Reducing Your Costs With DIY Solar Panel Kits

If you have been looking for alternative energy solutions but been dissuaded by the costs involved, looking into DIY solar kits can significantly reduce your costs. Although there are a number of kits available, there are a few items you need to attend to prior to venturing into the world of renewable energy resource kits.

With all this in mind, creating something yourself will definitely boost your ego! So take it slow, find a kit that�s right for you and get started on your energy solutions today!Your first concern with any DIY solar kit would be its adequacy for your solar energy needs. You do not have to purchase a kit worthy of converting your entire home to solar energy if you are just experimenting. There is a broad range of kits out there, some including sample kits, so you can tailor your project to your own needs. Playing first with a sample kit will do two things for you: it will give you an idea of the amount of work you would need to do in order to take on a bigger venture; secondly it will give you a playing ground to make mistakes. You wouldn�t want to have to redo or repurchase a larger kit because you made a mistake in constructing it.DIY solar kits are like any other kit, you save money because you save labour costs. The labour is going to be supplied by yourself (and maybe a couple of well meaning friends), so you need to know that you are probably going to take longer to construct your solar panel solutions. Plan for extra time, and if your need is essential, put extra money aside in case you need to hire a professional.The company you are buying your DIY solar kit from is a primary concern also. If you are buying your kit from a store, are the people friendly there and willing to offer advice? Do they seem knowledgeable about the solar system you are considering constructing? If you are searching through online companies: Do they have a well laid out website with frequently asked questions? Are the instructions on their website clear when you are searching and purchasing (unclear instructions here might indicate additional difficulty you will have with instructions in your kit)? Do they offer resources for you if you have questions on the product, or might have questions when putting the product together? Putting a bit of research into the company you are purchasing this item from might save you a lot of grief later.

With all this in mind, creating something yourself will definitely boost your ego! So take it slow, find a kit that�s right for you and get started on your energy solutions today!

How To Make An LED Candelabra

This candelabra is a great project combining 21st century crafts with art to produce a stunning, ivy covered tree structure, which is bound to get people talking. It is surprisingly easy to make, but you do need to do some electrical work and may have to do some soldering. The Funky LED candelabra would make a great technology project for school.

Cut and straighten out the coat hangers and re-model them to form 'C' shapes. Use two cable ties to hold the coat hangers together, forming a trunk.Take the marked ends of wire and twist them together in groups of 3 or 4 ends, and push the 3 groups into the first 3 spaces of an electrical chocolate block. Screw them in. Do a similar thing with the unmarked wires, pushing them into spaces 4,5 and 6 on the chocolate block on the same side as the marked wires. Screw them all in firmly.Using craft wire, make interesting twisty bits to decorate the candelabra�s branches. To make 'springs', wrap a length of wire around a pencil. To fix the wire in place, anchor it down by wrapping the end of the wire around the coat hangers forming the trunk. The wrapping around the trunk adds to the support of the structure when the cable ties are taken away.Use glue to stick the battery compartment and the chocolate block to the cake board, directly under the trunk of the structure.Strip a small portion of its plastic covering, from the two wires on the battery compartment, as if you were getting ready to join the wires. Mark one of the wires with a small piece of electrical tape.Option 3 - You could buy LED lights, resistor and a battery compartment separately, and solder the components together.There you have made a stunning candelabra, which is bound to be a talking point wherever you place it.Each of the 'feet' needs inserting into a hole in the edge of the cake board. Use a hammer and a nail to make holes in the cake board. Tape the nail in a way and wriggle the nail about a bit before pulling it out, to enlarge the hole.Attach an LED bulb to each of the pairs of wires. You can solder the connections or twist them together if you have dismantled LED lights from the '99p Store'. If you twist the wires together you will need to wrap the join in insulation tape.Option 1 - There are a couple of options with the lights themselves. The '99p Store' sell 20 mini battery operated LED lights. You could use these lights as they are and have lights along the branches wherever the bulbs happen to be.When the bulb comes on, mark the wire that joins to the wire marked with electrical tape. Eventually you will end up with 10 marked pieces of wire and 10 unmarked pieces of wire.Use a small amount of tape to stick each bulb into place o the wire structure.For the latter two options, you will need to apply 2 electrical wires for each bulb to the candelabra. The battery compartment will be hidden under the trunk of the tree. Leave 5cm surplus wire here for connecting to the battery compartment later. Twist the wire up and around the trunk and along the branches keeping your wires in pairs. This wire should create the effect of ivy growing up the structure. Again leave 5cm of wire at the end of the branch for connecting the LED light.Option 2 - You could use these electrical parts from the 99p store lights to keep the costs down. This would also mean that you wouldn't need to solder, you could just twist wires together and wrap in insulation tape.Cut out assorted sizes of ivy leaves from thin card. You will need 20 or 30 leaves in all. Use a needle to make a hole in each leaf where the stalk would be. Spray paint both sides of the ivy leaves silver and leave to dry.8 of the LED lights will be situated at the ends of each ranch and the remaining two should be nestled from where the branches sprout.Leave until the glue is completely dry and then remove all the pieces of selotape.To wire up the 10 LED lights to the battery compartment you need to put new working batteries into the battery compartment. LED lights will only wire up one way so you need to find out which wires go where from the pairs of wires at the base of the tree.Mask each bulb with newspaper and selotape and spray paint the structure with silver spray paint. Also spray the out side of the battery compartment. Use the spray paint in accordance with the instructions on the back of the tin. You may need to give your tree 2 coats of paint for a really good Finnish. Leave until completely dry and remove masking from the bulbs.8 wire coat hangers, a circular cake board, 10 LED Lights, card, silver spray paint, and electrical chocolate bock, cable ties, clear baubles, No Nails glue, bendable craft wire, electrical wire, soldering iron and solder (But not in all cases)Fill the hole with no nails glue and push a foot into it. Hold it in place with selotape until the glue dries. Insert all of the wire feet into he cake board in this way.Manipulate the branches to form appealing shapes. The LED lights will be at the tip of each branch, bear this in mind when you are shaping the tree and try to spread the lights evenly about so that the structure looks attractive from every angle.Pull the plastic hanging devices off each bauble, leaving a hole or a tunnel going into the baubles. Use a small amount of clear drying glue to stick each LED light inside the hole of the baubles.Attack the leaves to the structure by threading the leaves individually on a short piece of craft wire, then bend the wire around the network of wires on the tree and twist the craft wire ends together to secure the leaf. Use the largest leaves at the bottom, gradually getting smaller further up the candelabra. Also, make sure that the bottom most leaves hide the battery compartment and chocolate block.At the base of the structure, the wire 'legs' are splayed out like the spokes of an umbrella. Make a small 90-degree turn at the end of each 'leg' to create a 'foot' (pointing down)Next cut two 4 cm pieces of wire, and strip both ends. Twist one end together with the marked wire from the battery compartment, and twist the other one to join the end of the first one. This gives you 3 twists of wire from the marked wire from the battery compartment. Push these three twists of wire into the chocolate block to join the marked wires from the structure, in spaces 1, 2 and 3. Repeat this procedure for the unmarked wires, pushing the twists into spaces 4, 5 and 6 to join the other unmarked wires. All the lights should now work.Go through each pair of wires at the bottom of the candelabra in turn; stripping away and amount of plastic sheath and holding the bare wires against the two wires connected to the battery compartment. If a bulb doesn't come on, swap the wires over.

