Technical Library | 2020-03-09 10:50:17.0
A customer called the Helpline seeking advice for cleaning no-clean fluxes prior to applying a conformal coating. The customer's assemblies were manufactured with a no-clean rosin based solder paste (ROL0) and were cleaned with an isopropyl alcohol (IPA) wash. After cleaning, a white residue was sometimes found in areas with high paste concentrations and was interfering with the adhesion of the conformal coating (Figure 1). For conformal coatings to adhere properly, the printed circuit board (PCB) surface must be clean of fluxes and other residues. In addition, ionic contamination left by flux residues can lead to corrosion and dendrite growth, two common causes of electronic opens and shorts. Other residues can lead to unwanted impedance and physical interference with moving parts.
Technical Library | 2019-08-08 10:23:51.0
High mix production is the mainstay of many electronics assembly plants. Lot sizes and board complexities vary and the boards are often mixed technology, comprising a blend of both surface mount and through-hole technology. Modularizing a production line enables a clear distinction between one type of assembly process and another. This article assumes a modern factory where a job can be routed to the selective soldering machine module, the hand assembly bench, or a combination of both. The decision rules of routing a circuit board through hand assembly versus automated selective soldering are discussed. Hand assembly soldering operations require no explanation.
Technical Library | 2019-05-23 10:42:00.0
Why identify flux residues? The primary purpose of flux is to reduce species of metal oxides from solderable surfaces, and to act as a mechanism for lifting and removing debris. If the assembly is not properly cleaned after manufacturing, flux may continue to reduce metals and may eventually corrode the assembly. When the assembly is powered, the metal ions may precipitate along electromagnetic field lines and form dendritic shorts. In addition, the presence of residue can alter the insulation properties of a board, affect the adhesion of the conformal coating, or interfere with the moving parts of the assembly. In radio frequency (RF) applications, flux may change the RF properties on the surface of the printed circuit board (PCB) such as the dielectric strength, surface resistance, and Q-resonance.
Technical Library | 2019-05-24 09:22:59.0
There is a smaller process window and a much narrower margin of error when creating and using lead-free reflow profiles for surface mount parts on printed circuit boards (PCBs). Solder balls, dewetting, tombstones, voids, and head-on-pillow problems will occur much more frequently because lead-free alloys behave differently than eutectic pastes. Problems are compounded due to the extra heat necessary for some lead-free pastes to reach their melting points.
Technical Library | 2019-12-05 13:30:46.0
Conformal coatings are regularly employed to protect the surface of a soldered printed circuit board assembly from moisture, chemicals in the PCBA's service environment, and foreign objects or debris. Conformal coatings are nonconductive and therefore cannot be placed on any location where electrical contact will be required, such as connector pins, test points, and sockets. Conformal coatings are also not permitted on any mechanical interface location, such as mounting holes or brackets, to assure the proper fit between items in the final assembly. In order to apply conformal coatings to an assembly and comply with the restrictions on keep-out areas, masking is employed to protect those surfaces.
Technical Library | 2019-05-31 14:19:24.0
ACI Technologies (ACI) characterized the reliability of surface mount RF components. The RF frequency band of interest was the X band (10.7 to 11.7GHz). A two pronged test for reliability of circuit card assemblies (CCA) was designed for both extreme thermal cycling and vibration. The rapid thermal cycling and extreme vibration testing simulates the total stress encountered by the assembly over the life of the product but accomplishes it in a relatively short period of time. In order to perform the reliability testing, a test vehicle consisting of a printed circuit board with test structures and components, was designed, fabricated, and assembled at ACI.
Technical Library | 2019-10-21 09:58:50.0
An ACI Technologies customer inquired regarding printed circuit board(PCB) failures that were becoming increasingly prevalent after the SMT (surface mount technology) manufacturing process. The failures were detected by electrical testing, but were undetermined as to the location and specific devices causing the failures. The failures were suspected to be caused predominately in the BGA (ball grid array) devices located on specific sites on this 16 layer construction. Information that was provided on the nature of the failures (i.e., opens or shorts) included high resistance shorts that were occurring in those specified areas. The surface finish was a eutectic HASL (hot air solder leveling) and the solder paste used was a water soluble Sn/Pb(tin/lead).
Technical Library | 2020-04-14 15:49:38.0
The number of through-hole components on printed circuit boards (PCB) has declined significantly over the last decade. Miniaturization in electronics has resulted in less THT (through-hole technology) and leads with a finer pitch. For this reason, the soldering of these components has also changed from wave soldering to Point-to-point selective soldering. Soldering these small, fine-pitch components is a challenge when surface mount components (SMD) are positioned very close to THT components on the PCB layout. This study, done in cooperation with a large automotive EMS customer, defines the process windows for through-hole technology for fine-pitch components. It determines what is feasible to solder and defines layout design parameter that make soldering possible with SMD areas and other components on the assembly.
