The Dallas Electronics Manufacturing Expo is expected to attract professionals from across Dallas and the surrounding region. Running from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the expo provides attendees with access to the latest innovations in electronics assembly, materials, inspection, test, and manufacturing technologies. In addition to a large exhibition floor featuring leading suppliers, attendees will benefit from free technical sessions, a keynote presentation, and a complimentary lunch, creating an ideal environment for learning and professional collaboration.

“Events like the Dallas Electronics Manufacturing Expo & Tech Forum provide a unique opportunity for the local manufacturing community to come together,” said Gary Tanel, President of the SMTA Dallas Chapter. “By combining education, technology exhibits, and networking in one event, we help connect engineers with the tools, knowledge, and partnerships needed to advance electronics manufacturing.”

Event Details

Event: SMTA Dallas Electronics Manufacturing Expo & Tech Forum
Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Plano Event Center
2000 E. Spring Creek Pkwy.
Plano, Texas 75074

Highlights

• Free technical presentations
• Exhibition featuring leading electronics manufacturing suppliers
• Complimentary lunch and networking opportunities
• Access to the latest technologies in PCB assembly, materials, test, and inspection

Attendance is free, but registration is encouraged for the show.  Registration is required for the free lunch.

Professionals interested in attending or exhibiting can learn more and register by visiting the official SMTA Dallas event page: https://smta.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1986774&group=

About SMTA Dallas Chapter

The Dallas Chapter of the SMTA is dedicated to advancing the electronics manufacturing industry through education, collaboration, and professional networking. Serving engineers, manufacturers, suppliers, and industry leaders throughout the North Texas region, the chapter hosts technical seminars, networking events, and the annual Dallas Electronics Manufacturing Expo to connect the local community with the latest technologies, industry insights, and professional development opportunities in electronics assembly and manufacturing.

The webinar, titled “Component Failure Resulting from Over Exposure to Ionizing Radiation During Manual X-Ray Solder Joint Inspection,” will take place on Thursday, February 26.

The presentation will be delivered by Michael Brinkley, Electronics Manufacturing Engineer and Documentation Control Manager at Axiom Electronics.

As PCB assembly density continues to increase and component package sizes shrink, manufacturers are increasingly relying on X-ray inspection to evaluate hidden solder joints and other features not accessible through traditional visual inspection methods. While both Manual X-Ray Inspection (MXI) and Automated X-Ray Inspection (AXI) are indispensable tools for ensuring solder joint integrity and process validation, increased inspection demands have also elevated the risk of unintended damage to X-ray-sensitive microelectronic components.

In this technical presentation, Brinkley will walk attendees through a documented failure mode analysis of components damaged due to excessive MXI exposure. The session will cover a detailed design of an experiment used to quantify absorbed radiation dose, along with additional research demonstrating how ionizing radiation exposure during manual inspection can alter semiconductor performance and long-term reliability.

The webinar will conclude with practical, real-world corrective actions that manufacturers can implement to reduce risk and prevent damage to sensitive components during X-ray solder joint inspection, without compromising inspection effectiveness.

This webinar is ideal for electronics manufacturing engineers, quality and reliability professionals, process engineers, and anyone involved in inspection, failure analysis, or advanced packaging.

Register today: https://smta.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2026259&group=225180

Seika Machinery’s Michelle Ogihara, Executive Vice President and Co-Chair of the SMTA MSD Council, will introduce the event, which will feature industry experts Steve Martell (Nordson Test & Inspection – Sonoscan Products) and Mumtaz Bora (pSemi). The session will provide attendees with the latest updates on industry standards and best practices related to moisture sensitivity in electronics assembly processes.

Moisture-sensitive packages require careful handling to prevent defects, reduce field failures, and ensure product quality. This presentation will cover key industry standards, including J-STD-020, J-STD-033, and J-STD-075, along with IPC 1602 standard for PCB storage and baking. Attendees will gain practical knowledge on labeling, tracking, packaging, and storage of MSDs from receipt to reflow.

Expert Speaker Panel

🔹 Mumtaz Y. Bora, Sr. Staff Packaging Engineer, pSemi – With extensive experience in PCB manufacturing, semiconductor packaging, and supplier qualification, Mumtaz has contributed to IPC and SMTA standards development. She is the Co-Chair of the SMTA MSD Council and serves on the SMTA Board of Directors.

🔹 Steve Martell, Advanced Applications Support Manager, Nordson Test & Inspection – A leader in the development of moisture-sensitive device standards, Steve has chaired IPC’s B-10a Task Group since 1996 and played a key role in creating J-STD-020, J-STD-033, and J-STD-075. He currently serves as President of the SMTA Silicon Valley Chapter.

Pre-registration is required, and only registered attendees will receive access to the live webinar.

