Building on its portfolio of high-speed backplane connectors, Tyco has introduced the Z-PACK MAX connector as a cost-effective interconnect for backplane applications where high speed, high density and high performance are needed.
 
“In listening to our customers we heard the need for a cost effective high-speed product and quickly focused significant resources in responding to that need. The result of that effort is the Z-PACK MAX product line,” said Bob Hnatuck, high-speed backplane connector product manager. “One of our goals is to offer a portfolio of products which provides our customers with options and gives them the flexibility to meet their requirements. The Z-PACK MAX backplane connector system performs at speeds up to 10 Gbps and beyond for applications including servers, storage devices, switches, routers and similar high-speed signal applications.”
 
To achieve the 10+ Gbps speed, ground contacts are positioned within each connector column and are combined with lead frame arrangements within the connector to achieve low crosstalk and high throughput. Employs a shield-less design. Dual point contact mating and compliant pin board mounting help ensure reliability. Meet Telcordia requirements and are RoHS compliant.
 
Available in a five-pair version (with 26 pairs per 10 mm, or 66 differential pairs per in.), or a four-pair version (with 21 pairs per 10 mm, or 53 differential pairs per in.). Accommodate 25.40 mm (five pair) and 20.32mm (four pair) card slot spacing. Planned product extensions include a three-pair version for narrow card pitch applications, right angle pin headers for coplanar applications, vertical receptacles for mezzanine applications and high-speed cable assemblies.

Tyco Electronics, www.tycoelectronics.com

K2000 motorized circular blade depanelizer separates prescored PCBs without dust or scrap. Available with XY table for improved board handling.
 
PCB panels are singulated by passing the scoreline between two circular blades. Front and back blade guards assure operator safety. An adjustable upper front blade guide assures that only the scoreline can be passed to the cutting area.
 
When using the XY table, the operator places the PCB onto the guide rails of the table and brings the scoreline between the top and bottom blade guards to pass it to the cutting area. The motor driven lower blade of the K2000 will pull the PCB through to separate the panels. Two cutting speeds are available for optimal PCB separation. Singulates panels up to 12.5 in. Blades are made of tool steel and can be re-sharpened.
 
The tooling plate for Simm cards allows exact placement of the PCB matrix onto the moveable base. The plate is positioned on the right side for singulating the carrier strip on the left of the panels and then moved to the other side to singulate the remaining carrier strip. Adjustable end stops for the tooling plate allow for positioning of the scoreline with the circular blades. Tooling pins and support rails for either side of the panel provide safe placement and support of the SIMM cards. The rails can be adjusted to insure that there is no contact with the components on the cards.
 
FKN Systek, Fknsystek.com

Portable Leak Finder is a troubleshooting tool to find small leaks in chambers, connections or parts.
 
Is a rechargeable container for helium gas with a spray nozzle similar to an aerosol can. Helium is sprayed onto the suspected leak location of a part or chamber and can then be observed on a mass spectrometer system that continuously measures the helium concentration in the part while under vacuum. A leak is immediately identified if helium is drawn into the part or chamber by the vacuum inside. The mass spectrometer responds to concentration change caused by new helium being drawn into the part or chamber. The timing of the response corresponds with the location of the helium being sprayed at the time of the response to accurately indicate the leak location.
 
Kit includes a recharge fitting and comes in a protective, custom-made carrying case. Valves, pressure gage and pressure relief valve allow safe recharging of the canister.
 
Cincinnati Test Systems, cincinnati-test.com

Scapa 650 is a high-temperature masking tape for low static protection of gold plated finger tabs, assembly holes and components during flux, preheat and soldering processes.  Also designed for high-temperature industrial masking in clean room environments.
 
Consists of a specially treated paper, single coated with a silicone pressure sensitive adhesive.  The masking tape reportedly delievers low electrostatic discharge at unwind, eliminating PCB degradation.  After processing, the silicone adhesive removes cleanly and easily from the surface without leaving adhesive residue.
 
During hot air leveling and wave soldering, it provides protection against chemical, solvents, solder and rinse water. Has a wide operating temperature range.
 
Scapa Industrial, scapaindustrial.com

Custom wave solder fixtures are manufactured using the same Gerber and drill files which describe the board, to speed production and improve performance.
 
Datum Wave Solder Fixtures are designed using customer supplied Gerber and drill files, which allows precise routing for component bottom-side pocketing and permits thicker, stiffer and more stable fixtures. With stepped-down openings on the solder side to prevent turbulence and component skipping, the fixtures provide a positive-locking clamp system to secure the board and for complete solder coverage.
 
Virtually eliminate the need for glue dotting, feature precise routing for component depth to prevent solder flooding and facilitate trouble shooting. Accommodate densely populated boards with tall secondary side components, can solder through-hole components directly adjacent to SMT devices. Can be supplied for boards up to 24” W.
 

Datum Dynamics USA, datumdynamics.com

SynTECH-LF RoHS-compliant, Pb-free, no-clean solder paste is made with 100% synthetic poly adduct components. Compatible with tin/silver and tin/silver/copper alloys, with Pb content <200ppm. Reportedly delivers high hourly throughput with less scrap and rework, lot-to-lot and stencil printing consistency, wide process windows (12-hour stencil life, 12-16 hour tack) and 90% metal loading. Good for ICT, is compatible with OSPs without compromising SIR values. Is non-conductive and non-corrosive, with post reflow residue that acts as a protective coating and can be removed using t cleaners. Available in jars, cartridges, syringes and cassettes.
 
