Tech Articles

Conformal coatings are protective lacquers used within the electronics industry to protect printed circuit boards (PCBs) and eliminate failures caused by exposure to a variety of environmental conditions. Such conditions can include airborne ionic material, atmospheric moisture and the electrostatic attraction of dust. In more challenging environments however protection from chemicals, extreme humidity or even corrosive atmospheres, such as salt mist, may be required. The coatings are designed to ‘conform’ to the contours of the board, protecting all areas to which they are applied and thereby extended the working life of the PCB.

Package On Package PoP assembly is new to many engineers. PoP introduces different processes, materials and challenges, which will undoubtedly highlight some process defects. The trick with any new production process is to gain as much hands on practical experience as possible. It’s great fun seeing engineers presented with a PCB, PoP components, tub of dip paste and rubber gloves!! Much better than looking at a computer screen all day and a better learning experience? Talking of education in cooperation with Electronics Production World we are running online seminars on PoP Technology along with many other webinars, details are available by clicking

As the leading innovator of vapor phase technology since 1996, R&D Technical Services provides equipment for numerous markets including SMT reflow, lead-free reflow, curing, drying, mechanical attachment and plastic package testing. With its new division “Vapor Works,” R&D is responsible for the world’s first Vapor Phase Rework System.

The production of key products such as color TVs, mobile phones, electronics components and ICs in China continues to rise, which makes Shenzhen’s electronics information industry amongst the most important in the country. The output value of the city’s electronics manufacturing sector in the first quarter of 2010 was RMB 204.6 billion (USD 30.2 billion). This represents an increase of 18.6% year on year. A growth rate that outstrips that of other large and medium-size cities in China.

Before any PCB design goes to even the prototyping stage, the engineers at Electronic Interconnect (EI) subject that design to a number of reviews and checks to make sure that the PCB that the customer requests can actually be built. Quite often, designers will submit the artwork for a PCB that is superb in concept, but may not be compatible with the limits of the manufacturing process, explains Shehryar Abbasi of EI’s Engineering Department. Beyond that, a PCB design may also create issues for the assembly stage, such as a lack of solder mask between component leads that might cause bridging and shorts during the soldering process, when components are attached to the bare board. All of these things must be looked at, Abbasi says, in light of DFM: Design for Manufacturability and DRC: Design Rule Check principles and limitations. “We don’t run files ‘as is’; every board that we make initially goes through a comprehensive DFM check” Abbasi says.

The Tower automatic SMD storage system can be placed next to the pick-and-place system. At Schindler Elettronica SA and Microdul AG, the Tower SMD storage system saves significant machine setup time. The automatic storage system not only reduces storage and transfer times, but also simplifies logistics and always can locate components. Regardless if the Tower is used in a production or a development environment, component storage is well organized.

Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading event organizer, with more than 440 events in 36 countries. In 2009, Reed brought together over six million active event participants from around the world, generating billions of dollars in business. Today, Reed events are held throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and organized by 35 fully staffed offices.

Since 1982, STI Electronics, Inc. (STI) has been the premier full service organization for training, consulting, laboratory analysis, prototyping, and small- to medium-volume PCB assembly in the electronics industry. STI also produces a complete line of solder training kits and training support products. Additionally, the company distributes products for the electronics and industrial markets.

Based in Meridian, Idaho, Computrol is a world-class provider of electronics manufacturing services to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Using state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment and processes, as well as highly skilled people, Computrol focuses on prototyping and low- to medium-volume, high-mix production of PCB, box build, cable harness, and backplane assemblies. The company serves customers from two facilities (Meridian, Idaho and Orem, Utah), in a total of 105,000 sq. ft.

Traditional SMT assembly is a two dimensional process. Each component is placed on the same horizontal plane in different X and Y locations. In Package on Package (PoP) assembly, components are placed on successively higher layers. Since components are stacked on top of each other, traditional solder paste printing cannot be used. The typical SMT method to print solder paste can only be used to print paste on a single horizontal plane.

