Realizing advanced electronics with the world’s smallest packages. 

Is it worthwhile to design printed circuit boards with the smallest component package available today: the 008004? And how do you do it correctly?

Several months ago, a hardware engineer in a high-tech company that is developing virtual reality headsets approached me. “These are special glasses that can integrate into game consoles in hundreds of millions of homes worldwide,” he said with excitement. “This is innovative technology that will enable a totally different viewing and gaming experience than what’s available at present.”

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A decade in, IPC-2581 Consortium members say the pursuit toward widespread adoption of the vendor-neutral standard was well worth the rigorous effort.

Few engineers working in electronics manufacturing today predate the first efforts to develop and implement an industry-wide standard for intelligent electronics data transfer.

As early CAD tools were introduced in the late 1960s and early 1970s, IPC launched a vendor-neutral effort to describe electronics design data from schematic through test.

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The annual Women’s Leadership Program at SMTA International features two leading engineers.

SMTA International returns to an in-person format this year, with a virtual option, and the Women’s Leadership Program is in-person on Tuesday, Nov. 2! The past 18 months have been a time of reflection and transition for many of us. Many professionals are reassessing their career goals and career paths. In keeping with this trend, our 2021 WLP theme, “It’s good we are not all the same,” was chosen to encourage attendees to explore career transition options.

The WLP this year will focus on the success stories of women who have created varied career paths, applying core technical strengths to a variety of areas and succeeding consistently. Hear how their diverse career experiences have contributed to their long-term success. Our two distinguished speakers have blazed unique career paths and will share their stories with the audience.

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A connected factory automates the AOI validation process.

Automated optical inspection (AOI) is typically used after solder reflow to detect missing components and defects. Performing a successful inspection of a panel is not enough, however. Manufacturing execution systems (MES) are used for process control and AOI data collection to ensure the following are accomplished:

• All prior routing operations passed.
• Valid test program is loaded on the machine.
• Test start- and end-times and test results are captured.
• Failed printed circuit boards (PCB) cannot advance in the production routing and must enter rework loop.

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