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Nano ProTek Coating

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Nano ProTek Coating - 06-/17-11 by A Very Frazzled Man

Nano ProTek Coating - 07-/08-11 by James

Nano ProTek Coating - 07-/08-11 by A Very Frazzled Man

Nano ProTek Coating - 07-/20-11 by Pratyeka

Nano ProTek Coating - 07-/20-11 by isd.jww

Nano ProTek Coating - 07-/21-11 by Steve Gregory

Nano ProTek Coating - 07-/21-11 by Pratyeka

Nano ProTek Coating - 07-/21-11 by Pratyeka

Nano ProTek Coating - 07-/21-11 by Sr.Tech

Nano ProTek Coating - 07-/21-11 by KaHrpr

Nano ProTek Coating - 07-/21-11 by Pratyeka

Nano ProTek Coating - 07-/21-11 by A Very Frazzled Man

Nano ProTek Coating - 07-/21-11 by isd.jww

Nano ProTek Coating - 07-/22-11 by Pratyeka

Nano ProTek Coating - 07-/22-11 by ScottE

Nano ProTek Coating - 07-/22-11 by Sr.Tech

Nano ProTek Coating - 07-/22-11 by Pratyeka

Nano ProTek Coating - 07-/22-11 by surfaceman

Nano ProTek Coating - 07-/22-11 by surfaceman

A Very Frazzled Man

Nano ProTek Coating | 17 June, 2011

Has anybody else tried using stencils coated with Nano ProTek? I did find that I could reduce my cleaning frequency and squeegee pressure, which should help to increase stencil life, but I'm finding that it seems to wear off quicker than I thought it would. I'm still evaluating the value.

Anybody else have any thoughts they'd like to share?

Nano ProTek Coating | 8 July, 2011

Haven't used it yet but have requested a sample. Care to share what the cost is?

I'll reply after I've tried it.

A Very Frazzled Man

Nano ProTek Coating | 8 July, 2011

It's a $40 adder to my stencils if I have them apply it. But I've just discovered that if you have THEM add it, they add it thru a stencil and only apply it to the appertures. (My guess is they do this because it allows them to use much less material and therefore save $$) If YOU add it you can coat the entire stencil. This has enabled me to reduce squeegee pressure slightly. It does seem to work in my application. I'm just curious what others have noted.

Nano ProTek Coating | 20 July, 2011

I have tried it, and it does what it claims. Don't know about durability yet, tested it on a short run.

Cost: $300 for a 10pak (10 stencils)

Tested a different stencil with Rain-X applied to it, so far same result, the paste does not clog the fine apertures where we used to have problems. We wipe the stencil underside every 10 PCBs now, compared to every 2 before. Been running >200 PCB over 3 shifts now on Rain-X. No signs of contamination from the stuff.

Yes, Rain-X, the stuff you buy at auto shop to treat the windshield so that the rain just rolls off the glass. Cost: ~$6 for 200ml, enough for ~100 stencils...
I'm not proposing that other try it, if you do, I'm not responsible for any consequences you may encounter.

Nano ProTek Coating | 20 July, 2011

Nice idea on the rain-x. I'll give it a try, thanks.

Nano ProTek Coating | 21 July, 2011

Rain-x being a hydrophobic silicone polymer, aren't you worried that it might cause solderability problems?

Nano ProTek Coating | 21 July, 2011

I cleaned the stencil with IPA 99% before applying the Rain-X. Apply Rain-X as per instruction.

Nano ProTek Coating | 21 July, 2011

So far after ~1500 units printed with the stencil treated once with Rain-X, no issues were detected with solder joints. The only difference is no more solder bridges on fine pitch with .010" openings. The print is picture perfect on all pads, nice and even, flat across the top.

Nano ProTek Coating | 21 July, 2011

This is crazy talk.

Nano ProTek Coating | 21 July, 2011

we use turtle wax

on a more serous note, I bet those two products are similar in the fact it you fill the ridges in the aperture walls you will get better release. They may be closer than you think.

Nano ProTek Coating | 21 July, 2011

the appearance during the application was the same (to the eye). the feel to the touch is the same once it is dry and polished. The effect is the same when water is sprinkled on the treated surface.
My understanding is that the product bonds to the surface and fills the pores.
over 3000 pcbs printed, still perfect paste release. No problems with the solder joints.

A Very Frazzled Man

Nano ProTek Coating | 21 July, 2011

You best be careful and watch your back. The DEK Mafia may be lurking.... You may end up sleeping with the fishes...

Nano ProTek Coating | 21 July, 2011

Using AIM N.C. paste, just ran 10 panels to test after applying Rain-X to the stencil (pre-clean with IPA). Printing and release were slightly better (maybe my imagination), but not a large difference. Stencil remained cleaner longer. I could not tell the difference in finished product, but did not x-ray or chem analysis.

I plan on continuing test with increasingly more critical stencils. The previous test was with a very simple/easy job, just in case...

Nano ProTek Coating | 22 July, 2011

Yes, the smaller the aperture, the more difference you will see. It's at it's best on the very fine pitch(<.020")

Nano ProTek Coating | 22 July, 2011

Rain-X is a "hydrophobic silicone polymer" according to Wikipedia. Silicone is not something I want around a soldering operation without a chemist I trust telling me it's OK. Having it work a few times without any obvious problems wouldn't be evidence enough to make me comfortable.

EDIT: I see Steve Gregory beat me to it. I cringe when I see poorly engineered "solutions" like this. Maybe being in the high reliability market colors my expectations of due care.

Nano ProTek Coating | 22 July, 2011

Rain X goes on windshields.
Nano coating goes in the garbage.

Order your stencils correctly from a reputable stencil house and fugetaboutit.

Nano ProTek Coating | 22 July, 2011

It's actually a "silane" according to the same article.
Also, it "bonds" with the surface of the stencil. once bonded, it's not going anywhere.
I'm not a chemist. I'm not promoting this product to be used on stencil. I'm just pointing out that what is sold as Nano coating for $300/10 pak may just be a derivative of a very cheap chemical. Which in this industry would not be a first. ;-)

Nano ProTek Coating | 22 July, 2011

Yes we have tried. It works really well and lasted as long as the run which was in the tens of thousands of cycles. I think we increased the interval time between cleaning by a factor of 5.

Nano ProTek Coating | 22 July, 2011

I would be careful with trying Rain-X. Rain-X is a silanol treatment that is not durable. That is why you need to reapply it on a windshield many times. Also you could contaminate the paste as it will come off the stencil during the printing. From what I know of Nano ProTek it is permanently chemically bound to stencil. Also they say Nano Pro Tek coating is less than 5 nanometers thick whereas I think Rain-X is at least 50 -100 nanometers which will clog some apertures. I know Rain-X is cheap but we would not bring that into our facility.

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