will reach a point where you want to make 10 of the same item, and doing it with wires and breadboards is not only frustrating, but a waste of time. PCB’s give you many advantages. Stability, easy refinement of design on a computer, and best of all you can avoid have to use wires which criss-cross all over the place (and act as antennae) are just a few of the advantages. The best feature is the ability to perform semi-mass production.
I use computer software and the toner transfer method to prepare my boards for etching (more on the toner transfer method in another post eventually). The software I use is the free 250 pin version of diptrace. I love it! I have looked at Eagle, but I find the diptrace interface to be way more intuitive, and it has also been easy for me to make new parts using my digital calipers for measurement and their part editor to create the new one. If I ever start to get into the commercially profitable end of electronics, I will be buying the 500 pin version of diptrace without a second thought.
My basic point: I won’t be held responsible, Do your homework, understand exactly what you are making!
PCB etching is an invaluable capability for the home electronics DIY person. You will reach a point where you want to make 10 of the same item, and doing it with wires and breadboards is not only frustrating, but a waste of time. PCB’s give you many advantages. Stability, easy refinement of design on a computer, and best of all you can avoid have to use wires which criss-cross all over the place (and act as antennae) are just a few of the advantages. The best feature is the ability to perform semi-mass production.
I use computer software and the toner transfer method to prepare my boards for etching (more on the toner transfer method in another post eventually). The software I use is the free 250 pin version of diptrace. I love it! I have looked at Eagle, but I find the diptrace interface to be way more intuitive, and it has also been easy for me to make new parts using my digital calipers for measurement and their part editor to create the new one. If I ever start to get into the commercially profitable end of electronics, I will be buying the 500 pin version of diptrace without a second thought.
Plans to dump PCB-tainted soil in Elliott Bay raise concerns
Port of Seattle Chief Executive Tay Yoshitani says he wants to run the “cleanest, greenest and most energy-efficient port in the United States.”
But some environmentalists are calling the meaning of his words into question because of a port project that has received permission to dump PCBs in Elliott Bay.
PCBs are polychlorinated biphenyls, toxic chemicals used as fire retardants that were banned in the 1970s. They are so toxic and so long-lived that they are usually measured in parts per billion — yet the port proposes to dump 9 pounds of them into the bay for an upcoming dredging project. The mud to be dumped would come from an area being studied for cleanup as part of the Harbor Island Superfund site.
The dredging project — which would dispose of 66,000 cubic yards of PCB-contaminated mud in the winter of 2008-09 — has passed muster with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the state Ecology Department, the state Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
But a coalition of environmentalists says the tests used by those agencies are inadequate and do not protect the health of humans and orcas, which eat salmon that over time have been exposed to Puget Sound’s polluted waters. Scientists say PCBs likely are making it tough for orcas to reproduce and possibly to find food.
Environmentalists would like the port to send the most contaminated part of the dredged materials — roughly one-third of it, containing about 7 pounds of PCBs — to a landfill rather than to the waters of Elliott Bay as planned.
PCBs have been shown to cause behavioral and learning deficits in children exposed in the womb, according to the state Health Department, which recommends that people — and especially women of childbearing age and young children — limit meals of Puget Sound chinook salmon to one a week.
Scientists who study Puget Sound’s 86 resident orcas, which are protected under the Endangered Species Act, fear that the high levels of PCBs in their offspring are killing them or, if they survive, making it difficult for them to reproduce.
Stephanie Jones, the port’s senior manager of seaport environmental programs, said it would cost $1.8 million to dispose of the most contaminated part of the dredged materials in a landfill, rather than in the open water as planned.
The materials are being dredged to make way for deeper-draft ships at Terminal 30 as part of a $118 million port project to reconvert the terminal into a cargo terminal instead of using it for cruise ships, which would dock at Terminal 91 in Interbay.
The $1.8 million price tag for landfill disposal — less than 1 percent of the project’s total cost — raises the questions: What does it mean to go above and beyond environmental requirements, and in which projects should the port pony up to earn the title of cleanest and greenest that its chief has set forth for it?
While nearly 2.5 million cubic yards of similarly tainted material dredged for construction projects has been dumped in Elliott Bay since the disposal site there opened in 1989, environmentalists are saying newly understood threats to the health of humans and wildlife require stricter rules for what can be dumped in the Sound in the future.
But some environmentalists are calling the meaning of his words into question because of a port project that has received permission to dump PCBs in Elliott Bay.
PCBs are polychlorinated biphenyls, toxic chemicals used as fire retardants that were banned in the 1970s. They are so toxic and so long-lived that they are usually measured in parts per billion — yet the port proposes to dump 9 pounds of them into the bay for an upcoming dredging project. The mud to be dumped would come from an area being studied for cleanup as part of the Harbor Island Superfund site.
