July 2001

STI - Surface Technology International Limited, a UK-owned company based in Hook, Hampshire - can truthfully make the claim that its capability extends from the sea-bed to outer space. As a Contract Electronics Manufacturer, the company can count amongst its customers all the major defence OEM’s, working on such leading projects as the Eurofighter Typhoon, Tornado, Harrier, Jaguar and C-130J, as well as naval programmes involving submarines and frigates. Based on its defence capabilities, STI also finds itself working on satellite systems too.

The company’s strength is under-pinned by the experience gained in the assembly of unusual substrates including modified epoxy, polyimide/glass, cyanate ester/kevlar, copper invar, copper molybdenum, flexible and flexi-rigid boards and the latest generation of micro-via boards.

In addition to this latest equipment investment, STI also recently announced the opening of a new facility at Farlington in Portsmouth, also in Hampshire.

So successful has been the installation of the earlier models that STI has now installed a further two Takaya’s – this time the APT9400 models. All four systems have been supplied and installed by Itochu Europe who are based in Tonbridge, Kent. The importance of the use of such test systems to a medium sized CEM centres around the fact that the Takaya 8400 and 9400 are fixtureless. As the boards assembled by STI are generally highly complex, the very nature of fixtureless testing means that the process is faster than the traditional “bed of nails”. Not only is the test process fast but the Takaya has proved to be very effective. Mark Clifton, STI’s Special Projects Manager, has been most impressed by the performance of the Takaya equipment, “We are so confident in our experience with the Takaya flying probe testers that we have been able to take boards directly from the Takaya equipment to the production line.”

The Takaya’s probes test and verify that the assembled board conforms to the CAD data of the PCB and the bill of materials. Measurements are made to check the values of resistors, capacitors, zener diodes and inductors. The two earlier installed APT-8400 DOS systems have now been upgraded to Windows NT. The latest APT9400’s, the second having being installed in mid-March 2001, add an extra dimension to the testing facility within STI.

In fact, so important to STI’s service offering are the four Takaya flying probe testers that the shop-floor layout has been re-organised to house the testing function within a dedicated environment.

STI’s concentration on high technology products requires not only a high level of customer service and a very efficient customer interface, but also high levels of technical competence. That level of competence has to be matched by the equipment purchased.

Being amongst the first to embrace BGA and micro BGA assembly and rework, STI has continued to invest in the latest systems available. March 2001 saw their third production line installation including a DEK 265 Horizon printer, two Siemens Siplace pick & place and a BTU reflow oven. Other new investments include a Fein Focus X-Ray machine and conveyorized washer, as well as the fourth Takaya flying probe tester.

Press contact:
David Claxton
Slipstream PR & Marketing Communications
1 Newport Close, Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire, SO53 4NN, UK.
Tel/fax: +44 (0) 23 8026 6562

e-mail: david@s-stream.co.uk

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