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SMTnet Express, September 11, 2025, Subscribers: 26,334, Companies: 12,438, Users: 29,773

█ Electronics Manufacturing Technical Articles

Lean Six Sigma Approach to New Product Development

In this rapidly moving electronics market, fast to market with new products is what separates top performing companies from average companies. A survey conducted by Arthur D. Little revealed that "New-Product Development (NPD) productivity in atop performing company is five times what it is in the average company. The top performer gets five times ...

Credit: MacDermid Inc.

Using Lean Six Sigma to Optimize Critical Inputs on Solder Paste Printing

Solder paste printing is the first step in the surface mount manufacturing process for PCBA assembly. When the solder paste printing process is uncontrolled, defects can be produced, which may not become apparent until the PCBA is downstream. (...)

Credit: Kimball Electronics, Inc.

SMT Process Recommendations Defect Minimization Methods for a No-Clean SMT Process

Key competitive advantages can be obtained through the minimization of process defects and disruptions. In today's electronic manufacturing processes there are many variables to optimize. By gaining an understanding of what the defects are, and where they come from, is a key step in the process towards defect free/six sigma manufacturing. ...

Credit: Kester

Process Control of Ionic Contamination Achieving 6-Sigma Criteria in The Assembly of Electronic Circuits

Ionic contamination testing as a process control tool a newly developed testing protocol based on IPC-TM 650 2.3.25, was established to enable monitoring of ionic contamination within series production. The testing procedure was successfully implemented within the production of high reliability, safety critical electronic circuits, involving multiple production sites ...

Credit: Robert Bosch LLC Automotive Electronics Division

DPBO - A New Control Chart For Electronics Assembly

As six sigma (6σ) and better processes are demanded for higher yields and as organizations move from measuring defects in terms of parts-per-million (ppm) towards parts-per-billion (ppb), the resolution of extant control charts is becoming insufficient to monitor process quality. This work describes the development of a new statistical process control (SPC) chart that ...

Credit: Binghamton University

Jetting Strategies for mBGAs a question of give and take...

The demands on volume delivery and positioning accuracy for solder paste deposits are increasing as the size and complexity of circuits continue to develop in the electronics industry. According to the iNEMI 2013 placement accuracy for these kinds of components will reach 6 sigma placement accuracy in X and Y of 30 um by 2023.

Credit: Mycronic AB

RESULTS of Searches for related keywords - "6-sigma" (41)

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█ Printed Circuit Board Assembly & PCB Design Forum

TTP223 Capacitive Touch Module into SMT PCB Workflow -- Hi everyone, I'm working on a prototype that uses the TTP223 Capacitive Touch Sensor Module(this one:https://easyelecmodule.com/product/ttp223-touch-sensor-module-capacitive/)but I'm hitting some challenges where it intersects with SMT practices: Project Context: I need a capacitive touch input on a custom PCB, and the TTP223 board seemed like a fast way to test. The module is not SMT, it's through-hole with a built-in board. My intent was to place it on my SMT board using headers or reflow-friendly sockets. What's going wrong: Soldering headers onto the TTP223 board introduces alignment and height issues during reflow, causing neighboring components to shift. I'm also seeing intermittent failures to detect touch after reflow; I suspect thermal stress or poor contact. Rework is challenging, and socketing impacts mechanical integrity. Has anyone successfully integrated a small non-SMT module (like the TTP223) into an SMT board and run it through reflow? Are there best practices or sockets for low-profile non-SMT components on SMT boards? Should I consider designing my own SMT version of the touch sensor footprint instead? I'd appreciate any insights or workarounds. Thanks in advance!

Yamaha YG100/Assembleon Opal XII camera brightness -- We operate a pair of Yamaha YG series pick and place machines (I believe also known as Assembleon Opal XII). One of them has nice, bright images from the cameras, while on the other the images are very dull. It's starting to cause problems with recognition on small parts like 0402 (imperial). We notice poor brightness from both the front and rear line scan cameras used to vision components, so it can't be the camera itself. The camera lighting LEDs are controlled by specific separate boards, so it can't be an issue there or we would see a different result front and back. Our second machine has the same cameras and we see a much brighter camera image and no visioning issues. Does anybody have any suggestions of where else we should be looking?

