Jim,
Although we are not a board shop, we do have some customers who implement 
SPC by inspecting developed photoresist.  By placing their AOI system at 
their outer layer inspection stage they can capture data based on sampling. 
 The data can then be used, not only to monitor the process, but also to 
perform root cause analysis.  One significant benefit has been to reduce 
downstream bottlenecks.

George Murray
Gerber Systems
(860) 648-8117
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>this message is aimed at board shops!
>  which departments/processes do you carry out spc?
>  we are looking for some more really "meaty" areas to carry out spc
>  ie. areas where we can get some real benefit and not just put up charts 
for
>the sake of it,or to confuse an auditor.
>  note we already have a copy of  IPC-PC-90
>
>                                          JIM DOUGLAS
>                                               KAM CIRCUITS
>                                   phone   00441249815262
>                                     fax        00441249814726
>                                     email      [log in to unmask]