EMSNow - Newsletters http://www.emsnow.com/nlps New Newsletters on EMSNow en-us Copyright 2012 EMSNow Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:16:55 EST DfR Solutions Newsletter <p align='center'><font face='Arial' size='2'><img alt='' src='http://www.emsnow.com/cnt/files/Vendor_newsletters/dfr.gif' /><br /> <br /> Read the May-June 2008 DfR Solutions newsletter.  <br /> <a target='_blank' href='http://www.emsnow.com/cnt/files/Vendor_newsletters/DfR2008_may_june.pdf'>In this Issue:</a><br /> <br /> RoHS Legislation<br /> The Truth About Tin Whiskers<br /> IPC & Oko Institute<br /> RoHS Industry Trends<br /> Counterfeiting<br /> U.S. Airforce<br /> Service of the Month<br /> U.S. Government<br /> Expand Your Knowledge<br /> DfR News<br /> Upcoming Events<br /> Employment<br /> </font></p> http://www.emsnow.com/nlps/story.cfm?ID=121&NLID=1203 Wed, 28 May 2008 16:59:09 EST Transition Automation Newsletter <html> <head> <title>No title</title> <meta name='generator' content='Namo WebEditor v5.0'> </head> <body bgcolor='white' text='black' link='blue' vlink='purple' alink='red'> <table width=700 bgcolor='#000000' cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr><td valign=baseline width='146'> <a href='http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?Sw17fF5qw72mBEUm/b422926856793817/332549a2de2a9607/editors@emsnow.com'><IMG SRC='http://tyr.icebase.net/users/ssmith/MasterListWithIPCApexOneTimeOn_TransitionAutomation$Apex$News_LogoOverride.gif' border=0 hspace=5 vspace=5 alt='http://www.transitionautomation.com/turboprinterupgrade4.html'></a><br></td><td valign=baseline align=right width='718'> <a href='http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?Sw17fF5qw72mBEUm/b422926856793817/332549a2de2a9607/editors@emsnow.com'><IMG SRC='http://tyr.icebase.net/users/ssmith/MasterListWithIPCApexOneTimeOn_TransitionAutomation$Apex$News_BannerOverride.gif' border=0 hspace=5 vspace=5 alt='http://www.transitionautomation.com/turboprinterupgrade4.html'></a><br></td> <td width='-4'></td> </tr> <tr><td colspan=2 align='center' width='870'> <font size='+2' color='#79fff9'><b><FONT color='Orchid'>No need to Gamble at APEX: Key Technology and Innovation Abound</font></b><br></font></td> <td width='-4'></td> </tr> <tr><td colspan=2 align='center' width='870'> <font size='+1' color='#79fff9'>New Las Vegas Venue succeeds in adding many bells and whistles to our Industry's key show in North America</font><br></td> <td width='-4'></td> </tr> <tr><td colspan=2 align=center valign=top width='870'> <table width='100%' cellpadding=5><tr><td valign=top width='20%'> <table width='100%'><tr><td align='Left'> <b><font color='#79fff9' face='Arial' size='2'><FONT color='White'>Apex: Successful Event at New Venue </font></font></td></tr> <tr><td align=center> <font face='Arial' size='2'><IMG SRC='http://tyr.icebase.net/users/ssmith/MasterListWithIPCApexOneTimeOn_TransitionAutomation%24Apex%24News_xArea_1_Image.jpg' border=0 hspace=5 vspace=5 alt='Click here to find out more' width='189' height='179'></font><a href='http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?Sw17fF5qw72mBEUm/eeb9fb96e690c08a/332549a2de2a9607/editors@emsnow.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'><br> </font></a><a href='http://www.transitionautomation.com/'><font size='2' color='#79fff9' face='Arial'><i><FONT color='Lightgreen'>: Mandalay Convention Center Performers added spice to the Apex trade show this year with mime and acrobatic performances. </font></font></i></td></tr> <tr><td> <p align='Left'> <font color='#79fff9' face='Arial' size='2'><FONT color='White'>Congratulations to the IPC management who pulled off this successful event in the new Las Vegas location. Many companies enjoyed a steady stream of key technology people dropping by to see new technology first hand. Transition Automation showed our new innovation: the Self-Cleaning squeegee system. It was great to see Apex going strong and weathering the move to this new location. Despite uncertain economic times, it appears that the Electronic Assembly and SMT business is going pretty well. </font></font></p></td></tr> </table></td><td valign=top width='55%'> <table width='100%'><tr><td align='Center'> <b><font color='#79fff9' face='Arial' size='2'><FONT color='White'>Transition updates its web site to reveal live-action video of new Paste Manager Self-Cleaning Squeegee System</font></font></td></tr> <tr><td align=center> <font face='Arial' size='2'><IMG SRC='http://tyr.icebase.net/users/ssmith/MasterListWithIPCApexOneTimeOn_TransitionAutomation%24Apex%24News_xArea_2_Image.jpg' border=0 hspace=5 vspace=5 alt='Click here to find out more' width='222' height='166'></font><a href='http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?Sw17fF5qw72mBEUm/da1b32ee081d6279/332549a2de2a9607/editors@emsnow.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'><br> </font></a><a href='http://www.transitionautomation.com/'><font size='2' color='#79fff9' face='Arial'><i><FONT color='Lightgreen'>Photo Caption: Innovation is a key to many companys' success navigating electronics manufacturing up and down cycles. Transition's self-cleaning squeegee system is sure to spur more innovation in solder paste formulations and print quality improvements. </font></font></i></td></tr> <tr><td> <p align='Left'> <font color='#79fff9' face='Arial' size='2'><FONT color='white'>The above still shot is taken straight from the video which can now be seen live at Transition Automation's web site. If you click on the photo, you will be directed straight to our web site and you can take a look. Transition has completed the marketing materials for this new product. It sure looks simple in size, shape and form, however looks are deceiving when one considers that this breakthrough took over 2 years of development. The demand to improve the SMT printing process is enduring as the SMT printer still produces the majority of manufacturing defects on the SMT line. <br> If you would like to see a more detailed video sequence of this new product, visit www.permalex.com, and click on the small text link below the lower right hand graphic. You will be prompted to accept the mpeg4 video which runs about 30 seconds. Let us know your interest by filling in the "further info" link located near the video download link. <br> </font></font></p></td></tr> </table></td><td valign=top width='25%'> <table width='100%'><tr><td align='Left'> <b><font color='#79fff9' face='Arial' size='2'><FONT color='White'>Benefits of a built in "live spatula" are many fold: Read on to learn more… </font></font></td></tr> <tr><td align=center> <font face='Arial' size='2'><IMG SRC='http://tyr.icebase.net/users/ssmith/MasterListWithIPCApexOneTimeOn_TransitionAutomation%24Apex%24News_xArea_3_Image.jpg' border=0 hspace=5 vspace=5 alt='Click here to find out more' width='200' height='200'><br> </font><a href='http://www.transitionautomation.com/'><font size='2' color='#79fff9' face='Arial'><i><FONT color='Lightgreen'>The graphic presentation above shows that with the live action of a self-cleaning squeegee, there's a possibility to greatly expand the capability of a normal SMT printer, by enlarging the range of viscosities which will produce acceptable printing quality. </font></font></i></td></tr> <tr><td> <p align='Left'> <font color='#79fff9' face='Arial' size='2'><FONT color='white'>Innovate, Automate, or Evaporate! In the world of Electronics Manufacturing, this one liner has defined many companys' outlooks over the years. One might add the additional words: Migrate and Consolidate to complete the picture. When it comes to Transition Automation's self-cleaning squeegee system, SMT engineers now have a tool that covers two bases: It is highly innovative, and helps to automate a key aspect within the SMT printer: cleaning the squeegees after each print stroke. We are also inviting the idea that now, instead of delicately balancing between "sticking" and "slumping", SMT engineers may now focus more directly on Print Quality, and worry less about paste sticking. The majority of attendees who visited our Apex booth showed interest and complimented us on the neat engineering of this new product. We were very happy to hear their positive comments and look forward to assisting them to adopt this new process enhancing system. </font></font></p></td></tr> </table></td></tr> </table> </td> <td width='-4'></td> </tr> <tr><td colspan=3 align=center width='871'> <font color='#79fff9'>Technology for Improving SMT Print Quality and Production Yield</font></td></tr> <tr><td colspan=3 align=center width='871'> <a href='mailto:noemail@transitionautomation.com'><font color='#79fff9'>noemail@transitionautomation.com</font></a><font color='#79fff9'> • <a href='http://www.icebase.com/go2.shtml?Sw17fF5qw72mBEUm/b422926856793817/332549a2de2a9607/editors@emsnow.com'> </a></font><a href='http://www.transitionautomation.com/turboprinterupgrade4.html'><font color='#79fff9'>Customer Care Department SMT News</font></a></td></tr> </table> </body> </html> http://www.emsnow.com/nlps/story.cfm?ID=120&NLID=330 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:10:47 EST DfR Solutions Newsletter <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC '-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN'> <html> <head> <title>No title</title> <meta name='generator' content='Namo WebEditor v5.0'> </head> <body bgcolor='white' text='black' link='blue' vlink='purple' alink='red'> <table width='700'> <tr> <td valign='top' align='left' width='700' bgcolor='#4c711d' height='36'> <img height='36' alt='Top Navigation Toolbar' src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/template/dfr/NewsletterTemplate/dfr_topnav.gif' width='700' usemap='#topMap' border='0'> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign='top' align='left' height='96'> <img height='90' alt='DfR Masthead and Logo' src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/template/dfr/NewsletterTemplate/dfr_masthead.jpg' width='700' usemap='#mastMap' border='0'> </td> </tr> <tr> <td height='36' bgcolor='#FAD5B0'> <div style='MARGIN: 6px'> <!-- Begin Content Area 1 --> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><FONT face='Tw Cen MT' color=#004475 size=5><STRONG>DfR Solutions Newsletter</STRONG></FONT></SPAN> </p> <p> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><FONT face='Tw Cen MT' color=#004475 size=5><STRONG>March/April 2008</STRONG></FONT></SPAN> </p> <table class='ae_noborder' height='241' cellspacing='0' cellpadding='0' width='161' align='right' border='0' valign='top'> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> <SPAN><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2><STRONG><FONT size=3><FONT face='Tw Cen MT'><FONT color=#4c721d>In This Issue</FONT></FONT></FONT></STRONG></FONT></SPAN> </p> <blockquote dir='ltr' style='MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px'> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> <FONT size=1 face='Arial'><A class='' href='#RoHS'>RoHS</A></FONT> </p> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> <FONT size=1 face='Arial'><A class='' href='#Hermetic'>Moisture in Hermetic Packages</A></FONT> </p> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> <FONT size=1 face='Arial'><A class='' href='#SSD'>SSD</A></FONT> </p> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> <FONT size=1 face='Arial'><A class='' href='#Know'>Know Your Environment</A></FONT> </p> <p dir='ltr' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> <FONT size=1 face='Arial'><A class='' href='#pb'>Pb-Free Components</A></FONT> </p> <p dir='ltr' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> <FONT size=1 face='Arial'><A class='' href='#Guest'>Guest Article - REACH</A></FONT> </p> <p dir='ltr' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> <FONT size=1 face='Arial'><A class='' href='#Connectors'>Soldering Connectors</A></FONT> </p> <p dir='ltr' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> <FONT size=1 face='Arial'><A class='' href='#Underfill'>Underfill</A></FONT> </p> <p dir='ltr' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> <FONT size=1 face='Arial'><A class='' href='#Service'>Service of the Month</A></FONT> </p> <p dir='ltr' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> <FONT size=1 face='Arial'><A class='' href='#News'>DfR News</A></FONT> </p> <p dir='ltr' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> <FONT size=1 face='Arial'><A class='' href='#Events'>Upcoming Events</A></FONT> </p> <p dir='ltr' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> <FONT size=1 face='Arial'><A class='' href='#Employment'>Employment</A></FONT> </p> </blockquote> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'>World-Renowned Expert in Vibration and Shock to Present at DfR Solutions</B></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'>Wayne Tustin of the Equipment Reliability Institute, a well known expert in vibration and shock for over 50 years (!), will be presenting his inclusive and popular three-day course <FONT color=#0000ff>"</FONT><a class='' href='http://www.equipment-reliability.com/course3.htm'> <FONT color=#0000ff>Random Vibration and Shock Testing, ESS, HALT & HASS</FONT></A><FONT color=#0000ff>"</FONT> at DfR Solutions. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from Wayne on the East Coast.</SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><STRONG>DfR is Hiring!</STRONG></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'>Due to the increased demand for our services, we need to add technical staff members.  If you are interested in applying, see details <A class='' href='#employment'>below.</A></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><B><a name='RoHS'></a>RoHS 2 Moves Forward (Run For Your Lives!)</B></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'>The <A href='http://hse-rohs.oeko.info/fileadmin/user_upload/Documents/Cover_Letter_28-Feb-2008.pdf'><FONT color=#0000ff>Oko-Institut in Norway</FONT></A>, tasked by the European Union to expand the materials covered by RoHS, has just identified <B><U><A href='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/RoHS_High_priority_substances_in_EEE.doc'>46 <SPAN style='FONT-WEIGHT: normal'>new substances</SPAN></A></U></B> for regulation. The list is impressive.  It includes: Nickel (as in nickel plating), Beryllium (as in copper-beryllium alloys), Gallium Arsenide (say good-bye to cell phones), Liquid Crystals (do you really need a display?) and Rosin (as in rosin flux). Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA) was not included, due to its <A href='http://www.pcb007.com/anm/templates/article.aspx?articleid=19410&zoneid=40&v='><FONT color=#0000ff>recent approval</FONT></A> by the EU. With only one week to provide input (March 28<SUP>th</SUP>), this round of new restrictions is moving ahead quickly. The final result remains to be seen, but future electronics may have to be made from clay, rocks and paper.</SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><a name='Hermetic'></a>Preventing Moisture in Hermetic Packages</B></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><SPAN lang=EN style='mso-ansi-language: en'>Hermetic packages for semiconductor devices are typically ceramic housing sealed using glass or metal seals. Hermetic sealing is used to prevent the entry of undesirable chemicals that could damage sensitive integrated circuits. One relatively benign chemical, moisture, is especially damaging in a hermetic environment, even in very small or trace amounts. Click <A href='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/MoistureinHermeticPackages.pdf'>here </A> to learn the best industry practices and how you can avoid this all too common problem. For more information, please contact <A href='mailto:jmcnulty@dfrsolutions.com'>John McNulty</A>.</SPAN></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><a name='SSD'></a>Are solid-state drives (SSD) ready for prime time?</B></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-weight: bold'>The electronics industry, and the consumer they sell to, have been anticipating the introduction of true solid state drives for several years. But <A href='http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/03/18/ssd.notebook.failure.rates/'><FONT color=#0000ff>recent reports</FONT></A> indicating a field failure rate in excess of 30% suggest ensuring SSD reliability might be harder then it looks. While the root-cause has not yet been reported, concerns with this technology are well known. They include high package densities (creating stresses in 1<SUP>st</SUP> and 2<SUP>nd</SUP> level interconnects) and die designs that are now very susceptible to single event and multiple event upsets (SEU and MEU). For more information on how to do a better job of qualifying new technologies, please contact <A href='mailto:besser@dfrsolutions.com'>Bob Esser</A>.</SPAN></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><a name='Know'></a>Know Your Environment, Know Your Reliability</B></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'>Temperature variation in uncontrolled environments is driven by diurnal cycling (rise and fall of the sun). As such, the statistics of temperatures in uncontrolled environments can be determined through an assessment of climatic data and an understanding of temperature rise within an enclosed structure.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN> Click <A href='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/KnowYourEnvironment.pdf'><FONT color=#0000ff>here</FONT></A> for more. <SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN> For more information on defining use environments accurately, please contact <A href='mailto:jmcleish@dfrsolutions.com'>Jim McLeish.</A></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><a name='pb'></a>How to Assemble One or More Pb-Free Components in an SnPb Process?</SPAN></B></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'>One of the constraining issues being experienced by DfR customers producing low volume / high complexity (LVHC) is the transition to Pb-free ball grid arrays (BGAs). A number of solutions to this problem have been proposed, such as re-balling and mixed assembly. An interesting alternative is off-line assembly using automated and increasingly turn-key solder machines. One impressive example is the Spark 400 from <A href='http://www.beamworks.com/'><FONT color=#0000ff>BeamWorks</FONT></A>. By accepting tapes and reels, using lasers to limit the area subjected elevated temperature, and incorporating CAD data to automate paste dispensing, placement, and soldering, this tool has the opportunity to effectively manage the introduction of Pb-free components in LVHC applications. For more information on this tool, click <A href='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/BeamWorks_Spark_400.pdf'><FONT color=#0000ff>here</FONT></A>.</SPAN></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><a name='Guest'></a>Guest Article: REACH Wake Up Call</B></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'>Environmental regulation and restrictions did not stop with RoHS. The biggest and most ominous is the REACH legislation. With major impacts expected in six months (June 1, 2008), and most electronic manufacturers still unclear of their responsibilities (or the consequences), potential problems and unforeseen costs await. In this insightful <A href='http://www.designchainassociates.com/nl/dcanl1207.htm#one'>article</A>, Bill Oberlin of Design Chain Associates provides some insights into how to prepare your company for this paradigm changing legislation.</SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><a name='Connectors'></a>Be Careful How You Solder Those Connectors</B></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'>Which component is most likely to whisker? Would you guess your connectors? Why? There are many assumptions. Almost all connectors are fabricated with phosphor bronze, which is known to induce much longer tin whiskers than pure copper. Usually, this is not really a risk as the female connection will physically envelop each pin on the connection side, while the solder side will be coated with solder after passing through the wave. Everything okay, right?</SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'>Except reliability often becomes a problem with the outliers, not standard processes. And the outlier in this case is rework. If a connector is replaced or must be assembled by hand, it is highly likely that solder will not fully coat the tin plating, resulting in an elevated whisker risk. Be aware. If you are using tin-plated phosphor bronze connectors, make sure they are coated with solder under all process conditions. Additional questions about at-risk components? Please contact <A href='mailto:besser@dfrsolutions.com'>Bob Esser</A> or <A href='mailto:gfischer@dfrsolutions.com'>Gerd Fischer.</A></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><a name='Underfill'></a>Underfill Isn't Just for Ball Grid Arrays</B></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'>Have you ever opened a portable music device? If you opened one a few generations back, you might have been surprised to see some glop under the memory components. That glop was underfill and was used to improve the reliability of chip-scale packaged memory devices with Alloy 42 leadframes. This is just one of many innovative techniques to improve solder joint reliability. Others include use of sacrificial corner balls or corner staking. For more information on these techniques and their effectiveness, please contact <A href='mailto:nblattau@dfrsolutions.com'>Nathan Blattau.</A></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><a name='Service'></a>Service of the Month: Design Reviews – 20% Off</B></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'>Will your product meet expectations?<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN> The bottom line is you can't afford an unreliable design. However, determining whether your design is a reliable can be extremely difficult since failure can be induced by multiple drivers.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN> DfR Solutions can help identify potential problems during the design phase, <I style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'>before</I> product qualification – saving you time and money. We have the knowledge-based tools and expertise to conduct an overview of evolving designs, evaluate the performance requirements of your product, find any design weaknesses, and provide you with solutions.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN> Give us a call for a Design Review today, and save 20% off this service.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN> Call us at (301) 474-0607 or you can send us an <A href='mailto:askdfr@dfrsolutions.com'>email</A>.</SPAN> </p> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> <FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><U><FONT face='Tw Cen MT' color=#b15c12 size=4>DfR News</FONT></U></SPAN></STRONG></FONT> </p> <p> <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><a name='News'></a>DfR is Now On the GSA Schedule</FONT></FONT></B></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2>If you belong to a government agency and have been interested in our services, now is your chance. Our prices and expertise have been certified as government approved. For more information, please contact</FONT> <A href='mailto:besser@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Bob Esser</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2>.</FONT></SPAN> </p> <p> </p> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><FONT face='Tw Cen MT' color=#b15c12 size=4><U><a name='Events'></a>Upcoming Events</U></FONT></SPAN></STRONG></FONT></SPAN> </p> <p> <B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>IPC Printed Circuits Expo / APEX (Las Vegas, NV: March 30 - April 3, 2008)</FONT></FONT></SPAN></B> </p> <p> <FONT face=Arial size=2>DfR Solutions will teach the courses "Understanding Failure and Root-Cause Analysis in Lead Free Electronics" and "True Design for Reliability: Understanding What Is and What Is Not DfR."<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN> For more information, please visit the IPC</FONT> <A href='http://www.ipc.org/'><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>website</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> .</FONT> </p> <p> <B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>IPC Designer's Council Meeting (Sterling, VA:<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN> April 8, 2008)</FONT></FONT></B> </p> <p> <A href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Craig Hillman</FONT></A> <FONT face=Arial size=2>will present "The Reality of Pb-Free Reliability" at the IPC Designer's Council Meeting on April 8 at EIT in Sterling, VA. For more information, please contact</FONT> <A href='mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial color=#800080 size=2><FONT color=#0000ff>Angela Lawson</FONT></FONT></A> <FONT face=Arial size=2>or</FONT> <A href='mailto:edsipcb@comcast.net'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Michael Reagan</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2>.</FONT> </p> <p> <B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>Embedded Systems Conference (San Jose, CA: April 16, 2008)</FONT></FONT></B> </p> <p> <A href='mailto:nblattau@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Nathan Blattau</FONT></A> <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2>and</FONT> <A href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Craig Hillman</FONT></A> <FONT face=Arial size=2>will present "Common Hardware Mistakes by Embedded System Designers."