NPL defect of the month

13 October 2010 Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services

October’s featured NPL defect covers cracking of the conformal coating as shown in the acoompanying figure, which was found after the circuit board assembly was returned from the field for investigation. This printed board assembly was in a medical application produced in a tin/lead assembly process in medium volume.

Some form of contamination under the mask had led to cracking on the coating. There was no evidence of corrosion or electrical failure on the sample board assembly. Large amounts of no-clean flux have been seen to cause lifting, not corrosion on boards. This is probably due to expansion and contraction of the material during thermal cycling. This movement of the material can lead to cracking of some brittle masks.

It would be necessary to review the board cleanliness and the coating compatibility with the intended application. Temperature cycling is probably the cause for the cracking but something under the mask must have caused it to expand and contract. If a mask is cracked it cannot provide suitable protection to the surface of the board. If a no-clean flux was the root cause the volume of material left on the surface of the board during assembly would need to be reviewed.

Dataweek’s latest featured NPL defect video, which covers the topic of ‘toe fillets’ encountered with QFP gullwing terminations, is available at www.dataweek.co.za/video.

Further reading:

Find high-quality flex and rigid-flex PCBs at PCBWay
PCBWay Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
[Sponsored] Flex and rigid-flex PCBs are widely used across various industries due to their unique combination of flexibility, durability, and design versatility. Among the leading providers, PCBWay stands out for its exceptional quality services.

Read more...

---

The ultimate range for design and repair
RS South Africa Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Whether adapting existing systems or maintaining essential equipment, design and repair play a crucial role in ensuring efficiency and longevity.

Read more...

---

Next-generation SPI and AOI series
Techmet Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Saki Corporation has launched its next-gen series for SPI and AOI featuring a modular design for enhanced inspection efficiency and automation.

Read more...

---

Yamaha’s Advanced Safety Package eases factory-safety
Truth Electronic Manufacturing Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Yamaha Robotics SMT Section has extended availability of the Advanced Safety Package, which contains optional features to elevate printer and mounter safety above and beyond mandatory levels.

Read more...

---

Case Study: Siemens Valor automation solution
ASIC Design Services Editor's Choice Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Electronics manufacturer BMK used Siemens Valor to enhance accuracy and speed up bill-of-materials quotations.

Read more...

---

The factory beat
Electronic Industry Supplies Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Change is the only constant across today’s complex manufacturing landscape. The surge of digital transformation, spearheaded by Industry 4.0, has redefined how factories operate, build, and evolve.

Read more...

---

Microtronix powers up 2025 with smart meter production for Eskom
Microtronix Manufacturing Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Microtronix has kicked off 2025 with a significant milestone: the production of smart meters for Eskom, designed to assist customers with load reduction initiatives.

Read more...

---

Reliable X-ray inspection system
MyKay Tronics Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Inspecting long PCBs that are often used in sectors like telecommunications, automotive, and energy, where high reliability is required, presents several unique challenges.

Read more...

---

G-Tera high-speed SMT printer
Techmet Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
The new generation of automatic printing presses from GKG, the all-new G-Tera, is equipped with a 3,0-megapixel LIGHT-Bolt CCD camera, an upgraded conveyor system, and an enhanced printing system.

Read more...

---

Extending AI assistance in AOI
Yamaha Motor Europe N.V. Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services
Artificial Intelligence is renowned for image recognition and classification skills, suggesting a great fit with the objectives of automatic optical inspection.

Read more...

---