Yes, SSD does work. Look in any computer catalog that shows the small square CPU upgrade boards for computers- that is done with one version of SSD. Also many laptops using 10 mil pitch TAB CPUs are using another version of SSD. A military cable house is using yet another version of SSD. There will be a comprehensive write up on the technology in the April issue of SMT magazine. In addition, there were workshops on the technology at both IPC Expo and Nepcon West. Low activation level sticky fluxes are available, which can be cleaned off or left on the completed PWA- your choice. The SSD process is now used in Europe, North America and Japan. The process does offer a cost effective alternative when the overall cost of both the board fabrication plus assembly is considered. The costing process needs to take into account the added cost of SSD at fabrication, with reduced cost at assembly. The reduced cost results from elimination of solder paste printing at assembly, downtime for stencil changes, test prints, stencil cleaning, solder paste testing, inspection, defect repair, etc. The industry really needs an agreed on standardized cost analysis method to enable logical comparisons of various processes-- perhaps this could be a new IPC activity. --Bill Kenyon Global Centre for Process Change, Inc. 302-652-4272/-5701 Tel/Fax *************************************************************************** * TechNet mail list is provided as a service by IPC using SmartList v3.05 * *************************************************************************** * To subscribe/unsubscribe send a message <to: [log in to unmask]> * * with <subject: subscribe/unsubscribe> and no text in the body. * *************************************************************************** * If you are having a problem with the IPC TechNet forum please contact * * Dmitriy Sklyar at 847-509-9700 ext. 311 or email at [log in to unmask] * ***************************************************************************