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Monday, October 26
 

7:30am CDT

SMTA Registration
Monday October 26, 2026 7:30am - 5:00pm CDT

Monday October 26, 2026 7:30am - 5:00pm CDT
LOBBY

8:30am CDT

PDC1: Solder Joint Voids: Impact on Bottom Terminated Components (BTCs) and Ball Grid Arrays Solder Joint Reliability
Monday October 26, 2026 8:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Instructor:
Dave Hillman, Hillman Electronic Assembly Solutions LLC

Course Overview:
This workshop explores the impact of solder joint voids on BTC and BGA component reliability, covering materials, design considerations, and manufacturing processes. Topics include solder joint reliability for both tin/lead and lead-free soldering processes, with an in-depth focus on the effects of voids on solder joint integrity and thermal performance.

Topics Include:
  • Classification and types of voids
  • Solder joint void specifications, including IPC-7093, IPC J-STD-001, and J-STD-001 Automotive Addendum requirements
  • Manufacturing influences on void formation:
  • Pad design
  • Solder paste
  • Stenciling, reflow, and cleaning processes
  • Solder joint reliability considerations for:
  • Ball Grid Arrays (BGAs)
  • Bottom Terminated Components (BTCs)
  • Other electronic components

Who Should Attend:
This course is designed for product design engineers, process engineers and technicians, and product reliability and safety engineers interested in understanding how solder joint voids impact BTC and BGA reliability.
Speakers
avatar for David Hillman

David Hillman

Founder / CEO, Hillman EAS LLC
David D. Hillman was a Metallurgical Engineer in the Advanced Operations Engineering Department of Rockwell Collins/Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Mr. Hillman graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. (1984) and M.S. (2001) in Material Science & Engineering. In his... Read More →
Monday October 26, 2026 8:30am - 12:00pm CDT
PDC1

8:30am CDT

PDC2: Mastering Intermetallics for Reliable Electronics
Monday October 26, 2026 8:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Instructor:
Dr. Jennie S. Hwang, Ph.D., D.Sc.
H-Technologies Group

Course Overview:
Intermetallic compounds (IMCs) play a critical role in electronic interconnection reliability, influencing solder joint integrity and overall product performance at the chip, package, and board levels. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of IMC formation, evolution, and control throughout the entire lifecycle of an electronic assembly, from reflow and storage to field service. Participants will explore the relationship between IMCs, solder alloys, surface finishes, component metallization, and long-term reliability, with practical insights connecting materials science fundamentals to real-world manufacturing challenges.

Topics Include:
• Fundamentals, characteristics, and behavior of intermetallic compounds
• Role of phase diagrams in SnPb and lead-free solder systems
• IMC formation and growth during assembly, storage, and service life
• Interfacial vs. bulk intermetallics
• Impact of IMCs on solder joint failure mechanisms and reliability
• Effects of PCB surface finishes and component metallization
• Gold embrittlement: causes, factors, and considerations
• Influence of different IMC systems (Ni/Au, Ni/Pd/Au, Ni/Pd, Cu) on solder reliability
• SAC alloys with doping elements and their performance characteristics
• Reliability considerations for low-temperature solder alloys
• Case studies and practical recommendations

Who Should Attend:
This course is designed for engineers, researchers, managers, and professionals involved in electronics design, manufacturing, quality, and reliability. Attendees will gain practical knowledge to better understand solder joint behavior, evaluate reliability risks, and make informed decisions regarding materials selection and process optimization.

Monday October 26, 2026 8:30am - 12:00pm CDT
PDC2

8:30am CDT

PDC3: Data-Driven Solder Paste Qualification
Monday October 26, 2026 8:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Instructor:
Chrys Shea
Shea Engineering Services

Course Overview:
Selecting a new solder paste can be a complex process with many factors to consider, including printability, reflow performance, reliability, and supplier support. This course introduces a data-driven approach to solder paste qualification using a structured scorecard methodology to evaluate candidate materials based on assembler-specific requirements. Participants will learn how to compare solder paste options, identify tradeoffs, optimize testing efficiency, and confidently select the best material for their manufacturing needs.

