A powerhouse in the instrumentation market, Spring Lake, MI-based Medallion Instrumentation Systems (Medallion) designs and builds rugged and reliable gauges for the marine, power sports, military, on-highway, con/ag and recreational vehicle markets.

Precision and durability are at the core of all Medallion products, from the design and system integration considerations to the printed circuit board (PCB) to the housing and packaging. The requirement for extreme accuracy and reliability spurred Medallion’s initiative to seek a new printing solution. “Our products simply can’t fail,” explains Mikael Olsson, SMT Manager for Medallion. “Medallion gauges are often mission-critical and exposed to challenging environments, so dependability is a must. Because of this, we had to seek out a new approach to our printing process to ensure ongoing print quality as we move to smaller components. While we successfully maintained end-of-line yield with our former printer, it wasn’t without constant monitoring and fine-tuning, which consumed valuable resource that could be better utilized elsewhere.”

Olsson and his team integrated ASM Assembly Systems’ DEK VectorGuard High Tension stencil technology in 2015, and immediately saw positive results. “With our old printer and framed stencils, the print was all over the place,” notes Olsson, who personally oversees the SMT operation. “Constant printer adjustments and reprogramming were a necessity for a successful outcome because our tools weren’t delivering consistency and repeatability on their own. Changing to DEK VectorGuard High Tension stencils stabilized the print process. We no longer had to chase the print by adjusting the printer and this allowed time to evaluate new printing equipment.”

ASM’s DEK VectorGuard High Tension stencil technology is a single frame system with interchangeable foils. Unlike conventional mesh-mounted stencils that lose tension with use, DEK VectorGuard High Tension maintains consistent tension over the life of the stencil and contributes to better, repeatable paste transfer efficiency. For Medallion, VectorGuard High Tension in combination with a new DEK NeoHorizon 03iX printing platform delivered the repeatability and accuracy the company was seeking.

“The installation of a DEK NeoHorizon 03iX printer in April 2017 was a game changer,” says Olsson. “Platform repeatability is nothing short of amazing. With our previous system, we had to adjust stencil designs and either do a paste reduction to prevent bridging or increase the aperture opening by as much as 40% to get enough paste on the pad; it was a guessing game. With ASM’s DEK printer and its consistent paste deposition, we can develop stencil guidelines that work with the first stencil. Together, the DEK stencil and printer technologies have enabled Medallion to reduce solder-related defects by 50%. Operators no longer have to constantly fine-tune the print process; the increase in productivity is immeasurable. It’s a win-win for Medallion and our customers.”

To learn more about ASM’s DEK brand printing solutions, visit www.asm-smt.com. Details regarding Medallion’s product line and production capabilities are available by visiting www.medallionis.com.

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