For around 130 years we have used the light bulb, which now is close to extinction. The EC experts at Brussels have agreed to gradually take light bulbs out of the market because of their high energy consumption. Since September 2009, 100 watt bulbs may no longer be sold within the EC. From September 1st, 2012 the end will finally have come for all other bulbs of lower wattage. As an alternative only energy-saving lamps will be available for sale; these are much more expensive when purchased, but offer a much longer service life. Besides conventional energy-saving bulbs the light emitting diode (LED) is coming forth more and more as both an energy-saving and time efficient technology.

MARTIN GmbH, based in Wessling, Germany, has been developing, manufacturing and selling Rework and Dispensing systems for the repair and production of electronic assemblies for almost 30 years. MARTIN is among the leading suppliers of rework, reballing and dispensing technologies, providing innovative, cost-sensitive solutions. We recently caught up with Scott Rushia, sales manager, to find out what’s new with MARTIN GmbH.

Everett Charles Technologies, a subsidiary of Dover Corporation (NYSE: DOV), is a leading manufacturer of electrical test products and services, including semiconductor test products, bare-board automatic test systems, Pogo® test contacts, and bare and loaded PCB test fixtures. ECT manufacturing, service, and support facilities are located throughout Asia, the United States, and Europe. The Fixture and Services Group (FSG) drives the standard for board level manufacturing test. The group provides support for Supply Chain and Product/Project Managers with sales, programming, engineering, manufacturing and service centers in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Essemtec, the Swiss manufacturer of production systems, will debut a world's first at SMT Nuremberg, Germany: The SMD pick-and place-machine, Cobra. Innovative technology and new materials make Cobra one of today's most modern and accurate machines worldwide. With this machine, Essemtec is targeting a new customer segment.

ProWorks is a division of Everett Charles Technologies (ECT), and the leading developer and manager of print and electronic work instructions. ECT is a leader in the development of advanced technology board test products holding more than 100 patents. A manufacturing powerhouse, ECT has broadened its business through acquisition and managed growth to include international manufacturing of capital equipment (bare board test systems and flying probe systems), bare and loaded board fixturing and test services, and most recently, equipment, sockets and performance boards for semiconductor test operations.

Bliss Industries offers a wide variety of ESD-safe products for industries specializing in lean electronics manufacturing. Our carts and racks safely store fragile PC boards, SMT feeders, fixtures, tooling and inventory. They protect them from damage and factory abuse with a heavy duty welded tubular steel frame. For more than 30 years, Bliss has been the leader in SMT cart-based manufacturing systems, increasing uptime and throughput. Bliss provides expert process engineering support, as well as custom cart engineering.

atg Luther & Maelzer GmbH, headquartered in Wertheim, Germany, is a global leader, supplying electrical test solutions for the bare printed circuit and package market for more than 30 years. atg-LM has sales and service facilities in every major region with manufacturing locations in Germany and China.

Count On Tools Inc., a precision component manufacturer specializing in all aspects of the machining industry, has been a manufacturer of high-quality, low-cost pick-and-place nozzles and associated components for the SMT and electronics manufacturing industries for 19 years. Proven engineering expertise, coupled with its commitment to manufacturing excellence and investment in the latest production equipment, ensures that innovation and competitiveness is applied to all of its extensive product range.

Sono-Tek is the world leader in the development and application of ultrasonic coating systems for electronics and advanced energy applications. Compared to conventional pressure spraying methods, the company’s ultrasonic nozzles do not clog, and reduce liquid usage, waste, and environmental impact while achieving much more precise, uniform, thin film coatings. Sono-Tek is continually developing new applications for its unique technology, replacing wasteful practices in a world that is growing ever more environmentally sensitive.

While developing the Paraquda, the new SMD placement machine from Essemtec, the engineers have built in the best and most accurate components that today's drive and measurement technology has to offer. The result is a machine that sets new industry standards with its speed, its ease of use, its reliability and its application range.