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Precision Mechatronics acquires Surfx Technologies

Announcement posted by com4tech 16 Nov 2011

Plasma Technology: The acquisition will provide the Sydney-based company with clean atmospheric plasma technology

Precision Mechatronics Pty Ltd (Sydney, Australia), has acquired US-based Surfx Technologies, a specialist company offering high-speed atmospheric plasma technology for treating microelectro-mechanical systems (MEMS), microfluidics, semiconductors, solar cells, medical devices, sensors, plastics and composites.

An agreement to this effect was signed in October 2011. Surfx Technologies will become a part of Precision Mechatronics and represents a significant step towards international growth. Precision Mechatronics expects the acquisition of California-based Surfx to open new market opportunities not only in the U.S.A. but also in SE Asia.

“The acquisition will provide us with a competitive edge in clean atmospheric plasma technology,” Precision Mechatronics CEO Jason Thelander comments. “While we will push sales of the Atomflo Plasma Unit, a portable device treating parts with a powerful gas beam in seconds, we will also offer substantial backup for system integration and process engineering.”

Surfx Technologies has over 25 years of experience in plasma and surface chemistry and is headed by Professor Robert Hicks of UCLA (University of California, LA), who will also be a leader within the new team. The company has made a name for itself in universities and research facilities, and according to Mr Thelander, Precision Mechatronics is now looking to target manufacturing companies, government agencies and end-users.

“The acquisition is part of our efforts to add industry-specific engineering solutions to our product portfolio,” he says. “Precision Mechatronics provides custom-designed and built automation solutions for many industries including mining, medical devices, semiconductor packaging or telecommunications. Our engineers are experts in their disciplines ranging from mechanical, control and software engineering to product design. Our expertise combined with Surfx’ leading plasma technology will enable us to not only sell a product, but offer complete turn-key solutions including process engineering and automation solutions to manufacturers.”

Existing customers for Atomflo plasma systems include renowned companies within the aerospace industry, who apply the technology for composite material surface treatments. Together with Precision Mechatronics’ capabilities, those companies will in future receive fully automated solutions and support.

“One of the best features of this technology is that it is applicable to many different industries, including food, packaging, medical devices or semiconductors,” Mr Thelander explains. “Moreover, it is a very safe technology. The plasma units provide a beam of plasma for materials processing at atmospheric pressure and low temperatures. The clean reactive gas flows over and through micro-structured materials, uniformly treating surfaces without any damage.”

High-speed atmospheric plasma can be applied for cleaning, etching, deposition, surface activation, bonding and surface modulation.

For more information about Surfx Technologies and high-speed atmospheric plasma technology refer to www.surfxtechnologies.com.

About Precision Mechatronics

Precision Mechatronics Pty Ltd provides custom-designed, custom-built and fully installed equipment solutions for many industries and environments. We can service the automation requirements of the following types of industries: Semiconductor packaging and test systems, telecommunications, photonics, mining, medical and life sciences.

Located in Sydney, Australia, the company is geographically positioned to provide a responsive service and timely support to the Asia Pacific region. Precision Mechatronics can also locate its highly-trained service staff wherever their skills are needed.

Contact:

Precision Mechatronics Pty Ltd
Ph: +61 2 8875 1200
www.premecha.com