Technical Articles From Speedline Technologies, Inc.

Dispensing: A Robust Process Solution for Shield Edge Interconnect

Nov 06, 2023 | Rajiv L. Iyer and Michael L. Martel

A new process has been developed for RF shielding on compact electronic communications devices using automated solder paste dispensing. The process is known as Shield Edge Interconnect (SEI). SEI designs enable parts to be processed though underfill before placing of the RF shield and allows more complete use of valuable PCB real estate to achieve reduced form factor requirements and/or for added components on products such as smartphones and tablets. The reduced form factor creates challenges for the assembly of those devices. This process, enabled by Speedline dispensing technology, relies on extremely accurate dispensing of solder paste on copper traces located along the outer edge of the PCB. The result is a robust process solution for SEI in which proprietary closed loop dispenser, pump, vision, and software technologies enable a high volume manufacturing (HVM) process....

Effect of Nano-Coated Stencil on 01005 Printing

Nov 17, 2021 | Rita Mohanty Ph.D., S. Manian Ramkumar Ph.D., Chris Anglin, Toshitake Oda

The demand for product miniaturization, especially in the handheld device area, continues to challenge the board assembly industry. The desire to incorporate more functionality while making the product smaller continues to push board design to its limit. It is not uncommon to find boards with castle-like components right next to miniature components. This type of board poses a special challenge to the board assemblers as it requires a wide range of paste volume to satisfy both small and large components. One way to address the printing challenge is to use creative stencil design to meet the solder paste requirement for both large and small components. ... The most important attribute of a stencil is its release characteristic. In other words, how well the paste releases from the aperture. The paste release, in turn, depends on the surface characteristics of the aperture wall and stencil foil. The recent introduction of new technology, nano-coating for both stencil and squeegee blades, has drawn the attention of many researchers. As the name implies, nano-coated stencils and blades are made by a conventional method such as laser-cut or electroformed then coated with nano-functional material to alter the surface characteristics. This study will evaluate nano-coated stencils for passive component printing, including 01005....

Enabling Advanced Assembly and Packaging with Automated Dispensing

Jun 15, 2021 | Jeff Leal

Today's automated dispensing for electronics manufacturing is a complex and precise process in order to meet the challenges posed by ever more demanding assembly and component technology requirements. Dedicated dispenser technology is key to success in meeting challenging applications in a production environment with precision and repeatability. The major components that comprise a dispenser will be described, with a view toward understanding the importance of each; the result will illustrate how these sub-systems combine to create high-volume dispensing platforms. Real world examples with data substantiating the speed and accuracy obtained for some of the most common advanced dispensing applications in the market will be demonstrated such as high speed surface mount adhesive, wafer level Underfill and shield edge interconnects....

Enclosed Media Printing as an Alternative to Metal Blades

Aug 06, 2015 | Michael L. Martel

Fine pitch/fine feature solder paste printing in PCB assembly has become increasingly difficult as board geometries have become ever more compact. The printing process itself, traditionally the source of 70% of all assembly defects, finds its process window narrowing. The technology of metal blade squeegees, with the aid of new materials, understanding, and settings such as blade angle, has kept pace with all but the smallest applications, e.g., 200μ - .50 AR and 150μ - .375 AR, which have been pushing blade printing technology to its limits.

Enclosed media print head technology has existed, and has been under increasing development, as an alternative to metal squeegee blade printing. Until recently, the performance of enclosed print heads had been comparable to the very best metal squeegees, but advances in enclosed print media technology have now made it a superior alternative to squeegee blades in virtually all applications....

Effect Of Squeegee Blade On Solder Paste Print Quality

Jun 17, 2010 | Rita Mohanty, Bill Claiborne; Speedline Technologies | Frank Andres; Cookson Electronics

The solder paste deposition process is viewed by many in the industry as the leading contributor of defects in the Surface Mount Technology (SMT) assembly process. As with all manufacturing processes, solder paste printing is subject to both special and common cause variation. Just like using graduated cylinders from distinctly different manufacturing processes to measure a volume of liquid, using different blades types can contribute significant special cause variation to a process. Understanding the significant differences in print performance between blade types is an important first step to establishing a standard blade for an SMT process....

Effect Of Board Clamping System On Solder Paste Print Quality

May 06, 2010 | Dr. Rita Mohanty; Speedline Technologies, Rajiv L. Iyer, Daryl Santos; Binghamton University

Stencil printing technology has come a long way since the early 80’s when SMT process gained importance in the electronics packaging industry. In those early days, components were fairly large, making the board design and printing process relatively simple. The current trend in product miniaturization has led to smaller and more complex board designs. This has resulted into designs with maximum area utilization of the board space. It is not uncommon, especially for hand held devices, to find components only a few millimeters from the edge of the board. The board clamping systems used in the printing process have become a significant area of concern based on the current board design trend....