There you have made a stunning candelabra, which is bound to be a talking point wherever you place it.

COOL TOOLS

PICKUP FREEDOM

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Canon's innovative color bubble jet printers lead the way in high-quality output

In 1977, Canon researcher Ichiro Endo accidentally touched a needle full of ink with a hot soldering iron. The ink inside heated up suddenly, increased in volume, and spurted forth. That discovery by Endo, now Canon's Director of Product Development, led to the development of the ink jet printer.

Part no-HCAR0775 (30 watts); HCAR0776 (60 watts). Hobbico; distributed by Great Planes Model Distributors, 2904 Research Rd., PO. Box 9021, Champaign, IL 61826-9021; (800) 682-8948; fax (217) 398-0008; www.greatplanes.com.Three decades later, Canon remains a leader in printing technologies with its innovative line of Color Bubble Jet printers, which deliver photo-quality full-color output in an office setting, at home or on the road.Today's Color Bubble Jet printers offer high-speed output at a real resolution up to 1200 x 1200 dots per inch (dpi) [*]. Their quiet operation and energy-saving features make them a natural part of the modern office environment. Even late-night printing can be performed free of worries.A significant cost-saving feature of the Color Bubble Jet line is the use of an independent ink tank system that allows users to replace individual colors of ink rather than an entire cartridge. "In most situations, the four ink colors: cyan, magenta, yellow and black - are almost never used up at the same rate," Lau says. "Typically, yellow is used at nearly ten times the rate of cyan. Yet, when one color of an integrated cartridge runs out, you have to throw away up to hundreds of pages worth of the other colors. The Color Bubble Jet's independent ink tank system means no wastage and much lower ink costs."In recent years, Canon has been an international leader in transforming ink jet printing from a low-resolution technique to an affordable, high-quality technology suitable for business applications. Partly as a result of Canon's innovations, sales of ink jet printers have soared past their laser counterparts. According to International Data Corporation (IDC), approximately 12.4 million ink jet printers were sold in the United States in 1998 versus 2.9 million laser printers. That figure is projected to jump to 22 million in 2001."Our new product line is ideal for corporate use," says Eugenio Lau, Marketing Manager for Canon's Printer Products Group in Miami. "Our Color Bubble Jet printers can be connected to a network with an optional print server, or be used for printing reports, presentations, newsletters and many other applications right from the desktop. Our Color Bubble Jet printers are ideal for printing high-quality full-color materials for sales meetings."* Drop Modulation Technology for faster, high-resolution printing.My big soldering gun heats up fast and has a nice storage case, but when I have to deal with small electrical applications, the big gun is more of a liability than an asset. Hobbico's 30W and 60W soldering irons are perfect pegboard-size tools that have enough muscle to handle most ordinary soldering tasks because of their mica heating units. Each iron has an octagonal shield that prevents it from rolling off the bench, and the 5-foot-long electrical cord lets you reach all around your projects. The irons' large, round, heat-resistant grips protect your hands while you solder, and an included sturdy metal safety stand protects the workbench top when you need to set the iron down. Hobbico includes a regular and a chisel-point tip for the 60W iron and has replacement tips for both irons. -Craig TrachtenFor more information about our products, please visit us at www.canoniatinamerica.com"If one of the inks runs out midway through a printing job, the Color Bubble Jet printer simply stops," Lau says. "You can then replace that ink tank and resume printing without having to start over again. This is a time-saving feature, especially if you're on a tight deadline."According 'to Lau. "All our new printers have USB and parallel ports so they can be used with computers running with Windows or the Mac operating system," he says."Our new product line is ideal for corporate use," says Eugenio Lau, Marketing Manager for Canon's Printer Products Group in Miami. "Our Color Bubble Jet printers can be connected to a network with an optional print server, or be used for printing reports, presentations, newsletters and many other applications right from the desktop. Our Color Bubble Jet printers are ideal for printing high-quality full-color materials for sales meetings."Once the ink tank is nearly empty, a dot counter ink level detector monitors the number of ink dots actually printed. When the threshold for that ink is reached, a warning is displayed on the monitor screen.One of the reasons the Color Bubble Jet line is able to provide high output speeds while maintaining image clarity is Canon's Drop Modulation Technology. This technology allows the printer to output half-size drops in areas where greater detail is required, such as printing the image of a person's face. On the other hand, in "high-density" areas of the image, such as a dark background, the Color Bubble Jet uses larger drops of ink, thus improving printing speed.Ink tanks on the Color Bubble Jet printers are transparent, allowing users to visually inspect them to see if they're running low. In addition, these Canon printers also have optical systems that monitor the amount of ink remaining by measuring the light reflected from prisms in each tank.* Drop Modulation Technology for faster, high-resolution printing.In recent years, Canon has been an international leader in transforming ink jet printing from a low-resolution technique to an affordable, high-quality technology suitable for business applications. Partly as a result of Canon's innovations, sales of ink jet printers have soared past their laser counterparts, According to International Data Corporation (IDC), approximately 12.4 million ink jet printers were sold in the United States in 1998 versus 2.9 million laser printers. That figure is projected to jump to 22 million in 2001.Canon's Color Bubble Jet printers offer high quality output, high speed, superior cost performance, and a range of useful features. These products are available throughout Latin America and the Caribbean through their authorized* An optional scanner cartridge that allows the printer to also serve as a scanning device. This option is available for the BJC-50, BJC-85, BJC-2000, BJC-2100, BJC-3000, BJC-6100 and BJC-8200.Three decades later, Canon remains a leader in printing technologies with its innovative line of Color Bubble Jet printers, which deliver photo-quality lull-color output in an office setting, at home or on the road.A significant cost-saving feature of the Color Bubble Jet line is the use of an independent ink tank system that allows users to replace individual colors of ink rather than an entire cartridge. "In most situations, the four ink colors: cyan, magenta, yellow and black - are almost never used up at the same rate," Lau says. "Typically, yellow is used at nearly ten times the rate of cyan. Yet, when one color of an integrated cartridge runs out, you have to throw away up to hundreds of pages worth of the other colors. The Color Bubble Jet's independent ink tank system means no wastage and much lower ink costs."The "next generation" technologies of the Bubble Jet printers include:

For more information about our products, please visit us at www.canoniatinamerica.com

Canon's innovative Color Bubble Jet printers lead the way in high-quality output

In 1977, Canon researcher Ichiro Endo accidentally touched a needle full of ink with a hot soldering iron. The ink inside heated up suddenly, increased in volume, and spurted forth. That discovery by Endo, now Canon's Director of Product Development, led to the development of the ink jet printer.

