RALEIGH, NC-- Weller, a Cooper Hand Tools brand (cooperhandtools.com), is presenting a series of lead-free soldering seminars to explain this essential technology and to prepare electronics manufacturers for the 2006 deadline for compliance with RoHS directives.

The seminars, presented in association with Omni Training and Techni-Tool, will be held in Cleveland, OH on August 24; Detroit, MI on August 26; and in Cedar Rapids, IA on August 27.  Ken Moore, president of Omni Training, will conduct the sessions.

The sessions will cover the impact, challenges and risks associated with lead-free, including thermal-related damage to PWBs and components. The primary focus is on hand soldering, rework and inspection of solder joints made with lead-free alloys.  Attendees will work with various lead-free alloys and soldering equipment.    

For details contact Maria Eby, (610) 940-5425; mariae@technitool.com.

Irving, TX – EMS provider Elcoteq Network Corp. opens its Engineering Service Center (ESC) in Richardson, TX, today. A ceremony marking the event featured speeches by Richardson mayor Gary Slagel and Elcoteq Americas president Dr. Doug Brenner. 

The center occupies 28,117 sq. ft and employs 100 people. Services include project management, prototyping, industrialization, low-volume manufacturing, test services and material management. Products will include mobile networks, broadband access and wireless LAN, and home communications products, as well as board assembly, module and systems for cellular base stations, switches, microwave and broadband access products. 

The facility is ISO 9001 certified and RoHS compliant. Capabilities include automated PCB assembly and flip-chip assembly at less than 300 micron pitch, underfill, a lead-free production process, 0201 production placement and rework processes, AOI, BGA replacement and reball, x-ray inspection, mechanical assembly, final build packout service, design for manufacturing and build report documentation, real time quality data collection and an intranet based manufacturing data system.

FRANKLIN, NH – Polyclad Laminates, a business of Cookson Electronics, has published a Lead-free Material Selection Guide. It provides advice for selecting lead-free capable laminate base materials, and defines best practices for determining selection criteria for Pb-free or Pb/Sn assembly applications.

Available for all major Polyclad products, the guide reviews PWB design and assembly variables in making recommendations to use specific laminate and prepreg materials. It will be regularly updated as more data become available.

For an electronic copy, email: polyclad@cooksonelectronics.com.

ATLANTA, GA —UP Media Group Inc. (UPMG) has announced the conference program and event schedule for PCB Design Conference East 2005. The show will celebrate its 10^th anniversary Oct. 10-14 at the Expo Center of New Hampshire, in Manchester.

PCB East features a five-day conference program of targeted Professional Development and Technical Conference courses, plus a keynote address, a variety of free special networking events and a two-day exhibition.

The Welcome Luncheon and Industry Icon Roast on Oct. 10 will be the first special event. The roastee’s name is being kept under wraps but clues will be “leaked” on the show Website during the weeks leading up to the show. Free to all Monday attendees, others may register to attend this plated luncheon event.  

An Opening Night Reception, featuring food and drinks, will be held on the show floor on Oct. 12. Book signings by industry authors will be held during the reception and at other times in the PCB East Book Store.

Pub Night at Jillian's, featuring live music by the infamous Porch Dawgs, will provide free pool, darts and shuffleboard, plus food and drinks, at Jillian’s in downtown Manchester.

An Ice Cream Social will be held on the show floor on Oct. 13. Other new events include Dinner With Strangers and Trivia Night.

Registration for the exhibition and most special events is free. The complete conference brochure is available at pcbeast.com.