Vaughan Carlson, president of VALUE Engrafting, will lead this in-depth technical session on testing and inspection processes essential to PCB manufacturing. The webinar will cover automated inspection methods, including optical and X-ray techniques, as well as in-circuit testing, flying probe testing, and functional testing. Carlson will highlight the importance of maximizing fault coverage, sharing strategies to improve defect detection, reduce the “Untested Device List,” and cut costs at every stage of the process to achieve a high return on investment.

Why Effective Test Engineering Matters

Testing and inspection are critical components of the PCB manufacturing process, ensuring that defects are identified and corrected before products reach customers. Ineffective test engineering can lead to undetected faults, manufacturers may face increased warranty claims, higher scrap rates, and customer dissatisfaction. Moreover, inadequate fault coverage can result in “no defect found” (NDF) cases, where intermittent failures persist, leading to long-term reliability issues.

By optimizing test strategies and leveraging the right combination of automated inspection, in-circuit testing, and functional test methodologies, manufacturers can detect failures early, reduce unnecessary test escapes, and lower operational costs. A well-designed test process not only improves product quality, it enhances yield, production efficiency, and customer confidence.

This session will provide a structured overview of best practices for defect detection, optimizing fault coverage, and improving cost efficiency, equipping attendees with the knowledge needed to strengthen their testing processes and mitigate risk.

Following the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a live Q&A session with Vaughan Carlson and the SMTA Carolinas Board, fostering further discussion and knowledge sharing. For more details and to register, visit https://smta.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1942695&group=225181.

About the Speaker

With nearly five decades in the Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) industry, Vaughan Carlson brings deep expertise to the discussion. He holds a B.S.E.E. from Mississippi State University and an M.S.E.E. from Southern Methodist University. Over his career, he has worked at leading companies such as FedEx, Panasonic, and General Dynamics. He began his career at General Dynamics in Fort Worth, Texas, contributing to the F-16 fighter program for the U.S. Air Force. In 1988, he founded VALUE Engrafting, a test engineering service company in Huntsville, Alabama.

Our speaker, Bob Bouchard of BTU International, will be giving his presentation, Solder Reflow Oven Fundamentals and Thermal Profiling Approaches. This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of reflow oven technology, covering essential topics such as heating methods, atmosphere control, hardware configurations, and forced convection, all in relation to meeting specific reflow process requirements. We will also explore the critical role of thermal profiles, how to align them with solder paste manufacturers' specifications, general profiling approaches, and process monitoring tools. Attendees will gain practical insights into key aspects of the PCB manufacturing process for reflow soldering, equipping them with the knowledge needed to optimize and enhance their processes.

This session benefits SMT engineers, process managers, and production supervisors working in PCB manufacturing. Attendees will better understand reflow soldering processes, allowing them to optimize oven settings, enhance production consistency, and reduce defects. By mastering these concepts, participants will be better equipped to troubleshoot issues, improve yield, and maintain high standards in soldering quality.

Please join us for this free online educational webinar!

Register Now!

About Presenter, Bob Bouchard:

Bob is the Director of Sales and Marketing - Americas for BTU International. He has been with BTU in various technical, marketing and sales roles at BTU for over 30 years. While spending much his career in product development and product management, Bob Has been in the industry since the mid 1990’s involved with many thermal applications and processes including SMT reflow, curing, semiconductor packaging, solar cells and other high temperature applications such as brazing, sintering and hybrid electronics.

The SMTA Austin Expo provides a platform for local engineers and manufacturing professionals to connect with global technology and expertise. Exhibitors align with SMTA's mission to offer technical solutions and industry insights to solve manufacturing challenges. This event brings together CEOs, product managers, engineers, and buyers, creating a unique networking environment at a local level.

Expo attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors can register now by selecting the green “Register” button on the official event page.

Mark your calendar for free sessions, great food and engaging conversations with key players from the industry!

SMTA Austin Expo & Tech Forum

Thursday, February 6, 2025

8:30AM-4:00PM (US Central)

Travis County Exposition Center

7311 Decker Lane

Austin, Texas 78724

For more information about the SMTA Austin Chapter, visit https://smta.org/group/austin.

The electronic manufacturing industry is both challenging and exciting, necessitating guidance and encouragement for new engineers and technicians. At the STAR-light virtual event, Bill Capen, Sr. Engineering Technical Specialist at the Kansas City National Security Campus managed by Honeywell, will delve into the complexities of electronic manufacturing. With extensive experience in the field, Capen is dedicated to guiding and mentoring the next generation of engineers and technicians in the electronic manufacturing industry.

Capen's presentation aims to provide the foundational knowledge needed to empower and inspire growth within the industry. During the STAR-light event, Capen will cover two main topics: SMT (Surface Mount Technology) processing and selective solder processing.

In the SMT processing section, Capen will discuss the myriad of potential defect areas, highlighting that successful electronic manufacturing involves much more than simply applying solder material, placing components on PCBs, and reflowing assemblies. He will provide insights into the critical factors and processes that ensure high-quality SMT production.

The selective solder processing section will address the numerous issues that can arise if the process is not controlled properly. Capen also will cover potential problems related to solder pots that do not meet industry standards for metal loading, providing essential knowledge for maintaining high standards in selective soldering.