In addition to introducing the first Bubble Jet printer in the market, Canon developed the first desktop Laser Beam printer.Whatever the size of the drop, the shape is nearly circular with a constant density, providing clearer reproduction without the "graininess" found in other printers' output.Ink tanks on the Color Bubble Jet printers are transparent, allowing users to visually inspect them to see if they're running low. In addition these Canon printers also have optical systems that monitor the amount of ink remaining by measuring the light reflected from prisms in each tank.One of the reasons the Color Bubble Jet line is able to provide high output speeds while maintaining image clarity is Canon's Drop Modulation Technology. This technology allows the printer to output half-size drops in areas where greater detail is required, such as printing the image of a person's face. On the other hand, in "high-density" areas of the image, such as a dark background, the Color Bubble Jet uses larger drops of ink, thus improving printing speed. Whatever the size of the drop, the shape is nearly circular with a constant density, providing clearer reproduction without the "graininess" found in other printers' output.* An optional scanner cartridge that allows the printer to also serve as a scanning device. This option is available for the BJC-50, BJC-85, BJC-2000, BJC-2100, BJC-3000, BJC-6100 and BJC-8200.Another cost and space benefits of the Color Bubble Jet printers are their ability to double as image scanning device. A user simply mounts the optional scanner cartridge in place of the ink cartridge, inserts the document or photograph into the scanning holder and places it in the printer sheet feeder. A CCD sensor ensures high-quality image scanning, and the powerful scanner driver minimizes the scanning time.* Wireless infrared connections on the BJC-50 and BJC-B5 Portable Color Bubble Jet printers to print materials from notebook computers without the need for cables.distributors in each country."If one of the inks runs out midway through a printing job, the Color Bubble Jet printer simply stops," Lau says. "You can then replace that ink tank and resume printing without having to start over again. This is a time-saving feature, especially if you're on a tight deadline."Once the ink tank is nearly empty, a dot counter ink level detector monitors the number of ink dots actually printed. When the threshold for that ink is reached, a warning is displayed on the monitor screen.* Ink level detectors that signal when an ink tank needs to be replaced."The scanned data can be used with computer graphics and office programs for a number of purposes, from proposals to newsletters to e-mail messages," says Lau. "Once the document has been scanned, it's easy to exchange the cartridges again, add paper, and resume printing. This feature is exclusive to Canon."The "next generation" technologies of the Bubble Jet printers include:The new Color Bubble Jet's printer driver software allows users to automatically correct digital camera images or other data for optimum coloring, brightness and contrast before printing. The software also lets users simulate illustrations or produce monochrome effects from their color photos.The new Color Bubble Jet's printer driver software allows users to automatically correct digital camera images or other data for optimum coloring, brightness and contrast before printing. The software also lets users simulate illustrations or produce monochrome effects from their color photos.Today's Color Bubble Jet printers offer highspeed output at a real resolution up to 1200 x 1200 dots per inch (dpi)*. Their quiet operation and energy-saving features make them a natural part of the modern office environment, Even late-night printing can be performed free of worries.Canon Inc., which devotes more than 10 percent of its annual sales to research and development, consistently ranks among the top 2 in number of patents granted in the United States (according to the U.S. Department of Commerce) and is widely considered a global technological leader. One major area of research has been developing new uses for Bubble Jet technology, such as textile printing and the image-format output of computer-aided design (CAD) images and graphics.* Separate ink tanks that lower the cost per page. This feature is now available in the BJC-3000, BJC-6100 and BJC-8200 models."The scanned data can be used with computer graphics and office programs for a number of purposes, from proposals to newsletters to email messages," says Lau. "Once the document has been scanned, it's easy to exchange the cartridges again, add paper, and resume printing. This feature is exclusive to Canon."Another cost and space benefits of the Color Bubble Jet printers are their ability to double as image scanning device. A user simply mounts the optional scanner cartridge in place of the ink cartridge, inserts the document or photograph into the scanning holder and places it in the printer sheet feeder. A CCD sensor ensures high-quality image scanning, and the powerful scanner driver minimizes the scanning time.Pencil-point heat* Ink level detectors that signal when an ink tank needs to be replaced.Canon Inc., which devotes more than 10 percent of its annual sales to research and development, consistently ranks among the top 2 in number of patents granted in the United States (according to the U.S. Department of Commerce) and is widely considered a global technological leader. One major area of research has been developing new uses for Bubble Jet technology, such as textile printing and the image-format output of computer-aided design (CAD) images and graphics. Not only that but, Canon LCD color filters currently being sold to LCD manufacturers in their production of flat panels.

distributors in each country.

30W and 60W soldering irons

HOBBICO

In addition to introducing the first Color Bubble Jet printer in the market, Canon developed the first desktop Laser Beam printer.* Wireless infrared connections on the BJC-50 and BJC-85 Portable Color Bubble Jet printers to print materials from notebook computers without the need for cables.

Part no-HCAR0775 (30 watts); HCAR0776 (60 watts). Hobbico; distributed by Great Planes Model Distributors, 2904 Research Rd., PO. Box 9021, Champaign, IL 61826-9021; (800) 682-8948; fax (217) 398-0008; www.greatplanes.com.

Author: Trachten, Craig

Processes and their parameters: when updating procedures and developing processes, rely on "real world" data, not lab tests

Ed.: For the full article, please visit circuitsassembly.com/cms/content/view/2580/

