ESV-200 XXL and ESU-400 XXL printed circuit board handlers are for high-volume production of 1220mm LED PCBs. ESV XXL was redesigned as a rear load, bare PCB line loader capable of handling LED boards up to 1220 x 370mm. Vacuum lift mechanism is positioned for long, narrow PCB production; elevator platform can hold up to 150 panels. ESU XXL is a magazine line unloader that accepts completed panels and secures them into custom magazines. Handles LED boards up to 1220 x 370mm in width, using custom 50 slot ESD magazines. ESU is equipped with a feed conveyor with pusher mechanism, precision indexing elevator with pitch selection, automatic magazine changeover (two-up/two-down configuration) and touch panel. Both include safety covers, PLC, SMEMA, roller wheels and leveling feet. XXL ESD magazines (1220 x 370mm) and interconnecting conveyors are available.

Promation, http://www.pro-mation-inc.com/

Technomelt low pressure molding material comes in three versions: PA 668, AS 4226 and chemical-resistant Technomelt, and reportedly delivers fast cure times. Single-material processing accommodates sensitive components and circuitry. Have new UV stability and color availability. PA 668 is a UV-stabilized white molding material for indoor and outdoor LED lighting, household consumer products and industrial sensors. Maintains color when subjected to harsh external environments. AS 4226 is a transparent material that enables high transmittance of optical signals for sensors for industrial, consumer, automotive and lighting applications.

The Electronics Group of Henkel, www.henkel.com/electronics

WXA2 two-channel, 255W hot air and soldering station, features WXHAP200 Hot Air Pencil with 200W of power, 35-sec. heat-up time, and full line of hot air (HAP) nozzles.  ESD-safe integrated ionization circuit provides static free airflow that won’t damage or degrade sensitive components.

Also includes 120W WXHP120 preheating plate, said to deliver 50% more power than conventional Weller 24V hot plates. High-performance heater delivers efficient thermal energy transmission from 200°–392°F (50°–200°C). The 200W WXSB200 solder bath, for tinning component leads and removing insulative coatings, delivers 200°-930°F (100°-500°C) even temperature with a WX-controlled heater.Comes with an integrated sensor system with communications, signal processing, and memory built into the handle. Control parameters stored in tool’s internal memory, not in the main WX power unit. Removal of the tool from its safety rest returns the tool to its operating temperature, eliminating need for stop-and-go stands.

Standby temperature mode monitors hot air pencil use and automatically sets the tool and peripheral devices to a lower temperature. Auto-off feature can permits the unit to go into a sleep mode when not in use, reducing energy consumption, increasing the life of the heating element and nozzles, and improving safety.

Weller (Apex Tool Group), http://www.apexhandtools.com/weller

CircuitWorks Overcoat Pen applies acrylic conformal coating to circuit board traces for protection against shorts, moisture, abrasion, fungus and other environmental hazards.

A tooling upgrade for the PrinTek family of benchtop SMT printers provides flexible pin positioning and locking for easy setup of printer production runs. Provides disks and tracks, giving the tooling pins an R-Theta style range of freedom.  When the disk is secured and tightened, and the pin is locked in the track, the system is locked and ready to run many cycles, holding the PC board position and registration.  Comes standard on all Printek SMT printers, and features an additional set of pins with shoulders raised by 0.25".

Transition Automation, www.transitionautomation.com   

SPR paste retainer reportedly improves the management of solder paste within the printing area. Helps eliminate leakage of solder paste out of the print area by way of a floating spring-supported paste retainer attached to the end of the squeegee holder.  Applies constant pressure downward; glides along stencil surface.

Transition Automation, www.transitionautomation.com

SMT256/SMT266 chip assembly and ball attachment encapsulants can be dipped, printed, jetted or brushed at temperatures ranging from 140°  to 260°C. Are said to enhance solder joint reliability and eliminate solder joint cracking in microchip applications, reportedly creating a solder joint bond five to 10X stronger than a conventional solder joint. For use in Pb-free, SnPb and SnBi processes. Reworkable.

Yincae Advanced Materials, www.yincae.com

Electrovert Electra wave soldering system features novel IsoThermal convection preheat. Full nitrogen tunnel can be field-upgraded with patented flux control. Integrated fume extraction. Has 24" (610mm) process width capability, dual head ServoJet fluxing, and DwellMax Plus solder nozzles. Features 100% accessibility, for ease of maintenance.

Speedline Technologies, www.speedlinetech.com 

R-4700 ribbon is based on a resin formulation said to offer a high-performance image.

ACE inline fluxer and preheating unit is an intelligent, dual-purpose system said to reduce process time by concurrently applying flux to the specific components to be soldered, then preheating the board in preparation for soldering while the board previously fluxed is being soldered by any KISS inline selective soldering system.  Applies a range of flux types with either an atomizing flux applicator for rapid application or a precision drop-jet applicator for no-clean processing. Reportedly handles low pH fluxes down to 2.0 as well as fluxes with solids content as high as 35%. Can be equipped with either an atomizing or drop-jet applicator, or alternatively it can be equipped with dual atomizing and drop-jet flux applicators for greater flexibility. Configurable with either convection or IR preheat to provide a controlled ramp without inducing thermal stress upon components while maintaining a uniform temperature gradient and stable topside board temperature. Preheating system is closed-loop controlled.

ACE Production Technologies, www.ace-protech.com

Mini Vario Wave selective soldering system combines a selective solder machine with a wave soldering process.

Smartzoom 5 automated digital microscope has an optical engine—consisting of a zoom, camera, and illumination—a stand with sample stage, objective lenses, the operating unit, and software.