Gerry Sounds like things are going well on your end. I am glad that someone has found a benefit from ROHS even if it approaches: "I have stopped beating my spouse". Actually the cost of Flash Gold from the Chinese Shops I am familiar with is at least on par with immersion silver and normally below ENIG. Best regards Lee J. L. Parker Ph.D. JLP Consultants LLC (804) 779 3389 -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gerald Gagnon Sent: Monday, November 21, 2005 6:28 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [TN] best plated surface finish Lee, Things are going great now that I'm back on the OEM side of things! I was just pulling your leg on the immersion silver. One of the hidden benefits of RoHS (albeit a very questionable one) is that it gives us all a chance to re-look at things. After a LOT of very grimey work, immersion silver and ENIG (ugggh) are looking pretty good. Haven't had a chance to evaluate Direct Immersion Gold or the newer lead-free HASL finishes yet. I'd love to use the electroplated nickel/gold flash process instead of ENIG for a lot of reasons but the alleged cost scare keeps coming up..... Next time you're up in the Boston area drop me a line. Best regards, Gerry From: Lee parker <[log in to unmask]> Reply-To: TechNet E-Mail Forum <[log in to unmask]>, Lee parker <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [TN] best plated surface finish Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2005 14:45:30 -0500 Jerry Hope all is well with you. I did not mention immersion silver since it has been discussed at length in this forum and most are ware that I am a huge advocate of immersion silver going bask to 1995 when I installed the first such line in North America at the AT&T plant in Richmond. I mentioned Flash Gold because it is a relatively new coating (in its present format) and is just beginning to catch the attention of the OEMs. Best regards Lee J. Lee Parker, Ph.D. JLP Consultants LLC 804 779 3389 ----- Original Message ----- From: Gerald Gagnon<mailto:[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, November 18, 2005 6:28 PM Subject: Re: [TN] best plated surface finish Lee Kudos from a long time lurker...... You're absolutely correct. Many many years of OEM experience with this finish. Lots of fear over purported high cost of gold. There's a few "application" secrets but it is the ultimate surface finish. Now that the cat is out of the bag, how come you didn't mention immersion silver? Gerry Gagnon From: Lee parker <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Reply-To: TechNet E-Mail Forum <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>, Lee parker <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: [TN] best plated surface finish Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2005 08:25:34 -0500 John Another option is flash gold over nickel. Both are plated inline using an electrolytic process(as opposed to ENIG). The gold thickness is roughly two micro inches. The OEMs that I am familiar with that have used this finish have reported very good results. Most of the PCB suppliers providing this process are in China. Best regards Lee J. Lee Parker, Ph.D. JLP Consultants LLC 804 779 3389 ----- Original Message ----- From: Babcock John<mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:TechN [log in to unmask]>> Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 7:28 PM Subject: [TN] best plated surface finish If somebody wants an extra smooth plating finish using lead free plating what material would they use...and what would be the finishing process? I've heard HASL is sort of rough...and it really doesn't apply using silver solder because of the melting temps. Is ENIG (electroless nickel immersion gold) the way to go to get a smooth finish? thanks! John Babcock PCB Designer III Isothermal Systems Research (ISR) 2218 N. Molter Rd Liberty Lake, WA 99019 [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:jbabcock@spray cool.com<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> P: (509) 241-4641 F: (509) 444-1082 This E-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and proprietary in nature and intended solely for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed. If you have received this E-mail in error, please send it back to the person that sent it to you. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of its author and do not necessarily represent those of Isothermal Systems Research, Inc. Unauthorized publication, use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this email and its associated attachments is strictly prohibited. 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