Objective

The purpose of this meeting is to begin the formation of an SnPb BGA availability group made up of firms that are either taking the Pb exemption or are out of scope for EU RoHS.  The efforts of this group will focus on ways to encourage the BGA component supply base (integrated circuit as well as packaging firms) to support SnPb-compatible BGAs.  Potential efforts could include:

• Developing list of critical component families
• Estimating total available market (TAM) for these devices in an SnPb assembly version
• Developing a general business case based on TAM
• Acknowledging suppliers who agree to meet this market need
• Organizing workshops for BGA supply base to encourage support for this market

Intended Audience (meeting open to industry – iNEMI membership not required)

• Supplier management/procurement decision makers responsible for RoHS/WEEE transition (with initial focus on OEM and EMS providers who need SnPb BGAs).
• At future sessions all others in supply chain who have critical business interest in the unique challenges facing the high reliability system providers will be welcomed.

Background

While many high-reliability hardware companies were relieved to understand that exemptions would be granted for continued use of SnPb in their products, the rapid transition of the supply chain to meet the high volume needs of consumer electronics has caused great concern for the availability of critical components in their traditional surface finish configurations.  Many suppliers have elected to convert all of their components over to Pb-free lead and surface finishes.  In a number of cases, this presents compatibility issues (especially with BGAs) for those users who are allowed to continue to use SnPb assembly processes.  Ironically, the strategy of staying with SnPb assembly could create new reliability issues for those who thought that exemptions would insulate them from the movement to lead-free materials systems that industry has much less experience with (i.e., higher reliability risk).  These issues are exacerbated by the explosive growth of consumer products and the inevitable reduction of influence by high rel OEMs on the supply base.

Benefits of Participation

By participating in this session you will learn what others are doing to address the supply chain challenges facing high rel OEM/EMS providers.  By working together, we have the best opportunity to influence the component supply base to meet this market need.  Alternate scenarios for addressing the issues may also provide additional insights for potential shifts in your company’s strategy.

Anyone planning to attend this workshop or any of the other iNEMI meetings during SMTAI is requested to register in advance to receive free admittance to the convention center (where all iNEMI meetings will be held).  Click here to connect to the SMTAI conference website for conference registration.  Hotel rooms may still be available at: http://www.smta.org/smtai/accommodations.cfm

Additional iNEMI meetings