Computerized Paste Switch and Fast Change Squeegee for ASMPT printers

Extra effectivity within the solder paste printing course of

ASMPT, the market and innovation chief in SMT manufacturing expertise, has added two new options to its confirmed DEK printing platforms that automate solder paste transfers and simplify squeegee modifications.

ASMPT covers virtually all the SMT manufacturing course of with its in depth product portfolio and is repeatedly working to additional automate and simplify the assorted workflows. “Solder paste printing, which is already essentially the most error-prone course of in SMT manufacturing, nonetheless has many steps that have to be performed by hand,” explains Rick Goldsmith, Director Product Administration at ASMPT. “Discovering appropriate folks for these actions is changing into more and more troublesome, which is why our clients are asking for options that scale back personnel and materials prices in addition to error charges.”

Paste switch

When the printer setup must be modified, the solder paste that continues to be on the previous stencil must be transferred to the brand new one. “Till now, this was performed manually with a spatula,” explains Goldsmith. “Generally, among the paste remained on the previous stencil and was not totally transferred to the brand new one. As well as, there was all the time the danger that the paste would get contaminated or wind up within the flawed place, resulting in brief circuits and malfunctions.”

The brand new paste switch unit for the DEK TQ simplifies this course of. The paste will get transferred mechanically throughout every stencil change, offered the method parameters allow this. To do that, the squeegee pushes the paste to a switch unit, from which it will get utilized to the brand new stencil. Subsequent, the system makes use of the understencil cleansing system to scrub off any paste residue.

“This totally automated paste switch relieves the already scarce operators,” says Goldsmith. “It really works sooner, extra exactly and extra effectively than can be potential by hand. With the handbook course of, as much as 10 % of the paste stays on the stencil. Our automated paste switch system reduces this to five %. This can characterize a major value saving in solder paste, lowering manufacturing value per PCB.” The brand new paste switch system will be simply put in on all DEK TQ-series solder paste printers.

Fast Change Squeegee

ASMPT has additionally improved the squeegee changeover course of on its solder paste printers. “Beforehand, the squeegee was affixed with two thumbscrews,” explains Goldsmith. “To vary the squeegee, the operator needed to loosen after which tighten them once more – a time-consuming course of that always brought on issues, for instance, when somebody tightened the thumbscrews too firmly and one other operator was unable to loosen them. The time issue was additionally important, as a result of 20 changeovers over a 24-hour interval will not be unusual.”

A brand new holder makes these changeovers a lot simpler as a result of the squeegee is mechanically unlocked when it’s eliminated out of the machine. It may well then be switched out in a single step earlier than the bracket locks mechanically because the squeegee is retracted. This reduces the changeover time by as much as 50 %. As well as, a mechanical coding system prevents the wrong insertion of squeegees. Fast Change Squeegee will be retrofitted in a number of hours and is out there for each the DEK TQ and the NeoHorizon platforms.

“Competitors is getting harder on a regular basis in SMT manufacturing,” says Goldsmith. “To achieve success on this subject, you could repeatedly automate and streamline your operations. At ASMPT, we perceive the challenges SMT producers face and are in a position to supply our clients attention-grabbing options that present them with tangible aggressive benefits.”