2016 Magazine Archives

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FEATURES

SOLDERING
How to Use the Right Flux for Selective Soldering Applications
Selective soldering requires a combination of performance attributes that traditional liquid fluxes designed for wave soldering applications cannot fulfill. Statistically, designed experiments on the equipment can map relationships between flux characteristics and selective process friendliness. Performance attributes to consider include compatibility with drop jet dispensing (clogging effects, cleaning frequency, and satellite formation), spreading (in actual processing conditions, with multiple solder resist types) and soldering performance, as measured by barrel filling and defect production in challenging thermal conditions.
by Bruno Tolla, Ph.D., Denis Jean and Xiang Wei, Ph.D.

EMS TOP 50
Blurred Lines
Another year, another Foxconn display of utter dominance in contract manufacturing. But in what was in many respects a relatively quiet year, there was much more happening under the radar. A look back at the major trends of 2015, including the race to India by the world’s largest EMS/ODM companies.
by Mike Buetow

FIRST PERSON

• CAVEAT LECTOR
  Designed for speed.
  Mike Buetow

MONEY MATTERS

• ROI
  The local supply chain: endangered species.
  Peter Bigelow
  

• FOCUS ON BUSINESS
  What should boards cost?
  Thomas Smiley

TECH TALK

• TECH TIPS
  Understanding the “dot” matrix.
  Timothy O’Neill
• TEST & INSPECTION
  The terrors of test.
  Robert Boguski
• GETTING LEAN
  Excess of spares.
  Jose Luis Garcia
• DEFECTS DATABASE
  Plugged up.
  Dr. Chris Hunt