Global SMT Podcast

Trevor Galbraith spoke with Stephen Egert, president of Surf Tech, about AI-assisted bill of materials checks, collaboration with design firms on DFM, and the ongoing challenges of component sourcing and bare-board availability. A new laser marker will give every board full traceability. The company has also filled the space created by last year’s 50% production floor expansion and won a Global Te...

At SMTA International 2026, Trevor Galbraith spoke with John Norton of KYZEN about its Analyst system, which brings concentration monitoring, data logging and alarms to batch cleaning. The system retrofits to existing batch cleaners through the wash pump’s recirculation loop, helping manufacturers monitor and document their cleaning processes. John also discussed KYZEN’s expansion in Nashville, in...

At SMTA International 2026, Trevor Galbraith spoke with Joel Scutchfield of Koh Young America about the company's expected 25% record growth, expanding operations in Mexico and the US, and new AI-powered inspection technologies. Discover how Koh Young is advancing smart manufacturing with AI Auto-Programming and Smart Review. 🎥 Watch the full interview! #KohYoung #SMTAInternational #AOI #SPI...

At SMTA International in Rosemont, Global SMT & Packaging’s Victoria Rawinski hosted an AOI panel with Jacob Doose of Saki, Joe Clure of Kurtz Ersa, Juan Briceno of Viscom and Brian D’Amico of Mirtec. The discussion explored 3D AOI’s capabilities, the role of X-ray and ICT, and challenges posed by hidden joints, miniaturisation and increasingly dense boards. A key takeaway: better inspection r...

At SMTA International in Rosemont, KYZEN’s Adam Klett hosted a panel with Josh Heather of Plexus, Dr Mike Bixenman of Magnalytix and Ram Wissel of KYZEN on qualifying clean and no-clean processes under J-STD-001. The discussion explored representative test boards, defined process windows, SIR testing and ion chromatography—alongside the documentation needed to demonstrate that residues are benign...

Keith Bryant catches up with Mark Kampurwala to discuss Aven’s acquisition by GSI Holding Group, opening opportunities in the laboratory market and expanding its global presence. Mark introduces the ClearView, featuring a larger display, wider magnification range and new gantry, alongside the Micro Vue 2.0, with an upgraded camera, monitor and interchangeable UV/LED lighting. Both address growing...

At SMTA Mexico, Keith Bryant speaks with Frank Hart about Essemtec’s FOX all-in-one system. The platform combines jet printing, dispensing and pick and place in a single machine, bringing three key electronics assembly processes together. #Essemtec #SMT #JetPrinting #Dispensing #PickAndPlace #ElectronicsManufacturing

Keith Bryant speaks with Laurino Lopez and Emmanuel Sanchez of Heller Industries about growing demand for vacuum and nitrogen reflow as electronics manufacturers work to reduce solder voiding. The team highlights vacuum reflow technology, the shift towards longer ovens with more heating zones, and the importance of controlled cooling. They also discuss Heller’s fluxless formic acid reflow process,...

Keith Bryant spoke with Carlos of Anda Technologies about fast delivery, precision coating and local support. Anda can deliver a complete production line within a week and plans to stock 28 machines in Mexico by year-end. Its coating systems combine jetting, piezoelectric and spray valves to reduce masking and manual rework, while an 800 m² Mexican facility provides service engineers and spare par...

How is SMarTsol keeping pace with the changing needs of electronics manufacturers? At SMTA Guadalajara, Keith Bryant speaks with Julio Romo, newly appointed to SMarTsol’s senior management team, about the company’s expansion into Texas and Asia—and its investment in demo rooms, warehouses and service engineers closer to customers. With 15 years in the industry, SMarTsol is extending its capabiliti...

Keith Bryant spoke with Luis Garcia of Rehm about the Condenso XC, an entry-level vapour phase soldering machine designed for labs and small, high-mix production batches. PCBs combining large thermal masses with small, sensitive components can be difficult to reflow evenly. The Condenso XC uses Galden vapour to transfer heat efficiently, with temperature limited by the fluid’s boiling point. Two i...

Keith Bryant spoke with Luis Fernando Gazcon of KYZEN about new tools designed to improve cleaning efficiency and traceability. Its cost-modelling tool analyses inline and batch cleaning processes to identify ways to reduce water and chemical consumption, shorten cleaning cycles and extend bath life. KYZEN’s PCS closed-loop system measures concentration and automatically adds water or chemistry as...

