Solder Paste Inspection
Is SPI the Yield Improvement Tool We’ve Waited For?
A number of articles and technical papers have been published on solder paste inspection, most making similar points. Why another? Perhaps because even today, many manufacturers still struggle to obtain significant yield improvements.
Matthew T. Holzmann
Cover Story
Humidity and Pollution Effects on Pb-Free Assemblies
Understanding the two major sources of climatic-induced failures helps toward preventing and minimizing potential failures.
Helmut Schweigart, Ph.D. and Harald Wack, Ph.D.
Apex Recap
Apex: Exhilarating, Exhausting, but Never Dull
Attendance slipped, but all the new gear was a buyer’s paradise.
Mike Buetow
Design for Placement
Placement Machine Tolerances and Limitations
Together, the OEM and EMS provider can institute several steps to create a more effective assembly environment. It starts with DfA.
Zulki Khan
Patents
Pb-Free Soldering and Materials IP
Many companies are active in Pb-free soldering, and they are protecting their ideas via patenting. IBM leads the way.
Danny R. Graves
Caveat Lector
Lessons from the floor.
Mike Buetow
Focus on Business
Innovation’s myriad aspects.
Dr. Jonathan Linton
Global Sourcing
The changing PWB landscape.
Mike Buetow
Screen Printing
Investigate the supplier, not just the equipment.
Joe Belmonte
Better Manufacturing
The “Four Horsemen of the Pb-free Apocalypse.”
Phil Zarrow
Tech Tips
Practices make perfect.
American Competitiveness Institute
Wave Soldering
Good soldering starts at design.
Gerjan Diepstraten
RoHS Revisited
April’s Pb-free surprises.
John Burke
Pb-Free Lessons Learned
Optimizing processes using DoEs.
Chrys Shea
Process Doctor
Can cleaning harm products?
Terry Munson
ESD Basics
ESD keepout distance for 2000V products.
Dave Swenson
Equipment Advances
Panasonic’s CM602 placement machine.
Industry News
Market Watch
Ad Index
Assembly Insider
Product Spotlight
On the cover: How metallization and operating voltage influence electrochemical migration. (Photo courtesy ZestronUSA)