Hello everyone!

I could use some help concerning soldering to gold.

Problem:
A customer of ours has given feedback to our salespeople that hard gold
boards we made in May 2002 were much better to solder to than what we sent
in October 2002. Biggest difference was stated as the newest boards have
fiducials that auto pick and place equipment can't read because under the
lights they look "black". Under normal shop lights both boards look bright
and shiney(sp?).

Also, the customer commented that on the boards with "black" unreadable
fiducials had solderjoints that looked very dull.

Known manufacturing/processing differences between months of May and October
(aka, confessions of a process engineer):
Prior to August 2002, dull plated gold boards were scrubbed to improve
appearances. After August 2002 no scrubbing needed when a carbon treat and
proper wetters were performed/maintained in nickel and gold baths.


Any and all comments are greatly appreciated.





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