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█ SMT, PCB Manufacturing Companies - Industry Directory

POWER MEMBERS

Gordon Brothers - We offer a range of integrated and standalone solutions customized to unlock and optimize unrecognized value through valuation, disposition, lending or investing.

I.C.T ( Dongguan ICT Technology Co., Ltd. ) - I.C.T is a manufacturer from China that offers SMT, DIP, PCBA conformal coating equipment and turnkey solution.

Golden State Assembly - Golden State is a contract manufacturer that makes wire harnesses, electromechanical assemblies (box builds, subassemblies, PCBAs, kits, etc.) and services (sorting, rework, value additive manufacturing engineering)

BECOME A POWER MEMBER...

NEWEST SUBSCRIBERS

China Topper Control Valves Manufacturer Co., Ltd. - China Topper Control Valves Manufacturer Co., Ltd. specializes in providing customized expertise and solutions for process industries.

UNIKEYIC ELECTRONICS PTE. LTD. - Unikeyic electronics (www.unikeyic.com) is a leading Asia-based online distributor and stockist of electronic components. We maintain an in-stock inventory of 200,000 electronic components and over 10 million parts .

Vico Products - Specializes in brake system fasteners, ride control solutions, and assembled products, serving various industries, including automotive, heavy truck, military, industrial, agricultural, and construction.

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█ SMT, PCB Electronics Assembly Manufacturing Industry News

KOKI Announces Upcoming Webinar on Enhancing Solder Joint Reliability

KOKI, a global leader in advanced soldering materials and process optimization services, is pleased to announce an upcoming webinar: Enhancing Solder Joint Reliability Through Advanced Materials Development. The event will take place on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 12:00 PM CDT....

Koki Company LTD

picture of course information

North American PCB Industry Shipments Up 20.7 Percent in July

The Global Electronics Association releases PCB industry results for July 2025...

Association Connecting Electronics Industries (IPC)

picture of book-to-bill graph

SMTA International Technical Conference Program Announced

The SMTA announced that the technical program of their annual conference, SMTA International, is finalized and registration is now open. The event will be held October 19 - 23, 2025 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, USA....

Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA)

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█ SMT / PCB Products & Services

NEW SMT / PCB EQUIPMENT & SERVICES - For Sale

PCB ASSEMBLY

PCB Fab & Assembly

Imagineering

PCB REFLOW OVEN

Flux-Free Formic Acid Reflow Oven

Heller

PCB DISPENSING

Dispense Pumps for Integration

GPD Global

Printing

Full-auto SMT Stencil Printer I.C.T-P4034

Dongguan I.C.T

SELECTIVE SOLDERING

Pillarhouse Jade Handex

Pillarhouse USA

PCB SOFTWARE

ProntoGERBER CONNECTION

Unisoft

PCB INSPECTION

MS-11e High Speed In-Line SPI System

Mirtec

VIEW MORE NEW PRODUCTS...

█ SMT / PCB Assembly Equipment Auctions

AUCTION | BTW, Inc. Auction - Electronics Mfg Facility Closure - Sep 17

AUCTIONEER | The Branford Group

TYPE | Online Auction

FEATURING | Contract Electronics Manufacturing Facility Closure

SMT Pick & Place Machines — Screen Printers — Reflow Ovens

Selective Solder — Optical Inspection — Rework Stations

X-Ray Systems — Complete Modular Cleanroom

SCHEDULE | Mon, Sep 15 to Tue, Sep 17, 2025

OPENS | Opens Monday, September 15, 9:00 AM (CST)

CLOSING Begins | Wednesday, September 17, 10:00 PM (CST)

LOCATION | Coon Rapids, MN

FEATURED EQUIPMENT

Aqueous Technologies Trident LDO Automatic Cleaning-Defluxing System (2020)

