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76 SMT007 MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER 2023 "In the spreadsheet I developed (Figure 1), I calculated that the Pinnacle machines produce about 38,000 more PCBs per year than the Excel machines. is improved productivity would result in more than $400,000 in extra profit. is calculation includes the higher cost of owner- ship of the Pinnacle machines," Paul elaborated. When he heard this, Hal's face turned red, he started shaking, and he blurted out, "Coleman, this is just another one of your Ivory Tower tricks that you teach these kids. You should be banned from teaching. My Excel machines have the lowest cost of ownership, and that is clear to everyone. By the way, everyone is calling you Professor Patty. Since the last time I have seen you, you have really packed on the pounds, so they should call you 'Professor Fatty' instead." At this, Professor Patty Coleman's face turned red, and she looked crestfallen. Andy Connor was outraged. With his fist raised, ready to strike, he made a beeline for Hal. Maggie rushed over to stop Andy, more to pro- tect Andy than Hal, as Andy might get expelled from Ivy U if he struck Hal. At the same time, Maggie appealed for calm and asked a 6-foot- 5-inch grad student, Mike Maple, to escort Hal out of the building and off campus. With Hal out of the room, calm was restored, and Maggie began to speak. "Paul that was an exceptional analysis," she said. "Profitability potential is clearly more important than cost of ownership. So, we will buy the Pinnacle machines." Patty, still upset, but recovered enough to speak, turned to Paul and said, "I agree, and this is an excellent analysis. Do you think this analysis might also apply to consumables like solder paste?" "Yes, Professor Patty," Paul said. "Andy and Sue suggested as much. We found that a pre- mium solder paste that has better response to pause and yield has much better profitability potential, even if it costs a few cents more per gram." Andy couldn't hold back his thoughts about Hal. "I can see why they call him 'Halitosis Hal,'" he said. "As I approached him, he gasped and his breath just about knocked me out." Everyone laughed but Patty. She just looked relieved that Hal was gone. SMT007 What is the profitability potential of your assem- bly equipment, solder paste, and other consum- ables? If you would like help calculating your profitability potential, contact Professor Lasky at rlasky@indium.com. Ronald C. Lasky is an instructional professor of engi- neering for the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, and senior technologist at Indium Corporation. To read past columns, click here. Download Lasky's book, The Printed Circuit Assembler's Guide to… Solder Defects. Figure 1: The profitability potential calculations for Excel and Pinnacle placement machines.