The dredging project — which would dispose of 66,000 cubic yards of PCB-contaminated mud in the winter of 2008-09 — has passed muster with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the state Ecology Department, the state Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
But a coalition of environmentalists says the tests used by those agencies are inadequate and do not protect the health of humans and orcas, which eat salmon that over time have been exposed to Puget Sound’s polluted waters. Scientists say PCBs likely are making it tough for orcas to reproduce and possibly to find food.
Environmentalists would like the port to send the most contaminated part of the dredged materials — roughly one-third of it, containing about 7 pounds of PCBs — to a landfill rather than to the waters of Elliott Bay as planned.
PCBs have been shown to cause behavioral and learning deficits in children exposed in the womb, according to the state Health Department, which recommends that people — and especially women of childbearing age and young children — limit meals of Puget Sound chinook salmon to one a week.
Scientists who study Puget Sound’s 86 resident orcas, which are protected under the Endangered Species Act, fear that the high levels of PCBs in their offspring are killing them or, if they survive, making it difficult for them to reproduce.
Stephanie Jones, the port’s senior manager of seaport environmental programs, said it would cost $1.8 million to dispose of the most contaminated part of the dredged materials in a landfill, rather than in the open water as planned.
The materials are being dredged to make way for deeper-draft ships at Terminal 30 as part of a $118 million port project to reconvert the terminal into a cargo terminal instead of using it for cruise ships, which would dock at Terminal 91 in Interbay.
The $1.8 million price tag for landfill disposal — less than 1 percent of the project’s total cost — raises the questions: What does it mean to go above and beyond environmental requirements, and in which projects should the port pony up to earn the title of cleanest and greenest that its chief has set forth for it?
While nearly 2.5 million cubic yards of similarly tainted material dredged for construction projects has been dumped in Elliott Bay since the disposal site there opened in 1989, environmentalists are saying newly understood threats to the health of humans and wildlife require stricter rules for what can be dumped in the Sound in the future.
PCB official visits India to study IPL structure
Karachi (PTI): A Pakistan Cricket Board official will visit India to study the model of BCCI’s Indian Premier League (IPL), set to be launched next year.
PCB Director, Marketing and Communications, Ehsan Hameed Malik, will attend a couple of presentations to be made by the IPL organisers in a bid to help the PCB launch its own league.
“We are planning to launch our own league as soon as possible and believe that a lot could be learnt from the IPL project,” Malik was quoted as saying by ‘The News’ on Thursday.
Malik, however, declined that Pakistan’s Twenty20 league would be a replica of the IPL.
“We will certainly incorporate some features already existing in the IPL, but our league will not be an exact copy of it. We will get a chance to make it a different yet successful event by following IPL,” he said.
The BCCI will host the IPL in April next year. The league will be a franchise-model where corporates and sponsors will be allowed to buy and run teams. Player buy-outs will be an added feature, something that cricket is not accustomed to.
The top four teams will make the semifinals with the winners contesting in the championship match of the event that will have a prize basket of US$ 3 million.
PCB Director, Marketing and Communications, Ehsan Hameed Malik, will attend a couple of presentations to be made by the IPL organisers in a bid to help the PCB launch its own league.
“We are planning to launch our own league as soon as possible and believe that a lot could be learnt from the IPL project,” Malik was quoted as saying by ‘The News’ on Thursday.
Malik, however, declined that Pakistan’s Twenty20 league would be a replica of the IPL.
“We will certainly incorporate some features already existing in the IPL, but our league will not be an exact copy of it. We will get a chance to make it a different yet successful event by following IPL,” he said.
The BCCI will host the IPL in April next year. The league will be a franchise-model where corporates and sponsors will be allowed to buy and run teams. Player buy-outs will be an added feature, something that cricket is not accustomed to.
The top four teams will make the semifinals with the winners contesting in the championship match of the event that will have a prize basket of US$ 3 million.
China's Printed Circuit Industry in Changing Phase; Environment and Standards are Key
Driven by domestic and overseas markets and policy changes, the increasing requirements of environmental protection and China's policy changes to industry development, the Chinese electronic circuit industry is entering into a changing phase for adjustment and relocation in which environment and standards are key for sustainable development.
The Chinese PCB industry has quickly developed in past years and the strong growth of output in China is one of the main drivers for world development. However, with regard to the challenges facing China's PCB industry, environment and standards issues should be solved for further development.
Turning Point in the PCB Industry
According to CPCA 2007 information department statistics, the total output of China's PCB industry reached 150 million square meters--a value of US $15.5 billion (with an exchange rate of 7.5 RMB to 1 USD). According to the Administration of Custom General, the import and export total reached US $20.37 billion with a deficit of US $1.23 billion. The of China takes 30% of the world total. However, since 2007, the PCB industry in China has entered a turning point compared to traditional development and growth.
Presently, the global green industry is the trend. After the EU released RoHS, WEEE and REACH directives, China RoHS was released taking energy saving, emission reduction, consumption saving and efficiency as the primary objects. China is enforcing a strict currency policy, reduced the cost advantage of processing trade industry of the country.
