TechNetters, Can anyone out there give Tim some recommendations based on your experiences? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Name: Tim Bowe Company: Diebold, Inc E-Mail: [log in to unmask] Comments: I am looking for some direction on what type of laminate base material should be specified for rigid printed circuit boards used in Diebold products. After reviewing numerous IPC and UL documents, I do not clearly understand the pros and cons of various laminate grades and their specific applications and am asking you, who use these materials on a daily basis, for assistance and recommendation. We have qualified a new color monitor for our ATM machines from a domestic and off-shore supplier. Monitor performance is categorized as Class 2 Dedicated Service Electronics Products classification listed in IPC-6011 where high performance and extended life is required and for which uninterrupted service is desired but not critical. The monitor PWB is single-sided, approximately eight-inches square, supported by corner stand-offs in a metal chassis. Components are all thru-hole connection. Some of the power transistors require free-standing heat sinks. Other bulky components include coils and transformers. This AC operated device incorporates an internal universal switching type power supply integrated onto the PWB. AC input voltage range is: 100-vac to 240-vac. There is also several hundred volts present on other circuit traces required by the CRT (cathode ray tube). To meet our reliability requirements, the domestic supplier plans on using FR-4 laminate with plated-thru-holes; the off-shore supplier contends equivalent reliability with their CEM-3 laminate material without plated-thru-holes. The following Diebold requirements need to be considered in making this supplier selection: 1) Operating Temperature: 0C to 60C @ 95% RH (max). For reliability predictions, the operating temperature is 30C, 90% of the time and at the extremes 5% of the time. 2) Shipping/Storage Temperature: -40C to +70C. Absolute humidity content not to exceed 100% at 32C. The off-shore supplier will probably ship product by boat to a domestic warehouse facility until required by Diebold for "just in time" delivery. Is laminate moisture absorption of CEM-3 vs. FR-4 a product reliability concern during this transit process? Specifically, storage in possibly hot/humid shipping holds for a number of weeks. 3) Transit Vibration: This product is shipped from Diebold either installed in an ATM or individually boxed for field service replacement. In either case, this product may ship anywhere internationally. How does the laminate flexural strength characteristics of CEM-3 vs. FR-4 affect product reliability due to transit vibration effects? What about product reliability during various "handling processes" of the individually boxed version? 4) Flame Retardency: What is the difference between the NEMA FR-4 and CEM-3 ratings for these laminate materials? Which is best suited for Diebold's needs? Our annual volume requirement is 10K - 12K. If the off-shore supplier is selected, there is an additional annual cost savings of a couple hundred thousand dollars. Although cost is an issue, Diebold's primary mission is delivering defect-free competitive products and services on time to our customers. What is your recommendation on the PWB laminate material type we should specify? Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Diebold, Inc. Tim Bowe Module and System Development Diebold, Inc. Voice: 330.490.4668 FAX: 330.490.4508 em@il: [log in to unmask] ################################################################ TechNet E-Mail Forum provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c ################################################################ To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body: To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE TechNet <your full name> To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF TechNet ################################################################ Please visit IPC's web site (http://www.ipc.org) "On-Line Services" section for additional information. For technical support contact Hugo Scaramuzza at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.312 ################################################################