A Conversation with AIM Solder’s Jen Fijalkowski About Advances in Solder Pastes

Jen Fijalkowski works for Aim Solder. Jen obtained her B.S. from the University of Rhode Island in Chemical Engineering and is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. Prior to her role as a Technical Marketing Engineer, she interned as a SMT Process Engineer, where she analyzed various reports regarding solder paste printing and co-authored “Comparison of Aperture Designs, Solder Pastes, Nanocoatings and Print/Inspection Systems”, published in Circuits Assembly Magazine. 

Jen also produces a video blog titled “Line Down” where she discusses common questions about solder paste best practices and how to avoid solder paste induced line-down situations.

I spoke with Jen about solder paste best practices as well as some of the latest advances in solder pastes such as low temperature, low voiding, and high reliability solder pastes.

Jen Fijalkowski may be contacted here:
jfijalkowski@aimsolder.com
https://aimsolder.com

Technical Article:
https://tinyurl.com/3xt2cejf

Line Down Video Series:
https://www.facebook.com/AIMSolderMaterials/videos/?ref=page_internal

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Best Practices for Purchasing X Ray Equipment

In this episode I speak with four experts about best practices for purchasing X ray equipment.

There are numerous manufacturers of X ray equipment each with multiple models with varying capabilities. Which type of X ray equipment is right for your application? What are the price ranges? What are the specific capabilities? What questions should I ask when speaking with manufacturers of X ray equipment? How do I define my needs? 

These and other questions will are answered by our expert panel.

Our expert panel includes:
Keith Bryant of Keith Bryant Consultancy. Keith has more than 30 years in the electronics industry and has worked for and with X ray equipment manufacturers.
Keith may be contacted here:
keith@smta.org

Dr. David Bernard of David Bernard Consultancy. Dr. Bernard has more than 20 years of experience in the X ray industry and has worked for and with X ray equipment manufacturers.
Dr. Bernard may be contacted here:
dbc@bernard.abel.co.uk

David Kruidhof is the Sales Manager for Creative Electron, a manufacturer of X ray equipment.
David may be contacted here:
dkruidhof@creativeelectron.com

Robert Boguski is the President of Datest, an analytical laboratory specializing in failure analysis. Robert is a user of X-ray equipment.
Robert may be contact here:
rboguski@datest.com

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A Conversation with Industry Gurus Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall about their New Book

A couple of episodes ago, I talked to Dr. and Professor Ron Lasky about a couple of books he wrote. He also recommended a book he didn’t write. That book is titled Troubleshooting Electronic Assembly: Wisdom from the BoardTalk Crypt by industry gurus Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall available on Amazon (both were prior guests on this show). Well today, we’ll have a conversation with Phil and Jim about their book.

If you’ve been in the electronic assembly industry for some time, there’s little doubt that you haven’t heard of Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall. Phil has been involved with PCB fabrication and assembly for more than 35 years. Phil is the President and Principal Consultant of ITM Consulting.

Jim Hall has been involved in the electronic assembly industry for the past 26 years. He’s a principal consultant and resident Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with ITM Consulting. He’s also an instructor in the Lean Six Sigma programs offered at Dartmouth College. Together with Dr. Ron Lasky, Phil and Jim designed the SMTA’s SMT Processes Certification Course.

Phil and Jim host the popular audio series “Board Talk” on Circuit-Insight.

Contact Phil and Jim:
Phil Zarrow
phil_zarrow@itmconsulting.com

Jim Hall
jim_hall@itmconsulting.com

ITM Consulting
https://itmconsulting.com

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A Conversation with SMTA SMT Certification Course Authors Dr. Ron Lasky and Jim Hall

I spoke with Dr. Ron Lasky and Jim Hall, authors of the SMTA SMT Certification Courses (along with Phil Zarrow) about the content of these courses. I also spoke with two course students, Claire Hotvedt of Indium Corporation and Tom Watson of Kimball Electronics about their experience taking the courses and the value they received.

SMTA offers two certification courses:

• SMT Processes
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Each SMTA Certification program is a three-day offering consisting of a 1.5-day workshop on topics in SMT Processes or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. The program concludes on days two and three with an open and closed book examination (SMT Processes) and open book examination (Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.)