With the global price of oil reaching and exceeding US $140 a barrel, weak USD and a strong RMB have increased raw materials prices. Domestically, the increased requirement for waste treatment, tax reform, new labor laws and salary increases have also increased production costs. In the first half of this year, many enterprises, including PCB and CCL, increased their sales revenue, but profit is dropping significantly. This is a general condition, which has serious impact upon the industry as a whole.
Facing increasing costs, China's production enterprises should take an immediate active strategy by communicating with the upper and lower levels of the industry supply chain. Factories should have a clear understanding of the cost and impact, the change to the product structure and develop competitive and innovative technologies and products with management improvement to be competitive in global market. Meanwhile, product prices should be flexible according to the cost-change environment.
The Chinese PCB industry has quickly developed in past years and the strong growth of output in China is one of the main drivers for world development. However, with regard to the challenges facing China's PCB industry, environment and standards issues should be solved for further development.
Turning Point in the PCB Industry
According to CPCA 2007 information department statistics, the total output of China's PCB industry reached 150 million square meters--a value of US $15.5 billion (with an exchange rate of 7.5 RMB to 1 USD). According to the Administration of Custom General, the import and export total reached US $20.37 billion with a deficit of US $1.23 billion. The of China takes 30% of the world total. However, since 2007, the PCB industry in China has entered a turning point compared to traditional development and growth.
Presently, the global green industry is the trend. After the EU released RoHS, WEEE and REACH directives, China RoHS was released taking energy saving, emission reduction, consumption saving and efficiency as the primary objects. China is enforcing a strict currency policy, reduced the cost advantage of processing trade industry of the country.
With the global price of oil reaching and exceeding US $140 a barrel, weak USD and a strong RMB have increased raw materials prices. Domestically, the increased requirement for waste treatment, tax reform, new labor laws and salary increases have also increased production costs. In the first half of this year, many enterprises, including PCB and CCL, increased their sales revenue, but profit is dropping significantly. This is a general condition, which has serious impact upon the industry as a whole.
Facing increasing costs, China's production enterprises should take an immediate active strategy by communicating with the upper and lower levels of the industry supply chain. Factories should have a clear understanding of the cost and impact, the change to the product structure and develop competitive and innovative technologies and products with management improvement to be competitive in global market. Meanwhile, product prices should be flexible according to the cost-change environment.
German PCB market takes a breather in June
The cumulated figures for the first six months of 2008, however, show a 3% increase in billings if compared to H1/07. Even compared to previous years, the first half of 2008 closed positively.
Order intake increased compared to May and reached a peak again. Figures here are as follows: 15% increase compared to the previous month, 16% increase compared to June 2007 and 17% above the long-term average. One reason for this is that June had two working days more than the previous May.
There were wide variations within the client industries - as a whole, a rise in short notice deliveries can be observe. This was also affected by the restrictions of China imposed during the Olympic Games, which were enforced rigorously.
For June, the book-to-bill ratio was 1.07 and with that back on growth. For H1/08, this figure also shows growth with 1.05.
The number of employees decreased slightly - due to seasonal reasons, such as the summer holidays. Many short-contract workers were employed during that time and those contracts expire in September again.
Order intake increased compared to May and reached a peak again. Figures here are as follows: 15% increase compared to the previous month, 16% increase compared to June 2007 and 17% above the long-term average. One reason for this is that June had two working days more than the previous May.
There were wide variations within the client industries - as a whole, a rise in short notice deliveries can be observe. This was also affected by the restrictions of China imposed during the Olympic Games, which were enforced rigorously.
For June, the book-to-bill ratio was 1.07 and with that back on growth. For H1/08, this figure also shows growth with 1.05.
The number of employees decreased slightly - due to seasonal reasons, such as the summer holidays. Many short-contract workers were employed during that time and those contracts expire in September again.
PCB makers Tripod and Career optimistic about 4Q
Although overall demand for PCB is not as strong as it was in the peak season, Tripod Technology and Career Technology both have had progressive monthly sales growth in the third quarter and both hold an optimistic view for their performances in the fourth quarter.
Tripod reported consolidated August sales of NT$2.84 billion (US$88.46 million), up 15% on year and hitting a monthly record for the company. Its accumulated consolidated sales from January to August this year were NT$20.61 billion, up 23% on year.
Because Tripod targets a variety of product segments – including DRAM modules, TFT-LCD panels for monitors, TVs and notebooks, hard disks, high-density interconnect (HDI) boards for handsets, MP3 players, notebooks and GPS applications, as well as PCBs for notebooks, motherboards and servers, its sales have been relatively less affected by the weak season, the company noted. Although demand for TFT-LCD panels may decline, the company expects demand for DRAM modules and HDI boards to increase. Tripod estimates it will see 8-10% sales growth in the third quarter and remains optimistic for the fourth quarter.
FPCB maker Career's sales have been increasing since July driven by demand for smartphones, including High Tech Computer (HTC)'s new phones and Foxconn Electronics' OEM products, as well as from orders transferred from competitors which reported financial losses earlier.
