| ASK THE EXPERT |
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BEST's
"Ask the Expert" column is designed to give one-one dialogue between a
questioner and our master instructor Kris Roberson. Specification,
processing and inspection questions are asked and answered here.
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| PRODUCTS & SERVICES |
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BEST Inc. is offering an SMT "Boot Camp" , a professional training
course for new SMT technicians, operators, and engineers looking to
increase their knowledge and understanding of the manufacturing steps
for electronic assemblies.
The
training gives attendees an in-depth look at surface mounted assemblies
and the processes involved in their manufacture. Practical assembly
methods, hands-on demos, local area plant tours, and explanations from
industry experts will be combined with classroom lectures.
| Call Katy Radcliff at (847) 797-9250 for details.
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 BEST INDUSTRY FORUMS |
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This Industry forum is
a discussion area where opinions are given on equipment and processes,
help is given on process problems and resources for
problem-solving and troubleshooting are shared.
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REWORK SYMPOSIUM
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BEST
has invited several well-qualified speakers and applications
specialists to speak and demonstrate techniques at a technical rework
symposium to be held at BEST on August 14th.
Speakers from OK International, VJ Technologies and BEST will be
speaking on a variety of rework topics. In addition, there will be
hands on demonstrations of XRAY inspection, bottomside heating, hand
rework cleaning techniques as well as on reballing and lead free hand
soldering. The meeting is co-hosted by the SMTA IL chapter and will
feature a fresh hot breakfast served in the BEST kitchen along with
fresh juices and coffee followed by the symposium and an optional round
of golf. Call Gerri Noble at
847-639-2440 to register.
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Dear Subscriber;
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In this edition of the BEST newsletter we are discussing :
- Newly commissioned laser allows for more precise cutting and etching
- Nano particles lead to high efficiency solar panels
As . our national energy policy debate moves to the forefront we bring you information about some new solar technology.
Do not miss out on two very good learning opportunities. Mark your calendars for the rework symposium that will be held on Thursday August 14th at BEST Inc in Rolling Meadows where
there will be (3) very knowledgeable speakers from OK
International, VJ Technologies as well as demonstrations from the
BEST staff , Chemtronix and PACE. Hear how do it, see how to do it!
Don't forget to mark your calendars for the BEST presentations at SMTAI in
Orlando between August 17-21. BEST presenters will be discussing laser
rework methods as well as hand soldering in a mixed alloy environment.
Also see our new capabilities movie!
Please mark your calendars for these informative events!
Thanks!
Bob Wettermann
President, BEST Inc
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BEST
Instructors have put together video demonstrations of common hand
soldering tips and skills. These are not designed to be in place of
live one on one training where repetitive skills and subsequent one on
one feedback is given. Rather, they are quick refreshers designed to be
viewed if a specific skill has not been practiced in a while.
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BEST Commissions New Laser for Rework and Micro Machining Services
Laser micromachining in the electronics industry requires that materials are
either cut through, partially cut through, scored or marked in a very precise
and repeatable fashion. (In the above picture a 5 mil trace is exposed underneath the solder mask precisely)
BEST
has the capability to precisely machine your PCB assemblies and
components for marking, rework or production requirements. The
following applications are typical when using lasers:
- Marking and De-Marking
- Precise Mask Removal
- Precision Cutting
- Scribing
BEST has a variety of LASER sources, which
can drill, cut, mill and etch materials with dimensional tolerances
as small as 1 micron (0.00004"). The onsite CO2 LASER has very good processing speeds
and can be used to cut, scribe, scive and etch nearly any organic material such
as glass, ceramic, wood and plastics. The onsite YAG source LASER has the
ability to work on nearly any material including metals, plastics, silicon and
ceramics.
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If
you have specific questions on specific applications of this machining
service please call Katy Radcliff at (847) 797-9250.
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Nano Particles Make Highly Efficient Solar Panels
The
inefficiency of solar
cells in converting the sun's rays into electricity is a key
contributor to the high costs of solar energy, but new research into a
novel shape of semiconductor nanostructures known as "nano flakes" may
revolutionize the process and help improve the viability of clean
energy derived from the sun.
Details of the research by Martin Aagesen, a PhD from the Nano-Science
Centerand the Niels Bohr Institute at University of Copenhagen
were recently published in nature nanotechnology.
If his "future solar cells" meet expectations, they may be a huge step
towards boosting the world's exploitation of solar energy. Aagesen
believes that the nano flakes have the potential to convert up to 30
per cent of the solar energy into electricity and that is roughly twice
the amount that the average solar cell today.
The discovery was made during
Aagesen's work on his PhD thesis when he found a new and untried
material. "I discovered a perfect crystalline structure. That is a very
rare sight. While being a perfect crystalline structure we could see
that it also absorbed all light. It could become the perfect solar
cell," he said. The technology has the potential to reduce the solar
cell production costs which rely on expensive semiconducting silicium.
At the same time, the "future solar cells" will exploit solar energy
more effectively and lessen the loss of energy.
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