Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1111672
MAY 2019 I SMT007 MAGAZINE 9 Next, we kick off our coverage of how to make customers successful with "That One Thing," the first of our overview features. Our showcase contract manufacturers all had a lot to say about the question, "What is the one thing your customers can do to be successful." Read their insights here. Then, we give the podium to our return - ing columnist, Ray Prasad. Following Prasad is our second overview feature, "The Perfect Job," where our showcase companies share their insight on how to make the handoff to manufacturing as worry-free as possible. What follows are shortened interviews with each showcase company: mil/aero spe- cialist Zentech (John Vaughan); Milwau- kee Electronics/Screaming Circuits (Duane Benson); Green Circuits (Joe Garcia); Whizz Systems (Muhammad Irfan); and the whole team at Data Electronic Devices (DataED). Overall, these conversations were so detailed that we're publishing edited versions here. At the end of each article, you will find a link to the complete conversation. Intermixed with the interviews, you'll also find Mike Fiorilla's column, The Mannifest. Mike shares practical insight on how to man- age your double-sided assemblies. You'll also meet Alfred Macha with his column on per- formance improvements through process validation. In the anchor slot on this issue is columnist Bob Wettermann with his discussion on dam- aged corner repair techniques. Yes, behind all of this discussion are the themes of spring: growth, revitalization, cre- ativity, excitement, energy, and ambition with a practical application in creating successful and happy customers for you.. This issue, just like spring itself, is full of projects and plans. Here's hoping they help you with yours. SMT007 Nolan Johnson is managing editor of SMT007 Magazine. Nolan brings 30 years of career experience focused almost entirely on electron- ics design and manufacturing. To contact Johnson, click here. IPC Working to Revive Lead-free R&D in High-reliability Sectors Over the last 15 years, the commercial electronics industry has largely phased out its use of lead (Pb) in the manufacture of electronic components and circuit assemblies. The transition to Pb-free electronics was driven by the European Union's Restriction of Hazard - ous Substances Directive (RoHS), which placed new restrictions on the use of lead in commercial products. RoHS has had a global impact on the electronics industry. Other countries have followed suit and man - ufacturers are now obligated to eliminate the use of lead in their goods for markets around the world. The migration to Pb-free electronics has been suc- cessful in the commercial markets, but the aerospace, defense and high performance (ADHP) electron- ics sectors have been slower to abandon the tradi- tional tin-lead solder used in the production of compo- nents and circuit assemblies because they have more demanding performance requirements than consumer electronics; they need to perform flawlessly in harsh environments and in safety-related applications; and there is not enough data on the performance of Pb- free products to support the move. Enter the Pb-Free Electronics Risk Management (PERM) Council, comprised of subject matter experts from government, industry, academia, and other stakeholders. Founded in 2008 and housed by IPC since 2012, the PERM Council provides leadership and coordination of Pb-free electronics risk management activities in both government and industry. To read the full article, click here. (Source: Chris Mitchell, IPC)