Reliability Matters

Statistics, at its core, is the science of making sense of data. From predicting trends and making informed decisions to ensuring quality control and optimizing processes, the applications of statistics are vast and varied. In the electronic assembly industry, where precision and reliability are paramount, statistical techniques become indispensable tools for engineers, manufacturers, and quality assurance professionals alike.

Join us as we unravel the complex yet captivating connections between statistics and the truth. We'll delve into real-world case studies, and uncover the statistical principles that ensure the decisions we make every day are based on facts, accurate data, and accurate statistics. 

In today's episode, we're also going to tackle some common myths associated with statistics and shed light on how misinterpretation of data can lead to false conclusions. Many people think of statistics as infallible, a definitive answer to every question posed by data. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. Statistics is a powerful tool, but its effectiveness hinges on proper application and interpretation.

We'll discuss myths such as "Correlation equals causation," where the mere relationship between two variables is often mistaken for one causing the other. We'll also address the misconception that a larger sample size always guarantees accurate results, and how ignoring the context or the source of data can lead to misleading outcomes.

Moreover, we'll explore real-world examples where statistical missteps have led to costly errors and how these pitfalls can be avoided through rigorous analysis and critical thinking. By understanding these common misconceptions and learning how to approach data critically, you'll be better equipped to harness the true power of statistics.

My guest today, is Aaron Brown. Aaron teaches statistics at New York University and at the University of California at San Diego, and he writes regular columns for Bloomberg and Wilmott. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he was a key participant in developing modern financial risk management and one of the original developers of Value-at-Risk. He also helped develop the rules that eventually became known as Basel II.

Aaron holds an M.B.A. in Finance and Statistics from the University of Chicago and an BS in Applied Mathematics from Harvard.

In today's episode, we're exploring automated optical inspection (AOI) and x-ray inspection technology within the electronic assembly industry.

Joining us are two experts who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.
Joel Scutchfield is the General Manager of SMT and Semicon Business Operations & Director of Sales at Koh Young, manufacturers of automated inspection and precise measurement systems with its headquarters in Seoul South Korea and R&D centers around the world. Joel has been with Koh Young for just under 10 years.

Jesper Lykke is the CEO at Viscom, a manufacturer of inspection technologies, in particular for automatic optical inspection (AOI) and X-ray inspection, with headquarters in Hanover, Germany and offices worldwide. Jesper has been with Viscom for 14 years.

Both Joel and Jesper are widely considered to be subject matter experts on inspection technology.
In this episode, we'll delve into the principles and applications of AOI and x-ray inspection, discussing how these technologies are revolutionizing the electronic assembly industry. We'll explore the latest trends, challenges, best practices, and future directions, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of how these inspection methods are critical to maintaining high standards in electronics manufacturing.

Whether you're an industry professional, a tech enthusiast, or just curious about the intricacies of electronic assembly, this episode promises to offer valuable insights and expert perspectives on the inspection technologies that are driving both innovation and quality in the field. So, sit back, relax, and join us for an enlightening conversation about inspection Technology. 

Guest contact information:
Joel Scutchfield
Koh Young
[email protected]

Jesper Lykke
Viscom
[email protected]

Just like the famous line from the 1984 film, The Terminator, “I’ll be back”, SMTAI is back. Back to the Chicago area.

We’re back in Rosemont, co-located with the Assembly Show, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, October 20-24.

Between SMTAI and the Assembly Show, there will be thousands of engineers and industry professionals in attendance.

The exhibit floor features hundreds of exhibitors showing off the latest technology. But the topic we're discussing today is the Technical conference and other planned events taking place at this year’s SMTAI.

This year, there are 11 scheduled professional development courses, about 100 technical presentations across seven technical tracks.

Joining me to discuss what’s in store for attendees is Jason Keeping, member of the SMTA Global Board of Directors where he is Vice President of technical programs for SMTA. Jeff Kennedy, past SMTA President and Director of the Manufacturing Excellence Track, and Robert Boguski, member of the SMTA Global Board of Directors where he is VP of membership and Director of the Test and Inspection track.

For more information on SMTAI, click on the link below:
https://www.smtai.org

For more information on SMTA, click on the link below:
https://smta.org/default.aspx

Recorded live in Anaheim California during the IPC Apex Expo.

This episode features three interviews including:
• Kimberly Fagan from PVA
• Taylor Wagan from CETEC ERP
• Neil Hubble from Akrometrix

Recorded live in Anaheim California during the IPC Apex Expo.

This episode features four interviews including:
• David Chiu from Test Research, Inc.
• Michael Dolan from South-Tek
• Dalton Dodge from Brooks Automation 
• Michelle Ogihara from Seka Machinery, Inc.

Recorded live in Anaheim California during the IPC Apex Expo.

This episode features three interviews including:
• Gus Mavrou from Seho
• Mark Stansfield from Solderstar
• Jesper Lykke from Viscom

The challenging world of electronics becomes even more challenging when the end product is destined for harsh environments. For high reliability products operating in a harsh environment, the quest for reliability is not just a goal—it's an imperative. These are not your everyday gadgets; often they're critical components of systems designed to operate under extreme conditions, where failure is not an option. From the scorching heat of desert landscapes to the unyielding cold of arctic tundras, from the high-pressure depths of our oceans to the radiation-filled expanse of space, the demands on these electronic products are as varied as the environments themselves. While ocean depths, outer space, and frozen tundras are arguably harsh environments, we don’t have to look too far for examples of product failures in less harsh environments.

One example that comes to mind is the state of public EV charging stations. Government reports have concluded that up to 25% of public EV chargers are inoperative at any given time. 

