This book is intended to provide a highly indexed reference for the process engineer or assembly technician who is encountering a particular problem or would like to learn about how others have dealt with myriad SMT assembly issues.
After surveying and auditing hundreds (maybe thousands) of assembly facilities, lines and processes, Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall with ITM Consulting have seen a lot of "stuff" - good, bad and indifferent. That's what BoardTalk and this book are all about.
Ten years and 200 episodes of "BoardTalk with Phil and Jim" later, the "Assembly Brothers - Pick and Place" prevail. Thanks to www.CircuitInsight.com BoardTalk is heard all over the world ("Keep on Troubleshooting in the Free World"). The advice on those shows is still relevant and applicable today. This collected decade of "wisdom" cas been collected in this book. At the time of publishing it is the only book of its kind on troubleshooting electronic assembly processes, equipment and materials.
For each episode, Phil and Jim read and discuss the questions and their take on the problem off the air, but once they are recording it is unscripted, verbatim and recorded on one take. They occasionally disagree with each other but usually come to terms by episode end (and without incurring any violence). Each episode is based upon their experience and those of their wide network of friends and colleagues whom contribute an enormous wealth of experience and information.
Hall, Jim: - Jim Hall is a Principal Consultant and resident Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with ITM Consulting. His area of responsibility includes working with OEM's, Contract Assemblers, and Equipment Manufacturers to solve design and assembly problems, optimize facility operations, as well as teaching basic and new technologies throughout the industry, world-wide. Mr. Hall, one of the pioneers of reflow technology, has been actively involved in electronic assembly technology for over 40 years. Jim's expertise lies in process development and integration, fluid and thermodynamics, and computer control systems. As ITM's resident Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Jim is a strong proponent of in-process data capture and analysis for all assembly and related operations and other continuous improvement techniques. Jim is one of the authors of the highly acclaimed SMTA Process Certification Course, along with Dr. Ron Lasky and Phil Zarrow. He has delivered numerous papers and workshops on surface mount technology at technical seminars around the world including those for APEX, NEPCON, IMAPS and SMTA.
Zarrow, Phil: - Phil Zarrow has been involved with PCB fabrication and PCB assembly since 1975. His experience includes extensive work in PC Fabrication and PCB Assembly as well as equipment and process development. Mr. Zarrow is recognized throughout the world for his expertise in surface mount technology processes, equipment, materials, components and methodologies.. Phil is a popular speaker and workshop instructor. He has chaired and instructed at numerous industry seminars and conferences world-wide. He has published many technical papers and magazine articles as well as contributed a number of chapters to industry books. Mr. Zarrow holds two US Patents concerning PCB fabrication and assembly processes and audit methodologies. Phil is a member of SMTA, IPC, SME, and IMAPS, a co-founder of ITM Incorporated, and is a past national level officer and national director of the Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA). He was also Chairman of the Reflow Committee for SMEMA. He was the recipient of the SMTA's Member of Distinction Award (1995) and Founders' Award (2000) and ITM has been honored with the Corporate Award. Mr. Zarrow has served on the Editorial Advisory Board for Circuits Assembly Magazine and won awards for his writings "On the Forefront" and "Better Manufacturing" columns.
