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We aren't abandoning our Blogger blog, but will be posting to both sites on different schedules and with different content. All current content on our Blogger site will remain on the site.

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You may also contact us via email or phone (800-966-6020) for large orders or other inquiries. We also offer live chat customer service on our Web site.

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Meet ASG, Global Manufacturer of Assembly Products & Solutions

ASG, a division of Jergens, Inc., is an ISO 9001:2008-certified manufacturer, provider, and service center for products and solutions focused around assembly. ASG’s assembly solutions consist of four product groups: Assembly, Industrial, Precision Fastening, and Automation.

The ASG Assembly product group focuses on light and general assembly tools and accessories, like electric and manual screwdrivers, error-proofing products, production aides, and tool accessories that offer reliable performance. This is the product group to concentrate on if you are seeking tape and label dispensers, torque arms, digital torque testers, or screwdrivers. ASG Assembly serves the electronics, medical, optical, telecommunications, tier automotive, appliance, and general industry markets.

The ASG Industrial product group provides commanding pneumatic power and manual torque control as well as durable performance in tough working environments. ASG’s industrial products include air nippers, air motors, pneumatic torque control tools, pulse tools, and torque wrenches. These tools are intended to supply heavy industry end markets, including tier automotive, appliance, fabrication, machinery, construction, and electronics.

The ASG Precision Fastening product group focuses on controlled performance by providing intuitive interface, high feature-to-value ratio, proven reliability, excellent delivery, precision accuracy, and quality control of the final manufactured product. The Precision Fastening line features the X-PAQ™ controller, SD2500 Series screwdrivers, and products and solutions for precision fastening requirements. The markets served by ASG Precision Fastening include aerospace, energy, tier automotive, electronics, medical, and military.

The ASG Automation product group provides custom engineered performance solutions to meet the need needs of their clients. This line creates custom-engineered products for integration into assembly systems. Underpinned by world-class knowledge of threaded fastening, ASG’s systems are distinctive in their operation; providing market-leading precision. With robust elements of flexibility and expansion built-in, the systems are designed to persevere life cycle changes to provide customers with the ultimate automated solution. Offering auto feed systems, premium torque arms, and robots, ASG can provide the custom automation solution to meet any need.

ASG creates cutting edge assembly solutions products to meet the needs of customers all over the globe. To learn more about, or to purchase, ASG’s products please visit QSource.com’s ASG Department, email us, or call us at 800-966-6020. Q Source, Inc. has been an authorized distributor of ASG products for almost 25 years.

A Few Photos from the 2017 Long Island SMTA Expo and Technical Forum

Last Wednesday’s Long Island SMTA Expo and Technical Forum at the Melville Marriott in Melville, NY was another excellent resource for the SMTA community. Q Source’s exhibit presented a selection of popular and related products and offered the expertise of our staff and vendor representatives.

Here are a few photos from our table:

Q Source’s Territory Account Specialist Diane Semple overseeing our table exhibit.

Our Brady rep, Bob Scanlin, demoed these pro-quality industrial printers at our table.

ASG’s X-PAQ Precision Fastening System on display (learn more at QSource.com).

For more info about the Long Island SMTA, please visit their Web site. For info about Q Source, or to purchase products from our extensive online selection, please check out QSource.com. You may also contact us by phone (800-966-6020) or email.

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Hot Air Rework vs. Desoldering Stations: Which One Should You Choose?

There are a few key differences between hot air rework stations and desoldering stations. First, and most notable, is the size of the two different stations. The hot air stations tend to be much larger than the desoldering stations. Thus, to work with hot air, you will need to bring the defective parts to the station. In comparison, the desoldering station can be brought to the parts, which offers much more flexibility. Another noticeable difference between the two stations is their price tag. A hot air station will often carry a heftier price tag because it includes more features and extras than desoldering stations. The key is to find the specific tool that is best for your application needs. Choosing the right tool for the job will save you countless time and money in the long run.

A hot air rework station has many benefits. Because it uses hot air, the station is great for very quick and easy jobs where, perhaps, just one component needs to be removed from a printed circuit board (PCB). The opposite is also true, adding a single part to a PCB is also extremely simple by utilizing hot air to quickly and efficiently return the board to working order. This tool can also be used to fit heat shrink onto wires making it an extremely versatile device.

A desoldering station also offers many benefits for specific applications. These stations provide a great deal of precision with their many features. Their compact size allows these stations to be much more mobile and makes for easier clean up at the end of a job. The simplicity of a desoldering station also makes it an asset to some. Why pay for all the bells and whistles when you only need the device for its basic uses? Desoldering Stations help make reworking PCBs an easier task.

Both types of rework stations offer a variety of benefits and shortfalls. By doing your research you can discover which device fits best in your specific day-to-day needs.

QSource.com offers a wide selection from JBC Tools and Weller®.

