Altus Supports Prism Electronics Manufacturing with Advanced Component Management Investment

Altus Group, a distributor and service provider of capital equipment for the electronics manufacturing industry, has supported the development of a multi-system 3D AOI inspection strategy at Custom Interconnect Ltd (CIL), which is described as the UK’s largest outsourced semiconductor packaging and test provider. The collaboration reflects a long-term partnership aligned with CIL’s increasingly complex manufacturing requirements. Since 2019, Altus has supplied Seven Koh Young 3D AOI systems to CIL, supporting the staged expansion of inspection capability. The partnership began with standalone Koh Young Zenith 2 systems for high-mix, low-volume production. This progressed to inline deployment as production requirements evolved and CIL’s revenue grew from £15 million in 2021 to £37 million in 2024. Supplied and supported by Altus, Koh Young Zenith Alpha HS+ systems have since been introduced across higher-volume SMT lines, with inspection now deployed across multiple lines and facilities to support a mix of high-mix and higher-throughput manufacturing environments. Joe Booth, chief executive officer at Altus Group, said: “This has been a relationship that has developed over time. As CIL’s manufacturing requirements have changed, our focus has been on supporting inspection capability that fits how their production operates in practice, working closely with the team both before and after installation to ensure they continue to get value from their systems and have the right support in place as requirements evolve.” As inspection requirements evolved, the relationship moved beyond individual system installations to include longer-term planning and technical support, with Altus supplying and supporting Koh Young AOI systems while acting as the technical interface between CIL and the manufacturer. Jason Reid, operations manager at Custom Interconnect Ltd, said: “Altus will always help us to look at what’s next and what we can do with our current equipment. What do we need to learn? What do we need to be thinking about? Because there are things that we’ll look at that we’ve probably not even tried yet, and that’s what they’re there for. They’re there to support us to do that.” The partnership has also benefited from continuity of technical expertise. In 2023, Paul Freeman joined CIL as head of PCBA engineering following his previous role as senior applications engineer at Altus, further strengthening the relationship and alignment between inspection technology, process knowledge and production requirements.  Altus continues to support CIL with application support, inspection optimisation and longer-term planning as product complexity and customer expectations continue to evolve and CIL’s production capacity continues to grow.

DDJ Expand Territory Coverage Into Benelux

Altus Group, distributor of capital equipment for the electronics manufacturing industry, has supported Ei Electronics, Ireland’s largest manufacturer of home life-safety devices, with the installation of an LPKF CuttingMaster 2240 laser depaneling system to enhance PCB singulation and support growing production volumes. From its integrated manufacturing facility in Shannon, Ei designs and produces smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms supplied to markets worldwide. With new product variants progressing through NPI and increasing demand across several lines, the company reviewed opportunities to strengthen its depaneling process as part of wider investments in automation and advanced manufacturing. David Keating, Group COO Ei said: “As part of its ongoing drive toward advanced manufacturing and product excellence, Ei Electronics is transitioning from manual PCB breakout to laser singulation across its production lines. This strategic move is designed to enhance precision, consistency, and product reliability.” Following evaluation, the LPKF CuttingMaster 2240 was selected for its non-contact, high-precision cutting process and clean, stress-free PCB separation. “Laser singulation eliminates these risks by using a non-contact, high-precision cutting process, ensuring cleaner edges, minimal debris and significantly reduced mechanical strain,” said David. Although Ei’s new system is the standard CuttingMaster 2240, the company played a role in LPKF’s early development of the Cx platform concept after placing its first order in 2022. That collaboration helped inform the inline, fixture-free handling approach now widely adopted across the market. The system now acts as the first stage in Ei’s backend assembly and test flow, supporting stable cycle times and consistent throughput as production ramps up across multiple alarm variants.  David continued: “The adoption of laser technology supports greater automation and scalability. By integrating laser singulation into its state-of-the-art SMT environment, the company achieves higher yields, improved quality assurance and enhanced throughput.” Gareth Fenton, sales manager at Altus Group, said: “It has been a pleasure to be part of this exciting project. Ei Electronics is an impressive organisation, and it’s a source of great pride to see a semi-automated production line now in operation.” With further systems scheduled for late 2025 and early 2026, the investment marks the next phase in Ei’s long-term manufacturing strategy.

