ISCAN (Intelligent Scaleable Control Area Network) architecture is based on Field Bus technology, which transmits packets of information digitally and is the basis for today's modern telecommunications systems.  When this principle is applied to printing systems, ISCAN enables machine control, translating to economic efficiency.  

According to Mick Bartholomew, manager of DEK's electrical design team, "Communication with the machine is now more advanced... Instead of just turning a motor on or off, ISCAN lets us send a message to tell the motor how far to travel, at what speed, acceleration and deceleration. In turn, the motor can reply, telling us that it has reached position, how accurately the velocity profile was followed, the amount of current that was used and much, much more. We can now read power supply levels and check circuit status without even opening up the machine. And, all this information is additionally accessible remotely via the Internet using DEK's Interactiv system."  

The intelligent communication allows for trend analysis, which can monitor overall machine health and predict routine maintenance

dek.com

FRANKLIN, MA, Nov. 15 - The MPM Accela screen printer has a completely new design and operator interface, and reportedly delivers raw throughput gains of 20 to 30%. This is aided by a parallel processing setup in which all axes move simultaneously. The machine is designed for applications such as cellular phones and automotive.

The new platform is said to

• Reduce setup, changeover and consumable downtime (to 5 minutes from 20), and features tool-free hardware interfaces
• Deliver equipment robustness, ease of operator use, and a module level design with CanOpen controls, with no tools needed to switch from pumps to blades. 
• Feature easy service, support, and upgrade capability, all within the same footprint as previous MPM printers.
• Offer 0.0005" accuracy for alignment and repeatability, and 0.001" print accuracy.
• Handle higher density, more complex boards as well as lead-free manufacturing requirements.
• Board sizes handled are 2 x 2" to 20 x 20", and thickness of 0.15 mm to 12.7 mm and up to 7 kg (15 lbs.).

The printer has been awarded two U.S. patents, and nine others are patent-pending.

Speedline Technologies Inc. 

ALPHA EF-8000 lead-free no-clean wave solder flux claims to provide excellent first pass yields, worry-free in-circuit testability and excellent electrical reliability in lead-free and tin/lead wave soldering applications.  IPC rated ROL0, exceeds the Bellcore and JIS standards for electromigration and surface insulation resistance, as well as more stringent electromigration and bulk insulation resistance requirements from leading OEMs. 

"ALPHA EF-8000 flux creates a new industry standard for broad latitude application, because it withstands the higher PWB surface temperatures required for successful lead-free soldering, but it is fully capable for use in standard tin-lead applications," said Mitch Holtzer, global product manager.  "In addition, it can be qualified now for emerging lead-free requirements, and used in lead-free or tin lead production lines." 

Low rosin content minimizes flux residue buildup on pallets and wave soldering equipment normally associated with high (>10%) rosin flux formulas.

Cookson Electronics Assembly Materials, alphametals.com

RFS-20 constantly recycles rinse water from stencil and batch cleaners, saving water, energy and disposal costs. The fully automatic system constantly filters the rinse water and returns it to the stencil cleaner for re-use, eliminating the need for evaporators, haulage or in-house wastewater treatment facilities. A four-stage filtration system cleans the rinse water and returns it to the cleaner.

Three-way valve allows the rinse tank fluids to be power drained when changing fluids during periodic maintenance.

Filtration system consists of an in-line solder trap, a 10-micron polypropylene filter, an activated carbon powder filter to remove organics and a 5-micron polypropylene filter for fine particulates and organics. Rinse tank water is constantly re-circulated, extending the bath life of both the wash and rinse tank fluids in the cleaner.

JNJ Industries, jnj-industries.com

The laser fan width control option provides closed-loop monitoring of the conformal coating process. Fan width is important to monitor to ensure consistent, repeatable coating patterns. The option is designed to work with the Century series conformal coating system and the patented SC-105/205 Film Coater applicator for low-viscosity coating materials.

Temperature variations and other environmental factors often affect the viscosity of coating materials, changing material flow and fluid fan width. Measures the fan width with a laser sensor and adjusts the system parameters as necessary. Can achieve edge definition of 0.76 mm (30 mil) and speeds up to 400 mm/sec (16 in/sec).

Asymtek, asymtek.com

The family of PXI instrumentation supporting extended boundary Scan Test strategies includes digital I/O modules, a mixed Signal I/O module and several power modules.

The family of digital I/O modules includes the PXI 5296 with 96 channels and the PXI 52196 with 192 channels. I/O channels are individually programmable as input, output, bi-directional or tri-state. The 32 channel groups are  voltage-programmable between 1.8 and 5VDC. Each channel features a special protection circuitry to avoid interface damages due to high fault currents, and allows hot-swap capability. A differential I/O module PXI 5384 with 48 programmable channels is available.