This is not an entry-level program. Basic algebra will be used in the workshop and examination. This challenging examination requires both written answers and calculations with the intent to enable the attendee to establish competitive credentials as “Certified” by the SMTA in SMT Processes or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

More information on the SMTA certification courses is available here:
https://smta.org/page/certification

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A Conversation with Author Dr. Ron Lasky About His Many Books

Dr. Ron Lasky talks about the many books he has authored on SMT processes and production efficiencies. 

Dr. Ron Lasky is a Senior Technologist at Indium Corporation, as well as a Professor of Engineering at Dartmouth College, where I have twice had the privilege of speaking on the Dartmouth campus to his students. If you’re like some people who view the next generation of young adults skeptically and pessimistically, I can assure you your view would quickly change after spending time with his students. Dr. Lasky has more than 30 years of experience in electronics and optoelectronics packaging at IBM, Universal Instruments, and Cookson Electronics. Additionally, he has served as an adjunct professor at several colleges, teaching more than 20 different courses on topics ranging from electronics packaging, materials science, physics, mechanical engineering and science, and religion.

Dr. Lasky holds numerous patent disclosures and is the developer of several SMT processing software products relating to cost estimating, line balancing, and process optimization, all subjects of paramount importance in today’s hyper-competitive environment. He is the co-creator of engineering certification exams that set standards in the electronics assembly industry worldwide. Dr. Lasky was awarded the Surface Mount Technology Association’s (SMTA) Technical Distinction Award in 2021 for his “significant and continuing technical contributions to the SMTA.” He was also awarded SMTA’s Founder’s Award in 2003.

Dr. Lasky holds four degrees, including a Ph.D. from Cornell University in materials science, and is a licensed professional engineer.

He has authored six books, and contributed to nine more, on science, electronics, and optoelectronics, and has authored numerous technical papers and today, I’m going to talk with Ron about some of those books.

Here’s how to get Dr. Ron’s books:
Handbook of Electronic Assembly and A Guide to SMTA Certification
https://smta.org/store/viewproduct.aspx?id=16304955

The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to Solder Defects
http://iconnect007.com/index.php?cID=852

Troubleshooting Electronic Assembly: Wisdom from the BoardTalk Crypt
https://www.amazon.com/Troubleshooting-Electronic-Assembly-Wisdom-BoardTalk/dp/1732283680

Patty and the Professor
https://www.mikekonrad.com/patty-and-the-professor

Dr. Ron’s Contact Information:
ronald.c.lasky@dartmouth.edu

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A Conversation with Dr. Kunal Shah about Ni-Less ENIG & the Improvements in Reliability

Dr. Kunal Shah is the President and Chief Scientist at Lilotree, a manufacturer of novel surface finishes for circuit boards.

Dr. Shah explains the advantages of surface finishes utilizing the thinnest thickness of gold as well as Ni-Less ENIG surface finishes.

Lilotree:
2904 266th Ave NE,
Building B,
Redmond, WA, 98053
https://www.lilotree.com
contact.us@lilotree.com
Phone:
+1-425-780-2732

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Conversations from IPC APEX Expo – Reflow Thermal Control – Automated Device Programming

Thank you to my friend and colleague Trevor Galbraith of Global SMT for allowing me to broadcast from his studio at the IPC APEX Expo in San Diego.

Today’s episode features conversations with two guests:
Marco Sanchez from SMT North America talks about thermal control of reflow ovens.
marco.sanchez@smtna.com

Colin Harper of BPM talks about automatic device programming.
colin_harper@bpmmicro.com

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Conversations from IPC APEX Expo – Inspection Systems – Contract Assembly – and Pirates!

Thank you to my friend and colleague Trevor Galbraith of Global SMT for allowing me to broadcast from his studio at the IPC APEX Expo in San Diego. 

