November 2005

 
BEST Inc News )
  October 2005
in this issue
  • Rework Calculator
  • Solder "Rinsing" Technique for Maintaining RoHS Compliance
  • NEW Customer Service Manager Joins BEST
  • RED is LEAD and GREEN IS CLEAN


    • "Make" versus "Buy" decisions happen on a nearly daily basis in business. One of these type of decisions EMS providers or OEM manufacturers of electronics assemblies faces is that of reworking and repairing circuit boards. In this newsletter we point you in the direction of a few helpful tools in making this decision.

    We also welcome Laura Ripoli to the BEST staff. Laura brings with her a vast experience in serving customers in the electronics industry. She is a welcome addition to the BEST team.

    chips
    Bob Wettermann, President

     

    		 Rework Calculator

    When determining actual rework costs, it is always a good idea to consult with your accounting department. You should obtain from them a "fully burdened" overhead rate per rework associate that can be used as a basis for your calculation. Work with them to obtain the cost of equipment and training. Make sure that you get a handle on scrap costs, which in many cases is the largest single component of total rework cost.

    Once you have calculated the costs required as inputs to the cost model, you can calculate the costs of a rework job. BEST has worked with a cost accounting firm to develop and research national averages as default values to this model.

    Use this tool to help you make well-informed "make" vs "buy" decisions in terms of rework projects.

     

    		 Solder "Rinsing" Technique for Maintaining RoHS Compliance
    Solder Rinsing

    A new technique which allows you to use the SAME soldering tips in a mixed alloy environment has been developed by BEST. BEST's newly developed "rinsing" technique allows you to stay within the RoHS guidelines for rework even when switching between lead-based and lead-free solders.

    The study, which measured the presence of lead on the tip after subsequent "rinsings", found that a (4) time rinse sufficiently can reduce the lead content to below the RoHS 0.1% lead by weight guidelines.

     

    		 NEW Customer Service Manager Joins BEST
    Laura_Ripoli

    Laura Ripoli, a seasoned very capable veteran of the electronics industry, has joined BEST. In her most recent capacity she managed an electronic components business, dealing with vendors, end users, distributors and OEMs. Laura has over twenty years experience in the electronics industry. Her primary focus over the past 14 years has been Inside Sales/Customer Support at mL Technologies. This included sales support of customer orders on a direct basis, and thru the distribution channel. Laura’s previous jobs included positions at Arrow Semi (Product Manager) and Tek-Aids Industries (Customer Service Manager). Laura is responsible for managing your rework and repair as well as prototype build projects from initial contact to through shipment.

    We invite you to call Laura at (847) 797-9250

     

    		 RED is LEAD and GREEN IS CLEAN
    tshirt

    The staff at BEST has developed a variety of visual aids to help BEST soldering techs make the transition to a "mixed" facility which includes both tin-lead as well as "lead free" hand soldering operations. These cue cards, t-shirts, work orders and posters all have the common theme of using red and green colors to differentiate tin lead from our "lead free" work.

    The color coding is a quick way to remember the meaning of the two slogans "RED IS LEAD" and "GREEN IS CLEAN" (trademark pending). For instance a RED sticker on a work order indicates that the solder alloy and process to be used is lead-based. A GREEN sticker indicates the environmentally-friendly "lead free" solder and process is to be used. If you would like a sample card as a means to help remind your staff please call Laura Ripoli at (847) 797- 9250.

     

    		 INCREASE YOUR CHANCES TO WIN NEW HANDHELD PLAYSTATION
    You can increase your chances to win a brand new PlayStation Handheld game (for the "kids" of course!) when you refer a new newsletter subsriber. Send referred e-mail subsriber to : info@solder.net with "Playstation Drawing" in the subject line. Drawing to be held December 15th, 2005 for all newsletter recipients.

    Links to New Info.........

     
    phone: (847) 797-9250
     

    Back to Archives
     
    3603 Edison Place - Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 - Phone 847.797.9250 - Fax 847.797.9255
    Copyright © 2012 All rights reserved. Business Electronics Soldering Technologies | Chicago Internet Marketing Company