The mixed signal I/O module PXI 5702 has two channels with 12-bit resolution for the generation or measurement of voltages. Can also be used as digital pin driver.

The PXI 5120x series of power modules includes five different models (3VDC, 5VDC, 12VDC, 24VDC and 48VDC). All have two separate channels with 50W output power each, and are voltage and current programmable.  Feature galvanic isolation, load rejection relays, U/I read back and programmable current. Have an integrated U/I recorder per channel, synchronously operating to the BScan TCK clock.

The new suite supports the PXI trigger bus and, can be synchronized to the boundary scan test procedure.

GÖPEL electronic GmbH, goepel.com

DEK (dek.com) has developed machine interfaces to NPI and MES software tools from Aegis Industrial Software Corp. (aiscorp.com), allowing engineers using DEK screen printing platforms to reportedly maximise machine uptime, improve process monitoring and reduce operator mean time to assist (MTTA).

DEK screen printing platforms can now communicate using the Aegis xLink protocol, which allows users to reduce machine programming time for through-hole and surface mount production and inspection process machine interfaces using CircuitCAM, and to benefit from browser-based remote monitoring using iMonitor. The two utilities are part of Aegis' software for managing manufacturing information, which encompasses manufacturing activities from NPI to monitoring and optimising production.

CircuitCAM allows users to quickly create machine programs from CAD design information, working offline to maximise machine uptime. Enables generation of process routing, visual assembly documentation and reports from the input CAD information.

Bellows Falls, VT -- Straight cable, coiled cords and high performance flexible products that meet current environmental requirements are available for a range of medical and commercial interconnect applications. Comply with environmental directives such as RoHS and WEEE.

Whitney Blake Co. www.whitneyblake.com

Featuring ProfitPro, an Excel-based software application that calculates the cost and profit related to PWB assembly, the SMTA Cost Estimating Guidelines are intended to model real-time cost estimating (RTCE) in the electronics industry. The guidelines are arranged by Dr. Ronald C. Lasky, Indium Corp. of America/Dartmouth College.

Using these production variables such as cycle time, hours/shift, shifts/day, days/week, set up time and dowtime, ProfitPro can model RTCE for high-volume, low-mix to low-volume, high-mix lines.  Has default values of unknown cost metrics, can calculate "what-if" scenarios, including:

- The amount of profit gained if setup time is reduced.

- The amount of profit gained if cycle time is decreased.

- The amount of profit gained if new equipment or materials increases productivity.

National Physical Laboratory has developed a new instrument for measuring solder properties. The advent of lead-free alloys makes it imperative to obtain accurate material properties on volumes of materials under 1mm^3. Instruments must be able to measure and displace small distances, typically a few micrometers to a precision of 0.1µm, and to measure low forces.

NPL has developed a machine that achieves this capability. Measurements are now possible at typical stresses and strains found in solder joints, resulting in realistic fatigue and creep rates. These values are essential for accurate, statistically based life-time predictions of lead-free reliability.

For further information contact:

Dr.Chris Hunt: chris.hunt@npl.co.uk  

milos.dusek@npl.co.uk

Cogiscan's feeder setup validation system is reportedly robust and flexible enough for use on all different machine types. The RFID Smart Feeder system can be retrofitted to an existing placement machine in the field. The customer's inventory of feeders can be converted into "Smart" feeders by attaching a low-cost RF tag to each feeder.

Key features:

-         Enables closed-loop feeder and component setup validation

-         Eliminates human errors and reduces changeover time

-         Provides real-time material inventory and traceability

-         Quick and easy retrofit on any machine type

-         Proactively scans all feeder slots in real time.

Can be used in combination with Cogiscan software applications. Can be integrated with feeder set-up verification software from third-party suppliers to eliminate manual barcode scanning at the machine.

Cogiscan, cogiscan.com

2200 Series BenchMate vibration-free platforms are said to enhance the performance of atomic force microscopes, microhardness testers, profilometers, balances, audio components and other precision tabletop equipment.  Available in three different models, each providing application-specific vibration control with low natural frequency.

Model 2210 features vertical vibration control and uses a passive-air design that can be operated with an optional hand pump if an air source is not available.

Model 2212 uses a self-leveling, active-air unit and is recommended for more regular use.

Model 2214 offers an enhanced, multistage horizontal isolation feature, recommended for applications where both vertical and horizontal vibrations are a problem. The self-leveling, active-air unit that must be connected to a compressor.

Four table sizes are available up to 24 x 36", with table capacities up to 450 lbs. Class 100 cleanroom compatible, with a Class 10 option.  Come with or without mounting holes, which can be tapped on an English (¼-20 x 1") or metric (M6 x 25mm) grid. 

Kinetic Systems Inc., www.kineticsystems.com