FEATURES

• Medtech Sector
  Still Strong in Singapore
  A growing number of large medical OEMs are locating R&D centers or regional headquarters within Singapore because of its strong IP laws, skilled labor pool and easy access to a variety of emerging consumer markets.
  Lester Lu

• Comparing XRF
  XRF Equipment and Materials Characterization for RoHS Compliance
  Energy dispersive XRF is a suitable method for parts screening because of its nondestructive, fast and efficient analysis. But not all systems perform the same.
  Hector Rene Marin Hernandez, RefugioVicente Escobedo Alva, Zhen (Jane) Feng, Ph.D., Joao Ofenboeck and Murad Kurwa

• Cover Story
  Using AOI in the 01005 Assembly Process
  Defects are produced throughout the assembly process, not just in the beginning. Multi-unit inspection, coupled with proper bi-directional software, improves detection without increasing false calls.
  Owen Sit and Joshua Petras

• SEAs 2007
  Closed-Loop Customer Service
  Integrated Microelectronics Inc. took home the top prize as the overall winner for EMS companies with revenues greater than $100 million. IMI marketing communications manager Fred Blancas explains the company’s approach.
  Chelsey Drysdale

• Optoelectronics
  Growing at Light Speed
  Forecast to hit $1 billion by 2017, optoelectronics may still have a place in electronics substrates. A look at what iNEMI and OIDA feel will key the comeback.
  Michael Lebby and Rick Clayton

FIRST PERSON

• Caveat Lector
  The biggest ’Con of all.
  Mike Buetow

• Letters

• Talking Heads
  Mydata’s Bengt Broman

MONEY MATTERS

• Focus in Business
  The cyclical EMS market.
  Susan Mucha

• Global Sourcing
  Don’t let false parts put you out on a limb.
  Mike Buetow

TECH TALK

• On the Forefront
  Not so fast, China.
  E. Jan Vardaman

• Screen Printing
  All for one.
  Clive Ashmore

• Better Manufacturing
  The good users.
  Peter Grundy

• Wave Soldering
  Measuring flux uniformity and volume.
  Gerjan Diepstraten

• Tech Tips
  Flux and cleaning solvents.
  American Competitiveness Institute

• Test and Inspection
  Maximizing test implementation ROI.
  Stacy Kalisz Johnson

• Process Doctor
  Qualifying a new process.
  Terry Munson

• Pb-Free Lessons Learned
  Is your solder pot saying something?
  Chrys Shea

• Getting Lean
  Seeing is believing.
  Marty Neese and SM Kong
  

• Materials World
  Assembling with QFNs.
  Dr. Renzhe Zhao

• Technical Abstracts

DEPARTMENTS

Industry News
Market Watch
Nepcon East, SMTA Int'l and ATExpo Product Preview
Assembly Insider
Ad Index

On the cover: Use of 01005 components calls for a new AOI strategy. (Photos courtesy YesTech Inc.)