<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN> This extended presentation will guide designers, both electrical and mechanical, on errors in component selection, component placement, and board layout that lead to field failures and the actions necessary to prevent them. For more information visit the ESC</FONT> <A href='http://www.cmp-egevents.com/web/guest/home'><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>website</FONT></A><font size='2'> <FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff>,</FONT> or contact</FONT></FONT> <A href='mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Angela Lawson</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2>.</FONT></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR Solutions in the San Francisco Bay Area (April 16-17, 2008)</SPAN></B></SPAN> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0.1in 0pt 0in'> <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman''><A title=mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt'>Craig Hillman</SPAN></A></SPAN> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>will be presenting to a number of companies in the San Francisco Bay area in mid-April on a variety of topics (Pb-free, design-for-reliability, supplier assurance, physics of failure, etc.). If you are interested in having Dr. Hillman speak to your company on one of these topics or on how DfR Solutions' integrated use of Physics of Failure and Best Practices can help you satisfy your customer and improve your bottom line, please contact</SPAN> <U><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt'><A title=mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com href='mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT color=#0000ff>Angela Lawso<SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt'>n.</SPAN></FONT></A></SPAN></U></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR in Boston, MA (late April, 2008)</SPAN></B></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR Solutions will be visiting companies in the Boston area in late April. If you and your associates are interested in an onsite visit and or presentation, please contact <A class='' href='mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT color=#0000ff>Angela Lawson.</FONT></A></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </p> <p> </p> <p> <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><STRONG><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Craig Hillman</SPAN> <SPAN>in Denver, CO (May 7-9, 2008)</SPAN></STRONG></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0.1in 0pt 0in'> <span style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><a class='' href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'>Craig Hillman</a> will be presenting to a number of companies in the Denver area in early May on a variety of topics (Pb-free, design-for-reliability, supplier assurance, physics of failure, etc.). If you are interested in having Dr. Hillman speak to your company on one of these topics or on how DfR Solutions' integrated use of Physics of Failure and Best Practices can help you satisfy your customer and improve your bottom line, please contact <A class='' href='mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT color=#0000ff>Angela Lawson.</FONT></A></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </p> <p> <B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>SMTA Conference on International Soldering & Reliability Conference (Toronto, ONT:<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN> May 13, 2008)</FONT></FONT></SPAN></B> </p> <p> <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><A href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Craig Hillman</FONT></A> <FONT face=Arial size=2>will present "The Reality of Pb-Free Reliability" course at SMTA's International Soldering & Reliability Conference. To register for the conference visit the SMTA</FONT> <A href='http://www.smta.org/'><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>website</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> .<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN> For more information on Dr. Hillman's presentation, contact</FONT> <A href='mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Angela Lawson.</FONT></A></SPAN> </p> <p> <FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'>Craig Hillman</B> <B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'>in Toronto, ONT (May 12-14, 2008)</B></FONT></FONT> </p> <p> <A href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Craig Hillman</FONT></A> <FONT face=Arial size=2>will be visiting companies in Toronto May 14-16 and will be available for other interested companies in the area.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN> If you would like Craig to make a presentation on such topics as Pb-free, design-for-reliability assessments, and supplier assurance please contact</FONT> <A href='mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Angela Lawson.</FONT></A> <FONT face=Arial size=2>He will also be available to arrange an hour-long meeting to show you how DfR Solutions' integrated use of Physics of Failure and Best Practices can help you satisfy your customer and improve your bottom line.</FONT> </p> <p> <B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>Wayne Tustin at DfR Solutions (College Park, MD: May 13-15, 2008)</FONT></FONT></B> </p> <p> <FONT face=Arial size=2>Wayne Tustin will teach his popular short course <B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'>"Random Vibration and Shock Testing, ESS, HALT & HASS"</B> at DfR Solutions in College Park, MD.  Wayne has been involved in vibration and shock measurement and testing since 1948. This specialized course will give you information on vibration and shock testing you can use immediately. Enroll now for this great opportunity to see Wayne in the Washington DC area.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN> For more details and reservations, please click</FONT> <A href='http://www.equipment-reliability.com/course3.htm'><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>here</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> .</FONT> </p> <p> <B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>DfR in Cleveland (May 27-28, 2008)</FONT></FONT></B> </p> <p> <A href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Craig Hillman</FONT></A> <FONT face=Arial size=2>in Cleveland, OH May 27<SUP>th</SUP> – 28<SUP>th</SUP>. If your company is located in Cleveland and you would like to meet with Craig, please contact</FONT> <A href='mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Angela Lawson</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2>.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN> He will be available to make a presentation at your company, or for a meeting.</FONT> </p> <p> <B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>LEAP Meeting (Immenstaad, Germany:<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN> April 9-10, 2008)</FONT></FONT></SPAN></B> </p> <p> <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2>DfR's technical sales representative for Germany, Austria and Switzerland,</FONT> <A href='mailto:khagen@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Klaus Hagen</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2>, will attend the LEAP meeting in Immenstaad, Germany April 9<SUP>th</SUP> and 10<SUP>th</SUP>.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN> If you would like to meet with Klaus during the event, please contact</FONT> <A href='mailto:khagen@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>him</FONT></A><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial> .</FONT></FONT></SPAN> </p> <p> <B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>IPC National Electronics Week (London, England: June 17-19, 2008)</FONT></FONT></SPAN></B> </p> <p> <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><A href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Craig Hillman</FONT></A> <FONT face=Arial size=2>will teach two courses during the IPC's new event, <I style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'>National Electronics Week.</I> "Understanding Failure and Root-Cause Analysis in Lead-Free Electronics" will be presented on Thursday, June 19, and "True Design for Reliability:<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN> Understanding What is, and What is Not DfR" will be presented on June 19.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN> For more information on the event, visit the IPC</FONT> <A href='http://www.ipc.org/'><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>website</FONT></A><font size='2'> <FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff>.</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </p> <p> <B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>DfR Solutions to Co-Sponsor Lead Free Webcast June 24, 2008</FONT></FONT></SPAN></B> </p> <p> <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>DfR will co-sponsor <I style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'>Military & Avionics Electronics</I> magazine's webcast on Lead Free June 24.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN> Watch for more details in our next newsletter!</FONT></FONT></SPAN> </p> <p> <B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>SMTA 2008 (Orlando, FL: August 17-21, 2008)</FONT></FONT></B> </p> <p> <A href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Craig Hillman</FONT></A><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial> will present <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'>"Understanding Failure and Root-Cause Analysis in Lead-Free Electronics" at SMTA 2008. <A href='mailto:jarnold@dfrsolutions.com'>Joelle Arnold,</A> technical staff member at DfR, will collaborate with Nihon Superior to present "Reliability Testing of Nickel-Modified SnCu and SAC305: Accelerated Thermal Cycling" and "Reliability Testing of Nickel-Modified SnCu and SAC305: Vibration and Shock." For more information on the conference, visit the SMTA </SPAN></FONT></FONT><A href='http://www.smta.org/'><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT size=2><FONT color=#0000ff>website.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></FONT></A> </p> <p> <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR in East Texas (Mid September)</SPAN></B></FONT></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR Solutions will be visiting companies in East Texas (Dallas, Austin, and Houston) in mid-September. If you and your associates are interested in an onsite visit and or presentation, please contact</SPAN> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman''><A title=mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com href='mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt'><FONT color=#0000ff>Angela Lawson</FONT></SPAN></A>.</SPAN></FONT></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR in Milwaukee, WI (Mid October)</SPAN></B></FONT></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR Solutions will be visiting companies in the Milwaukee area in mid-September. If you and your associates are interested in an onsite visit and or presentation, please contact</SPAN> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman''><A title=mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com href='mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt'><FONT color=#0000ff>Angela Lawson</FONT></SPAN></A>.</SPAN></FONT></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT color=#b15c12><U><STRONG><FONT face='Tw Cen MT' size=4><a name='Employment'></a>Employment</FONT></STRONG> </U></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR Solutions is currently looking to hire two additional members of technical staff. The first position is for an Electrical Engineer with approximately 3-6 years of industrial experience. This candidate will assist in the design and development of test and measurement equipment, perform circuit and component stress analyses for customers, and provide general support on a wide range of electrical and other issues. Experience in power and analog design is desirable. All resumes should be sent to <A href='mailto:askdfr@dfrsolutions.com'>askdfr@dfrsolutions.com</A></SPAN></FONT></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>The second position is for Experts in the following areas: Integrated Circuit (IC) Design, IC Fabrication, IC Packaging, Solid State Drive (SSD) Technology, Display Technology, Battery Technology, Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Fabrication, Power Electronics Design. Desirable candidates will have an advanced degree and 7+ years of experience. Those candidates with exceptionally strong backgrounds and an existing customer base may be provided the opportunity to work from home. All resumes should be sent to <A href='mailto:askdfr@dfrsolutions.com'>askdfr@dfrsolutions.com</A></SPAN></FONT></SPAN> </p> <p> </p> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </p> <p> </p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><SPAN><STRONG><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><U><FONT face='Tw Cen MT' color=#b15c12 size=4>Advertisements</FONT></U></SPAN></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><SPAN><A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3697008&m=457574&u=DFR_&s=http://www.opsalacarte.com/'><img alt='' src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/opssmall.JPG' border='0'> </A></SPAN></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><SPAN><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: arial'>OPS A La Carte provides professional consulting services to assist clients in developing and executing all elements of reliability throughout an organization and product life cycle –</SPAN> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: arial'>hardware and software!  OPS A La Carte pioneered Reliability IntegrationSM  β€“ using multiple tools in conjunction to increase the power and value of any Reliability Program.  Visit our <A class='' href='http://www.opsalacarte.com/'><FONT color=#0000ff>website</FONT></A>  for more information, or contact us at <A class='' href='mailto:info@opsalacarte.com'>info@opsalacarte.com</A>, or (408) 472-3889.</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><SPAN>  <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3697010&m=457574&u=DFR_&s=http://www.nihonsuperior.co.jp/english/'><img alt='' src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/Nihonlogo.jpg' border='0'> </A></SPAN></SPAN> </p> <p> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-AU style='FONT-FAMILY: arial'><FONT size=2>Our patented lead-free solder SN100C is based on a unique formulation of tin, copper, nickel and germanium that delivers cost-effectively high performance in production and reliability in service.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN> SN100C matches the performance of the tin-lead solder it replaces in delivering smooth, bright, crack-free fillets and high first pass yield.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN> And its combination of strength and ductility ensure superior performance in high strain conditions such as vibration. Visit our <A class='' href='http://www.nihonsuperior.co.jp/english/'>website</A> for more information.</FONT> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </p> <p> <span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><span><strong><font color='#ff0000'>Advertise Here & </font> <span><font color='#ff0000'>Reach Over 8,000</font> </span> <font color='#ff0000'><span>Electronics Professionals Each Month!</span></font></strong></span></span> </p> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial'><SPAN><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: arial'>DfR is now accepting advertisements in the DfR <SPAN>Solutions Newsletter.  </SPAN> For more information, <a class='' href='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/DfR_newsletter_advertising.pdf'> <FONT color=#0000ff>click here</FONT></A><FONT color=#0000ff>.</FONT></SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN> </p> </div> </td> </tr> </table> </body> </html> http://www.emsnow.com/nlps/story.cfm?ID=119&NLID=1203 Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:46:01 EST Transition Automation Newsletter <table style='BORDER-RIGHT: darkblue thin solid; BORDER-TOP: darkblue thin solid; BORDER-LEFT: darkblue thin solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: darkblue thin solid' cellspacing='1' cellpadding='1' width='716' border='0'> <tbody> <tr> <td width='712'> <table cellspacing='0' cellpadding='3' width='714' bgcolor='#000000' border='0'> <tbody> <tr> <td valign='baseline' width='135'><a href='http://www.transitionautomation.com/'><img height='36' alt='' hspace='5' width='105' vspace='5' border='0' src='http://www.transitionautomation.com/news/feb2008/logo.gif' /></a><br /> </td> <td valign='baseline' align='right' width='565'><img height='60' alt='' hspace='5' width='468' vspace='5' border='0' src='http://www.transitionautomation.com/news/feb2008/banner.gif' /><br /> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align='center' width='706' colspan='2'><font color='#d5fffd' size='+2'><strong><font color='#da70d6'>Automatic Squeegee Cleaning: New Automation for a "Sticky" problem!</font></strong><br /> </font></td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align='center' width='706' colspan='2'><font color='#d5fffd' size='+1'>See this new technology live at Apex, Booth 2146, or Register for Advanced Specs and Datasheet at </font><a href='http://www.transitionautomation.com/'><font color='#d5fffd' size='+1'>www.Permalex.com</font></a><br /> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign='top' align='center' width='706' colspan='2'> <table cellpadding='5' width='100%'> <tbody> <tr> <td valign='top' width='20%'> <table width='100%'> <tbody> <tr> <td align='left'><strong><font color='#d5fffd'><font color='#ffffff'>Automatic Squeegee Cleaning: Advanced Solder Paste Management Inside the SMT Printer.</font></font></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align='center'><a href='http://www.transitionautomation.com/'><img height='170' alt='' hspace='5' width='300' vspace='5' border='0' src='http://www.transitionautomation.com/news/feb2008/image1.jpg' /></a><br /> <font color='#d5fffd' size='-1'><em><font color='#90ee90'>The new Permalex Paste Manager System, combines integrated electronics, high torque compact actuators and innovative design to achieve this exceptional automation of a tedious and messy reality: solder paste sticking problems. </font></em></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align='left'><font color='#d5fffd'><font color='#808000'>If you are a professional engaged in SMT printing, or a line Technician, or Manager involved in Electronics Manufacturing, you might want to take notice of this new innovation being released by Transition Automation, Inc. <br /> As the world's largest supplier of long life metal squeegees, we have been closely involved with many hundreds of large SMT users, and thousands of end-user printing operations. We know that Solder Paste Sticking and Migration within the printer are a major production problem. Now, we have solved this problem, very directly and the best thing of all: you do not have to change anything in your machine. Our new Paste Manager System is a drop in replacement to any dual squeegee SMT printer. All you need to do is route a 12V power line from the supplied universal power supply to your squeegee head, and Velcro attach our Automated Controller. Connect the two squeegees to the controller and you are ready to roll! (Excuse the pun!). You will get fresher solder paste, better rolling and best of all: no more solder paste sticking to your squeegees. <br /> Nothing is as easy as it looks: this new product has been in testing and development for over two years, and Transition Automation has spent many hundreds of hours engineering and testing the various revisions. Now – it is ready to roll and you are welcome to give us a call to order a trial unit for your production.<br /> </font></font></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td valign='top' width='55%'> <table width='100%'> <tbody> <tr> <td align='center'><strong><font color='#d5fffd'><font color='#ffffff'>Sliding Blade is Key to this new Technology </font></font></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align='center'><a href='http://www.transitionautomation.com/'><img height='199' alt='Click here to find out more' hspace='5' width='300' vspace='5' border='0' src='http://www.transitionautomation.com/news/feb2008/image2.jpg' /></a><br /> <font color='#d5fffd' size='-1'><em><font color='#90ee90'>The Sliding Blade is a key innovation, which introduces very minimal extra parts within the squeegee area, yet achieves a high degree of functionality. Fitting to our name, Transition Automation, Inc. provides yet another breakthrough of simplicity and performance.</font></em></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align='left'><font color='#d5fffd'><font color='#808000'>The breakthrough with this new technology is a thin sliding blade, which shears the solder paste from the squeegee blade, after each and every print stroke. This gives you live, active "spatula" movement built right into your squeegee. The system triggers itself into action by the up-down motion of the squeegees. Register at www.Permalex.com and we will send you advanced information on this new system so you can arrange a trial or review the technology to see if it fits your process upgrade programs.</font></font></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table width='100%'> <tbody> <tr> <td align='left'> <p><strong><font color='#d5fffd'><font color='#ffffff'>Self-Cleaning Squeegee System Gets an Upgrade…Now You Can Have Automation Where You Need It!</font></font></strong></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align='center'><a href='http://www.transitionautomation.com/'><img height='207' alt='Click here to find out more' hspace='5' width='300' vspace='5' border='0' src='http://www.transitionautomation.com/news/feb2008/image3.jpg' /></a><br /> <font color='#d5fffd' size='-1'><em><font color='#90ee90'>Transition Automation's highly engineered squeegee products bring a quality boost to Electronics Manufacturers who want to have their lines running continuously without interruption for many months. </font></em></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align='left'><font color='#d5fffd'><font color='#808000'>The controller we designed for this system fits in the palm of your hand. Stick it with Velcro to the squeegee head inside your machine, and simply rout the 12V power line within or alongside your wire guide leading to your squeegee head. Plug it in, and turn the power on. The system is ready to serve you. You can set the number of clean cycles you wish to have for each print stroke, (one is all you should need). You can also set a limit, which the controller will count cycles and alert you when this limit is reached. <br /> Some companies are trying to convert users from Dual Squeegee printing to Closed head printing systems. These systems we are told are very complicated, there are numerous parts, and worst of all, we hear that you have to open them up and clean them at least once a week. Don't Internalize Solder Paste Sticking! Keep your system open, and easy to manage, and you will be cruising with Transition Automation, Inc. </font></font></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align='center' width='708' colspan='3'><font color='#d5fffd'>Technology for Improving SMT Print Quality and Production Yield</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align='center' width='708' colspan='3'><font color='#d5fffd'> •  Customer Care Department SMT News</font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> http://www.emsnow.com/nlps/story.cfm?ID=118&NLID=330 Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:04:24 EST DfR Solutions Newsletter <html> <head> <title>No title</title> <meta name='generator' content='Namo WebEditor v5.0'> </head> <body bgcolor='white' text='black' link='blue' vlink='purple' alink='red'> <table width='700' cellpadding='0' cellspacing='0' bgcolor='#ffe1ba' border='0'> <tr><td width='700' height='36' align='left' valign='top' bgcolor='#4c711d'><img src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/template/dfr/NewsletterTemplate/dfr_topnav.gif' alt='Top Navigation Toolbar' width='700' height='36' border='0' usemap='#topMap' /></td></tr> <tr><td height='96' align='left' valign='top'><img src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/template/dfr/NewsletterTemplate/dfr_masthead.jpg' alt='DfR Masthead and Logo' width='700' height='90' border='0' usemap='#mastMap' /></td></tr> <tr><td height='36'> <FONT face='Tw Cen MT' color=#004475 size=5><STRONG>DfR Solutions Newsletter</STRONG></FONT></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><FONT face='Tw Cen MT' color=#004475 size=5><STRONG>January/February 2008</STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>  </SPAN></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><STRONG>Happy New Year!</STRONG></SPAN></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> <TABLE height=180 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=182 align=right border=0 valign='top'> <TR> <TD> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2><STRONG><FONT size=3><FONT face='Tw Cen MT'><FONT color=#4c721d>     In This Issue</FONT></FONT></FONT></STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN><FONT size=1>          <A class='' href='#europe'>DfR in Europe</A></FONT></SPAN></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN><FONT size=1>          <A class='' href='#opto'>Opto-Electronics</A></FONT></SPAN></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN><FONT size=1>          <A class='' href='#counterfeit'>Counterfeit Parts</A></FONT></SPAN></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN><FONT size=1>          <A class='' href='#coffee'>Coffee Killed Computer</A>!