Career reported consolidated August sales of NT$623 million, up 8% on month. The company expects its September sales to continue growing with increased demand for smartphones. Career is also optimistic about the fourth quarter with shipments to two new smartphone customers from US and Japan, and expects its sales in October to challenge the NT$880 million mark, a monthly record for the company.
Tripod reported consolidated August sales of NT$2.84 billion (US$88.46 million), up 15% on year and hitting a monthly record for the company. Its accumulated consolidated sales from January to August this year were NT$20.61 billion, up 23% on year.
Because Tripod targets a variety of product segments – including DRAM modules, TFT-LCD panels for monitors, TVs and notebooks, hard disks, high-density interconnect (HDI) boards for handsets, MP3 players, notebooks and GPS applications, as well as PCBs for notebooks, motherboards and servers, its sales have been relatively less affected by the weak season, the company noted. Although demand for TFT-LCD panels may decline, the company expects demand for DRAM modules and HDI boards to increase. Tripod estimates it will see 8-10% sales growth in the third quarter and remains optimistic for the fourth quarter.
FPCB maker Career's sales have been increasing since July driven by demand for smartphones, including High Tech Computer (HTC)'s new phones and Foxconn Electronics' OEM products, as well as from orders transferred from competitors which reported financial losses earlier.
Career reported consolidated August sales of NT$623 million, up 8% on month. The company expects its September sales to continue growing with increased demand for smartphones. Career is also optimistic about the fourth quarter with shipments to two new smartphone customers from US and Japan, and expects its sales in October to challenge the NT$880 million mark, a monthly record for the company.
PCB mass lamination sales to drop 30% on year in 3Q
In order to cut costs during an industry downturn, PCB makers have reduced their outsourcing proportion, affecting mass lamination services of copper clad laminate (CCL). According to industry players, sales of mass lamination service in the third quarter may see a 30% decline compared with last year.
Mass lamination service includes inner-layer and outer-layer mass lamination. Because of limited capacity, PCB makers usually do outsourcing for inner-layer mass lamination. The leading inner-layer mass lamination companies in Taiwan are Elite Material (EMC) and Taiwan Union Technology (TUC), the sources added.
Due to a weak economy, EMC has decided to delay the set up of its new mass lamination production line to October and suspend capacity expanding at its Zhongshan, China plant. EMC's utilization rate and profits may see a decline in the second half of this year, the sources noted.
TUC indicated that business from its mass lamination production site in Hsinchu, Taiwan generated NT$120 million (US$3.73 million) in losses in 2007, and the company has yet to emerge from the crisis. TUC pointed out that it will enhance its production process and improve management and capacity usage at the Hsinchu plant, and develop new customers in an attempt to swing its mass lamination business to profits.
Mass lamination service includes inner-layer and outer-layer mass lamination. Because of limited capacity, PCB makers usually do outsourcing for inner-layer mass lamination. The leading inner-layer mass lamination companies in Taiwan are Elite Material (EMC) and Taiwan Union Technology (TUC), the sources added.
Due to a weak economy, EMC has decided to delay the set up of its new mass lamination production line to October and suspend capacity expanding at its Zhongshan, China plant. EMC's utilization rate and profits may see a decline in the second half of this year, the sources noted.
TUC indicated that business from its mass lamination production site in Hsinchu, Taiwan generated NT$120 million (US$3.73 million) in losses in 2007, and the company has yet to emerge from the crisis. TUC pointed out that it will enhance its production process and improve management and capacity usage at the Hsinchu plant, and develop new customers in an attempt to swing its mass lamination business to profits.
PCB News:HID Code Merge
After several months of hard work lead by DJ Delorie, the Human Interface Device (HID) version of PCB was merged into CVS on 2006-03-21. As part of this work, DJ has added a lesstif GUI and Bill Wilson contributed a tremendous effort to get his GTK GUI working in the HID framework. In addition a new png/gif/jpeg export option has been added.
The goal of the HID project was to remove all of the GUI dependent code from the core of PCB. In addition to opening the doors to a future win32 port (volunteers?), this should make the core code easier to maintain.
This represents a fairly major overhaul of a lot of code so lots of testing would be appreciated.
The goal of the HID project was to remove all of the GUI dependent code from the core of PCB. In addition to opening the doors to a future win32 port (volunteers?), this should make the core code easier to maintain.
This represents a fairly major overhaul of a lot of code so lots of testing would be appreciated.
PCB News:GTK version in CVS
March 11, 2005. Bill Wilson's port of pcb to gtk has been imported into CVS. As part of this effort, a branch in cvs called "pcb-xaw" has been created which contains the Athena Widgets (Xaw) version of pcb. If you are tracking pcb with CVS and you want the Xaw version, you will need to use the "-r pcb-xaw" option to cvs when updating next time.
This represents a fairly substantial change to pcb and there are a few known issues which still need to be addressed. However, the port is complete enough to try out. Once some of the key issues are taken care of and the port stabilizes a bit, a snapshot release using gtk will be released.
