Flexible Thinking: The Key to a Successful Flex Circuit Design Transfer
Happy’s Tech Talk #29: Bend-to-Install Semi-flex FR-4
TopLine Introduces Braided Columns as Drop-in Replacement for BGA Solder Balls
June 17, 2024 | TopLineEstimated reading time: 1 minute
TopLine Corporation announces the introduction of braided solder columns as a drop-in replacement for solder spheres used in Ball Grid Array (BGA) components. “Traditional Ball Grid Array (BGA) spheres have a history of failing in large sized BGA packages due to thermal stress and CTE mismatch,” TopLine CEO Martin Hart states.
Recognizing this weakness, TopLine has developed a family of Braided Solder Columns especially suited for cryogenic environments and next generation applications, replacing solder balls on IC packages of varying sizes. These columns provide improved reliability and thermal properties over competing technologies. Solder balls and heritage copper wrapped solder columns are not equal to the task. Hart already holds multiple patents in the field of column grid arrays.
This new generation of non-collapsible, RoHS compliant Lead-Free Copper Braided Solder Columns are designed to absorb destructive strain caused by differences in the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) of materials between large sized heterogeneous 2.5D packages and FR4 printed circuit boards (PCB). This novel solder column technology is intended to replace solder balls typically found on ball grid array (BGA) packages as literally a drop-in replacement.
These next generation non-collapsible lead-free copper braided solder columns absorb destructive strain (stress) caused by differences in CTE between the chip package and the PCB. Its cylindrical shape and mechanical compliancy enable solder columns to support large packages, analogous to the way palm trees flex on a windy day without breaking. “With the industry trending to design larger and larger heterogeneous 2.5D BGA packages to meet the massive processing needs of AI and data centers,” Hart says, “BGA packages have an increasing potential for solder balls to crack and delaminate, resulting in catastrophic failure of the system. These new columns can prevent that stress-induced damage.”
Share on:
Suggested Items
KYZEN to Highlight Stencil and Cleaning Solutions at SMTA Monterrey
03/27/2025 | KYZEN'KYZEN, the global leader in innovative environmentally friendly cleaning chemistries, will exhibit at the SMTA Monterrey Expo & Tech Forum scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 10 at the Cintermex Convention Center in Monterrey, Nuevo León. KYZEN cleaning experts will be on-site highlighting stencil cleaning chemistries KYZEN E5631J and CYBERSOLV C8882.
Indium to Showcase Proven EV Products and High-Reliability Alloys at Productronica China
03/26/2025 | Indium CorporationAs a global materials supplier and trusted partner in electric vehicle (EV) and e-Mobility manufacturing, Indium Corporation® is proud to showcase its high-reliability alloys and soldering solutions at Productronica China, March 26-28, in Shanghai, China.
SolderKing Enhances Brainboxes' Electronics Manufacturing with Expert Support and Advanced Materials
03/26/2025 | SolderKingIn modern electronics manufacturing, success relies on more than high-quality soldering materials. Technical knowledge and process expertise are just as crucial for achieving consistent results. SolderKing, a leading UK manufacturer, provides both, combining advanced consumables with specialist support to help manufacturers optimise their soldering processes.
AIM to Highlight Type 5 Solder and Other Leading Products at SMTA Monterrey Expo & Tech Forum
03/20/2025 | AIM SolderAIM Solder, a leading global manufacturer of solder assembly materials for the electronics industry, is pleased to announce its participation in the upcoming SMTA Monterrey Expo & Tech Forum taking place on April 10 at Cintermex in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
Hentec Industries/RPS Automation to Showcase Valence 2508 at IPC Expo 2025
03/17/2025 | Hentec Industries/RPS AutomationThe Valence 2508 Selective Soldering System is engineered for high-mix, high-volume, advanced PCB production. It supports boards ranging from 25 x 25 mm to 559 x 559 mm (1 x 1 in. to 22 x 22 in.), with a maximum processing area of 508 x 508 mm (20 x 20 in.).