</FONT></SPAN></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN><FONT size=1>          <A class='' href='#rohs'>RoHS 2 is Here</A></FONT></SPAN></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN><FONT size=1>          <A class='' href='#whisker'>Whisker Free Tin?</A></FONT></SPAN></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN><FONT size=1>          <A class='' href='#blues'>Black Pad Blues</A></FONT></SPAN></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN><FONT size=1>          <A class='' href='#service'>Service of the Month</A></FONT></SPAN></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN><FONT size=1>          <A class='' href='#news'>DfR in East Asia</A></FONT></SPAN></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN><FONT size=1>          <A class='' href='#events'>Upcoming Events</A></FONT></SPAN></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT size=2>  </FONT></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT size=2>         </FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE><p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>As we start the New Year, the staff at DfR Solutions wishes you a successful and prosperous 2008.  As always, we are here to answer any quality and reliability issues you may encounter.  Just give us a call at 301-474-0607 or send us an <A class='' href='mailto:askdfr@dfrsolutions.com'>email.</A></SPAN></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><STRONG><A href='' name=europe></A>Falling Dollar Makes DfR Even More Competitive in Europe <br></STRONG>With a 'flat earth' and a sinking dollar, an increasing number of companies from Europe (England, Ireland, Norway, Germany, etc.) are contacting DfR Solutions for consultation, testing, and failure analysis services. What are you waiting for? Contact <A class='' href='mailto:khagen@dfrsolutions.com'>Klaus Hagen</A> or <A class='' href='mailto:gfischer@dfrsolutions.com'>Gerd Fischer</A> for more information.</SPAN></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><STRONG><A href='' name=opto></A>Common Problems in Opto-Electronics - Packaging <br></STRONG>The proliferation of start-ups, radical shortening of development cycles, constant cost reduction pressure from customers, and outsourcing/offshore production have all colluded to promote quick, ill-informed design and process decisions in opto-electronic components and systems.  This is the first in a series of white papers by <A class='' href='mailto:jmcnulty@dfrsolutions.com'>John McNulty</A> on the most common issues and how to avoid them.  Click <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374408&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/Common_Reliability_Problems_in_OptoElectronic_Packaging.pdf'>here</a> to read.</SPAN></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><STRONG><A href='' name=counterfeit></A>Counterfeit Problem? Counterfeit Solution! <br></STRONG>Though there are some indications that the proliferation of counterfeits is declining, it remains a vexing issue for the electronics industry (as evidenced by the numerous counterfeit activities performed by DfR last year). A great solution would be to have a visual indicator right on the package. To work towards that goal, DfR has teamed up with Digital Light Innovations to benchmark their MikroCAD. Its remarkable technology allows for rapid (less than 1 minute) identification of imperceptible changes in part markings. </SPAN></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR and DLi are currently looking for a wide range of examples of discrete and active counterfeits. If you or your company is interested in participating, please contact <A class='' href='mailto:besser@dfrsolutions.com'>Bob Esser</A> as soon as possible. For more information about DfR's activities in counterfeit detection and avoidance, please click <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3379624&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/Counterfeits.ppt'>here.</a></SPAN></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'>  </P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><STRONG><A href='' name=coffee></A>My Coffee Just Killed My Computer! <br></STRONG>A good reliability engineer makes sure that product qualification considers every realistic environment. That includes human error, such as the the periodic spills of various beverages. But, how to test for all possible beverages? Answer: Rely on DfR Solutions. The results of our <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374693&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/BeverageConductivityArticle.pdf'>internal study</a> just might surprise you. For more information on issues regarding contamination and cleanliness, please contact <A class='' href='mailto:sbinfield@dfrsolutions.com'>Seth Binfield</A>.</SPAN></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><STRONG><A href='' name=rohs></A>RoHS 2 Moves Forward <br></STRONG>As mentioned in our previous newsletter, the creation of RoHS 2 continues. The Technical Adaptation Committee (TAC) is <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374417&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://rohs.exemptions.oeko.info/'>currently reviewing</a> all existing exemptions to the current RoHS legislation (we're betting on flip chip and high-Pb to go bye-bye). The TAC welcomes all opinions and concerns (but only for 8 weeks). And remember, its not only exemptions. The <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374418&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://hse-rohs.oeko.info/'>Oko Institut</a> has been tasked with identifying new substances to remove or regulate. </SPAN></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><STRONG><A href='' name=whisker></A>Whisker-Free Tin!? Gosh, That Sounds Familiar <br></STRONG>Uyemura, a Japanese supplier of tin plating chemistry, is <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374419&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/ETYNADES_GRX70.pdf'>claiming</a> that their new 'satin' pure tin plating (GRX-70) greatly limits the length and density of tin whiskers. Success at last? Proceed with caution. Recent history has demonstrated that even successful formulations can be upended by sensitivity to process parameters (good one day, bad the next) and exposure to unexpected environments (any testing with corrosive gases?). Need more guidance on tin whiskers? Please contact <A class='' href='mailto:besser@dfrsolutions.com'>Bob Esser</A> or <A class='' href='mailto:gfischer@dfrsolutions.com'>Gerd Fischer</A>.</SPAN></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><STRONG><A href='' name=blues></A>Singin' The Black Pad Blues <br></STRONG>Have you ever experienced Black Pad? Did it make you just want to sing? Now you can (click <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374694&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.dfrsolutions.com/assets/blackpadblues.wmv'>here</a>). (Thanks Joe!) <br></SPAN></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </SPAN></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><STRONG><A href='' name=service></A>Service of the Month: Technology Insertion (aka, Applied Research) <br></STRONG>While most of our customers are familiar with our broad range of activities in the new product development cycle (design assurance, supplier benchmarking, product qualification, etc.), you may not know about one of our most requested services: <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374438&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.dfrsolutions.com/technologyInsertion.aspx'>Technology Insertion</a>. A unique combination of a strong research background with an understanding of the practical aspects of the electronics industry generates solid results delivered on time and at low cost. Our recent study on the reliability of Ni-modified SnCu was cited by one solder expert as a 'textbook example', but was delivered at 1/3rd the price of similar studies by 'non-profit' universities and organizations. How did we do it? Call or <A class='' href='mailto:askdfr@dfrsolutions.com'>email </A>us to find out.</SPAN></SPAN></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </SPAN></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><U><FONT face='Tw Cen MT' color=#b15c12 size=4><A href='' name=News></A><A href='' name=news></A>DfR News</FONT></U></SPAN></STRONG></FONT></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>DfR Solutions announces Director of East Asian Business Development <br></STRONG>Due to rapidly increasing business with companies in East Asia, including component suppliers, CEMs, and OEMs, DfR is proud to announce <A class='' href='mailto:jmcnulty@dfrsolutions.com'>Dr. John McNulty</A> as our Director of East Asian Business Development.  Click <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374421&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/McNulty_Director_of_East_Asian_Business_Dev.pdf'>here </a>to read the press release. <br></FONT> </SPAN></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><A href='' name=Event></A><FONT face='Tw Cen MT' color=#b15c12 size=4><U><A href='' name='Upcoming Events'></A><A href='' name=events></A>Upcoming Events</U></FONT></SPAN></STRONG></FONT></SPAN></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>SMTA Anaheim Academy (Anaheim, CA: January 29, 2008) <br></STRONG><A class='' href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutons.com'>Craig Hillman</A> is teaching the course, <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374695&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/SMTA_teaser.pdf'>"Selecting a Pb-Free Solution for Military, Avionics, and Space Applications."</a>  For more information, please contact <A class='' href='mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com'>Angela Lawson</A> or click <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374696&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.smta.org/education/symposia/symposia.cfm'>here.</a></FONT></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>LEAP Working Group (Irving, TX: January 30-31, 2008) <br></STRONG><A class='' href='mailto:nblattau@dfrsolutions.com'>Nathan Blattau</A> will present "<A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374697&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/Developing_a_PbFree_Qual_Plan2.pdf'>Developing a Pb-Free Qualification Plan for Hi-Rel Applications</a>."  This presentation provides a detailed and practical approach, combined with an informative case study, for modifying internal test plans in response to the RoHS legislation. For more information, please contact <A class='' href='mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com'>Angela Lawson</A> or <A class='' href='mailto:rusty.rentsch@aia-aerospace.org'>Rusty Rentsch</A>.</FONT></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>DfR Solutions in Dallas, Texas (January 29-31, 2008) <br></STRONG><A class='' href='mailto:nblattau@dfrsolutions.com'>Nathan Blattau</A> will be in the Dallas area for the LEAP meeting and is currently available for onsite visits. If your company would like Dr. Blattau to give a presentation or be available for discussions, please contact <A class='' href='mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com'>Angela Lawson</A> to make arrangements</FONT></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Reliability and Maintainability Symposium (Las Vegas, NV: January 31, 2008) <br></STRONG><A class='' href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'>Craig Hillman</A>, in conjunction with Mike Silverman and Fred Schenkelberg of <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374698&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.opsalacarte.com'>OpsAlaCarte,</a> will present "How to Develop a Qualification Test Plan for RoHS Products."  For more information, please contact <A class='' href='mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com'>Angela Lawson</A> or go to the RAMS <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374699&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.rams.org'>website </a>to register for this conference. <br>  <br><STRONG>DesignCon (San Jose, CA: February 4-7, 2008) <br></STRONG><A class='' href='mailto:edodd@dfrsolutions.com'>Ed Dodd</A> and <A class='' href='mailto:jmcnulty@dfrsolutions.com'>John McNulty</A> will host an exhibit at <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374700&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.designcon.com'>DesignCon </a>with a special focus on DfR Solutions' <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374427&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.dfrsolutions.com/designReview.aspx'>design activities</a> and the <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374701&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.dfrsolutions.com/fixtress.aspx'>fiXtress™</a> software program for design professionals.  This unique program automates component stress analysis, reducing product development time and greatly reducing the risk of potential field issues.  Stop by Booth 908 to learn more.</FONT></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <p class=MsoPlainText style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><STRONG>National Defense Industrial Association - Advanced Planning Briefing for Industry (Washington, DC: February 7, 2008)</STRONG></FONT></FONT></P> <p class=MsoPlainText style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><A class='' href='mailto:besser@dfrsolutions.com'>Bob Esser</A> will be representing DfR Solutions as this important conference on latest research topics of interest in national defense. If you are planning on attending this conference and would like to meet with Dr. Esser and discuss DfR's expertise in qualifying new technologies and making prognostics a reality, please contact him by <A class='' href='mailto:besser@dfrsolutions.com'>email.</A></FONT></FONT></P> <p class=MsoPlainText style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face=Arial><FONT face='Courier New' size=2> </FONT></FONT></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Commercialization of Military and Space Electronics (San Diego, CA: February 11-14, 2008) <br></STRONG><A class='' href='mailto:nblattau@dfrsolutions.com'>Nathan Blattau</A> will be presenting <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374702&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/Paradigm_Shift_in_Design_Assurance.pdf'>"Paradigm Shift in Design Assurance and Reliability Prediction"</a>. This presentation focuses on new approaches to design assurance that will reduce engineering costs and capture reliability issues earlier in the product development cycle. For more information, please contact <A class='' href='mailto:lhamiter1934@cti-us.com'>Leon Hamiter</A> or <A class='' href='mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com'>Angela Lawson</A>.</FONT></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>SMTAI Webcast on Moisture Sensitivity for Printed Wiring Boards (March 10, 2008) <br></STRONG>DfR Solutions will present "Robustness of Printed Wiring Boards to Pb-free Reflow and the Influence of Absorbed Moisture." This presentation will discuss the issues with Pb-free and printed boards and how storage controls may or may not mitigate this risk. For more information, please contact <A class='' href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'>Craig Hillman</A> or <A class='' href='mailto:ryan@smta.org'>Ryan Flaherty</A>.</FONT></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>IPC/JEDEC Conference on Reliability, Rework, & Repair of Lead-Free Electronics (Raleigh, NC: March 11-12, 2008) <br></STRONG><A class='' href='mailto:jarnold@dfrsolutions.com'>Joelle Arnold</A>, in conjunction with Keith Sweatman of <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374430&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.nihonsuperior.co.jp/english/'>Nihon Superior</a>, will present "Accelerated Reliability Testing of Ni-Modified SnCu and SAC305: Part I: Accelerated Thermal Cycling and Part II: Vibration and Shock."  For more information, please visit the conference website.</FONT></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Designing for Excellence (DfR Solutions, College Park, MD: March 24 – 25, 2008) <br></STRONG><A class='' href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'>Craig Hillman</A>, in collaboration with <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374703&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.besttest.com'>ATE Solutions</a>, will teach "Design for Excellence (DFX): X = Reliability, Manufacturability, etc." For more information, please contact <A class='' href='mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com'>Angela Lawson</A> or <A class='' href='mailto:testable1@aol.com'>Louis Ungar.</A></FONT></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>IPC Printed Circuits Expo / APEX (Las Vegas, NV: March 30 - April 3, 2008) <br></STRONG><A class='' href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'>Craig Hillman</A> will teach the courses "Understanding Failure and Root-Cause Analysis in Lead Free Electronics" and "True Design for Reliability: Understanding What Is and What Is Not DfR."  For more information, please visit the IPC <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374704&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.ipc.org'>website</a> or contact <A class='' href='mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com'>Angela Lawson</A>.</FONT></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Embedded Systems Conference (San Jose, CA: April 14-18, 2008) <br></STRONG><A class='' href='mailto:nblattau@dfrsolutions.com'>Nathan Blattau</A> and <A class='' href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'>Craig Hillman</A> will present "Common Hardware Mistakes by Embedded System Designers."  This extended presentation will guide designers, both electrical and mechanical, on errors in component selection, component placement, and board layout that lead to field failures and the actions necessary to prevent them. For more information visit the ESC <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374705&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.cmp-egevents.com/web/guest/home'>website,</a> or contact <A class='' href='mailto:alawson@dfrsolutions.com'>Angela Lawson</A>.</FONT></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>Wayne Tustin at DfR Solutions (College Park, MD: May 13-15, 2008) <br></STRONG>Wayne Tustin will teach his popular short course "Random Vibration and Shock Testing, ESS, HALT & HASS" at DfR Solutions, College Park, MD.  For more details and reservations, please click <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374706&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.equipment-reliability.com/course3.htm'>here.</a></FONT></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2><STRONG>IPC National Electronics Week (London, England: June 17-19, 2008) <br></STRONG><A class='' href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'>Craig Hillman</A> will teach two courses during the IPC's new event, <EM>National Electronics Week</EM>. "Understanding Failure and Root-Cause Analysis in Lead-Free Electronics" will be presented on Thursday, June 19, and "True Design for Reliability:  Understanding What is, and What is Not DfR" will be presented on June 19.  For more information on the event, visit the IPC <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374707&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.ipc.org'>website.</a></FONT></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'></P> <p><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN><STRONG><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><U><A href='' name=Ad></A><A href='' name=Ad></A><FONT face='Tw Cen MT' color=#b15c12 size=4>Advertisements</FONT></U></SPAN></STRONG><U><FONT face='Tw Cen MT' color=#b15c12 size=4> </FONT></U></SPAN></SPAN></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> <p><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN><A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3379625&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.opsalacarte.com'><IMG alt='' src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/opssmall.JPG' border=0></a></SPAN></SPAN> </P> <p class=msonormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>OPS A La Carte provides professional consulting services to assist clients in developing and executing all elements of reliability throughout an organization and product life cycle –</SPAN> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>hardware and software!  OPS A La Carte pioneered Reliability IntegrationSM  – using multiple tools in conjunction to increase the power and value of any Reliability Program.  Visit our <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3379626&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.opsalacarte.com'>website</a>  for more information, or contact us at <A class='' href='mailto:info@opsalacarte.com'>info@opsalacarte.com</A>, or (408) 472-3889.</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </P> <p class=msonormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN></P> <p class=msonormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN>  <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3379627&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.nihonsuperior.co.jp/english/'><IMG alt='' src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/Nihonlogo.jpg' border=0></a></SPAN></SPAN></P> <p class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN><SPAN lang=EN-AU style='FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><FONT size=2>Our patented lead-free solder SN100C is based on a unique formulation of tin, copper, nickel and germanium that delivers cost-effectively high performance in production and reliability in service.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>SN100C matches the performance of the tin-lead solder it replaces in delivering smooth, bright, crack-free fillets and high first pass yield.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>And its combination of strength and ductility ensure superior performance in high strain conditions such as vibration. Visit our <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3379628&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.nihonsuperior.co.jp/english/'>website </a>for more information.</FONT> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P> <p class=msonormal style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>  </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P> <p class=msonormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN></P> <p class=msonormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN><SPAN><STRONG><FONT color=#ff0000>Advertise Here & </FONT><SPAN><FONT color=#ff0000>Reach Over 8,000</FONT> </SPAN><FONT color=#ff0000><SPAN>Electronics Professionals Each Month!</SPAN> </FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR is now accepting advertisements in the DfR <SPAN>Solutions Newsletter.  </SPAN>For more information, <A class='' href='http://www.mmsend2.com/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3374437&m=424554&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/DfR_newsletter_advertising.pdf'><FONT color=#0000ff>click here</FONT></a><FONT color=#0000ff>.</FONT></SPAN><FONT color=#0000ff> </FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P><!-- End Content Area 1 --></td> </tr> <tr><td height='60' align='left' valign='top'><img src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/template/dfr/NewsletterTemplate/dfr_bottomnav.gif' alt='Bottom Navigation Toolbar' width='700' height='60' border='0' usemap='#bottomMap' /></td></tr> <p> <tr > <td align='center' bgcolor='#999999' height='40' style='padding:5px; font: 10px Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #fff;'><a style='color: #fff;' 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and Logo' width='700' usemap='#mastMap' border='0' src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/template/dfr/NewsletterTemplate/dfr_masthead.jpg' /> </td> </tr> <tr> <td height='36'> <div style='MARGIN: 6px'><!-- Begin Content Area 1 --> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><font face='Arial' size='2'><strong>DfR Solutions</strong></font> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><font face='Arial' size='2'>November/December 2007</font> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Newsletter</font> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>The Latest on Tin Whiskers</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><font face='Arial' size='2'>To busy to go to conferences? Then we'll go to you. Enclosed in this <a class='' href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3043011&m=390336&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/TinWhiskersNovDec2007.pdf'>presentation</a> is the latest information on tin whiskers. The most interesting trend? An increasing number of component suppliers are now offering 'double mitigation', such as SnBi over nickel or thick (7-10 microns) plating with a 150C anneal. For more information on tin whiskers, please contact</font> <a href='mailto:gfischer@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Gerd Fischer</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>or</font> <a href='mailto:besser@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Bob Esser.