Electronics Manufacturing Technical Articles

A Compliant and Creep Resistant SAC-Al(Ni) Alloy

Mar 27, 2009 | Dr. Benlih Huang, Dr. Hong-Sik Hwang, and Dr. Ning-Cheng Lee; Indium Corporation of America.

The Sn-Ag-Cu (SAC) alloys have been considered promising replacements for the lead-containing solders for the microelectronics applications. However, due to the rigidity of the SAC alloys, compared with the Pb-containing alloys, more failures have been found in the drop and high impact applications for the portable electronic devices, such as the personal data assistant (PDA), cellular phone, notebook computer..etc...

Publisher: Indium Corporation

Indium Corporation

Solder pastes, solder preforms, solder spheres, soldering fluxes, electrically-conductive adhesives. All alloys: tin-lead, lead-free, indium alloys, and more.

Utica, New York, USA

Ten Steps Toward More Successful Projects

Mar 25, 2009 | Mike Weekes.

Have you ever been asked to lead a project to fix a problem, implement a new technology or some other initiative? It can be intimidating. Just because you, yourself are a good problem-solver, doesn't mean you have the capacity or drive to work with a team to achieve a goal. Often the secret to success lies in up-front preparation. Here are ten things you can do to help assure that when the project is done, it will have the effective results your leadership team is looking for....

Publisher: Whataboutquality LLC

Whataboutquality LLC

Whataboutquality provides a full spectrum of business process improvement solutions. We can solve a specific issue, help you map out your organization, it's key processs in order to find opportunities and solutions.

Osprey, Florida, USA

A HDMI Design Guide For Successful High-Speed PCB Design

Mar 25, 2009 | Thomas Kugelstadt, Senior Systems Engineer; Texas Instruments Inc.

This article presents design guidelines for helping users of HDMI mux-repeaters to maximize the device's full performance through careful printed circuit board (PCB) design. We'll explain important concepts of some main aspects of high-speed PCB design with recommendations. This discussion will cover layer stack, differential traces, controlled impedance transmission lines, discontinuities, routing guidelines, reference planes, vias and decoupling capacitors....

Publisher: Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers real world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company includes the Educational & Productivity Solutions business. T

Dallas, Texas, USA

Aqueous Technologies Corporation

How Clean Is Clean?

Mar 19, 2009 | Michael Konrad, President; Aqueous Technologies Corporation

Over the past several years, post-reflow defluxing of circuit assemblies has gained in popularity. Microminiaturization of components and boards, combined with higher expected reliability and increased product liability, have contributed to the prominence of defluxing. Lead-free solder paste - with its higher reflow temperatures and negative effects on flux - increase the likelihood of post-reflow defluxing to increase a product's reliability and aesthetic appearance....

Publisher: Aqueous Technologies Corporation

Manufacturer of automated defluxing/cleaning equipment, cleanliness testing equipment, and stencil cleaning equipment.

Corona, California, USA

Startling Results From Reliability Testing

Mar 13, 2009 | Lars Wallin, Project Manager Live Production Events at EP shows at the Stockholm Fair IPC European Representative.

Open product reliability testing in Stockholm, Sweden in January as part of a live production event generated some quite startling results. It was apparent that many components simply cannot handle the high reflow temperatures of a lead-free soldering process, and that many surface-mount machine suppliers are battling significant problems with QFN packages and other components that are mounting edgeways (bill boarding). However, some suppliers have achieved good results....

Publisher: Mycronic AB

Mycronic AB

Mycronic's High Flex division offers SMT equipment and solutions to high-mix electronics manufacturers with a requirement for quick changeover, high quality and high equipment utilization rate.

Täby, STOCKHOLM, Sweden

When It Comes to Cost Reduction, Variation and Waste are the Enemy

Mar 05, 2009 | Mike Weekes.

In a recent survey of 89 organizations conducted by Whataboutquality.com, respondents were asked what few key characteristics defined quality, in the eyes of their customer, the most popular response was: the product or service met my requirements. The next two most popular responses were: it worked like I expected and it was a good value, worth what I paid for it (...) So how do you continue to exceed customer expectations and simultaneously reduce costs? There are two paths to take. You can find and reduce the variation in your process and you can eliminate as much of the non-value-added waste in your operation....

Publisher: Whataboutquality LLC

Whataboutquality LLC

Whataboutquality provides a full spectrum of business process improvement solutions. We can solve a specific issue, help you map out your organization, it's key processs in order to find opportunities and solutions.

