Good Morning, Stephen! This is good information. So now we have component vendors telling us some of their components should not be overexposed to X-rays. Was there any type of notation on the part print? The industry needs a standard. We need to have some type of rating system for components that can be damaged by X-rays. Jack, is there any activity going on with this within IPC? -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Steve Gregory Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 8:50 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] X-ray inspection damaging components... Morning All! I submitted a question to Altera via their email support center about x-ray inspection possibly damaging a EPM7256EEFI100-7 device. The device is a EEPROM made using an advanced CMOS process. Here is our exchange so far: >Request No: 10515187 Status: Close-Pending Date Opened (PDT): 9/26/2005 >07:24 AM Date Closed (PDT): >Inquiry Type: Product Question >Device Family: Device: >Title: X-ray inspection of devices > >Description: I am doing x-ray inspection of a EPM7256AEFI100-7 device after board assembly. >The PCB has a 1.27mm thick copper core in the center of it, so it >requires that a high kv x-ray must >be done in order to see the solder connections of the device. The x-ray source power is around >120-130kv. Will this x-ray power level damage the device? > >Thank-you, > >-Stephen Gregory- >Process Engineer >LaBarge Inc. > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- > >Updates 1 - 2 of 2 Add an Update / Previous / Next > >Date Created (PDT) 9/27/2005 07:44 PM > >To Customer: > >Hi Stephen, > >Typically assembly uses 90KV using 10 to 20mA with a few second for inspection of IC package. Our >recommendation will be a pro-rated 130KV with 7mA to 13mA for a few second. Note that Prolong exposure >under X-ray will definitely damage the device. I hope it's helpful to you. > >Best Regards, >Daniel Cao My question is; doesn't the figure of 90KV at 10-20mA seem pretty low? My current Glenbrook RTX-113 operates at 35-52KV at 20-50mA, and higher-end Glenbrook systems will pump 70-90KV at 90-100mA. Right now, I'm using a Fein Focus Tiger 160 for x-ray inspection of some copper cored assemblies that we're building because I have to, that's the only way we can inspect the BGA's. The copper core in the PCB won't allow x-ray of the BGA's unless you use a system that can penetrate the core. But if these devices can be damaged at such a low voltage (if indeed Daniel's figures are correct), shouldn't Altera issue some sort of warning to their customers about x-ray damaging the devices? After all, there will be a lot of customers using x-ray for inspection. Kind regards, -Steve Gregory- Senior Process Engineer LaBarge Incorporated Tulsa, Oklahoma (918) 459-2285 (918) 459-2350 FAX __________________________________________________________________ This message may contain information that is privileged and confidential to LaBarge, Inc. It is for use only by the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not copy, use or deliver this message to anyone. In such event, you should destroy the message and kindly notify the sender by reply e-mail. --------------------------------------------------- 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 847-615-7100 ext.2815 ----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- 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 847-615-7100 ext.2815 -----------------------------------------------------