circuitnet
Sponsor
Manncorp

SMT Line Builder Tool – Fast & Easy
Skip the guesswork. Our SMT Line Builder gives you instant, expert-recommended setups based on your budget and output. Or send us your BOM—we'll handle it.
Manncorp Inc.
Ask the Experts
Dendritic Growth and Contamination at BGA Sites
We have 180 assemblies where our subcontractor replaced five BGA memory devices. Unfortunately they utilized active flux and then did not perform an ...
Responses by:
Bryan Kerr
Principal Engineer - CMA Lab, BAE Systems
Mark McMeen
VP Engineering Services, STI Electronics Inc.
Eric Camden
Lead Investigator, Foresite, Inc
David Bergman
VP International Relations, IPC
Rick Perkins
President, Chem Logic
Removal of Coatings from PCBs
LED Component Shift During Reflow
Initial Screen Print Test Board
Depaneling circuit board that contain BGA components
Legend Marking Discoloration
Conformal Coating Bubbles
Stainless Steel Benches and ESD
MORE ASK THE EXPERTS
Glenbrook-Technologies
Sponsor
SEIKA-America

SAWA SC-BM500E Automatic Stencil Cleaner
Ultrasonic combined with spray cleaning provides an excellent solution for all kinds of applications including wafer bump and electroform stencils.
Seika
Industry Calendar
Aug 12, 2027
High Reliability Cleaning and Conformal Coating Conference
SMTA
Apr 13, 2027
Symposium on Counterfeit Parts and Materials - UK
SMT
Oct 25, 2026
SMTA International Conference & Exposition
SMTA
Oct 7, 2026
Guadalajara Expo & Tech Forum
SMTA
Oct 1, 2026
Long Island Expo & Tech Forum
SMTA
FULL INDUSTRY CALENDAR
Alltemated
Sponsor
Plasma-Etch

High power atmospheric plasma system
Our 1000 Atmospheric Plasma System is available with PC or PLC control for lab or high speed production use with the same high powered systems. Remove contaminants and increase bond strength!
Plasma Etch
What Year Was It?
Patty Hearst Kidnapped
What Year
Patty Hearst, the 19-year-old daughter of newspaper publisher Randolph Hearst, is kidnapped from her apartment in Berkeley, California, by two black men and a white woman, all three of whom are armed.
See the answer below.
Sponsor
Advanced-Interconnections

Introducing our new Board to Board Connectors
These new Board to Board Connectors feature pitch sizes from 0.50 mm to 1.00 mm with multi-pitch and custom pitch designs available. Designed for long-life applications and robust handling.
Advanced Interconnections Corp
Circuit-Technology-Center
What Year Was It Answer
Patty Hearst Kidnapped
Answer: February 4, 1974
February 4, 2026
image
Apple Hits Record US Smartphone Market Share, Widening the Gap with Samsung
US smartphone sales barely grew in Q4 2025, but Apple defied stagnation, hitting a record quarter and a 69% market share. Strong iPhone 16e and 17 sales, carrier promotions, and premium demand squeezed Samsung and buoyed mid-range growth.
TechSpot
Sponsor
Aim-Solder

Drop-in SAC305 Alternative: Try REL61
Upgrade your alloy without the downtime. REL61 requires no pot cleaning and your SAC305 scrap value often covers the cost of the changeover. Optimize your process today.
AIM Solder
VIEWPOINT 2026: Doug Dixon, CEO, 360 BC Group Inc.
image
As we move into 2026, higher power density, and HDI designs are tightening thermal and reliability margins across electronic systems. Rising junction temperatures and finer features are pushing current materials to their limits, increasing the need for higher-performance TIMs, metalized IMS substrates, and advanced ...
360 BC Group Inc.
Innovative Power Module Assembly Solutions
Power module production utilizes many different technologies. When industry leaders from these different fields join efforts on the design of these lines, higher efficiency and yields are the result.
Technical Paper
EMS Industry Sees Year-end Bookings Surge, Signaling Stronger Demand Ahead
North American EMS data show steady momentum in December 2025, with a 1.24 book-to-bill as bookings outpaced shipments. Shipments rose 5.6% YoY, bookings jumped 5.1%, signaling stabilizing demand and a potential growth inflection heading into 2026.
Global Electronics Association
Sponsor
Uyemura