Altus Group, a leading distributor of capital equipment for electronics manufacturing in the UK and Ireland, has announced the return of its ‘Factory of the Future’ event for 2026. Taking place from 22–24 September in Buckinghamshire, the three-day event will once again bring together leading manufacturing technologies and suppliers from across the electronics industry.  Following two successful events hosted at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry, this year’s Factory of the Future will introduce a new format, and take place inside a customer’s manufacturing facility. The site has recently invested in one of the most advanced SMT lines in the UK, giving attendees the opportunity to see a real high-performance production environment. Joe Booth, CEO of Altus Group, said: “Factory of the Future has always been about giving manufacturers the opportunity to see complete production solutions and technologies working together across the full assembly process. “For 2026, we wanted to take that concept even further by hosting the event inside a customer manufacturing facility, giving attendees the opportunity to see how advanced SMT technologies are implemented within a real production operation. “The event also comes at an important time for the UK and Ireland manufacturing sector. We continue to see strong levels of investment in capital equipment, driven by increasing production demand, major programme opportunities, and manufacturers preparing for future growth.” The host company, which will be revealed closer to the event, is a UK-based OEM developing and manufacturing a high-technology product range with significant market potential and ambitious production forecasts. The facility serves as the company’s key technology centre and will offer visitors the opportunity to learn more about an important future-focused technology and how it is manufactured at scale. The SMT line on display will represent a full turnkey assembly solution delivered by Altus in partnership with Fuji, highlighting Altus’ capability as a complete manufacturing solutions provider. The line will feature a broad range of SMT processes, including board handling, laser marking, screen printing, solder paste jetting, SPI, pick-and-place, vacuum reflow, and 3D AOI inspection. Alongside SMT assembly technologies, the event will also showcase conventional assembly solutions supporting through-hole automation, back-end processes such as conformal coating and cleaning, component management systems designed to improve traceability and handling efficiency, and a broad range of manufacturing consumables, further highlighting Altus’ turnkey manufacturing offering. Registrations for the event will open soon. For more information, visit www.altusgroup.co.uk

Altus Group, a leading distributor of capital equipment for the electronics manufacturing industry, has supported CEM, Prototype Electronics, with the installation of a Scienscope X-ray inspection system, strengthening non-destructive inspection capability for complex electronic assemblies. As assemblies increasingly incorporate bottom-terminated devices and dense multilayer PCB structures, Prototype Electronics identified the need to extend inspection beyond surface-level techniques. X-ray inspection enables verification of hidden solder joints and internal connections, providing additional assurance where conventional optical inspection is limited.  Following a competitive evaluation process involving demonstrations, sample validation and formal scoring against multiple suppliers, Prototype Electronics selected the Scienscope Xspection 3000, supplied and supported by Altus. The system was specified in the 130kV close-tube configuration, incorporating a micro-focus X-ray tube, high-resolution flat panel detector and fully programmable motion control. Flexible inspection geometry, including oblique viewing angles and a rotating inspection table, supports detailed analysis of dense, multilayer PCB assemblies and complex components, with zero tube maintenance requirements. Daniel Ryland, Engineering Manager at Prototype Electronics, said: “We chose the Scienscope Xspection 3000 for its advanced imaging capabilities, user-friendly interface, and reliability in detecting hidden defects within complex assemblies, critical for maintaining the high standards our customers expect. Its high-resolution X-ray technology provides clear and accurate inspection results, which significantly enhances our quality control processes. “We chose to partner with Altus Group for the supply of the Xspection 3000 because of their excellent industry reputation, responsive support, and in-depth technical knowledge. Their guidance throughout the selection and installation process was invaluable, and their commitment to customer service gives us confidence that we’ll continue to receive the support we need as we integrate this technology into our operations.” Anthony Oh, Technical Sales and Project Manager at Altus Group, said: “It has been encouraging to see the steady growth of UK-based installations of Scienscope batch X-ray systems over recent years, and to secure another competitive project against our market peers. We believe the balance of capability and price point makes us a strong partner for UK CEMs, supported by our experience in inspection and customer support. I am pleased for Prototype and glad to see the system already delivering value on site.” Altus Group has partnered with Scienscope for over eight years, supporting X-ray inspection installations across the UK and Ireland with dedicated technical and application support.

