Universal Instruments Advanced Process Laboratory

In today's high-tech industries, knowledge makes the difference. Universal Instruments Advanced Process (AP)Laboratory is uniquely positioned to deliver the knowledge our customers need to maximize competitive advantage.

The Laboratory offers customers the ability to develop processes, and prototype new products, in a full production environment, within a laboratory. Flexible production lines offer both in-line and off-line stand-alone work cell capabilities, including many specialized processes such as wafer bumping and underfill. This full-production facility is dedicated to process development, prototyping, scale-up runs for regulatory approvals (FDA, etc.), and knowledge transfer to your facility or CM anywhere in the world. Process development services include design-for manufacturing-assistance, and exhaustive reliability testing options.

The laboratory plays an active role as part of the wider electronic community, organizing research consortia, building links with scientists, academic researchers and industry experts, and working in its own right to drive processes, materials and equipment into the future.

Laboratory Services

Process Development
Prototyping
Reliability Testing
Knowledge Transfer
Process Audits
Root Cause Failure Analysis
Research
Development
Vendor Qualification & Knowledge Transfer

Capabilities Include:

Complete Analytical Lab
Reliability Test Facilities
Screen Printing
Component Placement
Underfill Dispense
BGA Rework
CSP Rework
Reflow

Learn more about the Advanced Process Laboratory at the Laboratory web site.

Advanced Research in Electronics Assembly Consortium

Universal's Advanced Process Laboratory has been the home of world-renowned consortia providing research & technology excellence for over 17 years. All research is performed at the Universal Laboratory. Active participation is encouraged, but is not a requirement for membership. Research topics are those common to most manufacturers and which directly impact profitability. The primary focus of the Consortium's work is on making knowledge and results directly, practically useful to the members in their daily work. Research conclusions are distilled into data bases, process guidelines and recommendations, design guidelines and test protocols.

A significant cost benefit to members is having their non-proprietary research performed within the Consortium. Related product-specific, or proprietary, projects may then be completed under separate research agreements with the AP Laboratory.

The 2010 Advanced Research in Electronics Assembly (AREA) Consortium is focused on critical aspects of SnPb, “backward compatible” and Pb-Free solder based assembly and rework. We continue to study PCB manufacturing defects and damage in assembly and repair while continuing to update and expand an online database detailing the performance of specific materials and designs in Pb-free assembly and repair.

2010 Topics Include:

PCB Damage
Pad Cratering
Solder Pad Finish Issues (Sporadic Joint Fragility)
Thermal Cycling Data and Assessment of Life
Drop, Vibration & Cyclic Bending
Acceleration of Aging
Combined Loading
Whiskers & Conformal Coatings
Thermal Interface Assembly & Reliability
Assembly & Rework/Repair
Component Underfilling & Edge/Corner Bonding

Benefits of Consortium Membership

For less cost than that of a single employee you will benefit from millions of dollars of advanced process research and experimentation.
Every dollar received from membership is applied to the consortium effort.
All research is performed by the Advanced Process Laboratory. Research topics are those common to most manufacturers and that directly impact profitability.
Membership includes all information produced through previous consortiums provided in CD format.
One Membership fee allows all your company locations to participate.
Active participation is your option. While we recommend active participation wherever possible, you will receive comprehensive results and project details even if you cannot attend.
You are invited to "camp-out" at the laboratory if you wish at no extra cost. Active participation is a great way to get the most from your membership.
Interaction and networking with other industry experts facing common challenges.
Project results and details are distilled into comprehensive process manuals that can be immediately utilized by you and your organization. Research data is compiled into a searchable database for easy retrieval.

If you are facing new technology challenges or preparing for future designs and are not yet familiar with the Consortium, we welcome you to contact Creyr or the Advanced Process Laboratory to discuss how membership could benefit your current projects and the future of your organization. You may click here to link to the Consortium web page.