FEATURES

• AOI Pitfalls
  Poor Vision
  The value of inspection is overshadowed by software issues and floor management.
  Matt Holzmann

• Cover Story
  Pb-Free, Moisture Sensitivity and X-Ray Inspection
  Parts absorb considerably more moisture during lead-free assembly. X-ray can spot the subsequent solder joint problems.
  David Bernard, Ph.D.

• CAM Automation
  Not-So-Secret Codes
  Never change CAM automation on a Friday, and other lessons of software integration.
  Stephen Potter

• Component Packaging
  MEMS in Medicine
  How these next-generation components are changing a vital application for electronics.
  Ken Gilleo, Ph.D.

• Pb-Free Transition
  Converting Wave Soldering Equipment to Pb-Free
  Install a new solder pot in just an hour.
  Lee Whiteman, Jeff Stong and Debbie Alavezos

FIRST PERSON

• Caveat Lector
  And the Pb-free solder survey says...
  Mike Buetow

• Talking Heads
  Building with Brio.
  Mike Buetow

MONEY MATTERS

• Global Sourcing
  Options for mid-tier firms.
  Richard Douglass

TECH TALK

• Screen Printing
  Paste tradeoffs.
  Joe Belmonte

• Better Manufacturing
  So long, Budro.
  Phil Zarrow

• Countdown to Lead-Free
  Is the supply chain ready for RoHS?
  George Galyon, Glenn Sellers and Ron Gedney

• Wave Soldering
  Avoiding intermetallics.
  Gerjan Diepstraten

• Process Doctor
  Environmental chamber cleanliness.
  Terry Munson

• Equipment Advances
  Excelta's Smart Tweezer
  Greg Johnson

• Technical Abstracts

DEPARTMENTS

Assembly Insider
Industry News
Market Watch
Ad Index
ATExpo Product Preview
Nepcon Southeast China Product Preview

On the cover: X-ray's role in lead-free assembly. ( iStockphoto Inc.)