</font></a> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>A Review of the Occam Conference</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><font face='Arial' size='2'>DfR staff member</font> <a href='mailto:jmcnulty@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>John McNulty</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>attended the first Occam Developers' Conference October 16 in San Jose, CA.  The Occam process is a proposed method of building circuits without the use of solders.  Click <a class='' href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3043012&m=390336&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/OCCAM.pdf'>here</a> to read his review of the conference.</font> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'><u>Service of the Month:</u><span style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </span> Component Testing</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Frazzled by component failures? Looking to get a better handle on the performance and reliability of your passive and discrete components? DfR can help. The staff at DfR is extremely knowledgeable and skilled in all industry test specifications, but we are also keenly aware of those test specification's limitations.<span style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </span> This knowledge provides you with <em style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'>complete</em> solutions to ensure your product's longevity.<span style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </span> Let DfR help you with compliance, performance, or specification component testing.<span style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </span> For the months of November and December we'll offer this service at 10% off our usual pricing.<span style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </span> Contact us at</font> <a href='mailto:askdfr@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>askdfr@dfrsolutions.com</font></a><font size='2'> <font face='Arial'>today.<strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'> </strong></font></font></p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>Pb-Free Misinformation Continues to Cause Confusion</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Regardless of your point-of-view on Pb-free (good, bad, or indifferent), your decisions and approaches are not helped by misinformation and misunderstanding. A stunning example of this is a</font> <a href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3043013&m=390336&u=DFR_&s=http://www.edn.com/article/CA6477864.html?nid=2551'><font face='Arial' size='2'>recent article</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>in <em style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'>EDN</em>. Titled "<u>The 12 Myths</u>," it contains a number of mistakes and half-truths. These include:</font> </p> <ul style='MARGIN-TOP: 0in' type='disc'> <li class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Lead-free is less reliable than SnPb. As the DEFINITION of reliability is application dependent, this broad-based statement is in error. For example, SAC tends to be more robust than SnPb in most temperature cycling environments</font> </li> <li class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Exceptions were granted to military and other hi-rel because of the high level of RISK involved in these applications, not poor reliability of Pb-free</font> </li> <li class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Figure 2 is ZINC whiskers, not tin whiskers</font> </li> <li class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in'><font face='Arial' size='2'>SAC solder and whiskers. The risk of whiskers emanating from tin-based solder is relatively low compared to tin-based plating. All tin-based materials can whisker (they have even been observed on SnPb solder), but it's the likelihood and maximum length that's key</font> </li> <li class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in'><font face='Arial' size='2'>The majority of lead coatings are tin and palladium, not SAC</font> </li> <li class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Swatch's problems were more complex than detailed and involved some poor material selection</font> </li> </ul> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'>  </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Buyers beware on 'experts' in Pb-free. <em style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'>EDN</em> could have done better.</font> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>Cleanliness and Contamination</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><font face='Arial' size='2'>A number of companies, both big and small, have struggled with ensuring cleanliness of the printed boards and circuit card assemblies. This <a class='' href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3043014&m=390336&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/CleanlinessandContamination.pdf'>presentation</a> provides some insight on what industry documents recommend to prevent excessive contamination and why sometimes those efforts fail. For more information, please contact</font> <a href='mailto:sbinfield@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Seth Binfield</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>or</font> <a href='mailto:jmcnulty@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>John McNulty</font></a><font face='Arial' size='2'> .</font> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>Environmental Pressures on Electronics Increase</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Numerous recent articles, such as stories on</font> <a class='' href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3043015&m=390336&u=DFR_&s=http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2007/july/science/kb_china.html'><font face='Arial' size='2'>high levels of brominated flame retardants</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>in electronics-dismantling workers in China and</font> <a href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3043016&m=390336&u=DFR_&s=http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=11032'><font face='Arial' color='#800080' size='2'>Greenpeace's attack on the iPhone</font></a><font face='Arial' size='2'> , demonstrate the increasing expectations of environment-friendly materials in electronics. And where is this taking us? In addition to Norway's recent Super-RoHS, the EU Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has started the process of RoHS 2, which may include adding medical and industrial control products, increasing the number of restricted substances and reducing the current number of exemptions. Want to know more? Gary Nevison of Farnell has two excellent blogs on this critical topic (</font><a href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3043017&m=390336&u=DFR_&s=http://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/electronics-legislation/2007/05/rohs-review-invitation-to-comm.html'> <font face='Arial' size='2'>blog1</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>and</font> <a href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3043018&m=390336&u=DFR_&s=http://www.electronicsweekly.com/blogs/electronics-legislation/2007/04/the-eu-rohs-directive-the-firs.html'><font face='Arial' size='2'>blog2</font></a><font face='Arial' size='2'> ).</font> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>Component Uprating 2007</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><font face='Arial' size='2'>As part of our ongoing series on best practices in reliable and cost-effective design, we are pleased to continue our discussions on uprating, which involves performing a risk assessment of parts used outside their manufacturer's specifications (typically temperature). This month's component is <a class='' href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3043019&m=390336&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/Uprating_MagneticComponents.pdf'>Magnetic Components</a>. For more information on our uprating and derating services, please contact</font> <a href='mailto:jmcleish@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Jim McLeish</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>or</font> <a href='mailto:nblattau@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Nathan Blattau</font></a><font face='Arial' size='2'> .</font> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>In the News</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>DfR Now Has Representation in Europe</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><font face='Arial' size='2'>DfR Solutions announces the addition of</font> <a href='mailto:khagen@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Klaus Hagen</font></a> <font size='2'><font face='Arial'>to the company's staff.<span style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </span> Hagen will be responsible for technical sales in German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland).<span style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </span> He has over 20 years of experience in design and new product development of industrial electronics and systems.<span style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </span> His specific R & D activities include analog and digital hardware, and system design, including software and ASIC development.<span style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </span> Click <a class='' href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3043020&m=390336&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/KlausHagenJoinsDfR.pdf'>here</a> for a press release with more information.<span style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </span> If you are located in Europe, and would like Mr. Hagen to visit your organization, you can reach him at </font></font><a href='mailto:khagen@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>khagen@dfrsolutions.com</font></a> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>DfR Announces Partnership with A.T.E Solutions</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><font face='Arial' size='2'>The increasing need for rapid product introduction while lowering development costs requires the implementation of a true Design for Excellence (DfX) solution, which includes Design for Testability (DfT), Design for Reliability (DfR), and Design for Manufacturability (DfM).<span style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </span> To meet this need from our customers,</font> <a class='' href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3043021&m=390336&u=DFR_&s=http://www.dfrsolutions.com/'><font face='Arial' color='#800080' size='2'>DfR Solutions</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>and</font> <a href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3043022&m=390336&u=DFR_&s=http://www.atesolutionsinc.com/'><font face='Arial' color='#800080' size='2'>A.T.E. Solutions</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>have agreed to partner and provide a unique set of combined services and joint educational opportunities.</font> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>Upcoming Events:</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>Applied Reliability Engineering & Management Institute (Tucson, AZ: November 14)</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Craig Hillman will present "Best Practices for Reliability Assurance in the Electronics Marketplace" on November 14 during the 45th Annual Applied Reliability Engineering and Management Institute.<span style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </span> For more information on the conference, please contact</font> <a href='mailto:dfisk@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Deborah Fisk</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>or click</font><a href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3043023&m=390336&u=DFR_&s=http://www.u.arizona.edu/~dimitri/Topic_REMI.htm'> <font face='Arial' color='#800080' size='2'>here.</font></a> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>DfR Solutions in England (November 26-28)</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><a href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Craig Hillman</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>will be visiting one of DfR Solutions' European clients during this time period and is currently available for onsite visits. If your company would like Dr. Hillman to give a presentation or be available for discussions, please contact</font> <a href='mailto:dfisk@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Deborah Fisk</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>to make arrangements.</font> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>IEEE Reliability Society – Boston Chapter (Boston, MA: January 9, 2008)</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><a href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Craig Hillman</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>will provide an overview on fiXtress™, the revolutionary software that automates component stress analysis, reducing product development time and greatly reducing the risk of potential field issues. More information on location and exact times will be provided when available.</font> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'>  </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>SMTA Medical / Medical Device and Manufacturing (Anaheim, CA: January 29, 2008)</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><font face='Arial' size='2'>DfR Solutions will present "Selecting a Pb-Free Solution for Medical Devices" on January 29, 2008 at the Medical Device and Manufacturing West Conference. For more information, please contact</font> <a href='mailto:dfisk@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Deborah Fisk</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>or click</font><a href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3043024&m=390336&u=DFR_&s=http://www.smta.org/education/symposia/symposia.cfm'> <font face='Arial' color='#800080' size='2'>here.</font></a> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>LEAP Working Group (Irving, TX: January 30-31, 2008)</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><a href='mailto:nblattau@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Nathan Blattau</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>will be attending the LEAP meeting in Texas and will be presenting "Developing a Pb-Free Qualification Plan for Hi-Rel Applications".<span style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </span> For more information, please contact</font> <a href='mailto:dfisk@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Deborah Fisk</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>or</font> <a href='mailto:rusty.rentsch@aia-aerospace.org'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Rusty Rentsch</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>at the Aerospace Industries Association.</font> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>DfR Solutions in Dallas, Texas (January 29-31, 2008)</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><a href='mailto:nblattau@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Nathan Blattau</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>will be in the Dallas area for the LEAP meeting and is currently available for onsite visits. If your company would like Dr. Blattau to give a presentation or be available for discussions, please contact</font> <a href='mailto:krice@dfrsolutions.com'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'><span style='mso-field-code: ' HYPERLINK 'mailto:dfisk@dfrsolutions.com''>Deborah Fisk</span></font></font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>to make arrangements</font> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>Reliability and Maintainability Symposium (Las Vegas, NV: January 31, 2008)</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><a href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Craig Hillman</font></a><font face='Arial' size='2'> , in conjunction with Mike Silverman and Fred Schenkelberg of OpsAlaCarte, will be presenting "How to Develop a Qualification Test Plan for RoHS Products."<span style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </span> For more information, please contact</font> <a href='mailto:dfisk@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Deborah Fisk</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>or go to the</font> <a href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3043025&m=390336&u=DFR_&s=http://www.rams.org/'><font face='Arial' size='2'>RAMS website</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>to register for this conference.</font> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'>  </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>DesignCon (San Jose, CA: February 4-7, 2008)</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><font face='Arial' size='2'>DfR will be participating in</font> <a href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3043026&m=390336&u=DFR_&s=http://www.designcon.com/'><font face='Arial' size='2'>DesignCon</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>with an exhibit.<span style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </span> A special focus will be given to the fiXtress™ software program for design professionals.<span style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </span> This unique program automates component stress analysis, reducing product development time and greatly reducing the risk of potential field issues.</font> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>Commercialization of Military and Space Electronics (Los Angeles, CA: Feb. 11-14 2008)</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><a href='mailto:cbonn@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Clayton Bonn</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>will be presenting "Paradigm Shift in Design Assurance and Reliability Prediction". This paper focuses on new approaches design assurance that will reduce engineering costs and capture reliability issues earlier in the product development cycle. For more information, please contact</font> <a href='mailto:lhamiter1934@cti-us.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Leon Hamiter</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>or</font> <a href='mailto:dfisk@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Deborah Fisk</font></a><font face='Arial' size='2'> .</font> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>Nistec Group Company (Israel: February 18-19, 2008)</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><a href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Craig Hillman</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>will present a two-day technical seminar, "Advanced Packaging: Introduction, Quality Assurance, & Reliability Prediction" at the Nistec Group headquarters in Israel. For more information, please contact</font> <a href='mailto:dfisk@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Deborah Fisk</font></a><font face='Arial' size='2'> .</font> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>DfR Solutions in Israel (February 17-20, 2008)</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><a href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Craig Hillman</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>will be presenting to a number of companies in Israel.<span style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </span> If your company is in the region and you would like Dr. Hillman to give a presentation, please contact</font> <a href='mailto:dfisk@dfrsolutions.com'><font face='Arial' size='2'>Deborah Fisk</font></a> <font face='Arial' size='2'>to make arrangements</font> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><font size='2'><font face='Arial'>IPC Printed Circuits Expo / APEX (Las Vegas, NV: March 30 - April 3, 2008)</font></font></strong> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><font face='Arial' size='2'>DfR Solutions will be presenting "Understanding Failure and Root-Cause Analysis in Lead Free Electronics" along with "True Design for Reliability: Understanding What Is and What Is Not DfR" at the IPC Printed Circuits Expo, APEX, and Designers Summit. For more information, please visit the IPC</font> <a href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=106520853&sid=3043027&m=390336&u=DFR_&s=http://www.ipc.org/'><font face='Arial' color='#800080' size='2'>website</font></a><font face='Arial' size='2'> .</font> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p class='MsoNormal' style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><o:p><font face='Arial' size='2'> </font></o:p> </p> <p>  </p> <!-- End Content Area 1 --></div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign='top' align='left' height='60'><img height='60' alt='Bottom Navigation Toolbar' width='700' usemap='#bottomMap' border='0' src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/template/dfr/NewsletterTemplate/dfr_bottomnav.gif' /> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style='PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; FONT: 10px Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: #fff; PADDING-TOP: 5px' align='center' bgcolor='#999999' height='40'><a style='COLOR: #fff' www.magnetmail.net='' actions=''>Unsubscribe here.</a> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <br /> <p align='center'><font size='2'>5110 Roanoke Place, Suite 101, College Park, MD 20740</font> </p> <br /> <img alt='' src='http://www.magnetmail1.net/spacer.cfm?tracking_id=1482283608_DFR_' /> http://www.emsnow.com/nlps/story.cfm?ID=116&NLID=1203 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:26:34 EST Transition Automation Newsletter <meta content='Namo WebEditor v5.0' name='generator' /> <table cellspacing='0' cellpadding='3' width='700' align='center' bgcolor='#000000' border='0'> <tbody> <tr> <td valign='baseline'><a target='_blank' href='http://www.transitionautomation.com'><font face='Times New Roman' size='3'><img alt='http://www.transitionautomation.com/turboprinterupgrade4.html' hspace='5' vspace='5' border='0' src='http://www.cooleremail.net/users/ssmith/MasterListUpdated_TA%24News%24Nov%242%242007_LogoOverride.gif' /></font></a><br /> </td> <td valign='baseline' align='right'><a target='_blank' href='http://www.transitionautomation.com'><font face='Times New Roman' size='3'><img alt='http://www.transitionautomation.com/turboprinterupgrade4.html' hspace='5' vspace='5' border='0' src='http://www.cooleremail.net/users/ssmith/MasterListUpdated_TA%24News%24Nov%242%242007_BannerOverride.gif' /></font></a><br /> </td> <td><font face='Times New Roman' size='3'></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align='center' colspan='2'><font color='#d5fffd'><font face='Times New Roman'><font size='3'><strong><font color='#da70d6'>Helpful Hints +Information: SMT Printing + No Lead Paste</font></strong><br /> </font></font></font></td> <td><font face='Times New Roman' size='3'></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align='center' colspan='2'><font face='Times New Roman'><font size='3'><font color='#d5fffd'>Productronica Booth A4 331 See Us In Germany!</font><br /> </font></font></td> <td><font face='Times New Roman' size='3'></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign='top' align='center' colspan='2'> <table cellpadding='5' width='100%'> <tbody> <tr> <td valign='top' width='20%'> <table width='100%'> <tbody> <tr> <td align='left'><strong><font color='#d5fffd'><font color='#ffffff'><font face='Times New Roman' size='3'>New Catalog Makes High-performance Squeegee Selection Fast and Easy </font></font></font></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align='center'><a target='_blank' href='http://www.transitionautomation.com'><font face='Times New Roman'><font size='3'><img alt='Click here to find out more' hspace='5' src='http://www.cooleremail.net/users/ssmith/MasterListUpdated_TA%24News%24Nov%242%242007_xArea_1_Image.gif' vspace='5' border='0' /><br /> <font color='#d5fffd'><em><font color='#90ee90'>This new catalog is available right now, on Transition's Web Site (click photo for direct transfer to the pdf file).</font></em></font></font></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align='left'><font color='#d5fffd'><font face='Times New Roman' color='#808000' size='3'>Now it's easy, quick and simple to find and select performance-enhancing Permalex Edge Metal Squeegee replacements for virtually any SMT printing machine or application. Also featured are a full range of machine-<br /> compatible Universal Holder Assembly options. You can easily select and order replacement blades for Transition-designed holder systems as well as OEM factory holders. All items are carried in stock to accommodate rush requirements – to help you keep your line up, running, and your throughput maximized.<br /> </font></font></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td valign='top' width='55%'> <table width='100%' align='center'> <tbody> <tr> <td align='center'><strong><font color='#d5fffd'><font color='#ffffff'><font face='Times New Roman' size='3'>Pay Attention to Squeegee Quality and Your SMT Line will be Cruising…!