Topics Include:
• Reasons to evaluate new solder paste formulations, including:
  • Fine-feature printing and Type 5 solder powders
  • High-reliability alloys
  • Low-temperature alloys
  • Defect reduction and customer requirements
    • Solder paste selection scorecard methodology
    • PCB design strategies for solder paste testing
    • Maximizing test efficiency through optimized test plans and data collection
    • Step-by-step solder paste evaluation procedures
    • BOM and sample size calculations
    • Key solder paste characteristics and performance metrics
    • Data collection, analysis, and decision-making
    • Candidate disqualifiers and risk identification

Who Should Attend:
This course is designed for process and quality engineers evaluating solder paste performance, manufacturing and production professionals considering material upgrades, technicians involved in printing and reflow processes, and suppliers interested in understanding solder paste qualification methods.

Speakers
avatar for Chrys Shea

Chrys Shea

Founder, SHEA Engineering Services
Chrys Shea is the President of Shea Engineering Services, a consulting firm that produces technical studies and communications tools for the electronics manufacturing industry.   Chrys is an SMTA “Member of Technical Distinction,” an SMTA “Distinguished Speaker” and four-time... Read More →
Monday October 26, 2026 8:30am - 12:00pm CDT
PDC3

8:30am CDT

PDC4: Principles and Practice of Developing Soldering Profiles
Monday October 26, 2026 8:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Instructor:
Ray Prasad
SMT Consultant and Author, SMT Principles and Practice

Course Overview:
Based on IPC-7530 Guidelines for Temperature Profiling for Mass Soldering Processes, this course provides practical guidance on developing, measuring, and controlling thermal profiles to reduce soldering defects and improve product quality and reliability. Participants will learn best practices for creating profiles across various soldering processes, including reflow, wave, vapor phase, laser, and selective soldering. The course addresses challenges such as mixed alloy assemblies, varying component thermal masses, and balancing profile requirements to achieve reliable solder joints.

Topics Include:
• Overview of soldering processes and thermal profiling methods
  • Reflow, wave, vapor phase, laser, and selective soldering
    • Soldering zones and profile development
  • Preheat, soak, reflow, cooling, peak temperature, TAL, and True TAL
    • Thermal profile requirements for tin-lead, lead-free, and low-temperature solder alloys
    • Proper thermocouple placement for accurate measurements, including BGA applications
    • Oven performance monitoring and control
    • Managing profile tradeoffs to reduce defects such as voiding and head-in-pillow
    • Mixed alloy and backward/forward compatibility considerations
    • Examples of effective and ineffective profiles and associated defects

Who Should Attend:
This course is designed for managers, design engineers, process engineers, quality engineers, operators, and technicians involved in soldering processes and thermal profile development. Professionals in manufacturing, purchasing, and management who want a stronger understanding of soldering reliability for BGAs, BTCs, and other SMT components will also benefit.

Monday October 26, 2026 8:30am - 12:00pm CDT
PDC4

1:00pm CDT

AME1: Additive Processes for Circuit Manufacture
Monday October 26, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Session Chair:
Session Co-Chair:

1:00pm-1:30pm
Next Generation Direct Metallization Processes are Adaptable to the Evolving Printed Circuit Board Material Landscape
Presenter: Lindsey Mercurio, MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions
 
1:30pm-2:00pm 
High Resolution Copper Printed RF Devices
Presenter: Tom Rovere, Lockheed Martin
Co-Authors: Maya Chiesa, Emuobosan Enakerakpo, Eric Whiting, Lockheed Martin

2:00pm-2:30pm
Roll-to-Roll Additive Manufacturing of Copper Micro-Wires for SMT Circuit
Presenter: Carolyn Ellinger, Eastman Kodak Company
Speakers
avatar for Lindsey Mercurio

