Abstract: A system and method for linking Quality Function Deployment (QFD) data and actual process data is provided and uses a knowledge based expert system in combination with QFD principles to provide an interactive system capable of allowing dynamic changes to a manufacturing process in response to customer input regarding their requirements and ultimate satisfaction. The system expands upon a central element of QFD analysis, relationships between objects, by providing navigation and manipulation aids. Dynamic evaluation is possible and enables the detection of shifts in customer preference or needs. This is accomplished in part by remodeling the QFD House of Quality by enlarging it to accommodate additional matrices of data not previously associated with the QFD house. Further, a relational database is provided for correlating data about the manufacturing process and customer needs as well as new matrices, one of which maps product parameters to the customer data or the manufacturing process data.

Abstract: A water soluble, thermally stable, solder flux for use in forming a water soluble, thermally stable, solder paste is provided. The water soluble, thermally stable, solder flux contains an acidic ester component having about 50% to about 60% monoesters by weight based on total weight, about 40% to about 50% diesters by weight based on total weight, and about 0% to about 1.5% phosphoric acid by weight based on total weight. This ester component is combined with triethanolamine to form a flux vehicle having a molar ratio of triethanolamine to the ester component of about 0.6 to about 1.2. This vehicle is present in the solder flux in an amount from about 68% to about 79% by weight based on total weight of solder flux. The flux also contains rheology adjusting components in an amount ranging from about 17% to about 26% by weight based on total weight of solder flux. Citric acid included in the flux in an amount ranging from about 4% to about 6% by weight based on total weight of solder flux.