</font></font></font></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align='center'><a target='_blank' href='http://www.transitionautomation.com'><font face='Times New Roman'><font size='3'><img alt='Click here to find out more' hspace='5' src='http://www.cooleremail.net/users/ssmith/MasterListUpdated_TA%24News%24Nov%242%242007_xArea_2_Image.gif' vspace='5' border='0' /><br /> <font color='#d5fffd'><em><font color='#90ee90'>Not all metal squeegees are created equal! Permalex Edge Metal Squeegees are made of Spring Steel (very hard), and finished by grinding and polishing, before a unique Teflon Infused Coating is added.</font></em></font></font></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align='left'><font color='#d5fffd'><font face='Times New Roman' color='#808000' size='3'>The "Tip" of the Iceberg; "One Small Step…One Giant Leap" … "The Straw that broke the Camel's back" – We've all heard the euphemisms about little things that make a big difference – right? In the world of SMT, that little thing is the Metal Squeegee. Most Electronics Professionals know that Metal Squeegees are far superior to rubber or plastic squeegees. The squeegee remains a small item in the overall cost and size of a typical SMT line. The type of metal squeegee has a great impact on the overall results of a given SMT line. <br /> Transition Automation, Inc. pioneered advanced squeegees as a very vital component of the SMT manufacturing process. We were the first company to propose using metal squeegees against metal stencils back in 1989. Our efforts to fine-tune this new process were very fruitful for world-wide electronics integration, and over the next decade our contributions helped a boom in highly-integrated mobile products. Transition Automation was and is a critical side-by-side partner with many leading manufacturers to keep SMT lines running smooth. <br /> Not only did Transition invent the idea of a metal squeegee many years ago, we invented a "great" metal squeegee. Over the years some stencil companies have logically stepped into this business. It is important to know that the typical materials used by stencil companies are soft and easily "etched" along side the stencils they manufacture. Nothing could be more different than a Permalex Edge Metal Squeegee. Our blades are made of a tough spring steel, which is ground, polished and coated with a unique Teflon infusion which gives it long lasting stability in the rigorous SMT printing environment. Etched stainless steel blades are nothing more than a soft piece of disposable material that may have a half-life of only several weeks. Our squeegees are built solid. We are not trying to make a business out of squeegee failures. We make our business from the great success of our customer's winning SMT processes. <br /> </font></font></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td valign='top' width='25%'> <table width='100%'> <tbody> <tr> <td align='left'><strong><font color='#d5fffd'><font color='#ffffff'><font face='Times New Roman' size='3'>Self-Cleaning Squeegee System Gets an Upgrade…Now You Can Have Automation Where You Need It!</font></font></font></strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td align='center'><a target='_blank' href='http://www.transitionautomation.com'><font face='Times New Roman'><font size='3'><img alt='Click here to find out more' hspace='5' src='http://www.cooleremail.net/users/ssmith/MasterListUpdated_TA%24News%24Nov%242%242007_xArea_3_Image.jpg' vspace='5' border='0' /><br /> <font color='#d5fffd'><em><font color='#90ee90'>Transition Automation's new programmable squeegee cleaning system employs microcontroller technology and robust high-torque motors to give end users relief from messy solder paste sticking and migration problems. </font></em></font></font></font></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p align='left'><font color='#d5fffd'><font face='Times New Roman' color='#808000' size='3'>Want to clean your squeegees, but don't like opening and "stalling" your SMT printing machine? We've made the process easier. Now, with the push of a button, an automated wiping/cleaning action cleans your squeegee, and any paste "hanging or stringing" will be wiped clear. You can even program automatic cleaning cycles to activate automatically with the squeegee's up-down motion.<br /> You can also track the total number of cycles experienced by the squeegee, which helps your quality control efforts. Instead of guessing, now you can know how old a squeegee is by the critical factor: "number of cycles experienced". Just push a button and you will know how many cycles your squeegee system has passed, from a recorded memory location. Want to set a limit? That's easy; press another button and you will receive a beep and indicator flash when your squeegees are reaching their limit. Take control of your squeegee – rather than the other way around! <br /> </font></font></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td><font face='Times New Roman' size='3'></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align='center' colspan='3'><font face='Times New Roman' color='#d5fffd' size='3'>Technology for Improving SMT Print Quality and Production Yield</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align='center' colspan='3'><a href='mailto:noemail@transitionautomation.com'><font face='Times New Roman' color='#d5fffd' size='3'>noemail@transitionautomation.com</font></a><font face='Times New Roman' color='#d5fffd' size='3'> • </font><a target='_blank' href='http://www.transitionautomation.com'><font face='Times New Roman' color='#d5fffd' size='3'>Customer Care Department</font></a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> http://www.emsnow.com/nlps/story.cfm?ID=115&NLID=330 Mon, 05 Nov 2007 12:54:53 EST DfR Solutions Newsletter <p> <table id='wrap' cellspacing='0' cellpadding='0' width='700' align='center' border='0'> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan='2'><img height='137' alt='DfR Solutions - Navigational tool bar' width='700' usemap='#Map' border='0' src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/template/dfr/dfrH.jpg' /></td> </tr> <tr> <td id='content' valign='top' width='570' bgcolor='#fdfdea'> <table height='204' cellspacing='0' cellpadding='0' width='207' align='right' border='0' valign='top'> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>     <strong>In This Issue</strong></span> </div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>       <span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><a href='#tin'>Latest on Tin Whiskers</a></span> </span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>       <a href='#service'>Service of the Month</a></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><font color='#0000ff'>       <a href='#rohs'>The End of RoHS?</a></font></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><font color='#0000ff'>       </font><a href='#grow'>Predicting Dendrite Growth?</a></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><font color='#0000ff'>       </font><a href='#Bromide'>Weight Gain and Halide Free</a></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><font color='#0000ff'>       </font><a href='#News'>DfR in the News</a></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><font color='#0000ff'>       </font><a href='#Event'>Upcoming Events</a></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><font color='#0000ff'>       </font><a href='#Ad'>Advertisements</a></span><a href='#Ad'> </a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong> </strong></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Summer is coming to a close, fall is around the corner, and it's the time of year for our May-June-July-August edition of our newsletter.</span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>DfR Solutions Announces West Coast Office</strong></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>In response to increasing requests for our services in the heartland of the electronics industry, the Bay Area, DfR has opened an office in Oakland, CA. This office is headed by <a href='mailto:jmcnulty@dfrsolutions.com'>Dr. John McNulty</a>, an expert in the rapidly expanding technologies of opto-electronics and micro-mechanical electrical systems (MEMS). For more information on this newest expansion, please click <a href='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/DfR_Opens_West_Coast_Office.pdf'>here</a>.</span></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Update on Tin Whiskers</span></strong></span></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR staff recently attended a conference on tin whiskers and after sitting through talks that were good, bad, and sometimes irrelevant, our expert staff has put together <a href='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/TinWhiskerDevelopments.pdf'>this summary</a> to provide you with a clear and concise understanding of the key issues on this important topic. For more information on tin whiskers, please contact <a href='mailto:besser@dfrsolutions.com'>Bob Esser</a> or <a href='mailto:gfischer@dfrsolutions.com'>Gerd Fischer</a>.</span></span></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>Service of the Month: Initial Reliability Assessment</strong></span></span></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Worried about incorporating the latest technologies?  Having reliability issues with your current generation? Consider a DfR Solutions' initial reliability assessment (IRA). This one-of-a-kind review provides lead engineers and product managers a rapid understanding of potential reliability and manufacturability issues. Our focus is comprehensive and can include layout, component selection, thermal issues, ESD, EMI, solder joint wearout, derating, and much more.  DfR's unique expertise and experience will provide you peace of mind and a path forward to success. For more information, please contact <a href='mailto:nblattau@dfrsolutions.com'><font color='#0000ff'>Nathan Blattau.</font></a></span></span></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </span></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>Rolling Back RoHS? Forgetaboutit!!</strong></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>For those of you who might still hope to wake up from the RoHS 'dream', this <a href='http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/environment/2007-07-16-green-tech_N.htm?csp=34'><font color='#0000ff'>article</font> </a>is for you. When USA Today uses the term, TOXIC TECH, the writing is clearly on the wall for the future of environmental requirements.</span> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Time to Failure for Electrochemical Migration</span></strong></span></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>While solder joint reliability has received all of the attention due to Pb-free, the electronics industry continues to struggle with corrosion behaviors and the electrochemical migration (ECM) it induces. From red phosphorus to dendritic growth to conductive anodic filaments (CAF), there is a need to understand the drivers (for prevention) and the time to failure behaviors (for prediction). This <a href='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/Review_of_TTF_Models.pdf'>white paper</a> by DfR provides a comprehensive review of ECM reliability models to provide some guidance in this critical area. For more information, please contact <a href='mailto:jarnold@dfrsolutions.com'>Joelle Arnold</a>. </span></span></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </div> <div></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>Do Bromide Flame Retardants Make Us Fat?</strong></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>And it gets even better. The online magazine Salon just published an <a href='http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/08/02/bisphenol/'><font color='#0000ff'>article</font></a> that outlines how Bisphenol A is slowly killing us (and expanding our waistlines). Does Bisphenol A look familiar? It should. It is the key structure in Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), the dominant flame retardant in printed circuit boards (PCBs). Can anyone say Bromide-Free? For more information on trends in halide-free laminate, please contact <a href='mailto:sbinfield@dfrsolutions.com'>Seth Binfield.</a></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>In the News</strong></span></div> <p style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </p> <div><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>DfR Announces New Staff Members</strong></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><a href='mailto:besser@dfrsolutions.com'>Bob Esser</a> has joined DfR as a member of the senior technical staff. Prior to joining DfR, Dr. Esser was the primary point of contact at the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) for reliability, packaging and radiation hardening of electronics, electro-optics and infrared sensors. He was also program manager for the Inertial Measurement Unit standardization program. Dr. Esser received his MS and his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Maryland, and his BS in Engineering Physics from Missouri State University. He is currently a member of the United States Navy Reserves and has a top secret security clearance.</span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><a href='mailto:jmcnulty@dfrsolutions.com'>John McNulty</a>, an expert in optical electronics reliability, has joined the DfR Solutions staff. Dr. McNulty has worked on the packaging, reliability, and failure analysis of telecom devices and commercial laser systems for over nine years. He has designed and executed accelerated testing plans for individual components and multi-component devices, including Telcordia and military qualification testing, and was a committee member involved in revision of Telcordia GR-468-CORE (covering active devices).</span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>Upcoming Events</strong></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>DfR Solutions in Phoenix/Tucson Area (August 13 – 17)</strong></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><a href='mailto:nblattau@dfrsolutions.com'><font color='#0000ff'>Nathan Blattau</font></a> will visit companies in the Phoenix/Tucson Arizona area to make presentations on Pb-free, design-for-reliability assessments, supplier assurance and other topics. If you located in the area and are interested in having Dr. Blattau speak to your company, please contact <a href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'><span style='COLOR: #800080'><span style='COLOR: #0000ff'>Sheena Mitchell</span> </span></a>to make arrangements.</span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>DfR Solutions in East Texas (August 20-24)</strong></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><a href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'>Craig Hillman</a> will be presenting to a number of companies in the East Texas area (Houston, Austin, and Dallas). If your company is in the region, and you would like Dr. Hillman to give a presentation, please contact <a href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'><span style='COLOR: #800080'><span style='COLOR: #0000ff'>Sheena Mitchell</span> </span></a>to make arrangements.</span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>DfR Solutions to Host Reception during Lead-free Electronics in Aerospace Project (LEAP) (Baltimore, MD: September 5- 7)</strong></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR will host a special reception on September 6th for those attending the LEAP meeting. The LEAP meeting will take place at the <a href='http://www.hem-usa.org/'><font color='#0000ff'>Historical Electronics Museum</font></a> in Linthicum, MD. The reception will be held from 6:00-8:30 p.m. at the BWI Marriott, right next door to the museum. Beverages and hors d'ouevres will be provided during the event. For more information on the reception contact <a href='mailto:dfisk@dfrsolutions.com'><span style='COLOR: #0000ff'>Deborah Fisk</span></a> at DfR Solutions. For more information on the meeting, contact <a href='mailto:andrew.kostic@ngc.com'>Andy Kostic </a>at Northrop Grumman.</span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>DfR Solutions in Lower New England (Connecticut / Rhode Island: September 12-13)</strong></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><a title='mailtchillman@dfrsolutions.com' href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Craig Hillman</span></a><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> will be presenting to a number of companies in the southern New England area in mid-September on a variety of topics (Pb-free, accelerated test plan development, circuit analysis, etc.). If you are interested in having Dr. Hillman speak to your company, please contact </span><a title='mailtsmitchell@dfrsolutions.com' href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #0000ff; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Sheena Mitchell</span></a><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> to make arrangements.</span></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>DfR Solutions in New Jersey (September 17-19)</strong></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><a title='mailtchillman@dfrsolutions.com' href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Craig Hillman</span></a><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> will be in the northern New Jersey area visiting a client for design review activities. If you are interested in having Dr. Hillman speak to your company while he is in the area, please contact <a title='mailtsmitchell@dfrsolutions.com' href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #0000ff; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Sheena Mitchell</span></a>to make arrangements.</span></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>DfR Solutions in Europe (October 1-5)</strong></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><a href='mailto:gfischer@dfrsolutions.com'>Gerd Fischer</a>, who is fluent in German and Danish, will be visiting European customers of DfR. If you are interested in a visit to learn about ceramic capacitors, tin whiskers, or other areas of expertise at DfR, please contact Dr. Fischer or <a title='mailtsmitchell@dfrsolutions.com' href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #0000ff; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Sheena Mitchell</span></a><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> to make arrangements. </span></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>IPC International Conference on Lead Free Electronics (Berlin, Germany: October 4-5)</strong></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR Solutions will present a full-day seminar, "Understanding Failure and Root-Cause Analysis in Lead Free Electronics". This seminar is designed to educate engineers and managers on the failure mechanisms of concern with Pb-free and the tools and analyses that will help identify root-cause. For more information, contact <a href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'>Craig Hillman</a> or <a href='mailto:michellemichelotti@ipc.org'>Michelle Michelotti</a>, or register online.</span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>Avoiding Failures (San Jose, CA: October 3-4)</strong></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR Solutions, in conjunction with , will present a two-day workshop, "Best Practices in Failure Avoidance," that will provide reliability engineers and management a foundation by providing a comprehensive review of the best practices in engineering and reliability assurance with case studies that will provide guidance on the practices most appropriate for a given design, use environment, desired lifetime, and available resources. To register, call the PTI office at 636-343-1333 or visit their website.  </span></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>SMTA International Conference (Orlando, FL: October 7-11)</strong></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR Solutions is proud to announce that it will present two tutorials at SMTAI's annual meeting. </span></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><a href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Craig Hillman</span><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>"Selecting a Lead-Free Solution for Military, Avionic and Space Applications."<span style='COLOR: black'> It will provide data and information on developments over the past 6 to12 months in Pb-free technology, including market trends, process solutions, and quality and long-term reliability issues. Recent GEIA documents, which are expected to be the backbone of lead free product qualification for military and avionic applications, will reviewed in regard to risk minimization For more information, contact <a title='mailtsmitchell@dfrsolutions.com' href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #0000ff; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Sheena Mitchell</span></a></span></span><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>or click to register.</span></a> will present a one-day tutorial on Monday, October 8<sup>th</sup> titled, </span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in'> </div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><a href='mailto:jmcleish@dfrsolutions.com'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Jim McLeish</span><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>or click to register.</span></a> will present a one-day tutorial on Thursday, October 11<sup>th</sup> titled, "Root Cause Analysis (RCA) For Product Problem Solving." It will provide methods and tools for analyzing performance problems and to uncover root causes. Ways of gathering data for root cause analyses, determining which problems should be analyzed, and how to design, develop, and implement a root cause analysis program for your company will be presented with working examples. For more information, contact <a href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #0000ff; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Sheena Mitchell</span></a></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in'> </div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in'> </div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>SMTA International Conference (Orlando, FL: October 7-11)</strong></span></span></span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR Solutions will present a paper, "Silver and Sulfur: Case Studies, Physics, and Possible Solutions".  This presentation will provide an overview of known silver sulfide corrosion failures. The fundamentals of these case studies will provide a path for a discussion on the physics of this phenomenon, including how sulfur reacts with silver, how this reaction is influenced by the environment, how classic corrosion behavior may accelerate this reaction, and how sulfur-containing gases may migrate through and be retained by polymeric materials. For more information on the conference, visit the SMTA website.</span></span></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>Surface Mount and Circuit Board Assoc. (Australia / New Zealand: October 24-31)</strong></span></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><a href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'>Craig Hillman</a> will be presenting at several conferences and organizations on Pb-free and other topics during a tour of "Down Under" in late October. More information will be provided when available.</span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>IEEE – ASTR 2007 Conference (Greenbelt, MD: October 31-November 2)</strong></span></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR Solutions is a co-local host for this important industry meeting on best practices in testing and reliability assurance in electronics. This year's conference theme, "Accelerated Life Testing: It's Role, Challenges, Attributes and Interaction with Qualification Testing," focuses on the growing issue of reconciling the need for the highest quality product with the necessary push for early time-to-market.  For more information on the workshop contact <a href='mailto:cheryl.tulkoff@ni.com'>Cheryl Tulkoff,</a> or visit the IEEE <a href='http://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/cpmt/tc7/ast2007/'><span style='COLOR: #0000ff'>website</span></a>.</span></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>IMAPS 2007 (San Jose, CA: November 11-15)</strong></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><a href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'>Craig Hillman</a> will present "Selecting Lead-Free Solutions for Military & Avionics" on November 12 during the IMAPS Conference. For more information on the conference visit <a href='http://www.imaps.org/'>www.IMAPS.org</a>.</span> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>Practical Reliability and Maintenance Symposia (College Park, MD: November 15-16)</strong></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>In collaboration with <a href='http://www.bqr.com/'>BQR</a>, DfR will be hosting this highly educational symposium. This meeting provides a forum for expert presenters from various industries, universities and government to come together with circuit boards designers, mechanical engineers and reliability practitioners to learn and understand the common cause that initiate failure in electronics and receive a comprehensive review of current tools and techniques used to identify those potential failures. For more information, click <a href='http://www.bqr.com/content/view/186/419/lang,en/'>here</a> or contact <a title='mailtsmitchell@dfrsolutions.com' href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #0000ff; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Sheena Mitchell</span></a>.