Just Ask Eric: Nano-Coating on Stencils?

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First, we asked you to send in your questions for Happy Holden and Joe Fjelstad in our “Just Ask” series. Now, it’s Eric Camden’s turn! A regular SMT007 columnist, Eric is a lead investigator at Foresite Inc., an analytical testing and consulting laboratory. As a reliability expert, Eric has worked with many large OEMs and contract manufacturing companies to optimize their manufacturing processes and assist with the identification of electronic hardware failures utilizing various analytical techniques. He also specializes in optimizing PCBA processes and identifying hardware failures through analysis. We hope you enjoy “Just Ask Eric.”

Q: Should we put a nano-coating on all of our stencils?

A: I admit that I have not had a lot of experience with nano-coatings, but I do know a little about it, so I’ll answer the best I can. The nano-coating does a great job of keeping the paste from sticking to the stencil, which will greatly reduce the risk of bridging. It also causes the paste to stick less to the stencil in general, so it will increase the working life and lower the risk of dried flux from the stencil mixing with paste being deposited on the pads. I have yet to see a field failure related to the use of nano-coatings, so in my opinion, yes, you should put it on all your stencils.

To submit your question to Eric, click here.

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