Euro DesignCon successful
The inaugural Euro DesignCon concluded Thursday, October 14, in Munich, Germany with the International Engineering Consortium (IEC) saying its first European event for electronic-design and semiconductor engineers was a resounding success. The four-day educational program and technology exhibition exceeded expectations for the first-ever event, according to the IEC, which has already announced plans to present the second Euro DesignCon in Munich October 24–27, 2005. Infineon Technologies, the official sponsor for Euro DesignCon 2004, has agreed to sponsor next year's conference. Andreas von Zitzewitz, chief operating officer and member of the management board of Infineon, delivered the Tuesday keynote address to an audience of leading engineers from 23 nations, representing 237 companies. In the preface to his address, von Zitzewitz commended the IEC for bringing its program to Europe. Euro DesignCon is modeled after DesignCon, the annual IEC conference in Santa Clara, CA. His presentation then focused on how timing the introduction of new technology is the most critical factor in whether that technology will be financially successful. www.iec.org
Interplex opens China facility
Interplex Industries (Flushing, NY), global provider of metal stamped, plated, and plastic molded components and assemblies, announced that it has opened a new facility in North China in the city of Dalian, a coastal city located in Liaoning province. The new facility, known as Interplex Electronic (Dalian) Co., Ltd., occupies 20,000 sq-meters with 5,000 of manufacturing space. Initially, the Dalian facility will produce a variety of tooling and offer precision metal stamping and heat-treating services to the electronic, automotive, and communication industries. Interplex Electronic (Dalian) will be offering electroplating, insert and injection molding, and assembly services in the near future. In addition to the new facility in Dalian, Interplex currently operates a 20,000 sq-meter facility in the Hangzhou, Zhejiang province that provides metal stamping, electroplating, skiving, deep draw, insert and injection molding, vacuum metalizing, and assembly services. www.interplex.com
License saves package testing cost
Kulicke & Soffa Industries (Willow Grove, PA), the leading global supplier of semiconductor wire-bonding assembly equipment, announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire a license for an innovative new device that makes temporary electrical connections to semiconductor chips. The company believes this special interconnection device will form the nucleus for the next generation of semiconductor sockets for its package test products. Executives at Kulicke & Soffa Industries say the licensing of this new interconnect technology will reduce the time and cost to develop new test products and lower customers' operating expenses for package testing. The company expects the device to be incorporated into new products within 18 to 24 months. www.kns.com
A very good year: 2004
According to the 2004 connector forecast announced in November by analysts at Bishop & Associates (St. Charles, IL), the connector industry is having an outstanding year. Orders are up 26.4% through nine months and sales are up 25.7% through nine months. Amphenol and Molex reported a 3Q04 sales increases of 22% and 29% respectively over 3Q03, and are forecasting continued double-digit growth in 4Q04 (Amphenol 14.8% and Molex 17%). Bishop & Associates predicts continued growth in sales. However, industry sales are projected to increase only 7.6% in 4Q04 in year-over-year comparisons primarily because of a tough comparison to 4Q03, which was an excellent quarter. The forecast for 2004 sales growth in U.S. dollars is 17.4%. www.connectorindustry.com
Network solutions demand up
Fiberoptics distributor Fiber Instrument Sales (FIS; Oriskany, NY) has reported growing demand for 3M's Volition Network Solutions. The Volition product line includes complete structured fiberoptic and copper cabling systems. Volition VF-45 fiberoptic patchcords are especially popular with their latching connectors that are similar to a modular telephone jack. Other popular items in the Volition line include media converters, patch panels, and wall mounts, all of which are designed for easy installation. www.fiberinstrumentsales.com
