Although exempt from the EU RoHS Directive, and therefore avoiding the turmoil that most of the electronics industry is in, manufacturers of automotive electronics face many challenges over the next few years. One of these is the potential for leaded components to become obsolete or too expensive as a result of the lead-free ban, therefore forcing automotive manufacturers to bring forward their own lead-free trials. This may have consequences on the reliability of the assemblies that have been processed at greater temperatures. The perennial pressure on these manufacturers is to produce the safest, most reliable equipment - a pressure that is multiplied by the huge variety of regional regulations. And yet automotive manufacturers face the same downward pressure on cost and upward pressure on functionality as everyone else in the electronics industry. Never before has it been so important for these companies to ensure that a test regime is in place that ensures the integrity of both their processes and their end products. Amongst other systems Seica SpA will showcase at Nepcon Shenzhen the following new systems, all equipped with the innovative VIVA software with special features, designed especially for the automotive industry. Strategy VL- Seicas Innovative New Functional Test System: The Strategy VL, in the various different configurations (which can be customized to satisfy specific user requirements), can perform low value analog measurements, power analog, low frequency and high frequency digital measurements. Moreover, the system offers the possibility to integrate a wide range of external instrumentation managed by one, easy-to-use and intuitive software environment. This feature makes for a virtually unlimited range of applications, while maintaining the advantages of a test system based on a clearly defined internal architecture, and the switching matrix of the instruments completely integrated in the basic configuration. The Strategy VL platform is suitable to test both new products and for the repair of boards and/or assemblies from the field, thanks to the powerful fault finder tools included in the software. Its high level of configurability, in terms of instrumentation and performance, makes the Strategy VL system an ideal fit for all automotive users due to the outstanding performance, herewith: #NAME? - New boards have been developed by Seica specially dedicated for automotive testing (programmable loads, active loads to test those products) - The system itself can integrate off-the-shelf instrumentations (scope,spectrum-analyzer, signal generator) Pilot VIP Flying Probe System: Seica will also showcase its innovative PILOT VIP Flying Probe system, a full-performance test system that integrates a complete set of test tools and techniques that go beyond the conventional definition of flying prober. It is another product in Seicas portfolio of automated test solutions, and includes a SMEMA conveyor, which is completely user-programmable to suit various manufacturing and test process layouts. Firefly Selective Soldering System: Seica will also present Firefly, another automated product designed to meet the increasing need for automatic selective soldering, using the power of laser technology. Firefly is also based on Seicas VIVA Integrated Platform, offering all of the advantages of the simple, three step process for generating, verifying and running a soldering program. It also has additional software tools that can be used to further optimize system flexibility and performance. The integrated temperature control system provides continuous feedback during the soldering process, with real-time, on-screen display of the thermal profiles. Firefly is equipped with a SMEMA board conveyor system for easy integration into any production line. About Seica: Founded in 1986, Seica S.p.A. is a global supplier of automatic test equipment with an installed base of more than 700 systems on four different continents. Seica offers a complete line of test solutions, including bed of nails and flying probe testers, able to perform MDA, in-circuit, functional and optical tests of loaded boards, second and third level electronic modules and printed circuit boards. Headquarter is located in Strambino, Italy, with offices in Paris, France, Salem/NH USA and Suzhou, China, along with a worldwide distribution network. For further information and our complete distributor organization please see our website: www.seica.com.