Component Management

Taking surface mount board repair to new levels of performance and affordability, Manncorp has introduced the RW1210 rework system. An enhanced touchscreen user interface now contains selectable operating modes that fully automate removal, placement and soldering sequences for increased operator efficiency. The RW1210 includes an enlarged board holder to handle extra-large PCBs up to 430x360mm (17x14.25").

Nordson EFD has introduced piezoelectric jetting technology that removes the barrier between speed and accuracy. EFD's PICO Pµlse valve and PICO Toµch controller make it possible to dispense very exact, repeatable micro-deposits as small as 0.5nL at up to 500Hz continuous, with 1500Hz maximum bursts - an industry best.

  At the recent 20th International Conference on Composite Materials (ICCM) and in conjunction with Haydale, researchers from Cardiff University presented the results from an in-depth study titled Developing Component-Scale Hierarchical Composites Using Nanocarbons.

Techcon Systems has developed a Disposable Material Path (DMP) diaphragm valve. The TS5624DMP valve features a ‘first to market’ disposable material path, enabling difficult fluids and pre-mixed two-part epoxies to be dispensed without the need for frequent cleaning. The entire wetted area can simply be replaced in a matter of seconds, while the valve stays on the production line.

  The RCP-DELTA, a robot controller that supports payloads up to 3kg with X/Y operating ranges of 500/800/1100/1300mm and an optional continuous rotation around the Z axis, has been introduced by Aerotech.

Now available in Europe through TTI is the PGS graphite sheet from Panasonic. It is an ultra-light artificial graphite film produced from polymeric film using a heat de-composition process. It boasts excellent thermal conductivity of between 700 to 1950 W/(m·K) which is up to five times higher than copper and up to seven times better than aluminium.  

  Nordson MARCH announces that its StratoSPHERE Series plasma treatment equipment for wafer-level packaging and 3D packaging applications can now be configured in two, four, and even six chamber configurations for increased throughput and flexibility.

  Seika Machinery has introduced the MALCOM VDM-2 video capture system. Used in conjunction with MALCOM reflow simulators, the VDM-2 camera system captures video of the simulated reflow process.

A snake moves without legs by the scales on its belly gripping the ground. It generates friction at the points needed to move forwards only and prevents its scales from being worn off by too much friction. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) researchers have found a way to transfer this feature to components of movable systems. In this way, durability of hip prostheses, computer hard disks or smartphones might be enhanced.

Sunlight can be brutal. It wears down even the strongest structures, including rooftops and naval ships, and heats up metal slides and bleachers until they’re too hot to use. To fend off damage and heat from the sun’s harsh rays, scientists have developed a new, environmentally friendly paint out of glass that bounces sunlight off metal surfaces, keeping them cool and durable.