jon, are you an electrical engineer or a software engineer? (i thought the latter).
as a musician/recording artist (& friend of many), is there any hardware you're looking for? my best friend is an electrical engineer, works for harmon, and is starting his own company for high end recording gear (sorta aimed towards the hip hop market).
― jäxøñ (jaxon), Monday, 12 June 2006 23:52 (nineteen years ago)
also, please to explain teh tin whiskers
― jäxøñ (jaxon), Monday, 12 June 2006 23:53 (nineteen years ago)
I'ma software / hardware tester, the disciplines cross over sometimes, especially when it comes to Tin Whiskers. I get considerable gear discounts through work but there's always MORE, I will certainly be talking to you about your friend & my next hip hop record
― milton parker (Jon L), Tuesday, 13 June 2006 00:31 (nineteen years ago)
What is Tin Whiskering?Here’s what researchers have reported so far. A tin whisker is a single crystal of tin that
grows spontaneously from a surface a pure tin. They are typically only a few microns
(ìm) in diameter but can grow to lengths of more than 10 mm (though lengths on the
order of 1 mm are far more common) [NIST Website, 2002]. Tin whisker growth is
spontaneous, not relying on external influences of current or electrolytic action, more
commonly associated with mechanisms like "dendritic" growth, conductive filament
formation and electromigration. While early studies believed that tin recrystallization
(which occurs at 50 deg C) played some role in whisker formation, recent studies have
reported as much, if not greater, propensity for whisker formation at temperatures as low
as room temperature [NASA Web Site, 2002].
Why is Tin Whiskering a Problem?
Tin whiskers can grow between adjacent conductors of differing potential, causing
transient or permanent electrical shorts. The demonstrated ability of whiskers to bend
due to electrostatic attraction INCREASES the probability of causing a short. In
addition, the whiskers can break loose, causing mechanical damage in slip rings, optical
components or MEMS [Brusse et. al., 2002]. Also, in low-pressure environments, it is
possible for arcing to occur from the tin whisker to an adjacent conductor, causing
significant damage. This problem has been demonstrated in terrestrial vacuum tests and is
believed to have caused several failures of in-orbit satellites.
The continued push to minimize the size of electronics has resulted in reduction in
spacing between electrical interconnects on components and within electronic
assemblies. With the reduction in spacing, the probability of a conductive whisker
bridging the gap between interconnects and producing a short increases. In addition
to miniaturization, the voltage used in many electronics has been reduced. At lower
voltages, a conductive whisker is unlikely to be destroyed if it does successfully create a
short. As a result, persistent shorting failure may occur. Further, vibration screens
and handling of an electronic assembly may causes surfaces with tin whisker growth to
shed. The shed whiskers could then produce shorts within the electronic system.
Unfortunately, existing screens may not find whiskers. Whisker growing in fielded
product represents a potential failure time bomb. At present, there is no known method
that guarantees whisker free surfaces on pure tin finishes.
traditionally avoided by mixing lead into the tin for soldering, but the EU just passed an environmental law making this illegal
― milton parker (Jon L), Tuesday, 13 June 2006 00:38 (nineteen years ago)
I will certainly be talking to you about your friend & my next hip hop recordhe's not only going to do hip hop gear (unless you really are gonna go straight and your next album is a hip hop one). but what i meant, is there any gear you've always wanted made but they don't sell?
― jäxøñ (jaxon), Tuesday, 13 June 2006 00:50 (nineteen years ago)
seriously I will give it some thought. the world needs more alternative software controllers.
― milton parker (Jon L), Tuesday, 13 June 2006 00:58 (nineteen years ago)
one year passes...