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FEATURES

RETROSPECTIVE
In Memoriam
A look back at friends and colleagues who left us in 2014.

COVER STORY
Root Cause Failure Analysis of Dendrite Shorting: A Comparison of Analytical Techniques
A study of 25 conformal-coated, no-clean assemblies after environmental testing for 40°C/90%RH for 168 hr. revealed FTIR, SEM/EDS and ion chromatography need an assist when determining the true source of contamination.
by Terry Munson

THE FACTORY
Cost Reductions Through Energy Transitions
Operational energy management is becoming increasingly important. How the SMT reflow oven has become ground zero for the energy reduction effort.
by Volker Feyerabend

FIRST PERSON

• CAVEAT LECTOR
  Giving it away.
  Mike Buetow

MONEY MATTERS

• ROI
  The fab sandwich.
  Peter Bigelow
  

• FOCUS ON BUSINESS
  Cushioning the blows.
  Susan Mucha

TECH TALK

• ON THE FOREFRONT
  IoT: It’s all in the package.
  E. Jan Vardaman
• SCREEN PRINTING
  Flat lined.
  Clive Ashmore

• TECH TIPS
  Minimizing BTC voiding.
  Karl Seelig and Tim O’Neill
• TEST AND INSPECTION
  A career in the test trenches.
  Jun Balangue
• DEFECTS DATABASE
  Breaking the slump.
  Dr. Chris Hunt
• GETTING LEAN
  The waste behind SMT data gathering.
  Michael Ford

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FEATURES

CHEMICAL LABELING
GHS Timeline Update
The latest OSHA hazard communication requirements go into effect next year, impacting manufacturers and all facilities which use chemicals. Are you ready?
by Scott Mazur

SCREEN PRINTING
Printing Miniaturized Devices for the Automotive and Industrial Manufacturing Sectors
The automotive and industrial electronics sectors have several large challenges in using sub-microcomponents, including the addition of large devices on the same product, harsh environmental concerns and safety and reliability demands. All these issues require a highly capable heterogeneous solder paste printing process. This work investigates a solution for printing fine-pitch footprint devices next to traditional larger-footprint ones at high yields.
by Clive Ashmore and Mark Whitmore

FIRST PERSON

• CAVEAT LECTOR
  Who will we have left to rely on when the chips are down?
  Mike Buetow

MONEY MATTERS

• ROI
  Too big not to fail?
  Peter Bigelow
  

• FOCUS ON BUSINESS
  False promises.
  Joseph Fama

TECH TALK

• GETTING LEAN
  Stopping waste at the source.
  Jim Barnes
• DEFECTS DATABASE
  A cure for leaching.
  Dr. Chris Hunt

• TEST AND INSPECTION
  Revenue rehabilitation.
  Robert Boguski

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FEATURES

EMS PROFILE
Libra Industries Finds Its Balance
The Ohio EMS company alternates acquisitions and organic growth modes as it evolves from a family run firm to becoming a major regional player.
by Mike Buetow

SURFACE FINISHES
Study of Various PCBA Surface Finishes
An investigation of post-reflow solder spread, voiding performance of BGA and QFN devices, and cross-sectional analysis rates six surface finishes under three use conditions.
by Georgie Thein, David Geiger and Murad Kurwa

FIRST PERSON

• CAVEAT LECTOR
  An industry icon passes on.
  Mike Buetow

MONEY MATTERS

• ROI
  What we can learn from the grocer.
  Peter Bigelow
  

• FOCUS ON BUSINESS
  In search of the real India.
  Joseph Fama

TECH TALK

• DEFECTS DATABASE
  A touch of the grape.
  Dr. Chris Hunt

• TECH TIPS
  The race for whisker-free solder.
  Karl Seelig and Tim O’Neill

• TEST AND INSPECTION
  Let’s hear it for the old guys.
  Robert Boguski

• GETTING LEAN
  When 8Ds can be good.
  Rajesh Upadhyaya