Technical Library | 2017-12-07 10:35:50.0
Electronics manufacturers protect their circuit boards with conformal coatings. Conformal coatings serve as a barrier from environmental hazards and internal shorts, tin whiskers, and corrosion at the board level. Within conformal coatings different material chemistries specialize in shielding from an array of hazards and can be applied by multiple methods. The most common method is atomized spray which disperses the material into a fine mist. Alternatively, non-atomized coating controls the materials' dispense shape while maintaining the original liquid form. While some applications demand atomized spray and other scenarios overlap between atomized and non-atomized coating, this paper focuses on the circumstances where materials are ideally suited for non-atomized, selective coating.
Technical Library | 2019-06-21 10:39:15.0
Recently, an ACI Technologies (ACI) customer called to discuss failures that they had observed with some through-hole capacitor parts. The components were experiencing failures following vibration and accelerated stress testing. Upon receipt of the samples, ACI performed three levels of inspection and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) testing to investigate the root cause of the failures. These analyses enabled ACI to verify the elements comprising the solder joints and make the following recommendations in order to prevent future occurrences. The first inspection was to investigate the capacitor leads using optical microscopy, and no anomalies were found that could indicate bad parts from the vendor or improper handling prior to assembly. However, vertical fill in the barrel of the plated through-holes was too close to the IPC-A-610 minimum specification of 75% to determine a pass/fail condition, and therefore required further investigation.
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 | 2023-11-22 09:17:49.0
In the dynamic realm of Industry 4.0, I.C.T introduces the I.C.T-T550 SMT PCB coating machine, a pioneering addition designed to meet the evolving needs of modern manufacturing. This advanced equipment is equipped with features that not only boost productivity but also prioritize precise and consistent coating quality. Let's delve into the crucial attributes that establish the I.C.T-T550 as a vital component in your production process. 1. Automated Precision for Coating Consistency The I.C.T-T550 PCB Coating Machine integrates an automated pressure regulation system for both dispensing valve and pressure tank, equipped with precision regulators and digital gauges. This ensures a consistent coating process, optimizing precision. 2. Front-End Accessibility for Operational Efficiency Located at the front end, power supply and air pressure adjustments are easily accessible, streamlining control. This user-friendly design enhances operator workflow efficiency. 3. Durable Material Transport The open-material transport rail undergoes hardening treatment and utilizes a specialized stainless steel chain drive, ensuring both longevity and reliable material transport. 4. Track Width Adjustment for Trouble-Free Operation Track width adjustment is achieved through a synchronous belt drive mechanism, ensuring prolonged and trouble-free operation. 5. CNC Machined Frame for Unparalleled Precision The machine's frame, subjected to CNC machining, features an independent, all-steel gantry frame, ensuring the parallel alignment of tracks and axes. 6. Workshop Environment Enhancement To ensure a cleaner and safer workspace, the equipment features air curtains at the track entrance and exit, preventing fumes from escaping. It also includes a dedicated exhaust outlet, improving overall workshop air quality. 7. Intuitive Programming and Visualization The I.C.T-T550 PCB Coating Machine allows flexible coating path editing through intuitive programming. The equipment employs a teach mode for programming, offering a visual interface for coating path design. 8. User-Friendly Interface with Practical Design Featuring a user-friendly interface with fault alerts and menu displays, the I.C.T-T550 delivers a sleek and practical design. 9. Streamlined Repetition and Data Management Efficiency is paramount, and the I.C.T-T550 offers the ability to mirror, array, and replicate coating paths, simplifying the process, especially with multiple boards. 10. Real-Time Data Monitoring The equipment automatically collects and displays data, including production volume and individual product work times, enabling effective production performance tracking. 11. Smart Adhesive Management The I.C.T-T550 intelligently monitors adhesive levels, providing automatic alerts for replenishment, ensuring uninterrupted coating. In summary, the I.C.T SMT PCB coating machine seamlessly combines precision, automation, and smart features to meet the demands of Industry 4.0. With integration into MES systems, it provides a reliable and efficient solution for elevating PCB coating processes. The I.C.T-T550's adherence to European safety standards and CE certification underscores our commitment to safety and compliance. For further inquiries or information about additional safety standards, please contact us. Whether optimizing coating quality or enhancing factory productivity, the I.C.T-T550 marks a step into the future of intelligent manufacturing. Explore a variety of coating valves or seek guidance by reaching out to us.
Technical Library | 2017-03-30 18:34:52.0
There are multiple methods, each with its associated benefits for given applications, for printing either solder paste or paste flux for BGA rework. Each of these methods is best-suited for a given situation, board layout and skill level of operators performing the BGA rework. This discussion will layout the various methods and present the specific circumstances for which the specific technique is most wellsuited. In addition, the pluses and minuses for each of the approaches will be discussed in detail.
Technical Library | 2009-01-21 23:01:49.0
Over the last 10 years, the adoption of wafer-level packaging (WLP) has expanded to a wide range of semiconductor devices applied in a crosssection of industries from Automotive to Mobile Phone, Sensors to Medical Technology.
Technical Library | 2013-06-27 14:00:27.0
While IC level ESD design and the necessary protection levels are well understood, system ESD protection strategy and design efficiency have only been dealt with in an ad hoc manner. This is most obvious when we realize that a consolidated approach to system level ESD design between system manufacturers and chip suppliers has been rare. This White Paper discusses these issues in the open for the first time, and offers new and relevant insight for the development of efficient system level ESD design.
Technical Library | 2023-01-10 20:03:37.0
Since the IPC-4552 rev A for ENIG was introduced there have been many requests for clarification of acceptable and unacceptable levels of nickel corrosion. This paper attempts to further clarify the effects of nickel corrosion on solder wetting balance test results and the resultant intermetallic formed. The study will attempt to produce level 1, level 2, and level 3 corrosion as denoted by IPC-4552 rev A and tabulate wetting balance results and congruity of intermetallic formed.
Technical Library | 2017-11-15 22:49:14.0
While a significant level of voiding can be tolerated in solder joints where electrical conductivity is the main requirement, voiding at any level severely compromises thermal conductivity. For example, in LED lighting modules effective conduction of heat through the 1st level die attach to the substrate and then through the 2nd level attach to the heat sink is critical to performance so that voiding in the solder joints at both levels must be minimized. (...) In this paper, the authors will review the factors that influence the incidence of voids in small and large area solder joints that simulate, respectively, the 1st and 2nd level joints in LED modules and discuss mitigation strategies appropriate to each level. They will also report the results of a study on the effect on the incidence of voids of flux medium formulation and the optimization of the thermal profile to ensure that most of the volatiles are released early in the reflow process.
Technical Library | 2023-10-23 18:28:42.0
This application note discusses the Maxim Integrated's wafer-level packaging (WLP) and provides the PCB design and surface-mount technology (SMT) guidelines for the WLP