Non-Contact Streaming Technology Enhances the Dispense Process

Sep 16, 2009 | Speedline Technologies, Inc.

The dispensing industry within electronics manufacturing represents a very diverse marketplace indeed; many different materials can be applied in many different ways. One high-growth area in this market is underfill, driven by the explosive demand for hand-held devices (HHDs). This segment is comprised of popular consumer goods, such as cell phones, mp3 players, GPS navigators, PDAs, portable games and ultra-mobile PCs. A new, non-contact dispense technology, known as Streaming, has recently been introduced to specifically address the incumbent needs associated with underfill....

Hybrid Drying Technology for In-line Aqueous Cleaning of Lead-Free Assemblies

Jan 21, 2009 | Dirk Ellis

This paper describes a new approach to drying circuit board assemblies that significantly reduces the cost of ownership of an aqueous cleaning system. Drying performance is increased through a hybrid drying process that reduces energy input, exhaust requirements and sound levels. The combination of high temperature blow-off and convection brings the flexibility to tailor drying performance to fit the product's drying requirements....

Broadband Printing - A Paradigm

Dec 03, 2008 | Arun S. Ramasubramanian, Dr. Daryl Santos; Suny Binghamton.

This paper presents the analysis from a recent printing study employing a test vehicle that includes components such as 01005s to QFPs. In a recent publication, part of this study was presented focusing on 01005 printing only. This printing process was determined to be suitable for 01005s assembly and also analyzed based on statistical capability. The current paper will present the results from additional detailed analysis to determine if this process has the capability to provide sufficient solder paste deposits for larger components located on the same test board. In the future, the SMT industry may always look towards “Broadband Printing” as an alternative to dual stencil or stepped stencil printing technologies in order to meet the needs of both small and large components....

Effect of Contact Time on Lead-Free Wave Soldering

Aug 28, 2008 | Jim Morris, Richard Szymanowski

The increasing use of lead-free solder has introduced a new set of process parameters when setting up wave solder equipment for effective soldering. Determining the proper flow characteristics of the solder wave for adequate hole fill is an essential step in achieving a reliable process. A variety of solder waves exist in the industry; each with advantages and disadvantages when performing lead-free wave soldering. One way to ensure adequate hole-fill is by increasing contact time at the Chip Wave....

Solder Paste Inspection Technologies: 2D-3D Correlation

May 28, 2008 | Rita Mohanty, Vatsal Shah; Speedline Technologies, Paul Haugen, Laura Holte; Cyber Optics Corp.

This paper describes correlation between a true 2D area measurement (e.g. printer) and a height map generated area from a SPI system. In addition, this paper will explore the correlation between area/volume measurements and bridge detection between 2D/3D techniques. The ultimate goal is to arm the process engineers with information that can be used to make decision that will impact defects, cost, throughput and Return On Investment....

Flux Collection and Self-Clean Technique in Reflow Applications

May 14, 2008 | Speedline Technologies, Inc.

This paper will review some basic past and present flux chemistries that affect flux collection methodology. It will also review some of the most common flux collection methods, self-cleaning techniques, and maintenance goals. And, finally, data will be presented from high volume production testing of an advanced flux management system....

Liquid Tin Corrosion and Lead Free Wave Soldering

Feb 12, 2008 | Jim Morris, Speedline Technologies, Matthew J. O’Keefe, Ph.D., University of Missouri

Corrosion of solder pots and solder pot components in wave soldering equipment has been reduced with the introduction of corrosion resistant coatings and improved lead free solder alloys. The latest trends in protecting wave solder machine components from liquid metal corrosion by lead free solder alloys will be presented in order to provide guidelines for evaluating existing equipment as well as for purchasing new systems....

Process Development And Characterization Of The Stencil Printing Process For Small Apertures

Jan 16, 2008 | Dr. Daryl Santos, SUNY Binghamton; Dr. Rita Mohanty, Speedline Technologies

The consumer's interest for smaller, lighter and higher performance electronics products has increased the use of ultra fine pitch packages, such as Flip Chips and Chip Scale Packages, in printed circuit board (PCB) assembly. The assembly processes for these ultra fine pitch packages are extremely complex and each step in the assembly process influences the assembly yield and reliability....

Wave & Reflow Soldering Troubleshooting Chart

Mar 07, 2002 | Speedline Technologies

Electrovert problems & solutions reflow & wave soldering....