Lou,

Good question and good responses so far.

There are a lot of factors which can be part of the condition of the pot. I
think you are very correct in being sensitive to this 'important material
in our manufacturing process'. Since you have been doing monthly tests for
some period of time I would suggest using that data as a baseline and let
that tell you how often you need to do a test.

In the meantime document the process relative to the test results and when
there is a significant change to the process you may want to resume testing
on a monthly basis again until you can validate that the new process
warrants either continued monthly or every 6 month testing. Remember,
although the soldering process is the soldering process, everyone does
things a little different which has its own cause and effect on the
elements of any process.

Good luck!

Richard

At 09:54 AM 7/11/01 -0400, you wrote:
>TechNetters, I'd appreciate comments on contaminant analysis of a wave
>solder pot.  We had been sending a sample out for analysis (type "C" I
>think it is, by the mil spec) once per month.  Now the solder supplier is
>telling me that once every six months is more than enough.  I've been
>taking the contaminant data and plotting Q charts (for short-run SPC the
>modern way, as I've been mentioning in this forum) with the monthly data.
> What has been your practice and recommendation?
>
>At the moment, it is hard for me to feel comfortable with a twice-yearly
>analysis of what seems to me to be an important material in our
>manufacturing process.  Lou Hart
>

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