Los Angeles, CA -- MS2 Technologies, a P. Kay Metal-affiliated company, has introduced a new technology to enhance wave and selective soldering. The first of the series of products eliminates dross and oxides from the soldering process without the need for nitrogen or other exotic gases. The elimination of dross provides a substantial reduction in electronic assembly material costs especially with the advent of higher priced lead-free solders. The process entered production testing this spring and will be commercially available in November.
 
The company will launch a version for use with leaded solder and another for lead-free solders, including the various SAC alloys.
 
Larry Kay, president of P. Kay Metal and MS2 Technologies, and one of the inventors of the process, said, “The use of MS2 will reduce solder purchases for through-hole assembly by 40-75% depending on production volume.”
 

Polyonics introduces 1 and 2 mil color polyimide labels. The labels are coated with a permanent pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive and a high opacity, medium gloss topcoat available in six tinted colors ¾ pink, yellow, orange, blue, green and violet. They are thermal transfer printable and scan with both visible and IR scanners. Barcode labels made from the materials reportedly demonstrate excellent performance in lead-free wave solder environments, which range from 260º to 290ºC.
 
Designed for barcode or alphanumeric identification of PCBs or electronic components, can withstand mixed circuit board processes, on either the top or bottom side of the board. Said to have excellent resistance to harsh fluxes, cleaning agents, saponifiers and wave solder environments, and resist common methods of cleaning.
 
Polyonics developed the labels, which will survive both standard and lead-free processes on top or bottom side of the board, for manufacturers looking to color code production/process lines.   Some companies choose to use the plain white polyimide labels for standard “non-compliant” subassemblies, and a color-coded label (e.g., pink, yellow, orange, blue, green or violet) for the compliant products. 
 
Polyonics Asia Ltd., polyonics.com

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 By combining the Cogiscan Smart Material Control technology with its component feeders, Hover-Davis will be able to provide a one-stop shop for Intelligent Feeding Solutions. 
 Features of intelligent feeders include:
Identify and track components and feeders with barcode and RFID
Provide real-time visibility of all materials on the shop floor
Reduce waste of time and materials
Eliminate human errors and improve productivity
Generate complete component traceability reports
Standardize data acquisition across multi-vendor lines
Enable communication between feeders, machines and systems
 

 Cogiscan, cogiscan.com