Hi Tom, In my interpretation such balls are not process indicators but defects. The fact that these balls don't become dislodged during washing doesn't mean that they will keep being adhered to the board when the product is submitted to shocks or vibrations. But is depends on the service condition of the product. Best regards, Daan Terstegge PCB Assembly Department Thales Land & Joint Systems Tel +31(0)35 524 8297 Fax +31(0)35 524 8181 [log in to unmask] Unclassified Email >>> [log in to unmask] 10/08/04 04:35pm >>> Dear Group, I'm asking the group again to impart your communal wisdom in interpreting IPC-A-610. We are seeing solder balls on our SMT assemblies after they have gone thru board wash (dishwasher). Would these be classified as entrapped/encapsulated and therefore process indicators and not subject to "rework" (as long as they don't violate minimum electrical clearance)? Thanks. Tom Moore --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 ----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 -----------------------------------------------------