New Equipment | Education/Training
Failure Analysis Techniques for Electronics provides an overview of the characterization methods available at ACI Technologies, Inc. for determining the causes of failure in electronics devices. This publication will assist the reader in making inf
ACI Technologies Inc. (ACI) is a scientific research corporation dedicated to the advancement of electronics manufacturing processes and materials for The Department of Defense and industry. This video provides an overview of our commercial service
Technical Library | 2019-06-04 10:19:46.0
Interconnection technology relies very heavily on the ability of the conductors on a printed wiring assembly to maintain reliable signal integrity. Harsh environmental factors can precipitate a loss of conductivity due to oxidation and corrosion. Connections are typically soldered or inserted using pressure fitted connectors to obtain enough surface contact to meet the electrical conductivity requirements. In pressure contacts, surface integrity is especially critical where the abrasive effects of retraction and insertion can wear off the metallic finish from the contact area. This can expose the underlying copper or nickel and lead to increased resistance at the contact points. These types of conductors are frequently found in card edge connectors where the terminations are plated with a layer of nickel and gold (frequently referred to as gold fingers). A hard gold is typically used containing very small amounts of nickel and cobalt to increase the wear resistance.
Technical Library | 2019-06-07 14:49:54.0
ACI Technologies was contacted in regards to poor solder joint reliability. The customer submitted an assembly that was exhibiting intermittent opens at multiple locations on a ball grid array (BGA) component. The assembly’s functionality did not survive international shipping, essentially shock and vibration failures, immediately making the quality of the solder joints suspect. The customer was asked about the contract manufacturer and the reflow oven profile as well as the solder paste and surface finish used. The ACI engineering staff evaluated the contract manufacturer’s technique and determined that they were competent in the methods they used for placing thermocouples in the proper locations and developing the reflow oven profile. The surface finish was unusual, but not unheard of, in that it was hard gold over hard nickel, rather than electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG). The customer was able to supply boundary scan testing data which showed a diagonal row of troublesome BGA pins.
Industry News | 2011-04-20 21:19:17.0
IPC – Association Connecting Electronics Industries® has announced the winners of this year's Best U.S. and International Papers at IPC APEX EXPO™, held April 12–14, 2011, in Las Vegas. The event's Technical Program Committee selected the winners through a ballot process.
Industry News | 2019-01-30 08:13:02.0
The SMTA is pleased to announce the Best Papers from SMTA International 2018. As speakers at SMTA International, individuals make contributions to the industry by sharing their research and findings. For these exceptional achievements, a cash award and plaque are given to all winners.
Industry News | 2003-04-10 10:27:46.0
IPC and JEDEC Send Out Call for Papers
Industry News | 2016-09-14 17:44:33.0
IPC – Association Connecting Electronics Industries® will present “PCB Troubleshooting” on November 2, 2016 in Raleigh, N.C. in conjunction with regional trade show, PCB Carolina.
Industry News | 2012-01-13 13:27:59.0
The SMT stencil market has a slew of new options in foil materials, coatings and cutting technologies, all of which promise to improve the solder paste printing process. Which of these options really do help assemblers keep yields up and costs down, and which don’t?
Industry News | 2012-04-27 19:20:10.0
PCB Technology Trends 2011, a new study published this week by IPC — Association Connecting Electronics Industries®, shows how the demands of miniaturization and high-speed technology are driving changes in printed circuit board (PCB) processes and materials.
