Category Archives: Quality


Aug12
BGA Solder Ball Crack Analysis Using the Red Dye Test | Types and Failure Patterns

Figure: Use the Red Dye Test to Identify BGA Solder Ball Cracks: Failure Patterns and Practical Analysis BGA IC functional failures are a major headache for many electronics companies. This is especially true today, as most CPUs use BGA packages. … Continue reading

Jul30
How to Analyze Returned Electronic Products and BGA Failures: A Practical Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Figure: Using the Red Dye Penetration Test to Check BGA Solder Joints for Open Solder or Head-in-Pillow (HIP) Defects At first glance, analyzing returned electronic products or BGA failures doesn’t seem all that complicated. In reality, however, many new engineers … Continue reading

Jul22
Should BGA Pads Be Designed as SMD or NSMD? Pros, Cons, and Drop-Test Performance

Figcaption: Should BGA Pads Be Designed as SMD or NSMD? Pros, Cons, and Drop-Test Performance Do you know the difference between SMD (Solder Mask Defined) and NSMD (Non-Solder Mask Defined) pad designs for PCB? What are the advantages and disadvantages … Continue reading

Jul16
BGA Failure Analysis: Manufacturing Issue or Design Flaw?

Figcaption: How to Determine Whether a BGA Solder Joint Crack or Component Detachment Is Caused by the SMT Process or Product Design Many engineers have asked the same question: When a BGA solder joint cracks or a BGA component falls … Continue reading

Jul08
BGA Cross-Section Analysis: How to Evaluate Solder Joint Quality and Identify Common Defects

Figcaption:BGA Cross-Section Analysis: How to Evaluate Solder Joint Quality and Identify Common Defects This article is intended for anyone who isn’t yet familiar with how to evaluate the quality of BGA solder joints from cross-section images. Workingbear happens to have … Continue reading