Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/978458
46 PCB007 MAGAZINE I MAY 2018 flow for tin-lead (those machines typically had a small fire every week). At that time, we had no RoHS, REACH or ISO 14000 or really any environmental awareness. I have some stories that are better told in more private circles. In 1992, I joined Elmatica and during the '90s we saw some development of PCB tech- nology but mostly just a slight miniaturiza- tion. Frankly speaking, the PCB technology it- self has not changed that much today either. We still print and etch. We still drill, but we use a laser in addition to the mechanical drills. We still print solder mask, we still plate copper to achieve required thickness and through-hole connections. So, we have seen some changes, but not the speed or change of direction as in other technologies. The velocity of PCB technology today is still, from my point of view, not at the same rate as we see in components. The introduction of smaller components has almost out-challenged the PCB. But only just. And, we are still in the same direction, so we cannot brag too much about the velocity of the PCB technology. My First Meeting with IPC—the Giant Before I go deeper into how I see the tech- nology, I need to explain my connection with IPC. I attended my first IPC APEX EXPO in 2017. I was taken a bit off guard by how an unknown guy from Elmatica, a printed circuit broker up North, could be recognized by this ruler of electronics standardization. I looked at IPC as a giant with no empathy for the need of companies outside the USA, especially the smaller ones. I was wrong. My experience with IPC is that all companies are welcome to contribute and have a voice, no matter the size. You just need to join a committee, have an opinion and raise your voice. I did just that. With good help from IPC´s Lars Wallin, I volunteered to be the chair of a new committee, the automotive adden - dum to IPC-6012D. Suddenly I had a voice in an organization, that from outside can look rig- id and arrogant. What I found was an impres- sive group of engineers with an open mind to new ideas. Don't get me wrong, a standardiza- tion body shall be predictable and give stability. There are members who actively protect U.S. in- terests. But IPC is becoming more and more in- ternational, and I am a part of that. (I hope there are no hurt feelings.) So, with that background, how do I see the PCB technology and how can I contribute to the development? Micro PCB—We Need to Talk Today I also chair the medical addendum to IPC-6012 and IPC-6013. In the development of this standard, we have identified PCBs used in several applications such as implants and hear - ing-aids that have line widths, thickness, hole sizes and other features below current toleranc- es and limits in today's design, performance and acceptability standards. Imperfections in the material that are acceptable in normal PCB may cause application failures in these prod - ucts. Where volume manufacturing of a stan- dard PCB accepts a waiver of IPC´s test fre- quency requirements, suppliers of these micro PCBs must exceed the standard! Today, these PCBs are made to customer requirements rath- er than following the IPC standard. In the other far end we also fail to follow the standard, even for automotive and medical applications—and we all know it! We just don't talk about it. Surface Contamination Testing—a Hot Topic With this miniaturization, we also must meet new requirements for cleanliness and contamination test methods. IPC uses the term Cleanliness Testing in current standards. I call The introduction of smaller components has almost out-challenged the PCB. But only just. And, we are still in the same direction, so we cannot brag too much about the velocity of the PCB technology.