As the solder joints are somewhat less malleable, mechanical shock of joints should be avoided."Over the past 80 years, Mobil Delvac has been protecting and helping extend the lives of heavy duty engines for owner operators and fleet managers around the world," said Lawrence. "Today, with the launch of Mobil Delvac Extended Life Coolant/Antifreeze, our flagship Mobil Delvac brand now includes a full line of lubricants, greases, powertrain fluids and coolants."As standard Pb-free compatible laminate properties are still being developed, the laminate must be described clearly, lest the vendor ship material that is not compatible with the process. PWB cleanliness upon delivery should be defined, too. Post-soldering residue is expected to increase; thus the cleanliness of incoming material will be valuable. Only then will a no-clean process be attainable (we propose at least 50% of the former MIL-spec value.)Eutectic BiSn-solder can be modified by adding small percentages of other metals.Quality assurance. Next, engage the quality assurance department. Much needed information should be available there. In particular, you will find out what happens to goods received. Ideally, the understanding of quality resides at the vendor. Regular meetings, discussions and quality audits at the vendor's place can ensure a high level of product quality.Name of Product: Soldering iron, model CL-3--Cummins 14603;About Underwriters LaboratoriesProcedures. Start by describing--with the production line as the backdrop--all relevant parameters used in the present production environment. As a second step, include incoming materials. Finally, in a general sweep, encompass purchasing and engineers and layout personnel.Mobil Delvac Extended Life Coolant/Antifreeze meets or exceeds all major OEM and industry coolant specifications, including:Identification: Marked with "6G98," "MODEL CL-3," "E190243" and the UL
Listing Mark for the United States and Canada.ExxonMobil, Mobil, and Delvac are registered trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation or one of its subsidiaries.* The maximum temperature at which the resulting product is used must be below 100[degrees]C.--Mercedes DBL 7700."For fleet managers, owner operators, or any company specializing in off-highway applications, such as agriculture and construction, Mobil Delvac Extended Life Coolant/Antifreeze becomes a valuable tool to enhancing engine durability and reduce maintenance costs," said Valencia Lawrence, ExxonMobil Lubricants & Specialties.What You Should Do: UL recommends that users stop using the product
immediately and return it to the place of purchase.Quantity: 2000 unitsCompanies have to make sure workers remain in tune with technical requirements. When switching from Pb-bearing to Pb-free solders, keeping personnel informed is of utmost importance. The latest information has to be shared. The system of communication must be flexible to cope with the glut of information stemming from the introduction of several solder alloys.Update documentation to reflect the present situation. Check whether ISO 9000 documents from the last certification still show the values as displayed on the equipment. Sometimes the machine operator changes the settings to improve the process and its results.Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is an independent, not-for-profit
product safety certification organization that has been testing products
for more than 110 years. UL tests more than 19,000 types of products
annually, and more than 19 billion UL Marks appear on products each year.
Worldwide, UL's family of companies and its network of service providers
include 58 laboratories, and testing and certification facilities.Some use these solders at pot temperatures of 255[degrees]C. This may be marginally acceptable for product that is not thermally demanding. However, the literature shows such temperatures are unrealistic for complicated or heavy assemblies. Experiments of low temperatures sidestep problems that can arise due to high application temperatures. When capping the temperature at 255[degrees]C, leaching of 316 or even 305 steels is much less and the amount of dross generated will also be less. The preheat temperature will not need to be raised to the same degree as when one has to enter into a 285[degrees]C solder flow. Indeed, many things are possible in a laboratory environment that will never work in production situations. It is not surprising that a number of experiments have taken place and reported that the results with 255[degrees]C solders are acceptable or even "good." In production, we cannot expect that such "fiddling" will be successful and that acceptable defect rates and reliability would be attainable for demanding products. In our opinion, a high level of touch-up and repair will automatically put an end to such day-dreaming or intentional whitewashing.Do not hesitate to extend the fishbone diagram into areas such as purchasing, design and layout.What does QA really test? Is it simply the value of components and their dimensions, or does is include important process aspects such as solderability, component humidity absorption, thermal properties or even actual tests of the surface finish of boards and components? If not all requirements are already met, a lot of work may be in store; for high reliability and low levels of process defects, production will need to know much of the aforementioned information.Processes. Processes can be visualized in many different ways. A fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram depicts the steps to be performed and routes taken to ensure the production line operates properly. A good idea, perhaps, would be to take such brain-storming sessions farther, as many cost factors that impact production derive from such points as design and layout or purchasing. These sources of problems may become more marked as Pb-free processes are introduced. Although information is just coming out about what land patterns will optimize manufacturability and reliability, certain measures must be taken: e.g., it is highly recommended that assemblies exhibit better thermal equilibrium between the different parts.

Some use these solders at pot temperatures of 255[degrees]C. This may be marginally acceptable for product that is not thermally demanding. However, the literature shows such temperatures are unrealistic for complicated or heavy assemblies. Experiments of low temperatures sidestep problems that can arise due to high application temperatures. When capping the temperature at 255[degrees]C, leaching of 316 or even 305 steels is much less and the amount of dross generated will also be less. The preheat temperature will not need to be raised to the same degree as when one has to enter into a 285[degrees]C solder flow. Indeed, many things are possible in a laboratory environment that will never work in production situations. It is not surprising that a number of experiments have taken place and reported that the results with 255[degrees]C solders are acceptable or even "good." In production, we cannot expect that such "fiddling" will be successful and that acceptable defect rates and reliability would be attainable for demanding products. In our opinion, a high level of touch-up and repair will automatically put an end to such day-dreaming or intentional whitewashing.

Author: Markus Walter

ExxonMobil Introduces New Mobil Delvac Extended Life Coolant/Anti-Freeze

FAIRFAX, Va. -- ExxonMobil today announced an addition to its Mobil(R) Delvac(R) family of premium lubricants and greases -- Mobil Delvac Extended Life Coolant/Antifreeze. The new product is designed to provide exceptional corrosion protection for all cooling system metals, including aluminum, brass, cast iron, steel, solder and copper, and helps extend coolant drain intervals for any diesel-, gasoline- or natural gas-powered engine.

--CAT EC-1;--MTU 5048; and,A picture of this product is at: www.ul.com/media/newsrel/nr031706.html .Purchasing. It is a common misunderstanding that purchasing has been reduced to only mercantile thinking: everything as cheap as possible. This "cost center" idea, operating on the principle that competition is good, can in the long run cost a company a lot of money. While reasonable to try to keep individual costs down, it is more important to keep the cost of the end-product as low as possible. Low quality product purchased cheaply may result in expensive end-product due to necessary repair processes. Saving a fraction of a cent for each component purchased is smart only if it does not result in large repair costs later.* A strict Pb-free policy has to be introduced. No lead on components or the PCB can be permitted. No other process step that can possibly contaminate the joint with lead can be tolerated. The pot and pump may have to be exchanged if they cannot be cleaned sufficiently to get rid of all Pb residues.We distinguish between two alloys: Bi-based solders with a melting point around 138[degrees]C of its eutectic with tin, and high-melting alloys that melt between 217[degrees] and 230[degrees]C.High-melt solders can be seen in three classifications: SnCu X; SnAg X and SnAgCu X--where X stands for Sb, Bi or others. Their melting points lie between 217[degrees] and 227[degrees]C, about 40-60K above the melting point of SnPb eutectic.Hazard: The securement of the power supply cord connections does not comply
with UL's applicable safety requirements. This poses a risk of electric
shock and fire hazard to users.For more information about the Mobil Delvac Extended Life Coolant/Antifreeze and other ExxonMobil products and services call 1-800-MOBIL25 or visit www.mobildelvac.com.Consumer Contact: Shuang Shi Enterprise Co. Ltd. Mailing address: 28,
Sheng Wong Chi Hsia, Li Yu Tang Tsun, San Yi Hsiang, Miao-Li Hsien 367,
Taiwan

ExxonMobil, Mobil, and Delvac are registered trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation or one of its subsidiaries.