</span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>IEEE Reliability Society - Boston Chapter (December or January 2008)</strong></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><a href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'>Craig Hillman</a> will provide an overview on fiXtress™, the revolutionary software that automates component stress analysis, reducing product development time and greatly reduces the risk of potential field issues. More information will be provided when available.</span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>SMTA Medical / Medical Device and Manufacturing (Anaheim, CA: January 29, 2008)</strong></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR Solutions will be presenting "Selecting a Pb-Free Solution for Medical Devices" on January 29, 2008 at the Medical Device and Manufacturing West Conference. More information will be provided when available.</span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><strong>Cisco's "Innovation in Test" (San Jose, CA: March 5 - 6, 2008)</strong></span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR Solutions will be presenting on industry best practices in testing bare boards and completed assemblies. More information will be provided when available</span></div> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </p> <div><strong><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><u><font size='2'>Advertisements</font></u></span></strong></div> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </p> <div><img alt='' border='0' src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/opssmall.JPG' /> </div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>OPS A La Carte provides professional consulting services to assist clients in developing and executing all elements of reliability throughout an organization and product life cycle –</span> </div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>hardware and software!  OPS A La Carte pioneered Reliability IntegrationSM  – using multiple tools in conjunction to increase the power and value of any Reliability Program.  Visit our website at www.opsalacarte.com for more information, or contact us at <a href='mailto:info@opsalacarte.com'>info@opsalacarte.com</a>, or (408) 472-3889.</span> </div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'>  <img alt='' border='0' src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/Nihonlogo.jpg' /></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><font size='2'>Our patented lead-free solder SN100C is based on a unique formulation of tin, copper, nickel and germanium that delivers cost-effectively high performance in production and reliability in service. SN100C matches the performance of the tin-lead solder it replaces in delivering smooth, bright, crack-free fillets and high first pass yield. And its combination of strength and ductility ensure superior performance in high strain conditions such as vibration.</font> </span></div> <div style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><strong><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Advertise Here & <span>Reach Over 5,000 </span></span></strong><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Electronics Professionals Each Month! </span></div> <div style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><span style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR is now accepting advertisements in the DfR <span>Solutions Newsletter.  For more information, <a href='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/DfR_newsletter_advertising.pdf'><font color='#0000ff'>click here</font></a><font color='#0000ff'>.</font></span></span></div> </td> <td style='BORDER-LEFT: #fff 1px solid' valign='top' width='130' bgcolor='#fdfdea'><img height='388' width='130' usemap='#Map2' border='0' alt='' src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/template/dfr/dfrR-new.jpg' /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan='2'><img height='30' alt='Navigational Tool Bar' width='700' usemap='#Map3' border='0' src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/template/dfr/dfrF.gif' /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <map name='Map'> <area alt='About Us' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/history.asp' coords='3,14,69,40' shape='RECT' /> <area alt='Services' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/page.asp?id=48' coords='79,15,146,40' shape='RECT' /> <area alt='Contract Research' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/current_research.asp' coords='152,15,276,40' shape='RECT' /> <area alt='Software' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/sara.asp' coords='282,15,358,41' shape='RECT' /> <area alt='Technical Info' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/articles.asp' coords='363,15,475,42' shape='RECT' /> <area alt='PB-Free' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/pb_free.asp' coords='481,16,540,41' shape='RECT' /> <area alt='Training' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/education.asp' coords='545,15,614,42' shape='RECT' /> <area alt='Contact Us' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/contact_us.asp' coords='617,15,697,40' shape='RECT' /> <area alt='DfR Solutions Home' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/default.asp' coords='4,43,238,113' shape='RECT' /></map><map name='Map2'> <area alt='send email' href='mailto:askdfr@dfrsolutions.com' coords='3,362,126,384' shape='RECT' /></map><map name='Map3'> <area alt='Home' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/default.asp' coords='3,8,46,27' shape='RECT' /> <area alt='About Us' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/history.asp' coords='51,6,103,26' shape='RECT' /> <area alt='Contact Us' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/contact_us.asp' coords='110,9,169,27' shape='RECT' /> <area alt='Services' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/page.asp?id=17' coords='175,8,224,28' shape='RECT' /> <area alt='Research' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/contract_research.asp' coords='228,9,282,27' shape='RECT' /> <area alt='Software' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/sara.asp' coords='289,8,340,26' shape='RECT' /> <area alt='Technical' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/articles.asp' coords='345,9,396,26' shape='RECT' /> <area alt='Pb-Free' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/pb_free.asp' coords='401,9,449,27' shape='RECT' /> <area alt='' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/education.asp' coords='455,8,504,27' shape='RECT' /></map></p> http://www.emsnow.com/nlps/story.cfm?ID=114&NLID=1203 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 13:47:48 EST DfR Solutions Newsletter <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC '-//W3C//DTD HTML 3.2 Final//EN'> <html> <head> <title>DfR Solutions</title> <meta http-equiv='Content-Type' content='text/html; charset=iso-8859-1'> <style type='text/css'> <!-- body { text-align: center; } #content { padding: 20px; background-color: #FDFDEA; } #wrap { border:1px solid #FFF; border-top: none; text-align: left; margin: 0 auto; } #footer { padding: 10px 0; background-color: #999; font: 10px Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: #FFF; } #footer a, #footer a:visited { color: #FFF; text-decoration: underline; } #footer a:focus, #footer a:hover { color: #ddd; text-decoration: none; } --> </style> <!-- NEF normal template 3/28/05 account: dfr_ --> <!-- updated right column 4/4/05 --> <!-- SG updated the background color 07/28/05 --> </head> <body bgcolor='#999999' topmargin='0' marginheight='0'> <table width='671'> <TR> <TD colSpan=2 width='700'><img src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/template/dfr/dfrH.jpg' alt='DfR Solutions - Navigational tool bar' width='742' height='137' border='0' usemap='#Map' /></TD></TR> <TR> <TD id=content vAlign=top bgColor=#fdfdea><!-- BEGIN Content Area 1 --><TABLE height=180 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width='149' align=right border=0 VALIGN='top'> <TBODY> <TR> <TD width='149'> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial Narrow'>     <U>In This Issue</U></SPAN></B></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><font color='blue'>   </font><FONT face='Arial Narrow' color='blue'>     </FONT><A class='' href='#Service'><FONT face='Arial' color='blue' size=2>Service of the Month</FONT></A></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face='Arial' color='blue' size=2>       </FONT><A class='' href='#China'><FONT face='Arial' color='blue' size=2>China RoHS</FONT></A> </P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face='Arial' color='blue' size=2>       </FONT><A class='' href='#Uprating'><FONT face='Arial' color='blue' size=2>Uprating/Derating</FONT></A></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face='Arial' color='blue' size=2>       </FONT><A class='' href='#Tg'><FONT face='Arial' color='blue' size=2>Higher Tg?</FONT></A> </P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face='Arial' color='blue' size=2>       </FONT><A class='' href='#Mistakes'><FONT face='Arial' color='blue' size=2>Design Mistakes</FONT></A></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face='Arial' color='blue' size=2>       </FONT><A class='' href='#Plating'><FONT face='Arial' color='blue' size=2>Immersion Plating</FONT></A><FONT face='Arial' color='blue' size=2> </FONT></P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face='Arial' color='blue' size=2>       </FONT><A class='' href='#News'><FONT face='Arial' color='blue' size=2>DfR in the News</FONT></A> </P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face='Arial' color='blue' size=2>       </FONT><A class='' href='#Events'><FONT face='Arial' color='blue' size=2>Upcoming Events</FONT></A> </P> <p style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face='Arial' color='blue' size=2>       </FONT><A class='' href='#Ads'><FONT face='Arial' color='blue' size=2>Advertisements</FONT></A><FONT face='Arial' color='blue' size=2> </FONT></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial Narrow'> </P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>Selecting a Contract Manufacturer to Optimize Quality & Reliability<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>In our March newsletter, we discussed the importance of best practices in design for reliability (DfR) when enlisting the services of a contract manufacturer (CM) to design your product. We are delighted to present a response to that article from <U>David Cavanaugh, the Director of Corporate Component Engineering at Benchmark Electronics</U>. Mr. Cavanaugh's <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2201389&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/ChoosingaCMforDfX.pdf'>article</A> provides a useful insight into the critical requirements within a CM's reliability program and engineering services that will ensure a design / product will perform its required mission free of infant / adolescent mortality and premature wear out.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><U><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><A href='' name=Service></A>Service of the Month</SPAN></U><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'>:<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>Mechanical Shock Testing<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></FONT></FONT></P> <P class=NormalParagraphStyle style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>Will your product survive handling, shipping, and everyday use?<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>DfR can help you find out. Our integrated use of Physics of Failure (PoF) and Best Practices along with our state-of-the-art test facilities will give you the information you need to determine your product's reliability, performance and compliance.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=NormalParagraphStyle style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=NormalParagraphStyle style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'>DfR uses the Lansmont Model 23 Shock Test System to perform a variety of industry-specified or company-specific drop / mechanical shock tests on specimens weighing up to 80 lbs.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>For a pdf outlining DfR's mechanical shock testing capabilities, click <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2201390&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/Mechanical_shock_1_sheet.pdf'>here</A>.  To ask about your product shock concerns and how we may be able to help you, contact <A href='mailto:nblattau@dfrsolutions.com'>Nathan Blattau.</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><st1:country-region w:st='on'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><A href='' name=China></A>China</SPAN></B></st1:country-region><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'>, <st1:country-region w:st='on'><st1:place w:st='on'>China</st1:place></st1:country-region>, Everywhere</SPAN></B><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>Interested in the latest on the China RoHS? Well, wait in line like everybody else. However, if you are still getting up to speed, here are some helpful translations regarding the actual <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2201391&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/ChinaRohs_law.pdf'>law</A>, <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2201392&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/ChinaRohs_FAQ_AeA.pdf'>frequently asked questions</A>, and a <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2201393&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/ChinaRohs_catalog.pdf'>catalog</A> of electronic products to be covered by the China RoHS legislation. Why would China RoHS be confusing? Could it be because their catalog lists general products (radar anyone?), as to imply something similar to <st1:place w:st='on'>Europe</st1:place>, but also lists specific components (doesn't every design have a printed circuit board?). Stay tuned.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><A href='' name=Uprating></A>Uprating / Derating<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><FONT face=Arial size=2>While DfR Solutions provides extensive guidance and expertise in component uprating, we may have failed our readers by not providing a background on this difficult and complex activity. In this introductory <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2201394&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/April_Newsletter_Thermal_Uprating.pdf'>article</A>, DfR provides a concise explanation of uprating, including the risks, the costs, and the process. For more information on our uprating and derating services, please contact </FONT><A href='mailto:nanderson@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Norm Anderson</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> or <SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><A href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'>Craig Hillman</A></SPAN>.</FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><A href='' name=Tg></A>Higher Tg?<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>We don't Need no Stinkin' Higher Tg!<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT face=Arial size=2>During the <st1:PersonName w:st='on'>'</st1:PersonName>early<st1:PersonName w:st='on'>'</st1:PersonName> days of Pb-free, the higher process temperatures prompted an outcry of concern over potential damage to printed circuit boards. In response, most electronic manufacturers increased the specified Tg by at least one <st1:PersonName w:st='on'>'</st1:PersonName>level<st1:PersonName w:st='on'>'</st1:PersonName> (130C to 150C, 150C to 170C, or 170C to 190C) and begin specifying thermal stability (Td and T288) as well. This approach worked well until two problems cropped up: One, higher Tg materials are harder to process (known by PCB industry veterans for years). Two, COST! Hello, this is the electronics industry. Whether it's SnPb or Pb-free, there is still the need to maintain, if not reduce costs year over year. So, what<st1:PersonName w:st='on'>'</st1:PersonName>s the latest trend? Companies are going back to the lower Tg. For more informatio! n on how to qualify your PCB, click <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2201395&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/PCB_and_Pb_free.pdf'>here</A> or contact </FONT><A href='mailto:jarnold@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Joelle Arnold</FONT></A><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>. <SPAN style='COLOR: red'><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><A href='' name=Mistakes></A>Design Mistakes: Are you aware?<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Design for reliability (DfR) plays a critical role in the ultimate success of your product and your company's bottomline. Yet, it is surprising how often the most common design mistakes are repeated, even within the same company, same division, and even the same product group. To get everyone up to speed, DfR is proud to present three of the <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2201396&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/DesignMistakes_cdh.pdf'>Most Common Mistakes in Electronic Design</A>. For more information, contact </FONT><A href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Craig Hillman</FONT></A><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><A href='' name=#Plating></A><A href='' name=Plating></A>A Primer on Immersion Plating<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT face=Arial size=2>In the move to Pb-free printed circuit boards, three of the five solderability platings that are available are formed by way of an immersion plating process (immersion gold, immersion silver, and immersion tin). Do you know what the immersion process is? How it is different from other plating processes? Surprisingly few OEMs can answer these questions. However, knowledge of materials and process is at the heart of a successful physics-of-failure (PoF) strategy. To provide some degree of guidance, DfR has provided a brief <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2201397&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/ImmersionPlating.pdf'>presentation</A>. If you have more questions, please contact </FONT><A href='mailto:sbinfield@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Seth Binfield</FONT></A><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=NormalParagraphStyle style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=NormalParagraphStyle style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tw Cen MT'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Tw Cen MT''><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><U><A href='' name=News></A>In the News<o:p></o:p></U></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><STRONG>DfR Solutions & Gold Circuits Electronics Announce <st1:City w:st='on'><st1:place w:st='on'>Alliance</st1:place></st1:City><o:p></o:p></STRONG></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'>DfR and Gold Circuits Electronics have formed a partnership that will place the companies on the leading edge of printed board design and fabrication knowledge.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>The goal of the alliance is to develop analytical research into the advantages and limitations of current and future technology in printed board design and fabrication.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>The agreement calls for a joint research project every six months.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>The shortened time frame, compared to the one year standard in most research consortiums, will allow for more defined deliverables, quicker insertion of results into the marketplace, and flexibility to better respond to customer needs.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>For more information click <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2203660&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/DfR_GCE_announce_partnership.pdf'>here</A>.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>DfR Solutions to Present at <st1:place w:st='on'><st1:State w:st='on'>Washington</st1:State></st1:place> Labs' Workshop<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT face=Arial size=2>DfR Solutions will be an invited speaker at Washington Labs' Workshop:<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>Energy and the Environment: Regulations and Remedy to be held May 25 at Washington Laboratories' facility in <st1:place w:st='on'><st1:City w:st='on'>Gaithersburg</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st='on'>MD.</st1:State></st1:place><SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>DfR will present the latest information on worldwide RoHS legislation and how American companies are responding in regard to design, manufacturing, and reliability assurance.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>For more information contact </FONT><A href='mailto:mikev@wll.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Michael Violette</FONT></A><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial> at Washington Laboratories, Ltd.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>DfR Adds a New Regional Sales Manager</FONT></SPAN></B> </P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>Clayton Bonn has joined DfR Solutions in the new position of Regional Sales <A>Manager</A>.  His primary focus with be the Southwestern Region of the U.S. emphasizing on the military and aerospace industry.  Clayton will be responsible for DfR's failure analysis, physics-of-failure reliability prediction, and component level testing services, along with the BQR software.  Clayton has almost 30 years experience as a sales engineer. He previously held the position of Partner Program Manager and National Sales Manager of QualMark's lab division.  Clayton owns and operates Reliability Resources, a manufacturer's representation firm.  He can be reached at <A href='mailto:cbonn@dfrsolutions.com'>cbonn@dfrsolutions.com</A>.  <O p='#DEFAULT'></O></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><U><A href='' name=Events></A>Upcoming Events<o:p></o:p></U></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>SMTA Medical Electronics Symposium (<st1:place w:st='on'><st1:City w:st='on'>Bloomington</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st='on'>MN</st1:State></st1:place>:<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>May 1-3)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><A href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Craig Hillman</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> will present an all-day seminar entitled "Failure & Root Cause Analysis in Medical Electronics."<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>Attendees will learn about failure mechanisms unique to medical electronics, and the tools and techniques used to identify these mechanisms.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>For more information, contact </FONT></SPAN><SPAN style='COLOR: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><A title='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com
CTRL + Click to follow link' href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Sheena Mitchell</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></SPAN><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT face=Arial size=2>or </FONT><A href='mailto:melissa@smta.org'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Melissa Serres</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2>. Click <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2201398&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/smtabrochure.pdf'>here</A> </FONT></SPAN><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'>for a conference brochure.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>Military, Aerospace, Space & Homeland Security (MASH): Packaging Issues and Applications (<st1:place w:st='on'><st1:City w:st='on'>Baltimore</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st='on'>MD</st1:State></st1:place>:<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>May 7-10)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT face=Arial size=2>On Monday, May 7 at 1:00pm, </FONT><A href='mailto:gfischer@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Gerd Fischer</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> will present a </FONT><A href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2201399&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=http://www.imaps.org/programs/mash2007.htm#pdc1'><FONT face=Arial size=2>tutorial</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> on lead free reliability issues and solutions. On Tuesday, May 8 at 4:30pm, </FONT><A href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Craig Hillman</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> will be on an </FONT><A href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2201400&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=http://www.imaps.org/programs/mash2007.htm#panel'><FONT face=Arial size=2>expert panel</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> that will address the global transition to lead-free solders and finishes in electronic assemblies. DfR</FONT></SPAN><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt'> </SPAN><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'>will have a booth at the event<st1:PersonName w:st='on'>'</st1:PersonName>s trade show. For more information regarding the presentations, contact </SPAN><SPAN style='COLOR: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><A href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'>Sheena Mitchell</A></SPAN><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'>.  For information on the event, contact <A href='mailto:tgreen@imaps.org'>Tom Green</A>.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>Automotive Electronics Reliability Workshop (<st1:place w:st='on'><st1:City w:st='on'>Nashville</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st='on'>TN</st1:State></st1:place>: May 22-24)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><A href='mailto:jmcleish@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Jim McLeish</FONT></A><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style='COLOR: black'> will be attending the AEC Workshop in late May. If you are interested in meeting with Mr. McLeish at the workshop to discuss your specific reliability needs or if you are a local company that is interested in an onsite visit, contact </SPAN><SPAN style='COLOR: blue'><A title='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com
