Danutek, a leading supplier of capital equipment and service support to the electronics manufacturing sector in Europe, proudly marks its 20th anniversary this year. To commemorate this significant milestone, members of the Danutek team attended the InnoElectro event in Budapest, Hungary, one of the region's most prominent gatherings for the electronics manufacturing industry. Over the past two decades, Danutek has established a strong presence in 10 countries, becoming a trusted partner for over 300 customers and successfully installing more than 3,000 machines. This impressive growth is a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation and exceptional customer service. At InnoElectro 2024, Danutek Kft. showcased a comprehensive range of equipment for the electronics industry. Highlights included Scienscope smart racks and goods-in scanning tables, Techvalley X-ray component counters, Koh Young's SPI, AOI, and conformal coating inspection systems, and the Axonn Mycronic conformal coating unit. These cutting-edge technologies reflect Danutek’s dedication to providing advanced solutions to its customers. Richard Booth, CEO of Danutek, said: "It really is amazing to step back and look at the progression of Danutek and our organisation. I am incredibly proud of the local team and what they have been able to achieve. “Danutek is one of the most successful organisations in their respective regions, and we have supported a terrific number of customers and successful projects over those years. I would like to think we've made a very positive impact on electronics manufacturing in the region with our support and dedication. Here's to another 20 years of success and innovations!" As Danutek looks ahead, the company remains steadfast in its mission to support and contribute to the growth of the electronics manufacturing industry in Europe.
Altus 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). The Kolb PSE LH5 will optimise SSTL's critical cleaning processes for their sophisticated electronics applications. SSTL is renowned for delivering complete mission solutions and is at the forefront of space innovation. Their customised systems for earth observation, science, communications, navigation, in-orbit debris removal and servicing, requires electronics of the highest quality and reliability. As a result, SSTL's production processes must meet exceedingly stringent standards, which includes their electronics cleaning processes. Altus has a long-standing partnership with SSTL, having previously supplied them with cleaning equipment. As SSTL sought to modernise and optimise its PCBA cleaning process for its critical space and satellite applications, they selected Kolb's industry-leading PSE LH5 system as the ideal solution. Joe Booth, CEO of Altus Group said: "We have seen a number of Kolb cleaning projects come through in 2023 and even the start of 2024, but being able to secure a partnership with a world-class company like SSTL is particularly significant. SSTL is truly a jewel of UK electronics manufacturing. The nature of their products demands production quality at the highest possible level, so being selected by them to enhance their production process shows the confidence and technical value they place in Kolb's cleaning solutions and in Altus as a trusted supplier." The Kolb PSE LH5 boasts unique features and advanced engineering, setting it apart as a top-tier solution for precision cleaning in electronics manufacturing. Manufactured entirely in Germany, Kolb's expertise spans chemistry and cleaning systems, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the cleaning process. The PSE LH5 offers a highly capable cleaning process tailored for products with smaller board sizes, making it an ideal choice for SSTL's exacting requirements. Adam Chudziak from SSTL said: "The quality and reliability of our satellite electronics are absolutely critical to mission success. After a comprehensive evaluation, the Kolb PSE LH5 system supplied by Altus Group was the clear choice to modernise our PCBA cleaning capabilities. We have full confidence it will enable us to uphold and enhance our meticulous cleaning processes moving forward." This fully automatic economy batch cleaner is designed to deliver exceptional cleaning performance for assembled PCBs. With a high-capacity cleaning cycle, the PSE LH5 thoroughly removes misprints from reflow flux residues, resin, copper, oxide, and soldering support substances. Its innovative features, including a two-tank system with triple-circuit function, automatic monitoring of ionic residues, and high-resolution display for software control, guarantee efficient and reliable cleaning processes. www.altusgroup.co.uk.