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Yes, You Do Need an ESD Wastebasket

Originally posted as The Cause for ESD Wastebaskets by Transforming Technologies - Re-posted here, including slight edits, with permission

It is fair to wonder why there is a need for ESD wastebaskets. If the basket resides underneath a workstation, and stays there permanently, the need may not exist.

 However, there are a number of circumstances when the wastebasket could present a significant hazard to electronic products. The following are just a few examples of potentially risky scenarios:

Worksurface Cleaning: An operator lifts the wastebasket to the edge of the workstation to collect the debris being removed. Should a static-sensitive product be present on the worksurface and not contained in a shielding container, there is a good opportunity for exposure to electrostatic fields that exceed safe limits.

Lead Trimming/Board Cleaning Operations: When trimming component leads or using aerosol cleaners on PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards), some operators will hold the PCB over a wastebasket to catch the clippings or solvent run-off. Many times, the PCB will be placed well into the waste container to assure catching the unwanted materials. This operation puts PCBs and ESD-sensitive devices very close to potentially significant electrostatic fields.

Aisle Proximity: Some wastebaskets have been observed in close proximity to production floor aisles, where product transfer carts pass or may be parked. ANSI/ESD S2020 requires items that generate 2,000 volts or more (measured at 1” from the item) be kept at least 12” from ESD-sensitive devices. Using ESD wastebaskets eliminates the risk of carts being parked next to static-generating baskets.

While company ESD policies may prohibit some of the actions mentioned above, it does not mean that they will not occur from time to time. ESD wastebaskets provide assurance that the wastebasket will never be an ESD threat to your product.

Transforming Technologies offers ESD wastebaskets in static-dissipative polypropylene and in stainless steel for cleanroom operations. If a liner is to be used for easier maintenance, Transforming Technologies offers them in both conductive and static dissipative.

Please visit QSource.com for further information about these Transforming Technologies products:

28-Quart, Black ESD-Safe Waste Basket (WBAS 28)

• Material: Carbon-loaded, black conductive Polypropylene
• Point-to-Point Resistance RP: 10⁴- 10⁵ W
• Height: 15"
• Opening: 13.5" x 9.5"

22-Gallon, Black ESD-Safe Waste Basket (WBAS90)

• Weight: 7.5 lb.
• Dimensions: 30" x 20" x 11"
• Material: Carbon-loaded, black conductive polypropylene
• Resistance - RTP: 10⁴ - 10⁵
• Marking: Yellow ESD symbol

44-Gallon, Black ESD-Safe Waste Basket (WBAS180)

• Weight: 13 lb.
• Dimensions: 31" x 24" x 24"
• Material: Carbon-loaded, black conductive polypropylene
• Resistance - RTP: 10⁴ - 10⁵
• Marking: Yellow ESD symbol

2-Mil, 7-10 Gallon Pink Dissipative Anti-Static Trash Liners (WBASLP)

• Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
• Size: 24" x 24"
• Tensile Strength: 2,000 to 3,000 PSI
• Tearing Strength: 65- to 450-lb. per square inch
• Surface Resistivity: ‹ or equal to 10¹¹ ohms/sq.
• Static Decay Rate: 5 kV - 0 volts ‹ 2 seconds per
• Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

3 Mil, 7-10 Gallon Black Conductive Trash Liners (WBASLB)

• Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
• Size: 24" x 24"
• Tensile Strength: > 2,000 PSI
• Tearing Strength: > 400-lb. per inch
• Surface Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 ohms/sq
• Volume Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 ohms/cm
• Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

22-Gallon, Black Conductive ESD Trash Can Liners (WBAS22LB)

• Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
• Thickness: 3 mil
• Size: 24" x 24"
• Volume: 7-10 gallon (28-40 quart)
• Tensile Strength: > 2000 PSI
• Tearing Strength: > 400-lb. per inch
• Surface Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/sq
• Volume Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/cm
• Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

22-Gallon, Pink Dissipative ESD Trash Can Liner (WBAS22LP)

• Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
• Thickness: 3 mil
• Size: 24" x 24"
• Volume: 7-10 gallon (28-40 quart)
• Tensile Strength: > 2000 PSI
• Tearing Strength: > 400-lb. per inch
• Surface Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/sq
• Volume Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/cm
• Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

44-Gallon, Black Conductive ESD Trash Can Liner (WBAS44LB)

• Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
• Thickness: 3 mil
• Size: 24" x 24"
• Volume: 7-10 gallon (28-40 quart)
• Tensile Strength: > 2000 PSI
• Tearing Strength: > 400-lb. per inch
• Surface Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/sq
• Volume Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/cm
• Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions

44-Gallon, Pink Dissipative ESD Trash Can Liner (WBAS44LP)

• Basic Material: Single layer of non-amine polyethylene
• Thickness: 3 mil
• Size: 24" x 24"
• Volume: 7-10 gallon (28-40 quart)
• Tensile Strength: > 2000 PSI
• Tearing Strength: > 400-lb. per inch
• Surface Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/sq
• Volume Resistivity: ‹ 30,000 OHMS/cm
• Shelf Life: Permanently anti-static under normal storage conditions