Osprey, Florida, USA

Consultant / Service Provider, Manufacturer, Standards Setting / Certification, Training Provider

Imbedded Component/Die Technology (IC/DT®)

Feb 26, 2009 | Mark McMeen.

STI has developed a patented1 packaging technology coined Imbedded Component/Die Technology (IC/DT®) to integrate multiple subsystems within an electronics assembly into a single, advanced, high-density assembly. Imbedded Component/Die Technology (IC/DT®) enables the manufacturing and assembly of smaller, lighter, and more technologically advanced high density CCAs through imbedding unpackaged components in a 3-D laminate substrate with integrated thermal management...

Publisher: STI Electronics

STI Electronics

Since 1982, STI Electronics, Inc. (STI) has been the premier full service organization for training, consulting, laboratory analysis, prototyping, and small- to medium-volume PCB assembly in the electronics industry.

Madison, Alabama, USA

SnCu Based Alloy Design for Lower Copper Dissolution and Better Process Control

Feb 13, 2009 | Peter Biocca, Senior Engineer, Technical Manager; Kester ITW,

To meet the market demand for a best-in-class, low-cost leadfree alloy for wave, selective and dip soldering...

Publisher: Kester

Kester

Kester is a leading global supplier of assembly materials to the electronic assembly, component and microelectronic marketplaces.

Itasca, Illinois, USA

Coating Drug-eluting Arterial Stents Using Ultrasonic Spray Nozzles

Feb 04, 2009 | Harvey L. Berger

One proven method used to treat clogged arteries employs tubular, mesh-like metal structures, known as stents, inserted into an affected artery to relieve the blockage. Bare metal stents often cause a condition called restinosis, the buildup of scar tissue around the stent, causing re-blockage. To counter this, polymer coatings containing drugs that are released over time are used to inhibit restinosis. Applying coatings to stents, which have intricate geometries, is challenging. Using ultrasonic atomizing spray nozzles has proven effective in achieving continuous and uniform coatings. This paper describes the unique nozzle designs employed, the methodology used, and the results obtained....

Publisher: SONO-TEK CORPORATION

SONO-TEK CORPORATION

Manufacturer of precision ultrasonic spraying systems for a myriad of applications. Our patented technologies produce micron size uniform droplets, creating ultra thin layers onto any size or shape substrate.

Milton, New York, USA

Can You Afford Not To Improve in 2009?

Jan 29, 2009 | Michael Weekes.

Times are tough! Sales are down around the globe and it's getting more and more difficult to make a buck in the electronics industry. We all now have our cell phones and our big HD TV Screen at home so little of our materialistic world is unsatisfied. So how do we keep the doors open in 2009, let alone assure our future in the 21st Century?...

Publisher: Whataboutquality LLC

Whataboutquality LLC

Whataboutquality provides a full spectrum of business process improvement solutions. We can solve a specific issue, help you map out your organization, it's key processs in order to find opportunities and solutions.

Osprey, Florida, USA

Hybrid Drying Technology for In-line Aqueous Cleaning of Lead-Free Assemblies

Jan 21, 2009 | Dirk Ellis

This paper describes a new approach to drying circuit board assemblies that significantly reduces the cost of ownership of an aqueous cleaning system. Drying performance is increased through a hybrid drying process that reduces energy input, exhaust requirements and sound levels. The combination of high temperature blow-off and convection brings the flexibility to tailor drying performance to fit the product's drying requirements....

Speedline Technologies serves the electronics assembly and semiconductor packaging industries with class-leading equipment, responsive support and unparalleled process knowledge.

Franklin, Massachusetts, USA

Siemens Process Industries and Drives

Pushing the barriers of wafer level device integration: High-speed assembly, the case for MicroTape.

Jan 21, 2009 | Gordon Christison

Over the last 10 years, the adoption of wafer-level packaging (WLP) has expanded to a wide range of semiconductor devices applied in a crosssection of industries from Automotive to Mobile Phone, Sensors to Medical Technology....

Publisher: Siemens Process Industries and Drives

Siemens industrial manufacturing software, process automation, and automation and drives technology increases flexibility, cuts market launch lead time, and significantly reduces energy for manufacturing companies.

Alpharetta, Georgia, USA

Consultant / Service Provider, Manufacturer, Training Provider

Creating Solder Joint Reliability with SnCu Based Solders Some Practical Experiences

Jan 15, 2009 | Peter Biocca, Senior Market Development Engineer, Kester.