While there are many reasons for this, one may conclude they are not designed and manufactured for the intended in climactic operating environment. 

On this episode, we'll uncover the numerous challenges that designers and engineers face in their quest for reliability, durability, and functionality of the final product.

As we navigate through this complex landscape, we'll highlight the strategies that enable these products to not just survive, but excel in unforgiving conditions. 

Our navigator for this episode is my guest, Dr. Andre Kleyner. Dr. Kleyner has 30 years of engineering, research, consulting, and managerial experience specializing in reliability of electronic and mechanical systems designed to operate in severe environments. He received a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, and a Masters of Business Administration from Ball State University. Dr. Kleyner is a Global Reliability Engineering Leader with Delphi Electronics & Safety and an adjunct professor at Purdue University. He is a Fellow of the American Society for Quality (ASQ), a Certified Reliability Engineer, Certified Quality Engineer, and a Six Sigma Black Belt. He also holds several US and foreign patents and authored multiple professional publications including two books on the topics of reliability, statistics, warranty management, and lifecycle cost analysis.

We’re the best, we’re number one, we’re better than them, we’ve won more awards than our competitors, we’ve all seen those ads. While this form of advertising isn’t unique, when’s the last time it caused you to buy a product based on the ad. I think we all know that answer.

There was a time when we relied heavily on print advertising to determine what products were available and from whom. The two primary methods to gain product awareness were print advertising and trade shows. While advertising and trade shows still exist, they are no longer the primary method of product awareness.

31 years ago, beginning on April 30, 1993, all of that began to change. What happened on April 30, 1993? Public access to the Internet was born.

Over the past 31 years, Internet technology propelled us into an age of self discovery. The older generation accuses the younger generation of always having their face in a screen. While that may be true, it’s not always TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or Snapchat. People today, particularly younger people, research products, technologies, and a host of other things online. Consumers today are far more educated on the products they wish to purchase them at any time in history.

In what I find to be an exceptional irony, much of the industry responsible for building the technology behind Internet connectivity continues to advertise their products in a pre-Internet style.

You may ask, what does this have to do with reliability? Building reliable products requires a net sum of a vast amount of best practices. One of those practices is insuring the right products, procedures, specifications, designs, and so many other factors are implemented.

This goal cannot be accomplished by just reading advertisements from sellers. Frequently, engineers struggle to solve problems without a complete knowledge of the root cause of the problem. Particularly today, with so many in-house subject matter experts retiring, advertisements boasting the number of customers, time and business, and where they place in the hierarchy of competitive products do not assist the engineer and understanding the root cause of a potential problem, and certainly not the solution.

Over the past several years, several companies in our industry have begun to change their advertising strategies from transactional, to transformational. That is to say they help to connect problems to solutions, more than merely hyping products.

My guest today fully understands the value and effectiveness of what I like to call “Conscious Marketing “.

Rick Short is Corporate Associate Vice President for Indium Corporation. Rick has been with the company since 1984 in capacities including Technical Service Manager, Marketing Director, International Sales Director, head of Technical Support, and head of Environmental, Health & Safety, in addition to his current role. He has an MBA from Ren-Se-Lere Polytechnic Institute, a bachelor’s degree in business management from Utica College, and an associate degree from Mohawk Valley Community College.

I talk with Rick about his company’s unique approach to education and how that has helped to transform their customer base.

We’ve discussed the silver tsunami on the show numerous times, the unprecedented rate of which employees are retiring. When engineers and other employees retire from companies, they take with them more than a set of gold cufflinks or an engraved plaque. In many cases, they also take with them wisdom and knowledge.

Perhaps this is never more true than in the case of my guest today. And who is that? My friend and colleague Doug Pauls.

Doug Pauls holds a B.A. in chemistry and physics from Carthage College, Kenosha, Wisconsin, and a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He worked nine years for the Navy, eight years as technical director of Contamination Studies Labs, and more than 20 years at Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace), in the Advanced Operations Engineering group where he is a technical fellow and, a principal materials and process engineer. Doug was awarded the Rockwell Collins Arthur A. Collins Engineer of the Year Award in 2004 as well as numerous other awards.

Doug is a long-time (and when I say long time I mean well over 30 years) IPC chairman and was awarded the IPC’s Hall of Fame Award in 2017. Most notably, he is known for his expertise in surface insulation resistance testing, cleaning and cleanliness assessment, conformal coatings, and how to investigate and qualify manufacturing processes. He has been a U.S. representative to ISO and IEC working groups on SIR, electromigration, and cleanliness reliability standards. He has participated in numerous national and international consortia on electronics manufacturing materials and processes. He recently led a team of SMEs to redefine the cleanliness provisions of J-STD-001, culminating in what is presently J-STD-001H.

To take liberties with a famous Mark Twain quote “rumors of my retirement have been greatly exaggerated”. For several years now, I’ve heard rumors of Doug Pauls retirement. Well, that day has finally come.

I’ll talk with Doug about his Long career within the electronic assembly industry. We’ll talk about his triumphs and challenges, and his journey in this ever changing, dynamic, and challenging industry.
If you’re new to this industry, stick around because I plan on asking Doug for his advice to young people entering our world, the world of electronic assembly.

This episode was recorded at SMTA's Pan Pacific Strategic Electronics Symposium on the big island of Hawaii.

My guests on this episode are Dr. Chuck Bower, founder of PanPac, Keith Bryant, and Dr. Ron Lasky.

We discussed the history of PanPac, technologies introduced at PanPac, and what makes PanPac so unique. We also discuss Dartmouth College's unique engineering innovations program.