Electronics Manufacturing Technical Articles
Papers and articles related to SMT, PCB & EMS industry.
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1115 SMT / PCB Assembly Related Technical Articles
With numerous facilities in the United States, we are one of the electronics industry's leading manufacturers of lead-free solder products, superior quality stencils, and precision cut parts.
Greeley, Colorado, USA
Power Interfaces
Oct 07, 2019 | ACI Technologies, Inc.
Power interfaces are required when external power sources like solar panels, fuel cells, or batteries are used to generate power for electrical devices. There are two major power interfaces commonly used, direct current to direct current (DC/DC) converters and direct current to alternating current (DC/AC) inverters. While both interfaces are designed to convert from variable DC inputs, they output to different power standards and power levels that are used in different applications....
Publisher: ACI Technologies, Inc. 
ACI, an authorized IPC Training Center operating the National Electronics Manufacturing Center of Excellence providing analytical testing, manufacturing and repair services to the electronics industry.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Design, IPC Standards Certification Center, Consultant, Service Provider, Training Provider
Leading provider of full-field metrology solutions for substrates and packages in the OEM/CEM/SATS/PCB segments of the microelectronics industry.
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Cleanliness/Corrosion Mitigation
Sep 27, 2019 | ACI Technologies, Inc.
One of the most critical factors in preventing corrosion from occurring in electronics is maintaining the state of cleanliness. This is not an easy feat to achieve. Corrosion is defined as the deterioration of a material or its properties due to a reaction of that material with its chemical environment. [1] So, to prevent corrosion from occurring, either the material or the chemical environment must be adjusted. Adjusting the material usually means application of a protective coating or replacing a more reactive material with a less reactive material. Adjusting the chemical environment usually means removing ionic species through cleaning, and removing moisture, usually with a conformal coating or hermetic package. Ionic species and moisture are problematic because they form an electrolyte which is able to conduct ions and electricity. Any metal that comes into contact with the electrolyte can begin to corrode....
Publisher: ACI Technologies, Inc.
ACI, an authorized IPC Training Center operating the National Electronics Manufacturing Center of Excellence providing analytical testing, manufacturing and repair services to the electronics industry.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Design, IPC Standards Certification Center, Consultant, Service Provider, Training Provider
Symor Instrument Equipment Co.,Ltd
Climatest Symor® is the leading environmental simulation testing equipment manufacturer in China established in 2001, located at Dayang Industrial Park,Hefei,China.
Hefei, China
Lackwerke Peters has progressively evolved into one of, if not the market leader for coating materials for assembled pcbs / flat packs in Europe, which includes renowned companies from aviation and aerospace technolog
Kempen, Germany
Seamark ZM PCB BGA X-ray Inspection system Equipment -14 years experience in SMT field, Our experience will provide good solutions. X-Ray Inspection, BGA reworks tation,Full auto X ray SMD component machine
Shenzhen, China, China
Seamark ZM PCB BGA X-ray Inspection system Equipment -14 years experience in SMT field, Our experience will provide good solutions. X-Ray Inspection, BGA reworks tation,Full auto X ray SMD component machine
Shenzhen, China, China
Non-Destructive Test Methods
Sep 23, 2019 | ACI Technologies, Inc.
Failure analysis (FA), by its very nature, is needed only when things goawry. Before any testing is performed on the sample, a decision mustbe made as to whether or not the sample is allowed to be destroyedin the process of testing. Non-destructive testing can allow for re-use of the assembly since the functionality is not altered, but there still remains the possibility that inadvertent damage can occur through the course of the analysis. If non-destructive testing is preferred, then the following types of analysis can be performed. The testing can be divided into four categories: visual, X-ray (X-ray imaging and X-ray fluorescence), cleanliness (resistivity of solvent extract, ion chromatography, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), and mechanical (non-destructive wire bond pull)....
Publisher: ACI Technologies, Inc.
ACI, an authorized IPC Training Center operating the National Electronics Manufacturing Center of Excellence providing analytical testing, manufacturing and repair services to the electronics industry.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Design, IPC Standards Certification Center, Consultant, Service Provider, Training Provider
Seamark ZM PCB BGA X-ray Inspection system Equipment -14 years experience in SMT field, Our experience will provide good solutions. X-Ray Inspection, BGA reworks tation,Full auto X ray SMD component machine
Shenzhen, China, China
One of the world's leading suppliers of integrated production systems, chemistry, equipment, know-how and service for electroplating, semiconductor and printed circuit board manufacturing.
