Starting at the Finish*

WANTED: PWB manufacturers desperately seeking a surface finish that can be simply
applied, works with 600-plus pin-count component packages, is as solderable as
solder, has a huge assembly process window, does not need nitrogen, can withstand
severe soldering conditions, is wirebondable, has a perfect reliability record, is
compatible with all lead types and soldermasks, does not harm the environment, has
universal application, and is slightly less expensive than dirt.

*Is this too much to ask?

Right now, it is. No Hot Air Solder Leveling (HASL) replacements have a corner on all
of these attributes, which explains why there are so many choices vying for the 25%
non-HASL share of the printed board market. Since there is no "Mr. Right" out there,
the OEM has to deliberate long and hard on what finish will fulfill the most valued
conditions. The Second Annual IPC National Conference: A Summit on PWB Surface
Finishes and Solderability will "start at the finish" to take on this most
strategically critical subject. 

This year's conference will have a special emphasis on testing and reliability of
many of today's PWB finishing materials. More than any other issue, PWB solderability
demonstrates the shared fate of the electronic interconnection industries. The 1998
IPC Summit on Surface Finishes will provide a valuable forum for end product,
assembly, and printed board manufacturers to exchange information and solve problems.
For more information on the conference, call IPC at 847-509-9700, ext. 361 or visit
our website at www.ipc.org.
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                   

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