Lindsey Mercurio

Primary Metallization Applications Specialist, MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions
Lindsey Mercurio is an Applications Specialist with MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions. In her role, Lindsey conducts the final stages of new product development including process parameter verification, customer site beta testing, and transition to full commercialization. She... Read More →
avatar for Tom Rovere

Tom Rovere

LM Fellow, Lockheed Martin
Tom Rovere is a Research Scientist for Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems division in Owego, NY.  In this capacity, he is responsible for research and development related to flexible hybrid electronics (FHE), printed electronics, antenna manufacturing, circuit card assembly... Read More →
avatar for Carolyn Ellinger

Carolyn Ellinger

VP, Printed Electronics, Eastman Kodak Company
Carolyn Ellinger is Vice President of Printed Electronics at Eastman Kodak Company. During her more than 30 years at Kodak, she has held a variety of technical and leadership roles spanning film systems, flexible displays, nanotechnology, semiconductor devices, MEMS-based devices... Read More →
Monday October 26, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
AME

1:00pm CDT

MFX1: Reflow Technology
Monday October 26, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Session Chair:
Session Co-Chair:

1:00pm-2:30pm
Impact of Fixture Material on Thermal Stability and Process Performance in Reflow Soldering
Presenter: Ricardo Chuma, 2B Automacao

2:30pm-3:00pm
Impact of Operation Environment and Flux Residues on the Electrochemical Reliability of In Bi SAC Solder Paste
Presenter: Sirine Bayram, Ph.D., AIM Solder

3:00pm-3:30pm
Junction Formation Through Photonic Soldering under Ambient and Flux-less Conditions
Presenter: Vahid Akhavan, Ph.D., PulseForge
Co-Authors: Nick Snyder, Ara Parsekian, PulseForge
Speakers
VA

Vahid Akhavan

Director of Transitional Technologies, PulseForge
Dr. Vahid Akhavan is the Director of Transitional Technologies at PulseForge. Enabling the next generation of electronic devices by drawing on his expertise in colloidal synthesis, additive manufacturing and kinetic thermal processing. He has over 20 peer-reviewed publications, several... Read More →
avatar for Sirine Bayram

Sirine Bayram

Senior Research Scientist, AIM Solder
Sirine Bayram is a Senior Research Scientist at AIM Solder specializing in solder paste product development and innovation. She holds a Master's degree in Chemistry from the American University of Beirut and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from McGill University. Dr. Bayram has published in... Read More →
avatar for Ricardo Chuma

Ricardo Chuma

Co-Owner and Engineering Director, 2B AUTOMACAO E USINAGEM
Ricardo Chuma is Co-Owner and Engineering Director at 2B Automacao e Usinagem, a Brazilian company specializing in tooling and fixtures for the electronics manufacturing industry. He leads engineering initiatives focused on SMT and PTH process optimization, including the development... Read More →
Monday October 26, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
MFX

1:30pm CDT

WLP: Invited Keynote Presentations & Panel Discussion
Monday October 26, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Monday October 26, 2026 1:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
WLP

3:00pm CDT

AME2: Embedded and Conformal Electronics
Monday October 26, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm CDT
Session Chair:
Session Co-Chair:

3:00pm-3:00pm 
Thermal and Moisture Reliability of In-Mold Gravure Offset Additive Circuits for Automotive Applications
Presenter: Pradeep Lall, Ph.D., Auburn University
Co-Authors: Padma Choudhury, Auburn University; Scott Miller, NextFlex National Manufacturing Institute


3:30pm-4:00pm
Embedding Electronics into High-Volume CBAM Additive Process
Presenters: Nate Bode, Impossible Objects & Denis Cormier, Impossible Objects

4:00pm-4:30pm
Challenges of Low Temperature Component Attach

Presenter: Kalsi Kwan, Boeing Engineering & Technology Innovation
Co-Authors: Authors: John D. Williams, Timothy Messer, Kyle Barber, Adriana Jara, Ted Dabrowski, Boeing Engineering & Technology Innovation
Speakers
avatar for Pradeep Lall, Ph.D.

