European Surface Mount Conference

Citation

Judd, M. (1999), "European Surface Mount Conference", Soldering & Surface Mount Technology, Vol. 11 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ssmt.1999.21911aab.001

European Surface Mount Conference

European Surface Mount Conference

10-12 November 1998Old Ship Hotel, Brighton, UK

I don't know if it's the ambience of Brighton, the venue of this unique event "The Old Ship hotel" or the bar and the audience it attracts, but the third European Surface Mount Conference quickly became a very pleasant environment to discuss technology matters. With 173 booked, 10 percent travelling from outside of UK/Ireland, this sea front venue was taken over by SMARTies who enjoyed a lively opening debate on screen printing versus dispensing solder paste. Congratulations to Chris Davies-Camelot, Alan Hobby-DEK and Richard Booth-MPM for having the courage to participate in "The great debate" with knowledge, gusto and humour (Plate 1).

SMART took a gamble this time by responding to the demand to expand workshops and reduce the conference programme. So successful was this that most of the half day workshops sold out, whereas the seminar attendance was only just acceptable. Workshops receiving great reviews were two speakers from the New York area; Marie Cole from IBM with "BGA assembly challenges and solutions" and Ross Bentson, Indium ­ "Optimising SMT process-achieving zero defects". Terry Munson ­ Contamination Control Labs, Kokomo and Laura Turbini from Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia were also praised.

From the conference programme Caroline Beelen from Philips CFT showed why she was voted best international paper at SMI with a confident presentation "Trends in assembly processes for miniaturised consumer electronics". More contentious was "Costing your product to maximise profitability in assembly" by Yann Morvan, Cookson Providence. Today's "hot topic" of lead-free was very well covered by Malcolm Warwick from Multicore.

Eighteen exhibitors showed their wares in a separate exhibition room and a further three in the lounge (Plate 2). One of these was Cerne Training offering training and development in communications and management skills. Betty Dawson was also offering to stress test delegates and many took the plunge! Soldering & Surface Mount Technology was also there, represented by Cathy Aplin from MCB University Press.

Wednesday was hectic, not only the activities mentioned, but two evening workshops squeezed between the day sessions and the banquet. These were an Internet Workshop presented by Smart chairman Peter Swanson and (who else but) Bob Willis! A contract manufacturing discussion was chaired by Brian McKandie, Hewlett-Packard Grenoble, where attendee Brian Haken, executive director of PCIF reported "an enjoyable interactive session".

Those fortunate enough to attend the slap-up banquet remembered those less fortunate, with SMART announcing a cheque for the local charity in the sum of £1,256, being profits from reports sold to members. A prize draw then reached a further £490 and BTU kindly offered the magnum of champagne they won, to be auctioned. Paul Samon found a new role in life by acting as a very persuasive auctioneer, browbeating the audience to bid up to £200. Liam McCauley, publisher of Electronics Manufacturing Products, being the final bidder, winning the "Bubbly". Charles Gibbs of St Thomas' Trust ( a worthy charity suggested by local resident and SMART committee member Peter Grundy) was present to receive this donation totalling £1,946 for the homeless of Brighton.

Plate 1 Delegates in the seminar room at the European Surface Mount Conference Plate 2 The main exhibition room

Peter Swanson announced the new SMART Fellowship Award Scheme. Those recipients attending were presented with their award. Peter also presented his annual Chairman's Awards.

David Topham, a conference speaker, was our after dinner speaker with a hilarious dialogue that was topical and humorous.

The evening concluded (very late for some) in the bar with entertainment from an Irish band.

Totally separate from the exhibition was an SMT entry level workshop each day with a small "hands-on" line.

Overseas delegates included engineers form Intel Denmark, Nokia Germany and many Philips plants. I had the pleasure of hosting a lunch for these visitors to discuss ideas for future events and hear how SMART can help them. Their comments were appreciated and included a strong request to make this an annual event. When the organising committee were informed they were flattered and alarmed.

Altogether, a very successful event and the sun shone too, so I was told ... I love Brighton!

Mike Judd