Tin-silver-copper has received much publicity in recent years as the lead-free solder of choice. SAC305 was endorsed by the IPC Solder Value Product Council in the United States as the preferred option for SMT assembly; most assemblers have transitioned to this alloy for their solder paste requirements. The SAC305 alloy due to its 3.0% content of silver is expensive when compared to traditional 63/37 for this reason many wave assemblers are opting for less costly options such as tin-copper based solders for their wave, selective and dip tinning operations....

Publisher: Kester

Kester

Kester is a leading global supplier of assembly materials to the electronic assembly, component and microelectronic marketplaces.

Itasca, Illinois, USA

Consultant / Service Provider, Manufacturer, Training Provider

Cleaning High-power Electronics

Jan 06, 2009 | Steve Stach, Austin America; Harald Wack, Ph.D., Naveen Ravindran, Zestron America; Joachim Becht, Zestron Europe

To prevent malfunctions in high-power electronics, flux residues must be removed from flip chip components prior to subsequent processes. As a result, integrating a suitable cleaning application into the manufacturing process of flip chip components is often required. Solvent based applications have re-emerged, and with that, an overall process solution is necessary....

Publisher: ZESTRON Americas

ZESTRON Americas

The globally leading provider of high precision cleaning products, services and training solutions in the electronics and semiconductor manufacturing industries.

Manassas, Virginia, USA

An Experimental and Computational Study of the Current Carrying Capacity of High Performance PWB Interconnections

Jan 01, 2009 | Michael J. Rowlands and Vara Calmidi, Endicott Interconnect Technologiesogies

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....

Publisher: i3 Electronics

i3 Electronics

A world leader in high-performance PCB fabrication & assembly, semiconductor packaging, systems integration & test, advanced laboratory services and contract R&D.

Endicott, New York, USA

DfR Solutions (acquired by ANSYS Inc)

Five Myths of Reliability

Dec 23, 2008 | Dr. Nathan Blattau, Dr. Bob Esser, Dr. John McNulty, and James McLeish.

Myth 1: I don't worry about design, because most of my problems are with defects from suppliers......

Publisher: DfR Solutions (acquired by ANSYS Inc)

DfR Solutions has world-renowned expertise in applying the science of Reliability Physics to electrical and electronics technologies, and is a leading provider of quality, reliability, and durability (QRD) research and consulting

College Park,

ASM Assembly Systems (DEK)

Fuel Cell Production Revs Up. The Paste Printing Platform And Process Has Other Uses, Too.

Dec 18, 2008 | Clive Ashmore, Global Applied Process Engineering Manager; DEK.

Unless you've been living under a rock the past several years, you are no doubt keenly aware of the global drive toward alternative energy sources. Certainly this initiative is attractive because of the clear environmental benefits of developing fossil fuel substitutes, but also because of potential economic benefit. Although fuel cell technology has been proven viable for various applications, the production costs still remain relatively high, and further process development to promote low-cost, high-volume manufacturing is required to reach a price point that encourages widespread consumer acceptance....

Publisher: ASM Assembly Systems (DEK)

The ASM SMT Solutions segment is made up of SMT Printing Solutions (DEK) and SMT Placement Solutions (SIPLACE). Under the DEK brand, it sells best-in-class printing solutions for the electronics and solar industries.

Suwanee, Georgia, USA

DfR Solutions (acquired by ANSYS Inc)

Bromide-Free Options for Printed Circuit Boards

Dec 11, 2008 | Craig Hillman, PhD & Seth Binfield

Flame retardants have been around since the Egyptians and Romans used alum to reduce the flammability of wood. Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) first experienced use after World War II as the substitution of wood and metal for plastics and foams resulted in materials that were much more flammable. The widespread use of BFRs initiated in the 1970s with the explosion of electronics and electrical equipment and housings. For the US market, all of these products must conform to the UL 94 flammability testing specifications. In fact, the most common printed circuit board (PCB) in the electronics industry, FR-4, is defined by its structure (glass fiber in an epoxy matrix) and its compliance to UL 94 V0 standard....

Publisher: DfR Solutions (acquired by ANSYS Inc)

DfR Solutions has world-renowned expertise in applying the science of Reliability Physics to electrical and electronics technologies, and is a leading provider of quality, reliability, and durability (QRD) research and consulting

College Park,

Broadband Printing - A Paradigm

Dec 03, 2008 | Arun S. Ramasubramanian, Dr. Daryl Santos; Suny Binghamton.