CTRL + Click to follow link' href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'>Sheena Mitchell</A></SPAN><SPAN style='COLOR: black'> to make arrangements<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>Lead-free Electronics in Aerospace Project (Crane, ID: June 4-6)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt'><A href='mailto:nblattau@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Nathan Blattau</FONT></SPAN></A></SPAN><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'> will be attending the LEAP meeting in early June will be available for site visits to companies in the Indianapolis – Cincinnati – Louisville area. If you are interested in having Dr. Blattau speak to your company on a variety of topics (reliability prediction, thermal and mechanical modeling, component qualification and failure analysis), contact </SPAN><SPAN style='COLOR: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><A title='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com
CTRL + Click to follow link' href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'>Sheena Mitchell</A></SPAN><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'> to make arrangements.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>AIMS Harsh Environment Electronics Workshop (<st1:place w:st='on'><st1:City w:st='on'>Indianapolis</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st='on'>IN</st1:State></st1:place>: June 13-14)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><A href='mailto:jmcleish@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Jim McLeish</FONT></A><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style='COLOR: black'> will be teaching a half-day workshop on "</SPAN>Selecting a Lead-Free Solution for Military, Avionic and Space Applications." Mr. McLeish will also be presenting a seminar regarding the importance of utilizing a Physics of Failure (PoF)/Reliability Physics strategy in designs for harsh environments. For more information, contact </FONT></FONT><A href='mailto:jmcleish@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Jim McLeish</FONT></A><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial> or <SPAN style='COLOR: black'><A href='mailto:melissa@smta.org'>Melissa Serres</A></SPAN>.<SPAN style='COLOR: black'><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>SMTA Successful Lead-Free RoHS Strategies Conference (<st1:place w:st='on'><st1:City w:st='on'>Boxborough</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st='on'>MA</st1:State></st1:place>:<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>June 20-21)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt'><A href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Craig Hillman</FONT></SPAN></A></SPAN><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT face=Arial size=2> will present a paper entitled "A Case Study in Tin Whisker Risk Assessment" at the SMTA Lead-Free focused event in June.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>For more information regarding the event, please contact </FONT><A href='mailto:melissa@smta.org'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Melissa Serres</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2>.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>He will also be available for site visits to companies in the <st1:City w:st='on'><st1:place w:st='on'>Boston</st1:place></st1:City> area. If you are interested in having Dr. Hillman speak to your company, contact </FONT></SPAN><SPAN style='COLOR: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><A href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Sheena Mitchell</FONT></A></SPAN><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'> to make arrangements.</SPAN><SPAN style='COLOR: navy; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='COLOR: navy; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><A name=OLE_LINK2></A><A name=OLE_LINK1><SPAN style='mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Asian Convergence for Electronics</FONT></SPAN></B></SPAN></A><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial> (ACE) (<st1:place w:st='on'><st1:City w:st='on'>Kuala Lumpur</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st='on'>Malaysia</st1:country-region></st1:place>:<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>June 20-22)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><A href='mailto:jmcleish@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Jim McLeish</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> will present two workshops at the ACE conference: "Lead-Free Interconnection:<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>Technology & Connection" will be presented on June 20, and "Design for Manufacturability/Assembly" will be presented June 21 – 22.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>The conference will take place at the Crowne Plaza Mutiara in <st1:City w:st='on'><st1:place w:st='on'>Kuala Lumpur</st1:place></st1:City>. For more information contact </FONT><A href='mailto:jmcleish@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Jim McLeish.</FONT></A><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>SEMICON West (<st1:place w:st='on'><st1:City w:st='on'>San Francisco</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st='on'>CA</st1:State></st1:place>: July 18-19)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><A href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2201401&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=http://www.dfrsolutions.com/'><SPAN style='COLOR: purple'><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>DfR Solutions</FONT></SPAN></A><FONT face=Arial size=2>, in conjunction with </FONT><A href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2201402&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=http://www.pti-inc.com/'><FONT face=Arial size=2>PTI</FONT></A><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>, is proud to announce two workshops at the upcoming SEMICON West:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><A href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Craig Hillman</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> will present a two-day workshop, "</FONT><A href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2201403&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=http://www.pti-inc.com/Courses/failurerootcauseanalysis.html'><SPAN style='COLOR: purple'><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Understanding Failure & Root Cause Analysis in Electronics</FONT></SPAN></A><FONT face=Arial size=2>," that will provide an in-depth understanding of the common mechanisms that initiate failure in electronics, and provide a comprehensive review of the tools and techniques used to identify those mechanisms.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>For more information contact </FONT><A href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Sheena Mitchell</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> or click </FONT><A href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2201404&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=https://mmm2642.sbc-webhosting.com/ptiin1/secure-web/registration.html'><FONT face=Arial size=2>here</FONT></A><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial> to register.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><A href='mailto:jmcleish@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Jim McLeish</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> will present a two-day workshop, "</FONT><A href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2201405&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=http://www.pti-inc.com/Courses/failureavoidance.html'><SPAN style='COLOR: purple'><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Best Practices in Failure Avoidance</FONT></SPAN></A><FONT face=Arial size=2>," that will provide reliability engineers and management a foundation by providing a comprehensive review of the best practices in engineering and reliability assurance with case studies that will provide guidance on the practices most appropriate for a given design, use environment, desired lifetime, and available resources. For more information contact </FONT><A href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Sheena Mitchell</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> or click </FONT><A href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2201406&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=https://mmm2642.sbc-webhosting.com/ptiin1/secure-web/registration.html'><FONT face=Arial size=2>here</FONT></A><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial> to register.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>DfR Solutions and Northrup Grumman to Co-Host Leadfree Electronics in Aerospace Project (LEAP) (<st1:place w:st='on'><st1:City w:st='on'>Baltimore</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st='on'>MD</st1:State></st1:place>: September 5- 6)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT face=Arial size=2>DfR and Northrup Grumman will co-host the LEAP meeting at the <st1:PlaceName w:st='on'>Historical</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st='on'>Electronics</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st='on'>Museum</st1:PlaceType> in Linthicum, MD (near <st1:place w:st='on'><st1:PlaceName w:st='on'>BWI</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st='on'>Airport</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>).<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>For more information on the meeting, contact </FONT><A href='mailto:andrew.kostic@ngc.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Andy Kostic </FONT></A><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN>at Northrup Grumman or <SPAN style='COLOR: black'><A href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'>Sheena Mitchell</A> at DfR.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B style='mso-bidi-font-weight: normal'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial>SMTA International Conference (<st1:place w:st='on'><st1:City w:st='on'>Orlando</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st='on'>FL</st1:State></st1:place>: October 7-11)<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><A href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT face=Arial size=2>Craig Hillman</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> will present a seminar on "Selecting a Lead-Free Solution for Military, Avionic and Space Applications," and a DfR staff member will present a talk on Silver and Sulfur in electronics.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>For more information on the conference, visit </FONT><A href='../Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/OLK29/http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2201407&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=www.SMTA.org.'><FONT face=Arial size=2>www.SMTA.org.</FONT></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><o:p> </SPAN><P><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><STRONG><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2><A href='' name=Ad></A><SPAN><U><A href='' name=Ads></A>Advertisements</U></SPAN></FONT></STRONG><U> </U></SPAN></P> <P class=msonormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><SPAN><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2><IMG alt='' src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/opssmall.JPG' border=0> </FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=msonormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><SPAN><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>OPS A La Carte provides professional consulting services to assist clients in developing and executing all elements of reliability throughout an organization and product life cycle –<O p='#DEFAULT'></O></FONT></SPAN> </SPAN></P> <P class=msonormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><SPAN><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>hardware and software!  OPS A La Carte pioneered Reliability IntegrationSM  – using multiple tools in conjunction to increase the power and value of any Reliability Program.  Visit our website at www.opsalacarte.com for more information, or contact us at <A href='mailto:info@opsalacarte.com'>info@opsalacarte.com</A>, or (408) 472-3889.</FONT></SPAN> </SPAN></P> <P class=msonormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>  </FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=msonormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><O p='#DEFAULT'></O></SPAN></P> <P class=msonormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><STRONG><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>Advertise Here & <SPAN>Reach Over 5,000 </SPAN></FONT></STRONG><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2><SPAN>Electronics Professionals Each Month!</SPAN> </FONT></SPAN></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>DfR is now accepting advertisements in the DfR <SPAN>Solutions Newsletter.  </SPAN></FONT><SPAN><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>For </FONT></SPAN><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>more information, <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2201408&m=301665&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/DfR_newsletter_advertising.pdf'>click here</A>.</FONT> </SPAN></P><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'></o:p></SPAN> <p><!-- END Content Area 1 --></TD> <TD style='BORDER-LEFT: #fff 1px solid' vAlign=top bgColor=#fdfdea><IMG height=388 src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/template/dfr/dfrR-new.jpg' width=130 useMap=#Map2 border=0></TD></TR> <tr> <TD id=content vAlign=top width='627' bgColor=#fdfdea height='60' colspan='2'><table width='700' border='0' align='center' cellpadding='0' cellspacing='0' id='wrap'> <tr> <td colspan='2'><img src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/template/dfr/dfrF.gif' alt='Navigational Tool Bar' width='700' height='30' border='0' usemap='#Map3' /></td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> </table> </TD> </tr> </TBODY> </table> <map name='Map'> <area shape='rect' coords='3, 14, 73, 40' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/history.asp' alt='About Us'> <area shape='rect' coords='83, 15, 155, 40' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/page.asp?id=48' alt='Services'> <area shape='rect' coords='161, 15, 293, 40' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/current_research.asp' alt='Contract Research'> <area shape='rect' coords='299, 15, 379, 41' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/sara.asp' alt='Software'> <area shape='rect' coords='385, 15, 504, 42' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/articles.asp' alt='Technical Info'> <area shape='rect' coords='509, 16, 573, 41' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/pb_free.asp' alt='PB-Free'> <area shape='rect' coords='577, 15, 651, 42' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/education.asp' alt='Training'> <area shape='rect' coords='654, 15, 739, 40' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/contact_us.asp' alt='Contact Us'> <area shape='rect' coords='4, 43, 253, 113' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/default.asp' alt='DfR Solutions Home'> </map><map name='Map3'> <area shape='rect' coords='3,8,46,27' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/default.asp' alt='Home'> <area shape='rect' coords='51,6,103,26' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/history.asp' alt='About Us'> <area shape='rect' coords='110,9,169,27' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/contact_us.asp' alt='Contact Us'> <area shape='rect' coords='175,8,224,28' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/page.asp?id=17' alt='Services'> <area shape='rect' coords='228,9,282,27' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/contract_research.asp' alt='Research'> <area shape='rect' coords='289,8,340,26' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/sara.asp' alt='Software'> <area shape='rect' coords='345,9,396,26' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/articles.asp' alt='Technical'> <area shape='rect' coords='401,9,449,27' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/pb_free.asp' alt='Pb-Free'> <area shape='rect' coords='455,8,504,27' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/education.asp' alt=''> </map></body></html> http://www.emsnow.com/nlps/story.cfm?ID=113&NLID=1203 Fri, 27 Apr 2007 15:12:48 EST DfR Solutions Newsletter <html> <head> <title>No title</title> <meta name='generator' content='Namo WebEditor v5.0'> </head> <body bgcolor='white' text='black' link='blue' vlink='purple' alink='red'> <table width='704'> <TR> <TD colSpan=2 width='698'><IMG height=137 alt='DfR Solutions - Navigational tool bar' src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/template/dfr/dfrH.jpg' width=700 useMap=#Map border=0></TD></TR> <TR> <TD id=content vAlign=top width=570 bgColor=#fdfdea><!-- BEGIN Content Area 1 --><TABLE height=180 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=182 align=right border=0 VALIGN='top'> <TBODY> <TR> <TD> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial Narrow'>     <U>In This Issue</U></SPAN></B></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>   <FONT face='Arial Narrow'> </FONT><FONT face='Arial Narrow' color='blue'>  </FONT><A class='' href='#Uprating'><FONT face='Arial Narrow' color='blue'>Uprating</FONT></A></P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><FONT color='blue'><SPAN style='FONT-FAMILY: Arial Narrow'>       </SPAN></FONT><A class='' href='#Service'><SPAN style='FONT-FAMILY: Arial Narrow'><FONT color='blue'>Service of the Month</FONT></SPAN></A></P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><FONT color='blue'><SPAN style='FONT-FAMILY: Arial Narrow'>       </SPAN></FONT><A class='' href='#Bromide'><SPAN style='FONT-FAMILY: Arial Narrow'><FONT color='blue'>Bromide to Halogen-Free</FONT></SPAN></A></P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><FONT color='blue'><SPAN style='FONT-FAMILY: Arial Narrow'>       </SPAN></FONT><A class='' href='#Myth'><SPAN style='FONT-FAMILY: Arial Narrow'><FONT color='blue'>Five Myths of Reliability</FONT></SPAN></A></P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><FONT color='blue'><SPAN style='FONT-FAMILY: Arial Narrow'>       </SPAN></FONT><A class='' href='#EMS'><SPAN style='FONT-FAMILY: Arial Narrow'><FONT color='blue'>RoHS Around the World</FONT></SPAN></A></P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><FONT face='Arial Narrow' color='blue'>      </FONT><a href='#EMS'><FONT face='Arial Narrow' color='blue'> </FONT></a><A class='' href='#EMS'><FONT face='Arial Narrow' color='blue'>EMS Providers</FONT></A></P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN style='FONT-FAMILY: Arial Narrow'><FONT color='blue'>       </FONT></SPAN><A class=''><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial Narrow'><FONT size=2 color='blue'>DfR in the News</FONT></SPAN></A></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial Narrow'><FONT color='blue' size=2>       </FONT></SPAN><A class='' href='#Event'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial Narrow'><FONT size=2 color='blue'>Upcoming Events</FONT></SPAN></A></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><font color='blue'>     </font><A class='' href='#Ad'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial Narrow'><FONT size=2 color='blue'>Advertisements</FONT></SPAN></A></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial Narrow'> </P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>RoHS Police Busy at Work </SPAN></B></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>After a brief grace period, European enforcement agencies have </SPAN><A href='http://www.greensupplyline.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196500146'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>started </SPAN></A><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>to quietly inspect a variety of electronic products. The end result? </SPAN></P> <UL style='MARGIN-TOP: 0in' type=disc> <LI style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Nearly all products are 99% RoHS compliant, but few are 100% compliant</SPAN> <LI style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Almost all non-compliance is off-board (paints, cables, plastics, housings)</SPAN> <LI style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Enforcement agencies are focusing on cheap products without a recognizable brand name ("promotion of the week")</SPAN> <LI style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Agencies are developing databases that rank OEMs on their risk of non-compliance based on test results, tips from whistleblowers, product type, company size, and market performance</SPAN> <LI style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>UK, Belgium, and Denmark will launch major enforcement campaigns in 2007, with Belgium rejecting the due diligence defense</SPAN></LI></UL> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><A href='' name=Uprating></A>Uprating</SPAN></B></P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR Solutions provides extensive guidance and expertise in reliable and cost-effective design. Part of this process is uprating, which involves performing a risk assessment of parts used outside their manufacturer's specifications (typically temperature). As part of an ongoing series for our readers, DfR Solutions has provided brief white papers on how to uprate <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail1.net/ls.cfm?r=69512523&sid=2059645&m=286540&u=DFR_&s=http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/Uprating_Electrolytic_Capacitors.pdf'>Electrolytic Capacitors</A>, <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/Crystal_Oscillators.pdf'>Crystal Oscillators</A>, and <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/ComponentUprating_CeramicCaps.pdf'>Ceramic Capacitors</A>.  This month's component is <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/Uprating_Diodes.pdf'>Schottky Diodes</A>. For more information on our uprating and derating services, please contact Norm Anderson or Craig Hillman. </P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><U><A href='' name=Service></A>Service of the Month</U>: Finite Element Analysis</SPAN></B></P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR Solutions is one of the industry leaders in the proper use of finite element analysis (FEA) for assessing the mechanical and thermal integrity of electronic designs and predicting time to failure. Our unique capabilities include:</P> <UL style='MARGIN-TOP: 0in' type=disc> <LI style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>An extensive database of validated packaging material properties, including polymers (encapsulants, printed boards, conformal coatings), ceramics, glass, ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, and SnPb and Pb-free solders (both SnAgCu and SnNiCu)</SPAN> <LI style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>An understanding of likely locations of stress concentrations within electronic packages and designs that allows us to tailor-mesh design to avoid discontinuities and singularities that can result in worthless analysis</SPAN> <LI style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>A comprehensive library of damage models to provide not just stress information, but also time-to-failure under both test and field conditions</SPAN></LI></UL> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>For more information on our FEA services, please contact </SPAN><A href='file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/Russ4/My%20Documents/Circuit/Newsletter/DfR/mailtnblattau@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Nathan Blattau</SPAN></A> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>or <SPAN><A href='file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/Russ4/My%20Documents/Circuit/Newsletter/DfR/mailtjarnold@dfrsolutions.com'>Joelle Arnold</A></SPAN>. </SPAN></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><A href='' name=Bromide></A>Say Goodbye to Bromide; Say Hello to Halogen-Free</SPAN></B></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>The march towards green electronics continues and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is the big loser. While the focus has been on Pb and the other RoHS materials, pressures from the marketplace and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have resulted in a slow, but methodical reduction or elimination in bromide flame retardants from epoxy encapsulants and FR-4 material. These include initial </SPAN><A href='http://www.pcb007.com/anm/templates/article.aspx?articleid=8808&zoneid=96&v='><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>legal uncertainty</SPAN></A> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>over deca-BDE, followed by a </SPAN><A href='http://www.evertiq.com/newsx/read_news.aspx?newsid=4441&cat=9&nl=1'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>definitive ban</SPAN></A><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>, followed by </SPAN><A href='http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2005/051101a.html'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>press releases</SPAN></A> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>from major computer OEMs. All these indicators seem to spell the end for brominated flame retardants (BFRs). What's next? Click <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/BFRfree.pdf'>here</A> to learn the latest on halogen free. </SPAN></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><A href='' name=Myth></A>The Five Myths of Reliability</SPAN></B></P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>One of the bigger surprises in the electronics world is the failure to understand what is really important in regards to ensuring reliability. Based on numerous conversations with technical and managerial personnel from numerous companies, DfR Solutions has put together the five most common <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/Reliability_Myths.pdf'>'myths' of reliability</A>. They include:</P> <UL style='MARGIN-TOP: 0in' type=disc> <LI style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Is it design or defects?