Berlin, Germany
Manufacturer of Assembly Material, Manufacturer of Components, Components/Substrates
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Sewate professionally produce ESD protective packaging systems such as ic shipping tubes, plastic anti static ic tubes,, carrier tape, cover tape and reel for electronic component
Shenzhen, China
Virtual Manufacturing
Sep 16, 2019 | ACI Technologies, Inc.
“What is Virtual Manufacturing?” The simplest answer is a manufacturing simulation using a computer. The more complete answer is that virtual manufacturing is the process of designing a model of a real system and conducting experiments with this model for the purpose of understanding the behavior of the system. In today’s complex manufacturing environment, processes must be completely understood before implementation in order to “get it right the first time.” To achieve this goal, the use of a virtual environment is essential for simulating individual manufacturing processes and the total manufacturing system. By driving compatibility between the product design and the assembly plant process, these virtual tools enable the early optimization of cost, quality, and time to help achieve integrated products, process and resource design, and affordability....
Publisher: ACI Technologies, Inc.
ACI, an authorized IPC Training Center operating the National Electronics Manufacturing Center of Excellence providing analytical testing, manufacturing and repair services to the electronics industry.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Design, IPC Standards Certification Center, Consultant, Service Provider, Training Provider
Seamark ZM PCB BGA X-ray Inspection system Equipment -14 years experience in SMT field, Our experience will provide good solutions. X-Ray Inspection, BGA reworks tation,Full auto X ray SMD component machine
Shenzhen, China, China
Seamark ZM PCB BGA X-ray Inspection system Equipment -14 years experience in SMT field, Our experience will provide good solutions. X-Ray Inspection, BGA reworks tation,Full auto X ray SMD component machine
Shenzhen, China, China
Seamark ZM PCB BGA X-ray Inspection system Equipment -14 years experience in SMT field, Our experience will provide good solutions. X-Ray Inspection, BGA reworks tation,Full auto X ray SMD component machine
Shenzhen, China, China
Seamark ZM PCB BGA X-ray Inspection system Equipment -14 years experience in SMT field, Our experience will provide good solutions. X-Ray Inspection, BGA reworks tation,Full auto X ray SMD component machine
Shenzhen, China, China
With its broad product range LPKF is one of the world market leaders in the "in-house rapid PCB prototyping" and "StencilLaser" services
Tualatin, Oregon, USA
A technology leader in the world's fastest growing markets, helping connect power, data and signal in everything from automotive and aerospace to broadband communications, consumer, energy and industrial applications.
Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Manufacturer of Components, IPC Standards Certification Center, Training Provider
Microscopy in Failure Analysis
Sep 03, 2019 | ACI Technologies, Inc.
Both optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are powerful tools for failure analysis in electronics and are used for low and high magnification examination. This article will provide detailed, step by step information for examining solder joints....
Publisher: ACI Technologies, Inc.
ACI, an authorized IPC Training Center operating the National Electronics Manufacturing Center of Excellence providing analytical testing, manufacturing and repair services to the electronics industry.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Design, IPC Standards Certification Center, Consultant, Service Provider, Training Provider
Sewate professionally produce ESD protective packaging systems such as ic shipping tubes, plastic anti static ic tubes,, carrier tape, cover tape and reel for electronic component
Shenzhen, China
University of Exeter, College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences
The College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences comprises seven unique subject areas: Computer Science, Engineering, Geology, Mathematics, Mining and Minerals Engineering, Physics and Astronomy and Renewable Energy.
Exeter, United Kingdom
Sewate professionally produce ESD protective packaging systems such as ic shipping tubes, plastic anti static ic tubes,, carrier tape, cover tape and reel for electronic component
Shenzhen, China
Symor Instrument Equipment Co.,Ltd
Climatest Symor® is the leading environmental simulation testing equipment manufacturer in China established in 2001, located at Dayang Industrial Park,Hefei,China.
Hefei, China
Automated Testing with Boundary Scan
Aug 19, 2019 | ACI Technologies, Inc.
