Reliability Matters

Joseph Fjelstad, founder of Verdant Electronics and a renowned expert in electronics interconnection, shares his insights on flexible circuits. He discusses how these innovative circuits have revolutionized design, especially in compact applications like wearables and medical devices. Fjelstad highlights their lightweight, durable nature while addressing manufacturing complexities. He also delves into the creativity born from naivety and the historical evolution of these circuits, making a compelling case for collaboration in advancing the technology.

Today, I’m in Rosemont Illinois at SMTAI, Surface Mount Technology International. I’m in the Ultra-HDI Pavilion on the trade show floor. And what are we going to talk about here in the Ultra-HDI pavilion? Ultra high density interconnects, of course.As the demand for smaller, faster, and more powerful devices grows, the need for innovative solutions in circuit design has never been greater. UHDI's represent a significant leap forward, allowing for more connections in a smaller space, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in electronic assemblies.But what exactly are UHDI's? Essentially, they refer to circuit boards with incredibly fine pitch interconnects, enabling higher functionality and complexity in much smaller form factors. This breakthrough is transforming industries like consumer electronics, aerospace, automotive, and medical devices, where space, weight, and performance are critical factors.In this episode, we’ll explore the advantages UHDI's bring to the table, from increased design flexibility and performance to better thermal management. We'll also discuss how UHDI's are set to impact the assembly process. With tighter tolerances and more intricate layouts, UHDI assemblies will require new approaches to assembly, inspection, and reliability testing.To better explain UHDI technology, we’ve put together a panel of subject matter experts. Tara Dunn, Director of Training and Education at the Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA), will moderate a panel discussion with other subject matter experts.In addition to Tara, our other experts are Anaya Vardya CEO of American Standard Circuits, Chrys Shea from Shea Engineering Services, Michael Sivigny, owner and General Manager of CeTaQ Americas, Oren Manor, Op-Center Core Program Business Director at Siemens Digital Industries Software, and Anaya Vardya from American Standard Circuits.Ultra-HDI is here! And if you haven’t seen it on your assembly line yet, it’s coming, so stay tuned as we unpack the future of Ultra High Density Interconnects and what it means for the next generation of technology.

Mark Waterman, the Electronics division manager at ECD and a thermal profiling expert, dives deep into the importance of thermal profiling in manufacturing high-reliability circuit assemblies. He discusses how temperature impacts solder joint integrity and shares best practices to avoid common mistakes. Mark highlights cutting-edge advancements in thermal profiling technology, including real-time data collection and the significance of proper thermocouple use. With his experience, he sheds light on the challenges faced in this competitive industry and the balance between science and art in optimizing processes.

If you're part of the electronics landscape, you've likely encountered the role contract manufacturers play — and it's a critical one. These specialized partners bridge the gap between design innovation and full-scale production, bringing efficiency, expertise, and flexibility to the table.As companies seek to meet growing demand for advanced electronic products, contract manufacturers are increasingly relied upon to provide cost-effective, high-quality assembly services. Whether it's managing supply chains, ensuring compliance with industry standards, or accelerating time to market, their contributions have become indispensable. In today's episode, we'll explore how contract manufacturing works, why it's so vital, and what trends are shaping the future of this essential industry.My guest today is Adrian Leal. Adrian serves as the USA Business Development Manager for Teltonika EMS and is the President of the Houston SMTA Chapter. With over 30 years of experience in the manufacturing industry, he has worked extensively as both an end user and a service provider. Throughout his career, he has held diverse roles including process engineer, manufacturing engineer, quality engineer, field engineer, and sales engineer.In 2003, Adrian became the first engineer from the oil and gas industry to earn the prestigious Process Engineer certification from the SMTA. From 2006 to 2015, he voluntarily took on the role of ESD Subject Matter Expert for SLB, where he developed an internal ESD program that remains in use today.If you’re in Texas, you may know Adrian from his involvement in Cup of Joey networking events.I’ll talk with Adrian about his transition from an OEM to a contract manufacturer and his recommendations on how to choose the most appropriate contract manufacturer for your needs.Adrian’s contact information:Adrian Lealadrian.leal@teltonika-iot.comhttps://teltonika-iot-group.com

Ebad Rehman, a Regional Product Manager at MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions and an expert in solder technology, discusses the pivotal role of solder paste in electronics reliability. He explains the evolution from leaded to lead-free solder, driven by industry demands. Ebad highlights the importance of sustainability in materials selection and common mistakes engineers make in choosing solder paste. He also shares insights on performance metrics critical for safety applications, emphasizing the need for informed decision-making in an evolving electronics landscape.

