Rudy, Thanks for your post. It isn't just Asia that's open to new things and yours isn't the only innovative technology that gets a cold shoulder. The industry seems not sure which direction to take on most any kind of innovative manufacturing technology. It would seem that they want it all handed to them. If it requires any R&D, even the least little bit, a certain negative inertia takes over and they just can't move. If it isn't plug and play, or downright given to them by a supplier, entertaining anything new won't happen. In discussing new technologies to prospective clients, the inevitable question is "Who else is using it?", as if some other company hasn't gone before them they won't be a leader. I've been working with advanced plating technology about which I'm bound in many cases by non-disclosure agreements regarding particulars. Several companies outside the US have adopted new technologies. We seem blind to them. I often get that "deer in the headlights" response when discussing innovation taking place outside the country. And besides, with adoption of innovative technology, example many European manufacturing operations, what makes US fabs think that the Europeans or other manufacturing nations are just going to throw open their doors and tell the world everything about what they do? It's no wonder to me that Airbus is overtaking Boeing. Europe does more in their manufacturing practices than just getting government subsidies. And US aerospace companies get them too if the truth be known. Perhaps you can argue against the aerospace example..........I certainly don't want to oversimplify an obviously complex issue but, as a manufacturing nation, we've got lot of problems on our hands and available innovative technologies are going unused. Roger Mouton --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 -----------------------------------------------------