"The cooperation network particularly aims for improving the interaction between development and production to provide a better understanding of the respective requirements," says Enrico Lusky, sales manager, Germany.

Multitest, a designer and manufacturer of final test handlers, contactors and load boards used by integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) and final test subcontractors worldwide, will exhibit at the upcoming ECTC, scheduled to take place May 28-30, 2013 at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Our previous generation of vision systems provided excellent performance, but the integration costs and complexity of the previous VME-based vision hardware were excessive," said Damon Ashman, vision manager for Universal Instruments.

MatriX plans to make a significant investment to further develop and enhance FocalSpot’s current X-ray product line with its advanced engineered hardware and software technology platforms.

Agilent Technologies Inc. has announced the latest enhancement on its Command Expert software for faster and easier instrument control in many test application development environments.

As an essential component of its new X-ray inspection software XI-Pilot V 3.1, the company introduces a new module for an easier evaluation of X-ray images. topoVIEW facilitates the interpretation of recorded X-ray images with respect to a better fault assessment and classification.

Robert Nelson, VP and GM for Cincinnati Sub-Zero (CSZ), talks about the importance of environmental testing in the manufacture and development of high-reliability electronic products. Not just for OEMs, environmental testing helps manufacturers dial in their processes and gain a competitive advantage.

Leo Lambert, vice president and technical director of solder training and IPC certification corporation EPTAC, discusses the firm's newest training program developed with the help of IDEA, one designed to help customers better identify counterfeit parts. Lambert also details EPTAC's move into the Canadian market and his committee work with IPC.

Peter van den Eijnden, president of JTAG Technologies, a company based in the Netherlands, discusses the many changes he's seen in his 15+ years of doing business in China. The growth in the Chinese domestic market has sparked an expanded need for testing, fueling a line of JTAG products.

Dr. Lee Hitchens takes a look at conformal coating standards, what they actually mean, what you can achieve with new automated conformal coating inspection technology, and what must be considered to ensure a reliable inspection process.

Delegates from 16 countries packed the EIPC Winter Conference to exchange information on market conditions and future innovations, and Technical Editor Pete Starkey was there. Following two excellent, sobering keynote presentations on world market trends, the technical program commenced with a session on new substrates and surface finishes.

Delegates from 16 countries packed the EIPC Winter Conference to exchange information on market conditions and future innovations, and Technical Editor Pete Starkey was there. Following two excellent, sobering keynote presentations on world market trends, the technical program commenced with a session on new substrates and surface finishes.

The second day of SMART Group's 2012 European Conference got underway in Thame, Oxfordshire, UK with a second grouping of industry experts ready to present and attendees eager to learn. Technical Editor Pete Starkey made the trip for I-Connect007 and continues his detailed report.

When you talk with CEO Brad Kurrell of Circuit Technology Services, you are immediately struck by his passion and his spirit of optimism. This is a man who truly loves what he does, every day. He recently sat down with Marcy LaRont to share his business outlook and his passion for his company and the industry.

Editor Pete Starkey continues his look at the 2011 SMART Group Conference at the Oxfordshire Golf Club in Thame, UK. Day 2 focused primarily on cleaning and coating electronic assemblies and featured several industry experts, including Doug Pauls, Rockwell Collins; Dr. Mike Bixenman, Kyzen; Martin Wickham, NPL; Graham Wilson, Indium; and Mike Konrad, Aqueous Technologies.

While other companies serving the PCB industry can barely hold on through economic downturns, GOEPEL continues to turn a profit, hire new employees and expand. We caught up with David Whetstone, director of North American sales and business development for GOEPEL Electronics USA, and asked him to share his insight on test and measurement, and the challenges of this global market.