Jun 28, 2022 
Gen3’s Dr Chris Hunt, CTO submits an insightful paper to the journal of Surface Mount Technology
Gen3 a British manufacturer of testing and measuring the electronics industry announced that Dr Chris Hunt, CTO, has written a paper for SMTA on a gage study of an intercomparison evaluation to implement the use of fine-pitch test patterns for surface insulation resistance (sir) testing of solder fluxes.
https://doi.org/10.37665/smt.v35i1.24
SIR is a recognised tool for establishing electrochemical reliability of electronic assemblies. Currently the test patterns in the standards reflect coarse pitch components. An intercomparison has been completed with the aim of establishing the introduction of a fine pitch SIR pattern with a 200µm gap. This exercise included the contribution from seven international participants. This new pattern moves the test method forward into the realm of current technologies where components of this pitch are common place. The study reported here validates the basis for the introduction of the new pattern, and confirms acceptable Gauge R&R for the SIR technique. The analysis also highlights the challenges in controlling humidity to achieve comparable results between different users. The results also point to the challenges in achieving acceptable Gauge R&R when measuring resistances >1011Ω.
Gen3 alongside Dr Chris Hunt is active in the development of many IPC standards, and has won many awards for this work. Much of this standards work has been in the area of surface insulation resistance measurements and conductive anodic filamentation, of which this paper evidences. Gen3 manufacturers of the AutoSIR2+, https://www.gen3systems.com/autosir played a key part in this study.
SMTA’s journal is a free scientific tool that is invaluable to the electronics reliability industry.
About GEN3
GEN3. Testing and measuring the electronics industry for over 40 years. For three generations, Gen3 have designed, engineered, manufactured, and distributed their test and measurement equipment into the electronics industry to shield their clients from failure in the field.
Their reputation for excellence has grown to a global scale. The team is made up of industry experts who work to set the standards around circuit testing, measurement, and compliance. They collaborate with key industry associations, offering our unique experience and expertise to educate all on what it takes to succeed. For product protection the preferred way is GEN3, where precision comes as standard, acting as a mentor and your front-line defender.
In the high-reliability arena, there is too much at stake to allow room for error. Testing must be finite and flawless. GEN3 understand the need for precision. Get closer to perfection by minimising your risk.
GEN3. Precision as Standard.
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