Re: PCB Support Methods @ the Fuji.

Question for you SMT guru's out there.

What is the best way to support boards on Fuji's CP6 machine's x-y table...particularly for 2nd side SMT where the support side already has parts... I am toying around with the following methods:

1.) Custom bed-of-nails pin supports (where there are an array of pins which can be inserted into a tooling plate.

2.) Custom machined vacuum fixtures.

3.) Custom rubber-molded vacuum fixture.

I've even heard of people using those pink ESD packaging foams (the ones that look like Egg cartons) for board support.

Any suggestions from you placement gurus would be appreciated.

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| Question for you SMT guru's out there. | | What is the best way to support boards on Fuji's CP6 machine's x-y table...particularly for 2nd side SMT where the support side already has parts... I am toying around with the following methods: | | 1.) Custom bed-of-nails pin supports (where there are an array of pins which can be inserted into a tooling plate. | | 2.) Custom machined vacuum fixtures. | | 3.) Custom rubber-molded vacuum fixture. | | I've even heard of people using those pink ESD packaging foams (the ones that look like Egg cartons) for board support. | | Any suggestions from you placement gurus would be appreciated. |

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| | Question for you SMT guru's out there. | | | | What is the best way to support boards on Fuji's CP6 machine's x-y table...particularly for 2nd side SMT where the support side already has parts... I am toying around with the following methods: | | | | 1.) Custom bed-of-nails pin supports (where there are an array of pins which can be inserted into a tooling plate. | | | | 2.) Custom machined vacuum fixtures. | | | | 3.) Custom rubber-molded vacuum fixture. | | | | I've even heard of people using those pink ESD packaging foams (the ones that look like Egg cartons) for board support. | | | | Any suggestions from you placement gurus would be appreciated. | | |

C.K., Fixtures would be the best way to go if money was not a factor. Most likely you would pay to much! Support pins work but you then have to make certain that they don't crack parts. This cannot happen unless you set up every machine before every run of boards. I believe the best way to go is foam padding. You can be creative in how you support a board but sometimes the best way is also the easiest.

Just my thought, I could be wrong! |

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| | | Question for you SMT guru's out there. | | | | | | What is the best way to support boards on Fuji's CP6 machine's x-y table...particularly for 2nd side SMT where the support side already has parts... I am toying around with the following methods: | | | | | | 1.) Custom bed-of-nails pin supports (where there are an array of pins which can be inserted into a tooling plate. | | | | | | 2.) Custom machined vacuum fixtures. | | | | | | 3.) Custom rubber-molded vacuum fixture. | | | | | | I've even heard of people using those pink ESD packaging foams (the ones that look like Egg cartons) for board support. | | | | | | Any suggestions from you placement gurus would be appreciated. | | | | | | | C.K., | Fixtures would be the best way to go if money was not a factor. Most likely you would pay to much! Support pins work but you then have to make certain that they don't crack parts. This cannot happen unless you set up every machine before every run of boards. I believe the best way to go is foam padding. You can be creative in how you support a board but sometimes the best way is also the easiest. | | Just my thought, I could be wrong! | | | | We used pallets with a small stand (3mm) for the PCB-outline to rest on and 1,2 or3 webs depending on PCB-size for support. As for our inhouse products we had specified certain areas to contain no parts. The thing with the pin-grid area sounds good and the pallets can easily be adjusted for support of different types of PCB as long as they are the same size. I don�t know if these kind of pallets which were about 6 to 7mm thick fit onto your Fuji and than you need a lot of them so they are easy to handle and hard to get ($).

Regards Wolfgang

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| Question for you SMT guru's out there. | | What is the best way to support boards on Fuji's CP6 machine's x-y table...particularly for 2nd side SMT where the support side already has parts... I am toying around with the following methods: | | 1.) Custom bed-of-nails pin supports (where there are an array of pins which can be inserted into a tooling plate. | | 2.) Custom machined vacuum fixtures. | | 3.) Custom rubber-molded vacuum fixture. | | I've even heard of people using those pink ESD packaging foams (the ones that look like Egg cartons) for board support. | | Any suggestions from you placement gurus would be appreciated. | At H-P we used simply designed and routed FR-4 fixtures all the way through each process.

Earl Moon

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| | | Question for you SMT guru's out there. | | | | | | What is the best way to support boards on Fuji's CP6 machine's x-y table...particularly for 2nd side SMT where the support side already has parts... I am toying around with the following methods: | | | | | | 1.) Custom bed-of-nails pin supports (where there are an array of pins which can be inserted into a tooling plate. | | | | | | 2.) Custom machined vacuum fixtures. | | | | | | 3.) Custom rubber-molded vacuum fixture. | | | | | | I've even heard of people using those pink ESD packaging foams (the ones that look like Egg cartons) for board support. | | | | | | Any suggestions from you placement gurus would be appreciated. | | | | | | | C.K., | Fixtures would be the best way to go if money was not a factor. Most likely you would pay to much! Support pins work but you then have to make certain that they don't crack parts. This cannot happen unless you set up every machine before every run of boards. I believe the best way to go is foam padding. You can be creative in how you support a board but sometimes the best way is also the easiest. | | Just my thought, I could be wrong! | | | | CK,

If your needing support this badly I take it that this is a fairly large PCB...

There are a few way's to go, Pin's Yes you can you them and I'm sure your local Fuji stockest will happily charge you an arm and a leg for them so your shopfloor can loose them ( or is it just me?). Pin's present problems especially on double sided boards onthe 2nd side trying to avoid putting pin's thro' other components. The simplest thing I've found to help set up's is to get a bit of clear perspex the same size as the PCB and mark on it where they put the pin's at set up. I didn't think the CP6 had a facility for a vacuum block but I've been wrong load's of times before so.... The way we go for big boards are carriers made of the likes of Durastone, you can get them machined to suit both top and bottom sides and they go through the reflow without breaking up and sinking load's of heat so your profile doesn't need that much of the adjustment. If you don't have a large board and / or don't want carrier's you can use a support plate rather like a DEK support that you can screw into location to ensure that it doesn't move. What ever you do remember that the CP6 had a max weight for the table, I'm sure it's something like 1kg but don't quote me so you'll need to make sure you don't go over that or your table movement's will be shot to hell.

JohnW

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| Question for you SMT guru's out there. | | What is the best way to support boards on Fuji's CP6 machine's x-y table...particularly for 2nd side SMT where the support side already has parts... I am toying around with the following methods: | | 1.) Custom bed-of-nails pin supports (where there are an array of pins which can be inserted into a tooling plate. | | 2.) Custom machined vacuum fixtures. | | 3.) Custom rubber-molded vacuum fixture. | | I've even heard of people using those pink ESD packaging foams (the ones that look like Egg cartons) for board support. | | Any suggestions from you placement gurus would be appreciated. |

The most results I've seen at coustomers is the use of John W's idea of using clear pexiglass and trace out where the stand offs should go,,, well minus the high price crack--- remember John christmas bonus time is just around the corner at Fuji.... But anyway there is a vacuum plate option for all the 6's that can be added in the field ( if it wasn't ordered as a new machine ). The one thing to remember is that there is a weight restriction on the x-y table. So be carefull when adding pounds of vaccum plates or or other add-ons. Keep the Fuji faith. Steve E

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