Many thanks to Bill for all of his work in making this happen.
PCB Manufacturer
This represents a fairly substantial change to pcb and there are a few known issues which still need to be addressed. However, the port is complete enough to try out. Once some of the key issues are taken care of and the port stabilizes a bit, a snapshot release using gtk will be released.
Many thanks to Bill for all of his work in making this happen.
PCB Manufacturer
Development snapshot 20040215 available
Febuary 15, 2004. A new snapshot of the development sources for PCB is available. pcb-20040215 is the 3rd development snapshot release since moving to SourceForge. This snapshot represents a big step forward in PCB. Anyone following the CVS changes over the last month will have noticed a very large number of bug fixes and feature enhancements by harry eaton. A partial list of what's new is:
Internal resolution changed to 0.01 mil from 1.0 mil
Improved DRC checking
Mirroring/rotating of buffers
Undo works on trace optimizations
Fixed polygon undo bugs
Fix arc DRC bugs
Added local measurement for line drawing
Added mode for polygon viewing to help examing planes
Added new footprint libraries (amp, amphenol, bourns, johnstech, minicircuits, panasonic)
Added new footprints to the geda library
Other bug fixes
Please note that, as with previous snapshots, this snapshot represents a work in progress. Download the snapshot from the Files Release section of the PCB SourceForge project page. pcb china
Internal resolution changed to 0.01 mil from 1.0 mil
Improved DRC checking
Mirroring/rotating of buffers
Undo works on trace optimizations
Fixed polygon undo bugs
Fix arc DRC bugs
Added local measurement for line drawing
Added mode for polygon viewing to help examing planes
Added new footprint libraries (amp, amphenol, bourns, johnstech, minicircuits, panasonic)
Added new footprints to the geda library
Other bug fixes
Please note that, as with previous snapshots, this snapshot represents a work in progress. Download the snapshot from the Files Release section of the PCB SourceForge project page. pcb china
reporting bugs in PCB
When reporting bugs in PCB, please follow these guidelines
Please see if this bug has already been reported. Also if you are running a snapshot release which is not the latest, read over the release notes for the newer releases to see if the bug has already been fixed.
Include the exact pcb version. If it is a snapshot release, include the release number, if you built from CVS sources, include the date when you last updated your sources. If we don't know what code you're running we can't fix it!
Describe how the problem can easily be reproduced. If you are able to provide a small test case that will be a tremendous help. Bugs which require hours of effort to reproduce are likely to take a low priority.
Include any other information which may be relevant to your bug. Examples are:
Which GUI? GTK or Lesstif?
Versions of 3rd party libraries.
If you are able to provide a patch, that is always helpful.
Please log into the bug tracking system. This allows you to receive a notification when additional content is added to the bug report or if its status changes. It is also useful when seeking feedback to see if a particular bug has been fixed.
Please see if this bug has already been reported. Also if you are running a snapshot release which is not the latest, read over the release notes for the newer releases to see if the bug has already been fixed.
Include the exact pcb version. If it is a snapshot release, include the release number, if you built from CVS sources, include the date when you last updated your sources. If we don't know what code you're running we can't fix it!
Describe how the problem can easily be reproduced. If you are able to provide a small test case that will be a tremendous help. Bugs which require hours of effort to reproduce are likely to take a low priority.
Include any other information which may be relevant to your bug. Examples are:
Which GUI? GTK or Lesstif?
Versions of 3rd party libraries.
If you are able to provide a patch, that is always helpful.
Please log into the bug tracking system. This allows you to receive a notification when additional content is added to the bug report or if its status changes. It is also useful when seeking feedback to see if a particular bug has been fixed.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
PCB-GCODE
PCB-GCODE is a user language program (ULP) to convert Eagle .brd files to G-code. PCB-gcode creates g-code files to allow you to cut out a printed circuit board using a router or milling machine. As posted in the PCB-GCODE yahoo group.
Drilling
Holes, or vias, through a PCB are typically drilled with tiny drill bits made of solid tungsten carbide. The drilling is performed by automated drilling machines with placement controlled by a drill tape or drill file. These computer-generated files are also called numerically controlled drill (NCD) files or "Excellon files". The drill file describes the location and size of each drilled hole.
When very small vias are required, drilling with mechanical bits is costly because of high rates of wear and breakage. In this case, the vias may be evaporated by lasers. Laser-drilled vias typically have an inferior surface finish inside the hole. These holes are called micro vias.
It is also possible with controlled-depth drilling, laser drilling, or by pre-drilling the individual sheets of the PCB before lamination, to produce holes that connect only some of the copper layers, rather than passing through the entire board. These holes are called blind vias when they connect an internal copper layer to an outer layer, or buried vias when they connect two or more internal copper layers and no outer layers.
The walls of the holes, for boards with 2 or more layers, are plated with copper to form plated-through holes that electrically connect the conducting layers of the PCB. For multilayer boards, those with 4 layers or more, drilling typically produces a smear comprised of the bonding agent in the laminate system. Before the holes can be plated through, this smear must be removed by a chemical de-smear process, or by plasma-etch.