Boundary scan is a method for testing interconnects on printed circuit boards (PCBs) or sub-blocks inside an integrated circuit. It has rapidly become the technology of choice for building reliable high technology electronic products with a high degree of testability. Due to the low-cost and integrated circuit (IC) level access capabilities of boundary scan, its use has expanded beyond traditional board test applications into product design and service....
Publisher: ACI Technologies, Inc.
ACI, an authorized IPC Training Center operating the National Electronics Manufacturing Center of Excellence providing analytical testing, manufacturing and repair services to the electronics industry.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Design, IPC Standards Certification Center, Consultant, Service Provider, Training Provider
A leading international electronic supplier of components and connectors with worldwide manufacturing facilities, offering the world's broadest selection of passive electronic components.
Fountain Inn, South Carolina, USA
Cleaning Flux Residue under Leadless Components using Objective Evidence to Determine Cleaning Performance
Aug 14, 2019 | Mike Bixenman - KYZEN Corporation, Vladimir Sitko, Pavel Hub - PBT Works
Cleanliness is a product of design, including component density, standoff height and the cleaning equipment’s ability to deliver the cleaning agent to the source of residue. The presence of manufacturing process soil, such as flux residue, incompletely activated flux, incompletely cured solder masks, debris from handling and processing fixtures, and incomplete removal of cleaning fluids can hinder the functional lifetime of the product. Contaminates trapped under a component are more problematic to failure. Advanced test methods are needed to obtain "objective evidence" for removing flux residues under leadless components.</p><p>Cleaning process performance is a function of cleaning capacity and defined cleanliness. Cleaning performance can be influenced by the PCB design, cleaning material, cleaning machine, reflow conditions and a wide range of process parameters.</p><p>This research project is designed to study visual flux residues trapped under the bottom termination of leadless components. This paper will research a non-destructive visual method that can be used to study the cleanability of solder pastes, cleaning material effectiveness for the soil, cleaning machine effectiveness and process parameters needed to render a clean part....
Publisher: KYZEN Corporation
A leading supplier of precision cleaning chemistries to the worldwide electronics, metal finishing, medical, semiconductor, and optical industries.
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Sewate professionally produce ESD protective packaging systems such as ic shipping tubes, plastic anti static ic tubes,, carrier tape, cover tape and reel for electronic component
Shenzhen, China
Offers training software and videos. Also on site training and seminars that qualify for CEUs to maintenance, engineering and management professionals.
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Consultant, Publication or Online Resource, Service Provider, Software Manufacturer, Training Provider
Selective Soldering and the Modular Approach
Aug 08, 2019 | ACI Technologies, Inc.
High mix production is the mainstay of many electronics assembly plants. Lot sizes and board complexities vary and the boards are often mixed technology, comprising a blend of both surface mount and through-hole technology. Modularizing a production line enables a clear distinction between one type of assembly process and another. This article assumes a modern factory where a job can be routed to the selective soldering machine module, the hand assembly bench, or a combination of both. The decision rules of routing a circuit board through hand assembly versus automated selective soldering are discussed. Hand assembly soldering operations require no explanation....
Publisher: ACI Technologies, Inc.
ACI, an authorized IPC Training Center operating the National Electronics Manufacturing Center of Excellence providing analytical testing, manufacturing and repair services to the electronics industry.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Design, IPC Standards Certification Center, Consultant, Service Provider, Training Provider
Alpha Assembly Solutions is a world leader in the development, manufacturing, and sales of innovative materials used in the assembly electronics, industrial joining and Photo Voltaic market places.
South Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
Seamark ZM PCB BGA X-ray Inspection system Equipment -14 years experience in SMT field, Our experience will provide good solutions. X-Ray Inspection, BGA reworks tation,Full auto X ray SMD component machine
Shenzhen, China, China
Attaching Fiber Optic Modules
Aug 01, 2019 | ACI Technologies, Inc.
Optical fibers transmit information in the form of pulses of light. The advantages of optical fibers over traditional copper wires include: higher throughput, greater signal distance and speed, smaller cable mass and diameter, greater pull tension limit, and resistance to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference(RFI). The disadvantages of fiber optics when compared to copper wires include: end-face defects, cleanliness, and the ease of attaching connectors to electronics assemblies (Figure 1)....
Publisher: ACI Technologies, Inc.