Dedicated Tool for Process Development
Advanced plating capability at Uyemura Tech Center: Process Development, UBM, pilot production. ENIG, ENEPIG, EPIG/EPAG, RAIG immersion gold; all substrates. On-site analysis.
Uyemura
Apple adds agents from Anthropic and OpenAI to its coding tool
Apple is adding agentic coding to Xcode, letting AI agents from OpenAI and Anthropic write, test, and fix code. The move boosts "vibe coding" adoption among developers as Apple rolls out Xcode 26.3 in beta.
CNBC
Void Reduction in Bottom Terminated Components Using Vacuum Assist
Paper offers results of void experiments using an in-line convection reflow oven and three types of bottom terminated components.
Technical Paper
Technical Papers
Engineering ESD-Safe PCB Assembly for High-Reliability IoT and Industrial Electronics
The Analysis of Variance: Drawing Conclusions from Data That Are Correct, Unambiguous, and Defensible
PCB Rework Evolves, With X-ray a Constant Support
How pH Cleaning Agents Affect Production Performance
A Universal AI-Powered Segmentation Model for PCBA & Semiconductor
RAIG Minimizes Corrosion, Allows Higher Gold on ENEPIG
High Reliability Lead-Free Solder Paste with Rosin and Anti-Crack Resin
Understanding Solder Dross: Causes and Control Strategies
Optimizing BGA Rework: Challenges, Techniques and Quality Control
Maintenance: The Basics of Cleaning Series Part 4
MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS
Sponsor
Summit-Interconnect

Seven Facilities, One Trusted Source
Partner with the industry leader. Summit is trusted and proven, with 7 integrated facilities to load capacity—from fast-turn prototypes to scalable production requirements.
Summit Interconnect
The Hidden Physics of Running Data Centers in Orbit
Talk of orbiting megawatt-scale data centers is gaining traction, but engineers warn thermal management is the real hurdle. In space, inefficient heat radiation demands massive radiator structures, making cooling physics a central design constraint from the outset.
EE Times
Intel is moving into GPUs and has hired a chief architect, CEO Lip-Bu Tan says
Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan announced a new, unnamed chief architect to accelerate GPU development as AI demand surges. Despite recent stock gains and major investments, Intel trails rivals, faces supply issues, and warns memory shortages driven by AI will persist until 2028.
CNBC
Improving properties of a Lead-free Solder Alloy with Doping of Copper
This paper reviews 3 lead-free solder alloys to assess the mechanical and thermal cycle properties by implementing drop tests and thermal cycle tests.
Technical Paper
Sponsor
DL-Technology

EZ-FLO High Precision Ceramic Dispense Tips
The ceramic molding process allows for smaller more precise inner diameters with a glass-like finish, giving you the ultimate control. Learn more.
DL Technology
The ends of the rare earth
Taiwan must urgently strengthen rare earth supply chains as China leverages its dominance in global production and processing. Heavy import dependence leaves Taiwan's export-driven, semiconductor-focused economy exposed amid intensifying geopolitical and trade rivalries.
Taipei Times
Taiwan, US eyeing supply chain, drone plans
Taiwan and the US will form working groups to bolster supply chain resilience, drone certification and AI security, deepen regulatory alignment, and reduce reliance on China, as President William Lai outlined three strategic pillars to strengthen economic security.
Taipei Times
Challenges for Selecting Appropriate TIM2 Material for CPU
This paper provides a methodology for a potential TIM2 material for applications including automotive, personal computers and internet of things.
Technical Paper
Sponsor
Viscom-SE

Discover the power of vAI ProVision from Viscom
Create and optimize 3D AOI and AXI programs in minutes. vAI ProVision boosts inspection depth, quality, and speed. Viscom develops & produces premium inspection systems.
Viscom SE
Manufacturing Sector Returns to Growth in January
U.S. manufacturing expanded in January for the first time in a year, with ISM’s PMI jumping to 52.6% as demand and production rebounded. Growth broadened across industries, though executives warned inflation, tariffs, and trade uncertainty still cloud the outlook.
EE Times
If Your Company Isn't Reskilling Employees Yet, You're Quietly Planning Your Own Demise
Accenture drew attention after exiting 11,000 employees unable to retrain for AI. CEO Julie Sweet said the move reflects a blunt reality: companies must reskill workers, develop new talent strategies, and build competencies to effectively deploy AI.
Entrepreneur
Sponsor
Nordson-ASYMTEK