Altus Group, a leading distributor of capital equipment in the UK and Ireland, has supported Cambertronics, an ambitious contract electronics manufacturer, in upgrading its SMT production with the installation of a Koh Young Solder Paste Inspection (SPI) system. Looking to further enhance first-pass yield and reduce the chances of costly rework, Cambertronics partnered with Altus to implement the advanced Koh Young KY8030-3 3D inspection solution. The KY8030-3 system features dual-projection 3D technology that eliminates shadow-related measurement errors, real-time PCB warp compensation, and delivers inspection speeds of 91.2 cm² per second. These capabilities enable precise volumetric measurements of solder paste deposits, allowing for the detection of issues such as bridging, insufficient solder, and misalignment at an early stage. Jasper Whitefield, Electronics Manufacturing at Cambertronics, said: “It is exciting to get the Koh Young unit into our facility, a significant enhancement to ensuring the highest quality output for our customers. More importantly, it allows us to keep our first-time right as high as possible, minimising time spent on rework and enabling us to focus on value-added internal activities. “In a competitive market, we strive to achieve maximum success, and making these strategic investments is crucial to reaching that goal. We had heard a lot about Koh Young beforehand and their market-leading position, so having this technology in our facility shows our intent to maintain those high standards.” Joe Booth, CEO of Altus Group, said: “We are always pleased to welcome another Koh Young user, especially one that recognises the critical role of SPI in process control. Unlike AOI, which detects defects after they occur, SPI helps address root causes, making it a vital investment. Cambertronics’ decision to select the KY8030-3 was a very astute one.” With Altus Group’s support and Koh Young’s cutting-edge technology, Cambertronics continues to enhance its quality and process control capabilities to meet the evolving demands of the electronics manufacturing industry. For further information, visit www.altusgroup.co.uk.

Altus Group, a leading distributor of electronics manufacturing equipment in the UK and Ireland, has expanded its Aftersales operation to its largest size to date with the appointment of new engineer, David Wissam, to bolster coverage across the South East of the UK. The appointment reflects the company’s continued investment in service capability as its customer base continues to grow. David brings with him a strong background in customer experience and manufacturing support. He most recently worked at Paxton Access, a well-established electronics manufacturer, giving him first-hand insight into the realities of production environments and the support expectations of electronics manufacturers. Mike Todd, Aftersales Manager at Altus Group, said: “It is great to see David joining the team and bringing his experience and energy into the business. Having come from a significant UK manufacturer, he understands customer challenges first-hand and can apply that knowledge to ensure we continue to support our customers to the highest level. We are proud of the size and experience of our pre-sales and Aftersales teams, and David’s appointment further strengthens that capability.” David Wissam said: “I am really pleased to be joining Altus and excited to begin my journey with the team. I have been a customer for many years and have always admired the company not just for its equipment portfolio, but for the strength and knowledge of its people. Altus has clear momentum, and I am looking forward to supporting both new projects and the existing customers the team works with.” David becomes the third team member to join the Aftersales department in the second half of the year, taking the team to its largest size to date. This expansion reflects Altus' focus on building engineers with experience across complete manufacturing lines, enabling more effective on-site support and practical, process-led problem solving. The Aftersales team has grown in response to sustained business development over recent years. Altus has added more than 100 customers along the South Coast in the past five years, as manufacturers increasingly look for long-term partners offering both advanced equipment portfolios and dependable service. In response, Altus has prioritised local engineering coverage to deliver faster, more resilient support while reducing inefficiencies associated with extensive national travel. www.altusgroup.co.uk.

