Abstract: A multi-layer electronic circuit board design 10 having selectively formed apertures or cavities 26 which have improved solder-wetting characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method for reflowing solder to interconnect a plurality of electronic components (24) to a substrate (12) is disclosed. The system includes an oven for preheating the substrate (12) and the plurality of electronic components (24) disposed thereon, a supplemental heat source disposed in the oven for providing additional heat energy to reflow the solder (72), a pallet (14) for supporting the substrate (12), wherein the pallet (14) has at least one internal cavity (40), and a phase-transition material (42) disposed within the cavity (40) for absorbing heat from the pallet (14).

Abstract: An automobile instrument panel assembly for the cockpit of an automobile. The assembly includes, in one embodiment, a cross-car beam structure for supporting the assembly. The structure extends across a substantial portion of the cockpit and defines a plurality of generally planar mounting sites and further defines at least one recess. At least one substrate is mounted to the beam and includes at least one area of the substrate populated by electronic components on both sides of the substrate. The area is aligned over the at least one recess, and an instrument panel cover is removably positioned over the substrate and the structure.

Abstract: In conventional ETM circuit structures a pin connector in which the pin is etched from the ETM substrate and the mating cavity is etched from the ETM substrate to be mated. The connector utilizes the subtractive ETM structure processing to define any one of several pin-cavity configurations. The pin serves as an anchor with the metallurgical bonds with solder in the cavity that forms on the copper surfaces of the ETM circuit structure to give good mechanical strength to the connection. In particular four different configurations of interconnections are shown and described.

Abstract: A multi-layer electronic circuit board design 10 having selectively formed apertures or cavities 26 which have improved solder-wetting characteristics.

Abstract: A method 10 for making multi-layer electronic circuit boards having metallized apertures 34, 36 which may be selectively and electrically grounded or isolated from an electrical ground plane.

Abstract: A multi-layer electronic circuit board design 10 having selectively formed apertures or cavities 26 which have improved solder-wetting characteristics by causing a first insulating layer to separate from a portion of a first conductive layer of the multi-layer electronic circuit board 10 which allows for communication by and between some or all of the various component containing surfaces, and portions of the formed multi-layer electrical circuit board 10, which selectively allows components contained within and/or upon these portions and surfaces to be interconnected.

Abstract: A multi-layer electronic circuit board design 10 having a core member 12, a pair of dielectric layers 14, 16 disposed thereon, and a first circuit portion 20 which is coupled to the dielectric layer 14 and core member 12 using a layer of adhesive material 18. Circuit board design 10 further having selectively formed “blind” apertures, vias or cavities 22 formed through the first circuit portion 20, dielectric layer 14, and adhesive layer 18, thereby exposing core member 12.

Abstract: A method 10 for making multi-layer electronic circuit boards having metallized apertures 34, 36 which may be selectively and electrically grounded or isolated from an electrical ground plane.

Abstract: A method for producing an electronic circuit assembly (e.g., a circuit board) from an etched tri-metal-layer structure which provides air bridge crossovers and specially designed bumps etched from a middle layer of the tri-metal-layer structure. The bumps are formed at particular circuit locations in order to provide interconnects for (1) heavy wirebonding, (2) fine wirebonding, or (3) direct chip attachment; or, to provide (4) lifters for assuring a minimum solder joint standoff height or (5) barriers for retarding solder joint crack propagation.

Abstract: A method for producing an electronic circuit assembly (e.g., a circuit board) from an etched tri-metal-layer structure which provides air bridge crossovers and specially designed bumps etched from a middle layer of the tri-metal-layer structure. The bumps are formed at particular circuit locations in order to provide interconnects for (1) heavy wirebonding, (2) fine wirebonding, or (3) direct chip attachment; or, to provide (4) lifters for assuring a minimum solder joint standoff height or (5) barriers for retarding solder joint crack propagation.