Reclaim Your Factory's Future
Space is a precious resource. With SELECT Synchro, reclaim it, and reimagine your factory's workflow for greater efficiency and scalability.
Nordson Electronic Solutions
AI Hunts for the Next Big Thing in Physics
From Anderson's accidental discovery of antimatter to today's Large Hadron Collider, physicists have relied on ever-stronger instruments. Now, facing stalled theories, they are turning to unsupervised AI to scour vast collider data for anomalies that could reveal entirely new physics.
IEEE Spectrum
Minimum Lead to Lead Spacing for Wave Soldered Through-Hole Components
What is the recommended minimum lead-to-lead spacing for through-hole components run through a wave soldering system? Jim Hall and Phil Zarrow, The Assembly Brothers, discuss this question and share their own suggestions.
Board Talk
True Data Sovereignty Requires Control, Not Dependence on the U.S.
Europe risks losing digital sovereignty as geopolitical fragmentation and U.S. tech dominance expose deep dependencies on foreign cloud infrastructure. Regulation alone can't restore control; Europe must build hyperscaler-scale infrastructure to secure data, systems & strategic autonomy.
EE Times
Elon Musk merges xAI into SpaceX with plans for space-based AI infrastructure
SpaceX is merging xAI into its launch and satellite business, betting that orbital, solar-powered data centers will become the cheapest way to run frontier AI. The plan envisions up to one million AI satellites, reshaping both computing economics and SpaceX's long-term mission.
TechSpot
Sponsor
BEST-Inc.

How to Simplify Solder Paste Printing
StikNPeel removable rework stencils simplifies selective printing of solder paste leaving no residue providing cleaner alternative to metal stencils.
BEST Inc.
The new corporate alibi: AI is the go-to excuse for mass layoffs
Tech leaders now pitch layoffs as AI-led transformation, but most automation is still experimental. Analysts warn the AI-washing hides plain cost cutting, misleads investors, and risks overselling productivity gains before jobs truly change.
TechSpot
Today's Sponsor
Creative-Electron
Sponsor
Creative-Electron

Inline Automatic X-Ray Inspection: TruView™ Verus
TruView™ Verus is a high-resolution inline AXI system offering advanced 2D, 2.5D, and 3D imaging to detect defects in electronic assemblies with exceptional accuracy and speed.
Creative Electron
Test Your Knowledge
What is the longest living land mammal after man?
See answer below.
Industry Press
Element Solutions Inc Completes Acquisition of Micromax® Business
Element Solutions Inc (ESI) announced the completion of its acquisition of the Micromax conductive pastes and inks business, effective February 2, 2026. Micromax ...
MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions,
ITW EAE to Showcase Electronic Assembly Equipment Developments at IPC APEX
ITW EAE will be showcasing its latest developments at IPC APEX, March 17 - 19 in Anaheim. The ITW EAE booth #1114 will have MPM, Camalot, Electrovert and ...
ITW EAE
LPMS USA and Bostik Announce Joint Technical Webinar
LPMS USA is proud to have partnered with Bostik to host a live technical webinar focused on electronic encapsulation using low-pressure molding and the launch ...
LPMS USA
Fuji Succeeds in World-First 016008 mm (006003") Component Placement
Fuji Corporation is pleased to announce that it has achieved the world's first placement of 016008 mm (0.16 x 0.08 mm or 006 x 003 inches) size components on printed ...
Fuji Corporation
Count On Tools Introduces Custom Large-Format Vacuum Nozzle
Count On Tools, Inc. (COT) has introduced a custom large-format vacuum nozzle designed for Yamaha YRM pick-and-place platforms. The nozzle improves handling ...
Count On Tools
KYZEN Experts to Spotlight MICRONOX Line at SMTA Wafer-Level Packaging
KYZEN will exhibit at the SMTA Wafer-Level Packaging Symposium scheduled to take place February 17-19 at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport in Burlingame, CA. ...
KYZEN
Rehm strengthens its presence in Poland with new distributor JSD
Rehm Thermal Systems is expanding its international sales network in Poland and has gained another distributor in JSD, which focuses specifically on the Vision series ...
Rehm Thermal Systems
MORE INDUSTRY PRESS
AI-Technology-Inc
Sponsor
Master-Bond

Low Thermal Resistance Epoxy
Master Bond EP53TC is a thermally conductive, electrically insulating adhesive that combines good physical properties and the ability to transfer heat rapidly and effectively.
Master Bond
Quote of the Day
We can learn even from our enemies.
Ovid
Sponsor
Ormet-TLPS

AIT ORMET® TLPS for Proven Reliability
AIT ORMET® TLPS is proven for outstanding reliability for High and Ultra High-Density Interconnection and high temperature build-up Layer Interconnection beyond 175°C
Ormet® TLPS
Ormet-TLPS
Cartoon of the Day
Cartoon
"I can't believe my boss is such an idiot. I thought he was brilliant when he hired me!"
Copyright © Randy Glasbergen
Sponsor
kyzen

Maintenance: The Basics of Cleaning Series Part 4
This is the final paper in a series and discusses some of the common mistakes in maintenance cleaning applications found in electronic assembly operations.
KYZEN
ECD
Test Your Knowledge Answer
What is the longest living land mammal after man?
Answer: The elephant. The average lifespan of an elephant in the wild is around 50 to 70 years.Some African elephants have been known to live for up to 80 years.