At SMTA Guadalajara, Global SMT & Packaging spoke with Heriberto from Koh Young about the new Zenith DS dual-side AOI system. Two inspection heads check the top and bottom of a board simultaneously, combining SMT and through-hole inspection in a single pass to reduce inspection time and costs. The system is currently being showcased in beta, with software scheduled for Q1 2027. Koh Young is al...

Keith Bryant speaks with Juan Arango of PARMI about laser-based AOI and the growing role of AI in inspection. Arango explains how laser scanning avoids the shadows associated with white-light systems, helping improve inspection quality. According to PARMI, AI auto-programming cuts program creation from six to eight hours to under 10 minutes, followed by 10–15 minutes of debugging. For high-mix, lo...

Keith Bryant speaks with Thomas Yang of Shenzhen Synergie about closed-loop cleaning systems that combine cleaning, inspection and automatic re-cleaning in one machine. CCD cameras detect blocked stencil apertures and trigger additional cleaning where needed. Pick-and-place nozzles receive the same automated treatment, reducing reliance on manual microscope inspections. Each stencil and nozzle is...

At SMTA Guadalajara, Keith Bryant speaks with Reuben from SMarTsol Technologies about why local service is essential to Mexico’s electronics industry. From manufacturer-certified engineers and spare parts to practical training, SMarTsol helps customers keep production running. As factories adopt more robotics, AI and semiconductor equipment, Reuben explains why technical expertise and long-term su...

At SMTA Guadalajara, Keith Bryant brings together industry experts to explore the advantages and limitations of these reflow technologies, whether combining vacuum and nitrogen offers the best of both worlds, and what the future holds for reflow soldering. Joining the discussion: • Luis Antonio Garcia G. — Rehm Thermal Systems SA de CV • Paul Lancaster — HELLER INDUSTRIES, INC. • Bob Bouchard — Di...

In this interview, Thomas Yang, owner of Shenzhen Synergies Machinery, introduces the company’s cleaning solutions for small parts, nozzles and stencils. Based in Shenzhen, China, Synergie supplies its systems through distributors in Mexico and Malaysia. Yang discusses the equipment, configuration options and international availability. Watch the video for a closer look at Synergie’s cleaning tech...

In this interview, S.P. Arora, Managing Director of Innotronics, discusses the new system and the company’s equipment portfolio for India’s PCBA manufacturing industry. From Panasonic and Essemtec solutions to storage systems and solderability testers, Arora explores the technologies Innotronics brings to manufacturers and its relationships with major OEMs. Watch the interview for a closer look at...

Brijesh Kamani, CEO of Rapidise, discusses the company’s rapid expansion, reporting a global workforce of 1,500 people and facilities in India, the USA and other locations. He explains how closer collaboration between design and manufacturing teams helps reduce revisions, minimize errors and accelerate time to market. Watch the full interview for insights into Rapidise’s approach to original desig...

At the NMTronics stand, Sid Singh of Data I/O speaks with Trevor Galbraith about the company’s updated product portfolio, including programming as a service, security provisioning and ConneX MES integration. The service places Data I/O systems, operators and maintenance at the customer’s site, charging per part programmed. This gives manufacturers access to device programming without a large upfro...

Manuel Bellin explains how the racks, positioned beside the pick-and-place machine, connect directly to Essegi’s Storage Towers and Goods Inward inventory system. The interview also covers how the storage towers work, component handling after production, component quality, and support from NMTronics. Watch the video to learn more, and like and subscribe for further electronics manufacturing update...

Kikuo Kondo and Yasuaki Masuda discuss the growth of FUJI in India, since partnering with NMTronics in 1999. The relationship relies heavily on coordinating support, training and future development together with feedback from Indian manufacturers. The latest machine, making its debut at the show, is the CLT-FG, which is aimed at the entry-level to mid-volume. It ultilises the same feeders and soft...

Peter Shin runs South East Asia operations for Koh Young, based in Singapore. He explains the key markets in Asia and how the Koh Young are in strong demand among the hyperscalers and major manufacturers.

Robert Yebra talks about the geographical expansion of TRI and the product expansion into semiconductor advanced packaging. The company has already developed a wafer inspection system and will standardize a panel inspection model soon. TRI also manufacturers wire bond inspection equipment and die bond inspection.