VacuNest Shape Memory Tooling combines the benefits of a custom tooling plate with the versatility of pins. An antistatic membrane covers a foam former surrounded by polymer granules. Place a golden board onto the modules, press down, pull a vacuum and the memory of the board shape profile is held. The chambers are profiled to the shape of the underside of the board ¾ on activation of the vacuum this shape is now held. Simple, secure and a custom board support is created within seconds. The shape will be held for weeks/days/months until the vacuum is released, whereupon the modules return to their original form, awaiting a new set up for the next version of board.
Advantages include: no risk damage to a component due to the pin/printing pressure, support forces evenly spread over the entire board, firm and precise support, ease of use, no dedicated tooling and short payback period, and the tool can be simply reset when a board version changes.
Can handle high-density boards and requires little to no lead-time.
Applys firm force consistently to the entire board. Guarantees board flatness and is not sensitive to solder paste contamination.
Novatec, novatec-eap.com
Booth 8-207