ACI, an authorized IPC Training Center operating the National Electronics Manufacturing Center of Excellence providing analytical testing, manufacturing and repair services to the electronics industry.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Design, IPC Standards Certification Center, Consultant, Service Provider, Training Provider
The JPL is the lead U.S. center for robotic exploration of the solar system, and conducts major programs in space-based Earth sciences and astronomy.
Pasadena, California, USA
Conformal Coating Processes
Jul 29, 2019 | ACI Technologies, Inc.
ACI Technologies can assist its users with process development and experimentation through the use of the conformal coating capabilities in the Demonstration Factory. Four types of coating processes are available at ACI Technologies: dip coating, manual spray coating, programmable spray coating, and manual brush application. (Manual brush application will not be discussed in this article.)...
Publisher: ACI Technologies, Inc.
ACI, an authorized IPC Training Center operating the National Electronics Manufacturing Center of Excellence providing analytical testing, manufacturing and repair services to the electronics industry.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Design, IPC Standards Certification Center, Consultant, Service Provider, Training Provider
Sewate professionally produce ESD protective packaging systems such as ic shipping tubes, plastic anti static ic tubes,, carrier tape, cover tape and reel for electronic component
Shenzhen, China
Solder pastes, solder preforms, solder spheres, soldering fluxes, electrically-conductive adhesives. All alloys: tin-lead, lead-free, indium alloys, and more.
Utica, New York, USA
The leading provider of award winning bond testing equipment and continues to invest significantly in research and development to remain at the cutting edge of bond tester technology.
Aylesbury. Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
A Systematic Approach to RoHS Analysis
Jul 19, 2019 | ACI Technologies, Inc.
One of the most frequently asked questions of ACI Technologies (ACI) is how to qualify and verify that the electronic systems shipped by their respective companies are Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliant. The RoHS directive has been implemented since July of 2006, and the preoccupation with what constitutes a compliant product continues to confuse the electronic industry. ACI receives countless inquiries regarding how to qualify and verify that the electronic systems shipped by the irrespective companies are RoHS compliant. The approach to proving compliancy requires a sequential analytical process that utilizes a decision flow chart....
Publisher: ACI Technologies, Inc.
ACI, an authorized IPC Training Center operating the National Electronics Manufacturing Center of Excellence providing analytical testing, manufacturing and repair services to the electronics industry.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Design, IPC Standards Certification Center, Consultant, Service Provider, Training Provider
Seamark ZM PCB BGA X-ray Inspection system Equipment -14 years experience in SMT field, Our experience will provide good solutions. X-Ray Inspection, BGA reworks tation,Full auto X ray SMD component machine
Shenzhen, China, China
MacDermid is a global provider of specialty chemicals for the most complex printed circuit board designs. We specialize in the areas of final finishes, through-hole metallization, and circuit formation.
Waterbury, Connecticut, USA
Design of Experimentation for Affordability
Jul 11, 2019 | ACI Technologies, Inc.
Affordability is not exactly the primary word which comes to mind when discussing the use of design of experiments (DOE) principles, but is generally accepted as a necessary part of the engineering activities required in the development of a product or process. However, a number of studies have indicated that the cost savings derived from a well deliberated experimental design can be substantial in the initial stages where the conditions or parameters of a process are determined. Some studies have shown a greater than 50% cost savings compared to the more conventional means of trial and error approaches to process development. At ACI Technologies (ACI), we have found the use of DOE techniques fundamental in eliminating extraneous costs otherwise spent on unnecessary testing....
Publisher: ACI Technologies, Inc.
ACI, an authorized IPC Training Center operating the National Electronics Manufacturing Center of Excellence providing analytical testing, manufacturing and repair services to the electronics industry.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Design, IPC Standards Certification Center, Consultant, Service Provider, Training Provider
Void Reduction in Bottom Terminated Components Using Vacuum Assisted Reflow
Jul 10, 2019 | M. Barnes, D.W. Lee, D. Heller - Heller Industries, M.Holtzer, T. Cucu - Alpha Assembly Solutions, J. Fudala, J. Renda - MacDermid Enthone Electronic Solutions
Pockets of gas, or voids, trapped in the solder interface between discrete power management devices and circuit assemblies are, unfortunately, excellent insulators, or barriers to thermal conductivity. This resistance to heat flow reduces the electrical efficiency of these devices, reducing battery life and expected functional life time of electronic assemblies. There is also a corresponding increase in current density (as the area for current conduction is reduced) that generates additional heat, further leading to performance degradation....