This paper presents the analysis from a recent printing study employing a test vehicle that includes components such as 01005s to QFPs. In a recent publication, part of this study was presented focusing on 01005 printing only. This printing process was determined to be suitable for 01005s assembly and also analyzed based on statistical capability. The current paper will present the results from additional detailed analysis to determine if this process has the capability to provide sufficient solder paste deposits for larger components located on the same test board. In the future, the SMT industry may always look towards “Broadband Printing” as an alternative to dual stencil or stepped stencil printing technologies in order to meet the needs of both small and large components....

Speedline Technologies serves the electronics assembly and semiconductor packaging industries with class-leading equipment, responsive support and unparalleled process knowledge.

Franklin, Massachusetts, USA

Electronics Manufacturing Productivity Facility (EMPF)

Advanced Electronic Connector Technologies

Nov 27, 2008 | Fred Verdi, Senior Manufacturing Engineer, ACI-EMPF.

Military electrical connectors have traditionally used very conservative design rules that provide the ruggedization needed for harsh military use environments. Commercial electronic connectors have typically used less conservative design rules that....

Publisher: Electronics Manufacturing Productivity Facility (EMPF)

The EMPF serves as a corporate residence of expertise in electronics manufacturing.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Controlling Copper Build Up in Automatic Soldering Equipment Using Lead-Free Solder

Nov 20, 2008 | Karl Seelig, David Suraski.

The Sn/Ag/Cu family of alloys is the leading candidate for a lead-free alternative. The first part of this study was to determine if there is any significant difference between Sn/Ag/Cu alloys when used in automatic soldering equipment in terms of copper build-up in the system. The study compared two Sn/Ag/Cu alloys to determine if at processing temperatures one alloy would absorb less copper than the other alloy....

Publisher: AIM Solder

AIM Solder

AIM is a leading global manufacturer of solder assembly materials for the electronics industry.

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Meeting Heat And CTE Challenges Of PCBs And ICs

Nov 13, 2008 | Kris Vasoya,

The electronics industry is facing issues with hot spots, solder joint stresses and Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) mismatch between PCB and IC substrate. Flip chip type packages for example have very low CTE compared to traditional PCB material. Thus it is necessary to have low CTE printed circuit boards in order to keep solder joint intact with such low CTE packages. There are currently several materials available in the market to address thermal and CTE challenges but each material has its own advantages and limitations......

Publisher: Stablcor

Stablcor

STABLCOR is an innovative Intellectual Property company that is dedicated to solving problems through design.

Costa Mesa, California, USA

Consultant / Service Provider, Manufacturer

Method for Automated Nondestructive Analysis of Flip Chip Underfill

Nov 06, 2008 | Steven R. Martell, Ameya Mandlik and Kieren Mercer.

For many years Acoustic Micro Imaging (AMI) techniques have been utilized to evaluate the quality of the underfill used to support the solder bump interconnections of Flip Chip type devices. AMI has been established as one of the few techniques that can provide reliability and quality control data, but little has been done to automate the evaluation process for Flip Chip underfill until now....

Publisher: Sonoscan, Inc.

Sonoscan, Inc.

Designer & Manufacturer of Acoustic Microscopes for Nondestructive Component Inspection.

Elk Grove Village, Illinois, USA

Integrated Offset Placement in Electronics Assembly Equipment - The Answer for Solder Paste Misalignment

Oct 29, 2008 | Juki Corp.

Growing demand for compact, multi-function electronics products has accelerated component miniaturization and high-density placement, creating new challenges for the electronics manufacturing industry. It is no longer adequate to simply place parts accurately per a pre-defined CAD assembly program because solder paste alignment errors are increasing for numerous reasons. The solution to this problem is a system in which the placement machine can automatically detect and compensate for misalignment of the solder paste to produce high-quality boards regardless of the process errors beforehand....

Publisher: Juki Automation Systems

Juki Automation Systems

Juki Automation Systems Inc. is one of the worlds leading SMT placement companies with over 45,000 machines installed worldwide and is the pioneer of the modular automated assembly line. see www.jukiamericas.com for more info.

