Deflect your defects
14 February 2011
Manufacturers looking for solutions to process challenges will have an additional resource for answers with the new Process Defect Clinic at the IPC APEX EXPO conference.
Sponsored by IPC and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the free clinic will be held on the show floor to assist attendees with assembly and soldering process problems, RoHS compliance issues, solderability concerns, field failures and other process-related issues.
At IPC APEX EXPO, taking place in Las Vegas from 12-14 April 2011, registrants can also take board assemblies for examination or process problems for discussion and walk away with solutions.
“Some managers are too quick to attribute defects to a particular process,” says Bob Willis who, with the assistance of inspection equipment, will assist visitors in understanding their process problems and offer guidance and suggested solutions. “People are always pleased if the defects suddenly go away, however those defects will return if you don’t find the true cause of failure. If you can turn a defect on and off, you know you’ve found the real culprit.”
Willis will also be presenting awards to the individuals with the best questions and defects at IPC APEX EXPO.
‘Best defect’ is certainly a title loaded with ambiguity. Is it an award for the worst manufacturer or an award for the most unusual defect?
In a recent IPC/NPL lead-free process defect webinar led by Willis, more than 380 engineers from 25 countries identified their most critical areas of process failures. Paste printing was a clear leader, identified by more than a quarter of the participants. Reflow soldering was a close second.
The clinic and the webinar are part of a co-operative agreement between IPC and NPL to promote the free NPL Process Defect Database. “The database is a very useful resource for engineers worldwide. It can only get better as more defects are added to the library,” explains Dr. Christopher Hunt, Principal Research Scientist at NPL.
In addition to hosting the live presentation of the Defect Clinic at IPC APEX EXPO, IPC posts a ‘defect of the month’ series on its website. The series features short videos created by Willis that have its foundations in the database.
“The defect library and the videos on the IPC site have generated a lot of industry discussion,” says Kim Sterling, IPC Vice President of Marketing and Communications, explaining that some of the clips, such as the ones on solder wicking and solder balling, have had hundreds of views. “We’re excited to be working with Bob and NPL to bring real value to the industry and make a difference in productivity and reliability.”
To register, or for more information on all the activities at IPC APEX EXPO, visit: www.IPCAPEXEXPO.org.
However, before IPC APEX EXPO, there’s Southern Manufacturing and Electronics, taking place this week in Hampshire. SMART Group will be exhibiting at this two-day show and presenting two papers in the Electronics Seminar sessions.
Bob Willis will be there on Wednesday 16th February at 1.15pm will be hosting a 'Land Grid Array Quad Flat Lead No-lead Design, Assembly and Rework Guide'.
LGA/QFN BMC have become a common component type often used in many portable products due to cost reduction. With any new device type there is always going to be a learning curve for design as process and quality engineers have to get to grips with the challenges. Bob will demonstrate the solutions.
On Thursday 17th February at 1.15pm Peter Grundy will present 'Working Towards an Efficient Factory'.
According to The SMART Group, despite Lean Manufacturing and other techniques, very few companies are truly efficient in their use of equipment and resources. This paper aims to explore ways of becoming more efficient.
There are two lecture theatres at the show, with one dedicated to engineering and the other to electronics, with a programme of 12 sessions in each of the two days.
Show director, Phil Valentine, said: “The phrase ‘something for everyone’ is rather overused these days, but it can certainly be applied with complete honesty to the Southern Manufacturing and Electronics Show, where virtually every aspect of electronics and manufacturing activity is represented in a single, purpose-built venue.”
If you’re in Southern England on Wednesday or Thursday, it will be worth a look. To register online for tickets to this free show, visit: www.industrysouth.co.uk.
If you can’t make it, take a look at our diary page for other events near you.
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