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New High-performance Printers, Stencils and Stencil Care, and Dispensing Products
February 16, 2010 |Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
— These new products include printer upgrades and options from DEK and Sony; a high-precision valve for dispensing from Tridak, a double-layer stencil from DEK; and a stencil cleaning and care kit from Ascentech.Improved Printing Platform for High-speed Jobs
Two significant feature improvements on the P850 solder paste printing system enhance performance on the eco-friendly system. To stabilize printing performance in high-speed printing, the P850 is now available with a high-speed print head and automated solder paste replenishment system. The high-speed head keeps the solder paste in the stencil confined to just the print area; no material slips to the side. The automated solder paste replenishment system uses a laser to measure the roll diameter and then adds additional material on a print by print basis, allowing precise control of the solder paste rolling diameter. This reportedly stabilizes the print dynamics and reduces errors generated by the printing process. As little as 3.5 grams can be added with each dispense operation. In high-speed printing field tests, printing generated errors were reduced in the range of 40–50% on a series of products. Solder paste waste stream generation was reduced in the range of 27–44% in those same field tests through stencil/squeegee maintenance and solder paste delivery technique improvements. Sony Manufacturing Systems America, www.sonysms.com
Low-maintenance Poppet Valve for Precision Fluid Dispensing
The Tridak Model 785 poppet valve can be used in numerous applications to dispense low- to medium-viscosity materials such as adhesives, silicones, greases, and other filled materials. The economical valve reportedly improves fluid dispensing accuracy and consistency with a design that minimizes friction between the actuating components of the valve and the material being dispensed. Minimizing this friction substantially decreases valve maintenance and down-time. The valve's stroke adjustment and control feature offers precise adjustment of fluid deposit volume and flow. Material is shut-off cleanly at the end of each cycle, which is particularly significant for tacky or stringy materials. Peak performance is obtained when actuated with the Tridak Model 345 valve controller. Tridak, www.tridak.com.
Double Layer Stencil
The VectorGuard stencil portfolio now includes the double layer Platinum stencil, a stencil technology that is said to offer performance benefits over conventional screens. VectorGuard Double Layer Platinum stencils suit semiconductor applications and component manufacture, solar cell manufacture, low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) manufacture, as well as other production challenges requiring fine line or mixed feature sizes. The double-layer stencil is fabricated through a two-step lithography and nickel electroforming process then mounted on VectorGuard tensioning technology. The mesh layer of the two-layer structure serves to hold the stencil intact while accurately controlling the flow of paste to the second layer. The circuit layer determines the thickness and shape of the print deposits to deliver high tolerance, fine-dimension printing. The stencils can print long conductive lines without losing strength. The product is said to generate a tenfold increase in product lifetime over screens. It reduces the two-step process for multi-layer technologies such as LTCC to one by combining filling and inner-layer printing stages. It is also reportedly easier to clean and maintain than a screen. Dimensional accuracy reaches better than 0.1 µm/mm. The new DEK stencil also incorporates all the operational advantages of the reusable, recyclable VectorGuard system, including ease-of-use, system rigidity and operator safety. DEK, www.dek.com
SMT Stencil Care Kit
The GEN3 Systems GENSONIC Ultra Sonic stencil aperture cleaning system and an accessory kit are available together for SMT stencil cleaning and care. The GENSONIC manually operated ultrasonic stencil aperture cleaner is combined with the particle cleaning capabilities of the Tekena DCRT tacky roller. The ultrasonic action of the Gensonic transducer, used with appropriate cleaning solutions, produces thoroughly clean stencil apertures with clean, shining aperture walls and stencil foil surfaces. Use of the tacky roller prior to running the stencil in the solder paste print provides further insurance that the surface of the stencil foil is lint and dust free. Ascentech’s suggested stencil care kit includes the Gensonic generator equipped with a single 40kHz transducer unit, a 24” or 29” work stand, appropriate cleaning solution, lint-free under stencil wipes, a supply of lint-free wipe, a tub of IPA/DI wipes, and the tacky roller with adhesive cleaning pad. Ascentech is the North American distributor for GEN3 Systems Ltd. products, rallinson@snet.net
Printing System Covers
Enhancements to the Horizon screen printing platform include new cover packages for added usability and operator access. Lightweight Horizon cover packages offer instant access to both the front and rear of the platform. The packages offer quick-release panels and an ergonomic design. The Horizon printing platform is available in a choice of three pre-configured Horizon platforms or as a completely customized technology. Pre-configured platforms include Horizon 01iX, the high accuracy, high throughput technology equipped to achieve 6-Sigma machine alignment capability of 2 Cpk @ ±12.5 µm. Horizon 02iX leverages an advanced level of accuracy and reliability and features a sophisticated and fully automated print process. Finally, the Horizon 03iX platform also reinforces the system’s future-proofing capacity and lowest cost-of-ownership, showcasing the fast set-up and changeover capabilities for prototyping and pre-production. DEK, www.dek.com
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