News Bytes
interactive test for certification of the
concepts learned in the program.
This course can be conducted either
over a company LAN or through the
Internet, allowing the student to learn
on their own time and at their own
pace. Translated versions will be
offered initially in German and
Chinese.
“BEST and its partners have put
together a highly informative rework
training program. This material
augmented with BEST’s hands-on
instruction in lead free rework
techniques will prepare rework and
hand soldering technicians for the
challenges of lead free rework,” said
Bob Wettermann of BEST, Inc.
As companies are discovering as
they shift to lead free production, the
move requires planning, time, and
management of key challenges. Proper
training in lead free technologies and
practices can help accelerate a
company’s ability to make the
transition. Learntech® training courses
incorporate interactive learning checks
throughout the instructional sequences
and include a criterion-referenced and
module-based test, with feedback on
every response for enhanced learning.
Business Electronics Soldering
Technologies (BEST) specializes in
offering products that streamline
hand soldering, rework, and repair,
which also includes lead free
soldering products. BEST is an IPC
Certified Center offering Instructor
and Operator soldering courses for
IPC-A-610, JSTD-001, IPC
7711/7721, as well as customized
classes to meet specific standards or
criteria. For more information, visit
www.solder.net
Cookson Electronics Assembly
Materials, a Cookson Electronics
company, is a leader in the
development, manufacturing, and
sales of innovative materials used in
electronic assembly processes. With
a unique worldwide presence in 50
locations throughout the Americas,
Europe, and the Asia/Pacific region,
CEAM supplies a full line of Solder
Paste, Stencils, Squeegee Blades,
Stencil and PCB Cleaners, Bar Solder,
Cored Wire Solder, Wave Soldering
Fluxes, and SMD Adhesives. For
more information, visit www.alpha
metals.com
Automated Learning Corporation
(ALC) is a leading e-learning company
focused on workforce skills training
for manufacturing and field-service
personnel. In addition to off-the-shelf
courses, ALC has extensive design
and development capabilities to
deliver fully customized training
solutions that meet specific customer
needs. ALC serves a global market
from North America to Singapore,
with customers ranging from
multinational OEM manufacturers to
small, single location EMS companies.
For more information visit, www.
automatedlearning.com
Japan Unveils
Robot Suit
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Circle #89 on the Reader Service Card.
Japan has taken a step into the
science-fiction world with the
release of a "robot suit" that can help
workers lift heavy loads or assist
people with disabilities climb stairs.
"Humans may be able to mutate
into supermen in the near future,"
said Yoshiyuki Sankai, professor and
engineer at Tsukuba University who
led the project.
The 15-kilogram (33-pound)
battery-powered suit, code-named
HAL- 5, detects muscle movements
through electrical-signal flows on the
skin surface and then amplifies them.
It can also move on its own
accord, enabling it to help elderly or
handicapped people walk, developers
said. The prototype suit will be
displayed at the World Exposition
taking place central Japan.
(Someone should tell these guys
about Tetsujin 2005! See Page 104.)
World's Biggest
Hacker Held
ALondon man described as the
"world's biggest computer
hacker" has been arrested.
Gary McKinnon, 39, was seized
by the Met's extradition unit at his
Wood Green home.
The unemployed, former
computer engineer is accused of
causing the US government $1 billion
of damage by breaking into its most
secure computers at the Pentagon
and Nasa. He is likely to be extradited
to America to face eight counts of
computer crime in 14 states and
could be jailed for 70 years.
JULY 2005