When very small vias are required, drilling with mechanical bits is costly because of high rates of wear and breakage. In this case, the vias may be evaporated by lasers. Laser-drilled vias typically have an inferior surface finish inside the hole. These holes are called micro vias.
It is also possible with controlled-depth drilling, laser drilling, or by pre-drilling the individual sheets of the PCB before lamination, to produce holes that connect only some of the copper layers, rather than passing through the entire board. These holes are called blind vias when they connect an internal copper layer to an outer layer, or buried vias when they connect two or more internal copper layers and no outer layers.
The walls of the holes, for boards with 2 or more layers, are plated with copper to form plated-through holes that electrically connect the conducting layers of the PCB. For multilayer boards, those with 4 layers or more, drilling typically produces a smear comprised of the bonding agent in the laminate system. Before the holes can be plated through, this smear must be removed by a chemical de-smear process, or by plasma-etch.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
PCB Printed Circuit Board
PCB Printed Circuit Board Sometimes abbreviated as PCB, is a thin plate on which chips and other electronic components are placed. PCB Printed Circuit Board is the component made of one or more layers made of insulating material of electrical conductors.In electronics, printed circuit boards, or PCBs, are used to mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components using conductive pathways, or traces, etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive substrate. There are a few modern approaches to PCB manufacturing like PCB milling,laser drilling/routing,which uses a series of production steps (drilling/ trace isolation/ cutting board outline) to create single and multilayer boards on a single machine.We specialise in PCB manufacturing services.Our PCB manufacturing services are geared towards giving our customers the best service.
RoHS Compliance Printed Circuit Boards
RoHS compliant boards are produced using laminate materials of varying decomposition temperatures with a number of different final finishes. We can provide you with a lead-free solder finish using SN100CL ?a lead free alloy of 99.3% tin/ 0.6% copper with a trace of nickel. It is an alternative to more expensive finishes and makes a flatter pad than its leaded counterpart.
We can also finish plate your boards with either electro-plated or immersion gold. We just recently added Electro-less Nickel Immersion Gold (ENIG) and Immersion Silver to our production floor. And of course we offer a standard "hard" electro-plated gold finish over electro-plated nickel.
The laminate materials that we are processing RoHS products on are capable of withstanding temperatures between 260?and 288?C for 20 seconds or more depending on the laminate selected.
We can also finish plate your boards with either electro-plated or immersion gold. We just recently added Electro-less Nickel Immersion Gold (ENIG) and Immersion Silver to our production floor. And of course we offer a standard "hard" electro-plated gold finish over electro-plated nickel.
The laminate materials that we are processing RoHS products on are capable of withstanding temperatures between 260?and 288?C for 20 seconds or more depending on the laminate selected.
Surface-mount technology
Surface-mount technology was developed in the 1960s, gained momentum in the early 1980s and became widely used by the mid 1990s. Components were mechanically redesigned to have small metal tabs or end caps that could be directly soldered to the surface of the PCB. Components became much smaller and component placement on both sides of the board became far more common with surface-mounting than through-hole mounting, allowing much higher circuit densities. Surface mounting lends itself well to a high degree of automation, reducing labour cost and greatly increasing production and quality rates. Surface mount devices (SMDs) can be one-quarter to one-tenth the size and weight, and passive components can be one-half to one-quarter the cost of through-hole parts. Integrated circuits (where the chip itself is the most expensive part) are often priced the same regardless of package type however. As of 2006, some wire-ended components, such as small signal switch diodes, e.g. 1N4148, are actually significantly cheaper than corresponding SMD versions.
Protection and packaging
PCBs intended for extreme environments often have a conformal coat, which is applied by dipping or spraying after the components have been soldered. The coat prevents corrosion and leakage currents or shorting due to condensation. The earliest conformal coats were wax. Modern conformal coats are usually dips of dilute solutions of silicone rubber, polyurethane, acrylic, or epoxy. Some are engineering plastics sputtered onto the PCB in a vacuum chamber.
Many assembled PCBs are static sensitive, and therefore must be placed in antistatic bags during transport. When handling these boards, the user must be earthed; failure to do this might transmit an accumulated static charge through the board, damaging or destroying it. Even bare boards are sometimes static sensitive. Traces have gotten so fine that it's quite possible to blow an etch off the board (or change its characteristics) with a static charge. This is especially true on non-traditional PCBs such as MCMs and microwave PCBs.
Many assembled PCBs are static sensitive, and therefore must be placed in antistatic bags during transport. When handling these boards, the user must be earthed; failure to do this might transmit an accumulated static charge through the board, damaging or destroying it. Even bare boards are sometimes static sensitive. Traces have gotten so fine that it's quite possible to blow an etch off the board (or change its characteristics) with a static charge. This is especially true on non-traditional PCBs such as MCMs and microwave PCBs.
