Availability of SnPb-Compatible BGAs
Among the meetings planned is the SnPb-Compatible BGA Availability Workshop. This half-day session, scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to noon on Thursday, September 28, is sponsored by the iNEMI High-Reliability RoHS Task Force and will focus on what can be done to encourage the components supply base to continue to offer SnPb-compatible BGAs. Many high-reliability products are exempted from, or out of scope of, the RoHS Directive and will continue to use SnPb assembly processes. However, there is growing concern about the availability of critical components in traditional SnPb surface finish configurations. The supply chain has rapidly transitioned to Pb-free components and finishes, driven by the high-volume needs of consumer electronics. Many suppliers have converted all of their components to Pb-free lead and surface finishes, which causes compatibility issues (especially with BGAs) for manufacturers using SnPb assembly processes.
The iNEMI workshop will look at OEM, EMS and supplier examples of what companies are doing to address these supply chain challenges. It will also include group discussion of potential strategies for ensuring component availability. For more information, go to http://www.inemi.org/cms/calendar/SMTAI_2006_SnPb_BGA.html.
Additional iNEMI meetings at SMTAI
SMT Component Packaging Label Standard Project (Tuesday, September 26, 8:30-10:00 a.m., Room 54) - an organizational meeting for a new project that plans to develop industry guidelines for SMT product package labeling of automatically placed electronic component packages.
Halogen-Free Project (Tuesday, September 26, 1:00-4:00 p.m., Room 54) - a planning meeting for this new iNEMI project that is working to identify technology readiness, supply capability and standards development opportunities for "halogen-free" alternatives to conventional printed wiring board materials.
iNEMI Roadmap (Tuesday, September 26, 3:30-5:00 p.m., Room 1) - a presentation by Chuck Richardson, iNEMI's staff manager of roadmapping, focusing on iNEMI's roadmap development process and providing examples of how the roadmap is used to identify gaps and define projects to address those gaps.
Pb-Free DPMO Meeting (Wednesday, September 27, 10:00 a.m.- noon, Room 54) - a meeting to launch an iNEMI effort in the investigation of Pb-free defects per million opportunities (DPMO).
Life After EU RoHS Forum (Thursday, September 28, 1:00-5:00 p.m., Room 53) - this half-day forum, co-sponsored by IPC, will look at emerging environmental regulations with the goal of identifying collaborative efforts to close policy and technology gaps. The agenda is being finalized; watch for further announcements.
Watch the iNEMI website (http://www.inemi.org/cms/calendar/SMTAI_2006.html) for additional details. All meetings will be held in the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Register in advance for a free exhibition hall admission badge (http://smta.org/smtai/registration_content.cfm).
About iNEMI
The International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative's mission is to assure leadership of the global electronics manufacturing supply chain. Based in Herndon, Va., the industry-led consortium is made up of approximately 70 manufacturers, suppliers, industry associations and consortia, government agencies and universities. iNEMI roadmaps the needs of the electronics industry, identifies gaps in the technology infrastructure, establishes implementation projects to eliminate these gaps (both business and technical), and stimulates standards activities to speed the introduction of new technologies. The consortium also works with government, universities and other funding agencies to set priorities for future industry needs and R&D initiatives. For additional information about iNEMI, visit http://www.inemi.org.