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FEATURES

• Cover Story
  Could Printed Electronics Replace Traditional Electronics?
  Over the next 10 years, printed electronics will make gains in RFID, displays, packaging, ICs, and alternative energy. But a glorious future isn't set in stone.
  by Randall Sherman
  

• CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY Top 50
  The Trials of 2009
  When it comes time to write the story of the EMS industry in 2009, foremost will be the effects of the recession. The subtext, however, will be the dramatic fall of Elcoteq, whose final chapter is still being written. Plus: The 50 largest EMS companies.
  by Mike Buetow
  

• Supply Chain Management
  Ensuring Component Integrity from an EMS Perspective
  Short consumer product lifecycles, the electronics industry’s conversion to lead-free components, and general weakness in the global market have increased the speed at which components are becoming obsolete. And legacy products are prone to fake parts.
  by Dennis Gradler
  

• 3-D AOI
  Improving Solder Paste Printing through Phase Shift Interferometry
  New measurement technology enables high degrees of verification and confidence.
  by Chrys Shea

FIRST PERSON

• Caveat Lector
  Tin drums beat louder.
  Mike Buetow

• Talking Heads
  Orpro Vision is looking good.
  Mike Buetow

MONEY MATTERS

• Global Sourcing
  Getting vertical.
  Rex Green

• ROI
  Merger mania strikes again.
  Peter Bigelow

TECH TALK

• On the Forefront
  Can Japan stay committed to R&D?
  E. Jan Vardaman

• Screen Printing
  Registration using closed-loop control.
  Dr. Rita Mohanty

• Selective Soldering
  The yes/no decision on nitrogen.
  Al Cable

• Wave Soldering Troubleshooting
  Mitigating grainy or dull solder.
  Paul Lotosky

• The Defects Database
  Paste stuck in stencil apertures.
  Dr. Davide Di Maio, Ph.D.

• Process Doctor
  Our standard plea.
  Dr. Harald Wack

• Materials World
  How "free" is halogen-free solder?
  Jie Bai

• Tech Tips
  Component reliability for RF applications.
  ACI Technologies Inc.

• Solar Technologies
  Frontside silver conductor line efficiency.
  Tom Falcon

• Technical Abstracts
  In case you missed it.
  

DEPARTMENTS

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