Amtech, amtechsolder.com

The compact X-100 reflow oven incorporates Phase Convection technology to offer flexibility and low cost of ownership. Was developed to provide enhanced quality control, enabling individual thermal profiling on a board-by-board basis and thermal performance within the confines of Pb-free soldering.  
 
Provides enhanced temperature uniformity and lower nitrogen usage and power consumption. Unit length is 3,350 mm, uses SPC control with pyrometers. Features a self-cleaning capability and is environmentally friendly.
 
X-600 Phase Convection system features a hermetically sealed loading system by which boards are loaded into one of the three levels. Each phase unit has a re-circulating convection system in which the temperature is regulated by a pyrometer that measures the exact temperature of the board, not the surrounding air. These measurements can be monitored by an on-system SPC data collection tool for traceability and closed loop control.
 
eXelsius, a ViTechnology brand, www.vitechnology.com

Elektrobit exhibited a range of equipment at Productronica in November. The focus was on a complete JOT Automation line, featuring a Bare Board Unstacker, Laser Marker, Segment Conveyor, High-Speed Router and Single Flat Belt Conveyor.
 
J904-033 Tray Feeder Vivian Ultra features fast tray feeding using two shuttles and a compact tray feeder to enhance tray transportation to and from the robot working area. The tray dimensions and tray feeding height are adjustable to accommodate a range of product sizes.
 
J501-44 High-Speed Router uses grippers to hold the panel in place, ensuring short cycle duration. Cutting speed is up to 60 mm/s, depending on the layout and material of routed product, with a cutting accuracy of ±0.15 mm.
 
J401-11 Tiny Test Handler was shown with new display tester software, able to test small LCD displays, keyboards and housings of electronics equipment. It claims to offer high accuracy display defect detection and immunity to significant variations in illumination, part orientation and the display’s protection tape.
 
Elektrobit Group Plc, elektrobit.com

Automated conformal coating production line will begin coating the bottom-side (wire side) with a Prism 100 (designed for high-speed coating). The board will then pass through a board inverter to a Prism 350 to be selectively coated on the component side.
 
Prism Coating Systems are designed for precise application of conformal coatings and other low-viscosity materials. Feature Ultra-Spray technology, said to enable a more accurate, precise coating application than conventional spray and dispensing technology. 


Uses a titanium coating head and digitally controlled liquid delivery system. The coating head applies a thin, defect free coating 1 to 5 mils in thickness and reportedly provides uniformity and repeatability.
 
Ultrasonic Systems Inc., ultraspray.com
Booth 735

9600 Series Vibration Isolation Workstation for use in cleanrooms is constructed of stainless steel using cylindrical welded braces for maximum rigidity, minimum flat surfaces and easy wipedown. 
 
An enclosed isolation module, stainless steel valves and vented exhaust maintain compliance with Class 1 and 10 cleanroom standards.  Available with electropolish finish (Class 1) or clear passivate finish (Class 10).
 
Features low natural frequencies and high isolation efficiencies. Under maximum load at 80 psi and 10 Hz, typical vibration isolation efficiencies are 93% with a vertical natural frequency of 1.5 Hz and 95% with a horizontal natural frequency of 1.6 Hz.  Has isolated weight capacity of either 800 or 1300 lbs.
 
Feature the proprietary Active-Air Suspension system ¾ a dual-chamber compressed-air system for vibration damping and a preset “zero deflection” level to compensate for load changes.
 
Tables are available up to 36” deep and 60” wide.  Accessories include guard rails, fixed or sliding shelves, and monitor supports. 
 
Kinetic Systems, kineticsystems.com

The portable USC 400 ultrasonic cleaning system can be taken directly to the stencil printer to clean stencil apertures without the need to reset and calibrate the printer. When the system is offline, it can be used in conjunction with a bench-mounted or stand-alone stencil cleaner.
 
Features Direct On-Contact Ultrasonic Cleaning to remove Pb-free solder paste particles trapped within stencil apertures.
 
Benefits include: minimal use of fluids, total aperture penetration, no risk of stencil damage and robust construction. Can be used with solder paste or SMD adhesives, is suitable for stainless and plastic stencils. Cleans pick-and-place nozzles, dispensing needles and probe test pins, and can soften solder paste.

An ultrasonic cup with a dwell timer is optional.
 

PowerMod HP (high power) “B” series connector family features touch-safe female housings, integral positive latches and cable strain relief.
 
Rated over 350 amps and to 250 amps at a 30º C temperature rise. Accommodates American wire sizes from 1/0 to 4/0 AWG and metric wires from 50 to 95mm².  Use Sterling contact technology to offer low electrical resistance. Provides a minimum of 500 mating cycles and is rated for circuit interruption (true hot-plug).
 
Latching system with distinct blue buttons for clear identification offers security and ergonomics. IP 20 rated (touch safe) for user safety, integral coding key allows unique mating of up to 6 individual connectors. Cable strain relief kit, for all applicable wire sizes, is an option.
 
Offered in 10 different connector housing types, including right angle, bus bar, panel mount and blindmate/float selections.
 
 
Anderson Power Products, andersonpower.com