Richard is correct that your picture illustrates poor coppe Jim, Richard is correct that your picture illustrates poor copper plating. This problem wasn't caused because there was a micro-etch prior to OSP. There is always a micro-etch of the plated copper prior to applying the final surface finish. Regards, George George M. Wenger Andrew Solutions Senior Principal FMA/Reliability Engineer 40 Technology Drive, Warren, NJ 07059 (908) 546-4531 (Office) (732) 309-8964 (cell) [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Stadem, Richard D. Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 10:56 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [TN] PTH problem The pictures illustrate poor copper plating in the via hole walls that could be due to a number of reasons, all from fabrication issues. There should be at least a .001" thick continuous copper wall inside the via, but these pictures represent a very bad copper plating process. I have never heard of the OSP process causing copper to be further reduced. I would not use any of these boards, even if they pass flying probe test, and I would not use that board supplier again. Just because they pass test as a bare PWB does not mean they will be reliable later; they could fail due to the vias opening up when the board is heated or slightly stressed. But I will sleep well tonight knowing that when the operators eat their food off of these PWBs they will not be contaminated with lead. -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of J W Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 9:41 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] PTH problem Hi TechNet group, I'm really getting nervous about a China bare board supplier and their quality and need your opinions. Please take a look at the picture by clicking on the link below showing two plated through holes (via's). The problem reported originally was a bad ground connection between ground via's and ground planes. As you can see, the pictures are very telling, and you can clearly see the ground plane not connected (several planes not connected actually). What I'm also nervous about is the comment listed below the pictures "The plated copper on PTH surface will be etched thin after OSP process". Is that statement correct? I'm not a bare board expert by any means, but I believe a PTH should have a little more copper than what is shown? I know that OSP is not something new, so are other board suppliers dealing with the same issue of possible thin PTH walls because of OSP? I also submitted pictures early last week regarding the same supplier having problems with the their solder mask process, so to me, I'm thinking this board shop is not up to standards and we should inform out board assembler house to look for another supplier...immediately? Thanks for your help! Jim http://stevezeva.homestead.com/PTH_Connection_issue.jpg --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 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 15.0 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 ----------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This message is for the designated recipient only and may contain privileged, proprietary, or otherwise private information. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the original. Any unauthorized use of this email is prohibited. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [mf2] --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 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 -----------------------------------------------------