-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueComing to Terms With AI
In this issue, we examine the profound effect artificial intelligence and machine learning are having on manufacturing and business processes. We follow technology, innovation, and money as automation becomes the new key indicator of growth in our industry.
Box Build
One trend is to add box build and final assembly to your product offering. In this issue, we explore the opportunities and risks of adding system assembly to your service portfolio.
IPC APEX EXPO 2024 Pre-show
This month’s issue devotes its pages to a comprehensive preview of the IPC APEX EXPO 2024 event. Whether your role is technical or business, if you're new-to-the-industry or seasoned veteran, you'll find value throughout this program.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
Book Excerpt: 'The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to...Process Control', Chapter 1
August 9, 2023 | I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 1 minute
Excerpt from: The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to...Process Control
Chapter 1: How Did We Get Here?
Measuring SIR has been in use since at least the 1970s. We are aware that Siemens in Germany and GEC Marconi in the UK both developed SIR test systems that have remarkably similar measurement techniques. In 1987, research commenced to evaluate alternative chemistries to CFCs, such as Freon®, to be used in the cleaning of electronic assemblies. The pressure for this came from the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances responsible for ozone depletion. It was agreed on 16 September 1987 and entered into force on 1 January 1989.
This research was initially conducted by IVF (The Swedish Institute for Production Engineering based in Gothenburg) on behalf of business groups throughout the Baltic territories, and by NPL (The British National Physical Laboratory near London) on behalf of several major electronics businesses in the UK and Ireland. (GEN3 have a library of the majority of papers produced by both groups for anyone who is interested.)
The major obstacle encountered was: how do you assess how clean is clean—especially when the process control tool in use at that time was the ROSE test. The ROSE test, of course, needs to be considered as a cleaning process, so there is overlap and conflict with the cleaning technologies. This was especially problematic when “no-clean” fluxes were introduced, as cleaning was not intended; but, then, how do we measure? This is where SIR testing came into broader use. GEC were the only company who commercialised their equipment—the prototype AutoSIR we manufacture today.
It was in 1990 that the first known effort to implement objective evidence was done by GEC Meters in the UK, by the team under the leadership of B.J. Mason. The resulting paper, “No-clean Flux Appraisal—The Total Process Approach” was published by Circuit World Vol. 20, No. 2, 1994. The industry resolutely continued using the ROSE test for optimum convenience, so much so that it became regarded as the “Cleanliness Test” but…
Continue reading this book by visiting our library here.
Suggested Items
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Circuit Board Testing Strategies and the Impact of AI
05/08/2024 |Editor Marcy LaRont speaks with Bert Horner, president of The Test Connection, about the importance of strategic planning and design-for-test (DFT). Bert touches on some common mistakes that occur when DFT is not adequately considered early on. The discussion outlines an overarching industry need for a culture shift toward increasingly higher levels of integration and collaboration. Bert mentions that AI now has an influence on testing, as everywhere else, and announces his forthcoming book.
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Understanding Objective Evidence in Manufacturing Processes
05/07/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOGraham Naisbitt explains the importance of objective evidence in manufacturing processes, debunking the common misconception that the ROSE test is a cleanliness test. He also discusses the introduction of Rev J, a requirement for measuring ionic contamination on circuit assemblies, and the challenges in accurately measuring contamination. Alternative methods like ion chromatography and the need for updating standards like the ROSE test are mentioned.
U.S. Air Force Secretary Kendall Flies in AI-Piloted X-62A VISTA
05/06/2024 | Lockheed MartinLockheed Martin Skunk Works joined the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and other government and industry partners in hosting U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall to fly in the X-62A Variable In-flight Simulation Test Aircraft (VISTA), a one-of-a-kind aircraft modified to test artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy capabilities.
Real Time with… IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Software Solutions for Circuit Board Challenges
05/03/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPONolan Johnson speaks with Will Webb from Aster Technologies about their software solutions for design teams, manufacturing, test engineers, and process engineers. Aster's software addresses the increasing complexities of circuit boards and the need for alternative testing methods.
Manta Ray UUV Prototype Completes In-Water Testing
05/02/2024 | DARPAThe Manta Ray prototype uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) built by performer Northrop Grumman completed full-scale, in-water testing off the coast of Southern California in February and March 2024.