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Labeling of SMT solder stencils

Labeling of SMT solder stencils

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I'm currently working for a OEM that has 700+ stencils in ho... - Sep 14, 2004 by Steve Combs

Perhaps your stencil supplier could laser mark the number on... - Sep 14, 2004 by gregp

We have been using SANFORD Gold Coat and are pleased with it... - Sep 14, 2004 by

Go buy a press stamp at local hardware store. Hammer and a f... - Sep 14, 2004 by Mark M.

I feel your pain. Your company may already be using Kapton t... - Sep 14, 2004 by paul@boxboro

Thanks everyone for all the input. All of our stencils do ha... - Sep 14, 2004 by Steve Combs

Dymo labelmaker with the help of Loctite 401. You can remove... - Sep 16, 2004 by

I work for a major OEM as well, and we have close to 1000 st... - Sep 16, 2004 by Jeremy Thomas

How do you keep the liquid stencil chemical out of the frame... - Sep 16, 2004 by

Well, to be honest, we have not had any problems with this. ... - Sep 24, 2004 by Jeremy Thomas

First, for new stencil-you must ask you stencil dealer to pu... - Sep 27, 2004 by Grayman

We use a electric pencle type engraver to eatch tooling numb... - Sep 28, 2004 by

I super glue a number on the frame and have a excel chart p... - Sep 30, 2004 by John

Steve Combs

#30501

Labeling of SMT solder stencils | 14 September, 2004

I'm currently working for a OEM that has 700+ stencils in house and we received 30 to 40 stencil a month. We recently switched to a no clean process which is causing the stencil part numbers to disappear from the stencil frames due to the saponifier in the stencil wash. I reduce the saponifier in the wash but I still have the same problem over time. I had been using a "permanent " marker which was fine with the OA process but not now. I've tried a degreaser resistant marker and labels but still no luck. Is there anyone out there with suggestions on what you do. I'm looking for something easy and quick since we turn over stencils quite a bit here and managing these things is turning out to be a career. I would like to get back to my real job of process technician. Thanks in advance.

Steve

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gregp

#30502

Labeling of SMT solder stencils | 14 September, 2004

Perhaps your stencil supplier could laser mark the number on the stencil. This only helps from here on. How about engraving the numbers on the stencils you already have? Engravers are pretty inexpensive and shouldn't damage the stencils.

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#30503

Labeling of SMT solder stencils | 14 September, 2004

We have been using SANFORD Gold Coat and are pleased with it so far. It's a meallic marker. Hope it helps.

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Mark M.

#30505

Labeling of SMT solder stencils | 14 September, 2004

Go buy a press stamp at local hardware store. Hammer and a few punches and your done.

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paul@boxboro

#30510

Labeling of SMT solder stencils | 14 September, 2004

I feel your pain. Your company may already be using Kapton tape labels for their board serial numbers labels. Kapton is able to withstand repeated wash and heat cycles, and can be printed on a typical Zebra printer. The key to a successful and accurate stencil inventory is maintaining a spreadsheet of current and obsolete stencils. Usually the person ordering the stencils is the best person to maintain such a list. That should get you out of this rat hole.

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Steve Combs

#30512

Labeling of SMT solder stencils | 14 September, 2004

Thanks everyone for all the input. All of our stencils do have the PCB # etched on the foil but when operators look for the stencils they are looking for the part # on the frame since they are all stored vertically in a couple of Remstar shuttles and a couple of movable racks and our database shows the locations and PCB status which helps quite a bit in knowing which stencils I can get rid of. I though about the stamping thing but since we cycle through frames so much I would have to grind off the old # when a new stencil came in. As far as getting out of this rathole, its not going to happen here. My boss decided that since stencils work with solder it is part of the process and that we (I) own it. Anyway, I'll take a look at the paint pens and label options and see what works best. On the plus side, all these foils I scrap I take to recycle for beer money. Thanks again.

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Darby

#30568

Labeling of SMT solder stencils | 16 September, 2004

Dymo labelmaker with the help of Loctite 401. You can remove later to reuse the frame with a Stanley knife. Works well for me with a similar storage system.

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Jeremy Thomas

#30569

Labeling of SMT solder stencils | 16 September, 2004

I work for a major OEM as well, and we have close to 1000 stencils in house. We just recently went to a new way of labeling our stencils. We ordered metal ID tags out of McMaster, and assigned a Number to each stencil. We then attached each tag to the front side of the stencil frame. Then on each of our setup sheets, the stencil number is listed for the operators to find. This has worked great for us. The other advantage, is that they just attacch with screws, which makes changing numbers very easy, and quick. The tags can be found on page 1767 of McMasters web catalog.

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KEN

#30570

Labeling of SMT solder stencils | 16 September, 2004

How do you keep the liquid stencil chemical out of the frame?

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Jeremy Thomas

#30699

Labeling of SMT solder stencils | 24 September, 2004

Well, to be honest, we have not had any problems with this. We tested several old frames we had inhouse, and put them in our washers for 50 cycles, and they did not get any fluid in the frames. We simply attach the labels with sheet metal screws into the front edge of the frame. I imagine that if this were to be a issue, a teflon washer of some sort would be enough to seal the holes. We have been using these now for about 8 months, and have yet to see any issues.

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Grayman

#30717

Labeling of SMT solder stencils | 27 September, 2004

First, for new stencil-you must ask you stencil dealer to put the markings before shipping it to you.

Second, for old stencil-you buy some old angle bar or any metal plate about 1 inch by 1 inche. you engrave the markings on that plate and screw it on the side of the stencil. If you want to re use the stencil frame you can easily remove the plate.

We do this most of the time and it cost less.

For stencil cleaner-I suggest you buy the spray type stencil cleaner and not the old technology dip cleaning.

Arman

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pdeuel

#30762

Labeling of SMT solder stencils | 28 September, 2004

We use a electric pencle type engraver to eatch tooling numbers into almost all types of tooling from production to final assembly.

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John

#30789

Labeling of SMT solder stencils | 30 September, 2004

I super glue a number on the frame and have a excel chart posted with the part numbers and stencil numbers. I had numbers engraved like a name plate on small squares. This work really well. John

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