This is an advisory message of just some of the current FREE peer-to-peer forums provided by your IPC. For information on how to sign on and for options, go to http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm  If you have any questions please contact me personnally off-net:  [log in to unmask]

Cordially,
Jack Crawford
Director of Assembly Standards and Technology

     TechNet 
This peer networking forum can be used to ask others for technical help, comments or questions on IPC specifications, or other technical inquiries. IPC will also use TechNet to announce meetings, important technical issues, surveys, etc. As a general networking forum, any technical question is fair game. 
Discussion of pricing is not appropriate for TechNet. Requests for recommendations of products or suppliers are appropriate when responses are sent to the individual requesting the information only and not to the entire TechNet forum. 

     Leadfree
Lead elimination is a fast emerging topic in the PWB industry. Pressure from Japan and Europe is forcing US companies to react fast and prepare for the transition. This forum acts as a peer interaction resource for staying on top of lead elimination activities worldwide and within IPC, including updates on the IPCWorks99 conference and lead elimination roadmap. A separate IPC forum (NoLeadTech) is available to exchange research and implementation technical data derived from research experiments. (See additional info on ComplianceNet)

     NoLeadTech
Electronic manufacturing utilizing lead-free processes is beginning to mature but there are still implementation issues to be resolved. This forum acts as a peer interaction resource to make technical inquiries and to exchange research and implementation TECHNICAL DATA derived from research experiments. A separate IPC forum (Leadfree) is available for discussion of legislative, environmental and philosophical issues related to lead-free policies.

     Halogenfree
The green monster has struck again, as materials suppliers and PWB fabricators are receiving OEM requirements for environmentally friendly base materials, soldermask and components. The OEM-targeted materials include bromine, halogen, halide and chlorine.

Materials suppliers are now left with the questions: What particle count determines halogen-free, bromine-free, etc.? Will the alternative materials guarantee the same reliability? Why are we doing this? 

This email forum serves a basis for peer interaction on the issue. Subscribers to the forum from all over the world can discuss the issues, dispel the myths and help each other in making the transition to these green materials a smooth ride. This forum will also be the basis for updates on a white paper being developed by the IPC Halogen-Free Materials Task Group.

     ComplianceNet
The ComplianceNet forum covers environmental, safety and related regulations or issues. In addition to giving you a forum for exchanging information with your colleagues and IPC staff, and getting information you need to do your jobs today, IPC will provide the following information on ComplianceNet: 
Regulatory proposals, alerts and draft comments 
Legislative updates 
New regulatory interpretations (i.e., photoresist skins) 
Grass roots action alerts 
Compliance assistance

     IPC_New_Releases
Provides notification to subscribers when new and revised IPC publications are available. Please note: This forum is for broadcast only, and not for posting messages. The same subscription instructions apply.