Technical Library | 2008-03-03 19:43:53.0
Solder pastes are key materials in surface mount technology (SMT) for assembly of printed circuit boards (PCBs). Introduction of lead-free has placed new demands on materials and processes in SMT, requiring materials and process engineers to adopt to lead free whilst ensuring process yields stay at the highest possible levels. Key is the solder paste, a material of great complexity involving engineering sciences, metallurgy, chemistry and physics. This article helps those working with solder pastes improve their understanding of this key material.
Technical Library | 2009-01-01 16:37:38.0
Recent technology advancement has enabled enhancement in PWB electrical performance and wiring density. These innovations have taken the form of improved materials, novel PWB interconnect structures, and manufacturing technology. One such advancement is Z-axis conductive interconnect. The Z-interconnect technology involves building mini-substrates of 2 or 3 layers each, then assembling several mini-substrates together using conductive paste.
Technical Library | 2012-12-14 14:25:37.0
The popularity of low voltage technologies has grown significantly over the last decade as semiconductor device manufacturers have moved to satisfy market demands for more powerful products, smaller packaging, and longer battery life. By shrinking the size of the features they etch into semiconductor dice, IC manufacturers achieve lower costs, while improving speed and building in more functionality. However, this move toward smaller features has lead to lower breakdown voltages and increased opportunities for component overstress and false failures during in-circuit test.
Technical Library | 2013-01-09 18:31:54.0
The increased temperatures associated with lead free processes have produced significant challenges for PWB laminates. Newly developed laminates have different curing processes, are commonly filled with ceramic particles or micro-clays and can have higher Tg values. These changes designed to reduce Z-axis expansion and improve the materials resistance to thermal excursions through primary attach and rework operations have also produced harder resin systems with reduced fracture toughness.
Technical Library | 2013-01-30 14:02:44.0
Many OEM’s require that individual wires and cables used in their products be clearly identified with a mark or label. For some, such as in the military and aerospace markets, wire and cable identification (or “wire ID”) is mandatory and the process is governed by stringent specifications, such as SAE AS50881 (formerly MIL5088L). For others, the decision to use wire ID is a voluntary one. This article will describe what type of information is typically identified on wire and cables, concepts for improved productivity, what types of systems are available and the pros and cons of each.
Technical Library | 2013-06-05 14:09:42.0
Quality standards are getting tougher each year. In these difficult times, wire harness manufacturers are looking to expand business in their existing markets and are looking for new markets. The following article will compare and contrast the current quality standards that are most commonly used today. It will review proper measurement techniques, discuss some trends in crimp quality, and address methods to improve efficiency in quality data collection.
Technical Library | 2014-03-27 14:32:24.0
The surface finish you select will have a large influence on quality, reliability and cost. It is a complex decision that impacts many areas of the business. Select a finish that optimal for the business (and not just one function). Know that there are engineering tricks to improve on weak areas of each finish. Stay current in this field because new developments continue to be made.
Technical Library | 2014-06-26 16:43:12.0
Edgebond adhesives have been widely used by the industry for improving the shock performance of area array packages. Most of the studies focus on the impact of material properties, such as coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and glass transition temperature (Tg), on reliability at room temperature. However, the operating temperature of a component on the printed circuit board bonded with edgebond adhesive can be close to or exceed Tg of the adhesive, where the material properties may be very different than at room temperature.
Technical Library | 2014-07-17 17:01:10.0
Embedded computing systems used in many military and avionics applications are trending toward higher heat fluxes, and as a result performance is being hindered by thermal limitations. This is intensified by the high ambient conditions experience by today’s modern warfighter. In many applications liquid cooling is replacing air flow through chassis for both thermal and environmental benefits(...) This paper outlines a series of passive thermal improvements which are easily integrated into legacy, or existing, systems and can provide a 3-4x increase in dissipated power.
Technical Library | 2016-11-10 08:56:54.0
It goes without saying that every manufacturer wants to ensure they are producing a quality product. Standards and specifications from various organizations provide a guideline from which manufacturers can measure different areas of quality, while also providing the end user with the reassurance that they are purchasing a trustworthy, long-lasting product. Within the wire processing industry there are many standards that manufacturers may choose or be required to adhere to. These standards and specifications are constantly evolving and increasing in detail, especially as monitoring technology improves.
