FEATURES

• The Lean Culture
  'Eyes for Waste'
  Celestica's Global Lean Architect explains why going Lean means persistently asking, Is this something the customer would for pay for?
  Robert Hemmant

• Cover Story
  Interconnects and Their Effect on Automated SMT Placement
  More components than ever can be processed in an automated SMT line. The challenge: to combine the increasing spectrum into a single machine platform to minimize the need for different machine types.
  Frederik Moberg

• Factory Floor Workcells
  Flexible Manufacturing Systems for Wave and Fountain Wave Soldering
  Using unique solder pots for each alloy is a low-cost, highly efficient solution for mid-volume environments.
  Lee Whiteman

• Wire Bonding
  Large Diameter Wire Bonding to Organic Boards
  FR-4 substrates are showing up in high rel products as a cost-effective - and proven - alternative to ceramic.
  Mike McKeown and Gerard O'Brien

• ICT ROI
  The Economics of In-Circuit Testing
  Even small improvements in defect coverage can have a large impact on more expensive downstream verification and diagnosis, repair and retest. A methodology for examining the effect of ICT alternatives on these costs.
  Michael J. Smith

• Final Finishes
  Know Your Final Finish Options
  Pros and cons of the newest alternative finishes.
  Donald Walsh, George Milad and Donald Gudeczauskas

FIRST PERSON

• Caveat Lector
  Proving RoHS compliance.
  Mike Buetow

• Letters

• Talking Heads
  An interview with Qualitek.
  Mike Buetow

MONEY MATTERS

• Focus on Business
  Puzzles with missing pieces.
  Dr. Jonathon Linton

• Global Sourcing
  Don't outsource; automate!
  Michael Sivigny

TECH TALK

• On the Forefront
  More power to you.
  Dr. Ken Gilleo

• Screen Printing
  Lessons from Asia.
  Joe Belmonte

• Better Manufacturing
  Tell me lies.
  Phil Zarrow

• Soldering Tips
  How do Pb-free finishes hold up?
  American Competitiveness Institute

• Wave Soldering
  Design for good solderability.
  Gerjan Diepstraten

• Test and Inspection
  All shook up.
  Wayne Tustin

• Process Doctor
  Selective soldering's residual effects.
  Terry Munson

• Equipment Advances
  EVS's dross recovery system.

• Technical Abstracts

DEPARTMENTS

Industry News
Market Watch
Assembly Insider
Ad Index
AT Expo and Nepcon South China Product Previews

On the cover: Tips on which nozzles work with certain parts. (Photo courtesy Mydata Automation AB)