UL Warns of Potentially Hazardous Soldering Iron

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is
notifying consumers that a soldering iron manufactured by Shuang Shi
Enterprise Co. Ltd. may pose a shock or fire hazard.

After identifying all soldering processes in the factory, it is simple to identify all sets of parameters in use. For some companies it will be one set of values; for others each product will have its own. Sometimes products are collected into "families" and then sets of parameters are identified with products in these families. In most cases these values can be found in the storage medium or stored in the actual machine's control system. Add to the values all necessary comments and information that will aid in decision-making later. Ask design, layout and purchasing if they can add anything to these data.When purchasing components it will no longer suffice to define their values and perhaps their tolerances and dimensions. The metalization will have to be described. The thermal loading during processing may have to be specified. At the least, production has to be aware of those details.Manufacturer: Shuang Shi Enterprise Co. Ltd.[TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]The Pb-free conversion process consists of two interlinked aspects. On one hand is the physical reality; i.e., everything that occurs around the production line. We have to add to this what is normally called "know-how": technical information and experience related to materials, equipment, process parameters and their effects on the final product. But these elements would hang in air without ordering, delivery, storage and organization of components, PCBs and material such as solders, fluxes, cleaners, solder iron tips, spare parts, nitrogen and everthing else that makes production hum. This area is known as logistics.Soldering ProcessesFormulated with patented organic corrosion inhibitors and stabilizers, as well as contamination tolerant additives (CTAs), Mobil Delvac Extended Life Coolant/Antifreeze is compatible with all coolant technologies, and can help reduce the formation of harmful acids that impede cooling system protection, an especially vital performance benefit for engines that feature Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) technology. Mobil Delvac Extended Life Coolant/Antifreeze can provide up to 600,000 miles of on-highway use, or six years, or 12,000 hours of off-highway use.Date of Manufacture: November 2004However, three clear preconditions have to be met:Contact: Joe Hirschmugl (847) 664-1508 Email Contact--Detroit Diesel 7SE298;

Contact: Joe Hirschmugl (847) 664-1508 Email Contact

A simple splint

To THE EDITOR:

Inderjeet Kaur, M.D., M.N.A.M.S.The unit supports downdraft, plenum or twin flexi-arm fume removal. It uses a patented mechanism to select the best of the three extraction options depending on the job being performed.Bhushan Kumar, M.D., N.M.A.M.S.All the soldering irons have positive temperature coefficient heating elements, and can operate for short periods at three times the power of the control unit.When a wider extraction area is needed, the plenum option takes fumes back through the rear hood.1. DALAL, M., KARMARKAR, S. M., YADAV, P. and NEHETE, R. A simple method to prepare a custom-made finger splint using a disposable hypodermic syringe. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 99 (1997) 2102-2103.Professor and HeadIn adhesive-intensive operations, for example, the downdraft position will draw fumes down through a conductive foamwork pad. For general soldering, the two 50mm flexi-arms can be used, operating either side of the work piece or with one over the work piece and one over the soldering iron stand to capture stray fumes.Postgraduate Institute of Medical Research and EducationCopyright: United Business Media International Ltd.-Ranju Rai, M.D.Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology

Reprint requests to Dr. Kumar at the above address or Fax 91-0172-744401; email: kumarbhushan@hotmail.com

Author: Rai, Ranju, Kaur, Inderjeet, Kumar, Bhushan

Soldering irons offer a multitude of tips - Brief Article

A range of 120 interchangeable soldering tips for hand soldering applications, specified with Ersa's range of temperature-controlled hand soldering stations, will be on show at OnBoard as part of Blundell's display.

This splint is made from a disposable hypodermic syringe. The plunger is discarded and the body is longitudinally split with a pair of stout scissors. To prevent trauma, the edges are rounded off with a blunt file and a number of small holes are made in the body of the syringe with a hot, large-bore needle to allow for evaporation of sweat and prevent sogginess. We used an ordinary paper punch (see figure) or a soldering iron for the same purpose with comparable results. Alternatively, a piece of gauze wrapped around the finger to be splinted would probably serve this purpose. The splint is then placed on the dorsal or volar aspect of the finger and secured in place by two strips of adhesive tape. Depending upon the size of the finger, a custom-made splint to fit an individual finger can be created using the appropriate syringe-usually 10 cc for adults and 5 cc for children are suitable; 20 cc can be used for the thumb. This splint compares favorably with other methods used to prepare such a "gutter splint" that require additional materials, such as wood, steel, PVC, plaster of Paris or aluminum. It can easily be made, is convenient to use, nontraumatic, light in wei ht and practically free of cost.

All the soldering irons have positive temperature coefficient heating elements, and can operate for short periods at three times the power of the control unit.

Three-way fume extractor adds removal options

Kaisertech is showing its low-cost 600-KT3-1 three-way benchtop fume extraction system that it has developed with BOFA.

All extracted fumes and smoke are filtered and purified using a small pump unit which recirculates air back into the room to reduce heat loss.2. GOHANKARI, D. R. and LALWANI, N. R. Finger injury splints. Br. J. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 46 (1993) 344.REFERENCESRecently we came across a simple, costeffective finger splint recommended in patients with finger-tip lacerations, phalangeal fractures, dislocations, mallet and boutonniere deformities (1,2). We recommend this split with slight modifications for mobile flexion deformities of the fingers in leprosy patients.Chandigarh 160 012, India

Copyright: United Business Media International Ltd.

EFD Solder Paste Group And Leister Technologies Join In Cooperative Worldwide Marketing Effort For Advanced Tabletop Laser Soldering Reflow System

LINCOLN, R.I. -- The Solder Paste Group of EFD, Inc. and Leister Technologies LLC have agreed to a cooperative marketing effort for a unique, high-speed, high-precision, automated solder paste reflow system designed to substantially increase production yields and deliver greater throughput. Among its many advantages, the times savings alone with the EFD/Leister package could reach 80% or more over traditional wire and iron soldering methods.

