Ray's Articles

What are bottom termination components (BTCs)? You may not know the term BTC, but expect to hear about them,...

Some suppliers are promoting their patented Sn-Cu (tin-copper, melting point 228C) lead free alloys with trace amounts of magic...

The pick-and-place machine is the most important piece of manufacturing equipment on an SMT line. Typically, surface mount pick...

All soldering processes have specific design for manufacturing (DfM) requirements. For example, via-in-pad is not desired in reflow to...

Since we have been in SMT for more than two decades in high-volume productionSince we have been in SMT for...

Our industry has adapted to and thrived on numerous changes in 25 years — from thru-hole to surface mount; wave...

Vapor phase soldering (VPS), also known as condensation soldering, has gone through changes in popularity. It was the process of...

As discussed in my February column, to accommodate constraints imposed by large components with high thermal mass requiring higher peaktemperature...

With tin/lead there has been total industry unanimity about the composition of solder to be used — eutectic solder with...

No matter where you stand on the wisdom of lead free directive by the European Union and their numerous followers...

Most companies attempt to achieve higher yield in SMT products through trial and error at considerable expense and frustration. Even...

No matter where you stand on the wisdom of the EU’s leadfree directive, and the numerous followers across the globe...

There is no other requirement as confusing and muddled in our industry as the definition of cleanliness of an electronics...

As I stated in my December 2004 column, the definition of cleanliness of an electronics assembly board may be one...

If you happen to be in the market for selective soldering systems, there are lots of choices. However, before settling...

Two cores are better than one. Why? Intel says so. It has to do with hitting the brick wall in...

I visit India every year for personal reasons, but tend to teach a class or two while I am there....

Ball grid array (BGA) is widely used because of its inherent advantage in producing overall lower defects. However, one defect...

The solder profile, also known as thermal profile, is a key variable in the manufacturing process that significantly impacts product...

The solder profile, also known as thermal profile, is a key variable in the manufacturing process that significantly impacts product...

Any money spent on inspection, test and repair is wasted money. It adds only to cost and, hence, adversely impacts...

All surface mount components, including BGA, require uniform heating of components and boards and a mechanism for accurate component placement....

In my last two columns, (August and September 2001), I discussed the broader issues of surface mount repair as they...

Mass rework? Automated? Why would anyone need to do mass rework? Are they totally new to SMT? Haven’t companies figured...

Despite all effort put into design, process and material control, there always will be some assemblies that fail to meet...

Mass rework? Automated? Why would anyone need to do mass rework? Are they totally new to SMT? Haven’t companies figured...

The optoelectronics field is so new that no one can even agree on what to call it. Most people refer...

Gordon Moore, whose name is synonymous with integrated circuit (IC) technology, retired from the Intel board this May. Dr. Moore...

Ball grid array (BGA) is no longer considered a technology of tomorrow but a technology used today. If you are...

Quality control is key to effective competition in the international market. Specific tools such as statistical quality control (SQC), inspection,...

There are various inspection and test methods used in the industry. The visual inspection method is the most common and...

From the title of this column, you might find it strange that someone with a reasonable understanding of the SMT...

Let me first take this rare, rather once in a lifetime, opportunity to wish all of you, the readers of...

Part 1 of a 2-part series.In surface mount assembly reflow soldering, solder paste is used for the connection between surface...

Part 2 of a 2-part series.In last month’s column (“Solder Paste Printing,” September 2000 SMT, p. 28-33), I discussed the...

I was having a leisurely morning reading my Saturday New York Times not hoping to find any thing that important....