Morrisville , North Carolina, USA

KEMET Electronics Corporation

Flex Crack Mitigation

Oct 23, 2008 | Bill Sloka, Ceramic Technical Consultant, KEMET Corporation

As part of continuous process improvement at KEMET, most failure modes caused by the capacitor manufacturing process have been systematically eliminated. Today these capacitor manufacturing-related defects are now at a parts per billion (PPB) level. Pareto analysis of customer complaints indicates that the #1 failure mode is IR failure due to flex cracks....

Publisher: KEMET Electronics Corporation

KEMET offers the world's most complete line of surface-mount and through-hole capacitor technologies across tantalum, ceramic, film, aluminum, electrolytic, and paper dielectrics.

Simpsonville,

ASYMTEK Products | Nordson Electronics Solutions

Advanced Solder Paste Dispensing

Oct 15, 2008 | Asymtek

Solder paste dispensing is usually considered a slow process. Due to the speed advantages, screen printing is used to apply solder paste whenever possible. However, screen printing is not always an option. Leveraging the high speed of piezo drive technology opens the door to a broad range of solder paste dispensing applications. The ability to dispense dots under 300-μm diameter, even as small as 125 μm, enables BGA rework, small geometry deposits for miniaturized passive components, electrical connections in recessed cavities, and RF shield attach for handheld devices....

Publisher: ASYMTEK Products | Nordson Electronics Solutions

A leader in automated fluid dispensing, jetting, and conformal coating. Products include stand-alone dispensing workstations and fully automated, in-line conveyorized systems with advanced process controls.

Carlsbad, California, USA

High-Speed Stamp Soldering

Oct 09, 2008 | Todd O’Neil.

This article examines stamp soldering, a solution that provides consistent high quality by repeatedly applying accurate amounts of molten solder onto a printed circuit board using static volumetric solder stamps guaranteeing total flatness during the through-hole soldering process....

Publisher: Juki Automation Systems

Juki Automation Systems

Juki Automation Systems Inc. is one of the worlds leading SMT placement companies with over 45,000 machines installed worldwide and is the pioneer of the modular automated assembly line. see www.jukiamericas.com for more info.

Morrisville , North Carolina, USA

ASYMTEK Products | Nordson Electronics Solutions

An Alternative Dispense Process for Application of Catalyst Films on MEA's

Oct 01, 2008 | Horatio Quinones, Brian Sawatzky.

This paper proposes an integrated system for film application process than consists of closed loop mass calibration to assure film thickness, a noncontact fast jetting process with high edge definition capable of applying films for highly selective areas and patterns. A system to obtain homogeneity of the solid-fluid mix is described and results are shared....

Publisher: ASYMTEK Products | Nordson Electronics Solutions

A leader in automated fluid dispensing, jetting, and conformal coating. Products include stand-alone dispensing workstations and fully automated, in-line conveyorized systems with advanced process controls.

Carlsbad, California, USA

Orchid Technologies Engineering & Consulting, Inc.

New Life for Aging Electronic Products

Oct 01, 2008 | Paul Nickelsberg, President and Senior Engineer, Orchid Technologies.

Many Original Equipment Manufacturers, (OEM’s), struggle to continue shipping aging or obsolete electronic products. Electronic products designed five to ten years ago are still relevant in the marketplace. Often these venerable old products have gained particular acceptance amongst a select group of customers. In many cases these old products fulfill a need in a unique manner. Examples include: designs that are grandfathered into an application due to regulatory considerations; designs having unique form-fit-and-function; designs running special software ; designs subject to contractual support and service requirements; designs in which a new contract stipulates delivery of older gear as part of a larger system offering. Any one or all of these reasons can lead an OEM to continue the production of electronic equipment well into its end of useful component life...

Publisher: Orchid Technologies Engineering & Consulting, Inc.

Orchid develops custom electronic products for OEM's.

Maynard, Massachusetts, USA

Consultant / Service Provider, Manufacturer

Facedown Low-Inductance Solder Pad and Via Schemes

Sep 04, 2008 | John Prymak, Erik Reed, Allen Mayar

In the quest for lower ESL devices, having the ESL reduced in the package is only half of the battle; connecting that device to the circuit determines how much of that low ESL appears to the circuit. For this low ESL part type, it would be a shame to take a part of 200 pH and add 2000 pH to its ESL because of via patterns on the PCB....

Publisher: KEMET Electronics Corporation

KEMET Electronics Corporation

KEMET offers the world's most complete line of surface-mount and through-hole capacitor technologies across tantalum, ceramic, film, aluminum, electrolytic, and paper dielectrics.

