-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueComing to Terms With AI
In this issue, we examine the profound effect artificial intelligence and machine learning are having on manufacturing and business processes. We follow technology, innovation, and money as automation becomes the new key indicator of growth in our industry.
Box Build
One trend is to add box build and final assembly to your product offering. In this issue, we explore the opportunities and risks of adding system assembly to your service portfolio.
IPC APEX EXPO 2024 Pre-show
This month’s issue devotes its pages to a comprehensive preview of the IPC APEX EXPO 2024 event. Whether your role is technical or business, if you're new-to-the-industry or seasoned veteran, you'll find value throughout this program.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
Quester Tangent Brings Production In-House, Selects Universal as SMT Solutions Provider
December 17, 2019 | Universal InstrumentsEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Quester Tangent, a leading manufacturer, supplier, and integrator of train electronics and software solutions for the passenger rail and locomotive industries in North America, has installed a Universal Instruments production line in its Saanichton, British Columbia manufacturing facility. The new solution is an NPI line featuring a FuzionXC2-37™ surface mount platform. It is the first automated production line for Quester Tangent, enabling the company to bring small-batch product builds in-house rather than relying on regional contract manufacturers for all of its production requirements.
Quester Tangent is a Canadian company that has served international markets for more than 30 years and began providing train management systems in the early 1990s. The company now offers a full portfolio of capabilities and services, delivering complete train electronics and software solutions in rail-robust packages that meet each fleet’s unique requirements. Quester Tangent is a trusted partner of the world’s major train manufacturers and transit authorities, helping its customers increase operational efficiency, improve fleet availability, optimize on-time performance, and enhance passenger safety and comfort.
The FuzionXC2-37 is an all-in-one NPI solution featuring 272 8mm feeder inputs and the ability to support multiple products in a single setup. It also supports virtually any type of feeder and a large component range from 01005 to 150mm square and 25mm tall. In addition, Fuzion Platform software ensures a fast and precise NPI process to maximize yields and expedite time to market.
“For us, line length was important due to the limited amount of available space. Universal was able to provide us with a solution that maximizes our feeder capacity within that footprint while giving us a complete NPI solution,” remarked KD Singh, Quester Tangent Director of Operations. “We’re also keen on leveraging the support of Universal’s Advanced Process Lab (APL) as we take our first venture into in-house automated manufacturing. We’ll look to the APL’s process development expertise to ensure optimal performance and reliability of our customers’ products—some of which are mission-critical.”
Universal Instruments Vice President of Customer Operations, Brad Bennett noted, “We were able to deliver a complete turnkey solution to Quester Tangent by integrating a Speedprint printer, Heller ovens, and peripheral equipment such as air compressors, dryers and ventilation. This line gives Quester Tangent the versatility and full-process capability needed to thrive in an NPI environment.”
Suggested Items
Connect the Dots: Designing for Reality—The Pre-Manufacturing Process
05/08/2024 | Matt Stevenson -- Column: Connect the DotsI have been working with Nolan Johnson on a podcast series about designing PCBs for the reality of manufacturing. By sharing lessons learned over a long career in the PCB industry, we hope to shorten learning curves and help designers produce better boards with less hassle and rework. Episode 2 deals with the electronic pre-manufacturing process. Moving from CAD (computer-aided design) to CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) is a key step in PCB manufacturing. CAM turns digital designs into instructions that machines can use to actually build the PCB.
Altus Equips SSTL with Advanced Cleaning Technology for Electronics
05/07/2024 | Altus GroupAltus Group, a leading supplier of capital equipment for the electronics manufacturing industry, has announced the successful installation of an advanced PCBA cleaning system at Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL).
RTX's Advanced Ground System for Space-based Missile Warning Now Operational
05/06/2024 | RTXAn advanced ground system for space-based missile warning developed by Raytheon, an RTX business, is now operational at the U.S. Space Force's Overhead Persistent Infrared Battlespace Awareness Center (OBAC).
BrainChip, Frontgrade Gaisler to Augment Space-Grade Microprocessors with AI Capabilities
05/06/2024 | BUSINESS WIREBrainChip Holdings Ltd, the world’s first commercial producer of ultra-low power, fully digital, event-based, neuromorphic AI IP, and Frontgrade Gaisler, a leading provider of space-grade system-on-chip solutions, announce their collaboration to explore the integration of BrainChip’s AkidaTM neuromorphic processor into Frontgrade Gaisler’s next generation fault-tolerant, radiation-hardened microprocessors.
Argonne, Toyota Collaborate on Cutting-Edge Battery Recycling Process
05/01/2024 | BUSINESS WIREThe U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory has recently launched a collaboration with Toyota Motor North America that could reduce the nation’s reliance on foreign sources of battery materials.