Circuits Assembly Online Magazine - Features

BUCKS, UK – Some 70% of all end-of-line defects are associated within the printing process, according to a recent study conducted by the SMART Group.

The results came from a poll of SMART Group members as a lead-in to its “The Road to ZERO Defects” workshop. Attendees were taken through 42 recommended audit steps for pre-placement during the workshop, the first in a back-to-basics series to celebrate the group’s 25th anniversary.

Presentations covered solder paste, process contamination, printing platforms, stencil specifications, solder paste inspection SPI/SPC, and stencil cleaning and housekeeping.

The series includes sessions on reflow soldering; materials; wave and selective soldering, flux selection; and hand assembly and rework.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- Jabil Circuit reported fiscal first-quarter sales of $3.1 billion, down 8.8% from last year. After taking large restructuring charges a year ago, the EMS company swung to a profit in the latest quarter.

WASHINGTON – Three major producers of decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca) plan to phase out production of the disputed brominated flame-retardant by December 2012.

Chemtura, Albemarle and ICL Industrial Products say the decision is voluntary and is being undertaken in accordance with the wishes of the US Environmental Protection Agency.

While critics have long claimed that bromines are major causes of environmental and human health problems, H-P, Dell, Lenovo and other electronics OEMs state a lack of practical alternatives keeps them from switching to less controversial flame chemicals.

The news comes two days after legislation to require removal of Deca was introduced in the US House of Representatives. The Decabromine Elimination and Control Act of 200 (H.R. 4394) would ban Deca in all products by the end of 2013.

WASHINGTON – The US House of Representatives has introduced a bill calling for the phase-out of decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca), a common brominated flame-retardant used in most circuit boards.

Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) on Friday introduced The Decabromine Elimination and Control Act of 200 (H.R. 4394), which calls for a ban on Deca in all products, including those designed for children, by the end of 2013.

Deca has been found to remain in the environment and accumulates in food and in people. Critics of the measure say the material is needed because a viable substitute for flame retardance in electrical products like printed circuit boards does not exist.

In a statement, Rep. Pingree said, “The chemical industry hasn’t always lived up to voluntary agreements. This bill will make sure they do.”

BRUSSELS – IPTE will sell its money-losing PCB test division to two company shareholders for 2 million euros ($2.9 million) plus certain additional royalties, the firm announced today.

In a statement, IPTE said it would sell its automation business to Huub Baren and Vladimir Dobosch, whom together own about 34% of IPTE. Baren also is the company's founder.

The terms call for IPTE to receive an additional amount based on the division's profits through December 2012. The sale is subject to shareholder approval and is planned to close in the first quarter 2010.

IPTE plans to take a one-time fourth quarter charge of 17 million to 18 million euros. It is one of Europe's largest EMS companies, with 2008 sales of 166 million euros ($240.7 million), according to the CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY Top 50.