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FEATURES

Printing
Impact of Mesh Size and Stencil Technology on Deposition Volume
A study on the impact on solder volume deposition using Type 3, Type 4 and Type 5 SAC 305 alloy powder in combination with stainless steel laser cut, electroformed and the emerging laser cut nano-coated stencils found that paste chemistry and rheology have a more profound effect on release than previously thought.
by Karl Seelig and Tim O’Neill

Reflow
Practical Thermal Profile Expectations in a Dual-Lane, Dual-Speed Reflow Oven
Now that we have the ability to run different speeds in each lane, recipes must be devised that satisfy both boards. Here, we discuss methods for obtaining such recipes.
by Fred Dimock


SPI
Automated Solder Paste Inspection: A New Look at Stencils
Many assemblers have foisted responsibility for automated inspection and verification onto the stencil vendors, referring to them as “qualified” or “certified” suppliers. In essence, they have placed the fox in charge of the henhouse on a portion of their most critical SMT process. While this practice might look good on paper, it’s rife with potential to backfire and ultimately cost more money than it saves.
by Chrys Shea


EMS Top 50
The Great Rebound of 2010
The electronics manufacturing industry will remember 2010 for many reasons: rampant component shortages (and the rise of counterfeits), the tight financial markets and tense end-market conditions. But mostly, it will be remembered for recovery.
by Mike Buetow

FIRST PERSON

• Caveat Lector
  By a whisker.
  Mike Buetow
  
  
• Talking Heads
  Assembléon’s Andre Papoular.
  Mike Buetow
  
  
  

MONEY MATTERS

• ROI
  Not so golden.
  Peter Bigelow
  

TECH TALK

• Selective Soldering
  X-ray eyes.
  Alan Cable
  

• Tech Tips
  Masked.
  ACI Technologies Inc.

• Defects Database
  Shedding the coating.
  Dr. Davide Di Maio
  

• SMT Troubleshooting
  Solder balls.
  Paul Lotosky
  

• Materials World
  Low pressure molding.
  Jie Bai

• Solar Technologies
  Let’s get small.
  Tom Falcon
  

• Technical Abstracts
  In Case You Missed It.