Pradeep Lall, Ph.D.

Professor, Auburn University
Pradeep Lall is the MacFarlane Endowed Distinguished Professor and Alumni Professor with the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Director of Auburn University’s Electronics Packaging Research Institute. He holds Joint Courtesy Appointments in the Department of Electrical and... Read More →
avatar for Nate Bode

Nate Bode

Director of Strategy and Growth, Impossible Objects
Dr. Nate Bode is the Director of Strategy and Growth at Impossible Objects, a high-speed additive manufacturing company.  This role encompasses supporting core company initiatives including leading government grant work, new market entry, and fundraising.  Dr. Bode brings to this... Read More →
avatar for Kalsi Kwan

Kalsi Kwan

Boeing Engineering & Technology Innovation
Kalsi Kwan is a principal investigator with the Additive Electronics Technology group within Engineering & Technology Innovation (E&TI) in Huntsville, AL. Kalsi specializes in novel process development for Flexible Hybrid Electronics for next-generation products. She has been with... Read More →
Monday October 26, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm CDT
AME

3:00pm CDT

MFX2: AI & Smart Factory Evolution
Monday October 26, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
Session Chair:
Session Co-Chair:

3:00pm-3:30pm
Industrial AI in Electronics Manufacturing: A Comprehensive Review of State-of-the-Art Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions
Presenter: Sai Kolli, Foxconn Industrial Internet (FII)

3:30pm-4:00pm
Solving SMT Component Attrition at Scale Using LLM-Based Agentic Analysis
Presenter: Cameron Sobie, Ph.D., Arch Systems
Co-Authors: Andrew Scheuermann, Tim Burke, Arch Systems

4:00pm-4:30pm
Smart Factory Evolution 1.0 -4.0
Presenter: Chris Dayney, Fuji America
Co-Authors:

4:30pm-5:00pm
Human vs. AI-Collaborative PCB Design: Comparative Analysis of Routing Efficiency and Manufacturing Performance
Presenter: Athula Kulatunga, Purdue University Northwest
Co-Author: Jagadish Kirla, Purdue University Northwest
Speakers
avatar for Sai Kolli

Sai Kolli

Project Manager, Foxconn Industrial Internet (FII)
Sai Srikanth is a Project Manager at Foxconn Industrial Internet (FII) and a PhD candidate in Industrial and Systems Engineering at Binghamton University – State University of New York. His research focuses on manufacturing systems, advanced optimization approaches, Artificial Intelligence... Read More →
avatar for Cameron Sobie

Cameron Sobie

Director of AI Strategy, Arch Systems, Arch Systems
Cameron Sobie is the Director of AI Strategy at Arch Systems, where he focuses on identifying where emerging AI capabilities can unlock value in manufacturing and leads the transformation of those ideas into deployed solutions. His work drives bottom line results by helping manufacturers... Read More →
avatar for Chris Dayney

Chris Dayney

Technical Marketing Manager, Fuji America Corporation
Technical Marketing Manager for Fuji America Corporation, headquartered in Vernon Hills, IL. Based in Crossville, TN, Chris brings 30 years of expertise in the SMT industry to his role. He spent 3 years as Regional Sales Manager and 25 years as an Instructor and Training Team Leader... Read More →
avatar for Athula Kulatunga

Athula Kulatunga

Professor of Electrical Engineering Technology, Purdue University Northwest
Prof. Dr. N. Athula Kulatunga is an Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) professor at Purdue University Northwest (PNW) and served as department head from 2015 to 2022. Previously, he taught and conducted research for 15 years at Purdue University in West Lafayette, where he was... Read More →
Monday October 26, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
MFX

4:00pm CDT

WLP: Round Table Discussions
Monday October 26, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
Monday October 26, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm CDT
WLP

5:00pm CDT

WLP: Connection Reception
Monday October 26, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
Monday October 26, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm CDT
WLP
 
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