Technical Library | 2023-11-20 09:56:38.0
Understanding The Crucial Role Of Dust Collectors In PCB Depaneling Machines Precision is paramount in PCB manufacturing, but it must go hand in hand with cleanliness. The intrusion of dust and debris can wreak havoc on delicate electronics. This article explores the pivotal role of dust collectors, their operation, and their necessity for various PCB depaneling machines. The Dust Collector's Crucial Function Dust collectors, also known as dust extractors, play an indispensable role in PCB manufacturing. When a PCB depaneling machine or a Laser PCB Depaneling machine is in operation, it generates a significant amount of dust. The dust collector promptly engages its vacuum motor to suction fine particles off the PCB, directing them to a collector equipped with a filtration system. Which Models Of PCB Depanelers Require Dust Collector? Several PCB depaneling machines necessitate dust collectors to ensure precision and cleanliness, including: I.C.T-5700 Offline Depaneling Machine, high precision, easy manual operation, dual platform, high efficiency. I.C.T-IR350 In-line depaneling machine, high precision, rapid operation, suitable for integration into the SMT production line for Industry 4.0 and AI automated production. I.C.T-LCO350 Laser cutting ensures cutting accuracy of 0.002, ideal for precise cutting requirements. I.C.T-100A Desktop PCB depaneling machine with compact size and high precision, suitable for smaller-scale operations. The Science Behind PCB Dust Collectors To prevent charged dust particles from adhering to PCBs, PCB depaneling machines are equipped with ionizing guns. These devices emit ions that neutralize static charges, making dust particles less likely to stick to freshly cut PCBs. The Vacuum Effect: Suctioning Away Dust During PCB depaneling, a cloud of dust is produced. The dust collector utilizes a robust suction system, often powered by vacuum motors, to draw dust away from the work area. Collected dust is transported to a designated collection point within the dust collector. A Difference In Design: I.C.T-5700 Vs. I.C.T-IR350 The placement of the dust collection apparatus distinguishes PCB depaneling machines. I.C.T-5700 has a bottom-mounted system capturing falling dust, while I.C.T-IR350 features a top-mounted system preventing dust settling on the work surface. This strategic difference ensures efficient removal of dust and debris, guaranteeing a clean and precise manufacturing process. Check: If you want to learn about the comparison of I.C.T-5700 and I.C.T-IR350. The Importance Of Filter Replacement The efficiency of a dust collector relies on its filter, necessitating periodic replacement every 1-3 years, depending on usage frequency. Regular filter maintenance ensures optimal performance. Dust Collectors: Keep Your PCB Manufacturing Clean And Precise Precision in PCB manufacturing is not solely about cutting-edge machinery but also about cleanliness. If you seek a dust collector for your PCB depaneling machine, contact us today to explore your options. Ensure your operations maintain cleanliness, efficiency, and meet the high standards of modern PCB manufacturing. Don't let dust compromise your precision – let's keep it clean together!
Technical Library | 2023-11-20 09:56:42.0
Understanding The Crucial Role Of Dust Collectors In PCB Depaneling Machines Precision is paramount in PCB manufacturing, but it must go hand in hand with cleanliness. The intrusion of dust and debris can wreak havoc on delicate electronics. This article explores the pivotal role of dust collectors, their operation, and their necessity for various PCB depaneling machines. The Dust Collector's Crucial Function Dust collectors, also known as dust extractors, play an indispensable role in PCB manufacturing. When a PCB depaneling machine or a Laser PCB Depaneling machine is in operation, it generates a significant amount of dust. The dust collector promptly engages its vacuum motor to suction fine particles off the PCB, directing them to a collector equipped with a filtration system. Which Models Of PCB Depanelers Require Dust Collector? Several PCB depaneling machines necessitate dust collectors to ensure precision and cleanliness, including: I.C.T-5700 Offline Depaneling Machine, high precision, easy manual operation, dual platform, high efficiency. I.C.T-IR350 In-line depaneling machine, high precision, rapid operation, suitable for integration into the SMT production line for Industry 4.0 and AI automated production. I.C.T-LCO350 Laser cutting ensures cutting accuracy of 0.002, ideal for precise cutting requirements. I.C.T-100A Desktop PCB depaneling machine with compact size and high precision, suitable for smaller-scale operations. The Science Behind PCB Dust Collectors To prevent charged dust particles from adhering to PCBs, PCB depaneling machines are equipped with ionizing guns. These devices emit ions that neutralize static charges, making dust particles less likely to stick to freshly cut PCBs. The Vacuum Effect: Suctioning Away Dust During PCB depaneling, a cloud of dust is produced. The dust collector utilizes a robust suction system, often powered by vacuum motors, to draw dust away from the work area. Collected dust is transported to a designated collection point within the dust collector. A Difference In Design: I.C.T-5700 Vs. I.C.T-IR350 The placement of the dust collection apparatus distinguishes PCB depaneling machines. I.C.T-5700 has a bottom-mounted system capturing falling dust, while I.C.T-IR350 features a top-mounted system preventing dust settling on the work surface. This strategic difference ensures efficient removal of dust and debris, guaranteeing a clean and precise manufacturing process. Check: If you want to learn about the comparison of I.C.T-5700 and I.C.T-IR350. The Importance Of Filter Replacement The efficiency of a dust collector relies on its filter, necessitating periodic replacement every 1-3 years, depending on usage frequency. Regular filter maintenance ensures optimal performance. Dust Collectors: Keep Your PCB Manufacturing Clean And Precise Precision in PCB manufacturing is not solely about cutting-edge machinery but also about cleanliness. If you seek a dust collector for your PCB depaneling machine, contact us today to explore your options. Ensure your operations maintain cleanliness, efficiency, and meet the high standards of modern PCB manufacturing. Don't let dust compromise your precision – let's keep it clean together!
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