Foresite Standard Project Information

Have questions about what to expect when you work with Foresite? Here are more details about typical project engagements.

Final Report Deliverables

Final report deliverables include:

Specific project goal – Defined at time of quote
Client specifications – Cleanliness levels, SIR
Foresite test protocol to accomplish the project goal
Process background information, including the process sequence (defined by client) and a material matrix indicating fluxes and chemistries used in the process
Photo documentation of the areas investigated
Residue analysis data (if applicable) – Identification and concentration of any residues present
Electrical performance data (if applicable) – From specified tests
Education regarding the usual sources of the specific ionic and organic residues found
Foresite cleanliness limit recommendation for each identified ionic and organic species; Foresite cleanliness limits derive from 22+ years of failure analysis and process qualification experience
Foresite data interpretation and conclusions from our technical team
Failure mechanism scenario (if applicable) – What caused the failure to occur
Foresite recommendations for any process corrective action or optimization
Project report electronically sent to the client project contact
Telephone support available for discussion of the report

Note: One-page reports are issued for specific types of projects; these typically include cleaning projects and IC testing of C3 vial samples.

Upon the completion of the project, samples are either destroyed or returned to the client, per instructions.

Requirements are:

Receipt of the samples
Establishment of the payment method (hard copy purchase order or credit card information)

Ion Chromatography (IC) Testing

Standard – Final report completion ten business days after the project start
Moderate Turn – Final report completion five business days after the project start
Fast Turn – Final report completion two business days after the project start (to analyze up to 50 samples) or three business days after the project start (to analyze 50-100 samples)

Cross-sectioning, SIR Testing and Cleaning

Project timing is established at the project start – Dependent upon factors such as equipment availability

To analyze process performance, the materials and process specifications must be identified:

Material specifications – Base laminate material, surface finishes, solder resist, fluxes
Solder resist vendor and formulation nomenclature
Flux types — OA (water soluble), NC (no-clean/low-residue), other
Flux vendor and formulation nomenclature
Flux application method – Spray or foam)
Cleaning technology – Tap water, DI water, solvent
Cleaner type – Vendor, batch, or in-line
Stage(s) at which assembly is cleaned – Post reflow, post wave, hand, rework
Assembly equipment to be used – Automated and hand
Types of components to be assembled – Thru-hole, surface mount, COB, BGA, HDI
Thermal profiles for all product heat excursions – Reflow, wave, hand, rework
Atmosphere used during reflow and wave process – Oxygen or nitrogen
Solder pot temperature
Other assembly materials – Adhesives, temporary masks, coatings
All hand operations and materials – Post-wave, irons used, cleaning methods
Assembly drawings and process sequence flow charts

The following information is requested prior to the start of a project:

Is a detailed history of the process and the current situation available?
Has your company qualified the current manufacturing process? How? By whom?
Has the existing process performance been baseline validated to establish a reference?
What are the product requirements and goals for field reliability? (IPC Class 2 or 3)
What is the Product Classification? (automotive, medical, military, general commercial)
What is the service environment of the products produced? (geographical locations)
Is the product manufacturing a captive operation or contract service?
Where is the assembly plant located?

Ready to get started?