Q4 Newsletter Available 

Altus Group, a leading distributor of electronics assembly equipment in the UK and Ireland, has supported Esprit Electronics, an electronics manufacturing services provider, in selecting new best-in-class inspection technology from Koh Young following an evaluation process.  Operating across two production facilities with five SMT lines, Esprit Electronics manufactures complex PCB assemblies for customers in high-reliability sectors including medical, military and industrial electronics. As part of a review of its inspection strategy, Esprit’s engineering team evaluated several inspection technologies available on the market. The process included a comparison of camera-based, laser-based and Moiré fringe-based inspection systems, with demonstrations and trials carried out using the same representative PCB assembly. Rob Pembroke-Burn, Production Engineer at Esprit Electronics, said: “It was really great to get a chance to spearhead the technical review aspect of this investment, having lived and managed the challenges of our existing inspection processes. The breadth of and quality of technology and the advancements are eye opening. We knew that whichever unit we selected was going to be a step up for the company, but our job was to identify the best technology among the leading platforms.” Following demonstrations conducted with Altus Group, the Koh Young Zenith 2 AOI system demonstrated clear advantages for Esprit’s complex PCB assemblies. The platform uses True 3D measurement technology based on Moiré interferometry, capturing precise height and volume measurements across the PCB surface rather than relying solely on two-dimensional image analysis. This approach enables accurate inspection of solder joints and components across complex PCB layouts while reducing the assumptions typically associated with conventional AOI systems. Following further technical discussions with Altus and a subsequent review, Esprit confirmed its decision to invest in two Zenith 2 systems equipped with eight-megapixel imaging, Offline Programming (OLP) capability and the KSMART Pro software platform. The Koh Young Zenith 2 platform combines high-resolution optics, advanced vision algorithms and multi-projection Moiré interferometry to generate detailed 3D inspection data across the entire PCB surface. The system also integrates Koh Young’s KSMART software environment, which enables manufacturers to analyse inspection data and apply statistical process control tools to support process monitoring and improvement. Allan Hawkins, Production Engineer at Esprit Electronics, said: “What a good result! The team and I are really happy with the investment and the step up in our inspection capacity. We are excited about the impact the technology will have on our internal efficiencies and processes, but ultimately the quality we can ensure our customers receive.” Altus Group worked closely with the Esprit Electronics throughout the evaluation process, supporting the assessment of inspection technologies and demonstrating how measurement-based 3D inspection can provide greater process visibility for complex electronics manufacturing.

Altus Group, a leading distributor of capital equipment for electronics manufacturing in the UK and Ireland, has highlighted the customer benefits of YJ Link’s continued global growth, as the manufacturer of SMT board handling equipment, laser marking machines and routers expands its manufacturing capacity and strengthens its international install base.  YJ Link, a long-term Altus partner, has continued to scale its global operations, with a new production facility in Bengaluru, India, forming part of its wider manufacturing expansion. According to YJ Link, the facility is intended to strengthen global market responsiveness, improve response speed for customers and support overall supply chain stability. For customers, this wider growth is expected to support faster lead times, improved availability and greater project flexibility. Altus also expects YJ Link’s increasing scale and larger global install base to support more competitive pricing, a broader product portfolio and continued product development for demanding electronics manufacturing environments. Joe Booth, CEO at Altus Group, said: “YJ Link’s continued growth is very positive for customers in the UK and Ireland. As manufacturing capacity increases, we are better placed to support local projects with shorter lead times, while also benefiting from the efficiencies that come with greater economies of scale. “This is particularly important as more electronics manufacturers look to automate production, improve line efficiency and invest in flexible equipment that can support both current and future requirements.” The new India facility will form part of YJ Link’s four-pillar global production system, alongside existing manufacturing operations in Korea, Vietnam and Mexico. Once completed, it is expected to add up to 500 units per month, increasing YJ Link’s total global monthly production capacity to 1,500 units. Altus will continue to support manufacturers across the UK and Ireland with local access to YJ Link’s equipment, backed by technical advice, installation support and after-sales service from its experienced engineering team.

Altus Group, a leading distributor of capital equipment in the UK and Ireland, has supported Prism Electronics Manufacturing in its investment in advanced X-ray component counting and smart storage technology to enhance traceability and efficiency at its Cambridgeshire facility. Prism Electronics Manufacturing, a leading UK contract electronics manufacturer, has invested in strengthening its component management capability to support continued operational efficiency and competitiveness. Building on existing Altus-supported systems at site, Prism selected the Scienscope AXC-800 III X-ray Component Counter together with two modular Scienscope Smart Storage Racks. The Scienscope AXC-800 III delivers high-speed, high-accuracy counting, scanning four 7-inch reels in under 10 seconds with very high repeatability and integrated barcode verification. The Smart Storage Racks provide automated reel tracking, LED-guided multi-kitting and full traceability, with integration into ERP and MES systems enabling real-time inventory updates and improved stock control. Joe Booth, CEO, Altus Group, said: “As we supply a complete range of component management solutions, including storage racks and scanning tables, we are not limited to a single product. This gives us a strong understanding of system integration, which is critical to the success of any project. Scienscope has established a leading position in the UK and Ireland for component management, not only in X-ray counting but increasingly in smart storage and scanning solutions, giving customers like Prism confidence in both the technology and the long-term support behind it.” Cheyenne Rowe, Managing Director at Prism, said: “This is one of a number of strategic investments we are making to modernise and improve our offering to customers. It is great to see the systems on site, and we are really happy about modernising our approach to component management and traceability. This investment will significantly increase our level of component traceability and automation of information capture streamlining the way we manage stock.”  The system was installed and operational within weeks of purchase, with full integration into Prism’s existing production infrastructure, supported by Altus’ local technical expertise including for ongoing customer support.

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.