Tell someone in a manufacturing facility you are going to be measuring their performance and you will most likely get a sour reaction. Often, it’s because they know they’ll be held accountable for metrics they may be able to influence but have little or no control over. Forcing people into the metric spotlight under these conditions is the perfect recipe for stress. If you are one of those people who like to inject stress directly into your organization, I have a few good examples for you: Demand the purchasers reduce inventory values by 20% and insist they use an EOQ (Economic Order »»
Understanding PCB Manufacturing: CNC Drilling
One of the key processes in a PCB manufacturing facility is the CNC Drilling Department. Holes are drilled in PCBs for customer requirements: component mounting and to promote conductivity between Cu layers (vias). And for manufacturing requirements: to ensure precise registration and to help the operator ensure each drill has successfully completed the tool path. In every business, different personalities are required for specialized tasks. The role of CNC Drill/Route operator requires endless drill measurements and adjustments, constant attention to precise registrations, calculations of tool life, equipment maintenance schedules, as well as constant adaptations for each customer's unique requirements. To be »»
CERN Physicists See Higgs Boson in New Particle
By DENNIS OVERBYE Published: March 14, 2013 New York Times Physicists at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, said Thursday that the new particle discovered with enormous fanfare last summer definitely looks like a Higgs boson, the particle famously predicted by Peter Higgs and others to imbue elementary particles with mass. But they said they still needed more data to understand how it works and what it means for the universe. How two armies of scientists closed in on physics’ most elusive particle. Video: Collision Course Timeline: Higgs, From Theory to Reality “The preliminary results with the full 2012 data set are magnificent,” Joe Incandela, »»
IPC APEX 2013 - 5-21f Ball Grid Array Task Group
5-21f Ball Grid Array Task Group celebrates the release of IPC-7095C. 5-21f Ball Grid Array Task Group is responsible for the maintenance and further development of IPC-7095, Design and Assembly Process Implementation for BGAs. This document covers the characteristics for all elements of developing a cohesive product that uses BGA packages as components in the electronic assembly. In addition, there are recommendations for void acceptability and defect analysis. DESCRIPTION of IPC-7095 Implementing ball grid array (BGA) and fine-pitch ball grid array (FBGA) technology presents some unique challenges for design, assembly, inspection and repair personnel. IPC-7095C delivers useful and practical information to anyone currently using »»
IPC APEX 2013 – Booth Babes & SWAG
The two things that interest guys at trade shows are Booth Babes & SWAG [Stuff We All Get, Souvenirs, Wearables And Gifts, Stuff We Are Given, etc]. On the first note, BOOTH BABES … First, introductory discussion of booth babes is here IPC APEX 2012 – Booth Babes & SWAG. Nothings changed. Next, I'm not treading lightly this year. I got called out last year for not making an award in this category. So here ya go ... TOP, NUMBER UNO BOOTH BABES: MIRTEC, Corp. This is not just my opinion. I have whole hearted agreement from better sources than some goofy engineer ... »»