This presentation, aimed at entry-level engineers, technicians, and current manufacturing team members, is designed to become a long-term professional development course. It offers a valuable opportunity for participants to gain a deeper understanding of electronic manufacturing processes and the importance of quality control in SMT and selective soldering.

Don't miss this chance to learn from one of the industry's experts. Register now for the STAR-light virtual event on July 8th and take a significant step towards enhancing your knowledge and skills in electronic manufacturing.

To help our membership better understand and navigate the challenges, East West Manufacturing is hosting the SMTA Carolinas Chapter in-person meeting on 08 June 2022 at 1133 North Main Street, Mooresville, NC. The event is focused on the ongoing part shortage in the electronics industry with insights from both sides of the table.

Besides a FREE dinner sponsored by Koh Young, the event includes two presentations offering different perspectives on the issues facing the component supply chain. Peter Flores, General Manager North Carolina Branch at TTI, will discuss trends and impacts from the distributor point of view, then Lee Woodward, General Manager at event-sponsor East West Manufacturing will provide his perspective from the end-user. There will be short question and answer session to conclude the meeting.

Join us for technical presentations that provide insight on real risk and solutions that meet the 2021 NDAA’s mission and strengthen the U.S. position in electronics research, development, and manufacturing.

Advances in Multi-material Additive Manufacturing - Aaron Sather, Nano Dimension

This presentation discusses the advances in multi-material additive manufacturing technology being applied to electronic circuits and its supply chain benefits.  Additive manufacturing provides for rapid prototyping, and onsite manufacturing, is environmentally friendly, and affords design engineers new ways of fabricating electronics.  The onsite production capabilities mean that supply chain infrastructure can be made more efficient, shorten cycle time and reduce the risk associated with the sourcing of parts.

Nanoelectronics on Demand - Ahmed Busnaina, Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing

The cost of building an economically viable fab has reached $20 billion per fab in recent times.  The energy intensity of the current semiconductor manufacturing processes is extremely high. Massive amounts of highly corrosive and toxic materials, water, and power used in the making of semiconductors impose an unsustainable environmental burden.  Nanoscale additive manufacturing can be implemented as a single tool-line to print integrated circuits at significantly lower cost, higher throughput, and significantly lower environmental impact.  This platform has the potential to change the electronics manufacturing landscape to make it material agnostic and capable of printing many materials on demand.

Thermal Reliability of Hydrocarbon Dielectric Build Up Layers - Paul Cooke, AGC

In the last few years, there have been concerns about products requiring high reliability when using microvia structures.  As a result, many fabricators have been mandating pushback on very complex high-layer count designs.  This has resulted in very conservative rules for designers to use and meet the fabricators' capabilities.  This study shows how a thin hydrocarbon dielectric layer can be used and optimized for stacked microvias that demonstrate solid thermal reliability on up to 5 layers of HDI on both sides, it also shows there seems to be no indication yet of a ceiling on how many layers could be used.

To register online to attend or exhibit, please visit our event site.

https://innoelectro.com/hu/eloadasok/low-temperature-assembly-and-robotic-soldering-processes

From Keith Bryant
SMTA Europe Chairman

This presentation is a sequel to the preliminary data Dimock provided to the chapter in early 2019 and will include an overview of the vacuum reflow process and an explanation of why vacuum reflow is of interest to the electronic assembly industry. The presentation will discuss finalized data from the vacuum reflow void reduction experiment completed at the Universal Instruments Process Laboratory and results from live demonstrations at ACI Technology.

The live demonstrations will include reworked boards that had been previously processed without vacuum reflow and Dimock will describe the refinements that have been made to subsequent vacuum furnaces.

Dimock has extensive experience in thermal processing and has assisted many companies with process refinements over the years. He has authored numerous articles on lead-free solder, process control and the operation of continuous furnaces. He also wrote the chapter on solder reflow for the “Handbook of Electronic Assembly and A Guide to SMTA Certification” by Dr Lasky and Jim Hall. He has taught numerous SMTA solder reflow classes and participated in the 5-45 Subcommittee for the development of IPC-7801 Reflow Oven Process Control Standard.

Register today to reserve your spot:
https://smta.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1463513&group=225180

For more information about BTU International, visit www.btu.com.

About BTU International BTU International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amtech Group (Nasdaq: ASYS), is a global supplier and technology leader of advanced thermal processing equipment in the electronics manufacturing market. BTU’s high-performance reflow ovens are used in the production of SMT printed circuit board assemblies and in semiconductor packaging processes. BTU also specializes in precision controlled, high-temperature belt furnaces for a wide range of custom applications, such as brazing, direct bond copper (DBC), diffusion, sintering and advanced solar cell processing. BTU has operations in North Billerica, Massachusetts, and Shanghai, China, with direct sales and service in the U.S.A., Asia and Europe. Information about BTU International is available at www.btu.com.