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FEATURES

Reliability
Technical Diagnostics of Electronics Products: Application of Bayes Formula and Boltzmann-Arrhenius-Zhurkov
(BAZ) Model
For systems where failure-free operation is critical, technical diagnostics can recognize, in a continuous fashion and without dismantling, the ability to continue to function as expected over the long-term.
by Ephraim Suhir, Laurent Bechou and Alain Bensoussan

EMS Company of the Year of the Year
The Creation Resonation
Today's SMT operations rarely vary, which is why Creation Technologies is something of a
revelation in everything from its financial model to its factory layout.
by Mike Buetow

Supply Chain ControlSupply Chain Control
Using DNA to Ensure Component Authenticity
A new marking program for components provides users unalterable and traceable access to the part’s history and origin when marked and shipped by the original component manufacturer. In the case of open-market parts sourced by SMT, they will only be marked after they pass through its counterfeit mitigation and component quality inspection process. A look at how parts are "tagged" and traced.
by Tom Adams

Retrospective
Our dearly departed.
by Mike Buetow

FIRST PERSON

• Caveat Lector
  'Cooking' up some changes.
  Mike Buetow

• Talking Heads
  New SMTA president Bill Barthel.
  Jenny Popp

MONEY MATTERS

• ROI
  No day at the beach.
  Peter Bigelow

• Focus on Business
  SMTAI was worth the trip, even if it
  was Orlando.
  Susan Mucha

TECH TALK

• Defects Database
  When rework causes rework.
  Dr. Chris Hunt

• ESD Basics
  Principles for material selection and program decisions.
  The ESD Association

• Screen Printing
  Height of our concerns.
  Clive Ashmore

• Soldering
  Void reduction.
  Jochen Lipp

• Tech Tips
  Hand soldering or selective?
  ACI Technologies

• Test and Inspection
  The ICT investment.
  Jun Balangue

• Solar Technologies
  Noncontact methods.
  Tom Falcon

• Technical Abstracts
  In case you missed it.

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FEATURES

Advanced Packages
Stepping Out With 0.4mm Pitch BGA/PoPs
OEMs are finding the move from 0.5mm pitch BGA PoP to the next generation, 0.4mm ultra-fine pitch BGA PoP tough, indeed. These rules-of-thumb will help make the jump.
by Syed W. Ali

Associations
The Mitchell Plan
IPC's new president is wasting no time remaking the trade group in his own (attentive) image.
by Mike Buetow

ESD Basics
You're Grounded!
Setting up an ESD workstation or area to reduce the risk of electrostatic discharge in the workplace.
by The ESD Association

Reliability
Electronics Failure Analysis for Pb- and Pb-Free Solder Joints
Why the Weibull distribution is probably the most important distribution for solder material failure analysis.
by Dr. Ron Lasky

Tech Tips
Manufacturing Cost Reduction through Automation
A step-by-step process to cut costs for a high-rel RF tuner.
by ACI Technologies

FIRST PERSON

• Caveat Lector
  Brokering a new model.
  Mike Buetow

• Talking Heads
  BBG's Greg Papandrew.
  Mike Buetow

MONEY MATTERS

• ROI
  Restating value.
  Peter Bigelow

TECH TALK

• Process Doctor
  Residues' slow burn.
  Michael McCutchen

• Defects Database
  Skipping around.
  Dr. Chris Hunt
  

• Getting Lean
  Continuous improvement plans.
  Carlos Rodriguez

• Technical Abstracts
  In Case You Missed It.

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FEATURES

BEST Site Visit
BEST: On the Go
From a motor home to a 25,000 sq. ft. factory outside Chicago, BEST not only offers a wide variety of rework/repair services, it is navigating a new path for the EMS of the future.
by Mike Buetow

Bare Die Coatings
Protecting COB Devices with Glob Top Encapsulants
Bare die and their connecting wires have no protective plastic package, and can easily become corroded by moisture or chemicals. Encapsulating the die and wires in a protective shell is critical to ensuring long-term assembly reliability.
by Venkat Nandivada

PCB Repair
Board Repair Made Easy
The small size and spaces make fixing a substrate or interposer a painstaking undertaking. A new novel board repair kit just might be the solution.
by Terence Q. Collier

Rework
Top 10 PCB Rework Mistakes
Why touch-up should be used sparingly, if at all, and other helpful hints.
by Bob Doetzer

FIRST PERSON

• Caveat Lector
  Brokering a new model.
  Mike Buetow

• Talking Heads
  Asteelflash's Gilles Benhamou.
  Mike Buetow

MONEY MATTERS

• ROI
  The design-manufacturing gap.
  Peter Bigelow

• Focus on Business
  Social media for the EMS.
  Susan Mucha

TECH TALK

• On the Forefront
  Technology makeover?
  E. Jan Vardaman

• Screen Printing
  Printing for power electronics.
  Clive Ashmore
  

• Tech Tips
  TSOP bridging.
  Robert Dervaes

• Soldering
  Vapor phase misconceptions.
  Jochen Lipp

• Test and Inspection
  Functional turnkey.
  Adrian Ababa

• Defects Database
  Packing MSDs.
  Dr. Chris Hunt

• Materials World
  TMV PoP protection.
  Jie Bai

• Technical Abstracts
  In Case You Missed It.