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Prototyping Goes Non-profit
July 20, 2006 |Estimated reading time: 1 minute
CANBY, Ore. To support technology advancements and next-generation prototyping, Screaming Circuits, an online contract manufacturer (CM), will offer a sponsorship program to university groups. The Internet-based company designed a discount program for universities and non-profits that develop sophisticated circuits, PCBs, and microcontrollers.
The first group to receive sponsorship will be the Portland State Rocket Association. About 12 to 24 groups will qualify for the program. "We want to be selective, so that we can do a lot of work for each group," said Duane Benson, marketing manager at Screaming Circuits. Benson expects that many groups will return to the program yearly with updated board designs and re-evaluated components, and will remain with the sponsorship long-term.
The company wants to make assembly services accessible enabling groups that design complex circuitry to assemble them professionally. This will lead to advanced, compact, and reliable designs, said Benson. "Hand-soldering is what limits these groups. They have the board-development tools, but they need professional assembly for fine-pitch pins and other components," he added. Getting exposure can be difficult for many smaller groups, and the program will aid them in that area, noted Benson.
The company interviewed prospective recipients to determine what services would aid the groups. When a group qualifies and is approved for sponsorship, discounts on assembly labor, technical expertise, connections, and/or publicity will become available. "Both corporations and universities are serious about R&D, though universities tend to share their developments across the industry. Most of the surprises come from the universities," said Benson. He added that the groups they will sponsor develop applicable, next-generation technology and often lead to new companies.