PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- With industries such as telecommunications, computing and automobiles increasingly thriving, the demand for wave soldering equipment has witnessed a simultaneous rise. The need for higher productivity and faster turnaround time is providing a much- needed boost to the wave soldering equipment market in North America.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.industrialautomation.frost.com/ ), North American Wave Soldering Equipment Market, reveals that the market earned revenues of $25.3 million in 2005 and expects to reach $41.2 million in 2012.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users and other industry participants with an overview of the North American Wave Soldering Equipment Market, send an e-mail to Tori Foster, Corporate Communications, at tori.foster@frost.com with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of wave soldering equipment, contract manufacturers (CMs) and electronic manufacturing service (EMS) providers are exploring methods to enhance productivity of their manufacturing processes. In order to handle multiple components with varying sizes and packaging, they need equipment that is compatible with varying customer requirements and necessary technology.

"Wave soldering equipment, with their high level of automation, can fulfill the growing need for high productivity at high throughputs, by offering optimum machine performance with desired flexibility," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Deepa Mathew.

Wave soldering equipment manufacturers have made significant changes in product design and process capabilities to keep pace with the requirements of present-day technology. Features that optimize the soldering process, guarantee improved process control, higher throughput, low down time and occupying minimal floor space while increasing productivity are some of the desired criteria of customers looking to invest in soldering equipment.

Increased investment in new lead-free compatible equipment can continue to drive wave soldering equipment sales. Adherence to the regulations of Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), which calls for elimination of lead and other environmentally hazardous substances from the solder paste, has essentially boosted demand for new equipment compatible with revised materials and process variables.

Conversion to a compatible wave-soldering machine is not an option but a necessity owing to the highly corrosive properties of lead-free solder. Equipment vendors are focusing on helping customers transition to lead-free solder paste and satisfy RoHS guidelines.

"The increased use of alternative soldering techniques and surface mount devices are challenging the wave soldering equipment market," cites Mathew. "However, the continuing presence of through-hole components and mixed technology boards is sustaining it."

The market continues to expand as assemblers upgrade to compatible machines to prevent solder leakage. This is due to increased amounts of tin in different variations of acceptable lead-free compatible solder paste, leading to wide-scale destruction of the stainless steel solder pot. This is resulting in increased demand and sale of new-wave soldering equipment.

However, low conversion costs encourage many end users to consider retrofitting as an option. This poses a threat to the wave soldering equipment market.

Retrofitting involves coating the solder pot surface with chemically inert materials such as Titanium that is highly resistant to corrosion. The possibility of scratching and subsequent damage of this coating calls for more sophisticated and expensive cleaning methods. Equipment manufacturers are likely to gain by focusing on support services and warranty that are part of the sale of new-wave soldering machines.

The North American Wave Soldering Equipment Market is part of the Industrial Automation subscription. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Analyst interviews are available to the press.

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics and demographics. For more information, visit http://www.frost.com/ .

North American Wave Soldering Equipment Market
F888-28

Contact:
Tori Foster
Corporate Communications - North America
P: 210.477.8448
F: 210.348.1003
E: tori.foster@frost.com

Chiara Carella
Corporate Communications - Europe
P: +44 (0) 20 7343 8314
E: chiara.carella@frost.com

Donna Jeremiah
Corporate Communications - Asia Pacific
P: +603 6304 5832
F: +603 6201 7402
E: djeremiah@frost.com

Sharmin Jassal
Corporate Communications - Australia
P: +61 2 8247 8900
F: +61 2 9252 8066
E: sharmin.jassal@frost.com

http://www.frost.com/

Keywords in this release: wave soldering, solder equipment, solder paste, through-hole, lead-free, restriction of hazardous substances, RoHS, electronic, original equipment manufacturers, OEMs, contract manufacturers, CMs, electronic manufacturing service, EMS, research, information, market, trends, technology, service, forecast, market share

Frost & Sullivan

CONTACT: Tori Foster, Corporate Communications - North America,+1-210-477-8448, or fax, +1-210-348-1003, or tori.foster@frost.com , or ChiaraCarella, Corporate Communications - Europe, +44-0-20-7343-8314, orchiara.carella@frost.com , or Donna Jeremiah, Corporate Communications - AsiaPacific, +603-6304-5832, or fax, +603-6201-7402, or djeremiah@frost.com , orSharmin Jassal, Corporate Communications - Australia, +61-2-8247-8900, or fax,+61-2-9252-8066, or sharmin.jassal@frost.com , all of Frost & Sullivan

Web site: http://www.frost.com/http://www.industrialautomation.frost.com/

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