Simpsonville,

Effect of Contact Time on Lead-Free Wave Soldering

Aug 28, 2008 | Jim Morris, Richard Szymanowski

The increasing use of lead-free solder has introduced a new set of process parameters when setting up wave solder equipment for effective soldering. Determining the proper flow characteristics of the solder wave for adequate hole fill is an essential step in achieving a reliable process. A variety of solder waves exist in the industry; each with advantages and disadvantages when performing lead-free wave soldering. One way to ensure adequate hole-fill is by increasing contact time at the Chip Wave....

Speedline Technologies serves the electronics assembly and semiconductor packaging industries with class-leading equipment, responsive support and unparalleled process knowledge.

Franklin, Massachusetts, USA

Optimal Electronics Corporation

Lean Kitting: A Case Study

Aug 20, 2008 | Ranko Vujosevic, Ph.D. Optimal Electronics Corporation Jose A. Ramirez, Larry Hausman-Cohen, and Srinivasan Venkataraman The University of Texas at Austin Department of Mechanical Engineering Austin, Texas

Kitting is the first step in printed circuit board assembly. It is initiated well in advance of the actual production start to be able to prepare and deliver the kit on time. Kitting involves the gathering of all the parts needed for a particular assembly from the stockroom and issuing the kit to the manufacturing line at the right time and in the right quantity. This paper discusses kitting, describes ways to eliminate waste in different phases of kitting, and illustrates lean kitting using a case study conducted in a major contract manufacturer site....

Publisher: Optimal Electronics Corporation

A global provider of innovative manufacturing execution system (MES) solutions for the electronics assembly industry.

Austin, Texas, USA

XRF- A Reality Check

Aug 14, 2008 | Sia Afshari

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) regulations of the European Union, and similar regulations being enacted around the world, require the virtual elimination of lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (Cr6), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) from electronic products. Allowable concentration levels in any homogeneous material contained within a product are extremely low: 0.01% for Cd and 0.1% for other substances by weight. The most significant issue affecting the practical validation of RoHS compliance in the day-to-day assembly environment is ensuring that no restricted substances, especially tin-lead (SnPb) materials, have inadvertently entered into the production stream....

Publisher: RMD Instruments

RMD Instruments

Since 1974 RMD has been providing innovative solutions across a broad range of security, medical and industrial applications, including radiation imaging and detection, nuclear instrumentation and non-destructive test equipment.

Watertown, Massachusetts, USA

Selection Of Wave Soldering Fluxes For Lead-Free Assembly

Jul 10, 2008 | Chrys Shea, Sanju Arora, Steve Brown

This paper reviews the J-STD-004 and how it is used in flux categorization and selection. It also discusses the major types of flux formulations available, and the design, process and reliability implications of using each type. The purpose of the paper is to help the reader make an informed choice when selecting wave solder fluxes for lead-free processing....

Publisher: Cookson Electronics

Cookson Electronics

Leading materials science company that provides high performance materials, chemistry and technology solutions to the electronics and surface finishing industries worldwide.

Lakeville, Minnesota, USA

Lead-Free Reliability - Building It Right The First Time

Jul 01, 2008 | Peter Biocca

As lead-free and RoHS compliancy fast approaches, it is more important than ever to build it right the first time. Lead-free assembly and RoHS will bring about numerous changes and the number of variables with which to contend is increasing, creating increased risk of defects and reduced product reliability. However, understanding what the variables are and their impact on the assembly can great increase product reliability....

Publisher: Kester

Kester

Kester is a leading global supplier of assembly materials to the electronic assembly, component and microelectronic marketplaces.

Itasca, Illinois, USA

Printable Nanocomposites for Electronic Packaging

Jun 25, 2008 | Endicott Interconnect Technologies, Inc.

Printing technologies provide a simple solution to build electronic circuits on o low cost flexible substrates. Nanocomposites will play important role for developing advanced printable technology. Advanced printing is relatively new technology and need more characterization and optimization for practical applications. In the present paper, we examine the use of nanocomposites or materials in the area of printing technology....

Publisher: i3 Electronics

i3 Electronics

A world leader in high-performance PCB fabrication & assembly, semiconductor packaging, systems integration & test, advanced laboratory services and contract R&D.

Endicott, New York, USA

Enterprise-wide Supplier Quality Management: The Big Payoff for Global SPC

Jun 04, 2008 | Zontec Inc.