Improved tip temperature regulation is critical, both during soldering and when idle, to prevent the tip attaining excessive temperatures. In fact, reliable Pb-free solder joints can be formed, at commercially acceptable wetting speed, without increasing the tip temperature above the levels established for SnPb soldering.Except for historical information and comparisons contained herein, statements included in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements," as defined by The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, as discussed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that could cause actual results to differ.For an inductively heated soldering iron, this can be achieved by the use of a sleeper stand to park the soldering iron when idle (Figure 2). A sleeper stand uses passive techniques, transparent to the operator, to partially reduce the inductive heating effect and bring down the temperature to around 149[degrees]C during idling. As Figure 3 shows, this reduced idle temperature is below the active temperature range of the Pb-free flux, which prevents the flux from damaging the tip coating. Flux charring, which occurs during idle, is also eradicated, eliminating the need to clean the tip directly after withdrawing the iron from the stand.An inductive heating technology, tailored for soldering irons, naturally limits the maximum temperature of the tip, without requiring temperature sensing or control circuitry. It also responds automatically and quickly to maintain the tip temperature when the thermal load is applied.Multiple nozzle sizes are included for precise focus of hot air for localized reflow from 100 xC to 480 xC adjustable in 1xC increments allowing for reflow without overheating components. The ProcessMate 6100 is easy to set up and operators are able to visually observe solder being reflowed to prevent common soldering defects. For more information, contact EFD at 800-338-4353, 401-333-3800, or visit www.efdsolder.com.Most soldering irons have a ceramic heater embedded in the main body of the hand-piece, with a temperature sensor located between the heater and tip. Sensor output is detected to control the ceramic heater temperature and thereby maintain constant tip temperature. However, it is not practical to locate the temperature sensor at the point where the soldering iron makes contact with the work-piece. As a result, the heater controller does not respond to the actual tip temperature, and this introduces an unavoidable lag in the system. When the controller receives the signal to turn on the heater, the tip temperature will have already fallen below the optimum soldering temperature. Then, when the heater is turned on, the tip temperature will overshoot the desired setpoint before the sensor indicates the heater should be turned off. This overshoot accelerates the aggressive tip erosion mechanisms and also has the potential to exceed the soldering process window, thereby incurring damage to the component or pad.Keith Wheeler, General Manager of EFD Solder Paste Group explains, "EFD, Inc. Solder Paste Group is constantly striving to satisfy our customers' needs to produce good solder joints consistently. To do so, we need to provide the total soldering solution starting with quality solder paste formulations coupled with EFD's precision dispensing components and equipment and with the addition of our new hot air reflow system we have the ability to satisfy that need."Applying thicker plating to the copper tip will, naturally, extend its life. However, undesirable effects include reduced thermal conductivity of the path from the copper core to the soldering site, causing a reduction in productivity. A thicker plating will also tend to increase the size of the tip, which is not compatible with modern fine-pitch interconnects, tight component spacing and small pad dimensions. The challenge must be met at a more fundamental level.

For more information on the EFD/Leister Tabletop Laser Soldering System Package, visit www.efdsolder.com or www.leisterlaser.com.

Extending tip life in Pb-free hand soldering: improved heater control and tip profiles eliminate overshoot, improve thermal transfer to the joint and reduce idle temperature

Soldering iron tips continually erode during normal use. Pb-free solder alloys--and their associated fluxes--accelerate these mechanisms, leading to higher replacement rates. This increases the cost of ownership of a soldering iron, through higher purchasing costs and lower equipment utilization. The key lies in ensuring effective soldering performance, while reducing both the maximum and average temperatures attained at the soldering iron tip.

Improved Temperature RegulationFigure 1 compares the soldering process window of SnPb and SAC alloys. The optimal temperature range for a Pb-free joint formation is much narrower, but the upper limit of that range is the same. Heating the joint beyond that upper limit drives the process into potential failure and can lead to pad delamination. As far as tip life is concerned, increasing the tip temperature provides a powerful catalyst for the chemical reactions that erode the tip.There are two main erosion mechanisms for soldering iron tips. The first is tin, which is a more reactive metal than iron and will naturally tend to attack the hand tool tips iron plating. The other is Pb-free fluxes, which are more aggressive than those used with ordinary SnPb alloys. Tin, of course, is now the major constituent of SAC solder alloys. Pb-free solders, as such, accelerate this erosion.The overall EFD/Leister package system marketing alliance is supported by excellent on-site technical service, on-time worldwide delivery.Raising the soldering iron temperature also tends to burn the flux present on the tip, which impairs thermal transfer. This burning has two consequences that also act to reduce tip life. First, operators tend to apply excessive force to the soldering iron to make up for the reduced heat transfer, increasing the likelihood of tip damage. Second, there is a tendency toward more aggressive and frequent cleaning of the tip, which also promotes erosion of the iron plating and leads to more frequent replacement.With its precise laser heating and lead-free solder formulations; this state-of-the-art system meets all process, production line, and workplace safety and environmental standards for RoHS compliant manufacturing.EFD, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nordson Corporation,(NASDAQ: NDSN) the world's leading producer of precision dispensing equipment. Nordson and EFD systems apply adhesives, sealants and other assembly fluids to a broad range of consumer and industrial products during manufacturing operations, helping customers meet quality and productivity targets.Heating by induction is the result of passing a current through a coil wound around a magnetic core. An inductive heater suitable for use in a soldering iron comprises a copper slug, which is coated with magnetic material and then wound with a current-carrying coil. The properties of the magnetic coating can be adjusted so that the temperature of the copper slug reaches a preset maximum temperature for the soldering iron at the point when the magnetic material reaches its Curie temperature. At the Curie temperature, the magnetic material ceases to display magnetic properties. As a result, the inductive heating action ceases naturally at this point. As the temperature of the slug falls below the Curie temperature--for example, when soldering begins--the coating regains its magnetic properties and heating recommences. With the heater element embedded deep within the iron, close to the tip, tight regulation of the actual tip temperature can be achieved.The key is to combine improved temperature regulation with an optimized tip profile, designed to maximize the thermal energy transfer from heater to soldering site. The nominal tip temperature is 382[degrees]C, the same temperature recommended for hand soldering with SnPb alloys. The Pb-free solder joint is formed at 257[degrees]C, and the pad temperature rises quickly as thermal energy is transferred from the soldering iron tip.EFD and Leister have specifically aimed the marketing of their system at users requiring discreet, precise, rapid heating, and controlled, non-spatter high-yield solder performance. In comparison with wire soldering alternatives, it is an opportunity to deliver considerable, easy-to-track benefits to the production line.Sensorless Thermal ControlBecause SAC alloys melt at higher temperatures than SnPb alloys, the temptation is to increase the soldering iron temperature to speed joint formation. The belief is that the rise in solder melting temperature, from 180[degrees] to 217[degrees]C, requires a corresponding increase in soldering iron tip temperature. This is not necessarily true.Measures to reduce tip temperature when the soldering iron is idle also have a large role to play in slowing tip erosion caused by Pb-free solders and fluxes. A soldering iron spends a significant portion of its useful life idle. By significantly reducing the tip temperature during this time, mechanisms that reduce tip life can be further slowed.According to a senior product manager instrumental in putting together this marketing cooperative, "The EFD/Leister system is the right package, with the right solder, the right delivery, the right amount, the right reflow, and the right laser technology - to compete in today's highly competitive production arena around the world. "For more information on the EFD/Leister Tabletop Laser Soldering System Package, visit www.efdsolder.com or www.leisterlaser.com.Hence, soldering at an elevated temperature when using SAC alloys, while unnecessary from a process point of view, may damage the assembly and will certainly lead to higher soldering iron tip replacement rates.[FIGURE 2 OMITTED]Basic housekeeping, including maintaining the tip in a well-tinned condition, should always be observed. Although this will slow erosion caused by the flux action, it does nothing to protect the tip against the effects of the high tin SAC alloys.The EFD/Leister package is ideal for processes requiring non-contact point-to-point soldering of temperature-sensitive parts, especially component manufacturers serving the global automotive and medical industries. Of primary importance, heat damage to temperature-sensitive plastics is virtually eliminated with the EFD/Leister system, while the solder paste reflow process produces the highest levels of quality.It is known that a tip temperature of around 380[degrees]C is sufficient to enable satisfactory Pb-free alloy and flux soldering, resulting in good wetting speed and high-quality joint formation. The ability to preset this temperature with no overshoot greatly retards erosion of the tip by the large proportion of tin. It also reduces flux charring, leading to a corresponding reduction in the soldering force applied by operators and less frequent tip cleaning.