Altus Group, a leading distributor of capital equipment in the UK and Ireland, together with Fuji Corp., principal manufacturer of SMT and assembly machines and tools, have announced they will once again host the ‘Factory of the Future’ technolog y event. The two-day symposium on 11-12 September at the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Centre (AMTC) in Co ventry will showcase emerging trends and the latest innovations transforming the electronics manufacturing industry . Building on the success of the 2022 inaugural Factory of the Future , which welcomed over 125 industry professionals, this year's event agenda will feature 16 expert-led sessions spanning the full range of electronics production processes and technologies. Attendees will gain insights from over 25 leading suppliers like Koh Young, PVA , Heller Industries, Essemtec, and Asscon , who will present their cutting-edge products and solutions through hands-on demonstrations. Joe Booth, CEO of Altus Group said: "It is our mission to be the best at what we do for the customers we serve, and I believe that we can offer a huge amount of value to our partners outsi de of our day to day operations by hosting and investing in events like this one . “Our customers are always interested in best practices or what is new, and these events allow them to network, learn, understand future roadmaps, and leave with many ideas they can apply to their facility. Hugely popular in our first year and exceeding our expectations, we have increased the capacity to 250 guests if needed, so I can't wait to make it a couple of days to remember." Artur Tobolski, Fuji Regional Account Manager added: "The last Factory of the Future event in 2022 seems like only yesterday, but I can't wait for it to return in 2024. The event is jam-packed for those who attend, and the line-up is as good as you will see at any European exhibition. "Having all those industry leaders in Coventry for two full days, with their latest and greatest equipment, giving keynotes is brilliant for UK manufacturers looking to level up their production facilities. Fuji will be there in full force with Altus, and it is going to be a great chance to connect with current partners, showcase your latest technology, learn about industry trends, and have a good time doing it." With over 25 exhibitors and limited capacity, manufacturing professionals are encouraged to register early for the Factory of the Future event. The full agenda will be released in the coming weeks. For more information, visit www. altusgroup.co.uk.
Altus 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). The Kolb PSE LH5 will optimise SSTL's critical cleaning processes for their sophisticated electronics applications. SSTL is renowned for delivering complete mission solutions and is at the forefront of space innovation. Their customised systems for earth observation, science, communications, navigation, in-orbit debris removal and servicing, requires electronics of the highest quality and reliability. As a result, SSTL's production processes must meet exceedingly stringent standards, which includes their electronics cleaning processes. Altus has a long-standing partnership with SSTL, having previously supplied them with cleaning equipment. As SSTL sought to modernise and optimise its PCBA cleaning process for its critical space and satellite applications, they selected Kolb's industry-leading PSE LH5 system as the ideal solution. Joe Booth, CEO of Altus Group said: "We have seen a number of Kolb cleaning projects come through in 2023 and even the start of 2024, but being able to secure a partnership with a world-class company like SSTL is particularly significant. SSTL is truly a jewel of UK electronics manufacturing. The nature of their products demands production quality at the highest possible level, so being selected by them to enhance their production process shows the confidence and technical value they place in Kolb's cleaning solutions and in Altus as a trusted supplier." The Kolb PSE LH5 boasts unique features and advanced engineering, setting it apart as a top-tier solution for precision cleaning in electronics manufacturing. Manufactured entirely in Germany, Kolb's expertise spans chemistry and cleaning systems, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the cleaning process. The PSE LH5 offers a highly capable cleaning process tailored for products with smaller board sizes, making it an ideal choice for SSTL's exacting requirements. Adam Chudziak from SSTL said: "The quality and reliability of our satellite electronics are absolutely critical to mission success. After a comprehensive evaluation, the Kolb PSE LH5 system supplied by Altus Group was the clear choice to modernise our PCBA cleaning capabilities. We have full confidence it will enable us to uphold and enhance our meticulous cleaning processes moving forward." This fully automatic economy batch cleaner is designed to deliver exceptional cleaning performance for assembled PCBs. With a high-capacity cleaning cycle, the PSE LH5 thoroughly removes misprints from reflow flux residues, resin, copper, oxide, and soldering support substances. Its innovative features, including a two-tank system with triple-circuit function, automatic monitoring of ionic residues, and high-resolution display for software control, guarantee efficient and reliable cleaning processes. www.altusgroup.co.uk .
Altus Group, a leading distributor of capital equipment in the UK and Ireland, has announced the addition of PVA's new PathMaster X software to its product port folio. PathMaster X transforms programming for PVA's conformal coating and dispensing systems with an intuitive, game-like controller interface. PathMaster X is the next generation of Windows-based programming software from PVA, a leading manufacturer of conformal coating and dispensing systems. It provides greater control, advanced programming, and a fully configurable platform tailored to individual production needs . Joe Booth, CEO of Altus Group said: "We're excited to offer the new PVA PathMaster X. This innovative software delivers an unparalleled user experience by combining advanced programming capabilities with gaming-inspired controls. Our customers will find PathMaster X in credibly easy to use for optimis ing their co ating and dispensing processes. "Altus Group customers now have access to PVA's innovative PathMaster X for simplifying their coa ting and dispensing operations. This software meets the high standards of innovation and performance our customers have come to expect." The PVA X-Pad controller and touchscreen monitor allow machine operation, programming, and monitoring through an intui tive interface. Users can utilis e the gaming controller-style interface with custom virtual buttons for an engaging programming experience akin to playing a video game . PathMaster X offers a configurable workspace for conformal coating, dispensing, and custom applications. Its advanced online/offline programming enables users to program from anywhere. The intuitive drag-and-drop interface, custom overlays for valve size/pattern width, and other intelligent features streamline programming workflow. www. altusgroup.co.uk.