Nili Walp, Marketing Manager at Vision Engineering, shares her insights from over eight years in the electronics assembly industry. Richard Nagel, Vice President of Sales and Marketing with 21 years of expertise, discusses the pivotal role of optical microscopes in ensuring precision in electronic assembly. They explore advancements in optical and digital inspection, emphasizing the unique benefits of high magnification for hand soldering. The conversation also touches on the significance of lighting in inspections and envisions the future with virtual reality integration.

Aaron Brown, a statistics professor at NYU and UC San Diego, dives into the fascinating world of statistics and its real-world applications. He uncovers common myths like 'correlation equals causation' and the pitfalls of misinterpreting data. With a touch of humor, he discusses how statistical manipulation can mislead people. Brown also shares lessons from his Harvard experience, emphasizing the importance of embracing mistakes in learning. Throughout, he advocates for a critical approach to understanding data integrity and the ethics behind statistics.

In today's episode, we're exploring automated optical inspection (AOI) and x-ray inspection technology within the electronic assembly industry.Joining us are two experts who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.Joel Scutchfield is the General Manager of SMT and Semicon Business Operations & Director of Sales at Koh Young, manufacturers of automated inspection and precise measurement systems with its headquarters in Seoul South Korea and R&D centers around the world. Joel has been with Koh Young for just under 10 years.Jesper Lykke is the CEO at Viscom, a manufacturer of inspection technologies, in particular for automatic optical inspection (AOI) and X-ray inspection, with headquarters in Hanover, Germany and offices worldwide. Jesper has been with Viscom for 14 years.Both Joel and Jesper are widely considered to be subject matter experts on inspection technology.In this episode, we'll delve into the principles and applications of AOI and x-ray inspection, discussing how these technologies are revolutionizing the electronic assembly industry. We'll explore the latest trends, challenges, best practices, and future directions, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of how these inspection methods are critical to maintaining high standards in electronics manufacturing.Whether you're an industry professional, a tech enthusiast, or just curious about the intricacies of electronic assembly, this episode promises to offer valuable insights and expert perspectives on the inspection technologies that are driving both innovation and quality in the field. So, sit back, relax, and join us for an enlightening conversation about inspection Technology. Guest contact information:Joel ScutchfieldKoh Youngjoel.scutchfield@kohyoung.comJesper LykkeViscomjesper.lykke@viscomusa.com

Just like the famous line from the 1984 film, The Terminator, “I’ll be back”, SMTAI is back. Back to the Chicago area.We’re back in Rosemont, co-located with the Assembly Show, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, October 20-24.Between SMTAI and the Assembly Show, there will be thousands of engineers and industry professionals in attendance.The exhibit floor features hundreds of exhibitors showing off the latest technology. But the topic we're discussing today is the Technical conference and other planned events taking place at this year’s SMTAI.This year, there are 11 scheduled professional development courses, about 100 technical presentations across seven technical tracks.Joining me to discuss what’s in store for attendees is Jason Keeping, member of the SMTA Global Board of Directors where he is Vice President of technical programs for SMTA. Jeff Kennedy, past SMTA President and Director of the Manufacturing Excellence Track, and Robert Boguski, member of the SMTA Global Board of Directors where he is VP of membership and Director of the Test and Inspection track.For more information on SMTAI, click on the link below:https://www.smtai.orgFor more information on SMTA, click on the link below:https://smta.org/default.aspx

Recorded live in Anaheim California during the IPC Apex Expo.This episode features three interviews including:• Kimberly Fagan from PVA• Taylor Wagan from CETEC ERP• Neil Hubble from Akrometrix