Non-Silicone Heat Transfer Compound (HTC) provides efficient thermal coupling of electrical and electronic components. Provides non-creep characteristics and thermal conductivity even at high temperatures: 0.9 W/m.K. Has a broad operating temperature range (-50º to +130º) and offers low toxicity.  HTC Plus (HTCP) provides even higher thermal conductivity at 2.8 W/m.K with superior heat transfer characteristics.
 
Silicone Heat Transfer Compound (HTSP) is a thermally conductive paste for special applications where thermal management is critical. Operates from -50º to +200º, is a metal oxide filled silicone oil providing thermal conductivity at 3.0W/m.K.
 
The flame retardant ER 2074 epoxy resin exhibits thermal conductivity and is free of abrasive fillers such as alumina. Ensures less wear on mix and dispense and other processing equipment. Shows low viscosity when mixed and the exotherm temperature rise on curing is low.
 
Aquacoat Plus eliminates the need for extraction and other precautions normally required for the application of conventional solvent-based conformal coatings. The aqueous conformal coating is non-flammable, contains low levels of VOCs and no isocyan­ates, so it can be soldered through without fear of highly toxic gases being produced. Is phenol-free, so is non-corrosive to cadmium and zinc plate. Based on polymeric materials, offers adhesion on a variety of substrates and a wide operating temperature range. Available in two formulations: WBP is the standard product and WBPS (Sprayable) is for use in selective film coating equipment. Is DEF-STAN, MIL and IPC-CC-830 and RoHS compliant.
 
Flexible Lead-Free Conformal Coating (LFCC) is transparent and fast drying. Designed to protect electronic circuitry processed with lead-free soldering products, it provides adhesion to lead-free flux and fluoresces under UV light for ease of inspection. Can be soldered through without highly toxic gases being produced and is non-corrosive to cadmium and zinc plate.
 
Electrolube, electrolube.com

 

 Ovation Products, grid-lok.com

Sonoscan was granted US Patent #6,895,820 covering the  Virtual Rescanning Module (VRM).
 
The VRM technique permits engineers to acquire and save acoustic echo data from the entire volume of a part such as an integrated circuit package. The saved digital file can later be rescanned to make acoustic images as though the file were the physical IC package.
 
VRM is widely used to preserve data about parts before they go into production or into testing.  After a part has been altered by heat, testing or other factors, it is no longer too late to examine the part in its original condition.
 
In advanced flip-chip production, VRM is used with the patented Sonoscan method for Frequency Domain Imaging (FDI) to perform high-resolution non-destructive analysis of critical flip-chip interfaces.
                                                                       
Sonoscan Inc., sonoscan.com

K4000 PCB singulator depanelizes skip routed PCB panels up to 24" long. Simply place the bottom scoreline of the PCB onto the linear blade and step on a guarded foot switch to bring the circular blade across the top scoreline for clean separation of the PCB panels. Right and left blade guards assure operator safety. The front and back support and take up table are height adjustable.
 
Available with optional light beam safety curtain across the front of the blades for additional operator safety, and a conveyor belt to bring singulated PCBs to the side for easy removal. An infrared sensor on the end of the conveyor will stop the belt for PCBs with components on them. Scrap pieces will pass underneath the sensor beam into a discard bin.
 
Tooling to help the operator align panels is also available.
 
R100 is a high-speed, tabletop PCB router with built-in dust extraction channels. Can be used to finish singulating tab-routed PCB panels by manual operation. Two guide pins, one in back of the router bit and one in front of the router bit assure that the board will move past the router bit along the line of the routing channel, for clean, straight separation of the panel. The front guide pin can be brought in and out from the tooling bit to match the tab size on the PCB. Rotating the guide pin positioning collet will let the operator match the curvature of the cutting path to that of a round PCB panel.
 
Can be used as back up for high-volume routing or punch systems. In-house dust extraction vacuum can be connected to the tool, or a dust extraction vacuum is available separately.
 
FKN Systek, FKNSYSTEK.com

See-Flo 202 Air-Draulic meter system is the second in the Micro-Meter 2 product line. It is a positive-displacement, two-component meter-mix dispensing system to apply precision beads and metered shots of precisely mixed resins such as epoxies, acrylics, urethanes and silicones. AirDraulic (air-over-oil) drive motor is said to provide consistent, repeatable bead profiles and adjustable metered shot volumes. Reportedly improves production rates and product quality and reduces manufacturing costs.
 
AirDraulic drive control provides a preset material-dispensing profile with consistent dispense results. The volume is easily and quickly changed to dispense precisely mixed materials for different part configurations. Can be used in various two-component meter, mix and dispense applications such as bonding, gasketing or potting applications for manual, automated, indexing, XYZ-motion and robotic processes. The control panel accepts commands directly from the operator or automation panel.
 
System includes a Snuf-Bak or No-Drip dispense valve with seals matched to each dispense fluid. The rugged dispense valve may be remote-mounted. Disposable No-Flush mixers mix and dispense epoxies, polyurethanes and silicones.
 
Sealant Equipment & Engineering, www.SealantEquipment.com

 
Has an open front work area for placement in front of equipment or as a stand-alone unit that is useful for vibration-sensitive work.  HEPA filters provide horizontal laminar flow air that washes out particulates and prevents contamination of the clean work zone. Features clean edge construction that puts the hood in shear with the media edge of the HEPA filter. This reduces turbulence along the sides of the hood, improving the laminar flow and preventing contamination infiltration around the perimeter of the hood.
 
