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VOLUME 39 - NUMBER 1 Product Preview: IME West
SCHURTER intros power entry module with circuit
breaker. Product previews begin on ...
Page 66
This Month’s Focus: Components and Assembly
Brandon Martinelli, Altek Electronics (left) and Andrew Rollins, Yankee Soldering (right).
Circuit Technology discusses BGA/CSP reballing. Special features begin on ...
Page 56 EM Services Kübler offers smart
component storage. EM services begin on ...
Page 18 EM Products
ECD debuts touchscreen thermal profiler. EM products begin on ...
Page 28 THE GLOBAL ELECTRONICS PUBLICATION Jan/Feb, 2024
Altek Electronics Acquires Kurtz Ersa Versaflow
TORRINGTON, CT — EMS provider Altek Elec- tronics has acquired a Kurtz Ersa Versaflow series selective soldering machine. The Versaflow 3/66 of- fers process flexibility and can handle large boards up to 24 x 24 in. (610 x 610 mm) in size. “This machine is a unique gem that will en-
hance our capacity and offer the flexibility for top- quality through-hole soldering,” says Brandon
Martinelli, manager of process engineering and manufacturing technology at Altek. “It underscores our commitment to staying at the forefront of inno- vation and delivering the best to our clients.” The machine offers a meticulously designed
process flow, including a flux module with a preci- sion spray fluxer, top and bottom preheat modules, and dual solder modules, each with a dedicated sol- der pot. The Versaflow 3/66 can process up to five
boards simultaneously or one board in each module. This not only amps up throughput, but also reduces the length of the processing time, ensuring efficien- cy at each step. In the capable hands of Altek Elec- tronics, this technology paves the way for top notch through-hole soldering and excellent flexibility.
Altek’s Roots Founded in 1972, Altek Electronics is a family-
owned contract manufacturing business that has been on a steady trajectory of growth and innova- tion. Its commitment to quality and customer sat- isfaction has made it a trusted partner for a wide
Continued on page 8
Better Microelectronics
...from Coal?
URBANA, IL — Coal is an abun- dant resource in the United States that has, unfortunately, contributed to climate change through its use as a fossil fuel. As the country transitions to oth- er means of energy produc- tion, it will be important to consider and reevaluate coal’s economic role. A joint re- search effort from the Univer- sity of Illinois Urbana-Cham- paign, the National Energy Technology Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Taiwan Semiconduc- tor Manufacturing Company has shown how coal can play a vital role in next-generation electronic devices. “Coal is usually thought of
as something bulky and dirty, but the processing techniques we’ve developed can transform it into high-purity materials just a couple of atoms thick,” says Qing Cao, a U. of I. materials science and engineering professor and a co-lead of the collaboration.
“Their unique atomic structures and properties are ideal for mak- ing some of the smallest possible electronics with performance su- perior to state-of-the art.”
Global Semicon Capacity to Reach Record High
MILPITAS, CA — Global semi- conductor capacity is expected to increase 6.4% in 2024 to top the 30 million wafers per month (wpm) mark for the first time af- ter rising 5.5% to 29.6 wpm in 2023, according to SEMI. The 2024 growth will be
A wafer containing memristors fabricated from coal.
A process developed by the
NETL first converts coal char into nanoscale carbon disks called “carbon dots” that the U. of I. re- search group demonstrated can be connected to form atomically thin membranes for applications in both two-dimensional transistors
Continued on page 6
driven by capacity increases in leading-edge logic and foundry, applications including genera- tive AI and high-performance computing (HPC), and the recov- ery in end-demand for chips. The capacity expansion slowed in 2023 due to softening demand. “Resurgent market demand
and increased government incen- tives worldwide are powering an upsurge in fab investments in key chipmaking regions and the pro- jected 6.4% rise in global capacity for 2024,” says Ajit Manocha, SE- MI president and CEO. “The heightened global attention on the Continued on page 6
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