EMS SOURCING
EvolvIngwITh ThE TImES
STI Electronics is expanding itsmanufacturing services in response to customers’ needs.One STI executive explains how ByMarkMcMeen, STI Electronics
STI is known worldwide for training, training materials and consulting, but I understand STI is also a contract manufacturer. Is contract manufacturing a new direction for STI?
STI as a whole has transformed over the last several years but more noticeably in the Engineering Services Division. As a company, we have been slowlymigrating and growing our custom contractmanufacturing services and analytical lab services.
Initially, our focus was on prototype development but we
quickly added failure analysis on a small scale to support clients who needed help with unique and unusual electronic assembly problems or issues. STImade a decision to expand these services and, as a result, a core teamof engineers and support staff was hired to support this effort.
STI is now able to help clients design and develop solutions
addressing size, weight and power issues (SWaP) related to miniaturizing electronics into the smallest formfactor possible with leading edge technologies. To this end objective, the lab started acquiring the necessary capital equipment, personnel and skill sets required tomeet these objectives for clients.
Over the yearswe have helped numerousmilitary and industrial
clientsmeet these objectives of SWaP. One of the byproducts of our research and developmentwas the development and patent of a technology called IC/DT – Imbedded Component / Die Technology which uses bare die and chip scale packaging. IC/DT provides the ability to imbed these smallest formfactor devices into the printed circuit card / board. It is the blending ofmicroelectronics and conventional surfacemount technologies into a cohesive electronic assembly that addresses those objectives of SWaP and thermal management into the smallest formfactor systemdesign.
36 | June 2010 This is not a new
direction but a slowand methodical business modelwherebywe move fromprototype and development into low- andmid-volume production for clients. We still have a line dedicated to only prototype and development projects and the supporting engineering services of design for manufacturability (dfm) and design for testability (dft) aswell as design for reliability (dfr).
STI's analytical labs support its Engineering Services Division
We also have the analytical lab for support of these engineering
services with a fully staffed and equipment rich laboratory for performing analytical lab services such as SEM/ EDX, FTIR, IC (Ion Chromatography),Wetting balance, ROHS compliance, counterfeit detection ( destructive and non destructive), x-ray and environmental testing.We have also added a class 1000 certified clean roomwhich operates at class 100 formicroelectronics assembly and sensor assembly and development.
Again, there are considerable capital expenditures and the
hiring of key engineers to operate and develop leading-edge solutions for our clientele.
The expansion andmove to our new 54,000 square foot facility
has been further commitment to our growth in facility and capital equipment to better position STI for growth in all its divisions – Training Resources, Distribution andManufacturing / Engineering Services. As you can see, this has been a slow andmethodical progression and a businessmodel transition to stay competitive and serve our clientele with a one stop shop of unique solutions that help service our customer. Service is really the key ingredient to our success and our corporate objective as a woman owned small business. The ability to tailor our services tomeet our
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