Some nice comments on the Balls in our industry. 
Here are just a few more comments. Solder balls are produced by a number of
different mechanisms during wave soldering. They are always present in some
form. The mask is the key issue, if they can not stick to the mask the problem
is solved.

Engineers should evaluate masks, specify the mask, specify the preferred PCB
supplier and not let purchasing go to an alternative supplier to save a few
cents, or pence in the UK. The same should be the case for the PCB manufacturer,
evaluate the supplier of the mask, specify the mask, don t let him change it
without approval.

I have developed a Test Board for setting up wave soldering systems, it very
good for evaluating solder masks for no clean and solder ball formation. I have
yet to see or evaluate a solder mask which does not have any solder balls, it
just depends on the size that is acceptable ???? 

Any mask manufacturer want to test his mask ??

If you want to see solder balls my "Nitrogen" video tape includes some nice high
speed video work showing solder balls flying all over the place during lead
separation from the solder wave.

With regard to the gentleman running the Blundell machine he may be interested
in the training video on the CSM 400 which is available, sorry you mail address
did not work.

Bob Willis
Electronic Presentation Services
2 Fourth Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 4HA. England.
Tel: (44) 01245 351502
Fax: (44) 01245 496123
Home Page: http:// No not yet but it will be there !!!!!