The convergence of a wide range of global influences is having a profound effect on current-day quality in manufacturing. Today's operational strategies must take into account business cycles, risk-based management, logistics, workflows, outsourcing, regulatory issues, product development, corporate mergers and acquisitions. In this ever-changing economy it is imperative that companies compete more effectively on two fronts: by reducing costs and emphasizing quality....

Publisher: Zontec, Inc.

Zontec, Inc.

SPC software manufacturer. Our software includes such extras as defect tracking, traceability, trend and root cause analysis, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), rolled throughput yield (RTY), equipment uptime/downtime and supplier quality management in a true real-time production-based system.

Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Solder Paste Inspection Technologies: 2D-3D Correlation

May 28, 2008 | Rita Mohanty, Vatsal Shah; Speedline Technologies, Paul Haugen, Laura Holte; Cyber Optics Corp.

This paper describes correlation between a true 2D area measurement (e.g. printer) and a height map generated area from a SPI system. In addition, this paper will explore the correlation between area/volume measurements and bridge detection between 2D/3D techniques. The ultimate goal is to arm the process engineers with information that can be used to make decision that will impact defects, cost, throughput and Return On Investment....

Speedline Technologies serves the electronics assembly and semiconductor packaging industries with class-leading equipment, responsive support and unparalleled process knowledge.

Franklin, Massachusetts, USA

Flux Collection and Self-Clean Technique in Reflow Applications

May 14, 2008 | Speedline Technologies, Inc.

This paper will review some basic past and present flux chemistries that affect flux collection methodology. It will also review some of the most common flux collection methods, self-cleaning techniques, and maintenance goals. And, finally, data will be presented from high volume production testing of an advanced flux management system....

Speedline Technologies serves the electronics assembly and semiconductor packaging industries with class-leading equipment, responsive support and unparalleled process knowledge.

Franklin, Massachusetts, USA

Printed Circuit Board Tracking with RFID: Speed, Efficiency and Productivity Made Simple.

May 07, 2008 | Chris Cook, Hank Tomarelli.

Tracking goods through manufacturing was originally accomplished with pencil, paper and human input. Barcodes introduced an automated, machine-readable tracking mechanism that streamlined all types of manufacturing. But modern printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies are running into limitations because of barcode labels. And though barcodes and RFID tags will co-exist, the relatively large barcode labels have to find increasingly scarce real estate on high density boards....

Publisher: Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers real world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company includes the Educational & Productivity Solutions business. T

Dallas, Texas, USA

The Impact of Reflowing A Pb-free Solder Alloy Using A Tin/Lead Solder Alloy Reflow Profile On Solder Joint Integrity.

Apr 29, 2008 | David Hillman, Matt Wells, Kim Cho

The electronics industry is undergoing a materials evolution due to the pending Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) European Directive. Printed wiring board laminate suppliers, component fabricators, and printed wiring assembly operations are engaged in a multitude of investigations to determine what leadfree (Pbfree) material choices best fit their needs. The size and complexity of Pbfree implementation insures a transition period in which Pbfree and tin/lead solder finishes will be present on printed wiring assemblies...

Publisher: Rockwell Collins

Rockwell Collins

Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronic solutions for both commercial and government applications.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA

Manufacturer, Other

Design Environment ROI: How Design Teams On A Budget Can Build A Best In Class Design Environment

Apr 22, 2008 | Nolan Johnson

Design workflow is the core to your design team's competitive advantage; it’s the conduit by which you turn your team's expertise and ideas into manufacturable products. And yet, all engineering teams face the challenge of maximizing their productivity within limited financial resources. How can the less-capitalized teams develop a design workflow that competes with the highly-capitalized teams? Simple: open tools....

Publisher: Sunstone Circuits

Sunstone Circuits

Sunstone Circuits offers a family of PCB Services to meet all of your PCB needs from design to delivery! We are trusted innovators in the marketing and manufacture of quickturn PCBs, design-checked boards, and design software.

Mulino, Oregon, USA

Unipress - Institute of High Pressure Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Laser Direct Imaging of Tracks on PCB Covered With Laser Photoresist

Apr 15, 2008 | R. Barbucha, M. Kocik, J. Mizeraczyk , 2, G. Kozioł, and J. Borecki, Polish Academy of Sciences

The increasing demands for miniaturization and better functionality of electronic components and devices have a significant effect on the requirements facing the printed circuit board (PCB) industry. PCB manufactures are driving for producing high density interconnect (HDI) boards at significantly reduced cost and reduced implementation time. The interconnection complexity of the PCB is still growing and today calls for 50/50 μm or 25/25 μm technology are real. Existing technologies are unable to offer acceptable solution. Recently the Laser Direct Imaging (LDI) technology is considered as an answer for these challenges....

