BergStik un-shrouded headers with simplex-plated contacts meet environmental requirements for lead-free and RoHS-compatible components. Feature standard 0.025” (0.64 mm) sq. post contacts on 0.100” (2.54 mm) pitch.

Simplex plated posts with gold or GXT (gold flash over palladium-nickel) contact finish have no tin content. Headers can be ordered with insulators molded using high-temperature thermoplastic capable of withstanding lead-free reflow soldering temperatures.  

“BergStik headers with simplex precious-metal contact finish provide a low- risk path for electronics manufacturers to completely eliminate lead from un-shrouded headers,” said Alejandro Aguirre, product manager.

FCI, fciconnect.com

The latest version of CAM350, for verification and optimization of PCBs, now includes Streams Rule Check - a new method of performing PCB design analysis. Allows users to shorten the time to analyze a design by performing Design Rule checks, Design for Manufacturing checks and Netlist Comparison checks simultaneously.

“Analyzing Gerber layers in CAM systems is often a tedious and time-consuming procedure. For each type of design analysis to be performed, a PCB designer needs to set up and execute it separately, then view the results separately,” said Rick Almeida, founder. “With Streams Rule Check, a designer can set-up once and execute a variety of analysis simultaneously - or all in one ‘stream’ - saving time and increasing productivity.”

It also allows the user to run different analysis in High Technology areas such as BGA or Wire Bond while running “standard” analysis on the balance of the design.

Enhancements to existing DFF and DRC functions include new negative plane checks, missing soldermask and floating antennas as well as other enhancements and corrections.

The new version is available at no additional charge to existing customers with a valid maintenance agreement.

DownStream Technologies, downstreamtech.com

PPT VISION has announced two new intelligent camera models, the IMPACT T26 and T27. The T-series are intelligent cameras with full-scale vision image processing capabilities built into the camera.

“Both cameras are designed to give manufacturers greater accuracy and improved defect detection, compared to standard resolution vision systems,” said Joe Christenson, president.  “The T26 incorporates a 1280 X 1024 CMOS high resolution imager that provides an economical machine vision solution with all the features of a full-scale high-resolution system. The T27 is the industry’s highest resolution intelligent camera. With a 1600 X 1200 CCD imager, it is ideal for the most accurate and repeatable defect detection even at high production speeds.”

The T-series family contains a high performance microprocessor and real-time operating system, plus a digital imaging sensor. The electronic components are contained into a sealed industrial unit which can be installed directly into assembly lines and manufacturing equipment.

PPT VISION, pptvision.com

Roll-A-Round base provides mobility and space-saving convenience for Prolite illuminated magnifiers. Most magnifiers are mounted to a table or workbench; the new base allows a magnifier to go mobile instantly when needed elsewhere. The base brings task lighting and magnification where it is needed. This includes the model builder’s bench, craft hobbyist’s table, or for bedside lighting, reading, knitting, crocheting, tying flies, sewing, stamp and coin collecting and review, and other uses where cool, natural, full-spectrum lighting and magnification are desired.

The heavy-duty base features a five-leg caster system for stability, and is compatible with most magnifiers or other bench-mounted lighting fixtures that use a standard 1/2" bottom mounting pin. Chair-height base includes a weight underneath for resistance to tipping. The base is 32" high.

The O.C. White Co., www.ocwhite.com

A new conveyor chain is gentle to soft products and is said to offer increased efficiency and service life, even in environments where dust and particulates are a problem. Features smooth surfaces and link interfaces for improved gentleness and minimum dust generation in product handling. Link interfaces are designed to minimize dust intrusion to the conveyors. Chain and slide rail contact optimised to enhance service life and minimize friction.

FlexLink, flexlink.com

Textool brand BGA Open Top Test and Burn-In Socket 1.0 mm pitch, Type III is now available.

Using modular, injection-molded bodies and stamp-and-form contacts, this burn-in socket for high-end logic, programmable BGA (PBGA), MCM and system-in-package devices is designed for packages up to 47.5 x 47.5 mm, with matrices of up to 45 x 45 and lead counts to 2025. Is RoHS compliant.

Nest comb design allows full matrix array applications with minimal z-axis warp. By separating the socket nest into dual, interlocking combs, withstands the high contact force loads inherent in high lead count sockets.

Micro-Wiping contact scrubs device leads with each engage and disengage cycle, removing the oxide layer from solder balls, as well as removing contaminants from the contact surface. Contributes to improved contact resistance and reduces the need for cleaning sockets prior to the end of their rated life cycle.

Dual beam contact motion equalizes wear on the contact blades, maximizing mechanical reliability and durability. Facilitates pick-and-place operations by maintaining ball position throughout the actuation cycle. Package shift during loading and unloading is minimal.

3M, www.3M.com

DEK has developed wafer bumping and ball placement solutions for packaging applications by using efficient screen printing techniques and enabling technologies such as enclosed print head material deposition.

“Customers are looking for reduced costs on several levels,” says Richard Heimsch, president. “Manufacturers want lower initial equipment investment, long-term ownership and tooling costs. DEK has responded to these requirements by delivering a flexible platform that can deposit paste and place solder flux and solder balls, while handling devices in different input formats.”

For bumping at the wafer and substrate levels, a simple print and reflow method allows for single stroke, unlimited bump quantity with bump height targets of 80 to150 microns on pitches of 150 to 500 microns. This technique requires strict application of design rules when creating the stencil, which is generally electroformed.  The design of the bond pads must allow sufficient contact area to achieve good solder joint strength for a given stand-off.  The technologies that allow printing platforms to meet these semiconductor packaging requirements include automated wafer handing systems, Vortex clean-room compatible paperless cleaning systems and ProFlow enclosed print head technology which is said to deliver paste volume transfer and uniformity.

When pitch and bump size is appropriate, placing instead of forming solder bumps at the wafer and substrate levels is an alternative. DirEKt Ball Placement places solder balls as small as 0.3 mm in diameter onto substrates or wafers, with fine-pitch accuracy and first-pass yields reportedly better than 99%. Flux is deposited at each interconnect site. Then, the fully enclosed ProFlow ball transfer head guides each solder ball directly to the surface of the stencil and a controlled placement force seats each ball into the flux. Cycle time is fast and completely independent of I/O count.

DEK, www.dek.com

AVX Corp. has released an updated capability guide covering a range of RoHS-compliant, lead-free passive and interconnect components. Includes leaded radial, axial ceramic capacitors and radial tantalum capacitors.

Lead-free product offerings include multilayer ceramic capacitors, Tantalum capacitors, Niobium Oxide (OxiCap) capacitors, circuit protection, filtering, frequency control devices as well as standard and custom interconnects in addition to many other product lines. 

A full RoHS compliant product listing is available at http://www.avx.com/docs/catalogs/RoHS_Status.pdf.