by BPM Webmaster | May 16, 2022 | Announcements
You can purchase BPM Microsystems manual programmers on Digi-Key’s Marketplace, including the newly back-in-stock 1710. Because of BPM’s distributors, we’re limiting purchases to contacts in the United States.
Currently, BPM is offering its manual programmers and popular sockets for sale. Free standard shipping in the continental US; second-day shipping for faster delivery is also available.
by BPM Webmaster | Feb 28, 2022 | Announcements, News, Technology
35 Years of NAND Flash Memory
2022 marks the 35th anniversary of the invention of NAND flash memory. NOR Flash memory was invented by Dr. Fujio Masuoka while working for Toshiba in 1984. NOR-based flash has long erase and write times but has a full address/data (memory) interface that allows random access to any location. This makes it suitable for the storage of program code that needs to be infrequently updated, such as a computer’s BIOS or the firmware of set-top boxes. Its endurance is 10,000 to 1,000,000 erase cycles. NOR-based flash was the basis of early flash-based removable media; Compact Flash was originally based on it, though later cards moved to the cheaper NAND flash.
NAND flash was born out of a joint venture with Samsung and Toshiba and followed shortly thereafter. It has faster erase and write times, higher density, lower cost per bit than NOR flash, and ten times the endurance. However, it is most suitable for mass-storage devices such as PC cards and various memory cards because of its sequential write and is less useful for computer memory.
BPM has been around slightly longer than NAND Flash and has developed solutions for some of the particular challenges of programming flash devices. See the Flash white papers below.
KIOXIA Celebrates the 35th Anniversary of Invention of NAND Flash Memory
SAN JOSE, Calif., February 10, 2022 – What do the MP3 players of the 1990s and today’s smartphones have in common? Neither would exist were it not for NAND flash memory, an innovation whose influence has reverberated throughout the decades. KIOXIA America, Inc. today announced that it has reached a new milestone – 2022 marks the 35th anniversary of the company’s invention of NAND flash memory.
NAND Flash Video
A new humorous video series from KIOXIA, that explores life without flash memory, kicks off with a look at cloud computing
Flash Memory White Papers
by BPM Webmaster | Feb 21, 2022 | Announcements, End Of Life
BPM Microsystems announces the end of life for legacy 3000 series Automated Programming Systems including the following models: 3610, 3710MK2, 3000FS, and 3800
Details
Effective February 21, 2022, BPM Microsystems announces the following end-of-life plan for legacy 3000 series Automated Programming Systems.
- CyberOptics Sensor – Replacement CyberOptics sensors are no longer available for purchase.
- As of March 14, 2022, BPM can no longer repair damaged legacy CyberOptics cameras.
- Modern 9th and 10th Generation CyberOptics cameras are available for purchase and repair.
- Pick/Place Handler – Repair and replacement parts will be sold on a best effort basis.
- Peripheral Options – Repair and replacement parts will be provided on a best effort basis.
- Programming Site Technology – Non-warranty repairs for 6th, 7th, Flashstream, and 8th Generation programming site technology will be repaired on a best effort basis only.
- Algorithms and Software Updates – Customers with valid support contracts can continue to request algorithms and access BPWin software updates.
- Software Support Contracts – Customers can continue to purchase BPWin software support contracts.
- Hardware Support Contracts – Effective immediately extended warranty renewals will be offered on a case by case basis. BPM will continue to honor those existing hardware support contracts in place at that time of this notice.
- Socket Modules, Daughter Cards, Socket Cards, and Replacement Sockets – Customers can continue to purchase “adapter” products with the exception of those obsolete or discontinued items.
Introduced by BPM Microsystems in 1999, the 3000 series handler has offered exceptional return on investment and productivity for over 22 years. We recognize that many customers continue to use these platforms, programming millions of devices per year. Supply chain constraints, key component availability and increasing cost of support are driving this decision. We encourage customers to contact Customer Service and Sales to discuss upgrade and trade-in options.
by Scott Bronstad | Feb 3, 2022 | Announcements, News
One Year Later, Supply Chain Shortages Continue
Last year, BPM did a three-part series on the supply chain crisis (see links at the end of this article). Originally affecting automotive manufacturers, it soon spread like wildfire to other industries as manufacturers vied for the diminishing inventories of critical parts and components. Nowadays, everyone is aware of higher prices, longer turn-around times, and empty store shelves. The situation is a mess, and we may be dealing with this “new normal” for the foreseeable future.
BPM Supply Chain Update
BPM Microsystems is in the same boat, so to speak, as the rest of the world. They are dealing with some critical shortages that are affecting future delivery (more on that below); fortunately, BPM took the supply chain crisis seriously, and early. In addition, there are some built-in factors that have helped weather this storm. Here’s a list of the main ways BPM has gotten ahead of supply chain shortages:
- Builds/maintains inventory for critical components and spares
- Develops multiple suppliers rather than a single source
- Sources parts/materials from a variety of geographic regions, both domestic & international
- Has vertical manufacturing capability
- Controls design from top to bottom
- Utilizes common design architecture/software across multiple products
Here are some specifics.
