Last week, I toured Allen Integrated Assemblies (AIA) in Macungie PA and was blown away! Henry Nibbe the general manager introduced me to his talented staff and the incredible Pick and Place machines that are used to populate the PCBs (printed circuit boards), the indispensable component that comprises the heart of YesterTec’s Technology. PCBs are used in our UL Listed controls that allow us to hide the ‘hot’ appliances inside our workstations.
When I say populate, have you ever seen the green boards that are in a computer that has all those minuscule parts on them and wonder how in the world these tiny things get attached. Well that’s what I saw happening and at lightning speed too. I can remember back in the 1980s when we got our first pen plotter for my architectural office, and we would all stand around mesmerized by these pens flying across the paper, up and down, back and forth, placing the ink in just the right spot. We could watch it for hours! This was so similar only with little capacitors instead of ink.
Then when each board was done, another X-Ray Inspection machine checked every connection for accuracy. Was every weld perfect? Was the right part in the correct spot?
AIA is actually affiliated with the Allen Organ Company that makes the world famous digital church style organs. I heard a demonstration while I was there too. The digital organs eliminate the need for the banks of pipes, the sound comes out through speakers, and the incredible, awe inspiring music can fill any size room, anywhere!
The point is, at least to me anyway, is that it is good to know as much as you can about your own business, even the suppliers and supply chain. When we were dependent upon suppliers from China, we lost control of our product’s cost and availability, which resulted in a complete re-design of our electronics. Now that we know that this kind of work can still be done here in the USA, and even in our own back yard, so to speak, our production future is way more secure. And that is a good thing for our customers.
Of course all of YesterTec’s technology is concealed in places that you’ll never see once your kitchen is installed. Our unique controls and switches that allow the ‘hot’ appliances to be concealed when they are not in use are the key to preserving the beauty of each workstation and thus the beauty of your room’s design theme. By showing you a ‘look behind the scenes’ we hope that you’ll understand a little better why our workstations are a new alternative to standard kitchen cabinets. And why we hope you will think of YesterTec’s Technology when you want to design a multi-function room that needs to be More… and Less…than a kitchen.