Today’s episode features conversations with four guests:
Jesper Lykke from Viscom talks about inspection systems.
jesper.lykke@viscomusa.com 

Greg Papandrew from Direct PCB talks about PCB buying and his new book “PCB Basics for Buyers”
greg@boardbuying.com 

Kevin Huo from EM Solutions talks about fast-turn contract assembly. 
kevinh@emsolutionstech.com

And, our very own pirate, Michelle Ogihara from Saika USA talks about the advantages of joining trade associations.
michelle@seikausa.com

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A Conversation with Component Storage Expert Mike Adamson

While it may seem like an untimely topic given the current supply chain shortages, storage systems for electronic components are an important part of the electronic assembly industry. While we are still in the midst of a supply chain crisis, sooner or later this will be solved and the question of where to put all of our components will be waiting for us to answer. It’s often said we don’t have time to work on the important because we’re so busy working on the urgent. 

My guest today is Mike Adamson, Product Manager for Inovaxe Corporation, a provider of material handling products and services for the electronic assembly industry. In today’s hyper-competitive electronic assembly industry, efficiency and optimization are key to maintaining competitiveness.

Mike received a BS in physics from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse as well as a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. In addition, Mike also earned an MBA in Marketing from Lynn University.

Mike Adamson may be reached here:
michael.adamson@inovaxe.com
https://inovaxe.com

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A Conversation About Tombstoning Mitigation with Tony Lentz

Tombstoning is a reflow issue causing components to stand up, creating opens. FCT Solder’s Tony Lentz discusses the causes and mitigation techniques to illuminate tombstoning. 

Tony Lentz has worked in the electronics industry since 1994. He entered the industry as a process engineer at a circuit board manufacturer and worked there for 5 years. Since 1999, Tony has worked for FCT Companies as a chemical laboratory manager, production facility manager, and most recently a field application engineer. Since 2013, Tony has focused on field application and R&D for FCT Assembly solder and stencil products.

Tony has extensive experience in research and development, quality control, and technical service with materials used to manufacture and assemble printed circuit boards. Tony has published and presented many papers at industry events. Tony is a speaker of distinction with SMTA, and participates in IPC J-STD-004 and J-STD-005 standards development task groups.

Tony holds B.S. and M.B.S degree in Chemistry. Tony was my guess way back in episode 32 (56 episodes ago) where he talked about stencil design and void reduction.

Tony produced a DOE on the subject of tombstoning. View his presentation here:
https://fctsolder.com

Tony may be reached here:
tlentz@fctassembly.com
https://fctsolder.com

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A Conversation about Electric Vehicles with Indium’s Brian O’Leary

One of my favorite subjects is the electrification of automobiles, not just electric cars, which are with us now, but completely autonomous vehicles. When I was a kid in the 1960’s, we were promised flying cars by the year 2000. While that goal was not met, the real prospect of autonomous vehicles in our lifetime is extremely exciting, terrifying, and realistic. 

Brian and I discuss the future of the automobile industry and what’s required for the electronics industry and the world.

Brian may be reached here:
Brian O’Leary
Global Accounts Manager, Global Head e-Mobility & Infrastructure
Indium
Email: boleary@indium.com
Website: https://www.indium.com

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A Conversation with SPI and AOI Inspection Expert Joel Scutchfield

My guest today is Joel Scutchfield. He’s with Koh Young and has 35 years in the Printed Circuit Board Assembly Industry, beginning on the manufacturing side in 1986, first with Texas Instruments, and then later with United Technologies Corporation. In the mid 90’s he transitioned to the supply side of the industry where he used his process and manufacturing experience to help customers implement the best Tools, Materials, Systems, and Solutions, for their PCB Assembly and Test applications. Over his career he held positions in the areas of Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, Process Engineering Management, Operations Management, Sales Engineering, Regional Sales Management, Sales Business Ownership, and company-wide Sales management.

Joel guest graduated from Purdue University with a BS in engineering and industrial management.

Joel began his career with Koy Young as the Americas Sales Manager, a position he held from Dec 2014 – Jan 2019. In January of 2019, he was promoted to Director of Sales for the Americas where he served in that capacity until October of 2021 when he was promoted to General Manager of SMT Business Operations and Director of Sales for the Americas.

During our conversation, we discuss the benefits of solder paste inspection as well as automated optical inspection and how implementation of these technologies can provide higher degrees of assembly optimization, efficiency, and reliability.

Joel Scutchfield may be reached here:
joel.scutchfield@kohyoung.com
https://kohyoungamerica.com

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