Our newest column is not just informative, it’s interactive.

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has created an interactive assembly and soldering defect database (http://defectsdatabase.npl.co.uk/), allowing searches through a range of defects covering components, printed circuit boards and assemblies. The aim is to add more process, material and environmental defects each month to complement online submissions from Circuits Assembly readers.

The database will take time to populate with defects, but with worldwide cooperation and the introduction of defect types from research studies across Europe, this will result in a unique resource. We are very excited about our cooperation with Circuits Assembly and support from the SMTA. We hope this interactive tool will help engineers solve problems and obtain practical advice, day or night. A practical benefit is its online global availability 24/7 as a reference and training resource.

Future columns will show such defects as white residue rings on BGA joints, copper separation on PCBs, and conformal coating cracks. Each column will include photos of the defect, plus possible causes.

Here, Figure 1 shows the front page of the NPL Defects Database. Engineers can search the database by defect, process, alloy type, etc. Alternatively, if the defect is not available, a photograph may be submitted with ease.


Figure 2 shows an example of one of the defects found after a search of the database, providing information on the defect, how it occurred and possible corrective action.


Figure 3 highlights how selecting the image provides a larger view of the defect and the opportunity to print out the results for shop floor staff and discussion with other engineers and suppliers.


The NPL Industry Defects Database is now available to allow Circuits Assembly readers to search for solutions to common problems, or to submit defects online with full details for the purpose of requesting or sharing advice and possible solutions to process issues or failures. We welcome your comments and contributions.

Dr. Davide Di Maio is with the National Physical Laboratory Industry and Innovation division (npl.co.uk); defectsdatabase@npl.co.uk.