For an inductively heated soldering iron, this can be achieved by the use of a sleeper stand to park the soldering iron when idle (Figure 2). A sleeper stand uses passive techniques, transparent to the operator, to partially reduce the inductive heating effect and bring down the temperature to around 149[degrees]C during idling. As Figure 3 shows, this reduced idle temperature is below the active temperature range of the Pb-free flux, which prevents the flux from damaging the tip coating. Flux charring, which occurs during idle, is also eradicated, eliminating the need to clean the tip directly after withdrawing the iron from the stand.

Author: Ed Zamborsky

ProcessMate™ 6100 Hot Air Reflow System

Reduce Variability, Rework and Scrap While Increasing Productivity

The comprehensive EFD/Leister package system includes EFD SolderPlus paste, the EFD Ultra TT robot, the EFD ProcessMate(TM) 6500 temperature control system, and the Leister Novolas(TM) diode laser, all housed in a laser-safe certified cabinet. These various system components can be bought individually and in any combination a customer's process requires. However, the complete EFD/Leister automation-soldering package delivers what is believed to be the best one-stop self-contained reflow solution on the market today."Our customers," he continued, "especially like the fact that training on the job is accomplished in hours not weeks, and the entire system is usually up and running on site in only one or two days. At times, we have gone from box to reflow between morning coffee and the afternoon break."The major advantage of this heater technology is that the soldering iron can never exceed the maximum temperature determined by the thickness and composition of the magnetic coating. This also eliminates any opportunity for unauthorized tampering with the tip temperature, for example, if an operator seeks to increase the tip temperature for Pb-free soldering.EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- EFD, Inc, A Nordson Company, announces the ProcessMate([TM]) 6100, a digital bench top reflow system that accurately controls air temperature within tight tolerances required for controlled solder paste reflow. When used with EFD SolderPlus([R]) dispensing solder paste, the ProcessMate 6100 reduces operator variability, rework and scrap while increasing productivity and production yields without special training requirements typical of wire-and-iron soldering.

Except for historical information and comparisons contained herein, statements included in this release may constitute "forward-looking statements," as defined by The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, as discussed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that could cause actual results to differ.

BöHler-Uddeholm AG

BÖHLER-UDDEHOLM AG

Black Ox, six lofts, $169. Black oxide finish rusts, for optimum feel. www.mizunousa.com 800-333-7888.The buildup to World War II led Böhler to open a new facility, a steelworks at Deuchendorf, in 1938. By 1944, the company had expanded its capacity again, installing a press with a force of 1,200 tons. Yet World War II, and especially its aftermath, were to have far-reaching consequences for Böhler.WILSONBRZ, three lofts, $167. Designed with aluminum-bronze compound and high copper content for soft feel. www.clevelandgolf.com 800-999-6263.Following the war, the Soviet Union launched a policy of confiscating the "German-owned" businesses within its zone of control. Because of Austria's active participation in the Nazi alliance, a large number of Austrian companies, including Böhler and other members of the country's steel industry, now fell under the Soviet Union's definition of a German-owned company. This definition included all businesses founded in Austria following the Anschluss of 1938, as well as companies that had been taken over during the war years by the German-Austrian government. Altogether, the businesses threatened by the Soviet Union's confiscation program—which involved the stripping bare of these businesses, transporting their machinery and equipment for use inside the Soviet empire—accounted for some 20 percent of Austria's total economy. In addition to the steel industry, the "German" definition targeted the country's banking industry, including its three largest banks, as well as its coal and metals mining industry, its oil refining and extraction businesses, as well as the country's leading industrial companies.Modecenterstrasse 14/A3 A-1030 Vienna Austria Telephone: 43 1 798 69 01 Fax: 43 1 798 69 01 Web site: http://www.bohler-uddeholm.comPublic Company Incorporated: 1991 Employees: 11,800 Sales: EUR 1.93 billion ($2.2 billion) (2004) Stock Exchanges: Vienna Ticker Symbol: BUD NAIC: 333992 Welding and Soldering Equipment Manufacturing; 331111 Iron and Steel Mills; 331221 Cold-Rolled Steel Shape Manufacturing; 331491 Nonferrous Metal (Except Copper and Aluminum) Rolling, Drawing, and Extruding; 332111 Iron and Steel Forging; 332116 Metal StampingSlow cooling of Sn-Ag-Cu and SnAg-Cu-X (X = Fe, Co) solder-joint specimens made by hand soldering simulated reflow in surface-mount assembly to achieve similaras-solidified joint microstructures for realistic shearstrength testing, using Sn-3.SAg (wt.%) as a baseline. Minor substitutions of either cobalt or iron for copper in Sn-3.7Ag-O. 9Cu refined the joint matrix microstructure, modified the Cu^sub 6^Sn^sub 5^, intermetallic phase at the copper substrate/solder interface, and increased the shear strength. At elevated (150degC) temperature, no significant difference in shear strength was found in all of the alloys studied. Ambient temperature shear strength was reduced by largescale tin dendrites in the joint microstructure, especially by the coarse dendrites in solute poor Sn-Ag-Cu.The merger of Austria's Böhler and Sweden's Uddeholm in 1991 brought together more than six centuries of experience in metals production. Uddeholm grew from the first iron forge in Sweden's Värmland region, built in Stjärnfors in 1668. That forge was already known as Uddeholms Bruk and led to the later formation of Uddeholm AB.INTRODUCTIONCLEVELANDIn 1870, Albert and Emile Böhler purchased the Bruckbach mill, laying the foundation for one of Austria's major steel producers. The company's original name was Gebrüder Böhler & Co. Over the next decades, Böhler expanded strongly, in part through acquisition—in 1894, for example, the company acquired the Kapfenberg mill. In 1940, Böhler acquired the Gerstlmill, which specialized in the production of cold-rolled strip steel and galvanized steel.An asymmetric four-point bend (AFPB) test 16 determined the shear strength of each solder-joint specimen ata strain rate ofO..1 mn/min. and at 22degC and 150degC. The microstructure of the as-solidified solder joints was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on metallographic specimens that were polished and lightly etched with 0.25 vol.%HCl in methanol.BÖHLER-UDDEHOLM AG (Böhler-Uddeholm) is a world-leading specialty steels and materials manufacturer focused on four core niche markets: High-Performance Metals; Welding Consumables; Precision Strip; and Special Forgings. The company's largest division is its High-Performance Metals division, which is the world's leading producer of tool steel—used in the creation of tooling dies and molds—and the world's number two producer of speed steel, used for drill bits and other related applications. The company's Precision Strip division holds top global positions for the production of bimetallic strips, cutting and creasing rules and rule die steel, which the group's Welding Consumables division ranks third worldwide. Formed through the merger of Böhler in Austria and Uddeholm in Sweden at the beginning of the 1990s, Böhler-Uddeholm operates additional production facilities in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Italy, Germany, and Belgium. The company distributes its products to more than 100 countries, generating revenues of EUR 1.93 billion ($2.2 billion) in 2004. Böhler-Uddeholm, formerly controlled by the Austrian government's BO industrial holding company Osterreichische Industrieholding AG (OIAG), has been listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange since 1995 and completed its privatization in 2003.