Feature all-metal construction with a Vinclad exterior for durability. Two white fluorescent lamps with an energy-efficient ballast illuminate the work area. A clear polycarbonate hood provides a controlled work area and assists in directional air flow.  Uses a HEPA FLEX duct system to provide air flow from the blower to the HEPA filter. The duct system, along with the cabinet blower, provides a negative pressure area on the cabinet interior.
 
Options include a removable perforated HEPA filter protective grill, a safety glass hood, an extended hood (no built-in table) and ultraviolet germicidal lamps.
 
Clean Air Products, www.cleanairproducts.com

MSX 80 and MSX 90 are cost effective machines for manual inspection of PCBs and components. The MSX line replaces the previous MXR series.
 
The automated system MSX 2000 A will be presented during the SMT/Hybrid/ Packaging show. The fully automated inspection system has automated test program generation and inspection. Fully automated load and unload capacity options are available.
 
MSX Image software allows a complete calibration of the x-ray system, off-axis inspection and enhanced image processing.
 
MSX 3000 series have 2-D transmission and 2-D off-axis mode, as well as real 3-D inspection (Laminography). A real 3-D reconstruction delivers a complete set of slices through the tested object –in common production cycle times.
 
An off-line version of this system family will be at the SMT show in Nuremberg. An in-line version is in development.
 
Macrotron Scientific Engineering (MSE), www.m-se.com
 

Newark InOne, a small-quantity distributor of electronic components and test equipment in North America, has launched its exclusive RoHS catalog as an interactive online vehicle. The catalog (at newarkinone.com) features 40,000 RoHS-compliant products.
 
Engineers and component buyers can search by part number or description, evaluate products and buy them. The catalog groups components by type (rather than brand) for easy comparison, and includes a detailed guide to RoHS compliance.
 
Pages can be turned one by one, or the user may jump to any product category on the index: semiconductors, passive components, interconnect/wire & cable, electromechanical/power/circuit protection, optoelectronics or soldering. A page can be flagged with an electronic note and emailed to colleagues or purchasing departments.
 
The catalog also features helpful tool tips. "Most component manufacturers changed
their part numbers when they released their RoHS compliant versions," remarks Susan Fischer, senior vice president marketing/eCommerce, Newark InOne. "By scrolling over a part number, a pop-up window with the old part number will appear. This helps our customers to confirm that they are buying the right part."
 
Manufacturers in the catalog include: Texas Instruments, On Semi, Maxim/Dallas, IR, National, Intersil, AMD, Fairchild, Freescale, Avago, Kester, Littelfuse, Honeywell, Tyco, Molex and Amphenol.
 
Newark InOne, www.newarkinone.com/rohs

TheLabelDispenser line of semiautomatic electric label dispensers is built with durable photo sensors to increase speed and accuracy along production lines. Durably designed with an all-metal construction to perform in industrial environments.
 
Eliminate several steps in manufacturing by advancing labels, separating them from their lining and positioning each label for the operator to remove. As the operator takes the label, a solid state photo sensor detects its absence, the spool is wound forward and the next label is presented for removal. The sensor makes no contact with the labels.
 
Includes 18 machines that can dispense labels from .125 to 12” long and from .25 to 8” wide. Each dispenser can perform on a range of dimensions, as the specifications can be customized by moving the adjustable photo sensor.
 
Can be used in product identification, packaging and assembly.
 
START International, startinternational.com

Legex 574 CNC Coordinate Measuring Machine offers ultra-high accuracy (MPE_E = [0.35+L/1000] µm); a measuring range of X: 510 mm, Y: 710 mm, Z: 455 mm; traverse speed  of 200 mm/sec.; and robust worktable loading capacity. Applications include measurement of large lenses to inspection of metallic molds, engine blocks and similar components, whether in production runs, or small lots.
 
Is driven by MCOSMOS (Mitutoyo Controlled Open System for Modular Operation Support) software with modules supporting virtually every CAD format while providing routines for in-line measurement, data feedback and process management. MCOSMOS reportedly makes training easy and intuitive.
 
Spheroidal graphite ductile cast iron is used for the chassis which, together with air-damped spring isolators, effectively attenuate vibration.  FEM (Finite Element Modeling) analysis optimizes its configuration to ensure geometric accuracy by minimizing the deformations caused by normal machine operations.  Thermally-stable components and real-time temperature compensation maintain high accuracy, even under a range of operating temperatures (64.4° to 71.6°F / 18° to 22°C).
 
A variety of probes is supported including contacting scanning and touch-trigger as well as laser and vision.
 
Mitutoyo America Corp., mitutoyo.com 

 
Craig Curk, national sales manager, notes that “most customers are ordering two solder pots, one for lead-based, one for no-lead. The pots are clearly marked and color-coded to prevent mix-ups that can result in cross- contamination. Each pot is equipped with its own solder pump and solder delivery systems; extra nozzles are ordered separately.”
 
Changeover between pots is fast and simple. The nitrogen supply is removed via a "quick connect” fitting, pump power is removed and reattached with power plug, and re-heating from a cold start takes about an hour.
 
Applications include assembly, prototyping and rework, post-reflow offline assembly and other soldering applications such as odd-form devices.
 

Assembléon is introducing a Speedpack upgrade to its AX range of pick-and-place machines. The upgrade reportedly increases the output of the SMD placement equipment lines by up to 15%, while improving line balancing.
 
The AX5, for example, increases from speed 94,300 to 110,000 components/hr. The package runs on new machines, and currently installed machines can be upgraded.  
 
Raises outputs without trading off accuracy (4 sigma @ 50 micron). This reduces the production cost per component.
 
It is the first of several developments planned to bring performance of installed machines up to the latest machine standards. The platform’s modularity allows specific modules to be upgraded without having to change the entire machine setup or design.
 
Assembléon, assembleon.com