Ask the Experts
Double Sided Reflow for Micro BGA Components
What is the best way to process a 30 mil FR406 circuit board assembly that has micro BGAs that need to be soldered on both sides? Do you recommend IR, Convection ...
Responses by:
Gary Freedman
President, Colab Engineering
Fritz Byle
Process Engineer, Astronautics
Greg York
Technical Sales Manager, BLT Circuit Services Ltd
Transfer Efficiency Greater Than 100%
Pin in Paste Solder Dropping
Dam & Fill vs. Conformal Coating
Extending Shelf Life for Jars of Solder Paste
How to Re-qualify BGA Spheres
No-Clean Flux Residue After Selective Soldering
Frequency of Temperature and Relative Humidity Tracking
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Mar 15, 2025
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IPC
Apr 1, 2025
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Apr 3, 2025
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SMTA
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What Year Was It?
The day was Dec 23. What year was it?
Van Gogh Chops Off Ear
What Year
Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, suffering from severe depression, cuts off the lower part of his left ear with a razor while staying in Arles, France.
See the answer below.
What Year Was It Answer
Van Gogh Chops Off Ear
Answer: December 23, 1888
December 20, 2024
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Microsoft Surges Ahead in AI Race with Massive Nvidia Chip Acquisition
Microsoft has secured a dominant position in AI development by purchasing 485,000 Nvidia Hopper chips in 2024, doubling its rivals' orders. This strategic move strengthens its partnership with OpenAI and expands Azure’s capabilities, outpacing competitors like Google and Meta.
TechSpot
CHIPS Act Investment and Supply Chain Challenges
The CHIPS Act has driven major U.S. semiconductor investments, including $6.165 billion for Micron and funding for SK Hynix and Rocket Lab. However, the policy's future faces uncertainty under the incoming Trump administration’s potential shifts in approach.
EPS News
The US government releases first-ever quadrennial supply chain review
The White House unveiled its first Quadrennial Supply Chain Review on December 19, 2024, highlighting the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to enhancing economic security and fortifying resilient supply chains as a cornerstone of its strategic economic efforts.
Digitimes
The evolving revolution: AI in 2025
AI is shifting from experimentation to practical use in industries like healthcare and finance, enhancing tasks such as note-taking, fraud prevention, and data querying. Focus now lies on smaller models, cultural nuances, and refined prompts.
GigaOm
Meet the Cobot Bringing Precision and Accuracy to Fab Equipment Maintenance
Lam Research's Dextro cobot revolutionizes semiconductor fab maintenance by collaborating with engineers in cleanroom environments. This precision-driven robot enhances task accuracy, improves first-time-right results, and delivers significant cost savings for chipmakers.
EE Times
Millions of Americans Feel the Winter Blues Every Year — and Lose Motivation Because of It. Use These 6 Tips to Get Your Goals Back on Track.
As daylight saving time ends, about 5% of Americans face seasonal affective disorder, with millions experiencing symptoms like fatigue, sadness, and anxiety. Six practices, including gratitude, positive self-talk, and sharing struggles, help combat winter blues effectively.
Entrepreneur
Startup Explores Diamonds for Quantum Interconnect
Lightsynq addresses quantum computing bottlenecks with synthetic diamonds, enabling faster, high-bandwidth interconnects. CEO Mihir Bhaskar highlights how this breakthrough overcomes slow optical photon communication, boosting multicore processor efficiency.
EE Times
Is No-Clean the Trend for QFN Components?
Is there a move to no-clean for QFN components, or will certain technologies have to continue using a traditional cleaning process? The Assembly Brothers, Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall, address this question and share their own experiences and expertise.
Circuit Insight - Board Talk
Differential Magnetic Current and Position Sensing
Magnetic sensors are transforming automotive, robotics, and EV industries with non-contact, interference-resistant precision. Leveraging differential sensing, they improve efficiency in high-power, noisy environments like motor control and battery management systems.
EE Times
Scalable 3D Chips with High-Speed Interconnections
MIT engineers revolutionize chip design with a low-temperature method to grow 2D materials like tungsten diselenide, boosting chip density. This breakthrough overcomes silicon limitations, paving the way for AI hardware with supercomputer-level performance.
AZO Materials
Risk Mitigation in Hand Soldering
A new validation technology in concert with visual inspection represents a change to the status quo in hand soldering.
Circuit Insight - Production Floor
Germany's new autonomous-vehicle strategy, supported by Kapsch
Germany's Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport unveiled a bold autonomous driving strategy, emphasizing C-ITS technology, public transport innovation, and EU standardization. Backed by industry leaders like Kapsch TrafficCom, the plan positions Germany as a global frontrunner.
Traffic Technology Today
2024 Top 10 Coolest New Auto Tech
Automotive tech in 2024 shines with Hyundai's UV phone sanitizer, Audi's illuminated seatbelt buckles, and Toyota's flipper windows. Rivian's zonal architecture and Lincoln's panoramic dashboard display set new benchmarks in innovation and practicality.
Design News
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Test Your Knowledge
Arrange these famous structures in sequence by height: Great Giza Pyramid of Egypt, Big Ben, Statue of Liberty
See answer below.
Industry Press
New TPSMB Asymmetrical TVS Diodes from Littelfuse
Littelfuse
Cetec ERP to Exhibit at WHMA Global Leadership Summit – Booth 110
Cetec ERP
Siemens extends Veloce hardware-assisted verification support
Siemens Digital Industries Software
Essemtec Unveils New State-of-the-Art Demo Center in Newton, MA
Essemtec
DELO's new retraction valve bridges the gap between direct dispensing
DELO Industrial Adhesives
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Quote of the Day
"Gravity is one variable in a lot of scientific processes. If you can remove gravity or minimize its effect, then you can understand the other processes that are going on."
Laurel Clark
Cartoon
"I'm not selling galvanized industrial plumbing fixtures. I'm selling the galvanized industrial plumbing experience!"
Copyright © Randy Glasbergen
Test Your Knowledge Answer
Arrange these famous structures in sequence by height: Great Giza Pyramid of Egypt, Big Ben, Statue of Liberty
Answer: Giza Pyramid 481 ft.(outskirts of Cairo, Egypt), Big Ben 316 ft. (London, England), Statue of Liberty 151 ft. (New York, New Your)