Altus Group, a leading provider of capital equipment, has recently assisted BitBox, a UK-based electronics design, engineering and manufacturing company with over 25 years’ experience in upgrading its operations with the implementation of a new reflow oven from Heller Industries. The advanced system promises to further enhance BitBox's production capabilities by optimising throughput, refining process control, and increase energy efficiency. With over 25 years in product design and manufacturing services, BitBox has consistently prioritised meeting the evolving needs of its customers. Recognising the importance of enhancing its Surface Mount Technology (SMT) reflow oven capabilities to align with growing demand, BitBox conducted a thorough evaluation process. Subsequently, with the help of Altus Group, the Heller 1826 MK7 was chosen as the ideal choice. "The Heller 1826 MK7 delivers superior reflow oven performance through its extended heated tunnel, additional zones, faster throughput, and precise process controls," said Joe Booth, CEO of Altus Group. "We are pleased to provide this solution to support BitBox's manufacturing expansion." The Heller 1826 MK7 is engineered to maximize process efficiency and control. Its advanced low Delta T design achieves industry-leading thermal uniformity across 8 heated zones, enabling enhanced product quality while supporting precise profiling within strict process controls. The innovative flux management system incorporates a proprietary flux collection design, trapping residue for safe removal without shutting down the oven.
Altus Group, a leading supplier of capital equipment for the electronics industry in the UK and Ireland, has added to their product line-up with MagicRay’s latest innovation in inspection, the V320 THT Pre-Reflow AOI system. The V320 is specifically designed for through-hole technology (THT) assembly processes and will enable comprehensive inspection capabilities for electronics manufacturers utilising THT components on their printed circuit boards. Many UK companies still rely significantly on through-hole assembly, with skilled operators manually placing components before wave, selective or robotic soldering. This process risks human errors like component defects and solder faults. The MagicRay V320 THT AOI system addresses these quality challenges with intelligent pre-reflow optical inspection. The V320 features a large field-of-view to efficiently inspect assemblies. Its dual-sided inspection capability allows it to examine both the top and bottom sides of boards for any defects. The system leverages AI-based programming and big data learning algorithms to accurately identify component polarity and automatically classify component types for detecting missing, incorrectly oriented, or misplaced parts as well as solder defects like bridging or insufficient joint formation with their other post reflow solutions. "I'm really excited to offer the MagicRay V320 to our customers to increase quality and traceability for their through-hole assembly," said Jiri Kucera, Operations Director at Altus Group. "Many companies still populate a significant number of through-hole components manually, which increases the risk of human errors and defects. Whether customers need to detect polarity issues, missing components, or just want to increase traceability, the V320 provides a specialised solution to support quality for THT assembly." With fast programming and automated capabilities, the V320 supports high-mix production and rapid changeovers inspection up to 10 applications simultaneously. It provides full traceability through integrated barcode scanning. The high-speed, non-stop inspection capability ensures quality while maximising throughput. "We've already seen strong demand for this specialised THT inspection solution in the UK market. With the V320, our customers can leverage comprehensive AOI to control quality and reduce costs for their through-hole assembly processes," said Jiri. The MagicRay V320 THT AOI system is available now from Altus Group. For more information, visit www.altusgroup.co.uk .
Altus Group, a leading distributor of electronics production equipment, has returned from the highly anticipated 2024 Southern Manufacturing & Electronics exhibition, held in Farnborough, with notable success. Building upon last year's achievements, Altus expanded its presence, showcasing eight key processes and the latest innovations in electronics manufacturing. The highlighted technologies included the Koh Young Zenith Alpha HS+ AOI inspection solution for automated optical inspection. Altus also displayed the versatile KSMART software for collecting, analysing and optimising PCBA processes to improve quality and efficiency. Additional advanced systems covered critical electronics production processes - from soldering, dispensing and inspection to board handling and assembly. Notable equipment on Altus’ stand included the Asscon vapour phase reflow soldering unit for lead-free soldering, the PVA precision dispensing technology making its Altus debut, the Quins inspection system for high-resolution image capture, and the YJ Link automated board handling system. Essemtec’s Fox 2 multi-function SMT Assembly machine for high-mix, low-volume production lines and Promation’s modular robotic soldering solutions also drew great interest from visitors. “We were pleased to showcase our expanded range of innovations in electronics production equipment at this year’s Southern Manufacturing exhibition,” said Joe Booth, CEO of Altus Group. “The exceptional engagement we received shows the increasing demand for advanced solutions as electronics manufacturers seek to improve quality, efficiency and automation in their production processes. The UK is a very optimistic place to manufacture electronics currently. The team look forward to many productive customer conversations and potential new partnerships moving through the rest of the year.” With Altus achieving record UK and Ireland sales in 2023, they are poised for further growth from the connections made and sales initiated at the 2024 Southern Manufacturing & Electronics exhibition. For further information visit www.altusgroup.co.uk
