Jay has held positions with Motorola as senior process engineer, with DEK as senior applications engineer, and done extensive research with Universal Instrument's SMT laboratory. He has focused his efforts on finding more efficient ways of fully utilizing existing electronics manufacturing equipment, and investigating emerging SMT processes.

Topic Summary:

Current tooling options available to manufacturers of PCBs, and the many important items to look for in all of the various options currently available.

by W.J. Peterson , Foxconn, Inc.

There is mounting evidence that the ability for large contract manufacturers (CM's) to exist in their present form in the United States is being put to the test by the recent surge in operations to overseas facilities. This paper will address China, in particular as a choice for many CM companies.

As with any shift overseas, companies that have considered themselves "best practice" are suddenly confronted with issues of culture and management that are completely unique to a particular country. In this respect, China certainly presents obstacles that require delicate maneuvering and careful consideration. Understanding what will work...

by Aaron Kahlow , Business Online, Inc.

"Over $100 Billion dollars of business was transacted last year and those numbers are expected to increase by over 1000% in the next 2 years."

To deliver, manufacturers will need to increase responsiveness, speed and viability of the production line. In addition, many OEMs are outsourcing their "non-core" manufacturing needs. Consequently, there is an even greater demand for...

Reviewed by Dave Fish (davef ), Pandion Electronics, Inc.

The Electronic Packaging Handbook edited by Glenn Blackwell is a highly recommended reference for those involved with the practical aspects of electronic packaging. The book covers many topics with enough detail so that the engineer may have a good holistic understanding of...

Reviewed by Dave Fish (davef ), Pandion Electronics, Inc.

In "Printed Circuit Assembly Design", Leonard Marks and James A. Caterina describe the processes, methods, and tools used in designing printed circuit assemblies, the considerations that influence how to lay-out a PCA, and the typical design process and relationships between process elements. The book explains the different approaches for developing and documenting designs and...

Aegis Industrial Software introduces CircuitCAM FUSION TransCollaborative Manufacturing Software combining CAD/CAM data preparation, management automation, supplier and customer integration, plant-floor manufacturing execution, and quality functions into one seamless, browser-based software system for the electronics industry.

FUSION takes traditional Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) software capabilities and incorporates them into the first n-tier, browser-based software for electronics assembly, and expands these capabilities to improve virtually every manufacturing and managerial function. Operating as seamlessly within one factory as it does across hundreds, FUSION utilizes one data source to serve every factory function, as well as customers and suppliers beyond the factory. FUSION leverages the resources of the extended manufacturing enterprise by acting as the collaborative "engine" allowing personnel to share and act upon information, through their normal Internet browsers.

FUSION manages CAD design and Bill of Materials (BOM) through import, error checking, and revision control, passes it through web-based electronic sign-offs, and disseminates the resultant machine programs, documentation, and process routing to web terminals on the factory floor, and even out to customers. Total indented BOM support allows FUSION to process every product from board to final assembly. Supplier integration provides real-time web-quoting and simulations for product configuration, as well as procurement. Paperless document viewing, on-line quality manual management, and quality data collection on the factory floor is achieved completely via browsers, eliminating the need for recurring client-side software upgrades, thus freeing MIS from the traditional workload related to a CIM software system. FUSION provides efficient information management through non-linear activity control, allowing multiple tasks in the preparation and dissemination of a particular job to occur simultaneously from factories around the world.

CircuitCAM FUSION offers the following functions within one seamless software system:

1. Data Preparation and New Product Introduction
   CAD/BOM control and rapid conversion into useful manufacturing outputs
   • CAD, BOM, AVL, and AML data import and processing into useful assembly data
   • Assembly and inspection document generation and editing
   • Rapid, off-line machine program generation for virtually all assembly, AOI, and process machinery
   • Rapid development of work process instructions (sequence of events instructions)
   • Development of complete process routings
   • Rapid regeneration of programs and visual aids following engineering change orders (ECOs)
   • Generation of various reports, such as lead forming, quality, routing, etc.
2. Browser-Based Enterprise Manufacturing Data Management
   Moving data to and from the plant floor, decision automation
   • Electronic sign-off for process, BOM data, and production readiness
   • Pre-production checklist automation
   • Web-based supplier quote and procurement automation
   • Customer gateway via the Internet
3. Browser-Based Manufacturing Execution Automation
   Continuous process improvement
   • Paperless documentation control and viewing
   • On-line AVL/AML display and control
   • Quality control and associated document dissemination
   • Enterprise revision and product data management
   • Quality data collection, paperless repair and work in progress (WIP) tracking
   • Preventive maintenance control (PMC)
   • Personnel training certification management

Please contact Aegis for more information.

