ELECTRONIC PRODUCTION
VOL: 28, NO: 1, JANUARY 1999
CONTENTS
Features
15 Promising paste performance
There is a whole range of parameters that a solder
paste can be assessed against, but Husky Computers
needed one to perform well across them all.
Charles Green reports.
19 Cloud busting
An in-line reflow machine has been launched based on
a new approach to vapour phase soldering.
PaulBickerdyke finds out what all the fuss is about.
21 A different ball game
Siemens' GiinterSchiebel takes a look at the demands
on vision systems for placing flipchips.
23 In search of zero defects
In the first of a five part series, Bernard McTernan
looks at the basic requirements for first-time
zero-defect soldering.
REGULARS
7 NEWS
10 BUSINESS NEWS
10 DIARY
13 NEWS FOCUS
Nepcon West '99
27 BUYERS' GUIDES
SMT printers
29 NEW PRODUCTS
33 RECRUITMENT
38 DIRECTORY
42 JUST-IN-TIME
• The encyclopedia of electronic
production will return next month
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ELECTRONIC PRODUCTION
VOL: 28, NO: 2, FEBRUARY 1999
Features
14 What features most in placement
The technological and commercial forces driving the
development of placement machines is requiring them to
become increasingly functional yet cost effective, as
Andrew Woolls-King explains.
19 Go with the flow
Finlay Buchan describes how to find out whether PTH
devices on mixed technology boards can be flow soldered
using exclusion fixtures.
23 One careful owner
Buying used equipment offers a cost effective route to
handling new business. Paul Bickerdyke talks to a dealer,
manufacturer and user about the pros and cons.
27 Coil winding update
A look at the latest in making wire wound components.
31 Blue is the colour
Drives manufacturer, Control Techniques, had to wait to
get the selective soldering machine it wanted, but is
happy with the results. EP reports.
REGULARS
7 NEWS
9 BUSINESS NEWS
9 DIARY
13 NEWS FOCUS
Who's going west?
33 ENCYCLOPEDIA
Part 23: Through-hole assembly
35 WEB WATCH
37 BUYERS' GUIDES
Placement machines
43 NEW PRODUCTS
49 RECRUITMENT
54 DIRECTORY
58 JUST-IN-TIME
Win a CD-Walkman
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ELECTRONIC PRODUCTION
VOL; 28, NO: 3, MARCH 1999
Features
15 Assembling on flex
Flexible interconnects offer a solution for compact, miniature
products. Tony Cowburn takes an in-depth look at assembly
processes to get the most from the technology.
18 In search of zero defects II
BernardMcTernan looks at design issues in the second part of
his quest for defect free soldering.
21 Sound techniques see flipchip defects
Internal flipchip defects can go undetected by conventional test
techniques, as the main perpetrator of these foibles shows no
electrical presence. Tom Adams examines acoustic imaging
techniques that are available to analyse these internal defects.
25 Rework: a step by step guide
Rework is here to stay. And rather than viewing it as a necessary
evil, rework can be an efficient, cost effective step in the total
assembly process argue Mike Sauer and Kristina Bergman.
29 The man from Stockholm
PaulBickerdyke talks to the managing director of My data about
the rise of the company so far, and his plans for the way ahead.
31 Microwave assembly hots up
David Hughes visits Ericsson's plant in Boras, Sweden, to find
out how it tackled the problems posed by manufacturing
microwave-based mobile communications.
REGULARS
5 NEWS
11 BUSINESS NEWS
11 DIARY
12 NEWS FOCUS
Boost to Eastern Europe
35 WEB WATCH
37 BUYERS' GUIDES
Reflow ovens
41 NEW PRODUCTS
At Nepcon UK
46 RECRUITMENT
54 DIRECTORY
58 JUST-IN-TIME
A mobile phone is up for grabs
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ELECTRONIC PRODUCTION
VOLUME 28, NO. 4, APRIL 1999
Paste under pressure 17
An enclosed print head system has been developed that
offers improved print quality and reduced wastage for
solder pastes, adhesives and other media.
Trading places 21
Distributors are an increasingly popular way for
manufacturers to offer local support and applications services
to European customers, as Andrew Woolls-King discovers.
Managing flux for a longer life 25
Robert Schreitmueller examines the maintenance
requirements of a reflow oven's cooling module, and
describes one technique for improving reliability.
Probing paste problems 29
Solder paste builds up an undesirable residue on test
probes. Now Indium puts forward a solution, as
Simon Meek discovers.
Lift and separate 31
A lift and conveyor system has been introduced by Siemens
to improve efficiency on existing lines without affecting the
placement machines. Paul Bickerdyke finds out more.
On the launch pad 33
EP reviews the major launches at Nepcon West this year.
REGULARS
NEWS 7
BUSINESS NEWS 13
DIARY 13
NEWS FOCUS 14
Testing evolution
WEB WATCH 43
BUYERS' GUIDES 45
Wavesoldering
RECRUITMENT 48
DIRECTORY 59
JUST-IN-TIME 63
PRIZE CROSSWORD 65
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ELECTRONIC PRODUCTION
VOL. 28, NO. 5, MAY 1999
Features
13 Talking shop
An open question and answer session at Nepcon West
provided the opportunity to quiz an international panel
of experts about the contract manufacturing market.
EP was there.
17 In search of zero defects III
Bernard McTeman looks at soldering in part three of
his first time, zero defect series. Without good, reliable
solder joints, products will not complete their expected
working life, or function to full design specification.
21 Where next for Speedline?
Paul Bickerdyke talks to the president of Speedline
Technologies, Rick Berger, about the changes of the
past year and how this one is shaping up.
23 Take the paste taste
How good is your solder paste at staying fresh on the
stencil? Alpha Metals' 27 board challenge is one way to
check its performance for maximum process efficiency.
25 Getting started in... Dispensing
In the first part of a regular new feature covering the
basics of production processes, EP takes a look at the
whys and wherefores of dispensing.
REGULARS
5 NEWS
8 BUSINESS NEWS
8 DIARY
11 NEWS FOCUS
Not so big in Japan
27 BUYERS' GUIDES
Cleaning machines
29 NEPCON LAUNCHES
35 NEW PRODUCTS
39 WEB WATCH
39 RECRUITMENT
46 DIRECTORY
50 JUST-IN-TIME
Win a Scalextric in our fun quiz
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ELECTORNIC PRODUCTION
VOLUME. 28, ISSUE. 6, JUNE 1999
Features
13 Not the never never
As more manufacturers opt to buy assembly
machinery through finance agreements,
Charles Green asks Siemens Finance what the
benefits are of not paying cash.
17 Dual in the crown
A showcase dual-iane assembly line has helped one
in-car systems manufacturer increase productivity
by almost a third.
21 Getting started in... Odd-form assembly
The second part of our series covering the basics of
production processes looks at automated odd-form
assembly.
29 CEM Focus
ElectromcProduction gets the inside view from five
different contract electronics manufacturers on their
capabilities, specialisations and market approaches.
REGULARS
5 NEWS
9 DIARY
11 NEWS FOCUS
Park Life in Hungary
37 ENCYCLOPEDIA
Part 25: Flux chemistry
39 WEB WATCH
41 NEW PRODUCTS
48 BUYERS' GUIDES
SMT printers
49 RECRUITMENT
54 DIRECTORY
58 JUST-IN-TIME
Fancy a clockwork radio?
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