Technical Library | 2024-06-20 22:53:23.0
A leading electronic hearing device manufacturer reduced UV precise coating cycle time by 79% with advanced automation. A manual process of hand brushing UV coating onto components was replaced by an automated solution from Nordson to increase production volumes, improve quality, and reduce costs for this complex application. Download the paper to learn the details of the application.
Technical Library | 2025-11-11 19:37:14.0
Facing inefficiencies and quality control challenges during pre-production, Microboard turned to ScanCAD to improve circuit card assembly inspections. Traditional reliance on Gerber data from board shops resulted in delayed feedback, rework, and scrap--adding as much as 10% to pre-production costs. Manual inspections further slowed the process and left subtle defects undetected. ScanCAD empowered Microboard to perform automated, in-house inspections, identifying issues such as board stretch, over-etching, and component misalignments before they disrupted production. The technology also created digital records for enhanced traceability and quality assurance, a critical feature for regulatory compliance. Since implementing ScanCAD, Microboard has achieved: 40% reduction in pre-production cycle time 40% reduction in line shutdowns due to pre-production errors 20% reduction in pre-production process costs The Executive Director of Technology calls the tool indispensable, particularly for projects involving smaller components and high-complexity assemblies.
Technical Library | 2023-02-15 16:00:16.0
With regard to potting, the design of electronic assemblies and components has a significant impact on economical and sustainable production. Key aspects in this respect are pottability, material use, cycle times, quality and the process technology needed. Optimized, bubble-free potting contributes greatly to the function and longevity of products. It is best practice during the design and development phases therefore to follow the potting tips contained in this White Paper.
Technical Library | 2024-02-06 14:36:04.0
Quality monitoring for verifiable, high-precision application of adhesives and sealants now begins with detecting the position of the component. Dispensing systems are in continuous use and have to work with 100 percent accuracy. And this level of accuracy must be verifiable. Demands on electronic components continue to escalate as these components also need to operate continuously and flawlessly, especially in the automotive and medical sectors. At the same time, there is increasing pressure to automate as companies are looking to achieve the shortest possible cycle times and maximum output.
Technical Library | 2023-12-18 21:07:29.0
Selective soldering utilises a nozzle to apply solder to components on the underside of printed circuit boards (PCBs). This nozzle can be moved to either perform dips (depositing solder to a single component) or draws (applying solder to several components in a single movement). The selective soldering methodology thereby allows the process to be tailored to specific joints and allows multiple nozzle types to be used if required on the circuit board. Nozzles can vary by size (internal diameter) and shape (making them suitable for different process types). This is all dictated by board design and process requirements. Selection of the nozzle type is dependent upon the product to be soldered and the desired cycle time. Examples of different nozzle types are shown here. Hand-load selective systems must be programmed with the parameters for multiple solder joints. However, many in-line systems are designed to be modular. This modularity allows for multiple solder stations with different conditions/nozzles to achieve low cycle times. Figure 1 shows the two distinct types of selective soldering systems offered by Pillarhouse International Ltd.
Technical Library | 2019-01-10 10:24:47.0
We notice that the quantities of material that are to be dosed are becoming more and more divergent. In addition to large media volumes, small and very small quantities are also increasingly coming into focus. For example autonomous driving: These vehicles already produce an immense amount of data today. When potting the associated sensors, cameras, and ECUs, it is important to ensure a precise and repeatable media application – even with volumes of only 0.03 ml. In contrast, when high-voltage batteries for electric cars are potted, 5 to 10 litres of heat-conducting paste are required per vehicle – and the trend is rising. Optical bonding used in display production, on the other hand, is in the medium volume range. The challenge now is to cover the entire volume spectrum reliably and in compliance with the required cycle times. This is remedied by a modular system of scalable modules, which offers the customer the necessary flexibility and enables him to plan a system according to his needs.
