Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1545206
28 SMT007 MAGAZINE I JUNE 2026 I was working in a test equipment company at that time, and we were starting to use linear motors instead of worm gears. That was a pivotal moment. Furnari: In 1996, ATE manufacturers were using brushless motors and screw drives. With the linear motor, we completely changed the paradigm of automation. After that, the speed and performance were completely different. Dustin, all that R&D is obviously aimed toward developing what OEMs and test companies need. What are the trends in the U.S.? Warren: We're seeing a lot of growth in several market sectors. On the semiconductor side, power electronics is absolutely taking off. Because of semiconductor packaging, electrification, aero- space, and automotive needs, there's a huge demand for power module testing with high-volt- age capabilities. Beyond automotive, there's an absolute explosion in data center and high-density computing. So, a lot of our work on the semi side is geared towards that. The boards being produced today are more complex: They're power hungry, there are more nets, and there are more discrete devices on every board. Customers are looking to test super complex boards with zero defects at a speed they need to meet the demand. There's our zero tolerance for failures. It's in our DNA to ensure zero escapes. Andrea was talking about linear motors; that translates to speed and accuracy. In addition, our flying probes now use granite bases. Granite allows us to fully utilize the acceleration and deceleration capabilities of those linear motors, and that means we can drive them well beyond what's possible with a lead screw. But it's more than just fast. We also deliver the precision required. We can measure the very tiny packages and hit those with the precision and ac- curacy needed. Looking out three years, what do you see chang- ing in the U.S. market? Warren: Reshoring will be huge. What we've seen in the U.S. market for the past several years is an increased demand for flying probe. But as more manufacturing returns to North America, we'll see more high-volume work, which traditionally has been the ICT bed-of-nails. We're working a lot on our offerings there, even though it's viewed as older technology. We have by far the best electrical test capabilities in bed-of-nails, but we're also work- ing to make it more affordable for our customers. I want to pick up on that point. ICT bed-of-nails strongly suggests high-volume work. Do you ex- pect more high-volume work to reshore? Warren: I really do. With tariffs, it's very expen- sive for customers to import goods. The political