Publisher: Unipress - Institute of High Pressure Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences

The mission of Unipress is to use high pressure methods for advanced fundamental research and technology development. The main fields: Solid state physics, Optoelectronics, Sintering of nanocrystalline materials...

Warsaw, Poland

Strength of Lead-free BGA Spheres in High Speed Loading

Apr 08, 2008 | Keith Sweatman, Shoichi Suenaga, Tetsuro Nishimura

Concern about the failure of lead-free BGA packages when portable devices such as cell phones are accidentally dropped and a general concern about the resistance of these packages under shock loading has prompted an interest in the impact strength of the soldered BGA connection. This paper reports the results of the measurement of the impact strength of lead-free 0.5±0.01mm diameter BGA spheres on 0.42mm solder mask defined pads on copper/OSP and ENIG substrates using recently developed equipment that can load individual BGA spheres at high strain rates in shear and tension....

Publisher: Nihon Superior Co., Ltd.

Nihon Superior Co., Ltd.

Nihon has been a leader in soldering and brazing since 1966. Nihon manufactures SMT solder joining materials e.g. lead-free solder (SN100C:Sn-Cu-Ni-Ge etc): solder paste, solder spheres, flux cored solder wire, solder bar, etc.

Osaka, Japan

High Reliability Lead-free Solder SN100C?Sn-0.7Cu-0.05Ni?Ge?

Mar 31, 2008 | Satoshi Mizuta

While the situation varies from country to country, nearly one year after the EU RoHS Directive came into force implementation of lead-free solder is progressing steadily. For lead-free soldering to be considered successful it is not sufficient just to have dealt with the challenges of mass production. It is also necessary to establish that the soldered joints produced are at least as reliable as those made with Sn-37Pb alloy. In this context "reliability" means the length of time in service that the initial functionality of the joint can be maintained. In this paper we will discuss some of the issues involved in solder joint reliability through a comparison of the properties of two alloys that are widely used for lead-free wave soldering, SAC305 (Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu) and the Sn, Cu, Ni, Ge alloy SN100C....

Publisher: Nihon Superior Co., Ltd.

Nihon Superior Co., Ltd.

Nihon has been a leader in soldering and brazing since 1966. Nihon manufactures SMT solder joining materials e.g. lead-free solder (SN100C:Sn-Cu-Ni-Ge etc): solder paste, solder spheres, flux cored solder wire, solder bar, etc.

Osaka, Japan

Nextreme Thermal Solutions, Inc.

Embedded Thermoelectric Cooling

Mar 25, 2008 | Jesko von Windheim, Nextreme Thermal Solutions

Thin film thermoelectric devices offer a fundamentally new operating regime for integrated, active cooling solutions and localized thermal management, yet the assembly methodology used to implement these devices is fully compatible with existing surface mount approaches. In order to take advantage of these unique characteristics, thin film thermoelectric devices need to be designed for the appropriate thermal and form-factor environments, with system-level constraints carefully considered as an integral part of the overall design process....

Publisher: Nextreme Thermal Solutions, Inc.

Nextreme designs and manufactures manufactures micro-scale electronics cooling and energy harvesting solutions for telecommunications, semiconductor, consumer, medical, aerospace and government markets.

Durham, North Carolina, USA

Pin in Paste Stencil Design for Notebook Mainboard

Mar 18, 2008 | Atilim Demirtas, Vestel Digital

This paper examines the construction of a notebook mainboard with more than 2000 components and no wave soldering required. The board contains standard SMD, chipset BGAs, connectors, through hole components and odd forms placed using full automation and soldered after two reflow cycles under critical process parameters. However, state of the art technology does not help if the process parameters are not set carefully. Can all complex BGAs, THTs and even screws be soldered on a single stencil? What will help us overcome bridging, insufficient solder and thombstoning issues? This paper will demonstrate the placement of all odd shape components using pin-in-paste stencil design and full completion of the motherboard after two reflow cycles....

Publisher: Vestel Electronic

Vestel Electronic

Presently,Vestel is the biggest TV manufacturer in Europe and increasing it's capacity year by year. As a OEM and ODM,we export our product every continent in the world.

Manisa, Turkey