Squeegee Blade life

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How is a squeegee considered damaged? Is just a bent blade s... - Aug 15, 2001 by sharafali

Viewing a blade on its own merits may give you subjective re... - Aug 15, 2001 by Michael Parker

sharafali

#17222

Squeegee Blade life | 15 August, 2001

How is a squeegee considered damaged? Is just a bent blade sufficient to call it 'unfit for use'. How much bend, in a blade may be considered unfit? How much do dents on a blade affect squeegee perfomance? what is the effect of blunt blades on print performance? The last question is with reference to a couple of suppliers claiming beneficial stencil life with rounded squeegees.

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Michael Parker

#17228

Squeegee Blade life | 15 August, 2001

Viewing a blade on its own merits may give you subjective results. Are you asking about metal or rubber squeegees? You really need to examine the print quality before you decide if a blade is worth using. If you are getting the right paste deposit volumes, then the blade is doing its job. Example - I have a metal blade that has a definite kink near the end. I don't use this blade to print large width boards because there is a definite solder skip caused in the paste. But it works fine for narrow boards where the paste print is happening in the center of the blade and not out at the ends.

Setting the right squeegee pressure and having a good angle to promote paste roll is most important. With these parameters maximized, a "marginal" blade can give good results. Condition of stencil, flatness of fabs and proper underside support are also paramount to getting good print quality. The squeegee, if well maintained could last years, where as the stencil can get worn out fast if all other parameters are abused.

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