FEATURES

• Business Management
  When to Outsource Rework
  The cost savings can be compelling. But how do you ensure that quality levels are maintained?
  Bob Wettermann

• Cover Story
  Calibrating the Value of Execution Speed
  Three case studies show why American manufacturing remains viable for unit assembly because the combination of project requirements makes for competitive total costs when balanced against lead times, business model preferences and support.
  Bruce Kolek and Bill Fraker

• Trends in Placement
  Building in Clusters
  How intelligent feeders and better software are cutting changeover time.
  Gerry Padnos

• Pb-Free Rework
  Pb-Free Rework Differences and Practices
  No lead means using four heating zones and one cooling zone for reflow.
  Zulki Khan

• Process Change
  Switching to Pb-Free
  The gritty details of changes needed in PCB materials and components.
  Markus Walter

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

• Process Validation
  Auditing an EMS Firm for Pb-free Capability
  Knowing your pre-audit needs can save time and costs during the site visit.
  Bob Willis

FIRST PERSON

• Caveat Lector
  Pb-free process standards.
  Mike Buetow

• Talking Heads
  Celestica’s CEO Craig Muhlhauser.
  Mike Buetow

MONEY MATTERS

• Global Sourcing
  The tricks of global trade.
  Greg Papandrew

TECH TALK

• On the Forefront
  A perfect match?
  Dr. Ken Gilleo

• Screen Printing
  Characterizing machine specs.
  Joe Belmonte

• Better Manufacturing
  Pb-free or die!
  Phil Zarrow

• Soldering Tips
  Soldering SAC-finished components with SnPb.
  Lee Whiteman

• Wave Soldering
  Solderability and joint design.
  Ursula Marquez

• Countdown to Lead-Free
  Components and alloys, part 1.
  Dr. Ning-Cheng Lee

• Process Doctor
  Untrapping flux under PQFNs.
  Terry Munson

• Software Advances
  Direct Logix’s new DfM tool.

• Technical Abstracts

DEPARTMENTS

Industry News
Market Watch
Assembly Insider
Productronica Product Preview
Ad Index

On the cover: Brainy ideas for U.S. manufacturers. (Cover photo courtesy of Reptron)