Screen printing
Line art and text may be printed onto the outer surfaces of a PCB by screen printing. When space permits, the screen print text can indicate component designators, switch setting requirements, test points, and other features helpful in assembling, testing, and servicing the circuit board.
Screen print is also known as the silk screen, or, in one sided PCBs, the red print.
Lately some digital printing solutions have been developed to substitute the traditional screen printing process. This technology allows printing variable data onto the PCB, including serialization and barcode information for traceability purposes.
Screen print is also known as the silk screen, or, in one sided PCBs, the red print.
Lately some digital printing solutions have been developed to substitute the traditional screen printing process. This technology allows printing variable data onto the PCB, including serialization and barcode information for traceability purposes.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
RoHS Compliant
Currently any printed circuit board that we produce does not contain any mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls or polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Boards we produce that are not processed using leaded solder for a final finish will meet all of the RoHS' restrictions. These products would include those that have lead free solder, electro less nickel immersion gold, immersion silver, electroplated gold, white tin or finishes other than tin-lead solder.
About Advanced Circuits
Since 1989, Advanced Circuits has been the country's leading printed circuit board manufacturer specializing in engineering prototypes and quick-turn production boards with the industry's best on-time or early shipping record. Unlike other printed circuit board companies, Advanced Circuits combines real-time online service with personalized customer care. Customers can talk to a "live" representative, or go online to get quotes, place orders and check status 24 hours a day. In addition, the company offers free design for manufacturability checks, obtaining results within minutes, at www.FreeDFM.com. With no minimum quantity requirement, Advanced Circuits offers same-day delivery with standard delivery of three days.
"PCB Artist" enables designers to instantly and cost-effectively design printed circuit boards
AURORA, Colo. ?Aug. 28, 2007 ?Advanced Circuits, the country's leading source for quickturn printed circuit boards, today announced the availability of its PCB Artist software. The free package is an easy-to-use and intuitive printed circuit board layout software and is the most comprehensive, free layout software available for manufacturers, designers and engineers in the PCB industry.
PCB Artist includes schematic symbol, footprint and part creation wizards to streamline the PCB design process and reduce component creation time to as little as five minutes. In addition, customers can draw from an extensive library of components. PCB Artist goes beyond what's currently available by offering:
-Gerber-formatted files available upon request.-Automated component placement and trace routing.-Back-and-forward integration that allows users to make changes to the schematic that automatically translate to the PCB design.
"As a software developer, I found the product stable, functional, rich in features, well integrated and ultimately, intuitive," said James Woods, owner and president, Woodsys LLC. "The PCB Artist application is well thought out and nicely implemented. Advanced Circuits has recognized a key need in the industry and fulfilled this need with a well-written software."
In addition to Woodsys LLC, organizations such as Boeing Co., Liteye Systems, and BG Tech have adopted Advanced Circuits' software to design PCB layouts. Additionally, universities across the country, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), will incorporate PCB Artist into engineering classes beginning fall 2007 as part of their curriculum.
"Designers need software that's easy to learn and understand," said John Yacoub, president of Advanced Circuits. "PCB Artist includes integrated schematics, backwards/forwards design annotation, and a full library of components, which all simplify the design process. We created PCB Artist to serve as an effective tool suitable for all types and levels of PCB designers. And to top it off, we're making it available at no cost to organizations throughout North America."
PCB Artist includes schematic symbol, footprint and part creation wizards to streamline the PCB design process and reduce component creation time to as little as five minutes. In addition, customers can draw from an extensive library of components. PCB Artist goes beyond what's currently available by offering:
-Gerber-formatted files available upon request.-Automated component placement and trace routing.-Back-and-forward integration that allows users to make changes to the schematic that automatically translate to the PCB design.
"As a software developer, I found the product stable, functional, rich in features, well integrated and ultimately, intuitive," said James Woods, owner and president, Woodsys LLC. "The PCB Artist application is well thought out and nicely implemented. Advanced Circuits has recognized a key need in the industry and fulfilled this need with a well-written software."
In addition to Woodsys LLC, organizations such as Boeing Co., Liteye Systems, and BG Tech have adopted Advanced Circuits' software to design PCB layouts. Additionally, universities across the country, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), will incorporate PCB Artist into engineering classes beginning fall 2007 as part of their curriculum.
"Designers need software that's easy to learn and understand," said John Yacoub, president of Advanced Circuits. "PCB Artist includes integrated schematics, backwards/forwards design annotation, and a full library of components, which all simplify the design process. We created PCB Artist to serve as an effective tool suitable for all types and levels of PCB designers. And to top it off, we're making it available at no cost to organizations throughout North America."
