Dispensing
By Gary Helmers
VP Creative Automation
11641 Pendleton Street
Sun Valley, CA 91352
tel:818-767-6220
fax:818-767-1243
GJHelmers@creativedispensing.com www.creativedispensing.com

What will be a key issue in the industry during the transition to lead-free technology?

The wholesale transfer of the electronics assembly business to China is a constant issue, especially during the United States’ transition period to lead-free technology. It is controversial economically, challenging logistically and devastating to the jobs market. U.S. manufacturers are working hard and achieving new levels of productivity and higher quality and, in the long-term, the transition to lead-free will only increase these levels. Yet, in the short term, this is not enough to stem the tide. What is required is the comprehensive oversight to truly understand the long-term impact of this trend. Creative Automation is currently fully engaged in addressing reliability and manufacturability issues related to lead-free solder processes; developing new process solutions with increased reliability and simplified recipes; and the perennial decreasing package and pitch size. Costs will also become more significant. To control them, we will focus on controlling them by designing lead-free products and processes that will maximize efficiency and quality during future growth. We have positioned ourselves for rapid growth through increased R&D and increased focus on consistency and reliability. Well-scrutinized process and design choices position us for rapid and efficient expansion during the transition and beyond.