RoHS Transition
Producing RoHS-Compliant Assemblies at SMC
A blow-by-blow account of how one mid-tier EMS company made the switch.
Don Taylor

Cover Story
After the Fire
Before dawn the phone rings. The caller informs: "The factory is burning." One EMS company's journey through catastrophic loss, and their lessons learned on contingency planning.
Art Rutledge and Kim Boykin

Nepcon China Recap
Just for Show
The show is bursting at its seams, despite problems with the building - and some rogue exhibitors.
Mike Buetow

Caveat Lector
Blowing smoke.
Mike Buetow

Focus on Business
The work breakdown structure.
Dr. Jonathan Linton

Global Sourcing
The "true" China price.
Mike Buetow

Screen Printing
It's not the tools' fault.
Joe Belmonte

Better Manufacturing
The end of the world is at hand.
Dr. H.J. Zapfardt

Soldering Tips
Reflow profiling power PCBs.
American Competitiveness Institute

Wave Soldering
How's your pallet?
Gerjan Diepstraten

Test and Inspection
SPI now, no defects later.
Jeff Harrell

Countdown to Pb-Free
One month left until RoHS.
Robert C. Pfahl and Kurt R. Goldsmith

Technical Abstracts

Apex Recap
Small Firms, Big Ideas
Thanks in part to the RoHS conversion, companies are busier today than a year ago, but few are thinking about what to do once the Pb-free buzz ends. Plus: Excellence in service.
Mike Buetow and Robin Norvell

AXI Comparison
AXI Test on Fine-Pitch Components Using Pb-Free and SnPb
A powerful tool for process characterization during the transition to Pb-free solder, this study revealed less than 10% difference for Pb-free and SnPb TVs under different test coupons.
Zhen (Jane) Feng, Ph.D., Eduardo Toledo, Dason Cheung, Jeff Newbrough and Murad Kurwa

Cover Story
Running Pb-Free Reflow Profiles without Nitrogen
TGA/DSC data show paste can be used in extended reflow profiles with reduced dT's even at fast printing speeds.
Eli Westerlaken

Reflow Soldering
A Comparison of Convection and Condensation Pb-Free Reflow Soldering
Convection runs at faster cycle times, while condensation is superior for heavier PCBs.
Dr. Hans Bell

Underfill Characterization
A Fixture for Characterizing Underfill
How a simple slab of aluminum and a slot to contain a little pane of tempered glass, ringed by adjustable clamps, can aid visibility.
Tom Clifford

Caveat Lector
Lucky number 8.
Mike Buetow

Letters

Talking Heads
Electronic Systems' Leo Reynolds.
Mike Buetow

Focus on Business
What makes a good program manager?
Susan Mucha

On the Forefront
Maxed out.
E. Jan Vardaman

Screen Printing
'Tidying up' the process.
Clive Ashmore

Better Manufacturing
X-ray goes under the microscope.
Peter Grundy

Soldering Tips
BGA repair for mixed assemblies.
American Competitiveness Institute

Wave Soldering
Avoiding solder spikes.
Gerjan Diepstraten

Countdown to Pb-Free
RoHS and China.
Richard (Tad) Ferris and Hongjun Zhang, Ph.D.

Equipment Advances
Europlacer's component positioning system.

Technical Abstracts

Thermal Profiling
The Effect of an Optimized Reflow Oven Recipe on Energy Use
A case study of how improved thermal profiling and process optimization tools reduce energy use.
Piotr Kaênica

Cover Story
How Nanotechnology Applies to Electronics
Manipulating atoms won't obsolete assembly, but instead opens a window into fascinating and creative solutions to current dilemmas (including Pb-free soldering).
Dr. Alan Rae

Parts Conversion
Conversion of Ongoing Products to RoHS Compliance
A look at the materials and components aspects of the transition shows the magnitude of the task. Plus: examples of what worked - and what didn't.
Gary Schulte

Pb-Free Case Study
The Creation and Building of a Pb-Free Product
A case study in designing and building Pb-free 128Mb USB memory modules.
Srinivasa Aravamudhan, Joe Belmonte, Anand Bhosale, Alden Johnson, Pat Mattero, Karl Moore and Dr. Gerald Pham-Van-Diep

Caveat Lector
Civics lesson.
Mike Buetow

Talking Heads
Fabrinet's Mark Schwartz.
Mike Buetow

Global Sourcing
Business software to get you moving.
David Wolff

On the Forefront
What's up, Doc?
Dr. Ken Gilleo

Screen Printing
Optimizing a process that you don't own.
Joe Belmonte

Better Manufacturing
Feeling used.
Phil Zarrow

Soldering Tips
Tin whisker mitigation standards.
American Competitiveness Institute

Wave Soldering
Preventing micro solderballs.
Gerjan Diepstraten

Test and Inspection
Design solutions that aid defect detection.
Tamara Pippert

Countdown to Pb-Free
The material declaration standard has arrived.
Richard E. Kubin

Process Doctor
Diagnosis: WOA residues.
Terry Munson

Equipment Advances
Transition Automation's self-cleaning squeegee.

Technical Abstracts