Publisher: Heller Industries Inc. 
Reflow ovens for automated SMT PCB assembly, specializing in lead free processing and nitrogen reflow. The best convection reflow ovens on the market.
Florham Park, New Jersey, USA
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Jul 05, 2019 | ACI Technologies, Inc.
Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy exists as one of the most powerful techniques for chemical identification and the most practical for “first step” analysis. Analytical instrumentation such as GC-MS and LC-MS are commonly used for identifying organic compounds. However, these techniques are costly and often require extensive set up time, method development, and sample alteration. Reliance upon FTIR as a robust and versatile tool can be based on its attributes of simplicity, speed, sensitivity, and affordability....
Publisher: ACI Technologies, Inc.
ACI, an authorized IPC Training Center operating the National Electronics Manufacturing Center of Excellence providing analytical testing, manufacturing and repair services to the electronics industry.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Design, IPC Standards Certification Center, Consultant, Service Provider, Training Provider
Global manufacturer of XPM Reflow Ovens, ZEVA Selective Soldering and Delta Wave Soldering Equipment.
Camdenton, Missouri, USA
Manufacturer of Assembly Equipment, Soldering, Selective Soldering
Computer Aided Design, Manufacturing, and Engineering
Jul 01, 2019 | ACI Technologies, Inc.
In the electronics industry of today, companies emphasize better quality, lower cost, and shorter lead time on their products in order to keep up with their competitors. ACI Technologies (ACI) has been utilizing Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing(CAM), and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) in its development of advanced electronics systems. CAD utilizes computer systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, and optimization of a design [1]....
Publisher: ACI Technologies, Inc.
ACI, an authorized IPC Training Center operating the National Electronics Manufacturing Center of Excellence providing analytical testing, manufacturing and repair services to the electronics industry.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Design, IPC Standards Certification Center, Consultant, Service Provider, Training Provider
Seamark ZM PCB BGA X-ray Inspection system Equipment -14 years experience in SMT field, Our experience will provide good solutions. X-Ray Inspection, BGA reworks tation,Full auto X ray SMD component machine
Shenzhen, China, China
MacDermid is a global provider of specialty chemicals for the most complex printed circuit board designs. We specialize in the areas of final finishes, through-hole metallization, and circuit formation.
Waterbury, Connecticut, USA
Manufacturing Cost Reduction through Automation
Jun 24, 2019 | ACI Technologies, Inc.
Defense systems and its manufacturers are often blamed for not embracing new and innovative technologies to manufacture products compared to its commercial counterparts. Commercial product manufacturers are known to think “outside the box” in coming up with new products which are cheaper, have fewer parts, and easier to manufacture using automation. Automation leads to consistent quality products which are reliable and reproducible. Implementing some of these producibility design practices into defense systems will greatly reduce the cost and insertion time for new products....
Publisher: ACI Technologies, Inc.
ACI, an authorized IPC Training Center operating the National Electronics Manufacturing Center of Excellence providing analytical testing, manufacturing and repair services to the electronics industry.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Design, IPC Standards Certification Center, Consultant, Service Provider, Training Provider
Investigation of Through-Hole Capacitor Parts Failures Following Vibration and Stress Testing
Jun 21, 2019 | ACI Technologies, Inc.
Recently, an ACI Technologies (ACI) customer called to discuss failures that they had observed with some through-hole capacitor parts. The components were experiencing failures following vibration and accelerated stress testing. Upon receipt of the samples, ACI performed three levels of inspection and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) testing to investigate the root cause of the failures. These analyses enabled ACI to verify the elements comprising the solder joints and make the following recommendations in order to prevent future occurrences. The first inspection was to investigate the capacitor leads using optical microscopy, and no anomalies were found that could indicate bad parts from the vendor or improper handling prior to assembly. However, vertical fill in the barrel of the plated through-holes was too close to the IPC-A-610 minimum specification of 75% to determine a pass/fail condition, and therefore required further investigation....
Publisher: ACI Technologies, Inc.
ACI, an authorized IPC Training Center operating the National Electronics Manufacturing Center of Excellence providing analytical testing, manufacturing and repair services to the electronics industry.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Design, IPC Standards Certification Center, Consultant, Service Provider, Training Provider