Advanced Circuits PCB Press Releases
Since 1989, Advanced Circuits has been the country's leading printed circuit board manufacturer specializing in Quickturn Printed Circuit Boards with the industry's best on-time or early shipping record. Unlike other printed circuit board companies, Advanced Circuits combines real-time online service with personalized customer care. Customers can talk to a "live" representative, or go online to get quotes, place orders and check status 24 hours a day. Advanced Circuits is a leader in providing innovative services and offers FREE design for manufacturability checks on Gerber files within minutes, at www.FreeDFM.com. Additionally, the Company recently introduced the industry's most comprehensive Free PCB Layout Software called "PCB Artist" with gerber formatted files available upon request after 1st order.
Friday, September 5, 2008
PCB Design Guidelines
Below are a number of Guideline Rules to follow and keep in mind when designing PCBs. These are general rules that apply for the most PCB fabricators, but it is advisable to check with your fabricator.
Board SizePCB manufacturers have a maximum size board they can handle. Typically this is also their panel size. The PCB fabrication house's panel size is also important when mass producing boards. In this situation one would want to fit as many boards as possible on a panel with as little wasted board space as possible (in order to reduce costs). Normal board spacing for routing (how boards are separated on a panel) is 0.3", plus there is typically a 1.0" to 2.0" border on the board for handling it during processing.Board thickness may also be specified. A standard thickness and type of board is .062" FR4. Other typical board thickness are .010", .020", .031", and .092".
Trace Width and SpacingThe chemical and photographic processes used to produce a PCB put requirements on the minimum width of trace and the minimum spacing between traces. If a trace is made smaller than this minimum width there is some chance it will open (no connection) when manufactured. If two traces are closer together than the minimum spacing there is some chance they will short when manufactured. These parameters are usually specified as "x/y rules", where x is the minimum trace width and y is the minimum trace spacing. For example, "8/10 rules" would indicate 8 mil minimum trace width and 10 mil minimum trace spacing. These rules (especially spacing) apply to any metal on the PCB, including pad to track spacing and line widths for strings on the PCB.Typical modern process rules are 8/8 rules with values as small as 2/2 rules being available. For Press-n-Peel people have had success using 12/12 rules, but values a little larger are easier to make work consistently. However, keep in mind that the board must be soldered and a trace within 8 mils (8/8 rules) of a pad is easier to short than one with greater spacing when hand soldered. For hand soldering 10/10 rules are much easier to solder (if the design density can allow spacing this large).
Board SizePCB manufacturers have a maximum size board they can handle. Typically this is also their panel size. The PCB fabrication house's panel size is also important when mass producing boards. In this situation one would want to fit as many boards as possible on a panel with as little wasted board space as possible (in order to reduce costs). Normal board spacing for routing (how boards are separated on a panel) is 0.3", plus there is typically a 1.0" to 2.0" border on the board for handling it during processing.Board thickness may also be specified. A standard thickness and type of board is .062" FR4. Other typical board thickness are .010", .020", .031", and .092".
Trace Width and SpacingThe chemical and photographic processes used to produce a PCB put requirements on the minimum width of trace and the minimum spacing between traces. If a trace is made smaller than this minimum width there is some chance it will open (no connection) when manufactured. If two traces are closer together than the minimum spacing there is some chance they will short when manufactured. These parameters are usually specified as "x/y rules", where x is the minimum trace width and y is the minimum trace spacing. For example, "8/10 rules" would indicate 8 mil minimum trace width and 10 mil minimum trace spacing. These rules (especially spacing) apply to any metal on the PCB, including pad to track spacing and line widths for strings on the PCB.Typical modern process rules are 8/8 rules with values as small as 2/2 rules being available. For Press-n-Peel people have had success using 12/12 rules, but values a little larger are easier to make work consistently. However, keep in mind that the board must be soldered and a trace within 8 mils (8/8 rules) of a pad is easier to short than one with greater spacing when hand soldered. For hand soldering 10/10 rules are much easier to solder (if the design density can allow spacing this large).
PCB DESIGN
Printed circuit board (PCB) is a component made of one or more layers of insulating material with electrical conductors. The insulator is made of various materials that are normally based on fiberglass, ceramics, or plastic. During manufacturing the portions of conductors that are not needed are etched off, leaving printed circuits that connect electronic components. Currently the main generic standard for printed circuit board design, regardless of materials is IPC-2221A. Whether PCB board is single-sided, double-sided or multilayer, this standard provides rules for manufacturability and quality such as requirements for material properties, criteria for surface plating, conductor thickness, component placement, dimensioning and tolerance rules, and more. For a specific technology the designer can then choose the appropriate sectional standard from the IPC-2220 series. Additional parameters for Power Conversion Devices are standardized by the draft of IPC-9592.The width of the circuit conductors should be chosen based on maximum temperature rise at rated current and acceptable impedance. The spacing between the PC traces is determined by peak working voltage, the type of the circuit and application. Depending on application, other standards may also apply. For example, for mains-powered or battery-powered information technology equipment, UL 60950-1 set additional requirements for creepage and clearance between various circuits. The minimum possible width of the traces and spacing between them are limited by the manufacturing capabilities of your vendor. The width and spacing should never be less then 2 mils. Typical minimum values are 6/6 mils.
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