(2) Closed Loop DI Water Systems

Electrovert Aquastorm 100C InLine Aqueous PCB Board Cleaner (2018)

Smart Sonic 5000 Stencil Washer

(2) Speedline MPM Momentum SMT Stencil Printers

(2) Juki KE-3010AL High Speed Placement Machines (2017)

(2) Juki KE-3010 High Speed Placement Machines (2017 & 2015)

(2) Juki KE-1080L PCB Placement Machines

(2) Juki TR6DNR Tray Changers

(850) Assorted Juki Feeders - Juki Feeder List

(35) Juki Feeder Storage Carts

Seho GO Selective Light Selective Soldering Machine

Nordson Select Cerno 103IL Selective Soldering Machine, 2019

Electrovert EPK +400/F Econopak Plus Lead-Free Wave Solder

Speedline Electrovert Vectra 450F Lead Free Wave Solder

(2) Air-Vac PCBRM 12 Flow Well Leaded Solder Pots

(2) Heller 1913MK III Reflow Ovens

Zevatech FV-75 Conveyors

Crown Simplimatic Conveyors

Inline SMT Conveyors

Specialty Coating System BT-LP Benchtop Ionograph BT Series 2016

FKN Systek K3000S Board Depaneler

CenCorp TR1000 PCB Board Depaneler / Router

(2) Mirtec MV-6 Omni Automated Optical Inspection Systems (2019)

Glenbrook Jewel Box 70T X-Ray Inspection System

SRT Sierra Rework Station

BGA Rework Station w/ JVC TK-C1380 Color Video Camera

20' x 20' x 8'H Modular Clean Room

ESD Benches

SEE MORE AUCTIONS...

█ Electronic Equipment Market

MARKET - Used Electronic Assembly Machines For Sale

PCB INSPECTION

Viscom S3088 Ultra Chrome 3D AOI

Lewis & Clark Viscom S3088 AOI

Lewis & Clark

P&P / Feeders

Assembleon AX201

KD Electronics - Assembleon AX201

SMTUnion - Panasonic NPM-W2 Chipshooter

SMTUnion

MORE EQUIPMENT & PARTS...

SUBMIT YOUR RFQ ....

MARKET - Used PCB Assembly Equipment Wanted To Buy

PCB TEST

Agilent 3070

Lewis & Clark Agilent 3070

Lewis & Clark

PCB TEST

Agilent 3070

KD Electronics Agilent 3070

KD Electronics

P&P / Feeders

Mydata Agilis Magazines

Baja Bid

SEE Buyers' Used Assembly Equipment Wants

█ Electronics Manufacturing & Assembly Events Calendar

EVENTS

Wiring the World Together: IPC and WHMA Unveil Global Wire Harness Competitions and Championship

IPC, in collaboration with the Wiring Harness Manufacturer's Association (WHMA), has organized the first-ever World Wire Harness Competitions and Championship. Regional country competitions will take place between March and December 2025 and final championship will be held at IPC's Integrated Electronics Manufacturing & Interconnections (IEMI) event scheduled January 29 to 30, 2026, in Bangalore, India. The global initiative promotes industry's best practices and strengthens the skilled workforce behind cable and wire harness assembly....

Association Connecting Electronics Industries (IPC)

SMTA International Technical Conference Program Announced

Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA)

SEHO North America to Host Academy Training in Cincinnati in October

SEHO North America, Inc., a worldwide leading supplier of complete solutions for soldering processes and automated production lines, will host its 2025 SEHO Academy training on October 7-8 at the North America Technology Center in Erlanger, KY. The program will feature expert contributions from guest speakers representing Alpha, KIC, and South-Tek Systems....

SEHO Systems GmbH

KOKI Announces Upcoming Webinar on Enhancing Solder Joint Reliability

Koki Company LTD

LISTING SPONSOR

ADD YOUR EVENT ...

█ Electronics Manufacturing Training Courses & PCB Assembly Training

FIND TRAINING FOR:

IPC Certification

Soldering & Rework

PCB Design

Electronics Assembly

Electronics Inspection

Online Training