The Austrian government reacted quickly, passing new legislation in 1946 nationalizing all of its "German" companies. Yet the first Nationalization act, while protecting the businesses in the zones controlled by the British, French, and Americans—which respected Austria's claim—remained ineffectual in the Soviet zone. The nationalization of the remaining industries and businesses nonetheless gave the Austrian government oversight of the distribution of reconstruction aid provided by the United States in particular. In this way, the government was able to subsidize its nationalized businesses and aid in the reconstruction. Over the next decades, government control proved less than efficient; after a number of crises, the government instituted a series of reforms in the 1960s, leading to the creation of a new public limited company, Osterreichische Industrieverwaltungs AG (later Osterreichische Industrieholding AG, or OIAG), in 1970.

Author: M. Cohen

Sn-Ag-Cu solders and solder joints: Alloy development, microstructure, and properties

Research Summary Lead-Free Solders

Dyna-Powered, five lofts, $130. A return to the classic look, including bore-through hosel. www.wilsongolf.com 800-469-4576.As an improvement over the previous Sn-Ag eutectic solder in lead-free electronic assembly applications, the Sn-Ag-Cu eutectic6 and neareutectic solders offer a reduced melting temperature (about 4C lower) and additional tolerance for variations in cooling rate after reflow.7 Prior calorimetric studies8 revealed the very similar melting behavior of several closely related Sn-Ag-Cu alloys, consistent with the phase diagram studies9 on this system. Compared to other common choices, the copper alloy addition to Sn-Ag is abundant and low cost, is compatible with common noclean paste fluxes", and, unlike bismuth and antimony, is not a by-product of lead mining.The higher magnification and atomic number contrast of the scanning electron microscopy-backscattered electron image (SEM-BEI) micrographs in Figure 2 provide additional information on the as-solidified joint microstructures shown in Figure lc and id, along with joint microstructures made from iron and cobalt modifications of Sn-3.7Ag0.9Cu. In Figure 2a and 2d, for example, it seems that Cu6sub 6^Sn^sub5^, rather than tin, is the primary phase in the solidification of Sn-3.6s-l.OCu and Sn-3.7Ag-0.6Cu0.3Co solders, as confirmed by EDS in the SEM, followed by solidification of an extremely fine ternary eutectic. An interesting difference in the intermetallic at the copper/solder interface is also apparent, where the finely-spaced rounded stubs of Figure 2a and 2c contrast with the partially faceted Cu6Sns fingers of Figure 2b and the finer interfacial Cu6Sn5 intermetallic in Figure 2d, which has a continuous 1-2 gm thick Cu6Sn5 layer on the copper substrate. Actually, the intermetallic interface in Figure 2d is very similar to that in a solder joint made from a Sn3.6Ag-1.OCu-0.45Co solder alloy under equivalent solidification conditions in an earlier study.'7,11Vokey Oil Can, nine lofts, $125. Heated oxide treatment wears to rusted finish. www.titleist.com 800-825-8500.EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Sn-3.SAg (wt.%) solder alloy wire (1.57 mm) came from a commercial vendor. Other wires were fabricated from 99.99% purity Sn, Ag, Cu, Co, and Fe by Ames Laboratory in 100 g chill-cast ingots that were drawn into 1.57 mm wire. The nominal ingot compositions consisted of Sn-3.7Ag0.9Cu (wt.%), Sn-3.7Ag-0.6Cu-0.3Co, Sn-3.7Ag-0.7Cu-0.2Fe, Sn-3.OAg0.SCu, Sn-3.Mg-0.6Cu, and Sn-3.6Ag1.OCu.Merging Steel Histories in the 1990sPELZThe Austrian government reacted quickly, passing new legislation in 1946 nationalizing all of its "German" companies. Yet the first Nationalization act, while protecting the businesses in the zones controlled by the British, French, and Americans—which respected Austria's claim—remained ineffectual in the Soviet zone. The nationalization of the remaining industries and businesses nonetheless gave the Austrian government oversight of the distribution of reconstruction aid provided by the United States in particular. In this way, the government was able to subsidize its nationalized businesses and aid in the reconstruction. Over the next decades, government control proved less than efficient; after a number of crises, the government instituted a series of reforms in the 1960s, leading to the creation of a new public limited company, Osterreichische Industrieverwaltungs AG (later Osterreichische Industrieholding AG, or OIAG), in 1970.RESULTSMIZUNODUNLOP

A summary of the ambient temperature shear test results for all of the alloys studied are shown in Figure 3. The repeatability of the maximum shearstrength values is indicated by the narrow range ( 2.5-5 MPa) of the standard deviation of the measurements, where at least seven specimens were tested for each type of solder joint. The weakest of the solder joints was made from the Sn-3.OAg-0.SCu, while the strongest joints were made from Sn-3.7Ag-0.7Cu0.2Fe. The shear strength of the baseline Sn-3.SAg solder joints fell in the middle of the range of values, stronger than previously reported.7 This apparent strengthening may have resulted from a minor increase in cooling rate over the previous study due to the sensitivity of the Sn-3.SAg solder microstructure to solidification conditions.7,11,11 The difference between the maximum shear strength and the apparent yield strength is an indication of the reasonable ductility exhibited by these samples, although the yield-strength values had an increased standard deviation. The results of elevated-temperature (150'C) testing indicated a drop of at least half of the shear strength of the ambient temperature measurements. 17 Due to the increased standard deviation of the measurements, no significant differences can be reported between the elevated-temperature shear strengths of the solder joints made from any of the alloys tested. The microstructural response to elevated-temperature aging of all of the experimental alloys remains to be characterized in a subsequent report.

Author: Anderson, I E, Cook, B A, Harringa, J L, Terpstra, R L