New AOI System From ViTechnology Offers Affordable Solder Paste Inspection

Vision Inspection Technology, LLC introduces the Vi-1000SP for affordable solder paste inspection of printed circuit boards at speeds up to 1,000,000 pads per hour. The Vi-1000SP verifies insufficient or excessive paste deposition on pads, thereby preventing dry joints, bridging, and tombstoning during reflow.

Utilizing a laser pencil in the axial direction and a camera placed at a 45� angle, the Vi-1000SP provides data on the height of the solder paste and uses that data to calculate the volume of the solder deposit. Utilizing Windows NT 4.0 software, the Vi-1000SP can be programmed in less than 15 minutes using Gerber, CAD, or ASCII/Centroid supplied data.

The Vi-1000SP comes equipped with Vectoral Imaging� technology, which compares the graphical characteristics (or vectors) of inspected components with known �standards� that are maintained in a customer-definable library supplied with the system. Vectoral Imaging accommodates changes in the appearance of a component, such as size and rotation, and is impervious to background clutter and even occlusions, where overlapping parts cause a portion of a component to be partially hidden, or �occluded� from view.

For optimum contrast and image definition, four different sources of programmable lighting are available at all times. During the process of programming the machine, the operator can select any combination of axial and pyramidal light sources, for unlimited variations in image color and intensity, in order to address even the most complicated situations. The selected light setting is automatically stored in the program, and the software changes the lighting automatically during production.

The Vi-1000SP employs maintenance-free linear motors and glass scale optical encoders to ensure precise closed-loop positioning. System accuracy is �10 microns, repeatability is � 5 microns at Six Sigma at speeds of up to 2 m/sec (80 in./sec). All electronic and mechanical subassemblies are easily accessible from the front of the system for preventive maintenance and calibration.

The flexibility of the Vi-1000SP allows it to be upgraded, as needed, to provide a full array of capabilities, such as component placement accuracy, OCV (optical character verification) or OCR (optical character recognition), and solder joint inspection including bridges, dry joints, and lifted leads. Additional options include full SPC capability, offline programming, and supervisor software.

The Vi-1000SP meets all CE and SMEMA specifications.

Please contact ViTechnology for more information.

With the help of PennWell Publishing, SMTnet.com will soon be able to add Industry Trade Magazines to the Bookstore. This will give you and your peers as industry professionals the opportunity to subscribe to your favorite trade magazines for FREE on SMTnet. Make sure you visit the bookstore soon to see the new magazine section!

What can you expect from the magazine section in the bookstore on SMTnet.com? Featured information will include a short description of the magazines, an image of the front cover, editorial emphasis, and geographic eligibility of the magazine. You will also be able to see what other magazines are featured on SMTnet.com from the same publisher. In the future we would like to include user reviews in the magazine listings. In this way, you can give your personal recommendations to your peers.

We want you to know that this project is still in progress. With the help of the publishers, we hope to expand our offering soon. Our focus will be on the global market. We would like to accommodate our international users by adding a variety of magazines from other regional areas than the US and Canada.

Coming soon, you will also be able to buy multimedia courses on SMTnet.com and subscibe to (free) industry magazines. Remember, we are here to serve you and make your life easier, by providing you with the most far-ranging and relevant information you can get as an industry professional in our online community.

Publish Your Papers and Promote Your Company

As SMTnet.com prepares for the next issue of the SMT Express, we are looking to our readers for articles and papers to feature. Submissions will be accepted any time for future issues. If you have anything you wish to offer, such as papers you have written, book reviews, anecdotes, commentaries, or anything we haven't thought of, please send it to SMTnet. Also, please read the submission guidelines.

The SMT Express is sent to thousands of electronics manufacturing professionals worldwide each month. This is a great opportunity to promote yourself and/or your company for free. In addition, a complete archive of past issues is available at SMTnet.com, so your work will continue to be read long after the newsletter is released.