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62 SMT007 MAGAZINE I MAY 2022 "So maybe 230°C is the answer?" Andy sug- gested. "I'm not sure," Sue responded. "I remember Chuck Tower commenting that the peak reflow temperature needed to be at least 20°C over the melting point of the solder to assure that it melts. So, I think the best answer is 220°C." While she was talking, Andy looked it up on the website. "Google says it is 217°C, so you were right, Ms. Superstar," Andy teased. "Wow, five for five, but I think we were a bit lucky," Sue said. Andy chuckled and said, "Agreed." Sue became a bit pensive, adding, "I wish I could be like Maggie Benson. She is so smart and confident and 'with it.'" "Why can't you be?" Andy asked. "Don't tease me," Sue said. "You'll hurt my feelings." "No, seriously," he replied. "You're only 19, she's in her mid-20s, and you're smart, too." "Why do you say I'm smart?" Sue asked. "You did that stencil aperture ratio problem in your head, for Pete's sake," Andy exclaimed. "Wow, thanks," Sue said soly as she beamed a little. "Look, today is the first day of the rest of our lives," Andy said, his confidence growing. "Let's take the offered training at work and go to night school at Tech. In about four years, we will have our AS degree and then maybe we can go to Ivy U and get our BS in four more years." Sue blinked at him slightly incredulously and said, "at's eight years total! Do you know how old I'll be in eight years? I'll be 27." "How old will you be in eight years if you don't go to college?" Andy asked with a chuckle. Sue got the point and gently punched Andy in the arm. "Okay, Romeo, let's make a pact to both charge ahead and get our BS in eight years," Sue declared. With that, she grabbed Andy's hand as they walked toward the parking lot. Okay, some readers will think this vignette is too corny. I disagree. Being a professor at Dart- mouth College and working with the wonderful folks at Indium Corporation, I have many oppor- tunities to mentor young engineers and profes- sionals. It is a rewarding calling. I encourage all readers to recognize the Sues and Andys in their lives and be a mentor to them. Best wishes, Dr. Ron SMT007 References 1. "SAC305 May Not Become De-Facto Standard," by Ron Lasky, Indium Corporation. Ronald C. Lasky is an instructional professor of engineering for the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, and senior technologist at Indium Corporation. To read past columns, or contact Lasky, click here. Download The Printed Circuit Assembler's Guide to… Solder Defects by Christopher Nash and Dr. Ronald C. Lasky. You can also view other titles in our full I-007e Book library here.