Altus Group, a leading distributor of advanced electronics manufacturing equipment in the UK and Ireland, will return to Southern Manufacturing & Electronics from 3-5 February 2026 with a strong line-up of advanced process technologies from leading global suppliers. The exhibition remains one of the most significant events for the electronics manufacturing sector, bringing together equipment innovators, engineers and production specialists from across the industry. Altus will present a selection of systems that reflect the company’s commitment to improving quality, efficiency, and process control. Demonstrations will include Koh Young’s 3D Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) technology, which delivers exceptional precision and data-driven insight for quality assurance. YJ Links’ conveyoring will highlight the next step in intelligent line integration, while PVA’s latest conformal coating and dispensing equipment will demonstrate consistent performance across complex applications. Visitors will also be able to find out more about ASSCON’s vapour phase soldering technology, designed for high-reliability production, and see Scienscope’s newest innovation, the AXC-830 X-ray component counter, making its UK debut at the event. Completing the line-up is the Essemtec FOX 2 modular pick-and-place platform, offering the flexibility and scalability required for high-mix production environments. Joe Booth, CEO of Altus Group, said: “Southern Manufacturing remains a key date in the Altus calendar. It’s the perfect platform to engage directly with manufacturers and show how the right technology can transform production. For 2026, we’ve chosen a cross-section of solutions that address real customer challenges, from inspection accuracy and process traceability to automation and throughput.” Visitors can meet the Altus team on Stand J80 from 3–5 February 2026 at the Farnborough International Exhibition Centre. If you would like to arrange a meeting at the show, please get in touch with the Altus team in advance, or simply visit the stand to speak with a specialist during the event. www.altusgroup.co.uk.

Altus Group, a leading distributor of electronics manufacturing equipment in the UK and Ireland, has reported a rise in enquiries from manufacturers looking for guidance on specifying convection reflow ovens for SMT production lines. One of the most common early considerations is how many heating zones are required, a decision that can influence throughput, footprint and long-term process capability. As manufacturers compare available systems, Altus highlights that zone count alone does not provide a full picture of reflow performance. Differences in mechanical build between oven suppliers mean that systems with identical zone numbers can behave very differently in production. Heated length and cooling length therefore offer a more reliable indication of the usable thermal process window and achievable conveyor speed. In the Heller platforms supported by Altus, configurations range from compact systems with heated lengths of around 1.3 m in five zones and 0.4 m of cooling, through to larger platforms offering 4.49 m of heated length across 13 zones with 1.66 m of cooling. Seven, eight and nine-zone models, including the Heller 1707, 1826 and 1809, remain popular choices due to their balance of footprint, performance and investment level. Joe Booth, CEO of Altus Group said: “Reflow ovens can remain in service for two decades or more, so getting the specification right at the outset has long-term impact. Decisions around heated length, cooling capability and the operating window of the oven need to be made with a clear view of both current assemblies and those likely to be introduced later. Our focus is on helping manufacturers make well-informed decisions early in the project, so their investment supports production for many years.” Throughput expectations continue to be a major factor in oven selection. As broad guidance, a seven-zone system may support takt times in the region of 45–60 seconds, while eight- and nine-zone systems typically achieve 30–45 seconds. In certain applications, optimised nine-zone ovens can operate below 30 seconds. Altus advises that these figures depend heavily on product design and must be validated through structured profiling. To support this, the company recommends profiling representative assemblies using an external profiler such as Solderstar. Running these boards across different oven lengths and zone configurations helps establish where performance limits lie. Tools such as Solderstar’s Auto Seeker can also assist in assessing conveyor-speed headroom while maintaining the required thermal profile. Altus has additionally seen increased interest in dual-lane reflow systems, particularly for manufacturers aiming to boost capacity without expanding their footprint. A dual-lane configuration can provide double the reflow capacity with the right board-size balance, and with appropriate upstream and downstream shuttles, can be integrated into production lines originally configured for single-lane operation.