Product category:
Subcontract machining and assembly services
News Release from: TRW Conekt | Subject: TRW Conekt - machining and assembly
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 22 September 2006
Microfucus X-ray to examine complex
parts
A subcontract machining company is adding a microfocus X-ray system for the examination of complex components and assemblies with three axis manipulation and rotation.
Conekt, the engineering consultancy arm of TRW Automotive, today announced a EUR 180,000 investment to enhance current quality, reliability and failure analysis capabilities within its Engineering Services Division in Shirley, UK The investment includes a powerful 160kV X-ray system
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 9 Oct 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Aerospace indirect lighting, HIRF tests meet UKAS
Conekt engineering consultancy has received full UKAS United Kingdom Accreditation Service accreditation for its aerospace indirect lightning and high intensity radiated field test facilities.
Leading board skills and testing support offered
AB Electronic Assemblies (ABEA) has invested over GBP500,000 to add new services to its portfolio, including bar coding, optical and BGA inspection, finer controls on screen printing and BGA re-work.
The microfocus X-ray system is able to produce real time X-rays images in excess of 10,000 times magnification and allows the examination of complex components and assemblies with three axis manipulation and rotation.
The accompanying software provides image enhancement and measuring functions, as well as computer numerical control (CNC) inspection programming for semi-automatic inspection.
"Companies are under increasing pressure to guarantee the reliability and quality of their products and components," explained Chris Tarling, business manager for Conekt's Engineering Services Division.
Further reading
Display systems fabrication qualifies to ISO 9001
Leading retail display systems manufacturer has joined the first wave of companies working towards compliance with the new ISO 9001: 2000 quality standard.
Electronics assembly company expands engineering
In September 2004, Allendale moved into its newly developed and larger UK Engineering and Test areas to keep up with the growing demand for its services.
Multi chip module service extends to production
As a recognised market leader for the manufacture of multi chip modules, a full service EMS company offers assembly and connection technologies for design, development and production.
"Our engineers specialise in testing and analysis and the new X-ray system will enable us to provide customers with instant high resolution images of components and assemblies to support analytical examinations.
In parallel with our design expertise, this will allow our engineers to help clients eliminate design issues that could reduce reliability and increase warranty costs." Conekt already boasts a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with elemental analysis (EDS), infrared equipment (FTIR) for organic analysis and an extensive range of sophisticated optical microscopy equipment with digital imaging.
The new system will enable more detailed non-destructive reliability and failure evaluations.
Applications for the system include electronic equipment analysis of solder joints, ball grid arrays (BGA) and printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies, as well as enabling Conekt to carry out analysis on large castings and metallic components, such as braking or electric drive systems.
BGA inspection also includes semi-automated analysis software for solder ball position, shape and voiding.
Although it is designed predominantly for use in the electronics industry, the system can also be used to carry out high powered examination to discover possible faults, such as assembly or in-service damage, within non-electrical components.
Tarling continued: "Over the last year, Conekt has made significant investment in test and validation capabilities to stay one step ahead of customer requirements and changes in legislation.
Conekt's new X-ray system is one of the highest specified available and will reinforce Conekt's position as one of the leading test and validation centres in the UK, USA and China." The X-ray system is now operational, and this investment is the latest in an extensive development programme for Conekt's Engineering Services Division, following on from recent purchases of high specification microscopy and automatic micro-sectioning equipment, as well as lightning strike and high intensity radiated field (HIRF) test systems.
The system was sourced from Phoenix X-ray agent, Contax in the United Kingdom.
* About Conekt - Conekt is the consultancy arm of TRW Automotive and brings together key services in engineering, knowledge and technology.
Conekt's has over 50 years of R and D experience in the automotive, aerospace, commercial vehicle, professional and industrial sectors.
It generates major competitive advantage through new ideas and the application of science and technology in product development and manufacturing.
More info at www.conekt.net Conekt is a member of the SBAC.
* About TRW - with 2005 sales of US$12.6 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers.
Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, employs approximately 63,000 people in 25 countries.
TRW Automotive products include integrated vehicle control and driver assist systems, braking systems, steering systems, suspension systems, occupant safety systems (seat belts and airbags), electronics, engine components, fastening systems and aftermarket replacement parts and services.
* About Contax - Contax is one of the UK and Ireland?s most comprehensive suppliers of automation equipment.
Products range from PCB assembly, automatic optical and X-ray inspection, reflow solder, screen printing, precision liquid dispensing, cable preparation, robotic soldering and robotic assembly as well as cleaning systems.
All of this is backed up by Contax?s unique support programme called ?hands-on? and an extensive second user department to fully support their installed base.
* About phoenix X-ray Systems and Services - phoenix X-ray, a dynamic group of companies founded in 1999 is the leading manufacturer of microfocus and nanofocus X-ray systems, X-ray tubes and computed tomography systems.
phoenix X-ray world-wide supplies application oriented X-ray systems and complete customised inspection solutions for the electronics, semiconductor, automotive, aerospace and many other industries.
The company puts high priority on customer service and large investments in the development of systems and software solutions in order to provide all-inclusive and versatile support to customers, establishing mutually beneficial, long-term partnerships.
• TRW Conekt: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
