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Offering unskilled people training in engineering and vocational skills helps to decrease unemployment rate. The purpose of this paper is to augment actual hands-on conventional vocational training methods with virtual haptic simulations as part of computer-based vocational education and training.

This paper discusses the design of a bi-manual virtual multi-modal training interface for learning basic skills in surface mount device hand soldering. This research aims to analyze human hand dexterity of novices and experts at micro level skill knowledge capture by simulating and tracking the users’ actions in the manual soldering process through a multi-modal user interface.

Haptic feedback can enhance the experience of a virtual training environment for the end user and can provide a supplementary modality for imparting tangible principles to increase effectiveness. This will improve the teaching and learning of engineering and vocational skills with touch-based haptics technology, targeted toward teachers and students of various disciplines in engineering. Compared with the traditional training methods for learning soldering skills, the proposed method shows more efficiency in faster skill acquisition and skill learning.

In this study, the authors proposed a novel bi-manual virtual training simulator model for teaching soldering skills for surface mount technology and inspection. This research aims to investigate the acquisition of soldering skills through virtual environment, with and without haptic feedback. This acts as a basic-level training simulator that provides introductory training in soldering skills and can help initially unskilled people find educational opportunities and job offers in the electronics industry.

The purpose of this paper is to apply the developed systematic mechanical design methodologies, that are obtained in part I, to investigate their success in designing mechanics of a flexible printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) rework cell.

The decision of soldering and desoldering tool, which is the most critical function of a PCBA rework or remanufacturing cell, significantly influences overall design concept. Therefore, the paper starts by applying the design methodology to the soldering and desoldering function. The same study is repeated for the rest of the sub‐functions but only the results are provided.

An application of rework machine design methodology for the design of a PCBA rework cell has been made available. In addition to this, the embedded knowledge, such as the requirements list, the function structure, the function/means tree, the weighted objective tree and evaluation chart for the soldering and desoldering function are provided.

The paper is the first work providing both embedded knowledge and the application of the systematic design methodology for the design of a fully automated flexible PCBA rework cell. The methodology leads rework machine designers in a well‐controlled and structured design environment.

The design methodology can be applied to all functions or targeted on key weighted areas to ensure that the designed rework machine meets the key areas of concerns. Furthermore, the methodology is generic and may be used to develop other complex manufacturing sytems.

Laser systems are becoming more and more a commodity in many fields of application and this is driving a strong trend towards increasingly efficient production technologies and miniaturized products. A central aspect of laser production is the assembly where the majority of cost is due to manual operations. Resistance soldering of optical components is an upcoming technology for automated assembly, especially for high power laser applications. This technology transfers design and packaging concepts from the electronics industry into photonics. The purpose of this paper is to present recent developments in the field of this soldering technology and to show the first experimental results in combination with robot‐based handling.

Soldering results were examined by resistance measurements, shear testing and optical analysis of the melting zone.

The experiments conducted proved the viability of robot‐based automated resistance soldering of optical components. Analyses of current and voltage profiles gave valuable information for process control possibilities without additional sensors and validated the theoretical considerations of the temperature dependency of material properties. Shear testing underlined the necessity for accurate mechanical contact arrangement and opened fields for further process developments.

Robot‐based resistance soldering of optical components represents a promising joining technology for the automated assembly of laser systems. Existing solutions with mechanical fixtures hamper the miniaturization of optical systems and concurrently increase material and production costs. Manual and semi‐automated gluing of components is an alternative process with significant disadvantages regarding the robustness of the process and the resulting joint connection.

The introduction of surface mount technology has changed the approach which is needed for successful rework of components. This has been brought about by the requirement of simultaneous reflow of all joints to remove the component from the board. To meet this need, manual soldering methods have been adapted, and subsequently complemented, with dedicated hot bar, hot gas and infra‐red systems. Each of these techniques with their respective applicability is considered, prior to a discussion of the parameters which need to be addressed before embarking on successful rework. All aspects of component, board and the joint itself are considered. The procedure for addressing rework is then laid out, providing a standard methodology to obtain rework joints which maintain the quality of the production joints.

Advancements in printed wiring technology have led to an increased demand for technicians with the knowledge and manual skills necessary to perform modifications, rework or repairs to these assemblies. Five key requirements are necessary to control the process for repair. These elements include technical expertise, analytical assessment, structured procedures, proper tooling and performance inspection criteria. In this paper all five elements are analysed and selected guidelines are given for common rework and repair situations.

J.D.C. Hemsley, a Director of OMI International Corporation's manufacturing and marketing business in the UK, has been elected President of The Institute of Metal Finishing for a two‐year term commencing July 1984.

The interior lighting in the new B.O.A.C. hangars at London Airport is automatically controlled by a comprehensive photoelectric system installed by Rashleigh Phipps and Co. Ltd., Esmond Court, Thackeray Court, Thackeray Street, London, W.8. This system ensures that the interiors of the hangars are maintained at a uniform level of illumination both by day and by night, and during fogs. At the same time the photoelectric control, by switching off the interior lighting as soon as the daylight renders it superfluous, obviates any wastage of electricity.

Technic Inc., USA and Imasa/Silvercrown Research Laboratories, have concluded development in high efficiency Gold Electroplating Technology and have produced the Technic ACID GOLD ‘N’ process which is the first controllable, high cathode efficiency gold electrolyte.

Widespread use is being made of Meehanite metal castings, which are produced in a number of different types, each processed to give a particular set of physical properties and to meet a specific need. They are broadly divided into four groups: general engineering, heat, wear and corrosion resistance. Each group consists of several types, all made to definite specifications.