TechNetters,

Can anyone out there give Tim some recommendations based on your experiences?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Name:     Tim Bowe
Company:    Diebold, Inc
E-Mail:    [log in to unmask]

Comments:

 I am looking for some direction on what type of laminate base material should be
specified for rigid printed circuit boards used in Diebold products.  After reviewing
numerous IPC and UL documents, I do not clearly understand the pros and cons of
various laminate grades and their specific applications and am asking you, who use
these materials on a daily basis, for assistance and recommendation.

We have qualified a new color monitor for our ATM machines from a domestic and
off-shore supplier.  Monitor performance is categorized as Class 2 Dedicated Service
Electronics Products classification listed in IPC-6011 where high performance and
extended life is required and for which uninterrupted service is desired but not
critical.

The monitor PWB is single-sided, approximately eight-inches square, supported by
corner stand-offs in a metal chassis.  Components are all thru-hole connection.  Some
of the power transistors require free-standing heat sinks.  Other bulky components
include coils and transformers.  This AC operated device incorporates an internal
universal switching type power supply integrated onto the PWB.  AC input voltage
range is: 100-vac to 240-vac.  There is also several hundred volts present on other
circuit traces required by the CRT (cathode ray tube).

To meet our reliability requirements, the domestic supplier plans on using FR-4
laminate with plated-thru-holes; the off-shore supplier contends equivalent
reliability with their CEM-3 laminate material without plated-thru-holes.  The
following Diebold requirements need to be considered in making this supplier
selection:

1) Operating Temperature: 0C to 60C @ 95% RH (max).  For reliability predictions, the
operating temperature is 30C, 90% of the time and at the extremes 5% of the time.

2) Shipping/Storage Temperature: -40C to +70C.  Absolute humidity content not to
exceed 100% at 32C.  The off-shore supplier will probably ship product by boat to a
domestic warehouse facility until required by Diebold for "just in time" delivery.
Is laminate moisture absorption of CEM-3 vs. FR-4 a product reliability concern
during this transit process?  Specifically, storage in possibly hot/humid shipping
holds for a number of weeks.

3) Transit Vibration: This product is shipped from Diebold either installed in an ATM
or individually boxed for field service replacement.  In either case, this product
may ship anywhere internationally.  How does the laminate flexural strength
characteristics of CEM-3 vs. FR-4 affect product reliability due to transit vibration
effects?  What about product reliability during various "handling processes" of the
individually boxed version?

4) Flame Retardency: What is the difference between the NEMA FR-4 and CEM-3 ratings
for these laminate materials?  Which is best suited for Diebold's needs?

Our annual volume requirement is 10K - 12K.  If the off-shore supplier is selected,
there is an additional annual cost savings of a couple hundred thousand dollars.
Although cost is an issue, Diebold's primary mission is delivering defect-free
competitive products and services on time to our customers.  What is your
recommendation on the PWB laminate material type we should specify?

Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Diebold, Inc.

Tim Bowe
Module and System Development
Diebold, Inc.

Voice:  330.490.4668
FAX:    330.490.4508
em@il:  [log in to unmask]

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