</SPAN> <LI style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>What's a severe environment?</SPAN> <LI style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>When to test, what to test</SPAN> <LI style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>How to use HALT</SPAN> <LI style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in'><SPAN><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Reliability is all </SPAN><A><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>statistics</SPAN></A></SPAN> </LI></UL> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in'><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>RoHS Around the World (cont.)</SPAN></B></P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Legislative action on hazardous substances continues. China's <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/ChinaRoHS3.pdf'>labeling requirements</A> came into affect on March 1<SUP>st</SUP> of this year and Korea has just released the English translation of their <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/KoreanRoHS.pdf'>legislative requirements</A>. </P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><B><A href='' name=EMS></A>EMS Providers Take Baby Steps</B></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><FONT size=2>Can you consistently and successfully grow a company with a 2% operating margin? Many electronic manufacturing services (<st1:place w:st='on'>EMS</st1:place>) providers have recently decided the answer is no. While some have modified their product offerings to include higher-margin avionics and medical builds, the majority of Tier 1 EMS providers (</FONT><A href='http://www.sanmina-sci.com/solutions/eng.html'><FONT size=2>Sanmina</FONT></A><FONT size=2>, </FONT><A href='http://www.pemstar.com/viewer/services_product-dev_engagement.asp'><FONT size=2>Benchmark</FONT></A><FONT size=2>, </FONT><A href='http://www.jabil.com/services/design.html'><FONT size=2>Jabil</FONT></A><FONT size=2>, etc.) have decided to get into the design business. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><FONT size=2>OEMs win by reducing costs and sharing risks in the new product development process. <st1:place w:st='on'>EMS</st1:place> providers win because design activities provide higher margins and tend to prevent the OEM from easily transitioning to another supplier. The design activities range from designs at the request of OEMs to spec designs intended for the larger marketplace.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><FONT size=2>What's missing? Design for reliability (DfR). While design for manufacturability (DfM) should be the bread and butter of <st1:place w:st='on'>EMS</st1:place> providers, DfR can often be overlooked because of a lack of experience or direct insight into the customer's reliability requirements and usage environment. DfR includes not just good design practices, but also developing relevant life tests and predicting time to failure, which can require tools and insight not available at most EMS providers. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><o:p><FONT size=2> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><FONT size=2>What's the solution?<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  <A class='' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/press/Brochure.pdf'><FONT color=#0000ff>DfR Solutions</FONT></A></SPAN>. With years of experience in quality, reliability, and durability (QRD) research and consulting, we can provide the knowledge and science-based solutions that will ensure product integrity. Our integrated use of </FONT><A class='' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/press/Testing.pdf'><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>Physics of Failure (PoF)</FONT></A><FONT size=2> and </FONT><A class='' href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/press/DesignReviews.pdf'><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>Best Practices in Design</FONT></A><FONT size=2> provides insights and solutions throughout the life cycle of a product.<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>For more information contact </FONT><A class='' href='mailto:nblattau@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT size=2>Nathan Blattau</FONT></A><FONT size=2>, or visit </FONT><A href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com'><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>www.dfrsolutions.com</FONT></A><FONT size=2>.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><A href='http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=2709&pq-locale=en_US&gpcid=0900688a80589ba7'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=2709&pq-locale=en_US&gpcid=0900688a80589ba7</SPAN></A></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'>  <P style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><STRONG><U>IN THE NEWS </U></STRONG></P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR Adds a New Regional Sales Manager</SPAN></B></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Clayton Bonn has joined DfR Solutions in the new position of Regional Sales </SPAN><A><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Manager</SPAN></A><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>.  His primary focus with be the Southwestern Region of the U.S. emphasizing on the military and aerospace industry.  Clayton will be responsible for DfR's failure analysis, physics-of-failure reliability prediction, and component level testing services, along with the BQR software.<SPAN>  </SPAN>Clayton has almost 30 years experience as a sales engineer. He previously held the position of Partner Program Manager and National Sales Manager of QualMark's lab division.<SPAN>  </SPAN>Clayton owns and operates Reliability Resources, a manufacturer's representation firm.<SPAN>  </SPAN>He can be reached at <U><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN style='mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial'><A href='mailto:cbonn@dfrsolutions.com'><FONT size=2>cbonn@dfrsolutions.com</FONT></A>.  <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></U></SPAN></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black'>  <P style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </P>  <P style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><STRONG><U><A href='' name=Event></A>UPCOMING EVENTS </U></STRONG></P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><A name=OLE_LINK2></A><A name=OLE_LINK1><SPAN><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>IPC/JEDEC Global Conference on Lead Free Reliability & Reliability Testing for RoHS Lead Free Electronics (</SPAN></B></SPAN></A><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN><B><SPAN>Boston, MA: April 10-12)</SPAN></B></SPAN></SPAN></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><A class='' href='mailto:jarnold@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Joelle Arnold</SPAN></A> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>will present findings from DfR Solutions' recent research study, Accelerated Life Testing of SN100C for Surface Mount Devices: Vibration.<SPAN>  </SPAN>The need for a manufacturable, reliable lead-free solder is becoming increasingly important as Sn alloys containing Ag-Cu (SAC) experience difficulties in manufacturing and field performance.<SPAN>  </SPAN>This report will detail the results of vibration testing on a life model of SN100C.<SPAN>  </SPAN>For more information regarding the study, contact Joelle Arnold.<SPAN>  </SPAN>For more information on the conference, contact </SPAN><A class='' href='mailto:registration@ipc.org'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>registration@ipc.org</SPAN></A><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>. </SPAN></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>MIT/Industry Consortium on Advanced Automotive Electrical/Electronic Components & Systems (Seattle, WA:<SPAN>  </SPAN>April 12-13)</SPAN></B></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><A class='' href='mailto:jmcleish@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Jim McLeish</SPAN></A> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>will present an hour-long seminar regarding the importance of utilizing a Physics of Failure (PoF)/Reliability Physics strategy in automobile technology and design.<SPAN>  </SPAN>Attendees will learn how PoF can be used with hybrid, voltage control, and other new automotive electronic technologies to ensure ultimate product integrity. For more information regarding the presentation, please contact </SPAN><A class='' href='mailto:jmcleish@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Jim McLeish</SPAN></A><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>.<SPAN>  </SPAN>For more information regarding the event, contact </SPAN><A class='' href='mailto:gjd@mit.edu'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Gary DesGroseilliers</SPAN></A><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>. </SPAN></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR Solutions in Philadelphia (April 12 - 13)</SPAN></B></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><A class='' href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Craig Hillman</SPAN></A> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>will be presenting to a number of companies in the Philadelphia area in mid-April on a variety of topics (Pb-free, design-for-reliability assessments, supplier assurance, etc.). If you are interested in having Dr. Hillman speak to your company, please contact <SPAN style='COLOR: blue'><A class='' href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'>Sheena Mitchell</A></SPAN> to make arrangements. </SPAN></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN> </SPAN></B></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>SMTA International Conference for Soldering & Reliability (Toronto, ON, Canada:<SPAN>  </SPAN>April 17-19)</SPAN></B></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><A class='' href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Craig Hillman</SPAN></A> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>will be presenting a full-day seminar, "Reality of Pb-Free Reliability". Attendees will receive a clear and comprehensive presentation on the latest information regarding Pb-Free reliability, including tin whiskering, pad cratering, selecting a Pb-free solderability plating, copper dissolution, and long-term reliability under thermal cycling, vibration, and mechanical shock. Especially informative will be an extensive review of relevant case studies. For more information,<SPAN style='COLOR: red'> </SPAN>contact<SPAN style='COLOR: red'> </SPAN><SPAN style='COLOR: blue'><A class='' href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'>Sheena Mitchell</A></SPAN> or </SPAN><A class='' href='mailto:melissa@smta.org'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Melissa Serres</SPAN></A><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>. </SPAN></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR Solutions in Toronto (April 16 - 19)</SPAN></B></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><A class='' href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Craig Hillman</SPAN></A> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>will be presenting to a number of companies in the Toronto area in mid-April on a variety of topics (Pb-free, design-for-reliability assessments, supplier assurance, etc.). If you are interested in having Dr. Hillman speak to your company, please contact <SPAN style='COLOR: blue'><A class='' href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'>Sheena Mitchell</A></SPAN> to make arrangements. </SPAN></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN> </SPAN></B></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>SMTA Medical Electronics Symposium (Bloomington, MN:<SPAN>  </SPAN>May 1-3)</SPAN></B></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><A class='' href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Craig Hillman</SPAN></A> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>will present an all-day seminar entitled "Failure & Root Cause Analysis in Medical Electronics."<SPAN>  </SPAN>Attendees will learn about failure mechanisms unique to medical electronics, and the tools and techniques used to identify these mechanisms.<SPAN>  </SPAN>For more information, contact <SPAN style='COLOR: blue'><A class='' href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'>Sheena Mitchell</A> </SPAN>or </SPAN><A class='' href='mailto:melissa@smta.org'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Melissa Serres</SPAN></A><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>. </SPAN></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR Solutions in Minneapolis, MN (April 30 – May 3)</SPAN></B></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><A class='' href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Craig Hillman</SPAN></A> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>will be presenting to a number of companies in the Minneapolis area in early May on a variety of topics (Pb-free, design-for-reliability assessments, supplier assurance, etc.). If you are interested in having Dr. Hillman speak to your company, please contact <SPAN style='COLOR: blue'><A class='' href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'>Sheena Mitchell</A></SPAN> to make arrangements. </SPAN></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN> </SPAN></B></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>IMAPS Military, Aerospace, Space & Homeland Security (MASH): Packaging Issues and Applications (Baltimore, MD:<SPAN>  </SPAN>May 7-10)</SPAN></B></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>On Monday, May 7 at 1:00pm, </SPAN><A class='' href='mailto:gfischer@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Gerd Fischer</SPAN></A> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>will present a </SPAN><A href='http://www.imaps.org/programs/mash2007.htm#pdc1'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>tutorial</SPAN></A> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>on lead free reliability issues and solutions.<SPAN>  </SPAN>For more information on the presentation contact Gerd Fischer.<SPAN>  </SPAN>For more information regarding the event contact </SPAN><A class='' href='mailto:tgreen@imaps.org'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Tom Green</SPAN></A><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>.</SPAN></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'>  <P style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>On Tuesday, May 8 at 4:30pm, </SPAN><A class='' href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Craig Hillman</SPAN></A> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>will be on an </SPAN><A href='http://www.imaps.org/programs/mash2007.htm#panel'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>expert panel</SPAN></A><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> that will address the global transition to lead-free solders and finishes in electronic assemblies.  </SPAN></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Lead-free Electronics in Aerospace Project (Crane, Indiana: mid-June)</SPAN></B></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><A href='file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/Russ4/My%20Documents/Circuit/Newsletter/DfR/mailtnblattau@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Nathan Blattau</SPAN></A> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>will be attending the LEAP meeting in mid-June and will be available for site visits to companies in the Indianapolis – Cincinnati – Louisville area. If you are interested in having Dr. Blattau speak to your company on a variety of topics (reliability prediction, thermal and mechanical modeling, component qualification and failure analysis), please contact <SPAN style='COLOR: blue'><A href='file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/Russ4/My%20Documents/Circuit/Newsletter/DfR/mailtsmitchell@dfrsolutions.com'>Sheena Mitchell</A></SPAN> to make arrangements. </SPAN></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN> </SPAN></B></P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><B><SPAN>SMTA Successful Lead-Free RoHS Strategies Conference (Boxborough, MA:<SPAN>  </SPAN>June 20-21)</SPAN></B></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><A class='' href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Craig Hillman</SPAN></A> <SPAN><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>will be presenting a paper on "A Case Study in Tin Whisker Risk Assessment" at the SMTA Lead-Free focused event in June.<SPAN>  </SPAN>For more information regarding the event, please contact </SPAN><A class='' href='mailto:melissa@smta.org'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Melissa Serres</SPAN></A><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>.<SPAN>  </SPAN>He will also be available for site visits to companies in the Boston area. If you are interested in having Dr. Hillman speak to your company, please contact <A class='' href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Sheena Mitchell</SPAN></A><FONT size=3><FONT face='Times New Roman'> </FONT></FONT>to make arrangements. </SPAN></SPAN></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'> </P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>SEMICON West (San Francisco, CA: July 18-19)</SPAN></B></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><A href='http://www.dfrsolutions.com/'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; COLOR: #0000ff; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>DfR Solutions</SPAN></A><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>, in conjunction with </SPAN><A href='http://www.pti-inc.com/'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>PTI</SPAN></A><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>, is proud to announce two workshops at the upcoming SEMICON West:</SPAN></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in'><A class='' href='mailto:chillman@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Craig Hillman</SPAN></A> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>will present a two-day workshop, "</SPAN><A href='http://www.pti-inc.com/Courses/failurerootcauseanalysis.html'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Understanding Failure & Root Cause Analysis in Electronics</SPAN></A><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>," that will provide an in-depth understanding of the common mechanisms that initiate failure in electronics, and provide a comprehensive review of the tools and techniques used to identify those mechanisms.<SPAN>  </SPAN>For more information contact <A class='' href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Sheena Mitchell</SPAN></A></SPAN> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>or click </SPAN><A href='https://mmm2642.sbc-webhosting.com/ptiin1/secure-web/registration.html'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>here</SPAN></A><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> to register.</SPAN></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in'> </P> <P style='MARGIN-TOP: 0in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in'><A class='' href='mailto:jmcleish@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Jim McLeish</SPAN></A> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>will present a two-day workshop, "</SPAN><A href='http://www.pti-inc.com/Courses/failureavoidance.html'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Best Practices in Failure Avoidance</SPAN></A><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>," that will provide reliability engineers and management a foundation by providing a comprehensive review of the best practices in engineering and reliability assurance with case studies that will provide guidance on the practices most appropriate for a given design, use environment, desired lifetime, and available resources. For more information contact </SPAN><A class='' href='mailto:smitchell@dfrsolutions.com'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Sheena Mitchell</SPAN></A> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>or click </SPAN><A href='https://mmm2642.sbc-webhosting.com/ptiin1/secure-web/registration.html'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>here</SPAN></A> <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>to register.</SPAN></P> <P style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'>  <P style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt'> </P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><STRONG><U><A href='' name=Ad></A>ADVERTISEMENTS</U></STRONG></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><IMG alt='' src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/opssmall.JPG' border=0></SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>OPS A La Carte provides professional consulting services to assist clients in developing and executing all elements of reliability throughout an organization and product life cycle –<o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>hardware and software!<SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'>  </SPAN>OPS A La Carte pioneered <I style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'>Reliability </I></SPAN><I style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Integration</SPAN></I><SUP><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>SM <SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN></SPAN></SUP><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>– using multiple tools in conjunction to increase the power and value of any Reliability Program. <SPAN style='mso-spacerun: yes'> </SPAN>Visit our website at www.opsalacarte.com<I style='mso-bidi-font-style: normal'> </I>for more information, or contact us at <A href='mailto:info@opsalacarte.com'>info@opsalacarte.com</A>, or<SPAN style='COLOR: navy'> </SPAN>(408) 472-3889<SPAN style='COLOR: navy'>.</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'> </SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style='MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </SPAN></P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><STRONG><FONT size=2>Advertise Here & </FONT></STRONG><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><STRONG>Reach Over 5,000 </STRONG></SPAN><B><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Electronics Professionals Each Month!</SPAN></B></SPAN></P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>       DfR is now accepting advertisements in the DfR <SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'>Solutions Newsletter.<SPAN>  </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></P> <P style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN style='FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial'><SPAN>       </SPAN>For </SPAN>more information, <A class='' href='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DFR_/attach/DfR_newsletter_advertising.pdf'>click here</A>.</SPAN></P><!-- END Content Area 1 --></TD> <TD style='BORDER-LEFT: #fff 1px solid' vAlign=top width='85' bgColor=#fdfdea><IMG height=388 src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/template/dfr/dfrR-new.jpg' width=130 useMap=#Map2 border=0></TD></TR> <TR> <TD colSpan=2 width='698'><IMG height=30 alt='Navigational Tool Bar' src='http://www.magnetmail.net/images/template/dfr/dfrF.gif' width=700 useMap=#Map3 border=0></TD></TR></TBODY> </table> </body> </html> http://www.emsnow.com/nlps/story.cfm?ID=112&NLID=1203 Thu, 22 Mar 2007 16:09:20 EST