Technical Library | 2021-09-29 13:35:21.0
In PCB circuit assemblies the trend is moving to more SMD components with finer pitch connections. The majority of the assemblies still have a small amount of through hole (THT) components. Some of them can't withstand high reflow temperatures, while others are there because of their mechanical robustness. In automotive applications these THT components are also present. Many products for cars, including steering units, radio and navigation, and air compressors also use THT technology to connect board-to-board, PCB's to metal shields or housings out of plastic or even aluminium. This is not a simple 2D plain soldering technology, as it requires handling, efficient thermal heating and handling of heavy (up to 10 kg) parts. Soldering technology becomes more 3D where connections have to be made on different levels. For this technology robots using solder wire fail because of the spattering of the flux in the wires and the long cycle time. In wave soldering using pallets the wave height is limited and pin in paste reflow is only a 2D application with space limitations. Selective soldering using dedicated plates with nozzles on the solder area is the preferred way to make these connections. All joints can be soldered in one dip resulting in short cycle times. Additional soldering on a small select nozzle can make the system even more flexible. The soldering can only be successful when there is enough thermal heat in the assembly before the solder touches the board. A forced convection preheat is a must for many applications to bring enough heat into the metal and board materials. The challenge in a dip soldering process is to get a sufficient hole fill without bridging and minimize the number of solder balls. A new cover was designed to improve the nitrogen environment. Reducing oxygen levels benefits the wetting, but increases the risk for solder balling. Previous investigations showed that solder balling can be minimized by selecting proper materials for solder resist and flux.
Technical Library | 2021-07-28 18:35:13.0
The performance of electronic components is compromised by factors such as bubbles in the potting medium. Increasing numbers of applications – particularly in the automotive and electronics industries – therefore require completely bubble-free dispensing methods. This is where potting in a vacuum comes into focus. The widespread school of thought about this technology is that it is too complicated, too expensive and too slow. But a closer look shows that this view is incorrect. This is a mastered technology. As for costs, the calculation basis is key, since usually the potting and vacuum method is only considered after the required potting quality cannot be achieved reliably any other way. Under total cost of ownership assessments, higher system costs no longer play a key role, since component failure would result in much higher subsequent costs. And now there are proven solutions for high production volumes and/or shorter cycle times. This whitepaper explains when potting in a vacuum is ideal for your projects and what to be aware of.
Technical Library | 2023-11-14 19:24:08.0
In PCB circuit assemblies the trend is moving to more SMD components with finer pitch connections. The majority of the assemblies still have a small amount of through hole (THT) components. Some of them can't withstand high reflow temperatures, while others are there because of their mechanical robustness. In automotive applications these THT components are also present. Many products for cars, including steering units, radio and navigation, and air compressors also use THT technology to connect board-to-board, PCB's to metal shields or housings out of plastic or even aluminium. This is not a simple 2D plain soldering technology, as it requires handling, efficient thermal heating and handling of heavy (up to 10 kg) parts. Soldering technology becomes more 3D where connections have to be made on different levels. For this technology robots using solder wire fail because of the spattering of the flux in the wires and the long cycle time. In wave soldering using pallets the wave height is limited and pin in paste reflow is only a 2D application with space limitations.
Technical Library | 2016-04-08 01:19:52.0
PCB assembly designs become more complex year-on-year, yet early-stage form/fit compliance verification of all designed-in components to the intended manufacturing processes remains a challenge. So long as librarians at the design and manufacturing levels continue to maintain their own local standards for component representation, there is no common representation in the design-to-manufacturing phase of the product lifecycle that can provide the basis for transfer of manufacturing process rules to the design level. A comprehensive methodology must be implemented for all component types, not just the minority which happen to conform to formal packaging standards, to successfully left-shift assembly and test DFM analysis to the design level and thus compress NPI cycle times.(...)This paper will demonstrate the technological components of the working solution: the logic for deriving repeatable and standardized package and pin classifications from a common source of component physical-model content, the method for associating DFA and DFT rules to those classifications, and the transfer of those rules to separate DFM and NPI analysis tools elsewhere in the design-through-manufacturing chain resulting in a consistent DFM process across multiple design and manufacturing organizations.
