applying ink to Panel of PCB's

Subscribe to Thread

Does anyone have experience of using a stainless Fine Grain ... - Jan 15, 2024 by griinder

Have you considered laser marking ? Cheap chinese lasers can... - Jan 16, 2024 by madisreivik

The neat and simple solution is indeed a laser. However I h... - Jan 17, 2024 by Spoiltforchoice

In the spirit of engineers not answering the question but pr... - Jan 17, 2024 by DWL

The size of the board (60mmx20mm) and the available real est... - Jan 17, 2024 by griinder

We used to use basic stampers years ago to define which shif... - Jan 19, 2024 by Carl_P

If it works with a mylar stencil, I don't see why it wouldn'... - Jan 19, 2024 by DWL

griinder

#90465

applying ink to Panel of PCB's | 15 January, 2024

Does anyone have experience of using a stainless Fine Grain SMT stencil for the purposes of applying ink to bare PCB's? We are exploring the possibility of getting a stencil to apply a letter that reflects the revision to each of 25 PCB's in a panel. We plan to utilize our MPM Momentum paste printer (we currently do it by hand) to ink these as a batch before SMT production. Basically, we would be adding to the silk screen. We are unable to have the silk changed as the customer supplies the boards, and requires the ink to reflect the current assembly revision. Basically they don't want to change their PCB revision/gerbers every time they roll their assembly revision. I am unsure if a Fine Grain Stainless SMT stencil or a different material such as a mesh stencil would be best. I tend to believe a rubber squeegee would work best, but again I am unsure. I am looking for any information or experience anyone may have.

reply »

madisreivik

#90466

applying ink to Panel of PCB's | 16 January, 2024

Have you considered laser marking ? Cheap chinese lasers can vaporize soldermask and leave "dark copper" marking.

reply »

Spoiltforchoice

#90467

applying ink to Panel of PCB's | 17 January, 2024

The neat and simple solution is indeed a laser.

However I have seen other quirky ways to denote a build revision. These include a resistor with a value marking that matches the build revision e.g a 1K marked 102 could indicate assembly 1.02. Another option I have seen is to have a "table" on the board for board revisions and then you populate the columns that apply with a component or mask it off with a conformal coat pen etc. The last is quite a common approach to denoting build dates on all sorts of things we might encounter as consumers.

reply »

DWL

#90471

applying ink to Panel of PCB's | 17 January, 2024

In the spirit of engineers not answering the question but providing an alternative solution, have you considered using adhesive labels? for very low volumes you can hand place them. for higher volumes, you can get them on reels and place them with the P&P machine.

reply »

griinder

#90472

applying ink to Panel of PCB's | 17 January, 2024

The size of the board (60mmx20mm) and the available real estate on the PCB is limited (the letter is roughly 4mm tall, needs to fit between plated holes and SMT lands) any label would need trimmed to fit. Believe it or not, inking by hand with a mylar stencil is quicker. We do place labels on pick n place when applicable with other assemblies.

reply »

Carl_P

#90476

applying ink to Panel of PCB's | 19 January, 2024

We used to use basic stampers years ago to define which shift & operator build which build before shifting to laser marking.

You could use a stamper, failing that as the stamper worked I don't see why you couldn't use a basic stencil to mark what your after. it would depend more on using the correct squeegees & ink etc.

reply »

DWL

#90477

applying ink to Panel of PCB's | 19 January, 2024

If it works with a mylar stencil, I don't see why it wouldn't work with a stainless steel stencil. I agree that rubber squeegees would work better then metal.

reply »