Altus Group, a leading supplier of capital equipment for the electronics industry will be exhibiting at the iMAPS -UK MicroTech 2024 conference on April 10th at the Aerospace Bristol Museum. The event, titled "Is Advanced Packaging Ready for Take Off? ” will provide a platform for Altus to highlight its cutting-edge solutions for advanced packaging processes and technology within the region's electronics sector. As both Altus Group and its suppliers closely follow developments in microelectronics and semiconductor packaging, the company is well-positioned to support the growing demand for these technologies in the UK and Ireland. Through its diverse portfolio of equipment and consumables, Altus enables manufacturers to streamline processes such as dispensing, reflow, and inspection – key aspects of the packaging process . This enhances efficiency and ensures quality standards are maintained . Joe Booth, CEO of Altus Group said: "We are excited to participate in MicroTech 2024 for the first time . This event aligns perfectly with our goal of supporting the advancement of semiconductor capabilities in the region. We look forward to showcasing the latest products from our suppliers and engaging with industry leaders shaping the future of this vital sector." At the event, Altus Group will exhibit solutions from its prominent global partn ers, including advanced 3D and x -ray inspection systems, efficient component management, soldering solutions, and consumables for streamlined production. Visitors can explore the company's comprehensive equipment portfolio, tailored to meet the diverse requirements of electronic manufacturing processes. "The whole world is paying attention to the word 'semiconductor' these days, and the advancements in the semiconductor space regionally have been very interesting to watch," said Joe . "The making of semiconductors has a vast array of processes, but specifically semiconductor packaging processes are a real sweet spot for Altus and our suppliers. "Our suppliers are actively developing solutions to address manufacturers' needs, while many of our current customers transitioning into Microelectronics are expanding their capabilities to leverage the growing tren d of increasing local capacity. I am delighted to contribute to this event, engage with industry stakeholders, and network with key players to gain insights into their challenges. It's essential for us to explore how we can support bringing more opportunities to our shores." To find out more about Altus’ portfolio of products designed to support advanced packaging processes and technology visit the team at iMAPS -UK MicroTech 2024 conference on April 10th at the Aerospace Bristol Museum. For further information visit www.altusgroup.co.uk
Altus Group, a leading supplier of capital equipment for the electronics industry, is pleased to announce notable sales achievements in partnership with ASSCON. Since joining forces in 2021 to bring ASSCON’s vapour phase technology to the UK and Ireland, their collaboration has led to significant market penetration and unprecedented year-over-year growth. Driven by increasing demand across key segments, they have seen record-breaking unit sales in 2023. Altus’ decision to further enhance their reflow offerings with ASSCON's market-leading vapour phase technology has proven to be a strategic move. ASSCON's continuous innovation and commitment to technological advancement have resulted in a surge in demand for their products. Last year, the UK and Ireland emerged as the top export market for ASSCON globally, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Altus Group team. Sales were predominantly driven by the popularity of ASSCON's flagship products such as the VP510 and VP800, alongside advanced systems including the VP6000 and the recently introduced inline VP2100-100, which thanks to its space-saving design, can be easily integrated into any assembly line. The increasing demand for vapour phase technology stems from its ability to deliver exceptional results, particularly in applications requiring very low voiding and accommodating complex board designs with significant component thermal mass variance. This trend has been particularly pronounced in the Contract Electronics Manufacturing (CEM) market, where companies are looking to mitigate risks associated with future proofing for unknowns and voiding. "It has been a breakthrough year for adopting vapour phase technology," said Joe Booth, Altus Group CEO. "Considering we only partnered with ASSCON in 2021, with no real expertise in process knowledge but a strong install base, it's incredible that through dedicated collaboration, we are now their number one global export market. “We see Asscon as long-time industry partners, and we share pride in pioneering this technology locally and bringing its benefits to manufacturers across the UK and Ireland. With the current momentum, we are poised for an even stronger 2024. Tobias Tuffentsammer, ASSCON Head of Global Sales, added: "Wow, what a year for ASSCON vapour phase sales in the UK and Ireland. We had high hopes given Altus' strong reputation before partnering, but 2023 really exceeded our expectations. “We are extremely happy with our product portfolio and the investments we have made into R&D including the recently launched VP810 with its new options functionality and the VP2100-100 inline unit which has sold very well. By leveraging Altus' strong regional presence, our reach has expanded tremendously - allowing so many more manufacturers to benefit from ASSCON systems. This collaboration, enhanced by Altus' exceptional customer support resources, has proven to be a winning formula."
