Tag Archives: SMT

Will Juki-Sony Talks Get Others Going?

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Mike

Industry chatter has long said M&A activity among the major placement companies is inevitable. Yet throughout the gut-wrenching downturn of 2001-02, the widespread pause in 2008-09, and the subsequent fallout starting last spring, nothing concrete took place. Sure, a few … Continue reading →

Posted in Hot Wires | Tagged Juki, M&A, placement equipment, SMT, Sony | Leave a comment

Talking Cleaning with Mike Bixenman

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Dr. Ron

Folks, There is a lot of interest in cleaning PCBs assembled with no-clean solder pastes. Recently I discussed the topic with my good friend Mike Bixenman of Kyzen. Dr. Ron (DR): Mike, many of the best performing lead-free and lead … Continue reading →

Posted in Dr. Ron | Tagged cleaning, lead-free, no-clean, SMT, solder paste | Leave a comment

Counting Once, Counting Twice…

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Duane

Let’s say you have two options: First, you could send in your boards for assembly as individuals. Second, you could send them in a panel. That’s all fine and dandy. For a few, send individuals. For a bunch, panels might … Continue reading →

Posted in Laying It Out, Screaming Circuits Blog | Tagged BoM, panelization, SMT, through-hole | Leave a comment

Ambiguity

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Duane

It’s pretty important to have unambiguous polarity markings and pin one markings printed on your PCB. In theory, for SMT parts, it really shouldn’t matter; the centroid would take care of the placement orientation. But, you may have noticed that … Continue reading →

Posted in Laying It Out, Screaming Circuits Blog | Tagged CAD library. part orientation, IPC, SMT | Leave a comment

Chatting Away

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Mike

We had a great premiere of PCB Chat last week. Eric Bogatin, the signal integrity guru, hosted the nearly two hour session, answering more than 20 questions. The transcript can be seen here (you must be signed in to Printed … Continue reading →

Posted in Hot Wires | Tagged Eric Bogatin, networking, PCB Chat, Phil Zarrow, signal integrity, SMT | Leave a comment

Through-Hole Parts

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Duane

Screaming Circuits uses machines to place surface mount parts; even if it’s just one board. Through-hole is a different story, though. Way back in the cobwebby section of the building, we do have a through-hole part sequencing and insertion machine. … Continue reading →

Posted in Laying It Out, Screaming Circuits Blog | Tagged centroid file, placement, plated through-hole components, SMT | Leave a comment

How to Build a Footprint

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Duane

Well, not really how to build one in a technical sense, but some thoughts on how to better ensure that you get it right. In theory, it shouldn’t be that difficult. You download the datasheet and build the land pattern … Continue reading →

Posted in Laying It Out, Screaming Circuits Blog | Tagged footprints, Land pattern, parts libary, PCB design, SMT | 1 Comment

Electricity Use in Pb-Free

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Dr. Ron

Folks, An obvious disadvantage of lead-free electronics soldering assembly is that the oven must be hotter and therefore will use more electricity (versus SnPb37 soldering). But is the extra amount of electricity significant? KIC’s Brian O’Leary claims that a typical SMT … Continue reading →

Posted in Dr. Ron | Tagged assembly, Brian O’Leary, electricity use, electronics soldering, KIC, lead-free, reflow oven, SMT | Leave a comment

Ambiguous PCB Markings

Posted on January 26, 2010 by Duane

Here’s a little issue we run into now and then. Which reference designator goes with which part? Quick. I need to know. Now. Now. Now! It’s less of an issue with SMT parts because we machine place them and use … Continue reading →

Posted in Screaming Circuits Blog | Tagged Components, lumpy mashed potatos, reference designator, SMT | 3 Comments

Emerson’s Rule

Posted on December 30, 2009 by Dr. Ron

As Patty, The Professor and Pete maneuvered around the partially completed product, Patty noticed signs everywhere that proclaimed: “Being Responsive to Our Customer is Our Biggest Asset.” Pete commented, “This place is so crowded with partially built product that not … Continue reading →

Posted in Dr. Ron | Tagged Binghamton University, Dr. Ron Lasky, line changeover, Phil Crosby, SMT | Leave a comment