Oct27
What Is the 5W1H Method? A Practical Guide to Clear Thinking and Better Communication

Understanding and Applying the 5W1H Problem Analysis Method

The 5W1H (Five Ws and One H) method can be considered both a problem analysis and solution tool. However, it’s better viewed as a structured way to think about and describe problems. It helps us look at issues more comprehensively, explore possible causes, and take corrective actions. Although the method is somewhat simple, it’s easy to remember and very practical. Sometimes it’s also called the Six Ws method, and some people even extend it into 5W2H by adding another “H” for “How much” or “How many.”

read more…》

Oct22
Engineers, You’re Actually Doctors — Just for a Different Kind of Patient

Engineers, You’re Actually Doctors — Just for a Different Kind of Patient

When you think about it, doctors are really just engineers who work on people instead of machines. Their methods and processes are surprisingly similar. So, engineers — you’re basically doctors too, just with different patients!

Einstein once said, “An expert is just a trained dog.” Workingbear can’t really argue with that. In fact, Workingbear believes doctors are, in essence, engineers. The main difference is what they work on: engineers deal with non-living things like machines or products, while doctors deal with living humans — that’s about it.

read more…》

Oct15
What is MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) and MPQ?

MOQ_minimum_order_quantity

MOQ stands for Minimum Order Quantity, meaning the smallest number of items a supplier is willing to sell or produce in one order. In most parts sales, especially for less common items, there’s usually an MOQ requirement. Why? Because no manufacturer will set up an entire production line just to make a handful of parts.

Once a production line is set up, it must produce a certain volume to make economic sense — since running a line requires manpower, materials, and support resources that can cost far more than most people expect. Of course, if you’re willing to pay an extra USD 2,000 setup fee just to make one USB drive, no one’s going to stop you!

read more…》

Oct08
What Can an SPI (Solder Paste Inspection) Machine Really Do?

SPI(Solder Paste Inspection)錫膏檢查機可以做什麼?

SPI stands for Solder Paste Inspection. If we’re talking about the actual inspection equipment, people usually add “machine” after SPI. But in most cases, when you mention SPI in an SMT factory, everyone just assumes you’re talking about the inspection machine.

So what’s the real purpose of SPI? What exactly can it do for us? And why are more and more SMT lines adding SPI machines these days?

read more…》

Sep30
How PCB S/M and Silkscreen Thickness Can Mess with Solder Paste Volume and Even Cause BGA Shorts!

Did You Know the Thickness of PCB Solder Mask and Silkscreen Can Affect Solder Paste Volume and Cause BGA Shorts?

Over the past few days, Workingbear came across an issue I hadn’t really considered before. Here’s the story: an EMS (electronics manufacturing service) factory reported that during SMT production, they were seeing solder shorts under BGA components. After digging into it, the root cause turned out to be excessive solder paste. And why was there too much solder paste? The PCB’s solder mask (the green layer) and silkscreen (the white ink) were printed too thick.

When you think about it, this makes sense. If the solder mask or silkscreen is unevenly thick, it can affect the solder paste thickness during solder paste printing through stencil aperture. A thicker layer lifts the stencil slightly, increasing the gap between the stencil and the PCB. With all other printing conditions unchanged, that small gap leads to extra solder paste being deposited.

read more…》