-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- smt007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueComing to Terms With AI
In this issue, we examine the profound effect artificial intelligence and machine learning are having on manufacturing and business processes. We follow technology, innovation, and money as automation becomes the new key indicator of growth in our industry.
Box Build
One trend is to add box build and final assembly to your product offering. In this issue, we explore the opportunities and risks of adding system assembly to your service portfolio.
IPC APEX EXPO 2024 Pre-show
This month’s issue devotes its pages to a comprehensive preview of the IPC APEX EXPO 2024 event. Whether your role is technical or business, if you're new-to-the-industry or seasoned veteran, you'll find value throughout this program.
- Articles
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - smt007 Magazine
Estimated reading time: 1 minute
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Electronics Assembly Industry Outlook
The next two to three years on the horizon should bring some challenges and opportunities for the electronics assembly industry. My perspective on the electronics supply chain is very broad in nature. Our firm is involved in PCB rework/repair, including the supply of niche PCB rework, repair, and assembly products, as well as the training of soldering technicians, engineers, and wire/cable harness users and suppliers.
In terms of markets, due to the very diverse nature of our business, we are involved in the military, aerospace, semiconductor, industrial, communications, EMS, IoT, computer, trade school, training center, education, research, and medical fields. The nature of our varied businesses and thousands of customers over 20+ years puts us in the mix from design through prototyping, manufacturing, and product support. Geographically, our products go directly into the market around the world, our rework and repair services are a harbinger of the EMS build market, and our training services are hyper-focused in the Midwest of the United States. Therefore, we see much of the activity in the global electronics supply chain. There are numerous PCB rework/repair challenges being faced by North American customers. One trend has to do with increasing package sizes, which are being driven by the market desires. In the past five years alone, the state-of-the-art semiconductor package has gone from approximately 10 to 30 billion transistors on a single package. These larger package devices—such as LGAs, BGAs, and CCGAs with greater than 50 x 50 mm overall package size—challenge rework equipment and processing capabilities.
To read this entire column, which appeared in the November 2019 issue of SMT007 Magazine, click here.
More Columns from Knocking Down the Bone Pile
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Package on Package Rework—Skill RequiredKnocking Down the Bone Pile: 2023’s Top Challenges in BGA Rework
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Eliminating Solder Balls in Hand Soldering
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Opening a Trace on the Surface of a PCB
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Soldering for QFPs and Other Gull Wing Leaded Parts
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Reworking of SMT Connectors with Center Ground Connection
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Solder Mask Repair Techniques for PCB Repair
Knocking Down the Bone Pile: Humidification for ESD Control in PCB Rework/Repair