A Look at Our Readers’ Manufacturing Challenges

Reading time ( words)

In a recent SMT007 survey, we asked the following question: "What are your greatest challenges when it comes to soldering?" Here are just a few of the replies, slightly edited for clarity.

Jon Ashton, Vergent Products: Selective soldering is not covered (as a process) by any specific IPC/J-STD document that I can find. The training, even from our equipment supplier, is prohibitively expensive. That makes improving the process harder than it should be. Regarding SMT PCBA design, there is a lot of bad data out there in existing CAD/CAM libraries, and the manufacturer’s datasheets are often the source of this bad information.

Jeff Vaessen, Borg Indak: Choosing the right tip geometry is the biggest challenge for any solderer. The right tip makes all the difference in the world.

Pongtip Pattarateerawat, Celestica Thailand: The wave soldering process is more challenging than the SMT reflow process, as there are a variety of PCB design and component considerations when it comes to wave soldering.

Yingyos Sookchai, SVI Public Co. Ltd: Achieving solder fillets with perfect wetting and avoiding damages to components.

10/27/2019 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007

At a recent open house, Managing Director Juan Arango talks about his role in the company’s transition from their Arizona facility to a new headquarters located outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Juan details many of the benefits customers can expect, including brand new spaces dedicated to customer demos as well as training.

10/14/2019 | Real Time with...SMTAI

Chris Bastecki, director of global PCB assembly at Indium Corporation, discussed challenges of low-temperature solder and the company's new product, Durafuse LT, which provides novel properties and reliability.

10/09/2019 | Real Time with...SMTAI

The SMTA International Conference and Exhibition 2019, which took place September 22–26, 2019, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, concluded successfully. For those of you who were not able to make it to the show, catch our video interviews with the movers and shakers of the electronics industry. We've updated our video presentation for a better experience for our users, so check it out!