Anda won three different categories in the Global Technology Awards 2024 for Potting, Plasma Systems and Dispensing Systems.

The Potting System uses vacuum to remove bubbles or air gaps from the process.

The plasma system removes oils and contaminants from the substrate while creating greater surface tension for conformal coatings. Anda offer both open air plasma and vacuum plasma systems.

Anda's dispensing system is a fast, five-axis system running on linear motors, with a wide range of valves and applicators.

Gayle Towell explains how AIM's REL61 alloy offers greater reliability with better microstructure than SAC305. The alloy is a SnAgBi available in type 5 and type 6 bar, wire or paste formats.

Amtech is a small CEM based in Troy, MI which is a high-mix, small-medium volume contract manufacturer. Vapor Phase has enabled greater flexibility and quicker setup during product changeover.

Winners of two Global Technology Awards, the CBAN 25 3D printing system has developed considerably in recent years, both with the size of the 3D jigs and assemblies it can produce and the production speed. Likewise there is continued research across the polymers used in the process to add new properties. The latest research has involved experimenting with conductive inks to create traces within the polymer.

Seika Machinery introduce a range of strain gauges to measure stress across bolts and other materials used in PCB assembly.

Bob Bouchard talks about the success of the Aurora reflow oven platform and how the various energy saving and flux management tools are contributing towards the sustainability of the reflow process.

StenTech have developed a unique nanocoating called Bluprint that is applied using Vapour Phase Deposition and lasts for the life of the stencil.

Jim Vicarro describers how increasing miniaturisation is driving the necessity for nitrogen in the reflow process. Nitrogen generators provide a more stable, repeatable, sustainable process, which in turn increases reliability and yield.