Builds inventory
Automotive shortages started in the middle of 2020 as Covid-19 lockdowns were at their worst. BPM began to identify critical supplies and parts in the third quarter of 2020, updated inventory levels, and updated reorder thresholds. So far, only one programmer supply has been affected: the 1710 Manual Programmer. You can see updates on 1710 here. We currently have a small inventory available; to help in the short term, BPM has developed the 1710M (Military-spec version of 1710) that is available for delivery in the US only.
Multiple Suppliers, Multiple Geographical Sources
Identifying additional sources for critical inventory isn’t always easy, but it’s very important. Costs, minimum orders, and turn-around times vary, so it’s vital (when possible) to have options when it comes to parts. In the case of the 1710 programmer, it was a Microsemi FPGA that is only manufactured and distributed with a 52+ week lead-time. With all their other critical components, BPM was able to find suppliers.
BPM Distinctives
BPM has some “baked-in” manufacturing advantages, especially in light of the supply chain crisis. Vertical manufacturing: BPM’s manufacturing facility is located in their home office in Houston, Texas. They typically use generally available sourced components in their manufacturing process. Control design from top to bottom: All of BPM’s programmers and site technology is designed and manufactured on-site with globally-sourced parts. All of their designs and software are “locked-down” to ensure they cannot be reverse-engineered. This protects their intellectual properties. They also use common design architecture across multiple products, such as sites, sockets, and software. For instance, the 2900 Manual Programmer utilizes almost the same site technology as the 3901 and 3928 Automated Programmers (the only difference is the chassis and the stepper motors on the automated systems).
BPM Delivers
BPM continues to ship products in the face of the supply chain shortage. They utilize a first-in, first-out ordering process for back-ordered items; it is recommended to contact BPM in advance of your needed replacement or new product to ensure its timely delivery. In short, BPM is doing everything it can to deliver device programming solutions to you.
To find out more, please contact BPM email or by phone: +1 (713) 263-3776 | Sales Toll-Free: (855) SELL BPM | 24/7 Service: +1 (832) 617-5702.
See more supply chain articles:
by BPM Webmaster | Jan 25, 2022 | Announcements, Events, News, Trade Shows
Come see BPM at Booth 2920– Come see the Most Powerful Universal Programmer on the Planet: The 10th Generation BPM310 Automated Programmer.
Meet your APEX “Team”:
Penny Santhanam
Customer Care Director
Cell: +1 832-975-3115
penny_santhanam@bpmmicro.com
Pierce Weiss
Account Manager
pierce_weiss@bpmmicro.com
Colin Harper
Director of Sales
Cell: +1 832 358-1002
colin_harper@bpmmicro.com
IPC APEX Trade Show | January 25-27, 2022 | San Diego, CA USA | Booth 2920
by BPM Webmaster | Jan 3, 2022 | Announcements, End Of Life, News
BPM Microsystems announces the end of life for legacy 4000-series Automated Programming Systems including the following models: 4610, 4710, 4800
Details
Effective January 3, 2022, BPM Microsystems announces the following end-of-life plan for legacy 4000-series Automated Programming Systems.
- CyberOptics Sensor – Replacement CyberOptics sensors are no longer available for purchase.
- As of March 14, 2022, BPM can no longer repair damaged legacy CyberOptics cameras.
- Modern 9th and 10th Generation CyberOptics cameras are available for purchase and repair.
- Pick/Place Handler – Repair and replacement parts will be sold on a best effort basis. Limited part inventory is available for key components such as power supplies, cables, head components, and others. In some cases where parts are still commercially available, lead times can be several weeks and at a significant cost increase.
- Peripheral Options – Repair and replacement parts will be provided on a best effort basis
- Programming Site Technology – Non-warranty repairs for 6th, 7th, 8th generation programming site technology will be repaired on a best effort basis only.
- Algorithms and Software Updates – Customers with valid support contracts can continue to request algorithms and access BPWin software updates.
- Software Support Contracts – Customers can continue to purchase BPWin software support contracts.
- Hardware Support Contracts – Effective immediately extended warranty renewals will no longer be offered. BPM will continue to honor those existing hardware support contracts.
- Socket Modules, Daughter Cards, Socket Cards, and Replacement Sockets – Customers can continue to purchase “adapter” products with the exception of those obsolete or discontinued items.
Introduced by BPM Microsystems in 1995, the 4000 series handler has been the industry workhorse for over 25 years. We recognize that many customers continue to use these platforms, programming millions of devices per year. Supply chain constraints, key component availability, and increasing cost of support are driving this decision. We encourage customers to contact Customer Service and Sales to discuss upgrade and trade-in options.
